The present review focuses on the description of the design, synthesis and physico-chemical and biological evaluation of polymer nanogels. Nanogels are robust swollen cross-linked polymer nanoparticles that can be used as highly efficient and biodegradable carriers for the transport of drugs in controlled drug delivery. In this article, various types of nanogels are described and methods for their preparation discussed. The possibility of using synthesized nanosystems for targeting are reviewed to show the potential of tailored structures to reach either solid tumor tissue or direct tumor cells. Finally, the methods for encapsulation or attachment of biologically active molecules, e.g. drugs, proteins, are described and compared., J. Kousalová, T. Etrych., and Obsahuje bibliografii
a1_Osteoporosis is a serious disease characterized by high morbidity and mortality due to atraumatic fractures. In the pathogenesis of osteoporosis, except environment and internal factors, such as hormonal imbalance and genetic background, are also in play. In this study candidate genes for osteoporosis were classified according to metabolic or hormonal pathways, which regulate bone mineral density and bone quality (estrogen,RANKL/RANK/OPG axis, mevalonate, the canonical circuit and genes regulating the vitamin D system). COL1A1 and/or COL1A2 genes, which encode formation of the procollagen 1 molecule, were also studied. Mutations in these genes are well-known causes of the inborn disease‘ osteogenesis imperfecta’. In addition to this, polymorphisms in COL1A1 and/or COL1A2 have been found to be associated with parameters of bone quality in adult subjects. The authors discuss the perspectives for the practical utilization of pharmacogenetics (identification of single candidate genes using PCR) and pharmacogenomics (using genome wide association studies (GWAS) to choose optimal treatment for osteoporosis). Potential predictors of antiresorptive therapy efficacy include the following well established genes: ER, FDPS, Cyp19A1, VDR, Col1A1, and Col1A2, as well as the gene for the canonical (Wnt) pathway. Unfortunately, the positive outcomes seen in most association studies have not been confirmed b y other researchers. The controversial results could be explained by the use of different methodological approaches in individual studies (different sample size, homogeneity of investigated groups, ethnic differences, or linkage disequilibrium between genes). The key pitfall of association studies is the low variability (7-10 %) of bone phenotypes associated with the investigated genes., a2_Nevertheless, the identification of new genes and the verification of their association with bone density and/or quality (using both PCR and GWAS), remain a great challenge in the optimal prevention and treatment of osteoporosis., I. Zofkova, P. Nemcikova, M. Kuklik., and Obsahuje bibliografii
We have determined the genotypes of two common polymorphisms in the lipoprotein lipase (S447X) and hepatic lipase (-480C/T) genes in a cohort of 285 representative selected Czech probands (131 male and 154 female), examined in 1988 and reinvestigated in 1996. The genotype distributions of both polymorphisms were in Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium and did not differ between male and female subjects. The rare allele frequency of the lipoprotein lipase polymorphism did not differ significantly from the other European populations. Compared to the German populations, the frequency of the hepatic lipase -480T allele was significantly higher in the Czech group (20 % vs. 36 %, p<0.0001). There were no significant associations between the lipoprotein lipase gene variants and lipid parameters measured either in 1988, or in 1996 or with changes of lipid parameters over the 8-year period. The carriers of the T-480 allele of the hepatic lipase polymorphism were found to have higher HDL cholesterol levels (p=0.02). However, this difference was confined to female subjects only. The male carriers of the -480T allele had higher concentrations of total cholesterol (p=0.03) as compared to CC-480 subjects. Both associations were observed in 1996 only. In the Slavic Czech population, a common polymorphism in the hepatic lipase gene (-480C/T), but not in the lipoprotein lipase gene (S447X), is a significant determinant of plasma HDL cholesterol in females and plasma total cholesterol in males and indicates the importance of gender-associated effects in the genetic determinations of plasma lipids., J.A. Hubáček, D.M. Waterworth, J. Piťha, S.E. Humphries, P.J. Talmud, R. Poledne., and Obsahuje bibliografii
Polysaccharides are long carbohydrate molecules of monosaccharide units joined together by glycosidic bonds. These biological polymers have emerged as promising materials for tissue engineering due to their biocompatibility, mostly good availability and tailorable properties. This complex group of biomolecules can be classified using several criteria, such as chemical composition (homo- and heteropolysaccharides), structure (linear and branched), function in the organism (structural, storage and secreted polysaccharides), or source (animals, plants, microorganisms). Polysaccharides most widely used in tissue engineering include starch, cellulose, chitosan, pectins, alginate, agar, dextran, pullulan, gellan, xanthan and glycosaminoglycans. Polysaccharides have been applied for engineering and regeneration of practically all tissues, though mostly at the experimental level. Polysaccharides have been tested for engineering of blood vessels, myocardium, heart valves, bone, articular and tracheal cartilage, intervertebral discs, menisci, skin, liver, skeletal muscle, neural tissue, urinary bladder, and also for encapsulation and delivery of pancreatic islets and ovarian follicles. For these purposes, polysaccharides have been applied in various forms, such as injectable hydrogels or porous and fibrous scaffolds, and often in combination with other natural or synthetic polymers or inorganic nanoparticles. The immune response evoked by polysaccharides is usually mild, and can be reduced by purifying the material or by choosing appropriate cross linking agents., L. Bačáková, K. Novotná, M. Pařízek., and Obsahuje bibliografii a bibliografické odkazy
Focusing on Czech birth care, this article examines the birth experience of 40 women who gave birth in different maternity hospitals during the past seven years. It investigates how these women approached birth care and what ideas they had about it. The article builds on semi ‑structured and narrative interviews with postpartum women, which were conducted within two different research projects. The interviewees differed in many aspects and especially in their general approach to childbirth issues and their interest in the subject. Several key issues emerged out of the thematic analysis of interviews: fear of childbirth, birth care evaluations, priorities and demands, and strategies of their enforcement. These issues are part of a wider concept of birth care, and five different conceptions of birth care were identified in the women’s birth narratives. They reflect different attitudes to the medicalization of birth care, different levels of knowledge and interest in childbirth issues, and different perceptions of their own position in the context of care provision., Ema Hrešanová., Poznámky na str. 74 (3), Biografická poznámka o autorce článku na str. 74, Obsahuje bibliografii, and Resumé o klíčová slova anglicky na str. 63
The activation of metabotropic glutamate receptors subtype 4 (mGluR4) potentiates models of absence seizures in adult rats. These seizures are age-dependent, but data concerning the role of mGluR4 in immature brain is insufficient. N-phenyl-7- (hydroxyimino)cyclopropa[b]chromen-1acarboxamide (PHCCC), which is a positive allosteric modulator of these receptors, was used in three different models of seizures in immature rats: 1) convulsions induced by high doses of pentetrazol (PTZ; a model of generalised tonic-clonic seizures); 2) rhythmic electroencephalographic (EEG) activity induced by low doses of PTZ (a model of absence seizures); and 3) electrically elicited cortical afterdischarges (ADs, a model of myoclonic seizures). We administered four doses of PHCCC (1, 3, 10 and 20 mg/kg) in PTZ-induced convulsions and two doses (3 and 10 mg/kg) in the two electrophysiological models of freely moving rats with implanted electrodes. Every dose and age group consisted from 8 to 10 rats. PTZ-elicited convulsions were not significantly influenced by PHCCC. In contrast, PHCCC potentiated the effect of a subconvulsant dose (60 mg/kg) of PTZ. The 10-mg/kg dose of PHCCC significantly prolonged the duration of PTZ-induced rhythmic activity episodes and shortened the intervals between individual episodes in 25-day-old rats (P25). In contrast, this potentiation was not seen in P18 rats. Cortical ADs were significantly prolonged with repeated stimulations by both doses of PHCCC in P12 and P18 animals. P25 rats exhibited only slightly longer AD durations. In conclusion, we did not find any anticonvulsant effect of PHCCC. On the contrary, proconvulsant action was demonstrated in all three models in immature rats., E. Szczurowska, P. Mareš., and Obsahuje seznam literatury
The effect of oral supplementation with glycosaminoglycans (GAG) and radical scavengers (vitamin E/selenium) on the regeneration of osteochondral defects was investigated in rabbits. After introduction of defined osteochondral defects in the knee joint, groups of ten animals were given a GAG/vitamin E/selenium mixture or a placebo (milk sugar) for 6 weeks. Following sacrifice, histological and histochemical analysis was performed. The amount of synovial fluid was increased in the placebo group, while the viscosity of the synovial fluid was significantly enhanced in the GAG group. The amount of sulfated GAG in the osteochondral regenerates (8.8±3.6 % vs. 6.0±5.6 %; p<0.03) was significantly higher in the GAG group. In both groups, the GAG amount in the cartilage of the operated knee was significantly higher than in the non-involved knee (p<0.05). Histological analysis of the regenerates in the GAG group was superior in comparison with the placebo group. For the first time, a biological effect following oral supplementation with GAG was demonstrated in healing of osteochondral defects in vivo. These findings support the known positive clinical results., M. Handl, E. Amler, K. Bräun, J. Holzheu, T. Trč, A. B. Imhoff, A. Lytvynets, E. Filová, H. Kolářová, A. Kotyk, V. Martínek., and Obsahuje bibliografii a bibliografické odkazy
Silymarin and silybin are widely used for their hepatoprotective properties. Our previous studies confirm positive effect of silymarin on lipoprotein profile and lipid homeostasis. Advanced drug forms may improve the bioavailability of these compounds. In this study, we investigate the effects of silybin in different drug forms (standardized silybin, micronized silybin, and silybin in form of phytosomes) on dyslipidemia and glucose metabolism in hereditary hypertriglyceridemic (HHTg) rats. Male HHTg rats were divided into four groups of seven animals and were fed by experimental diets. Silybin significantly decreased serum level of triglycerides in groups of rats fed by standardized silybin and silybin in form of phytosomes compared to control group. Results show that silybin did not affect the total cholesterol level, but significantly increased the levels of HDL cholesterol in all groups of animals. Silybin in a standardized form had the highest hypotriglyceridemic effect. On the other hand, the micronized form has caused the highest increase of protective HDL and most significantly decreased glucose and insulin levels. Our results suggest that silybin is probably responsible for some positive properties of silymarin. Subsequent dose-dependent studies of silybin action may reveal the intensity of its positive effects on lipid and glucose parameters., M. Poruba, Z. Matušková, L. Kazdová, O. Oliyarnyk, H. Malínská, I. Tozzi di Angelo, R. Večeřa., and Obsahuje bibliografii
Protein kinases, transcription factors and other apoptosis- and proliferation-related proteins can regulate reproduction, but their involvement in sexual maturation remains to be elucidated. The general aim of the in vivo and in vitro experiments with porcine ovarian granulosa cells was to identify possible intracellular regulators of female sexual maturation. For this purpose, proliferation (expression of proliferating cell nuclear antigen - PCNA, mitogen-activated protein kinases - ERK 1,2 related MAPK and cyclin B1), apoptosis (expression of the apoptotic protein Bax and apoptosis regulator Bcl-2 protein), expression of some protein kinases (cAMP dependent protein kinase - PKA, cGMPdependent protein kinase - PKG, tyrosine kinase - TK) and cAMP responsive element binding protein 1 (CREB-1) was examined in granulosa cells isolated from ovaries of immature and mature gilts. Expression of PCNA, ERK1,2 related MAPK, cyclin B1, Bcl-2, Bax, PKA, CREB-1, TK and PKG in porcine granulosa cells were detected by immunocytochemistry. Sexual maturation was associated with significant increase in the expression of Bcl-2, Bax, PKA, CREB-1 and TK and with decrease in the expression of ERK1,2 related MAPK, cyclin B1 and PKG in granulosa cells. No significant difference in PCNA expression was noted. The present data obtained from in vitro study indicate that sexual maturation in females is influenced by puberty-related changes in porcine ovarian signaling substances: increase in Bcl-2, Bax, PKA, CREB-1, TK and decrease in ERK1,2 related MAPK, cyclin B1 and PKG. It suggests that these signaling molecules could be potential regulators of porcine sexual maturation., A. Kolesarova, A. V. Sirotkin, M. Mellen, S. Roychoudhury., and Obsahuje bibliografii
Idiopathic pes equinovarus (clubfoot) is a congenital deformity of the foot and lower leg defined as a fixation of the foot in plantar flexion, adduction, supination and varus. The deformity does not affect only the foot position, which is usually investigated by radiography, CT, micro-CT, MRI or ultrasound but logically influence the whole gait biomechanics. It is supposed, that clubfoot belongs to a group of fibroproliferative disorders whose origin and multi- hierarchical effect remain unknown. It has been suggested that fibroblasts and growth factors may be involved. To gain a more global view, direct analysis of the protein composition of extra cellular matrix, a proteomic approach was used. At present two principle methods are mostly used for the treatment of clubfoot: physiotherapy and the Ponseti method. The determination of the general biological and biomechanical parameters for various regio ns of the clubfoot can potentially help in the understanding of the mechanisms participating on this serious anomaly and thus contribute to the development of the more efficient therapeutic approach. This review summarizes the present knowledge on the poss ible pathogenetic mechanisms participating in the development of the clubfoot and their possible relation to the new therapeutic approaches., M. Ošťádal, J. Lišková, D. Hadraba, A. Eckhardt., and Obsahuje bibliografii