Gender-specific reproductive roles are important factors determining sexual dimorphism. Here, we investigate the effects of sex-based differences and reproductive status on the defence of Tribolium castaneum (Herbst, 1797) (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae) against infection by Steinernema feltiae (Filipjev, 1934) (Rhabditida: Steinernematidae). Female and male beetles, either virgin or post-copulation, were exposed individually to nematodes. Individuals were then sampled every 12 h, dissected, and checked for the presence of nematodes; we also measured their phenoloxidase (PO) activity. Reproductive status affected resistance to nematodes and PO activity as infected virgin individuals had a higher PO activity and lower mortality than reproducing individuals, with no differences between sexes. Mortality also increased with time, while PO activity did not change. Parasite load was related to reproductive status and sex, with reproducing females with the highest parasite loads in all treatments, and virgin males with more nematodes than sexually active males. Our results indicate that the costs of reproduction impair the immunological system of T. castaneum similarly in both sexes. It is possible, however, that other components of the immunological system that we did not measure, such as lysozyme activity, are impaired by infection with S. feltiae in a sex-specific way., Paulina Kramarz, Dariusz Małek, Maria Gaweł, Szymon M. Drobniak, Joanna Homa., and Obsahuje bibliografii
This paper presents results of the research on tectonic activity of the marginal sudetic fault (MSF). Velocities of points obtained from processing GPS observations in the GEOSUD network and results of national precise leveling networks have been analysed. Results of 1996-2005 GPS measurements and results of measurements of selected points for the 2006-2007 period were taken considered. The velocities calculated by means of the Bernese GPS Software 5.0 were used to test hypothesis on present-day strike-slip movement activity of the marginal sudetic fault. The relationship between the calculated velocities and the length of projection onto the fault’s line was studied. The second part contains analysis of relative vertical velocities of benchmarks, making up the 1st and the 2nd class national precise leveling lines crossing the fault line, to study its vertical activity. Velocities of horizontal and vertical changes of points on both sides of the fault were compared with models described in literature., Jan Kapłon and Stefan Cacoń., and Obsahuje bibliografii
Úvod: Cílem práce je identifikovat pacienty operované pro vývodový karcinom pankreatu, kteří přežili více než 5 let a analyzovat jejich charakteristiky a faktory s vlivem na přežití. Zkušenosti a výsledky terciárního centra. Metoda: Prospektivně vedená databáze 155 pankreatických resekcí v období leden 2006 až červen 2010 byla prozkoumána se záměrem identifikace pacientů operovaných kurativně pro vývodový karcinom pankreatu. Klinická a patologická data byla analyzována retrospektivně. Kaplan-Meierova analýza byla použita pro hodnocení přežívání, Log-rank test a Coxova regresní analýza pro analýzu faktorů s vlivem na přežití. Testy byly dělány na hladině signifikance 0,05. Jako nezávisle proměnné v Coxově regresní analýze byly vybrány faktory, u nichž byl pomocí Kaplan-Meierovy analýzy prokázán signifikantní vliv na přežívání. Výsledky: V sestavě 155 resekcí pankreatu s kurativním záměrem bylo identifikováno 73 nemocných operovaných pro vývodový karcinom pankreatu, u nichž bylo možné hodnotit 5leté přežití. Více než 5 let přežilo 15 nemocných (20,5 %), z nichž 13 dosud žije. Průměrná doba přežití ve skupině přeživších 5 let je 77,1 měsíce (60–110) a medián 74 měsíce, průměrná doba přežití bez nemoci (relaps free survival) je 63,3 měsíce (14−110), medián 62 měsíce. Ze sledovaných faktorů statisticky významný vliv na přežití měly: nepřítomnost infiltrace lymfatických uzlin (p=0,031), nekomplikovaný pooperační průběh (p=0,025), nepřítomnost vaskulární invaze v tumoru (p=0,017), léčba bez nutnosti podání transfuze krve (p=0,015) a pooperační onkologické léčba – převážně chemoterapie (p=0,009). Významnými nezávislými prediktory přežívání jsou: přítomnost angioinvaze HR=2,239 (95%CI: 1,093−4,590; p=0,028), pooperační chemoterapie HR=2,587 (95%CI: 1,301−5,145; p=0,007) a nutnost podání transfuze HR=2,080 (95%CI: 1,027−4,212; p=0,042). Přítomnost angioinvaze zvyšuje riziko úmrtí pacienta 2,2x, podání transfuze zvyšuje riziko úmrtí 2,1x a nepodání chemoterapie zvyšuje riziko úmrtí 2,6x. Závěr: Vliv na dlouhodobé přežití u nemocných operovaných pro karcinom hlavy pankreatu byl prokázán u těchto faktorů: nepřítomnost infiltrace lymfatických uzlin, nekomplikovaný pooperační průběh, nepřítomnost vaskulární invaze v tumoru, léčba bez nutnosti podání transfuze krve a pooperační onkologická léčba – chemoterapie. Významnými nezávislými prediktory přežívání jsou: vaskulární invaze, chemoterapie a nutnost podání transfuze., Introduction: The purpose was to identify 5-year survivors among a group of radically resected patients with pancreatic cancer and analyse the characteristics and factors associated with their 5-year survival. Single tertiary centre experience. Method: A prospectively maintained database of 155 pancreatic resections from January 2006 to June 2010 was scanned to identify patients after curative radical resections for pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma. The clinical and pathological data was analysed retrospectively. The outcomes of the PDAC group were evaluated using Kaplan-Meier analysis (survival) with the Log-rank test and Cox regression analysis (evaluation of prognostic factors). Characteristics of the survivors were discussed. Significance level of 0.05 was used. Those factors were used as independent variables for Cox regression analysis whose significant effect on survival was shown based on Kaplan-Meier analysis. Results: Among 155 patients undergoing a curative pancreatic resection, 73 had a pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma. Fifteen patients (20.5%) after radical surgery survived over 5 years, 13 of whom are still alive. In the group of the survivors, the mean overall survival was 77.1 months (60−110) and the median survival was 74 months. The mean relapse-free interval in the group of the survivors was 63.3 months (14−110) with the median of 65 months. Factors associated with a longer survival included the absence of lymph node infiltration (p=0.031), uncomplicated postoperative course (p=0.025), absence of vascular invasion (p=0.017), no blood transfusions (p=0.015) and the use of postoperative therapy – predominantly chemotherapy (p=0.009). Significant independent predictors of survival included vascular invasion HR=2.239 (95%CI: 1.093−4.590; p=0.028), postoperative chemotherapy HR=2.587 (95%CI: 1.301−5.145; p=0.007) and blood transfusion HR=2.080 (95%CI: 1.027−4.212; p=0.042). The risk of death was increased 2.2 times in patients with vascular invasion, 2.1 times in patients with transfusions, and finally 2.6 times in those with no chemotherapy. Conclusion: Factors associated with an improved overall survival included: the absence of lymph node infiltration, an uncomplicated postoperative course, absence of vascular invasion, no need of blood transfusions, and finally the use of postoperative chemotherapy. Vascular invasion, use of blood transfusions and postoperative adjuvant chemotherapy were significant independent prognostic factors of survival., and M. Loveček, P. Skalický, D. Klos, Č. Neoral, J. Ehrmann jr., J. Zapletalová, H. Švébišová, T. Yogeswara, M. Ghothim, R. Vrba, R. Havlík
Infekce močových cest vznikající v důsledku katetrizace (CAUTI) představují jednu z hlavních příčin infekčních onemocnění, k nimž dochází během hospitalizace pacienta. Vedle významného dopadu na morbiditu i mortalitu pacienta má tento typ infekce rovněž nezanedbatelné ekonomické důsledky. Vhodná péče o pacienty se zavedeným katetrem má tedy zcela zásadní význam. V tomto přehledovém článku předkládáme nejnovější informace (založené na důkazech) o léčbě CAUTI. Speciální pozornost je věnována různým možnostem prevence a léčby, jako jsou např. programy pro kontrolu infekce a upomínací systémy, povrchové úpravy různých materiálů, profylaxe antibiotiky a vhodná léčba symptomatických infekcí souvisejících s katetrizací. Optimální technologie pro prevenci CAUTI nebyla dosud vyvinuta a ačkoli nejrůznější přístupy vykazují slibné výsledky, zatím nejúčinnější formou zůstává prevence zbytečného zavádění katetru a jeho co možná nejrychlejší odstranění. Při manipulaci s katetry je nezbytné dodržovat doporučení stanovená na základě důkazů a postupovat v souladu s patřičnými guidelines., Catheter‑associated urinary tract infections (CAUTI) are a major source of hospital acquired infections with significant consequences to morbidity and mortality and having substantial financial implications. Therefore appropriate catheter care is of utmost importance. In this review we present an evidence‑based update on the management of CAUTI, with special emphasis on the different measures of prevention and treatment, such as infection control programs and reminder systems, surface material modifications of the foreign bodies, antibiotic prophylaxis, and the appropriate treatment of catheter associated symptomatic infections. An optimal technology to prevent CAUTI is still not available and although there are promising results with different approaches the most efficient means are still to avoid unnecessary catheterizations and to remove catheters as soon as possible. Evidence based catheter management and adherence to guidelines is mandatory., and Köves B., Hajdú A., Tenke P., Johansen T. E. Bjerklund
To investigate the effect of light cue on the resetting of the peripheral clocks, we examined the resetting processes of clock genes (Per1, Per2, Bmal1, Cry1, Dec1, and Rev-erbα) in the liver and heart of rats after the feeding and light-dark (LD) reversal via a 24-h light period transition. The liver clock was reset quickly within 3 days, while the heart clock needed a longer time course of 5-7 days to be completely re-entrained. Moreover, the reentrainment of Per1 and Per2 in the liver clock was more rapid than that of the other four clock genes, suggesting the important role of these two clock genes in initiating the circadian resetting of the hepatic clock. However, the resetting rates of these two clock genes were as similar as the others in the heart clock. Therefore, the resetting mechanisms underlining these two peripheral clocks may be totally distinct. Furthermore, the reentrainment of the liver and heart clocks were relatively lengthened after the feeding and LD reversal via a light period transition compared to a dark period transition, suggesting a simultaneous shift of feeding schedule and the LD cycle may facilitate the circadian resetting in rats., T. Wu ... [et al.]., and Obsahuje bibliografii a bibliografické odkazy
Cyclic vomiting syndrome (CVS) is a disorder characterized by recurrent, stereotypic episodes of nausea, vomiting, and other symptoms, separated by intervals of comparative wellness. These episodes carry on for hours or days. The patient is healthy between the episodes and has no clinical finding. For the treatment of the CVS, antiemetic, antimigraine and sedative medications were used. However, in some cases CVS treatment is very difficult. We report about a young patient, who did not respond to many agents, but was succesfully treated with chlorpomazine. and H. H. Ozdemir, S. Bulut, M. S. Berilgen, O. Kapan, M. Balduz, C. F. Demir
The motion of Earth’s spin axis in space is monitored by Very Long-Baseline Interferometry (VLBI), and since 1994 also its rate is measured by Global Positioning System (GPS). From the direct analysis of the combined VLBI/GPS solution in the interval 1994.3-2004.6 we recently found that the apparent period of the Retrograde Free Core Nutation (RFCN) grew from original 435 days to 460 days during the past ten years, but the resonance effects yielded a stable period of about 430 days. Now we repeat the same study with VLBI-only data, covering much longer interval (1982.4 - 2005.6). Direct analysis shows again a substantial increase of the apparent period during the last decade or so. The resonant period is given by internal structure of the Earth (mainly by the flattening of the core), so it is highly improbable that it is so much variable. From the same observations we derive corrections of certain nutation terms. A subsequent study of indirect determination of resonance RFCN period from the observed forced nutation terms through the resonance effects proves that the natural resonance period remains stable and is equal to 430.32±0.07 solar days. From this follows that an excitation by outer layers of the Earth (atmospheric, oceanic) should exist, with a terrestrial frequency close to that of RFCN (of about -1.0050 cycles per solar day, i.e. with period of -23h53m mean solar time), invoking the apparent changes of the directly observed RFCN period. Thanks to a close proximity of the resonance, any excitation with this period is extremely amplified so that the excitation necessary to explain the difference can be very small. The atmosphere alone contains enough power to excite the observed changes., Jan Vondrák and Cyril Ron., and Obsahuje bibliografii
The cardiovascular system is described by parameters including blood flow, blood distribution, blood pressure, heart rate and pulse wave velocity. Dynamic changes and mutual interactions of these parameters are important for understanding the physiological mechanisms in the cardiovascular system. The main objective of this study is to introduce a new technique based on parallel continuous bioimpedance measurements on different parts of the body along with continuous blood pressure, ECG and heart sound measurement during deep and spontaneous breathing to describe interactions of cardiovascular parameters. Our analysis of 30 healthy young adults shows surprisingly strong deep-breathing linkage of blood distribution in the legs, arms, neck and thorax. We also show that pulse wave velocity is affected by deep breathing differently in the abdominal aorta and extremities. Spontaneous breathing does not induce significant changes in cardiovascular parameters., P. Langer, P. Jurák, V. Vondra, J. Halámek, M. Mešťaník, I. Tonhajzerová, I. Viščor, L. Soukup, M. Matejkova, E. Závodná, P. Leinveber., and Obsahuje bibliografii
Determination of response of cortisol and its metabolites to different stimuli may be important for adrenal gland disorders. To date, only one metabolite, cortisone, has been followed in stimulation tests of the adrenal gland. We aimed to describe a response of cortisol metabolites to the standard short Synacthen test (HDST), insulin tolerance test (ITT), low dose Synacthen test (LDST) and medium dose Synacthen test (MDST). Sixty healthy subjects were investigated: 30 men and 30 women. Plasma for measurements of cortisol and its metabolites was obtained before and 30th and 60th min after Synacthen and insulin administration. The cut-off 500 nmol/l of cortisol was reached after stimulation in all of tests, the maximal stimulation level was reached in 60th min in all of the tests except for LDST. The response of cortisol and its metabolites at 30th and 60th min strongly correlated in all of the tests except for LDST. Cortisol and its metabolites increased after stimulation; in contrast, cortisone and its metabolites decreased. We showed that the response of the cortisol metabolites during the Synacthen tests and ITT well correlated, and the MDST showed similar response compared to HDST. The decrease in cortisone metabolites may correspond to the regeneration of cortisol from cortisone in response to stimulation test., K. Simunkova, M. Duskova, M. Kosak, M. Krsek, V. Hana, M. Hill, H. Jandikova, H. Pospisilova, M. Sramkova, E. Bifulco, L. Starka., and Obsahuje bibliografii
We studied the effects of the overstory canopy cover on ground-dwelling harvestmen communities in European beech forests in the Western Carpathian Mts. We analyzed the differences in species richness, abundance and composition in two tree canopy cover categories (closed and open canopy). Overall, 1765 individuals belonging to 16 species were caught using pitfall traps. Repeated-measures ANOVA revealed that under both closed and open canopies a similar absolute and rarefied species richness and number of individuals (standardized to 100 pitfall trap days) were caught, and that both species richness and abundance were affected by the season (i.e., time of trap replacement); yet the total number of individuals trapped was more than two times greater under the open canopy than under the closed canopy. Despite the subtle differences in the taxonomic composition of the catches under the open and closed canopies revealed by DCA followed by RDA, the composition of ground-dwelling harvestmen assemblages differed under the two canopy covers. The open canopy was more suitable for heliophilic, xerothermic eurytopic harvestmen species typical for open and ecotonal habitats, such as Egaenus convexus (C.L. Koch) and Oligolophus tridens (C.L. Koch) but still suitable for hemihygrophilic Lophopilio palpinalis (Herbst). The closed canopy stands were preferred by shade-tolerant, hygrophilic eurytopic harvestmen species, such as Trogulus sp. Latreille, Dicranolasma scabrum (Herbst) and Platybunus bucephalus (C.L. Koch). Our results highlight the importance of intra-habitat heterogeneity of a harvestmen community., Ľudmila Černecká, Ivan Mihál, Benjamín Jarčuška., and Obsahuje bibliografii