The influence of calcium channel blockers and ionophore on Cu2+-induced changes of the photosynthetic activity of runner bean plants (Phaseolus coccineus L.) was investigated. Excess Cu2+ was applied to leaves by injection or via the roots to examine a short/local or a long time/systemic effect of this metal, respectively. The changes in fluorescence parameters indicated that the mechanism of toxic action of Cu2+ ions on the photosynthetic apparatus was only partially connected with Ca2+ or Ca2+ channels. In young plants Ca2+ diminished especially photochemical and nonphotochemical dissipative processes induced by short- and long-term influence of excess Cu2+. Blocking of Ca2+ channels did not change direct Cu2+ action on the photosynthetic activity, however, their opening distinctly intensified the inhibitory effect of the metal. After a longer accumulation peri od the effect of Cu2+ ions did not change significantly due to modified Ca2+ penetration through membranes (except that caused by La3+). Copper directly introduced into older leaves diminished only at its highest concentration the activity both of the donor and acceptor sides of photosystem 2 (PS2) connected with Rfd decrease and increase of LNU. A similar effect was observed also after a long-term Cu2+ action, but disturbances on the acceptor side of PS2 were observed only at a higher Ca2+ content in the nutrient solution. Ca2+ ions, particularly after openning of channels, intensified direct inhibitory Cu2+ action on the photosynthetic activity expressed by decreased values of Fv/F0 and Rfd. Lanthanum and verapamil, at a lower Ca2+ content in the medium, decreased the photosynthetic activity of Cu2+-treated plants. This effect was also seen after additional Ca2+ supply to the leaves. and W. Maksymiec, T. Baszyński.
The goal of this study is to summarize the current knowledge on the effects of one of the essential metals, copper (Cu) on the reproductive system. The development of past four decades addressing effects of Cu on reproductive organs is reviewed. The most relevant data obtained from in vivo and in vitro experiments performed on humans and other mammals, including effects of copper nanoparticles (CuNPs) on the reproductive functions are presented. Short term Cu admi nistration has been found to exert deleterious effect on intracellular organelles of rat ovarian cells in vivo . In vitro administration in porcine ovarian granulosa cells releases insulin-like growth factor (IGF-I), steroid hormone progesterone (P4), and induces expression of peptides related to proliferation and apoptosis. Adverse effect of Cu on male reproductive functions has been indicated by the decrease in spermatozoa parameters such as concentration, viability and motility. Copper nanoparticles are capable of generating oxidative stress in vitro thereby leading to reproductive toxicity. Toxic effect of CuNPs has been evident more in male mice than in females. Even though further investigations are necessary to arrive at a definitive conclusion, Cu notably influences the reproductive functions by interfering with both male and female reproductive systems and also hampers embryo development in dose-dependent manner., S. Roychoudhury, S. Nath, P. Massanyi, R. Stawarz, M. Kacaniova, A. Kolesarova., and Obsahuje bibliografii
The aim of the study was to the assess the influence of Ca/Mg ions ratio on the photosynthetic activity of Salix viminalis L. ‘Cannabina’ plants cultivated in medium enriched with Cu(NO3)2. The experiment was conducted in controlled conditions in a phytotron for 21 days; hence the early plant response was tested. Plants were cultivated with different Ca/Mg ions ratios, i.e. (4:1)l, (4:1)h, and 1:10. Plants were additionally treated with Cu(NO3)2 at 1, 2, and 3 mM concentration in cultivation medium. Net photosynthetic rate, stomatal conductance and transpiration were measured after the first, second and third week of cultivation. Additionally, chlorophyll content, leaf morphology, root biomass and copper accumulation in leaves and roots were investigated. The investigations revealed differences in plant response to particular treatments - differences in Cu accumulation for particular Ca/Mg ions ratios were detected. It seems that plants are adapted to high Cu2+ concentrations, when 1:10 Ca/Mg ions ratio is applied. The highest Cu accumulation in roots was noted for plants fertilized with 1:10 Ca/Mg ions ratio, together with high Cu translocation to above-ground plant organs, which suggests its higher potential in phytoremediation., K. Borowiak ... [et al.]., and Obsahuje bibliografii
The administration of oestrogens increases the hepatic synthesis and plasma level of ceruloplasmin both in man and laboratory animals. Methylene blue, an oxidizing agent and inhibitor of soluble guanylate cyclase, is widely used to block the effects of endothelium-derived relaxing factor (nitric oxide). We describe the inhibitory effect of methylene blue on the increase of ceruloplasmin plasma level in rats during oestradiol treatment.
Práce se zabývá rozborem eneolitických artefaktů z vrchu Kotouče u Štramberka. Neo- a eneolitické nálezy odtud spadají do šesti časových horizontů, z nichž nejvýrazněji je doložen 2. (mladší stupeň MMK) a 3. horizont (epilengyel/jordanovská kultura) – ten zejména depoty a ojedinělými nálezy měděných artefaktů. Dále je věnována pozornost lunicovému pektorálu, artefaktu zhotovenému z arzénové mědi, nejspíše z produkce severozápadokarpatské metalurgické oblasti. Surovina pektorálu je shodná jako u křížové sekery typu Nógrádmarcal z téže sbírky, což svědčí pro jeho datování do epilengyelského horizontu. Jde o nejstarší dosud známý exemplář těchto náprsních ozdob a zároveň o formu doplňující garnituru raně eneolitických prestižních předmětů. Přítomnost dvou unikátních kovových artefaktů na Kotouči – měděného pektorálu a stříbrné puklice, jež je nejstarším stříbrným výrobkem na sever od Alp – je dokladem významu této výšinné lokality v komunikačním prostoru Moravské brány. and An Early Eneolithic copper pectoral ornament from Kotouč Hill near the town of Štramberk. The paper concerns an analysis of Eneolithic artefacts from Kotouč Hill near the town of Štramberk. Neolithic and Eneolithic finds from this site fall into six time horizons, the most distinctly documented of which are the 2nd (later phase of Moravian Painted Ware culture) and 3rd horizon (Epilengyel/Jordanów culture) – the latter in particular by deposits and rare finds of copper artefacts. The work likewise addresses a crescent-shaped pectoral ornament, an artefact crafted from arsenical copper, probably in the northwestern Carpathian metallurgical area. The pectoral ornament is made from material identical to the Nógrádmarcal-type cruciform axe from the same collection, which is evidence in favour a dating to the Epilengyel horizon. This is the oldest known specimen of this breast ornamentation and a prestigious Early Eneolithic accessory item. The presence of two unique metal artefacts at Kotouč – the copper pectoral ornament and a silver disc with three bosses, which is the oldest silver artefact north of the Alps – is evidence of the significance of this upland site in the routes of the Moravian Gate pass.
Předmětem publikace je měděný sekeromlat typu Pločnik (varianta Cărbuna), objevený v r. 2007 v Olomouci-Holicích v inundaci řeky Moravy. Výskyt daného typu se váže na horizont StK V/MMK IIa a Horní Cetno/MMK IIb, v absolutním datování zhruba na polovinu 5. tisíciletí př. Kr. Zcela dominantní pozici v materiálovém složení kovu zaujímá měď (99,997 %). U takto čistého kovu se uvažuje o využití těžených uhličitanových rud či ryzí mědi. Funkci těchto prvních těžkých měděných předmětů je třeba chápat v rovině prestižní, magické, případně vojenské. and The subject of the publication is a copper Pločnik-type axe (Cărbuna variety) discovered in 2007 in Olomouc-Holice in an inundation area of the Morava River. Copper holds a dominant position (99.997%) in the material composition of the metal. The purity level of the metal leads to conjecture on the use of mined carbonate ore or pure native copper and metal collected freely on the surface of the ground. These first heavy copper objects probably had a prestigious, magical or even military function.
Copper flotation waste which is the product pyrometalurgical production of copper from copper ores contains materials such as iron, alumina, calcium oxide, silica, etc. Copper flotation waste generally contains a significant amount of Cu together with trace elements of other toxic metals such as Zn, Co and Pb. A variety of techniques can be used for decontaminating and remediating copper slag. Environmental reme diation technologies include in situ or ex situ techniques for decontaminating the polluted fields, such as soil-washing, physical separation, phytoremediation and leaching. The aim of the present study is to investigate the removal of the copper from copper flotation waste leachant using sepiolite. 2 3 full factorial design was employed to study the effect of three factors which are contact time, adsorbent dosage and pH at two levels., Semra Çoruh, Feza Geyikçi and Ufuk Çoruh., and Obsahuje bibliografické odkazy
Vermiculite (V) from Brazil with aqueous solutions AgNO3 and/or Cu(NO3)2 was used for preparation of nanocomposites V/Ag, V/Cu, V/AgCu and V/CuAg using two procedures and their effect on bacteria was compared. Structural changes were evaluated using X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis, Infrared spectroscopy (IRS) and Scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Elemental chemical composition was determined using X-ray fluorescence (XRF) analysis and the solutions were analyzed by Atomic emission spectroscopy with inductively coupled plasma (AES-ICP). Antibacterial properties of Ag- and Cu-vermiculites and combined Ag/Cu-vermiculites were tested on two bacteria groups: (1) Gram-positive, G+, (Staphylococcus aureus and Enterococcus faecalis) and (2) Gram-negative, G-, (Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Klebsiella pneumoniae). The samples under antibacterial testing showed different effective times and minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) values. The Gram-negative bacteria showed higher sensitivity to the prepared samples than Gram-positive bacteria. The combined Cu/Ag vermiculites stopped the bacterial growth at lower MIC value., Marianna Hundáková, Marta Valášková, Vladimír Tomášek, Erich Pazdziora and Kateřina Matějová., and Obsahuje bibliografii
Fluorescence parameters obtained during steady-state electron transport are frequently used to evaluate photosynthetic efficiency of plants. We studied the behaviour of those parameters as a function of irradiance-adapted fluorescence yields FS and F'M. Applied simulations showed that photochemical quenching evaluated by qP is greatly influenced by the steady-state fluorescence level (FS), and that its evolution is not complementary to non-photochemical quenching (qN). On the other hand, the relative photochemical and non-photochemical quenching coefficients (qP(rel) and qN(rel)) proposed by Buschmann (1995) represent better the balance between the energy dissipation pathways. However, these relative parameters are also non-linearly related when the FS level is varied. We investigated the application of a new parameter, the relative unquenched fluorescence (UQF(rel)) which takes into account the fraction of non-quenched fluorescence yield (FS), which is related to closed photosystem 2 reaction centres not participating in electron transport. By using computer simulations and real in vivo measurements, we found that this new parameter is complementary to qP(rel) and qN(rel), which may facilitate the use of PAM fluorescence as diagnostic tool in environmental studies. and P. Juneau, B. R. Green, P. J. Harrison.
The protective role of nutrition factors such as calcium, vitamin D and vitamin K for the integrity of the skeleton is well understood. In addition, integrity of the skeleton is positively influenced by certain trace elements (e.g. zinc, copper, manganese, magnesium, iron, selenium, boron and fluoride) and negatively by others (lead, cadmium, cobalt). Deficiency or excess of these elements influence bone mass and bone quality in adulthood as well as in childhood and adolescence. However, some protective elements may become toxic under certain condition s, depending on dosage (serum concentration), duration of treatment and interactions among individual elements. We review the beneficial and toxic effects of key elements on bone homeostasis., I. Zofkova, M. Davis, J. Blahos., and Obsahuje bibliografii