Problém: State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) patří k nejčastěji užívaným nástrojům na měření úzkosti a úzkostnosti v klinické a výzkumné oblasti. Je vystavěný na dvou dotaznících, které měří aktuální stav (úzkost, část X-1) a rys (úzkostnost, část X-2). Na základě údajů získaných ve studii EPIA (Novotný et al., 2006) autoři zkoumali psychometrické vlastnosti dotazníku na měření úzkostnost STAI X-2 a navrhli nové normy. Metoda: Dotazník, který měří úzkostnost, použili autoři v epidemiologické studii vybraných úzkostných poruch u dospělé slovenské populace EPIA (N=1251). Data analyzovali standardními uni-, bi- a multivariačními statistickými metodami. Na základě údajů získaných ve studii EPIA analyzovali psychometrické vlastnosti dotazníku na měření úzkostnosti STAI X-2 a navrhli nové normy. Výsledky: Průměrné hodnoty skóru v STAI X-2 byly oproti původní slovenské standardizaci nižší. Podobně jako v původní standardizaci autoři zjistili významně vyšší skór ve STAI X-2 u žen. Položková reliabilita se pohybovala od 0,25 do 0,66, alfa reliabilita byla uspokojivá (0,85 a 0,88). Kongenerické faktorové analýzy podpořily Spielbergerova tvrzení o jednofaktorovosti konstruktu úzkostnosti s výhradou poměrně nízkého procenta vysvětlené variance. Kromě norem založených na distribuci skóru autoři orientačně navrhli kategorizaci míry úzkostnosti založenou na třech hladinách. Z hlediska souběžné validity je možné tvrdit, že vysoká míra úzkostnosti souvisí se zvýšeným rizikem výskytu jiných psychologických či zdravotních problémů. Diskuse: V diskusi autoři provádí rozbor zjištění, které srovnávají s psychometrickými výzkumy STAI jiných autorů. Závěr: I nová zjištění potvrzují, že STAI X-2 je použitelný pro oblast výzkumu i praxe s uvědoměním si základů jeho konstrukce (empirické klíče). Restandardizované normy více odrážejí distribuci skóru v dospělé populaci.
Cyprinids are the most highly produced group of fishes globally, with common carp being one of the most valuable species of the group. Koi herpesvirus (KHV) infections can result in high levels of mortality, causing major economic losses, and is listed as a notifiable disease by the World Organization for Animal Health. Selective breeding for host resistance has the potential to reduce morbidity and losses due to KHV. Therefore, improving knowledge about host resistance and methods of incorporating genomic data into breeding for resistance may contribute to a decrease in economic losses in carp farming. In the current study, a population of 1,425 carp juveniles, originating from a factorial cross between 40 sires and 20 dams was challenged with KHV. Mortalities and survivors were recorded and sampled for genotyping by sequencing using Restriction Site-Associated DNA sequencing (RADseq). Genome-wide association analyses were performed to investigate the genetic architecture of resistance to KHV. A genome-wide significant QTL affecting resistance to KHV was identified on linkage group 44, explaining approximately 7% of the additive genetic variance. Pooled whole genome resequencing of a subset of resistant (n = 60) and susceptible animals (n = 60) was performed to characterize QTL regions, including identification of putative candidate genes and functional annotation of associated polymorphisms. The TRIM25 gene was identified as a promising positional and functional candidate within the QTL region of LG 44, and a putative premature stop mutation in this gene was discovered.
- MeSH
- Genome-Wide Association Study MeSH
- Herpesviridae MeSH
- Herpesviridae Infections genetics veterinary MeSH
- Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide MeSH
- Carps genetics MeSH
- Quantitative Trait Loci MeSH
- Fish Diseases genetics MeSH
- Disease Resistance genetics MeSH
- Fish Proteins genetics MeSH
- Tripartite Motif Proteins genetics MeSH
- Animals MeSH
- Check Tag
- Male MeSH
- Female MeSH
- Animals MeSH
- Publication type
- Journal Article MeSH
- Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't MeSH
Background: In Greek scientific literature, no other studies using emotional intelligence as a personal trait were found. Objective: The aim of this study was to explore the validity and reliability of the Trait Emotional Intelligence Questionnaire - Short Form in a Greek educational context. The internal consistency as well as the levels of emotional intelligence, along with the gender as a factor that differentiates emotional intelligence have also been examined. Methods: The sample of the study consisted of 306 (for exploratory factor analysis) and 415 (for confirmatory factor analysis) students who attended the 7th, 8th, and 9th grades of high school. The selection of the sample was randomly performed. The scale consists of 30 questions and four factors. The statistical analysis of the data included descriptive statistics, exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis, reliability analysis using Cronbach's α and discriminant/convergent validity, and t-test for independent samples. Results: The results of the confirmatory factor analysis demonstrated that the hypothesized model produced a significant χ2 (1026.58), normed fit index (.96) and comparative fit index (.97). The root mean square error of approximation (.78) was also considered to assess the degree extent to which the model of fit of. Composite reliability (≥ .948) and average variance extracted (≥ .751) of all dimensions of the Trait Emotional Intelligence Questionnaire - Short Form demonstrated an acceptable reliability coefficient. Conclusions: From the analysis of the results, we came to the following conclusions. The Trait Emotional Intelligence Questionnaire - Short Form constitutes an instrument credible enough to measure the emotional intelligence of high school male and female students. Gender is a differentiation factor for Total emotional intelligence, Self-control, and Well-being factors.
- MeSH
- Data Analysis MeSH
- Emotional Intelligence * MeSH
- Humans MeSH
- Adolescent MeSH
- Sex MeSH
- Surveys and Questionnaires MeSH
- Psychological Well-Being psychology MeSH
- Self-Control psychology MeSH
- Students psychology MeSH
- Check Tag
- Humans MeSH
- Adolescent MeSH
- Publication type
- Clinical Study MeSH
- Geographicals
- Greece MeSH
The spontaneously hypertensive rat (SHR), one of the most widely used model of essential hypertension, is predisposed to left ventricular hypertrophy, myocardial fibrosis, and metabolic disturbances. Recently, quantitative trait loci influencing blood pressure, left ventricular mass, and heart interstitial fibrosis were genetically isolated within a minimal congenic subline that contains only 7 genes, including mutant Plzf (promyelocytic leukemia zinc finger) candidate gene. To identify Plzf as a quantitative trait gene, we targeted Plzf in the SHR using the transcription activator-like effector nuclease technique and obtained SHR line harboring targeted Plzf gene with a premature stop codon. Because the Plzf targeted allele is semilethal, morphologically normal heterozygous rats were used for metabolic and hemodynamic analyses. SHR-Plzf(+/-) heterozygotes versus SHR wild-type controls exhibited reduced body weight and relative weight of epididymal fat, lower serum and liver triglycerides and cholesterol, and better glucose tolerance. In addition, SHR-Plzf(+/-) rats exhibited significantly increased sensitivity of adipose and muscle tissue to insulin action when compared with wild-type controls. Blood pressure was comparable in SHR versus SHR-Plzf(+/-); however, there was significant amelioration of cardiomyocyte hypertrophy and cardiac fibrosis in SHR-Plzf(+/-) rats. Gene expression profiles in the liver and expression of selected genes in the heart revealed differentially expressed genes that play a role in metabolic pathways, PPAR (peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor) signaling, and cell cycle regulation. These results provide evidence for an important role of Plzf in regulation of metabolic and cardiac traits in the rat and suggest a cross talk between cell cycle regulators, metabolism, cardiac hypertrophy, and fibrosis.
- MeSH
- Alleles MeSH
- Analysis of Variance MeSH
- Down-Regulation MeSH
- Phenotype MeSH
- Fibrosis genetics MeSH
- Hypertension genetics pathology MeSH
- Hypertrophy, Left Ventricular genetics physiopathology MeSH
- Myocytes, Cardiac metabolism MeSH
- Rats MeSH
- Cells, Cultured MeSH
- Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction methods MeSH
- Quantitative Trait Loci MeSH
- Blood Pressure Determination MeSH
- Lipid Metabolism genetics MeSH
- Rats, Inbred SHR MeSH
- Gene Expression Profiling * MeSH
- Kruppel-Like Transcription Factors genetics MeSH
- Blotting, Western MeSH
- Animals MeSH
- Check Tag
- Rats MeSH
- Male MeSH
- Animals MeSH
- Publication type
- Journal Article MeSH
BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Erythropoiesis is closely related to iron metabolism in a balanced homeostasis. Analyses of diverse erythroid and iron metabolism disorders have shown that disrupted erythropoiesis negatively affects iron homeostasis and vice versa. The aim of this study was to characterize the relationship between erythropoietic activity and iron homeostasis in pediatric patients with erythrocyte membrane defects and thalassemia traits. METHODS: Selected markers of erythropoietic activity (erythropoietin, soluble transferrin receptor - sTfR and growth differentiation factor 15) and iron status parameters (serum iron, ferritin and hepcidin) were evaluated in pediatric patients with erythrocyte membrane defects and thalassemia traits. RESULTS: The patients with erythrocyte membrane defects and thalassemia traits had altered iron homeostasis due to disturbed erythropoiesis. In comparison with healthy controls, they had a normal to low hepcidin/ferritin ratio and concomitantly elevated sTfR. CONCLUSION: The findings suggest that pediatric patients with erythrocyte membrane defects and thalassemia traits are more susceptible to iron overload than the general population and that the (hepcidin/ferritin)/sTfR ratio can be used to monitor any worsening of the disease.
- MeSH
- Analysis of Variance MeSH
- Elliptocytosis, Hereditary blood MeSH
- Spherocytosis, Hereditary blood MeSH
- Child MeSH
- Erythrocyte Membrane metabolism MeSH
- Erythropoiesis physiology MeSH
- Hemostasis physiology MeSH
- Hepcidins metabolism MeSH
- Humans MeSH
- Adolescent MeSH
- Child, Preschool MeSH
- Thalassemia metabolism MeSH
- Iron metabolism MeSH
- Check Tag
- Child MeSH
- Humans MeSH
- Adolescent MeSH
- Child, Preschool MeSH
- Publication type
- Journal Article MeSH
Secondary sex ratios of animals with genetically determined sex may considerably deviate from equality. These deviations may be attributed to several proximate and ultimate factors. Sex ratio theory explains some of them as strategic decisions of mothers improving their fitness by selective investment in sons or daughters, e.g. local resource competition hypothesis (LRC) suggests that philopatric females tend to produce litters with male-biased sex ratios to avoid future competition with their daughters. Until now, only little attention has been paid to examine predictions of sex ratio theory in snakes possessing genetic sex determination and exhibiting large variance in allocation of maternal investment. Cuban boa is an endemic viviparous snake producing large-bodied newborns (∼200 g). Extremely high maternal investment in each offspring increases importance of sex allocation. In a captive colony, we collected breeding records of 42 mothers, 62 litters and 306 newborns and examined secondary sex ratios (SR) and sexual size dimorphism (SSD) of newborns. None of the examined morphometric traits of neonates appeared sexually dimorphic. The sex ratio was slightly male biased (174 males versus 132 females) and litter sex ratio significantly decreased with female snout-vent length. We interpret this relationship as an additional support for LRC as competition between mothers and daughters increases with similarity of body sizes between competing snakes.
- MeSH
- Analysis of Variance MeSH
- Boidae anatomy & histology physiology MeSH
- Sex Ratio * MeSH
- Reproduction MeSH
- Body Size * MeSH
- Animals MeSH
- Check Tag
- Male MeSH
- Female MeSH
- Animals MeSH
- Publication type
- Journal Article MeSH
- Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't MeSH
- MeSH
- Aggression MeSH
- Analysis of Variance MeSH
- Adult MeSH
- Humans MeSH
- Adolescent MeSH
- Violence statistics & numerical data MeSH
- Personality Tests statistics & numerical data MeSH
- Conduct Disorder MeSH
- Sports standards psychology MeSH
- Check Tag
- Adult MeSH
- Humans MeSH
- Adolescent MeSH
- Male MeSH
- Publication type
- Comparative Study MeSH
Epidemiological studies have shown a clear link between fetal growth retardation and an increased propensity for later cardiovascular disease in adults. It has been hypothesized that such early fetal deprivation "programs" individuals toward a life-long metabolical "thrifty phenotype" that predisposes adults to such diseases. Here we test this hypothesis, and its possible genetic basis, in rat recombinant inbred (RI) strains that uniquely allow the longitudinal studies necessary for its testing. Placental and fetal weights were determined on day 20 of pregnancy in (at least) 6 litters from each of 25 available BXH/HXB RI strains and from their SHR and BN-Lx progenitors and were correlated with metabolic traits determined in adult rats from the same inbred lines. Quantitative trait loci (QTLs) associated with placental and fetal weights were identified by total genome scanning of RI strains using the Map Manager QTX program. Heritabilities of placental and fetal weights were 56% and 62%, respectively, and total genome scanning of RI strains revealed QTLs near the D1Rat266 marker on chromosome 1 and near the D15Rat101 marker on chromosome 15 that were significantly associated with fetal and placental weights respectively. Placental weights correlated with fetal weights (r = 0.60, P = 0.001), while reduced fetal weights correlated with increased insulin concentrations during glucose tolerance test (r = -0.71, P = 0.0001) and with increased serum triglycerides (r = -0.54, P = 0.006) in adult rats. Our results suggest that predisposition toward a thrifty phenotype associated with decreased placental weight and restricted fetal growth is in part genetically determined.
- MeSH
- Analysis of Variance MeSH
- Biomarkers analysis MeSH
- Phenotype MeSH
- Financing, Organized MeSH
- Glycogen biosynthesis MeSH
- Fetal Weight physiology MeSH
- Inbreeding MeSH
- Liver metabolism MeSH
- Muscle, Skeletal metabolism MeSH
- Blood Glucose metabolism MeSH
- Rats MeSH
- Quantitative Trait Loci genetics MeSH
- Chromosome Mapping MeSH
- Metabolic Syndrome genetics metabolism physiopathology MeSH
- Placenta MeSH
- Placentation MeSH
- Rats, Inbred BN MeSH
- Rats, Inbred SHR MeSH
- Recombination, Genetic MeSH
- Chromosomes, Mammalian genetics MeSH
- Pregnancy MeSH
- Triglycerides metabolism MeSH
- Organ Size MeSH
- Animals MeSH
- Check Tag
- Rats MeSH
- Male MeSH
- Pregnancy MeSH
- Female MeSH
- Animals MeSH
The aim of this study was to estimate genetic parameters for fertility traits and linear type traits in the Czech Holstein dairy cattle population. Phenotypic data regarding 12 linear type traits, measured in first lactation, and 3 fertility traits, measured in each of first and second lactation, were collected from 2005 to 2009 in the progeny testing program of the Czech-Moravian Breeders Corporation. The number of animals for each linear type trait was 59,467, except for locomotion, where 53,436 animals were recorded. The 3-generation pedigree file included 164,125 animals. (Co)variance components were estimated using AI-REML in a series of bivariate analyses, which were implemented via the DMU package. Fertility traits included days from calving to first service (CF1), days open (DO1), and days from first to last service (FL1) in first lactation, and days from calving to first service (CF2), days open (DO2), and days from first to last service (FL2) in second lactation. The number of animals with fertility data varied between traits and ranged from 18,915 to 58,686. All heritability estimates for reproduction traits were low, ranging from 0.02 to 0.04. Heritability estimates for linear type traits ranged from 0.03 for locomotion to 0.39 for stature. Estimated genetic correlations between fertility traits and linear type traits were generally neutral or positive, whereas genetic correlations between body condition score and CF1, DO1, FL1, CF2 and DO2 were mostly negative, with the greatest correlation between BCS and CF2 (-0.51). Genetic correlations with locomotion were greatest for CF1 and CF2 (-0.34 for both). Results of this study show that cows that are genetically extreme for angularity, stature, and body depth tend to perform poorly for fertility traits. At the same time, cows that are genetically predisposed for low body condition score or high locomotion score are generally inferior in fertility.
- MeSH
- Fertility genetics MeSH
- Quantitative Trait, Heritable MeSH
- Locomotion genetics MeSH
- Models, Genetic MeSH
- Cattle genetics MeSH
- Body Constitution genetics MeSH
- Animals MeSH
- Check Tag
- Cattle genetics MeSH
- Female MeSH
- Animals MeSH
- Publication type
- Journal Article MeSH
- Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't MeSH
- Geographicals
- Czech Republic MeSH
Rodent urine provides animals with a large amount of information, from the identity of the animal through its physical condition to social status. Many studies therefore focus on rodent urine-marking behaviour and use marking frequency as an indicator of social status or competitive ability. However, marking, like many other aspects of rodent behaviour, may be affected by individual behavioural activity, a factor that has not been examined so far. We therefore studied a relationship between male urine-marking in reaction to another male's marks (standard opponent) and individual personality profile, characterised by behavioural activity in an open field test (OFT). The marking appeared to be consistent and specific for particular individuals as there was a significant positive relationship between individual markings in two different phases of the experiment. The linkage between behavioural activity in the OFT and urine-marking frequency was non-linear (quadratic), which suggested that males with intermediate activity marked more intensively than males from the extremes of the behavioural spectra. The relationship between the opponent's and the tested males' markings was positive, however, we found no statistically significant evidence that the voles would attempt to overmark the opponent. Marking thus seems to have more of a self-advertising than a competitive function in the common vole. Further, as high marking activity is under strong intra- or intersexual selection, the result might suggest a stabilising selection of the personality trait described as behavioural activity in our study.
- MeSH
- Analysis of Variance MeSH
- Arvicolinae psychology MeSH
- Behavior, Animal physiology MeSH
- Odorants MeSH
- Sexual Behavior, Animal physiology MeSH
- Social Behavior MeSH
- Territoriality MeSH
- Animals MeSH
- Check Tag
- Male MeSH
- Animals MeSH
- Publication type
- Journal Article MeSH
- Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't MeSH
