Cyanobacteria are prokaryotic organisms characterised by their complex structures and a wide range of pigments. With their ability to fix CO2, cyanobacteria are interesting for white biotechnology as cell factories to produce various high-value metabolites such as polyhydroxyalkanoates, pigments, or proteins. White biotechnology is the industrial production and processing of chemicals, materials, and energy using microorganisms. It is known that exposing cyanobacteria to low levels of stressors can induce the production of secondary metabolites. Understanding of this phenomenon, known as hormesis, can involve the strategic application of controlled stressors to enhance the production of specific metabolites. Consequently, precise measurement of cyanobacterial viability becomes crucial for process control. However, there is no established reliable and quick viability assay protocol for cyanobacteria since the task is challenging due to strong interferences of autofluorescence signals of intercellular pigments and fluorescent viability probes when flow cytometry is used. We performed the screening of selected fluorescent viability probes used frequently in bacteria viability assays. The results of our investigation demonstrated the efficacy and reliability of three widely utilised types of viability probes for the assessment of the viability of Synechocystis strains. The developed technique can be possibly utilised for the evaluation of the importance of polyhydroxyalkanoates for cyanobacterial cultures with respect to selected stressor-repeated freezing and thawing. The results indicated that the presence of polyhydroxyalkanoate granules in cyanobacterial cells could hypothetically contribute to the survival of repeated freezing and thawing.

• MeSH
• fluorescence MeSH
• fluorescenční barviva * metabolismus   chemie   MeSH
• fyziologický stres * MeSH
• mikrobiální viabilita * MeSH
• polyhydroxyalkanoáty metabolismus   MeSH
• průtoková cytometrie * MeSH
• sinice metabolismus   fyziologie   MeSH
• Synechocystis * metabolismus   MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH

Zoonózy se každoročně v České republice významně podílejí na počtu hlášených infekčních onemocnění. Stoupající tendence výskytu zoonotických virů, jako je virus zika virus, virus horečky dengue, virus chikungunyi a virus západonilské horečky, přenášených invazivními tropickými druhy komárů, je v první řadě důsledkem dlouhodobého, postupného a prakticky nezastavitelného šíření tohoto hmyzu po evropském kontinentu, včetně severských států. Evropa nyní již pravidelně zažívá opakované každoroční vlny veder, stejně jako časté záplavy. Navyšuje se nejen počet letních dnů s tropickými teplotami, ale období léta jako takového se významně prodlužuje. Stírají se jarní a podzimní období, rychlost nástupu letních teplot po období zim je často až drastická. Tento proces navozuje příznivé životní podmínky pro etablování tropických druhů komárů na našem území. Například ještě v roce 2013 se invazivní druh komára Aedes albopictus, původem z Asie, vyskytoval „pouze" v osmi evropských zemích a zasaženo bylo 114 regionů. O pouhých deset let později byl jeho výskyt potvrzen již ve třinácti zemích a 337 oblastech, včetně České republiky. Tento trend bude pokračovat, je proto nutné očekávat nárůsty autochtonních infekcí, včetně komplikovaných průběhů infekcí a úmrtí, obzvláště v rizikových skupinách rychle stárnoucí evropské populace. Kromě nutnosti hledat nové způsoby kontroly populací komárů, vývoje nových desinsekčních a larvicidních chemikálií je třeba zásadně posilovat programy surveillance napříč spolupracující Evropou, prosazovat používání osobních ochranných pomůcek a jednoznačně posílit výzkum a vývoj specifických antivirotik a nových očkovacích látek.

Zoonoses contribute significantly to the number of reported infectious diseases in the Czech Republic each year. The rising trend in zoonotic viruses such as Zika virus, dengue virus, Chikungunya virus, West Nile virus, transmitted by invasive tropical mosquito species, is primarily due to the long-term, gradual and virtually unstoppable spread of these insects across the European continent, including the Nordic countries. Europe now regularly experiences recurrent annual heat waves as well as frequent flooding. Not only are the number of summer days with tropical temperatures increasing, but the summer period itself is being significantly extended. The spring and autumn seasons are becoming shorter, and the speed of the onset of summer temperatures after winter is often drastic. This process creates favorable living conditions for the establishment of tropical mosquito species in our territory. For example, as recently as 2013, the invasive mosquito species Aedes albopictus, native to Asia, was present in "only" eight European countries and 114 regions were affected. In 2023, its presence has already been confirmed in thirteen countries and 337 regions, including the Czech Republic. This trend is set to continue, so increases in autochthonous infections, including complicated infection patterns and deaths, are to be expected, especially in at-risk groups of the rapidly ageing European population. In addition to the need to find new ways of controlling mosquito populations, the development of new disinsecticidal and larvicidal chemicals, surveillance programs across a cooperating Europe need to be substantially strengthened, the use of personal protective equipment needs to be promoted, and research and development of specific antivirals and new vaccines needs to be clearly stepped up.

BACKGROUND: Using the perspective of the recent COVID-19 pandemic, which represents a public health challenge that also affects education and the psychological well-being of students, this paper aims to assess the vulnerability to anxiety and stress of the Romanian students from the Faculty of Administration and Business of the University of Bucharest pursuing their degrees in administration and business. METHODS: Our study is based on the results of the survey that was administered to a sample of 422 students (39.6% females and 60.4% males) selected from the pool of 2000 recruited respondents. We employed the ANOVA/linear Dependent Dirichlet Process mixture model to explain the causes of stress and anxiety after various grouping variables represented by gender, specialisation, as well as labour market status. RESULTS: Our results revealed that more than 80% of the students in the sample yielded medium and high vulnerability to stress, while 64% of the respondents were affected by severe anxiety (high frequency of psychological, social, and physical problems that were difficult for them to control). The most important stressors were the fear of getting infected and social distancing, while self-control was considered the most effective coping strategy by 62.6% of employed students. CONCLUSIONS: These results allow us to provide practical recommendations for effectively coping with stress and anxiety among students in Romania and beyond and to help stakeholders and policymakers design strategies for strengthening students' resilience, mental health, and well-being in case of future pandemics or other extreme contexts.

• MeSH
• adaptace psychologická * MeSH
• copingové dovednosti MeSH
• COVID-19 * epidemiologie   psychologie   MeSH
• dospělí MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• mladý dospělý MeSH
• pandemie MeSH
• průzkumy a dotazníky MeSH
• psychický stres * epidemiologie   psychologie   MeSH
• SARS-CoV-2 MeSH
• studenti * psychologie   statistika a číselné údaje   MeSH
• univerzity MeSH
• úzkost * epidemiologie   psychologie   MeSH
• Check Tag
• dospělí MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• mladý dospělý MeSH
• mužské pohlaví MeSH
• ženské pohlaví MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• Geografické názvy
• Rumunsko MeSH

INTRODUCTION: Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by impairments in communication, social interaction, and repetitive behavior. The declaration of the COVID-19 pandemic in March 2020 resulted in significant changes in daily life due to restrictive measures. This period posed particular challenges for families with children living with autism, given the limitations in medical care and social services. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to understand how families with autistic children perceive stress during the pandemic and the coping strategies employed in unexpected situations. METHOD: A total of 44 families with children with ASD and 300 control families, including 44 control families in a matched subsample, were included in the study. To assess stress and parental coping with COVID-19-related stress, the Responses to Stress Questionnaire (Adult Self-Report RSQ-COVID-19) was utilized. RESULTS: Caregivers of autistic children experienced significantly higher stress levels (p = .027, d = 0.479) during the pandemic, with notable stressors such as limited access to medical care and challenges associated with remote work. Despite expectations, coping strategy differences were not statistically significant. CONCLUSION: Families and supporters of children with autism naturally encounter various experiences and challenges stemming from their additional needs. Our study's results highlight an accentuation of stress during challenging situations. As these situations may recur in the future, there is a need to design and implement support plans for these families, appropriate intervention programs, and preparations for the utilization of telemedicine tools.

• MeSH
• adaptace psychologická * MeSH
• COVID-19 * psychologie   epidemiologie   MeSH
• dítě MeSH
• dospělí MeSH
• lidé středního věku MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• osoby pečující o pacienty psychologie   MeSH
• pandemie MeSH
• poruchy autistického spektra * psychologie   MeSH
• předškolní dítě MeSH
• průzkumy a dotazníky MeSH
• psychický stres * psychologie   MeSH
• rodiče * psychologie   MeSH
• SARS-CoV-2 MeSH
• Check Tag
• dítě MeSH
• dospělí MeSH
• lidé středního věku MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• mužské pohlaví MeSH
• předškolní dítě MeSH
• ženské pohlaví MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH

• MeSH
• infekce dýchací soustavy diagnóza   MeSH
• polymerázová řetězová reakce metody   MeSH
• testování na COVID-19 metody   MeSH
• virologie MeSH
• virové nemoci diagnóza   MeSH
• Publikační typ
• monografie MeSH

• Konspekt
• Patologie. Klinická medicína
• NLK Obory
• pneumologie a ftizeologie
• diagnostika

In this study, we employed a pre-interview survey and conducted interviews with nursing home staff members and residents/family members to understand their perceptions of whether the COVID-19 restrictions fulfilled obligations to nursing home residents under various principles, including autonomy, beneficence, nonmaleficence, justice, and privacy. We conducted 20 semi-structured interviews with staff members from 14 facilities, and 20 with residents and/or family members from 13 facilities. We used a qualitative descriptive study design and thematic analysis methodology to analyze the interviews. Findings from the pre-interview survey indicated that, compared to nursing home staff, residents and their families perceived lower adherence to bioethics principles during the pandemic. Qualitative analysis themes included specific restrictions, challenges, facility notifications, consequences, communication, and relationships between staff and residents/family members. Our study exposes the struggle to balance infection control with respecting bioethical principles in nursing homes, suggesting avenues for improving processes and policies during public health emergencies.

• MeSH
• bioetická témata MeSH
• COVID-19 * prevence a kontrola   epidemiologie   psychologie   MeSH
• domovy pro seniory etika   MeSH
• dospělí MeSH
• kontrola infekce MeSH
• kvalitativní výzkum * MeSH
• lidé středního věku MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• pečovatelské domovy * etika   MeSH
• postoj zdravotnického personálu MeSH
• rodina * psychologie   MeSH
• rozhovory jako téma MeSH
• SARS-CoV-2 MeSH
• senioři MeSH
• Check Tag
• dospělí MeSH
• lidé středního věku MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• mužské pohlaví MeSH
• senioři MeSH
• ženské pohlaví MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The mental health of healthcare workers (HCWs) may have improved after the COVID-19 pandemic. We aimed to model the trajectories of psychological distress, depressive symptoms, and resilience during the COVID-19 pandemic and toward its end in HCWs in Czechia and investigate, which COVID-19 work stressors were associated with these trajectories. METHODS: The study included 322 HCWs from the Czech arm of the international HEROES Study who participated in an online questionnaire in two waves during the pandemic and one wave toward its end. Growth mixture modeling identified trajectory patterns of depressive symptoms (measured with Patient Health Questionnaire), distress (General Health Questionnaire), and resilience (Brief Resilience Scale). Logistic regression was applied to estimate the association of COVID-19 stressors with mental health trajectories, adjusting for baseline characteristics. RESULTS: Trajectory classes revealed both high and low depressive symptoms (high in 61% of participants), distress (high in 82% of participants), and resilience (low in 32% of participants). Depressive symptoms and distress trajectories demonstrated the same shape, first increasing during the pandemic and decreasing toward its end, while resilience remained constant. Exposure to COVID-19 stressors, in particular, the experience of stigmatization, discrimination, and violence, was associated with high depressive symptoms and distress trajectories, but not with resilience. CONCLUSIONS: Interventions provided to HCWs during crises such as pandemic should target distress and depressive symptoms and need to address stigmatization, discrimination, and violence.

• MeSH
• COVID-19 * psychologie   epidemiologie   MeSH
• deprese * psychologie   epidemiologie   MeSH
• dospělí MeSH
• lidé středního věku MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• pracovní stres psychologie   epidemiologie   MeSH
• průzkumy a dotazníky MeSH
• psychická odolnost * MeSH
• psychický distres MeSH
• psychický stres psychologie   epidemiologie   MeSH
• SARS-CoV-2 MeSH
• zdravotnický personál * psychologie   MeSH
• Check Tag
• dospělí MeSH
• lidé středního věku MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• mužské pohlaví MeSH
• ženské pohlaví MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• Geografické názvy
• Česká republika MeSH

Defective FAS (CD95/Apo-1/TNFRSF6) signaling causes autoimmune lymphoproliferative syndrome (ALPS). Hypergammaglobulinemia is a common feature in ALPS with FAS mutations (ALPS-FAS), but paradoxically, fewer conventional memory cells differentiate from FAS-expressing germinal center (GC) B cells. Resistance to FAS-induced apoptosis does not explain this phenotype. We tested the hypothesis that defective non-apoptotic FAS signaling may contribute to impaired B cell differentiation in ALPS. We analyzed secondary lymphoid organs of patients with ALPS-FAS and found low numbers of memory B cells, fewer GC B cells, and an expanded extrafollicular (EF) B cell response. Enhanced mTOR activity has been shown to favor EF versus GC fate decision, and we found enhanced PI3K/mTOR and BCR signaling in ALPS-FAS splenic B cells. Modeling initial T-dependent B cell activation with CD40L in vitro, we showed that FAS competent cells with transient FAS ligation showed specifically decreased mTOR axis activation without apoptosis. Mechanistically, transient FAS engagement with involvement of caspase-8 induced nuclear exclusion of PTEN, leading to mTOR inhibition. In addition, FASL-dependent PTEN nuclear exclusion and mTOR modulation were defective in patients with ALPS-FAS. In the early phase of activation, FAS stimulation promoted expression of genes related to GC initiation at the expense of processes related to the EF response. Hence, our data suggest that non-apoptotic FAS signaling acts as molecular switch between EF versus GC fate decisions via regulation of the mTOR axis and transcription. The defect of this modulatory circuit may explain the observed hypergammaglobulinemia and low memory B cell numbers in ALPS.

• MeSH
• apoptóza genetika   MeSH
• hypergamaglobulinemie * MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• lymfoproliferativní nemoci * genetika   MeSH
• TOR serin-threoninkinasy MeSH
• zárodečné centrum lymfatické uzliny MeSH
• Check Tag
• lidé MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH

V prvních měsících roku 2020 propukla celosvětová pandemie koronavirové choroby COVID-19. Tato skutečnost se plně promítla i do každodenního života obyvatel České republiky. Vládou přijatá restriktivní protipandemická opatření zcela změnila a významně omezila chod celé společnosti. Od 11. března 2020 došlo k uzavření školských zařízení a zákazu osobní přítomnosti žáků na vzdělávání. Takováto opatření probíhala v několika vlnách po dobu více než dvou let. To se významně promítlo i do životního stylu dětí a mládeže. Uvedené skutečnosti se mohou projevit v různé úrovni indikátorů souvisejících se zdravým růstem a vývojem mladého organismu. Cíle: Cílem předložené studie je zachytit a porovnat vývoj vybraných somatických a morfologických parametrů u hráčů regionální fotbalové akademie a stejně starých nesportujících chlapců v období restriktivních opatření spojených s pandemií koronavirové choroby COVID-19. Metodika: Výzkumné šetření se uskutečnilo v měsících březen 2020 a říjen 2021. Byla zpracována data probandů, kteří absolvovali první i druhé měření. Výzkumného šetření se zúčastnilo celkem 20 hráčů regionální fotbalové akademie (průměrný věk 1. měření: 12,9 ± 0,32 let; průměrný věk 2. měření: 14,5 ± 0,33 let). Kontrolní soubor byl tvořen 32 chlapci (průměrný věk 1. měření: 13,1 ± 0,43 let; průměrný věk 2. měření: 14,6 ± 0,45 let), kteří reprezentují jedince bez pravidelně řízené pohybové aktivity. Pro hodnocení sledovaných parametrů byly aplikovány metody somatické, antropometrické diagnostiky a neinvazivní metoda multifrekvenční tetrapolární bioelektrické impedance pomocí přístroje InBody 770. Výsledky: V průběhu sledovaného pandemického období došlo u hráčů fotbalové akademie k signifikantnímu snížení tělesného tuku o 2,6 % (p ≤ 0,01; d = 1,16) s jeho celkovým zastoupením na úrovni 8,3 %. Současně u nich došlo k významnému navýšení kosterního svalstva o 2,9 % (p ≤ 0,001; d = 2,24) s jeho průměrným zastoupením 51,2 % v rámci tělesného složení. Z hlediska tělesné konstituce byl zjištěn významný pokles endomorfie a nárůst mezomorfie. Průměrný somatotyp hráčů fotbalové akademie se přesunul z oblasti centrálních typů do kategorie mezomorfů-ektomorfů s hodnotou 1,8–4,3–4,0. U nesportujících chlapců došlo k navýšení tělesného tuku o 3,2 % s jeho průměrným zastoupením na úrovni 23,3 %. Dále byl zjištěn pokles v zastoupení kosterního svalstva o 1,1 % na průměrnou úroveň 39,8 % v rámci tělesného složení. Závěry: Nalezená zjištění prokazují významné odlišnosti ve vývoji somatických a morfologických parametrů u mladých chlapců ve věku 13–14 let s významně rozdílnou úrovní pohybové aktivity v průběhu pandemického období COVID-19 a s tím spojených restriktivních opatření.

In the first months of 2020, a global pandemic of the coronavirus disease COVID-19 broke out. This fact was fully reflected in the everyday life of the Czech Republic's inhabitants. The restrictive pandemic measures adopted by the government have completely changed and significantly limited the operation of the entire society. Since 11 March 2020, school facilities have been closed and pupils have been banned from attending education in person. Such measures have taken place in several waves over a period of more than two years. This has had a significant impact on the lifestyles of children and young people. These facts may be reflected in different levels of indicators related to the healthy growth and development of the young organism. Objective: The aim of the present study is to capture and compare the evolution of selected somatic and morphological parameters in football academy players and similarly aged non-sporting boys during the period of restrictive measures associated with the covid-19 coronavirus pandemic. Methods: The survey was conducted in the months March 2020 and October 2021. Data from probands who completed both the first and second measurement were processed. A total of 20 players of the regional football academy participated in the research investigation (mean age of the 1st measurement: 12.9 ± 0.32 years; mean age of the 2nd measurement: 14.5 ± 0.33 years). The control group consists of 32 boys (mean age of 1st measurement: 13.1 ± 0.43 years; mean age of 2nd measurement: 14.6 ± 0.45 years), who represent individuals with no regularly controlled physical activity. Somatic and anthropometric diagnostic methods and the non-invasive method of multi-frequency tetrapolar bioelectrical impedance using the InBody 770 device were applied to evaluate the monitored parameters. Results: During the observed pandemic period, there was a significant reduction of body fat by 2.6 % (p ≤ 0.01; d = 1.16) in the football academy players, with its overall representation at 8.3 %. At the same time, there was a significant increase in skeletal muscle by 2.9 % (p ≤ 0.001; d = 2.24) with a mean body composition of 51.2 %. In terms of body constitution, there was a significant decrease in endomorphy and an increase in mesomorphy. The average somatotype of football academy players moved from the central types to the mesomorph-ectomorph category with a value of 1.8-4.3-4.0. There was a 3.2 % increase in body fat in the non-sporting boys, with an average body fat percentage of 23.3 %. Furthermore, there was a decrease in skeletal muscle representation by 1.1 % to an average level of 39.8 % in body composition. Conclusions: The findings demonstrate significant differences in the development of somatic and morphological parameters in young boys aged thirteen and fourteen years with significantly different levels of physical activity during the pandemic period of COVID-19 and associated restrictive measures.

• MeSH
• COVID-19 * MeSH
• cvičení MeSH
• fotbal fyziologie   MeSH
• klinická studie jako téma MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• mladiství * MeSH
• muži MeSH
• růst a vývoj MeSH
• složení těla * MeSH
• sportovci * MeSH
• tuková tkáň fyziologie   MeSH
• životní styl MeSH
• Check Tag
• lidé MeSH
• mladiství * MeSH

Although vaccines against COVID-19 are effective tools in preventing severe disease, recent studies have shown enhanced protection after vaccine boosters. The aim of our study was to examine the dynamics and duration of both humoral and cellular immune responses following a three-dose regimen of the BNT162b2 mRNA vaccine. In a longitudinal prospective study we enrolled 86 adults who received the BNT162b2 vaccine, 35 unvaccinated individuals with a history of mild COVID-19 and a control group of 30 healthy SARS-CoV-2 seronegative persons. We assessed the SARS-CoV-2-specific T cell responses and IgG production up to 12 months post the third BNT162b2 dose in 24 subjects. The vaccinated group had significantly higher IgG antibody levels after two doses compared to the convalescent group (p<0.001). After the third dose, IgG levels surged beyond those detected after the second dose (p<0.001). Notably, these elevated IgG levels were maintained 12 months post the third dose. After two doses, specific T cell responses were detected in 87.5% of the vaccinated group. Additionally, there was a significant decrease before the third dose. However, post the third dose, specific T cell responses surged and remained stable up to the 12-month period. Our findings indicate that the BNT162b2 vaccine induces potent and enduring humoral and cellular responses, which are notably enhanced by the third dose and remain persistant without a significant decline a year after the booster. Further research is essential to understand the potential need for subsequent boosters.

• MeSH
• COVID-19 * prevence a kontrola   MeSH
• dospělí MeSH
• imunita MeSH
• imunoglobulin G MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• messenger RNA MeSH
• prospektivní studie MeSH
• SARS-CoV-2 MeSH
• vakcína BNT162 MeSH
• vakcinace MeSH
• vakcíny proti COVID-19 MeSH
• Check Tag
• dospělí MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• práce podpořená grantem MeSH