The purpose of our study was to develop an approximation procedure to estimate reliabilities of single-step genomic BLUP breeding values in a test-day model for routine evaluation of milk yield in a dairy cattle population. Input data consisted of 20,220,047 first-, second-, and third-lactation test-day milk yield records of 1,126,102 Czech Holstein cows (each lactation being considered a separate trait), with 1,844,679 animals in the pedigree file and with genomic data from 2,236 bulls. Evaluation was according to a multi-lactation model. The procedure was based on the effective number of records per animal from milk recording as well as from genomic and pedigree relationships. Traits were analyzed individually, and genetic covariances among traits were subsequently taken into account. The use of genomic information increased average reliability in young bulls from 0.276 to 0.505, but increased reliability in proven bulls only from 0.828 to 0.855. The reliabilities of genomic breeding values in multi-trait evaluation for first, second and third lactations, respectively, averaged 0.652, 0.673, and 0.633 for young bulls and 0.907, 0.894, and 0.852 for proven bulls. For an index combining all 3 lactations, the average reliability of a single-step genomic BLUP prediction was 0.712 and 0.925 for younger and proven bulls, respectively. Increased reliability due to genotyping in the population of all genotyped and nongenotyped animals was very small (<0.01) because of the small proportion of genotyped animals in the population.

• MeSH
• Breeding methods   MeSH
• Phenotype MeSH
• Genome * MeSH
• Lactation * MeSH
• Dairying methods   MeSH
• Milk secretion   MeSH
• Models, Genetic MeSH
• Reproducibility of Results MeSH
• Cattle genetics   physiology   MeSH
• Animals MeSH
• Check Tag
• Male MeSH
• Cattle genetics   physiology   MeSH
• Female MeSH
• Animals MeSH
• Publication type
• Journal Article MeSH
• Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't MeSH
• Geographicals
• Czech Republic MeSH

Cíle. V oblasti psychopatologie jsme v posledních letech svědky nového trendu, který na duševní potíže nahlíží perspektivou síťových modelů. Tato perspektiva ve spojení s možností vzorkování zkušenosti pacientů v každodenním životě umožňuje vytvářet personalizované modely popisující dynamické vztahy mezi symptomy v čase. Cílem této studie bylo ověřit použitelnost těchto modelů pro porozumění dynamice medicínsky nevysvětlených tělesných symptomů (MUPS). Soubor a metoda. Dva pacienti trpící MUPS po dobu tří týdnů pětkrát denně vyplňovali s pomocí mobilní aplikace dotazník zjišťující intenzitu symptomů a vybrané psychologické a situační proměnné. Statistická analýza. Pomocí metody vektorové autoregrese byly modelovány dvě síťové struktury, temporální a simultánní. Výsledky. Temporální a simultánní síť je prezentována pro každého pacienta samostatně. Z modelů je následně vyvozováno možné zaměření psychoterapeutických intervencí. Limity studie. Relativně nízký počet měření neumožnil zahrnout do modelu všechny měřené proměnné. Malý vzorek pacientů omezuje zobecnitelnost výsledků na populaci pacientů s MUPS.

Objectives. The field of psychopathology has recently witnessed a new trend in which a network perspective is applied to understand mental health problems. This perspective, coupled with the sampling of patients' everyday experience, allows researchers to develop personalized models that describe the dynamic relationships between symptoms over time. The objective of this study was to test the applicability of network models to understand the dynamics of medically unexplained physical symptoms (MUPS). Sample and setting. Two patients suffering from MUPS answered a questionnaire for three weeks, five times a day, using a mobile application to determine the intensity of their symptoms and selected psychological and situational variables. Statistical analysis. Two types of networks, temporal and contemporaneous, were estimated using the vector autoregression method. Results. Temporal and contemporaneous networks are presented for each patient separately. Consequently, a possible focus of psychotherapeutic interventions is derived from the models. Study limitation. The relatively low number of measurements did not allow to include all measured variables in the models. A small sample of patients limits the generalizability of the results to the population of MUPS patients.

• MeSH
• Humans MeSH
• Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms MeSH
• Patient-Specific Modeling MeSH
• Surveys and Questionnaires MeSH
• Psychophysiologic Disorders * physiopathology   psychology   therapy   MeSH
• Psychotherapeutic Processes MeSH
• Data Collection MeSH
• Models, Statistical MeSH
• Check Tag
• Humans MeSH
• Publication type
• Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't MeSH

In animals, behavioural personality traits have been well-documented in a wide array of species. However, these traits, different between individuals, are not completely stable in individuals. They show behavioural plasticity like many other phenotypic traits. This plasticity is able to overcome some weak aspects of personality trait behavioural strategy. In the present study, we examined the relationship between motor personality traits and behavioural plasticity in the common vole (Microtus arvalis) using a PhenoTyper (PT) box (Noldus). During a three-day test, four behavioural motor activity parameters were monitored in 47 voles: distance moved, (loco)motion duration, motion change frequency, sprint duration. Consistency repeatability (RC) of the parameters from the PT test was very high, with all values ≥ 0.91. To select the best linear mixed-effect models (LMMs), several predictors (test day, sex, body weight) were tested. Only test day had a significant effect on the dependent variables and other predictors did not improve the LMMs. Further, we found significant effects of random intercepts (motor personality traits) and slopes (behavioural plasticity), as well as significant negative correlations between them for all behavioural parameters. Our results indicate that motor personality traits were connected with behavioural plasticity. Moreover, we revealed a significant positive correlation between the random slopes of (loco)motion duration and motion change frequency. This relationship could indicate some central plasticity of motor personality traits. In conclusion, negative correlations between the motor personality traits and the behavioural plasticity demonstrate expression of convergent tendency from both opposite trait values. This corresponds with different ideas on ability to compensate personality effects or to prepare for potential future conditions. In the laboratory, plasticity of personality traits take place whenever an animal is placed e. g. in a breeding box for the first time or is left for a long time in an experimental apparatus.

• MeSH
• Arvicolinae * MeSH
• Behavior, Animal * MeSH
• Phenotype MeSH
• Personality MeSH
• Body Weight MeSH
• Animals MeSH
• Check Tag
• Animals MeSH
• Publication type
• Journal Article MeSH

Tříletý projekt podpory zdraví Národního programu zdraví je zaměřen na vytvoření a ověřování metodologie prevence a podpory zdraví v rámci komplexní činnosti modelového zdravotnického zařízení. Metodologie obsahuje část zaměřenou na zvyšování zájmu a motivace zdravotníků i laické veřejnosti pro preventivní aktivity v oblasti zdravého způsobu života. Součástí dalších aktivit je zavádění metodických postupů do výchovy a výuky zdravotnických škol v komplexní přípravě pro roli sestry v prevenci a podpoře zdraví. V rámci ověřování metodologie pracuje poradna zdravého životního stylu a k aktivizaci laické veřejnosti se připravilo několik edukačních akcí - Dny zdraví. Byly vytvořeny webové stránky s metodologií prevence a podpory zdraví.

The three-years' health promotion project of the National Health Programme is focused on the creation and testing of the methodology of prevention and health promotion within the framework of the comprehensive activity of a model health Institution. The methodology comprises a part focused on promoting interest and motivation of health workers and the lay public for preventive activities in the sphere of a healthy lifestyle. Part of the other activities is introduction of methodological procedures in education and training in schools for health professionals and comprehensive preparation for the part of nurses in prevention and health promotion. Within the framework of testing of the methodology operates a healthy lifestyle centre and for activation of the lay public several educational programmes - Hesdth day - were organized. Websites were created with the methodology of prevention and health promotion.

• MeSH
• Physicians MeSH
• Humans MeSH
• Motivation MeSH
• Health Promotion methods   MeSH
• Counseling MeSH
• Primary Prevention methods   MeSH
• Schools, Health Occupations MeSH
• Education, Medical MeSH
• Education, Nursing MeSH
• Nurses MeSH
• Check Tag
• Humans MeSH

INTRODUCTION: Virtual reality simulator and ex vivo animal models are used for training of both basic and advanced endoscopic techniques. The aim of this study was to assess whether hands-on training on ex vivo animal model improves endoscopic skills. Four different endoscopic techniques were practiced: endoscopic resection, endoscopic stenting, application of the over-the-scope (OVESCO) clip, and endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD). METHODS: Except for 2 participants, all trainees participated in a 1-day course. Two remaining participants took part in 7 ESD courses. All training courses consisted of theoretical introduction and a 6-hour training on Erlangen Active Training Simulator. The endoscopic skills were assessed before and after the training session by 2 independent assessors. Each assessor evaluated the skills by using a score on a scale of 1 to 5, where 1 stands for excellent and 5 for insufficient. Each assessor also assessed whether the procedure was successfully completed. The main outcome measurement was the percentage of participants who successfully completed the procedure during the test. RESULTS: For endoscopic resection, endoscopists (n = 15) improved their skills (median [10th and 90th percentiles] score before training, 3.5 [2.7-4.2]; after training 1.5 [1-2.3], P < 0.001). Seven procedures were assessed as successful before the course (47%); after the training, 13 procedures were assessed as successful (87%) (P = 0.02). For stenting, participants (n = 15) significantly improved their abilities to place both self-expandible metallic and plastic stents. For OVESCO clip (n = 10), participants (n = 10) improved their skills to prepare and apply the clip (given the score of 4.5 [3.9-5] before and 2.0 [1.2-2.8] after, P < 0.01). Before the training, only 1 clip application had been successful (10%), whereas the number rose to 9 after the course (90%). For endoscopic submucosal dissection (n = 10), eight participants of the 1-day course did not improve their competences (with scores of 4.2 [3.8-5] before and 4.0 [3.1-4.8] after, nonsignificant). Two participants who had undertaken 7 ESD courses improved their skills (with scores of 4 before and 1.6 after); given the small number of participants, this finding is statistically insignificant. LIMITATION: The effect of training on clinical outcome was not investigated. There was a lack of pretraining versus posttraining tests blinding. CONCLUSIONS: A 1-day training course on ex vivo animal model improves general endoscopic competence on simulator in endoscopic resection, insertion of stents, and application of OVESCO clips. In contrast, 1-day course does not improve skills for ESD that requires a higher number of training courses.

• MeSH
• Adult MeSH
• Endoscopy education   MeSH
• Gastroenterology education   MeSH
• Clinical Competence MeSH
• Middle Aged MeSH
• Humans MeSH
• Models, Animal MeSH
• Computer Simulation MeSH
• Education, Medical, Graduate methods   MeSH
• User-Computer Interface MeSH
• Animals MeSH
• Check Tag
• Adult MeSH
• Middle Aged MeSH
• Humans MeSH
• Male MeSH
• Female MeSH
• Animals MeSH
• Publication type
• Journal Article MeSH
• Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't MeSH

V současné době je zvýšené riziko vzniku schizofrenie spojováno nejen s genetickou predispozicí, ale i s negativním vlivem zátěžových faktorů působících v časném vývoji. Mezi rizikové faktory patří infekce matky během těhotenství nebo infekční onemocnění v nejranějším věku. Naše experimentální studie je zaměřena na sledování dlouhodobého účinku infekce na vývoj mozku. Infekční proces byl simulován endotoxinem - lipopolysacharidem (LPS) podaným buď potkaním samicím 18. a 19. den březosti (LPS, 0,5 mg/kg, s.c.) nebo přímo niláďatům (2 mg/kg i.p.) 5.-9. postnatální den. Dlouhodobé následky působení LPS na chování („volné pole", prepulzní inhibice - PPI) zvířat jsme hodnotili v souvislosti s účinkem chronické (30 dní) perorální léčby klozapinem (CLZ, 20 mg/kg/den, p.o.), která simuluje klinický způsob podávání antipsychotika. Toto antipsychotikum způsobilo u zvířat postnatálně ovlivněných LPS snížení přírůstků hmotnosti, normalizovalo změnu pohybové aktivity, ale neovlivnilo PPI. Naopak zvířata s prenatální aplikací LPS vykázala po terapii CLZ lepší skóre PPI. Předložené výsledky ukazují na rozdílnou vulnerabilitu vyvíjejícího se mozku k infekčnímu procesu. Modelové podávání ntipsychotika v dietě představuje alternativní přístup pro další způsob hodnocení účinků antipsychotik v preklinickém výzkumu.

At present, a higher risk of schizophrenia is linked to both genetic predisposition and with negative stress factors encountere d in the early developmental period. Infections of pregnant mother or newborns exposed to infectious diseases have been documented among these risk factors. Our animal model of pre/perinatal infection was focused on the systemic administration of bacterial agents (lipopolysaccharide, LPS) to pregnant rats (embryonic day 18–19, dose 0,5 mg/kg, s.c.) or directly to male rat pups (LPS, 2 mg/kg/da y, i.p.) during postnatal days 5– 9. The long-term consequences of LPS administration on behaviour (open field test, prepulse inhibition ) were observed in relation to the effect of chronic (30 days) clozapine (CLZ, 20 mg/kg/day, p.o.) administration in the subject‘s die t, which simulates the clinical mode of antipsychotic treatment. This therapy in the postnatal LPS group induced smaller weight gain, no rmali- zed the deficit in locomotor activity, but had no effect on prepulse inhibition. In contrast, prenatal infection-affected CLZ-t reated rats expressed a better PPI score. In summary, the results presented here demonstrate the differing vulnerability of the brain to in fectious processes as a risk factor in the manifestation of psychotic-like behaviour. Moreover, the present study suggests that oral adm inistration of CLZ may be a suitable alternative approach for further testing the effect of antipsychotics in preclinical research.

• MeSH
• Brain Damage, Chronic drug therapy   MeSH
• Financing, Organized MeSH
• Histology MeSH
• Clozapine administration & dosage   pharmacology   adverse effects   MeSH
• Laboratory Infection MeSH
• Lipopolysaccharides deficiency   poisoning   MeSH
• Models, Animal MeSH
• Rats, Wistar MeSH
• Psychological Tests MeSH
• Schizophrenia drug therapy   MeSH
• Statistics as Topic methods   MeSH
• Animals MeSH
• Check Tag
• Animals MeSH

This study used an experimental early rehabilitation model combining an enriched environment, multisensory (visual, acoustic and olfactory) stimulation and motor training after traumatic brain injury (via fluid-percussion model) to simulate early multisensory rehabilitation. This therapy will be used by brain injured patients to improve neural plasticity and to restore brain integration functions. Motor dysfunction was evaluated using a composite neuroscore test. Direct structural effects of traumatic brain injury were examined using Fluoro-Jade staining, which allows identification of degenerating neural cell bodies and processes. Animals in the rehabilitation model group performed significantly better when tested for neuromotor function than the animals in standard housing in the 7-day and 15-day interval after injury (7d: p=0.005; 15d: p<0.05). Statistical analysis revealed significantly lower numbers of Fluoro-Jade positive cells (degenerating neurons) in the rehabilitation model group (n=5: mean 13.4) compared to the standard housing group (n=6: mean 123.8) (p<0.005). It appears that the housing of animals in the rehabilitation model led to a clear functional increase in neuromotor functions and to reduced neural loss compared with the animal group in standard housing.

• MeSH
• Staining and Labeling methods   utilization   MeSH
• Research Support as Topic MeSH
• Data Interpretation, Statistical MeSH
• Models, Animal MeSH
• Brain Injuries rehabilitation   MeSH
• Motor Skills Disorders rehabilitation   MeSH
• Rats, Sprague-Dawley surgery   MeSH
• Rehabilitation methods   MeSH
• Animals MeSH
• Check Tag
• Animals MeSH

INTRODUCTION AND HYPOTHESIS: During vaginal delivery, the levator ani muscle (LAM) undergoes severe deformation. This stress can lead to stretch-related LAM injuries. The objective of this study was to develop a sophisticated MRI-based model to simulate changes in the LAM during vaginal delivery. METHODS: A 3D finite element model of the female pelvic floor and fetal head was developed. The model geometry was based on MRI data from a nulliparous woman and 1-day-old neonate. Material parameters were estimated using uniaxial test data from the literature and by least-square minimization method. The boundary conditions reflected all anatomical constraints and supports. A simulation of vaginal delivery with regard to the cardinal movements of labor was then performed. RESULTS: The mean stress values in the iliococcygeus portion of the LAM during fetal head extension were 4.91-7.93 MPa. The highest stress values were induced in the pubovisceral and puborectal LAM portions (mean 27.46 MPa) at the outset of fetal head extension. The last LAM subdivision engaged in the changes in stress was the posteromedial section of the puborectal muscle. The mean stress values were 16.89 MPa at the end of fetal head extension. The LAM was elongated by nearly 2.5 times from its initial resting position. CONCLUSIONS: The cardinal movements of labor significantly affect the subsequent heterogeneous stress distribution in the LAM. The absolute stress values were highest in portions of the muscle that arise from the pubic bone. These areas are at the highest risk for muscle injuries with long-term complications.

• MeSH
• Finite Element Analysis * MeSH
• Models, Anatomic * MeSH
• Biomechanical Phenomena MeSH
• Sprains and Strains etiology   MeSH
• Adult MeSH
• Head anatomy & histology   MeSH
• Muscle, Skeletal injuries   MeSH
• Humans MeSH
• Magnetic Resonance Imaging MeSH
• Infant, Newborn MeSH
• Pelvic Floor anatomy & histology   diagnostic imaging   physiology   MeSH
• Fetus anatomy & histology   MeSH
• Elasticity MeSH
• Pregnancy MeSH
• Delivery, Obstetric adverse effects   MeSH
• Imaging, Three-Dimensional methods   MeSH
• Check Tag
• Adult MeSH
• Humans MeSH
• Infant, Newborn MeSH
• Pregnancy MeSH
• Female MeSH
• Publication type
• Journal Article MeSH

Over the past decade, the environment has been polluted by a wide spectrum of exogenous chemicals and environmental analysis has become one of the most progressive parts of analytical research. The aim of this work was to determine the kinetics of natural degradation, and to identify the degradation products of the massively used estrogenic drug, 17-α-ethinylestradiol. The photodegradation, oxidation and thermostability conditions were selected according to ICH requirements for pharmaceutical stability testing. A simple 72-h photodegradation study in purified water exhibited significant first-order kinetics with the kinetic constant k = 0.0303 h-1, and degradation halftime 22.8 h. The basic halftime could be reduced to 17.1 h by the addition of sea salt, and increase in temperature. Monohydroxy, dihydroxy and dehydrogenated derivatives of ethinylestradiol with intact steroidal structure were identified as major degradation products resulting from simple photodegradation. The addition of an oxidative agent significantly accelerated the degradation rate; combined with higher temperature, the degradation halftime was reduced to 1.1 h with the first-order kinetic constant k = 0.632 h-1. TOC analysis showed a notable decrease of organic mass (18% in 3 days) during oxidation experiments, and confirmed the degradation of steroidal structure.

• MeSH
• Water Pollutants, Chemical analysis   radiation effects   MeSH
• Ethinyl Estradiol analysis   radiation effects   MeSH
• Photolysis MeSH
• Kinetics MeSH
• Seawater chemistry   MeSH
• Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry MeSH
• Fresh Water chemistry   MeSH
• Light * MeSH
• Models, Theoretical MeSH
• Publication type
• Journal Article MeSH

A clinically relevant porcine model of a biofilm-infected wound was established in 10 minipigs. The wounds of six experimental animals were infected with a modified polymicrobial Lubbock chronic wound biofilm consisting of Staphylococcus aureus, Enterococcus faecalis, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Bacillus subtilis. Four animals served as uninfected controls. The wounds were monitored until they had healed for 24 days. The biofilm persisted in the wounds up to day 14 and significantly affected healing. The control to infected healed wound area ratios were: 45%/21%, 66%/37%, and 90%/57% on days 7, 10 and 14, respectively. The implanted biofilm prolonged inflammation, increased necrosis, delayed granulation and impaired development of the extracellular matrix as seen in histological and gene expression analyses. This model provides a therapeutic one-week window for testing of anti-biofilm treatments and for research on the pathogenesis of wound infections in pig that is clinically the most relevant animal wound healing model.

• MeSH
• Bacillus subtilis growth & development   MeSH
• Biofilms growth & development   MeSH
• Time Factors MeSH
• Enterococcus faecalis growth & development   MeSH
• Wound Healing * MeSH
• Wound Infection drug therapy   microbiology   MeSH
• Disease Models, Animal * MeSH
• Swine MeSH
• Pseudomonas aeruginosa growth & development   MeSH
• Staphylococcus aureus growth & development   MeSH
• Animals MeSH
• Check Tag
• Male MeSH
• Animals MeSH
• Publication type
• Journal Article MeSH
• Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't MeSH