Spiders serve as key biological control agents in agroecosystems, but they face repeated disturbances due to common agricultural practices. The wolf spider Pardosa agrestis, a dominant agrobiont species, recolonizes these disrupted habitats via dispersal strategies such as ballooning, particularly during juvenile stages. This study investigated how nutrition and insecticide exposure influence ballooning behavior and the structure-function dynamics of the spider's tissue-resident microbiome. We found that dispersal behavior in P. agrestis is structured and repeatable, driven by environmental cues such as light and wind, and further modulated by previous exposure. Although diet significantly impacted growth and development, it had a minimal influence on the dispersal strategy. The tissue-resident microbiome analysis revealed a diverse, core symbiotic community with notable responsiveness to both dietary and pesticide-induced stress. Specific tissue-resident microbial taxa shifted their predicted metabolic output under nutrient deprivation, suggesting adaptive biosynthetic activity. Importantly, distinct predicted microbial metabolic profiles were associated with spider behaviors (e.g., ballooning) and physiological traits (e.g., endurance), indicating a microbiome-mediated influence on the dispersal capacity. Moreover, tissue-resident microbial community function was correlated with host survival after insecticide exposure, implicating its role in detoxification and resistance. These findings highlight the role of the tissue-resident microbiome as a functional partner in arthropod stress resilience and dispersal behavior in agroecosystems.

• Klíčová slova
• Ballooning behavior, Insecticide tolerance, Microbiome-mediated detoxification, Spider dispersal, Starvation response, Tissue-resident microbiome,
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH

The crystal structure determines many of the physical properties of oxide perovskites (ABO3) and only a tiny modification of the lattice structure causes major changes in the functional properties through the interplay among spin, orbital and charge orders. The determination of distortions and their associated symmetries is a valuable asset for understanding the structure properties relationship and guiding the design of epitaxial oxide heterostructures and correlated electronic states. Here, the in-depth structural characterization of a 50 nm-LaVO3 thin film grown onto (110)-oriented DyScO3 by molecular beam epitaxy is reported. The heterostructure is investigated by means of X-ray diffraction, high-resolution and scanning transmission electron microscopies, scanning precession electron diffraction tomography and first-principles calculations. LaVO3 crystallizes in the orthorhombic Pbnm space group and is constrained by the substrate, which imposes a growth along the [110] orthorhombic direction, over the 140 deposited unit cells. The mapping of the reciprocal space allows determining the orientation of the film and refining the lattice parameters. Using scanning transmission electron microscopy, the structure of LaVO3 is analyzed, focusing on the determination of the antipolar displacement of the rare earth. Additionally, 3D electron diffraction enables to resolve the atomic positions of all species within the film.

• Klíčová slova
• atomic positions, distortions, orthorhombic perovskite, strain, thin film,
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH

BACKGROUND: ADTKD-MUC1 is caused by frameshift mutations in MUC1 gene that produce a frameshifted protein (MUC1fs) toxic to kidney cells. The gene's variable number of tandem repeats (VNTR), with high GC content, makes it largely inaccessible to standard sequencing. As a result, both the reference sequence and natural variation in this region remain poorly defined, complicating mutation detection and data interpretation. Standard methods also fail to pinpoint the exact VNTR unit affected, limiting insight into mutation mechanisms and genotype-phenotype correlations. METHODS: We employed Single Molecule, Real-Time (SMRT) sequencing and characterized the genomic sequence of MUC1 in 300 individuals including 279 individuals from 143 families suspected of having ADTKD-MUC1. We compared these results to those obtained using the CLIA-approved mass spectrometry-based probe extension (PE) assay, which specifically detect the most prevalent 59dupC mutation. We correlated the structural features of the MUC1 VNTR with the rate of kidney function decline in affected individuals. RESULTS: We identified MUC1 consensus sequences for 205 unique VNTR alleles, with 9 distinct types of frameshift mutations present on 52 distinct mutated VNTR alleles. MUC1 frameshift mutations were identified in 71 of 143 families (50%) with suspected ADTKD, comprising 135 genetically affected individuals (48%). The SMRT assay exhibited complete concordance and revealed that the PE assay is capable of detecting frameshift mutations in approximately 85% of affected families. The constellation of VNTR structures supports a genotype-progression model, in which fast progressors exhibit a significantly lower number of repeat units on the wild-type allele and a higher number of repeats on the mutation-bearing allele, including an increased number of frameshifted repeat units. CONCLUSIONS: SMRT sequencing outperforms current diagnostic methods for ADTKD-MUC1 and reveals the prognostic value of VNTR structures. Although their contribution to disease progression is modest (~6% variance explained), it remains biologically and clinically meaningful.

• Klíčová slova
• Autosomal Dominant Tubulointerstitial Kidney Disease, MUC1 gene, Mucin-1 Kidney Disease, Real-Time (SMRT) sequencing, Single Molecule, VNTR structure, amplicon sequencing, inherited, kidney disease,
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• preprinty MeSH

Xylem trait studies have enhanced our understanding of how plants strategically adapt their morphological and anatomical features to diverse climates. Despite the importance of the phloem in plant functioning, similar studies of phloem traits are lacking. To tackle this knowledge gap, we analyzed phloem anatomical traits of woody angiosperm species in relation to climate and the distance of samples to the stem tip. We collected main stem or branch cross-sections of 188 angiosperm woody species, which represent a wide range of climates and diverse families. Measurements of xylem vessel and phloem sieve element diameter, density, and lumen fraction were used in phylogenetic structural equation models to disentangle internal and climatic constraints on their morphological and anatomical features. Our results showed that distance-to-tip mainly affects sieve element and vessel diameter and density, while climate more strongly influenced conduit lumen fraction. Vessel size was positively correlated with temperature after correcting for the distance-to-tip, while sieve element diameter was correlated with water availability. Our results highlight the need to account for distance-to-tip when accessing anatomical variations linked to the environment, and show that sieve element traits respond to other climatic drivers than vessel traits rather than simply mirroring them.

• Klíčová slova
• adaptation, allometry, phloem sieve element, tip‐to‐base conduit widening, xylem vessel,
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH

To examine intestinal microbiota-growth rate relationships in Mytilus coruscus, we analyzed genetically similar individuals under uniform aquaculture conditions using 16S rRNA sequencing, comparing fast-growing (L) and slow-growing (S) groups. Results demonstrated that Proteobacteria and Bacteroidota were the dominant phyla in the intestine of M. coruscus, and Pseudoalteromonas and Vibrio were the dominant genera. The relative abundances of Proteobacteria (84.30%) and Pseudoalteromonas (44.64%) in group L were significantly higher than those in group S (69.50% and 15.41% respectively), while the relative abundances of Bacteroidota (9.49%) and Tenacibaculum (2.21%) in group L were significantly lower than those in group S (19.42% and 4.54% respectively) (p < 0.05). In terms of diversity analysis, the microbial α diversity (Shannon and Simpson indices) in group L was significantly lower than that in group S. Beta diversity analysis (PCoA and PERMANOVA) showed that there were significant differences in the intestinal microbiota structure between group L and group S. Pearson correlation analysis further found that the relative abundance of Amphritea was significantly positively (r = 0.78-0.81, p < 0.05) correlated with the growth rate of M. coruscus, while Tenacibaculum was significantly negatively (r = -0.72-0.73, p < 0.05) correlated. In addition, functional prediction via PICRUSt indicates Amphritea may promote growth by enhancing host nutrient metabolism, while Tenacibaculum enrichment might hinder host development through resource competition or metabolic interference. This study demonstrates the association between M. coruscus growth rate and gut microbiota, provides a basis for promoting its growth by regulating the intestinal microbiota, and holds significant reference value for efficient aquaculture production and health management.

• Klíčová slova
• Mytilus coruscus, 16S rRNA, Growth, Intestinal microbiota,
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH

OBJECTIVE(S): The present study aims to evaluate the reliability and construct validity of the Czech version of the Voice Handicap Index (VHI-CZ) and determine the cut-off value to distinguish dysphonic patients from nondysphonic individuals. STUDY DESIGN: Prospective study, Parallel group design. METHODS: The study investigated 100 adult patients with dysphonia, divided into three groups based on the etiology of the voice problem (neurogenic, functional, and structural). Out of these, 25 patients were used for test-retest analysis, and 45 patients to determine the responsiveness to change. The control group consisted of 51 healthy subjects. All 151 individuals completed the VHI-CZ and were examined with the videolaryngostroboscopy. The internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha), the test-retest reliability (Intra-class Correlation Coefficient, ICC), and the construct validity were analyzed and the normative cut-off value was determined. RESULTS: The internal consistency of the VHI-CZ was excellent (Cronbach α = 0.984), and test-retest reliability was also excellent (ICC = 0.95, P < 0.001). The correlation between the self-assessed severity of the voice disorder and the VHI-CZ score was strong (Spearman's ρ = 0.877, P < 0.001). The VHI scores differences between dysphonic and nondysphonic patients were statistically significant (Mann-Whitney U test, P < 0.001). The differences among the three etiological subgroups (neurogenic, functional, and structural) were also statistically significant (Kruskal-Wallis test, P < 0.001). Moreover, the differences in the VHI-CZ total scores between pretreatment and posttreatment were statistically significant (Wilcoxon test, P < 0.001). The cut-off score of 13 points was found, by the analysis of the Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC, Youden Index), to be most suitable for preselecting dysphonic individuals. CONCLUSION: The existing VHI-CZ showed excellent reliability and construct validity. The Czech VHI is a useful and valid monitoring tool for clinicians.

• Klíčová slova
• Cut-off point, Dysphonia, Reliability, Validity, Voice handicap index,
• MeSH
• dospělí MeSH
• dysfonie * diagnóza   patofyziologie   psychologie   MeSH
• kvalita hlasu * MeSH
• laryngoskopie MeSH
• lidé středního věku MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• mladý dospělý MeSH
• posuzování pracovní neschopnosti * MeSH
• prediktivní hodnota testů MeSH
• prospektivní studie MeSH
• průzkumy a dotazníky MeSH
• reprodukovatelnost výsledků MeSH
• senioři MeSH
• stroboskopie MeSH
• studie případů a kontrol MeSH
• stupeň závažnosti nemoci MeSH
• Check Tag
• dospělí MeSH
• lidé středního věku MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• mladý dospělý MeSH
• mužské pohlaví MeSH
• senioři MeSH
• ženské pohlaví MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• validační studie MeSH
• Geografické názvy
• Česká republika MeSH

This review evaluates the use of functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI) to investigate brain plasticity in Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD). An analysis of studies utilizing fMRI methods identified three primary research approaches: task-based fMRI (17 studies), resting-state fMRI (4 studies), and population receptive fields (pRF) with population connective fields modeling (pCF; 3 studies). The review outlines the principles behind each fMRI methodology and summarizes the key functional and morphological findings. Results consistently demonstrated significant structural and connectivity reorganization in the brains of individuals with AMD, suggesting that the brain undergoes adaptive responses to sensory loss. Voxel-based morphometric findings, measuring the gray matter volume loss in visual cortex, further confirm these structural changes, which appear to correlate with altered functional connectivity. These insights underscore the intricate relationship between sensory deficits and cognitive function in AMD and emphasize the potential for targeted therapeutic interventions. FMRI emerges as a vital tool in group studies for understanding the neural underpinnings of AMD and its broader cognitive implications.

• Klíčová slova
• age-related macular degeneration, functional magnetic resonance imaging, population connective field modeling, population receptive fields, resting-state fMRI,
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• přehledy MeSH

Fungi in drinking water pose a potential biohazard because treatment plants only partially remove them. The potential ecological impacts of viable fungi and fungal-derived organic matter entering premise plumbing systems remain uncertain. In this study, we established pipeline systems to examine the impact of fungi and fungal dissolved organic matter (DOM) on water quality, microbial stability, and function of pathogens. Under stagnant conditions, the accumulation of fungi and fungal DOM in the pipeline system caused the peaks of ammonia nitrogen and nitrite nitrogen concentrations to increase by factors of 3.0 and 6.5 times, respectively, compared to the Control group. In the presence of fungi and fungal DOM, the total cell count and adenosine triphosphate contents in drinking water initially increased, and then decreased over time, and bacterial utilization capacity for L‑serine and l-asparagine increased. Both fungi and fungal DOM altered the bacterial community structure in drinking water. Notably, the intrusion of fungi and fungal DOM increased the level of opportunistic pathogens, such as Pseudomonas mendocina, Phocaeicola plebeius, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa, in drinking water. Total nitrogen concentration showed significant positive correlations with the bacterial community. Our findings provide a scientific basis that can inform effective strategies for drinking water safety in response to sudden increase in fungal contaminations.

• Klíčová slova
• Assembly process, Bacterial community, Fungal intrusion, Microbial stability, Opportunistic pathogens, Premise plumbing system,
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH

Single-structure scoring functions have been considered inferior to expensive ensemble free energy methods in predicting protein-ligand affinities. We are revisiting this dogma with the recently developed semiempirical quantum-mechanical (SQM)-based scoring function, SQM2.20, comparing its performance to the standard scoring functions on one hand and state-of-the-art molecular dynamics (MD)-based free-energy methods on the other hand. The comparison is conducted on a well-established Wang data set comprising eight protein targets with 200 ligands. The initial low correlation of SQM2.20 scores with the experimental binding affinities of R2 = 0.21 was improved to R2 = 0.47 by a systematic refinement of the input structures and omission of the ligand deformation energy. Consequently, SQM2.20 representing accurate single-structure scoring functions, exhibited an average performance comparable to that of MD-based methods (R2 = 0.52) and surpassed the performance of standard scoring functions (R2 = 0.26). The per-target analysis highlighted the pivotal role of high-quality input structures on the outcomes of single-structure methods. In the instances where such structures are available, SQM2.20 scoring has been shown to rival or even exceed MD-based methods in predicting protein-ligand binding affinities, while exhibiting significantly reduced computation time.

• MeSH
• konformace proteinů MeSH
• kvantová teorie * MeSH
• ligandy MeSH
• proteiny * chemie   metabolismus   MeSH
• simulace molekulární dynamiky * MeSH
• termodynamika MeSH
• vazba proteinů MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• srovnávací studie MeSH
• Názvy látek
• ligandy MeSH
• proteiny * MeSH

OBJECTIVE: Information about the level of general personality functioning could provide benefits for tailoring substance use disorder (SUD) treatment. This study examined self-reported personality functioning among patients with SUD compared to the general population, gender specifics, and the psychometric properties of the Czech Level of Personality Functioning Scale-Self Report (LPFS-SR). METHODS: Two samples were used in this study. Sample 1 (n = 368) consisted of patients with SUD, while Sample 2 (n = 497) comprised volunteers from the general population. All participants, with an age range of 18-75 years, completed a battery of self-assessment tools, including a demographic form, the Personality Inventory for DSM-5 (PID-5), and the LPFS-SR, administered via a pencil-and-paper method. Internal consistency and several aspects of the validity of the Czech LPFS-SR were examined. RESULTS: The LPFS-SR showed high internal consistency as estimated by Cronbach's alpha (α ≥ 0.66) and the high mutual correlation with the PID-5 varied from 0.21 to 0.77. Principal component analysis (PCA) of the four LPFS-SR subscales indicated a single-component structure, accounting for 78.21% of the variance in Sample 1 and 79.20% in Sample 2, supporting previous results regarding the LPFS-SR factorial structure. Furthermore, gender-specific cut-off scores were obtained and are discussed in relation to previous research. CONCLUSION: The findings indicate that the Czech LPFS-SR is a valid and reliable tool with acceptable discriminating capacity. It can be used in research and clinical assessments of personality functioning in patients with SUD, particularly when considering gender-specific characteristics.

• Klíčová slova
• personality, personality assessment, psychometrics, substance-related disorders,
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH