The lack of reliable data on length-mass relationships, essential to obtain accurate biomass estimates, limits our ability to easily assess secondary production by aquatic invertebrates. In the absence of published equations from similar habitat conditions, authors often borrow equations developed in geographic regions with different climate conditions, which may bias biomass estimates. A literature overview of published size-mass relationships for Portugal and Sweden highlights the need for further data within these biogeographic regions. We increased the number of equations available to Southern and Northern Europe, developing 18 new length-mass relationships for two families and 10 genera in Portugal and Sweden. All equations were published for the first time for these countries, except the genus Asellus. Our length-mass relationships were obtained from specimens collected on a one-time sampling of eight ponds in Portugal and five ponds in Sweden during late spring in 2023. Dry mass (DM) was modelled as a function of body length (BL), using the natural log-linear function with a power model (ln DM = ln a + b × ln BL). The equations obtained were compared with linear mixed models testing the fixed effects of "body length" and "country", as well as their interaction. A comparison of the equations developed in this study showed country-specific differences for all taxa, expect the genus Caenis, indicating a low potential transferability of the equations between Southern and Northern Europe. In contrast, the comparison of the equation obtained for A. aquaticus in this study with an equation published for this taxon in Sweden showed great similarities, suggesting a high transferability. Recommending caution in the borrowing of published length-mass equations, that can differ drastically between different geographic and climatic regions, especially at larger sizes, we provide a series of guidelines and good practices in this field.
- Klíčová slova
- Aquatic insects, Biomass, Freshwaters, Portugal, Secondary production, Size-weight relationships, Sweden,
- MeSH
- bezobratlí * fyziologie MeSH
- biomasa * MeSH
- ekosystém MeSH
- rybníky * MeSH
- velikost těla MeSH
- zvířata MeSH
- Check Tag
- zvířata MeSH
- Publikační typ
- časopisecké články MeSH
- Geografické názvy
- Evropa MeSH
- Portugalsko MeSH
- Švédsko MeSH
Ion channels represent a druggable family of transmembrane pore-forming proteins with important (patho)physiological functions. While electrophysiological measurement (manual patch clamp) remains the only direct method for detection of ion currents, it is a labor-intensive technique. Although automated patch clamp instruments have become available to date, their high costs limit their use to large pharma companies or commercial screening facilities. Therefore, fluorescence-based assays are particularly important for initial screening of compound libraries. Despite their numerous disadvantages, they are highly amenable to high-throughput screening and in many cases, no sophisticated instrumentation or materials are required. These features predispose them for implementation in early phases of drug discovery pipelines (hit identification), even in an academic environment. This review summarizes the advantages and pitfalls of individual methodological approaches for identification of ion channel modulators employing fluorescent probes (i. e., membrane potential and ion flux assays) with emphasis on practical aspects of their adaptation to high-throughput format.
- Klíčová slova
- Fluorescence-based assay, Fluorescent probes, High-throughput screening, Ion channels,
- MeSH
- fluorescence MeSH
- fluorescenční barviva * chemie farmakologie chemická syntéza MeSH
- iontové kanály * metabolismus antagonisté a inhibitory MeSH
- lidé MeSH
- objevování léků * MeSH
- rychlé screeningové testy * MeSH
- Check Tag
- lidé MeSH
- Publikační typ
- časopisecké články MeSH
- přehledy MeSH
- Názvy látek
- fluorescenční barviva * MeSH
- iontové kanály * MeSH
This article presents an overview of treatment regimens of drugs containing antivascular endothelial growth factor for the treatment of neovascular form of age-related macular degeneration. Currently, drugs containing antivascular endothelial growth factor are the only effective treatment for this chronic and progressive disease. The treatment regimens for this disease in the last two decades have seen a shift from a simple endeavor to stabilize the disease to achieving maximum improvement of visual acuity and its maintenance, with improvement of the patient's quality of life and a minimal treatment burden on patients and their families. Other goals of the alternative dosing regimens that have replaced the original fixed regimens were greater individualization of the dosing regimen, better patient cooperation, saving financial costs and reducing the burden on application centers. Age-related macular degeneration, whether dry form or wet form, represents a serious health and socioeconomic problem, as the disease is one of the most common causes of severe and irreversible central visual acuity disorders up to the degree of practical blindness of one or both eyes in people over 50 years of age in developed industrialized countries. The most important issue is to ensure early diagnosis of this disease, followed by prompt and continuous treatment with an individualized proactive treatment regimen, with the aim of stabilizing and improving anatomical and functional results.
- Klíčová slova
- antivascular endothelial growth factors, neovascular age-related macular degeneration, treatment regimens, vascular endothelial growth factor,
- MeSH
- bevacizumab aplikace a dávkování terapeutické užití MeSH
- inhibitory angiogeneze * aplikace a dávkování MeSH
- lidé MeSH
- makulární degenerace * farmakoterapie diagnóza patofyziologie MeSH
- vaskulární endoteliální růstový faktor A antagonisté a inhibitory MeSH
- Check Tag
- lidé MeSH
- Publikační typ
- časopisecké články MeSH
- přehledy MeSH
- Názvy látek
- bevacizumab MeSH
- inhibitory angiogeneze * MeSH
- vaskulární endoteliální růstový faktor A MeSH
- Publikační typ
- tisková chyba MeSH
There are global movements aiming to promote reform of the traditional research evaluation and reward systems. However, a comprehensive picture of the existing best practices and efforts across various institutions to integrate Open Science into these frameworks remains underdeveloped and not fully known. The aim of this study was to identify perceptions and expectations of various research communities worldwide regarding how Open Science activities are (or should be) formally recognised and rewarded. To achieve this, a global survey was conducted in the framework of the Research Data Alliance, recruiting 230 participants from five continents and 37 countries. Despite most participants reporting that their organisation had one form or another of formal Open Science policies, the majority indicated that their organisation lacks any initiative or tool that provides specific credits or rewards for Open Science activities. However, researchers from France, the United States, the Netherlands and Finland affirmed having such mechanisms in place. The study found that, among various Open Science activities, Open or FAIR data management and sharing stood out as especially deserving of explicit recognition and credit. Open Science indicators in research evaluation and/or career progression processes emerged as the most preferred type of reward.
- MeSH
- internacionalita * MeSH
- lidé MeSH
- průzkumy a dotazníky MeSH
- výzkumní pracovníci psychologie MeSH
- Check Tag
- lidé MeSH
- Publikační typ
- časopisecké články MeSH
BACKGROUND: Widespread use of pneumococcal conjugate vaccines (PCVs) has reduced vaccine-type invasive pneumococcal disease (IPD). We describe the serotype distribution of IPD after extensive use of ten-valent PCV (PCV10; Synflorix, GSK) and 13-valent PCV (PCV13; Prevenar 13, Pfizer) globally. METHODS: IPD data were obtained from surveillance sites participating in the WHO-commissioned Pneumococcal Serotype Replacement and Distribution Estimation (PSERENADE) project that exclusively used PCV10 or PCV13 (hereafter PCV10 and PCV13 sites, respectively) in their national immunisation programmes and had primary series uptake of at least 70%. Serotype distribution was estimated for IPD cases occurring 5 years or more after PCV10 or PCV13 introduction (ie, the mature period when the serotype distribution had stabilised) using multinomial Dirichlet regression, stratified by PCV product and age group (<5 years, 5-17 years, 18-49 years, and ≥50 years). FINDINGS: The analysis included cases occurring primarily between 2015 and 2018 from 42 PCV13 sites (63 362 cases) and 12 PCV10 sites (6806 cases) in 41 countries. Sites were mostly high income (36 [67%] of 54) and used three-dose or four-dose booster schedules (44 [81%]). At PCV10 sites, PCV10 serotypes caused 10·0% (95% CI 6·3-12·9) of IPD cases in children younger than 5 years and 15·5% (13·4-19·3) of cases in adults aged 50 years or older, while PCV13 serotypes caused 52·1% (49·2-65·4) and 45·6% (40·0-50·0), respectively. At PCV13 sites, PCV13 serotypes caused 26·4% (21·3-30·0) of IPD cases in children younger than 5 years and 29·5% (27·5-33·0) of cases in adults aged 50 years or older. The leading serotype at PCV10 sites was 19A in children younger than 5 years (30·6% [95% CI 18·2-43·1]) and adults aged 50 years or older (14·8% [11·9-17·8]). Serotype 3 was a top-ranked serotype, causing about 9% of cases in children younger than 5 years and 14% in adults aged 50 years or older at both PCV10 and PCV13 sites. Across all age and PCV10 or PCV13 strata, the proportion of IPD targeted by higher-valency PCVs beyond PCV13 was 4·1-9·7% for PCV15, 13·5-36·0% for PCV20, 29·9-53·8% for PCV21, 15·6-42·0% for PCV24, and 31·5-50·1% for PCV25. All top-ten ranked non-PCV13 serotypes are included in at least one higher-valency PCV. INTERPRETATION: The proportion of IPD due to serotypes included in PCVs in use was low in mature PCV10 and PCV13 settings. Serotype distribution differed between PCV10 and PCV13 sites and age groups. Higher-valency PCVs target most remaining IPD and are expected to extend impact. FUNDING: Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation as part of the WHO Pneumococcal Vaccines Technical Coordination Project.
- Publikační typ
- časopisecké články MeSH
Pathogenic alterations, namely, fusions and amplifications, of the GLI1 gene have been identified in various mesenchymal tumors, including pericytoma with t(7;12), plexiform fibromyxoma, gastroblastoma, and other malignant mesenchymal neoplasms arising in the soft tissues, as well as in various visceral organs. However, only three cases of GLI1-rearranged renal tumors have been reported to date, comprising two low-grade spindle cell tumors with GLI1::FOXO4 fusion along with one GLI1-rearranged case with an unknown fusion partner. In this study, we analyzed three cases with GLI1::FOXO4 fusion and overlapping morphology. One of the cases was reported previously, but an extended clinical and immunohistochemical information is provided. The studied cases occurred in 2 female and 1 male patients aged 35, 55, and 62 years (mean 51 years). All three tumors affected the renal parenchyma and grew as unencapsulated but well-circumscribed solid masses containing occasional entrapped and dilated renal tubules. The tumor cells were organized in cords, nests, or fascicles, had a round to spindled shape, and exhibited only mild nuclear atypia and minimal mitotic activity. They had a sparse eosinophilic to clear cytoplasm and were embedded in myxocollagenous stroma. Immunohistochemically, all cases expressed GLI1 (albeit with variable intensity) and harbored GLI1::FOXO4 fusion. All three patients were treated solely by complete surgical excision. Case 1 was alive with unknown disease status, case 2 was alive without evidence of disease, and case 3 died of unrelated causes. Our study doubles the number of reported cases with GLI1::FOXO4 fusion. The so far absolute predilection of this fusion for renal tumors, coupled with the absence of reports of other GLI1 fusions in tumors of the kidney, might indicate the potential existence of a distinct renal subtype with morphological features similar to other GLI1-altered tumors. All four reported cases had an uneventful follow-up which, together with their low-grade morphological features, suggests that these tumors might have a favorable prognosis.
- Klíčová slova
- GLI1::FOXO4 fusion, GLI1-altered tumors, Kidney, Soft tissue,
- Publikační typ
- časopisecké články MeSH
PURPOSE: The aim of the paper is to emphasize the importance of physical activity in prisons, its link to mental health and the potential for desistance bringing the perspective of two Eastern European countries - Czechia and Hungary. The paper aims to show that sport in prison has to be seriously considered as an activity that has the potential to positively contribute to the physical and mental health of prison inmates. The aim of the paper is to show that sport in prison is a very potential rehabilitative tool. Doing sport in prison presents an opportunity for meaningful leisure and contributes to the development of good leisure habits. DESIGN/METHODOLOGY/APPROACH: The methodology integrates a literature review and legal analysis, complemented by practical experiences, which provide both theoretical and empirical understanding of the research topic; the review covers international research papers regarding sports activities in prisons and also the legal framework of the topic, both the international one and the national (Czech and Hungarian) ones providing the experience with concrete activities from the Czech and Hungarian prisons as well. FINDINGS: Sport in prison has to be seriously considered as an activity that has the potential to positively contribute to the physical and mental health of prison inmates. Sport in prison is a very potential rehabilitative tool. Doing sport in prison presents an opportunity for meaningful leisure and contributes to the development of good leisure habits. The possibility for prison inmates to do sports activities corresponds to a comprehensive approach to prison treatment and rehabilitation which works with leisure time as a pro-desistance factor. RESEARCH LIMITATIONS/IMPLICATIONS: This is not extensive research, rather it is a theoretical mapping with national (Czech and Hungarian) experience. PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS: Physical activity in prisons should be officially recognised (politically and systematically) as an activity with significant potential to improve both the physical and mental health of inmates, serving as an effective rehabilitative tool. From a systemic perspective, allowing physical activities in prisons reflects the trend towards normalising prison life, addressing issues related to prisonisation. Engaging in physical activity can bridge the gap between prison and post-release life, helping individuals maintain and cultivate pro-social habits developed during incarceration. For that reason, it should be considered as relevant part of prison throughcare and aftercare. SOCIAL IMPLICATIONS: Improvement of physical and mental health of prison inmates, as well as their socialisation. Increasing the rehabilitation potential of the prison system. Contribution to desistance from crime through leisure-time physical activity as a pro-desistance factor. ORIGINALITY/VALUE: It is a theoretical analysis of the research topic focused on two Eastern European countries, Czechia and Hungary, including examples of national practices, which is interesting for international readers.
- Klíčová slova
- Desistance, Mental health, Physical activity, Prison, Rehabilitation, Sport,
- Publikační typ
- časopisecké články MeSH
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Great-grandparenthood brings a new internal dynamic to intergenerational relationships in which contact between four generations is now the norm. In this scoping review, we sought to identify the roles of great-grandparents and what those roles entail. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: We performed a review using PRISMA-ScR to identify peer-reviewed studies investigating the roles of great-grandparents. The reviewed articles were selected from four databases. The article selection conditions were met by 23 studies that used quantitative or qualitative methods. The studies had to be published in English; the selected publications spanned eight countries. RESULTS: The scoping review covers a collection qualitative and quantitative research with different types of respondents (great-grandchild, grandparents, great-grandparents, etc.). An important element was a statement on great-grandparenting from at least one of the four generations. We selected 23 articles from an initial selection of 176 studies. The studies were heterogeneous in conceptual frameworks, collection methods, and interview conduct, with qualitative methods predominating over quantitative methods. DISCUSSION AND IMPLICATIONS: Based on research on great-grandparenting, the roles of great-grandparents can be categorized as continuing, insignificant, or significant. Each role category has a specific function and each represents a different meaning for the great-grandparents within the family. Several factors and constraints frame the great-grandparent roles. Based on the research results, some characteristics are shared by all role categories despite the dividing elements.
- Klíčová slova
- Great-grandparenthood, relationship between great-grandparents and great-grandchildren, role in family,
- Publikační typ
- časopisecké články MeSH
OBJECTIVE: Idiopathic inflammatory myopathies (IIMs, myositis) are rare systemic autoimmune disorders that lead to muscle inflammation, weakness, and extramuscular manifestations, with a strong genetic component influencing disease development and progression. Previous genome-wide association studies identified loci associated with IIMs. In this study, we imputed data from two prior genome-wide myositis studies and analyzed the largest myositis data set to date to identify novel risk loci and susceptibility genes associated with IIMs and its clinical subtypes. METHODS: We performed association analyses on 14,903 individuals (3,206 patients and 11,697 controls) with genotypes and imputed data from the Trans-Omics for Precision Medicine reference panel. Fine-mapping and expression quantitative trait locus colocalization analyses in myositis-relevant tissues indicated potential causal variants. Functional annotation and network analyses using the random walk with restart (RWR) algorithm explored underlying genetic networks and drug repurposing opportunities. RESULTS: Our analyses identified novel risk loci and susceptibility genes, such as FCRLA, NFKB1, IRF4, DCAKD, and ATXN2 in overall IIMs; NEMP2 in polymyositis; ACBC11 in dermatomyositis; and PSD3 in myositis with anti-histidyl-transfer RNA synthetase autoantibodies (anti-Jo-1). We also characterized effects of HLA region variants and the role of C4. Colocalization analyses suggested putative causal variants in DCAKD in skin and muscle, HCP5 in lung, and IRF4 in Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-transformed lymphocytes, lung, and whole blood. RWR further prioritized additional candidate genes, including APP, CD74, CIITA, NR1H4, and TXNIP, for future investigation. CONCLUSION: Our study uncovers novel genetic regions contributing to IIMs, advancing our understanding of myositis pathogenesis and offering new insights for future research.
- Publikační typ
- časopisecké články MeSH