Starch and lipids are key components of algal cells and responsible for buffering variable supplies of energy and carbon that are vital for cell growth and reproduction, particularly DNA replication, nuclear and cellular division. The basic characteristics of energy reserves, their ultrastructure and localization inside the cell, regulation of their synthesis in relation to cell cycle phases, and their control by external factors, including light intensity, temperature, and carbon dioxide are described. Over the last two decades, research in this field has been boosted by possible biotechnological applications of algae for the production of biofuels from energy conserving compounds (bioethanol from starch and biodiesel from lipids). Recent findings on mechanisms that lead to an accumulation of exceptionally high levels of starch and lipids in algae will be summarized in this review. Macroelement (N, S, P) limitation, or depletion in mineral medium, as the most widely used approaches for enhancing both starch and lipid accumulation, are reviewed in detail. Potential biotechnological strategies for the economically viable overproduction of lipid and starch, such as a two-step procedure exploiting the effects of nutrient limitation and depletion, as well as the means and rationale for selecting appropriate strains, are discussed.

• Klíčová slova
• Algae, Carbon dioxide, Cell cycle, Light intensity, Lipids, Microalgae, Nutrient starvation, Starch, Temperature,
• MeSH
• biotechnologie metody   MeSH
• buněčný cyklus * MeSH
• druhová specificita MeSH
• energetický metabolismus * MeSH
• Eukaryota metabolismus   MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• práce podpořená grantem MeSH
• přehledy MeSH

The filamentous microalga Tribonema sp. (Stramenopiles, Xanthophyceae) plays an important role in shallow water polar (streams and seepages) and seasonally cold habitats in temperate regions (ponds). In these habitats, freezing and desiccation, and thus freeze-thawing and drying-rewetting cycles, are frequent. These regions produce visible biomass and are important components of low temperature-adapted communities. We characterized the annual cycles of a Tribonema cf. minus population in two habitats (seepage and stream) in the High Arctic, Svalbard. Seasonality, locality, and their combination (particularly changing environmental conditions) together with cultivation conditions of strains significantly affected their morphological characteristics. Morphological changes following hardening processes related to preparation for the winter period (transition from vegetative cells to akinete and/or pre-akinete) were recorded. Over the year, positive water temperatures (warmest 13.3°C) occurred for 5 months while negative (lowest temperature was -17.4°C) lasted for 7 months. In winter, there were two melt periods. Vitality staining protocol showed a high number of viable (77.4% and 53.8%) and dormant cells (1.7% and 4.1%; capable of growth and reproduction once suitable conditions return) in the winter seepage and stream, respectively. NPQ and OJIP chlorophyll fluorescence parameters revealed several hours recovery of photosynthesis (both field and control samples). During recovery, only minor or mild stress on photosynthesis was detected. FV /FM values (the photosynthetic efficiency of photosystem II in a dark-adapted state) in all field and control samples varied around 0.4. Tribonema cf. minus is capable of surviving winter Arctic conditions (perennial strategy).

• Klíčová slova
• Tribonema cf. minus, adaptation, hydro-terrestrial habitats, photosynthesis, vitality,
• MeSH
• barvení a značení MeSH
• ekosystém MeSH
• fotosyntéza MeSH
• Heterokontophyta * MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• práce podpořená grantem MeSH
• Geografické názvy
• Arktida MeSH
• Svalbard MeSH

Stable iodine isotopes are essential for humans as they are necessary for producing thyroid gland hormones. However, there are hazardous radioactive iodine isotopes that are emitted into the environment through radioactive waste generated by nuclear power plants, nuclear weapon tests, and medical practice. Due to the biophilic character of iodine radionuclides and their enormous biomagnification potential, their elimination from contaminated environments is essential to prevent the spread of radioactive pollution in ecosystems. Since microorganisms play a vital role in controlling iodine cycling and fate in the environment, they also can be efficiently utilized in solving the issue of contamination spread. Thus, this paper summarizes all known on microbial processes that are involved in iodine transformation to highlight their prospects in remediation of the sites contaminated with radioactive iodine isotopes.

• Klíčová slova
• biomethylation, biooxidation, bioreduction, bioremediation, iodine,
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• přehledy MeSH

BACKGROUND: Recombinant human pentraxin-2 (rhPTX-2) significantly decreased decline in percent predicted forced vital capacity (FVC) and stabilized 6-min walk distance (6MWD) in patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) during the 28-week, placebo-controlled, randomized period of the Phase II PRM-151-202 study. Interim (76-week) data from the open-label extension (OLE) demonstrated sustained safety and efficacy with rhPTX-2 treatment. Here, we present the entire long-term OLE safety and efficacy data to 128 weeks. METHODS: Patients who completed the randomized PRM-151-202 study period were eligible for the OLE, during which all patients received rhPTX-2, having started rhPTX-2 (i.e., crossed from placebo) or continued rhPTX-2 after Week 28. rhPTX-2 was administered in 28-week cycles, with 10 mg/kg intravenous infusions (60 min) on Days 1, 3, and 5 in the first week of each cycle, then one infusion every 4 weeks up to Week 128. The OLE primary objective was to assess the long-term safety and tolerability of rhPTX-2. Other outcomes included FVC, 6MWD, and patient-reported outcomes (descriptive analysis). RESULTS: All 111 patients who completed the randomized period entered the OLE (n = 37 started rhPTX-2; n = 74 continued rhPTX-2); 57 (51.4%) completed to Week 128. The treatment-emergent adverse event (TEAE) profile was consistent with the randomized period, with the majority of TEAEs graded mild or moderate. Serious TEAEs occurred in 47 patients (42.3%), most frequently IPF (n = 11; 9.9%), pneumonia (n = 7; 6.3%), and acute respiratory failure (n = 3; 2.7%). Three patients underwent lung transplantation. Most serious TEAEs (and all 14 fatal events) were considered unrelated to rhPTX-2 treatment. For patients starting vs continuing rhPTX-2, mean (95% confidence interval) changes from baseline to Week 128 were, respectively, - 6.2% (- 7.7; - 4.6) and - 5.7% (- 8.0; - 3.3) for percent predicted FVC and - 36.3 m (- 65.8; - 6.9) and - 28.9 m (- 54.3; - 3.6) for 6MWD; however, conclusions were limited by patient numbers at Week 128. CONCLUSIONS: Long-term treatment (up to 128 weeks) with rhPTX-2 was well tolerated in patients with IPF, with no new safety signals emerging in the OLE. The limited efficacy data over 128 weeks may suggest a trend towards a treatment effect. Trial registration NCT02550873; EudraCT 2014-004782-24.

• Klíčová slova
• 6-minute walk distance (6MWD), Forced vital capacity (FVC), Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), Long-term, Open-label extension, Recombinant human pentraxin-2 (rhPTX-2), Safety,
• MeSH
• idiopatická plicní fibróza * farmakoterapie   MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• rekombinantní proteiny * škodlivé účinky   MeSH
• vitální kapacita MeSH
• výsledek terapie MeSH
• Check Tag
• lidé MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• klinické zkoušky, fáze II MeSH
• randomizované kontrolované studie MeSH
• Názvy látek
• rekombinantní proteiny * MeSH

Zika virus (ZIKV) has spread in the Americas since 2015 and the potential establishment of a sylvatic transmission cycle in the continent has been hypothesized. We evaluated vector competence of five sylvatic Neotropical mosquito species to two ZIKV isolates. Distinct batches of Haemagogus leucoceleanus, Sabethes albiprivus, Sabethes identicus, Aedes terrens and Aedes scapularis females were respectively orally challenged and inoculated intrathoracically with ZIKV. Orally challenged mosquitoes were refractory or exhibited low infection rates. Viral dissemination was detected only in Hg. leucocelaenus, but with very low rates. Virus was not detected in saliva of any mosquito orally challenged with ZIKV, regardless of viral isolate and incubation time. When intrathoracically injected, ZIKV disseminated in high rates in Hg. leucocelaenus, Sa. identicus and Sa. albpiprivus, but low transmission was detected in these species; very low dissemination and no transmission was detected in Ae. terrens and Ae. scapularis. Together these results suggest that genetically determined tissue barriers, especially in the midgut, play a vital role in inhibiting ZIKV for transmission in the tested sylvatic mosquito species. Thus, an independent enzootic transmission cycle for ZIKV in South America is very unlikely.

• MeSH
• infekce přenášené vektorem MeSH
• infekce virem zika diagnóza   epidemiologie   přenos   virologie   MeSH
• komáří přenašeči virologie   MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• ochrana veřejného zdraví MeSH
• virová nálož MeSH
• virus zika * klasifikace   genetika   MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Check Tag
• lidé MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• Geografické názvy
• Jižní Amerika epidemiologie   MeSH

Three different microcomputers proved to be useful in processing of pressure, flow and volume signals during cough and other respiratory manoeuvres. In young healthy volunteers, values of forced vital capacity, peak expiratory flow and flow at 0.1 s measured during cough were smaller in women than in men due to their smaller body surface and FVC. Compared to forced expiration a sudden and vigorous cough effort, in spite of its shorter duration, resulted in an increased mean flow rate and in similar peak flow reached by expulsion of a smaller volume. Analysis of flow-volume curves indicated higher flow-rates at the beginning (5-10% FEV) and to the end of cough expulsion (65-95% FEV) than in forced expiration. The volume, peak flow and flow 0.1 s from the beginning of inspiration and expiration were practically the same in 5 successive cycles of voluntary cough performed by maximum effort. The mechanisms involved in cough expiration are more automatic than the mechanisms of cough inspiration. A personal computer can be useful for monitoring the increase in PEP, PIP, PEF, PIF, FEV, FIV and in maximum resistance as well as the decrease in compliance observed during cough compared to quiet breathing.

• MeSH
• automatizované zpracování dat * MeSH
• dospělí MeSH
• dýchání * MeSH
• kašel patofyziologie   MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• usilovný výdechový objem MeSH
• vitální kapacita MeSH
• vrcholová exspirační průtoková rychlost MeSH
• Check Tag
• dospělí MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• mužské pohlaví MeSH
• ženské pohlaví MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH

BACKGROUND: Patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) treated with PRM-151, a recombinant human pentraxin 2 protein, in a phase 2 double-blind, randomised controlled trial had significantly reduced decline in percentage of predicted forced vital capacity (FVC) and stabilised 6-min walking distance compared with placebo over a 28-week period. Here we report the 76-week results of an open-label extension study. METHODS: Patients who completed the 28-week double-blind period of the PRM-151-202 trial were eligible to participate in the open-label extension study. Patients previously enrolled in the PRM-151 group continued this treatment and those previously in the placebo group crossed over to PRM-151. All patients received PRM-151 in 28-week cycles with loading doses of 10 mg/kg by 60 min intravenous infusions on days 1, 3, and 5 in the first week of each cycle followed by one infusion of 10 mg/kg every 4 weeks. The primary objective of the open-label extension study was to assess the long-term safety and tolerability of PRM-151, which were assessed by analysing adverse events (AEs) up to week 76 in all patients who received at least one dose of PRM-151 during the open-label extension study. Exploratory efficacy analyses were done by assessing changes from baseline in percentage of predicted FVC and 6-min walking distance, with descriptive statistics to week 76 and with random-intercept mixed models to week 52. This study is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, number NCT02550873, and with EudraCT, number 2014-004782-24. FINDINGS: Of 116 patients who completed the double-blind treatment period, 111 entered the open-label extension study (74 from the PRM-151 group and 37 from the placebo group). 84 (76%) of 111 patients received concomitant IPF therapy (pirfenidone n=55 or nintedanib n=29). AEs were consistent with long-term IPF sequelae. 31 (28%) patients had serious AEs. Those occurring in two or more patients were pneumonia (six [5%] of 111), IPF exacerbation (four [4%]), IPF progression (four [4%]), and chest pain (two [2%]). 21 (19%) patients had severe AEs, of which IPF exacerbation and IPF progression each occurred in two (2%) patients. Two (2%) patients experienced life-threatening AEs (one had pneumonia and one had small-cell lung cancer extensive stage). A persistent treatment effect was observed for PRM-151 in patients who continued treatment, with a decline in percentage of predicted FVC of -3·6% per year and in 6-min walking distance of -10·5 m per year at week 52. In patients who started PRM-151 during the open-label extension study, compared with the slopes for placebo, decline reduced for percentage of predicted FVC (from -8·7% per year in weeks 0-28 to -0·9% per year in weeks 28-52, p<0·0001) and 6-min walking distance (from -54·9 m per year to -3·5 m per year, p=0·0224). INTERPRETATION: Long-term treatment with PRM-151 was well tolerated and the effects on percentage of predicted FVC and 6-min walking distance were persistent on continuation and positive in patients who crossed over from placebo. These findings support further study of PRM-151 in larger populations of patients with IPF. FUNDING: Promedior.

• MeSH
• dlouhodobá péče MeSH
• dvojitá slepá metoda MeSH
• homeodoménové proteiny terapeutické užití   MeSH
• idiopatická plicní fibróza farmakoterapie   MeSH
• klinické křížové studie MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• rekombinantní proteiny terapeutické užití   MeSH
• senioři MeSH
• sérový amyloidový protein terapeutické užití   MeSH
• vitální kapacita MeSH
• výsledek terapie MeSH
• Check Tag
• lidé MeSH
• mužské pohlaví MeSH
• senioři MeSH
• ženské pohlaví MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• klinické zkoušky, fáze II MeSH
• práce podpořená grantem MeSH
• randomizované kontrolované studie MeSH
• Názvy látek
• homeodoménové proteiny MeSH
• PRM-151 MeSH Prohlížeč
• rekombinantní proteiny MeSH
• sérový amyloidový protein MeSH

Receiving complete and undamaged genetic information is vital for the survival of daughter cells after chromosome segregation. The most critical steps in this process are accurate DNA replication during S phase and a faithful chromosome segregation during anaphase. Any errors in DNA replication or chromosome segregation have dire consequences, since cells arising after division might have either changed or incomplete genetic information. Accurate chromosome segregation during anaphase requires a protein complex called cohesin, which holds together sister chromatids. This complex unifies sister chromatids from their synthesis during S phase, until separation in anaphase. Upon entry into mitosis, the spindle apparatus is assembled, which eventually engages kinetochores of all chromosomes. Additionally, when kinetochores of sister chromatids assume amphitelic attachment to the spindle microtubules, cells are finally ready for the separation of sister chromatids. This is achieved by the enzymatic cleavage of cohesin subunits Scc1 or Rec8 by an enzyme called Separase. After cohesin cleavage, sister chromatids remain attached to the spindle apparatus and their poleward movement on the spindle is initiated. The removal of cohesion between sister chromatids is an irreversible step and therefore it must be synchronized with assembly of the spindle apparatus, since precocious separation of sister chromatids might lead into aneuploidy and tumorigenesis. In this review, we focus on recent discoveries concerning the regulation of Separase activity during the cell cycle.

• Klíčová slova
• CDK1, Cyclin B1, Mad2, Sgo2, aneuploidy, chromosome division, cohesin, securin, segregation errors, separase,
• MeSH
• anafáze * MeSH
• aparát dělícího vřeténka metabolismus   MeSH
• chromatidy * metabolismus   MeSH
• mitóza MeSH
• proteiny buněčného cyklu metabolismus   MeSH
• segregace chromozomů MeSH
• separáza genetika   metabolismus   MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• přehledy MeSH
• Názvy látek
• proteiny buněčného cyklu MeSH
• separáza MeSH

Gene expression profiles are important data to reveal the functions of genes putatively involved in crucial biological processes. RNA arbitrarily primed polymerase chain reaction (RAP-PCR) and specifically primed reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) were combined to screen differentially expressed genes following development of a commercial Bacillus thuringiensis subsp. kurstaki strain 8010 (serotype 3a3b). Six differentially expressed transcripts (RAP1 to RAP6) were obtained. RAP1 encoded a putative triple helix repeat-containing collagen or an exosporium protein H related to spore pathogenicity. RAP2 was homologous to a ClpX protease and an ATP-dependent protease La (LonB), which likely acted as virulence factors. RAP3 was homologous to a beta subunit of propionyl-CoA carboxylase required for the development of Myxococcus xanthus. RAP4 had homology to a quinone oxidoreductase involved in electron transport and ATP formation. RAP5 showed significant homology to a uridine kinase that mediates phosphorylation of uridine and azauridine. RAP6 shared high sequence identity with 3-methyl-2-oxobutanoate-hydroxymethyltransferase (also known as ketopantoate hydroxymethyltransferase or PanB) involved in the operation of the tricarboxylic acid cycle. The findings described here would help to elucidate the molecular mechanisms underlying the differentiation process of B. thuringiensis and unravel novel pathogenic genes.

• Klíčová slova
• Bacillus thuringiensis, PCR de l’ARN utilisant des amorces arbitraires, RNA arbitrarily primed PCR, cycle vital, development, differentially expressed gene, développement, gène exprimé différentiellement, life cycle,
• MeSH
• Bacillus thuringiensis klasifikace   genetika   růst a vývoj   izolace a purifikace   MeSH
• bakteriální proteiny genetika   metabolismus   MeSH
• DNA fingerprinting metody   MeSH
• polymerázová řetězová reakce s reverzní transkripcí metody   MeSH
• regulace genové exprese u bakterií MeSH
• spory bakteriální klasifikace   genetika   růst a vývoj   metabolismus   MeSH
• vývojová regulace genové exprese MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• hodnotící studie MeSH
• práce podpořená grantem MeSH
• Názvy látek
• bakteriální proteiny MeSH

The authors verified the possibility of modelling pneumonia by the intratracheal administration of carrageenin solution into the lungs of rats. The most satisfactory dose was found to be 0.5 ml 0.7% carrageenin solution administered at 40 degrees C. The disease, evaluated by the morphological and functional signs, culminated after two days. Both macroscopically and histologically the lungs displayed typical signs of catarrhal suppurative aspiration bronchopneumonia. Functionally, marked tachypnoea (mean 180 cycles/min as against 110 c/min in the conscious controls) and raised functional residual capacity were found. A drop in the respiration rate and in FRC after bilateral cervical vagotomy indicated that a reflex component participates in the origin of the above two signs.

• MeSH
• bronchopneumonie patofyziologie   MeSH
• dechová práce MeSH
• dechový objem MeSH
• karagenan * aplikace a dávkování   MeSH
• krysa rodu Rattus MeSH
• mechanoreceptory patofyziologie   MeSH
• modely nemocí na zvířatech * MeSH
• pneumonie chemicky indukované   patofyziologie   MeSH
• poddajnost plic MeSH
• reziduální objem plic MeSH
• rezistence dýchacích cest MeSH
• vitální kapacita MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Check Tag
• krysa rodu Rattus MeSH
• mužské pohlaví MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• Názvy látek
• karagenan * MeSH