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Both antibody mediated (AMR) and T-cell mediated (TCMR) rejections either acute or chronic represent the main reason for late graft dysfunction. In this study we aimed to evaluate differences in the intrarenal expression patterns of immune system related genes in acute and chronic rejections. Graft biopsies were performed and evaluated according to Banff classification. Using the TaqMan Low Density Array, the intrarenal expressions of 376 genes relating to immune response (B-cell activation, T-cell activation, chemokines, growth factors, immune regulators, and apoptosis) were analyzed in the four rejection categories: chronic AMR, chronic TCMR, acute AMR, and acute TCMR. The set of genes significantly upregulated in acute TCMR as compared to acute AMR was identified, while no difference in gene expressions between chronic rejections groups was found. In comparison with functioning grafts, grafts that failed within the next 24 months after the chronic rejection morphological confirmation presented at biopsy already established severe graft injury (low eGFR, higher proteinuria), longer followup, higher expression of CDC20, CXCL6, DIABLO, GABRP, KIAA0101, ME2, MMP7, NFATC4, and TGFB3 mRNA, and lower expression of CCL19 and TRADD mRNA. In conclusion, both Banff 2007 chronic rejection categories did not differ in intrarenal expression of 376 selected genes associated with immune response.

Objectives The authors aimed to evaluate whether blood cadmium (B-Cd), lead (B-Pb) and mercury (B-Hg) in children differ regionally in 9 countries, and to identify factors correlating with exposure. Material and Methods The authors performed a cross-sectional study of children aged 7–14 years, living in 2007–2008 in urban, rural, or potentially polluted (“hot spot”) areas (ca. 50 children from each area, in total 1363 children) in 6 European and 3 non-European countries. The authors analyzed Cd, Pb, and total Hg in blood and collected information on potential determinants of exposure through questionnaires. Regional differences in exposure levels were assessed within each country. Results Children living near industrial “hot-spots” had B-Cd 1.6 (95% CI: 1.4–1.9) times higher in the Czech Republic and 2.1 (95% CI:1.6–2.8) times higher in Poland, as compared to urban children in the same countries (geometric means [GM]: 0.13 μg/l and 0.15 μg/l, respectively). Correspondingly, B-Pb in the “hot spot” areas was 1.8 (95% CI: 1.6–2.1) times higher than in urban areas in Slovakia and 2.3 (95% CI: 1.9–2.7) times higher in Poland (urban GM: 19.4 μg/l and 16.3 μg/l, respectively). In China and Morocco, rural children had significantly lower B-Pb than urban ones (urban GM: 64 μg/l and 71 μg/l, respectively), suggesting urban exposure from leaded petrol, water pipes and/or coal-burning. Hg “hot spot” areas in China had B-Hg 3.1 (95% CI: 2.7–3.5) times higher, and Ecuador 1.5 (95% CI: 1.2–1.9) times higher, as compared to urban areas (urban GM: 2.45 μg/l and 3.23 μg/l, respectively). Besides industrial exposure, traffic correlated with B-Cd; male sex, environmental tobacco smoke, and offal consumption with B-Pb; and fish consumption and amalgam fillings with B-Hg. However, these correlations could only marginally explain regional differences. Conclusions These mainly European results indicate that some children experience about doubled exposures to toxic elements just because of where they live. These exposures are unsafe, identifiable, and preventable and therefore call for preventive actions. Int J Occup Med Environ Health. 2023;36(3):349–64

Abstract Background Ameloblastic carcinoma and metastasising ameloblastoma are rare epithelial odontogenic tumours with aggressive features. Distinguishing between these two lesions is often clinically difficult but necessary to predict tumour behaviour or to plan future therapy. Here, we provide a brief review of the literature available on these two types of lesions and present a new case report of a young man with an ameloblastoma displaying metastatic features. We also use this case to illustrate the similarities and differences between these two types of tumours and the difficulties of their differential diagnosis. Case presentation Our histopathological analyses uncovered a metastasising tumour with features of ameloblastic carcinoma, which developed from the ameloblastoma. We profiled the gene expression of Wnt pathway members in ameloblastoma sample of this patient, because multiple molecules of this pathway are involved in the establishing of cell polarity, cell migration or for epithelial–mesenchymal transition during tumour metastasis to evaluate features of tumor behaviour. Indeed, we found upregulation of several cell migration–related genes in our patient. Moreover, we uncovered somatic mutation BRAF p.V600E with known pathological role in cancerogenesis and germline heterozygous FANCA p.S858R mutation, whose interpretation in this context has not been discussed yet. Conclusions In conclusion, we have uncovered a unique case of ameloblastic carcinoma associated with an alteration of Wnt signalling and the presence of BRAF mutation. Development of harmful state of our patient might be also supported by the germline mutation in one FANCA allele, however this has to be confirmed by further analyses.

Abstract Adult survivors of childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ASALL) compose a specific group that faces an increased risk of experiencing late effects of their earlier treatment. Physical activity (PA) may be one of the appropriate means for preventing or minimizing the late effects of treatment. The main purpose of this study is to characterize device-measured PA and sedentary behavior (SB) among ASALL. The specific objective was to compare the movement behavior with a group recruited from the healthy population and to determine the degree of compliance with health recommendations for PA in the adult population. Twenty ASALL and 21 healthy control group (CG) members participated in the study. Participants were between 18 and 30 years old. Movement behavior was assessed for seven days using an Axivity AX3 accelerometer and a 24-h wearing protocol. Movement behavior was characterized by the amount of time spent in SB, light PA (LPA), moderate PA (MPA), and vigorous PA (VPA). There were no significant differences in movement behavior or compliance with PA recommendations between the ASALL and CG. During the week, the ASALL accumulated 711 min per day of SB vs. 636 min per day in the CG (p = 0.26); the ASALL had 186 min per day of LPA vs. 201 min per day in the CG (p = 0.47); the ASALL had 132 min per day of MPA vs. 147 min per day in the CG (p = 0.25); and the ASALL had 5 min per day of VPA vs. 4 min per day in the CG (p = 0.48). All research participants (ASALL and CG) met the PA recommendations of > 150 min per week for moderate PA. The results of our study suggest that ASALL, even after suffering from that disease in childhood, display comparable levels of PA and SB to their healthy peers. Both groups met the health recommendations for PA. The device-based monitoring of PA and SB should be an integral part of monitoring the late effects of treatment.

Abstract Background/Objective Anorexigenic palmitoylated prolactin-releasing peptide (palm11-PrRP) is able to act centrally after peripheral administration in rat and mouse models of obesity, type 2 diabetes mellitus and/or neurodegeneration. Functional leptin and intact leptin signaling pathways are necessary for the body weight reducing and glucose tolerance improving effect of palm11-PrRP. We have previously shown that palm11-PrRP31 had glucose-lowering properties but not anti-obesity effect in Koletsky rats with leptin signaling disturbances, so improvements in glucose metabolism appear to be completely independent of leptin signaling. The purpose of this study was to describe relationship between metabolic and neurodegenerative pathologies and explore if palm11-PrRP31 could ameliorate them in obese fa/fa rat model with leptin signaling disruption. Subject/Methods The fa/fa rats and their age-matched lean controls at the age 32 weeks were used for this study. The rats were infused for 2 months with saline or palm11-PrRP31 (n = 7–8 per group) at a dose of 5 mg/kg per day using Alzet osmotic pumps. During the dosing period food intake and body weight were monitored. At the end of experiment the oral glucose tolerance test was performed; plasma and tissue samples were collected and arterial blood pressure was measured. Then, markers of leptin and insulin signaling, Tau phosphorylation, neuroinflammation, and synaptogenesis were measured by western blotting and immunohistochemistry. Results Fa/fa rats developed obesity, mild glucose intolerance, and peripheral insulin resistance but not hypertension while palm11-PrRP31 treatment neither lowered body weight nor attenuated glucose tolerance but ameliorated leptin and insulin signaling and synaptogenesis in hippocampus. Conclusion We demonstrated that palm11-PrRP31 had neuroprotective features without anti-obesity and glucose lowering effects in fa/fa rats. This data suggest that this analog has the potential to exert neuroprotective effect despite of leptin signaling disturbances in this rat model.

The real estate acquisition tax as a property transfer tax was part of the system of taxation of the Czech Republic until 25 September 2020.1 It was a traditional historical tax forming a complementary element of the system of taxation. Since 1993, it was part of the system of taxation as a real estate transfer tax. As of 1 January 2014, due to the recodification of private law, extensive tax reform came into effect, the scope of which was unprecedented since the 1990s. As a result, a new tax was introduced by the Statutory Measure of the Senate No. 340/2013 Coll., namely the real estate acquisition tax, which replaced the former real estate transfer tax. The new tax regulation preserved the taxation of real estate transfers upon payment in the form of the acquisition of immovable property, reflecting the changes brought about by the recodification of private law and by the new Business Corporations Act. It redefined the taxpayer entity, reduced the administrative complexity of tax administration, including cases of mandatory submission of expert reports for the purpose of determining the tax base, and updated the cases of exemption from the real estate acquisition tax.

Abstract: Phloridzin (phloretin-2'-O-glucoside) is a phenolic compound characteristic of the genus Malus. This study aimed to evaluate phloridzin as a marker of undeclared addition of apples in fruit products. To test this proposal, the heat and oxidation stability of phloridzin was firstly confirmed. Then the distribution and variability of phloridzin in apples were studied, showing no difference between the tested apple varieties (Golden Delicious, Granny Smith, Rubin and Champion) but a significant difference in phloridzin content in seeds (2 380 ± 755 mg kg-1) compared to peel, flesh and core, which contained less than 70 mg kg-1. The effects of different stages of apple purée production at an industrial scale were also investigated. The kinetics of phloridzin diffusion from seeds to apple homogenate played an important role in the final phloridzin content in 16 analysed apple purées (26-39 mg kg-1). Finally, the survey of phloridzin content in 31 fruit products in the market was carried out. Phloridzin was also measured in eight jams and fillings which did not declare the presence of apples on their labels; findings from 2 to 6 mg kg-1 indicate the addition of apples from 5% to 20%. It was confirmed that phloridzin appears to be a suitable marker for detecting the undeclared presence of apples, which are a cheap substitute for the declared fruit types.

Lubomir Skladany,1 Jana Vnencakova,1 Lukas Laffers,2 Beata Skvarkova,1 Eva Hrubá,1 Pavol Molcan,1 Tomas Koller3 1Hepatology, Gastroenterology and Transplantation (HEGITO) Department of the 2nd Department of Medicine, Slovak Medical University, FD Roosevelt Hospital, Banska Bystrica, Slovakia; 2Department of Mathematics, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Matej Bel University, Banska Bystrica, Slovakia; 3Gastroenterology and Hepatology Subdiv. of the 5th Department of Medicine, Comenius University Faculty of Medicine, University Hospital Bratislava, Bratislava, SlovakiaCorrespondence: Tomas KollerGastroenterology and Hepatology Subdiv. of the 5th Department of Medicine, Comenius University Faculty of Medicine, University Hospital Bratislava, Ruzinovska 6, Bratislava 82606, SlovakiaTel +42190518692Email koller.tomas@gmail.comPurpose: Patients with advanced chronic liver disease (ACLD) often have a poor nutritional status. In the management, current guidelines recommend dietary counseling and oral nutritional supplements (ONS). Nutritional goals and adherence to ONS are difficult to achieve while studies addressing adherence are scarce. We aimed to evaluate adherence to ONS, the associated factors, and its impact on outcome among ALCD patients who are discharged from the hospital.Patients and Methods: We identified consecutive hospitalized patients with ACLD from the cirrhosis registry and ONS prescription at discharge. Baseline demographics, anthropometrics, hand-grip strength (HGS), nutritional, and laboratory parameters were recorded. Adherence was assessed at 30, 90, and 180 days, but not in patients who did not survive or in those who underwent liver transplantation (LT) before the time-point.Results: From the registry containing 1004 patients, we included 450 cases, the median age was 56.3 (IQR 47– 62), 60% were males, 63.8% had alcoholic etiology, and the median model for end-stage liver disease score (MELD) was 16 (11– 21). During follow-up, 13.6%, 23.6%, and 31.1% of patients have died within 30, 90, and 180 days, respectively, and 21 underwent LT. Adherence to ONS in surviving patients was observed in 46%, 26.1%, and 16.9% within 30, 90, and 180 days, respectively. Baseline refractory ascites (HR=0.43, 0.24– 0.76), HGS (HR=1.03, 1.01– 1.06), and mid-arm circumference (HR=0.93, 0.88– 0.99) were independently associated with 30-day adherence. Among patients who survived beyond 30 days, adherents for > 30 days had improved synthetic liver function, HGS, a higher probability of LT (HR=1.7, 1.03– 2.8) and lower risk of death (HR=0.65, 0.45– 0.89), particularly those with MELD> 16 (OR=0.55, 0.36– 0.85) and low HGS (OR=0.61, 0.39– 0.93).Conclusion: In ACLD patients after discharge, adherence to ONS steeply declined and was associated with baseline refractory ascites and low muscle strength. Adherence to ONS also improved liver function, muscle strength, and survival.Keywords: adherence, nutritional supplements, malnutrition, cirrhosis, outcome, prognosis

Carcinomas of the oral cavity and oropharynx belong among the ten most common malignancies in the human population. The prognosis of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) is determined by the degree of invasiveness of the primary tumor and by the extent of metastatic spread into regional and distant lymph nodes. Moreover, the level of the perineural invasion itself associates with tumor localization, invasion’s extent, and the presence of nodal metastases. Here, we summarize the current knowledge about different aspects of epigenetic changes, which can be associated with HNSCC while focusing on perineural invasion (PNI). We review epigenetic modifications of the genes involved in the PNI process in HNSCC from the omics perspective and specific epigenetic modifications in OSCC or other neurotropic cancers associated with perineural invasion. Moreover, we summarize DNA methylation status of tumor-suppressor genes, methylation and demethylation enzymes and histone post-translational modifications associated with PNI. The influence of other epigenetic factors on the HNSCC incidence and perineural invasion such as tobacco, alcohol and oral microbiome is overviewed and HPV infection is discussed as an epigenetic factor associated with OSCC and related perineural invasion. Understanding epigenetic regulations of axon growth that lead to tumorous spread or uncovering the molecular control of axon interaction with cancer tissue can help to discover new therapeutic targets for these tumors.

The presented article deals with the issue of cooperation among museum and gallery institutions and pre-primary education. Its content is structured into a theoretical and a research part that are closely connected. In the theoretical part, there is an analysis of the curriculum of pre-primary education and an analysis of the possibility of a cooperation among the pre-primary schools and the museum institutions with regard to the (educational) needs and interests of the child visitor. This connection is then specified in the chapter devoted to the phenomenon of the children’s museum, set especially in the European context. In the theoretical part, we also checked the offer of Slovak museums and galleries intended for pre-school children (performances, workshops, interactive exhibitions). The research part of the article, based on interviews with teachers and directors of nursery schools, examines not only the possibilities of cooperation between the pre-primary school and museums and galleries, but also the specific needs and requirements of pre-primary practice towards these institutions in order to fulfill their educational potential to the fullest possible extent.

Despite a growing number of studies, the role of pollinators as a selection agent for nectar traits remains unclear. Moreover, the lack of data from some biogeographic regions prohibits us from determining their general importance and global patterns. We analyzed nectar carbohydrate traits and determined the main pollinators of 66 plant species in the tropical forests of Mount Cameroon (tropical West Africa). The measured nectar traits included total sugar amounts and proportions of sucrose and hexoses (i.e., glucose and fructose). We report the nectar properties for plants visited by five pollinator groups (bees, butterflies, moths, hoverflies, and specialized birds). Our results indicate that, rather than specific evolution in each of the five plant groups, there was a unique nectar-trait evolution in plants pollinated by specialized birds. The ornithophilous plants had a higher proportion of sucrose and produced larger sugar amounts than the plants pollinated by insects. We also demonstrated a significant phylogenetic signal in the nectar properties in some lineages of the studied plants.

The selection of suitable employees is becoming more and more demanding because of the increasing number of job applicants that want to get into a marketing career. The aim of this contribution is to find out which marketing competencies a competent graduate of economics should possess to be attractive for marketing related jobs in SMEs in the Region of South Bohemia, as well as to identify the positives and negatives of hiring such graduates. Based on data obtained from 93 SMEs with their own marketing department, the desired competent graduate for marketing related jobs can be described as a communicative and creative individual with the ability to analyse information. The main advantages of hiring graduates include creativity, the ability to work with modern technologies and/or enthusiasm for learning. On the other hand, a lack of experience and/or the longer training time are the main disadvantages of hiring fresh graduates for marketing-related jobs.

Background: Smoking is the most important single preventable risk factor for many diseases, including impaired oral health. Many studies have repeatedly documented the higher prevalence of caries, periodontitis, tooth loss and head-neck cancer among smokers.Smoking can contribute to the initiation and progression of diseases in oral cavity both indirectly (by smokers' bad nutrition and oral hygiene) and directly. The deleterious effect of smoking in the oral cavity is due to plaque accumulation and increased alveolar bone resorption. Main causal pathways are hypoxemia, inflammation, impaired immunity, mineral and bacterial imbalance. Cytotoxic effect of tobacco smoke on human gingival fibroblasts decreases their capacity for adhesion and proliferation. Compared to no-smokers, the outcome of implant treatment is among smokers usually less successful, as it is associated with many complications and poor healing. Conclusion: In many developed countries, dentists are active in the support of no-smoking behaviour and in motivation their smoking patients to smoking cessation. Such approach may be the challenge also for dentists in the Czech Republic.

In our work, we focus on the evolutionary studies of sex chromosomes. As model organisms we use several species of the plant genus Silene. An important part of our research is represented by genetic mapping based on the assays of DNA length or sequence polymorphisms. Apart from the other methods we also use the dCAPS method, which is very useful for detection of the sequence polymorphisms (SNPs). This method is unique as it is able to detect SNPs that are not situated in any restriction site; a fundamental principle of this method is usage of primer designed with one or two mismatches that bring into the target sequence the mutation in vicinity of SNP. Using this method, we found out some improvements that can make analyses more cost-effective.

Za tu sumu jeden kámen hrobník mramorove…: the commissions of the stonemason Vincent Strašryba of Breslau in the second half of 16th century The article presents the stonemason Vincent Strašryba of Breslau (Wrocław), who in the second half of the 16th century settled in Bohemia, getting significant commissions. He specialized in epitaphs for the nobility. When he died of the plague in 1582 his relatives started a long legal tussle over the inheritance which involved estimating the value of his workshop and his commissions. Among the claimants were also his relations from Breslau, who tried to execute some of his unfinished commissions and probably used his contacts in Bohemia. Among Strašryba’s best works of is the epitaph of Jan Starší of Lobkovice, surviving until today in St Vitus Cathedral in Prague. It is an evidence of the influence of Silesian and Saxon art on Bohemian renaissance sculpture.

Neurodegenerative disorders, such as Alzheimer's disease (AD) and Parkinson's disease (PD), are increasing in prevalence. Currently, there are no effective and specific treatments for these disorders. Recently, positive effects of the orexigenic hormone ghrelin on memory and learning were demonstrated in mouse models of AD and PD. In this study, we tested the potential neuroprotective properties of a stable and long-lasting ghrelin analog, Dpr3ghrelin (Dpr3ghr), in SH-SY5Y neuroblastoma cells stressed with 1.2 mM methylglyoxal (MG), a toxic endogenous by-product of glycolysis, and we examined the impact of Dp33ghr on apoptosis. Pre-treatment with both 10-5 and 10-7 M Dpr3ghr resulted in increased viability in SH-SY5Y cells (determined by MTT staining), as well as reduced cytotoxicity of MG in these cells (determined by LDH assay). Dpr3ghr increased viability by altering pro-apoptotic and viability markers: Bax was decreased, Bcl-2 was increased, and the Bax/Bcl-2 ratio was attenuated. The ghrelin receptor GHS-R1 and Dpr3ghr-induced activation of PBK/Akt were immuno-detected in SH-SY5Y cells to demonstrate the presence of GHS-R1 and GHS-R1 activation, respectively. We demonstrated that Dpr3ghr protected SH-SY5Y cells against MG-induced neurotoxicity and apoptosis. Our data suggest that stable ghrelin analogs may be candidates for the effective treatment of neurodegenerative disorders. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this paper is to identify main factors explaining high parental educational expectations from their children. Unlike most studies, parental expectations are examined as an independent variable, rather than as a dependent variable. Data from the first wave of the Czech Household Panel Survey (2015) are analysed. Multilevel logistic regression confirms that parents' education and students' type of school attended are the strongest determinants of high parental educational expectations. The effects of socio-economic occupational status, cultural capital and marital status are also significant. The modelling results demonstrate gender differences in expectations - parents expect more from daughters than sons. However, number of children does not seem to have an impact on parental educational expectations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Since close relationship was shown between drug addiction and memory formation, the aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of interaction between prenatal methamphetamine (MA) exposure and MA treatment in adulthood on spatial and non-spatial memory and on the structure of the N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptors in the hippocampus. Adult male rats prenatally exposed to MA (5 mg/kg) or saline were tested in adulthood. Non-spatial memory was examined in the Object Recognition Test (ORT) and spatial memory in the Object Location Test (OLT) and in the Memory Retention Test (MRT) conducted in the Morris Water Maze (MWM), respectively. Based on the type of the memory test animals were injected either acutely (ORT, OLT) or long-term (MWM) with MA (1 mg/kg). After each testing, animals were sacrificed and brains were removed. The hippocampus was then examined in Western Blot analysis for occurrence of different NMDA receptors' subtypes. Our results demonstrated that prenatal MA exposure affects the development of the NMDA receptors in the hippocampus that might correspond with improvement of spatial memory tested in adulthood in the MWM. On the other hand, the effect of prenatal MA exposure on nonspatial memory examined in the ORT was the opposite. In addition, we showed that the effect of MA administration in adulthood on NMDA receptors is influenced by prenatal MA exposure, which seems to correlate with the spatial memory examined in the OLT. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Salt (sodium chloride) is one of the main sources of sodium in a diet. However, high salt intake (9–12 g/day) is considered a serious health problem. In response to the urgent need for reduction in sodium intake, the World Health Organization (WHO) initiated a global movement for reducing salt intake to less than 5 g/day by 2025. This study focuses on the current salt (sodium) contents in selected foods on the Czech market. For market research, we chose foods with high salt contents. Products with high salt contents from 20 stores of seven food retail chains and three online shops operating in the Czech Republic were selected. 1047 products, including 163 breads (G1), 111 olives (G2), 365 cheeses (G3), 94 ketchups (G4), 92 chips (G5) and 222 hams (G6), were investigated. Large proportions of the products on the market in the Czech Republic exceeded the salt content limits recommended by the WHO, specifically 71.8% breads, 83.3% semi-hard and processed cheeses, and 91% hams. The results were statistically analyzed and compared with other European studies. • High salt (sodium) intake is considered a serious health problem. • Market research focused on current salt contents in selected food commodities was performed. • There is a need for information campaigns on salt reduction, educating consumers. • A large proportion of the products on the market in the Czech Republic exceeded the recommended salt content limits. • There are possibilies for reformulation of the selected commodities to lower the salt contents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]