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Introduction: Leber hereditary optic neuropathy (LHON) is the most frequent mitochondrial disease causing dyschromatopsia and progressive central visual loss that is subacute in progression and painless. Several studies have been published assessing QoL in patients with LHON, but no estimate of the economic burden has been reported to date. This study aims to quantify direct non-medical and indirect costs (productivity loss) incurred by LHON patients and their informal caregivers in Czechia and Slovakia, as well as to assess their quality of life. Methods: The study was performed in 27 adults and children with LHON. To determine the socioeconomic burden of LHON, separate questionnaires for adults, children, and their parents were developed, including demographic and socioeconomic data. The following data were collected: age, education, family size, severity of LHON, non-medical direct and indirect costs of LHON. Results: The mean age of adult respondents was 36.1 years (SD 13.1; n = 21). The total cost of absenteeism was EUR 1003 per person/year in adult employees, and EUR 2711 per person/year in children's parents. The productivity loss as a consequence of LHON due to combined relative absenteeism and relative presenteeism was estimated at EUR 9840 per an adult patient/year, and EUR 6298 per a parent/year, respectively. The mean cost of informal care was estimated at EUR 4502 (SD 4772; n = 6) per person/year. The mean VFQ-25 score for adult patients with LHON was 43.47 (SD 15.86). Conclusion: The results of this study clearly show that patients with LHON and their families face an extensive socioeconomic burden related to this rare disease. Early, timely and appropriate access to diagnosis, treatment, and reimbursement decisions, but also to psychological counselling and services may help the patients and their relatives adapt and cope with the challenging aspects of vision loss and life with the disease.

Venturia Inaequalis, the causative agent of apple scab, is an important pathogen whose presence in orchards has far-reaching economic consequences for growers, whether it concerns the management of fungicides or financial loss by fungicide-management failure. Therefore, monitoring of the resistance to used fungicides in V. inaequalis populations is advisable. Strobilurins are one group of substances used in the protection against scab acting by blocking the respiratory chain. Resistance to these substances is mediated by a point mutation in one of the components of the electron-transport chain of cytochrome b, in the cytb gene, which can be detected by the real-time PCR method. Using this method, the percentage of the mutated variant of the gene is determined, therefore whether the population is sensitive or resistant to strobilurins. The rate of population resistance was monitored for 5 years in 11 locations with different regimes of protection of apple trees against scab. Sites with a history of strobilurin use maintained high rates of resistance in the population, which continued to rise after treatment was quit. Localities where strobilurins were not applied for a long period gradually reduced the proportion of the resistant gene, roughly by one percent per year. Due to the maintenance of a high percentage of the resistant cytb allele in the population, where the selection pressure using strobilurins has not been used for at least 5 years, it is necessary to highlight the necessity of rigorous adherence to anti-resistance strategies.

Leber hereditary optic neuropathy is a primary mitochondrial disease characterized by acute visual loss due to the degeneration of retinal ganglion cells. In this study, we describe a patient carrying a rare missense heteroplasmic variant in MT-ND1, NC_012920.1:m.4135T>C (p.Tyr277His) manifesting with a typical bilateral painless decrease of the visual function, triggered by physical exercise or higher ambient temperature. Functional studies in muscle and fibroblasts show that amino acid substitution Tyr277 with His leads to only a negligibly decreased level of respiratory chain complex I (CI), but the formation of supercomplexes and the activity of the enzyme are disturbed noticeably. Our data indicate that although CI is successfully assembled in the patient’s mitochondria, its function is hampered by the m.4135T>C variant, probably by stabilizing CI in its inactive form. We conclude that the m.4135T>C variant together with a combination of external factors is necessary to manifest the phenotype.

Classrooms in Czechia are changing. What used to be a relatively ethnically homogeneous environment changed after 1989 and became much more diverse. How are children, both of Czech, as well as migrant origin, coping? What strategies do they use to negotiate their everyday lives in the classroom? We conducted an ethnographic study in two classes of one multicultural Czech elementary school and used an inductive analytical strategy. While the fifth grade was peaceful, the ninth graders were at war regarding language issues. We analysed ninth graders' narratives of how this situation came into being and their explanations of whose attitudes needed to change. We identified strong pressure to fit in, exerted not only by majority classmates but also by some pupils with migrant backgrounds. In contrast, the fifth grade class revealed migrant children's successful strategies of fitting in, which included helpfulness towards classmates, the development of strong social capital and compliance with authority. In ethnically heterogeneous classrooms, we identified a homogenising push to fit in and negative sanctions for standing out.

Abstract Timber suffers from various biological damages. Recent efforts aim on nature-friendly sustainable technologies of wood protection to replace classical synthetic agents having usually negative impact on many non-target organisms including man. This research investigated the biocidal effectiveness of lavender oil (LO) in protecting the Norway spruce (Picea abies) wood against the termites Reticulitermes flavipes and the brown-rot fungus Rhodonia placenta. Following, selected physical characteristics of spruce wood treated with LO were evaluated: colour changes, roughness, surface wetting with water and surface free energy (SFE). Experiments showed that LO increased the resistance of spruce wood to termites nearly to the level of its treatment with commercial biocide based on trivalent boron and quaternary ammonium salt. The additional hydrophobic treatment of wood ensured its full termite-resistance even after artificial weathering in Xenotest and leaching in water according to EN 84, respectively. It shows a high potential of LO to protect wood against termites. Adversely, the effectiveness of 5% LO against rot was not sufficient. The colour of the oil-treated wood was preserved, its roughness increased slightly, and wetting and SFE led to a positive change, improving the adhesion of potentially applied coatings or adhesives for exterior exposures.

One of the proposed strategies for the development of a more efficient HIV-1 vaccine is based on the identification of proteins binding to a paratope of chosen broadly neutralizing antibody (bNAb) that will mimic cognate HIV-1 Env (glyco)protein epitope and could be used as potent immunogens for induction of protective virus-neutralizing antibodies in the immunized individuals. To verify this “non-cognate ligand” concept, we developed a highly complex combinatorial library designed on a scaffold of human myomesin-1 protein domain and selected proteins called Myomedins specifically binding to variable regions of HIV-1 broadly neutralizing antibody 10E8. Immunization of mice with these Myomedin variants elicited the production of HIV-1 Env-specific antibodies. Hyperimmune sera bound to Env pseudotyped viruses and weakly/moderately neutralized 54% of tested clade A, B, C, and AE pseudotyped viruses variants in vitro. These results demonstrate that Myomedin variants have the potential to mimic Env epitopes and could be used as potential HIV-1 vaccine components.

IntroductionImprinting broadly neutralizing antibody (bNAb) paratopes by shape complementary protein mimotopes represents a potential alternative for developing vaccine immunogens. This approach, designated as a Non-Cognate Ligand Strategy (NCLS), has recently been used for the identification of protein variants mimicking CD4 binding region epitope or membrane proximal external region (MPER) epitope of HIV-1 envelope (Env) glycoprotein. However, the potential of small binding proteins to mimic viral glycan-containing epitopes has not yet been verified.MethodsIn this work, we employed a highly complex combinatorial Myomedin scaffold library to identify variants recognizing paratopes of super candidate bNAbs, PGT121 and PGT126, specific for HIV-1 V3 loop epitopes.ResultsIn the collection of Myomedins called MLD variants targeted to PGT121, three candidates competed with gp120 for binding to this bNAb in ELISA, thus suggesting an overlapping binding site and epitope-mimicking potential. Myomedins targeted to PGT126 designated MLB also provided variants that competed with gp120. Immunization of mice with MLB or MLD binders resulted in the production of anti-gp120 and -Env serum antibodies. Mouse hyper-immune sera elicited with MLB036, MLB041, MLB049, and MLD108 moderately neutralized 8-to-10 of 22 tested HIV-1-pseudotyped viruses of A, B, and C clades in vitro.DiscussionOur data demonstrate that Myomedin-derived variants can mimic particular V3 glycan epitopes of prominent anti-HIV-1 bNAbs, ascertain the potential of particular glycans controlling neutralizing sensitivity of individual HIV-1 pseudoviruses, and represent promising prophylactic candidates for HIV-1 vaccine development.

The Livingstone Mountains (LM; also known as the Kipengere Range) found in south-western Tanzania at the northern end of Lake Nyasa are an important region for understanding the biogeography of Eastern Africa. The two branches of the East African Rift Valley meet here and the mountains might represent stepping stones for colonization and migration between different parts of the Eastern Afromontane Biodiversity Hotspot (especially the link between the Eastern Arc Mountains, EAM, and the Southern Rift Mountains, SRM), as well as an efficient barrier to gene flow for taxa living in drier savannahs in lower elevations. Here we combine new mitochondrial sequence data from 610 recently sampled rodents and shrews with available georeferenced genetic data (3538 specimens) from southern Tanzania, northern Malawi/Zambia and northern Mozambique and compare the spatial genetic structure among different taxa. There is no universal phylogeographic pattern in taxa preferring humid montane habitats. For some of them, the Makambako Gap acts as a barrier between the SRM and the EAM, but other taxa can bridge this gap. Barriers within the EAM (frequently) and within the SRM (sometimes) appear more important. The Rukwa rift between the SRM and the ARM is an important barrier that perhaps can only be crossed by taxa that are not that strictly tied to humid montane environments. For mammals living in lower-elevation savannah-like habitats, the LM can act as a strict barrier to gene flow, and together with the Ufipa Plateau, Lake Nyasa and the EAM create a very similar phylogeographic pattern with three recognizable genetic groups in most savannah-dwellers. The Livingstone Mountains thus appear to be one of the most important biogeographic crossroads in Eastern Africa.

Staphylococcus epidermidis is a known opportunistic pathogen and is one of the leading causes of chronic biofilm-associated infections. Biofilm formation is considered as a main strategy to resist antibiotic treatment and help bacteria escape from the human immune system. Understanding the complex mechanisms in biofilm formation can help find new ways to treat resistant strains and lower the prevalence of nosocomial infections. In order to examine the role of RNAIII regulated by the agr quorum sensing system and to what extent it influences biofilm resistance to antimicrobial agents, deletion mutant S. epidermidis RP62a-ΔRNAIII deficient in repressor domains with a re-maining functional hld gene was created. A deletion strain was used to examine the influence of oxacillin in combination with vanillin on biofilm resistance and cell survival was determined. Utilizing real-time qPCR, confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM), and crystal violet staining analyses, we found that the RNAIII-independent controlled phenol soluble modulins (PSMs) and RNAIII effector molecule have a significant role in biofilm resistance to antibiotics and phenolic compounds, and it protects the integrity of biofilms. Moreover, a combination of antibiotic and antimicrobial agents can induce methicillin-resistant S. epidermidis biofilm formation and can lead to exceedingly difficult medical treatment.

Formativní hodnocení je aktuálně často diskutovaným hodnoticím přístupem, který může vést ke zvýšení kvality výsledků žáků v přírodovědných předmětech. ASSIST-ME byl evropský projekt, jehož hlavním cílem bylo pomoci efektivní implementaci formativního a sumativního hodnocení do badatelsky orientovaného vyučování přírodovědných předmětů a matematiky na základní a střední škole v různých evropských vzdělávacích prostředích a také ověřit připravenost současných a budoucích pedagogů k využití formativního hodnocení ve výuce. Tento příspěvek prezentuje výsledky sondy zjišťující zkušenosti žáků vybraných základních škol a nižšího cyklu víceletých gymnázií v Jihočeském kraji s různými hodnoticími metodami při výuce přírodopisu a biologie. Důraz byl také kladen na znalost a osobní zkušenost žáků s formativním hodnocením. Celkem byla dotazníkovým šetřením získána data od 1 848 respondentů. Bylo zjištěno, že na vybraných školách převládá zejména sumativní hodnocení, které však samotní žáci shledávají jako vyhovující způsob hodnocení a preferují jeho upřednostnění před jinými hodnoticími způsoby. Žáci shodně uvedli, že jsou převážně zkoušeni písemnou formou, v níž se učitelé zaměřují zejména na jejich znalost obsahu. Zhruba polovina respondentů měla osobní zkušenost s formativním hodnocením.

Nitro-polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (NPAH) are ubiquitous in polluted air but little is known about their abundance in background air. NPAHs were studied at one marine and one continental background site, i.e. a coastal site in the southern Aegean Sea (summer 2012) and a site in the central Great Hungarian Plain (summer 2013), together with the parent compounds, PAHs. A Lagrangian particle dispersion model was used to track air mass history. Based on Lagrangian particle statistics, the urban influence on samples was quantified for the first time as a fractional dose to which the collected volume of air had been exposed. At the remote marine site, the 3–4-ring NPAH (sum of 11 targeted species) concentration was 23.7 pg m−3 while the concentration of 4-ring PAHs (6 species) was 426 pg m−3. The most abundant NPAHs were 2-nitrofluoranthene (2NFLT) and 3-nitrophenanthrene. Urban fractional doses in the range of 11 3–4-ring NPAH and Σ6 4-ring PAH were 58 and 663 pg m−3, respectively, with 9-nitroanthracene and 2NFLT being the most concentrated amongst the targeted NPAHs. The NPAH levels observed in the marine background air are the lowest ever reported and remarkably lower, by more than 1 order of magnitude, than 1 decade before. Day–night variation of NPAHs at the continental site reflected shorter lifetime during the day, possibly because of photolysis of some NPAHs. The yields of formation of 2NFLT and 2-nitropyrene (2NPYR) in marine air seem to be close to the yields for OH-initiated photochemistry observed in laboratory experiments under high NOx conditions. Good agreement is found for the prediction of NPAH gas–particle partitioning using a multi-phase poly-parameter linear free-energy relationship. Sorption to soot is found to be less significant for gas–particle partitioning of NPAHs than for PAHs. The NPAH levels determined in the south-eastern outflow of Europe confirm intercontinental transport potential.

Abstract Graphene field effect transistors are becoming an integral part of advanced devices. Hence, the advanced strategies for both characterization and tuning of graphene properties are required. Here we show that the X-ray irradiation at the zero applied gate voltage causes very strong negative doping of graphene, which is explained by X-ray radiation induced charging of defects in the gate dielectric. The induced charge can be neutralized and compensated if the graphene device is irradiated by X-rays at a negative gate voltage. Here the charge neutrality point shifts back to zero voltage. The observed phenomenon has strong implications for interpretation of X-ray based measurements of graphene devices as it renders them to significantly altered state. Our results also form a basis for remote X-ray tuning of graphene transport properties and X-ray sensors comprising the graphene/oxide interface as an active layer.

Příspěvek sleduje kvalitu vrstevnické zpětné vazby, kterou poskytli žáci svým spolužákům při řešení badatelské úlohy z biologie člověka. Cílem studie bylo porovnat hodnocení žáků, učitele a výzkumníka a také posoudit obsahovou stránku poskytnuté zpětné vazby, její propracovanost či emoční zatížení. Do studie se zapojilo 15 žáků ze základní školy a 30 žáků z odpovídajícího ročníku víceletého gymnázia. Žáci vyplňovali protokol, který poté jejich spolužáci hodnotili a poskytovali jim písemnou zpětnou vazbu. Pro analýzu poskytnuté zpětné vazby byl použit kódovací nástroj, s jehož pomocí se ukázalo, že ve většině případů žáci poskytli svým spolužákům zpětnou vazbu, v níž se snažili poradit, jak vylepšit jejich dosavadní práci. Problémem je ale nízká zkušenost žáků s badatelskými úlohami, která má vliv i na schopnost poskytnout zpětnou vazbu. Malá zkušenost žáků s tímto typem úloh vede v některých krocích bádání k nejistotě při formulování rad, jak vylepšit původní protokol, zejména ve vztahu k hodnocení návrhu provedení pokusu. Zároveň mají žáci problém s použitím popisného jazyka, neboť nedokáží své myšlenky a návrhy formulovat, což může vést až k neposkytnutí adekvátního písemného komentáře. Bylo zjištěno, že efektivním krokem byla diskuze žáků nad formulací zpětné vazby ve skupině, čímž došlo k vyjasnění správného řešení a žáci zároveň prokázali schopnost pracovat s vlastní chybou.

This article argues that the Czech education system is structured to operate in an ethnically homogeneous society. Although the Czech Republic is becoming increasingly heterogeneous, teachers deploy discursive practices of "sameness despite difference" that obscure such growing diversity. This article is grounded in the historical context of migration to and from the Czech Republic and based on ethnographic research in several ethnically-mixed classrooms. We analyze the ways in which teachers talk about their pupils. We show that in the case of migrant children, teachers tend not to see their differences and hence, their potentially structural disadvantages. On the other hand, the Roma ethnicity is perceived as insurmountable. Teachers mobilize lists of cultural and even genetic differences to legitimize their different treatment of Roma pupils. Furthermore, we analyze policy documents regarding the education of non-Czech pupils and their reception by teachers. All these strategies result in the continuing perception of Czech classrooms as ethnically homogeneous while disregarding any social inequalities.

Monika Lišková,1,2 Denisa Janečková,1 Lucie Klůzová Kráčmarová,3 Karolína Mladá,1 Jitka Bušková1,2 1Institute of Sleep Medicine, National Institute of Mental Health, Klecany, 2Third Faculty of Medicine, Charles University, Prague, 3Olomouc University Social Health Institute, Palacky University, Olomouc, Czech Republic Abstract: The aim of the present study was to assess the occurrence and predictive factors of sleep paralysis (SP) in Czech university students. Our sample included 606 students who had experienced at least one episode of SP. The participants completed an online battery of questionnaires involving questionnaires focused on describing their sleep habits and SP episodes, the 18-item Boundary Questionnaire (BQ-18), the Modified Tellegen Absorption Scale (MODTAS), the Dissociative Experience Scale Taxon, the Beck Depression Inventory II and the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory. The strongest predictive factor for the frequency of SP episodes was nightmares. The strongest predictive factor for the intensity of fear was dream occurrences. In our study sample, SP was more common in women than in men. Those who scored higher in BQ-18 experienced more often pleasant episodes of SP and those who scored higher in MODTAS were more likely to experience SP accompanied with hallucinations. While 62% of respondents answered that their SP was accompanied by intense fear, 16% reported that they experienced pleasant feelings during SP episodes. We suggest that not only the known rapid eye movement sleep dysregulation but also some personality variables may contribute to the characteristics of SP. Keywords: sleep paralysis, absorption, personality boundaries, dissociation, nightmares

This paper reports on an experiment to assess the influence of plastic deformation on the microstructure and properties of EN AW 6012 (AlMgSiPb) aluminium alloy in two states. The first was the initial state with heat treatment T3, and the second was the state after intensive plastic deformation by ECAP (Equal Channel Angular Pressing) technology. The ECAP process was carried out repeatedly at room temperature. In the initial state of the alloy, the process redistributed eutectic Si-particles and increased the strength of the alloy. The mechanical properties and the hardness increased due to intensive plastic deformation (the yield strength increased by 15%, the tensile strength by 6%, and the hardness by 23%). The fracture cracks initiated and propagated mainly along eutectic particles. The fracture area of the ECAPed specimen displayed a typical ductile cavity characteristic.

The aim of this experimental research was to perform an analysis of deformation characteristics on two different types of steel: IF steel, and micro-alloyed steel were used automotive industry. For that purpose changes of properties of these materials were carried out by static 10-3 · s-1 and dynamic 103 · s-1 strain rate assess its plastic properties. Vickers micro hardness test was carried out by the static and dynamic loading condition and describes different hardness distribution. The higher strain hardening of materials was obtained too that was confirmed by distribution of dislocations.

The stem and bulb nematode (Ditylenchus dipsaci) is a serious quarantine pest of vegetables spreading worldwide via seed and planting material. Currently, a hot water technique is used as the pre-seed treatment, which is difficult to execute and the risk of seed damage is high. The objectives of this study were to evaluate the (a) penetration of gaseous hydrogen cyanide (HCN) into garlic tissue; (b) HCN phytotoxicity, and (c) nematicide potential of HCN against D. dipsaci. Penetration of HCN into the core of the garlic clove was approximately 30% of the concentration inside the fumigation chamber after 30 h of exposure. Decreased emergency was observed only in the exposure treatment lasting 16 and more hours. Garlic cloves naturally infested by D. dipsaci were treated with HCN at a concentration of 20 g/m3 for 12, 18 and 24 h in a fumigation chamber, and 99% mortality was achieved in all three exposure times.

In academic writing, facts about the past generally require the citation of relevant sources unless the fact or idea is considered “common knowledge:” bits of information or dates upon which there is a wide scholarly consensus. This brief article reflects on the use of “common knowledge” claims in contemporary scholarship about women, families, and sexuality as experienced during 20th century, East European, state socialist regimes. We focus on several key stereotypes about the communist state and the situation of women that are often asserted in the scholarly literature, and argue that many of these ideas uncannily resemble American anti-communist propaganda. When contemporary scholars make claims about communist intrusions into the private sphere to effect social engineering or the inefficacy of state socialist mass organizations or communist efforts to break up the family or indoctrinate the young, they often do so without citation to previous sources or empirical evidence supporting their claims, thereby suggesting that such claims are “common knowledge.” We believe that those wishing to assert such claims should link these assertions to concrete originating sources, lest it turn out the “common knowledge” derives, in fact, from western Cold War rhetoric.

Background: In this retrospective study, we analysed clinical, biochemical and molecular genetic data of 47 Czech patients with Single, Large-Scale Mitochondrial DNA Deletions (SLSMD). Methods: The diagnosis was based on the long-range PCR (LX-PCR) screening of mtDNA isolated from muscle biopsy in 15 patients, and from the buccal swab, urinary epithelial cells and blood in 32 patients. Results: A total of 57% patients manifested before the age of 16. We did not find any significant difference between paediatric and adult manifestation in either the proportion of patients that would develop extraocular symptoms, or the timespan of its progression. The survival rate in patients with Pearson Syndrome reached 60%. Altogether, five patients manifested with atypical phenotype not fulfilling the latest criteria for SLSMD. No correlation was found between the disease severity and all heteroplasmy levels, lengths of the deletion and respiratory chain activities in muscle. Conclusions: Paediatric manifestation of Progressive External Ophthalmoplegia (PEO) is not associated with a higher risk of multisystemic involvement. Contrary to PEO and Kearns-Sayre Syndrome Spectrum, Pearson Syndrome still contributes to a significant childhood mortality. SLSMD should be considered even in cases with atypical presentation. To successfully identify carriers of SLSMD, a repeated combined analysis of buccal swab and urinary epithelial cells is needed.

Magneto-optic (MO) effects in magnetic multilayers (MML) can be employed in non-invasive 2D mapping of microwave (mw) radiation on the surface of semiconductor chips. A typical sensor configuration consists of Fe nanolayers sandwiched with dielectrics on a thin Si substrate transparent to mw radiation. To extend the observation bandwidth, Δf, up to 100 GHz range the sensor works at ferromagnetic resonance (FMR) frequency in applied magnetic flux density, Bappl. The mw currents excite the precession of magnetization, M, in magnetic nanolayers proportional to their amplitude. The MO component reflected on the sensor surface is proportional to the amplitude of M component, M⊥. The laser source operates at the wavelength of 410 nm. Its plane of incidence is oriented perpendicular to the M⊥ plane. M⊥ oscillates between polar and transverse configurations. A substantial improvement of MO figure of merit takes place in aperiodic MML. More favorable Δf vs. Bappl dependence and MO response can potentially be achieved in MML imbedding hexagonal ferrite or Co nanolayers with in-plane magnetic anisotropy.

The paper is concerned with an analysis of utility and fatigue properties of industrially produced aluminium alloy, specifically EN AW 6061 (AlMg1SiCu), reinforced with the particles of SiC. The following properties were subject to evaluation: microstructure and sub-structure, mechanical characteristics. All of these mechanical properties in pre- and post- equal channel angular pressed (ECAP) state have been studied. The hardness was evaluated by Vickers hardness test at the load of HV10. The significant part the thesis was devoted to the fatigue properties at cyclic load in torsion. The presented results demonstrate well that the combination of fractography and microscopy can give a significant contribution to the knowledge of initiation and propagation crack in the aluminium alloy.

The paper deals with processing the entries describing colours in the Academic Dictionary of Contemporary Czech (ASSČ), the priority being the explanation of basic meanings of primary colours and lexicalised colour shades. The definitions ought to include all semantic features, be clear and should reflect the present world and the experience of the user. Special attention is given to the explanations of adverbs and compound adjectives. The paper also follows the decision-making process leading to the list of entries within a given category, based on the frequency of the lemma in the SYN corpus, and discusses the problem of appropriate exemplification.

This topic is very actual due to the high number of chimney and flue fires, including radiators especially during the heating season. The aim of the article is to compare and assess the strictness of the regulations in selected European countries in terms of safe separation distance of the flue from the combustible construction parts.

The paper deals with the testing of microalloyed steels H300LAD and H380LAD under creep conditions. To test the properties of these steels, tensile and creep tests were carried out in the temperature range of 200–500°C. Torn samples were subjected to microscopic and submicroscopic observations. Microalloyed steels were compared with the alloyed steels C16E and 16Mo3 bypasses used at the same temperatures. The results of the experiments highlighted the possibility of application of microalloyed steels in operations within the specified temperature range.

Green tea represents a favourite beverage and green tea extracts are popular components of dietary supplements. The aim of present in vivo study was to report on the effect of defined green tea extract (Polyphenon) in various dosage schemes on drug-metabolizing enzymes in mice. The specific activities and expressions of a panel of drug-metabolizing enzymes (totally 16) were tested in liver and small intestine. Nine enzymes were significantly altered by Polyphenon treatment. The intestinal enzymes were more affected than the hepatic ones. The effects were mostly dose-dependent but short-term treatment had more pronounced impact than the long-term administration. Based on the results, normal consumption of green tea seems to be safe but extremely high doses of green tea extracts in dietary supplements could influence drugs metabolism and efficacy.

Lactococcus lactis, a probiotic bacterium of food origin, has recently been demonstrated as a suitable strain for the production and in vivo delivery of therapeutically important proteins into the gut. We aimed to engineer recombinant L. lactis cells producing/secreting REX binding proteins that have been described as IL-23 receptor (IL-23R) blockers and IL-23R antagonists suppressing the secretion of cytokine IL-17A, a pivotal step in the T-helper Th17-mediated pro-inflammatory cascade, as well as in the development of autoimmune diseases, including inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). To reach this goal, we introduced cDNA sequences coding for REX009, REX115, and REX125 proteins into plasmid vectors carrying a Usp45 secretion signal, a FLAG tag sequence consensus, and a LysM-containing cA surface anchor (AcmA), thus allowing cell−surface peptidoglycan anchoring. These plasmids, or their non-FLAG/non-AcmA versions, were introduced into L. lactis host cells, thus generating unique recombinant L. lactis−REX strains. We demonstrate that all three REX proteins are expressed in L. lactis cells and are efficiently displayed on the bacterial surface, as tested by flow cytometry using an anti-FLAG antibody conjugate. Upon 10-fold concentration of the conditioned media, a REX125 secretory variant can be detected by Western blotting. To confirm that the FLAG/non-FLAG REX proteins displayed by L. lactis retain their binding specificity, cell-surface interactions of REX proteins with an IL-23R-IgG chimera were demonstrated by flow cytometry. In addition, statistically significant binding of secreted REX009 and REX115 proteins to bacterially produced, soluble human IL-23R was confirmed by ELISA. We conclude that REX-secreting L. lactis strains were engineered that might serve as IL-23/IL-23R blockers in an experimentally induced mouse model of colitis.

Book review of Havelková, Barbara, Bellak-Hančilová, Blanka (eds.). 2014. Co s prostitucí? Veřejné politiky a práva osob v prostituci. Praha: SLON.