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Biological effects of edible algae.
Vaňková, Kateřina
Nutritional factors with antioxidant properties, such as those contained in edible algae or green plants, might be implicated in protection against cancer development. Chlorophyll and other tetrapyrrolic compounds, structurally related to heme and antioxidant bile pigment bilirubin, belong to important candidate molecules, which might be responsible for these effects. Based on our studies demonstrating antiproliferative effects of S. platensis edible alga extract on experimental model of human pancreatic adenocarcinoma we investigated in detail the effect of chlorophyll occurring abundantly in this alga. Since only scarce data exist on the antiproliferative effects of chlorophylls, the aim of our study was to assess these effects. The study was performed on experimental models of human pancreatic and prostate cancer. The inhibitory effects of chlorophylls (chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b, chlorophyllin and pheophytin a) on cell proliferation and cell viability were investigated in in vitro studies. Chlorophylls reduced the mRNA expression as well as activity of hemeoxygenase in tested pancreatic cancer cells. Simultaneously, chlorophylls played an important role in redox environment of studied cancer cell lines including modulation of mitochondrial membrane potential, reactive oxygen species (ROS)...
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Homoploid hybrid speciation in closely related taxa of wetland plants
Píšová, Soňa
6 Summary Wetland plants share several common characters, such as clonality, wind pollination and self-compatibility that facilitate hybridization, especially in complexes of closely related taxa. In this thesis, a Sparganium erectum complex of four subspecies and 14 species of the genus Bolboschoenus were investigated to detect hybridization and verify the origins of putative hybrids. The first part of the thesis is dedicated to an introduction to hybridization, a process of great evolutionary impact, and its several general consequences, which are broadly discussed with numerous examples. In addition, an introduction to the studied taxa is provided as well as the main results of three papers that are presented and discussed herein. The second part of the thesis consists of three papers on hybridization within the Sparganium erectum aggregate (Paper I) and in the genus Bolboschoenus (Paper II, central European species; Paper III all 14 species worldwide). AFLP molecular marker analysis, sequencing of nuclear and chloroplast DNA, and genome size and morphometric analyses were applied to elucidate the genetic relationships among taxa and to confirm the suitability of morphometric characters for taxa and hybrid delimitation. The results clearly present the differentiation of individual taxa and their stable...
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Inhibitors of mouse serine racemase
Vorlová, Barbora
Serine racemase (SR) is a pyridoxal-5'-phosphate-dependent enzyme responsible for biosynthesis of D-serine, a recognized neurotransmitter acting as a co-activator of N-methyl- D-aspartate (NMDA) type of glutamate receptors in the mammalian central nervous system. The hyperfunction of the mentioned receptors have been shown to be implicated in many neuropathological conditions including Alzheimer's disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and epilepsy. To alleviate the symptoms of these diseases, several artificial blockers of NMDA receptors have been introduced into the clinical practice. However, many of these compounds cause undesirable side effects and it is thus necessary to search for either less harmful blockers or regulators of other targets of pharmaceutical intervention that are involved in NMDA receptor activation. In this context, specific inhibition of serine racemase seems to be a promising strategy for regulation of NMDA receptor overstimulation. Mouse serine racemase shares 89% identity with its human ortholog and it was also shown that both enzymes possess similar kinetic parameters and inhibitor specificity. Therefore, the mouse models can be used to search for a potent human serine racemase inhibitor. Although many different compounds for their inhibitory potency towards serine...
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Speciation analysis of arsenic and mercury using postcolumn generation of their volatile compounds for needs of atomic spectroscopic methods
Linhart, Ondřej
The presented dissertation thesis deals with the use of UV-photochemical generation of volatile compounds (UV-PVG) as a derivatization technique for the combination of high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and atomic absorption spectrometry (AAS) detection. Two model elements arsenic and mercury and their compounds were selected for the speciation analysis. The work was divided into several parts that follow. In the first part of the research, the apparatus for the UV-photochemical generation of the volatile mercury compounds and their detection with a new continuum source and high-resolution atomic absorption spectrometer (HR-CS AAS) with an externally heated detection tube was constructed. The analytical method was adapted for use with atomic fluorescence detection with the aim to improve sensitivity of the determination. Furthermore, apparatus for the electrochemical generation of cold mercury vapor with AAS detection was built. The construction of the apparatus was followed by optimization of the reaction conditions (concentration and flow of electrochemical reagents: sulfuric and hydrochloric acid, mobile phase, carrier medium, flow rate of the carrier gas and localization of its introduction), determination of the analytical figures of merit, and comparation of the methods. Both...
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Genotype influence on development of infections caused by Trypanosomatidae in mouse
Šíma, Matyáš
Parasitic protists of genera Trypanosoma and Leishmania are members of Trypanosomatidae family. In our studies, we investigated genetic influence on infections caused by these parasites in a mouse model. These diseases are on genetic level controlled by quantitative trait loci (QTLs), when the resulting phenotype is controlled by set of genes with small individual effect. As a mouse model for mapping of QTLs controlling these infections, we used recombinant congenic strains (RCS). Each RCS carry unique set of 12.5% of the genome from donor parental strain on genetic background of other parental strain. For mapping of QTLs controlling infections caused by Trypanosoma brucei brucei (T. b. brucei) and Leishmania tropica (L. tropica) and eosinophil infiltration into inguinal lymph nodes after Leishmania major (L. major) infection, we used RCS from CcS/Dem series, where STS is donor strain and BALB/cHeA is strain of genetic background. First, it was necessary to find suitable model strains for mapping. In all three studies, we selected RCS, which exceeded range of monitored phenotype parameters in comparison with any other tested RCS or parental strains. Mice of RCS CcS-11 showed shorter survival after T. b. brucei infection and strain CcS-9 exhibited higher eosinophil infiltration after L. major infection. For...
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Quantitative vessel parameters of broadleaves as a tool for reconstruction of physical geographical processes
Tumajer, Jan
Trees adjust wood anatomical structure to environmental conditions, predisposing time series of quantitative wood anatomical parameters to be valuable source of palaeoenvironmental information. In this doctoral project we analysed the response of vessel parameters of i) floodplain Quercus robur to groundwater level fluctuation, hydroclimate variability and extreme events (droughts and floods), and of ii) Betula pendula to mechanical damage caused by various disturbances. Although climatic signal as well as pointer years stored in tree-ring width chronologies of Quercus robur largely differ between sites, quantitative vessel parameters contain spatially- homogenous positive signal of previous year summer temperature and current year winter/early spring temperature. The only between-site difference in wood anatomical chronologies is negative effect of moisture on vessel size in floodplain, which does not occur in not-flooded lowland sites. We suggest that while tree productivity benefits from high water availability, the wood anatomical structure of Quercus robur is constrained by high soil water saturation in floodplain zone. In addition, the response of tree-ring widths to moisture availability is not uniform inside single stand, but subgroups of trees with completely opposite response coexist...
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Influence of soil matter and different land cover on the runoff process (experimental research in the paired catchments Zbytiny)
Královec, Václav
The doctoral thesis deals with the evaluation of influences of causal factors that significantly affect runoff processes in landscape. The research is mainly focused on the examination of land and soil cover impacts and partially pays attention to the effects of surface drainage and snow cover. The main effort was to find out the extent of influences of each individual factor on runoff from a different type of landscape. In order to find the correct answer, a methodical approach was applied to small experimental paired catchments where the research has been continuously undergoing since the year of 2006 (the presented results have been collected for 11 years of observations). The small experimental paired catchments are located at the foothills of the Šumava Mountains and they represent small area neighbouring catchments of similar physical-geographic and hydrographic conditions. The catchments were selected as the comparative ones where the main differences are the landscape and soil cover. Moreover, the character of surface drainage is regarded to be an important variable. In the catchment area of the Zbytinský Brook, there predominates the grassland which is largely drained by the subsurface drainage system. In the catchment area of the Tetřívčí Brook the dominant cover is formed by the forest...
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The role of pre-mRNA splicing in human hereditary diseases
Malinová, Anna
U5 small ribonucleoprotein particle (U5 snRNP) is a crucial component of the spliceosome, the complex responsible for pre-mRNA splicing. Despite the importance of U5 snRNP, not much is known about its biogenesis. When we depleted one of the core U5 components, protein PRPF8, the other U5-specific proteins do not associate with U5 snRNA and the incomplete U5 was accumulated in nuclear structures known as Cajal bodies. To further clarify the role of PRPF8 in U5 snRNP assembly, we studied PRPF8 mutations that cause an autosomal dominant retinal disorder, retinitis pigmentosa (RP). We prepared eight different PRPF8 variants carrying RP-associated mutations and expressed them stably in human cell culture. We showed that most mutations interfere with the assembly of snRNPs which consequently leads to reduced efficiency of splicing. The mutant PRPF8 together with EFTUD2 are stalled in the cytoplasm in a form of U5 snRNP assembly intermediate. Strikingly, we identified several chaperons including the HSP90/R2TP complex and ZNHIT2 as new PRPF8's interactors and potential U5 snRNP assembly factors. Our results further imply that these chaperons preferentially bind the unassembled U5 complexes and that HSP90 is required for stability of...
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Modelling students' conceptions on chemical principles using mathematics
Ivan, Matúš
Key words mathematical modelling, chemical principles, shape and structure of the molecules, visualisation of chemical structures, chemistry and mathematics interdisciplinarity Ivan, Matúš: Modelling students' conceptions on chemical principles using mathematics. (Ph.D. Thesis). Prague: Faculty of Science, Charles University, 2018. Abstract The primary aims of the dissertation project is identification of "contact areas" of subjects of chemistry and mathematics and creation of interventions to solve the problems of chosen areas. At first, it was necessary to analyse available literature by the authors from the field, that have mentioned the problematics of interdisciplinarity between mathematics and chemistry. A part of literature research was dedicated to a search for the expected outcomes in curricular documents in Czech Republic and in Slovak Republic. In Czech Republic these were Framework Educational Programmes (RVP ZV, 2017 a RVP G, 2007). In Slovak Republic thee documents are State Educational programme ISCED 2 - lower secondary education (2015) and State Educational programme ISCED 3A - upper secondary education (2015). After that the analysis of a sample of School educational programmes of chosen schools in Czech Republic was conducted. The sample was chosen through proportional stratified...
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CARBON AND NITROGEN POOLS AND FLUXES OF TWO FOREST ECOSYSTEMS IN THE ORE MOUNTAINS
Růžek, Michal
CARBON AND NITROGEN POOLS AND FLUXES OF TWO FOREST ECOSYSTEMS IN THE ORE MOUNTAINS With increasing atmospheric CO2 concentrations, forest ecosystems are considered for their sequestration ability. However, there are differences between coniferous and deciduous tree species in their impact on the carbon (C) and nitrogen (N) fluxes within forest ecosystems, which influence soil carbon and nitrogen pools. In natural beech and monoculture spruce stands on research sites of Czech Geological Survey in the Ore Mountains, C and N fluxes and pools were investigated. There were investigated ecosystem inputs (C, N, in throughfall, litterfall) as well as outputs (soil respiration, concentrations of C, N in seepage water discharge). Further, C and N pools of living biomass and soils were determined. Throughfall DOC was significantly higher in the spruce stand, on the other hand litterfall C flux showed the opposite relationship. At output, DOC, DON and NH4 + discharge fluxes from O horizon were significantly higher in the spruce stand whereas in the beech stand higher NO3 - flux from mineral soil was recorded. Soil respiration was quite similar in the both stands, however different parts of original sources of respiration among tree species were different. Beech stand has larger pools of carbon and nitrogen in...
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