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The effect of carbon nanostructures on human cell behavior and the role of fetal bovine serum in cell adhesion
Verdánová, Martina ; Hubálek Kalbáčová, Marie (advisor) ; Brábek, Jan (referee) ; Smetana, Karel (referee)
Graphene (G) and nanocrystalline diamond (NCD) are carbon allotropes and promising nanomaterials with an excellent combination of their properties, such as high mechanical strength, electrical and thermal conductivity, possibility of functionalization and very high surface area to volume ratio. For these reasons, G and NCD are employed next to electronics in biomedical applications, including implant coating, drug and gene delivery and biosensing. For a fundamental characterization of cell behavior on G and NCD, we studied osteoblast adhesion and proliferation on differently treated G and NCD. Generally, both G and NCD exhibited better properties for osteoblast cultivation than control tissue culture polystyrene. Better cell adhesion but lower cell proliferation were observed on NCD compared to G. The most surprising finding was that hydrophobic G with nanowrinkled topography enhanced cell proliferation extensively, in comparison to hydrophilic and flat G and both NCDs (hydrophobic and hydrophilic) with slightly higher roughness. Promoted cell proliferation enables faster cell colonization of G and NCD substrates, meaning faster new tissue formation which is beneficial in biomedical applications. Furthermore, it was shown that osteoblast adhesion was promoted in the initial absence of fetal bovine...
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The role of the Wnt signalling pathway in proliferation and differentiation of neural stem cells in the neonatal and adult mouse brain
Koleničová, Denisa ; Anděrová, Miroslava (advisor) ; Janečková, Lucie (referee)
The canonical Wnt/β-catenin signalling pathway plays an important role in proliferation and differentiation of neural progenitors during embryogenesis as well as postnatally. In the present study, the effect of the Wnt signalling pathway on the differentiation potential of neonatal and adult neural stem cells (NS/PCs) isolated from subventricular zone (SVZ) of lateral ventricles and their membrane properties were studied eight days after the onset of in vitro differentiation. To manipulate Wnt signalling at different cellular levels, three transgenic mouse strains were used, which enabled inhibition or activation of the pathway using the Cre- loxP system. We showed that the activation of the Wnt signalling pathway leads to higher expression of β-catenin in both postnatal as well as adult NS/PCs, while Wnt signalling inhibition results in the opposite effect. To follow the fate of NS/PCs, the patch-clamp technique, immunocytochemistry, and Western blot were employed. After eight days of NS/PCs differentiation we identified three electrophysiologically and immunocytochemically distinct cell types of which incidence was significantly affected by the canonical Wnt signalling pathway, only in differentiated neonatal NS/PCs. Activation of this pathway suppressed gliogenesis, and promoted neurogenesis,...
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Role of intestinal circadian clock in epithelial transport, proliferation, and tumourigenesis
Soták, Matúš
AABBSSTTRRAACCTT The molecular circadian clock enables anticipation of environmental changes. In mammals, clocks are ubiquitously present in almost all tissues and they are comprised of transcriptional-translational feedback loops of the so-called clock genes. The central clock represents the intrinsic pacemaker which is located in suprachiasmatic nuclei (SCN) of hypothalamus and synchronizes peripheral clocks. Clockwork system in alimentary tract and its regulatory link to intestinal functions are poorly understood. Therefore the objective of the thesis was to characterize molecular clock in particular parts of the rat intestine and to elucidate its link to the intestinal transport, regulation of cell cycle and neoplastic transformation in colonic tissue. We used quantitative RT-PCR (qPCR) to determine circadian profiles of mRNA expression of clock genes in the epithelium of duodenum, jejunum, ileum, and colon of rat. Furthermore, we analysed the expression of genes coding sodium chloride transporters and channels as well as cell cycle regulators in colon. To focus more precisely on different structures of intestinal epithelia we used laser capture microdissection. In addition, we performed Ussing chamber measurements to determine the colonic electrogenic transport. To study the contribution of circadian...
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The development of nuclear weapons and their proliferation: A comparison of Iran and North Korea
Marek, Martin ; Střítecký, Vít (advisor) ; Smetana, Michal (referee)
The development of nuclear weapons and their proliferation: A comparison of Iran and North Korea Master Thesis Author: Martin Marek Supervisor: PhDr. Vít Střítecký, M.Phil., Ph.D. Year: 2016 Abstract The text deals with nuclear proliferation in the cases of Iran and North Korea. The motives of nuclear ambitions are examined using models of Scott D. Sagan and other selected theoretical concepts. Gradual analysis of exposed states in the perspective of historical development, national security, domestic politics and norms forms the basis for understanding the perception of nuclear weapons by these states and approach to them as to a mean to accomplish certain objectives. Subsequent comparison reveals both similarities and difference between examined states in the perspective of motives of nuclear proliferation and shows explanatory potential of each model, which is various, in given cases. The effort of ensuring national security seems to be the strongest motive in both examined cases. It is followed by domestic influences, whereas norms stand rather for additional factor. Nevertheless, variety in explanatory power of the models is apparent in the cases of Iran and North Korea, notably in relation with their limitations. Other factors, such as regime type or parallel development of other type of weapons of...
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START Treaties: Really so Necessary? (1982/91-2010)
Dobeš, Vojtěch Sebastian ; Koura, Jan (advisor) ; Kovář, Martin (referee)
The presented bachelor thesis deals with the issues of American-Soviet (Russian) weapons reduction treaties START, i.e. since the early preparations of the first treaty to the ratification of the third treaty. The goal of this thesis is especially to analyze the texts of the treaties and show their impact on the nuclear arsenals of both countries. Besides the analysis of the treaties, author will also show the reflection and the impact of the treaties on the other countries and other non-proliferation processes. Keywords: START, weapons of mass reduction disarmament, disarmament treaties, analysis, Cold War, USA, USSR, Russian federation, nuclear weapons, proliferation
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Differentiation potential of polydendrocytes in pathological states of central nervous system
Pavlištová, Tereza ; Anděrová, Miroslava (advisor) ; Smejkalová, Terézia (referee)
NG2 cells also called polydendrocytes or oligodendrocyte progenitors comprise fourth type of glial cells in the brain. Ng2 glia express distinct markers on their cell surface, which can be used for their identification. Particularly, NG2 proteoglycan chondroitin sulphate and receptors for platelet-derived growth factor belong to the main markers. Polydendrocytes arise in two canals of spinal cord and also in the ventral part of frontal brain, telencephalon and diencephalon. Population of NG2 cells is heterogeneous because they differ morphologically, by their electrophysiological properties and distinct differentiation potential depending on localization in brain. In conditions in vitro, polydendrocytes can differentiate into oligodendrocytes, protoplasmic astrocytes or neurons. In early postnatal brain, NG2 glia give rise to astrocytes, but most of these cells remain in the mature state or change themselves to oligodendrocytes. Pathological states of the central nervous system cause an activation of polydendrocytes, they start to be hypertrophied and increase expression of NG2 proteoglycan. Reaction of these cells is influenced by environment and chemical factors, for example growth factors, morphogens and cytokines. Depending on the type of CNS disorder the differentiation potential of NG2 glia...
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Vliv chemoterapie a genotoxického stresu na imunologické vlastnosti nádorových buněk.
Horňáková, Michaela ; Reiniš, Milan (advisor) ; Drbal, Karel (referee)
Cancer treatment includes the use of chemotherapeutic agents, which have various effects on tumour cells, such as direct toxicity to cancer cells, immunogenic cell death induction and changes in cancer cells phenotype. Throughout the last decade many researchers have been focusing on the induction of genotoxic stress and cellular senescence, which chemotherapy can trigger. Even though induction of senescence in cancer cells represents an important mechanism for tumour suppression, there has been increasing evidence that shifting cancer cells into a senescent state by chemotherapy is not always beneficial. Senescent cells are associated with a specific secretory phenotype, which allows such cells to alter their microenvironment, modulate anti-tumour immunity, induce tumour suppression and even promote cancer development. Therefore, senescent cells elimination by innate or specific immunity, which can be boosted by immunotherapy, can be an important barrier preventing tumour growth. Powered by TCPDF (www.tcpdf.org)
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Role of intestinal circadian clock in epithelial transport, proliferation, and tumourigenesis
Soták, Matúš ; Pácha, Jiří (advisor) ; Bendová, Zdeňka (referee) ; Herichová, Iveta (referee)
AABBSSTTRRAACCTT The molecular circadian clock enables anticipation of environmental changes. In mammals, clocks are ubiquitously present in almost all tissues and they are comprised of transcriptional-translational feedback loops of the so-called clock genes. The central clock represents the intrinsic pacemaker which is located in suprachiasmatic nuclei (SCN) of hypothalamus and synchronizes peripheral clocks. Clockwork system in alimentary tract and its regulatory link to intestinal functions are poorly understood. Therefore the objective of the thesis was to characterize molecular clock in particular parts of the rat intestine and to elucidate its link to the intestinal transport, regulation of cell cycle and neoplastic transformation in colonic tissue. We used quantitative RT-PCR (qPCR) to determine circadian profiles of mRNA expression of clock genes in the epithelium of duodenum, jejunum, ileum, and colon of rat. Furthermore, we analysed the expression of genes coding sodium chloride transporters and channels as well as cell cycle regulators in colon. To focus more precisely on different structures of intestinal epithelia we used laser capture microdissection. In addition, we performed Ussing chamber measurements to determine the colonic electrogenic transport. To study the contribution of circadian...
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The effect of endothelial cell proliferation on susceptibility to mitochondrially controlled apoptosis and oxidative stress.
Blecha, Jan ; Novák, Petr (advisor) ; Plecitá, Lydie (referee)
Mitochondria are multifunctional organelles playing a key role in energy metabolism and cell death induction. Mitochondria, and specifically their respiratory chain, are also the main producers of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in cells. Metabolism can be affected by the state of cellular proliferation and certain ROS-inducing agents have an antiangiogenic effect based on the preferential elimination of proliferating endothelial cells (EC). Therefore, in this work we investigated, whether mitochondria could be responsible for different sensitivity of proliferation and confluent EC to cell death. We mainly focused on systems that regulate ROS level and apoptosis: respiratory chain (ROS production), antioxidant defense (ROS detoxification) and Bcl-2 family of proteins (apoptosis regulation). First, we treated EC with functional and nonfunctional respiratory chain with various oxidative stress- and apoptosis-inducing agents and determined ROS production and susceptibility to apoptosis in proliferating and confluent cells. Our results show that functional respiratory chain greatly increases the susceptibility of proliferating cells to ROS induction and apoptosis, whereas in qiescent cells it protects against cell death. Given these findings, we assessed the activity of respiratory chain in proliferating...
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Mechanisms of growth of the cardiac conduction system
Skuhrová, Kristýna ; Sedmera, David (advisor) ; Elsnicová, Barbara (referee)
The ability to produce regular rhythm and independence of nervous system and are some of the features of the cardiac conduction system. The conduction system comprises the sinoatrial node, internodal tracts, the atrioventricular node, the atrioventricular (His) bundle, its right and left branches, and the terminal network of Purkinje fibers. However, this system is frequently the cause of the cardiac rhythm disorders, i.e., arrhythmias. There are many unanswered questions about the conduction system, even though its development is closely connected to the growth of the whole heart. The heart undergoes many dramatic changes during its development, such as modification of linear heart tube into the mature four-chamber organ. Looping and forming chambers cause change of localization first "pacemaker" from the caudal end of the heart tube to the area of the right atrium. Prenatal growth of the heart is based upon cell proliferation or hyperplasia. The cell divisions are rapidly stopped soon after birth and the cells start to grow by increase in volume, i.e., hypertrophy. The cells of some species can expand hyperplasia or hypertrophy in early postnatal period. The mouse is one of the organisms with the cell expansion provided by combination of proliferation and hypertrophy. Most of the adult...
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