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Biofilm formation in probiotic cultures and its application in pharmacy
Ryšávka, Petr ; Obruča, Stanislav (referee) ; Vorlová, Lenka (referee) ; Márová, Ivana (advisor)
The work was comprehensively focused on the development of adhesive forms of probiotics in the form of a biofilm on combined carriers with a prebiotic component. The second part dealed with the influence of food on the multiplication and survival of selected types of probiotic bacteria. Subsequently, the effect of individualized probiotic supplements on changes in the human intestinal microbiome was monitored. Suitable adherent probiotic strains for biofilm formation were selected and tested. Methods have been introduced and different variants of carriers for culturing and binding bacteria have been tested. In vitro experiments verified the stability of biofilm stucture and its resistance to low pH, bile and antibiotics in comparison with the planktonic cell form. The antimicrobial effect of probiotic strains in the form of a biofilm was studied. The cultivation of the multispecies biofilm on the combined carrier was optimized and the stability of the biofilm and the final viability of probiotic bacteria were confirmed. Furthermore, the influence of various foods and beverages on the viability of probiotic bacteria was evaluated with emphasis on the simulation of passage through the gastrointestinal tract. Both models, solutions with standardised concentrations of alcohol, sugar, salts, proteins or different pH and different types of real foods and beverages were tested. The effect of food and beverages was tested on monocultures of Lactobacillus acidophilus, Bifidobacterium breve and on probiotic capsules containing a mixed culture of probiotic microorganisms. The survival of probiotics in various food matrices in the simulated gastrointestinal tract was quantitatively different. We managed to define foods suitable for supporting the multiplication of probiotic bacteria. A separate part of the work was focused on the targeted modulation of the intestinal microbiome by individualized probiotics that were prepared on the basis of molecular biological analyzes of the intestinal microbiome aimed at detecting the percentage of lactobacilli, bifidobacteria and phylum Firmicutes and Bacteroidetes. Personalized probiotic supplementation confirmed the positive effect of this approach on microbiome changes, especially on the increase of the content of lactobacilli, bifidobacteria and the overall diversity of the microbiome.
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Identification of microorganisms in cosmetic products with probiotics
Langová, Denisa ; Španová, Alena (referee) ; Trachtová, Štěpánka (advisor)
Probiotics products are an integral part of the current market. Products containing probiotics cultures are also cosmetic products. The first part of the study focuses on testing of bacterial survival abilities in the environment of preservatives presented in cosmetic products. Collection strains of genus Lactobacillus were used for these tests. Another part of the study focuses on isolation of bacterial DNA from probiotic cosmetic products Ryor, Yoghurt of Bulgaria, FeminaMed and Lactovit Activit in PCR-ready quality. DNA was isolated by fenol extraction and with magnetic particles. Presence of bacteria was proved by genus and species specific PCRs Lactobacillus. Species specific PCR for identification of Lactobacillus pentosus was optimalized. Species identification was in accord with data declared by producers.
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Morphological, behavioural and physiological adaptations of island-dwelling birds
Krpcová, Alena ; Albrecht, Tomáš (advisor) ; Mikula, Ondřej (referee)
Morphological, behavioural and physiological adaptations of island-dwelling birds Alena Krpcová prof. Tomáš Albrecht, Ph.D. Abstract Islands represent a model system of evolutionary biology. They are isolated environments in which specific ecological conditions often operate differently than on the mainland. In this context, island taxa develop unique morphological, physiological and behavioural adaptations, collectively referred to as island syndromes, through convergent evolution. This thesis aims to provide an overview of selected island syndromes that have been detected in a large group of vertebrates typically inhabiting islands, the birds (Aves). Attention is paid to body size, wing length and associated flightlessness, as well as changes in life strategies (life span, offspring care, clutch size and egg size), antipredatory behaviour and island tameness, and finally the relationship between the above-mentioned island syndromes and the extinction of island species caused by humans and the invasive organisms that accompany them. Factors operating in island environments that may influence the evolution of selected island syndromes are discussed, and it is suggested that reduced predation pressure on islands and an energetic trade-offs between investments in survival, defence and reproduction could be...
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Surviving of Northern Lapwing (Vanellus vanellus) chicks in agriculture landscape
Kubelka, Vojtěch ; Šálek, Miroslav (advisor) ; Cepák, Jaroslav (referee)
The variability of egg-size within a bird species reflects different reproductive investments and, besides the intrinsic constraints and particular female quality, it can be affected by environmental factors, too. Moreover, the egg-size predetermines the chick performance. The knowledge of factors influencing precocial chick survival is crucial for better understanding of life-history strategies as well as for endangered species conservation. The Northern Lapwing (Vanellus vanellus) represents a suitable model species for investigation of climate variables effects on egg-size and also to study factors influencing chick survival. Eggs in a total of 714 nests were measured during 13 breeding seasons over period 1988-2014 in South Bohemia and 293 lapwing chicks from 100 broods in 37 localities were monitored in 2013-2014. The mean egg-size through the whole season is positively affected by March precipitation, March clutches also negatively by minus temperatures in March. The higher intensity of rainfall there is during March, the bigger eggs are laid in March and the steeper is slope of decline in mean egg-size during season. This decline is more profound with lower rainfall in April. The effect of habitat is not significant. The body mass and condition of hatchlings is positively correlated with the...
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Ornament expression and lifetime reproductive success in male barn swallows (Hirundo rustica)
Wnuková, Lucie ; Albrecht, Tomáš (advisor) ; Klvaňová, Alena (referee)
Within a lifetime of an individual, there are changes in the organism leading to an an impairment of phenotype, survival and reproduction. The expression of phenotypic traits often increases with age. Higher expression of these traits in the young age can lead to decreased probability of survival till the next season, influencing reproductive success of an individual. That is why organisms are challenged with trade-offs, when they have to allocate their limited resources either into the reproduction in form of expression of extravagant sex ornaments or into the life span. If the ornament evolved as a handicap, its exaggerated size could reduce viability of low quality individuals. Therefore, the ornament becomes a predictor of quality of its bearer and its size indicates the ability to survive till the next season. Both sexual ornamentation and inter-individual variation in life span may result in differences in reproductive success (fitness) and targeted by sexual or natural selection. Variability in reproductive success, mainly in monogamous species, can be increased also by sexual promiscuity and extra-pair mating and extra-pair copulations. This strategy can increase the opportunity for selection of traits that play role in choosing of extra-pair mate. In this work, I focused on two potential...
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Possibilities of genetic testing in patients with pheochromocytoma and paraganglioma.
Turková, Hana ; Zelinka, Tomáš (advisor) ; Malík, Jan (referee) ; Fryšák, Zdeněk (referee)
1. Abstract Pheochromocytoma/ paraganglioma (FEO/PGL) may be developed on the basis of an inherited genetic mutation of different genes. They are associated with a high risk of developing of secondary hypertension, organ damage and metastatic disease that can be fatal. The aim was to focus on the possibility of genetic testing in patients with FEO/PGL, especially in patients with malignant tumors. The issue FEO/PGL, however, concerns not only the examination and assessment of risks arising therefrom, as well as other therapies and monitoring, including appropriate recommendations for clinical practice. We demonstrated a 20% incidence of cardiovascular (CV) complications before determining the final diagnosis of FEO/PGL, mainly arrhythmic, followed by complications of myocardial ischemia and accentuate atherosclerosis. Elevated levels of vitamin C and decreased levels of malondialdehyde (MDA) following the successful removal of the tumor demonstrated reduction of oxidative stress postoperatively. We found that early postoperative testing of levels of plasma metanephrines to confirm the success of surgical removal of FEO/PGL is already possible, since there was no significant correlation between plasma levels of metanephrines and postoperative examination interval. Distribution of frequency of metastatic...
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Biofilm formation in probiotic cultures and its application in pharmacy
Ryšávka, Petr ; Obruča, Stanislav (referee) ; Vorlová, Lenka (referee) ; Márová, Ivana (advisor)
The work was comprehensively focused on the development of adhesive forms of probiotics in the form of a biofilm on combined carriers with a prebiotic component. The second part dealed with the influence of food on the multiplication and survival of selected types of probiotic bacteria. Subsequently, the effect of individualized probiotic supplements on changes in the human intestinal microbiome was monitored. Suitable adherent probiotic strains for biofilm formation were selected and tested. Methods have been introduced and different variants of carriers for culturing and binding bacteria have been tested. In vitro experiments verified the stability of biofilm stucture and its resistance to low pH, bile and antibiotics in comparison with the planktonic cell form. The antimicrobial effect of probiotic strains in the form of a biofilm was studied. The cultivation of the multispecies biofilm on the combined carrier was optimized and the stability of the biofilm and the final viability of probiotic bacteria were confirmed. Furthermore, the influence of various foods and beverages on the viability of probiotic bacteria was evaluated with emphasis on the simulation of passage through the gastrointestinal tract. Both models, solutions with standardised concentrations of alcohol, sugar, salts, proteins or different pH and different types of real foods and beverages were tested. The effect of food and beverages was tested on monocultures of Lactobacillus acidophilus, Bifidobacterium breve and on probiotic capsules containing a mixed culture of probiotic microorganisms. The survival of probiotics in various food matrices in the simulated gastrointestinal tract was quantitatively different. We managed to define foods suitable for supporting the multiplication of probiotic bacteria. A separate part of the work was focused on the targeted modulation of the intestinal microbiome by individualized probiotics that were prepared on the basis of molecular biological analyzes of the intestinal microbiome aimed at detecting the percentage of lactobacilli, bifidobacteria and phylum Firmicutes and Bacteroidetes. Personalized probiotic supplementation confirmed the positive effect of this approach on microbiome changes, especially on the increase of the content of lactobacilli, bifidobacteria and the overall diversity of the microbiome.
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Ornament expression and lifetime reproductive success in male barn swallows (Hirundo rustica)
Wnuková, Lucie ; Albrecht, Tomáš (advisor) ; Klvaňová, Alena (referee)
Within a lifetime of an individual, there are changes in the organism leading to an an impairment of phenotype, survival and reproduction. The expression of phenotypic traits often increases with age. Higher expression of these traits in the young age can lead to decreased probability of survival till the next season, influencing reproductive success of an individual. That is why organisms are challenged with trade-offs, when they have to allocate their limited resources either into the reproduction in form of expression of extravagant sex ornaments or into the life span. If the ornament evolved as a handicap, its exaggerated size could reduce viability of low quality individuals. Therefore, the ornament becomes a predictor of quality of its bearer and its size indicates the ability to survive till the next season. Both sexual ornamentation and inter-individual variation in life span may result in differences in reproductive success (fitness) and targeted by sexual or natural selection. Variability in reproductive success, mainly in monogamous species, can be increased also by sexual promiscuity and extra-pair mating and extra-pair copulations. This strategy can increase the opportunity for selection of traits that play role in choosing of extra-pair mate. In this work, I focused on two potential...
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Physiological adaptations associated with body size and longevity in endothermic vertebrates
Pazdera, Lukáš ; Tomášek, Oldřich (advisor) ; Blažek, Radim (referee)
Abstact Lifespan is related to a number of physiological processes that are interconnected. Longevous species are assumed to have evolved certain physiological adaptations that slow down ageing rate and enable long lifespan. The aim of my thesis was to review physiological traits that has been hypothesised to be associated with lifespan, and to evaluate the empirical support for such hypotheses. Studies testing the association of these traits with body size has also been included in my thesis, as body size is known to be tightly related to lifespan. Traits that are reviewed in my thesis due to their hypothesised coevolution with lifespan are as follows: metabolic rate (i.e., a total amount of energy expended by the organism per unit of body mass and unit of time), oxidative stress resistance, telomere length and rate of telomere shortening and intensity of stress and immune responses. Key words: Lifespan, longevity, survival, reproduction, oxidative stress, free radicals, reactive oxygen and nitrogen species, metabnolic rate, immunity, antioxidants
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Possibilities of genetic testing in patients with pheochromocytoma and paraganglioma.
Turková, Hana ; Zelinka, Tomáš (advisor) ; Malík, Jan (referee) ; Fryšák, Zdeněk (referee)
1. Abstract Pheochromocytoma/ paraganglioma (FEO/PGL) may be developed on the basis of an inherited genetic mutation of different genes. They are associated with a high risk of developing of secondary hypertension, organ damage and metastatic disease that can be fatal. The aim was to focus on the possibility of genetic testing in patients with FEO/PGL, especially in patients with malignant tumors. The issue FEO/PGL, however, concerns not only the examination and assessment of risks arising therefrom, as well as other therapies and monitoring, including appropriate recommendations for clinical practice. We demonstrated a 20% incidence of cardiovascular (CV) complications before determining the final diagnosis of FEO/PGL, mainly arrhythmic, followed by complications of myocardial ischemia and accentuate atherosclerosis. Elevated levels of vitamin C and decreased levels of malondialdehyde (MDA) following the successful removal of the tumor demonstrated reduction of oxidative stress postoperatively. We found that early postoperative testing of levels of plasma metanephrines to confirm the success of surgical removal of FEO/PGL is already possible, since there was no significant correlation between plasma levels of metanephrines and postoperative examination interval. Distribution of frequency of metastatic...
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