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Feasibility of Real-time Behavior Monitoring Via Mobile Technology in Czech Adults Aged 50 Years and Above : 12-Week Study With Ecological Momentary Assessment
Get PDFBackground: Czech older adults have lower rates of physical activity than the average population and lag behind in the use of digital technologies, compared with their peers from other European countries. Objective: This study aims to assess the feasibility of intensive behavior monitoring through technology in Czech adults aged ≥50 years. Methods: Participants (N=30; mean age 61.2 years, SD 6.8 years, range 50-74 years; 16/30, 53% male; 7/30, 23% retired) were monitored for 12 weeks while wearing a Fitbit Charge 2 monitor and completed three 8-day bursts of intensive data collection through surveys presented on a custom-made mobile app. Web-based surveys were also completed before and at the end of the 12-week period (along with poststudy focus groups) to evaluate participants’ perceptions of their experience in the study. Results: All 30 participants completed the study. Across the three 8-day bursts, participants completed 1454 out of 1744 (83% compliance rate) surveys administered 3 times per day on a pseudorandom schedule, 451 out of 559 (81% compliance rate) end-of-day surveys, and 736 episodes of self-reported planned physical activity (with 29/736, 3.9% of the reports initiated but returned without data). The overall rating of using the mobile app and Fitbit was above average (74.5 out of 100 on the System Usability Scale). The majority reported that the Fitbit (27/30, 90%) and mobile app (25/30, 83%) were easy to use and rated their experience positively (25/30, 83%). Focus groups revealed that some surveys were missed owing to notifications not being noticed or that participants needed a longer time window for survey completion. Some found wearing the monitor in hot weather or at night uncomfortable, but overall, participants were highly motivated to complete the surveys and be compliant with the study procedures. Conclusions: The use of a mobile survey app coupled with a wearable device appears feasible for use among Czech older adults. Participants in this study tolerated the intensive assessment schedule well, but lower compliance may be expected in studies of more diverse groups of older adults. Some difficulties were noted with the pairing and synchronization of devices on some types of smartphones, posing challenges for large-scale studies
Dynamic changes in genomic and social structures in third millennium BCE central Europe
Get PDFEurope’s prehistory oversaw dynamic and complex interactions of diverse societies, hitherto unexplored at detailed regional scales. Studying 271 human genomes dated ~4900 to 1600 BCE from the European heartland, Bohemia, we reveal unprecedented genetic changes and social processes. Major migrations preceded the arrival of “steppe” ancestry, and at ~2800 BCE, three genetically and culturally differentiated groups coexisted. Corded Ware appeared by 2900 BCE, were initially genetically diverse, did not derive all steppe ancestry from known Yamnaya, and assimilated females of diverse backgrounds. Both Corded Ware and Bell Beaker groups underwent dynamic changes, involving sharp reductions and complete replacements of Y-chromosomal diversity at ~2600 and ~2400 BCE, respectively, the latter accompanied by increased Neolithic-like ancestry. The Bronze Age saw new social organization emerge amid a ≥40% population turnover
Role of oxygen exposure on the differentiation of human induced pluripotent stem cells in 2D and 3D cardiac organoids
Get PDFIntroduction Human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSC) have the ability to differentiate theoritically into any cell type. The development of organoid systems exhibiting the essential features of human organ such as liver and heart is of high interest. Optimizing the culture conditions to obtain the highest cardiac organoids efficacy is crucial. In fact, cardiac differentiation protocols have been established by essentially focusing on specific growth factors on hiPSC differentiation efficiency. However, the optimal environmental factors such as the optimal oxygen exposure to obtain cardiac myocytes in network are still unclear. The mesoderm germ layer differentiation is known to be enhanced by low oxygen exposure. Yet, the effect of low oxygen exposure on the molecular and functional maturity of the hiPSC-derived cardiomyocytes remains unexplored. Aims We aimed here at comparing the molecular and functional consequences of low (5% O2 or LOE) and high oxygen exposure (21% O2 or HOE) on cardiac differentiation of hiPSCs in 2D monolayer and 3D organoids protocols. Methods hiPSC-CMs were differentiated through both the 2D (monolayer) and 3D (embryoid body) protocols using several lines. Cardiac marker expression and cell morphology were assessed using qRT-PCR and immunofluorescence. The mitochondrial localization and metabolic properties were evaluated by high-resolution respirometry and mitochondrial staining. The intracellular Ca2+ handling and contractile properties were also monitored using confocal fluorescent microscopy and atomic force microscopy. Results Our results indicated that the 2D cardiac monolayer can only be differentiated in HOE. The 3D cardiac organoids containing hiPSC-CMs in LOE exhibited higher cardiac markers expression such as troponin T (TnTc), RyR2, Serca2a, alpha and beta heavy myosin chains. Moreover, we found enhanced contractile force, hypertrophy and steadier SR Ca2+ release reflected by a more regular spontaneous Ca2+ transients associated with a higher maximal amplitude and lower spontaneous Ca2+ events revealing a better SR Ca2+ handling in LOE. Similar beat rate, preserved distribution of mitochondria and similar oxygen consumption by the mitochondrial respiratory chain complexes were also observed. Conclusions Our results brought evidences that LOE is moderately beneficial for the 3D cardiac organoids with hPSC-CMs exhibiting further maturity. In contrast, the 2D cardiac monolayers strictly require HOE.Introduction Human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSC) have the ability to differentiate theoritically into any cell type. The development of organoid systems exhibiting the essential features of human organ such as liver and heart is of high interest. Optimizing the culture conditions to obtain the highest cardiac organoids efficacy is crucial. In fact, cardiac differentiation protocols have been established by essentially focusing on specific growth factors on hiPSC differentiation efficiency. However, the optimal environmental factors such as the optimal oxygen exposure to obtain cardiac myocytes in network are still unclear. The mesoderm germ layer differentiation is known to be enhanced by low oxygen exposure. Yet, the effect of low oxygen exposure on the molecular and functional maturity of the hiPSC-derived cardiomyocytes remains unexplored. Aims We aimed here at comparing the molecular and functional consequences of low (5% O2 or LOE) and high oxygen exposure (21% O2 or HOE) on cardiac differentiation of hiPSCs in 2D monolayer and 3D organoids protocols. Methods hiPSC-CMs were differentiated through both the 2D (monolayer) and 3D (embryoid body) protocols using several lines. Cardiac marker expression and cell morphology were assessed using qRT-PCR and immunofluorescence. The mitochondrial localization and metabolic properties were evaluated by high-resolution respirometry and mitochondrial staining. The intracellular Ca2+ handling and contractile properties were also monitored using confocal fluorescent microscopy and atomic force microscopy. Results Our results indicated that the 2D cardiac monolayer can only be differentiated in HOE. The 3D cardiac organoids containing hiPSC-CMs in LOE exhibited higher cardiac markers expression such as troponin T (TnTc), RyR2, Serca2a, alpha and beta heavy myosin chains. Moreover, we found enhanced contractile force, hypertrophy and steadier SR Ca2+ release reflected by a more regular spontaneous Ca2+ transients associated with a higher maximal amplitude and lower spontaneous Ca2+ events revealing a better SR Ca2+ handling in LOE. Similar beat rate, preserved distribution of mitochondria and similar oxygen consumption by the mitochondrial respiratory chain complexes were also observed. Conclusions Our results brought evidences that LOE is moderately beneficial for the 3D cardiac organoids with hPSC-CMs exhibiting further maturity. In contrast, the 2D cardiac monolayers strictly require HOE
Coordination mechanism of cyanine dyes on the surface of core@active shell β-NaGdF4:Yb3+,Er3+ nanocrystals and its role in enhancing upconversion luminescence
Get PDFThe sensitization of lanthanide-doped upconversion nanocrystals (UCNCs) using organic dyes with a broad and intense optical absorption is an interesting approach for efficient excitation-energy harvesting and enhancing the upconversion luminescence of such UCNCs. In this work, an ultrasmall (similar to 6.5 nm in diameter) beta-NaGdF4:Yb3+,Er3+ core and related core@shell UCNCs were sensitized using six NIR-excitable cyanine dyes with a wide range of functional groups and optical properties. The greatest UC enhancement of 680-times was observed for the conjugate between the Cy 754 dye and NaGdF4:Yb3+,Er3+@NaGdF4:10%Yb3+,30%Nd3+ core@shell UCNCs excited using a 754 nm laser. The enhancement was estimated relative to NaGdF4:Yb3+,Er3+@NaGdF4:10%Yb3+,30%Nd3+ core@shell UCNCs capped with oleic acid and excited using a similar intensity (75 W cm(-2)) of a 980 nm laser. UC intensity measurements for identical dye-sensitized UCNCs carried out in methanol and in deuterated methanol under argon, as well as in air, allowed us to reveal the connection of the dye triplet states with UCNC sensitization as well as of the hydroxyl groups with quenching of the excited states of lanthanide ions. For UCNCs dispersed in methanol, the strong quenching UC luminescence was always observed, including core@shell UCNCs (with a shell of similar to 2 nm). A strong influence of the triplet states of the dyes was observed for the two dyes Cy 754 and Cy 792 that bind firmly to UCNCs and allow the distances between the dye and the UCNC to be reduced, whereas the contribution of this sensitization pathway is very insignificant for Cy 740 and Cy 784 dyes that bind weakly to UCNCs
Sinuhet za mřížemi : K osudům jednoho překladu a životnímu příběhu překladatelky Marty Hellmuthové
Get PDFStudie představuje profesní a životní příběh překladatelky Marty Hellmuthové (1917–1988), a to jednak v kontextu kulturních a politických dějin, jednak jako příspěvek k tzv. translator studies. Vzdělaná a jazykově nadaná manželka diplomata se rozhodla naučit finsky, aby zpřístupnila českým čtenářům román Miky Waltariho Egypťan Sinuhet. Díky archivnímu bádání se podařilo vypátrat, že překlad jedné z dosud nejpopulárnějších knih v České republice vznikal částečně na konci 50. let za mřížemi v nápravně pracovním táboře Pardubice, kde byla Hellmuthová nespravedlivě vězněna. Zatímco léta 50. a 60. pro ni byla obdobím, kdy si musela složitě vydobýt svou překladatelskou pozici, léta tzv. normalizace, která přinesla výrazný rozvoj československo‑finských vztahů, posílila její postavení coby Waltariho „dvorní překladatelky“, potažmo vážené překladatelky z finštiny, v niž díky svému odhodlání, pracovnímu nasazení a vysoké kvalitě překladů, ale zřejmě i dobrým vztahům s diplomatickými zástupci Finska dospěla.Studie představuje profesní a životní příběh překladatelky Marty Hellmuthové (1917–1988), a to jednak v kontextu kulturních a politických dějin, jednak jako příspěvek k tzv. translator studies. Vzdělaná a jazykově nadaná manželka diplomata se rozhodla naučit finsky, aby zpřístupnila českým čtenářům román Miky Waltariho Egypťan Sinuhet. Díky archivnímu bádání se podařilo vypátrat, že překlad jedné z dosud nejpopulárnějších knih v České republice vznikal částečně na konci 50. let za mřížemi v nápravně pracovním táboře Pardubice, kde byla Hellmuthová nespravedlivě vězněna. Zatímco léta 50. a 60. pro ni byla obdobím, kdy si musela složitě vydobýt svou překladatelskou pozici, léta tzv. normalizace, která přinesla výrazný rozvoj československo‑finských vztahů, posílila její postavení coby Waltariho „dvorní překladatelky“, potažmo vážené překladatelky z finštiny, v niž díky svému odhodlání, pracovnímu nasazení a vysoké kvalitě překladů, ale zřejmě i dobrým vztahům s diplomatickými zástupci Finska dospěla.This study introduces the professional and life story of translator Marta Hellmuthová (1917–1988), both in the context of cultural and political history and as a contribution to translator studies. Hellmuthová, the educated and linguistically gifted wife of a diplomat, decided to learn Finnish in order to make Mika Waltari’s novel The Egyptian available to Czech readers. Thanks to archival research, it was discovered that the translation of one of the most popular books in the Czech Republic was partly done in the late 1950s behind the bars of the Pardubice correctional labor camp, where Hellmuthová had been unfairly imprisoned. While the 1950s and 1960s were a period in which she struggled to establish her position as a translator, the years of so‑called normalization, which brought significant progress in Czechoslovak‑Finnish relations, strengthened her reputation and allowed her to become Waltari’s “sole translator”. At the same time, thanks not only to her determination, hard work, and high‑quality translations but probably also to her good relations with the diplomatic corps of Finland, she became a recognized translator from Finnish
Spolupráce měst a obcí v ČR, SR a napříč hranicemi
Get PDFCílem této souhrné analýzy v rámci řešení přeshraničního projektu bylo provést analýzu a zhodnocení aktuálního stavu spolupráce měst a obcí v ČR, SR, příhraničních oblastech, ale i napříč česko-slovenskou hranicí. Souhrnná publikace mapuje stav meziobecní spolupráce v obou zemích z hlediska legislativy, financí, forem a dalších relevantních aspektů. Obsahuje také plošné dotazníkové šetření realizované v ČR a SR s cílém identifikovat a popsat aktuální stav meziobecní spolupráce v obou zemích i napříč (přeshraniční spolupráce municipalit). Publikace také obsahuje závěry a doporučení pro decision-makery s ohledem na další rozvoj této specifické oblasti
Atmospheric deposition of chlorinated and brominated polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in central Europe analyzed by GC-MS/MS
Get PDFChlorinated and brominated polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (ClPAHs and BrPAHs) are persistent organic pollutants that are ubiquitous in the atmospheric environment. The sources, fate, and sinks in the atmosphere of these substances are largely unknown. One of the reasons is the lack of widely accessible analytical instrumentation. In this study, a new analytical method for ClPAHs and BrPAHs using gas-chromatography coupled with triple quadrupole mass spectrometry is presented. The method was applied to determine ClPAHs and BrPAHs in total deposition samples collected at two sites in central Europe. Deposition fluxes of ClPAHs and BrPAHs ranged 580 (272-962) and 494 (161-936) pg m(-2) day(-1), respectively, at a regional background site, Kosetice, and 547 (351-724) and 449 (202-758) pg m(-2) day(-1), respectively, at a semi-urban site, Praha-Libus. These fluxes are similar to those of PCBs and more than 2 orders of magnitude lower than those of the parent PAHs in the region. Seasonal variations of the deposition fluxes of these halogenated PAHs were found with maxima in summer and autumn, and minima in winter at Kosetice, but vice versa at Praha-Libus. The distribution of ClPAHs and BrPAHs between the particulate and dissolved phases in deposition samples suggests higher degradability of particulate BrFlt/Pyr and BrBaA than of the corresponding ClPAHs. A number of congeners were detected for the first time in the atmospheric environment
Applicability of Scrape Loading-Dye Transfer Assay for Non-Genotoxic Carcinogen Testing
Get PDFDysregulation of gap junction intercellular communication (GJIC) is recognized as one of the key hallmarks for identifying non-genotoxic carcinogens (NGTxC). Currently, there is a demand for in vitro assays addressing the gap junction hallmark, which would have the potential to eventually become an integral part of an integrated approach to the testing and assessment (IATA) of NGTxC. The scrape loading-dye transfer (SL-DT) technique is a simple assay for the functional evaluation of GJIC in various in vitro cultured mammalian cells and represents an interesting candidate assay. Out of the various techniques for evaluating GJIC, the SL-DT assay has been used frequently to assess the effects of various chemicals on GJIC in toxicological and tumor promotion research. In this review, we systematically searched the existing literature to gather papers assessing GJIC using the SL-DT assay in a rat liver epithelial cell line, WB-F344, after treating with chemicals, especially environmental and food toxicants, drugs, reproductive-, cardio- and neuro-toxicants and chemical tumor promoters. We discuss findings derived from the SL-DT assay with the known knowledge about the tumor-promoting activity and carcinogenicity of the assessed chemicals to evaluate the predictive capacity of the SL-DT assay in terms of its sensitivity, specificity and accuracy for identifying carcinogens. These data represent important information with respect to the applicability of the SL-DT assay for the testing of NGTxC within the IATA framework
Vnímané překážky vstupu do psychoterapie
Get PDFCíl: Cílem studie bylo prozkoumat, jaké překážky dospělí lidé vnímají při rozhodování o vstupu do psychoterapie a jak tyto překážky souvisí s rozhodnutím psychoterapii zahájit. Soubor a metoda: Výzkumný soubor tvořilo 392 dospělých respondentů, kteří během posledních pěti let zvažovali zahájení individuální psychoterapie. Respondenti vyplnili dotazník zaměřený na vnímané překážky vstupu do psychoterapie, fázi rozhodování vstoupit do psychoterapie a intenzitu potíží. Hypotézy: Studie měla explorační charakter, zaměřila se na následující otázky: a) Jak vnímají lidé závažnost jednotlivých překážek vstupu do psychoterapie? b) Jaké skupiny (hlavní komponenty) překážek pro vstup do psychoterapie můžeme identifikovat? c) Jak souvisí závažnost vnímaných překážek s rozhodnutím vstoupit do psychoterapie? Statistická analýza: Množství překážek autoři nejprve redukovali pomocí analýzy hlavních komponent. Souvislost fáze rozhodování o vstupu do psychoterapie s dalšími proměnnými byla ověřována pomocí multinomiální regresní analýzy. Výsledky: Jako nejzávažnější překážka byla vnímána cena psychoterapie, následovaly zábrany v odhalování emocí před ostatními a pocit, že vlastní potíže nejsou tak závažné jako potíže lidí navštěvujících psychoterapii. Respondenti, kteří zavrhli vstup do psychoterapie, byli starší, vyjadřovali větší nedůvěru k psychoterapii a vnímali ji jako více stigmatizující než ti, kdo kontaktovali terapeuta. Účastníci, kteří vstup do terapie zvažovali (ale terapeuta nekontaktovali), vykazovali nižší míru potíží a vnímali psychoterapii jako více stigmatizující než ti, kdo kontaktovali terapeuta. Omezení studie: Limity studie jsou nereprezentativnost výzkumného souboru a využití delšího časového rozmezí pro retrospektivní hodnocení úrovně potíží a významnosti překážek.Objectives. The study aimed to explore which barriers adult people perceive when deciding whether to enter psychotherapy and how these barriers influence their decision to start psychotherapy. Sample and setting. The sample consisted of 392 adult respondents who considered entering individual psychotherapy during the last five years. They completed a questionnaire on perceived barriers to entering psychotherapy, the phase of decision-making, and the severity of psychological symptoms. Hypotheses. This was an exploratory study with the following questions: a) What is the perceived importance of specific barriers to entering psychotherapy? b) What groups (principal components) of barriers to entering psychotherapy can be identified? c) What is the relationship between the perceived importance of barriers and the decision to enter psychotherapy? Statistical analysis. The number of barriers was reduced using PCA. The relationship of the decision-making phase to other variables was explored via multinomial regression analysis. Results. The most severe barrier to entering psychotherapy were price, reluctance to express emotions in front of others and the assumption that one’s problems were not as severe as the problems of people in psychotherapy. Respondents who decided not to enter psychotherapy were older, expressed more distrust of psychotherapy, and perceived it as more stigmatizing than those who contacted a therapist. Respondents who decided to enter psychotherapy (but who had not contacted a therapist) had less severe symptoms and perceived psychotherapy as more stigmatizing than those who contacted a therapist. Study limitations. Limits of the study include a non-representative sample and the time window used for the retrospective rating of symptoms and barriers
Srovnání geografické reprezentativity vlád České republiky a Slovenské republiky
Get PDFČlánek analyzuje geografickou reprezentativnost vlád České republiky a Slovenské republiky. V České republice postupně klesá dominantní postavení Prahy a je možné pozorovat ideální či nadměrné zastoupení dalších krajů. Oproti tomu ve Slovenské republice si Bratislava ponechává své dominantní postavení, což podtrhuje i centralizace dalších okresů v okolí hlavního města.This study analysis geographical representativeness of governments in the Czech Republic and in the Slovak Republic. It claims, that both countries differ in the position of the capital, as within the Czech Republic its dominant position is declining, while in Slovak republic it retains this position. This dominance is also underlined by the centralization of other districts around Bratislava. On the other hand, a larger number of regions are more ideally represented or overrepresented in the Czech Republic than in the Slovak republic. It can therefore be stated that the two countries differ in terms of geographical representativeness of individual governments