Stressful Daylight: Differences in Diel Rhythmicity Between Albino and Pigmented Fish

In laboratory experiments, variously colored strains of animals, including those with albino phenotypes, are commonly used. The melanocortin theory suggests, however, that coloration phenotypes alter animal physiology and behavior. Animals with the albino phenotype show photoreceptor degradation associated with lowered visual accuracy, escape reactions, etc., presumably accompanied by prevailing nocturnal activity and lowered aggressiveness. This assumption was tested in small groups of albino and pigmented European catfish, Silurus glanis, during the diel cycle. The frequency of agonistic interactions was observed during mutual contests for shelters, and subsequently, blood plasma, brain, gill, and liver samples were collected to evaluate stress parameters. In an experimental arena with shelters, the light/dark rhythmicity of locomotor activity and aggressiveness of the two phenotypes were comparable; the peak was observed at night, and a lower peak was observed at dawn. In an experimental stream without shelters, the peak of locomotor activity occurred at night for only the pigmented phenotype. In the evaluation of 4 antioxidants and 1 oxidative stress indicator, representing a total of 15 indices, albino fish showed significant rhythmicity for 8 indices, whereas pigmented catfish showed significant rhythmicity for 5 indices. The production of blood stress parameters with the peak during the day occurred only in albino fish. A complex model was fitted with the aim of evaluating the links between behavioral and biochemical indices. Time periodicity was modeled using a sine wave and confirmed parallel courses of agonistic interactions in the catfish groups; the peak at dawn was associated with a 4.08-fold (conf. int. 3.53–4.7) increase in such interactions. The changes in glucose and superoxide dismutase concentrations varied with phenotype, while the effects of cortisol, lactate and catalase did not. In summary, the rhythmicity of locomotor activity and changes in the aggressiveness of catfish were influenced by shelter availability, and the effect of light-induced stress was more apparent in albino fish than in pigmented conspecific fish. The results suggested that laboratory-raised animals with pigmentation patterns naturally occurring in the wild show more reasonable values during experiments than those with an albino phenotype

Vliv triazinových pesticidů na ryby

Fish and crayfish are widely used as biological monitors of environmental levels of anthropogenic pollutants. The present thesis is a contribution to the assessment of the toxicity and effects of long-term effect of triazines on the different developmental stages of common carp (Cyprinus carpio L.) and adult red swamp crayfish (Procambarus clarkii). The carp was selected as a model fish due to its economic importance, e.g. carp farming contributes about 90% to total fish production in the Czech Republic. Crayfish are easily identified species representing given locality, they are widespread, and they provide a sufficient amount of tissue for individual biochemical and chemical analyses. The results of these studies provide further data on chronic exposure to triazines for consideration in risk assessment. We selected three active substances of triazine herbicides which are the most frequently detected in surface waters such as prometryne, simazine and terbutryn. The findings contribute to knowledge of the toxic potential of triazine herbicides to carp and crayfish at environmentally relevant concentrations in Czech rivers. There is a scarcity of information regarding the toxicity of triazines on freshwater organisms. During the tests we monitored several parameters: behaviour, mortality, biometric, haematological, biochemical blood, histopathology, oxidative stress and antioxidants. The data obtained from all tests performed during my thesis are very valuable for assessment and evaluation of long-term effects xenobiotics on aquatic organisms, especially fish and crayfish. In the future, I would extend the focus of my research for study of possible synergic or amplifying effect of mixtures triazines with other xenobiotics which are often found in the aquatic environment. This approach is recently accented as the aquatic environment is polluted by mixtures of different compounds. Therefore, more research is needed in order to clarify the more detailed effects of xenobiotics on non-target aquatic organisms

WATER RELATIONS IN THE GLASSHOUSE WITH THE SOLAR GRIDS

Abstract: Growth characteristic of bean plant (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) were studied in two cycles according of different optical conditions of environment during the season 2006. Plant experiment proceeded in modular glasshouse with optical rasters. Plants were cultivated front of the different colored areas, blue, orange, red and white. This work was addressed on character reflected radiance from different colored areas and differences in growth reactions of cultivate plants. Influence of different colored wall on plant growth characteristic was statistically conclusive. The observation was made weakly. Effect of radiation was statistically conclusive during measuring of transpiration intesity between individual groups. Dates given with destructive method did not prove influence of color different background on leaf area, neither overground biomass, nor on dry matter and chemical composition of plants

Factors determining soil respiration rate in herbaceous wetland ecosystem

Annotation: Soil respiration represents an important flow of CO2 between atmosphere and soil. Carbon bounded in the process of photosynthesis may be fixed in soil, but also may be released back to atmosphere in the form of CO2. An accurate evaluation of global carbon balance is a key for the estimation of future development of atmospheric concentration of CO2 and prediction of climate changes. The soil respiration of selected wetland biotopes with graminoid vegetation was studied in relation to concentration of soil carbon, nutrient availability, soil moisture and soil temperature during the vegetation season 2008. The observed wetlands included a locality located near the village of Hamr with mineral soil and the nature reserve Záblatské meadows with organic soil. Soil respiration was measured as CO2 release from soil with the use of the equipment LiCor 6400 with soil chamber. The influence of fertilizer application on CO2 release was not proved for either locality. A relationship between soil respiration and soil moisture was found on Záblatské meadows, where the CO2 release declined with increasing soil moisture

Supplementation with Sodium Selenite and Selenium-Enriched Microalgae Biomass Show Varying Effects on Blood Enzymes Activities, Antioxidant Response, and Accumulation in Common Barbel (Barbus barbus)

Yearling common barbel (Barbus barbus L.) were fed four purified casein-based diets for 6 weeks in outdoor cages. Besides control diet, these were supplemented with 0.3 mg kg−1 dw selenium (Se) from sodium selenite, or 0.3 and 1.0 mg kg−1 from Se-enriched microalgae biomass (Chlorella), a previously untested Se source for fish. Fish mortality, growth, Se accumulation in muscle and liver, and activity of selected enzymes in blood plasma, muscle, liver, and intestine were evaluated. There was no mortality, and no differences in fish growth, among groups. Se concentrations in muscle and liver, activity of alanine aminotransferase and creatine kinase in blood plasma, glutathione reductase (GR) in muscle, and GR and catalase in muscle and liver suggested that selenium from Se-enriched Chlorella is more readily accumulated and biologically active while being less toxic than sodium selenite

Cardiac profile of the Czech population of Duchenne muscular dystrophy patients: a cardiovascular magnetic resonance study with T1 mapping

Abstract Background The progressive cardiomyopathy that develops in boys with Duchenne and Becker muscular dystrophy (DMD/BMD) is presumed to be a secondary consequence of the fibrosis within the myocardium. There are only limited data on using parametric imaging in these patients. The purpose of this study was to assess native T1 and extracellular volume (ECV) values in DMD patients. Methods The Czech population of males with DMD/BMD was screened. All eligible patients fulfilling the inclusion criteria were included. Forty nine males underwent cardiac magnetic resonance (MR) examination including T1 native and post-contrast mapping measurements. One DMD patient and all BMD patients were excluded from statistical analysis. Three groups were compared – Group D1 - DMD patients without late gadolinium enhancement (LGE) (n = 23), Group D2 - DMD patients with LGE (n = 20), and Group C – gender matched controls (n = 13). Results Compared to controls, both DMD groups had prolonged T1 native relaxation time. These results are concordant in all 6 segments as well as in global values (1041 ± 31 ms and 1043 ± 37 ms vs. 983 ± 15 ms, both p < 0.05). Group D2 had significantly increased global ECV (0.28 ± 0.044 vs. 0.243 ± 0.013, p < 0.05) and segmental ECV in inferolateral and anterolateral segments in comparison with controls. The results were also significant after adjustment for subjects’ age. Conclusion DMD males had increased native T1 relaxation time independent of the presence or absence of myocardial fibrosis. Cardiac MR may provide clinically useful information even without contrast media administration

Antropogenní tlaky na stav půd‚ vodní zdroje a vodní ekosystémy v české části mezinárodního povodí Labe:Výzkum vlivu polutantů přítomných ve vodním prostředí na ryby

Projekt se zabývá vlivem běžných komunálních zdrojů znečištění na vodní prostředí. Získal data charakterizující kontaminci vodních ekosystémů vybranými biologicky aktivními látkami nad a pod vytipovanými zdroji komunálního znečištění a hodnotil jejich vliv na indikátorové organismy - ryby. Je uvedeno vyhodnocení souvislostí mezi výskytem vybraných polutantů ve vodním prostředí a biologickými změnami u indikátorů organismů v laboratorních i přírodních podmínkách