Boundedness properties in function spaces

Some boundedness properties of function spaces (considered as topological groups) are studied.Comment: 10 pages; Quaestiones Mathematicae, accepte

The Physiology and Proteomics of Drought Tolerance in Maize: Early Stomatal Closure as a Cause of Lower Tolerance to Short-Term Dehydration?

Understanding the response of a crop to drought is the first step in the breeding of tolerant genotypes. In our study, two maize (Zea mays L.) genotypes with contrasting sensitivity to dehydration were subjected to moderate drought conditions. The subsequent analysis of their physiological parameters revealed a decreased stomatal conductance accompanied by a slighter decrease in the relative water content in the sensitive genotype. In contrast, the tolerant genotype maintained open stomata and active photosynthesis, even under dehydration conditions. Drought-induced changes in the leaf proteome were analyzed by two independent approaches, 2D gel electrophoresis and iTRAQ analysis, which provided compatible but only partially overlapping results. Drought caused the up-regulation of protective and stress-related proteins (mainly chaperones and dehydrins) in both genotypes. The differences in the levels of various detoxification proteins corresponded well with the observed changes in the activities of antioxidant enzymes. The number and levels of up-regulated protective proteins were generally lower in the sensitive genotype, implying a reduced level of proteosynthesis, which was also indicated by specific changes in the components of the translation machinery. Based on these results, we propose that the hypersensitive early stomatal closure in the sensitive genotype leads to the inhibition of photosynthesis and, subsequently, to a less efficient synthesis of the protective/detoxification proteins that are associated with drought tolerance

MED40/472: A WWW Multimedia Textbook of Internal Propedeutics

INTRODUCTION: Traditional ways of teaching techniques of physical examinations in the first clinical courses are rather demanding in terms of teacher involvement and a pool of patients suitable for demonstrations. For a long time, various audio-visual tools have been used to save teachers' and students' time and patients' patience. The modern technology of WWW publishing of multimedia allows good access to such teaching materials - and there already exist several collections of heart sounds, breath sounds etc. The aim of our project is to design and set up a comprehensive multimedia textbook of internal propedeutics that would present various physiological and pathological findings (auscultation, inspection, basic imaging) in the context of diagnostic patient investigation - the status praesens - as it is taught in the first clinical courses. METHODS: Unlike classical textbooks, hypertext presentation allows to ogranize the material into several structures - reflecting various approaches: systemic (digestive, cardiovascular etc.) approach, nosological, differential diagnoses, etc. To identify and implement the various useful approaches is the most difficult part of the task. The accompanying illustrative material is being prepared with the use of modern technologies - digital camera, scanner, video-camera and digitizer, digital audio recording, etc. RESULTS: In the first year of the project, the skeleton of the multimedia presentation is being constructed - corresponding to the various approaches to the subject. Concurrently, suitable illustrative material is being gathered from cases of the Internal Clinic. Various existing WWW presentations dealing with heart and breath sounds and other relevant investigations have been searched and listed. DISCUSSION: Experience and feedback from other projects of this type confirm that a rather elaborate logical and technical construction of multimedia textbooks is rewarded by a good acceptance by both students and teachers. Good access to Internet, sufficient for multimedia transfers, however, is a necessary prerequisite. Internal propedeutics is a very suitable field for internet-based multimedia textbooks: instant access to audio and video recordings is much welcome in development of clinical skills. The project is supported by a grant of the Czech Universities Development Fund

Meloxicam, a Cyclooxygenase-2 Inhibitor, Stimulates Myelopoiesis in Irradiated Mice Via Induction of G-CSF

Meloxicam, a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug acting on the principle of cyclooxygenase-2 inhibition and having an improved side-effect profile in terms of the gastrointestinal toxicity, has been found to stimulate hematopoiesis in whole-body sub-lethally or mid-lethally gamma-irradiated mice. Studies on mechanisms of the hematopoiesis-stimulating action of meloxicam have revealed elevated serum levels of granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) within the interval of 24 hours after the administration of the drug. Induction of production of G-CSF may be, thus, supposed to be at least partially responsible for the observed beneficial effects of meloxicam in mice with radiation-induced myelosuppression. This work was supported by the Grant Agency of the Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic (Grant No. 1QS500040507)