Segmentation of retinal blood vessels in 3D images from optical coherence tomography

Práce je věnována teoretickému seznámení se s optickou koherentní tomografií, strukturou oka a sítnice a možnostmi segmentace cév sítnice ve snímcích z OCT. Dále práce se zabývá segmentací vrstev sítnice pomocí programu OCTSEG, které jsou důležité pro segmentování cév. Následně jsou pomocí čtyř různých algoritmů využívajících průměr, medián, minima a maxima, vytvořeny 2D projekce cév v zájmové vrstvě sítnice. Jako zájmová vrstva jsou zvoleny vrstvy sítnice, ve kterých jsou nejpatrnější stíny cév. Tato oblast byla segmentována programem OCTSEG. V projekcích jsou následně segmentovány cévy a výsledky jsou porovnány. Nejpřesnější detekce se dosáhlo z projekcí vytvořených metodou maxim. Ve druhém případě byla úspěšnější detekce uvažující složku pozadí.The thesis deals with optical coherence tomography theory, eye and retinal structure and possibilities of retinal blood vessel segmentation in OCT scans. Further the segmentation of retinal layers used for blood vessels segmentation by OCTSEG application is shown. In the end 2D projections in the chosen layer of retinal blood vessels by different algorithms using mean, median, minimums and maximums in which are later segmented blood vessels are made and the results are compared. The best detection of blood vessels is in 2D projections made by algorithm using maximums. In the second case was better results of detection including background noise.

Bussines Plan

Diplomová práce se zaměřuje na vytvoření podnikatelského plánu pro nový projekt Centra sportovních aktivit VUT v Brně. Ananlyzuje současný stav a to z hlediska interního i externího prostředí. Obsahuje návrh na realizaci projektu "Firemní sport" a to v oblasti nákladů i marketingové realizace.This diploma thesis is focused on creating a business plan for the new project of BTU Centre od Sports Activities. It analyzes the current situation from the view of internal ana external environment. It contains proposal for the realization of the project "Sport for firms and companies" mainly focused on costs and marketing strategy.

Ruthenium-based nanoparticles and testing of their anticancer activity

Nádorová onemocnění zaujímají celosvětově druhé místo v nejčastějších příčinách úmrtí. K jejich léčbě se nejčastěji využívají různé kombinace chirurgického zákroku, chemoterapie, radiační terapie, hormonální terapie, imunoterapie a cílené léčby. V poslední době se do popředí dostává nanomedicína, která se uplatňuje zejména při cílené léčbě a chemoterapii, a je založená na nových typech komplexů v nanoměřítku. Tyto komplexy by měly mít vyšší účinnost vůči nádorovým buňkám, a přitom nezatěžovat a nepoškozovat organismus. V rámci práce byly syntetizovány 12–14 nm velké rutheniové částice s povrchem potaženým polyvinylpyrolidonem Následně byly modifikovány pomocí polyoxyethylen(40)stearátu pro umožnění navázání doxorubicinu. Cytotoxicita nanočástic byla testována na buňkách karcinomu prsu (buněčná linie MDA-MB-231), IC50=0,98 g/ml, karcinomu vaječníku (buněčná linie A2780), IC50=3,91 g/ml a neuroblastomu (buněčná linie UKF-NB-4), IC50=1,95 g/ml. Testování apoptózy a nekrózy prokázalo, při použití rutheniových nanočástic modifikovaných doxorubicinem ve srovnání s rutheniovými nanočásticemi, nárůst apoptózy o 60—64 %. Modifikace rutheniových nanočástic mírně zvýšila genotoxicitu částic vůči nemaligním buňkám, významně míru oxidačního stresu a výrazně zlepšila hemokompatibilitu. Testování prokázalo zvýšenou citlivost vůči nádorové tkáni a očekávanou protinádorovou aktivitu. Byla také prokázána vyšší toxicita takto modifikovaných nanočástic vůči buněčným liniím A2780, MDA-MB-231 a UKF-NB-4 než je toxicita jednoho z nejčastěji používaných cytotoxických léčiv cisplatiny (IC50=21 µg/ml pro A2780, IC50=9 µg/ml pro MDA-MB-231 a pro UKF-NB-4 IC50=4 µg/ml).Neoplastic diseases hold the second place of the most common causes of death worldwide. Available treatments include various combinations of surgery, chemotherapy, radiation, hormone therapy, immune therapy and targeted therapy. The emphasis is currently laid on nanomedicine, where new nanosized complexes are developed and applied for the targeted treatment and chemotherapy. The aim is to significantly improve the anticancer effect and decrease the damage to organism. In this thesis, ruthenium nanoparticles with a size of 12–14 nm were synthesized and their surface modified with polyvinylpyrrolidone. Furthermore these were subsequently modified with polyoxyethylene(40)stearate for binding of doxorubicin. These nanoparticles were tested on breast carcinoma cells (MDA-MB-231), ovarian carcinoma cells (A2780) and neuroblastoma cells (UKF-NB-4). Apoptosis and necrosis testing showed 60—64 % increase in apoptosis when comparing ruthenium nanoparticles modified with doxorubicin to nonmodified ruthenium nanoparticles. The modification increased level of oxidative stress in tumorous cells and slightly a genotoxicity to non-tumorous cells, nevertheless the hemocompatibility was significantly improved. Testing has proven with IC50 0.98 g/ml, 3.91 g/ml and 1.95 g/ml higher sensitivity to these cells and confirmed expected anticancer activity. Compared to one of the most common chemotherapeutic agents cisplatin the modified ruthenium nanoparticles are significantly more toxic to cell lines A2780 (IC50=21 µg/ml), MDA-MB-231 (IC50=9 µg/ml) and UKF-NB-4 (IC50=4 µg/ml).

Methods for calculating economic weights of traits in pigs

Selection of animals is performed on the basis of a complex of traits, which are characterised by breeding values and economic weights. Various methodologies are used to choose the most important traits in pig breeding programs. Using the subjective approach, economic importance of pig traits were based on the required genetic gain and on subjective decision of the breeders. These methods could be ambiguous, however the insufficient information about the trait importance can be complemented in some cases (e.g. for organic pig farms). In objective methods, the performance of a pig production system (measured as profit or costs) in relation to improving the genetic level of a pig trait is considered. Compared to other livestock species, pigs breeding structure play some role when defining the trait economic weights. The general, flexible and fee available computer program would be useful tool for calculating economic weights of pig traits

A main factors affecting average number of teats in pigs

The influence of factors (breed, year and season of farrowing, herd, parity order, sire of litter, total number of born piglets - TNB, number of piglets born alive - NBA, number of weaned piglets - NW, and linear and quadratic regression) on the number of teats, found for all piglets in the litter till ten days after born, expressed as arithmetic mean for each litter as sum of all teats number of each piglet in appropriate litter divided by number of piglets in this litter at first litter (ANT1) and second and subsequent litters (ANT2+) were analysed. The coefficient of determination was 0.46 and 0.33 for ANT1 and ANT2+, respectively. The statistically high influence (P<0.001) on ANT1 and ANT2+ was determined for year and season of farrowing, herd, parity order (only for ANT2+) and sire of litter effects. Impact of breed was found only on ANT2+ (P<0.001). The rest of factors have negligible of no impact on traits.  Based on the data available for analyses, obtained results will serve as a relevant set-up in developing the model for genetic evaluation for these traits

Breeding Objectives of Dam Pig Breeds of the Czech National Breeding Program Based on Reproduction Traits

Reproduction traits as total number of piglets born (TNB), piglets alive born (PBA), piglets weaned (NW) and farrowing interval (FI) play important role in dam pig breeds. Main aim of the study was to calculate economic weights and consequently to estimate the genetic and economic selection response on PBA and FI within the Czech dam population of pigs. PBA and FI were defined in the aggregate genotype and the estimated breeding values (EBV) of four traits (TNB, PBA, NW and FI) were assumed as the candidate traits for construction of the index. Four variants of reproduction selection index A) based on PBA and FI, index B - based on PBA, NW, FI and the indices C) and D) based on four reproduction traits with different proportion of traits were taken into account. Economic weight of traits calculated by the bio-economic model were 23.57 € and -3.52 € for PBA and FI, respectively. The highest genetic (0.180 piglet born alive and 0.00 days of FI per year, respectively) and economic (10.05 € and 0.00 € per year for PBA and FI, respectively) response on selection was calculated in index C. The Spearman’s rank correlation coefficients between indices A to D and for top 1%, 2%, 5% and 10% of animals were close to one (0.978 – 0.994) and significant

POPULATION ANALYSIS OF THE LOCAL ENDANGERED PŘEŠTICE BLACK-PIED PIG BREED

The pedigree analysis of the local endangered Přeštice Black-Pied pig breed (n=19 289) was performed. Animals born within the period 2012-2014 were assumed as the reference population (n=1 374). The pedigree completeness index reached 100% for four generations back. The 100 % of the genetic pool was explained by 66 ancestors. Although all animals of the reference population were inbred, 57% of them had inbreeding less than five percent. Average inbreeding, co-ancestry coefficient and rate of inbreeding reached 4.93%, 13.48% and 1.29% in reference population, respectively. The effective population size calculated by four different methods varied from 32 to 91 animals in 2014. Average generation interval, average family size for sire and dam parents was 2.5, 17.46 and 6.5 animals, respectively. Total number of founders, effective number of founders, effective number of founders’ genomes and effective number of non-founders genomes reached values 299, 98.05, 21.92 and 28.23 founders, respectively. The average genetic diversity (GD) loss was 13.71% in reference population. The GD loss has increased within the last three year period mainly due to the random genetic drift (77.6%) and by unequal contribution of founders (22.4%). The Preštice Black-Pied breed is highly endangered with GD loss. Mating of closely related animals has to be prevented in breeding and mating program of this breed

Bussines Plan

This diploma thesis is focused on creating a business plan for the new project of BTU Centre od Sports Activities. It analyzes the current situation from the view of internal ana external environment. It contains proposal for the realization of the project "Sport for firms and companies" mainly focused on costs and marketing strategy

Memorial and memory in the Czech Republic after November 1989

This thesis deals with contemporary monumental and memorial production in the Czech Republic and focuses specifically on the theoretical side of the monumental genre. The first part systematically summarizes foreign research outcomes in the examined field, shows some concrete examples from abroad, and reflects the most progressive trends in today's world monumental production. The second part focuses on the Czech background. It is based on the previous theoretical findings and uses three different case studies to illustrate the core aspects of the monumental issue. The case studies deal with the Prague Memorial to the Victims of Communism by Olbram Zoubek, the Liberec Memorial to the Fighters and Fallen for the Country's Freedom by the artistic trio Stolín - Stolín - Mitášová, and the Rožnov Memorial to the Victims of the First and Second World War by Václav Fiala. Exemplary analysis is used for a more detailed description of the social, political, and esthetical context of the creation of the examined memorials, with a special emphasis on their potential to preserve historical memory. The aim of this thesis is to contribute to the creation of a theoretical basis for the contemporary thinking about the monumental genre

Genetics of feed intake traits in Czech Large White pig population

Submitted 2020-07-08 | Accepted 2020-08-15 | Available 2020-12-01https://doi.org/10.15414/afz.2020.23.mi-fpap.217-223Feed represents a substantial proportion of the variable costs of pig production. Feed efficiency is traditionally expressed as the feed conversion ratio (FCR) and more recently as residual feed intake (RFI). Although feed efficiency can be generally improved indirectly by selection for increased growth rate and decreased adipose tissue, a higher genetic response could be achieved through direct selection of feed intake traits. The aim of this study was to provide a pilot analysis of feed intake data of 281 Czech Large White boars. Data were recorded individually using the Feed Intake Recording Equipment in field performance testing from 2018 to 2020. The analysed feed intake traits were average daily feed intake (ADFI), FCR and RFI. RFI was calculated as the deviation of observed ADFI and average population ADFI predicted on the basis of the model, with mid-test metabolic weight and average daily gain as regressors. The heritability estimates were 0.35 and 0.34 for ADFI and FCR, respectively, and the estimate was slightly higher (0.43) for RFI. The genetic standard deviations ranged from 100 to 110 g of feed per day and 103 g of feed per kg of weight gain. The amounts of explained variability by environmental effects of jointly tested animals were from 0.20 to 0.46. The sufficient amount of genetic variability and moderate heritability estimates give the possibility for selection of feed intake traits, although a larger number of animals will be essential to estimate more precise breeding values.Keywords: animal breeding, pig selection, genetic parameters, feed conversion ratio, residual feed intakeReferencesCai, W. & Casey, D.S. & Dekkers, J.C.M. (2008). Selection response and genetic parameters for residual feed intake in Yorkshire swine. Journal of Animal Science, 86, 287–98. https://doi.org/10.2527/jas.2007-0396Do, D.N. & Strathe, A. B. & Jensen, J. & Mark, T. & Kadarmideen, H.N. (2013). Genetic parameters for different measures of feed efficiency and related traits in boars of three pig breeds. Journal of Animal Science, 91, 4069-4079. doi: 10.2527/jas.2012-6197. https://doi.org/10.2527/jas.2012-6197Gilbert, H.& Bidanel, J.P. & Gruand, J. & Caritez, J.C. & Billon, Y. & Guillouet, P. & Lagant, H. & Noblet, J. & Sellier, P. (2007). Genetic parameters for residual feed intake in growing pigs, with emphasis on genetic relationships with carcass and meat quality traits. Journal of Animal Science, 85, 3182–3188. https://doi.org/10.2527/jas.2006-590Gilbert H. & Bidanel, J.P. & Billon, Y. & Lagant, H. & Guillouet, P. & Sellier, P.J. & Noblet J. & Hermesch, S. (2012). Correlated responses in sow appetite, residual feed intake, body composition, and reproduction after divergent selection for residual feed intake in the growing pig. Journal of Animal Science, 90, 1097–1108. https://doi.org/10.2527/jas.2011-4515Gilbert, H. & Bilon, Y. & Brossard, L. & Faure, J. & Gatellier, P. & Gondret, F. & Labussiere, E. & Lebret, B. & Lefaucheur, L. & Le Floch, N. & Louveau, I. & Merlot, E. & Meunier-Salaün, M.C., Montagne, L. & Mormede, P. & Renaudeau, D.& Riquet, J. & Rogel-Gaillard, C. & van Milgen, J. & Vincent, A. & Noblet, J. (2017). Review: divergent selection for residual feed intake in the growing pig. Animal, 11(9), 1427–1439. https://doi.org/10.1017/S175173111600286XGroeneveld, E. & Kovač, M. & Mielenz, N. (2008). VCE User’s Guide and Reference Manual, Version 6.0. Available from ftp://ftp.tzv.fal.de/pub/latest_vce/doc/ (accessed Aug 1, 2011).Hoque, M. A. & Kadowaki, H. & Shibata, T. & Oikawa, T. & Suzuki, K. (2009). Genetic parameters for measures of residual feed intake and growth traits in seven generations of Duroc pigs. Livestock Science, 121, 45–49. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.livsci.2008.05.016Hoque, M.A. & Suzuki, K. (2009). Genetics of residual feed intake in cattle and pigs: A review. Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Science, 22, 747-755. https://www.ajas.info/upload/pdf/22-101.pdfJiao, S. & Maltecca,C. & Gray, K.A. & J. P. Cassady (2014). Feed intake, average daily gain, feed efficiency, and real-time ultrasound traits in Duroc pigs: I. Genetic parameter estimation and accuracy of genomic prediction. Journal of Animal Science, 92, 2377–2386. https://doi.org/10.2527/jas.2013-7338Kadarmideen, H. N. & Schworer, D. & Ilahi, H. & Malek, M. & Hofer, A. (2004). Genetics of osteochondral disease and its relationship with meat quality and quantity, growth, and feed conversion traits in pigs. Journal of Animal Science, 82, 3118–3127. https://doi.org/10.2527/2004.82113118xKennedy, B. W. & van der Werf, J. H. & Meuwissen. T. H. (1993). Genetic and statistical properties of residual feed intake. Journal of Animal Science, 71, 3239–3250. https://doi.org/10.2527/1993.71123239xKoch, R. M. & Swiger, L. A. & Chambers, D. & Gregory, K.E. (1963). Efficiency of feed use in beef cattle. Journal of Animal Science, 22(2):486–94. https://doi.org/10.2527/jas1963.222486xKrupa E, Wolfová M, Krupová Z, Žáková E. (2020). Estimation of economic weights for number of teats and sperm quality traits in pigs. Journal of Animal Breeding and Genetics, 137, 189–199. https://doi.org/10.1111/jbg.12437Naou, T. & Le Floc’h, N. & Louveau, I. & Gilbert, H. & Gondret, F. (2012). Metabolic changes and tissue responses to selection on residual feed intake in growing pigs. Journal of Animal Science, 90, 4771–4780. https://doi.org/10.2527/jas.2012-5226Neumaier, A. & Groeneveld, E. (1998). Restricted maximum likelihood estimation of covariances in sparse linear models. Genetic Selection Evolution, 30, 3-26. https://doi.org/10.1186/1297-9686-30-1-3Patience, J. F. & Rossoni-Serão, M.C. & Gutiérrez, N.A. (2015). A review of feed efficiency in swine: biology and application. Journal of Animal Science and Biotechnology, 6, 33. 10.1186/s40104-015-0031-2Rauw, W.M. & Soler, J. & Tibau, J. & Reixach, J. & Gomez Raya, L. (2006). The relationship between residual feed intake and feed intake behavior in group-housed Duroc barrows. Journal of Animal Science, 84, 956–962. https://doi.org/10.2527/2006.844956xSaintilan, I. & Mérour, L. & Brossard, T. & Tribout, J.Y. & Dourmad,P. & Sellier, J. & Bidanel, J. & van Milgen,J. & Gilbert, H. (2013). Genetics of residual feed intake in growing pigs: Relationships with production traits, and nitrogen and phosphorus excretion traits. Journal of Animal Science, 91, 2542–2554. https://doi.org/10.2527/jas.2012-5687SAS Institute Inc. (2008). Release 9.2 of the SAS® System for Microsoft® Windows®. SAS Institute, Inc., Cary, USA.Strathe, A.B. & Mark, T. & Nielsen, B. & Do, D. N. & Kadarmideen, H. N. & Jensen, J. (2014). Deriving genomic breeding values for residual feed intake from covariance functions of random regression models. In: Proceedings, 10th World Congress of Genetics Applied to Livestock Production.