12-O-Tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate increases cardiomyogenesis through PKC/ERK signaling

12-O-Tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA) is the most widely used diacylglycerol (DAG) mimetic agent and inducer of protein kinase C (PKC)-mediated cellular response in biomedical studies. TPA has been proposed as a pluripotent cell differentiation factor, but results obtained have been inconsistent. In the present study we show that TPA can be applied as a cardiomyogenesis-promoting factor for the differentiation of mouse embryonic stem (mES) cells in vitro. The mechanism of TPA action is mediated by the induction of extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) activity and the subsequent phosphorylation of GATA4 transcription factor. Interestingly, general mitogens (FGF, EGF, VEGF and serum) or canonical WNT signalling did not mimic the effect of TPA. Moreover, on the basis of our results, we postulate that a TPA-sensitive population of cardiac progenitor cells exists at a certain time point (after days 6–8 of the differentiation protocol) and that the proposed treatment can be used to increase the multiplication of ES cell-derived cardiomyocytes. © 2020, The Author(s).Czech Science FoundationGrant Agency of the Czech Republic [18-18235S]; Faculty of Science of Masaryk University [MUNI/A/1145/2017]; Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports of the Czech Republic (MEYS CR) [LQ1605

Export promotion activities of CzechTrade with a view to India

This bachelor thesis characterises activities of CzechTrade that help Czech exporters to break into foreign markets and concretely to India. The first chapter is concerned with the theory of export promotion policy, it describes mostly its instruments and institutions. The second chapter is dedicated to CzechTrade and services that are provided. The third chapter describes the territory of India, the development of bilateral relations and trade with the Czech Republic and perspectives, that Indian market brings to Czech exporters. The last part of the work is concerned with CzechTrade's international offices and concretely with the Indian office in Bombay. It mentions the most requested services for this territory and some examples of companies that succeeded in India

The use of logistics in international trade on the example of chosen logistics company

This diploma thesis deals with the logistics and its use in international trade, which is applied to the example of chosen logistics provider- the company ČD Cargo, a leading Czech rail carrier. The aim of the thesis is to characterize the logistics company and the services that provides, to analyze its activity and summarize its operation on the market. The first chapter deals with the logistics and specific types of logistics providers. The second chapter is devoted to mostly provided logistics services in international trade. The next chapter deals with transportation, main modes of transport and transport market in the Czech Republic, because the transportation is the major activity of the chosen company. The fourth chapter is closer focused on ČD Cargo, its foundation and mostly the services that the company provides to its customers. The last part of the thesis analyzes the position of ČD Cargo on the transport market and its activity in individual years of its operation

Inovacijski vodje, skromni inovatorji in neinovativna mala in srednje velika podjetja na Slovaškem

Background and Purpose: The field of innovation represents for small and medium enterprises (SMEs) a fundamental challenge. If the number of innovative SMEs is to rise, it is necessary to identify key factors determining their innovation activity and eliminate the innovation barriers. The main purpose of the paper is to present the results of primary research focused on identification (evaluation) of key factors and barriers determining innovation activities in Slovak SMEs. The division of SMEs into three groups of enterprises: innovation leaders, modest innovators and non-innovators enables to identify the differences in managers’ perception of the main factors and barriers determining innovation activities in various types of SMEs and to formulate policy implications for Slovak SMEs. Design/Methodology/Approach: Results of the empirical research were processed using MS Excel and the statistical analysis of the data in R3.2.4. statistical system was done. For statistical tests we assumed significance level (α = 0.1). Results: Evaluating the importance of the key factors a majority of enterprises (64.71%) indicated financial resources as the most important factor for the innovations. There is no statistically significant difference in individual (analysed) factors between innovation leaders, non-innovators and innovation followers (modest innovators). The results gained from Fisher exact test (p-value = 0.11) indicated a small difference in evaluating the significance of individual barriers between innovation leaders, non-innovators and modest innovators. Majority of enterprises also see as the main barriers to develop innovation activities bureaucracy and corruption and inappropriate state support of innovation activities. Conclusion: The main implications (conclusion) coming from the research are basic recommendations for state policy makers as well as SME’s managers to foster innovation activities in enterprises. They refer to the areas of financial resources, high-quality human resources, cooperation and participation of SMEs in different networks and clusters, systematic institutional support to SMEs, well-created vision and clearly formulated aims, and willingness of enterprises to innovate. Recommendations are summarised following the results of factor’s and barrier’s evaluation.Ozadje in namen: Področje inovacij predstavlja temeljni izziv za mala in srednje velika podjetja (MSP). Da bi lahko povečali število inovativnih MSP, moramo opredeliti ključne dejavnike, ki določajo njihovo inovacijsko dejavnost in odpravijo inovacijske ovire. Glavni namen prispevka je predstaviti rezultate raziskave, osredotočene na identifikacijo in oceno ključnih dejavnikov in ovir inovacijske dejavnosti v MSP. Ta podjetja smo klasificirali v tri skupine: inovacijski voditelji, skromni inovatorji in neinovatorji, kar omogoča prepoznati razlike v mnenjih menedžerjev o glavnih de­javnikih in ovirah, ki vplivajo na inovacijske dejavnosti v različnih vrstah malih in srednje velikih podjetij, in oblikovati smernice posledice za slovaška MSP. Zasnova / metodologija / pristop: Zbrane empirične podatke smo obdelali z MS Excel in s statističnim paketom R3.2.4. Pri statističnih testih smo privzeli raven pomembnost (α = 0,1). Rezultati: Večina podjetij (64,71%) je kot najpomembnejši dejavnik inovativnosti navedla finančna sredstva. Med (analiziranimi) posameznimi dejavniki med inovativnimi voditelji, skromnimi inovatorji in neinovatorji nismo ugotovili statistično značilnih razlik. Rezultati, pridobljeni s Fisherjevim testom (p-vrednost = 0.11), kažejo majhno razliko pri vrednotenju pomena posameznih ovir med vodilnimi inovatorji, neinovatorji in skromnimi inovatorji. Večina podjetij meni, da so nadaljnje glavne ovire pri birokracija in korupcija na področju inovacijskih dejavnosti ter neustrezna državna podpora inovacijskim dejavnostim. Zaključek: Iz raziskave izhajajo osnovna priporočila za snovalce državnih politik, pa tudi za mala in srednja pod­jetja, da spodbujajo inovacijske dejavnosti v podjetjih. Nanašajo se na področje finančnih virov, visokokakovostnih človeških virov, sodelovanje in udeležbo MSP v različnih omrežjih in grozdih, sistematično institucionalna podpora MSP, dobro oblikovano vizija in jasno oblikovane cilje in pripravljenost podjetij na inovacije

The knowledge and use of the balanced scorecard method in businesses in the Slovak republic

The Balanced Scorecard method (BSC) has emerged since the late 1990s (as proposed by Kaplan and Norton) as one of the most successful concepts in the fi eld of strategic performance management. It has evolved from its early use as a simple performance measurement framework to a full strategic planning and management system. Balanced Scorecard is used by many successful businesses all around the world. Main aim of the paper is to present the results of primary research focused on detecting the current state of the knowledge and use of the Balanced Scorecard method in businesses in the Slovak Republic. In the fi rst part of the paper is presented the essence of the BSC method, formulated are the main benefi ts connected with the Balanced Scorecard implementation into the strategic management of the businesses. These benefi ts are defi ned according to the content analysis of domestic and foreign literature. Following the goal of the article next part presents the results of the empirical research based on the questionnaire survey. Results are connected with the evaluation of the six hypothesis defi ned in regard of the established goal of the paper. Formulated will be presumptions to improve the state of utilizing the BSC method by Slovak businesses. For the fulfi lment of settled objectives we have used several scientifi c methods of examination, namely the method of analysis, synthesis, induction, deduction, abstraction, generalisation as well as statistical methods

Innovation Leaders, Modest Innovators and Non-innovative SMEs in Slovakia: Key Factors and Barriers of Innovation Activity

Background and Purpose: The field of innovation represents for small and medium enterprises (SMEs) a fundamental challenge. If the number of innovative SMEs is to rise, it is necessary to identify key factors determining their innovation activity and eliminate the innovation barriers. The main purpose of the paper is to present the results of primary research focused on identification (evaluation) of key factors and barriers determining innovation activities in Slovak SMEs. The division of SMEs into three groups of enterprises: innovation leaders, modest innovators and non-innovators enables to identify the differences in managers’ perception of the main factors and barriers determining innovation activities in various types of SMEs and to formulate policy implications for Slovak SMEs