The Kalevala as a Source of Inspiration for J. R. R. Tolkien

Tato diplomová práce se zabývá vlivem Kalevaly a finštiny na anglického spisovatele Johna Ronalda Reuela Tolkiena a jeho tvorbu. Hlavním cílem je podat co nejkomplexnější popis toho, jak Kalevala Tolkiena ovlivnila. V úvodní části je představen kontext Kalevaly, role Eliase Lönnrota při jejím vzniku a její význam, následně pak Tolkien, jeho dílo a objev Kalevaly. Hlavní část práce se věnuje Tolkienově kalevalské inspiraci, a to ze tří různých hledisek. V první řadě se jedná o vliv finštiny na quenijštinu, jeden z Tolkienových fiktivních jazyků. Zadruhé jde o to, jak Kalevala Tolkiena ovlivnila na obecné úrovni - zásadní je zejména vliv Lönnrotovy role, kalevalské mytologie, některých abstraktních kalevalských aspektů v čele s významem zpěvu a struktury Kalevaly. Zatřetí jde pak o Tolkienovu inspiraci Kalevalou na konkrétní úrovni. Zde je významné především to, jak Tolkiena ovlivnil kalevalský hrdina Väinämöinen a příběh o sampu.This master's thesis deals with the influence of The Kalevala and the Finnish language on the English writer John Ronald Reuel Tolkien and his work. The main purpose is to provide a possibly most complex description of The Kalevala's influence on Tolkien. Firstly, the background of The Kalevala, the role of Elias Lönnrot during its birth and its importance, and secondly, Tolkien, his work and his discovery of The Kalevala are introduced. The main part of the thesis focuses on Tolkien's inspiration by The Kalevala out of three different perspectives. The first one is the influence of the Finnish language on Quenya, one of Tolkien's fictional languages. The second one is The Kalevala's importance for Tolkien from a general point of view - especially the influence of Lönnrot's role, The Kalevala's mythology, several abstract aspects of The Kalevala led by the importance of singing and The Kalevala's structure is crucial. The third one is Tolkien's inspiration by The Kalevala from a concrete point of view. Particularly the importance of The Kalevala's character Väinämöinen and the story of the Sampo is significant here.Ústav germánských studiíInstitute of Germanic StudiesFaculty of ArtsFilozofická fakult

Combined Inhibition of Soluble Epoxide Hydrolase and Renin-Angiotensin System Exhibits Superior Renoprotection to Renin-Angiotensin System Blockade in 5/6 Nephrectomized Ren-2 Transgenic Hypertensive Rats with Established Chronic Kidney Disease

Background/Aims: We found recently that increasing renal epoxyeicosatrienoic acids (EETs) levels by blocking soluble epoxide hydrolase (sEH), an enzyme responsible for EETs degradation, shows renoprotective actions and retards the progression of chronic kidney disease (CKD) in Ren-2 transgenic hypertensive rats (TGR) after 5/6 renal ablation (5/6 NX). This prompted us to examine if additional protection is provided when sEH inhibitor is added to the standard renin-angiotensin system (RAS) blockade, specifically in rats with established CKD. Methods: For RAS blockade, an angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor along with an angiotensin II type receptor blocker was used. RAS blockade was compared to sEH inhibition added to the RAS blockade. Treatments were initiated 6 weeks after 5/6 NX in TGR and the follow-up period was 60 weeks. Results: Combined RAS and sEH blockade exhibited additional positive impact on the rat survival rate, further reduced albuminuria, further reduced glomerular and tubulointerstitial injury, and attenuated the decline in creatinine clearance when compared to 5/6 NX TGR subjected to RAS blockade alone. These additional beneficial actions were associated with normalization of the intrarenal EETs deficient and a further reduction of urinary angiotensinogen excretion. Conclusion: This study provides evidence that addition of pharmacological inhibition of sEH to RAS blockade in 5/6 NX TGR enhances renoprotection and retards progression of CKD, notably, when applied at an advanced stage

Hypertensive organ injury on the basic of 5/6 nephrectomy in REN2 transgenic rats

Hypertension is a major determinant of rate of progression of CKD. Treatment of systemic hypertension is now generally accepted as the most important clinical strategy to slow the progression of CKD to ESRD. Renin-angiotensin (RAS) and endothelin (ET) systems are important contributors to the pathogenesis of hypertension. The interaction between the RAS and ET systems also plays a crucial role in the development of hypertension- associated end-organ damage. Antihypertensive drugs that block the renin-angiotensin system (RAS) are now believed to provide class- specific renoprotective actions beyond their blood pressure lowering effects. Our first study was performed to compare the organ-protective effects of a RAS-dependent and a RAS-independent antihypertensive therapy in heterozygous (mRen-2)27 transgenic rats (TGR) after 5/6 renal ablation (5/6 NX). Normotensive transgene-negative Hannover Sprague-Dawley (HanSD) rats after 5/6 NX served as controls. RAS-dependent and -independent antihypertensive therapies induced equal reductions of BP and almost identical cardio- and renoprotective effects on the progression of CKD after 5/6 NX, in both HanSD and TGR. These findings suggest that the cardio- and reno-protection, at least in rats after 5/6 NX, is mainly mediated through BP- dependent mechanisms...

Kullervo as a Source of Inspiration for J. R. R. Tolkien

This bachelor thesis deals with the influence of the story of Kullervo in the Kalevala on the English writer John Ronald Reuel Tolkien and his work. Firstly, the background of the birth of the Kalevala and the role of Elias Lönnrot during its creation are briefly mentioned. Secondly, Tolkien and his relationship towards the Kalevala and the Finnish language are introduced. The main part of the thesis focuses on the story of Kullervo in the Kalevala, especially as a source of inspiration for Tolkien and two of his works. The first one is The Story of Kullervo: Tolkien's unfinished attempt to retell the story itself, the other one is his own story of Túrin Turambar called The Children of Húrin. Both of these Tolkien's works are compared to the Kalevala story of Kullervo. The main purpose of the thesis is to show that Tolkien's inspiration by the story of Kullervo was crucial for his work. Keywords Kullervo, Tolkien, The Children of Húrin, Túrin Turambar, Kalevala, The Story of Kullervo

Hypertensive organ injury on the basic of 5/6 nephrectomy in REN2 transgenic rats

Hypertension is a major determinant of rate of progression of CKD. Treatment of systemic hypertension is now generally accepted as the most important clinical strategy to slow the progression of CKD to ESRD. Renin-angiotensin (RAS) and endothelin (ET) systems are important contributors to the pathogenesis of hypertension. The interaction between the RAS and ET systems also plays a crucial role in the development of hypertension- associated end-organ damage. Antihypertensive drugs that block the renin-angiotensin system (RAS) are now believed to provide class- specific renoprotective actions beyond their blood pressure lowering effects. Our first study was performed to compare the organ-protective effects of a RAS-dependent and a RAS-independent antihypertensive therapy in heterozygous (mRen-2)27 transgenic rats (TGR) after 5/6 renal ablation (5/6 NX). Normotensive transgene-negative Hannover Sprague-Dawley (HanSD) rats after 5/6 NX served as controls. RAS-dependent and -independent antihypertensive therapies induced equal reductions of BP and almost identical cardio- and renoprotective effects on the progression of CKD after 5/6 NX, in both HanSD and TGR. These findings suggest that the cardio- and reno-protection, at least in rats after 5/6 NX, is mainly mediated through BP- dependent mechanisms...

The Kalevala as a Source of Inspiration for J. R. R. Tolkien

This master's thesis deals with the influence of The Kalevala and the Finnish language on the English writer John Ronald Reuel Tolkien and his work. The main purpose is to provide a possibly most complex description of The Kalevala's influence on Tolkien. Firstly, the background of The Kalevala, the role of Elias Lönnrot during its birth and its importance, and secondly, Tolkien, his work and his discovery of The Kalevala are introduced. The main part of the thesis focuses on Tolkien's inspiration by The Kalevala out of three different perspectives. The first one is the influence of the Finnish language on Quenya, one of Tolkien's fictional languages. The second one is The Kalevala's importance for Tolkien from a general point of view - especially the influence of Lönnrot's role, The Kalevala's mythology, several abstract aspects of The Kalevala led by the importance of singing and The Kalevala's structure is crucial. The third one is Tolkien's inspiration by The Kalevala from a concrete point of view. Particularly the importance of The Kalevala's character Väinämöinen and the story of the Sampo is significant here

Kullervo as a Source of Inspiration for J. R. R. Tolkien

This bachelor thesis deals with the influence of the story of Kullervo in the Kalevala on the English writer John Ronald Reuel Tolkien and his work. Firstly, the background of the birth of the Kalevala and the role of Elias Lönnrot during its creation are briefly mentioned. Secondly, Tolkien and his relationship towards the Kalevala and the Finnish language are introduced. The main part of the thesis focuses on the story of Kullervo in the Kalevala, especially as a source of inspiration for Tolkien and two of his works. The first one is The Story of Kullervo: Tolkien's unfinished attempt to retell the story itself, the other one is his own story of Túrin Turambar called The Children of Húrin. Both of these Tolkien's works are compared to the Kalevala story of Kullervo. The main purpose of the thesis is to show that Tolkien's inspiration by the story of Kullervo was crucial for his work. Keywords Kullervo, Tolkien, The Children of Húrin, Túrin Turambar, Kalevala, The Story of Kullervo

Empagliflozin Is Not Renoprotective in Non-Diabetic Rat Models of Chronic Kidney Disease

Gliflozins (sodium-glucose transporter-2 inhibitors) exhibited renoprotective effects not only in diabetic but also in non-diabetic patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). Controversial results were reported in experimental non-diabetic models of CKD. Therefore, we examined empagliflozin effects in three CKD models, namely, in fawn-hooded hypertensive (FHH) rats, uninephrectomized salt-loaded (UNX + HS) rats, and in rats with Goldblatt hypertension (two-kidney, one-clip 2K1C) that were either untreated or treated with empagliflozin (10 mg/kg/day) for eight weeks. Plethysmography blood pressure (BP) was recorded weekly, and renal parameters (proteinuria, plasma urea, creatinine clearance, and sodium excretion) were analyzed three times during the experiment. At the end of the study, blood pressure was also measured directly. Markers of oxidative stress (TBARS) and inflammation (MCP-1) were analyzed in kidney and plasma, respectively. Body weight and visceral adiposity were reduced by empagliflozin in FHH rats, without a significant effect on BP. Experimentally induced CKD (UNX + HS and 2K1C) was associated with a substantial increase in BP and relative heart and kidney weights. Empagliflozin influenced neither visceral adiposity nor BP in these two models. Although empagliflozin increased sodium excretion, suggesting effective SGLT-2 inhibition, it did not affect diuresis in any experimental model. Unexpectedly, empagliflozin did not provide renoprotection because proteinuria, plasma urea, and plasma creatinine were not lowered by empagliflozin treatment in all three CKD models. In line with these results, empagliflozin treatment did not decrease TBARS or MCP-1 levels in either model. In conclusion, empagliflozin did not provide the expected beneficial effects on kidney function in experimental models of CKD

Addition of Endothelin A-Receptor Blockade Spoils the Beneficial Effect of Combined Renin-Angiotensin and Soluble Epoxide Hydrolase Inhibition: Studies on the Course of Chronic Kidney Disease in 5/6 Nephrectomized Ren-2 Transgenic Hypertensive Rats

IntroductionPrevious studies in Ren-2 transgenic hypertensive rats (TGR) after 5/6 renal ablation (5/6 NX) have shown that besides pharmacological blockade of the renin-angiotensin system (RAS) also increasing kidney tissue epoxyeicosatrienoic acids (EET) levels by blocking soluble epoxide hydrolase (sEH), an enzyme responsible for degradation of EETs, and endothelin type A (ETA) receptor blockade retards chronic kidney disease (CKD) progression. This prompted us to evaluate if this progression will be alleviated by the addition of sEH inhibitor and ETA receptor antagonist to the standard complex blockade of RAS (angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor plus angiotensin II type 1 receptor blocker) in rats with established CKD.MethodsThe treatment regimens were initiated 6 weeks after 5/6 NX in TGR, and the follow-up period was 60 weeks.ResultsThe addition of sEH inhibition to RAS blockade improved survival rate, further reduced albuminuria and renal glomerular and kidney tubulointerstitial injury, and attenuated the decline in creatinine clearance - all this as compared with 5/6 NX TGR treated with RAS blockade alone. Addition of ETA receptor antagonist to the combined RAS and sEH blockade not only offered no additional renoprotection but, surprisingly, also abolished the beneficial effects of adding sEH inhibitor to the RAS blockade.ConclusionThese data indicate that pharmacological strategies that combine the blockade of RAS and sEH could be a novel tool to combat the progression of CKD. Any attempts to further extend this therapeutic regimen should be made with extreme caution