Visualizing spatial lipid distribution in porcine lens by MALDI imaging high-resolution mass spectrometry

Peer reviewe

Spatial Distribution of Glycerophospholipids in the Ocular Lens

Peer reviewe

Probable neuroimmunological link between Toxoplasma and cytomegalovirus infections and personality changes in the human host

BACKGROUND: Recently, a negative association between Toxoplasma-infection and novelty seeking was reported. The authors suggested that changes of personality trait were caused by manipulation activity of the parasite, aimed at increasing the probability of transmission of the parasite from an intermediate to a definitive host. They also suggested that low novelty seeking indicated an increased level of the neurotransmitter dopamine in the brain of infected subjects, a phenomenon already observed in experimentally infected rodents. However, the changes in personality can also be just a byproduct of any neurotropic infection. Moreover, the association between a personality trait and the toxoplasmosis can even be caused by an independent correlation of both the probability of Toxoplasma-infection and the personality trait with the third factor, namely with the size of living place of a subject. To test these two alternative hypotheses, we studied the influence of another neurotropic pathogen, the cytomegalovirus, on the personality of infected subjects, and reanalyzed the original data after the effect of the potential confounder, the size of living place, was controlled. METHODS: In the case-control study, 533 conscripts were tested for toxoplasmosis and presence of anti-cytomegalovirus antibodies and their novelty seeking was examined with Cloninger's TCI questionnaire. Possible association between the two infections and TCI dimensions was analyzed. RESULTS: The decrease of novelty seeking is associated also with cytomegalovirus infection. After the size of living place was controlled, the effect of toxoplasmosis on novelty seeking increased. Significant difference in novelty seeking was observed only in the largest city, Prague. CONCLUSION: Toxoplasma and cytomegalovirus probably induce a decrease of novelty seeking. As the cytomegalovirus spreads in population by direct contact (not by predation as with Toxoplasma), the observed changes are the byproduct of brain infections rather than the result of manipulation activity of a parasite. Four independent lines of indirect evidence, namely direct measurement of neurotransmitter concentration in mice, the nature of behavioral changes in rodents, the nature of personality changes in humans, and the observed association between schizophrenia and toxoplasmosis, suggest that the changes of dopamine concentration in brain could play a role in behavioral changes of infected hosts

Knowledge transfer: a case study approach

The article builds on the growing importance of knowledge as a strategic resource for maintaining the competitive advantage of a business. We illustrate one of the initiatives contributing to effective knowledge transfer by describing a case study approach which suggests how universities might assist in disseminating knowledge and enhancing industry competitiveness. The case study approach is apparently an effective way to share best practices, and with the use of appropriate ICT tools, it provides for an enormous diffusion of codified (explicit) knowledge in the industry. The example in the focus of this article describes a Virtual Portal designed as a single-point access to information and tools (case studies, decision models and software), with the emphasis on case studies (their selection, coding and use)

Knowledge transfer: a case study approach

The article builds on the growing importance of knowledge as a strategic resource for maintaining the competitive advantage of a business. We illustrate one of the initiatives contributing to effective knowledge transfer by describing a case study approach which suggests how universities might assist in disseminating knowledge and enhancing industry competitiveness. The case study approach is apparently an effective way to share best practices, and with the use of appropriate ICT tools, it provides for an enormous diffusion of codified (explicit) knowledge in the industry. The example in the focus of this article describes a Virtual Portal designed as a single-point access to information and tools (case studies, decision models and software), with the emphasis on case studies (their selection, coding and use).knowledge transfer, knowledge economy, decision-making support, agribusiness, Community/Rural/Urban Development, Institutional and Behavioral Economics, International Relations/Trade, Teaching/Communication/Extension/Profession,

Dreams of the future: an examination of Czech and Irish tertiary level students intention to be an entrepreneur

This paper presents a comparison between Czech and Irish students with regard to their skills and competencies in their current or potential pursuit of entrepreneurship. The study is based on the comparison of 248 Irish students (growing up in a mature and a traditional market-oriented economy) with a group of 233 Czech students (endeavouring their studies within recently transformed economic and political environment). The objectives are threefold: (1) a comparison of two groups of students with regard to the decision of graduates to be self-employed, (2) the detection of gaps between education and students' acquired competencies, and (3) to provide recommendations for stakeholders in higher education

Women's preference for dominant male odour: effects of menstrual cycle and relationship status

Body odour may provide significant cues about a potential sexual partner's genetic quality, reproductive status and health. In animals, a key trait in a female's choice of sexual partner is male dominance but, to date, this has not been examined in humans. Here, we show that women in the fertile phase of their cycle prefer body odour of males who score high on a questionnaire-based dominance scale (international personality items pool). In accordance with the theory of mixed mating strategies, this preference varies with relationship status, being much stronger in fertile women in stable relationships than in fertile single women

Partition chromatography and mass spectrometry of tetrulose and pentuloses

Partition chromatography on ion exchange resins in aqueous ethanol is an excellent tool for the separation of tetrulose and pentuloses for both analytical and preparative purposes. The analysis of complex mixtures is facilitated by the fact that the ketoses are recorded by both the orcinol and periodate-formaldehyde methods whereas under proper conditions aldoses are only recorded in the orcinol channel. In gas chromatography the trimethylsilylated 3-pentuloses gave rise to only one prominent peak which as revealed by mass spectrometry corresponded to the keto form. Tetrulose and the 2-pentuloses gave two or more peaks. The 1,2-enediol derivative obtained from tetrulose was identical with that recorded for threose

Partition chromatography and mass spectrometry of tetrulose and pentuloses

Partition chromatography on ion exchange resins in aqueous ethanol is an excellent tool for the separation of tetrulose and pentuloses for both analytical and preparative purposes. The analysis of complex mixtures is facilitated by the fact that the ketoses are recorded by both the orcinol and periodate-formaldehyde methods whereas under proper conditions aldoses are only recorded in the orcinol channel. In gas chromatography the trimethylsilylated 3-pentuloses gave rise to only one prominent peak which as revealed by mass spectrometry corresponded to the keto form. Tetrulose and the 2-pentuloses gave two or more peaks. The 1,2-enediol derivative obtained from tetrulose was identical with that recorded for threose