University of Ostrava

Background and Objectives To evaluate the diagnostic performance of the measles–rubella–zoster reaction (MRZR) in a large real-world multiple sclerosis (MS) cohort. Second, to compare MRZR with the determination of oligoclonal IgG bands (OCB), oligoclonal kappa free light chain bands (oKFLC), and the KFLC index. Methods A single-center retrospective study was conducted at the University Hospital Ostrava (Czech Republic). Patients were eligible if aged ≥18 years with a determined clinical diagnosis. IgG antibodies against measles (M), rubella (R), and varicella zoster (Z) viruses were determined in paired CSF and serum using ELISA and MRZR indicated as positive if at least two components had an antibody index >1.4. OCB and oKFLC were detected by means of isoelectric focusing, and KFLC CSF and serum concentrations for calculation of the KFLC index were determined immunochemically. Results A total of 1,751 patients were included in the analyzed data set, which comprised 379 MS patients and 1,372 non-MS controls. The frequency of positive MRZR was higher in MS than in non-MS cases (MS 32.2% vs non-MS 2.8%; p < 0.001). This corresponded to a specificity of 97.2 % (95% CI 96.1–98.0) and sensitivity of 32.2% (95% CI 27.5–37.2) and overall accuracy of 83.1% (95% CI 81.3–84.8). In comparison, the highest sensitivity of 95.6% 95% CI 93.0–97.5) was for OCB with specificity of 86.9% (95% CI 84.9–88.7), followed by oKFLC with sensitivity and specificity of 94.7% (95% CI 91.5–96.9) and 78.4% (95% CI 75.7–80.8), respectively, and the KFLC index with sensitivity of 92.5% (95% CI 86.6–96.3) and specificity of 93.5% (95% CI 90.5–95.9). Discussion MRZR remains a very specific test for the diagnosis of MS but has low sensitivity, which disallows its independent use. In contrast, OCB showed the highest sensitivity and thus remains the gold standard for the diagnosis of MS.

Archamoebae comprises free-living or endobiotic amoebiform protists that inhabit anaerobic or microaerophilic environments and possess mitochondrion-related organelles (MROs) adapted to function anaerobically. We compared in silico reconstructed MRO proteomes of eight species (six genera) and found that the common ancestor of Archamoebae possessed very few typical components of the protein translocation machinery, electron transport chain and tricarboxylic acid cycle. On the other hand, it contained a sulphate activation pathway and bacterial iron–sulphur (Fe-S) assembly system of MIS-type. The metabolic capacity of the MROs, however, varies markedly within this clade. The glycine cleavage system is widely conserved among Archamoebae, except in Entamoeba , probably owing to its role in catabolic function or one-carbon metabolism. MRO-based pyruvate metabolism was dispensed within subgroups Entamoebidae and Rhizomastixidae, whereas sulphate activation could have been lost in isolated cases of Rhizomastix libera , Mastigamoeba abducta and Endolimax sp. The MIS (Fe-S) assembly system was duplicated in the common ancestor of Mastigamoebidae and Pelomyxidae, and one of the copies took over Fe-S assembly in their MRO. In Entamoebidae and Rhizomastixidae, we hypothesize that Fe-S cluster assembly in both compartments may be facilitated by dual localization of the single system. We could not find evidence for changes in metabolic functions of the MRO in response to changes in habitat; it appears that such environmental drivers do not strongly affect MRO reduction in this group of eukaryotes.

Plant–herbivore interactions have been modulated by plant secondary metabolites (PSM), which exert a strong pressure on herbivore microbiome. This study examined the effects of different PSM types and concentrations on caterpillar fitness, composition of gut bacterial and fungal assemblages, and microbiome network stability and symbiotic bonds in relation to the caterpillar diet breadth. Polyphagous and monophagous caterpillars sampled from oak were reared on an artificial diet (AD) containing PSM native (tannic acid) and non-native (tannivin and salicylic acid) to oak at varying concentrations, along with control treatments (starving and fed by oak leaves or AD without PSM). Their gut microbiome was profiled using 16S and ITS2 rRNA gene metabarcoding. Contrary to expectations, the diet breadth combined with the PSM type had no effect on weight gain. The bacterial composition was shaped by PSM concentration, while caterpillar species and diet breadth had no effect. Compared with bacteria, concentration had no effect on the fungal composition, which was more influenced by diet breadth than by caterpillar species. Leaf-fed caterpillars harbored the highest microbial richness. In AD-fed caterpillars, bacteria formed more complex networks than fungi, and the complexity was simplified with higher PSM concentrations. We identified taxa significantly associated with caterpillar guts. Notably, the association Lactobacillus–Lactococcus–Streptococcus was universally present across all caterpillar species, regardless of diet breadth. Our findings emphasize the importance of considering PSM concentration and composition in understanding caterpillar–gut microbiome interactions. Further research will validate the functional roles of identified microbial taxa and their significance for caterpillar hosts. IMPORTANCE The caterpillar gut is an excellent model system for studying host–microbiome interactions, as it represents an extreme environment for microbial life that usually has low diversity and considerable variability in community composition. Our study design combines feeding caterpillars on a natural and artificial diet with controlled levels of plant secondary metabolites and uses metabarcoding and quantitative PCR to simultaneously profile bacterial and fungal assemblages, which has never been performed. Moreover, we focus on multiple caterpillar species and consider diet breadth. Contrary to many previous studies, our study suggested the functional importance of certain microbial taxa, especially bacteria, and confirmed the previously proposed lower importance of fungi for caterpillar holobiont. Our study revealed the lack of differences between monophagous and polyphagous species in the responses of microbial assemblages to plant secondary metabolites, suggesting the limited role of the microbiome in the plasticity of the herbivore diet.

In recent years new modern therapeutic concepts have been developed in the treatment of malignant eyelid tumors; however, surgical restoration remains an important component of the therapeutic options addressed, which include microsurgical tumor excision into healthy tissue and subsequent coverage of the defects. An ophthalmic surgeon experienced in oculoplastic surgery is responsible for the recognition and evaluation of the existing alterations and planning a procedure together with the patient that meets the patientʼs expectations. The planning of surgery must always be individualized and fit the initial findings. Depending on the defect size and localization, different coverage strategies are available to the surgeon. To ensure successful reconstruction, every surgeon should master a wide range of reconstructive techniques.

This article considers an N-firm oligopoly with abating and non-abating firms and analyses a dynamic setting in which the environmental regulator sets the tax rate to incentivise firms to undertake emission-reduction actions according to different hypotheses (fixed rule and optimal rule). The behaviour of the public authority sharply affects the firm’s (individual) incentive to move towards the abatement activity over time. This changes the number of (non)abating firms on the market and the corresponding social welfare outcomes. The article eventually shows that the environmental policy may cause oscillations resulting in a coexistence of the two types of firms in the long term and pinpoints the welfare outcomes emerging in the model.

The histological evaluation of skin changes during Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) infection requires an exact approach with an accurate definition of individual changes and their parameters, including a classification score facilitating comparison among experiments. To propose methods and procedures for the evaluation of histological changes in skin infected by S. aureus strains in experimental pig models. Four pigs were included in the experiment. In the dorsal region of each pig, 10 wounds per pig (5 × 5 cm, 2 cm spacing) were created. Wounds in the individual pigs were inoculated with three different strains of methicillin- (oxacillin) and amoxicillin-resistant S. aureus at concentrations of 2 × 109—5 × 109 CFU/ml. One pig was not inoculated and served as control. Subsequently, samples were collected from each wound on Days 3, 7, 10, ad 14 after inoculation processed by frozen section technique and the samples were stained with hematoxylin-eosin. Classification scores of selected parameters were determined and an average classification index was established at the end of the experiment. Histologically, granulomatous arrangement and superficial re-epithelialization were observed in the wounds of all animals. Compared to control, S. aureus infection documents slow healing of skin wounds with impaired epidermal formation (0.88 infected vs 1.45 control), re-epithelialization (1.25 vs 2.08), edema in the dermis (1.50 vs 2.67), inflammation in the dermis (0.50 vs 1.69), fibrosis in the dermis (4 vs 2.56), fibrosis in the hypodermis (4 vs 3.17) and, finally, necrosis in the dermis (1 vs 2.2). The results in the scores for scabs (1.25 vs 1.42), dermis (2.63 vs 2.67), and, finally, necrosis in the hypodermis (0.25 vs 0.75) did not differ among groups. The proposed methodological approach allowed quantification of histological changes and we recommend employing this scoring system in other studies evaluating the healing of skin wounds.

The article examines the effectiveness of remote monitoring and the evaluation of facts about patients with hematologic malignancies using telemedicine based on SMART technologies. The project was carried out in the Department of Haematooncology of the University Hospital Ostrava. Its objective was to test the efficacy of telemedicine in the treatment of patients with blood cancer. The cost-benefit analysis method was used to evaluate effectiveness, which also confirmed the feasibility of using this method to evaluate the costs and benefits of implementing specific medical projects. The conducted analysis demonstrated the effectiveness of using telemedicine procedures in the treatment of these patients, both in terms of quantifiable and non-quantifiable impacts on the Czech Republic’s health system. This was mainly due to a large shortening of the length of the hospitalisation period for patients with problems whose deterioration was discovered by remote monitoring and their treatment could begin promptly. The shortening of the hospitalization period was achieved by around 40%. As a result, the complexity of treatment has been greatly reduced, benefiting both the hospital and, most importantly, the patient. With this prevention, the patient’s chances of dying are reduced, as he or she is less likely to develop severe septic diseases. The total average financial savings of the Czech Republic’s entire health care system for a patient who does not become septic due to a delayed response to deteriorating health only in hospitalisation, treatment, and medications is approximately USD 2,800.

A novel holmium‐based porous metal‐porphyrin framework, {(H 3 O ⁺ )[Ho(H 2 TPPS)] ⁻ ⋅ 4H 2 O} n (denoted as UPJS‐17 ), was synthesised by hydrothermal reaction. Structural analysis reveals, that UPJS‐17 has a three‐dimensional open framework. The framework is negatively charged and the negative charge is compensated by hydronium cation. The compound showed no N 2 adsorption but the Ar, CO 2 and H 2 . From the argon adsorption, the surface area of ~150 m ² g ⁻¹ was determined. Carbon dioxide adsorption was measured at various temperatures (0, 10, 20, 30 and 40 °C) and the compound showed the highest adsorption capacity (at 0 °C) of 7.0 wt % of CO 2 . From the carbon dioxide adsorption isotherms the isosteric heat of 56,5 kJ mol ⁻¹ was determined. Hydrogen adsorption was studied at −196 °C with hydrogen uptake of 2.1 wt % at 1 bar.

The performance assessment of relevant biomechanical factors is essential for appropriate age-related training progression in volleyball spike (VS). This study aimed to investigate the differences in upper limbs’ (a) range of motion (ROM), (b) angular velocities, and (c) muscular activity during VS among under 16- (U-16), under 18- (U-18), and under 20- (U-20) year-old female volleyball players. The kinematic variables of the spike performances were recorded using six optoelectronic cameras (Vicon Motion system, UK). Additionally, the wireless Trigno system (Delsys, USA) was used to record the electromyographic signals. The one-way ANOVA (1d SPM analysis) exhibited a significantly greater wrist internal rotation ( p < .001), wrist adduction velocity (p < .001), and palmaris longus activity ( p < .001) in the acceleration phase in U-20, compared to the U-16 group. Additionally, the U-20 and the U-18 players portrayed a significantly greater shoulder external rotation ( p < .001) and internal angular velocity ( p = .035) relative to the U-16 group. A significantly greater pectoralis major (p < .001), biceps brachii ( p < .001), and anterior deltoid ( p < .001) activity was observed in the U-20 group, compared to younger groups. This study suggests that older players employ more upper limb muscular activities during spike with the presence of blocks, which enables them to hit the ball with greater velocities and direct the ball in their desired direction through increased wrist ROMs.

Asexual reproduction can be triggered by interspecific hybridization, but its emergence is supposedly rare, relying on exceptional combinations of suitable genomes. To examine how genomic and karyotype divergence between parental lineages affect the incidence of asexual gametogenesis, we experimentally hybridized fishes (Cobitidae) across a broad phylogenetic spectrum, assessed by whole exome data. Gametogenic pathways generally followed a continuum from sexual reproduction in hybrids between closely related evolutionary lineages to sterile or inviable crosses between distant lineages. However, most crosses resulted in a combination of sterile males and asexually reproducing females. Their gametes usually experienced problems in chromosome pairing, but females also produced a certain proportion of oocytes with premeiotically duplicated genomes, enabling their devel- opment into clonal eggs. Interspecific hybridization may thus commonly affect cell cycles in a specific way, allowing the formation of unreduced oocytes. The emergence of asexual gametogenesis appears tightly linked to hybrid sterility and constitutes an inherent part of the extended speciation continuum.

Heterostructures offer an exceptional possibility of combining individual 2D materials into a new material having altered properties compared to the parent materials. Germanane (GeH) is a 2D material with many favorable properties for energy storage and catalysis, however, its performance is hindered by its low electrical conductivity. To address the low electrochemical performance of GeH, a heterostructure of GeH and Ti3C2Tx is fabricated. The Ti3C2TX is a layered material belonging to the family of MXenes. The resulting heterostructure (GeMXene) at a defined mass ratio of GeH and Ti3C2Tx shows superior capacitive performance that surpasses that of both pristine materials. The effect of the size of cations and anions for intercalation into GeMXene in different aqueous salt solutions is studied. GeMXene allows only cation intercalation, which is evidenced by the gravimetric electrochemical quartz crystal microbalance (EQCM) technique. The capacitive performance of the GeMXene is compared in neutral, acidic, and alkaline electrolytes to determine the best electrochemical performance. This unleashes the potential use of GeMXene heterostructure in different electrolytes for supercapacitors and batteries. This work will pave the way to explore the heterostructures of other 2D materials such as novel MXenes and functionalized germanane for highly energy‐storage efficient systems, and beyond.

The COVID-19 pandemic situation has adversely affected mobility and international cooperation of students and workers throughout Europe. The transfer of knowledge from foreign experts who can point out the issue in another point of view is an integral part of university studies. However, the reaction of international agency CEEPUS have been greatly flexible a it allowed online and blending mobility to several countries. Thus, the aim of this article is to introduce the possibility how to implement online teaching with the use of foreign workers using available tools and means. The presentation shows practical experience within direct online teaching of STEM subjects in university courses. Primarily, the advantage of using GeoGebra software in online teaching of mathematical subjects is pointed out. Thanks to the aspect of GeoGebra visualization, there was no discomfort in transition of full—time teaching to distance teaching, because understanding of the given topic is not affected by changing the form of teaching. As a part of direct online teaching, a presentation of historical mathematical problems were created; with use of GeoGebra software it facilitated the conversion of historical tasks into a more modern form.

Mathematics is a subject with perhaps the greatest overlap with other fields, especially the natural sciences. As a secondary effect of a project focused on creating and piloting problem tasks in the field of chemistry and physics, utilizing inquiry-based learning, we observed the most common mathematical mistakes and conceptual errors that are made by students using mathematical knowledge in other areas of the natural sciences. A total of 40 problem tasks were created and verified in cooperation with secondary-school teachers of physics and chemistry and more than 650 solutions by student were qualitatively assessed. The paper will present the most common mistakes and errors repeated across all tasks and compare their occurrence between teachers who have and do not have mathematics as a secondary subject. The mistakes and errors will also be explained from a mathematical point of view and a proposal will be outlined on how to innovate the teaching of mathematics in secondary schools. This should lead to the correct understanding of the issues and the elimination of the errors found by this research.

Rational design of efficient single‐atom catalysts is a potential avenue to mitigate the sluggish oxygen evolution reaction (OER) kinetics. Adopting appropriate matrixes to stabilize the single‐atom active centers with the optimized geometric and electronic structure plays an essential role in enhancing catalytic activities. Herein, massive isolated Ce atoms are successfully anchored on monolayer nickel‐vanadium layered double hydroxide support (Ce SAs/m‐NiV LDH) via the vanadium defects trapping strategy, resulting in stabilized Ce single‐atom with the maximum loading of 8.07 wt.%. Benefitting from the strong synergetic electronic interaction between Ce single atoms and monolayer NiV LDH matrix, thus‐prepared catalyst possesses favorable OER (209 mV @ 10 mA cm ⁻² ) and water electrolysis performance (1.47 V @ 10 mA cm ⁻² ), surpassing other catalysts and even the commercial RuO 2 catalyst. Density functional theory (DFT) calculations in combination with in situ electrochemical impedance spectroscopy analysis reveal that the immobilization of monatomic Ce can effectively narrow the band gap and strengthen the density states near the Fermi level as well as more easily adsorb the surficial OH – , leading to a lower charge transfer barrier and faster water splitting kinetics.