Disgust is an important adaptive mechanism in protection against disease. Disgust sensitivity is very variable between individuals and, according to the compensatory prophylaxis hypothesis (CPH), should be adjusted to individual's vulnerability to disease. The beginning of pregnancy is associated with a number of changes in the immune system and thus disgust sensitivity is expected to be increased. The aim of this thesis was to test the CPH in relation to longitudinal changes in disgust during pregnancy and after birth, as well as in comparison with non-pregnant control sample of women. Another aim was to observe the maladaptive role of disgust, specifically the relationship between trait anxiety and disgust. Against the set expectations, disgust was observed to increase during pregnancy in the animal reminder domain of disgust. However, the function of this domain in protection against disease has been criticized. These changes were only observed in pregnancies with a male fetus. In line with the CPH predictions, it was shown that women who reported having recent health problems also had higher disgust. Similarly, the results showed a possible protective role of mothers' increased disgust in the beginning of pregnancy, which was related to new-borns having a higher 10 minute APGAR score. When...

L’interaction symbiotique légumineuses-rhizobium nécessite l'infection des racines de la plante par les bactéries et l’initiation de divisions cellulaires dans le cortex racinaire.Les cytokinines sont des hormones végétales agissant via une signalisation par phosphotransfert qui conduit à l’activation de Régulateurs de Réponse de type B (RRBs), des facteurs de transcription régulant l'expression des gènes de réponse primaire aux cytokinines. Une étude phylogénétique menée sur plusieurs espèces de légumineuses a révélé une expansion génique de la famille des RRBs et l’apparition de formes non-canoniques de ces facteurs de transcription. Chez Medicago truncatula,MtRRB3 est le RRB le plus fortement exprimé dans les racines et les nodosités et est impliqué dans la nodulation. En effet, les plantes dont l’expression de MtRRB3 a été réduite par ARNi ainsi que des mutants rrb3 présentent une diminution significative du nombre de nodosités formées. De plus, l’expression de gènes associés à la nodulation, tels que "Nodulation Signalling Pathway 2" (MtNSP2) et "Cell Cycle Switch 52A"(MtCCS52A), est réduite en réponse aux cytokinines dans ces mutants. Des fusions transcriptionnelles avec le rapporteur GUS montrent que MtRRB3, MtNSP2 et MtCCS52Aprésentent un profil d’expression spatiale largement chevauchant dans les racines et lesnodosités. Des expériences de ChIP-qPCR et de trans-activation en protoplastes indiquent par ailleurs que MtRRB3 peut respectivement interagir avec et activer les promoteurs des gènesMtNSP2 et MtCCS52A. Cette thèse a donc permis d’établir des mécanismes moléculaires impliqués dans les régulations transcriptionnelles médiées par les cytokinines lors de la mise en place des nodosités symbiotiques fixatrices d’azote. / The legume-rhizobium interaction requires the infection of plant roots by rhizobia and the initiation of cell divisions in the root cortex. Cytokinins, a class of plant hormones acts trough a phosphotranfert signalling leading to the activation of Type-B Response Regulators(RRBs) which are transcription factors regulating the expression of cytokinins primary response genes. Phylogenetic analyses carried out indifferent legume species genomes showed anexpansion of the RRB genes family associated toan increase in non-canonical RRBs. In Medicago truncatula nodules, MtRRB3 is the most expressed RRB in roots and nodules. MtRRB3 islinked to nodulation as MtRRB3 RNAi silencedplants as well as rrb3 mutants display asignificant decrease of nodule number. Inaddition, the expression of the nodulation related genes Nodulation Signalling Pathway 2(MtNSP2) and Cell Cycle Switch 52A(MtCCS52A) is reduced in response to cytokininsin rrb3 mutants. The expression pattern of apMtRRB3-GUS fusion overlaps with thepMtNSP2-GUS and pMtCCS52A-GUS fusions in roots and nodules. Finally, ChIP-qPCR and protoplast trans-activation experiments showed that MtRRB3 can respectively interacts with and activate MtNSP2 and MtCCS52A promoters. This thesis have thus established molecular mechanisms associated to transcriptional regulations mediated by cytokinins during the legume symbiotic nitrogen-fixing nodulation.

Orientador: Rogério Falleiros Carvalho / Resumo: O nitrogênio (N), elemento essencial ao crescimento e desenvolvimento vegetal, é absorvido principalmente como nitrato (NO3-). Esse elemento pode controlar a arquitetura de raízes e dessa forma favorecer a absorção de nutrientes pelas plantas. Para isso, tem sido mostrado que esses eventos estão relacionados ao controle hormonal, especialmente as auxinas, pois esse hormônio controla o crescimento das raízes de modo dependente de NO3-. Entretanto, esses mecanismos são complexos, pois dependem de várias moléculas, especialmente peróxido de hidrogênio (H2O2), o qual parece atuar nas sinalizações das auxinas em situações estressoras nas plantas, a exemplo da deficiência de N. Entretanto, a forma como auxinas e H2O2 interagem nas raízes sob deficiência de N foi pouco explorado. Assim, objetivou-se verificar se as auxinas dependem de H2O2 nas respostas das raízes de tomateiro à deficiência de NO3-. Para isso, plantas de da cultivar Micro-Tom de tomateiro foram cultivadas em hidroponia sob suficiência e deficiência de NO3-, ambas com presença e ou ausência de inibidor de transporte de auxinas, o (ácido 2,3,5-triiodo-benzóico- TIBA) e inibidor do acúmulo de H2O2 (Catalase). O delineamento experimental foi inteiramente casualizado, disposto em fatorial 2x4, com três repetições. Foi analisado comprimento e biomassa seca da parte aérea e biomassa seca, comprimento, área e volume das raízes. Além disso, foi quantificado conteúdo de MDA e H2O2. A deficiência de NO3- diminuiu o crescimento... (Resumo completo, clicar acesso eletrônico abaixo) / Abstract: Nitrogen (N) is essential for plant growth and development, and is mainly absorbed as nitrate (NO3-). It also controls root architecture, improving plant nutritional status. These characteristics are related to hormonal control, especially by auxins. Auxins control root growth via NO3-dependent cell expansion, but these mechanisms are complex and depend on several molecules. Hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) appears to act on these auxins signalling in plant stress situations. However, how auxins and H2O2 interact in roots under N deficiency has not been well explored. Therefore, this study aimed to verify if auxins depend on H2O2 for responses of tomato roots to N deficiency. Micro-Tom plants were grown in hydroponic systems under sufficiency and deficiency of NO3-, both with and without auxin transport inhibitor, 2,3,5-triiodo-benzoic acid (TIBA), and the inhibitor of H2O2 accumulation (Catalase) in plants. The experiment was carried out in a completely randomized design in a factorial scheme (2x4) with three replications. Shoot length and dry biomass, as well as root dry biomass, length, area and volume were analysed. In addition, MDA and H2O2 content were also quantified. NO3- deficiency reduced shoot growth and, interestingly, promoted higher root growth. Furthermore, TIBA inhibited root growth under both NO3- conditions and the presence of catalase in NO3-deficiency resulted in lower root growth. These results show that auxins depend on H2O2 for tomato root responses to N defici... (Complete abstract click electronic access below) / Mestre

Diplomová práca Postoje k liečbe a znalosti užívateliek hormonálnej antikoncepcie Abstract Attitudes towards treatment and knowledge of hormonal contraceptive users Author: Veronika Fufaľová¹ Supervisor: PharmDr. Kateřina Ládová, Ph.D.¹ Consultant: PharmDr. Anna Oleárová, PhD., MPHš ¹Department of Social and Clinical Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy in Hradec Králové, Charles University, Czech Republic šDepartment of Organisation and Management of Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Comenius University in Bratislava, Slovak Republic Introduction: Hormonal contraception (HC) is popular and a reliable birth control method. Its use is although associated with some risks and many myths or misconceptions. Objective: The aim of this thesis was to determine the attitudes towards treatment and awareness of HC risks of its users in regard to various types and application forms in specific region by means of anonymous questionnaire. Methods: The research was carried out as a prospective questionnaire survey. Anonymous questionnaires consisted of 35 questions divided into 6 sections to obtain sociodemographic data, information concerning HC users and their form of HC, information about the extent of knowledge concerning gynaecological examination, HC risks and HC misconception awareness. One part of questionnaire was focused...

The attitudes toward the treatment and knowledge about hormonal contraception among the final year pharmacy students Author: Veronika Pavlíková¹ Supervisor: PharmDr. Kateřina Ládová, Ph.D.¹ Consultant: PharmDr. Anna Oleárová, Ph.D., MPHš ¹Department of Social and Clinical Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy in Hradec Králové, Charles University, Czech Republic šDepartment of Organisation and Management of Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Comenius University in Bratislava, Slovak Republic Introduction: Hormonal contraception (HC) is ranked among the widespread birth control methods used in a broad age structure of women worldwide. Based on of the health status, lifestyle, user's preferences or non-contraceptive benefits, it is possible to choose from the wide spectrum of HC, which differs in dosage and composition. Aim: The aim of this thesis was to determine the attitudes toward the treatment and knowledge about the HC among the final-year pharmacy students upon the completion of the mandatory 6-month long practical training in the pharmacy and knowledge acquired during the studies. Methods: The on-line survey was the realized in students of faculties of pharmacy in the Czech Republic and in the Slovak Republic, who had already completed the mandatory 6-month long practical training or who have just been...

Submitted thesis deals with the topic of synthetic hormones and human perception of this matter. The phenomenon of the endocrinal disruption that contains synthetic hormones as well is presented in the theoretical part. Then the attention is paid to the negative impacts on human body and on the environment as well as to low effectiveness of the wastewater treatment plant to deal with those pollutants. The practical part of the thesis contains survey among respondents of the Social and cultural department and Electronic culture and semiotics department on the Faculty of humanities of the Charles University. This survey deals with the awareness of this topic, consumer behaviour and opinions on the attention that is paid to this matter in the Czech Republic as well as on the ideal solution to this topic. Key words: hormones, environment, endocrine disruption, human perception

Previous studies have pointed out an interesting fact: the use of hormonal contraceptives modifies the partner preferences of women towards men more feminine and genetically less compatible. This master thesis first tried to experimentally verify whether these different preferences are reflected in real mate choice outside the context of the laboratory. It includes two studies comparing partner satisfaction and relationship dynamics in couples that have been formed under the influence of pills versus under the influence of the natural menstrual cycle. Study 1 includes 3116 mothers and was conducted through an online questionnaire. The second study collected representative data from 1605 Czech men and women aged 35 to 65 years representing the population of the CZ also through a hand-to- hand questionnaire. Study 1 confirmed the assumption in several ways: hormonal contraception users (during the mate choice) assessed their partners as less attractive and masculine compared with women who naturally cycled at that time. We also found their sexual satisfaction was reduced, however, they were more satisfied with non-sexual aspects of the relationship. In contrast to established hypotheses Study 1 found that the partnerships formed under the influence of hormonal contraceptives separated significantly...

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Song production in songbirds is controlled by parts of the brain known as the song control regions (SCRs). During spring, gonads increase in size, males sing to attract mates, and SCRs become larger. This neuroplasticity is controlled by the change in day length and increased plasma testosterone (T) levels. Plasma T can be reduced by stress through the production of corticosterone (CORT), through the production of beta-endorphin, or through direct effects on the testes via the nervous system. We determined the T, estradiol, and CORT hormonal profiles of wild House Finches by capturing and sampling blood from the finches every season for two years. To track SCR neuroplasticity in the wild, we also measured the volume of two specific SCRs, the HVC and RA, every season. We then examined the effects of stress on the finch endocrine system in the wild by performing a 30-minute restraint stress protocol once every season and took blood samples before and after the restraint. To determine whether stress and/or CORT affect neuroplasticity in SCRs, we captured male house finches during winter and brought them into captivity. They were allowed to acclimate to captivity for one month on short days (8L:16D) before we transferred them to long days (16L:8D) and restraint stressed half the birds. We measured their gonads, plasma T and CORT levels, volumes of the HVC and RA, and the number of new neurons in the HVC. HVC volumes were smaller in stressed than non-stressed birds, while RA volumes did not differ. There was no difference in number of new neurons or estimated total number of neurons in the HVC between control and restrained birds. Because the HVC is involved in song production, it is possible that stress negatively impacts singing behavior and reproductive success in House Finches. Future work should address how natural stressors may affect neuroplasticity in birds.

Klinefelter syndrome (KS) (47,XXY) is the most common sex chromosomal anomaly in males with a prevalence of 1 in 650 males. This clinically relevant condition represents 3%-4% of the total patient population in male reproductive medicine practices. Klinefelter syndrome can manifest in different physical, cognitive, and behavioral phenotypes. The classical phenotypic descriptions are gynecomastia, hypotonia, tall stature, and hypogonadism. Currently there is no known treatment plan for adolescents who are diagnosed with this genetic condition. However, it has been hypothesized that early intervention through androgen replacement therapy can emulate a normal progression of puberty and improve the academic, social, and behavioral aspects of these adolescents. Using standardized instruments, in the form of the Children Behavior Checklist (CBCL) and the Youth Self Report (YSR), we captured data on the patient’s competence and behavior, as well as the parents’ views on their child’s competence and behavior. These data were converted into percentile scores, T scores, and categorical data (normal, intermediate, and clinical). Difference of means was used to test for statistically significant differences between the scores of the KS patients and their parents on competence and behavioral aspects. T test for equality of means was run to determine if there was a significant difference between group scores. Pearson correlation tests were done to see if there was an association between demographics of patients and competence/behavioral scores. We believed that there would be no statistically significant difference between how the parents score their child in the CBCL and how the child scores himself in the YSR in terms of demographics. We also believed that there would be no statistically significant difference or correlation between demographics and individual competence/behavioral scores. A total of 39 groups of surveys were collected, together with demographic information on the maternal and paternal ages when the child was born, patient age, patient age when starting testosterone, patient age when starting anastrazole, and patient height and weight. We examined concordance frequencies in specific areas of the competence and behavioral questionnaires. Concordance was when the parent and the child agreed and evaluated the child as normal, intermediate, or clinical. Discordance was when the parents and the child disagreed; for example, the parent evaluated the child as “clinical,” but the child evaluated himself as “normal.” This study, to our knowledge, is the first chart review study that involves a wide age range of males with KS. The study extends previous findings by providing data on how early hormonal intervention can improve the outlook of these patients’ lives. When taking aromatase inhibitors, the KS adolescents showed an overall reduction of aggression and rule-breaking behavior. When taking testosterone at an earlier age, the patient was less likely to have withdrawal depression. We also found the most discordance in total competence scores, suggesting that some parents may have unrealistic academic expectations for their child. Thus, when examining the data, we had to be aware that there were varying views of success, which can shape how parents and child answer their respective surveys. Our findings demonstrate the significance of early detection and treatment of Klinefelter syndrome, a disorder that is severely under-diagnosed throughout the world. The results also show that the desire of parents for their KS child to do well in school may affect their opinions on how their child is actually performing. Some limitations to this study include the decision to receive early hormonal intervention that was made exclusively between parents and their urologist. Furthermore, the socioeconomic status (SES) and educational characteristics of the families were not properly controlled, although the patient population was mostly likely similar because of the location of the clinic. Future Klinefelter syndrome studies will need to focus on identifying the factors that contribute to the variability of behavioral symptoms. In turn, these studies will support the continuing development of evidence-based treatments for adolescents with Klinefelter syndrome.