Publications by authors named "A Kovacik"

Ceramides are key components of the skin's permeability barrier. In atopic dermatitis, pathological hydrolysis of ceramide precursors - glucosylceramides and sphingomyelin - into lysosphingolipids, specifically glucosylsphingosine (GS) and sphingosine-phosphorylcholine (SPC), and free fatty acids (FFAs) has been proposed to contribute to impaired skin barrier function. This study investigated whether replacing ceramides with lysosphingolipids and FFAs in skin lipid barrier models would exacerbate barrier dysfunction.

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This study explores milk composition and blood markers in cows across lactation stages. Holstein cows were divided into four groups: beginning of lactation (BL; = 21), peak of lactation (PL; = 21), middle of lactation (ML; = 21), and end of lactation (EL; = 20). Blood (1 × 15 mL) and milk samples (1 × 100 mL) were collected for biomarker analysis.

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Incorporating of agro-industrial co-products into animal nutrition could represent an opportunity to lessen the environmental impact of the food production chain. One such co-product is a hempseed cake originating from cold pressing hemp seeds to extract oil for human consumption. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the action of hempseed cake in the diet on male rabbit reproductive and some non-reproductive indexes.

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Article Synopsis
  • - Lipid membranes are essential for the body's water balance and act as a barrier in the outer skin layer, the stratum corneum (SC), protecting against environmental stressors.
  • - The study evaluates the effects of two osmolytes, urocanic acid (UCA) and glycerol, on human SC lipids, revealing that UCA increases water absorption and permeability while maintaining lipid structure, whereas glycerol enhances lipid cohesion but does not improve hydration.
  • - Findings suggest that UCA and glycerol have contrasting impacts on the SC: UCA promotes hydration and permeability, potentially affecting skin shedding, while glycerol reinforces lipid structure without enhancing moisture uptake.
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The aim of this study was to (1) determine complex interactions between macro- and micro-elements present in blood serum and ejaculate of common carp (), and (2) examine the association between alterations in these macro- and micro-elements with markers of oxidative stress. Blood and ejaculate from 10 male carp were collected in the summer period on the experimental pond in Kolíňany (West Slovak Lowland). Reactive oxygen species (ROS), total antioxidant capacity (TAC), protein carbonyls (PC), and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels were measured in blood serum and ejaculate using spectrophotometric methods.

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