Habitat openness and predator abundance determine predation risk of warningly colored longhorn beetles (Cerambycidae) in temperate forest.

Organisms have evolved different defense mechanisms, such as crypsis and mimicry, to avoid detection and recognition by predators. A prominent example is Batesian mimicry, where palatable species mimic unpalatable or toxic ones, such as Clytini (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae) that mimic wasps. However, scientific evidence for the effectiveness of Batesian mimicry in Cerambycids in natural habitats is scarce.

Disentangling phylogenetic relations and biogeographic history within the Cucujus haematodes species group (Coleoptera: Cucujidae).

Recent progress in the taxonomy of flat bark beetles (Cucujidae), specifically, in the genus Cucujus, has revealed great diversity in subtropical Asia, but the seemingly well-known temperate and boreal taxa need further attention because of their conservation status. Here, we used an integrative approach using morphology, DNA, and species distribution modelling to disentangle phylogenetic relations, verify the number of species, and understand the historical biogeography of Palearctic and Nearctic Cucujus beetles, particularly the C. haematodes species group.

Telomeric DNA sequences in beetle taxa vary with species richness.

Telomeres are protective structures at the ends of eukaryotic chromosomes, and disruption of their nucleoprotein composition usually results in genome instability and cell death. Telomeric DNA sequences have generally been found to be exceptionally conserved in evolution, and the most common pattern of telomeric sequences across eukaryotes is (TAG) maintained by telomerase. However, telomerase-added DNA repeats in some insect taxa frequently vary, show unusual features, and can even be absent.

Additional disturbances as a beneficial tool for restoration of post-mining sites: a multi-taxa approach.

Open interior sands represent a highly threatened habitat in Europe. In recent times, their associated organisms have often found secondary refuges outside their natural habitats, mainly in sand pits. We investigated the effects of different restoration approaches, i.

Fine-Scale Vertical Stratification and Guild Composition of Saproxylic Beetles in Lowland and Montane Forests: Similar Patterns despite Low Faunal Overlap.

Objective: The finer scale patterns of arthropod vertical stratification in forests are rarely studied and poorly understood. Further, there are no studies investigating whether and how altitude affects arthropod vertical stratification in temperate forests. We therefore investigated the fine-scale vertical stratification of diversity and guild structure of saproxylic beetles in temperate lowland and montane forests and compared the resulting patterns between the two habitats.

Arthropod Distribution in a Tropical Rainforest: Tackling a Four Dimensional Puzzle.

Quantifying the spatio-temporal distribution of arthropods in tropical rainforests represents a first step towards scrutinizing the global distribution of biodiversity on Earth. To date most studies have focused on narrow taxonomic groups or lack a design that allows partitioning of the components of diversity. Here, we consider an exceptionally large dataset (113,952 individuals representing 5,858 species), obtained from the San Lorenzo forest in Panama, where the phylogenetic breadth of arthropod taxa was surveyed using 14 protocols targeting the soil, litter, understory, lower and upper canopy habitats, replicated across seasons in 2003 and 2004.

The global distribution of diet breadth in insect herbivores.

Understanding variation in resource specialization is important for progress on issues that include coevolution, community assembly, ecosystem processes, and the latitudinal gradient of species richness. Herbivorous insects are useful models for studying resource specialization, and the interaction between plants and herbivorous insects is one of the most common and consequential ecological associations on the planet. However, uncertainty persists regarding fundamental features of herbivore diet breadth, including its relationship to latitude and plant species richness.

Is active management the key to the conservation of saproxylic biodiversity? Pollarding promotes the formation of tree hollows.

Trees with hollows are key features sustaining biodiversity in wooded landscapes. They host rich assemblages of often highly specialised organisms. Hollow trees, however, have become rare and localised in Europe.

Arthropod diversity in a tropical forest.

Most eukaryotic organisms are arthropods. Yet, their diversity in rich terrestrial ecosystems is still unknown. Here we produce tangible estimates of the total species richness of arthropods in a tropical rainforest.

Demography and dispersal ability of a threatened saproxylic beetle: a mark-recapture study of the Rosalia Longicorn (Rosalia alpina).

The Rosalia longicorn or Alpine longhorn (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae) is an endangered and strictly protected icon of European saproxylic biodiversity. Despite its popularity, lack of information on its demography and mobility may compromise adoption of suitable conservation strategies. The beetle experienced marked retreat from NW part of its range; its single population survives N of the Alps and W of the Carpathians.

Guild-specific patterns of species richness and host specialization in plant-herbivore food webs from a tropical forest.

1. The extent to which plant-herbivore feeding interactions are specialized is key to understand the processes maintaining the diversity of both tropical forest plants and their insect herbivores. However, studies documenting the full complexity of tropical plant-herbivore food webs are lacking.

Discrepancy in ultrasound biometric parameters of the head (HC--head circumference, BPD--biparietal diameter) in breech presented fetuses.

Background: A comparison of fetal ultrasonographic biometric parameters of the head (head circumference - HC, biparietal diameter - BPD) in breech presented fetuses.

Methods: Ultrasound biometry was performed in accordance with the method presented in the reference tables. In all breech presented fetuses, the HC, BPD and FL (femur length) were measured.

Is obesity a preventive factor for lung cancer?

Lung cancer is a disease with multifactorial etiology, smoking playing the most important role among its risk factors. Some studies, however, indicate an inverse association between increased body-mass index (BMI) and the risk of lung cancer. In this paper, the association between BMI and lung cancer risk is analysed in two independent studies.

The impact of obesity on cardiovascular disease mortality in the District Sumperk, Czech Republic.

Objective: The impact of obesity on cardiovascular mortality in the District Sumperk (C2) is assessed.

Methods: A case-control design was selected to study the impact of obesity on cardiovascular mortality among the population of the District Sumperk, Czech Republic. Exposure to obesity was defined as body-mass index (BMI) higher or equal 30.

Association between obesity and cancer incidence in the population of the District Sumperk, Czech Republic.

Background: Excess body weight was shown to be associated with risk of several types of cancer. In the Czech Republic, malignant tumors are the second leading cause of death. The aim of this study was to assess the association between the most frequent types of cancer and obesity.

Obesity and insulin resistance in childhood.

Obesity is a serious risk factor for insulin resistance leading to diabetes and other disorders. As it is also occurring at ever younger age groups the aim of this study was to compare average levels of the homeostatic indices HOMA and QUICKI in obese compared to healthy children in an effort to find convenient markers for insulin sensitivity in clinical pediatric practice. Twenty one obese and 29 healthy children were selected.

Serum Reg-Ialpha is not suitable marker of metabolic syndrome.

Background: Reg-1alpha plays a role in various types of tissue regeneration.

Aim: To evaluate serum Reg-1alpha for the diagnosis of metabolic syndrome.

Methods: 14 non-obese, healthy subjects and 15 individuals with metabolic syndrome were studied.

Treatment with atorvastatin reduces serum adipocyte-fatty acid binding protein value in patients with hyperlipidaemia.

Background: Adipocyte-fatty acid binding protein (A-FABP) is a circulating protein expressed in adipocytes and macrophages. Several recent studies demonstrated that A-FABP might be involved in the pathogenesis of metabolic syndrome, particularly in dyslipidaemia, insulin resistance and atherosclerosis. The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of atorvastatin treatment (20 mg day(-1) for 3 months) on serum A-FABP value in subjects with hyperlipidaemia.

[Tetanus immunity in the elderly in the Czech Republic].

The study objective was to test immunity against tetanus in the elderly in the Czech Republic. Within serological surveys and in old people's homes, 776 persons aged 60 years or more were tested for antibodies against tetanus by an ELISA method. As many as 91 % of these persons had medium to high titers of antibodies against tetanus.

[Adiponectin and insulin sensitivity].

Background: Adiponectin is a fat tissue protein that plays a role in maintaining the homeostasis of glucose and lipids, along with counteracting a number of risk factors associated with atherosclerosis and obesity. In addition, adiponectin has an effect on insulin sensitivity. The aim of this work was to assess concentrations of adiponectin in predefined groups of individuals and to analyse the associations between adiponectin and other metabolic parameters.

[Discrepancy of ultrasound biometric parameters of the head (HC--head circumference, BPD--biparietal diameter) and femur length in relation to sex of the fetus and duration of pregnancy].

Objective: To compare female and male fetuses in terms of intrauterine ultrasound growth measurements (HC--head circumference, BPD--biparietal diameter, FL--femur lenght) depending on gestational age.

Design: A prospective study.

Setting: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Department of Medical Genetics and Fetal Medicine, Department of Preventive Medicine, University Hospital, Olomouc.

[Assessment of the incidence of metabolic syndrome].

Background: Metabolic syndrome represents a disease with high prevalence and influence on the cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. The aim of this study is to estimate frequency of metabolic syndrome in the district Sumperk, in years 1979-1981 based on the analysis of large Preventive check-ups database.

Methods And Results: Database of Preventive oncologic check-ups from Sumperk district comprising 40 099 subjects with follow up in years 1979-1981 has been used to assess the metabolic syndrome prevalence.

Protection against tetanus in the aged people in the Czech Republic--cross-sectional study.

The aged people belong to most vulnerable group for tetanus infection in terms of their vaccination history, frequency of injuries, which may serve as gate of entry for this infection and declared decrease of general as well as specific immunity. The examinations of the aged people for antitetanus antibodies have been done to assess the immunity against tetanus in this particular group of people in the Czech republic. Blood samples were collected from people living in hostels for senior citizens on the bases of signed informed consent.

Lung cancer incidence in the Czech Republic: a time-trend study.

Background: Analysis of cancer incidence trends is one of the prerequisites for cancer prevention. It is possible to set up priorities and assess current development of morbidity.

Methods: All lung cancer incidences in the Moravia region of the Czech Republic (4,000,000 inhabitants) in the years 1984-1998 have been assessed concerning incidence, anatomical subsites, stage, and morphology.

The 2001 serologic survey in the Czech Republic--tetanus.

In 2001, a serological survey of antibody against tetanus was carded out in the Czech Republic among 499 individuals aged between 40 and 64 years. It revealed that 2.8% of them had antibody titres below protective levels and 43.