Functional and Quality Profile Evaluation of Butters, Spreadable Fats, and Shortenings Available from Czech Market.

The aim of this study was to assess the functional properties of butters, spreadable fats, and shortenings, collected from the Czech market, in correlation with their nutritional values declared by the producers. Various methods were applied to determine relevant parameters of the products. Using penetration tests, samples were characterized by specific textural attributes according to their composition and processing type, particularly for the presence of milk/vegetable fats. Using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), thermal peaks corresponding to medium- and high-melting triacylglycerol fractions were detected in the ranges 15-16 °C and 31.5-34.5 °C, respectively. Rheological analysis revealed that the viscoelasticity of samples was related to frequency behavior of the fat structure, characterized by the dominance of elastic modulus (G') over viscous modulus (G″) up to the frequency of 10 Hz. This indicated good emulsion stability of the products in the region of linear viscoelasticity. For spreadable fats, the structure was resistant to phase separation in the whole frequency range under study (0.1-100 Hz). The results showed that the applied techniques can be successfully used to characterize the processing and compositional quality of butters and vegetable fats.

A kestrel without hooked beak and talons is not a kestrel for the red-backed shrike (Lanius collurio).

Birds are strongly motivated to recognize various predators to secure survival and reproductive success. Thus, predator recognition provides a useful tool for the investigation of the process of discrimination and categorization in non-trained animals. The most important role in this process is usually attributed to the prominent unique features shared by all members within the wider category of predators (sharp teeth or beaks, claws, talons and conspicuous eyes). However, birds are also able to discriminate between particular predator species according to their species-specific features (based mainly on colouration). We manipulated general raptor salient features (hooked beak, talons with claws and eyes with supraorbital ridges) and/or species-specific plumage colouration on the dummy of a Eurasian kestrel (Falco tinnunculus) to investigate their importance in the recognition process of the red-backed shrikes (Lanius collurio) during nest defence. We showed that the presence of general raptor salient features is necessary for the recognition of a predator. The kestrel dummy with natural species-specific colouration with altered raptor salient features was treated by shrikes as a harmless bird. Nevertheless, pronounced changes in colouration also prevented successful recognition of the dummy as a kestrel, even when raptor salient features of a raptor were present.

Long-term efficacy and safety of aerosolized tobramycin 300 mg/4 ml in cystic fibrosis.

INTRODUCTION: Aerosolized tobramycin is a standard of care for chronic Pseudomonas aeruginosa (Pa) infection in patients with cystic fibrosis (CF). OBJECTIVES: The long-term safety and efficacy of intermittent (28-day "on"/"off" cycles) inhaled tobramycin nebulization solution 300 mg/4 ml (TNS4, Bramitob(®)/Bethkis(®)) was assessed over 56 weeks in CF patients aged ≥6 years having baseline 1 sec forced expiratory volume (FEV(1)) 40-80% predicted. METHODS: Patients were initially randomized in an 8-week open-label trial (core phase) to compare TNS4 (N = 159) and tobramycin 300 mg/5 ml (TNS5, TOBI(®)) (N = 165). A subset of patients continued in a 48-week, single-arm extension receiving TNS4 only. The primary endpoint of the core phase was to demonstrate the non-inferiority of TNS4 compared to TNS5 in terms of absolute change from baseline to week 4 in FEV(1) % predicted. The assessment of long-term safety was the primary purpose of the extension phase. Throughout all phases of the study, microbiological assessments, adverse events, and audiometry findings were also evaluated. RESULTS: In the core phase (N = 321), FEV(1) (% predicted) increased from baseline (absolute change) following a single on-treatment cycle for both TNS4 (7.0%) and TNS5 (7.5%) and the non-inferiority between treatments was met [difference between treatments of -0.5 (95% CI: -2.6; 1.6)]. These improvements were maintained throughout the extension phase (N = 209), ranging throughout the study between 5.1% (95% CI: 3.2; 6.9) and 8.1% (95% CI: 6.8; 9.4) compared to baseline. Pa sputum count reductions ranged between 0.6 (95% CI: 0.2; 0.9) to 2.3 (95% CI: 2.0; 2.6) log10 CFU/g throughout the 56 weeks. No remarkable safety issues were identified throughout both study phases, with similar percentages of patients reporting adverse events in the two treatment groups during the 8-week core phase [TNS4 (31.4%); TNS5 (28.0%)]. CONCLUSIONS: Overall, TNS4 demonstrated short-term clinical benefits similar to TNS5 which were maintained during the long-term use of TNS4 and was also associated with a favorable tolerability profile.

Distribution of CFTR mutations in the Czech population: positive impact of integrated clinical and laboratory expertise, detection of novel/de novo alleles and relevance for related/derived populations.

BACKGROUND: This two decade long study presents a comprehensive overview of the CFTR mutation distribution in a representative cohort of 600 Czech CF patients derived from all regions of the Czech Republic. METHODS: We examined the most common CF-causing mutations using the Elucigene CF-EU2v1™ assay, followed by MLPA, mutation scanning and/or sequencing of the entire CFTR coding region and splice site junctions. RESULTS: We identified 99.5% of all mutations (1194/1200 CFTR alleles) in the Czech CF population. Altogether 91 different CFTR mutations, of which 20 were novel, were detected. One case of de novo mutation and a novel polymorphism was revealed. CONCLUSION: The commercial assay achieved 90.7%, the MLPA added 1.0% and sequencing increased the detection rate by 7.8%. These comprehensive data provide a basis for the improvement of CF DNA diagnostics and/or newborn screening in our country. In addition, they are relevant to related Central European populations with lower mutation detection rates, as well as to the sizeable North American "Bohemian diaspora".

PCR detection of Burkholderia cepacia complex as one of key factors to handle a long-term outbreak.

BACKGROUND: Once the outbreak with Burkholderia cenocepacia ST32 was identified in the Prague cystic fibrosis (CF) centre, molecular tools were implemented into diagnostic routine in order to complement infection control measures with as accurate as possible microbiological service. In addition, genotyping techniques were applied as part of an infection surveillance program to assign species and strain status in samples positive for Burkholderia cepacia complex (Bcc). We sought to evaluate a usefulness of Bcc-specific PCR in infection control and to map evolution of the outbreak. METHODS: Since 2001, 6109 respiratory samples from 299 CF patients were examined not only by conventional culture, but also by PCR, detecting Bcc directly in sputum. RESULTS: Diagnosis of Bcc infection was established by culture in 54 patients already prior to 2001. As 39 more patients were diagnosed by culture and/or PCR during 2001-2010, this represented annual prevalence of 18.5%-28.9%. Twelve of 39 patients were culture negative at the time of their first PCR positivity. Although 2/3 of them became subsequently culture positive, the time delay in diagnostics of the infection by culture ranged from 1 to 22 months. New cases of Bcc infection were detected every year, however a dramatic drop was observed for the epidemic strain ST32. CONCLUSION: A likely factor contributing to the end of ST32 epidemic was segregation of Bcc infected patients that included also patients with no culture, but PCR positivity. The diagnostic PCR led to timely identification of cases with 'culture-invisible' infection.