Two important mechanisms that explain exactly how information about pain or heat and cold is transmitted in the cell have been revealed in an international study by scientists from Lund University, with participation of experts from the Institute of Physiology of the CAS. Two studies were published in the journal Nature Communications.
Breast milk contains an ideal cocktail of nutrients and biologically active substances that are essential for the rapid growth and development of the baby. In a new study, researchers from the Institute of Physiology of the CAS have described how the quality of the primary milk - colostrum - is negatively affected by premature birth or caesarean section. They also found that complex lipids are present in breast milk, which are broken down by one of the milk enzymes, releasing anti-inflammatory substances. Thus, breast milk is an irreplaceable way of nutrition for babies even in cases of substandard births.
The National Institute for Metabolic and Cardiovascular Disease Research is established - the largest ever domestic project of this type, bringing together five centres of scientific, research and clinical excellence. The prestigious institutions will help patients with diseases of civilisation, which together account for many times more lives than cancer. Teams of experts from IKEM, the Institute of Physiology and the Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry of the CAS, Masaryk University in Brno and Charles University will work together to gain a deeper understanding of the causes of interconnected diseases, to develop new drugs and to increase the involvement of modern technologies in treatment.
Before the internal biological clock of the fetus starts ticking, the rhythmic behaviour of the mother influences the function and development of this structure. The team of Alena Sumová from the Institute of Physiology of the Czech Academy of Sciences found this and published it in a new study in the journal PLOS Biology. This discovery contributes significantly to the understanding of the development of the internal clock and may find application in the treatment of premature babies.
Stress causes a cascade of events in the body. At the cellular level, the transcription factor p53 also responds to stress, preventing normal cells from becoming cancer cells. Another transcription factor, FOXO4, also plays an important role. Under stress conditions, these proteins interact and together increase the production of the p21 protein, causing cells to enter a senescent or ageing state. The accumulation of such cells contributes to the aging of the organism.
Almost 400,000 Czechs have experienced an epileptic seizure in their lifetime, 80,000 people in the Czech Republic live with active epilepsy. Due to fears of seizures, patients often limit themselves in their leisure activities, including sports. However, sport has been proven to improve the course of epilepsy, the most common chronic brain disease. This is also to be pointed out at the International Day of Epilepsy, which is being celebrated on 8th February.
LipiDiDiet is the longest randomized clinical trial in prodromal Alzheimer’s disease (AD) with a positive outcome conducted so far. Prodromal AD patients are on the ultimate stage before progressing to dementia. These patients, and their close partners, already realize that the mind deteriorates and memory, especially short-term memory, slowly but progressively fades. Despite intensive research, there is still no cure or disease modifying treatment available for prodromal AD. However, this early Alzheimer’s disease stage is considered to represent the best option for intervention.
Adding tiny amounts of beetroot or dietary nitrate to salty food products might help prevent high blood pressure, according to a preliminary study of rats.
Press release (in Czech)
Institute of Physiology of the Czech Academy of Sciences has joined an exclusive group of workplaces that have been awarded the prestigious European HR Excellence in Research Award.
The European Commission awards those research and university workplaces that are committed to improving the strategy in human resources in accordance with the principles of the European Charter for Researchers and the Code of Conduct for the Recruitment of Researchers.
Press release (in Czech)
About 80,000 patients in the Czech Republic currently suffer from active epilepsy. This means that they have had at least one epileptic seizure over the past five years. About 5,000 new patients are diagnosed per year. Correctly administered first aid that can save a patient's life is the theme of the International Epilepsy Day, commemorated on Monday, February 11.
Press release (in Czech)
