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- ItemUltra-high-frequency ECG volumetric and negative derivative epicardial ventricular electrical activation pattern(NATURE PORTFOLIO, 2024-03-07) Leinveber, Pavel; Halámek, Josef; Čurila, Karol; Prinzen, Frits; Lipoldová, Jolana; Matejková, Magdaléna; Smíšek, Radovan; Plešinger, Filip; Nagy, Andrej; Novák, Miroslav; Viščor, Ivo; Vondra, Vlastimil; Jurák, PavelFrom precordial ECG leads, the conventional determination of the negative derivative of the QRS complex (ND-ECG) assesses epicardial activation. Recently we showed that ultra-high-frequency electrocardiography (UHF-ECG) determines the activation of a larger volume of the ventricular wall. We aimed to combine these two methods to investigate the potential of volumetric and epicardial ventricular activation assessment and thereby determine the transmural activation sequence. We retrospectively analyzed 390 ECG records divided into three groups-healthy subjects with normal ECG, left bundle branch block (LBBB), and right bundle branch block (RBBB) patients. Then we created UHF-ECG and ND-ECG-derived depolarization maps and computed interventricular electrical dyssynchrony. Characteristic spatio-temporal differences were found between the volumetric UHF-ECG activation patterns and epicardial ND-ECG in the Normal, LBBB, and RBBB groups, despite the overall high correlations between both methods. Interventricular electrical dyssynchrony values assessed by the ND-ECG were consistently larger than values computed by the UHF-ECG method. Noninvasively obtained UHF-ECG and ND-ECG analyses describe different ventricular dyssynchrony and the general course of ventricular depolarization. Combining both methods based on standard 12-lead ECG electrode positions allows for a more detailed analysis of volumetric and epicardial ventricular electrical activation, including the assessment of the depolarization wave direction propagation in ventricles.
- ItemDecreased quality of life in Duchenne muscular disease patients related to functional neurological and cardiac impairment(FRONTIERS MEDIA SA, 2024-02-08) Juříková, Lenka; Masárová, Lucia; Panovský, Roman; Pešl, Martin; Žondra Revendová, Kamila; Volný, Ondřej; Feitová, Věra; Holeček, Tomáš; Kincl, Vladimír; Danhofer, Pavlína; Voháňka, Stanislav; Haberlová, Jana; Podolská, KarolínaIn this prospective study involving 37 Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) patients aged 8-18 years and older, we examined the impact of neurological and cardiac factors on quality of life (QoL). Our findings revealed a negative correlation between upper limb movement and overall mobility, self-service, and usual activities. Ambulatory and non-ambulatory DMD patients showed significant differences in mobility-related parameters. Cardiac evaluations demonstrated associations between mitral annular plane systolic excursion (MAPSE) and mobility-related aspects. The PEDSQL 3.0 neuromuscular model questionnaire further highlighted age-related and movement-related correlations with QoL. The loss of ambulatory status and reduced upper limb movement were negatively associated with QoL, while upper limb movement positively correlated with septal MAPSE. However, no significant associations were found between MAPSE and anxiety/depression. These findings underscore the multifaceted impact of DMD on QoL and emphasize the importance of considering both neurological and cardiac factors in comprehensive patient care.
- ItemExtracellular Vesicles and Hydrogels: An Innovative Approach to Tissue Regeneration(American Chemical Society, 2024-01-31) Hashemi, Amir; Ezati, Masoumeh; Partovi Nasr, Minoo; Zumberg, Inna; Provazník, ValentineExtracellular vesicles have emerged as promising tools in regenerative medicine due to their inherent ability to facilitate intercellular communication and modulate cellular functions. These nanosized vesicles transport bioactive molecules, such as proteins, lipids, and nucleic acids, which can affect the behavior of recipient cells and promote tissue regeneration. However, the therapeutic application of these vesicles is frequently constrained by their rapid clearance from the body and inability to maintain a sustained presence at the injury site. In order to overcome these obstacles, hydrogels have been used as extracellular vesicle delivery vehicles, providing a localized and controlled release system that improves their therapeutic efficacy. This Review will examine the role of extracellular vesicle-loaded hydrogels in tissue regeneration, discussing potential applications, current challenges, and future directions. We will investigate the origins, composition, and characterization techniques of extracellular vesicles, focusing on recent advances in exosome profiling and the role of machine learning in this field. In addition, we will investigate the properties of hydrogels that make them ideal extracellular vesicle carriers. Recent studies utilizing this combination for tissue regeneration will be highlighted, providing a comprehensive overview of the current research landscape and potential future directions.
- ItemDetecting horizontal gene transfer among microbiota: an innovative pipeline for identifying co-shared genes within the mobilome through advanced comparative analysis(American Society for Microbiology, 2023-11-30) Schwarzerová, Jana; Zeman, Michal; Babák, Vladimír; Jurečková, Kateřina; Nykrýnová, Markéta; Varga, Margaret; Weckwerth, Wolfram; Dolejská, Monika; Provazník, Valentine; Rychlík, Ivan; Čejková, DarinaThe study presents an innovative pipeline for detecting horizontal gene transfer (HGT) among a collection of sequenced genomes from gut microbiota. Herein, chicken and porcine gut microbiota were analyzed. Based on statistical analysis, we propose that nearly identical genes co-shared between distinct genera can be evidence for a previous event of mobilization of that gene from genome to genome via HGT. Data mining, computational analysis, and network analysis were used to investigate genomes of 452 isolates of chicken or porcine origin to detect genes involved in HGT. The proposed pipeline is user-friendly and includes network visualization. The study highlights that different species and strains of the same genera typically carry different cargo of mobilized genes. The pipeline is capable of identifying not yet characterized genes, as well as genes that are usually co-transferred with genes involved in resistance, virulence, and/or mobilization. Among the analyzed genome collection, the main reservoirs of the HGT genes were found in Phocaeicola spp. (Bacteroidaceae) and UBA9475 spp. (early Pseudoflavonifractor, Oscillospiraceae). Altogether, over 6,000 genes suspected of HGT were identified. Genes associated with intracellular trafficking and secretion and DNA repair were enriched, while genes of unknown and general functions were dominant but not enriched. Only 15 genes were co-shared between Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, mostly genes directly associated with mobilome or antibiotic resistance. However, most HGTs were identified among different genera of the same phylum. Therefore, we suggest that a significant selection pressure exists on gene variants at the phylum level.
- ItemHigh prevalence and genetic diversity of Treponema paraluisleporidarum isolates in European lagomorphs(American Society for Microbiology, 2023-11-26) Knauf, Sascha; Hisgen, Linda; Agren, Erik O.; Barlow, Alexander M.; Faehndrich, Marcus; Voigt, Ulrich; Fischer, Luisa; Grillová, Linda; Hallmaier-Wacker, Luisa K.; Kik, Marja J. L.; Klink, Jana C.; Křenová, Jitka; Lavazza, Antonio; Lueert, Simone; Nováková, Markéta; Čejková, Darina; Pacioni, Carlo; Trogu, Tiziana; Šmajs, David; Roos, ChristianThe bacterium Treponema paraluisleporidarum causes syphilis in lagomorphs. In a set of 1,095 samples from four species—European brown hare, mountain hare, Corsican hare, and European rabbit—we tested for infection and genotyped the strains that infect wild lagomorphs. Samples originate from Sweden, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, Germany, the Czech Republic, and Italy. The phylogenetic analyses of two informative gene targets (tp0488 and tp0548) showed high genetic diversity among the lagomorph-infecting treponemes. More specifically, we found a high number of nucleotide variants and various short repeat units in the tp0548 locus that have not been described for human syphilis and primate yaws causing Treponema pallidum. While the functional aspect of these short repeat units remains subject to ongoing investigations, it likely enables the pathogen to better survive in its lagomorph host. Our data did not support any geographic clustering, which is equally reflected in the host population genetics as shown by mitochondrial genome data corresponding to the sampled lagomorph populations. This is unexpected and in contrast with what has been shown for nonhuman primate infection with T. pallidum. In the future, the combination of multi-locus sequence typing and whole genome data from modern and ancient samples from a wide geographic range and multiple lagomorph species will contribute to a better understanding of the epidemiology and evolutionary path of lagomorph-infecting treponemes. In conclusion, our current study demonstrates widespread infection and a high genetic variation of the syphilis-causing pathogen in a higher number of positively PCR-tested European lagomorphs (n = 302/1,095).