Biomedical subjects

A Novák

Publications and source records attributed to A Novák.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2004

Characterization of Candida albicans colony morphological mutants and their hybrids by means of RAPD-PCR, isoenzyme analysis and pathogenicity analysis.

A wild-type strain of Candida albicans (S1, ATCC 10261) was used to obtain stable auxotrophic colony morphological mutants (mutant M5 producing only true hyphae and mutant M2 containing 90 % blastospores and 10 % pseudohyphae) by induced mutagenesis. A hybrid was produced by somatic hybridization between these 2 mutants. Out of the isolated 10 clones, 2 stable hybrid clones were chosen and characterized: clone VI. 1M produced rough colonies containing a new, extended cell type (never observed in natural isolates), exhibited unipolar budding, did not form a germ tube, and possessed 12 chromosomal bands. All other features (antifungal and stress sensitivity, adhesion ability, pathogenicity, and isoenzyme and RAPD patterns) were similar to those of mycelial mutant M5. In contrast, the characteristics of clone VI.9S were similar to those of morphological mutant M2.

Animals↗

PubMed2003

Characterization of Candida albicans colony-morphology mutants and their hybrids.

The collection wild-type strain of Candida albicans was used to obtain auxotrophic and colony-morphology mutants by 'nitrosoguanidine' treatment. Intraspecific protoplast fusion induced by Ca(2+)-poly(ethyleneglycol) was carried out in various pairings between the auxotrophic strain producing smooth colonies and containing blastospores and the colony-morphology mutants containing a mixture of blastospores and pseudohyphae or only hyphae. Hybrids exhibiting full or partial complementation were obtained when mutants producing smooth colonies and colony-morphology variants of different origins were fused. The mutation responsible for the colony-morphology character (if various types of colony morphomutants were crossed) proved to be recessive or semidominant. Representative hybrids exhibited elevated DNA contents as measured by flow cytometry. To illustrate various cell types, and especially the intermediate one (never observed in natural isolates), a preparation method was further developed for scanning electron microscopic studies.

Candida albicans↗

PubMed2003

The combined contraceptive vaginal ring, NuvaRing: an international study of user acceptability.

The acceptability of the combined contraceptive vaginal ring, NuvaRing, was assessed during two trials conducted in North America and Europe. Women completed a questionnaire about the ring's clarity of instructions, ease of use, sexual comfort, cycle-related characteristics and satisfaction after 3, 6 and 13 cycles of use. A total of 1,950 women (82% of those recruited) completed a questionnaire at cycle 3. At baseline, 66% of participants preferred oral contraceptives, but after three cycles of ring use 81% preferred the ring. On study completion, 97% agreed that the instructions for use were clear; 85% of women and 71% of their partners never/rarely felt the ring during intercourse and 94% of partners never/rarely minded that the woman was using the ring. Overall acceptance was high, 96% were satisfied with the ring and 97% would recommend the ring. Similar responses were seen for women who prematurely discontinued from the studies, except that slightly fewer women were satisfied (60%) and would recommend the ring (75%). Reasons for liking the ring included 'not having to remember anything' (45%) and 'ease of use' (27%). In conclusion, there is a high level of user and partner acceptability for the contraceptive ring.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2001

Variation of isoenzyme and RAPD patterns in Candida albicans morphological mutants with altered colony ultrastructure.

Molecular typing methods were applied to characterize four stable morphological mutants [1] isolated from a UV-induced unstable mutant colony of Candida albicans. The wild-type strain (ATCC 64385), the intermediate unstable mutant and its four morphologically altered derivatives revealed the same electrophoretic karyotypes. Of the five isoenzymes tested (catalase, malate dehydrogenase, glutamate dehydrogenase, acid phosphatase and 3-glucosidase), glutamate dehydrogenase displayed a different enzyme pattern (with an extra band of lower mobility) in the morphological mutants. In contrast, the random amplification DNA polymorphism patterns of the mutant strains differed in all cases from that of the parental strain. Different primers revealed various degrees of DNA polymorphism; one of them (OPC-8) proved to be useful for differentiation between all examined strains. Differences in genetic alterations between spontaneous and induced mutants, and the applicability of different molecular markers to analyse the consequences of induced mutagenesis in C. albicans are discussed.

Candida albicans↗

PubMed2000

The speech intelligibility at the opera singing.

The authors investigated the speech intelligibility at opera singing. They analysed several arias sung by soprano voices from Czech opera "Rusalka" (The water Nymph), from Puccini's opera "La Boheme" and several parts of arias from "Il barbiere di Siviglia" sung by baritone, tenor, bass and soprano. The sonographic pictures of selected arias were compared with a subjective evaluation. The difference between both authors was about 70%. The opinion is, that the singer's formant is not the only one problem having its role in the speech intelligibility of opera singing. The important role is played by the ability to change the shape of vocal tract and the ability of rapid and exact articulatory movements. This ability influences the shape of transients that are important at the normal speaking and also in the singing.

Female↗

PubMed1995

Acoustic parameters for the evaluation of voice of future voice professionals.

The authors tried to establish quantitative and qualitative acoustic parameters of a good voice, suitable for future voice professionals. In their work they used long-time average spectrum analysis (LTAS) and three-dimensional analysis of periodicity (3D-PAN). They consider the regression straight line of formant regions and the parameters offered by 3D-PAN--jitter first of all--as the main acoustic parameters for the evaluation of voice quality and draw attention to the fact that acoustic parameters represent only one part of the evaluation of voice quality.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1993

Emotions in the sight of long-time averaged spectrum and three-dimensional analysis of periodicity.

The authors used long-time averaged spectrum and three-dimensional analysis of periodicity (3D-PAN) for analyzing emotional expressions in utterances. They confirmed the movement of the skewness of formant region, that is getting smaller at anger and at joy. It can reach positive values. The skewness is higher at sadness. These findings correspond to the physiological phenomena that we can follow in the whole musculature. The 3D-PAN has not brought any new finding as far.

Computer Graphics↗

PubMed1992

[The effect of breast feeding on morbidity in children].

The authors investigated in a group of 4210 children from birth to three years from Southern Moravia the morbidity from respiratory infections, diarrhoea and other infections. There were bisexual differences in morbidity, girls were less frequently ill. Children from child communities had a two old morbidity. Birth order was also important. The influence of natural nutrition was apparent in particular during the first year when infants breastfed for more than 4 months had significantly fewer spells of illness. These results were influenced by sex and birth order. At the age of two and three years the differences between children breastfed for a short and long time disappeared. Similar results were found also in other morbidity indicators such as administration of antibiotics, number of hospital admissions and mean number of days spent in hospital.

Breast Feeding↗

PubMed1992

[The effect of breast feeding on anthropometric indicators in very young children].

In a group of 4,217 children from Southern Moravia the authors evaluated growth from birth to the age of three years in relation to breastfeeding. The basic anthropometric data were evaluated in sub-groups made with regard to birth weight. Infants who were breastfed longer than four months were lighter during the first half year, as compared with those breastfed for a shorter period; at the age of one year this difference disappeared, in the second year they tended to have a higher weight, in the third year the differences were balanced. The same was manifested in weight increments. The influence on height was not so marked and was manifested mainly in the difference of increments. The head circumference and chest circumference was not much influenced. Evaluation of indices of proportionality revealed a more harmonious growth in children who were breastfed for a longer period.

Birth Weight↗

PubMed1989

[Results of rehabilitation of patients after cochlear implantation of a single-channel extracochlear neuroprosthesis manufactured in Czechoslovakia].

The authors present an account of the results of rehabilitation of the first three subjects after cochlear implantation of a Czechoslovak single-channel neuroprosthesis. The results of rehabilitation were evaluated by means of specially designed videotests and audiotests to make the results comparable with results of neuroprostheses implanted abroad. Based on these tests--in particular MSD--they reached the unequivocal conclusion that the results of cochlear implantation of the Czechoslovak extracochlear neuroprosthesis, as far as rehabilitation is concerned, compare favourably with results achieved by other neuroprosthesis of this type. In all three patients the neuroprosthesis mediates to the patients information on the presence of sound, in many instances it makes identification of this sound possible. In combination with lip-reading the patients are able without major problems to communicate with the environment. Resocialization of the operated patients was achieved.

Adult↗

PubMed1989

[Problems of work incapacity of ambulatory patients at the Second Stomatological Clinic, Faculty Hospital with Policlinic, Pekarská, Brno].

The authors analyze the development of work incapacity in ambulatory patients treated in 1979-1987 by sex, age and period of work incapacity. They used graphic illustrations of time series with a regression line which indicates a rising or declining trend of work incapacity. The analysis revealed that the work incapacity has, with the exception of men aged 15-24 years, a rising trend in particular in women. According the authors this can be partly explained by changes and extension of therapeutic activities in ambulatory surgeries. Certain reserves are also in the planning of therapeutic procedures and control activity.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1989

[Adjustment of hearing aids using a computer].

There was developed the programme for the fitting of hearing-aids for minicomputer SHARP PC 1500. According to the audiometric investigation the programme enables to choose the SPPL (Saturation Sound Pressure Level), gain, compression and frequency range. The programme was proved in the fitting of hearing-aids to thirty subjects, mostly with sensorineural hearing impairment. The use of the computer is considered as the simplifying of this work to the audiological personal.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1989

[Initial experience with rehabilitation of patients after cochlear implants].

The authors describe the first results with rehabilitation of patients with czechoslovak single - channel cochlear implant. The implantation was performed in three postlingually deaf adults. The deafness lasted from 8-28 years. The information about the presence of a sound is considered as the contribution of the cochlear implant. The patients were able to differentiate ten common sounds after the rehabilitation, their ability of understanding speech sounds was better with lipreading and cochlear implant than before implantation.

Adult↗

PubMed1988