https://dspace.jcu.cz/handle/20.500.14390/9557 2026-04-09T13:35:05Z 2026-04-09T13:35:05Z Venhauerová, Anna https://dspace.jcu.cz/handle/20.500.14390/48722 2026-01-06T11:56:05Z 2023-01-01T00:00:00Z

Mannan-BAM, TLR ligands, and anti-CD40 immunotherapy in established murine pancreatic adenocarcinoma: understanding therapeutic potentials and limitations Venhauerová, Anna The aim of this RNDr. Thesis is focused on understanding therapeutic potentials and limitations of the antitumor MBTA immunotherapy which is based on synergy of TLR agonists, anti-CD40, and phagocytosis stimulating ligands anchored into the tumor cell membranes. In this study, immunotherapy was tested in murine pancreatic adenocarcinoma Panc02 model. Firstly, the short-term and long-term efficacy of MBTA therapy was tested using established subcutaneous Panc02 tumors two times larger than in previous study. Secondly, the work is devoted to better understanding of the adaptive immunity involvement focusing on CD4+ and CD8+ T lymphocytes during the therapy and their effect on tumor volume reduction, long-term survival and resistance against tumor rechallenge. Subsequently, the ability of immunological memory to cross over the blood-brain barrier confirming its potential applicability in metastatic brain tumors was examined. Moreover, the antigen specificity of the immunological memory was evaluated. Finally, the potential of MBTA therapy to cure metastatic disease, represented by bilateral Panc02 mouse model, was studied. In this case, the MBTA therapy manifested a lower therapeutic response. Therefore, it was combined with diverse therapeutic approaches, such as intratumoral application of anti-CTLA-4 antibody, heat-killed Listeria monocytogenes, chemoablation using EtOH, targeting the tumor microenvironment by hyaluronidase, simultaneous injections of MBTA therapy in primary and secondary distant tumors, and its combination with RT. Despite all these combinations, our results showed that only simultaneous application of MBTA therapy into both tumors has potential for the treatment of the bilateral Panc02.

2023-01-01T00:00:00Z Hlávková, Daniela https://dspace.jcu.cz/handle/20.500.14390/48725 2026-01-06T11:56:05Z 2023-01-01T00:00:00Z

Role of adipokinetic hormone in the Colorado potato beetle, Leptinotarsa decemlineata infected with the entomopathogenic nematode Steinernema carpocapsae. Hlávková, Daniela The study investigates the involvement of adipokinetic hormone (AKH) in the Colorado potato beetle's Leptinotarsa decemlineata (Say, 1824) (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) responsive reactions to infection of the entomopathogenic nematode Steinernema carpocapsae (Weiser, 1955) (Rhabditida: Steinernematidae). The findings show that nematode presence doubles the amount of AKH in the central nervous system of L. decemlineata, indicating mobilization of anti-stress reactions in the body. Moreover, the external co-application of Peram-CAH-II with the nematode significantly increased beetle mortality. Therefore, the paper investigates possible mechanisms underlying these phenomena and suggests that the nematodes may benefit from the observed mobilization of metabolites from the fat body into the Peram-CAH-II-induced hemolymph, which provides them with a more nutrient-dense substrate for propagation. These findings could serve in the development suitable insect pest control methods in the future.

2023-01-01T00:00:00Z Lisner, Aleš https://dspace.jcu.cz/handle/20.500.14390/48723 2026-01-06T11:56:05Z 2023-01-01T00:00:00Z

Determinants of Piper (Piperaceae) climber composition in a lowland tropical rainforest in New Guinea Lisner, Aleš The study examines the distribution of root climbers from the genus Piper on host trees depending on environmental properties and host tree characteristics in a lowland primary tropical rainforest in Papua New Guinea. More specifically, the study examines the relationship between the climbers' presence and various factors including topography (e.g. slope, altitude), vegetation properties, and host tree characteristics. The findings reveal that Piper climbers tend to avoid higher altitudes, steeper slopes, closed canopy layers, and areas with larger total basal area of host vegetation. The preferences of Piper climbers for certain tree species are primarily influenced by the properties of the host trees, particularly their diameter at breast height (DBH). Additionally, the study suggests that Piper species are more commonly found on rare tree species, possibly due to their preference for larger host tree DBH. The results highlight the non-random association between climbers and their host trees, which is influenced by local environmental conditions. These interactions are likely to have important implications for forest vegetation dynamics and the maintenance of diversity.

2023-01-01T00:00:00Z Konečná, Marie https://dspace.jcu.cz/handle/20.500.14390/48724 2026-01-06T11:56:05Z 2023-01-01T00:00:00Z

Tasty rewards for ants: differences in elaiosome and seed metabolite profiles are consistent across species and reflect taxonomic relatedness Konečná, Marie The reward for ants in myrmecochory is a nutrient-rich appendage, the elaiosome. This study evaluates the metabolite composition of five groups (i.e. amino acids, fatty acids, organic acids, polyols, and sugars) in elaiosomes compared to the respective seeds. Two plant species from each of the four families (Amaryllidaceae, Boraginaceae, Papaveraceae, and Poaceae) were examined, with each species represented by three populations. The hierarchically designed data enabled the decomposition of variability in metabolite composition at three levels: family, species, and population. Another aspect studied was the consistency of elaiosome metabolite composition across unrelated species from monocotyledonous and dicotyledonous families with different elaiosome origins, which may reflect the convergent evolution of elaiosomes.

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