Characterization of solid airborne particles deposited in snow in the vicinity of urban fossil fuel thermal power plant (Western Siberia).

Recognition and detailed characterization of solid particles emitted from thermal power plants into the environment is highly important due to their potential detrimental effects on human health. Snow cover is used for the identification of anthropogenic emissions in the environment. However, little is known about types, physical and chemical properties of solid airborne particles (SAP) deposited in snow around thermal power plants. The purpose of this study is to quantify and characterize in detail the traceable SAP deposited in snow near fossil fuel thermal power plant in order to identify its emissions into the environment. Applying the scanning electron microscopy-energy dispersive spectroscopy, and X-ray diffraction, mineral and anthropogenic phase groups in SAP deposited in snow near the plant and in fly ash were observed. We identified quartz, albite and mullite as most abundant mineral phases and carbonaceous matter, slag and spherical particles as dominate anthropogenic phases. This is the first study reporting that zircon and anthropogenic sulphide-bearing, metal oxide-bearing, intermetallic compound-bearing and rare-earth element-bearing particles were detected in snow deposits near thermal power plant. The identified mineral and anthropogenic phases can be used as tracers for fossil fuel combustion emissions, especially with regard to their possible effect on human health.

Genetic mitigation strategies to tackle agricultural GHG emissions: The case for biological nitrification inhibition technology.

Accelerated soil-nitrifier activity and rapid nitrification are the cause of declining nitrogen-use efficiency (NUE) and enhanced nitrous oxide (N2O) emissions from farming. Biological nitrification inhibition (BNI) is the ability of certain plant roots to suppress soil-nitrifier activity, through production and release of nitrification inhibitors. The power of phytochemicals with BNI-function needs to be harnessed to control soil-nitrifier activity and improve nitrogen-cycling in agricultural systems. Transformative biological technologies designed for genetic mitigation are needed, so that BNI-enabled crop-livestock and cropping systems can rein in soil-nitrifier activity, to help reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and globally make farming nitrogen efficient and less harmful to environment. This will reinforce the adaptation or mitigation impact of other climate-smart agriculture technologies.

UBE2B mRNA alterations are associated with severe oligozoospermia in infertile men.

Oligozoospermia (low sperm count) is a common semen deficiency. However, to date, few genetic defects have been identified to cause this condition. Moreover, even fewer molecular genetic diagnostic tests are available for patients with oligozoospermia in the andrology clinic. Based on animal and gene expression studies of oligozoospermia, several molecular pathways may be disrupted in post-meiotic spermatozoa. One of the disrupted pathways is protein ubiquitination and cell apoptosis. A critical protein involved in this pathway is the ubiquitin-conjugating enzyme 2B, UBE2B. Absence of Ube2b in male mice causes spermatogenic meiotic disruption with increased apoptosis, leading to infertility. To examine the association between messenger RNA defects in UBE2B and severe oligozoospermia (0.1-10 × 10(6) cells/ml), sequencing of sperm cDNA in 326 oligozoospermic patients and 421 normozoospermic men was performed. mRNA alterations in UBE2B were identified in sperm in 4.6% (15 out of 326) of the oligozoospermic patients, but not found in control men, suggesting strong association between mRNA defects and oligozoospermia (χ(2) = 19, P = 0.0001). Identified UBE2B alterations include nine splicing, four missense and two nonsense alterations. The follow-up screen of corresponding DNA regions did not reveal causative DNA mutations, suggesting a post-transcriptional nature of identified defects. None of these variants were reported in the dbSNP database, although other splicing abnormalities with low level of expression were present in 11 out of 421 (2.6%) controls. Our findings suggest that two distinct molecular mechanisms, mRNA editing and splicing processing, are disrupted in oligozoospermia. We speculate that the contribution of post-transcriptional mRNA defects to oligozoospermia could be greater than previously anticipated.

A paradigm shift towards low-nitrifying production systems: the role of biological nitrification inhibition (BNI).

BACKGROUND: Agriculture is the single largest geo-engineering initiative that humans have initiated on planet Earth, largely through the introduction of unprecedented amounts of reactive nitrogen (N) into ecosystems. A major portion of this reactive N applied as fertilizer leaks into the environment in massive amounts, with cascading negative effects on ecosystem health and function. Natural ecosystems utilize many of the multiple pathways in the N cycle to regulate N flow. In contrast, the massive amounts of N currently applied to agricultural systems cycle primarily through the nitrification pathway, a single inefficient route that channels much of this reactive N into the environment. This is largely due to the rapid nitrifying soil environment of present-day agricultural systems. SCOPE: In this Viewpoint paper, the importance of regulating nitrification as a strategy to minimize N leakage and to improve N-use efficiency (NUE) in agricultural systems is highlighted. The ability to suppress soil nitrification by the release of nitrification inhibitors from plant roots is termed 'biological nitrification inhibition' (BNI), an active plant-mediated natural function that can limit the amount of N cycling via the nitrification pathway. The development of a bioassay using luminescent Nitrosomonas to quantify nitrification inhibitory activity from roots has facilitated the characterization of BNI function. Release of BNIs from roots is a tightly regulated physiological process, with extensive genetic variability found in selected crops and pasture grasses. Here, the current status of understanding of the BNI function is reviewed using Brachiaria forage grasses, wheat and sorghum to illustrate how BNI function can be utilized for achieving low-nitrifying agricultural systems. A fundamental shift towards ammonium (NH4(+))-dominated agricultural systems could be achieved by using crops and pastures with high BNI capacities. When viewed from an agricultural and environmental perspective, the BNI function in plants could potentially have a large influence on biogeochemical cycling and closure of the N loop in crop-livestock systems.

Plant preference for ammonium versus nitrate: a neglected determinant of ecosystem functioning?

Although nitrogen (N) availability is a major determinant of ecosystem properties, little is known about the ecological importance of plants' preference for ammonium versus nitrate (ß) for ecosystem functioning and the structure of communities. We modeled this preference for two contrasting ecosystems and showed that ß significantly affects ecosystem properties such as biomass, productivity, and N losses. A particular intermediate value of ß maximizes the primary productivity and minimizes mineral N losses. In addition, contrasting ß values between two plant types allow their coexistence, and the ability of one type to control nitrification modifies the patterns of coexistence with the other. We also show that species replacement dynamics do not lead to the minimization of the total mineral N pool nor the maximization of plant productivity, and consequently do not respect Tilman's R* rule. Our results strongly suggest in the two contrasted ecosystems that ß has important consequences for ecosystem functioning and plant community structure.

Association of mutations in the zona pellucida binding protein 1 (ZPBP1) gene with abnormal sperm head morphology in infertile men.

Nearly 7% of men are afflicted by male infertility worldwide, and genetic factors are suspected to play a significant role in the majority of these patients. Although sperm morphology is an important parameter measured in the semen analysis, only a few genetic causes of teratozoospermia are currently known. The objective of this study was to define the association between alterations in the genes encoding the Golgi-associated PDZ- and coiled-coil motif containing protein (GOPC), the protein interacting with C kinase 1 (PICK1) and the acrosomal protein zona pellucida binding protein 1 (ZPBP1/sp38) with abnormal sperm head morphology in infertile men. Previous reports demonstrated that mice lacking Gopc, Pick1 and Zpbp1 are infertile due to abnormal head morphology. Herein, using our validated RNA-based method, we studied spermatozoal cDNA encoding the human GOPC, PICK1 and ZPBP1 genes in 381 teratozoospermic and 240 controls patients via direct sequencing. Among these genes, we identified missense and splicing mutations in the sperm cDNA encoding ZPBP1 in 3.9% (15/381) of men with abnormal sperm head morphology. These mutations were not observed in 240 matched controls and the dbSNP database (χ(2) = 9.3, P = 0.002). In contrast, statistically significant and functionally relevant mutations were not discovered in the GOPC and PICK1 genes. In our study ZPBP1 mutations are associated with abnormal sperm head morphology, defined according to strict criteria, resembling the mouse Zpbp1 null phenotype. We hypothesize that missense mutations exert a dominant-negative effect due to altered ZPBP1 protein folding and protein:protein interactions in the acrosome.

Diffuse cutaneous mastocytosis: analysis of 10 cases and a brief review of the literature.

BACKGROUND: Diffuse cutaneous mastocytosis (DCM) is an extremely rare disease characterized by mast cell (MCs) infiltration of the entire skin. Little is known about the natural course of DCM. OBJECTIVES: We decided to characterize clinical manifestations, the frequency of MCs mediator-related symptoms and anaphylaxis, risk of systemic mastocytosis (SM) and prognosis, based on 10 cases of DCM, the largest series published to date. METHODS: Diffuse cutaneous mastocytosis, DCM was confirmed by histopathological examination of skin samples in all cases. SCORing Mastocytosis (SCORMA) Index was used to assess the intensity of DCM. The analysis of clinical symptoms and laboratory tests, including serum tryptase levels was performed. Bone marrow biopsy was done only in selected cases. RESULTS: Large haemorrhagic bullous variant of DCM (five cases) and infiltrative small vesicular variant (five cases) were identified. The skin symptoms appeared in age-dependent manner; blistering predominated in infancy, whereas grain-leather appearance of the skin and pseudoxanthomatous presentation developed with time. SM was not recognized in any of the patients. Mast cell mediator-related symptoms were present in all cases. Anaphylactic shock occurred in three patients. Follow-up performed in seven cases revealed slight improvement of skin symptoms, reflected by decrease of SCORMA Index in all of them. Serum tryptase levels declined with time in six cases. CONCLUSIONS: Diffuse cutaneous mastocytosis, DCM is a heterogeneous, severe, cutaneous disease, associated with mediator-related symptoms and risk of anaphylactic shock. Although our results suggest generally favourable prognosis, the review of the literature indicate that SM may occur. Therefore, more guarded prognosis should be given in DCM patients.

[Autoimmune pancreatitis and IgG-positive sclerosing cholangitis]. / Autoimunitní pankreatitida a IgG pozitivní sklerotizující cholangitida.

Sclerosing cholangitis is a heterogenous disease. Sclerosing cholangitis with an unknown cause is abbreviated PSC. PSC affects extra- as well as intra-hepatic bile ducts and since this is a permanently progressing fibrous condition, it leads to liver cirrhosis. The disease is often associated with a development of cholangocarcinoma and idiopathic intestinal inflammation. Causal therapy does not exist; liver transplantation is indicated. IgG4 cholangitis differs from PSC in a number of features. This form is, unlike PSC, linked to autoimmune pancreatitis (AIP) as well as other IgG4 sclerosing diseases. Anatomically, distal region of ductus choledochus is most frequently involved. Icterus is, unlike in PSC, a frequent symptom of AIP. There also is a distinctive histological picture--significant lymphoplasmatic infiltration of the bile duct wall with abundance of IgG4 has been described, lymphoplasmatic infiltration with fibrosis in the periportal area and the presence of obliterating phlebitis is also typical. However, intact biliary epithelium is a typical feature. IgG4 can be diagnosed even without concurrent presence of AIP. IgG4 sclerosing cholangitis is a condition sensitive to steroid therapy. At present, there is no doubt that IgG4 sclerosing cholangitis is a completely different condition to primary sclerosing cholangitis. From the clinical perspective, these diseases should be differentiated in every clinician's mind as (a) AIP is treated with corticosteroids and not with an unnecessary surgery, (b) IgG4 sclerosing cholangitis is mostly successfully treated with corticosteroids and the disease is not, unlike PSC, a risk factor for the development of cholangiocarcinoma.

[Keratin fragments as a serological indicator in patients with a liver disease]. / Keratinové fragmenty jako sérologický ukazatel u nemocných s jaterní chorobou.

INTRODUCTION: Determination of M30 antigen appears to be a sensitive method for evaluation of hepatocyte apoptosis. The aim of the present project was to implement this technique, compare M30 values in patients with a liver disease and healthy controls and to identify potential relationships between M30 values and other parameters. METHODS: M30 antigen was assessed in 25 patients with a liver disease and 30 healthy controls. These results were compared between patients with a liver disease and the controls and correlated to a range of clinical and laboratory values, including tissue polypeptide-specific antigen (TPS), in patients with a liver disease. RESULTS: We found significant differences in M30 values between controls and patients with a liver disease. The only significant correlations were the correlation between M30 and ALT, highly significant correlation between M30 and AST and highly significant correlation between M30 and TPS. CONCLUSION: The M30 antigen is a sensitive indicator of liver damage. Considering the highly significant correlation with TPS, it can be assumed that in some liver diseases, TPS could serve as a clinically useful indicator of apoptosis.

Autoimmune pancreatitis--recent advances.

Autoimmune pancreatitis (AIP) is recognized as a distinct clinical entity, identified as a chronic inflammatory process of the pancreas in which the autoimmune mechanism is involved. Clinically and histologically, AIP has two subsets: type 1--lymphoplasmatic sclerosing pancreatitis with abundant infiltration of the pancreas and other affected organs with immunoglobulin G4-positive plasma cells, and type 2--duct centric fibrosis, characterized by granulocyte epithelial lesions in the pancreas without systemic involvement. In the diagnosis of AIP, two diagnostic criterions are used--the HISORt criteria and Asian Diagnostic Criteria. In the differential diagnosis, the pancreatic cancer must be excluded by endosonographically guided pancreatic biopsy. Typical signs of AIP are concomitant disorders in other organs (kidney, liver, biliary tract, salivary glands, colon, retroperitoneum, prostate). Novel clinicopathological entity was proposed as an 'IgG4-related sclerosing disease' (IgG4-RSC). Extensive IgG4-positive plasma cells and T lymphocyte infiltration is a common characteristics of this disease. Recently, IgG4-RSC syndrome was extended to a new entity, characterized by IgG4 hypergammaglobulinemia and IgG4-positive plasma cell infiltration, this being considered an expression of a lymphoproliferative disease, 'IgG4-positive multiorgan lymphoproliferative syndrome'. This syndrome includes Mikulicz's disease, mediastinal fibrosis, autoimmune hypophysitis, and inflammatory pseudotumor--lung, liver, breast. In the therapy of AIP, steroids constitute first-choice treatment. High response to the corticosteroid therapy is an important diagnostic criterion. In the literature, there are no case-control studies that determine if AIP predisposes to pancreatic cancer. Undoubtedly, AIP is currently a hot topic in pancreatology.

[Prophylactic antibiotics and probiotics in acute pancreatitis]. / Preventivní podání antibiotik a probiotik u tezké akutní pankreatitidy.

Severe acute pancreatitis is serious disease. High mortality is also due to infection complications. If we will be able to prevent the infection, it could diminish mortality. The role of prevention of infection with antibiotics and probiotics is discussed in the paper.

[Probiotics in acute pancreatitis--a randomised, placebo-controlled, double-blind study]. / Probiotika u akutni pankreatitidy--randomizovaná, placebem kontrolovaná, dvojite slepá studie.

INTRODUCTION: Infections accompanying pancreatitis, particularly pancreatic necroses, represent a serious complication associated with worsening of the disease prognosis. The aim of our study was to explore whether this complication could be prevented by administering a probiotic. METHODS: The probiotic was administered to 7 patients and placebo to 15. The study was discontinued early following the release of the Propatria study results. RESULTS: There was no death in our patient sample and there was no difference between the two groups in microbial colonisation or the length of hospitalization. However, a reduction in endotoxin levels on day 7 and 10 of the hospitalization was observed in the probiotic-treated group. CONCLUSION: Based on the current knowledge, administration of probiotics in this indication is contraindicated. Nonetheless, reduction in endotoxin levels suggests a positive effect of probiotics on bacterial translocation, the importance of which should be evaluated in the future.

[Liver cirrhosis and its treatment]. / Jaterní cirhóza a její lécba.

Cirrhosis is an end-stage liver disease. It is necessary to always search for the cause, attempt to initiate suitable causal treatment and assess the severity of hepatopathy by evaluating hepatic functional reserve (according to the Child-Pugh classification). It is necessary to continually monitor possible complications of cirrhosis, some can be prevented. Regular clinical and laboratory monitoring as well as ultrasound and endoscopic examinations are required. The paper discusses the treatment of the disease as well as its complications. Cure can only be achieved with a liver transplant; this option should be evaluated by a hepatologist in each patient with functional classification B or with serious complications of portal hypertension mentioned above. Treatment standards compiled by the Czech Society of Hepatology (http://www.ceska-hepatologie.cz) offer the basic algorithms of correct diagnosis and treatment.

[Bacterial infection and its relation to the genesis and course of varicose hemorrhage]. / Bakteriální infekce ve vztahu ke vzniku a prubehu varikózního krvácení.

Acute hemorrhage from esophageal varices due to portal hypertension is a frequent and serious complication of liver cirrhosis. Bacterial infection may be one of the factors influencing such hemorrhage. Endotoxins may increase portal tension and at the same time result in primary hemostasis disorder, thus becoming one of the causes of hemorrhage. The authors of the paper compared the incidence of bacterial infection in 53 patients with varicose hemorrhage due to portal hypertension with 62 patients with liver cirrhosis and portal hypertension without varicose hemorrhage. At least one pathogen was found in considerable 61.1% of the total of patients in the liver cirrhosis group, while the difference between the two groups was but insignificant. No statistically significant difference was found between the group of patients with hemorrhage and those without hemorrhage in terms of presence of bacterial infection in hemoculture, urine, throat, faeces and ascites, nor was there a difference in the etiology of the G+ bacteria, G- bacteria or fungi and yeast infectious agents in the hemoculture, urine, throat, faeces and ascites in either of the groups. No statistically significant difference was found in comparing the patients with a recurrence of hemorrhage (or with mortality) and with infection with those without recurrence of hemorrhage. Bacterial infection was more often found in patients with a recurrence of hemorrhage (75%) as compared with those without any recurrence (52%), and also in patients who died bacterial infection was proven more often than in those who survived (61.9% vs. 58.1%, respectively). There was no difference in morbidity or recurrence of hemorrhage between the patients treated with norfloxacin and ampicilin/sulbactam. No statistically significant difference was recorded between the 1st and 5th day in terms of decrease in bacterial infection. A significant difference was found in the urine etiological agent, where a significant increase in the share of fungal and yeast urine infection (p = 0.011) was recorded after the application of the therapy, as well as a drop in urine infection caused by the G- bacterial agent (p = 0.057).

Non-invasive genetic diagnosis of male infertility using spermatozoal RNA: KLHL10 mutations in oligozoospermic patients impair homodimerization.

Infertility affects an estimated 7% of men worldwide, nearly a quarter of whom are diagnosed as idiopathic. The genetic etiologies of idiopathic male infertility are unknown, partly due to lack of simple diagnostic techniques. Moreover, the transmission risk of such genetic defects to offspring born from assisted reproductive techniques is increasingly becoming a concern for physicians and infertile couples. We explored the feasibility of obtaining full-length mRNAs from transcriptionally inert human spermatozoa in semen as a non-invasive diagnostic tool for identifying germline mutations in candidate infertility-associated genes. The efficacy of reverse-transcription PCR on spermatozoal RNA from infertile patients with wide-ranging sperm concentrations varied between 91 and 99% for multiple haploid germ cell-expressed genes. Using this methodology, we identified seven oligozoospermic patients with missense and splicing mutations in the germ cell-specific gene, KLHL10. Three of 270 (1.1%) severely oligozoospermic patients (<10(6) sperm/ml) harbor KLHL10 alterations that were absent in 394 controls and exhibited significant association (P=0.02). Two KLHL10 missense mutations (A313T and Q216P) resulted in impaired homodimerization with the wild-type protein in yeast interaction assays, suggesting a functional deficiency. This study demonstrates the utility of this approach for analysis of haploid germ cell-expressed genes regulating post-meiotic events including sperm maturation, motility and fertilization. The development of non-invasive techniques to analyze genetic defects of human spermatogenesis, previously possible only with invasive testis biopsies, provides important diagnostic and therapeutic implications for reproductive medicine.

[Diagnostics and therapy of hepatorenal syndrome. Recommendations of of the working group on portal hypertension of the Czech Hepatology Society and the J. E. Purkinje Czech Medical Society]. / Doporuceny postup pro diagnostiku a lécbu hepatorenálního syndromu. Doporucený postup vypracovaný skupinou pro portální hypertenzi pri Ceské hepatologické spolecnosti Ceské lékarské spolecnosti J. E. Purkyne a schválený výborem Ceské hepatologické spolecnosti Ceské lékarské spolecnosti J. E. Purkyne.

Hepatorenal syndrome is a functional renal failure in patients with advanced cirrhosis and portal hypertension or acute liver failure. It is caused by extreme vasoconstriction in renal arterial bed. Type I HRS presents as an acute renal failure, while type II HRS is chronic alteration of renal function in patients with refractory ascites. Prognosis of HRS is very poor with survival reaching several weeks in patients with HRS type I. Causal treatment is liver transplantation, other treatment options include use of splanchnic vasoconstrictors (terlipressin) together with plasmaexpansion (albumin) and TIPS. It is important to exclude nephrotoxic medication (non-steroid anti inflammatory drugs, aminoglycosides) and properly treat all infective complications in prevention of HRS.

[Effect of administration of Escherichia coli Nissle (Mutaflor) on intestinal colonisation, endo-toxemia, liver function and minimal hepatic encephalopathy in patients with liver cirrhosis]. / Vliv podání Escherichia coli Nissle (Mutaflor) na strevní osídlení, endotoxemii, funkcní stav jater a minimální jaterní encefalopatii u nemocných s jaterní cirhózou.

The purpose of the study was to verify effects of Escherichia coli Nissle (Mutaflor) on intestinal colonisation, endotoxin levels, hepatic encephalopathy and liver function in patients with liver cirrhosis. The study involved 39 patients (22 taking Mutaflor and 17 taking placebo). Even though the number combination test showed extended reaction time in patients with described minimal hepatic encephalopathy the drop was not significant in the trend evaluation. However, the treated group displayed significant improvement of intestinal colonisation (p < 0.001) and a trend towards significant reduction of endotoxin levels on day 42 (p = 0.07) and improvement of liver function assessed with the Child-Pugh classification on days 42 and 84 (p = 0.06). Probiotic preparations can therefore represent a significant contribution to this group therapy.

[The diagnostics and therapy of hepatic encephalopathy. Recommendations of of the working group on portal hypertension in the Czech Hepatology Society and the J. E. Purkinje Czech Medical Society]. / Diagnostika a lécba jaterní encefalopatie. Doporucený postup vypracovaný skupinou pro portální hypertenzi pri Ceské hepatologické spolecnosti Ceské lékarské spolecnosti J. E. Purkyne a schválený výborem Ceské hepatologické spolecnosti Ceské lékarské spolecnosti J. E. Purkyne.

UNLABELLED: Hepatic encephalopathy (HE) is a set of reversible neuropsychic features which occur in connection with hepatic cirrhosis or acute hepatic failure. We distinguish manifest HE (with clinical symptoms) and minimal FE (normal clinical finding, abnormal psychometric or neurophysiologic exam). The diagnosis is clinical or laboratory one. From the auxiliary examinations in common practice the number connection test is sufficient. THERAPY: Presence of hepatic encephalopathy should lead to the consideration of the possibility to solve basic disease by hepatic transplantation. Conservative therapy lies in 1. Basic disease elimination, 2. Measures lowering the ammonia level in blood--optimalization of protein intake, administration of indigestible disaccharides (lactulose, lactitol) and fill sterilisation by antibiotics (Rifaxin, Metronidazol), ornitine-aspartate administration, 3. Influencing the changes in amino acid metabolism (administration of branched chain amino acids--BCAA). Prognosis depends on the advancement of the disease, after hepatic transplantation the clinical symptoms of HE are mostly fully reversible.

Bacterial infection and acute bleeding from upper gastrointestinal tract in patients with liver cirrhosis.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Acute bleeding from the upper gastrointestinal tract is a common and serious complication of liver cirrhosis. It is believed that bacterial infection may be the immediate cause of the bleeding and the latest meta-analyses show that bacterial infection is an independent predictive factor of the failure to stop bleeding. METHODOLOGY: The authors evaluated the presence of bacterial infection (blood, urine, throat and ascitic fluid) in 35 consecutive patients with liver cirrhosis and acute bleeding with portal hypertension and compared these results with a group of 35 patients with liver cirrhosis with portal hypertension without acute bleeding. RESULTS: According to the results obtained, there is a statistically higher incidence of bacterial infection among patients with acute bleeding with portal hypertension (25 of 35 patients, 71%) than among patients with liver cirrhosis and portal hypertension without acute bleeding (14 of 35 patients, 40%, p < 0.01). The incidence of bacteriological findings in blood and throat samples is statistically higher in patients with acute bleeding as opposed to the control group (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: These results confirm the necessity of administering antibiotic prophylaxis to all cirrhotic patients with variceal bleeding, not just to those with confirmed infection or symptoms thereof.

Evaluation of labeling and content of probiotics available in the Czech Republic.

Probiotics are live cultures of mikroorganisms which are good for human health and are used in human medicine as a treatment. Advantageous effect on a human health was proved in many studies in Europe and in the USA. On the other hand, many studies described lack of information about products containing probiotics - in particular the real bacterial strain or quantity of bacteria. We tried to evaluate thirteen products containing probiotics available in the Czech Republic. In all cases the leaflets contained information about the species and amount of bacteria (from seven products containing more than one species of bacteria were only in two cases declared the quantity of particular bacteria, in five cases was declared just the total quantity of bacteria). The declared species of bacteria were cultured in all tested products. Concluding; the information on the leaflets of probiotic products is sufficient for a clinical practice and the real species and quantity of bacteria come up to declared data.