Antagonistic Cd and Zn isotope behavior in the extracted soil fractions from industrial areas.

The remobilization of metals accumulated in contaminated soils poses a threat to humans and ecosystems in general. Tracing metal fractionation provides valuable information for understanding the remobilization processes in smelting areas. Based on the difference between the isotopic system of Cd and Zn, this work aimed to couple isotope data and their leachability to identify possible remobilization processes in several soil types and land uses. For soil samples, the δ66/64Zn values ranged from 0.12 ± 0.05‰ to 0.28 ± 0.05‰ in Avilés (Spain) and from - 0.09 ± 0.05‰ to - 0.21 ± 0.05‰ in Príbram (Czech Republic), and the δ114/110Cd ranged from - 0.13 ± 0.05‰ to 0.01 ± 0.04‰ in Avilés and from - 0.86 ± 0.27‰ to - 0.24 ± 0.05‰ in Príbram. The metal fractions extracted using chemical extractions were always enriched in heavier Cd isotopes whilst Zn isotope systematics exhibited light or heavy enrichment according to the soil type and land uses. Coupling Zn and Cd systematics provided a tool for deciphering the mechanisms behind the remobilization processes: leaching of the anthropogenic materials and/or metal redistribution within the soil components prior to remobilization.

The incidence of cleft lip and palate in the Czech Republic in 1994-2008.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the incidence of nonsyndromic cleft lip and/or palate in the Czech Republic among infants born during 1994-2008 as well as to define the ratio per live births and sex ratios. Another aim was to determine whether there was any trend in the incidence in this time period. DESIGN: Retrospective study. SETTING: Prague Center for the Treatment of Congenital Facial Anomalies. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Data were collected from the National Birth Defects Register (Institute of Health Information and Statistics), the Czech Statistical Office and the Czech Health Statistics Yearbooks. The incidence, ratios per live births and sex differences were calculated. Possible trends in the data series were investigated. RESULTS: Totally 2417 infants with a cleft defect were found among 1 471 789 newborns in time period 1994-2008. The overall incidence was 1.64 per 1000 live births or 1 in 600 live births. The incidence of cleft lip was 0.39/1000, the incidence of cleft palate was 0.68/1000 and the incidence of cleft lip and palate was 0.57/1000. The ratio per live births was 1 in 2648 in cleft lip, 1 in 1801 in cleft lip and palate and 1 in 1505 in cleft palate. The incidence was much higher among male babies in cleft lip patients (male to female ratio 2.07) and in patients with cleft lip and palate (males to females ratio 1.85). The male to female ratio in cleft palate newborns was 0.92. No traceable trend was found in the incidence. CONCLUSIONS: In the Czech Republic, every year approximately 170 infants with cleft lip and/or palate were born, the incidence was 1.64 per 1000 live born infants during considered period. Males were affected more frequently with isolated cleft lip and cleft lip and palate, on the other hand, in cleft palate patients, there was a slight dominance of females. Further long-term studies are necessary in order to elucidate reasons of the oscillations in incidence of cleft anomalies, to identify possible teratogens and to give a starting indication for planning health service resource requirements for this group of affected infants (Tab. 3, Fig. 4, Ref. 51).

Optimizing the therapeutic strategies in ANCA-associated vasculitis--single centre experience with international randomized trials.

ANCA-associated vasculitides, including Wegener's granulomatosis and microscopic polyangiitis, are systemic autoimmune diseases with poor prognosis in untreated patients, which can be dramatically improved by current therapeutic modalities. The aim of multi-centre randomized trials of the European Vasculitis Study Group is to optimise and standardise treatment of these diseases. From 1995-2001 our department contributed a total of 40 patients to the trials CYCAZAREM (cyclophosphamide versus azathioprine during remission for generalised vasculitis), MEPEX (plasma exchange versus methylprednisolone for severe renal vasculitis) and CYCLOPS (daily oral versus pulse cyclophosphamide during induction phase for generalised vasculitis). In this paper, we report on the preliminary results of long-term follow up of our patients included in international trials. The mean time of follow-up of the patients was 55.7 months with the patient survival rate of 72% and renal survival rate of 65%. Remission was achieved in 82% of patients, out of which 42% suffered a relapse. In generalised forms of vasculitides, treatment with cyclophosphamide is nowadays established as the standard therapy. The aim, however, is to further minimise its toxic effects by choosing the optimal therapeutic strategies. Complete results of all trials have not yet been published; nevertheless, the preliminary available data have already revealed new potential therapeutic approaches.

[Antibodies against low density oxidized lipoproteins in type 2 diabetics]. / Protilátky proti oxidovaným lipoproteinum s nízkou hustotou u diabetiku 2. typu.

Oxidative modification of low density lipoproteins (LDL) is an important factor in the development of macrovascular atherosclerotic complications in patiens with type 2 diabetes mellitus. Recently autoantibodies against oxidized LDL (anti-oxLDL) have been suggested as a potential marker of LDL oxidation in vivo. The purpose of this study was to investigate the presence and levels of anti-oxLDL in patients with type 2 diabetes compared to healthy persons. We determined the serum concentrations of anti-oxLDL in 20 type 2 diabetic patiens with different degree and type of atherosclerotic vascular damage. Two healthy population groups: 20 young blood donors and 20 age and gender matched persons were used as controls. Anti-oxLDL positivity rates were distinctively higher in both control groups. Concentrations of anti-oxLDL were significantly lower in diabetic patients compared to both control groups. The incidence rates and levels of anti-oxLDL in both control groups were similar. Anti-oxLDL levels in the diabetes group did not correlate with the degree of macrovascular damage, serum total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol and triglyceride concentrations. We did not find any significant relationship between anti-oxLDL and other oxidative stress factors (superoxide dismutase, malondialdehyde, C and E vitamins). We suppose that anti-oxLDL may have an antiatherogenic protective role in healthy people but are not applicable to be an in vivo marker of LDL oxidation and macrovascular atherosclerotic vascular damage.