The influence of meteorological factors on the risk of tick-borne encephalitis infection.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this work was to analyze the relationship between new cases of clinical tick-borne encephalitis (TBE) and various meteorological and seasonal predictors. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The modelling is based on national data from the Czech Republic for the period 2001-2016 in daily resolution, namely on average temperatures, average relative air humidity and the number of TBE cases classified according to the date of the first symptoms. Four variants of a negative binomial model from the generalized additive model class are used. The basic model relates the occurrence of TBE to the lagged ambient daily average temperature and daily average relative air humidity and their interaction with the lag reflecting the incubation period and other factors. The lag value was estimated via the optimization procedure based on Akaike information criterion. The model also includes the effect of the season and the effect of the day of the week. To increase the biological plausibility, the basic model has been expanded to account for possible time-varying effects of meteorological variables and to incorporate multiple lags. RESULTS: The most statistically significant effect is the within-year seasonality and then the interaction of the temperature and relative air humidity. The relationship of both meteorological factors and their interactions vary throughout the activities season of the hostquesting Ixodes ricinus. This also changes the conditions of occurrence of the new clinical cases of TBE. The time-varying effect of meteorological factors on the incidence of TBE shows non-trivial changes within a year. In the period before the middle of the calendar year (around the week 22) the effect decreases, then it is followed by an increase until the week 35. CONCLUSION: Flexible models were developed with quantitatively characterized effects of temperature, air humidity and their interaction, with the delay of the effect estimated through the optimization process. Performance of the model with multiple lags was checked using independent data to verify the possibility of using the results to improve the prediction of the risk of clinical cases of TBE uprise.

Adolescent growth: genes, hormones and the peer group. Proceedings of the 20th Aschauer Soiree, held at Glücksburg castle, Germany, 15th to 17th November 2013.

The association between poverty, malnutrition, illness and poor socioeconomic conditions on the one side, and poor growth and short adult stature on the other side, is well recognized. Yet, the simple assumption by implication that poor growth and short stature result from poor living conditions, should be questioned. Recent evidence on the impact of the social network on adolescent growth and adult height further challenges the traditional concept of growth being a mirror of health. Twenty-nine scientists met at Glücksburg castle, Northern Germany, November 15th - 17th 2013, to discuss genetic, endocrine, mathematical and psychological aspects and related issues, of child and adolescent growth and final height.

[Secondary peritonitis prognosis assessment]. / Hodnocení prognózy tezké sekundární peritonitidy.

INTRODUCTION: Secondary peritonitis is a severe disease with high mortality and morbidity. In the last 20 years the results of treatment of this disease have improved markedly. AIM OF THE STUDY: To determine statistically significant risk factors for mortality in patients with severe secondary peritonitis. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We studied in retrospective analysis the cohort of patients treated at our clinic in the period 2005-2010. 65 patients (38 men and 27 women) with an average age of 60.7 years were included. 27 patients died (41.5%). The average age of the died patients was 72 years. The average value of APACHE II was 20.77, which corresponds to the prediction of lethality 41.8%. The average value of the SOFA score was 11.87. RESULTS: The performed statistical analysis showed age over 65 years, bronchopneumonia, obesity, ischemic heart disease, artificial ventilation over 6 days and circulatory support over 10 days as statistically significant independent factors for mortality. Patients older than 65 years had 8.9 times greater risk of death. In the case of bronchopneumonia was the risk 4.8 times higher. Obesity increased the risk of death 3.1 times and ischemic heart disease 2.4 times. In the case of mechanical ventilation for more than 6 days and circulatory support for more than 10 days, these increased the risk of death 4.1 times respectively 4.3 times. DISCUSSION: The benefit for determining the prognosis secondary peritonitis is the use of scoring systems. It was also shown that the basic clinical data may have the same benefit for predicting the prognosis of patients as a sophisticated scoring systems. CONCLUSION: The performed retrospective analysis age over 65 years, bronchopneumonia, obesity, artificial ventilation and circulatory support as statistically significant independent factors for prediction of poor survival. These basic clinical factors correlated with scoring systems APACHE II a SOFA.

[Treatment of upper gastrointestinal tract fistules in the surgical intensive care unit]. / Lécba pístelí orální cásti gastrointestinálního traktu na chirurgické jednotce intenzivní péce.

The authors performed a retrospective analysis in a group of consecutively treated patients with upper GIT fistules (ie. fistules with internal orifices in the esophageal, gastric and proximal small intestine region), hospitalized in the Plzen hospital Surgical Clinic Septic Intensive Care Unit, from January 1, 2006 to December 31, 2008. The author assessed the results using statistical methods and he studied any causative relationship between the characteristics of the fistules, the treatment methods and the patients morbidity/mortality rates.

QA programme for radon and its short-lived progeny measuring instruments in NRPI Prague.

To subserve the institutional research and tasks coming out from the Czech National Radon Programme, a new QA programme to calibrate all the known types of devices that measure radon and its short-lived progeny was developed at the Department of Radon mobile group of the National Radiation Protection Institute (NRPI) at Prague. The programme also included calibration of instruments measuring a unique quantity of unattached and attached fractions of short- lived radon progeny Generally, NRPI declares estimation of radon concentration during all routine calibration measurements with an overall uncertainty <5% (one sigma) and of equilibrium-equivalent radon concentration with an overall uncertainty <10% (one sigma). The results of the comparative measurements of the unattached and attached fractions of each short-lived radon progeny carried out with a comparing continuous monitor Fritra 4 in the German reference radon chamber at PTB Braunschweig indicated an acceptable level of agreement, up to 10%.

[Bilateral pleural effusion--a complication of central venous catheterization--a case review]. / Oboustranný pleurální výpotek jako komplikace zavedení centrálního zilního katétru--kazuistika.

The authors present a case review of a 30-year old patient, who developed central pleural effusion, a complication related to central venous catheterization and the consequent use of the central venous line. The authors aim to highlight potential complications of the method. The interesting feature of this case is the fact, that no apparent mistakes in the venous line introduction or its later use have been recorded.

In vitro approaches to evaluation of Sun Protection Factor.

The efficacy of sunscreen products has been recognized as an important public health issue. Adequate methods for assessment of the level of protection should be developed and standardised. While the SPF COLIPA testing method in vivo has been used for years, preference should be given to in vitro testing methods as in vivo methods raise ethical concern. The present study aims to assess possible in vitro approaches based on diffuse transmission spectroscopy, published previously by Diffey, and two methods based on measurements of UVB transmission through a defined layer of a sunscreen product applied on various UV-transparent substrates. The attenuated UVB intensity, using different UV light sources, is detected radiometrically and transformed to real SPF value by means of a calibration curve, which is based on an extensive number of measurements performed using both in vivo and in vitro method The outcome of the three in vitro methods employed in the study showed great differences in the obtained SPF values in comparison with reference SPF determined by means of the COLIPA method in vivo. The high variability of in vitro results suggests that main attention should be focused on substrate selection simulating the human skin surface and homogenous product application. The in vitro screening methods may represent a fast and reasonable tool reducing the number of in vivo experiments and risks related to UV exposure of human subjects, when the technical test parameters are adjusted and optimized.

Long-term changes in body weight, BMI, and adiposity rebound among children and adolescents in the Czech Republic.

The Czech Republic has undergone rapid political, social, and economic transformation since the late 1980s. While obesity rates among children and adolescents in the Czech Republic have been previously relatively low, this has changed in recent years. Across the past 50 years, body weight, body mass index (BMI)-for-age, and adiposity rebound (AR) (the time when a child reaches the lowest BMI before their BMI gradually begins to increase until adulthood) occurs earlier. The most dramatic changes have been observed among school-aged children, where BMI values have increased at the 50th, 90th, and 97th percentiles. In contrast, adolescent girls appear to be thinner than in the past. The analyses of weight-for-height percentiles indicated that the 50th percentile of the body weight among boys and girls remained similar in nearly all age categories across the past 50 years. Although the growth pattern of children at the 50th percentile has not changed, the 10th and 90th percentiles have expanded. Our findings suggest that the secular trend of increased height, accelerated growth, and earlier maturation is responsible for Czech children experiencing adiposity rebound at earlier ages compared to the past.

Efficient apical IgG recycling and apical-to-basolateral transcytosis in polarized BeWo cells overexpressing hFcRn.

The human neonatal Fcgamma-receptor (hFcRn) involved in overall maternal-fetal IgG transmission is expressed in placental villous syncytiotrophoblast. However, the role of hFcRn in IgG transport and trafficking across this cell layer is poorly characterized. To gain insight into this mechanism we have overexpressed functional hFcRn in trophoblast-derived BeWo cells (BeWo/hFcRn cells) [Ellinger I, Reischer H, Lehner C, Leitner K, Hunziker W, Fuchs R. Placenta 2005;26:171-82] since parental BeWo cells endogenously express low levels of the receptor. We now demonstrate that hFcRn overexpression differentially affected apical-to-basolateral transcytosis and apical recycling: whereas IgG transcytosis was reduced by 35%, IgG recycling was stimulated by 100% as compared to parental cells, indicating that hFcRn plays a role in both processes. The endosomal compartments involved in hFcRn/IgG transport after apical IgG internalization were then analyzed by confocal immunofluorescence microscopy using compartment specific markers. hFcRn/IgG were found in apical early endosomes, in transferrin recycling compartments and in vesicles near the basolateral plasma membrane, presumably transcytotic vesicles. Neither hFcRn nor IgG was routed to the degradative pathway to lysosomes. These transport and localization data are in accordance with efficient hFcRn-mediated apical IgG recycling and basolateral directed IgG transcytosis in placental trophoblasts.

Two centuries of growth among Czech children and youth.

The trend of increasing height can be interpreted as a reflection of the unfolding progress of civilization. Height changes among children and adolescents are good markers of this trend. We analyze the secular trend in the heights of children and adolescents in the Czech Republic on the basis of data from anthropological surveys. The earliest height data pertain to Czech youths who attended the Military Schools in Austria in 1800-1809. Data also exist for 1895 and continue in 1951 and at 10-year intervals thereafter. Growth curves were obtained for separate age groups by fitting mean values via third-order polynomial smoothing splines. Between 1951 and 2001, the mean heights of boys and girls aged 2.5 years increased by 2.7 and 3 cm, respectively. Since 1895, the mean height of 13-year-old boys has increased by 19.4 cm, and the mean height of girls has increased by 18.3 cm.

Protein synthesis by hepatic mitochondria isolated from carbon tetrachloride-exposed rats.

Hepatic mitochondria isolated from rats 40 h after dosage with 1.1 ml/kg CCl4 are uncoupled and display structural damage. Mitochondrial function returns during hepatic recovery. Because the products of mitochondrial protein synthesis are essential to mitochondrial structure and function, the effects of CCl4 on the rate of mitochondrial protein synthesis, and on the products, was studied using mitochondria from CCl4-exposed rats during the early, maximum development and resolution stages of CCl4-induced mitochondrial damage. Rates of mitochondrial protein synthesis (incorporation of [35S]methionine) were elevated 300% over that of mitochondria from non-exposed rats 17 h after exposure; depressed by 50% at 40 h and above control at 113 h. When the radiolabeled products of incorporation were separated and examined by autoradiography, a novel, low-molecular-weight band, of approx. 9700, was apparent 40 h after CCl4 exposure. A band of similar molecular weight appeared when control mitochondria were incubated without an exogenous supply of ATP. Mitochondria from exposed rats which displayed rates of protein synthesis greater than control consistently had a relative increase in a band that corresponded in size to that of cytochrome oxidase subunit I. It was concluded that the loss of mitochondrial function induced by CCl4 could not be attributed to inhibition of mitochondrial protein synthesis, and that the mitochondria may not always synthesize protein in constant proportions.

Risk of cancer in an occupationally exposed cohort with increased level of chromosomal aberrations.

We used cytogenetic analysis to carry out a cohort study in which the major objective was to test the association between frequency of chromosomal aberrations and subsequent risk of cancer. In spite of the extensive use of the cytogenetic analysis of human peripheral blood lymphocytes in biomonitoring of exposure to various mutagens and carcinogens on an ecologic level, the long-term effects of an increased frequency of chromosomal aberrations in individuals are still uncertain. Few epidemiologic studies have addressed this issue, and a moderate risk of cancer in individuals with an elevated frequency of chromosomal aberrations has been observed. In the present study, we analyzed data on 8,962 cytogenetic tests and 3,973 subjects. We found a significant and strong association between the frequency of chromosomal aberrations and cancer incidence in a group of miners exposed to radon, where a 1% increase in frequency of chromosomal aberrations was followed by a 64% increase in risk of cancer (p < 0.000). In contrast, the collected data are inadequate for a critical evaluation of the association with exposure to other chemicals.

Cell type-specific variations in the induction of hsp70 in human leukocytes by feverlike whole body hyperthermia.

Fever has been associated with shortened duration and improved survival in infectious disease. The mechanism of this beneficial response is still poorly understood. The heat-inducible 70-kDa heat shock protein (Hsp70) has been associated with protection of leukocytes against the cytotoxicity of inflammatory mediators and with improved survival of severe infections. This study characterizes the induction of Hsp70 by feverlike temperatures in human leukocytes in vitro and in vivo. Using flow cytometry, Hsp70 expression was determined in whole blood samples. This approach eliminated cell isolation procedures that would greatly affect the results. Heat treatment of whole blood in vitro for 2 hours at different temperatures revealed that Hsp70 expression depends on temperature and cell type; up to 41 degrees C, Hsp70 increased only slightly in lymphocytes and polymorphonuclear leukocytes. However, in monocytes a strong induction was already seen at 39 degrees C, and Hsp70 levels at 41 degrees C were 10-fold higher than in the 37 degrees C control. To be as close as possible to the physiological situation during fever, we immersed healthy volunteers in a hot water bath, inducing whole body hyperthermia (39 degrees C), and measured leukocyte Hsp70 expression. Hsp70 was induced in all leukocytes with comparable but less pronounced cell type-specific variations as observed in vitro. Thus, a systemic increase of body temperature as triggered by fever stimulates Hsp70 expression in peripheral leukocytes, especially in monocytes. This fever-induced Hsp70 expression may protect monocytes when confronted with cytotoxic inflammatory mediators, thereby improving the course of the disease.

Hyperbaric pressure of 51 atmospheres is without effect on the depression of oxygen uptake in kidney tissue culture produced by halothane.

Although anesthetized animals are awakened when subjected to increased pressure, compression does not result in antagonism of all phenomena associated with these drugs. It has recently been demonstrated that halothane's inhibition of respiration of isolated rat liver mitochondria is not reversed by hydraulic compression to 51 atmospheres. In order to determine whether this phenomenon can be extrapolated to the whole cell, we have investigated the effect of hydraulic compression of intact renal cells equilibrated with halothane, and conclude that pressure does not overcome the inhibitory effect of this anesthetic.

Binding of carbon tetrachloride metabolites to rat hepatic mitochondrial DNA.

Radioactivity from [14C]CCl4 was bound to highly purified mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) and nuclear DNA (nDNA) prepared from livers of rats after a single dose of [14C]CCl4. At a low, non-necrotizing dose as well as at an acutely toxic dose, mtDNA bound 20-50-fold more radioactivity per mg than did nDNA. Extensive enzymatic digestion and purification of mtDNA did not remove radioactivity. Binding of radioactivity to mtDNA could also be demonstrated after anaerobic incubation of isolated mitochondria with [14C]CCl4, NADPH, ADP, and succinate. Our results suggest that CCl4 can be activated by rat hepatic mitochondrial enzymes to metabolites which bind covalently to mtDNA.

Carbon tetrachloride depresses hepatic phospholipid synthesis in rats.

40 h after an acute dose of CCl4 (11.3 mmol/kg), the incorporation of [1-3H]ethanolamine into rat hepatic microsomal phospholipids was inhibited to 70% of control. Incorporation into phospholipids of the inner and outer mitochondrial membranes was 30-35% of control. Rates of incorporation were equal to or above normal rates in all membranes 65 h after dosage. The activity of methyltransferase in microsomal fractions isolated from rats 10 to 66 h after dosage was depressed. These data suggest that the alteration of mitochondrial phospholipids that parallels mitochondrial dysfunction after acute CCl4 dosage could be attributed to a CCl4-induced inhibition of the microsomal phospholipid biosynthetic pathways.

The benefits of the 3T3 NRU test in the safety assessment of cosmetics: long-term experience from pre-marketing testing in the Czech Republic.

We have introduced the 3T3 NRU cytotoxicity test for methodological, economical and ethical reasons as a regular part of tier pre-marketing testing to assess local tolerance of raw materials for cosmetics, household chemicals and final cosmetic products. Using the 3T3 cell line according to the standard INVITTOX protocol No.64 (NRU Assay) the borderline concentration, relevant to the highest tolerated dose, is determined for each material. The toxic effect is reached at different concentration levels specific for individual cosmetics categories, depending on their chemical characteristics. Typical ranges of cytotoxicity for specific categories of cosmetics were established after testing of hundreds of materials. The range lies between 1 microg/ml (anti-dandruff shampoos), up to 2000 microg/ml (toothpastes and mouthwashes). The 3T3 NRU cytotoxicity test is a sensitive tool able to identify more aggressive products, that are also more likely to evoke irritation in human skin. It was even possible to detect protective effects of one natural herbal ingredient. The comparative study of cytotoxicity test results and human patch test results from a group of essential oils is presented. Cytotoxicity tests represent a highly ethical approach for estimation of irritancy. On the basis of in vitro test results suggesting low risk we can proceed to confirmatory tests in human volunteers.

Cadmium, lead and mercury levels in feeding yeast produced in Czechoslovakia.

Ninety-six samples of the feeding yeast known as VITEX were analyzed for Cd, Pb and Hg content during 1987-1989. Cadmium content ranged from 0.30 to 5.12 mg/kg(-1), lead content from 0.21 to 3.01 mg/kg(-1) and mercury content from 0.008 to 0.187 mg/kg(-1). Our findings meet the current government standards (max. allowed Pb = 5.00, Cd = 0.50 and Hg = 0.100 mg/kg(-1)) only for lead, and with five exceptions, for mercury. With two exceptions, all cadmium levels found in the samples exceeded the limit. One raw material - the wood chips - was shown to be the main source of cadmium in the technological process. Relatively high Hg contents were measured in the wood chips (up to 0.155 mg/kg(-1)); the highest Hg level (1.105 mg/kg(-1)) however was found in a sample of KOH.

Immunohistochemical characterization of immunoglobulin-containing cells and T cells in the colonic mucosa of healthy dogs.

OBJECTIVES: To quantitate numbers of immunoglobulin (Ig)-containing cells (IgA, IgG, and IgM) and T cells (CD3+, CD4+, and CD8+) in the colonic mucosa of healthy dogs, and to determine whether mean cell numbers differ among colonic regions. ANIMALS: 10 clinically normal young adult mixed-breed dogs. PROCEDURE: Endoscopically obtained specimens of ascending, transverse, and descending colonic mucosa were stained specifically for IgA, IgG, and IgM heavy chains and T-cell antigens, CD3+, CD4+, and CD8+, using immunoperoxidase techniques. Morphometric analysis, performed by light microscopy, was used to quantitate numbers in these standardized areas of colonic mucosa. Data analysis allowed determination of mean cell numbers in each colonic region, as well as comparison of mean cell numbers among colonic regions. RESULTS: The CD3+ and CD8+ T cells were the predominant immune cell types in all colonic regions. In the mucosa, CD3+ T cells were significantly (P < 0.05) more numerous than CD8+ T cells, and CD8+ T cells were significantly (P < 0.05) more numerous than CD4+ T cells. The IgA-containing cells were significantly (P < 0.05) more numerous than IgG-containing cells, whereas IgM-containing cells were least numerous (P < 0.05). Differences in mean cell counts among colonic regions were not significant for Ig-containing cells or T cells. CONCLUSIONS: Mean numbers of immune cells did not differ significantly among colonic regions in healthy dogs, although differences existed in mean populations of T cells and Ig-containing cells. The CD3+ and CD8+ T cells were the most numerous immune cell types in colonic mucosa. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: These quantitative data provide a basis for study of alterations in populations of mucosal immune cells and their possible contribution to the pathogenesis of gastrointestinal tract disease.

Correlation between longitudinal bone growth, growth hormone, and insulin-like growth factor-I in prepubertal dogs.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the association between longitudinal bone growth and concentrations of growth hormone (GH) and insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) in serum from prepubertal dogs. Animals-6 male 14-week-old German Shepherd Dogs. PROCEDURE: Blood was obtained every 30 minutes for 14 consecutive days. Concentrations of GH and IGF-I in serum were determined, using a canine-specific radioimmunoassay and conventional radioimmunoassay after acid-ethanol extraction, respectively. Simultaneous biplanar radiography was performed daily to measure bone growth. Spectral analysis was used to estimate specific features of GH secretion during an extended period. Multiple linear regression with different lag times between independent and dependent variables was used to determine the strongest predictors of bone growth. RESULTS: The power spectra of GH concentrations in serum had a primary peak at a frequency of 0.02 cycles/h or a periodicity of 50 h/cycle. A significant determinant of longitudinal bone growth was a lag time of 1 day in concentration of GH in serum. The relationship between IGF-I concentration in serum and bone growth was not significant. CONCLUSIONS: The primary frequency of GH secretion is outside the time frame of a single day and the concentration of GH in serum is a primary determinant of bone growth. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: A better understanding of the components of bone growth provide discernment to improved diagnosis and treatment of abnormal bone growth.