Ready-to-eat (RTE) foods can be risky for consumers as they are not usually cooked or heated before consumption. We set out to assess RTE foods available in the Czech market network as a possible source of Helicobacter pylori. Attention was paid to RTE foods containing at least one ingredient of animal origin. A total of 50 food samples were chosen and divided into 3 categories. The “composite foods” category (n = 29) included sandwiches (n = 5), baguettes (n = 11), tortillas (n = 6), buns (n = 2), toast bread (n = 1), croissant (n = 1), bagels (n = 2), and pretzel (n = 1). The “salads” category included commercially produced mixed salads (n = 13). The “other” category (n = 8) included smoked salmon (n = 2), smoked mackerel (n = 2), smoked herring (n = 1), marinated salmon (n = 1), surimi (n = 1) and carpaccio (n = 1). The samples were analysed using nested-PCR. The glmM gene of H. pylori was detected in 50% (n = 25) of all samples. The “composite foods” category had the highest number of positive samples 58.6% (n = 21), followed by “other” with 50% (n = 4), and “salads” with 30.8% (n = 4). The results of our study showed that consumers eating RTE foods may be exposed to a risk of infection with H. pylori.

BACKGROUND: Lead, a serious threat for raptors, can hamper the success of their conservation. This study reports on experience with accidental lead intoxication and responses to chelation therapy in captive Cinereous (Aegypius monachus) and Egyptian (Neophron percnopterus) Vultures. RESULTS: Soil contamination by lead-based paint sanded off the steel aviary resulted in poisoning of eight Cinereous and two Egyptian Vultures. A male Egyptian Vulture developed signs of apathy, polydipsia, polyuria, regurgitation, and stupor, and died on the next day. Liver, kidney and blood lead concentrations were 12.2, 8.16 and 2.66 μg/g, respectively. Laboratory analyses confirmed severe liver and kidney damage and anaemia. Blood Pb levels of Pb-exposed Cinereous Vultures were 1.571 ± 0.510 μg/g shortly after intoxication, decreased to 0.530 ± 0.165 μg/g without any therapy in a month and to 0.254 ± 0.097 μg/g one month after CaNa(2)EDTA administration. Eight months later, blood lead levels decreased to close to the background of the control group. Blood parameters of healthy Pb-non-exposed Cinereous Vultures were compared with those of the exposed group prior to and after chelation therapy. Iron levels in the lead-exposed pre-treatment birds significantly decreased after chelation. Haematocrit levels in Pb-exposed birds were significantly lower than those of the controls and improved one month after chelation. Creatine kinase was higher in pre-treatment birds than in the controls but normalised after therapy. Alkaline phosphatase increased after chelation. A marked increase in the level of lipid peroxidation measured as thiobarbituric acid reactive species was demonstrated in birds both prior to and after chelation. The ferric reducing antioxidant power was significantly lower in pre-treatment vultures and returned to normal following chelation therapy. Blood metallothionein levels in lead-exposed birds were higher than in controls. Reduced glutathione dropped after CaNa(2)EDTA therapy, while oxidised glutathione was significantly lower in both pre- and post-treatment birds. A chick in an egg produced by a Cinereous Vulture female two months after lead toxicosis died on day 40 of artificial incubation. Lead concentrations in foetal tissues were consistent with levels causing avian mortality. CONCLUSIONS: The reported blood parameters and reproduction impairment in captive birds may have implications for professionals dealing with lead exposure in wild birds.

• MeSH
• chelátová terapie metody   veterinární   MeSH
• EDTA terapeutické užití   MeSH
• Falconiformes * krev   MeSH
• nemoci ptáků chemicky indukované   farmakoterapie   MeSH
• olovo krev   MeSH
• otrava olovem farmakoterapie   veterinární   MeSH
• zvířata v ZOO MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Check Tag
• mužské pohlaví MeSH
• ženské pohlaví MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• kazuistiky MeSH
• práce podpořená grantem MeSH

OBJECTIVES: Trace concentrations of the platinum group elements (PGE; Pt, Pd and Rh) are nowadays an irreplaceable part of environmental analysis and assessment. These rare elements are used as effective substances in automotive catalysts to reduce pollution by emissions originating from fuel combustion. Due to their harmful potential, it is necessary to monitor their content and behaviour in different samples. Effect assessment using ecotoxicological bioassays with organisms at different trophic levels can provide valuable pieces of information on the risk of chemical substances in the ecosystem. DESIGN: The experiments were carried out as described in the OECD Guideline 232 [CSN ISO 11267 - Soil quality - Inhibition of reproduction of Collembola (Folsomia candida) by soil pollutants]. The reproductive effects of palladium (PdCl2) and rhodium (RhCl3) were examined. Concentrations of PGE tested were as follows: 5, 10, 25, 50 and 100 µmol.L-1. The EC50 (medium effective concentration) was determined after 28 days of exposure. Inhibition of reproduction of PGE-exposed collembolans was compared against controls. RESULTS: Values of 28dEC50 of PdCl2 and RhCl3 amounted to 21.0 µmol.L-1 and 266.22 µmol.L-1, respectively. We can confirm that the relative order of toxicities is Pd (II) > Pt(IV) > Rh(III). CONCLUSION: To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study to use Folsomia candida as an indicator species to assess the risk of soil contamination by palladium and rhodium. However, more toxicity data for various species are needed to evaluate the environmental risks of PGEs in soils.

• MeSH
• členovci účinky léků   fyziologie   MeSH
• látky znečišťující půdu analýza   toxicita   MeSH
• monitorování životního prostředí metody   MeSH
• palladium toxicita   MeSH
• platina analýza   toxicita   MeSH
• půda chemie   MeSH
• rhodium toxicita   MeSH
• rozmnožování účinky léků   MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Check Tag
• zvířata MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• práce podpořená grantem MeSH

OBJECTIVES: An enhanced worldwide application of platinum group elements (PGE), in particular platinum, has been observed during recent decades. An increased concentration of PGE was determined in collected samples of great amount of aqueous ecosystems.The aim was to compare phytotoxic effect of platinum (PtCl4) by performing two different bioassays on green algae Pseudokirchneriella subcapitata and macrophyte duckweed, Lemna minor. MEDTHODS: The algal experiment (Pseudokichneriella subcapitata) followed OECD 201, the concentration row for PtCl4 was: 0.05; 0.01; 0.25; 0.5; 1 µM. The duckweed (Lemna minor) experiment was conducted according to OECD 221, employed PtCl4 concentrations were: 5; 10; 25; 50; 100 µM. Plants were cultivated as a microbiotest, using micro-volumes. RESULTS: The results of the algal test showed significant growth inhibition of the final biomass. The values of 72hEC5(µ), 72hEC10(µ), 72hEC20(µ) counted on a basis of average specific growth rate (µ) were 0.31 µM, 0.58 µM and 1.12 µM of PtCl4, respectively. The values, obtained on a basis of the area under the growth curves (A), were 0.04 µM (72hEC5(A)), 0.24 µM (72hEC10(A)) and 0.64 µM (72hEC20(A)). The experiment with duckweed showed 50% of growth inhibition and the values of 168hEC50(µ) were 19.55 µM and 168hEC50(A) 13.63 µM of PtCl4. CONCLUSION: The fronds of duckweed showed strong adverse effect of platinum influence (chlorosis, necrosis). The algal test and the estimation of 72hEC5(A) appears to be the most sensitive.

• MeSH
• biomasa MeSH
• biotest MeSH
• chemické látky znečišťující vodu toxicita   MeSH
• Chlorophyta účinky léků   růst a vývoj   MeSH
• ekosystém MeSH
• platina toxicita   MeSH
• sloučeniny platiny toxicita   MeSH
• testy toxicity MeSH
• vztah mezi dávkou a účinkem léčiva MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• práce podpořená grantem MeSH
• srovnávací studie MeSH

OBJECTIVES: Regarding the environmental pollution, platinum group elements (PGE) are in the centre of interest of current research. These rare elements are used as effective substances in automotive catalysts to reduce pollution by emissions originating from fuel combustion. Due to their harmful potential, it is necessary to monitor their content and behaviour in different samples. Comprehensive studies on PGE behaviour and effects are still lacking. Their distribution in the food chain and data on bioaccumulation has not been described so far. METHODS: We focused on reproductive effects of platinum (PtCl4), in particular. Our study is based on a collembolan laboratory breed, test optimalization and validation according to the OECD 232 standards [CSN ISO 11267 - Soil quality - Inhibition of reproduction of Collembola (Folsomia candida) by soil pollutants]. The concentrations of PtCl4 tested were as follows: 5, 10, 25, 50 and 100 µM. The EC50 was determined after 28 days of testing. RESULTS: The results were evaluated using the inhibition of reproduction compared with controls. The EC50 was determined after the 28-day test. The value of 28dEC50 of the boric acid test was estimated at 120 mg/kg and the measured 28dEC50 of PtCl4 was 200.4 µM. CONCLUSION: The presented data can be considered as a step forward in the assessment of the potential risk of platinum in the terrestrial environment. However, more toxicity data for various species are needed to evaluate the environmental risk of platinum in soils.

• MeSH
• chování zvířat účinky léků   MeSH
• členovci účinky léků   růst a vývoj   MeSH
• látky znečišťující půdu toxicita   MeSH
• platina toxicita   MeSH
• rozmnožování účinky léků   MeSH
• sloučeniny platiny toxicita   MeSH
• testy toxicity MeSH
• věkové faktory MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Check Tag
• mužské pohlaví MeSH
• ženské pohlaví MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• práce podpořená grantem MeSH