Many biological agents are epidemic or pandemic in nature (Ebola 2013, Spanish influenza 1918, Russian influenza 1989, SARS-CoV-2 2019). Recognising the onset of the spread of epidemics and pandemics remains a major challenge even in the 21st century despite the technologies and scientific knowledge at our disposal, as is the successful management of such situations. The reason concerns the existence of biological diversity and the laws that govern it, which are very difficult to predict and which are virtually uncontrollable. It is gradually becoming apparent that the current spread of SARS-CoV-2 that causes COVID-19 (9 million deaths since the beginning of the pandemic according to WHO) is characterised by very different characteristics (e.g. the exposure, transmission and spread of the viral infectious agent) in different populations and risk groups.Social services workers in the Czech Republic have been on the frontline for the duration of the pandemic and have been required to work in a high-risk infectious environment. This has led to the need for changes in their established working practices and approaches. Considerable creativity had to be employed particularly in the first year of the pandemic due to the scarcity of information on the new viral agent, the availability of which increased only slowly as the scientific community studied and analysed the various factors involved. Globally, the scientific community released its experimental data as soon as it became available; however, unfortunately, due to the nature of biomedical research, the release of the outputs failed to match the time requirements for their necessity in practice.Based on qualitative and quantitative research, the following text provides an analysis of the specific measures and the related difficulties, and the struggle to find solutions, that providers of selected types of social services faced during the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic.The survey results revealed that the issues in question had a common thread across the various types of social services, as well as a number of common features and challenges. The analysis of the results showed a noticeable shift between the initial period, which was characterised by the rapid onset of the spread of the pandemic, and the situation after 18 months of life under pandemic conditions, which was characterised by the lower incidence of problems and difficulties. One of the major outcomes of the study concerns the identification of the need for social service providers to be provided with a unified, clear and centrally managed process that is able to provide individualised methodological support. The results are based on a study conducted as part of "The Changes in Selected Social Services for People with Disabilities during the State of Emergency Instigated by a Viral Disease" project.

• MeSH
• COVID-19 * prevence a kontrola   MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• přístup k informacím MeSH
• průzkumy a dotazníky MeSH
• sociální práce organizace a řízení   MeSH
• sociální pracovníci * statistika a číselné údaje   MeSH
• statistika jako téma MeSH
• zjišťování skupinových postojů MeSH
• Check Tag
• lidé MeSH
• Publikační typ
• práce podpořená grantem MeSH

Since the discovery of antimicrobial agents, the misuse of antibiotics has led to the emergence of bacterial strains resistant to both antibiotics and common disinfectants like quaternary ammonium compounds (QACs). A new class, 'gemini' QACs, which contain two polar heads, has shown promise. Octenidine (OCT), a representative of this group, is effective against resistant microorganisms but has limitations such as low solubility and high cytotoxicity. In this study, we developed 16 novel OCT derivatives. These compounds were subjected to in silico screening to predict their membrane permeation. Testing against nosocomial bacterial strains (G+ and G-) and their biofilms revealed that most compounds were highly effective against G+ bacteria, while compounds 7, 8, and 10-12 were effective against G- bacteria. Notably, compounds 6-8 were significantly more effective than OCT and BAC standards across the bacterial panel. Compound 12 stood out due to its low cytotoxicity and broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity, comparable to OCT. It also demonstrated impressive antifungal activity. Compound 1 was highly selective to fungi and four times more effective than OCT without its cytotoxicity. Several compounds, including 4, 6, 8, 9, 10, and 12, showed strong virucidal activity against murine cytomegalovirus and herpes simplex virus 1. In conclusion, these gemini QACs, especially compound 12, offer a promising alternative to current disinfectants, addressing emerging resistances with their enhanced antimicrobial, antifungal, and virucidal properties.

• MeSH
• antibakteriální látky * farmakologie   chemická syntéza   chemie   MeSH
• antifungální látky farmakologie   chemická syntéza   chemie   MeSH
• antivirové látky farmakologie   chemická syntéza   chemie   MeSH
• Bacteria účinky léků   MeSH
• biofilmy účinky léků   MeSH
• houby účinky léků   MeSH
• iminy MeSH
• kvartérní amoniové sloučeniny * farmakologie   chemická syntéza   chemie   MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• mikrobiální testy citlivosti * MeSH
• molekulární struktura MeSH
• myši MeSH
• pyridinové sloučeniny farmakologie   chemická syntéza   chemie   MeSH
• pyridiny farmakologie   chemie   chemická syntéza   MeSH
• vztah mezi dávkou a účinkem léčiva MeSH
• vztahy mezi strukturou a aktivitou MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Check Tag
• lidé MeSH
• myši MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH

The current study imposes a new class of organophosphorus (OP)-inhibited cholinesterase reactivators by conceptualizing a family of asymmetric bisoximes with various reactivating scaffolds. Several novel nucleophilic warheads were investigated, putting forward 29 novel reactivating options, by evaluating their nucleophilicity and ability to directly decompose OP compounds. Adopting the so-called zwitterionic strategy, 17 mono-oxime and nine bisoxime reactivators were discovered with major emphasis on the bifunctional-moiety approach. Compounds were compared with clinically used standards and other known experimentally highlighted reactivators. Our results clearly favor the concept of asymmetric bisoximes as leading reactivators in terms of efficacy and versatility. These top-ranked compounds were characterized in detail by reactivation kinetics parameters and evaluated for potential CNS availability. The highlighted molecules 55, 57, and 58 with various reactivating warheads, surpassed the reactivating potency of pralidoxime and several notable uncharged reactivators. The versatility of lead drug candidate 55 was also inspected on OP-inhibited butyrylcholinesterase, revealing a much higher rate compared to existing clinical antidotes.

• MeSH
• acetylcholinesterasa metabolismus   MeSH
• antidota chemie   farmakologie   MeSH
• butyrylcholinesterasa * metabolismus   chemie   MeSH
• cholinesterasové inhibitory chemie   farmakologie   MeSH
• kinetika MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• organofosforové sloučeniny chemie   MeSH
• otrava organofosfáty * farmakoterapie   MeSH
• oximy * chemie   farmakologie   MeSH
• reaktivátory cholinesterasy * chemie   farmakologie   MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Check Tag
• lidé MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH

Publikace se zaměřuje na sociální a hygientické služby a na osoby s postižením v Česku během pandemie COVID-19. Určeno odborné veřejnosti.

• MeSH
• COVID-19 MeSH
• hygiena MeSH
• pandemie MeSH
• postižení MeSH
• řízení rizik MeSH
• sociální práce MeSH
• Geografické názvy
• Česká republika MeSH

• Konspekt
• Druhy sociální pomoci a služeb
• NLK Obory
• sociologie
• NLK Publikační typ
• kolektivní monografie

5 Articles Ivana Havránková6 works as a leader of social services in the Czech Abilympic Association, and is an external worker at the Institute of Social Work of Philosophical Faculty, University of Hradec Králové. Adéla Mojžíšová7 is an associate professor at the University of South Bohemia. Her main professional and research interests are theories and methods of social work, supervision in social work, social rehabilitation, and social work with the family. Radka Prázdná 8 is a special education teacher by profession, she works as a university lecturer at the University of South Bohemia. In her lectures and publications, she focuses on social inclusion of individuals with special needs. Zuzana Truhlářová9 works as an assistant professor at the University of Hradec Králové. She deals with issues of formal and informal care for people with disabilities. Abstract OBJECTIVES: The objective of the paper is to present the results of a pilot research project dealing with the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on selected types of social services for people with disabilities (changes in provided services, sources of information, routine in the facilities and modifications of internal procedures, impact on clients, staff and finance). THEORETICAL BASE: The theoretical background is constituted by government resolutions, measures, and recommendations issued by ministries, internal regulations in the social service facilities, and the results of foreign studies analysing the impact of COVID-19 on social services for people with disabilities. METHOD: The chosen method was qualitative and the data was collected through semi-structured interviews. The target group comprised the management of social services for people with disabilities. OUTCOMES: The article presents the results of the qualitative content analysis of interviews, which are structured according to the areas defined in the section “objectives” and they include a discussion aiming at the identification of potential risks, areas of further research, and limits thereof. SOCIAL WORK IMPLICATIONS: The text provides social workers with insight into how the selected social services for people with disabilities coped with the pandemic, into their greatest challenges, and effects of the pandemic on services, clients and staff.

• MeSH
• COVID-19 MeSH
• karanténa MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• pilotní projekty MeSH
• postižení MeSH
• sociální práce * MeSH
• zranitelné populace MeSH
• Check Tag
• lidé MeSH

Předkládaná přehledová studie se věnuje dobrovolnictví osob s mentálním postižením. Jejím cílem je prezentovat souhrn zjištění v odhalených tématech – v oblasti motivace k dobrovolnictví u této cílové skupiny a v oblasti přínosů i bariér, s nimiž se tito dobrovolníci setkávají. Na základě analýzy existujících odborných studií v této oblasti za posledních 21 let (N = 17) můžeme konstatovat, že motivace dobrovolníků s mentálním postižením není příliš odlišná od ostatních skupin dobrovolníků, zahrnuje potřebu užitečnosti a příklon k hodnotám jako empatie, pomoc a podpora druhým. Navíc se objevuje motivace vycházející z rovnocenného postavení všech členů společnosti. Přínosy jsou v individuální i společenské rovině (socializace, korekce chování, zlepšení soft -skills atp.), stejně jako na úrovni organizace, kde je činnost vykonávána (ochota a schopnost dlouhodobě vykonávat rutinní činnost, propagační funkce atp.). Bariéry vycházejí jednak z charakteru a limitů mentálního postižení jako takového, jednak z předsudků společnosti a strachu s nimi spojeného. Problémem je, že každý dobrovolník z popisované skupiny se s těmito bariérami setkal.

This literature review study focuses on volunteering by people with intellectual disabilities and aims to present a summary of the findings on the themes revealed, namely, the motivations for volunteering among this target group, the benefi ts, and the barriers encountered by these volunteers. On the basis of an analysis of existing studies in this fi eld over the last 21 years (N=17), we can conclude that the motivation of volunteers with intellectual disabilities is not very diff erent from that of other groups of volunteers, and includes the need for usefulness and a leaning towards values such as empathy, helping, and supporting others. In addition, motivations based on the equal status of all members of society are emerging. Th e benefits are at the individual and societal level (socialisation, behavioural correction, improvement of soft skills, etc.), as well as at the level of the organisation where the activity is carried out (willingness and ability to carry out routine activities in the long term, promotional functions, etc.). Th e barriers stem from the nature and limitations of intellectual disability as such, as well as from societyʼs prejudices and the fear associated with them. Th e problem is that every volunteer in the group that is described has encountered these barriers.

• MeSH
• dobrovolní pracovníci MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• osoby s mentálním postižením * MeSH
• Check Tag
• lidé MeSH

• Publikační typ
• abstrakt z konference MeSH

Benzoxonium chloride belongs to the group of quaternary ammonium salts, which have been widely used for decades as disinfectants because of their high efficacy, low toxicity, and thermal stability. In this study, we have prepared the C10-C18 set of benzoxonium-like salts to evaluate the effect of their chemical and biological decontamination capabilities. In particular, biocidal activity against a panel of bacterial strains including Staphylococcus aureus in biofilm form was screened. In addition, the most promising compounds were successfully tested against Francisella tularensis as a representative of potential biological warfare agents. From a point of view of chemical warfare protection, the efficiency of BOC-like compounds to degrade the organophosphate simulant fenitrothion was examined. Notwithstanding that no single compound with universal effectiveness was identified, a mixture of only two compounds from this group would be able to satisfactorily cover the proposed decontamination spectrum. In addition, the compounds were evaluated for their cytotoxicity as a basic safety parameter for potential use in practice. In summary, the dual effect on chemical and biological agents of benzoxonium-like salts offer attractive potential as active components of decontamination mixtures in the case of a terrorist threat or chemical or biological accidents.

• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH

An increasing microbial resistance to known antibiotics raises a demand for new antimicrobials. In this study the antimicrobial properties of a series of new N-Alkylpyridinium quaternary ammonium compounds (QACs) with varying alkyl chain lengths were evaluated for several nosocomial pathogens. The chemical identities of the new QACs were determined by NMR, LC-MS, and HRMS. All the planktonic bacteria tested were susceptible to the new QACs as evaluated by MIC and MBC assays. The antimicrobial effect was most pronounced against Staphylococcus aureus clinical isolates. Live/dead staining CLSM was used to test the effectiveness of the QACs in biofilms. The effectiveness was up to 10-fold lower than in the plankton. When QACs were used as irrigants in Er:YAG - SSP photoacoustic steaming, their effectiveness significantly increased. The combined use of irrigants and photoacoustic streaming increased biofilm removal from the surface and increased the killing rate of the cells remaining on the surface. This may allow for a shorter chemical exposure time and lower dosage of QACs used in applications. The results demonstrate that the new QACs have potential to be applied as antibacterial compounds effective against planktonic and biofilm bacteria as well as irrigants in removal of difficult-to-reach biofilms.

• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH

Quaternary ammonium salts (QASs) have been widely used for disinfection purposes because of their low price, high efficacy and low human toxicity for decades. However, precise mechanisms of action nor the powerful versatile agent against all antimicrobial species are known. In this study we have prepared 43 novel N-alkyl monoquaternary ammonium salts including 7 N,N-dialkyl monoquaternary ammonium salts differing bearing alkyl chain either of 12, 14 or 16 carbons. Together with 15 already published QASs we have studied the antimicrobial efficacy of all water-soluble compounds together with standard benzalkonium salts against Gram-positive (G+) and Gram-negative (G-) bacteria, anaerobic spore-forming Cl. difficile, yeasts, filamentous fungi and enveloped Varicella zoster virus (VZV). To address the mechanism of action, lipophilicity seems to be a key parameter which determines antimicrobial efficacy, however, exceptions are likely to occur and therefore QSAR analysis on the efficacy against G+ and G- bacteria was applied. We showed that antibacterial activity is higher when the molecule is larger, more lipophilic, less polar, and contains fewer oxygen atoms, fewer methyl groups bound to heteroatoms or fewer hydrogen atoms bound to polarized carbon atoms. In addition, from an application point of view, we have formulated mixtures, on the basis of obtained efficiency of individual compounds, in order to receive wide-spectrum agent. All formulated mixtures completely eradicated tested G+ and G- strains, including the multidrug-resistant P. aeruginosa as well as in case of yeasts. However, effect on A. fumigatus, Cl. difficile and VZV the exposition towards mixture resulted in significant reduction only. Finally, 3 out of 4 formulated mixtures were safer than reference commercial agent based on benzalkonium salts only in the skin irritation test using reconstructed human epidermidis.

• MeSH
• alkylace MeSH
• antiinfekční látky škodlivé účinky   chemie   farmakologie   MeSH
• kůže účinky léků   MeSH
• kvantitativní vztahy mezi strukturou a aktivitou * MeSH
• kvartérní amoniové sloučeniny škodlivé účinky   chemie   farmakologie   MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• mikrobiální testy citlivosti MeSH
• Check Tag
• lidé MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH