Iceberg lettuce is one of the most consumed leafy vegetables, which is often treated by different pesticides against pests and diseases. The aim of this study was to describe the fate of 25 pesticides (16 fungicides, 7 insecticides and 2 herbicides) based on quantitative analysis of the parent compounds and targeted screening of their (bio)transformation products. Mathematical models describing a decrease in pesticide residue levels were proposed for 24 pesticides using a first-order kinetic equation. These models provide the data needed to predict consumer exposure associated with the consumption of conventionally grown iceberg lettuce. At harvest, concentrations of most pesticides were dropped under the established EU maximum residue levels, except for flonicamid, fluazifop and pyriproxyfen. A total of 113 pesticide metabolites and degradation products were detected and tentatively identified in extracts prepared by an optimized extraction procedure, i.e., the acidified QuEChERS method. Several products of reactions such as hydrolysis, dealkylation, dehalogenation and/or oxidation-reduction, originated either from various physicochemical processes, or within Phase I pesticide metabolism were detected. Additionally, numerous conjugates with hexose, malonic acid or acetic acid formed during PhaseII of pesticide metabolism were found. In this way, a deeper understanding of specific pesticide degradation mechanisms is facilitated. In addition, it is easier to track the history of pesticide treatment.
- MeSH
- Herbicides analysis MeSH
- Kinetics MeSH
- Food Contamination * analysis MeSH
- Pesticide Residues * analysis MeSH
- Lactuca * chemistry MeSH
- Publication type
- Journal Article MeSH
Autonomic control of heart rate is well known in adult subjects, but limited data are available on the development of the heart rate control during childhood and adolescence. Continuous 12-lead electrocardiograms were recorded in 1045 healthy children and adolescents (550 females) aged 4 to 19 years during postural manoeuvres involving repeated 10-min supine, unsupported sitting, and unsupported standing positions. In each position, heart rate was measured, and heart rate variability indices were evaluated (SDNN, RMSSD, and high (HF) and low (LF) frequency components were obtained). Quasi-normalized HF frequency components were defined as qnHF = HF/(HF + LF). These measurements were, among others, related to age using linear regressions. In supine position, heart rate decreases per year of age were significant in both sexes but lower in females than in males. In standing position, these decreases per year of age were substantially lowered. RMSSD and qnHF indices were independent of age in supine position but significantly decreased with age in sitting and standing positions. Correspondingly, LF/HF proportions showed steep increases with age in sitting and standing positions but not in the supine position. The study suggests that baseline supine parasympathetic influence shows little developmental changes during childhood and adolescence but that in young children, sympathetic branch is less responsive to vagal influence. While vagal influences modulate cardiac periods in young and older children equally, they are less able to suppress the sympathetic influence in younger children.
- MeSH
- Autonomic Nervous System * physiology MeSH
- Child MeSH
- Adult MeSH
- Electrocardiography methods MeSH
- Humans MeSH
- Adolescent MeSH
- Young Adult MeSH
- Posture physiology MeSH
- Child, Preschool MeSH
- Heart Rate * physiology MeSH
- Supine Position MeSH
- Check Tag
- Child MeSH
- Adult MeSH
- Humans MeSH
- Adolescent MeSH
- Young Adult MeSH
- Male MeSH
- Child, Preschool MeSH
- Female MeSH
- Publication type
- Journal Article MeSH
Heart rate is under constant autonomic influence but the development of the influence in children is not fully understood. Continuous electrocardiograms were obtained in 1045 healthy school-age children (550 females) during postural provocations with body position changes between supine, sitting, standing, supine, standing, sitting and supine (in this order), 10 min in each position with position changes within 20 s. Heart rate was measured in each position and speed of heart rate changes between positions were assessed by regressions of rates versus timing of individual cardiac cycles. Supine heart rate was gradually decreasing with age: 82.32 ± 9.92, 74.33 ± 9.79, 67.43 ± 9.45 beats per minute (bpm) in tertile age groups < 11, 11-15, > 15 years, respectively (p < 0.0001), with no significant sex difference. Averaged speed of heart rate changes differed little between sexes and age groups but was significantly faster during rate deceleration than acceleration (e.g., supine ↔ standing: 2.99 ± 1.02 vs. 2.57 ± 0.68 bpm/s, p < 0.0001). The study suggests that in children, vagal heart rate control does not noticeably change between ages of approximately 6-19 years. The gradual resting heart rate decrease during childhood and adolescence is likely caused by lowering of cardiac sympathetic influence from sympathetic overdrive in small children to adult-like sympatho-vagal balance in older adolescents.
- MeSH
- Autonomic Nervous System physiology MeSH
- Child MeSH
- Electrocardiography * MeSH
- Humans MeSH
- Adolescent MeSH
- Vagus Nerve physiology MeSH
- Posture * physiology MeSH
- Heart Rate * physiology MeSH
- Supine Position physiology MeSH
- Check Tag
- Child MeSH
- Humans MeSH
- Adolescent MeSH
- Male MeSH
- Female MeSH
- Publication type
- Journal Article MeSH
Buddhist meditation practices, including Samadhi meditation, which forms the basis for mindfulness practice, are broadly promoted as pathways to wellbeing, but evidence of their adverse effects is emerging. In a single-group observational study with assessments of autonomic system before, during, and after Samadhi meditation, we explore the relationship between post-meditation nausea symptoms and the degree of change in autonomic system activity during meditation as compared to before and after in 57 university students (42 women; mean age = 22.6) without any previous experience in meditation or yoga practices. We hypothesize that nauseous feelings in meditation are connected to a rapid increase of activity in the sympathetic nervous system, as indicated by decreased heart-rate variability (HRV). We additionally explore links between meditation-induced nausea and two markers of parasympathetic activity: increased HRV and vasovagal syncope. Engaging in meditation and increased nausea during meditation were both associated with increased markers of HRV parasympathetic activity, but 12 individuals with markedly higher nausea demonstrated increased HRV markers of sympathetic activity during meditation. Vasovagal syncope was observed but found to be unrelated to nausea levels. Drivers of adverse effects of meditation in some individuals require further investigation.
- MeSH
- Autonomic Nervous System * physiology physiopathology MeSH
- Adult MeSH
- Humans MeSH
- Meditation * psychology MeSH
- Young Adult MeSH
- Nausea * psychology MeSH
- Heart Rate * physiology MeSH
- Check Tag
- Adult MeSH
- Humans MeSH
- Young Adult MeSH
- Male MeSH
- Female MeSH
- Publication type
- Journal Article MeSH
- Observational Study MeSH
- Geographicals
- Czech Republic MeSH
Nadváha a obezita představují závažný globální zdravotní problém 21. století. Podle Světové zdravotnické organizace (WHO) umírá od roku 2012 více lidí kvůli nadbytku jídla než jeho nedostatku. V Evropě trpí nadváhou nebo obezitou 59 % dospělých a téměř každé třetí dítě. V České republice se problém nadváhy týká > 60 % populace. Obezita je spojena s řadou zdravotních komplikací, včetně kardiovaskulárních onemocnění, diabetu 2. typu a některých typů rakoviny. Osoby s obezitou mají průměrně o 5 let kratší délku života než osoby s normální hmotností. Hlavními příčinami obezity jsou nezdravé stravovací návyky, nedostatek pohybu a obezitogenní prostředí. Řešení tohoto problému vyžaduje komplexní přístup, vč. změn v osobním životním stylu i systémová opatření. Pro prevenci a léčbu obezity je klíčové zdravé stravování – dodržování principů zdravého talíře, konzumace dostatku ovoce a zeleniny, omezení průmyslově zpracovaných potravin. Pravidelná pohybová aktivita – alespoň 150–300 min týdně mírné nebo 75–150 min intenzivní aktivity. Dostatečný a kvalitní spánek. Zdravotníci, zejména sestry, hrají klíčovou roli v edukaci pacientů o prevenci obezity a podpoře zdravého životního stylu. Změna životního stylu je dlouhodobý proces, který vyžaduje trpělivost a postupné zavádění malých změn.
Overweight and obesity represent a major global health problem of the 21st century. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), more people have died from excess food than from lack of food since 2012. In Europe, 59% of adults and almost one in three children are overweight or obese. In the Czech Republic, the problem of overweight affects > 60% of the population. Obesity is associated with a number of health complications, including cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes and some cancers. People with obesity have an average of 5 years shorter life expectancy than people of normal weight. The main causes of obesity are unhealthy eating habits, lack of exercise and an obesogenic environment. Addressing this problem requires a comprehensive approach, including changes in personal lifestyle and systemic measures. Healthy eating is a key to the prevention and treatment of obesity – following the principles of a healthy plate, eating enough fruit and vegetables, and reducing processed foods. Regular physical activity – at least 150–300 min per week of moderate or 75–150 min of vigorous activity. Adequate and good quality sleep. Healthcare professionals, especially nurses, play a key role in educating patients about obesity prevention and promoting a healthy lifestyle. Lifestyle change is a long-term process that requires patience and the gradual introduction of small changes.
INTRODUCTION: The Covid-19 pandemic affected food systems in many countries and emphasized a lot of already existing social, economic and environmental agri-food problems. Alternative food networks (AFNs), praised for their ability to improve the food systems, were under stress, however, at the same time, the changed conditions may have opened new possibilities. In this paper we address the importance of AFNs during the pandemic and investigate how households have changed their participation in AFNs. Our research is novel by simultaneously focusing on both market and non-market AFNs which are often studied separately. METHODS: A representative questionnaire study of Czech households was carried out in Autumn 2021 to provide a case study of food and consumption behavior of the European country after several waves of Covid-19. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: Based on the responses of 515 participants, the results show that 68% of Czech households participate in some form of AFNs, be it shopping or food self-provisioning, i.e., non-market food procurement in the form of gardening. Focusing on the market AFNs, farmers' markets and farm gate sales are the most popular. Covid-19 and 2021 emerging economic pressures led to a decrease of consumption of organic food (22% of respondents) as well as fresh fruit and vegetables in general (10% of respondents) and a noticeable occurrence of food insecurity (18% of households). Based on these findings, the paper discusses the ability of AFNs to support food and nutritional resilience. Problems which may endanger market-oriented AFNs are discussed as well. CONCLUSION: By addressing both market and non-market AFNs, the paper brings new knowledge into the food environment and agri-food policies research.
- Publication type
- Journal Article MeSH
Whereas temporal variability of plant phenology in response to climate change has already been well studied, the spatial variability of phenology is not well understood. Given that phenological shifts may affect biotic interactions, there is a need to investigate how the variability in environmental factors relates to the spatial variability in herbaceous species' phenology by at the same time considering their functional traits to predict their general and species-specific responses to future climate change. In this project, we analysed phenology records of 148 herbaceous species, which were observed for a single year by the PhenObs network in 15 botanical gardens. For each species, we characterised the spatial variability in six different phenological stages across gardens. We used boosted regression trees to link these variabilities in phenology to the variability in environmental parameters (temperature, latitude and local habitat conditions) as well as species traits (seed mass, vegetative height, specific leaf area and temporal niche) hypothesised to be related to phenology variability. We found that spatial variability in the phenology of herbaceous species was mainly driven by the variability in temperature but also photoperiod was an important driving factor for some phenological stages. In addition, we found that early-flowering and less competitive species characterised by small specific leaf area and vegetative height were more variable in their phenology. Our findings contribute to the field of phenology by showing that besides temperature, photoperiod and functional traits are important to be included when spatial variability of herbaceous species is investigated.
- MeSH
- Phenotype MeSH
- Photoperiod * MeSH
- Climate Change MeSH
- Plant Leaves * physiology MeSH
- Seasons MeSH
- Plants MeSH
- Temperature MeSH
- Publication type
- Journal Article MeSH
[Overweight and obesity – the pandemic of the 21st century]
Nadváha a obezita představují závažný globální zdravotní problém 21. století. Podle Světové zdravotnické organizace (WHO) umírá od roku 2012 více lidí kvůli nadbytku jídla než jeho nedostatku. V Evropě trpí nadváhou nebo obezitou 59 % dospělých a téměř každé třetí dítě. V České republice se problém nadváhy týká > 60 % populace. Obezita je spojena s řadou zdravotních komplikací, včetně kardiovaskulárních onemocnění, diabetu 2. typu a některých typů rakoviny. Osoby s obezitou mají průměrně o 5 let kratší délku života než osoby s normální hmotností. Hlavními příčinami obezity jsou nezdravé stravovací návyky, nedostatek pohybu a obezitogenní prostředí. Řešení tohoto problému vyžaduje komplexní přístup, vč. změn v osobním životním stylu i systémová opatření. Pro prevenci a léčbu obezity je klíčové zdravé stravování – dodržování principů zdravého talíře, konzumace dostatku ovoce a zeleniny, omezení průmyslově zpracovaných potravin. Pravidelná pohybová aktivita – alespoň 150–300 min týdně mírné nebo 75–150 min intenzivní aktivity. Dostatečný a kvalitní spánek. Zdravotníci, zejména sestry, hrají klíčovou roli v edukaci pacientů o prevenci obezity a podpoře zdravého životního stylu. Změna životního stylu je dlouhodobý proces, který vyžaduje trpělivost a postupné zavádění malých změn.
Overweight and obesity represent a major global health problem of the 21st century. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), more people have died from excess food than from lack of food since 2012. In Europe, 59% of adults and almost one in three children are overweight or obese. In the Czech Republic, the problem of overweight affects > 60% of the population. Obesity is associated with a number of health complications, including cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes and some cancers. People with obesity have an average of 5 years shorter life expectancy than people of normal weight. The main causes of obesity are unhealthy eating habits, lack of exercise and an obesogenic environment. Addressing this problem requires a comprehensive approach, including changes in personal lifestyle and systemic measures. Healthy eating is a key to the prevention and treatment of obesity – following the principles of a healthy plate, eating enough fruit and vegetables, and reducing processed foods. Regular physical activity – at least 150–300 min per week of moderate or 75–150 min of vigorous activity. Adequate and good quality sleep. Healthcare professionals, especially nurses, play a key role in educating patients about obesity prevention and promoting a healthy lifestyle. Lifestyle change is a long-term process that requires patience and the gradual introduction of small changes.
Background There is a scarcity of validated rapid dietary screening tools for patient use in the clinical setting to improve health and reduce cardiovascular risk. The Healthy Eating Index (HEI) 2015 measures compliance with the 2015 to 2020 Dietary Guidelines for Americans but requires completion of an extensive diet assessment to compute, which is time consuming and impractical. The authors hypothesize that a 19-item dietary survey assessing consumption of common food groups known to affect health will be correlated with the HEI-2015 assessed by a validated food frequency questionnaire and can be further reduced without affecting validity. Methods and Results A 19-item Eating Assessment Tool (EAT) of common food groups was created through literature review and expert consensus. A cross-sectional survey was then conducted in adult participants from a preventive cardiology clinic or cardiac rehabilitation and in healthy volunteers (n=661, mean age, 36 years; 76% women). Participants completed an online 156-item food frequency questionnaire, which was used to calculate the HEI score using standard methods. The association between each EAT question and HEI group was analyzed by Kruskal-Wallis test. Linear regression models were subsequently used to identify univariable and multivariable predictors for HEI score for further reduction in the number of items. The final 9-item model of Mini-EAT was validated by 5-fold cross validation. The 19-item EAT had a strong correlation with the HEI score (r=0.73) and was subsequently reduced to the 9 items independently predictive of the HEI score: fruits, vegetables, whole grains, refined grains, fish or seafood, legumes/nuts/seeds, low-fat dairy, high-fat dairy, and sweets consumption, without affecting the predictive ability of the tool (r=0.71). Conclusions Mini-EAT is a 9-item validated brief dietary screener that correlates well with a comprehensive food frequency questionnaire. Future studies to test the Mini-EAT's validity in diverse populations and for development of clinical decision support systems to capture changes over time are needed.
- MeSH
- Diet * MeSH
- Fruit MeSH
- Cross-Sectional Studies MeSH
- Surveys and Questionnaires MeSH
- Vegetables * MeSH
- Animals MeSH
- Check Tag
- Animals MeSH
- Publication type
- Journal Article MeSH
Kontext: Kvasinka rodu Candida je vzácnou, ale významnou příčinou infekční endokarditidy. Cílem studie bylo zjistit klinické údaje pacientů s kandidovou endokarditidou léčených na kardiologickém a kardiochirurgickém oddělení jedné nemocnice v letech 2012 až 2023. Metody: Dokumentace pacientů s diagnózou infekční endokarditidy byla prohlédnuta retrospektivně. Sledovaly se demografické údaje, anamnéza, klinické údaje a informace o výsledném stavu a léčbě. Výsledky: Čtyři (29 %) ze 14 pacientů byly ženy, v 10 (71 %) případech se jednalo o muže. Průměrný věk byl 49,7 (± 8,82) roku. Průměrná délka hospitalizace byla 39 dní (33–130 dní). Postiženo bylo 5 (38 %) aortálních chlopní, 2 (15 %) aortální + mitrální chlopně, 3 (23 %) mitrální chlopně, ve 2 (16 %) případech byla příčinou vegetace na elektrodě a v 1 (7 %) případě vegetace na plicní chlopni. Ze základních onemocnění trpělo 5 (35 %) pacientů diabetes mellitus, 5 (35 %) bylo na hemodialýze a 4 (30 %) měli kardiostimulátor. Jeden (7 %) pacient prodělal transplantaci srdce, další transplantaci jater. Sedmi (50 %) pacientům byla implantována umělá chlopeň a 7 (50 %) biologická chlopeň. Mikrobiologické vyšetření prokázalo v 8 (57 %) přípa- dech přítomnost C. parapsilosis, v 5 (35 %) C. albicans a v 1 (7 %) případě C. tropicalis. V 7 (50 %) případech byla provedena výměna chlopně. Ve vzorku odebraném z chlopně jednoho pacienta prokázala kultivace přítomnost C. albicans. Fluconazol byl podáván 6 (43 %) pacientům a echinokandiny v 8 (57 %) případech. V průběhu jednoletého sledování zemřelo 6 (43 %) pacientů. Vyšetření magnetickou rezonancí prokázalo embolii v centrálním nervovém systému u 6 (43 %) pacientů. Závěry: Kandidová endokarditida je spojena s vysokou mortalitou, přitom nejvhodnější způsob léčby lze vzhledem k jejímu vzácnému výskytu velmi obtížně formulovat.
Background: Candida is a rare but important cause of infective endocarditis. The study aimed to describe clinical data on patients with Candida endocarditis treated in cardiology and cardiovascular surgery hospital between 2012-2023. Methods: Patients diagnosed with infective endocarditis were reviewed retrospectively. Demographic information, medical histories, clinical data, and information on outcome and treatment were presented. Results: Four (29%) of 14 patients were female, and 10 (71%) were male. The mean age was 49.7 (±8.82) years. The mean hospital stay was 39 days (33-130 days). The valves involved were 5 (38%) aortic valves, 2 (15%) aortic + mitral valves, 3 (23%) mitral valves, 2 (16%) vegetation on the lead, and 1 (7%) in the pulmonary valve. In the underlying diseases, 5 (35%) had diabetes mellitus, 5 (35%) had hemodialysis, and 4 (30%) had pacemakers. One (7%) of the patients had a heart transplant, and 1 had a liver transplant. Seven (50%) had a prosthetic valve, and 7 (50%) had a natural valve. The detected microbiological factors are: 8 (57%) had Candida parapsilosis (C. parapsilosis), 5 (35%) Candida albicans (C. albicans ) and 1 (7%) Candida tropicalis (C. tropicalis). There was a valve change in 7 (50%) of them. C. albicans grew in the valve culture of one patient. Fluconazole was used in 6 patients (43%), and echinocandins were used in 8 (57%) patients. Six patients (43%) died during 1-year follow-up. Embolism in the central nervous system was detected in 6 patients (43%) on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Conclusions: Candida endocarditis has a high mortality, and it is not easy to define the most appropriate treatment because of its rarity.
