PURPOSE OF THE STUDY The incidence of geriatric fractures (proximal femur, distal radius, proximal humerus and thoracolumbar spine injuries) in the population increases with ageing. However, the role of weather conditions, such as icy and slippery winter, should not be overlooked. A deeper insight into this relationship may bring about a better understanding of the fracture aetiology and thus allow for improvement in the prevention of fractures in elderly people. MATERIAL AND METHODS This prospective study included 676 patients (469 women and 207 men) aged 65 and over. Relationships between the incidence of geriatric fractures in these patients and the season, weather phenomena (i.e., air temperature, atmospheric pressure, air humidity, wind speed, visibility, rain, snow, mist and storm) and global biometeorological data in the period from 1 January 2012 to 31 December 2013 were investigated. Patients with high velocity trauma or those with pathological fractures were excluded. Time (day/night), the place of injury (outdoor/indoor/home environment), comorbidities and chronicuse medication were also recorded. Weather forecast records with weather health loads (biotropic indices) were obtained from the commercial service Weather Underground and the Czech Hydrometeoro-logical Institute. The results were statistically analysed using the Statistika 12 programme. RESULTS The incidence of fractures was higher in winter months but there was no statistically significant correlation between the number of fractures and various weather characteristics (temperature, atmospheric pressure, air humidity, wind speed, visibility, rainfall, snow, mist or storm). On the other hand, a relationship between the incidence of geriatric fractures and the biometeorological data (biotropic index) for that day was significant (r = 0.65, p= 0.0401). The majority of fractures occurred during the daytime (83.7%) and in the indoor environment (83.1%); of the latter fractures, 85.2% were home injuries. The most frequent comorbidities included cardiovascular disease (36.2%), obesity (31.1%) and diabetes mellitus (25.4%). DISCUSSION Studies investigating seasonal patterns in relation to the incidence of geriatric fractures are contradictory. Sixteen previous studies have examined seasonal variations and the incidence of some types of geriatric fractures in different parts of the world. The majority of them have dealt with hip fractures, three with forearm injuries and one compared the incidence of hip, distal forearm, proximal humerus and ankle fractures in the four seasons of the year. Of 13 studies in geographic areas located north of 40°latitude, eight showed no seasonal variation in the incidence of fractures, four recorded an increase in the number of fractures in winter and two showed an increased number of fractures in summer. Three of them also studied the effect of daily temperature. Only one study paid attention to biometeorological data and related the biotropic index to the number of injuries treated at the emergency department. Three studies showed that fractures occurred most frequently in the home environment and during the daytime. CONCLUSIONS This study did not prove any statistically significant relationship between the incidence of geriatric fractures and different weather phenomena. Nevertheless, it showed a higher incidence of fractures in winter, from December to February. Most fractures occurred in indoor environments and during the day. A high value of the biotropic index was significantly related to the incidence of geriatric fractures. The most frequent comorbidities included cardiovascular disease, obesity and diabetes mellitus. Key words: geriatric fracture, season, weather, biometeorological forecast.

• MeSH
• fraktury kostí epidemiologie   MeSH
• geriatrické hodnocení MeSH
• incidence MeSH
• komorbidita MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• počasí * MeSH
• prospektivní studie MeSH
• rizikové faktory MeSH
• roční období MeSH
• senioři nad 80 let MeSH
• senioři MeSH
• Check Tag
• lidé MeSH
• mužské pohlaví MeSH
• senioři nad 80 let MeSH
• senioři MeSH
• ženské pohlaví MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH

BACKGROUND: Chironomids, a major invertebrate taxon in many standing freshwaters, rely on adult flight to reach new suitable sites, yet the impact of weather conditions on their flight activity is little understood. We investigated diel and seasonal flight activity patterns of aquatic and terrestrial chironomids in a reclaimed sandpit area and analysed how weather conditions and seasonality influenced their total abundance and species composition. RESULTS: Air temperature, relative humidity, wind speed, and air pressure significantly affected total flight activity of both groups, but not in the same way. We identified an intermediate temperature and humidity optimum for the flight activity of terrestrial chironomids, which contrasted with weaker, timescale-dependent relationships in aquatic species. Flight activity of both groups further declined with wind speed and increased with air pressure. Observed flight patterns also varied in time on both daily and seasonal scale. Flight activity of both groups peaked in the evenings after accounting for weather conditions but, surprisingly, aquatic and terrestrial chironomids used partly alternating time windows for dispersal during the season. This may be driven by different seasonal trends of key environmental variables in larval habitats and hence implies that species phenologies and conditions experienced by chironomid larvae (and probably other aquatic insects with short-lived adults) influence adult flight patterns more than weather conditions. CONCLUSIONS: Our results provide detailed insights into the drivers of chironomid flight activity and highlight the methodological challenges arising from the inherent collinearity of weather characteristics and their diurnal and seasonal cycles.

• MeSH
• Chironomidae fyziologie   MeSH
• cirkadiánní rytmus MeSH
• let zvířat * MeSH
• počasí * MeSH
• populační dynamika MeSH
• roční období MeSH
• životní prostředí * MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Check Tag
• zvířata MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• práce podpořená grantem MeSH
• Geografické názvy
• Česká republika MeSH

The study examines the relationship between sudden changes in weather conditions in summer, represented by (1) sudden air temperature changes, (2) sudden atmospheric pressure changes, and (3) passages of strong atmospheric fronts; and variations in daily mortality in the population of the Czech Republic. The events are selected from data covering 1986-2005 and compared with the database of daily excess all-cause mortality for the whole population and persons aged 70 years and above. Relative deviations of mortality, i.e., ratios of the excess mortality to the expected number of deaths, were averaged over the selected events for days D-2 (2 days before a change) up to D+7 (7 days after), and their statistical significance was tested by means of the Monte Carlo method. We find that the periods around weather changes are associated with pronounced patterns in mortality: a significant increase in mortality is found after large temperature increases and on days of large pressure drops; a decrease in mortality (partly due to a harvesting effect) occurs after large temperature drops, pressure increases, and passages of strong cold fronts. The relationship to variations in excess mortality is better expressed for sudden air temperature/pressure changes than for passages of atmospheric fronts. The mortality effects are usually more pronounced in the age group 70 years and above. The impacts associated with large negative changes of pressure are statistically independent of the effects of temperature; the corresponding dummy variable is found to be a significant predictor in the ARIMA model for relative deviations of mortality. This suggests that sudden weather changes should be tested also in time series models for predicting excess mortality as they may enhance their performance.

• MeSH
• časové faktory MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• metoda Monte Carlo MeSH
• míra přežití MeSH
• mortalita MeSH
• nadmořská výška MeSH
• nízká teplota MeSH
• počasí MeSH
• roční období MeSH
• tlak vzduchu MeSH
• zeměpis MeSH
• Check Tag
• lidé MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• Geografické názvy
• Česká republika MeSH

Tick-borne encephalitis (TBE) is a serious acute neuroinfection of humans caused by a tick-borne flavivirus. The disease is typically seasonal, linked to the host-seeking activity of Ixodes ricinus (predominantly nymphs), the principal European tick vector species. To address the need for accurate risk predictions of contracting TBE, data on 4,044 TBE cases reported in the Czech Republic during 2001-2006 were compared with questing activity of I. ricinus nymphs monitored weekly at a defined location for the same 6-year period. A time shift of 21 days between infected tick bite and recorded disease onset provided the optimal model for comparing the number of cases of TBE with numbers of questing nymphs. Mean annual distribution of TBE cases and tick counts showed a similar bimodal distribution. Significantly, the ratio of TBE cases to questing nymphs was highest in the summer-autumn period even though the number of questing nymphs peaked in the spring-summer period. However, this pattern changed during a period of extreme meteorological events of flooding and abnormally high temperatures, indicating that changes in climate affect the incidence of TBE. Previous studies failed to link human behavior with changes in incidence of TBE but showed extrinsic temperature impacts arbovirus replication. Hence, we hypothesize the apparent discrepancy between peak nymphal tick activity and greatest risk of contracting TBE is due to the effect of temperature on virus replication in the tick vector. Relative proportions of questing nymphs and the numbers of weeks in which they were found were greater in summer-autumn compared with spring-summer at near-ground temperatures >5°C and at standard day and weekly average temperatures of >15°C. Thus, during the summer-autumn period, the virus dose in infected tick bites is likely greater owing to increased virus replication at higher microclimatic temperatures, consequently increasing the relative risk of contracting TBE per summer-autumn tick bite. The data support the use of weather-based forecasts of tick attack risk (based on daytime ambient temperature) supplemented with weekly average temperature (as a proxy for virus replication) to provide much-needed real-time forecasts of TBE risk.

• MeSH
• arachnida jako vektory fyziologie   virologie   MeSH
• incidence MeSH
• klíště fyziologie   virologie   MeSH
• klíšťová encefalitida epidemiologie   přenos   virologie   MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• počasí MeSH
• roční období MeSH
• teplota MeSH
• viry klíšťové encefalitidy genetika   izolace a purifikace   fyziologie   MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Check Tag
• lidé MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• práce podpořená grantem MeSH
• Geografické názvy
• Česká republika MeSH

Cytokinins are plant hormones that typically block or delay leaf senescence. We profiled 34 different cytokinins/cytokinin metabolites (including precursors, conjugates and degradation products) in leaves of a free-growing mature aspen (Populus tremula) before and after the initiation of autumnal senescence over three consecutive years. The levels and profiles of individual cytokinin species, or classes/groups, varied greatly between years, despite the fact that the onset of autumn senescence was at the same time each year, and senescence was not associated with depletion of either active or total cytokinin levels. Levels of aromatic cytokinins (topolins) were low and changed little over the autumn period. Diurnal variations and weather-dependent variations in cytokinin content were relatively limited. We also followed the expression patterns of all aspen genes implicated as having roles in cytokinin metabolism or signalling, but neither the pattern of regulation of any group of genes nor the expression of any particular gene supported the notion that decreased cytokinin signalling could explain the onset of senescence. Based on the results from this tree, we therefore suggest that cytokinin depletion is unlikely to explain the onset of autumn leaf senescence in aspen.

• MeSH
• biosyntetické dráhy genetika   MeSH
• chlorofyl metabolismus   MeSH
• cytokininy metabolismus   MeSH
• down regulace genetika   MeSH
• glukosidy metabolismus   MeSH
• listy rostlin metabolismus   fyziologie   MeSH
• počasí MeSH
• Populus genetika   metabolismus   fyziologie   MeSH
• regulace genové exprese u rostlin MeSH
• roční období MeSH
• rostlinné geny MeSH
• stanovení celkové genové exprese MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH

Vliv jednotlivých faktorů počasí na kloubní bolesti revmatických nemocných se nepodařilo vyjádřit jednoduchým schématem. Obecně je uznávána nepříznivá úloha zvýšené vlhkosti ovzduší v mikroklimatu okolí kůže nemocného a změn atmosférického tlaku, a to jak u nemocných s revmatoidní artritidou, tak i s osteoartrózou. Podíl dalších faktorů je diskutován a není na ně jednotný názoru.

The influence of weather on joint pain in rheumatic patiens can not be defined by a simple pattern. Generally it is accepted that signs and symptoms in patients with rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis are positively correlated with the increased humidity of the microclimate at the patient´s skin. Negative is the influence of decreased atmospheric pressure. The role of other weather factors is discussed and there is not unified concept of their importance.

• MeSH
• bolest etiologie   MeSH
• fibromyalgie MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• metaanalýza jako téma MeSH
• mikroklima MeSH
• osteoartróza MeSH
• počasí MeSH
• revmatické nemoci MeSH
• teplota MeSH
• vlhkost MeSH
• Check Tag
• lidé MeSH

Spatial synoptic classification (SSC) is here first employed in assessing heat-related mortality and morbidity in Central Europe. It is applied for examining links between weather patterns and cardiovascular (CVD) mortality and morbidity in an extended summer season (16 May-15 September) during 1994-2009. As in previous studies, two SSC air masses (AMs)-dry tropical (DT) and moist tropical (MT)-are associated with significant excess CVD mortality in Prague, while effects on CVD hospital admissions are small and insignificant. Excess mortality for ischaemic heart diseases is more strongly associated with DT, while MT has adverse effect especially on cerebrovascular mortality. Links between the oppressive AMs and excess mortality relate also to conditions on previous days, as DT and MT occur in typical sequences. The highest CVD mortality deviations are found 1 day after a hot spell's onset, when temperature as well as frequency of the oppressive AMs are highest. Following this peak is typically DT- to MT-like weather transition, characterized by decrease in temperature and increase in humidity. The transition between upward (DT) and downward (MT) phases is associated with the largest excess CVD mortality, and the change contributes to the increased and more lagged effects on cerebrovascular mortality. The study highlights the importance of critically evaluating SSC's applicability and benefits within warning systems relative to other synoptic and epidemiological approaches. Only a subset of days with the oppressive AMs is associated with excess mortality, and regression models accounting for possible meteorological and other factors explain little of the mortality variance.

• MeSH
• kardiovaskulární nemoci epidemiologie   mortalita   MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• morbidita MeSH
• počasí * MeSH
• poruchy vyvolané tepelným stresem epidemiologie   mortalita   MeSH
• velkoměsta epidemiologie   MeSH
• Check Tag
• lidé MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• Geografické názvy
• Česká republika epidemiologie   MeSH
• velkoměsta epidemiologie   MeSH

Small lakes and ponds occupy an enormous surface area of inland freshwater and represent an important terrestrial-water interface. Disturbances caused by extreme weather events can have substantial effects on these ecosystems. Here, we analysed the dynamics of nutrients and the entire plankton community in two flood events and afterwards, when quasi-stable conditions were established, to investigate the effect of such disturbances on a small forest pond. We show that floodings result in repeated washout of resident organisms and hundredfold increases in nutrient load. Despite this, the microbial community recovers to a predisturbance state within two weeks of flooding through four well-defined succession phases. Reassembly of phytoplankton and especially zooplankton takes up to two times longer and features repetitive and adaptive patterns. Release of dissolved nutrients from the pond is associated with inflow rates and community recovery, and returns to predisturbance levels before microbial compositions recover. Our findings shed light on the mechanisms underlying functional resilience of small waterbodies and are relevant to global change-induced increases in weather extremes.

• MeSH
• déšť * MeSH
• extrémní počasí * MeSH
• lesy MeSH
• mikrobiota * MeSH
• plankton růst a vývoj   MeSH
• potravní řetězec MeSH
• řeky chemie   mikrobiologie   MeSH
• rybníky chemie   mikrobiologie   MeSH
• sladká voda chemie   mikrobiologie   MeSH
• záplavy MeSH
• živiny analýza   MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Check Tag
• zvířata MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• práce podpořená grantem MeSH

The quantification of atmospheric deposition flux is essential for assessment of its impact on ecosystems. We present an advanced approach for the estimation of the spatial pattern of atmospheric nitrogen deposition flux over the Czech forests, collating all available measured data and model results. The aim of the presented study is to provide an improved, more complete, more reliable and more realistic estimate of the spatial pattern of nitrogen deposition flux over one country. This has so far usually been based on measurements of ambient NOx concentrations as dry deposition proxy, and [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] in precipitation as wet deposition proxy. For estimation of unmeasured species contributing to dry deposition, we used the CAMx Eulerian photochemical dispersion model, coupled with the Aladin regional numeric weather prediction model. The contribution of fog and dissolved organic nitrogen was estimated using a geostatistical data driven model. We prepared individual maps for particular components applying the most relevant approach and then merged all layers to obtain a final map representing the best estimate of nitrogen deposition over the Czech Republic. Final maps accounting for unmeasured species clearly indicate that the approach used so far may result in a substantial underestimation of nitrogen deposition flux. Our results showed that nitrogen deposition over the Czech forested area in 2008 was well above 2 g N m(-2) yr(-1), with almost 70% of forested area receiving 3-4 g N m(-2) yr(-1). NH3 and gaseous HNO3, contributing about 80%, dominated the dry nitrogen deposition. Estimating the unmeasured nitrogen species by modeled values provides realistic approximations of total nitrogen deposition that also result in more realistic spatial patterns that could be used as input for further studies of likely nitrogen impacts on ecosystems.

• MeSH
• atmosféra chemie   MeSH
• dusík analýza   MeSH
• látky znečišťující vzduch analýza   MeSH
• lesy * MeSH
• monitorování životního prostředí metody   MeSH
• počasí MeSH
• statistické modely MeSH
• stromy MeSH
• voda MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• Geografické názvy
• Česká republika MeSH

The bird cherry-oat aphid (Rhopalosiphum padi (L.)) is one of the most detrimental pests of cereals, causing harm mainly by transmitting Barley yellow dwarf virus (BYDV). R. padi migration has been monitored since 1992 using suction traps at five sites in the Czech Republic. The count data were subjected to the following different analyses: (i) the minimum temperature thresholds for the aphids to take off were determined; (ii) a partial redundancy analysis using the minimum, average, and maximum temperatures, as well as the wind speed, the precipitation total, and past aphid migration descriptors was performed to explain the relationship between aphid occurrences and weather patterns; and (iii) three types of models from the field of machine learning were used to predict aphid occurrences. According to our findings, (i) in Central Europe, 8°C is the temperature threshold for R. padi migration unless insufficient daylight delays the take-off; (ii) weather conditions occurring roughly 9 months before R. padi migration influence the migration size; (iii) the duration of the summer migration influences the autumn migration size; and (iv) the daytime and nighttime temperatures in the autumn determine the summer peak, whereas winter frosts and precipitation influence the autumn peak.

• MeSH
• ječmen (rod) * virologie   MeSH
• Luteovirus * fyziologie   MeSH
• migrace zvířat * MeSH
• mšice * fyziologie   virologie   MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Check Tag
• zvířata MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• Geografické názvy
• Česká republika MeSH