Research projects in the field of eco-epidemiology of tick-borne diseases often require extensive sampling of arthropod vectors in the field. The aim of our study was to use geographical information systems (GIS) to select appropriate sampling sites of Ixodes ricinus ticks in central European habitat for further ecological studies of vector-borne pathogens (tick-borne encephalitis virus and Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato). The model area was the Czech-German borderland (the region of South Bohemia and two regions in Germany: the Upper Palatinate and Lower Bavaria) where numerous human tick-borne encephalitis cases are reported annually. We prepared the sampling site design as a multi-criteria evaluation (MCE) task. In the GIS environment, we conducted MCE with a set of environmental, socio-economic and epidemiological data (altitude, vegetation cover, number of tick-borne encephalitis cases recorded in the past, tourist activity). The MCE classified the surveyed area into two classes: suitable for tick collection and unsuitable for tick collection. Subsequently, 50 tick sampling sites were randomly selected in the suitable area: 30 in South Bohemia (Czech Republic) and 20 in the Upper Palatinate and Lower Bavaria regions (Bavaria, Germany). The sampling sites were identified and surveyed in the field. The presence of ticks was confirmed by flagging at each of the selected plots. The described MCE system represents a versatile tool for semi-randomized design of tick sampling sites for research projects in the field of tick-borne pathogen ecology as well as for tick-borne pathogen surveillance programs run by local health authorities.

• Klíčová slova
• GIS, Multi-criteria evaluation, Sampling, Tick, Tick-borne diseases,
• MeSH
• Borrelia burgdorferi izolace a purifikace   MeSH
• ekosystém * MeSH
• geografické informační systémy MeSH
• klíště fyziologie   MeSH
• nadmořská výška MeSH
• nemoci přenášené klíšťaty epidemiologie   MeSH
• viry klíšťové encefalitidy izolace a purifikace   MeSH
• vzorkové studie MeSH
• zeměpis MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Check Tag
• mužské pohlaví MeSH
• ženské pohlaví MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• hodnotící studie MeSH
• práce podpořená grantem MeSH

BACKGROUND: Median arcuate ligament syndrome (MALS) describes clinical symptoms in patients with stenosis of the celiac artery due to external compression by the ligament. There is an ongoing debate, whether sole release of the median arcuate ligament warrants long-term relief of the symptoms. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Eight patients diagnosed with MALS underwent open surgical treatment beginning with the release of the ligament. Systemic pressure and pressure in the left gastric artery were measured before and after division of the median arcuate ligament and release of the celiac artery. In patients with persistent gradient above 15 mm Hg after the release a PTFE bypass was performed. RESULTS: After the release, the pressure gradient decreased from 66 ± 19 to 48 ± 14 mm Hg (p = .001) and therefore in all patients either an aorto-celiac bypass (n = 6) or aorto-hepatic bypass (n = 2) was created. Consequently, the gradient decreased to 7 ± 2 mm Hg (p = .0001). One month postoperatively, three patients were free of symptoms and the rest reported relief of symptoms. CONCLUSIONS: Release of the celiac artery resulted in insufficient decrease of pressure gradient, which was achieved by bypassing the segment with favorable mid-term outcome. We believe that the effect of the release should always be assessed to decide on subsequent treatment.

• Klíčová slova
• Dunbar, Median arcuate ligament, blood pressure, celiac artery, entrapment, syndrome,
• MeSH
• bolesti břicha diagnóza   etiologie   MeSH
• cévní rezistence fyziologie   MeSH
• chirurgická dekomprese metody   MeSH
• CT angiografie metody   MeSH
• Dunbarův syndrom diagnostické zobrazování   patofyziologie   chirurgie   MeSH
• hodnocení rizik MeSH
• lidé středního věku MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• následné studie MeSH
• peroperační péče metody   MeSH
• předoperační péče metody   MeSH
• retrospektivní studie MeSH
• senioři MeSH
• stupeň závažnosti nemoci MeSH
• tlak MeSH
• výkony cévní chirurgie metody   MeSH
• výsledek terapie MeSH
• vzorkové studie MeSH
• Check Tag
• lidé středního věku MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• mužské pohlaví MeSH
• senioři MeSH
• ženské pohlaví MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH

PURPOSE: The aim of this proof-of-concept study is to introduce new high-dynamic ECG technique with potential to detect temporal-spatial distribution of ventricular electrical depolarization and to assess the level of ventricular dyssynchrony. METHODS: 5-kHz 12-lead ECG data was collected. The amplitude envelopes of the QRS were computed in an ultra-high frequency band of 500-1000 Hz and were averaged (UHFQRS). UHFQRS V lead maps were compiled, and numerical descriptor identifying ventricular dyssynchrony (UHFDYS) was detected. RESULTS: An electrical UHFQRS maps describe the ventricular dyssynchrony distribution in resolution of milliseconds and correlate with strain rate results obtained by speckle tracking echocardiography. The effect of biventricular stimulation is demonstrated by the UHFQRS morphology and by the UHFDYS descriptor in selected examples. CONCLUSIONS: UHFQRS offers a new and simple technique for assessing electrical activation patterns in ventricular dyssynchrony with a temporal-spatial resolution that cannot be obtained by processing standard surface ECG. The main clinical potential of UHFQRS lies in the identification of differences in electrical activation among CRT candidates and detection of improvements in electrical synchrony in patients with biventricular pacing.

• Klíčová slova
• Cardiac resynchronization therapy, Depolarization, High-frequency electrocardiography, Left bundle branch block, Ventricular dyssynchrony,
• MeSH
• dospělí MeSH
• dysfunkce levé srdeční komory diagnostické zobrazování   terapie   MeSH
• echokardiografie trojrozměrná metody   MeSH
• elektrokardiografie metody   MeSH
• interpretace obrazu počítačem * MeSH
• lidé středního věku MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• remodelace komor fyziologie   MeSH
• senioři MeSH
• srdeční resynchronizační terapie metody   MeSH
• stupeň závažnosti nemoci MeSH
• výsledek terapie MeSH
• vzorkové studie MeSH
• Check Tag
• dospělí MeSH
• lidé středního věku MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• mužské pohlaví MeSH
• senioři MeSH
• ženské pohlaví MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH

Within the European Environment and Health Action Plan an initiative to establish a coherent human biomonitoring approach in Europe was started. The project COPHES (COnsortium to Perform Human biomonitoring on a European Scale ) developed recommendations for a harmonized conduct of a human biomonitoring (HBM) survey which came into action as the pilot study DEMOCOPHES (DEMOnstration of a study to COordinate and Perform Human biomonitoring on a European Scale). Seventeen European countries conducted a survey with harmonized instruments for, inter alia, recruitment, fieldwork and sampling, in autumn/winter 2011/2012. Based on the countries' experiences of conducting the pilot study, following lessons learnt were compiled: the harmonized fieldwork instruments (basic questionnaire, urine and hair sampling) turned out to be very valuable for future HBM surveys on the European scale. A school approach was favoured by most of the countries to recruit school-aged children according to the established guidelines and country specific experiences. To avoid a low participation rate, intensive communication with the involved institutions and possible participants proved to be necessary. The communication material should also include information on exclusion criteria and offered incentives. Telephone contact to the participants the day before fieldwork during the survey can prevent the forgetting of appointments and first morning urine samples. To achieve comparable results on the European scale, training of interviewers in all issues of recruitment, fieldwork and sampling through information material and training sessions is crucial. A survey involving many European countries needs time for preparation and conduct. Materials for quality control prepared for all steps of recruitment, fieldwork and sampling proved to be important to warrant reliable results.

• Klíčová slova
• DEMO/COPHES, Fieldwork, Human biomonitoring, Lessons learned, Recruitment,
• MeSH
• automatizované zpracování dat MeSH
• environmentální zdraví metody   organizace a řízení   normy   MeSH
• informovaný souhlas pacienta MeSH
• interprofesionální vztahy MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• mezinárodní spolupráce * MeSH
• monitorování životního prostředí metody   normy   MeSH
• pilotní projekty MeSH
• průzkumy a dotazníky normy   MeSH
• řízení kvality MeSH
• rozvoj plánování * MeSH
• směrnice jako téma MeSH
• výzkumný projekt zákonodárství a právo   normy   MeSH
• vzorkové studie MeSH
• zdravotnický personál normy   MeSH
• Check Tag
• lidé MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• práce podpořená grantem MeSH
• Geografické názvy
• Evropa MeSH

A communication strategy was developed by The Consortium to Perform Human Biomonitoring on a European Scale (COPHES), as part of its objectives to develop a framework and protocols to enable the collection of comparable human biomonitoring data throughout Europe. The framework and protocols were tested in the pilot study DEMOCOPHES (Demonstration of a study to Coordinate and Perform Human biomonitoring on a European Scale). The aims of the communication strategy were to raise awareness of human biomonitoring, encourage participation in the study and to communicate the study results and their public health significance. It identified the audiences and key messages, documented the procedure for dissemination of results and was updated as the project progressed. A communication plan listed the tools and materials such as press releases, flyers, recruitment letters and information leaflets required for each audience with a time frame for releasing them. Public insight research was used to evaluate the recruitment material, and the feedback was used to improve the documents. Dissemination of results was coordinated in a step by step approach by the participating countries within DEMOCOPHES, taking into account specific national messages according to the needs of each country. Participants received individual results, unless they refused to be informed, along with guidance on what the results meant. The aggregate results and policy recommendations were then communicated to the general public and stakeholders, followed by dissemination at European level. Several lessons were learnt that may assist other future human biomonitoring studies. Recruitment took longer than anticipated and so social scientists, to help with community engagement, should be part of the research team from the start. As a European study, involving multiple countries, additional considerations were needed for the numerous organisations, different languages, cultures, policies and priorities. Therefore, communication documents should be seen as templates with essential information clearly indicated and the option for each country to tailor the material to reflect these differences. Future studies should consider setting up multidisciplinary networks of medical professionals and communication experts, and holding training workshops to discuss the interpretation of results and risk communication. Publicity and wide dissemination of the results helped to raise awareness of human biomonitoring to the general public, policy makers and other key stakeholders. Effective and timely communication, at all stages of a study, is essential if the potential of human biomonitoring research to improve public health is to be realised.

• Klíčová slova
• Biomonitoring, Communication, Participatory research, Public insight,
• MeSH
• komunikace * MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• mezinárodní spolupráce * MeSH
• monitorování životního prostředí metody   MeSH
• rozvoj plánování * MeSH
• šíření informací MeSH
• účast komunity * MeSH
• veřejná politika MeSH
• výzkumný projekt MeSH
• vzorkové studie MeSH
• zdravotní politika MeSH
• zjišťování skupinových postojů * MeSH
• Check Tag
• lidé MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• práce podpořená grantem MeSH
• Geografické názvy
• Evropa MeSH

The aim of the present study was to assess the validity of a 12-word Czech version of the Philadelphia (repeatable) Verbal Learning Test [czP(r)VLT-12]. The construction of the czP(r)VLT-12 was modeled after the California Verbal Learning Test (CVLT) and the nine-word Philadelphia (repeatable) Verbal Learning Test [P(r)VLT]. The czP(r)VLT-12 was constructed from a large corpus of old (60-74) and very old (75-96) Czech adults (n = 540). Participants met strict inclusion criteria for the absence of any active or past neurodegenerative disorders and performed within normal limits on other neuropsychological measures. Principal component analysis (PCA) and correlations between czP(r)VLT-12 factor structure and other memory tests were conducted. The czP(r)VLT-12 produced a four-factor solution, accounting for 70.90% of variance, with factors related to: (1) recall, (2) extra-list intrusion errors/recognition foils, (3) interference, and (4) acquisition rate; a solution similar to the CVLT and P(r)VLT. Increasing age resulted in a decline in most czP(r)VLT-12 indices, women outperformed men, and higher education led to higher scores. Memory performance in normal aging did not correlate with instrumental activities of daily living. Low, but significant, correlations were seen with other tests of cognitive performance (divergent validity). Appendices are available that provide normed percentile estimates of individual czP(r)VLT-12 performance stratified by age, education, and gender. In accordance with previous studies, these results demonstrate the usefulness of czP(r)VLT-12 in assessing declarative memory in older adults.

• Klíčová slova
• Declarative memory, Normal aging, Normative data, P(r)VLT, Philadelphia (Repeatable) Verbal Learning Test, The Boston Process Approach.,
• MeSH
• lidé středního věku MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• neuropsychologické testy * normy   MeSH
• paměť MeSH
• rozpomínání * MeSH
• senioři nad 80 let MeSH
• senioři MeSH
• stárnutí psychologie   MeSH
• verbální učení * MeSH
• vzorkové studie MeSH
• Check Tag
• lidé středního věku MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• mužské pohlaví MeSH
• senioři nad 80 let MeSH
• senioři MeSH
• ženské pohlaví MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• práce podpořená grantem MeSH
• validační studie MeSH
• Geografické názvy
• Česká republika MeSH

BACKGROUND: Fibrolipomatous hamartoma of the nerve is a rare benign infiltrating condition of peripheral nerves with prominent cutaneous findings that has not being well described in the dermatologic and dermatopathologic literature. OBJECTIVE: We sought to evaluate the clinical and histopathological features of this rare condition. METHODS: We reviewed the clinicopathologic features of 13 cases to delineate their clinical presentation and histopathologic spectrum. RESULTS: All patients presented with unilateral lesions on the thenar areas, fingers, or both. In 7 cases the lesions presented congenitally and in 6 cases the lesions presented sporadically. Histologically, we found 2 patterns that have only been rarely mentioned before including cases with intraneural perineurioma-like features and cases with marked nerve hyperplasia. LIMITATIONS: Only 13 cases were included in our study. CONCLUSIONS: This condition is an uncommon entity. The diagnosis of this disorder can be highly suspected on its macroscopic features. Predilection of the median nerve and the frequent association with macrodactyly are characteristic clinical findings.

• Klíčová slova
• Proteus syndrome, fibrolipomatous hamartoma of the nerve, macrodactyly, median nerve, syndactylia,
• MeSH
• dítě MeSH
• dospělí MeSH
• hamartom komplikace   diagnóza   patologie   MeSH
• hodnocení rizik MeSH
• imunohistochemie MeSH
• jehlová biopsie MeSH
• lidé středního věku MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• lipom komplikace   diagnóza   patologie   MeSH
• mladiství MeSH
• mladý dospělý MeSH
• nádory periferního nervového systému komplikace   diagnóza   patologie   MeSH
• prognóza MeSH
• prsty ruky abnormality   patologie   MeSH
• vrozené deformity končetin etiologie   patologie   MeSH
• vzácné nemoci MeSH
• vzorkové studie MeSH
• Check Tag
• dítě MeSH
• dospělí MeSH
• lidé středního věku MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• mladiství MeSH
• mladý dospělý MeSH
• mužské pohlaví MeSH
• ženské pohlaví MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH

AIM: The aim of this study was to compare the impact of standard cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) with mini CPB on peripheral tissue perfusion. METHODS: 24 patients with ischemic heart disease scheduled for CPB were randomised to two groups: Group A (12 patients, standard CPB) and Group B (12 patients, mini CPB). Oxygen tension was measured with an optical multiparametric sensor inserted into the patient's deltoid muscle. RESULTS: Lower priming in Group B (870 ± 221 mL) vs. Group A (1502 ± 48 mL) and significantly reduced hemodilution during mini CPB (Group B 25.3 ± 1.1% vs. Group A 30.1 ± 2.3%) were recorded. Higher and continuous blood flow during perfusion was analysed in Group A (4.58 ± 0.34 L.min(-1)) and lower than calculated blood flow was found in Group B (3.49 ± 0.51 L.min(-1) vs. 4.66 ± 0.38 L.min(-1)). There was a direct correlation between mean arterial pressure (MAP) and ptO2 in Group A during CPB and a direct correlation between pump blood flow and MAP during CPB in Group B. Higher levels of ptO2 during CPB and surgery after CPB in comparison with initial levels were found in Group B. Decreased ptO2 levels after surgery were found in both groups. CONCLUSION: Mini CPB enables perfusion with a relatively low flow. The results of this study suggest that a flow decrease in mini CPB is well tolerated by the organism.

• MeSH
• arteriální tlak MeSH
• elektivní chirurgické výkony metody   MeSH
• hodnocení rizik MeSH
• ischemická choroba srdeční krev   patofyziologie   chirurgie   MeSH
• kardiopulmonální bypass přístrojové vybavení   metody   MeSH
• kyslík krev   MeSH
• lidé středního věku MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• mikrocirkulace * MeSH
• musculus deltoideus krevní zásobení   MeSH
• oxymetrie přístrojové vybavení   metody   MeSH
• pilotní projekty MeSH
• reprodukovatelnost výsledků MeSH
• rizikové faktory MeSH
• senioři MeSH
• spotřeba kyslíku MeSH
• vzorkové studie MeSH
• Check Tag
• lidé středního věku MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• mužské pohlaví MeSH
• senioři MeSH
• ženské pohlaví MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• práce podpořená grantem MeSH
• srovnávací studie MeSH
• Názvy látek
• kyslík MeSH

OBJECTIVES: To assess the outcome of self-expandable, biodegradable stent insertion for anastomotic strictures following treatment for rectosigmoid carcinoma. METHODS: Three male patients (median age 66) developed benign strictures after radiotherapy and resection of a recto-sigmoid carcinoma. These were resistant to balloon dilatation and prevented stoma reversal. Biodegradable stent insertion was performed as an experimental treatment on a named-patient basis with approval of the institutional review board. Patients had monthly follow-up with endoscopy and contrast medium enemas to monitor performance and degradation of the stents. RESULTS: All stents were placed successfully without complications after pre-dilatation to 20 mm under fluoroscopic guidance. Stent degradation occurred in all patients 4-5 months following implantation, and long-term anastomotic patency was demonstrated in all. This allowed reversal of the colostomy and physiological defecation in two patients. Reversal was not undertaken in one due to subsequent development of liver metastases. No stent migration or occlusion occurred. CONCLUSIONS: Biodegradable stents can maintain an adequate lumen across anastomotic strictures resistant to balloon dilatation. They seem to allow stricture re-modelling resulting in maintained dilatation after degradation. This potentially allows reversal of a colostomy, which might otherwise be prevented by stricture recurrence.

• MeSH
• anastomóza chirurgická škodlivé účinky   metody   MeSH
• hodnocení rizik MeSH
• katetrizace škodlivé účinky   metody   MeSH
• kolektomie škodlivé účinky   metody   MeSH
• kolostomie škodlivé účinky   MeSH
• lidé středního věku MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• nádory rekta patologie   chirurgie   MeSH
• následné studie MeSH
• opakovaná terapie MeSH
• polydioxanon * MeSH
• senioři MeSH
• staging nádorů MeSH
• stenóza etiologie   terapie   MeSH
• stenty * MeSH
• vstřebatelné implantáty * MeSH
• výsledek terapie MeSH
• vzorkové studie MeSH
• Check Tag
• lidé středního věku MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• mužské pohlaví MeSH
• senioři MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• Názvy látek
• polydioxanon * MeSH

The relatedness between clinical isolates of P. aeruginosa obtained from patients during their stay in a Portuguese Central Hospital was evaluated. Genotypic fingerprinting (M13-PCR), phenotypic methods (biotyping and antibiotyping) and epidemiological information (spatial and temporal links) were used to evaluate the relatedness between 88 clinical isolates (68 patients), selected randomly out of 189. Sixty-two M13 types were found, 12 of them containing isolates from more than one patient. Thirty-four antibiotypes were found, as well as a significant association (p < 0.05) between epidemic isolates and multiresistance patterns. The nosocomial transmission of P. aeruginosa strains may be limited since M13 typing demonstrated a high degree of diversity among all the isolates, suggesting the occurrence of mainly independent infectious episodes. The results show the possible occurrence of cross-acquisition, cross-colonization and cross-infection and suggest an epidemic population structure for P. aeruginosa in this hospital.

• MeSH
• antibiotická rezistence MeSH
• DNA bakterií analýza   MeSH
• genotyp MeSH
• infekce spojené se zdravotní péčí epidemiologie   mikrobiologie   přenos   MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• nemocnice fakultní statistika a číselné údaje   MeSH
• polymerázová řetězová reakce MeSH
• pseudomonádové infekce epidemiologie   mikrobiologie   přenos   MeSH
• Pseudomonas aeruginosa genetika   izolace a purifikace   MeSH
• pulzní gelová elektroforéza MeSH
• vzorkové studie MeSH
• Check Tag
• lidé MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• práce podpořená grantem MeSH
• Geografické názvy
• Portugalsko epidemiologie   MeSH
• Názvy látek
• DNA bakterií MeSH