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During emergency response operations many decisions have to be made. Information technologies provide possibilities for new tools to support decision makers in decisions that comprise of many critical factors and that require specialized knowledge. In these tools the complexity is tackled using modelling and simulations of possible scenarios of response operations. Today, conceptual modelling in the field of information technology is oriented on the ontological approach. Ontology is a shared vocabulary and an unambiguous machine processed specification of terms together with their relationships. The ontology can have the form of a taxonomy or classification, database schema or axiomatic theory. The ontological modelling can be utilized along with expert systems for decision support. Expert systems, in contrast to other approaches such as neural networks for instance, better reflect the domain knowledge and provide justification for the decision. The aim of this paper is to describe prerequisites and design general schema for decision support in response operations during biological incidents including the applicable technology.

In this paper we compare two methods for detection of nephropathy - determination of microalbuminuria (Ma) and examination of human protein spectrum in urine with two-dimensional gel high-resolution electrophoresis (TGHE) caused by nephrotoxic effect of cyclophosphamide.Microalbuminuria was examined in 11 patients (6 men and 5 women) with basic hematooncologic disease (acute leukemia and multiple myeloma) indicated to cytostatic treatment. Five patients were treated for acute leukemia (2 men and 3 women) and 6 patients for multiple myeloma (4 men and 2 women). All patients were given cyclophosphamide in a 3-hour infusion at a mean dose of 3200 mg.m-2. Simultaneously with Ma, urine of all patients was examined with TGHE. In our group of patients, prior examination did not show any presence of kidney affection. In all patients, diuresis (at least 3 l/24 h) was secured by suitable hydration during application of cytostatics, however, in most of them it was much higher. Ma was examined before cytostatic application and day 1 and 10 after its end. An analysis revealed diversified and polymorphic changes. They were individual, i.e. different in each patient. However, at the present state of knowledge and insufficient experience with the method, their analysis and interpretation cannot yet be done. Therefore, just as an example, reference maps of excreted proteins only in 1 female patient with multiple myeloma were made up: prior to cytostatic therapy and 1 and 10 days after its completion.We found out that kidney function was changed in a certain way, and the use of the cytostatic drug and sub-sequent polyuria influenced the character of proteinuria.

Infections caused by intracellular bacterial pathogens are generally considered as a serious problem for health care services. The vaccination strategy is missing in most of these infections due to the absence of vaccines licensed for human use. The information from newly performed studies revealed the possibility of utilizing the polyclonal or monoclonal antibodies alone, or in combination with cytokines as a tool for passive immunoprophylaxis of these serious infections.

The reactivating efficacy of newly synthesized oximes (K074, K075) and the oximes introduced into the Czech Army for the first aid (obidoxime) and medical care (HI-6) was evaluated in male Wistar rats. The potency of oximes to reactivate tabun or soman-inhibited acetylcholinesterase was evaluated by the comparison of the activity of acetylcholinesterase in rat's blood and brain measured 30 minutes following tabun or soman poisoning. The obtained results demonstrate that newly synthesized oximes are more effective than currently used oximes in the reactivation of tabun-inhibited brain acetylcholinesterase but less effective than the oxime HI-6 against soman.

Post-doctoral position in the research area of "Drug Development" & Post-doctoral position in the research area of "Clinical Proteomics"

The purpose of this study was to investigate the acute toxicity of sodium selenite in mice and rats after per os application to establish the relationship between a high toxic dose of sodium selenite and tissue alterations in rats. Increasing doses of sodium selenite (4, 10, 14 and 18 mg/kg) were administered in separate groups of mice and rats. Obtained LD₅₀ values of sodium selenite in mice and rats were in the range of 8.08 to 12.11 mg/kg po. In separate groups of rats of both genders, sodium selenite in a dose of 10 mg/kg po was applied. Survived animals were sacrificed after the end of day 7 and an increase of fluids in thoracal and abdominal cavities was recorded. Tissue samples of the heart, liver, spleen and kidney were prepared using haematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining. Histopathological examination revealed the signs of inflammation, haemorrhages, degeneration and rapid loss of normal cell architecture in the heart, liver, spleen and kidney of sodium selenite treated animals. These and other available data suggest the possibility of using environmentally friendly selenite rodenticide. These compounds which possess a different mechanism of action when compared to anticoagulants and an acceptable toxic potential, could improve rodent pest management programs, especially regarding anticoagulant-resistant rodents.

Cardiotoxicity is a well-known and potentially serious complication of oncology treatment. Anthracyclines and high-dose chemotherapy especially regimens containing high-dose Cyclophosphamide represent the greatest risk. Early detection of cardiotoxicity is crucial for applying preventive and supportive therapeutic strategies. Various methods have been recommended for monitoring of cardiotoxicity. In our conditions, echocardiography and electrocardiography are routinely used. However, this approach shows low sensitivity for the early prediction of cardiomyopathy when the possibilities of appropriate management could still improve the patient's outcome.Recently, biomarkers of cardiac injury have been investigated in the assessment of chemotherapy-induced cardiotoxicity. Cardiospecific biomarkers, such as cardiac troponins, show high diagnostic efficacy in the early subclinical phase of the disease before the clinical onset of cardiomyopathy. The increase in their concentrations correlates with disease severity. As for natriuretic peptides, some studies, including ours, have shown promising results. Definitive evidence of their diagnostic and prognostic role in this context is still lacking and natriuretic peptides have not been routinely used for monitoring of cardiotoxicity in clinical practice. Other perspective biomarkers of cardiotoxicity in oncology are under study, especially heart-type fatty acid-binding protein (H-FABP) and glycogen phosphorylase BB (GPBB). Our studies using GPBB have brought priority and encouraging results. However, the available data are limited and their practical use in this context cannot be recommended until their clinical efficacy is clearly defined.The author presents his own experience with multiple biomarkers of cardiac injury in the detection of cardiotoxicity associated with conventional and high-dose chemotherapy for hematological malignancies.

Usage and misusage of pesticides represent a health risk to military and civilian, especially to agricultural workers; also a possible terrorist threat is considered. The major route of low-volatility pesticides intoxication is percutaneous. Hence, skin permeation characteristics of pesticides are intensively investigated. In this study, in vitro measurement of skin permeation is presented on the example of pesticide paraoxon. Permeation experiments were performed in Franz-type of static diffusion cells using a pig skin. Paraoxon which permeated through the skin was determined enzymatically by modified Ellman's method. During 8 hours experiment, approx. 0.1 % of applied paraoxon has permeated through the skin. It was shown that pre-treatment by water simulating wet or sweated skin enhanced the paraoxon permeation.

The air does contains microbial agents originally coming from the soil, water, plants or animals, including men. Temperature, light and humidity are the basic factors which has influence of microbial survival and abundance. Different microorganisms travel by aerial transmission and are involved in serious processes causing pneumonia and other diseases.In our study we decided to investigate microbial load in air at the Transplant Intensive Care Unit of the University Hospital of Hradec Králové, Czech republic for two years period. Air samples were taken from the patient's breathing zone in the single rooms. Air was sampled with Biotest RCS Plus air sampler and material collected on the Total Count strips prepared with Tryptic Soy Agar.The majority of air samples (54.2%) had microbial air load ≤ 100 CFU.m^-3. Very low microbial air concentration from 15 to 30 CFU.m^-3 was detected in the rooms before admission of new patients. Higher concentration was detected when medical staff was present in the room and investigation or treatment was carried out. The majority of microbial findings in the air were Gram-positive cocci (coagulase-negative staphylococci, Micrococcus spp., Sarcina spp.). Findings of Gram-negative stems were sporadic (Pseudomonas aeruginosa) as well as incidence of microscopic fungi (Cladosporium spp., Penicillium spp.).

Phosgene oxime is an organic compound with the formula Cl₂CNOH. It is a potent chemical weapon from the group of vesicants, specifically a nettle agent. Phosgene oxime is also known by its military designation, "CX". Phosgene oxime in both liquid and vapor forms causes severe pain and local tissue destruction on contact with eyes, skin, and mucous membranes.
Depending on the exposure, injury may be local or systemic. The effects of the poisoning occur almost immediately. No antidote for phosgene oxime poisoning is known. Generally, any treatment is supportive. Phosgene oxime is nonpersistent in the environment and not presents great bigger risk for animal nature.

Physical activity is part of a healthy life-style and part of primary and secondary prevention. Wellness is a life-style aiming at health and is characterized as a life-style leading to a pleasant and satisfactory life every time. Wellness consists of five parts. One without the other does not lead to a healthy life-style. Wellness consists of a positive approach to life, personal habits, nutrition and weight maintenance, stress management and fitness. Individual parts should be developed independently and at the same time simultaneously in certain link-ups and coherences. Wellness and a good level of physical fitness depend on one having a fully functional cardiovascular system, adequate body weight, optimal muscular strength and joint mobility. It is understandable that these things change according to age, sex and health state (including the psychological state) and that they also depend on the type of occupation, the prevailing way of daily active movement of the organism and on many other circumstances. Physical fitness can be gained only by practising a suitable physical activity. The physical activity theory is part of the teaching at the University of Hradec Králově and at the Medical Faculty of Charles University in Hradec Králové. At the Pedagogical Faculty it is taught within the subject of “Wellness“ and within “The University of the 3^rd Age Programme“ (special programme for senior citizens). At the Medical Faculty it is included in the pregraduate teaching of the general and stomatological study branches and also in the teaching of the bachelor study branche. The present method of teaching will be modernized for better illustration and link-up by using multimedial technologies.

One of the parametres of the electrical heart stability is also the QT interval (electrical systole) duration. It depends on the heart rate, during tachycardia it is being shortened during bradycardia it is being prolonged. However, its limits on the ECG are not very exactly defined, especially the end of T wave. For QT interval duration the ventricular cells of type M are mainly important and they have the very long action potentials. Plenty of equations were proposed, linear or nonlinear. QT duration and the mathematic formula of regression equation depend on several factors - gender, age, exercise, diseases, pharmacological agents. QT duration in healthy women at the same heart rate is approximately by 10-20 ms longer than in healthy men, in elderly persons is longer than in younger ones. The slowed repolarization of ventricular cells in women is the cause of the difference. Many cardiovascular, cerebral, other diseases and some drugs are able to prolong QT interval. Change of the dependence of QT duration on the heart rate means a change of autonomic nervous system activity. Relation between QT and RR intervals is highly individual and specific in every person.

Benzene is a stable colourless liquid at room temperature and normal atmospheric pressure. It has characteristic aromatic odour, and a relatively low boiling point. Benzene occurs naturally in fossil fuels and is produced incidentally in the course of natural processes and human activities that involve the combustion of organic matter such as wood, coal and petroleum products. The main industrial use of benzene is as a starting material for the synthesis of other chemicals. Large quantity of benzene is produced during the petroleum refining and a part of it remains as a petrol component. Petrol vehicle emissions are the predominant source of benzene in the environment.Benzene has been earlier recognised as a carcinogen and contemporary attention is paid to the long-term effects of low concentrations of benzene both occupationally and environmentally. Chronic benzene exposure is connected with increased oxidative stress and leukemia. Bone marrow, blood and hepatic toxicity occur after hepatic benzene bioactivation.

The article gives an overview knowledge on possible human risks and their mechanisms during a stay in moderate altitude of Slovakia. Altitude (hypoxic or hypobaric) hypoxia increases with increasing altitude. Not only continuous but also intermittent or in barochamber simulated hypoxia acts in a similar way. Visitors coming from lowlands can adapt to higher altidudes during the acute phase of acclimatization (first several days to two weeks), later during the chronic phase and their reactions to altitude are less expressive compared to their arrival. In healthy persons, a moderate altitude does not produce severe troubles, however, in patients with acute myocardial infarction or chest surgical interventions, instable angina pectoris and insufficiently compensated congestive heart failure, arrhythmia or hypertension it can be a ris. The risk increases if the ascent is fast, performed without acclimatization, the altitude difference is big and the ascent is associated with a higher age or excessive physical strain. Similarly, an aviation transport can be dangerous for certain groups of patients. Therefore these persons are not suitable for the stay in higher altitudes or aircrafts. Moderate altitudes show some beneficial effects, as well.

The article presents an analysis of shock wave effects developed when a small calibre bullet penetrates the tissue in human blood - vessel system surroundings. The results of experimental verification carried out by shooting into a substitute model of a lower limb part are presented to enable a quantitative response evalution of the vessel system in case of a non - complicated injury.

The aim of this work is a comparison of repeated peroral (p.o.) administration, i.e., three consecutive doses separated by 24-hour intervals of acetyl-L-carnitine (ALC) and L-carnitine (CRT) on the antiacetylcholinesterase potency of 7-methoxytacrine (MEOTA) given intramuscularly (i.m.) in a dose of 100 mg/kg. Changes of acetylcholinesterase activity were determined in the frontal cortex, hippocampus, medial septum, and basal ganglia in rats.
Repeated administration of CRT in doses of 100, 250, 300 and 400 mg/kg augmented the anticholinesterase activity of MEOTA in the frontal cortex and septum, higher doses of 250, 300 and 400 mg/kg also increased inhibitory activity of MEOTA in the basal ganglia, while none of doses tested did not influence the inhibitory activity of MEOTA in the hippocampus.
Repeated administration of ALC in doses of 100, 200, 250, 300 and 400 mg/kg did not influence anticholinesterase activity of MEOTA in the frontal cortex, hippocampus and basal ganglia, moreover, the inhibitory effect of MEOTA in the septum was abolished.
The results obtained suggest different mechanisms of the mutual interaction of CRT with MEOTA on the one hand, and ALC with the same drug on the other hand.

Infectious diarrhea is counted among frequent complications in field training of units or their deployment in foreign missions. Acute diarrheal diseases ethiology varies and involves both classic bacterial pathogens and viral and parasitic agents. Last but not least, an infectious diarrhea picture may be developed even by bacterial producers so called enterotoxins. In this overview article, the most frequent agents of acute diarrheal diseases are ivnvolved, above all in the relation of the units deployed in combat operations. In the part devoted to viral agents, a brief comment is given on new viruses which are put into a casuality relationship with diarrheal diseases.

The NATO Advanced Training Course on training for mass casualty situations was held in cooperation with Traumacenter Rambam Hospital in Haifa, Israel from November 16-18, 2009. In total, 22 participants from 8 countries of the Partnership for Peace and Mediterranean Dialogue Programmes attended the course. The participants, divided into three groups, discussed and practised scenarios of mass casualty management in the area of pre-hospital care, hospital care and use of non-conventional weapons. The international team of instructors used the following teaching methods: general lectures, guided discussions, use of advanced multimedia tools, tabletop drills, clinical simulations in a specialized center and a large-scale drill. The mass casualty drill was held at the end of the course. The trainees of the course also participated as observers and reviewers in the drill, and debriefed it together with Traumacenter medical staff. The course was made possible by the provision of a grant by the NATO Science for Peace and Security Programme.

Recently, wild rodents have appeared to be a main reservoir of cowpox virus (e.g. Microtus sp.). Cowpox viruses can be transmitted to some pets and consequently people are infected by a direct contact. The entry of infection is usually the impaired skin. The occurrence of cowpox is sporadic. Recent cases have been reported primarily in children and adolescents.

The discipline of medical ethics is concerned with morality, moral obligations and the principles of proper professional conduct concerning the rights and duties of a physician himself, his patients and fellow practitioners, as well as his actions in the care of patients and in relation with their families. Its foundations lie in the philosophical traditions of Eastern and Western thought and have strongly shaped modern codes of conduct and conventions...

The neuroprotective efficacy of newly synthesized oximes (K250, K251) and the oximes introduced into the Czech Army for the first aid (obidoxime) and medical aid (HI-6) was compared in male Wistar rats. The potency of oximes to eliminate tabun-induced acute neurotoxic effects was evaluated with the help of a functional observational battery 24 hours following tabun intoxication. The obtained results demonstrate that the neuroprotective efficacy of newly synthesized oxime K251 is a little higher in comparison with the potency of obidoxime and HI-6 to eliminate tabun-induced acute neurotoxicity but the difference is not too high. On the contrary, another newly synthesized oxime K250 is less effective than obidoxime and HI-6 in elimination of tabun-induced acute neurotoxic effects.

The penetration of acetylcholinesterase (AChE) reactivators through the blood-brain barrier is hotly discussed question nowadays. The increase of lipophilicity of these compounds is one of the possible ways how to increase their penetration and also their efficacy in the central nervous system.The aim of this study is to compare the reactivation potency of newly synthesized oxime - oxime K203 - after its fluorination. This AChE reactivator was prepared at the Research Institute of Chemical Technology (Korea) and is known as K22836. The fluorination of oxime K203 leads to reduction of its therapeutic efficacy. The reactivation potency of newly synthesized oxime K22836 was lower in the whole blood and also in the central nervous system. In summary, the most efficacious reactivator in case of tabun-inhibited AChE is still oxime K203 originally prepared at our department.

Effect of triazine based pesticide (Sencor 70 WG - active substance metribuzine) was assessed via biochemical and hematological blood profile determination of experimental fish. We used a common carp (Cyprinus carpio L.) as an experimental fish. Before rating the influence of metribuzine on biochemical and hematological blood profile we accomplished a preliminary test to determine a concentration range and after that a basic acute toxicity test to determine 96hLC50 value. Samples of common carp fingerlings were used for performing the tests. After 96hLC50 determination two groups of experimental fish (aged 1-2 years) were under this concentration and one control group without the substance. The test was processed according to the OECD methodology No. 203. In common carp, 96h exposure to 250.2 mg.l-1 of Sencor 70 WG caused a significant decrease (p < 0.01) of total plasma protein, triglycerides, lactate dehydrogenase, inorganic phosphate, haemoglobin concentration, haematocrit, mean erythrocyte volume, leukocyte and significant increase (p < 0.01) of glucose, ammonia and calcium.

Michaelis constant in two concentration ranges of substrate (Km 59.7 μM and Kss 1.02 mM) evidencing activation of the enzyme by substrate and pI50 (7.06 nM) value for preparation of equine butyrylcholinesterase were determined in vitro. Activities of cholinesterases in the blood of rats were determined following i. p. administration lasting 72 hours after the administration.

All spiders are venomous but a very few species are dangerous for a human. Spiders use venom to catch and digest their prey. The most important venomous spiders from a medical point of view are the genus Latrodectus, Loxosceles, Phoneutria and Atrax. Some of them are extremely fast, extremely venomous, and extremely aggressive and are ranked among the most venomous spiders known to a human. They live in warm landscapes and we can find them only at breeders in the Czech Republic. Nevertheless, in consequence of evergrowing turism the probability of meeting a dangerous spider dramatically escalates.

The conditions for use/release of toxic chemicals (existence of their production, stockpiling and transport) and causes of their release - incidental or intentional - are characterized. For the intentional release, the military use, sabotage or terroristic events are considered, and for the incidental accidents, technical failure or (mostly) influence of human factor can be supposed. Some examples from the history are described.

Antidotal treatment of nerve agent poisonings consists of anticholinergics (atropine mainly) and acetylcholinesterase (AChE) reactivators (pralidoxime, obidoxime, methoxime or HI-6). Due to the fact that currently available AChE reactivators are not able to reactivate AChE inhibited by all potential nerve agents, the development of new AChE reactivators still continues. For this purpose, the understanding of relationship between structural factors and their influence on the reactivation potency is useful. Especially, presence and number of functional oxime groups, presence and number of quaternary nitrogens, lentgh and shape of the connecting chain are discussed. Eleven AChE reactivators differing in the length and shape of the connecting chain were tested by in vitro methods in this work. Sarin was used as a representative of the nerve agent family. As resulted, the highest reactivation potency was achieved for trimedoxime (54 %) and oxime K074 (54 %). This reactivation potency was, however, obtained at concentration (10-3 M) that is not attainable for human use. Oximes TO 047 and TO 033 seem to be the most potent AChE reactivator tested in this study at concentration (10-5 M) that is relevant for human use.

The spatial disorientation (SD) is one of the principal reasons of military aircraft accidents in the world. According to official documents, this reason was very rare in the Czech Republic. A retrospective analysis of military aircraft accidents were carried out. The investigatory board reports from the years 1991-2002 were evaluated in details. The spatial disorientation was confirmed as possible in 31 % of cases aircraft accidents. The findings were compared with the statistics of USAF aircraft accidents. The contribution of space disorientation in the aircraft accidents was similar in both cases. For better prevention of spatial disorientation caused aircraft accidents more profound cooperation between the Air Forces and the Military Medical Service including aeromedical training will be necessary.

Main features Of the R&D resulting in the new mean for primary decontamination based on the sorption-mechanical principle introduced into the Czech Army's individual decon packet IPB-80 and into the Czech Civil Protection first aid kit ZPJ-80, and in the upgrading of sets for secondary decontamination PCHB-6O-P and PCHP-60-P are presented. First results of research on universal solution for decontamination of human skin are shown.

The interaction of twenty-Six different I 2-, 3-, and 4- substituted N-methylpyridinium iodides with
acetylcholinesterase (A ChE) was investigated in vitro experiments. All compounds involved in this study were
found to be competitive AChE inhibitors with K_diss values ranging from 5.5 to 130 ,μM.