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Cardiac toxicity is one of the potential side effects of oncology treatment. For evaluation of cardiotoxicity, there is World Health Organization (WHO) classification, released in 1979, and National Cancer Institute (NCI) classification, updated in 2003. The article gives a review of possibilities for evaluation of cardiotoxicity using these two classifications.

Background: Obesity is a multifactorial, chronic disorder that has reached epidemic proportions in most industrialized countries and is threatening to become a global epidemic. Aims: The study evaluates the effect of sibutramine therapy on health-related quality of life of obese patients. Patients and Methods: The study is local, prospective and longitudinal. It was carried out at Department of Hygiene of Faculty of Military Health Sciences in Hradec Králové, Czech Republic. Data were obtained during the year 2007. Twenty-two obese patients (6 males and 16 females) were treated by sibutramine in dose of 10 mg/day. All of these 22 patients were aged over 18 years. The European Quality of Life Questionnaire - EQ-5D Version was applied for evaluation of health-related quality of life among obese patients. Results: The statistical evaluation demonstrates that health-related quality of life (EQ-5D score and EQ-5D visual analogue scale) presents highly significant statistical dependence on sibutramine therapy (p < 0.05). Conclusion: The results showed that sibutramine therapy has a highly positive effect on health-related quality of life of obese patients.

Technical development in computer hardware and application of new visualization algorithms allow the use of spatial visualization methods in many different branches of biological research. Computer graphics and information visualization methods became important help in the research of spatial features of medical objects. The article describes the process of studied objects visualization, used methods, data structures and software tools. Temporal bone visualization case study shows reconstruction process from acquired image data to final rendering of created computer model. Obtained results prove the possibility to combine image, surface and volume visualization methods for different researched objects.

Every year, the Czech Republic is sending army officers to fulfill tasks on observation missionsdeployed in different parts of the world especially in the Continent of Africa. In the following article, the author draws from the experience of a long stay in Liberia, where she worked in the years 2006-2007 as a military observer in the UN mission. This article, on the topic of malaria, will be followed by the series of practical medical information which may be useful for other physicians traveling to the tropical zone of western Africa.

The article involves a content review of major and notable events in clinical oncology in 2008 that were published in the report of American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO).

Borrelia afzelii is one of potential etiological agents of Lyme disease in the Czech Republic. An important source of information about this microoganism is proteome analysis. It allows to understand pathogenesis of Lyme disease. The proteins were identified by 2-dimensional electrophoresis and mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF). Overall 34 protein spots of Borrelia afzelii (strain CB43) were chosen for identification. This process was done successfully in case of 23 proteins. This number was represented by 11 different proteins. We identified some variants of OspC protein, several enzymes, protein of chemotaxis CheY and Membrane associated protein p66 precursor.

The acute cardiac toxicity of anthracyclines is one of possible side effects of anthracyclines. The study is focused on applicability of the continuous 24-hours monitoring of electrocardiogram in patients treated with anthracyclines. There were 19 patients, who had a newly diagnosed acute leukemia and were treated with chemotherapy containing anthracyclines, participating in the study. Two standard 24-hours Holter ECG records were made in each patient, the first before the onset of administration of anthracyclines and the other during and after the administration of anthracyclines. During and after the administration of anthracyclines the length of the PQ, QRS and QTc interval increased, whereas the heart rate decreased. The count of the supraventricular as well as ventricular premature beats didn't increase. The occurrence as well as the severity of arrhythmias showed mesoscale or strong dependence on the occurrence and the severity of arrhythmias before the treatment. There were 6 (31.6 %) patients with R on T type ventricular premature beats associated with prolonged QTc interval in our group. In these patients, the biggest benefit from monitoring of the electrocardiogram during therapy containing anthracyclines may be suspected.

An often discussed question is the accuracy of the data provided by respondents about their eating. In the data distortion of food consumption, apart from memory, sex, age and education of respondents, other psychosocial and somatic factors also play an important role. In the present study, the influence of body weight (BMI) on the accuracy of records made by respondents about their energy intake and energy balance was analysed. 2,691 medical students (1,019 men, 1,672 women, mean age 22.28 ± 1.25 years) were examined. Energy intake (EI) was calculated from a 24-hour recording of food consumption, energy expenditure (EE) was calculated from a 24-hour recording of physical activity and indices EI/BMR and EE/BMR were computed. The basal metabolic rate (BMR) was used as a criterion for verification of the accuracy of the questionnaire data.
Energy intake was more often overestimated by men (17.2 %) than women (13 %) and conversely energy intake was more often underestimated by women (15.6 %) than men (11.7 %). Slim men (n = 81) and women (n = 424) had a positive energy balance (3.4 MJ and 1.8 MJ), the highest energy intake index (1.92 and 1.82) and the lowest energy expenditure index (1.44 and 1.48). Conversely overweight and obese men and women (n = 205 and n = 119) had a negative energy balance (-1.8 MJ and ——2.2 MJ), the lowest energy intake index (1.58 and 1.46) and the highest energy expenditure index (1.78 and 1.79). Differences were statistically significant. A negative correlation between BMI and EI/BMR (r = -0.173 men and r = -0.185 women), as well as positive correlation between BMI and EE/BMR (r = 0.258 men and 0,226 women) were confirmed. The results of our study have shown that educated young people with a relatively high level of health consciousness can also distort theirfood consumption and physical activity in relation to their body weight.

Inhibition of enzyme acetylcholinesterase (AChE, EC 3.1.1.7.) at central nervous system by highly toxic organophosphorus compounds (OPC) causes a cholinergic crisis which is the most probable “trigger” mechanism for the convulsive activity observed after intoxication. It is known that the convulsions produced by OPC may cause brain damages and long-term effects with neurobehavioral, cognitive and neuromuscular disturbances (McLeod, 1985; USAMRICD report, 1998). Therefore the abolishment of convulsions plays a very important role in the prophylactic of organophosphorus poisoning. Significant attention has been paid to this problem during last years but it is yet not resolved. There are different pharmacological approaches to prevent or abolish the convulsive activity. The pretreatment with a potent central acting cholinolytic combined with a cholinesterase reactivator may ameliorate to a great extent the symptoms of OP intoxication and to prevent the delayed neuropathy as well. In previous investigations a relatively high anticonvulsive activity of biperiden have been demonstrated (Anderson et al., Capacio, Shih, 1991)....

Acetylcholinesterase and butyrylcholinesterase is characterized according to their properties and possible influencing of their activities by inhibitors and other factors.

Ultraviolet radiation (UV) may significantly affect human health. Long term exposure to UV radiation causes many acute changes in organism, extent and intensity of which is modified by individual factors. The aim of this work is to review current knowledge of mechanisms of UV radiation effect on organism. Consequences of acute skin exposure to UV radiation are the rise of pigmentation and inflammation together with edema and erythema. The inflammation is caused by the change of cytokine production and one of the accompanying signs is the death of damaged cells by apoptosis. Apoptosis is interposed by caspases activation. Many pro- and anti- apoptopic factors (p53, Fas/FasL, lysosomal proteasis, apoptosom, Bcl-2, surviving, P13K-Akt, NFkB) participate in caspases regulation.

Azaspiracids (AZAs) represent new members of phycotoxins discovered on the Irish coast in 1995. In November 1995, at least eight people became ill after eating mussels (Mytilus edulis). From the meat of these mussels five structurally similar compounds: azaspiracids AZA-1 to AZA-5 and afterwards also AZA-6 to AZA-11 were isolated. Azaspiracids differ from any of the previously known marine toxins. AZAs cause severe disturbances of the intestinal tract, liver and pancreas. A progressive muscular paralysis, i.e. neurotoxic effects, could be proved by the mouse bioassay. In spite of significant threat to human health the mechanism of AZAs toxic effects remain still unclear. Authors present fundamental information concerning a chemical structure and the most important intoxication syndromes caused by AZAs.

Radiation-induced enteritis is an absolutely lethal clinical-pathological unit. This article summarizes the clinical picture, diagnostics of this disease and a review of symptomatic methods of its therapy. Its causal therapy is unknown. Experimental causal therapy is based on the new knowledge of disease patogenesis. It involves antioxidants, antiinflammatory remedies and antibodies which block the adhesion molecules and transcription factor inhibitors.

Cholinergic nervous system plays an important role in many physiological and behavioral functions in all animals. The activity of central and peripheral nervous system depends on the production and fate of acetylcholine and all compounds influenced its biosynthesis, storage, release, hydrolysis, and interactions with different subtypes of acetylcholine both muscarinic and nicotinic receptors. Many natural neurotoxins also interact with different parts of cholinergic nervous system and these compounds are the aim of this review.

Permanent development of qualitative and quantitative analytical methods has currently resulted in a fast increase of knowledge in biomedicine. Such new approaches have enabled very detailed observations of processes on the cellular and molecular level and thus become useful in both, research and clinical practice including military medicine. Flow cytometry (FCM) is one of the highly progressive techniques with considerable technological development. Nowadays FCM represents a standard approach for a high speed analysis of particle (mostly mammalian cells) suspensions in terms of size, internal complexity and subset composition. The article deals with principle and the most common FCM applications.

The marine microalgae producing the phycotoxins are common food for many marine animals which then themselves become toxic. In the recent years an enhanced attention has been paid to the phycotoxins because they penetrate into the fishery products through feed chains and they can cause intoxication in humans the therapy of which is very difficult. The danger concerning toxigenic microalgae is growing as a consequence of the enhanced migration of population and military missions into unstable regions of the world. These activities can cause severe health impairment of somatic and psychological character. The possibilities and importance of preventive measures and their observance are outlined particularly for military missions.

The production of safety food is the priority of developed countries. More than 25 % of worldwide production of cereals is contaminated with Fusarium fungi. Spoiled food/feed has a lower nutritional quality and also negative health effects. Fungi produce irritating volatile compounds, toxic compounds (mycotoxins) and allergizing spores. The most important metabolites from the toxicological point of view are mycotoxins. Several analytical methods are used for the detection of moulds in food/feed, urban dust or environmental samples. One of the most perspective methods is artificial nose which combines measurement using sensor array and signal evaluation using chemometrical methods, for example artificial neural networks.

Aims. The study has two main aims: 1. It evaluates the occurrence of depression symptoms in patients with peripheral arterial occlusive disease (PAOD). 2. It evaluates the effects of age and Fontaine stage of PAOD on the gravity of depression symptoms in patients with PAOD. Material and Methods. The study is prospective and cross-sectional. It was carried out at the 2nd Department of Internal Medicine of University Hospital and Charles University in Prague, Faculty of Medicine in Hradec Králové (2nd DIM). The dates were obtained during the year 2006. The total number of respondents with PAOD was 42 (28 male, 14 female). The average age of all respondents with PAOD was 65.4 years (age range 45-79 years ). The evaluation of the occurrence of depression symptoms in patients with PAOD was perfomed by means of the self-assessment Zung-SDS. The statistical analysis was determined by means of a variance analysis. Results. The mean SDS index certifies the presence of signs of a minimum or light depression in patients with PAOD. We proved the statistically significant dependence of depression in patients with PAOD on age (p < 0.01) and on Fontaine stage of PAOD (p < 0.01). Conclusion. The results have shown the existence of association between PAOD and depression symptoms.

A small group offlying personnel examined at the Department of Functional Diagnostics and Clinical Physisology during the year 2002 was subjected to the Shellong test. Based on the analysis of the results, the authors tried to point some circumstances and well-known facts when selecting a particular kind of antihypertensive drug (and with respect to its full activity as well). Furthermore, they emphasized the need to revise the algorithm used so far in terms of pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics respectively, with regard to clinical cardiology experience and practice. After all, their views have been supported by many retrospective and prospective clinical studies. At any rate 14 individuals were sent to take the Shellong test, i.e. 9 airmen, 4 air traflic controllers and 1 parachutist. Notwithstanding the results of the test, in 12 of them, (i.e. 86%), hypertension was not well controlled at that time. The mean time period from the beginning of the treatment and the aforementioned testing varied from 5 to 48 days, with the average amount of time being 16.5 days. In 10 of the individuals, (i.e. 71%), the period was shorter. In order to reach a proper control of hypertension some possible causes are discussed and further reasonable approaches presented. The authors especially advocate the previous guideline revision in terms of the interval needed before starting testing procedures including the Shellong test. Moreover it is only after reaching satisfactory hypertension control for 24 hours that the Shellong test makes any sense.

One of the fundamental environmental factors influencing on human development and keeping good health state is proper nutrition. Without proper nutrition men cannot make use of his genetically determined possibilities of optimal physical and mental development (6)....

Plant phenolic substances and phenolic substances in food have continually been a subject of scientific research. Thanks to this research effort, knowledge concerning the chemical structure and occurrence of these compounds in food has become more accurate. Properties and effects other than the antioxidative ones have been confirmed in relation to the phenolics. Some of their biological activities have been discovered (for instance the blocking, initiation and progression processes in carcinogenesis). There is a chance to evalute them in cancer research and to apply them in the therapy and prevention of this disease. The traditional epidemiological research evaluating these natural substances as a part of diet continues but the shift to interventional studies aimed at the recognition of the art and mechanisms of phenolic biological action is obvious.
Regarding digestion and the metabolic pathway, plant phenolics are partially deglycosylated in the small intestine, and a passive or active transport into the bloodstream follows. The enzymatic scission of the phenolic molecules may proceed and, after the conjugation reactions, the catabolites are excreted in urine or in feces. A portion of the phenolics is catabolized in the colon by the action of bacterial microflora. In human plasma the maximum concentration of phenol substances reaches about 1 μmol/l after an usual dietary uptake of fruit, vegetables, legumes or cereals.
Plant polyphenols contribute essentially to the health benefit of fruit and vegetables, giving them the qualitative character to be termed "functional food". An increased consumption of that food is recommended and the addition of these compounds to the food in the near future is supposed.

The authors provide a survey of herbicides used for military purposes (as chemical warfare agents) as well as for agriculture, and draw attention to the danger of their side effects on the non-targeted organisms. Special attention is paid to phenoxyherbicides which normally contain dioxin contaminants. Herbicides can contaminate the living environment, soil, water, and air for a very long time and they threaten the normal development of plants, animals and humans. The authors deal in detail with their deleterious influence on human health.
Experimentally proved biodegradation of some herbicides by soil microflora indicates a way of eliminating them from the living environment.

An organism’s interactions with the external environment are mediated through the epidermis and through a few different keratized and non-keratized epithelia. The epidermis is not directly vascularized but it is nourished from the blood vessels of the dermis. A human keratinocyte isolated from the skin creates in vitro colonies and each colony comes from one keratinocyte which is a stem cell of the epidermis. The absorption of UV radiation in the skin is primarily manifested in the epidermis keratinocytes and causes DNA and protein damage. This DNA damage is generally understood as a basic effect of irradiation leading to cellular death, chromozomal aberrations and oncogenic transformation. Sensitivity to irradiation is not dependent only on the extent of initial damage, but also on the capacity of cells to repair this damage. In contrast to UV irradiation which damages above all the epidermis, ionizing radiation is able to damage not only the epidermis but the whole skin, including the adnexa and the tissues lying beneath it.

This paper proposes the main aspects of the pathogenesis of acute poisoning with organophosphorus inhibitors of cholinesterases and describes non-specific effects of these toxic substantes such as the activation of multiple non-Cholinergic neurotransmitter systems in the central nervous system, the alteration of energetic metabolism, stressogenic effects, mutagenic effects, immune effects, the alteration of water and mineral metabolism, hepatotoxic effects, membrane effects as well as haematological effects. One of the most important non-specific effects produced by organophosphorus agents is the activation of multiple noncholinergic neurotransmitter system in the central nervous system that can lead to the neuronal damage following the exposure to organophosphates.

The HER-2/neu receptor, a member of transmembrane HER receptors family, plays a very important role in activation of the signalling downstream path which mediates the transfer of extracellular signal into the cell nucleus. The physiological processes, leading to receptor activation, as well as its whole signalling cascade are understood well today. The increased HER-2/neu activation, in the case of its abundance in cellular membrane, participates in complicated processes of cancerogenesis and is liable for the formation of tumor cells with a more malignant phenotype and more aggressive biological behaviour.The status of HER-2/neu expression in invasive breast cancer cells is assessed by immunohistochemical methods, and the number of encoding gene copies (c-erbB-2) by fluorescent in situ hybridization. The measurement of dividual extracellular receptor domain is possible in patients' blood serum. The increased HER-2/neu receptor expression is a negative prognostic factor for invasive breast cancer patients because these women have a higher risk for early recurrence and generalization of the disease. Moreover, HER-2/neu overexpression is also a predictive factor which helps to mark patients who benefit from the target biological treatment and anthracyclin based chemotherapy.

Excavation of a mass grave of Napoleon's soldiers in Vilnius showed their massive infestation with body lice and evidence for a severe typhus epidemic which contributed essentially to Napoleon's crushing defeat in Russia 1812.

Out of 1587 aviation accidents and incidents in Czechoslovak and Czech Air Force from the years 1993-2006, only 3 (0.2 %) related to the aviator's pathological disorder. Neither once did physiological incidents (Simson, 1971) participate as an accident's/incident's cause. Of a considerable risk for the flight safety were 41 (2.6 %) cases of technical faults on systems, assigned to the safe protection of the crew against flight hazards.

Aim: The study analyses the quality of life (QoL) in patients with multiple myeloma (MM) and acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) undergoing autologous haematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). Patients and Methods: The total number of respondents with AML was 12 (7 male, 5 female). The total number of respondents with MM was 32 (18 male, 14 female). The average age of patients with AML was 47.5 years and average age of patients with MM was 60 years. The Czech version of an international generic European Quality of Life Questionnaire - Version EQ-5D was used. The effect of selected psychosocial, health and demographic aspects on QoL in patients was determined by means of variance analysis. The descriptive analysis was used for evaluation of QoL questionnaires. Results: The above-mentioned aspects proved a statistically significant dependence of QoL (EQ-5D score and EQ-5D VAS) on age in both cohorts (p<0,01), religion in AML cohort (p<0,05), smoking abuse in both cohorts (p<0,01), level of education in AML cohort (p<0,05), increasing number of associated diseases in both cohorts (p<0,05) and type of disease (p<0,05). Conclusion: The global QoL in patients with AML is at a higher level than in patients with MM treated by means of autologous PSCT.

The main aim of this work is to summarize the information about the most common methods for detection of ricin. Ricin is a phytotoxin produced by castor plant, Ricinus communis. It is known as ribosome-inactivating protein because it inhibits the proteosynthesis. It can be abused for terrorist actions or it can cause very serious intoxication, either accidental or murder and suicide. Therefore there is an urgent need to have a reliable, specific and selective detection method. This paper offers information about enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and biosensors. The magnetoelastic immunosensor and the fiber-optic based biosensor are represented here. Because ricin is a protein, the most suitable methods are based on immunological principles. Biosensors have similar arrangement as immunoassays but they are constructed for the quick detection and screening. Thus they are faster and do not require difficult conditions, such as trained personal, incubation time etc. The detection limit for ricin offered by immunoassays is much lower than by biosensors. Biosensors can be used also for some other toxins, such as Staphylococcal enterotoxin B and Yersinia pestis F1 antigen.