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Contamination of powdered infant formula by Enterobacter sakazakii and Salmonella
Costa, Carolina Isabel Maia Azevedo ; Schneidrová, Dagmar (advisor)
Powdered infant formula is not a sterile product and it has been shown to be a common vehicle for the transmission of pathogens to a specific group of infants, particularly Enterobacter sakazakii and Salmonella which are implicated in several outbreaks causing meningitis, necrotizing enterocolitis, sepsis and salmonellosis, with a mortality rate around 20%. The International Commission on Microbiological Specifications for Food (ICMSF, 2002) classified E. sakazakii as "severe risk for a restricted population, representing a threat of death or chronic sequels of long duration". From the age distribution of the reported cases, it is deduced that the population at risk are the infants under one year old, especially premature and low-birth weight infants, as well as the immunocompromised and those born from HIV + mothers. The infant formula can become contaminated through the raw ingredients used in the production of the formula, through contamination of the formula after pasteurization or through contamination of the reconstituted formula used by the caregivers at the hospital or at home prior to feeding. From the powdered infant formulas, sources of contamination can accumulate in bottles and utensils used on the preparation of feeding bottles, facilitating the dissemination of the bacteria. Thus, although...
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The role of endothelial progenitor cells in the pathogenesis of anti - neutrophil cytoplasmatic antibody - associated vasculitis
Závada, Jakub ; Tesař, Vladimír (advisor) ; Haluzík, Martin (referee) ; Monhart, Václav (referee)
Summary: Introduction: Circulating endothelial progenitor cells (EPC) may provide an endogenous repair mechanism to counteract ongoing endothelial damage. Antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody - associated vasculitis (AAV) is an inflammatory disorder of small- to medium-sized vessels with relapsing/remitting progression and endothelial injury is a major feature of AAV. EPC thus may play and an important role in the pathogenesis of AAV, or serve as a useful marker for monitoring and/or prediction of outcomes in patients with AAV. Hypotheses: EPC number in patients with AAV could be altered. The decreased capacity for endothelial regeneration paralleled by low EPC numbers could increase the risk of relapse in patients with AAV. Patients and methods: We have measured EPC in healthy volunteers, patients with AAV, chronic kidney failure (CKD) and atherosclerosis by a colony-forming assay. We have investigated the relation between the numbers of EPC, clinical and laboratory characteristics of the patients, and long-term outcomes of patients with AAV. Results: Patients with AAV had a significantly lower number of EPC than healthy subjects, but not than patients with CKD or atherosclerosis. The cumulative relapse-free survival increased stepwise across three increasing baseline levels of endothelial progenitor cells....
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The incidence of thyroid in selected regions of the Czech Republic in terms of saturation with iodine
Dvořáková, Marcela ; Zamrazil, Václav (advisor) ; Topolčan, Ondřej (referee) ; Stárka, Luboslav (referee) ; Čáp, Jan (referee)
24 9. SUMMARY 1. Natural sources such as water or soil contain iodine in low amounts in the Czech Republic. 2. Clinical manifestations of iodopenia were severe and occured in certain geographical areas in the past. 3. Iodization of table salt started in the fifties of the last century as a result of extensive epidemiological research and since then it has significantly improved iodine saturation in general. 4. Further steps in iodine prophylaxis in the mid-nineties of the 20th century have improved iodine saturation according to ICCIDD/WHO criteria. 5. Resolution of iodine deficiency does not represent, however, a closed chapter. 6. Individuals at risk, such as pregnant or breastfeeding women and patients on a salt- restricted diet, are worthy of public health concern. 7. There needs to be increased awareness of chronic excess of iodine with respect to an increasing prevalence of autoimmune thyroid disorders. 8. There is a need to continue education of the general population focused on adequate iodine intake from various foods (see products, milk) and to maintain a daily iodine intake in the "optimal ranges". Based on the international criteria, the Czech Republic is iodine sufficient country. This happened due to a multidisciplinary collaboration coordinated by the Regional Iodine Deficiency Council...
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Study of Activity of Enzyma and Low Molecular Weight Antioxidant Systems
Macuchová, Simona ; Kráčmar, Stanislav (referee) ; Čertík, Milan (referee) ; Márová, Ivana (advisor)
Oxidative processes play important role in cell physiology and pathology as well. Balance of these processes is supplied by cooperating antioxidative systems; function of antioxidant defense systems depens on high levels of antioxidants in organism. Presented work is focused on developement and optimization of methods for analysis of important enzyme and non-enzyme antioxidants as well as total antioxidant capacity of selected types of biological material. Extractions and analyses of vitamin E, carotenoids, superoxide dismutase, catalase, peroxidase and lipoxygenase in barley and malt were optimized. RP-HPLC and HPLC/ESI-MS were used for analysis of vitamin E, phenolic and carotenoid content, spectrophotometry was used for enzymes activity analysis. A new methods for catalase and lipoxygenase activities were developed and compared with direct UV methods. Superoxide dismutase activity was determined by commercial diagnostic kit. A colorimetric method was used for peroxidase activity determination. Some kinetic parameters of enzymes were provided too. Optimized methods were used in the analyses of antioxidants in plant material - in barley and malt - in sets of samples of 6 varieties cultivated in four different locations for two years. Content of individual antioxidants differed depending on the variety, but usually were not found significant differences in the levels, depending on growing location. Perhaps climatic conditions have the greatest influence on levels of low molecular weight and enzymatic antioxidants at the specific location; oxidation processes are influenced both the quantity of moisture, both by sunlight, which induces oxidative processes in cultivated plants. The activity of antioxidants in barley caryopses is rapidly increasing during the malting process; an elevated temperature and moistness first induces activation the enzyme systems including antioxidant. In caryopsis is metabolic activity increased during which we can expect an increased production of radicals; for this purpose can antioxidant systems be activated that protect cells from damage by oxidative stress. In the second part of work optimized methods were applied in two clinical trials focused on study of the influence of exogenous antioxidants intake on metabolic and antioxidant status in human organism. In the first clinical study influence of food supplement containing polyunsaturated fatty acids and vitamin E on metabolism of hyperlipidaemics was evaluated. After 3-month supplemenation a lipid profile was improved and serum antioxidant levels increased. The second experiment was focused on enzyme and non-enzyme antioxidant levels in healthy subjects after temporarily intake of specific foods rich in antioxidants. After two-month intake plasma phenolic substances were slightly increased. Total antioxidant capacity and activities of enzyme antioxidants were not affected. Results of both clinical exeriments showed that supplying of antioxidants in natural form or in the form of food supplements does not markedly affect metabolism of healthy subjects, while in patients with chronic diseases antioxidant supplementation can positively influence metabolic status. Results of this work showed that optimized methods are suitable for analyses of antioxidant status parameters and also for monitoring of exogenous antioxidant intake.
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Vliv vybraných kardiovaskulárních léčiv nalézaných ve vodním prostředí na ryby
STEINBACH, Christoph Antonius
Cardiovascular pharmaceuticals are among the most prescribed drugs. As a result of the high consumption, these pharmaceuticals have been frequently detected in waste and surface waters. Verapamil, diltiazem and atenolol are very important representatives of cardiovascular pharmaceuticals; therefore, the present research focused on their acute and sub-chronic effects, bioconcentration, half-life time and metabolism in fish. Moreover, unified protocol for the quantitative assessment of histopathological alterations on the heart ventricle and coronary blood vessels employing heart index calculation was developed with the aim to better assess histopathological changes in fish heart which is one of the targets of cardiovascular pharmaceuticals and other chemicals. The effects caused by high concentrations of the studied substances, verapamil, diltiazem and atenolol, in fish can be considered similar to the therapeutic effects and side effects that are found in humans. The acute exposure to verapamil at the human therapeutic plasma level reduced the heart rate in common carp embryos and larvae. In addition, the acute and chronic exposure to this substance caused peripheral edema and gastrointestinal haemorrhage in carp. Similarly, the histological changes in heart and the blood vessels of the liver in diltiazem exposed rainbow trout suggested vasodilatation similar to the pharmacological effect of diltiazem in the human body. In rainbow trout sub-chronically exposed to atenolol at a human therapeutic blood plasma concentration, histopathological changes in the cardiovascular system were found. The bioconcentration of verapamil, diltiazem and atenolol in fish can be classified as low. Bioconcentration factor (BCF) of verapamil in whole body homogenates of common carp ranged between 6.6 and 16.6. The BCF of diltiazem was also relatively low (0.5-194) in analysed tissues of trout, following the order kidney liver muscle blood plasma. BCF of atenolol in rainbow trout tissues was the lowest among the tested substances (BCF = 0.002-0.27), following the order of liver > kidney > muscle. In the blood plasma, the concentration of atenolol was below the limit of quantification. Verapamil showed a longer half-life time (10.6 days) in fish compared to the human body, indicating the slow rate of biotransformation and/or elimination of verapamil in fish. Estimated half-life times of diltiazem in liver (1.5 h) and kidney (6.2 h) were in the same order of magnitudes as those determined for the human blood plasma. The half-life time of atenolol in trout was not studied, because of its very low bioconcentration. In diltiazem exposed rainbow trout, 8 groups of metabolites of diltiazem with 17 different isoforms were identified using liquid chromatography/high resolution mass spectrometry method. Diltiazem was found to undergo a biotransformation involving desmethylation, desacethylation and hydroxylation in fish. These results showed that diltiazem was metabolised in fish in a similar way like in the human body by desmethylation and desacethylation. On the other hand, hydroxylation, which was involved to a minor extent, seemed to be species specific. Verapamil had no effect on early life stages of common carp at the environmentally relevant concentration after one month lasting exposure. On the other hand, atenolol and diltiazem in environmentally realistic concentrations caused after 42-day exposure some physiological changes in rainbow trout. Namely, atenolol affected haematological and biochemical parameters of the blood in exposed rainbow trout and diltiazem caused changes in the activity of antioxidant enzymes in trout liver and gills. These data indicated that atenolol and diltiazem, when present in the aquatic environment, could be a source of sub-lethal detrimental effects in fish.
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Comparison of Iron-chelating Effects of Clinically Used Peroral Iron Chelators and 8-hydroxyquinolines
Zárubová, Pavla ; Mladěnka, Přemysl (advisor) ; Pávek, Petr (referee)
in English Charles University in Prague Faculty of Pharmacy in Hradec Králové Department of pharmacology and toxicology Candidate: Pavla Zárubová Consultant: Přemysl Mladěnka, Ph.D. Name of thesis: Comparison of iron-chelating effects of clinically used peroral iron chelators and 8-hydroxyquinolines Iron is an essentials element, which takes part in many vital processes. However, excessive iron can be toxic for the organism by catalyzing production of free radicals. Long-term administration of blood transfusions in the therapy of various anaemias is the most common cause of iron overload. Each transfuzion represents an intake of 200-250 mg iron in the organism, which due to low daily elimination (only 1-2 mg) leads to iron overload. As a result, complications like cardiovascular impairment or liver fibrosis can emerge. The risk of these severe complications can be reduced by administration of iron chelators. Deferoxamine has been traditionally used for the chelation therapy of chronic iron overload, but to his disadvantages belong frequent parenteral applications. In these days we can also use modern orally acive chelators (deferipron, deferoxamin). Furthermore, there is a wide range of potentially new indications (inflammation, tumor, cardiovascular and neurodegenerative diseases). In all these...
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Pentaerythritol or tripentaerythritol branched oligoesters as adhesive carriers of drugs
Praislerová, Daniela ; Dittrich, Milan (referee) ; Šnejdrová, Eva (advisor)
The aim of these graduation thesis was the study of adhesive properties of branched oligoesters and acyclovir and fluconazole release from these carriers. The theoretical part introduces the often used polymers, their properties and application. Furthermore there is the mechanism of biodegradation, the factors affecting mechanism and speed of drug release and therapeutic systems with examples. The practical part is regarded to the adhesion of the polyesters of lactic and glycolic acid branched using pentaerythritol and tripentaerythritol (1P, 3P, 5P, 1T, 3T, 5T). These polyesters were plasticized by 20% of triethylcitrate. All the tested polyesters were adhesive. The lowest adhesion power was measured out by carrier 5P with low molar weight Mw = 2700 g/mol and degree of branching g'= 0.61. Acyclovir and fluconazole release from these carriers was tested. The fastest release was measured regarding to carrier 1T. Polyesters 1P, 3T and 5T have been shown as suitable drug carriers. Keywords: branched polyesters, bioadhesion, acyclovir release, fluconazole release
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Public opinion on fears of imprisonment
Veselský, Michal
In march 2008 CVVM posed a few questions on potential fears of imprisonment. Informants were asked to estimate how much money they would be willing to pay to avoid being imprisoned for one year due to an accident (all in a case that this would be legal). Over 70 % says that they would be willing to pay up to 100 000,- Kc or even less (approximately 4 000 Euro). Only 20 % of informants were willing to pay more than 100 000 Kc. The highest sum ever mentioned was 5 milions Kc (200 000 Euro). Another question concern on the potencial fears of being imprisoned. Informants could chose up to three main reasons. The most frequent was „separation from friends and family“ 78 % and „other prisoner‘s behavior“ 61 %. Another possibilities as „neighbourhood’s reaction on accident“, „return from prison back to normal life“, „healthy problemes“, „lost of job or career“, „prison guard‘s behavior“ and „daily prison routine“ were mentioned by 30 % or less. In the last question the informants were asked to try to guess what would be the most difficult for them of being imprisoned – again with possibility to chose up to three points. Low frequency of meeting family members and friends would be a problem for 79 %, almost the same percentage (78 %) says, that „restriction of free movement“ would be a serious distress. „Impossibility to talk to anyone who understands me“ was important for 51 %. Another variations as „neccsesity to listen to orders“, „boredom“, „impossibility to do hobbies“, „insufficient conditions for sexual life“ and „lack of entertainment“ were chosen by less than 25 % of informants
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Blaze Gratings with a Ribbed Back Slope
Krátký, Stanislav ; Meluzín, Petr ; Horáček, Miroslav ; Kolařík, Vladimír ; Matějka, Milan ; Chlumská, Jana ; Král, Stanislav
Binary relief phase-modulated gratings provide symmetrical diffraction of the incoming light beam. Asymmetrical gratings, e.g. asymmetrical triangular blazed gratings, are characteristic by an asymmetrical diffraction behavior, where one of the first diffraction orders is more important than the other one. Electron beam lithography is a suitable and flexible tool for patterning of such kind of gratings. High quality results can be readily obtained when the period of the grating is relatively large and the relief depth is relatively low, this is the case of gratings with a small blaze angle. As the blaze angle increases, the quality of result suffers from several patterning-related issues. One of the problems is a reflection of the incoming light beam from the back slope (anti-blaze facet) of the blaze grating. We propose a novel configuration, with a ribbed modulation of the back slope. This modulation is perpendicular to the direction of the grating grooves. This paper presents an analysis of the proposed blazed grating configuration. E-beam pattern generators were used to prepare a few\nsamples of blaze gratings with a ribbed back slope. One part of the experiment was performed with a Gaussianshaped beam and another one with the variable-shaped beam. Results of the experiment are presented.\nFinally, we discuss the optical performance of two blaze gratings with similar parameters, one of them is with the flat back slope and another one is with the ribbed back slope.
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