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The presented study aims to extend the knowledge of toxicological profile of rare earth elements salts (REEs). The basal toxicity test performed comprised assessment of cytotoxicity (3T3 Balb/c Neutral Red Uptake Test) that allows for calculation of LD50(rats) on the basis of the concentration which leads to a 50% reduction in cell growth (IC50). Environmental toxicity was addressed by the Tubifex tubifex(T.t.) express test. The in vitroskin irritation (OECD TG 439) and skin corrosion tests (OECD TG 431) utilizing the 3D in vitroreconstructed human epidermal model EpiDerm (MatTek IVSL, SK) were used for assessment of skin irritation and corrosion potential hazard of REEs. Mutagenic effects were determined using the bacterial reverse mutation assay (Ames Test) on 5 Salmonella typhimuriumstrains with and without metabolic activation (OECD TG 471). Endocrine disruption was evaluated by means of a yeast-based assay YES/YAS (Xenometrix, CH). Skin sensitization was assessed using the LuSens assay, based on a genetically modified human keratinocyte cell line (OECD TG 442D). The tested REEs have no potential of mutagenicity or skin sensitization, exhibit very weak endocrine disruption potential and only exceptional local irritation/corrosion effects for thulium (III) chloride anhydrous, but have acute and chronic toxic effects on the aquatic environment.

Abdominal obesity is associated with high plasma triglyceride and with low plasma high-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels. Objective of the study was to find an association between plasma lipid and lipoprotein levels and anthropometric parameters in abdominal obesity in Slovakian university students. Lipid profile and anthropometric parameters of obesity were studied in a sample of 419 probands, including 137 men and 282 women. Males had higher values of non-high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (non-HDL-C), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), triglycerides (TG) and very low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (VLDL-C) than females, but these differences were not significant. Females had significantly (P< 0.05) higher TC and HDL-C (P< 0.001) than males. In comparison, all anthropometric parameters in the males were significantly (P< 0.001) higher than in the females. A positive correlation between non-HDL-C, TG, VLDL-C and anthropometric parameters (BMI, WC, WHR, WHtR) was found at P< 0.001. LDL was positively correlated with BMI, WCF, WHtR and TC with BMI, WHtR at P< 0.001. We also observed a correlation between TC–WCF and LDL–WHR at P< 0.01. A negative correlation was found between HDL and all monitored anthropometric parameters at P< 0.001. On the other hand, no correlation between TC and WHR was detected. This study shows an association between plasma lipid and lipoprotein levels and anthropometric parameters in abdominal obesity in young people, predominantly university students.

The results are reported of a genealogic study of 313 patients (171 males and 142 females) consecutively admitted to the psychiatric department of the Medical School of Charles University in Prague, Czechoslovakia. Patients suffering from psychosis were selected and divided into five groups: “schizophrenia”, “bipolar psychosis”, “unipolar depressive psychosis”, “schizoaffective psychosis” and “unspecified disorder” (the diagnosis of psychosis suspected but not yet certain at the time of investigation). A total of 1086 first degree relatives (parents and siblings) were ascertained and one or more first degree relatives of each proband were interviewed. The total morbidity risk of psychiatric disorder for parents and siblings was 12.6% for schizophrenic probands, 17.8% for bipolar probands, 10.7% for unipolar probands, 12.0% for schizoaffective probands and 12.6% for probands with unspecified psychosis. A striking increase of the frequency of affective disorders was found among secondary cases of schizoaffective probands.

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