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Summary Introduction: Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic multifocal inflammatory disease affecting the CNS, with autoimmune and neurodegenerative processes involved in its pathogenesis. Otoneurology outpatient clinic patients presenting with hearing loss, tinnitus, and vertigo may eventually be newly dia­gnosed MS patients. An otoneurologist specialist may be the first physician to suspect MS and refer the patient for an MRI and neurological examination. Early dia­gnosis and subsequent treatment of MS can delay permanent disability. Aim: Analysis of the incidence of MS patients in an otoneurological outpatient clinic during a twenty-year period. To increase the otoneurologists’ awareness of MS dia­gnosis. Methods and materials: Of 6,000 patients, who were newly examined in an otoneurology outpatient clinic between 2000 and 2021, data of 11 patients (0,18%) (5 male/6 female, aged 25–58 years) with MS or suspected of MS were retrospectively evaluated. Results: In 11 patients, MS was suspected or ongoing. In 4 of those patients, otoneurological examination contributed to the first detection of MS by an otoneurologist. The first MS symptoms included hearing loss, tinnitus, instability, and post-infection visual disorder. Conclusion: The otoneurologist must consider that sudden hearing loss, tinnitus, and vertigo may be the first manifestations of MS. Early dia­gnosis of MS increases the likelihood that with treatment, the progression of the disease will be slowed. Interdisciplinary cooperation between the otoneurologists and neurologists is very important for the dia­gnosis of MS. Key words multiple sclerosis – sensorineural hearing loss – tinnitus – vertigo – otoneurology

In order to increase the corrosion resistance of magnesium alloy AZ91 in corrosion environments containing chlorides, the alloy surface has been modified by plasma electrolytic oxidation (PEO). The chemical composition of electrolyte in the PEO process consisted of 12 g/L Na3PO4·12 H2O and 1 g/L KOH, and a direct current was applied to the sample. The corrosion resistance of PEO coating and as-cast AZ91 (sample without PEO coating) was assessed using two different electrochemical methods: electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) and potentiodynamic polarisation (PDP) in 0.1 M NaCl at laboratory temperature. In addition to the electrochemical methods, the morphology of the oxidic coating was observed in the cross-sectional and top surface view by using the SEM technique. For better determination of the microstructure and PEO coating, chemical composition EDX analysis was used. The results of the experiments show that the formation of the PEO coating on AZ91 alloy has a more positive effect on the corrosion resistance in 0.1 M NaCl based on electrochemical methods than in the case of the formed coating on AZ31 alloy from the previous study. Based on electrochemical measurements in the selected environment, the formation of PEO coating on AZ91 was accompanied by a significant increase in polarisation resistance after short-term exposure compared to the as-cast surface. The EIS results showed a 73 times higher Rp value for PEO coated AZ91 when compared to the as-cast AZ91. Correspondingly, a 27 times lower icorr value was observed for PEO coated AZ91 than in the case of substrate AZ91 in 0.1 M NaCl. At the same time, the typically porous and inhomogeneous structure of the formed PEO coating on the magnesium alloy AZ91 was demonstrated.

The thesis focused on milk and its alternatives, i.e. plant-based drinks. The theoretical part summarized the nutritional value of milk and its consumption in the world and the Czech Republic. As a source of fats, proteins, minerals, and vitamins, milk is of nutritional value. Furthermore, the importance of milk in human nutrition for different age groups was discussed. Related dietary recommendations and reasons limiting milk consumption were introduced. This included health reasons such as lactose intolerance, cow milk protein allergy or the rarely occurring galactosemia, as well as ethical or environmental reasons. Last but not least, alternatives to milk, i.e. plant-based drinks, were presented. These drinks are based on extracts of legumes, cereals, nuts and/or seeds diluted with water and often supplemented with other additives. The practical part aimed to assess the dietary habits of the general public and nutritionally educated people regarding the consumption of milk and plant-based drinks, including their awareness of the importance of this food in human nutrition. Data were collected using a questionnaire survey. In addition, the nutritional values of selected plant-based drinks were also compared with cow's milk. Within the sample studied, milk was observed to be a frequent part of the...

Conflict and re-ordering of gender relations in society: post-conflict reconstruction in Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo Abstract Women are often portrayed as victims of conflict, which is in large part true. However, women also act as agents, active participants in war and they can be largely neglected once peace occurs. This diploma thesis is mainly concerned with the mechanism of changing gender relations in societies as a result of armed conflicts and violence resulting in the potential for change of women's role in the society and their empowerment. Can we possibly claim that an armed conflict has positive consequences in a form of women's empowerment? Some scholars explain that war can be a catalyst that can send women on a fast-track route towards empowerment. Others oppose by claiming that wars rather tend to reiterate patriarchy in societies. In order to evaluate the effects of wars on gender relations in society, we first provide literature overview on the topic which is followed up theoretical underpinnings of the mechanism of changes of gender relations in society. Several options are defined as possible routes towards the women's empowerment in society. The thesis then analyses two scenarios of results of wars on women in societies, in particular the great success of Rwanda and the...

Temporary-work Agencies - Selected Public Law Aspects Abstract Temporary-work agencies (employment agencies) are an important entity in the field of job placement. The topic of this thesis is selected public law aspects of the legal regulation of private employment agencies and their activities, which have not yet received much attention from the professional community, despite the fact that they are essential and often crucial for the activities of employment agencies. The text of the thesis is divided into eight chapters. The first chapter is devoted to the sources of law governing the very existence of private employment agencies, both at the level of international, EU and national law. The second chapter deals with forms of employment intermediation. Attention is also paid to shared employment intermediation and undisclosed employment intermediation. The third chapter deals with the limitations on employment intermediation by employment agencies, both in relation to all forms of intermediation and only to agency employment. The issue of temporary assignment of foreigners is also mentioned. In the fourth chapter, space is devoted to the employment agency permit - specifically the conditions for obtaining it, the application itself, the institute of the responsible representative and the duration of the...

Background For nearly 50% of the asthmatic children, effective treatments against exacerbation do not exist, because existing therapies do not target the mechanistic origins of discrete sub-diseases (i.e. endotypes). While non-atopic and atopic asthma represent known phenotypes, it is unknown whether they arise from disparate processes. The objective is to classify two phenotypes (non-atopic vs. atopic asthma) into endotypes using polyaromatic hydrocarbon, namely, benzo[a]pyrene, as putative marker of endotype. Methods In a case-control study, lean controls (i.e. reference) are compared against three outcomes of interest – overweight/obese controls, lean asthmatics (without overweight/obesity), and overweight/obese asthmatics – in terms of benzo[a]pyrene exposure level, plasma 15-Ft2-isoprostane, urinary 8-oxo-7,8-dihydro-2’-deoxyguanosine, as well as their history of co-morbidities until age three, following atopy- and gender-stratification. Results The non-atopic girls are associated with significantly elevated median benzo[a]pyrene for the lean asthmatics (11.2 ng/m3) and the overweight/obese asthmatics (18.0 ng/m3), compared to the non-atopic control girls (4.3 ng/m3; p-value a]P exposure predicts 10-times greater odds of asthma in the lean non-atopic boys, while the same exposure is not associated with asthma among the lean atopic boys. The diagnosis of lung function deficit, which only appear among those with highest median value of B[a]P, appears to be a particularly important predictor of non-atopic asthma only. The non-atopic asthmatic boys with highest exposure to B[a]P (median, 20 ng/m3) were also positively diagnosis with lung function deficit, compared to the non-atopic controls (median, 4.3 ng/m3). An elevated exposure to B[a]P is associated with depressed systemic oxidant levels, and correspondingly elevated odds of non-atopic asthma. On the other hand, low ambient exposure to B[a]P, and weakly pro-inflammatory effect of oxidative stress of such exposure, is not associated with atopic asthma. Conclusions Ambient benzo[a]pyrene is robustly associated with non-atopic asthma, while it has no clear associations with atopic asthma among the lean children. Our observation, once validated in a prospective cohort design, could aid the development of targeted and personalized therapies in children in whom the respiratory injuries are still reversible.

The so-called special foods for diabetics in Czech food stores are in the focus of this theses. The theoretical part is a literature review devoted to the description of diseases diabetes mellitus with a view on the history, division of the disease, its treatment, related nutrition therapy, characteristics of the so-called special food for diabetics, and related regulations. The objective of the practical part is the survey of the supply of the so-called special food for diabetics in the Czech food stores. Selected examples demonstrated the nutritional value of the food in a focus and their suitability and importance for diabetes diet. Based on the survey, the supply of special food for diabetics was observed in 11 stores out of 13. The special food products were found in the special shelves without any further labeling or spread out among common food products. The food samples included a high amount of sweets often been characterized by a high amount of saturated fats, mono-/di-saccharides and low amount of fiber which are not in accordance with the nutritional recommendation for diabetes diet. Several food products possessed an advantage in terms of the low levels of saturated fats or mono- /di-saccharides. Nevertheless, only the nutritional value information is helpful to recognize these...