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Aim: Exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) has been in the past associated with adverse effects on human health among which belong also respiratory diseases. Our study is focused on the evaluation of PAH exposure by measuring the concentrations of their monohydroxylated metabolites (OH-PAHs) in urine and comparing their concentrations with the incidence of respiratory diseases in 2-year-old children from two locations of the Czech Republic – a control locality Ceske Budejovice and a previously highly contaminated mining district Most. Methods: The total number of 248 participants were sampled for urine samples that were analysed for the presence of 11 OH-PAHs using liquid-liquid extraction with ethyl acetate and clean-up employing dispersive solid phase extraction with a sorbent Z-Sep. Separation, identification and quantification of the target compounds was achieved by ultra-high performance liquid chromatography coupled to tandem mass spectrometry. The incidence of respiratory diseases was evaluated according to the questionnaires provided by the paediatricians. Results and discussion: The concentrations of measured OH-PAHs were higher in the urine samples collected from 2-year-old children living in Most compared to 2-year-old children from Ceske Budejovice. The same trend was observed also when the urine samples were analysed when these children were studied as newborns in our previous study. From all of the monitored respiratory diseases, only influenza due to unidentified influenza virus showed a difference between tested locations where the 2-year-old children living in Most were more frequently diagnosed with this disease. Conclusion: Even though the air pollution and lifestyle in both cities is very similar, we have observed higher incidence of respiratory diseases as well as higher concentration of OH-PAHs in urine of the 2-year-old children from Most. Therefore, we hypothesize that the population living in this previously highly contaminated location (in 1970s and 1980s) can carry some long-term health burden.

Background and objectives: The impact of prenatal exposure to polycyclicaromatic 17 hydrocarbons (PAHs) on birth outcomes as weight, length, head circumference, placenta 18 weight, and Apgar. Materials and Methods: Two cohorts of children born in the years 2013 and 19 2014 in Karvina (Northern Moravia, N=144) and Ceske Budejovice (Southern Bohemia, 20 N=198), were studied for the relationship between the prenatal exposure to PAHs and growth 21 parameters up to two years of age. PAHs exposure was evaluated according to the concentration 22 of benzo[a]pyrene (B[a]P) in polluted air and monohydroxylated PAH metabolites (OH-PAHs) 23 in urine of newborns as well as their mothers. Data of growth parameters were obtained from 24 pediatric questionnaires up to 24 months. 25 Results: Concentrations of B[a]P were significantly higher in Karvina (p

Background and objectives: The impact of prenatal exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) to birth outcomes as weight, length, head perimeter, placenta weight and Apgar score. Materials and Methods: Two cohorts of children born in the years 2013 and 2014 in Karvina (Northern Moravia, N=144) and Ceske Budejovice (Southern Bohemia, N=198) were studied for the relationship between prenatal exposure to PAHs and growth parameters up to two years of age. PAHs exposure was evaluated according to concentration of benzo[a]pyrene (B[a]P) in polluted air and monohydroxylated PAH metabolites (OH-PAHs) in urine of newborns and their mothers. Data on growth parameters were obtained from pediatric questionnaires up to 24 months. Results: Concentrations of B[a]P were significantly higher in Karvina (p

To study the impact of oxidative damage associated with particulate matter2.5 µm (PM2.5) during prenatal period on the cognitive development in five years old children.Two cohorts of children aged five years, born in the years 2013 and 2014, were studied for their cognitive development in the polluted district Karvina and the control district Ceske Budejovice. Exposure to PM2.5 in the ambient air was measured for each mother during the 3rd trimester of pregnancy. Oxidative damage was determined from the level of biomarkers at delivery in mothers´ and newborns´ urine as 8-oxo-7,8-dihydro-2´-deoxyguanosine (8-oxodG) and in plasma as 15-F2t-isoprostane levels (15-F2t-IsoP). The Bender Visual Motor Gestalt Test (BG test) and the Raven Colored Progressive Matrices (RCPM test) were used as psychological cognitive tests.Average concentrations of PM2.5 ± SD in the 3rd trimester of mothers´ pregnancies were 37.7 ± 14.7 µg/m3 and 17.1 ± 4.8 µg/m3 in Karvina and Ceske Budejovice, respectively (p0.001). The maternal level of 15-F2t-IsoP in plasma at the time of delivery was significantly associated with the results of the RCPM test (p0.05) and the BG test (p0.05) in five years old children.Lipid peroxidation in maternal plasma at the time of delivery has an adverse effect on the results of psychological cognitive tests in five years old children.

Objectives: To analyze the impact of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in ambient air at the time of delivery and 5 years of age on cognitive development in 5 years old children. Materials and Methods: Two cohorts of children born in the year 2013 and 2014 from Karvina (Northern Moravia, N=70) and Ceske Budejovice (Southern Bohemia, N=99) were studied at the age of 5 years for their cognitive development related to the exposure to PAHs, determined in the ambient air as the concentration of benzo[a]pyrene (B[a]P) and OH-PAHs metabolites in urine of the newborns at the time of delivery. As psychological tests the Bender Visual Motor Gestalt Test (BG test) and the Raven Colored Progressive Matrices (RCPM test) were used. Results: Concentrations of B[a]P in the 3rd trimester of mother´s pregnancies were in Karvina 6.1±4.53 ng/m3, in Ceske Budejovice 1.19±1.28 ng/m3 (p

The micronucleus assay is one of the most common methods used to assess chromosomal damage (losses or breaks) in human peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBL) in genetic toxicology. Most studies have focused on analyzing total micronuclei (MN), but identifying the content of MN can provide more detailed information. The main aim of this study was to map the factors affecting the frequency and types of micronuclei in binucleated cells (BNC) in elderly population. Fluorescence in situ hybridization using Human Pan Centromeric Chromosome Paint was used to identify centromere positive (CEN+) or centromere negative (CEN-) MN. A group of 95 men from Southern Bohemia, Czech Republic (average age 68.0±6.8 years) was followed repeatedly, in spring and fall 2014. The study participants were former workers of the uranium plant "MAPE Mydlovary" (processing uranium ore from 1962 to 1991), and controls. The general profile of individual types of MN, and the effect of the season, former uranium exposure, age, smoking status, weight, and X-ray examination on the level and type of MN were analyzed. The results of this study showed: (i) a stable profile of BNC with MN based on the number of MN during two seasons; (ii) an increase of the number of CEN+ MN from spring to fall; (iii) a lower frequency of the total MN in the exposed group than in controls with a significant difference in the percentage of aberrant cells (%AB.C.) in the fall; (iv) no clear effect of age, smoking and BMI on DNA damage in this group; (v) lower DNA damage levels in former uranium workers who received X-ray examination later in life. In summary, the results indicate a trend of seasonal changes of individual types of MN and suggest that former exposure can have a protective effect on the level of DNA damage in case of future exposure.

Ambient air particulate matter (PM) represents a class of heterogeneous substances that form one component of air pollution. Oxidative stress has been implicated as an important action mechanism for PM on the human organism. Oxidative damage induced by reactive oxygen species (ROS) may affect any cellular macromolecule.The aim of our study was to investigate the impact of air pollution on oxidative DNA damage [8-oxo-7,8-dihydro-2′-deoxyguanosine (8-oxodG)] and lipid peroxidation [15-F2t-isoprostane (15-F2t-IsoP)] in the urine and blood from mothers and newborns from two localities with different levels of air pollution: Ceske Budejovice (CB), a locality with a clean air, and Karvina, a locality with high air pollution. The samples from normal deliveries (38–41 week+) of nonsmoking mothers and their newborns were collected in the summer and winter seasons.Higher PM2.5 concentrations were found in Karvina than in CB in the summer 2013 (mean±SD: 20.41±6.28 vs. 9.45±3.62μg/m3, P

Background Epidemiologic studies have reported associations between air pollution levels and semen characteristics, which might in turn affect a couple's ability to achieve a live birth. Our aim was to characterize short-term effects of atmospheric pollutants on fecundability (the month-specific probability of pregnancy among noncontracepting couples). Methods For a cohort of births between 1994 and 1999 in Teplice (Czech Republic), we averaged fine particulate matter (PM2.5), carcinogenic polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, ozone, nitrogen dioxide (NO2), and sulfur dioxide levels estimated from a central measurement site over the 60-day period before the end of the first month of unprotected intercourse. We estimated changes in the probability of occurrence of a pregnancy during the first month of unprotected intercourse associated with exposure, using binomial regression and adjusting for maternal behaviors and time trends. Results Among the 1,916 recruited couples, 486 (25%) conceived during the first month of unprotected intercourse. Each increase of 10 µg/m in PM2.5 levels was associated with an adjusted decrease in fecundability of 22% (95% confidence interval = 6%-35%). NO2 levels were also associated with decreased fecundability. There was no evidence of adverse effects with the other pollutants considered. Biases related to pregnancy planning or temporal trends in air pollution were unlikely to explain the observed associations. Conclusions In this polluted area, we highlighted short-term decreases in a couple's ability to conceive in association with PM2.5 and NO2 levels assessed in a central monitoring station.

Personal exposures to carcinogenic polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (c-PAHs) bound to airborne particulate matter 2.5 μm (PM2.5) were measured in the context of a large-scale molecular epidemiological study in order to identify the impacts of air pollution on human health. Sampling was carried out in three industrial cities in the Czech Republic: Ostrava, Karvina and Havirov. The city of Prague, exhibiting much lower industrial air pollution but a high level of traffic, served as a control. The first monitoring campaigns were held in winter and were repeated in the summer of 2009. The active personal monitors PV 1.7 for PM2.5-bound c-PAHs were used. Non-smoking city policemen from Prague, Karvina and Havirov, and office workers from Ostrava, participated in the study. All participants completed a personal questionnaire and a time-location-activity diary. The average personal winter exposure to c-PAHs (sum of the eight PAHs-benz[a]anthracene, benzo[a]pyrene, benzo[b]fluoranthene, benzo[g,h,i]perylene, benzo[k]fluoranthene, chrysene, dibenz[a,h]anthracene and indeno[1,2,3-c,d]pyrene) was highest in Karvina, 39.1, followed by Ostrava at 15.1 and Prague at 4.3 ng/m(3). The winter levels were significantly higher than the summer values (P0.001): 4.3 in Karvina, 3.0 in Ostrava, 1.6 in Havirov and 1.0 ng/m(3) in Prague. The average personal benzo[a]pyrene winter/summer exposures were: 6.9/0.6 in Karvina, 2.5/0.4 in Ostrava, 0.8/0.1 in Prague and 0.2 ng/m(3) in summer in Havirov. In this study, we examined personal exposure to c-PAHs and tested it for associations with potential predictor variables collected from questionnaires, addressing life style factors and day-to-day activities. We found outdoor concentration, environmental tobacco smoke exposure, home heating fuel of coal, wood or gas, frequency of exhaust fan use, cooking and commuting by a car to be the main determinants of personal exposure.

The aim of our study is to investigate the impact of the type of delivery - vaginal vs. cesarean section on oxidative damage determined as the lipid peroxidation (15-F2t-isoprostane (15-F2t-IsoP) in the cord blood of newborns and venous blood from mothers in two localities with different levels of air pollution: Ceske Budejovice (CB), a locality with a clean air, and Karvina, a locality with high air pollution.In Karvina, the concentration of PM2.5 was higher than in CB in the summer 2013 (mean±SD: 20.41±6.28 vs. 9.45±3.62 µg/m3, p0.001) and in the winter 2014 (mean±SD: 53.67±19.76 vs. 27.96±12.34 µg/m3, p0.001). Similarly, the concentration of B[a]P was higher in Karvina than in CB in the summer 2013 (mean±SD: 1.16±0.91 vs. 0.16±0.26 ng/m3, p0.001) and in the winter 2014 (5.36±3.64 vs. 1.45±1.19 ng/m3, p0.001). Delivery procedures differed by the type of anesthesia; at the Cesarean section in CB was used general anesthesia in 73.8% vs. 20.8% in Karvina (p0.001), epidural anesthesia in CB in 26.2% vs. 77.1% in Karvina (p0.001), at vaginal delivery was local anesthesia used in CB in 58.9% vs. 14.1% in Karvina (p0.001). In CB was oxidative stress higher after vaginal delivery (101.7±31.0 pg 15-F2t-isoP/ml plasma) vs. Cesarean section (83.9±26.9 pg 15-F2t-isoP/ml plasma, p0.001), no difference between the type of delivery was observed in Karvina.No difference between the types of delivery was observed in mothers in CB as well as in Karvina. Oxidative stress in newborns in Karvina was significantly affected by the concentrations of PM2.5 and B[a]P in the polluted air.

Populations living in industrialised regions are at higher risk of a number of diseases and shortened life span. These negative effects are primarily brought about by damage to cells and macromolecules caused by environmental pollutants. In this study, we analysed the effect of exposure to benzo[a]pyrene, a particulate matter of aerodynamic diameter < 2.5 µm (PM2.5), and benzene on oxidative stress markers [including 8-oxo-7,8-dihydro-2'-deoxyguanosine (8-oxodG), 15-F(2t)-isoprostane (15-F2t-IsoP) and protein carbonyls] and cytogenetic parameters (stable and unstable chromosomal aberrations). The samples were collected from subjects living in the Ostrava region characterised by very high levels of air pollution and in Prague with comparatively lower concentrations of pollutants in three seasons (winter 2009, summer 2009 and winter 2010). Despite several-fold higher concentrations of air pollutants in the Ostrava region, the levels of stable aberrations (genomic frequency of translocations per 100 cells, percentage of aberrant cells and frequency of acentric fragments) were mostly comparable in both locations. The frequency of unstable aberrations measured as the number of micronuclei was unexpectedly significantly lower in the Ostrava region subjects in both seasons of 2009. Urinary excretion of 8-oxodG did not differ between locations in either season. Lipid peroxidation measured as levels of 15-F2t-IsoP in blood plasma was elevated in the Ostrava subjects sampled in 2009. Protein oxidation was higher in Prague samples collected in summer 2009. Multivariate analyses conducted separately in subjects from Prague and Ostrava showed a negative association between the frequency of micronuclei and concentrations of benzo[a]pyrene and PM2.5 in both regions. A positive relationship was observed between lipid peroxidation and air pollution; protein oxidation seems to be positively affected by PM2.5 in both regions.

Personal exposures to volatile organic compounds (VOCs) were measured in the three industrial cities in the Czech Republic, Ostrava, Karvina and Havirov, while the city of Prague served as a control in a large-scale molecular epidemiological study identifying the impacts of air pollution on human health. Office workers from Ostrava and city policemen from Karvina, Havirov and Prague were monitored in the winter and summer of 2009. Only adult non-smokers participated in the study (N=160). Radiello-diffusive passive samplers were used to measure the exposure to benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, meta- plus para-xylene and ortho-xylene (BTEX). All participants completed a personal questionnaire and a time-location-activity diary (TLAD). The average personal BTEX exposure levels in both seasons were 7.2/34.3/4.4/16.1 μg/m(3), respectively. The benzene levels were highest in winter in Karvina, Ostrava and Prague: 8.5, 7.2 and 5.3 μg/m(3), respectively. The personal exposures to BTEX were higher than the corresponding stationary monitoring levels detected in the individual localities (P0.001; except m,p-xylene in summer). The indoor environment, ETS (environmental tobacco smoke), cooking, a home-heating fireplace or gas stove, automobile use and being in a restaurant were important predictors for benzene personal exposure. Ostrava's outdoor benzene pollution was a significant factor increasing the exposure of the Ostrava study participants in winter (P0.05).

A higher incidence of asthma is one of the serious problems confronting urban populations worldwide. The aim of the present study was to analyze the effect of age, gender, smoking, vitamin intake, genetic polymorphisms in genes related to the metabolic activation of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and their detoxification and oxidative damage to DNA, lipids and proteins on the frequency of micronuclei (MN) in a group of 175 children (81 with bronchial asthma and 94 healthy controls) aged 6-15 years. The study group from the most polluted region of the Czech Republic, Ostrava, was followed in November 2008, when the mean concentration of benzo[a]pyrene (B[a]P) measured by stationary monitoring was 11.4±9.8ng/m(3). The results of cotinine analysis revealed active smoking in 15 children. The frequency of MN per 1000 binucleated cells (MN/1000 BNC), measured by automated image analysis, indicated a significant risk for smoking children with asthma in comparison with smoking control children (4.25±1.54 and 3.00±0.77, respectively, p

DNA integrity was investigated in the lymphocytes of 50 bus drivers, 20 garagemen and 50 controls using the comet assay with excision repair enzymes. In parallel, 8-oxo-7,8-dihydro-2′-deoxyguanosine and 15-F2t-isoprostane levels in the urine and protein carbonyl levels in the plasma were assessed as markers of oxidative damage to DNA, lipids and proteins. Exposure to carcinogenic polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (cPAHs) and volatile compounds was measured by personal samplers for 48 and 24 h, respectively, before the collection of biological specimens. Both exposed groups exhibited a higher levels of DNA instability and oxidative damage to biological macromolecules than the controls. The incidence of oxidized lesions in lymphocyte DNA, but not the urinary levels of 8-oxodG, correlated with exposure to benzene and triglycerides increased this damage. Oxidative damage to lipids and proteins was associated with exposure to cPAHs and the lipid peroxidation levels positively correlated with age and LDL cholesterol, and negatively with vitamin C. The carriers of at least one variant hOGG1 (Cys) allele tended to higher oxidative damage to lymphocyte DNA than those with the wild genotype, while XPD23 (Gln/Gln) homozygotes were more susceptible to the induction of DNA strand breaks. In contrast, GSTM1 null variant seemed to protect DNA integrity.

The purpose of the present study was to investigate the impact of carcinogenic polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and volatile organic compounds on sperm quality in a group of city policemen in Prague during a period of increased concentrations of ambient air-pollutants (winter season) compared to a period of low exposure (spring). Polymorphisms in metabolic genes (CYP1A1, EPHX1, GSTM1, GSTP1, GSTT1), folic acid metabolism genes (MTR, MTHFR) and DNA repair genes (XRCC1, XPD6, XPD23, hOGG1) were evaluated in these men as potential modifiers of associations between air pollution exposure and changes in sperm quality. The study population was a group of 47 policemen working in the center of the city. Seasonal differences in exposure were verified by ambient and personal monitoring. Markers of sperm injury included semen volume, sperm concentration, sperm morphology, sperm motility, and sperm DNA damage measured with the sperm chromatin structure assay The sperm chromatin structure assay (SCSA) includes a measure of DNA damage called DNA Fragmentation Index (DFI). The % of cells with detectable DFI (detDFI) by this assay includes sperm with either medium or high DNA damage; the term hDFI is used to define the % of sperm with only high DNA damage. The assay also detects immature sperm defined by high density staining (HDS). No significant differences were found in any of the standard semen parameters between the sampling periods except for vitality of sperms. Both DFI and HDS were significantly higher in winter than in spring samples for all men and for non-smokers. At the bivariate level, significant associations between hDFI or detDFI and polymorphisms of the repair genes XRCC1, XPD6 and XPD23 were observed. In multivariate models, polymorphisms of the genes XPD6, XPD23 and CYP1A1MspI were associated with hDFI and HDS. Moreover, HDS was significantly associated with polymorphisms in GSTM1 gene.

The measurement of micronuclei (MN) in human peripheral blood lymphocytes is frequently used in molecular epidemiology as one of the preferred methods for assessing chromosomal damage resulting from environmental mutagen exposure. In the present study, we evaluated the effect of exposure to carcinogenic polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (c-PAHs), volatile organic compounds (VOC) and smoking on the frequency of MN in a group of 56 city policemen living and working in Prague. The average age of the participants was 34 ± 6 years. The study was conducted on the same subjects in February and May 2007. The concentrations of air pollutants were obtained from personal and stationary monitoring. A statistically significant decrease in the levels of pollutants was observed in May when compared with February, with the exception of toluene levels measured by stationary monitoring. The frequency of MN was determined by the automatic image scoring (MetaSystems Metafer 4, version 3.2.1) of DAPI-stained slides. The results of the image analysis indicated a significant difference in the frequency of MN (mean levels 7.32 ± 3.42 and 4.67 ± 2.92, for February and May, respectively). Our study suggests that automatic image analysis of MN is a highly sensitive method for evaluating the effect of c-PAHs and confirms that there are no differences between smokers and nonsmokers. These results demonstrate the ability of c-PAHs to increase MN frequency, even if the exposure to c-PAHs occurred up to 60 days before the collection of biological material. Our work is the first human biomonitoring study focused on the measurement of MN by automated image analysis for assessing chromosomal damage as a result of environmental mutagen exposure.

The aim of the present study was to investigate the seasonal variability of markers of oxidative damage to lipids (15-F2t-isoprostane, 15-F2t-IsoP) and proteins (protein carbonyl levels) in 50 bus drivers and 50 controls from Prague, Czech Republic, and to identify factors affecting oxidative stress markers. The samples were collected in three seasons with different levels of air pollution. The exposure to environmental pollutants (carcinogenic polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, c-PAHs, particulate matter, PM2.5 and PM10, and volatile organic compounds, VOC) was monitored by personal and/or stationary monitors. For the analysis of both markers, ELISA techniques were used. The median levels of individual markers in bus drivers versus controls were as follows: 15-F2t-IsoP (nmol/mmol creatinine): winter 2005, 0.81 versus 0.68 (p

The effect of exposure to organic compounds adsorbed onto respirable air particles (2.5microm) on DNA adducts in lymphocytes was studied in a group of non-smoking policemen (N=109, aged 35+/-0.9 years) working in the downtown area of Prague and spending8h daily outdoors. Personal exposure to carcinogenic polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (c-PAHs) adsorbed on respirable particles was monitored in each subject for 48h before biological sampling. DNA adducts were analyzed by a (32)P-postlabelling assay, and total DNA adduct levels and B[a]P-like spots were determined. Further biomarkers included cotinine levels in urine to control for exposure to tobacco smoke, plasma levels of vitamins A, E and C and polymorphisms of metabolic genotypes (GSTM1, GSTP1, GSTT1, CYP 1A1-Msp I and Ile/Val, MTHFR, MS), DNA repair genotypes (XRCC1, hOGG1 and XPD exons 6 and 23) and the p53 gene (p53 Msp I and BstU I). All the biomarkers of exposure and effect were analyzed repeatedly during a period of one year at 2-3 month intervals (January, March, June, September 2004) to cover periods with high (winter) and low (summer) levels of air pollution. The highest personal exposure to c-PAHs was found in January (8.1+/-8.8ng/m(3)), while the other three sampling periods exhibited 3-4-fold lower c-PAH exposure. The total DNA adducts were only slightly elevated in January (2.08+/-1.60) compared to March (1.66+/-0.65), June (1.96+/-1.73) and September (1.77+/-1.77). B[a]P-like DNA adducts, however, were significantly higher in January than in the March and June sampling periods (0.26+/-0.14 vs. 0.19+/-0.12 and 0.22+/-0.13, respectively; p0.0001 and p=0.017) indicating that c-PAH exposure probably plays a crucial role in DNA adduct formation in lymphocytes. No effect of individual metabololic or DNA repair genotypes on DNA adduct levels was observed. However, the combination of two genotypes encoding enzymes metabolizing c-PAHs - CYP 1A1 and GSTM1 - was associated with the levels of total and B[a]P-like DNA adducts under conditions of increased exposure to c-PAHs. Our study suggests that DNA adducts in the lymphocytes of subjects exposed to increased c-PAH levels are an appropriate biomarker of a biologically effective dose, directly indicating whether or not the extent of exposure to these compounds is related to an increased mutagenic and carcinogenic risk.

DNA integrity was analyzed in the lymphocytes of 65 non-smoking city policemen during January and September 2004 using the comet assay combined with excision repair enzymes. Information about inhalation exposure was obtained by (1) stationary monitoring of PM2.5 and carcinogenic polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (cPAHs) during the sampling periods and (2) personal exposure monitoring of cPAHs 48 h before blood sampling. The data were completed by a lifestyle questionnaire. Regardless of the season of the year, policemen working outdoors (exposed group) exhibited higher levels of DNA damage than those working indoors (controls). Within the exposed group, the levels of both unspecified and oxidative DNA damage detected in January significantly exceeded those found in September. The controls did not show analogous inter-seasonal variability. The winter levels of oxidative DNA damage positively correlated with exposure to cPAHs, probably reflecting increased oxidative stress as a result of high concentrations of PM2.5. In comparison with the wild type genotype, the carriers of at least one mutated allele, CYP1A1*2C (Ile/Val), MTHFR 2656 or MS 2656, and the EPHX1-medium phenotype appeared to be more susceptible specifically to the induction of oxidative DNA damage, while the p53 MspI mutation predisposed the carrier to a higher incidence of both breaks and oxidative lesions in DNA. In contrast, GSTM1-null and vitamin C tended rather to protect DNA integrity.

The capital city of Prague is one of the most polluted localities of the Czech Republic. The effect of exposure to carcinogenic polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (c-PAHs) adsorbed onto respirable air particles (2.5 microm) on chromosomal aberrations was studied in a group of city policemen (street patrol, aged 34+/-8 years) working in the downtown area of Prague and spending daily8h outdoors (N=61) in months of January and March 2004. Ambient air particles (PM10, PM2.5) and c-PAHs were monitored using Versatile Air Pollution Sampler (VAPS), and personal exposure was evaluated using personal samplers during working shift. Chromosomal aberrations were analyzed by fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH) and conventional cytogenetic analysis. Urinary cotinine, plasma levels of vitamins A, E and C, folate, total cholesterol, HDL, LDL cholesterols and triglycerides were also analyzed as possible effect modifiers. During the sampling period the particulate air pollution monitored by VAPS was in January versus March as follows: PM10 55.6 microg/m3 versus 36.4 microg/m3, PM2.5 44.4 microg/m3 versus 24.8 microg/m3, c-PAHs 19.7 ng/m3 versus 3.6 ng/m3, and B[a]P 4.3 ng/m3 versus 0.8 ng/m3. Significant differences were observed for all FISH endpoints studied for the sampling in January and March (%AB.C.=0.27+/-0.18 versus 0.16+/-0.17, p0.001, F(G)/100=1.32+/-1.07 versus 0.85+/-0.95, p0.01, AB/1000 (aberrations/1000 cells)=4.27+/-3.09 versus 2.59+/-2.79, p0.001) while conventional cytogenetic analysis did not reveal any differences in the frequency of chromosomal aberrations. Factors associated with an increased level of translocations by FISH indicated the effect of age, cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol and vitamin C. We may conclude that FISH indicates that the city policemen in Prague represent a group of increased genotoxic risk. This is the first study reporting that translocations induced by c-PAHs in peripheral lymphocytes last only several weeks.

Exposure to ambient air pollution is associated with many diseases. Oxidative and nitrosative stress are believed to be two of the major sources of particulate matter (PM)-mediated adverse health effects. PM in ambient air arises from industry, local heating, and vehicle emissions and poses a serious problem mainly in large cities. In the present study we analyzed the level of oxidative and nitrosative stress among 50 bus drivers from Prague, Czech Republic, and 50 matching controls. We assessed simultaneously the levels of 15-F(2t)-isoprostane (15-F(2t)-IsoP) and 8-oxodeoxyguanosine (8-oxodG) in urine and protein carbonyl groups and 3-nitrotyrosine (NT) in blood plasma. For the analysis of all four markers we used ELISA techniques. We observed significantly increased levels of oxidative and nitrosative stress markers in bus drivers. The median levels (min, max) of individual markers in bus drivers versus controls were as follows: 8-oxodG: 7.79 (2.64-12.34)nmol/mmol versus 6.12 (0.70-11.38)nmol/mmol creatinine (p

The aim of our study was to identify occupational risk of irradiation exposure in the Czech nuclear power plant workers. We analyzed levels of chromosomal aberrations, a well-known biomarker of early biological effects and a predictor of cancer risk. We applied the conventional method of cytogenetic analysis and fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH, whole chromosome painting for chromosomes 1 and 4, combined with a pancentromeric probe) to three groups: 123 subjects in the Temelin nuclear power plant (2 years in use), 114 subjects in the Dukovany nuclear power plant (20 years in use), and 53 matched controls from Ceske Budejovice. Nuclear power plant workers were divided into two groups: subjects with admittance into the monitored zone, and others. Following factors were also analyzed: GSTM1, GSTT1, GSTP1, XPD, XRCC1, hOGG1, p53, MTHFR, and MS gene polymorphisms, levels of vitamins A, C, E, and folate in plasma, and level of cotinine in urine. Long-term exposure to ionizing radiation in the monitored zone was 0.47 ± 1.50 mSv (miliSievert) in the Temelin nuclear power plant and 5.74 ± 9.57 mSv in the Dukovany nuclear power plant. Using the conventional cytogenetic analysis, we observed 1.90 ± 0.95 and 1.82 ± 1.19% AB.C. (percent of aberrant cells) in the Temelin nuclear power plant, and 2.39 ± 1.01 and 2.33 ± 1.04% AB.C. in the Dukovany nuclear power plant, for monitored zone workers and others, respectively. In the control group, we found 2.25 ± 0.82% AB.C. Genomic frequency of translocations FG/100 measured by FISH was 1.89± 1.40 and 2.01 ± 1.68 in the Temelin nuclear power Abbreviations: AB.C., aberrant cells; FISH, fluorescence in situ hybridization; IR, ionizing radiation; mSv, miliSievert, unit of the radiation equivalent dose; NPP, nuclear power plant; PAINT, protocol for aberrations identification and nomenclature; PBL, peripheral blood lymphocytes; NS, nonsmokers; SM, smokers; GST, glutathione-S-transferase; hOGG1, 8-oxoguanine DNA glycosylase; MTHFR, methylene tetrahydrofolate reductase; MS, methionine synthase; B� , chromatid break; B�� , chromosome break; B/C, breaks/cell; Ex� , chromatid exchange; Ex�� , chromosome exchange; ace, acentric chromosome; dic, dicentric chromosome; ins, insertions; NCJ, number of color junctions; FG/100, genomic frequency of translocations in 100 cells; rcp, reciprocal translocations; t, translocations

Folate plays an important role in the genomic stability of human cells. In our studies of the impact of environmental pollution on human health, we have found that air pollution can affect pregnancy outcome. As it may be also affected by nutrition, we examined the effect of plasma folate levels of mothers and newborns on intrauterine growth retardation (IUGR) and birth weight (BW) in cohorts from Prague (N=319) and Teplice (N=444). The lower plasma levels (6.1 nmol/L) were observed in 7.1% of mothers in Prague, and in 9.6% of mothers in Teplice. The higher plasma levels (36.5 nmol/L) were observed in 28.4% of mothers in Prague, and in 15.7% of mothers in Teplice. The higher plasma levels were observed in 75.4% of newborns in Prague, and 73.2% of newborns in Teplice. When comparing maternal high versus low folate plasma levels and IUGR by logistic regression, the risk of IUGR was significantly decreased for European cohort (according to ethnicity) with gestation age36 weeks [N=536, OR=0.44, P=0.026], and even more pronounced in the group of European smokers [N=157, OR=0.14, P=0.015]. Using multiple regression analysis, plasma folate levels of mothers and newborns significantly affected the birth weight of newborns of smoking mothers (P0.05). The obtained results seem to indicate a positive effect of folate on pregnancy outcome, especially its potential to decrease the risk of IUGR in European population and lower birth weight in smoking European mothers. It would be warranted to study the effect of folate levels on pregnancy outcomes in the relationship to different environmental pollution and life styles of mothers.

Background: Benzo[a]pyrene and benzene are classified as proven human carcinogens.There are high concentrations of these pollutants in the eastern part of the Czech Republic. Aims: We measured pers...

Background and Aims: Ostrava Region in the Northern Moravia (Silesia) is the most polluted region in the Czech Republic by carcinogenic polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (c-PAHs) as benzo[a]pyrene (...

Oxidative stress is believed to be one of the mechanisms of effects of air pollution to human health. We investigated levels of 8-oxodeoxyguanosine (8-oxodG), a marker of oxidative damage to DNA, in urine samples of 894 children from two districts in the Czech Republic: Teplice and Prachatice. We assessed the association between 8-oxodG levels and exposure to particulate matter of different size: ≤10 μm (PM10), ≤2.5 μm (PM2.5) and carcinogenic polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (c-PAHs); as well as between 8-oxodG levels and individual lifestyle, health and pregnancy outcomes. An ELISA technique was used for analysis of 8-oxodG levels. Median levels (range) of 8-oxodG in children from Teplice vs. Prachatice were as follows: 14.6 (3.1–326.5) nmol/mmol vs. 15.2 (3.0–180.8) nmol/mmol creatinine (p = 0.34). Levels of 8-oxodG were elevated in children exposed to environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) (p

The capital city of Prague is one of the most polluted localities of the Czech Republic. Therefore, the effect of exposure to carcinogenic polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (c-PAHs) adsorbed onto respirable air particles ( 8 h outdoors (N = 53). Age- and sex-matched healthy volunteers spending > 90% daily time indoors were chosen as controls (N = 52). Ambient air particles (PM10, PM2.5) and c-PAHs were monitored using versatile air pollution sampler (VAPS), and personal exposure was evaluated using personal samplers during working shift. Chromosomal aberrations were analyzed by conventional cytogenetic analysis and fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH). Urinary cotinine plasma levels of vitamins A, E and C, folate, total cholesterol, HDL, LDL cholesterols and triglycerides were also analyzed as possible effect modifiers. Genotypes CYP1A1*2A, CYP1A1*2C, GSTM1, GSTP1, GSTT1, EPHX1, NAT2, hOGG1, XRCC1, XPD, p53 BstI, p53 MspI, MTHFR677, and MS2656 were determined by PCR-based RFLP assays. The following levels of air pollution were recorded during the study period (mean from HiVol sampling): PM10 62.6g/m 3 , c-PAHs 24.7 ng/m 3 ,B [a]P 3.50 ng/m 3 . The conventional cytogenetic analysis did not reveal any differences between the group of policemen exposed to the ambient air pollution and the control group. The cytogenetic analysis by FISH analysis used the whole chromosome painting probes for chromosomes #1 and #4 (Cambio, UK). It detected a significant increase in all studied endpoints in the policemen compared to controls (% AB.C. = 0.33 ± 0.25 versus 0.24 ± 0.18, p < 0.05, FG/100 = 1.72 ± 1.57 versus 1.25 ± 1.11, p < 0.05, AB/1000 (aberrations/1000 cells) = 5.58 ± 4.62 versus 3.90 ± 3.06, p < 0.05). CYP1A1*2C (Ile/Ile), XPD 23 (Lys/Lys), and XPD 6 (CC) genotypes were associated with an increase of aberrant cells by conventional method. Factors associated with an increased level of translocations by FISH included age, smoking, B[a]P-like DNA adducts (corresponding to the exposure of c-PAHs), folate, polymorphisms of CYP1A1*2C, GSTP1, EPHX1, p53 MspI and MTHFR. Ambient air exposure to c-PAHs significantly increased FISH cytogenetic parameters in nonsmoking policemen. We may conclude that FISH indicates that the city policemen in Prague represent a group of increased genotoxic risk. This is the first study Abbreviations: PAHs, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons; c-PAHs, carcinogenic polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons; B[a]P, benzo[a]pyrene; PM10, particulate matter < 10m; PM2.5, particulate matter < 2.5m; EXP, exposed group, policemen; CON, control group; CA, chromosomal aberrations; CCA, conventional cytogenetic analysis; FISH, fluorescence in situ hybridization; PBL, peripheral blood lymphocytes; PCR, polymerase

The fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) technique with whole chromosome painting for chromosomes #1 and #4 was used to study the impact of air pollution containing higher concentrations of carcinogenic polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (c-PAHs) in three European cities, Prague (Czech Republic), Kosice (Slovakia) and Sofia (Bulgaria). In each site were followed an exposed group, who were police officers or bus drivers who work usually through busy streets for at least 8 h, and a reference group, who spent more than 90% of their daily time indoors. In Prague, a significant increase was observed in percentage of aberrant cells (% AB.C.) in the police officers compared to the reference group (0.33 ± 0.25 versus 0.24 ± 0.18, p < 0.05). In Kosice, the exposed group differed from reference in the endpoints FG/100 1.52 ± 1.18 versus 1.12 ± 1.30, p < 0.05; % AB.C. 0.30 ± 0.19 versus 0.21 ± 0.20, p < 0.05; t/1000 3.91 ± 3.18 versus 2.84 ± 3.10, p < 0.05. In Sofia were followed two exposed groups: police officers and bus drivers. All FISH endpoints were significantly higher in police officers compared to reference group (FG/100 1.60 ± 0.99 versus 0.82 ± 0.79, p < 0.01; % AB.C. 0.25 ± 0.14 versus 0.13 ± 0.13, p < 0.01; t/1000 4.19 ± 2.65 versus 2.13 ± 2.05, p < 0.05; rcp 1.46 ± 1.07 versus 0.70 ± 0.76, p < 0.05). In bus drivers compared to reference there was an increase in % AB.C. (0.25 ± 0.18 versus 0.13 ± 0.13, p < 0.05). This is the first study when FISH method was used to analyze the impact of environmental air pollution. According to the original hypothesis it is expected that the most important group of chemicals responsible for the biological activity of air pollution represent c-PAHs.

We analyzed the effect of exposure to carcinogenic polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (c-PAHs) in ambient air on the plasma levels of p53 and p21 WAF1 proteins among city policemen, bus drivers and controls in three European cities: Prague (Czech Republic), Kosice (Slovakia) and Sofia (Bulgaria). p53 and p21 WAF1 proteins are key regulators of the cell cycle and are accepted as universal markers of genotoxic stress and DNA damage. In total 204 exposed subjects (100 smokers, 104 nonsmokers) and 152 controls (54 smokers, 98 nonsmokers) were analyzed. Personal exposure to c-PAHs was evaluated using personal samplers during the working shift. The levels of p53 and p21 WAF1 proteins were assessed by ELISA assay. There were no differences between the levels of either protein between exposed and controls, or smokers and nonsmokers, in any city. However, we observed significant differences in p53 plasma levels in all subjects regardless of the exposure status between the individual cities (median values: 5, 31, 234 pg/ml, p < 0.001, for Prague, Kosice and Sofia, respectively). The levels correspond to the differences in exposure levels to c-PAHs and benzo[a]pyrene (B[a]P) in the individual cities. A multiple linear regression analysis confirmed that c-PAHs exposure is a variable significantly affecting levels of both proteins in all locations. When all subjects were divided into the group exposed to below-median levels of c-PAHs and the group exposed to above-median levels of c-PAHs we found significantly higher p53, as well as p21 WAF1 levels in the above-median exposure group (p53, 167 pg/ml versus 25 pg/ml, p < 0.001; p21 WAF1 , 2690 pg/ml versus 2600 pg/ml, p < 0.05). Among all subjects p53 plasma levels were positively correlated with p21 WAF1 levels, exposure to B[a]P, c-PAHs and levels of total DNA adducts; for p21 WAF1 levels we observed the positive correlation with cotinine, c-PAHs exposure, total and B[a]P-like DNA adduct levels. In conclusion our results suggest that p53 and p21 WAF1 proteins plasma levels may be useful biomarkers of c-PAHs environmental exposure.

Organic compounds adsorbed to air particles (PM10) induced DNA adducts and embryotoxicity in in vitro and in vivo studies. Carcinogenic polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (c-PAHs) induced 45-50% of all DNA adducts caused by organic matter bound to PM10. Placental bulky DNA adducts were affected by air pollution, smoking, genotypes and vitamin C. Higher DNA adduct levels were observed in nonsmoking mothers delivering children with intrauterine growth retardation (IUGR). An increased risk of IUGR was established in the pregnancy outcome study for mothers exposed to c-PAHs >15 ng/m during the first month of gestation. All these results indicate that c-PAHs represent a very important group of air pollutants.

The rationale for cytogenetic monitoring to determine if safe maximum allowable concentrations (MAC) of genotoxic chemicals are being maintained in a workplace is that exposure levels that do not increase chromosomal aberration frequencies are without harmful effects. Such monitoring, widely used in occupational health programs in the Czech Republic (CR), includes workers exposed to 1,3-butadiene (BD) or other chemicals. Studies of BD exposed workers in the years 1992, 1993, 1994, 1998, and 2004 compared mean frequencies of cells carrying chromosomal aberrations (frequency of aberrant cells=%AB.C.) in exposed workers with those in non-exposed matched controls in the same plant or in other individuals living in the region of the same petrochemical industry. Workers potentially exposed to acrylonitrile at this site were also evaluated in 2000, along with another unexposed matched control group. The %AB.C. values of exposed workers and their controls were also compared with reference values determined for normal individuals (ages 20-59 years) throughout the CR. Substantial discrepancies were noted between subjects in the region of the petrochemical industry (exposed workers and controls) for the years 2000 and 2004 and the reference CR-wide normal values that had been determined during an earlier time period. The matched non-exposed controls at the petrochemical industry site showed a mean %AB.C. value of 1.56+/-1.23% (N=25) in 1998; this rose to a mean of 2.65+/-2.29% (N=33) in 2000. In 2004, values for non-exposed matched controls at the industry site were 2.64+/-1.75% for males (N=25) and 2.38+/-1.74% (N=26) for females. However, the earlier determined CR-wide %AB.C. mean reference values for normal individuals were 1.77+/-1.16% (N=1305) for the interval 1977-1988 and 1.45+/-1.17% (N=2140) for the interval 1991-1999. As both reference values are substantially lower than those determined in 2000 and 2004 for the non-exposed matched controls at the petrochemical industry site, an analysis of the CR-wide mean normal individual reference values for this same 2000-2004 period was conducted. Unexpectedly, it was found that this reference value too had risen to 1.95+/-1.36% (N=1045) and was comparable to the concurrent matched control values at the petrochemical industry site where the monitoring studies were conducted. This substantial increase in %AB.C. values in 2000 and 2004, therefore, has occurred throughout the CR and is probably unrelated to chemicals uniquely present at the petrochemical industry site.

The relationships between DNA adducts and birth weight and between birth weight and genetic polymorphisms of metabolic genotypes were studied using DNA from the children part of placental samples. The samples were collected in the districts of Teplice and Prachatice and in the city of Prague. DNA adducts were analyzed by 32 P-postlabeling in a total of 199 subjects, genetic polymorphisms in 1013 subjects. GSTM1, GSTP1, GSTT1, CYP1A1*2A, and CYP1A1*2C genotypes were determined for each subject. The level of DNA adducts was not correlated with birth weight in any group (N = 199), including that from the polluted district of Teplice (N = 90). Birth weight was significantly decreased by smoking, ETS and alleles of CYP1A1*2C. The risk of low birth weight and prematurity was significantly increased by genotypes of GSTM1 and CYP1A1*2C and the combination GSTM1+CYP1A1*2A. Genotypes are primarily effect modifiers, whose effect incorporates the effect of environmental factors. This means that in the future, the impact of air pollution on children’s health should be studied together with their genetic polymorphisms.

Vitamin C, E and A levels in maternal and cord blood sera were examined at delivery in two districts of the Czech Republic. Information on personal and social characteristics, health, ethnicity, and lifestyle was also collected. A highly significant correlation between ascorbate levels in maternal and cord blood was found. Vitamin C levels in cord blood were about 1.7 times those in maternal blood. This ratio was much higher for mothers deficient in vitamin C: it was about 3 for deficient nonsmokers and as high as 5 for deficient mothers who smoked cigarettes (p < 0.01). This finding may suggest a compensatory mechanism in fetuses that are endangered by oxidative stress. The mean maternal blood levels of vitamin A and E were higher than in fetal blood (both p < 0.0001). The mean fetal/maternal ratios were 0.7 for vitamin A and 0.2 for vitamin E levels; these ratios were considerably higher for mothers deficient in a particular vitamin as compared with those for well-nourished mothers. Ascorbate levels were associated with maternal education and smoking. Significantly decreased vitamin C levels were observed in Gypsy mothers and their babies; this may be attributed to unfavorable diet and smoking habits: about 78% of Gypsy mothers admitted smoking as compared with 31% of Czech mothers.

Recently it has been observed that birth rates in Teplice, a highly polluted district in Northern Bohemia, have been reduced during periods when sulfur dioxide levels were high. This study, which is based on data from 2,585 parental pairs in the same region, describes an analysis of the impact of SO(2) on fecundability in the first unprotected menstrual cycle (FUMC). We obtained detailed personal data, including time-to-pregnancy information, via maternal questionnaires at delivery. We estimated individual exposures to SO(2) in each of the 4 months before conception on the basis of continual central monitoring. Three concentration intervals were introduced: < 40 microg/m(3 )(reference level); 40-80 microg/m(3); and [greater than or equal to] 80 microg/m(3). We estimated adjusted odds ratios (AORs) of conception in the FUMC using logistic regression models. Many variables were screened for confounding. AORs for conception in the FUMC were consistently reduced only for couples exposed in the second month before conception to SO(2) levels as follows: 40-80 microg/m(3), AOR 0.57 [95% confidence interval (CI), 0.37-0.88; p < 0.011]; [greater than or equal to] 80 microg/m(3), AOR 0.49 (CI, 0.29-0.81; p < 0.006). The association was weaker in the second 2 years of the study, probably due to the gradual decrease of SO(2) levels in the region. The relationship between SO(2) and fecundability was greater in couples living close to the central monitoring station (within 3.5 km). The timing of these effects is consistent with the period of sperm maturation. This is in agreement with recent findings; sperm abnormalities originating during spermatid maturation were found in young men from Teplice region who were exposed to the increased levels of ambient SO(2). Alternative explanations of our results are also possible. Images Figure 1 Figure 2

Background. Ostrava Region in the Northern Moravia (Silesia) is the most polluted region in the Czech Republic by particulate matter (PM10 and PM2.5) and carcinogenic polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (c-PAHs) as benzo[a]pyrene (B[a]P). Sources of this pollution are industry (steel production, coke oven), traffic and local heating. In the most polluted district of Ostrava City Bartovice in the year 2009 was PM10 47.6±42.1 μg/m3, B[a]P was 9.2±4.2 ng/ m3. Objectives. The aim of the study is to gain new knowledge on the mechanisms of the effects of complex mixtures bound on dust particles (c-PAHs) in the ambient air on biomarkers of exposure and effect during the period of inversion in January-February 2010. Molecular epidemiology study. In the Ostrava City were selected 78 volunteers- working in the office, 31 city policemen from the near town Karvina, 12 city policemen from the near town Havirov, and 28 volunteers from Ostrava-Bartovice. As controls were city policemen from Prague (N=65). All volunteers were nonsmokers. The personal monitoring to c-PAHs was carried on in January-February 2010. The determined concentration of B[a]P was in the Ostrava region vs. Prague 14.8±13.3 vs. 2.80±1.87 ng/ m3. The impact of these concentration to biomarkers as DNA adducts, chromosomal aberrations, 8-oxodG, lipid peroxidation, genetic polymorphisms (metabolic and DNA repair genes) and gene expression profiles are followed. DNA adducts were analysed in lymphocytes by 32P-postlabeling assay, chromosomal aberrations by fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH) by whole chromosome painting #1 and #4, and by the determination of micronuclei, oxidative damage as 8-oxodG and 15-F2t-IsoP. Obtained results indicate no differences between the level of biomarkers determined in the Ostrava region and Prague. But different results were observed in four subjects from Prague, who spent 3 weeks in Ostrava during this inversion (exposed), compared to controls from Prague. Analyzing 6000 cells/subject, the frequency of micronuclei in exposed group increased from 7.96±4.92 to 12.91±6.49 MN/1000 vs. 8.32±1.63 and 8.47±1.55 MN/1000 in controls (p Conclusion: We may speculate, that high environmental exposure to B[a]P does not correspond to DNA damage according to dose effect relationship in a population affected by these concentrations for years, probably due to a possible adaptive response. Acknowledgement: Supported by the Czech Ministry of Environment (SP/1b3/8/08) and the Czech Ministry Education (2B08005). Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 102nd Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2011 Apr 2-6; Orlando, FL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2011;71(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 4648. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2011-4648

Background Data on the health status of the Roma people in Central and Eastern Europe are sparse and the reasons for their poor health are not clear. The objective of this study was to quantify the differences in birth outcomes between Roma and non-Roma mothers in the Czech Republic and to investigate the potential causes of such differences. Method A population-based study recruited 8938 non-Roma and 1388 Roma hospitalised singleton births that occurred in two Czech districts (Teplice and Prachatice) between 1995 and 2004. During their stay in hospital, mothers completed a questionnaire on their demographic and socioeconomic characteristics and maternal smoking and alcohol consumption. Data on maternal height and weight and on infants' birth weight and gestational age were taken from hospital records. Results Birth weight and gestational age of Roma infants was 373 (SE 15) g and 0.92 (0.05) weeks, respectively, lower than in non-Roma infants. Controlling for demographic, socioeconomic and behavioural factors reduced these differences to 133 (18) g and 0.57 (0.06) weeks, respectively (all p-values < 0.001). In terms of binary outcomes, the Roma vs. non-Roma odds ratios were 4.5 (95% CI 3.7–5.4) for low birth weight (< 2500 g), 2.8 (2.2–3.4) for preterm birth (< 37 weeks of gestation), and 2.9 (2.5–3.4) for intrauterine grown retardation (th percentile of birth weight for gestational age); controlling for all covariates reduced these odds ratios to 1.7 (1.3–2.2), 1.5 (1.1–2.0) and 1.3 (1.0–1.6), respectively. Maternal education made the largest contribution to the ethnic differences; the role of health behaviours was relatively modest. Conclusion There are striking differences in birth outcomes between Roma and non-Roma mothers. The causes of these differences are complex but largely socioeconomic.

The effect of exposure to carcinogenic polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons adsorbed onto respirable air particles (PM2.5, diameter 2.5 μm) on DNA adducts and chromosomal aberrations was repeatedly studied in Prague, Czech Republic, in groups of policemen working in the downtown area and in bus drivers. Personal exposure was evaluated using personal samplers during working shifts. DNA adducts were analyzed in lymphocytes by the (32)P-postlabeling assay and chromosomal aberrations were analyzed by conventional cytogenetic analysis and fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH). The impact of environmental pollution on DNA adducts and chromosomal aberrations was studied in a total of 950 subjects. Our results suggest that the environmental exposure of nonsmokers to concentrations higher than 1 ng benzo[a]pyrene/m(3) represents a risk of DNA damage, as indicated by an increase in DNA adducts and the genomic frequency of translocations determined by FISH.