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Polarimetry enables one to quantitatively determine certain substance (optically active substances) in a solution on the basis of rotation of the plane of the polarized light of a single wavelength. The main goal of this work is to measure concentration of optically active substances using homemade device, so called "polarimeter". The device measures the degree of light attenuation instead of the polarization angle of the polarized light as in commercial instruments. The designed "polarimeter" allows one to determine the concentration of optically active substances. It is a home-made device using a smartphone with a selected software, which is many times cheaper than commercially available ones. The authors would like to see the device find use in polytechnic education of students. Polarimetrie umožňuje kvantitativně stanovit určitou látku (opticky aktivní látky) v roztoku na základě měření úhlu stočení roviny polarizovaného světla jedné vlnové délky. Hlavním cílem této práce je měření koncentrace opticky aktivních látek pomocí podomácku vyrobeného přístroje, tzv. „polarimetru“. Zařízení měří míru zeslabení světla namísto úhlu stočení polarizovaného světla jako u komerčních přístrojů. Navržený „polarimetr“ umožňuje stanovit koncentraci opticky aktivních látek. Jde o podomácku vyrobené zařízení využívající chytrý telefon s vybraným softwarem, který je mnohonásobně levnější než komerčně dostupné. Autoři by rádi viděli využití zařízení v polytechnické výchově studentů.

Passive air sampling (PAS) has been used to monitor semivolatile organic compounds (SVOCs) for the past 20 years, but limitations and uncertainties persist in the derivation of effective sampling volumes, sampling rates, and concentrations. As a result, the comparability of atmospheric levels measured by PAS and concentrations measured by active air sampling (AAS) remains unclear. Long-term PAS data, without conversion into concentrations, provide temporal trends that are similar to, and consistent with, trends from AAS data. However, for more comprehensive environmental and human health assessments of SVOCs, it is also essential to harmonize and pool air concentration data from the major AAS and PAS monitoring networks in Europe. To address this need, we calculated and compared concentration data for 28 SVOCs (including organochlorine pesticides (OCPs), polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs), and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs)) at the six monitoring sites in Europe with 10 years of co-located AAS (EMEP) and PAS (MONET) data: Birkenes, Kosetice, Pallas, Rao, Storhofoi, and Zeppelin. Atmospheric SVOC concentrations were derived from PAS data using the two most common computation models. Long-term agreement between the AAS and PAS data was strong for most SVOCs and sites, with 79% of the median PAS-derived concentrations falling within a factor of 3 of their corresponding AAS concentrations. However, in both models it is necessary to set a sampler-dependent correction factor to prevent underestimation of concentrations for primarily particle-associated SVOCs. In contrast, the models overestimate concentrations at sites with wind speeds that consistently exceed 4 m s(-1). We present two recommendations that, if followed, allow MONET PAS to provide sufficiently accurate estimates of SVOC concentrations in air so that they can be deployed together with AAS in regional and global monitoring networks., Environmental Science: Processes & Impacts, 24 (6), ISSN:2050-7887, ISSN:2050-7895

BACKGROUND: Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) are emerging environmental contaminants with multiple hazardous properties including immunomodulation potency. Human exposure to PFASs has been associated with various immune-mediated diseases and outcomes. This study aimed to investigate the association between PFAS exposure and immune-mediated diseases such as allergies, eczemas, and autoimmune diseases in a population of adults in the Czech Republic. METHODS: This study included 309 adults from the Central European Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children: Young Adults (CELSPAC: YA). 12 PFASs were measured in participants' serum by HPLC-MS/MS, 3 PFASs were removed from the subsequent analyses due to low detection frequency. The associations of 9 PFASs with 9 immune-mediated diseases were assessed by logistic regression. Furthermore, Bayesian kernel machine regression (BKMR) was used to estimate the effect of the PFAS mixture on immune-mediated diseases. All analyses were adjusted for sex, age, BMI, smoking, education, and family history of immune-mediated diseases. In cases of a statistically significant interaction of PFASs and sex, stratified analyses were performed for men and women. RESULTS: Perfluorooctanoate (PFOA) and perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) were negatively associated with both atopic eczema (OR per IQR increase 0.58 (95% CI 0.37-0.90) for PFOA and 0.56 (0.32-0.95) for PFOS) and contact dermatitis (0.37 (0.16-0.85) for PFOA and 0.33 (0.11-0.94) for PFOS). Perfluoroundecanoate (PFUnDA) was negatively associated with pollen, dust, and mite allergy (0.62 (0.43-0.89)). BKMR modelling showed a negative tendency in the overall effect of PFAS mixture on immune-health outcomes. Based on the stratified analysis, sex was suggested to be an effect modifier in the association of PFOS and atopic eczema. CONCLUSION: Our results contribute to the body of literature that observes the immunosuppressive effect of PFAS exposure during eczemas and allergies, both for PFASs individually and as a mixture.

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of three commercial diets, standard, immunostimulant-supplemented (β-glucan, vitamins C and E) and plant-based, on the degree of oxidative stress in tissues of rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss). Selected immune and haematological indices were measured and challenge with Aeromonas salmonicida was conducted. The plant-based diet systemically modulated all oxidative stress biomarkers (thiobarbituric acid reactive substances; reduced and oxidised glutathione and their ratio) in the intestine. The ratio was elevated in all organs (liver, kidney, muscle and intestine) and an enhancement of respiratory burst and complement activity was observed even in the control fish. With the standard diet, an elevation of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances in the intestine and a decrease in some immune indices appeared after challenge. Less distinctive changes and the lowest mortality rate (the highest being with the plant-based feed) were obtained with immunostimulants. Increased total immunoglobulin, relative lymphocytosis and a decrease in the phagocyte count were observed. This study contributes especially by a thorough examination of oxidative stress indices in different tissues. The exact composition of these commercial diets is a trade secret; however, knowledge of their effects is extremely important for fish farmers using them; therefore, this study has a great practical impact.

Avian leukosis virus subgroup J (ALV-J) is an important concern for the poultry industry. Replication of ALV-J depends on a functional cellular receptor, the chicken Na(+)/H(+) exchanger type 1 (chNHE1). Tryptophan residue number 38 of chNHE1 (W38) in the extracellular portion of this molecule is a critical amino acid for virus entry. We describe a CRISPR/Cas9-mediated deletion of W38 in chicken primordial germ cells and the successful production of the gene-edited birds. The resistance to ALV-J was examined both in vitro and in vivo, and the ΔW38 homozygous chickens tested ALV-J–resistant, in contrast to ΔW38 heterozygotes and wild-type birds, which were ALV-J–susceptible. Deletion of W38 did not manifest any visible side effect. Our data clearly demonstrate the antiviral resistance conferred by precise CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing in the chicken. Furthermore, our highly efficient CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing in primordial germ cells represents a substantial addition to genotechnology in the chicken, an important food source and research model.

Background Many phthalates are environmental pollutants and toxic to humans. Following phthalate regulations, human exposure to phthalates has globally decreased with time in European countries, the US and Korea. Conversely, exposure to their substitutes DEHT and/or DINCH has increased. In other countries, including China, little is known on the time-trends in human exposure to these plasticizers. Objective We aimed to estimate time-trends in the urinary concentrations of phthalates, DEHT, and DINCH metabolites, in general population from non-European countries, in the last decade. Methods We compiled human biomonitoring (HBM) data from 123 studies worldwide in a database termed “PhthaLit”. We analyzed time-trends in the urinary concentrations of the excreted metabolites of various phthalates as well as DEHT and DINCH per metabolite, age group, and country/region, in 2009–2019. Additionally, we compared urinary metabolites levels between continents. Results We found solid time-trends in adults and/or children from the US, Canada, China and Taiwan. DEHP metabolites decreased in the US and Canada. Conversely in Asia, 5oxo- and 5OH-MEHP (DEHP metabolites) increased in Chinese children. For low-weight phthalates, the trends showed a mixed picture between metabolites and countries. Notably, MnBP (a DnBP metabolite) increased in China. The phthalate substitutes DEHT and DINCH markedly increased in the US. Significance We addressed the major question of time-trends in human exposure to phthalates and their substitutes and compared the results in different countries worldwide. Impact Phthalates account for more than 50% of the plasticizer world market. Because of their toxicity, some phthalates have been regulated. In turn, the consumption of non-phthalate substitutes, such as DEHT and DINCH, is growing. Currently, phthalates and their substitutes show high detection percentages in human urine. Concerning time-trends, several studies, mainly in Europe, show a global decrease in phthalate exposure, and an increase in the exposure to phthalate substitutes in the last decade. In this study, we address the important question of time-trends in human exposure to phthalates and their substitutes and compare the results in different countries worldwide.

Successful derivation and cultivation of primordial germ cells (PGCs) opened the way to efficient transgenesis and genome editing in the chicken. Furthermore, implantation of male PGCs from non-chicken galliform species into the chicken embryos resulted in cross-species germline chimeras and viable offspring. We have recently improved the PGC technology by demonstrating that chicken male PGCs transplanted into the testes of adult cockerel recipients mature into functional sperms. However, the availability of this orthotopic transplantation for cross-species transfer remains to be explored. Here we tested the capacity of genetically distant male PGCs to mature in the microenvironment of adult testes. We derived PGCs from the Chinese black-bone Silkie and transplanted them into infertile White Leghorn cockerels. Within 15–18 weeks after transplantation, we observed restoration of spermatogenesis in recipient cockerels and production of healthy progeny derived from the transplanted PGCs. Our findings also indicate the possibility of cross-species orthotopic transplantation of PGCs. Thus, our results might contribute to the preservation of endangered avian species and maintaining the genetic variability of the domestic chicken.

Background: Mercury is a pollutant of global concern. To protect human health and environment from mercury pollution, the Minamata Convention on mercury entered into force in 2017. Objectives: To support a future effectiveness evaluation of the convention, this study assesses worldwide and regional time trends of total mercury levels in human blood and breast milk across different population sub-groups in the last half-century prior to entry-into-force of the Minamata Convention. This study also provides an overview of the epidemiological literature showing evidence of associations between mercury exposure (in terms of total mercury levels in whole blood, cord blood, and breast milk) and human health. Methods: We searched electronic databases to identify articles published prior to June 14, 2017 and reported total mercury levels in any of three biological matrices (whole blood, cord blood, or breast milk) and/or associations with human health. Temporal trends of total mercury levels in the selected biological matrices across different population sub-groups were estimated using a linear fit of the log-transformed data. In parallel, statistical methods were employed to assess any possible effect of sources of inhomogeneity (i.e. study and population characteristics such as age, sex, ethnicity, source of exposure, sampling period, and geographical region) in the collected studies. Furthermore, a summary of significant and relevant associations between mercury exposure and human health conditions in children and adults was prepared. Findings: We found significant declines in total mercury levels in whole blood, cord blood, and breast milk between 1966 and 2015. A regional overview of total mercury levels in whole blood, cord blood, and breast milk suggests the highest levels in South America, followed by Africa or Asia whereas the population groups from Europe or North America displayed the lowest levels of total mercury in the selected biological matrices. We observed conclusive consistent associations of mercury exposure with selected health conditions, especially neurodevelopment and neurotoxicity in children and adults. For several other health conditions, reported findings in the collected studies do not support conclusive associations. We also found that several studies demonstrated significant associations between mercury exposure below the USEPA reference level and various health conditions. Conclusions: This study provides a worldwide and regional overview of trends in total mercury levels in human blood and breast milk and associated health risks prior to entry-into-force of the Minamata Convention and calls for further epidemiological investigations from across the globe to fully understand the health implications of mercury exposure. Keywords: Mercury exposure, Mercury blood levels, Mercury breast milk levels, Worldwide trends, Human health

Background: Fever is a defence against infection. However, its benefit might be masked by cardiorespiratory maladaptation to thermal stress. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of fever control on the outcomes of septic patients who were presumed to have a sufficient cardiorespiratory reserve.Methods: Septic patients with a presumed sufficient cardiorespiratory reserve and fever (>38.3°C) of infectious etiology were randomised to one of the two study arms. In the aggressive arm, the antipyretic intervention was started immediately when the body temperature rose above 38.3°C, in the conservative arm only when it exceeded 39.5°C. Both pharmacological (ibuprofen) and physical antipyretic methods were used. The total SOFA score on day 7 was selected as the primary endpoint. Non-parametric tests were used for statistics when comparing variables between the study arms.Results: A total of 5998 patients were screened for fever of infectious etiology. 609 patients met inclusion criteria, of whom 154 patients were randomised. A significantly higher body temperature and longer duration of febrile episode was reached in the conservative arm. The SOFA score was significantly lower on day 7 when the conservative approach was applied. In-hospital mortality did not differ between the arms. When analysing a subgroup of patients with ICU stay < 4 days, a significantly lower SOFA score on day 3 and a tendency for lower in-hospital mortality was observed in the aggressive arm. In contrast, among patients with ICU stay ≥ 6 days, a significantly lower SOFA score on day 7 and significantly lower in-hospital mortality was found in the conservative arm.Conclusions: The conservative approach to the treatment of fever in septic patients with sufficient cardiorespiratory reserve was associated with a lower total SOFA score on day 7 compared to the aggressive approach. However, both approaches may positively influence outcome of septic patients: the aggressive approach seems to be beneficial in the early stage of sepsis, and the conservative approach in the stage of sepsis remission.Trial registration: The study was retrospectively registered at http://www.clinicaltrials.gov (Ref. No. NCT04227652).

Endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) in diet are a health concern and their monitoring in food has been introduced in the European Union. In developing countries, EDC dietary exposure data are scarce, especially from areas perceived as pollution hotspots, including industrialized countries like India. Several persistent organic pollutants (POPs) act as EDCs and pose a pressure to human health mainly through dietary exposure. In the present study, a range of organochlorine pesticides (OCPs), polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs), dioxins and furans were measured in several food items collected from Indian urban (Delhi) and peri-urban (Dehradun) areas. Food basket contamination data were used to estimate EDC dietary exposure and compare it with that of the average European population estimated from available monitoring data. All the target contaminants were found in most food items, especially in dairies and meat products. OCPs were the main contributers to the measured EDC contamination. Food supplied to Delhi's markets had higher EDC contamination than that supplied to the peri-urban market in Dehradun. Despite lax compliance and control measures, Indian dietary exposure of OCPs and PBDEs were comparable with that of Europe and were lower for PCBs and dioxins. Higher meat consumption in Europe only partly explained this pattern which was driven also by the higher EDC residues in some European food items. A substantial part of endocrine disrupting potential in the diet derives from food and animal feeds internationally traded between developed and developing countries. With increasingly globalized food systems, internationally harmonized policies on EDC content in food can lead to better protection of health in both these contexts.

Passive air sampling of semivolatile organic compounds (SVOCs) is a relatively inexpensive method that facilitates extensive campaigns with numerous sampling sites. An important question in the design of passive-sampling networks concerns the number and location of samplers. We investigate this question with the example of 17 SVOCs sampled at 14 background sites across the Czech Republic. More than 200 time series (length 5-11 years) were used to characterize SVOC levels and trends in air between 2003 and 2015. Six polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), 6 polyaromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), and 5 organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) at 14 sites were assessed using data from the MONET passive sampling network. Significant decreases were found for most PCBs and OCPs whereas hexachlorobenzene (HCB) and most PAHs showed (mostly insignificant) increases. Spatial variability was rather low for PCBs and OCPs except for dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT) and rather high for PAHs. The variability of the SVOC levels and trends depends on characteristics of the sites including their remoteness, landscape, population, and pollution sources. The sites can be grouped in distinct clusters, which helps to identify similar and, thereby, potentially redundant sites. This information is useful when monitoring networks need to be optimized regarding the location and number of sites.

Nowadays, the European municipal waste management policy based on the circular economy paradigm demands the closing of material and financial loops at all territorial levels of public administration. The effective planning of treatment capacities (especially sorting plants, recycling, and energy recovery facilities) and municipal waste management policy requires an accurate prognosis of municipal waste generation, and therefore, the knowledge of behavioral, socio-economic, and demographic factors influencing the waste management (and recycling) behavior of households, and other municipal waste producers. To enable public bodies at different territorial levels to undertake an effective action resulting in circular economy we evaluated various factors influencing the generation of municipal waste fractions at regional, micro-regional and municipal level in the Czech Republic. Principal components were used as input for traditional models (multivariable linear regression, generalized linear model) as well as tree-based machine learning models (regression trees, random forest, gradient boosted regression trees). Study results suggest that the linear regression model usually offers a good trade-off between model accuracy and interpretability. When the most important goal of the prediction is supposed to be accuracy, the random forest is generally the best choice. The quality of developed models depends mostly on the chosen territorial level and municipal waste fraction. The performance of these models deteriorates significantly for lower territorial levels because of worse data quality and bigger variability. Only the age structure seems to be important across territorial levels and municipal waste fractions. Nevertheless, also other factors are of high significance in explaining the generation of municipal waste fractions at different territorial levels (e.g. number of economic subjects, expenditures, population density and the level of education). Therefore, there is not one single effective public policy dealing with circular economy strategy that fits all territorial levels. Public representatives should focus on policies effective at specific territorial level. However, performance of the models is poor for lower territorial levels (municipality and micro-regions). Thus, results for municipalities and micro-regions are weak and should be treated as such.

The ongoing progress in primordial germ cell derivation and cultivation is opening new ways in reproductive biotechnology. This study tested whether functional sperm cells can be matured from genetically manipulated primordial germ cells after transplantation in adult testes and used to restore fertility. We show that spermatogenesis can be restored after mCherry-expressing or GFP-expressing primordial germ cells are transplantated into the testes of sterilized G0 roosters and that mCherry-positive or GFP-positive non-chimeric transgenic G1 offspring can be efficiently produced. Compared with the existing approaches to primordial germ cell replacement, this new technique eliminates the germ line chimerism of G0 roosters and is, therefore, faster, more efficient and requires fewer animals. Furthermore, this is the only animal model, where the fate of primordial germ cells in infertile recipients can be studied.

Many attempts have been made to quantify the relationship between the amount of persistent organic pollutants sequestered by passive air sampling devices and their actual concentrations in ambient air. However, this information may not be necessary for some applications. In this study, two sets of 30 ten-year-long time series of simultaneous passive and high-volume active air sampling carried out at the Košetice observatory in the Czech Republic were used for a comparison of temporal trends. Fifteen polyaromatic hydrocarbons, seven polychlorinated biphenyls and eight organochlorine pesticides were investigated. In most cases, a good agreement was observed between the trends derived from passive and active monitoring with the exception of several compounds obviously affected by sampling artifacts. Two sampling artifacts were observed: breakthrough of high-volume sampler filters for penta- and hexachlorobenzene and semiquantitative values for PAHs with a high molecular weight. It has been suggested before that annually aggregated results of passive air monitoring may be used directly for the assessment of the long-term behavior of these compounds. The extensive set of long-term data used in this study allowed us to confirm this finding and to demonstrate that it is also possible to derive temporal trends and the compounds' half-lives in air from the passive-sampling time series.

Much effort has been made to standardise sampling procedures, laboratory analysis, data analysis, etc. for semi volatile organic contaminants (SVOCs). Yet there are some unresolved issues in regards to comparing measurements from one of the most commonly used passive samplers (PAS), the polyurethane foam (PUF) disk PAS (PUF-PAS), between monitoring networks or different studies. One such issue is that there is no universal means to derive a sampling rate (R-s) or to calculate air concentrations (Cab(air)) from PUF-PAS measurements for SVOCs. C-air was calculated from PUF-PAS measurements from a long-term monitoring program at a site in central Europe applying current understanding of passive sampling theory coupled with a consideration for the sampling of particle associated compounds. Cair were assessed against concurrent active air sampler (AAS) measurements. Use of "site-based/sampler-specific" variables: R-s, calculated using a site calibration, provided similar results for most gas-phase SVOCs to air concentrations derived using "default" values (commonly accepted R-s). Individual monthly PUF-PAS-derived air concentrations for the majority of the target compounds were significantly different (Wilcoxon signed-rank (WSR) test; p < 0.05) to AAS regardless of the input values (site/sampler based or default) used to calculate them. However, annual average PUF-PAS-derived air concentrations were within the same order of magnitude as AAS measurements except for the particle-phase polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). Underestimation of PUF-derived air concentrations for particle-phase PAHs was attributed to a potential overestimation of the particle infiltration into the PUF-PAS chamber and underestimation of the particle bound fraction of PAHs.

The comparability of data from active (ACT) and passive sampling (PAS) of persistent organic pollutants (POPs) in air is hindered by uncertainties related to the derivation of sampling rates and concentrations, as well as differences in the duration, volume and frequency of sampling. Although data from ACT have been used extensively in short-term PAS calibration studies, no attempts have been made to evaluate the comparability of long-term trends calculated from PAS to established ACT trends. This is crucial, as continuous long-term ACT is unfeasible in most regions of the world. To address these challenges, we calculated and compared trends for organochlorine pesticides (OCPs), polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) at the six sites in Europe with at least 5 years of co-located ACT and PAS data (2012–2016): Birkenes, Košetice, Pallas, Råö, Stórhöfði and Zeppelin. Strong agreement of ACT and PAS trends was observed for most OCPs and PCBs. Apart from two PCBs at Stórhöfði, all pairs of ACT and PAS trends followed the same direction. However, differences in the magnitude, significance and confidence intervals of their slopes were observed for some compounds and were primarily attributed to the short duration of the PAS time series. Despite some limitations, our results suggest that the comparability of ACT and PAS POP trends will continue to improve with additional years of data. This study confirms the suitability of PAS for the calculation of long-term POP trends in air, and highlights the importance of continuous sampling at established monitoring sites with consistent analytical methods. ISSN:2050-7887 ISSN:2050-7895

In the last few decades, a plethora of studies have focused on human biomonitoring (HBM) of chemical pollutants. Reviewing the copious HBM data reported in these studies is essential for evaluating the effectiveness of pollution management efforts, for example by evaluating time-trends. Nevertheless, guidance to systematically evaluate time trends in published HBM data has never been developed. In this study, we therefore present a proposal for guidelines to conduct “time-trend reviews” (TTRs) that examine time trends in published large HBM datasets of chemical pollutant concentrations. We also demonstrate the applicability of these guidelines through a case study that assesses time-trends in global and regional HBM data on mercury. The recommended TTR guidelines in this study are divided into seven steps: formulating the objective of the TTR, setting up of eligibility criteria, defining search strategy and screening of literature, screening results of search, extracting data, analysing data, and assessing certainty, including the potential for bias in the evidence base. The TTR guidelines proposed in this study are straightforward and less complex than those for conducting systematic reviews assessing datasets on potential human health effects of exposure to pollutants or medical interventions. These proposed guidelines are intended to enable the credible, transparent, and reproducible conduct of TTRs. ISSN:0160-4120 ISSN:1873-6750

The purpose of the presented study was to identify possible ecological and health risks by metal contamination in soil. More than 50,000 topsoil samples in agricultural soil were used to evaluate spatial concentrations and risks posed by selected metals on a national scale. Variograms and correlograms were used to identify metal spatial patterns and appropriate sampling distances. All metals were spatially dependent on short distances (up to 7 km). Optimal sampling densities to detect contamination at the local scale were estimated to be at around 1 sample per 0.5 km for Cd, Cu and Zn and 1.5–2 km for Pb, Hg and Ni based on Moran's index = 0.7. The concentrations of metals were partly influenced by precipitation and pH, but mostly by geology and industry. The Kriging method was used to create interpolated maps for individual metals. High concentrations of Cd, Pb and Zn were found in well-known mining areas (the Ore Mountains, the Upper Silesian Basin, the towns of Kutna Hora and Přibram). Elevated Ni and Hg concentrations resulted mainly from the nature of the parent rock material. Cu contamination was specifically influenced by Cu-based fungicides applied on soils where hop and wine are grown. Czech and European legal limits for various pH and soil textures were applied to identify potential risk areas. A relatively large area of agricultural soil (16%) is above the prevention limit for at least one metal. However, only a few localities exceed the limits with respect to food chain contamination and the inhibition of plant growth. Comparison of our results with European studies (LUCAS, GEMAS, FOREGS) points to the need for high density sampling in order to conduct accurate risk assessment and demonstrates that serious soil contamination happens (and needs monitoring) at the local and not the continental scale.

This study is a systematic assessment of different houses and apartments, their ages and renovation status, indoors and outdoors, and in summer vs. winter, with a goal of bringing some insight into the major sources of semivolatile organic compounds (SVOCs) and their variability. Indoor and outdoor air concentrations of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) and novel flame retardants (NFRs) were determined at 17-20 homes in Czech Republic in winter and summer. Indoor concentrations were consistently higher than outdoor concentrations for all compounds; indoor/outdoor ratios ranged from 2-20, with larger differences for the current use NFRs than for legacy PCBs. Seasonal trends differed according to the use status of the compounds: the PCBs had higher summer concentrations both indoors and outdoors, suggesting volatilization as a source of PCBs to air. PBDEs had no seasonal trends indoors, but higher summer concentrations outdoors. Several NFRs (TBX, PBT, PBEB) had higher indoor concentrations in winter relative to summer. The seasonal trends in the flame retardants suggest differences in air exchange rates due to lower building ventilation in winter could be driving the concentration differences. Weak relationships were found with building age for PCBs, with higher concentrations indoors in buildings built before 1984, and with the number of electronics for PBDEs, with higher concentrations in rooms with three or more electronic items. Indoor environments are the primary contributor to human inhalation exposure to these SVOCs, due to the high percentage of time spent indoors (>90%) combined with the higher indoors levels for all the studied compounds. Exposure via the indoor environment contributed ∼96% of the total chronic daily intake via inhalation in summer and ∼98% in winter.

Polyurethane foam (PUF) passive air samplers (PAS) are widely used for measurements of persistent organic pollutants (POPs) and other semi-volatile organic compounds (SVOCs) in large-scale monitoring networks as well as in case studies around the globe. Calibration of PUF-PAS is performed by field-based calibration studies or passive sampler uptake models, but both these are typically performed and/or validated in temperate zones, while the sampling rates are more widely applied, including in tropical and polar zones. Here, we present field-based calibrations results for MONET PUF-PAS from a subtropical and tropical site (Nairobi, Kenya and Accra, Ghana) based on side-by-side deployment of PUF-PAS and active air samplers (AAS), as well as model PAS uptake from available passive sampler uptake models. By comparing these results with a similar calibration from a temperate site (Brno, Czech Republic), we show that the higher ambient temperatures result in higher effective sampling rates for intermediate molecular weight SVOCs (logKOA of 7–11) as a result of lower particle-bound fraction, and in lower sample volumes for lighter SVOCs (logKOA

The relationship between body weight and total mercury content in the muscle of common carp (Cyprinus carpio) from 13 uncontaminated ponds in South and West Bohemia was investigated. In total, 215 three-years-old marketable carps and 26 samples of bottom sediment were analysed. Total mercury contents (THg) in muscle and sediments were determined using an single-purpose atomic absorption spectrophotometer. The correlation between body weight and mercury content in muscle was found to be negative and statistically significant (Pearson correlation: r(P) = -0.269, P < 0.001). THg content in muscle significantly decreased as the body weight of carp from uncontaminated ponds increased. This is likely due to the intensive weight gain of marketable carp.

Background The Registry of Monoclonal Gammopathies (RMG) was established by the Czech Myeloma Group in 2007. RMG is a registry designed for the collection of clinical data concerning diagnosis, treatment, treatment results and survival of patients with monoclonal gammopathies. Data on patients with monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS), Waldenstrom macroglobulinaemia (WM), multiple myeloma (MM) or primary AL ("amyloid light-chain") amyloidosis are collected in the registry. Data Nineteen Czech centres and four Slovak centres currently contribute to the registry. The registry currently contains records on more than 5,000 patients with MM, almost 3,000 patients with MGUS, 170 patients with WM and 26 patients with primary AL amyloidosis, i.e. more than 8,000 records on patients with monoclonal gammopathies altogether. Results This paper describes technology employed for the collection, storage and subsequent online visualisation of data. The CLADE-IS platform is introduced as a new system for the collection and storage of data from the registry. The form structure and functions of the new system are described for all diagnoses in general; these functions facilitate data entry to the registry and minimise the error rate in data. Publicly available online visualisations of data on patients with MGUS, WM, MM or primary AL amyloidosis from all Czech or Slovak centres are introduced, together with authenticated visualisations of data on patients with MM from selected centres. Conclusion The RMG represents a data basis that makes it possible to monitor the disease course in patients with monoclonal gammopathies on the population level.Key words: Registry of Monoclonal Gammopathies - RMG - registries - monoclonal gammopathies - CLADE-IS - data visualisation - database.

Part 7: Modelling, Visualization and Decision Support; International audience; The DECWASTE forecasting waste generation information system is presented. It is based on Annexes I, II and III of Regulation (EC) No 849/2010 amending Regulation (EC) No 2150/2002 of the European Parliament and of the European Council on waste (WSR). DECWASTE forecasts the quantity of waste generated for each waste category listed in Section 2(1) of Annex I of the WSR at the Czech national level. Its multi-linear regression forecasting model is based on environmental as well as economic and social predictors. These models use historical data of the waste information system (ISOH) of the Czech Environmental Information Agency and sets of indicators (predictors) integrated into forecasting models. The methodology consisted in adjusting predictors of the forecasting models into a Driving Force-Pressure-State-Impact-Response (DPSIR) framework and their sensitivity analysis enables their choice into forecasting models and their verification using appropriate data. DECWASTE supports decisions made by the Ministry of the Environment to improve the implementation of the national Waste Management Plan.

Part 4: Health and Biosphere; International audience; The Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants is multilateral environmental agreement focused on selected persistent organic pollutants (POPs) for which the contracting Parties must adopt measures to eliminate or reduce their production and use or minimise the unintentional releases. One of the tools for the effectiveness evaluation of the Stockholm Convention is Global Monitoring Plan for Persistent Organic Pollutants (GMP) – a project that aims to collect global data on POPs concentrations in selected environmental matrices. This paper introduces an information system GMP Data Warehouse, which was developed in order to provide user-friendly tools for the collection, storage, analyses and visualisation of data from international POPs monitoring activities.

Systems of antigen delivery into antigen-presenting cells represent an important novel strategy in chicken vaccine development. In this study, we verified the ability of Rous sarcoma virus (RSV) antigens fused with streptavidin to be targeted by specific biotinylated monoclonal antibody (anti-CD205) into dendritic cells and induce virus-specific protective immunity. The method was tested in four congenic lines of chickens that are either resistant or susceptible to the progressive growth of RSV-induced tumors. Our analyses confirmed that the biot-anti-CD205-SA-FITC complex was internalized by chicken splenocytes. In the cytokine expression profile, several significant differences were evident between RSV-challenged progressor and regressor chicken lines. A significant up-regulation of IL-2, IL-12, IL-15, and IL-18 expression was detected in immunized chickens of both regressor and progressor groups. Of these cytokines, IL-2 and IL-12 were most up-regulated 14 days post-challenge (dpc), while IL-15 and IL-18 were most up-regulated at 28 dpc. On the contrary, IL-10 expression was significantly down-regulated in all immunized groups of progressor chickens at 14 dpc. We detected significant up-regulation of IL-17 in the group of immunized progressors. LITAF down-regulation with iNOS up-regulation was especially observed in the progressor group of immunized chickens that developed large tumors. Based on the increased expression of cytokines specific for activated dendritic cells, we conclude that our system is able to induce partial stimulation of specific cell types involved in cell-mediated immunity. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s13567-017-0423-8) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Additional file 3. List of primers used in the study. Sequences of primers used in anti-CD205 antigen cloning.

The identification, enrichment and subsequent isolation of spermatogonial stem cells (SSCs) are integral to the success of SCC transplants between fertile donor and sterilized recipient males. In birds generally and particularly in chicken, SSC-specific has yet to be identified. The receptor for glial cell-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF), i.e. GDNF family receptor alpha-1 (GFRα1), has been identified as a potential marker for different mouse spermatogonial subtypes. In the present study, we characterized the chicken cGFRα1 receptor and compared its predicted amino-acid sequence with mouse, rat and human GFRα1 proteins. Using specific polyclonal mouse anti-cGFRα1 serum, a total of 2.8% cells were recognized as cGFRα1-positive among isolated testicular cells recovered from sexually mature cockerels. The percentages of cGFRα1-positive testicular cells with haploid, diploid, tetraploid and SP DNA content were 1.6%, 2.5%, 39.3% and 76.8%, respectively. The presence of cGFRα1 protein on the surfaces of all cells of the seminiferous epithelium was confirmed by immunocytochemical and immunohistochemical analyses. Tissue specificity of cGFRα1 mRNA expression was significantly higher in adult testes compared to brain tissue which itself was several times higher than tissues prepared from the spleen, liver and heart. No expression was observed in muscular tissue. At last, we demonstrated the successful repopulation of sterilized recipient's testes with transplanted cGFRα1-positive donor testicular cells. Recipient males subsequently produced functional heterologous spermatozoa capable of fertilizing an ovum and obtaining chicks with donor cell genotypes.

The paper introduces and discusses the developed integrated economic model of municipal waste management of the Czech Republic, which was developed by authors as a balanced network model for a set of sources (mostly municipalities) of municipal solid waste connected with a set of chosen waste treatment facilities processing their waste. Model is implemented as a combination of several economic submodels including environmental and economic point of view. It enables to formulate the optimisation problem in a concise way and the resulting model is easily scalable. Model involves submodels of waste prevention, collection and transport optimization, submodels of waste energy utilization (incineration and biogas plants) and material recycling (composting) and submodel of landfilling. Its size (number of sources and facilities) depends only upon available data. Its application is used in the case study of the South Moravia region with verification of using time series waste data. The results enable to improve decision making in waste management sector.

Vent sexing of one-day-old chicks in commercial hatcheries has long been common practice and can be highly accurate. However, there are circumstances when this technique is not applicable such as smaller breeds, non-domestic birds, or where is the necessity of precise sexing. In this study we present a simple and reliable method for fast gender determination in selected Galliformes for which phenotypic determination of sex is difficult until maturity. Four species were tested: two commercial species - chicken (Gallus gallus) and turkey (Meleagris gallopavo), and two game birds - common pheasant (Phasianus col- chicus) and wood grouse (Tetraro urogallus). DNA was tested with universal single-pair primers polymerase chain reaction (PCR) detecting W chromosome specific sequence yielding a single band of length specific for each species. The method was developed with regards to time consumption and cost-effectiveness giving results in less than two hours. The method may also be used for early sexing in commercial chicken and turkey flocks as well as sexing of smaller game birds flocks or for research laboratories when rapid sexing of selected Galliformes cells is required.

Transplantation of male germ line cells into sterilized recipients has been used in mammals for conventional breeding as well as for transgenesis. We have previously adapted this approach for the domestic chicken and we present now an improvement of the germ cell transplantation technique by using an enriched subpopulation of c-Kit-positive spermatogonia as donor cells. Dispersed c-Kit positive testicular cells from 16 to 17 week-old pubertal donors were transplanted by injection directly into the testes of recipient males sterilized by repeated gamma irradiation. We describe the repopulation of the recipient's testes with c-Kit positive donor testicular cells, which resulted in the production of functional heterologous spermatozoa. Using manual semen collection, the first sperm production in the recipient males was observed about nine weeks after the transplantation. The full reproduction cycle was accomplished by artificial insemination of hens and hatching of chickens.

The objective of this work was to evaluate antioxidant defence and oxidative damage in organs (liver, gills, kidney, and brain) of five fish species (Aspius aspius, Esox lucius, Sander lucioperca, Abramis brama, Rutilus rutilus) from the long-term mercury-contaminated Skalka Reservoir in the Czech Republic. Special emphasis was placed on a comprehensive assessment of the factors that may affect the antioxidant response to mercury in fish. Antioxidant enzymes (glutathione reductase, glutathione peroxidase, and glutathione-S-transferase) did not significantly respond to mercury contamination. Levels of the analysed enzymes and oxidative damage to lipids were predominantly determined by a separate organ factor or species factor, or by the combination of both (p

Part 6: Requirements, Software Engineering and Software Tools; International audience; Three different options for involving R statistical software in the infrastructure of the data warehouse and visualization tool of the Global Monitoring Plan for persistent organic pollutants are presented, all differing in their demands with respect to data transfer rates, numbers of concurrently connected users, total amounts of data transferred, and the possibilities of repeating statistical calculations within a short period. After the development stage, two of these options were used at different levels of the system, demonstrating the specificity of their use and enabling the deployment of the powerful features of R statistical software by a system created using conventional programming languages.

Transplantation of male germ cells into sterilized recipients has been widely used in mammals for conventional breeding and transgenesis purposes. This study presents a workable approach for germ cell transplantation between male chickens. Testicular cells from adult and prepubertal donors were dispersed and transplanted by injection directly into the testes of recipient males sterilized by repeated gamma irradiation. We describe the repopulation of the recipient seminiferous epithelium up to the production of heterologous sperm in about 50% of transplanted males. In comparison to males transplanted with testicular cell preparations from adult donors, in which the first ejaculates with sperm were recovered about 5 wk after transfer, a substantial interval (about 10 wk) was necessary to obtain ejaculates after the transfer of testicular cells from prepubertal donors. However, in both cases, recipient males produced ejaculates capable of fertilizing ova and producing progeny expressing donor genes.

1. The aim of this study was to evaluate the ability of frozen-thawed testicular cells transplanted into infertile cocks to restore spermatogenesis and to compare two cryoprotectants (CPA) (dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO) and Biofreeze). 2. A total of 24 infertile White Leghorn (WL) cocks were transplanted with cryopreserved testicular cells from fertile adult donor cocks. Both genetically close and phylogenetically distant chicken breeds were used as donor cocks. 3. Twelve out of 24 WL recipient cocks with cryopreserved testicular cells restored spermatogenesis within 2 months after the transplantation. Six out of 12 recipient cocks with restored spermatogenesis successfully produced progeny expressing the donor phenotype. 4. There was no difference between the CPA in cell viability after thawing or in the number of offspring produced from cryopreserved testicular tissue. 5. The present work represents the first report of production of a donor-derived healthy progeny following frozen-thawed testicular cell transplantation in adult birds. The described results may contribute to preservation of endangered avian species and to maintaining their genetic variability.