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In this study we tested classification performance of a sex estimation method from the mandible originally developed by Sella-Tunis et al. (2017) on a heterogeneous Israeli population. Mandibular linear dimensions were measured on 60 CT scans derived from the Czech living population. Classification performance of Israeli discriminant functions (DFs-IL) was analyzed in comparison with calculated Czech discriminant functions (DFs-CZ) while different posterior probability thresholds (currently discussed in the forensic literature) were employed. Our results comprehensively illustrate sensitivity of different discriminant functions to population differences in body size and degree of sexual dimorphism. We demonstrate that the error rate may be biased when presented per posterior probability threshold. DF-IL 1 showed least sensitivity to population origin and fulfilled criteria of sufficient classification performance when applied on the Czech sample with a minimum posterior probability threshold of 0.88 reaching overall accuracy ≥ 95%, zero sex bias, and 80% of classified individuals. The last parameter was higher in DF-CZ 1 which was the main difference between those two DFs suggesting relatively low dependance on population origin. As the use of population-specific methods is often prevented by complicated assessment of population origin, DF-IL 1 is a candidate for a sufficiently robust method that could be reliably applied outside the reference sample, and thus, its classification performance deserves further testing on more population samples. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Background Food addiction receives attention because of its participation in the rising obesity prevalence that affects the quality of life. The Czech Republic’s prevalence of obesity belongs to the highest in Europe. Methods We used the nationally representative non-clinical sample of 1841 respondents (N = 1841; 48,8% of men and 51.2% of women). Participants filled the sociodemographic questionnaire, Czech version of mYFAS 2.0 and the Relationship Questionnaire (RQ) to test the hypothesis. Results Confirmatory Factor Analysis showed that the single-factor model of Czech version of mYFAS 2.0 had adequate fit indices (χ2 (55) = 9670.8, p 0.95; SRMR

Nowadays, personal data is becoming both increasingly relevant and extensively shared over the internet. Individual privacy is often at risk as personal and contact information are a frequent object of commercial transactions. This situation recently triggered the implementation of a new data-protection regulation: General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). This study analyses privacy protection from the citizens’ and consumers' points of view. The authors apply quantitative methods to primary data sampled from the population of the Czech Republic (aged 15+). Individual willingness to share personal data is evaluated along with the spectrum of situations where such data is requested and along with corresponding GDPR-related individual stances. According to the data analyzed, Czech population perceives GDPR measures as mostly useful yet somewhat bothersome. Also, individuals are not convinced that the regulation could deliver any fundamental changes to processes that involve handling of personal data. In general, respondents feel concerned by the intensification of demands for signing data sharing consents and by similar data processing interactions. However, individual levels of willingness to share various types of personal and contact information are sound and stable.

The article discusses some current specifics of Czech population consciousness: their fears and misgivings, attitudes to national minorities and foreigners, living in the country, tolerance to selected groups of population, views on societal structure and social rallyness, prestige of professions, relation to unemployment, adaptation to euro and EU and self-identification on leftright scale of political orientations. The author comes to a conclusion about transitional to Western capitalist type of consciousness.

Temperament can be defined as a complex of typical innate traits which manifest themselves in characteristic ways of reacting, acting, and feeling. In 1981, Mary Rothbart published the Early Childhood Behavior Questionnaire on toddlers’ behaviour, based on parental assessments in certain situations, which perceived temperament as “constitutionally-based individual differences in reactivity and regulation.” The process of adapting the tool to the Czech population commenced in 2017. Objectives: The aim of the study was to adapt the Early Childhood Behavior Questionnaire Very Short Form (ECBQ VSF) on temperament to the Czech population of children. The results are to be used for the possible distribution to child psychologists for research purposes. Subjects and setting: The data were obtained from a representative sample of parents of 709 children aged 18–36 months [371 (52%) boys and 338 (48%) girls]. Results: The reliability of the adapted test was verified with Cronbach’s alpha – first, for individual scales in general, then for individual scales divided by gender and age. Except for one case (boys – Surgency scale – age 18–23 months), Cronbach alpha values were within an acceptable range. The distribution of items into individual scales was verified with a factor analysis. The factor analysis confirmed the distribution of items into scales with the similarity of the original questionnaire’s version. Five controversial items were identified. Future research activities will focus on explaining this phenomenon. Differences between values obtained in boys and girls were determined with two-way ANOVA. The differences were found in the Surgency scale according to age and the Effortful Control scale according to age and gender as well. In the Surgency scale, the score increases along with the age; with the Effortful Control scale, girls achieved higher scores than boys. The score also increases with probands’ age. Upon the completion of the work, the ECBQ VSF questionnaire was adapted for the use in research activities targeted at the Czech population. Study limits: The results are based on a parental evaluation, but this was entirely consistent with the process of the creation of the original tool.

INTRODUCTION: The Czech Republic records one of the highest prevalence levels of obesity in comparison to other European and world countries. The present study aims to fill a gap in the use of tools in research of food addiction (FA), which is believed to be one factor in the high prevalence of obesity. METHODS: A pen-and-paper study was conducted using a nationally representative non-clinical sample of 3950 adolescents aged 11-19. RESULTS: The FA prevalence rate was 4.1%. Exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses verified a one-factor structure. The reliability corresponded to KR = 0.80, CI95% = (0.79, 0.81), McDonald's? = 0.79 (0.86 for continuous scale). The connection between FA and impulsivity was confirmed using Poisson regression and logistic regression, and the prevalence of FA decreases with lower impulsivity. CONCLUSIONS: The study findings suggest that the Czech version of mYFAS 2.0 is a reliable tool for research purposes with regard to the Czech environment. Further research should incorporate additional personality traits to obtain a more comprehensive understanding of the emerging topic of food addiction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Background The Czech governmental study suggests up to a 25% higher prevalence of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) in the Roma population than within the majority population. It is not known whether and to what extent these differences have a genetic background. Methods To analyze whether the frequencies of the alleles/genotypes of the FTO, TCF7L2, CDKN2A/2B, MAEA, TLE4, IGF2BP2, ARAP1, and KCNJ11 genes differ between the two major ethnic groups in the Czech Republic, we examined them in DNA samples from 302 Roma individuals and 298 Czech individuals. Results Compared to the majority population, Roma are more likely to carry risk alleles in the FTO (26% vs. 16% GG homozygotes, p

Nowadays, a great attention is paid to the biological activity of plant polyphenols and their potential importance for the human health. Therefore knowledge regarding the dietary intake of polyphenols and their particular subclasses has gained interest. In this report, the results of a pilot study evaluating the average polyphenol content in the Czech diet have been presented.

This study provides information on the adaptation of the CBQ VSF (Children's Behavior Questionnaire Very Short Form) temperament description questionnaire. Objectives: The aim of the study was to adapt the CBQ VSF temperament questionnaire to the Czech child population for possible distribution to child psychologists for research purposes. Materials and methods: The data were obtained from a representative sample of parents of 840 children, 442 boys (53%) and 398 girls (47%), between the ages of 3 and 7 years. Results: The tool was tested in terms of its factor structure and the internal consistency and attributes of each item, all with respect to the age and gender of children in the target group. Scales were created for boys and girls and stratified by age and gender. Upon the completion of the work, the CBQ VSF questionnaire was adapted for use in research activities targeting the Czech population. Study limits: The results are based on the parental evaluation, but this was entirely consistent with the process of creation of the original tool. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The Czech governmental study suggests up to a 25% higher prevalence of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) in the Roma population than within the majority population. It is not known whether and to what extent these differences have a genetic background. Methods: To analyze whether the frequencies of the alleles/genotypes of the FTO, TCF7L2, CDKN2A/2B, MAEA, TLE4, IGF2BP2, ARAP1, and KCNJ11 genes differ between the two major ethnic groups in the Czech Republic, we examined them in DNA samples from 302 Roma individuals and 298 Czech individuals. Results: Compared to the majority population, Roma are more likely to carry risk alleles in the FTO (26% vs. 16% GG homozygotes, p <.01), IGF2BP2 (22% vs. 10% TT homozygotes, p <.0001), ARAP1 (98% vs. 95% of A allele carriers, p <.005), and CDKN2A/2B (81% vs. 66% of TT homozygotes, p <.001) genes; however, less frequently they are carriers of the TCF7L2 risk allele (34% vs. 48% of the T allele p <.0005). Finally, we found significant accumulation of T2DM‐associated alleles between the Roma population in comparison with the majority population (25.4% vs. 15.2% of the carriers of at least 12 risk alleles; p <.0001). Conclusion: The increased prevalence of T2DM in the Roma population may have a background in different frequencies of the risk alleles of genes associated with T2DM development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) is defined as the capacity of the cardiovascular and pulmonary systems to meet the oxygen demands of the body during physical work. Poor CRF is connected with a higher risk for the development of various noninfectious diseases such as cardiovascular disease or malignancies. The standard test for the assessment of CRF is exercise testing with the measurement of maximal oxygen consumption (VO2 max). Standard VO2 max values for adult men and women in the Czech Republic have been available since the 1970s without being updated. According to experts, these standard values are now unusable for contemporary CRF measurements of the population in the Czech Republic. The Fitness Registry and the Importance of Exercise: a National Database (FRIEND) - 4,494 patients (1,717 men) defined new standard values for bicycle ergometry CRF for the population in the United States of America. The aim of the study was the statistical comparison of VO2 max values (reference standards) in the 1970s population in the Czech Republic with the new reference standards of the FRIEND registry.Methods: All analyses were performed using IBM SPSS statistics and all tests with a p-value of less than 0.05 were considered statistically significant.Results: VO2 max norms for women in the Czech population were higher in all age categories with statistically significant differences in the categories 30-39, 40-49 and 50-59 (p < 0.001). In the male population aged 20-29 years, VO2 max was significantly higher in the FRIEND registry (p < 0.001) in contrast to the other age categories, 30-39, 40-49 and 50-59, which were significantly higher in the Czech population (p < 0.001).Conclusions: Czech VO2 max population norms from the 1970s are (with the exception of age category 20-29 years) higher than values from the recent FRIEND registry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Food addiction receives attention because of its participation in the rising obesity prevalence that affects the quality of life. The Czech Republic's prevalence of obesity belongs to the highest in Europe. Methods: We used the nationally representative non-clinical sample of 1841 respondents (N = 1841; 48,8% of men and 51.2% of women). Participants filled the sociodemographic questionnaire, Czech version of mYFAS 2.0 and the Relationship Questionnaire (RQ) to test the hypothesis. Results: Confirmatory Factor Analysis showed that the single-factor model of Czech version of mYFAS 2.0 had adequate fit indices (χ2 (55) = 9670.8, p < 0.001; CFI, TLI > 0.95; SRMR < 0.07; and RMSEA < 0.08). The sample reliability in our research corresponded to Cronbach's α = 0.89 (95% CI 0.88–0.90). The youngest population (aged 15–19) had a significantly higher score of mYFAS 2.0, than the older age groups. People living alone scored significantly higher than the married respondents. The middle-income groups scored significantly lower in mYFAS 2.0 than the lowest income group. Occasional (social) smokers showed a higher mYFAS 2.0 score in comparison with non-smokers. A difference regarding attachment styles has also been revealed, respondents characterized by insecure attachment styles showed a higher YFAS score. Conclusion: The findings reinforce future work on the Czech version of mYFAS 2.0, including validation and using mYFAS 2.0 to explore food addiction and its related variables and attachment styles in the Czech environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nowadays, personal data is becoming both increasingly relevant and extensively shared over the internet. Individual privacy is often at risk as personal and contact information are a frequent object of commercial transactions. This situation recently triggered the implementation of a new dataprotection regulation: General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). This study analyses privacy protection from the citizens' and consumers' points of view. The authors apply quantitative methods to primary data sampled from the population of the Czech Republic (aged 15+). Individual willingness to share personal data is evaluated along with the spectrum of situations where such data is requested and along with corresponding GDPR-related individual stances. According to the data analyzed, Czech population perceives GDPR measures as mostly useful yet somewhat bothersome. Also, individuals are not convinced that the regulation could deliver any fundamental changes to processes that involve handling of personal data. In general, respondents feel concerned by the intensification of demands for signing data sharing consents and by similar data processing interactions. However, individual levels of willingness to share various types of personal and contact information are sound and stable. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Temperament can be defined as a complex of typical innate traits which manifest themselves in characteristic ways of reacting, acting, and feeling. In 1981, Mary Rothbart published the Early Childhood Behavior Questionnaire on toddlers' behaviour, based on parental assessments in certain situations, which perceived temperament as "constitutionally-based individual differences in reactivity and regulation." The process of adapting the tool to the Czech population commenced in 2017. Objectives: The aim of the study was to adapt the Early Childhood Behavior Questionnaire Very Short Form (ECBQ VSF) on temperament to the Czech population of children. The results are to be used for the possible distribution to child psychologists for research purposes. Subjects and setting: The data were obtained from a representative sample of parents of 709 children aged 18-36 months [371 (52%) boys and 338 (48%) girls]. Results: The reliability of the adapted test was verified with Cronbach's alpha - first, for individual scales in general, then for individual scales divided by gender and age. Except for one case (boys - Surgency scale - age 18-23 months), Cronbach alpha values were within an acceptable range. The distribution of items into individual scales was verified with a factor analysis. The factor analysis confirmed the distribution of items into scales with the similarity of the original questionnaire's version. Five controversial items were identified. Future research activities will focus on explaining this phenomenon. Differences between values obtained in boys and girls were determined with two-way ANOVA. The differences were found in the Surgency scale according to age and the Effortful Control scale according to age and gender as well. In the Surgency scale, the score increases along with the age; with the Effortful Control scale, girls achieved higher scores than boys. The score also increases with probands' age. Upon the completion of the work, the ECBQ VSF questionnaire was adapted for the use in research activities targeted at the Czech population. Study limits: The results are based on a parental evaluation, but this was entirely consistent with the process of the creation of the original tool. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ochratoxin A is a nephrotoxic and renal carcinogenic mycotoxin and is a common contaminant of various food commodities. Eighty six kinds of foodstuffs (1032 food samples) were collected in 2011–2013. High-performance liquid chromatography with fluorescence detection was used for ochratoxin A determination. Limit of quantification of the method varied between 0.01–0.2 μg/kg depending on the food matrices. The most exposed population is children aged 4–6 years old. Globally for this group, the maximum ochratoxin A dietary exposure for “average consumer” was estimated at 3.3 ng/kg bw/day (lower bound, considering the analytical values below the limit of quantification as 0) and 3.9 ng/kg bw/day (middle bound, considering the analytical values below the limit of quantification as 1/2 limit of quantification). Important sources of exposure for this latter group include grain-based products, confectionery, meat products and fruit juice. The dietary intake for “high consumers” in the group 4–6 years old was estimated from grains and grain-based products at 19.8 ng/kg bw/day (middle bound), from tea at 12.0 ng/kg bw/day (middle bound) and from confectionery at 6.5 ng/kg bw/day (middle bound). For men aged 18–59 years old beer was the main contributor with an intake of 2.60 ng/kg bw/day (“high consumers”, middle bound). Tea and grain-based products were identified to be the main contributors for dietary exposure in women aged 18–59 years old. Coffee and wine were identified as a higher contributor of the OTA intake in the population group of women aged 18–59 years old compared to the other population groups.

Aim: To determine the allele frequency of the p.Val66Met (rs6265) polymorphism in BDNF gene (brain-derived neurotrophic factor, BDNF) in the Czech population. The p.Val66Met (rs6265) polymorphism in the BDNF gene is associated with impaired intracellular traffi cking and secretion of BDNF. Alterations in BDNF expression and function are involved in diff erent brain disorders and represent a major downstream mechanism for stress response. Material and methods: Retrospectively, 317 DNA control samples of Czech individuals aged between 45 and 81 years (173 men and 144 women), were examined for p.Val66Met polymorphism in the BDNF gene using the melting analysis. Results: Frequency of the mutant allele (A) was 16.3% and it was 83.7% for the wild type allele (G). Conclusion: The requency of the p.Val66Met polymorphism in the BDNF gene in the Czech population was determined. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of research was to verify connection between chosen risk factors for fall incidents of hospitalised patients and also circumstances of these incidents. Methodology: Research was conducted using quantitative method using retrospective analysis of fall incidents of hospitalised patients in four South Bohemian hospitals (Nemocnice České Budějovice, Nemocnice Tábor, Nemocnice Jindřichův Hradec and Nemocnice Písek). Research subjects were patients who had an incident of falling during 2014 and 2015 that was later reported. 1101 cases of falling incidents were analysed. Results: In 54% of falling incident reports for hospitalised patients earlier falling incident was reported in the patient case history. With patient age falling incidents appeared increasingly with statistical significance, the risk of falling increased, as did the severity of injuries caused by the fall. The retrospective analysis showed that patients with risk of falling in their case file were disoriented or confused, nurses significantly more often raised the sidebars of their beds. In 20% of the incidents the unraised bar was stated as the cause of the falling incident, On the other hand, in 36.5% of falling incident reports the reason of the fall were the bars raised along the whole length of the bed. Conclusions: When planning preventive interventions leading to decrease of the risk of falling incidents nursing personnel should consider the effectiveness of raising the bars on both sides of the bed along its whole length. A suitable alternative seems instead lowering the height of the bed, raising only bar on one bedside, or only the upper one. Another possibility is the so-called intelligent beds equipped by warning sensors for movement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Main goal of the European Health Examination Survey (EHES) was to obtain actual and relevant information about the non-communicable diseases risk factors among the Czech middle-aged population. Methods: Respondents of the European Health Interview Survey (EHIS), which was realised in 2014 on the representative sample, were asked to participate in EHES survey. The health examination involved repeated measure of blood pressure, anthropometric measures and blood sample analysis including total cholesterol blood level, HDL-cholesterol blood level and glycated haemoglobin. Results: There were 1220 participants aged 25-64 years of EHES survey examined; the respondence rate was 32%. The dataset was divided into two age group categories; the younger ones aged 25-44 years (n = 537, 44%) and the older ones aged 45-64 years (n = 683, 56%). The prevalence of hypertension was found in 19% of younger age group (14% females and 26% males; p < 0.001) and in 54% of older age group (44% females and 69% males; p < 0.001). Anti-hypertensive drug treatment was used by 82% of younger ones and 96% of older ones, who had the hypertension anamneses. Prevalence of prehypertension was detected in 11% of younger and 23% of older age group, who reported in questionnaire normal blood pressure. The population mean of total blood cholesterol level was 5.1 mmol/l among young and 5.5 mmol/l among old. Normal total blood cholesterol level (below 5 mmol/l) was found in 1 out of 2 young adults and only in 1 out of 3 older adults. Prevalence of diabetes was found among 2.5% of young and 12% of old (16% males a 10% females; p = 0.032) and prediabetes among 15% of young and 40% of old. The fatal cardiovascular risk in the next ten years was defined in 45% of respondents aged 45-64 year (65% males and 32% females; p < 0.001). Conclusions: The results show the high prevalence of NCD risk factors among the Czech population. As these factors are largely modifiable, not only the health promotion is important, but also the detection and identification of existing but not diagnosed diseases, where the main role play GPs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ochratoxin A is a nephrotoxic and renal carcinogenic mycotoxin and is a common contaminant of various food commodities. Eighty six kinds of foodstuffs (1032 food samples) were collected in 2011-2013. High-performance liquid chromatography with fluorescence detection was used for ochratoxin A determination. Limit of quantification of the method varied between 0.01-0.2 μg/kg depending on the food matrices. The most exposed population is children aged 4-6 years old. Globally for this group, the maximum ochratoxin A dietary exposure for "average consumer" was estimated at 3.3 ng/kg bw/day (lower bound, considering the analytical values below the limit of quantification as 0) and 3.9 ng/kg bw/day (middle bound, considering the analytical values below the limit of quantification as 1/2 limit of quantification). Important sources of exposure for this latter group include grain-based products, confectionery, meat products and fruit juice. The dietary intake for "high consumers" in the group 4-6 years old was estimated from grains and grain-based products at 19.8 ng/kg bw/day (middle bound), from tea at 12.0 ng/kg bw/day (middle bound) and from confectionery at 6.5 ng/kg bw/day (middle bound). For men aged 18-59 years old beer was the main contributor with an intake of 2.60 ng/kg bw/day ("high consumers", middle bound). Tea and grain-based products were identified to be the main contributors for dietary exposure in women aged 18-59 years old. Coffee and wine were identified as a higher contributor of the OTA intake in the population group of women aged 18-59 years old compared to the other population groups. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Accurate assessment of obesity depends on the accurate measurement of body fat. However, in praxis, we often use simple anthropometric indices. The main objective of this study is the comparison of the obesity rate expressed by anthropometric indices (BMI, waist/hip ratio - WHR) with the expression in %body fat in different age and gender groups of the Czech population. Indicators of obesity were investigated in a sample of 569 subjects (273 men, 296 women), divided into 6 age categories. According to measured values of % body fat, 19.8% of Czech men and 43.6% of women fall into the obese category. If we set the criterion for obesity at BMI 25 kg/m2, then the obese category includes 52% men and 38.2% women. Based on the WHR, we can say that 37.4% men and 56.1% women fall into the category of obese people. All the used indicators of obesity demonstrate the fact that the percentage of obese persons in the Czech population is high and increases with age. The results differ markedly in dependence on the used methods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Atopy is a predisposition to hyperproduction of immunoglobulin E (IgE) against common environmental allergens. It is often associated with development of allergic diseases such as asthma, rhinitis, and dermatitis. Production of IgE is influenced by genetic and environmental factors. In spite of progress in the study of heredity of atopy, the genetic mechanisms of IgE regulation have not yet been completely elucidated. The analysis of complex traits can benefit considerably from integration of human and mouse genetics. Previously, we mapped a mouse IgE-controlling locus Lmr9 on chromosome 4 to a segment of <9 Mb. In this study, we tested levels of total IgE and 25 specific IgEs against inhalant and food allergens in 67 Czech atopic families. In the position homologous to Lmr9 on chromosome 8q12 marked by D8S285, we demonstrated a novel human IgE-controlling locus exhibiting suggestive linkage to composite inhalant allergic sensitization (limit of detection, LOD = 2.11, P = 0.0009) and to nine specific IgEs, with maximum LOD (LOD = 2.42, P = 0.0004) to plantain. We also tested 16 markers at previously reported chromosomal regions of atopy. Linkage to plant allergens exceeding the LOD > 2.0 was detected at 5q33 (D5S1507, LOD = 2.11, P = 0.0009) and 13q14 (D13S165, LOD = 2.74, P = 0.0002). The significant association with plant allergens (quantitative and discrete traits) was found at 7p14 (D7S2250, corrected P = 0.026) and 12q13 (D12S1298, corrected P = 0.043). Thus, the finding of linkage on chromosome 8q12 shows precision and predictive power of mouse models in the investigation of complex traits in humans. Our results also confirm the role of loci at 5q33, 7p14, 12q14, and 13q13 in control of IgE. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) variability was studied in a sample of 179 individuals representing the Czech population of Western Bohemia. Sequencing of two hypervariable segments, HVS I and HVS II, in combination with screening of coding-region haplogroup-specific RFLP markers revealed that most Czech mtDNAs belong to the common West Eurasian mitochondrial haplogroups (H, pre-V, HV *, J, T, U, N1, W, and X). However, about 3% of Czech mtDNAs encompass East Eurasian lineages (A, N9a, D4, M*). A comparative analysis with published data showed that different Slavonic populations in Central and Eastern Europe contain small but marked amounts of East Eurasian mtDNAs. We suggest that the presence of East Eurasian mtDNA haplotypes is not an original feature of the gene pool of the proto-Slavs but rather may be mostly a consequence of admixture with Central Asian nomadic tribes, who migrated into Central and Eastern Europe in the early Middle Ages. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Biallelic pathogenic GJB2 gene mutations cause pre-lingual genetic hearing loss in up to 50% of individuals with bilateral sensorineural hearing loss worldwide. Sequencing of the entire GJB2 gene-coding region in Czech patients with pre-lingual bilateral hearing loss revealed that 10.3% of Czech patients carry only one monoallelic pathogenic mutation in the coding region of the GJB2 gene, which is significantly more than the population frequency of 3.4%. The 309-kb GJB6 deletion, frequent in Spain and France, is very rare in the Czech population. In order to evaluate the impact of the IVS1 + 1 G to A splice site mutation in the non-coding part of the GJB2 gene among Czech patients, we tested all available patients with pre-lingual hearing loss with only one monoallelic mutation in the coding part of GJB2. By sequencing of the exon 1 region of the GJB2 gene and HphI restriction analysis in 20 Czech patients we identified nine patients carrying IVS1 + 1 G to A. Testing for this mutation explained deafness in 45% of Czech GJB2 monoallelic patients. This mutation represents now 4% of GJB2 pathogenic mutations in Czech patients and is the third most common GJB2 mutation found in our cohort of 242 unrelated Czech patients with prelingual hearing loss. A similar frequency may also be expected in other Central European or Slavic populations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although spinocerebellar ataxia type 3 (SCA3)/Machado–Joseph disease is the most common type of SCA worldwide, we did not identify any cases of the disease amongst SCA patients in the Czech population. It has been proposed that the prevalence of large normal alleles correlates with the frequency of various types of SCA. We have therefore attempted to resolve the absence of SCA3 in our population by investigating, within 204 normal chromosomes, the frequency and nature of CAG repeats as well as two intragenic polymorphisms. We found that large normal alleles with more than 33 CAG repeats were observed at a frequency of only 0.49%. Whereas most of the expanded alleles worldwide have the CA haplotype, this was the least common (5.4%) variant observed in our study, although it was associated with a larger mean CAG repeat length (26.9). We postulate that the absence of SCA3 in the Czech population might be explained by the lack of large normal alleles and consequently a relatively small reservoir for aberrant CAG expansions at the SCA3 locus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Interleukin-18 (IL-18) gene promoter polymorphism is known as a genetic risk factor for child type 1 diabetes mellitus development. To test the role of IL-18 gene polymorphism in predisposition to adult type 1 diabetes (T1DM) and latent autoimmune diabetes in adults (LADA), we analysed SNPs at position -607 (C/A) and -137 (G/C) in the promoter region of IL-18 gene by sequence-specific PCR in 49 T1DM, 66 LADA patients and 139 healthy controls. We found differences in allele, genotype or haplotype distribution in tested patients when compared to frequencies found in control group but these differences did not reach statistical significance. However, there was a difference in -607 (C/A) allele and genotype distribution found in LADA and T1DM patients that reached statistical significance. These results suggest that the IL-18 gene promoter polymorphisms are not associated with adult type 1 diabetes or LADA susceptibility, and according to our findings genes involved in onset and progression of LADA and T1DM are probably different. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Seeman P, Malíková M, Rašková D, Bendová O, Groh D, Kubálková M, Sakmaryová I, Seemanová E, Kabelka Z. Spectrum and frequencies of mutations in the GJB2 ( Cx26) gene among 156 Czech patients with pre-lingual deafness. Mutations in the gene gap junction beta 2 ( GJB2), the gene for the connexin 26, are the most common cause of pre-lingual deafness worldwide. The mutation 35delG within GJB2 is prevalent in Europe. To date, there are no data about GJB2 mutation spectrum and frequencies from the Czech population. We investigated and report here the spectrum and frequencies of mutations in the GJB2 gene among 156 unrelated, congenital deafness Czech patients. Allele-specific polymerase chain reaction, together with fluorescent fragment analysis, were used for the detection of the 35delG mutation. The entire coding region of the GJB2 was directly sequenced in all patients who were not homozygous for the 35delG. No pathogenic mutation was detected in 51.9% of patients. At least one pathogenic mutation was found in 48.1% of patients, and both pathogenic mutations were detected in 37.8% of patients. Single mutations in a heterozygous state were detected in 10.3% of patients. The mutation 35delG accounts for 82.8% of detected disease mutations, Trp24stop accounts for 9.7% of pathogenic alleles and was found in patients with gypsy heritage. Mutation 313del14 accounts for 3.7% of pathogenic alleles. The frequency of 35delG heterozygotes in the Czech Republic is 1 : 29.6. Testing for only the three most common mutations would detect over 96% of all pathogenic alleles in the Czech Republic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The development of a method for the direct determination of cadmium (Cd) and lead (Pb) in blood samples by GFAAS, is described. Samples were properly diluted by a matrix modifier to enable measuring both analytes in one solution. For the determination of Cd, a matrix-matched, and for the determination of Pb, an aqueous calibration was used. The precision, accuracy, and detection limits of this method are presented. A method is applied to the investigation of Cd and Pb levels in a general Czech population, selected according to the WHO-MONICA project criteria. To avoid possible contaminations, samples were treated in a clean room class 100. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The aim of the study was to determine the prevalence of arterial hypertension and its awareness rate and control rate among diabetes mellitus (DM) patients in the Czech Republic between 25-64 years of age and to compare the results with those in age-matched non-diabetic patients., Materials and Methods: Blood pressure measurement data of 1 170 respondents (467 men and 703 women) obtained during the EHES study in 2014 were analysed. DM was diagnosed in 95 (8.2%) respondents (44 men and 51 women)., Results: Mean systolic blood pressure in DM patients was 130.7 ± 18.3 vs. 123.2 ± 16.8 mmHg in non-DM subjects (p &lt; 0.001). The difference in diastolic blood pressure was on the borderline of statistical significance (82.2 ± 9.4 mmHg in DM vs. 80.0 ± 10.6 mmHg in non-DM subjects, p = 0.051). Among the study population, 69.5% of DM and 34.2% of non-DM subjects suffered from arterial hypertension (p &lt; 0.001). The hypertension awareness rates were 87.9% in the DM group and 66.8 % in the non-DM group. (p = 0.001). The percentage of treated arterial hypertension was 94.8% in DM patients vs. 80.5% in the non-DM group (p = 0.010). The blood pressure target of &lt; 140/90 mmHg was achieved in 47.3% of DM patients vs. 60.6% in non-DM subjects (p = 0.077). Using a blood pressure target of &lt; 130/80 mmHg, adequate arterial hypertension control was achieved in only 29.1% of DM patients. When comparing the achievement of the blood pressure targets recommended for diabetic patients (&lt; 130/80 mmHg) and non-DM patients (&lt; 140/90 mmHg), the difference between these groups was statistically significant (p &lt; 0.001) in favour of the non-diabetic group., Conclusion: The study has shown the prevalence of arterial hypertension to be twice as high in DM patients aged 25-64 compared to the age-matched non-DM subjects in the Czech Republic. The adequate blood pressure control rate is significantly lower in DM patients than in the non-diabetic population. The study results indicate that the blood pressure targets recommended for diabetic patients (&lt; 130/80 mmHg) are not always reached in clinical practice.

Aims: The aim of this study is to establish the prevalence of diabetes (DM) and prediabetes in the Czech population aged 25-64 years and to evaluate the relationships with various cardiometabolic, sociodemographic, and lifestyle risk factors.Methods: This was an epidemiological study with a stratified, crosssectional, random sampling design. Sociodemographic, lifestyle, and anamnestic data were collected through interviewer-administered questionnaires, medical examination, and biochemical assays.Results: Among the 1189 participants, 114 were diagnosed with DM (9.6%), 330 with prediabetes (27.8%) and 745 were non-diabetes/non-prediabetes individuals (62.7%). Logistic regression analysis showed that overweight, general and abdominal obesity, hypertension, and lower level of HDL (increased risk) significantly increased the risk of both prediabetes and DM, while living in the cities diminished risk of DM. Among lifestyle variables the significant increased risk of prediabetes and DM was found for smokers and ex-smokers. In other lifestyle variables (marijuana lifetime prevalence, physical activity and frequency of alcohol drinking) the significantly higher or lower risk for prediabetes or DM was not found.Conclusions: The study shows a high prevalence of DM and prediabetes in the Czech population of age between 25 and 64, providing data on their association with several risk factors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

One hundred and eighty Czech individuals from the Czech Republic pop 3 were genotyped at the HLA-DRB1, -DQA1 and -DQB1 loci using sequence-specific primers PCR methods. HLA-DRB1, -DQA1 and -DQB1 genotypes are consistent with expected Hardy–Weinberg (HW) proportions. These genotype data are available in the Allele Frequencies Net Database under identifier AFND. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: To estimate and compare the 2016 numbers and proportions of deaths from selected types of malignant neoplasms attributable to high body mass index (BMI) from 2008 in the Czech and Slovak populations. Material and methods: The estimated impact of overweight and obesity on the risk of malignant neoplasms in the Czech and Slovak populations was calculated using the population attributable fraction (PAF)., Results: It is estimated that 2 120 deaths in the Czech Republic and 1 073 deaths in the Slovak Republic in 2016 could be attributable to high BMI. The highest PAF was observed for oesophagal adenocarcinoma in all age categories regardless of sex and country., Conclusions: It can be stated that high BMI has an impact on selected types of malignant neoplasms. A generally higher PAF was observed for females. At the same time, females showed an increasing PAF with increasing age. This can be explained by weight increase with age in the ageing female population.

The usual dietary intake of vitamin D was studied in 10 subgroups of the Czech population. Food consumption data was collected using repeated 24 h recall in a national cross-sectional survey (the Study of Individual Food Consumption, SISP04), and the vitamin D content in marketed foods was quantified within the national Total Diet Study (2014–2015). The Monte Carlo Risk Assessment computational model (version MCRA 8.2) was used to assess usual intake. The median vitamin D intakes for the Czech population (aged 4–90 years, both genders) were within a range of 2.5–5.1 μg/day. The highest median intake, excluding dietary supplements, was observed in men aged 18–64, and the lowest was observed in children aged 4–6 and girls aged 11–17. The main sources in the diet were hen eggs (21–28% of usual dietary intake), fine bakery wares (11–19%), cow's milk and dairy products (7–23%), meat and meat products (4–12%), fish (6–20%), and margarines (7–18%). The dietary intake of vitamin D for more than 95% of the Czech population was below the recommended Dietary Reference Values (DRVs). These findings should encourage public health authorities to support interventions and education and implement new regulatory measures for improving intake. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]