Aim: This study is concerned with environmental health studies conducted in Ostrava (Czech Republ... more Aim: This study is concerned with environmental health studies conducted in Ostrava (Czech Republic) and the surrounding region since the early nineties. Methods: Various databases, journals and reports, including internal or unpublished reports, were reviewed to assess the individual publications. A brief description of the studies and main results were collated. Results: The city of Ostrava and the surrounding region is an important industrial centre in the Czech Republic with a long-term heavy environmental and occupational disease burden. In spite of the theoretically assessed decline of health risks related to decreasing concentrations of compounds in the environment in recent years, it still poses a disproportionally high risk for the city residents. There are a number of studies suggesting supportive evidence, but they are highly variable in their approach to this topic resulting in a high uncertainty of observed associations and consistency of results. Most of the studies were focused on specific contexts, without any relation to environmental factors. Conclusions: A more systematic approach is needed to assess environmental health burden of diseases especially in relation to air pollution, based on the prospective cohort study, that would lead to sufficient new evidence for accurate and updated description of the environmental health burden in Ostrava.
Stárnutí evropské populace souvisí i s potřebou zlepšení kvality života ve vyšším věku a se zodpo... more Stárnutí evropské populace souvisí i s potřebou zlepšení kvality života ve vyšším věku a se zodpovězením otázek, do jaké míry jsou rozdíly zdravotního stavu dány kvalitou životního prostředí a dalšími neovlivnitelnými faktory a do jaké míry je možno ovlivnit zdravé stárnutí vlastním přičiněním. Krátké sdělení přináší první informace o obsahu a metodice pětiletého projektu HAIE zahájeného v roce 2018, který se pokouší najít odpověď na tyto otázky. Projekt HAIE (Healthy Aging in Industrial Environment)-Zdravé stárnutí v průmyslovém prostředí je projektem Excelentního výzkumu v rámci Operačního programu Výzkum, vývoj a vzdělávání Ministerstva školství, mládeže a tělovýchovy. Do jeho řešení jsou zapojena čtyři výzkumná pracoviště-Centrum epidemiologického výzkumu, Lékařská fakulta, Ostravská univerzita-hlavní řešitel projektu; Ústav experimentální medicíny, Akademie věd ČR, v. v. i.; Výzkumný ústav veterinárního lékařství, v. v. i.; a Centrum diagnostiky lidského pohybu, Pedagogická fakulta, Ostravská univerzita.
The aim of the study was to evaluate prevalence, seriousness and risk factors of intra-thoracic i... more The aim of the study was to evaluate prevalence, seriousness and risk factors of intra-thoracic injuries (ITI) injuries associated with CPR in non-survivors after out-of-hospital cardiac arrest. This was a prospective forensic autopsy cohort study conducted in a single institution. Pathologists recorded autopsy data using standardized protocol which contained data from external and internal examination of the body focused on ITI. In total, 80 persons were included in this study. CPR-associated injuries were found in 93.7% of cases; majority of injuries were skeletal chest fractures (rib fractures in 73.7%, sternal fractures in 66.3%). ITI were identified in 41.2% of cases. Contusion of at least one lung lobe was found in 31.2%, lung laceration in 2.5%, and hemothorax in 5.0% of cases. Transmural heart contusion was identified in 17.5% of cases; hemopericard on the grounds of right atrium rupture of aortic rupture was revealed in 8.7% of cases. Risk factor analysis did not show any statistically significant correlation between ITI and any of general data (age, gender, BMI, cause of death, season of the year or location where the body was found) or CPR specifications (type and duration of CPR, manner of chest compressions). A strong correlation between ITI and skeletal chest fractures was proven. ITI present frequent and serious complications of unsuccessful CPR. ITI could contribute to the death only provided the fact that ROSC had been achieved. Correct performance of chest compressions according to guidelines is the best way to avoid ITI.
Epidemiologie, mikrobiologie, imunologie: casopis Spolecnosti pro epidemiologii a mikrobiologii Ceske lekarske spolecnosti J.E. Purkyne
A multifactor analysis of risk factors for pancreas cancer in women. A case-control study was con... more A multifactor analysis of risk factors for pancreas cancer in women. A case-control study was conducted in three centres in the Czech Republic (Olomouc, Ostrava, and České Budějovice) in 2006-2009. In total, 226 women (129 pancreas cancer cases, 97 controls) were included in the study. Statistical analysis was performed, the crude odds ratio (OR) was calculated, and logistic regression analysis was used at a 5% level of statistical significance. A statistically significant inverse association was found between pancreatic cancer and oral contraceptives (OR 0.21; 95% CI: 0.07-0.69). Pregnancy and number of pregnancies or gynecological surgical procedures did not show any association with pancreatic cancer. No significant difference in the first menstrual period was found between pancreatic cancer patients and controls. The study results showed inverse association between pancreatic cancer and oral contraceptives (OR 0.21; 95% CI: 0.07-0.69), controlled alcohol consumption (OR 0.26; 95...
A germline SNP (rs61764370) is located in a let-7 complementary site (LCS6) in the 3&... more A germline SNP (rs61764370) is located in a let-7 complementary site (LCS6) in the 3'UTR of KRAS oncogene, and it was found to alter the binding capability of the mature let-7 microRNA to the KRAS mRNA. The aim of the study was to evaluate the frequency of the KRAS-LCS6 variant allele in different cancer types that included patients with colorectal cancer (CRC), breast cancer (BC), non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and brain tumour patient subgroups from the Czech Republic. The occurrence of this genetic variant was correlated with the presence of selected somatic mutations representing predictive biomarkers in the respective tumours. DNA of tumour tissues was isolated from 428 colorectal cancer samples, 311 non-small cell lung cancer samples, 195 breast cancer samples and 151 samples with brain tumour. Analysis of SNP (rs61764370) was performed by the PCR+RFLP method and direct sequencing. KRAS, BRAF and EGFR mutation status was assessed using real-time PCR. The status of the HER2 gene was assessed using the FISH method. The KRAS-LCS6 TG genotype has been detected in 16.4% (32/195) of breast cancer cases (in HER2 positive breast cancer 3.3%, in HER2 negative breast cancer 20.1%), in 12.4% (53/428) of CRC cases (KRAS/BRAF wild type CRC in 10.6%, KRAS mutant CRC in 10.1%, BRAF V600E mutant CRC in 18.5%), in 13.2% (41/311) of NSCLC samples, (EGFR mutant NSCLC patients in 8%, EGFR wild type NSCLC in 12.9%), and 17.9% (27/151) of brain tumour cases. The KRAS-LCS6 TG genotype was not significantly different across the studied tumours. In our study, the GG genotype has not been found among the cancer samples. Based on the findings, it is concluded that the occurrence of the KRAS-LCS6 TG genotype was statistically significantly different in association with status of the HER2 gene in breast cancer. Furthermore, significant association between the mutation status of analysed somatic variants in genes of the EGFR signalling pathway (KRAS, BRAF, EGFR) and the KRAS-LCS6 genotype in colorectal cancer and NSCLC has not been established.
International Journal of Occupational Medicine and Environmental Health, 2015
The aim of the study was to assess health status of regular and part-time mines rescue brigadesme... more The aim of the study was to assess health status of regular and part-time mines rescue brigadesmen. A group of 685 mines rescue brigadesmen was examined within the preventive testing - a basic internal, biochemistry and anthropometric examination, physical fitness testing. The average age of the subjects was 41.96±7.18 years, the average exposure in mining was 20±8.1 years, out of that 11.95±7.85 years as mines rescue brigadesmen. Elevated levels of total serum cholesterol (T-CH) and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-CH) were found in over 1/2 of the subjects. Systolic hypertension (systolic blood pressure (SBP) ≥ 140 mm Hg) was confirmed in 34%, overweight (body mass index (BMI) ≥ 25) in 62.3% and obesity (BMI ≥ 30) in 20.4% of the examined mines rescue brigadesmen. The metabolic syndrome was found in 15.2% of persons. The highest physical fitness was found in mines rescue brigadesmen and the lowest in mine officers. Limit values of maximum oxygen uptake (VO2 max/kg) determined by the management of the mine rescue station were not reached by every 3rd of all mines rescue brigadesmen. Compared with the control group of the Czech and Slovak population, the rescuers are taller, have greater BMI, higher percentage of body fat in all age categories and proportionally to that they achieve a higher maximum minute oxygen uptake; however, in relative values per kg of body weight their physical fitness is practically the same as that of the controls. The prevalence of risk factors of cardiovascular diseases and VO2 max/kg in the group of the mines rescue brigadesmen is comparable with that in the general untrained Czech population.
Environmental Health in Central and Eastern Europe, 2006
ABSTRACT The risk of malignant tumors and lung cancer was monitored in a population of 7,774 ex-m... more ABSTRACT The risk of malignant tumors and lung cancer was monitored in a population of 7,774 ex-miners who had worked in black-coal mines. The incidence of all malignant tumors (n = 264) was comparable to incidence in the Czech Republic. Lung cancer represented 18% of all malignant tumors. About 10% of miners were found to have a light form of coal workerspneumoconiosis. The population studied included 55% smokers, 31% non-smokers and 14% ex- smokers. The incidence of lung cancer significantly increased with age (p = 0.01) and 98% of miners with lung cancer were smokers or ex-smokers.
Background. Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most common form of dementia. It is a degenerative, i... more Background. Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most common form of dementia. It is a degenerative, incurable and terminal disease. The increasing prevalence of AD is, among other reasons, due to population aging, which is, to a certain extent, seen worldwide. Continuous advances in health care keep increasing life expectancy. Official statistics are likely to significantly underestimate the actual prevalence of AD. Alzheimer's disease represents an important public health problem. Its aetiology is still unknown and for this reason, it is necessary to study all potential risk factors which may contribute to the development of this disease. Methods. We searched original and review articles addressing Alzheimer´s disease using key words Alzheimer's disease, epidemiology, risk factors and prevention. We found and used one hundred and four references. Conclusions. Based on epidemiological studies, genetic studies, neuroimaging methods and neuropathology research, three basic etiological hypotheses of the development of AD have been formulated: genetic, vascular and psychosocial. At present, the level of evidence is insufficient for the etiological role of other factors, such as nutrition, occupational exposure to various substances and inflammation. From the point of view of early diagnosis and application of primary or secondary prevention principles, genetic factors are the most important.
International Journal of Occupational Medicine and Environmental Health, 2012
The aim of the study was comparison of cancer incidence risk of lungs, stomach, colon, bladder an... more The aim of the study was comparison of cancer incidence risk of lungs, stomach, colon, bladder and kidneys from ex-miners of black coal mines and the general male population of the Czech Republic. The analysis was conducted in two cohorts of ex-miners according to the presence of coalworkers' pneumoconiosis (CWP). The first cohort included the miners without CWP (N = 6705), and the second cohort included the miners who were compensated for CWP (N = 2158). Personal and occupational data was merged with the data in the National Population Register and the National Oncological Register for the period from 1992 to 2006. Cancer risk in miners in comparison to the general male population of the Czech Republic was evaluated by SIR (Standardized Incidence Ratio) and 95% confidence interval (CI). About twice as high risk of lung cancer was found in miners with CWP (SIR = 2.21; 95% CI: 1.75-2.76). Lung cancer risk correlated with the severity of CWP (simple CWP SIR=1.96; 95% CI: 1.48-2.56, progressive massive fibrosis SIR = 4.29; 95% CI: 2.09-7.87). No increased risk of lung cancer was found in ex-miners without CWP. The risk of malignant neoplasm at the other selected sites was comparable with the risk in the general male population of the Czech Republic. This study found increased lung cancer risk in coal miners with CWP, but not in those without CWP, comparing with the general population. These results served as the basis for the inclusion of lung cancer in association with CWP into a new Czech list of occupational diseases.
Environmental Health in Central and Eastern Europe, 2006
This study utilized biomonitoring to evaluate the genotoxic potential of quartz dust in the ambie... more This study utilized biomonitoring to evaluate the genotoxic potential of quartz dust in the ambient air at the workplace in coal mines, quarries, and stone processing facilities. The data suggest that quartz dust is genotoxic, and is an important contributor to the genotoxicity of complex mixtures of fibrogenic respirable airborne particles in ambient air in these workplaces. In areas of
Graefe's Archive for Clinical and Experimental Ophthalmology, 2011
To compare the success rate of monocanalicular intubation (MCI) compared with bicanalicular silic... more To compare the success rate of monocanalicular intubation (MCI) compared with bicanalicular silicone intubation (BCI) in congenital nasolacrimal duct obstruction (CNLDO) in infants and toddlers. In a prospective, nonrandomized, comparative study, MCI (n = 35 eyes) through the inferior canaliculus or BCI (n = 35 eyes) were performed under general anaesthesia in children aged 10 to 36 months with CNLDO. The tubes were removed 3-4 months after tube placement, and the children were followed up for 6 months after the removal of tubes. Therapeutic success was defined as the fluorescein dye disappearance test grade 0-1, corresponding with a complete resolution of previous symptoms. Partial success was defined as improvement with some residual symptoms. Complete and partial improvement was achieved in 31/35 (88.57%) in the BCI group and 34/35 (97.14%) in the MCI group. The difference between the two groups was not significant (p = 0.584). Complications occurred in both groups. Dislodgement of the tube and premature removal was observed in four BCI cases, and loss of the tube was observed twice in the MCI group. Canalicular slitting was observed in five eyes in the BCI group. Granuloma pyogenicum observed in 2 cases with MCI revealed a few weeks after the tube removal. Corneal erosion in the inferior medial quadrant was observed in one MCI eye and revealed in a few days after the local treatment without tube removal. Both MCI and the BCI are effective methods for treating CNLDO. MCI has the advantage of a lower incidence of canalicular slit and easy placement.
Studies of the impact of long-term exposure to outdoor air pollution on the prevalence of respira... more Studies of the impact of long-term exposure to outdoor air pollution on the prevalence of respiratory symptoms and lung function in children have yielded mixed results, partly related to differences in study design, exposure assessment, confounder selection and data analysis. We assembled respiratory health and exposure data for >45,000 children from comparable cross-sectional studies in 12 countries. 11 respiratory symptoms were selected, for which comparable questions were asked. Spirometry was performed in about half of the children. Exposure to air pollution was mainly characterised by annual average concentrations of particulate matter with a 50% cut-off aerodynamic diameter of 10 μm (PM(10)) measured at fixed sites within the study areas. Positive associations were found between the average PM(10) concentration and the prevalence of phlegm (OR per 10 μg · m(-3) 1.15, 95% CI 1.02-1.30), hay fever (OR 1.20, 95% CI 0.99-1.46), bronchitis (OR 1.08, 95% CI 0.98-1.19), morning cough (OR 1.15, 95% CI 1.02-1.29) and nocturnal cough (OR 1.13, 95% CI 0.98-1.29). There were no associations with diagnosed asthma or asthma symptoms. PM(10) was not associated with lung function across all studies combined. Our study adds to the evidence that long-term exposure to outdoor air pollution, characterised by the concentration of PM(10), is associated with increased respiratory symptoms.
Higher levels of exposure to extremely low-frequency magnetic fields (ELF-MF) are associated with... more Higher levels of exposure to extremely low-frequency magnetic fields (ELF-MF) are associated with a slightly increased risk of childhood leukaemia. Compared with more-developed Western countries, higher exposure levels are evident in the Czech Republic, probably because of the different types of housing. In light of this, we aimed to examine the association between ELF-MF exposure and childhood leukaemia in the Czech Republic. We conducted a paired case-control study. The cases (children with leukaemia) were age- sex- and permanent residence-matched to controls (children without leukaemia). Although this limited potential bias and confounding, it also limited our number of participants. The matched analyses included 79 case-control pairs. No significant association between ELF-MF exposure and childhood leukaemia was observed for exposures over 0.2 μT (odds ratio [OR]=0.93, confidence interval [CI]=0.45-1.93), 0.3 μT (OR=0.77, CI=0.34-1.75), or 0.4 μT (OR=0.9, CI=0.37-2.22). Despite ...
Aim: This study is concerned with environmental health studies conducted in Ostrava (Czech Republ... more Aim: This study is concerned with environmental health studies conducted in Ostrava (Czech Republic) and the surrounding region since the early nineties. Methods: Various databases, journals and reports, including internal or unpublished reports, were reviewed to assess the individual publications. A brief description of the studies and main results were collated. Results: The city of Ostrava and the surrounding region is an important industrial centre in the Czech Republic with a long-term heavy environmental and occupational disease burden. In spite of the theoretically assessed decline of health risks related to decreasing concentrations of compounds in the environment in recent years, it still poses a disproportionally high risk for the city residents. There are a number of studies suggesting supportive evidence, but they are highly variable in their approach to this topic resulting in a high uncertainty of observed associations and consistency of results. Most of the studies were focused on specific contexts, without any relation to environmental factors. Conclusions: A more systematic approach is needed to assess environmental health burden of diseases especially in relation to air pollution, based on the prospective cohort study, that would lead to sufficient new evidence for accurate and updated description of the environmental health burden in Ostrava.
Stárnutí evropské populace souvisí i s potřebou zlepšení kvality života ve vyšším věku a se zodpo... more Stárnutí evropské populace souvisí i s potřebou zlepšení kvality života ve vyšším věku a se zodpovězením otázek, do jaké míry jsou rozdíly zdravotního stavu dány kvalitou životního prostředí a dalšími neovlivnitelnými faktory a do jaké míry je možno ovlivnit zdravé stárnutí vlastním přičiněním. Krátké sdělení přináší první informace o obsahu a metodice pětiletého projektu HAIE zahájeného v roce 2018, který se pokouší najít odpověď na tyto otázky. Projekt HAIE (Healthy Aging in Industrial Environment)-Zdravé stárnutí v průmyslovém prostředí je projektem Excelentního výzkumu v rámci Operačního programu Výzkum, vývoj a vzdělávání Ministerstva školství, mládeže a tělovýchovy. Do jeho řešení jsou zapojena čtyři výzkumná pracoviště-Centrum epidemiologického výzkumu, Lékařská fakulta, Ostravská univerzita-hlavní řešitel projektu; Ústav experimentální medicíny, Akademie věd ČR, v. v. i.; Výzkumný ústav veterinárního lékařství, v. v. i.; a Centrum diagnostiky lidského pohybu, Pedagogická fakulta, Ostravská univerzita.
The aim of the study was to evaluate prevalence, seriousness and risk factors of intra-thoracic i... more The aim of the study was to evaluate prevalence, seriousness and risk factors of intra-thoracic injuries (ITI) injuries associated with CPR in non-survivors after out-of-hospital cardiac arrest. This was a prospective forensic autopsy cohort study conducted in a single institution. Pathologists recorded autopsy data using standardized protocol which contained data from external and internal examination of the body focused on ITI. In total, 80 persons were included in this study. CPR-associated injuries were found in 93.7% of cases; majority of injuries were skeletal chest fractures (rib fractures in 73.7%, sternal fractures in 66.3%). ITI were identified in 41.2% of cases. Contusion of at least one lung lobe was found in 31.2%, lung laceration in 2.5%, and hemothorax in 5.0% of cases. Transmural heart contusion was identified in 17.5% of cases; hemopericard on the grounds of right atrium rupture of aortic rupture was revealed in 8.7% of cases. Risk factor analysis did not show any statistically significant correlation between ITI and any of general data (age, gender, BMI, cause of death, season of the year or location where the body was found) or CPR specifications (type and duration of CPR, manner of chest compressions). A strong correlation between ITI and skeletal chest fractures was proven. ITI present frequent and serious complications of unsuccessful CPR. ITI could contribute to the death only provided the fact that ROSC had been achieved. Correct performance of chest compressions according to guidelines is the best way to avoid ITI.
Epidemiologie, mikrobiologie, imunologie: casopis Spolecnosti pro epidemiologii a mikrobiologii Ceske lekarske spolecnosti J.E. Purkyne
A multifactor analysis of risk factors for pancreas cancer in women. A case-control study was con... more A multifactor analysis of risk factors for pancreas cancer in women. A case-control study was conducted in three centres in the Czech Republic (Olomouc, Ostrava, and České Budějovice) in 2006-2009. In total, 226 women (129 pancreas cancer cases, 97 controls) were included in the study. Statistical analysis was performed, the crude odds ratio (OR) was calculated, and logistic regression analysis was used at a 5% level of statistical significance. A statistically significant inverse association was found between pancreatic cancer and oral contraceptives (OR 0.21; 95% CI: 0.07-0.69). Pregnancy and number of pregnancies or gynecological surgical procedures did not show any association with pancreatic cancer. No significant difference in the first menstrual period was found between pancreatic cancer patients and controls. The study results showed inverse association between pancreatic cancer and oral contraceptives (OR 0.21; 95% CI: 0.07-0.69), controlled alcohol consumption (OR 0.26; 95...
A germline SNP (rs61764370) is located in a let-7 complementary site (LCS6) in the 3&... more A germline SNP (rs61764370) is located in a let-7 complementary site (LCS6) in the 3'UTR of KRAS oncogene, and it was found to alter the binding capability of the mature let-7 microRNA to the KRAS mRNA. The aim of the study was to evaluate the frequency of the KRAS-LCS6 variant allele in different cancer types that included patients with colorectal cancer (CRC), breast cancer (BC), non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and brain tumour patient subgroups from the Czech Republic. The occurrence of this genetic variant was correlated with the presence of selected somatic mutations representing predictive biomarkers in the respective tumours. DNA of tumour tissues was isolated from 428 colorectal cancer samples, 311 non-small cell lung cancer samples, 195 breast cancer samples and 151 samples with brain tumour. Analysis of SNP (rs61764370) was performed by the PCR+RFLP method and direct sequencing. KRAS, BRAF and EGFR mutation status was assessed using real-time PCR. The status of the HER2 gene was assessed using the FISH method. The KRAS-LCS6 TG genotype has been detected in 16.4% (32/195) of breast cancer cases (in HER2 positive breast cancer 3.3%, in HER2 negative breast cancer 20.1%), in 12.4% (53/428) of CRC cases (KRAS/BRAF wild type CRC in 10.6%, KRAS mutant CRC in 10.1%, BRAF V600E mutant CRC in 18.5%), in 13.2% (41/311) of NSCLC samples, (EGFR mutant NSCLC patients in 8%, EGFR wild type NSCLC in 12.9%), and 17.9% (27/151) of brain tumour cases. The KRAS-LCS6 TG genotype was not significantly different across the studied tumours. In our study, the GG genotype has not been found among the cancer samples. Based on the findings, it is concluded that the occurrence of the KRAS-LCS6 TG genotype was statistically significantly different in association with status of the HER2 gene in breast cancer. Furthermore, significant association between the mutation status of analysed somatic variants in genes of the EGFR signalling pathway (KRAS, BRAF, EGFR) and the KRAS-LCS6 genotype in colorectal cancer and NSCLC has not been established.
International Journal of Occupational Medicine and Environmental Health, 2015
The aim of the study was to assess health status of regular and part-time mines rescue brigadesme... more The aim of the study was to assess health status of regular and part-time mines rescue brigadesmen. A group of 685 mines rescue brigadesmen was examined within the preventive testing - a basic internal, biochemistry and anthropometric examination, physical fitness testing. The average age of the subjects was 41.96±7.18 years, the average exposure in mining was 20±8.1 years, out of that 11.95±7.85 years as mines rescue brigadesmen. Elevated levels of total serum cholesterol (T-CH) and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-CH) were found in over 1/2 of the subjects. Systolic hypertension (systolic blood pressure (SBP) ≥ 140 mm Hg) was confirmed in 34%, overweight (body mass index (BMI) ≥ 25) in 62.3% and obesity (BMI ≥ 30) in 20.4% of the examined mines rescue brigadesmen. The metabolic syndrome was found in 15.2% of persons. The highest physical fitness was found in mines rescue brigadesmen and the lowest in mine officers. Limit values of maximum oxygen uptake (VO2 max/kg) determined by the management of the mine rescue station were not reached by every 3rd of all mines rescue brigadesmen. Compared with the control group of the Czech and Slovak population, the rescuers are taller, have greater BMI, higher percentage of body fat in all age categories and proportionally to that they achieve a higher maximum minute oxygen uptake; however, in relative values per kg of body weight their physical fitness is practically the same as that of the controls. The prevalence of risk factors of cardiovascular diseases and VO2 max/kg in the group of the mines rescue brigadesmen is comparable with that in the general untrained Czech population.
Environmental Health in Central and Eastern Europe, 2006
ABSTRACT The risk of malignant tumors and lung cancer was monitored in a population of 7,774 ex-m... more ABSTRACT The risk of malignant tumors and lung cancer was monitored in a population of 7,774 ex-miners who had worked in black-coal mines. The incidence of all malignant tumors (n = 264) was comparable to incidence in the Czech Republic. Lung cancer represented 18% of all malignant tumors. About 10% of miners were found to have a light form of coal workerspneumoconiosis. The population studied included 55% smokers, 31% non-smokers and 14% ex- smokers. The incidence of lung cancer significantly increased with age (p = 0.01) and 98% of miners with lung cancer were smokers or ex-smokers.
Background. Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most common form of dementia. It is a degenerative, i... more Background. Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most common form of dementia. It is a degenerative, incurable and terminal disease. The increasing prevalence of AD is, among other reasons, due to population aging, which is, to a certain extent, seen worldwide. Continuous advances in health care keep increasing life expectancy. Official statistics are likely to significantly underestimate the actual prevalence of AD. Alzheimer's disease represents an important public health problem. Its aetiology is still unknown and for this reason, it is necessary to study all potential risk factors which may contribute to the development of this disease. Methods. We searched original and review articles addressing Alzheimer´s disease using key words Alzheimer's disease, epidemiology, risk factors and prevention. We found and used one hundred and four references. Conclusions. Based on epidemiological studies, genetic studies, neuroimaging methods and neuropathology research, three basic etiological hypotheses of the development of AD have been formulated: genetic, vascular and psychosocial. At present, the level of evidence is insufficient for the etiological role of other factors, such as nutrition, occupational exposure to various substances and inflammation. From the point of view of early diagnosis and application of primary or secondary prevention principles, genetic factors are the most important.
International Journal of Occupational Medicine and Environmental Health, 2012
The aim of the study was comparison of cancer incidence risk of lungs, stomach, colon, bladder an... more The aim of the study was comparison of cancer incidence risk of lungs, stomach, colon, bladder and kidneys from ex-miners of black coal mines and the general male population of the Czech Republic. The analysis was conducted in two cohorts of ex-miners according to the presence of coalworkers' pneumoconiosis (CWP). The first cohort included the miners without CWP (N = 6705), and the second cohort included the miners who were compensated for CWP (N = 2158). Personal and occupational data was merged with the data in the National Population Register and the National Oncological Register for the period from 1992 to 2006. Cancer risk in miners in comparison to the general male population of the Czech Republic was evaluated by SIR (Standardized Incidence Ratio) and 95% confidence interval (CI). About twice as high risk of lung cancer was found in miners with CWP (SIR = 2.21; 95% CI: 1.75-2.76). Lung cancer risk correlated with the severity of CWP (simple CWP SIR=1.96; 95% CI: 1.48-2.56, progressive massive fibrosis SIR = 4.29; 95% CI: 2.09-7.87). No increased risk of lung cancer was found in ex-miners without CWP. The risk of malignant neoplasm at the other selected sites was comparable with the risk in the general male population of the Czech Republic. This study found increased lung cancer risk in coal miners with CWP, but not in those without CWP, comparing with the general population. These results served as the basis for the inclusion of lung cancer in association with CWP into a new Czech list of occupational diseases.
Environmental Health in Central and Eastern Europe, 2006
This study utilized biomonitoring to evaluate the genotoxic potential of quartz dust in the ambie... more This study utilized biomonitoring to evaluate the genotoxic potential of quartz dust in the ambient air at the workplace in coal mines, quarries, and stone processing facilities. The data suggest that quartz dust is genotoxic, and is an important contributor to the genotoxicity of complex mixtures of fibrogenic respirable airborne particles in ambient air in these workplaces. In areas of
Graefe's Archive for Clinical and Experimental Ophthalmology, 2011
To compare the success rate of monocanalicular intubation (MCI) compared with bicanalicular silic... more To compare the success rate of monocanalicular intubation (MCI) compared with bicanalicular silicone intubation (BCI) in congenital nasolacrimal duct obstruction (CNLDO) in infants and toddlers. In a prospective, nonrandomized, comparative study, MCI (n = 35 eyes) through the inferior canaliculus or BCI (n = 35 eyes) were performed under general anaesthesia in children aged 10 to 36 months with CNLDO. The tubes were removed 3-4 months after tube placement, and the children were followed up for 6 months after the removal of tubes. Therapeutic success was defined as the fluorescein dye disappearance test grade 0-1, corresponding with a complete resolution of previous symptoms. Partial success was defined as improvement with some residual symptoms. Complete and partial improvement was achieved in 31/35 (88.57%) in the BCI group and 34/35 (97.14%) in the MCI group. The difference between the two groups was not significant (p = 0.584). Complications occurred in both groups. Dislodgement of the tube and premature removal was observed in four BCI cases, and loss of the tube was observed twice in the MCI group. Canalicular slitting was observed in five eyes in the BCI group. Granuloma pyogenicum observed in 2 cases with MCI revealed a few weeks after the tube removal. Corneal erosion in the inferior medial quadrant was observed in one MCI eye and revealed in a few days after the local treatment without tube removal. Both MCI and the BCI are effective methods for treating CNLDO. MCI has the advantage of a lower incidence of canalicular slit and easy placement.
Studies of the impact of long-term exposure to outdoor air pollution on the prevalence of respira... more Studies of the impact of long-term exposure to outdoor air pollution on the prevalence of respiratory symptoms and lung function in children have yielded mixed results, partly related to differences in study design, exposure assessment, confounder selection and data analysis. We assembled respiratory health and exposure data for >45,000 children from comparable cross-sectional studies in 12 countries. 11 respiratory symptoms were selected, for which comparable questions were asked. Spirometry was performed in about half of the children. Exposure to air pollution was mainly characterised by annual average concentrations of particulate matter with a 50% cut-off aerodynamic diameter of 10 μm (PM(10)) measured at fixed sites within the study areas. Positive associations were found between the average PM(10) concentration and the prevalence of phlegm (OR per 10 μg · m(-3) 1.15, 95% CI 1.02-1.30), hay fever (OR 1.20, 95% CI 0.99-1.46), bronchitis (OR 1.08, 95% CI 0.98-1.19), morning cough (OR 1.15, 95% CI 1.02-1.29) and nocturnal cough (OR 1.13, 95% CI 0.98-1.29). There were no associations with diagnosed asthma or asthma symptoms. PM(10) was not associated with lung function across all studies combined. Our study adds to the evidence that long-term exposure to outdoor air pollution, characterised by the concentration of PM(10), is associated with increased respiratory symptoms.
Higher levels of exposure to extremely low-frequency magnetic fields (ELF-MF) are associated with... more Higher levels of exposure to extremely low-frequency magnetic fields (ELF-MF) are associated with a slightly increased risk of childhood leukaemia. Compared with more-developed Western countries, higher exposure levels are evident in the Czech Republic, probably because of the different types of housing. In light of this, we aimed to examine the association between ELF-MF exposure and childhood leukaemia in the Czech Republic. We conducted a paired case-control study. The cases (children with leukaemia) were age- sex- and permanent residence-matched to controls (children without leukaemia). Although this limited potential bias and confounding, it also limited our number of participants. The matched analyses included 79 case-control pairs. No significant association between ELF-MF exposure and childhood leukaemia was observed for exposures over 0.2 μT (odds ratio [OR]=0.93, confidence interval [CI]=0.45-1.93), 0.3 μT (OR=0.77, CI=0.34-1.75), or 0.4 μT (OR=0.9, CI=0.37-2.22). Despite ...
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Papers by Hana Tomaskova