Biomedical subjects

Z Roth

Publications and source records attributed to Z Roth.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

PubMed1998

[Accidents and children].

BACKGROUND: The accident rate in the population, especially injuries to children and youths are in the forefront of attention in all the industrialized countries. The reason is that accidents are the main cause of all deaths in children of over one year of age and in adolescents and accident-linked morbidity in children is second only to diseases of the respiratory tract. The aim of the study was to obtain more exact data than those that were available in the Czech Republic previously and to create conditions for a draft of preventive measures that would bring rapid and effective results. METHODS AND RESULTS: The accident rate in children has been followed up in all age groups attending elementary school. The basic series was comprised of 192,832 children 6.0 to 15.11 years old. An accident was registered in 31 550 pupils. Registered were all accidents by the children in the course of one calendar year and had been treated by a physician. There has been found a statistically highly significant greater total accident rate in boys (18.7%) than in girls (13.9%) by the chi-square test P = 0.00001 at P < 0.05. The most frequent of injuries were fractures, dislocation of joints (55.2%) with girls being affected more frequently than boys. Most frequently the accidents took place at school (25.0%) and at home (21.5%). The greatest number of accidents took place during physical education and organized sports (29.4%) and during games unorganized sports (28.6%). A relatively large number of injuries was sustained in conflicts with a schoolmate (7.4%). CONCLUSION: Much greater attention should be devoted to the prevention of injuries in children, namely at home and at school, because it is not only a health problem that is in question, but also a social and economic one. Abroad, annual losses are estimated at thousands of millions of USD.

Accident Prevention↗

PubMed1998

Indicators of risk of ischaemic heart disease in patients with acute myocardial infarction under 65 years and their relatives.

The incidence of risk factors for atherosclerosis was investigated in a group of 846 patients under 65 years of age, hospitalized with acute myocardial infarction (AIM) in coronary hospital units in 21 districts of the Czech Republic in 1996. The group of patients comprises 649 men and 197 women. The incidence of risk factors in patients was compared with the incidence of risk factors in the population of the Czech Republic: the mean values of the investigated indicators are in patients with AIM higher in both sexes (total serum cholesterol, triacylglycerols, BMI, WHR). As to anamnestic data, in the majority low or irregular physical activity predominates, a high percentage of patients reported that they "do not restrict" or "rather do not restrict" their total food intake nor the intake of animal fats. Among the patients 52.6% males and 42.1% females were smokers. The results indicate that patients with AIM have a higher incidence of risk factors for atherosclerosis, a higher percentage of patients have cumulated risks and a higher percentage of patients has a higher risk score than the general population. The incidence of AIM is markedly higher in subjects with lower education.

Adult↗

PubMed1998

Does acute exposure to the electromagnetic field emitted by a mobile phone influence visual evoked potentials? A pilot study.

To search for a potential negative influence on the central nervous system (CNS) of the electromagnetic field emitted by a mobile phone, the authors performed a pilot experimental study of the influence of a single short acute exposure to the GSM mobile phone Motorola 8700, using visual evoked potentials (VEP) examination as an electrophysiological marker of CNS dysfunction. The study group consisted of 20 healthy volunteers. The duration of exposure was 5 minutes. The output power of the device was 1.5 W when the antenna was pulled up. Five parameters of VEP were evaluated by means of multifactorial ANOVA. Confounding effects of age, sex, and of the call in itself were taken into consideration. No statistically significant influence of the above-described exposure to the electromagnetic field emitted by the mobile phone on latencies or amplitudes of VEP was observed.

Adult↗

PubMed1997

Biological monitoring of child lead exposure in the Czech Republic.

The area around the Pribram lead smelter has been recognized to be heavily contaminated by lead (Pb). In the early 1970s, several episodes of livestock lead intoxication were reported in this area; thereafter, several epidemiological and ecological studies focused on exposure of children. In contrast to earlier studies, the recent investigation (1992-1994) revealed significantly lower exposure to lead. From 1986-1990, recorded average blood lead levels were about 37.2 micrograms lead (Pb)/100 ml in an elementary school population living in a neighborhood close to the smelter (within 3 km of the plant). The present study, however, has found mean blood lead levels of 11.35 micrograms/100 ml (95% CI = 9.32; 13.82) among a comparable group of children. In addition to blood lead, tooth lead was used to assess exposure among children. Statistically significant differences (p < 0.05) were observed between the geometric mean tooth lead level of 6.44 micrograms Pb/g (n = 13; 95% CI = 3.95; 10.50) in the most contaminated zone and 1.43 micrograms Pb/g (n = 35; 95% CI = 1.11; 1.84) in zones farther away from the point source. Both biomarkers, blood and tooth lead levels, reflect a similar pattern of lead exposure in children. This study has attempted a quantitative assessment of risk factors associated with elevated lead exposure in the Czech Republic. Content of lead in soil, residential distance from the smelter, consumption of locally grown vegetables or fruits, drinking water from local wells, the mother's educational level, cigarette consumption among family members, and the number of children in the family were factors positively related (p < 0.05) to blood lead levels. The resulting blood lead level was found to be inversely proportional to the child's age.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1997

[Schoolchildren and accidents].

UNLABELLED: POINT OF DEPARTURE: The accident rate in the population, especially injuries to children and youths are in the forefront of attention in all the industrialised countries. The reason is that accidents are the main cause of all deaths in children of over one year of age and in adolescents and accident-linked morbidity in children is second only to diseases of the respiratory tract. The aim of the study was to obtain more exact data than those that were available in the Czech Republic previously and to create conditions for a draft of preventive measures that would bring rapid and effective results. METHODS AND RESULTS: The accident rate in children has been followed up in all age groups attending elementary school. The basic series was comprised of 190,396 children 6.0 to 15.11 years old. An accident was registered in 31,094 pupils. Registered were all accidents by the children in the course of one calendar year and had been treated by a physician. There has been found a statistically highly significant greater total accident rate in boys (18.63%) than in girls (13.92%) by the chi-square test P = 0,00000. The most frequent of injuries were fractures, dislocation of joints (55.5%) with girls being affected more frequently than boys. Most frequently the accidents took place at school (25.6%) and at home (22.6%). The greatest number of accidents took place during games and unorganised sports (30.2%) and during physical education and organised sports and school trips (29.0%). A relatively large number of injuries was sustained in conflicts with a schoolmate (8.3%). CONCLUSION: Much greater attention should be devoted to the prevention of injuries in children, namely at home and at school, because it is not only a health problem that is in question, but also a social and economic one. Abroad, annual losses are estimated at thousands of millions of USD.

Accidents↗

PubMed1996

[Accident-related mortality in 5- to 9-year-old children].

BACKGROUND: According to the WHO, insufficient attention is devoted to the problem of accident while more than one half of the death in children of 1 to 14 years of age in industrialized countries are caused by accidents. METHODS AND RESULTS: Nationwide statistical data from the Czech Republic have been evaluated and compared with those of selected European countries and the USA. In the years 1991-1993 average of 151 children died in the Czech Republic in the age group of 5- to 9-year olds. In 68 of them the cause of death was an injury that in almost half of the cases was due to a traffic accident. The trend in the mortality of children of the same age was assessed comparing the averages for 1950-1952 and 1991-1993. The overall mortality decreased by 68% while the greatest decline was in non-accident causes (75%). Mortality due to accidents decreased by 55% and that caused by motor vehicles by only 19%. The lowest mortality due to accidents was found in Sweden. CONCLUSIONS: The results show that mortality due to accidents and poisonings in younger school children in the Czech Republic is higher than, e.g. in Austria and Sweden. In order to be able to elaborate a draft of appropriate and effective preventive measures, it is necessary to obtain further information on accidents and poisonings in children that have not ended fatally.

Accidents↗

PubMed1996

[Treatment of duodenal ulcer with pantoprazole. A multicenter study].

BACKGROUND: The inhibition of H+/K(+)-ATPase (proton pump) of gastric parietal cells by substituted benzimidazoles represents a new therapeutic approach in conditions connected with hypersecretion of hydrochloric acid. Pantoprazol is the newest member of this group of drugs. Monotherapy of duodenal ulcer with pantoprazole or ranitidine was evaluated in terms of healing rate, tolerance and compliance. METHODS AND RESULTS: A double-blind, parallel-group comparing study (double dummy technique) of treatment florid duodenal ulcer (diameter 5-20 mm) was performed in 95 subjects (age 18-74 years). The active substances were either pantoprazole (40 mg before breakfast-47 subjects) or ranitidine (300 mg before bedtime-48 subjects). The average diameter of the ulcer and subjective complaints before treatment were comparable in both groups. After 2 weeks of pantoprazole therapy 88.5% of ulcers (a) and 87.2% patients (b) were cured, whereas the corresponding values in the ranitidine series amounted to 66% (a) and 62.5% (b) only (p = 0.006 for both (a) and (b)). The rate of healing in relative values of reducing the ulcer size was significantly higher after 2 weeks of pantoprazole therapy (p = 0.026 (a) and 0.0027 (b)). All ulcers healed after 4 weeks of this regimen. The difference between the pantoprazole and ranitidine series after 4 weeks was closely above the 5% level of significance (p = 0.589 for (a) and 0.0588 for (b) respectively). This was due to the low number of patients in both groups at this time interval, particularly in the pantoprazole group. Pain during day-time and regurgitation were observed significantly more frequently after ranitidine therapy. The compliance was very good and practically no adverse effects of pantoprazole therapy were observed. CONCLUSIONS: The healing rate of duodenal ulcer with pantoprazole monotherapy (40 mg before breakfast) was significantly higher than with ranitidine (300 mg before bedtime). The compliance of patients and the tolerance of pantoprazole were very good and its administration was not associated with any side-effects.

2-Pyridinylmethylsulfinylbenzimidazoles↗

PubMed1996

[The effect of diazepam and flumazenil on pulsatile secretion of prolactin and LH in women].

The authors examined the effect of diazepam and flumazenil on prolactin and LH secretion in women. The experiment lasted 12 hours during which specimens of venous blood were collected for assessment of LH and prolactin after 10-minute intervals. After 5 hours to a group of 8 women (4 in the luteal and 4 in the follicular stage of the cycle) flumazenil was administered--3 x 10 mg i.v. after 30 minute intervals, and to a group of 7 women (3 in the follicular and 4 in the luteal stage of the cycle) diazepam was administered--10 mg i.v. after 30-minute intervals. Flumazenil administration did not affect the LH or prolactin secretion. Diazepam caused in 3 of 4 women in the luteal phase of the cycle a significant rise of the prolactin secretion (p < 0.001), in the remaining women in the luteal phase and 3 women in the follicular stage a rise of prolactin was recorded but it did not reach statistical significance. The LH level was significantly influenced (i.e. decreased) in one of 7 women.

Adult↗

PubMed1995

Children from unwanted pregnancies in Prague, Czech Republic revisited at age thirty.

The results of the fourth wave of the Prague Study of subjects born of unwanted pregnancies (UP) are reported. Of these young adults, 190 were examined at age 30 together with pair-matched control subjects born of accepted pregnancies (AP). Siblings of both UP and AP subjects were also examined. As in the previous data waves the UP subjects manifest less favorable psychosocial development on average than their AP controls, although the differences have narrowed. In some respects the siblings of the UP subjects share the latter's less favorable characteristics. However, there is a gender specific nonshared late effect of unwanted pregnancy: the UP females are more frequently emotionally disturbed than their AP female controls, whereas no such difference occurs between the female siblings of the UP and AP subjects.

Adult↗

PubMed1995

[Potential carcinogenic factors in cervical intraepithelial neoplasia].

In a group of 22 women with cervical intraepithelial neoplasia and carcinoma of the cervix uteri and in a control group of 37 healthy women, a number of anamnestic and objective data about factors influencing these women and about consequences of such influence were analysed. Statistically significant differences between patients and controls were found in the character of work performed (physical vs. intellectual, p = 0.0312), the presence of stressing factors at the workplace (p = 0.02), a higher number of consumed meals per day in the control group (p = 0.0009), daily consumption of beer in a higher percentage of patients (p = 0.0015), the frequency of sexual intercourse in the last 2-3 months before the diagnosis of disease or examination (higher in controls, p = 0.0164) and subjective rating of sexual life in the fourth decade (better rating in controls, p = 0.0005). No differences were found between patients and controls in the number of sexual partners, the presence of antibodies against HSV-2 and other factors. According to data presented and data in the literature, external environment, some of the characteristics of sexual life and particularly infection with certain types of papillomaviruses have a certain influence on the development of cervical neoplasias.

Female↗

PubMed1995

Increased effects of topically applied interferon on herpes simplex virus-induced lesions by caffeine.

Caffeine (Cf, 0.15-0.6 mg/ml) and human leukocyte interferon (IFN, > 5 x 10(2) IU/ml) partially inhibited the replication of herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) in human diploid LEP cells and HaCaT cells. When the two drugs were applied simultaneously the inhibitory effects exceeded those achieved with either substance alone. In the subsequent clinical trial, which was conducted as a one-center, randomised, and placebo-controlled study, the same substances included in either ointment or solution were used for topical treatment of recurrent herpetic lesions. Of 115 patients taken into the study 20 were treated with Cf only (50 mg/g of ointment or solution), 25 with IFN only (5 x 10(4) IU/g), 25 with mixture of Cf and IFN (same concentrations) and 45 with placebo. Both the healing time (HT, period between the prodromes and reepithelization) and the spreading time (ST, period between the prodromes and the appearance of the last new lesion) were recorded in each patient. While the placebo effects were negligible, the other treatments tended to abort the lesions. HT was shortened by at least 4 days in 75% of patients treated with Cf alone, in 88% of those treated with IFN alone, and in all patients treated with their mixture. The effects on ST were less marked; in the case of Cf alone they were negligible. A shortening of ST by at least 2 days was recorded in 40% and 60% of patients treated with IFN alone and the drug mixture, respectively. Statistical analysis confirmed that both in terms of HT and ST the disease was more significantly alleviated by the mixture of Cf and IFN than by either drug alone.

Administration, Topical↗

PubMed1995

"Healthy Dubec" -design of a joint Czech-American community project for the reduction of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular disease (adapted from American experience).

The project is a combination of individual and community-based intervention which adapted and modified methods and techniques originally used in The Three-City Community Study and The Stanford Five-City Project in a small community outside Prague. The goal is to reduce cardiovascular and cerebrovascular risk factors by primary and secondary prevention, using a community-based approach. 61.5% of examined population with the low risk score during the baseline survey was exposed to intervention by community-based methods. 38.5% of adult population was included in intervention activities within the framework of secondary prevention in high risk groups. There are described: the method of community oriented intervention and the intervention oriented on high risk groups - nutrition intervention, quit smoking activities, stress control, physical activity promotion.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1994

Presence of antibodies to seven human papillomavirus type 16-derived peptides in cervical cancer patients and healthy controls.

Sera from 133 cervical cancer patients and 154 healthy women (controls) from Spain and Colombia were tested in IgG-specific ELISAs for the presence of antibodies against seven peptides derived from five open-reading frames of human papillomavirus (HPV) type 16. Three of the peptides corresponded to overlapping regions of the N-terminal half of E7 protein; the other peptides corresponded to selected regions of E2, E4, L1, and L2 proteins. The prevalence of antibodies against E2 and E7 peptides was significantly different between patients and controls. The most marked differences were for E7 peptides. HPV DNA polymerase chain reaction diagnoses of cervical scrapes were available; these were correlated with serologic findings. In HPV-16 DNA-positive patients, E7 antibodies were more broadly and more strongly reactive than in other patient groups.

Age Factors↗

PubMed1994

Vth nation-wide anthropological survey 1991 in the Czech Republic comparison with 1981 data.

The objective of the survey was to assess whether a secular trend still affected growth of the Czech child population and, if necessary, to update national growth standards. The study was designed in such a manner so that trends in child growth, obtained from comparisons of body height, body weight and head circumference from the two successive nation-wide representative surveys (1981, 1991) of the Czech child population, could be followed. Representative random samples of the Czech child population from 0 to 18 years of age were studied with the following number of examined subjects: 86,846 in 1991 and 117,643 in 1981. Nation-wide standards and growth charts for assessment of growth and development of both individuals and specific groups present main outcome of the survey. Statistically significant differences were found in body height (both sexes) and weight (more in boys). No highly significant differences were registered in head circumference. Based on newly assembled data growth charts for assessment of body height, proportionality and head circumference were designed. The findings of this study did not support the hypothesis that the secular trend in Czech child population has already ceased.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1994

An adapted program of colorectal cancer screening--7 years experience and cost-benefit analysis.

The Czech program of colorectal cancer screening differs from most foreign programs in a number of points. The age interval of screened population was limited to 45 to 60 years. Screening was multicentric, with one reference center. More than 95% of the subjects screened were asymptomatic employees of various factories, boards and institutions. Total colonoscopy was the primary procedure in all Haemoccult-positive subjects. Some 109,213 subjects received 3 Haemoccult slides. Compliance was 83.1%, and Haemoccult was positive in 2.92% of the subjects. The diagnostic program revealed 347 (13.1%) cancers, 763 adenomas in 592 (22.2%) subjects, and other bleeding conditions in 1043 (39.2%) persons. Dukes A or B colorectal cancer was found in two-thirds of the screened subjects and in only one-third of non-screened symptomatic patients. Average diagnostic and therapeutic costs were almost the same in both groups. Gross national product savings realized by one asymptomatic subject were 315,540 Czechoslovak Crowns (approximately 18,560 US-dollars at the 1989 exchange rates). The adapted program was found to be effective, and its use in a population with a high incidence of colorectal neoplasia deserves consideration.

Adenocarcinoma↗

PubMed1993

[Prevalence of bronchial asthma, chronic bronchitis and bronchial hyperreactivity in the adult population in the Prague 8 district].

The prevalence was assessed in a randomized group of 18-year-old and older inhabitants of Prague 8. A total of 8458 internationally tested questionnaires were sent out to a population of 90,458; information was obtained on 7605 (89.9%), 1274 were given a detailed examination by standardized methods. Cumulative prevalence of bronchial asthma (B): 2.3% +/- 0.3% (same in M and F). The highest values at the age of 18-20 years were 3.5%; 3.6% in the age group 21-30 years, the absolutely highest values--4.6%--were recorded in 18-year-old men. Contemporary prevalence of BA: 1.99%. In BA bronchial obstructions were found in 51%, bronchial hyperreactivity in 75%, positive skin tests in 71%, an increase of IgE in 36%. Prevalence of chronic bronchitis (CHB): 14.1%; men 17.6% women--11.3%, highest value--18.9%--in the age group 70-80 years; absolutely highest values were recorded in men aged 70-80 years--20.9%. In CHB there was a bronchial obstruction in 55% and this obstruction was reversible in 40%. In the group CHB bronchial asthma was recorded in 20%. Prevalence of bronchial hyperreactivity (BHR) was estimated from results of broncho-provocative tests and from the calculation according to prevalence of BHR in respiratory diseases. The thus calculated figure was 13.7%. The incidence of bronchial asthma in chronic bronchitis in 1/6 and of bronchial hyperreactivity in more than 1/10 of the adult population are striking facts. It is essential to find the causes of these findings and make effective provisions to counteract them.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1993

[Changes in hypophyseal-ovarian axis hormone levels in the first days after central nervous system surgery].

The authors examined the FSH, LH, prolactin, oestradiol and progesterone levels during the perioperative period in 14 women, mean age 35.7 years, who were subjected to intracranial operations. They found that during the first postoperative days the FSH level (p < or = 0.01), LH level (p < or = 0.01) and oestradiol level (p < or = 0.05) declined, while the progesterone and prolactin level do not change significantly. This is consistent with data in the literature on transient hypogonadotropic hypogonadism after head injuries or after operations and injuries of other organs. The disorder is only of a short-term character and does not lead to serious impairment of the menstrual cycle.

Adult↗

PubMed1992

The correlation of serum prolactin level and psychic stress in women undergoing a chronic hemodialysis programme.

Altogether eight women undergoing a chronic hemodialysis treatment were studied for five months. Four of them were in the premenopause and four in the postmenopause. Once a month levels of prolactin, FSH, LH, estradiol and progesterone were measured, Lüscher colour test was performed, from which the screamer index as an indicator of psychic stress was calculated and the levels of urea, creatinine and hematocrite were assessed to inform us of the adequacy of dialysis. We tested the hypothesis, whether there exists a correlation between psychic stress and the prolactin level in these women. For statistic evaluation we used linear regression under the use of dummy variables to intercept the interindividual differences in the Lüscher test. We found that the fluctuation of the prolactin level and of the value of the screamer index of the Lüscher test are parallel (p less than 0.05). These results bear witness of a participation of psychic stress in the onset and level of hyperprolactinemia in women being in a chronic hemodialysis treatment.

Creatine↗