[Contribution of the detection of IgA antibodies to the laboratory diagnosis of mumps in the population with a high vaccination coverage].

Study Objective: Serological diagnosis of epidemic mumps can be difficult in vaccinated persons, particularly due to the absence of specific IgM antibodies. The aim was to find whether adding the detection of IgA antibodies to the currently used routine serological diagnosis of mumps (detection of IgM and IgG antibodies in an acute serum sample) would make the serological diagnosis of mumps more effective in a population with a high vaccination coverage. At the same time, ELISA kits for the detection of early IgA and IgM antibodies against the mumps virus were compared and statistical analysis of the results was performed.

Knee Extensor Power Relates to Mobility Performance in People With Knee Osteoarthritis: Cross-Sectional Analysis.

Background: Quadriceps femoris muscle strengthening is a common rehabilitation exercise for knee osteoarthritis (OA). More information is needed to determine whether targeting muscle power is a useful adjunct to strengthening for people with knee OA.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to identify the predictive ability of knee extensor strength and knee extensor power in the performance of physical tasks in adults with knee OA.

Eye irritation hazard of chemicals and formulations assessed by methods in vitro.

Background: The aim of this study was to compare human and animal skin irritation data with results of selected in vitro methods, including HET-CAM test, Neutral Red Release Assay, Neutral Red Uptake Assay and EpiOcular eye irritation test and with already existing data of eye irritation obtained from animal experiments.

Methods: Chemicals employed in previous skin irritation validation studies and commercially available cosmetic formulations were subjected to further testing using in vitro methods Neutral Red Release (NRR) assay, Neutral Red Uptake (NRU) assay, HET-CAM test and EpiOcular assay.

Results: The study revealed that skin irritants are not necessarily eye irritants; specifically volatile or solid materials may be misclassified.

Case study: Possible differences in phthalates exposure among the Czech, Hungarian, and Slovak populations identified based on the DEMOCOPHES pilot study results.

Objective: Phthalates and their metabolites are classified as endocrine modulators. They affect the hormonal balance in both children and adults. The aim of this publication was to compare the urinary levels of phthalate metabolites in selected populations of the Czech Republic (CZ), Slovakia (SK), and Hungary (HU) in relation to the sources of phthalate exposure identified by means of questionnaire (personal care products, floor and wall coverings, plastic toys, and some kinds of foods).

First steps toward harmonized human biomonitoring in Europe: demonstration project to perform human biomonitoring on a European scale.

Background: For Europe as a whole, data on internal exposure to environmental chemicals do not yet exist. Characterization of the internal individual chemical environment is expected to enhance understanding of the environmental threats to health.

Objectives: We developed and applied a harmonized protocol to collect comparable human biomonitoring data all over Europe.

Osteoarthritis year in review 2014: rehabilitation and outcomes.

Objective: To highlight research studies examining rehabilitation for hip and knee osteoarthritis (OA), as well as the outcome measures used to assess treatment efficacy, published in 2013.

Design: A systematic search was performed in Medline, CIHAHL and Embase databases from January to December 2013. The search was limited to 2013, human studies, and English.

The role of game (wild boar and roe deer) in the spread of tick-borne encephalitis in the Czech Republic.

In the Czech Republic, the incidence of human tick-borne encephalitis (TBE) has been increasing over the last two decades. At the same time, populations of game have also shown an upward trend. In this country, the ungulate game is the main host group of hosts for Ixodes ricinus female ticks.

Intermittent and constant pain and physical function or performance in men and women with knee osteoarthritis: data from the osteoarthritis initiative.

Severe constant and intermittent knee pain are associated with "unacceptable" symptoms in older adults with osteoarthritis (OA) [22]. We hypothesized that constant and intermittent pain would be independently related to physical function, with intermittent knee pain being a better predictor of future declines in physical function in early symptomatic knee OA. This study included men (n = 189) and women (n = 133) with radiographic, unilateral knee OA, observed using data from the Osteoarthritis Initiative (OAI).

Muscle activation and knee biomechanics during squatting and lunging after lower extremity fatigue in healthy young women.

Muscle activations and knee joint loads were compared during squatting and lunging before and after lower extremity neuromuscular fatigue. Electromyographic activations of the rectus femoris, vastus lateralis and biceps femoris, and the external knee adduction and flexion moments were collected on 25 healthy women (mean age 23.5 years, BMI of 23.

Analysis of muscle activation patterns during transitions into and out of high knee flexion postures.

Increased risk of medial tibiofemoral osteoarthritis (OA) is linked to occupations that require frequent transitions into and out of postures which require high knee flexion (>90°). Muscle forces are major contributors to joint loading, and an association between compressive forces due to muscle activations and the degeneration of joint cartilage has been suggested. The purpose of this study was to evaluate muscle activation patterns of muscles crossing the knee during transitions into and out of full-flexion kneeling and squatting, sitting in a low chair, and gait.

Knee power is an important parameter in understanding medial knee joint load in knee osteoarthritis.

Objective: To determine the extent to which knee extensor strength and power explain variance in knee adduction moment (KAM) peak and impulse in clinical knee osteoarthritis (OA).

Methods: Fifty-three adults (mean ± SD age 61.6 ± 6.

Incidence, immunological and clinical characteristics of reactivation of latent Toxoplasma gondii infection in HIV-infected patients.

To determine changes in incidence of reactivation of Toxoplasma gondii infection, manifesting as toxoplasmic encephalitis, and to assess the immunological mechanisms controlling reactivation in HIV-infected patients, a Czech cohort of 502 HIV/T. gondii co-infected patients was followed for 2909·3 person-years. The incidence of toxoplasmic encephalitis between the periods before and after the introduction of combination antiretroviral therapy (cART) was compared.

Synthesis of new anionic carbosilane dendrimers via thiol-ene chemistry and their antiviral behaviour.

A synthetic strategy has been developed for the preparation of anionic carbosilane dendrimers bearing sulfonate or carboxylate groups at their periphery by means of thiol-ene chemistry. It offers significant advantages, such as milder reaction conditions, shorter reaction times and more facile purification methods, when compared with other synthetic protocols used previously, e.g.

Collagen-induced arthritis: severity and immune response attenuation using multivalent N-acetyl glucosamine.

Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmunity leading to considerable impairment of quality of life. N-acetyl glucosamine (GlcNAc) has been described previously as a potent modulator of experimental arthritis in animal models and is used for osteoarthritis treatment in humans, praised for its lack of adverse effects. In this study we present a comprehensive immunological analysis of multivalent GlcNAc-terminated glycoconjugate (GC) application in the treatment of collagen-induced arthritis (CIA) and its clinical outcome.

Bioresorbable vascular scaffolds in acute ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction: a prospective multicentre study 'Prague 19'.

Aims: Bioresorbable vascular scaffolds (BVSs) have been studied in chronic coronary artery disease, but not in acute ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). This prospective multicentre study analysed the feasibility and safety of BVS implantation during primary percutaneous coronary intervention (p-PCI) in STEMI.

Methods And Results: Bioresorbable vascular scaffold implantation became the default strategy for all consecutive STEMI patients between 15 December 2012 and 30 August 2013.

Quantity and quality of physical activity are influenced by outdoor temperature in people with knee osteoarthritis.

Purpose: Environmental factors are known to influence physical activity (PA) levels of healthy people, but little work has explored these factors in people with osteoarthritis (OA). The purpose of this study was to explore the influence of outdoor temperature on PA in people with knee OA.

Methods: A total of 38 people with knee OA (10 women; mean age 54 y) wore an accelerometer around their waist for 7 consecutive days.

Activity-Modifying Behaviour Mediates the Relationship between Pain Severity and Activity Limitations among Adults with Emergent Knee Pain.

Purpose: To determine whether activity-modifying behaviour mediates the relationship between the severity of knee pain and each of physical function and knee-related quality of life.

Methods: A total of 105 participants with medial knee pain and no diagnosis of knee osteoarthritis (mean age 52.2 [SD 6.

Effect of submaximal repetitive exercise on knee coactivation in young and middle-aged women.

Coactivation of the knee extensors and flexors increases knee joint contact forces, which may lead to degradation of the articular surfaces. This study investigated the effect of neuromuscular fatigue induced by submaximal, repetitive, dynamic contractions on coactivation of knee musculature in young and middle-aged women. Data from 10 young women (24.

Bronchial inflammation in seasonal allergic rhinitis with or without asthma in relation to natural exposure to pollen allergens.

Background: Nasal inflammation in allergic rhinitis enhances bronchial Th2 driven inflammation and development of asthma. We assessed bronchial inflammation induced by natural allergen exposure during pollen season in patients with pollinosis with or without asthma to show the intensity of inflammation in asthma and rhinitis and possible persistence of inflammation in periods without allergen exposure.

Methods: Sputum was induced in 52 patients with seasonal allergic rhinitis without asthma, 38 patients with seasonal allergic rhinitis and seasonal asthma and 23 healthy volunteers.

Nitrites and nitrates in exhaled breath condensate in cystic fibrosis: relation to clinical parameters.

Objectives: To evaluate correlation of exhaled breath condensate (EBC) nitrite and nitrate concentrations with disease severity in cystic fibrosis (CF) patients.

Background: Nitrites and nitrates are products of oxidative metabolism of nitric oxide. Impaired metabolism of nitric oxide plays a role in pathogenesis of CF.

Questionnaire to identify knee symptoms: development of a tool to identify early experiences consistent with knee osteoarthritis.

Background: Current diagnostic procedures for knee osteoarthritis (OA) identify individuals late in the disease process. A questionnaire may be a useful and inexpensive method to screen for early symptoms of knee OA.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to develop a brief, self-administered questionnaire for clinical and research settings to identify emerging knee problems in people who could benefit from conservative interventions.

Fecal estrogen, progestagen and glucocorticoid metabolites during the estrous cycle and pregnancy in the giant anteater (Myrmecophaga tridactyla): evidence for delayed implantation.

Background: Declining numbers of wild giant anteaters highlight the importance of sustainable captive populations. Unfortunately, captive reproductive management is limited by the lack of external physical indicators of female reproductive status and the aggressive behavior of males. We examined the endocrinology of the estrous cycle and pregnancy, and whether delayed implantation is a gestational strategy for giant anteaters as described for other xenarthrans.

Pneumococcal urinary antigen positivity in healthy colonized children: is it age dependent?

Background: Pneumococcal urinary antigen test is a valuable tool for diagnosing pneumococcal pneumonia and meningitis in adults. Its use in children is generally not accepted because of nonspecificity at this age. It is frequently positive in asymptomatic nasopharyngeal carriers.

[Incidence of tick-borne encephalitis in the czech republic in 2001-2011 in different administrative regions and municipalities with extended power].

Aim: Analysis of the incidence of tick-borne encephalitis (TBE) in the Czech Republic (CR) in 2001-2011 in different administrative regions and municipalities with extended power (MEPs).

Material And Methods: Each TBE case reported to the EPIDAT system was matched to the respective MEP or Prague according to the place of residence. The annual TBE incidence was calculated per 100 000 permanent residents (mean) of each administrative region and MEP.