Effects of the july 1997 floods in the Czech Republic on cardiac mortality.

Objective: An excess of deaths from cardiac causes are reported after many natural disasters. Despite the fact that floods are the most common and most destructive natural disaster worldwide, little is known about their effect on human health. We analyzed the influence of the greatest floods in the Czech Republic on cardiac mortality in the affected area.

[Analysis of the sudden heart death causes in selected sample of dead].

Sudden cardiac death (SCD) is death from cardiac causes within one hour of the onset of symptoms. In the Czech Republic, there is no SCD registry, analyses of SCD causes are rare and there is no functional connection between the results of an autopsy on a person with SCD and examination of relatives who are at risk of a similar disease. The authors reviewed available autopsy records of the Department of Forensic Medicine and Medical Law of the University Hospital Olomouc over a specified period of time to find persons with severe coronary artery disease, heart failure or deaths from unknown causes in a specific age range.

[Paternity testing based on the analysis of DNA and its revision].

Paternity testing is nowadays mostly based on the analysis of DNA short tandem repeats (STR). Number and selection of STR loci differ according to identification kit producers and also particular laboratories. This article refers a revision of formerly excluded paternity.

Post-mortem sperm retrieval in new European Union countries: case report.

This paper describes post-mortem sperm retrieval from a man who had given prior written consent to the retrieval and use of his sperm in assisted reproduction before his accidental death. The case illustrates some of the complex ethical and legal issues occurring in a new European Union (EU) country and the need for prior preparation by the medical teams involved. We also discuss a questionnaire sent to Centres of Assisted Reproduction in other new EU countries, which reveals a dearth of both legislation and guidelines for post-mortem sperm retrieval.

[Overview of the changes in alcohol content of beers produced in the Czech Republic].

Paper concerns the alcohol contents of beer now produced. The previous and contemporary ways of beer signing as well as a complete list of beer sorts produced in the Czech Republic is presented.