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Purpose: Suicide is a serious public health problem leading to premature mortality. The aim of the present study is to describe and analyze the trends of suicide rates in the Slovak Republic in 2011–2020. Methods: Trends of age-standardized suicide rates were described and incidence rate ratios of suicide were analyzed by negative binomial regression. The age-standardized rates of death by the undetermined intent and its ratio to suicide rate were calculated. Results: The overall suicide rate for the Slovak population was 7.58 per 100,000. Age-standardized suicide rate had a declining trend in the reported period, from 10.24 in 2011 to 6.65 per 100,000 in 2020. The highest suicide rate was in the oldest age groups. The male to female ratio was 6.09. The most common method of suicide in the Slovak population was hanging. The age-standardized rate of deaths by undetermined intent increased from 15.72 in 2011 to 18.46 per 100,000 in 2020. Conclusion: We observed the overall declining annual suicide mortality trends in the Slovak Republic in 2011–2020. Further investigation is necessary to understand the exceptionally high undetermined intent mortality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

European beaver (Castor fiber L. 1758) is the biggest rodent living in Europe. It is a semi-aquatic animal known for building dams and burrows. European beaver is a potential host for a wide range of parasites and other infectious diseases. In Slovakia, there is an increasing number of beavers but the data about their parasitic fauna are missing. Our work is the first documentation about the beaver's parasitofauna in Slovakia. In a 1-year study, we collected and examined 19 beaver fecal samples from the vicinity of beaver burrows inhabiting three particular localities at the Danube, Topľa, and Laborec rivers in Slovakia. In these fecal samples, 4 different species of intestinal endoparasites were detected as follows: oocysts of Cryptosporidium, cysts of Giardia, eggs of Stichorchis subtriquetrus, and eggs and larvae of Travassosius rufus. Parasites were confirmed only in samples collected at river Topľa. Based on our results, we can conclude that European beaver can be an important source of parasitic contamination of surface waters especially in the localities shared by people. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Key summary points: Aim: To identify the medication-related factors responsible for proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) prescriptions being given not following guidelines at hospital admission and discharge among hospitalised adults aged 65 years or older. Findings: In older adults, the number of medications prescribed, potentially inappropriate medications (PIMs) prescribed according to the European EU(7)-PIM list and the Beers criteria, and the use of direct oral anticoagulants, warfarin and corticosteroids are all medication-related factors associated with more frequent PPI prescription not according to guidelines. Message: Determination of need for long-term therapy with PPIs in older patients is crucial for reducing the frequency of PPI prescriptions not according to guidelines. Purpose: To investigate the relationship between medications with a known risk of gastrointestinal bleeding and proton pump inhibitor (PPI) prescription not according to guidelines. Methods: An analysis of the records of 592 hospitalised patients aged 65 years or older was undertaken. The number of all medicines, potentially inappropriate medicines according to the EU(7)-PIM list and the Beers Criteria 2019 and medicines with a known risk of gastrointestinal bleeding, was compared in patients with PPI prescription not given based on guidelines and in patients with no PPI prescription. Results: Patients prescribed PPI not based on guidelines used more medications on average (9.6 vs. 6.4, p < 0.001), more PIMs according to the EU(7)-PIM list (2.4 vs. 1.1, p < 0.001) and the Beers criteria (2.0 vs. 0.6, p < 0.001) at hospital admission and at discharge (8.9 vs. 7.5, p < 0.001, mean number of medications), (2.0 vs. 1.2, p < 0.001, EU(7)-PIM list), (1.9 vs. 0.8, p < 0.001, Beers criteria) than patients with no PPI prescription. Patients prescribed PPI not according to guidelines were more frequently using direct oral anticoagulants (28% vs. 12.8%, p < 0.001), corticosteroids (5.3% vs. 0.7%, p = 0.025) at hospital admission and at discharge (25.9% vs. 16.5%, p = 0.018, oral anticoagulants), (6.6% vs. 1%, p = 0.006, corticosteroids), (13.3% vs. 5.4%, p = 0.004, warfarin) than patients with no PPI prescription. Conclusion: The number of medications, potentially inappropriate medications according to the EU(7)-PIM list and Beers criteria, and the use of direct oral anticoagulants, warfarin and corticosteroid prescriptions were the medication-related factors associated with PPI prescription not according to guidelines in elderly patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In a cultural landscape, old historical parks feature important biodiversity refuges not only for vascular plants but also for bryophytes. Here, we surveyed a total of 14 historical parks and gardens in urban and rural areas of Slovakia to evaluate their bryophyte diversity and to find out possible correlations between species richness and habitat characteristics. Overall, 104 bryophyte species (12 liverworts and 92 mosses) were identified. Most frequently occurring species were Amblystegium serpens, Brachythecium rutabulum, Bryum argenteum and Tortula muralis, present at all studied sites. Generally, small urban parks hosted less bryophyte species compared to rural areas. In terms of substrate preference, most frequent were epigeic species, followed by epilithic, epiphytic and epixylic species. At most sites, species' indicator values showed a dominance of semi-heliophilous, semi-heliophobic, hygrophilous, weakly acidophilous to basiphilous bryophyte taxa. Spearman rank correlation test showed that the species richness correlated with the park location (urban vs. rural area) and the number of settlement inhabitants showing that green areas in urban landscape are more isolated from each other which decreased species richness. Our results show that old parks and gardens can provide suitable habitats for some rare species such as Osculatia bornholmensis (reported recently as new for Slovakia) but even for common forest and meadow species and the study of their diversity should be given an increased attention. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background The prevalence of potentially inappropriate medications (PIM) using explicit criteria has been well documented in European countries, however, there is a lack of evidence in the Slovak Republic. There are no specific guidelines and there is a lack of geriatricians in Slovakia. Higher use of PIM leads to greater healthcare services use as well as increases healthcare costs. Objective The aim of this study was to perform an evaluation of the availability and the actual use of PIM by geriatric patients in the nursing homes in Slovakia. Setting Together 459 residents ≥ 65 years living in nursing homes in the Slovak Republic were included for analysis of their drug therapy. Methods Retrospective analysis of medical records of patients' therapy for evaluation of PIM use. Identification of PIM was based on the Renom-Guiteras EU7 PIM list published in 2015. Main outcome measure Potentially inappropriate medications use. The presence of polypharmacy in patients. Results Inappropriate drug use according to EU7 PIM list was identified in 90.60% (416) patients. The mean number of PIM was 2.34 ± 0.07 PIM/patient/day. Polypharmacy (use of ≥ 5 drugs by patient daily) was found in 83% of all patients. The mean number of prescribed drugs was 8.32 ± 0.17 drugs/patient/day. Out of all 282 PIM listed in EU7 PIM list, there are 150 (53.19%) available on the Slovak market and 86 (30.50%) were used in patients. Patients using at least one PIM took two times more drugs compared to patients without PIM (8.77 ± 0.17 vs. 3.98 ± 0.39 drugs/patient/day, p < 0.001). The most common PIM were PPI (36% of patients), piracetam (17.2%) and alprazolam (16.80%). Conclusions The risk of PIM was almost 9.5 times higher if polypharmacy was present in geriatric patients (OR 9.51, 95% CI, 4.86 - 18.61, p < 0.001). There was a strong, positive correlation (ρ = 0.65) between the number of drugs and the number of PIM (p < 0.01). There was neither association between age/gender of patient and polypharmacy; nor age/gender of patient and presence of PIM. The lack of geriatricians and national guidelines for inappropriate prescribing results in alarmingly high use of PIM in the Slovak Republic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An updated checklist and Red List of the mosses of Slovakia is presented. The checklist consists of 699 species with two additional subspecies and 21 additional varieties. According to the Red List presented here, 31.0% of the moss flora of Slovakia was evaluated as threatened (categories Critically Endangered, Endangered, Vulnerable), 9.2% as near threatened, 7.3% as data deficient taxa and 49.4% of mosses were classified in the Least Concern category. We modified the category Extinct (EX) to Regionally Extinct/Vanished (RE/VA), which now includes 2.9% of the moss flora. Species Grimmia lisae, Hygrohypnum eugyrium, Lewinskya affinis var. bohemica, Niphotrichum elongatum, Oreas martiana, Orthotrichum moravicum, Osculatia bornholmensis, Tortula cernua and T. randii have been reported recently as new for Slovakia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study explored unmet mental health and social care needs in the Slovak Republic and their adverse human rights consequences. We estimated treatment gap for persons aged 15–64 years in year 2015 affected by depressive, anxiety, substance use and schizophrenic disorders by comparing local treated prevalence rates with population estimated rates for Europe. Two-thirds of people with depressive disorders and over 80% of those with anxiety disorders and alcohol dependence were not receiving treatment. There was no treatment gap for persons with schizophrenia. Fifty-one percent of those eligible for disability pension on the grounds of mental disorders failed to receive it. We discuss the implications of the estimated gaps in mental health and social care and consequent human rights violations that may result from the current system of mental health care in Slovakia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background When they reach adolescence, children begin to independently use medicine without their parents' supervision, but parents usually still want to be involved in their drug therapy. Objective The aim of this study was to investigate how parental attitudes and awareness toward medicine relate to adolescents' attitudes and awareness. Setting Twelve secondary schools in different regions of the Slovak Republic. Method Adolescents and parents responded to a questionnaire, and the answers were paired and analysed. Parental and adolescents' attitudes toward medicines and awareness of the risk of medicines were measured using a five-point Likert scale. Main outcome measure The strength of the relationship between parents' and their adolescent children's level of agreement with statements about medicines. Results There were significant differences between parents᾽ and adolescents' mean Likert scores for statements about their attitudes toward medicines and their awareness of the risk of medicines (p < 0.05). Parents and adolescents were not fully aware of the risks of cough medicine (73.5% and 76.1%), antihistamines (32.7% and 52.1%), painkillers (33.6% and 47%) and combining medicines (25.2% and 40.4%). More than half of the parents and adolescents had a positive perception of the effectiveness of medication and believed that taking medicine would not hurt adolescents. Parents' and adolescents' responses to the statements were directly proportional (r = 0.94, p < 0.001). Conclusion The analysis revealed a relationship between Slovakian adolescents' and their parents' attitudes and awareness toward medicine; it highlighted areas of adolescents' and parents' education about the proper use of medications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study deals with the analysis of relationship between chemical composition of the groundwater/drinking water and the data on mortality from oncological diseases (MOD) in the Slovak Republic. Primary data consist of the Slovak national database of groundwater analyses (20,339 chemical analyses, 34 chemical elements/compounds) and data on MOD (17 health indicators) collected for the 10-year period (1994-2003). The chemical and health data were unified in the same form and expressed as the mean values for each of 2883 municipalities within the Slovak Republic. Pearson and Spearman correlation as well as artificial neural network (ANN) methods were used for analysis of the relationship between chemical composition of groundwater/drinking water and MOD. The most significant chemical elements having influence on MOD were identified together with their limit values (limit and optimal contents). Based on the results of calculations, made through the neural networks, the following eight chemical elements/parameters in the groundwater were defined as the most significant for MOD: Ca + Mg (mmol l), Ca, Mg, TDS, Cl, HCO, SO and NO. The results document the highest relationship between MOD and groundwater contents of Ca + Mg (mmol l), Ca and Mg. We observe increased MOD with low (deficit) contents of these three parameters of groundwater/drinking water. The following limit values were set for the most significant groundwater chemicals/parameters: Ca + Mg 1.73-5.85 mmol l, Ca 60.5-196.8 mg l and Mg 25.6-35.8 mg l. At these concentration ranges, the mortality for oncological diseases in the Slovak Republic is at the lowest levels. These limit values are about twice higher in comparison with the current Slovak valid guideline values for the drinking water. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The school system in the Slovak Republic, as in other post-communist countries, was first reformed at the beginning of the 1990s. It was not until 2008, when an education law was adopted to set out new parameters for creating a national curriculum at all levels, that fundamental curricular reforms were made. Thus the law also meant that preschool educational institutions could be fully incorporated into the school system and that an entirely new national curriculum could be developed for these schools (nursery schools). The ten-year national Education Programme for Nursery Schools ceased to be valid and nursery schools were faced with the task of implementing the new 2008 national programme. The national curriculum soon began to exhibit fundamental flaws and so a new version had to be produced in 2013. Within a short period of time, teachers were faced with the pressures of having two new national curricula. This study captures the way in which teachers dealt with this process when first encountering the 2013 national curriculum. This was accomplished by intentionally using Facebook as a contextual platform alternative to face-to-face research; as a unique research tool, and as data source. The data collected and analysed from the Facebook platform was based on discussion topics created by teachers. The discussion platform provided access to the emotional side of teachers' reactions to the changes taking place, which must be considered a significant factor in implementing reform. The article describes the various emotional states preschool teachers experience while accepting or resisting the various forms of the national curriculum. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Nitra river is one of the most polluted rivers in the Slovak Republic. The aim of the study was to estimate the risk of Cd, Pb and Hg contamination of riverside sediments and alluvial soil in the vicinity of the Nitra river. The pseudototal Cd (all Cd forms except for residual fraction) and total Hg contents in riverside sediments (0.74-1.88 and 0.06-5.44 mg/kg, respectively) exceeded the limits for Cd and Hg in sandy soils (0.4 and 0.15 mg/kg). In three chosen localities in the flood plain of the Nitra river the soil content of mobile Pb forms (0.10-0.32 mg/kg), the pseudototal Cd (0.25-2.52 mg/kg) and total Hg content (0.03-1.6 mg/kg) exceeded the limits for Pb, Cd and Hg in loamy soils (0.1, 0.7 and 0.5 mg/kg, respectively). The obtained results confirmed the risk of Pb, Cd, Hg contamination caused by industrial activity in the vicinity of the Nitra river. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study deals with the analysis of relationship between chemical composition of the groundwater/drinking water and the data on relative mortality for cardiovascular diseases (ReI) in the Slovak Republic. Primary data consist of the Slovak national database of groundwater analyses (20,339 chemical analyses, 34 chemical elements/compounds) and data on ReI collected for the 10-year period (1994-2003). The chemical and health data were unified in the same form and expressed as the mean values for each of 2883 municipalities within the Slovak Republic for further analysis. Artificial neural network was used as mathematic method for model data analysis. The most significant chemical elements having influence on ReI were identified together with their limit values (maximal acceptable, minimal necessary and optimal). Based on the results of calculations, made through the neural networks, the following ten chemical elements/parameters in the groundwater were defined as the most significant for ReI: Ca + Mg (mmol l), Ca, Mg, TDS, Cl, HCO, SO, NO, SiO and PO. The obtained results document the highest relationship between ReI and the groundwater contents of Ca + Mg (mmol l), Ca and Mg. Following limit values were set for the most significant groundwater chemicals/parameters: Ca + Mg 4.4-7.6 mmol l, Ca > 89.4 mg l and Mg 42-78.1 mg l. At these concentration ranges, the relative mortality for cardiovascular diseases in the Slovak Republic reaches the lowest levels. These limit values are about twice higher in comparison with the current Slovak valid guideline values for the drinking water. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In order to assess the potential impact of the geological environment on the health of the population of the Slovak Republic, the geological environment was divided into eight major units: Paleozoic, Crystalline, Carbonatic Mesozoic and basal Paleogene, Carbonatic-silicate Mesozoic and Paleogene, Paleogene Flysch, Neovolcanics, Neogene and Quaternary sediments. Based on these geological units, the databases of environmental indicators (chemical elements/parameters in groundwater and soils) and health indicators (concerning health status and demographic development of the population) were compiled. The geological environment of the Neogene volcanics (andesites and basalts) has been clearly documented as having the least favourable impact on the health of Slovak population, while Paleogene Flysch geological environment (sandstones, shales, claystones) has the most favourable impact. The most significant differences between these two geological environments were observed, especially for the following health indicators: SMRI6364 (cerebral infarction and strokes) more than 70 %, SMRK (digestive system) 55 %, REI (circulatory system) and REE (endocrine and metabolic system) almost 40 % and REC (malignant neoplasms) more than 30 %. These results can likely be associated with deficit contents of Ca and Mg in groundwater from the Neogene volcanics that are only about half the level of Ca and Mg in groundwater of the Paleogene sediments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The protozoan Toxoplasma gondii is an obligate intracellular parasite that infects a wide range of warm-blooded vertebrates. The data about the occurrence of toxoplasmosis in slaughter pigs in the Slovak Republic are still missing. The aim of our study was to estimate the prevalence of toxoplasmosis in pigs from Slovakia during the period of 2006-2010 by ELISA and PCR methods. In sera of 970 slaughter pigs, 2.16% seropositivity to T. gondii was detected. In tissue samples of seropositive pigs the presence of T. gondii DNA was confirmed. In six monitored Slovak regions the seropositivity varied between 1.11 and 3.48%. The statistically significant differences were recorded between the Košice and Prešov region. The seroprevalence of toxoplasmosis in sows (4.26%) was two times higher than that in slaughter pigs (2.06%) (OR = 2.12; 95% CI = 0.48-9.36). Presence of Toxoplasma gondii in tissues of seropositive pig isolates was confirmed by TGR1E and B1 genes and analysis of DNA polymorphism at SAG2 and ROP1 genes revealed the presence of virulent strain of genotype I in 85.7% of infected pigs and an avirulent strain (genotype II) in 14.3% of pigs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The history of groundwater aggressiveness evaluation procedures applied in the Slovak Republic is summarized and compared with the newly adopted European technical standard STN EN 206-1. The methodology of data acquiring and processing for groundwater aggressiveness evaluation was proposed. The procedure included basic principles of data mining, requested number of chemical analyses and ways of groundwater aggressiveness assessment. Ways of results interpretation and graphical visualization were proposed, too. The procedure was applied in the area of the Horna Nitra in Slovakia. A total number of 953 groundwater analyses were used to assess the groundwater aggressiveness. The resulting map of zoning comprised eight groundwater aggressiveness zones. Zones with the non-aggressive degree (X0) groundwater to moderately aggressive degree (XA2) were delineated. The aggressiveness was caused mainly by presence of aggressive carbon dioxide (depending on the rock type in the area) and by lowered pH values in association with increased sulfate contents in areas of brown coal mining activities and in heavy industrialized areas. The compilation of a locality map was proposed, where for each municipality type and degree of aggressiveness is assessed. It should serve to local authorities as background information within the decision-making process connected to the permission of construction work. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Inputs of As to a small catchment due to chemical weathering of bedrock, mechanical weathering of bedrock, and atmospheric precipitation were 71.53, 23.98 and 0.02 g ha year, respectively. The output fluxes of As due to mechanical erosion of soil, biological uptake, stream discharge, and groundwater flow were 6.32, 4.77, 0.37 and 0.02 g ha year, respectively. The results indicate that arsenic accumulates in soil and regolith with a very high rate. This is attributed to the selective weathering and erosion with respect to arsenic and fixation of arsenic in the secondary solids produced by weathering. The output fluxes of As in stream and groundwater in Vydrica catchment in Slovak Republic (0.39 g ha year) based on muscovite-biotite granites and granodiorites were much lower compared to catchments in a gold district in the Czech Republic. These results may be ascribed to the low levels of arsenic pollution measured in Vydrica catchment. The arsenic fluxes were estimated by calculation of mechanical and chemical weathering rates of the bedrocks in Vydrica catchment from mass balance data on sodium and silica. The justification of the steady state of Na and Si is that neither of the elements is appreciably accumulated in plants and in exchangeable pool of ions in soil. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Health risk, defined as possibility or probability of health damage, illness or death of humans due to exposure to risk factors in the environment, was derived for geological environment (soils) and estimated at national scale for the whole Europe and at more detailed regional scale for Slovak Republic. The assessment was based on data obtained from international geochemical mapping of Europe (Geochemical Atlas of the Europe-827 soil samples) and national geochemical mapping programme of the Slovak Republic (9,860 soil samples). The following chemical elements were evaluated: As, B, Ba, Be, Cd, Cu, F, Hg, Mn, Mo, Ni, Pb, Sb, Se and Zn. The health risk assessment method was based on calculations of average daily doses of individual elements analysed in every collected soil sample. Exposure levels were set by using exposure parameters and reference doses from integrated databases of US EPA. The results of calculations were transformed into various sorts of maps (dot, pixel) to delineate areas where increased contents of risk elements can pose risk to human health. The average levels of chronic and carcinogenic risk are presented in the form of tables for single European countries and administrative units of Slovak republic. The results of European mapping (Geochemical Atlas of Europe) indicate that increased levels of potentially toxic elements in soil (mainly As, Pb and Ni) occur primarily in the countries of southern and western Europe. Such elements are associated with increased health risk for resident population. For the countries of northern Europe health risk was estimated at significantly lower level. Relatively high sampling density in Slovak Republic made it possible to calculate health risk at more detailed scale for individual administrative units (municipalities, provinces). The increased health risk level was found in areas well known for high soil contamination (e.g. mining areas). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Healthcare system in Slovakia is neither Bismarck nor Beveridge nor National Health Insurance model, although it has certain features of all. The healthcare contributions are mandatory and are paid to the health insurance company. An insured citizen is almost unlimited as for the amount of healthcare spending but the reimbursement limits are set for the particular healthcare providers. Over 98% of the population is covered by health insurance. Public healthcare expenditure has been approximately 3400 millions € in 2009, which represents around 5.36% of gross domestic product. Around 78% of the 5.4 million population may be regarded to as relatively healthy. The 22% suffer of the most common diseases such as cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, respiratory diseases, psychiatric diseases, infectious diseases and cancer. New government has now a unique opportunity to implement the concept of predictive, preventive and personalized medicine for the benefit of each citizen and the entire country. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Slovak Republic is very rich in mineral water sources. In recent years, it has been discovered that a number of mineral waters in the Slovak Republic contain high levels of 226Ra and 228Ra. Moreover, there is a lack of information on 224Ra and 223Ra concentrations in mineral waters as well. The currently approved techniques for alpha emitting radium isotopes are based on radon emanation methods. Due to the long ingrowth periods required by these techniques, any 224Ra and 223Ra in the sample decay away and go undetected. For this reason, we have used an alpha spectrometric method for the simultaneous determination of 226Ra, 223Ra and 224Ra. Radium was concentrated by a lead sulphate co-precipitation. The precipitate was dissolved in EDTA and the radium isotopes were separated from possible interfering radionuclides using barium sulphate micro precipitation. The radium-barium precipitate was filtered and counted by alpha spectrometry. 133Ba was used to quantify the yield by gamma spectrometry. In our laboratory, gamma spectrometry was also used for the determination of 228Ra in mineral water samples. Radium was concentrated by a lead-barium sulphate co-precipitation. 133Ba was used to quantify the yield, found to be 97 % on the average, by gamma spectrometry. Furthermore, the committed effective doses for 226Ra, 224Ra, 223Ra, 228Ra intake via ingestion of mineral waters for the members of public were calculated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The main goal of the research was a detailed study of the consequences, caused by groundwater abstraction in the Neresnica brook catchment (Slovak Republic) since the water supply source Podzamcok was put in operation in 1973. This goal was supplemented by research of groundwater origin, groundwater chemical composition and its changes. Field measurements, analyses of water samples and statistical evaluation of hydrometeorological data were used to gain and process the data. It was showed that overexploitation of groundwater in the catchment resulted in distinct diminishing of stream flow discharges in low flow periods, groundwater level dropping and disturbance of hydraulic connection between surface and groundwater. Groundwater quality was quite stable during the whole period of observation. Groundwater modeling was proposed to be used for the re-estimation of utilizable groundwater amounts in the catchment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Countries in transition now represent asignificant sector of the internationalpolitical economy. One of the challenges thatthey face in moving towards market-basedsystems and institutions is that oftransforming the structure of businessenterprises into forms more compatible withcapitalist economies. Corporate governance isan important part of this. We argue that,certainly during an interim stage whilst equitymarkets are weak or non-existent, debt financehas a useful role to play. However for this tobe possible there are some importantinstitutional changes that are necessary inorder to provide the infrastructure withinwhich debt finance can operate effectively andefficiently. We then present an overview andevaluation of the progress of change in fourselected transition countries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Three models were used to determine the daily dietary Selenium intake in Slovakia. The Selenium content of food produced and consumed in the Slovak Republic was used to estimate and calculate the daily Selenium intake based on food consumption data per capita and seven days, (24 h) eating protocol models. In a duplicate portion model, Selenium was analyzed in a whole day hospital diet during an eight-day period. According to these models the daily dietary Selenium intake was 38.2 μg; 43.3 ±6.5 μg for men and 32.6 ±6.6 μg for women; 27.1 ±7.8 μg for normal and 32.3 ±4.8 μg for nourishing hospital diets. The main contributors of Selenium to daily intake were the following: eggs, pork, and poultry. The obtained results indicate that the daily dietary intake of Selenium of the Slovak people is below the recommended values. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

It seems that the least accurate (population) forecasts are those published in the period of great historical turning points both economic and political. Several studies analysed the forecasts' accuracy in Western countries, but the post-1990 development in the post-communistic countries has not been analysed in this respect. The general goal of the study is to show how hardly predictable and poorly predicted the demographical processes have appeared to be during the major societal and economic turning points after the post-communistic transformation started. To do this, the study first provides an exact measurement of the forecasts' accuracy in transitioning Slovakia and Czechia. The key finding is that the forecasters either did not recognise the beginning of somewhat completely "new" or underestimated the dimensions of the turning points and turns in the recent trends. Thus, the assumption "drag" shows up much more frequently than some kind of over-reaction. Implicitly, the research re-opens a perpetual question whether methodological–mathematical improvements are more (or less) important than the deep insight into the forecasted processes. Secondly, the study demonstrates the range and dimension of changes that impact the demographic present and future. Here, the alternative future is built and simulated in terms of what the populations would have looked like if the socialist system had not collapsed. It is a quite simple but very smart way how to demonstrate the range of turnover since 1989. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]