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The aim of this study is to provide a comprehensive view of matters of cross-border cooperation, with the main emphasis on the typology and development of structures supporting cross-border cooperation in a selected region of the Czech Republic (South Bohemian Region). The study focuses on the analysis of changes in the methods and ways of cooperation of municipalities in the programming periods 2007–2013 and 2014–2020 (Euroregions, cross-border impulse centers, European territorial cooperation groups, partner and friendly cities, etc.). The research not only analyzes the actual development of cooperation between municipalities in the region studied, but also identifies the prerequisites of and barriers to cross-border cooperation. The data obtained show a significant decrease in the interest of municipalities in cross-border cooperation within the conditions of the Czech Republic in recent years. The current situation with regard to the existence and development of cross-border cooperation in 2024 is not very satisfactory, although it is paradoxically an area strongly supported by the EU Cohesion Policy. This study employs a mixed-methods approach, combining both qualitative and quantitative research methods to provide a comprehensive analysis of cross-border cooperation in the South Bohemian Region. A thorough review of existing literature on cross-border cooperation and related policies was conducted to establish a theoretical framework. The practical part of the study is based on field research carried out by the author in 2007–2013 and 2014–2020. This research examined the level of cooperation between the 623 municipalities in the South Bohemian Region (in 2016, there were 624 municipalities in the region). In the case of cross-border impulse centers, the input data were represented by e-mail and telephone inquiries to representatives of individual municipalities and the websites of Euroregions. To conduct a comprehensive study on cross-border cooperation between municipalities in the South Bohemian Region, logical and scientific methods were used. Universal methods of logic ensured the correctness and orderliness of the thought process, with abstraction identifying key elements. Synthesis was used to divide the study into parts, analyze them in detail, and integrate them into a comprehensive analysis. Scientific methods included analysis to examine the current status and frameworks of cross-border cooperation and comparison to identify similarities or differences between the Czech Republic and neighboring countries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: A population-based cervical cancer screening programme is implemented in the Czech Republic. However, participation is insufficient among women over 50 years. This study aimed to estimate the potential improvement in participation through directly mailed HPV self-sampling kits (HPVssk) compared with standard invitation letters in women aged 50-65 non-participating in screening. Methods: The study recruited 1564 eligible women (no cervical cancer screening in the last 3 years or more, no previous treatment associated with cervical lesions or cervical cancer). Eight hundred women were mailed with an HPVssk (HPVssk group), and 764 women were sent a standard invitation letter (control group) inviting them to a routine screening (Pap test). The primary outcome was a comparison of the overall participation rate between study groups using a binominal regression model. Results: The participation rate in the HPVssk group was 13.4% [95% confidence interval (CI) 11.2-15.9%; 7.4% of women returned the HPVssk and 6.0% attended gynaecological examination] and 5.0% (95% CI 3.6-6.8%) in the control group. Using the binominal regression model, the difference between the groups was estimated as 7.6% (95% CI 5.0-10.2%; P<0.001). In the HPVssk group, 22% of women who returned HPVssk had a positive result and 70% of them underwent a follow-up examination. Conclusions: Compared with traditional invitation letters, the direct mailing of the HPVssk achieved a significantly higher participation rate, along with a notable HPV positivity rate among HPVssk responders. This approach offers a potentially viable method for engaging women who have not yet attended a cervical screening programme. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper deals with the sleeper substructure design for a speed of 200 kph according to the Czech SŽ S4 standard. The paper includes the design of sub-ballast and capping layers. The second part of the paper is focused on transition area design. The conclusion brings recommendations of alterations which would be appropriate to incorporate into the standard. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Norway spruce stands are established and managed along various site conditions in central Europe. Currently, spruce often grows at locations outside of its ecological optimum, resulting in extensive damage elicited by harmful abiotic and biotic factors, which relatively shortens the time to change this adverse status in the adaptation frame by foresters. Except for the rapid change in species composition through clear-cuts, another way is possible, i.e., stabilising current (especially young) spruce stands to extend the time required to implement adaptation measures. The assumption that different site conditions will have to be respected as part of this adaptation was confirmed by our study based on NFI data of the Czech Republic. A semiparametric generalized linear model (GAM) was used to model the relationship between the height-to-diameter ratio and forest stand age, differentially considering particular forest vegetation zones. Spruce stands with lower elevations attain a lower stability (expressed by their height-to-diameter ratio; HDR) than those in the mountains. The HDR culminated in lower and middle altitudes in the first half of the rotation period, representing the most critical timing and effectivity of silvicultural measures. Contrary to previous findings, we found higher HDR values at nutrient-rich sites than those at acid ones, especially up to 50–60 years old. Therefore, more research should be devoted to the issue concerning the same thinning regime under different site conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We present a novel approach to estimate the time-varying ascertainment rate in almost real-time, based on the surveillance of positively tested infectious and hospital admission data. We also address the age dependence of the estimate. The ascertainment rate estimation is based on the Bayes theorem. It can be easily calculated and used (i) as part of a mechanistic model of the disease spread or (ii) to estimate the unreported infections or changes in their proportion in almost real-time as one of the early-warning signals in case of undetected outbreak emergence. The paper also contains a case study of the COVID-19 epidemic in the Czech Republic. The case study demonstrates the usage of the ascertainment rate estimate in retrospective analysis, epidemic monitoring, explanations of differences between waves, usage in the national Anti-epidemic system, and monitoring of the effectiveness of non-pharmaceutical interventions on Czech nationwide surveillance datasets. The Czech data reveal that the probability of hospitalization due to SARS-CoV-2 infection for the senior population was 12 times higher than for the non-senior population in the monitored period from the beginning of March 2020 to the end of May 2021. In a mechanistic model of COVID-19 spread in the Czech Republic, the ascertainment rate enables us to explain the links between all basic compartments, including new cases, hospitalizations, and deaths. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Coverage by examinations is a crucial indicator of the future impact on the burden of colorectal cancer (CRC). The study aimed to evaluate coverage by examinations associated with CRC screening and early cancer detection of CRC in the Czech Republic. The burden of CRC was also assessed. Methods The novel nationwide administrative registry with individual data (period 2010–19) was used to evaluate coverage by examinations for screening faecal occult blood test and colonoscopy. In the second step, additional examinations for early CRC detection were included in the coverage calculation (complete coverage). Age-specific trends in CRC incidence (period 1977–2018) were investigated using Joinpoint regression. Results Coverage by screening examinations within recommended interval was around 30%. Complete coverage reached >37% and >50% at the 3-year interval. The coverage by examinations for the non-screening population aged 40–49 years was almost 4% and 5% (most of them were colonoscopies) at the 3-year interval. In age groups aged ≥50 years, we observed a significant annual decline, especially in the 50–69 age group, with recent annual decreases reaching up to 5–7%. The change in trend and the recent decline were also observed in the age group 40–49. Conclusions More than half of the target screening population was covered by examinations potentially associated with early detection and subsequent treatment of colorectal neoplasms. The substantial coverage by potentially prophylactic examinations might be an explanation for the considerable decrease in CRC incidence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper focuses on the analysis of the computerization of public administration in the Czech Republic in the context of the implementation and operation of data mailboxes, which have been an integral and very important part of e-Government in that country since 2009. A data mailbox has been defined in the Czech legal system since 2009 as an electronic repository of a special type established under the relevant Act No. 300/2008 Coll., which is intended for delivering electronic documents between public authorities on the one hand and natural persons and legal entities on the other. The data mailbox is mandatory for public authorities, legal entities registered in the Commercial Register, and natural persons engaged in business and may also be established by individuals not engaged in business. Public authorities are obliged to send documents preferably to the data mailbox of an addressee, if the latter has set up one, and, considering the legal assumption of delivery, entities which have set up a data mailbox are de facto obliged to collect documents from it. The aim of the study is a detailed description and critical analysis of the data mailbox system in the Czech Republic. The study also focuses on understanding the specific aspects of the implementation of data mailboxes in the Czech Republic. The main methods used are description, thematic and comparative analysis, so this is a descriptive case study. The results of the analysis confirm a number of problems related to the operation of data mailboxes, whether they be technical problems, security risks, usability problems, legal and regulatory problems or other organizational and procedural problems. The forced "computerization" of communication of a number of legal entities in 2023 is also mentioned. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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We examined the net-ecosystem-exchange (NEE)-based annual carbon-balance estimates obtained from eddy-covariance (EC) measurements at an unmanaged sedge-grass marsh ecosystem (Třeboň, Czech Republic, 49°1′ N, 14°46′ E), seeking methods to improve the EC measurements in inhomogeneous environment. The data filtering procedure was developed using three thresholds: (a) a stationarity test; (b) a stability u ∗ -threshold; and (c) a high relative humidity RH-threshold. This procedure was tested in 2014, a year without significant floods and drought events led to a stable water table, reducing the effect of soil respiration on the EC measurements. Estimates of annual carbon-balance were reduced from 182 to 234 ± 12 gC m−2 year−1 for the initial data to 39–44 ± 8 gC m−2 year−1 after the RH ≤ 95% filtering and to 24–26 ± 7 gC m−2 year−1 after the further u ∗ ≥ 0.1 m s−1 filtering. Applying the precipitation/fog threshold reduced this balance to 10–12 ± 7 gC m−2 year−1, closer to carbon neutrality. Up to 9.5% of this identified shift occurred during apparent nocturnal downslope katabatic drainage flows or plume descent coming from the nearby town of Třeboň. High-RH conditions account for up to 27% of this shift. Moreover, both conditions together account for an additional 67% of the identified carbon-balance change. Removing these non-ecosystem-related processes brings EC measurements closer to values of an unmanaged-ecosystem productivity, providing a better NEE-based estimate for the net ecosystem production. The presented procedure is applicable to EC measurements conducted at different wetlands or terrestrial ecosystems with similar conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Schimke immunoosseous dysplasia (SIOD) is an ultra-rare inherited disease affecting many organ systems. Spondyloepiphyseal dysplasia, T-cell immunodeficiency and steroid resistant nephrotic syndrome are the main symptoms of this disease. Case presentation: We aimed to characterize the clinical, pathological and genetic features of SIOD patients received at tertiary Pediatric Nephrology Center, University Hospital Motol, Prague, Czech Republic during the period 2001–2021. The mean age at diagnosis was 21 months (range 18–48 months). All patients presented with growth failure, nephropathy and immunodeficiency. Infections and neurologic complications were present in most of the affected children during the course of the disease. Conclusions: Although SIOD is a disease characterized by specific features, the individual phenotype may differ. Neurologic signs can severely affect the quality of life; the view on the management of SIOD is not uniform. Currently, new therapeutic methods are required. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The recent human monkeypox virus (HMPXV) outbreak in non-endemic countries that started in May 2022 has raised concerns among public health authorities worldwide. Healthcare workers (HCWs) play a decisive role during epidemics in transmitting accurate information to the public and motivating them to pursue protective behaviours, including immunisation. Methods: A cross-sectional survey-based study was conducted in the Czech Republic in September 2022 to evaluate HMPXV-related knowledge and vaccination perceptions among HCWs. The study utilised a digital self-administered questionnaire (SAQ) to collect data from the target population. The proposed SAQ inquired about participants' sociodemographic and anamnestic characteristics, perceived knowledge of HMPXV, factual knowledge, and vaccination perceptions according to the health belief model (HBM). Results: A total of 341 participants were included in this study; most of them were females (88.9%), allied HCWs (89.4%), heterosexuals (87.1%), married (61.9%), and vaccinated against COVID-19 (91.2%). Only 8.8% of the participants agreed to receive vaccination against HMPXV; 44.9% rejected it, while 46.3% were hesitant. While digital news portals (47.5%) and social media (25.8%) were among the most utilised sources of information about HMPXV, the scientific journals (5.6%), ECDC (5%), and the U.S. CDC (1.5%) were the least common sources. The participants demonstrated suboptimal levels of factual knowledge, especially regarding HMPXV vaccines (1.5 ± 1.2 (0–4)) and treatments (0.9 ± 0.9 (0–4)). Additionally, several misconceptions were detectable among the participants, regarding topics such as the availability of effective vaccines and antivirals against HMPXV, the risk of vertical transmission, and homosexual stigmatisation. The HBM indicated that the cues to action and perceived susceptibility were the most important constructs to predict HMPXV vaccine acceptance. Conclusions: the findings of this study call upon public health practitioners and health policymakers in the Czech Republic to act accordingly in order to determine the drivers of vaccine hesitancy among Czech HCWs. Dedicated educational campaigns should aim to counter the HCWs' misconceptions around HMPXV, and future studies should aim to explore the prevalence and drivers of HMPXV vaccine hesitancy among the general population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: The main aim of this project was to enhance compliance with the best available evidence in clinical practice guidelines (CPGs) development based on evidence-based healthcare (EBHC) and GRADE (grading of recommendations, assessment, development and evaluation) principles in healthcare professionals and healthcare providers. Introduction: In various healthcare fields, the quality of care provided in different healthcare settings may vary. Guidelines following the EBHC principles should help make the right decisions in healthcare by providing the best healthcare option and be available for all patients. The perspectives of all engaged stakeholders should be respected, however. Within the Czech Republic, there had been no standardized process of CPG development. Methods: A baseline audit was conducted to demonstrate the status quo of the EBHC in the Czech Republic, which identified several barriers. Consequently, strategies (educational activities, methodological guidelines) to overcome the barriers were suggested and implemented. Two more audits followed (November 2017, November 2020). Results: The baseline audit results showed no or very low compliance to the best available evidence in CPG development. After the implementation, an increased compliance in all audit criteria (national methodology guidelines, trustworthy CPGs, experienced methodologists, clinical summaries) has been reported. The project has helped to establish procedures of CPGs development, enhanced knowledge and skills on EBHC in healthcare professionals, and ignited patients' involvement in CPG development. Conclusions: The implementation project showed an increasing number of national methodology guidelines, CPGs being developed using EBHC and GRADE principles and HC professionals educated in EBHC. A national center for CPGs development within the Ministry of Health is being planned to sustain the project achievements. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: A key issue in the development of population-based access to palliative care is identification of appropriate patients. Objective: To evaluate the NECPAL (NECesidades Paliativas) tool to identify unmet palliative care needs in the Czech Republic in regional hospitals of the Vysocina region. Methods: We used the End-of-Life care information system (ELFis) to evaluate prognostication to aid the identification of palliative care needs. The evaluation process was developed in cooperation with the regional government and central health care insurance agency as a step toward the development of a nation-wide palliative care program. Results: Our results demonstrate that the NECPAL tool successfully identified palliative care needs in specifically prepared clinical environment. An important part of this is a support of main stakeholders and an effective leadership. Conclusion: An unexpected finding was the role that leadership played in testing the tool, and very short time (10 months) needed for statistically visible changes in a regional system of care. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims: The aim of this study is to analyse the prevalence, epidemiology, and anticoagulation prevention of stroke or transient ischaemic attack (TIA) in Czech patients with atrial fibrillation (AF).Methods and Results: Retrospective observational analysis of diagnoses, procedures, and treatment reported to the Czech National Registry of Reimbursed Healthcare Services between 2015 and 2018. Prevalence of AF in 2018 was 4.3% of Czech population and the prevalence of stroke/TIA in AF patients was 22.3% with annual incidence of 181.62 cases per 100 000 inhabitants. In 2018, CHA2DS2-ASc score ≥4 was present in 98% AF patients in secondary and 59% in primary prevention, respectively, while the anticoagulation treatment was used by 71-81% of them. Between 2015 and 2018, the percentage of AF patients treated with warfarin monotherapy in primary prevention decreased from 35% to 31%, with acetylsalicylic acid (ASA) monotherapy from 18% to 16% and non-vitamin K antagonist oral anticoagulants (NOACs) monotherapy increased from 7% to 11%. In secondary prevention, the percentage of warfarin monotherapy treatment decreased from 35% to 32%, with ASA monotherapy from 20% to 18% and with NOACs monotherapy increased from 9% to 15%.Conclusion: This study followed all Czech patients with AF. The unadjusted prevalence and incidence of AF was higher compared with other countries and 2019 European Society of Cardiology Statistics. The study identified several gaps in standard of reimbursed care. 20-30% of AF patients with other risk factors were without any prevention medication and the share of ASA monotherapy in treated patients was 16-18%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study was to determine the presence of zoocide (insecticide and miticide) residues in hops collected in three hop-growing regions located in the Czech Republic, and to assess their zoocide profiles and residue levels in terms of variability in temperature and precipitation across the 2018–2020 seasons. Furthermore, the weather factors that influenced the occurrence of hop pests are described and discussed. During our 3-year survey, a total of 120 samples of whole-cone hops samples harvested in three hop-growing regions were analysed for the presence of 29 insecticides and miticides using the modified QuEChERS extraction method, followed by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry and gas chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. A majority, 119 of 120 samples, contained a residue of at least one of the active substances surveyed in this study, and 34 analysed samples contained multiple residues with three to four zoocides presented. Concerning the most frequently detected zoocide residues, spirotetramat and/or its metabolites were found in 94.2% of the samples at levels ranging from 0.02 to 1.08 mg/kg. Of the other zoocides surveyed, residues of fenpyroximate, hexythiazox, bifenazate and lambda-cyhalothrin were routinely found in hop cone samples. Obtained data were then used for evaluating seasonal and geographical variations in the profile of zoocide residues among the hop-growing regions in the years 2018–2020, and the compliance with legal regulations concerning the use of zoocides on hops was ascertained. The results showed that (1) the profile and levels of zoocide residues found in the samples reflected seasonal prevalence of pest infestation on hop plants; (2) the strategy to control pests (especially aphids) used in most of hop yards was consistent across the seasons; and (3) a concentration of spirotetramat residues less than 1 mg/kg was typical for hops grown in the Czech Republic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

At the time of the COVID-19 pandemic, providing access to data (properly optimised regarding personal data protection) plays a crucial role in providing the general public and media with up-to-date information. Open datasets also represent one of the means for evaluation of the pandemic on a global level. The primary aim of this paper is to describe the methodological and technical framework for publishing datasets describing characteristics related to the COVID-19 epidemic in the Czech Republic (epidemiology, hospital-based care, vaccination), including the use of these datasets in practice. Practical aspects and experience with data sharing are discussed. As a reaction to the epidemic situation, a new portal COVID-19: Current Situation in the Czech Republic (https://onemocneni-aktualne.mzcr.cz/covid-19) was developed and launched in March 2020 to provide a fully-fledged and trustworthy source of information for the public and media. The portal also contains a section for the publication of (i) public open datasets available for download in CSV and JSON formats and (ii) authorised-access-only section where the authorised persons can (through an online generated token) safely visualise or download regional datasets with aggregated data at the level of the individual municipalities and regions. The data are also provided to the local open data catalogue (covering only open data on healthcare, provided by the Ministry of Health) and to the National Catalogue of Open Data (covering all open data sets, provided by various authorities/publishers, and harversting all data from local catalogues). The datasets have been published in various authentication regimes and widely used by general public, scientists, public authorities and decision-makers. The total number of API calls since its launch in March 2020 to 15 December 2020 exceeded 13 million. The datasets have been adopted as an official and guaranteed source for outputs of third parties, including public authorities, non-governmental organisations, scientists and online news portals. Datasets currently published as open data meet the 3-star open data requirements, which makes them machine-readable and facilitates their further usage without restrictions. This is essential for making the data more easily understandable and usable for data consumers. In conjunction with the strategy of the MH in the field of data opening, additional datasets meeting the already implemented standards will be also released, both on COVID-19 related and unrelated topics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Monospecifi c stands of spruce and pine have manifested health worsening over the last two decades in the Czech Republic. Given the ongoing climate changes, one can expect a further loss of these coniferous forest stands in near future. Th erefore foresters are interested in the use of pioneer species to restore a woody-species cover within large clearings. Th e most promising pioneer is silver birch that can perform well at many sites. Th e study deals with thinning of naturally-regenerated birch stand following a salvage clear-cutting of spruce. Th ree thinning treatments such as no thinning (K), 1,100 trees left on site (Z3), and 400 crop trees released from competitors with all others left on site (Z5) were established in the 16-year-old stand. Th e experiment was measured 4 years aft er thinning. Both thinned treatments aff ected the diameter increment of the released trees positively. Slenderness ratio responded signifi cantly to Z3 thinning, and insignifi cantly it is very likely to have a similar eff ect at Z5 treatment though. Th e live crown length was also signifi cantly aff ected at Z3 whereas at Z5 was observed only a minor eff ect, which was attributable to completion with a part of understory left on site. Early response to thinning highlights the importance of a density reduction for stabilization and vigour of birch stands. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Recurrent aphthous stomatitis (RAS) is multifactorial disease with unclear etiopathogenesis. The aim of this study was to determine distribution of the angiotensin I converting enzyme (ACE) gene polymorphisms and their influence on RAS susceptibility in Czech population. Methods: The study included 230 subjects (143 healthy controls and 87 patients with RAS) with anamnestic, clinical and laboratory data. Five ACE gene polymorphisms (rs4291/rs4305/rs4311/rs4331/rs1799752 = ACE I/D) were determined by TaqMan technique. Results: The allele and genotype distributions of the studied ACE I/D polymorphisms were not significantly different between subjects with/without RAS (Pcorr > 0.05). However, carriers of II genotype were less frequent in the RAS group (OR = 0.48, 95% CI = 0.21–1.12, P = 0.059). Stratified analysis by sex demonstrated lower frequency of II genotype in women (OR = 0.33, 95% CI = 0.09–1.17, P < 0.035, Pcorr > 0.05, respectively) than in men with RAS (P > 0.05). Moreover, the frequency of AGTGD haplotype was significantly increased in RAS patients (OR = 13.74, 95% CI = 1.70–110.79, P = 0.0012, Pcorr < 0.05). In subanalysis, TGD haplotype was significantly more frequent in RAS patients (P < 0.00001) and CGI haplotype was less frequent in RAS patients (P < 0.01), especially in women (P = 0.016, Pcorr > 0.05). Conclusions: Our study indicates that while the AGTGD and TGD haplotypes are associated with increased risk of RAS development, CGI haplotype might be one of protective factors against RAS susceptibility in Czech population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper focuses on the social network Instagram and its use by Czech university students during the COVID-19 pandemic lockdowns with restricted travel and services in comparison to typical Instagram activity in the pre-pandemic period. As Instagram specializes in visuals, it is perceived as an attractive online tool for promoting a wide range of products and services, including hospitality services and tourism destinations. The research aimed to determine which aspects of the use of this social network were affected by the pandemic lockdown period in 2020 among the young generation of active Instagram users. The analysis of data collected from a survey of 1138 respondents, for example, showed that students often started to follow new topics - especially in the areas of politics, health, personal development, sports, or hospitality services - in the context of the pandemic and its associated restrictions. At the same time, they started to spend more time on Instagram daily, typically 1-3 hours longer than they did in the pre-pandemic period. The analysis findings suggest that this social network should be seen as an increasingly important tool for effective online communication with the younger generation with tertiary education. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims A retrospective nationwide observational analysis of diagnoses, procedures, and treatment reported to the Czech National Registry of Reimbursed Health Services between 2012 and 2018. Methods and results Prevalence of heart failure (HF) patients increased from 176 496 (1679.4 per 100 000 population) in 2012 to 285 745 (2689.0 per 100 000 population) patients in 2018 (mean age 74.4 ± 12.8 years). In the last years, a stable incidence of HF patients was observed (544 per 100 000 population in 2016 vs. 551 per 100 000 population in 2018; P = 0.310). Mortality rate decreased from 20.55% in 2012 to 15.89% in 2018. The number of hospitalized patients remained similar (318.2 per 100 000 population in 2012 vs. 311.8 per 100 000 population in 2018; P = 0.479). The most used drugs were diuretics (173 295; 60.6%) and beta-blockers (178 823; 62.6%), followed by angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors/angiotensin II receptor blockers (angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors 120.581; 42.2%; angiotensin II receptor blockers 47 216; 16.5%). Even though the whole number of implanted devices in HF patients increased steadily (from 25 205 in 2012 to 45 363 in 2018), the prevalence of all devices (pacemakers and defibrillators) in the HF patients remained about the same (14.3% in 2012; 15.9% in 2018). Conclusions The study included all patients with HF in the Czech Republic. These are the first nationwide data of HF epidemiology in the Eastern bloc. The incidence of HF remains stable in the last years. Due to aging of the population, the prevalence of HF significantly increased in the last 6 years. Despite a continuous increase in the prevalence of HF and a suboptimal utilization of its pharmacological therapy, mortality decreased, and the number of hospitalized patients remained the same. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Heavy thinning is supposed to be helpful for maintaining more favorable water balance in forest stands, and thus mitigate impact of drought episodes. To investigate impact of thinning on topsoil (10–13 cm) moisture conditions, a two-year soil sampling campaigns were conducted in 2019 and 2020. The soil moisture was calculated using a water-weight loss approach based on dry/fresh sample weight ratio. The samples were collected using metal capsules of known weight from totally 8–9 experimental series monthly during growing seasons of 2019 and 2020, respectively. Each series included thinned and un-thinned young growth stands of Norway spruce monoculture, spruce mixed with broadleaved tree species and mixture of sycamore maple with rowan. However, the statistically significant differences were not found in topsoil moisture between thinned and un-thinned young growth stands, thinned ones showed slightly better water balance conditions during both investigated years. Reduced number of trees and canopy closure had not depleted water throughout evaporation from upper soil profile. Therefore, thinning of young growth should be recommended especially at drought-endangered sites. Forest health decline and following die-off are exhibited in large areas of monospecific stands of Norway spruce and Scots pine in the Czech Republic. This development is attributable to shifts of conditions such as high air temperatures in growing seasons and different distribution of precipitation amounts over year, which resulted in hydrological drought in 2015–2019. Thinning is a deliberate measure that helps us control future stability, health and resilience of young forest stands and also impacts on species composition, environment and nutrient cycle in the stands. Heavy thinning is supposed to affect hydrological balance as interception is reduced (lower LAI) and more soil water is expected to be available for the trees left on site. On the other hand, such thinning intensity can increase evaporation from inside the stands and it also increases temperature amplitudes. The drought stress is even attributable to increased transpiration rates from released trees in case the soil below canopy has been dry for a long time. If true frequently, one can doubt a usefulness of heavy thinning at drought-endangered forest sites. This article deals with topsoil moisture below thinned thickets of tree species that were compared with moisture conditions below unthinned thickets. The objective of the study addressed a research question whether the thinning affected availability of water in soil, and thus proved a beneficial effect of the heavier thinning on the young drought-endangered forest stands. The sampled stands were monospecific spruce, spruce mixed with other, mainly broadleaved tree species and sycamore maple with rowan (Table 2). The thinning aimed at releasing crop trees of better quality and removal of both the unhealthy ones and wolf broadleaves; the thinned treatment was always accompanied with the unthinned one. 10–13 cm mineral topsoil samples (20 per thinned-unthinned series i.e. 10 per the treatment, see Table 3) were taken monthly in May-September periods in 2019–2020. Larger stones were excluded from the samples, and each sample was placed into metal capsules (of known weight) and covered with lid. The closed capsules were then delivered to laboratory where a water weight loss was measured as ratio of dry (dried at 105 °C) and fresh sample weights; this allowed us to determine a soil sample moisture. Arithmetic means were calculated from 10 values representing thinned and unthinned moisture conditions. The differences were tested using a pair t-test and 95% confidence intervals of difference were computed using R 3.6.3 (R Core Team 2020). In 2019, topsoil moisture was affected negatively by low precipitation at depth of 10–13 cm; minimum values were shown in July. Following 2020 showed more favorable conditions with maximal values in May and July. Soil moisture showed also higher variability in 2020 compared to 2019 (Fig. 1). The differences between control and thinned treatments were very small and even negligible. In 2019, the sites benefited from thinning slightly except for May values when 0.4% higher soil moisture was found below unthinned canopy. No statistically significant (α = 0.05) differences excepting for the thinned treatment in September (1.5% higher moisture, p = 0.02) were found in 2019. The topsoil moisture was 0.6% higher insignificantly (p = 0.27; 95% confidence interval 0.6 ± 1.1 %) under thinned treatments in 2019. Next year, the soil moisture values exhibited small differences reflecting also benefit from thinning; the only zero difference was shown in August. The highest moisture attributable to removal of trees amounted 1.8% higher moisture compared to control in July. No statistically significant (α = 0.05) differences were found significant though July values were at limit of significance (p = 0.05). The topsoil moisture was 0.9% higher insignificantly again (p = 0.16; 95% confidence interval 0.9 ± 1.3 %) under thinned treatments in 2020. Based on the two-year measurement campaign and data analysis it can be concluded: • More favorable precipitation conditions of 2020 affected 10–13 topsoil moisture values positively compared to precipitation-poorer 2019. • The topsoil moisture below thinned thickets showed slightly higher values compared to conditions without thinning; the differences were found insignificant mostly. • Removal of trees and following broken canopies, however, did not show depleted topsoil water due to higher evaporation from exposed forest floor surface. The early thinning of the thickets should not, therefore be ignored at drought-endangered sites. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Crystal structure of Sb-rich vikingite with lillianite substitution percentage L % below 50 % from Kutná Hora ore district, Czech Republic, was solved and refined from single-crystal diffraction data to determine the site populations of metal sites concerning a) the decreasing "lillianite" substitution 2 Pb2+ = Ag+ + Bi3+; b) Sb content not known in vikingite from other localities throughout the world. Vikingite is monoclinic, C²/m, with a = 13.5394(10), b = 4.0992(3), c = 25.506(3) Å, β = 95.597(8)°, V = 1408.9(2) Å3, Z = 1, Dc = 7.0412 g/cm³. The structural formula derived from the refinement is Ag2.85Pb12.35(Bi9.52Sb1.27)Σ=10.80S30, corresponding to Vik40.0. The structure of vikingite is composed of thinner slabs (4L) of four octahedra Me2-Me1-Me1-Me2 and thicker slabs (7L) of seven octahedra Me4-Me5-Me6-Me7-Me6-Me5-Me4 separated by Pb atoms Me3 in trigonal prismatic coordination. The refinement showed differences between the structures of Vik40 and the previously published structure of Vik50. The drop of L % below 50 % shows most profoundly in the marginal octahedral site Me2 of the thinner 4L slabs, which becomes a Bi-Pb-Ag site with 28.6 % of silver next to 50 % of Bi and 21.4 % of Pb. The central Me1 site from 4L slabs which is almost a pure Bi site in Vik50 (0.97 Bi + 0.3 Ag) becomes a Bi-Pb site with minor Sb (0.54 Bi + 0.06 Sb + 0.40 Pb) in Vik40. The Sb for Bi substitution was found to take place in the semimarginal site Me5 (0.74 Bi + 0.26 Sb) in the thicker 7L slabs, which is a pure Bi site in Sb-free Vik50. Another important change against Vik50 occurs in central octahedral site Me6 (pure Pb site in Vik50), which becomes - despite the decrease in Bi content with decreasing L % - a Pb-Bi mix site. The correctness of the refined structural model was verified and the occupancies of mixed sites were fine-tuned employing charge distribution calculations in program ECoN21. In Vik40 weighted average bond lengths RAV of the marginal sites Me2 and Me4 and of the central site Me1 are significantly larger than in Vik50, reflecting the lower Ag content and the presence of Pb, while the Bi site Me5, which is partly substituted by Sb and the site Me6 with minor Bi at the expense of Pb exhibit adequately shortened RAV values. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In spite of silver fir (Abies alba Mill.) historical importance for forestry management in the Czech Republic, this species shares currently mere 1.1% in the Czech forests due to several reasons such as biotic agents, air-pollution, game damage, inappropriate silvicultural systems etc. According to frequent calamities in dominant spruce monocultures, silver fir has been planted increasingly to establish more diverse and structured stands in last decades. These new stands with silver fir should be also adequately thinned. We see, however, a lack of experience with this silvicultural measure in practice nowadays. The article brings review of results and knowledge about thinning of silver fir stands in the Czech Republic and also from abroad where similar conditions can be expected. It is obvious that silver fir requires different approach to thinning compared to other conifers. We summarised knowledge about measures applied in both fir monocultures and mixtures from young phase of regeneration (artificial or natural) to final thinning in mature stands. Recommendations for pruning and for stands with postponed thinning are also included. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aims to determine the changes in summer holiday plans of the Czechs in 2020 as well as their preferences concerning summer holiday destinations and accommodation as a reaction to the first set of tough restrictions adopted by the Czech government during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic in the spring of 2020. The survey included a random sample of 637 respondents. The findings show the shift towards domestic tourism and might be helpful for destination management, accommodation facilities owners, as well as for researchers examining the impact of the coronavirus crisis on consumer decisions in the hospitality and tourism industry [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Despite recent issues, Norway spruce remains the most important commercial tree species which might be demanded henceforth for its broadly utilizable wood. Even before foresters faced both the bark beetle outbreaks and spruce decline, spruce monospecific stands were known to be prone also to other damage due to snow and wind. On this basis, measures that help prevent such failures were looked for, which resulted in the establishment of international IUFRO experimental series focused on impacts of different thinning regimes on stability and production of spruce stands. The thinning treatments differed in numbers of trees removed and retained on the site when dominant height of crop trees was reached or allowable cut in non-crop trees was accumulated. Also effects of different width of skid trails were tested. The study summarizes the results from the two IUFRO experiments in the Czech Republic. Effects of thinning regimes on spruce were found positive though thinning reduced the total volume production of wood while improving crop-tree stability which enhanced production safety. Different widths of skid trails had no effect on wood increment. Early thinning of spruce can be used to prevent their damage. No such measure, however, can alleviate the spruce decline. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The profile of flavonoids in hops (Humulus lupulus L.) showed a significant cultivar diversity applicable for distinguishing cultivars. The aims of this study were (1) to identify and describe flavonol di- and tri-glycosides in hops; (2) to analyze the profile of flavonol glycosides in various hop cultivars; and (3) to develop a new approach for identifying hop cultivars using a manual cultivar identification diagram that consisted of the ratios between specific flavonol di- and tri-glycosides. The total of 22 different flavonol O-glucosides were detected and tentatively identified using liquid chromatography (RP-HPLC) coupled with high-resolution mass spectrometry (HR-MS/MS). The identified O-flavonol glycosides, mainly containing aglycones, quercetin, kaempferol and myricetin, were categorized into five groups according to their sugar moieties. Furthermore, fourteen characteristic peaks with a low sample-to-sample variation and acceptable coefficient of variation (< 20%) throughout growing seasons were selected for chemometric analysis. Hierarchical cluster analysis (HCA) was applied to two data sets to characterize the similarity and differences among samples: one data set contained five hop cultivars common in the Czech Republic and the second one consisted of 17 hop cultivars from around the world. The results of the HCA of flavonol di- and tri-glycosides proved the genotypic effect on their profile and allowed to select compounds primarily responsible for clustering hop cultivars into groups. These compounds were used for developing an efficient cultivar identification strategy based on the manual cultivar identification diagram. The functionality of the identification diagram was successfully tested and allowed, based on the specific ratios between flavonol glucosides, reliable discrimination among the five most common hop cultivars planted in the Czech Republic. Compared to the genetic or chemotaxonomic methods, the newly developed approach for the hop cultivar identification provided reliable results even if the tested materials were hop pellets or beer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Parents can enhance their fitness by favouring that sex whose reproductive value is expected to be highest. In species in which females are the larger sex with potentially greater fitness returns, one can assume that parents should bias their investment toward daughters to increase their daughters' reproductive value (i.e. age-specific expectation of all present and future offspring) and, thereby, indirectly increase their own inclusive fitness. In the study reported here, we investigated sex allocation in Tengmalm's Owl (Aegolius funereus), a bird species with a pronounced female-biased sexual size dimorphism in which females are larger than the males. Assuming that parental investment would have the greatest effect on the fitness of larger daughters, we hypothesized that daughters should be favoured in good conditions and sons in poor conditions. Our study was conducted in the Czech Republic over seven breeding seasons (2006–2012). In total, 205 nestlings from 52 nests were sexed. The mean nestling sex ratio, 48.5 ± 4.6% (± standard error), did not depart from parity, and we did not identify any variable to be related to it. However, we did find that at fledging (1) the body mass of female offspring was approximately 8% heavier than that of male offspring, and (2) surprisingly, the body mass of female offspring tended to increase with decreasing prey abundance in the autumn, i.e. prior to breeding. One possible explanation of this "carry-over effect" is that parents increased their investment toward daughters to maximize their daughters' survival and reproductive value in a poor environment. This explanation could be supported by the sex-specific effect of the adult's condition on reproductive success. Whereas the number of fledglings tended to increase with increasing age of the mother, it also increased with decreasing wing length of the father. These results indicate that in the Tengmalm's Owl large body size may be mainly important for female reproduction, while male reproductive success is independent of body size or is even associated with small body size. To the best of our knowledge, our study is the first to have found such a positive, relatively long-lasting, sex-specific carry-over effect of pre-breeding prey abundance on the condition of female offspring in a bird of prey species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Douglas-fir (DF) performance was investigated in mixed plantations across a range of forest site conditions in the Czech Republic. DF showed both comparable and superior capability to perform well within transect from lowland natural-pine to higher and mountainous sites. DF root collar diameter increment exceeded all other native species such as Norway spruce (NS), silver fir (NSF), sessile oak (OK) and European beech (BE). Higher to mountainous conditions favored the native species compared to DF. Mortality of DF ranged 5-53% over investigated period; the only exception was the site where DF was attacked by large pine weevil and showed mortality 54-97%. Generally, DF showed comparable or even lower mortality compared to the native species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Scots pine covers large areas on sandy soils in lowlands of the Czech Republic. These sites can be threatened by nonsustainable biomass removal after clear-cutting. Totally 14 young pine stands at 14-26 years of age were analysed. Particular biomass components were separated, weighed and analysed to investigate their biomass and nutrient contents such as N, P, K, Ca and Mg. Results showed that leaving slash (needles and branches) plus belowground biomass (stumps and coarse roots) on the site represents 51% of calcium, 62% of magnesium, 74% of nitrogen, 67% of phosphorus and 72% of potassium. The total nutrient pools (without fine roots) were 171-377 kg·ha-1 for nitrogen, 34-72 kg·ha-1 for phosphorus, 74-172 kg·ha-1 for potassium, 82-180 kg·ha-1 for calcium and 19-42 kg·ha-1 for magnesium. Needles and live branches are the most important pools of nutrients and the extraction of these parts of biomass can negatively affect the nutrient balance of forest stands on nutrient-poor sites. Stumps with coarse and fine roots also represent a significant pool of nutrients which is left on the studied sites. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The most important sources of biomass energy are currently coming from agricultural activity. A sizeable portion in production areas is waste wood after the winter cut of orchards and vineyards, which cover areas exceeding 30,000 ha in the Czech Republic. The most important are species like apples, peaches, apricots, plums, sweet cherries, sour cherries and grapevines. Average production of wood mass for individual species of fruit trees and grapevines ranges from 1,540 kg/ha up to 6,762 kg/ha, i.e. 1.5 t/ha to 6.8 t/ha. The calorific value for these species ranges from 14.70 to 16.39 MJ/kg, with moisture between 6 and 8%. The results show that the total measured energy potential of the fruit species-cultivated areas is 1,469.7 TJ for the whole Czech Republic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study presents an analysis and visual representation of landscape diversity in the Czech Republic. The Czech Republic is administratively subdivided into regions, which are further subdivided into districts; the basic territorial units used for the calculation of diversity were the districts. Landscape diversity was calculated from the freely available CORINE Land Cover (CLC) data for the Czech Republic. Additional data (the district and region layers) were taken from the digital vector geographic database of the Czech Republic ArcČR® 500. TheMain Map(scale 1:600,000) shows landscape diversity calculated on the basis of Shannon entropy. For the purposes of visual representation, the effective number of categories in each district were calculated; the map also shows the prevailing type of land cover in each district. For comparison, an accompanying map shows landscape diversity at the regional level. Other accompanying maps contain information on CLC data, which is closely connected with landscape diversity. The four accompanying maps are at a scale of 1:1,800,000. Further information is also presented in addition to the maps (representation of CLC categories in the Czech Republic, brief texts characterizing the basic methodology used: CLC and the calculation of landscape diversity). [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

The Czech collection of shallot (Allium cepa var. ascalonicum) genetic resources (122 accessions) was surveyed for the presence of four different viruses, i.e. Onion yellow dwarf virus, Leek yellow stripe virus, Garlic common latent virus (GCLV), and Shallot latent virus, by DAS-ELISA. The shallot seems to be resistant against GCLV because none of the tested plants was infested by this virus. Other three viruses were found with an incidence ranging from 53% to 93% for genotypes and 48% to 87% for plants. Most of the tested shallot genotypes were simultaneously infected with two or three viruses. These results were compared with neighbouring collection of garlic where all four viruses were found widespread with an incidence ranging from 65% to 83% for genotypes and 39% to 61% for plants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Population ageing presents a challenge to oncological care due to the particularities of cancer treatment in this population. We evaluate cancer epidemiology, treatment and survival, in the Czech Republic by age groups. Data published by the Czech National Cancer Registry from the years 2006 to 2010 were used for this study. The following cancer types were evaluated: colorectal, pancreatic, head and neck, lung, skin melanoma, breast, gynaecological, prostate, kidney and stomach cancers. The following data were recorded and analysed: crude incidence by 5-year age group; dynamics of crude incidence rates in the age group ≥70 years; disease stage; percentage of patients treated by surgery, radiotherapy and chemotherapy; and age standardised 1-year mortality and 5-year relative survival according to age group. Patients over age 70 accounted for 41% and 46%, respectively, of the cancer incidence and mortality of the whole population. Anticancer therapies are significantly less common in patients over age 70 ( P < 0.050), with the exception of skin melanoma. Survival was markedly worse in older patients ( P < 0.050) when radical treatment modalities were significantly underused ( P < 0.050). In the Czech Republic, the crude cancer incidence in seniors is increasing. In general, elderly patients are undertreated, with worse treatment results compared with younger patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new mineral species, holubite, ideally Ag3Pb6(Sb8Bi3)Σ11S24, has been found at Kutná Hora ore district, Czech Republic. The mineral is associated with other lillianite homologues (gustavite, terrywallaceite, vikingite and treasurite) most frequently as grain aggregates and replacement rims of earlier Ag–Pb–Bi minerals, growing together in aggregates up to 200 × 50 μm. It typically occurs in a close association with Ag,Bi-bearing galena and terrywallaceite. Holubite is opaque, steel-grey in colour and has a metallic lustre, the calculated density is 5.899 g/cm3. In reflected light holubite is greyish white and bireflectance and pleochroism are weak with grey tints. Anisotropy is weak to medium with grey to bluish-grey rotation tints. Internal reflections were not observed. Electron microprobe analyses yielded an empirical formula, based on 44 atoms per formula unit (apfu) of (Ag3.03Cu0.03)Σ3.06(Pb6.19Fe0.02Cd0.01)Σ6.22(Sb7.71Bi2.90)Σ10.61S24.12. Its unit-cell parameters are: a = 19.374(4), b = 13.201(3), c = 8.651(2) Å, β = 90.112(18)°, V = 2212.5(9) Å3, space group P 21 /n and Z = 2. Holubite is a new member of the andorite branch of the lillianite homologous series with N = 4. The structure of holubite contains two Pb sites with a trigonal prismatic coordination, eight distinct octahedral sites, of which one is a mixed (Bi,Ag) site and one is a mixed (Sb,Pb) site, and twelve anion sites. Holubite is defined as a lillianite homologue with the three following requirements: N = 4, L % [Ag+ + (Bi3+,Sb3+) ↔ 2 Pb2+ substitution] ≈ 70% and approximately one quarter to one third at.% of antimony is replaced by bismuth [Bi/(Bi+Sb) ≈ 0.26–34]. The new mineral has been approved by the Commission on New Minerals, Nomenclature and Classification of the International Mineralogical Association (IMA2022-112) and named after Milan Holub, a key Czech geologist and specialist in the Kutná Hora ore district. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The aim of this paper is to provide guidelines for the statistically efficient estimation of the methane emission in the sedge-grass marsh, South Bohemia, Czech Republic. Such a study is important for a better understanding of the rate and dynamics of methane emissions from wetland ecosystems, and in particular to build a model of local methane flux. We have modeled a time series of the data via an infinite moving average process with Pareto tails of the exceedances. To assure the consistency of such an estimator, we have used both Hill and t-Hill estimators. We have provided proof of the weak consistency of the t-Hill estimator in the case of dependent data. This estimator has a simple form and it provides a nice trade-off between efficiency and robustness. Finally, we have presented a discussion on its robustness. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The article provides new evidence on the effects of a major shock to deterrence on crime. The collapse of communism in the Czech Republic in 1989 was followed by sharp reductions in the probability and severity of punishment and by sharp increases in crime rates. I investigate whether deterrence was a significant contributor to the post-1989 growth in crime on a panel dataset of Czech regions. The results show strong deterrence effects for robbery, theft and intentional injury, but not for murder and rape. About 25% of the increase in robberies and 50% of the growth in thefts is accounted for by weaker deterrence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The eddy covariance method was used for continuous measurement of the seasonal courses of the following parameters of the carbon cycle in a sedge-grass marsh type of wetland ecosystem (49°01′29″N, 14°46′13″E, South Bohemia, Czech Republic, Central Europe): gross ecosystem production (GEP), net ecosystem production (NEP) and ecosystem respiration. During a 3-year series of measurements, we recorded marked fluctuations of the water table, which affected the overall water regime of the wetland studied. Between-year differences in the water regime strongly influenced the total annual carbon sequestration. The lowest annual GEP and NEP of 996 and 152 g m of carbon, respectively, were recorded in 2006, a year with two large floods, one in the spring, the other in the summer. By contrast, in the dry year of 2007, with no flood, the highest annual GEP and NEP were recorded: 1,328 and 274 g m, respectively. Significant differences were found in the efficiency of solar energy use for GEP [gross radiation use efficiency, GRUE = GEP/PhAR (photosynthetically active radiation), i.e., amount of carbon gained per energy unit]. The highest GRUE was recorded immediately after the 2006 summer flood. In 2007, the GRUE decreased linearly with rising water table. A variable water regime thus markedly affects the processes of carbon accumulation and the efficiency of solar energy use for organic matter production in freshwater wetlands of the sedge-grass marsh type. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Primary objective: To assess predisposing and precipitating risk factors and create a predictive model for post-stroke delirium. Research design: A prospective observational study in a cohort of consecutive patients with ischemic stroke or intracerebral haematoma admitted within 24 hours of stroke onset. Methods: Patients were assessed daily for delirium during the first week by means of DSM-IV criteria and risk factors were recorded. Results: One hundred patients completed a 7-day evaluation (47 women and 53 men, median age 77 years). An episode of delirium was detected in 43 patients (43%). Using multivariate logistic regression, a predictive statistical model was developed that utilized independent risk factors: age (OR = 1.08; 95% CI = 1.02-1.15); intracerebral haemorrhage (OR = 6.11; 95% CI = 1.62-22.98), lesion volume > 40 ccm (OR = 3.99; 95% CI = 1.29-12.39) and either elevated gamma-glytamyl transferase (OR = 4.88; 95% CI = 1.45-16.35) and elevated serum bilirubin (OR = 3.70; 95% CI = 1.32-10.38) or maximum sequential organ failure assessment score >2 (OR = 3.33; 95% CI = 1.06-10.45) with acceptable sensitivity and specificity (69.0% and 80.7%). In ischemic strokes, total anterior circulation infarctions were more frequently associated with delirium (73.3% developed delirium) compared with the remainder of the groups combined ( p = 0.004; OR = 6.66; 95% CI = 1.85-24.01). Conclusion: Higher age, metabolic disturbances, intracerebral haemorrhage and larger ischemic hemispheric strokes increase the risk of post-stroke delirium. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Two crystals of the uranyl carbonate mineral grimselite, ideally K3Na[(UO2)(CO3)3](H2O), from Jáchymov in the Czech Republic were studied by single-crystal X-ray diffraction and electron-probe microanalysis. One crystal has considerably more Na than the ideal chemical composition due to substitution of Na into KO8polyhedra; the composition of the other crystal is nearer to ideal, and similar to synthetic grimselite. The presence of Na atoms in KO8polyhedra, which are located in channels in the crystal structure, reduces their volume, and as a result the unit-cell volume also decreases. Structure refinement shows that the formula for the sample with the anomalously high Na content is (K2.43Na0.57)Σ3.00Na[(UO2)(CO3)3](H2O). The unit-cell parameters, refined in space group P62c, are a= 9.2507(1), c= 8.1788(1) Å, V= 606.14(3) Å3and Z= 2. The crystal structure was refined to R1= 0.0082 and wR1= 0.0185 with a GOF = 1.33, based on 626 observed diffraction peaks [Iobs>3σ(I)]. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Adolfpateraite, monoclinic K(UO2)(SO4)(OH)(H2O), is a new supergene mineral from the Svornost mine, Jáchymov ore district, Czech Republic. It forms sulfur yellow to greenish yellow crystalline aggregates, up to 2 mm in diameter. Crystals are transparent to translucent with a vitreous luster, without observable cleavage. The streak is pale yellow. The Mohs hardness is ~2. The mineral shows a green fluorescence in long-wave ultraviolet radiation. Adolfpateraite is pleochroic, with a = colorless and γ = yellow (β could not been examined). It is biaxial, with α = 1.597(2), γ = 1.659(2) (β could not been measured), birefringence 0.062. The empirical chemical formula (mean of 4 electron microprobe point analyses) was calculated based on 8 O apfu and is K0.94(UO2)1.00 (SO4)1.02(OH)0.90 (H2O)1.00 (water content calculated). The simplified formula is K(UO2)(SO4)(OH)(H2O), requiring K2O 10.70, UO3 64.97, SO3 18.19, H2O 6.14, total 100.00 wt%. Adolfpateraite is monoclinic, space group P21/c, a = 8.0462(1), b = 7.9256(1), c = 11.3206(2) Å, β = 107.726(2)°, V = 687.65(2) ų, Z = 4, and Dcalc = 4.24 g/cm³. The five strongest reflections in the X-ray powder diffraction pattern are [dobs in Å (I) (hkl)]: 7.658 (76) (100), 5.386 (1̅00) (002), 5.218 (85) (102), 3.718 (46) (021), 3.700 (37) (2̅02). The crystal structure has been refined from single-crystal X-ray diffraction data to R1 = 0.0166 with GOF = 1.30, based on 1915 observed reflections [Iobs > 3σ(I)]. The crystal structure consists of chains of uranyl polyhedra extended along [010], with OH- located on the shared vertex between the bipyramids. The sulfate tetrahedra decorate the outer side of the chain with bridging bidentate linkages between the uranyl pentagonal bipyramids. H2O groups are located on the edges of the chains on the non-linking vertex of each uranyl pentagonal bipyramid. K+ atoms are located between the chains providing additional linkage of these together with H-bonds. The fundamental vibrational modes of uranyl ion, sulfate tetrahedra, and H2O groups were tentatively assigned in the infrared and Raman spectra. The new mineral is named to honor Adolf Patera (1819-1894), Czech chemist, mineralogist, and metallurgist. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bhounekite, orthorhombic U(SO4)2(H2O)4, is the first natural sulphate of U4+. It was found in the Geschieber vein, Jáchymov (St Joachimsthal) ore district, Western Bohemia, Czech Republic, crystallized on the altered surface of arsenic and associated with kaatialaite, arsenolite, claudetite, unnamed phase UM1997-20-AsO:HU and gypsum. Bhounekite most commonly forms short-prismatic to tabular green crystals, rarely up to 0.5 mm long. The crystals have a strong vitreous lustre and a grey to greenish grey streak. They are brittle with an uneven fracture and have very good cleavage along {100}. The Mohs hardness is about 2. The mineral is not fluorescent either in short- or long-wavelength UV radiation. Bhounekite is moderately pleochroic, α∼β is pale emerald green and γ is emerald green, and is optically biaxial () with α = 1.590(2), β = 1.618(4), γ = 1.659(2) (590 nm), 2V (calc.) = 81º, birefringence 0.069. The empirical formula of Bhounekite (based on 12 O atoms, from an average of five point analyses) is (U0.99Y0.03)Σ1.02(SO4)1.97(H2O)4. The simplified formula is U(SO4)2(H2O)4, which requires UO253.77, SO331.88, H2O 14.35, total 100.00 wt.%. Bhounekite is orthorhombic, space group Pnma, a= 14.6464(3), b= 11.0786(3), c= 5.6910(14) Å, V= 923.43(4) Å3, Z= 4, Dcalc= 3.62 g cm–3. The seven strongest diffraction peaks in the X-ray powder diffraction pattern are [dobsin Å (I) (hkl)]: 7.330 (100) (200), 6.112 (54) (210), 5.538 (21) (020), 4.787 (42) (111), 3.663 (17) (400), 3.478 (20) (410), 3.080 (41) (321). The crystal structure of bhounekite has been solved by the charge-flipping method from singlecrystal X-ray diffraction data and refined to R1= 2.10 % with a GOF= 1.51, based on 912 unique observed diffractions. The crystal structure consists of layers built up from [8]-coordinate uranium atoms and sulphate tetrahedra. The eight ligands include four oxygen atoms from the sulphate groups and four oxygen atoms from the H2O molecules. Each uranium coordination polyhedron is connected via sulphate tetrahedra with other uranium polyhedra and through hydrogen bonds to the apices of sulphate tetrahedra. The dominant features of the Raman and infrared spectra of bhounekite are related to stretching vibrations of SO4tetrahedra (∼1200–950 cm1), O–H stretching modes (∼3400–3000 cm1) and H–O–H bending modes (∼1650 cm1). The mineral is named in honour of Frantisk Bhounekite, a well known Czech nuclear physicist. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Most results on the treatment of chronic myeloid leukaemia (CML) with imatinib were obtained from clinical trials that may differ from the routine practice. We report the results of treatment of consecutive patients with CML at ten major centres during 2000–2008. Patients and methods: Data reporting was retrospective in 2000–2004 and prospective from 2005 on. A total of 661 patients [301 womenand 360 men; median age 51 (range, 15–83)] with Ph + CML were registered. The median follow-up was 46.1 months (0–122.2). Results: Most patients were treated with first- (379; 57.3%) or second-line (193; 29.2%) imatinib; some of the patients underwent allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (AHSCT) (83; 12.6%), but 6.1% were treated with other modalities [40 patients; median age 66 (range, 32–83)]. The probability of overall survival (OS) at 5 years, according to Kaplan and Meier, was 88.9%, 77.5% and68.7% for chronic-phase patients treated with first-line imatinib, second-line imatinib and first-line AHSCT, respectively, but only 25.2% for patients receiving other modalities. The OS was dependent on the disease phase and Sokal, Hasford and European group for blood and marrow transplantation (EBMT) risk scores (P < 0.001; each). Only 46.2% of deaths in patients treated with other modalities were attributable to CML. Elderly patients over 65 years achieved similar response rates and progression-free survival to the younger ones. There was a trend for inferior results of AHSCT performed after the failure of imatinib (P = 0.075), probably as a result of differences in EBMT risk scores (P < 0.001). Conclusions: The ability to achieve results comparable to those of previous clinical studies in our CML cohort was influenced by centralised care. Decisions not to initiate imatinib or to delay AHSCT may have a negative impact on OS,but comorbidities may limit the treatment potential of imatinib in the elderly. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The authors present data from the Czech drug registry concerning the use of lapatinib in combination with capecitabine in advanced breast cancer patients, whose tumours highly express ErbB2 (HER2). Despite patients' substantial previous treatment we can demonstrate the efficacy of lapatinib; the Czech data is comparable to the results of the registration study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sejkoraite-(Y), the triclinic Due to image rights restrictions, multiple line equation(s) cannot be graphically displayed., is a new member of the zippeite group from the Cervená vein, Jáchymov (Street Joachimsthal) ore district, Western Bohemia, Czech Republic. It grows on altered surface of relics of primary minerals: uraninite, chalcopyrite, and tennantite, and is associated with pseudojohannite, rabejacite, uranopilite, zippeite, and gypsum. Sejkoraite-(Y) forms crystalline aggregates consisting of yellow-orange to orange crystals, rarely up to 1 mm in diameter. The crystals have a strong vitreous luster and a pale yellow-to-yellow streak. The crystals are very brittle with perfect {100} cleavage and uneven fracture. The Mohs hardness is about 2. The mineral is not fluorescent either in short- or long-wavelength UV radiation. Sejkoraite-(Y) is yellow, with no visible pleochroism, biaxial negative with α' = 1.62(2), β' = 1.662(3), γ' = 1.73(1), 2Vcalc = 79°. The empirical chemical formula (mean of 8 electron microprobe point analyses) was calculated on the basis of 12 (S + U) atoms: Due to image rights restrictions, multiple line equation(s) cannot be graphically displayed. Sejkoraite-(Y) is triclinic, space group P1̄, a = 14.0743(6), b = 17.4174(7), c = 17.7062(8) Å, α = 75.933(4), β = 128.001(5), γ = 74.419(4)°, V = 2777.00(19) Å , Z = 2, Dcalc = 4.04 g/cm³. The seven strongest reflections in the X-ray powder diffraction pattern are [dobs in Å (I) (hkl)]: 9.28 (100) (100), 4.64 (39) (200), 3.631 (6) (1̄42), 3.451 (13) (1̄44), 3.385 (10) (24̅2), 3.292 (9) (044), 3.904(7) (300), 2.984 (10) (1̄4̄2). The crystal structure of sejkoraite-(Y) has been solved by the charge flipping method from single-crystal X-ray diffraction data and refined to Robs = 0.060 with GOFobs = 2.38, based on 6511 observed reflections. The crystal structure consists of uranyl sulfate sheets of zippeite anion topology, which alternate with an interlayer containing Y3+ (H2O)n polyhedra and uncoordinated H2O groups. Two yttrium atoms are linked to the sheet directly via uranyl oxygen atom, and the remaining one is bonded by hydrogen bonds only. In the Raman and infrared spectrum of sejkoraite-(Y) there are dominating stretching vibrations of SO4 tetrahedra (~1200-1100 cm-1), Due to image rights restrictions, multiple line equation(s) cannot be graphically displayed. stretching vibrations (~900-800 cm-1), and O-H stretching (~3500-3200 cm-1) and H-O-H bending modes (~1640 cm-1). The new mineral is named to honor Jiří Sejkora, a Czech mineralogist of the National Museum in Prague. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Modern fluvial deposits from both small and large rivers were studied at 14 monitoring sites over 2 years (4 successive sampling seasons) in the area of eastern Moravia (Czech Republic). Grain size, geochemistry, content of persistent organic pollutants (PAHs, PCBs, HCHs, DDTs, HCBs and PeCB) and TOC were examined with the aim to understand their mutual relations and seasonal variations in sediment character and pollutant content. Sand and silt fraction predominate and the clay content is relatively low. Differences in provenance for various river systems were recognised. Both regional and seasonal variations in terms of content of persistent organic pollutants were documented. The content of TOC and mud was shown to play an important role in the accumulation of chlorinated persistent organic pollutants PCBs, HCHs, DDTs and HCB. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Detailed soil screening data from the Czech Republic as a typical Central European country are presented here. Determination of a wide selection of organic and inorganic pollutants as well as an assessment of specific soil parameters allowed us to study the soil contamination in relation to the land use and soil properties. While HCHs and HCB were found at highest levels in arable soils, the higher concentrations of PCDDs/Fs, PCBs, PAHs and DDTs were observed in high altitude forest soils. Concentrations of these compounds strongly correlated with the soil organic carbon content. Several possible reasons have been suggested for the observed higher concentrations in mountain forest soils but the impact of each of these influencing factors remains to be identified. An inventory of the soil contamination is needed as a first step in our effort to estimate an extent to which the secondary sources contribute to the enhanced atmospheric levels of POPs. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Characteristics of CO2–C exchange were studied in a temperate herbaceous wetland in 2006 and 2007, years with contrasting hydrological regimes. The wetland Mokré Louky (the “Wet Meadows” near Třeboň), Czech Republic (49°01′30″ N, 14°46′20″ E) is a sedge-grass marsh dominated by Carex acuta L. The site is situated in the inundation area of a large human-made lake (Rožmberk fishpond, 5km2). The water table is near the soil surface and is fairly stable throughout the year (±0.1m), except for flood events, when it can reach up to 2m above the soil surface. Net ecosystem production (NEP) was calculated from the CO2 fluxes measured by the eddy-covariance technique and was compared with the seasonal course of plant live aboveground biomass. The results show that: (1) the annual net uptake of CO2–C was 199 and 220gCm−1 yr−1 in 2006 and 2007, respectively. The daily net CO2–C uptake reached 12–20gCm−2 day−1 in sunny summer days. These values are among the highest values reported for wetlands of the northern hemisphere. (2) Although the observed wetland is adapted to floods, the summer flood substantially reduced its net CO2–C uptake. The daily courses of net CO2–C uptake point to reduced rates of CO2–C fixation by the vegetation cover. (3) A recovery growth of plant biomass was associated with a second peak of NEP in September 2006. (4) Lack of knowledge on the dynamics of methane emissions presently limits deeper understanding of the effect of floods on carbon balance in wetlands. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]