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Biomedical subjects

J Fiala

Publications and source records attributed to J Fiala.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2005

The influence of active maternal smoking during pregnancy on birth weights in Cyprus.

Cigarette smoking during pregnancy has been causally associated with an increased risk of both intrauterine growth retardation and preterm delivery but most strongly with low birth weight. No such study to date had ever dealt with the Cypriot population. In interviews with their gynaecologists 65,530 pregnant women were asked between January 1990 and August 1996 to answer two questions, whether they had been smoking before and whether they had been smoking during pregnancy. Data from 59,014 births were considered to have valid birth weight data for this investigation. In 81.2% of the cases the mother explicitly declared that she had neither smoked before or during pregnancy whereas in 1.4% of the cases the mother said that she had smoked both before and during pregnancy and in 1.4% of the cases the mother said that she had smoked before but not during pregnancy. Finally, in 15.3% of the cases no answer to "smoking question" was given, whereas in 0.7% of the cases the answer that was given was deemed as not clear. The average birth weight of babies born to women who had stopped smoking was insignificantly different than that of those born to never smokers. The average birth weight of babies born to women who smoked during pregnancy was lower compared to babies born to non smokers' babies by 92 grams, 66 grams, and 109 grams for all babies, singleton boys and singleton girls respectively. The greatest effect to their mean birth weights was observed in babies whose mothers did not answer the question on smoking. Their babies had birth weights lower than non smokers' babies by 203 grams, 197 grams, and 201 grams for all babies, singleton boys and singleton girls respectively.

Birth Weight↗
PubMed2003

Ascorbic acid and infertility treatment.

AIM OF THE STUDY: To assess the ascorbic acid (AA) in the follicular fluid in women treated by in vitro fertilization and embryonic transfer levels (IVF/ET) and to analyse the influence of vitamin C supplementation on the results of infertility treatment. TYPE OF THE STUDY: Prospective study in women treated by IVF/ET. METHODS: The influence of vitamin C supplementation on the outcome of infertility treatment in the assisted reproduction programme in 76 women (38 of them smokers, 38 non-smokers) was studied. Half the women (19 smokers and 19 non-smokers) were administered vitamin C in daily doses of 500 mg in so-called pellets allowing for gradual release over 8 to 12 hours. The control group consisted of the same number of smokers and non-smokers. In all the women, ascorbic acid levels were determined in two urine samples (prior to supplementation and at follicle retrieval) and in follicular fluid by means of a colorimetric method. Ovarian response to hormonal stimulation with gonadotropins (hMG, FSH) at a dosage of 150-225 IU per day combined with GnRH analogues in the short (buserelin) or long (triptorelin) protocols, and 5,000-10,000 IU of human chorionic gonadotropin was evaluated based on the number of follicles created and number of retrieved oocytes. Fertilisation was assessed, based on the number of successfully fertilised oocytes (fertilisation rate) and based on the number of cultivated embryos. The success of the infertility treatment was evaluated based on the number of pregnancies. RESULTS: Ascorbic acid levels in follicles were significantly higher (p < 0.001) in women with vitamin C supplementation than in the control group (8.98 +/- 5.09 vs. 5.04 +/- 2.85 mg/l). The administration of vitamin C during the period of hormonal stimulation showed a statistically insignificant impact in terms of the higher number of pregnancies (34.2% vs. 23.7%). Vitamin supplementation had a greater impact on the number of pregnancies in the non-smokers' group (57.9% vs. 31.6%). The pregnancy rate was significantly higher (p < 0.01) in non-smoking women than in smokers--44.7% vs. 13.2%, which appears to be a reason for asking women to cease smoking prior to infertility treatment.

Adult↗
PubMed2003

Evaluation of the level of nicotine dependence among adolescent smokers.

The questionnaire containing ten items evaluated the degree of dependence in students-volunteers from Brno secondary and vocational schools (ages ranging from 15 to 17 years) and the anamnestic data were compared with the specific (urinary cotinine) and non-specific (CO in the air exhaled) biological tests of exposure to smoking. The sample of 147 students examined contained 42% non-smokers, 25% occasional smokers and almost 33% of those who smoked every day. Almost 10% children smoked more than 10 cigarettes a day, and more than 20% children stated that they smoked 60 and more cigarettes a week. In accordance with the pre-developed degrees of dependence, compiled by the scores of the individual responses, 59% of the respondents (including the non-smokers) were ranked among the non-dependent. The second most frequent group contained the "strongly dependent" (almost 17% of all persons, e.g. 30% of smokers), 3.4% of examined persons (6% of smokers) were ranked in the sub-group of persons with a very high degree of dependence. Highly positive correlations were found between the evaluation of the dependence degree according to the anamnestic data and the exposure bio-markers (urinary cotinine/creatinine and CO in the air exhaled): the values of correlation coefficients were 0.615 and 0.764, resp. Both bio-markers also correlated negatively with the time of the last exposure to both active and passive smoking. The individual items in the dependence questionnaire had positive correlations with the objective exposure indicators which had statistical significance. The strongest relationship was observed in the question about the first morning cigarette--the highest correlation coefficients, being followed by signs evaluating the smoking frequency and the usual number of cigarettes smoked per day and in a week. The lowest relationships concerned the occasions for smoking and the unpleasant symptoms associated with the withdrawal. The anamnestic questionnaire could explain 42.6% of urinary cotinine level variability (converted to the density measured by creatinine content) and 65.8% of variability of CO content in the air exhaled. It was demonstrated that regular adolescent smokers at the ages between 15 to 17 years inhaled the cigarette smoke and the young smokers' inner exposure to nicotine had been proved as well. In this age group, there are many individuals who have a strong or a very strong dependence on nicotine. As a result, it is necessary to promote smoking cessation and nicotine dependence treatment by recommending pharmaceuticals of substantial nicotine therapy.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2001

The outcome of infertility treatment by in-vitro fertilisation in smoking and non-smoking women.

The former and current smoking habits of 159 patients treated for infertility by means of IVF/ET technique were observed. The data were verified by a cotinine examination in urine. The basal levels of gonadotropines before treatment, the process and outcome of ovarian stimulation, oocyte fertilisation and incidence of pregnancy were observed. There were no differences between smokers and non-smokers in terms of their age and professional risks; smoking correlated with a lower level of education. The overall response of active smokers to hormonal stimulation was worse than that of non-smokers: a lower number of mature follicles (12.3 vs. 16.2) and a lower number of oocytes were gained (7.3 vs. 10.9). There was a correlation between the age of the smokers and the higher consumption of FSH needed for stimulation and lower levels of 17 beta-estradiole. The number of fertilised oocytes in smokers was significantly lower (p < 0.01; 68.2% vs. 47.8%). A negative correlation between the duration of exposure to cigarette smoke and fertilisation rate was shown (p < 0.05). There were fewer embryos in smokers as compared with non-smokers (3.3 vs. 4.7). A total of 35 women became pregnant (i.e. 22.1%), of which 28.8% were non-smokers, 12.5% were occasional smokers, and none were regular smokers. The OR value in non-smokers was 1.48, and in occasional smokers 0.57. In this study, the negative influence of smoking on the outcome of treatment by IVF/ET technique was proved. The phasing out of smoking should be an integral part of human infertility treatment.

Adult↗
PubMed2001

Is environmental cadmium a serious hazard to Czech population?

The main objective of the study was to asses whether the environmental cadmium exposure in the Czech Republic is high enough to be able to affect significantly the human reproduction. Cadmium levels were measured in the blood and follicular fluid of 220 women in in vitro fertilization (IVF) therapy, using atomic absorption spectrometry. The mean value of cadmium in venous blood was 0.85 ng x ml(-1) with significantly higher values among smokers (1.18 ng x ml(-1), SD = 1.6, 95%CI: 0.6-1.1) as compared to non-smokers (0.46 ng x ml(-1), SD = 0.4, 95%CI: 0.4-0.6) (p < 0.0001). In all, 1518 blood-free follicles were assessed to determine cadmium residues in follicular fluid. The mean cadmium value was 0.34 ng x ml(-1) (SD = 0.45, 95%CI: 0.28-0.41). No association was found between the cadmium levels in blood and follicular fluid, and similar cadmium levels were observed in the follicular fluid of women with different smoking habits. The calculated dietary cadmium intake was similar in all our patients and had no relation to either blood or follicular cadmium levels. The follicular cadmium levels were approximately 20 times lower as compared to those found in the group of Canadian women. Our study confirmed the previous findings on the low exposure of the Czech population to environmental cadmium.

Cadmium↗
PubMed2000

[Determinants of interest in primary preventive screening].

BACKGROUND: Primary prevention care requires active approach not only from the health professionals but also from all individuals of the target population. People themselves have to be interested for their own health, for the preventive examinations, for their life-style. However, the health supporting activities based on the voluntary interest are most frequently exploited by people who actually do not need it, and people of the high risks stay apart. The aim of the study was to identify major differences among those who are interested in the preventive examinations and who are not, and answer the question whether those who declare their interest are the needful and primarily aimed population. METHODS AND RESULTS: Within the preventive project, 4353 parents of school-aged children in Brno were examined using a special questionnaire. Beside interest in examination, following criteria were questioned and analysed: age, education level, economical standard, subjective evaluation of health, occurrence of concrete health problems, family health history, adequacy of the body weight (according reported height and weight), dietary habits, alcohol consumation, smoking habits, recreation-sport activities, and selected subjective perceptions. Differences based on concern about examination were evaluated by the comparison of studied parameters in groups formed according the "interest" and also using the logistic regression analysis. We found that the dominating determinant of concern about the preventive examination was the interest of the family partner (harmony of interests). In the group of persons who declared their "interest", higher education level, worse subjective evaluation of health, higher occurrence of concrete health problems, and higher incidence of selected diseases in the family were more frequently reported. Obversely, the number of smokers was lower in this group. Incidence of overweight persons differed according to their sex--meanwhile more overweight women were among the "interested group", more overweight men were among the "not interested". Women in the "interested" group consumed alcohol less frequently, men in this group were often more active in sports. Dietary habits as well as economical standard did not differ among the two groups. CONCLUSIONS: Though the differences among groups with different concern about examination were statistically different, they were not very pronounced. It cannot be confirmed that the preventive examination is exploited preferably by people without major risk factors, those socio-demographically or otherwise specific, or generally those to whom the proposal of examination was not aimed.

Attitude to Health↗
PubMed2000

Spectral characterization of chlorophyll fluorescence in barley leaves during linear heating. Analysis of high-temperature fluorescence rise around 60 degrees C.

The spectral characteristics of chlorophyll fluorescence and absorption during linear heating of barley leaves within the range 25-75 degreesC (fluorescence temperature curve, FTC) were studied. Leaves with various content of light harvesting complexes (green, Chl b-less chlorina f2 and intermittent light grown) revealing different types of FTC were used. Differential absorption, emission and excitation spectra documented four characteristic phases of the FTC. The initial two FTC phases (a rise in the 46-49 degreesC region and a subsequent decrease to about 55 degreesC) mostly reflected changes in the fluorescence quantum yield peaking at about 685 nm. A steep second fluorescence rise at 55-61 degreesC was found to originate from a short-wavelength Chl a spectral form (emission maximum at 675 nm) causing a gradual blue shift of the emission spectra. In this temperature range, a clear correspondence of the blue shift in the emission and absorption spectra was found. We suggest that the second fluorescence rise in FTC reflects a weakening of the Chl a-protein interaction in the thylakoid membrane.

Chlorophyll↗
PubMed2000

A comparison between the lifestyles of men and women--parents of school age children.

Women live longer than men and experience lower overall and specific mortality resulting from various diseases, even when younger. The reasons for this have yet to be satisfactorily explained. However, biological differences on one hand and differing lifestyles on the other might be responsible. The purpose of the study was to examine to what extent the lifestyle of men and women differs within a relatively homogeneous population group. The lifestyles of 4,353 parents of school age children (58% women and 42% men) were examined using questionnaires. The results show considerable differences between the genders. Men had worse dietary habits--consuming significantly less vegetables, fruit and milk, but too much meat; they consumed more processed meat and fat-containing items within the food sub-categories; they preferred less low-fat milk products and consumed less wholemeal products. Men more often consumed alcohol, drank more of it and often crossed the limits hazardous for health. There were more smokers among the men, they smoked more cigarettes and the non-smokers more often indicated passive exposure to cigarette smoke. Overweight and obesity occurred more often among men. Relatively minor differences, rather to the benefit of men, occurred in the field of leisure-time physical sporting activities, where slightly more men pursued regular sporting activities but in significantly higher amounts than the women, whereas the men did less regular daily walking. Women, as opposed to men, displayed more interest in comprehensive primary preventive medical examinations. The results obtained suggest that women lived a generally more healthy lifestyle than men within the examined homogeneous group of parents of school age children, consisting mostly of pairs of partners. They support the assumption that the healthier lifestyle of women very significantly contributes to their lower mortality.

Adult↗
PubMed2000

Dietary guidelines in the Czech Republic. I.: Theoretical background and development.

Setting dietary guidelines for the healthy population of the Czech Republic has respected the methodical steps suggested by authors as follows: consideration of dietary guidelines was preceded by the consensus on general goals and methods, e.g. health and well-being promotion at the population level. The guidelines cover a total diet, not only a part of it and have to be realistic, with respect to actual frequency of food in majority of population. The second step was the declaration of nutritional goals with respect to achieving the RDI. The third step was dividing the food into defined food groups according to the following criteria: the food contained in one food group had the same/similar nutritional characteristics with regard to achieving the adequate of decreased intake. Within the groups several sub-groups were set, associating foods with another specific nutrient content. The fourth step was the setting the serving sizes as an equivalent for each food group. These equivalents must reflect typical average consumed amount of food and always within the group the content of the main nutrient has to be same/similar. The fifth step was setting nutritional profile of each group and/or sub-group. This profile represented the content of energy, proteins, lipids, carbohydrates, vitamins and minerals. The sixth step was deciding the daily number of servings of each food group, which must allow the flexibility as much as possible--authors recommend the interval solution. The seventh step was decision about the form (textual and graphic), which presents the guidelines. The decision was preceded by the study focused on accepting suggested possibilities. The last, eighth step was working out the strategy of implementation in practise, which means the summarizing organizational, administrative and political arrangements with the aim to be positively accepted by the population who identify itself with the principles of the dietary guidelines. In the formulation of dietary guidelines in the Czech Republic, the authors accepted methods described above and each of the eight steps was supported by adequately focused population study.

Czech Republic↗
PubMed2000

Dietary guidelines in the Czech Republic. II.: Nutritional profiles of food groups.

Modern dietary guidelines set in terms of food groups are easy to use and understand for target populations, but rather complicated from the point of view of quantification, i.e. the correctly set number of recommended servings in different population groups according to age, sex, physical activity and physiological status on the basis of required intake of energy and individual nutrients. It is the use of abstract comprehensive food groups that makes it impossible to use a simple database of food tables based on the content of nutrients in individual foods, rather than their groups. Using groups requires that their nutritional profiles be established, i.e. that an average content of nutrients and energy for individual groups be calculated. To calculate nutritional profiles for Czech dietary guidelines, the authors used three different methods: (1) Simple profiles, with all commodities with significant representation in the Czech food basket represented in equal amounts. (2) Profiles based on typical servings, with the same commodities as in (1) but in characteristic intake quantities (typical servings). (3) Food basket-based profiles with commodities constituting the Czech food basket in quantities identical for that basket. The results showed significant differences in profiles calculated by different methods. Calculated nutrient intakes were particularly influenced by the size of typical servings and it is therefore essential that a realistic size of servings be used in calculations. The consistent use of recommended food items throughout all food groups and subgroups is very important. The number of servings of foods from the five food groups is not enough if a suitable food item is not chosen within individual groups. On the basis of their findings, the authors fully recommend the use of nutritional profiles based on typical servings that give a realistic idea of the probable energy and nutrient content in the recommended daily intake. In view of regional cultural differences, national nutritional profiles play a vital importance. Population studies investigating the size of the typical servings and the most frequently occurring commodities in the food basket should be made every three years. Nutritional profiles designed in this way constitute an important starting point for setting national dietary guidelines, their implementation and revisions.

Czech Republic↗
PubMed2000

[Effect of nonpharmacologic intervention on lowering plasma cholesterol levels].

UNLABELLED: Our study focused on the effect of non-pharmacological intervention based on the modification of dietary habits and increasing physical activity on the level of total plasma cholesterol. SAMPLE AND METHODS: Intervented sample was created by 279 highly motivated healthy adults from Brno (168 women and 111 men) of average age 43.5 +/- 10.3 years and average level of total plasma cholesterol 6.1 +/- 0.75 mmol/l and HDL-cholesterol 1.04 +/- 0.14 mmol/l. After medical and life-style history assessment, followed by clinical and biochemical checking and evaluation the risk from the life-style and biochemical and clinical parameters, the participants were individually informed about recommendations. These recommendations regarded detailed changes of dietary habits, quantified by the recommended number of servings of basic food groups and sub-groups daily and also increasing physical activity. RESULTS: After 3 months the changes of biochemical parameters were evaluated. After our non-pharmacological intervention we founded significantly lower average level of total plasma cholesterol 5.36 +/- 1.24 mmol/l (p < 0.001) and higher level of HDL-cholesterol 1.16 +/- 0.14 mmol/l. The level of TG's did not change significantly neither in whole sample, nor in the sub/sample of women and men. 26% of our sample was resistant to the intervention (the difference in the total cholesterol level between 2 assessment was lower than 0.5 mmol/l). No significant difference was found between men and women regarding the reaction of plasma lipoproteins. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS: Our results justify the adequacy and appropriety of primary preventive advising focusing on decrease of the risk of premature death using non-pharmacological intervention in highly motivated people with good compliance and sufficient responsibility for their personal health.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1999

[Method for screening of dietary intake in pregnant women].

OBJECTIVE: Description and practical demonstration of the new method of dietary evaluation of pregnant women. DESIGN: Pilot study--testing of new method. SETTING: Department of Preventive Medicine, School of Medicine MU, Brno. METHODS: The authors describe a screening method of quick and easy dietary evaluation of pregnant women. This method used for the assessment of the healthy population employs standards formulated in terms of serving equivalents and food groups. The data are obtained by the 24-hr recall and the food is converted into 6 basic food groups. The consumption is compared with the recommended number of the servings of each food group. The result of the evaluation is practical and an early comprehensible recommendation for pregnant women. This method also allows the calculation of total energy and nutrients, using so-called nutrition profiles of each food group. The method involves the possibility of sell-assessment and self-evaluation using the questionnaire designed by WHO and modified by the authors according to the needs of Czech population. The article contains the results of a pilot study describing the dietary evaluation of 50 pregnant women from Brno. RESULTS: The pilot study proved the advantages of the described method for practical use. CONCLUSION: The authors consider the described new method of quick screening evaluation of dietary intake an applicable and desirable part of the health status assessment during pregnancy.

Adult↗
PubMed1998

[Prevention of deep vein thrombosis (DVT) with the low molecular weight heparin (LMWH) and epidural/spinal anesthesia. The efficacy viewpoint].

OBJECTIVES: To compare the frequency of DVT and PE (pulmonary embolism) events in patients who had undergone gynecological operations under epidural/spinal anaesthesia without LMWH prophylaxis with patients receiving LMWH prophylaxis. DESIGN: Retrospective, hospital record based study. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The majority of patients had undergone vaginal operations. 441 consecutive, unselected patients without LMWH prophylaxis vs. 463 ones treated with LMWH. The patients were given Fraxiparine a 7,500 ICU s.c. 2 h before operation. The same doses were repeated every 24 h during 5-7 days or to the regaining by the patient sufficient physical activity. DVT diagnosis was based on the clinical signs and ultrasound techniques. PE was stated on clinical symptoms, ECG chest x-ray characteristics and gasometric data. RESULTS: Among the patients without LMWH prophylaxis 2 cases of PE occurred (0.45%), one of these was fatal. 1 case of proximal DVT (0.23%) and 3 distal DVT complications (0.68%) were stated. In the LMWH group 1 proximal DVT (0.22%) and 2 distal DVT (0.43%) developed. CONCLUSIONS: Perioperative LMWH prevention proved to be efficient. The clinically expressed incidence of DVT expressively diminished: 8 cases-(1.66%) vs. 3 cases-(0.53%). The pulmonary embolism was avoided.

Adult↗
PubMed1998

Cadmium and zinc concentrations in human placentas.

Cadmium and zinc levels in placentae of 688 women who delivered their children in two university hospitals in Brno and in the regional hospital in Znojmo during January-June 1992 were determined using AAS analytical method. Average value of zinc (54.6 micrograms/g) and cadmium (18.02 ng/g) concentrations found out in our file are in accord with those ones reported in literature. Individual differences in zinc contained in placentae occur uniformly. Very low concentrations prevail for cadmium; values exceeding 100 ng/g of dry basis are sporadic only. Zinc vs. cadmium concentrations values in placenta are mutually positively correlated [correlation coefficient (factor) r = +0.13, p < 0.001]. Cadmium content in placenta depends on mothers' age and it is significantly higher in older women. No changes in zinc contained in the placental tissue depending on mothers' age were found out. The mutual ratio of zinc vs. cadmium content in a placental tissue is significantly decreased in older mother (23.8 in older women, 41.2 in younger women, p < 0.01).

Adolescent↗
PubMed1996

The change of microtubule length caused by endogenous AC fields in cell.

In this paper we investigate the change of microtubule cylinder's length in the presence of endogenous AC fields generated by the cell itself. The dynamics of microtubule is described on the basis of classical u4 model. The average stretching is calculated by using Kubo's formalism for linear response of system.

Electricity↗