The cause of the activation of an epidemic process of intestinal infections in the 70s]

In the seventies a considerable rise in dysentery morbidity was observed in all republics of the USSR, in the whole of the USSR, in Bulgaria and in the German Democratic Republic. An increase in cholera morbidity in the world, as well as in the number of countries affected by this infection, was registered. A tendency towards a rise in virus hepatitis incidence was observed in the USSR. The dynamic study of the ozone content in the stratosphere, solar activity, disturbances in the magnetic field of the Earth, air temperature for the period of 1967-1980 was carried out. Strong and moderate correlation between dysentery and air temperature in summer was established. The maximum morbidity level in the USSR in 1972 was probably the consequence of unusually high air temperature in summer.     

Constant multiple birth rates in the Czech Republic and the Slovak Republic until recently, 1972-1995.

Using vital statistics, yearly changes in the twinning and triplet rates by zygosity were investigated in the Czech Republic and the Slovak Republic during the period 1972-1995. Monozygotic (MZ) twinning rates in both countries had remained nearly constant (about 3 per 1000 total births) during that period. With a few exceptions, the dizygotic (DZ) twinning rates remained constant from 1972 to 1994, and increased in 1995 for both countries. MZ twinning rates for both countries were the lowest in Europe. As for triplet rates, overall rates increased significantly year by year in the Czech Republic, but not in the Slovak Republic. The triplet rate was significantly higher in 1995 than in the period 1972-1982 for both countries. The MZ triplet rate remained constant during that period in the Czech Republic. The trizygotic (TZ) triplet rates increased 3-fold for the Czech Republic and 4-fold for the Slovak Republic in 1972-1976 and 1992-1995. In the later period, the TZ rate was 1.5-fold higher in the Czech Republic than in the Slovak Republic. The quadruplet rate increased 2.3-fold from 2.9 per million births in 1982-1986 to 6.7 in 1992-1995 in the Czech Republic. The corresponding values were 2.7, 2.20 and 5.9-fold in the Slovak Republic. Both the Czech and the Slovak Republics were not affected by fertility drugs and assisted reproductive techniques until recently.     

Complement-fixing antibodies against rotaviruses in healthy children in the Czech Socialist Republic and People's Democratic Republic of Yemen

Levels of complement-fixing antibodies against rotaviruses were evaluated in the sera of 900 healthy children aged 1-9 years 300 sera were collected in the People's Democratic Republic of Yemen in September-October 1985, 300 sera were obtained in the Czech Socialist Republic in the same period and another 300 also in the Czech Socialist Republic in September-October 1986. The latter two groups were investigated in the framework of immunological surveys. A complement-fixation antigen was prepared from a simian strain of the rotavirus type SA-11 in a tissue cell line MA-104. The sera from Yemen featured lower mean titres in the age groups and thus the lowest overall titre. As the antibody titre increased, the portion of seropositive sera from Yemen declined by far more rapidly than in the Czech children, where it remained virtually the same. The sera from Yemen showed the lowest negative rate and lowest ratio of high titres. The antibody titre of 1:64 and higher was not detected in children from Yemen, while they occurred in the two groups of Czech children. There was no correlation between antibody titres and probands' sex, nor was there linear dependence of titre magnitude on age. The mean positivity rate in each group as assessed by the antibody titres was the lowest in the sera from Yemen. The percentage of positive sera in all age groups was higher in the Czech children with the exception of children from Yemen aged 6 and 9 years. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the antibody status in infant populations and thus expand knowledge of rotavirus epidemiology.     

Characterization of Campylobacter jejuni strains occurring in the USSR and the Czech Republic

In 1986-1989 the microbiological laboratory in Prague obtained 100 Campylobacter jejuni strains while its counterpart in Moscow gained 120 such strains. The strains were primarily isolated from humans with diarrheal disease, from domestic and wild animals and from the environment. Most C. jejuni strains were successfully specified and classified using a Czechoslovak serotyping scheme proposed by Kahlich. Serotypes 1, 2, 7, 15, 22 and 24 occurred most frequently in the Czech Republic whereas in the Soviet Union the most common serotypes were 7, 16, 5, 2, 1. The proportion of strains which could not be identified in the serotyping scheme was about 10% in the USSR and 20% in the Czech Republic. Our findings suggest differences between the USSR and the Czech Republic in the prevalence and incidence particular serotypes of C. jejuni strains.     

Epidemic of influenza A (H1Ni), 1977--1978

The work deals with the peculiarities of the spread of influenza A/USSR77 (H1N1) in the USSR and in the world. The authors point out that the most outstanding feature of the epidemic in the USSR was low morbidity rate among adults, persons aged up to 25 years being most affected. This suggests the existence of prolonged (up to 20 years) post-influenza immunity. The results of the mathematical pronostication of this epidemic for the territory of the USSR were analyzed and and found to be quite satisfactory for the majority of cities.     

Morbidity and prophylaxis of hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome in the Republic of Bashkortostan

The brief retrospective analysis of morbidity, epizootological data and preventive measures with respect to haemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome (HFRS) during the whole period of its registration on the territory of the Republic of Bashkortostan along with the structure of HFRS morbidity during epidemic seasons of 1998 and 1999 is presented. The main causes of decreased HFRS morbidity in 1998, its rise in 1999 as well as prognosis for the year 2000 were detected. The level of HFRS morbidity among the population was found to be directly related to the number of rodents and their infection rate. The basic strategy of epidemic control interventions has been proposed.     

The epidemic spread of the influenza A and B viruses in the USSR in 1985-1986

The data on the spread of influenza A and B in the autumn and winter of 1985-1986 are given. Three epidemics caused by all presently circulating viruses, B, A (H3N2) and A (H1N1), were registered in the USSR. Of these, the greatest one was the epidemic of influenza B; morbidity rate among the adult population during this epidemic was at the level with the morbidity rate characteristic of the epidemics registered at the period of 1962-1972, and morbidity rate among children, especially school children, was even higher.     

Epidemiologic analysis morbidity with meningococcal infections in the USSR]

The authors present the analysis of the incidence of epidemic cerebrospinal meningitis in the USSR from 1937 to 1974, and of meningococcus infection from 1965 to 1974. A rise of the meningococcus infection incidence from 1969 to 1974 was recorded 28 years after the elevation of 1940-1942 and was 1.5 times below this latter rise. The rise in 1969-1974 was characterized by marked signs peculiar to the infection with the droplet transmission mechanism; among those who contracted the disease prevalence was seen among children aged under 14 years (63-72%). A marked affection of juveniles was noted. Three types of the dynamic of the meningococcus infection incidence in the republics located in different climatic-geographical zones of the USSR were noted: slow, gradual increase of the level, interrupted and explosive. Such character was determined in the dynamics of the seasonal elevations of morbidity. Antiepidemic measures including a complex of nonspecific measures could not be assessed as sufficiently effective. This finds reflection in the natural course of the epidemic process of the meningococcus infection which remains uncontrolled. From the patients with generalized form of the disease meningococci of group A were isolated in 80-100% of cases, from the number of those typed. The group-specific reference of the nasopharyngeal strains depended on the epidemic situation: strains of serological group A prevailed at the period of the morbidity elevation, and other serological groups (particularly of C and B) increased at its decline.     

Spreading to a limit: the time required for a neophyte to reach its maximum range

The average range size of alien plants in Spain reaches a maximum at 143 years. This is consistent with estimates of such a maximum in Ireland, Britain, Germany and the Czech Republic. A round figure of about 150 years on average for neophytes to reach their maximum range in European countries is indicated.     

Epidemiological characteristics of meningococcal infection in Cuba

The results of the epidemiological analysis of the morbidity rate in meningococcal infection for 1976-1984 are presented. The maximum rise of morbidity rate, equal to 14.4 per 100000 of population, was observed in 1983. Primarily, the rise of morbidity rate in 1979 was induced by meningococci of two serogroups: C (44.6%) and B (36.4%). The vaccinal prophylaxis of the population, carried out in 1979 with the use of polysaccharide vaccine A + C, did not affect morbidity caused by group B meningococci. The isolation rate of these organisms reached 98.7% from patients and 81.0% from carriers. The characteristic feature of the epidemic process of meningococcal infection in Cuba was a considerable increase in the number of patients under 1 year of age and the absence of seasonal fluctuations in morbidity rate.     

Spread of salmonellosis in Moscow and the ways of its prophylaxis

The article deals with the results of the epidemiological analysis of the spread of salmonellosis in Moscow. During the last 15 years the proportion of Salmonella enteritidis was about 80% and more. After salmonellosis morbidity decreased to 19.9 per 100,000 of the population (the minimum level) in 1985 its sharp rise was noted. Morbidity rate increased from 31.7 in 1987 to 55.1 per 100,000 in 1988, then to 93.9 per 100,000 of the population in 1989 (the maximum level). In the subsequent years up to 1996 a decrease in morbidity rate was observed, but in 1997-2002 morbidity rate stabilized within 29.8-35.7 per 100,000 of the population without a perceptible tendency towards decrease. The sharp increase of the etiological role of S. enteritidis which led to a wide spread of Salmonella infections was caused by the "chicken-egg" factor of their transmission. High morbidity rate among children and adults, registered all the year round, is the consequence of the constant epidemic activity of this factor.     

Comparison of influenza outbreaks in the Republic of Kazakhstan and Russia induced by 2009 yearly new variant of A(H1N1) influenza virus

The aim of the work is the comparison of the epidemiology of influenza and acute respiratory virus infections(ARVI)in the Republic of Kazakhstan with the corresponding influenza epidemic in Russia induced by influenza pandemic virus A/California/07/2009 in 2009. Data on influenza and ARVI from the Republic of Kazakhstan and Federal Center of influenza was collected and investigated over the course of several weeks from hospitalized patients with the same diagnosis among all population and in age groups on 16 territories of Kazakhstan and in 49 major cities of Russia. The epidemic in Kazakhstan resembled the Russian epidemic in terms of its abnormally early beginning,expression of monoaetiology,the spread of the epidemic into all territories and start of the epidemics among adult population. High percentage of hospitalized people and lethal outcome were registered in this epidemic. Similarity of epidemic process character in corresponding border-line territories of both countries was found out.     

Recommendation on methodical instructions on the collection of rumen juice

Abstract

for subject 9.2 ?Use of non-protein-nitrogen compounds in ruminant feeding“, prepared by the COMECON work-group on the occasion of the Methodical Conference held from 6th to 11th of February, 1969.

in Berlin, German Democratic Republic.

(Participating countries: People's Republic of Bulgaria, Hungarian People's Republic, German Democratic Republic, People's Republic of Poland, Roumanian Socialist Republic, Union of Soviet Socialist Republics, Czechoslovak Socialist Republic).     

Genetic differentiation between introduced Central European sika and source populations in Japan: effects of isolation and demographic events

Japanese sika deer (Cervus nippon nippon) were introduced at the turn of nineteenth and twentieth century to many countries in Eurasia, North America and Australasia. Subsequently, free-living invasive populations have become established in several countries, including the Czech Republic, where the expanding sika population causes serious problems through overgrazing, damage through browsing and through competition and hybridisation with native red deer. 122 Japanese and 221 Czech samples were used to examine the genetic diversity, genetic structure, and the level of genetic differentiation between native populations and those introduced to the Czech Republic. Analyses of 22 microsatellite loci revealed, for both countries, evidence of isolation by distance and clear sub-structuring of populations, different from patterns previously revealed by mtDNA markers. The high number of private alleles (58 within the Czech Republic and 84 within Japan), the Fst values, factorial correspondence analysis and Bayesian clustering support a high level of divergence between the source and introduced populations. Genetic variability was generally low due to recent demographic events (founder effect in the Czech population, bottlenecks in Japanese populations); however, the values of expected heterozygosity differed greatly between subpopulations and were not the lowest in the introduced Czech populations. Multiple introductions, rapid population growth, and possible hybridisation with red deer seem to have helped the successful expansion of sika within the Czech Republic. The results also indicate that male-mediated gene flow and human-mediated translocations have significantly influenced the current genetic structure of native sika populations in Japan.     

Serological survey of parainfluenza and parotitis in the population of Czechoslovakia.

A serological survey was carried out to determine the prevalence and age distribution of HI antibodies against M. parainfluenzae type 1, 2, 3 and 4A and against M. parotitis in the population on from 7 regions of the Czech Socialist Republic. While the distribution of antibodies to M. parainfluenzae is similar in all regions under study, considerable regional differences have been found in the occurence of antibodies against parotitis virus.     

Radiocesium in mushrooms from selected locations in the Czech Republic and the Slovak Republic

In this paper, activity concentrations of radiocesium in mushrooms from various locations in the Czech Republic and the Slovak Republic in the years 2000–2004 are presented. Summary reports of Czech regulatory bodies have judged the average activity concentrations in mushrooms to be remarkably below the maximum permissible level of contamination. However, there are certain regions where radiocesium activities have approached the maximum permissible level for contamination of basic foodstuff. For example, the highest activity concentration of ¹³⁷Cs measured by gamma-spectrometry was 2,263 Bq kg⁻¹ (on a dry mass basis), in Xerocomus badius from Staré Ransko (a locality in the Czech-Moravian Highlands, Czech Republic). The highest activity concentration of ¹³⁷Cs measured in Slovakia was 966 Bq kg⁻¹ (on a dry mass basis), for Suillus luteus from Senica. For comparison, the corresponding activity concentration in a sample taken within the 30 km zone around Chernobyl was measured to be 6,000 Bq kg⁻¹ (on a dry mass basis). Our results have also demonstrated remarkably lower activity concentrations of ¹³⁷Cs in Slovakia compared to those in the Czech Republic.     

The efficacy of exogenous and endogenous interferonization in preventing influenza]

In this work the results of using interferon (IFN), Dibasol and the combination of these preparations for the urgent prophylaxis of influenza and acute respiratory diseases (ARD) among the employees of the Gamaleia Research Institute of Epidemiology and Microbiology (USSR Acad. Med. Sci.) are summarized. Reaferon and Dibasol decrease ARD morbidity 2 times and leukocytic IFN decreases it 1.4 times, while the combined administration of Dibasol and IFN has proved to be ineffective. Reaferon is mainly a prophylactic remedy; it has been found to bring about almost no decrease in the number of patients at the peak of morbidity, while pronouncedly decreasing it in two weeks after the administration of the preparation. Dibasol has a curative effect, sharply interrupting the beginning rise of morbidity. Reaferon normalizes the characteristics of the IFN status, decreasing the amount of circulating IFN and enhancing the capacity of leukocytes for producing alpha-IFN and gamma-IFN. For the prophylaxis of respiratory infections the use of Reaferon is advisable 3-4 weeks prior to the beginning of the epidemic and then, when the first cases of infection are registered, the course of prophylaxis with Dibasol should be carried out.     

Cholera prevalence worldwide and in Ukraine

In the course of the 7th pandemic cholera morbidity has been registered in 163 countries of the world. 5 periods in the development of the pandemic hav been established. The pandemic process has a pronounced tendency to growth. The spread and dynamics of cholera morbidity have their specific features on each continent. In Asia the epidemic process is manifested as permanent morbidity. Africa determines the total morbidity level in the 7th pandemic. In America both the import of cholera infection and large local outbreaks due to the formation of the secondary foci are registered. In Europe the infection is mainly brought from different territories, and in a number of cases an epidemic spread of this infection occurs. The paths of the penetration of cholera to Europe and Ukraine are, probably, identical. In Ukraine 3 pandemic periods have been established, corresponding to the periods of pandemic spread.     

The genetic structure of raccoon introduced in Central Europe reflects multiple invasion pathways

Invasions of non-native species are of great concern as they have a devastating impact on native biodiversity and can also affect the economy of a region. Multiple introductions in several locations of a new range greatly promote the success of non-native species. The raccoon (Procyon lotor) is an omnivore whose native distribution extends from southern Canada to Panama. It has been successfully introduced in many European countries. We examined the microsatellite and mitochondrial diversity of raccoon populations in Central Europe (Germany, Poland, and Czech Republic) in order to determine their introduction sources and pathways as well as the factors affecting genetic structure in this invasive species. We found low diversity of the mtDNA control region and moderate diversity of microsatellite markers. Raccoon showed three hierarchic levels of genetic structure which separate at different levels sampled from Czech Republic, Germany and raccoon inhabiting two different habitats in Poland. In Poland the raccoon population was established through migration from Germany to Czech Republic. Analysis of the intensity of migration between two different habitat types indicated source-sink dynamics in the Polish populations of raccoons. Our results confirm the high intensity of the raccoon invasion in Central Europe and point to specific measures needed as part of an effective management strategy.     

Zur Syntaxonomie desDeschampsio flexuosae-Abietetum Husová 1968

Based on new relevés from the area of the Czech Socialist Republic, the associationDeschampsio flexuosae-Abietetum Husová 1968 is divided into two subassociations:D.f.-A. deschampsietosum flexuosae andD.f.-A. calamagrostietosum. The species composition and variability of the association and both subassociations is given in a synoptic table. The soil properties are also added.