Czech Republic Research Articles

What to do with abandoned German graves? The case of the Czech Republic

ABSTRACT There are thousands of abandoned German graves in post-communist countries. After the post-war expulsion of the German population, no one maintained them, and their devastation grew with the passing decades. Today thousands of these graves are in a very bad condition, they have no owners and the municipalities, as operators of the cemeteries, do not know what to do with them. This study examines the situation of German graves from the perspective of coming to terms with the past and the existence of the German minority in the Czech Republic and the politics of memory. It seeks to clarify what role the issue of the maintenance of German graves plays in the memory politics of the post-communist countries of Central Europe and in their bilateral reconciliation efforts with Germany, and what are the possibilities and limitations of governments and municipalities in the maintenance of German civilian graves. While the study points to the problem in the post-communist region, it focuses primarily on situation in the Czech Republic. I conducted a qualitative inquiry among representatives of Czech central government, local governments, and stakeholders, which shows a certain willingness to address the issue, but also financial limitations and the absence of guidance on how to approach the maintenance of German graves.

Burden of HPV-induced diseases and cost effectiveness of catch-up vaccination in Czech Republic: a model-based study

ObjectivesHuman papillomavirus (HPV) infections are highly prevalent sexually transmitted infections, notably associated with various cancers. This study analyses the health and economic impacts of HPV-associated diseases in the Czech Republic and evaluates the cost-effectiveness of a catch-up vaccination program.MethodsUtilizing a Markov multistate model, the study assesses the lifetime impacts and costs related to HPV infections. Cohorts of ages 15–21 were simulated to assess the impact of catch-up vaccination outside the 11-year-old age group.ResultsThe total quality-adjusted life years (QALYs) for the female and male cohorts (together 119,362 individuals) were higher in the vaccination scenario compared to the non-vaccination scenario. The increase in QALYs was 122,246 and 200,852 respectively, when considering the actual vaccination rates. Across both cohorts, 329 cancer-related deaths were prevented. In the probabilistic sensitivity analysis for the female population, vaccination was the dominant strategy in 99.3% of iterations. In the male population, vaccination was the dominant strategy in 80.3% of iterations. The implementation of catch-up vaccination for the 15–21 age group significantly increased QALY gains and reduced life-years-lost (LYLs). In the female cohort, all analysed rates of catch-up vaccination were the dominant strategy, while in the male cohort, the incremental cost-effectiveness ratios (ICERs) remained consistently below 42,000 CZK/QALY.ConclusionsThe catch-up vaccination program for 15-21-year-olds is cost-effective and can prevent a significant number of HPV-related cancers in both men and women.

Individual physical activity preferences of adolescents in the Czech Republic and Poland: a 14-year comparative study reflecting the gender trends and prospective responses to global lifestyle challenges

BackgroundThe global decline in physical activity (PA) among the youth has been exacerbated by the pandemic’s impact on their lifestyles. Addressing these adverse effects post-pandemic by supporting preferred physical activities among young individuals is crucial. The aim of the study is to investigate and compare the long-term trends in PA preferences among individuals in Poland and the Czech Republic, exploring the impact of global lifestyle challenges over the past 14 years, including the pandemic, on PA behaviors and choices.MethodsThe study design is cross-sectional and data gathering was in the period between 2007 and 2020, this research encompassed 19,235 participants aged 15 to 26. PA preferences were gauged using the Questionnaire on Physical Activity Preferences, while actual PA levels were measured through the International Physical Activity Questionnaire-Long Form. Crossing table, Kruskal-Wallis ANOVA, binary logistic regression and effect size coefficients were conducted.ResultsAmong the participants, individual physical activities were favoured by 24% of Czech and 25% of Polish boys, and 23% of Czech and 25% of Polish girls. A positive correlation was found between the preference for running and higher levels of recreational, vigorous, and overall weekly PA. Additionally, an increased preference for running was associated with a higher likelihood of meeting weekly PA recommendations for both girls (OR = 1.82, CI = 1.62–2.04, p < 0.001) and boys (OR = 1.61, CI = 1.44–1.82, p < 0.001) in both countries.ConclusionsOver a 14-year period, swimming, cycling, and running emerged as the most preferred PA across both Czech and Polish youth, with a notable increase in running, especially among Czech boys. Polish boys and girls also showed a growing preference for running, while Polish girls demonstrated a notable increase in badminton and ice-skating. The preference for running was associated with a higher likelihood of meeting PA recommendations, especially among Polish boys and Czech girls. Notably, activities like running, swimming, and cycling exhibited resilience to both pandemic-related restrictions and broader global lifestyle challenges, underscoring the importance of long-term monitoring of PA preferences for effective health promotion.

The politics of digital sovereignty and the European Union’s legislation: navigating crises

In recent years, the resistance of member states to the strengthening of the European Union and its ambition to extend the powers of nation states has become a dominant political element, especially in the countries of the Central and Eastern European region. At the same time, both nation states and the EU are facing a number of global challenges, one of the most significant of which, alongside climate change, is digitalization. At the dawn of the digital age, technological innovation and the free flow of information promised unprecedented opportunities. However, as digital technologies have increasingly permeated all aspects of economic, social and political life, they have created new crises and challenges, particularly with regard to digital sovereignty. This research explores the complex and interdisciplinary nature of digital sovereignty, with a particular focus on the crises that digitalization has triggered and caused. These crises manifest themselves in various forms, including cybersecurity threats, privacy issues and the economic dominance of global technology companies. The European Union’s legislative initiatives, including the Digital Services (DSA), Digital Markets (DMA) and European Media Freedom (EMFA) regulations, as well as the efforts to regulate artificial intelligence, are designed to address the crises inherent in the digital age, while at the same time posing new challenges to the sovereignty and perception of sovereignty of individual states. The research examines the EU’s legislative efforts in navigating the politics of digital crises. It sheds light on the interplay between national self-determination and the EU’s overall regulatory framework, highlighting the ongoing struggle to balance control and cooperation in a rapidly changing digital environment. The analysis will provide a deeper understanding of how digital sovereignty is shaped by and responds to crisis policy, and insights into the future of digital governance in an increasingly interconnected world. It also seeks to assess the extent to which recently introduced EU legislation can be harmonized with the policy objective of strengthening the autonomy of nation states. This is particularly important in the context of the legislation and practices observed in countries with relatively small populations, such as Hungary, Slovakia and the Czech Republic.

Molecular uncovering of important helminth species in wild ruminants in the Czech Republic

Monitoring gastrointestinal helminth infections in wild ruminants poses significant challenges for managing wildlife health, particularly regarding invasive species. Traditional coprological methods are often limited by their labor-intensive nature and potential for erroneous identification due to morphological similarities among parasite species. This study employed advanced molecular techniques to assess the prevalence and distribution of several helminth taxa, including the invasive nematode Ashworthius sidemi and the trematode Fascioloides magna, in wild ruminant populations in the Czech Republic (CR). A comprehensive and extensive survey on parasite occurrence, unique in its nationwide scope, was conducted on 983 fecal samples collected from red deer (Cervus elaphus), roe deer (Capreolus capreolus), fallow deer (Dama dama), and mouflon (Ovis musimon) across various regions of the CR. The samples were analyzed using multiplex real-time PCR assays specifically designed to detect the DNA of six helminth representatives: the nematodes A. sidemi and Haemonchus spp., as well as the trematodes F. magna, Dicrocoelium dendriticum, Fasciola hepatica, and Calicophoron daubneyi (and representatives of the family Paramphistomidae, respectively). These assays targeted regions of ribosomal DNA (rDNA) and were designed to exhibit high sensitivity and specificity, enabling accurate detection of helminth parasites directly in fecal samples. The molecular assays revealed that invasive nematode A. sidemi was the most prevalent helminth species, detected in 15.8% of all samples (155/983), with the highest infection rate observed in red deer at 30.7% (124/404). Haemonchus spp. were also frequently detected, identified in 14.9% of samples (146/983), particularly in roe deer, with a prevalence of 23.2% (86/371). Spatial analysis of these nematodes across various regions of the CR revealed the extensive distribution of both A. sidemi and Haemonchus spp. in nearly all regions. In contrast, trematode infections were less common, with F. magna and D. dendriticum each found in only 1.5% of samples (15/983). Members of the family Paramphistomidae were detected in 0.2% of the samples (2/983) and were confirmed through sequencing as C. daubneyi. The geographical distribution patterns identified in this study indicate potential hotspots for specific helminth species. These findings are critical for planning health management and conservation strategies to mitigate the impacts of helminth infections, especially in areas affected by invasive species.

Antipredator behaviour in semi-feral horses: innate response and the influence of external factors.

Rewilding can play a vital role in safeguarding biodiversity, with the grazing pressure exerted by large ungulates and controlled by their predators being a significant factor, particularly in European contexts. Domestic horses are becoming integral to such ungulates' biomass, but they may differ from truly wild species due to their domesticated origin. This raises concerns about whether feral horses retain adequate antipredator behaviours, especially in the presence of expanding, large predators like wolves. The field of antipredator behaviour research is hampered by inconsistent results and a lack of standardisation, and the behaviour of free-ranging horses remains underexplored. To address this gap, we conducted a playback experiment on semi-feral Exmoor ponies (n = 97) in the Czech Republic, exposing them to wolf howls, deer rut calls, and static noise as a control. We assessed alert behaviour and herd grouping while accounting for variables such as herd size, sex, time of day, weather conditions, environment type, presence of other ungulates, and habituation effects. Over 70% of the ponies exhibited alert behaviour in response to both wolf and deer calls. Although the magnitude of responses did not differ significantly between wolf and deer calls, both elicited distinct reactions compared to the control. Most of the studied external factors significantly affected the observed alert responses, highlighting that they must be carefully considered in such studies since these may explain the conflicting results observed in previous studies. The significant behavioural differences in reaction to the sounds indicate that the horses can differentiate them and likely still possess some innate memory, as reported in other ungulates. This is a positive sign towards reintroduction. Future research should carefully consider the validity of the testing environment, habituation effects, and other external factors to ensure robust results.

Living without privilege in Czech society: Building social work knowledge from lived experiences of inequalities

Abstract Social work research has increasingly focused on the intersectionality of social identities and categories, which can create unique forms of disadvantage. This study addresses the underexplored dimension of privilege within systems of inequality, focusing on how wealth inequality, anti-Roma racism, and structural barriers shape the lives of young people at risk of poverty in the Czech Republic. Grounded in a qualitative, multi-generational approach and critical communicative methodology, the study aims to explore the lived experiences of young people and their families facing systemic inequalities. The findings reveal that a lack of family assets, compounded by an unregulated housing market and pervasive racism and discrimination against Roma families, severely limits life opportunities and shapes the trajectories of the young people involved. Despite these challenges, participants demonstrate resilience in navigating systemic barriers, with some actively seeking pathways to social mobility. This study provides critical insights into the mechanisms that perpetuate inequalities and the strategies participants use to navigate them, while proposing anti-poverty and anti-racist strategies to advance social justice in social work education and practice.

Global trends and projections of high BMI burden and its independent impact on atrial fibrillation and flutter.

This study evaluates changes in the burden of high body mass index (BMI) and its impact on atrial fibrillation and flutter (AF/AFL) using the 2021 Global Burden of Disease database. Mortality and disability-adjusted life years rates were analysed globally, considering age, sex, geography and the Socio-demographic Index (SDI). Decomposition and frontier analyses assessed the impact of epidemiological drivers and SDI on the burden. The nordpred model validated the predictions. The burden of high BMI is now 2.5 times greater than 30y ago and will continue to increase over the next 20y, heavily impacting cardiovascular and metabolic diseases. High BMI-related AF/AFL also poses a significant burden, especially in developed regions. Men's burden grows faster than women's. Decomposition analysis shows epidemiological changes mainly drive burden increases, while in women, population growth is more significant. Frontier analysis indicates that the gap between actual burden and theoretical optimal value has widened with increasing SDI, except in countries such as Bulgaria and the Czech Republic. Over the past 30y, the overall burden of high BMI and its impact on AF/AFL have increased significantly, highlighting the need for targeted public health strategies.

Amino acid substitutions in PBP3 in Haemophilus influenzae strains, their phenotypic detection and impact on resistance to β-lactams.

Data from surveillance on antibiotic resistance have shown an increasing prevalence of non-enzymatic resistance (β-lactamase-negative ampicillin-resistant) to β-lactam antibiotics among H. influenzae strains in the Czech Republic. Aminopenicillins are recommended agents for non-invasive Haemophilus influenzae infections. The phenomenon of non-enzymatic resistance to β-lactams is complicated by the fact that the phenotypic detection of PBP3 with specific amino acid substitutions (rPBP3) is challenging, since rPBP3 isolates have repeatedly been demonstrated to be split by the epidemiological cut-off values (ECOFF) for aminopenicillins defined by EUCAST. We sought to determine whether the penicillin disc has sufficient detection ability to predict the non-enzymatic mechanism; whether other antibiotics can be used for detection; and what is the agreement between the broth microdilution and disc diffusion methods. We undertook susceptibility testing of selected antibiotics according to EUCAST of 153 rPBP3 strains, and sequencing of the ftsI gene to determination amino acid substitutions. For a selected set of rPBP strains: (i) the detection capability for penicillin, ampicillin, cefuroxime and amoxicillin/clavulanate was found to be 91.5%, 94.4%, 89.5% and 70.6%, respectively; (ii) the categorical agreement between the disc diffusion method and the MIC for ampicillin and cefuroxime was 71.1% and 83.8%, respectively. We observed better recognition of rPBP3 strains by the ampicillin disc than by the penicillin disc. There is frequently a discrepancy in the interpretation of susceptibility results between the methods used.

Underinsurance of Real Estate: A Threat to Policyholders and Insured Entities

Abstract The aim of the article is to demonstrate the risk of underinsurance in selected production halls used for business activities in the Czech Republic by means of a case study. The case study determines the insured value in the new price category for three selected production halls. New price is a specific term for property insurance in the Czech Republic and means the replacement value of the property. The cost method of valuation is used to calculate the new price. The insured value is determined by an insurance broker, and two brokerage companies were approached for this purpose. The replacement cost is determined by the independent property appraiser using the valuation decree applicable from 1 January 2024. The case study compares the calculated new prices, assesses their level in terms of the risk of underinsurance and then makes a suggestion of problem areas that should be addressed in the Czech Republic, as they put the policyholder at risk. The results of the case study show an asymmetry of information between the policyholder and insurer. This is due to unavailable or unclear, yet very important information for the policyholder. In order to reduce information asymmetry and the occurrence of underinsurance, it seems important that all insurers follow an explicit procedure leading to the determination of the insured value, which would be known to the policyholder prior to the conclusion of the insurance contract. It seems appropriate to use the current valuation decree, which has been updated annually in the Czech Republic for 35 years, for the procedure of determining the insured value.

Suicides in Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary, and Poland in 1990–2019: Epidemiological patterns and trends in European and Global context

Background. Suicides are a major public health problem with serious consequences for societies. Aim. To compare epidemiological patterns and trends of suicides in the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary, and Poland in 1990–2019, and analyze them in the European and Global context. Methods. A trend analysis was conducted in Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary, Poland, in Western Europe and on global level for 1990–2019. All data were obtained from the Global Burden of Diseases study 2019. Numbers and age-standardized rates of deaths and Years of Life Lost (YLL) due to suicides were analyzed, stratified by sex and age (0–14 years old, 15–49 years old, 50–69 years old, 70+ years). Results. In 2019, 759,028 suicides occurred globally, 17,408 (2.3%) in Central Europe. The proportion of males was substantially larger, compared to the global and Western European levels (E.g., 82 vs. 69% and 75%, respectively). The highest rates of suicide were in Hungary (19.7 per 100,000), lowest in Slovakia (12.8); the rate in Central Europe was higher than the global rate (15.2 vs. 9.8), and the rate in Western Europe (11.4). A steady decline of rates was observed in all countries, particularly in Hungary. In Czech Republic we found an increasing relative importance of suicides among people 70 years and older. Conclusions. Death rates due to suicides have been declining in the analyzed countries, but some characteristics and trends when compared to global and regional estimates, such as substantially higher proportion of male suicides or high death rates among the elderly warrant specifically tailored preventative action coordinated by governments with community involvement.

The Legal Framework for Child Protection from Corporal Punishment in the Czech Republic

The Legal Framework for Child Protection from Corporal Punishment in the Czech Republic This article addresses the persistent issue of corporal punishment of children in the Czech Republic. Despite statistics indicating that 58% of parents have used corporal punishment, the country has yet to implement an explicit ban on such practices in family settings. This reluctance persists despite two decades of international pressure from organizations like the United Nations and the European Committee of Social Rights. The article examines the historical and legislative background, highlighting key international recommendations and local legal responses including a detailed analysis of existing legal provisions that indirectly protect children, such as the Czech Charter of Fundamental Rights and Freedoms and various criminal and administrative laws. The article discusses the legislation proposed in 2023, which aims to explicitly ban corporal punishment through amendments to the Civil Code. The proposed amendments outline parental responsibilities, stating that parents must care for their children without corporal punishment, mental suffering, or degrading measures. The article critically evaluates these proposals, emphasizing the need for simpler legal language. The article also employs quantitative methods to analyse how individual municipalities enforce child protection laws, revealing significant regional disparities in prosecution rates. The findings suggest that child protection varies based on local authorities’ actions, with some municipalities demonstrating proactive approaches and others showing minimal enforcement efforts. The findings suggest that enforcement of child protection laws varies significantly by region, affecting children’s protection from corporal punishment. Additionally, the societal acceptance of corporal punishment remains deeply ingrained. The study concludes that stronger legal frameworks and public awareness efforts are essential to promote non-violent child-rearing practices in the Czech Republic. While legal reforms are crucial, they must be accompanied by educational campaigns to shift public attitudes.

Assessing PFAS in drinking water: Insights from the Czech Republic's risk-based monitoring approach.

This study investigates the presence of perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in the drinking water supplies in the Czech Republic using a risk-based monitoring approach. Tap water samples (n=27) from sources close to areas potentially contaminated with PFAS were analysed. A total of 28 PFAS were measured using ultra-performance liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry after solid phase extraction. Total PFAS concentrations (∑PFAS) varied from undetectable to 90.8ng/L, with perfluoropentanoic acid (PFPeA), perfluorohexanoic acid (PFHxA), perfluoroheptanoic acid (PFHpA) and perfluorobutane sulfonic acid (PFBS) being the most abundant, detected in over 70% of samples. Risk-based monitoring in drinking water showed that commercial wells had higher PFAS levels compared to tap water, particularly C4-C9 perfluorocarboxylic acids (PFCAs), possibly due to proximity to industrial areas. However, the hypothesis that risk-based monitoring is more effective than random monitoring was not confirmed, possibly because specific sources did not produce the target PFAS or because of the wide range and less obvious sources of potential contamination. The study also assessed exposure risks and compliance with regulatory thresholds. Weekly intake estimates for adults and children indicated that regular consumption of most contaminated water sample would exceed the tolerable weekly intake. Compared to EU regulations, none of the tap water samples exceeded the 'Sum of PFAS' parametric value of 100ng/L, though one sample approached this limit. In addition, surface water samples from the Jizera River (n=21) showed a wider range of PFAS, with C7-C10 PFCAs, PFBS, and perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS) in every sample, with higher PFOS concentrations at a median of 2.56ng/L. ∑PFAS concentrations increased downstream, rising from 1.08ng/L near the spring to 26ng/L downstream. This comprehensive analysis highlights the need for detailed/areal monitoring to also address hidden or non-obvious sources of PFAS contamination.

PCR-detection rates of T. pallidum ssp. pallidum in swab samples from the Czech Republic (2004-2022): Combined RPR, IgM, and PCR tests efficiently detect active syphilis.

Syphilis is a multistage sexually transmitted disease caused by Treponema pallidum ssp. pallidum (TPA). This study analyzed clinical samples collected from patients with a diagnosed syphilis infection from 2004-2022, isolated in the Czech Republic. Mucocutaneous swab samples (n = 543) from 543 patients were analyzed, and from these samples, 80.11 % (n = 435) were PCR positive, and 19.89 % (n = 108) were PCR negative for TPA DNA. Swabs were more often positive when collected from syphilis patients in the primary and secondary stages, compared to the latent or unknown stage. There was no significant difference in PCR positivity between the primary and secondary stages (p = 0.099). In IgM-positive patients, a statistically significant association with PCR-positivity was found in samples from seropositive (p = 0.033) and serodiscrepant (RPR negative) patients (p = 0.0006). When assessing our laboratory-defined cases of syphilis, the RPR, IgM, and PCR tests were similarly effective (within the range of 80.1-86.1%). However, parallel testing with these methods was even more effective, i.e., RPR + PCR was 96.1 % effective and RPR + IgM + PCR was 97.8 % effective. A combination of RPR + PCR, or a combination of all three tests (RPR, IgM, and PCR) can therefore be used to reliably detect active syphilis cases, including reinfections. Our findings show that the reverse algorithm for detecting syphilis could be substantially improved by adding IgM and PCR testing.

Strontium isotopes in human mobility research: BASr proxies in an anthropologically modified landscape

Establishing a local 87Sr/86Sr range is a vital requirement for identifying non-locals in bioarchaeological mobility studies using strontium isotopes. In regions heavily influenced by modern human activities, however, the sampling of suitable materials that can be used to decipher the bioavailable 87Sr/86Sr range might be challenging. Here, we collected a wide range of samples representing different reference types of materials from the Nové Mlýny reservoirs area of South Moravia, Czech Republic, and discuss their suitability in human mobility research studies. This included 15 surface water samples, 15 homogenised plant samples, 12 tooth enamel and 1 dentine sample, 1 bone sample from archaeofauna, 6 snail shells and 6 human bones. The measured 87Sr/86Sr ratios revealed the major influence of strontium of non-local origin, carried by the Jihlava river, on the local waterscape. This influence is further enhanced by the changes to the waterscape during the 20th century and carried over to other sample libraries. The presented results demonstrate that special care is needed when selecting reference samples, to allow for a proper understanding of the prevailing conditions in the biologically available strontium (BASr) and to ensure a reliable BASr range estimation.

Metal(loid)s and their bioaccessibility in urban soils from residential areas of a medieval mining town

In historic mining towns, where mining activities were abandoned many decades or even centuries ago, legacy contaminations can be remobilized and redispersed, representing a threat for the environment and human health. This study focuses on urban soils (n = 19) in the town of Jihlava, the Czech Republic, one of the medieval centers of silver mining in central Europe. The basic geochemical characterization of the soils was combined with mineralogical investigations to understand the solid speciation of the metal(loid) contaminants, oral bioaccessibility tests, and exposure assessment. The total concentrations of the metal(loid)s in the original soils were not excessively high (up to 45.8 mg As/kg, 19.2 mg Cd/kg; 205 mg Cr/kg; 91.8 mg Cu/kg, 163 mg Pb/kg, 253 mg V/kg, 262 mg Zn/kg), although, in some cases, they exceeded the regulatory guidelines for agricultural and/or residential soils. A substantial increase in the metal(loid)s contents was confirmed for the < 48-µm soil fraction that was later used for the bioaccessibility tests. Scanning electron microscopy and the electron microprobe showed that ore-derived primary sulfides were rare in the studied soils. Still, hydrous ferric oxides rich in Cu, Pb and Zn and fragments of metallurgical slags composed of metal-containing glass and silicates (olivine) were prone to dissolution during extraction in a simulated gastric fluid (SGF, glycine solution acidified to pH 1.5 by HCl). The maximum bioaccessible concentrations corresponded to 4.69 mg As/kg, 1.75 mg Cd/kg, 2.02 mg Cr/kg, 20.3 mg Cu/kg, 81.6 mg Pb/kg, 16.2 mg V/kg, and 233 mg Zn/kg. Exposure estimates were carried out for children (10 kg) as a target group and a conservative soil ingestion rate (100 mg/d). However, the daily intake of all the studied contaminants was far below the tolerable limits. Our results show that the human health risk based on incidental soil ingestion in the studied area seems limited.

Energy Performance Certificates Impact on Rent Prices in the Czech Republic: Two-Stage Least Squares Approach

Energy Performance Certificates Impact on Rent Prices in the Czech Republic: Two-Stage Least Squares Approach

Czech Republic

Czech Republic

Chemical composition of edible flowers: Worldwide research and case study from the Czech Republic

Chemical composition of edible flowers: Worldwide research and case study from the Czech Republic

Two decades of monitoring and active conservation of the Marsh fritillary (Euphydryas aurinia) in the Czech Republic

Two decades of monitoring and active conservation of the Marsh fritillary (Euphydryas aurinia) in the Czech Republic