Factors underlying parental decisions about childood vaccination

Diplomová práce se zabývá rozhodovánı́m matek o vakcinaci svých dětı́ proti pneumokokovým nákazám. Danou otázku zkoumá pomocı́ kvantitativnı́ho on-line dotaznı́kového šetřenı́ vycházejı́cı́ho z teoretického rámce teorie plánovaného chovánı́, již také aplikuje jako teoretický model formou logistické regrese. Vedle regresnı́ analýzy práce využı́vá i metod třı́děnı́ druhého stupně ke zjištěnı́ souvislostı́ intence matky očkovat či neočkovat své dı́tě proti pneumokokům s dalšı́mi proměnnými. Na nereprezentativnı́m vzorku (n = 180) se teorie plánovaného chovánı́ ukazuje jako dobrý prediktivnı́ nástroj, přičemž nejvýznamnějšı́ determinantou intence je postoj matky vůči očkovánı́ proti pneumokokům, tedy jeden ze třı́ konstruktů teorie (vedle subjektivnı́ normy a vnı́mané kontroly chovánı́). Vlivná je také proměnná percepce hrozby vedlejšı́ch účinků vakcı́ny a za určitých okolnostı́ i subjektivnı́ norma. Dle intence matek očkovat (n = 70) či neočkovat (n = 110) byla také analyzována jednotlivá přesvědčenı́, jež matky o očkovánı́ proti pneumokokům majı́. Výsledky podporujı́ sı́lu postoje jako základnı́ determinanty rozhodnutı́, zejména pro matky s intencı́ neočkovat, a naznačujı́ širšı́ souvislosti se světonázory...The presented thesis deals with the issue of mothers' decision-making in relation to their child's vaccination against pneumococcal infections. An on-line survey of mothers was conducted (n = 180) in order to obtain data for the theoretical model based on the theory of planned behavior (TPB). A hierarchical logistic regression was then performed in order to analyze the model with the intention to vaccinate as the dependent variable. The results of the regression analyses were supplemented by results of correlation analyses and non-parametric tests. The theory proved itself as a strong predictive instrument and the results suggest that the attitude is the main predictor of the decision in this non-representative sample of mothers. The subjective norm, as the second construct of the TPB, contributes only in certain case and the perceived behavioral control was not found influential at all. The perception of thread of contraindications of the vaccine proves also influential next to the attitude. The beliefs that mothers hold about the vaccine were analyzed according to mothers intentions to vaccinate (n = 70) or not to (n = 110). These results support the idea that mothers, especially those who do not want to vaccinate their children against pneumococcal infections, decide particularly according to...Katedra sociologieDepartment of SociologyFilozofická fakultaFaculty of Art

VectorNet Data Series 3: Culicoides Abundance Distribution Models for Europe and Surrounding Regions

This is the third in a planned series of data papers presenting modelled vector distributions produced during the ECDC and EFSA funded VectorNet project. The data package presented here includes those Culicoides vectors species first modelled in 2015 as part of the VectorNet gap analysis work namely C. imicola, C. obsoletus, C. scoticus, C. dewulfi, C. chiopterus, C. pulicaris, C. lupicaris, C. punctatus, and C. newsteadi. The known distributions of these species within the Project area (Europe, the Mediterranean Basin, North Africa, and Eurasia) are currently incomplete to a greater or lesser degree. The models are designed to fill the gaps with predicted distributions, to provide a) first indication of vector species distributions across the project geographical extent, and b) assistance in targeting surveys to collect distribution data for those areas with no field validated information. The models are based on input data from light trap surveillance of adult Culicoides across continental Europe and surrounding regions (71.8°N –33.5°S, – 11.2°W – 62°E), concentrated in Western countries, supplemented by transect samples in eastern and northern Europe. Data from central EU are relatively sparse.Peer reviewe

The amount of inforamtion in the information society and its social consequences

This bachelor thesis presents the problematic of quantitative growth of information volume in the contemporary developed societies (with regard to the historical development). It observes the influence of this growth in some areas of the society (particularly media communication, democracy, science and education) and also in a wider social context. It also examines the change of processing information (and its related behaviour) as a form of adaptation to the large information growth

Factors underlying parental decisions about childood vaccination

The presented thesis deals with the issue of mothers' decision-making in relation to their child's vaccination against pneumococcal infections. An on-line survey of mothers was conducted (n = 180) in order to obtain data for the theoretical model based on the theory of planned behavior (TPB). A hierarchical logistic regression was then performed in order to analyze the model with the intention to vaccinate as the dependent variable. The results of the regression analyses were supplemented by results of correlation analyses and non-parametric tests. The theory proved itself as a strong predictive instrument and the results suggest that the attitude is the main predictor of the decision in this non-representative sample of mothers. The subjective norm, as the second construct of the TPB, contributes only in certain case and the perceived behavioral control was not found influential at all. The perception of thread of contraindications of the vaccine proves also influential next to the attitude. The beliefs that mothers hold about the vaccine were analyzed according to mothers intentions to vaccinate (n = 70) or not to (n = 110). These results support the idea that mothers, especially those who do not want to vaccinate their children against pneumococcal infections, decide particularly according to..

Factors underlying parental decisions about childood vaccination

The presented thesis deals with the issue of mothers' decision-making in relation to their child's vaccination against pneumococcal infections. An on-line survey of mothers was conducted (n = 180) in order to obtain data for the theoretical model based on the theory of planned behavior (TPB). A hierarchical logistic regression was then performed in order to analyze the model with the intention to vaccinate as the dependent variable. The results of the regression analyses were supplemented by results of correlation analyses and non-parametric tests. The theory proved itself as a strong predictive instrument and the results suggest that the attitude is the main predictor of the decision in this non-representative sample of mothers. The subjective norm, as the second construct of the TPB, contributes only in certain case and the perceived behavioral control was not found influential at all. The perception of thread of contraindications of the vaccine proves also influential next to the attitude. The beliefs that mothers hold about the vaccine were analyzed according to mothers intentions to vaccinate (n = 70) or not to (n = 110). These results support the idea that mothers, especially those who do not want to vaccinate their children against pneumococcal infections, decide particularly according to..

Acetylcholinesterase (AChE) – Positive Innervation of the Guinea-Pig Spleen

The presence and intraorgan distribution of the acetylcholinesterase (AChE)- positive nerve structures in the guinea-pig spleen were studied by means of the direct thiocholine method. Visualized AChE-positive nerve fibres entered the guinea-pig spleen at its hilum in the vicinity of the splenic artery branches and intra parenchyma were gradually distributed to form thicker periarterial nerves and also fine adventitial nerve plexus. In described topography the AChE-positive nerve fibres were identified in association with the central artery running through the white pulp. Some of the perivascular nerve fibres associated with the central artery extended away and passed into the periarterial lymphatic sheath (PALS) to reach the marginal zone and in continuation entered into the mantle zone of lymphatic follicles. Several AChE-positive nerve fibres were seen in the red pulp but less in the splenic capsule. We did not find any AChE – positive nerve cells in the guinea-pig spleen

Nanostructured Plasma Polymerized Fluorocarbon Films for Drop Coating Deposition Raman Spectroscopy (DCDRS) of Liposomes

Raman spectroscopy is one of the most used biodetection techniques. However, its usability is hampered in the case of low concentrated substances because of the weak intensity of the Raman signal. To overcome this limitation, the use of drop coating deposition Raman spectroscopy (DCDRS), in which the liquid samples are allowed to dry into well-defined patterns where the non-volatile solutes are highly concentrated, is appropriate. This significantly improves the Raman sensitivity when compared to the conventional Raman signal from solution/suspension. As DCDRS performance strongly depends on the wetting properties of substrates, we demonstrate here that the smooth hydrophobic plasma polymerized fluorocarbon films prepared by magnetron sputtering (contact angle 108°) are well-suited for the DCDRS detection of liposomes. Furthermore, it was proved that even better improvement of the Raman signal might be achieved if the plasma polymer surfaces are roughened. In this case, 100% higher intensities of Raman signal are observed in comparison with smooth fluorocarbon films. As it is shown, this effect, which has no influence on the profile of Raman spectra, is connected with the increased hydrophobicity of nanostructured fluorocarbon films. This results in the formation of dried liposomal deposits with smaller diameters and higher preconcentration of liposomes

Fatal toxoplasmosis in wild European brown hares ( Lepus europaeus ) in tularaemia endemic areas of the Czech Republic: Poses risk of infection for humans?

International audienceToxoplasma gondii may cause fatal infection in European brown hares (Lepus europaeus). However, the role of this parasite in terms of mortality rate in tularaemia endemic areas, amount of parasites in affected organs and circulating genotypes, is still unknown. In total, 36 hares (killed or found dead) were submitted for pathomorphological examination as a part of the national tularaemia and brucellosis monitoring. Tissue samples (lung, heart, liver, spleen and kidney) were tested by quantitative real-time PCR targeting 529 bp region of T. gondii. Genotyping was performed by a 15 microsatellite markers method in a single multiplex PCR assay. The same tissues of hares were simultaneously used for the bacteriological cultivation. Toxoplasma gondii was detected by qPCR in the tissues of two hares. Spleen and lungs of one infected hare have been found harbouring up to ~7 millions of T. gondii parasites per gram of tissue. Both positive samples were characterized as T. gondii type II, one archetypal clonal type II and the other one a type II variant (W35 = 244). Bacteria Francisella tularensis was proved in pooled samples of three hares but without coinfection with T. gondii; all hares were negative for Brucella suis. Toxoplasma gondii has significant impact on mortality of European brown hares in tularaemia endemic areas and parasite load within the animal tissues may present high risk of human infection

Interaction of Halictine-Related Antimicrobial Peptides with Membrane Models

We have investigated structural changes of peptides related to antimicrobial peptide Halictine-1 (HAL-1) induced by interaction with various membrane-mimicking models with the aim to identify a mechanism of the peptide mode of action and to find a correlation between changes of primary/secondary structure and biological activity. Modifications in the HAL-1 amino acid sequence at particular positions, causing an increase of amphipathicity (Arg/Lys exchange), restricted mobility (insertion of Pro) and consequent changes in antimicrobial and hemolytic activity, led to different behavior towards model membranes. Secondary structure changes induced by peptide-membrane interaction were studied by circular dichroism, infrared spectroscopy, and fluorescence spectroscopy. The experimental results were complemented by molecular dynamics calculations. An α-helical structure has been found to be necessary but not completely sufficient for the HAL-1 peptides antimicrobial action. The role of alternative conformations (such as β-sheet, PPII or 310-helix) also seems to be important. A mechanism of the peptide mode of action probably involves formation of peptide assemblies (possibly membrane pores), which disrupt bacterial membrane and, consequently, allow membrane penetration