List of assisted areas 2006

The scientific and research topics of Slovak health for 2006-2009:

List of assisted areas 2006

The material was adopted at the regular plenary session of the Scientific Council of the Ministry of Health of the Slovak Republic (hereinafter the CoR of the Slovak Republic) on 15 December 2005, published in accordance with the directive of the Slovak Republic No. 26226/2005 of 10 October 2005 from 16 January 2006 to 17 February 2006 for public discussion on the website of the Slovak Republic, following receipt of proposals and discussion comments these were analysed in the respective expert commissions of the CoR of the Slovak Republic.

The CoR presidency of the Slovak Republic, after discussion and cooperation with the presidents of the relevant expert commissions of the CoR of the Slovak Republic, submits this proposal for a meeting of the Minister of Health of the Slovak Republic in accordance with the directive No 26226/2005 of 10 October 2005.

At the same time, it notes that, in line with the above-mentioned Directive, it is a list of priority areas for 2006 and, in the context of the foreseen call for the 2nd round of project submission, a list of project submission areas for 2006-2009:

I. DISEASES OF THE SLOVAK AND CIVE

Atherosclerosis is the most important pathological-anatomic substrate of heart and vascular diseases. Analyses of pilot epidemiological studies carried out so far in Slovakia showed an alarmingly high incidence of serious risk factors for atherosclerosis. It is therefore proposed to support research projects aimed at: (a) monitoring of genetic and environmental factors involved in the development of atherosclerosis, (b) monitoring of genetic and environmental factors involved in the development of type 2 diabetes, (c) carrying out a prospective randomised intervention study aimed at monitoring the pharmacological impact of risk factors on atherosclerosis; at the same time evaluating the pharmacoeconomic parameters of intensive and conventional care for patients with defined risk factors and teroclerosis; (d) monitoring of markers of early myocardial injury.

In the field of pneumology, it is necessary to focus research on obstructive pulmonary diseases (COPD) and bronchial asthma: a) epidemiologically map the occurrence of chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases in Slovakia, b) monitor interactions between genetic factors and the environment in the progression of obstructive ventilation disorder, c) identify pathogenetic mechanisms that contribute to disease development. The incidence and complications of atherosclerosis in COPD patients are higher than in the non-obstructive ventilation disorder population. At the same time, the frequent co-incidence of COPD with respiratory disorders in sleep is - obstructive sleep apnoea, which is often associated with arterial hypertension and metabolic syndrome. It is therefore necessary to focus research also on monitoring diseases associated with COPD and its so-called systemic manifestations.

Summary of preferred areas:

• Monitoring of risk factors of atherosclerosis in relation to total and cardiovascular mortality in the Slovak Republic.
• Pharmacovigilance assessment of intensive and conventional care for patients with defined risk factors for atherosclerosis.
• Molecular-biological aspects of obesity development.
• Genetic and environmental factors in the development of metabolic syndrome, type 2 diabetes and atherosclerosis.
• Markers early diagnosis and quality of early myocardial injury therapy and chronic heart failure.
• Monitoring the proportion of genetic and environmental factors in the occurrence and progression of chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases (bronchial asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) and their complications.
• Monitoring of genetic, biochemical, immunological and environmental factors of aneurysm dilation of arteries. Endovascular treatment of arterial aneurysms and obliterating arterial and vein diseases.

II. ONOLOGICAL DISEASES

Tumour diseases are among the main causes of death in the population of industrialized countries. Slovakia is one of the leading cities on this list. The primary objective of the recovery of the cancer population will be to take measures that would reduce as much as possible the progression and recurrence of malignant diseases by improving diagnostic methods and therapeutic practices. All this with the use of the most protective and quality of life of patients as little as possible deteriorating treatment methods. Relevant scientific activities in the field of -oncology-- can be summarised under the title: -Quality and early diagnosis and targeted and safe treatment of cancers for the improvement of life in cancer patients-- The focus of the proposed scientific research area characteristics will be:

• assessment, innovation and optimisation of diagnostic and therapeutic approaches within the state of current science of appropriate practices
• diagnostic recognition and therapeutic solution of pre-cancer conditions
• complex and early diagnosis of cancer (including genomics and proteomics) resulting in an increase in the number of cases detected in the early stages of the disease
• identification of new prognostic, predictive and therapeutically relevant markers
• identification and possible effect of primary as well as treatment-induced tumour cell resistance mechanisms
• diagnostics and monitoring of hereditary changes in expression of relevant genes whose products have a major impact on the efficacy and toxicity of currently used chemotherapeutic agents  

The output of the solution of each submitted and approved scientific-research project in the field of -Oncology- should be the effort to improve diagnostic algorithms, innovation of therapeutic protocols, increasing individualisation of therapy and achieving improved quality of life and survival of the cancer patient.

III. DISEASES ASSOCIATED WITH THE MOTHERHOOD AND THE CHILDHOOD AGE

III.1.a. Birthplace

The absence of a national peri-natal programme for the care of the mother, fetus and newborn has already produced the first negative results. In addition to the significant, almost 50% decline in birth rate, we achieved almost twice as bad results in perinatal mortality and morbidity in the 13 years after the split of Czechoslovakia compared to the Czech Republic.
In view of the social needs of Slovak health, the primary task in 2006 is the approval and acceptance by the government of the guaranteed National programme for the care of mother, foetus and newborn.

The national maternal, foetal and neonatal care programme, aimed primarily at prenatal diagnosis and in utero treatment of the foetus, will bring improvement in the quality of the statistical indicators of perinatal mortality and morbidity by improving the prenatal diagnosis of intrauterine threat to healthy foetuses by hypoxia and, at the same time, by improving the quality of the gene pool of the population by early diagnosis of genetically-related and treatment of congenital and metabolic foetal diseases.

An important part of the peri-natal programme - National programme for mother, foetus and newborn care is also an economic benefit in the form of reduced costs in health and social care of the physically or mentally affected individual, early prenatal diagnosis and effective intrauterine treatment of the endangered or affected foetus.

• National peri-natal programme of mother, fetus and newborn
• Introduction of combined and integrated prenatal screening of genetically-related, metabolic and congenital foetal development defects in the first and second trimesters
• Development of a new screening test model for the exact diagnosis of intrauterine hypoxia in the foetus using new modern non-invasive and invasive investigation methods.
• Ensuring the complexity of prenatal screening for pregnant and potential intrauterine patients
• Determination of spectrum of indications for non-invasive and invasive investigational methods in the different trimesters of pregnancy
• Definition of ethical and legal standards on prenatal diagnosis and treatment of foetuses
• Development of standards / guidelines/ for prenatal non-invasive and invasive diagnosis of congenital foetal development defects in the different trimesters of pregnancy
• Development of standards / guidelines/ for non-invasive and invasive diagnosis of intrauterine foetal hypoxia in the second half of pregnancy
• Defining the range of options and indications for non-invasive and invasive foetal therapy as an intrauterine patient
• Development of standards / guidelines/ for non-invasive and invasive treatment of congenital developmental defects and foetal intrauterine hypoxia in utero
• Introduction of decision-making criteria in cases where foetuses with congenital developmental defects cannot be clearly and reliably established prenatal and post-natal prognosis
• In collaboration with biological parents and medical ethics and medical law experts to handle diagnostic and medical procedures in foetal medicine

III.1.b. Gynaecology

Mini-invasive surgery is an operating technique that saves the patient while maintaining the full extent of surgery. Such a procedure allows intimate contact with the surgical field, selective access to lymphatic system-sparing tissues and vegetative nerves. The result is early recovery, return to full life in the postoperative period and after radical surgery of patients with cancer and endometriosis.

The focus of the proposed scientific activity is:

• treatment of mini-invasive procedures in the treatment of pelvic pain and endometriosis
• introduction of gentle operating techniques in cancer patients, setting limits for minimally invasive approaches in such diseases
• complex diagnostics and new procedures using foreign materials in the treatment of pelvic insufficiency and urinary incontinence
• optimization of multi-disciplinary cooperation in addressing pelvic pathology
• minimally invasive procedures in mammology including sentinel node complex

III. 2. Children age

The aim of the scientific programme is to stimulate activities aimed at promoting health and healthy lifestyles, reducing negative environmental impacts and increasing the efficiency and quality of health care provided in order to reduce the negative consequences of diseases. Academic research activities based on university institutions and applying newer biomedical knowledge, as well as multidisciplinary research networks in paediatric practice, are supported to study the health status of larger newborns, children and adolescents.

The programme shall concentrate on:

• developing practical approaches to childhood health problems by knowledge level
• expand existing and new strategies to prevent and treat childhood diseases
• application of the results of the human genome research project
• creating conditions for a healthy and fulfilling life for children and adolescents

Specific scientific areas of the project include:

• genetic diseases and genetic predisposing factors for disease development
• malignant diseases in children and their diagnosis and treatment
• gastroenterology and nutritional disorders (anorexia, obesity)
• chronic diseases of child age (allergy, diabetes, glomerulonephritis, hypertension, etc.)
• organ failure and organ transplantation
• intensive care and urgent medicine
• seeking social and environmental risk factors

Characteristics of the expected outcome of the solution:

• improvement of pre- and postnatal diagnosis of hereditary diseases
• early diagnosis of progressive chronic diseases
• reducing the incidence of chronic organ failure and reducing the consumption of economically challenging therapies
• establishment of national registers of children with different chronic diseases
• improving childcare and improving the quality of life of sick children.

IV. MOVEMENT SYSTEM DISEASES

Monitoring of autoimmune syndromes in chromosome aberrations

This is an interesting clinical problem from a rheumatological point of view. Pooled autoimmune diseases such as juvenile idiopathic arthritis, rheumatoid arthritis and systemic lupus erythematosus, or dermatomyositis/polymyositis, especially in Klinefelter syndrome, are common in these diseases. Turner syndrome may have juvenile idiopathic arthritis or rheumatoid arthritis-like arthritis. Finally, in Down's syndrome, musculoskeletal disorders are common in the form of skeletal changes, atlantoaxial dislocation, early development of degenerative joint changes, especially coxarthritis, or arthropathy, which are very similar to juvenile idiopathic arthritis. Early diagnosis and treatment of musculoskeletal disorders with the chromosome and picks listed above will help to reduce the progression and improve the prognosis of these patients, especially in terms of improving quality of life.

It is appropriate to cooperate with the endocrinologist of adults and children, the SZU Down Syndrome Center, in the selection of patients. These patients will be clinically evaluated, the autoantibodies profile, hormonal analysis shall be determined and the presence of inflammatory rheumatic diseases or congenital or familial arthropathy, juvenile idiopathic arthritis or other abnormalities due to musculoskeletal disorders such as hypermobile syndrome, premature coxarthritis, atlantoaxial dislocation shall be confirmed or excluded according to applicable diagnostic criteria. It will be important to monitor the therapeutic procedures of basal therapy for the occurrence of autoimmune diseases in chromosome aberrations as well as special rehabilitation procedures.

Diagnostics, clinical image, etiopathogenesis and treatment of musculoskeletal disorders associated with infection including reactive arthritis

• immunopathogenesis
• serodiagnosis of diseases
• immunogenicity of diseases
• new therapeutic options

V. TRANSMISSION DISEASES AND IMMUNITY

In developed countries, infectious diseases are ranked third behind cancer and cardiovascular diseases as a cause of death in the human population. New types of infectious diseases, caused by unknown or new agents, appear and emerge as was the case with Lyme disease, Legionary disease, STSS, AIDS, avian influenza and others.

Current scientific knowledge provides evidence that infectious diseases and immune disorders are also involved in the development of cardiovascular, endocrine and musculoskeletal disorders. Recent evidence from cancer also suggests that micro-organisms play a significant role in cancer development of up to 70%.

The effectiveness of the treatment of infectious aetiology diseases is undermined by increasing resistance of micro-organisms to antibiotics and biocides.

The incidence of allergic diseases is a significantly increasing trend. Skin and respiratory allergies (bronchial asthma) are increasing in both adult and paediatric populations. It is therefore an absolute priority for every state, including our Republic, to enable the development of science - an exploratory activity that would contribute substantially to:

• Knowledge of the impact of specific environmental factors on the incidence of infectious, immunological (allergic, autoimmune), degenerative and tumour diseases
• Knowledge of the mechanisms responsible for the progression of these diseases
• The introduction of preventive and therapeutic tools and procedures to reduce or cure the incidence and severity of these diseases.
  Scientific research activities in this area will be oriented as follows:
• Monitoring the importance of the immune system in defence against infectious, degenerative and tumour diseases. Knowing the structural, genetic and functional laws of the body's immune system in order to successfully control and prevent diseases caused by micro-organisms and diseases caused by adverse environmental factors and allergens.
• Clarifying the relationship of genetic factors to the function of the immune system and the ability to metabolise xenobiotics.
• Research on relationships between biotic and abiotic environmental factors to the incidence and severity of tumors and autoimmune diseases.
• Clarifying problems of pathogenesis, diagnosis, therapy and prevention of diseases of microbial aetiology, focusing on molecular and cell mechanisms using knowledge and methodology of genomics, proteomics, transcriptomy and bioinformatics.
• Knowledge of pathogenicity potential and virulence including genotypic and phenotypic determinants in communicable disease agents.
• Knowledge of the molecular mechanisms of antimicrobial resistance and the development of preventive and therapeutic practices outside chemotherapy using probiotics, peptides, cytokines/chemokins and antibody engineering.
• Development of neonatal, mucosal and nutritional component based vaccines (edible vaccines). Vaccination is one of the most effective prevention tools. It is therefore justified to continue to develop research into the development of new vaccines, increasing the protective efficacy of existing vaccines, examining new forms of vaccination and stimulating the immune response of the macro-organism.

VI. NEUROPOLOGICAL AND PSYCHIATRIC DISEASES

Cerebrovascular diseases are still a serious medical and socio-economic problem in Slovakia, as, unlike other developed states, mortality and morbidity have not only fallen, but have increased in some population groups. Although the main risk factors and underlying pathophysiological mechanisms of cerebrovascular disease are common to other cardiovascular diseases, there are demonstrably specifics that require special access to vascular strokes. Research projects should focus on:

• The role of genetic factors in pathogenesis of vascular diseases of the brain.
• The role of hemoreological factors and changes in endothelial function in the pathogenesis of cerebral circulation disorders.
• Cerebral oedema mechanisms for intracerebral haemorrhage.
• The role of microembolism of detectable USD in the pathogenesis of cerebral circulation disorders.
• The relationship between heart and vascular diseases in the brain.
• Epidemiologicals of brain vascular diseases in terms of their prevalence and incidence of risk factors.

In the context of the general ageing population, ensuring decent old age is one of the key tasks of modern society. Dementia is one of the diseases that particularly reduce the quality of life of both the elderly and the part of the working age population (due to care responsibilities). Research projects should focus on:

• Mapping the incidence of genetic mutations associated with dementia in the Slovak population.
• Assessment of the potential and effectiveness of modifying known risk factors for Alzheimer's disease and vascular dementia, or mixed dementia.
• Identification of optimal diagnostic procedures in conditions of clinical practice in Slovakia.
• Finding the real incidence and prevalence of dementias in the Slovak population as well as the current situation in dementia therapy, including prion dementia issues.

Intervertebral disc disease and its consequences, i.e. spinal cord compression, in the cervical and chest regions, or spinal cord roots in the lumbar region, affect the vast majority of the population to varying degrees and are also one of the most common causes of incapacity for work. They often lead to invalidity. The underlying cause of the development and further progression of degenerative changes in intervertebral disks is unknown and its clarification is the role of scientific research, which in recent years has contributed to the progress in the diagnosis and treatment of intervertebral disc diseases, both in the neck and in the lumbar and chest areas of the spine. New operational approaches have been introduced into neurosurgical practice and materials designed not only to stabilise the individual segments of the spine but also, more recently, to replace intervertebral disks. The relevant diagnostic procedures, the indications of conservative and/or surgical treatment, the types of operations, the type of material used for implantation and the verification of all these factors by randomized clinical studies should be carefully considered.

In Slovakia, patients with mental disorders make up 11 percent of all sick, yet the scientific issue of mental disorders in Slovakia is marginal attention. It is necessary to focus on the following scientific tasks in the next period and to ensure implementation of the principles of the National Programme for the Development of Mental Health in scientific research programmes:

• Research on the incidence and prevalence of mental disorders (depressions, schizophrenia, anxiety disorders, alcohol and drug abuse, Alzheimer's dementia).
• Determine the importance of individual specific factors (biological, psychological and social) to the development, development, course and prognosis of mental disorders.
• Research on ethiopathogenesis of mental disorders, in order to ensure early diagnosis and rational therapy taking into account also pharmacoeconomic indicators.
• Genetics and molecular biology: research of genetic predisposition to mental disorders, familial studies, research of the potential for genetics and molecular biology to be involved in ever more exact treatment and prevention of mental disorders.
• Psychoneuroendocrinology: gender differences in the incidence of psychiatric disorders, the specificity of generational periods in a woman's life and their importance for the emergence and progression of psychological disorders.
• Introduction of modern imaging techniques in research, diagnosis and treatment of mental disorders: fMRI, MRI, PET, SPECT.
• Research on psychological factors, environmental impact and lifestyle changes on the incidence and prevalence of mental disorders.
• Mapping the frequency of morbidity of mental and somatic disorders.
• Perform thorough, independent pharmacoeconomic studies to treat the most serious psychiatric disorders, on their basis to prepare treatment standards and recommended therapeutic practices.

VII. TRANSPLANTATION OF BODIES, TANKS AND CULTURES

The trend of transplant development was partly captured by Slovakia, which is mainly evidenced by kidney, bone marrow, heart, fewer organs (liver, pancreas, lungs), which are performed in addition to Bratislava in Košice, Banská Bystrica and finally in Martin. The development of transplantology continues in terms of research, both practical and organisational. Slovakia cannot afford to lag behind in this dynamically developing medical area, especially now that it has already become a member of the European Union and is trying to get into its transplant companies. In particular, transplant research should focus on the following issues:

• application of the scientific results of research in the field of immunogenicity of the HLA transplant system into diagnostic practice,
• involve HLA-typing centres in the international network as required by the European Immunogenicity Federation (EFI),
• study of post-transplant rejection mechanisms (HvG and GvH), both immunological and genetic, which predetermine a type of reaction and allow it to be predicted to some extent. In particular identify risk markers for long-term graft survival.
• monitoring of the effect of new immunosuppressive biological agents,
• in the field of haematopoietic cell transplantation, the effect of growth factors (G-CSF, GM-CSF) on rapid haematopoietic recovery and stem cell issues should be addressed,
• monitoring the efficacy of cord blood transplantation, storage and survival.
• study of the potential for tissue and organ regeneration through autologous and allogeneic stem cells derived from bone marrow, fat tissue and other tissue species relevant to the yield of pluripotent-like cells,
• study of regeneration of ischaemicly impaired myocardial infarction by cellular therapy,
• study of cellular vascular insufficiency therapy.

VIII. GENOMICA AND PROTEOMICS

The sequencing of the human genome has opened a new era in human biology and offers huge opportunities to improve human health. Genetic predisposition, environmental factors including nutrition, lifestyle and interaction between genetic factors and the environment play a role in the development of the disease. The medicine of the future will be gene-oriented, from prevention to diagnosis to therapy. Early knowledge of susceptibility to a certain disease will offer wider therapeutic options when using traditional screening, observation methods and gene therapy.

In Slovakia, research in the field of medical genomics and proteomics of the Slovak population should be encouraged so that we do not depend on the import of technologies and scientific knowledge in the future. Development of molecular medicine is one of the European Commission's priorities. As part of the 7th Framework Programme under preparation, a new sector was established in the European Commission in 2005 "Innovative medicine"" Its aim is to build strong infrastructure and support the application of molecular medicine knowledge to prevention, diagnosis and therapy for building the foundations of personnel medicine. The importance of supporting this field of research is also demonstrated by the fact that genomics and biotechnology for health are the first thematic priority in the EU's 6th Framework Programme where research activities are targeted in these areas.

The following areas are priority areas:

• Completed infrastructures for medical genomics in Slovakia
• Coordination of the activities of scientific and research medical molecular biological and genetic sites by establishing a single information network
• Bioinformatics - creating effective bioinformation tools for the processing and interpretation of ever increasing amounts of genome data and making them available to professionals in usable form.
• Building a common database by combining existing studies and analysing results with the same polymorphisms (e.g. genes for phase I and II metabolism, repair genes, oxidative stress, chronic diseases, etc.)
• Harmonisation of existing databases. Application of SLP principles.
• Alignment of sample archiving and construction of nationwide bank DNA

Specific themes

• Genomics of rare hereditary diseases
• Molecular nature of aging
• Medical genomics and risk environmental factors contributing to the interaction gene environment
• Stem cell research and potential applications related to the development of regenerative medicine
• Alternative methods and new biotechnologies in in vitro toxicology
• Cardiovascular disease, diabetes molecular epidemiology, diagnosis and treatment using genomic knowledge.
• Brain and nervous system disease. Genomics, proteomics and their knowledge of nervous system disorders.
• Development and testing of new preventive and therapeutic tools and immunotherapy.
• Fight cancer and severe diseases.
• Portable diseases, use of genomic knowledge in diagnostics and epidemiology
• Organ and tissue transplantation application of genomic knowledge to determine the risk of graft loss. New procedures in the selection of donor pairs recipient.

IX. PUBLIC HEALTH

Health determinants whose effects must be monitored by scientific approaches include in particular: social, economic and cultural environment, education, lifestyle and health promotion, birth and hereditary factors, diet and nutrition, infectious diseases in relation to climate change and the environment, poverty and healthcare, uncontrolled urbanisation, human behaviour, globalisation (travel, trade), possible transmission from animals to humans, environmental health (life conditions and health), health care (preventive and curative medicine, palliative care).

We recommend focusing research on:

Environmental health

Due to past inherited environmental pollution of Slovakia, the lifestyle of the Slovak population containing many unhealthy elements and morbidity associated with a particular ethnic group, the study should be based on the latest knowledge of pathogenesis of a wide range of diseases, where the most important role is played by the interaction between the genes of the individual concerned and the factors of the environment. Environmental factors are considered in the broadest sense and thus including both chemical, physical and biological components and lifestyle elements. This interaction leads to most chronic degenerative diseases. Scientific activities on knowledge will be supported:

• mutagenic, carcinogenic and immunomodulatory properties of xenobiotics, their capacity to induce allergies and atopics and their properties as endocrine disruptors,
• the radiation and chemical characteristics of the environmental components, namely the issues of radon and chlorinated organic polutants and their neurotoxic and ototoxic properties,
• role of free oxygen radicals in pathogenesis of chronic degenerative diseases,
• dNA damage and repair mechanisms related to disease pathogenesis and prevention,
• toxicokinetic properties of substances,
• participation of lifestyle factors in the development of chronic degenerative diseases.

Priority will be given to clarifying the relationship between living conditions and health of the population or population groups, identifying and quantifying health risks, developing appropriate scientific interventions to reduce these risks and evaluating their effectiveness. In particular: indicators of the health of the population available at international level, prevention of obesity in children and young people, primary prevention of diabetes, osteoporosis, cardiovascular diseases, combined effects of chemical factors in the environment, late effects of chemicals, monitoring of population saturation by selected micro- and macronutrients, improvement of the health information system to identify health determinants in the area of accidental accidents and violence, development of programmes to evaluate the effectiveness of preventive activities and intervention programmes aimed at reducing health risks, development of mental health criteria and programmes to support and prevent burn-out and suicide syndrome.

Another priority will be the proposals focused on the specificities of the child population and the need for protection, the proposals on biomarkers of exposure, effect and susceptibility.

Epidemiologicals of infectious and non-infectious diseases

Proposals on the following topics will be supported:

Effectiveness and side effects of vaccines, risk factors for the occurrence of salmonella, tick-borne infections, Ehrlichiosis, aseptic meningitis, non-followed exanthema infections, Coxsackie viral infections, avian influenza, prevention of nosocomial infections, catheter sepsis, microbe profile of the healthcare facility and resistance to disinfectants, stabbing injuries to medical staff and prevention of professional diseases, single-day surgery and issues of nosocomial diseases, epidemiology of accidents (transport, domestic, sports), depression, hypertension, effectiveness of interventions in persons with identified risk of hypertension, ischaemic heart disease and vascular diseases of the brain.

Proposals for scientific projects should be designed in such a way that epidemiology is seen as identifying existing forms of disease information, risk factors for disease distribution in the population by location and time, and designing optimal ways of collecting, analysing and using them in health policy. In this context, priority will be given to approaches based on a geographical information system.

Health at work

Research and new knowledge gained by it is intended to contribute to the protection and promotion of the health of the working population and thus to the development of the health of the whole population, to improving the working capacity and health capacity, including in the context of the extension of the retirement age, to preventing early retirement for health reasons, to improving the quality of life of people of working but also after working age.

Proposals on the following topics will be supported: AIDS, multi-resistant Tbc, hepatitis C as a professional disease, diseases from unilateral excessive long-term burden, consequences and prevention of professional microtraum, endotoxic reactions (OTS) and sensitivity to chemicals, combined effects of chemicals, male infertility and its professional aspects, determination of principles and scientifically based limits of workload with factors in the working environment, principles for ensuring and evaluating psychosocial quality of work and working conditions, disease syndrome, professional alveolitis, mental health of workers, indicators, protection and support, psychological stress in working with displays and its prevention, psychological stress and resistance to infectious diseases, psychological stress and cancer, electromagnetic fields and cancer, their effects on reproduction, electric eczema, new sources of hearing damage, psychosocial factors in the workplace, criteria and indicators of workplace well-being, combined effects of professional and environmental factors and way of life on the health of the working population, ageing population and work, optimization of working conditions, health criteria for mapping to work in individual professions.