Migration distances of eight species of amphibians were studied at 14 sites in the Czech Republic in the course of the 2007 spring migration season. Drift fences with pit-fall traps were installed at varying distances from the reproduction pond. No substitute breeding ponds were available nearby. 4423 m of drift fence was installed and data from a total of 4823 specimens were collected. The estimate 95th percentile migration distances for the newts Lissotriton vulgaris, Mesotriton alpestris and Triturus cristatus were between 105-866 m, and for the frogs Bombina bombina, Bufo bufo, Rana arvalis and R. temporaria estimates were between 170-2214 m. No adult individuals of R. ridibunda were caught out of water. With two exceptions in B. bufo there were no significant among-site differences in migration distances between L. vulgaris, T. cristatus and B. bufo. There were no significant between-sex differences in migration distances of L. vulgaris, M. alpestris, T. cristatus, B. bufo and R. arvalis. Thanks to a great number of various sites processed simultaneously and by the same methodology, presented data provide information on the overall distribution of migration distances in different habitats. The results could be used for the estimation of the extent of the influence on amphibian populations in cases of transection or other habitat degradation in the vicinity of their reproduction ponds.

Background: Infection plays a role in the pathogenesis of many human malignancies. Whether prostate cancer (PCa) - an important health issue in the aging male population in the Western world - belongs to these conditions has been a matter of research since the 1970 s. Persistent serum antibodies are a proof of present or past infection. The aim of this study was to compare serum antibodies against genitourinary infectious agents between PCa patients and controls with benign prostate hyperplasia (BPH). We hypothesized that elevated serum antibody levels or higher seroprevalence in PCa patients would suggest an association of genitourinary infection in patient history and elevated PCa risk. Methods: A total of 434 males who had undergone open prostate surgery in a single institution were included in the study: 329 PCa patients and 105 controls with BPH. The subjects' serum samples were analysed by means of enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, complement fixation test and indirect immunofluorescence for the presence of antibodies against common genitourinary infectious agents: human papillomavirus (HPV) 6, 11, 16, 18, 31 and 33, herpes simplex virus (HSV) 1 and 2, human cytomegalovirus (CMV), Chlamydia trachomatis, Mycoplasma hominis, Ureaplasma urealyticum, Neisseria gonorrhoeae and Treponema pallidum. Antibody seroprevalence and mean serum antibody levels were compared between cases and controls. Tumour grade and stage were correlated with serological findings. Results: PCa patients were more likely to harbour antibodies against Ureaplasma urealyticum (odds ratio (OR) 2.06; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.08-4.28). Men with BPH were more often seropositive for HPV 18 and Chlamydia trachomatis (OR 0.23; 95% CI 0.09-0.61 and OR 0.45; 95% CI 0.21-0.99, respectively) and had higher mean serum CMV antibody levels than PCa patients (p = 0.0004). Among PCa patients, antibodies against HPV 6 were associated with a higher Gleason score (p = 0.0305). Conclusions: Antibody seropositivity against the analyzed pathogens with the exception of Ureaplasma does not seem to be a risk factor for PCa pathogenesis. The presence or higher levels of serum antibodies against the genitourinary pathogens studied were not consistently associated with PCa. Serostatus was not a predictor of disease stage in the studied population.