The article presents research evidence on psychological impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on the economically active Czech population aged 18–64 (n = 1603; 365 men and 1238 women) within a one year perspective. The aim is to describe the differences in the reported mental health indicators (anxiety, depression, and distress) for women and men in the four age groups, two groups with different working statuses (continuation of work/interrupted working status), and between two phases of the epidemic (March to May 2020 and September 2020 to February 2021). The results point to elevated scores of negative mental health indicators (anxiety, depression, and distress) in different subgroups. More negative experiences in a pandemic situation were found, especially in groups of women, people under the age of 35, and among people with interrupted working status. The results also indicate a deterioration of symptoms over time during the epidemic.

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This study presents the results of a screening focused on the psychological impact associated with the outbreak and further development of COVID-19 pandemic in the Czech population. The aim of the study was to investigate temporal dynamics of psychological impact in a longer period covering phases of the epidemic growth, culmination, decrease, and slow return to a normal lifestyle. The sample of 2716 respondents aged between 18 and 89 years participated in an online survey from March 18th to May 25th, 2020; part of them (typically seniors and others, who had not access to the internet) were assisted in entering the data by trained interviewers. The survey comprised questionnaires capturing emotional states, psychological disturbance, anxiety, and depression. The changes in the scores by time phase were studied for the whole sample and for gender and age groups. The results show that the threat of COVID-19 caused a significant increase in negative emotional experience and in the symptoms of psychological disturbance, anxiety, and depression in the Czech population in time of infection culmination, even when the spread of the pandemic was well controlled, and then a gradual decline over time. The data indicated that the pandemic situation had a more pronounced impact on women and younger adults. The study also showed that in situations of pandemic stress associated with isolation, when isolated people are interviewed about their mental state, their reports on negative experiencing might be significantly reduced compared to direct anonymous self-reports data entry.

The aim of our paper is to analyze the position the psychedelic trance subculture takes on drug use and whether it applies to prescriptive regulatory systems on drug-taking. A qualitative field research strategy was adopted with the use of semi-structured interviews and participant observations. Actors at three levels of participation in the subculture (experts, long-term participants and newcomers to psychedelic trance parties) were interviewed. The results showed that the subculture distinguishes between tolerated and non-tolerated drugs. This distinction is different from the mainstream paradigm. The subculture also has unwritten rules relating to the behavior expected of an intoxicatedperson. However, there is only limited potential for the subculture to enforce these standards and recognition that this represents a threat. Psychedelic trance stands out from other dance scenes in the use of specific drugs—hallucinogens—that dominate and inform its culture.

Kognice a hemodynamika po karotické endarterektomii pro asymp tomatickou stenózu Cognition and Hemodynamics after Carotid Endarterectomy for Asymp tomatic Stenosis Souhrn Cíl: Na kohortě pa cientů s asymp tomatickou stenózou vnitřní karotidy podstupujících karotickou endarterektomii otestovat protokol vyšetření hemodynamiky mozku pomocí magnetické rezonance a zjišťovat rozdíl v kognitivní kondici pomocí neuropsychologické testové baterie RBANS (Repeatable Battery for the As ses sment of Neuropsychological Status). Metody: Standardní karotická endarterektomie pro asymp tomatickou stenózu vnitřní karotidy v intravenózní celkové ane stezii se selektivním užitím shuntu. Měření průtoku velkými cévami Wil lisova okruhu pomocí magnetickorezonační angiografie s fázovým kontrastem před operací a tři měsíce po operaci, a to paralelně s psychologickým vyšetřením testovou baterií RBANS. Výsledky: U pěti žen a 12 mužů s nekomplikovanou karotickou endarterektomií pro asymp tomatickou stenózu vnitřní karotidy bylo zaznamenáno signifi kantní zlepšení v oblasti kognitivního výkonu v celkovém skóru neuropsychologické baterie (p = 0,05) a indexech týkajících se bezprostřední paměti (p = 0,04) a řeči (p = 0,01). Následné korelace lokální změny hemodynamiky a změn v kognitivním výkonu z magnetickorezonančních dat získaných od 12 pa cientů byly signifi kantní pro přední mozkovou tepnu a index bezprostřední paměti (p = 0,01), a pro střední mozkovou tepnu a indexy řeči (p = 0,02) a vizuoprostorové orientace (p = 0,02). Závěr: V pilotní studii byl na malé skupině pa cientů s klinicky i radiologicky asymp tomatickou stenózou vnitřní karotidy poprvé v naší literatuře otestován protokol vyšetření průtoku krve (ml/ min) na všech velkých cévách Wil lisova okruhu a srovnány změny hemodynamiky před karotickou endarterektomií a tři měsíce po ní. V úrovni kognitivního výkonu bylo prokázáno zlepšení, u kterého byl v dílčích testech neuropsychologické baterie RBANS identifi kován vztah s hodnotami průtoků v povodí přední nebo střední mozkové tepny. Větší studie s delším sledováním výsledků je proveditelná.