Mechanical thrombectomy in acute stroke – Five years of experience in Poland

Objectives Mechanical thrombectomy (MT) is not reimbursed by the Polish public health system. We present a description of 5 years of experience with MT in acute stroke in Comprehensive Stroke Centers (CSCs) in Poland. Methods and results We retrospectively analyzed the results of a structured questionnaire from 23 out of 25 identified CSCs and 22 data sets that include 61 clinical, radiological and outcome measures. Results Most of the CSCs (74%) were founded at University Hospitals and most (65.2%) work round the clock. In 78.3% of them, the working teams are composed of neurologists and neuro-radiologists. All CSCs perform CT and angio-CT before MT. In total 586 patients were subjected to MT and data from 531 of them were analyzed. Mean time laps from stroke onset to groin puncture was 250±99min. 90.3% of the studied patients had MT within 6h from stroke onset; 59.3% of them were treated with IV rt-PA prior to MT; 15.1% had IA rt-PA during MT and 4.7% – emergent stenting of a large vessel. M1 of MCA was occluded in 47.8% of cases. The Solitaire device was used in 53% of cases. Successful recanalization (TICI2b–TICI3) was achieved in 64.6% of cases and 53.4% of patients did not experience hemorrhagic transformation. Clinical improvement on discharge was noticed in 53.7% of cases, futile recanalization – in 30.7%, mRS of 0–2 – in 31.4% and mRS of 6 in 22% of cases. Conclusion Our results can help harmonize standards for MT in Poland according to international guidelines

Wpływ wysokiej temperatury w fazie pęcznienia nasion na ich kiełkowanie oraz pokrój i kwitnienie roślin astra chińskiego "Perła Biała"

Badania polegały na ocenie wpływu temperatur supraoptymalnych (35 i 45°C) w czasie pęcznienia nasion astra chińskiego na ich zdolność kiełkowania i średni czas kiełkowania w temperaturze 5, 20 i 35°C oraz na wysokość wyrosłych z nich roślin, termin kwitnienia i liczbę pędów. Badania wykazały, że wskutek zwiększania czasu oddziaływania temperatury 35°C na nasiona w czasie pęcznienia, po uprzednim ich nawilżaniu w 20°C, skracał się ich średni czas kiełkowania w 5, 20 i 35°C. Zdolność kiełkowania była modyfikowana w niewielkim stopniu. Z kolei pod wpływem temperatury 45°C zaobserwowano zmniejszenie zdolności kiełkowania nasion i spowolnienie ich kiełkowania. Przetrzymywanie nasion w wybranych temperaturach podczas ich nawilżania wpływało na rozwój wyrosłych z nich roślin. Im krótszy był czas oddziaływania temperatury 35 i 45°C na nasiona, po uprzednim uwodnieniu ich w temperaturze 20°C, tym szybciej zakwitały wyrosłe z nich rośliny. Wydłużenie czasu ekspozycji na działanie temperatur 35 i 45°C opóźniało zakwitanie roślin, zwiększało ich wysokość oraz liczbę pędów. Świadczy to o specyficznej reakcji roślin na stres spowodowany wysoką temperaturą. Zmiana wrażliwości nasion na działanie temperatury 35°C nastąpiła po 32 godzinach pęcznienia w 20°C. Wydłużenie czasu oddziaływania tej temperatury powodowało zmniejszenie wysokości roślin oraz przyspieszenie ich zakwitania.The effects of supraoptimal temperatures (35 and 45°C) during China aster seed imbibition on percentage and mean germination time at 5, 20 and 35°C, as well as height of obtained plants, date of flowering and number of stems were investigated. The studies showed that with the increase of duration of seed exposure to 35°C, preceded by moistening them at 20°C, mean germination time was shortened at 5, 20 and 35°C. However, the percentage of seed germination was hardly modified. After exposure to 45°C, the percentage and rate of seed germination decreased. Imbibition of seeds at chosen temperatures affected the development of produced plants. The shorter was the duration of seeds exposure, previously imbibed at 20°C, to 35 or 45°C, the earlier was the flowering of plants. When the duration of seed exposure to 35 and 45°C increased, the date of plant flowering was progressively delayed, the plants were higher and the number of stem» increased. It means that a specific response of plants to high temperature stress occurred. The sensitivity of seeds to 35°C was changed after 32 h of imbibition at 20°C. Increasing seed exposure to this temperature resulted in decrease of plant height and earlier flowering

The Effect of Different Stratification and Scarification Treatments on Breaking the Dormancy of Saskatoon Berry Seeds

Saskatoon berry has become as important as a commercial fruit crop. One main goal is to release new plant cultivars well adapted to different climatic and soil conditions. Dormant seeds obtained from breeding are serious problems delaying the program. The seeds were directly extracted from fruits after harvest (unstored) or after storage at −18 °C for 6 months (stored) and subjected to modified stratification (3 °C) with KNO3, H2O2, NO, smoke-water (SW) or scarification using sandpaper or H2SO4 for 10, 20, 30, 40 min or treatments with pulsed radio frequency (PRF) or red light. The seeds were also subjected to warm–cool stratification (20/3 °C). Unstored seeds germinated in a higher percentage and with better uniformity (T75–T25) than stored seeds. Stored seeds positively affected the onset of seed germination (T1) and mean germination time (MGT). Dormancy breakage was promoted by stratification with KNO3, SW or scarification with sandpaper, H2SO4 or treatments with PRF. The recommended method for the breeding program of breaking seeds dormancy is when unstored seeds are subjected to stratification in KNO3 (0.2%) or SW (1:100). Depending on the applied methods, the percentage of seeds’ germination increased to 87% compared to untreated (64%) control seeds. The positive effects of the selected methods persisted during seedling development by stimulating their growth and enhancing the chlorophyll content index (SPAD) and effective quantum yield of PSII of chlorophyll in leaves (ΦPSII)

Improvement of the chilling tolerance of ‘Monika’ cucumber seedlings by short-term temperature and seed conditioning with plant growth regulators

The aim of the present study was to improve the chilling tolerance of cucumber seedlings. The conditioned seeds in solutions of salicylic or jasmonic acid in concentrations of 10-2, 10-3 or 10-4 M or brassinolide in concentrations of 10-6, 10-8 or 10-10 M were subjected to temperature shock of 0, 2.5, 5, 35, 40 or 45°C for 1, 2 or 4 hours. Seedlings with 3 mm roots were chilled at 0°C for three days. The chilling susceptibility was evaluated by measurements of roots lengths, electrolyte leakage and total dehydrogenase activity

Neotectonic activity of Lubań Range (Gorce Mts.) based on morphometric indices

The aim of this paper is to use a relative tectonic index (Iat) in order to evaluate tectonic activity in the intermediate mountain area of the Lubań Range. To estimate the tectonic activity in the study area, we analyzed 6 DEM derived geomorphic indices for 66 basins: the stream-gradient index (SL), asymmetry factor (Af), basin shape ratio (Bs), hypsometric integral (Hi), valley floor width-valley height ratio (Vf) and mountain-front sinuosity (Smf). These parameters were combined to obtain the relative tectonic activity index (Iat). According to Iat values, ca. 25% of the Lubań Range was classified as areas of relatively high tectonic activity and ca. 72% as moderately tectonically active. The Iat values suggest a higher relative tectonic activity in the western part of the range, since some morphometric indices, like HI and SL, indicate a higher rate of tectonic uplift along the Dunajec Fault and normalfaults on the northern slopes of the Lubań Range. The rate of the tectonic uplift obtained from the Iat values is similar to that derivedfrom river incision. Morphometric analysis as well as field evidence of active tectonics, such as triangularfacets, suggest a high rate of tectonic uplift along the northern margins of the range and probably along the eastern slopes of the Lubań Range. The high relative tectonic activity on the southern slopes in the western part of the Lubań Range is probably related to active subsidence of the Nowy Targ Basi

Natural and cultural values of the planned nature-landscape protected complex "Skalne Zamki nad Mrukową" (the Low Beskids Mts)

W 1995 roku w Beskidzie Niskim utworzony został Magurski Park Narodowy (MPN) o powierzchni niemal 195 km^{2}. Poza granicami MPN, ale w jego bezpośrednim sąsiedztwie, w rejonie Mrukowej, pozostał jednak nieobjęty ochroną bardzo wartościowy pod względem walorów przyrodniczych, kulturowych i krajobrazowych fragment progu morfologicznego Beskidu Niskiego. Na powierzchni około 0,67 km^{2} znajduje się ponad sto form skałkowych, z których część, osiągająca wysokość powyżej 15 m, należy do najwyższych w Beskidach. W obrębie tych form uwidaczniają się liczne struktury sedymentacyjne, warunkujące powstawanie zróżnicowanych form mikrorzeźby. Na badanym obszarze obecne są również pozostałości dwóch budowli obronnych, z których jedna datowana jest na wczesne średniowiecze. W artykule zaproponowano utworzenie na badanym obszarze zespołu przyrodniczo-krajobrazowego "Skalne Zamki nad Mrukową". Zasugerowano również regulacje prawne mające na celu zachowanie wartości estetycznych tego wyjątkowo cennego fragmentu Beskidu Niskiego.In 1995, the Magura National Park was created in the Low Beskids Mts, covering nearly 195 km^{2}. However, a small area characterized by high natural and cultural values remained outside the Magura National Park - i.e. part of a morphological threshold of the Low Beskids Mts. More than one hundred natural rock outcrops (tors and crags) occur in the area of 0.67 km^{2}, some of which reach the height of over 15 m. Many sedimentary structures and diverse forms of microrelief are observed on the surface of crags. Furthermore, remains of two fortifications are located in the study area, one of which dates back to the early Middle Ages. The author of the presented paper proposes to establish a nature-landscape protected complex in this area, called "Skalne Zamki nad Mrukową", and a few regulations aimed at preserving the aesthetic values of this exceptionally valuable fragment of the Low Beskids Mts

Space-time variability of river runoff in flysh catchments located in the Babia Góra Massif (Polish Outer Carpathians)

The paper refers to spatial diversity and lability of outflow from Flysh type drainage basins. It also shows dynamics of mean and high discharge by defining the trend, the variability index and the periodicity of the hydrological parameters mentioned. The research has been taken in the partial drainage basins located in the upper drainage basin of Skawica (the streams of Czatożanka, Marków Potok, Rybny Potok, Jaworzyna) and in the upper drainage basin of Czarna Orawa (Kiczorka) at the Babia Góra slopes. The analyzed two-year period (2012–2013) has been characterized comparing to the multiannual period of 1973–2014. The hydrological and meteorological data have been obtained due to monitoring of the hydrological environment of Babiogórski National Park. The database includes the data gained from The Institute of Meteorology and Water Management research. Poland is the one of the less water-rich European countries. The unit outflow is only 5.5 dm3·s-1·km-2 (Fall 1997). The water outflow is very space and time varied through the whole country. The outflow from drainage basins of Babia Góra area is one of the biggest in Poland (about 30 dm3·s-1·km-2). The outflow index (rate of outflow?) from Babia Góra area is 88% per annum, which distinguishes this area from the Beskidy Mountains. During the winter semester the outflow index is 12.7% and during the summer semester it is 70% (Łajczak).The outflow index and the seasonal lability of the outflow from the particular Babia Góra drainage basins are very varied which is the most noticeable between the northern and southern slopes located drainage basins, however the variety is also very clear to observe from the east to the west direction. The analyzed cycle were a general low-flow period including one thaw flood within this period (2012s) and several minor floods caused by severe rainfalls (2013s). The maximum unit outflow during the flood has been noticed in Czatożanka drainage basin and the minimum unit outflow has been noticed in Kiczorka drainage basin. The highest annual average unit outflow occurred within Marków Potok, and the lowest annual average unit outflow occurred within Czatożanka. The drainage basins located at the northern slopes of Babia Góra were characterized by big seasonal outflow fluctuation between winter and summer semesters. Only at the southern slopes in the Kiczorka drainage basin the outflow was not much varied comparing the particular semesters.The paper refers to spatial diversity and lability of outflow from Flysh type drainage basins. It also shows dynamics of mean and high discharge by defining the trend, the variability index and the periodicity of the hydrological parameters mentioned. The research has been taken in the partial drainage basins located in the upper drainage basin of Skawica (the streams of Czatożanka, Marków Potok, Rybny Potok, Jaworzyna) and in the upper drainage basin of Czarna Orawa (Kiczorka) at the Babia Góra slopes. The analyzed two-year period (2012–2013) has been characterized comparing to the multiannual period of 1973–2014. The hydrological and meteorological data have been obtained due to monitoring of the hydrological environment of Babiogórski National Park. The database includes the data gained from The Institute of Meteorology and Water Management research. Poland is the one of the less water-rich European countries. The unit outflow is only 5.5 dm3·s-1·km-2 (Fall 1997). The water outflow is very space and time varied through the whole country. The outflow from drainage basins of Babia Góra area is one of the biggest in Poland (about 30 dm3·s-1·km-2). The outflow index (rate of outflow?) from Babia Góra area is 88% per annum, which distinguishes this area from the Beskidy Mountains. During the winter semester the outflow index is 12.7% and during the summer semester it is 70% (Łajczak).The outflow index and the seasonal lability of the outflow from the particular Babia Góra drainage basins are very varied which is the most noticeable between the northern and southern slopes located drainage basins, however the variety is also very clear to observe from the east to the west direction. The analyzed cycle were a general low-flow period including one thaw flood within this period (2012s) and several minor floods caused by severe rainfalls (2013s). The maximum unit outflow during the flood has been noticed in Czatożanka drainage basin and the minimum unit outflow has been noticed in Kiczorka drainage basin. The highest annual average unit outflow occurred within Marków Potok, and the lowest annual average unit outflow occurred within Czatożanka. The drainage basins located at the northern slopes of Babia Góra were characterized by big seasonal outflow fluctuation between winter and summer semesters. Only at the southern slopes in the Kiczorka drainage basin the outflow was not much varied comparing the particular semesters