Plant communities in arable fields of the Skierbieszów Landscape Park

Floristic research on segetal communities was carried out in 2000 on arable fields in the Skierbieszów Landscape Park and its protected zone. Three communities of segetal weeds in cereal crops, and two communities of segetal weeds in root crops were separated in the arable fields of the Skierbieszów Landscape Park. The community Vicietum tetraspermae typicum commonly occurred in cereal crops on brown soils developed from loess soils. The community Echinochloo-Setarietum, which belongs to root crops, was noted in the same habitat. The greatest richness of species was found in Consolido-Brometum and Lamio Veronicetum politae, with the average of 25 species in one record. Both communities were abundant in rare segetal species which are considered to be endangered in our country: Adonis aestivalis, Euphorbia exigua, Lathyrus tuberosus, Muscari comosum, Thlaspi perfoliatum, Veronica polita, Agrostemma githago

Movement disorders associated with chromosomal aberrations diagnosed in adult patients

Introduction. Chromosomal aberrations are rare but important causes of various movement disorders. In cases of movement disorders associated with dysmorphic features, multiorgan involvement and/or intellectual disability, the identification of causative chromosomal aberrations should be considered. Aim of the study. The purpose of this article was to summarise clinical findings in six patients with dystonia and two with parkinsonism and identified chromosomal aberrations in a single-centre prospective study. Materials and methods. 15 adult patients with dystonia or parkinsonism were referred to array comparative genomic hybridisation (aCGH) testing from our Department of Neurology between 2014 and 2019. Additionally, one patient had a karyotype examination. Detailed clinical, psychological and radiological diagnostics were performed in each case. Results. Chromosomal aberrations were identified in six patients with dystonia and two with parkinsonism. Two patients were identified with aberrations associated with de Grouchy syndrome. We also reported generalised dystonia in patients with deletion in 3q26.31 and duplication in 3p26.3, as well as dystonia and hypoacusis in a patient with duplication in Xq26.3. One patient was diagnosed with duplication in 21q21.1. Early-onset parkinsonism was a manifestation of deletion in the 2q24.1 region. Late onset parkinsonism was also present in the patient with the most severe aberrations (duplication 1q21.1q44; deletion 10p15.3p15.1; deletion 10q11.21). Conclusions. Dystonia and parkinsonism are possible manifestations of chromosomal aberrations. Chromosomal aberrations should be excluded in patients with early-onset movement disorders and concomitant dysmorphic features and/or intellectual disability. It is important to include this cause of movement disorders in future classifications. aCGH can be a valuable diagnostic tool in the evaluation of movement disorder aetiology

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

Assessment of cigarettes availability in the opinion of children and young people from the city of Włocławek

Introduction. Smoking and smoke- exposure have a number of negative effects on health , both socially and individually. The early onset of smoking is a major risk of smoking initiation and is associated with young people's engagement in other unhealthy behaviors . Aim. The aim of the study is to assess nicotine products availability for children and young people from the city of Włocławek. Material and methods. The study included 369 students from schools in Włocławek. The study used a method of diagnostic survey using a questionnaire. Results. 1. 84.3% of students declare that they do not smoke, 2. 58.6% of smokers declare that they smoke in exceptional situations, and addictive (daily) smoking was declared by 22.4% of respondents. 3. 27.5% of respondents declared the initiation of smoking at the age of 10 and under. 4. 14.4% of the respondents bought cigarettes by themselves. Conclusions. 1. A significant majority of pupils from schools in Włocławek (84.3%) declare that they do not smoke cigarettes. 2. Students from schools in Włocławek most often declare that they smoke in exceptional situations. Every fifth teenager from the group of smokers smokes on daily basis. 3. The percentage of people initiating smoking at the age of 10 and under is significant.Wstęp. Palenie tytoniu oraz narażenie na dym nikotynowy niesie za sobą szereg negatywnych skutków zdrowotnych, zarówno w rozumieniu jednostkowym jak i społecznym. Wczesna inicjacja nikotynowa zwiększa ryzyko palenia tytoniu w przyszłości i wykazuje związek z podejmowaniem przez młodzież innych zachowań niekorzystnych dla zdrowia. Cel. Celem pracy jest ocena dostępności do wyrobów nikotynowych wśród dzieci i młodzieży z miasta Włocławka. Materiał i metody. Badania przeprowadzono wśród 369 uczniów włocławskich szkół. W badaniu posłużono się metodą sondażu diagnostycznego z wykorzystaniem kwestionariusza ankiety własnej. Wyniki. 1. 84,3% uczniów deklaruje, że nie pali papierosów, 2. Spośród palących badanych 58,6 % deklaruje, że pali w wyjątkowych sytuacjach, a nałogowe (codzienne) palenie zadeklarowało 22,4% badanych. 3. 27,5% badanych zadeklarowało inicjacje palenia w wieku 10 lat i poniżej. 4. 14,4% ankietowanych kupiło papierosy samodzielnie. Wnioski. 1. Znacząca większość uczniów szkół włocławskich (84,3%) deklaruje, że nie pali papierosów. 2. Uczniowie z włocławskich szkół palący tytoń najczęściej deklarują, że palą w wyjątkowych sytuacjach. Co piąty nastolatek z grupy osób palących pali tytoń nałogowo (codziennie). 3. Znaczący jest odsetek osób inicjujących palenie w wieku 10 lat i poniżej

The phenomenon of peer and domestic violence in the opinion of children and young people in Włocławek

Introduction. The problem of violence in the school environment is very common . School violence and domestic violence have different forms. Such behavior aims to cause pain, distress, and terror. In such situations, the victims cannot defend themselves , and the perpetrator has a sense of impunity. Aim. The aim of the study is tro asses the frequency of peer and domestic violence and the initial identification of the problem. Materials and methods. The study of peer and domestic violence problem included a group of 369 children of primary school, junior high school and high school in the city of Włocławek. A questionnaire was used. The study was part of a larger study on the behavior of children and adolescents. Results. Most students (67.2% )do not experience violence in the school environment, the problem of violence affects 32.1 % of children, most often primary school students. The most common forms of violence are: curses, ridicule, quarrels. The majority of the examined children and youth do not experience violence in the home environment. Most students affected by domestic violence did not inform anyone about the violence exerted. Conclusions. Research indicates a slight increase in verbal and relational aggression. Compared to the previous surveys, there is an increase in the number of students reporting the problem of violence at school. The problem of peer violence should be controlled and teachers should react to it strongly because of the potential threat of health and emotional problems that the victim may suffer from in the future.Wstęp. Zjawisko przemocy w środowisku szkolnym jest powszechnym zjawiskiem. Przemoc szkolna i domowa może przybierać różne formy. Takie zachowanie ma na celu sprawienie bólu, przykrości, przerażenia. W takich sytuacjach ofiara nie może się bronić, a sprawca ma poczucie bezkarności. Cel. Celem badania jest ocena powszechności zjawiska przemocy w środowisku szkolnym i domowym oraz wstępna identyfikacja problemu. Materiał i metody. Badanie zjawiska przemocy rówieśniczej i domowej zostało przeprowadzone w grupie 369 uczniów szkoły podstawowej, klas gimnazjalnych szkoły podstawowej oraz szkoły średniej na terenie miasta Włocławek przy użyciu kwestionariusza ankiety własnego autorstwa. Badanie stanowiło część większych badań dot. zachowań dzieci i młodzieży. Wyniki. Większość uczniów 67,2% nie doświadcza przemocy w środowisku szkolnym, problem przemocy dotyczy 32,1% dzieci, najczęściej występuje wśród uczniów szkoły podstawowej. Najczęstszą formą przemocy są: przekleństwa, wyśmiewanie, kłótnie. Zdecydowana większość przebadanych dzieci i młodzieży nie doświadcza przemocy w środowisku domowym. Wśród uczniów, których dotyczył problem przemocy domowej większość nie poinformowała nikogo o stosowanej przemocy. Wnioski. Badania wskazują niewielki wzrost agresji werbalnej i relacyjnej. W porównaniu do wcześniejszych badań obserwuje się wzrost liczby uczniów deklarujących problem przemocy w szkole. Zjawisko przemocy rówieśniczej powinno być kontrolowane i przerywane przez nauczycieli, z uwagi na późniejsze problemy zdrowotne i emocjonalne, które może spowodować u ofiary

Floristic diversity and agricultural value of Phalaridetum arundinaceae (Koch 1926 n.n.) Lib. 1931 in the selected river valleys of the Zamość region

The study presents the results of a floristic survey conducted using the Braun-Blanquet method (50 phytosociological relevés) in permanent grasslands in three river valleys of the Zamość region (Por, Huczwa, Wieprz). The goal of the survey was to determine the floristic diversity and fodder value of the Phalaridetum arundinaceae association (Koch 1926 n.n.) Lib. 1931.  A total of 93 plant species from 25 botanical families were identified in the areas under study. The species richness of the Phalaridetum arundinaceae differed among river valleys. It was observed that these are often transitional forms similar to the association of the Molinio-Arrhenatheretea class, Molinietalia order. Predominance of hemicryptophytes and a relatively large share of geophytes was recorded. Based on the fodder value score calculated for the dry matter of the association, the community under study can be classified as having a medium or poor nutritional value

Flora in abandoned fields and adjacent crop fields on rendzina soils in the Zamość region

A floristic inventory of segetal flora was carried out in abandoned fields and adjacent crop fields on rendzina soils in the Zamość region in the year 2010. This study found a total of 130 weed species belonging to 30 botanical families. The following families were represented most frequently: Asteraceae, Fabaceae, Poaceae, Lamiaceae, Scrophulariaceae, and Brassicaceae. In the segetal flora, apophytes are dominant (55% of the total flora), with the highest number of meadow and xerothermic grassland species among them. Archeophytes (38%) predominate in the group of anthropophytes. The species characterized by the highest constancy classes and reaching the highest cover indices posed the greatest threat to crops in the study area. The following weeds are most frequently found in fallow fields: Consolida regalis, Cichorium intybus, and Sinapis arvensis, while Papaver rhoeas is the greatest threat to cereal crops grown on rendzina soils

The effect of polyunsaturated fatty acids on cardiovascular risk factors and urinary mercury in workers employed at electrolytic production of chlorine

ObjectivesWhile inorganic mercury is being gradually withdrawn from industry, environmental exposure to mercury is recognized as one of the greatest present toxicological problems. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) supplementation on selected cardiovascular risk factors and the urinary mercury (Hg-U) concentration in workers occupationally exposed to mercury vapor.Material and MethodsOverall, 38 workers of an electrolyzer hall (Hg-U: 46.6±35.7 μg/g creatinine) and a control group of 60 employees not exposed to Hg (Hg-U: 4.3±15.5 μg/g creatinine) were included in a clinical cross-over study. Clinical and laboratory tests were carried out 4 times: before and after a 3-month period of PUFAs supplementation (1000 mg daily), then after a 3-month break, and then after another 3-month period of PUFAs supplementation.ResultsThe baseline heart rate (HR) and serum triglyceride levels were higher in the Hg-exposed workers than in the controls, whereas systolic blood pressure (SBP) and cholesterol (C) levels exceeded normal values in both groups. There was a positive correlation between high-density lipoprotein 3 cholesterol (HDL3-C) and Hg-U levels. The PUFAs use was associated with a decrease in both HR and SBP. After the first stage of supplementation, a decrease in the Hg-U concentration was observed. In a multivariate logistic regression model, decreases in Hg-U were associated only with exposure to mercury; ORΔHg = 0.562 (95% CI: 0.323–0.979), p < 0.042. After the second 3-month period of PUFAs supplementation, a significant association between HDL3-C and a Hg-U decrease was shown: OR HDL3 = 1.222 (95% CI: 1.01–1.46), p < 0.033.ConclusionsIn the workers exposed to mercury vapor, PUFAs supplementation led to some beneficial effects on HR and SBP. The first stage of supplementation was associated with a decrease in Hg-U in which HDL3 metabolism probably plays an important role