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This study was aimed primarily at describing the planktonic assemblages with special attention to invasive and toxin-producing cyanobacterial species in the context of ecological and health threats. The second aim was to analyze the aspect of recreational pressure, which may enhance the cyanobacterial blooms, and, as a consequence, the negative changes and loss of planktonic biodiversity. This study was carried out in recreationally used Lake Sztynorckie throughout the whole growing season of 2020 and included an assessment of the abundance and biomass of phytoplankton (cyanobacteria and algae) in relation to environmental variables. The total biomass was in the range of 28–70 mg L−1, which is typical for strong blooms. The dominant filamentous cyanobacteria were Pseudanabaena limnetica, Limnothrix redekei, Planktolyngbya limnetica, and Planktothrix agarhii, and three invasive nostocalean species Sphaerospermopsis aphanizomenoides, Cuspidothrix issatschenkoi, and Raphidiopsis raciborskii. They can pose a serious threat not only to the ecosystem but also to humans because of the possibility of cyanobacteria producing cyanotoxins, such as microcystins, saxitoxins, anatoxin-a, and cylindrospermopsins, having hepatotoxic, cytotoxic, neurotoxic, and dermatoxic effects. The water quality was assessed as water bodies had bad ecological status (based on phytoplankton), were highly meso-eutrophic (based on zooplankton), and had very low trophic efficiency and low biodiversity.

Zaburzenia ze spektrum autyzmu (Autism Spectrum Disorders; ASD) to heterogenna grupa zaburzeń neurorozwojowych, która może dotyczyć nawet 2,6% populacji. U większości z tych osób w ciągu życia pojawi się przynajmniej jedno inne zaburzenie psychiczne, często rozpoznane z opóźnieniem lub nie rozpoznane wcale. W tej pracy opisano epidemiologię, trudności diagnostyczne oraz potencjalne leczenie pacjentów z ASD i współwystępującą chorobą afektywną dwubiegunową (CHAD). Wskaźniki rozpowszechnienia CHAD w ASD wahają się od 0% do 31%. Badanie na najliczniejszej grupie dotyczyło 700 000 dzieci i wykazano w nim, że 21% pacjentów z ASD spełniało kiedykolwiek kryteria manii. Na trudności w rozpoznawaniu współwystępowania obu zaburzeń ma wpływ wiele czynników. Ze względu na specyfikę schorzenia pacjenci z ASD mają często ograniczony wgląd w rozumienie złożonych stanów emocjonalnych oraz trudno je komunikują. Co więcej, objawy CHAD są w przypadku tej grupy niespecyficzne i różnią się od tych występujących w populacji ogólnej, co utrudnia postawienie rozpoznania nawet doświadczonym lekarzom. Mimo braku badań dotyczących ich trafności w grupie pacjentów z ASD do stawiania diagnoz stosowane są narzędzia psychometryczne stworzone do ewaluacji populacji ogólnej. Farmakoterapia przy współwystępującymi CHAD i zaburzeniach ze spektrum autyzmu jest niewystarczająco zbadana i opiera się głównie na seriach przypadków. Ta praca ma na celu pokazanie stanu obecnej wiedzy oraz obszarów, które wymagają dalszego dokładnego zbadania.

Coprolalia and echophenomena repeated in the patients’ mind (CTPh—cognitive tic-like phenomena) have been rarely recognized as part of Gilles de la Tourette syndrome (GTS) symptomatology and their assignment to tics, OCD or other psychopathologies has not been settled. The aim of the paper was to assess the incidence and clinical associations of CTPh in GTS, and to establish if CTPh belong to the tic spectrum. We performed a prospective, one-registration study on a cohort of 227 consecutive patients with GTS. CTPh were diagnosed during the interview and defined as brief, sudden, involuntary thoughts that had corresponding complex vocal tics. CTPh occurred at some point in the lives of 34 (15.0%) patients. The median age at onset of CTPh was 14.5 years (IQR: 10.5–17.5). CTPh were found more frequently in adults, with the most frequent onset in adolescence (44.1%). Four mental phenomena resembling tics were recognized: echolalia (n = 17), coprolalia (n = 16), palilalia (n = 13) and repeating of words in the mind (n = 7). The older the age of patients, the more severe tics, and anxiety disorder significantly correlated with CTPh. CTPh may be considered as a part of tic spectrum with a substantial impact of anxiety disorder. CTPh are a late and age-related symptom of GTS.

Corticobasal syndrome (CBS) is a clinical entity, classified as an atypical Parkinsonism, characterized by both motor and higher cortical dysfunctions. The clinical manifestation of CBS is associated with several pathologies, among which corticobasal degeneration (CBD) is the most common. The aim of our study was to elaborate on the possible vascular pathogenesis of CBS and consider types of vascular lesions in these cases. Several cases of vascular CBS are described in the literature. The majority of presented patients were affected by internal carotid artery (ICA) stenosis and ischemic strokes; few cases were associated with vascular malformations or autoimmune diseases. Vascular CBS is preceded by an abrupt onset. The clinical manifestation does not significantly differ with non-vascular CBS. Patients with vascular CBS are usually elderly; often with coexistent hypertension, dyslipidemia and diabetes mellitus. Inferring from our observations, cerebral hypoperfusion can play a significant role in neuropathological changes in neurodegenerative diseases. To the best of our knowledge paper is the first comprehensive review of vascular CBS and we are positive that our observations show that further research concerning the vascular pathogenesis of tauopathy atypical Parkinsonism is required.

BACKGROUND Gilles de la Tourette syndrome (GTS) is characterized by motor and vocal tics. Cognitive tics (CTs) have been rarely recognized as part of GTS symptomatology and their prevalence and associates have not been systematically investigated. OBJECTIVES The aim of the study was to assess the incidence and clinical associations of CTs in a group of patients with GTS. METHODS We examined 227 consecutive GTS patients aged 5–50 years old (78.4% males). The median duration of GTS was 4 years (IQR: 3–7) in children and 18 years (IQR: 12–23) in adults. The patients were evaluated for GTS and comorbid mental disorders according to the DSM-IV-TR and DSM-5. CTs were defined as brief, sudden, recurring involuntary thoughts, analogous to typically recognized complex vocal tics and diagnosed during the interview. Correlations between CTs and clinical variables were evaluated in two analyses, lifetime and current. Children and adult groups were compared. RESULTS Lifetime CTs were reported by 48 patients (21.1%), in 33 of the cases at the time of evaluation. The median age at onset of CTs was 13.5 years (IQR 9.3–16). Five mental phenomena were evaluated: echolalia (n = 17), coprolalia (n = 16), palilalia (n = 13), counting (n = 11), repeating of words in mind (n = 7). In the multivariable analysis of lifetime CTs, tic severity (p = 0.025) and significant social skill problems (p = 0.050) demonstrated correlation, while for current CTs only tic severity (p = 0.028) and anxiety disorder (p = 0.028) remained significant. In logistic regression model for age groups, in children only age was a factor significantly associated with lifetime CTs (p = 0.033), whereas in adults there were no statistically significant associations with lifetime CTs. For current CTs, none of the variables reached statistical significance in children, while only anxiety disorder was a predictor of current CTs in adults (p = 0.018). CONCLUSIONS CTs are a part of tic spectrum with a substantial impact of comorbid psychiatric disorders. CTs are a late and age-related symptom of GTS.

Clinical rationale for the study. Gilles de la Tourette syndrome (GTS) is a childhood onset disorder characterised by motor and vocal tics. Different types of motor tics may occur in GTS, including dystonic tics (DTs). Although DTs have been recognised as part of GTS symptomatology, little is known about their risk factors or about how often and at what age they appear in affected individuals. Aim of the study. The aim of our study was to investigate lifetime prevalence and clinical correlations of DTs in a Polish cohort of GTS patients. Material and methods. We performed a prospective, one-registration study in a cohort of 207 consecutive ambulatory patients (mean age: 16.5 ± 9.4 years, 131 children, 162 males) with GTS. Duration of GTS was 9.0 ± 8.0 years (range: 1–39 years). DTs were diagnosed during the interview. DTs were defined as slower and lasting longer than typical clonic tics, abnormal dystonia-like movements that led to a sustained, but not fixed, posture. Results. DTs occurred at some point in the lifetime of 73.9% (n = 153) of patients. The prevalence of DTs in adults and children was almost the same (p = 0.963). Age at onset of DTs was 9.9 ± 5.2 years with the most frequent onset in children (7–11 years, 74.4%, n = 64), followed by adolescence (12–18 years; 17.4%, n = 15) and adulthood (≥ 18 years, 8.1%, n = 7). DTs occurred 3.7 ± 4.2 years after tic onset. On average, patients suffered from 1.8 ± 1.7 types of DTs. The most frequent manifestations of DTs were: eyes (tightening resembling blepharospasm 84.3%, n = 129 and oculogyric crisis 45.8%, n = 70), trunk (dystonic postures 59.5%, n = 91), jaw (bruxism 34.6%, n = 53), neck (30.7%, n = 47), upper limb (26.1%, n = 40), and foot (20.9%, n = 32). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed significant associations of DTs with the total number of simple, and the total number of complex, tics. Conclusions and clinical implications. DTs are early and frequent symptoms of GTS. They tend to localise in the facial area. DTs occur more frequently in individuals with a higher number of tics and probably add to the global impairment caused by tics.