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Physical activity undertaken in the treatment process additionally increases the oxygen demand of the working muscles. It seems interesting to see whether a delivery of an enriched respiratory mixture can have an impact on lower acidification of working muscles and oxygenation of tissues.To assess tissue saturation and the level of acidification at rest and during exercise while breathing atmospheric air or an oxygen-enriched mixture.Tissue saturation and lactate concentration at rest and during exercise were assessed in 18 females with an average body mass index (BMI) of 42 kg/m2. The study regimen was as follows: day 1 - cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET) - determination of the threshold load; day 2 - 20 min of physical effort on a cycloergometer (threshold load, breathing atmospheric air); day 3 - 20 min of physical effort on a cycloergometer (threshold load, breathing mixture enriched with oxygen). Saturation measurements were performed in 3 places on the patient's body by measuring absorbance via near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS).A significant decrease in heart rate (HR) at rest was found when using the oxygen-enriched air mixture (Z = 2.1339, p = 0.0328 (effect size (ES) = 0.478)). During the exercise, a significant decrease in saturation was shown only for the midpoint of the quadriceps muscles (Z = 2.1572, p = 0.309 (ES = 0.600)). Medium effect sizes were shown by the difference in resting and exercising lactate concentration change between the experimental models studied (Z = 2.5041, p = 0.0122 (ES = 0.707)). In the experimental models studied, different medium effect sizes were demonstrated in the resting and exercising lactate concentration change.Oxygen-enriched air mixture contributes to reducing hypoxia in working muscles of obese people. Oxygen supplementation can result in higher physical fitness levels. The implementation of oxygen-enriched air mixture is a promising therapeutic strategy for obese patients who exhibit high lactate concentrations after exercise.

Coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) and legionnaires disease (LD) caused by Gram-negative water-born bacteria Legionella pneumophila show certain similarities, including a predisposition to pulmonary involvement and extrapulmonary manifestations in some of the patients infected. One disease can mimic the other, both can rarely coexist.The authors describe 7 such cases (5 females), aged 51-90 years (mean 69.7 years) detected while screening 133 subjects with moderate to severe pneumonia and confirmed COVID- 19, which constituted 5.3% of the patients in whom urinary antigen test (UAT) for L. pneumophila was performed. The patients had multiple concomitant disorders: hypertension (6), heart failure (4), diabetes (4), obesity (4), coronary heart disease (3), chronic kidney disease (3), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (3), anemia (3). Positive UAT was obtained at admission in 4 patients, and on 3rd, 11th and 14th days of hospitalization in the remaining 3 patients. One patient also had positive UAT for Streptococcus pneumoniae. We analyzed: radiological imaging, laboratory data (CRP, interleukin-6, procalcitonin, troponin I, BNP), ECG, echocardiography, treatment and outcome. Three patients required a modification of initial antibiotic therapy, two developed Clostridioides difficile infection. The duration of hospitalization ranged from 13 to 59 days (mean 24.3 days); two patients died.The authors suggest that the coexistence of COVID- 19 and LD may result in prolonged hospitalization, in increased mortality risk and in subsequent cardiovascular complications, including takotsubo syndrome (TTS) which was found in 2 cases, both presented as focal TTS (fTTS).

Neurotoksyna botulinowa typu A (BoNT-A, botulinum neurotoxin type A ) jest od 30 lat stosowana w leczeniu dystonii ogniskowych i segmentalnych. W tym czasie ewoluowaly poglądy na temat leczenia oraz przybylo wiele nowych publikacji. Szczegolna zmiana dotyczy dystonii szyjnej. Wprowadzenie dekade temu koncepcji collum-caput (Col-Cap) spowodowalo zmiane paradygmatu leczenia tej postaci dystonii ogniskowej, a takze rozwiniecie metod podawania leku pod kontrolą ultrasonografii. Obecnie w Polsce są dostepne trzy preparaty BoNT-A. Nazwy uznane przez amerykanską Agencje ds. Żywności i Lekow oraz nazwy handlowe preparatow to odpowiednio: onabotulinumtoxinA : Botox ® , abobotulinumtoxinA : Dysport ® , incobotulinum toxinA : Xeomin ® . Są to leki o zroznicowanych charakterystykach produktu leczniczego i zakresie wskazan klinicznych oraz dawkowania. Leczenie dystonii w Polsce odbywa sie w ramach programu lekowego i jest w pelni refundowane. Wiedza na temat rozpoznawania dystonii oraz mozliwości jej leczenia poglebila sie w ostatnim czasie, ale chorzy nadal dośc dlugo czekają na ustalenie diagnozy i wlączenie do leczenia. Celem niniejszych rekomendacji jest przegląd aktualnej wiedzy na temat leczenia dystonii ogniskowych oraz polowiczego kurczu twarzy za pomocą iniekcji BoNT-A.

AbobotulinumtoxinA (aboBoNT-A, Dysport®) is used in clinical practice as a well-tolerated and effective therapy for muscle spasticity. AboBoNT-A has been shown to reduce upper and lower limb spastic paresis in clinical trials, demonstrating improvements in muscle tone and limb function. This open-label, multicentre, observational, non-interventional study was the first to investigate aboBoNT-A's efficacy in adult patients with upper limb spasticity (ULS) in routine clinical practice in Poland. All enrolled patients received ≥1 aboBoNT-A injection cycles, per routine clinical practice (full analysis set, FAS), and ≥1 rehabilitation session. Patients attended a baseline visit (V1) and two follow-up visits (V2, V3) for retreatment, depending on the investigator's assessment of individual patient needs, with a mean interval (SD) between injections of 4.4 (1.4) and 4.5 (1.2) months. The primary effectiveness endpoint was patient- and physician-based evaluation using the Clinical Global Impression-Improvement Scale (CGII), a validated 7-point scale (1 = very much improved to 7 = very much worse) relative to baseline. CGI-I has not previously been used as a primary endpoint in studies evaluating ULS. Secondary endpoints included muscle tone in shoulder, elbow, carpal joint, and finger muscles, measured by the Modified Ashworth Scale (MAS), and muscle strength according to the Medical Research Council scale (MRC). Of 108 enrolled patients (FAS), 92 (85.2%) completed the study and 57 (52.8%) were included in the per protocol (PP) population. AboBoNT-A improved patient conditions in 96.4% and 98.6% at V2 and V3 (investigator assessment) and 92.8% and 98.6% (as reported by patient) of patients, respectively. Significant reductions in muscle tone from baseline were observed at both visits (p < 0.0001-0.0077) across muscle groups. Increased muscle strength by cumulative MRC was observed at V2 (p = 0.0566) and V3 (p = 0.0282) versus baseline. Safety was consistent with the known profile of aboBoNT-A. In conclusion, aboBoNT-A treatment is beneficial in patients with post-stroke ULS in routine clinical practice, assessed by patients and investigators.

Patients with cervical dystonia (CD) may present with head and/or neck movements in the coronal, sagittal or transverse plane. According to the Col-Cap concept, CD postures are classified in torti-, latero-, ante- and retrocollis/caput patterns. The frequency of these different subtypes has to be evaluated. Between January and June 2019, we examined 306 patients (55.5 ± 13.1 years, 67% female) with CD according to the Col-Cap concept. They were all treated with botulinum toxin. This prospective study took place in seven different movement disorder centers. The most common primary form was torticaput (49%), the second most common was laterocaput (16.7%). All other subtypes were less than 10% of the study population. Pure forms were observed in 16.3% of patients only. Torticaput was combined in 46% with laterocaput, and in 20.7% with retrocaput. Laterocaput was combined mainly with torticaput (45.1%), laterocollis (33.2%) or retrocaput (23.5%). Shift forms were found in 14.7%, but diagnosed only in 3.9%. On average, the patients had 2.51 (± SD 1.09) subtypes each. Tremor was observed in 55.6%. The mean number of injected muscles was 4.4 (SD 1.6). The most often injected muscles were splenius capitis (83%), sternocleidomatoideus (79.1%), and upper trapezius (58.5%). This is the first multicenter study to examine the frequency of different subtypes of CD according to the Col-Cap concept. The caput subforms are more common than the cervical types, with torticaput as the most common one. Shift forms were diagnosed less often than described. Pure forms are very rare, combinations of 2-6 subtypes are common (83.7%). Sternocleidomatoideus, splenius capitis and trapezius muscles were still injected most often, but the muscles rarely injected in the past such as levator scapulae (48.7%), obliquus capitis inferior (35.3%) and longissimus (16.7%) were considered quite often. Since optimal therapy results depend on the injection of the right muscles, the correct classification should optimize the treatment outcome.

This study aims to investigate whether wearing a filtering facepiece class 3 respirators with personal protective equipment (FPP3/PPE) during work in the intensive care unit (ICU) affects the blood saturation (SpO2), the heart rate (HR), and the well-being of health care workers (HCWs). This preliminary study included a group of 21 volunteers (including 16 females (76%), with a median age of 23 years). Each worker served as his own control and performed the test two times: they wore the FFP3/PPE and did not wear it for a three-hour shift in the ICU. The working with an FFP3/PPE compared to not working with an FFP3/PPE caused a significant, but within normal ranges, influence on the level of SpO2 with a mean decrease of − 1.43%. The highest reduction in the SpO2 was − 2.29% and occurred after 150 min of work. All of the score scales of the well-being markers increased consecutively but moderately during the shift while wearing the FFP3/PPE. We assume that a 3-h shift rhythm is a safe and reliable solution, i.e., three hours of working in the FFP3/PPE in the ICU, followed by rest or working without an FFP3/PPE.

The growing number of Botulinum neurotoxin type A (BoNT/A) preparations on the market has resulted in a search for pharmacological, clinical and pharmacoeconomic differences. Patients are occasionally switched from one botulinum toxin formulation to another. The aim of this paper was to review studies that have made direct comparisons of the three major BoNT/A preparations presently on the market: ona-, abo- and incobotulinumtoxinA. We also review the single medication Class I pivotal and occasionally Class II-IV studies, as well as recommendations and guidelines to show how effective doses have been adopted in well-established indications such as blepharospasm, hemifacial spasm, cervical dystonia and adult spasticity. Neither direct head-to-head studies nor single medication studies between all preparations allow the formation of universal conversion ratios. All preparations should be treated as distinct medications with respect to their summary of product characteristics when used in everyday practice.

Botulinum neurotoxin type A (BoNT/A) formulations are widely used in clinical practice. Although they share a common mechanism of action resulting in presynaptic block in acetylocholine release, their structure and pharmacological properties demonstrate some similarities and many differences. Bioequivalence has been discussed since the onset of the clinical use of BoNT/A. In this review, we provide an update on the studies and compare the molecular structure, mechanisms of action, diffusion and spread, as well as immunogenicity and dose equivalence of onabotulinumtoxinA, abobotulinumtoxinA and incobotulinumtoxinA.

Aim of study. Botulinum neurotoxin type A (BoNT/A) injections are the established treatment in cervical dystonia (CD). But clinical practice regarding the choice of muscles into which injections are made varies between centres. Until now, there have been no dose-per-muscle recommendations based on ‘searching the dose’ clinical trial data. Clinical rationale for study. We therefore examined the dosages under real world conditions at seven international movement disorders centres, using an identical clinical approach. Results. We examined 305 patients with CD (55.6 ± 13.2 years, 204 female). The most commonly injected muscles were the splenius capitis (84.9%), sternocleidomastoid (80.3%), trapezius (59.7%), levator scapulae (49.8%), semispinalis capitis (39%), and obliquus capitis inferior (36.7%). The mean total dose per treatment session with aboBoNT/A was 652.5 (SD = 285.5), with onaBoNT/A it was 159.5 (SD = 62.4), and with incoBoNT/A it was 173.4 (SD = 99.2) units. The doses injected into each muscle in the ona- or incoBoNT/A groups were between 19.7 and 48.2 units, with the highest dose for the splenius capitis with 49.2 ± 26.0 units. The doses in the aboBoNT/A group were between 69.6 and 146.4 units, and the highest dose being injected into the splenius capitis (139.6 ± 80.7 units). Conclusions and clinical implications. In clinical trials the doses per muscle are based on an arbitrary decision. In our study, the doses were lower than in other studies, which may be due to the number of muscles per session, the use of ultrasound guidance (and therefore more precise injections), as well as the use of the Col-Cap concept. Our results exemplify everyday practice, and may help as the basis for recommendations and further investigations.

The classification of abnormal posture and the assessment of the affected muscles in cervical dystonia (CD) have changed in recent years. To determine the frequency of injected muscles, we studied 306 patients with CD. The mean age was 55.5 ± 13.1 years (range 21-90), 67% were female. Splenius capitis was the most commonly injected muscle (83%), followed by sternocleidomastoid (79.1%), and trapezius muscles (58.5%). The three next most common were the levator scapulae, semispinalis capitis, and obliquus capitis inferior muscles. The study shows that the most commonly injected muscles have remained unchanged over the past few decades, although the concept has changed. However, several new muscles have been added that were previously never, or hardly ever, considered.

Background: Tremor is an important phenotypic feature of dystonia. Using the new concept (Col-Cap) of classification we examined the frequency of tremor in cervical dystonia (CD) patients, their main subtypes and muscles injected. Methods: In this large study conducted at multiple movement disorder centres in Europe and India, between January and June 2019, we examined 293 patients with idiopathic CD who were all treated with botulinum toxin (BTX). Results: The dystonic head tremor (DHT+) was present in 57.6 % of CD patients and they had a significantly longer duration of symptoms than patients without head tremor (DHT–). In DHT+ patients torticaput was the most common subtype and the majority (63.3%) had one or two subtypes only. There was no significant difference between the number of unilateral injections for any of the muscles in the DHT+ and DHT– groups, while the number of patients receiving bilateral injections in splenius capitis (78 vs 25; p = 0.00001), sternocleidomastoid (31 vs 6; p = 0.0005), trapezius (28 vs 9; p = 0.01), and obliquus capitis inferior (15 vs 2; p = 0.008) were significantly more in the DHT+ group. The mean doses of all three types of BTX/A were not significantly different between the two groups. Conclusions: The frequency of head tremor was 57.6% in our CD patients and torticaput was the most common dystonic subtype associated with tremor. Simple forms of CD seemed more likely associated with head tremor, than complex forms of CD. Most of the DHT+ patients received bilateral injections. The use of ‘Col-Cap’ classification was helpful in the identification of muscles likely to be involved in tremor in CD patients.

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 ± 99 min. 90.3% of the studied patients had MT within 6 h 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.