Przegla̧d lekarski
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Synthetic beta-cathinone derivatives belong to the novel group of psychostimulant "designer drugs". They show significant structural similarity to catecholamines and exogenous central nervous system (CNS) stimulating agents such as amphetamine, methamphetamine, ephedrine, 3,4-methylenedioxy-N-methylamphetamine (MDMA, ecstasy), and act as dopamine, noradrenaline and serotonin reuptake inhibitors. Popular synthetic beta-cathinones include e.g. mephedrone (4-methylmethcathinone, 4-MMC), naphyrone (naphthylpyrovalerone) and MDPV (3,4-methylenedioxypyrovalerone). ⋯ This paper discusses pharmacological properties of the most commonly used beta-cathinone derivatives as well as risks associated with their abuse. Special emphasis is given to neurological, psychiatric, cardiovascular and hematologic disturbances. Authors also present cases of fatalities caused by acute beta-cathinone intoxication or resulting from the drug-related accidents and crimes.
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Article presents a case of a 71-year old woman with pulmonary right upper venous drainage into the superior vena cava and with coexistence sinus venous type Atrial Septal Defect (ASD) which was revealed as interesting finding in multislices computed tomography angiography during estimation of coronary arteries.
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There are no reliable studies in Poland evaluating the scale of acute intoxications with different type of xenobiotics. The aim of the study was to evaluate selected problems referring to the patients intoxicated with ethylene glycol and methanol, who were given the medical treatment in all Toxicological (TUs) and Intensive Care Units (ICUs), having contract with Polish National Fund of Health, in the year 2010. All cases of acute intoxications treated in polish hospitals in 2010 and reported to the Polish National Fund of Health were included to the analysis. To further analysis were chosen only those patients, whose main diagnosis or co-morbidities were coded as T 51.1 or T 52.3, according to the International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems 10th Revision and, according to the state of health, patients were treated in TUs and ICUs. All the cases, in which intoxication was not the main health problem were excluded. ⋯ 1. All the cases of acute intoxications of glycol and methanol should be consulted with Polish Poison Control Centers. 2. It is necessary to establish diagnostic and treatment protocols for intoxicated patients in Poland. 3. There is a strong need for popularization of the modern methods of glycol and methanol poisonings therapy and increasing the availability of modern antidotes. 4. It is necessary to continue monitoring and evaluation of different ways of treatment glycol and methanol intoxications. 5. The cases of abnormally high rate of glycol and methanol intoxications in some hospitals should be investigated.
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Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm (AAA) is multifactorial disease with unknown ethiology. Among the theories on the pathogenesis of AAA are some ge. netic factors, infections, disorders in connective tissue (collagenosis), arteriosclerosis, inflammation, incorrect immune response (autoimmunity). It was discovered that crucial for AAA development is intense inflammatory reaction combined with high proteolytic activity. ⋯ Interestingly, there was not any association between OPN levels in the urine and clinical parameters, risk factors and morbidity, including kidney diseases. inflammatory role of OPN and depicts better reflection of inflammatory reaction of OPN than OPG in both group of patients. Plasma OPG levels in AAA patients are more associated with coronary artery disease than with peripheral artery disease, what is characteristic for LS patients. Lack of association of urine OPN levels with above mentioned parameters suggest minor importance of this urine protein in clinical condition evaluation of patients with AAA and advanced arteriosclerosis.
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Tobacco smoking in Poland is fairly widespread on a large scale. Research suggests that the early twenty-first century, the percentage of female daily smokers aged 20 and above was 26%, and men the same age 43%. In addition, epidemiological studies have shown that smoking was the cause of approximately sixty-nine thousand deaths in Poland (including fifty-seven thousand men and twelve thousand women). ⋯ Development of knowledge about the neurobiology of addiction in a broader sense, including dependence on nicotine, contributed to a better understanding of the mechanism of smoking and allowed to search for more effective pharmacological treatments. Current research and clinical trials carried out in two main directions - a) the administration of non-nicotine alone, and b) in combination with nicotine replacement therapy. Publication focuses on the characteristics of the preparations for the treatment of nicotine dependence, including for example mechanism of action, method and duration of use, effectiveness in the treatment and side effects that may occur during the use of these substances.