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Drug addiction is a chronic biochemical drug use disorder that affects the human brain and behavior and leads to the uncontrolled use of legal or illicit drugs. It has been shown that three factors are involved in the development of addiction: genetic factors, a diverse environment, and the effect of medication on gene expression. The comprehensive approach and holistic analysis of the problem are due to the multigenic and multifactorial nature of addiction. Dopamine, one of the major neurotransmitters in the brain, is believed to be the "culprit" that leads to a drug abuse-induced "high". That is why, in our research, we focused mainly on the genes related to dopaminergic reuptake. In the present study, we chose methylation of the DAT1 dopamine transporter gene based on molecular reasons related to the dopaminergic theory of addiction. This study included two groups: 226 stimulant-dependent and 290 non-stimulant-dependent subjects. The analysis consisted of a case-control comparison of people addicted to psychostimulants compared to a control group of healthy and non-addicted people. There were differences in the levels of statistical significance between the groups. Our research shows lower methylation of islands 1, 9, and 14 in addicted people and greater methylation of islands 32 and 33. The difference in individual CpG methylation islands of the gene under study provides valuable information about the DNA methylation process in patients addicted to psychostimulants. Pearson's linear correlation analysis in stimulant dependence showed a negative correlation between total methylation island levels and the NEO-FFI Neuroticism scale. In subjects with neuroticism, the methylation level was statistically significantly lower. Pearson's linear correlation analysis of stimulant-dependent subjects showed a positive correlation between total methylation island levels and the NEO-FFI Openness scale and the NEO-FFI Conscientiousness scale.
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Estimulantes do Sistema Nervoso Central , Drogas Ilícitas , Humanos , Proteínas da Membrana Plasmática de Transporte de Dopamina/genética , Metilação de DNA , Dopamina , Personalidade/genéticaRESUMO
Chronic heart failure is a complex clinical syndrome with increasing significance in the ageing societies of developed countries. Recent advances in both medical and instrumental therapy improve the prognosis of heart failure patients which, nevertheless, remains poor. Patients suffer from progressive pump failure reflected in increasing incidence of hospital admissions as well as sudden death due to electrical imbalance of diseased myocardium. AIM: The aim of the study was to review of current data on some most promising heart failure biomarkers. MATERIALS AND METHODS: To realize the aim of the work we analyzed papers published in recent years in medical journals indexed in PubMed and Google Scholar. RESULTS: Currently, only natriuretic peptides, reflecting pressure overload of the heart, and cardiac troponins, are recognized and used in practice diagnostic biomarkers of heart failure. Numerous plasma substances are being studied such as: galectin-3, ST-2 protein, MR-proADM, GDF- 15, uric acid and other. Among them, especially cardiac interstitial fibrosis markers seem to have the biggest prognostic value in heart failure patients. CONCLUSIONS: There is a growing number of indices with scientifically proven association with clinical outcome of heart failure patients. Large, randomized trials investigating the impact of biomarkers-guided clinical decisions on patients outcome are certainly needed.
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Insuficiência Cardíaca , Biomarcadores , Doença Crônica , Galectina 3/uso terapêutico , Insuficiência Cardíaca/diagnóstico , Insuficiência Cardíaca/terapia , Humanos , PrognósticoRESUMO
In typical takotsubo cardiomyopathy (TC) apical transient left ventricular dysfunction with concomitant ECG changes mimicking acute anterior myocardial infarction can be observed. Reverse TC (RTC) characterized by contractile disturbances in all basal and often simultaneous mid-ventricular segments is definitely less frequent. ECG pattern of RTC is less known. The authors present ECG findings in 5 cases of RTC in course of intracranial hemorrhage (ICH); 3 patients were diagnosed with subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) and the other two with intracerebral hemorrhage or subdural posttraumatic hematoma. In all patients, initial ECG appearance was dominated by ST segment depression in inferior leads (II, III, avF) and/or lateral leads (V4-6). In 4 patients, concurrent ST segment elevation in avR and avL leads was seen, additionally 4 patients had low QRS voltage in high lateral leads (I, avL). Potential normalization of these changes did not influence the patient`s survival. In one woman, immediately before death, early repolarization was recorded. In subjects with an increased risk of TC, for example in intracranial hemorrhage, particularly in SAH, the ECG abnormalities presented may indicate a need for further search of its atypical echocardiographic variants.
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Eletrocardiografia , Hemorragias Intracranianas/complicações , Cardiomiopatia de Takotsubo/diagnóstico , Adolescente , Adulto , Feminino , Humanos , Masculino , Cardiomiopatia de Takotsubo/etiologia , Adulto JovemRESUMO
Takotsubo cardiomyopathy (TC) is characterized as an acute, reversible left ventricular dysfunction which may be triggered by mental or physical stress. In the case of a 32-year-old woman severe heart failure was observed after a traffic accident with blunt chest trauma. ECG showed ST changes mimicking acute myocardial infarction; although, echocardiography revealed a profile of left ventricular contractile disturbances typical of TC, with ejection fraction reduced to 20%. Additionally, repeated echocardiography showed transient left ventricular wall thickness, suggestive of myocardial edema. Recovery to normal heart function and morphology was confirmed in cardiovascular magnetic resonance. Coronary arteries potency was verified in multi-slice computed tomography. Summing up, it seems that TC should be included in differential diagnosis of heart failure in posttraumatic patients; however, it is impossible to say conclusively which factor was dominant in TC pathogenesis in the case presented: emotional stress or chest trauma.
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Acidentes de Trânsito , Cardiomiopatia de Takotsubo/etiologia , Traumatismos Torácicos/complicações , Ferimentos não Penetrantes/complicações , Adulto , Diagnóstico Diferencial , Ecocardiografia , Eletrocardiografia , Feminino , Humanos , Imageamento por Ressonância Magnética , Estresse Psicológico/complicações , Cardiomiopatia de Takotsubo/diagnósticoRESUMO
Background: In November 2022, OpenAI released a chatbot named ChatGPT, a product capable of processing natural language to create human-like conversational dialogue. It has generated a lot of interest, including from the scientific community and the medical science community. Recent publications have shown that ChatGPT can correctly answer questions from medical exams such as the United States Medical Licensing Examination and other specialty exams. To date, there have been no studies in which ChatGPT has been tested on specialty questions in the field of nephrology anywhere in the world. Methods: Using the ChatGPT-3.5 and -4.0 algorithms in this comparative cross-sectional study, we analysed 1560 single-answer questions from the national specialty exam in nephrology from 2017 to 2023 that were available in the Polish Medical Examination Center's question database along with answer keys. Results: Of the 1556 questions posed to ChatGPT-4.0, correct answers were obtained with an accuracy of 69.84%, compared with ChatGPT-3.5 (45.70%, P = .0001) and with the top results of medical doctors (85.73%, P = .0001). Of the 13 tests, ChatGPT-4.0 exceeded the required ≥60% pass rate in 11 tests passed, and scored higher than the average of the human exam results. Conclusion: ChatGPT-3.5 was not spectacularly successful in nephrology exams. The ChatGPT-4.0 algorithm was able to pass most of the analysed nephrology specialty exams. New generations of ChatGPT achieve similar results to humans. The best results of humans are better than those of ChatGPT-4.0.
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PURPOSE: Several initiatives have recently focused on raising awareness about limitations of treatment in Poland. We aimed to assess if the propensity to limit LST among elderly patients in 2018-2019 increased compared to 2016-2017. METHODS: We analysed Polish cohorts from studies VIP1 (October 2016 - May 2017) and VIP2 (May 2018 - May 2019) that enrolled critical patients aged >80. We collected data on demographics, clinical features limitations of LST. Primary analysis assessed factors associated with prevalence of limitations of LST, A secondary analysis explored differences between patients with and without limitations of LST. RESULTS: 601 patients were enrolled. Prevalence of LST limitations was 16.1% in 2016-2017 and 20.5% in 2018-2019. No difference was found in univariate analysis (p = 0.22), multivariable model showed higher propensity towards limiting LST in the 2018-2019 cohort compared to 2016-2017 cohort (OR 1.07;95%CI, 1.01-1.14). There was higher mortality and a longer length of stay of patients with limitations of LST compared to the patients without limitations of LST. (11 vs. 6 days, p = 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The clinicians in Poland have become more proactive in limiting LST in critically ill patients ≥80 years old over the studied period, however the prevalence of limitations of LST in Poland remains low.
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Cuidados para Prolongar a Vida , Assistência Terminal , Idoso , Humanos , Idoso de 80 Anos ou mais , Polônia/epidemiologia , Prevalência , Tomada de Decisões , Cuidados CríticosRESUMO
INTRODUCTION: Elderly patients pose a significant challenge to intensive care unit (ICU) clinicians. In this study we attempted to characterise the population of patients over 80 years old admitted to ICUs in Poland and identify associations between clinical features and short-term outcomes. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study is a post-hoc analysis of the Polish cohort of the VIP2 European prospective observational study enrolling patients > 80 years old admitted to ICUs over a 6-month period. Data including clinical features, clinical frailty scale (CFS), geriatric scales, interventions within the ICU, and outcomes (30-day and ICU mortality and length of stay) were gathered. Univariate analyses comparing frail (CFS > 4) to non-frail patients and survivors to non-survivors were performed. Multivariable models with CFS, activities of daily living score (ADL), and the cognitive decline questionnaire IQCODE as predictors and ICU or 30-day mortality as outcomes were formed. RESULTS: A total of 371 patients from 27 ICUs were enrolled. Frail patients had significantly higher ICU (58% vs. 44.45%, P = 0.03) and 30-day (65.61% vs. 54.14%, P = 0.01) mortality compared to non-frail counterparts. The survivors had significantly lower SOFA score, CFS, ADL, and IQCODE than non-survivors. In multivariable analysis CFS (OR 1.15, 95% CI: 1.00-1.34) and SOFA score (OR 1.29, 95% CI: 1.19-1.41) were identified as significant predictors for ICU mortality; however, CFS was not a predictor for 30-day mortality ( P = 0.07). No statistical significance was found for ADL, IQCODE, polypharmacy, or comorbidities. CONCLUSIONS: We found a positive correlation between CFS and ICU mortality, which might point to the value of assessing the score for every patient admitted to the ICU. The older Polish ICU patients were characterised by higher mortality compared to the other European countries.
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Unidades de Terapia Intensiva , Humanos , Polônia/epidemiologia , Unidades de Terapia Intensiva/estatística & dados numéricos , Masculino , Feminino , Estudos Prospectivos , Idoso de 80 Anos ou mais , Fragilidade/epidemiologia , Tempo de Internação/estatística & dados numéricos , Mortalidade Hospitalar , Atividades Cotidianas , Avaliação Geriátrica/métodos , Idoso Fragilizado/estatística & dados numéricos , Estudos de CoortesRESUMO
Hypereosinophilic syndrome (HES) is a rare condition characterized by profound peripheral eosinophilia and various organ dysfunction. Diagnostic criteria and classification of this challenging medical entity changed over time. Elevated absolute eosinophil count with extensive tissue infiltration and signs of organ damage of unknown origin is termed idiopathic HES. Hypereosinophilia is a highly hypercoagulable state; thus, a variety of thromboembolic complications may occur. Only a few reports of idiopathic HES patients with different forms of thrombosis are being published. We document a case of a young male presented with persistent abdominal pain with two eosinophilic colon tumors. The patient suffered from phlegmasia cerulea dolens and portal vein thrombosis, followed by pulmonary embolism and overt disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC). Corticosteroids successfully reduced and controlled eosinophil level while skilled anticoagulation and supportive management overcome DIC-associated complications.
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The population of patients declared as brain dead and qualified for organ donation is relatively low in Poland. The main causes of brain death include cerebral vascular diseases and brain trauma (54 and 34%, respectively, according to Poltransplant registry data). The number of organ procurements in Poland is constantly recorded on average at 14 donations per 1 million citizens (14/mln) in 2017 and 12 donations per one million in 2018. It is difficult to precisely define the number of patients who meet the criteria for brain death certification. The authors have retrospectively analyzed the medical data of 229 patients from 2017 and 2018 records with the aim of identifying potential organ donors among patients of the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) in the University Hospital in Western Poland. Brain death was suspected in 53 patients (23.14%). Brain imaging to confirm no cerebral flow (which is consistent with brain death) was performed in 17 patients (7.45%) and this, as a result, led to organ donation in 9 cases (3.93%). The factors identified as having a positive influence on organ donation included: daily thorough physical examination, (Glasgow Coma Scale) GCS assessment, depth and duration of sedation, ICU length of stay and early performance of a CT-angiogram.
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The purpose of this study was to investigate whether routine blood tests and clinical characteristics can predict in-hospital mortality in COVID-19. Clinical data of 285 patients aged 59.7 ± 10.3 yrs. (males n = 189, females n = 96) were retrospectively collected from December 2020 to June 2021. Routine blood tests were recorded within the 1st hour of admission to hospital. The inflammatory variables, such as C-reactive protein (CRP), procalcitonin (PCT), neutrophils−lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and the systemic inflammatory index (SII), exceeded the reference values in all patients and were significantly higher in deceased patients (n = 108) compared to survivors (n = 177). The log-rank test for comparing two survival curves showed that patients aged ≥60.5 years, with PCT ≥ 0.188 ng/mL or NLR ≥ 11.57 103/µL were at a greater risk of death. NLR demonstrated a high impact on the COVID-19 mortality (HR 1.317; 95%CI 1.004−1.728; p < 0.05), whereas CRP and SII showed no effect (HR 1.000; 95%CI 1.000−1.004; p = 0.085 and HR 1.078; 95%CI 0.865−1.344; p = 0.503, respectively). In the first Polish study including COVID-19 patients, we demonstrated that age in relation to simple parameters derived from complete blood cell count has prognostic implications in the course of COVID-19 and can identify the patients at a higher risk of in-hospital mortality.
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Background: Peritoneal lavage cytology in patients with gastric cancer may correlate with an unfavorable prognosis. This study evaluated the presence of free cancer cells in the peritoneal lavage of a population of patients with gastric cancer and its correlation with the outcome of surgical treatment. Methods: One hundred patients diagnosed with gastric or gastrointestinal junction adenocarcinoma underwent surgery. In all patients, a cytological and immunohistochemical analysis of peritoneal lavage was performed. Based on the presence of free cancer cells (fcc) at the cytological and immunohistochemical examination of peritoneal lavage, patients undergoing surgery for gastric cancer were divided into two groups: fcc (+) and fcc (-). Results: A total of 100 patients, 37 women, and 63 men with a median age of 65 years were included in the study. In the entire study group, 16 (16%) patients were positive for the presence of free cancer cells (fcc +) at peritoneal lavage examination. However, in the group of patients who underwent gastrectomy, fcc (+) was found in 10 out of 77 (13%) patients. The presence of cancer cells in peritoneal lavage was a strong predictive factor in an unfavorable outcome after surgery, and 1-year and 2-year patient survival was 34 and 0% in fcc (+) patients and 79 and 59% in fcc (-), respectively. Moreover, the presence of free cancer cells was associated with a five-fold increased risk of death within 2 years after surgery. When analyzing the group of patients undergoing R0/R1 surgery, this difference was even more significant (p < 0.0001). Conclusions: The presence of free cancer cells in peritoneal lavage may significantly affect the outcome of patients with gastric cancer. Radical surgery in patients with free cancer cells in the peritoneal lavage did not result in a survival advantage. Identification of free cancer cells could help for a better stratification of gastric cancer patients, identifying those patients who could better benefit from a radical surgical treatment, finally improving long-term survival.
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BACKGROUND: The effect of renal replacement therapy on drug concentrations in patients with sepsis has not been fully elucidated because the pharmacokinetic properties of many antimicrobials are influenced by both pathophysiological and treatment-related factors. The aim of this study was to determine meropenem concentrations in patients with sepsis before and after the initiation of continuous venovenous hemodialysis with regional citrate anticoagulation (RCA-CVVHD). METHODS: The study included 15 critically ill patients undergoing RCA-CVVHD due to sepsis-induced acute kidney injury. All participants received 2 g of meropenem every 8 h in a prolonged infusion lasting 3 h. Meropenem concentrations were measured in blood plasma using high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry. Blood samples were obtained at six-time points prior to and at six-time points after introducing RCA-CVVHD. RESULTS: The median APACHE IV and SOFA scores on admission were 118 points (interquartile range [IQR] 97-134 points) and 19.5 points (IQR 18-21 points), respectively. There were no significant differences in the plasma concentrations of meropenem measured directly before RCA-CVVHD and during the first 450 min of the procedure. The drug concentration reached its peak 2 h after initiating the infusion and then steadily declined. CONCLUSIONS: The concentration of high-dose meropenem (2 g every 8 h) administered in a prolonged infusion was similar before and after the introduction of RCA-CVVHD in patients with sepsis who developed acute kidney injury.
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Injúria Renal Aguda/terapia , Terapia de Substituição Renal Contínua/métodos , Meropeném/administração & dosagem , Sepse/tratamento farmacológico , Injúria Renal Aguda/etiologia , Idoso , Antibacterianos/administração & dosagem , Antibacterianos/farmacocinética , Anticoagulantes/administração & dosagem , Cromatografia Líquida de Alta Pressão , Ácido Cítrico/administração & dosagem , Estudos de Coortes , Estado Terminal , Feminino , Humanos , Masculino , Meropeném/farmacocinética , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Estudos Prospectivos , Sepse/complicações , Espectrometria de Massas em TandemRESUMO
Urolithiasis can affect all children even preschool ones. Diagnostic difficulties in the youngest children are due to the problems in locating pain and determining its character and severity. In keeping with the ALARA (As Low As Reasonably Achievable) protocol, the number of imaging tests possible to perform is very limited. Ultrasound is the first line exam of choice. After diagnosis of the presence of a stone, ESWL (Extracorporeal Shock Wave Lithotrypsy) should always be considered and offered to parents due to its high effectiveness and minimal invasiveness. If ESWL is contraindicated or not well-accepted by parents, authors suggest another minimal invasive approach: URS-L (Uretherorenoscopy-Lithotrypsy). Our study clinically analyzes 87 children, which were treated between 2009 and 2017 using the URS-L procedure. URS-L treatments were performed using Lithoclast until 2009, and after that time, using the holmium laser Ho:YAG. The overall effectiveness of treatments was 93.3%. There was no failure in the access to the stones. A macroscopic hematuria (Clavien-Dindo I grade) was observed through the second post-operative day in 9.2% of treated patients. No urosepsis was observed. Full metabolic evaluation was performed on all patients. Children remained under constant urological and nephrological observation. A recurrence of urolithiasis was observed in 35.6% of the cases. Treating ureteral lithiasis in young infants remains a big challenge. Our series shows that modern minimal invasive techniques used by very experienced pediatric urologists in high volume centers gives excellent results. In most cases, surgery should no longer need to be an option.
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PURPOSE: Fluid therapy in congestive acute decompensated heart failure (ADHF) patients might be inappropriate and worsening the prognosis. The aim of our study was to analyze the effect of fluid administration on mortality in non-septic, ADHF patients with reduced ejection fraction. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We analyzed 41 ADHF consecutive 'cold-wet' patients (mean age 69.3 ± 14.9 years, 27 men, LVEF 22.8 ± 11.1%, lactates 2.2 ± 1.6 mmol/L) without sepsis. At admission central venous pressure (CVP) was measured (17.6 ± 7.2 cm H2O), and ultrasound examination of inferior vena cava (IVC) was performed (IVC min. 18.6 ± 7.3 mm and IVC max. 24.6 ± 4.3 mm). Moreover, the groups were compared (survivors vs. non-survivors as well as 1st and 4th quartile of CVP). RESULTS: Altogether 17 (41%) patients died: 16 (39%) during a mean of 11.2 ± 7.8 days of hospitalization and 1 during a 30-day follow up. Patients in the lowest CVP quartile (<13 cm H2O) had significantly worse in-hospital survival as compared to patients in the highest quartile (>24 cm H2O), P = 0.012. Higher intravenous fluid volumes within the first 24 h were infused in patients in the lowest CVP quartile as compared to the highest CVP quartile (1791.7 ± 1357.8 mL vs. 754.5 ± 631.4 mL, P = 0.046). Moreover, more fluids were infused in a group of patients who died during a hospital stay and at 30-day follow up (1362.8 ± 752.7 mL vs. 722.7 ± 1046.5 mL, P = 0.004; 1348.8 ± 731.0 mL vs. 703.6 ± 1068.4 mL, P = 0.002, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: CVP-guided intravenous fluid therapy is a common practice which in high risk ADHF 'cold-wet' patients might be harmful and should rather be avoided. Lower CVP seems to be related with worse prognosis.
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Pressão Venosa Central , Hidratação , Insuficiência Cardíaca/fisiopatologia , Insuficiência Cardíaca/terapia , Idoso , Feminino , Insuficiência Cardíaca/mortalidade , Mortalidade Hospitalar , Humanos , Estimativa de Kaplan-Meier , Masculino , Sepse/complicações , Estatísticas não ParamétricasRESUMO
PURPOSE: The vascular cannulation is associated with a number of complications. The aim of this work was to study the composition and distribution of the film covering the surfaces of Mahurkar Maxid and Palindrome catheters, which were removed from the body of long-term hemodialysis patients. Moreover, the roughness and contact angle of the catheters were evaluated. METHODS: Two brand new (as a reference) and thirty used catheters were the subject of the study. Their implantation period lasted from 4 months to a year and the reason for removal was the production of another vascular access or obstruction. Surfaces were analyzed by scanning electron microscope, atomic force microscope and goniometer. RESULTS: The inner surfaces of the used catheters were covered with a film of various complexity which includes a plurality of protein, blood cell counts and the crystals. The closer to the distal part the film becomes more complex and multi-layered. Even the surfaces of brand new catheter were not completely smooth. The only significant difference between analyzed models was the presence of thrombus in the distal part of Mahurkar Maxid catheters, not in the Palindrome. CONCLUSIONS: The distal part of the catheters is the place most exposed to obstruction and infection, which may be due to not reaching the anticoagulant agent into this part. Not only the occurrence of side holes affects the formation of thrombus, but also their quantity, geometry and distribution which effect on fluid mechanics. The surface of the catheters needs to improvement to minimize the occurrence of defects and cracks.