Search PubMed⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

S Kwiatkowski

Publications and source records attributed to S Kwiatkowski.

48 records · Page 3Linked to original sources

Immunoassay detection of drugs in racing horses: detection of ethacrynic acid and bumetanide in equine urine by ELISA.

We have raised antibodies and developed one-step enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA) for the diuretics ethacrynic acid and bumetanide as part of a panel of pre- and post-race tests for high potency drugs in racing horses. These ELISA tests are rapid (completed within one hour), sensitive, and can be read by eye. The ELISA detects ethacrynic acid at a drug concentration for half-maximal inhibition (I-50) of about 2.5 ng/mL for the parent drug. After dosing horses intravenously with 5 mg ethacrynic acid per horse, the parent drug or its metabolites are detectable in urine for at least 8 hours. The bumetanide ELISA has an I-50 for the parent drug of about 2.0 ng/mL and will detect bumetanide or its metabolites for about 8 hours in urine after intravenous administration of a 1.7-mg dose per horse. Both antibodies are relatively specific for each drug and do not cross-react with other commonly used diuretics or other acidic compounds often found in post-race equine urine samples. Ethacrynic acid and bumetanide are potent diuretics suspected of being illegally substituted for furosemide in certain racing jurisdictions. Development of these rapid, sensitive, and simple tests for these agents will allow more effective pre- and post-race control of the use of these agents in racing horses. Both tests have recently uncovered several "positives" for these medications in a midwestern racing jurisdiction.

Animals↗

[Piracetam in severe cranio-cerebral injuries].

A group of 100 patients treated immediately following a cranio-cerebral injury was analyzed. The patients, administered piracetam either in an intravenous infusion (GCS 3-8) or orally (GCS above 9), were divided into groups depending on the dose and clinical status. Piracetam participates in the activity of the majority of neurotransmitters, increases glucose and oxygen consumption in the ischaemic nervous tissue and increases blood flow through cerebral terminal vessels. In cranio-cerebral injuries, piracetam is employed to achieve cytoprotection and improve cerebral blood flow. In patients with neurological deterioration following the administration of 6-10 mg/day, no good results were obtained. A dose of 24-30 mg/day had a significant positive effect on therapeutic results providing certain conditions were met, such as ensuring proper partial oxygen pressure (oxygen therapy) and proper blood glucose levels. The use of piracetam is justified immediately after an injury; after the discharge oral piracetam therapy is recommended.

Brain Injuries↗

[Spontaneous spinal epidural hematoma. Report of two cases].

In the paper 2 cases of non-traumatic spinal epidural haematomas are presented. The possible aetiological factors--vascular malformation, coagulopathy, anticoagulants and neoplasm are discussed. Neurological state, diagnostic procedure and treatment are described. Taking into account our experience we state that only early diagnosis and operation-surgical decompression of spinal cord, could result in complete recovery.

Adult↗

Esophageal motility in the personnel operating heavy self-propelled mining machines.

We examined 47 men exposed to whole-body vibration for a long time (average 9.8 years) and tested esophageal motility. The following parameters were measured: mean pressure in the body of esophagus during the passing of peristaltic wave, maximum value of pressure during the passing of peristaltic wave, mean and maximum duration of spasm and peristaltic wave transmission velocity was calculated. In over 1/4 exposed to whole-body vibration disorders of esophagus motility were observed. These disorders are probably a consequence of vocational exposure to whole-body vibration.

Adult↗

A preliminary consideration of the glass-ceramic dowel post and core.

Both cast ceramic and metal post and cores were made for endodontically treated extracted teeth and restored with ceramic restorations. The ceramic posts did not change the translucency or color of the natural tooth, in contrast to the metal posts, which altered both. A clinical study followed, with eight restorations placed for a mean period of service of 11.3 months. One ceramic post failed early following cementation. This preliminary report indicates that ceramic posts and cores offer excellent esthetic results and may be strong enough for clinical use under normal conditions.

Ceramics↗

[Autotransfusion in neurotraumatology and neurosurgery].

In the years 1991-1993, 145 patients suffering from central nervous system diseases were operated on using autotransfusion in the Institute of Neurology in Cracow. In 141 cases patients were given blood taken formerly. There were no side effects following blood treatment. In the authors opinion autotransfusion deserves wider use for medical and economic reasons.

Adolescent↗

[Post-traumatic cerebral vasospasms].

Posttraumatic vasospasms occur according to various authors in 5-10% of cases, and in our material they were demonstrated in 6% of the patients, that is about 8 times less frequently than in cases of bleeding from a vascular malformation. Computed tomography of the head showing posttraumatic vasospasm complicating "normal" clinical course is ever less frequent which does not mean that this disturbance is not occurring, but rather it shows that CT is insufficient for its demonstration. It was shown that in every case of unclear aetiology in which the clinical condition is not correlating with CT pattern of the head angiography of brain vessels should be performed or cerebral blood flow should be determined by other making possible early institution of adequate (targeted) treatment.

Brain↗