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Biomedical subjects

Z Stelmasiak

Publications and source records attributed to Z Stelmasiak.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources
PubMed2000

[The mechanisms of neuronal death and advances in the neural protection in epilepsy].

Epilepsias are chronic central nervous system diseases which manifest by recurrent seizures. They may be classified into channelopathies resulting from mutations of ionic channels or receptors for neurotransmitters, and epilepsias which are secondary to cortical damage and result from the reconstruction of cortical neural networks. Chronic or generalized seizures initiate processes called the "excititoxic cascade" the effector side of which, quite similar to that of the "ischemic cascade", may lead to neuronal death through either apoptosis or necrosis. Therefore, complementing pharmacological treatment of epilepsia with neuroprotective substances such as free radical scavenger or CDP-choline which blocks the activation of phospholipase A2 may be indicated.

Brain↗
PubMed1999

[General cerebral and systemic metabolic disturbances occurring in ischemic stroke with special emphasis on glucose and its metabolites].

Ischaemic stroke is a stressogenic factor triggering a complex defensive reaction called "alarm reaction" by Selye. Stress gives rise to liberation of catecholamines, dopamine beta-hydroxylase in the blood, cerebro-spinal fluid and urine. Patients with ischaemic stroke were found to have increased adrenaline, noradrenaline, and 3-metoxy-4-hydroxymandelic acid level in urine and increased cortisol level in blood serum. Patients, especially those with severe ischaemic stroke have increased concentrations of glucose metabolites in blood and cerebro-spinal fluid: pyruvate acid, lactic acid, acetylacetic acid and hydroxybutyric acid.

Epinephrine↗
PubMed1999

[Evaluation of lactic acid levels in blood of patients with ischemic stroke in the earliest stage of the disease].

The aim of the study was the assessment of concentrations of lactic acid in the blood of patients with mild course and severe course of ischaemic stroke in the earliest stage of the disease. The subject of the study were 20 patients with a mild ischaemic stroke and 20 patients with a severe one on its 1st, 3rd and 7th day. Enzymatic method for determining lactic acid content in the blood was used (the kits Test-Combination Lactate fully enzymatic of Boehringer Mannheim). In the group of patients with mild ischaemic stroke increase values of lactic acid were shown on all days of the disease, but the differences were statistically insignificant. In patients with severe ischaemic stroke these values were higher than in controls, and the differences were statistically significant. The study showed a positive correlation between high concentrations of lactic acid and severe clinical condition of patients.

Cerebral Infarction↗
PubMed1999

[Evaluation of pyruvic acid concentration in blood of patients with ischemic stroke in the earliest stage of the disease].

The aim of the study was the assessment of concentrations of pyruvic acid in the blood of patients with mild course and severe course of ischaemic stroke in the earliest stage of the disease. The subject of the study were 20 patients with a mild ischaemic stroke and 20 patients with a severe one on its 1st, 3rd and 7th day. Enzymatic method for determining pyruvic acid content in the blood was used (ready made reagents Test-Combination Pyruvate by Boerhinger Mannheim). In the group of patients with mild ischaemic stroke the concentrations of pyruvic acid were increased on all days of the disease, compared with controls, but the differences were statistically insignificant. In the group of patients with severe ischaemic stroke the concentrations of pyruvic acid were higher than the ones in control group, but only on the 1st and 3rd day of the disease the differences were statistically significant. The results of determinations indicate that there is a positive correlation between levels of pyruvic acid and severity of the clinical course of the disease.

Cerebral Infarction↗
PubMed1999

[A case of hypoxic encephalopathy in the course of chronic spastic bronchitis and pulmonary emphysema].

Respiratory insufficiency appearing during chronic lung diseases leads to hypoxemia, hypercapnia, acidosis, right ventricular failure and secondary polyglobulia. These disturbances lead to respiratory encephalopathy which is characterized by the appearance of various types of neurological syndromes. We present here the case of a patient suffering from chronic spastic bronchitis accompanied by pulmonary emphysema, whose consciousness disturbances, a generalized epileptic seizure and hemiparesis were connected with his respiratory insufficiency intensifying during the basic disease. Removal of metabolic disturbances caused by respiratory insufficiency has a key role in preventing secondary neurological syndromes.

Aged↗
PubMed1999

[A case of polymyositis with flaccid paraparesis].

Polymyositis is characterized by inflammatory process in muscles and muscle weakness is the main clinical sign of the disease. We report a case of a 65-years old woman suffering from polymyositis with flaccid paraparesis. Forms of polymyositis where only proximal muscles of lower extremities are involved are very rare, so it may cause diagnostic mistakes. Because of that, it is very important to pay a special attention when making the diagnose of paresis.

Aged↗
PubMed1999

[Usefulness of current and retrospective markers of glycemia for early prognostication of ischemic stroke in diabetics and non-diabetics].

Diabetes mellitus is associated with an increased incidence of ischaemic stroke but it is not established whether it may exacerbate its clinical course and prognosis. In the study we have assessed relations of fasting (1st-2nd day of illness) and pre-stroke glycaemia (measured as HbA1 and FA) with recent clinical manifestation and outcome within one month in 22 diabetics and 37 non-diabetics with ischaemic brain infarction in the internal carotid territory. Merely enhanced HbA1 in the majority of non-diabetic stroke patients confirmed impaired pre-stroke glucose tolerance but did not influence severity of hemiparesis and further prognosis. Abnormally high both HbA1 and dFA in diabetics, reflecting non-sufficient metabolic control of illness did not exacerbate acute manifestation of stroke and outcome. Fasting post-stroke glycaemia that expresses a stress response of brain origin was determinative for clinical state but not for one-month prognosis in diabetics and non-diabetics with brain infarction.

Aged↗
PubMed1998

[Convulsive status epilepticus--clinical analysis of patients treated iin the Neurological Clinics, Medical Academy in Lublin in the years 1986-1995].

The authors reviewed clinical records of 57 consecutive adults (age: 17-78, 63%--men) treated in the intensive care unit to convulsive SE that was refractory to first-line medication (BDZ,PB). They were divided into three groups: up to 30 (mean 21 years, 28%), between 31-50 (43 y, 32%) and above 50 (59 y, 40%), 58% had previously had epilepsy with prevalence in the youngest (85%). Among the oldest in whom epilepsy occurred de novo as much as 42% experienced it in the form of convulsive SE. Generalized SE was observed in 83% of cases; exclusively in patients up to 50 and in 61% of the oldest. The identifiable precipitating causes of SE were determined in 72% cases but in 25% there were two or more of them. Among previously epileptics leading etiologies for SE were: alcohol abuse, infection or drug withdrawal. Recent brain injury (stroke, neuro-infection, trauma) accelerated refractory seizures in epilepsy-free cases. Time to recovery varied from 0.5-2 (6%) to 2-6 or above 6 hrs (46% each) after continuous i.v. administration of BZD or chlormethiazole (53%) when ineffective. No side effects were noted. The commonest complications during SE were hyperthermia and transient dysregulation of circulatory or/and respiratory systems. Everyone was led out of SE. Overall mortality amounted to 12%. Among the deceased 71% were in the oldest group and everyone with recent brain lesion. This study highlights differences in the course of convulsive SE according to age and underlying etiology and the importance of intense care in therapeutic schedule. A more common chlormethiazole administration, a useful therapeutic tool in management of convulsive SE in adults had been discussed.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1996

The value of magnetic resonance imaging in diagnosis and monitoring of treatment in multiple sclerosis.

We analysed MR examinations of 277 patients with multiple sclerosis. White matter hyperintensities in brain were found in 270 of them. The most frequently they were found in periventricular white matter (in 100% of cases), in subcortical localization (52.2%) and in the corpus callosum (44.4%). MR examination allows to estimate the activity of the disease on the basis of the presence of oedema around the plaques and their contrast enhancement with gadopentetate dimeglumine (Gd-DTPA). 17.8% of all cases showed the signs of the acute phase of MS. About one-third of all cases were accompanied by cortical brain atrophy (the most often seen in frontal lobes), subcortical brain atrophy was less frequent (one-sixth). In about two-third of all cases the corpus callosum atrophy was found. The analysis of follow-up MR examinations of 83 patients taking part in a double-blind placebo-controlled trial of a new immunosuppressive drug cladribine showed that patients from the placebo group were more compliant to any changes of the plaques. Decrease of the plaques size was found mainly in women. No correlation between the patients age and the plaques changes was established.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1995

Magnesium concentration in plasma and erythrocytes in MS.

There are few reports of Mg in MS and none dealing with Mg content in erythrocytes. Mg concentration was determined in serum and in erythrocytes with the help of a BIOTROL Magnesium Calmagite colorimetric method (average sensitivity: 0.194 A per mmol/I) and a Hitachi autoanalyzer in 24 MS patients (7 men and 17 women, age 29-60; 37 years on average with the duration of the disease: 3-19; 11 years on average, at clinical disability stages according to the Kurtzke scale: 1-7; 3.2 on average, in remission stage. A statistically significant decrease (p < 0.001) of Mg concentration in erythrocytes and no changes in plasma of MS patients were found. The results obtained suggest the presence of changes in membrane of erythrocytes which could be connected with their shorter life and with affection of their function.

Adult↗
PubMed1995

[Treatment of acute optic neuritis with large doses of corticosteroids].

UNLABELLED: The aim of this study is to compare two modes of treatment of acute optic neuritis (AON). MATERIALS AND METHODS: 98 patients, treated between January 1992 and February 1995, after diagnosis of AON were included in this study. The diagnosis and results of treatment were determined on the basis of ophthalmological examination including visual acuity, perimetry, colour vision testing and neurological assessment. A comparison was made between the two treatment regimens of AON: oral and peribulbar injections of steroids versus intravenous administration followed by oral medication with steroids. The results are in agreement with other studies and show that intravenous steroids followed by oral steroids are more effective treatment of AON on its own or in association with MS.

Acute Disease↗
PubMed1995

The activity of lysosomal enzymes in visual cortex of rabbits during experimental diabetes.

The activity of all principal groups of lysosomal enzymes (acid phosphatase, lipase, beta-galactosidase, sulphatase and cathepsin B) was measured in the visual cortex of rabbits with experimental diabetes. In the first stage of diabetes (21 days), it was observed that enzyme activities in the free fraction and in the membrane-bound fraction are decreased as compared to the initial values determined in healthy animals. In the later stages of diabetes (90-180 days), all lysosomal enzyme activities increased except for sulphatase. This indicated a superiority of catabolic processes in visual cortex cells in the course of experimental diabetes.

Animals↗
PubMed1995

Effect of repeated treatments with cladribine (2-chlorodeoxyadenosine) on blood counts in multiple sclerosis patients.

We report the results of blood morphology monitoring of 11 remitting-relapsing multiple sclerosis patients who received repeated treatments with cladribine (2-chlorodeoxyadenosine). The drug was given once, daily, subcutaneously (5 mg) or orally (10 mg) for 5 consecutive days, as 6 monthly courses followed by one or two additional courses at 3 or 6 month intervals. The treatments were well tolerated, although many patients suffered from incidental upper respiratory tract infections, most of which occurred during the last 6 months of the observation period. One patient had recurrent infections, including an episode of urosepsis. All infections responded to standard therapy with antibiotics. Progressive lymphocyte reduction to 1000/microliters on average, and clear, but clinically insignificant drop in thrombocytes, was observed. Granulocyte counts were sometimes markedly elevated. A few patients developed macrocytosis, but none required transfusion. With our dosing and schedule, cladribine seems relatively safe in multiple sclerosis patients.

Adult↗
PubMed1994

[Treatment of idiopathic blepharospasm with botulinum toxin A].

The preparations of botulinum toxin A--Botox and Porton were injected into the orbicular muscle of eye in 18 patients with idiopathic blepharospasm or Meige's syndrome. Improvement was achieved in 17 patients; in 10 injections should be repeated after about 8 weeks. Minor side effects declined after several days. Injection of botulinum toxin could be effective in this disease, otherwise hard to cure.

Aged↗
PubMed1992

Brain abscess in infants.

Brain abscesses are rare in infants and their clinical presentation is specific for this age group. Seven cases of brain abscess in infants aged 2-11 months are reported. The underlying cause was meningitis in four, sepsis in two, and unknown in one. Gram-negative organisms were cultured in 6 patients. The abscess size was 5 cm or more in five cases; in four there were multiple lesions. Two abscesses were aspirated and irrigated; four particularly large lesions were drained and repeatedly aspirated and irrigated. One craniotomy was done. There were two deaths, one in the postoperative period and the other 6 months after discharge. Follow-up information is available for four children, showing a good result in only one of them. Formation of an abscess should be diagnosed early, and close ultrasound monitoring or CT scanning in infants with bacterial meningitis and sepsis is essential. The prognosis in cases in which large/multiple abscesses develop is poor.

Brain Abscess↗