Gdańsk Medical University

About: Gdańsk Medical University is a education organization based out in Gdańsk, Poland. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Population & Cancer. The organization has 4893 authors who have published 11216 publications receiving 260523 citations.

Self-medication of anaphylactic reactions due to Hymenoptera stings-an EAACI Task Force Consensus Statement.

Abstract: An anaphylactic reaction due to a Hymenoptera sting is a clinical emergency, and patients, their caregivers as well as all healthcare professionals should be familiar with its recognition and acute management. This consensus report has been prepared by a European expert panel of the EAACI Interest Group of Insect Venom Hypersensitivity. It is targeted at allergists, clinical immunologists, internal medicine specialists, pediatricians, general practitioners, emergency department doctors, and any other healthcare professional involved. The aim was to report the scientific evidence on self-medication of anaphylactic reactions due to Hymenoptera stings, to inform healthcare staff about appropriate patient self-management of sting reactions, to propose indications for the prescription of an adrenaline auto-injector (AAI), and to discuss other forms of medication. First-line treatment for Hymenoptera sting anaphylaxis is intramuscular adrenaline. Prescription of AAIs is mandatory in the case of venom-allergic patients who suffer from mast cell diseases or with an elevated baseline serum tryptase level and in untreated patients with a history of a systemic reaction involving at least two different organ systems. AAI prescription should also be considered in other specific situations before, during, and after stopping venom immunotherapy.

Review of drug utilization patterns in NICUs worldwide.

Abstract: SummaryWhat is known and objectives When considering acute care settings, such as the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU), the inappropriate use of medicines poses a great risk to vulnerable babies at the start of their lives. However, there is limited published literature that explores the current medication management practices in NICUs and where the main misuse issues lie. Therefore, the purpose of this review was to give an overview of medicine use in NICUs worldwide and identify therapeutic areas requiring more targeted pharmaceutical care. Specific objectives include the following: identifying the most commonly used medicines, comparing these to the A-PINCH (Anti-infectives, Potassium and other electrolytes, Insulin, Narcotics and sedatives, Chemotherapy agents, Heparin and other anticoagulants), high-risk medicines list, and determining whether there are any differences in medicine use between countries. Method Quasi-systematic literature review. Search strategy Google Scholar, MEDLINE/PubMed, Scopus and EMBASE were searched utilizing selected MeSH terms. Results A total of 19 articles from 12 countries were reviewed. Medication use between countries was very similar with no discernible differences in types of medicines prescribed. The most commonly used medicines included gentamicin, ampicillin, caffeine, furosemide and vitamin K. The median number of medicines prescribed per patient ranged from 3 to 11, and an inverse relationship was identified between gestational age and the number of medications that were prescribed. Nine of the 20 most commonly used medicines were listed as A-PINCH medicines, and included antibiotics, fentanyl, morphine and heparin. Inappropriate prescribing, as well as the high use of off-label/unlicensed medicines, was highlighted as areas of practice that require consideration to improve medication safety and minimize the potential risk for medication errors. What is new and conclusion Overall, the types of medicines used in NICUs worldwide are similar, with consistent reports on the common use of antibiotics, caffeine and vitamins. However, it cannot be definitively stated that the findings of the review accurately depict current practice in NICUs, due to the limited amount of published literature available. There are several areas of concern that warrant further investigation to improve rational use of medicines in the neonatal populations, including high use of antibiotics and off-label and unlicensed medicines.

Outcomes Associated With Cardiogenic Shock in Takotsubo Syndrome

Abstract: The clinical course of takotsubo syndrome (TTS) can be complicated by several life-threatening conditions. In particular, cardiogenic shock (CS) represents one of the leading causes of mortality in the acute phase and occurs in a considerable number of patients with TTS, with an incidence of ≈10%. At present, no established guidelines are available to support specific treatment recommendations,and the conventional therapy for CS leads to uncertain results in TTS cases. The International Takotsubo Registry (www.takotsubo-registry.com) is an observational, prospective, and retrospective registry established at the University Hospital Zurich in 2011, with the largest TTS database worldwide. Patients were included in the registry between 2011 and 2017 based on modified Mayo Clinic Diagnostic criteria. Hospitalization data were recorded through standardized forms on admission or during revision of clinical charts; follow-up data were obtained from medical records, telephone follow-up, or clinical visits. The study population was categorized into 2 groups: patients with TTS with and without CS. The study protocol was reviewed by the respective local ethics committees or investigational review boards at each collaboration site. Where informed consent was required, formal written consent was obtained from patients.

Evaluation of honeys and bee products quality based on their mineral composition using multivariate techniques

Abstract: The aim of this investigation was to estimate honeys and bee products quality in view of their mineral composition using multivariate techniques. Fourteen elements (Ca, Mg, K, Na, P, Co, Mn, Fe, Cr, Ni, Zn, Cu, Cd, and Pb) were determined in 66 honeys and bee products from different places of Poland and Europe and various botanical origins. The total metals contents were analyzed by flame atomic absorption spectrometry using deuterium-background correction after wet digestion with nitric acid in an automatic microwave digestion system. Phosphorus was determined in the form of phosphomolybdate by a spectrophotometric method. Reliability of the procedure was checked by analysis of the certified reference materials tea (NCS DC 73351) and cabbage (IAEA-359). The analytical data indicated a good level of quality of honeys, especially with regard to the concentration of toxic trace elements, such as Cd and Pb. Results were submitted to multivariate analysis, including such techniques as factor and cluster analyses in order to evaluate the existence of data patterns and the possibility of classification of honeys from different botanical origins according to their mineral content. The nine metals determined were considered as chemical descriptors of each sample. There was a significant influence of the botanical and geographical provenance as well as technological processing on the elemental composition of honeys.