bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Hypercupraemia Induced by Antiepileptic Drugs
Authors: Ghose K. , Taylor A. 
Published: December 2008

1 Serum copper and zinc levels were measured in 84 treated male epileptics, aged between 6 and 18 years, by an atomic absorption spectroscopic method. These patients were selected randomly from a residential special school. Twenty drug-free healthy but educationally subnormal (ESN) male subjects of similar age group from the same school acted as controls. 2 No abnormality in serum zinc level was observed. 3 In nineteen (22.6%) epileptics, copper levels were above the upper level of normal range (20.5 μmol/l), whereas this was only marginally elevated (20.8 μmol/l) in one (5%) ESN subject. 4 The mean copper level in all epileptics was higher than the controls ( P<0.01), but there was no difference between the epileptics treated with sodium valproate alone and the ESN group. 5 The patients who were receiving carbamazepine either as monotherapy or in combination with other drugs except phenytoin, had higher mean copper levels than the controls ( P<0.01). A similar observation was made in relation with phenytoin polytherapy (but excluding carbamazepine). 6 There also appeared to be an association between the high serum copper levels and diffuse/generalized electroencephalographic changes ( P < 0.001). Some antiepileptic drugs, particularly carbamazepine, can produce such electroencephalographic abnormalities. 7 It is concluded that hypercupraemia observed in these treated epileptics were related to the induction of caeruloplasmin synthesis by phenytoin and carbamazepine.
Acute Severe Poisoning in Spain: Clinical Outcome Related to the Implicated Drugs
Authors: Frati M.E. , Marruecos L. , Porta M. , Martín M.L. , Laporte J.-R. 
Published: December 2008

1 The 91 patients over the age of 10 (57 women and 32 men) with severe self-poisoning admitted to the ICU of a general hospital in Barcelona during the period 1974-1980 have been retrospectively studied. 2 Previous suicidal attempts have been identified among 32 patients; 26 patients presented a history of personality disorders, and 19 had a neurological disease, a chronic physical illness, or a history of alcoholism. 3 Sedative-hypnotic drugs were involved in about half the number of cases, and one fifth of total cases were due to tricyclic antidepressants and phenothiazines. Paracetamol was only involved in 2 cases, and heroin in another 2 cases. 4 Many of the most severe morbidity manifestations were related to overdoses by intermediate-acting barbiturates. Two out of a total of 5 deaths were related to butalbitone overdose. Butalbitone had been ingested as a fixed-dose combination containing butalbitone, propyphenazone, and caffeine, which is freely dispensed as an analgesic in Spain.
Paraphenylenediamine Induced Acute Tubular Necrosis Following Hair Dye Ingestion
Authors: Suliman S.M. , Homeida M. , Aboud O.I. 
Published: December 2008

1 A case is reported of paraphenylenediamine toxicity following hair dye ingestion. 2 Renal biopsy showed histology typical of acute tubular necrosis.
A Prospective Study of 1212 Cases of Acute Poisoning: General Epidemiology
Authors: Jacobsen D. , Frederichsen P.S. , Knutsen K.M. , Sørum Y. , Talseth T. , Ødegaard O.R. 
Published: December 2008

1 A prospective multicentre study of all acute poisonings among adults admitted to hospital (n = 1145) or dying outside hospital (n = 67) in Oslo was performed during 1980. 2 Of the 1212 episodes, 98.3% were self-poisonings, giving an annual incidence of 2.8 per 1000 inhabitants (%o), 3.1‰ in males and 2.6‰ in females. 3 The main toxic agents among the self-poisoned patients were ethanol (19.7%), benzodiazepines (17.8%), opiates (14.9%), neuroleptics (10.4%) and antidepressants (9.3%). In 58.9% of the episodes more than one toxic agent was taken. 4 Abuse among the self-poisoned patients was significantly ( p < 0.005) more common among males than females (64.2 v. 34.5%). 5 The rate of suicide attempts was significantly ( p < 0.005) higher among females than males (20.2 v. 12.9%), females showing increasing rate with age. However, when excluding abusers the rate of suicide attempts was similar in both sexes (27.6 v. 25.0%). 6 Compared to a reference population self-poisonings were most common in the lower middle and the lowest social classes. Patients in these social classes, however, showed a lower rate of suicide attempts than those in the two highest social classes. 7 Overall mortality was 6.0% ( n = 73), but 91.8% of all deaths occurred outside hospital indicating the importance of including these figures when self-poisonings are studied.
Glutathione and Caffeine Antagonize the Sperm-Immobilizing Effect of a Vaginal Contraceptive
Authors: Hong C.Y. , Chiang B.N. , Ku J. , Wei Y.H. 
Published: December 2008

1 The concentration-dependent inhibition of Neosampoon, a vaginal contraceptive, on ejaculated human sperm motility was studied with a transmembrane migration method. 2 Caffeine (5mM), glutathione (5mM) and glutathione (15mM) all reactivated the motility of Neosampoon-immobilized sperm. 3 Caffeine (5mM) was more potent than glutathione in antagonizing Neosampoon; there was no difference between the potency of 5mM- and 15mM-glutathione. 4 Human sperm motility could be a model for studying the interaction of membrane-active drugs, including the protective effect of glutathione against membrane-disrupting agents.
Cyanotic Crises in a Breast-fed Infant from Mother taking Dipyrone
Authors: Rizzoni G. , Furlanut M. 
Published: December 2008

1 Cyanotic crises occurred in a breast-fed infant whose mother was under treatment with dipyrone for a sore throat. No abnormalities were found at physical and routine laboratory examinations. 2 Dipyrone concentrations in mother's serum and milk and in infant's serum and urine were 3.3, 4.3 and 3.2, 3.74 μg/ml respectively. 3 It is concluded that the adverse effect could be due to dipyrone ingested with mother's milk.
Accidental Poisoning with Deadly Nightshade Berries: a Case Report
Authors: Trabattoni G. , Visintini D. , Terzano G.M. , Lechi A. 
Published: December 2008

1 A case of acute accidental poisoning with deadly nightshade (Atropa belladonna) berries is reported. The patient was an elderly but healthy man who soon recovered.2 On the one hand, the clinical picture looked similar to that of delirium tremens; on the other, there were myoclonic jerks and signs of extrapyramidal involvement to suggest the onset of subacute dementia.3 The electroencephalogram findings confirmed those already reported during experimentally induced intoxication after ingestion of atropine in man.
Massive Theophylline Intoxication: Effects of Charcoal Haemoperfusion on Plasma and Erythrocyte Theophylline Concentrations
Authors: van Kesteren R.G. , van Dijk A. , Klein S.W. , van Heijst A.N.P. 
Published: December 2008

1 The results of a charcoal haemoperfusion on plasma and erythrocyte theophylline concentrations are described in a patient, intentionally intoxicated with a sustained-release theophylline formulation. 2 It is demonstrated that the charcoal-filled Gambro Adsorba 300-C column is effective in removing theophylline. 3 This effectiveness is based on pharmacokinetic parameters, which are presented. 4 The necessity of measuring plasma and erythrocyte theophylline concentrations is outlined. Calculations based on plasma theophylline concentrations only can lead to an underestimation of the effectiveness.
Some Observations on the Macula of Pesticide Workers
Authors: Misra U.K. , Nag D. , Misra N.K. , Mehra M.K. , Ray P.K. 
Published: December 2008

1 To study the retinal changes in occupationally exposed pesticide workers, 79 subjects exposed to an organophosphate, fenthion, and 18 exposed to an organochlorine pesticide DDT [1,1,1- trichloro- 2 ,2-bis(p-chlorophenyl) ethane], were subjected to a detailed study, including history taking, physical examination and ophthalmic evaluation. Fluorescein angiography was performed in selected cases. Serum cholinesterase level in 22 workers and serum DDT residue in 17 workers of the respective groups were also estimated. 2 Fifteen workers (19%), who were exposed to fenthion had macular changes (P < 0.01). The macular lesions were characterized by perifoveal irregularity of pigmentation and areas of hypopigmentation of 1/8-1/3 disc diameter. 3 Mean age of the subjects having macular involvement was 30.6 years and mean duration of exposure 7.9 years. The symptoms reported by them were diminution of vision (8), dislike for bright light, flash of light, black dots in front of the eyes (2 each) and visual blurring (1). Paracentral scotoma and constriction of peripheral field were present in three workers each. Fluorescein angiography suggested pigment epithelium defect. 4 Other causes of macular involvement in these workers were excluded; a possible role of pesticides in the genesis of these macular changes is suggested.
Renal Failure and Upper Urinary Tract Obstruction after Retrograde Pyelography with Potassium Bromide Solution
Authors: Joyce D.A. , Matz L.R. , Saker B.M. 
Published: December 2008

1 Two iodine-sensitive women in whom potassium bromide solution was used as a radiocontrast agent for retrograde pyelography developed similar clinical conditions culminating in renal failure. 2 Renal failure was due to upper urinary tract obstruction from fibrosis and fat necrosis in each case. Similar histological findings have been described in rabbit bladder exposed to sodium bromide solution. Different patterns of exposure corresponded with different sites of major damage in the two cases. 3 One patient, who had repeated studies of the pelvicalyceal system with potassium bromide developed papillary necrosis. Systemic exposure to bromide-releasing compounds (in animals) and to bromides (in humans) has also been associated with papillary necrosis.
Blood Lead Concentrations and Lead Intake in Children of Different Ethnic Origin
Authors: Sherlock J.C. , Barltrop D. , Evans W.H. , Quinn M.J. , Smart G.A. , Strehlow C. 
Published: December 2008

1 Factors affecting blood lead concentrations in three groups of children of different ethnic origin have been investigated. 2 Dietary lead intakes were similar for the three groups, the average lead intakes lay in the range 110-150 μg/week. 3 Blood lead concentrations were not related to ethnic origin when the effect of other factors was allowed for. 4 Children who washed their hands before eating had significantly lower blood lead concentrations than those who did not.
The Effectiveness of a Cation Resin (Kayexalate) as an Adsorbent of Paraquat: Experimental and Clinical Studies
Authors: Yamashita M. , Naito H. , Takagi S. 
Published: December 2008

1 The cation-exchange-resin KayexalateR has an adsorption capacity for paraquat 15 times greater than activated charcoal and 6 times greater than Adsorbin. The oral LD 50 of paraquat in rats rose 2.1 times by intragastric injection of Kayexalate.1 2 In the present study, the survival rate of rats given Kayexalate or Adsorbin after paraquat administration was examined. Results of clinical studies on 22 patients are also presented.
Accidental Poisoning in Childhood: A Multicentre Survey. 2. The Role of Packaging in Accidents Involving Medications
Authors: Wiseman H.M. , Guest K. , Murray V.S.G. , Volans G.N. ,   NPIS Monitoring Group
Published: December 2008

1 To assess the effectiveness of child-resistant closures (CRCs) and unit dose packaging in preventing childhood poisoning with medications, a survey by 14 hospitals of accidental suspected poisoning in children under 5-years-old, was compared with a survey of a representative sample of households with children under 5 living in the catchment areas of the hospitals. 2 Nine hundred and thirty-eight medications thought to have been ingested by 877 children were compared with 5827 medications found in households with children. The relationship between availability of packs or medications in the home and their involvement in accidents was quantified by means of an Accident Association Index (AAI). A low AAI indicated that the involvement of a pack or medication was less than expected from availability and therefore safe. A high AAI indicated that involvement was greater than expected and therefore unsafe. 3 Medications involved in suspected poisoning were most frequently packed in containers without CRCs (63%) or transparent blisters (20%); both had high AAIs. CRCs, strips, sachets and opaque blisters had low AAIs. 4 Analgesics, expectorants and gastrointestinal medications, had low AAIs, while oral contraceptives, hypnotics, sedative/tranquillizers, antidepressants, anticonvulsants, anti-emetics, and anti-infectives had high AAIs. Prescription medications were more frequently involved in accidents than over-the-counter (OTC) medications and had a higher AAI. 5 Comparison of the AAIs of different kinds of medication in each of their various pack types showed that safe packaging reduced the risk from medications which had a high average AAI. 6 Only 40% of medications were in their normal storage place at the time of the accident. Medicine and bathroom cabinets, and kitchen cupboards and drawers were the safest places to store medications. Handbags, fridges, and shelves or ledges in the bathroom were the most unsafe places. No pack had a low AAI when stored on open shelves indicating that safe packaging cannot compensate for unsafe storage. 7 Other factors which influenced the involvement of medications in accidents were the intended user and the duration of storage. 8 The results of the study have important implications for design of packaging for medications and for education of the public.
Influence of Cigarette Smoking on Thyroid Hormone Levels
Authors: Karakaya A. , Tunçel N. , Alptuna G. , Koçer Z. , Erbay G. 
Published: December 2008

1 Serum triiodothyronine (T3), thyroxine (T4) and thyrotropin (TSH) concentrations and urinary thiocyanate levels were examined in healthy smokers and non-smokers as an indicator of smoking behaviour. Smokers were subdivided into moderate and heavy.2 Significant differences in urinary thiocyanate levels were apparent between all three groups. For heavy smokers, serum T3 concentrations were significantly above the values found in non-smokers. Increased serum T3 levels were not accompanied by a substantial change in serum T4 and TSH concentrations.
Chromosomal Aberrations and Sister Chromatid Exchanges in Lymphocytes and Urine Mutagenicity of Migraine Patients: A Comparison of Chronic Feverfew Users and Matched Non-users
Authors: Anderson D. , Jenkinson P.C. , Dewdney R.S. , Blowers S.D. , Johnson E.S. , Kadam N.P. 
Published: December 2008

1 Thirty migraine patients who had taken the leaves, tablets or capsules of feverfew daily for more than 11 consecutive months were compared to 30 feverfew non-user migraine patients who had been individually age- and sex-matched.2 The frequency of chromosomal aberrations and sister chromatid exchanges (SCE) were determined from lymphocyte cultures established from blood samples taken over a period of several months. Matched pairs were sampled on the same date for two-thirds of the cases, and the greatest difference in sampling time of the remainder was 20 days. Also, the mutagenicity of urine samples from 10 feverfew user migraine patients was compared to that from 10 matched non-user migraine patients using the Ames Salmonella mutagenicity test system. Paired samples were given on the same date.3 The mean frequency of chromosomal aberrations in the feverfew user group was lower than that in the non-user group both in terms of cells with breaks (2.13% vs 2.76%) and in terms of cells with all aberrations (4.34% vs 5.11%). However, this difference was small and not significant.4 The mean frequency of SCE in the feverfew exposed group was lower than that in the control group (8.78 vs 8.80 SCE/cell), but, this difference was not significant as determined by factorial analysis of variance (P = 0.897). There was a highly significant variance between the frequencies of SCE in the matched pairs of migraine patients but this was not related to age, sex or feverfew exposure.5 The mean number of revertants in the Ames mutagenicity assay was greater for the urine of the feverfew user migraine patients than that of the non-user migraine patients, in both strains of bacteria, with or without the inclusion of an S-9 metabolizing system. However, the increases were small and not significant.6 The data indicate that the prophylactic use of feverfew for the alleviation of migraine symptoms affects neither the frequency of chromosomal aberrations nor the frequency of SCE in the circulating peripheral lymphocytes. Also, the mutagenicity of urine from feverfew user migraine patients is unaffected compared to urine from non-user migraine patients detectable by the methods used in this study.
Polymorphism of the 4-Hydroxylation of Debrisoquine in the San Bushmen of Southern Africa
Authors: Sommers De K. , Moncrieff J. , Avenant J. 
Published: December 2008

1 The metabolic oxidation of debrisoquine has been studied in a group of 96 San Bushmen. 2 The amounts of debrisoquine and 4-hydroxy-debrisoquine excreted in 0-8 h urine were measured and the metabolic ratio (% dose as debrisoquine/% dose as 4-hydroxy-debrisoquine) calculated. 3 On the basis of Caucasian criteria, that metabolic ratios > 12.6 represent poor metabolizers, 19% of the Bushmen were poor metabolizers in contrast to the 8-10% found in Caucasian studies. 4 Probit plots showed four modes may be present in the data, which may represent at least three isozymes of the relevant enzyme which may also differ from the Caucasian isozymes.
Analysis of UK Sera for Aflatoxin by Enzyme-linked Immunosorbent Assay
Authors: Wilkinson A.P. , Denning D.W. , Morgan M.R.A. 
Published: December 2008

1 Aflatoxins are toxic, carcinogenic secondary fungal metabolites produced by certain moulds that commonly infest foods. Measurement of aflatoxins in human serum would give a direct measurement of exposure. 2 Twenty-seven serum samples from UK blood donors were found to contain aflatoxin levels not greater than 64 pmol/1 (20 pg/ml) by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. 3 These findings may indicate that present UK guideline tolerances for aflatoxin in imported food are effective in limiting human exposure to toxic aflatoxins in the UK diet, though further work would be needed to confirm this. In particular, sub-populations suspected of being at higher risk may need special considerations.
Metabolic Activation of Carcinogens and Toxic Chemicals
Authors: Parke D.V. , Ioannides C. , Lewis D.F.V. 
Published: December 2008

1 The spatial parameters and electronic structures of 100 exogenous and endogenous chemicals have been determined by computer graphics, from which their oxidative metabolism by the cytochromes P-448 (activation) or the other families of cytochromes P-450 (generally detoxication) have been predicted.2 The spatial parameters of these chemicals primarily determine the family of cytochrome P-450 by which the chemicals are metabolized and the electronic structures primarily determine their ease of oxidative metabolism.3 The role of oxidative metabolism of xenobiotics by the cytochromes P-448, and their binding to the cytosolic Ah receptor, are considered in relationship to the mechanisms of chemical toxicity, mutagenicity, carcinogenicity, and co-carcinogenicity.4 The mechanisms of chemical toxicity and carcinogenesis are considered in respect of activation through cytochrome P-448-mediated, conformationally-hindered oxygenation to reactive intermediates which, unlike most cytochrome P-450-oxygenated metabolites, are not acceptable substrates for conjugation and detoxication and therefore react with essential intracellular macromolecules.5 The computer graphic method of determining the molecular conformations and electronic structures of molecules is a rapid, scientifically-based procedure for evaluation of the potential toxicity, mutagenicity and carcinogenicity of chemicals.
Alcohol and Brain Damage
Authors: Thomson A.D. , Pratt O.E. , Jeyasingham M. , Shaw G.K. 
Published: December 2008

The safe limits of alcohol intake are difficult to define because of individual variations in susceptibility to damage. The present recommendations are based largely on epidemiological studies of liver damage. Recent investigations indicate that alcoholic brain damage is much more common than previously suspected. More information is required about its natural history and the characteristics of individuals most likely to suffer damage. Thiamin (vitamin B 1) deficiency has long been associated with brain damage and may result from a number of additive causes in the alcoholic patient. New information indicating damage to the protein moeity of some of the thiamin-using enzymes has been reviewed, as have possible mechanisms of brain cell necrosis.
New Approaches to the Use of Pharmacokinetics in Toxicology and Drug Development
Authors: Campbell D.B. , Ings R.M.J. 
Published: December 2008

1 The use of pharmacokinetics in toxicology, clinical pharmacology and in the individualization of dosage has been critically examined. 2 In toxicity studies, doses are given to animals with the aim of achieving substantially higher plasma levels than the therapeutic level in man. However, small animals have faster metabolic rates, shorter life spans and drug clearance is many fold faster than in man, and this difference may not be compensated for by simply mg per kg dosing. Since toxicity still occurs at these lower levels, it begs the question whether small animals require such high doses to produce toxic effects. 3 A literature survey revealed that only 5 to 31% of the papers studied attempt to relate activity with plasma levels. Examples are given of how such relationships can be used, as with p-fenfluramine, where by investigating individual responses using drug plasma levels as a probe, a greater understanding of eating disorders may be obtained. Also, with tertatolol its prolonged pharmacological activity (> 24 h) can be explained mathematically despite a plasma half-life of only 3 h. 4 The advantages and disadvantages of population kinetics are discussed in relation to its use in individualizing dosage, particularly in disease, its appreciation by pharmaceutical companies and regulatory authorities and the information which has been obtained so far. 5 It is of interest that one of the youngest of drug development disciplines, pharmacokinetics, is now one of the most important.
An Electrophysiological Study of Ganglion Blockade by Paraquat and Diquat
Authors: Webb D.B. , Ansari E.J. , Wallis D.I. 
Published: December 2008

1 The bipyridilium herbicides, particularly paraquat, have chemical and toxicological features in common with the bi-quaternary ammonium ganglion blockers. 2 Paraquat and diquat were tested for ganglion blocking activity. Rabbit cervical ganglia were superfused with both agents and subsequently with hexamethonium to confirm susceptibility to ganglion blockade. 3 No evidence for ganglion blockade was found at either supra maximal or sub maximal stimulation, and none following repetitive stimulation. 4 The similarities and differences between the bipyridyl herbicides and bi-quaternary ganglion blockers can be explained on the basis of their structures. 5 It is concluded that neither paraquat nor diquat have significant ganglion blocking activity.