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The Journal of Experimental Biology Feb 2021Poison frogs sequester chemical defenses from their diet of leaf litter arthropods for defense against predation. Little is known about the physiological adaptations...
Poison frogs sequester chemical defenses from their diet of leaf litter arthropods for defense against predation. Little is known about the physiological adaptations that confer this unusual bioaccumulation ability. We conducted an alkaloid-feeding experiment with the Diablito poison frog () to determine how quickly alkaloids are accumulated and how toxins modify frog physiology using quantitative proteomics. Diablito frogs rapidly accumulated the alkaloid decahydroquinoline within 4 days, and dietary alkaloid exposure altered protein abundance in the intestines, liver and skin. Many proteins that increased in abundance with decahydroquinoline accumulation are plasma glycoproteins, including the complement system and the toxin-binding protein saxiphilin. Other protein classes that change in abundance with decahydroquinoline accumulation are membrane proteins involved in small molecule transport and metabolism. Overall, this work shows that poison frogs can rapidly accumulate alkaloids, which alter carrier protein abundance, initiate an immune response, and alter small molecule transport and metabolism dynamics across tissues.
Topics: Animals; Anura; Arthropods; Poisons; Predatory Behavior; Toxins, Biological
PubMed: 33408255
DOI: 10.1242/jeb.230342 -
Emergency Medicine Clinics of North... May 2022When evaluating a potentially poisoned patient, there is no substitute for a thorough history and physical examination. Clues from the examination are generally more... (Review)
Review
When evaluating a potentially poisoned patient, there is no substitute for a thorough history and physical examination. Clues from the examination are generally more likely to be helpful than a "shotgun" laboratory approach that involves indiscriminate testing of blood or urine for multiple agents. When used appropriately, diagnostic tests may be of help in the management of the intoxicated patient. When a specific toxin or even class of toxins is suspected, requesting qualitative or quantitative levels may be appropriate. The purpose of this review is to examine the role of common diagnostic tests in the evaluation of the poisoned patient.
Topics: Humans; Poisoning; Poisons; Toxicology
PubMed: 35461632
DOI: 10.1016/j.emc.2022.01.003 -
American Journal of Therapeutics Aug 2021This study aims to compare the poisoned patients who could not be administered activated charcoal because of its unavailability with the poisoned patients who were...
BACKGROUND
This study aims to compare the poisoned patients who could not be administered activated charcoal because of its unavailability with the poisoned patients who were administered charcoal in the later period and to reveal the results about its effectiveness.
STUDY QUESTION
Is the use of activated charcoal effective against poisoning caused by oral medication?
STUDY DESIGN
This retrospective cohort study with historical control was planned at a tertiary hospital. Patients older than 18 years were admitted to the emergency department because of oral drug poisoning during the study periods. A total of 1159 patients who were not given activated charcoal and 877 patients who were given activated charcoal were included in this study.
MEASURES AND OUTCOMES
The frequency of clinical findings secondary to the drug taken, the frequency of antidote use, the frequency of intubation, and the hospitalization length were determined as clinical outcome parameters.
RESULTS
There was no statistically significant difference in the development of central nervous system findings, cardiovascular system findings, frequency of intubation, and blood gas disorders, as well as the length of hospitalization periods according to the activated charcoal application. Hepatobiliary system findings and electrolyte disturbances were found to be less common in patients given activated charcoal. The frequency of tachycardia, speech impairment, coma, and respiratory acidosis was found to be statistically higher in patients who were administered activated charcoal. The hospitalization period of the patients who were given activated charcoal was longer in patients with drug findings; however, there was no difference in the hospitalization periods of the patients who were given an antidote.
CONCLUSIONS
The use of activated charcoal in poisoned patients may not provide sufficient clinical benefits. However, clinical studies with strong evidence levels are needed to determine activated charcoal's clinical efficacy, which is still used as a universal antidote.
Topics: Antidotes; Charcoal; Humans; Poisoning; Poisons; Retrospective Studies
PubMed: 34469920
DOI: 10.1097/MJT.0000000000001422 -
Kidney International Oct 2018Historically, the clinical application of extracorporeal treatments (ECTRs), such as hemodialysis or hemoperfusion, was first intended for poisoned patients. With time,... (Review)
Review
Historically, the clinical application of extracorporeal treatments (ECTRs), such as hemodialysis or hemoperfusion, was first intended for poisoned patients. With time, ECTRs were used almost indiscriminately to facilitate the elimination of many poisons, albeit with uncertain clinical benefit. To determine the precise role of ECTRs in poisoning situations, multiple variables need to be considered including a careful risk assessment, the poison's characteristics including toxicokinetics, alternative treatments, the patient's clinical status, and intricacies of available ECTRs, all of which are reviewed in this article. Recently, evidence-based and expert opinion-based recommendations from the EXTRIP workgroup were also published to help minimize the knowledge gap in this area.
Topics: Hemoperfusion; Humans; Patient Selection; Plasma Exchange; Plasmapheresis; Poisoning; Renal Dialysis
PubMed: 29958694
DOI: 10.1016/j.kint.2018.03.026 -
PloS One 2022Poisoning commonly occurs among children due to their curiosity, where they tend to explore and investigate their surroundings. They frequently put what they find into...
BACKGROUND
Poisoning commonly occurs among children due to their curiosity, where they tend to explore and investigate their surroundings. They frequently put what they find into their mouths as they do not understand the danger and probably cannot read the warning label. As this issue has not been extensively studied in Malaysia; hence, a retrospective analysis of records was carried out to determine the profile of phone call enquiries regarding poisoning among children at the National Poison Centre (NPC).
METHODOLOGY
The records of all cases of poisoning among children below the age of 18 years were retrospectively reviewed over a period of 10 years from 2006 to 2015. The data on the cases were analysed according to age group and gender, the circumstances and the toxic agent implicated in the poisoning.
RESULTS
During the 10-year study period, 13,583 calls that met the criteria for this study were referred to the NPC. Of these calls, 62.2% involved children between the age of 0 to 5 years, 9% were children aged between 6 to 12 years, and 28.8% were children between 13 to 18 years. Unintentional poisoning accounted for 96.7% of the incidents involving children between the age of 0 to 5 years, although among the children who were between the age of 13 to 18 years, 76% of the cases were intentional. In all the cases involving children, pharmaceutical agents were the most frequent source of the poisoning. More than 95% of the cases were exposed to poisoning through the oral route.
CONCLUSION
Poisoning in children between the age of 0 to 5 years was mainly unintentional, while poisoning in children between the age of 13 to 18 years was mainly intentional, where pharmaceutical and household agents were responsible for more than two-thirds of the poisoning cases. Most of these incidents could have been prevented if protective measures, such as child-resistant enclosures, had been implemented and if the parents and guardians had been educated about preventive measures, such as keeping poisoning agents out of the reach of children.
Topics: Child, Preschool; Humans; Infant; Infant, Newborn; Malaysia; Pharmaceutical Preparations; Poisons; Retrospective Studies
PubMed: 35482773
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0266767 -
Journal of Primary Health Care Dec 2021
Topics: Cannabis; Humans; Plant Extracts; Poisons
PubMed: 34937652
DOI: 10.1071/HC19567 -
Prehospital and Disaster Medicine Jun 2020Chemical, biological, and radiological (CBR) terrorism continues to be a global threat. Studies examining global and historical toxicological characteristics of CBR...
BACKGROUND
Chemical, biological, and radiological (CBR) terrorism continues to be a global threat. Studies examining global and historical toxicological characteristics of CBR terrorism are lacking.
METHODS
Global Terrorism Database (GTD) and RAND Database of Worldwide Terrorism Incidents (RDWTI) were searched for CBR terrorist attacks from 1970 through 2017. Events fulfilling terrorism and poisoning definitions were included. Variables of event date and location, event realization, poisonous agent type, poisoning agent, exposure route, targets, connected events, additional means of harm, disguise methods, poisonings, and casualties were analyzed along with time trends and data gaps.
RESULTS
A total of 446 events of CBR terrorism were included from all world regions. A trend for increased number of events over time was observed (R2 = 0.727; coefficient = 0.511). In these attacks, 4,093 people lost their lives and 31,903 were injured. Chemicals were the most commonly used type of poison (63.5%). The most commonly used poisonous agents were acids (12.3%), chlorine or chlorine compounds (11.2%), riot control agents (10.8%), cyanides (5.8%), and Bacillus anthracis (4.9%). Occurrence of poisoning was confirmed in 208 events (46.6%). Most common exposure routes were skin, mucosa, or eye (57.2%) and inhalation (47.5%). Poison was delivered with additional means of harm in 151 events (33.9%) and in a disguised way in 214 events (48.0%), respectively.
CONCLUSIONS
This study showed that CBR terrorism is an on-going and increasingly recorded global threat involving diverse groups of poisons with additional harmful mechanisms and disguise. Industrial chemicals were used in chemical attacks. Vigilance and preparedness are needed for future CBR threats.
Topics: Databases, Factual; Disaster Planning; Global Health; Humans; Poisoning; Poisons; Terrorism
PubMed: 32238210
DOI: 10.1017/S1049023X20000394 -
Blood Purification 2024Rescue of acute poisoning is a race against time, and it is particularly important to remove toxic substances in time. Traditional methods include gastric lavage,... (Review)
Review
Rescue of acute poisoning is a race against time, and it is particularly important to remove toxic substances in time. Traditional methods include gastric lavage, promoting elimination, chelating agents, and other treatments. Hemoperfusion is a common blood purification technique. In the clinical practice of acute poisoning, hemoperfusion can directly remove toxic substances through its unique adsorption effect, showing its excellent efficacy. This paper reviews the experience of hemoperfusion in the treatment of various drug overdoses, pesticides, biological toxins, and industrial poisons, even drug addiction. It is hoped to provide a reference for clinicians in acute poisoning rescue.
Topics: Humans; Hemoperfusion; Poisons; Poisoning
PubMed: 37918359
DOI: 10.1159/000532050 -
Archives of Toxicology Sep 2016The implementation of the Chemical Weapon Convention (CWC), prohibiting the development, production, storage and use of chemical weapons by 192 nations and the ban of... (Review)
Review
The implementation of the Chemical Weapon Convention (CWC), prohibiting the development, production, storage and use of chemical weapons by 192 nations and the ban of highly toxic OP pesticides, especially class I pesticides according to the WHO classification, by many countries constitutes a great success of the international community. However, the increased interest of terrorist groups in toxic chemicals and chemical warfare agents presents new challenges to our societies. Almost seven decades of research on organophosphorus compound (OP) toxicology was mainly focused on a small number of OP nerve agents despite the fact that a huge number of OP analogues, many of these agents having comparable toxicity to classical nerve agents, were synthesized and published. Only limited physicochemical, toxicological and medical information on nerve agent analogues is available in the open literature. This implies potential gaps of our capabilities to detect, to decontaminate and to treat patients if nerve agent analogues are disseminated and may result in inadequate effectiveness of newly developed countermeasures. In summary, our societies may face new, up to now disregarded, threats by toxic OP which calls for increased awareness and appropriate preparedness of military and civilian CBRN defense, a broader approach for new physical and medical countermeasures and an integrated system of effective detection, decontamination, physical protection and treatment.
Topics: Animals; Antidotes; Chemical Terrorism; Chemical Warfare Agents; Decontamination; Disaster Planning; Humans; Molecular Structure; Organophosphate Poisoning; Organophosphorus Compounds; Pesticides; Risk Assessment; Structure-Activity Relationship; Toxicity Tests
PubMed: 27349770
DOI: 10.1007/s00204-016-1772-1 -
The Pan African Medical Journal 2021intentional poisoning is a major public health problem in both developed and developing countries. The purpose of this study is to describe the epidemiological features...
INTRODUCTION
intentional poisoning is a major public health problem in both developed and developing countries. The purpose of this study is to describe the epidemiological features of criminal intoxication in Morocco.
METHOD
we conducted a retrospective study of all cases of criminal intoxication identified by the Morocco Poison Control and Pharmacovigilance Centre (MPCPC) between 1980 and 2014.
RESULTS
during the study period, 611 cases of criminal poisoning were recorded, reflecting a rate of 2.1% of all intentional poisoning reported during the same period. The average age of intoxicated patients was 26.4±14.3 years. More than a quarter of the subjects were children under the age of 15 (28.6%). According to the study results, 55.9% were male, with a sex-ratio (M/F) of 1.3. The majority of cases (89.4%) occurred in urban areas. Collective intoxications were reported in 24.4% of cases. The most frequently used products were pesticides (19.1%) and plants (19%). Patients developed different symptoms based on the toxic substances used, the amount ingested and the time elapsed before treatment. A range of digestive, neurological, respiratory and cardiovascular disorders were reported. Out of 440 patients with outcome data available, 27 died. The remainder of patients survived with or without sequelae.
CONCLUSION
criminal poisoning is a major issue. The number of cases is probably underestimated due to a large number of undiagnosed or unreported cases.
Topics: Adolescent; Adult; Aged; Child; Child, Preschool; Crime; Female; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Morocco; Pesticides; Pharmacovigilance; Plant Poisoning; Poison Control Centers; Poisoning; Poisons; Retrospective Studies; Young Adult
PubMed: 33854671
DOI: 10.11604/pamj.2021.38.42.27450