Question of the Day

Question - The article cited below notes melasma is “a common, acquired skin condition that is characterized by symmetric, irregular brown or grayish brown patches on sun-exposed areas such as the forehead and malar prominences and less commonly the neck and forearms.” The most common treatment for melasma involves topical applications of the chemical hydroquinone to induce hypopigmentation. What is the mechanism for this effect?

Question - What are the clinical characteristics of the leukoencephalopathy that may develop as a result of the inhalation of heroin pyrolysate (“chasing the dragon”)?

Question - The use of black tar heroin poses a heightened risk for wound botulism attributable to its production, preparation and mode of use. How do each of these parameters (production, preparation and mode of use) contribute to the increased risk for the development of wound botulism in users of black tar heroin?

Question - What are the factors that may play a role in the notion that infants and children are at higher risk than adolescents and adults for environmental toxicants?

Question -What is the most common cause of lung cancer in never smokers?

Question - Pulmonary toxicity has been identified as the major dose-limiting side effect of treatment with the antineoplastic drug bleomycin. What factors are associated with increased risk for bleomycin pulmonary toxicity?

Question - An outbreak of sub-acute myelo-optic neuropathy syndrome (SMON) occurred in Japan during the 1950s. What drug was found to be responsible for this outbreak?

Happy New Year!

Question - What is the so-called “Kambo cleanse”?

Question - What diterpenoid toxins are found in the leaves of Rhododendron plants?

Question - What is “pruno” and what disease outbreaks has this substance been associated with?