Question Of The Day

In a retrospective cohort study of patients with acetaminophen toxicity what was the likelihood of having abdominal pain as a symptom? approximately 30% in total (however 60% for those who definitely had symptom of abdominal pain or lack of abdominal pain accounted for) Wang C,…

Historical QOD 3/10/2009: True or False:  Firefighters are often exposed to hazardous substances (including carbon monoxide, hydrogen cyanide, hydrogen chloride, benzene, and sulfur dioxide), but their serum biochemical profiles are not significantly different from controls. False.  A study in Saudi Arabian firefighters showed statistically significant…

What is Gulran Disease? Gulran Disease refers to poisoning from pyrrolizidine alkaloids (primarily heliotrine) from consuming bread made from wheat contaminated with Heliotropium spp. Gulran refers to the Gulran district of Herat Province. Kakar F, Akbarian Z, Leslie T, Mustafa ML, Watson J, van Egmond…

1,4-butanediol serves as a prodrug to what compound? Gamma-hydroxybutyric acid (GHB). 1,4-butanediol is converted to GHB through the intermediate compound 4-hydroxybutyradehyde, via the enzymes alcohol dehydrogenase, and aldehyde dehydrogenase, respectively. In the United States, the salt form of GHB (sodium oxybate) is approved for the…

In calcium channel blocker overdose, is intralipid recommended according to 2023 American Heart Association Focused Update? In this consensus guideline routine use of intralipid is not recommended. The guidelines state the following evidence “A large retrospective study did not find a benefit from ILE therapy…

In a study conducted by a Veterans Affairs ED, pharmacists screened patients over 70 years of age for potentially inappropriate medication (PIM) prescriptions and sent a message to the patient’s primary care provider with recommendations for changing the prescription. What percent of patients had a…

Historical QOD 3/9/2009: What are the laboratory indicators of arsenic-induced nephrotoxicity? Urinary blood, and increased urinary protein, ketones, and bilirubin (Internat J Toxicol, 2008 5(2))

The production of what metal has led to pulmonary fibrosis and progressive encephalopathy among potroom workers, also known as “potroom asthma” and “potroom palsy”? Aluminum. Potroom workers exposed to high concentrations of aluminum dust mixed with mineral-oil based lubricants developed pulmonary fibrosis or “aluminosis”. Some…

The American Geriatric Society published its most recent Beers Criteria in 2023. What are Beers Criteria and in what circumstances can these criteria be applied? The AGS’ Beers Criteria aims to identify potentially inappropriate medication (PIM) use in older adults. The criteria are intended to…

What is the toxin contained in this plant (Anamirta cocculus) and its mechanism of toxicity? Anamirta cocculus, commonly known as the fish-berry, contains picrotoxin which is a GABA-A receptor antagonist. It noncompetitively binds the picrotoxin binding site of the GABA-A receptor, closing the chloride ion…