Question Of The Day

What is a theoretical antidote to reverse the effects from a dendrobatid frog? Poison dart frogs are from the family Dendrobatidae and their toxin is batrachotoxins. While no antidote exists, tetrodotoxin could theoretically be used because of its antagonistic effect on sodium channels. Yeung KA…

What foaming agent that is commonly found in tooth pastes as well as foods and other personal care products is associated with recurrent aphthous ulcers. It is suggested that the denaturing effect of SODIUM LAURYL SULFATE on the oral mucin layer, with exposure of the…

p-hydroxylated mandelonitrile, better known as taxiphyllin, is found in this vegetable? Bamboo shoots. Bamboo is a plant that produces cyanogenic glycosides. When bamboo shoots are disrupted by cutting or peeling, a glycosidase enzyme in the shoot hydrolyzes the glycoside and produces hydrogen cyanide gas. Sang-A-Gad…

The glycolate concentration, in an ethylene glycol poisoned patient, is a predictor of what? The optimal glycolate concentration threshold for predicting acute kidney injury was 12.9 mmol/L (98 mg/dL) with a sensitivity of 78% and a specificity of 88.1%. Death is unlikely if the glycolate…

What surrogate marker best correlates the glycolate concentration in ethylene glycol poisoned patients? Anion gap. In a recent systematic review by Roberts DM et al., the anion gap was the surrogate marker that best correlated with the glycolate concentration. The anion gap outperformed other acid-based…

In a recent retrospective study of children presenting to five pediatric hospitals in Italy with a diagnosis of methemoglobinemia, what was the main culprit? In a recent retrospective review by Raucci U et al. of 19 pediatric cases of acquired methemoglobinemia, 94% of the cases…

The use of valproic acid in critically ill patients can result in toxic encephalopathy due to elevated plasma concentrations of what compound? The use of valproic acid (e.g., Depakote) in critically ill patients frequently results in elevated plasma concentrations of ammonia. The hyperammonemic encephalopathy associated…

Why are newborns more susceptible to the development of methemoglobin? Newborns have a lower activity of cytochrome b5 reductase, estimated to be 50-60% of adult values. Raucci U et al. Acquired methemoglobinemia in children presenting to Italian pediatric emergency departments: A multicenter report. Clin Tox….

This novel topical treatment has shown promise for the treatment of brown recluse spider bites. Topical Diethyl Axelate (DEA). Streeper RT et al. Diethyl Azelate for the Treatment of Brown Recluse Spider Bite, a Neglected Orphan Condition. in vivo 2022; 36:86-93. doi:10.21873/invivo.12679

This antidepressant, recently reported to have benefits in the treatment of COVID-19, is a potent CYP 1 A 2 inhibitor. Fluvoxamine. Cole JB et al. recently reported a case of theophylline toxicity after the initiation of fluvoxamine intended to treat COVID-19. Cole JB et al….