Question Of The Day

What is the mechanism of the venom for the snake pictured above?   Eastern Coral Snake venom is an alpha-neurotoxin which inhibits acetylcholine at the nicotinic receptors of the neuromuscular junction causing descending muscle weakness/paralysis. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coral_snake; https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK519031/

Which North American snake pictured above (left or right) is venomous?   Right. North American pit vipers have a single row of subcaudal scales below the anal plate in contrast to a divided row in non-venomous snakes. http://www.kentuckyupclose.com/Venomous%20or%20Non-Venomous.html

The venoms of which snakes are used in the production of Crotalidae Immune Fab’2 (Equine) antivenom?   Bothrops asper (fer-de-lance) and Crotalus durissus (tropical rattlesnake). https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/drugInfo.cfm?setid=a16596a5-e87e-40c2-8e34-cea5839849c3

The venoms of which snakes are used in the production of Crotalidae Polyvalent Immune Fab (Ovine) antivenom?   Crotalus atrox (Western Diamondback rattlesnake), Crotalus adamanteus (Eastern Diamondback rattlesnake), Crotalus scutulatus (Mojave rattlesnake), and Agkistrodon piscivorus (Cottonmouth or Water Moccasin). https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/drugInfo.cfm?setid=77abd784-3387-420d-abdc-4fe97215d233

“Miracle Mineral Solution” has recently been touted as a prevention and cure for COVID-19 despite several warnings from the FDA. This product contains what chemical and what is the toxicity?   Miracle Mineral Solution contains 28% sodium chlorite in distilled water. The product often comes…

This is a 26 year old male that presented with these findings. He says that this happened after being out in the sun. What is his occupation?   Abugroun A et al reported this case of lime-induced phytophotodermatitis in a 26 year old male bartender….

In a recent case report, canagliflozin is suspected to be the culprit of rosuvastatin myotoxicity. What is the theorized mechanism of this potential drug interaction?   In a recent case report, it is theorized that canagliflozin enhanced the absorption of rosuvastatin and inhibited both biliary…

Hydroxylamine-metabolites of dapsone cause methemoglobinemia. The use of this drug has been shown to reduce dapsone-induced methemoglobinemia.   Cimetidine partially inhibits the conversion of dapsone into its hydroxylamine metabolites through CYP 3A inhibition. Coleman MD et al. co-administered 1200 mg cimetidine to six patients receiving…

Fireflies of the genus Photinus contain this toxin?   Both P. ignitus and P. marginellus are known to contain lucibufagins, which is structurally similar to bufadienolides. Knight M. et al. Firefly toxicosis in lizards. Journal of Chemical Ecology 1999; 25(9): 1981-1986. https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1021072303515

Squarticles are a lipid nanosystem that was developed for delivery of anti-alopecia drug delivery to hair follicles. Experiments to characterize Squarticles in drug poisoning have also begun. In comparison to Intralipid, what is the particle size of Squarticles?   Squarticles particle size range from 97-122nm…