Faculty Bibliography

An increase in the consumption of vegetable substances with a hallucinogenic effect has been observed. Some of these substances are associated with ancestral religious ceremonies, while many of them are legal or are partially regulated. Salvia divinorum is a powerful kappa receptor agonist, with dissociative and hallucinogenic properties, which start quickly and have a short duration. Kratom (Mytragyna speciosa) has mitragynine as its principal alkaloid, with stimulating effects at low doses (coke-like effect), and sedative effects (opiate-like effect) at high doses. Several deaths from its consumption have been detected. The consumption of hallucinogenic mushrooms appears in cyclic form, although there has been increase in their online offer. They are consumed in search of their hallucinogenic effects, above all those belonging to the family of psilocybes, which contain tryptamines with a hallucinogenic effect similar to LSD. Peyote (Lophophora psilocybes), a cactus rich in mescaline (trimetoxifeniletilamina), produces hallucinations of the five senses, and forms part of the religious culture of the North American Indians. Daturas, which are ubiquitous, produce anticholinergic symptoms and effects on the central nervous system (delirium, hallucinations, etc.), due to their high atropine and scopolamine content. Other substances used for their hallucinogenic effects include the drink known as ayahuasca, and seeds for preparing infusions like Ololiuqui, Morning Glory (Ipomoea violacea), Hawaian Baby Woodrose (Argyreia nervosa), Syrian Rue (Peganum harmala) and Iboga Rootbark (Tabernanthe iboga)

INTRODUCTION: Major adverse climatic events (MACEs) in heavily-populated areas can inflict severe damage to infrastructure, disrupting essential municipal and commercial services. Compromised health care delivery systems and limited utilities such as electricity, heating, potable water, sanitation, and housing, place populations in disaster areas at risk of toxic exposures. Hurricane Sandy made landfall on October 29, 2012 and caused severe infrastructure damage in heavily-populated areas. The prolonged electrical outage and damage to oil refineries caused a gasoline shortage and rationing unseen in the USA since the 1970s. This study explored gasoline exposures and clinical outcomes in the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy. METHODS: Prospectively collected, regional poison control center (PCC) data regarding gasoline exposure cases from October 29, 2012 (hurricane landfall) through November 28, 2012 were reviewed and compared to the previous four years. The trends of gasoline exposures, exposure type, severity of clinical outcome, and hospital referral rates were assessed. RESULTS: Two-hundred and eighty-three gasoline exposures were identified, representing an 18 to 283-fold increase over the previous four years. The leading exposure route was siphoning (53.4%). Men comprised 83.0% of exposures; 91.9% were older than 20 years of age. Of 273 home-based calls, 88.7% were managed on site. Asymptomatic exposures occurred in 61.5% of the cases. However, minor and moderate toxic effects occurred in 12.4% and 3.5% of cases, respectively. Gastrointestinal (24.4%) and pulmonary (8.4%) symptoms predominated. No major outcomes or deaths were reported. CONCLUSIONS: Hurricane Sandy significantly increased gasoline exposures. While the majority of exposures were managed at home with minimum clinical toxicity, some patients experienced more severe symptoms. Disaster plans should incorporate public health messaging and regional PCCs for public health promotion and toxicological surveillance.

BACKGROUND: Cardiovascular drug poisoning remains a leading cause of fatality. Within this class, calcium channel blockers (CCBs) account for the majority of deaths. CCBs are typically categorized as dihydropyridines (i.e. amlodipine or nifedipine) versus the non-dihydropyridine (i.e. verapamil and diltiazem) which are the most potent and once considered the CCB type responsible for all CCB-related deaths. Most recently, dihydropyridine deaths have increased. While there are established models of nondihydropyridine poisoning there currently are no established experimental models of dihydropyridine poisoning. METHODS: Electrocardiogram electrodes and intravenous lines were placed in anesthetized Spraque-Dawley rats. Various doses of amlodipine were administrated as a constant infusion to mimic continued gastrointestinal absorption. Intravenous amlodipine dosing was determined by the Dixon "up-and-down" method. Animals were observed for a total of two hours and death or survival was recorded. RESULTS: Various solvents were used such as tween and ethanol. Amlodipine was successfully dissolved in 20% DMSO. The maximum likelihood estimate for LD50 was 8.65 mg/kg (SE, +/- 2.67 mg/kg). CONCLUSIONS: A reliable experimental model of dihydropyridine poisoning using intravenous amlodipine is presented which will allow future studies concerning pathophysiology of shock from dihydropyridine poisoning and treatment.