Biomedical subjects
Publications and source records attributed to C E Becker.
It is important for the primary care physician to be aware of the early physical effects of alcohol abuse on various body systems so that the alcoholic can be recognized and treated at the earliest possible time. There are many conditions which should alert the examiner to possible alcoholism.
Studies regarding the efficacy of disulfiram in the treatment of alcoholism have not included a method of evaluating compliance to the prescribed regimen. This article outlines current methods used to detect disulfiram in blood, breath, and urine.
To facilitate a study of the pharmacokinetics of drugs dissolved in sweat, a technique was devised for collecting sweat at a steady rate over an 8-day period. Three normal subjects each wore 4 absorbent pads applied to their skin under waterproof dressings for 8 days. The absorbent pads were either plain cotton or cotton impregnated with sodium chloride crystals. Each pad (3 cm x 3 cm) was applied to an area of skin (2 cm x 2 cm) defined by an adhesive template, and was removed daily, weighed, and replaced, to determine progressive uptake of sweat. Sweat uptake by plain cotton pads reached a plateau value within 2 to 3 days and did not significantly increase thereafter; in contrast, uptake by the salt-impregnated pads continued at a steady rate for the full 8 days of the study (mean rate 0.79 mg/cm2/hr, SD = 0.16, N = 6). This effect may be related to an osmotic gradient across the skin, but the physiologic mechanisms are not completely clear. This appears to be a convenient tool for the collection of sweat over long periods at a steady rate.
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The number of cases of mushroom poisoning is increasing as a result of the increasing popularity of "wild" mushroom consumption. Amanitin and phalloidin cytotoxins found in some Amanita and Galerina species produce the most severe and frequent life-threatening symptoms of Amanita phalloidestype poisoning. Delay in onset of symptoms, individual susceptibility variation and lack of rapid and reliable identification have contributed to the significant morbidity and mortality of this type of poisoning.A rapid chromatographic assay for identifying the potent cytotoxins and apparently successful management using thioctic acid of two cases of A. phalloides-type mushroom poisoning are reported. All known cases of A. phalloides-type mushroom poisoning treated with thioctic acid in the United States are summarized.
Phencyclidine hydrochloride abuse has become increasingly common and should be considered in patients with unexplained acute psychosis, dystonic reactions, status epilepticus, or coma. Two phencyclidine-intoxicated patients had bizarre combinations or disorientation, hallucination, agitation, and dyskinetic motor activity. Supportive care and reduction of sensory stimulation are the basis for management of the symptoms.
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Eight patients were seen within 15 min of intranasal self-administration of large amounts of pure D-lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) tartrate powder. Emesis and collapse occurred along with sign of sympathetic overactivity, hyperthermia, coma, and respiratory arrest. Mild generalized bleeding occurred in several patients and evidence of platelet dysfunction was present in all. Serum and gastric concentrations of LSD tartrate ranged from 2.1 to 26 ng/ml and 1000 to 7000 mug/100 ml, respectively. With supportive care, all patients recovered. Massive LSD overdose in humans is life-threatening and produces striking and distinctive manifestations.
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Eight patients were seen within 15 minutes of intranasal self-administration of large amounts of pure D-lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) tartrate powder. Emesis and collapse occurred along with signs of sympathetic overactivity, hyperthermia, coma and respiratory arrest. Mild generalized bleeding occurred in several patients and evidence of platelet dysfunction was present in all. Serum and gastric concentrations of LSD tartrate ranged from 2.1 to 26 nanograms per ml and 1,000 to 7,000 mug per 100 ml, respectively. With supportive care, all patients recovered. Massive LSD overdose in man is life-threatening and produces striking and distinctive manifestations.
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Explore the source record for details and available documents.