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At least 289 records · Page 16Linked to original sources
PubMed2004

[Tiredness and sleepiness in bus drivers and road accidents in Peru: a quantitative study].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the relationship that tiredness and sleepiness in bus drivers have to road accidents in Peru. Information from various countries indicates that driver sleepiness plays an important role in road accidents. However, there is only limited information on this subject in Peru. METHODS: Using a supervised, pretested survey, a cross-sectional observational and comparative study was carried out with 238 bus drivers who drive on the Northern Pan American Highway of Peru. To determine the relationship between variables the chi-square test was used, along with the Pearson correlation coefficient. The level of significance was set at P < 0.05. The variables analyzed were: tiredness, sleepiness, hours of driving per day, daily hours of sleep, body mass index, snoring, sleep apnea, and either having had or almost having had an accident while driving. RESULTS: Of the 238 drivers, all of them were men, 45% said they had had or nearly had had an accident while driving, 55% slept less than 6 hours per day, 31% had slept less than 6 hours in the 24 hours before answering the survey, and 80% were in the habit of driving more than 5 hours without stopping. Of the drivers, 56% of them reported being tired at least some of the time while driving; of this group, 65% of them reported being tired during the early morning. Seventy-six drivers (32%) said that while they were driving their eyes had fallen shut. In terms of where they slept, 194 of the drivers (81%) said they always slept in the lower luggage compartment of the bus while another driver was driving the bus or when the bus was parked in the bus terminal. The steps that drivers took to avoid falling asleep while driving included: wetting the face with water, eating fruit, opening the window of the driver's compartment, drinking coffee, listening to music, smoking, chewing coca leaves, and drinking alcohol mixed with coca leaves. In the opinion of 55% of the drivers, the leading cause of road accidents is tiredness. Accidents and near-accidents while driving occurred mainly between midnight and 6 a. m. Having an accident or a near-accident was strongly associated with tiredness and with having the eyes drop shut while driving (P < 0.0005). CONCLUSIONS: Tiredness and sleepiness while driving were common among the bus drivers, with various possible causes: acute and chronic sleep deprivation, irregular schedule changes, and sleep disorders due to the drivers' working conditions. Our results support the hypothesis that fatigue and sleepiness among bus drivers are related to road accidents.

Accidents, Traffic↗
PubMed2001

From cocaine to ropivacaine: the history of local anesthetic drugs.

In 1850, about three centuries after the conquest of Peru by Pizzaro, the Austrian von Scherzer brought a sufficient quantum of coca leaves to Europe to permit the isolation of cocaine. As suggested by his friend Sigmund Freud, descriptions of the properties of the coca prompted the Austrian Koller to perform in 1884 the first clinical operation under local anesthesia, by administration of cocaine on the eye. The use of cocaine for local and regional anesthesia rapidly spread throughout Europe and America. The toxic effects of cocaine were soon identified resulting in many deaths among both patients and addicted medical staff. Local anesthesia was in a profound crisis until the development of modern organic chemistry which led to the synthesis of pure cocaine in 1891. New amino ester local anesthetics were synthesized between 1891 and 1930, such as tropocaine, eucaine, holocaine, orthoform, benzocaine, and tetracaine. In addition, amino amide local anesthetics were prepared between 1898 and 1972 including nirvaquine, procaine, chloroprocaine, cinchocaine, lidocaine, mepivacaine, prilocaine, efocaine, bupivacaine, etidocaine, and articaine. All of these drugs were ostensibly less toxic than cocaine, but they had differing amounts of central nervous system (CNS) and cardiovascular (CV) toxicity. Bupivacaine is of special interest because of its long duration of action and history of clinical application. Synthesized in 1957, the introduction of bupivacaine on the market in 1965 paralleled the progressive and cumulative reports of CNS and CV toxicity, leading to the restriction of its use and the identification of a special therapy-resistant CV toxicity. Numerous experimental studies were conducted to identify the fine cellular mechanism of this toxicity, which refines our understanding of the action of local anesthetics. The identification of optically active isomers of the mepivacaine family led to the selection of ropivacaine, a pure S-(-) enantiomer, whose toxicology was selectively and extensively studied before its introduction on the market in 1996. During the rapid and extensive use of ropivacaine in the clinic, unwanted side-effects have been found to be very limited.

Amides↗
PubMed1975

Hypersensitivity to parasite proteolytic enzyme in schistosomiasis.

A proteolytic enzyme which hydrolyses hemoglobin was obtained from the supernatant fraction of homogenized Schistosoma mansoni. This enzyme elicited histaminic skin reactions in various animals, including man, which were infected with S. mansoni. It failed to induce reactions in monkeys harboring S. haematobium, S. japonicum, or S. intercalatum. In a preliminary field trial in the Caribbean, the skin test proved to be somewhat less sensitive than the customarily used extract of adult worms in Coca's solution. However, the enzyme appeared to induce fewer false positive reactions and delayed responses than did the Coca's extract. A new diagnostic test for schistosomiasis probably could be developed by using specific parasite enzymes against which the host has become sensitized in the course of infection.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2000

[Health-toxicologic aspects of some fungi].

Recent findings of fungi in food products of such renomed companies as Coca-Cola and Danone resulted in society-wide alert in Poland. Humans have contact with fungi everywhere. Every food product covered with mould or having marks of it should be discarded. We should mention that cutting of or skimming the mould is totally ineffective and dangerous, because of the fact that rest of the product will contain products of fungal metabolism such as mikotoxins, which are, of course, invisible. Modern food producing technologies effected in microorganism-free products, but sporadically we can find dead fungi debris due to improper washing procedures of multi-use bottles, like it was observed in Coca-Cola products. As for mould-covered cottage cheese type products of Danone, most probably reason was improper handling of ready, sealed products during transport and storage. Even minimal physical injuries to air-tight containers resulted in sporae penetration to milk products and finally contamination with mikotoxins.

Food Contamination↗
PubMed2000

[The study of the nasal airway reactivity in specific nasal provocation test].

OBJECTIVE: To explore efficient evaluation method for specific nasal provocation test(SNPT) and to observe the pathogenic process and patho-physiological changes of allergic rhinitis. METHOD: 30 patients with perennial allergic rhinitis(patients group) and 14 normal adults(controls group) were challenged unilaterally with the Coca's solution and/or the solution for allergen extracts. The nasal resistance variations in all subjects were monitored with active anterior rhinomanometry and the nasal symptoms were observed. RESULT: The symptoms of nasal stiffness, sneezing and rhinorrhea appeared in most patients between 0.5 and 3 minutes after provocation. The ratio of continual sneezes above 5 in patients group(83.3%) was significantly higher than in controls group (21.4%) (P < 0.01). The increased ratio of total nasal resistance and unilaterally-challenged nasal resistance were significantly higher in patients group than in controls group (P < 0.05) and no difference between coca's solution in patients group and controls group. CONCLUSION: Positive SNPT was indicated if obvious nasal symptoms appeared and the unilaterally-challenged nasal resistance increased 100% as well as the total nasal resistance increased 40% after SNPT.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2004

In vitro study on dental erosion provoked by various beverages using electron probe microanalysis.

Tooth erosion is often based on chemical processes, among others the use of soft drinks or diverse beverages. The aim of this in vitro study was to analyse the erosive potential of different acidic beverages. Over a time span of 6 hours, dental slices (n=6 slices per tooth) from fully retained wisdom teeth were incubated with different beverages (coca cola, ice tea with lemon, apple juice and white wine). The controls were incubated with a 0.9% sodium chloride solution under the same conditions (37 degrees C, humidified atmosphere of 5% CO2 and 95% air). The quantitative elementary analysis for calcium, phosphorus, oxygen and other trace elements in the dental slices in various depths ranging from 5 to 50 microm was carried out using an electron probe micro-analyser (Jeol JXA 8900RL). A beverage-induced loss of minerals, particularly of the 2 main components calcium and phosphorus, especially in the uppermost layers of the enamel down to a depth of 30 microm could be observed. In the depth of 10 microm, the following total mineral loss could be determined: white wine (16%), coca cola (14.5%), apple juice (6.5%) and ice tea with lemon (6.5%). A direct correlation between the loss of minerals and the pH value of the beverages was not observed, because of the buffering effect of the drinks. The conversion of the weight percentages from the chemical analysis of Ca and P to their atomic percentages showed that during erosion the 2 main components were not dissolved in significantly different percentages. In this study the erosive potential of the tested soft drinks and other beverages could be demonstrated. However, it must be considered that numerous modifying factors influence the enamel surface, so an extrapolation from the in vitro study to an in vivo situation can only be applied with caution.

Adult↗
PubMed1988

Pharmacokinetic and taste evaluation of ibuprofen (Motrin) 800 mg tablets in extemporaneous solution.

A 4-way crossover study was done to determine the pharmacokinetic and palatability characteristics of ibuprofen 800 mg tablets when given as a solution in various beverages. When compared to the tablet itself, no significant difference was noted for any variable measured for an orange juice solution. A delay in time-to-peak concentration (Tmax) was noted for a dilute cherry syrup solution. Changes in Tmax, peak concentration achieved and area-under-the-curve were noted with a Coca-Cola solution. The authors conclude Coca-Cola to be clearly inappropriate for this method, a dilute cherry syrup solution slightly better and orange juice to be the preferred option.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Co-operation between South American countries in the struggle against drug abuse and illicit drug trafficking.

The South American Agreement on Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (ASEP), which entered into force on 26 March 1976, has enhanced co-operation between South American countries in the struggle against drug problems. This co-operation has promoted the regional responsibility and the use of regional resources in coping with the drug problem in South America and has helped to increase the regional support for international drug control initiatives. The established machinery and instruments within ASEP, which are designed to suit best the circumstances in South America, include the annual conference of States parties, the Permanent Secretariat, the regional centres, the technical advisory committees and other co-ordinated programmes and activities intended to reduce drug problems. Each of the five regional centres that have been or are being established focuses on one of the following subject areas: treatment and rehabilitation, preventive education, suppression of illicit drug trafficking, documentation, and customs techniques. With regard to the eradication of narcotic crops, ASEP considers the idea of integrated community development to be an appropriate approach to eradicating coca plantations in those areas where the growing of coca bush is part of the cultural tradition.

Drug and Narcotic Control↗
PubMed1986

Influence of various beverages on urine acid output.

High dose methotrexate therapy requires a high alkaline urine output. In order to evaluate the effect of various beverages on the urine acid output, healthy volunteers (n = 6) took 1.5-2 liters of a test drink during a 2-h period. On the test day urine pH and urine acid excretion (titratable acid plus ammonia minus bicarbonate) were measured. Controls received water and tea as test drink. Orange juice (pH 3.64) and tube feeding (pH 6.78) both led to alkaline urine pH and significantly decreased urine acid output compared to the control group (n = 4, P less than 0.01 and n = 3, P less than 0.001, respectively). Yoghurt (pH 4.1), buttermilk (pH 4.58), and Coca-Cola (pH 2.54), on the other hand, all induced a higher acid output than the control group (n = 6) and a urine pH less than 7.0 during the whole test day (n = 6, NS; n = 6, P less than 0.02; n = 4, P less than 0.05, respectively). If high urine output with an alkaline pH is required, fruit juices or well balanced tube feeding, both with low cation and low sulfur-bound amino acid content, can accomplish this. Drinks with high inorganic acid content (such as Coca-Cola) or high sulfur-bound amino acid content such as yoghurt and buttermilk will result in acidification of the urine.

Acids↗
PubMed1983

Simian virus 40 morphogenetic pathway. An analysis of assembly-defective tsB201 DNA protein complexes.

Under restrictive conditions, the 220 S SV40 virions are not assembled in tsB201-infected cells. Instead, a new class of SV40 DNA-containing particles is isolated in addition to the 75 S chromatin. This new class of nucleoprotein complex sediments heterogeneously between 100 to 160 S with a peak at 130 S. Under an electron microscope, these complexes appear predominantly as SV40 chromatin associated with a shell-like protein cluster. These structures resemble the wild type assembly intermediates previously observed by Coca-Prados and Hsu (Coca-Prados, N., and Hsu, M.-T. (1979) J. Virol. 31, 199-208). Like the wild type assembly intermediates, the tsB201 DNA-protein complexes are unstable in high salt. In CsCl, they yield a protein species with a density characteristic of empty shells. In 1 M NaCl, they release heterogeneous 55-110 S protein polymers which consist of the capsid proteins VP1, VP2, and VP3. Our results indicate that the tsB201 nucleoproteins consist of capsid proteins, with varying extents of polymerization, held to chromatin by electrostatic bonds. The accumulation of these nucleoproteins is consistent with a simian virus 40 morphogenetic pathway wherein the capsid proteins are added gradually to the 75 S chromatin.

Cell Transformation, Neoplastic↗
PubMed1984

Chemical analysis of cool drinks and pure fruit juices--some clinical implications.

The pH of cool drinks and fruit juices is very low and ranges from 2,4 (Pepsi Cola) to 3,7 (fresh orange juice). The osmotic concentration of most cool drinks and fruit juices is considerably higher than that of blood and, with the exception of Isotonic Game, ranges from 430 mOsm/kg (Coca Cola) to 1 297 mOsm/kg (Liquifruit Grape). Glucose, fructose and sucrose contribute from 72% to 98% of the osmotically active particles in cool drinks and fruit juices and their high carbohydrate content causes concern about substrates for oral bacteria to produce acid as well as daily energy intake. The sodium (Na), potassium (K), calcium (Ca) and phosphorus (P) content of cool drinks is low although K and P may contribute significantly to dietary intake when most fruit juices are consumed. K is virtually absent in Coca Cola and its use in replacing lost minerals, e.g. in infantile gastro-enteritis, is disputed. The relatively high levels of K and P in fruit juices could be harmful to patients suffering from chronic uraemia. The selected cool drinks and fruit juices analysed contain very little Na and should not pose problems to hypertensive patients.

Beverages↗
PubMed1976

Cocaine self-administration in monkeys by chewing and smoking.

Two rhesus monkeys self-administered cocaine hydrochloride in a gum base vehicle on a fixed ratio 10 schedule with performance characterized by frequent pauses and increased intertrial interval responding. Three other monkeys self-administered cocaine base in lettuce cigarette vehicles in smoking performance marked by shortened puff durations. Urinary benzoyl ecgnoine levels correlated with amount of cocaine chewed or smoked. Monkeys did not prefer cocaine gum in choice tests with plain or procaine gum, but did significantly prefer cocaine cigarettes to plain cigarettes. These preliminary results emphasize the importance of route of administration in determining reinforcement efficacy of human coca use and suggest animal models for their further experimental analysis.

Animals↗
PubMed2000

N-methylputrescine oxidation during cocaine biosynthesis: study of prochiral methylene hydrogen discrimination using the remote isotope method.

[structure: see text] The stereoselectivity of N-methylputrescine (3) oxidation to pyrrolinium ion 4 in Erythroxylum coca during cocaine (1) biosynthesis was studied. The remote isotope method was used to advantage. Each enantiomer of 4-monodeuterated N-methylputrescine served as a precursor for plant feeding. To facilitate mass-spectrometric analysis of products, a 2H3 13C-methyl group was also incorporated into the 4-deuterio-N-methylputrescines. Oxidative deamination of N-methylputrescine was found to be stereoselective; the pro-S hydrogen atom is removed with 6-10:1 selectivity.

Carbon Isotopes↗
PubMed2000

[Local anesthetics from ester to isomer].

The use of chemical substances to prevent or treat local pain had its origin in South America. It was known that central nervous system stimulation occurred among the natives of Peru who chewed the leaves of an indigenous plant (Erythroxylon coca). Circumoral numbness was believed to have occurred as a by-product of this custom. Attempts to isolate the active principle from these leaves finally resulted in the isolation of the alkaloid, cocaine, by Niemann in 1860. The clinical usefulness of cocaine was not appreciated until 1884, when Koller reported upon topical anesthesia of the eye. The chemical identification of cocaine as a benzoic acid ester led to the synthesis of numerous compounds which were basically benzoic ester derivates. In 1905, Einhorn reported the synthesis of procaine. Tetracaine, the most potent ester of the benzoic acid series appeared in 1930. A major breakthrough in the chemistry of local anesthetic agents occurred in 1943 when Loefgren synthesized lidocaine, since it was not an ester but an amide derivate of diethylamino acetic acid. Concerning structure-activity relationships, local anesthetic agents, in general, possess the chemical arrangement of: aromatic portion--intermediate chain--amine portion. Changes in the aromatic or amine portion of a local anesthetic substance will alter its lipid/water distribution coefficient and its protein-binding characteristics which, in turn, will markedly alter the anesthetic profile. The toxic effects of long-acting local anesthetics on brain and heart, firstly reported by Albright, provided the initial stimulus to develop new amide-type local anesthetics. The first of these drugs, which has come into clinical practice was ropivacaine, the S-enantiomer of two possible optical isomers. It is structurally related to bupivacaine and mepivacaine, exerting a different pharmacodynamic profile, specifically on cardiac electrophysiology (less arrhythmogenic than bupivacaine). Studies on the anesthetic activities and toxicity of the individual enantiomers of bupivacaine and mepivacaine generally indicate, that the S-enantiomers are longer-acting and less toxic than the R-enantiomers.

Anesthetics, Local↗
PubMed2005

Illicit crops and armed conflict as constraints on biodiversity conservation in the Andes region.

Coca, once grown for local consumption in the Andes, is now produced for external markets, often in areas with armed conflict. Internationally financed eradication campaigns force traffickers and growers to constantly relocate, making drug-related activities a principal cause of forest loss. The impact on biodiversity is known only in general terms, and this article presents the first regional analysis to identify areas of special concern, using bird data as proxy. The aim of conserving all species may be significantly constrained in the Santa Marta and Perijá mountains, Darién, some parts of the Central Andes in Colombia, and between the middle Marañón and middle Huallaga valleys in Peru. Solutions to the problem must address the root causes: international drug markets, long-lasting armed conflict, and lack of alternative income for the rural poor.

Animals↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Topics in the chemistry of cocaine.

Literature concerning the taxonomy and alkaloid content of the coca plant is examined in this article. The process used to extract cocaine alkaloids from the plant is described and information relating to the constituents of illicitly processed cocaine reported. Investigations into the stereochemistry of cocaine resulting from United States laws controlling such drugs are reviewed. Advances in presumptive tests for cocaine are described and some comments are made relative to trends in chromatographic analysis.

Chemical Phenomena↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Recent developments in the abuse of cocaine.

Cocaine is a powerful euphoriant and it relieves, though only transiently, depression, dread and dysphoria. New patterns of cocaine abuse, such as the inhalation of vaporized cocaine base, the intravenous injection of cocaine hydrochloride and the smoking of coca paste, produce a brief elation that quickly gives way either to a return to the baseline mood or to displeasure, resulting in a strong desire to return to the momentary ecstatic experience, a cycle that leads to compulsive use. The enormous profits made from illicit traffic in cocaine lead to corruption, violence and political destabilization. The individual costs of cocaine abuse include loss of personal fortunes, jobs and families. The safety of cocaine use is a myth. There are a number of ways in which cocaine can be lethal. The high doses of cocaine abused today induce physical dependence, but this is less a contributory factor than the intense psychological craving to perpetuate cocaine use. There is no specific way to treat dysfunctional cocaine use; instead the treatment plan must deal with the individual's specific situation. Except for a reduction of cocaine supply at the source, preventive measures are only feasible in the context of abstinence from all abusable drugs.

Animals↗