Dextromethorphan, chlorphenamine and serotonin toxicity: case report and systematic literature review

The aim of this review was to describe a patient with serotonin toxicity after an overdose of dextromethorphan and chlorphenamine and to perform a systematic literature review exploring whether dextromethorphan and chlorphenamine may be equally contributory in the development of serotonin toxicity in overdose. A Medline literature review was undertaken to identify cases of serotonin toxicity due to dextromethorphan and/or chlorphenamine. Case reports were included if they included information on the ingested dose or plasma concentrations of dextromethorphan and/or chlorphenamine, information about co-ingestions and detailed clinical information to evaluate for serotonin toxicity. Cases were reviewed by two toxicologists and serotonin toxicity, defined by the Hunter criteria, was diagnosed when appropriate. The literature was then reviewed to evaluate whether chlorphenamine may be a serotonergic agent. One hundred and fifty-five articles of dextromethorphan or chlorphenamine poisoning were identified. There were 23 case reports of dextromethorphan, of which 18 were excluded for lack of serotonin toxicity. No cases were identified in which serotonin toxicity could be solely attributed to chlorphenamine. This left six cases of dextrometorphane and/or chlorphenamine overdose, including our own, in which serotonin toxicity could be diagnosed based on the presented clinical information. In three of the six eligible cases dextromethorphan and chlorphenamine were the only overdosed drugs. There is substantial evidence from the literature that chlorphenamine is a similarly potent serotonin re-uptake inhibitor when compared with dextrometorphan. Chlorphenamine is a serotonergic medication and combinations of chlorphenamine and dextromethorphan may be dangerous in overdose due to an increased risk of serotonin toxicity.     

Arthroscopic shaver with refinement for axillary osmidrosis

Background Minimal invasive treatment with liposuction‐curettage for axillary osmidrosis has lead to clinical improvement with lower risk of complications. The incidence of skin necrosis and hematoma in the literature is very limited. Recently, arthroscopic shaver has been used for the treatment of osmidrosis with better efficacy, but associated with variable degrees of complications. Objective To evaluate clinical effect and complication from arthroscopic shaver with preservation of fibrovascular cords. To our knowledge this modification has not been previously described. Method Thirty patients were recruited during a 1‐year‐period for the treatment of axillary malodor. Incision was made for the arthroscopic shaver and subcutaneous fibrovascular cords were carefully preserved. We evaluated the clinical efficacy (excellent, good, fair, and poor), complications, and subsequent recurrences. Results Among patients receiving the arthroscopic shaving for axillary osmidrosis, 93% of the patients had achieved excellent to good results, 7% with fair result and none had poor clinical efficacy. None of the patient had any skin necrosis or recurrences during clinical follow up. Conclusion Arthroscopic shaving for axillary osmidrosis has been associated with variable complication rates. Our experience has indicated that preservation of fibrovascular cords protected epidermis from necrosis and such refinement will allow for more optimal clinical result and lower complications.     

Efficacy of dexamathasone on cerebral swelling and seizures during subdural grid EEG recording in children

PURPOSE: To evaluate the impact of steroid treatment on cerebral swelling and seizures during subdural grid EEG (SGEEG) monitoring. METHODS: We reviewed data from 37 pediatric patients with intractable epilepsy who underwent SGEEG monitoring and divided the patients into those who received dexamethasone and those who did not. We then correlated administration of steroids to incidence of cerebral swelling on computed tomography (CT) scans and to frequency of seizures during SGEEG. RESULTS: Twenty-three patients received dexamethasone prophylactically every 6 hours (dosage range, 1-7.5 mg; mean, 3.2 mg) from the first day of SGEEG placement (group A); 14 patients received no dexamethasone (group B). Eight (21.6%) of 37 patients experienced cerebral swelling on CT: two (9%) were in group A, and six (42.9%) were in group B (p < 0.05). SGEEG monitoring time for recording habitual seizures that localized cortical areas for surgical excision was longer in group A (1-6 days; mean, 3.0) than it was in group B (1-3 days; mean, 2.2), (p < 0.05). Habitual seizures were recorded in 36 patients. One group A patient experienced obtundation due to cerebral swelling, and monitoring in this patient was discontinued. CONCLUSIONS: The prophylactic administration of steroids to pediatric patients during SGEEG monitoring is efficacious for reducing cerebral swelling. Although it decreases the frequency of habitual seizures and increases seizure-monitoring time, dexamethasone reduces the risk of complications from cerebral swelling during the SGEEG procedure.     

Survival comparison between surgical resection and percutaneous radiofrequency ablation for patients in Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer early stage hepatocellular carcinoma

Aim

To compare the survival outcome between surgical resection (SR) and radiofrequency ablation (RFA) for Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer (BCLC) early stage hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).

Methods

The retrospective study enrolled eighty-two patients with newly diagnosed BCLC early HCC (single nodule, size ≦3 cm, and Child-Pugh class A) treated either surgically (n?=?46) or with RFA (n?=?36) from year 2004 to 2009. The patients’ survival outcomes were compared.

Results

There were no significant differences in overall survival (OS) rates between SR and RFA (p?=?0.204). The 3- and 5-year disease-free survival (DFS) rates were 65.8 % and 53.7 % respectively, in the SR group, which were significantly higher than those in the RFA group (34.8 % and 14.9 % respectively) (p?=?0.009 and p?=?0.001). In subgroup analysis, the DFS was similar between RFA and SR in patients with presentation of lower platelet count (≦100,000/mL) and smaller tumor size (tumor size ≦1 cm). Multivariate analysis showed SR as a procedure type was a significant predictive factor for DFS [HR?=?2.26 (CI 1.462–5.227), p?=?0.002].

Conclusion

SR yielded similar OS but better DFS when compared to RFA for patients with BCLC early HCC (single nodule, ≦3 cm and Child-Pugh class A). In subgroup patients with lower platelet count (≦100,000/mL) and smaller tumor size (tumor size ≦1 cm), DFS was similar between both treatments.     

Associations of serum uric acid levels with arterial wave reflections and central systolic blood pressure

Background

Uric acid may be involved in the pathogenesis of hypertension. We investigated the roles of four major hemodynamic parameters of blood pressure, including arterial stiffness, wave reflections, cardiac output (CO), and total peripheral resistance (TPR), in the association between uric acid and central systolic blood pressure (SBP-c).

Methods

A sample of 1303 normotensive and untreated hypertensive Taiwanese participants (595 women, aged 30–79 years) was drawn from a community-based survey. Study subjects' baseline characteristics, biochemical parameters, carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity (cf-PWV), amplitude of the backward pressure wave decomposed from a calibrated tonometry-derived carotid pressure waveform (Pb), CO, TPR, and SBP-c were analyzed.

Results

In multi-variate analyses adjusted for age, waist circumference, body mass index, creatinine, total cholesterol, smoking, and heart rate, uric acid significantly correlated with Pb and cf-PWV in men, and Pb and TPR in women. The correlation between uric acid and Pb remained significant in men and women when cf-PWV was further adjusted. In the final multi-variate prediction model (model r² = 0.839) for SBP-c, the significant independent variables included uric acid (partial r² = 0.005), Pb (partial r² = 0.651), cf-PWV (partial r² = 0.005), CO (partial r² = 0.062), TPR (partial r² = 0.021), with adjustment for age, sex, waist circumference, body mass index, creatinine, total cholesterol, smoking, and heart rate.

Conclusions

Uric acid was significantly independently associated with wave reflections, which is the dominant determinant of SBP-c. Uric acid was also significantly associated with SBP-c independently of the major hemodynamic parameters.     

老年胃癌术后早期联合肠内营养的临床观察

目的探讨老年胃癌术后早期联合肠内营养支持对术后恢复的作用。方法随机将86例老年胃癌患者分为肠外营养联合早期肠内营养组(parenteral and early enteral nutrition,PAEEN)和全肠外营养组(total parenteral nutrition,TPN),对比其术后恢复情况、并发症发生率和平均住院费用。结果 86例患者均康复出院,PAEEN组术后最早第2天肛门排气,3例患者肺部感染,10例患者出现恶心,2例腹胀,8例有腹泻表现;TPN组术后最早第6天排气,9例患者肺部感染,1例全胃患者有吻合口瘘出现,全肠外营养支持后治愈,5例患者有不同程度的反流,7例排气前有明显的腹痛腹胀。结论老年胃癌术后早期联合肠内营养能明显改善患者的营养状况,减少术后并发症的发生,符合患者的病理生理需求,具有安全、有效、合理的特点。     

非小细胞肺癌中Per2的表达及其与预后的关系

目的：研究生物钟基因Per2在非小细胞肺癌（NSCLC）中的表达及其与预后的关系。方法：采用免疫组织化学染色法检测60例NSCLC组织和20例正常肺组织中Per2的表达,结合临床病理和随访资料进行分析。结果：在NSCLC组织和正常肺组织中Per2的阳性表达率分别为71.7%（43/60）和95.0%（19/20）,差异有统计学意义（P〈0.05）。NSCLC中Per2的表达缺失与分化程度及TMN分期相关（P〈0.05）,单因素分析结果表明Per2的表达状态与NSCLC的预后相关（P〈0.05）,多因素分析结果显示分化程度、TNM分期、淋巴结转移情况及Per2的表达状态均非影响NSCLC预后的独立危险因素（P〉0.05）。结论：Per2在NSCLC中表达降低,其阴性表达在NSCLC的发生和发展中起重要作用,影响NSCLC的预后。     

Selective cyclooxygenase-1 inhibition improves collateral vascular reactivity in biliary cirrhotic rats

BackgroundEvidence has demonstrated that overproduction of prostacyclin (PGI₂) is critical in the pathogenesis of splanchnic hyposensitivity to vasoconstrictors in the cirrhotic state. The biosynthesis of PGI₂ is through cyclooxygenase (COX). This study evaluated which isoform of COX is dominant in the mechanism of collateral vascular reactivity of biliary cirrhotic rats.MethodsThree groups of formalin-injected common bile duct-ligated (FBDL) induced cirrhotic rats received two doses of: (1) selective COX-1 inhibitor (SC-560 2 mg/kg); (2) COX-2 inhibitor (NS-398 2 mg/kg); (3) dimethyl sulfoxide (control). Subsequently, the rats were kept in metabolic cages for 24 hours to collect urine. Thereafter, the systemic and portal hemodynamics and renal function were measured. In another series, using in-situ collateral perfusion model, the collateral vascular responses to arginine vasopressin (AVP) were measured in the subject rats after preincubation of vehicle (Krebs solution), SC-560 (5 μM) or NS-398 (10 μM).ResultsThe mean arterial pressure, heart rate, and portal pressure were similar among SC-560-treated, NS-398-treated, and control groups. Additionally, there was no significant difference in the calculated creatinine clearance rates among these three groups. SC-560 preincubation significantly enhanced the pressor effect of AVP at the concentration of 3M × 10^?9 M (11.0 ± 1.0 mmHg vs. 6.4 ± 0.6 mmHg, p = 0.002) in the cirrhotic rats.ConclusionThere was no significant hemodynamic change and renal toxicity after acute administration of COX inhibitor in the FBDL-induced cirrhotic rats. Preincubation of selective COX-1, but not COX-2, inhibitor could enhance collateral vascular response to AVP, indicating that COX-1 plays a major role in the collateral vascular reactivity.