Toxins medical

The Major Facilitator Superfamily (MFS) [95-97] is the largest secondary transporter family known in the genomes sequenced to date [98], These polytopic integral membrane proteins enable the transport of a wide range of solutes, including amino acids, sugars, ions, and toxins. Medically relevant members of the family include the bacterial efflux pumps associated with... 

Toxic disorders Drug, narcotic, heavy metals Organic toxins Medications (prescription) Alcohol consumption Dialysis dementia (aluminum) Removal of offending toxin... 

Liver transplants are the desired therapy for a number of conditions wherein the liver tissue has been damaged by disease, infections, toxins, medications, drags or metabolic (inborn or induced) defects. 

Hepatitis infection represents a significant occupational hazard to all workers who contact blood or body fluids from infected persons. Hepatitis is an inflammation of the liver which can be caused by various toxins, medications, or infectious agents. Although many people with hepatitis may feel or look ill, up to 50 percent of people with a hepatitis B infection are unaware that they have contracted the virus. 

Dembek, Z.F., Smith, L.A., Rusnak, J.M., 2007. Botulinum toxin Medical Aspects of Biological Warfare. Office of the Surgeon General and US Army Medical Department Center and School, Ft. Sam Houston, TX, pp. 337—353. 

In terms of membrane area used and doUar value of the membrane produced, artificial kidneys are the single largest appHcation of membranes. Similar hoUow-fiber devices are being explored for other medical uses, including an artificial pancreas, in which islets of Langerhans supply insulin to diabetic patients, or an artificial Uver, in which adsorbent materials remove bUinibin and other toxins. 

H, MATSUURA D, MIYAKE M, UENO M, TAKAI I, YAMAMOTO T, KUBO M, MOSS J, NODA M (2002) Identification in traditional herbal medications and confirmation by synthesis of factors that inhibit cholera toxin-induced fluid accumulation. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 99 3042-6. 

Secretory diarrhea results in an increase in the net movement (secretion) of ions into the intestinal lumen leading to an increase in intraluminal fluid. Medications, hormones, and toxins may be responsible for secretory activity. 

The splanchnic system drains venous blood from the GI tract to the liver. In portal hypertension there is increased resistance to drainage from the originating organ so collateral vessels (varices) develop in the esophagus, stomach, and rectum to compensate for the increased blood volume. Varices divert blood meant for hepatic circulation back to the systemic circulation this has the unintended deleterious effect of decreasing clearance of medications and potential toxins through loss of first-pass metabolism. Varices are weak superficial vessels, and any additional increase in pressure can cause these vessels to rupture and bleed.15... 

MS patients usually have upper motor neuron spasticity. This type of spasticity cannot be treated with muscle relaxants such as carisoprodol. MS patients must be treated with agents specific for upper motor neuron spasticity (Table 26—8).48 MS spasticity is classified as focal or generalized. If the spasticity primarily involves only one muscle group, it is focal and may benefit from botulinum toxin administration.11 Systemic medications are used for generalized spasticity. No clear conclusion can be reached regarding the superiority in efficacy of one antispasticity agent over another medication selection is usually based on adverse effects (see Table 26-8).11,48... 

Narahashi T Northwestern University Medical School, Chicago, IL The effects of therapeutic drugs and toxins on neuronal ion channels National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke... 

Because of the wide variety of potential toxins and their symptoms, there are no universal recommendations for triaging casualties exposed to toxins as a class. However, in general, anyone who has been exposed should be transported to a medical facility for evaluation. Individuals who are asymptomatic and have not been directly exposed to the agent can be discharged after their names, addresses, and telephone numbers have been recorded. They should be told to seek medical care immediately if symptoms develop. 

David L. Swerdlow, and Kevin Tonat. "Botulinum Toxin as a Biological Weapon Medical and Public Health Management." Journal of the American Medical Association 285 (2001) 1059-70. 

Franz, David R. Defense Against Toxin Weapons. Rev. ed. Fort Detrick, MD United States Army Medical Research and Materiel Command, 1997. 

Polyclonal antibody preparations have been used for several decades to induce passive immunization against infectious diseases and other harmful agents, particularly toxins. The antibody preparations are usually administered by direct i.v. injection. While this affords immediate immunological protection, its effect is transitory, usually persisting for only 2-3 weeks (i.e. until the antibodies are excreted). Passive immunization can be used prophylactically (i.e. to prevent a future medical episode) or therapeutically (i.e. to treat a medical condition that is already established). An example of the former would be prior administration of a specific anti-snake toxin antibody preparation to an individual before they travel to a world region in which these snakes are commonly found. An example of the latter would be administration of the anti-venom antibody immediately after the individual has experienced a snake bite. 

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