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Andrologia 2019 Feb 28:e13251. Epub 2019 Feb 28.

Department of Urology, Guangzhou First People's Hospital, Guangzhou Medical University, the Second Affiliated Hospital of South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, China.

The aim of this study was to elucidate the reproductive toxicity of the coadministration of diltiazem and cyclosporine A or tacrolimus. Testicular development, semen quality, sex hormones and testicular tissues were assessed in unilateral nephrectomised (UN) rats, including the control group, UN group, UN+CsA group, UN+FK506 group, UN+Rapa group, UN+CsA+Dil group and UN+FK506+Dil group. The testicular coefficient, the sperm number and the sperm motility were lower in the treatment groups (except UN+FK506) than in the control and UN groups (all p < 0. Read More

J Chemother 2019 Feb;31(1):30-34

a Department of Pharmacy , Osaka City University Hospital , Osaka , Japan.

Delayed elimination of plasma methotrexate (MTX), which leads to elevated toxicity, is often observed in patients receiving high-dose methotrexate (HD-MTX) therapy, despite of the preventive measures. In this study, we investigated the factors that delay elimination of plasma MTX in patients on HD-MTX therapy. Fifteen patients who received HD-MTX therapy (21 cycles) were classified into two groups: delayed elimination of plasma MTX (38. Read More

Clin Toxicol (Phila) 2019 Feb 7:1-6. Epub 2019 Feb 7.

b Faculty of Medicine, Department of Clinical Pharmacology , Zagazig University , Zagazig , Egypt.

Context: Calcium channel blocker (CCB) poisonings are the leading cause of death from cardiovascular medication-related overdoses. Current treatments (calcium salts, vasopressors, inotropes) are often insufficient. Intravenous lipid emulsion (ILE) and methylene blue (MB) show promise in treating CCB overdoses unresponsive to conventional therapy. Read More

J Neurosurg 2019 Jan 25:1-8. Epub 2019 Jan 25.

1Department of Neurosurgery and Center for Stroke-research Berlin (CSB), Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Germany; and.

OBJECTIVEThe management of patients with aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (aSAH) remains a highly demanding challenge in critical care medicine. Despite all efforts, the calcium channel antagonist nimodipine remains the only drug approved for improving outcomes after aSAH. However, in its current form of application, it provides less than optimal efficacy and causes dose-limiting hypotension in a substantial number of patients. Read More

J Agric Food Chem 2019 Mar 25;67(9):2679-2690. Epub 2019 Feb 25.

College of Life Sciences, Institute of Reproductive Sciences , Qingdao Agricultural University , Qingdao 266109 , China.

The mycotoxin ochratoxin A (OTA), a naturally occurring food contaminant, has a toxic effect on the growth and development of follicles in pigs. However, little is known regarding the specific toxic effects of OTA exposure on oocytes and granulosa cells (GCs). In this study, we cultured porcine ovarian GCs and exposed them to OTA in vitro in order to explore the mechanism causing the negative effects. Read More

Cureus 2018 Nov 1;10(11):e3534. Epub 2018 Nov 1.

Pulmonology and Critical Care, Abington Hospital - Jefferson Health, Abington, USA.

Patients admitted with the presumed coingestion of beta-blockers (BBs) and calcium channel blockers (CCBs) should be initially managed in accordance with standardized resuscitation protocols (the airway, breathing, and circulation (ABC) approach). Additionally, more specific interventions should be promptly attempted. Intravenous glucagon and calcium salts have long been used in the treatment of BB and CCB toxicities. Read More

Environ Pollut 2019 Mar 12;246:366-373. Epub 2018 Dec 12.

Institute of Animal Molecular Biotechnology and Department of Biotechnology, College of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Korea University, Seoul, 02841, Republic of Korea. Electronic address:

Ochratoxin A (OTA), a secondary metabolite of the genera Penicillium and Aspergillus, contaminates many types of food and causes apoptosis as well as immunosuppression in many animal species. However, a mechanistic analysis of OTA-mediated cytotoxicity in bovine mammary epithelial cells has not yet been performed. Hence, we investigated the effects of OTA on bovine mammary epithelial (MAC-T) cells using several mechanistic analyses. Read More

JACC Clin Electrophysiol 2018 Dec 29;4(12):1491-1500. Epub 2018 Aug 29.

Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts; Cardio-Oncology Program, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts.

Ibrutinib, a novel and potent Bruton tyrosine kinase inhibitor, is an effective and well-tolerated treatment for a variety of B-cell lymphomas. However, its use is associated with an increased incidence of atrial fibrillation (AF), ranging from 4% to 16%. We reviewed the original clinical trials that led to the approval of ibrutinib, as well as several other prospective and retrospective studies, to better appreciate the incidence of ibrutinib-associated AF. Read More

Toxins (Basel) 2018 Dec 12;10(12). Epub 2018 Dec 12.

Postgraduate Program in Genetics and Applied Toxicology, Lutheran University of Brazil, Canoas, RS 92425⁻900, Brazil.

Phα1β, a purified peptide from the venom of the spider , and its recombinant form CTK 01512-2 are voltage-dependent calcium channel (Ca) blockers of types N, R, /Q, and L with a preference for type N. These peptides show analgesic action in different pain models in rats. The aim of this study was to evaluate the acute intrathecal toxicity of the native and recombinant Phα1β toxin in Wistar rats. Read More

Hum Exp Toxicol 2018 Dec 9:960327118817099. Epub 2018 Dec 9.

Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, Minia University, Minia, Egypt.

Liver is a precious organ to maintain body life. Hepatotoxicity is a worldwide health problem that is still a challenge for research. Although countless pharmaceutical drugs and herbal compounds were screened for their hepatoprotective effects, the death from hepatotoxicity is increasing. Read More

Cell Physiol Biochem 2018 30;51(4):1894-1907. Epub 2018 Nov 30.

Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, UNT Health Science Center, Fort Worth, Texas,

Background/aims: Targeting survivin, an anti-apoptotic protein and mitotic regulator, is considered as an effective therapeutic option for pancreatic cancer (PaCa). Tolfenamic acid (TA) showed anti-cancer activity in pre-clinical studies. A recent discovery demonstrated a copper(II) complex of TA (Cu-TA) can result in higher activity. Read More

J Biol Chem 2019 Jan 30;294(4):1250-1256. Epub 2018 Nov 30.

Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Hokkaido University, Kita-12, Nishi-6, Kita-ku, Sapporo 060-0812, Japan, and

Venomous snakes have endogenous proteins that neutralize the toxicity of their venom components. We previously identified five small serum proteins (SSP-1-SSP-5) from a highly venomous snake belonging to the family Viperidae as inhibitors of various toxins from snake venom. The endogenous inhibitors belong to the prostate secretory protein of 94 amino acids (PSP94) family. Read More

J Photochem Photobiol B 2019 Jan 20;190:72-75. Epub 2018 Nov 20.

Department of Orthopedics, The First People's Hospital of Wenling, Wenling 317500, Zhejiang Province, People's Republic of China.. Electronic address:

In the present work, a facile biosynthetic approach for the synthesis of AuNPs using bark extract of Juglans regia (J. regia) is reported. Ultra-violet visible (UV-vis) absorption spectroscopic studies exhibited and narrow SPR absorption band at 540 nm, represented the isotropy in particle size. Read More

Chemosphere 2019 Mar 21;218:477-486. Epub 2018 Nov 21.

Ceit-IK4, Paseo Manuel de Lardizábal 15, 20018, San Sebastian, Spain; Universidad de Navarra, Tecnun, Paseo Manuel de Lardizábal 13, 20018, San Sebastian, Spain; IKERBASQUE, Basque Foundation for Science, Maria Diaz de Haro 3, 48013, Bilbao, Spain. Electronic address:

The cell-free culture filtrate (CFF) of the fungi Fusarium chlamydosporum NG30 and Penicillium chrysogenum NG85 was tested to synthesize silver nanoparticles (AgNPs). The synthesized AgNPs were further characterized by means of transmission electron microscopy (TEM), dynamic light scattering (DLS) and Fourier transform infra-red (FTIR) spectroscopy. TEM revealed their spherical shape, homogeneity and a size range between 6 and 26 nm for F. Read More

Oncol Rep 2019 Feb 19;41(2):811-818. Epub 2018 Nov 19.

The Second Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong 250033, P.R. China.

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) cause oncogenic mutations through direct interaction with DNA. Carvedilol (CAR) exhibits antioxidative activity, and pre‑clinical studies have identified that CAR may prevent malignant transformation in certain carcinogenic models. This suggests that CAR may be a potential agent in cancer prevention. Read More

Neurotoxicology 2019 01 17;70:112-121. Epub 2018 Nov 17.

State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines and Jiangsu Key Laboratory of TCM Evaluation and Translational Research, School of Traditional Chinese Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, 211198, China. Electronic address:

Saikosaponins (SSs) are a class of naturally occurring oleanane-type triterpenoid saponins found in Radix bupleuri that has been widely used in traditional Chinese medicine. As the main active principals of Radix bupleuri, SSs have been shown to suppress mouse motor activity, impair learning and memory, and decrease hippocampal neurogenesis. In the present study, we investigated the effect of five SSs (SSa, SSb1, SSb2, SSc, and SSd) on neuronal viability and the underlying mechanisms in cultured murine neocortical neurons. Read More

Food Chem Toxicol 2019 Jan 25;123:337-348. Epub 2018 Oct 25.

University of Navarra, Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy and Nutrition, E-31008, Pamplona, Spain; IdiSNA, Navarra Institute for Health Research, E-31008, Pamplona, Spain. Electronic address:

Ochratoxin A (OTA) is a potent rodent nephrocarcinogen; being males more sensitive than females. The objective was to study the response between sexes at gene expression level (whole genome transcriptomics) in kidneys of F344 rats treated with 0.21 or 0. Read More

Neurotoxicology 2019 01 15;70:99-111. Epub 2018 Nov 15.

Instituto Teófilo Hernando, Arzobispo Morcillo, 4, 28029, Madrid, Spain; Departamento de Farmacología y Terapéutica, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Arzobispo Morcillo, 4, 28029, Madrid, Spain; Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria, Hospital Universitario de La Princesa, Diego de León, 62, 28006, Madrid, Spain; DNS Neuroscience, Parque Científico de Madrid, Faraday, 7, Campus de Cantoblanco. 28049, Madrid, Spain. Electronic address:

In the frame of a repositioning programme with cholinergic medicines in clinical use searching for neuroprotective properties, we surprisingly found that spasmolytic antimuscarinics otilonium and pinaverium exhibited neurotoxic effects in neuronal cultures. We decided to characterize such unexpected action in primary cultures of rat embryo cortical neurons. Neurotoxicity was time- and concentration-dependent, exhibiting approximate EC values of 5 μM for both drugs. Read More

Food Chem Toxicol 2019 Jan 11;123:374-384. Epub 2018 Nov 11.

Key Laboratory of Post-Harvest Handling of Fruits, Ministry of Agriculture/ Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Applied Botany, South China Botanical Garden, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, 510650, China.

Ochratoxin A (OTA) and citrinin (CTN) are important mycotoxins, which often coexist in food and feed stuff. In this study, individual and combinative cytotoxicity of OTA and CTN were tested in human embryonic kidney (HEK) 293 cells via MTT assay, and synergistic cytotoxic effects were found following co-treatment with OTA and CTN, manifested by significant accumulation of HEK293 cells in S and G2/M stages. Transcriptomic and sRNA sequencing were performed to explore molecular signatures mediating individual or combinative cytotoxicity. Read More

Reproduction 2018 12;156(6):463-476

Université Grenoble Alpes, Grenoble, France.

For artificial insemination (AI) to be successful, it is essential that sperm delivery be perfectly timed relative to ovulation, as sperm lifespan is limited due to oxidative metabolism induced by capacitation. Extending the window of sperm capacitation could therefore increase sperm lifespan, prolong sperm-fertilizing competence and increase AI efficiency. Hyperpolarization of sperm is a crucial step in capacitation and is induced by activation of the potassium calcium-activated channel subfamily U member 1 (KCNU1, also named Slo3 or KSper). Read More

Toxicon 2018 Dec 3;156:23-27. Epub 2018 Nov 3.

College of Public Health, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450001, China; Henan Joint International Research Laboratory of Green Construction of Functional Molecules and Their Bioanalytical Applications, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450001, China. Electronic address:

Deoxynivalenol (DON), Fumonisin B (FB) and Aflatoxin B (AFB) have strong toxicity to humans and exist widely in grain and food. It is necessary to screen these mycotoxins to guarantee food safety. In order to develop a rapid, simple, low-cost and simultaneous-detection method, composites of antibody-nano-Au-particles, DON-BSA, FB-BSA, and AFB-BSA were prepared to establish a lateral flow assay based on competitive inhibition. Read More

Drug Dev Res 2018 Nov 5. Epub 2018 Nov 5.

Facultad de Farmacia, Universidad Autónoma del Estado de Morelos, Cuernavaca, Morelos, Mexico.

Preclinical Research & Development Previously, we described tracheal rat rings relaxation by several flavonoids, being 6-hydroxyflavone (6-HOF) the most active derivative of the series. Thus, its mechanism of action was determined in an ex vivo tracheal rat ring bioassay. The anti-asthmatic effect was assayed in in vivo OVAlbumin (OVA)-sensitized guinea pigs. Read More

Clin Case Rep 2018 Oct 30;6(10):1982-1988. Epub 2018 Aug 30.

Emergency and Critical Care Department BluePearl Veterinary Partners New York New York.

Lamotrigine is a sodium and calcium channel blocker, used to treat seizures in people. Dogs metabolize Lamotrigine to a cardiotoxic metabolite that causes severe, often fatal ventricular arrhythmias. This report documents the successful treatment of refractory Lamotrigine cardiotoxicity in a dog, using intralipid emulsion therapy. Read More

Toxicol Mech Methods 2019 Feb 21;29(2):146-152. Epub 2018 Dec 21.

b Department of Histology, Faculty of Medicine , Minia University , Minia , Egypt.

Cilostazol and verapamil are widely used cardiovascular drugs, explored a beneficial effect on different organs-induced toxicities. We investigated whether the Nrf2 (nuclear erythroid factor 2) and its downstream pathway are involved in the protective role of these drugs against TAA-induced renal damage. Renal biomarkers (creatinine and urea) and histopathology were observed. Read More

Food Chem Toxicol 2018 Dec 3;122:59-68. Epub 2018 Oct 3.

Department of Biotechnology, College of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Korea University, Seoul, 02841, Republic of Korea. Electronic address:

Because ochratoxin A (OTA) is widely found in foods, people are susceptible to OTA exposure. The mechanism leading to renal toxicity induced by OTA remains unclear. The aim of this study was to investigate OTA-induced toxicity in human proximal tubule HK-2 cells. Read More

Food Chem Toxicol 2018 Dec 1;122:120-131. Epub 2018 Oct 1.

College of Veterinary Medicine, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, 210095, Jiangsu Province, China; Institute of Nutritional and Metabolic Disorders in Domestic Animals and Fowls, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, 210095, Jiangsu Province, China. Electronic address:

Ochratoxin A (OTA) could cause a variety of toxicological effects especially nephrotoxicity in animals and humans. Autophagy is a highly conserved metabolic process that plays an important role in the maintenance of cellular homeostasis under stress. However, the role of autophagy in OTA-induced nephrotoxicity is unknown. Read More

Pain Physician 2018 09;21(5):E509-E521

University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburg, PA.

Background: Electroacupuncture (EA) has been proved to be effective in treating certain neuropathic pain conditions. The mechanisms of pain relief by EA are not fully understood. There have been sporadic reports of damage in the peripheral nervous system (PNS) and regions of the central nervous system (CNS) at the ultrastructural level following peripheral nerve injury. Read More

Neuroscience 2018 11 27;392:25-37. Epub 2018 Sep 27.

Affiliated Hospital of Guilin Medical University, Guilin, Guangxi, China. Electronic address:

Amyloid plaque is a prominent pathologic hallmark in the brains of patients with Alzheimer's disease (AD), and it has been shown to be associated with endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress response. However the precise regulation mechanism of amyloid-beta (Aβ) toxicity remains unclear. Here, we found that dauricine could activate X-box binding protein 1 (XBP-1; active form XBP-1S) and eukaryotic translation initiation factor eIF2α and thus delay the progression of AD in the Aβ-transgenic Caenorhabditis elegans CL2120. Read More

Clin Pharmacokinet 2018 Sep 27. Epub 2018 Sep 27.

Department of Pharmacy, Radboud university medical center, Geert Grooteplein Zuid 10, 6525 GA, Nijmegen, The Netherlands.

Direct-acting antivirals (DAAs) are known victims (substrate) and perpetrators (cause) of drug-drug interactions (DDIs). These DAAs are used for the treatment of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infections and are highly effective drugs. Drugs used for cardiovascular risk management are frequently used by HCV-infected patients, whom also are treated with DAAs. Read More

Psychopharmacology (Berl) 2018 Nov 24;235(11):3339-3350. Epub 2018 Sep 24.

Department of Physiology, University of Saskatchewan, GD30.7, Health Sciences Building, 107 Wiggins Road, Saskatoon, SK, S7N 5E5, Canada.

Rationale: Currently available antipsychotics are unsatisfactory given their side effects and limited efficacy for the cognitive symptoms of schizophrenia. Many currently available drugs, such as haloperidol, are T-type calcium channel antagonists in addition to their well-established antagonism of dopamine D2 receptors. Thus, preclinical research into the effects of T-type calcium channel antagonists/blockers in behavioral assays related to schizophrenia may inform novel therapeutic strategies. Read More

Biocontrol Sci 2018 ;23(3):85-96

Faculty of Environment Engineering, University of Kitakyushu.

Studies have reported that cell density, ultraviolet (UV) irradiation, and redox reactions, can induce bioluminescence in bacteria. Conversely, the relationship between seawater components and luminescence is not well understood. The efficacy of marine luminous bacteria as biosensors, and their reactivity to fungicides (for example postharvest pesticides) are also unknown. Read More

Biomed Pharmacother 2018 Dec 20;108:565-573. Epub 2018 Sep 20.

Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Affiliated Hangzhou First People's Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, China. Electronic address:

Purpose: Ovarian cancer is usually treated with transurethral resection or systemic chemotherapy in clinic. However, the development of drug resistance in ovarian cancer is frequently observed in ovarian cancer patients, leading to failure of tumor inhibition and recurrence. In this study, we aimed to efficiently reverse the drug resistance and enhance the anticancer effects by co-delivery of chemotherapeutic agents and multi-drugs resistant proteins inhibitor in ovarian cancer treatment. Read More

BJOG 2019 01 21;126(1):128-129. Epub 2018 Sep 21.

Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Chittaranjan Seva Sadan College of Obstetrics, Gynaecology and Child Health, Kolkata, India.

J Clin Neurophysiol 2018 Nov;35(6):515-517

Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Center, Baltimore, Maryland, U.S.A.

EEG triphasic waves are usually seen in the setting of metabolic encephalopathies, but may also occur secondary to medication toxicity. There are few reports of medications causing continuous triphasic waves, and only rare reports in the literature show an association between these discharges and pregabalin toxicity. Here, we describe triphasic waves in a patient with underlying white matter lesions, as well as pregabalin toxicity, secondary to renal insufficiency. Read More

Mol Med Rep 2018 Nov 3;18(5):4486-4498. Epub 2018 Sep 3.

Emergency Department, Shengjing Hospital Affiliated to China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning 110004, P.R. China.

Fasudil, which is primarily prescribed to treat cerebral vasospasm, may also inhibit systemic inflammation and prevent sepsis‑induced acute lung injury (ALI) in rats, although the mechanisms remain elusive. The purpose of the present study was to investigate the role of the rhodopsin (Rho)/Rho‑associated protein kinase (ROCK) signaling pathway in the protective effects of fasudil on ALI in septic rats. A total of 60 Wistar rats were pretreated with fasudil (30 mg/kg) through intraperitoneal injections 1 h prior to cecal ligation and puncture. Read More

Med Chem 2019 ;15(2):138-149

Bioorganic Chemistry Division, CSIR-Indian Institute of Integrative Medicine, Canal Road Jammu-180001, J&K, India.

Background: Natural product, osthol has been found to have important biological and pharmacological roles particularly having inhibitory effect on multiple types of cancer.

Objective: The unmet needs in cancer therapeutics make its derivatization an important and exciting field of research. Keeping this in view, a whole new series of diverse analogues of osthol (1) were synthesized. Read More

Pharm Nanotechnol 2018 ;6(2):116-123

Chemical Engineering Department, Brigham Young University, Provo, UT 84602, United States.

Background: Patients undergoing chemotherapy can develop resistance not only to the administered drug, but also to many other unrelated types of drugs, a phenomenon known as multidrug resistance. One of the most common mechanisms of multidrug resistance is an elevated expression of drug efflux pumps. Codelivery of an efflux pump inhibitor with a chemotherapeutic can increase the killing of multidrug-resistant cancer cells. Read More

Pflugers Arch 2018 Dec 11;470(12):1803-1813. Epub 2018 Sep 11.

Laboratory of Electrophysiology and Muscular Contraction, Superior Institute of Biomedical Sciences, State University of Ceará, Campus of Itaperi, Fortaleza, CE, Brazil.

1,8-Cineole is a cyclic monoterpenoid used in folk medicine for treatment of numerous respiratory diseases and other infections. 1,8-Cineole has anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and myorelaxant effects, as well as low toxicity. In the present study, the effects of 1,8-cineole on contractility and voltage-gated calcium channels (VGCC) in tracheal smooth muscle were investigated. Read More

AAPS PharmSciTech 2018 Oct 5;19(7):3228-3236. Epub 2018 Sep 5.

Pharmacy School, Jinzhou Medical University, 40 Songpo Road, Linghe District, Jinzhou, 121000, Liaoning Province, China.

In this study, mesoporous SnO (MSn) with a three-dimensional mesoporous structure was prepared using MCM-48 as the template in order to increase the oral bioavailability and dissolution rate of insoluble drugs. The model drug, nitrendipine (NDP), was loaded into the MSn by the adsorption method. The structural features of MSn were characterized by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and N adsorption (desorption) analysis. Read More

Food Chem Toxicol 2018 Nov 1;121:374-386. Epub 2018 Sep 1.

Norwegian Institute of Public Health, P.O. Box 4404 Nydalen, NO-0403 Oslo, Norway.

Post-smolt Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) were fed with standard feed added one of five concentrations of either pure deoxynivalenol (DON; 0.5-6 mg/kg) or pure ochratoxin A (OTA; 0.2-2. Read More

Int J Biol Macromol 2018 Dec 28;120(Pt A):683-692. Epub 2018 Aug 28.

College of Veterinary Medicine, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, Jiangsu Province, China; Institute of Nutritional and Metabolic Disorders in Domestic Animals and Fowls, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, Jiangsu Province, China. Electronic address:

Recent studies have highlighted the immune stress caused by ochratoxin A (OTA), but little attention was paid to its alleviation. In the present study, the protective effects of astragalus polysaccharide (APS) against OTA-induced immune stress in vitro and in vivo and its mechanism/(s) involved were investigated. The in vitro results showed that APS (20 μg/ml) induced a significant decrease in cytotoxicity, apoptosis and pro-inflammatory cytokine expressions elevated by OTA (1. Read More

Phytomedicine 2018 Aug 18;47:174-183. Epub 2018 Apr 18.

Cardiovascular Research Group; Department of Pharmacy, COMSATS Institute of Information Technology, University Road, Abbottabad, KPK 22060, Pakistan. Electronic address:

Background: Calamintha vulgaris L., has been used medicinally in the management hypertension.

Purpose: To investigate the antihypertensive mechanisms of extract of C. Read More

BMJ Case Rep 2018 Aug 27;2018. Epub 2018 Aug 27.

Emergency Department, Chelsea and Westminster Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK.

Cardiovascular instability associated with calcium channel blocker toxicity comprises a small percentage of overdose presentations, yet they are associated with a high mortality rate. We detail the management of a 64-year-old man who took an intentional overdose of 840 mg nimodipine. We include the treatment he received and highlight the scarcity of evidence behind the use of gastric decontamination, calcium, glucagon, intravenous lipid emulsion, high-dose insulin therapy, sodium bicarbonate, vasopressors and methylene blue in calcium channel blocker toxicity. Read More

Pharmacotherapy 2018 Nov 4;38(11):1130-1142. Epub 2018 Oct 4.

Purdue University College of Pharmacy, West Lafayette, Indiana.

Both calcium channel blockers (CCBs) and β blockers (BBs) are associated with fatal substance exposures within the United States. Cases of overdose with these agents have the potential to be both complex and difficult to manage. A variety of pharmacologic treatment options are available for clinicians to use to help mitigate harm from these poisonings. Read More

Neurotox Res 2019 Jan 24;35(1):173-182. Epub 2018 Aug 24.

Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, Georgetown University, Washington, DC, 20007, USA.

The developing brain is uniquely susceptible to drug-induced increases in programmed cell death or apoptosis. Many compounds, including anticonvulsant drugs, anesthetic agents, and ethanol, when administered in a narrow postnatal window in rodents, result in increased pruning of neurons. Here, we report that dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) triggers widespread neurodegeneration in the immature (postnatal day, P7) rat brain, an effect consistent with a prior report in neonatal mice. Read More

Vet Clin North Am Small Anim Pract 2018 Nov 21;48(6):943-957. Epub 2018 Aug 21.

ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center, 1717 South Philo Road, Suite 36, Urbana, IL 61802, USA. Electronic address:

The widespread use and availability of calcium channel blockers in human and veterinary medicine pose a risk for inadvertent pet exposure to these medications. Clinical signs of toxicosis can be delayed by many hours after exposure, with lethargy, hypotension, and cardiac rhythm changes as the predominant signs. Prompt decontamination and aggressive treatment using a variety of modalities may be necessary to treat patients exposed to calcium channel blockers. Read More

Food Chem Toxicol 2018 Nov 16;121:15-23. Epub 2018 Aug 16.

Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Food Nutrition and Human Health, College of Food Science & Nutritional Engineering, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100083, China; Beijing Laboratory for Food Quality and Safety, College of Food Science and Nutritional Engineering, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100083, China. Electronic address:

Ochratoxin A (OTA) is a secondary metabolite of fungi such as Aspergillus ochraceus, A. niger and A. carbonarius, Penicillium verrucosum, and various other Penicillium, Petromyces, and Neopetromyces species. Read More

J Toxicol Sci 2018 ;43(8):493-506

Research Division, Chugai Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd.

We used motion field imaging to characterize the conduction and contraction of a sheet of cardiomyocytes derived from human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPS-CMs). A hiPS-CMs sheet of 2.8 mm × 2. Read More