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Development and Utilization of a Novel Prodosomed-Electrolyte and Phytochemical Formulation Technology to Restore Metabolic Homeostasis
Published in Debasis Bagchi, Manashi Bagchi, Metal Toxicology Handbook, 2020
Bernard W. Downs, Manashi Bagchi, Bruce S. Morrison, Jeffrey Galvin, Steve Kushner, Debasis Bagchi
It is very important to mention that sometimes an electrolyte imbalance may not result in obvious observable symptoms. As for example, low potassium, a condition known as hypokalemia17 content, may not exhibit symptoms. But it may drastically affect the glycogen levels, a major source of energy for the muscles in the body or induce abnormal cardiac rhythms.16,18,19 This can lead to several other problems including eating disorders, kidney disease, muscle weakness, spasms, cramps, respiratory problems, and paralysis.5,7 Severe burns can also cause electrolyte imbalances.19,20
Patterns of adaptive behaviour and adjustments in performance in response to authoritative safety pressure regarding the handling of KCl concentrate solutions
Published in Erik Hollnagel, Jeffrey Braithwaite, Robert L. Wears, Delivering Resilient Health Care, 2018
Kazue Nakajima, Harumi Kitamura
The committees’ minutes and memorandums and interviews with physicians in our hospital uncovered two major reasons why it was necessary for ampoules of KCl concentrate solutions to be stocked in wards. First, concentrated solutions of KCl ampoules were needed because patients in critical condition with hypokalemia, e.g., patients with severe heart failure, often require strict fluid volume control. Second, hypokalemia requires prompt correction because it may cause life-threatening arrhythmia. If ampoule-type products were stored in the pharmacy department, immediate delivery of medications to a unit would be difficult or impossible. For example, on holidays or after business hours clinicians had to go to the pharmacy department to pick up urgently needed medications because of the lack of a just-in-time medication delivery system. One nurse related an experience in which it took 40 minutes for her to obtain a prescribed medication during a night shift.
Pharmaceutical Applications of Microencapsulation Using Coacervation/Phase Separation Techniques
Published in Agis F. Kydonieus, Controlled Release Technologies: Methods, Theory, and Applications, 2019
Another clinical trial6 was designed to demonstrate the bioavailability of potassium chloride from the microencapsulated dosage form when the product was administered to patients with potassium depletion induced by the use of diuretics. Because metabolic balance studies with calculation of total potassium intake from food and fluid consumed and of potassium excretion into the urine and feces are inordinately laborious, the authors adopted a simpler method based on Kuhns’ “oral test for potassium deficiency”, abbreviated to “KDT” from the original German initials. This involves administration of an oral potassium load and a follow-up study of its urinary excretion — whose increase obviously reflects the fact that the potassium salt taken orally was to that extent absorbed. The trial was conducted as follows. Six patients with demonstrated hypokalemia secondary to diuretic medication (dichlorophenamide plus hydrochlorothiazide) were taken off said medication and given an oral load of potassium chloride in the microencapsulated dosage form in the amount of 4 capsules daily (representing 32 mEq of K+), which was then repeated for 7 consecutive days. Based on the results tabulated in Table 2, the following remarks can be made: All six patients had definite hypokalemia from chronic diuretic medication; basal blood potassium assays on the first and third day off diuretics being, respectively, 3.2±0.24 mEq/ℓ. Urinary potassium was rather on the low side, in keeping with a situation of hypokalemia.The first Kühns test, administered immediately after the initial potassium load, revealed no significant modification of blood potassium assays, the mean being 3.48±2.0 mEq/ℓ; urinary excretion remained essentially unchanged.At the end of the 7-day treatment, however, there was a highly significant increase of mean blood potassium assay (to 4.0±0.23 mEq/ℓ and a likewise highly significant increase of mean urinary potassium content (to 61.3±17.2 mEq in 24 hr as opposed to only 42.3±10.2 mEq at the start of treatment).
Cylindrospermopsin toxicity in mice following a 90-d oral exposure
Published in Journal of Toxicology and Environmental Health, Part A, 2018
N. Chernoff, D.J. Hill, I. Chorus, D.L. Diggs, H. Huang, D. King, J.R. Lang, T.-T. Le, J.E. Schmid, G.S. Travlos, E.M. Whitley, R.E. Wilson, C.R. Wood
Cyanobacteria are photosynthetic organisms that are found on all continents and virtually all ecosystems, but are primarily inhabitants of both freshwater and saltwater. There are many species that produce chemicals that are toxic to mammals (Zurawell et al. 2005). One of the most widespread freshwater toxins is the alkaloid, cylindrospermopsin (CYN), a tricyclic guanidine joined to uracil by a carbon bridge (Ohtani, Moore, and Runnegar 2002), which has been associated with severe toxicity in humans and livestock. The discovery of CYN followed an episode of poisoning that took place in the Palm Island community of Australia during 1979 (Byth 1980). The drinking water in the town was obtained from a reservoir and it was observed that people using well water did not become ill (Hawkins et al. 1985). The reservoir was thought to have had an algal bloom for 2 months since the water had taste and odor issues during that time, and was treated with the algaecide, copper sulfate (CuSO4). One week after the application of the algaecide, individuals began to get sick and 138 eventually required hospital treatment. The initial symptoms included constipation, vomiting, anorexia, headache, hepatomegaly, glucosuria, proteinuria, and ketonuria. In 1 to 3 d following the initial signs, the illness progressed and severe electrolyte imbalance was noted including hypokalemia and resultant acidotic shock and hypovolemia; diarrhea, often containing blood that persisted up to three weeks; accompanied by hyperemia or bleeding mucous membranes. Subsequently, CYN was associated with the death of cattle after ingestion of water with an ongoing cyanobacterial bloom. The animals exhibited symptoms that included hepatomegaly, hepatic degeneration and necrosis, and extensive intestinal hemorrhages (Saker, Thomas, and Norton 1999; Thomas et al. 1998).
Precautions & Possible Therapeutic Approaches of Health Hazards of Astronauts in Microgravity
Published in The International Journal of Aerospace Psychology, 2021
Nikita Pal, Shambaditya Goswami, Rajveer Singh, Tejpal Yadav, Ravindra Pal Singh
Improper cardiac rhythm or arrhythmia in space flight could occur due to hypokalemia, changes in the autonomic nervous system, and physical stress. Bag-valve mask ventilation (100% O2), endotracheal intubation, and respiratory ventilation should be given in this situation. Advanced Life Support Pack (ALSP) and Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) drugs are epinephrine, lidocaine, and atropine, which must be given in severe conditions. Some astronauts need radiofrequency catheter ablation for atrial arrhythmias (Anzai et al., 2014; Marshburn, 2008).