Ethanol for the management of alcohol withdrawal syndrome: a systematic review.

Introduction: Alcohol withdrawal is typically managed using benzodiazepines. However, modulation of both γ-aminobutyric acid-A and N-methyl-d-aspartate-receptors through ethanol provision may provide an alternative management strategy. This systematic review critically analyses the evidence surrounding the use of oral or intravenous ethanol for the management of alcohol withdrawal syndrome.

Promising strategies for the prevention of alcohol-related brain damage through optimised management of acute alcohol withdrawal: A focussed literature review.

There is an increasing awareness of the link between chronic alcohol consumption and the development of cognitive, behavioural and functional deficits. Currently, preventative strategies are limited and require engagement in dedicated long-term rehabilitation and sobriety services, the availability of which is low. The acute alcohol withdrawal syndrome is an episode of neurochemical imbalance leading to autonomic dysregulation, increased seizure risk and cognitive disorientation.

Paediatric opioid poisoning in the UK: a retrospective analysis of clinical enquiries to the National Poisons Information Service.

Objective: To evaluate a decade of reported paediatric opioid poisoning cases in the UK.

Methods: The National Poisons Information Service (NPIS) telephone enquiries database (UK Poisons Information Database) was searched for calls regarding opioid poisoning in children under 18 years from 2012 to 2021. The NPIS online clinical guidance database TOXBASE was searched for accesses relating to opioids for both adults and children.

ProteoMutaMetrics: machine learning approaches for solute carrier family 6 mutation pathogenicity prediction.

The solute carrier transporter family 6 (SLC6) is of key interest for their critical role in the transport of small amino acids or amino acid-like molecules. Their dysfunction is strongly associated with human diseases such as including schizophrenia, depression, and Parkinson's disease. Linking single point mutations to disease may support insights into the structure-function relationship of these transporters.

Outbreak of lead poisoning from a civilian indoor firing range in the UK.

Introduction: Lead exposure from discharged lead dust is a recognised risk at firing ranges. We report a lead poisoning outbreak among staff and their close contacts at a UK civilian indoor 24 m firing range.

Methods: A retrospective review was undertaken of data collected on all patients at risk of lead poisoning identified either by direct referral to the Clinical Toxicology clinicians at the West Midlands Poisons Unit, or via the Trace Elements Supra-Regional Assay Service Laboratory at Sandwell hospital.

Medication errors involving intravenous paracetamol in children: experience from enquiries to the National Poisons Information Service.

Introduction: Children are at higher risk of medication errors due to the complexity of drug prescribing and administration in this patient group. Intravenous (IV) paracetamol overdose differs from overdose by ingestion as there is no enteral absorptive buffering. We provide the first national UK data focusing on paediatric IV paracetamol poisoning.

Experimental and Computational Analysis of Newly Identified Pathogenic Mutations in the Creatine Transporter SLC6A8.

Creatine is an essential metabolite for the storage and rapid supply of energy in muscle and nerve cells. In humans, impaired metabolism, transport, and distribution of creatine throughout tissues can cause varying forms of mental disability, also known as creatine deficiency syndrome (CDS). So far, 80 mutations in the creatine transporter (SLC6A8) have been associated to CDS.

Metformin-associated lactic acidosis reported to the United Kingdom National Poisons Information Service (NPIS) between 2010 and 2019: a ten-year retrospective analysis.

Introduction: Metformin toxicity following therapeutic use or overdose may result in metabolic acidosis with hyperlactatemia. This study aims to assess the relationship between serum lactate concentration, arterial pH, and ingested dose with severity of poisoning, and to identify if serum lactate concentration is a useful marker of severity in metformin toxicity.

Methods: A retrospective study of telephone enquiries relating to metformin exposures to the National Poisons Information Service between 2010 and 2019 from hospitals in the United Kingdom.

Generating water/MeOH-soluble and luminescent polymers by grafting 2,6-bis(1,2,3-triazol-4-yl)pyridine (btp) ligands onto a poly(ethylene--maleic anhydride) polymer and cross-linking with terbium(III).

The synthesis of two new polymers made from P(E-alt-MA) (poly(ethylene--maleic anhydride) and possessing 2,6-bis(1,2,3-triazol-4-yl)pyridine (btp) ligand side chains in 3 and 6 mol%, respectively (P1 and P2, respectively) is described. These polymers were shown to be soluble in MeOH solution and, in the case of P1, also in water, while P2 needed prolonged heating to enable water dissolution. Btp ligands are known for coordinating both d- and f-metal ions and so, herein, we demonstrate by using both UV-Vis absorption, fluorescence emission, as well as time-gated phosphorescence spectroscopies, that both P1 and P2 can bind to Tb(III) ions to give rise to luminescent polymers.

Investigation and monitoring of heavy metal poisoning.

Historically, heavy metal measurement and interpretation has been a highly specialised area performed only in a handful of centres within the UK. However, recent years have seen a move to more local testing due to the repatriation of referred work into pathology networks and the increased availability of inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry technology. While management of significant poisoning is still overseen by tertiary care poisoning specialists, management of milder cases may be undertaken locally.

Bites by exotic snakes reported to the UK National Poisons Information Service 2009-2020.

Snakebite is recognised as a neglected tropical disease and a cause of substantial morbidity and mortality. Whilst the most medically important snakes are typically native of Asia, Africa, Latin America and Oceania, the possibility of encountering these snakes is no longer limited by geography due to an increasing number of exotic (non-native) snakes being held in captivity. A retrospective review of snakebite enquiries to the UK National Poisons Information Service (NPIS) between 2009 and 2020.

Potential cyanide poisoning reported to the UK national poisons information service: 2008-2019.

Introduction: Cyanide is a prevalent, lethal chemical. Possible sources of exposure include products of combustion, plant material, industry, chemical warfare and terrorism.

Methods: Retrospective review of UK Poisons Information Database of telephone enquiries to the National Poisons Information Service between 1 January 2008 and 31 December 2019 where cyanide poisoning was considered a possibility.

Phenytoin and damage to the cerebellum - a systematic review of published cases.

Introduction: The antiseizure medication phenytoin has been associated with changes in the cerebellum, cerebellar signs, and permanent cerebellar damage. We have systematically reviewed the clinical and radiological features, and their correlation.

Areas Covered: We identified sixty case reports and case series of the effects of phenytoin on the cerebellum by searching Medline and Embase and relevant reference lists.

Carbon monoxide exposures reported to the UK National Poisons Information Service: a 4-year study.

Background: Unintentional carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning poses a public health challenge. The UK National Poisons Information Service (NPIS) provides advice to healthcare professionals via the online database, TOXBASE®, and a 24-hour telephone line. Our aim was to analyse all CO-related enquiries to the NPIS.

Systematic Review of Human Poisoning and Toxic Exposures in Myanmar.

The International Health Regulations (2005) promote national capacity in core institutions so that countries can better detect, respond to and recover from public health emergencies. In accordance with the 'all hazards' approach to public health risk, this systematic review examines poisoning and toxic exposures in Myanmar. A systematic literature search was undertaken to find articles pertaining to poisoning in Myanmar published between 1998 and 2020.

Effect of the UK Psychoactive Substances Act 2016 on episodes of toxicity related to new psychoactive substances as reported to the National Poisons Information Service. A time series analysis.

Background: There have been recent increases in use of new psychoactive substances (NPS) associated with acute health harms including hospital presentations due to toxicity and increasing numbers of deaths. In response, the UK Government enacted generic legislation on 26th May 2016 (the Psychoactive Substances Act) making it an offence to produce, possess with intent to supply, supply, import or export, or possess within a custodial setting a psychoactive substance. We studied the impact of this Act on monthly frequency of enquiries made by health professionals to the UK National Poisons Information Service (NPIS) about NPS.

Features reported after exposure to automatic dishwashing rinse aids.

Introduction: Automatic dishwashing rinse aids are drying aids which contain non-ionic surfactants, usually ethoxylated alcohols, typically at concentrations of ≤30%.

Objective: To assess the reported toxicity of rinse aids.

Methods: Telephone enquiries to the UK National Poisons Information Service were analysed from January 2008 to June 2019.

Toxicity of traditional and soluble film automatic dishwashing tablets.

Introduction: Detergents used in automatic dishwashing machines are of two main types: traditional tablets that require removal from an external wrapper and newer soluble film tablets.

Objective: To determine the toxicity of automatic dishwashing tablets.

Methods: Telephone enquiries to the UK National Poisons Information Service were analysed for the period January 2008 to June 2019.

Elective alcohol detoxification - a resource and efficacy evaluation.

An evaluation was performed to assess efficacy and resource utilisation of an elective inpatient alcohol detoxification service at a large inner-city teaching hospital. Abstinence rates at 3, 6 and 12 months post-detoxification were 68.1, 44.