Description of a Nonhuman Primate Model of Retinal Ischemia/Reperfusion Injury.

Purpose: To establish an inducible model of retinal ischemia/reperfusion injury (RI/RI) in nonhuman primates (NHPs) to improve our understanding of the disease conditions and evaluate treatment interventions in humans.

Methods: We cannulated the right eye of rhesus macaques with a needle attached to a normal saline solution reservoir at up to 1.9 m above the eye level that resulted in high intraocular pressure of over 100 mm Hg for 90 minutes.

A new non-human primate model of desiccating stress-induced dry eye disease.

Dry eye disease (DED), a multifactorial ocular surface disease, is estimated to affect up to 34% of individuals over 50 years old. Although numerous animal models, including rodents and rabbits, have been developed to mimic the pathophysiologic mechanisms involved in dry eye, there is a lack of non-human primate (NHP) models, critical for translational drug studies. Here, we developed a novel desiccating stress-induced dry eye disease model using Rhesus macaque monkeys.

Development of Primary Open Angle Glaucoma-Like Features in a Rhesus Macaque Colony From Southern China.

Purpose: To describe the ocular phenotype of spontaneous glaucoma in a non-human primate colony.

Methods: In total, 722 Rhesus macaque monkeys aged 10 to 25 years underwent optical coherence tomography (OCT), fundus photography (FP), and intraocular pressure (IOP) measurements. Monkeys with baseline cup-to-disc ratio (CDR) <0.

Presentations of tetramethylammonium hydroxide dermal exposure and the valuable potential of diphoterine solution in decontamination: a retrospective observational study.

Background: Tetramethylammonium hydroxide (TMAH) is a quaternary ammonium compound that is both a base corrosive and a cholinergic agonist, and it is widely used in the photoelectric and semiconductor industries. It causes corrosive skin injuries and systemic cholinergic toxicity with death primarily resulting from respiratory failure without efficacious early decontamination.

Methods: A retrospective observational study was performed of all cases of TMAH exposure reported to the Taiwan Poison Control Center between July 2010 and October 2017.

Datura and Brugmansia plants related antimuscarinic toxicity: an analysis of poisoning cases reported to the Taiwan poison control center.

Introduction: Datura and Brugmansia plants, especially Datura species, have been used for their hallucinogenic effects in the United States and Europe; whereas Datura plants have been used as a traditional medicine in many Asian countries. This study was conducted to better understand the pattern and outcome of Datura/Brugmansia plant related poisoning in Taiwan.

Methods: This is a retrospective case series study of all cases with Datura/Brugmansia exposure reported to the Taiwan Poison Control Center between 1986 and 2015.

Do people from Taiwan have higher heavy metal levels than those from Western countries?

Introduction: This study investigated whether heavy metal levels were higher in people from Taiwan as compared to those from Western countries.

Methods: We measured the level of heavy metals (lead, mercury, arsenic and cadmium) in the blood of 40 apparently healthy adults. Since mercury does not respond to ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) infusion, only urine lead, arsenic and cadmium levels were determined by applying the body burden concept after calcium disodium EDTA infusion.

Neurotoxicity associated with exposure to 1-bromopropane in golf-club cleansing workers.

Background: 1-Bromopropane (1-BP) is an alternative to ozone-depleting solvent that is used in degreasing, dry cleaning, spray adhesives, and aerosol solvents. Occupational exposure to 1-BP is associated with adverse peripheral sensory, motor, and central nervous system (CNS) effects. We report our Health Hazard and Medical Evaluation of 6 patients with neurotoxicity associated with occupational exposure to 1-BP.

Characteristics of blood chemistry, hematology, and lymphocyte subsets in pregnant rhesus monkeys.

The present study was designed to characterize the blood chemistry, hematology, and lymphocyte subsets in pregnant rhesus monkeys and provide baseline parameters for future studies of reproductive and developmental toxicity and developmental immunotoxicity. Harem-mating was used in 96 female and 16 male rhesus monkeys. Pregnancy was confirmed on gestation day (GD)18 by ultrasound.

Hyperkalemia, hyperphosphatemia, acute kidney injury, and fatal dysrhythmias after consumption of palytoxin-contaminated goldspot herring.

Severe electrolyte disturbances caused by fish poisoning are rarely reported in the literature. We present an unusual outbreak of palytoxin poisoning associated with the consumption of Goldspot herring (Herklotsichthys quadrimaculatus). Four family members became ill after eating 2 species of marine fish.

Late diagnosis of an outbreak of leanness-enhancing agent-related food poisoning.

Introduction: Ractopamine is a leanness-enhancing agent approved in the United States and 26 other countries to reduce body fat content, increase muscle mass, and improve growth rate of certain food-producing animals. Other β-agonists with stronger pharmacologic effects, especially clenbuterol, had been illegally used as leanness-enhancing agents in the United States, China, and the European Union, and foodborne poisonings related to clenbuterol residue in meat or liver were rarely reported in the European Union and China. We describe an unusual outbreak of leanness-enhancing agent-related food poisoning in Taiwan and its associated diagnostic challenge.

Lead, mercury, and arsenic poisoning due to topical use of traditional Chinese medicines.

Background: Metal poisonings through a mucocutaneous route are reported rarely in the literature.

Methods: We report 2 cases of heavy metal intoxication from inappropriate use of Chinese mineral medicines confirmed by toxicologic investigations.

Results: A 51-year-old man developed perianal gangrene and a high fever after a 2-week anal use of hong-dan herbal mixtures for anal fistula.

Increased risk of chronic kidney disease among users of non-prescribed Chinese herbal medicine in Taiwan.

Background: Taiwan has the highest incidence of chronic kidney disease (CKD) and end-stage renal disease (ESRD) worldwide. Chinese herbal medicine (CHM) has been linked to CKD/ESRD in Taiwan. The specific effects and frequency of CHM on the risk of CKD are unknown.

Drug abuse-related accidents leading to emergency department visits at two medical centers.

Background: Drug abuse is becoming more prevalent in Taiwan, as evidenced by increasing reports of drug trafficking and drug abuse-related criminal activity, and the wide use of more contemporary illicit drugs. Consequently, drug abuse-related accidents are also expected to occur with greater frequency. However, no study has yet specifically evaluated the prevalence, pattern, and outcomes of drug abuse-related accidents among patients visiting emergency departments (EDs) in Taiwan.

Essential trace element status and clinical outcomes in long-term dialysis patients: a two-year prospective observational cohort study.

Background & Aims: Essential trace elements are involved in many biological processes for normal cell function including immunological defense against oxidation and infection. Deficiency of these elements generally leads to illness or even death in the general population. Therefore, we investigated the predictive values of trace element status on clinical outcomes in dialysis patients, who are more prone to trace element deficiency.

Fatal serotonin toxicity caused by moclobemide and fluoxetine overdose.

Both moclobemide and fluoxetine are used in the treatment of depression, and have been shown to produce fewer side effects than conventional tricyclic antidepressants. A combination of moclobemide and fluoxetine has been used in refractory depression, however there is potential for severe serotonin toxicity. We describe a lethal case of serotonin toxicity in a 36 year-old woman after she ingested multiple drugs, including moclobemide 4500 mg, fluoxetine 200 mg, propranolol 300 mg and several benzodiazepines.

Survival after hypocalcemia, hypomagnesemia, hypokalemia and cardiac arrest following mild hydrofluoric acid burn.

Background: Although hydrofluoric (HF) acid burns may cause extensive tissue damage, severe systemic toxicity is not common after mild dermal exposure.

Case: A 36-year-old worker suffered a first-degree burn of 3% of his total body surface area as a result of being splashed on the right thigh with 20% HF acid. Immediate irrigation and topical use of calcium gluconate gel prevented local injury.

Methomyl-alphamethrin poisoning presented with cholinergic crisis, cortical blindness, and delayed peripheral neuropathy.

Objective: Methomyl-alphamethrin is a mixture of carbamate and pyrethroid insecticides. Carbamate insecticides function as reversible cholinesterase inhibitors, which may produce life-threatening cholinergic syndrome. Cortical blindness and delayed neuropathy were rarely reported complications of carbamate insecticide exposures.

Serotonin toxicity caused by moclobemide too soon after paroxetine-selegiline.

Serotonin toxicity is an iatrogenic complication of serotonergic drug therapy. It is due to an overstimulation of central and peripheral serotonin receptors that lead to neuromuscular, mental and autonomic changes. Moclobemide is a reversible inhibitor of monoamine oxidase (MAO)-A, selegiline is an irreversible selective inhibitor of MAO-B, and paroxetine is a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor.

The epidemiology of glyphosate-surfactant herbicide poisoning in Taiwan, 1986-2007: a poison center study.

Background: Glyphosate-surfactant herbicide (GlySH) is widely used in agriculture and has been associated with numerous toxicities following oral ingestion. However, there are many controversies with regard to the exact causes and determinants of developing severe/death outcome after exposure to GlySH.

Methods: We conducted an analysis of all GlySH exposures reported to the Taiwan National Poison Control Center between 1986 and 2007.

Neonicotinoid insecticides: an emerging cause of acute pesticide poisoning.

Introduction: Neonicotinoids are a relatively new class of insecticides. They exhibit agonistic effects at postsynaptic nicotinic receptors in insects and are believed to have low toxicity in humans.

Methods: We conducted a retrospective analysis of all neonicotinoid exposures reported to the Taiwan National Poison Center to better understand the toxicity profile of neonicotinoid insecticides.

Acute severe chromium poisoning after dermal exposure to hexavalent chromium.

Severe acute chromium poisoning related to dermal involvement has rarely been reported in the literature. We report a case of acute severe chromium poisoning through skin exposure as a result of a chemical burn of 15% of the body surface area and multiple organ failure after short-term exposure. Medical interventions, including mechanical ventilation, continuous venovenous hemofiltration, and plasmapheresis were performed.

Acute hemolysis caused by incidental trichlorfon exposure.

Trichlorfon (o-o-dimethyl-2,2,2-trichloro-hydroxyethylphosphate), an organophosphate, has a moderately potent anticholinesterase activity. Organophosphate poisoning is well known for its characteristic symptoms and signs, but acute hemolysis caused by trichlorfon is rarely reported. We present a patient who developed acute hemolysis and renal function impairment after percutaneous trichlorfon exposure.