Problems in three Japanese drug users with Human Immunodeficiency Virus infection.
(9/25)
Numbers of individuals infected with Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) are increasing in Japan. The majority of them are Men who have sex with men and a part of them take drugs as 'Sex drug' at their sexual intercourse. Especially, Amyl nitrite, Methamphetamine, 5-methoxy-N, N-diisopropyltryptamine (5-MeO-DIPT; Foxy), and 3, 4-methylenedioxy- methamphetamine (MDMA; Ecstasy) are used, and they sometimes cause the physical and mental disorders. However, the actual drug inducing troubles among Japanese HIV-infected drug users had not yet been discussed enough. In this report, we describe three cases with HIV infection; a case developed severe neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS) after taking 5-MeO-DIPT, a case with persistent convulsion due to multiple drug intake and a case with rhabdomyolysis due to the non-subjective methamphetamine intake. Through these cases, we raise and discuss several underlying problems associated with drug use among HIV-infected individuals. (+info)
A comparison of pharmacologic and spontaneous baroreflex methods in aging and hypertension.
(10/25)
The Centers for Disease Control hierarchical classification of those at risk for acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) underestimates the number of cases in which illicit drug use may play a role in the exposure to human T-cell leukemia virus type III. The immunosuppressive effects of nitrite inhalants are not sufficiently documented to elucidate their role as a cofactor in the development of AIDS. The currently available data on the immunosuppressive effects of self-administered parenteral drugs and their diluents indicate an associated elevation of immunoglobulin M, depressed helper/suppression T-cell ratios, and even damage to DNA. Illicit psychoactive drugs and their diluents may influence the virulence of the virus among parenteral drug users. An association between parenteral drug use and prostitution is not unexpected. Female prostitutes who use parenteral drugs may be at high risk for exposure to the virus and thus may transmit this infectious agent to their clients and their families. (+info)
Profound bradycardia after amyl nitrite in patients with a tendency to vasovagal episodes.
(14/25)
Two patients with mild aortic insufficiency inhaled amyl nitrite during routine echocardiographic examinations. One developed sinus arrest and syncope and the other had pronounced sinus bradycardia. The mechanism of this paradoxical response is unclear. Caution should be exercised when amyl nitrite is administered for diagnostic purposes. (+info)
The discharge of sweat in Welsh mountain sheep.
(15/25)
1. Experiments were done on Welsh Mountain sheep to determine whether the sheep can be caused to discharge sweat continuously.2. On administration of sequences of four to eighteen I.V. injections of adrenaline or noradrenaline (200 mug), sheep responded to the first 4-5 injections with decreasing amounts of sweat discharge. Thereafter, the responses were fairly constant at about 10% of the first discharge. Occasionally one injection within a series elicited no sweat discharge but on other isolated occasions large discharges of sweat were induced. The blood pressure response to repeated I.V. injections of adrenaline remained constant.3. Inhalation of amyl nitrite or rebreathing of expired air during I.V. adrenaline injections had little effect on the pattern of intermittent sweat discharges and did not induce a continuous outflow of fluid from the sweat glands.4. Continuous infusions of adrenaline and of carbachol did not cause a change in the rate of continuous water vapour loss from the skin but possibly increased the frequency of intermittent sweat discharges.5. Electrical stimulation of the cervical sympathetic nerve for short (0.5-2 min) or long (20-30 min) periods caused only transient (3-6 min) increases in water vapour loss from the cheek skin.6. None of these experiments indicated that the sweat glands of the sheep can be induced to discharge fluid continuously. (+info)
Unit activity in rat diencephalic islands--the effect of anaesthetics.
(16/25)
1. Unit activity was recorded with steel micro-electrodes from 486 hypothalamic neurones in rat diencephalic island preparations.2. The histograms of firing frequencies for populations of hypothalamic units from unanaesthetized preparations and from those under urethane anaesthesia were not significantly different. The firing rates of both were significantly faster than those observed in intact brains under urethane.3. The mean distance between stable units in unanaesthetized island preparations did not differ significantly from that in preparations anaesthetized with urethane.4. The response of individual neurones to intravenous injections of urethane was variable, and apparently not associated with the onset or maintenance of anaesthesia. Some showed transient acceleration, some deceleration and some no change in rate or pattern of discharge.5. All neurones tested were slowed or stopped by intravenous injections of subanaesthetic doses of sodium methohexitone (Brietal). The responses were highly reproducible and dose-dependent.6. Brietal also produced a fall in arterial pressure and depressed respiration. Inhalation of amyl nitrite evoked larger hypotensive responses but did not affect unit activity; nor did inhalation of CO(2) (hypercapnia) or N(2)O (hypoxia).7. It is concluded that urethane anaesthesia is not associated with any direct action on hypothalamic neurones. The depression of firing rate in hypothalamic neurones induced by Brietal may represent an important forebrain mechanism in anaesthesia by this agent. (+info)