Abstract: Poisoning and overdose of beta-blockers may be associated with significant morbidity and mortality. Management is often complicated by failure of initial first-line interventions in severe ingestions. High-dose insulin, or hyperinsulinemia/euglycemia therapy has been well described in calcium channel blocker overdose as well as mixed ingestions of calcium channel- and beta- blocker agents. The data for the use of high-dose insulin in isolated beta blocker overdose is limited, including one human case report and a small number of animal studies. Here we report the successful treatment of a severe metoprolol overdose with a prolonged high-dose insulin infusion, for a total of 116 hours. High dose insulin therapy may be considered as a treatment option for severe beta-blocker overdose unresponsive to standard treatment.

Practitioners often encounter unavoidable polypharmacy for the elderly population. With significant evidence supporting a high prevalence of adverse reactions in this population (Beers Criteria), the need for appropriate medication selection becomes increasingly important. Inappropriate and/or unnecessary medication significantly increases hospital admission, morbidity, and mortality rates. Uncommon adverse effects are often discovered many years after medication introduction to market. In this case study, the connection between primidone and liver abnormalities is confirmed in an elderly patient.

Abstract: Recently, there is a growing interest of research on the relationship of gut-microbiota and neurological disorders. Increasing number of findings suggests the broader role of gut-microbiota in the modulation of various physiological and pathological conditions and it is now well recognized that a bidirectional communication between brain and gut-microbiota is essential to maintain homeostasis. The gut-brain axis includes central nervous system (CNS), the neuroendocrine and neuroimmune systems, autonomic nervous system, enteric nervous system, and intestinal microbiota. Probiotics (i.e., live microorganisms similar to beneficial microorganisms found in the human gut) are reported to modulate a number of disorders including metabolic disorders, behavioral conditions and cognitive functions. This review covers the significance of gut-brain axis in relation to the overall mental well-being. Apart from the recent studies highlighting the importance of gut-brain axis, here we also reviewed the interaction of few herbal medicines with gut-brain axis. Animal studies have indicated that some herbs or their isolated constituents alter the normal gut flora and have prominent effect on behavioral condition such as anxiety depression and cognition. Thus alteration of gut-brain axis by traditional medicines will be a potential strategy for the management of comorbid CNS disorders and gastrointestinal problems.

Abstract: Smoking is one of the largest preventable risk factors for developing cancer and continued smoking by cancer patients is associated with increased toxicity, recurrence, and mortality. Cigarette smoke (CS) contains thousands of chemicals including many known carcinogens. Most research examines the carcinogenic properties of CS and relatively little work has been done on the effects of CS on cancer cells. Examination of the literature demonstrates that CS induces a more malignant tumor phenotype by increasing proliferation, migration, invasion, angiogenesis, and conferring a pro-survival tumor phenotype. Specific pathways associated with CS exposure are reviewed.

Abstract:
Objectives: The present study was aimed to investigate the effect of khat-habituation on psychomotor behavior in mice and the effect of khat withdrawal on reversal of khat habituation effects.
Methods: Eighteen adult mice (20-30 gm) were used in this study. The animals were grouped into 3 groups, including one group served as control. Khat-habituation was induced by providing khat in a dose of 2 g/kg with food after an overnight starvation, after one week, the tested animals were provided with both khat-containing and non khat-containing foods and the majority of the tested animals preferred khat-containing food. The animals which preferred khat-containing food were regarded as showing khat-habituation and were continued to feed khat-containing food in a dose of 2g/kg/day for two months to develop chronic khat habituation, animals which had not preferred khat-containing food were excluded from the study and were regarded as resistant to khat habituation. Khat-withdrawal was induced by feeding animals with food without khat for a period of 14 days. Locomotor activities of animals were noticed and determined according the behavior scale grading to assess the effect of khat-habituation on locomotor activity, and khat-withdrawal on reversal of khat-effects. Results: Khat-habituated animals showed significant increase in stereotypic psychomotor behavior maximally reached 15-30 minutes after khat consumption. Khat-withdrawal for 14 days was associated with normalization of psychomotor behavior in mice.
Conclusion: Chronic khat-habituation has a prominent increase in psychomotor behavior in mice; this effect is transient and can be reversed by after its cessation.

Abstract:
Objective: The present investigations were undertaken to evaluate prevention of toxicity with naringenin treatment in ZnO nano particles induced toxicities in Swiss albino mice.
Methods: The effects of orally administered naringenin on serum creatinine, SGOT &SGPT and CK-MB expressions were observed in ZnO nano toxicities induced groups and treated groups, over a period of 14 days treatment.
Results: ZnO nano toxicities induced groups produced a significant increased serum creatinine, SGOT&SGPT and CK-MB expressions. Treatment with Naringenin, decreased serum creatinine levels, SGPT levels and CK-MB expressions. There was a significant decreased the body weight in ZnO nano toxicities.
Conclusion: Our results suggesting that Naringenin drug therapy is to be beneficial for the treatment of ZnO nano toxicities.