UJI TOKSISITAS AKUT EKSTRAK ETANOL DAUN MALAKA (Phyllantus emblica) TERHADAP MENCIT (Mus musculus). (Acute Toxicity Test of Ethanolic Extract of Malaka (Phyllantus emblica) Leaves on Mice (Mus musculus))

ABSTRACT The aim of this research was to asses the acute toxicity of ethanolic extract of malaka leaves using lethal dose 50 (LD50) on mice (Mus musculus). Twenty male mice weighing between 20-30 g were randomly divided into 4 groups (group K1-K4) of 5 mice each. All mice in group K1, K2, K3, and K4 were administered ethanolic extract of malaka leaves with the dose of 2, 4, 8, and 16 g/kg bw, respectively. Single dose of ethanolic extract of malaka leaves were given by oral gavage prior to clinical observation . The observation period was 14 days post administration, for sign of toxicity symptom, weight loss, and mortality. The result showed that no mortality was observed in the experimental animals during this study. Slight reduction of body weight was observed in group K2, K3, and K4, and no toxicity sign was found during fourteen days of observation. The LD50 of ethanolic extract of malaka leaves was higher than 16 g/kg body weight, thus, the substance was practically non toxic substance.

Long-Term Toxicity Monitoring via Electronic Patient-Reported Outcomes in Patients Receiving Chemotherapy

Purpose In cancer treatment trials, clinicians traditionally report patient toxicity symptoms. Alternatively, patients could provide this information directly. Patients and Methods The Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events (CTCAE) is the mandated instrument for tracking patient toxicity symptoms in National Cancer Institute (NCI)-sponsored cancer treatment trials. We adapted CTCAE symptom items into patient language and uploaded these to an online platform. Lung cancer outpatients receiving chemotherapy were invited to self-report selected symptoms at visits via waiting area computers or optional home access. Symptom reports were printed for nurses at visits, but no instructions were given with regard to use of this information. Results From June 2005 through March 2006, 125 patients were invited to participate, and 107 chose to enroll. Mean length of participation was 42 weeks (range, 1 to 71 weeks), by which time 35% died. The average number of clinic visits was 12 (range, 1 to 40 visits). At each consecutive visit, most patients (mean, 78%) logged in without significant attrition. Reasons for failure to log in included having no reminder and having inadequate time. Although 76% of enrollees had home computers, only 15% self-reported from home. Satisfaction with the system was high (90%), but only 51% felt communication was improved. All participating nurses understood the reports and felt this information was useful for clinical decisions, documentation, and discussions. However, only one of seven nurses discussed reports with patients frequently, with insufficient time being the most common barrier to discussions. Conclusion Online patient self-reporting is a feasible long-term strategy for toxicity symptom monitoring during chemotherapy, even among patients with advanced cancer and high symptom burdens. However, without explicit reminders and clinician feedback, patients demonstrated limited voluntary interest in self-reporting between visits.

Variation in growth, development, and yield of durum wheat in response to high soil boron. II. Differences between genotypes

This greenhouse study examined the variation in growth, development, and yield between 9 durum wheat (Triticum turgidum L. var. durum Desf., syn. T. durum) lines in response to high soil boron (B) levels. The lines were selected to represent the range of B-toxicity tolerance in an earlier screening experiment. Three soil B levels (hot-water extractable B concentrations of 0·3, 7·1, and 17·4 mg/kg, designated as B0, B25, and B50, respectively) were set up by mixing different amounts of boric acid with soil. Foliar B-toxicity symptom score, dry weight, and shoot-B concentration were measured at tillering. Agronomic traits and yield were measured. There were differential responses to high soil B levels between the durum lines. The boron×line interaction was significant for B-toxicity symptom score and shoot-B concentration. Based on these 2 characters, and percentage of shoot dry weight and grain yield reduction from B0 to B50, Oued Zenati, Omrabi-5, and Gezira-17 were the most tolerant of the 9 durum lines, yet they were less tolerant to high soil B levels than the tolerant bread-wheat check, Halberd. Nonetheless, until more tolerant materials are developed, these moderately tolerant durum lines could still be useful for areas, like southern Australia, where B toxicity is a problem.

Neuroleptic Dosing and Neuroleptic Plasma Levels in Schizophrenia: Determining the Optimal Regimen

Objective: To recommend dose range and therapeutic plasma concentration for several neuroleptics, and to discuss conditions under which neuroleptic plasma levels are clinically useful. Method: Neuroleptic drug therapy is a major component of the acute and maintenance treatment of schizophrenia. However, there is no consensus on what constitutes an appropriate or optimal dose of antipsychotic drug in individual patients. Low-dose medication has the potential to improve psychosocial function and reduces the frequency of side effects but can lead to an increase in positive symptoms and schizophrenic relapse. High doses may be associated with behavioural toxicity, symptom exacerbation, a worsening of secondary deficit symptoms, impaired social functioning and increased adverse effects such as acute extrapyramidal symptoms and tardive dyskinesia. Numerous clinical studies have attempted to determine the degree of correlation between dose, neuroleptic blood levels, and clinical response. Results: To date, this approach has met with only limited success: neuroleptic dose overall appears to be a poor predictor of clinical outcome, and the suggested therapeutic plasma level concentrations of some antipsychotic drugs cannot be regarded as established by any means. Furthermore, the ability to conduct neuroleptic plasma levels is not readily accessible in the usual clinical setting. In the acute treatment phase, titrating the dose until the onset of minimal cogwheel rigidity or hypokinesia (neuroleptic threshold dose) has met with some success and is preferable to standard dosing as a means of individualizing pharmacotherapy. During the maintenance phase, a slow and gradual dosage reduction with adjunctive psychosocial and psychotherapeutic intervention is the preferred strategy. Conclusion: Reinforcing patient and physician compliance is a key element in achieving an optimal treatment regimen.

Induced Iron Toxicity in Chinese Cabbage and Leaf Lettuce

The influences of elevated nutrient solution Fe++ concentrations on tissue iron contents and toxicity symptom development in Chinese cabbage and leaf lettuce were investigated. Seedling plants established in peat-lite mix in 15-cm plastic pots were fertilized with nutrient solutions containing 0 to 10 mM Fe++ for 6 weeks. Both Chinese cabbage and leaf lettuce produced dark leaf spots on plants grown with 5 mM or higher Fe++ concentrations. Biomass yields were reduced when leaf tissue iron contents in Chinese cabbage and leaf lettuce, respectively, were 551 mg·kg–1 and 379 mg·kg–1 or higher on a dry matter basis. In both species, tissue iron contents increased as the nutrient Fe++ concentration increased. Tissue iron contents in both species may be greatly enhanced to a certain level without causing plant toxicity by micronutrient fertilization.

TOXICITY SYMPTOMS OF MICRONUTRIENTS COPPER, MAGNESIUM AND ZINC FOR SELECTED BEDDING PLANTS

Toxicity symptom of micronutrients copper, magnesium and zinc were investigated for geranium, marigold, vinca and zinnia. Plants were grown in peat-lite mix in 11 cm plastic pots and watered with nutrient solutions containing 0.05, 0.5, 1, 5, 10 mM concentrations of Cu2+, Mg2+ and Zn2+. In most species, the concentrations of these micronutrients higher than 5 mM greatly reduced plant growth and induced stem and foliar toxicity symptoms. Toxic levels of Cu2+ and Zn2+ reduced plant and leaf sizes without producing leaf spots in all species tested. Toxicity symptom of Mn2+ were characterized by numerous chlorotic or brown leaf spots. Visual leaf toxicity symptoms of these 3 micronutrients in each species are illustrated.