No abstract

Indocyanine green (ICG) is used as a dye marker of the vascular space in gastroenterology, ophthalmology, neurology, and critical care medicine. It is widely regarded to be inert. We report, however, that ICG demonstrates effects on colonic transepithelial electrical parameters which could form a basis for a growing number of deleterious gastrointestinal and other clinical effects. Short-circuit current (Iscc), transepithelial conductance (gt), and transepithelial paracellular flux of 14C-D-mannitol were monitored across sheets of rat distal colon. Dye was introduced to mucosal or serosal tissue surfaces at a concentration similar to that used in vivo (10 microg/ml). ICG decreased Iscc by over 50% and gt by over 10%. Transepithelial mannitol flux was not altered. Dye was effective only from the serosal surface. Cyclic AMP-induced spiking of Iscc was not affected by ICG. Preincubation with amiloride or furosemide did not affect the action of the dye on gt or Iscc. ICG at in vivo dosages is clearly capable of inhibiting ion transport across colon epithelial tissue. The serosal site of action indicates activity on a basal-lateral transport system or diffusion into the cell only across the basal-lateral membrane followed by inhibition of a transporter from the intracellular side. ICG should not be considered inert in vivo. Leakage of ICG from the vascular space into the interstitial fluid space will likely result in tissue morbidity.

Background: Substance use disorders are becoming a serious public health concern with its slow but gradual increase among adolescents and young adults. The study aimed to assess the knowledge, attitude and practices of youth about substance use. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among youth visiting various outpatient departments of a tertiary care teaching hospital. 270 youth participated in the study and were interviewed using pre-tested and pre-structured proforma entailing information on knowledge, attitude and practices about substance use disorders. Results: Out of 270 study subjects, 54 (51 males and 3 females) had ever used drugs. Among male users, 96.07% used drugs for joy seeking whereas among females 66.66% used drugs due to teenager curiosity. All the respondents had information about drug use, with friends being the major source of information (85.18%) followed by electronic media (81.85%) and school curriculum (48.51%). 97.03% of the respondents knew that anxiety, euphoria, depression, happiness and aggressiveness can occur with substance abuse. Both males (98.64%) and females (97.91%) expressed a positive attitude towards helping a friend who is into drug abuse. Age at first use for tobacco (4%), alcohol (6.38%) and inhalants (12.5%) was found to be as young as 12-15 years. Conclusions: The study participants were found to be knowledgeable about substance use disorders and had a positive attitude on majority of the attitude items. No current user and only 20% ever users in the study may be underreporting.

No abstract