Central NUCB2/Nesfatin-1-expressing neurones belong to the hypothalamic-brainstem circuitry activated by hypoglycaemia.

Nesfatin-1 is a recently identified 82 amino acid peptide shown to have an anorexigenic effect on rodents when administrered centrally and peripherally. Nesfatin-1 is expressed not only in neurones of various brain areas, including the hypothalamic and brainstem nuclei, but also in peripheral organs, such as the stomach and the pancreas. Nesfatinergic neurones were reported to participate in the regulation of satiety signals and in the responses to other stimuli, including restraint stress, abdominal surgery, and lipopolysaccharide-induced inflammation. The present study aimed to investigate whether NUCB2/nesfatin-1 expressing neurones also take part in the central signalling activated in response to hypoglycaemia and therefore are involved in central glucose sensing. Using immunolabelling methods based on the detection of the neuronal activation marker c-Fos and of nesfatin-1, we showed that peripheral injection of insulin induced a strong activation of nesfatin-1-expressing neurones in the brain vagal-regulatory nuclei, including the arcuate nucleus, paraventricular nucleus, lateral hypothalamic area, dorsal motor nucleus of the vagus (DMNX) and nucleus of the tractus solitarius. In response to intracellular glucopaenia induced by i.p. or i.c.v. 2-deoxyglucose injection, the c-Fos/nesfatin-1 colocalisations observed at the hypothalamic and brainstem levels were similar to those observed after insulin-induced hypoglycaemia. Moreover, using Fluorogold as a retrograde tracer, we showed that nesfatinergic preganglionic DMNX neurones activated by hypoglycaemia target the stomach and the pancreas. Taken together, these results suggest that a subpopulation of nesfatinergic neurones belongs to the central network activated by hypoglycaemia, and that nesfatin-1 participates in the triggering of physiological and hormonal counter-regulations observed in response to hypoglycaemia.

The toxicology of Amanita virosa: the destroying angel.

This paper examines the biology and medical consequences of ingesting the potentially lethal poisonous mushroom, Amanita virosa, the Destroying Angel. The fungus, its structure, distribution and toxic components are described. Symptoms of human poisoning by A. virosa are described, following the order of Homeopathic Repertories. Laboratory values for comparison with normal values of haematology, biochemistry and urine analyses are given.

The toxicology of Latrodectus tredecimguttatus: the Mediterranean Black Widow spider.

The symptomatology of envenomation by the Mediterranean Black Widow Spider, Latrodectus tredecimguttatus, is reviewed. The results confirm the hypothesis that the homeopathic remedy, Tarentula hispanica, is derived from this spider, not from the Wolf spider, Lycosa tarentula.

The toxicology of latrodectus tredecimguttatus: the mediterranean black widow spider

The symptomatology of envenomation by the Mediterranean Black Widow Spider, Latrodectus tredecimguttatus, is reviewed. The results confirm the hypothesis that the homeopathic remedy, Tarentula hispanica, is derived from this spider, not from the Wolf spider, Lycosa tarentula. (AU)

The toxicology of Amanita phalloides.

This paper examines the biology and medical consequences of ingesting the potential lethal poisonous mushroom, Amanita phalloides, the Death Cap. The organism is a fungus, its structure, distribution and toxic components are described. Symptoms of human poisoning by Am. phalloides are described, following the order of Homeopathic Repertories.

The toxicology of Amanita phalloides

This paper examines the biology and medical consequences of ingesting the potential lethal poisonous mushroom, Amanita phalloides, the Death Cap. The organism is a fungus, its structure, distribution and... (Au)

Toxicologie de Trachinus vipera (Petite Vive) / Toxicology of Trachnus vipera (Lesser weeverfish)

La toxicologie de la Petite Vive, Trachinus vipera, est obtenue de différentes sources médicales et présentée à la façon d'un répertoire homéopathique, pour compléter la matière médicale déjá existante. (AU)

The efficacy and safety of a homeopathic gel in the treatment of acute low back pain: a multi-centre, randomised, double-blind comparative clinical trial.

Acute low back pain is a very common condition in Western industrialised countries. In most cases analgesics or topical medications are prescribed at first encounter with the general practitioner (GP). The aim of this study was to investigate whether the homeopathic gel Spiroflor SRL gel (SRL) is equally effective and better tolerated than Cremor Capsici Compositus FNA (CCC) in patients with acute low back pain. A multi-centre, randomised, double-blind, controlled clinical trial was conducted in the practices of 19 GPs in the districts of Bristol and Manchester, UK. One hundred and sixty-one subjects suffering from acute low back pain were treated for one week either with SRL or with CCC. Pain was scored on a 100 mm visual analogue scale (VAS). Main efficacy parameter VAS reduction was compared between treatments. Evaluation of safety was primarily based on the number of subjects with adverse events (AEs), withdrawals due to an AE and adverse drug reactions (ADRs). The mean difference between the VAS reduction in the SRL group and the CCC group adjusted for VAS at baseline and age was -0.6mm (90% CI = -6.5-5.3mm). Fewer subjects in the SRL group (11%) experienced an AE than in the CCC group (26%). The same applies to the number of subjects with an ADR (3/81 = 4% vs 18/74 = 24%) and the number of subjects withdrawn due to an ADR (0/81 = 0% vs 8/74 = 11%). In conclusion, SRL and CCC are equally effective in the treatment of acute low back pain, however, SRL has a better safety profile. Spiroflor SRL gel is preferable to Capsicum-based products for the topical treatment of low back pain, because of the lower risk of adverse effects.

The efficacy and safety of a homeopathic gel in the treatment of acute low back pain: a multicentre... clinical trial

Acute low back pain is a very common condition in Western industrialised countries. In most cases analgesics or tropical medications are prescribed at first encounter with the general practitiones (GP). The aim of this study was to investigate whether the homeopathic gel Spiroflor SRL gel (SRL) is equally effective and better tolerated than... (AU)

The toxicology of Heloderma suspectum: the Gila monster.

The biotoxicology of Heloderma suspectum, the Gila monster, is presented in order to complement the homeopathic provings.

The toxicology of Heloderma suspectum: the Gila monster

The biotoxicology of Heloderma suspectum, the Gila monster, is presented in order to complement the homeopathic provings. (AU)

The toxicology of Trachinus vipera: the lesser weeverfish.

The biology and toxicology of the lesser weeverfish, Trachinus vipera, is presented in a homeopathic repertory fashion to supplement the existing materia medica.

The toxicology of Trachinus vipera? The lesser weeverfish

The biology and toxicology of the lesser weeverfish, Trachinus vipera, is presented in a homeopathic repertory fashion to supplement the existing materia medica. (AU)

The toxicology of Octopus maculosa: the blue-ringed octopus.

The biotoxicology of the Australian blue-ringed octopus is detailed with the view of introducing it as a remedy into the homoeopathic Materia Medica and stimulating the second step of proving this venom.

The toxicology of Octopus maculosa: the blue-ringed octopus

The biotoxicology of the Australian blue-ringed octopus is detailed with the view of introducing it as a remedy into the homoeopathic Materia Medica and stimulating the second step of proving this venom.(AU)

La toxicologia de Loxosceles laeta: la arana morena de Sudamerica / The toxicology of Loxosceleslaeta: the South America brown spider

La sintomatologia por la mordedura de la arana morena de Sudamerica, Loxosceles laeta, es mencionada con el fin de presentar un nuevo y potencialment util remedio para la Materia Medica Homeopatica. (AU)

The toxicology of the Latrodectus hasselti spider--the Australian red back spider.

The zoology and behaviour of Latrodectus hasselti, the Australian red back spider is described. The symptoms of envenomation are discussed; the most prominent symptom is pain of various types in the head, abdomen and limbs.

Toxicology of Ixodes ricinus, the European tick

The following paper is a summary of studies of Ixodes ricinus, the European castor bean tick, and its toxicology. A materia medica based on human envenomation by I. ricinus is also provided. (AU)