Liposome encapsulation increases vincristines plasma concentration and circulation lifetime in the body, and allows the drug to enter cells more easily. History
Having been used as a folk remedy for centuries, studies in the 1950s revealed that the rosy periwinkle Catharanthus roseus contained over 120 alkaloids, many of which are biologically active, the two most significant being vincristine and vinblastine. Its use for being anti-tumor, anti-mutagenic are well documented in ancient system of medicine of Ayurveda and folk culture of Madagascar and Southern Africa. Although it was not found to be anti-diabetic in double blinded controlled studies. While initial studies for its use in diabetes mellitus were disappointing, the discovery that it caused myelosuppression (decreased activity of the bone marrow) led to its study in mice with leukemia, whose lifespan was prolonged by the use of a vinca preparation. Treatment of the ground plant with Skellysolve-B defatting agent and an acid benzene extract led to a fraction termed "fraction A". This fraction was further treated with aluminium oxide, chromatography, trichloromethane, benz-dichloromethane, and separation by pH to yield vincristine.Vincristine was approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in July 1963 under the trade name Oncovin and was marketed by Eli Lilly Company. The drug was initially discovered by a team at Lilly Research Laboratories where it was demonstrated that vincristine cured artificially induced leukemia in mice. Vincristine also induced remission of acute leukemias of childhood.Production of vincristine required one ton of dried periwinkle leaves to produce one ounce of vincristine.
Baritosis is a benign type of pneumoconiosis, which is caused by long-term exposure to barium dust. Barium has a high radio-opacity and the disease may develop after few months of exposure. Extremely dense, discrete small opacities of 2–4 mm diameter, sometimes of a star-like configuration, are seen on the radiograph. Their distribution is uniform. When they are very numerous, superimposition may give the impression of confluency, but this does not seem to occur in reality. The hilar lymph nodes can be very opaque but not enlarged. After cessation of exposure, there is a gradual clearing of the opacities. Symptoms and signs
Cough
Wheezing
Nasal irritationIn some cases, it is asymptomatic. Diagnosis
The barium particles can be seen as opaque shadows on the chest X-rays of people with baritosis. However, being a benign condition, it neither interferes with lung function nor causes symptoms other than a mild cough.After exposure to barium dust ceases, the X-ray abnormalities gradually resolve. Treatment
Reference

http://www.wrongdiagnosis.com/b/baritosis/intro.htm


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