A molecular and serological survey in Taiwan to determine the true risk of babesiosis in dogs not receiving regular tick prevention.

Canine babesiosis is an important tick-borne disease worldwide. The prevalence varies between regions and countries; however, the incidence of tick infection is associated with the status of preventive tick control measures by the owner. To date, no studies have investigated the incidence of canine babesiosis and the condition of tick prevention in Taiwan.

Bioequivalence of Canakinumab Injected Subcutaneously via an Autoinjector Device or a Prefilled Safety Syringe Device in Healthy Subjects.

Canakinumab, a high-affinity human anti-interleukin-1β monoclonal antibody, is being used for the treatment of a broad spectrum of inflammatory diseases. This phase 1 study compared the relative bioavailability of a single dose of subcutaneous canakinumab either self-administered with an autoinjector (AI) or administered by a health care professional (HCP) with a prefilled safety syringe (SS) in healthy subjects. The study enrolled 80 subjects randomized 1:1 to receive 150 mg/mL of a liquid formulation of canakinumab via an AI or SS into either the thigh or abdomen.

Pharmacokinetic drug-drug interaction assessment of LCZ696 (an angiotensin receptor neprilysin inhibitor) with omeprazole, metformin or levonorgestrel-ethinyl estradiol in healthy subjects.

LCZ696 is a novel angiotensin receptor neprilysin inhibitor in development for the treatment of cardiovascular diseases. Here, we assessed the potential for pharmacokinetic drug-drug interaction of LCZ696 (400 mg, single dose or once daily [q.d.

Effect of food on the oral bioavailability of amlodipine/valsartan and amlodipine/valsartan/hydrochlorothiazide fixed dose combination tablets in healthy subjects.

A double fixed dose combination of amlodipine/valsartan and triple fixed dose combination of amlodipine/valsartan/HCTZ tablets have been developed to treat patients with moderate-to-severe hypertension. Here, we present the effect of food on the oral bioavailability of these two fixed dose combination tablets from two separate clinical studies in healthy subjects. Single oral doses of amlodipine/valsartan (10/160 mg) and amlodipine/valsartan/HCTZ (10/320/25 mg were administered under fasted or fed conditions.

Pharmacokinetics of vildagliptin in patients with varying degrees of renal impairment.

Objective: The kidney plays a key role in both the metabolism and excretion of vildagliptin. This study was designed to investigate the effects of varying degrees of renal impairment (RI) on the pharmacokinetics of vildagliptin.

Methods: A total of 96 subjects were enrolled, and each subject received vildagliptin 50 mg dosed orally once daily for 14 days.

NAD+ biosynthesis ameliorates a zebrafish model of muscular dystrophy.

Muscular dystrophies are common, currently incurable diseases. A subset of dystrophies result from genetic disruptions in complexes that attach muscle fibers to their surrounding extracellular matrix microenvironment. Cell-matrix adhesions are exquisite sensors of physiological conditions and mediate responses that allow cells to adapt to changing conditions.

Metabolism and pharmacokinetics of indacaterol in humans.

The metabolism, pharmacokinetics, and excretion of [(14)C]indacaterol were investigated in healthy male subjects. Although indacaterol is administered to patients via inhalation, the dose in this study was administered orally. This was done to avoid the complications and concerns associated with the administration of a radiolabeled compound via the inhalation route.

Early clinical development of artemether-lumefantrine dispersible tablet: palatability of three flavours and bioavailability in healthy subjects.

Background: Efforts to ease administration and enhance acceptability of the oral anti-malarial artemether-lumefantrine (A-L) crushed tablet to infants and children triggered the development of a novel dispersible tablet of A-L. During early development of this new formulation, two studies were performed in healthy subjects, one to evaluate the palatability of three flavours of A-L, and a second one to compare the bioavailability of active principles between the dispersible tablet and the tablet (administered crushed and intact).

Methods: Study 1 was performed in 48 healthy schoolchildren in Tanzania.

Pharmacokinetics of the oral direct renin inhibitor aliskiren in combination with digoxin, atorvastatin, and ketoconazole in healthy subjects: the role of P-glycoprotein in the disposition of aliskiren.

This study investigated the potential pharmacokinetic interaction between the direct renin inhibitor aliskiren and modulators of P-glycoprotein and cytochrome P450 3A4 (CYP3A4). Aliskiren stimulated in vitro P-glycoprotein ATPase activity in recombinant baculovirus-infected Sf9 cells with high affinity (K(m) 2.1 micromol/L) and was transported by organic anion-transporting peptide OATP2B1-expressing HEK293 cells with moderate affinity (K(m) 72 micromol/L).

Pharmacokinetics, safety, and tolerability of the novel oral direct renin inhibitor aliskiren in elderly healthy subjects.

This open-label, multicenter study compared the pharmacokinetics and safety of the oral direct renin inhibitor aliskiren in 29 elderly (>or=65 years) and 28 young (18-45 years) healthy subjects. Plasma drug concentrations were determined for up to 168 hours following a single 300-mg oral dose of aliskiren. In elderly compared with young subjects, AUC(0-infinity) was 57% higher (ratio of geometric means 1.

Evaluation of a pharmacokinetic interaction between valsartan and simvastatin in healthy subjects.

Objective: The potential for a pharmacokinetic drug interaction between valsartan, an antihypertensive drug, and simvastatin, a lipid-lowering agent, was investigated in this study. This was an open-label, multiple-dose, randomized, three-period, cross over study in 18 healthy subjects. Each subject received one 160 mg valsartan tablet or one 40 mg simvastatin tablet or co-administration of valsartan (160 mg) and simvastatin (40 mg) tablets for 7 days, with a 7-day inter-dose washout period.

Physician-stakeholder collaboration in Disability Management: a Canadian perspective on guidelines and expectations.

Purpose: The physician plays a vital role in Disability Management; unfortunately, there is an apparent lack of clarity with respect to the functions included in this role. The present article reviews the collaborative nature of the physician-stakeholder relationship giving attention to types of expectations, current Canadian guidelines and future challenges.

Conclusion: The authors conclude that although challenging and complex, the physician's performance in Disability Management can be optimized through improved communication and collaboration with stakeholders.

Pharmacokinetics of lumiracoxib in plasma and synovial fluid.

Background: Lumiracoxib is a new cyclo-oxygenase-2 (COX-2) selective inhibitor in development for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis and acute pain.

Objective: To investigate the pharmacokinetics of lumiracoxib in plasma and knee joint synovial fluid from patients with rheumatoid arthritis.

Design: Open-label multiple-dose study evaluating the steady-state pharmacokinetics of lumiracoxib in plasma and synovial fluid after 7 days of treatment with lumiracoxib 400 mg once daily.