Pharmacokinetics of digoxin in healthy subjects receiving taranabant, a novel cannabinoid-1 receptor inverse agonist.

Introduction: Interaction studies with digoxin (Lanoxin; GlaxoSmithKline, Research Triangle Park, NC, USA), a commonly prescribed cardiac glycoside with a narrow therapeutic index and a long half-life, are typically required during the development of a new drug, particularly when it is likely that digoxin may be given to patients also treated with the new agent, taranabant--a cannabinoid-1 receptor inverse agonist--for weight loss. This study was designed to establish if this combination of therapy has the potential of a significant pharmacokinetic interaction.

Methods: This open-label, fixed-sequence, two-period study investigated whether taranabant, administered to steady state, affects the well-described single-dose pharmacokinetics of digoxin.

Utility of the Seattle Heart Failure Model in patients with advanced heart failure.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to validate the Seattle Heart Failure Model (SHFM) in patients with advanced heart failure (HF).

Background: The SHFM was developed primarily from clinical trial databases and extrapolated the benefit of interventions from published data.

Methods: We evaluated the discrimination and calibration of SHFM in 445 advanced HF patients (age 52 +/- 12 years, 68.

Real-time polymerase chain reaction detection methods.

Real-time Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) is a quickly developing technology that has built upon the classic end-point PCR detection methods. In this article, we will review recent patents related to various chemistries used for nucleic acid detection during real-time PCR amplification. Real-time assay chemistries are subdivided into several main categories including DNA-binding agents, molecular beacons, hybridization probes, hydrolysis probes, and dye-primer based systems.

Influence of taranabant, a cannabinoid-1 receptor inverse agonist, on pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of warfarin.

Introduction: The pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic effects of warfarin were assessed in the presence and absence of taranabant, an orally active, highly selective, potent, cannabinoid-1 receptor inverse agonist, which was being developed for the treatment of obesity.

Methods: Twelve subjects were assigned to two open-label treatments in fixed sequence separated by a 14-day washout. Treatment A was single-dose warfarin 30 mg on day 1.

Influence of taranabant, an orally active, highly selective, potent cannabinoid-1 receptor (CB1R) inverse agonist, on ethinyl estradiol and norelgestromin plasma pharmacokinetics.

Taranabant, an orally active, potent, and highly selective CB-1 receptor inverse agonist, is being developed for the treatment of obesity. This randomized, placebo-controlled, multiple-dose, crossover study evaluated the effect of taranabant on the pharmacokinetics of ethinyl estradiol and norelgestromin in healthy women receiving > or =3 months of therapy with oral contraceptives. Nineteen participants with normal menstrual cycles received oral contraceptives on days 1 to 21 during 2 consecutive contraceptive cycles.

Multiplexed detection of fungal nucleic acid signatures.

Diagnoses of opportunistic mycotic infections constitute an increasing clinical problem. Conventional diagnostic tests are time consuming and lack specificity and sensitivity for accurate and timely prognoses. This unit provides a comprehensive description of a fungal detection method that combines nucleic acid signatures with flow cytometry.

Effect of PCI on quality of life in patients with stable coronary disease.

Background: It has not been clearly established whether percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) can provide an incremental benefit in quality of life over that provided by optimal medical therapy among patients with chronic coronary artery disease.

Methods: We randomly assigned 2287 patients with stable coronary disease to PCI plus optimal medical therapy or to optimal medical therapy alone. We assessed angina-specific health status (with the use of the Seattle Angina Questionnaire) and overall physical and mental function (with the use of the RAND 36-item health survey [RAND-36]).

Ecological salivary cortisol specimen collection--part 1: methodological consideration of yield, error, and effects of sampling decisions in a perinatal mental health study.

Background: Current health research strives to integrate biological, psychological, and social factors consistent with ecological models. Home-based biomarker specimens are consistent with an ecological approach, but deviations from laboratory norms could affect validity of results.

Objective: This article uses salivary cortisol specimens collected early in a perinatal mental health study to describe (a) return rate and returner characteristics, (b) adherence to procedures, (c) sources of laboratory error, (d) effects of deleting specimens with "nuisance" factors, and (e) effects that selection bias could have on cortisol concentration distribution.

Management of fistulae in the abdominal region.

Objective: We evaluated a new fistula and wound management system; ostomy and wound care nurses were queried about willingness to use the product in future patients, product wear time and pouch leakage, perifistular skin condition, access for wound care, pouching time, patient mobility and comfort, odor management, pouch flexibility, adhesiveness, and erosion. A health economic assessment was also done.

Method: Twenty-two patients (5 males and 17 females) with an abdominal fistula participated in the study.

Nutrient intake in heart failure patients.

Background And Research Objective: Approximately 50% of heart failure (HF) patients are thought to be malnourished, and macronutrient and micronutrient deficiencies may potentially aggravate HF symptoms. Thus, concerns have been raised about the overall nutrient composition of diets in HF populations. The purpose of this study was to examine the macronutrient and micronutrient intake by caloric adequacy among community-dwelling adults with HF.

Multiple-dose pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, and safety of taranabant, a novel selective cannabinoid-1 receptor inverse agonist, in healthy male volunteers.

Taranabant is a cannabinoid-1 receptor inverse agonist for the treatment of obesity. This study evaluated the safety, pharmacokinetics, and pharmacodynamics of taranabant (5, 7.5, 10, or 25 mg once daily for 14 days) in 60 healthy male subjects.

Family influences on heart failure self-care and outcomes.

Many patient education guidelines for teaching heart failure patients recommend inclusion of the family; however, family-focused interventions to promote self-care in heart failure are few. This article reviews the state of the science regarding family influences on heart failure self-care and outcomes. The literature and current studies suggest that family functioning, family support, problem solving, communication, self-efficacy, and caregiver burden are important areas to target for future research.

Quantitative, multiplexed detection of Salmonella and other pathogens by Luminex xMAP suspension array.

We describe a suspension array hybridization assay for rapid detection and identification of Salmonella and other bacterial pathogens using Luminex xMAP technology. The Luminex xMAP system allows simultaneous detection of up to 100 different targets in a single multiplexed reaction. Included in the method are the procedures for (1) design of species-specific oligonucleotide capture probes and PCR amplification primers, (2) coupling oligonucleotide capture probes to carboxylated microspheres, (3) hybridization of coupled microspheres to oligonucleotide targets, (4) production of targets from DNA samples by PCR amplification, and (5) detection of PCR-amplified targets by direct hybridization to probe-coupled microspheres.

The energetic savings of sleep versus temperature in the Desert Iguana (Dipsosaurus dorsalis) at three ecologically relevant temperatures.

One of the proposed ecological functions of sleep is to conserve energy. The majority of studies that support this theory have been done on endothermic animals whose body temperatures drop during sleep due to the reduced neurological control of thermoregulation. In the present study, we examined typical temperatures to which the Desert Iguana, Dipsosaurus dorsalis, is exposed to in the field and found that mean high temperatures ranged from 24-58 degrees C throughout the active portion of the year.

Supraventricular dysrhythmias: nursing research to improve health outcomes.

Cardiovascular nursing practice includes accountability for the clinical and organizational processes to ensure positive outcomes for patients having cardiac dysrhythmias. For patients with supraventricular dysrhythmias, nurses have studied patient outcomes related to mortality, morbidity, quality of life, psychological and physical functioning, and symptoms. Nurses have also explored these same outcomes associated with the management of supraventricular dysrhythmias.

Cost of venom regeneration in Parabuthus transvaalicus (Arachnida: Buthidae).

Scorpion venom has many components, but is mainly made up of water, salts, small molecules, peptides, and proteins. One can reasonably assume that the production and storage of this complex secretion is an expensive metabolic investment. However, to date, no study has addressed the costs associated with the regeneration of venom by scorpions.

A framework for addressing disparities in cardiovascular health.

Health disparities are pervasive in the United States. Life expectancy remains higher in women than in men and higher in whites than in blacks by approximately 5 years. In general, the health of racial and ethnic minorities, poor and uneducated people, and those without health insurance is worse than the health of the overall population.

Influenza vaccination as secondary prevention for cardiovascular disease: a science advisory from the American Heart Association/American College of Cardiology.

Evidence from cohort studies and a randomized clinical trial indicates that annual vaccination against seasonal influenza prevents cardiovascular morbidity and all-cause mortality in patients with cardiovascular conditions. The American Heart Association and American College of Cardiology recommend influenza immunization with inactivated vaccine (administered intramuscularly) as part of comprehensive secondary prevention in persons with coronary and other atherosclerotic vascular disease (Class I, Level B). Immunization with live, attenuated vaccine (administered intranasally) is not currently recommended [corrected] for persons with cardiovascular conditions.

Influenza vaccination as secondary prevention for cardiovascular disease: a science advisory from the American Heart Association/American College of Cardiology.

Evidence from cohort studies and a randomized clinical trial indicates that annual vaccination against seasonal influenza prevents cardiovascular morbidity and all-cause mortality in patients with cardiovascular conditions. The American Heart Association and American College of Cardiology recommend influenza immunization with inactivated vaccine (administered intramuscularly) as part of comprehensive secondary prevention in persons with coronary and other atherosclerotic vascular disease (Class I, Level B). Immunization with live, attenuated vaccine (administered intranasally) is not currently recommended [corrected] for persons with cardiovascular conditions.

Increased prostaglandin E2 release and activated Akt/beta-catenin signaling pathway occur after opioid withdrawal in rat spinal cord.

Background: Prostaglandin E(2) is an important spinal modulator of nociception. However, the effects of chronic opioid administration and withdrawal on prostaglandin E(2) release and associated signaling pathways in the spinal cord are generally unknown.

Methods: This study sought to examine these effects using a spinal microdialysis technique in a model of chronic morphine administration and withdrawal in the rat.