A double-blind, randomized, crossover assessment of blood pressure following administration of avitriptan, sumatriptan, or placebo to patients with mild to moderate hypertension.

We examined the effects of avitriptan, a 5-hydroxytryptamine 1-like (5HT1) receptor agonist for the treatment of migraine, in patients with medicated, controlled, mild to moderate hypertension relative to placebo and sumatriptan. The study was randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled, and 4-way crossover in design. Twenty patients (12M, 8F) participated.

Pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of avitriptan in patients with migraine after oral dosing.

Avitriptan (BMS-180048) is a 5-HT1-like receptor agonist for the treatment of migraine. This double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized, parallel-group study evaluated the pharmacokinetics, safety, and preliminary efficacy of avitriptan in patients with migraine during migrainous and pain-free states. Patients met the IHS criteria for migraine with or without aura and suffered one to six migraines per month for at least 1 year.

Pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of irbesartan in patients with hepatic cirrhosis.

The effect of hepatic impairment on the clinical pharmacology of the angiotensin II (AII) receptor antagonist irbesartan was assessed by comparing pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic parameters in 10 patients with hepatic cirrhosis with a matched group of 10 healthy volunteers. The pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of irbesartan, 300 mg taken orally once daily, were evaluated after single- and multiple-dose (7 consecutive days) administration to normotensive subjects in an open-label, multiple-dose, parallel group study. Pharmacokinetic data obtained after administration of single and multiple doses of irbesartan showed no significant difference between the two groups in time to maximum observed plasma concentration of drug (tmax), half-life (t1/2), area under the plasma concentration-time curve (AUC), apparent oral clearance (Cl(t)/F), renal clearance (Cl(r)), and accumulation index (AI).

Pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of irbesartan in healthy subjects.

The safety, pharmacokinetics, and pharmacodynamics of single and multiple doses of the angiotensin II (AII) AT1 blocker irbesartan were assessed in healthy subjects. In this single-center, placebo-controlled, double-blind within dose group, sequential, dose-ascending study, 48 men were randomized to receive irbesartan at doses of 150 mg, 300 mg, 600 mg, or 900 mg daily. Subjects received a single dose of irbesartan (n = 9 per group) or placebo (n = 3 per group), followed by 3 days of placebo, and then multiple doses of irbesartan or placebo once daily for 7 days.

Monitoring of acute migraine attacks: placebo response and safety data.

In the course of evaluating the safety and efficacy of an investigational compound for acute migraine headaches, a large number of patients received placebo at a single site, offering the opportunity to characterize subjective and clinical physiologic responses of migraine patients to placebo in a controlled environment. In a single-site, double-blind, placebo-controlled study, 67 patients reported to the clinic while suffering a moderate to severe acute migraine headache and received oral placebo. For 6 hours after treatment, a continuous electrocardiogram (ECG) was performed, and headache severity, adverse events, and vital signs were recorded.

The pharmacokinetics of irbesartan in renal failure and maintenance hemodialysis.

Purpose: An open-label, multiple-dose, parallel-group study was conducted to evaluate the pharmacokinetics of the angiotensin II receptor antagonist irbesartan in subjects with varying degrees of renal function.

Methods: Forty subjects were divided into four treatment groups on the basis of 24-hour creatinine clearance (CLCR): normal renal function (> 75 ml/min/1.73 m2), mild to moderate renal impairment (30 to 74 ml/min/1.

Measurement of 2,4-toluenediamine in urine and serum samples from women with Même or Replicon breast implants.

The objective of this matched case-control study was to determine whether women with Même or Replicon polyurethane-covered silicone breast implants are exposed to clinically significant levels of free 2,4-TDA from biodegradation of the polyurethane foam. Urine and serum samples were obtained from 61 patients with Même or Replicon breast implants and 61 controls on two separate occasions separated by 10 +/- 3 days. Free TDA was analyzed by gas chromatography combined with negative chemical ionization mass spectrometry with lower limit of quantitation in both urine and serum of 10 pg/ml.

The pharmacokinetics of pravastatin in patients on chronic hemodialysis.

Objective: The single-dose and steady-state pharmacokinetics of the HMG CoA reductase inhibitor pravastatin and its two metabolites, SQ 31,906 and SQ 31,945, were evaluated in 12 hemodialysis patients. A single 20-mg i.v.

The use of anticonvulsants in posttraumatic stress disorder: case study and overview.

A case of posttraumatic stress disorder is described in which a favorable response to the anticonvulsants carbemazepine and sodium valproate occurred. The literature on the use of anticonvulsants in this disorder is reviewed.

Evaluation of cerebral pharmacokinetics of the novel antidepressant drug, BMS-181101, by positron emission tomography.

BMS-181101 is a novel antidepressant drug that is currently under clinical investigation. The goal of this study was to evaluate the pharmacokinetics and receptor binding of this agent in the brains of healthy human volunteers. BMS-181101 was radiolabeled with 11C by methylation with [11C]CH3I of the 5-hydroxypiperazine precursor and the product was purified by high-performance liquid chromatography.

An extensive literature review of the evaluation of HIV prevention programmes.

This paper draws out and distils three key themes that have emerged from a substantial bibliographical review of a range of HIV intervention programmes, implemented throughout the world between years 1987 and 1995. Specifically, the paper assesses (1) to what extent intervention programmes have been tailored to meet the requirements and needs of specific target groups; (2) to what extent intervention programmes are supported by social and psychological theory of attitudinal and behavioural change, and also to what extent the results and findings from the interventions have amended existing theory; and, finally, (3) the range of methodologies employed in evaluating intervention programmes and also to what extent behavioural measures have been used in examining a programme's effectiveness. In light of these themes, the paper presents and discusses the principal factors thought to contribute towards the effectiveness of HIV intervention programmes.

The provision of female sterilization in São Paulo, Brazil: a study among low income women.

This paper examines some problems involved in the provision of female sterilization procedures in Brazil, mainly those concerned with the ways in which this operation is offered. Female sterilization provision is analysed by reference to the broader institutional context and from the client's perspectives. These themes are discussed in the light of some recent survey findings.

Sexual hazards for migrant workers.

In Thailand the incidence of HIV/AIDS, other sexually transmitted diseases, and unwanted pregnancies highlights the vulnerability of young people who have moved from rural to urban areas as migrant workers. Possible ways of diminishing the risks are discussed below.

Research utilization in a metropolitan children's hospital.

A model of research utilization directing clinical practice has been described. Clinical practice is conceptualized as a pyramid, with research knowledge forming the base. Department and unit-level activities are designed to promote the identification of research-based practices for incorporation into practice.

Invasive pharmacodynamics of fosinopril in patients with congestive heart failure.

Five patients with NYHA Class III CHF received 5 mg of fosinopril on each of 4 days. Hemodynamics were measured with a Swan-Ganz catheter after dosing on day 1. Measurements of plasma fosinoprilat, ACE activity, renin, and aldosterone were obtained.

Significance of beliefs and values in predicting fertility and contraceptive behaviour in Pakistan.

A comparative study of 1100 women aged 25-45 years, users and non-users of modern methods of contraception, in the urban centres of Lahore and Faisalabad was conducted in 1991. The objective of the study was to investigate reproductive behaviour and the extent to which social, cultural and attitudinal variables, such as beliefs and values about family life, religiosity and fatalism, influence the fertility decision-making process. Preferences for smaller families were found to be consistently associated with modern attitudes and behaviour towards family and religious values and obligations.

Single-dose and steady-state pharmacokinetics of fosinopril and fosinoprilat in patients with hepatic impairment.

The single-dose and steady-state pharmacokinetics of the angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor fosinopril and its active diacid, fosinoprilat, were evaluated in 6 healthy volunteers and 12 patients with alcoholic cirrhosis. Fosinopril was administered at a dosage of 10 mg once daily for 14 days. Results in the two groups were similar, with no evidence of accumulation of fosinoprilat in hepatically impaired patients.

Effect of left ventricular hypertrophy and its regression on ventricular electrophysiology and vulnerability to inducible arrhythmia in the feline heart.

Background: Left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) is associated with an increased risk of death, susceptibility to ventricular arrhythmia, and multiple electrophysiological abnormalities. The purpose of the present study was to determine whether the susceptibility to arrhythmia and electrical abnormalities persists after regression of hypertrophy in an animal model of LVH.

Methods And Results: We placed constricting bands on the ascending aorta of cats (n = 9) or performed sham operations (n = 9).

Detection of Campylobacter upsaliensis from a blood culture by using the BacT/Alert system.

Campylobacter upsaliensis was isolated from the blood of a 60-year-old female with hairy cell leukemia. This spiral-shaped organism was detected in the aerobic BacT/Alert bottle (Organon Teknika, Durham, N.C.

Destinations unknown: the gender construction and changing nature of the sexual expressions of Thai youth.

This paper discusses qualitative findings from a study of the sexual awareness, lifestyles and related health service needs of young, single factory workers in Thailand. The context of this study is Thailand's growing industrialization, the deepening intensity of the threats to sexual health (especially regarding HIV/AIDS transmission) and the vulnerability of young migrant women. Findings from 18 focus group discussions held with groups of young (15-24) male and female factory workers are outlined with principal reference to the gender construction of sexuality.