A prospective, observational study comparing the PK/PD relationships of generic Meropenem (Mercide) to the innovator brand in critically ill patients.

Introduction: Clinicians' skepticism, fueled by evidence of inferiority of some multisource generic antimicrobial products, results in the underutilization of more cost-effective generics, especially in critically ill patients. The aim of this observational study was to demonstrate equivalence between the generic or comparator brand of meropenem (Mercide) and the leading innovator brand (Meronem) by means of an ex vivo technique whereby antimicrobial activity is used to estimate plasma concentration of the active moiety.

Methods: Patients from different high care and intensive care units were recruited for observation when prescribed either of the meropenem brands under investigation.

Potentiated clinoptilolite reduces signs and symptoms associated with veisalgia.

Introduction: Abundant anecdotal evidence for products claiming to reduce veisalgia after alcohol overindulgence are available on the Internet and as many advertisements in journals. None of these claims are, however, substantiated by research. The aim of this research was to ascertain the validity of such claims for the substance Absorbatox™, a potentiated aluminosilicate (cation exchanger able to bind NH(4+), histamine, and other positively charged ions) by investigating the signs and symptoms, as well as blood or breath alcohol levels, in healthy volunteers.

Potentiated clinoptilolite: artificially enhanced aluminosilicate reduces symptoms associated with endoscopically negative gastroesophageal reflux disease and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug induced gastritis.

Purpose: The cation exchanger, a potentiated clinoptilolite (Absorbatox™ 2.4D), is a synthetically enhanced aluminosilicate. The aim of this study was to evaluate the possible benefits of a potentiated clinoptilolite as a gastroprotective agent in reducing the severity of clinical symptoms and signs associated with 1) endoscopically negative gastroesophageal reflux disease (ENGORD) and 2) nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) medication.

Phase 1 clinical study of the acute and subacute safety and proof-of-concept efficacy of carbohydrate-derived fulvic acid.

Background: The purpose of this research was to determine the acute and subacute safety and proof-of-concept efficacy of carbohydrate-derived fulvic acid (CHD-FA).

Methods: In this double-blind study, 30 male volunteers with predetermined atopy were randomly assigned to either Group A or Group B, each consisting of 15 participants. In part 1 of the study, the groups were administered increasing amounts of CHD-FA, ranging from 5 mL to 40 mL, provided that no adverse events had occurred at the previous dosage.

Genetic polymorphism of cytochrome P450 1A1 (Cyp1A1) and glutathione transferases (M1, T1 and P1) among Africans.

The co-ordinate expression and regulation of the drug metabolising enzymes, cytochrome P4501A1 (CYPlAl) and glutathione transferases (GSTM1, GSTT1 and GSTP1), and their metabolic balance in the cells of target organs may determine whether exposure to carcinogens results in cancer. Besides showing variability in activity due to induction and inhibition, these enzymes also exhibit genetic polymorphism that alter enzyme levels and activity. We determined frequencies of common allelic variants of CYP1A1 and glutathione (M1, T1 and P1) among Tanzanians, South African Venda and Zimbabweans using PCR/restriction fragment length polymorphism techniques.