Creating standards for absolute quantification of Coxiella burnetii in real-time PCR--a comparative study based on transmission electron microscopy.

Quantitative standards are a prerequisite for quality control and quantification of pathogens. In this study the creation of quantitative standards for use in qPCR is described using the pathogen Coxiella burnetii. Quantification of Coxiella burnetii particles by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) was used as primary standard and compared with data obtained by light microscopy as well as genome equivalents (GE) and plasmid units (recombinant plasmid).

Daily insulin doses and injection frequencies of neutral protamine hagedorn (NPH) insulin, insulin detemir and insulin glargine in type 1 and type 2 diabetes: a multicenter analysis of 51 964 patients from the German/Austrian DPV-wiss database.

Background: We performed a comparative analysis of the use of long-acting insulin (analogues) neutral protamine hagedorn (NPH), detemir (Det) and glargine (Gla), and quantified injection frequencies and daily insulin doses in patients with type 1 and 2 diabetes in daily practice.

Methods: A total number of 51 964 patients from 336 centres in Germany and Austria with type 1 and 2 diabetes with exclusive insulin therapy were retrospectively analysed.

Results: A total number of 42.

Q fever outbreak in a goat herd--diagnostic investigations and measures for control.

This is a case report about a Q fever infection of a goat herd with abortions and excretions of pathogens accompanied by human infection and disease. Following a diagnosis of Q fever in a goat herd, all animals were vaccinated with an inactivated phase 1 vaccine. The herd was kept isolated and animals were neither removed nor introduced so that monitoring of the course of the Q fever infection of the individual dam was possible.

Quantitative real-time PCR and phase specific serology are mutually supportive in Q fever diagnostics in goats.

This study presents results of quantitative pathogen detection by real-time PCR (qPCR) and phase-specific serology for complete Q fever diagnostics. For this, samples of 42 goats in total were taken during a Q fever outbreak. In the early phase of the Q-fever infection, 10(4)-10(8)Coxiella (C.

Metabolic safety of growth hormone in type 1 diabetes and idiopathic growth hormone deficiency.

Objective: To evaluate metabolic consequences of growth hormone (GH) treatment in children with type 1 diabetes.

Study Design: This study is an analysis of metabolic changes in 37 patients with childhood-onset GH deficiency and type 1 diabetes, documented in the Diabetes Patienten Verlaufsdocumentationsystem database. Main outcome measures were changes in hemoglobin A1c and daily insulin requirements during GH therapy in children with GH deficiency and type 1 diabetes compared with a large cohort of adolescents with type 1 diabetes.

Pharmacokinetics of vandetanib in subjects with renal or hepatic impairment.

Background And Objective: Vandetanib, an oncology drug being evaluated in phase III clinical trials, undergoes significant renal and hepatic excretion. The objective of these two studies was to investigate the single-dose pharmacokinetics of vandetanib in subjects with renal or hepatic impairment in comparison with healthy subjects.

Subjects And Methods: Two open-label, parallel-group studies were conducted at a single centre in Germany.

The influence of hepatic impairment on the pharmacokinetics of paliperidone.

Objectives: This study assessed the impact of hepatic impairment on the pharmacokinetics (PK) of paliperidone and its enantiomers.

Methods: A single 1 mg dose of paliperidone immediate-release (IR) was administered to subjects with moderate hepatic impairment (n = 10) and demographically matched individuals with normal hepatic function (n = 10).

Results: Plasma protein binding was lower in hepatically impaired subjects resulting in a 27% higher unbound fraction of paliperidone compared with healthy individuals.

The pharmacokinetics of escitalopram in patients with hepatic impairment.

The effect of hepatic impairment on the pharmacokinetics of escitalopram was determined by means of nonlinear mixed effect modeling, considering both the Child-Pugh classification (and its components) and cytochrome P450 2C19 (CYP2C19) activity. Twenty-four subjects were grouped according to their Child-Pugh score as healthy, with mild hepatic impairment or with moderate hepatic impairment. The subjects were administered a single oral dose of escitalopram 20 mg, and blood was sampled up to 168 hours after dosage.

Pharmacokinetics and sedative effects in healthy subjects and subjects with impaired liver function after continuous infusion of clomethiazole.

Objective: Clomethiazole is virtually completely eliminated by hepatic metabolism. This study was designed to assess the impact of liver impairment on its elimination and sedative effects.

Methods: Eight patients with mild liver impairment (Child-Pugh grade A), eight patients with moderate/severe liver impairment (Child-Pugh grade B/C) and eight healthy subjects of similar age were given 68 mg/kg clomethiazole edisilate according to a 24-h infusion scheme aimed at producing minimum sedation as it was intended for clinical use in patients with stroke.

[The effect of bile secretion on the pharmacokinetics of a theophylline sustained-release preparation].

Bile excretion changes the physiological milieu of the duodenum, possibly resulting in enhanced absorption of a drug due to increased solubilisation. This possible influence of bile salts following stimulation of gallbladder emptying by the release of cholecystokinin on the pharmacokinetics of a sustained release theophylline (CAS 58-55-9) preparation (Bronchoretard) was evaluated in this study. An open, randomised, 3-way crossover study in 12 healthy, non-smoking volunteers was selected to prove or reject this hypothesis.

Effect of gallbladder contraction induced cholagogia on the pharmacokinetic profile of a sustained-release theophylline formulation.

Bile excretion might change the physiological milieu of the duodenum resulting in enhanced absorption of a drug due to increased solubilisation. This possible influence of bile salts following stimulation of gallbladder emptying via the release of cholecystokinin on the pharmacokinetics of a sustained-release theophylline (CAS 58-55-9) preparation (Bronchoretard) was evaluated in this study. An open, randomised 3-way cross-over study in 12 healthy, non-smoking volunteers was selected to prove or reject this hypothesis.

Pharmacokinetics of naftopidil, a novel anti-hypertensive drug, in patients with hepatic dysfunction.

The pharmacokinetics of naftopidil, a novel alpha-1 adrenoceptor-blocking antihypertensive, were investigated in ten patients (9M/1F) with hepatic dysfunction after oral administration (50 mg, tablet) and after an intravenous infusion of 5.0 mg over 2 minutes. Results were compared to a control group of 12 healthy subjects (6M/6F) of a previous investigation, which was carried out according to the identical study protocol.

Multiple peaks and low bioavailability of furosemide correlate with the volume of fluid ingested.

Two different single dose cross-over bioavailability studies were performed comparing a new oral furosemide preparation (test preparation = preparation A) with a marketed standard with a marketed standard preparation (reference preparation = preparation B). Test and reference preparation contained 40 mg of furosemide each. Into both studies, 18 healthy male volunteers were included; 4 volunteers participated in both studies.

Bioequivalence and pharmacodynamics of a modified glibenclamide formulation in healthy volunteers.

A glibenclamide preparation (Glycolande N) with a modified galenic formulation was compared with a marketed standard preparation for bioequivalence and hypoglycaemic action after single oral administration of 3.5 mg. Twelve healthy male volunteers participated in this open two-way cross-over study.

Improved orthostatic dysregulation record after administration of a sustained-release form of urapidil.

The efficacy and safety of urapidil has been demonstrated in a long-term treatment. However, a relatively good record of side effects has been marred by reports of orthostatic dysregulation. This study was designed to examine the blood pressure lowering effect, tolerability and pharmacokinetics of a sustained-release formulation of urapidil.

Influence of food intake on the bioavailability of urapidil in healthy volunteers.

The influence of food intake on the pharmacokinetics of a single dose (30 mg) of urapidil in a tablet and a sustained-release capsule form were examined in 12 healthy volunteers in a double crossover trial. Drug administration under fasting conditions requires that a standardized breakfast be eaten, 4 h after drug intake. Drug application with breakfast requires drug intake with the standardized breakfast.

[Bioavailability and pharmacokinetics of a new nifedipine preparation in healthy volunteers].

In the course of this trial the bioavailability and the essential pharmacokinetic parameters of a newly developed 10 mg nifedipine preparation were to be determined in comparison to a marketed reference preparation after single oral administration. For this purpose, the test and the reference preparation were examined in 16 healthy volunteers according to a randomized 2-way cross-over design (latin square), blood samples were withdrawn up to 16 h p.a.

Pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetics of urapidil in hypertensive patients: a crossover study comparing infusion with an infusion-capsule combination.

The pharmacokinetics and haemodynamic effects of infused urapidil and an infusion-capsule combination were followed to study the correlation between the serum urapidil level and the blood pressure. Prior to urapidil administration, basal blood pressure and heart rate were measured for 16 h in 12 male hypertensive patients. Six patients received infusions lasting for 4 h of urapidil 10, 2.

[The pharmacokinetics and bioavailability of urapidil. In vitro/in vivo correlations of different experimental formulations].

The pharmacokinetic parameters, including the relative bioavailabilities of two experimental batches of a 60-mg urapidil slow release-capsule and a 30-mg urapidil drinking ampoule (Ebrantil) had to be evaluated in a randomized, three-period change-over study with 12 healthy volunteers after single dosing. The appropriate parameters for the capsule formulations were compared with their dissolution rates obtained by different in vitro models. The capsules showed different half-change, but comparable single-fluid dissolution profiles.

Pharmacokinetic profile of metaclazepam (Talis), a new 1.4-benzodiazepine. Influence of different dosage regimens on the pharmacokinetic profile of metaclazepam and its main metabolite under steady-state conditions.

The pharmacokinetic parameters of the new 1.4-benzodiazepine metaclazepam (Talis) were investigated. In particular, the question of whether the drug and/or its main metabolite accumulates in the body under steady-state conditions was studied.

Pharmacokinetics and bioavailability of three different galenic nifedipine preparations.

In a randomized three-way crossover study with twelve volunteers the bioavailability and main pharmacokinetic parameters of three different galenic formulations of nifedipine (hard gelatine capsule with pellets = preparation A, soft gelatine capsule with liquid nifedipine = preparation B, retard-tablet = preparation C) were determined. Plasma concentrations of nifedipine were measured by capillary gas-liquid chromatography up to 24 h after single dosing as well as up to 48 h after multiple doses of the drugs (steady state). Statistically significant differences between the preparations were found for AUC, Cmax, and Tmax.