Standard of care versus standard of care plus Ericksonian hypnosis for percutaneous liver biopsy: Results of a randomized control trial.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to compare levels of pain and anxiety during percutaneous ultrasound-guided liver biopsy between patients receiving standard of care and those receiving standard of care plus the support of Ericksonian hypnosis.

Materials And Methods: This prospective, single-center, single-blind, randomized controlled superiority trial included 70 participants. Participants were randomly assigned to either the standard of care group and received oral anxiolytic medications with reassuring conversational support, or to the experimental group, and received Ericksonian hypnosis (i.

Identification of ligands binding to MB327-PAM-1, a binding pocket relevant for resensitization of nAChRs.

Desensitization of nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) can be induced by overstimulation with acetylcholine (ACh) caused by an insufficient degradation of ACh after poisoning with organophosphorus compounds (OPCs). Currently, there is no generally applicable treatment for OPC poisoning that directly targets the desensitized nAChR. The bispyridinium compound MB327, an allosteric modulator of nAChR, has been shown to act as a resensitizer of nAChRs, indicating that drugs binding directly to nAChRs can have beneficial effects after OPC poisoning.

Synthesis and biological evaluation of novel MB327 analogs as resensitizers for desensitized nicotinic acetylcholine receptors after intoxication with nerve agents.

Poisoning with organophosphorus compounds, which can lead to a cholinergic crisis due to the inhibition of acetylcholinesterase and the subsequent accumulation of acetylcholine (ACh) in the synaptic cleft, is a serious problem for which treatment options are currently insufficient. Our approach to broadening the therapeutic spectrum is to use agents that interact directly with desensitized nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) in order to induce functional recovery after ACh overstimulation. Although MB327, one of the most prominent compounds investigated in this context, has already shown positive properties in terms of muscle force recovery, this compound is not suitable for use as a therapeutic agent due to its insufficient potency.

Screening for new ligands of the MB327-PAM-1 binding site of the nicotinic acetylcholine receptor.

Intoxications with organophosphorus compounds (OPCs) effect a severe impairment of cholinergic neurotransmission that, as a result of overstimulation may lead to desensitization of nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) and finally to death due to respiratory paralysis. So far, therapeutics, that are capable to address and revert desensitized neuromuscular nAChRs into their resting, i.e.

MS Binding Assays with UNC0642 as reporter ligand for the MB327 binding site of the nicotinic acetylcholine receptor.

Intoxications with organophosphorus compounds (OPCs) based chemical warfare agents and insecticides may result in a detrimental overstimulation of muscarinic and nicotinic acetylcholine receptors evolving into a cholinergic crisis leading to death due to respiratory failure. In the case of the nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR), overstimulation leads to a desensitization of the receptor, which cannot be pharmacologically treated so far. Still, compounds interacting with the MB327 binding site of the nAChR like the bispyridinium salt MB327 have been found to re-establish the functional activity of the desensitized receptor.

The role of apoptosis repressor with a CARD domain (ARC) in the therapeutic resistance of renal cell carcinoma (RCC): the crucial role of ARC in the inhibition of extrinsic and intrinsic apoptotic signalling.

Background: Renal cell carcinomas (RCCs) display broad resistance against conventional radio- and chemotherapies, which is due at least in part to impairments in both extrinsic and intrinsic apoptotic pathways. One important anti-apoptotic factor that is strongly overexpressed in RCCs and known to inhibit both apoptotic pathways is ARC (apoptosis repressor with a CARD domain).

Methods: Expression and subcellular distribution of ARC in RCC tissue samples and RCC cell lines were determined by immunohistochemistry and fluorescent immunohistochemistry, respectively.

Investigation on the bioequivalence of 2 oral preparations containing spironolactone and furosemide.

The bioequivalence of 2 formulations containing spironolactone and furosemide was determined. The test preparation was Spironolacton 50 plus Heumann tablets, a new generic spironolactone preparation, developed by Heumann Pharma GmbH, the reference preparation was Osyrol 50-Lasix capsules, Hoechst AG. The study was designed as a randomized 2-period, 2-sequence, crossover study.

Analysis of metabolites--a new approach to bioequivalence studies of spironolactone formulations.

The aldosterone antagonist spironolactone undergoes extensive and complex biotransformation. For investigation of bioequivalence of 2 oral spironolactone formulations, Spironolacton 50 Heumann and Aldactone 50, the pharmacokinetics and bioequivalence of the parent drug and 2 predominant active metabolites, canrenone and 7 alpha-thiomethylspirolactone, were determined in a 2-way crossover study in 24 young healthy male volunteers after multiple oral dosing of 100 mg once daily. Plasma samples were measured by a newly developed HPLC assay and individual pharmacokinetic parameters of the 3 compounds were calculated by use of noncompartmental techniques.

Relative bioavailability of different butamirate citrate preparations after single dose oral administration to 18 healthy volunteers.

Eighteen volunteers have been treated with different oral formulations of butamirate citrate according to 2 randomized 2-way crossover designs. In the first study (study I) the test preparation was a syrup (Demotussol Hustensirup, Demopharm), and the reference preparation was a syrup already marketed (Sinecod Sirup, Zyma SA). A test preparation (Demotussol Tabletten) was compared to a solution (Demotussol Hustentropfen) in the second study (study II).

Relative bioavailability of 3 different chlormezanone 200 mg preparations after single dose oral administration.

Eighteen male volunteers have been treated with 3 different oral formulations of chlormezanone according to a randomized 3-way change-over design. The test preparation was a tablet (Krewel), reference preparation 1 was a suspension (Krewel), and reference preparation 2 was a tablet (Muskel Trancopal, Sanofi Winthrop GmbH). All preparations contained 200 mg of chlormezanone.

Comparative steady state study with 2 fenofibrate 250 mg slow release capsules. An example of bioequivalence assessment with a highly variable drug.

Twenty healthy male volunteers were treated with 2 different oral preparations of fenofibrate according to a randomized 2-way crossover design. The test preparation was Fenofibrate 250 mg retard capsules, batch No. YXF 001, provided by MTT Medical and Technological Transfer GmbH, Unterhaching, Germany.

Bioequivalence evaluation of two different oral formulations of loperamide (Diarex Lactab vs Imodium capsules).

Twenty-four healthy male volunteers were treated with two different oral formulations of loperamide according to a randomized two-way cross-over design. The test preparation was Diarex Lactab (Mepha), the reference preparation Imodium 2 mg capsules. Divided in two periods the volunteers received single 8 x 2 mg (= 16mg) doses of the test and reference formulation, respectively.

Discrimination of wingbeat motion by bats, correlated with echolocation sound pattern.

Bats of the species Rhinolophus rouxi, Hipposideros lankadiva and Eptesicus fuscus were trained to discriminate between two simultaneously presented artificial insect wingbeat targets moving at different wingbeat rates. During the discrimination trials, R. rouxi, H.

Bioavailability and pharmacokinetics of rectally administered metoclopramide.

The absolute and relative bioavailability of metoclopramide following the administration of a single suppository--test (Gastrosil) and reference preparations--containing 20 mg of the pure drug or after i.v. injection of 17.

Quantitative determination of terbutaline and orciprenaline in human plasma by gas chromatography/negative ion chemical ionization/mass spectrometry.

A method for the determination of unconjugated terbutaline and orciprenaline in human plasma is described. The assay is based on stable isotope dilution gas chromatography/negative ion chemical ionization/mass spectrometry. An inexpensive and rapid method for preparation of stable isotope labelled analogues as well as their use in quantitative gas chromatography/mass spectrometry is shown.

Oral bioavailability of atenolol.

The bioavailability of two formulations of atenolol was compared in an open, randomized crossover study. Each film-coated tablet contained 100 mg of active drug. The plasma concentrations of atenolol were determined using a newly developed and specific high-performance liquid chromatography procedure.

Femtomole analysis of diclofenac in human plasma by gas chromatography/negative ion chemical ionization mass spectrometry using (18O2) diclofenac as internal standard.

A stable isotope dilution gas chromatographic/negative ion chemical ionization mass spectrometric assay for diclofenac in human plasma is described. The preparation of (18O2)diclofenac and its use as an internal standard for quantitative gas chromatography/mass spectrometry is shown. A sample processing and derivatization sequence with product recovery of 84.

Femtomole analysis of diclofenac in human plasma by gas chromatography/negative ion chemical ionization/mass spectrometry using (18O2)diclofenac as internal standard.

A stable isotope dilution gas chromatography/negative ion chemical ionization/mass spectrometry assay for diclofenac in human plasma is described. The preparation of (18O2)diclofenac and its use as an internal standard for quantitative gas chromatography/mass spectrometry is shown. A sample processing and derivatization sequence with product recovery of 84.

Pharmacokinetics and bioequivalence of different formulations of pirenzepine.

An intraindividual comparative single-dose study was carried out under carefully controlled conditions on 12 healthy volunteers in order to establish the bioavailability of 5,11-dihydro-11-[(4-methyl-piperazin-1- -yl)acetyl]-6H-pyrido[2,3b][1,4]benzodiazepin-6-one dihydrochloride (pirenzepine), the active principle of newly developed tablets (Gastricur) and suspension containing 10 mg. In an additional multiple dose, cross-over study on 12 healthy volunteers, the bioequivalence of pirenzepine was investigated after administration of the newly developed vs. commercial dose-equivalent tablets.

[The pharmacokinetics and bioequivalence of various dosage forms of ambroxol].

An intraindividual comparative single-dose study was carried out under carefully controlled conditions on 12 healthy volunteers in order to establish the bioavailability of trans-4-(2-amino-3,5-dibromobenzyl)-amino-cyclohexanol (ambroxol) the active principle of newly developed tablets and drops, in comparison to a commercial i.v. preparation.

Determination of codeine in human plasma by reverse-phase high-performance liquid chromatography.

A high-performance liquid chromatographic (HPLC) method for the determination of codeine in human plasma is described. The specific, precise, and sensitive method can be used to determine plasma codeine levels after administration of therapeutic doses of codeine. After purification on a C18 extraction column, codeine in the form of hydrochloride is eluted.

Separation, isolation and identification of optical isomers of 1,4-benzodiazepine glucuronides from biological fluids by reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography.

A reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatographic (HPLC) method for the determination of four separate 1,4-benzodiazepine glucuronides in urine, plasma and bile is presented. We succeeded not only in determining the single glucuronides but also in separating the enantiomers (optical isomers) of the 1,4-benzodiazepine glucuronides. The optical isomers of the glucuronides of oxazepam and cinolazepam and of two other glucuronides of benzodiazepine metabolites could be well separated.

Comparative bioavailability of several phenytoin preparations marketed in Austria.

In a multiple, randomized crossover study, plasma concentrations were determined following oral single-dose administration of various phenytoin preparations. With the exception of one formulation tested (p less than or equal to 0.01), no statistically significant difference was found among the remaining preparations.