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Biomedical subjects

D Cutler

Publications and source records attributed to D Cutler.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

Queuing for coronary angiography during severe supply-demand mismatch in a US public hospital: analysis of a waiting list registry.

CONTEXT: Adverse cardiac events have been reported in patients waiting for either coronary surgery or angioplasty. However, data on the risk of adverse events while awaiting coronary angiography are limited, and none are available from a US population. OBJECTIVE: To quantify cardiac outcomes in patients waiting for elective coronary angiography. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: Observational cohort study of 381 adult outpatients (mean [SD] age, 55 [12] years; 64% male; 61% white) on a waiting list for coronary angiography at a US tertiary care public teaching hospital during 1993-1994. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Rates of cardiac death, nonfatal myocardial infarction, and hospitalizations for unstable angina or heart failure as a function of amount of time spent on a waiting list. RESULTS: Sixty-six patients were dropped from the waiting list but were included in the study analysis. During a mean (SD) follow-up of 8.4 (6.5) months, cardiac death, myocardial infarction, and hospitalization occurred in 6 (1.6%), 4 (1.0%), and 26 (6.8%) patients, respectively. The probability of events was minimal in the first 2 weeks and increased steadily between 3 and 13 weeks. By Cox multivariate analysis, 2 variables independently identified an increased risk of adverse events: a strongly positive treadmill exercise electrocardiogram or positive stress imaging result at referral (odds ratio [OR], 2.32; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.22-4.16; P=.01) and the use of 2 to 3 anti-ischemic medications (OR, 1.98; 95% CI, 1.19-3.96; P=.04). Among 311 patients who ultimately underwent angiography, those with adverse events had a higher prevalence of coronary disease (96% vs 60%; P<.001), more frequently required revascularization (93% vs 53%; P<.001), and had longer hospital stays (mean [SD], 6.2 [4.3] vs 1.3 [0.7] days; P=.001). CONCLUSION: Our data suggest that in a cohort referred for coronary angiography, delaying the procedure places some patients at risk for death, myocardial infarction, unplanned hospitalization, a longer hospital stay, and, potentially, a poorer prognosis. Waits longer than 2 weeks should be avoided, and patients with strongly positive stress test results and those who require 2 to 3 anti-ischemic medications should be prioritized for early intervention.

Aged↗

Comparing practice patterns of consumer and non-consumer mental health service providers.

The practice patterns of consumer and non-consumer providers of assertive community treatment are compared using both quantitative and qualitative data collected as part of a randomized trial. Activity log data showed that there were few substantive differences in the pattern of either the administrative or direct service tasks performed by the two teams. In contrast, the qualitative data revealed that there were discernable differences in the "culture" of the two teams. The consumer team "culture" emphasized "being there" with the client while the non-consumer team was more concerned with accomplishing tasks.

Case Management↗

Phase I dose-escalation and pharmacokinetic study of temozolomide (SCH 52365) for refractory or relapsing malignancies.

Temozolomide, an oral cytotoxic agent with approximately 100% bioavailability after one administration, has demonstrated schedule-dependent clinical activity against highly resistant cancers. Thirty patients with minimal prior chemotherapy were enrolled in this phase I trial to characterize the drug's safety, pharmacokinetics and anti-tumour activity, as well as to assess how food affects oral bioavailability. To determine dose-limiting toxicities (DLT) and the maximum tolerated dose (MTD), temozolomide 100-250 mg m(-2) was administered once daily for 5 days every 28 days. The DLT was thrombocytopenia, and the MTD was 200 mg m(-2) day(-1). Subsequently, patients received the MTD to study how food affects the oral bioavailability of temozolomide. When given orally once daily for 5 days, temozolomide was well tolerated and produced a non-cumulative, transient myelosuppression. The most common non-haematological toxicities were mild to moderate nausea and vomiting. Clinical activity was observed against several advanced cancers, including malignant glioma and metastatic melanoma. Temozolomide demonstrated linear and reproducible pharmacokinetics and was rapidly absorbed (mean Tmax approximately 1 h) and eliminated (mean t1/2 = 1.8 h). Food produced a slight reduction (9%) in absorption of temozolomide. Temozolomide 200 mg m(-2) day(-1) for 5 days, every 28 days, is recommended for phase II studies.

Administration, Oral↗

Absorption, metabolism, and excretion of 14C-temozolomide following oral administration to patients with advanced cancer.

The purpose of this study is to characterize the absorption, metabolism, and excretion of carbon 14-labeled temozolomide (14C-TMZ) administered p.o. to adult patients with advanced solid malignancies. On day 1 of cycle 1, six patients received a single oral 200-mg dose of 14C-TMZ (70.2 microCi). Whole blood, plasma, urine, and feces were collected from days 1-8 and on day 14 of cycle 1. Total radioactivity was measured in all samples. TMZ, 5-(3-methyltriazen-1-yl)imidazole-4-carboxamide (MTIC), and 4-amino-5-imidazole-carboxamide (AIC) concentrations were determined in plasma, and urine and plasma samples were profiled for metabolite/degradation products. Maximum TMZ plasma concentrations were achieved between 0.33 to 2 h (mean, 1.2 h), and half-life, apparent volume of distribution, and oral clearance values averaged 1.9 h, 17 liters/m2, and 104 ml/min/m2, respectively. A first-order absorption, one-compartment linear model, which included first-order formation of MTIC from TMZ and elimination of MTIC via degradation to AIC, and a peripheral distribution compartment for AIC, adequately described the plasma TMZ, MTIC, and AIC concentrations. MTIC systemic clearance was estimated to be 5384 ml/min/m2, and the half-life was calculated to be 2.5 min. Metabolite profiles of plasma at 1 and 4 h after treatment showed that 14C-derived radioactivity was primarily associated with TMZ, and a smaller amount was attributed to AIC. Profiles of urine samples from 0-24 h revealed that 14C-TMZ-derived urinary radioactivity was primarily associated with unchanged drug (5.6%), AIC (12%), or 3-methyl-2,3-dihydro-4-oxoimidazo[5,1-d]tetrazine-8-carboxyl ic acid (2.3%). The recovered radioactive dose (39%) was principally eliminated in the urine (38%), and a small amount (0.8%) was excreted in the feces. TMZ exhibits rapid oral absorption and high systemic availability. The primary elimination pathway for TMZ is by pH-dependent degradation to MTIC and further degradation to AIC. Incomplete recovery of radioactivity may be explained by the incorporation of AIC into nucleic acids.

Absorption↗

Osmotic regulation of airway reactivity by epithelium.

Inhalation of nonisotonic solutions can elicit pulmonary obstruction in asthmatic airways. We evaluated the hypothesis that the respiratory epithelium is involved in responses of the airways to nonisotonic solutions using the guinea pig isolated, perfused trachea preparation to restrict applied agents to the mucosal (intraluminal) or serosal (extraluminal) surface of the airway. In methacholine-contracted tracheae, intraluminally applied NaCl or KCl equipotently caused relaxation that was unaffected by the cyclo-oxygenase inhibitor, indomethacin, but was attenuated by removal of the epithelium and Na+ and Cl- channel blockers. Na+-K+-2Cl- cotransporter and nitric oxide synthase blockers caused a slight inhibition of relaxation, whereas Na+,K+-pump inhibition produced a small potentiation. Intraluminal hyperosmolar KCl and NaCl inhibited contractions in response to intra- or extraluminally applied methacholine, as well as neurogenic cholinergic contractions elicited with electric field stimulation (+/- indomethacin). Extraluminally applied NaCl and KCl elicited epithelium-dependent relaxation (which for KCl was followed by contraction). In contrast to the effects of hyperosmolarity, intraluminal hypo-osmolarity caused papaverine-inhibitable contractions (+/- epithelium). These findings suggest that the epithelium is an osmotic sensor which, through the release of epithelium-derived relaxing factor, can regulate airway diameter by modulating smooth muscle responsiveness and excitatory neurotransmission.

Animals↗

Immunomodulation of Crohn's disease by interleukin-10.

Interleukin-10 is an important cytokine that is involved in regulation of pro-inflammatory cytokines and T-cell responses. Interleukin-10 has been studied extensively in various preclinical and clinical models of inflammation. The most remarkable and consistently reproducible quality of IL-10 is its ability to downregulate macrophage functions. This includes inhibiting the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines such TNF-alpha, Interleukin-1, Interleukin-6 and antigen presentation by these professional antigen presenting cells. Additionally, Interleukin-10 also has effects on various other cell types of hematopoietic origin such as B-cells, neutrophils, and most importantly T-cells. Interleukin-10 has shown efficacy in several models of autoimmune disease. The present article deals with the effect of Interleukin-10 in animal models of inflammatory bowel disease and the results of phase I clinical trials in normal human volunteers and chronic active Crohn's disease patients.

Animals↗

Pharmacokinetic drug interaction study: administration of ceftibuten concurrently with the antacid mylanta double- strength liquid or with ranitidine.

This study investigated the influence of antacid (Mylanta Double-Strength Liquid; J & J-Merck Consumer, Fort Washington, PA) and the H2 antagonist ranitidine on the pharmacokinetics of ceftibuten, a once-daily oral cephalosporin. Eighteen male volunteers received, in a randomized, three-way, crossover design, a single oral 400-mg dose of ceftibuten after an overnight fast (1) alone, (2) with antacid (60 mL), and (3) with ranitidine (after 3 days of dosing, 150 mg/12 hours). Serial blood and urine samples were collected during a 24-hour period after each administration, with a 1-week washout between treatments. Ceftibuten, and its metabolite ceftibuten-trans, were analyzed in plasma and urine by high-performance liquid chromatography. Bioavailability parameters, maximum plasma concentration and area under the plasma concentration-time curve to infinity of ceftibuten were unaffected by treatment with antacid. These parameters were somewhat higher when ceftibuten was administered with ranitidine, but they were still within the ranges seen in normal healthy volunteers. The excretion of ceftibuten was independent of treatment. The concentrations of ceftibuten-trans were low in both plasma and urine with all three treatments. It is concluded that the co-administration of antacid and ranitidine are unlikely to affect the bioavailability and antibacterial efficacy of ceftibuten.

Administration, Oral↗

Relation of unstable angina and myocardial infarction to progression of coronary narrowing in patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting (utilizing an internal mammary artery).

We examined the relation of an ischemic syndrome with the progression of coronary disease early (<3 years) after multiple bypass grafting utilizing an internal mammary artery and saphenous vein grafts. Data indicate that an ischemic syndrome is associated with progression of native coronary disease distal to the graft or total occlusion of the saphenous vein graft in most cases.

Aged↗

Myocardial bridging in a young patient with sudden death.

Systolic compression of a coronary artery is considered to be a benign phenomenon, although numerous case reports have suggested an association between bridging and sudden death or ischemia in certain patients without other abnormalities on cardiovascular evaluation. We present the case of a young patient with two episodes of spontaneous ventricular fibrillation and electrocardiographic evidence of ischemia, whose only primary abnormality on extensive workup was a long segment of left anterior descending systolic compression. This case adds to the growing body of anecdotal evidence that myocardial bridging may be associated with significant cardiac events.

Adult↗

Single-dose pharmacokinetics of isepamicin in young and geriatric volunteers.

Isepamicin is a new aminoglycoside antibiotic with activity against both gram-negative and gram-positive bacteria. The pharmacokinetics of isepamicin were evaluated after a 0.5-hour intravenous infusion of alpha 15-mg/kg dose to groups of young adults and geriatric volunteers. Isepamicin was safe and well tolerated. No adverse events related to the infusion were reported. As age increased, there were increases in the elimination phase half-life (t1/2 beta) and the area under the plasma concentration-time curve extrapolated to infinity (AUC0-infinity), and decreases in systemic (Cl) and renal clearance (Clr). The changes seen in Cl with age were a result of changes in renal function estimated by creatinine clearance (Clcr). There were no apparent correlations between age and maximum plasma concentration (Cmax), half-life of the tau-phase (t1/2 tau), volume of distribution at steady-state (Vdss), or the amount of isepamicin excreted in urine within 24 hours after dose administration (Ae24 hrs). When comparing the elderly (61-80 years old) with the younger (21-60 years) volunteers, the (AUC0-infinity), and t1/2 beta values were higher in the elderly and the Cl and Clr values were lower, but Cmax, t1/2 tau and Vdss were similar in the two age groups. The contribution of the tau-phase to the overall AUC was minimal and similar for the two age groups. Also, there were no gender effects on the pharmacokinetics of isepamicin in both the young and elderly volunteers. These results demonstrate that changes in the pharmacokinetics of isepamicin in the elderly are attributable to changes in renal function, whereas age, per se, is not a significant factor.

Adult↗

Activity and tolerance of a continuous subcutaneous infusion of interferon-alpha2b in patients with chronic hepatitis C.

We administered interferon-alpha2b (IFN-alpha2b) by continuous subcutaneous infusion (60,000 IU/h, or 10 million IU/week) over 3 months to 7 patients with chronic hepatitis C. All had previously responded, as assessed by normalization of transaminases to the same dose of IFN administered by intermittent injection over 6 months, but had relapsed after cessation of therapy. The continuous infusion was tolerated well at the site of infusion, and the systemic side effects were similar in type but were lesser in intensity than with intermittent dosage. Four of 7 subjects had normalization of transaminase at the end of week 12 of therapy. Serum HCV RNA and HCV by PCR decreased with treatment, and there was a prompt and sustained increase in serum beta2-microglobulin and of 2', 5' OAS activity. The level of the latter appeared to correlate with response of the transaminase. Serum IFN concentrations were low but detectable throughout therapy. After stopping IFN administration, the transaminases in responders increased again to pretreatment levels.

Administration, Cutaneous↗

Pharmacokinetics of isepamicin following a single administration by intravenous infusion or intramuscular injections.

The pharmacokinetics of isepamicin following administration of a 1-g dose were evaluated for 18 healthy male volunteers between the ages of 26 and 38. In a randomized crossover fashion, each volunteer received doses of isepamicin by a 30-min intravenous infusion and as an intramuscular injection. Blood samples were collected at specified times after dosing and assayed for isepamicin by a validated radioimmunoassay method. The individual plasma concentration-time curves were analyzed by noncompartmental methods. In general, the pharmacokinetics after intravenous infusion and intramuscular injection were similar. As expected, the maximum concentration of isepamicin in serum following intramuscular injection (37.2 microg/ml) was lower than the observed concentration at the end of infusion (66.7 microg/ml). The areas under the concentration-time curves from 0 h to infinity following intramuscular and intravenous administration were 164.8 and 154.5 microg x hr/ml, respectively, indicating complete absorption following intramuscular administration. The respective mean terminal-phase half-life (t1/2) values were 2.6 and 3.6 h. Although t1/2 was slightly longer following intravenous infusion, the small difference in the observed t1/2 values was not considered to be clinically significant. Total body clearances following intramuscular injection and intravenous infusion were 1.3 and 1.4 ml/min/kg, respectively, which were similar to renal serum creatinine clearances in healthy volunteers (> 1.14 ml/min/kg). The drug was safe and well tolerated. The results of the present study clearly show complete absorption of isepamicin following intramuscular administration. The similarity in the pharmacokinetics after intravenous infusion and intramuscular dosing would permit interchangeable administration of isepamicin by either route without compromising clinical efficacy.

Adult↗

Pharmacokinetics of recombinant human granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor: the effects of zidovudine.

Recombinant human granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (rHu GM-CSF) enhances bone marrow production of and stimulates granulocytes, macrophages, and eosinophils. Granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor may be used concomitantly with zidovudine in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-positive patients to minimize zidovudine-associated neutropenia. This open-label, randomized, placebo-controlled study was performed to evaluate the pharmacokinetic disposition of rHu GM-CSF in HIV-positive, asymptomatic patients in the absence and presence of concomitant zidovudine administration. Eight participants received rHu GM-CSF (5 micrograms/kg subcutaneously) daily for 4 days in combination with placebo or zidovudine (200 mg orally every 8 hours) in a randomized, crossover fashion, with each study period separated by a 3-day washout phase. Pharmacokinetic blood sampling was performed over 16 hours on days 1 and 4 of both treatment periods, and subsequent analysis of serum was performed using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Pharmacokinetic results of rHu GM-CSF at steady state (days 4 of periods I and II) in the absence (placebo) and presence of zidovudine included apparent total body clearance, half-life, and apparent volume of distribution, all of which were not significantly altered with concomitant administration of zidovudine. Mean pharmacokinetic results of rHu GM-CSF after the first dose (days 1 of periods I and II) were similar to steady-state values; however, total body clearance was significantly increased at steady state compared with the results of the first dose. Concurrent administration of zidovudine does not influence the pharmacokinetic disposition of rHu GM-CSF after single or multiple doses.

Adult↗

Hydroxychloroquine relative bioavailability: within subject reproducibility.

Six healthy volunteers received hydroxychloroquine sulphate 200 mg orally on four occasions (three tablets, one solution). Maximum hydroxychloroquine blood concentration (Cmax; range 135-422 ng ml-1) and time to maximum (tmax; range 1.5-7.0 h) for the three tablet doses showed significant differences between subjects (P < 0.009; between subject coefficients of variation (CVs) 34% and 27%, respectively). There were no within subject differences in Cmax (P = 0.32; mean within subject CV 11%), Cmax corrected for weight (P = 0.28) or tmax (P = 0.35; mean within subject CV 16%). Truncated areas under the hydroxychloroquine blood concentration-time curve of the three tablets were different between (P = 0.0001) but not within subjects (P = 0.13). Again, between subject CV (38%) was more than three times the mean within subject CV (12%). Bioavailability was not limited by tablet formulation. The significant variability in relative bioavailability between but not within individuals indicated that individualising dosing to target concentrations associated with optimal outcomes may minimise variability in response.

Adolescent↗

Pharmacokinetics and metabolism of 14C-isepamicin in humans following intravenous administration.

Twelve healthy adult male volunteers received 1 g (base equivalent) of 14C-isepamicin (131 microCi) as an intravenous bolus over 5 min. The areas under the plasma concentration-time curves at infinity for isepamicin (196 micrograms*h/ml) and total radioactivity (164 micrograms*h/ml) were similar, indicating no biotransformation of isepamicin. The disappearance of isepamicin from plasma followed a triexponential decline, with half-lives of 0.17, 2.12, and 34 h for the alpha, beta, and gamma phases, respectively. However, the contribution of the gamma phase to the total area under the concentration-time curve was only 2.6%. There were no detectable metabolites in plasma and urine, confirming that isepamicin was not biotransformed. The cumulative levels of isepamicin and total radioactivity excretion in urine from 0 to 120 h were 97.3 and 92.1% of the dose, respectively, indicating that the drug was excreted mainly as unchanged isepamicin in urine.

Adult↗

Feeding behavior in the nocturnal moth Manduca sexta is mediated mainly by blue receptors, but where are they located in the retina?

The spectral sensitivity of nectar feeding by adults of the tobacco hawkmoth Manduca sexta was measured in free-choice experiments. The action spectrum displayed a narrow peak at 450 nm and a low secondary maximum at 560 nm. Thus, the feeding response is mediated primarily by blue-sensitive receptors containing the Manduca sexta photopigment P450, while green-sensitive receptors containing P520 play a minor role. A minimum at 500 nm separating the two peaks suggests mutual inhibition between green and blue receptors or negative interaction more proximally in the visual system. The action spectrum drops off abruptly at 400 nm, in accordance with an earlier finding that ultraviolet wavelengths, discerned by receptors containing P357, obstruct the feeding response. The spectral sensitivity of the Manduca sexta compound eye, determined by electroretinogram recordings, and earlier visual pigment measurements indicate that approximately 75 % of the receptors are green-sensitive, with the remainder divided between blue- and ultraviolet-sensitive cells. The distribution of receptor types in small areas of the retina was measured by their ultrastructural response to light. Green and ultraviolet receptors were found, but not the blue receptors that dominate the feeding response. Possibly they are concentrated in a particular region of the retina that has not yet been found.

Journal Article↗

Pharmacokinetics of isepamicin.

Isepamicin is a new aminoglycoside that has activity against many bacteria resistant to other aminoglycosides. The pharmacokinetics of isepamicin have been characterized in neonatal, pediatric, adult, elderly and renally impaired human populations as well as in clinical trials using the techniques of population pharmacokinetics. The pharmacokinetics of isepamicin are uncomplicated and generally similar to those of other aminoglycosides, although there is some evidence that it may have less tissue accumulation. The drug is completely absorbed following intramuscular administration. The drug is not metabolized and unchanged isepamicin accounts for all of the drug substance in plasma and urine. It is completely eliminated via the renal route; consequently dosing in patients with renal insufficiency has to be adjusted according to the degree of renal impairment. The pharmacokinetics of isepamicin are generally linear. Thus peak plasma concentrations and area under the plasma concentration curve (AUC) values are proportional to the administered dose while clearance (1.1-1.3 mL/min/kg), volume of distribution at steady state (0.23-0.29 L/kg) and half-life (2-2.5 h) are independent of dose. There is no significant accumulation of drug in the plasma with once- or twice-daily dosing. The isepamicin plasma concentration curve following a 1 g intravenous dose to healthy volunteers can be best characterized by a tri-exponential curve corresponding to a t1/2 alpha of 0.17 h, a t1/2 beta of 2.1 h, and a gamma-phase of 34 h. The t1/2 beta represents the elimination phase and changes with age and renal functions, while the gamma-phase represents the return of drug to plasma from a deep compartment including binding in renal tissue. The gamma-phase represents less than 3% of the total AUC and does not change with age. Isepamicin readily distributes to extracellular fluid and pulmonary tissue. In conclusion, isepamicin demonstrates predictable linear kinetics and is similar pharmacokinetically to other aminoglycosides. Preliminary indications of decreased tissue accumulation implied from pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic characteristics of isepamicin favour once-daily dosing.

Adolescent↗