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Biomedical subjects

J Torrent

Publications and source records attributed to J Torrent.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

Stress induction affects copper and zinc balance in calves fed organic and inorganic copper and zinc sources.

This study determined whether Cu and Zn balance was affected by feeding either Zn methionine (ZnMet) + Cu lysine (CuLys) or Zn sulfate (ZnSO4) + Cu sulfate (CuSO4) before and after stressing calves. Eight Charolais crossbred steer calves weighting 167 +/- 5 kg were randomly assigned to two treatments in a crossover experimental design. The millet hay and soybean meal diet when supplemented with the inorganic salts provided 9.2 ppm of Cu and 36.6 ppm of Zn or when fortified with the metal complexes contained 10.5 ppm of Cu and 36.6 ppm of Zn. Gentled calves were fed their respective diets for 28 d before an 18-d mineral balance trial was conducted. Collection consisted of five periods: 1) a 5-d baseline period, 2) 3 d of no Cu and Zn supplement, 3) 3 d of stress consisting of feed and water restriction and ACTH (80 IU) injections i.m. every 8 h, 4) 3 d of refeeding with no Cu and Zn supplement, and 5) 4 d of Cu and Zn repletion. Calves fed CuLys had 53% greater apparent Cu absorption and increased Cu retention (P < .05) during repletion compared with calves fed CuSO4. The 18-d mean retention of Cu from CuLys was greater (P < .05) than that from CuSO4. No differences (P > .05) in apparent absorption or retention of Zn were found between Zn sources, although during the 18-d trial mean retention was 58% higher when ZnMet was fed. Urinary Cu and Zn excretion decreased (P < .01) during stress.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Animals↗

Effect of astemizole on allergic asthma.

In a placebo-controlled, double-blind, crossover study with a washout phase of 2 months between each treatment period, single daily doses of 10 and 30 mg of astemizole were given to 12 patients with extrinsic asthma during 28 consecutive days. Albuterol was allowed as concurrent medication when needed. On days 0, 7, and 28 specific bronchial provocation with Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus and cutaneous tests with histamine and D. pteronyssinus extracts were carried out. The requirements of beta-agonist inhalations and the number of bronchospasm episodes were recorded throughout the study period. Inhibition of allergen-induced bronchoconstriction appeared on day 7 with 30-mg doses of astemizole, while it was not observed until day 28 with 10-mg doses. Wheal responses caused by histamine were reduced only after active treatment. The wheal response to the highest allergen concentration was reduced on days 7 and 28 after 30 mg of astemizole, whereas doses of 10 mg only caused a reduction on day 28. It is concluded that astemizole could be useful as a therapeutic agent in the treatment of certain types of asthma.

Adolescent↗

Pharmacokinetic study of cicletanine in healthy volunteers.

A pharmacokinetic study of cicletanine, a new class of antihypertensive drugs was performed in ten healthy volunteers after administration of 50 mg single oral dose. Cicletanine plasma and urine concentrations were measured using the HPLC technique. The main pharmacokinetic parameters were estimated applying a non-compartmental approach. The half-life ranged between 4.76 to 17.76 h; the mean oral and renal clearance were 7.3 +/- 2.5 l/h and 0.026 +/- 0.012 l/h, respectively. The urinary excretion of the product ranged between 37.5 and 64.6% of the administered dose, the amount of unchanged drug being negligible (0.4 +/- 0.3%). Both metabolic conjugation pathways glucuronidation and sulphation occurred in a similar extent 23.7 +/- 6.7% and 23.0 +/- 7% respectively. The overall pharmacokinetic parameters obtained in this study agree with those previously reported after the administration of higher doses (75-300 mg) and is in favour of a linear pharmacokinetic behaviour of cicletanine over the dose range of 50 mg to 300 mg.

Administration, Oral↗

Changes in gentamicin pharmacokinetic profiles induced by mechanical ventilation.

The influence of controlled mechanical ventilation (CMV) on the pharmacokinetic profile of gentamicin has been examined in 23 patients after elective open heart surgery. A parallel design was adopted in two groups of patients; 13 patients requiring CMV for at least 32 h after surgery, all of whom were able to breath spontaneously (SB) after 72 h (study group), and 10 patients who required CMV for only a brief period and who showed SB at 32 h postsurgery. Haemodynamic parameters remained stable throughout the study. Apparent volume of distribution (VZ), half-life (t1/2), total clearance (CL), peak (Cmax") and trough (Cmin") plasma levels at steady-state for target levels (6-8 microgram/ml), were measured. In the study group significant differences between CMV and SB conditions were found in VZ (mean 0.36 and 0.25 l/kg). t1/2 (mean 3.63 and 2.90 h) and Cmax" (mean 4.30 and 5.53 microgram/ml) while Cmin" (mean 1.06 microgram.ml-1 and 0.92 microgram.ml-1) did not change significantly. In contrast, the pharmacokinetics in the control group showed no differences. It appears that CMV leads to an increase in gentamicin Vz which accounts for the fall in Cmax" below the therapeutic dose range (less than 5 microgram/ml) recommended for gentamicin. It seems advisable to use a large dose of gentamicin in patients receiving CMV, even before the level is assessed.

Adult↗

Study of the mandibular movements during swallowing.

The authors recorded the mandibular movement produced during the swallowing of 150 ml of water with the aid of a straw between the lips using a kinesiograph in a random sample of 66 people between the ages of 24 and 35. In each recording 13 variables were measured, and a descriptive analysis of each one was carried out. The authors' findings support that there is no dental contact during liquid swallowing with the aid of a straw between the lips.

Adult↗

Multiple dose pharmacokinetic study of cicletanine in healthy volunteers.

Cicletanine hydrochloride, a furopyridine derivative, is a new type of antihypertensive drug. A pharmacokinetic study was performed in 8 non-patient subjects who were given 50 mg oral daily doses for 7 days. Cicletanine plasma levels were measured by HPLC. An open bicompartmental model was fitted to the experimental data using an extended non-linear regression method. Additionally plasma levels obtained after the first administration were used to determine pharmacokinetic parameters, which were considered as representative of a single dose administration. The results showed no significant differences between parameters estimated after the first dose and repeated dosing. Mean half-life values were 7.3 and 7.9 hours respectively. The mean peak and trough concentration values in the last interval studied were 1730 and 44 ng/mL respectively. The accumulation index was negligible (1.15). The similarity in the values obtained after the first and repeated administration suggests that cicletanine displays a linear pharmacokinetic behaviour at a dose of 50 mg.

Adult↗

Lack of correlation between pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic behaviour of cyanamide in man. A preliminary report.

A pharmacokinetic and dynamic study of cyanamide, an inhibitor of aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH) used as an adjuvant in the aversive therapy of chronic alcoholism, has been carried out in man after oral administrations. Cyanamide plasma levels were determined by a sensitive and specific high performance liquid chromatographic assay. Blood ALDH activity were estimated after oral administration of 0.3, 1 and 1.5 mg/kg of cyanamide. One i.v. administration of 1 mg/kg was performed in order to determine the absolute bioavailability and the main pharmacokinetic parameters. Elimination half life and total plasma clearance values were 51.7 8.8 min and 14.4 2.7 mL/kg/min respectively. After oral administrations of 0.3, 1 and 1.5 mg/kg a rapid absorption rate was estimated with a Tmax values range of 10.5 to 15.5 min. The extent of absorption was not complete, oral bioavailability being 53%, 70% and 81% respectively. The presence of a first pass-effect is suggested. The inhibitory activity of cyanamide on blood ALDH reached the maximum value 4 h after its administration and decreased progressively throughout six days period. The cyanamide plasma levels time course did not correlated with the pharmacodynamic time course responses.

Administration, Oral↗

[Total deafness after multiple pontine infarctions. Dolichoectasia of the basilar trunk].

A 54 year-old man was affected by three successive infarctions in the vertebro-basilar territory. These infarctions were related to a dolichoectatic basilar artery visualized by arteriography and NMR. Deafness occurred first on the left side and then, after the third infarction, on the right side. The authors underline that deafness can be observed after a pontine infarction in the territory of the anterior inferior cerebellar artery. A dolichoectatic basilar artery can be the source of thrombotic or embolic strokes. Their prevention by antiaggregant or anticoagulant therapy is suggested.

Basilar Artery↗

Gentamicin volume of distribution in critically ill septic patients.

Gentamicin intrapatient pharmacokinetics variations were studied in 40 critically ill medical patients, suffering gram-negative sepsis. These patients were studied in two phases throughout gentamicin treatment: firstly, on the second day of treatment, when aggressive fluid therapy was required, and secondly, five days later, when patients had achieved a more stable clinical condition. Pharmacokinetic parameters were determined using least squares linear regression analysis assuming a one-compartment model using the Sawchuk-Zaske method. The apparent volume of distribution (Vd) in the first phase of the study was 0.43 +/- 0.12 L/kg, while on the seventh day of treatment it was 0.29 +/- 0.17 L/kg (p less than 0.001). Statistically significant differences were also observed for peak serum concentration (p less than 0.001), total dosage recommended (p less than 0.001) and half-life (p less than 0.05), whilst differences were not found for trough levels. From the analysis of the results obtained, we recommend increasing the initial dosage and monitoring plasma levels within the first days of therapy in critically ill patients treated with gentamicin, since important variations in aminoglycoside Vd related to disease, fluid balance and renal function, commonly occur in these patients.

Adult↗

Study of mandibular movements during speech.

We recorded the mandibular movements produced during the reading of a text, in Spanish, using a kinesiograph in a random sample of 71 people aged 24 to 35. In each recording we measured nine variables and did a descriptive analysis of each variable. Our findings support that the mandibular movement during speech has some definite characteristics. The most important fact is that it could be a high percentage of occlusal contacts at incisal level during speech. This has to be taken into account when exploring an occlusal trauma of unknown etiology.

Adult↗

Evaluation of psychotropic drug consumption related to psychological distress in the elderly: hospitalized vs. nonhospitalized.

The use of psychotropic drugs in general has become more extended in the past 20 years. The elderly, particularly geriatric inpatients, are the group with the highest consumption. The aim of the present study was to evaluate in two groups of elderly, hospitalized patients (H) vs. nonhospitalized subjects (nH), psychotropic drug consumption related to psychological distress. This was carried out in a total 238 subjects aged above 65 years (112 geriatric inpatients and 126 interviewed in social welfare centers). Sociodemographic, clinical and pharmacological data, general health and psychological distress were evaluated. The latter was assessed by means of the Symptom Distress Checklist (SCL-90) which included 9 subscales. 23% of the subjects received psychotropic drugs (P), of which 84% were benzodiazepines, 10% antidepressants and 1.5% antipsychotics. After evaluating the SCL-90 subscales, it was noted that anxiety, depression and obsessiveness/compulsiveness scored higher in P subjects than in those not receiving psychotropic drugs (nP). When treated nH and H were analyzed separately, it was observed that the former scored higher in anxiety and depression, while the latter showed higher scores in anxiety and obsessiveness/compulsiveness. Considered globally, the H group compared to nH showed higher scores in depression. Although evaluating psychotropic drug utilization in geriatric patients is complex due to the large number of influencing factors, SCL-90 has proved to be useful for assessing the qualitative aspects of this drug consumption in the elderly.

Aged↗

[Chordoma of the base of the skull. A case report].

Chordomas of the skull base are neoplasms derived from persistent embryologic remnants. In spite of its histologic classification as benign tumors, the site and the adverse possibilities of the management its behaviour is malignant like. The case here referred to was localized in the basioccipital region and protruded in the rhinopharynx. Perusal of the bibliography and prognostic assessment of these type of patients.

Chordoma↗

Pharmacokinetics of triflusal after single and repeated doses in man.

Triflusal pharmacokinetics were evaluated in 8 healthy subjects after a single 300 mg dose and after repeated doses of 300 mg every 8 h and 600 mg every 24 h during 13 days, with the aim of establishing a relationship between plasma levels and dosage patterns. Plasma concentrations of triflusal and its main metabolite, 2-hydroxi-4-trifluoromethylbenzoic acid (HTB), were determined by HPLC. Triflusal (t1/2 = 29-35 min) metabolized rapidly into HTB. Four h after the first or last repeated dose administration, triflusal levels could not be detected. After the administration of 300 mg every 8 h, the parameters obtained for HTB were: Cmax-ss = 178 +/- 42 micrograms/ml, tmax-ss = 1.9 +/- 0.7 h, Cmin-ss = 155.6 +/- 41.2 micrograms/ml, Cavg-ss = 168.0 +/- 41.8 micrograms/ml and a t1/2 of 48 +/- 15 h. The parameters obtained for the dosage of 600 mg every 24 h were: Cmax-ss = 153 +/- 40 micrograms/ml, tmax-ss = 2.7 +/- 0.9 h, and a t1/2 of 50 +/- 16 h. No significant differences were observed between the elimination half-life obtained after the single dose and after the two repeated dose regimens studied. This finding suggests that HTB displays a linear pharmacokinetic behaviour.

Adult↗

[Lingual hamartoma].

The hamartoma is a benign tumor resulting of a mixture of normal and mature tissues and cells, sitting on an organ or tissue showing identical cell components. From the perusal done of the bibliography they appear as rare malformations basically compound of fibrous tissue, fat, acini of salivary glands and smooth muscle.

Aged↗

Theophylline-isoniazid interaction.

Drugs influencing hepatic microsomal enzyme systems, such as isoniazid, may affect the elimination pattern of theophylline. The case reported here refers to an adult female patient with a history of chronic asthma and intestinal tuberculosis who, during isoniazid therapy, presented with theophylline plasma concentrations above the therapeutic range and developed toxic symptoms. The initial episode of theophylline toxicity occurred after one month of coadministering isoniazed 300 mg/d and theophylline 350 mg bid. The theophylline plasma concentration during this episode was 24.1 micrograms/mL and was associated with the typical symptoms of theophylline toxicity. Rechallenge with isoniazide 300 mg/d and theophylline 400 mg bid showed a progressive increase in trough morning theophylline plasma levels, reaching a toxic concentration of 25.1 micrograms/mL on day 55. After withdrawal of isoniazid, theophylline concentrations gradually declined, reaching 12.9 micrograms/mL in 35 days. Theophylline toxicity in this patient might have been induced by chronic administration of isoniazid.

Adult↗

Bioavailability study of fosfosal and codeine administered alone or in combination.

Fosfosal (2-phosphonoxybenzoic acid) is a new salicylic acid derivative which is used for treating inflammatory disease as well as in analgesic therapy. On the other hand, codeine together with acetylsalicylic acid is widely used in patients who require analgesic treatment for mild to moderate pain. The present study was carried out in ten healthy subjects to assess the pharmacokinetic profiles of single oral doses of fosfosal (1,200 mg) and codeine (30 mg) when administered alone or in combination. Blood samples were drawn on each study day and salicylic acid and codeine plasma concentrations were determined by HPLC and enzyme immunoassay methods, respectively. Individual pharmacokinetic parameters were calculated according to standard procedures and the magnitude and rate of bioavailability were tested using a 95% confidence internal approach. Results indicated no statistical differences in any of the kinetic parameters studied except for tmax values which were higher for fosfosal combined with codeine (2 +/- 0.39 h) when compared to fosfosal alone (1.55 +/- 0.35 h). Regarding codeine compared in combination with fosfosal, no significant differences were observed in Cmax and AUC values, while tmax showed a higher value for the combination (1.75 +/- 0.6 vs 0.85 +/- 0.32 h). Although statistical differences in the elimination constant rate and MRT were found between both codeine administrations, these cannot be considered significant in clinical terms. The changes in bioavailability rate observed for both drugs when administered together provide support for the use of this combination in a single formulation.

Adult↗