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J Wojcicki

Publications and source records attributed to J Wojcicki.

14 recordsLinked to original sources

Evaluation of the efficacy of a combined formulation (Grippostad-C) in the therapy of symptoms of common cold: a randomized, double-blind, multicenter trial.

BACKGROUND: The aim of the present trial was to evaluate the efficacy of a combined product in the treatment of common cold and to examine the contribution of the separate components. In the published literature there is conflicting data on the efficacy of agents used in the treatment of common cold, especially when given in drug combinations. METHODS: A prospective, randomized, double-blind, multicenter, 4-arm, controlled trial was carried out in 1,167 patients with common cold treated with one of the following medications: Grippostad-C, a combination of acetaminophen, caffeine, chlorpheniramine and ascorbic acid (verum), ascorbic acid (control), chlorpheniramine and ascorbic acid (reference 1), as well as acetaminophen, caffeine, and ascorbic acid (reference 2). A score of common cold symptoms (headache, throat pain, extremities and joint pain, cough, blocked nose, and disturbances of sleep quality) was the primary outcome. The test drug was first compared with the control using a hierarchic test strategy, then with reference 1, followed by reference 2 with the aim of proving superiority. FINDINGS: A clinically relevant and statistically significant difference was demonstrated at each level of the hierarchy. Grippostad-C was significantly superior to all other treatment groups, the combination of acetaminophen, caffeine, and ascorbic acid was significantly superior to the control, and the combination of chlorpheniramine and ascorbic acid was not statistically different from the control. INTERPRETATION: The efficacy of Grippostad-C for the treatment of common cold was proven. The findings demonstrate that the combination is superior to each of its separate components and each of the components has its own distinctive contribution to the efficacy of the combination product.

Acetaminophen↗

Effect of unilateral nephrectomy on the pharmacokinetics of amikacin in humans.

As unilateral nephrectomy is not a rare surgical procedure, it gives rise to the question whether drugs predominantly eliminated through the urinary tract can be handled effectively by the remaining kidney. Amikacin is predominantly excreted via glomerular filtration with only a small fraction undergoing tubular reabsorption, and can be used as a model drug of glomerular elimination. The study was carried out in 28 subjects, 10 one month and 10 one year after unilateral nephrectomy, as well as in 8 healthy subjects. The pharmacokinetics of amikacin was investigated after a 1-h infusion of 5 mg kg(-1) amikacin. Blood samples were collected for 24 h after the end of infusion. Pharmacokinetic parameters of amikacin were calculated using a one-compartment open model for intravenous administration. Amikacin concentrations were significantly elevated in nephrectomized patients as compared with control subjects, both 1 month and 1 year after the surgery, and were similar at these two time-points following unilateral nephrectomy. Pharmacokinetic parameters of amikacin in patients subjected to unilateral nephrectomy were significantly different from those observed in the control subjects. As compared with the controls, an increase in AUC (area under the serum concentration-time curve) by 81% (P < 0.001) and 63% (P < 0.01) 1 month and 1 year after nephrectomy was observed, respectively. The lambda(z) (elimination rate constant) was reduced by 39% (P < 0.001) after 1 month and by 38% (P < 0.001) 1 year after the operation and t 1/2 was prolonged by 70% (P < 0.001) and by 43% (P < 0.01) at the respective time-points following unilateral nephrectomy. CLT (total body clearance of the drug from plasma) and CL(BW) (clearance per kg body weight) were both significantly decreased in unilaterally nephrectomized subjects in comparison with the controls. CLT and CL(BW) were reduced by 53% (P < 0.001) and 42% (P < 0.01) 1 month after nephrectomy, and by 45% (P<0.001) and 42% (P<0.01) 1 year after the surgery, respectively. No significant differences among studied groups were found in C0 (initial serum drug concentration) and Vd (apparent volume of distribution). The results suggest that unilateral nephrectomy impairs elimination of amikacin, and possibly other drugs predominantly eliminated via glomerular filtration.

Adult↗

Membrane plasma fractionation: effect of the surface area.

The influence of the surface area on the performance of plasma filters for dead-end mode of filtration is presented in this paper. Theoretical analysis of the dead-end filtration was performed and verified experimentally (using ENKA cellulose-diacetate PF-100 membranes) in respect to beta-lipoprotein. The theoretical model allows to optimize the course of the transmembrane pressure during plasma fractionation procedure in dependence of the surface area, initial concentration of macromolecules, total volume of the feed and membrane structure. The results indicate that the surface area effect is an important factor in the operation of membrane plasma fractionation and should be considered in the design of the plasma fractionation filter.

Blood Volume↗

Blood cell effects in membrane plasma separation.

The blood cell and membrane properties are important in determining hemolysis and cell deposition, as shown previously, and thus are determinants of the maximum plasma separation rates. In general, membranes with large mean pore sizes exhibit hemolysis at lower operating transmembrane pressures. Surface structure and not necessarily por tortuosity has been found to be more important, at least for the hollow fiber membranes studied. Mean membrane pore data coupled with SEM observations were useful in correlating red cell lysis with membrane properties. The red cell may be likened to a liquid drop, encased by a flexible deformable membrane. Cell deformation, orientation, and rotation increase as does interfacial surface tension with rising rates of shear. A high correlation of interfacial surface tension with shear rate was determined using a filtration model incorporating cell deformability. Interfacial surface tensions of less than 6 dynes/cm for shear rates up to 1000s-1 were found. Inclusion of blood and membrane properties in the analysis of plasma separation gives significantly better fit of the experimental data to theoretical correlations than do other models which exclude their consideration.

Blood Cell Count↗

Comparison of MEGX (monoethylglycinexylidide) and antipyrine tests in patients with liver cirrhosis.

The aim of the study was to compare the feasibility of the MEGX (monoethylglycinexylidide) and antipyrine tests in reference to standard biochemical parameters used for liver assessment in cirrhotic patients. The study was carried out in 44 subjects: 14 healthy controls and 30 cirrhotic patients classified according to the Child-Pugh's score to subgroups A (n=11), B (n=12) and C (n=7). All subjects underwent two dynamic liver tests, i.e. MEGX (monoethylglycinexylidide) and antipyrine test in a crossover schedule with at least 5-day interval. For the MEGX, lidocaine was administrated intravenously, at a dose of 1 mg/kg, and blood samples for MEGX assay were collected after 15 minutes. MEGX concentrations were measured by fluorescence polarization immunoassay. The antipyrine concentrations were evaluated following a single oral administration of 1000 mg antipyrine. The blood was sampled for 24 hours after the drug administration, and antipyrine concentrations were measured spectrophotometrically. Standard biochemical parameters used for liver assessment were measured by means of routine laboratory methods. It was concluded that in patients liver with cirrhosis, liver dynamic tests were better predictors of hepatic function. The MEGX test was more feasible in clinical setting, but it was noted that antipyrine test was more sensitive in staging liver cirrhosis.

Adult↗