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Carisoprodol is a widely prescribed muscle relaxant and is also a drug known to be a subject to abuse. Despite the fact that carisoprodol has been available for prescription since 1959, a number of gaps in our knowledge of the toxicokinetics of this common drug exist. For example, the volume of distribution (Vd) for carisoprodol in humans has not been reported. A two-compartment pharmacokinetic model describing carisoprodol metabolism and that of the primary metabolite, meprobamate, was developed to better understand the pharmacokinetics of this drug. The model accounts for first pass metabolism of carisoprodol and was able to replicate the data from several previously reported data sets. Based on an analysis of four different data sets, the Vd for carisoprodol ranged from 0.93 to 1.3 L/kg, while that for meprobamate ranged from 1.4 to 1.6 L/kg. The model was also used to estimate the probable dose of this drug in an individual where questions concerning the drug's role in her death had been posed. The model may, therefore, have significant utility for estimating doses of carisoprodol in medicolegal cases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This work presents the result of structure investigations of V2O5 nanorods grown from thin films and powders prepared by sol-gel method. To examine the best temperature of nanorods crystallization, thin films deposited by spin-coating method on quartz glass or silicon substrates and bulk xerogel powders were annealed at various temperatures ranging from 100°C to 600°C. The structure of the samples was characterized by X-ray diffraction method (XRD), scanning electron microscope (SEM), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), and mass spectroscopy (MS). The rod-like structure of V2O5 was obtained at 600°C on both quartz glass and silicon substrates and also from the bulk xerogel. The growth process and the effect of annealing treatment on the nanostructure are briefly discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This current study examined patients with severe chronic heart failure (CHF) in order to ascertain the held vitamin D, based on an assessment of calcidiol [25(OH)D] concentration. It also identified and evaluated possible correlations between 25(OH)D level and the concentration of total calcium, inorganic phosphates and creatinine concentration in their serum. Herein, venous blood samples were taken from 36 patients with CHF. Diagnosis was confirmed by echocardiographic, as well as by electrocardiographic examinations. In this work, the control group consisted of 41 randomly selected healthy individuals. The results of our study showed that CHF patients had significantly lower concentration of 25(OH)D, as well as total calcium and inorganic phosphates. Moreover, mean creatinine concentration was higher, in comparison to the control group, but did not exhibit statistical significance. As calcium-phosphate homeostasis is regulated by numerous factors, including PTH, neurohormonal factors and calcitriol (1,25(OH)2D), it is possible that vitamin D deficiency may play a significant role in the pathomechanism of CHF, and a lowered 25(OH)D level may be related to progression of the disease.

SK&F 107647, a novel synthetic low-molecular-weight peptide, has demonstrated potent antiinfective activities in murine models of fungal and viral infection. To determine if the hematoregulatory activities of SK&F 107647 could offer protection over conventional antibiotic therapy or as a single agent in animal models of bacterial sepsis, rats were implanted intraperitoneally with a live bacteria-containing fibrin-thrombin clot. Rats pretreated subcutaneously or orally with SK&F 107647 and then infected with either a gram-negative (Escherichia coli) or a gram-positive (Staphylococcus aureus) bacteria-containing clot demonstrated significantly improved survival over control formulation-treated animals. Treated animals showed increased effector cell activation, measured by CD11b expression on neutrophils and monocytes, and up to 1000-fold reduction in the number of E. coli recovered from blood. Thus, the hematoregulatory activities of SK&F 107647 can increase natural host resistance to infections caused by both gram-negative and gram-positive bacteria. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Specific features of oculomotor signal and availability of high-end measurement equipment, as well as using modern IT techniques and tools creates the possibility of automatic processing of this type of data and extensive use of developed algorithms. Analysis of such data is a tedious and complex process so computer processing of the oculomotor signal makes the process less time-consuming, more precise and effective. The article discusses data filtering and removing noise, detection of saccades and fixations and determination of characteristic oculomotor parameters and then analysis using neural networks (unidirectional, two-layer neural network with backpropagation learning method and Kohonen’s self-organising network) and application supporting the analysis process. The proposed test method allows registration of a view path followed by its automatic analysis to obtain objective parameters characterising the movement of the eyeball. The motor apparatus of the eyeball, due to its high sensitivity to changes in the body, can serve as a measure of general health.