Biomedical subjects

C Palacín

Publications and source records attributed to C Palacín.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2004

In vitro antifungal activity of sertaconazole compared with nine other drugs against 250 clinical isolates of dermatophytes and Scopulariopsis brevicaulis.

We have tested 250 strains belonging to 15 species of clinically important dermatophytes and Scopulariopsis against ten antifungal drugs using an agar diffusion method (NeoSensitabstrade mark, Rosco, Taastrup, Denmark). Some of the experimental factors were adapted to dermatophyte development, such as temperature (28 vs. 35 degrees C) and time of incubation (2-5 days vs. 21-74 h). The antifungals used are itraconazole, ketoconazole, miconazole, clotrimazole, sertaconazole, terbinafine, tioconazole, fluconazole, isoconazole and econazole. Except for fluconazole, all the drugs tested have shown to be highly effective, especially sertaconazole and terbinafine. Percentages of susceptibility ranged between 94% for terbinafine, 87.6% for sertaconazole and 86.4% clotrimazole; 81.6% econazole; 42.8% fluconazole; 57.2% isoconazole; 78.4% itraconazole; 74.4% ketoconazole; 73.3% miconazole, and 85.2% for tioconazole. Percentages of resistance were similar between sertaconazole and terbinafine (4%) but in contrast to the 48% obtained for fluconazole.

Antifungal Agents↗

PubMed2004

Sampling and methods of the European Study of the Epidemiology of Mental Disorders (ESEMeD) project.

OBJECTIVE: The European Study of Epidemiology of Mental Disorders (ESEMeD) project was designed to evaluate the prevalence, the impact and the treatment patterns in Europe. This paper presents an overview of the methods implemented in the project. METHOD: ESEMeD is a cross-sectional study in a representative sample of 21 425 adults, 18 or older, from the general population of Belgium, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands and Spain. The Composite International Diagnostic Interview (WMH-CIDI) was administered by home interviews from January 2001 to August 2003 using Computer Assisted Personal Interview (CAPI) technology. Data quality was controlled to ensure reliability and validity of the information obtained. RESULTS: Response rate varied from 78.6% in Spain to 45.9% in France. Less than 4% of the individuals had errors in the checking procedures performed. CONCLUSION: The sampling methodologies, comprehensive psychiatric instruments and quality control procedures used have rendered the ESEMeD database a unique and important source of information about the prevalence, the disability burden and unmet medical needs of mental disorders within Europe.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2004

Prevalence of mental disorders in Europe: results from the European Study of the Epidemiology of Mental Disorders (ESEMeD) project.

OBJECTIVE: To describe the 12-month and lifetime prevalence rates of mood, anxiety and alcohol disorders in six European countries. METHOD: A representative random sample of non-institutionalized inhabitants from Belgium, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands and Spain aged 18 or older (n = 21425) were interviewed between January 2001 and August 2003. DSM-IV disorders were assessed by lay interviewers using a revised version of the Composite International Diagnostic Interview (WMH-CIDI). RESULTS: Fourteen per cent reported a lifetime history of any mood disorder, 13.6% any anxiety disorder and 5.2% a lifetime history of any alcohol disorder. More than 6% reported any anxiety disorder, 4.2% any mood disorder, and 1.0% any alcohol disorder in the last year. Major depression and specific phobia were the most common single mental disorders. Women were twice as likely to suffer 12-month mood and anxiety disorders as men, while men were more likely to suffer alcohol abuse disorders. CONCLUSION: ESEMeD is the first study to highlight the magnitude of mental disorders in the six European countries studied. Mental disorders were frequent, more common in female, unemployed, disabled persons, or persons who were never married or previously married. Younger persons were also more likely to have mental disorders, indicating an early age of onset for mood, anxiety and alcohol disorders.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2004

12-Month comorbidity patterns and associated factors in Europe: results from the European Study of the Epidemiology of Mental Disorders (ESEMeD) project.

OBJECTIVE: Comorbidity patterns of 12-month mood, anxiety and alcohol disorders and socio-demographic factors associated with comorbidity were studied among the general population of six European countries. METHOD: Data were derived from the European Study of the Epidemiology of Mental Disorders (ESEMeD), a cross-sectional psychiatric epidemiological study in a representative sample of adults aged 18 years or older in Belgium, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands and Spain. The diagnostic instrument used was the Composite International Diagnostic Interview (WMH-CIDI). Data are based on 21 425 completed interviews. RESULTS: In general, high associations were found within the separate anxiety disorders and between mood and anxiety disorders. Lowest comorbidity associations were found for specific phobia and alcohol abuse-the disorders with the least functional disabilities. Comorbidity patterns were consistent cross-nationally. Associated factors for comorbidity of mood and anxiety disorders were female gender, younger age, lower educational level, higher degree of urbanicity, not living with a partner and unemployment. Only younger people were at greater risk for comorbidity of alcohol disorder with mood, anxiety disorders or both. CONCLUSION: High levels of comorbidity are found in the general population. Comorbidity is more common in specific groups. To reduce psychiatric burden, early intervention in populations with a primary disorder is important to prevent comorbidity.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2004

Disability and quality of life impact of mental disorders in Europe: results from the European Study of the Epidemiology of Mental Disorders (ESEMeD) project.

OBJECTIVE: This manuscript examines the impact of mental health state and specific mental and physical disorders on work role disability and quality of life in six European countries. METHOD: The ESEMeD study was conducted in: Belgium, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands and Spain. Individuals aged 18 years and over who were not institutionalized were eligible for an in-home computer-assisted interview. Common mental disorders, work loss days (WLD) in the past month and quality of life (QoL) were assessed, using the WMH-2000 version of the CIDI, the WHODAS-II, and the mental and physical component scores (MCS, PCS) of the 12-item short form, respectively. The presence of five chronic physical disorders: arthritis, heart disease, lung disease, diabetes and neurological disease was also assessed. Multivariate regression techniques were used to identify the independent association of mental and physical disorders while controlling for gender, age and country. RESULTS: In each country, WLD and loss of QoL increased with the number of disorders. Most mental disorders had approximately 1.0 SD-unit lower mean MCS and lost three to four times more work days, compared with people without any 12-month mental disorder. The 10 disorders with the highest independent impact on WLD were: neurological disease, panic disorder, PTSD, major depressive episode, dysthymia, specific phobia, social phobia, arthritis, agoraphobia and heart disease. The impact of mental vs. physical disorders on QoL was specific, with mental disorders impacting more on MCS and physical disorders more on PCS. Compared to physical disorders, mental disorders had generally stronger 'cross-domain' effects. CONCLUSION: The results suggest that mental disorders are important determinants of work role disability and quality of life, often outnumbering the impact of common chronic physical disorders.

Adult↗

PubMed2004

Use of mental health services in Europe: results from the European Study of the Epidemiology of Mental Disorders (ESEMeD) project.

OBJECTIVE: Comprehensive information about access and patterns of use of mental health services in Europe is lacking. We present the first results of the use of health services for mental disorders in six European countries as part of the ESEMeD project. METHOD: The study was conducted in: Belgium, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands and Spain. Individuals aged 18 years and over who were not institutionalized were eligible for an computer-assisted interview done at home. The 21 425 participants were asked to report how frequently they consulted formal health services due to their emotions or mental health, the type of professional they consulted and the treatment they received as a result of their consultation in the previous year. RESULTS: An average of 6.4% of the total sample had consulted formal health services in the previous 12 months. Of the participants with a 12-month mental disorder, 25.7% had consulted a formal health service during that period. This proportion was higher for individuals with a mood disorder (36.5%, 95% CI 32.5-40.5) than for those with anxiety disorders (26.1%, 95% CI 23.1-29.1). Among individuals with a 12-month mental disorder who had contacted the health services 12 months previously, approximately two-thirds had contacted a mental health professional. Among those with a 12-month mental disorder consulting formal health services, 21.2% received no treatment. CONCLUSION: The ESEMeD results suggest that the use of health services is limited among individuals with mental disorders in the European countries studied. The factors associated with this limited access and their implications deserve further research.

Adult↗

PubMed2004

Psychotropic drug utilization in Europe: results from the European Study of the Epidemiology of Mental Disorders (ESEMeD) project.

OBJECTIVE: To assess psychotropic drug utilization in the general population of six European countries, and the pattern of use in individuals with different DSM-IV diagnoses of 12-month mental disorders. METHOD: Data were derived from the European Study of the Epidemiology of Mental Disorders (ESEMeD/MHEDEA 2000), a cross-sectional psychiatric epidemiological study in a representative sample of 21 425 adults aged 18 or older from six European countries (e.g. Belgium, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands and Spain). Individuals were asked about any psychotropic drug use in the past 12 months, even if they used the drug(s) just once. A colour booklet containing high-quality pictures of psychotropic drugs commonly used to treat mental disorders was provided to help respondents recall drug use. RESULTS: Psychotropic drug utilization is generally low in individuals with any 12-month mental disorder (32.6%). The extent of psychotropic drug utilization varied according to the specific DSM-IV diagnosis. Among individuals with a 12-month diagnosis of pure major depression, only 21.2% had received any antidepressants within the same period; the exclusive use of antidepressants was even lower (4.6%), while more individuals took only anxiolytics (18.4%). CONCLUSION: These data question the appropriateness of current pharmacological treatments, particularly for major depression, in which under-treatment is coupled with the high use of non-specific medications, such as anxiolytics.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2002

The European Study of the Epidemiology of Mental Disorders (ESEMeD/MHEDEA 2000) project: rationale and methods.

The European Study of the Epidemiology of Mental Disorders (ESEMeD/MHEDEA 2000) is a new cross-sectional study investigating the prevalence and the associated factors of mental disorders, as well as their effect on health-related quality of life and the use of services in six European countries. This paper describes the rationale, methods and the plan for the analysis of the project. A total of 22,000 individuals representative of the non-institutionalized population aged 18 and over from Belgium, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands and Spain are being interviewed in their homes. Trained interviewers use a computer-assisted personal interview (CAPI) including the most recent version of the Composite International Diagnostic Interview (CIDI, 2000), a well-established epidemiological survey for assessing mental disorders. This is the first international study using the standardized up-to-date methodology for epidemiological assessment. Sizeable differences in prevalence, impact and level of need that is met by the health services are expected. The analysis of these differences should facilitate the monitoring of ongoing mental health reform initiatives in Europe and provide new research hypotheses.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2001

Sertaconazole: in-vitro antifungal activity against vaginal and other superficial yeast isolates.

The in vitro susceptibilities of 183 clinical yeast isolates to sertaconazole (STZ) were compared to their susceptibilities to clotrimazole (CTZ), econazole (ECZ), ketoconazole (KTZ), miconazole (MNZ), fluconazole (FLZ), itraconazole (ITZ), tioconazole (TCZ), amphotericin B (AMB) and flucytosine (5FC) by using a commercial agar diffusion method. Strains were isolated from vaginal and other superficial clinical samples (18 species of Candida and five strains belonging to other yeast genera). Only one strain (0.5%) was resistant to STZ out of 87.4% of susceptible strains (n=160). The percentage of susceptible strains was higher than those obtained with the other agents evaluated and the percentage of resistant strains was lower than for most of the other antifungals. The pattern of susceptibility of C. albicans to STZ, TCZ, ITZ and CLZ was similar and superior to the pattern of susceptibility of this species to MNZ, ECZ, FLZ, 5FC and KTZ. C. dubliniensis was more susceptible to STZ, MNZ, MNZ, FLZ, ITZ, CLZ than to TCZ, ECZ, 5FC, AMB or KTZ. Ten susceptible strains to STZ were resistant to FLZ and one strain was resistant to ITZ. The overall antifungal activity of STZ in vitro against a wide range of clinically important yeasts from vaginal and cutaneous samples indicates the therapeutic potential of this agent for the treatment of infections caused by these fungi. However, the activity of STZ and the clinical value of in vitro data need to be verified in human clinical trials.

Anti-Bacterial Agents↗

PubMed2001

In vitro activity of sertaconazole, fluconazole, ketoconazole, fenticonazole, clotrimazole and itraconazole against pathogenic vaginal yeast isolates.

The in vitro activity of sertaconazole was compared with those of the most commonly used vaginal antimycotic agents--fluconazole, ketoconazole, fenticonazole, clotrimazole and itraconazole--against 94 strains of clinical isolates of Candida spp. using a macrodilution method in Casitone agar medium. The sertaconazole concentration (microgram/ml), at which 90% of the strains were inhibited, was 0.06 for C. albicans, 0.25 for C. glabrata and C. parapsilosis, 1 for C. krusei and 2 for C. tropicalis. These values show that sertaconazole is one of the most active products against yeasts causing vulvovaginal candidiasis, its activity against C. glabrata being particularly relevant.

Antifungal Agents↗

PubMed2000

Sertaconazole: pharmacology of a gynecological antifungal agent.

Sertaconazole is a broad spectrum antifungal agent with excellent activity against yeasts, dermatophytes and opportunistic fungi. In addition to this antifungal efficacy, it has a good safety profile, sustained cutaneous retention, and low systemic absorption, all of which make it ideal for topical applications. In this study, the pharmacological properties of sertaconazole related to the treatment of vaginal fungi, in particular vulvovaginal candidiasis, are reviewed. As with all other infectious processes, the interacting components are infectious microorganism, host and drug. The following properties of sertaconazole have been investigated in pre-clinical studies: its in vitro spectrum of activity and potency against causative agents and accompanying factors in vaginal infection; its mechanism of action, whether it acts on the pathogenic properties of the microorganism; if it affects host defense mechanisms and how its antifungal activity is manifested in vivo in experimental candidiasis in the mouse.

Antifungal Agents↗

PubMed1997

Preparation, antimicrobial evaluation, and mutagenicity of [2-hydroxyaryl]-[1-methyl-5-nitro-1H-2-imidazolyl]methanols , [5-tert-butyl-2-methylaminophenyl]-[1-methyl-5-nitro-1H-2-imidazo lyl]me thanol, and [2-hydroxyaryl]-[1-methyl-5-nitro-1H-2-imidazolyl] ketones.

Efficient preparations of the titled compounds are described, their antimicrobial activity and mutagenic properties being evaluated. Some of the studied compounds are nonmutagenic and present a MIC as low as some of the usual standards in the field.

Anti-Infective Agents↗

PubMed1997

In vitro anti-Helicobacter pylori activity of ebrotidine.

The in vitro anti-Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) activity of ebrotidine (N-[(E)-[[2-[[[2-[(diaminomethylene) amino]-4-thiazolyl]methyl]thio]ethyl]amino]methylene]-4-bromo- benzenesulfonamide, CAS 100981-43-9, FI-3542) versus ranitidine, and their effect on the susceptibility to the antimicrobial agents used in H. pylori eradication were investigated. Assessment was performed by determining the minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC) against 9 strains of H. pylori, 8 from clinical source and 1 from the American Type Culture Collection (ATCC 43504), in Mueller-Hinton solid media plus 7% blood. The concentration of inocula was 10(7) CFU/ml, incubation was performed at 37 degrees C in microaerophilic atmosphere, and results were read after 5 days of growth. Ebrotidine gave a mean MIC value of 75 micrograms/ml, while that for ranitidine was > 1000 micrograms/ml. Ebrotidine at 100 micrograms/ml enhanced the activity of the antimicrobials studied as follows: erythromycin 3 times, tetracycline 1.1 times, amoxicillin 3 times, metronidazole-sensitive strains 9 times and clarithromycin 5 times. Ranitidine had no effect on the MIC of the antibiotics even at 500 micrograms/ml.

Amoxicillin↗

PubMed1997

Genotoxicity studies on ebrotidine.

Five genotoxicity studies on ebrotidine (N-[(E)-[[2-[[[2-[(diaminomethylene)amino]-4-thiazolyl]methyl]thio] ethyl]amino]methylene]-4-bromo-benzenesulfonamide, CAS 100981-43-9, FI-3542), including at least four of the battery of tests recommended by toxicological regulatory guidelines for new drugs, were conducted. These tests were the Ames test for determination of bacterial gene mutations, sex-linked recessive lethal mutation test in Drosophila for gene mutations in eukaryotic systems, in vitro chromosome aberration test and micronucleus test for evaluation of structural and numerical aberrations, and sister chromatid exchange frequency test for assessment of non-specific damage to chromatin. Negative and positive controls were used in all the experiments. The effects were investigated in the absence or presence of metabolic activation by S-9 microsomal fraction from rat liver homogenate. A dose range toxicity study was also performed to determine the dosage levels or concentrations to be tested for the assessment of genotoxic effects. None of the tests showed a significant increase in the genotoxic parameters, both in vitro and in vivo in somatic or germ cells. It is, therefore, concluded that ebrotidine has not caused mutagenic or clastogenic effects in any of the experimental systems tested.

Animals↗

PubMed1992

Synthesis and antimycotic activity of (benzo[b]thienyl)methyl ethers of 1-(2,4-dichlorophenyl)-2-(1H-imidazol-1-yl)-ethanol and of (Z)-1-(2,4-dichlorophenyl)-2-(1H-imidazol-1-yl)ethanone oxime.

A new series of (benzo[b]thienyl)methyl ethers of 1-(2,4-dichlorophenyl)-2-(1H-imidazol-1-yl)ethanol and of (Z)-1-(2,4-dichlorophenyl)-2-(1H-imidazol-1-yl)ethanone oxime were synthesis and tested for antifungal activity. Series design, synthesis, preliminary antimycotic data and structure-activity relationships are reported. 7-Chloro-3-[1-(2,4-dichlorophenyl)-2-(1H-imidazol-1- yl)ethoxymethyl]benzo[b] (8i, Sertaconazole, FI-7045, CAS 99592-32-2) and its nitrate were selected for further research.

Antifungal Agents↗

PubMed1992

In vitro activity of sertaconazole.

The activity of 7-chloro-3-[1-(2,4-dichlorophenyl)-2-(1H-imidazol-1-yl) ethoxy-methyl]benzo[b]thiophene (sertaconazole, FI 7045, CAS 99592-32-2), a new topical antifungal, was studied in vitro against several infecting organisms. The results obtained show that sertaconazole is a broad-spectrum antifungal against yeasts (C. albicans, C. tropicalis, C. pseudotropicalis, C. krusei, Trichosporon and Cryptococcus), dermatophytes (Microsporum, Trichophyton and Epidermophyton), opportunistic filamentous fungi (Aspergillus) and Gram-positive bacteria. The MIC (minimum inhibitory concentration) values for the fungistatic activity were between 0.35 and 5.04 micrograms/ml for yeasts and between 0.24 and 2 micrograms/ml for dermatophytes; even partial activities (IC25) against these organisms were obtained at concentrations 10 times lower than those mentioned. At concentrations superior to MIC (MFC between 0.5 and 16 micrograms/ml), sertaconazole exhibited fungicidal activity.

Antifungal Agents↗

PubMed1992

In vitro comparative study of the fungistatic and fungicidal activity of sertaconazole and other antifungals against Candida albicans.

The fungistatic and fungicidal activity of 7-chloro-3-[1-(2, 4-dichlorophenyl)-2-(1H-imidazol-1-yl)ethoxy-methyl]benzo[b]thiophene (sertaconazole, FI-7045, CAS 99592-32-2) against Candida albicans was determined and compared with that obtained for other antifungals. The fungistatic activity of sertaconazole, evaluated through the MIC obtained in Sabouraud and YNB media, gave results comparable to those obtained with miconazole and clotrimazole, and superior to those presented by bifonazole and ketoconazole. The fungicidal activity, evaluated by means of the 90% reduction in viable cells, took place at a concentration of 8 micrograms/ml for sertaconazole and at higher concentrations for the other drugs studied.

Antifungal Agents↗

PubMed1992

In vivo activity of sertaconazole in experimental dermatophytosis in guinea pigs.

The comparative curative effect of 7-chloro-3-[1-(2,4-dichlorophenyl)-2-(1H- imidazol-1-yl)ethoxy-methyl]benzo [b]thiophene (sertaconazole, FI-7045, CAS 99592-32-2) (SZ) and miconazole (MZ) 2% creams in a model of dermatomycosis caused by Trichophyton mentagrophytes in guinea pigs was studied. Two treatments of different duration (12 and 3 days) were applied, and their efficacy versus infected and untreated animals (control group) was evaluated according to clinical parameters (degree of alopecia and lesion) and microbiological healing (recovery of T. mentagrophytes from hair pulled from the infected site). The therapeutic effect resulting from the application of the creams for 12 days was excellent and similar for both test creams; however, the application of SZ cream for 3 days had greater therapeutic effect than MZ cream according to the improvement of clinical symptoms and microbiological healing.

Alopecia↗