Biomedical subjects

E Colli

Publications and source records attributed to E Colli.

30 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

PubMed1997

The epidemiology of erectile dysfunction and its risk factors.

Erectile dysfunction (ED) affects millions of men throughout the world. The literature is ample, but an accurate estimate of its prevalence is still difficult since figures mainly refer to the USA, and are based mostly on small selected samples of people. Caution must anyway be used in comparing data from studies conducted in the past because of possible differences in the definition and classification of ED. Many factors are believed to contribute to the development and maintenance of ED. The influence of age and of several medical conditions (diabetes, vascular disease, and chronic diseases such as hepatic failure, renal failure and dialysis) is well defined. Also well documented is the role of some drug groups, whereas the role of other pharmacological agents is still controversial because of the frequent coexistence of other pathological conditions or concomitant exposure to other drugs. Less well defined and sometimes controversial is the role of risk factors mainly related to life-style such as cigarette smoking, alcoholism, total cholesterol levels and certain types of trauma. This paper reviews the main data on the epidemiology of ED and some related risk factors.

Erectile Dysfunction↗

PubMed1997

Treatment of male partners and recurrence of bacterial vaginosis: a randomised trial.

OBJECTIVE: To test the efficacy of treatment with clindamycin of a partner on the recurrence rate of bacterial vaginosis in women within 3 months from diagnosis. SUBJECTS: Eligible for the study were sexually active women with one current sexual partner, who were aged 18-45 years, with a clinical diagnosis of bacterial vaginosis and whose partner agreed to be treated. METHODS: A double blind, randomised, controlled trial was conducted comparing the effect of treating the partner with either clindamycin capsules or placebo on the reduction of the recurrence rate of bacterial vaginosis. Women were treated with clindamycin 2% vaginal cream, administered intravaginally once daily at bedtime for 7 consecutive days. The partners were randomly allocated to clindamycin hydrochloride capsules, 150 g by mouth four times daily for 7 consecutive days, or a placebo. A total of 139 couples were randomised--69 were treated with clindamycin vaginal cream group and 70 with placebo. One, 4, and 12 weeks after the end of treatment the patients and their partners were examined; vaginal discharges were examined to check for clue cells, vaginal pH was determined, and a KOH test carried out. RESULTS: Overall, 131 women out of the 139 who entered the study were cured (94.2%, lower 95% confidence interval 79.8, based on Poisson's approximation). There was no difference in the cure rate among women whose partner received clindamycin or placebo (chi(2) p = not significant). A total of 55 couples (26 in the clindamycin and 29 in the placebo group) withdrew from the study during the follow up period. Of the 69 women whose partner received clindamycin, 22 (31.9%) reported "recurrence" or persistence. The corresponding number was 21 (30%) of the 70 women whose partner received placebo (chi(2) p = not significant). Of the 84 couples in which the woman was cured by the first week's visit and who completed the study; there were five recurrences (11.6%) among the 43 women whose partner received clindamycin and nine (22.0%) of the 41 whose partner received placebo (chi(2) p = not significant). CONCLUSION: This study indicates that vaginal clindamycin is effective and safe in the treatment of bacterial vaginosis, but it does not support the suggestion that male treatment markedly reduces the short term recurrence rate.

Administration, Intravaginal↗

PubMed1996

Alprostadil sterile powder formulation for intracavernous treatment of erectile dysfunction.

The main aim of this double-blind randomized crossover study was to compare the efficacy and safety of alprostadil sterile powder (Caverject) (PGE1) in a new sterile powder formulation versus placebo in producing erection in patients with erectile dysfunction. Each patient was treated with 5 or 10 micrograms PGE1 and placebo in random order. If the results of the three injections were unsatisfactory, 20 micrograms PGE1 was administered in an open fashion. A total of 45 patients were recruited and evaluated; 31/45 patients (68.8%) responded to at least one injection of alprostadil. A dose-response relation was observed during the double-blind phase; the 10-micrograms dose was effective in 55.5% of patients. The acceptability and tolerability of the preparation, evaluated both clinically and by laboratory tests, was very good. In particular, only four drug-related side effects were observed, three (penile burning, penile pain and pain after injection) after 10 micrograms and one (hematoma) after 5 micrograms PGE.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1991

Effects of different drugs on the cystometrogram in conscious rats.

The effects on urodynamic parameters of i.v. administration of different drugs utilized in the therapy of detrusor instability, have been studied in conscious catheterized rats. Emepronium bromide, oxybutynin and nifedipine affected in a dose-dependent way the micturition pressure (MP), with sporadic changes in bladder volume capacity (BVC). Terodiline induced significant increases in BVC values in a wide range of doses. These changes, however, were always not dose-dependent. The drug significantly reduced MP only at the higher administered dose (10 mg/kg). Flavoxate induced increases of bladder capacity (BVC) not dependent on the administered doses, with no changes in micturition pressure (MP). Indomethacin significantly increased BVC and weakly reduced MP, but the effects were not dose-related. The effects of drugs on BVC were unrelated with the basal value of this parameter, whereas the decrease of MP seems to be related to high basal values before treatment. From a quantitative point of view, cystometrographic recordings in conscious normal rats can provide comparative data among drugs acting on bladder contractility (MP) such as anticholinergics and strong calcium antagonists.

Animals↗

PubMed1990

Single dose therapy of vaginal candidiasis: a comparative trial of fenticonazole vaginal ovules versus clotrimazole vaginal tablets.

An open, randomized comparative clinical trial was performed in 153 patients suffering from symptomatic vaginal candidiasis confirmed by mycological tests. Patients were allocated at random into two groups: the first group (consisting of 75 subjects) was treated with a single vaginal ovule of fenticonazole (600 mg) and the second group (consisting of 78 subjects) was treated with a single vaginal tablet of clotrimazole (500 mg). Therapeutic efficacy was assessed by microbiological and clinical criteria 7 days and 1 month (when possible) after the single dose treatment. At the first follow-up visit, complete disappearance of the signs and symptoms or a highly significant reduction of their intensity was observed in both treatment groups. No significant difference was evident between the two drugs. At 7 days, the mycological tests gave negative results in 92% of the patients in the fenticonazole group and in 88.5% of the patients in the clotrimazole group. The difference between the two treatment groups was again not statistically significant. The second follow-up visit was performed in 55 (73.3%) patients of the fenticonazole group and in 52 (66.7%) patients of the clotrimazole group. The results indicate that 83.6% of patients in the fenticonazole group and 69.2% of patients in the clotrimazole group were still disease free at the time of this visit. Both drugs were well tolerated. Mild, local and short lasting side-effects were reported in only 5 cases of the group treated with fenticonazole.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Administration, Intravaginal↗

PubMed1990

Evaluation of skin irritation and contact sensitizing potential of fenticonazole.

A double blind, randomized clinical trial was performed on twelve healthy volunteers to evaluate the irritation potential of fenticonazole 2% cream (Lomexin) and spray versus micomazole 2% cream and econazole 1% spray. The contact-sensitizing potential of the two fenticonazole preparations was also investigated. There was no evidence of irritation after the treatments with fenticonazole cream, its excipients, miconazole cream and fenticonazole spray excipients, whereas signs of irritation were observed in four cases after treatment with the spray formulations (two after fenticonazole, two after econazole). The contact-sensitizing test was performed only with fenticonazole 2% cream and spray. Neither spray nor cream formulation of fenticonazole showed evidence of sensitization in any of the twelve subjects.

Adult↗

PubMed1989

A double-blind clinical trial of fenticonazole (2%) spray versus naftifine (1%) spray in patients with cutaneous mycoses.

A multi-centre, double-blind trial was carried out in 100 patients with cutaneous mycotic infections, confirmed by direct microscopy and/or culture, to compare the efficacy and tolerability of spray formulations of 2% fenticonazole and 1% naftifine. On entry, patients were allocated at random to receive once daily topical applications of one or other drug over a period of 2 to 4 weeks, treatment being stopped when patients had recovered or substantially improved. Clinical and mycological assessments were made before (baseline), at weekly intervals during treatment and, if possible, 2 to 3 weeks after the end of treatment (drug-free period). Treatment was continued for 19.25 days with fenticonazole and 19.62 days with naftifine. All patients had positive mycological findings on entry. The most frequently isolated pathogens were dermatophytes, mainly Trichophyton rubrum; however, Candida albicans was present in 33.3% of patients in the fenticonazole group and in 20.8% of those treated with naftifine. At the end of treatment, only 3 (6.3%) and 5 (10.4%) patients, respectively, of the 48 patients assessed in each group still had positive mycological findings. Assessments of symptoms indicated comparable, significant improvement in both groups, and at the end of treatment the overall opinion of doctors and patients was that about 90% of patients were cured or greatly improved. The end of the drug-free period evaluation showed that, of the patients assessed as cured or greatly improved at the end of treatment, only 1 (3.2%) patient who had received fenticonazole and 2 (6.3%) who had received naftifine were confirmed mycologically as having relapsed.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Administration, Topical↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Pre-clinical evidence and clinical translation of benign prostatic hyperplasia treatment by the vitamin D receptor agonist BXL-628 (Elocalcitol).

The active form of vitamin D, 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3, is a secosteroid hormone that binds to the vitamin D receptor (VDR), a member of the superfamily of nuclear receptors, and exerts a number of diverse biological functions. The natural hormone and synthetic VDR agonists are well known for their capacity to control calcium and bone metabolism, but they also regulate proliferation and differentiation of many cell types, and possess exquisite immunoregulatory properties, mostly by targeting dendritic cells (DC) and T cells. These properties have been clinically exploited in the treatment of different diseases, from secondary hyperparathyroidism to osteoporosis to psoriasis. The VDR is expressed by most cell types, including cells of the urogenital system such as prostate and bladder cells. In particular, the prostate has been recognized as a target organ of VDR agonists and represents an extra-renal synthesis site of 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3, but its capacity to respond to VDR agonists has, so far, been probed only for the treatment of prostate cancer. We have taken a different approach, and have analysed the capacity of VDR agonists to treat benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), a complex syndrome characterized by a static component related to prostate overgrowth, a dynamic component responsible for urinary irritative symptoms, and a possible inflammatory component. Pre-clinical data reviewed here demonstrate that VDR agonists, and notably BXL-628 (Elocalcitol), reduce the static component of BPH by inhibiting the activity of intra-prostatic growth factors downstream of the androgen receptor, and the dynamic component by targeting bladder cells. These data have led to a proof-of-concept clinical study that has successfully shown arrest of prostate growth in BPH patients treated with BXL-628. Ongoing clinical studies will assess the capacity of this VDR agonist to reduce symptoms and ameliorate flow parameters in BPH-affected individuals. The pronounced effects of BXL-628 on bladder smooth muscle cells and its anti-inflammatory properties indeed anticipate beneficial effects also on BPH-related lower urinary tract symptoms.

Androgens↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Treatment with tamoxifen and progestins for metastatic breast cancer in postmenopausal women: a quantitative review of published randomized clinical trials.

The efficacy of tamoxifen (TAM) was compared to that of progestins (medroxyprogesterone acetate, MPA, and megestrol acetate, MA) in the treatment of metastatic breast cancer in postmenopausal women by a quantitative analysis of the results of published randomized clinical trials. Seven studies involving a total of 801 subjects compared TAM with MPA. Overall, the frequency of complete and partial response was 9 and 18%, respectively, in the women treated with TAM, versus 9 and 28% in those given MPA. Considering complete and partial responses together, the frequency of response was 29% in the TAM group and 39% in the MPA group, the corresponding pooled odds ratio (OR) of response being 1.5 (95% confidence interval, CI, 1.1-2.0). The median duration of response was greater in the TAM-treated patients; however, the difference was small (14 vs. 11 months). The probability of response to MPA treatment was about 3-fold higher compared with the response to TAM treatment in the subgroup with bone metastases (OR 3.4), and 2-fold higher in the subgroup with visceral metastases (OR 2.2), but the difference in the OR estimates was not statistically significant. The response to the two drugs was similar in the subgroup with metastases in soft tissues. Four studies compared TAM with MA, taking in 463 subjects. The overall frequency of complete and partial response was 35% in the patients who received TAM compared with 29% in those treated with MA. The corresponding pooled OR was 0.8 (95% CI 0.5-1.1). Analysis of the results according to site of metastases revealed no significant difference in the frequency of complete or partial response in the two treatment groups.

Bone Neoplasms↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Effect of fenticonazole spray in cutaneous mycosis: a double-blind clinical trial versus cyclopyroxolamine spray.

A double-blind clinical trial was performed to evaluate efficacy and tolerance of once-daily 2% fenticonazole compared with 1% cyclopyroxolamine spray applied for 2-4 weeks in 100 patients with cutaneous mycotic lesions. After treatment lasting 21.9 +/- 6.7 or 22.5 +/- 6.2 days, respectively, patients receiving fenticonazole or cyclopyroxolamine had negative microscopic findings and cultures were sterile. Comparable clinical improvement was observed in both treatment groups, with 91.8% and 89.8% of patients, respectively, receiving fenticonazole or cyclopyroxolamine being evaluated as cured or greatly improved. Following a drug-free period, the clinical evaluation of nine (20.9%) patients treated with fenticonazole and 14 (30.4%) treated with cyclopyroxolamine worsened. The incidence of side-effects was low; only one patient withdrew from treatment because of a slight itch. It is suggested that fenticonazole and cyclopyroxolamine are equally effective in eradicating cutaneous mycoses and that their efficacy and tolerance are comparable.

Administration, Topical↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Bacterial vaginosis in pregnancy and preterm birth: evidence from the literature.

We review below the evidence from the literature about the relationships between bacterial vaginosis, its treatment and pregnancy outcome. The literature indicates that there is a well-defined association between the presence of bacterial vaginosis during pregnancy and the risk of premature membrane rupture and preterm birth. Less definite is the role of the treatment of such pathology in reducing the frequency of preterm birth and/or premature rupture of membranes. The results of the controlled clinical trials are not entirely consistent. Of the most studied therapies, clindamycin seems to have shown favourable results most consistently but the published data are limited to trials including just a few hundred subjects. Only the availability of further data from controlled clinical trials will clarify the role of such treatment for bacterial vaginosis in pregnancy.

Anti-Bacterial Agents↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Declining sperm count and fertility in males: an epidemiological controversy.

There have been several suggestions from different populations that sperm count has decreased in the past 20 years. Concerns have, however, been raised in the interpretation of these findings, particularly with regards to subject selection mechanisms and data-analysis. Furthermore, these findings are inconsistent with the reports that male infertility rates have remained constant during the past 3 decades. The increased number of men seeking consultation on infertility may only be the result of the tendency of couples to delay pregnancy and the increased availability of treatment. Moreover, sperm concentration is not always in itself the determinant of male fertility, so the use of sperm count as an indicator of male infertility in epidemiological studies should be considered with caution.

Humans↗