Efficacy of magnesium chloride in the treatment of Hailey-Hailey disease: from serendipity to evidence of its effect on intracellular Ca(2+) homeostasis.

Background: Hailey-Hailey disease (HHD), also known as familial benign chronic pemphigus, is a rare autosomal dominant inherited intraepidermal blistering genodermatosis. Mutations in the ATP2C1 gene encoding for the Golgi secretory pathway Ca(2+) /Mn(2+) -ATPasi protein 1 (SPCA1) affect the processing of desmosomal components and the epidermal suprabasal cell-cell adhesion by deregulating the keratinocyte cytosolic Ca(2+) concentration. We report the unexpected, dramatic, and persistent clinical improvement of the skin lesions of a patient affected with longstanding HHD with daily intake of a solution containing magnesium chloride hexahydrate (MgCl2 ).

Basal cell carcinoma incompletely excised: a case-control study on recurrence.

Background: There are no univocal opinions on the management of incompletely excised basal cell carcinoma (BCC); early re-excision or clinical observation represent the two possible options. The main objective of the present study was to compare the rate of recurrence between incompletely excised BCCs, not re-excised, and completely excised BCCs within a 3-5 year follow-up period in order to reach indications about the most appropriate care strategy.

Methods: We conducted a case-control study on a cohort of 39 incompletely excised and 107 completely excised BCCs.

Barrier creams: facts and controversies.

Barrier creams (BCs) represent devices aiming to protect the skin from contact with exogenous hazardous substances, especially under working conditions. By preventing penetration and absorption of contaminants, BCs are designed to reduce the risk of developing both irritant and allergic contact dermatitis. In fact, BCs should improve stratum corneum hydration as well as provide emolliency to maintain skin integrity and to restore and repair the epidermis barrier function.

Selective and simultaneous determination of NSAIDs in equine plasma by HPLC with molecularly imprinted solid-phase extraction.

Background: Detection of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) in equine plasma is a significant analytical problem in veterinary anti-doping controls.

Results: A new HPLC method coupled to selective extraction with molecularly imprinted polymers was developed for the simultaneous determination in equine plasma of the NSAIDs phenylbutazone, flunixin, oxyphenbutazone, ketoprofen and naproxen. The analytical performances of the method have been evaluated both in standard solutions and equine plasma samples.

Avocado and soybean extracts as active principles in the treatment of mild-to-moderate vulvar lichen sclerosus: results of efficacy and tolerability.

Objective: Limited evidence is available on the effectiveness of treatments alternative to corticosteroids for vulvar lichen sclerosus (VLS). The present study aimed to assess the efficacy and tolerability of avocado and soybean extracts (ASE) as active principles of both a topical product and a nutritional supplement in the treatment of active mild-to-moderate VLS.

Materials And Methods: Twenty-three patients were enrolled.

Comparative study on topical immunomodulatory and anti-inflammatory treatments for plasma cell vulvitis: long-term efficacy and safety.

Background: Evidence on the treatment of plasma cell vulvitis (PCV) is scarce and comparative studies are lacking.

Objective: To assess and compare the effectiveness and safety, on a long-term basis, of three topical interventions for the treatment of PCV.

Methods: Retrospectively collected efficacy and safety data of a cohort of PCV patients treated with fusidic acid 2% and betamethasone valerate 0.

Frozen adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells maintain high capability to grow and differentiate.

In recent years, there has been a shift toward tissue-engineering strategies using stem cells for plastic and reconstructive surgical procedures. Therefore, it is important to develop safe and reproducible protocols for the extraction of adipose-derived stromal cells (ASCs) to allow cells to be stored in liquid nitrogen for future needs. The aspirated liposuction obtained from healthy donors were immediately processed after the suction using a protocol developed in our laboratory.

Malignant melanoma in Ferrara, Northern Italy: epidemiologic survey focusing on tumor thickness.

Aim: Estimates of malignant melanoma (MM) incidence and prognosis vary widely. The present study was performed to analyze epidemiologic and prognostic aspects of primary MM mainly in relation to tumor thickness.

Methods: We conducted a retrospective study on a cohort of 435 patients with diagnosis of primary MM between 1997 and 2011.

Low-dose acitretin in treatment of plaque-type psoriasis: descriptive study of efficacy and safety.

The efficacy and safety of acitretin was evaluated retrospectively in a cohort of 46 patients with moderate to severe plaque psoriasis (Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI) range 10-42). Patients were treated at an initial dose of 10 mg/day acitretin, which was then gradually increased until the best therapeutic effect with the fewest adverse effects was reached (< 50 mg/day) and later decreased and maintained at the lowest effective dosage. Efficacy measures were: (i) PASI75 (75% improvement) and PASI50 between 10 and 16 weeks; and (ii) PASI75 even after 16 weeks of treatment.

HLA-G 14-bp polymorphism: a possible marker of systemic treatment response in psoriasis vulgaris? Preliminary results of a retrospective study.

Human leukocyte antigen-G (HLA-G) is a nonclassical HLA class I molecule that exerts an immunosuppressive function. A 14-base pair (bp) sequence insertion/deletion (INS/DEL) polymorphism in the exon 8 at the 3' untranslated region (UTR) modifies mRNA stability and protein production and has been shown to concur with efficacy of pharmacological treatments in immune-mediated conditions. The aim of this study was to assess for the first time the correlation between HLA-G 14-bp INS/DEL polymorphism with the response to systemic therapy in psoriatic patients.

Kinetics of enzymatic hydrolysis of olive oil in batch and fed-batch systems.

This work reports experimental data, kinetic modeling, and simulations of enzyme-catalyzed hydrolysis of olive oil. This reaction was performed in batch system and an ordered-sequential Bi Bi model was used to model the kinetic mechanism. A fed-batch system was proposed and experimental data were obtained and compared to the simulated values.

First randomized trial on clobetasol propionate and mometasone furoate in the treatment of vulvar lichen sclerosus: results of efficacy and tolerability.

Background: A 3-month topical application of clobetasol propionate (CP) represents the recommended and accepted first-line treatment for vulvar lichen sclerosus (VLS); however, to date, no randomized controlled trials have compared the efficacy and safety of CP with other topical corticosteroids.

Objective: To compare the effectiveness and tolerability of two different topical corticosteroids, CP 0·05% ointment and mometasone furoate (MMF) 0·1% ointment, in the treatment of VLS.

Methods: Fifty-four patients with VLS were enrolled in a 12-week active treatment phase (ATP) and randomized to apply either CP or MMF in a tapering regimen.

Prospective clinical and epidemiologic study of vulvar lichen sclerosus: analysis of prevalence and severity of clinical features, together with historical and demographic associations.

Background: Few reports have addressed the associations between clinical, demographic and historical variables of vulvar lichen sclerosus (VLS).

Objective: To elaborate the prevalence and severity of signs and symptoms and to identify potential factors predicting the severity and course of VLS.

Methods: A prospective cohort of 225 patients affected by VLS was included.

Clinical and epidemiological features of textile contact dermatitis: an Italian multicentre study.

Background: The prevalence of occupational and non-occupational textile dermatitis seems to be increasing, probably because of changed textile manufacturing techniques.

Objective: Evaluation of the clinical features and epidemiology of textile contact dermatitis (TCD) in Italy.

Methods: Demographic data, clinical history aspects, atopy and positive patch test reactions to occupational and non-occupational allergens were investigated in 277 textile dermatitis patients.

Conjunctival bacterial and fungal flora in clinically normal sheep.

Objectives: The aim was to identify conjunctival bacterial and fungal flora in clinically normal sheep.

Design: Prospective study.

Setting: Tuscany.

Kinetics of enzyme-catalyzed hydrolysis of steam-exploded sugarcane bagasse.

This work presents the experimental kinetic data and the fractal modeling of sugarcane bagasse steam treatment and enzymatic hydrolysis. Sugarcane bagasse (50 wt% moisture) was pretreated by autohydrolysis at 210 °C for 4 min. Acid catalysis involved the use of 9.

Topical botanically derived products: use, skin reactions, and usefulness of patch tests. A multicentre Italian study.

Background: The evidence on the safety of topical preparations containing botanical extracts is limited.

Objectives: To assess (i) the use of botanically derived compounds in a large population, (ii) the incidence of cutaneous side-effects, and (iii) the diagnostic usefulness of patch testing.

Methods: A questionnaire was used in 2661 patients to assess both the prevalence and type of topical botanical preparations used, and the occurrence of adverse skin reactions.

Mometasone fuoroate 0.1% ointment in the treatment of vulvar lichen sclerosus: a study of efficacy and safety on a large cohort of patients.

Background: Guidelines identify a 3-month topical application of an ultra-potent corticosteroid ointment as the mainstay of medical treatment for vulvar lichen sclerosus (VLS). However, there are no trials providing evidence that any specific corticosteroid is superior to another.

Objective: To assess the effectiveness and safety of a 12-week application of mometasone furoate (MMF) 0.