Development, optimization and ex-vivo evaluation of a transdermal formulation containing trazodone.

Trazodone is a triazolpyridine derivative approved for the treatment of depression, and currently marketed as oral formulations. The transdermal administration of this drug could reduce side effects, related to peak plasma concentration, and improve patient adherence due to a reduced administration frequency. The aims of this work were: (a) the evaluation of the effect of pH vehicle and permeation enhancers on trazodone permeability across porcine skin ex-vivo; (b) the development and optimization of a transdermal drug delivery system containing trazodone hydrochloride.

An Alternative Device for the Topical Treatment of Oral Cancer: Development and Ex-Vivo Evaluation of Imiquimod-Loaded Polysaccharides Formulations.

The topical use of imiquimod (IMQ), a non-specific immune response modifier, showed to be a promising therapeutic option for the early-stage treatment of some type of oral cancer, even when performed with a formulation (Aldara®) developed and approved for skin application. The aim of this work was the development of buccal formulations for the topical administration of IMQ with improved mucosal retention and reduced trans-mucosal permeation when compared to the reference formulation. Three different hydrogels based on carboxymethyl chitosan (CMChit), sodium alginate (A), and xanthan gum (X) in different combinations were prepared, and the loading of imiquimod was successfully performed by using a micellar formulation based on d-α-tocopheril polyethylene glycol 100 succinate (TPGS).

Validation of a HPLC-UV method for the quantification of budesonide in skin layers.

A simple and sensitive HPLC method for the quantification of budesonide in skin layers was developed and validated. Budesonide was extracted from stratum corneum, epidermis and dermis by means of a mixture of acetonitrile:water (recovery > 90%). Budesonide quantification was performed with a RP-C18 column using methanol and water mixture (69:31, v/v) as mobile phase, pumped at 0.

In Vitro Skin Retention of Crisaborole after Topical Application.

Crisaborole, a nonsteroidal phosphodiesterase 4 inhibitor, represents the first nonsteroidal medication approved for the treatment of atopic dermatitis in over a decade. In this work, crisaborole skin permeation and retention was studied in vitro from a 2% ointment using porcine skin as barrier. Crisaborole was also characterized in terms of thermal behavior, solubility, and logP.

Development and validation of a simple method for the extraction and quantification of crisaborole in skin layers.

Crisaborole is a boron compound recently approved by the US Food and Drug Administration as a 2% ointment for the treatment of mild to moderate atopic dermatitis. This work describes a simple method for the quantification of the drug in the skin layers at the end of in-vitro permeation experiments. Chromatographic separation was carried out on a reverse-phase C column using a mixture of trifluoroacetic acid 0.

Flow cytometry identification of nonhemopoietic neoplasms during routine immunophenotyping.

Introduction: Nonhemopoietic neoplasms (NHNs) may be encountered during routine flow cytometry (FC) immunophenotyping. The clue of their presence mainly relies on detection of CD45-negative (CD45-) cells with altered scatter parameters.

Methods: In this study, we evaluated a monoclonal antibody combination conceived to characterize the CD45- population by FC, suspected of belonging to NHNs, when present.

The Curitiba Statement on Health Promotion and Equity: Italian version and analysis of criticalities.

Background: The Curitiba Statement of health promotion and equity is the main result of the World Conference on International Union for Health Promotion and Education (IUHPE - UIPES), held in May 2016 in Curitiba. The Curitiba Statement is the outcome of a participatory process, result of collaboration of all conference participants. The Curitiba Statement represents the continuity from Ottawa Charter for Health Promotion.

Human Milk and Donkey Milk, Compared to Cow Milk, Reduce Inflammatory Mediators and Modulate Glucose and Lipid Metabolism, Acting on Mitochondrial Function and Oleylethanolamide Levels in Rat Skeletal Muscle.

Milk from various species differs in nutrient composition. In particular, human milk (HM) and donkey milk (DM) are characterized by a relative high level of triacylglycerol enriched in palmitic acid in sn-2 position. These dietary fats seem to exert beneficial nutritional properties through N-acylethanolamine tissue modulation.

Post-remissional and pre-transplant role of minimal residual disease detected by WT1 in acute myeloid leukemia: A retrospective cohort study.

In acute myeloid leukemia (AML), the detection of minimal residual disease (MRD) is still under investigation. The aim of the present retrospective study was to assess the role of Wilms tumor gene 1 (WT1) overexpression in a large monocentric cohort of AML patients. Among 255 enrolled patients, MRD was investigated in those in complete remission (CR) with an available WT1 at baseline (>250 copies) and at two further time-points: after induction (n=117) and prior allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation (allo-HCT), n=65.

Single-Tube Flow Cytometry Assay for the Detection of Mature Lymphoid Neoplasms in Paucicellular Samples.

Objectives: Flow cytometry (FC) has become a useful support for cytomorphologic evaluation (CM) of fine-needle aspirates (FNA) and serous cavity effusions (SCE) in cases of suspected non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL). FC results may be hampered by the scarce viability and low cellularity of the specimens.

Study Design: We developed a single-tube FC assay (STA) that included 10 antibodies cocktailed in 8-color labeling, a cell viability dye, and a logical gating strategy to detect NHL in hypocellular samples.

Extranodal Lymphoproliferative Processes and Flow Cytometry.

Objective: Fine-needle aspiration (FNA) cytology is a safe and cost-effective technique for the diagnosis of lymphoproliferative processes, especially when correlated with clinical and imaging studies. However, cytology alone may be unable to detect a lymphoid neoplastic process, as architectural features are less obvious than in histologic preparations and, in certain cases, reactive processes may mimic lymphoma. Flow cytometry (FC) has been recognized as an important ancillary technique in the diagnosis of lymphoid neoplasms and it can be used in conjunction with FNA in the evaluation of lymphoproliferative processes.

Utilility of flow cytometry as ancillary study to improve the cytologic diagnosis of thyroid lymphomas.

Background: To evaluate the efficacy of the use of flow cytometry (FC) immunophenotyping together with fine-needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) in the diagnosis of thyroid lymphoma.

Methods: FC was performed in parallel with FNAC in 35 samples of suspected thyroid lymphoma over a 12 years period. Results were correlated with histological or molecular findings and follow-up, when available.

Inter- and intratumoral heterogeneity of BCL2 correlates with IgH expression and prognosis in follicular lymphoma.

Most follicular lymphomas (FLs) are genetically defined by the t(14;18)(q32;q21) translocation that juxtaposes the BCL2 gene to the immunoglobulin heavy chain (IgH) 3' regulatory regions (IgH-3'RRs). Despite this recurrent translocation, FL cases are heterogeneous in terms of intratumoral clonal diversity for acquired mutations and variations in the tumor microenvironment. Here we describe an additional mechanism that contributes to inter- and intratumoral heterogeneity in FLs.

Immunophenotyping of paucicellular samples.

Immunophenotyping of paucicellular samples may represent a diagnostic challenge in the flow cytometry (FC) laboratory routine, as the scarcity of cells limits the number of tests that can be performed. Specimens such as fine needle aspirates (FNA), human body fluids (BF), cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), or ocular fluid (OF) sent for FC investigations in the case of suspicion of lymphoma, or for lymphoma monitoring, may contain very low numbers of cells. In these cases, it is mandatory to obtain the largest amount possible of useful information from a single tube.

Flow cytometry significantly improves the diagnostic value of fine needle aspiration cytology of lymphoproliferative lesions of salivary glands.

Objective: Lymphoid proliferations of the salivary glands can be either reactive or malignant. Diagnosis based solely on fine needle aspiration (FNA) cytology may be troublesome in view of the difficulty in distinguishing low-grade B-cell and mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT) lymphomas from reactive lymphoid proliferations. We report our experience with FNA cytology combined with flow cytometry (FC) immunophenotyping for the diagnosis of lymphoproliferative processes affecting the salivary glands.

Tissue flow cytometry immunophenotyping in the diagnosis and classification of non-Hodgkin's lymphomas: a retrospective evaluation of 1,792 cases.

A retrospective analysis of 1,792 solid tissues suggestive of lymphoma, submitted over a 12-year period, was carried out and flow cytometry (FC) results were compared with histologic findings. The final histologic diagnosis of cases documented in this report is as follows: 1,270 non-Hodgkin's lymphomas (NHL); 17 composite lymphomas; four NHL plus carcinomas; five post-transplant lymphoproliferative disorders; 105 Hodgkin's lymphomas (HL); eight acute leukemias; 42 tissue cancers; and 341 non-neoplastic diseases. A strong correlation between morphology and FC data was observed among hematological malignancies (1,268/1,304, 97.

Headache, eating and sleeping behaviors and lifestyle factors in preadolescents and adolescents: preliminary results from an Italian population study.

Several dietary and lifestyle habits can be associated with headaches or with their progression to chronic forms in adults. We report the results of the first population study performed in Italy on a sample of preadolescent and adolescent students to assess the possible association between headache and specific habits and lifestyle factors. Preliminary data from 800 questionnaires showed that 365 subjects had headaches, which were of moderate-severe intensity, associated with anorexia, and caused absence from school in more than 50 % of students.

Flow cytometric detection of liposomal cytarabine in cerebrospinal fluid of patients treated with intrathecal chemotherapy.

We report the unusual flow cytometric detection of liposomes in the cerebrospinal fluid of patients with aggressive non-Hodgkin's lymphoma and acute myeloid leukemia, treated with intrathecal liposomal cytarabine.

Ten antibodies, six colors, twelve parameters: a multiparameter flow cytometric approach to evaluate leptomeningeal disease in B-cell non-Hodgkin's lymphomas.

Background: Flow cytometry (FC) is considered a sensitive and specific technique for the detection of occult lymphoma cells in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF).

Methods: The diagnostic sensitivity of a FC approach which uses a combination of 10 antibodies, a single-tube evaluation, and a six-color instrument, was evaluated and compared to conventional cytology (CC) for the detection of lymphomatous cells in the CSF of 44 patients affected by B-cell non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (B-NHL) considered at high risk of central nervous system spread.

Results: The CSF obtained from 36 newly diagnosed and 8 relapsed patients affected by B-cell lymphoma was assessed by FC and CC on a total of 62 samples; 52/62 (82.

Flow cytometric detection and quantification of CD56 (neural cell adhesion molecule, NCAM) expression in diffuse large B cell lymphomas and review of the literature.

Aim: To report unusual CD56 (neural cell adhesion molecule, NCAM) expression on diffuse large B cell lymphoma (DLBCL).

Methods And Results: CD56 expression was first detected and quantified on tissues obtained from five cases of DLBCL by flow cytometry (FC), then confirmed by immunohistochemistry. The CD56 expression pattern was heterogeneous among the cases [the molecular equivalent of soluble fluorochrome (MESF) level ranged from 2214 to 133 466].

Usefulness of multiparametric flow cytometry in detecting composite lymphoma: study of 17 cases in a 12-year period.

Composite lymphoma (CL) is a rare occurrence of 2 or more morphologically and immunophenotypically distinct lymphoma clones in a single anatomic site. A retrospective analysis of 1,722 solid tissue samples clinically suggestive of lymphoma was carried out in our institute during a 12-year period to evaluate the efficacy of flow cytometry (FC) in identifying CL. We report 17 CL cases.

Diagnosis of deep-seated lymphomas by endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine needle aspiration combined with flow cytometry.

Objective: Although endoscopic ultrasound combined with fine needle aspiration (EUS-FNA) is rapidly becoming the preferred diagnostic approach for the sampling and diagnosis of gastrointestinal and mediastinal malignancies, there are limited data as to its use in the diagnosis of lymphoproliferative disorders. Therefore, we carried out a retrospective evaluation of the performance of EUS-guided FNA combined with flow cytometry (FC) as a tool to improve overall sensitivity and specificity in the diagnosis of lymphoma.

Methods: Of 1560 patients having EUS-guided FNA during the period of the study, a total of 56 patients were evaluated by cytology with FC after EUS-FNA.

Flow cytometric detection of degranulated basophils in chronic myeloid leukemia in accelerated phase.

We report a rare case of chronic myeloid leukemia in accelerated phase with basophilic transformation, in which basophils exceeding 70%, were detectable only by flow cytometry because of their morphologic atypicality and degranulation.