Zoster ... "a lmost" ... sine herpete: diagnostic utility of real time-polymerase chain reaction.

Zoster sine herpete is a particular form of varicella zoster virus (VZV) infection characterized by segmental pain and dysesthesia, without any cutaneous lesions ever becoming perceptible. This report describes the case of a female patient, presenting with intercostal pain associated with a single papulo-vesicular lesion localized within the same area. Thanks to such a lesion, real time-polymerase chain reaction (PCR) analysis on vesicle fluid swab was possible, thus revealing a significant number of VZV genome copies.

Asymmetric synthesis of all the known phlegmarine alkaloids.

The asymmetric synthesis of all four of the known natural phlegmarines and one synthetic derivative has been accomplished in 19-22 steps from 4-methoxy-3-(triisopropylsilyl)pyridine. Chiral N-acylpyridinium salt chemistry was used twice to set the stereocenters at the C-9 and C-2' positions of the phlegmarine skeleton. Key reactions include the use of a mixed Grignard reagent for the second N-acylpyridinium salt addition, zinc/acetic acid reduction of a complex dihydropyridone, and a von Braun cyanogen bromide N-demethylation of a late intermediate.

The addition of tramadol as a second opioid may improve pain relief in severe osteoarthritis: a prospective study.

Background: Opioid combination has been shown to reduce the need for escalating doses for the treatment of cancer pain. A prospective study was planned to evaluate the addition of tramadol to a stronger opioid for the treatment of severe pain as a result of osteoarthritis, previously uncontrolled by non-opioid analgesics or weak opioids.

Methods: All subjects received tramadol 200 mg and tizanidine 2 mg.

The Italian version of the Sickness Impact Profile-Roland Scale for chronic pain: cross-cultural adaptation, reliability, validity and sensitivity to change.

Purpose: As no adapted form of the 23-item Sickness Impact Profile (SIP)-Roland Scale for patients with chronic pain has ever been validated in the Italian population, the aim of this study was to translate, culturally adapt and validate an Italian version.

Methods: The development of the Italian version involved translation and back-translation, a final review by an expert committee and the testing of the pre-final version to establish its correspondence with the original. The psychometric testing included testing reliability by internal consistency (Cronbach's α) and test-retest repeatability (intraclass coefficient correlation; ICC), construct validity by comparison with an 11-point pain intensity numerical rating scale (NRS; Pearson's correlation) and the Short Form Health Survey (SF-36; Pearson's correlation) and sensitivity to change by calculating the minimum detectable change (MDC).

Development of the Italian version of the revised Scoliosis Research Society-22 Patient Questionnaire, SRS-22r-I: cross-cultural adaptation, factor analysis, reliability, and validity.

Study Design: Evaluation of the psychometric properties of a translated and culturally adapted questionnaire.

Objective: Translating, culturally adapting, and validating the Italian version of the revised Scoliosis Research Society-22 Patient Questionnaire (SRS-22r-I) in order to allow its use with Italian-speaking patients with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS).

Summary Of Background Data: Increasing attention is being given to health-related quality of life measures as a means of adding information about the evaluation of AIS.

Photoallergic contact dermatitis to 8-methoxypsoralen in Ficus carica.

Background: Photocontact dermatitis to Ficus carica is induced by furocoumarins present in sap. These substances are generally considered to cause phototoxic reactions.

Objectives: We conducted a patch test and histopathological study of patients with phytophoto contact dermatitis from the fig tree to evaluate the mechanism underlying the photoreaction.

Allergic contact dermatitis to propyl gallate and pentylene glycol in an emollient cream.

A 62-year-old man, with a 20-year history of seborrhoeic dermatitis, presented with a worsening of his dermatitis. He had previously been demonstrated to be allergic to various topical corticosteroids, so he had been using an emollient cream (Sebclair), containing piroctone olamine and various anti-inflammatory substances, for 6 months, with good effect. Patch testing to the cream and its ingredients revealed positive reactions to both propyl gallate and pentylene glycol.

Gait impairment in neurological disorders: a new technological approach.

Gait recovery is considered one of the main objectives of rehabilitation interventions in neurological disabilities, as restricted movement can significantly reduce an individual's ability to take part in normal activities of daily living. Locomotor training has been shown to improve gait rehabilitation. Studies have recently been published on the use of robots and other devices in patients with gait disabilities, particularly in the rehabilitation of the lower limbs.

Allergic reactions to henna-based temporary tattoos and their components.

Temporary henna-based tattoos, particularly popular among western tourists holidaying in exotic places, can expose to the risk to develop allergic reactions. Although hypersensitivity to henna is extremely rare, para-phenylenediamine, which is sometimes added to henna to obtain a dark, blackish color, is a frequent contact sensitizer. The purpose of this article is to review the literature about allergic reactions to temporary henna tattoos and outline the causes, clinical aspects and complications of this practice that should not be regarded as innocuous and risk-free.

Quality of life and contact dermatitis: a disease-specific questionnaire.

Background: Contact dermatitis (CD) is a chronic disease with a significant impact on quality of life (QoL). There have been relatively few reports in the literature on specific QoL outcomes for patients suffering from CD.

Objectives: To develop a new instrument specifically designed to measure QoL in CD and to investigate which disease features could strongly influence QoL.

Cutaneous manifestations of Mycobacterium gordonae infection described for the first time in Italy: a case report.

Introduction: Mycobacterium gordonae is one of the least pathogenic of the mycobacteria. This pathogen may produce caseating or non-caseating granulomas, and skin lesions showing acute or chronic inflammation with scattered histiocytes and giant cells have been seen. The mortality rate is less than 0.

Long-term tolerability of etoricoxib in patients with previous reactions to non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs frequently cause adverse reactions. This retrospective study was based on analysis of the data obtained from interviews conducted with 173 patients, who underwent and tolerated a challenge test with etoricoxib (a selective cyclooxigenase 2 enzyme inhibitor). Only one of 82 patients who were treated with etoricoxib reported reactions.

Characterization of caspase-dependent and caspase-independent deaths in glioblastoma cells treated with inhibitors of the ubiquitin-proteasome system.

The regulation of the necrotic death and its relevance in anticancer therapy are largely unknown. Here, we have investigated the proapoptotic and pronecrotic activities of two ubiquitin-proteasome system inhibitors: bortezomib and G5. The present study points out that the glioblastoma cell lines U87MG and T98G are useful models to study the susceptibility to apoptosis and necrosis in response to ubiquitin-proteasome system inhibitors.

Photoallergic contact dermatitis.

Photoallergic contact dermatitis (PCD) is a delayed-type hypersensitivity cutaneous reaction in response to a photoantigen applied to the skin in subjects previously sensitized to the same substance. For the development of PCD, irradiation with ultraviolet (UV) radiations, usually UVA, is required to create a complete antigen, and the culprit substance needs to be within the skin at the time of UVA exposure. The incidence of PCD in the general population is unknown and is considered uncommon.

Development of the Italian version of the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI-I): A cross-cultural adaptation, reliability, and validity study.

Study Design: Evaluation of the psychometric properties of a translated, culturally adapted questionnaire.

Objective: Translating, culturally adapting, and validating the Italian version of the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI-I), allowing its use in Italian-speaking patients with low back pain inside and outside Italy.

Summary Of Background Data: Growing attention is devoted to standardized outcome measures to improve interventions for low back pain.

Hypersensitivity reaction to ranitidine: description of a case and review of the literature.

Ranitidine is an H2-receptor antagonist which is usually well tolerated. Hypersensitivity reactions to ranitidine, as well as other H2 antihistamines, have been rarely described. We report the case of a 47-year-old woman who developed an anaphylactic reaction to ranitidine used as intravenous premedication before anesthesia induction.

The use of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) for the treatment of spasticity.

Spasticity is a common disorder in patients with injury of the brain and spinal cord, especially in patients affected by multiple sclerosis (MS). In MS, spasticity is a major cause of long-term disability, it significantly impacts daily activities and quality of life and is only partially influenced by traditional spasmolytic drugs. Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) is a noninvasive tool that can be used to modulate cortical excitability of the leg motor area, inducing remote effects on the excitability of the spinal circuits.

Can light absorption and photostability data be used to assess the photosafety risks in patients for a new drug molecule?

Photosafety assessments are recommended for all new drug candidates intended for clinical use. In 2002, Testing guidances were issued by the regulatory authorities in the USA (2003) and Europe (2002). A key requirement is to measure the absorption of UV-visible light by a compound in the 290-700 nm range and to assess photostability.

[Clinical correlations between lumbar superficial veins and Batson's epidural plexus congestion in chronic low back pain: analysis of two case reports].

Batson's epidural venous plexus plays a crucial role for the generation of vascular back pain, in particular in those conditions characterized by venous congestion, such as heart failure or pregnancy. Except some rudimentary cuspids, the vertebral venous system is considered to be a valveless anastomotic system; as a result the blood is supposed to flow in either direction depending on changes of cardiovascular conditions during the day. Within the narrow boundaries of the neural canal, the epidural veins can therefore get congested, inducing low back pain.

Inhibitors of the ubiquitin-proteasome system are not all alike: identification of a new necrotic pathway.

In response to stress, cells can not only activate survival pathways, but also death pathways, when the stresses are ungovernable. The case of proteasome impairment is emblematic in this respect. Autophagy is induced, as a prosurvival response, which antagonizes apoptosis.