[Onychomycoses: epidemiology, causative agents and assessment of diagnostic laboratory methods].

Since March 2007 to March 2011, 414 patients with onychopathies were prospectively analyzed. Prevalence of the toenail and fingernail mycoses was 78 % and 58 %, respectively. The major etiological agents were Trichophyton rubrum, Candida spp.

Validation of the Artsana CS 410 automated blood pressure monitor in adults according to the International Protocol of the European Society of Hypertension.

Background: Electronic blood pressure monitoring devices are widely used by patients for monitoring their blood pressure at home. Few of them, however, have been validated against recognized protocols and proved to be accurate.

Objective: This study aimed at verifying whether the automatic electronic oscillometric blood pressure measuring device, Artsana CS 410 (Artsana S.

[Neurofibromatosis (NF1) and neuroleprosy: immunoreaction against pathologic Schwann-cells. Physiopathogenetic observations].

Background: We reviewed the literature evaluating the immune reaction in neurofibromatosis (NF1) and neuroleprosy, so as to underline the immunopathegenetic parallelism and the possible therapeutic implications regarding the treatment of these two disorders. In particular we evaluated the systemic modifications and the local fibrotic events that lead to nerve damage in NF1 and complete neuronal destruction as in leprosy.

Methods: With the above aim in mind we studied the histology, histochemistry and immunohistochemistry (Schwann cells and immunoglobulins) of four plexiform neurofibroma, one common neurofibroma and one case of borderline neuroleprosy (BT).

Tumour suppressor genes, immunology and local manifestations of neurofibromatosis phenotypes.

Research on Neurofibromatosis (NF) has been directed at understanding what determines disease quiescence, exacerbation, and the possible malignant evolution. Studies on NF have examined the role of genetic oncosuppression in the evolution of the defence against the non-self. Paraffin fixed specimens of benign and malignant neoplasia, occurring in patients with NF1 and NF2, were tested for the presence of p53: a reliable marker of genetic oncosupression.

Inhibition of diamine oxidase activity by metronidazole.

Metronidazole was found to be a non-competitive inhibitor of man, rabbit and rat intestinal diamine oxidases with an inhibition constant value of approximately 10(-4) M. The purified bovine serum amine oxidase was not inhibited, whereas the purified swine kidney enzyme gave similar results. These findings suggest that metronidazole and similar compounds, used as antibacterial and antiprotozoal drugs, should be given under careful control, especially when administered for long times, because a decrease of intestinal diamine oxidase activity was proven to be a risk factor for several pathologies of this organ.