[Lactobacillus Rhamnosus sepsis in a preterm infant associated with probiotic integrator use: a case report.].

Preterm infants are at high risk of neonatal sepsis. We report a case of a preterm infant under prophylaxis with Lactobacillus Rhamnosus for necrotizing enterocolitis; the child develops neonatal sepsis by Lactobacillus Rhamnosus. The infection is improved after probiotic withdrawal and had complete remission after 20 days of specific antibiotic therapy.

TiLoop® Bra mesh used for immediate breast reconstruction: comparison of retropectoral and subcutaneous implant placement in a prospective single-institution series.

Background: Immediate implant reconstruction after a conservative mastectomy is an attractive option made easier by prosthetic devices. Titanized polypropylene meshes are used as a hammock to cover the lower lateral implant pole. We conducted a prospective nonrandomized single-institution study of reconstructions using titanium-coated meshes either in a standard muscular mesh pocket or in a complete subcutaneous approach.

[Eligibility for dabigatran therapy: the real-life experience of a Tuscany general hospital].

Introduction. Dabigatran has emerged as a promising alternative to vitamin K antagonists (VKAs) in non-valvular atrial fibrillation (NVAF). It has several clinical and practical advantages over VKAs that finally facilitate their use in clinical practice.

A retrospective observational analysis to evaluate the off-label use of bevacizumab alone or with irinotecan in recurrent glioblastoma.

Background: Recurrent glioblastoma is nearly always fatal, with median survival rates of approximately 12-14 months. Previous phase II clinical trials showed promising results with bevacizumab, alone or in combination with irinotecan, in patients with recurrent glioblastoma.

Objective: To assess whether the survival of patients with recurrent glioblastoma receiving bevacizumab alone or with irinotecan in everyday practice is comparable to that reported in clinical trials.

Clinical experience of treatment of metastatic melanoma and solid tumours adopting a derivative of diphtheria toxin: cross-reacting material 197.

Background: Diphtheria toxin (DT) has shown anticancer activity in both experimental models and humans but its adverse effects stopped further developments. Cross-reacting Material 197 (CRM197) is the product of a single missense mutation (Gly52 to Glu) within fragment A of DT. It has been shown to induce weak toxicity in some cell strains, but it shares immunological properties with native DT.

[Pulmonary arterial hypertension in Health District 11: a patient-oriented drug utilization analysis].

Dispensing medication at the discharge of patients is an activity that allows to the Pharmacy Department to have a privileged point of view about prescribing new drugs and therapies. During last year we met several prescriptions for new drugs utilized in the treatment of pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH), These prescriptions are the mirror of the avalaibility of new specific drugs. PAH is a rare and fatal disease; current disease-specific therapeutic interventions in PAH established pathways in disease treatment: prostacyclin, endothelin receptors antagonist.

Triptans in the Italian population: a drug utilization study and a literature review.

Previous studies performed in selected populations show a poor utilization of triptans for migraine. The objectives of our study were to establish patterns of triptans utilization in a large sample, covering 1/10 of Italian population (5.57 millions), and to perform a review of published studies on this topic.

Mifepristone in Italy: the case of a drug trapped between ethics and clinical practice.

In Italy mifepristone is not yet marketed. Gynaecologists in our hospital asked to use this medication as a less traumatic method for voluntary abortions. We followed the standard procedure defined by the Italian Health Ministry (IMH) for purchasing drugs from abroad but encountered several unexpected barriers.

Gabexate mesilate and acute pancreatitis: an experience of evidence based drug information for improving rational drug use.

Introduction: Gabexate mesylate is a drug marketed only in Italy and Japan and it is considered an essential drug in the treatment of acute pancreatitis. A periodic revision and evaluation of drug utilization in our hospital demonstrated that the dosages and indications of Gabexate mesilate (GM) did not follow those settled by the National Health System and by our Hospital Formulary. We therefore promoted and conducted a program of drug information and meetings with the physicians in order to improve the correct utilisation of GM and identify potential problems.