Identification and molecular characterization of Subramaniula asteroides causing human fungal keratitis: a case report.

Background: Keratitis due to by filamentous fungi are not easy to diagnose thus causing a delay in correct therapy. There are many descriptions of keratitis due to Candida, Fusarium and Aspergillus genera. Subramaniula genus has only recently been reported to cause human infections and there are few descriptions of eye infections due to this filamentous fungus.

Ceftolozane/Tazobactam and Ceftazidime/Avibactam for Multidrug-Resistant Gram-Negative Infections in Immunocompetent Patients: A Single-Center Retrospective Study.

Complicated infections from multidrug-resistant Gram-negative bacteria (MDR-GNB) represent a serious problem presenting many challenges. Resistance to many classes of antibiotics reduces the probability of an adequate empirical treatment, with unfavorable consequences, increasing morbidity and mortality. Readily available patient medical history and updated information about the local microbiological epidemiology remain critical for defining the baseline risk of MDR-GNB infections and guiding empirical treatment choices, with the aim of avoiding both undertreatment and overtreatment.

Laparoscopic Approach in Management of Renal Cell Carcinoma During Pregnancy: State of the Art.

Renal cell carcinoma (RCC) is extremely rare in pregnant women. However, this is one of the most reported urologic tumors during pregnancy. The aim of this review was to evaluate RCC during pregnancy in terms of epidemiology, risk factors, diagnosis, natural history of disease, and the safety of laparoscopic approach in the management of this tumor.

Prevalence of retinopathy in diabetic thalassaemic patients.

Thalassaemic patients with diabetes mellitus are at risk of developing retinopathy. To evaluate the prevalence and the characteristics of diabetic retinopathy in thalassaemics we examined 46 patients with beta-thalassaemia major and insulin-dependent diabetes by fluorescein angiography. The study group was matched for sex, age and diabetes duration with a control group of 46 type 1 diabetic patients.

Epidemiology and chelation therapy effects on glucose homeostasis in thalassaemic patients.

The incidence and prevalence of insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM) and impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) were studied in a series of 273 patients with thalassaemia major followed in Ferrara from 1954 to 1998. It was found that the prevalence of glucose metabolism abnormalities has decreased and that the mean age of diagnosis has increased over the years. Risk factors associated with IDDM and IGT were lack of compliance with chelation therapy, iron overload and the presence of cirrhosis and severe fibrosis.

The variability in the clinical effect induced by botulinum toxin type A: the role of muscle activity in humans.

When botulinum toxin (BT) is administered for the first time at fixed doses, variable clinical responses can be observed in patients with the same form of dystonic disorder. Many factors may contribute to this phenomenon, including the variability rate of absorption of the drug. Animal experimental models (rat diaphragm preparation) have demonstrated an increased absorption of BT in the terminal nerve endings of the muscle under repetitive electrical stimulation, suggesting that "muscle activity" also may play an important role.

Pattern of iron excretion in relation to haemoglobin level and iron load in 8 haematological patients following the administration of subcutaneous deferrioxamine.

Iron excretion following subcutaneous administration of deferrioxamine (DFO) was measured between two transfusions of packed red cells in 6 patients with beta-thalassaemia major on the high level Hb transfusion regime; and in a single 3-day period in 2 other patients, 1 with transfused beta-thalassaemia major and the other with haemolytic anaemia due to PK deficiency. The pattern of iron excretion did not change significantly during the period between the two transfusions and was found to be related to serum ferritin levels. The proportion of iron excreted in the stools was inversely related to the serum ferritin level.