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An uncommon clinical case of an adult woman who was referred to the hospital with severe symptoms attributable to cystic echinococcosis (CE) is described in this report. According to a questionnaire, the subject was exposed to a high risk of infection since she was employed on a farm about 20 years before diagnosis. She lived close to several animal species and handled vegetables in inadequate hygienic conditions. Medical and laboratory investigations confirmed the presence of massive echinococcal cystic lesions in each lung and in the liver. Given the peculiarity of the case, pharmacological and surgical treatments were the only conceivable option. The association of pharmacological treatment, surgery, and interventional radiology procedure represented a reliable and effective way to handle a complex case of human hydatidosis. A multi-disciplinary approach was mandatory, resulting in a clear and conclusive diagnosis of CE caused by the zoonotic parasite E. granulosus sensu stricto of the G1 genotype.

BackgroundAccording to the international guidelines, patients affected by interstitial lung disease with unusual clinical presentation and radiological findings that are not classic for usual interstitial pneumonia end up meeting criteria for surgical lung biopsy, preferably performed with video-assisted thoracic surgery. The growing appeal of non-intubated thoracic surgery has shown the benefits in several different procedures, but the strict selection criteria of candidates are often considered a limitation to this approach. Although several authors define obesity as a contraindication for non-intubated thoracoscopic surgery, the assessment of obesity as a dominant risk factor represents a topic of debate when minor tubeless procedures such as lung biopsy are considered. Our study aims to investigate the impact of obesity on morbidity and mortality in non-intubated lung biopsy patients with interstitial lung disease, analyzing the efficacy and safeness of this procedure.Materials and MethodsThe study group of 40 obese patients consecutively collected from 202 patients who underwent non-intubated lung biopsy was compared with overweight and normal-weight patients, according to their body mass index. Post-operative complications were identified as the primary endpoint. The other outcomes explored were the early 30-day mortality rate and intraoperative complications, length of surgery, post-operative hospitalization, patient's pain feedback, and diagnostic yield.ResultsThe overall median age of the patients was 67.4 years (60, 73.5). No 30-day mortality or significant differences in terms of post-operative complications (P = 0.93) were noted between the groups. The length of the surgery was moderately longer in the group of obese patients (P = 0.02). The post-operative pain rating scale was comparable among the three groups (P = 0.45), as well as the post-operative length of stay (P = 0.96). The diagnosis was achieved in 99% of patients without significant difference between groups (P = 0.38).ConclusionOur analysis showed the safety and efficacy of surgical lung biopsy with a non-intubated approach in patients affected by lung interstitiopathy. In the context of perioperative risk stratification, obesity would not seem to affect the morbidity compared to normal-weight and overweight patients undergoing this kind of diagnostic surgical procedure.

Background: Mediastinal hemangiomas are rare, and their etiology remains unclear. Most patients affected have no pathognomonic clinical symptoms, and the diagnosis is often incidental. Due to the paucity of the available literature regarding the management of this disease, the choice and timing of treatment remains controversial. Case presentation: Herein, we report the case of a hemangioma of the azygos vein arch in a 66-year-old woman who presented with dyspnea, chest discomfort, dysphagia, and weight loss. A simultaneous right chylothorax refractory to conservative management was found. A CT-guided biopsy of the mass was performed, and it confirmed the vascular nature of the lesion. Therefore, the patient underwent an angiography followed by endo-vascular embolization. Three days later, thoracoscopic surgical resection of the mass and the repair of the chyle leakage were performed safely. The patient was discharged uneventfully on postoperative day seven, with complete resolution of all the presenting symptoms. Conclusions: Treatment of symptomatic mediastinal hemangiomas could be mandatory, but a thorough multidisciplinary approach to these rare malformations is essential. Despite the risk of intraoperative bleeding, selective endovascular embolization followed by thoracoscopic surgery allowed for a complete and safe resection with a good outcome.

(1) Background: Acne is a widespread skin disease, especially among adolescents. Following the COVID-19 pandemic and the use of masks, the problem has been affecting a greater number of people, and the attention of the skin care beauty routine cosmetics has been focused on the “Maskne”, caused by the sebum excretion rate (SER) that stimulates microbial proliferation. (2) Methods: the present study was focused on the rheological characterization and quality assurance of the preservative system of an anti-acne serum. The biological effectiveness (cytotoxicity—skin and eye irritation—antimicrobial, biofilm eradication and anti-inflammatory activity) was evaluated in a monolayer cell line of keratinocytes (HaCaT) and on 3D models (reconstructed human epidermis, RHE and human reconstructed corneal epithelium, HCE). The Cutibacterium acnes, as the most relevant acne-inducing bacterium, is chosen as a pro-inflammatory stimulus and to evaluate the antimicrobial activity of the serum. (3) Results and Conclusions: Rheology allows to simulate serum behavior at rest, extrusion and application, so the serum could be defined as having a solid-like behavior and being pseudoplastic. The preservative system is in compliance with the criteria of the reference standard. Biological effectiveness evaluation shows non-cytotoxic and irritant behavior with a good antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory activity of the formulation, supporting the effectiveness of the serum for acne-prone skin treatment.

(1) Background: Cosmeceuticals are topical products applied to human skin to prevent skin ageing and maintain a healthy skin appearance. Their effectiveness is closely linked to the compounds present in a final formulation. In this article, we propose a panel of in vitro tests to support the efficacy assessment of an anti-ageing cream enriched with functional compounds. (2) Methods: biocompatibility and the irritant effect were evaluated on reconstructed human epidermis (RHE) and corneal epithelium (HCE) 3D models. After a preliminary MTT assay, normal human dermal fibroblasts (NHDF) and keratinocytes (HaCaT) were used to evaluate the extracellular matrix (ECM) protein synthesis, and interleukin-6 (IL-6) and metalloproteinase-1 (MMP-1) production. (3) Results: data collected showed good biocompatibility and demonstrated the absence of the irritant effect in both 3D models. Therefore, we demonstrated a statistical increase in collagen and elastin productions in NHDF cells. In HaCaT cells, we highlighted an anti-inflammatory effect through a reduction in IL-6 levels in inflammatory stimulated conditions. Moreover, the reduction of MMP-1 production after UV-B radiation was demonstrated, showing significant photo-protection. (4) Conclusion: a multiple in vitro assays approach is proposed for the valid and practical assessment of the anti-ageing protection, anti-inflammatory and biocompatible claims that can be assigned to a cosmetic product containing functional compounds.