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Objectives Venipuncture is one of the most frequently performed painful procedures in children. The aim of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of 2 analgesic strategies for venipuncture in children in a specific setting like a blood-drawing center. Methods This was a prospective randomized controlled trial. It was conducted in the blood-drawing center of a tertiary level children's hospital in Italy, between November 2014 and February 2015. Eligible patients were children aged from 4 to 12 years referred to the blood-drawing center for venipuncture. Enrolled children were randomized to be distracted by Buzzy device or by playing with a handheld computer. The procedural pain was measured with the faces pain scale-revised by children aged from 4 to 7 years and with a numerical rating scale by children aged from 8 to 12 years. Results Two hundred children with a median age of 8 years were enrolled in the study. The self-reported procedural pain was not statistically different between the Buzzy group and the handheld computer group: median (interquartile range) = 3.0 (1.0-4.8) and 2.0 (1.0-4.8), respectively (P = 0.72). Children reported significant pain in 25% of cases with both distraction strategies. The procedural success rate at the first attempt was not significantly different in the 2 groups. Conclusions Analgesia provided by Buzzy or by a handheld computer was not significantly different in children undergoing venipuncture in a blood-drawing center, with the great proportion of them reporting no or mild pain during procedure.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the potential differences in non-target embolization and vessel microsphere filling of a reflux-control microcatheter (RCM) compared to a standard end-hole microcatheter (SEHM) in a swine model. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Radiopaque microspheres were injected with both RCM and SEHM (2.4-Fr and 2.7-Fr) in the kidneys of a preclinical swine model. Transarterial renal embolization procedures with RCM or SEHM were performed in both kidneys of 14 pigs. Renal arteries were selectively embolized with an automated injection protocol of radio-opaque microspheres. Ex-vivo X-ray microtomography images of the kidneys were utilized to evaluate the embolization by quantification of the deposition of injected microspheres in the target vs. the non-target area of injection. X-ray microtomography images were blindly analyzed by five interventional radiologists. The degree of vessel filling and the non-target embolization were quantified using a scale from 1 to 5 for each parameter. An analysis of variance was used to compare the paired scores. RESULTS: Total volumes of radio-opaque microspheres injected were similar for RCM (11.5±3.6 [SD] mL; range: 6-17mL) and SEHM (10.6±5.2 [SD] mL; range: 4-19mL) (P=0.38). The voxels enhanced ratio in the target (T) vs. non-target (NT) areas was greater with RCM (T=98.3% vs. NT=1.7%) than with SEHM (T=89% vs. NT=11%) but the difference was not significant (P=0.30). The total score blindly given by the five interventional radiologists was significantly different between RCM (12.3±2.1 [SD]; range: 6-15) and the standard catheter (11.3±2.5 [SD]; range: 4-15) (P=0.0073), with a significant decrease of non-target embolization for RCM (3.8±1.3 [SD]; range: 3.5-4.2) compared to SEHM (3.2±1.5 [SD]; range: 2.9-3.5) (P=0.014). CONCLUSION: In an animal model, RCM microcatheters reduce the risk of non-target embolization from 11% to 1.7%, increasing the delivery of microspheres of 98% to the target vessels, compared to SEHM microcatheters. ispartof: DIAGNOSTIC AND INTERVENTIONAL IMAGING vol:102 issue:10 pages:641-648 ispartof: location:France status: published

The work aimed at developing a novel MRI-based theranostic protocol for improving the anticancer efficacy of a Doxil-like liposomal formulation. The goal was achieved stimulating the intratumor release of the drug from the nanocarrier and favoring its diffusion in the lesion by the sequential application of low-intensity pulsed ultrasound. The protocol was tested on mice bearing a syngeneic breast cancer model. The combination of acoustic waves with different characteristics allowed for: i) the release of the drug and the co-encapsulated MRI agent (Gadoteridol) from the liposomes in the vessels of the tumor region, and ii) the extravasation of the released material, as well as intact liposomes, in the tumor stroma. The MR-T1 contrast enhancement measured in the tumor reported on the delivery and US-triggered release of Doxorubicin. The developed protocol resulted in a marked increase in the intratumor drug concentration that, in turn, led to the complete regression of the lesion. The protocol has a good clinical translatability because all the components of the theranostic agent (Doxorubicin, liposomes, Gadoteridol) are approved for human use.

Barbed sutures have unidirectional circumferential shallow barbs, which distribute tension throughout the wound and close wound securely without the need to tie knots.We compare two different methods of wound closure in elective plastic surgical cases: barbed 3/0 V-Loc™180 suture and smooth 3/0 Maxon™ sutures, both polyglyconate monofilament synthetic absorbable sutures. We assessed the aesthetic long-term results with a minimum two year follow up.This is a prospective, randomized controlled study with internal control. A single surgeon performed all cases. Patients who underwent elective operations that involved long wound closure were enrolled in the study. Each patient acted as their own internal control with half their wound being sutured with 3/0 V-Loc™180 barbed suture and the other half with smooth 3/0 Maxon™ deep dermal sutures and then a subcuticular skin closure. In both groups, the superficial fascial system was closed with 1 Vicryl interrupted sutures on both sides. Long-term cosmesis was evaluated using the modified Hollander cosmesis score by review of standardized postoperative photographs by 9 blinded plastic surgeons and specialist registrars.The study reports on 33 female patients. The time taken for wound closure was significantly reduced using the barbed suture (p 0.001). There was no difference in the complication ratio in either group. Two-year aesthetic outcome was significantly superior when using the barbed suture (p = 0.0075).Barbed sutures closure of long wounds is faster and produces a better long-term aesthetic outcome than smooth sutures.

The development of new non-invasive diagnostic and therapeutic approaches is of paramount importance in order to improve the outcome of patients with glioblastoma (GBM). In this work we investigated a completely non-invasive pre-clinical protocol to effectively target and detect brain tumors through the orotracheal route, using ultra-small nanoparticles (USRPs) and MRI. A mouse model of GBM was developed. In vivo MRI acquisitions were performed before and after intravenous or orotracheal administration of the nanoparticles to identify and segment the tumor. The accumulation of the nanoparticles in neoplastic lesions was assessed ex vivo through fluorescence microscopy. Before the administration of contrast agents, MR images allowed the identification of the presence of abnormal brain tissue in 73% of animals. After orotracheal or intravenous administration of USRPs, in all the mice an excellent co-localization of the position of the tumor with MRI and histology was observed. The elimination time of the USRPs from the tumor after the orotracheal administration was approximately 70% longer compared with intravenous injection. MRI and USRPs were shown to be powerful imaging tools able to detect, quantify and longitudinally monitor the development of GBMs. The absence of ionizing radiation and high resolution of MRI, along with the complete non-invasiveness and good reproducibility of the proposed protocol, make this technique potentially translatable to humans. To our knowledge, this is the first time that the advantages of a needle-free orotracheal administration route have been demonstrated for the investigation of the pathomorphological changes due to GBMs.

This paper presents a Multi-satellite Data Analysis and Simulator Tool (MDAST), developed with the original goal to support the science requirements of a Martian 3-Unit CubeSat mission profile named Bleeping Interplanetary Radiation Determination Yo-yo (BIRDY). MDAST was firstly designed and tested by taking into account the positions, attitudes, instruments field of view and energetic particles flux measurements from four spacecrafts (ACE, MSL, STEREO A, and STEREO B). Secondly, the simulated positions, attitudes and instrument field of view from the BIRDY CubeSat have been adapted for input. And finally, this tool can be used for data analysis of the measurements from the four spacecrafts mentioned above so as to simulate the instrument trajectory and observation capabilities of the BIRDY CubeSat. The onset, peak and end time of a solar particle event is specifically defined and identified with this tool. It is not only useful for the BIRDY mission but also for analyzing data from the four satellites aforementioned and can be utilized for other space weather missions with further customization.

The accurate characterization and description of the vascular network of a cancer lesion is of paramount importance in clinical practice and cancer research in order to improve diagnostic accuracy or to assess the effectiveness of a treatment. The aim of this study was to show the effectiveness of liposomes as an ultrasound contrast agent to describe the 3-D vascular architecture of a tumor. Eight C57BL/6 mice grafted with syngeneic B16-F10 murine melanoma cells were injected with a bolus of 1,2-Distearoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocoline (DSPC)-based non-targeted liposomes and with a bolus of microbubbles. 3-D contrast-enhanced images of the tumor lesions were acquired in three conditions: pre-contrast, after the injection of microbubbles, and after the injection of liposomes. By using a previously developed reconstruction and characterization image processing technique, we obtained the 3-D representation of the vascular architecture in these three conditions. Six descriptive parameters of these networks were also computed: the number of vascular trees (NT), the vascular density (VD), the number of branches, the 2-D curvature measure, the number of vascular flexes of the vessels, and the 3-D curvature. Results showed that all the vascular descriptors obtained by liposome-based images were statistically equal to those obtained by using microbubbles, except the VD which was found to be lower for liposome images. All the six descriptors computed in pre-contrast conditions had values that were statistically lower than those computed in presence of contrast, both for liposomes and microbubbles. Liposomes have already been used in cancer therapy for the selective ultrasound-mediated delivery of drugs. This work demonstrated their effectiveness also as vascular diagnostic contrast agents, therefore proving that liposomes can be used as efficient “theranostic” ( i.e. therapeutic + diagnostic) ultrasound probes.

Aim Needle-related procedures can be painful for children, and distraction provides ideal pain relief in blood-drawing centres. This study assessed the effectiveness of playing a computer game during venipuncture, compared with low-tech distraction by a nurse. Methods We conducted this prospective, randomised controlled trial at the blood-drawing centre of a tertiary-level children's hospital in Italy. Half of the 200 children played Angry Birds on a hand-held computer while the other half were distracted by a second, specifically trained nurse who sang to them, read a book, blew bubbles or played with puppets. Pain was measured using a faces pain scale for children aged 4–7 years and a numeric scale for children aged 8–13 years. Results The 200 children had a median age of eight years. Children reported significant pain in 16 cases (16%) in the hand-held computer distraction group and in 15 cases (15%) in the nurse-led low-tech distraction group (p = 0.85). The procedural success rate at the first attempt was not different in the two groups. Conclusion Playing a game on a hand-held computer meant that only one in six children reported pain during venipuncture, but it was not superior to being distracted by nurses.

[This article][1] ([1][2]) has been retracted at the request of the editors. Following an institutional review by Peter MacCallum Cancer Center (Victoria, Australia), the primary affiliation for several of the authors, it was not possible to confidently identify and assign the primary datasets to

Benign symmetrical lipomatosis (Madelung's disease) is a rare condition of unclear aetiology characterized by numerous, unencapsulated lipomatous deposits. The only effective treatment is by surgical intervention; however, there is no consensus in the optimal approach. We present the case of a patient who required staged, multi-modality treatment to achieve disease quiescence. The case highlights the usefulness of magnetic resonance imaging as a tool for assessment as well as preoperative planning.

Despite the increasing attention to university-industry technology transfer, limited emphasis has been posed on how the university offices in charge of this task organize themselves to grow. University Technology Transfer Offices (UTTOs) can grow internally, e.g. expanding their staff, or externally, e.g. pooling resources among different UTTOs creating new organizational structures. In this paper we study the latter. Exploiting the opportunity of a specific technology transfer policy introduced in Italy, we develop six in-depth case-studies, encompassing twenty UTTOs. We identify three organizational structures that are adopted by UTTOs to achieve external growth. In discussing antecedents, advantages and disadvantages of each organizational structure, we derive implications for UTTOs' managers and policy makers.

Meningococcal disease is particularly severe. The case-fatality rate is 7.78% in Europe and 10–14% in the USA. This paper reports the results of a sero-epidemiological study in Italy on meningitis due to Meningococcus C before the introduction of the monovalent conjugate vaccine. In 2003–2004, a total of 577 sera were collected in 17 of the 20 Italian Regions. Serum Bactericidal Assay (SBA) was performed by using rabbit complement serum according to standardized SBA. The results showed that the percentages of protected subjects decreased from 6 to 12 months of age, increased from 1 to 4 years, decreased again until the age of 8 years and from 13 to 16 years, and were particularly high in 9- and 17-year-old subjects. The geometric mean titre of bactericidal antibodies (SBAbs GMT) was low in subjects under 1 year of age, significantly increased in 1–9-year-old children and decreased in adolescents and young adults. Finally, in each one-year age-group, low levels of antibodies were observed in subjects under 1 year of age, in 10-year-old subjects and in 14–16-year-old adolescents. High titres were observed in 3-, 8-, 9- and 17-year-old subjects. Our results therefore indicate that meningococcus C has the highest probability of spreading among 1–4, 8–10 and 14–17-year-old subjects in Italy.

Objectives This study addressed knowledge of Streptococcus pneumoniae , Neisseria meningitidis and human papillomavirus (HPV), and attitudes and behaviours towards vaccines against them. Study design This is a cross-sectional, multicentre study. Methods Data were collected through a questionnaire administered to 530 adults who accessed four Departments of Prevention of the Italian National Health Service in 2013. Results Less than 50% of people gave the right answer to all the questions concerning the three diseases, but 96.2%, 94% and 92.7% agreed with the importance of vaccination against N. meningitidis , S. pneumoniae and HPV, respectively, and 58.4% expressed own willingness to have their children vaccinated with N. meningitidis B vaccine. The attitude towards vaccination was more positive in women for N. meningitidis and in people having children for HPV. Furthermore, individuals giving correct answers to all knowledge items were more in favour of both HPV and S. pneumoniae vaccination. A total of 68.8%, 82.6% and 84.5% of respondents vaccinated their own children against N. meningitidis C, S. pneumoniae and HPV, respectively. About 50% of the respondents reported paediatricians' or other health professionals' recommendations as the main reason for vaccination. Conclusions Vaccinations may be promoted through actions aimed at increasing citizens' knowledge. Health professionals should be educated to actively provide information on vaccinations in a clear, comprehensive and effective way.

OBJECTIVES: The incidence of animal bite injuries in Australia is high. There is currently no established method for reliably predicting whether a patient with a bite injury will require admission to hospital or surgery. DESIGN: A retrospective audit of mammalian bite injuries at seven major hospitals in Melbourne, Victoria, over a 2-year period. The associations between each predictor and outcome of interest were analysed with univariate and multiple regression analyses. SETTING: Seven major hospitals in Melbourne, Victoria: the Alfred Hospital, Austin Hospital, Frankston Hospital, Monash Medical Centre, Royal Melbourne Hospital, St Vincent's Hospital and Western Hospital. PARTICIPANTS: Patients presenting to emergency departments with mammalian bite injuries. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Hospital admission, intravenous antibiotic therapy, surgery, reoperation, readmission. RESULTS: We identified 717 mammalian bite injuries. The mean age of the patients was 36.5 years (median, 34 years; range, 0-88 years), with an equal number of males and females. The overall rate of hospital admission was 50.8%, and the mean length of stay was 2.7 days. Intravenous antibiotics were administered in 46% of cases; surgery was undertaken in 43.1% of cases. The re-operation rate was 4.5%, the re-admission rate was 3%. CONCLUSIONS: Our study provides a detailed epidemiological analysis of animal bite injuries at seven major hospitals in Victoria. Risk factors for hospitalisation and surgery may assist in identifying patients who require admission and surgical intervention. Language: en

Human Papillomavirus (HPV) is a widely distributed and common virus, that causes benign lesions (such as warts and papillomas) but, if not cleared, can lead to malignant lesions as well, such as intraepithelial lesions and neoplasia. An extensive body of researches has demonstrated that E1 and E2 are involved in viral transcription and replication, E5, E6, and E7 act as oncoproteins, whilst L1 and L2 contribute to the formation of the capsid. However, this view has been recently challenged, since also E2 could play a role in HPV-induced carcinogenesis. Therefore, a complex picture is emerging, opening new ways and perspectives. The present article provides an overview of the biology of HPV, paying particular attention to its structural details and molecular mechanisms. The article also shows how this knowledge has been exploited for developing effective vaccines, both prophilactic/preventive and therapeutic ones. L1-based prophylactic vaccines, like Gardasil, Cervarix, and Gardasil 9, have been already licensed, whilst L2-based second generation preventive vaccines are still under clinical trials. New, highly immunogenic and effective vaccines can be further developed thanks to computer-aided design and bioinformatics/computational biology. The optimization of combinational therapies is another promising opportunity.

The main objective of this systematic review was to evaluate the economic burden of Herpes Zoster (HZ) infection. The review was conducted in accordance with the standards of the "Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses" guidelines. The following databases were accessed: ISI/Web of Knowledge (WoS), MEDLINE/PubMed, Scopus, ProQuest, the Cochrane Library and EconLit. Specific literature on health economics was also manually inspected. Thirty-three studies were included. The quality of the studies assessed in accordance with the Consolidated Health Economic Evaluation Reporting Standards checklist was good. All studies evaluated direct costs, apart from one which dealt only with indirect costs. Indirect costs were evaluated by 12 studies. The economic burden of HZ has increased over time. HZ management and drug prescriptions generate the highest direct costs. While increasing age, co-morbidities and drug treatment were found to predict higher direct costs, being employed was correlated with higher indirect costs, and thus with the onset age of the disease. Despite some differences among the selected studies, particularly with regard to indirect costs, all concur that HZ is a widespread disease which has a heavy social and economic burden.

The main goal of this study was to assess the theranostic performance of a nanomedicine able to generate MRI contrast as a response to the release from liposomes of the antitumor drug Doxorubicin triggered by the local ex- posure to pulsed low intensity non focused ultrasounds (pLINFU). In vitro experiments showed that Gadoteridol was an excellent imaging agent for probing the release of Doxorubicin following pLINFU stimulation. On this basis, the theranostic system was investigated in vivo on a syngeneic murine model of TS/A breast cancer. MRI offered an excellent guidance for monitoring the pLINFU-stimulated release of the drug. Moreover, it provided: i) an in vivo proof of the effective release of the liposomal content, and ii) a confirmation of the therapeutic ben- efits of the overall protocol. Ex vivo fluorescence microscopy indicated that the good therapeutic outcome was originated from a better diffusion of the drug in the tumor following the pLINFU stimulus. Very interestingly, the broad diffusion of the drug in the tumor stroma appeared to be mediated by the presence of the liposomes themselves. The results of this study highlighted either the great potential of US-based stimuli to safely trigger the release of a drug from its nanocarrier or the associated significant therapeutic improvement. Finally, MRI demonstrated to be a valuable technique to support chemotherapy and monitoring the outcome. Furthermore, in this specific case, the theranostic agent developed has a high clinical translatability because the MRI agent uti- lized is already approved for human use. Fil: Rizzitelli, S.. Universita di Torino; Italia Fil: Giustetto, P.. Universita di Torino; Italia Fil: Cutrin, Juan Carlos. Universita di Torino; Italia. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Houssay. Instituto de Investigaciones Cardiológicas (i); Argentina Fil: Delli Castelli, D.. Universita di Torino; Italia Fil: Boffa, C.. Universita di Torino; Italia Fil: Ruzza, M.. Universita di Torino; Italia Fil: Menchise, V.. Universita di Torino; Italia Fil: Molinari, F.. Politecnico Di Torino; Italia Fil: Aime, S.. Universita di Torino; Italia Fil: Terreno, E.. Universita di Torino; Italia

We evaluated retrospectively the efficacy and tolerability of oral albendazole (400 mg/day for 1 week) in 78 patients with hookworm-related cutaneous larva migrans characterized by multiple and/or extensive lesions. The diagnosis was based on history and the clinical picture. Neither topical or systemic drugs nor physical treatments were used. All patients were followed-up for at least 3 months after the therapy. All patients were cured at the end of the therapy. The disappearance of pruritus was reported after 2-3 days and skin lesions after 5-7 days of therapy. One patient reported nausea and abdominal pain; another patient reported worsening of pruritus: in both cases it was not necessary to stop the therapy. No recurrences were observed during follow-up. One week of therapy with 400 mg/day oral albendazole is very effective (cure rate: 100%) in patients with cutaneous larva migrans characterized by multiple and/or extensive lesions. This therapeutical regimen is not accompanied by the appearance of new and/or more severe side effects.

BackgroundMalignant ameloblastoma, comprising metastasizing ameloblastoma and ameloblastic carcinoma, represents 1.6-2.2% of all odontogenic tumors. Due to its rare nature, malignant ameloblastoma has only been reported in the literature in small case series or case reports. Using the Surveillance, Epidemiology and End-Results (SEER) database, we have performed a population-based study to determine the incidence rate and the absolute survival of malignant ameloblastoma.MethodUsing the International Classification of Diseases for Oncology (ICD-O) codes 9310/3 and 9270/3, data from the SEER database were used to calculate the incidence rate and absolute survival rate of population with malignant ameloblastoma.ResultsThe overall incidence rate of malignant ameloblastoma was 1.79 per 10 million person/year. The incidence rate was higher in males than females and also higher in black versus white population. The median overall survival was 17.6 years from the time of diagnosis and increasing age was associated with a statistically significant poorer survival.ConclusionsTo our best knowledge, we report the largest population-based series of malignant ameloblastoma. The incidence rate was 1.79 per 10 million person/year and the overall survival was 17.6 years.

The work aimed at developing a MRI-guided protocol for the visualization of the release of material entrapped in liposomes stimulated by the local application of pulsed low-intensity non-focused ultrasound (pLINFU). The task was achieved by formulating liposomes filled up with the clinically approved paramagnetic agent gadoteridol, because the release of the agent from the nanovesicles is accompanied by a significant MRI signal enhancement. The protocol was validated in vivo on mice-bearing subcutaneous syngeneic B16 melanoma and i.v. injected with the paramagnetic liposomes. Upon exposing tumor to pLINFU (3 MHz, insonation time 2 min, duty cycle 50%) few minutes after liposomes injection, a signal enhancement of ca. 35% was detected. The effective release of the agent was confirmed by the strong enhancement measured in kidneys calyx and bladder due to the rapid renal excretion of the agent released in the tumor.From the Clinical EditorIn this paper, a pulsed low-intensity non-focused ultrasound-based technique was used to release a paramagnetic MRI contrast agent from liposomes, demonstrating the feasibility of this triggered release system in a mouse melanoma model for future research applications. Fil: Rizzitelli, Silvia. Universitã â Di Torino; Italia Fil: Giustetto, Pierangela. Universitã â Di Torino; Italia Fil: Boffa, Cinzia. Universitã â Di Torino; Italia Fil: Delli Castelli, Daniela. Universitã â Di Torino; Italia Fil: Cutrin, Juan Carlos. Universitã â Di Torino; Italia. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Houssay. Instituto de Investigaciones Cardiológicas (i); Argentina Fil: Aime, Silvio. Universitã â Di Torino; Italia Fil: Terreno, Enzo. Universitã â Di Torino; Italia

Metastatic disease is the major cause of breast cancer related death and despite many advances, current therapies are rarely curative. Tumor cell migration and invasion require actin cytoskeletal reorganisation, to endow cells with capacity to disseminate and initiate the formation of secondary tumors. However, it is still unclear how these migratory cells colonise distant tissues to form macrometastases. The E6-associated protein, E6AP, acts both as an E3 ubiquitin-protein ligase and as a coactivator of steroid hormone receptors. We report that E6AP suppresses breast cancer invasiveness, colonisation and metastasis in mice and in breast cancer patients, loss of E6AP associates with poor prognosis, particularly for with basal breast cancer. E6AP regulates actin cytoskeletal remodelling via regulation of Rho-GTPases, acting as a negative regulator of ECT2, a GEF required for activation of Rho-GTPases. E6AP promotes ubiquitination and proteasomal degradation of ECT2 for which high expression predicts poor prognosis in breast cancer patients. We conclude that E6AP suppresses breast cancer metastasis by regulating actin cytoskeleton remodelling through the control of ECT2 and Rho-GTPase activity. These findings establish E6AP as a novel suppressor of metastasis and provide a compelling rationale for inhibition of ECT2 as a therapeutic approach for patients with metastatic breast cancer. Note: This abstract was not presented at the conference. Citation Format: Mariam Mansour, Sue Haupt, Ai-Leen Chan, Nathan Godde, Alexandra Rizzitelli, Sherene Loi, Franco Caramia, Siddartha Deb, Elena A. Takano, Mark Bishton, Cameron Johnstone, Yarra Levav-Cohen, Yong-Hui Jiang, Alpha S. Yap, Stephen Fox, Ora Bernard, Robin Anderson, Ygal Haupt. The E3-ligase E6AP represses breast cancer metastasis through regulation of ECT2-Rho-GTPases signaling. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the AACR Special Conference on Advances in Breast Cancer Research; Oct 17-20, 2015; Bellevue, WA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Mol Cancer Res 2016;14(2_Suppl):Abstract nr A72.

Background . Assessment methods for atopic dermatitis (AD) are not standardized, and therapeutic studies are difficult to interpret. Aims . To obtain a consensus on

We analyzed the cutaneous reactions to systemic analgesic-antipyretics and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs reported to the spontaneous reporting system of the Gruppo Italiano Studi Epidemiologici in Dermatologia (GISED). The system has been active since 1988, with periodic intensive surveillance exercises, and 202 dermatologists have collaborated. Up to December 1991, 2,137 reactions had been collected, of which 713 were reactions to systemic analgesic-antipyretics and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. A general profile of the reactions was identifiable. It included, in order of frequency, urticaria/angioedema, fixed eruptions, exanthemas, erythema multiforme and Stevens Johnson syndrome. Fixed eruptions and Stevens Johnson syndrome were reported with exceedingly high frequency in association with feprazone. Our system also revealed previously unreported reactions, including fixed eruption to nimesulide, fixed eruption to piroxicam and fixed eruption to flurbiprofen.

In 1990, Harms et al1described a new clinical entity that they descriptively defined as "papular-purpuric 'gloves and socks' syndrome" (PPGSS). These authors, on the basis of a careful review of the literature, concluded that PPGSS had never been described. After the first 5 patients reported by Harms et al,1another 20 cases were published.1-17One of these patients was seen in June 1993 at our institute.13 The recent discovery of 2 other cases has prompted us to present the results of a clinical and immunovirological study. Report of Cases. Case 1. A 39-year-old man was admitted because of a rash that was accompanied by a headache and localized exclusively to the hands and feet. The history was negative for intake of drugs. The rash was characterized by edema on which erythematopapular-purpuric lesions had developed: they were round, a few millimeters in diameter, slightly raised and

We describe a case of primary infection by human parvovirus B19 in a 20-year-old woman; it manifested as erythemato-maculo-papular lesions, pharyngotonsillitis, lymphadenopathy, fever, arthralgia and myalgia, asthenia and anorexia. Laboratory tests revealed anaemia, leucopenia, thrombocytopaenia and a rise in some inflammatory indices. Elisa test was positive for anti-human parvovirus B19 IgM. Clinical symptoms spontaneously regressed in 2 weeks. Thirty days after hospital admission all the laboratory tests returned to normal values; furthermore, specific IgM and IgG were detectable.

Background Various therapeutic modalities have been used to treat cutaneous larva migrans, including physical treatments (cryotherapy), topical drugs (tiabendazole), and systemic drugs (tiabendazole, albendazole, and ivermectin). Physical treatments are often ineffective and not devoid of side-effects. Topical tiabendazole is difficult to find in many countries; it is effective orally but frequently causes side-effects. Ivermectin has been used in a small number of patients. Methods Eleven (six men and five women) adult patients with cutaneous larva migrans characterized by multiple and/or diffuse lesions were treated with oral albendazole (400 mg daily for 7 days). No other topical or systemic drugs were used and no physical treatment was given. Results All patients were cured at the end of treatment. No side-effects were complained of or observed, and no laboratory abnormalities were recorded. No recurrences were observed. Conclusions Albendazole is effective in the treatment of cutaneous larva migrans characterized by multiple and/or diffuse lesions. This new therapeutic regimen can reduce the number of no responses and recurrences, sometimes observed following shorter (e.g. 3–5 days) treatments with albendazole. The longer duration of treatment is not accompanied by the appearance of new and/or more severe side-effects.