The constellation of dietary factors in adolescent acne: a semantic connectivity map approach.

BACKGROUND: Different lifestyle and dietetic factors have been linked with the onset and severity of acne. OBJECTIVE: To assess the complex interconnection between dietetic variables and acne. METHODS: This was a reanalysis of data from a case-control study by using a semantic connectivity map approach. 563 subjects, aged 10-24 years, involved in a case-control study of acne between March 2009 and February 2010, were considered in this study. The analysis evaluated the link between a moderate to severe acne and anthropometric variables, family history and dietetic factors. Analyses were conducted by relying on an artificial adaptive system, the Auto Semantic Connectivity Map (AutoCM). RESULTS: The AutoCM map showed that moderate-severe acne was closely associated with family history of acne in first degree relatives, obesity (BMI ≥ 30), and high consumption of milk, in particular skim milk, cheese/yogurt, sweets/cakes, chocolate, and a low consumption of fish, and limited intake of fruits/vegetables. CONCLUSION: Our analyses confirm the link between several dietetic items and acne. When providing care, dermatologists should also be aware of the complex interconnection between dietetic factors and acne.

[Collagenase for the treatment of torpid ulcerative lesions of the legs]. / La collagenasi nel trattamento delle lesioni ulcerative torpide degli arti inferiori.

The therapeutic effectiveness and the tolerability of a collagenase-chloramphenicol ointment were studied on a group of 20 patients (mean age 73.4 +/- 13.6 years, range 25-88 years) with lower limb ulcerations of various origin. The ointment proved capable of favourably influencing the debridment and the healing process of these lesions. Statistically significant improvements were observed after days of treatment for debridment, inflammation and granulation, after eight days for the lesion size and after ten days for epithelization. Tolerability was very good.

[Chronic follicular mucinosis. Presentation of a case]. / Mucinosi follicolare cronica. Presentazione di un caso.

Follicular mucinosis is a not uncommon but frequently misidentified disease. Actually this peculiar condition is divided in three groups: in one group the lesion cleared spontaneously within a few months (acute follicular mucinosis); in a second group there is a chronic relapsing but benign course over several years (chronic follicular mucinosis) and in a third group appeared in association with a lymphoma (15%). Some Authors believe that follicular mucinosis is a histological term for a reactive pattern in follicular epithelium. We report the case of a patient affected by this dermatosis. The eruption consisted of follicular papules and inflammatory plaques widespread. No instance of transition from follicular mucinosis to lymphoma was observed. Very important to the diagnosis was the histological findings. We believe that the case in exam was a form of chronic follicular mucinosis.

Paracoccidioidomycosis (South American blastomycosis): a report of an imported case previously diagnosed as tuberculosis.

A case of paracoccidioidomycosis, previously treated for tuberculosis for two years, is reported. Combined treatment with oral ketoconazole and sulfamethoxypyridazine was successful. The problem of a low index of suspicion among physicians for tropical mycoses, which are very rarely observed in Italy, is discussed.

Sweet's syndrome in chronic lymphocytic leukemia.

We describe the case of a man, previously affected by B-CLL, who developed Sweet's syndrome four months later the previous diagnosis. Sweet's syndrome was diagnosed by cutaneous biopsy. Neither infections nor drugs administration were demonstrated, in order to explain beginning of Sweet's syndrome. Altered immune responsiveness, as seen in B-CLL, could cause Sweet's syndrome.

White sponge nevus: successful treatment with penicillin.

White sponge nevus is a rare, benign, inherited disorder of the mucous membranes, affecting mainly the oral mucosa. A case is reported of white sponge nevus, which showed a definite improvement following penicillin administration.

Retinol binding protein in normal human skin and in cutaneous disorders.

Circulating vitamin A is transported by a carrier termed retinol binding protein (RBP). Autoradiography and immunofluorescence studies showed that, in normal human skin, RBP is confirmed exclusively to the dermis. Following oral vitamin A loading, a large increase in dermal RBP but only a very small rise of serum RBP was found. Serum RBP was slightly decreased in eczema patients and markedly decreased in patients with porphyria cutanea tarda. Values in other dermatoses, including psoriasis, were normal.

[The physician's attitudes toward venereal diseases: a survey in the district of Parma (author's transl)]. / Indagine sull'orientamento dei medici della provincia di Parma a proposito delle malattie veneree.

Stated that official data by large under-report the prevalence of the sexually transmitted diseases a survey questionnaire was mailed to every physician of the district of Parma. The results and the pros and cons of the method are discussed.

[Retinoic acid and 5-FU mixture in the topical treatment of several skin diseases (author's transl)]. / Trattamento locale di alcune dermatosi mediante associazione di acido retinoico e 5-fluoro uracile.

The need for safe and effective topical treatments is underlined by several clinical trials over the years treating miscellaneous dermatosis with many and heterologous drugs, sometimes on a simple empirical basis. In a recent study Robinson and Kligman claimed to have obtained satisfactory results treating several cases of actinic keratosis with an alternate regimen of retinoic acid and 5-FU. We wish to report an open-label pilot study using a simple and readily accessible combination of commercially formulated and available agents as 0,05% retinoic acid cream and 5% 5-FU cream over two groups of patients. Treatment consisted of bid application of sparing amounts of an equal parts combination of retinoic acid and 5-FU. The first group consisted of 7 patients affected by skin diseases associated with an altered epidermal keratinization (actinic keratosis, Darier's disease, seborrheic keratosis, phrynoderma and epidermodysplasia verruciformis). The patients were followed up for a period of 15 to 60 days and, as it might be expected, the results were quite good. The second group, on the contrary, consisted of 6 patients affected mainly by dermatosis involving the corium (LED, milium, colloid pseudomilium). The patients were followed up for the same period of time as the first group was, but the results were much less rewarding. Only a partial resolution of the process, which was followed soon after by a relapse, was noted. Finally we believe that this modified regimen of equal parts of retinoic acid and 5-FU has to be recommended in the topical treatment of the above mentioned dermatosis associated with an altered keratinization.