Background This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of the photobiomodulation therapy (PBMT) in the treatment of minor recurrent aphthous stomatitis (MiRAS) in children, in terms of pain relief, lesion size reduction and the parental satisfaction of the therapy. Material and Methods This randomized controlled study was carried out on 60 children with clinical diagnosis of MiRAS. Patients were randomized into two groups: group A receiving laser therapy and group B receiving sham therapy (placebo). Laser therapy (diode laser, λ: 645 nm) was administered on day 1 (T0) for three consecutive days. Patients were evaluated also on day 4 (T1), on day 7 (T2) and on day 10 (T3). Oral aphthous lesions size was assessed through a periodontal probe to measure the diameter length (mm); pain was evaluated through the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS); parental satisfaction was assessed through a questionnaire. Results The difference in the reduction of ulcers diameters between the two groups resulted statistically significant at T1 and at T2 ( p <0.05). A statistically significant difference in pain reduction between two groups was found at T1 ( p <0.05). No statistically significant difference between the two groups of parents was found as concerns the parental acceptance of the procedure and the discomfort for the need of multiple appointments. Conclusions PBMT is to be considered effective in the treatment of MiRAS in children and well- accepted by the parents of the children themselves. Key words: Ulcers, children, lasers

Background Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) seems to affect children only marginally, as a result, there is less knowledge of its manifestations in childhood. The purpose of this retrospective cross-sectional study was to investigate the oral and cutaneous manifestations in children affected by COVID-19. Material and Methods All the medical records of children with COVID-19 admitted to the Pediatric Clinic- ASST Spedali Civili of Brescia from March to April 2020 were reviewed. The following data were recorded: age, temperature, clinical presentation, oral mucosa lesions, taste alteration and cutaneous lesions. Results The medical records of twenty-seven pediatric patients (mean age 4,2 years + 1,7) were analyzed. The clinical presentation of the disease mainly included elevated body temperature and cough. The following oral lesions were recorded: oral pseudomembranous candidiasis (7.4 %), geographic tongue (3.7%), coated tongue (7.4 %) and hyperaemic pharynx (37 %). Taste alteration was reported by 3 patients. Six patients presented cutaneous flat papular lesions. Conclusions As for our paediatric sample, COVID-19 resulted to be associated with non-specific oral and cutaneous manifestations. Key words: Child, COVID-19, oral mucosa, taste.

Background To evaluate the clinical effectiveness of a topical sialogogue spray (malic acid, 1%) in the treatment of xerostomia in patients with chronic Graft versus Host Disease (cGVHD). Material and Methods This study was designed as a randomized double-blind clinical study. Twenty-eight patients with cGVHD suffering from xerostomia were divided into 2 groups: the first group (14 patients) received a topical sialagogue spray containing malic acid 1% (SalivAktive®) whereas the second group (14 patients) received a placebo. Both groups received treatment for 2 weeks. Dry Mouth Questionnaire (DMQ) scores and unstimulated salivary flows rate were collected before and after treatment. Results DMQ scores increased significantly from 1.3 ± 0.4 to 3.5 ± 0.4 points ( p <0.05) after two weeks of treatment with malic acid, whereas in the control group DMQ scores increased from 1.2 ± 0.7 points to 1.4 ± 0.6 ( p >0.05). The unstimulated salivary flow rate in patients treated with malic acid increased significantly from 0.15 ± 0.06 mL/min to 0.24± 0.08 mL/min, while that of the patients treated with placebo went from 0.16 ± 0.07 mL/min to 0.17 ± 0.09 mL/min ( p >0.05). Conclusions Malic acid 1% spray can be considered effective in the treatment of GVHD induced xerostomia. Key words: Xerostomia, malic acid, transplantation.

Blood serum levels and half-life times of Rifampicin (RAMP) have been investigated after the first administration, at various time intervals during long-term treatment and following a test dose given 30 days after the end of long-term treatment in tuberculous patients. After a marked drop of the values at the 6th and 12th hour following administration, which takes place within the first 30 days of treatment together with a sharp decrease in the half-life times, no further appreciable changes have been observed up to the 10th month of treatment. After a test dose given 30 days after the end of treatment, a curve comparable to that observed following the first administration is obtained. The changes are likely to depend upon an increased metabolization of the drug to its desacetyl-derivative which is more rapidly excreted and very poorly absorbed. This behaviour does not affect to any appreciable extent the therapeutic effectiveness of RAMP.