NEDOVRŠENA SMRTONOSNA TREPANACIJA UTVRĐENA NA KREMIRANIM OSTACIMA (RIM, ITALIJA, II. ST.)

Background: An original case of incomplete (and reasonably fatal) human trepanation is described in this short paper. The diagnosis was made on the cremated remains of a young adult individual who died in Rome, Italy during the 2nd century AD. Clinical Presentation: The trepanation was incomplete, as death occurred quickly due to vascular lesions, according to the anatomic analysis of the bone piece. Comparable trepanation from Roman times are described and related to this case. Conclusion: Even if archaeological, this case highlights the possibility of such a diagnosis on post-fire fragmented bones. Very suggestive lesions of section are of great interest for the history of such a practice during classical Antiquity. Lastly, from a medical and forensic point of view, such a diagnosis may be of interest during any identification process and research for a cause of death during anthropological analyses.Uvod: Ovaj kratki rad opisuje izvorni slučaj nedovršene, fatalne trepanacije. Dijagnoza trepanacije postavljena je temeljem pregleda kremiranih ostataka mlade odrasle osobe umrle u II. stoljeću u Rimu. Klinička slika: Anatomskom analizom kostiju utvrđena je nedovršena trepanacija, vjerojatno zbog smrti koja je nastupila netom nakon početka zahvata kao posljedica oštećenja krvožilja. Uz to, prikazani nalaz uspoređuje se sa sličnim slučajevima trepanacije iz rimskog razdoblja. Zaključak: Iako temeljen na arheološkim ostacima, ovaj slučaj ističe mogućnost dijagnosticiranja trepanacije iz kremiranih i fragmetniranih koštanih ostataka. Sugestivna oštećenja utvrđena na koštanom materijalu od značajnog su interesa za povijest trepanacije u klasičnoj antici. Također, ovakav slučaj može biti od interesa medicinskoj struci tijekom identifikacijskih procesa i antropološkog utvrđivanja uzroka smrti iz koštanih ulomaka

Consequences of Gestational Malaria on Birth Weight: Finding the Best Timeframe for Intermittent Preventive Treatment Administration

To investigate the consequences of intermittent preventive treatment (IPTp) timing on birth weight, we pooled data from two studies conducted in Benin between 2005 and 2010: a prospective cohort of 1037 pregnant women and a randomised trial comparing sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine (SP) to mefloquine in 1601 women. A total of 1439 women (752 in the cohort and 687 in the SP arm of the randomised trial) who delivered live singletons were analysed. We showed that an early intake of the first SP dose (4 months of gestation) was associated with a lower risk of LBW compared to a late intake (6–7 months of gestation) (aOR = 0.5 p = 0.01). We also found a borderline increased risk of placental infection when the first SP dose was administered early in pregnancy (aOR = 1.7 p = 0.1). This study is the first to investigate the timing of SP administration during pregnancy. We clearly demonstrated that women who had an early intake of the first SP dose were less at risk of LBW compared to those who had a late intake. Pregnant women should be encouraged to attend antenatal visits early to get their first SP dose and a third dose of SP could be recommended to cover the whole duration of pregnancy and to avoid late infections of the placenta

CPEB3 is Associated with Human Episodic Memory

Cytoplasmic polyadenylation element-binding (CPEB) proteins are crucial for synaptic plasticity and memory in model organisms. A highly conserved, mammalian-specific short intronic sequence within CPEB3 has been identified as a ribozyme with self-cleavage properties. In humans, the ribozyme sequence is polymorphic and harbors a single nucleotide polymorphism that influences cleavage activity of the ribozyme. Here we show that this variation is related to performance in an episodic memory task and that the effect of the variation depends on the emotional valence of the presented material. Our data suggest a role for human CPEB3 in human episodic memory

Mechanical and thermal behaviour of bamboo flour-reinforced XLPE composites

In the present work, the influence of natural fillers (bamboo flour/BF) on crosslinked polyethylene (XLPE) has been discussed. The main difficulty for the preparation of the composites is to establish adhesion between hydrophilic natural fillers and hydrophobic matrix. Consequently, coupling agent (CA) as silane must be added to promote interface. In this work, different amounts of tetraethyl orthosilicate (TEOS) were used as coupling agent and SEM images allow us to control the quality of the interface. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) shows that the XLPE crystallinity is unmodified upon the introduction of BF. The absence of transcrystallinity is important for preserving the ductility of composites. The dynamic mechanical analyses (DMA) highlight an optimum of shear modulus for a TEOS content of 5 mass% (CA5). Above this amount, the mechanical properties are reduced. These results were confirmed by the SEM observations which highlighted the decrease in the interface between the XLPE and BF. Furthermore, neither the introduction of BF nor the treatment with TEOS exerts an influence on the relaxation temperature: there is no plasticization. The combination of DSC/DMA allows us to show that higher viscoelasticity favouring impact strength is observed in XLPE/BF CA5 composites

Physical structure and mechanical properties of polyamide/bamboo composites

The main objective of this work is to process innovative bamboo flour (BF)-reinforced polymer composites.In this context, polyamide 11 (PA 11) is used as technical matrix. Moreover, BF is treated with tetraethyl orthosilicate (TEOS) playing the role of coupling agent. SEM observations show no influence of TEOS on the affinity. The composites were analysed by DSC and DMA, in comparison with neat PA 11. DSC analyses of PA 11/BF highlight that there is no significant modification of the percentage of crystallinity upon introduction of BF whatever the treatment is. Concerning the amorphous phase, only a slight shift of the glass transition of PA 11 from 35°C (PA 11) to 38°C (PA 11/BF composites) is recorded. This shift can be explained by physical bonds at the interface PA 11/BF. DMA analyses allow us to explore the role of BF fillers onto the properties of PA 11/BF composites. The first observation is a slight improvement of the shear modulus G0 when the concentration in TEOS increases. The b relaxation at -80°C is associated with the mobility of the complexes free amide groups/water molecules. There is no shift of the peak due to the presence of BF fillers. The magnitude and width of the relaxation increase with BF and also with TEOS treatment. These observations highlight the increase of hydrogen-bonded water in various sites of the vitreous state. The a relaxation is associated with the anelastic mobility liberated at the glass transition. For PA 11/BF composites, it is constituted by two components: the lower-temperature one due to neat polyamide and a higher-temperature one associated with PA 11/BF amorphous domains with a lower thermal conductivit

A glimpse into the early origins of medieval anatomy through the oldest conserved human dissection (Western Europe, 13^th c. A.D.)

INTRODUCTION: Medieval autopsy practice is very poorly known in Western Europe, due to a lack of both descriptive medico-surgical texts and conserved dissected human remains. This period is currently considered the dark ages according to a common belief of systematic opposition of Christian religious authorities to the opening of human cadavers. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The identification in a private collection of an autopsied human individual dated from the 13(th) century A.D. is an opportunity for better knowledge of such practice in this chrono-cultural context, i.e. the early origins of occidental dissections. A complete forensic anthropological procedure was carried out, completed by radiological and elemental analyses. RESULTS: The complete procedure of this body opening and internal organs exploration is explained, and compared with historical data about forensic and anatomical autopsies from this period. During the analysis, a red substance filling all arterial cavities, made of mercury sulfide (cinnabar) mixed with vegetal oil (oleic and palmitic acids) was identified; it was presumably used to highlight vascularization by coloring in red such vessels, and help in the preservation of the body. CONCLUSIONS: Of particular interest for the description of early medical and anatomical knowledge, this “human preparation” is the oldest known yet, and is particularly important for the fields of history of medicine, surgery and anatomical practice

Prospects of apoptotic cell-based therapies for transplantation and inflammatory diseases.

International audienceApoptotic cell removal or interactions of early-stage apoptotic cells with immune cells are associated with an immunomodulatory microenvironment that can be harnessed to exert therapeutic effects. While the involved immune mechanisms are still being deciphered, apoptotic cell infusion has been tested in different experimental models where inflammation is deregulated. This includes chronic and acute inflammatory disorders such as arthritis, contact hypersensitivity and acute myocardial infarction. Apoptotic cell infusion has also been used in transplantation settings to prevent or treat acute and chronic rejection, as well as to limit acute graft-versus-host disease associated with allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation. Here, we review the mechanisms involved in apoptotic cell-induced immunomodulation and data obtained in preclinical models of transplantation and inflammatory diseases

Mechanical properties of continuous bamboo fiber-reinforced biobased polyamide 11 composites

This study is devoted to the analysis of the properties of continuous bamboo fiber (BF)‐reinforced polyamide 11 (PA 11) composites. The SEM observations highlighted continuity between BFs and the polymeric matrix showing a high density of hydrogen bonds. The comparative calorimetric study of the matrix and its composites showed that the crystallinity of PA 11 was not modified by the presence of bamboo fibers. The physical aging observed in PA 11 is no more observed in composites due to physical interactions between PA 11 and BFs. The mechanical properties were investigated by tensile strength and dynamic mechanical analysis. The introduction of BFs enhanced Young's modulus of the matrix by a factor of 10. The presence of BFs also improved the storage shear modulus G′ over the whole temperature range