\u2018The story of an intriguing palaeo-endocrinological case at the \u201cLuigi Cattaneo\u201d Anatomical Wax Collection in Bologna\u2019

The \u201cLuigi Cattaneo\u201d Anatomical Wax Collection in Bologna hosts wax models dating back to the 19th century. At that time professors of pathological anatomy conducted researches on clinical cases according to a modus operandi characteristic of the Bolognese School whose motto was: \u201cBy describing the morphology of what we see, we can name the pathologies\u201

Supplementary Material for: Intestinal Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Is Decreased in Necrotizing Enterocolitis

<b><i>Background:</i></b> Decreased intestinal perfusion may contribute to the development of necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC). Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is an angiogenic protein necessary for the development and maintenance of capillary networks. Whether VEGF is dysregulated in NEC remains unknown. <b><i>Objectives:</i></b> The objective of this study was to determine whether intestinal VEGF expression is altered in a neonatal mouse model of NEC and in human NEC patients. <b><i>Methods:</i></b> We first assessed changes of intestinal VEGF mRNA and protein in a neonatal mouse NEC model before significant injury occurs. We then examined whether exposure to formula feeding, bacterial inoculation, cold stress and/or intermittent hypoxia affected intestinal VEGF expression. Last, we visualized VEGF protein in intestinal tissues of murine and human NEC and control cases by immunohistochemistry. <b><i>Results:</i></b> Intestinal VEGF protein and mRNA were significantly decreased in pups exposed to the NEC protocol compared to controls. Hypoxia, cold stress and commensal bacteria, when administered together, significantly downregulated intestinal VEGF expression, while they had no significant effect when given alone. VEGF was localized to a few single intestinal epithelial cells and some cells of the lamina propria and myenteric plexus. VEGF staining was decreased in murine and human NEC intestines when compared to control tissues. <b><i>Conclusion:</i></b> Intestinal VEGF protein is reduced in human and experimental NEC. Decreased VEGF production might contribute to NEC pathogenesis

Mandibular fractures: a comparative analysis between young and adult patients in the southeast region of Turkey

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to review and compare the differences between mandibular fractures in young and adult patients. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Patients treated at the Oral and Maxillofacial Department of Dicle University during a five-year period between 2000 and 2005 were retrospectively evaluated with respect to age groups, gender, etiology, localization and type of fractures, treatment methods and complications. RESULTS: 532 patients were included in the study, 370 (70%) males and 162 (30%) females, with a total of 744 mandibular fractures. The mean age of young patients was 10, with a male-female ratio of 2:1. The mean age of adult patients was 28, with a male-female ratio of 3:1. The most common causes of injury were falls (65%) in young patients and traffic accidents (38%) in adults. The most common fracture sites were the symphysis (35%) and condyle (36%) in young patients, and the symphysis in adults (36%). Mandibular fractures were generally treated by arch bar and maxillomandibular fixation in both young (67%) and adult (39%) patients, and 43% of the adult patients were treated by open reduction and internal fixation. CONCLUSION: There was a similar gender, monthly and type of treatment distribution in both young and adult patients in the southeast region of Turkey. However, there were differences regarding age, etiology and fracture site. These findings between young and adult patients are broadly similar to those from other studies. Analysis of small differences may be an important factor in assessing educational and socioeconomic environments

The Immunologic Effects of Mesalamine in Treated HIV-Infected Individuals with Incomplete CD4+ T Cell Recovery: A Randomized Crossover Trial

<div><p>The anti-inflammatory agent, mesalamine (5-aminosalicylic acid) has been shown to decrease mucosal inflammation in ulcerative colitis. The effect of mesalamine in HIV-infected individuals, who exhibit abnormal mucosal immune activation and microbial translocation (MT), has not been established in a placebo-controlled trial. We randomized 33 HIV-infected subjects with CD4 counts <350 cells/mm³ and plasma HIV RNA levels <40 copies/ml on antiretroviral therapy (ART) to add mesalamine vs. placebo to their existing regimen for 12 weeks followed by a 12 week crossover to the other arm. Compared to placebo-treated subjects, mesalamine-treated subjects did not experience any significant change in the percent CD38+HLA-DR+ peripheral blood CD4+ and CD8+ T cells at week 12 (P  = 0.38 and P  = 0.63, respectively), or in the CD4+ T cell count at week 12 (P  = 0.83). The percent CD38+HLA-DR+ CD4+ and CD8+ T cells also did not change significantly in rectal tissue (P  = 0.86, P  = 0.84, respectively). During the period of mesalamine administration, plasma sCD14, IL-6, D-dimer, and kynurenine to tryptophan ratio were not changed significantly at week 12 and were similarly unchanged at week 24. This study suggests that, at least under the conditions studied, the persistent immune activation associated with HIV infection is not impacted by the anti-inflammatory effects of mesalamine.</p><p>Trial Registration</p><p>ClinicalTrials.gov <a href="https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT01090102?term=mesalamine+hiv&rank=1" target="_blank">NCT01090102</a></p></div