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Curcumin, an active substance contained in an Indian spice called turmeric or curcuma, is well known for its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. In recent times, it was taken into account and studied as an antitumoral molecule, by relying on its interference on several biological mechanisms, such as the inhibition of inflammatory mediators, the enhancement of detoxifying enzymes' action and processes of cell growth and proliferation. Studies show how the high dosage of curcumin in vitro inhibits colorectal tumor cells, pancreatic tumor cells, lung cancer cells and glioblastoma's cells, interfering in signaling pathways as Wnt/β-catenin, NF-kB and PI3K/Akt and leading to cell cycle arrest and apoptosis. Furthermore, the association between curcumin and chemotherapeutic agents such as 5-fluorouracil strengthens the drug's cytotoxicity and cells' susceptibility towards the chemotherapeutic agent. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The human microbiota, in adults, varies in number and species based on the location in the gastrointestinal tract. The highest concentration is at the intestinal level, where mainly Bacteroidetes, Actinobacteria, Firmicutes and Proteobacteria are found. Instead, in the oral cavity, five major phyla exist: Firmicutes, Actinobacteria, Proteobacteria, Bacteroidetes, and Fusobacteria. Variations in the microbiota cause dysbiosis, which is responsible to a great extent for the onset of many diseases including inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and colorectal cancer (CRC). In some cases (8 - 10%) IBD has shown oral manifestations that may reflect a change in the composition of the oral microbiota. This work relates, through a meta-analysis of the literature, how variations of the oral microbiota, or the combination of micro-organisms that inhabit the oral cavity, can influence the onset of IBD and CRC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The intestinal inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) are a group of inflammatory pathologies of the digestive line with chronicity and recurrent characteristics. The IBDs mostly recognized are the ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease; they are more frequent in the industrialized countries and among the caucasian populations that among those africans or oriental. The secondary artropaties to IBD recognize a multifactorial genesis in subjects predisposed as a result genetically of environmental factors; a fundamental role of the intestinal dysbiosis they are hypothesized. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nutraceuticals constitute a group of functional foods that provide added health benefits for various disorders including inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and colorectal cancer (CRC). The main groups of nutraceuticals include probiotics, prebiotics, omega 3 and antioxidants. Studies on Nutraceutical showed that this type of food possessed similar proprieties to drugs but with the benefit of not having side effects. This mini review shows that probiotics and prebiotics, when administered simultaneously with traditional therapies, reduce IBD symptoms and reduce synthesis of en- zymes probably involved in colorectal carcinogenesis. Moreover, Omega 3 reduces the synthesis of inflammation mediators and prevents carcinogenesis through interaction with the signaling pathway NOTCH1/MMP9. Moreover, antioxidants reduce the inflammatory process by inhibiting the synthesis of inflammatory mediators, and inhibit the mechanisms of cell proliferation by inducing apoptosis. In brief, nutraceuticals have gained a huge clinical interest since they could be used along with traditional therapy. Bioavailability studies of nutraceutical supplements guarantee a correct intake of the substance by oral administration, a matter which would not have been possible to have entirely with the consumption of regular food only. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD), such as Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis, are pathologies characterized by a chronic inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract. Their etiopathogenesis is not yet fully understood. Immune system and heat shock proteins (Hsps) dysfunctions are considered to be among the most likely causes of these diseases. Butyrate is a short-chain fatty acid mainly produced by intestinal microflora. It has a trophic, beneficial and protective role in the colonic mucosa, and it also induces changes in Hsp levels and localization. It may therefore be a valuable complementary therapeutic agent when used alongside traditional drugs (mesalazine and corticosteroids) to treat such conditions. The administration of specific probiotic formulations in order to increase the production of butyrate in the endoluminal environment may promote clinical remission in IBD patients. Due to these characteristics, there has been keen interest in the use of butyrate as a novel therapeutic supplement in the recent years. The current findings need to be validated through further clinical trials to better define the biomolecular dynamics of butyrate in the colonocytes of IBD patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The term Diagnosis-related Group (DRG) refers to a classification system used to assess hospital services with the aim of streamlining health care costs and improving performance. The DRG system focuses on the utilization of resources, and is not concerned with the specific type of care provided to the patient. This system highlights any diseconomies and eventual critical aspects of the hospital system. This article examines the variables used to correctly evaluate hospital performance based on the DRG system. These include: Average Length of Stay, Average Daily Patient Load, Comparative Performance Index and Case Mix Index. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Onset of the symptoms in patients with ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease is some-times characterized by osteoarticular manifestations. The usual presentation of peripheral arthritis is asymmetric, polyarticular and migrant, often involving large joints of the upper and lower limbs, unlike rheumatoid arthritis. This study analyses the statistical incidence of arthritic manifestations in elderly patients with inflammatory bowel disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Non-Steroidal Anti-inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs) are molecules that inhibit the functionality of cyclooxygenase, resulting in suppression of prostaglandin production. Primary physicians and specialist clinics frequently prescribe NSAIDs for the treatment of osteoarticular diseases such as tendinitis, bursitis, synovitis, spondylitis and osteoarthritis. This analysis aims to study gastrointestinal complications in orthopedic patients, caused by the use of NSAIDs, employing esophagogastroduodenoscopy and colonoscopy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The gut of a healthy adult harbours a myriad of different microbial species (approximately 1014 colony forming units). In healthy adults, the main control of intestinal bacterial colonization occurs through the gastric acidity. Moreover, other factors can influence the intestinal microenvironment, as pH, temperature, competition among different bacterial strains, peristalsis, drugs, radiotherapy, and much more. It was found that, when you have an impaired microbial homeostasis, the intestinal microsystem becomes unstable, so that leads to an alteration of the permeability of tissues, together with the activation of the intestinal immune system (MALT). These microenvironmental changes thus provide the substrate for the etiopathogenetic outbreak of numerous pathologies of gastro-intestinal tract, together with a miscellany of extraintestinal disorders. From the foregoing, we understand the real importance of maintaining a correct homeostasis of the intestinal microenvironment, in order to prevent the onset of specific disease of the digestive system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Capsula Eburnea is the property of Segretariato Italiano Medici e Specializzandi (SIMS) and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Capsula Eburnea is the property of Segretariato Italiano Medici e Specializzandi (SIMS) and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Capsula Eburnea is the property of Segretariato Italiano Medici e Specializzandi (SIMS) and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

The pain and functional limitations caused by osteoarthritis in joints have multiple etiologies and often involve inflammatory mechanisms. The first level of medical intervention consists of therapeutic use of NSAIDs or steroids when no complications are present. Such therapies could be ineffective, or cause drug-related complications, prompting the suspension of treatment. In these cases, intra-articular injections of high molecular weight hyaluronic acid can be administered in order to reach therapeutic goals. Patients with Crohn-Lesniowski disease, affected by osteoarthritis of the shoulder or the knee, were included in this study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

One of the contributory causes of colon cancer is the negative effect of reactive oxygen species on DNA repair mechanisms. Currently, there is a growing support for the concept that oxidative stress may be an important etiological factor for carcinogenesis. The purpose of this review is to elucidate the role of oxidative stress in promoting colorectal carcinogenesis and to highlight the potential protective role of antioxidants. Several studies have documented the importance of antioxidants in countering oxidative stress and preventing colorectal carcinogenesis. However, there are conflicting data in the literature concerning its proper use in humans, since these studies did not yield definitive results and were performed mostly in vitro on cell populations, or in vivo in experimental animal models., (Copyright© 2017, International Institute of Anticancer Research (Dr. George J. Delinasios), All rights reserved.)

Background and Aim of Work: posture is the position of the body in the space, and is controlled by a set of anatomical structures. The maintenance and the control of posture are a set of interactions between muscle-skeletal, visual, vestibular, and skin system. Lately there are numerous studies that correlate the muscle-skeletal and the maintenance of posture. In particular, the correction of defects and obstruction of temporomandibular disorders, seem to have an impact on posture. The aim of this work is to collect information in literature on posture and the influence of the stomatognathic system on postural system., Methods: Comparison of the literature on posture and posturology by consulting books and scientific sites., Results: the results obtained from the comparison of the literature show a discrepancy between the thesis. Some studies support the correlation between stomatognathic system and posture, while others deny such a correlation., Conclusions: further studies are necessary to be able to confirm one or the other argument.

Introduction: Endotracheal intubation in the rat is difficult because of the extremely small size of anatomical structures (oral cavity, epiglottis and vocal cords), small inlet for an endotracheal tube and the lack of proper technical instruments., Material and Methods: In this study we used seventy rats weighting 400-500 g. The equipment needed for the intubation was an operating table, a longish of cotton, a cotton tip, orotracheal tube, neonatal laryngoscope blades, KTR4 small animal ventilator and isoflurane for inhalation anaesthesia. Premedication was carried out by medetomidine hydrochloride 1 mg/mL; then, thanks to a closed glass chamber, a mixture of oxygen and isoflurane was administered. By means of a neonatal laryngoscope the orotracheal tube was advanced into the oral cavity until the wire guide was visualized trough the vocal cords; then it was passed through them. The tube was introduced directly into the larynx over the wire guide; successively, the guide was removed and the tube placed into the trachea. Breathing was confirmed using a glove, cut at the end of a finger, simulating a small balloon., Results: We achieved a fast and simple orotracheal intubation in all animals employed., Conclusions: We believe that our procedure is easier and faster than those previously reported in scientific literature.

Background: There is no standard practice in the induction of colitis by 2,4,6-trinitrobenzene sulfonic (TNBS) acid. Usually, the repeated administration of TNBS is preferred, because it will result in a local Th1 response that has the characteristics of Crohn`s disease., Materials and Methods: A total of 30 rats were randomized into two groups, consisting of a saline control group of ten rats and a TNBS groups of 20 rats. After the animals were anesthetized, 0.5 ml of either 0.9% saline (controls) or TNBS 50 mg/kg dissolved in 50% ethanol were instilled into the colon through a rubber catheter. The experiment was repeated weekly for four weeks, then, the rats were killed at day 40, and the distal colon removed., Results: At day 40, the bowel wall was basically normal in the control group. In the TNBS group, the bowel lumen became narrow with thickened wall, and the mucosal surface presented adherent membrane with brown black, linear ulcers, proliferous lymphocyte tissue, inflammatory granulomas and submucosal neutrophil infiltration. The median score of the severity of the colonic damage was 0 in the control group, and 4,75 (range 4-5) in the TNBS group; the mean weight of the rats was 180+35 g in the TNBS group, while it was 215+25 in the control group., Conclusions: The presented experiment is a cost-effective and safe method to induce Crohn-like colonic damage using a lower dose of TNBS, thus avoiding the risk of a massive loss of rats. This model is rather suitable for the assessment of the effects of potential therapeutic agents. (www.actabiomedica.it).

Patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) have an increased risk of 10%-15% developing colorectal cancer (CRC) that is a common disease of high economic costs in developed countries. The CRC has been increasing in recent years and its mortality rates are very high. Multiple biological and biochemical factors are responsible for the onset and progression of this pathology. Moreover, it appears absolutely necessary to investigate the environmental factors favoring the onset of CRC and the promotion of colonic health. The gut microflora, or microbiota, has an extensive diversity both quantitatively and qualitatively. In utero, the intestine of the mammalian fetus is sterile. At birth, the intestinal microbiota is acquired by ingesting maternal anal or vaginal organisms, ultimately developing into a stable community, with marked variations in microbial composition between individuals. The development of IBD is often associated with qualitative and quantitative disorders of the intestinal microbial flora (dysbiosis). The healthy human gut harbours about 10 different bacterial species distributed in colony forming units which colonize the gastrointestinal tract. The intestinal microbiota plays a fundamental role in health and in the progression of diseases such as IBD and CRC. In healthy subjects, the main control of intestinal bacterial colonization occurs through gastric acidity but other factors such as endoluminal temperature, competition between different bacterial strains, peristalsis and drugs can influence the intestinal microenvironment. The microbiota exerts diverse physiological functions to include: growth inhibition of pathogenic microorganisms, synthesis of compounds useful for the trophism of colonic mucosa, regulation of intestinal lymphoid tissue and synthesis of amino acids. Furthermore, mucus seems to play an important role in protecting the intestinal mucosa and maintaining its integrity. Changes in the microbiota composition are mainly influenced by diet and age, as well as genetic factors. Increasing evidence indicates that dysbiosis favors the production of genotoxins and metabolites associated with carcinogenesis and induces dysregulation of the immune response which promotes and sustains inflammation in IBD leading to carcinogenesis. A disequilibrium in gut microflora composition leads to the specific activation of gut associated lymphoid tissue. The associated chronic inflammatory process associated increases the risk of developing CRC. Ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease are the two major IBDs characterized by an early onset and extraintestinal manifestations, such as rheumatoid arthritis. The pathogenesis of both diseases is complex and not yet fully known. However, it is widely accepted that an inappropriate immune response to microbial flora can play a pivotal role in IBD pathogenesis.

Molecular chaperones, many of which are heat-shock proteins (HSPs), are an important class of molecules with various functions. Pathological conditions in which chaperones become etiological and/or pathogenic factors are called chaperonopathies, and are classified into by defect, by excess, and by 'mistake'. In the latter case, the chaperone is structurally and functionally normal but participates in pathways that favor disease, although in some cases the chaperone may have post-translational modifications that may lead it to change its location and function and, thus, to become pathogenic. For example, HSP-chaperones are involved in carcinogenesis in various ways, so that some forms of cancer may be considered 'chaperonopathies by mistake'. This concept suggests new strategies for anticancer therapy (chaperonotherapy), in which the primary targets or therapeutic agents are chaperones. Chaperonotherapy consists of the utilization of HSP-chaperones for treating chaperonopathies, including cancer. Negative chaperonotherapy is aimed at eliminating or blocking the action of chaperones that favor carcinogenesis or other diseases, whereas positive chaperonotherapy uses chaperones, genes or proteins, to fight against diseases, such as cancer, by stimulating the immune system or the cellular defenses against stress.

The gut of a healthy adult harbours a myriad of different microbial species. It is estimated that approximately 10 14 are present in total bacterial colony forming units (CFU). Each colony colonizes a specific intestinal tract. In healthy adult, the main control of intestinal bacterial colonization occurs through gastric acidity but also other factors can influence the intestinal microenvironment such as pH, temperature, competition among different bacterial strains, peristalsis, drugs, radiotherapy and much more. Impaired microbial homeostasis leads to an alteration of the permeability of tissue, together with the activation of the intestinal immune system MALT (mucosal associated lymphoid tissue). In this regard we discuss the increasing experimental evidences of the role of commensal microbiota in the activation of specific intestinal immunocompetent cells. The aforementioned micro-environmental changes provide the substrate for the etiopathogenetic outbreak of numerous pathologies of gastro-intestinal tract, such as intestinal chronic inflammation (Crohn's disease and Ulcerative Colitis), together with a miscellany of extra intestinal disorders. This article is an overview of the latest scientific findings about the close causal relationship between intestinal microbial flora and inflammatory bowel diseases or other extra-intestinal diseases; it is also mentioned the possible relationship between mycobacteria and Chron's disease. Finally we analyse the beneficial role of probiotics.

High energy trauma is often responsible for acute bleeding. Long bone and pelvis fractures are correlated with increased blood loss. Hypovolaemia could become a life threatening complication especially in elderly patients because of the reduced physiological response. Furthermore it could compromise the course of associated morbidities. Haemorrage is also associated in both comminuted fractures and osteoporosis. An increased intraoperative bleeding often occurs when a prolonged surgical time is required to obtain an appropriate ostheosynthesis. The final consequence of a mayor bleeding is hypovolaemic shock. The reduced oxygen tension of the tissue may be responsible for heart attack, arrhythmia, stroke, multi organ deficiency. For these reasons, it is important to immediately recognize and correct all potential bleeding in order to avoid complications.