Life and Death in Italian Prehistory: The Case of the Sailor from Spina.

BACKGROUND: There are few reported cases in the literature of spinal injuries from the past, and all of them resulted in the death of the individual or led to severe health consequences. From the historical record, it is well known there were no cures or treatments for spinal lesions in the past. Given the paucity of historical documents focused on this topic, anthropological research on spinal injuries can contribute with important information regarding the medical history of this kind of trauma. Moreover, skeletal trauma and occupational markers may be crucial for the reconstruction of habitual behaviors and the identification of causes and timing of death. We report results of an anthropological study of a case of vertebral injury discovered in an individual from the Italian Iron Age that highlights this important topic. The aim of this study was to assess the habitual activity pattern and manner of death of an ancient inhabitant of Spina in Padanian Etruria (northeastern Italy). METHODS: We performed a detailed anthropological and paleopathological analysis of skeletal remains. RESULTS: The unknown individual was identified as a middle-aged man characterized by a particular trauma to the spine. Lesion analysis revealed a perimortem injury at the L2-L3 level. Characteristic markers on the bones indicated intense physical activity carried out during his life. CONCLUSIONS: This Etruscan, in all likelihood a sailor according to the occupational markers, did not survive a stabbing attack with a bladed weapon.

FABP7 expression in normal and stab-injured brain cortex and its role in astrocyte proliferation.

Reactive gliosis, in which astrocytes as well as other types of glial cells undergo massive proliferation, is a common hallmark of all brain pathologies. Brain-type fatty acid-binding protein (FABP7) is abundantly expressed in neural stem cells and astrocytes of developing brain, suggesting its role in differentiation and/or proliferation of glial cells through regulation of lipid metabolism and/or signaling. However, the role of FABP7 in proliferation of glial cells during reactive gliosis is unknown. In this study, we examined the expression of FABP7 in mouse cortical stab injury model and also the phenotype of FABP7-KO mice in glial cell proliferation. Western blotting showed that FABP7 expression was increased significantly in the injured cortex compared with the contralateral side. By immunohistochemistry, FABP7 was localized to GFAP(+) astrocytes (21% of FABP7(+) cells) and NG2(+) oligodendrocyte progenitor cells (62%) in the normal cortex. In the injured cortex there was no change in the population of FABP7(+)/NG2(+) cells, while there was a significant increase in FABP7(+)/GFAP(+) cells. In the stab-injured cortex of FABP7-KO mice there was decrease in the total number of reactive astrocytes and in the number of BrdU(+) astrocytes compared with wild-type mice. Primary cultured astrocytes from FABP7-KO mice also showed a significant decrease in proliferation and omega-3 fatty acid incorporation compared with wild-type astrocytes. Overall, these data suggest that FABP7 is involved in the proliferation of astrocytes by controlling cellular fatty acid homeostasis.

Investigating wound healing, tyrosinase inhibitory and antioxidant activities of the ethanol extracts of Salvia cryptantha and Salvia cyanescens using in vivo and in vitro experimental models.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Salvia L. species are widely used against wounds and skin infections in Turkish folk medicine. AIM OF THE STUDY: The aim of the present study is to evaluate wound healing activity of the ethanol (EtOH) extracts of Salvia cryptantha and Salvia cyanescens. MATERIALS AND METHODS: For the assessment of wound healing activity linear incision and circular excision wound models were employed on rats and mice. The wound healing effect was comparatively evaluated with the standard skin ointment Madecassol(®). Inhibition of tyrosinase, a key enzyme in skin aging, was achieved using ELISA microplate reader. Antioxidant activity was evaluated by 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and superoxide radical scavenger effect, ferrous ion-chelating ability, and ferric-reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) tests. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: The EtOH extract of Salvia cryptantha treated groups of animals showed 56.5% contraction, whereas the reference drug Madecassol(®) showed 100% contraction. On the other hand, the same extract on linear incision wound model demonstrated a significant increase (33.2%) in wound tensile strength as compared to other groups. The results of histopathological examination maintained the upshot of linear incision and circular excision wound models as well. These findings specify that Salvia cryptantha for wound healing activity can be appealed further phytochemical estimation for spotting its active components.

Stiletto stabbing: penetrating injury to the hypothalamus with hyperacute diabetes insipidus.

Diabetes insipidus (DI) is a well documented complication observed after traumatic head injuries. We report a case of hyperacute onset DI in a 19-year-old male who sustained a hypothalamic-pituitary injury when he was stabbed in the head with a 30-cm long thin-bladed knife. At CT, our patient showed significant hemorrhagic contusions of the lower hypothalamus. He developed polydipsia, polyuria, and mild hypernatremia in the Emergency Department. Diagnostic digital subtraction angiography showed a hypervascular congestive pituitary gland with prominent draining veins. On the third day his hypernatremia became severe (183mEq/L). He was managed with parenteral fluids and a regimen of intranasal DDAVP (1-desamino 8-d-arginine vasopressin), leading to improved plasmatic sodium levels, urine output, and urinary specific gravity. In patients presenting with hyperacute posttraumatic DI, emergency room physicians and neurosurgeons should rule out direct injury to the hypothalamus and/or the posterior lobe of the pituitary, and initiate early pharmacological treatment.

Radiological stab wound channel depiction with instillation of contrast medium.

The radiological depiction of stab wounds in soft-tissues using multislice computed tomography is difficult and the hereby obtained images often lack contrast. To overcome these shortcomings we tried a new method. We gently instilled the contrast medium Lipiodol((R)) Ultra-fluide into five experimentally induced stab wounds on a pork haunch. Subsequent MSCT reconstructions of the wounds delivered clear, for medical laymen easily appreciable images regarding the stab direction and the stab depth. We believe that this easy and rapid technique can be useful in the examination of stab wounds in living and dead victims of sharp trauma.

Perimortem weapon trauma in an adult male skeleton from the Italic necropolis of Opi Val Fondillo (VI-V century BC; Central Italy).

The author describes weapon traumatic lesions in an adult male skeleton, that was excavated in the Italic necropolis of Opi Val Fondillo, Central Italy. The preservation of the skeleton is very good. The skull shows a linear lesion across the diploE of the right parietal and occipital bones; the edge of the traumatic lesion is smooth and perpendicular to the bone surface. The injury was probably inflicted with a sharp-edged weapon and the violence of the stroke caused the detachment of bone fragments and fractures that radiate from the point of impact. A sharp-edged linear traumatic lesion, probably inflicted with a blade, is visible on the ventral surface of the vertebral bodies of atlas and axis; the blade detached the right transverse process of the atlas and penetrated in the vertebral body of the axis. Another sharp-edged linear traumatic injury is observed on the anterior surface of the body of thoracic vertebrae. There are no traumatic lesions of the ribs and the last injury was probably inflected down with a blade, while the body lying on the ground. The posterior surface of the diaphysis of the right femur shows an incomplete perimortem fracture, probably due to a compression down upon. Probably the adult male was killed during a fight and enemy had done with him, while he was lying on the ground holding fast his legs strongly. A comparison is made between the lesions and the modality of combat as well as the type of the weapons used by the Samnitic warriors.

The effect of topical tretinoin on tissue strength and skin components in a murine incisional wound model.

BACKGROUND: Vitamin A derivatives modulate the inflammatory phase in wound healing. Retinoic acid can restore decreased tensile strength and collagen content in steroid- or diabetes-impaired wounds. It is hypothesized that retinoic acid can lead to accelerated healing with improved breaking strength in unimpaired incisional wounds. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Skin incisions were made in 45 CD-1 mice. The sutured wounds were treated once daily with topical all-trans-retinoic acid 0.1% (n = 15), vehicle ointment (n = 15), or left untreated (n = 15). Skin biopsies at 1-, 2-, and 3-week intervals were examined using hematoxylin and eosin (H&E), Masson's trichrome, and immunoperoxidase staining methods. Wound breaking strength was determined by biomechanical analysis. RESULTS: Incisions treated with retinoic acid exhibited a significantly reduced breaking strength at week 1 when compared to the vehicle and control group. Histologic examination showed a prolonged inflammatory reaction with abundant deposition of granulation tissue. Despite an increased fibroplastic proliferation in the tretinoin-treated wounds, the production of collagen was diminished. CONCLUSIONS: Topical retinoic acid does not enhance the healing of unimpaired incisional wounds. The inadequate tensile strength in the early phase of the healing process is possibly the result of an increased dermal inflammatory response and the decreased collagen content. Although these adverse effects disappeared by 3 weeks postwounding, we found no discernible benefit of supplemental retinoic acid in unimpaired wounds.

Suspected suicide and suicide attempt with mysterious concomitant circumstances.

Two cases of suicide and attempted suicide, respectively, are presented. A 15-year old boy suffering from diabetes died of hyperglycemia after continuous drinking of large amounts of sugared tea. He concealed his disease from the teachers as well as from the doctor. A 52-year old woman was found with multiple blunt force injuries and stab wounds. The suspicion of homicide attempt could be clarified, as all of the injuries were self-inflicted.

[An unusual injury pattern in magically increased false sex crime]. / Ungewöhnliches Verletzungsmuster bei magisch überhöhtem unechtem Triebdelikt.

Case report on a rape-homicide by manual strangulation involving a 59 year old female. The autopsy disclosed a peculiar cross-shaped superficial incised wound of the abdomen, encircled by 12 stab-wounds, furthermore multiple superficial and deep incised wounds of the genitalia. The injury pattern was in good agreement with the psychiatric interpretation of the sexual behaviour as outlet of severe aggressive impulses originating from non-sexual motives.

[The effect of carnosine on the healing of a lung wound]. / Vliianie karnozina na zazhivlenie rany legkogo.

The influence of carnosine (beta-alanine, alpha-histidine) on the process of lung wound reparation was studied in 90 guinea-pigs. Its efficacy was evaluated microscopically, histologically and by means of electronic microscope. It was established that carnosine, as compared to controls nearly twice accelerates reparative processes in the injured lung by activation of fibroblast proliferation, connective tissue generation and intracellular regeneration. In type II epithelial cells more intensive formation of osmiophilic bodies and lamellar bodies contained in them is observed. The alveolus formation in the wound lips by the 7-8th day after lung injury is going on under the carnosine influence, which is due, probably, to massive excretion of osmiophilic contents from type II epithelial cells and surfactant production. This may be connected with rapid decrease of atelectasis and rapid restoration of lung airness within the wound.