Gingival recessions caused by Herpes Simplex Virus in a patient with COVID‐19 infection

Herpes Simplex Virus type 1 (HSV‐1) is a very common infection often localized in the mucocutaneous junction of the lip. Rarely, it could be detected also in periodontal tissues, associated with an elevated risk of periodontal disease progression and gingival recessions. Recently, HSV‐1 and numerous co‐infections have been reported in literature associated with the Coronavirus and subsequent COVID‐19 disease. This report illustrates a case of HSV‐1 in a patient with Covid‐19 infection, showing the presence of ulcers and vesicles on the gingival margin of maxillary teeth associated with soreness and pain. The histology highlighted the presence of intraepithelial cell ballooning, confirming the diagnosis of HSV‐1 infection.     

Trends in cervical cancer survival in Europe, 1983-1994: a population-based study

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate trends in survival from cervical cancer in Europe and in European countries participating in the EUROCARE study as a function of age, morphology and stage at diagnosis. METHODS: Relative survival and relative excess risk of death within 5 years of diagnosis, as a function of age, morphology and stage, among 73,022 women aged 15-99 years diagnosed during 1983-1994 and followed up to 1999 in each of 18 European countries participating in the EUROCARE study, using data from 34 population-based cancer registries. RESULTS: Overall five-year relative survival was 62%, rising by 2% during the period 1983-1994. The highest survival occurred in Northern and Western Europe and the lowest in Central Europe. Survival falls with age at diagnosis, but mainly for localised disease. Survival is higher for adenocarcinoma in younger women, but higher for squamous cell carcinoma in older women. The proportions of younger women, localised cancer and adenocarcinoma all increased. The main improvements in survival were for women under 65, and for metastatic disease. CONCLUSIONS: Survival in Europe has improved slowly but steadily, but the trend is not geographically uniform. Central European countries and the UK saw little or no improvement, and survival in those countries remains the lowest among participating countries in Europe. Further reduction of cervical cancer mortality in Europe may be expected from expansion of screening, and improvement in the treatment of older women, and of metastatic disease.     

Age-Related Variations of Muscle Mass,Strength, and Physical Performance in Community-Dwellers: Results From the Milan EXPO Survey

Objectives

Declining muscle mass and function are hallmarks of the aging process. The preservation of muscle trophism may protect against various negative health outcomes. Age- and sex-specific curves of muscle mass, strength, and function, using data from a large sample of community-dwelling people, are necessary.

Budd-Chiari syndrome: spectrum of imaging findings

OBJECTIVE: The objective of our study was to illustrate the imaging findings of Budd-Chiari syndrome, including CT, MRI, sonographic, and angiographic findings. CONCLUSION: The key imaging findings in Budd-Chiari syndrome are occlusion of the hepatic veins, inferior vena cava, or both; caudate lobe enlargement; inhomogeneous liver enhancement; and the presence of intrahepatic collateral vessels and hypervascular nodules. Awareness of these findings is important for early diagnosis and appropriate treatment.     

Pancreas divisum and santorinicele: assessment by dynamic magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography during secretin stimulation

PURPOSE: To evaluate the usefulness of MRCP, before and after secretin administration, in diagnosing Santoriniceles in patients with pancreas divisum. MATERIAL AND METHODS: One hundred and eight patients with suspected pancreatic disease, underwent dynamic magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography (MRCP) before and after secretin administration (S-MRCP). S-MRCP images were evaluated for presence/absence of pancreas divisum, Santorinicele; size of the main pancreatic duct and of the Santorinicele. The onset of duodenal filling was calculated on dynamic S-MRCP images. S-MRCP findings were compared to endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) ones (39/108). RESULTS: Pancreas divisum (PD) was detected in 6/108 patients (6%) at MRCP, and in 16/108 patients (14%) at S-MRCP. ERCP confirmed the diagnosis in 12/16 patients, with 1 false positive. 3 patients did not undergo ERCP. Santorinicele was detected in 4/108 (3%) patients at MRCP and in additional 4/108 (3%) patients at S-RMCP, only in patients with PD. Santoriniceles were confirmed in 7/8 patients at ERCP; in 1/8 patient CPRE was unsuccessful. The duct of Santorini was significantly larger (p< 0.05), in the pancreatic head, in patients with PD and Santorinicele (3.6 mm) compared to those with PD only (2.2 mm). A significant reduction in size of the pancreatic duct (26%) and of the Santorinicele (63%) was observed after sphincterotomy. The onset of duodenal filling was significantly delayed in patients with Santorinicele (2.1 vs 1.3 minutes)(p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: S-MRCP helps to identify patients with pancreas divisum and Santorinicele, a known cause of impeded pancreatic outflow which benefits from endoscopic treatment.     

Solid Tumours Show Osteotropism: Mechanisms of Bone Metastases

Bone metastases are a dismal consequence of cancer, causing severe morbidity and reducing the quality of life of patients. Solid tumours such as breast, prostate, lung and kidney cancer showed a marked osteotropism dependent on the special microenvironment provided by bone. Different cellular types are involved in the formation of bone metastases, indeed bone, immune system and tumour cells interact leading to bone lesions. During the bone resorption process, there is an intense cross-talk between immune system cells and osteoclasts (OCs). In particular, T cells release factors and cytokines, which rule osteoclastogenesis, and on the other hand, OCs produce factors that act on T cells, which are mediators of the tumour growth in bone. This review will summarize the main mechanisms of action in cancer-induced bone disease with particular regard to the cross-talk among cells of bone, tumour and immune system, focusing on factors and cytokines released by osteoclast, osteoblast, tumour cells and T cells.