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Background: Studies on intestinal T cell clones from the mucosa of patients with coeliac disease have led to the identification of immunogenic gliadin epitopes. One is HLA-DQ8 restricted, its recognition [...]

Background and aims: Coeliac disease (CD) is a multifactorial disarder which has an autoimmune camponent characterised by the occurrence of disease specific autoreactive antibodies against the enzyme tissue transglutaminase (tTG). [...]

Background and aims: The genetic load in coeliac disease has hitherto been inferred from case series or anecdotally referred twin pairs. We have evaluated the genetic component in coeliac disease [...]

Pigmented villonodular synovitis (PVNS) is a relatively rare disease affecting synovium-lined joints. PVNS was first fully described in 1941 by Jaffe et al, who considered it a benign inflammatory state of the synovium of uncertain etiology. Reports of this disease in the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) are extremely rare. This report describes a case of a 78-year-old man affected by PVNS of the right TMJ. Clinical examination revealed the presence of a right-sided preauricular mass; a magnetic resonance imaging scan showed a mass located lateral to the right mandibular condyle, close to the TMJ capsule. The clinical and pathologic features of the case are described. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The localization of hyperfunctioning parathyroid gland(s) (HPTG) in patients with primary hyperparathyroidism (PHPT) with negative or inconclusive first-line imaging is a significant challenge. This study aimed to evaluate the role of integrated 18F-choline PET/4D contrast-enhanced computed tomography (4DCeCT) in these patients, compare its detection rate and sensitivity with those of 18F-choline PET/CT and (4DCeCT), and analyse the association between choline metabolism and morphological, biochemical and molecular parameters of HPTG.Methods: We prospectively enrolled 44 PHPT patients with negative or inconclusive first-line imaging. 18F-Choline PET/CT and 4DCeCT were performed at the same time, and integrated 18F-choline PET/4DCeCT images were obtained after coregistration. Experienced physicians examined the images. The SUVratio and degree of contrast enhancement were recorded for each positive finding. Histopathology, laboratory and multidisciplinary follow-up were used as the standard of reference. Both the detection rates and sensitivities of the three imaging modalities were calculated retrospectively. Immunohistochemistry was performed to evaluate the molecular profile of HPTGs.Results: 18F-Choline PET/4DCeCT was positive in 32 of 44 patients with PHPT (detection rate 72.7%), and 31 of 31 surgically treated patients (sensitivity 100%). These results were significantly (p < 0.05) better than those of 18F-choline PET/CT (56.8% and 80%, respectively) and those of 4DCeCT (54.5 and 74%, respectively). A significant correlation between SUV and calcium level was found. In a multivariate analysis, only calcium level was significantly associated with 18F-choline PET/4DCeCT findings. SUVratio and Ki67 expression were significantly correlated.Conclusion: Integrated 18F-choline PET/4DCeCT should be considered as an effective tool to detect PHPT in patients with negative or inconclusive first-line imaging. Choline metabolism is correlated with both calcium level and Ki67 expression in HPTG. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this study was to determine if compression of the mandibular nerve and its branches could be caused by antero-medial disk displacement, resulting in atypical facial pain. Sixteen temporomandibular joints (TMJ) were dissected and injected with an autopolymerizing solution into the superior compartment, which produced an artificial capsular swelling that caused disk displacement. In all specimens, the TMJ capsule was close to the mandibular branch of the trigeminal nerve after the intracapsular injection. Thus, capsular distension or antero-medial disk displacement, as seen in various temporomandibular disorders (TMD), could result in nerve compression and facial pain symptoms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Salivary gland tumours are uncommon, representing less than 6% of head and neck neoplasm. Pleomorphic adenoma is the most common benign epithelial salivary gland neoplasm, comprising 50%-74% of all parotid tumours. It is followed by Warthin's tumour (4-14%). The authors retrospectively reviewed 282 eligible patients surgically treated for parotid gland tumours in the last 10 years, focusing on 231 benign epithelial neoplasms. Clinical and diagnostic findings, surgical treatment and surgical outcome were discussed. The diagnosis of a parotid gland neoplasm must be considered in any patient presenting with a lump near the mandible. Smoking habit is important in Warthin's tumour pathogenesis. Fine needle aspiration citology (FNAC) can't lead alone to histological diagnosis. Only surgery can give histological certainty of benignity, thus preventing malignant degeneration, lump infection or risk of size-dependent surgical complications. Conservative formal parotidectomy appears to be the treatment of choice. Tumour pseudopodia and capsule ruptures are recognised factors involved in pleomorphic adenoma recurrences but also tumour multicentricity might play an important role. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents a study which analyzed the anatomic and topographic relationships between the mandibular branch of the trigeminal nerve and the medial aspect of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) capsule in adult cadavers. Background on temporomandibular joint disorders (TMD), including its pathophysiology and previous studies, is discussed in detail. Dissection of the TMJ medial aspect employed several techniques such as preauricular incision extended to the superior aspect of the temporal region. The study findings are explained.

The primary adult type hypolactasia is the most common form of genetically determined disaccharidase deficiency. This study examined a large and homogeneous population of the south of Italy: surgical biopsy specimens of proximal jejunum from 178 adult subjects have been assayed for disaccharidase activities; the expression of lactase protein and lactase activity has also been investigated on tissue sections by immunomorphological and enzymohistochemical techniques. Histograms of lactase to sucrase ratio were found to provide a useful distribution of the lactase activity; a lactase to sucrase ratio of 0.17 was found to show discrimination between tissues with persistence of high lactase activity and tissues with adult type hypolactasia. In all 28 subjects with persistent high lactase activity, a uniform distribution of lactase protein and lactase activity in all villus enterocytes was detected, whereas in all 150 subjects with adult type hypolactasia a variable number of villus enterocytes failed to express the lactase. Moreover in hypolactasic samples the lactase activity on tissue sections was constantly detected later than in samples with persistent high lactase activity. The absolute correlation between the immunohistochemical and enzymohistochemical features and the assessment of lactase activity in intestinal homogenates suggests that the morphological criteria are an alternative method for the diagnosis of adult type hypolactasia in human biopsy specimens from proximal small jejunum. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]