BACKGROUND: Curcumin, a yellow ingredient of turmeric (Curcuma longa Linn, Zingiberaceae), has long been used in traditional folk medicine in the management of inflammatory disorders. Although curcumin has been reported to inhibit experimentally-induced colitis and carcinogenesis, the underlying molecular mechanisms remain largely unresolved. METHODS: Murine colitis was induced by dextran sulfate sodium (DSS) which mimics inflammatory bowel disease. Curcumin or tetrahydrocurcumin was given orally (0.1 or 0.25 mmol/kg body weight daily) for 7 days before and together with DSS administration (3% in tap water). Collected colon tissue was used for histologic and biochemical analyses. RESULTS: Administration of curcumin significantly attenuated the severity of DSS-induced colitis and the activation of NF-κB and STAT3 as well as expression of COX-2 and inducible nitric oxide synthase. In contrast to curcumin, its non-electrophilic analogue, tetrahydrocurcumin has much weaker inhibitory effects. CONCLUSIONS: Intragastric administration of curcumin inhibited the experimentally induced murine colitis, which was associated with inhibition of pro-inflammatory signaling mediated by NF-κB and STAT3.
Animals ; Body Weight ; Carcinogenesis ; Colitis ; Colon ; Curcuma ; Curcumin ; Dextran Sulfate ; Dextrans ; Inflammatory Bowel Diseases ; Medicine, Traditional ; Mice ; Nitric Oxide Synthase Type II

BACKGROUND: The incidence of vascular anomalies in the head and neck is higher than in the extremities. It is especially common for vascular anomalies to involve the lip. The lips are a functionally and aesthetically important component of the head and neck area. A retrospective analysis of data from our vascular anomaly center was performed in order to understand the characteristics and treatment requirements of vascular anomalies of the lip and to establish which treatments are likely to lead to the best outcomes. METHODS: A retrospective review was performed of the medical records of patients diagnosed with vascular anomalies of the upper or lower lip from January 2001 to September 2013. Using clinical photographs, radiologic findings, and patient records, the diagnosis of each case and the location of the vascular anomaly were recorded, along with information about treatment and follow-up. RESULTS: A total of 1,606 patients were diagnosed with vascular anomalies over this time period, of whom 127 (7.9%) were found to have vascular anomalies in the lip only. Surgical treatment with or without embolization, sclerotherapy, laser therapy, medication only, and observation were the treatment strategies adopted in these cases. CONCLUSIONS: Vascular anomalies of the lip should be diagnosed accurately. Radiologic diagnosis played a crucial role in treatment planning, and several techniques were used to treat vascular anomalies of the lip. When surgical excision is indicated for the correction of vascular anomalies of the lip, the aesthetic and functional characteristics of the lip should be considered.
Diagnosis ; Extremities ; Follow-Up Studies ; Head ; Humans ; Incidence ; Laser Therapy ; Lip* ; Medical Records ; Neck ; Plastics ; Retrospective Studies ; Sclerotherapy ; Vascular Diseases

Background: Immediate breast reconstruction after mastectomy can be challenging in some patients for medical or oncological reasons. Delayed two-stage tissue expander/implant breast reconstruction is a reliable option for these patients. However, data regarding surgical techniques, outcomes, and complication rates are limited. This study reports our experience using the two-stage tissue expander/implant procedure for delayed breast reconstruction. Methods: This retrospective study included 32 patients (34 breasts) who underwent delayed two-stage tissue expander/implant breast reconstruction at our institution from January 2018 to July 2022. We summarized the techniques used in the procedure and evaluated the 1-year postoperative outcomes and complication rates. Results: The mean time from mastectomy to expander insertion was 210±25 days, and 8.2±2.3 additional expansions were required prior to the implant insertion. The mean time of tissue expansion was 187±15 days, and the mean volume of expansion was 495±31 mL. No major complications occurred that required reoperation, and the patients were highly satisfied with the surgical results. Conclusions Although delayed two-stage tissue expander/implant breast reconstruction resulted in satisfactory outcomes, consensus regarding the operative technique is still needed. Two-stage tissue expander/implant breast reconstruction is a safe and effective option for delayed breast reconstruction.