Interleukin-10 knockout mice do not reliably exhibit macroscopic inflammation: a natural history endoscopic surveillance study

Background: Interleukin (IL)-10 knockout (KO) mice, used as a model for inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), develop chronic enterocolitis. Endoscopy, the gold standard for evaluation of human mucosal health, is not widely available for murine models. We aimed to assess the natural history of left-sided colitis in IL-10 KO mice via serial endoscopies. Methods: BALB/cJ IL10 KO mice underwent regular endoscopic assessments from 2 up to 8 months of age. Procedures were recorded and blindly evaluated using a 4-component endoscopic score: mucosal wall transparency, intestinal bleeding, focal lesions and perianal lesions (0-3 points each). An endoscopic score ≥1 point was considered as the presence of colitis/flare. Results: IL-10 KO mice (N=40, 9 female) were assessed. Mean age at first endoscopy was 62.5±2.5 days; average number of procedures per mouse was 6.0±1.3. A total of 238 endoscopies were conducted every 24.8±8.3 days, corresponding to 124.1±45.2 days of surveillance per mouse (13.6 years cumulative surveillance). Thirty-three endoscopies in 24 mice (60%) detected colitis, mean endoscopy score 2.5±1.3 (range: 1-6.3). Nineteen mice (47.5%) had one episode of colitis and 5 (12.5%) had 2-3 episodes. All exhibited complete spontaneous healing on subsequent endoscopies. Conclusions: In this largest endoscopic surveillance study of IL-10 KO mice, 40% of mice did not develop endoscopic left-sided colitis. Furthermore, IL-10 KO mice did not exhibit persistent colitis and universally exhibited complete spontaneous healing without treatment. The natural history of colitis in IL-10 KO mice may not be comparable with that of IBD in humans and requires careful consideration.

Effects of Obesity on Bone Healing in Rats

Although the association between periodontitis and obesity is well explored, it is unclear whether obesity is associated with a worse therapeutic outcome after periodontal treatment. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of obesity on bone healing with and without the application of regeneration-promoting molecules. A standardized bone fenestration-type defect was created over the root of the mandibular first molar in 15 Wistar rats. Ten animals received a high-fat, high-sucrose diet (HFSD), while the remaining five animals were fed a standard diet. During surgery, the fenestration defects from half of the HFSD-fed, i.e., obese animals, were treated with regeneration-promoting molecules (enamel matrix derivative; EMD). After four weeks, bone healing was evaluated by histomorphometry, TRAP staining and immunohistochemistry for RUNX2 and osteopontin. The analyses revealed that the spontaneous healing of the periodontal defects was compromised by obesity. Application of EMD partially compensated for the negative effect of obesity. Nevertheless, EMD-stimulated bone healing in obese animals was not better than the spontaneous healing in the obesity-free control group, indicating that obesity may also inhibit the stimulatory effects of regeneration-promoting molecules. Our results show that obesity can negatively influence bone healing and suggest that bone healing may be compromised in humans.

Nematode as a Cause of Appendicular–Cutaneous Fistula

BackgroundCutaneous fistula may develop spontaneously as a complication of an perforating appendicitis. However, intestinal fistula caused by parasites is a rare report.Case presentationIn the operation, we found that expanded appendix was perforated from its distal part and was fistulized to the right lateral abdominal wall. The complications of postoperative was intestinal fistula. Colonoscopy was performed revealing some nematode around the appendiceal orifice. The development of fistula after bowel resection and anastomosis can be devastating. Immediate drainage and establishment of enteral nutrition can lead to spontaneous healing of fistula.ConclusionsTesting for nematode infection in a patient with suspected appendicitis is not routine, it still stands as a challenge in clinical practice. In view of this situation, killing parasites is necessary, otherwise it is difficult to cure.

Spontaneous healing of malignant neoplasms. Saue g bru.ch (Deut. Med. Woch., 1922, no. 5)

Saue g bru.ch (Deut. Med. Woch., 1922, No. 5) observed 3 cases of complete spontaneous healing of neoplasms, the certainty of the malignant nature of which was precisely established. another, in a woman of 56 years, - advanced breast cancer, in a third, in a 22-year-old girl, - spindle cell sarcoma of the hip. The author also cites a number of similar cases from the literature. Such cases, apparently, speak for the possibility of conservative treatment of malignant neoplasms with such means as x-rays, Proteinkrpertherapie, etc.