Increased activation of latent TGF-β1 by αVβ3 in human Crohn's disease and fibrosis in TNBS colitis can be prevented by cilengitide.

Background: Strictures develop in >30% of patients affected with Crohn's disease. No available medication prevents stricture development in susceptible patients. In Crohn's strictures, but not adjacent normal intestine, TGF-β1 increases in muscularis smooth muscle, increasing collagen I production and strictures.

Endogenous IGFBP-3 regulates excess collagen expression in intestinal smooth muscle cells of Crohn's disease strictures.

Background: Stricture formation occurs in ≈30% of patients with Crohn's disease (CD) and is a significant cause of morbidity. Strictures are characterized by intestinal smooth muscle cell hyperplasia, smooth muscle cell hypertrophy, and fibrosis due to excess net extracellular matrix production, including collagen. Transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) has profibrotic effects in many tissues due to its ability to regulate collagen expression and extracellular matrix dynamics.

National trends and costs of surgical treatment for female fecal incontinence.

Objective: The objective of the study was to describe national trends, hospital charges, and costs of inpatient surgical treatment for female fecal incontinence in the United States.

Study Design: We used the Nationwide Inpatient Sample from 1998 to 2003 to identify women who underwent surgery for fecal incontinence using International Classification of Diseases, ninth revision-CM coding. We examined national trends in procedures, patient demographics, outcomes, hospital charges, and costs.

Dedifferentiated liposarcoma arising from the sigmoid mesocolon: a case report.

Dedifferentiated liposarcoma is a variant of liposarcoma with a more aggressive course. It occurs most commonly in the retroperitoneum and rarely in other anatomic locations. In the present report, we describe a case of dedifferentiated liposarcoma that occurred in an unusual location, sigmoid mesocolon, which has not yet been documented.