Three-dimensional printing as an educational tool in colorectal surgery.

3D printing is a rapidly advancing technology which represents a significant technological achievement that could be useful in a variety of biomedical applications. In the field of surgery, 3D printing is envisioned as a significant step in the areas of surgical planning, education and training. The 3D printed models are considered as high quality and efficient educational tools.

Circulating adiponectin levels in type 2 diabetes mellitus patients with or without non-alcoholic fatty liver disease: Results of a small, open-label, randomized controlled intervention trial in a subgroup receiving short-term exenatide.

Aim: Diabetes mellitus type 2 (DMT2) and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) are both characterized by decreased circulating adiponectin. Recently, glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists have been shown to induce adiponectin's expression. However, their interaction on clinical grounds needs to be further elucidated.

Pellagra: a non-eradicated old disease.

We report a case of a 50-year old homeless male who presented with pellagra and pellagrous encephalopathy. The characteristic - if not pathognomonic - skin lesions of pellagra support its diagnosis on solely clinical grounds. Clinicians should keep a high index of suspicion, in certain patient groups, in order to early diagnose and cure this potentially fatal but treatable disease.