In the last few years, more attention has been given to the "non-calcemic" effect of vitamin D. Several observational studies and meta-analyses demonstrated an association between circulating levels of vitamin D and outcome of many common diseases, including endocrine diseases, chronic diseases, cancer progression, and autoimmune diseases. In particular, cells of the immune system (B cells, T cells, and antigen presenting cells), due to the expression of 1α-hydroxylase (CYP27B1), are able to synthesize the active metabolite of vitamin D, which shows immunomodulatory properties. Moreover, the expression of the vitamin D receptor (VDR) in these cells suggests a local action of vitamin D in the immune response. These findings are supported by the correlation between the polymorphisms of the VDR or the CYP27B1 gene and the pathogenesis of several autoimmune diseases. Currently, the optimal plasma 25-hydroxyvitamin D concentration that is necessary to prevent or treat autoimmune diseases is still under debate. However, experimental studies in humans have suggested beneficial effects of vitamin D supplementation in reducing the severity of disease activity. In this review, we summarize the evidence regarding the role of vitamin D in the pathogenesis of autoimmune endocrine diseases, including type 1 diabetes mellitus, Addison's disease, Hashimoto's thyroiditis, Graves' disease and autoimmune polyendocrine syndromes. Furthermore, we discuss the supplementation with vitamin D to prevent or treat autoimmune diseases.

Despite centuries of investigation, the function of the maxillary sinus (MS) and underlying patterns governing its form remain elusive. In this study, we articulate a methodology for collecting volumetric data for the MS and nasal cavity (NC) from computed tomography (CT) scans and report details for a small sample of 39 dried human crania of known ecogeographic provenience useful for assessing variation in MS size and shape. We use scaling analyses to preliminarily test the hypothesis that volumes of the nasal cavity (NCV) and maxillary sinus (MSV) are inversely correlated such that the NC covaries with size of the face, whereas the MS “fills in” the leftover space [proposed by Shea: Am J Phys Anthropol 47 (1977):289–300]. Against expectation, MSV is not significantly correlated with NCV or any cranial size variable. NCV, on the other hand, scales isometrically with facial size. The results of this pilot study suggest that NCV covaries with facial size, but that the MS does not simply fill in the leftover space in the face. The role, if any, of the MSs in midfacial function and architecture remains unclear. Larger sample sizes, additional environmental variables, and assessment of MS and NC shape are necessary to resolve this issue. Am J Phys Anthropol 143:426‐436, 2010. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.

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OBJECTIVETo develop a model to predict the outcome before surgery for non-metastatic renal cell carcinoma (RCC). PATIENTS AND METHODSThe records of 660 patients with nonmetastatic RCC, operated at three European medical institutes, were reviewed. Univariate and multivariate analyses were used to assess the clinical and pathological variables affecting disease-free survival. RESULTSThe median (range) follow-up was 42 (2-180) months; the disease recurred in 110 patients (16%). The 2-and 5-year overall survival was 87% and 54%, respectively. Five variables were significant in the univariate analysis, i.e. clinical presentation, clinical and pathological size, tumour grade and stage ( P < 0.05). The preoperative variables, e.g. clinical presentation and clinical tumour size, were retained from the multivariate model. A recurrence risk formula (RRF) was constructed from this model, as (1.28 ¥ presentation (asymptomatic = 0; symptomatic = 1) + (0.13 ¥ clinical size)). Using this equation, the 2-and 5-year disease-free survival was 96% and 93% for an RRF of £ 1.2 and 83% and 68% for an RRF of >1.2. CONCLUSIONA formula was developed which, independent of stage, can be used to predict the rate of treatment failure in patients who undergo nephrectomy for non-metastatic RCC. The RRF might be useful for more accurate subgrouping of good-prognosis patients, and for counselling patients before surgery, their personalized follow-up or adjuvant treatment once available.

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