The Breath of Revolution: Illness and Metaphor in the Life of Ernesto "Che" Guevara.

This article examines the chronic asthma of Ernesto "Che" Guevara not merely as a biomedical condition, but as a metaphorical and existential element of his revolutionary identity. Drawing on Aristotle's theory of metaphor and S. Sontag's cultural critique of illness, it explores how Guevara's lifelong struggle with asthma shaped his medical vocation and informed his political radicalism.

A case of impacted third molar from the prehistoric Hypogeum of Calaforno (Giarratana, Ragusa, Sicily): Reflections on the antiquity and evolutionary implications of this trait.

Objectives: This study examines a rare case of an impacted third molar identified in a fragmented right mandibular hemiarch from the prehistoric Hypogeum of Calaforno (Giarratana, Ragusa, Sicily, Italy), dating to the Late Eneolithic period (2600-2300 BC).

Design: A detailed osteological examination and palaeoradiological imaging were employed to analyze the mandibular fragment, leading to the identification of a horizontally impacted third molar pressing against the second molar.

Results: The analyses revealed clear evidence of a horizontally impacted third molar, contributing to the limited bioarchaeological record of dental impactions in ancient populations.

Historical and Social Considerations upon Tuberculosis.

The present article offers a concise perspective on tuberculosis (TB) ranging from antiquity to the present day and highlights the dangerousness of the disease in the light of its historical manifestations and current antibiotic resistance. Reflections on the social and economic impact of tuberculosis are presented together with notes on TB's interplay with malnutrition and the social stigma linked to this disease in modern times. Different types of evidence from palaeopathological to artistic ones are offered and the need for a more comprehensive understanding on the disease's history and evolution is stressed.

Variations in the anatomy of the basal vein of Rosenthal: a systematic review.

Background: The basal vein of Rosenthal (BVR) is a venous structure in the deep cerebral venous system. It plays an important role in cerebral hemorrhages, particularly subarachnoid hemorrhages and perimesencephalic hemorrhages. The aim of this paper was to evaluate the BVR's anatomical and functional classification and its role in various clinical situations.

Tetanus: historical and palaeopathological aspects considering its current health impact.

The present article summarises the historical and palaeopathological evidence of tetanus, an ineradicable yet vaccine-preventable infectious disease caused by Clostridium tetani. The antiquity of the disease is described thanks to historical written sources, artistic references and very recent palaeogenetic data. A recollection of now long-supplanted therapies is offered together with a focus on the introduction of an effective vaccine.

Genitofemoral nerve course and branching variations: what we see during laparoscopic extended pelvic lymph-node dissection in radical prostatectomy for prostate cancer and how to avoid intraoperative lesions? A retrospective analysis.

Background: The genitofemoral nerve is the most variable nerve of the lumbar plexus, in terms of its course and bifurcation, thus it must be taken into consideration during extended pelvic lymph node dissection. Its borders, during robotic, laparoscopic or open radical prostatectomy for intermediate or high-grade prostate cancer, have long been defined and must be usually respected; the genitofemoral nerve represents the extended pelvic lymph-node dissection lateral boundary and may vary from case to case putting its integrity at risk.

Materials And Methods: For the first time, here the authors report genitofemoral nerve branching pattern data obtained extended pelvic lymph node dissection during videolaparoscopic radical prostatectomyand propose a further sub-classification to identify the exact genitofemoral nerve bifurcation point in correlation with the injury risk.

Styloid process before Watt Weems Eagle. An Italian story.

Purpose: The article provides an intriguing overview with tangible historical references, accompanied by photographic material, delving into the historical context of Eagle syndrome.. It ambitiously aims to shed light on the origins of the surgeon's reflections regarding the anatomy of the styloid process.

New connective tissue structure of the wrist area - research on fetal material.

The correct function of the upper limb depends on the cooperation and coordination of the muscular and skeletal systems as well as the connective tissue elements present in it. Connective tissue forms fascia, connective tissue membranes and ligaments. Connective tissue mostly develops from the mesenchyme.

A historico-medical perspective on ancient epidemics and their impact on past human societies.

The present article reviews the major historical plague epidemics that characterised human history by combining data derived from historical sources and biomedical evidence emerged in recent years thanks to advancements of palaeogenetics and palaeopathology. Notes are offered on the Plague of Athens, the Antonine Plague, the Plague of Cyprian, the Justinian Plague, the Black Death down to more recent centuries and presenting key aspects that continued to be preserved over time and would also partly characterise the recent COVID-19 pandemic.

The mummy of Pharaoh Amenhotep III (reigned ca. 1388-1351 BC) and its facial approximation: An anatomical approach.

This article offers for the first time a facial approximation of the Ancient Egyptian Pharaoh Amenhotep III (reigned ca. 1388-1351 BC) based on photographic material of his mortal remains and anthropometric data collected at the time, and by adopting a novel technique previously used in similar research by our team. A comprehensive discussion of the mummy attributed to Pharaoh Amenhotep III is also annexed to the study, focusing on the bioarcheological and embalming aspects.

A forgotten chapter in the history of immunotherapy: cancer therapy with Blastomyces extracts.

This article recapitulates the discoveries and anti-tumoural therapeutical proposals by Francesco Sanfelice, who in 1931 published an essay entitled The Treatment of Cancer and Sarcoma with Cancrocidin (paraneoforming Blastomycetes). Sanfelice's discoveries are contextualised with subsequent scientific discoveries, especially with those by L. Scott McDaniel and G.

Morphologic and Clinical Aspects of Pott Disease in Ancient Human Remains: A Scoping Review.

Study Design: The present study is a scoping review of the literature on Pott disease in ancient human remains.

Objective: Comprehending the origin and history of Pott disease is relevant to assessing this pathologic condition from an evolutionary perspective.

Summary Of Background Data: Tuberculosis (TB) is an ancient pulmonary disease that remains the leading cause of death from a single infectious agent, rating above HIV/AIDS.

Assassination of Elisabeth, Empress of Austria, Queen of Hungary, on 10 September 1898: further additions and minor annotations.

Very recently, a comprehensive re-evaluation of the medical facts and observations surrounding the death of Empress Elisabeth "Sisi" of Austria (1837-1898) was published. The Empress was assassinated in Geneva by the anarchist Luigi Luccheni or Lucheni (1873-1910). In parallel to this recent publication, our study group came across an almost unknown letter from Dr.

The curfew bell and the COVID-19 pandemic: A historical-medical perspective based on the Italian case.

The present communication examines the phenomenon of curfew in relation to the COVID-19 pandemic with special attention being laid on the management of the epidemic by Italian health authorities. A literature review and a historical-medical analysis were performed. A historical-medical excursus on the word curfew is offered and a comparison between military and health scenarios is given.

The Fascinating World of Forensic Sciences: Multidisciplinary Approaches in Human Remains and the Role of Forensic Pathology in Calabrian Experience.

Forensic sciences play a vital role in the criminal justice system by providing insights into the identity of victims and suspects, causes of death, and other crucial pieces of evidence. In this research paper, we will explore the utility of forensic sciences, its techniques and applications, and the critical role of the forensic pathologist in analyzing human remains. For this purpose, we have analyzed a series of human remains and cadavers found in a state of decomposition, illustrating the medico-legal investigations carried out.

Human cerebral blood supply via circulus arteriosus cerebri: A scoping review on its variations and clinical implications.

Background: Circulus arteriosus cerebri (CAC), responsible for supplying blood to the brain, presents anatomical variations that have been associated with both haemorrhagic and ischemic strokes. Therefore, it is crucial to conduct comprehensive investigations and comparisons of the diverse variant components of the CAC, published in various journals, and analyze them to identify individuals at risk of cerebrovascular pathologies, thereby ensuring enhanced and timely treatment.

Methods: A scoping review according to the five-stage protocol by Arksey and O'Malley was performed between February and June 2023.

Picasso's Science and Charity and the evolution of the medical art.

The present article reflects on the evolution of clinical medicine throughout time by commenting on Picasso's painting Science and Charity (1897) through a biomedical lens. The two souls of medicine, namely the cold scientific one and the compassionate one, are examined in their dichotomy and their relationship with today's concepts of cure and well-being.