Matrix metalloproteinase-8 analysis in patients with periodontal disease with prediabetes or type 2 diabetes mellitus: A systematic review.

OBJECTIVES: The objective of this systematic review was to evaluate information on the levels of MMP-8 in patients diagnosed with prediabetes or type 2 diabetes mellitus with periodontal disease, analyzing its validity as a possible biomarker for the diagnosis and progression of periodontal disease (PD). METHODS: A systematic search of the following databases was performed: PubMed/Medline, CENTRAL (The Cochrane Library), EMBASE and Web of Science. Studies involving the evaluation of MMP-8 in patients with prediabetes or patients presenting type 2 diabetes mellitus concomitantly with PD were selected. The evaluation of the methodological quality of the selected studies was based on the methodological bias risk analysis (QUADAS-2). RESULTS: Eight of the initially identified 2683 articles were selected. In all the selected studies, evaluator calibration and the use of clear methods for patient diagnosis with periodontal disease were present. Studies have demonstrated significantly higher MMP-8 concentrations in PD patients compared to controls, as well as in patients presenting more advanced stages of PD. However, controversies regarding MMP-8 levels in prediabetes/diabetes type 2 patients with PD. CONCLUSIONS: Higher MMP-8 levels in patients with PD compared to controls imply the potential use of MMP-8 in the diagnosis of PD. The influence of patient glycemic state, as well as medications these patients make use of, are factors that possibly contribute to the modulation of MMP-8 concentrations in patients with diabetes and should be analyzed, aiming at a better understanding of the relationship between glycemic state and MMP-8 levels in patients with PD.

Fibroma gingival de células gigantes de tamaño inusual / Gingival giant cell fibroma of unusual size

Giant cell fibroma is a benign oral fibrous tumor and it is typically an asymptomatic sessile or pedunculated mass that is usually less than 1 cm in diameter. The lesion consists of uninflamed fibrous tissue in which there are numerous large uninucleated or multinucleated spindle- and stellate-shaped cells with prominent basophilic cytoplasm. The purpose of this paper is to report a case of a gingival giant cell fibroma of abnormal size. A 31-year-old white woman was referred to the dental service for evaluation of a growth on the mandibular gingival. The intraoral examination revealed a 3.0 × 1.5 cm exophytic gingival mass located in the lingual gingiva of the right mandibular permanent first and second molars. The differential diagnosis included peripheral ossifying fibroma, peripheral giant cell granuloma, and giant cell fibroma. Complete surgical excision of the lesion was performed and the diagnosis of giant cell fibroma was made. No complications or recurrence of the lesion have been noted after 4 years of follow-up. Although giant cell fibromas are benign lesions in which simple surgical excision is curative, it is very important that dental and medical professionals recognize it in light of the frequency of occurrence and the need for a precise diagnosis(AU)

El fibroma de células gigantes es un tumor fibroso benigno de la mucosa bucal que típicamente se presenta como una masa asintomática sésil o pediculada generalmente menos de 1 cm de diámetro. La lesión consiste en tejido fibroso no inflamado en el que se encuentran numerosas células fusiformes y estrelladas de gran tamaño, mononucleares o multinucleadas con prominente citoplasma basófilo. El propósito de este trabajo es describir el caso de un fibroma gingival de células gigantes de tamaño inusual. Una mujer blanca de 31 años de edad se presentó al servicio dental para la evaluación de un crecimiento en la encía mandibular. El examen clínico intrabucal reveló una masa gingival exofítica de 3,0 cm x 1,5 cm situado en la encía lingual en el área de los primeros y segundos molares permanentes mandibulares del lado derecho. El diagnóstico diferencial incluyó fibroma osificante periférico, granuloma periférico de células gigantes y fibroma de células gigantes. Se realizó la escisión quirúrgica completa de la lesión y el diagnóstico definitivo fue de fibroma de células gigantes. No se han observado complicaciones o recurrencia de la lesión después de 4 años de seguimiento. Aunque los fibromas de células gigantes son lesiones benignas en las que la escisión quirúrgica simple es curativa, es muy importante que los profesionales dentales y médicos reconozcan la necesidad de un diagnóstico preciso en vista de la frecuencia de aparición(AU)

Experimental considerations concerning the use of stem cells and tissue engineering for facial nerve regeneration: a systematic review.

PURPOSE: Peripheral nerve trauma results in functional loss in the innervated organ, and recovery without surgical intervention is rare. Many surgical techniques can be used for repair in experimental models. The authors investigated the source and delivery method of stem cells in experimental outcomes, seeking to clarify whether stem cells must be differentiated in the injured facial nerve and improve the regenerative process. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The following key terms were used: nervous regeneration, nerve regeneration, facial nerve regeneration, stem cells, embryonic stem cells, fetal stem cells, adult stem cells, facial nerve, facial nerve trauma, and facial nerve traumatism. The search was restricted to experimental studies that applied stem cell therapy and tissue engineering for nerve repair. RESULTS: Eight studies meeting the inclusion criteria were reviewed. Different sources of stem and precursor cells were explored (bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells, adipose-derived stem cells, dental pulp cells, and neural stem cells) for their potential application in the scenario of facial nerve injuries. Different material conduits (vases, collagen, and polyglycolic acid) were used as bridges. Immunochemistry and electrophysiology are the principal methods for analyzing regenerative effects. Although recent studies have shown that stem cells can act as a promising bridge for nerve repair, considerable optimization of these therapies will be required for their potential to be realized in a clinical setting. CONCLUSION: Based on these studies, the use of stem cells derived from different sources presents promising results related to facial nerve regeneration and produces effective functional results. The use of tubes also optimizes nerve repair, thus promoting greater myelination and axonal growth of peripheral nerves.

Low-level laser therapy promotes proliferation and invasion of oral squamous cell carcinoma cells.

Low-level laser therapy (LLLT) has been shown to be effective in promoting cell proliferation. There is speculation that the biostimulatory effect of LLLT causes undesirable enhancement of tumor growth in neoplastic diseases since malignant cells are more susceptible to proliferative stimuli. This study evaluated the effects of LLLT on proliferation, invasion, and expression of cyclin D1, E-cadherin, ß-catenin, and MMP-9 in a tongue squamous carcinoma cell line (SCC25). Cells were irradiated with a diode laser (660 nm) using two energy densities (0.5 and 1.0 J/cm(2)). The proliferative potential was assessed by cell growth curves and cell cycle analysis, whereas the invasion of cells was evaluated using a Matrigel cell invasion assay. Expression of cyclin D1, E-cadherin, ß-catenin, and MMP-9 was analyzed by immunofluorescence and flow cytometry and associated with the biological activities studied. LLLT induced significantly the proliferation of SCC25 cells at 1.0 J/cm(2), which was accomplished by an increase in the expression of cyclin D1 and nuclear ß-catenin. At 1.0 J/cm(2), LLLT significantly reduced E-cadherin and induced MMP-9 expression, promoting SCC25 invasion. The results of this study demonstrated that LLLT exerts a stimulatory effect on proliferation and invasion of SCC25 cells, which was associated with alterations on expression of proteins studied.

Use of Clinical Cases in a Virtual Learning Environment as an Approach to Teaching Human Embryology / Uso de Casos Clínicos en Ambiente Virtual como Estrategia de Enseñanza de la Embriología Humana

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of virtual learning as an approach to teaching human embryology. For this purpose, clinical cases comprising the six major topics of human embryology were organized into a blog in order to complement the content discussed in the classroom. Scientific articles were made available to reinforce theoretical contents and ethical-humanistic issues were addressed in discussion forums. The mean grades of the students at the end of the semester were compared with those of the previous semester when the method had not been applied. Student perceptions of blog effectiveness were evaluated using an electronic questionnaire. A substantial increase in mean grades was observed compared to the previous class. Analysis of the questionnaires showed that the students considered the blog to be a practical and useful learning tool. In conclusion, the use of clinical cases in a virtual learning environment is an effective tool to teach human embryology.

El objetivo del trabajo fue evaluar la eficacia de un método de enseñanza de la Embriología en ambiente virtual. Para complementar el contenido discutido en clases, fueron organizados en un blog, casos clínicos abordando seis ejes temáticos de Embriología Humana. Artículos científicos estuvieron disponibles para consolidación de los contenidos teóricos y el eje ético-humanístico fue abordado en foros de discusión. Al final del semestre la media de las notas de los alumnos fue comparada con la media de un semestre anterior donde la metodología no fue utilizada. La percepción de los alumnos con relación a la eficacia del uso del blog en el aprendizaje fue evaluada a través de un cuestionario electrónico. Se observó aumento considerable de la media de las notas al ser comparadas con las notas del período lectivo anterior. El análisis de los cuestionarios reveló que los alumnos consideraron el blog como un instrumento práctico y útil de aprendizaje. Se concluye que esta metodología representó una herramienta eficiente em la enseñanza de los contenidos de Embriología Humana.