Analysis of scientific publications on oral cancer diagnosis delays: a bibliometric study over 22 years.

BACKGROUND: The area of oncology still lacks bibliometric studies that investigate the diagnostic interval of oral cancer. This study proposed to carry out a bibliometric analysis of epidemiological studies that investigated the diagnosis of oral cancer between 2002 to 2024. MATERIAL AND METHODS: On April, 2024, the Scopus and Web of Science databases were explored, and the selected articles underwent bibliometric analysis of performance and scientific mapping of journals, authors, institutions, and countries, as well as the predominant topics and trends in research into the diagnosis of oral cancer through an analysis of references and co-occurrence of key words. The analyzes were carried out using the R extension package, Bibliometrix, and the VOSviewer software. RESULTS: A total of 532 documents were included. China contributed the highest number of publications (36.71%) and total citations [1,584]. Seoane J was the most prolific author [16 (h-index: 9)], while Warnakulasuriya S had the highest total link strength [282 (h-index: 7)] in co-citations. Oral Oncology was identified as the most prolific [231 (72.64%)], co-cited and impactful journal (h-index: 13). Explosions of citations were found for keywords such as "early diagnosis", "biomarker", "saliva", "precancer" and "prognosis", making it evident that in the field of oral cancer diagnosis there is room for new studies focusing in reducing the diagnostic interval, with the research hotspots being the terms "biomarkers", "imaging diagnosis" and "gene expression". CONCLUSIONS: This study provides valuable information that can help researchers and institutions align their research activities according to emerging themes, establish collaborations and allocate resources effectively.

Risk of orofacial clefts in relation to maternal body mass index, diabetes and hypertension.

BACKGROUND: To investigate if maternal body mass index, diabetes and hypertension are associated with orofacial clefts. METHODS: Case-control study. Information from 53,188 live births with and without orofacial cleft registered at USA Vital Statistics Natality Birth Data between 2017 and 2021. Case group consisted of all affected live births diagnosed with orofacial clefts (13,297 cases). Comparison group consisted of 39,891 live births without clefts or any other congenital malformation. Information about orofacial cleft cases were compared with the comparison group. The unadjusted and adjusted Odds Ratios were estimated to evaluate the strength of association between mother's pre-pregnancy body mass index, maternal diabetes and hypertension and orofacial cleft occurrence, assuming a p value < 0.05 and 95% confidence intervals (95% C.I.) for statistically significant differences. RESULTS: Mother's pre-pregnancy body mass index, maternal diabetes and maternal hypertension are conditions associated with an increased risk of orofacial cleft development in the child (OR = 1.08, p = 0.004, 95% C.I. = 1.024-1.149; OR = 1.32, 95%, p = 0.000, 95% C.I. = 1.202-1.444; and OR = 1.35, p = 0.000, 95% C.I. = 1.239-1.484; respectively). Maternal ethnicity, sex of infant, and cigarette smoking pregnancy remained as covariates after adjustments in all logistic regression models. CONCLUSION: Due to the increased prevalence of obesity, diabetes, and hypertension, and also to their association with congenital malformations, such as clefts, it is recommended that mothers planning to become pregnant to follow healthy habits, maintain healthy weight, and be screened for possible diabetes or hypertension prior to conception and early in pregnancy.

Participation of osteoclastogenic factors in immunopathogenesis of human chronic periapical lesions.

BACKGROUND: Chronic periapical lesions (CPLs) are common lesions of the oral cavity and are the result of caries, tooth fracture, iatrogenic causes, or factors causing contamination and pulp necrosis. Inflammatory cells participate in the expansion of CPLs by releasing factors that stimulate or inhibit osteolytic activity. The objective of this study was to investigate the participation of RANKL, TNF-α, cathepsin K, IL-33, and OPG in the development of radicular cysts (RCs) and periapical granulomas (PGs). METHODS: Paraffin-embedded sections of 30 RCs and 22 PGs were submitted to immunohistochemistry. RESULTS: Immunoexpression of the proteins studied was observed in the epithelium and capsule of RCs, as well as in connective tissue of PGs. The expression of the osteoclastogenic factors studied differed significantly in RCs and PGs (P < .001), with lower expression of OPG in RCs. In PGs, the lowest expression was observed for cathepsin K. Comparison of the 2 lesions showed a similar participation of RANKL and IL33, while a significant difference was observed for OPG (P < .001), TNF-α (P = .002), and cathepsin K (P = .016). No association of the expression of the proteins with lesions size was observed. CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrated the participation of RANKL, TNF-α, IL-33, cathepsin K, and OPG in the development of RCs and PGs, with emphasis on the highest immunoreactivity of cathepsin in RCs and TNF-α and OPG in PGs. OPG possibly determines the slower growth of PGs compared to RCs.

Propriedades farmacológicas da Aloe vera (L. ) Burm. f / Pharmacological activities of Aloe vera (L. ) Burm. f

A Aloe vera (L.) Burm.f. tem sido utilizada há milhares de anos na medicina tradicional para o tratamento de diversos males. O intuito desse trabalho foi o levantamento bibliográfico de artigos que evidenciassem a atividade farmacológica da Aloe vera. A revisão contemplou livros e periódicos nacionais e internacionais indexados nas bases de dados MEDLINE, LILACS e SciElo, nos idiomas português, inglês e espanhol, utilizando as palavras-chave citadas. Após o levantamento bibliográfico, constatou-se que várias atividades biológicas são atribuídas a Aloe vera. Evidências sugerem eficácia no tratamento da psoríase, herpes genital, queimaduras e hiperglicemia. Além disto, também foram demonstradas atividades antineoplásica, antimicrobiana, anti-inflamatória e imunomodulatória por estudos in vitro e in vivo, entretanto, na cicatrização de feridas, os resultados foram conflitantes. No tratamento de dermatite por radiação e em queimaduras solares sua eficácia não foi comprovada e foram relatados casos de hepatite aguda devido ao consumo de preparações orais. Tendo em vista as várias atividades comprovadas e poucos relatos acerca de sua contra indicação, conclui-se que o uso desta espécie corrobora o vasto uso popular.

The Aloe vera (L.) Burm.f. has been used for thousands of years in traditional medicine to treat various ailments. The aim of this study was to carry out a bibliographical review on the pharmacological activity of Aloe vera. This review included books and national and international journals indexed to MEDLINE, LILACS and SciELO, in Portuguese, English and Spanish, using the key words mentioned. After the literature review, we found that several biological activities have been attributed to Aloe vera. Evidence suggests efficacy in the treatment of psoriasis, genital herpes, burns and hyperglycemia. Moreover, antineoplastic, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory activities have also been demonstrated by in vitro and in vivo studies; however, in wound healing, the results were conflicting. In the treatment of radiation dermatitis and sunburn, its efficacy has not been proven, and cases of acute hepatitis from the consumption of oral preparations have been reported. Considering the various proven activities and the few reports about the contraindications of Aloe vera, we conclude that the use of this species confirms its wide popular usage.