Exploring the role of the WNT5A rs566926 polymorphism and its interactions in non-syndromic orofacial cleft: a multicenter study in Brazil.

BACKGROUND: Associations between the WNT5A rs566926 variant and non-syndromic orofacial cleft (NSOC) have been reported in different populations. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to investigate the role of the rs566926 single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) in WNT5A and its interactions with SNPs in BMP4, FGFR1, GREM1, MMP2, and WNT3 in the occurrence of NSOC in a Brazilian population. METHODOLOGY: A case-control genetic association study was carried out involving participants from four regions of Brazil, totaling 801 patients with non-syndromic cleft lip with or without cleft palate (NSCL±P), 273 patients with cleft palate only (NSCPO), and 881 health volunteers without any congenital condition (control). Applying TaqMan allelic discrimination assays, we evaluated WNT5A rs566926 in an ancestry-structured multiple logistic regression analysis, considering sex and genomic ancestry as covariates. Interactions between rs566926 and variants in genes involved in the WNT5A signaling pathway (BMP4, FGFR1, GREM1, MMP2, and WNT3) were also explored. RESULTS: WNT5A rs566926 was significantly associated with an increased risk of NSCL±P, particularly due to a strong association with non-syndromic cleft lip only (NSCLO), in which the C allele increased the risk by 32% (OR: 1.32, 95% CI: 1.04-1.67, p=0.01). According to the proportions of European and African genomic ancestry, the association of rs566926 reached significant levels only in patients with European ancestry. Multiple interactions were detected between WNT5A rs566926 and BMP4 rs2071047, GREM1 rs16969681 and rs16969862, and FGFR1 rs7829058. CONCLUSION: The WNT5A rs566926 polymorphism was associated with NSCL±P, particularly in individuals with NSCLO and high European ancestry. Epistatic interactions involving WNT5A rs566926 and variants in BMP4, GREM1, and FGFR1 may contribute to the risk of NSCL±P in the Brazilian population.

Exploring the role of the WNT5A rs566926 polymorphism and its interactions in non-syndromic orofacial cleft: a multicenter study in Brazil

Abstract Associations between the WNT5A rs566926 variant and non-syndromic orofacial cleft (NSOC) have been reported in different populations. Objective This study aimed to investigate the role of the rs566926 single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) in WNT5A and its interactions with SNPs in BMP4, FGFR1, GREM1, MMP2, and WNT3 in the occurrence of NSOC in a Brazilian population. Methodology A case-control genetic association study was carried out involving participants from four regions of Brazil, totaling 801 patients with non-syndromic cleft lip with or without cleft palate (NSCL±P), 273 patients with cleft palate only (NSCPO), and 881 health volunteers without any congenital condition (control). Applying TaqMan allelic discrimination assays, we evaluated WNT5A rs566926 in an ancestry-structured multiple logistic regression analysis, considering sex and genomic ancestry as covariates. Interactions between rs566926 and variants in genes involved in the WNT5A signaling pathway (BMP4, FGFR1, GREM1, MMP2, and WNT3) were also explored. Results WNT5A rs566926 was significantly associated with an increased risk of NSCL±P, particularly due to a strong association with non-syndromic cleft lip only (NSCLO), in which the C allele increased the risk by 32% (OR: 1.32, 95% CI: 1.04-1.67, p=0.01). According to the proportions of European and African genomic ancestry, the association of rs566926 reached significant levels only in patients with European ancestry. Multiple interactions were detected between WNT5A rs566926 and BMP4 rs2071047, GREM1 rs16969681 and rs16969862, and FGFR1 rs7829058. Conclusion The WNT5A rs566926 polymorphism was associated with NSCL±P, particularly in individuals with NSCLO and high European ancestry. Epistatic interactions involving WNT5A rs566926 and variants in BMP4, GREM1, and FGFR1 may contribute to the risk of NSCL±P in the Brazilian population.

Isolated nonsyndromic cleft palate: multicenter epidemiological study in the Brazil.

BACKGROUND: Nonsyndromic orofacial clefts (NSOC) are the craniofacial most common congenital malformations. There are evidences that the nonsyndromic cleft palate (NSCP) development differs from other NSOC. However, most of the publications treat NSCP without considering that information. Furthermore, few studies focus on NSCP. The aim of this study was to describe epidemiological findings of patients with isolated NSCP in Brazil. METHODS: In this cross-sectional multicenter study, four reference Centers for treatment in three different Brazilian states was investigated. Data were obtained from clinical records of patients, between November 2021 and June 2022. Researched variables were sociodemographic, clinical characteristics and pregnancy and family history. Pearson's chi-square and ANOVA One-way tests were used for associations. RESULTS: Majority were female (58.1%), white (60.7%) with incomplete NSCP (61.2%). There was an association between complete NSCP and a positive history of medical problems during pregnancy (p = 0.016; 27.9%; OR: 1.94; 1.12-3.35). Systemic alterations were perceived in 40.6% of the sample with odds ratio for development of the complete type (OR: 1.21; 0.74-1.97). Higher OR was visualized in medication use during pregnancy (OR: 1.35; 0.76-2.37) and positive family history of oral cleft (OR: 1.44; 0.80-2.55). Dental and surgical care was associated with higher age groups (p < 0.050). CONCLUSIONS: NSCP was most prevalent in white skin color female. Complete NSCP is associated with medical problems during pregnancy. Medication use during pregnancy and positive family history of oral cleft increase the chance of developing complete NSCP.

Ethnic Differences in the Brazilian Population Influence the Impact of BMP4 Genetic Variants on Susceptibility of Nonsyndromic Orofacial Clefts.

OBJECTIVE: The study evaluated the association of BMP4 tag-SNPs and SNP-SNP interactions involving genes active by BMP4 pathway during craniofacial development in the susceptibility of nonsyndromic orofacial clefts (NSOC) in the Brazilian population. DESIGN: Case-control study. SETTING: Brazilian Oral Cleft Group. PARTICIPANTS: The study included 881 healthy controls and 800 patients with different types of NSOC: 232 with cleft lip only (NSCLO), 568 with cleft lip and palate (NSCLP), and 274 with cleft palate only (NSCPO). INTERVENTIONS: The genomic DNA was genotyped with allelic discrimination assays for five BMP4 tag-SNPs (rs11623717, rs17563, rs2071047, rs2761887 and rs4898820), and analyzed their allelic and genotypic associations using multiple logistic regression. The interactions of these variants with genes involved in the BMP4 signaling pathway, including FGFR1, GREM1, NOG, VAX1 and the 4p16.2 locus, were explored. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: BMP4 variants in the NSOC risk. RESULTS: Although only nominal p values were identified when the whole sample was considered, subgroup analysis including the patients with high African genomic ancestry showed significant associations of rs2761887 with risk for nonsyndromic cleft lip with or without cleft palate (NSCL ± P)[(ORhom: 2.16; 95% CI: 1.21-3.85; p = 0.01) and (ORrec: 2.05; 95% CI: 1.21-3.47; p = 0.006)]. Thirteen significant SNP-SNP interactions involving BMP4 and the SNPs at FGFR1, GREM1, NOG and VAX1 and at locus 4p16.2 for increased risk of NSCL ± P were identified. CONCLUSIONS: Our results demonstrate an increased risk of NSCL ± P in Brazilian individuals with enrichment of African ancestry in the presence of the BMP4 rs2762887 polymorphism, and reveal relevant genetic contribution of SNP-SNP epistatic interactions involving BMP4 variants to NSCL ± P risk.

Oral Lichen Planus: Associations Between Histomorphometric Characteristics and White and Red Lesions.

Histomorphometry seems to provide more rigid quantitative elements for histological analysis and to bring less subjectivity to the diagnosis of oral lichen planus lesions (OLP). This study aimed to verify the association between white and red lesions and histomorphometric characteristics of OLP lesions. This retrospective cross-sectional study assessed 48 hematoxylin- and eosin-stained histological sections from incisional biopsies obtained from OLP cases. A single previously calibrated evaluator performed the light microscopy analyses to evaluate morphological and morphometric parameters. Analyses of associations among variables were performed using the Fisher's exact test. Morphometric variables were assessed using the Mann-Whitney non-parametric test. Comparisons among the three groups (age range) were performed using the Kruskal-Wallis test. In this study, 81.2% of the participants were women aged < 50 years. Keratosis, acanthosis, and inflammatory infiltrates were noted in 10.4, 10.4, and 37.5% of moderate/severe cases, respectively. Inflammatory infiltrate (52.1%), papillary projections (54.2%), saw teeth (12.5%), basal layer degeneration (39.6%), and Civatte bodies (68.8%) were also observed. There was no significant association between lesion type and clinicopathological variables (p > 0.05) or between lesion type and histological (p > 0.05) and morphometric variables (p > 0.05). Furthermore, the morphometric variables analyzed did not differ between white and red lesions (p > 0.05) or in their associations with clinicopathological variables (p > 0.05). The results of this investigation showed no associations between white and red OLP lesions and the histomorphometric characteristics evaluated.

Evaluation of genome-wide association signals for nonsyndromic cleft lip with or without cleft palate in a multiethnic Brazilian population.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate previous nonsyndromic cleft lip with or without cleft palate (NSCL±P) associated signals in 4p16.2, 8p11.23, 12q13.13, 12q13.2 and 17q21.32 in a multiethnic Brazilian cohort. DESIGN: The single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) rs34246903 in 4p16.2, rs13317 in 8p11.23 (FGFR1, fibroblast growth factor receptor 1), rs3741442 in 12q13.13, rs705704 in 12q13.2 and rs4968247 in 17q21.32 were genotyped with TaqMan allelic discrimination assays in a case-control sample including 801 NSCL±P patients [233 nonsyndromic cleft lip (NSCLO) and 568 nonsyndromic cleft lip and palate (NSCLP)] and 881 healthy controls. Multiple logistic regression analyses, considering sex and genomic ancestry as covariates, were conducted, and the p value was adjusted with Bonferroni multiple correction testing (p ≤ 0.01). RESULTS: Although several associations were identified, those that resisted the multiple correction testing involved the alleles and genotypes of rs34246903 and rs13317. The NSCLO group had a lower frequency of the minor C allele of rs34246903 compared to controls, giving an odds ratio (OR) of 0.74 [95% confidence interval (CI): 0.59-0.93, p = 0.01]. The rs34246903 CC genotype (homozygous) and the recessive model revealed significant protective associations with NSCLO, yielding ORs of 0.50 (95% CI: 0.29-0.85, p = 0.005) and 0.55 (95% CI: 0.33-0.93, p = 0.01) respectively. The presence of C variant allele of rs13317 (OR: 0.81, 95% CI: 0.69-0.96, p = 0.01) as well the TC genotype (OR: 0.77, 95% CI: 0.62-0.94, p = 0.01) and the dominant model (OR: 0.77, 95% CI: 0.63-0.94, p = 0.009) showed significant associations with reduced risk of NSCL±P. CONCLUSION: Our study is the first to support the association of rs34246903 (4p16.2) with NSCLO and rs13317 within FGFR1 with NSCL±P in the highly admixed Brazilian population. Further studies are needed to determine the functionality of those SNPs or to identify the causal markers in linkage disequilibrium with those susceptibility markers.

Adherence of head and neck cancer patients to laser photobiomodulation in a public health service: Pilot study.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the adherence of patients with head and neck cancer who underwent radiotherapy or radio-chemotherapy combined to the preventive laser photobiomodulation protocol in a public health service. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This was a cross-sectional study, whose population sample included patients with malignant head and neck neoplasms. Thirty head and neck cancer patients undergoing cancer treatment, were examined and interviewed through a record of signs and symptoms of oral mucositis (OM) and adherence to the preventive laser photobiomodulation protocol, that began in the first session of radiotherapy, and included the laser application three times a week during the 3-week period. The collected data were documented, and the descriptive and inferential statistics were performed with a significance level of p < 0.05. RESULTS: It was observed that 66.6% of patients developed OM. There was a predominance of degrees I and II, with 36.8% and 31.6%, respectively. A total of fifteen patients (50%) missed one or more laser photobiomodulation sessions. A positive association was found between patients who missed at least two laser photobiomodulation sessions with the development of OM degrees III (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: There was moderate adherence of patients with head and neck cancer to the laser photobiomodulation protocol and the development of more severe degrees of OM was related to individuals that didn't attend scheduled sessions.

Interactions between superoxide dismutase and paraoxonase polymorphic variants in nonsyndromic cleft lip with or without cleft palate in the Brazilian population.

During development, oxidative stress is hypothesized to mediate embryotoxicity, which may be intensified by exposition to environmental factors and by genetic variations in the enzymes involved in protecting cells from these damaging effects, including superoxide dismutase (SOD) and paraoxonase (PON). The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) in genes associated with the neutralization of oxidative stress (SOD and PON family members) in the risk of nonsyndromic oral cleft in the Brazilian population. Initially, we tested for association between 28 SNP in SOD1, SOD2, SOD3, PON1, PON2, and PON3 among 325 nonsyndromic cleft lip with or without cleft palate (NSCL±P) case-parent trios. Multiple logistic regression analyses were used to explore gene, GxG and GxE, involving factors that induce oxidative stress accumulation during pregnancy. Signals still significant after both Bonferroni correction and in permutation test were subsequently confirmed in an ancestry-structured case-control analysis with 722 NSCL±P and 866 controls from the same population. In the trio sample, transmission disequilibrium test (TDT) (allele and haplotype) and GxE analysis showed no significant associations, but multiple pairwise GxG interactions involving 10 SNP in PON1, PON2, and PON3 were detected and further examined in the case-control sample. The PON1 rs2237583 and PON2 rs17166879 yielded significant evidence of SNP-SNP interactions after adjustment for multiple tests (both Bonferroni correction and 10,000 permutation test). The C allele and the CT genotype of PON1 rs2237583 were associated with significant protective effects against NSCL±P, while rs3917490 showed a significant association only in the sample composed of patients displaying high African ancestry. Our results reveal associations between rs2237583 and rs3917490 in PON1 and GxG interactions containing rs2237583 and rs17166879 with the susceptibility of NSCL±P in the Brazilian population. Furthermore, this study underlines the recent tendency of taking into account potential GxG interactions to clarify the underlying mechanisms associated with the etiology of this common malformation. Environ. Mol. Mutagen. 60: 185-196, 2019. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Association between GOLGB1 tag-polymorphisms and nonsyndromic cleft palate only in the Brazilian population.

Nonsyndromic oral clefts are common congenital birth defects that exhibit variable prevalence around the world, often influenced by population-dependent genetic predisposition. Few studies have been performed with nonsyndromic cleft palate only (NSCPO), limiting the knowledge of the genetic risk factors related to this type of oral cleft. Genetic variants in golgin subfamily B member 1 (GOLGB1), a gene that is essential for normal murine palatogenesis, were analyzed in this study to establish its potential association with NSCPO risk in the Brazilian population. Five tag-single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of GOLGB1 (rs1169, rs7153, rs9968051, rs9819530, and rs6794341), which capture the majority of alleles spanning within gene, were genotyped in a case-control study with 270 patients with NSCPO and 284 unrelated healthy controls. The samples were also genotyped for 40 biallelic polymorphic markers to characterize the genetic ancestry. After adjustment for co-variants, the GOLGB1 tag-SNPs and the haplotypes formed by those SNPs were not significantly associated with NSCPO in this Brazilian case-control cohort. Our results suggest that common polymorphisms of GOLGB1 are not associated NSCPO susceptibility in the Brazilian population.

Brazilian multicenter study of association between polymorphisms in CRISPLD2 and JARID2 and non-syndromic oral clefts.

BACKGROUND: Variants in the cysteine-rich secretory protein LCCL domain containing 2 gene (CRISPLD2) and in the jumonji, AT-rich interaction domain 2 gene (JARID2) were previously shown to influence non-syndromic oral cleft susceptibility. Herein, we performed a case-control study to examine the potential association of single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in CRISPLD2 and JARID2 with non-syndromic cleft lip and/or palate (NSCL/P) in the Brazilian population. Given the ethnicity-dependent genetic predisposition to NSCL/P, we performed a structured analysis taking into account the genomic ancestry variation of each individual. METHODS: Four SNPs in CRISPLD2 (rs1546124, rs8061351, rs2326398, and rs4783099) and four in JARID2 (rs915344, rs2299043, rs2237138, and rs2076056), that were previously reported to be associated with NSCL/P, were genotyped in 785 Brazilian patients with NSCL/P (549 with cleft lip with or without cleft palate-NSCL ± P, and 236 with cleft palate only-NSCPO) and 693 unaffected Brazilian controls. Genomic ancestry was assessed with a set of 40 biallelic short insertion/deletion variants previously validated as ancestry informative markers of the Brazilian population. RESULTS: After adjustment of ancestry variations, allelic analysis revealed marginal associations between the CRISPLD2 rs4783099 T allele and increased risk for NSCPO (OR: 1.31, 95% CI: 1.05-1.62, P = 0.01) and between JARID2 rs2237138 and decreased NSCL ± P risk (OR: 0.80, 95% CI: 0.67-0.97, P = 0.02). Haplotype analysis indicated a lack of association between JARID2 haplotypes and non-syndromic oral cleft risk. CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that CRISPLD2 rs4783099 may represent a risk factor for NSCPO while JARID2 rs2237138 shows a protective effect against NSCL ± P in the Brazilian population.

Association Between Genes Involved in Craniofacial Development and Nonsyndromic Cleft Lip and/or Palate in the Brazilian Population.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the association of single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in genes related to craniofacial development, which were previously identified as susceptibility signals for nonsyndromic oral clefts, in Brazilians with nonsyndromic cleft lip and/or palate (NSCL/P). DESIGN: The SNPs rs748044 (TNP1), rs1106514 (MSX1), rs28372960, rs15251 and rs2569062 (TCOF1), rs7829058 (FGFR1), rs1793949 (COL2A1), rs11653738 (WNT3), and rs242082 (TIMP3) were assessed in a family-based transmission disequilibrium test (TDT) and a structured case-control analysis based on the individual ancestry proportions. SETTING: The SNPs were initially analyzed by TDT, and polymorphisms showing a trend toward excess transmission were subsequently studied in an independent case-control sample. PARTICIPANTS: The study sample consisted of 189 case-parent trios of nonsyndromic cleft lip with or without cleft palate (NSCL±P), 107 case-parent trios of nonsyndromic cleft palate (NSCP), 318 isolated samples of NSCL±P, 189 isolated samples of NSCP, and 599 healthy controls. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: Association of alleles with NSCL/P pathogenesis. RESULTS: Preferential transmission of SNPs rs28372960 and rs7829058 in NSCL±P trios and rs11653738 in NSCP trios (P = .04) were observed, although the structured case-control analysis did not confirm these associations. The haplotype T-C-C formed by TCOF1 SNPs rs28372960, rs15251, and rs2569062 was more frequently transmitted from healthy parents to NSCL±P offspring, but the P value (P = .01) did not withstand Bonferroni correction for multiple tests. CONCLUSIONS: With the modest associations, our results do not support the hypothesis that TNP1, MSX1, TCOF1, FGFR1, COL2A1, WNT3, and TIMP3 variants are risk factors for nonsyndromic oral clefts in the Brazilian population.

rs1801133C>T polymorphism in MTHFR is a risk factor for nonsyndromic cleft lip with or without cleft palate in the Brazilian population.

BACKGROUND: The MTHFR rs1801131A>C and rs1801133C>T variants have been analyzed as putative genetic risk factors for oral clefts within various populations worldwide. METHODS: To test the role of these polymorphisms in nonsyndromic cleft lip with or without cleft palate (NSCL/P) in the Brazilian population, we conducted a study combining a Family-Based Association Test (transmission disequilibrium test) and a structured association analysis (case-control study) based on the individual ancestry proportions. The rs1801131 and rs1801133 were initially analyzed in 197 case-parent trios by transmission disequilibrium test, and polymorphisms showing significant association with NSCL/P were subsequently studied in independent sample composed of 318 isolated samples of NSCL/P and 598 healthy controls in a case-control approach. Genomic ancestry was characterized by a set of 40 biallelic short insertion/deletion markers. RESULTS: A strong overtransmission of the T allele of rs1801133 was observed in case-parent trios of NSCL/P (p = 0.002), but no preferential parent-of-origin transmission was detected. No association of rs1801131 polymorphism with NSCL/P was observed. The structured case-control analysis supported that the T allele was significantly more frequent in the NSCL/P group (odds ratio: 1.37; 95% CI: 1.12-1.69; p = 0.002) than in the control group. Both polymorphisms were in linkage disequilibrium (D' = 0.94 and r(2) = 0.79), and haplotype-transmission disequilibrium test for allelic combination of rs1801131 and rs1801133 showed a significant overtransmission of haplotype A-T to the affected NSCL/P offspring (p = 0.001). CONCLUSION: Our findings provide evidences for the involvement of rs1801133 in the development of NSCL/P in the Brazilian population.

Angiogenesis and osteogenesis at incorporation process of onlay bone graft.

PURPOSE: The roles of angiogenesis and osteogenesis in autologous and allogenic bone grafts and the use of platelet-rich plasma (PRP) as a modifier were investigated. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Forty rabbit mandibles received onlay grafts of fresh autologous and frozen allogeneic bone. PRP was added on the right side. After intervals of 3, 7, 14, 28, and 56 days, the animals were euthanized. Hematoxylin and eosin staining was used to measure the quantity and area of osteoblasts. Sections stained with toluidine blue showed newly formed bone area. In sections with Weigert-van Gieson staining, the number of vessels and their lumens was quantified. The quantity and area of cellular arrangements expressing CD31 and the area of vessels were obtained. RESULTS: Quantities of osteoblasts and their areas, newly formed matrices, and vessels and their lumen areas were obtained and identified by immunomarking with CD31. In general, values for these were higher in rabbits with allogeneic bone grafts and on the sides where PRP had been added. There was a variable significance between categories and days. It was confirmed that osteogenesis was intensified when angiogenesis was consolidated. CONCLUSIONS: Angiogenesis was important for greater osteoblast differentiation and bone matrix synthesis, ensuring consolidation of onlay grafts with the receptor bed. Allogeneic grafts and PRP intensified these processes.

Effect of LED phototherapy (λ700 ± 20 nm) on TGF-ß expression during wound healing: an immunohistochemical study in a rodent model.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the present investigation was to evaluate transforming growth factor ß (TGF-ß) expression on cutaneous wounds in rodents treated or not treated with LED light. BACKGROUND: TGF-ß is a multifunctional cytokine that presents a central action during tissue repair. Although several studies both in vitro and in vivo have shown that LED phototherapy influences tissue repair, a full understanding of the mechanisms involved in its usage, such as in the modulation of some growth factors, remains unclear. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Under general anesthesia, 24 young adult male Wistar rats weighing 200-250 g had one excisional wound created on the dorsum of each, and were randomly distributed into two groups: G0 (Control) and G1 (LED, λ700 ± 20 nm, 16 mW, SAEF = 5 J/cm(2), Illuminated Area = 2 cm(2), 8 mWcm(2), 626 s) Each group was subdivided into three subgroups according to the animal death timing (2, 4, and 6 days). LED phototherapy started immediately after surgery and was repeated every other day during the experimental time. Following animal death, specimens were removed, routinely processed to wax, cut and immunomarked with polyclonal anti-TGF-ß, and underwent histological analysis by light microscopy. The mean area of expression of each group was calculated. The data were statistically analyzed using ANOVA and Tukey's test. RESULTS: The area of the expression of TGF-ß on LED-irradiated animals was significantly smaller than on controls at day 2 (p = 0.013). No significant difference was found at later times. It is concluded that the use of LED light, at these specific parameters, caused an inhibition of the expression of TGF-ß at an early stage of the healing process.

Effects of diode laser therapy on the acellular dermal matrix.

Acellular dermal matrix (ADM) was subcutaneously implanted into calvarian skin of male Wistar rats (n = 40). Low-level laser (lambda 685 nm, 4 J/cm(2)) was locally applied in experimental group (n = 20) above the skin flap. Grafts were harvested at 1, 3, 7 and 14 days after surgery and underwent histological analyses. In treated animals, the extent of edema and the number of inflammatory cells were reduced (P < 0.05). The amount of collagen in graft treated with low-level laser were significantly higher than those of controls (P < 0.05) and were statistically more prominent on the 14th day after surgery. The mean count of fibroblasts was significantly higher in the low-laser therapy group within the 3rd day, showing a marked influx of fibroblasts into area. In conclusion, wound healing of the ADM appear to be positively affected by laser therapy.

Oral paracoccidioidomycosis: a case without lung manifestations.

AIM: The aim of this article is to present a case of Paracoccidioidomycosis with involvement of the oral cavity but without pulmonary manifestations. BACKGROUND: Paracoccidioidomycosis is a fungal infection caused by Paracoccidioides brasiliensis. It is an endemic disease representing a serious health problem for Latin American countries, especially Brazil. This infection primarily affects the lungs of adult men and is acquired through inhalation or accidental inoculation of the fungus. It can spread to other organs and tissues, mainly the oral cavity. Administration of antifungal medication always resolves the disease. REPORT: A 58-year-old black male presented with three painless, ulcerated, mulberry-like granulomatous lesions located in the floor of the mouth, on the superior alveolar ridge, and on the hard palate, which had evolved over a period of two years. Facial asymmetry was observed due to edema in the lower lip and lymphadenopathy. He had smoked for more than six years but showed no evidence of lung alterations, productive cough, or fever. Panoramic radiography showed no signs of a bone lesion in the jaws. Both a radiograph and a CT scan of the thorax showed no areas of nodular infiltration. Fibrobronchoscopic examination of the entire respiratory tract was normal. Biopsies of the oral lesions were performed, and tissue sections exhibited oral mucosa coated with non-keratinized stratified squamous epithelium with acanthosis and focal areas of exocytosis. The underlying connective tissue showed an intense lymphocytic and polymorphonuclear infiltrate in addition to multinuclear giant cells and coagulation necrosis. A special stain used for fungus (the Grocott-Gomori method) was positive. Pulmonary biopsy exhibited aerial spaces containing macrophages, dark granular hemossiderin, and absence of fungus. This was considered normal. In agreement with the recommendation of pneumologists 400 mg/day of ketoconazole was prescribed for the patient. After two months of treatment, even though the oral lesions had resolved completely, the therapy was maintained for six months more. One year after following treatment the patient was in good health and free of any signs of a recurrent infection. SUMMARY: Based on clinical, radiographic, and histologic findings the differential diagnosis included paracoccidioidomycosis and squamous cell carcinoma. Following clinical and biopsy examinations of the oral lesions and the lungs a final diagnosis of paracoccidioidomycosis was made. This is a prime example of oral manifestations of a systemic disease in which the dentist is the initial health care professional to evaluate the patient due to the location of the lesions.

Expression of basement membrane laminin in oral squamous cell carcinomas.

UNLABELLED: The basement membrane is a dynamic structure that undergoes quantitative and qualitative changes during the progression of squamous cell carcinoma, which is essentially important in tumoral invasion and metastasis. AIM: This study is aimed at investigating the behavior of the basement membrane in oral squamous cell carcinomas with different malignancy scores, which were obtained through the immunohistochemical expression of the laminin, a glycoprotein present in the basement membrane. STUDY DESIGN: History cross-sectional cohort. MATERIAL AND METHOD: Thirty-one cases of oral squamous cell carcinoma were subjected to histological grading of malignant tumors. The immunohistochemical expression of the laminin in lesions bearing different scores of malignancy was evaluated according to intensity and integrity, using the Streptavidin-Biotin complex method. RESULTS: We noticed significant differences in the media between intensity and continuity laminin expression in relation to different grades of malignancy. CONCLUSION: Different expressions of laminin, a glycoprotein present in basement membranes were evident in oral cell carcinomas within different grades of histological malignancy.