Development and psychometric evaluation of the Caregiver Caregiving Self-Efficacy Scale for family members with oral cancer.

AIM: The aim of this study was to develop and initially assess the psychometric properties of the Caregiver Caregiving Self-Efficacy Scale-Oral Cancer (CSES-OC). METHODS: In total, 28 items in the Caregiver Caregiving Self-Efficacy Scale-Oral Cancer were originally employed for a reliability and validity test based on expert suggestions and qualitative findings. The Cronbach's alpha coefficient and test-retest reliability were evaluated with the pilot sample, which included 30 caregivers. The main test, which included 107 caregivers during May 2016 to 2018, was used to execute the exploratory factor analysis (EFA) and concurrent validity. RESULTS: The results of the main test showed a Cronbach's alpha coefficient of .95 for the revised 18-item total scale after EFA. Four factors (acquiring resources, managing sudden and uncertain patient conditions, managing patient-related nutritional issues and exploring and making decisions on patient care) were classified from EFA of the Caregiver Caregiving Self-Efficacy Scale-Oral Cancer. The r coefficient was .59 (P < .01), which supported the concurrent validity between CSES-OC and General Self-Efficacy Scale. CONCLUSION: The study results show appropriate psychometric properties for the Caregiver Caregiving Self-Efficacy Scale-Oral Cancer that was constructed for evaluating caregiver caregiving self-efficacy in caring for family members with oral cancer.

Tumor-associated macrophages promote oral cancer progression through activation of the Axl signaling pathway.

BACKGROUND: Recent studies suggest that tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) promote tumor growth and metastasis. Our previous report demonstrated that Axl signaling promotes carcinogenesis and progression of oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). This study aims to test the potential involvement of growth arrest-specific gene 6 (Gas6)/Axl signaling in the protumoral effect of TAMs. METHODS: Co-culture experiments by incubation of OSCC cells (YD38 and OE) and macrophages (THP-1) were performed. The expression of Gas6/Axl and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) genes were examined in YD38 and OE cells. The effect of Gas6/Axl signaling on co-cultured cancer cells was further investigated by knocking down Axl expression and neutralizing Gas6. Axl and TAM distribution were analyzed by immunohistochemistry in OSCC tissues. RESULTS: Activation of Axl signaling and increased expression of mesenchymal markers, along with increased invasion/migration ability of OSCC cells, was noted upon co-culture with THP-1. Neutralization of Gas6 in the co-culture system or knockdown of Axl in YD38 caused the co-culture effects to be diminished. Co-culture with THP-1 increased nuclear factor (NF)-κB nuclear translocation and transcription activity in YD38 cells. A significant association between the TAM count and expression of phosphorylated Axl (P = 0.004) was found in vivo cancer tissues. CONCLUSIONS: TAMs play a protumor role in OSCC and likely promote tumor progression through activation of the Gas6/Axl-NF-κB signaling pathway. Therefore, Gas6/Axl and NF-κB signaling in OSCC cells may be a putative target for therapeutic intervention.

Protumoral effect of macrophage through Axl activation on mucoepidermoid carcinoma.

OBJECTIVE: This study aims to test the potential involvement of Axl signaling in the protumoral effect of tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) in mucoepidermoid carcinoma (MEC). MATERIALS AND METHODS: We carried out cocultured experiments by incubation of MEC cells (UTMUC-1) and macrophages (THP-1) and examined Axl activation status. The expression of MMPs and behavior change were examined in UT-MUC-1 cells. The effect of Axl signaling on co-cultured cancer cells was further investigated by knockdown Axl expression and suppression by Axl-specific inhibitor R428. RESULTS: Activation of Axl signaling and increased expression and activity of MMP-2 and MMP-9 along with increased invasion/migration ability in MEC cells were observed when co-cultured with TAMs. Upon knockdown of Axl in MEC or addition of R428 in the co-cultured system, these co-cultured effects were diminished. CONCLUSION: TAMs play a protumoral role in MEC via activation of the Axl signaling pathway, up-regulating MMPs expression, and increasing invasion/migration ability.

Continued root formation after replantation and root canal treatment in an avulsed immature permanent tooth: a case report.

This case report describes the continued root formation following replantation and conventional root canal therapy of a traumatically avulsed open-apex tooth with suppurative apical periodontitis. A 7-year-old male patient had an avulsed upper left central incisor (tooth 21) replanted approximately 50 min after traumatic avulsion. A root canal procedure was initiated due to pulp necrosis and periapical abscess detected in the follow-up period. After endodontic treatment with calcium hydroxide (Ca(OH)(2)) dressing, a normal root length developed including an apical segment beyond the hard tissue barrier. Regeneration of the root occurred without pathology or ankylosis at 1-year of follow up.

Improved outcomes in buccal squamous cell carcinoma.

BACKGROUND: The treatment results of buccal squamous cell carcinoma before and after 2002 were compared. METHODS: Two hundred forty-five patients with buccal cancer who underwent curative treatment were retrospectively reviewed. RESULTS: The 5-year overall survival rate was 30.0% before 2002 and 53.5% after 2002 (p = .004). On multivariate analysis, T classification, surgical margins, and treatment modality significantly affected overall survival, and N classification and histologic grade had trends to affect it. Invasion depth had a trend to influence locoregional control. For patients with early-stage disease without adverse factors, the locoregional control was similar between surgery alone group and surgery + radiotherapy group. CONCLUSION: The survival of patients with buccal cancer was improved after 2002, which represented the start of intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) in our institute. Ipsilateral neck alone irradiation was recommended for T1-2N0-1 and small T3N0 disease, and bilateral neck irradiation could be reserved for advanced disease.