Comprehensive Analyses of Masticatory Function in Maxillectomy Patients with Functioning Removable Prostheses: A Retrospective Cross-Sectional Study.

The aim of this retrospective cross-sectional study was to comprehensively assess masticatory function in maxillectomy patients with functioning removable prostheses. Their general and oral profiles, the measurement values of their oral functions, including masticatory function, and the history of tumor therapy were extracted from medical charts. The correlations of masticatory function with numerical data and the effects of tumor therapy-related factors on masticatory function were evaluated. In addition, a stepwise conditional logistic regression analysis was performed to identify the potential predictive factors comprehensively. The data from 55 maxillectomy patients revealed that the median value of masticatory function (138.0 mg/dL) was higher than the threshold (100.0 mg/dL) based on the concept of oral hypofunction. Moderate correlations of masticatory function with the number of remaining teeth, the number of functioning occlusal supports, and maximum occlusal force were found, as well as a weak correlation with maximum tongue pressure. These variables also showed statistically significant coefficients (p < 0.01). No significant effect of each tumor therapy-related factor on masticatory function was detected. A logistic regression analysis identified the number of functioning occlusal supports as a significant predictive factor. These results implied the crucial interactions of masticatory function with various factors and the specificities of maxillectomy patients.

A retrospective cross-sectional analysis of swallowing and tongue functions in maxillectomy patients.

PURPOSE: To investigate the profiles of swallowing and tongue functions, and to identify factors influencing swallowing in maxillectomy patients. METHODS: Maxillectomy patients whose swallowing function defined by Eating Assessment Tool (EAT-10) score and tongue functions (oral diadochokinesis: ODK, maximum tongue pressure: MTP) with or without obturator prostheses had been evaluated were enrolled in this study. The effects of the history of radiotherapy and soft palate defect on swallowing function were evaluated. The effect of radiotherapy on oral dryness was also evaluated. To examine correlations of swallowing function with continuous variables, Spearman correlation coefficients were calculated. RESULTS: A total of 47 maxillectomy patients (23 males and 24 females, median age: 71 [IQR: 63-76]) were registered. The median value of EAT-10 scores was 3 [IQR: 0-14]. Patients with the history of radiotherapy, but not with soft palate defect, showed significantly declined swallowing function. ODK and MTP of patients wearing obturator prostheses were significantly improved. No significant effect of radiotherapy on oral dryness was found. A significant correlation was found between EAT-10 score and MTP (P = 0.04). CONCLUSIONS: Swallowing function in maxillectomy patients was relatively impaired and the patients with the history of radiotherapy showed lower swallowing function. Obturator prostheses could contribute to the improvement of MTP and ODK (/ta/). MTP may play a crucial role in swallowing in maxillectomy patients.

Validation of masticatory function and related factors in maxillectomy patients based on the concept of "oral hypofunction": A retrospective cross-sectional study.

Purpose Although oral functions have been evaluated by various methods in maxillectomy patients, there exists substantial difficulty in the assessment procedures. The purpose of this study was to evaluate masticatory function, maximum occlusal force (MOF), and maximum tongue pressure (MTP) in maxillectomy patients objectively as per the "oral hypofunction" criteria, and examine the factors that correlate with masticatory function.Methods This retrospective cross-sectional study included 50 maxillectomy patients with maxillofacial prostheses (23 males and 27 females, median age, 72 years; interquartile range (IQR), 63.75-77). The records of masticatory function, MOF, and MTP as per the "oral hypofunction" criteria and their profiles (age, number of occlusal supports, and maxillary defect configuration) were reviewed. The number of patients who exceeded a threshold value of "oral hypofunction" and the effects of occlusal support and defect configuration on masticatory function and MOF were calculated. Multiple regression analysis was performed to assess the associations between masticatory function and other variables.Results The median value of masticatory function (114 mg/dL, IQR: 73-167.5) exceeded a threshold value, but not MOF (229.2 N, IQR: 110.2-419.6) and MTP (25.9 kPa, IQR: 21.4-29.0). The number of patients who exceeded each threshold value was 27 (masticatory function), 8 (MOF), and 12 (MTP), respectively. The influence of the number of occlusal supports, but not the defect configuration, was statistically significant. Multiple regression analysis revealed that MOF was independently related to masticatory function (P=0.042).Conclusions Within the limitations of this study, the median value of masticatory function in maxillectomy patients could exceed a threshold and MOF might be an independent predictor of masticatory function.

Molecular cloning, developmental expression, promoter analysis and functional characterization of the mouse CNBP gene.

Striking conservation in various organisms suggests that cellular nucleic acid-binding protein (CNBP) plays a fundamental biological role across different species. However, the regulated expression and physiological properties of the CNBP gene are unknown. In this study, we report the molecular cloning, promoter characterization, developmental expression and functional analysis of the mouse CNBP gene. The gene contains five exons and is localized to chromosome 6 in the region corresponding to band 6 D1-D2. Primer extension assay indicates that the transcription start site is located 230 bp upstream of the initiator Met codon. Our promoter analysis indicates that strong transcription enhancer and silencer regions lie within the 1.6 kb proximal region of the promoter and the upstream -3.0 to -1.6 kb region, respectively. The promoter activity is 10 fold higher in embryonic carcinoma cells than that in fibroblast, as determined by CAT assay. Consistent with its function as a transcription factor, CNBP protein is located in the nucleus of cells. During mouse embryogenesis, CNBP is expressed in the anterior region of the early embryo and in the limb, tail and craniofacial region. Overexpression of CNBP strongly stimulates cell proliferation and increases c-myc promoter activity. Our finds suggest that CNBP may play an important role in cell proliferation and tissue patterning during anterior-posterior axis, craniofacial and limb development by targeting c-Myc.