Oral cancer and precancer in Oral Pathology and Medicine curricula of Mexican dental schools.

OBJECTIVE: To identify the teaching-learning process characteristics of Oral Pathology and Medicine (OP&M) related to oral potentially malignant disorders (OPMDs) and oral cancer (OC), in the dental schools' curricula in Mexico, to analyze the approach given to this topic worldwide, and to provide the possible solution strategies. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Questionnaires were sent to OP&M deans and professors from public Mexican Universities to explore the curriculum and academic profile of the dental schools. The recommendations gathered from a workshop with expert professors on the challenges in OPMD/OC teaching were reported. RESULTS: Twenty-two dental schools participated (22 deans, 30 professors). The most widely used strategies were clinical-case resolving (86%) and presentations (73%). Although 77.3% of the programs included maxillofacial lesions, only 40.9% contemplated OPMD/OC. Only 45% of the programs developed community activities for early OC detection. The workshop recommendations were (i) multidisciplinary approach to OPMD/OC teaching, involving OP&M professors in other dental and nondental courses; (ii) implementation of the most effective teaching techniques (currently, problem-based learning and clinical-case presentation) in OP&M curricula; (iii) education of OP&M professors on teaching-learning processes. CONCLUSIONS: These recommendations from the Mexican context, integrated with similar experiences from other countries could contribute to develop a unique, internationally acknowledged OP&M curriculum.

Efficacy of Antineoplastic Nanocarriers on 3D Oral Cancer Spheroids.

BACKGROUND/AIM: Cancer is a leading cause of death worldwide. Conventional treatments as surgery, chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and combined therapies are commonly used. However, these therapies have several limitations and side effects. To address these issues, innovative research is being conducted on nanocarriers (NCs) functionalized with antineoplastic agents. These NCs aim to overcome limitations and improve patients' lives. However, before they can be used clinically, these NCs are primarily assessed on a lab scale to determine their efficacy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A primary cell culture was established from a lymphoblastic neoplasm in the maxilla. After characterization, the cells were cultured in 2D to evaluate the dose-effect of nanoparticles (NPs), such as Zinc oxide (ZnO) and Magnesium oxide (MgO), as well as those of free drugs of 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) and cisplatin (Cis). Based on the results, a 3D spheroid culture was used for further study. Finally, the spheroids were histologically processed for immuno-morphological observation. RESULTS: To evaluate spheroid cell viability, we conducted an MTT assay. Treatment of cell spheroids with ZnONPs, 5-FU, and NPs conjugated with antitumor agents such as 5-FU-ZnO and Cis-ZnO decreased cell viability by >25%, >60% and >10% and <20% at a concentration of 0.06, 0.015 and 0.015 & 0.03 mg/ml, respectively. CONCLUSION: Nanoparticles conjugated with antitumor agents showed promising antineoplastic effects on both 2D and 3D cell cultures. However, the efficacy of the nanoparticles varied between the different models. This highlights the importance of selecting appropriate in vitro culture models for the evaluation of biomedical agents.

Expresión génica de receptores ECA2 en cavidad bucal y glándulas salivales y su papel en la infección por SARS CoV2. Revisión de la literatura / Gene Expression of ECA2 Receptors in the Oral Cavity and Salivary Glands and Its Role in SARS CoV2 Infection. Literature Review

Resumen Los receptores ECA2 presentan una expresión génica importante en las células escamosas de la lengua y glándulas salivales, mecanismo que es conveniente para la inoculación de SARS CoV2 toda vez que busca hacer el complejo de ensamblaje mediante su glicoproteína o proteína espiga hacia el receptor ECA2 de la mucosa bucal. Una vez inoculado y favorecido por las proteasas es la llave que permite la entrada del virión en la célula huésped para su posterior replicación, aumento de carga viral y potencial desaminación e infección; los estomatólogos deben estar alerta de los mecanismos de infección en cavidad bucal para protección propia y de los pacientes que son atendidos por este personal de salud.

Abstract ECA2 receptors have an important gene expression in the squamous cells of the tongue and salivary glands, a mechanism that is convenient for the inoculation of SARS CoV2 since it seeks to make the assembly complex through its glycoprotein or spike protein towards the ECA2 receptor of the oral mucosa. Once inoculated and favored by proteases, it is the key that allows the entry of the virion into the host cell for its subsequent replication, increase of viral load and potential deamination and infection; dental professionals must be alert to the mechanisms of infection in the oral cavity for their own protection and that of the patients who are treated by this health personnel.

Oral benign neoplasms: A retrospective study of 790 patients over a 14-year period / Neoplasias benignas orales: estudio retrospectivo de 790 patients durante un periodo de 14 años

Introduction and objective: Oral benign neoplasms (OBNs) exhibit some features that can guide the professionals to the correct diagnosis and best treatment. Through retrospective studies, medical records can be reviewed to better describe a given population and, furthermore, help clinicians in routine practice. In this context, the objective of this paper was to analyze the cases of OBNs of an oral pathology referral department, from 2003 to 2017, in order to better understand their epidemiological and clinicopathological characteristics. Methods: A total of 8355 histopathological reports were analyzed. Lesions diagnosed as OBNs were selected and the following variables were recorded: gender, age, histological type of the lesion, anatomical location, rate and pattern of growth, type of base, color, symptomatology and diagnostic hypotheses on clinical examination. Results: OBNs represented 9.4% of all lesions diagnosed. The most frequent histopathological types were fibroma (39.9%), papilloma (22%), fibroblastoma (13.1%), lipoma (10.2%) and hemangioma (6.1%). Overall, most cases affected females (n = 518; 65.6%) and in the fifth decade of life (n = 148; 18.7%). The oral mucosa was the most common site (n = 265; 33.5%). The most common features of each OBN were also highlighted. Conclusion: The most common OBNs were fibroma, papilloma, fibroblastoma, lipoma and hemangioma. Overall, the OBN presented common clinical features; however, in particular cases, there are some characteristics that can lead the professionals to the correct diagnosis. Nevertheless, in general, histopathological analysis must be performed to confirm diagnosis. Intraosseous tumors and large lesions may require imaging tests to help diagnosis

Introducción y objetivos: Las neoplasias benignas orales (NBO) presentan características clínico-patológicas específicas que pueden guiar al profesional al diagnóstico correcto y a un mejor tratamiento. Los estudios retrospectivos son uno de los principales recursos utilizados para conocer la situación actual de una población determinada y estimar sus necesidades para la implementación y el mantenimiento de los servicios de salud. En este contexto, el objetivo de este trabajo fue analizar los casos de NBO de un servicio de referencia en patología oral, de 2003 a 2017, para comprender mejor sus características epidemiológicas y clínico-patológicas. Métodos: se analizaron un total de 8355 informes histopatológicos. Se seleccionaron las lesiones diagnosticadas como NBO y se registraron las siguientes variables: sexo, edad, tipo histológico de la lesión, ubicación anatómica, índice y patrón de crecimiento, tipo de base, color, sintomatología e hipótesis diagnósticas en el examen clínico. Resultados: Las NBO representaron el 9,4% de todas las lesiones diagnosticadas. Los tipos histopatológicos más frecuentes fueron fibroma (39,9%), papiloma (22%), fibroblastoma (13,1%), lipoma (10,2%) y hemangioma (6,1%). También fueron verificados el perfil de los pacientes y las presentaciones clínicas de estas lesiones. Conclusiones: Las NBO más comunes fueron fibroma, papiloma, fibroblastoma, lipoma y hemangioma. En general, las NBO presentaron características clínicas comunes; sin embargo, en casos particulares, existen algunas características que pueden llevar al profesional al diagnóstico correcto. Sin embargo, de forma general, el análisis histopatológico debe hacerse para confirmar el diagnóstico. Los tumores intraóseos y las lesiones de gran tamaño pueden requerir exámenes de imagen para ayudar al diagnóstico