Evaluation of Antioxidant and Antiproliferative Properties of Cornus mas L. Fruit Juice.

Cornus mas L. (Cornelian cherry) is a flowering plant indigenous to Europe and parts of Asia, mostly studied for the antimicrobial activity of its juice. In this report, we investigated the composition and the in vitro antioxidant capacity of Cornus mas L. fruit juice from Greece, as well as its antiproliferative properties in vitro and in vivo. The fruits showed a high content of citric, malic, and succinic acid, in contrast to their juice, which had a low concentration of organic acids. The juice demonstrated significant antioxidant activity against the free radical 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and modest antiproliferative potential against four human cancer cells lines and one murine: mammary adenocarcinoma MCF-7, hepatocellular carcinoma HepG2 and colon adenocarcinomas Caco2, HT-29, as well as murine colon carcinoma CT26. Cell viability was reduced by 40-50% following incubation of the cells with the highest concentration of the juice. Although Cornelian cherry juice exhibited in vitro growth inhibitory effects against colon carcinoma cells, no tumor growth inhibition was observed in an in vivo experimental colon carcinoma model in mice following prophylactic oral administration of a daily dose of 100 L juice for a period of 10 days. Thus, our findings raise interesting questions for further research on Cornus mas L. fruit juice, and in parallel, the strong antioxidant potential implies that the plant could be further explored and exploited for its protective effect against oxidative damage.

Prognostic significance of macrophage polarization in early stage oral squamous cell carcinomas.

BACKGROUND: Polarization of tumor infiltrating macrophages is associated with the prognosis of solid malignancies and correlates with the occurrence of lymph node metastases in oral squamous cell carcinomas (oscc). Early stage (T1/T2, N0) oscc are characterized by a good prognosis and can be cured by surgery. The postoperative regime usually contains no adjuvant radio-/chemotherapy. The current pilot study was conducted to elucidate whether macrophage polarization in tumor resection specimens and diagnostic biopsies of early stage oscc is associated with tumor outcome. METHODS: Patients with T1/T2, N0, and R0>5mm oscc without adjuvant therapy and 3-year follow-up after tumor resection were retrospectively selected. Tissue microarrays (TMA) containing diagnostic biopsies (n=17) and tumor resection specimens (n=17) were processed for immunohistochemistry in this pilot study to detect CD68-, CD11c-, CD163- and MRC1-positive macrophages. Samples were digitized, and the expression of macrophage markers was quantitatively analyzed. RESULTS: High infiltration of M2 polarized macrophages correlated with poor tumor outcome in early stage (T1/T2, N0) oscc. This correlation was observed in tumor resection specimens, but was also observed in diagnostic biopsies. M2 macrophage polarization in biopsies - but not in tumor resection samples - correlated with high scores in tumor grading. CONCLUSION: Macrophage polarization in early stage oscc is a potential prognostic marker for tumor outcome. The correlation of M2 polarized macrophages with tumor outcome can already be detected in the initial biopsies. Furthermore, M2 polarization of macrophages in biopsies is associated with an increased dedifferentiation.

Investigation of the interplay between plasma lipids and macrophage polarization in small oral squamous cell carcinomas with different outcome: A pilot study of 17 cases.

INTRODUCTION: Growing evidence suggests a correlation of alternative polarization of macrophages (M2) with a bad outcome of oral cancer. Macrophage polarization plays a significant role in the progression of hyperlipidemia and atherosclerosis, being influenced from plasma cholesterol. On the other hand plasma lipids have been studied epidemiologically as risk factors in carcinogenesis. Goal of our pilot study was the investigation of a possible association of plasma lipids with tumor outcome through their potential influence on macrophage polarization. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 17 patients with small pN0 OSCC with different clinical outcome, treated operatively without postoperative R(C)T constituted our patient collective. Plasma lipids (total cholesterol and triglycerides) were studied in relation to macrophage polarization (determined through the expression of CD68, CD11c, CD163 and MRC1 antibodies) and tumor outcome. RESULTS: Patients with pathological chronic course of either plasma cholesterol or triglycerides demonstrated an increased infiltration with alternatively polarized macrophages in their specimens. Patients with pathological chronic course of plasma cholesterol showed moreover a bad tumor outcome. CONCLUSION: A role of plasma lipids in the tumor outcome via alternative macrophage polarization could be assumed. A larger prospective study is needed to confirm our preliminary results.

A retrospective evaluation of the aesthetics of the nasolabial complex after unilateral cleft lip repair using the Tennison-Randall technique: a study of 44 cases treated in a single cleft center.

INTRODUCTION: Among numerous techniques that have been described for lip repair, the Tennison-Randall method has gained popularity over time and is preferred by many surgeons due to the predictability of the outcome. This study aims to evaluate the esthetic outcome reached in the nasolabial region following primary lip repair with the use of this method. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Forty-four patients with unilateral cleft lip (with or without alveolar cleft) were assessed retrospectively through a photographic evaluation by two clinicians with regard to the aesthetics of the lip and nose separately as anatomical subunits as well as of the nasolabial region as an anatomical complex. The collected data were statistically analyzed with regard to the cleft subtype and the performance of corrective surgeries for the lip and/or the nose. RESULTS: The method was associated with good results, especially when it comes to the appearance of the nose as an anatomical subunit, as well as of the nasolabial region as a complex, regarding cleft lip patients without an alveolar cleft. CONCLUSION: The Tennison-Randall technique proved to be a very satisfying method in terms of the esthetic long-term outcome in our patient collective.

The free scapular/parascapular flap as a reliable method of reconstruction in the head and neck region: a retrospective analysis of 130 reconstructions performed over a period of 5 years in a single department.

BACKGROUND: The scapular/parascapular free flap was described by Saijo in 1978 and has since then been widely used in reconstructive procedures. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This is a retrospective study, describing our experience with the use of free scapula/parascapular flap in 130 reconstructions over a period of 5 years in the Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery of the University Hospital of Erlangen. Demographical data, data regarding the underlying pathology, flap raising details, microvascular anastomoses, early and late postoperative complications will be presented. RESULTS: The flap was raised without problems and the donor site was primarily closed in all cases. Sixteen flaps required revision. Five transplants were lost (failure rate of 3.85%). Loss of part of the flap was observed in 3 cases (2.3%). CONCLUSION: The free scapula/parascapular flap is a versatile and reliable flap that can find many applications in the reconstruction of complex head and neck defects.

Biomechanical properties and histological structure of sinus of Valsalva aneurysms in relation to age and region.

Information on the biomechanical properties of aortic root aneurysms that would facilitate our understanding of their rupture modes is currently unavailable. In this study, whole-thickness wall specimens from aortic root aneurysms were studied in vitro so as to compare the biomechanical properties with gross histomorphology and composition, in relation to age, region, and direction. The stress-strain relationship was determined under uniaxial loading conditions and characterized by the Fung-type material model in terms of optimized material constants; failure properties were recorded. The connective tissue contents of the basic scleroproteins were also determined through computerized histology. Aging had a deleterious influence on the tensile strength of the aneurysmal sinus tissue, causing also stiffening and reduced extensibility that was consistent with the deficient elastin and collagen contents. Direction-dependent differences were demonstrated in the noncoronary sinus, with the circumferential being stiffer and stronger than the longitudinal direction, justified by the preferred collagen reinforcement along that direction there. In the left and right coronary sinus, the material constants and failure properties were essentially the same in the two directions, justified by the arbitrary orientation of medial (collagen and elastin fibers, and cellular) components relative to the circumferential-longitudinal directions. The material characterization results afforded, and the regional and age-related differences in the strength of the sinus wall, i.e. in its capacity to withstand hemodynamic stresses, are hoped to provide novel insight into the pathophysiological mechanisms responsible for the highest incidence of ruptured aortic root aneurysms in the right coronary and noncoronary sinus.

Basal cell carcinoma arising in association with a maxillary keratocyst in a patient with Gorlin-Goltz syndrome. Report of a case.

INTRODUCTION: Gorlin-Goltz syndrome, also known as nevoid basal cell carcinoma syndrome, is an autosomal dominant inherited disorder which is characterized by the presence of multiple basal cell carcinomas, maxillary keratocysts, and musculoskeletal anomalies. CASE REPORT: We present a case of a patient suffering from Gorlin-Goltz syndrome who developed an intraosseous basal cell carcinoma associated with a recurrent maxillary keratocyst. To our knowledge, this is the first case of malignant transformation of a keratocyst into a basal cell carcinoma described in the literature. CONCLUSION: This case highlights the importance of careful histologic examination of keratocysts excised in patients suffering from Gorlin-Goltz syndrome.

Salivary gland trauma: a review of diagnosis and treatment.

Salivary gland trauma is uncommon. Parotid gland and duct injuries are far more common than injuries to submandibular and sublingual glands due to anatomic position. Several methods of treating salivary duct injuries and their complications have been advocated. Optimal treatment outcomes can be achieved with early diagnosis, adequate evaluation, and proper management. This article presents current diagnostic and treatment protocols of salivary gland trauma. The anatomy of the salivary glands is briefly described and clinical cases are also presented to illustrate the treatment options described.

Macroglossia.

Macroglossia is defined as an enlarged tongue and it is usually clinically diagnosed. Pseudomacryglossia concerns a tongue that is of normal size but gives a false impression of being too large in relation to adjacent anatomical structures. The causes of macroglossia are numerous and this is why various classifications have been proposed for this condition. The consequences of macroglossia usually include a possible malfunction of the stomatognathic system, breathing and speech problems, increased mandible size, tooth spacing, diastema and other orthodontic abnormalities. The treatment of macroglossia depends on its aetiology and generally includes correcting the systemic disease underlying the increase in lingual mass, surgical treatment, radiotherapy and treatment of orthodontic abnormalities that might have been caused by the condition.