Comparison of narrow-band imaging with autofluorescence imaging for endoscopic detection of squamous cell carcinoma of the tonsil.

PURPOSE: Early detection of mucosal neoplastic lesions is crucial for a patient's prognosis. This has led to the development of effective optical endoscopic diagnostic methods such as narrow band imaging (NBI) and autofluorescence (AFI). Independent of each other, both of these methods were proven useful in the detection of mucosal neoplasias. There are limited reported data comparing both methods for oropharyngeal cancer diagnostics. The aim of the study was to compare NBI and AFI endoscopic visualization of signs in identifying tonsillar squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) and assessing its extent and to determine whether the score was related to the evaluator's experience. METHODS: Patients with tonsillar SCC underwent endoscopic pharyngeal examination using NBI and AFI. Fiftyseven video sequences of examinations of lesions proven to be SCC were evaluated by three reviewers. The accuracy of determination of lesion extent and visualization of its endoscopic signs of malignancy were evaluated. RESULTS: Endoscopic visualization of tumour spread was significantly better using AFI than NBI (p = 0.0003). No significant difference was found between NBI and AFI in the visualization of endoscopic malignancy determining signs (p = 0.1405). No significant difference was found among the three reviewers in the visualization of tumour spread and for identifying malignancy-determining signs in NBI endoscopy or AFI endoscopy. CONCLUSIONS: The results show that AFI obtained better results for assessing the extent of tonsillar cancers than NBI. Both methods were proven to be equal in the visualization of endoscopic malignancy-determining signs. Both are useful even for less experienced evaluators.

High level of Tregs is a positive prognostic marker in patients with HPV-positive oral and oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinomas.

BACKGROUND: Human papillomaviruses (HPVs) have been proved as one of the etiological factors of oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OPSCC). Patients with tumors of viral etiology have a lower recurrence rate and better prognosis. OPSCC is linked to an alteration in the immune system. Only a limited number of studies have correlated both the immunological parameters and HPV status with patient prognosis. The aim of this study was to determine whether HPV infection and the immunological status influence patient prognosis individually or in concurrence. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Sixty patients with oral and oropharyngeal carcinomas were enrolled. They were divided into HPV-positive and HPV-negative groups based on the expression of HPV 16 E6 mRNA. Basic lymphocyte subpopulations were determined in the peripheral blood by means of flow cytometry. RESULTS: Significantly better disease-specific survival (DSS) was observed in patients with HPV-positive tumors. Nodal status, tumor grade, recurrence, and CD8+/Tregs ratio were identified as factors influencing DSS. A higher level of Tregs and a lower ratio of CD8/Tregs influenced overall survival (OS) independently of HPV status and age. Patients with HPV-positive tumors and high levels of Tregs survived significantly better than patients from the other groups. CONCLUSION: Better survival is associated with HPV positivity and elevated Tregs levels. Our data suggest that HPV infection and Tregs do not influence patient prognosis in concurrence.

Direct determination of boron and zirconium in ceramic materials by flame atomic absorption spectrometry after alkali sintering and fusion.

Both boron and zirconium are present in ceramic materials as major silica components and have to be determined for quality control in the ceramic industry. For boron determination, sintering with a mixture of Na2CO3 and ZnO is proposed for decomposition of samples. For zirconium determination, acid digestion using an HF-HClO4 mixture and subsequent fusion with NaKCO3 and H3BO3 is proposed as decomposition step. The AAS absorbance signal of these elements is suppressed by the fusion elements in the samples. Therefore, the calibration solutions for both B and Zr must contain an appropriate concentration of sodium, sodium-potassium, and boron salts. An AIF3 solution was used for signal enhancement and improving the linearity of the Zr calibration curve. The methods proposed are well suited for the determination of higher concentrations of both boron and zirconium in silicate samples.