FASN inhibition sensitizes metastatic OSCC cells to cisplatin and paclitaxel by downregulating cyclin B1.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the potential effect of fatty acid synthase (FASN) inhibitor orlistat to enhance the effectiveness of chemotherapy drugs widely used to treat oral squamous cell carcinomas (OSCC), such as 5-fluorouracil, cisplatin, and paclitaxel. METHODS: The OSCC SCC-9 LN-1 metastatic cell line, which expresses high levels of FASN, was used for drug combination experiments. Cell viability was analyzed by crystal violet staining and automatic cell counting. Apoptosis and cell cycle were analyzed by flow cytometry with Annexin-V/7-AAD and propidium iodide staining, respectively. Cyclin B1, Cdc25C, Cdk1, FASN, and ERBB2 levels were assessed by Western blotting. Finally, cell scratch and transwell assays were performed to assess cell migration and invasion. RESULTS: Inhibition of FASN with orlistat sensitized SCC-9 LN-1 cells to the cytotoxic effects of paclitaxel and cisplatin, but not 5-fluorouracil, which was accompanied by a significant reduction in cyclin B1. The suppression of proliferation, migration, and invasion of SCC-9 LN-1 cells induced by orlistat plus cisplatin or paclitaxel was not superior to the effects of chemotherapy drugs alone. CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that orlistat enhances the chemosensitivity of SCC-9 LN-1 cells to cisplatin and paclitaxel by downregulating cyclin B1.

Immunohistochemistry analysis of checkpoint kinase 2 in oral squamous cell carcinoma

Background: Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is the most frequently occurring malignant tumor of the head and neck region. Chk2 (Checkpoint kinase 2) is considered a tumor suppressor gene that acts on the cellular response to DNA damage. However, the role of Chk2 in OSCC prognosis is not yet fully understood. The objective of this study was to evaluate Chk2 immunoexpression in OSCC and to elucidate the association between its expression and clinicopathological parameters of prognostic importance, including overall survival, disease-free survival, and metastasis-free survival. Methods: Chk2 expression was analyzed in 101 samples from patients with OSCC using immunohistochemistry. We stratified the patients into high expression (> 66% of cells positive for Chk2) and low expression (< 66%) groups. Results: Chk2 showed high expression in 57.43% of OSCC. In our study, the expression of Chk2 did not correlate with any of the prognostic parameters evaluated. There was no difference between overall survival, metastasis-free survival, and disease-free survival according to Chk2 expression. Conclusion: Despite the great importance of Chk2 in the development of different types of cancer, our findings do not favor Chk2 as a prognostic marker in oral squamous cell carcinoma.

Ecstasy Abuse and Its Effects on the Oral Mucosa.

Ecstasy is an illicit drug that has been increasingly abused by young people. This synthetic drug has both stimulant and hallucinogenic effects and is usually consumed in a tablet. The side effects of ecstasy use include nausea, muscle cramping, fever, and symptoms mostly linked to muscular tension including jaw pain, facial pain, and headaches. There are few studies assessing the ecstasy effects on the oral mucosa, both clinically and histopathologically. The authors report 2 young women (22- and 27-year-old) who presented multifocal oral erosions and ulcerations. The lesions were painful and covered by a yellow-white pseudomembrane with a bright erythematous halo. By microscopy, it was observed superficial ulceration surrounded by acanthotic squamous epithelium with marked spongiosis, interstitial edema within the corion and perivascular lyphoid infiltrate, suggesting drug-induced oral mucositis. In conclusion, ecstasy use may be associated with the development of oral ulcers, which should be considered in the differential diagnosis when assessing multifocal oral ulcerations, especially in young people.

Glycogenic acanthosis on mouth clinically present as white plaque / Acantose glicogênica na boca clinicamente presente como placa branca

ABSTRACT Glycogenic acanthosis is a benign condition, commonly observed during endoscopic procedures in older patients, which present as slightly elevated whitish plaques often on the lower third of the oesophagus. Microscopically, glycogenic acanthosis is composed of hyperplastic squamous epithelium with intracytoplasmic glycogen deposits. The extraoesophageal glycogenic acanthosis is extremely rare, with only three case reports in the English-language literature. We report a white lesion showing glycogenic acanthosis-like features located on the left posterolateral border of the tongue, affecting a 56-year-old male patient. The medical history was non-contributory and the patient did not show any lesions during endoscopic examination of the oesophagus, stomach, and upper duodenum. Glycogenic acanthosis is a benign condition, which should be included in the differential diagnosis when assessing oral white lesions. It is important also to recognize this benign condition early and rule out the possibility of other more severe diseases, but further studies were necessary for better define their potential for persistence or recurrence, as observed in the current case.

RESUMO A acantose glicogênica é uma condição benigna, comumente observada durante procedimentos endoscópicos em pacientes idosos, e se apresenta como placas brancas levemente elevadas, freqüentemente encontrada no terço inferior do esôfago. Microscopicamente, a acantose glicogênica é composta por epitélio escamoso hiperplásico com depósitos de glicogênio intracitoplasmático. A acantose glicogênica extra-esofágica é extremamente rara, com apenas três relatos de casos na literatura em língua inglesa. Apresentamos um caso com uma lesão branca diagnosticada como acantose glicogênica, localizada na borda póstero-lateral esquerda da língua, afetando um paciente do sexo masculino de 56 anos. A história médica não foi contribuitória e o paciente não apresentou lesões durante o exame endoscópico do esôfago, estômago e duodeno superior. A acantose glicogênica é uma condição benigna, que deve ser incluída no diagnóstico diferencial na avaliação de lesões brancas orais. É importante também reconhecer precocemente essa condição benigna e descartar a possibilidade de outras doenças mais graves, porém mais estudos são necessários para melhor definir seu potencial de persistência ou recorrência, como observado no presente caso.

Ameloblastic fibro-odontoma: A conservative surgical approach

Ameloblastic fibro-odontoma (AFO) is a rare benign mixed odontogenic tumor that occurs predominantly inchildren and young adults with no gender predilection and anatomic site, usually appearing as a painless swelling.We present a case of an 11-year-old non-Caucasian boy complaining of large painless isolated swelling inthe right mandibular body. Intraoral examination revealed a tumoral mass with cortical bone expansion, coveredby normal mucosa measuring 4.0 x 2.0 cm, located on both the lingual and buccal surfaces of the right body ofthe mandible, with displacement of the neighboring teeth. Panoramic radiography revealed an expansile, radiolucentand well circumscribed lesion with scattered foci of calcified material, which contained several radiopaquebodies of varying sizes and shapes. The provisional diagnoses were odontoma or AFO/ Biopsy confirmed AFO.The patient was treated with conservative surgery. After two years of follow-up, no alteration or recurrence wasdetected (AU)

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Ameloblastic fibro-odontoma: a conservative surgical approach.

Ameloblastic fibro-odontoma (AFO) is a rare benign mixed odontogenic tumor that occurs predominantly in children and young adults with no gender predilection and anatomic site, usually appearing as a painless swelling. We present a case of an 11-year-old non-Caucasian boy complaining of large painless isolated swelling in the right mandibular body. Intraoral examination revealed a tumoral mass with cortical bone expansion, covered by normal mucosa measuring 4.0 x 2.0 cm, located on both the lingual and buccal surfaces of the right body of the mandible, with displacement of the neighboring teeth. Panoramic radiography revealed an expansile, radiolucent and well circumscribed lesion with scattered foci of calcified material, which contained several radiopaque bodies of varying sizes and shapes. The provisional diagnoses were odontoma or AFO/ Biopsy confirmed AFO. The patient was treated with conservative surgery. After two years of follow-up, no alteration or recurrence was detected.

Perfil de técnicos em higiene dental quanto à prática profissional, à educação permanente e ao trabalho em serviço público / Profile of dental hygienists regarding professional practices, continuing education, and work in public services

Objetivo: Os objetivos deste trabalho foram conhecer o perfil dos egressos do Curso Técnico de Higiene Dental (THD) da Universidade Estadual de Montes Claros (Unimontes), bem como verificar a eficácia e a adequabilidade dos binômios Técnico em Higiene Dental/Educação Permanente e Técnico em Higiene Dental/Serviço Público. Metodologia: O delineamento do estudo foi transversal e descritivo. Para coleta dos dados utilizou-se um instrumento semi-estruturado e auto-aplicável, que foi preenchido por 128 egressos do Curso Técnico de Higiene Dental da Unimontes, matriculados no período de 1994 a 2006. Resultados: Houve predominância de egressos do gênero feminino (94,5%), faixa salarial baixa (de um a dois salários mínimos: 57,0%), egressos trabalhando em empregos não relacionados com a formação de THD (22,7%), desvio de função (75,8%), índices intermediários de capacitação após a conclusão do curso técnico (47,7%) e reconhecimento de que o Programa de Saúde da Família é uma importante opção de trabalho para 93% dos participantes. Conclusão: Os resultados indicaram feminilização da profissão, predominância de inserção desse profissional no serviço público, baixa faixa salarial, desvio de função e constatação de que o THD conhece as suas atribuições no Programa de Saúde da Família, apesar de possuir baixa inserção nesse programa. Além disso, os egressos demonstraram interesse pela educação continuada.

Purpose: This study aimed to record the profile of the Dental Hygienists graduated from the Course of Dental Hygienist of the State University of Montes Claros (Unimontes) and evaluate their relationship with continuing education and the Brazilian network of public services. Methods: The study design was cross-sectional and descriptive. Data were collected by mean of a semi-structured instrument filled by 128 participants who graduated at Unimontes between 1994 and 2006. Results: Data showed predominance of females (94.5%), low wage band (1-2 minimum wages, 57%), lack of insertion in the job market (22.7% working in other jobs), shift of functions (75.8%), medium qualification after graduation (47.7%), and recognition that the Brazilian Family Health Program is a good job opportunity (93%). Conclusion: The majority of this sample of Dental Hygienists was female, had interest in continuing education, and worked in public services. However, the insertion of these professionals in the Brazilian Family Health Program was low.

Validação de um questionário e avaliação do perfil de técnicos em higiene dental / Validation of an assessment questionnaire and evaluation of dental hygienists' profiles

O objetivo desse estudo foi validar um instrumento de análise através da metodologia teste e reteste e verificar o perfil geral e mercadológico do THD formado pela Escola Técnica de Saúde (ETS) da Universidade Estadual de Montes Claros. O estudo piloto foi realizado com a utilização de um questionário semi-estruturado aplicado no intervalo de duas semanas, duas vezes, para THDs egressos. O questionário foi validado devido à concordância estatisticamente significativa entre as questões apresentadas. Quanto ao perfil do egresso, pode-se destacar um evidente predomínio das alunas no curso, com intensa preocupação e interesse por educação continuada e sintonizada com a ampliação do mercado de trabalho, como possibilidade pelo sistema Único de Saúde.