Determination of cytogenetic abnormalities in buccal mucosa of dental laboratory technicians.

This study aims to investigate the toxic effects of metals, which dental technicians are exposed to, on the oral mucosa cells in dental prosthesis laboratories (DPL). To monitor cytotoxic effects, mutations of pyknosis, Karyolysis Karyorrhexis, binucleus, micronucleus, and broken-egg were evaluated. Experimental group comprised of a total of 30 volunteer DPL employees from various DPLs, and 30 teachers and office workers were volunteered to be a part of the control group. Age range of DPL employees and whether they consume alcohol or smoke cigarettes were also considered as sub-variables. Peripheral smear technique was applied by taking samples from the oral mucosa of the experimental group and the control group. Anomalies determined between technicians and control group were statistically significant (p < .05). However, our findings revealed that the sub-variables (ie, age range, alcohol, and smoking) did not significantly affect the anomalies.

Design and evaluation of dental pastes Containing anti-inflammatory drugs

Abstract Periodontitis is an oral disease associated with inflammation and pain with swollen and bleeding gums. In the present study, dental pastes containing NSAIDs, namely, diclofenac sodium and nimesulide (1 % w/w) were prepared to treat periodontitis. Dental pastes of diclofenac sodium and nimesulide (1 % w/w) were prepared with/without mucoadhesive hydrocolloid polymers such as sodium carboxy methyl cellulose (NaCMC), hydroxyl ethyl cellulose (HEC) and methyl cellulose (MC) by conventional trituration method. The pH, drug content, viscosity, tube spreadability and tube extrudability of these prepared dental pastes were measured. These dental pastes of diclofenac sodium and nimesulide (1 % w/w) were characterized by FTIR analyses for drug-excipient compatibility. The in vitro drug releases from these dental pastes in 6.4 pH phosphate buffer solution displayed sustained release over longer period and the drug release rate was found to be decreased when the concentration of mucoadhesive polymer was increased. These dental pastes displayed good adhesion to the oral mucosa revealing more retention time in mouth when tested for ex vivo mucoadhesion using bovine cheek pouch. The stability study results reveal that the DC3 and NC3 dental paste formulations were found stable enough over a longer period in different storage conditions. The present study revealed that the prepared mucoadhesive dental pastes of diclofenac sodium and nimesulide (1 % w/w) had good adhesion with the oral mucosa to maintain consistent release of drugs over prolonged time.

El diagnóstico diferencial es fundamental: a propósito de un caso de síndrome de Laugier-Hunziker / The differential diagnosis is crucial: a case of Laugier-Hunziker syndrome

El síndrome de Laugier-Hunziker (SLH) es una enfermedad poco frecuente, benigna, no asociada a patología sistémica, cuya forma de presentación en adultos consiste en hiperpigmentación macular mucocutánea que afecta mayoritariamente a labios y mucosa oral, ocasionalmente puede afectar mucosa genital y con menos frecuencia al área palmo plantar. Se encuentra asociada en la mitad de los casos con melanoniquia longitudinal. La importancia de este síndrome es evidente una vez que es diagnóstico de exclusión de enfermedades con significativo riesgo de malignidad. Ante la sospecha de SLH, es obligatorio el despistaje de otras patologías asociadas a hiperpigmentación, lentiginosis y melanoniquia. Los autores presentan el caso de una mujer de63 años con hiperpigmentación de mucosa oral y de dedos de manos y pies, con el diagnóstico final de SLH. Realizan un resumen del estudio realizado que condujo al diagnóstico. Concluyen subrayando la importancia del diagnóstico diferencial con otras patologías. (AU)

Common benign and malignant oral mucosal disease.

BACKGROUND: Mucosal diseases of the oral cavity are relatively common, and patients often seek initial assessment from their general practitioner. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this article is to provide an overview of common oral mucosal diseases to help with formulating a differential diagnosis and stratifying the urgency of referral. DISCUSSION: Pathological mucosal conditions of the oral cavity and jaws commonly present as a mucosal ulcer or a white, red or pigmented lesion. In this review, the authors outline the most common conditions organised according to their clinical presentation and describe their typical appearance and management.

Risk prediction models for the development of oral-mucosal pressure injuries in intubated patients in intensive care units: A prospective observational study.

PURPOSE: Oral-mucosal pressure injury (PI) is the most commonly encountered medical device-related PIs. This study was performed to identify risk factors and construct a risk prediction model for oral-mucosal PI development in intubated patients in the intensive care unit. METHODS: The study design was prospective, observational with medical record review. The inclusion criteria stipulated that 1) participants should be > 18 years of age, 2) there should be ETT use with holding methods including adhesive tape, gauze tying, and commercial devices. Data of 194 patient-days were analysed. The identification and validation of risk model development was performed using SPSS and the SciKit learn platform. RESULTS: The risk prediction logistic models were composed of three factors (bite-block/airway, commercial ETT holder, and corticosteroid use) for lower oral-mucosal PI development and four factors (commercial ETT holder, vasopressor use, haematocrit, and serum albumin level) for upper oral-mucosal PI development among 10 significant input variables. The sensitivity and specificity for lower oral-mucosal PI development were 85.2% and 76.0%, respectively, and those for upper oral-mucosal PI development were 60.0% and 89.1%, respectively. Based on the results of the machine learning, the upper oral-mucosal PI development model had an accuracy of 79%, F1 score of 88%, precision of 86%, and recall of 91%. CONCLUSIONS: The development of lower oral-mucosal PIs is affected by immobility-related factors and corticosteroid use, and that of upper oral-mucosal PIs by undernutrition-related factors and ETT holder use. The high sensitivities of the two logit models comprise important minimum data for positively predicting oral-mucosal PIs.

Versatilidad del colgajo famm para la cobertura de defectos intraorales / Versatility of the famm flap in intraoral reconstruction / Versatilidade do retalho FAMM na cobertura de defeitos intra-orais

Introducción y Objetivo: El colgajo FAMM (colgajo músculo-mucoso de arteria facial) descrito en 1992 por Pribaz y col, es un colgajo intraoral basado en la arteria facial, compuesto por mucosa oral, submucosa, músculo bucinador, arteria facial y por el plexo venoso correspondiente y puede ser de base inferior (flujo anterógrado) o superior (flujo retrógrado). Es un colgajo versátil que se puede usar en la reconstrucción de defectos de múltiples localizaciones (paladar, lengua o suelo de boca). Con este trabajo pretendemos demostrar su utilidad en la reconstrucción de diferentes defectos intraorales. Material y Método: Presentamos 3 casos en lo que empleamos el colgajo FAMM para reconstrucción intraoral: un paciente con anquiloglosia cicatricial secuela de carcinoma de suelo de boca, un paciente con fístula de paladar secuela de resección tumoral, y un paciente con exposición intraoral de arco mandibular por osteonecrosis secundaria a bifosfonatos. Resultados: Todos los colgajos sobrevivieron al 100% y permitieron una cobertura estable y duradera, con ausencia de complicaciones mayores. Conclusiones: El colgajo FAMM permite la reconstrucción de defectos intraorales y periorales con tejido bien vascularizado y de idénticas características a las de la zona a reconstruir, con baja morbilidad de la zona donante, lo que lo convierte en una excelente opción reconstructiva para defectos de esta región anatómica

Background and Objective: The facial artery musculo-mucosal (FAMM) flap, first described by Pribaz et al. in 1992, is an intraoral flap based on the facial artery. It is composed of mucosa, submucosa, buccinator muscle and the facial artery along with its venous plexus. The design of the flap can be inferiorly-based and rely on antegrade blood flow or superiorly-based with retrograde flow. The FAMM flap is a versatile flap that can be used for the reconstruction of defects of multiple locations (palate, lips, tongue, and floor of the mouth). The purpose of this study is to demonstrate the utility of the FAMM flap in the reconstruction of different intraoral defects. Methods: In this article the authors present 3 cases in which the FAMM flap was used for intraoral reconstruction: one patient with a history of ankyloglossia sequelae of a squamous cell carcinoma of the floor of the mouth; one patient with a palatal fistula sequelae of tumor excision; and one patient with a biphosphonate-related osteonecrosis of the mandible. Results: All flaps survived and provided a stable and reliable coverage of the defect. There were no major complications. Conclusions: The FAMM flap is a well vascularized flap that replaces like with like tissue. Because of its low morbidity, low rate of complications and reliable results, the FAMM flap is an excellent option for reconstruction of small to moderate intra-oral defects

Introdução e Objetivo: O retalho FAMM (facial artery musculo-mucosal flap), descrito em 1992 por Pribaz et al., é um retalho intra-oral baseado na artéria facial. É composto por mucosa oral, submucosa, músculo bucinador, artéria facial e pelo plexo venoso correspondente, podendo basear-se inferior (fluxo anterógrado) ou superiormente (fluxo retrógrado). É um retalho versátil que pode ser utilizado nareconstrução de defeitos em múltiplas localizações (palato, lábio, língua, pavimento da boca). Com este trabalho pretende-se demonstrar a utilidade do retalho FAMM na reconstrução de diferentes defeitos intra-orais. Material e Métodos: Os autores apresentam 3 casos em que se utilizou o retalho FAMM para reconstrução intra-oral: um doente com anquiloglossia cicatricial sequelar de carcinoma do pavimento da boca; uma doente com uma fístula do palato sequela de excisão tumoral; e um doente com exposição intra-oral do arco mandibular anterior por osteonecrose secundária a bifosfonatos. Resultados: Todos os retalhos sobreviveram a 100% e permitiram uma cobertura estável e duradoura, na ausência de complicações major. Conclusão: O retalho FAMM permite a reconstrução de defeitos intra e peri-orais com tecido bem vascularizado e de características idênticas à zona a reconstruir, com baixa morbilidade da zona dadora, o que o torna uma excelente opção reconstrutiva para defeitos desta região anatómica

Incidence of bifid uvula and its relationship to submucous cleft palate and a family history of oral cleft in the Brazilian population / Incidence of bifid uvula and its relationship to submucous cleft palate and a family history of oral cleft in the Brazilian population

Abstract Introduction: Bifid uvula is a frequently observed anomaly in the general population and can be regarded as a marker for submucous cleft palate. Objective: In this study aimed to determine the frequency of bifid uvula and submucous cleft palate and their relationship with oral clefts in a Brazilian population. Methods: We conducted a transversal, descriptive and quantitative study of 1206 children between August 2014 and December 2015. A clinical examination of the children was conducted by means of inspection of the oral cavity with the aid of a tongue depressor and directed light. After the clinical examination in children, parents answered a questionnaire with questions about basic demographic information and their family history of oral clefts in their first-degree relatives. After application of the questionnaires, the information collected was archived in a database and analyzed by the statistical program SPSS® version 19.0, by applying Chi-Square tests. Values with p < 0.05 were considered statistically significant. Results: Of the 1206 children included in this study, 608 (50.40%) were female and 598 (49.60%) were male (p = 0.773). The average age of children was 3.75 years (standard deviation ± 3.78 years). Of the 1206 children studied, 6 (0.5%) presented with bifid uvula. Submucosal cleft palate was not found in any child. When the family histories of children were examined for the presence of nonsyndromic cleft lip and/or cleft palate, no first degree relatives presented with the congenital anomaly. Conclusion: This study revealed that the incidence of bifid uvula and submucous cleft palate in this population was quite similar to previously reported incidence rates. Our study suggests an intensification of new reviews, with broader and diverse populations, seeking to associate the occurrence of bifid uvula, submucous cleft palate and oral clefts.

Resumo: Introdução: A úvula bífida é uma anomalia frequentemente observada na população em geral e pode ser considerada como um marcador de fissura palatina submucosa. Objetivo: Determinar a frequência de úvula bífida e fissura palatina submucosa e sua relação com fissura orais em uma população brasileira. Método: Realizamos um estudo transversal, descritivo e quantitativo de 1.206 crianças entre agosto de 2014 e dezembro de 2015. O exame clínico das crianças foi realizado por meio da inspeção da cavidade oral com auxílio de um abaixador de língua e luz direcionada. Após o exame clínico nas crianças, os pais responderam a um questionário com perguntas sobre informações demográficas básicas e antecedentes de fendas orais em familiares de primeiro grau. As informações coletadas foram arquivadas em um banco de dados e analisadas pelo programa estatístico SPSS® versão 19.0, aplicando testes de Qui-Quadrado. Os valores com p < 0,05 foram considerados estatisticamente significativos. Resultados: Das 1.206 crianças incluídas neste estudo, 608 (50,40%) eram do gênero feminino e 598 (49,60%) do masculino (p = 0,773). A idade média das crianças foi de 3,75 anos (desvio-padrão ± 3,78 anos). Das 1.206 crianças estudadas, seis (0,5%) apresentavam úvula bífida. A fissura palatina submucosa não foi encontrada em nenhuma criança. Quando as histórias familiares de crianças foram examinadas quanto à presença de fissura de lábio e/ou palato não sindrômica, nenhum parente de primeiro grau apresentava esta anomalia congênita. Conclusão: Este estudo revelou que a incidência de úvula bífida e fissura palatina submucosa nesta população é bastante semelhante às taxas de incidência previamente relatadas. Nosso estudo sugere uma intensificação de novas revisões, com populações mais amplas e diversas, buscando associar a ocorrência de úvula bífida, fissura palatina submucosa e fissura orais.

Incidence of bifid uvula and its relationship to submucous cleft palate and a family history of oral cleft in the Brazilian population.

INTRODUCTION: Bifid uvula is a frequently observed anomaly in the general population and can be regarded as a marker for submucous cleft palate. OBJECTIVE: In this study aimed to determine the frequency of bifid uvula and submucous cleft palate and their relationship with oral clefts in a Brazilian population. METHODS: We conducted a transversal, descriptive and quantitative study of 1206 children between August 2014 and December 2015. A clinical examination of the children was conducted by means of inspection of the oral cavity with the aid of a tongue depressor and directed light. After the clinical examination in children, parents answered a questionnaire with questions about basic demographic information and their family history of oral clefts in their first-degree relatives. After application of the questionnaires, the information collected was archived in a database and analyzed by the statistical program SPSS® version 19.0, by applying Chi-Square tests. Values with p<0.05 were considered statistically significant. RESULTS: Of the 1206 children included in this study, 608 (50.40%) were female and 598 (49.60%) were male (p=0.773). The average age of children was 3.75 years (standard deviation±3.78 years). Of the 1206 children studied, 6 (0.5%) presented with bifid uvula. Submucosal cleft palate was not found in any child. When the family histories of children were examined for the presence of nonsyndromic cleft lip and/or cleft palate, no first degree relatives presented with the congenital anomaly. CONCLUSION: This study revealed that the incidence of bifid uvula and submucous cleft palate in this population was quite similar to previously reported incidence rates. Our study suggests an intensification of new reviews, with broader and diverse populations, seeking to associate the occurrence of bifid uvula, submucous cleft palate and oral clefts.

Oral manifestations of lupus.

INTRODUCTION: Mucosal involvement is commonly seen in patients with lupus; however, oral examination is often forgotten. Squamous cell carcinoma arising within oral lupoid plaques has been described, emphasizing the importance of identifying and treating oral lupus. METHODS: We undertook a retrospective single-centre study looking at oral findings in patients attending our multidisciplinary lupus clinic between January 2015 and April 2016. RESULTS: A total of 42 patients were included. The majority of patients were female (88%) and had a diagnosis of discoid lupus erythematosus (62%). Half of the patients had positive oral findings, 26% had no oral examination documented, and 24% had documented normal oral examinations. CONCLUSION: Our findings suggest that oral pathology is common in this cohort of patients. Regular oral examination is warranted to identify oral lupus and provide treatment. Associated diseases such as Sjogren's syndrome may also be identified. Patients should be encouraged to see their general dental practitioners on a regular basis for mucosal review. Any persistent ulcer that fails to respond to treatment or hard lump needs urgent histopathological evaluation to exclude malignant transformation to squamous cell carcinoma.

A Probable Case of Mucosal Fixed Drug Eruption Following Treatment with Silodosin.

A fixed drug eruption consists of erythematous patches that appear on the skin and/or mucous membranes following administration of a drug which, once healed, leaves residual hyperpigmentation. We report a 76-year-old male who presented to the Thriasio General Hospital, Athens, Greece, in 2016 with erythema, oedema and blistering of the lower lip and glans penis following the administration of silodosin for benign prostatic hyperplasia. The eruption regressed two weeks after silodosin was discontinued.

Nuclear abnormalities in buccal mucosa cells of patients with type I and II diabetes treated with folic acid.

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is characterized by high blood glucose. Excessive production of free radicals may cause oxidative damage to DNA and other molecules, leading to complications of the disease. It may be possible to delay or reduce such damage by administration of antioxidants such as folic acid (FA). The objective of this study was to determine the effect of FA on nuclear abnormalities (NAs) in the oral mucosa of patients with DM. NAs (micronucleated cells, binucleated cells, pyknotic nuclei, karyorrhexis, karyolysis, abnormally condensed chromatin, and nuclear buds) were analyzed in 2000 cells from 45 healthy individuals (control group) and 55 patients with controlled or uncontrolled type I or II DM; 35 patients in the latter group were treated with FA. Samples were taken from the FA group before and after treatment. An increased rate of NAs was found in patients with DM in comparison with that of the control group (P<0.001). FA supplementation in patients with DM reduced the frequency of NAs (20.4 ± 8.0 before treatment vs. 10.5 ± 5.2 after treatment; P<0.001). The type I and type II DM and controlled and uncontrolled DM subgroups were analyzed in terms of sex, age, and smoking habit. The significantly reduced frequencies of buccal mucosa cells with micronuclei, binucleation, pyknosis, karyorrhexis, karyorrhexis+abnormally condensed chromatin, karyolysis, and nuclear buds produced by FA supplementation in DM patients (P<0.02) are consistent with the idea that free radicals are responsible for the increased frequency of NAs in DM patients.

A capacitação dos agentes comunitários de saúde (ACS) para a busca ativa das pessoas com alterações da normalidade nas mucosas da boca: contribuição para o diagnóstico das neoplasias orofaciais

Este estudo teve como objetivo o desenvolvimento de um instrumento de busca ativa de alterações de mucosa, a capacitação de agentes comunitários de saúde (ACS) para seu uso e a avaliação de sua validade e reprodutibilidade. A capacitação dos ACS quanto às alterações de mucosa foi feita em serviço e com atividades externas, em três sessões com intervalos de 10 dias entre elas. Foram avaliadas 95 pessoas adultas de diferentes sexos e os resultados foram registrados no instrumento desenvolvido para o estudo. Todas as pessoas avaliadas foram posteriormente examinadas pela pesquisadora (padrão ouro)...

Aspectos da E-caderina na invasão óssea do carcinoma epidermóide da mucosa oral / E-cadherin expression in oral squamous cells carcinoma with boné invasion

O carcinoma epidermóide da mucosa oral (CEMO) é uma neoplasia maligna comum; no Brasil, são estimados, para 2016, 15.490 novos casos. A invasão óssea ocorre em casos avançados.; esta é classificada em erosiva e infiltrativa. Aparentemente, o processo de transição epitélio-mesenquimal, com o envolvimento da E-caderina, é implicado. Foi investigada a expressão de E-caderina, por meio da imunoistoquímica em 15 casos avançados de CEMO e avaliada sua correlação com as características clínicas e histológicas da invasão óssea. A imunoexpressão da E-caderina foi estudada nos 15 casos de CEMO com evidência histológica de invasão óssea. A maioria dos pacientes eram homens (10 pacientes) e apresentavam invasão em mandíbula (9 casos). A expressão de E-caderina foi negativa em CEMOs com invasão erosiva e positiva nos casos que apresentavam infiltração óssea. A expressão de E-caderina na invasão óssea sugere que a participação do fenômeno de transição epitélio-mesenquimal é um fator diretamente envolvido com o tipo de invasão óssea.

Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is a common malignancy; in Brazil it is estimated, in 2016,15.490 new cases. Bone invasion occurs in advanced cases; it is classified in erosive and infiltrative patterns. Apparently, the epithelial-mesenchymal phenomenon, with important participation of E-cadherin is implicated. We investigated the expression of E-cadherin in advanced OSSC and correlated its expression with the clinical characteristics and histologic patterns of bone invasion. Immunoexpression of E-cadherin was studied in 15 cases of OSCC with histological evidence of bone invasion. Most patients were men (10 patients) and presented mandible invasion (9 cases). The expression of E-cadherin was negative in OSCC in erosive bone invasion and positive in the infiltrative bone invasion. E-cadherin expression in bone invasion suggests that participation of epithelial-mesenchymal phenomenon is dependent on the patterns of tumour bone invasion.

Investigação de perda de heterozigosidade e expressão da proteína Ki-67 em lesão liquenóide oral associada ao amálgama / Investigation of loss of heterozygosity and expression the Ki-67 protein in oral Lichenoid lesion associated with the amalgam

A Lesão liquenóide oral associada ao amálgama (LLOAA) é uma lesão incomum de patogênese ainda incerta. A lesão apresenta características clínicas e histopatológicas semelhantes ao líquen plano bucal (LPB), que é considerada uma lesão com potencial de transformação maligna. Pesquisas moleculares a fim de aprimorar os conhecimentos sobre a patogênese e o comportamento clínico de LLOAA ainda são escassas. O objetivo do estudo foi investigar a perda de heterozigosidade (loss of heterozygosity ­ LOH) em amostras de LLOAA, LPB e mucosa bucal normal (MBN) em regiões cromossômicas 9p22, 11q13.4 e 17p13.1 e avaliar o índice de proliferação celular das mesmas amostras, buscando uma associação entre o índice de proliferação celular e LOH. Foram selecionadas 9 amostras de LLOAA, 10 de LPB e 8 de MBN, pareadas por sexo e idade. A LOH nas regiões cromossômicas 9p22, 11q13.4 e 17p13.1 foi avaliada por meio dos marcadores microssatélites polimórficos D9S157, D9S162, D9S171, D11S1369, TP53, AFM238WF2. O índice de proliferação celular foi avaliado pela expressão imuno-histoquímica da proteína Ki-67 (MIB-1) em 8 amostras de LLOAA, 10 de LPB e 8 de MBN. Amostras de LLOAA exibiram LOH em 3 dos 6 marcadores (AFM238WF2, D9S157 e D11S1369), de LPB exibiram LOH em 2 destes marcadores (AFM238WF2, D9S157) enquanto que amostras de MBN não apresentaram LOH. A perda alélica foi mais frequente para os marcadores AFM238WF2 (17p13.1, 21%) e D9S157 (9p22, 17,64%) e a média da frequência de perda alélica na amostras de LLOAA foi de 26,6% enquanto que nas amostras de LPB foi de 7,5%. A imuno-histoquímica apresentou positividade nuclear nas células variando entre 0,29% a 28% e não houve associação entre o índice de proliferação celular e LOH em LLOAA e LPB (p>0,05). Este estudo demonstrou que LLOAA, semelhante ao LPB, apresentou LOH nas regiões cromossômicas 9p22, 11q13.4 e 17p13.1, independentemente da taxa de proliferação celular. Apesar de não ter sido encontrada tal associação, LOH ocorre em LLOAA e pode estar envolvida na patogênese desta lesão

The Amalgam-associated oral lichenoid lesion (AAOLL) is an infrequent disease of uncertain pathogenesis. The lesion shows clinical and histopathological features similar to oral lichen planus (OLP), which is considered a lesion with malignant transformation potential. Molecular researches in order to improve knowledge of the pathogenesis and clinical behavior of AAOLL are still scarce. The purpose of the current study was to evaluate the loss of heterozygosity - LOH in AAOLL, in OLP, and in normal oral mucosa (NOM) using polymorphic microsatellite markers at chromosome regions 9p22, 11q13.4 and 17p13.1, located around important tumor suppressor genes and to evaluate the immunohistochemical expression of Ki67 protein in the same samples. The sample comprised 09 AAOLLs, 10 OLPs and 8 NOMs matched by patients' gender and age. The LOH at chromosome regions 9p22, 11q13.4 and 17p13.1 was evaluated by microsatellite polymorphic markers D9S157, D9S162, D9S171, D11S1369, TP53, AFM238WF2. Cell proliferation was assessed by immunohistochemical expression of Ki-67 (MIB-1) in eight AAOLL, ten OLP and eight NOM. AAOLL exhibited LOH at 3 of 6 LOH markers (AFM238WF2, D9S157 AND D11S1369), while OLP demonstrated LOH at two of these markers (AFM238WF2, D9S157) while NOM showed no LOH. The allelic loss were most frequently in marker AFM238WF2 (17p13.1, 21%) and D9S157 (9p22, 17,64%). The mean fractional allelic loss of AAOLL was 26,6% whereas mean fractional allelic loss of OLP was 7,5%. Immunohistochemistry revealed nuclear positivity ranging from 0,29% to 28% of the cells and there was no association between cell proliferation and LOH in LLOAA e LPB (p>0,05). Our study shows that AAOLL, similar to OLP, exhibits LOH, irrespective of cell proliferation index. Despite the lack of association between LOH and cell proliferation we can assume that LOH occurs in AAOLL and it should be considered in the pathogenesis of this lesion

Increased nuclear ß-catenin expression in oral potentially malignant lesions: A marker of epithelial dysplasia.

BACKGROUND: Deregulation of ß-catenin is associated with malignant transformation; however, its relationship with potentially malignant and malignant oral processes is not fully understood. The aim of this study was to determine and compare the nuclear ß-catenin expression in oral dysplasia and oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). MATERIAL AND METHODS: Cross sectional study. Immunodetection of ß-catenin was performed on 72 samples, with the following distribution: 21 mild dysplasia, 12 moderate dysplasia, severe dysplasia 3, 36 OSCC including 19 well differentiated, 15 moderately differentiated and 2 poorly differentiated. Through microscopic observation the number of positive cells per 1000 epithelial cells was counted. For the statistical analysis, the Kruskal Wallis test was used. RESULTS: Nuclear expression of ß-catenin was observed in all samples with severe and moderate dysplasia, with a median of 267.5, in comparison to mild dysplasia whose median was 103.75. Only 10 samples (27.7%) with OSCC showed nuclear expression, with statistically significant differences between groups (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Our results are consistent with most of the reports which show increased presence of ß-catenin in severe and moderate dysplasia compared to mild dysplasia; however the expression of nuclear ß-catenin decreased after starting the invasive neoplastic process. This suggests a role for this protein in the progression of dysplasia and early malignant transformation to OSCC. Immunodetection of ß-catenin could be a possible immune marker in the detection of oral dysplasia.