What has the National Cancer Database taught us about oral cavity squamous cell carcinoma?

The wealth of data in the National Cancer Database (NCDB) has allowed numerous studies investigating patient, disease, and treatment-related factors in oral cavity squamous cell carcinoma (OCSCC); however, to date, no summation of these studies has been performed. The aim of this study was to provide a concise review of the NCDB studies on OCSCC, with the hopes of providing a framework for future, novel studies aimed at enhancing our understanding of clinical parameters related to OCSCC. Two databases were searched, and 27 studies published between 2002 and 2020 were included. The average sample size was 13,776 patients (range 356-50,896 patients). Four areas of research focus were identified: demographic and socioeconomic status, diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment. This review highlights the impact of age, sex, ethnicity, and socioeconomic status on the prognosis and management of OCSCC, describes the prognostic factors, and details the modalities and indications for neck dissection and adjuvant therapy in OCSCC. In conclusion, the NCDB is a very valuable resource for clinicians and researchers involved in the management of OCSCC, offering an incomparable perspective on a large dataset of patients. Future developments regarding hospital information management, review of data accuracy and completeness, and wider accessibility will help clinicians to improve the care of patients affected by OCSCC.

Magnetic and structural properties of the solid solution CuAl2(1-x)Ga2xO4.

CuAl2O4 is a ternary oxide spinel with Cu2+ ions ([Formula: see text]) primarily populating the A-site diamond sublattice. The compound is reported to display evidence of spin glass behavior but possess a non-frozen magnetic ground state below the transition temperature. On the other hand, the spinel CuGa2O4 displays spin glass behavior at ~ 2.5 K with Cu2+ ions more readily tending to the B-site pyrochlore sublattice. Therefore, we investigate the magnetic and structural properties of the solid solution CuAl2(1-x)Ga2xO4 examining the evolution of the magnetic behavior as Al3+ is replaced with a much larger Ga3+ ion. Our results show that the Cu2+ ions tend to migrate from tetrahedral to octahedral sites as the Ga3+ ion concentration increases, resulting in a concomitant change in the glassy magnetic properties of the solution. Results indicate glassy behavior for much of the solution with a general trend towards decreasing magnetic frustration as the Cu2+ ion shifts to the B-site. However, the [Formula: see text] and 0.2 members of the system do not show glassy behavior down to our measurement limit (1.9 K) suggesting a delayed spin glass transition. We suggest that these two members are additional candidates for investigation to access highly frustrated exotic quantum states.

Highly efficient infrared optical nonlinearity of a wide-bandgap chalcogenide Li(2)CdGeS(4).

A quaternary chalcogenide Li(2)CdGeS(4) is an excellent candidate for a nonlinear optical (NLO) material exhibiting wide transparency spanning from its fundamental band edge (3.15 eV) to the terahertz regime (23.5 µm). Strong optical nonlinearity of Li(2)CdGeS(4) has been investigated over a wide spectral range (λ=1.064-3.3 µm) based on second- and third-harmonic generation. The compound has a high damage threshold at λ=1.064 µm because of saturable three-photon absorption, and is phase-matchable for λ>1.5 µm with χ(2) ≃50 pm/V. It also exhibits strong third-order nonlinearity of χ(3) ≃10(5) pm(2)/V(2). Li(2)CdGeS(4) is promising for high-power NLO applications in the broad infrared spectrum.

Nanomaterials as possible contaminants: the fullerene example.

An assessment of the potential risks posed by nanomaterials will require case-by-case evaluations of the processes controlling exposure and hazards such as toxicity. Factors that control fullerene transport and transformation in aqueous environments and their relationship to toxicity are discussed. Natural organic matter is observed to either increase or decrease nanoparticle stability while trends in reactive oxygen generation run counter to proposed mechanisms of possible fullerene toxicity.

Biofilm formation and changes in bacterial cell surface hydrophobicity during growth in a CAPD model system.

Peritonitis is a frequent complication of continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD), with patients suffering recurrent attacks. The microorganisms most frequently implicated in the infection are the skin microflora, in particular, the coagulase-negative staphylococci such as Staphylococcus epidermidis. These microorganisms gain access to the peritoneal cavity via the in-dwelling silicone rubber catheter in the abdominal wall and often persist as biofilms on the surface of the catheter. The surface characteristics of S. epidermidis were monitored during growth in a CAPD in-vitro model together with their ability to adhere to silicone rubber substrata. Fresh dialysis fluid exerted an injurious effect on the cells leading to a decrease in cell numbers but during the simulated dialysis period the cells adapted to the applied stresses. Over a 96-h period in the model both a clinical isolate and a skin isolate of S. epidermidis adopted a more hydrophobic phenotype. The data presented here show that the bacteria grown in this in-vivo reflective CAPD model continually adapt to their environment and become more tolerant to the stresses imposed. The adapted cells were seen to colonise silicone rubber substrata.

A novel image-analysis technique for measurement of bacterial cell surface tension.

Cell-surface hydrophobicity is different for Staphylococcus epidermidis cells grown under different environmental conditions; this might influence attachment and colonization of surfaces. Although a wide variety of techniques has been employed to measure bacterial surface hydrophobicity, including contact angle determinations, adherence to hydrocarbons, hydrophobic-interaction chromatography and salt aggregation, many of these either require large numbers of cells or do not yield comparable quantitative data. This study describes a novel, quantitative method for the determination of bacterial surface tension on the basis of image analysis of cell-cell interactions. S. epidermidis (strains 900 and 901) were suspended in different concentrations of propanol of known surface tension and examined by bright-field microscopy linked via a charge-couple device (CCD) camera to an image analyser. Frames were chosen randomly and the data recorded as a ratio of count/percentage coverage for each frame. The results showed that for strains 900 and 901 this ratio was maximum at surface tensions of 67 and 61 mN m(-1) respectively. At these values of minimal interaction the surface tension of the liquid was equal to the bacterial cell surface tension. The results were in close agreement with those obtained from contact angles. The advantage of surface tension measurements is that, irrespective of the method used, the results generated are quantitative values and are therefore directly comparable. The method reported is reliable, reproducible and is of particular value because the number of cells required is, typically, at least two orders of magnitude lower than is required for commonly used alternative methods.

Development of an in-vitro model to study the growth characteristics of Staphylococcus epidermidis in continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis.

An in-vitro model of peritonitis in continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) has been developed which integrates the parameters of environmental gaseous tension, the changing biochemical profile of the dialysate, and the periodic challenge of fresh fluid. Dwell times of 4 h during the day and 10 h at night were used to reflect the in-vivo situation. Biochemical analysis of dialysate within the model showed that the profiles for creatinine, glucose and protein approximated those found in patients. Staphylococcus epidermidis growing in synthetic dialysis effluent or pooled dialysis fluid were seen to adapt rapidly to the environment after an initial lag phase; a tendency to aggregate together increased over the 50-h period of operation. In conclusion, the results presented here suggest that this in-vitro model creates an environment which is reflective of the in-vivo situation and therefore has potential for the study of peritonitis in CAPD.

Wheelchair clinics work.

The positioning problems and needs of severely disabled adults greatly influence their ability to function independently. This paper will describe an interdisciplinary approach in a wheelchair clinic, the functions of a wheelchair clinic, and the role of a Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant as part of the wheelchair clinic team.