Calreticulin Expression in Human Carcinomas: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

OBJECTIVE: The present study performed a systematic review and meta-analysis of observational studies on whether calreticulin levels could represent a prognostic factor in carcinoma patients. Calreticulin (CRT) is a multifunctional protein in the endoplasmic reticulum that can play distinct roles in different cancers. METHODS: The search was performed in PubMed, Scopus, the Cochrane Library, Web of Science, Lilacs, Science Direct, Embase, Bireme, and SciELO databases. After a full-text evaluation, only 14 articles remained. The RoBANS tool assessed the risk of bias. The meta-analysis was performed with R software, and the odds ratio (OR) was the effect measure. The random effects model was chosen, and the quality of evidence was evaluated according to GRADE. RESULT: The most frequent carcinomas were in the breasts and the colon. CRT expression varied according to carcinoma origin and type, but these diseases had a prevalence of high CRT levels, indicating tumor progression. The high CRT levels were associated with lymph node metastasis (OR = 3.06 [1.71; 5.48]/p = 0.0002/I2 = 0%). All included articles had a blinding bias. CONCLUSION: High CRT levels may represent a prognostic factor for metastatic lymph nodes in carcinoma patients.

Identification of Proteomic Biomarkers in Proliferative Verrucous Leukoplakia through Liquid Chromatography With Tandem Mass Spectrometry.

Proliferative verrucous leukoplakia (PVL) is an oral potentially malignant disorder associated with high risk of malignant transformation. Currently, there is no treatment available, and restrictive follow-up of patients is crucial for a better prognosis. Oral leukoplakia (OL) shares some clinical and microscopic features with PVL but exhibits different clinical manifestations and a lower rate of malignant transformation. This study aimed to investigate the proteomic profile of PVL in tissue and saliva samples to identify potential diagnostic biomarkers with therapeutic implications. Tissue and saliva samples obtained from patients with PVL were compared with those from patients with oral OL and controls. Label-free liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry was employed, followed by qualitative and quantitative analyses, to identify differentially expressed proteins. Potential biomarkers were identified and further validated using immunohistochemistry. Staining intensity scan analyses were performed on tissue samples from patients with PVL, patients with OL, and controls from Brazil, Spain, and Finland. The study revealed differences in the immune system, cell cycle, DNA regulation, apoptosis pathways, and the whole proteome of PVL samples. In addition, liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry analyses showed that calreticulin (CALR), receptor of activated protein C kinase 1 (RACK1), and 14-3-3 Tau-protein (YWHAQ) were highly expressed in PVL samples. Immunohistochemistry validation confirmed increased CARL expression in PVL compared with OL. Conversely, RACK1 and YWHA were highly expressed in oral potentially malignant disorder compared to the control group. Furthermore, significant differences in CALR and RACK1 expression were observed in the OL group when comparing samples with and without oral epithelial dysplasia, unlike the PVL. This research provides insights into the molecular mechanisms underlying these conditions and highlights potential targets for future diagnostic and therapeutic approaches.

Macrophages CD163+ and Factor XIIIa+ Provide a First-Line Defence against Proliferative Verrucous Leukoplakia Antigens.

This study aimed to evaluate the density of the dendritic cells (DCs) and macrophages in oral leukoplakia (OL) and proliferative verrucous leukoplakia (PVL) by immunohistochemical analysis. We analysed paraffined tissue samples of PVL (n = 27), OL (n = 20), and inflammatory fibrous hyperplasia (n = 20) as the control group using the immunomarkers for DCs (CD1a, CD207, CD83, CD208 and CD123) and macrophages (CD68, CD163, FXIIIa and CD209). A quantitative analysis of positive cells in the epithelial and subepithelial areas was determined. Our results showed a reduction in CD208+ cells in the subepithelial area of the OL and PVL compared to the control. Additionally, we found a higher density of FXIIIa+ and CD163+ cells in the subepithelial area in PVL compared to the OL and control. Four-way MANOVA revealed a relationship between increased CD123+ cell density in the subepithelial area of "high-risk" samples regardless of disease. Macrophages provide the first line of defence against PVL antigens, suggesting a distinct pattern of innate immune system activation in PVL compared to OL, which may contribute to the complexity and the high rate of malignant transformation in the PVL.

Clinical profile of oral mucosa lesions in elderly patients: a 20-year retrospective study / Perfil clínico das lesões da mucosa oral em pacientes idosos: um estudo retrospectivo de 20 anos

Background: Life expectancy has considerably increased resulting in population aging. Studies evaluating the outcomes of aging in oral health are scarce. Objective: Evaluate retrospectively the profile of elderly patients from a public Oral Medicine Center during a period of 20 years. Methods:A qualitative and quantitative retrospective observational study was conducted analyzing medical records from an oral medicine service from January 1994 to December 2014. Results were reported as mean ± standard deviation for quantitative variables and percentages for categorical variables. The Chi-square test and T-student test was applied with significance level of 5%. Results: 2,690 medical records were retrieved, comprising of 61% women and 39% men with an average ageof 68.8 ± 6.79 years. Xerostomia was significantly associated, hypoglycemic usage (p<0.0001), anticoagulantusage (p<0.0001), psychotropic usage (p<0.0001) and analgesics and anti-inflammatory usage (p<0.0001). Forcandidiasis, an association with age, xerostomía (p<0.0001), and use of complete dentures was found(p<0.0001). For oral squamous cell carcinoma and oral leukoplakia the tabacco (p<0.0001) and alcohol consumption (p<0.0001) were significant associated. Conclusion:The elderly population was comprised mostly by women that use a large of drugs which wereassociated with xerostomia development. In addition, tabaco and alcohol consumption were associated withoral leukoplakia and OSCC being these two diseases more frequently in men. Dental care services should aimto prevent and treat these complications as way to improve the elderly's quality of life.

Introdução: A expectativa de vida aumentou consideravelmente, resultando no envelhecimento da população. Estudos avaliando os desfechos do envelhecimento na saúde bucal são escassos. Objetivo: Avaliar retrospectivamente o perfil dos pacientes idosos de um Centro de Medicina Oral público durante um período de 20 anos. Materiais e métodos: Estudo observacional retrospectivo qualitativo e quantitativo, analisando os prontuários de um serviço de medicina bucal no período de janeiro de 1994 a dezembro de 2014. Os resultados foram expressos em média ± desvio padrão para variáveis quantitativas e percentuais para variáveis categóricas. Aplicou-se o teste Qui-quadrado e o teste T-student com nível de significância de 5%. Resultados: Foram recuperados 2.690 prontuários, sendo 61% mulheres e 39% homens com idade média de 68,8 ± 6,79 anos. Xerostomia foi significativamente associada, uso de hipoglicemiantes (p<0,0001), uso de anticoagulantes (p<0,0001), uso de psicotrópicos (p<0,0001) e uso de analgésicos e anti-inflamatórios (p<0,0001). Para candidíase, foi encontrada associação com idade, xerostomia (p<0,0001)e uso de prótese total (p<0,0001). Para carcinoma espinocelular oral e leucoplasia oral, o uso de tabaco (p<0,0001) e consumo de álcool (p<0,0001) estiveram associados significativamente. Conclusão: A população idosa foi composta em sua maioria por mulheres que fazem uso de grande quantidade de medicamentos associados ao desenvolvimento de xerostomia. Além disso, o consumo de tabaco e álcool foram associados com leucoplasia oral e OSCC sendo essas duas doenças mais frequentes em homens. Os serviços odontológicos devem ter como objetivo prevenir e tratar essas complicações como forma de melhorar a qualidade de vida dos idosos.