Promotor hypermethylated genes: Prospective diagnostic biomarkers in oral cancerogenesis.

The advancements in epigenetics of oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC), are made in regard to DNA hypermethylation of MGMT, DAPK, ECAD (E-cadherin) and p16, as an important component of oral carcinogenesis and new potential biomarkers in molecular diagnostic strategies. The objective of the study was to evaluate the methylation status of the proposed genes and their possible role in the tumor genesis and diagnosis of OSCC. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From sixty surgically treated and molecularly analyzed patients, we obtained three groups of bioptical materials: tumor, normal contralateral and healthy tissues. Comparison of the frequencies of DNA methylation for all transcripts was utilized to validated their potential role in the cancerogenesis and detection of OSCC. RESULTS: The most often methylated genes in the tumor samples were ECAD, MGMT, DAPK followed by p16 genes (90% vs 75% vs 75% vs 52,5%), respectively. We observed frequent methylated genes in contralateral mucosa and consistently unmethylated- 0% in healthy samples. ECAD methylated genes showed the highest sensitivity for diagnosing OSCC in tumor and contralateral tissues (90% and 89,7% respectively, with a specificity of 100%). CONCLUSION: ECAD and MGMT have tumor-specific signatures and can be considered as potential noninvasive diagnostic biomarkers in OSCC.

Oncocytoma of the Deep Lobe of the Parotid Gland.

BACKGROUND: Oncocytoma or oxyphilic adenoma is uncommon salivary gland tumour, occurs predominantly in the in patients older than 60 years of age. Clinically oncocytoma resemble other salivary tumours while histology is typically consisting of oncocytes with many hyperplastic mitochondria. It usually occurs in the parotid gland. Because the features of oncocytoma are similar to those of other benign and low-grade malignant salivary tumours, clinical diagnosis is often challenging. CASE PRESENTATION: This report presents the pathologic and imaging findings of an oncocytoma arising in the deep lobe of the right parotid gland in a 74-year-old male. Oncocytoma was diagnosed on the basis of histological, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), scintigraphic findings and fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC). CONCLUSION: This case was unique because in the literature there are few articles about the rare presentation and deep lobe location of this type of parotid oncocytoma.

Mandibular Movement Restoration in a Child with Bilateral Coronoid Hyperplasia: A Case Report.

BACKGROUND: Coronoid process hyperplasia is an uncommon finding, characterized by an enlargement of the coronoid process, causing a mechanical obstacle by its interposing in the posterior portion of the maxilla or zygomatic arch. CASE PRESENTATION: The article presents a case report of a bilateral coronoid process hyperplasia in a 3-year-old girl demonstrated with inability to open the mouth and restricted jaw movement. Panoramic x-ray and 3-dimensional computed tomographic reconstruction showed bilateral elongation of the coronoid processes associated with deformation of the mandibular condyle with no involvement of the articular space. A coronoid resection by intraoral approach was done, followed by an aggressive physiotherapy. A considerable improvement in mouth opening of 30 mm was achieved. We strongly suggest early surgical treatment of coronoid hyperplasia to recover morphology and function consequently to reduce skeletofacial deformities in young patients. CONCLUSIONS: The article presents a clinical and surgical case of bilateral coronoidectomy in a 3-year-old girl, with retrognathic mandible. The diagnosis of bilateral coronoid process hyperplasia was confirmed, and the surgical treatment was under general anesthesia, with nasotracheal intubation guided by a nasofiber endoscope, using an intraoral approach.

Ion migration from fluoride-releasing dental restorative materials into dental hard tissues.

This study was carried out in order to determine the extent to which ions released from fluoride-containing dental restoratives migrated through the enamel and dentine of extracted teeth. A total of 40 permanent human 3rd molars were used. They were extracted for orthodontic reasons, and employed within 1 month of extraction. A cervical (Class V) cavity was prepared in each tooth, then filled with one of: a conventional glass-ionomer, a resin-modified glass-ionomer, a polyacid-modified composite resin ("compomer") or a fluoride-releasing resin composite. Ten samples were prepared per material. After 1 month, five specimens per material were prepared and examined under SEM/EDX. Concentrations of sodium, aluminium, strontium, fluorine, magnesium, silicon, phosphorus and calcium were determined within the tooth. After 18 months, the remaining five specimens for each material were prepared and studied in the same way. The greatest extent of ion migration into the tooth was found with the conventional glass-ionomer and least migration was found for the fluoride-releasing composite, which showed no evidence of fluoride migration at all. Levels of migrating ions were generally higher in the 18 month specimens than in the 1 month specimens, and also higher in the dentine than in the enamel. Ions released by restorative dental materials have been shown conclusively for the first time to be capable of migrating into the enamel and dentine surrounding the restoration. The conventional glass-ionomer showed the highest level of ion migration whereas the fluoridated composite resin showed little if any ion migration. This suggests that the conventional glass-ionomer has the greatest caries inhibiting effects of all the materials tested, and the fluoridated composite the least.