Differential Immune Checkpoint Protein Expression in HNSCC: The Role of HGF/MET Signaling.

Although inhibitors targeting the PD1/PD-L1 immune checkpoint are showing comparably good outcomes, a significant percentage of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) patients do not respond to treatment. Apart from using different treatment strategies, another possibility would be to target other immune checkpoints operating in these non-responding tumors. To obtain an overview of which checkpoint ligands are expressed on HNSCC tumor cells and if these ligands are affected by HGF/MET signaling, we used mRNA sequencing and antibody-based techniques for identifying checkpoint ligands in six HNSCC tumor cell lines.

Biological and mechanical performance of calcium phosphate cements modified with phytic acid.

Calcium phosphate cements, primarily brushite cements, require the addition of setting retarders to ensure adequate processing time and processability. So far, citric acid has been the primary setting retarder used in this context. Due to the poor biocompatibility, it is crucial to explore alternative options for better processing.

Biological and Mechanical Performance of Dual-Setting Brushite-Silica Gel Cements.

Bone defects resulting from trauma, diseases, or surgical procedures pose significant challenges in the field of oral and maxillofacial surgery. The development of effective bone substitute materials that promote bone healing and regeneration is crucial for successful clinical outcomes. Calcium phosphate cements (CPCs) have emerged as promising candidates for bone replacement due to their biocompatibility, bioactivity, and ability to integrate with host tissues.

Performance of cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) in comparison to conventional computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) for the detection of bone invasion in oral squamous cell cancer (OSCC): a prospective study.

Background: Oral squamous carcinoma (OSCC) is often diagnosed at late stages and bone erosion or invasion of the jawbone is frequently present. Computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) are known to have high diagnostic sensitivities, specificities, and accuracies in detecting these bone affections in patients suffering from OSCC. To date, the existing data regarding the impact of cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) have been weak.

Successful microvascular surgery in patients with thrombophilia in head and neck surgery: a case series.

Background: In this case series, a perioperative anticoagulation protocol for microvascular head and neck surgery in patients with thrombophilia is presented. Microvascular free-flap surgery is a standard procedure in head and neck surgery with high success rates. Nevertheless, flap loss-which is most often caused by thrombosis-can occur and has far-reaching consequences, such as functional impairment, prolonged hospitalization, and increased costs.

Investigation of clindamycin concentrations in human plasma and jawbone tissue in patients with osteonecrosis of the jaw: A prospective trial.

The aim of this study was to investigate the jawbone concentration of clindamycin (CLI) in patients with an osteonecrosis of the jaw (ONJ). Patients with medication-related ONJ (MRONJ) and osteoradionecrosis (ORN) with an antibiotic treatment with CLI were included. Plasma, vital and necrotic bone samples were collected.

Antimicrobial effects of clindamycin-loaded platelet-rich fibrin (PRF).

Objectives: Recent research has demonstrated that platelet-rich fibrin (PRF) is an appropriate carrier for ampicillin/sulbactam. The aim of the study was to investigate whether PRF is also a suitable bio-carrier for clindamycin (CLI).

Methods: PRF membranes were produced from 36 patients receiving intravenous therapy with CLI (e.

Comparison of Patient-Specific Condylar Positioning Devices and Manual Methods in Orthognathic Surgery: A Prospective Randomized Trial.

Background: This study investigated whether patient-specific condylar positioning devices (CPDs) are beneficial compared to the conventional manual positioning of the condyles.

Methods: In this prospective, randomized trial, patients undergoing orthognathic surgery with a bilateral sagittal split osteotomy of the mandible were included. The ascending ramus was positioned with computer-aided designed and computer-aided manufactured (CAD/CAM) patient-specific devices in the CPD group and manually in the control group.

Realizing in-house algorithm-driven free fibula flap set up within 24 hours: a pilot study evaluating accuracy with open-source tools.

Objective: This study aims to critically evaluate the effectiveness and accuracy of a time safing and cost-efficient open-source algorithm for in-house planning of mandibular reconstructions using the free osteocutaneous fibula graft. The evaluation focuses on quantifying anatomical accuracy and assessing the impact on ischemia time.

Methods: A pilot study was conducted, including patients who underwent in-house planned computer-aided design and manufacturing (CAD/CAM) of free fibula flaps between 2021 and 2023.

Impact of aminopenicillin administration routes on antimicrobial effects of platelet-rich fibrin: An in-vitro investigation.

Introduction: The aim of the study was to investigate the impact of different aminopenicillin administration routes on the antimicrobial effects of platelet-rich fibrin (PRF).

Methods: We enrolled patients undergoing treatment with amoxicillin/clavulanic acid (AMC) orally or ampicillin/sulbactam (SAM) intravenously. AMC was applied in a single oral dose (875/125 mg), or in a double oral dose (1750/250 mg), and SAM in a dose of 2000/1000 mg.

Performance of artificial intelligence-based algorithms to predict prolonged length of stay after head and neck cancer surgery.

Background: Medical resource management can be improved by assessing the likelihood of prolonged length of stay (LOS) for head and neck cancer surgery patients. The objective of this study was to develop predictive models that could be used to determine whether a patient's LOS after cancer surgery falls within the normal range of the cohort.

Methods: We conducted a retrospective analysis of a dataset consisting of 300 consecutive patients who underwent head and neck cancer surgery between 2017 and 2022 at a single university medical center.

Does medication-related osteonecrosis of the jaw affect survival of patients with Multiple Myeloma?: Exploring a large single center database using artificial intelligence.

In addition to randomized clinical trials, consideration of Real-World Evidence is necessary for mirroring clinical reality. However, processing such evidence for large numbers of patients often requires considerable time and effort. This is particularly true for rare tumor diseases such as multiple myeloma (MM) or for adverse effects that occur even more rarely.

Investigation of three common centrifugation protocols for platelet-rich fibrin (PRF) as a bio-carrier for ampicillin/sulbactam: a prospective trial.

Objectives: Different platelet-rich fibrin (PRF) protocols exist and are known to differ in resulting mechanical and bioactive properties. Centrifugation parameters may also influence drug release, in particular antibiotics, when using PRF as a bio-carrier. We thus evaluated three common protocols regarding effects on the bio-carrier properties.

[Treatment of symptomatic pseudarthrosis following acromion fracture with a patient-specific implant customized on a 3D-printed scapula].

Objective: Patient-specific osteosynthesis for pseudarthrosis of the acromion.

Indications: Symptomatic pseudarthrosis of the acromion at the level of a meta/mesacromion.

Contraindications: Infection; patient noncompliance regarding postoperative treatment protocol.

Composite grafts made of polycaprolactone fiber mats and oil-based calcium phosphate cement pastes for the reconstruction of cranial and maxillofacial defects.

Objectives: Synthetic bone substitutes which can be adapted preoperatively and patient specific may be helpful in various bony defects in the field of oral- and maxillofacial surgery. For this purpose, composite grafts made of self-setting and oil-based calcium phosphate cement (CPC) pastes, which were reinforced with 3D-printed polycaprolactone (PCL) fiber mats were manufactured.

Materials And Methods: Bone defect models were acquired using patient data from real defect situations of patients from our clinic.

Associations between Periodontitis and COPD: An Artificial Intelligence-Based Analysis of NHANES III.

A number of cross-sectional epidemiological studies suggest that poor oral health is associated with respiratory diseases. However, the number of cases within the studies was limited, and the studies had different measurement conditions. By analyzing data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey III (NHANES III), this study aimed to investigate possible associations between chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and periodontitis in the general population.

A liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry method for the quantification of ampicillin/sulbactam and clindamycin in jawbone, plasma, and platelet-rich fibrin: Application to patients with osteonecrosis of the jaw.

Ampicillin in combination with sulbactam is a widely used drug choice for infection prophylaxis, especially in oral and maxillofacial surgery. Clindamycin serves as an alternative in patients with known allergy to β-lactam antibiotics. To ensure effective prophylaxis, it is important to achieve sufficiently high concentrations of active antibiotic substances in the tissues affected by the surgery.

Bone Concentration of Ampicillin/Sulbactam: A Pilot Study in Patients with Osteonecrosis of the Jaw.

Osteonecrosis of the jaw (ONJ) occurs typically after irradiation of the head and neck area or after the intake of antiresorptive agents. Both interventions can lead to compromised bone perfusion and can ultimately result in infection and necrosis. Treatment usually consists of surgical necrosectomy and prolonged antibiotic therapy, usually through beta-lactams such as ampicillin/sulbactam.

Oral-Health-Related Quality of Life in Patients with Medication-Related Osteonecrosis of the Jaw: A Prospective Clinical Study.

Medication-related osteonecrosis of the jaw (MRONJ) represents an adverse side effect of antiresorptive and antiangiogenic medications. It is associated with impaired quality of life, oral health, and oral function and can be classified into various stages. The purpose of this prospective clinical study is to evaluate the impact of stages I and II MRONJ on oral-health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) and related parameters.

Evaluation of advanced platelet-rich fibrin (PRF) as a bio-carrier for ampicillin/sulbactam.

Objectives: Mechanisms of wound healing are often impaired in patients with osteonecrosis of the jaw (ONJ). According to the guidelines for the treatment of this disease, early surgical intervention is indicated. However, surgery often faces complications such as wound healing disorders.

Free Skin Grafting to Reconstruct Donor Sites after Radial Forearm Flap Harvesting: A Prospective Study with Platelet-Rich Fibrin (PRF).

Reconstruction of the donor site after radial forearm flap harvesting is a common procedure in maxillofacial plastic surgery. It is normally carried out with split-thickness or full-thickness free skin grafts. Unfortunately, free skin graft transplantation faces wound healing impairments such as necrosis, (partial) graft loss, or tendon exposure.

Artificial Intelligence-Based Prediction of Oroantral Communication after Tooth Extraction Utilizing Preoperative Panoramic Radiography.

Oroantral communication (OAC) is a common complication after tooth extraction of upper molars. Profound preoperative panoramic radiography analysis might potentially help predict OAC following tooth extraction. In this exploratory study, we evaluated n = 300 consecutive cases (100 OAC and 200 controls) and trained five machine learning algorithms (VGG16, InceptionV3, MobileNetV2, EfficientNet, and ResNet50) to predict OAC versus non-OAC (binary classification task) from the input images.

Mammary analogue secretory carcinoma of a salivary gland of the hard palate with contralateral cervical lymph node metastases: A case report.

Mammary analogue secretory carcinoma (MASC) is a rare malignant tumour of the salivary glands, with only few cases reported in the literature to date. Initial preoperative staging is crucial for all patients with an oral malignancy to visualize the tumour, detect lymph node or distant metastases and plan therapeutic interventions. In the case presented herein, radiological imaging revealed a tumour of the right hard palate with suspected positive contralateral lymph nodes.

HGF-Induced PD-L1 Expression in Head and Neck Cancer: Preclinical and Clinical Findings.

Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) is a widespread disease with a low survival rate and a high risk of recurrence. Nowadays, immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) treatment is approved for HNSCC as a first-line treatment in recurrent and metastatic disease. ICI treatment yields a clear survival benefit, but overall response rates are still unsatisfactory.