UBE2C promotes the progression of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma.

The development of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) is a complex pathological process and many cellular and molecular events may occur. The ubiquitin conjugating enzyme E2 (UBE2C) was found to play an oncogenic role in several human cancers. However, its functional role in HNSCC tumorigenesis remains unknown.

Current Trends in the Incidence and Presentation of Oropharyngeal Cancer.

The prevalence and behavior of oropharyngeal cancers have dramatically changed over the past 30 years. It is now clear that human papillomavirus (HPV) plays a major role in the incidence of head and neck cancers in the general population and among patients with HIV infection. This article reviews the current knowledge about oropharyngeal cancers for their epidemiology, pathogenesis, clinical behavior, treatment and prevention.

The clinical effectiveness of reflectance optical spectroscopy for the in vivo diagnosis of oral lesions.

Optical spectroscopy devices are being developed and tested for the screening and diagnosis of oral precancer and cancer lesions. This study reports a device that uses white light for detection of suspicious lesions and green-amber light at 545 nm that detect tissue vascularity on patients with several suspicious oral lesions. The clinical grading of vascularity was compared to the histological grading of the biopsied lesions using specific biomarkers.

Thirty years of the human immunodeficiency virus epidemic and beyond.

After more than 30 years of battling a global epidemic, the prospect of eliminating human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) as the most challenging infectious disease of the modern era is within our reach. Major scientific discoveries about the virus responsible for this immunodeficiency disease state, including its pathogenesis, transmission patterns and clinical course, have led to the development of potent antiretroviral drugs that offer great hopes in HIV treatment and prevention. Although these agents and many others still in development and testing are capable of effectively suppressing viral replication and survival, the medical management of HIV infection at the individual and the population levels remains challenging.

Aphthous ulcers.

Aphthous ulcers are one of the most common oral diseases worldwide. Their clinical presentation is characterized by multiple, recurrent, small, round, or ovoid ulcers with circumscribed margins and erythematous haloes present in different sizes. Oral lesions similar to aphthous ulcers may be present in several systemic diseases.

Health care-associated transmission of hepatitis B & C viruses in dental care (dentistry).

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection rates are declining, but infection with this virus or hepatitis C virus (HCV) remains a risk for dental health care personnel (DHCP). This article describes the epidemiology of HBV and HCV and their particular risks to DHCP. Hepatitis B vaccination is discussed, as is postexposure management recommendations for both HBV and HCV.

Oral health and HIV infection: a chronic disease model.

HIV disease is now considered a chronic illness requiring continued management and monitoring. However, for those with poor access to anti-retroviral medications, the disease continues to be associated with higher morbidity and mortality. With the expansion of the HIV pandemic into vulnerable subpopulations, HIV care requires coordinated and integrated care for a complex mix of psychosocial and clinical services that must include oral health care.

Cellular immunology in HIV-1 positive African American women using alcohol and cocaine.

Co-use of illicit drugs, in particular cocaine and alcohol, is common among HIV-1(+) men and women of different ethnic groups. We compared cohorts of alcohol and cocaine co-users HIV-1(+) African American women and in cohorts of drug-free, or methamphetamine users HIV-1(+) men. We monitored clinical cellular immune parameters at repeated regular intervals.

National estimates of out-of-pocket dental costs for HIV-infected users of medical care.

Background: Out-of-pocket costs for U.S. dental care in 1996 were dollar 157 per person at the poverty level and dollar 229 for people with higher incomes.

Oral health findings for HIV-infected adult medical patients from the HIV Cost and Services Utilization Study.

Background: The HIV Cost and Services Utilization Study (HCSUS) was conducted by a consortium of private and government institutions centered at the RAND Corp. to provide national estimates of adult medical patients who are HIV-positive. This article presents descriptive oral health findings from that study.

Oral white patches in a national sample of medical HIV patients in the era of HAART.

Objectives: Several types of HIV-related oral mucosal conditions have been reported to occur during the course of HIV disease progression. Of these, few may be manifested as 'white' lesions and many are noticeable to the patient. This paper examines the relationships between social, behavioral and medical aspects of HIV infection and reporting an occurrence of oral white patches (OWP) by HIV-infected patients.

Impact of underreporting on the management of occupational bloodborne exposures in a dental teaching environment.

The objectives of this study were to determine the rates of bloodborne exposures experienced by junior and senior dental students at a large dental teaching institution during 2001-02 and the percentages of these bloodborne exposures that were reported by the students to their designated counselors. Two hundred and four third- and fourth-year students voluntarily and anonymously filled out a questionnaire on the numbers of bloodborne exposures they had experienced and reported. Sixty-seven (32.

Halitosis.

Halitosis (oral malodor, bad breath) is a condition affecting millions of Americans and is a major concern to the general public. In healthy individuals complaining of bad breath, the mouth is the main source of their oral malodor, more specifically the posterior dorsum of the tongue. Halitosis may also indicate an underlying medical condition that necessitates treatment.