Publications by authors named "Lee Carrasco"

Ameloblastoma is a highly recurrent odontogenic neoplasm with variable global distribution. However, impact of race and ethnicity on ameloblastoma recurrence are still unclear. The primary aim of this study was to assess duration of time between primary and recurrent ameloblastomas in a predominantly Black multi-institutional patient cohort and secondarily to determine whether recurrent ameloblastomas are more readily discovered when clinically-symptomatic rather than by radiographic surveillance.

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Ameloblastoma (AM) is a benign but locally aggressive tumor with high recurrences. Currently, underlying pathophysiology remains elusive, and radical surgery remains the most definitive treatment with severe morbidities. We have recently reported that AM harbors a subpopulation of tumor epithelial stem-like cells (AM-EpiSCs).

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Epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), a biological process associated with cancer stem-like or cancer-initiating cell formation, contributes to the invasiveness, metastasis, drug resistance, and recurrence of the malignant tumors; it remains to be determined whether similar processes contribute to the pathogenesis and progression of ameloblastoma (AM), a benign but locally invasive odontogenic neoplasm. Here, we demonstrated that EMT- and stem cell-related genes were expressed in the epithelial islands of the most common histologic variant subtype, the follicular AM. Our results revealed elevated interleukin (IL)-6 signals that were differentially expressed in the stromal compartment of the follicular AM.

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Purpose: The aim of this study was to compare outcome measurements of skeletal and dental expansion with bone-borne (BB) versus tooth-borne (TB) appliances after surgically assisted rapid palatal expansion (SARPE). This study was performed to provide quantitative measurements that will help the oral surgeon and orthodontist in selecting the appliance with, on average, the greatest amount of skeletal expansion and the least amount of dental expansion.

Materials And Methods: A computerized database search was performed using PubMed, EBSCO, Cochrane, Scopus, Web of Science, and Google Scholar on publications in reputable oral surgery and orthodontic journals.

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Background: Individuals who abuse prescription opioids often use leftover pills that were prescribed for friends or family members. Dental surgery has been identified as a common source of opioid prescriptions. We measured rates of used and unused opioids after dental surgery for a pilot program to promote safe drug disposal.

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Testosterone is necessary for the development of male pattern baldness, known as androgenetic alopecia (AGA); yet, the mechanisms for decreased hair growth in this disorder are unclear. We show that prostaglandin D(2) synthase (PTGDS) is elevated at the mRNA and protein levels in bald scalp compared to haired scalp of men with AGA. The product of PTGDS enzyme activity, prostaglandin D(2) (PGD(2)), is similarly elevated in bald scalp.

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Androgenetic alopecia (AGA), also known as common baldness, is characterized by a marked decrease in hair follicle size, which could be related to the loss of hair follicle stem or progenitor cells. To test this hypothesis, we analyzed bald and non-bald scalp from AGA individuals for the presence of hair follicle stem and progenitor cells. Cells expressing cytokeratin15 (KRT15), CD200, CD34, and integrin, α6 (ITGA6) were quantitated via flow cytometry.

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Surgical intervention is appropriate in a small percentage of patients with temporomandibular joint disorders when it is based on a specific diagnosis of intracapsular pathology not amenable to nonsurgical modalities. Expected advances in our understanding of the complex molecular, biochemical, and genetic factors that influence these disease states clearly will allow less invasive techniques and even obviate the need for some open arthroplastic interventions altogether in the future. In the meantime, reasonable, well-intentioned surgeons must rely on the current body of surgical knowledge to use surgery as judiciously as possible.

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The patient who has renal disease is susceptible to many potential complications during the perioperative period. The prevention of postoperative acute renal failure (ARF), especially in patients who have existing chronic kidney disease, and management of patients who have end-stage renal disease (ESRD) who are undergoing surgery are challenging. Elimination of risk factors for ARF and early diagnosis of ARF should improve patient outcomes.

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Traditionally, the majority of oral and maxillofacial surgery patients are young and healthy. With the ever-expanding scope of the specialty, however, more surgically extensive procedures increasingly are being performed on more medically complex patients. To optimize comprehensive patient care, oral and maxillofacial surgeons are obligated to possess a firm knowledge of the basic principles of fluid management and use a sound strategy for blood product usage.

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Dislocation of the mandibular condyle into the middle cranial fossa is a rare event due to anatomical and biomechanical factors. The authors report the case of a 12-year-old girl who presented with this condition after colliding with a classmate. One day after her injury, the patient demonstrated an inability to close her mouth completely, and she had minor tenderness to palpation anterior to the tragus, without neurological deficits.

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Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (EDS) is the name given for 6 types of connective tissue disorders. While the prevalence of this disease is small, it is seen on every continent and affects both sexes and all races. The various types of EDS are reviewed with reference given to both the older Berlin nosology and the newer Villefranche nosology.

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Rosai-Dorfman disease of the mandible.

Oral Surg Oral Med Oral Pathol Oral Radiol Endod

October 2006

Rosai-Dorfman disease (RDD) is a rare, non-neoplastic histiocytosis most commonly characterized by painless, massive cervical lymphadenopathy. Over half of all patients with lymph node involvement also demonstrate extranodal disease, with most affected individuals exhibiting lesions within the region of the head and neck. Oral manifestations of RDD are extremely rare, and almost always identified in association with nodal or other extranodal disease.

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We describe the utilization of distraction osteogenesis in the free fibular microvascular bone graft to the mandible for increasing bone height for future osseointegrated dental implants. Successful reconstruction of a resected mandible requires restoration of both function and esthetic form. Although current reconstructive techniques restore anterior-posterior and lateral projection, often the graft's vertical height is not sufficient for the placement of osseointegrated dental implants and subsequent oral prosthesis.

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Cheilitis glandularis (CG) is an uncommon disease that usually affects the lower lip of adults. It is characterized by enlargement and eversion of the lip in association with excretory duct dilatation. The presence of minor salivary gland hyperplasia is controversial.

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