Phosphate level changes in oral cancer patients - recognizing the risk for refeeding syndrome.

Purpose: Patients with oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) often have difficulties in obtaining sufficient nutrition and may develop refeeding syndrome (RFS) during hospitalization. RFS may be fatal if not treated properly. This study clarified changes in perioperative phosphate levels and occurrence of RFS symptoms in OSCC patients to identify clinically notable predisposing factors for RFS in this specific patient population.

LRG1 and SDR16C5 protein expressions differ according to HPV status in oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma.

The increasing incidence of oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OPSCC) is primarily due to human papillomavirus, and understanding the tumor biology caused by the virus is crucial. Our goal was to investigate the proteins present in the serum of patients with OPSCC, which were not previously studied in OPSCC tissue. We examined the difference in expression of these proteins between HPV-positive and -negative tumors and their correlation with clinicopathological parameters and patient survival.

Altered microheterogeneity at several N-glycosylation sites in OPSCC in constant protein expression conditions.

Protein glycosylation responds sensitively to disease states. It is implicated in every hallmark of cancer and has recently started to be considered as a hallmark itself. Changes in N-glycosylation microheterogeneity are more dramatic than those of protein expression due to the non-template nature of protein glycosylation.

Inflammation parameters predict fatal outcome in male COVID-19 patients in a low case-fatality area - a population-based registry study.

Background: Male sex predicts case-fatality in SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) - a phenomenon linked to systemic inflammation. We compared sex-related associations of inflammation parameters and outcome in a population-based setting with low case-fatality prior to wide use of immunosuppressives.

Methods: A population-based quality registry with laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 cases of specialized hospitals of the Capital Province of Finland were analysed to compare inflammatory parameters by sex during the first COVID-19 wave February-June 2020.

Association between first language and SARS-CoV-2 infection rates, hospitalization, intensive care admissions and death in Finland: a population-based observational cohort study.

Objectives: Motivated by reports of increased risk of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in ethnic minorities of high-income countries, we explored whether patients with a foreign first language are at an increased risk of COVID-19 infections, more serious presentations, or worse outcomes.

Methods: In a retrospective observational population-based quality registry study covering a population of 1.7 million, we studied the incidence of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), admissions to specialist healthcare and the intensive care unit (ICU), and all-cause case fatality in different language groups between 27th February and 3rd August 2020 in Southern Finland.

Male predominance in disease severity and mortality in a low Covid-19 epidemic and low case-fatality area - a population-based registry study.

Background: Men reportedly suffer from a more severe disease and higher mortality during the global SARS-CoV-2 (Covid-19) pandemic. We analysed sex differences in a low epidemic area with low overall mortality in Covid-19 in a population based setting with patients treated in specialized healthcare.

Methods: We entered all hospitalized laboratory-confirmed Covid-19 cases of all specialized healthcare hospitals of the Capital Province of Finland, into a population-based quality registry and described demographics, severity and case-fatality by sex of the first Covid-19 wave February-June 2020.

Mass spectrometry-based lipidomics of oral squamous cell carcinoma tissue reveals aberrant cholesterol and glycerophospholipid metabolism - A Pilot study.

Lipid metabolic reprogramming is one hallmark of cancer. Lipid metabolism is regulated by numerous enzymes, many of which are targeted by several drugs on the market. We aimed to characterize the lipid alterations in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) as a basis for understanding its lipid metabolism, thus identifying potential therapeutic targets.

Comparing serum protein levels can aid in differentiating HPV-negative and -positive oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma patients.

Background: The surrogate immunohistochemical marker, p16INK4a, is used in clinical practice to determine the high-risk human papillomavirus (HPV) status of oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinomas (OPSCC). With a specificity of 83%, this will misclassify some patients compared with direct HPV testing. Patients who are p16INK4a-positive but HPV DNA-negative, or RNA-negative, may be unsuitable for treatment de-escalation aimed at reducing treatment-related side effects.

Exhaled breath analysis in the diagnosis of head and neck cancer.

Head and neck cancer (HNC) comprises a heterogeneous group of upper aerodigestive tract malignant neoplasms, the most frequent of which is squamous cell carcinoma. HNC forms the eighth most common cancer type and the incidence is increasing. However, survival has improved only moderately during the past decades.

Tonsillar surface swab bacterial culture results differ from those of the tonsillar core in recurrent tonsillitis.

Objectives/hypothesis: We aimed to determine whether there was a difference between core and surface bacteriology of Finnish adults with recurrent or chronic tonsillitis to understand whether a surface swab is worthwhile and which bacteria are involved.

Study Design: Case series.

Methods: Uninflamed tonsillar surface swabs and core biopsies were taken prior to and during surgery, respectively, in 103 patients aged 16 to 66 years undergoing tonsillectomy for recurrent or chronic tonsillitis.

In situ hybridization for high-risk HPV E6/E7 mRNA is a superior method for detecting transcriptionally active HPV in oropharyngeal cancer.

Current human papillomavirus (HPV) detection methods in oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OPSCC) have varying sensitivity and specificity. We aimed to compare different HPV-detection methods against the test used in clinical practice, ie, p16 immunohistochemistry (IHC) and to evaluate whether another HPV-detection test additional to p16 IHC would be worthwhile in OPSCC specimens. The study cohort comprised 357 consecutive OPSCC patients during two time periods: 2000-2009 and 2012-2016.

Presentation of second primary cancers in young laryngeal carcinoma patients.

Background: Laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma (LSCC) is rare in the young.

Objectives: We characterized the clinical behavior of LSCC and assessed the presentation of second primary tumors (SPCs) in this patient population.

Materials And Methods: Data from the Finnish Cancer Registry (FCR) were used to identify an epidemiological series of LSCC patients diagnosed at the age of 40 years or under, during 1953-2012 in Finland.

Newly detected DNA viruses in juvenile nasopharyngeal angiofibroma (JNA) and oral and oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC/OPSCC).

Purpose: Approximately 20% of cancers are estimated to have a viral etiology. We aimed to investigate whether DNA of 8 human parvoviruses [bocavirus 1-4 (HBoV1-4), parvovirus B19 (B19V), protoparvoviruses (bufa-, tusa-, and cutavirus)] and 13 human polyomaviruses (HPyV) can be detected in oropharyngeal and oral cavity squamous cell carcinoma (OPSCC/OSCC), and in juvenile nasopharyngeal angiofibroma (JNA) tissue samples.

Methods: Fresh samples of seven JNA tissues and ten paired tissues of OSCC/OPSCC tumor and adjacent healthy tissues were collected.

Label-free tissue proteomics can classify oral squamous cell carcinoma from healthy tissue in a stage-specific manner.

Objectives: No prognostic or predictive biomarkers for oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) exist. We aimed to discover novel proteins, altered in OSCC, to be further investigated as potential biomarkers, and to improve understanding about pathways involved in OSCC.

Materials And Methods: Proteomic signatures of seven paired healthy and OSCC tissue samples were identified using ultra-definition quantitative mass spectrometry, then analysed and compared using Anova, principal component analysis, hierarchical clustering and OPLS-DA modelling.