Vimentin is a potential prognostic factor for tongue squamous cell carcinoma among five epithelial-mesenchymal transition-related proteins.

We aimed to investigate the association of the expression levels of five epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT)-related proteins (Snail, Twist, E-cadherin, N-cadherin, and Vimentin) with tumorigenesis, pathologic parameters and prognosis in tongue squamous cell carcinoma (TSCC) patients by immunohistochemistry of tissue microarray. The expression levels of Snail, E-cadherin, N-cadherin and Vimentin were significantly different between the tumor adjacent normal and tumor tissues. In tumor tissues, lower E-cadherin and higher N-cadherin levels were associated with a higher grade of cell differentiation, advanced stage of disease, and lymph node metastasis.

Correlation Between Resonance Frequency Analysis and Bone Quality Assessments at Dental Implant Recipient Sites.

Purpose: To evaluate whether primary implant stability could be used to predict bone quality, the association between the implant stability quotient (ISQ) value and the bone type at the implant site was evaluated.

Materials And Methods: Ninety-five implant sites in 50 patients were included. Bone type (categorized by Lekholm and Zarb) at the implant site was initially assessed using presurgical dental radiography.

RelA-Mediated BECN1 Expression Is Required for Reactive Oxygen Species-Induced Autophagy in Oral Cancer Cells Exposed to Low-Power Laser Irradiation.

Low-power laser irradiation (LPLI) is a non-invasive and safe method for cancer treatment that alters a variety of physiological processes in the cells. Autophagy can play either a cytoprotective role or a detrimental role in cancer cells exposed to stress. The detailed mechanisms of autophagy and its role on cytotoxicity in oral cancer cells exposed to LPLI remain unclear.

Bifid mandibular canals and their cortex thicknesses: A comparison study on images obtained from cone-beam and multislice computed tomography.

Background/purpose: High prevalence of bifid mandibular canals has been visualized with various types of computerized tomography (CT). Along the canals, a various ranged corticalization was recently reported. The depiction of the fine anatomic structures on multislice and cone-beam CT images was compared.

Interfacial analysis of porcelain fused to high-palladium alloy with different observation methods.

Background/purpose: In a previous fractural study of implant-supported crowns, it was found that the palladium-silver crowns possessed the highest fracture force. The ceramic-metal interface was examined to explain its high resistance to fracture.

Materials And Methods: Palladium-silver crowns with the morphology of a maxillary second premolar were prepared following standard dental laboratory procedures.

Effects of ethanolic extract on lipopolysaccharide-induced dental alveolar bone resorption in rats.

Background/purpose: (SM) Bunge (Labiatae/Lamiaceae; common name danshen) is a Chinese medicine that improves blood circulation and inhibits inflammatory response. Thus, it is used for the treatment of cardiac diseases and inflammation. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the effect of an ethanolic extract of SM (SME) on the dental alveolar bone resorption induced by bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS) in rats.

Lactobacillus acidophilus attenuates Salmonella-induced intestinal inflammation via TGF-β signaling.

Background: Salmonella is a common intestinal pathogen that causes acute and chronic inflammatory response. Probiotics reduce inflammatory cytokine production and serve as beneficial commensal microorganisms in the human gastrointestinal tract. TGF-β (transforming growth factor β)/SMAD and NF-κB signaling play important roles in inflammation in intestinal cells.

Selective cytotoxic effects of low-power laser irradiation on human oral cancer cells.

Background And Objectives: Low-power laser irradiation (LPLI) is known to regulate cell proliferation and migration in clinical use. Recent studies have shown that LPLI induces cell death in some certain types of cancer cell lines. However, the cytotoxic selectivity of LPLI for cancer cells is not fully understood.

Propionibacterium acnes in the pathogenesis and immunotherapy of acne vulgaris.

Acne vulgaris, a multi-factorial disease, is one of the most common skin diseases, affecting an estimated 80% of Americans at some point during their lives. The gram-positive and anaerobic Propionibacterium acnes (P. acnes) bacterium has been implicated in acne inflammation and pathogenesis.

A high IL-4 production diplotype is associated with an increased risk but better prognosis of oral and pharyngeal carcinomas.

Objective: Interleukin (IL)-4 is a key cytokine in humoral and adaptive immunity. This study aimed to evaluate the association of IL-4 genetic variants (-590C>T and VNTR in intron 3) with the risk and prognosis of oral and pharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OPSCC).

Design: A total of 1215 subjects, which included 623 healthy controls and 592 OPSCC cases (463 oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) and 129 pharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (PSCC) cases), were recruited.

Effect of m-3m3FBS on Ca2+ handling and viability in OC2 human oral cancer cells.

The effect of 2,4,6-trimethyl-N-(meta-3-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-benzenesulfonamide (m-3M3FBS), a presumed phospholipase C activator, on cytosolic free Ca2+ concentrations ([Ca2+]i) in OC2 human oral cancer cells is unclear. This study explored whether m-3M3FBS changed basal [Ca2+]i levels in suspended OC2 cells by using fura-2 as a Ca2+-sensitive fluorescent dye. M-3M3FBS at concentrations between 10-60 μM increased [Ca2+]i in a concentration-dependent manner.

Investigation of carvedilol-evoked Ca²+ movement and death in human oral cancer cells.

The effect of carvedilol on cytosolic free Ca²⁺ concentrations ([Ca²⁺](i)) in OC2 human oral cancer cells is unknown. This study examined if carvedilol altered basal [Ca²⁺](i) levels in suspended OC2 cells by using fura-2 as a Ca²⁺-sensitive fluorescent probe. Carvedilol at concentrations between 10 and 40 µM increased [Ca²⁺](i) in a concentration-dependent fashion.

Interaction between tumour necrosis factor-α gene polymorphisms and substance use on risk of betel quid-related oral and pharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma in Taiwan.

Objective: Betel quid (BQ) components induce the secretion of tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) in oral keratinocytes, which promotes oral mucosal inflammation and oral cancer. This study was carried out to evaluate the association of TNFA genetic variants (-308G>A and -238G>A) with the risk and prognosis of BQ-related oral and pharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OPSCC).

Design: A total of 403 subjects (205 cancer cases and 198 healthy controls) who habitually chewed BQ were recruited.

Effect of methoxychlor on Ca2+ handling and viability in OC2 human oral cancer cells.

The effect of the insecticide methoxychlor on the physiology of oral cells is unknown. This study aimed to explore the effect of methoxychlor on cytosolic Ca(2+) concentrations ([Ca(2+)](i)) in human oral cancer cells (OC2) by using the Ca(2+)-sensitive fluorescent dye fura-2. Methoxychlor at 5-20 μM increased [Ca(2+)](i) in a concentration-dependent manner.

Rapid diagnosis of bacterial meningitis using a microarray.

Background/purpose: Microarrays, or biochips, are a new technology that can allow rapid detection of bacterial genetic materials. To explore their practical applications, we compared use of a microarray for the diagnosis of bacterial meningitis with the traditional blood and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) culture methods.

Methods: Samples from 50 patients with suspected bacterial meningitis were analyzed by microarray and by traditional blood and CSF cultures.

Evaluation on the movement of endosseous titanium implants under continuous orthodontic forces: an experimental study in the dog.

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the movement of pure titanium implants under different continuous forces in the edentulous alveolar ridge.

Material And Methods: Four pairs of titanium implants were inserted into the right maxillary and mandibular post-extraction edentulous ridge of the experimental dog. Three different levels of continuous force (100, 200, and 500 g) were loaded onto three pairs of adjacent implant abutments using a memory Ni-Ti coil spring for up to 6 months and the remaining two implant abutments as the control group received no force.

Effect of cyclosporin A on the mineral apposition rate of cementum and dentin in growing rats.

Background: Since there is no direct information to verify whether cyclosporin A (CsA) can affect the mineralization of dental hard tissue, the formation of dentin and cementum in growing rats was recorded by labeling the mineral phase of these tissues with fluorochrome marker in this study.

Methods: After the extraction of the right maxillary molars, 30 male 3-week-old Sprague-Dawley rats were assigned to two groups. Following a 2-week healing period, the experimental rats received 30 mg/kg CsA daily for 7 weeks, while the control rats received only mineral oil.

Effects of bone morphogenetic protein-6 on periodontal wound healing in a fenestration defect of rats.

Background: Bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs) may play significant roles in bone formation. The ability of BMP-6 to promote wound healing has been chosen as the subject of this investigation. In this study, a synthetic rat BMP-6 polypeptide was applied to a periodontal fenestration defect in rats to elucidate the effects of BMP-6 on periodontal wound healing.

Periodontal status in post-menopausal osteoporosis: a preliminary clinical study in Taiwanese women.

Background: Osteoporosis and periodontitis are common diseases affecting post-menopausal women; however, the exact relationship between the diseases is still uncertain. The purposes of this study were to examine the periodontal status in a group of type I post-menopausal women with and without osteoporosis and to elucidate the possible role of the osteoporosis in the pathogenesis of periodontal disease.

Methods: Thirty-four patients (18 in the osteoporotic and 16 in the non-osteoporotic group) were selected from 329 post-menopausal Taiwanese women who had completed radiographic measurements of spinal bone mineral density and received full-mouth periodontal examination.

Effects of low-dose cyclosporin on osteogenesis of human demineralized bone grafts in a surgically created mandibular defect in rats.

Background: Demineralized freeze-dried bone matrix (DFDBM) stimulates new bone formation; however, immune reactions from the residual antigens of prepared grafts might play a role in inducing osteogenesis. This study examined whether cyclosporine-A (CsA), an immunosuppressant, enhanced the DFDBM-induced new bone formation.

Methods: After creating a bony defect in the posterior mandible, 40 male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into four groups of 10 each: no graft with mineral oil (control); no graft with CsA in mineral oil; DFDBM with mineral oil; and DFDBM with CsA in mineral oil (combined therapy).