Variations in concerns reported on the Patient Concerns Inventory (PCI) in head and neck cancer patients from different health settings across the world

Background: The aim was to collate and contrast patient concerns from a range of different head and neck cancer follow-up clinics around the world. Also, we sought to explore the relationship, if any, between responses to the patient concerns inventory (PCI) and overall quality of life (QOL). Methods: Nineteen units participated with intention of including 100 patients per site as close to a consecutive series as possible in order to minimize selection bias. Results: There were 2136 patients with a median total number of PCI items selected of 5 (2-10). “Fear of the cancer returning” (39%) and “dry mouth” (37%) were most common. Twenty-five percent (524) reported less than good QOL. Conclusion: There was considerable variation between units in the number of items selected and in overall QOL, even after allowing for case-mix variables. There was a strong progressive association between the number of PCI items and QOL

Knocking-Down CD147/EMMPRIN Expression in CT26 Colon Carcinoma Forces the Cells into Cellular and Angiogenic Dormancy That Can Be Reversed by Interactions with Macrophages

Metastasis in colorectal cancer is responsible for most of the cancer-related deaths. For metastasis to occur, tumor cells must first undergo the epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT), which is driven by the transcription factors (EMT-TFs) Snail, Slug twist1, or Zeb1, to promote their migration. In the distant organs, tumor cells may become dormant for years, until signals from their microenvironment trigger and promote their outgrowth. Here we asked whether CD147/EMMPRIN controls entry and exit from dormancy in the aggressive and proliferative (i.e., non-dormant) CT26 mouse colon carcinoma cells, in its wild-type form (CT26-WT cells). To this end, we knocked down EMMPRIN expression in CT26 cells (CT26-KD), and compared their EMT and cellular dormancy status (e.g., proliferation, pERK/pP38 ratio, vimentin expression, expression of EMT-TFs and dormancy markers), and angiogenic dormancy (e.g., VEGF and MMP-9 secretion, healing of the wounded bEND3 mouse endothelial cells), to the parental cells (CT26-WT). We show that knocking-down EMMPRIN expression reduced the pERK/pP38 ratio, enhanced the expression of vimentin, the EMT-TFs and the dormancy markers, and reduced the proliferation and angiogenic potential, cumulatively indicating that cells were pushed towards dormancy. When macrophages were co-cultured with both types of CT26 cells, the CT26-WT cells increased their angiogenic potential, but did not change their proliferation, state of EMT, or dormancy, whereas the CT26-KD cells exhibited values mostly similar to those of the co-cultured CT26-WT cells. Addition of recombinant TGFβ or EMMPRIN that simulated the presence of macrophages yielded similar results. Combinations of low concentrations of TGFβ and EMMPRIN had a minimal additive effect only in the CT26-KD cells, suggesting that they work along the same signaling pathway. We conclude that EMMPRIN is important as a gatekeeper that prevents cells from entering a dormant state, and that macrophages can promote an exit from dormancy

The Proteomes of Oral Cells Change during Co-Cultivation with Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans and Eikenella corrodens

Background: Changes in the proteome of oral cells during periodontitis have rarely been investigated. This lack of information is partially attributed to the lack of human cell lines derived from the oral cavity for in vitro research. The objective of the present study was to create cell lines from relevant oral tissues and compare protein expression in cells cultured alone and in cells co-cultivated with periodontitis-associated bacterial strains. Methods: We established human cell lines of gingival keratinocytes, osteoblastic lineage cells from the alveolar bone, periodontal ligament fibroblasts, and cementum cells. Using state-of-the-art label-free mass spectrometry, we investigated changes in the proteomes of these cells after co-cultivation with Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans and Eikenella corrodens for 48 h. Results: Gingival keratinocytes, representing ectodermal cells, exhibited decreased expression of specific keratins, basement membrane components, and cell-cell contact proteins after cultivation with the bacterial strains. Mesodermal lineage cells generally exhibited similar proteomes after co-cultivation with bacteria; in particular, collagens and integrins were expressed at higher levels. Conclusions: The results of the present study will help us elucidate the cellular mechanisms of periodontitis. Although co-cultivation with two periodontitis-associated bacterial strains significantly altered the proteomes of oral cells, future research is needed to examine the effects of complex biofilms mimicking in vivo conditions.Open-Access-Publikationsfonds 202

In ‐house virtual surgical planning and guided mandibular reconstruction is less precise, but more economical and time‐efficient than commercial procedures

Abstract Background To compare an in‐house and a commercially available surgical planning solution for mandibular reconstruction in terms of postoperative reconstruction accuracy and economic benefit. Methods Twenty‐nine consecutive patients with advanced oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) requiring segmental mandibular reconstruction were enrolled. Fifteen patients underwent in‐house surgical planning and 14 patients underwent a commercially available planning solution. A morphometric comparison of preoperative and postoperative computed tomography (CT) data sets and a cost–benefit comparison were performed. Results Volumes of planned and reconstructed bone segments differed significantly for both in‐house planning ( p  = 0.0431) and commercial planning ( p  < 0.0001). Significant differences in osteotomy angles were demonstrated for in‐house planning ( p  = 0.0391). Commercial planning was superior to in‐house planning for total mandibular deviation ( p  = 0.0217), intersegmental space volumes ( p  = 0.0035), and lengths ( p  = 0.0007). No significant difference was found between the two planning solutions in terms of intersegmental ossification and the incidence of wound healing disorders. In‐house planning took less time than commercial planning ( p  < 0.0001). Component manufacturing costs ( p  < 0.0001) and total cumulative costs ( p  < 0.0001) were significantly lower for in‐house planning. Conclusions In‐house surgical planning is less accurate but has a cost advantage and could be performed in less time

Elongated styloid process in patients with temporomandibular disorders — Is there a link?

Background: Elongated styloid processes may display clinical signs that can easily be confused with symptoms associated with temporomandibular disorders (TMD). Thus, the present study aimed to investigate alterations of the styloid process in patients with TMD. Methods: Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) X-ray images of 192 patients with RDC/TMD diagnoses were examined retrospectively. On each side, the styloid process and mandibular ramus were evaluated regarding length as well as sagittal angulation. Data were statistically analyzed using two-way ANOVA, Pearson's r and Kruskal-Wallis test. In order to confirm the accuracy of the obtained X-ray measurements, the available cone-beam-computed tomographies (CBCT) of the subjects were also examined as reference standard and compared with the X-ray TMJ data by using Bland-Altman analysis. Results: In a group of TMD patients we assessed a mean styloid length of 40.8 mm over both genders. In female subjects the means of length and angulation of the styloid process were 40.4 mm and 54.9 degrees, male subjects showed means of 42.1 mm and 63.4 degrees. The mean height of the mandibular ramus in males was significantly higher than the same measurement in females (66.8 mm vs 59.7 mm). Styloid length in relation to ramus height (relative styloid length) was significantly larger in females. No significant correlations between RDC/TMD diagnoses and process length as well as process angle were found. A Bland-Altman analysis revealed conformity of CBCT and digital X-ray results. Conclusion: The mean styloid length measured in a group of TMD patients is referred to as elongated, whereas females showed longer styloid in relation to body height. However, it appears that alterations of the styloid are not related to TMD diagnoses. (C) 2018 Elsevier GmbH. All rights reserved

Diagnostic value of routine dental radiographs for predicting the mandibular canal localization validated by cone‐beam computed tomogram measurements

Abstract Objectives To test the hypothesis that routine dental radiographs can be used to draw conclusions regarding the mandibular canal (MC) localization. Material and Methods A total of 108 radiographs (36 orthopantomograms [OPTs], 36 lateral cephalograms [LCs], and 36 cone‐beam computed tomograms [CBCTs]) of 36 patients were analyzed. Statistical analysis included all cephalometric parameters obtained by OPTs, LCs, and CBCTs. Potential influencing parameters were calculated using linear and logistic regression with a backward removal algorithm. For predictability of MC localization, parameters were correlated using Pearson's correlation. Results The MC ran along the lingual half (n = 24) twice as often as in the buccal half (n = 12) in the population studied. The position was always symmetrical contralaterally. No sex‐specific influence was observed (p = .34). Lingual and buccal MC courses were statistically significantly correlated to increased and decreased jaw angles (LC/OPT), respectively (p = .003; r = −.48/p = .010; r = −.42). An increased jaw angle was significantly correlated with a more cranial MC position (p = .013; r = −.41); a deep and distal bite position was significantly correlated with a caudal and buccal MC position (p = .004; r = −.47/p = .001; r = .57). Moreover, an increase of 1 point in the Hasund score predicted an increased probability of a buccal MC position by 18.6%. The jaw angle analyzed in OPT and LC images were positively correlated (r = .89, p < .001). Conclusions Routine dental radiographs provide informative guidance on the location of the MC in the vertical and transverse levels. This finding could be used in the initial consultation and treatment planning to consider more invasive diagnostic methods further down the line

How to register static occlusion – Correlation of contemporary techniques

http://dx.doi.org/10.13039/501100003385 Georg-August-Universität GöttingenOpen-Access-Publikationsfonds 202