Focus on the cariogenic process: microbial and biochemical interactions with teeth and oral environment

This paper aims to describe the biochemical interactions between teeth and the oral environment that occur during the caries process, hence it covers all the steps related to physico-chemical reactions, including the most up-to-date theoretical basis in the clinical application for the prevention and treatment of caries. The terms 'demineralization' and 'remineralization' that characterise this process were analysed, as well as the role of the microbiota in its interaction with the hard surface of the teeth. The biochemical mechanisms that lead to the onset of carious lesions and those that occur during the healing and repair of such lesions are listed

MicroRNA-21 Expression as a Prognostic Biomarker in Oral Cancer: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Oral carcinoma represents one of the main carcinomas of the head and neck region, with a 5-year survival rate of less than 50%. Smoking and tobacco use are recognized risk factors. Prognostic survival biomarkers can be a valid tool for assessing a patient’s life expectancy and directing therapy towards specific targets. Among the biomarkers, the alteration of miR-21 expression in tumor tissues is increasingly reported as a valid prognostic biomarker of survival for oral cancer. The purpose of this meta-analysis was, therefore, to investigate and summarize the results in the literature concerning the potential prognostic expression of tissue miR-21 in patients with OSCC. Methods: The systematic review was conducted following the PRISMA guidelines using electronic databases, such as PubMed, Scopus, and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, with the use of combinations of keywords, such as miR-21 AND oral cancer, microRNA AND oral cancer, and miR-21. The meta-analysis was performed using the RevMan 5.41 software. Results: At the end of the article-selection process, 10 studies were included in the meta-analysis, and the result for the main outcome was a pooled HR per overall survival (OS) of 1.29 (1.16–1.44) between high and low expression of miR-21. Conclusions: The data in the literature and the results emerging from the systematic review indicate that miR-21 can provide a prognostic indication in oral cancer

Alteration of the perception of cold, heat and texture of food in association with taste dysfunction in COVID-19

COVID19 is characterized by alteration of smell and taste perception. It was investigated the presence of alteration for cold, heat, and food consistency perception in COVID-19 patients and the possible correlation with the most commonly used biomarkers in a routine way (CRP, IL-6, IL-1, PSP, PCT) to show if the local inflammatory process may induce alteration of cold, heat, and food consistency perception in COVID-19. From March 2020 to April 2021, a survey about taste and oral tactile/thermal sensitivity dysfunction was carried out on 1155 patients with mild or moderate COVID-19, while patients admitted to intensive care were excluded because they could not answer questions from health professionals. Positive RT-PCR confirmed all diagnoses. CRP, IL-6, IL-1, PSP, and PCT were detected for each patient. Taste and Smell Questionnaire Section of the US NHANES 2011−2014 protocol (CDC 2013b) was used for gustatory function assessment. The study was approved by the Ethics committee of AOU Policlinico Consorziale di Bari (No. 6388 COVID19 DOM-protocol number 0034687/12-05-2020), and written informed consent was obtained. A total of 208 patients referred only to alteration to taste (208/821). 75/208 ageusia, 71/208 ipoageusia, 21/208 fantageusia, 19/208 dysgeusia, 22/208 parageusia. Significant correlations between CRP, IL-6, IL-1, PSP, PCT levels and type of dysfunctions about the perception of heat, cold and food consistency have not been found (P>0.05). Loss of taste can be due to the action of inflammatory mediators on gustatory buds, while alteration of cold, heat and food consistency perception may be due to direct damage of filiform papillae, allowing virus binding through the spike protein to ACE2 receptors of filiform papillae cells

The Prognostic Role of miR-31 in Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis with Trial Sequential Analysis

Background: Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) is the sixth most common cancer worldwide with high recurrence, metastasis, and poor treatment outcome. Prognostic survival biomarkers can be a valid tool for assessing a patient’s life expectancy and directing therapy toward specific targets. Recent studies have reported microRNA (miR) might play a critical role in regulating different types of cancer. The main miR used as a diagnostic and prognostic biomarker and reported in the scientific literature for HNSCC is miR-21. Other miRs have been investigated to a lesser extent (miR-99a, miR-99b, miR-100, miR-143, miR-155, miR-7, miR-424, miR-183), but among these, the one that has attracted major interest is the miR-31. Methods: The systematic review was conducted following the PRISMA guidelines using electronic databases, such as PubMed, Scopus, and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, with the use of combinations of keywords, such as miR-31 AND HNSCC, microRNA AND HNSCC, and miR-31. The meta-analysis was performed using the RevMan 5.41 software (Cochrane Collaboration, Copenhagen, Denmark). Results: This search produced 721 records, which, after the elimination of duplicates and the application of the inclusion and exclusion criteria, led to 4 articles. The meta-analysis was conducted by applying fixed-effects models, given the low rate of heterogeneity (I2 = 40%). The results of the meta-analysis report an aggregate hazard ratio (HR) for the overall survival (OS), between the highest and lowest miR-31 expression, of 1.59, with the relative intervals of confidence (1.22 2.07). Heterogeneity was evaluated through Chi2 = 5.04 df = 3 (p = 0.17) and the Higgins index I2 = 40; testing for the overall effect was Z = 3.44 (p = 0.00006). The forest plot shows us a worsening HR value of OS, in relation to the elevated expression of miR-31. Conclusions: In conclusion, the data resulting from the current meta-analysis suggest that miR-31 is associated with the prognosis of patients with HNSCC and that elevated miR-31 expression could predict a poor prognosis in patients with this type of neoplasm

Biological Prognostic Value of miR-155 for Survival Outcome in Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinomas: Systematic Review, Meta-Analysis and Trial Sequential Analysis

Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) is one of the most common cancers worldwide; in fact, it is among the top six neoplasms, with an incidence of about 370,000 new cases per year. The 5-year survival rate, despite chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and surgery for stages 3 and 4 of the disease, is low. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are a large group of small single-stranded non-coding endogenous RNAs, approximately 18–25 nucleotides in length, that play a significant role in the post-transcriptional regulation of genes. Recent studies investigated the tissue expression of miR-155 as a prognostic biomarker of survival in HNSCC. The purpose of this systematic review is, therefore, to investigate and summarize the current findings in the literature concerning the potential prognostic expression of tissue miR-155 in patients with HNSCC. The revision was performed according to PRISMA indications: three databases (PubMed, Scopus, and the Cochrane Register) were consulted through the use of keywords relevant to the revision topic. Totally, eight studies were included and meta-analyzed. The main results report for the aggregate HR values of 1.40 for OS, 1.36 for DFS, and 1.09 for DPS. Finally, a trial sequencing analysis was also conducted to test the robustness of the proposed meta-analysis

Dental-derived stem cells and biowaste biomaterials: What’s next in bone regenerative medicine applications

The human teeth and oral cavity harbor various populations of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), so called dental-derived stem cells (D-dSCs) with self-renewing and multilineage differentiation capabilities. D-dSCs properties involves a strong paracrine component resulting from the high levels of bioactive molecules they secrete in response to the local microenvironment. Altogether, this viewpoint develops a general picture of current innovative strategies to employ D-dSCs combined with biomaterials and bioactive factors for regenerative medicine purposes, and offers information regarding the available scientific data and possible applications

Fluorescence‐based bowel anastomosis perfusion evaluation: results from the IHU‐IRCAD‐EAES EURO‐FIGS registry

Background: Anastomotic leakage (AL) is one of the dreaded complications following surgery in the digestive tract. Near-infrared fluorescence (NIRF) imaging is a means to intraoperatively visualize anastomotic perfusion, facilitating fluorescence image-guided surgery (FIGS) with the purpose to reduce the incidence of AL. The aim of this study was to analyze the current practices and results of NIRF imaging of the anastomosis in digestive tract surgery through the EURO-FIGS registry. Methods: Analysis of data prospectively collected by the registry members provided patient and procedural data along with the ICG dose, timing, and consequences of NIRF imaging. Among the included upper-GI, colorectal, and bariatric surgeries, subgroup analysis was performed to identify risk factors associated with complications. Results: A total of 1240 patients were included in the study. The included patients, 74.8% of whom were operated on for cancer, originated from 8 European countries and 30 hospitals. A total of 54 surgeons performed the procedures. In 83.8% of cases, a pre-anastomotic ICG dose was administered, and in 60.1% of cases, a post-anastomotic ICG dose was administered. A significant difference (p < 0.001) was found in the ICG dose given in the four pathology groups registered (range: 0.013–0.89 mg/kg) and a significant (p < 0.001) negative correlation was found between the ICG dose and BMI. In 27.3% of the procedures, the choice of the anastomotic level was guided by means of NIRF imaging which means that in these cases NIRF imaging changed the level of anastomosis which was first decided based on visual findings in conventional white light imaging. In 98.7% of the procedures, the use of ICG partly or strongly provided a sense of confidence about the anastomosis. A total of 133 complications occurred, without any statistical significance in the incidence of complications in the anastomoses, whether they were ICG-guided or not. Conclusion: The EURO-FIGS registry provides an insight into the current clinical practice across Europe with respect to NIRF imaging of anastomotic perfusion during digestive tract surgery

La Patologia Maligna del Retto e dell' Ano

Cancro del retto: Prevenzione, diagnosi e cura. Tumore Cloacale Tumori dell' ano: Variet\ue0 anatomo-patologiche e trattamenti multimodal