Salivary microRNA miR-let-7a-5p and miR-3928 could be used as potential diagnostic bio-markers for head and neck squamous cell carcinoma

Backgrounds MicroRNAs (miRNA) are a class of non-protein-coding RNAs that have significant biological and pathological functions. The importance of miRNAs as potential cancer diagnostic biomarkers is gaining attention due to their influence in the regulation of cellular processes such as cell differentiation, proliferation and apoptosis. The aim of this study was to identify significant miRNAs from saliva as potential diagnostic biomarkers in the early diagnosis and prognosis of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). Materials and methods Five differentially expressed miRNAs (miR-7703, miR- let-7a-5p, miR- 345-5p, miR- 3928 and miR- 1470) were selected from Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) miRNA data generated from our previous study using saliva of 12 HNSCC patients and 12 healthy controls. Their differential expressed miRNAs were subsequently validated by RT-qPCR using saliva samples from healthy controls (n = 80) and HNSCC patients (n = 150). Total RNA was isolated from 150 saliva samples of HNSCC patients and was transcripted into cDNA by TaqMan MicroRNA Reverse Transcription Kit. Using quantitative RT-PCR analysis, salivary miRNAs were identified in HNSCC patients (n = 150) and healthy controlled cases (n = 80). T-tests were used to compare the differences among the various clinical variants. Results On average 160 ng/μl was isolated from 500 μl of saliva. Overall, a good correlation observed between the HNSCC and some of miRNAs expression levels. Salivary miR-let-7a-5p (P<0.0001) and miR-3928 (P< 0.01) were significantly down regulated in saliva of HNSCC patients relative to age and sex-matched healthy controls. A number of salivary miRNAs (miR-let-7a-5p and miR-3928) were correlated with lymph node metastasis (p = 0.003, p = 0.049) and tumour size (p = 0.01, p = 0.02), respectively. However, our preliminary analysis showed no significant differences in salivary miR-1470, miR-345-5p or miR-7703 expression between patients and healthy controls. Most notably, our analysis showed that salivary miR-let-7a-5p and miR-3928 expression levels have significant sensitivity and specificity to distinguish between patients with HNSCC and healthy controls. Conclusion This study concluded that salivary miR-let-7a-5p and miR-3928 has the potential to be novel non-invasive biomarkers for early detection and prognosis of HNSCC

The Evolution, Application and Ethical Considerations of Body-Oriented Psychotherapy

This capstone will address the evolution, application, and ethical considerations of body-oriented psychotherapy. A historical overview of the mind-body connection indicates an evolution from the segregation denoted by Descartes dualistic perspective to one of integration due to advancements in the field of neuroscience and trauma therapy. Research from neuroscience indicates that trauma causes physiological and biochemical effects on the body that create a shift in a client's nervous system state, in turn impacting their perception as well as behaviour (and vice versa). The nervous system is wired to respond to threat and fear in predictable and hierarchical ways. Thus, when a clients trauma symptoms and behaviours are viewed from a neurobiological lens, the usage of pathologizing labels diminishes and the focus in therapy becomes finding ways to bring the bodies nervous system back into balance. This capstone will provide research as well as clinical application for two body-oriented approaches that aim to renegotiate this balance: the Polyvagal Theory and Somatic Experiencing (SE). This capstone will also disseminate the ethical implications and considerations surrounding the utilization of touch as a body-orientated intervention

Botulinum toxin in the management of temporomandibular disorders: a systematic review

The aim of this review was to critically investigate and assess the evidence relating to the use and efficacy of botulinum toxin (BTX) in the management of temporomandibular joint disorders (TMD) and masticatory myofascial pain. A comprehensive search was conducted of PubMed, Scopus, Embase, and Cochrane CENTRAL, to find relevant studies from the last 30 years up to the end of July 2018. Seven were identified. Three showed a significant reduction in pain between the BTX and placebo groups and one showed a clinical, but not a significant, difference. In one that compared BTX with another novel treatment, myofascial pain reduced equally in both groups, and in the remaining two there was no significant difference in pain reduction between the BTX and control groups. Of the four studies that assessed mouth opening, two reported that BTX had resulted in a slight improvement; one reported no improvement, and the other a worsening of the condition. A meta-analysis was not possible because of the considerable variation in the studies’ designs, the heterogeneity between the groups, and the different assessment tools used. Despite showing benefits, consensus on the therapeutic benefit of BTX in the management of myofascial TMD is lacking. Further randomised controlled trials with larger sample sizes, minimal bias, and longer follow-up periods are now needed.No Full Tex

Penetrating injuries to the orbit despite safety equipment

Copyright © 2009 The British Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons Published by Elsevier Ltd.Penetrating injuries to the orbit are uncommon but may have catastrophic consequences ranging from blindness, cerebral damage to death. Apparently similar injuries but with a slight difference in the anatomic pathway may have minimal morbidity. Prevention by the use of full safety equipment is recommended. This case report shows that full safety equipment may not prevent injuryAhmed Al Hashmia, Andrew Chenga, Dimitrios Nikolarakosa and Alastair Gosshttp://www.elsevier.com/wps/find/journaldescription.cws_home/623007/description#descriptio