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

Prosthetic Management of Flap-Related Complications Following Glossectomy in Locally Advanced Tongue Cancer

Total glossectomy defects resulting from postoncologic resection are commonly reconstructed with locoregional or free flaps. However, effectively managing complications that may arise after reconstruction can be a significant challenge. We present a unique case series describing prosthetic management of flap-related complications following glossectomy in patients treated for locally advanced tongue cancer. Three patients underwent total glossectomy, neck dissection, reconstruction using free flap, and tracheostomy. Two patients developed an intraoral fistula located in the anterior region of the floor of the mouth. The third patient developed a flap failure requiring a second procedure using a pectoralis major myocutaneous flap for correction of the orocutaneous fistula that ultimately did not heal. Mandibular obturator prostheses lined with a soft liner were fabricated for all the patients, which helped reduce salivary incontinence and improve swallowing and speech. This case series highlights that a collaborative interdisciplinary team approach is crucial for optimizing postoperative function and outcomes when managing complications from reconstructive procedures

Quantitative evaluation of apical extrusion of intracanal bacteria using rotary ProTaper, K3XF, twisted and hand K-file system: An ex vivo study

Aims: The aim of this study was to evaluate the number of intracanal bacteria extruded apically during root canal preparation using rotary ProTaper, K3XF, twisted, and hand K-file system. Subjects and Methods: Seventy extracted single-rooted human mandibular premolar teeth were used. Access cavities were prepared and the teeth were mounted in glass vials. Root canals were then contaminated with a pure culture of Enterococcus faecalis (ATCC 29212) and incubated at 37°C for 24 h. The contaminated roots were divided into four experimental groups of 15 teeth each and one control group of 10 teeth. Group 1: ProTaper; Group 2: K3XF; Group 3: Twisted file; Group 4: Hand K-file; Group 5: Control group. Bacteria extruded from the apical foramen during instrumentation were collected into vials. The microbiological samples were incubated in culture media for 24 h. Colonies of bacteria were counted and the results were given as number of colony-forming units (CFU)/ml. Statistical Analysis Used: The obtained data were analyzed using the Kruskal–Wallis one-way analysis of variance and Mann–Whitney U-tests. Results: There was a significant difference between the rotary and hand instrumentation system related to the apically extruded intracanal bacteria. Conclusions: Both the rotary and hand instrumentation systems extruded intracanal bacteria through the apical foramen. K3XF file system showed least bacterial extrusion amongst all instrumentation groups

Rare Late Mandibular Metastasis in Follicular Variant of Papillary Carcinoma Thyroid: ‘Resurgence of the Sleeping Tumour’

Cancer of the thyroid gland is the most common endocrine malignancy constituting for less than 1% of all reported human cancers 1. The propensity of occurrence of thyroid carcinomas is two to four times more in females as compared to males with a median age at diagnosis being 45–50 years [1,2]. Papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) is the most common histological type of thyroid cancer and accounts for more than 80 % of thyroid malignancies. Classical PTC (cPTC) is the most common (80%) sub-type of papillary thyroid carcinoma followed by follicular variant (FVPTC) which is found in 9–22.5% of patients [3].&nbsp;</p

Quest for Anti-SARS-CoV-2 antiviral therapeutics: in-silico and in-vitro analysis of edible mushroom- Cordyceps militaris

Background: The emergence and evolution of SARS-CoV-2 resulted a severe threat to public health globally. Due to the lack of an effective vaccine with durable immunity, the disease transited into the endemic phase, necessitating potent antiviral therapy including a scientific basis for current traditional herbal medicine. Objective: This study aimed to conduct a pharmacoinformatic analysis of selected chemical ingredients and in-vitro evaluation of Cordyceps militaris extract against SARS-CoV-2. Materials and methods: C. militaris, the widely used fungus in conventional herbal medicine, was subjected to computational investigation using molecular docking, molecular dynamic simulation and network pharmacology analysis followed by the in-vitro assay for evaluating its anti-SARS-CoV-2 potential. Results: The molecular docking analysis of C. militaris revealed the Cordycepin's highest affinity (−9.71 kcal/mol) than other molecules, i.e., Cicadapeptin-I, Cicadapeptin-II, Cordycerebroside-B, and N-Acetyl galactosamine to the receptor binding domain of the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein. C. militaris aqueous extract could reduce the SARS-CoV-2 viral copy numbers by 50.24% using crude extract at 100 μg/mL concentration. Conclusion: These findings suggest that C. militaris has promising anti-SARS-CoV-2 activity and may be explored as traditional medicine for managing the COVID-19 surge in the endemic phase