The incidence of and mortality from squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of the tongue have increased during the recent decades in the Western world. Much effort has been made to predict tumour behaviour, but we still lack specific prognostic indicators. The aim of our study was to evaluate the relative importance of the known demographic, clinical and histological factors in a homogeneous population-based group of patients with SCC of the mobile tongue. The demographic and clinical factors were reviewed retrospectively from primary and tertiary care patient files. Histological prognostic factors were determined from pre-treatment biopsies. The TNM stage was found to be the most important prognostic factor. In particular, local spread outside the tongue rather than spread to regional lymph nodes was related to poor prognosis. Several demographic and histopathological factors were closely related to TNM stage. When the cases were divided into stage I–II carcinomas and stage III–IV carcinomas, it appeared that the patient’s older age (> 65 years), a high malignancy score and an absence of overexpressed p53 protein were associated with a poorer prognosis in stage I–II carcinomas. Such cases may require more aggressive treatment. Among patients with stage III–IV carcinomas, heavy use of alcohol was significantly associated with a poor disease-specific survival time. © 2000 Cancer Research Campaign

Human salivary carbonic anhydrase (HCA VI) was purified by inhibitor affinity chromatography and its location in the human parotid and submandibular glands identified, using a polyclonal antiserum raised against the purified enzyme in rabbits in conjunction with the peroxidase-antiperoxidase complex method. The antibodies raised against the purified enzyme in rabbits did not crossreact with the HCA II or I. However, they slightly recognized human IgA; the antiserum was therefore absorbed with human IgA before immunohistochemical use. HCA VI-specific staining was detected in the cytoplasm and particularly in the secretory granules of the serous acinar cells of both parotid and submandibular glands, the staining of the secretory granules being most distinct in paraformaldehyde-fixed tissues. Some epithelial cells and the luminal content of the striated ducts also gave a specific HCA VI staining. Staining specific for HCA II was also found in the granules of the serous acinar cells, particularly in the submandibular gland when Carnoy fluid fixation was used. Slight HCA II-specific staining was also detected in the striated ductal cells in the Carnoy fluid-fixed specimens. No staining specific for HCA I was detected. The results indicate that the serous acinar cells in human parotid and submandibular glands contain abundant HCA II and HCA VI. Interestingly, only HCA VI is secreted into the saliva, although both enzymes appear to be located in structures resembling the secretory granules in the acinar cells. The enzymes probably form a mutually complementary system regulating the salivary buffer capacity.

Paranasal sinus osteomas are benign tumours, occasionally known to cause complications. They have a tendency to grow slowly, but the growth rate has never been evaluated previously. We retrospectively studied 44 patients with paranasal sinus osteomas. In 13 out of the 23 patients who underwent at least two sinus radiographs at different times some growth was seen. The mean growth rate of these 13 osteomas was 1.61 mm/yr, range 0.44 to 6.0 mm/yr. The endoscopic technique is a good method for the removal of osteomas and obliteration of the frontal sinus does not seem to be necessary. Two patients having osteomas with intracranial expansion are described.

Precisely size‐selected protonated water clusters H+(H2O)n (n=20–200) were studied by IR spectroscopy to provide insights into the structures of large‐scale H‐bonded water networks. The spectral features reveal that cluster structures gradually approach that of the bulk‐water network and involve a greater number of four‐coordinate water molecules with increasing cluster size (see picture).

No abstract