The effects of protein malnutrition, both in utero and prior to weaning, on formation of the first mandibular molars were evaluated by phase-contrast and electron microscopy in rats. The nourished group (GI) received a diet that included 20% casein, while the malnourished group (GII) received 5% casein. The first mandibular molars from GII exhibited low density of cells and odontoblasts, which lacked regular organization compared with molars from GI. In addition, a difference in collagen type was observed between the groups, with a prevalence of Type III collagen fibers detected in the dentin, periodontal ligament, and alveolar bone of GII, and a prevalence of Type I collagen fibers in GI. Finally, examination of surface area in molar sagittal sections indicated 30% less dentin in GII, compared with GI. Our results suggest that structural and ultra-structural features of the dentin-pulp complex and periodontal components of rat molars are affected by protein deficiency.

ObjectivesOral squamous cell carcinoma is associated with alterations in basement membrane. Laminin-332 is present in basal lamina and performs multiple biologic effects by γ2 chain. Matrix metalloproteinase acts disrupting extracellular components and was related to poor prognosis in cancer. Here, molecular profile of laminin-332 γ2 chain and matrix metalloproteinase-9 was assessed in oral lesions.Material and MethodsThe expression of laminin-332 γ2 chain and matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) was examined by immunohistochemistry in 10 patients with high risk of malignant transformation oral lesions and 26 cases of oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). Associations between microscopic and clinicopathologic features were established.ResultsImmunostaining of laminin-332 γ2 chain in high risk oral lesions was most detected in basement membrane which is continuous, while the majority of OSCC cases showed a discontinuous membrane (P = 0.001). It was observed a positive reaction for γ2 chain in invasive fronts and a higher expression in epithelial compartment of smoking patients with OSCC (P < 0.0001). In epithelium, MMP-9 expression was presented in all layers with no difference between lesions. However, an elevated immunostaining in stromal cells was associated with male patients (P = 0.0054), older than 60 years (P = 0.0101) and with OSCC.ConclusionsPresent study results support the hypothesis of changes in molecules expression in high risk oral lesions and oral squamous cell carcinoma. A relation between clinical and molecule profile was observed. Those molecules may represent a useful tool to predict oral cancer behaviour.

An association between clinical, diet profile, and microscopic features in colorectal lesions was observed, with a progressive change in the microenvironment during adenoma-CRC sequence.

ABSTRACT:Oral lichen planus (OLP) is the most common noninfectious oral disease and is considered a potentially malignant disorders (OPMDs). The etiology and pathogenesis of OLP are not completely understood and the malignant transformation remains under discussion. The aim was to asses the cytological and histological features of OLP, and establish relationship between clinical and microscopic profiles. A total of 10 patients diagnosed with OLP were investigated. Slides were prepared and stained with Hematoxylin-Eosin to identify 8 histological features and 8 cytological alterations. Finally, oral epithelial dysplasia degree was determined. Hyperplasia and loss of polarity of basal cells were detected in 90 % of cases. Anisonucleosis, nuclear pleomorphism and hyperchromasia affected 100 % of the sample. Six cases were classified as mild-grade OED, with no cases of severe-grade. Microscopic alterations were higher in women (P <0.0001) and moderategrade OED was diagnosed only in this group (P <0.0014). The findings demonstrated that microscopic and clinical data association should be analyzed to a better understand of disease behavior. OED was absence only in one case, so the periodic follow-up of patients diagnosed with OLP is mandatory to avoid the malignant transformation.KEY WORDS: oral epithelial dysplasia, oral lichen planus, potentially malignant disorders.

Conventional methods of thyroid diagnosis, such as scintigraphy, differentiate between hot and cold areas, but within cold areas no distinction between malignant and benign changes is possible. Angiodynography provides a new method which gives the usual sonographic information and also indicated variations in blood-flow in the organ. Various diagnostic methods--thyroid scintigraphy, conventional sonography, fine-needle biopsy and angiodynography--have been compared in patients with focal thyroid disease. It has been shown that it is possible to differentiate between malignant and benign lesions on the basis of their vascularisation.

No abstract

Objective Type-I collagen (Col-I) is one of the main macromolecules of the extracellular matrix, and it is involved in the desmoplastic stromal reaction, an indicator of worse prognosis in cases of colorectal cancer (CRC). The purpose of the present study was to investigate Col-I expression in cases of CRC and adenoma and to correlate with the clinical data and the data regarding the lifestyle of the patients. Methods A retrospective study including 22 patients with adenoma and 15 with CRC treated at a coloproctology service. The clinical and lifestyle data were obtained through medical records, and Col-I expression was investigated by immunohistochemistry. Results Women represented most cases of adenoma (63.64%), whereas CRC was found mainly in men (73.33%) (p = 0.0448). Immunoexpression of Col-I showed a basement membrane thickening in areas of lining of epithelium and around the glands in both lesions. The cases of CRC had a quite evident fibrosis process in the stroma. The quantitative analysis demonstrated a higher protein expression in CRCs compared to adenomas (p = 0.0109), as well as in female patients (p = 0.0214), patients aged ≥ 50 years (p = 0.0400), and in those with a positive family history of colorectal disease (p = 0.0292). These results suggested a remodeling of the microenvironment of the tumor in CRC carcinogenesis. Importantly, the clinicopathologic positive correlations showed a plausible link between the patient's profile and the immunohistochemical findings, which indicate a possible form of patient stratification. Conclusion The immunohistochemical analysis encourages the performance of more comprehensive studies to ascertain if our results could be a tool for the diagnosis and monitoring of the patients.

No abstract