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Background: Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinomas (HNSCCs) are heterogeneous malignancies that comprise 90% of the head and neck cancers. HNSCCs originate from the mucosal lining epithelium of the upper aerodigestive tract. Cancer stem cells (CSCs) that generate HNSCCs with the CD44, CD133, and ALDH phenotype and are resistant to radiotherapy and chemotherapy. In the current, the quantitative alteration in CD44 and CD133 expression pre- and post-tumor resection and radiotherapy was evaluated in HNSCC patients. Moreover, the alterations in the expression of Bax, Bak, Bcl-2, ALDH, and PTEN genes were measured. Materials and Methods: Flow cytometry was performed to evaluate the alterations in CD44 and CD133 surface markers pre- and posttumor resection and radiotherapy. Quantitative real-time RT-PCR (qRT-PCR) was conducted to investigate the mRNA expression levels of Bax, Bak, Bcl-2, ALDH, and PTEN. Results: The results indicated that the cancer stem cell CD44 surface marker significantly decreased after tumor resection and radiotherapy in HNSCC cases, while the decrease was insignificant for CD133 marker expression. mRNA expression level of Bcl-2 and ALDH was increased, but Bax and Bak gene expressions were reduced significantly Conclusion: The results also indicated that the expression of CD44 significantly decreased after tumor resection and radiotherapy. The upregulation of mRNA level of Bcl-2 and ALDH, and the downregulation of Bax and Bak gene expression were noted in these cases when compared to the healthy control group. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The prevalence of oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) has increased in the last 2 decades. For the treatment of this disease, various herbal anticancer agents have been introduced. In this study, for the first time, we analyzed the apoptotic and cytotoxic effects of herbal plants, including Anacyclus pyrethrum, Terminalia Chebula, and Brassica nigra, in KB cancer cell lines. For analyzing the cytotoxic effects of ethanol extracts, MTT reduction assay was performed in the KB cells. Moreover, the apoptosis-inducing effect of plants on KB cells was assessed using TUNEL and DNA fragmentation assays. The results showed that Anacyclus pyrethrum and Terminalia Chebula extracts significantly inhibited cell viability. TUNEL and DNA fragmentation assays showed that the main mechanism of cell death was apoptosis induction by Anacyclus pyrethrum and Terminalia Chebula extracts. Our results suggest that these ethanol extracts may contain bioactive constituents, which can be helpful in OSCC treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Aim. Some complications, including infection, may occur following the surgeries of impacted teeth. In order to reduce the risk of infection, it is necessary to evaluate the risk factors of infection after third molar surgeries. Although research has been published in this area, the risk factors and causes of infection are still unclear. This study aimed to investigate infection incidence and effective factors in hard tissue impacted mandibular third molar surgeries in the Iranian population. Materials and Methods. This cross-sectional study was performed on 148 patients. The incidence of infection was recorded one week, two weeks, and one month after surgery. Independent variables included age, gender, the presence of periapical radiolucent lesions measuring ≥3 mm, the caries of the adjacent second molar, education level of the surgeon, difficulty index, suture type, and flap type. The outcome variable was the incidence of infection. Results. Among the study subjects, 37.2% were male and 62.8% were female. The mean age was 25.24 ± 4.31 years at the time of surgery. Although early onset infection occurred in 3.4% of patients, none of them developed a delayed-onset infection during the four weeks after surgery. Pederson difficulty index (OR = 3.81, P = 0.03) and the education level of the surgeon (OR = 0.14, P = 0.021) were associated with postop infection. Conclusions. Based on the results of the current study, postop infection was rare. Furthermore, both the Pederson difficulty index and the education level of the surgeon could predict the risk of infection after impacted mandibular third molar surgeries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Head and neck cancers are highly prevalent worldwide. Most of these lesions are diagnosed in the advanced stages of the disease. Thus, they do not often have a good long-term prognosis. Like other cancer types, head and neck cancers are managed by surgery, radiotherapy, and chemotherapy. Despite significant advances in the treatment of oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC), physicians encounter several challenges in the course of treatment. Various mechanisms mediate the clinical responses of a certain cancer to medications. Thus, efficient treatment planning requires adequate knowledge about the genes involved in drug resistance and the evaluation of the frequency percentage of resistance. Several studies have evaluated the causes and frequency percentages of 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) and cisplatin resistance. In this systematic review, all the relevant articles published until November 30, 2019, were retrieved from the Scopus, Embase, Medline, ISI, Web of Science, and Cochrane databases using certain MeSH and EMTTree keywords. A total of 2164 articles were retrieved of which, 18 were included in the review since they had reported the frequency percentages of drug resistance. Of all, 10 articles had evaluated cisplatin (1317 samples). A meta-analysis of the results revealed a frequency of 33% for cisplatin resistance. Eight studies had evaluated 5-FU (476 samples). A meta-analysis of the results revealed a frequency of 40.2 % for 5-FU resistance. Overcoming cisplatin resistance or 5-FU resistance can significantly enhance recovery in advanced HNSCC. Attempts should be made to eliminate the cause and use multi-drug regimens to increase the success rate of treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Schwannoma is a rare benign neural neoplasm derived from Schwann cells of the peripheral nerve sheath. Schwannoma accounts for 25% to 48% of all neoplasm cases in the head and neck region. Oral Schwannoma is an uncommon soft tissue tumor comprising of 1% of all Schwannomas. Tongue is the most common location for oral schwannoma. Occurrence of gingival schwannoma is very rare and less than 10 cases have been reported until now. Oral Schwannoma occurs in the mean age of 43 years. In this report, we present a unique case of Schwannoma in a 12-year-old male child with an enlarged semi-firm nodule on the labial surface of his right mandiular gingiva canine tooth which was provisionally diagnosed as pyogenic granuloma. However, the histopathologic and immunohistochemical evaluation confirmed it as Schwannoma. After the surgery, the patient was kept under regular follow-up and there has been no evidence of recurrence during the last 15 months. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background. The present study was undertaken to compare the Hounsfield Unit (HU) in computed tomography (CT) with the gray level in CBCT in human tissues. Methods. In this study, 25 different soft and hard tissues were evaluated in 21 patients. CBCT images were taken with Newtom VGi machine (Verona, Italy) and CT images were prepared with Somatom Sensation unit (Siemens, Germany). The HU values of soft and hard tissues were compared with the gray level values of CBCT images. Results. There was a strong correlation between the HU in CT and the gray level in CBCT in soft tissues (P<0.001, R2=0.85) and hard tissues (P<0.001, R2=0.74) and in general (P<0.001, R2=0.91). Conclusion. A high degree of agreement was seen between HU in CT and gray level in CBCT in both hard and soft tissues. Since the gray level in CBCT was similar to HU in CT and can be used as a parameter determine bone density in implant treatment and also to determine the bone type, the CBCT technique is recommended in such cases due to its low radiation dose, short time and low cost compared to CT. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background. More than 90% of oral cancers are cases of squamous cell carcinoma. Standard treatment of cancer includes a combination of surgery, chemotherapy and radiotherapy. Each of these treatments, however, brings about certain problems and side effects. Today herbal medicines have become a more preferable option in dealing with health problems or preventing them because they have better compatibility with the body and do not cause undesirable side effects. In this study, the effect of Ferula persica plant methanol extract on Cox-2 levels in SCC induced in rat tongue was evaluated in vivo. Methods. In this experimental study, 75 rats from SD race in the age range of 2.5-3 months were selected and assigned to five groups. In order to induce tongue carcinoma, 4-nitroquinoline 1-oxide (4NQO) powder was used 3 times a week for each rat. Furthermore, Ferula persica extract was given to each group in order to examine Cox-2 changes in the blood. Results. There were significant differences between the Cox-2 levels in the groups receiving the carcinogen only and the other groups. In this group, Cox-2 level was low and in the group receiving Ferula extract (500 mg) along with carcinogen, Cox-2 level was found to be higher than other groups. Conclusion. Ferula persica extract did not decrease serum Cox-2 levels. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: This study was carried out to investigate whether the changes in hematologic characteristic and color of pulpal bleeding is associated with clinical and histologic status of the pulp in primary teeth. Materials and methods: A total of 211 primary molars in 103 patients, 3-6 years old, were treated. One hundred eight teeth had pulpectomy, 57 teeth had pulpotomy after pulp exposure during caries excavation, and 46 teeth had pulpotomy after accidental pulp exposure in sound dentin. After pulpal exposure, pulpal blood was collected in capillary tubes for blood color and hematologic assessment. Coronal and radicular pulp tissues were amputated for histologic assessment. Results: Blood color was significantly darker in pulpectomy cases and samples with severe inflammation. The differences were clinically perceptible by the human eye. A significant negative correlation was detected between white blood cell (WBC) count and blood color. The counts of neutrophils and lymphocytes were significantly different between treatment groups. In addition, WBC, eosinophil, monocyte, neutrophil, and basophils counts were significantly different between degrees of inflammation in coronal pulp. Moreover, severe inflammation was higher in pulpectomy group versus pulpotomy groups. Pulp tissue calcification was also significantly higher in the pulpectomy cases. Conclusions: Considering the significant difference in pulpal blood color between the pulpectomy and pulpotomy cases, and between the different levels of pulpal inflammation; blood color can be a valid clinical diagnostic criterion of pulpal status and can be used for the selection of appropriate pulp treatment strategy. Clinical relevance: This study shows that pulp bleeding color can be used for selection of an appropriate pulp treatment method in primary teeth. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and aims. Head and neck tumors are the most common complaints of people referring to different medical sections, especially in children. The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of these tumors in children less than 12 years of age to provide a better perspective for future studies. Materials and methods. All the files in Department of Pathology at Tabriz Pediatric Hospital from 2001 to 2011 were screened for head and neck tumors in children under 12 years of age. Data including age and gender as well as the type, the location, and benign/malignant characteristic of the tumor were recorded. Data were analyzed by SPSS 15 statistical software, using descriptive statistics and chi-square test. Results. A total of 160 cases were identified. Most of the tumors were benign (68%) and most of the tumors occurred in the neck region (41%). The most frequent benign and malignant tumors were lymphangioma and non-Hodgkin lymphoma, respectively. The majority of benign tumors were found in children younger than 2 years old (P=0.007), but there was no age predilection for malignant tumors. Conclusion. According to our results, benign tumors were more prevalent than malignant ones. Although a low rate of benign tumors in males shows that more attention should be paid to the early diagnosis of head and neck tumors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: The rapid development in computer technology and the wide availability of personal computers together with the Internet, email, and various medical literature retrieval applications have changed both the study and the practice environments in dentistry, as they have in other fields. Electronic learning allows students to work at their own time and pace. In the field of pathology, this is even more important because by traditional methods, the review of lessons is only possible in labs and with presence of microscopes. This study aimed at evaluating the efficacy of a new educational technique in the field of practical pathology in dentistry. Methods: In this quasi experimental, combined with retrospective and prospective study, 82 dentistry students were recruited from Tabriz Faculty of Dentistry. The final scores of the 41 students whose course was based on a traditional method (Traditional Group) in the field of practical pathology were recorded. In the other group, however, a software containing multimedia information with the slides related to pathologic samples was provided along with the traditional educational method and the scores were recorded (New Group). Results: The mean score of practical pathology was 16.23±3.36 (range 8-20) in the new group and it was 15.22±3.52 (range 5-20) in the traditional group. Accordingly, the mean scores of the students in the new group were higher than the traditional group; however, this difference was not statistically significant (P=0.19). Conclusions: The scores of the practical pathology in dentistry may be enhanced if the traditional method is conducted along with supplementary multimedia software. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and aims. The correlation between morphology of giant cells in peripheral granulomas of the jaws and the aggressive behavior of the lesion is unknown. This study investigated the correlation between the histopathologic features with demographic, gross and radiographic findings in giant cell granulomas. Materials and methods. In this analytical study, data from 23 cases of central giant cell granuloma (CGCG) and 42 cases of peripheral giant cell granuloma (PGCG) were analyzed, focusing on age, gender, location, and gross and radiographic features. For each patient, microscopic slides were assessed in terms of histologic features of giant cells and stroma. Results. No significant differences were found in the mean number of nuclei or the size of nuclei and giant cell distribution patterns between the jaws and genders in both lesions (P > 0.05). Correlation between the mean number of nuclei and age was positively significant and correlation between the size of nuclei and age was negatively significant (P < 0.05). In addition, correlation between the mean number and size of nuclei and the size of the lesion was significant (P < 0.05). Correlation between stroma and aggressiveness of CGCGs was not statistically significant. Correlation between histopathologic features and radiographic findings was not statistically significant (P > 0.05). Conclusion. There were correlations between the mean number of nuclei per giant cell and the size of the lesion and age, and between the size of nuclei and size of the lesion. No relation was observed between histopathologic and radiographic features. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and aims. The correlation between morphology of giant cells in peripheral granulomas of the jaws and the aggressive behavior of the lesion is unknown. This study investigated the correlation between the histopathologic features with demographic, gross and radiographic findings in giant cell granulomas. Materials and methods. In this analytical study, data from 23 cases of central giant cell granuloma (CGCG) and 42 cases of peripheral giant cell granuloma (PGCG) were analyzed, focusing on age, gender, location, and gross and radiographic features. For each patient, microscopic slides were assessed in terms of histologic features of giant cells and stroma. Results. No significant differences were found in the mean number of nuclei or the size of nuclei and giant cell distribution patterns between the jaws and genders in both lesions (P > 0.05). Correlation between the mean number of nuclei and age was positively significant and correlation between the size of nuclei and age was negatively significant (P < 0.05). In addition, correlation between the mean number and size of nuclei and the size of the lesion was significant (P < 0.05). Correlation between stroma and aggressiveness of CGCGs was not statistically significant. Correlation between histopathologic features and radiographic findings was not statistically significant (P > 0.05). Conclusion. There were correlations between the mean number of nuclei per giant cell and the size of the lesion and age, and between the size of nuclei and size of the lesion. No relation was observed between histopathologic and radiographic features. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The inverted papilloma is a unilateral sinonasal benign tumor which is characterized by aggressive local invasion, high recurrence rate, and transformation into malignancy. The etiology of inverted papilloma is still unknown. Possible causes include allergy, chronic sinusitis, occupational exposure to dusts and aerosols, tobacco, and viral infections. Treatment is complete surgical excision and close postoperative follow-up is necessary. Here we report a case of inverted papilloma arising from the hard palate with malignant transformation in a 41-year-old female. Clinical and histological features and treatment are discussed with the review of literature. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]