Search

Background/Aim. Apoptotic protease-activating factor-1 (Apaf-1) is a key molecule in the intrinsic or mitochondrial pathway of apoptosis. Some pathological conditions, such as cancer, stroke, and neurodegenerative diseases, are the result of dysregulation in the intrinsic apoptosis pathway. The aim of this study was to analyze the immuno-histochemical expression of Apaf-1 in adenoid cystic carcinoma (ACC) cells of the salivary glands and its correlation with clinicopathological parameters of patients (gender, age, localization, histological type, and overall survival). Methods. Formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissues of ACC of the salivary glands from 50 male and female patients with an average age of 58 years, were used for the study. We used the technique of tissue microarray (TMA blocks). Sections from the TMA mold, 5 μm thick, were stained with the streptavidin-biotin immunohistochemical technique using primary antibodies specific for Apaf-1 (Leica Biosystems, Newcastle, UK). Stained tissue sections were analyzed by the light microscope (Olympus type BH-2). Based on the data collected, the database was created in SPSS software v. 22.0 (SPSS Inc., Chicago, ILL, USA), which was used for further statistical analysis. The statistical data analysis included methods of descriptive and analytical (inferential) statistics. Results. The results of the immunohistochemical analysis of Apaf-1 expression in the samples of patients with ACC of the salivary glands were compared with the clinicopathological parameters of these patients. The immunohistochemical expression of Apaf-1 showed no statistical significance with regard to the patients’ gender (p = 0.552), age (p = 0.106), histological tumor type (p = 0.654), and localization of ACC in the salivary glands (p = 0.486). There was no statistically significant correlation observed between the overall survival of ACC patients and Apaf-1 expression in tumor cells (p = 0.340, Log-Rank test). Conclusion. With regard to ACC, Apaf-1 expression is not in correlation with clinicopathological parameters (gender, age, localization, histological tumor type, outcome of the disease, and overall survival). Therefore, we believe Apaf-1 cannot be regarded as an independent prognostic factor for course and outcome of ACC of the salivary glands.

Background: Genetic studies of salivary gland neoplasms were mainly focused on chromosomal changes, and some specific patterns of chromosome translocations have been described. However, molecular alterations, in particular the role of HER-2/H-ras/c-myc signalling cascade in pleomorphic adenoma pathogenesis (PA), are less well characterized. In addition, data on single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) as potential susceptibility factors for PA development are also quite scarce. Methods: Mutational analyses were performed by means of real-time PCR (HER-2 and c-myc amplification analysis), PCR-SSCP and sequencing (H-ras point mutation detection). Polymorphisms analysis was performed by PCR-RFLP (survivin and MMP-9 genes). Results: Amplification of HER-2 and c-myc has been found in 13% and 9% of PA cases respectively. Point mutations in H-ras codons 12/13 have been detected in 17% of PAs. No correlation could be established between these alterations and clinical characteristics of PAs, whereas they might play a role in a subset of malignant salivary gland tumours. As for survivin -31 G/C polymorphism, C allele carriers had a 4-fold decrease of the risk of developing PA (p=0.05). Carriers of the variant allele T of the -1562C/T SNP in MMP-9 gene had a 4-fold increase of the risk of developing PA (p

Background/Aim. To establish the influence of surgical corrections of mandibular prognathism upon the position of the lower and upper anterior teeth (incisors). Methods. The changes in position of the lower and upper anterior teeth (incisors) after the surgical correction of mandibular prognathism were analyzed by means of x-ray craniometry in 183 patients (female: n = 110, male: n = 73) in which the correction had been made in accordance with the principles of sagital osteotomy of the mandibular ramus. There were 4 angular and 2 linear parameters determined in the pre- and postoperative tele-xray-pictures. The changes of these parameters were tested by means of the parametric statistic tests. Results. The performed surgical procedures did not cause statistically significant changes in the angular parameters. The changes of both linear parameters were thought highly statistically significant. Conclusion. Under the influence of the performed surgical procedures no changes were found in the position of anterior teeth (incisors) in relation to SN and the mandibular plane. They were actually moved along with the medium fragment of the lower jaw and that fragment was moved linearly backwards along the occlusal plane with a practically insignificant rotation in the cranial direction.

The loss of identity of Maksimir Park has been ongoing for many years. The main reasons for this situation are certainly the loss of urban culture among the citizens and in particular, the confl icting interests of the park’s users. Furthermore, with the extensive spreading of the city, Maksimir has been pushed into an inappropriate and architecturally inadequate framework. Zones of great endangerment have arisen, and the fi nal result is that areas will continue to degrade and break off from the park’s territory. Today, the park is being used in various ways by the various owners, and the main question is whether the current situation is suffi cient to satisfy society’s needs for the park. The park has lost both the quality of its facilities as well as aesthetics. With the loss of several of the former buildings and facilities in the park, its educational function has also been lost. This paper aims to use historical analyses and a validation of the matrix to provide a hierarchy for restoration of the park.

Background/aims: Management of maxillofacial trauma in the geriatric population poses a great challenge due to anatomical variations and medical comorbidities. The aim of this study was to analyze the management variables, timing, and outcomes of facial fractures in elderly patients (aged 70 years or more) at several European departments of oral and maxillofacial surgery., Materials and Methods: This study was based on a systematic computer-assisted database that allowed the recording of data from all geriatric patients with facial fractures from the involved maxillofacial surgical units across Europe between 2013 and 2017., Results: A total of 1334 patients were included in the study: 665 patients underwent closed or open surgical treatment. A significant association (P < .005) was found between the presence of concomitant injuries and a prolonged time between hospital admission and treatment. The absence of indications to treatment was associated with comorbidities and an older age (P < .000005)., Conclusions: Elderly patients require specific attention and multidisciplinary collaboration in the diagnosis and sequencing of trauma treatment. A prudent attitude may be kept in selected cases, especially when severe comorbidities are associated and function is not impaired., (© 2019 John Wiley & Sons A/S. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.)

Introduction: Management of body fractures in patients with edentulous atrophic mandibles represents a challenging task due to patient's age, medical comorbidities, poor bone quality, and vascularity, as well as reduced contact area between the fracture ends. The aim of the study was to assess the demographic and clinical variables, the surgical technique, and outcomes of unilateral body fractures of the edentulous atrophic mandible managed at several European departments of oral and maxillofacial surgery., Methods: This study is based on a systematic computer-assisted database that allowed the recording of data of all patients with fractures of the atrophic edentulous mandible from the involved maxillofacial surgical units across Europe between 2008 and 2017. The following data were recorded for each patient: gender, age, comorbidities, etiology, synchronous body injuries, degree of atrophy of the mandible according to Luhr classification, type of surgical approach and fixation, length of hospitalization, and presence and type of complications., Results: A total of 43 patients were included in the study: 17 patients' mandibles were classified as class I according to Luhr, 15 as class II, and 11 as class III. All patients underwent open reduction and internal fixation by extraoral approach in 25 patients, intraoral in 15 patients, and mixed in 3 patients. A single 2.0 miniplate was used in 16 patients, followed by a single 2.4 reconstruction plate in 13 patients, by two 2.0 miniplates, and three 2.0 miniplates. Outcome was considered to be satisfying in 30 patients, with no complications. Complications were observed in 13 cases., Conclusions: Treatment of unilateral body fractures of the edentulous mandible must still be based on the type of fracture, degree of atrophy, experience of the surgeon, and patients' preference. An adequate stability can be obtained by different plating techniques that have to be appropriately tailored to every single specific patient.

Introduction: The objective of the present study was to assess the demographic variables, causes, and patterns of edentulous atrophic fractures of the mandible managed at several European departments of oral and maxillofacial surgery. The results of this multicenter collaboration over a 10-year period are presented., Methods: The data of all patients with fractures of the atrophic edentulous mandible from the involved maxillofacial surgical units across Europe between January 1, 2008, and December 31, 2017 were recorded: gender; age; voluptuary habits; comorbidities; etiology; fracture sites; synchronous body injuries; atrophy of the mandible according to Luhr classification; eventual type of treatment; timing of the eventual surgery; length of hospital stay., Results: A total of 197 patients (86 male and 111 female patients) with 285 mandibular fractures were included in the study. Mean age of the study population was 75 years. Statistically significant associations were found between Luhr classes I - II and condylar fractures on one hand (p < .0005), and between Luhr class III and body and parasymphyseal fractures on the other hand (p < .05). Finally, 135 patients underwent open reduction and internal fixation, 56 patients did not undergo any intervention, and 6 patients underwent closed reduction. No statistically significant association was observed between treatment, timing of treatment, comorbidities, and concomitant injuries., Conclusions: The management of edentulous atrophic mandibular fractures remains challenging. Treatment decisions should continue to be based on the clinician's previous experience and on the degree of bone resorption in edentulous mandible in relation to fracture subsites., (Copyright © 2019 European Association for Cranio-Maxillo-Facial Surgery. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)