Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology in Latin America and the Caribbean: A Comprehensive Survey of Recognition, Training, and Practice.

Background: Oral and maxillofacial pathology (OMFP) is a dental specialty that studies the causes, processes, and effects of diseases in the oral and maxillofacial area, while also contributing to diagnosis and treatment. Its recognition, training, and professional practice vary across the globe. This study aimed to explore the training and professional development of OMFP in Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC), including important issues such as specialty recognition, service regulation, postgraduate education, number of specialists, career opportunities, and perceived barriers.

Germline Variations in Patients With Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma-Systematic Review.

Objective: Integrate studies on germline variations (GV) in patients with oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC), aiming to assess the highest frequencies of which genes were altered in patients with this diagnosis.

Methods: An electronic search was conducted in four databases and in the gray literature, following the PRISMA 2020 recommendations. Case reports, case series, case-control studies, cross-sectional studies, prospective cohort studies, and retrospective cohort studies reporting GV in patients with OSCC were included for data extraction.

Nonmetastatic Lymph Node Histological Architecture Is Associated With Metastasis, Recurrence, and Survival in Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma.

Introduction: Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is a common cancer, with a high propensity for regional lymph node metastasis (LnM), resulting in 5-year survival rates of only 40%-50%. The premetastatic niche (PMN), a modified lymph node microenvironment preparing for future metastasis, is poorly understood. This study analyzes the histomorphological features of nonmetastatic lymph nodes from OSCC patients, stratified by the presence or absence of regional cervical LnM.

Social determinants of oral health in an indigenous community of Chile: preliminary data of a mixed qualitative and quantitative study.

Introduction: Certain aspects of indigenous communities, such as cultural practices and access to care, have been discussed as potential determinants of oral health. However, research on this topic remains limited. Understanding the factors influencing oral health and their perceptions is crucial for developing culturally appropriate interventions.

Cancer genetic counseling in Chile: Addressing barriers, confronting challenges, and seizing opportunities in an underserved Latin American Community.

Purpose: Despite the rapid advancements in genomics and the enactment of a new cancer law in Chile, the implementation of cancer genetic counseling continues to face significant challenges because of limited resources and infrastructure.

Methods: We conducted a survey targeting health care providers who offer genetic counseling to patients with cancer and possess training in genetics and counseling. Additionally, we distributed a separate survey to high-risk patients associated with an advocacy group to gather insights on their perceptions of and experiences with cancer genetic counseling.

Mapping oral medicine (stomatology) and oral and maxillofacial pathology international organizations: a scoping review of global data and historical analysis.

Objectives: To describe the historical evolution and dissemination of the Oral Medicine and Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology international societies and associations across the globe, and to provide insights into their significant contributions toward oral health promotion.

Study Design: This review was conducted in accordance with the JBI Scoping Review Methodology Group guidance. The reporting followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews extension for Scoping Reviews (PRISMA-ScR).

Conspiracy of Silence in Head and Neck Cancer Diagnosis: A Scoping Review.

Cancer disclosure represents a complex healthcare dynamic. Physicians or caregivers may be prompted to withhold diagnosis information from patients. This study aims to comprehensively map and synthesize available evidence about diagnosis nondisclosure regarding head and neck cancer (HNC) patients.

Barriers to early diagnosis and management of oral cancer in Latin America and the Caribbean.

Objective: This study aimed to explore perceived barriers to early diagnosis and management of oral cancer, as well as potential pathways for improvement in Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC).

Methods: This cross-sectional study used a self-administered online questionnaire created via the Research Electronic Data Capture platform. The survey was distributed to health professionals trained in Oral Medicine, Oral Pathology, Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, and Dentists with clinical and academic expertise in oral potentially malignant disorder (OPMD) and oral cancer.

CR5/CCL5 axis is linked to a poor outcome, and inhibition reduces metastasis in oral squamous cell carcinoma.

Purpose: The CCR5/CCL5 axis is essential for interactions between malignant cells and microenvironment components, promoting tumor progression in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). This study aims to evaluate the association of CCL5 and CCR5 with the behavior of oral cancer and assess the therapeutic potential of a CCR5 antagonist.

Methods: A retrospective study to analyze CCR5 and CCL5 expression on paraffin-embedded tissues was performed.

An advanced biphasic porous and injectable scaffold displays a fine balance between mechanical strength and remodeling capabilities essential for cartilage regeneration.

An important challenge in tissue engineering is the regeneration of functional articular cartilage (AC). In the field, biomimetic hydrogels are being extensively studied as scaffolds that recapitulate microenvironmental features or as mechanical supports for transplanted cells. New advanced hydrogel formulations based on salmon methacrylate gelatin (sGelMA), a cold-adapted biomaterial, are presented in this work.

Overexpression of heat-shock protein 47 impacts survival of patients with oral squamous cell carcinoma.

Background: The expression of heat-shock protein 47 (HSP47) has been linked to collagen synthesis control and implicated in fibrotic disorders, but more recent studies have demonstrated its role in solid tumors. In this study, we explored the prognostic impact of HSP47 in oral squamous cell carcinomas (OSCC) and determined the in vitro effects of its loss-of-function on viability, proliferation, migration, invasion, and resistance to cisplatin of OSCC cells.

Methods: The HSP47 expression in tumor samples was assessed by immunohistochemistry in two independent cohorts totaling 339 patients with OSCC, and protein levels were associated with clinicopathological features and survival outcomes.

A novel porous hydrogel based on hybrid gelation for injectable and tough scaffold implantation and tissue engineering applications.

Although there have been many advances in injectable hydrogels as scaffolds for tissue engineering or as payload-containing vehicles, the lack of adequate microporosity for the desired cell behavior, tissue integration, and successful tissue generation remains an important drawback. Herein, we describe an effective porous injectable system that allowsformation of pores through conventional syringe injection at room temperature. This system is based on the differential melting profiles of photocrosslinkable salmon gelatin and physically crosslinked porogens of porcine gelatin (PG), in which PG porogens are solid beads, while salmon methacrylamide gelatin remains liquid during the injection procedure.

Stress induced phosphoprotein 1 overexpression controls proliferation, migration and invasion and is associated with poor survival in oral squamous cell carcinoma.

Objective: Although there have been remarkable achievements in the molecular landscape of oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) in recent years, bringing advances in the understanding of its pathogenesis, development and progression, little has been applied in the prognosis and choosing the optimal treatment. In this study, we explored the influence of the stress induced phosphoprotein 1 (STIP1), which is frequently reported to be highly expressed in many cancers, in OSCCs.

Methods: STIP1 expression was assessed in the TCGA database and in two independent cohorts by immunohistochemistry.

Therapeutic Perspectives of HIV-Associated Chemokine Receptor (CCR5 and CXCR4) Antagonists in Carcinomas.

The interaction between malignant cells and the tumor microenvironment is critical for tumor progression, and the chemokine ligand/receptor axes play a crucial role in this process. The CXCR4/CXCL12 and CCR5/CCL5 axes, both related to HIV, have been associated with the early (epithelial-mesenchymal transition and invasion) and late events (migration and metastasis) of cancer progression. In addition, these axes can also modulate the immune response against tumors.

Connecting multiple microenvironment proteomes uncovers the biology in head and neck cancer.

The poor prognosis of head and neck cancer (HNC) is associated with metastasis within the lymph nodes (LNs). Herein, the proteome of 140 multisite samples from a 59-HNC patient cohort, including primary and matched LN-negative or -positive tissues, saliva, and blood cells, reveals insights into the biology and potential metastasis biomarkers that may assist in clinical decision-making. Protein profiles are strictly associated with immune modulation across datasets, and this provides the basis for investigating immune markers associated with metastasis.

Optogenetic control of cancer cell survival in ChR2-transfected HeLa cells.

Optogenetics is a molecular biological technique involving transfection of cells with photosensitive proteins and the subsequent study of their biological effects. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of blue light on the survival of HeLa cells, transfected with channelrhodopsin-2 (ChR2). HeLa wild-type cells were transfected with a plasmid that contained the gene for ChR2.

Acquired oral syphilis: A multicenter study of 339 patients from South America.

Objective: To report the clinicopathologic features of acquired oral syphilis cases in South American countries.

Materials And Methods: Clinical data were retrospectively collected from the records of 18 oral diagnostic services in Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Venezuela, Uruguay, and Peru. Serologies of nontreponemal and treponemal tests were used for diagnosis.

Plasmacytoma and plasma cell myeloma affecting the jaws: A multi-institutional collaborative study.

Background: Plasma cell neoplasms are characterized by the proliferation of a single clone of plasma cells with production of a monoclonal immunoglobulin. They can manifest as a single lesion (plasmacytoma) or as multiple lesions (multiple myeloma).

Methods: Paraffin-embedded tissue blocks of patients microscopically diagnosed with plasma cell neoplasms in the jaws were retrieved from five pathology files.

SPINK7 expression changes accompanied by HER2, P53 and RB1 can be relevant in predicting oral squamous cell carcinoma at a molecular level.

The oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC), which has a high morbidity rate, affects patients worldwide. Changes in SPINK7 in precancerous lesions could promote oncogenesis. Our aim was to evaluate SPINK7 as a potential molecular biomarker which predicts OSCC stages, compared to: HER2, TP53, RB1, NFKB and CYP4B1.

Impact of head and neck radiotherapy on the longevity of dental adhesive restorations: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Statement Of Problem: Established restorative protocols for patients after head and neck radiotherapy are lacking, increasing the failure rates of dental adhesive restorations.

Purpose: The purpose of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to analyze the evidence regarding the impact of head and neck radiotherapy on the longevity of dental adhesive restorations.

Material And Methods: A search was performed using PubMed, Scopus, and Embase in May 2018 (updated in November 2020).