Relationship between squamous cell carcinoma of the anterior two thirds of the tongue and removable denture use - a pioneer study in a Portuguese

The aim of the study was to determine whether there is any relationship between the presence of removable dentures and squamous cell carcinoma of the anterior two thirds of the tongue in a Portuguese population. A retrospective cross-sectional study was conducted on patients with a biopsy-proven diagnosis of squamous cell carcinoma of the tongue, who were seen and treated at the Department of Head and Neck Surgery of the Portuguese Institute of Oncology 'Francisco Gentil', Lisbon, Portugal, during a 3-year period. Several factors were examined: gender, use of removable dentures, age, location of the lesion, and alcohol and tobacco consumption. One hundred and six cases were selected from the initial 151 cases, with a male:female ratio of 3:1 and the lateral borders being the most commonly affected site. The prevalence in both genders was between the sixth and seventh decade of life. Men were more likely to consume alcohol and tobacco than women, and no relationship was observed between denture use and presence of carcinoma of the tongue. In light of the data obtained, it may be considered that female use of a denture plays an important role, but it cannot be identified as a remarkable etiologic factor.

Irrigadores de bicarbonato y su influencia sobre la presión arterial

Se lleva a cabo un ensayo clínico en un grupo de 72 pacientes no hipertensos seleccionados entre los pacientes de un gabinete odontoestomatológico a fin de intentar determinar si la utilización de irrigadores de bicarbonato y la consiguiente sobrecarga de sodio, absorbido a través de la mucosa bucal y del surco gingival, son capaces de originar aumentos significativos de la presión arterial en los pacientes. Secundariamente trataremos de determinar si el grado de enfermedad periodontal que presenten los sujetos es un factor determinante en las posibles modificaciones que se puedan producir. De los resultados obtenidos podemos afirmar que la absorción del sodio proyectado por los irrigadores no es capaz de traducirse en alteraciones significativas de la presión arterial de los pacientes y que las modificaciones que se aprecian en la misma durante el tratamiento serían mayormente consecuencia del stress que originamos al paciente. El grado de enfermedad periodontal tampoco parece influir especialmente en las modificaciones tensionales.

Periodontitis crónica del adulto y alteraciones inmunitarias

El hecho de que las alteraciones inmunitarias están implicadas en la enfermedad periodontal está ampliamente recogido en la literatura. No obstante la naturaleza exacta y la implicación de las mismas no está clara. Por otro lado el empleo de la citometría de flujo ha posibilitado un avance importante en las técnicas de investigación biomédica y en el caso concreto que nos ocupa la posibilidad de determinar diferentes marcadores monoclonales en la línea celular linfocítica. Estudiamos los marcadores monoclonales (CD4, CDB, CD3 y CD19) en 15 pacientes afectados de enfermedad periodontal avanzada. Los resultados obtenidos se encuentran dentro de los límites de normalidad. Si bien no hemos obtenido datos significativos creemos que la muestra es pequeña y sería útil realizar estudios más amplios y a ser posible a nivel local. No obstante pensamos que lo novedoso es el estudio de anticuerpos monoclonales en relacióncon la enfermedad periodontal, datos que no hemos encontrado en la literatura.

Oral tongue squamous cell carcinoma (OTSCC): alcohol and tobacco consumption versus non-consumption. A study in a Portuguese population

There has been an increase in the incidence of carcinoma of the tongue, particularly among alcohol and tobacco non-users. However, the number of studies that would allow a better understanding of etiological factors and clinical features, particularly in the Portuguese population, is very limited. This study was based on patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the anterior two thirds of the tongue that were treated at the Department of Head and Neck Surgery of the ¿Instituto Portugues de Oncologia de Lisboa - Francisco Gentil" IPOLFG) in Lisbon, Portugal, between January 1, 2001 and December 31, 2009. The patients were divided in alcohol and tobacco users and non-users in order to evaluate the differences between these 2 groups based on gender, age, tumor location, denture use, and tumor size, metastasis and stage. Of the 354 cases, 208 were users and 146 were non-users. The main location in both groups was the lateral border of the tongue. Denture use showed no significant effect in both study groups. It was possible to conclude that patients who did not drink or smoke were older and presented with smaller tumor size, lower incidence of ganglion metastasis and lower tumor stage compared with alcohol and tobacco users.

Estomatitis protésica: puesta al dia

La estomatitis protésica es una inflamación crónica de la mucosa oral debida al contacto con una prótesis extraible. Es un proceso difícil de controlar en los pacientes portadores de este tipo de prótesis. La patología involucra diferentes factores predisponentes, y el más importante de ellos es la presencia de Candida. En el presente artículo se describe el manejo del paciente y las dificultades de los tratamientos actuales para eliminar de las prótesis y de la mucosa oral los residuos fúngicos. Se concluye que los hábitos de higiene oral y personal en pacientes portadores de prótesis extraible son los métodos principales para evitar la aparición de la patología. Una vez instaurada, podemos controlar al paciente con medidas higiénicas y agentes antifúngicos, pero debemos ser conscientes de las limitaciones terapéuticas ante los depósitos de Candidade las prótesis. En algunos casos puede estar indicada la sustitución de la prótesis por una nueva.

Shelter study for the state of Iowa, 1958

This study examines the possible construction and use of shelters in the event of a nuclear weapon attack in seven target areas in Iowa. It covers such topics as cost, survival percentages, best location to build shelters and how many will be needed.

Staff officers manual, 1958

This manual is a compilation of principles, procedures and information to be used as a guide by Iowa Civil Defense Directors, Commanders, Chairmen and their staffs.

Adverse side effects of statins in the oral cavity

Increased plasma levels of cholesterol are high risk factors of cardiovascular disease. Statins are drugs that inhibit cholesterol synthesis at both pancreatic and extrahepathic levels, being the treatment of choice for hypercholesterolemia. Objective: To analyze the side effects of statins in the mouth cavity, and to analyze the symptoms after interruption of the treatment. Design: Observational study, preliminary. Material and methods: Patients aged 50-70, diagnosed with hypercholesterolemia and undergoing treatment with statins, referred from their primary care physician to the dentist"s office. Anamnesis over oral symptoms was performed in the first visit. Statin treatment was discontinued, followed by lab tests and control visits seven and fifteen days later. We monitored the improvement and/or remission of oral symptoms. Statin treatment was resumed, sending out a report of the patient evolution to the PCP. Symptoms were registered in sheet specially designed for the study. Exclusion criteria: patient refusal, use of drugs for dry mouth treatment, Sjögren"s syndrome. Results: n=26 patients. Dry mouth patients: improvement in 17 out of 23 patients (88.5%). Itchiness: 6 out of 15 cases improved (57.7%). Bitterness: improvement in 13 out of 14 patients (53.8%). Cough: improvement in 11 out of 12 patients (46.1%). Discussion: A high percentage of oral symptoms are associated to treatment with statins. There is a marked improvement after temporary interruption of the treatment. Little is known regarding the side effects of oral treatment with statins. This preliminary study includes a relatively small number of patients. The design of experimental treatments will be required to establish a true correlation between statin treatment and oral symptoms

Extrasynaptic neurotransmission in the modulation of brain function. Focus on the striatal neuronal glial networks

Extrasynaptic neurotransmission is an important short distance form of volume transmission (VT) and describes the extracellular diffusion of transmitters and modulators after synaptic spillover or extrasynaptic release in the local circuit regions binding to and activating mainly extrasynaptic neuronal and glial receptors in the neuroglial networks of the brain. Receptor-receptor interactions in G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) heteromers play a major role, on dendritic spines and nerve terminals including glutamate synapses, in the integrative processes of the extrasynaptic signaling. Heteromeric complexes between GPCR and ion-channel receptors play a special role in the integration of the synaptic and extrasynaptic signals. Changes in extracellular concentrations of the classical synaptic neurotransmitters glutamate and GABA found with microdialysis is likely an expression of the activity of the neuron-astrocyte unit of the brain and can be used as an index of VT-mediated actions of these two neurotransmitters in the brain. Thus, the activity of neurons may be functionally linked to the activity of astrocytes, which may release glutamate and GABA to the extracellular space where extrasynaptic glutamate and GABA receptors do exist. Wiring transmission (WT) and VT are fundamental properties of all neurons of the CNS but the balance between WT and VT varies from one nerve cell population to the other. The focus is on the striatal cellular networks, and the WT and VT and their integration via receptor heteromers are described in the GABA projection neurons, the glutamate, dopamine, 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) and histamine striatal afferents, the cholinergic interneurons, and different types of GABA interneurons. In addition, the role in these networks of VT signaling of the energy-dependent modulator adenosine and of endocannabinoids mainly formed in the striatal projection neurons will be underlined to understand the communication in the striatal cellular networks

La influencia de Virgilio Piñera en la desmitificación de Cuba y de José Martí

Piñera vivió en los márgenes, tanto en su vida en La Habana o en Buenos Aires como en su condición de escritor y crítico –no se sintió cómodo en ninguna de las revistas en las que trabajó, ni en Orígenes, ni en Sur, ni en Espuela de plata-; esto es, en los márgenes de la literatura establecida y canónica del momento.Piñera fue un constante provocador en sus poesías, cuentos, obras teatrales, ensayos o como crítico de arte. Pero lo que más sorprende de este eterno inconformista es su conducta inquebrantable. Las siguientes declaraciones de Piñera, efectuadas en “Las plumas respetuosas”, en Revolución, definen su conducta...