Recurrent aphthous stomatitis (RAS) is one of the most common oral mucosal disorders. The aim of the study was to determine any association between anxiety levels and concentrations of salivary and serum cortisol in patients with RAS. It has been suggested that stress with its presumed effects on the immune system, constitutes one of the major causative agents of RAS. The concentrations of salivary and serum cortisol were measured in 38 patients with recurrent aphthous stomatitis, and 38 healthy controls. Salivary and serum cortisol levels were measured using a Luminenscent Immunoassay (LIA) method. Anxiety levels were evaluated using Spielberger's State-Trait Anxiety Inventory which measures both trait anxiety as a general aspect of personality (STAI-T) and state anxiety as a response to a specific situation (STAI-S). The salivary cortisol levels were 1.44 (± 0.58) μ g dl -1 in RAS patients and 0.91 (± 0.56) μ g dl -1 in controls ( p = 0.001), while the serum cortisol levels were 3.13 (± 1.59) μ g dl -1 in RAS patients and 1.89 (± 1.11) μ g dl -1 in controls ( p = 0.001). The state anxiety levels (STAI-S) were 48.85 (± 9.7) in RAS group and 39.45 (± 7.5) in control group ( p = 0.001). The trait anxiety levels (STAI-T) were 49.78 (± 13.02) in RAS group and 38.49 (± 10.31) in control group ( p = 0.001). Salivary and serum cortisol concentrations and state and trait anxiety levels in RAS were significantly higher than those in the control group. Our results suggest that stress may be involved in the pathogenesis of RAS. recurrent aphthous stomatitis; anxiety; salivary cortisol; serum cortisol; pathogenesis.Tohoku

There are two histological types of pyogenic granuloma (PG) of the oral cavity: the lobular capillary hemangioma (LCH) and non-LCH type. The aim of the present study was to examine and compare the clinical features, etiological factors, diameter of vascular elements and immunohistochemical features of LCH and non-LCH histological types of PG to determine whether they are two distinct entities. Thirty cases of LCH and 26 cases of non-LCH PG were retrieved and retrospectively studied. Clinically, LCH PG occurred more frequently (66.4%) as sessile lesion whereas non-LCH PG occurred as pedunculated (77%). Non-LCH PG was associated more frequently (86.4%) with etiological factors. The lobular area of the LCH PG contained a greater number of blood vessels with small luminal diameter than did the central area of non-LCH PG. In the central area of non-LCH PG a significantly greater number of vessels with perivascular mesenchymal cells non-reactive for alpha-smooth muscle actin and muscle-specific actin was present than in the lobular area of LCH PG. The differences found in the present study suggest that the two histological types of PG represent distinct entities.

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Even with the evolution of chemotherapeutic procedures and agents, chemotherapy may cause certain side effects that impair the patients' quality of life. The aim of this review is to isolate and describe the oral side effects arising only from chemotherapy and focus on the dentist's contribution to their management. This paper comprises an extensive literature review of the main side effects affecting the oral health status of patients' undergoing chemotherapy procedures. In addition, it describes the dentist's contribution in the treatment of such patients before, throughout and after antineoplastic therapy. In conclusion, the oral cavity is a usual site of discomfort and pain caused by chemotherapy, making the dentist's contribution to the patient's relief imperative. Key words:Chemotherapy, oral side effects, oral mucositis, oral infections ABSTRACTArticle history:

The medical term xerostomia refers to the subjective sensation of oral dryness. The etiology seems to be multifactorial with the most frequently reported causes being the use of xerostomic medications, neck and head radiation, and systematic diseases (such as Sjögren’s syndrome). Xerostomia is associated with an increased incidence of dental caries, oral fungal infections, and difficulties in speaking and chewing/swallowing, which ultimately affect the oral health-related quality of life. The development of successful management schemes is regarded as a highly challenging project due to the complexity of saliva. This is why, in spite of the fact that there are therapeutic options aiming to improve salivary function, most management approaches are alleviation-oriented. In any case, polymers are an integral part of the various formulations used in every current treatment approach, especially in the saliva substitutes, due to their function as thickening and lubricating agents or, in the case of mucoadhesive polymers, their ability to prolong the treatment effect. In this context, the present review aims to scrutinize the literature and presents an overview of the role of various polymers (or copolymers) on either already commercially available formulations or novel drug delivery systems currently under research and development.