Background Several studies investigate the prognostic value of squamous cell carcinoma antigen (SCC‐Ag) in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) patients, with contradicting findings. Considering this, the aim of this study was to evaluate the prognostic value of high SCC‐Ag levels and its association with clinicopathological features of HNSCC. Material and Methods PubMed, SCOPUS, and Cochrane Library were searched for relevant studies up to December 2015. English‐language publications assessing clinicopathological features of HNSCC and the prognostic significance of SCC‐Ag in this disease were included. A meta‐analysis was performed using Review Manager 5.3 and STATA version 14 software to clarify a possible association between SCC‐Ag and clinical outcomes. Results A total of 11 studies met inclusion criteria, comprising 1901 cases of HNSCC. The results of the meta‐analysis showed that there was significant correlation between high SCC‐Ag levels and males (odds ratio [OR]=2.99, 95% CI: 1.18‐7.57, P=.02 fixed‐effect), and advanced TNM stages (OR=3.18, 95% CI: 1.88‐5.38, P<.0001 random‐effect). The survival meta‐analysis showed a pooled hazard ratio for disease‐free survival (DFS) and overall survival (OS) of 1.01 (95% CI: 0.70‐1.31) and 0.86 (95% CI: 0.54‐1.17), respectively. Conclusion Our meta‐analysis suggests that elevated SCC‐Ag levels have a significant correlation with males and TNM stage, but may not be used as predictive marker for OS and DFS in HNSCC patients.

Aim: The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effect of surface roughness (roughness average [Ra] lm) on the hydrophobicity of a denture-base acrylic resin and the initial adherence and biofilm formation of Candida albicans (C. albicans). Methods: Disk-shaped specimens were divided into six groups: Ra 0.05, Ra 0.2, Ra 0.4, Ra 0.8, Ra 1.5, and Ra 3.0. Water contact angles (WCA) were measured, and the specimens incubated with C. albicans for 90 min (initial adherence, n = 108) or 48 h (biofilm formation, n = 108). Adhered and biofilm cells were evaluated by c.f.u./mL and 2,3-bis-(2-methoxy-4-nitro-5-sulfophenyl)-2H-tetrazolium-5-carboxanilide (XTT), and the correlation between the two methods was evaluated. The surface of the specimens and cells (adhered and biofilm) were also analyzed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Results: Groups Ra 0.05 and 3.0 exhibited the lowest (~75°) and the highest (~100°) WCA mean values, respectively. For both initial adherence and biofilm formation, no statistically-significant differences were observed among all groups, as determined by c.f.u./mL and XTT. A positive correlation between these two methods was found. SEM analysis showed the presence of scratches and valleys on the acrylic specimens and densely-packed yeast cells covering the entire surface. Conclusions: Roughness significantly increased hydrophobicity (WCA), but had no effect on the number and metabolic activity of adherent and biofilm cells of C. albicans.

Cryotherapy appears to be successfully in LJSGH and well received by paediatric patients.

Intravascular papillary endothelial hyperplasia (IPEH) is a benign lesion of the skin and mucosa of vascular origin characterized by reactive proliferation of endothelial cells. A 76-year-old woman was referred presenting a painless nodule on the lip. Intraoral examination revealed bluish submucosal nodular proliferation, measuring 10 × 5 × 5 mm, affecting the lower labial mucosa. The lesion had a firm consistency and it was not fixed to the adjacent tissues. The main differential diagnoses were mucocele/mucus retention cyst, sialolith, or salivary gland neoplasia. An incisional biopsy was performed and during the intraoperative procedure an encapsulated red-bluish nodular mass was observed. Microscopic analysis revealed papillary endothelial proliferation in the center of the lesion and fibrin admixed with inflammatory cells in organization peripherally. There was no nuclear atypia, mitotic figures, or necrosis. The endothelial cells were CD34 positive, with low Ki-67 proliferation index (4%). α-SMA highlighted the vessel walls, whereas negativity for D2-40 excluded lymphatic origin. Final diagnosis was IPEH associated with an organizing thrombus. Dentists should be aware about this rare benign vascular lesion, whose final diagnosis is achieved only after histopathology analysis. Surgical removal is the treatment of choice and no recurrence is expected.