(AFC) S U M M A R Y Osteopontin (OPN) is an adhesive, matricellular glycoprotein, whose expression is elevated in many types of cancer and has been shown to facilitate tumorigenesis in vivo. To understand the role of OPN in human skin cancer, this study is designed to determine whether OPN is expressed in premalignant [solar/actinic keratosis (AK)] and in malignant skin lesions such as squamous cell carcinomas (SCC) and basal cell carcinomas (BCC), as well as in normal skin exposed or not exposed to sunlight. Immunohistochemical analyses showed that OPN is expressed in SCC (20/20 cases) and in AK (16/16 cases), which are precursors to SCC, but is absent or minimally expressed in solid BCC (17 cases). However, positive staining for OPN was observed in those BCC that manifest differentiation toward epidermal appendages such as keratotic BCC. In sunlight-exposed normal skin, OPN is minimally expressed in the basal cell layer, but in contrast to those not exposed to sunlight, OPN is more prominent in the spinous cell layer with increasing intensity toward the granular cell layer. Additionally, OPN is expressed in the hair follicles, sebaceous glands, and sweat glands of normal skin. In conclusion, these data suggest that OPN is associated with keratinocyte differentiation and that it is expressed in AK and SCC, which have metastatic potential, but minimally expressed in solid BCC. (J Histochem Cytochem 56:57-66, 2008)

Claudins constitute a group of principal proteins forming the tight junctional complex. The altered expression of selected claudins has been reported in several human cancers. The purpose of this study was to investigate the expression of claudin-1 and claudin-4 in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) and examine its relationship with patient clinical-pathologic features. Fortyfive OSCC cases were enrolled. Patient clinical, pathologic and follow-up data were reviewed and the claudin-1 and claudin-4 expression was analyzed immunohistochemically. Positive claudin-1 and claudin-4 immunoreactivities were noted in 86.7 and 80 % of cases, respectively. The majority of cases showed the staining in less than 25 % of cancer cells. The increased claudin-1 expression was significantly associated with the high pathologic grade, the presence of microscopic perineural invasion, vascular invasion, nodal metastasis, and advanced clinical stage. No relationship between various clinico-pathologic parameters and differential claudin-4 expression was observed.Claudin-1 may play a role in OSCC progression and could serve as a prognostic marker of advanced disease.

BackgroundEffects of various Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy (HAART) regimens on oral heath are unclear. Objectives: We aimed to evaluate effects of HAART on oral manifestations, salivary flow rates (SFR) and Candida species in HIV-infected patients who took mostly non-protease inhibitor-based HAART regimens.Material and MethodsA cross-sectional study was performed on HIV-infected patients taking and never taken HAART who attended Thai Red Cross AIDS Research Centre (n = 48). Non-HIV subjects were recruited as control (n = 20). Oral conditions and salivary flow rates were evaluated using oral examination and measurement of unstimulated and stimulated saliva. In addition, Candida colonization counts (colony forming units; CFUs) and Candida species from the collected saliva were evaluated using CHROMagar.ResultsThe most common oral manifestation in HIV-infected subjects taking HAART was hyperpigmentation. Unstimulated and stimulated SFR among the three groups were not statistically significant. Candida colonization was detected in 64%, 65% and 35% of HIV-infected subjects taking HAART, HAART-naïve, and non-HIV subjects, respectively. While 20% and 35% of HIV-infected subjects with and without HAART, respectively, had Candida CFUs higher than 500/ml, all non-HIV carriers had Candida CFUs lower than 500/ml. The most common Candida colonization species was C. albicans in HAART and non-HIV groups. Interestingly, HAART-naïve group was colonized more by non-albicans species.ConclusionsHAART has minimal effects on oral health. While HAART may not prevent Candida colonization, it might lead to reduction of non-albicans species. Because maintaining low Candida counts is important, HAART administration and antifungal sensitivity test should be considered in HIV-infected patients. Key words:HIV, Candida, HAART, Oral manifestation, Salivary flow rates.

BackgroundClaudin and occludin are the important tight junctions protein in human. The downregulation or upregulation of claudins and occludin might have a role in cancer development. The objective of this study was to investigate the expression of claudin-5, claudin-7 and occludin in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) and their relationships with the prognostically-related clinico-pathologic features.Material and MethodsStandard indirect immunohistochemical technique using anti-claudin-5, anti-claudin-7 and anti-occludin was performed in formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded tissue sections of 66 OSCC samples from Faculty of Dentistry, Chulalongkorn University. The positive cases were divided into 2 groups, the low expression group (cases with less than 50% of positive cancer cells) and the high expression group for statistical analysis. Categorical analysis of the clinico-pathologic parameters together with univariate analysis using the Kaplan-Meier method and the log rank test were performed.ResultsThere were 22 male and 23 female patients enrolled in this study, with a mean age of 65.82+12.10 years. The claudin-5 immunoreactivity was observed in 26.6% of cases. The positive immunoreactivity of claudin-7 is more noted (93.3%). Only 4 cases showed occludin immunoreactivity (8.9%) and all of them show positivity less than 25% of cancer cells. Only loss of claudin-7 expression was associated with the high pathologic grade, advanced TNM staging, large tumor size, the presence of microscopic perineural, vascular invasions and regional lymph node involvement. There is a tendency towards the association of the higher claudin-7 expression and a longer survival time (P=0.012).ConclusionsThe results showed expression of claudin-5, claudin-7 and low expression of occludin in OSCC. Only claudin-7 expression showed impact on clinic-pathological parameter of OSCC. Key words:Claudin, occludin, oral squamous cell carcinoma, tight junctions, oral cancer.

Since the spring of 2009, there have been a considerable number of infected as well as fatal cases by virologically confirmed swine-origin H1N1 influenza A virus (S-OIV). The virus continues to spread globally. The World Health Organization (WHO) has now raised the level of S-OIV influenza pandemic alert to phase 6 ('the pandemic phase') because of the human-to-human transmission of the virus and the community-level outbreaks worldwide. The WHO also issues its concerns about the global surveillance, the diagnostic capacity for the infection and the pandemic preparedness plan in every country. However, no critical review on S-OIV influenza and dental practice published in the literature exists hitherto. Based on information up to November 2009, the aim of this article was to summarise significant data on this novel virus and a clinical practice guideline for dental professionals.