Angiogenesis is an essential process in tumor growth and metastasis. VEGF has been considered a leading candidate inducing tumor angiogenesis. VEGF expression was significantly correlated with clinical stage, lymph node matastasis, and prognosis of cancers of various parts of body. However, little has been known about the correlation between VEGF expression and clinicopathologic parameters in oral squamous cell carcinoma. The aim of this study was to correlate VEGF expression with the clinicopathological parameters and microvessel density. Forty six oral squamous cell carcinomas were analyzed using immunohistochemical method with primary antibodies to VEGF and CD31. VEGF expression was detected in 33 (71.7%) of the 46 cases. The microvessel density was significantly correlated with VEGF expression (P=0.002). There was no correlation between microvessel density and tumour size, clinical stage, and lymph node metastasis, respectively. VEGF expression did not correlate with the histological grade of tumour differentiation, tumour size, and clinical stages. The VEGF-positive rate seemed to be higher in patients with cervical lymph nodal metastasis than in those without it, but it was not statistically significant. In conclusion, the overexpression of VEGF in the oral squamous cell carcinoma seemed to be associated with a more aggressive course of the disease. Further study is necessary to define the role of VEGF in oral squamous cell carcinoma.
Antibodies ; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell* ; Humans ; Lymph Nodes ; Microvessels* ; Neoplasm Metastasis ; Prognosis ; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A*

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the prognostic significance of argyrophilic nucleoalr organizer regions (AgNORs) and proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) by using DMBA hamster buccal pouch carcinogenesis which provides a good experimental model in reproducing steps from precancerous lesions to invasive squamous cell carcinomas. The buccal pouches of 50 Syrian hamsters were applied with 0.5% DMBA in mineral oil three times a week to reproduce various lesions from precancerous ones such as hyperkeratosis or epithelial dysplasia to invasive squamous cell carcinomas. Their sections were stained with H & E, and silver colloid, and processed immunohistochemically by being applied with monoclonal antibody to PCNA. The histopathologic examainations were done and the counts of AgNORs were evaluated. The PCNA labelling indices on each lesions were evaluated. The correlation between histopathological grades and counts of AgNORs or PCNA labelling indices were evaluated. The number of AgNORs was 2.22+/-0.22 in control group, 3.46+/-0.72 in carcinoma in situ (CIS), 3.78+/-0.63 in squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), respectively. AgNORs significantly increased in severe epithelial dysplasia, CIS, and SCC compared with normal tissue (P<0.05). The PCNA Labeling Index (LI) was 39.47+/-6.68% in control group, 79.61+/-4.14% in CIS, and 85.43+/-6.25% in SCC, respectively. PCNA LI also significantly increased in epithelial dysplasia, CIS, and SCC compared with normal tissue (P<0.05). The number of AgNORs, AgNOR area, and PCNA LI slightly increased in the advancing front than in the center of SCC, but, it was not statistically significant. It appeared that there were a good correlation between the number of AgNORs and PCNA LI (Pierson correlation coefficient : 0.649, P<0.001). These results suggested that the number of AgNORs and the PCNA LI could be useful markers for evaluating the risk of malignant transformation and prognosis of SCC. It was thought that the clinical usefulness of these markers should be verified by using human tissue specimens.
9,10-Dimethyl-1,2-benzanthracene ; Animals ; Carcinogenesis* ; Carcinoma in Situ ; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell ; Colloids ; Cricetinae* ; Humans ; Mesocricetus ; Mineral Oil ; Models, Theoretical ; Prognosis ; Proliferating Cell Nuclear Antigen* ; Silver

A case of melanotic neuroectodermal tumor of infancy was presented. This tumor occurred in the right maxillary alveolar ridge of 3-month-old female infant, showing bluish enlargement of alveolar mucosa with the displacement of central deciduous incisor. We described the gross, microscopic, and ultrastructural findings of this tumor. This case appears to be the first case of MNTI, reported in a Korean.
Female ; Humans ; Infant ; Maxillary Neoplasms/*pathology ; Neoplasms, Germ Cell and Embryonal/*pathology

No abstract available.
Gingival Crevicular Fluid* ; Periodontal Diseases*

The p16/INK4A is one of the major target genes in carcinogenesis and its inactivation has frequently been reported in other types of tumors. The purpose of this study is to evaluate inactivation patterns of p16/INK4A in oral squamous cell carcinoma. Six different oral cancer cell lines, SCC-4, SCC-9, SCC-15, SCC-25, KB, and SNUDH- 379 were examined for inactivation of p16/INK4A genes. In the analysis of p16/INK4A gene inactivation, PCR amplification, direct sequencing, and methylation-specific PCR methods were adopted for evaluation of homozygous deletion, point mutation, and promoter hypermethylation, respectively. Homozygous deletion was detected in SCC-25 and SCC-9. SCC-15 showed hypermethylated promoter region within p16/INK4A gene. It is suggestive in the present study that inactivation patterns of p16/INK4A were mainly homozygous deletion, promoter methylation rather than point mutation in oral squamous cancer cell lines, so treatment modalities of oral squamous cell carcinoma should be focused on these types of inactivation.
Carcinoma, Squamous Cell/*genetics ; Cell Line, Tumor ; DNA Methylation ; *Gene Silencing ; Homozygote ; Humans ; Mouth Neoplasms/*genetics ; Point Mutation ; Promoter Regions (Genetics)/genetics ; Protein p16/*genetics

Malignant salivary gland tumor is rare neoplasm. In Korean population, retrospective study of malignant salivary gland tumor has not been performed. We analyzed 67 cases of malignant salivary gland tumors from 2001 to 2005 in Seoul National University Dental Hospital in Seoul, Korea. The mean age is 51.7 and the male to female ratio is 1:1.39. The most affected site is the palate. Histologically, the tumors were classified as adenoid cystic carcinoma(34.4%), mucoepidermoid carcinoma(31.3%), adenocarcinoma, NOS(11.9%), polymorphous low grade adenocarcinoma(3.0%), salivary duct carcionoma(6.0%), carcinoma ex pleomorphic adenoma(4.5%), myoepithelial carcinoma(4.5%), epithelial-myoepithelial carcinoma(1.5%), cyatadenocarcinoma(1.5%) and adenosquamous carcinoma(1.5%).
Adenocarcinoma ; Adenoids ; Female ; Humans ; Korea ; Male ; Palate ; Retrospective Studies ; Salivary Ducts ; Salivary Glands* ; Seoul

Diabetes Mellitus (DM) is a syndrome accompanied with the abnormal secretion or function of insulin, a hormone that plays a vital role in controlling the blood glucose level (BGL). Type 1and 2 DM are most common form and the prevalence of the latter is recently increasing. The aim of this article was to assess whether Type 2 DM could act as a predisposing risk factor on the pulpo-periapical pathogenesis. Previous literature on the pathologic changes of blood vessels in DM was thoroughly reviewed. Furthermore, a histopathologic analysis of artificially-induced periapical specimens obtained from Type 2 diabetic and DM-resistant rats was compared. Histopathologic results demonstrate that the size of periapical bone destruction was larger and the degree of pulpal inflammation was more severe in diabetic rats, indicating that Type 2 DM itself can be a predisposing risk factor that makes the host more susceptible to pulpal infection. The possible reasons may be that in diabetic state the lumen of pulpal blood vessels are thickened by atheromatous deposits, and microcirculation is hindered. The function of polymorphonuclear leukocyte is also impaired and the migration of immune cells is blocked, leading to increased chance of pulpal infection. Also, lack of collateral circulation of pulpal blood vessels makes the pulp more susceptible to infection. These decrease the regeneration capacity of pulpal cells or tissues, delaying the healing process. Therefore, when restorative treatment is needed in Type 2 DM patients, dentists should minimize irritation to the pulpal tissue un der control of BGL.
Animals ; Blood Glucose ; Blood Vessels ; Collateral Circulation ; Dentists ; Diabetes Mellitus ; Humans ; Inflammation ; Insulin ; Microcirculation ; Neutrophils ; Prevalence ; Rats ; Regeneration ; Risk Factors ; United Nations

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of tongue cleaner-equipped manual toothbrush on tooth cleanness, tongue cleanness and malodor index. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 504 subjects were included in this study. At 1st visit, basic information such as age, sex, smoking amount and alcohol consumption was recorded. Self assessment by individual subjects was performed regarding satisfaction to old toothbrush and toothbrushing habit. Tooth cleanness, tongue cleanness and malodor index was assessed by professional researcher. Tongue cleaner-equipped manual toothbrush was given to each subject with proper toothbrushing instruction. After 1 month passed, self assessment and researcher assessment regarding the same index were performed and analyzed statistically by chi-square test. RESULTS: At 1st visit subjects seem to ignore tongue cleansing and showed poor tooth cleanness index, tongue cleanness index and malodor index, however the same subjects were motivated to clean their tongue and teeth and presented statistically improved distribution pattern in tooth cleanness index, tongue cleanness index and malodor index after using tongue cleaner-equipped manual toothbrush(p<0.01). Satisfaction to tongue cleaner-equipped manual toothbrush was 98%. CONCLUSION: Tongue cleaner-equipped manual toothbrush would be an effective tool for maintaining good oral hygiene through improving tooth and tongue cleanness and preventing malodor formation.
Alcohol Drinking ; Oral Hygiene ; Self-Assessment ; Smoke ; Smoking ; Tongue ; Tooth ; Toothbrushing

The pulmonic valve is the least commonly affected valve in infective endocarditis. Pulmonic valve endocarditis usually occurs in IV drug addicts or patients with congenital heart disease, most commonly pulmonic stenosis, patent ductus arteriosus, tetralogy of Fallot, and ventricular septal defect. The diagnosis of pulmonic valve endocarditis is difficult clinically and echocardiography is a reliable method to detect the presence of pulmonic valve endocarditis. Diagnostic finding is vegetations on the pulmonic valve appear as shaggy echo-dense masses or thickening of the pulmonic valve during diastole and/or systole. The prevalence of pulmonic valve endocarditis has increased significantly recent years, especially among intravenous drug addicts. However, few reports have dealt with the echocardiographic and clinical features of pulmonic valve endocarditis. We, therefore, reviewed the clinical spectrum and echocardiographic features of pulmonic valve endocarditis in two patients with ventricular septal defect.
Diagnosis ; Diastole ; Drug Users ; Ductus Arteriosus, Patent ; Echocardiography* ; Endocarditis* ; Heart Defects, Congenital ; Heart Septal Defects, Ventricular* ; Humans ; Prevalence ; Pulmonary Valve Stenosis ; Systole ; Tetralogy of Fallot

No abstract available.
Giant Cell Tumors* ; Giant Cells* ; Ribs*