Growth differentiation factor 15 (GDF-15), a cytokine within the transforming growth factor-β superfamily, is involved in various malignancies, withimplications in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). Elevated GDF-15 levels are correlated with unfavorable prognosis, tumor progression, and chemotherapy resistance, and the protein has been identified as a potential diagnostic and prognostic biomarker for OSCC. Personalized treatment strategies based on GDF-15 expression could improve treatment outcomes.

Growth differentiation factor 15 (GDF-15), a cytokine within the transforming growth factor-β superfamily, is involved in various malignancies, withimplications in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). Elevated GDF-15 levels are correlated with unfavorable prognosis, tumor progression, and chemotherapy resistance, and the protein has been identified as a potential diagnostic and prognostic biomarker for OSCC. Personalized treatment strategies based on GDF-15 expression could improve treatment outcomes.

Growth differentiation factor 15 (GDF-15), a cytokine within the transforming growth factor-β superfamily, is involved in various malignancies, withimplications in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). Elevated GDF-15 levels are correlated with unfavorable prognosis, tumor progression, and chemotherapy resistance, and the protein has been identified as a potential diagnostic and prognostic biomarker for OSCC. Personalized treatment strategies based on GDF-15 expression could improve treatment outcomes.

Subcutaneous emphysema is the accumulation of gas or air in loose subcutaneous connective tissue. The use of air-driven handpieces in dental procedures is a common iatrogenic cause of intraoral mucogingival barrier disruption by high-pressure air. This case report describes a 60-year-old woman who underwent prophylactic periodontal treatment with an air-abrasive device and subsequently developed severe bilateral subcutaneous emphysema, extending from the temporal region to the thoracic and mediastinal spaces. Subcutaneous emphysema was suspected based on clinical examination, and paranasal CT was performed for definitive diagnosis. Chest CT was conducted for further evaluation, followed by consultation with the Department of Thoracic Surgery.The patient was admitted for supportive care and prophylactic antibiotics. After 4 days of hospitalization, the symptoms had nearly resolved, and a follow-up paranasal CT showed significant air resorption. The patient was discharged without complications. Although generally benign and self-limiting, subcutaneous emphysema can lead to serious complications such as systemic infection, pneumothorax, and air embolism. This case highlights the importance of prompt diagnosis and appropriate management to prevent further complications.

Subcutaneous emphysema is the accumulation of gas or air in loose subcutaneous connective tissue. The use of air-driven handpieces in dental procedures is a common iatrogenic cause of intraoral mucogingival barrier disruption by high-pressure air. This case report describes a 60-year-old woman who underwent prophylactic periodontal treatment with an air-abrasive device and subsequently developed severe bilateral subcutaneous emphysema, extending from the temporal region to the thoracic and mediastinal spaces. Subcutaneous emphysema was suspected based on clinical examination, and paranasal CT was performed for definitive diagnosis. Chest CT was conducted for further evaluation, followed by consultation with the Department of Thoracic Surgery.The patient was admitted for supportive care and prophylactic antibiotics. After 4 days of hospitalization, the symptoms had nearly resolved, and a follow-up paranasal CT showed significant air resorption. The patient was discharged without complications. Although generally benign and self-limiting, subcutaneous emphysema can lead to serious complications such as systemic infection, pneumothorax, and air embolism. This case highlights the importance of prompt diagnosis and appropriate management to prevent further complications.

In recent years, many advances have been made in surgical fields of oral and maxillofacial reconstruction, and the variety and complexity of available surgical approaches consider different functionalities of the jaw and the aesthetics of the face. There is no validated or scientifically proven basis for deciding which flap to use for reconstruction, so decisions are often made based on the direct and indirect experiential knowledge of the reconstructive surgeon. Considering the modified ladder, elevator, and pie reconstructive options, their risk and donor morbidity, and their long-term outcomes, the simplest option that will achieve the best long-term outcome in terms of form and function and with the lowest donor morbidity should be chosen for the patient’s health and social welfare. This manuscript summarizes current options for jaw and facial reconstruction and their limitations by offering updated guidelines for various defect conditions.

The exact mechanism of sialolith formation has yet to be determined. Recurrence of sialolithiasis is rare, affecting only 1%-10% of patients. The current study presents a case of recurrent stones that occurred twice on the right submandibular gland 6 months postoperative and 7 months after reoperation in a 48-year-old female patient. The stones were analyzed using histology, scanning electron microscopy, energy dispersive spectroscopy, and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The first stone showed a three-layered structure with a poorly mineralized peripheral multilayered zone, highly mineralized middle layer, and the central nidus. The stones were composed of Ca, C, O, Cu, F, N, P, Si, Zn, and Zr. In TEM, compact bi-layered bacterial cell membrane was found on the peripheral layer and the central nidus of the stone as well as exosomes in the central nidus. The results demonstrated the essential components of sialolith formation, including bacteria, inflammatory exosomes, and exfoliated salivary epithelial cells that cooperatively underwent the pathogenetic progresses of central nidus formation, induction of compact zone calcification of the middle layer, and repeated subsequent deposition in the peripheral multilayer zone. The rapid recurrence could have resulted from residual pieces of a sialolith acting as the nidus of bacterial infection.

Objectives: The surgical guide is a static computer-assisted device used for implant surgery planning and guidance. By taking an impression and referring to the patients’ three-dimensional computed tomography scan of the desired implant site, a surgical guide can be created. During surgery, the surgical guide aids in achieving the designed implant placement position and direction. We examined and evaluated the long-term clinical outcomes of implant surgery using surgical guides. Materials and Methods: This study investigated a total of 15 patients with 32 implants that were placed using surgical guides from 2009 to 2011 with a mean follow-up period extended beyond 10 years. Patient demographics and implant survival rates were recorded. We analyzed marginal bone loss (MBL) by assessing the radiographs acquired at installation, three months after installation, and one month, one, two, and five years after prosthesis delivery. Results: The mean patient age was 57.33 years at implant placement. Of the 32 implants, five implants were placed in the anterior region and 27 implants were in the posterior region. Six implants failed and three of them were replaced, resulting in an 81.25% survival rate. The mean follow-up period was 10 years and nine months. Mean MBL compared to post-installation was significantly higher than at three months after installation, and one month, one, two, and five years after prosthesis delivery. Mean MBL at three months after installation, and one month, one year, and two years were significantly higher compared to the previous visit (P<0.05). However, MBL at five years after prosthesis delivery did not differ significantly compared to at two years. Conclusion In this study, implant rehabilitation assisted by surgical guides exhibited favorable survival rates. With the limitation of the sample amount in this study, further research and more samples are required to evaluate the long-term clinical effectiveness of surgical guides.

The endoplasmic reticulum (ER) is crucial for protein synthesis, transport, and folding, as well as calcium storage, lipid and steroid synthesis, and carbohydrate metabolism. Endoplasmic reticulum stress (ERS) occurs when misfolded or unfolded proteins accumulate in the ER lumen due to increased protein secretion or impaired folding. While the role of ERS in disease pathogenesis has been widely studied, most research has focused on extraoral diseases, leaving the role of ERS in intraoral diseases unclear. This review examines the role of ERS in oral diseases and oral fibrosis pathogenesis.A systematic search of literature through July 2023 was conducted in the MEDLINE database (via PubMed) using specific terms related to ERS, oral diseases, and fibrosis. The findings were summarized in both table and narrative form. Emerging evidence indicates that ERS significantly contributes to the pathogenesis of oral diseases and fibrosis. ERS-induced dysregulation of protein folding and the unfolded protein response can lead to cellular dysfunction and inflammation in oral tissues. Understanding the relationship between ERS and oral disease pathogenesis could offer new therapeutic targets for managing oral health and fibrosis-related complications.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to perform a comparative analysis of the ultrastructural and chemical composition of sialoliths, tonsilloliths, and antroliths and to describe their growth pattern. Materials and Methods: We obtained 19 specimens from 18 patients and classified the specimens into three groups: sialolith (A), tonsillolith (B), and antrolith (C). The peripheral, middle, and core regions of the specimens were examined in detail by histology, micro-computed tomography (micro-CT), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Results: In the micro-CT, group A showed alternating radiodense and radiolucent layers, while group B had a homogeneous structure. Group C specimens revealed a compact homogeneous structure. Histopathologically, group A showed a laminated, teardrop-shaped, globular structure. Group B demonstrated degrees of immature calcification of organic and inorganic materials. In group C, the lesion was not encapsulated and showed a homogeneous lamellar bone structure. SEM revealed that group A showed distinct three layers: a peripheral multilayer zone, intermediate compact zone, and the central nidus area; groups B and C did not show these layers. The main elemental components of sialoliths were O, C, Ca, N, Cu, P, Zn, Si, Zr, F, Na, and Mg. In group B, a small amount of Fe was found in the peripheral region. Group C had a shorter component list: Ca, C, O, P, F, N, Si, Na, and Mg. TEM analysis of group A showed globular structures undergoing intra-vesicular calcification. In group B, bacteria were present in the middle layer. In the outer layer of the group C antrolith, an osteoblastic rimming was observed. Conclusion Sialoliths had distinct three layers: a peripheral multilayer zone, an intermediate compact zone and the central nidus area, while the tonsillolith and antrolith specimens lacked distinct layers and a core.