Metastasis of oral squamous cell carcinoma to the parotid lymph nodes

Parotid lymph node (PLN) metastasis greatly worsens the prognosis of patients with oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) and poses a great challenge for further treatment of OSCC. The clinicopathological characteristics and treatment strategies for PLN metastasis from OSCC need to be comprehensively elucidated. A retrospective review of OSCC patients who experienced postoperative PLN metastasis in our department between 2000 and 2018 was performed in this study. A total of 47 OSCC patients with postoperative PLN metastasis were identified. PLN with metastasis were divided into three groups based on the location: parotid tail (PLN-t), superficial lobe (PLN-sl), and deep lobe (PLN-dl). Most of the patients experienced PLN metastasis within less than 12 months after the primary surgery for OSCC. Comparatively, patients with PLN-sl metastasis were more prone to have infiltration of the facial nerve. The tongue and buccal mucosa were the most frequent primary sites associated with PLN metastasis from OSCC. PLNs in the parotid tail were most commonly affected by the metastasized OSCC. Consequently, we recommend a series of strategies for the prevention and treatment of PLN metastasis for OSCC patients. In conclusion, PLNs should not be overlooked during preoperative evaluation and postoperative follow-up examinations for OSCC patients.     

Thinned-out skin paddle versus collagen matrix as an optimized peri-implant soft tissue following fibula osteoseptocutaneous free flap: 3-year retrospective study

The objective of this study was to compare the implant longevity following two methods of peri-implant soft tissue optimization following free fibula flap (FFF): thinning of skin paddle (SP) and collagen matrix (CM). All patients who underwent rehabilitation with dental implants after mandibular reconstruction with FFF between June 2009 to May 2014 were retrospectively reviewed. Two methods of peri-implant soft tissue optimization were applied: (1) SP group, (2) CM group. Outcome measurements were: modified plaque index (mPI), modified sulcus bleeding index (mSBI), probing depth (PD), marginal bone loss (MBL), implant success rate and complication rates. A total of 24 patients with 69 implants were included in the study, with 8.7% (n = 6) of implants lost in 3 years. No statistically significant difference was found regarding the outcome measurements in both groups. Failed implants presented with statistically significant higher mPI, mSBI, PD and MBL scores during prosthesis delivery and subsequent follow-ups (P<0.03). In the SP group, one patient experienced SP necrosis which later underwent soft tissue optimization using CM. CM is an alternative peri-implant soft tissue, while thinning of SP is feasible if thickness is well controlled.     

Interdiction de vente de tabac aux mineurs en France et au Québec. Comparaison du cadre législatif,de son application,et du tabagisme des adolescents

Background

Prohibition of tobacco sales to minors is a provision of the World Health Organization Framework Convention on tobacco control. This measure is effective to reduce youth tobacco use, if the legislation adopted is properly implemented and enforced. Through the examples of France and Quebec, the objective of this study is to compare legislative frameworks prohibiting tobacco sales to minors, their enforcement, and possible impact on underage smoking.

TT genotype of rs10036748 in TNIP1 shows better response to methotrexate in a Chinese population: a prospective cohort study

Psoriasis is a persistent disease that causes inflammation throughout the body and affects approximately 1% to 3% of the world population. It generally appears as red scaly patches and papules over several areas of the skin. Methotrexate is an effective medication for the treatment of psoriasis; however, it is not widely used because its efficacy is unpredictable. This study aimed to determine whether clinical factors of psoriasis and the genes that make people more susceptible to it may affect the effectiveness of methotrexate. The authors identified 221 Chinese patients with psoriasis who were treated with methotrexate for 12 weeks. The patients were divided into the responder and non-responder groups, based on whether their psoriasis improved (responded) after the 12-weeks treatment. The responder group comprised patients with more than 75% improvement while the non-responder group comprised those with less than 50% improvement in psoriasis. Associations between 18 common variations of 14 genes that make people susceptible to psoriasis (LCE3D, IL12B, NFKB1A, TNIP1, ERAP1, ZNF683, MTHFR, AIM2, PTTG1, GJB2, SYNE2, IKZF3, SERPINB8, ZNF816A) and the HLA-Cw6 status were analysed, based on their response to methotrexate. The differences between the clinical factors of methotrexate responders and non-responders were compared. Body mass index, arthritis, and rs10036748 genotype were significantly associated with the patients’ response to methotrexate. The authors concluded that patients with psoriasis and the TT genotype of rs10036748 on the TNIP1 gene, those with lower body mass indices, and those without arthritis will respond better to methotrexate.