Eye-tracking in dentistry: what do children notice in the dental operatory?

Clinical Oral Investigations - To determine, using eye-tracking technology, (i) what children notice the most when they look at images of dental operatories and (ii) the effect of distractors on...     

Is the addition of extranodal extension and lymph node yield of pN0 to the lymph node ratio useful as a prognostic parameter for patients with oral squamous cell carcinoma?

We investigated the value of the weighted lymph node ratio (WLNR), a new marker in pN0 patients that incorporates the number of metastatic lymph nodes with extranodal extension and the lymph node yield, for the prognosis and postsurgical management of oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). We designed a retrospective study and enrolled patients with OSCC who were treated by neck dissection (ND). The predictor variable was WLNR, and the outcome variable was overall survival (OS). The Cox proportional-hazards model was used to identify independent prognostic factors. In 133 patients with OSCC, the WLNR cut-off value for predicting OS was 0.0363 (area under the curve 0.723, p<0.001). When stratified according to WLNR, there was a significant difference in OS (88.4% for low WLNR and 63.0% for high WLNR, p<0.001). Univariate analyses showed close associations between OS and age, dissection area, postoperative management, extranodal extension, number of positive lymph nodes, pN stage, WLNR, and nodal disease area. Cox multivariate analysis identified the WLNR as an independent predictive factor for OS (HR 3.273, 95% CI 1.227 to 8.731, p=0.018). As a predictive factor, a high WLNR (≥0.0363) in patients with pN0 disease, which included the addition of extranodal extension and lymph node yield to the LNR, was associated with diminished survival.     

T cells,teeth and tissue destruction – what do T cells do in periodontal disease?

The microbial plaque biofilm resides adjacent to the tissue‐destructive inflammatory infiltrate in periodontitis. Although not sufficient, this biofilm is necessary for this inflammatory response. Patients with periodontitis generate antibodies specific for bacteria in the biofilm – although the role of these antibodies is not clear, there is, undoubtedly, an adaptive immune response in periodontitis. T lymphocytes are central to adaptive immunity, and provide help for B cells to generate specific antibodies. T‐cell receptor recognition of peptide antigen in the context of major histocompatibility complex can result in T‐cell activation. The activation and differentiation of the T‐cell can take many forms, and hence numerous types of T cells have been described. The role of adaptive immune responses, and the T‐cell component thereof, in periodontitis remains relatively poorly defined. This review aims to broadly summarize findings about T cells and their role in periodontitis, focusing primarily on studies of human disease with a short discussion of some animal studies.     

Issues and considerations in dental implant occlusion: what do we know, and what do we need to find out?

Implant dentistry continues to struggle with what are the appropriate occlusal concept(s) for implant-supported restorations. The biological and mechanical consequences of the loading environment leads to establishing and maintaining an implant interface in a wide variety of bone quality and quantity, implant and prosthesis designs. To the restorative dentist, the role of occlusion is more focused on extending the service life of the restoration and the connecting abutment(s) than protecting the osseous integration of the implant(s). This study reviews the relevant issues regarding implant occlusion along with implant and prosthesis design in order to provide optimal patient care.     

Sinus histiocytosis with massive lymphadenopathy. Is the lymph node enlargement always massive?

Sinus histiocytosis with massive lymphadenopathy (SHML) is a benign proliferating histiocytic disorder, predominantly of lymph nodes with extra-nodal involvement in some cases. It is a self-limiting disease and has a good prognosis; however some patients need steroid therapy. Therein lays a need to differentiate it from other lympho proliferative disorders of poorer prognosis. Clinically, it is suspected only when there is a significant lymph node enlargement in younger age group as the term signifies. Recently, we came across a case where a middle-aged female presented with a subtle swelling in submental region, clinically suspected of reactive or tubercular etiology. However on fine needle aspiration cytology, the smears showed many histiocytes, some of them showing lymphocytes and plasma cells in their cytoplasm, a morphological feature called as "emperipolesis" classically seen in SHML. The present case is reported because of unusual clinical presentation and possibly the need for a revision of existing terminology.