Background: Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) is the sixth most common malignant tumor in the world. Studies in recent years have demonstrated that cancer stem cells (CSCs) are present in many tumor tissues, including HNSCC, and CSCs are the root cause of tumor recurrence and metastasis. Thus, taking new treatment measures to target the killing of CSCs that are resistant to chemotherapy and radiotherapy is key to the success of cancer treatment. Methods: We explored a method for preparing anti-CD44 antibody-modified superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (SPIONPs). Biocompatibility was evaluated by a CCK-8 assay. The CSCs were obtained by a 3D cell culture technique from Cal-27 (human oral squamous cell carcinoma) cells, and then the CSCs were identified by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). The targeting efficiency of the CD44-SPIONPs to CSCs was confirmed by Prussian blue staining and visualized by laser scanning confocal microscopy (LSCM). Flow cytometry was used to detect the apoptosis of CSCs after alternating magnetic field (AMF) treatment. The efficacy of tumor growth inhibition by CD44-SPIONP-mediated magnetic hyperthermia therapy was evaluated with tumor xenografts in nude mice. Results: The CD44-SPIONPs exhibited no negative effect on CSCs, indicating good biocompatibility. After SPIONPs were cocultured with stem cells, the majority of CD44-SPIONPs labeled with FITC penetrated the cell membrane into the cytoplasm. After AMF treatment, CD44-SPIONPs induced CSCs to undergo programmed death. The inhibitory ratio of the treated group was 33.43%, and necrotic areas in the tumor tissue were mainly distributed around the magnetic fluid. Conclusion: These results demonstrate that it is possible to kill CSCs using targeted magnetic nanoparticles and an AMF and that magnetic fluid hyperthermia significantly inhibited the growth of grafted Cal-27 tumors in mice.

The objectives of this study were to investigated changes in OHRQoL among patients with different classifications of malocclusion during comprehensive orthodontic treatment. Clinical data were collected from 81 patients (aged 15 to 24) who had undergone comprehensive orthodontic treatment. Participants were classified 3 groups: Class I (n = 35), II (n = 32) and III (n = 14) by Angle classification. OHRQoL was assessed using the Oral Health Impact Profile (OHIP-14). All subjects were examined and interviewed at baseline (T0), after alignment and leveling (T1), after correction of molar relationship and space closure (T2), after finishing (T3). Friedman 2-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) and Wilcoxon signed rank tests were used to compare the relative changes of OHRQoL among the different time points. A Bonferroni correction with P < 0.005 was used to declare significance. Significant reductions were observed in all seven OHIP-14 domains of three groups except for social disability (P > 0.005) in class I and class II, Handicap in class II and class III (P > 0.005). Class I patients showed significant changes for psychological disability and psychological discomfort domain at T1, functional limitation, physical pain at T2. Class III patients showed a significant benefit in all domains except physical pain and functional limitation. Class II patients showed significant changes in the physical pain, functional disability, and physical disability domains at T1. The impact of comprehensive orthodontic treatment on patients’ OHRQoL do not follow the same pattern among patients with different malocclusion. Class II patients benefits the most from the stage of space closure, while class I patients benefits the first stage (alignment and leveling) of treatment in psychological disability and psychological discomfort domains.

Chronic osteomyelitis with proliferative periostitis is a rare form of osteomyelitis that is characterised by new bone formation with periosteal reaction. It is also traditionally known as Garre’s osteomyelitis. The common sources of infection of the jaw include dental caries associated with periapical periodontitis, periodontitis, fractures and nonodontogenic infections. Chronic osteomyelitis with proliferative periostitis mainly presents in younger patients. Here, we present a case of a 12-year-old patient with chronic osteomyelitis with proliferative periostitis with no definitive infection source such as pericoronitis, caries and periodontitis. Therapeutic measures involved surgical debridement and antibiotics. Disease remission and a normal facial symmetrical morphology were observed at the six-month follow-up.

Objective: The objective of this study was to review the published literature and investigate whether E-cadherin gene is a prognostic factor in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma by conducting a meta-analysis. Methods: Studies were identified from the databases Embase, Medline, and Cochrane Library by using the keywords “E-cadherin gene” and “head and neck cancer”. Overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS) were the primary outcome measurements. Results: Our literature review identified 1,458 articles; 19 studies with a total number of 2,012 cases were eligible for inclusion in the meta-analysis. The hazard ratio (HR) for OS of patients with decreased expression of E-cadherin gene was 0.57 (95% CI =0.37, 0.89; P=0.000). However, statistical heterogeneity was unacceptably high (I²=74.5%, P=0.000). After sensitivity analysis, heterogeneity became acceptable, and the effect measure was still significant (I²=7.0%; HR =0.52; 95% CI =0.40, 0.66; P=0.000). The HR for DFS was 0.53 (95% CI =0.42, 0.67; P=0.000). Conclusion: This meta-analysis showed clear evidence that high E-cadherin gene expression is a positive prognostic factor of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma, resulting in better OS and DFS. However, this conclusion must be interpreted with caution due to a few limitations.

Background: MicroRNA27b-3p (miR-27b) has been reported to be dysregulated in multiple types of human cancer. However, the expression levels, biological roles, and underlying mechanism of miR-27b in tongue squamous cell carcinoma (TSCC) remain to be elucidated. Methods: Bioinformatics analyses and quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) were used to determine miR-27b expression in TSCC tissues and cell lines. The influence of miR-27b overexpression or inhibition on TSCC cell proliferation, migration, and invasion in vitro, and on tumor growth in vivo, was explored via CCK8, colony formation, wound healing, and transwell assays, and in xenograft tumors in nude mice, respectively. Luciferase reporter assays, qRT-PCR, and Western blotting were performed to clarify the potential mechanisms involving miR-27b in TSCC cells. Results: miR-27b was significantly downregulated in TSCC tissues and cell lines, and its expression was correlated with cancer status. Overexpression of miR-27b led to diminished proliferation, migration, and invasion, and notably reduced tumor growth in vivo. Bioinformatics analysis followed by luciferase reporter assays demonstrated that miR-27b expression was inversely correlated with that of integrin subunit α 5 (ITGA5)and that miR-27b directly bound to the 3ʹ-untranslated region of ITGA5 in TSCC cells. The bioinformatics analysis also indicated that ITGA5 was upregulated in TSCC and that its expression was correlated with epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT) and poor prognosis. Moreover, we found that miRNA-27b could reverse ITGA5-induced promotion of TSCC cell proliferation and migration. Finally, we demonstrated that regulation of miR-27b expression in TSCC may result in alterations in the expression of ITGA5 and EMT-related marker genes at the mRNA and protein levels. Conclusion: These results indicate that miR-27b hampers TSCC proliferation and migration via suppressing the EMT process by targeting ITGA5. These findings support consideration of miR-27b/ITGA5 as a valuable marker for the metastatic potential of TSCC, or as a therapeutic target for the treatment of TSCC.