Background: The optimum protocol for expander volume adjustment with respect to the timing and application of radiotherapy remains controversial. Methods: Eighteen New Zealand rabbits were divided into three groups. Metallic port integrated anatomic breast expanders of 250 cc were implanted on the back of each animal and controlled expansion was performed. Group I underwent radiotherapy with full expanders while in Group II, expanders were partially deflated immediately prior to radiotherapy. Control group did not receive radiotherapy. The changes in blood flow at different volume adjustments were investigated in Group II by laser Doppler flowmetry. Variations in the histopathologic properties of the irradiated tissues including the skin, capsule and the pocket floor, were compared in the biopsy specimens taken from different locations in each group. Results: A significant increase in skin blood flow was detected in Group II with partial expander deflation. Overall, histopathologic exam revealed aggravated findings of chronic radiodermatitis (epidermal atrophy, dermal inflammation and fibrosis, neovascularisation and vascular changes as well as increased capsule thickness) especially around the lower expander pole, in Group II. Conclusions: Expander deflation immediately prior to radiotherapy, may augment the adverse effects, especially in the lower expander pole, possibly via enhanced radiosensitization due to a relative increase in the blood flow and tissue oxygenation.

This randomized controlled clinical trial evaluated the effect of mineralized plasmatic matrix (MPM), comprised of synthetic graft and platelet concentrates, on new bone formation and volume stability over time in maxillary sinus lifting (MSL). Unilateral MSL was performed in 20 patients with either beta-tricalcium phosphate (β-TCP) or MPM grafts (10 sinuses each). Six months postsurgery, specimens were obtained with a trephine bur prior to implant placement in 39 cases. Volumetric changes in sinus augmentation were analyzed between 1 week (T-I) and 6 months (T-II) postsurgery. Histomorphometric and histological analyses of biopsy samples revealed mean new bone percentages of 35.40% ± 9.09% and 26.92% ± 7.26% and residual graft particle areas of 23.13% ± 6.16% and 32.25% ± 8.48% in the MPM and β-TCP groups, respectively (p < 0.05). The mean soft-tissue areas in the MPM and β-TCP groups were 41.48% ± 8.41% and 40.83% ± 8.86%, respectively (p > 0.05). Graft reductions between baseline and 6-months postprocedure in the β-TCP and MPM groups were 17.12% ± 13.55% and 14.41% ± 12.87%, respectively, with significant graft volume reduction observed in both groups (p < 0.05) while there is no significant difference between MPM and β-TCP groups (p > 0.05). Thus, MPM, representing growth factors in a fibrin network, increases new bone formation and has acceptable volume stability in MSL procedures

Treatment of patients with bisphosphonate usage is a significant concern for oral surgeons because it interferes with jaw bone turnover and regeneration. In case of adverse effects manifesting related to bisphosphonate use, oral surgeons are usually treating and keep the patient’s symptoms under control. In this study, we aimed to investigate a new treatment protocol for medication-related osteonecrosis of the jaw (MRONJ). This treatment protocol consisted of administering human parathyroid hormone (hPTH) loaded chitosan microspheres which were prepared by ionotropic gelation method or/and the prepared microspheres were suspended in a poloxamer gel. After in-vitro optimization studies, the efficacy of the chosen formulations was evaluated in-vivo studies. Zoledronic acid was administered daily to forty-eight adult female Sprague-Dawley rats, divided into four experimental groups, at a daily concentration of 0.11 mg/kg over three weeks to induce the MRONJ model. At the end of this period, maxillary left molar teeth were extracted. In the first group, the subjects received no treatment. In the negative control group, poloxamer hydrogel containing empty microspheres were immediately applied to the soft tissues surrounding the extraction socket. The treatment group-1 was treated with local injections of poloxamer hydrogel containing hPTH. The treatment group-2 was treated with a single local injection of poloxamer hydrogel containing hPTH-loaded chitosan microspheres. Both treatment groups received a total of 7 µg of hPTH at the end of the treatment protocol. Our study demonstrates successful attenuation of MRONJ through a local drug delivery system combined with hPTH, as opposed to previously attempted treatment strategies.

Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) remains a major global health burden, often diagnosed at advanced stages, with limited survival improvement. Epigenetic dysregulation, particularly promoter hypermethylation, plays a significant role in OSCC pathogenesis. Previous study by Demokan et al. identified Gamma-Aminobutyric Acid Receptor Beta-2 (GABRB2) as a candidate gene subject to methylation-dependent transcriptional silencing. This study aimed to evaluate the methylation and expression profiles of GABRB2 in OSCC and to explore its potential as a diagnostic biomarker. Tissue and serum samples from 48 OSCC patients and 15 healthy controls were analyzed for GABRB2 promoter methylation via quantitative methylation-specific PCR and for gene expression levels via quantitative real-time PCR. Relationships between methylation, expression levels, clinicopathological parameters, and patient outcomes were statistically assessed. GABRB2 promoter hypermethylation was detected in 14.6% of tumor samples, predominantly in floor of the mouth and buccal tumors. Decreased GABRB2 expression was observed in 52.1% of tumor tissues compared to matched-normal tissues, while 22.9% of tumors exhibited increased expression. Methylation-dependent expression loss was confirmed in 71.4% of methylated tumors. Notably, decreased expression and hypermethylation of GABRB2 were correlated with poor prognosis parameters (p < 0.05). ROC analysis showed moderate discrimination for GABRB2 expression in distinguishing tumor from normal tissues (AUC = 0.635, p = 0.022), while serum-based analysis demonstrated poor diagnostic performance. Survival analysis revealed no statistically significant prognostic impact of GABRB2 expression levels (p > 0.05). However, alcohol consumption (p = 0.006) and recurrence developed (p = 0.030) as independent predictors of poor prognosis in multivariate analysis. Our study suggests that there was association between methylation-based expression loss of GABRB2 with OSCC’ subgroups. To our knowledge, this is the first study to investigate GABRB2 gene methylation and expression profiling in both invasive/non-invasive samples from OSCC patients. Hypermethylation in the newly identified candidate GABRB2 gene may play a role in the development of tumors originating from the mouth floor and buccal anatomical regions of the oral cavity. However, since the loss of expression seen in the majority of our patients, we thought that only methylation may not the inhibition mechanism for GABRB2 gene decreased expression. The new identified candidate gene may be specific for the OSCC’s subgroups.

The aim of this study was to evaluate apoptotic (Bcl-2, Bax expression, caspase-3 activity, and cytochrome-c) and angiogenic (MMP-9 levels and VEGF expression) markers in operable rectal cancer patients who were treated with preoperative chemoradiotherapy (CRT) followed by total mesorectal excision (TME). Understanding these factors will facilitate the identification of potential pathological responders before treatment, leading to better local control and survival rates.