Head and neck squamous cell carcinomas (HNSCCs) are one of the most frequently detected cancers in the world; not all mechanisms related to the expression of keratin in this type of cancer are known. The aim of this study was to evaluate type II cytokeratins (KRT): KRT6A, KRT6B, and KRT6C protein concentrations in 54 tumor and margin samples of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). Moreover, we examined a possible association between protein concentration and the clinical and demographic variables. Protein concentrations were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Significantly higher KRT6A protein concentration was found in HNSCC samples compared to surgical margins. An inverse relationship was observed for KRT6B and KRT6C proteins. We showed an association between the KRT6C protein level and clinical parameters T and N in tumor and margin samples. When analyzing the effect of smoking and drinking on KRT6A, KRT6B, and KRT6C levels, we demonstrated a statistically significant difference between regular or occasional tobacco and alcohol habits and patients who do not have any tobacco and alcohol habits in tumor and margin samples. Moreover, we found an association between KRT6B and KRT6C concentration and proliferative index Ki-67 and HPV status in tumor samples. Our results showed that concentrations of KRT6s were different in the tumor and the margin samples and varied in relation to clinical and demographic parameters. We add information to the current knowledge about the role of KRT6s isoforms in HNSCC. We speculate that variations in the studied isoforms of the KRT6 protein could be due to the presence and development of the tumor and its microenvironment. It is important to note that the analyses were performed in tumor and surgical margins and can provide more accurate information on the function in normal and cancer cells and regulation in response to various factors.

Molar incisor hypomineralization (MIH) is a qualitative developmental defect that affects the enamel tissue of permanent molars and can also occur in permanent incisors. Enamel affected by MIH has reduced hardness, increased porosity, and a higher organic content than unaffected enamel. These characteristics predispose the enamel to accumulation of bacteria and a higher prevalence of caries lesions. Through a groundbreaking metagenomic analysis of the buccal mucosal sample from a patient with MIH, we explored the intricacies of its microbiome compared to a healthy control using state-of-the-art nanopore long-read sequencing. Out of the 210 bacterial taxa identified in the MIH microbiome, we found Streptococcus and Haemophilus to be the most abundant genera. The bacteria with the highest read counts in the patient with MIH included Streptococcus mitis, Haemophilus parainfluenzae, Streptococcus pneumoniae, Rothia dentocariosa, and Gemella haemolysans. Our results revealed a striking contrast between healthy and MIH affected children, with a higher dominance and number of pathogenic species (S. pneumoniae, H. influenzae, and N. meningitidis) and reduced diversity in the MIH-affected patient. This distinct microbial profile not only sheds light on MIH-affected patients, but paves the way for future research, inspiring deeper understanding and larger scale studies.

Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) is the sixth most prevalent type of cancer worldwide. Not all mechanisms associated with cell cycle disturbances have been recognized in HNSCC. The aim of this study was to examine the concentration of CDKN2A and Ki-67 proteins in 54 tumor and margin samples of HNSCC and to evaluate their association with the clinical and demographic variables. The ELISA method was used to measure concentrations of CDKN2A and Ki-67 in the tissue homogenates. A significantly higher CDKN2A concentration was found in OSCC tumor samples as compared with OPSCC+HPSCC+LSCC. An inverse correlation was observed for Ki-67. We showed an association between the CDKN2A level and the clinical parameters N in tumors. The patients with concomitant diseases had significantly higher levels of Ki-67 as compared with patients with no concomitant diseases. An analysis of the effect of drinking habits on Ki-67 level demonstrated a statistical difference between regular or occasional users of stimulants and patients who do not use any stimulants in the tumor and margin samples. Moreover, we found an association between CDKN2A and Ki-67 concentrations and the HPV status in tumor and margin samples. The levels of the proteins tested may be dependent on environmental factors. Our results showed that changes in protein levels in HNSCC subtypes may reflect different molecular pathways of tumor development or may also be responsible for the involvement of CDKN2A and Ki-67 in the carcinogenesis process.

Purpose: To analyze choroidal thickness (CT) and choroidal volume (CV) using ultra-wide-field (UWF) spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) in patients with central serous chorioretinopathy (CSC) and to assess their associations with disease duration and best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA). Methods: This prospective case–controlled study included 50 eyes of 41 CSC patients and 56 eyes of 32 healthy controls matched for age and sex. CT was measured at 24 points using the REVO 130 UWF SD-OCT device with a wide-field adapter, covering a 21 × 21 mm retinal area across central, mid-peripheral (4 mm), and peripheral (8 mm) zones. CV was estimated using a quadratic nonlinear model. ROC curve analysis and univariate logistic regression were applied to evaluate discriminative capacity and odds ratios (OR) for CT and CV. Results: CT was significantly higher in CSC eyes at all 24 measurement points (all p < 0.0001). Mean subfoveal CT was 472.6 µm vs. 344.8 µm in controls (+37%), with greater relative increases at mid-peripheral (+46%) and peripheral (+44%) zones. Mean CV was 61.47 (±11.37) mm³ vs. 42.29 (±10.02) (+45%; p < 0.0001). CV showed a higher OR for CSC occurrence than central CT (OR = 2.88; 95% CI: 1.53–5.42 vs. OR = 1.04; 95% CI: 1.02–1.07). Significant discriminative CT points (AUC > 0.60) clustered at the 2/8, 4/10, and 6/12 clock meridians. Both CT and CV correlated positively with disease duration (Spearman rho 0.35–0.41; p ≤ 0.0004) but not with BCVA. Conclusions: UWF SD-OCT confirms diffuse pachychoroid thickening in CSC extending to the periphery. CV is a sensitive biomarker in association with CSC status. Peripheral CT and CV correlate with disease duration, supporting the link between higher volumetric choroidal values and longer disease course. Integration of these parameters may improve CSC diagnosis and prognostic evaluation.

Background/Objectives: Gastric cancer (GC) remains a major cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide. The tumor microenvironment, particularly tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs), plays a key role in tumor progression and angiogenesis. M2-polarized TAMs are considered pro-tumorigenic; however, their prognostic significance and relationship with microvessel density (MVD) at the invasive front of GC remain unclear. This study evaluated the prognostic significance of CD163⁺ M2 TAMs and MVD at the invasive front of gastric adenocarcinoma. Methods: A retrospective analysis was performed on 106 patients who underwent radical R0 surgery for GC without neoadjuvant therapy. Immunohistochemistry using CD163 and CD34 antibodies was applied to quantify M2 TAMs and MVD at the invasive front. Median values were used as cut-offs. Associations with clinicopathological features were analyzed, and survival was assessed using Kaplan–Meier and Cox regression models. Results: The mean number of CD163⁺ M2 TAMs was 70, and the mean MVD was 33. A significant positive correlation between M2 TAMs and MVD was observed (p = 0.001). Higher M2 TAMs infiltration was associated with deeper tumor invasion (pT) and showed a trend toward advanced pTNM stage. In univariate analysis, neither M2 TAMs nor MVD was associated with survival. Multivariate analysis identified pT (p = 0.02) and MVD (p = 0.03) as independent prognostic factors, with increased MVD associated with improved overall survival. Conclusions: CD163⁺ M2 TAMs are linked to angiogenesis at the invasive front of gastric cancer and correlate with tumor invasiveness. Increased MVD may represent an independent favorable prognostic marker, highlighting the biological importance of the invasive tumor front.

Introduction: Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) is a group of malignancies with significantly increasing incidence and mortality. Associated TGM1, PPL, and KRT proteins are involved in epithelial cell structure, adhesion, and differentiation. Objective, patients and methods: This study aimed to evaluate TGM1, PPL, and KRT8 levels in tumors and matched surgical margin samples from 52 HNSCC patients and assess correlations with clinical and demographic variables using ELISA. Results: No significant differences in TGM1, PPL, and KRT8 levels were found between tumor and margin samples. However, in tumor tissue, TGM1 and KRT8 levels showed a statistically significant association with T status. In margins, PPL and KRT8 levels were also associated with T status. Additionally, PPL and TGM1 levels were correlated with N status in both tumor and margin samples, respectively. A significantly higher level of PPL was observed in OSCC tumors compared to HPSCC+LSCC. TGM1 levels in tumor and margin samples were correlated in patients with concomitant diseases. Analysis of HPV and p16 status revealed differences in PPL and KRT8 levels between tumor and margin samples. Furthermore, differences in PPL, TGM1, and KRT8 levels were observed in relation to smoking and alcohol use, distinguishing regular or occasional users from abstinent patients. Conclusions: Our results suggest that impaired TGM1, PPL, and KRT8 signaling pathways might play a role in HNSCC, indicating their potential relevance for future diagnostic and therapeutic investigations. Further studies are needed to confirm our findings, clarify the mechanistic role of these proteins in disease progression, and assess their clinical utility.