John H. Campbell

The effects of the bioflavonoid quercetin on squamous cell carcinoma of head and neck origin

Quercetin exhibits antitumor activity. We investigated the effect of quercetin on the in vitro and in vivo growth of two squamous cell carcinoma cell lines and a normal human lung fibroblast-like cell line. The in vivo effect was evaluated using implantable cell growth chambers implanted subcutaneously in immunocompetent rats. Quercetin was injected intraperitoneally, and multiple dosages were tested. Cells were counted on days 1, 3, 5, and 7, and growth curves were constructed. Quercetin caused inhibition of growth in both squamous cell carcinoma lines. Effect on the fibroblast-like human lung cells was noted only at the maximum concentration. Significant growth inhibition of squamous cell carcinoma was observed in implantable cell growth chambers retrieved 3 days after quercetin treatment. Quercetin appears to possess a cytotoxic effect on squamous cell carcinoma of head and neck origin both in vivo and in vitro. The inhibitory effect on malignant cells appears to be selective and dose-dependent.

Molecular analysis of 16S rRNA genes identifies potentially periodontal pathogenic bacteria and archaea in the plaque of partially erupted third molars.

PURPOSE Small subunit rRNA sequencing and phylogenetic analysis were used to identify cultivable and uncultivable microorganisms present in the dental plaque of symptomatic and asymptomatic partially erupted third molars to determine the prevalence of putative periodontal pathogens in pericoronal sites. MATERIALS AND METHODS Template DNA prepared from subgingival plaque collected from partially erupted symptomatic and asymptomatic mandibular third molars and healthy incisors was used in polymerase chain reaction with broad-range oligonucleotide primers to amplify 16S rRNA bacterial and archaeal genes. Amplicons were cloned, sequenced, and compared with known nucleotide sequences in online databases to identify the microorganisms present. RESULTS Two thousand three hundred two clones from the plaque of 12 patients carried bacterial sequences from 63 genera belonging to 11 phyla, including members of the uncultivable TM7, SR1, and Chloroflexi, and difficult-to-cultivate Synergistetes and Spirochaetes. Dialister invisus, Filifactor alocis, Fusobacterium nucleatum, Porphyromonas endodontalis, Prevotella denticola, Tannerella forsythia, and Treponema denticola, which have been associated with periodontal disease, were found in significantly greater abundance in pericoronal compared with incisor sites. Dialister invisus and F nucleatum were found in greater abundance in sites exhibiting clinical symptoms. The archaeal species, Methanobrevibacter oralis, which has been associated with severe periodontitis, was found in 3 symptomatic patients. CONCLUSIONS These findings have provided new insights into the complex microbiota of pericoronitis. Several bacterial and archaeal species implicated in periodontal disease were recovered in greater incidence and abundance from the plaque of partially erupted third molars compared with incisors, supporting the hypothesis that the pericoronal region may provide a favored niche for periodontal pathogens in otherwise healthy mouths.

Oral Lichen Planus

Oral lichen planus is a common immunologically mediated mucocutaneous disease. These lesions have varied clinical presentations and symptoms, which include reticular, erosive, or erythematous forms. This article reviews the diagnosis and management of oral lichen planus.

Analysis of reconstruction for anterior mandibular defects using AO plates

The functional and cosmetic outcome of 11 patients who had anterior arch mandibulectomy for stage II-IV oral cavity carcinoma and were reconstructed with AO stainless-steel or titanium plates was retrospectively analyzed. Although the complication rate was high, plate removal was uncommon. Patients were afforded good function and cosmesis. Severity of postoperative infection corresponded to a low preoperative absolute lymphocyte count, which suggests that increased preoperative diet supplementation may decrease the incidence of early infections. Improved mandibular function and esthetics may allow future patients to be offered early reconstruction routinely.

Controlled Phase III Clinical Trial of Diclofenac Potassium Liquid-Filled Soft Gelatin Capsule for Treatment of Postoperative Dental Pain

PURPOSE The purpose of the present study was to assess the safety and efficacy of oral diclofenac potassium liquid-filled soft gelatin capsule (DPSGC) that uses ProSorb dispersion technology (Xanodyne Pharmaceuticals, Inc, licensed from AAIPharma, Wilmington, NC), to treat adult patients with acute pain after third molar extraction. PATIENTS AND METHODS In the present multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial, patients experiencing a baseline level of pain (≥ 50 mm on a 100-mm visual analog scale within 4 hours after surgery) were randomized to receive a single dose of DPSGC at 25, 50, or 100 mg or placebo. Pain intensity and relief were assessed for 6 hours after dosing. The efficacy endpoints included the summed pain intensity difference, total pain relief, and the median time to the onset of perceptible and meaningful pain relief (using the 2-stopwatch method). RESULTS A total of 249 randomized patients had a significant increase in the summed pain intensity difference and total pain relief values at 3 and 6 hours across all DPSGC-treated groups compared with the placebo group (P < .0001). The onset of perceptible and meaningful pain relief was significantly faster in all DPSGC groups than in the placebo group, including the DPSGC 25-mg group (25 minutes [P = .0002] and 52 minutes [P < .0001] for perceptible and meaningful pain relief, respectively). Significantly fewer patients in the DPSGC groups required rescue medication compared with those in the placebo group (P < .0001). The global evaluation scores were significantly greater for the patients who received DPSGC than for those who received placebo (P < .0001), and more than 65% of DPSGC-treated patients rated the medication as good, very good, or excellent compared with 18% of the placebo-treated patients. DPSGC was generally well tolerated, and no serious adverse events were reported. CONCLUSIONS The results from the present single-dose study of postoperative dental pain suggest that DPSGC offers significant pain relief compared with placebo and that the study medication provided was well tolerated by patients who required pain relief after third molar extraction.

Polylactide inhibition of carcinoma cell growth in vitro

Normal fibroblasts and epithelial tumor cells were challenged by exposure for 24 hours to extracts of a pure metal, a metal alloy, and a polymer used in facial reconstruction to assess cellular growth effects. While none of these materials significantly altered fibroblast growth rates, poly-L-lactide inhibited carcinoma cell growth at 5.0% extract concentration. No carcinoma cell growth effects were seen from exposure to stainless steel or commercially pure titanium extracts.

Expansile Mass of the Maxilla

A 34-year-old white woman presented at the Universi uffalo Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Service (Buffalo, n October 2006 with a chief complaint of right-sided welling. The patient was uncertain of its duration, eported a vague sensation of nasal pressure on the aff ide. Her past medical history was significant for mild m etardation, myotonic dystrophy, cardiomyopathy, mitr alve prolapse, and repeated episodes of pneumonia. atient resided in a group home, and held a job outsid ome. A head and neck examination showed right midfa nlargement and asymmetry, with partial obliteration of asolabial fold. There was no evidence of proptosis, n bstruction, or cervical lymphadenopathy. Intraorally, the as a buccal expansion of the right maxilla extending he canine to the first molar. The area was tender to ion, and the overlying mucosa appeared normal. The iated teeth were vital and showed physiologic mob Fig 1). Panoramic, occlusal, and periapical films were of p uality because the patient was wheelchair-bound and imited ability to cooperate with the studies, but the evealed a well-circumscribed, mixed radiodense-radio