Oral Microbiota Development in the First 60 Months: A Longitudinal Study

Childhood is considered crucial in the establishment of future oral microbiota. However, the precise period of oral microbiota development remains unclear. This study aimed to identify the progression of oral microbiota formation in children. We longitudinally investigated the salivary microbiota of 54 children across 13 time points from 1 wk to 60 mo (5 y) old and their parents at 2 time points as a representative sample of the adult microbiota. Using next-generation sequencing, we obtained 10,000 gene sequences of the 16s rRNA V1-V2 region for each sample. The detection rate in children of 110 operational taxonomic units commonly detected in more than 85% of mothers and fathers, defined as the main constituent bacteria, was 25% at 1 wk old, increased to 80% between 6 and 18 mo old, and reached approximately 90% by 36 mo old. Early main constituent bacteria detected at 1 wk old were limited to Streptococcus, Rothia, and Gemella. At 6 to 18 mo old, the detection rates of various main constituent bacteria, including Neisseria, Haemophilus, and Fusobacterium, increased. UniFrac distance analysis showed that the oral microbiota of children approached that of adults at 6 to 18 mo old. In the weighted UniFrac distance index, unlike the unweighted index, there were no significant changes in children between 36 and 60 mo old from adults, and microbiota formation at 60 mo old was sufficiently advanced to be included within the range of adult individual differences. Our findings suggest that the initial 36 mo, particularly the period from 6 to 18 mo old, consists of a time window for oral microbiota maturation. In addition, the development of microbiota during this period may be critical for future oral disease prevention.

Clinicopathological characteristics of Lynch-like syndrome

BACKGROUND

Lynch-like syndrome (LLS) has recently been proposed as a third type of microsatellite instability (MSI) tumor after Lynch syndrome (LS) and sporadic MSI colorectal cancer (CRC) without either a germline variant of mismatch repair (MMR) genes or hypermethylation of the MLH1 gene. The present study aimed to clarify and compare the clinicopathological characteristics of LLS with those of the other MSI CRC subtypes.

METHODS

In total, 2634 consecutive patients with CRC who underwent surgical resection and subsequently received universal tumor screening (UTS), including MSI analysis were enrolled between January 2008 and November 2019. Genetic testing was performed in patients suspected of having Lynch syndrome.

RESULTS

UTS of the cohort found 146 patients with MSI CRC (5.5%). Of these, excluding sporadic MSI CRC, 30 (1.1%) had a diagnosis of LS, and 19 (0.7%) had no germline pathogenic variants of the MMR gene. The CRC type in the latter group was identified as LLS. LLS occurred significantly more often in young patients, was left-sided, involved a KRAS variant and BRAF wild-type, and had a higher concordance rate with the Revised Bethesda Guidelines than sporadic MSI CRC. No significant differences were observed in terms of the clinicopathological factors between LLS and LS-associated MSI CRC; however, LLS had a lower frequency of LS-related neoplasms compared with LS.

CONCLUSIONS

Distinguishing clinically between LS and LLS was challenging, but the incidence of neoplasms was higher in LS than in LLS, suggesting the need for different screening and surveillance methods for the two subtypes.

Upper gastrointestinal tumors are unrelated to the APC genotype in APC-associated polyposis

BACKGROUND

In patients with APC-associated polyposis, the prevalence of upper gastrointestinal tumors and the relationship between these and Helicobacter pylori infection have not been clarified in detail. The present study aimed to clarify the features of upper gastrointestinal lesions in patients with APC-associated polyposis.

METHODS

Consecutive patients with APC-associated polyposis who underwent esophagogastroduodenoscopy between 2004 and 2018 were recruited.

RESULTS

In total, 36 patients were enrolled. The types of gastrointestinal tumor observed were fundic gland polyposis in 28 patients (77.8%), gastric adenoma in 15 patients (41.7%), duodenal adenoma in 27 patients (75.0%) and periampullary adenoma in 20 patients (55.6%). The phenotype of these upper gastrointestinal tumors was not necessarily the same in patients belonging to the same family. Germline variants in the APC gene were distributed across various sites, regardless of the presence or absence of upper gastrointestinal lesions, and none of the tumors correlated with the genotype or phenotype of upper gastrointestinal tumors. Fundic gland polyposis was observed in 28 of 31 patients without a H. pylori infection and in none of the patients with a H. pylori infection (P = 0.00015). After eradication therapy for H. pylori, fundic gland polyposis developed in one, previously infected patient.

CONCLUSION

The upper gastrointestinal tumor phenotype was not associated with the genotype in patients with APC-associated polyposis. Ascertaining the H. pylori infection status is helpful for endoscopic surveillance of upper gastrointestinal tumors in patients with APC-associated polyposis.

[Klinefelter's syndrome diagnosed at the onset of acute myeloid leukemia with inv (16) following treatment for germ cell tumor]

A 22-year-old man with a history of mediastinal germ cell tumor, which was diagnosed at age 20 and remained disease-free after chemotherapy, was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) M2 in January 2020. Karyotype analysis of bone marrow (BM) specimen at diagnosis detected 47,XXY, inv (16) in all cells. Following induction treatment, he achieved complete remission with a remarkable decrease in the minimal residual disease marker. Although considered related to therapy, the AML had a prognostically favorable karyotype, and the initial treatment response was very good. He had no human leukocyte antigen-matched sibling donor candidate. Thus, allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation was not scheduled at the first complete remission. After three cycles of consolidation therapy, he remained disease-free for over one year. Karyotype analysis of BM during remission revealed that all analyzed cells harbored 47,XXY, and Klinefelter syndrome (KS) was diagnosed. Although the patient experienced an adjustment disorder on KS diagnosis, he had overcome the difficulty with the assistance of psycho-oncologists, clinical psychologists, and genetic counselors. Herein, we report this rare case of KS that manifested after AML diagnosis following mediastinal germ cell tumor treatment.

Clinicopathological features of sporadic MSI colorectal cancer and Lynch syndrome: a single-center retrospective cohort study

BACKGROUND

The clinical and pathological features of sporadic microsatellite instability-high (MSI) colorectal cancer (CRC) are still unclear. The present study aimed to clarify the clinicopathological features of sporadic MSI CRC in comparison with those of Lynch syndrome (LS) exploratorily.

METHODS

The present study was a single-center, retrospective cohort study. Sporadic MSI CRC was defined as MSI CRC with aberrant promoter hypermethylation of the MLH1 gene, while hereditary MSI CRC was defined colorectal cancer in patients with LS.

RESULTS

In total, 2653 patients were enrolled; of these, 120 (4.5%) had MSI CRC, 98 had sporadic MSI CRC, and 22 had LS. Patients with sporadic MSI CRC were significantly older (p < 0.001) than those with LS and had a right-sided colonic tumor (p < 0.001) which was pathologically poorly differentiated or mucinous (p = 0.025). The overall survival rate was significantly lower in patients with stage I, II or III MSI CRC than in those with LS (p = 0.024). However, the recurrence-free survival rate did not differ significantly (p = 0.85).

CONCLUSIONS

We concluded that patients with sporadic MSI are significantly older, tumors more likely to locate in the right-sided colon, pathologically poorly differentiated or mucinous, and worse overall survival than in those with LS.

[A Case Report on the Effectiveness of Olaparib in a Patient with Recurrent Breast Cancer with Human Immunodeficiency Virus Infection]

A 43 -year-old woman presented to the hospital with a right breast tumor. She had been treated for human immunodeficiency virus(HIV)infection for 5 years. After being diagnosed with right breast cancer, she underwent total mastectomy and sentinel lymph node biopsy, which indicated T2N1M0 triple-negative breast cancer. She received doxorubicin and cyclophosphamide( AC)followed by docetaxel(AC-T)as postoperative adjuvant chemotherapy. However, 14 months after the adjuvant chemotherapy finished, distant metastasis occurred in the brain, lung, and mediastinum lymph nodes. Treatment for relapse was initiated, with whole brain radiotherapy followed by paclitaxel plus bevacizumab combination therapy(PB); however, new metastatic lesions were found in the bone, liver, and mediastinum lymph node after 2 courses of PB. Given the risk of hereditary breast and ovarian cancer syndrome, a BRCAgene test was performed when the patient received radiotherapy for left recurrent laryngeal nerve paralysis caused by mediastinal lymph nodes; this showed a result positive for a deleterious mutation in BRCA1. Thus, treatment with olaparib, a poly(ADP-ribose)polymerase(PARP)inhibitor, was started. Metastatic lesions, including barky growth, in the liver metastasis were well controlled, as confirmed by CT imaging 4 months after the start of olaparib.

Rituximab for the treatment of type B insulin resistance syndrome: a case report and review of the literature

BACKGROUND

Type B insulin resistance syndrome is a rare disease characterized by refractory transient hyperglycaemia and severe insulin resistance associated with circulating anti-insulin receptor antibodies. A standardized treatment regimen for type B insulin resistance syndrome has yet to be established.

CASE REPORT

We report the case of a 64-year-old man undergoing haemodialysis for antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody-associated vasculitis and diabetic nephropathy, who developed rapid onset of hyperglycaemia (glycated albumin 52.1%). Type B insulin resistance syndrome was diagnosed, on the basis of positivity for anti-insulin receptor antibodies and the man's autoimmune history of antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody-associated vasculitis and idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura. Although severe hyperglycaemia persisted in spite of corticosteroids and high-dose insulin therapy, rituximab treatment resulted in remarkable improvement of the man's severe insulin resistance and disappearance of anti-insulin receptor antibodies without any adverse effects.

CONCLUSIONS

According to a literature review of 11 cases in addition to the present case, rituximab appears to be a safe and effective strategy for the treatment of corticosteroid-resistant type B insulin resistance syndrome.

Protective effect of the multitarget compound DPH-4 on human SSAO/VAP-1-expressing hCMEC/D3 cells under oxygen-glucose deprivation conditions: an in vitro experimental model of cerebral ischaemia

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Stroke and Alzheimer's disease (AD) are related pathologies in which the cerebrovascular system is involved. Plasma levels of semicarbazide-sensitive amine oxidase/vascular adhesion protein 1 (SSAO/VAP-1, also known as Primary Amine Oxidase -PrAO) are increased in both stroke and AD patients and contribute to the vascular damage. During inflammation, its enzymatic activity mediates leukocyte recruitment to the injured tissue, inducing damage in the blood-brain barrier (BBB) and neuronal tissue. We hypothesized that by altering cerebrovascular function, SSAO/VAP-1 might play a role in the stroke-AD transition. Therefore, we evaluated the protective effect of the novel multitarget-directed ligand DPH-4, initially designed for AD therapy, on the BBB.

EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH

A human microvascular brain endothelial cell line expressing human SSAO/VAP-1 was generated, as the expression of SSAO/VAP-1 is lost in cultured cells. To simulate ischaemic damage, these cells were subjected to oxygen and glucose deprivation (OGD) and re-oxygenation conditions. The protective role of DPH-4 was then evaluated in the presence of methylamine, an SSAO substrate, and/or β-amyloid (Aβ).

KEY RESULTS

Under our conditions, DPH-4 protected brain endothelial cells from OGD and re-oxygenation-induced damage, and also decreased SSAO-dependent leukocyte adhesion. DPH-4 was also effective at preventing the damage induced by OGD and re-oxygenation in the presence of Aβ as a model of AD pathology.

CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS

From these results, we concluded that the multitarget compound DPH-4 might be of therapeutic benefit to delay the onset and/or progression of the neurological pathologies associated with stroke and AD, which appear to be linked.

Ethnic differences in GRHPR mutations in patients with primary hyperoxaluria type 2

The objective of this study was to investigate ethnic differences in the glyoxylate reductase/hydroxypyruvate reductase (GRHPR) gene in patients with primary hyperoxaluria type 2 (PH2). GRHPR was genotyped in Japanese patients with PH2 and all GRHPR mutations described to date were reviewed in terms of geographic and ethnic association. We identified a novel mutation, a two-nucleotide deletion (c.248_249delTG) in exon 3 creating a premature 'stop' at codon 91. Also, we found that the c.864_865delTG mutation was associated with the rs35891798 single-nucleotide polymorphism. The allelic frequencies of the c.103delG, c.494G>A, c.403_404+2 delAAGT, and c.864_865delTG mutations in PH2 patients were 37.8%, 15.6%, 10.0%, and 10.0%, respectively. All patients with the c.103delG mutation were Caucasian. Patients with the c.494G>A mutation and 78% (7/9) of those with the c.403_404+2 delAAGT mutation were from the Indian subcontinent, whereas those with the c.864_865delTG mutation were Chinese or Japanese. Molecular analysis of GRHPR of four Japanese PH2 patients identified a novel mutation (c.248_249delTG in exon 3). Caucasians with PH2 should be screened for the c.103delG mutation; patients from the Indian subcontinent for c.494G>A; and patients of East Asian origin (particularly) for c.864_865delTG. The prevalence of the latter mutation in PH2 patients from East Asia was 75.0%.

Regional differences in hypertensive cardiovascular remodeling between fishing and farming communities in Japan

BACKGROUND

Effects of dietary n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-3 PUFA) intake on the cardiovascular system have been reported, and thus we hypothesized that the prevalence of hypertensive cardiovascular remodeling would be lower in a fishing than a farming community.

METHODS

We recruited 263 essential hypertensives from a fishing and 333 from a farming village; all subjects were ≥40 years (mean 73 years; 42% men). They were cross-sectionally examined for serum eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA) levels, left ventricular mass index (LVMI), and common-carotid artery (CCA) and internal-carotid artery (ICA) intima-media thickness (IMT).

RESULTS

Compared to the patients in the farming village, those in the fishing village had higher serum EPA and DHA levels (63.3 vs.70.9 µg/ml, 137.2 vs.157.8 µg/ml) and lower ADMA levels (0.49 vs.0.47 nmol/ml; all P < 0.05). LVMI and both CCA-IMT and ICA-IMT levels were lower in the fishing than the farming village (113.2 vs.121.6 g/m(2), 0.88 vs.0.94 mm, 1.10 vs.1.17 mm: all P < 0.01) even after adjustment for age, sex, body mass index (BMI), duration of hypertensive medication, number of antihypertensive medications, and 24-h systolic blood pressure (SBP) level. The differences in LVMI and IMT levels between these communities also remained unchanged (all P < 0.01) after additional adjustment for the regional differences in EPA, DHA, and ADMA levels. A multivariable linear regression analysis showed that the difference in place of residence was independently associated with LVMI as well as with both CCA-IMT and ICA-IMT levels (all P < 0.01).

CONCLUSION

The prevalence of cardiovascular remodeling was significantly lower in patients in the fishing community than in those in the farming community. Further investigations are required to explain the mechanisms underlying this association.

Association of poor physical function and cognitive dysfunction with high nocturnal blood pressure level in treated elderly hypertensive patients

BACKGROUND

Our aim was to assess the association between poor physical function, cognitive dysfunction, and high nocturnal systolic blood pressure (SBP), all of which are markers of vulnerability or frailty in elderly persons.

METHODS

In this cross-sectional study of 148 treated ambulatory elderly hypertensives (mean age: 75.5 years; 30% men), we evaluated 24-h BP levels, physical function (walking speed and timed up-and-go (TUG) tests), and mini-mental state examination (MMSE). Poor physical function or cognitive dysfunction was defined as a walking speed ≤1.5 m/s or MMSE score <27 points (below the geometric means for either examination).

RESULTS

Both slower walking speed and lower MMSE scores were associated with high nocturnal SBP level, but not with daytime SBP level, even after adjustment for significant covariates (P = 0.05 and P < 0.01, respectively). Slower walking speed was significantly associated with the diminished nocturnal SBP dipping independent of the 24-h BP levels (P = 0.02). Compared with the patients who performed well on both physical and cognitive tests, or with those who had either poor physical function or cognitive dysfunction but not both, patients with both poor physical function and cognitive dysfunction had significantly higher nocturnal SBP levels (120 vs. 123 vs. 128 vs. 134 mm Hg; P = 0.008 for linear trend) and less marked nocturnal SBP dipping (-14.4 vs. -12.9 vs. -10.7 vs. -7.5%; P = 0.02 for linear trend) even after adjustment for significant covariates.

CONCLUSION

Poor physical function and/or cognitive dysfunction could be valid markers likely to be associated with high nocturnal SBP, information which could help yield more refined prognosis for treated elderly hypertensives.

Effects of benzbromarone and allopurinol on adiponectin in vivo and in vitro

When treating gout patients, we have incidentally found elevated serum levels of adiponectin in some after administration of benzbromarone. In the present study, we determined whether benzbromarone increases the serum level of adiponectin in gout patients and investigated the mechanism involved. Sixty-nine patients with gout were separated into two groups, and then treated for 1 year with uric acid-lowering therapy using benzbromarone or allopurinol. After overnight fasting, blood samples were drawn before and at 1 year after beginning of treatment. In an in vitro study, 3T3L1 cells were incubated in medium containing benzbromarone, allopurinol, pioglitazone, or uric acid, after which real time PCR assays were performed for messenger RNA of adiponectin, aP2, and CD36. Furthermore, 3T3L1 cells were incubated in medium containing GW9662 (PPARgamma antagonist) together with benzbromarone or pioglitazone, after which real-time PCR assays were performed for messenger RNA of adiponectin. In the in vivo study, benzbromarone increased the serum concentration of adiponectin in the subjects, whereas allopurinol did not. In vitro, benzbromarone and pioglitazone each increased the levels of messenger RNA of adiponectin, aP2, and CD36 in 3T3 cells, whereas allopurinol and uric acid did not. Also, GW9662 suppressed the increase in adiponectin mRNA induced by benzbromarone as well as that by pioglitazone. Together, our results suggest that benzbromarone enhances the production of adiponectin via activation of PPARgamma, which is a weak agonist for PPARgamma.

Effect of acarbose on the increased plasma concentration of uric acid induced by sucrose ingestion

Sucrose is converted fructose and glucose, which may increase plasma uric acid concentration (pUA) through increased purine degradation and/or decreased uric acid (UA) excretion. To investigate effects of acarbose, an inhibitor of alpha-glucosidase, on the increased pUA from sucrose administration, we measured pUA and urinary UA excretion in 6 healthy subjects before and after administering sucrose, with and without co-administration of acarbose. Sucrose raised pUA by 10% (p < 0.01). However, excretion and fractional clearance of UA were unchanged. Sucrose and acarbose coadministration also increased pUA, but less than did sucrose alone (sucrose: 4.9 to 5.4 mg/dl; sucrose + acarbose, 4.7 to 4.9 mg/dl, p < 0.05) without changes in urinary excretion and fractional clearance of UA. Acarbose appears to attenuate the rise in pUA by sucrose ingestion by inhibiting sucrose absorption.

Relationship between insulin resistance and low urinary pH in patients with gout, and effects of PPARalpha agonists on urine pH

Patients with gout frequently have low urinary pH, though the underlying mechanism has not been identified. Recently, nephrolithiasis has been reported to be involved with renal manifestation of metabolic syndrome. The present study was conducted to clarify the mechanism of low urinary pH in gout patients. The relationships between urine pH and factors contributing to metabolic syndrome were investigated. In addition, the effects of PPAR alpha agonists on urine pH were examined. Patients with 24-hour urine samples below a level of pH 5.5 showed higher values for factors constituting metabolic syndrome, compared with those with 24-hour urine pH equal to or greater than 5.5. Multiple regression analysis demonstrated that HOMA index was the only contributing factor to low urinary pH in gout patients, except for serum uric acid. Administrations of PPAR alpha agonists significantly raised 24-hour urine pH levels in gout patients in accordance with a reduction in serum triglyceride concentration, probably through their activities to improve insulin resistance. Our results suggest that insulin resistance plays an important role in the development of low urinary pH in patients with gout and that PPAR alpha agonist is preferable for raising urinary pH of the gout patients with hypertriglyceridemia.

Rehabilitation by means of osseointegrated implants in oral cancer patients with about four to six years follow-up

This paper describes the reconstruction of mandibular defects in four oral cancer patients using iliac crest bone grafts and osseointegrated implants. In three patients, reconstructive surgery using a reconstruction plate and free forearm skin flap was performed following tumour and segmental mandibular resection. After 7-9 months, mandibular reconstruction with a free iliac bone graft was carried out. In one patient, reconstructive surgery was performed with vascularized iliac bone grafting with an anterolateral thigh flap at the same time as the tumour resection. Fixtures were placed in the transplanted bone, and abutments were connected 6-9 months later together with vestibuloplasty. Gingival grafts were used to replace the skin flap around abutments. All implants survived throughout the approximately 4-6 years observation time. Marginal bone loss of the graft was originally several millimetres but less than 1.5 mm. Bone loss as well as management of peri-implant soft tissue was also discussed.

Effects of a fenofibrate/losartan combination on the plasma concentration and urinary excretion of purine bases

OBJECTIVE

To assess the effects of a combination of fenofibrate and losartan on the plasma concentrations and urinary excretion of purine bases in healthy male subjects.

METHODS

5 healthy males participated in a fenofibrate plus losartan combination study. The plasma concentrations and urinary excretion of purine bases (hypoxanthine, xanthine, uric acid) were measured before and after administrations of losartan (100 mg o.d.) alone for 2 weeks, losartan and fenofibrate together for 2 weeks and fenofibrate (300 mg o.d.) alone for 2 weeks, which were given consecutively over a 6-week period.

RESULTS

Losartan alone significantly reduced the serum uric acid concentration and increased uric acid excretion, whereas the combination of losartan and fenofibrate reduced serum uric acid concentrations further with a concomitant increased uric acid excretion. Fenofibrate alone also reduced plasma uric acid concentration with an increase in urinary excretion, although the effect was weak when compared with the combination treatment. The plasma concentrations and urinary excretion of oxypurines remained unchanged throughout the entire study.

CONCLUSION

A combination of fenofibrate and losartan demonstrated an additive urate-lowering effect which may be beneficial in the treatment of patients with gout and hypertriglyceridemia.

Effects of allopurinol on beer-induced increases in plasma concentrations and urinary excretion of purine bases (uric acid, hypoxanthine, and xanthine)

To determine the effects of allopurinol on beer-induced increases in plasma and urinary excretion of purine bases (hypoxanthine, xanthine, and uric acid), we performed three experiments on five healthy study participants. In the first experiment (combination study), the participants ingested beer (10 ml/kg body weight) eleven hours after taking allopurinol (300 mg). In the second experiment (beer-only study), the same participants ingested beer (10 ml/kg body weight) alone, while in the third experiment (allopurinol-only study), they took allopurinol (300 mg) alone. There was a two-week interval between each of the studies. Beer-induced increases in plasma concentration and urinary excretion of hypoxanthine in the combination study were markedly higher than those in the beer-only study. On the other hand, the sum of increases in plasma concentrations of purine bases in the beer-only study was greater than in the combination study, whereas the increase in plasma uridine concentration in the combination study did not differ from the beer-only study. In addition, allopurinol administration inhibited the beer-induced increase in plasma concentration of uric acid. These results suggest that abrupt adenine nucleotide degradation may increase plasma concentration and urinary excretion of hypoxanthine under conditions of low xanthine dehydrogenase activity, which is mostly ascribable to allopurinol. Further, the difference in the sum of increases in plasma concentrations of purine bases between the combination study and beer-only study was largely ascribable to a greater increase in urinary excretion of hypoxanthine in the combination study. In addition, allopurinol intake seems to be effective in controlling the rapid increase in plasma uric acid caused by ingestion of alcoholic beverages.

Intratumoural expression of thymidylate synthase is an independent predictor of prognosis in patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the tongue: results from a retrospective study

The aim of this study was to assess the importance of immunohistochemical thymidylate synthase (TS) expression level as a prognostic marker in tongue cancer patients. In 140 patients with primary squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of the tongue, intratumoural TS expression was evaluated by immunohistochemistry. The level of TS expression was determined by a semiquantitative scoring system, ranging from 1+ to 3+ according to the ratio of TS-positive cells. Of 140 patients, 64 (45.7%), 49 (35.0%) and 27 (19.3%) were assessed as 1+, 2+ and 3+, respectively. Univariate analyses demonstrated that both disease-free survival (DFS) and overall survival (OS) were significantly lower in patients with a TS 3+ tumour than in those with a TS 1+/2+ tumour (DFS: P = 0.0082, OS: P = 0.0100). In a multivariate analysis using the Cox regression model, cervical lymph-node status and TS expression level were selected as independent factors for DFS and OS. Maintenance adjuvant chemotherapy by oral 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) significantly improved DFS and OS in patients with a TS 1+/2+ tumour (DFS: P = 0.0027, OS: P = 0.0398). These data suggest that the level of immunohistochemical TS expression is an independent prognosticator in patients with tongue SCC, and may be useful in the selection of patients who would benefit from oral 5-FU adjuvant chemotherapy.

Induction of apoptosis by paclitaxel in human oral carcinoma cells

The present study investigated induction of apoptosis in NB-1 oral carcinoma cells by paclitaxel and the expression of Bcl-2 and Bax in relation to this apoptotic cell death. Paclitaxel induced apoptotic cell death in NB-1 cells in a dose- and a time-dependent manner. The present results suggest that paclitaxel can induce apoptosis of NB-1 cells, which may be mediated by down-regulation of Bcl-2 together with up-regulation of Bax.

Effects of long-term beer ingestion on plasma concentrations and urinary excretion of purine bases

To investigate the long-term effects of beer ingestion on plasma concentrations of purine bases (hypoxanthine, xanthine, and uric acid), ten healthy males ingested beer (15 ml/kg body weight) every evening for three months. Blood and 24-hour urine samples were collected in the morning on one day before and one, two, and three months after starting the experiment to determine the plasma concentrations and urinary excretion of uric acid, hypoxanthine, and xanthine. Plasma concentrations and urinary excretion of uric acid, hypoxanthine, and xanthine in five of the participants that did not regularly ingest beer at a quantity of more than 15 ml/kg body weight in a single day prior to the experiment were not increased during the experimental period. In contrast, plasma concentrations and urinary excretion of uric acid were increased in five participants who regularly ingested more than 15 ml/kg body weight of beer in a single day prior to the experiment, although hypoxanthine and xanthine levels were not significantly increased during the experimental period. In both groups, uric acid clearance and purine ingestion were not significantly different throughout the study. Our results suggest that the production of uric acid caused by ethanol ingestion from beer is a significant contributor to the increase in plasma uric acid concentration in patients that regularly consume more than 15 ml/kg body weight of beer each day. Therefore, patients with gout should be encouraged to refrain from drinking large amounts of beer on a daily basis.

Cystic lymphangioma arising in the tip of the tongue in an adult

Cystic lymphangioma is a benign malformation of the lymphatic channels. Most cystic lymphangiomas are present at birth and are usually diagnosed in infancy or early childhood. The head and neck region appears to be the favored site for cystic lymphangiomas. We present the first reported case of a cystic lymphangioma arising from the tip of the tongue in a 75-year-old male.