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Background: Oral cancers, which include tumors of the oral cavity, salivary glands, and pharynx, are becoming increasingly prevalent worldwide. Squamous cell carcinoma accounts for over 90% of malignant oral lesions, with oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) being notably common in the Indian subcontinent and other regions of Asia. This is especially true in South-Central Asia, including Sri Lanka, where it is particularly prevalent among men. This study aims to evaluate the levels of Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor-A (VEGF-A) and Cytokeratin-19 (CK-19) mRNAs in whole blood as a potential method for the early detection of OSCC. Methods: The study included 40 patients (each from OSCC, Oral Submucous Fibrosis (OSF), Oral Leukoplakia (OLK), Oral Lichen Planus (OLP), and 10 healthy controls. The expression levels of VEGF-A and CK-19 mRNAs were measured from extracellular RNA extracted from whole blood samples using real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) with sequence-specific primers. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis was used to evaluate the effectiveness of these biomarkers in detecting OSCC. Results: The results demonstrated a significant increase in blood transcripts of the candidate mRNAs CK-19 and VEGF-A in patients with OSCC, OSF, OLK, and OLP. The Wilcoxon signed-rank test revealed a p-value of 0.002 for each specific comparison between diseased patients and healthy controls (i.e., OSCC vs. HC, OSF vs. HC, OLP vs. HC, OLK vs. HC) for both CK-19 and VEGF-A. When these two biomarkers were used together, they provided a 60% predictive probability for patients with OSCC (p = 0.023). Conclusion: This study highlights the efficacy of blood mRNA transcriptome diagnostics in detecting OSCC. This innovative clinical approach has the potential to be a robust, efficient, and reliable tool for early cancer detection. Blood-based transcriptomes could be further explored for their effectiveness in various health contexts and for routine health monitoring. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: Burning mouth syndrome is an intraoral chronic pain condition characterized by a moderate to severe sensation of burning from the oral mucosa. No clinical signs are found and there is no efficient treatment. Method and materials: This pilot study included 10 women that were resistant to other previous treatments or noncompliant to systemic medications. Patients were asked to apply tretinoin gel 0.05% on their tongues twice daily for 14 days. Treatment effectiveness was assessed by completing a pre-study psychologic questionnaire and recording a daily wellbeing and pain log. Results: Significant pain-score decrease in 50% of the patients (delta numerical rating score -3.15 ± 3.02, P value = .005) was recorded. This finding was in concordance with the verbal statements including major quality-of-life improvement (P value = .05), without any treatment positive or negative predictive factors. Conclusions: Topical tretinoin exhibits potential efficacy in patients with treatment resistant burning mouth syndrome and may also be used as a primary treatment modality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of JBES: Brazilian Journal of Health Economics / Jornal Brasileiro de Economia da Saúde is the property of JBES: Brazilian Journal of Health Economics and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Lichen planus (LP) is a chronic, inflammatory mucocutaneous disorder associated with systemic diseases such as hepatitis C (HCV). The objective of this study is to evaluate the association between LP and HCV bidirectionally through a systematic review and meta-analysis. A comprehensive search of studies published was performed in the databases of PubMed, Embase, and Web of Science. Out of 18,491 articles, 192 studies were included. The global prevalence of HCV positive (HCV+) in LP patients registered from 143 studies was 9.42% [95% confidence interval (CI), 7.27–11.58%], and from these, 84 studies showed HCV+ 4-fold more frequent in LP than a control group (OR, 4.48; 95% CI, 3.48–5.77). The global prevalence of LP in patients HCV+ recorded from 49 studies was 7.05% (95% CI, 4.85–9.26%), and from these, 15 registered a 3-fold more LP in HCV (OR, 3.65; 95% CI, 2.14–6.24). HCV+ in LP patients showed great geographic variability (OR, 2.7 to 8.57), and the predominantly cutaneous location was higher (OR, 5.95) than the oral location (OR, 3.49). LP in HCV+ patients was more frequent in the Eastern Mediterranean (OR, 5.51; 95% CI, 1.40–15.57). There is a higher prevalence of HCV+ in LP and vice versa than in the control group, especially in certain geographical areas that should be taken into consideration when doing screening in countries with an upper prevalence of HCV among the general population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Diosmin is used to relieve chronic venous disease (CVD) symptoms. This study aimed to investigate the anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects of diosmetin-3-O-β-d-glucuronide, the major metabolite of diosmin, using human skin explants. The explants were exposed to substance P (inflammation model) or UVB irradiation (oxidative model) and to five diosmetin-3-O-β-d-glucuronide concentrations. Inflammation was evaluated through interleukin-8 (IL-8) secretion measurements and capillary dilation observation, and oxidation was evaluated by measuring the hydrogen peroxide levels and observing cyclobutane pyrimidine dimers (CPDs). In substance-P-exposed explants, diosmetin-3-O-β-d-glucuronide induced a significant decrease in IL-8 secretions, with a maximal effect at 2700 pg/mL (−49.6%), and it reduced the proportion of dilated capillaries and the mean luminal cross-sectional area (p < 0.0001 at all tested concentrations), indicating a vasoconstrictive effect. In UVB-irradiated fragments, diosmetin-3-O-β-d-glucuronide induced a significant decrease in hydrogen peroxide production and in the number of CPD-positive cells, reaching a maximal effect at the concentration of 2700 pg/mL (−48.6% and −52.0%, respectively). Diosmetin-3-O-β-d-glucuronide induced anti-inflammatory and antioxidant responses, with the maximal effect being reached at 2700 pg/mL and corresponding to the peak plasma concentration estimated after the oral intake of 600 mg of diosmin, the daily dose usually recommended for the treatment of CVD. These ex vivo findings suggest a protective role of diosmetin-3-O-β-d-glucuronide against inflammatory and oxidative stress affecting the vascular system in CVD pathophysiology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

SARS-CoV-2 vaccination is followed by cutaneous side effects in 2% of cases.[[1]] Some chronic dermatoses, more rarely oral lichen planus (LP), may be triggered or exacerbated after vaccination.[[1], [3], [5]] We report here 2 cases of multi-site mucosal LP that started after COVID-19 vaccination. SARS-CoV-2 vaccination may trigger and exacerbate mucosal lichen planus First, SARS-CoV-2 vaccination triggered LP although it is not possible to eliminate that LP was already present but quiescent before. [Extracted from the article]

Objective The purpose of this study was to determine frequency of positive Hepatitis C virus in lichen planus patients. Methods It was a cross-sectional survey which was carried out from 06-08-2014 to 05-02-2015 at the Department of Dermatology, Jinnah Hospital, Lahore. Total 100 patients of lichen planus were enrolled. Antibody titre of Hepatitis C were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbant assay of third generation. Results Patients of age between 20-70 years were selected. Mean age was 40.55±14.38 years. Out of total 100 patients, 58 were male (58%) while remaining 42 were female (42.0%). Skin involvement was seen in 96 patients (96.0%), mucous membrane involvement in 21 patients (21.0%) and nails involvement in 8 patients (8.0%). Distribution of patients by type of lesions was as follows: nonerosive mucosal 13%, hypertrophic 80%, annular 1%, follicular 8%, nonerosive palmoplantar 5%, nail lesions 6%, atrophic 9%, erosive mucosal lesions 10%, guttate form 6%, actinic 8% and erosive palmoplantar lesions 1%. Hepatitis C antibody was positive in 23 patients (23.0%). Conclusion We discovered high frequency of positive HCV in lichen planus patients. We need a case-control study on a larger population to clarify our results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Journal of Medical & Pharmaceutical Sciences is the property of Arab Journal of Sciences & Research Publishing (AJSRP) and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) vaccines significantly impacted world health and well‐being. However, various adverse events have been observed following severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS‐CoV‐2) vaccination. Cutaneous reactions have been prevalent following many vaccines, including COVID‐19 vaccines. Here, we present a case of new‐onset lichen planus in a patient who received the COVID‐19 vaccine at the same time as being infected with SARS‐CoV‐2. A 52‐year‐old woman presented to the clinic with extensive pruritic skin lesions. The eruptions had appeared a week after her second dose of the Sinopharm COVID‐19 vaccine. She mentioned a history of SARS‐CoV‐2 infection approximately 10 days following the first dose of her vaccine, causing a 1‐month delay in getting the second dose. Her past medical history was not significant. On examination, erythematous and squamous papules were demonstrated predominantly on the extremities, including inguinal and axillary folds. Moreover, desquamation of the lips was visible, and buccal lesions were also found. After consultation with a dermatologist, a skin biopsy was indicated for the patient, but she refused to undergo the procedure. Therefore, considering the typical appearance of the eruptions, lichen planus was suspected, for which she was treated with oral antihistamines and topical corticosteroids. Dermatologists should be aware of the probability of new‐onset or exacerbated mucosal skin disorders due to the vast range of cutaneous adverse events following COVID‐19 vaccination and actively monitor susceptible patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Histopathological grading of epithelial dysplasia remains the principal laboratory method for assessing the risk of malignant transformation in oral potentially malignant disorders (OPMDs). Current views on the molecular pathogenesis and histological interpretation of the features of epithelial dysplasia are described, and the use of grading systems for epithelial dysplasia is discussed. Changes to the current 2017 WHO criteria for diagnosis are proposed with emphasis on the architectural features of epithelial dysplasia. The predictive values of three‐grade and binary systems are summarised, and categories of epithelial dysplasia are reviewed, including lichenoid and verrucous lesions, keratosis of unknown significance, HPV‐associated dysplasia, differentiated and basaloid epithelial dysplasia. The implications of finding epithelial dysplasia in an oral biopsy for clinical management are discussed from the pathologists' viewpoint. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Topical cyclosporine (CSA) has been reported as an alternative treatment in steroid-refractory oral lichen planus (OLP), but evidence is limited and conflicting. An N-of-1 trial setting could be appropriate to evaluate interindividual differences in treatment response. We studied a series of 21 open-label, biphasic single-patient observations. Patients (15 women, 6 men) with OLP recalcitrant to topical steroids received four weeks of CSA mouth rinse (200 mg/twice daily) followed by four weeks of drug withdrawal. Pain (visual analogue scale (VAS) score), disease extent (physicians' global assessment (PGA) score) and quality of life (Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI) score,) were assessed at baseline (T0), after four weeks of treatment (T1) and after another four weeks without treatment (T2). Median age was 58 years (interquartile range/IQR = 52–67) and median disease duration was 18 months (IQR = 12–44). Median baseline VAS score decreased significantly at T1 (p = 0.0003) and increased at T2 (p = 0.032) (T0 = 5 (IQR = 3–6.5); T1 = 2 (IQR = 0.5–3.4); T2 = 3 (IQR = 2–4.8)). Similarly, median baseline PGA score decreased significantly at T1 (p = 0.001) and increased at T2 (p = 0.007) (T0 = 2 (IQR = 1.3–2.5); T1 = 1 (IQR = 1–2); T2 = 2 (IQR = 1–2)). Median baseline DLQI score also decreased significantly at T1 (p =.027) but did not change at T2 (p = 0.5) (T0 = 2.5 (IQR = 1–5.8); T1 = 1 (IQR = 0–3); T2 = 1 (IQR = 1–4)). CSA responders (n = 16) had significantly higher median baseline VAS scores (5.2 (IQR = 5–6.5)) than nonresponders (n =5) (2 (IQR = 2–3.5) (p = 0.02). In our study, pain, disease extent and quality of life of patients with OLP improved significantly during therapy with low-dose CSA mouth rinse and exacerbated after drug withdrawal. Remarkably, patients with high initial VAS scores seemed to profit most. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]