sona rafieyan

This study aimed to assess the oral health literacy (OHL) and its correlation with socioeconomic status (SES) in residents of Zanjan city, Iran by introducing a new questionnaire for this purpose.

This cross-sectional study was conducted on 1,513 individuals residing in Zanjan city, Iran, in 2019. The demographic information, OHL, and SES of the participants were evaluated by using relevant questionnaires. The reliability of the questionnaire designed for assessment of OHL was evaluated by calculation of the intra-class correlation coefficient and Cronbach’s alpha, while its validity was assessed by calculation of content validity index and content validity ratio. Data were analyzed by the Chi-square test and one-way ANOVA (alpha=0.05). 

Data of 1,513 individuals with a mean age of 33.3±9.93 years were analyzed, including 59.6% males and 40.4% females. The Cronbach’s alpha and intra-class correlation coefficient were found to be 0.71 and 0.81, respectively. OHL was inadequate in 29.1%, marginal in 37.4%, and adequate in 33.4% of the participants. The mean level of OHL of females was higher than males. Those with low SES had low OHL and this correlation was statistically significant (P<0.001).

The OHL of the study population was moderate. Since there is no specific practical method for enhancement of OHL of the general population, educational OHL programs are recommended with particular attention to older individuals and those with lower SES.

Periodontal disease is the most common oral disease. This disease can be considered as an inflammatory disease. The immune response to bacteria accumulated in the gum line plays a key role in the pathogenesis of periodontal disease. In addition to immune cells, periodontal ligament cells and gingival epithelial cells are also involved in the pathogenesis of this disease. miRNAs which are small RNA molecules with around 22 nucleotides have a considerable relationship with the immune system affecting a wide range of immunological events. These small molecules are also in relation with periodontium tissues especially periodontal ligament cells. Extensive studies have been performed in recent years on the role of miRNAs in the pathogenesis of periodontal disease. In this review paper, we have reviewed the results of these studies and discussed the role of miRNAs in the immunopathogenesis of periodontal disease comprehensively. miRNAs play an important role in the pathogenesis of periodontal disease and maybe helpful therapeutic targets for the treatment of periodontal disease.

Oral cancer comprises a group of neoplasms affecting any fields of the oral cavity, pharyngeal regions and salivary glands. However, this term tends to be used interchangeably with oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC), which represents the most common of all oral neoplasms. It is estimated that more than 90% of all oral neoplasms are OSCC. Oral SCC prefers to spread through the lymphatic system than the bloodstream, and in this region tongue tumors have the greatest potential  for neck metastases. Primary tumor’s histopathologic features like depth of invasion, thickness, growth pattern, differentiation, lymphovascular or vascular invasion have a limited prognostic value for nodal disease. Cervical lymph node status accurate assessment in HNSCC patients is critical issue because of its influences on prognosis and treatment decisions, USgFNAC proved widely accepted not only because of safety and availability in diagnosis but also it is repeatable, minimally invasive and cost-effectiveness. Keywords: Squamous cell carcinoma; Hhead and neck cancer; Ultrasound-guided fine needle aspiration cytology; Ultrasound; Sentinel lymph node biopsy.

Canalicular adenoma (CA) is a rare, benign salivary gland tumor that has special tendency to occur in the upper lip. Buccal mucosa is the second most common site. It occurs more often in older patients with peak prevalence in the seventh decade of life. A definitive female predominance has been reported. According to the latest English published literature, 531 cases of CA have been reported. We present a case of CA of the hard palate that presented in a 29‑year‑old female patient. The histopathological and immunohistochemical findings showed typical features of CA and intense expression of pan‑cytokeratin and S‑100 protein. We also review its differential diagnosis from other salivary gland tumors.

This article reports a 13-year-old boy with phenylketonuria and multiple superficial mucoceles on his lower lip. Phenylketonuria (PKU) is a serious and rare genetic disorder that affects the levels of amino acids such as phenylalanine in the body. If left untreated, PKU can negatively affect mental function and cause retardation. Patients with PKU receive less oral examination compared to the normal population. Mucoceles are lesions formed by the accumulation of mucous of salivary glands in soft tissue by blockage or extravasation. Local trauma has been identified as the main cause of mucoceles development. Superficial mucoceles are rare in the lower lip. These patients need close oral and maxillofacial examination to find problems, which may be related to their systemic problem. Micro-marsupialization is a conservative therapeutic approach for management of pediatric oral mucoceles. Management of trauma in patients with mental retardation is an important issue.

Artifact refers to an artificial or replaced structure in histopathological slides as a result of an extraneous factor. Given the influence of identification and awareness of the types of artifacts on the correct diagnosis, the frequency of artifacts in oral and maxillofacial histopathological slides was assessed.

In this cross-sectional study, census method was used to assess 119 oral and maxillofacial histopathological slides retrieved from the archive of Zanjan Dental School from 2015 to 2017. Artifacts were divided into three groups arising from the surgeon’s performance, technician’s performance, and specimen transfer to the laboratory. Statistical analysis of data was performed using an independent t test in SPSS software version 18.0.

The average numbers of artifacts arising from the surgeon’s performance, technician’s performance, and specimen transfer to the laboratory were 3.90±1.14, 3.08±1.10, and 0, respectively. The mean number of artifacts arising from the surgeon’s performance was significantly higher compared to the other two groups (P<0.01) and the most common ones included fragmentation, split, and tear. The most common artifacts arising from the technician’s performance were fold/wrinkle, chaffer, and floater. There was no artifact arising from specimen transfer to the laboratory.

The results indicated a high frequency of various artifacts in the studied slides. Therefore, paying more attention to slide preparation protocols and proficient performance during the biopsy procedure as well as further cooperation between the surgeon, pathologist, and laboratory technician can be useful in reducing the frequency of artifacts and achieving a better diagnosis.

Oral pigmentation is a condition in which the color of oral mucosa such as gingival mucosa changes. Some exogenous and endogenous factors may lead to oral pigmentation. Secondhand smoke (SHS) or environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) is indirect smoking of an active smoker’s exhalation that can lead to cardiovascular, respiratory system, and some oral diseases. The aim of this review study is to assess the effect of SHS on oral pigmentation.

Data in this study were collected from PubMed, MEDLINE, and Scopus databases with the Medical Subject Headings (MeSH) keywords (Passive Smoking, Secondhand Smoke, Environmental Tobacco Smoke, Smoke Pollution, Involuntary Smoking, and Pigmentation) in the English language among the studies conducted in the period of 1990 to 2019. All records were imported into the EndNote software and duplicate articles were removed. The titles and abstracts of all records were pre-screened and among the articles remained, the relevant ones were selected for review based on the inclusion and exclusion criteria. To assess the quality of the studies, the Strengthening the Reporting Observational Studies in Epidemiology (STROBE) checklist was used.

Based on the STROBE checklist, the quality of the studies was assessed and finally, seven studies were included in the review, with six of them conducted about children and young adults and one about women. 6 (85.7%) articles showed a strong correlation between ETS and oral pigmentation and 1 (14.2%) showed no correlation.

ETS probably was correlated to the oral pigmentation.