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Background: Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) has numerous physical, psychosocial and financial implications, which significantly affect patients' quality of life. We aimed to determine the health-related quality of life (HRQoL) and identify quality of life (QoL) predictors in patients with OSCC. Methods: We included 64 consecutive patients aged 40 to 80 yr treated for OSCC from Jan to Dec 2021. Health-related QoL was evaluated using the 30-item Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire (QLQ-C30) and the 35-item Head and Neck Cancer-Quality of Life Questionnaire (QLQ-H&N35). The demographic questionnaire and clinical parameters were also presented. Results: The functioning scale in the QLQ-C30 questionnaire with the lowest average score was Global health status. The mean QLQ-C30 summary score (80.92 ± 10.4) was higher than the Global health status score (50.5 ± 22.2). In the QLQ-H&N35 questionnaire, the symptoms with highest scores were weight loss, dry mouth, and social eating. Linear regression analysis demonstrated that Global health status score was associated with education level [ß-coefficient = 19.33 (95% CI: 10.7-24.9, P=0.004], alcohol consumption [ß-coefficient=10.04 (95% CI: 4.5-14.8), P=0.023] and invasive surgical procedure [ß-coefficient=22.75 (95% CI: 15.0-30.5), P=0.002]. The QLQ-C30 summary score was associated with living alone [ß-coefficient= -20.05 (95% CI: -29.91-(-10.21), P=0.018], smoking status [ß-coefficient=4.35 (95% CI: 1.8-6.91), P=0.043] and alcohol consumption [ß-coefficient =4.59 (95% CI: 1.99-7.19), P=0.037]. Conclusion: We found several significant predictors of worse perception of HRQoL among patients with OSCC, which may be useful for specific prevention and treatment in order to achieve better QoL.

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Dentures and epitheses are mostly made from poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA), which does not show antimicrobial properties. They present reservoirs of microorganisms grown in biofilms. The aim of this study is to prepare a PMMA enriched with gold nanoparticles (AuNPs)-PMMA/AuNPs and the examination of its physical, mechanical and antimicrobial properties. The AuNPS were synthetized from HAuCl4 using the ultrasonic spray pyrolysis method with lyophilization. The PMMA/AuNP samples were compared to PMMA samples. Density was measured by pycnometer. Microhardness was evaluated using the Vickers hardness test. Monomicrobial biofilm formation (Streptococcus mitis, Candida albicans, Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli) was measured by colony-forming units (CFUs) and MTT test and visualized by SEM. AuNP release was measured indirectly (the CFUs of the medium around the sample). The density and microhardness of the PMMA/AuNPs were similar to those of the PMMA. CFU and MTT values for the biofilms formed on the PMMA for each of the tested species were higher than those of the biofilms formed on the PMMA/AuNPs. The CFUs of the medium around the sample were similar for both materials. PMMA/AuNPs showed a significant reduction in the monomicrobial biofilms of all tested species. AuNPs are not released from PMMA/AuNPs. Density, indirect measurement of residual monomer and dentures weight were similar between PMMA and PMMA/AuNPs. Microhardness, as a measure of the wear resistance, was also similar between tested discs.

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AIMS: To investigate the potential role of polymorphisms in matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9), glutathione S-transferase M1 (GSTM1) and T1 (GSTT1), and methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) genes as risk factors for development of temporomandibular disorders (TMD) in a Serbian population. METHODS: This case-control study included 282 subjects: 100 with TMD and 182 healthy controls. Genotyping was done by means of polymerase chain reaction (PCR)/restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) for single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) analysis (C-1562T MMP-9 and C677T MTHFR) or multiplex PCR and real-time PCR methods for deletion analysis (GSTM1, GSTT1) of DNA obtained from buccal swabs. The association of gene variants with TMD risk was determined by calculating odds ratios (OR) and their 95% confidence intervals (CI). RESULTS: A statistically significant difference in genotype and allele frequencies was found between the TMD group and controls for the MMP-9 SNP. Heterozygotes (CT) were significantly more frequent in the TMD group than in the control group and carriers of the T allele had an approximately twofold increase of TMD risk (OR = 2.13, 95% CI = 1.24-3.67, P = .005). The null GSTT1 genotype as well as the combined non-null GSTM1/ null GSTT1 were associated with lower risk of TMD (OR = 0.28, CI = 0.10-0.74, P = .004 and OR = 0.16, CI = 0.03-0.58, P < .001, respectively). GSTM1 alone and MTHFR polymorphisms did not show an association with TMD. CONCLUSION: The C-1562T SNP in the promoter region of the MMP-9 gene, the GSTT1 null, as well as the combined GSTM1 non-null and GSTT1 null genotypes are modulators of TMD risk in a Serbian population.

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INTRODUCTION: Patients with craniomandibular disorders suffer from hypertonic, fatigued and painful masticatory muscles.This condition can lead to limitation of mandibular jaw movements. All of these symptoms and signs are included in myofascial pain dysfunction syndrome.Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) has been used for treatment of these patients. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to assess the effect ofTENS therapy on chronic pain reduction in patients with the muscular dysfunction symptom. METHODS: In order to evaluate the effect ofTENS therapy before and after the treatment, Craniomandibular Index (Helkimo) was used. Pain intensity was measured by VAS. Patients had TENS treatment over two-week period. BURST TENS modality was used. Current intensity was individually adjusted. RESULTS: Two patients did not respond to TENS therapy. Complete pain reduction was recorded in 8 patients, while pain reduction was not significantly different after TENS therapy in 10 patients. CONCLUSION: TENS therapy was confirmed as therapeutic procedure in orofacial muscle relaxation and pain reduction.

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