Abstract The aim of this study was to evaluate the immunohistochemical expression of receptor activator of nuclear factor kappa-B ligand (RANKL) and of osteoprotegerin (OPG), important proteins correlated with osteoclastogenesis, in central giant cell lesions (CGCL) and peripheral giant cell lesions (PGCL) and to compare their expression with the histological and clinical parameters for quantification of multinucleated giant cells (MGC) and their nuclei, lesion size, and recurrences. Twenty cases of each lesion type were selected to quantify the number of MGCs and nuclei/mm2 of connective tissue. The immunoreactivity of RANKL and OPG was expressed as a percentage of the marked area in the stroma. Clinical data were collected from pathoanatomical and medical reports. No statistical differences were found for the number of MGCs (p = 0.24) between PGCL and CGCL, but the number of nuclei within the MGCs was higher in CGCL (p = 0.01). RANKL expression was higher in CGCL than in PGCL (p = 0.04) and all recurrent lesions showed higher RANKL and OPG expressions than nonrecurrent lesions. We report higher RANKL expression and a greater number of nuclei in CGCL, which may explain the difference in clinical behaviour between these lesions and their pathogenesis.

Resumo Introdução: Leucoplasia verrucosa proliferativa (LVP) é uma lesão multifocal e progressiva da mucosa oral, com etiologia desconhecida e comumente resistente a todas as tentativas terapêuticas, com recorrências frequentes. É caracterizada por uma alta taxa de transformação em carcinoma de células escamosas e carcinoma verrucoso da cavidade oral. Objetivo: Analisar os estudos sobre LVP e elaborar uma atualização resumida. Método: Foi realizada uma pesquisa na base de dados Pubmed que identificou estudos (pesquisas laboratoriais, séries de casos e revisões de literatura) que avaliaram pacientes com LVP. Resultados e discussão: Não há estudos suficientes sobre LVP na literatura. Os poucos estudos encontrados não apresentam consenso quanto aos critérios de etiologia e diagnóstico. Embora várias estratégias de tratamento tenham sido propostas, a maioria ainda apresenta alta taxa de recorrência. Conclusão: Mais pesquisas sobre LVP são necessárias para entender e tratar essa doença.

Abstract Introduction: Proliferative verrucous leukoplakia is a multifocal and progressive lesion of the oral mucosa, with unknown etiology, and commonly resistant to all therapy attempts with frequent recurrences. It is characterized by a high rate of oral squamous cell carcinoma and verrucou carcinoma transformations. Objective: To analyze the studies about Proliferative verrucous leukoplakia and develop a concise update. Methods: A Pubmed search identifying studies (laboratory research, case series and reviews of literature) that examined patients with Proliferative verrucous leukoplakia was realized. Results: There are not enough studies about Proliferative verrucous leukoplakia in the literature. The few found studies not present a consensus about its etiology and diagnosis criteria. Although several treatment strategies have been proposed, most of them still show a high recurrence rate. Conclusion: More research about Proliferative verrucous leukoplakia is necessary to understand and treat this disease.

Objetivo: O objetivo deste estudo foi conhecer a prevalência de consumo de substâncias psicoativas entre estudantes universitários. Materiais e Métodos: Trata-se de um estudo descritivo, observacional de corte transversal. O instrumento de pesquisa foi elaborado pelo Centro Brasileiro de Informações sobre Drogas Psicotrópicas (CEBRID). Resultados: A amostra foi composta por 384 indivíduos selecionados de forma aleatória. O álcool lidera como a substância mais consumida correspondendo a 22,4% de uso freqüente seguido pelo tabaco e medicamentos como as anfetaminas e os calmantes (ansiolíticos). Para as drogas ilícitas observa-se que a maconha é a terceira em freqüência de consumo geral e a primeira entre as consideradas ilegais, tanto em uso na vida como em uso freqüente. Para o consumo no último ano, estudantes do sexo feminino estão mais propensas ao uso de anfetaminas enquanto que o uso da maconha associa-se ao sexo masculino. Existe associação entre um maior consumo de substâncias psicoativas e um relacionamento ruim com os pais. Conclusões: Estudantes universitários do Meio-Oeste do Estado de Santa Catarina/Brasil mostraram uma alta prevalência de uso de substâncias psicoativas, evidenciado a necessidade de atenção especial a este grupo vulnerável.

Aim: The aim of this study was to know the prevalence of psychoactive drugs consumption among college students. Material and Methods: This is a cross-sectional, observational study. The questionnaire was first developed, tested and already published by CEBRID (Brazilian Surveillance Center for Psychoactive Drugs). Results: The sample was composed by 384 subjects selected randomly. Alcohol was the most prevalent licit drug consumed with 22.4% of the students reporting a frequent use followed by tobacco and medicines like amphetamines and sedatives. Among the illicit drugs cannabis is the most consumed and it is the third in general use for both lifetime and frequent use. For the least year substance use, female students showed a higher prevalence of use of amphetamines while male were associated with cannabis consumption. There is a relation between the higher psychoactive substance consumption and a bad relationship with parents. Conclusions: College students from the area of middle-west of the State of Santa Catarina/Brazil showed a high prevalence of use of psychoactive substance, highlighting the need for special attention to this vulnerable group.