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The use of allergen immunotherapy (AIT) in Brazil has specific regional conditions owing to the pattern of allergen sensitization, as well as to genetic, socioeconomic, and cultural characteristics. This review article aims to discuss the clinical practice of AIT by the subcutaneous or sublingual route in Brazil, addressing the possibilities of transition between these forms of administration. A systematic review using the PubMed and Cochrane databases was performed, and the websites of major allergy and immunology organizations were consulted. Knowledge of the mechanism of action of subcutaneous immunotherapy and sublingual immunotherapy, together with Brazilian real-life experience, allowed us to establish recommendations regarding switching routes of AIT administration in selected cases. Careful analysis of each clinical situation is necessary to perform the transition between subcutaneous and sublingual allergen immunotherapy.

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Adenoid cystic carcinoma (AdCC) is a malignant salivary gland neoplasm that presents as an indolent but aggressive neoplasm. AdCC histogenesis is linked to the intercalated ducts of the salivary glands, equally affecting the major and minor glands. AdCC is associated with distant metastasis, most commonly to the lungs, and a high recurrence rate. AdCC accounts for 4.2% of all tumors. About 55% of all reported cases affect the submandibular gland, and around 50% of AdCC cases occur in the minor salivary glands. The present review describes a case of AdCC which presented a single nodular swelling on the right side involving the floor of the mouth. It also consolidates the histopathological profile of a case of AdCC with all the relevant histopathological features.

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Increasing the solubility of drugs is a recurrent objective of pharmaceutical research, and one of the most widespread strategies today is the formulation of nanocrystals (NCs). Beyond the many advantages of formulating NCs, their incorporation into solid dosage forms remains a challenge that limits their use. In this work, we set out to load Atorvastatin NCs (ATV-NCs) in a delivery device by combining 3D scaffolds with an "in situ" loading method such as freeze-drying. When comparing two infill patterns for the scaffolds at two different percentages, the one with the highest NCs load was chosen (Gyroid 20 % infill pattern, 13.8 ± 0.5 mg). Colloidal stability studies of NCs suggest instability in acidic media, and therefore, the system is postulated for use as a sublingual device, potentially bypassing stomach and hepatic first-pass effects. An ad hoc dissolution device was developed to mimic the release of actives. The nanometric size and properties acquired in the process were maintained, mainly in the dissolution rate and speed, achieving 100 % dissolution of the content in 180 s. Based on these results, the proof of concept represents an innovative approach to converting NCs suspensions into solid dosage forms.

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BACKGROUND: Sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT) using food extracts is safe and effective in desensitizing patients with food allergy, yet not often used in clinical practice. OBJECTIVES: To propose a cost-effective, expedited SLIT protocol using real food. METHODS: Patients with food allergy aged 5 to 50 years (median, 11 years) initiated food SLIT in a single-clinic setting. The daily maintenance dose was 4 to 11 mg protein in 0.1 to 0.5 mL volume, depending on the food. Some foods were available in liquid form at the local grocery (milk, egg white liquid, and cashew/walnut/sunflower/hazelnut milk), whereas others were prepared in the office using flour and 50% glycerin saline (peanut/sesame/wheat). The first cohort of 20 patients began dosing at a 1:1000 dilution, the next 30 patients at 1:100 dilution. An exercise challenge was performed in a subset of patients on maintenance dosing to evaluate the need for a predose or postdose rest period. RESULTS: The 1:1000 and 1:100 cohorts both completed day 1 without adverse reactions beyond itchy mouth. There were no systemic reactions requiring epinephrine throughout the study period and 88% reached their maintenance dose. Skin testing of 6-month-old peanut flour solution was not diminished from fresh solution and similar to food extract. Exercise challenge test results in 12 patients were negative. CONCLUSIONS: Allergen extract food SLIT as used in published trials has limitations of cost and multiple office visits. Inexpensive real food, at the same or slightly higher protein dose, was well tolerated in 4 updose visits, a minimum of a week apart. Unlike food oral immunotherapy, a predose or postdose rest period may not be necessary.

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Using diffusible iodine-based contrast-enhanced computed tomography (diceCT), we examined the morphology of the oral glands of 12 species of the family Homalopsidae. Snakes of this family exhibit substantial interspecific morphological variation in their oral glands. Particular variables are the venom glands, ranging from large (e.g., Subsessor bocourti) to small (e.g., Erpeton tentaculatum). The supra- and infralabial glands are more uniform in morphology, being the second most developed in almost all the sampled species. Premaxillary glands distinct from the supralabial glands were observed in five species (Myron richardsonii, Bitia hydroides, Cantoria violacea, Fordonia leucobalia, and Gerarda prevostiana), in addition to Cerberus rynchops, the only species in which this condition was previously documented associated with the excretion of salt. In the three species of the saltwater group of homalopsids (C. violacea, F. leucobalia, and G. prevostiana), the premaxillary glands also extend posteriorly, occupying a large area above the supralabial gland, a condition not observed in any other species of snake studied thus far. Character evolution analyses indicate that premaxillary glands differentiated from the supralabial gland and evolved independently three or four times in the family, always in lineages that invaded marine habitats. Our results suggest that the differentiated premaxillary glands are likely salt glands, as is the case in C. rynchops. If corroborated, this increases to six or seven the number of independent evolutionary origins of salt glands in snakes that have undergone an evolutionary transition to marine life.

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Significance: The study of sublingual microcirculation offers valuable insights into vascular changes and overcomes some limitations of peripheral microcirculation assessment. Videomicroscopy and pulse oximetry have been used to assess microcirculation, providing insights into organ perfusion beyond macrohemodynamics parameters. However, both techniques have important limitations that preclude their use in clinical practice. Aim: To address this, we propose a non-invasive approach using photoplethysmography (PPG) to assess microcirculation. Approach: Two experiments were performed on different samples of 31 subjects. First, multi-wavelength, finger PPG signals were compared before and while applying pressure on the sensor to determine if PPG signals could detect changes in peripheral microcirculation. For the second experiment, PPG signals were acquired from the ventral region of the tongue, aiming to assess the microcirculation through features calculated from the PPG signal and its first derivative. Results: In experiment 1, 13 out of 15 features extracted from green PPG signals showed significant differences (p<0.05) before and while pressure was applied to the sensor, suggesting that green light could detect flow distortion in superficial capillaries. In experiment 2, 15 features showed potential application of PPG signal for sublingual microcirculation assessment. Conclusions: The PPG signal and its first derivative have the potential to effectively assess microcirculation when measured from the fingertip and the tongue. The assessment of sublingual microcirculation was done through the extraction of 15 features from the green PPG signal and its first derivative. Future studies are needed to standardize and gain a deeper understanding of the evaluated features.

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ABSTRACT Adenoid cystic carcinoma (AdCC) is a malignant salivary gland neoplasm that presents as an indolent but aggressive neoplasm. AdCC histogenesis is linked to the intercalated ducts of the salivary glands, equally affecting the major and minor glands. AdCC is associated with distant metastasis, most commonly to the lungs, and a high recurrence rate. AdCC accounts for 4.2% of all tumors. About 55% of all reported cases affect the submandibular gland, and around 50% of AdCC cases occur in the minor salivary glands. The present review describes a case of AdCC which presented a single nodular swelling on the right side involving the floor of the mouth. It also consolidates the histopathological profile of a case of AdCC with all the relevant histopathological features.

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Os subtipos de linfomas não Hodgkin representam 2,8% de todos os novos casos de câncer no mundo, sendo o terceiro grupo mais comum de neoplasias malignas da região de cabeça e pescoço. As glândulas salivares maiores representam o terceiro sítio extranodal mais acometido pelo linfoma na região da cabeça e pescoço; entretanto, nas glândulas salivares maiores é muito raro, representando aproximadamente 1,7­3,1% de todas as neoplasias das glândulas salivares, acometendo a maioria dos casos as glândulas parótidas (79%), seguidas pelas glândulas submandibulares (18%) e sublinguais (1%). Os subtipos mais comuns são linfoma do tecido linfoide associado à mucosa (MALT), o linfoma folicular (FL) e o linfoma difuso de grandes células B (DLBCL), e a frequência destas neoplasias está associado com a ocorrência simultânea de condições sistêmicas que predispõem ao desenvolvimento de neoplasias linfoides como a Síndrome de Sjögren (SS). Entretanto, a literatura sobre linfomas em glândulas maiores permanece muito escassa e impede que conheçamos de forma apropriada as características destes pacientes. Assim, o objetivo deste estudo é avaliar as manifestações clínicas e microscópicas dos linfomas em glândulas salivares maiores. Para isto, foram recuperados de forma retrospectiva dos arquivos de patologia de algumas instituições todos os casos diagnosticados como linfomas acometendo estes sítios anatômicos. Foram coletados os dados clínicos referentes ao sexo, idade, localização, apresentação clínica, tempo de evolução, status, estadiamento e ocorrência da SS, e as informações histopalógicas foram coletadas de blocos de parafina e lâminas em hematoxilina e eosina e imuno-histoquímicas acessíveis. Os resultados obtidos foram avaliados de forma descritiva. As séries compreenderam de 7 casos de linfomas em glândula sublingual, 16 casos em glândula submandibular e 12 casos em glândula parótida. Clinicamente, os linfomas apresentam-se como aumento de volume assintomático, sendo os subtipos mais frequentes os de células B maduras de baixo grau (MALT, FL, MCL), mas subtipos de alto grau também foram observados (LDGCB, SOE). Dois pacientes, um de linfoma de células do manto (LCM) e outro de LDGCB,SOE em glândula sublingual apresentaram como doença disseminada, e apenas três casos de linfoma MALT em glândula parótida apresentam a SS. O tratamento dependeu do microscópico e estágio do tumor, variando de cirurgia, regimes quimioterápicos com R-CHOP e radioterapia. O prognóstico foi favorável principalmente para os casos de baixo grau (MALT,FL), e apenas dois pacientes de sublingual (LDGCB,SOE, MCL) e três de submandibular (LDGCB,SOE, linfoma plasmablastico e MALT) faleceram após o diagnóstico. Neste estudo concluímos que os linfomas em glândulas salivares maiores são afetados principalmente por neoplasias de células B maduras de baixo grau (MALT, FL, MCL) e esses pacientes devem passar por uma avaliação sistêmica criteriosa para determinar se a doença se trata de uma neoplasia primária ou disseminada.

Non-Hodgkin's lymphomas account for 2.8% of all new cancer cases worldwide and are the third most common group of malignant neoplasms in the head and neck region. The major salivary glands represent the third most common extranodal site affected by lymphoma in the head and neck region; however, in the major salivary glands it is very rare, representing approximately 1.7-3.1% of all salivary gland neoplasms, affecting most cases in the parotid glands (79%), followed by the submandibular glands (18%) and sublingual glands (1%). The most common subtypes are mucosa- associated lymphoid tissue lymphoma (MALT), follicular lymphoma (FL) and diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL), and the frequency of these neoplasms is associated with the simultaneous occurrence of systemic conditions that predispose to the development of lymphoid neoplasms such as Sjögren's Syndrome(SS). However, the literature on lymphomas in major glands remains very scarce and prevents us from properly understanding the characteristics of these patients. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate the clinical and microscopic manifestations of lymphomas in the major salivary glands. To this end, all cases diagnosed as lymphomas affecting these anatomical sites were retrospectively retrieved from the pathology archives of a number of institutions. Clinical data was collected on gender, age, location, clinical presentation, time of evolution, status, staging and occurrence of SS, and histopathological information was collected from paraffin blocks and slides in hematoxylin and eosin and accessible immunohistochemistry. The results obtained were evaluated descriptively. The series comprised 7 cases of lymphomas in the sublingual gland, 16 cases in the submandibular gland and 12 cases in the parotid gland. Clinically, the lymphomas presented as asymptomatic enlargement, with the most frequent subtypes being low-grade mature B-cells (MALT, FL, MCL), but high- grade subtypes were also observed (LDGCB, SOE). Two patients, one with mantle cell lymphoma (MCL) and the other with LDGCB,SOE in the sublingual gland presented with disseminated disease, and only three cases of MALT lymphoma in the parotid gland presented with SS. Treatment depended on the microscopic subtype and stage of the tumor, ranging from surgery to chemotherapy regimens with R-CHOP and radiotherapy. Prognosis was mainly favorable for low-grade cases (MALT,FL), and only two sublingual patients (LDGCB,SOE, MCL) and three submandibular patients (LDGCB,SOE, plasmablastic lymphoma and MALT) died after diagnosis. In this study we conclude that lymphomas in the major salivary glands are mainly affected by low- grade mature B-cell neoplasms (MALT, FL, MCL) and these patients should undergo a careful systemic evaluation to determine whether the disease is a primary or disseminated neoplasm.

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OBJECTIVE: Sublingual (SL) buprenorphine is a cornerstone of care in the treatment of adult opioid use disorder. Recent studies have demonstrated its advantages in the management of neonatal opioid withdrawal syndrome (NOWS). Commercially available SL tablets and transdermal patches are not amenable to neonatal use, and published compounding formulas of SL solutions contained undesirable excipients, including ethanol, sugars, and preservatives. The objective of this research is to explore the stability of a novel SL buprenorphine formulation free of alcohol, sugars, and preservatives. METHODS: A 0.075 mg/mL buprenorphine solution was prepared by diluting the commercial injectable solution with normal saline and packaged into polyethylene terephthalate amber prescription bottles and polypropylene amber oral syringes and stored in refrigeration. Quality assessments were conducted by visual, pH, and high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) analysis immediately after preparation, and at 7 and 14 days of storage. RESULTS: There were neither visual nor pH changes detected through 14 days. HPLC analysis indicated that all samples retained >99% initial buprenorphine concentration. Drug concentration increased slightly in the oral syringe after day 7, probably due to moisture loss. No degradation peaks were observed in chromatograms. CONCLUSIONS: This novel buprenorphine is free of alcohol, sugar, and preservatives, and it may offer a significant safety advantage for NOWS patients. Additional clinical studies are recommended to verify the bioavailability and efficacy of this formulation.

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INTRODUCTION: In patients suffering from allergic asthma, especially in the pediatric age-group, allergen immunotherapy (AIT) could be of benefit and has the potential of long-term disease modification. AREAS COVERED: We reviewed the evidence for a beneficial effect of AIT in allergic asthma. A correct selection of the possible candidates for AIT is crucial. We define the comprehensive allergic asthma diagnosis: confirming asthma, confirming allergic sensitization and having symptoms on exposure to the relevant allergens.We analyze why the first trials on AIT for asthma were contradictory; we consider the results of systematic reviews and discuss the high degree of heterogeneity often found in meta-analysis. We assess recent, double-blind, placebo-controlled trials in sublingual AIT that provide robust evidence for a reduction in acute asthma exacerbations and a decrease in the use of inhaled corticosteroids. Further, we demonstrate how real-world trials and large pharmacy data-based analyses confirm these findings for SLIT and SCIT. Finally, we explore the option of AIT in severe asthma patients, once well-controlled on biologic therapy. EXPERT OPINION: Clear indications for AIT in asthma guidelines would benefit allergic asthmatics. AIT is a therapeutic option in appropriately selected asthmatics. Three years treatment has the potential for long-term tolerance, with persisting benefits years after discontinuation.

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