0000000000056239
AUTHOR
Falaschini S
Saliva: Its value as a biological matrix and current methods of sampling
Saliva is a non-invasive medium, its analysis is useful to measure a wide range of hormones, drugs, narcotics, antibodies, host, microbial, fungal and viral DNA up to salivary mRNA; hence, it has been suggested to be an easy and reliable biomarker in disease diagnostics, such as inflammatory mouth infections/diseases, and in normal health surveillance. In light of this potential, our primary endpoint is to review the current knowledge on saliva analyses and its recent methods of sampling.
Oral dysphagia. An unique symptom for a wide spectrum of diseases
Dysphagia, defined as a difficulty in swallowing of fluids and/or solid foods, is one of the most frequent symptoms of esophageal, gastrointestinal, ear, nose and throat diseases. As such, it poses a diagnostic challenge and an interdisciplinary clinical problem. Of particular importance in diagnosis is to distinguish between esophageal and oropharyngeal dysphagia. Oropharyn-geal dysphagia is often associated with neuromuscular disorders and is treated with rehabilitative protocols, while esophageal dysphagia may be due to anatomical alterations and esophageal motility difficulties. While the former can be adequately treated with endoscopic or surgical therapy, the latter are currently trea…