Liquid biopsy and its significance in tumour - Detection in the field of pathology.

The treatment of cancer has remarkably improved because of increased knowledge of the abnormalities at the molecular level, which results in human cancer growth. This has initiated the development of ever more successful as well as effective targeted cancer therapies. Detection of cancer is diagnosed basically by performing routine biopsy/cytology, which has many drawbacks. Therefore, the concept of liquid biopsy has been introduced to oncology, which has the potential to revolutionise the management of cancer patients, eliminating the invasive procedures needed to obtain tissue samples and provide information. Liquid biopsy is the analysis of tumour cells or tumour cell products obtained from blood or other body fluids, providing a broad range of opportunities in the field of pathology. Here, we focus on the most prominent liquid biopsy markers, circulating tumour cells and circulating tumour-derived deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA), in the blood of patients. In this review, we discuss recent clinical studies on these biomarkers for early detection and prognostication of cancer, which helps in successful management. Hence, liquid biopsy is introduced with great promise for personalised medicine because of its ability to provide multiple non-invasive snapshots of the primary and metastatic tumours.

Analysis of the positions of anterior teeth in orthodontically treated and untreated population: A proof of uniqueness.

AIM: To compare the uniqueness of human dentition in both orthodontically treated and untreated populations and evaluate the reliability of bitemark analysis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 1464 maxillary and mandibular casts were fabricated from orthodontically treated and nontreated population. After careful examination of the study teeth, 326 nontreated maxillary cast (Group 1), 333 nontreated mandibular cast (Group 2), 336 orthodontically treated maxillary cast (Group 3), and 320 orthodontically treated mandibular casts (Group 4) were selected for the analysis. For uniformity, the sample size of 320 was selected from each group for comparison. RESULTS: The arch width was a major cause of variance. In Group 1, only 6.87% of similarity rate was seen, whereas in Group 3, the match rate increased to 55% showing similarity. In Group 2, only 1.87% similarity and Group 4 showed 42.7% match rate. CONCLUSION: The human dentition may be unique, but it loses its uniqueness once any dental treatment is carried out.

Long-term effect of tobacco on unstimulated salivary pH.

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to analyze and compare the effects of tobacco on salivary pH between tobacco chewers, smokers and controls. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 60 subjects (males and females) aged 25-40 years, were divided equally into three groups: Tobacco smokers (Group A), chewers (Group B) and controls (Group C). Saliva of each subject was collected under resting condition. Salivary pH was determined using the specific salivary pH meter. RESULTS: The mean (±standard deviation) pH for Group A was 6.75 (±0.11), Group B was 6.5 (±0.29) and Group C was 7.00 (±0.28) after comparison. The significant results showed lower salivary pH in Groups A and B as compared to controls. Salivary pH was lowest in Group B compared to Group A and Group C. CONCLUSION: This study indicates that a lower (acidic) salivary pH was observed in tobacco users as compared with control. These alterations in pH due to the long-term effect of tobacco use can render oral mucosa vulnerable to various oral and dental diseases.

Age estimation from physiological changes of teeth: A reliable age marker?

BACKGROUND: Age is an essential factor in establishing the identity of a person. Teeth are one of the most durable and resilient part of skeleton. Gustafson (1950) suggested the use of six retrogressive dental changes that are seen with increasing age. AIM: The aim of the study was to evaluate the results and to check the reliability of modified Gustafson's method for determining the age of an individual. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Total 70 patients in the age group of 20-65 years, undergoing extraction were included in this present work. The ground sections of extracted teeth were prepared and examined under the microscope. Modified Gustafson's criteria were used for the estimation of age. Degree of attrition, root translucency, secondary dentin deposition, cementum apposition, and root resorption were measured. A linear regression formula was obtained using different statistical equations in a sample of 70 patients. RESULTS: The mean age difference of total 70 cases studied was ±2.64 years. Difference of actual and calculated age was significant and was observed at 5% level of significance, that is, t-cal > t-tab (t-cal = 7.72). P < 0.05, indicates that the results were statistically significant. CONCLUSION: The present study concludes that Gustafson's method is a reliable method for age estimation with some proposed modifications.

Attitude and knowledge of dental students of National Capital Region regarding HIV and AIDS.

BACKGROUND: India is estimated to have third highest number of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) infection in world with about 2.4 million people currently living with HIV/Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS). There is a possibility of HIV transmission in the oral health care setting and thus adequate knowledge and proper attitude among dental students is vital to prevent the chances of transmission and for proper care of the patient. AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: The present study aimed to investigate the knowledge of dental students about HIV infection and their attitude toward treating HIV/AIDS patients and behaviour practiced. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 600 dental students of different colleges present in National Capital Region (NCR). The students were from third and fourth year and they completed a predesigned questionnaire assessing the knowledge, attitude and willingness to treat HIV/AIDS patients. One-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) was applied to compare mean level of knowledge and attitude toward HIV/AIDS. RESULT: The results showed that only 28% students have excellent knowledge regarding HIV/AIDS. Certain misconceptions were prevalent regarding mode of transmission. It also shows that around 43% of the dental students have an overall negative attitude. CONCLUSION: The findings suggest that the students had adequate knowledge about HIV/AIDS and their attitude toward this group of people was significantly negative. There is need and scope to provide correct and detailed information on HIV/AIDS for dental students.

Odontogenic myxoma.

Odontogenic myxoma is a rare intraosseous neoplasm, which is benign but locally aggressive. It rarely appears in any bone other than the jaws. It is considered to be derived from the mesenchymal portion of the tooth germ. Clinically, it is a slow-growing, expansile, painless, non-metastasizing, central tumor of jaws, chiefly the mandible. Here we report the case of a typical odontogenic myxoma in a 26-year-old female patient, which had acquired large dimensions and involved the entire left half of the mandible including the ramus, resulting in a gross facial deformity, within a span of one and a half years.

Peripheral ossifying fibroma.

Peripheral ossifying fibroma is a gingival growth, usually arising from interdental papilla and occurring frequently in the anterior maxilla. It represents upto 2% of all lesions that are biopsied. Other terms used to describe this lesion include peripheral ossifying fibroma, peripheral cementifying fibroma and calcified or ossified fibrous epulis. Paediatric patients with such a lesion have special management considerations as it requires early recognition and treatment. It requires proper treatment protocol with close postoperative follow-up. This case report presents a 12-year-old boy with an unusually large lesion in relation to the palatal aspect of the maxillary anterior teeth and its management.

Gorlin-Goltz syndrome.

Gorlin-Goltz syndrome is an autosomal dominant inherited disorder characterized by the presence of multiple odontogenic keratocysts along with various cutaneous, dental, osseous, ophthalmic, neurological, and sex organ abnormalities. Early diagnosis is essential as it may progress to aggressive basal cell carcinomas and neoplasias. Gorlin-Goltz syndrome has rarely been reported from India. We report here one such patient, diagnosed at a rural hospital.