Immunohistochemical Evaluation of E- Cadherin in Oral Epithelial Dysplasia and Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma.

Background: Cancers arising in the oral cavity are more commonly of squamous cell carcinomas. E-cadherin is a calcium-dependant transmembrane glycoprotein of the type-1 cadherin superfamily is an invasion/tumor suppressor gene, which plays a vital role in epithelial cell-cell adhesion. Epithelial E-cadherin expression loss increases tumor invasiveness and metastasis. Aim: To determine the expression of E-cadherin in oral epithelial dysplasia (OED) and oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). Materials and Methods: Analysis of E-cadherin expression in 10 cases of normal mucosa, 15 cases of various grades of OED, 15 cases of OSCC. Statistical Analysis: The data were calculated using Chi-square test and analysis of variance test (ANOVA). Results: An intragroup comparison of staining intensity and staining location for OED showed a highly significant difference between mild and moderate grade (P < 0.001). A significant difference of staining intensity was noted among well and moderately differentiated grades, and well and poorly differentiated grades of OSCC. A comparison of staining location among well and poorly differentiated grades of OSCC was found to be significant. Conclusion: Expression loss is observed as the severity of the lesion progresses in both OSCC and OED. The increased loss of expression in oral squamous cell carcinoma poorer the prognosis.

Evaluation of the Function of Vitamin D in Treating Oral Lichen Planus.

Objectives: The objective of the current research was to evaluate the role of vitamin D in the management of oral lichen planus. Materials and Method: Based on their vitamin D levels, 90 individuals with oral lichen planus were equally divided into three groups. Deficient subjects received oral vitamin D supplementation. Result: The majority of improvements were observed in patients who were taking vitamin D supplements. It was discovered that the data comparison was statistically considerable. Conclusion: It was determined that vitamin D was crucial for the management of oral lichen planus.

Immunohistochemical evaluation of superficial and invasive front of oral squamous cell carcinoma using epithelial membrane antigen as a marker.

Background: Epithelial membrane antigen (EMA) has been used as a marker for the expression of tumour margins in various glandular neoplastic lesions. Histopathologically, oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) may exhibit several features within the same tumour cells, portraying that these cells at the invasive margins commonly display certain features that differ from those of the superficial part of the tumour. Aim: To identify and study the invasive tumour front and also to recognise any micrometastases in an OSCC lesion. Materials and Method: A retrospective study of 30 OSCC cases with superficial and most invasive parts were sectioned at 4 µm. Routine H&E staining and immunohistochemical staining with mouse antihuman EMA were done. The OSCC cases were graded into well differentiated squamous cell carcinoma (WDSCC), moderately differentiated squamous cell carcinoma (MDSCC) and poorly differentiated squamous cell carcinoma (PDSCC). The EMA-stained slides were observed and analysed under higher magnification to identify the individual EMA-stained cells. Results: Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) analysis revealed that when comparing the superficial and invasive fronts of OSCC, it was evident that the P values were significant across the groups. In WDSCC, positive predictive value was 70.6% and sensitivity was 100% when the same slide was analysed for large and small islands to individual cells in an EMA-stained section, while MDSCC and PDSCC showed both sensitivity and positive predictive value to be 100%. Conclusion: EMA could be considered a useful prognostic marker for describing the nature of the neoplastic epithelium as well as recognising the typical anaplastic cells in cases of OSCC.

A Finite Element Analysis of Stress Allocation around Three Types of Abutment-Implant Interfaces.

Objectives: This study examined the effects of stress distribution at three abutment-implant interfaces on various implant systems. Materials and Methods: Group I: tri-channel internal connection (Nobel Biocare), Group II: 1.5-mm deep internal hex (BioHorizons Co. Birmingham, USA), and Group III: ADIN Touareg, to create computerized models of implants and mandibular modeling software, close fit WP, ANSYS Version 14.0 for finite element analysis (FEA), Hypermesh 12 for meshing and CATIA were used. A top-notch scanner was used to scan the implant. CATIA software created computerized models using all the aforementioned data. By applying bonded state on the abutment-implant borders and four various load conditions within the implant system, finite element method modeling was carried out. The computerized model was imported into the ANSYS program. To compare the groups, a statistical analysis was conducted. Result: Through the use of three-dimensional FEA, the samples were assessed. Stress was found to be utmost in Group I, followed by Group III and Group II, at 80 N, 80 N with a 15° tilt, 250 N, and 250 N with a 15° tilt, and the divergence was statistically inconsequential. Conclusion: The tri-channel internal connection displayed the highest stresses compared to the internal hex within the constraints of the current study.

Evaluation of Viability of Periodontal Ligament Cells using Propolis, Coconut Water, Aleo Vera, and Soy Milk: An In vitro Comparative Study.

Objectives: This research was done to assess the periodontal ligament cells viability using propolis, coconut water, aloe vera, and soy milk storage media. Materials and Methods: Periodontal ligament cells were taken from freshly extracted teeth and stored into four groups of storage media: Group A-propolis, Group B-coconut water, Group C-aloe vera, and Group D-soy milk. Later, the cell viability was assessed at 1, 12, and 24 hours. Results: The periodontal ligament cell viability was significantly greater in propolis, followed by coconut water, aloe vera, and soy milk. Conclusion: We found that propolis, coconut water, aloe vera, and soy milk can be used as an effective storage media. These are naturally occurring and easily available storage medium.

Smartphone addiction and its impact on knowledge, cognitive and psychomotor skills among dental students in India: An observational study.

BACKGROUND: Addictive behavior toward the use of smartphones has turned out to be a commonly present phenomenon in this digital era. An individual's overindulgence in smartphone devices has turned into an obsessive and compulsive disorder. This addiction has been found to influence the physical, social, and psychological wellbeing of the studied population. This observational study aimed to assess smartphone addiction and its impact on knowledge, cognitive, and psychomotor skills in students pursuing dentistry in India. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This prospective and cross-sectional survey-based study comprised 100 dental undergraduate students who were selected by a random sampling technique. The age range of subjects ranged between 18 and 22 years with equal gender distribution (50 each male and female). A prevalidated questionnaire containing 30 items encompassing five variables, that is, applications related to healthcare, entertainment, shopping, communication, and education were used to assess the response. Based on scores, patients were categorized as addicted or with no addiction. For evaluating the knowledge, cognitive, and psychomotor skills of students, theory-based examinations were held in different subjects as per the semester year of selected students while psychomotor skills were assessed by conducting clinical or preclinical examinations conducted by two separate examiners who following mutual agreement were assigned appropriate scores. All scores were categorized into four grades, that is, from grades I to VI. RESULTS: Students with smartphone addiction exhibited lower performance in both theory-based and clinical/preclinical assessment examinations with a majority of them scoring grade III or IV. CONCLUSION: Smartphone addiction reduces the academic knowledge, cognitive, and psychomotor skills of dental students.

Isolation and identification of oral Candida species in potentially malignant disorder and oral squamous cell carcinoma.

CONTEXT: Oral cancer is one of the ten most common cancers in the world. More than 95% of the carcinomas of the oral cavity are of squamous cell type in nature. Oral Candida is a "yeast-like opportunistic pathogen." The Candida genus is comprised of over 150 species of asporogenous "yeast-like" fungi. AIM AND OBJECTIVES: The aim of study is to correlate the association of oral fungal infection in progression of oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) and potentially malignant disorders. The current study was undertaken to probe the isolation and identification of oral Candida species in potentially malignant disorder and OSCC versus normal oral mucosa. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty patients for each abovementioned three lesions were randomly selected by using swabs. These swabs were subsequently inoculated in agar medium. Candida grows as white, convex colonies. Samples growing 1-3 colony-forming units (CFUs) were considered normal flora of the oral cavity. The specimens showing moderate to heavy growth were subjected to tests for identification of species of Candida. The chromogenic medium, HiMedia CHROMagar, has chromogenic substances which helps in the quick detection of Candida species, based on the reactions between the extract enzymes of the dissimilar species and the chromogenic substances. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS: Chi-square test, one-way analysis of variance test, and post hoc Tukey's test were utilized. RESULTS: According to our study, Candida albicans, Candida krusei, Candida tropicalis, and Candida parapsilosis in the culture were found to be in increasing incidence from healthy, OSCC, and oral potentially malignant disorders (OPMDs). These results clearly indicated that Candida species are increasing in the CFUs (P < 0.0001). CONCLUSION: Our study showed a higher intensity of Candida in OPMD and squamous cell carcinoma patients with results. The increasing CFU level and hyphae of Candida species in individual biopsy tissue with oral potentially malignant lesions to OSCC suggest that this pathogen plays a role in disease development and could aid in identifying the pathogenic commensal.

A quantitative and qualitative comparative analysis of collagen fibers to determine the role of connective tissue stroma in oral squamous cell carcinoma using special stains and polarized microscopy.

BACKGROUND: Solid tumors such as oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) are composed of malignant epithelial cells and the stroma in which these cells are dispersed. As the tumor progresses, the extracellular matrix undergoes dramatic morphological and architectural changes. Special stains make analysis easy and less erroneous by highlighting the area of interest and can be used to study these changes. AIM: The aim of the study was to analyze morphological changes in collagen fibers in various histological grades of OSCC using Masson's trichrome (MT) and Picrosirius red (PSR). STUDY DESIGN: The study comprised 74 tissue samples, divided into two groups: Group I consisted of 63 cases of histologically proven OSCC (39 cases of well-differentiated squamous cell carcinoma [WDSCC], 17 moderately differentiated squamous cell carcinoma [MDSCC] and 7 poorly differentiated squamous cell carcinoma [PDSCC]) and Group II consisted of 11 cases of normal mucosa as controls. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Sections were stained with hematoxylin and eosin, MT and PSR and observed under light and polarizing microscope, respectively. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS: ANOVA, Tukey's honestly significant difference post hoc multiple comparison test, Chi-square test and paired t-test were used for the statistical analysis. RESULTS: As the grade of OSCC progressed, collagen fibers became thin, loosely packed and haphazard. The mean area fraction also decreased. They exhibited orange-red hue and strong birefringence in WDSCC, yellowish-orange hue and strong birefringence in MDSCC and greenish-yellow hue and weak birefringence in PDSCC. CONCLUSION: Initially, there is a reorganization of the collagen fibers in an attempt to prevent the invasion of tumor cells, but as cancer progresses, the stromal change enhances movement of the tumor cells within it, leading to metastasis.