Comparison of expression of myofibroblasts in normal oral mucosa, oral epithelial dysplasia, and oral squamous cell carcinoma using α-SMA and vimentin: An immunohistochemical study.

BACKGROUND: Myofibroblasts are thought to play critical roles in inflammation, growth, repair, premalignancy, and malignancy. This study was done to evaluate, compare and co- relate the progressive increase in the immunohistochemical expression of myofibroblasts in normal oral mucosa, epithelial dysplasia, and oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). To compare and co-relate the expression of myofibroblasts in normal oral mucosa, epithelial dysplasia, and oral squamous cell carcinoma. To co-relate the progressive increase in myofibroblasts expression in normal oral mucosa, epithelial dysplasia, and oral squamous cell carcinoma. MATERIALS AND METHOD: Forty-nine paraffin-embedded tissue blocks with 7 cases of normal oral mucosa, 21 cases of epithelial dysplasia, and 21 diagnosed cases of OSCCs were studied. The samples were subjected to heat-induced antigen retrieval methods followed by staining using primary mouse monoclonal antibodies against α-smooth muscle actin (SMA) and vimentin. Staining index of all the sections was calculated. Statistical analysis was performed using the Kruskal-Wallis test, Mann-Whitney U test, and Chi-square test. Values of P less than or equal to 0.05 (P ≤ 0.05) were considered statistically significant. RESULTS: Statistically significant staining index was obtained by α-SMA and vimentin between normal oral mucosa, epithelial dysplasia, and OSCC. CONCLUSION: Myofibroblast may play a role only during initial tumorigenesis that is the conversion of severe dysplasia into OSCC.

Determination of age, sex, and blood group from a single tooth.

BACKGROUND: Human identification is one of the most challenging subjects that human has been confronted with. Through the ages, odontological examinations have been a critical determinant in the search of human identity. Data in the form of age, gender, and blood group might provide vital clues in such investigations. In the recent times, it has been often desirable to preserve tissues for further investigations following the unfolding of certain events or discovery of new data. Hence, it is important to gather as much data as possible using less tissue. AIMS: The purpose of this study was to determine age, sex, and ABO blood group of individual from a single tooth, to determine the effect of different environmental conditions, and to extract maximum information also at the same time preserving some tissue for the further investigation whenever needed. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study sample consisted of sixty teeth divided into four groups under different environmental conditions and time. The teeth were sectioned longitudinally in the buccolingual plane along the midline. Longitudinal ground sections of each tooth were prepared for age determination from cemental lines. Pulp removed was divided into two halves thereafter sex and blood group was determined. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS: For correlation of age between estimated age and actual age, using cemental lines Pearson's correlation coefficient was applied. Further for determination of both sex and blood group between groups, Chi-square test was applied. RESULTS: A strong positive correlation was found between the estimated age and actual age of the study groups. Moreover, there was no significant difference between the actual and determined sex and blood group of the study groups. CONCLUSION: Although age, sex, and blood group are more reliably determined in freshly extracted teeth, these variables may be of significant help in identification even after a period of 6 weeks postextraction.

Evaluation of governmental oral health-care infrastructure in the state of Haryana.

Health system should be organized to meet the needs of entire population of the nation. Oral diseases are the most common of the chronic diseases, but there are few efficient dental care systems to cope with these problems. The present cross-sectional study was conducted among 135 dental care units of various primary health centers, community health centers, and general hospitals existing in the state to evaluate the government oral health-care infrastructure in Haryana. Data regarding provision of water and electricity supply, dental workforce and their qualification, number and type of instruments in the dental operatory unit, etc., were collected on a structured format. There is a shortfall in infrastructure and significant problem with the adequacy of working facilities. This can prove to be a big hurdle in the provision of adequate oral health care to people with greatest health-care needs. A great deal of effort is required to harmonize the oral health-care delivery system.

Estimation of iron overloads using oral exfoliative cytology in beta-thalassemia major patients.

BACKGROUND: Iron overload is a medical condition that occurs when too much of the mineral iron builds up inside the body and produces a toxic reaction. Thalassemia is a genetic disorder of hemoglobin synthesis, which requires regular blood transfusion therapy, and the lack of specific excretory pathways for iron in humans leads to iron overload in the body tissues. It is a major cause of morbidity and mortality in these patients. The estimation of iron levels in exfoliated buccal mucosal cells may provide a simple, noninvasive, and a safe procedure for estimating the iron overload by using the Perls' Prussian blue stain. METHODS: Smears were obtained from buccal mucosa of 40 randomly selected beta-thalassemia major patients and 40 healthy subjects as controls. Smears were stained with Perls' Prussian blue method. Blood samples were taken for estimation of serum ferritin levels. Images of smears were analyzed using the software image J software version 1.47v and correlated with serum ferritin. RESULTS: Perls' positivity was observed in 87.5% of thalassemic patients with a positive correlation to serum ferritin levels. CONCLUSION: The use of exfoliative buccal mucosal cells for the evaluation of iron overloads in the body provides us with a diagnostic medium that is noninvasive, easy to collect, store, and transport, cost effective, and above all reliable.

Status of governmental oral health care delivery system in Haryana, India.

BACKGROUND: Health system should be organized to meet the needs of entire population of the nation. This means that the state has the direct responsibility for the health of its population and improving the quality of life through research, education, and provision of health services. The present study was conducted to evaluate the government oral health care delivery system in Haryana, India. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The present cross-sectional study was conducted among 135 dental care units (DCUs) of various primary health centers (PHCs), community health centers (CHCs), and general hospitals (GHs) existing in the state by employing a cluster random sampling technique. Data regarding the provision of water and electricity supply, dental man power and their qualification, number and type of instruments in the dental operatory unit, etc., were collected on a structured format. Statistical analysis was done using number and percentages (SPSS package version 16). RESULTS: Alternative source of electricity (generator) existed in only a few of health centers. About 93.4% (155) of the staff were graduates (BDS) and 6.6% (11) were postgraduates (MDS). Ultrasonic scaler was available at dental units of 83.1% (64) of PHCs, 73.1% (19) of CHCs, and 93.8% (30) of GHs. Patient drapes were provided in 48.1% (65) of the DCUs, doctor's aprons were provided in 74.1% (100) of the places. CONCLUSION: There is a shortfall in infrastructure and significant problem with the adequacy of working facilities. A great deal of effort is required to harmonize the oral health care delivery system.

Intra-oral schwannoma- a case report.

Neurilemmoma (Schwannoma) is a benign tumour of neuroectodermal origin. It usually occurs as a asymptomatic, solitary, smooth-surfaced and slow growing lesion, emerging at any age, with as such, no gender prelidiction. Occurring as a common tumour in the head and neck region, its intraoral presentation is very rare. Here, we are reporting a rare case of intraoral schwannoma of the posterior palate which occurred in a 34-year-old female patient who had chief complaint of a painless, slow growing swelling on posterior palate.