Characterization of stromal calcifications in odontogenic keratocyst: a multicentric study.

Odontogenic keratocysts (OKCs) are locally aggressive cysts that exhibit typical histopathological features and have a propensity for recurrence. Though histological variations are observed in OKCs, hard tissue formation and metaplastic changes are rare, and the underlying pathogenesis is not well understood. This study aimed to characterize stromal calcifications and analyze their association with odontogenic components in non-syndromic and syndrome-associated cases of OKCs. We analyzed 153 cases of OKCs from healthcare institutes in India and Japan. The epithelial and stromal features were evaluated, and the relationship of calcifications with odontogenic rests was determined. Immunohistochemistry for cytokeratin-19 and special stains including Masson Trichrome and Van Gieson, were used for identification of odontogenic rests and calcifications respectively. Stromal calcifications were observed in 29.41% OKCs. The calcification patterns included irregular dystrophic, dentinoid with linear or calcospherite-type mineralization, and psammoma calcifications. Psammoma and dentinoid calcifications were found in the proximity of cytokeratin-19-positive odontogenic rests or satellite cysts, whereas majority cases with dystrophic calcifications did not exhibit co-localization with stromal odontogenic components. Distinct patterns of calcifications were observed in OKCs. Calcifications found in proximity of the odontogenic rests were possibly indicative of an inductive or host-mediated response.

Proliferative verrucous leukoplakia/multifocal leukoplakia in patients with and without oral submucous fibrosis / Leucoplasia verrugosa proliferativa/leucoplasia multifocalen pacientes con y sin fibrosis submucosa oral

Background: Oral submucous fibrosis (OSF) and proliferative verrucous leukoplakia (PVL) are established as oralpotentially malignant disorders. Dual pathology of the two conditions is not commonly encountered in clinicalpractice. This study aims to present a case series of multifocal leukoplakia in patients with and without OSF tooutline the clinical behavior and challenges in the management of this high-risk group in clinical practice.Material and Methods: We retrospectively analyzed cases of six Indian patients (four with OSF) managed over aperiod of 5.5 to 13 years at the Government Dental College, Nagpur. Patient data consisting of age, gender, med-ical history, habits, clinical findings, and biopsy reports were recorded at the initial visit. During follow-up visits,the clinicopathological data were reassessed. When surgical intervention failed to arrest the disease or whensurgery was contraindicated metronomic therapy with Folitrax 15 mg once a week and Celecoxib 100mg twicedaily was initiated.Results: All patients developed PVL after the initial pathology diagnosis of OSF or oral leukoplakia. Initial lesionswere either homogenous or non-homogenous leukoplakia. All patients developed multiple recurrences, regional orsystemic metastasis. Despite thorough interventions, the patients died of, or with the disease.Conclusions: The occurrence of two or more oral potentially malignant disorders poses challenges in patient man-agement and possibly presents a higher risk of malignant transformation. More clinical trials are necessary to as-sess the benefits of metronomic therapy for patients diagnosed with aggressive PVL concurrently found with OSF.(AU)

Oral Microbial and Molecular Cross Talk between SARS-CoV-2 and Diabetes Mellitus - A Mini Review.

The oral microbiome has long been considered a measure of overall systemic health. It is often significantly altered in case of chronic inflammation or any other systemic infection. Therefore, a shift in oral microbiota and oral health is bound to be observed in diabetics infected with the coronavirus. The prognosis of COVID-19 in a diabetic individual is often worse than that in a healthy individual. The increased pathogenicity of coronavirus in diabetics is due to the peculiar ways in which it interacts with specific physiological mechanisms in a diabetic patient and vice versa. Diabetes Mellitus Type-II (DM -II) is one of the most frequently associated co-morbidities in a COVID-19 patient, and therefore it is even more pertinent that their interrelationship is understood. It is essential to recognize the above-mentioned interactions and consider their implications while treating susceptible patients. This article attempts to review and summarize the said vital interactions. Additionally, it attempts to guide and prepare oral health professionals on what to expect and how to treat diabetic patients in a future where coronavirus is, as unfortunate as it is, a regularity and not a rarity.

Fine needle aspiration cytology for two cases of ameloblastoma-Key highlights and diagnostic features.

OBJECTIVE: Fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) is a valuable, noninvasive technique for head and neck pathology diagnosis. The objective of case images was to highlight the utility of FNAC for diagnosing suspected cases of ameloblastoma. METHOD: FNAC smears of suspected cases of ameloblastoma were evaluated using their cellular and stromal features. RESULTS: Cellular features and background of smears exhibited characteristics of ameloblastoma. Predominant features included clusters of ameloblast-like cells and spindle cells in a myxoid background. CONCLUSION: Careful evaluation of FNAC helps diagnose ameloblastomas and must be considered a vital diagnostic tool.

Role of cancer-associated fibroblasts in oral squamous cell carcinomas, surgical margins, and verrucous carcinomas: An immunohistochemical study.

Background and Aim: Cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) are among the key tumor microenvironment components that determine tumor invasion, progression, and resistance to cancer therapeutics. Histologically normal mucosa adjacent to oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) has been shown to harbor CAFs which aid in the loco-regional recurrence of the lesion. Verrucous carcinoma (VC), a low-grade variant of squamous cell carcinoma, has a better clinical outcome. However, few VCs show an aggressive biological course and necessitate wide excision with strict follow-up. Scarce literature is available regarding the role of CAFs in VCs. Thus, our study aimed to evaluate the frequency of CAFs in OSCC, normal mucosa adjacent to OSCC, and VC. Methods: Thirty cases of squamous cell carcinoma, normal mucosa adjacent to OSCC, and VC each were included in the study. The sections were stained with an antibody against alpha-smooth muscle actin protein and CAF frequency was evaluated. Results: The CAF frequency was highest in squamous cell carcinoma, followed by VC, and least in normal mucosa adjacent to OSCC (P<0.001). Conclusion: CAF frequency progressively increases with an increase in the grade or biological behavior of the lesion. Thus, screening CAF frequency in these benign and malignant oral lesions is necessary for better treatment outcomes. Relevance for Patients: The immunohistochemical screening for CAFs in OSCC and VC can serve as an integrated approach for the development of a directed treatment plan that leads to a better patient prognosis. Routine assessment of CAF frequency in surgical margins can serve as an adjunct in determining clear margins and possible locoregional recurrence. Furthermore, target therapy for CAFs can be used to minimize possible recurrence and distant metastasis.

Role of programmed cell death 4 in myofibroblast differentiation in oral submucous fibrosis.

Background: Fibrosis is an uncontrolled healing process, led by persistent differentiation of fibroblast to alpha-smooth muscle actin (αSMA) positive activated fibroblast or myofibroblast. Oral submucous fibrosis (OSMF) is one such condition that is associated with areca nut use. Recently, Programmed Cell Death 4 (PDCD4), a pro-apoptotic marker, has been shown to modulate fibroblast differentiation in various organ fibrosis. The present study aimed to evaluate the role of PDCD4 in the regulation of fibroblast differentiation in OSMF. Materials and Methods: Paraffin-embedded tissue sections from 45 cases of the normal oral mucosa, early OSMF and advanced OSMF were examined for PDCD4 and αSMA expression by immunostaining. Co-expression of PDCD4 and αSMA in fibroblasts was examined using Spearman's correlation test. Results: The stromal fibroblasts showed minimal expression of αSMA in the normal mucosa and early OSMF, while advanced OSMF groups demonstrated a higher frequency of αSMA myofibroblasts. The PDCD4 expression was noted in the normal stromal fibroblasts. However, this expression appeared to progressively reduce with an increasing grade of OSMF. Thus, a negative correlation was noted between stromal PDCD4 and αSMA expression with progressive OSMF. Conclusion: This study demonstrated a putative role for PDCD4 in oral fibrosis consistent with its role in other tissues. The lack of PDCD4 expression with increasing myofibroblast expression in OSMF suggests that targeting its dysregulation may be an attractive translational therapeutic target.

Salivary calcium as a diagnostic tool for screening of osteoporosis in postmenopausal women.

BACKGROUND: Women's health undergoes physiological, pathological and psychological changes after menopause. Reduced estrogen levels have been implicated in the pathogenesis of osteoporosis in postmenopausal women. Estrogen is also known to affect the salivary gland functions. To understand the association between serum estrogen, osteoporosis and salivary calcium, the present cross-sectional study was undertaken. AIM: The aim of this study is to determine salivary calcium levels and its use for the diagnosis of osteoporosis in postmenopausal women. METHODOLOGY: Ninety individuals divided into three groups of healthy controls, pregnant women and postmenopausal women were selected. Serum estrogen, salivary calcium and bone mineral density (BMD) at the heel region were estimated. Statistical analysis using the Mann-Whitney U-test was done to compare the results within the groups. RESULTS: Mean estrogen levels were 115.8 ± 80.18 pg/mmol in control group, 7729.4 ± 907.6 pg/mmol in pregnant group and 51.2 ± 74.51 pg/mmol in postmenopausal group, respectively. The mean salivary calcium in control, pregnant and postmenopausal groups was 3.12 ± 0.63, 3.19 ± 0.62 and 7.12 ± 0.79 µg/dl, respectively. Paired comparison within the groups showed high statistical significance (P = 0.0000) in the salivary calcium levels. The mean BMD of -2.3 (standard deviation [SD] ± 0.83) in the postmenopausal group was significantly lower than -0.6 (SD ± 0.99) and -0.2 (SD ± 1.42) of pregnant and control groups, respectively. CONCLUSION: A negative correlation was found between estrogen and bone density. A significant difference in salivary calcium was noted in the study groups, highlighting the role of salivary calcium in the detection of early bone changes in postmenopausal women.