Hyposalivation and oral candidiasis-A short review.

Oral candidiasis is an opportunistic fungal infection commonly encountered in immunocompromised individuals. The oral cavity harbours numerous microbes and along with immunity saliva also maintains oral health. The Candida species form biofilm over the tissue and prosthetic surfaces. The biofilm formation results in persistent colonisation and persistent infection. The saliva in the oral cavity maintains the integrity of the oral environment by washing away the microbes through its flow and with its antimicrobial agents. The significant role of salivary histatins as an antifungal agent diminishes with hyposalivation. The importance of saliva in preventing fungal colonisation and infection is discussed in this review.

Differences of oral cancer in men and women of West Bengal, India.

INTRODUCTION: Oral cancer constitutes a major public health problem in South East Asia, as it causes profound social and economic consequences for people in this area. Nowadays, pattern of tobacco and alcohol use among females is changing and at the same time incidence of oral squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) among females is increasing. OBJECTIVES: The aim of the study was to evaluate the possible differences between male and female patients suffering from oral SCC. MATERIALS AND METHODS: One hundred and sixteen patients with oral SCC, who were diagnosed between 2017 and 2018, were evaluated retrospectively. Special attention was paid to tobacco and alcohol use, as well as to patients without the risk factors. Data obtained were entered into a Microsoft Excel Spreadsheet and then were analyzed by SPSS 24.0. RESULTS: The men: women ratio was 2.5:1. Mean age for diagnosis of oral cancer in men was 57.5 and mean age for diagnosis of oral cancer in women was 46.33. Majority of men oral cancer patients had smoking habits (61.45%) and majority of women oral cancer patients had chewing habits (66.67%). Tongue was the most common site for women oral cancer patients and palate, retromolar area and tonsillar area were the most common site for men oral cancer patients who never used any habit products. CONCLUSION: Compared to earlier studies women gets diagnosis of oral cancer earlier than men in our study. Gutkha use in men and Gudaku use in women were associated with oral cancer in early age. Further studies should be performed in women tongue cancer patients and men patients with cancer of maxillary area, retromolar and tonsillar area without risk factors to find etiology.

A Study of Diabetes Associated Oral Manifestations.

AIM: The aim of this work was to determine the frequency of oral changes in diabetic patients and to study the relationship between periodontal disease and diabetes mellitus. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study sample consisted of 440 known diabetic patients between the age group of 20-80 years, of which 212 were males and 228 were females. One hundred and six patients were below 40 years, 138 patients between 41 and 50 years, 97 in 51-60 years, and 99 above 60 years of age. Data were statistically analyzed by Student's t-test. RESULTS: Nearly 57% of the patients showed a Russell's Periodontal Index score of 2-4.9, which suggested an established periodontal disease. Risk factors for the people above the age of 40 years to develop diabetes were 76%. CONCLUSION: The frequency of oral manifestations in diabetic patients was significantly high, hence showing a relationship of gingival and periodontal diseases with diabetes mellitus.

Leukoplakia: A short review on malignant potential.

Oral leukoplakia is one of the most common potentially malignant disorders. Right diagnosis of potentially malignant disorders may help to prevent these lesions from malignant transformation. Proper understanding, recognizing, identification and differentiating these lesions from normal mucosa are necessary for proper treatment.

Evolution of forensic odontology: An overview.

Forensic dentistry or forensic odontology admits dentists' participation or identification of the victim and assisting legal and criminal issues. It refers to the proper handling, examination, identification and evaluation of dental evidence. This article summarizes the evolution of forensic odontology that started right from Garden of Eden to the modern scenario in identification of the gang rape case which happened in the state capital. Forensic dentistry plays a significant role in identifying the victims of crime, deceased individuals through the examination of anatomical structures, dental appliances and dental restorations.

Myoepithelial cells in pathology.

Myoepithelial cells are a normal constituent of the salivary acini and ducts and are found between the epithelial cells and the basement membrane. Microscopically myoepithelial cells are thin and spindle-shaped and ultrastructurally they possess a number of Cytoplasmic processes that extend between and over the acinar and ductal-lining cells, and they show features of both smooth muscle and epithelium. They play a vital role during expulsion of saliva and regulates the electrolytic exchange. They also perform as tumor suppressors and are considered to play a very important role in differentiation of various salivary gland tumors and help in the diagnosis of tumors. Neoplastic myoepithelial cells in both benign and malignant tumors can take numerous forms including epithelioid, plasmacytoid, spindle and clear cell variant, and this variability largely accounts for difficulties in histopathological diagnosis.

Apoptosis in immune-mediated diseases.

Apoptosis plays a significant role in both the physiological and pathological process. A dysfunctional apoptotic system can lead to either excessive removal or prolonged survival of cells. Therefore, dysregulation is involved in the pathogenesis of a variety of immunological diseases. The present review aims to provide an overview regarding role of apoptosis in immune-mediated disease.

Genodermatoses.

Genodermatoses are an inherited disorder, present with multisystem involvement. Help us to identify regular mutations and appalling skin diseases with recessive inheritance. Genetic heterogeneity is very common, and molecular diagnosis requires a broad effort. Recurrent mutations in unrelated families were seen in families with xeroderma, Griscelli. It seems likely that eventually oligonucleotide arrays will replace most other methods for routine mutation scanning of the more common diseases and planned sequencing will be increasingly used for rarer diseases.

Imprint cytology.

A valuable information on morphological details of the cell can be obtained through imprint cytology. Though it has some pitfalls, it is still considered to be one of the best methods as it provides an excellent cytological clarity in fresh surgical specimens. This article shares knowledge about the procedure, uses, advantages and disadvantages of imprint cytology.

Aggressive granular cell ameloblastoma: Report of a rare case.

Granular cell ameloblastoma is a slow growing odontogenic ectodermal tumor. The tumor shows typical ameloblastoma with the cells showing eosinophilic granularity. This variant of ameloblastoma is aggressive with high recurrence rates. We report a case of aggressive ameloblastoma of granular cell variant.

Flavonoids - Clinical effects and applications in dentistry: A review.

Flavonoids include a huge group of naturally occurring organic compounds. It is found in a large variety of plants including fruits, seeds, grains, tea vegetables, nuts, and wine. Many studies have shown that there is a strong association between flavonoid intake and the long-term effects on mortality. It is widely used in dentistry and it has many clinical effects. This article summarizes the effects of flavonoids to humankind and its clinical applications in dentistry.

Gene therapy in oral cancer: a review.

Gene therapy is the use of DNA as an agent to treat disease. Gene therapy aims at the insertion of a functional gene into the cells of a patient for the correction of an inborn error of metabolism, to alter or repair an acquired genetic abnormality, and to provide new function to the cell. Many experiments have been done with respect to its application in various diseases.Today, most of the gene therapy studies are aimed at cancer and hereditary diseases which are linked to genetic defects. Cancer usually occurs due to the production of multiple mutations in a single cell which cause it to proliferate out of control. Several methods such as surgery, radiation therapy and chemotherapy have been used widely to treat cancers. But, the cancer patients who are not helped by these therapies can be treated by gene therapy. The purpose of this article is to review the use and purpose of gene therapy in oral cancer.

Mystery inside the tooth: the dental pulp stem cells.

Stem cells are distinguished by their ability to differentiate into different types of cells in the body and to self-replicate. During the recent years, stem cells have been used extensively in the field of medicine for the repair and regeneration of defective tissues and organs. However, the knowledge on the stem cell technology is increasing quickly in all medical disciplines and it dictates the need for new protective approaches in all fields, which include reparative dentistry. Stem cell therapy constitutes a common challenge for dentists as well as for biotechnologists. The aim of this study was to review the knowledge which was related to stem cells and to consider the possibility of use of stem cell populations and their technology in the future clinical applications, to cure diseases like Parkinsonism, Juvenile diabetes, certain forms of cancer, spinal injuries and heart problems.

How to help the oral pathologist in making an accurate diagnosis.

A biopsy is a valuable diagnostic tool in clinics. In this procedure, the sample tissue is obtained in order to study its structure both macro and microscopically, thus making it possible to establish a final diagnosis. Some clinicians are surprised and disappointed when the report from the oral pathologist comes as "not from the representative area and "inadequate specimen size", instead of a final diagnosis. To avoid such disappointments and to make the best utilization of the skills of the oral pathologist, certain ideas have been suggested. Right from the history taking to the clinical examination to the operative findings, the clinician can pave the way to a conclusive histopathological diagnosis.

Estimation of salivary amylase in diabetic patients and saliva as a diagnostic tool in early diabetic patients.

AIM: The aim of this study was to estimate the salivary amylase levels in non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus patients and to correlate these findings with those in normal individuals, in order to provide salivary amylase level as a bio-chemical indicator for diagnosing and monitoring the glucose levels. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study samples consisted of 60 individuals. Both males and females participated in the study. Thirty non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus patients of age group of 30 to 60 years and healthy individuals of same number and age group were included in this study. The data obtained in this study were statistically analyzed by using Student's t-test. RESULTS: In estimation of salivary amylase levels, the comparison of mean and standard deviation showed the highest mean score (2739.48 +1525.20) among the diabetic patients and lowest mean score (1740.38 + 638.51) among the non-diabetic patients. The p-value obtained was less than 0.01. Hence, a highly significant difference in the mean scores regarding salivary amylase (u/l) was found among the two groups. CONCLUSION: The mean scores of age, fasting blood sugar, post prandial blood sugar, HbA1c and salivary amylase levels were greater in diabetic patients than in non-diabetic patients.

Apoptosis in cancer--an update.

Apoptosis is programmed cell death which is essential for development and survival of living organisms. It is a sequentially regulated suicidal programme where cells activate certain enzymes which dissolute their own nuclear component and various protein component of nucleus and cytoplasm. Disturbance of this regulatory pathway may lead to various diseases like autoimmune diseases, neurodegenerative diseases and cancers. The potential mechanisms of apoptosis and its role in cancer are discussed. The ability of apoptosis to modulate the life or death of a cell is also recognized for its immense therapeutic potential. Understanding the mechanisms from this review will give us better insight to the pathogenesis of various diseases including cancer and will open new horizons to therapeutic approaches.

Advanced diagnostic aids in oral cancer.

Oral cancers are one of the most common cancers worldwide today. They are usually neglected by the common population when compared to systemic cancers such as the lung cancer, colon cancer etc. However, they also may be extremely fatal if left untreated even at a very initial stage of the lesion. Early detection and treatment gives the best chance for its cure. The five-year survival rate of oral cancer still remains low and delayed diagnosis is suggested to be one of the major reasons. The detection and diagnosis are currently based on clinical examination, histopathological evaluation of the biopsy material and molecular methods. Several diagnostic aids have been developed over the years for early detection of oral cancer. The purpose of this article is to review the advanced available diagnostic adjuncts for the detection of oral cancer.