RESUMO
Background: Tissue fixation is a crucial step to preserve the tissues in a life-like state with minimal disruption to its cellular and chemical composition for histopathological examination. The search for an effective alternate tissue fixative to the routinely used formaldehyde has gained interest as constant exposure to formaldehyde has proven to be toxic. Honey, an organic substance with high acidity and hygroscopic nature, exhibits tissue fixative properties and has been used in the present study. The present study aimed to standardize honey as a tissue fixative for histopathology by comparing it with formalin. Materials and Methods: In vitro study Oral tissue samples of goat were fixed in 10% honey and 10% formalin solution, respectively, for 24-48 h, followed by routine tissue processing and microscopic examination of 37 slides per group. 2200 epithelial cells (1100 per group) were selected for the computer-aided morphometric image analysis (Fiji-Image J) by three observers. Cell area (CA), cell perimeter (CP), nuclear area (NA), nuclear perimeter (NP), cytoplasmic area (Cyt A), and nuclear-cytoplasmic ratio were the parameters studied. Mann-Whitney U-test (STATA/IC version 16) for inter-group comparison was done and P < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: The probability of epithelial cells in the honey-fixed group to have greater NA, NP, and N/C ratio was about 50%-60%. The probability of epithelial cells in formalin-fixed tissues to have greater CA, CP, and Cyt A was about 70%. Conclusion: Honey is a better nuclear fixative than formalin. Cytoplasmic shrinkage of epithelial cells should be taken into consideration while fixing tissues with honey.
RESUMO
Background: The process of decoverslipping is often required in a laboratory to review or examine an older slide which tends to fade over time, making it almost impossible to use it for research or study purposes. The sections then need to be re-stained which can only be done after removing the coverslip. The traditional method of decoverslipping using xylene is a time-consuming process. Various methods have been used in the past; however, none were found to be completely effective. Dry ice, the solid form of carbon dioxide, is an easily available, cheap cooling agent with a low freezing temperature (-78.5°C) which was evaluated for its efficacy in decoverslipping process, as an alternative to xylene. Materials and Method: 64 faded haematoxylin and eosin (H&E)-stained histopathology slides were randomly selected and segregated, according to duration of year, into eight major groups. Each group was further divided into four subgroups according to the time that the slides were subjected for decoverslipping. The slides were placed on dry ice and the time was set. Once the coverslip was removed, the slides were placed in xylene to remove any residual mountant. The tissue sections were evaluated for physical disfigurement followed by re-staining with H&E to check for any change in tissue morphology. Result: The mean time taken for removal of coverslip using dry ice was 35 seconds. Conclusion: This technique is easy, fast, and effective, with no tissue loss or compromise in staining quality, thereby preventing xylene toxicity and its effect on the environment.
RESUMO
BACKGROUND: Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a chronic metabolic disorder characterized by hyperglycemia irregularities in the metabolism of carbohydrates, lipids and protein. It is often associated with the development of microvascular and macrovascular complications and neuropathies. The health of oral tissues is known to be related to the quality and quantity of saliva both of which may be altered in diabetes. AIM: The aim of the present study was to determine the salivary flow rate, electrolytes and total proteins in saliva of Type II diabetic patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total number of 120 participants were included in this study, in which 80 patients were suffering from Type II DM (which included both controlled and uncontrolled diabetes) and 40 nondiabetic persons (controls). The study population included both the genders, with an age range of 40-70 years. The study population was divided into three groups. RESULTS: The values of total protein, sodium, potassium and salivary flow rate among controls, controlled diabetes and uncontrolled diabetes were collected, formulated and multiple comparisons between the groups using the analysis of variance and post hoc Tukey honestly significant difference analysis were done in version 16.0 of SPSS software. CONCLUSION: Studies with larger sample size are warranted to know the exact pathophysiology of controlled and uncontrolled Type II DM in terms of salivary flow rate, salivary electrolytes and total protein.
