Comparative Evaluation of Genotoxicity in Tobacco Users versus Nontobacco Users.

BACKGROUND: Many of the contents of cigarette smoke are genotoxic in nature, and consequently, cytogenetic injury seems to be a trustworthy biomarker for deciding the influence of exposure to chromosome damaging agents in smoke. The cytokinesis-block micronucleus assay (CBMN assay) has been proven to be an effectual tool for the study of micronuclei (MN) that will help in estimating the genotoxicity in tobacco users alone which will further help in early cancer detection. OBJECTIVE: The objective is to find out whether there is pronounced contrast in genotoxicity between tobacco users and nonusers by determining MN number in peripheral blood lymphocytes using CBMN assay. METHODOLOGY: MN frequency in peripheral blood lymphocytes was estimated in 5 ml of fresh blood obtained from sixty individuals using tobacco either smoking, chewing, or combination of both and also from thirty individuals with no habit of tobacco use. All were in the age group of 20-40 years. RESULTS: There was a significant increase in genotoxicity in tobacco users when compared to that of nontobacco users. A positive correlation was also obtained between smoking index and MN frequency in the study. CONCLUSION: Approximation of frequency of MN by CBMN assay can be used to evaluate the genotoxicity present in blood and helps in identifying tobacco users who are at a high risk for the presence of cancer even before the appearance of clinical changes.

Comparative evaluation of survivin expression in leukoplakia, lichen planus, and oral squamous cell carcinoma: An immunohistochemical study.

BACKGROUND: Screening for oral squamous cell carcinomas (OSCCs) and oral premalignant lesions may decrease the devastating morbidity and mortality associated with the disease. This has led to widespread research for the identification of molecular-based biomarkers. Among them, survivin is a recently characterized protein which is a member of the inhibitor of apoptosis family. The aim of this study is evaluating the expression of survivin in oral leukoplakia, oral lichen planus, and OSCC compared with normal mucosa. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The retrospective study consisted of twenty cases of oral leukoplakia, oral lichen planus, and OSCC in the age group of 20-70 years. Twenty cases of normal mucosa made up the control group. Immunohistochemical staining was performed with the use of survivin polyclonal antibody. Grades of expression of survivin were evaluated. Kruskal-Wallis test was used for statistical analysis. RESULTS: The expression of survivin was higher in OSCC (80%) when compared to oral leukoplakia (70%), oral lichen planus (45%), and normal mucosa (35%). The variation in the expression of survivin between the samples was statistically significant with P = 0.015 (Kruskal-Wallis test significant at 0.01 level). CONCLUSION: It is concluded that survivin can be identified as a useful tool for the identification of potentially malignant disorders at higher risk for progression into invasive carcinoma.

Comparative analysis of the oxidative stress and antioxidant status in type II diabetics and nondiabetics: A biochemical study.

BACKGROUND: Diabetes mellitus is a metabolic disorder characterized by hyperglycemia along with biochemical alterations of glucose and lipid peroxidation. It produces free radicals that induce lipid peroxidation which acts as an indicator for oxidative stress in the body. The widely used assay for lipid peroxidation involves measurement of malondialdehyde (MDA). Defensive system in the body consists of antioxidant enzymes which help in scavenging free radicals. Two such antioxidant enzymes are reduced glutathione (GSH) and superoxide dismutase (SOD). In this study MDA, GSH and SOD are assessed in serum and saliva of age- and sex-matched 33 diabetics and nondiabetics. OBJECTIVE: (1) To estimate the levels of MDA, GSH and SOD in saliva and serum of both diabetics and nondiabetics. (2) To correlate the levels of MDA, GSH and SOD in saliva and serum of both diabetics and nondiabetics. (3) To find if serum levels of MDA, GSH and SOD can be predicted from values of the same in saliva, in both groups. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Whole unstimulated saliva and venous blood samples obtained after 12 h of overnight fast were transported to the designated laboratory chosen for the study. Supernatants of the centrifuged samples were used for the assays of MDA, GSH and SOD. RESULTS: A significant correlation was obtained between serum and saliva values of MDA and GSH, hence the prediction of serum MDA and GSH was possible from their subsequent saliva values. Although the levels of serum and salivary SOD showed a weak positive correlation, prediction of SOD was not possible. CONCLUSION: Saliva can be used as a diagnostic tool for the estimation of MDA, GSH and SOD.

An ambiguous asymptomatic swelling in the maxillary anterior region-A case report.

INTRODUCTION: Glandular odontogenic cyst is a rare and recently recognized type of developmental odontogenic cyst. Being odontogenic in origin, because of the pluripotentiality of the odontogenic epithelium it can show glandular or salivary features. PRESENTATION OF A CASE: A 46 year old female patient was referred to the Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery department with chief complaint of painless swelling in the right anterior region of maxilla, radiographically associated with teeth 12, 13. Mucosa over the swelling was slightly bluish in colour and no associated palatal swelling was seen. No incidence of trauma was reported and involved teeth were not mobile. DISCUSSION: Although we have many differential diagnoses, our working diagnosis was a periapical cyst, so conventional treatment of root canal treatment, cyst enucleation, and apicoectomy was planned. CONCLUSION: Here we present a case which was initially misdiagnosed and mismanaged but on subsequent histopathologic examination revealed the final diagnosis.

Comparison of Diagnostic Ability of Storage Phosphor Plate in Detecting Proximal Caries with Direct Measurement by Stereomicroscope: A Pilot Study.

Radiography plays an important role in detection of interproximal caries. The aim of study is to compare diagnostic ability of photo stimulable phosphor (PSP) with direct measurement using stereomicroscope in detecting proximal caries. Hundred proximal surfaces of 50 extracted human posterior teeth were radiographed with dental X-ray unit. The image receptors used was storage phosphor plate Vista scan (size 2), (time of exposure 0.4 s). Radiographs were interpreted and caries lesions were classified on a 4-point scale suggested by Abesi et al. The teeth were sectioned with diamond disc and were examined under a stereomicroscope with 20x magnification. Diagnostic accuracy of digital image is similar to that observed with stereomicroscope. The PSP plate digital X ray system can effectively be employed for detecting proximal caries as compared to direct observation by stereomicro-scope. Further study with more number of observer/evaluator and large sample size is recommended.

Uncommon opportunistic fungal infections of oral cavity: A review.

The majority of opportunistic oral mucosal fungal infections are due to Candida albicans and Aspergillus fumigatus species. Mucor and Cryptococcus also have a major role in causing oral infections, whereas Geotrichum, Fusarium, Rhodotorula, Saccharomyces and Penicillium marneffei are uncommon pathogens in the oral cavity. The broad spectrum of clinical presentation includes pseudo-membranes, abscesses, ulcers, pustules and extensive tissue necrosis involving bone. This review discusses various uncommon opportunistic fungal infections affecting the oral cavity including their morphology, clinical features and diagnostic methods.

Clear cell myoepithelioma of palate with emphasis on clinical and histological differential diagnosis.

Myoepitheliomas account for less than 1% of all salivary gland tumors and mostly occur in the parotid gland and palate. A 58-year old male patient reported to the Outpatient Department of PMS College of Dental Science and Research (Kerala, India) with a slow growing painless swelling on the palate for 4 years. Pleomorphic adenoma, basal cell adenoma, myoepithelioma, cyst adenoma, lipoma, neurofibroma, neurilemmoma and leiomyoma were considered. Histopathology revealed a thinly encapsulated tumor composed mainly of sheets of clear cells mixed with cells having eosinophilic cytoplasm. Histopathological differential diagnosis included pleomorphic adenoma, oncocytoma, oncocytic hyperplasia, sebaceous adenoma, malignant salivary gland neoplasms and metastatic lesions from kidney and thyroid. Myoepitheliomas mostly occur in the parotid gland and palatal region and various histological types of myoepithelioma are described. Myoepitheliomas of the palate are rare with clear cell variant even rarer.

Bisphosphonate induced osteonecrosis of jaw in breast cancer patients: A systematic review.

BACKGROUND: Bisphosphonate therapy is widely used for the treatment of bone metastasis in breast cancer patients. AIM: The aim of this study is to estimate the overall prevalence of bisphosphonate induced osteonecrosis of jaw (BONJ) in breast cancer patients with bone metastasis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A literature review was conducted to search and evaluate all the articles that contained original data on the prevalence of BONJ in breast cancer patients from the year 2003-2009. Pubmed search terms used were bisphosphonate, osteonecrosis, breast cancer and jaw. Eleven publications that fulfilled the inclusion criteria were chosen for the study. Case reports and reviews were excluded from the analysis based on assessing the title and abstract. RESULTS: Of the 2490 breast cancer patients, 69 developed BONJ with the overall prevalence rate of 2.8%. All the patients with BONJ had received zoledronate or pamidronate, either alone or in combinations. CONCLUSION: BONJ is a significant complication occurring in 2.8% of the breast cancer patients receiving bisphosphonates for metastatic bone disease. It is very important to identify the trigger factors associated with BONJ and also to establish guidelines for the prevention and effective treatment of this condition.

A rare massive exophytic gingival growth.

Oral surgeons ought to be aware of variety of lesions that can present as focal exophytic gingival overgrowths. Most gingival lesions arise due to local irritating factors. The case presented share dramatic clinical pictures and findings of a long-standing fibrous gingival lesion. A massive growth of 6×7 cm in size and 5 years duration from the maxillary left posterior gingival region in a 64-year-old female causing severe facial disfigurement is presented. Lesion was characterized by the central core of woven bone formation. The article discusses on the clinical findings of peripheral ossifying fibroma and stresses on the unrestricted growth potential of this interesting lesion.