Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase enzyme deficiency as a diagnostic factor of diabetes mellitus: An original study.

Background: Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency is one of the most common genetic disorders affecting approximately 400 million people worldwide. Several recent studies have reported a relationship between G6PD deficiency and the incidence of diabetes. Objectives: The aim of the present study was to evaluate and compare levels of G6PD deficiency in diabetes mellitus patients. Materials and Methods: G6PD activity and fasting glucose levels were measured in blood samples of 49 diabetic patients and 21 healthy controls. Results: G6PD activity was decreased in patients with diabetes mellitus as compared to healthy controls and showed that overall G6PD deficiency was significantly associated with diabetes mellitus as compared to nondiabetics. Conclusion: The study concluded that G6PD deficiency is noted in diabetics than in nondiabetics and can be a biomarker of oxidative stress and poor glycemic control in diabetes mellitus.

Correlation of density of microvessels and myofibroblasts with the aggressiveness of central giant cell granulomas of jaws: A preliminary study.

Objectives: Central giant cell granuloma (CGCG) is a fairly common lesion involving the jaw bones. CGCG can show relatively innocuous biological behaviour or it may show clinicoradiological features suggestive of aggressive biological behaviour. To date, there are no histological parameters which can be used to predict the behaviour of these lesions. This study was conducted to assess the utility of parameters of angiogenesis, i.e., total vascular area (TVA), mean vascular area (MVA) and microvessel density (MVD), and density of myofibroblasts in aggressive and non-aggressive CGCGs. Materials and Methods: The study was undertaken as a retrospective study. A total of 20 previously diagnosed cases (10 non-aggressive and 10 aggressive) of CGCGs were included in the study. The sections were subjected to immunohistochemistry using the markers CD34 and α-SMA. For the assessment of vascular parameters, image J software was used. The density of myofibroblasts was determined in each case ranging from score-1 to 4, using the criteria given by Sridhara et al. The correlation between mean values of vascular parameters and density of myofibroblasts with aggressiveness of CGCG was assessed using Mann-Whitney U test. Results: The result of Mann-Whitney U test suggested that the differences between the values of TVA (P < 0.001), MVA (P < 0.003) and density of myofibroblasts, i.e., SMA mean (P < 0.001) and SMA score (P < 0.001), in two groups are statistically significant. The formula for the assessment of aggressiveness was obtained using discriminant analysis. Conclusions: Angiogenesis and density of myofibroblasts significantly differ in aggressive and non-aggressive cases of CGCGs. The aggressiveness of CGCG case can be predicted using the obtained formula by entering the values of vascular parameters and myofibroblasts.

A systematic review on the mechanisms of malignant transformation of oral submucous fibrosis.

Oral submucous fibrosis (OSMF), the most commonly encountered potentially premalignant oral epithelial lesion, is a chronic disorder associated with areca nut chewing. It has a relatively high potential for malignant transformation resulting into oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC), the most common oral malignancy with high mortality rate. Paymaster first described the malignant potential of OSMF in 1956, the rate of which had been estimated to be 7-13%. The pathogenesis of OSMF in itself is quite varied, and hence, its transformation to malignancy is also open to many varied mechanisms. The early diagnosis and sequentially, early treatment of OSMF is desirable so that the progression towards malignancy can be controlled. There are various theories that have been put forward explaining the probable pathway of malignant transformation of OSMF such as hypoxia, areca nut as a carcinogen or epithelial-mesenchymal transitions. Many recent molecular advances have also highlighted few biomarkers and genes that play a pivotal role in transformation of OSMF to OSCC. The purpose of this systematic review is to discuss all the possible mechanisms of malignant transformation of OSMF. Further research is still needed to establish the exact mechanism responsible for transformation of OSMF to OSCC and to reduce the mortality by newer interventions.

Neutrophil: Lymphocyte ratio and oral squamous cell carcinoma: A preliminary study.

INTRODUCTION/BACKGROUND: It is well-established that host response plays a vital role in the determination of biological behavior of tumors. Inflammatory response against tumors has been a focus of research in recent years. There has been extensive research regarding inflammatory reaction in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) in tissue specimens. However, there is no much data regarding systemic inflammatory response in OSCC. It was recently reported that an elevated neutrophil:lymphocyte ratio (NLR) may correlate with aggressive biological behavior in various malignancies including head-and-neck tumors. Thus, the study was undertaken with the aim of evaluation of NLR in peripheral blood of patients suffering from OSCC. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The research was a prospective, case-control study. Hundred patients suffering from OSCC and 100 healthy individuals were included in the study, after obtaining informed consent. NLR was determined from the differential leukocyte count obtained from complete blood count in each case. Comparison of NLR was made among two groups. RESULTS: The mean value of absolute neutrophil count was found to be significantly higher in OSCC cases than in controls (P < 0.01). The mean value of NLR in OSCC was found to be 2.84, and in controls, it was 1.95. This difference was found to be statistically significant (P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: NLR and other hematological parameters may serve as surrogate marker for potential aggressive behavior of OSCC and may help in prognostic prediction of these cases.

Evaluation of relationship between serum homocysteine and Vitamin B12 levels in oral submucous fibrosis patients using chemiluminescence immunoassay.

BACKGROUND: Serum homocysteine (Hcy), a nonessential amino acid, is considered as a helpful indicator of vitamin status for its strong correlation with Vitamin B12. Although Hcy levels in oral submucous fibrosis (OSMF) have been studied, the relationship between Hcy and Vitamin B12 has not been studied yet. This study is the first one to compare and correlate the levels of serum Hcy and Vitamin B12 in OSMF patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study group comprised 60 patients. Serum Hcy and Vitamin B12 estimation were done by chemiluminescence immunoassay. These levels in OSMF patients were compared and correlated with corresponding levels in healthy controls. RESULTS: Hcy levels were elevated in OSMF and were found to be statistically significant (P = 0.014) as compared to healthy controls. On the contrary, although Vitamin B12 levels were found to be higher in healthy controls, the difference was statistically nonsignificant (P = 0.657). A significant correlation was found (P = 0.01) between Hcy and Vitamin B12 in both groups, i.e., decreased Vitamin B12 levels led to elevated Hcy levels but vice versa was not found. No correlation was found between levels of Hcy and the severity of OSMF (P = 0.806). CONCLUSION: Chronic inflammation in OSMF leads to hyperhomocysteinemia, which may also be seen in cases of Vitamin B12 deficiency and certain systemic disorders. Thus, while serum Hcy could be used as biomarker for OSMF, Vitamin B12 deficiency and certain systemic disorders should be ruled out.

Comparative assessment of maxillary canine index and maxillary first molar dimensions for sex determination in forensic odontology.

BACKGROUND: Sexual identification of immature skeletal remains is still a difficult problem to solve in forensic anthropology. In such situations, the odontometric features of the teeth can be of immense help. Teeth, being the hardest and chemically the most stable tissue in the body, are an excellent material in living and nonliving populations for anthropological, genetic, odontologic, and forensic investigations. Using tooth size standards, whenever it is possible to predict the sex, identification is made easier because then only missing persons of one sex need to be considered. AIM: To determine sex from the odontometric data using maxillary canine index and maxillary first molar dimensions and to determine which index gives higher accuracy rate for sex determination using only maxillary cast. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In a sample size of 200 population (100 male and 100 female), alginate impression was taken of maxillary arch and poured with dental stone. Using Vernier caliper, the dimension of maxillary first molar (buccolingual [BL] and mesiodistal [MD]), canine (MD), and intercanine distance was measured on the cast. The obtained data were analyzed using discriminant statistical analysis. RESULT AND CONCLUSION: This study concludes that BL dimension of maxillary first molar is a more reliable indicator for gender determination than other molar and canine dimensions in maxilla.

Denture labels: Various types and their abilities to resist different assaults.

INTRODUCTION: The use of denture labels for the purpose of identification has been well documented. A number of labels for marking the denture are documented till date demonstrating the ease of fabrication and its potential value in identification. Therefore, it becomes essential that these denture labels fulfill the requisites of an ideal denture label and thus should be able to sustain the various assaults to which they might be subjected simulating a crime scene. AIM: The aim of this study was to determine the ability of various denture labels to withstand different types of assaults thereby evaluating the performance of routinely used denture labels. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Four polymethylmethacrylate blocks were fabricated where the inclusion labels were incorporated on one side, and the surface labels were marked on the other side. Each of the blocks was then placed in different containers to be subjected to different assaults such as acid, alkali, water, and heat of increasing temperature. RESULTS: Inclusion labels performed better as compared to surface marking labels. Among the inclusion labels, the metallic labels performed the best. CONCLUSION: The metallic inclusion labels were able to withstand most assaults than any other inclusion labels or surface marking labels. Due to easy availability, cost-effectiveness, ease of incorporation and inertness, metallic labels are best suited as denture labels for personal identification.

Nuclear fractal dimension: A new objective approach for discriminating normal mucosa, dysplasia and carcinoma.

BACKGROUND: Various clinical and histological factors have helped in predicting the survival of patients with oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). However, there has been a need for more specialized diagnostic and prognostic factors to avoid subjective variation among opinion. Thus, fractal dimension (FD) can be used as an index of the morphological changes that the epithelial cells undergo during their transformation into neoplastic cell. In oral cancer study, nuclear FD (NFD) can be used as a quantitative index to discriminate between normal, dysplastic and neoplastic oral mucosa. AIM: To use nuclear fractal geometry to compare the morphometric complexity in the normal, epithelial dysplasia and OSCC cases and to verify the difference among the various histological grades of dysplasia and OSCC. It was fulfilled by estimating the FDs of the nuclear surface. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Histopathologically diagnosed cases of epithelial dysplasia and OSCC were taken from the archives. Photomicrographs were captured with the help of Lawrence and Mayo research microscope. The images were then subjected to image analysis using the Image J software with FracLac plugin java 1.6 to obtain FDs. FD of ten selected nuclei was calculated using the box-counting algorithm. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS: was done using descriptive analysis, ANOVA and Tukey's honest significant difference post hoc tests with STATAIC-13 software. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: NFD can provide valuable information to discriminate between normal mucosa, dysplasia and carcinoma objectively without subjective discrimination.

An unusual combination of idiopathic generalized short-root anomaly associated with microdontia, taurodontia, multiple dens invaginatus, obliterated pulp chambers and infected cyst: a case report.

Generalized diminished root formation is a rare condition leading to early loss of teeth. This report describes an unusual case of generalized short roots associated with microdontia, taurodontism of posterior teeth, and multiple dens invaginatus along with short stature in a 20-year-old man, who had lost several teeth because of spontaneous exfoliation.