AgNOR as an effective diagnostic tool for determining the proliferative nature of different types of odontogenic cysts.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the proliferative nature of different types of odontogenic cysts using silver-stained nucleolar organizer region (AgNOR) staining. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Forty histopathological sections of each of odontogenic keratocyst, dentigerous, and radicular growth were taken into study. Two sections were produced using the paraffin block of separate cases, one was stained with hematoxylin and eosin and another segment was stained with silver nitrate method. RESULTS: AgNOR staining shows black dots and other parts of nuclei show yellow-brown dots. CONCLUSION: AgNOR, which stain for NOR-related proteins, corresponds to cell multiplication. Their amount regarding the number of AgNORs per cyst can be a good marker of the proliferative action of the cell in aggressive cystic lesion having malignant potential.

Detection of human papilloma virus-E6/E7 proteins of high-risk human papilloma virus in saliva and lesional tissue of oral squamous cell carcinoma patients using nested multiplex polymerase chain reaction: A comparative study.

INTRODUCTION: Human papilloma virus (HPV)-associated oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) shows different biological behavior as compared to tobacco-induced OSCC. Mere presence of HPV in OSCC is of no clinical significance; however, the integration of HPV-DNA through E6/E7 gene into the host genome is important as it affects the development and progression of OSCC. AIM: The aim of this study was to determine the presence of E6/E7 proteins of high-risk (HR) HPV (HPV16 and HPV18) in saliva as well as lesional tissue of OSCC patients and to determine the use of saliva as an alternative to tissue for E6 and E7 proteins in OSCC. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Histopathologically confirmed 47 cases of OSCC were taken up for the study. The tumor tissue and saliva sample of each patient were obtained to detect the presence of HPV16 and HPV18 along with E6/E7 proteins in both samples by nested multiplex polymerase chain reaction (NMPCR). The data were analyzed using Student t-test (2 tailed) and Wilcoxon signed-ranks test. RESULTS: In tumor tissue, 40.42% of cases showed HPV16 (19/47) positivity while 34.04% were HPV18 (16/47) positive; whereas, in salivary sample, 31.91% showed HPV16 (15/47) positivity while 25.53% of cases were HPV18 positive (12/47). Mean age of participants was 46.7 years, males showed no significant difference from females in the prevalence of HPV 16/18 with tongue being the most common site for the occurrence. There was no statistically significant difference for HPV16/18 presence in tissue and saliva sample of OSCC. Taking lesional tissue sample as standard, sensitivity and specificity for HPV16 and HPV18 in saliva by NMPCR was estimated at 68.42% and 92.86%, respectively. The accuracy level of NMPCR detection for HPV16 was 82.98% and HPV18 was 65.96%. CONCLUSION: The study revealed no significant difference in the prevalence of HPV (16/18) among tissue and saliva of OSCC patients in Indian population. The study also found no difference in the level of DNA content of HPV in saliva and tissue indicating that saliva can be used as an alternative predictor of HPV positivity in OSCC.

Morphometric Analysis of Odontometric Parameters for Gender Determination.

INTRODUCTION: In contemporary human population, males exhibit larger size of dentition as compared to females. Additionally, these odontometric parameters show variation in members of same species and also show regional variation. AIM: To evaluate sexual dimorphism of four maxillary odontometric parameters such as Intercanine Width (ICW), Interpremolar Width (IPW), Arch Length (AL) and Combined Width (CW) of six maxillary anterior teeth, to determine percentage of sexual dimorphism of all four odontometric parameters singly or in combination and also to determine sensitivity, specificity and overall accuracy of odontometric parameters for sex determination. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This cross-sectional study was conducted on 200 subjects (100 males, 100 females). Four odontometric parameters ICW, IPW, AL and CW were measured directly on the subject and the data thus collected was subjected to statistical analysis. RESULTS: Discriminant statistical analysis (d square test) revealed that all the four odontometric maxillary parameters exhibited greater mean values in males as compared to females. The difference was found to be statistically highly significant (p<0.001) for ICW and IPW for sexual dimorphism. Also, combination of parameters such as ICW, IPW further improved assessment. CONCLUSION: The study concluded that linear odonotometric parameters ICW, IPW along with AL, CW show significant sexual dimorphism. Hence, odontometric parameters offer simple, reliable and cost-effective way of determining sex in any forensic investigation.