The oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is one of the most common epithelial malignancies with significant morbidity and mortality. Recent observations indicate that the clinical and histological appearance of oral mucosa may not truly depict the damage occurring at the genetic level. This phenotypic and genotypic disparity may account in part for the failure to establish effective screening and surveillance protocols, based on the traditional clinical and microscopic examination. The tumor markers are playing an increasingly important role in cancer detection and management. These laboratory-based tests are potentially useful in screening for early malignancy, aiding in cancer diagnosis, determining prognosis, surveillance following curative surgery for cancer, up-front predicting drug response or resistance, and monitoring therapy in advanced disease. A systematic review of the literature was performed based on the English titles listed in the PubMed, EBSCO, Cochrane, Science Direct, ISI web Science, and SciELO databases using the keywords. Abstracts and full-text articles were assessed. This article may help to identify the potential biomarkers for screening and the molecular pathology analysis in the high-risk patients with the OSCC.

Aims and Objectives:The aim of present study was to compare the stability of fractured mandibular fragments under functional load, when fixed with conventional miniplate and internal locking miniplate.Materials and Methods:Bite force (in kg) recorded in twenty mandible fractured patients and fifty normal healthy individuals. Bite force was measured at incisor and molar regions. Comparative evaluation of bite force generated was performed between 10 cases treated with conventional miniplates and 10 cases treated with internal locking miniplates. Bite force generated by patients in mandibular fracture between symphysis and the angle of mandible was recorded in incisor and molar regions preoperatively. The fracture fragments were fixed using the above fixation techniques. Then same recording was undertaken on the 7th, 14th, 21st, 28th, and 90th days postoperatively.Results:Bite force generated by patients treated with locking plates at the 7th, 14th, 21st, 28th, and 90th postoperative days was significantly higher as compared to those in patients treated with miniplates.Conclusion:It was observed in our study that the locking plate/screw system offers significant advantages over the conventional plating system. There are no intraoperative difficulties associated with placement of the plate.

Background:Lipids are major cell membrane components essential for various biological functions including cell growth and division of normal and malignant tissue. They are also required for maintenance of structural and functional integrity of all biological membranes. Alteration in the plasma lipid profile has been associated with a variety of cancers and precancerous conditions including those of the head and neck region.Aim:The present study aimed to evaluate the alteration in plasma lipid profile in oral submucous fibrosis (OSF) patients.Materials and Methods:A total of 30 patients were included in the study, 20 with oral submucous fibrosis and 10 healthy controls. Fasting plasma lipid profile including Total Cholesterol (TC), Very Low Density Lipoproteins (VLDL), Low Density Lipoproteins (LDL), High Density Lipoproteins (HDL) and Tri-Glycerides (TG) were measured using semiautomatic analyser. The data obtained were analysed using independent sample ‘t’ test.Results:A statistically significant decrease in plasma total cholesterol, LDL and HDL was observed in patients with OSMF as compared to the controls, but it was not statistically significant for VLDL and TG values.Conclusion:The results of the present study show that there is an inverse relationship between lipid profile and the presence of oral submucous fibrosis. Hence, alteration in plasma lipid profile may have a diagnostic role in the future and can be used as a biochemical indicator to detect the initial changes seen in the neoplastic process.

Odontogenic keratocysts (OKCs) are developmental odontogenic cysts affecting the maxillofacial region and their association with a syndrome especially Naevoid basal cell carcinoma syndrome (NBCCS) is a common occurrence in comparison to non syndromic multiple OKCs. In a first, we present a series of four non syndromic cases with multiple OKCs in western Indian population. The presence of multiple OKC in our present case series may be because of the multifocal nature of the lesion rather than its association with any syndrome. Thus, a comprehensive evaluation of any patients reporting with multiple cysts/OKCs always has to be undertaken and the dental practitioner may be the play a key role in early detection and subsequent follow-up. Key words:Abnormalities, multiple; basal cell nevus syndrome, India, odontogenic cysts.

Both neem and babool extracts had antimicrobial activity against Streptococcus mutans, while antimicrobial activity was significantly higher in neem aqueous extract than babool aqueous extract.

Background:Diabetes is a third leading cause of mortality and morbidity in the world. Diabetes is one of the most common endocrine metabolic disorders and its prevalence has been increasing worldwide. Oral exfoliative cytology may be a more appropriate adjunctive diagnostic tool in conditions like diabetes mellitus, where the invasive techniques lose viability.Aims:The purpose of this study is to analyze the cytomorphometric changes in the exfoliated cells of the oral mucosa, as an adjunct to the diagnosis of diabetes.Materials and Methods:Smears were taken from the buccal mucosa of 30 diabetes patients (study group) and 30 healthy individuals (control group). All the smears were stained with rapid Papanicolaou stain (PAP). In the PAP smears, the nuclear area (NA), cytoplasmic area (CA), and cytoplasmic-to-nuclear ratio (CNR) were evaluated for 50 cells in each smear, using the Image Analysis Software (Magnus Pro™) and research microscope (Lawrence and Mayo™).Results:The results showed that the mean NA was significantly higher (P < 0.001) in the study group, whereas, the mean CA did not exhibit a statistically significant difference (P > 0.001). The mean CNR was significantly lower in the study group (P < 0.001).Interpretation and Conclusion:The results associated with the clinical observations suggest that diabetes can produce morphological and functional alterations in the oral epithelial cells, detectable by microscopic and cytomorphometric analysis using exfoliative cytology, which can be used in the diagnosis of the disease.

Ergonomics is simply a science focused on “study of work” to reduce fatigue and discomfort through product design. A comprehensive ergonomics program for the pathology laboratory has become necessary to prevent the occurrence of work related musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) and accidents. Most of the literature on ergonomics involve various web links or occasional studies on the effect of laboratory work and associated MSDs. A Google search was carried out corresponding to the terms “ergonomics”, “pathology laboratory”, “microscope”. All the relevant literature from web sources was sorted out and categorized. In this review, we intend to identify basic anthropometric factors, biomechanical risk factors, laboratory design considerations and specific microscopy-related considerations. The ultimate aim of ergonomics is to provide a safe environment for laboratory personnel to conduct their work and to allow maximum flexibility for safe research use.

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