Aim: To evaluate the salivary lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) levels in clinico-pathologically confirmed oral submucous fibrosis (OSMF), oral cancer and clinically diagnosed tobacco pouch keratosis patients. Materials and methods: A prospective, comparative study was carried out in a tertiary healthcare centre located in Loni from October 2013 to January 2014. A total of 120 patients were separated into 4 groups depending upon the clinical diagnosis as follows. Group I: healthy control (with no addictions and diseases). Group II: oral cancer. Group III: oral submucous fibrosis. Group IV: habitual tobacco chewers (tobacco addiction without any disease). Substantiation was done using biopsy. The samples were inspected for salivary LDH levels by the technique in line with the recommendations of the International Federation of Clinical Chemistry with the help of Erba Chem semi auto analyser. Results: The mean salivary LDH levels in the control, oral cancer OSMF and habitual tobacco chewer group were 86.12 ± 7.05 IU/L, 592.09 ± 28.57 IU/L, 350.43 ± 5.90 IU/L and 125.19 ± 13.42 IU/L, respectively. Out of 4 groups, LDH activity was increased in saliva of patients with tobacco pouch keratosis, OSMF, and oral cancer consistently. Notable difference was found in the mean salivary levels of the above groups. Results were subjected to appropriate statistical analysis: one-way ANOVA, Student's unpaired t test for group-wise comparison followed by post hoc Tukey's test. Conclusion:We observed congruous higher levels of salivary LDH in oral precancer and cancer, and hence it could be a future marker.

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Background:Research methodology in oral and maxillofacial pathology has illimitable potential. The tissue processing involves many steps of which one of the most important step is “Clearing,” which is a process of replacing dehydrant with a substance which is miscible with embedding medium or paraffin wax. Xylene is one of the common clearing agents used in laboratory, but it is also hazardous. The main aim of this study is to substitute conventionally used xylene by a mixture of kerosene and xylene in clearing steps without altering the morphology and staining characteristics of tissue sections. This will also minimize the toxic effects and tend to be more economical.Materials and Methods:One hundred and twenty bits of tissue samples were collected, each randomly separated into 4 groups (A, B, C and D) and kept for routine tissue processing till the step of clearing; during the step of clearing instead of conventional xylene, we used mixture of xylene and kerosene in 4 ratios ([A-K:X – 50:50]; [B-K:X – 70:30]; [C – Ab. Kerosene]; [D – Ab. Xylene – as control]) and observed for the light microscopic study adopting H and E staining, IHC (D2-40), Special stains (periodic acid–Schiff and congo red) procedure. The result was subjected to statistical analysis by using Fisher's exact test.Results:The results obtained from the present study were compared with control group, i.e., D and it was observed that Groups A and B were absolutely cleared without altering the morphology of tissue and cellular details; optimum embedding characteristics and better staining characteristics were also noted, whereas Group C presents poor staining characteristics with reduced cellular details. Embedded tissues in Group C presented with rough, irregular surface and also appeared shrunken.ConclusionCombined mixture of xylene and kerosene as a clearing agent in different ratio, i.e., Group A (K:X – 50:50) and B (K:X – 70:30) can be used without posing any health risk or compromising the cellular integrity.

Aim:The aim of this study was to evaluate the stress and discrimination faced by human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-affected adult patients on antiretroviral therapy (ART) for more than 1 year. Materials and methods:A cross-sectional study was carried out among 170 adults on ART, reporting to the ART center of the District Civil Hospital, for more than 1 year in Raichur Taluk, Karnataka, India. Convenience sampling technique was followed. Descriptive statistics was performed (Chi-square test) using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences version 16.0. Results:A total of 156 (91.8%) patients' families had knowledge about their seropositive status. Seventeen (10.9%) HIV-positive patients reported of change in the attitude of their family members. The main reasons for not revealing the HIV status were the internalized stigma and fear of rejection. Women faced greater discrimination from family, friends, and neighbors than men. Stigma and Discrimination faced by HIV-infected Conclusion:It is necessary to not undermine the effect of rejection due to HIV. It is the only infection that has so many associated social and psychological norms which we need to tend at the earnest. Till date, there is an existence of condescendence toward treatment approach.Clinical significance: The presence of stigma and the fear of being discriminated could be a major hurdle in the rehabilitation of these patients into the mainstream society. Furthermore, it serves as an existing challenge to ascertain these individuals to achieve overall health.

Osteomyelitis is an infection that is challenging to manage due to the poor vascularization of bone that favors the proliferation of microorganisms. We report a case of osteomyelitis occurring in endodontically treated teeth in the maxillary palatal region. Clinically and radiographically, it was initially diagnosed as osteomyelitis and was treated accordingly with antibiotics for 1 year with no reported healing. Later, biopsy was done and the findings were consistent with that of chronic osteomyelitis in association with infection by Actinomyces organisms. Thus, the case highlights the rare occurrence of actinomycotic osteomyelitis in maxilla and the importance of biopsy and histopathology which will help in correct diagnosis and rapid resolution through appropriate antibiotic therapy.