Background:Many studies have been carried out to study the role of extracellular matrix proteins, growth factors and matrix metalloproteinases on tumor invasion. However, literature related to the analysis of connective tissue fibers in varying grades of oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is very limited.Aim:To analyze the changes in collagen and elastic fibers in varying grades of (OSCC).Settings and Design:This retrospective study was carried out using a light and polarizing microscope.Materials and Methods:Three sections each were cut from fifty samples of varying grades of OSCC and ten samples of control followed by staining with H and E, Picrosirius-Red and Verhoeff–Van Gieson. Qualitative and quantitative analysis of collagen and elastic fibers were accomplished using set criteria.Statistical Analysis:Data were entered into the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 13.5 for analysis.Results:A change in colors of collagen fibers was seen on progressing from well to poorly differentiated OSCC. Thin collagen fibers predominantly exhibited greenish yellow, but the thick fibers exhibited a variety of colors. As the grade of OSCC progressed, collagen fibers were loosely packed haphazardly arranged. Statistically insignificant results were obtained for quantitative analysis of collagen and qualitative analysis of elastic fibers.Conclusion:The collagen fibers undergo a change in color, orientation and packing in the stroma of varying grades of OSCC. The uniqueness of this study lies in the exploration of elastic fibers in OSCC which has not been done so far.

Context:Oral exfoliative cytology is a simple, nonaggressive technique that is well accepted by patients. Therefore, it is an attractive option, which aids in the diagnosis and observation of epithelial atypias associated with oral mucosal diseases.Aims:The aim of this study was to evaluate and compare the quantitative and qualitative alterations in exfoliative smears from type 2 diabetics and healthy individuals.Patients and Methods:The study includes 30 type 2 diabetics and 30 healthy persons of both sexes. PAP and hematoxylin and eosin (H and E) stained smears were prepared from buccal mucosa (BM), tongue (T), floor of the mouth (FOM), and palate (P). Under a light microscope, 50 clearly defined unfolded epithelial cells were quantitatively evaluated for cellular area (CA), nuclear area (NA), and cellular-to-nuclear area ratio (CA:NA) and assessed for morphological features.Statistical Analysis:Collected data was manually entered into the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences version 13.5 for analysis. Student's t-test was used at 95% confidence interval.Results:Quantitative assessment of the overall mean CA was less, mean NA was more, and mean CA:NA was less in diabetics than that in healthy persons at all the four sites. Diabetic oral cells showed qualiative cytoplasmic and nuclear alterations: cytoplasmic vacuoles, karyorrhexis, karyolysis, pyknosis, peri-nuclear halo, binucleation, nuclear vacuoles, inflammation, and microbial colonies.Conclusion:Oral cytology from type 2 diabetics is associated with detectable cytomorphological changes with alteration in size of the cell and nucleus, which is site specific, indicating epithelial cell degeneration in cytoplasm and nucleus.

Introduction:The role of a dentist is not only to examine and treat the oral diseases but also to assist the legal authorities by means of its branch—forensic odontology. Through forensic odontology, a dentist plays a very important role in crime investigation of any type.Objective:To analyze the knowledge, awareness, and interest of forensic odontology among the dental teaching staff who are working in the dental colleges within the Delhi NCR.Materials and Methods:A questionnaire of 12 questions (both open-ended and close-ended) was prepared and the survey was conducted with 200 dental teaching staff.Results:A sufficient knowledge but poor awareness and interest among the dental teaching staff was observed.Conclusion:The study highlighted that although dental teaching staff themselves have sound knowledge regarding forensic odontology, their awareness and interest need to be upgraded on a regular basis. The success of acquiring such extensive knowledge would be valid if better job opportunities in these fields would be increased.

Introduction:Age estimation is a preliminary step in the identification of an individual. It is a crucial and often most critical step for forensic experts. The assessment has been standardized utilizing common dental diagnostic x-rays, but most such age-estimating systems are European population-based and their applicability has not been determined in the context of the Indian population.Aims and Objectives:To assess the applicability and to compare the methods of dental age estimation by Demirjian's method and the same method as modified by Willems (i.e. the Willems method) in Indian children of the National Capital Region (NCR). Also, to find a correlation among skeletal maturity using the Cervical vertebrae maturation index (CVMI), dental maturity, and chronological age in the same population.Materials and Methods:This cross-sectional study was conducted using dental radiographs of 70 orthodontic patients (37 males, 33 females) in the age range 9-16 years selected by simple random sampling. pantomogram were used to estimate dental age by Demirjian's method and the Willems method using their scoring tables. Lateral cephalograms were used to estimate skeletal maturity using CVMI. The latter was compared with Demirjian's stage for mandibular left second molar.Results:Overestimation of age among males by 0.856 years and 0.496 years was found by Demirjian's and the Willems methods, respectively. Among females, both the methods underestimated the age by 0.31 years and 0.45 years, respectively. Demirjian's stage G corresponded to CVMI stage 3 in males and stage 2 in females.Conclusion:In our study, the Willems method has proved to be more accurate for age estimation among Indian males, and Demirjian's method for Indian females. A statistically significant association appeared between Demirjian's stages and CVMI among both males and females. Our study recommends the derivation of a regression formula by studying a larger section of the Indian population instead of applying the European system of age estimation directly to the Indian scenario.

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Background:Cytological artifacts are important to learn because an error in routine laboratory practice can bring out an erroneous result.Aims:The aim of this study was to analyze the effects of delayed fixation and morphological discrepancies created by deliberate addition of extraneous factors on the interpretation and/or diagnosis of an oral cytosmear.Materials and Methods:A prospective study was carried out using papanicolaou and hematoxylin and eosin-stained oral smears, 6 each from 66 volunteer dental students with deliberate variation in fixation delay timings, with and without changes in temperature, undue pressure while smear making and intentional addition of contaminants. The fixation delay at room temperature was carried out at an interval of every 30 minutes, 1 day and 1 week and was continued till the end of 1 day, 1 week, and 1 month, respectively. The temperature variations included 60 to 70°C and 3 to 4°C.Results:Light microscopically, the effect of delayed fixation at room temperature appeared first on cytoplasm followed by nucleus within the first 2 hours and on the 4th day, respectively, till complete cytoplasmic degeneration on the 23rd day. However, delayed fixation at variable temperature brought faster degenerative changes at higher temperature than lower temperature. Effect of extraneous factors revealed some interesting facts.Conclusions:In order to justify a cytosmear interpretation, a cytologist must be well acquainted with delayed fixation-induced cellular changes and microscopic appearances of common contaminants so as to implicate better prognosis and therapy.

Candida species are a normal commensal of the oral cavity in healthy individuals, but can become an opportunistic pathogen when the oral ecosystem is unbalanced. Several virulence attributes have been identified in candidal infection, among which are the hydrolases, including the secreted aspartyl proteinases (Saps). This study evaluated and compared the in vitro level of Saps from Candida albicans in nonsmokers, smokers, and patients with leukoplakia and oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). Candida cell count (CCC) at 48 h was also assessed. The Sap level was measured by spectrophotometry in 38 clinical isolates of C. albicans obtained from the oral cavity of the four different groups. Culturing was done in yeast carbon base-bovine serum albumin. Speciation of Candida was performed by using a Candida identification kit, and CCC was measured by hemocytometer. Sap levels and CCC were higher in individuals with leukoplakia and OSCC than in nonsmokers or smokers (P = 0.001); however, there was no significant difference in Sap levels or CCC between smokers and nonsmokers (P = 0.529). Further, an intragroup correlation between CCC and Sap level was also observed. The higher level of Saps from C. albicans in individuals with leukoplakia and OSCC suggests that this pathogen plays a role in disease development and could aid in identifying the pathogenic commensal.

Osteosarcoma is the most common primary malignant tumor of bone but only 5% of these tumours occur in the jaws. Of all the varieties of osteosarcoma, the juxtacortical type is rare and comprises only less than 4% of all osteosarcomas. Juxtacortical osteosarcoma is further subdivided into parosteal (low grade) and periosteal (high grade). Osteosarcomas can be categorized histologically mainly into chondroblastic, osteoblastic, fibroblastic and numerous others. One of the rare histological variant is small cell osteosarcoma which consists of sheets of round cells that produce an osteoid matrix. The aim of this article is to present a rare case of periosteal osteosarcoma of mandible which on histopathological examination showed characteristics of small cell tumour.