Unusual presentation of non-inflamed glandular odontogenic cyst presenting with cholesterol clefts.

Glandular odontogenic cysts (GOCs) are relatively rare among odontogenic cysts but are widely discussed owing to their multifaceted nature. We present a case of a women in her late 30s with a large radiolucency of right posterior ramus area and an associated impacted third molar. Histopathology confirmed GOC; although it presented with unusual presence of cholesterol clefts in absence of inflammation. This report emphasises the novelty and significance of the aforementioned finding.

Clinicopathological Profile of 80 Cases of Unicystic Ameloblastoma Aided by a Histopathological Comparison Using Modified Philipsen-Reichart Classification and Marx-Stern Classification.

Unicystic ameloblastoma (UA) is an uncommon variant of ameloblastoma and behaves totally different from the solid multicystic variant of ameloblastoma (SMA); furthermore the histological subgroups of UA also show varied behavior regarding proliferation. The present multi-centric study was designed to present the clinicopathological features of unicystic ameloblastoma (UA) and to compare the two popular histological classifications systems. 80 satisfactory cases of UA were retrieved and evaluated for clinicopathological parameters from four teaching dental schools of North India. The cases were classified using modified Reichart and Philipsen system and Marx and Stern system followed by comparison of inter-observer variability. The results were analyzed using SPSS software. The mean age of occurrence was 30.79 ± 16.49 years. Males outnumbered females (M:F::1.67:1). The majority of cases occurred in the third decade irrespective of the gender. Most cases were found in body-angle-ramus region of the mandible. The modified Reichart and Philipsen classification yielded better interobserver agreement (kappa value 0.845). The modified Reichart and Philipsen classification yields better inter-rater agreement and is easy to reproduce amongst oral pathologists. Being simpler it may easily be understood by the operating surgeon for better treatment outcome.

Anthropometric study using craniofacial features to determine gender in Lucknow population.

BACKGROUND: Gender is one of the main characteristics analyzed for positive human identification in forensic medicine. The methods involving physical anthropology present high rate of accuracy for human identification and gender estimation. AIM: This study aimed to determine gender through different craniofacial variables using physical anthropometric methods. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 100 individuals (50 males and 50 females) in Lucknow. Variables studied through physical anthropometry in both the genders were facial height, nasion-to-menton distance, interzygomatic arch width, and intercanthal width using a digital sliding caliper. All the measurements were taken twice. The final value was the average of the two obtained values. RESULTS: Comparing the mean craniofacial features between two genders, t-test revealed significantly higher facial height, pronasale-to-menton distance, and interzygomatic width in males as compared to females, but the mean intercanthal width was found to be the same. Pearson's correlation analysis revealed a positive correlation between facial height and pronasale-to-menton distance, facial height and interzygomatic width, pronasale-to-menton distance and interzygomatic width, and interzygomatic width and intercanthal width. CONCLUSION: The craniofacial features may serve as diagnostic markers for gender identification and can be used interchangeably.

Incidence of Mast Cells in Gingival and Periapical Inflammation- A Kaleidoscopic Study.

INTRODUCTION: Mast cells are large granular cells that have classically been related to neutrophil stimulation during early step of inflammation. AIM: The objective of this work was to identify the incidence of mast cells in inflammatory lesions like periapical granuloma, pyogenic granuloma, gingival hyperplasia. 1. To assess the staining intensity of mast cells by using different metachromatic stains. 2. To correlate the above findings histopathologically. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this study, we used 5 micron thick sections from paraffin-embedded tissue blocks of previously diagnosed periapical and gingival inflammatory lesions. The sections were stained with routine H & E and metachromatic stains like Toluidine blue, Alcian blue, Aldehyde fuchsin and Giemsa. The number of mast cells was quantified. Statistical analysis was done and mast cell numbers were compared. RESULTS: In both gingival and periapical inflammatory lesions, toludine blue showed more number of mast cells followed by giemsa. Giemsa stain showed statistical significance in differentiating both periapical and gingival lesions (p<0.05) in terms of mast cell count. Moderate inflammation (46.4%) was seen in a higher propotion of gingival inflammations whereas periapical inflammatory lesions revealed severe inflammation (53.3%). In both types of inflammatory lesions, higher staining intensity was shown by toludine blue followed by giemsa which was statistically significant. CONCLUSION: Mast cell number is inversely proportional to inflammatory response in gingival inflammatory lesions and directly proportional to inflammatory response in periapical inflammatory lesions. Although, toludine blue is found to be a better stain, giemsa has equivalent properties as that of toludine blue.

A study of lip prints and its reliability as a forensic tool.

INTRODUCTION: Lip prints, like fingerprints, are unique to an individual and can be easily recorded. Therefore, we compared direct and indirect lip print patterns in males and females of different age groups, studied the inter- and intraobserver bias in recording the data, and observed any changes in the lip print patterns over a period of time, thereby, assessing the reliability of lip prints as a forensic tool. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Fifty females and 50 males in the age group of 15 to 35 years were selected for the study. Lips with any deformity or scars were not included. Lip prints were registered by direct and indirect methods and transferred to a preformed registration sheet. Direct method of lip print registration was repeated after a six-month interval. All the recorded data were analyzed statistically. RESULTS: The predominant patterns were vertical and branched. More females showed the branched pattern and males revealed an equal prevalence of vertical and reticular patterns. There was an interobserver agreement, which was 95%, and there was no change in the lip prints over time. Indirect registration of lip prints correlated with direct method prints. CONCLUSION: Lip prints can be used as a reliable forensic tool, considering the consistency of lip prints over time and the accurate correlation of indirect prints to direct prints.

An in vitro study of antifungal drug susceptibility of Candida species isolated from human immunodeficiency virus seropositive and human immunodeficiency virus seronegative individuals in Lucknow population Uttar Pradesh.

BACKGROUND: Candidiasis is the most common opportunistic infection in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) seropositive patients, starting from asymptomatic colonization to pathogenic forms and gradual colonization of non-albicans in patients with advanced immunosuppression leads to resistance for azole group of antifungal drugs with high rate of morbidity and mortality. OBJECTIVES: To isolate the Candida species and determine of antifungal drug susceptibility against fluconazole, itraconazole, nystatin, amphotericin B, and clotrimazolein HIV seropositive and control individuals, with or without clinical oropharyngeal candidiasis (OPC). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Includes samples from faucial region of 70 subjects with and without clinical candidiasis in HIV seropositive and controls were aseptically inoculated onto Sabaraud's Dextrose Agar media and yeasts were identified for the specific species by Corn Meal Agar, sugar fermentation and heat tolerance tests. Antifungal drug susceptibility of the isolated species was done against above-mentioned drugs by E-test and disc diffusion method. RESULTS: The commonly isolated species in HIV seropositive and controls were Candida albicans, Candida glabrata and Candida tropicalis Candida guilliermondii and Candida dubliniensis isolated only in HIV seropositive patients. Susceptibility against selected antifungal drugs was observed more in HIV-negative individuals whereas susceptible dose-dependent and resistance were predominant in HIV-positive patients. CONCLUSION: Resistance is the major problem in the therapy of OPC, especially in HIV seropositive patients due to aggressive and prolonged use of antifungal agents, therefore, our study emphasizes the need for antifungal drug susceptibility testing whenever antifungal treatment is desired, especially in HIV-infected subjects.

Immunohistochemical characterization of cyclin dependent kinase-4 in different histological grades of oral leukoplakia and oral squamous cell carcinoma.

BACKGROUND: Cyclin dependent kinase-4 (CDK4) encoded by CDK gene, is a heterodimer protein of cell cycle in G1-S transition. This study aimed to characterize the CDK4 immunoreactivity in different histological grades of oral leukoplakias (OLs) and oral squamous cell carcinomas (OSCCs) and also aims to discuss its probable role in the tumor biogenesis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Expression of CDK4 was investigated in total of 52 samples including OL (15), OSCCs (30) and normal oral tissues (07). A labeled Streptavidin-Biotin immunohistochemistry assay was performed and staining intensity was evaluated. RESULTS: The staining pattern was similar in all tissues and was located in both nuclei and cytoplasm. Dysplastic epithelium displayed a progressive increase in nuclear expression of CDK4 when compared to normal tissues. Also, positive staining cytoplasm was highly evident in OSCC with loss of differentiation. CONCLUSION: Our study indicated a progressive over expression of CDK4 from normal to leukoplakias (various histological grades of dysplasias) and OSCCs.

Ameloblastoma - An enigma.

Ameloblastoma remains an enigmatic group of oral tumors, inspite of being so frequently encountered and widely discussed. Out of the total ameloblastomas reported, 81% cases have been in the mandible, of which 70% are in the molar-ramus area. We report two cases of ameloblastoma with misguiding radiographic and clinical pictures, which made us ponder that common oral lesions are sometimes, the most tough and confusing to diagnose.

Stromal response in different histological grades of oral squamous cell carcinoma: a histochemical study.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of the study is to evaluate the connective tissue changes in different grades of Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma (OSCC's) and the influence of these changes in predicting the biological behavior of these tumors. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 39 cases of OSCC's and 6 sections of controls were examined using seven connective tissue special histochemical stains. RESULTS: Staining intensity of collagen, reticulin, acid mucins, fibrin, glycoproteins, sulfated mucins, elastic fibers around the tumor islands and within the connective tissue was observed. CONCLUSIONS: Tumor cells which grow progressively in the host stroma have the capacity to pre-empt and subvert the response of host, which is essential for their growth and spread. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: The reactive changes in the tumor stroma may alter the biological aggressiveness of oral cancer, and by incorporating this concept into a prognostic system, we may help to reflect the biologic diversity of oral cancer and predict its clinical outcomes.

Microteaching in dental education.

Health professionals acknowledge that their education does not prepare them for teaching. However, society's increasingly high expectations of them demand that they be taught teaching techniques/skills and trained effectively. Microteaching is a teaching-simulation exercise that will provide immediate supportive feedback. It can be useful in honing soft emotional intelligence skills, presentation skills, and interpersonal skills. This focused approach encourages growth through practice and critique. The "teach, critique, reteach" model gives the faculty member immediate feedback and increases retention by providing an opportunity to learn good teaching values.

Pathogenesis of oral lichen planus--a review.

Oral lichen planus (OLP) is a T-cell-mediated chronic inflammatory oral mucosal disease of unknown etiology. OLP presents as white striations, white papules, white plaques, erythema, erosions, or blisters affecting predominantly the buccal mucosa, tongue and gingiva. Both antigen-specific and non-specific mechanisms are hypothesized to be involved in the pathogenesis of oral lichen planus (OLP). Antigen-specific mechanisms in OLP include antigen presentation by basal keratinocytes and antigen-specific keratinocyte killing by CD8(+) cytotoxic T cells. Non-specific mechanisms include mast cell degranulation and matrix metalloproteinase activation in OLP lesions. These mechanisms may combine to cause T cell accumulation in the superficial lamina propria, basement membrane disruption, intra-epithelial T cell migration and keratinocyte apoptosis in OLP. The various hypotheses proposed for pathogenesis of oral lichen planus are discussed in this review.

Characterization and phylogenetic analysis of cellulase producing Streptomyces noboritoensis SPKC1.

A cellulase producing strain of Actinomycetes was isolated from soil samples which were collected from Southwest ghats, Kerala, India at a depth of 6-12 inches and Actinomycetes was characterized by morphological, cultural, physiological, chemotaxonomical and phylogenetic analysis. The 16S rRNA region of this strain was amplified and sequenced. The Neighbor-joining and Maximum Parsimony algorithm with topology tree of 16S rRNA was constructed. Based on results of observation and phylogenetic analysis, the strain SPKC1 was proved to belong to the species Streptomyces noboritoensis with cellulase activity. The Carboxy Methyl Cellulose (CMCase) activities of the strain SPKC1 on eighth day an amount of 910 microg/ml of glucose, 210 microg/ml of protein and 850 mg/100 ml of growth (biomass) on ninth day were recorded. In exocellulase activity strain SPKC1 on first day an amount of 500 microg/ml glucose was produced.

Dentinogenic ghost cell tumor: a case report and review of the literature.

Dentinogenic ghost cell tumor is a rare odontogenic neoplasm. To date only 31 cases have been reported. We present a case of dentinogenic ghost cell tumor arising at much younger age of 14 in a female patient. This article reviews the cases reported in various case reports and in studies done so far on dentinogenic ghost cell tumor. It will also provide an insight into the actual number of cases of this rare tumor.

Mucormycosis causing extensive destruction of maxilla.

Mucormycosis is a rare, often fatal opportunistic infection caused by a saprophytic fungus belonging to a class of Phycomycetes. It is characterized by its unrelenting progression towards vital organs with marked propensity towards arterial wall by direct extension producing vascular thrombosis leading to ischaemic necrosis. In normal circumstances the saprophytes are not pathogenic but represent opportunist-requiring impairments in patient's resistance to disease. If not treated the disease may prove fatal. We report a case of Mucormycosis with extensive necrosis of the maxilla in a 57-year-old patient suffering from uncontrolled diabetes with ketoacidosis.