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Pleomorphic adenoma (PA) is a commonly occurring benign salivary gland tumour known for its surfeit of histo-morphologic appearances ranging from myxochondroid, plasmacytoid, and squamoid elements to the infrequently seen osseous and adipose tissue metaplasia. Oncocytic metaplastic changes, a rare finding, present in the form of sheets/islands/cords of polygonal cells with rich eosinophilic or occasionally clear cytoplasm and an oval/round nucleus. We report one such rare case which portrayed extensive oncocytic changes in a unique bilayered/multi-layered epithelium, lining the papillary cystic areas similar to that of Warthin's tumour and extensive keratinisation simulating the newly recognised entity "adnexa-like differentiation/trichilemmal keratinisation", along with foci of cholesterol clefts and multi-nucleated giant cells.
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Background and Objective: Worldwide, dental caries is an endemic infection and a significant public health problem. Fluoride reduces caries by helping to prevent demineralisation, by remineralising early carious lesions, and by decreasing the activity and growth of Streptococcus mutans (S. mutans). Fluoride intake above the optimal levels leads to a condition known as dental fluorosis, which causes hypo-mineralisation of the tooth. Some studies have revealed that the severity of fluorosis is directly proportional to caries, but some showed opposite results. Hence, with these contradicting results, this study was undertaken to identify the relationship between different grades of dental fluorosis, dental caries and the most common cariogenic bacteria S. mutans in saliva. Materials and Methods: A total of 90 subjects within 14- to 16-year age range were selected and categorised depending on the severity of fluorosis into three groups: group I (mild), group II (moderate) and group III (severe) based on modified Dean's fluorosis index criteria (1942). Unstimulated whole saliva samples were collected using the oral rinse technique and processed for quantification of S. mutans using Mitis Salivarius Bacitracin Agar medium. The number of colony-forming units (CFUs) was determined using a colony counter and expressed as ≥102, ≥103, ≥104 and ≥105 CFUs per ml of the sample, in accordance with the scale recommended by the manufacturer (HiMedia Laboratories). The severity of the caries was measured using decayed, missing or filled teeth (DMFT). Results: Observations revealed that the overall DMFT was directly proportional to the level of S. mutans titres. It was observed that 67 to 73% of participants showed fewer colony counts (102 and 103) with minimal DMFT scores and 27 to 33% showed higher counts (104 and 105) with higher DMFT scores in all the groups. 105 CFUs of group III showed the highest mean DMFT scores (2.9) with an increased number of involved subjects than group II (2.3) and group I (1.5). In all, male participants had higher bacterial titres and DMFT scores than females. Conclusion: Fluoride in the drinking water served as anticariogenic agent regardless of the severity of fluorosis. Severe fluorosis with a higher incidence of caries and increased CFUs of S. mutans clearly indicates the importance of preventive measures and early treatment to reduce the severity of fluorosis and prevalence of dental caries.
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Background and Objective: Literature review revealed that chemicals used in the printing industry show an association between genotoxicity and occupational exposure. Flexography is one type of printing technique recently becoming popular because of its fast, cost-efficient, and high-quality label printing. The micronucleus (MN) is considered to be a reliable marker for genotoxic damage, and it has a close association with cancer incidences by determining the presence and the extent of the chromosomal damage. Because there are no studies on flexographic workers (FWs), this study was intended to analyze and evaluate the effect of occupational exposure on the MN frequency of buccal epithelial cells. Materials and Methods: The study comprised 100 FWs and 100 age-matched healthy controls with and without smoking habits. Buccal epithelial cells were collected from all subjects by using a cytobrush, followed by staining with Feulgen fast green. The MN frequency was recorded for each individual using the Tolbert et al. criteria. Data was statistically analyzed by using one-way analysis of variance and the posthoc test. Results: FWs with smoking habits showed a significant increase in MN frequency (1.86 ± 1.77) than workers without the habit (1.02 ± 1.08) and controls (with the habit 1.26 ± 1.33 and without the habit 0.62 ± 0.92). However, there was no significant increase of MN in FWs without the habit when compared with controls. Conclusion: This study observed the cytogenetic damage in FWs and concludes that these workers are at greater risk for genotoxicity, and the MN assay can serve as a useful biomarker.
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Background: Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) remains as one of the leading causes of death in many of the developing countries including India. Early detection helps in improving the prognosis and survival rates. Over the years, tumor markers continue to play an important role in diagnosing and monitoring cancer progression. The ectopic production human chorionic gonadotropin-ß (hCG-ß) is one such marker that is seen in various nontrophoblastic cancers and serves as a marker for tumor prognosis. Few immunohistochemical studies have shown the presence of hCG-ß in oral cancers too. The present study investigated the immunohistochemical expression, levels of hCG-ß in saliva and urine of various grades of OSCC patients and correlated it with their histopathological grading. Materials and Methods: Tissue sections of 50 histologically confirmed OSCC were subjected to immunohistochemical staining by using hCG-ß antibody (well differentiated - 21, moderately differentiated - 21 and poorly differentiated - 8). The levels of hCG-ß in saliva and urine were estimated in these individuals, by using Beckman Coulter Access 2 automated immunoassay system and comparisons drawn. Results: hCG-ß immunopositivity was seen in 8 (38%) of 21 well-differentiated, 11 (52%) of 21 moderately differentiated and 6 (75%) of 8 poorly differentiated OSCC specimens. The levels of hCG-ß in both saliva and urine were increased in poorly differentiated (0.40 and 1.19 mIU/ml) than moderately (0.3 and 0.76 mIU/ml) and well-differentiated (0.36 and 0.48 mIU/ml) OSCC patients. Conclusion: Immunohistochemical expression, salivary and urine levels of hCG-ß could serve as an independent prognostic indicator in OSCC patients.
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BACKGROUND: Recently, studies have concentrated on complementary medicine in treating a large number of diseases, including cancer. Unfortunately, many of these treatment methods do not provide a permanent solution, and even if they do, many do not have a scientific corroboration. A shift toward alternative medicine and natural methods is being preferred to reduce if not counter the toxic effects of the drugs that are used to treat such diseases. Studies have shown that amygdalin is a natural plant product to have an anticarcinogenic effect on many types of cancers. However, the effect of amygdalin on oral cancers has not been studied, and hence, the present study aimed to evaluate the anticarcinogenic effect of amygdalin extracted from apricots and almonds on human oral cancer cell lines. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Oral cancer cell lines (KB cell line) were used in the present study. Ethanolic extracts of apricots and almonds were prepared using Soxhlet extraction method. The antiproliferative and cytotoxic activity on KB cell line was evaluated using 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-YL)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide assay. RESULTS: Both the extracts exhibited cytotoxic and antiproliferative activity on KB cell lines. While almonds exhibited maximum efficacy at 50 µg/mL, apricots extract required 100 µg/mL concentrations. CONCLUSION: Ethanolic extracts of amygdalin from almonds and apricots were effective as an antiproliferative agent which caused apoptosis in oral cancer cell line.
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BACKGROUND: Oral candidiasis is a common fungal infection caused by Candida albicans. In recent years, Candida species have shown resistance against many synthetic drugs, which has highlighted the need for novel antifungal drugs with fewer side effects for effective management of candidiasis. Several studies have suggested that some plant species possess promising antimicrobial compounds. Piper betle and Ocimum sanctum Linn are such common medicinal plants that show strong antimicrobial activity by the release of secondary metabolites. However, the effect of these plants on oral candidiasis has not been studied and hence, the present study aimed to evaluate the antifungal activity of these plant extracts on the subcultures of C. albicans and compared with a standard drug, fluconazole. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Subcultures of C. albicans obtained from oral thrush patients were used in the present study. Ethanolic and ethyl acetate extracts of P. betle (betel) and O. sanctum L. (tulsi) leaves were prepared by cold extraction method. The anticandidal activity and minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) were evaluated using disc diffusion method and microbroth dilution method, respectively. Values were compared with the standard drug fluconazole. RESULTS: Both the extracts exhibited anticandidal activity on the subcultures of C. albicans. The ethyl acetate extract of mature betel leaf showed a maximum zone of inhibition (26 mm) when compared with tulsi and fluconazole (13 mm). Betel leaf extract showed better MIC values (125 µg/ml) than tulsi (2000 µg/ml). However, these values were high when compared with those of fluconazole (62.5 µg/ml). CONCLUSION: Ethyl acetate extract of mature betel leaf exhibited good anticandidal activity than that of tulsi and fluconazole.
