Evaluation of Knowledge, Attitude, Awareness, Fear, and Anxiety Levels in Pateints Visisting the Routine Dental Outpatient Department during COVID 19 Pandemic - A Cross-sectional Hospital-Based Observational Research.

BACKGROUND: Since the COVID 19 pandemic has hit worldwide wide being one of the biggest psychological menace that had an impact on all socioeconomic strata as well age group of society. Looking at the present scenario of confusion and anxiety a cross-sectional research was planned to see the level of fear and anxiety among a patient who is already having concern about his oral health and when he comes to a dental outpatient department (OPD) what are his main areas of concern and anxiety. METHODOLOGY: Cross-sectional study was planned in faculty of dental sciences, all the patients coming to dental OPD over a period of 3 months from November 2020 to March 2021 were asked to self-fill or fill with assistance a google form compromising of 10 multiple response questionnaire validated according to previous studies and surveys. Later on, the data was compiled and evaluated. RESULTS: Out of 511 Patients enrolled in the study after taking their online consent. 28.2% of population did not know about COVID 19. 67.4% were aware about the pandemic whereas 4.4% were confused and did not know about the complete scenario. 36.9% of population were not in stress and 62.4% were in stress and had anxiety regarding their visit for dental check up and treatment. 30.4% had no fear of catching the infection from dental procedure, 62.4% had fear and 7.2% of population was ignorant regarding the same. About 70.7% had quarantined themselves before coming for dental treatment. 62.4% were willing for dental treatment post-vaccination and 26% were not willing for treatment 11.6% were not sure. After applying statistical analysis, it was found that P < 0.05 and people coming to dental OPD were in lot of stress and anxiety regarding the dental procedures during the COVID pandemic. CONCLUSION: Since the global pandemic has caused major worry among the populations but still there are many who are not so anxious. Knowledge and awareness regarding the disease and vaccination have led to a wave of calmness in some, but still many people have been impacted and are in major dilemma whether they should get a dental treatment or should delay it ??

In vitro Quantification of Collagen and Snail1 Gene Expression in Experimentally Induced Fibrosis by Arecoline and Commercial Smokeless Tobacco Products.

INTRODUCTION: Extracellular matrix component derangement is the major event in pathogenesis of Oral submucous fibrosis. Many studies have elaborated the alteration of the matrix components at a cellular and genetic level. However elaborate quantification of the components with varying concentrations of Areca nut extract  and commercial tobacco products have not been done so far. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Primary culture of tissues sourced during crown lengthening procedures were used for establishment of fibroblast monoculture and fibroblast / keratinocyte co-culture. Extracts of areca nut, commercial smokeless tobacco products (gutkha and haans) and control CCl4 were tested at concentrations  ranging from 20 µL, 40 µL, 80 µL, 160 µL, 320 µL and time intervals of 12, 24, 48, 72 hours. Collagen quantification by spectrophotometry and SNAI1 gene expression study were done. RESULTS: Extract of areca nut was found to show increased collagen production than commercial tobacco products and closely similar values to CCL4. Kruskal Wallis test was used to analyse the difference in collagen obtained. The mean values of collagen obtained in co-culture were lesser than those obtained in the fibroblast monoculture. SNAI1 gene expression was negative in both the culture experiments. CONCLUSION: Areca nut extract was found to be more potent as an individual agent. Commercial smokeless tobacco products Gutka and Hans exhibited increased collagen production at higher concentration. These findings further steps up the persuasive ill effects of  tobacco products. Negative SNAI1 gene expression was corroborated to  lack of extracellular environment in the co coculture experiment.

C-deletion in exon 4 codon 63 of p53 gene as a molecular marker for oral squamous cell carcinoma: A preliminary study.

BACKGROUND: Exfoliated oral cancer cells in saliva samples from patients with oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) can be used to determine the incidence and type of mutations of the p53 tumor suppressor gene. The purpose of this study was to identify C-deletion mutation in exon 4 codon 63 of p53 gene in the saliva of OSCC patients by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Saliva samples of 20 newly histopathologically diagnosed OSCC patients and 5 healthy volunteers were subjected to isolation of the total genomic DNA and PCR amplification for C-deletion on exon 4 of p53 gene. The resulting products were resolved by agarose gel electrophoresis, viewed and photographed on ultraviolet-transilluminator. RESULTS: The relationship between the frequencies of genetic alterations was assessed by Chi-square test. Differences with values of P < 0.05 were statistically significant. CONCLUSION: The study concluded a 100% presence of C-deletion mutation in exon 4 codon 63 of p53 in the saliva of OSCC patients. This study suggests that detection of mutation in exon 4 codon 63 of p53 by PCR is a fast, reliable, accurate, and sensitive molecular method for OSCC diagnosis.