An unconventional career path for an oral pathologist: Sharing personal insights from experience as a part of medical publishing industry.

Oral pathologists or dentists in general opting for alternate career paths are very common nowadays. Financial security, lesser availability of jobs and work satisfaction are the most commonly observed reasons for this openness to switch career. While there is a multitude of alternate career options available such as medical writing and pharmacovigilance in this review, we aim to give an insight specifically on opportunities available in the medical journals aspect of the publishing industry. Oral pathologists can opt to take this field as a full-time engagement and attain a constant growth in terms of finances, knowledge and personal development. One of the authors has opted for this career path and has provided personal opinions about the scope, opportunities and perks of working in this industry.

A crude method of DNA extraction and identification from exfoliated human buccal mucosa cells.

BACKGROUND: DNA analysis has a key role in forensic dentistry. However, techniques of DNA extraction and analysis are far from the reach of majority of medical professionals owing to its expensive set up. AIM: The present study was aimed at formulating a crude method of extracting DNA from human buccal mucosa cells using materials commonly available in the laboratory so that the medical professionals could get more exposure to molecular biology techniques. The objectives were to identify the DNA and to assess its purity. METHODS: Buccal mucosa cells from 10 healthy volunteers were taken for DNA extraction following the protocol of cell lysis, purification, and precipitation. DNA was identified using standardized techniques like Diphenylamine test and its purity was assessed using a spectrophotometer. A gel electrophoresis apparatus was also constructed using readily available materials. RESULTS: DNA was extracted from human buccal mucosa cells using a crude method. The standardized tests confirmed the presence of DNA contaminated with proteins. The locally made Gel electrophoresis model exhibited a faint halo around the wells instead of DNA bands. CONCLUSION: DNA extraction from human buccal mucosa cells was made possible using locally available materials and a crude method, but it was not of high purity.

Unicystic Ameloblastoma of Mandible with an Unusual Diverse Histopathology: A Rare Case Report.

Ameloblastomas of jaws are benign odontogenic tumours with four clinical variants being solid multicystic type, unicystic type, extra osseous type and desmoplastic type. Unicystic ameloblastoma accounts for only 13% of all the known cases in the scientific literature. Follicular and plexiform patterns are the commonly seen histopathological patterns in unicystic ameloblastoma. Though rare in itself, presence of granular cells along with acanthomatous changes occurring in unicystic ameloblastoma is a rare phenomenon. We present a rare case report of unicystic ameloblastoma of right mandible with an unusual histopathology. It exhibited both luminal and mural types as well as both acanthomatous and granular cell changes found together. As occurrence of unicystic ameloblastoma of jaws with such varied histopathology is rare, their course, clinical outcome, prognosis and recurrence rate are not clear. Documentation of more such cases in literature may make pathogenesis and nature of these lesions more insightful.

Cytomorphometric analysis and morphological assessment of oral exfoliated cells in type 2 diabetes mellitus and healthy individuals: A comparative study.

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.

The Dismal State of Pathology Laboratories in Dental Colleges - A Stitch in Time Can Save Nine!

Being a pathologist, we all are aware of the protocols which need to be followed in the histopathology laboratories. However, quite often due to our carelessness or busy schedules we tend to skip one or two steps in the protocol. These steps may appear to be insignificant at that time but later on they may take a toll on the diagnosis by creating an artefact. Here, we have presented a case of a similar artefact which tried to mask our diagnostic ability.

Kaleidoscope of oral artifacts: A vivid picture through light and polarizing microscope.

BACKGROUND: This study is based on finding of an inexplicable artifact that was seen in the tissue received as periapical granuloma. AIM: To observe the histological appearance of different commonly implanted food particles and easily incorporated substances from a laboratory in the oral biopsy tissues. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Various food particles such as wheat chapatti, beans, peas, pulses, and coriander leaves and substances such as a suture, cotton, and paper that can easily gain entry during biopsy and histotechnical procedures were intentionally introduced in the tissue specimens of a uterus from outside. Both light and polarizing microscopes were utilized to view them. RESULTS: Different food particles and substances gave different appearances that could lead to misdiagnosis. Some of these also exhibited positive birefringence under the polarizing microscope. CONCLUSION: Knowledge and familiarity with probable foreign substances which can appear in tissues may help prevent misdiagnosis or erroneous diagnosis of biopsy specimens.

A questionnaire survey on forensic odontology: Are we really aware?

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.

Cytological artifacts masquerading interpretation.

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 4(th) day, respectively, till complete cytoplasmic degeneration on the 23(rd) 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.