Immunohistochemical expression of SOX2 in OKC and ameloblastoma: A comparative study.

Introduction: Odontogenic, non-inflammatory maxillofacial cysts and tumours vary greatly in their ability to grow and cause local tissue destruction. Despite their common embryologic origin, the biologic mechanisms responsible for this diverse array of clinical behaviour are largely unknown. Unfortunately, even with accurate tissue diagnosis and appropriate surgical management, these tumours have relatively high recurrence rates. While this may be related to surgical technique, it may also be due to intrinsic tumour biology. SOX2 is differentially expressed in odontogenic cysts and tumours, which has an impact over patient prognosis. This could be related to their diverse cells of origin or stages of histogenesis. SOX2 is expressed in OKC and ameloblastoma, and in this study, we look forward to find altered levels and intensity of SOX2 in the above-mentioned lesions. Aim and Objectives: To profile the expression of SOX2 in odontogenic keratocyst (OKC) and ameloblastomaTo compare the intensity of these lesions, analyse their intrinsic feature and predict their recurrence. Material and Methods: Histopathologically diagnosed cases of OKC and ameloblastoma will be selected (n = 40). Paraffin-embedded, formalin-fixed sections of these lesions will be stained for SOX2 marker using a standard immunohistochemical technique. Positive control will be taken as oral squamous cell carcinoma and negative control will be taken as normal oral mucosa. Results: A comparison between the stained cell types in odontogenic keratocyst and ameloblastoma revealed statistically significant differences. The immunoreactivity scores of SOX2 were analysed in both groups. The results indicated that 45% of OKC cases exhibited strongly positive reactivity, while 65% of ameloblastoma cases were negative. Statistical analysis demonstrated highly significant differences in the frequency of SOX2 expression between the two groups, with a higher frequency of negative expression in ameloblastoma. Conclusion: Stem cell markers have been observed in these lesions, suggesting the acquisition of stem-like properties by tumour cells, which can affect patient prognosis. Specifically, the marker SOX2 shows differential expression in odontogenic cysts and tumours. High expression of SOX2 in OKC indicates the presence of stem cells with significant self-renewal and proliferative properties, potentially signifying neoplastic behaviour. In contrast, weak or absent expression of SOX2 in ameloblastoma suggests different molecular pathways involved in its neoplastic behaviour.

Benign teratoma of the tongue in a neonate: a case report and review of the literature.

Teratomas are true neoplasms of unknown origin that arise from pluripotential cells and have an eccentric microscopic appearance. They are composed of diverse tissues from all 3 germ layers with variable levels of maturity. The purpose of this report was to describe the case of a benign teratoma originating from the tongue in a male neonate.

Inflammatory myofibroblastic tumor of the oral cavity: A case report and literature review.

Inflammatory myofibroblastic tumor (IMT) is a rare tumor of unknown etiology and pathogenesis. The lesion has been recognized to occur at various sites but rarely affects the head and neck region. A 29-year-old male presented with a 13 months' history of a slow growing, painless growth in maxillary left posterior gingiva. An excisional biopsy was performed under local anesthesia. Microscopic examination revealed a compact cellular spindle cell proliferation with collagenous stroma having storiform architecture. Immunohistochemistry revealed that the tumor cells were positive for smooth muscle actin, CD-68 and negative for anaplastic lymphoma kinase. Oral IMT should be included in the differential diagnosis of localized gingival enlargement mimicking oral hyperplastic/reactive lesions.

Odontometric analysis of canines to establish sexual dimorphism in an urban population.

BACKGROUND: Teeth are the most durable part of the skeleton. Under most of the adverse conditions occurring in nature like putrefaction, mutilation, fire and prolonged immersion in water, teeth are the most indestructible part of the body and may survive all these challenges. Due to this, the use of dental morphology to determine sexual dimorphism is a procedure established in anthropological and biological studies. Among all teeth, canines are found to exhibit greatest sexual dimorphism. AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to determine the gender of an individual based on the bucco-lingual dimensions of the canines and the inter-canine arch width and analyse if any sexual variation existed in them. SETTING AND DESIGN: It was a cross sectional study. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In the present study, 50 male and 50 female volunteers residing in Navi Mumbai; in the age group of 18-60 years were selected to observe the sexual dimorphism in the bucco-lingual crown dimensions of the canine and difference in inter-canine width. The bucco-lingual dimensions were measured on the study casts as the greatest distance between the buccal and the lingual surfaces of the canine crown with a digital Vernier calliper. The inter-canine width was measured between the tips of the canines with the calliper beaks placed along the long axis of the teeth. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS USED: Unpaired 't' test and ROC curve using SPSS 21.0 statistical programme for Windows. RESULTS: It was found that the bucco-lingual dimension was significantly larger in males as compared to females and the difference was statistically significant. The difference in mandibular inter-canine arch width was statistically significant. CONCLUSION: The study defines that the bucco-lingual dimensions are more reliable criteria for sexual dimorphism in Navi Mumbai population than the inter-canine arch width. Thus, it is indicated that the dimorphism in canines can be of immense medico-legal use in identification and gender determination.

Peripheral Clear Cell Variant of Calcifying Epithelial Odontogenic Tumor: Case Report and Review of the Literature.

Calcifying epithelial odontogenic tumor (CEOT) is classified as an uncommon, benign, odontogenic neoplasm that is exclusively epithelial in origin. Of all reported cases, peripheral tumors account for 5-6 %, among which clear cell variants are still rare. A rare case of peripheral clear cell variant of CEOT occurring in the mandibular gingiva of a 47-year-old female is presented.

Immunohistochemical expression of CD34 for characterization and quantification of mucosal vasculature and its probable role in malignant transformation of atrophic epithelium in oral submucous fibrosis.

The concept of epithelial atrophy in oral submucous fibrosis (OSF) is based on the assumption of an ischemic epithelium consequent to poorly vascularized stroma, but the role of vascularity on the epithelial thickness in OSF is not clearly understood. This study aimed to investigate the immunohistochemical expression of CD34, for characterization and quantification of mucosal vasculature and its possible role in malignant transformation of atrophic epithelium in oral submucous fibrosis. After compilation of available data, the present study challenges the conventionally believed concept that epithelial atrophy in OSF is due to lack of perfusion, caused by decreased vascularity of subjacent connective tissue stroma. Characteristic pattern of juxtaepithelial loss of CD34 positive stromal cells and its role in malignant transformation in OSF deserves further attention.