Correlation of the activities of antioxidant enzymes superoxide dismutase and glutathione reductase with micronuclei counts among areca nut chewers of Manipuri population using exfoliative cytology: A preliminary study.

Context: Areca nut (AN) is a potent cytotoxic and genotoxic agent. Oxidative stress-induced by chewing of AN can cause DNA damage leading to nuclear anomalies such as micronuclei (MN) and also alters antioxidant defense mechanisms, leading to genomic instabilities and the development of oral cancer. Aims: The aim of this study is to study the correlation between the levels of glutathione reductase (GR) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) in exfoliated buccal mucosal cells and the genotoxicity levels (MN count) in chronic AN chewers. Materials and Methods: The present study was conducted with the approval of the Research Ethics Board in 60 individuals; 40 cases (Group I-20 raw AN chewers, Group II-20 dried areca with tobacco chewers), and 20 controls as Group III in the age group of 18-68 years who attended the outpatient department of our college. Estimation of SOD and GR and MN assessment was done using buccal exfoliated cells. Statistical Analysis Used: Statistical analysis was performed using the Student's t-test and one-way ANOVA. Results: Antioxidant levels were found to be significantly reduced in both Group I and Group II in comparison to the control group. Group II showed significantly reduced level of GR in comparison to Group I. The MN count was significantly increased in Group II in comparison to Group I. The MN counts showed an inverse correlation to the activities of the antioxidant enzymes. Greater activities of antioxidant enzymes correlated with decreased MN counts. Conclusions: Detection of MN in AN chewers with or without tobacco can be a useful biomarker for clinical screening procedures that may be used as a risk marker for oral cancer. It is important to increase the awareness programs to educate the public about the deleterious effects of AN chewing, emphasize on early intervention of AN chewing habit and thus prevent the development of oral cancer.

Incidental finding of orthokeratinized odontogenic cyst with unusual features.

Orthokeratinized odontogenic cyst (OOC) is a rare developmental odontogenic cyst occurring in the jaw with debated etiology. It was originally believed to be a variant of odontogenic keratocyst (OKC) but is now considered to be a distinct entity. The majority of the cases occur in the third and fourth decades of life. The common site is the mandibular posterior region with a male predilection. Swelling is the most common symptom which may be accompanied by pain, although in most cases, the lesion is asymptomatic. These lesions mostly present as unilocular radiolucency often associated with an impacted tooth. They may mimic dentigerous cyst and OKC in radiologic and histopathologic presentation, however, differ in biological behavior, pathogenesis and prognosis in comparison. Hence, making an accurate diagnosis is essential. This article describes an incidental finding of OOC in a 28-year-old female during radiographic investigation for orthodontic treatment. This case showed some rare features such as multilocular radiolucency, nonkeratinized epithelium in areas of inflammation, few cholesterol clefts with giant cells, presence of dentinoid-like material and dystrophic calcification in the capsule.

Overall pattern of publication in Journal of Conservative Dentistry.

BACKGROUND: The Journal of Conservative Dentistry (JCD) has been online since 2008. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This paper reviews the publication in this journal over a 5-year period (2011-2015). It assesses the types of articles published, coverage of various types of subjects of endodontics, and conservative dentistry in the journal and explores the authorship patterns in the publication and citation of the journal over this period. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: JCD has delivered broad-based, balanced coverage of endodontics and conservative dentistry between 2011 and 2015, with contributions from all over India, as well as abroad. Although a maximum number of articles were from India, the publications from other countries are also on an increase. Thus, the widespread coverage of this journal suggests that JCD has begun to represent the global face of the Indian Association of Conservative Dentistry and Endodontics.