Role of dry ice in decoverslipping of microscopic slides: A new insight.

Background: The process of decoverslipping is often required in a laboratory to review or examine an older slide which tends to fade over time, making it almost impossible to use it for research or study purposes. The sections then need to be re-stained which can only be done after removing the coverslip. The traditional method of decoverslipping using xylene is a time-consuming process. Various methods have been used in the past; however, none were found to be completely effective. Dry ice, the solid form of carbon dioxide, is an easily available, cheap cooling agent with a low freezing temperature (-78.5°C) which was evaluated for its efficacy in decoverslipping process, as an alternative to xylene. Materials and Method: 64 faded haematoxylin and eosin (H&E)-stained histopathology slides were randomly selected and segregated, according to duration of year, into eight major groups. Each group was further divided into four subgroups according to the time that the slides were subjected for decoverslipping. The slides were placed on dry ice and the time was set. Once the coverslip was removed, the slides were placed in xylene to remove any residual mountant. The tissue sections were evaluated for physical disfigurement followed by re-staining with H&E to check for any change in tissue morphology. Result: The mean time taken for removal of coverslip using dry ice was 35 seconds. Conclusion: This technique is easy, fast, and effective, with no tissue loss or compromise in staining quality, thereby preventing xylene toxicity and its effect on the environment.

An article on "letter to the editor".

A 'Letter to the Editor' is an abbreviated form of communication where 'readers' can express their carefully considered scientific opinion about a recently published article in a journal. It is considered as 'post-publication peer review'. There are certain things that a letter writer and the 'editor' need to keep in mind while writing a 'Letter' for a journal. The 'editor' needs to curate the contents of the 'Letter' and make sure that there are no misinformation shared. The formatting, type, scope and the scientific quality of the 'Letter' depend on the journal that publishes them, and hence, different publications may require their 'letter writers' to present the information that they want in a certain way. The following article reflects an overview of the role of editors and writers, guidelines, scope, and format of the 'Letter to the Editor'.

Histopathological significance of necrosis in oral lesions: A review.

Necrosis is a localized area of tissue death followed by degradation of tissue by hydrolytic enzymes released from the dead cells, resulting in swelling of organelles, rupture of the plasma membrane, eventual cell lysis, and leakage of intracellular contents into the surrounding tissue. It is always accompanied by an inflammatory reaction. Necrosis is caused by various factors such as hypoxia, physical factors, chemical agents, immunological agents, and microbial agents. Still now, there is no literature review regarding the necrotic lesions of the oral cavity. In this paper, the oral lesions associated with necrosis are categorized under the headings such as odontogenic cysts, odontogenic tumors, salivary gland pathology, and epithelial malignancies. In addition, the histopathological significance of necrosis in oral lesions has been discussed. By suggesting that spotting necrosis in the histopathology aids in determining the diagnosis, tumor behavior, and prognosis of oral lesions.

Soft Bite Appliance for Teething Infants.

Mother's milk is a biological secretion that provides the best nutritional source with numerous benefits to the infant, which include somatic growth, modulation of post-natal intestinal function, brain development, and immune ontogeny. As per WHO, exclusive breastfeeding is recommended for the first six months and continuation up to two years of age as both mother and the infant are mutually benefitted. Breast milk contains more nutritional, hormonal, and growth factors which are mandatory for the baby to attain the highest standards of health. Many mothers encounter bite injuries in their nipples and areola while feeding due to the teething process, which usually starts six months after birth. This may cause injury to the mother's skin causing inconvenience in feeding. This can be avoided by fabricating a "soft bite appliance" for the infant, which prevents bite injuries and makes both the baby and mother feel comfortable during feeding. This device can be used as a temporary device during the teething process, thereby enhancing nursing mothers to continue the feeding process without anxiety.

Accidental finding of COVID-associated mucormycosis (CAM) in a patient presenting as toothache: A case report and review of literature.

Mucormycosis is an angio-invasive rapidly progressing fungal infection, usually reported in immunocompromised individuals. We present a case of COVID-associated mucormycosis in a patient with a presenting symptom of toothache in the maxilla with a possible mild case of COVID-19. Abstract: Coronavirus-associated mucormycosis (CAM) had reached epidemic status, especially during the second wave of COVID-19. It was especially prevalent in India with a large mortality rate. Mucormycosis, particularly the rhinocerebral type is seen to be greatly associated with COVID-19, especially in patients with altered immunity. Uncontrolled diabetes, chronic kidney disease, immunocompromised patients, malignant hematological diseases, etc. are the major risk factors of CAM, precipitated by the injudicious use of corticosteroids for the treatment of COVID-19. CAM may often present in the maxillofacial region which warrants that dental clinicians be aware of the clinical presentation, diagnostic guidelines, and appropriate management measures for the disease. This report is one such case of CAM involving the posterior maxilla in a middle-aged individual with mild COVID-19 symptoms.

Spectrum of salivary gland diseases: A 24-year single-institution retrospective study.

Introduction: Salivary glands are exocrine glands and are classified as major and minor salivary glands. Salivary gland pathologies are classified as neoplastic and non-neoplastic. The neoplasms of salivary glands can be benign or malignant. Aim: The aim of the study was to describe the frequency of various salivary gland diseases reported in our institution from 1997 to 2021. Methodology: This was a 24-year retrospective study of salivary gland lesions processed and reported by the Department of Oral Pathology and Microbiology. Data regarding age, gender, site, and diagnosis were obtained and studied. Results: Amongst the total 5928 biopsied cases reported, 6% were salivary gland pathologies. Two hundred sixty-six were non-neoplastic lesions and 81 were neoplastic. The most common non-neoplastic lesion was mucous extravasation cyst. The most common neoplastic lesion was pleomorphic adenoma. Conclusion: The frequency of occurrence of salivary gland lesions in the last 24 years of this institution is almost similar to that stated in other published studies.

Juvenile ossifying fibroma of maxilla: Concurrent presentation of psammomatoid and trabecular variant.

Juvenile Ossifying Fibroma (JOF) is a type of ossifying fibroma which occurs in younger individuals and manifests as trabecular and psammomatoid variants. The nature and behaviour of these variants vary, and they exhibit characteristic histopathological appearance. The solitary presentation of these subtypes is reported in numbers, but co-occurrence of both these entities is very few. Here, we present a case of JOF with the co-occurrence of both trabecular and psammomatoid variants in relation to an incompletely healed extraction socket.

Diagnostic challenges of superficial mucoceles: An update.

A superficial mucocele is a unique variant of a mucocele of the oral cavity that was described by Eveson for the first time in 1988. It occurs due to subepithelial extravasation of sialomucin at the epithelial-connective tissue interface and is related to damage of the minor salivary gland ducts. Clinically, they appear as small, asymptomatic, clear, tense vesicles with a predilection for the soft palate, retromolar pads, and posterior buccal mucosa. They are reported to occur more frequently in women than in men. Before Eveson endeavoured to describe these rather peculiar lesions, they were often misdiagnosed as vesiculobullous lesions such as bullous lichen planus, mucous membrane pemphigoid, and the like. It is incumbent on the present-day pathologist to be cognizant of the presence of these entities as it could present a formidable diagnostic challenge otherwise. This review gives an updated account on the etiology, prevalence, clinical features, differential diagnosis, and management of superficial mucoceles.

Effectiveness of Online Learning vs Traditional Learning during COVID-19 Pandemic in Chennai: A Questionnaire Study.

BACKGROUND: Digitalization of education became a need of the hour when the COVID-19 pandemic affected the traditional modalities of learning, and it was widely implemented in various fields including dentistry. AIMS: The aim of this study was to assess the effectiveness of online learning against traditional learning systems among dental students in Chennai. METHODS AND MATERIALS: A Google Form questionnaire comprising 29 dental learning-based questions was designed and distributed to dental students across colleges in Chennai using online distribution platforms. The study responses were closed after the stipulated period of 1 month. The data were analyzed using SPSS software version 17. RESULTS: The survey was answered by 834 participants comprising 76.9% females and 22.3% males. Of the total study population, 71.1% of them did not have previous online learning experiences. Approximately, 15.5% of the study population were not satisfied with the facilities provided by the online learning platforms. Also, one-third of the study population reported difficulty during the presentation. Three-fourths of the study participants did not prefer online learning over traditional learning and reported that the attention span and communication between the students and teachers were lower in online classes. Overall, 43% of the study participants rated the quality of online video-based learning to be good and 8.5% found it to be poor. CONCLUSION: Online-based learning systems are evolving and can provide a wide array of knowledge from global experts. However, structured planning and technique may be needed for the dental curriculum.

The diverse role of oral fibroblasts in normal and disease.

Fibroblasts are the major cellular component of the connective tissue. They differ both structurally and functionally based on their location. The oral fibroblasts vary from the dermal fibroblasts in their origin, properties and also functions. These cells play an important role in wound healing, tumor progression and metastasis, allergic reactions. In this review, the various functions of the oral fibroblasts are discussed in detail.

Oral lesions and periodontal status in diabetics and non-diabetics: A hospital based study.

Background: Diabetes mellitus, a chronic hyperglycemic disorder has been associated with several manifestations in the body including the oral cavity. The oral manifestations are of importance and may significantly contribute to the detection of undiagnosed diabetes. Objective: To find out the prevalence of oral diseases in type 1 and type 2 diabetics, to evaluate and compare the periodontal status of diabetics and non-diabetics. Materials and Methods: This was a cross sectional study conducted on 110 diabetic subjects of >5 years duration at the M.V. Hospital for Diabetes, Diabetes Research Centre, Chennai. One hundred apparently healthy non-diabetic subjects in the age group of 40-60 years were studied as control. The oral cavity was examined by using a mouth mirror and periodontal status was assessed by utilizing oral hygiene index - simplified (Greene and Vermillion), Miller's mobility index and Ramjford's periodontal disease index. Results: Subjects with diabetes were found to have significant association with xerostomia (P < 0.003) and chronic periodontitis (P < 0.026). However, no significant association was found forleukoplakia, traumatic ulcer, frictional keratosis, smoker's melanosis, mucocele, aphthous ulcer, fissured tongue, lichen planus, parotid enlargement, parulis, chronic gingivitis, fibroma, and periodontal abscess. Conclusion: The study reaffirmed higher prevalence of xerostomia and periodontal disease among diabetic subjects. However, contrary to previous studies, no significant differences were found in the prevalence of traumatic ulcer, fissured tongue, lichen planus, and parotid enlargement.

Basaloid squamous cell carcinoma in the maxillary gingiva.

Basaloid squamous cell carcinoma (BSCC) is a rare, unique, and aggressive variant of squamous cell carcinoma which mostly occurs in the upper aerodigestive tract. Histologically and immunologically different from conventional squamous cell carcinoma, it is mostly seen in men of the sixth and seventh decades and is commonly associated with tobacco and alcohol usage. BSCC usually presents as a high stage disease with distant metastasis, high recurrence rate, and poor prognosis. In the head-and-neck region, BSCC has a strong predilection for sites such as the base of the tongue, soft palate, and epiglottis. Less commonly, it may also occur on the floor of the mouth, gingiva, and tonsils. In the present article, we report a case of BSCC in the right maxillary anterior gingiva of a 57-year-old female for its rarity.

A study on oral mucosal changes among tobacco users.

Introduction: Oral malignancies account for about 4% in males and 2% in females among all malignant tumors. Tobacco use in the oral cavity can cause potentially malignant disorders such as oral submucous fibrosis (OSMF), leukoplakia and oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). Factors such as lifestyle changes, habits and limited access to health care increase cancer development and morbidity. Aim and objectives: This study aimed at studying and correlating the oral mucosal changes among the tobacco users with the different forms of tobacco used. Materials and Methods: Four thousand and five hundred individuals were examined and patients with habits were categorized as Group A: only chewing, Group B: only smoking and Group C: smoking and chewing. A preformed case sheet with a detailed recording of the patient's habits was used for each individual. The suspected oral lesions were examined with care and a biopsy was taken (if needed) with patient consent. The collected data were compiled and statistical analysis was done. Results: Among the three groups OSMF, chewer's mucositis, smoker's palate and OSCC were more compared to other lesions. Conclusion: OSCC, OSMF and chewer's mucositis were seen more among A and C Group individuals. Smoker's palate was more in Group B. All the lesions showed a strong correlation with increased usage of tobacco. Lesions were more among males compared to females as there were no females with smoking habits in the study. A future study with larger sample size and equal gender distribution in different population among various locations is to be carried out to get accurate details about the lesions associated with tobacco habits and to correlate between the types, frequency and duration of the habit with the tobacco usage.

Tooth eruption clock: A novel learning aid.

Chronology of tooth eruption is the most preliminary and crucial topic which is covered in the undergraduate syllabus of the dental curriculum. Eruption of permanent and primary teeth follows a particular time sequence. Both maxillary and mandibular arch has similar number of teeth, beginning from central incisors to molars. The pattern of eruption differs slightly between maxillary and mandibular arch. Remembering the years or months in a numerical manner is the usual way by which a student learns the eruption chronology. Eruption clock is a specially designed learning aid, which makes this teaching-learning process a lot easier, effective and practical.

Estimation and comparison of serum cotinine level among individuals with smoking and tobacco chewing habit.

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: The present study was aimed to estimate and compare tobacco exposure in smokers and chewers. The levels of cotinine, one of the constituents of tobacco were considered as indicative of tobacco exposure. Serum Cotinine levels in individuals with the habit of smoking and tobacco chewing were estimated and compared. Base line values of cotinine levels in normal subjects were established. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study groups comprised about 30 individuals with the habit of smoking (Group A); these 30 individuals with the habit of tobacco chewing (Group B), and 20 individuals who were never exposed to any form of tobacco as control group (Group C). Serum cotinine levels were estimated using a commercially available enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay in both test and control groups and the difference in the levels were compared. RESULTS: : In individuals with the habit of smoking, cotinine levels ranged between 11 ng/ml and 215 ng/ml with a mean concentration of 87.56. In tobacco chewers, the levels ranged between 11 ng/ml and 128 ng/ml with a mean concentration of 73.66. In control group, the levels ranged between 0.34 ng/ml to 2.5 ng/ml with a mean concentration of 0.93. Cotinine levels between smokers and tobacco chewers were compared and there was no statistically significant difference. CONCLUSION: Difference in serum cotinine levels between smokers and tobacco chewers is not significant. The fact that cotinine level is influenced by age of the individual, frequency and duration of the habit seems to be irrelevant from the results obtained from this study. Prospective studies considering all the factors and variables, with a preferable larger sample size can probably eradicate the chaos on the reliability of cotinine as a predictive biomarker for the amount of tobacco exposure.

Benign lymphoepithelial lesion of the minor salivary gland - A rare presentation as a palatal swelling.

Benign lymphoepithelial lesion (BLEL) is characterized by extensive lymphocytic infiltration of the major salivary glands and may be associated with Sjogren's syndrome or HIV infection. The involvement of the palatal minor salivary glands is extremely rare. We report an isolated case of BLEL affecting the palatal minor salivary glands, presenting as a palatal swelling in a 37-year-old female patient. Serological tests ruled out potential comorbid conditions. Cone-beam computed tomography showed a palatal soft-tissue mass with thinning of the adjacent cortical plates. A histopathological examination revealed salivary gland tissue with significant acinar destruction, dense lymphocytic infiltration and focal myoepithelial islands. Therefore, BLEL may be considered as a rare differential diagnostic possibility of a palatal soft-tissue mass lesion.

Adenosquamous carcinoma of the tongue: A case report and an overview of histogenetic concepts.

Adenosquamous carcinoma (ASC), a rare variant of squamous cell carcinoma, is an aggressive and highly infiltrating epithelial neoplasm, which has a distinct histomorphological features comprising simultaneous areas of squamous cell carcinoma and adenocarcinoma. Some researchers consider it as a controversial neoplasm, as it may arise from the ducts of the minor salivary gland or from the overlying surface epithelium. In the head-and-neck region, commonly affected sites include paranasal sinuses, larynx and oral cavity. Areas of occurrence in the oral cavity include palate, tonsillar pillar areas, tongue and floor of the mouth. The prognosis of the neoplasm is considered poor due to its early recurrence, local and distant metastasis and low survival rate. This article reports a case of ASC affecting the posterior part of the tongue in a 50-year-old male patient and an overview of its histogenetic concepts.