Role of micronucleus in oral exfoliative cytology.

In the last few years, the interest for oral cytology as a diagnostic and prognostic methodology, for monitoring patients in oral potentially malignant disorders and oral cancer has re-emerged substantially. In 1983, buccal mucosal micronuclei assay was first proposed to evaluate genetic instability. There are biomarkers that predict if a potentially malignant disorder is likely to develop into an aggressive tumor. These genotoxic and carcinogenic chemicals have been reported to be potent clastogenic and mutagenic agents which are thought to be responsible for the induction of chromatid/chromosomal aberrations resulting in the production of micronuclei. Various studies have concluded that the gradual increase in micronucleus (MN) counts from normal oral mucosa to potentially malignant disorders to oral carcinoma suggested a link of this biomarker with neoplastic progression. MN scoring can be used as a biomarker to identify different preneoplastic conditions much earlier than the manifestations of clinical features and might specifically be exploited in the screening of high-risk population for a specific cancer. Hence, it can be used as a screening prognostic and educational tool in community centers of oral cancer.

Dermatoglyphic evaluation in subjects and parents of cleft lip with and without cleft palate.

Objectives : Dermatoglyphic patterns make good material for genetic studies because they remain stable throughout life. Given that the primary palate, lip, and dermal ridges develop during the same period of intrauterine life, the genetic message contained in the genome can be deciphered during this period and is reflected by dermatoglyphics. This study was undertaken to compare the dermatoglyphic patterns in subjects with clefts and controls and both their parents to study the genetic etiology. Methods : A total of 294 subjects (48 cleft subjects and 50 healthy controls with both their parents) were selected. Finger and palm prints of all were recorded using the ink method. Results : Increased frequency of loops and arches and low mean total ridge count was observed in cleft subjects. Increased frequency of loops and arches with decreased frequency of whorls, mean total ridge count, and atd angle of right hand was found in parents of cleft group as compared with the parents of the controls. Conclusion : Dermatoglyphic patterns have considerable variances. They can be used to study genetic etiology and as an educational tool for genetic counseling.