Evaluation of the efficacy of hematoxylin and eosin stain when xylene is completely replaced by turpentine or kerosene oil - A comparative study for oral tissues.

Background: Microscopic examination of cells and tissues requires the preparation of very thin and good-quality sections mounted on glass slides and appropriately stained to demonstrate normal and abnormal structures. Before this step, the tissue must undergo preparatory treatment known as tissue processing. The various stages of tissue processing are dehydration, clearing, impregnation, and embedding, each with a particular duration for proper completion of the process. Xylene is the most frequently used clearing agent whose carcinogenic potential is well documented. Hence, attempts were made to substitute xylene with a biosafe clearing agent. The present study aimed to evaluate and compare the efficacy of hematoxylin and eosin stain (H and E stain) when xylene is completely replaced by turpentine or kerosene oil. Materials and Methods: A total number of 50 tissue samples were taken in the study, which included 40 study samples and 10 controls. All the samples were randomly separated into three groups and routine tissue processing and H and E staining were performed. The result was further subjected to statistical analysis by using Fisher's exact test. Group-1: Ten tissue samples were processed and H and E staining was done in xylene. Group-2: Twenty tissue samples were processed and H and E staining was done in turpentine oil. Group-3: Twenty tissue samples were processed and H and E staining was done in kerosene oil. Results: Nuclear staining, cell morphology, and uniformity of staining were better in kerosene sections, while cytoplasmic and clarity of staining of turpentine sections were comparable with xylene sections. Conclusion: Turpentine and kerosene as clearing agents can be used in the future with certain modifications in their concentration and routine staining protocol.

Evaluation of magnesium levels in serum and saliva by calmagite method in individuals with tobacco habits with or without potentially malignant disorders.

Aim: To evaluate and compare the magnesium levels in serum and saliva of individuals with tobacco habits with and without potentially malignant disorders (PMDs). Materials and Methods: A total number of 60 patients were taken in the study, which included group A: 20 healthy patients without any tobacco or alcohol habits, without any PMDs, and without any systemic diseases; group B: 20 patients with tobacco habits and without PMDs; and group C: 20 patients with tobacco habits and with PMDs. The serum and salivary samples were collected from the patients and were subjected to magnesium level estimation using the calmagite method. Statistical analysis was performed using the Shapiro-Wilk W test and Mann-Whitney test. Results: The mean salivary magnesium levels were increased in group B (1.442 mg/dl), followed by group C (0.551 mg/dl), and then group A (0.463 mg/dl). The mean serum magnesium levels were increased in group B (1.891 mg/dl), followed by group C (1.608 mg/dl), and then group A (1.589 mg/dl). The salivary and serum magnesium levels were significantly high in patients with tobacco habits and without PMDs compared to the control group. The salivary and serum magnesium levels were significantly decreased in patients with tobacco habits with PMDs compared to the patients with tobacco habits and without PMDs. Conclusion: The study established a significant correlation between the salivary and serum magnesium levels in patients with tobacco habits, with or without PMDs, and showed that as the disease progressed, the salivary and serum magnesium levels decreased.

A rare osteolytic lesion in the mandible: A diagnostic dilemma.

Odontogenic myxofibroma is a benign tumour that is rarely encountered in any bone other than jaws. It accounts for only 3-11% of all odontogenic tumours. The pathogenesis of these tumours is still controversial and may arise from myxomatous degeneration or fibrous stroma or from the mesenchymal portion of the tooth germ. Clinically, they are slow-growing and can cause gradual expansion of the cortical plates, loosening, displacement of teeth, and rarely root resorption. Biologically, the tumour is locally aggressive with a high recurrence rate, which warrants extensive surgical treatment. Here, we present a case of central odontogenic myxofibroma in a 45-year-old female resulting in the extensive involvement of the mandible within a month.

Role of Cytokeratin-7 in the pathogenesis of odontogenic cysts - an immunohistochemical study.

INTRODUCTION: Odontogenic cysts are distinct entities and quite a common occurrence in the jaw bones. These are individual lesions which arise from the same odontogenic apparatus but with varying pathogenesis. Cytokeratins are integral components in tooth development and are expressed across the odontogenic tissues in physiological and pathological states. AIM: To elucidate the role of cytokeratin-7 in the pathogenesis of odontogenic cysts by immunohistochemistry. METHOD: Cytokeratin-7 (CK-7) was assessed in 39 cases of odontogenic lesions retrieved from the archival files which included 15 cases of dentigerous cysts (DC), 12 cases of odontogenic keratocysts (OKC) and 12 cases of radicular cysts (RC) and also 8 cases of control specimens. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS: Results obtained were statistically analyzed using chi-square test to assess the association between different odontogenic cysts used in this study and Cytokeration-7 staining. The difference was considered to be of statistical significance if the p value was ≤ 0.05. RESULTS: CK7 expression was maximum in dentigerous cycts (66.66%) followed by radicular cysts (41.66%) and odontogenic keratocysts (16.6%). On evaluation of staining and expression pattern, highest positivity is shown in dentigerous cysts and the positivity is seen in suprabasal (60%) and superficial layers (40%) whereas radicular cysts and odontogenic keratocysts showed positivity in superficial and spinous layers. CONCLUSION: Cytokeratin-7 expression correlates with the degree of differentiation of the epithelium. So the cysts with a well-differentiated epithelium (RC and DC) express CK-7, while the cysts with a less well-differentiated epithelium (OKC) show slight positivity. Thus it can be useful to differentiate OKC from DC and RC.

Nanotechnology and water purification: Indian know-how and challenges.

Water contamination being ubiquitous problem across the world. A significant strata of population worldwide are still struggling to get drinkable water. This demand to develop technologies to provide clean water at affordable price is unveiling the need of rigorous research in this area. There are several technologies available for removal of persistent as well as emerging pollutants from water. Nanotechnology-based technology are providing the promising solution because of its extraordinary characteristics like large surface area, low cost maintenance and reuse, etc. During the past decade, there is an advancement in the field of nanotechnology and diligent efforts of researchers in achieving milestones in developing nanosorbents, nanostructured catalytic membranes, efficient photo catalysts, bioactive nanoparticles and new filtration regime. This article gives an overview of nanotechnology applications in water purification in India with an attempt to ponder indigenous technologies for implementation. A bibliometric approach is applied to bring the indigenous technologies available. In addition, we discuss some challenges associated with the development of convincing material and building water processing plants for purification of the wastewater.

Evaluation of antibacterial activity of Achyranthes aspera extract against Streptococcus mutans: An in vitro study.

Dental caries and periodontal diseases have historically been considered the most important global oral health burdens. Many chemicals and synthetic drugs have marked the side effects. Hence, there has been a paradigm shift from the use of modern drugs to the age-old herbs. Achyranthes aspera is one such important plant with various established pharmaceutical properties. The aim of this study was to assess the antibacterial activity of the A. aspera extract against Streptococcus mutans. Aqueous extract of A. aspera was prepared. Different concentrations of the root and stem extracts of A. aspera were transferred to the agar plates, which had been streaked with the bacterium S. mutans. The plates were incubated aerobically at 37°C for 24 h, and the zones of inhibition were measured using cup plate method. A. aspera extract showed statistically significant zones of inhibition. A. aspera showed marked antibacterial activity against S. mutans.