Expression of HIF-1α and Nestin in oral squamous cell carcinoma and its association with vasculogenic mimicry.

AIM: To evaluate and correlate the expression of HIF1-α and Nestin in tumor center and periphery of nonmetastatic, and recurrent oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) and its association with vasculogenic mimicry. MATERIALS AND METHODS: About 60 histopathological proven cases of OSCC with proper tumor center and periphery were collected. Among them 25 are nonmetastatic, 25 metastatic, and 10 recurrent cases of OSCC. Immunohistochemical analysis of HIF, Nestin, and CD31/PAS (periodic acid Schiff) was done. RESULTS: Based on the extent of tumor cells stained, staining intensity and index score, expression of both HIF and Nestin was highly significant in periphery of metastatic OSCC with a P value of 0.003* and 0.001*. The total number of vessels expressed in nonmetastatic, metastatic, and recurrent OSCC was not significant but the overall expression of CD31/PAS was significant in the periphery of the tumor with a P value of 0.024*. Correlating the overall expression, HIF showed a positive relation with Nestin and CD31/PAS with a P value of 0.026* and 0.038* in nonmetastatic OSCC using Pearson's correlation coefficient analysis. CONCLUSION: Based on the above results hypoxia plays a vital role in cancer stem cells maintenance with the formation of vessel-like structures by tumor cells at an early stage of cancer development.

A pilot study on the comparative evaluation of residual periodontal ligament in extracted teeth of chronic periodontitis patients with and without type 2 diabetes - Vital function of an occult dimension.

Background: Periodontitis is the most common type of periodontal condition, primarily affecting middle-aged people and resulting in tooth loss; when combined with diabetes, it becomes a debilitating condition. The aim of this study is to compare the residual periodontal ligament length in periodontitis patients with and without diabetes. Materials and Methods: The cross-sectional observational study was conducted in the department of periodontics over 5 months. The patients in the study were divided into two groups. Group 1 comprised patients with periodontitis without type 2 diabetes and Group 2 comprised patients with periodontitis with type 2 diabetes. A total of 100 teeth 50 from each group were collected. The teeth were stained, and the Residual Periodontal Ligament (RPL) of all tooth aspects and surfaces to a total of 544 were measured. Two points were identified for measuring the RPL. The first point was from the apex of the tooth and the second point was the highest marking of the stain. The length from these two points was recorded as the RPL. Following which, means from Groups 1 and 2 were calculated to determine the rate of destruction. The average of the values for each tooth was calculated to determine the percentage of RPL in each tooth and surface. The Mann-Whitney test was used to compare the RPL of the teeth surfaces and Group 1 and Group 2 and P < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: The RPL was higher in nondiabetic patients, with a mean value of 23.66 mm, when compared to diabetic patients, with a mean RPL of 17.05 mm, implying that diabetic patients showed greater periodontal destruction. Buccal tooth surfaces displayed a mean RPL of 4.24 mm and 6.00 mm, lingual/palatal tooth surfaces with 4.02 mm and 5.91 mm, mesial tooth surfaces with 3.82 mm and 5.64 mm, and distal tooth surfaces showed 4.14 mm and 5.67 mm (diabetic and nondiabetic, respectively) with (P < 0.001) found to be statistically significant. Conclusion: This study observed that the destruction rate of the periodontal ligament was higher in diabetic teeth than in nondiabetic teeth, implying that patients with metabolic diseases such as type 2 diabetes influence the response of periodontal tissues to periodontitis and that hyperglycemia impacts the periodontal ligament either directly or indirectly.

Various surgical methods of impacted maxillary canine exposure: A case series.

Impacted tooth is often a common problem in dentistry. Maxillary canines are seen impacted most commonly in patients undergoing orthodontic treatment without reaching the line of occlusion. These impactions are commonly due to physical obstructions and the difference in the direction of movement of the tooth. Canines are the cornerstones for esthetic smile and functional occlusion. Hence, surgical exposure of these impacted canines, guiding them toward the line of occlusion, plays a very important role in the maintenance of the health of periodontium. A series of cases are discussed on various techniques that can be used in guiding the direction or altering the direction of impacted canines to bring them into a proper occlusion without disturbing the health of periodontium.