SRY gene isolation from teeth for forensic gender identification-An observational study.

Personal identification in forensics is possible with gender determination using DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) analysis. DNA isolation from teeth samples subjected to extreme temperatures has been shown to predict the gender of the deceased. However, the literature lacks studies on DNA extracted from tooth samples exposed to freezing temperatures. This study aimed to isolate the SRY gene from the extirpated pulp of teeth that were subjected to varying temperatures for gender identification. Thirty teeth with vital pulps, divided into 3 groups were included in the study. Each group consisted of 5 male and 5 female tooth samples. The groups were exposed to diverse environmental factors for three weeks. Group 1: room temperature (R group); Group 2: high temperature (H group) and Group 3: freezing temperature (F group). Later, DNA was isolated from the pulp tissue, and the SRY gene was amplified using PCR (Polymerase Chain Reaction). The Sensitivity and Specificity of the results were analyzed. SRY gene detected in the study samples identified accurate gender with a 46.70% Sensitivity and 93.30% Specificity. Significant difference was found in the correlation between gene expression and gender among the three groups (p = 1.000). The study validates that dental pulp tissue can be a reliable source for DNA extraction. And SRY gene amplification from teeth exposed to diverse environmental conditions. Further investigations are required to validate its application in forensics.

Correction: SRY gene isolation from teeth for forensic gender identification-An observational study.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0294751.].

MicroRNA Profiling in Circulating Exosomes in Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma: A Systematic Review.

Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is the most common head and neck cancer with several risk factors. Exosomes are extracellular vesicles generated by the fusion of multivesicular structures with the cell membrane and play an important role as intercellular messengers. MicroRNA (miRNA) is a noncoding RNA and regulates post-transcriptional modification. The present systematic review aims to identify and correlate the possible association and role of circulating exosomes with OSCC. Using the search strategy, articles fulfilling the inclusion criteria, published between January 2012 to March 2022, were retrieved from online databases including PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and Cochrane Library. About 904 articles were found using an electronic database and a human search. After reviewing the titles and abstracts, 614 studies were eliminated, and duplicate articles were removed. Five studies were included in this systematic review. Circulating exosomal expression of miRNA27, miRNA 21, and miRNA 155 showed significant upregulation in OSCC patients. Circulating exosomes could be potential biomarkers to be used in the detection of patients with OSCC. More studies are warranted in this area to gain a better understanding of the pathophysiology of OSCC and the function of molecular markers from circulating exosomes. Understanding the role of molecular markers from circulating exosomes in pathogenesis will provide a better understanding of the development of the disease, necessitating more study in this area. According to this review, circulating exosomes might be a potential approach to the identification of OSCC.

Machine Learning in the Detection of Oral Lesions With Clinical Intraoral Images.

INTRODUCTION: Artificial intelligence in oncology has gained a lot of interest in recent years. Early detection of Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is crucial for early management to attain a better prognosis and overall survival. Machine learning (ML) has also been used in oral cancer studies to explore the discrimination between clinically normal and oral cancer. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A dataset comprising 360 clinical intra-oral images of OSCC, Oral Potentially Malignant Disorders (OPMDs) and clinically healthy oral mucosa were used. Clinicians trained the machine learning model with the clinical images (n=300). Roboflow software (Roboflow Inc, USA) was used to classify and annotate images along with Multi-class annotation and object detection models trained by two expert oral pathologists. The test dataset (n=60) of new clinical images was again evaluated by two clinicians and Roboflow. The results were tabulated and Kappa statistics was performed using SPSS v23.0 (IBM Corp., Armonk, NY).  Results: Training dataset clinical images (n=300) were used to train the clinicians and Roboflow algorithm. The test dataset (n=60) of new clinical images was again evaluated by the clinicians and Roboflow. The observed outcomes revealed that the Mean Average Precision (mAP) was 25.4%, precision 29.8% and Recall 32.9%. Based on the kappa statistical analysis the 0.7 value shows a moderate agreement between the clinicians and the machine learning model. The test dataset showed the specificity and sensitivity of the Roboflow machine learning model to be 75% and 88.9% respectively.  Conclusion: In conclusion, machine learning showed promising results in the early detection of suspected lesions using clinical intraoral images and aids general dentists and patients in the detection of suspected lesions such as OPMDs and OSCC that require biopsy and immediate treatment.

Gingival swelling as a first sign of clinical presentation of ligneous periodontitis in a patient with autism spectrum disorder.

BACKGROUND: Ligneous periodontitis is a rare periodontal condition characterized by pseudomembranous enlargement of gingiva with marked impairment in fibrinolysis. The term ligneous is defined as made of, consisting of, or resembling wood; woody. Few cases of ligneous disease have been described in the literature. CASE DESCRIPTION: The authors describe the case of a 32-year-old woman with autism spectrum disorder who had multiple, ulcerated, erythematous, nodular enlargements of the maxillary and mandibular anterior gingiva. Histopathologic examination revealed extensive fibrinous deposits in the submucosa. The patient's laboratory test results showed plasminogen activity of less than 5%. The patient received a final diagnosis of ligneous periodontitis on the basis of histopathologic features and laboratory findings. Recurrence was not noted until 3 months after excision. PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS: Autism spectrum disorders can be associated with ligneous diseases. Because ligneous disease is a lifelong systemic disease affecting multiple systems, early diagnosis is essential to prevent infections and additional periodontal destruction.

Histopathological analysis of soft tissue changes in gingival biopsied specimen from patients with underlying corona virus disease associated mucormycosis (CAM)

Background: Corona Virus Disease-2019 (COVID-19) is perhaps the disastrous medical emergencies that has ever hit globally with multiple strains. Amongst various sequelae, mucormycosis may be considered as the most debilitating one. Post COVID-19 mucormycosis is formally regarded as corona virus disease associated mucormycosis (CAM). The aim of the current paper is to present twelve cases of CAM with unique clinical presentation with a detailed histopathological correlation of the gingival biopsied material. Material and Methods: Twelve cases of CAM were included in the study who presented initially with non-purulent swelling of the gingiva. The clinic-demographic data pertaining to age, gender, location, laterality and presence of co-morbidities was collected along with histopathological examination of biopsied specimen. Results: The patients ranged from 31-65 years (mean age 47.33 years). There was a male predominance. Clearly, maxillary right gingiva was mostly affected and all cases presented with non purulent, non tender swelling of the gingiva. The incisional biopsy from the gingiva consistently showed pseudoepitheliomatous hyperplasia of the surface epithelium along with vacuolar degeneration, extensive stromal edema, massive mixed inflammatory reaction, congested blood vessels, hemorrhage and abundant multinucleated giant cells. Potassium hydroxide (10% KOH) mount served no additional diagnostic advantage. After two initial biopsies any suspected case of CAM with these features was treated with appropriate antifungal therapy and conservative excision. Conclusions: Gingival swelling with aforementioned histopathological features resembling post COVID-19 histological alterations could be alarming early signs of CAM and are candidate of prompt antifungal therapy rather than repeat biopsy for confirmation.(AU)