Light gradient boosting-based prediction of quality of life among oral cancer-treated patients.

BACKGROUND AND INTRODUCTION: Statisticians rank oral and lip cancer sixth in global mortality at 10.2%. Mouth opening and swallowing are challenging. Hence, most oral cancer patients only report later stages. They worry about surviving cancer and receiving therapy. Oral cancer severely affects QOL. QOL is affected by risk factors, disease site, and treatment. Using oral cancer patient questionnaires, we use light gradient Boost Tree classifiers to predict life quality. METHODS: DIAS records were used for 111 oral cancer patients. The European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer's QLQ-C30 and QLQ-HN43 were used to document the findings. Anyone could enroll, regardless of gender or age. The IHEC/SDC/PhD/OPATH-1954/19/TH-001 Institutional Ethical Clearance Committee approved this work. After informed consent, patients received the EORTC QLQ-C30 and QLQ-HN43 questionnaires. Surveys were in Tamil and English. Overall, QOL ratings covered several domains. We obtained patient demographics, case history, and therapy information from our DIAS (Dental Information Archival Software). Enrolled patients were monitored for at least a year. After one year, the EORTC questionnaire was retaken, and scores were recorded. This prospective analytical exploratory study at Saveetha Dental College, Chennai, India, examined QOL at diagnosis and at least 12 months after primary therapy in patients with histopathologically diagnosed oral malignancies. We measured oral cancer patients' quality of life using data preprocessing, feature selection, and model construction. A confusion matrix was created using light gradient boosting to measure accuracy. RESULTS: Light gradient boosting predicted cancer patients' quality of life with 96% accuracy and 0.20 log loss. CONCLUSION: Oral surgeons and oncologists can improve planning and therapy with this prediction model.

Statistical optimization for the efficacious degradation of reactive azo dyes using Acinetobacter baumannii JC359.

The aim of this study is to biodegrade the reactive azo dyes- Reactive black 5 (B-GDN), Reactive red 120 (RP) and Reactive blue 19 (RNB) using bacteria Acinetobacter baumannii JC359. Optimization of the process variables such as pH, temperature, dye concentration, incubation time, inoculum volume and dynamic incubating conditions for dye decolorization were performed using One Factor At a Time (OFAT) approach. Box- Behnken Design (BBD) of Response Surface Methodology (RSM) was further used to optimize the process variables. Decolorization rates of 98.8% for B-GDN, 96% for RP and 96.2% for RNB were observed after treating with A. baumannii for 48 h using the obtained design value. UV-Visible spectrophotometry and FT-IR spectral scan of dye and degraded metabolites confirmed that biodegradation had taken place. Further, the phytotoxicity evaluation was performed with Vigna radiata seeds and the degraded metabolites proved to be non-toxic. Docking studies were performed and it was found that there was significant binding affinity between the dyes and azoreductase enzyme of A. baumannii. Thus, the biodegradation of these reactive azo dyes was found to be a suitable alternative for the effective treatment of textile dyes.

Evaluation of nanohydroxyapatite-containing toothpaste for occluding dentin tubules.

PURPOSE: To compare dentin tubule occlusion by dentifrices containing either nanohydroxyapatite (10%nHAP and 15%nHAP), sodium monofluorophosphate (Na-MFP) or NovaMin (NovaMin). METHODS: All 80 participants wore four intraoral appliances bearing dentin blocks while using one of the four test dentifrices (n = 20/dentifrice) twice daily for 14 days. The four appliances were removed in pairs after 7 and 14 days. One treated block from each of the test periods (7 and 14 days) and their untreated controls were examined with SEM to determine the level of tubule occlusion. The remaining two treated blocks and their controls were used to determine tubule permeability to dye solution. Effectiveness was compared statistically (ANOVA/Tukey's) based on % area covered by deposited precipitate layer (%DPL), % dye penetration inhibition (%DPI) and percentage of fully-open (%FOT), partially-occluded (%POT) and completely-occluded (%COT) tubules in each block calculated relative to the number of tubules in their control blocks. RESULTS: SEM showed increased %COT and %DPL overtime. After 7 and 14 days, %COT, %POT, %DPL and %DPI were significantly lower with Na-MFP when compared to 10%nHAP (P < 0.01), NovaMin (P < 0.05) and 15%nHAP (P < 0.001), the three of which were not significantly different from each other in those four variables. A reverse trend was observed with %FOT (P < 0.001). Within the same dentifrice, no difference in %COT, %POT, %FOT, %DPI and %DPL after 7 and 14 days, except with Na-MFP in which %DPL significantly (P< 0.05) increased with usage. In conclusion, nanohydroxyapatite-containing and NovaMin-containing toothpastes showed equal and more effectiveness in occluding dentin tubules than Na-MFP toothpaste.

Evaluation of fluorescence imaging with reflectance enhancement technology for early caries detection.

PURPOSE: A technology based on fluorescence imaging with reflectance enhancement (FIRE) was validated for early detection of caries. METHODS: In Phase-I, caries-like lesions were created in a defined window on 85 teeth by 14-day demineralization in acidified gel. During demineralization, teeth were examined for caries every 6 hours for 24 hours, and thereafter daily by visual examination (VE), FIRE, Quantitative light-induced Fluorescence (QLF), and DIAGNOdent pen (DDp). Five teeth were withdrawn after each examination. A tooth slice was cut from each window and examined under polarizing-light microscopy (PLM) for lesion presence/absence and lesion depth quantification. In Phase-II, 56 teeth assembled on mouth models were examined twice by two dentists for caries using the four methods. Each scored area was examined with PLM. Using Dentist-1/Examination-1 data, the Areas under Receiver Operating Characteristics curves (A-ROC-c) defined by each diagnostic method were compared using Chi-squared tests. Using same data, the validity of each diagnostic method in detecting caries relative to PLM was calculated by Kappa statistics. RESULTS: Earliest lesion depth detected by FIRE, QLF, and VE was 9.09 +/- 0.03 microm. DDp detected from 14.00 microm. A-ROC-c were significantly (P< 0.001) greater with FIRE compared with QLF and DDp. Similar results were observed with subsequent examinations by both dentists. Sensitivity, specificity and validity of each method are: FIRE (0.98, 0.80, 0.79), QLF (0.66, 0.81, 0.46), DDp (0.35, 0.94, 0.23) and VE (0.78, 0.85, 0.63), respectively.

Root Cause Analysis: Unraveling Common Laboratory Challenges.

Diverse errors occur in a pathology laboratory and manual mistakes are the most common. There are various advancements to replace manual procedures with digitized automation techniques. Guidelines and protocols are available to run a standard pathology laboratory. But, even with such attempts to reinforce and strengthen the protocols, the complete elimination of errors is yet not possible. Root cause analysis (RCA) is the best way forward to develop an error-free laboratory, In this review, the importance of RCA, common errors taking place in laboratories, methods to carry out RCA, and its effectiveness are discussed in detail. The review also highlights the potential of RCA to provide long-term quality improvement and efficient laboratory management.

Unveiling the Unspoken: Exploring Oral Manifestations of Psychological Disorders.

Psychological variables also interact closely with several tissues and systems leading to several diseases. The oral cavity is also linked to potential physical manifestations of psychological origin. Oral symptoms such as facial pain, oral dysaesthesia, extreme palatal erosion, or self-inflicted harm are perhaps the first or sole signs of mental health issues. It is crucial to remember that oral symptoms are frequently complex. Different people may respond differently to psychological variables and varied oral health. It is essential for dentists and medical professionals to recognize and resolve these vital problems. In this review, we have summarized the changes to oral mucosa and hard tissues and other pain disorders associated with psychological factors. Oral manifestations of a few known psychological disorders are also enumerated. This review emphasizes the role of the dentist in identifying the underlying psychological factors with oral changes. In conclusion, continuous dental care should be insisted on for patients with known mental illness to improve their quality of life. Oral health should be taken into account as part of the heightened emphasis on the overall physical well-being of those suffering from severe mental illnesses.

Revolutionising Quality Management in the Oral Pathology Laboratory: A Deep Dive Into the Six Sigma Methodology.

Six Sigma Foundations is a statistical standard that indicates an exceptionally high level of quality, along with a customer satisfaction management approach that intends to lower error rates and boost process efficiency. The Define, Measure, Analyse, Improve, and Control (DMAIC) approach is a fundamental component of Six Sigma and provides an organised framework for process improvement. In contrast to conventional techniques that are more manual-based, Six Sigma emphasises and focuses on making decisions based on facts and evidence. The key to the success of Six Sigma is its reliance on statistical methods. Advanced tools like Pareto charts, histograms, regression analysis, and fishbone diagrams are used ardently for the benefit of customers and to reduce the overall error rate. To support clinical decision-making, a clinical laboratory's primary responsibility is to generate test results that are accurate, repeatable, fast, and appropriately interpreted. Ensuring desired clinical outcomes must be the ultimate objective. To accomplish this goal, laboratories must prioritise cost-effectiveness while establishing and maintaining quality in all laboratory procedures. The concept of the Lean Six Sigma (LSS) methodology, which mainly centres on efficiency by discerning and eradicating actions or operations that do not provide any benefit to the organisation, is combined with the proposition of Six Sigma, which emphasises data-driven analyses and optimization. The integration of these powerful concepts aids in the overall improvement of the organisations adopting these techniques. This review provides a brief overview of the benefits of the LSS methodology and its implementation in the oral pathology laboratory.

Modifications of Gallego staining and its dental application.

BACKGROUND: The objectives of the study are to employ modified Gallego staining in pathology and to specifically evaluate the hard tissue apposed to odontogenic epithelium in order to aid in the diagnosis. METHODS: Lillie's modification of Gallego's stain was utilized as a reference to create a fresh batch of the stain. The archival and running cases of 2021-2022 was screened for odontogenic pathologies, yielding approximately 46 cases, among these four cases were selected which required evaluation of the hard tissue matrix apposed to odontogenic epithelium for its characterization. The modified Gallego staining was employed in the soft tissue sections of these cases under controlled environment. The staining results were evaluated. RESULTS: The stain was used in cases to stain dentinoid deposition as green color in hybrid ameloblastoma, archegonous cystic odontoma, dentinogenic ghost cell tumor and also in other cases like calcifying odontogenic cyst. Bone presented as green in color, cells as pink color and collagen as green-pink. This helped in the correct diagnosis of these cases facilitating the correct treatment modality. CONCLUSIONS: In the field of oral pathology, there are a multitude of lesions which are odontogenic with the diagnosis of few of them hinging on the characterization of hard tissue matrix found in close approximation to odontogenic epithelium implying an inductive capability to the odontogenic epithelium. This particular modified Gallego stain has been able to help in diagnosis of few such cases in our repertoire of cases.

Anti-inflammatory Role of Trypsin, Rutoside, and Bromelain Combination in Temporomandibular Joint Osteoarthritis: A Systematic Review.

The objective of this systematic review was to assess the effectiveness, acceptability, and safety of systemic enzyme therapy, consisting of trypsin, bromelain, and rutoside trihydrate, as an anti-inflammatory agent, either when utilized independently or in conjunction with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). This systematic review adhered to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. Two studies met the inclusion criteria and were assessed in the review. The bias risk was evaluated using the risk-of-bias tool for randomized trials (RoB 2). Both studies revealed highly significant results for the study population. Individuals receiving oral enzymes and diclofenac sodium combination therapy showed a significant improvement in pain reduction, better eating, and mouth opening, as well as a decrease in joint noise and jerky mandibular motions. Patients receiving systemic enzyme therapy with diclofenac combinations performed better than those receiving NSAIDs alone, and the differences were quite substantial. For the treatment of internal derangement of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ), we recommend combining enzymes and diclofenac. Systemic enzyme therapy can be used in the treatment of TMJ osteoarthritis, as it shows a highly significant result in the study population.

Storage, Retention, and Use of Leftover Pathology Specimens: The Underestimated Treasures.

The proper regulations for storage, retention, and use of archived specimens in pathology laboratories and academic institutions are yet to be established. These specimens could be used appropriately for research purposes. Ideal storage and retention in a controlled environment is necessary, and there is a lack of established rules regarding the ownership of the tissue specimens, paraffin blocks, and slides. Though there are numerous uses of formalin-fixed tissue specimens, blocks, and slides, there are also problems in archiving them that hinder their use. This review article addresses the above issues and proposes simple guidelines for the effective use of archived specimens.

Evaluation of Forensic Luminol in Detection of Blood Stains in Instruments Following Dental Treatment.

Background Saliva and blood, being biological materials with a high potential for infectious transmission in dental environments, pose significant risks to dental professionals, assistants, and patients alike. Therefore, practitioners must adopt stringent security measures to ensure patient care, considering all parties as potential carriers of microorganisms capable of causing infectious diseases. Currently, various methods of disinfection and sterilization are employed to maintain the aseptic chain effectively. Having reliable methods for detecting substances in liquids, particularly body fluids, is crucial and highly convenient. Luminol, a chemiluminescent agent widely used in forensic science for detecting minute traces of blood that are invisible to the naked eye, presents itself as a valuable tool. Blood, a major bodily fluid often present in instruments following dental procedures, underscores the importance of its detection. Hence, in this study, luminol was utilized to detect blood traces in dental instruments following dental treatment, both before and after sterilization or disinfection. Objective Blood and saliva splashes, together with highly contagious aerosols, are always a part of dental procedures. The objective of the current study is to detect traces of blood stains on face shields, surgical instruments, and endodontic files using luminol before and after sterilization. Materials and methods Sample size calculation was done with G*Power software (Version 3.1.9.4, Düsseldorf, Germany), and a total of 30 instruments were selected for the study. In the present study, a total of 30 items were collected and utilized, including 14 instruments used after implant placement, 12 endodontic files employed after root canal treatment, and four face shields utilized during these procedures. Meanwhile, a freshly prepared luminol solution was applied to these instruments, and they were viewed in a dark environment both before and after sterilization procedures. Luminescence generated by luminol was observed in the instruments, indicative of the presence of blood not visible to the naked eye. Statistical analysis for both groups was done with IBM SPSS Statistics for Windows, Version 16.0 (Released 2007; SPSS Inc., Chicago, IL, USA). Intragroup comparison was done using the Friedman test, and intergroup comparison was done using the Wilcoxon signed-rank test. Results Blood stains and chemiluminescence were visualized in two out of 10 endodontic files (one #15 K-file and #20 K-files) and two out of four face shields. The intragroup comparison was done using the Friedman test, and it was found to be statistically significant (p < 0.05). Intergroup comparison was done using the Wilcoxon signed-rank test and was found to be statistically insignificant (p > 0.05). Conclusion Following sterilization and disinfection, there were no visual blood stains or chemiluminescence. Therefore, luminol was found to be effective in detecting blood stains in endodontic files, surgical instruments, and face shields, as well as in validating the sterilization and disinfection processes. Hence, sterilization in dentistry stands as a critical measure to guarantee patient safety, halt the dissemination of infections, and uphold exemplary clinical care standards.

Longitudinal Assessment of the Quality of Life in Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma Patients.

Background Studies evaluating the quality of life (QoL) among oral cancer patients in the Indian population are scarce. Regular follow-ups and QoL assessment in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) patients can aid in comprehensive support strategies to improve their QoL outcomes. Aim and objectives This study aimed to assess the QoL of oral cancer patients and correlate the QoL with demographic and treatment parameters.  Materials and methods The study included oral cancer patients who had previously reported to the Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery. QoL assessment was done using the EORTC QLQ-C30 and QLQ-HN43 questionnaires before and after treatment. The clinico-demographic details, treatment data, follow-up data, and recorded mean QoL were procured from the patient records in Dental Information Archival Software. Assessment of QoL was done before treatment and at intervals of one month, three months, six months, 12 months, 24 months, and 36 months postoperatively after treatment. Statistical analysis was performed using IBM SPSS Statistics for Windows, Version 23 (released 2015; IBM Corp., Armonk, New York, United States). A repeated measures analysis of variance (ANOVA) was utilized for comparing the average QoL scores and frequency of follow-ups across various intervals. Chi-square tests assessed differences in mean QoL among genders, across different sites, and between primary closure and graft placement. The significance was set at a p-value of less than 0.05. Results A total of 90 OSCC patients had reported to the department. A preoperative assessment of QoL was done for 90 (100%) patients. Out of these patients, surgery has been performed on 41 (45%). Twenty-five out of 41 (60%) patients had responded to regular follow-up, and QoL was assessed for these patients. After the immediate postoperative phase, only 12 (48%) had reported after three months. Only six (24%) had a 12-month follow-up, five (20%) had a two-year follow-up, and one (4%) had a three-year follow-up. There was a constant decrease in the number of follow-ups after the treatment of OSCC (p=0.00). Prior to treatment, the mean QoL index was 4.64. Females had a slightly higher preoperative QoL of 4.76 compared to males, with a score of 4.67 (p=0.157). Immediately after the treatment of OSCC, a decline in QoL scores was noted, with a mean score of 4.25 (p=0.32). Patients who underwent primary closure after excision had a mean post-op QoL score of 4.9, while patients who underwent graft placement had a mean score of 4.6 (p=0.157). Conclusion This study highlights the enduring impact of oral cancer on a patient's quality of life and emphasizes the need for ongoing research to explore specific interventions that can contribute to sustained improvement in QoL. It emphasizes personalized, holistic care approaches for such patients.

Exploring Prevalence Trends of Jaw Bone Pathologies: A Three-Year Institutional Study.

Background Head and neck bone pathologies cover various conditions with diverse causes. Infections like osteomyelitis and dental abscesses can spread to soft tissues and bones, causing tissue death, inflammation, and systemic effects. Benign and malignant tumors can develop from soft tissue, cartilage, or bone, posing challenges for diagnosis and treatment. Studies on their prevalence in local populations are rare, obscuring our understanding of regional health dynamics. Aim In this study, we aimed to assess the prevalence of bone pathologies documented over the last three years from 2021 to 2023. Materials and methods Histopathologically confirmed cases of bone pathologies at Saveetha Dental College and Hospitals, Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences, Saveetha University, Chennai, India, were gathered from the institutional database (DIAS: Dental Information Archiving Software) from January 1, 2021, to December 31, 2023. They were categorized into groups of infectious and inflammatory lesions, fibro-osseous lesions, malignancies originating from bone, malignancies invading bone, and miscellaneous conditions. The data was then compiled into a Google spreadsheet (Google, Inc., Mountain View, USA) for further analysis. Graphs were created to visualize the prevalence of bone pathologies enabling a descriptive exploration of temporal trends. Results A total of 2626 biopsy records were reviewed. Among these, 242 (9.21%) cases of bone-related pathologies were included, and the remaining 2384 (90.79%) entities without any mention of bone were excluded. Overall, considering all three years, 43.8% (100) bone-related lesions were reported in 2021, 30.3% (77) in 2022 and 25.9% (65) in the year 2023. Under each category, infectious and inflammatory lesions for 40.5% (98), fibro-osseous lesions for 14.9% (36), benign lesions for 2.9% (7), malignancies originating from bone for 1.7% (4), malignancies invading bone for 38% (93), and miscellaneous conditions for 1.65% (4) were reported. The highest number of infectious and inflammatory pathologies (53%) were reported in 2021. A steep fall was observed in 2022 and 2023 under the infectious and inflammatory category. The malignancies invading the bone showed almost similar distribution in all three years. Conclusion The observed variations highlight the unpredictability of bone pathologies, involving the jaw bones. We emphasize continuous observation and analysis to comprehend changing patterns in bone health.

A Concordance Between Clinical and Pathological Tumor Staging of Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma: An Institutional Study.

BACKGROUND: Among oral diseases, oral cancer is the primary cause of death and poses a serious health risk. Primary tumor (T) - regional lymph node (N) - distant metastasis (M) comprising (TNM) staging is crucial for planning treatment strategies for patients with oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). AIM: This study evaluated the predictive accuracy of clinical TNM staging of OSCC to histopathological staging (pTNM) in an institutional setting. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Fifty-four consecutive histologically confirmed, surgically treated OSCC cases were evaluated for TNM staging. The study compared the clinical staging at the time of surgery with the pathological staging obtained from excisional biopsy reports. Microsoft Excel (Microsoft® Corp., Redmond, WA, USA) was used for the data compilation and descriptive analysis. The chi-square test, analysis of variance (ANOVA), and Tukey's Honest Significant Difference (HSD) posthoc test were used to compare the data for statistical significance with p value <0.05 using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (IBM SPSS Statistics for Windows, IBM Corp., Version 23.0, Armonk, NY). RESULTS: The alveolar mucosa (n=22, 40.74%) was the most frequently occurring site, followed by the tongue (n=17, 31.48%). Out of the 54 included cases, based on clinical tumor size, there were T1 (n=6), T2 (n=13), T3 (n=13), T4a (n=16) and T4b (n=6). T2 tumors were usually upstaged (n=7) while T4a (n=8) tumors were most often downstaged. T4a (n=8) had the best concordance between clinical and histopathological staging, followed by T2, T3, and T1. In nodal status, N1 showed the most variation. The chi-squared test showed statistical significance for tumor size comparison (p <0.001) and nodal status comparison (p=0.002). ANOVA test did not show any statistical significance. Tukey's HSD posthoc test showed statistical significance (p=0.034) for N0 and N1 status. The highest concordance was shown by N0 and N1 followed by N2b. CONCLUSION: Preoperative radiological and clinical assessments are essential for deciding on a patient's course of treatment. However, not all patients may require radiographs to determine tumor size or nodal status assessment. Accurate diagnosis is vital for the treatment planning of OSCC.

Laboratory Information Management Systems in Oral Pathology: A Comprehensive Review.

Efficiency in oral pathological laboratory processes is paramount for timely and accurate diagnosis. This review explores various strategies and methodologies that help streamline oral pathological laboratory workflows to enhance productivity and reduce turnaround times. Key focus areas include specimen collection, handling, processing, and analysis. Optimization techniques such as automation, digitalization, and standardization are discussed in detail, emphasizing their role in minimizing errors and maximizing throughput. Additionally, the integration of advanced technologies such as artificial intelligence and machine learning is examined for their potential to improve laboratory operations. Moreover, the importance of quality control measures and compliance with regulatory standards is underscored as essential components of any successful laboratory streamlining initiative. By implementing a comprehensive approach that addresses the entire diagnostic pathway, oral pathological laboratories can achieve significant efficiency, ultimately leading to better patient care and outcomes.

Furcation Involvement in Periodontal Disease: A Narrative Review.

Furcation-involved teeth, commonly seen in dental practice, have a higher likelihood of needing extraction as the severity of periodontal furcation involvement increases. Studies consistently show that periodontitis in teeth with multiple roots significantly increases the risk of tooth loss, especially in the area where the furcation is involved. These furcation defects pose a major problem for dentists because of their location, accessibility issues, and the unpredictable healing process. The biggest hurdle in treating furcation defects is their irregular shape, which makes it hard to achieve complete debridement. While various treatments have been explored, non-surgical methods have not shown much success. This article comprehensively provides a review and discussion on the classification, assessment, and treatment options, including surgical and non-surgical management of furcation-involved molar teeth. Properly understanding the severity of the disease and its confounding factors and managing and treating the lesions appropriately have been shown to impart satisfactory survival rates for these teeth. Enhancing the understanding of managing these teeth can also lead to better outcomes for patients.

Efficacy of a Novel Nanohydrogel Formulation Containing Dopamine, Chitosan Nanoparticles, and Tridax procumbens Extract for Enhanced Wound Healing in Human Gingival Fibroblast Cells: An In Vitro Study.

Background Natural compounds and biomaterials, such as nanohydrogels, have gained interest due to their biocompatibility and tissue regeneration potential. A novel nanohydrogel was prepared by employing Tridax procumbens, a traditional plant with anti-inflammatory properties and chitosan nanoparticles and a natural bioadhesive with potent antimicrobial and antioxidant effects and dopamine, which has been shown to regulate angiogenesis and influence cell growth. The objective of this study was to examine how human gingival fibroblast (HGF) cells respond to a nanohydrogel formulation containing dopamine, chitosan nanoparticles, and T. procumbens extract in terms of cell viability and cell migration. Methods From human gingival tissue, fibroblasts were cultured. A nanohydrogel formulation was prepared by combining dopamine, chitosan nanoparticles, and T. procumbens extract. Three groups were evaluated: Group 1 (nanohydrogel containing dopamine, chitosan nanoparticles, and T. procumbens extract (DnCTP)), Group 2 (chitosan nanoparticles and T. procumbens extract (nCTP)), and Group 3(T. procumbens extract (TP)). The MTT assay was used to measure the percentage of cell viability and a scratch assay to observe cell migration in the wounded area at different concentrations. The data were tabulated in Microsoft Excel (Microsoft Corporation, USA) and imported to IBM SPSS Statistics for Windows, version 23.0 (released 2015, IBM Corp., Armonk, NY), and the Mann-Whitney U test was conducted to statistically analyze the cell viability for different concentrations within the three groups. Results The nanohydrogel formulation (DnCTP) showed dose-dependent effects on cell viability with the highest cell viability at 40 µL/mL concentration, and higher concentrations of 80 µL/mL exhibited cytotoxic effects. nCTP and TP showed decreased cell viability at 80 µL/mL concentration (p < 0.05), indicating potential cytotoxicity at higher concentrations. DnCTP showed improved cell migration in the scratch assay as compared to other groups (nCTP and TP), indicating its potential for facilitating wound healing. Conclusion Dopamine, chitosan nanoparticles, and T. procumbens worked together synergistically to create a nanohydrogel formulation (DnCTP) that showed promise for improving wound healing in human gingival fibroblast cells at a dose-dependent concentration, which may therefore work as an excellent wound-healing agent in periodontal and peri-implant therapy.

Assessment of Turnaround Time (TAT) for Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma Biopsies: A Single-Institution Experience.

BACKGROUND: Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is one of the most common cancers worldwide. A delay in the diagnosis of OSCC can have a drastic impact on management and patient outcomes. One of the most crucial elements in oral management is the timely histopathological final diagnosis. Turnaround time (TAT) is regarded as the most important component of the quality performance evaluation. Many labs have struggled to improve their TATs despite advancements in computerization, transport systems, and analytical technologies.  Aim: This study aimed to assess the TAT of OSCC cases, assess the mean TAT period, evaluate any TAT delays, and explore the reasons behind the TAT delays.  Materials and methods: OSCC reports in Saveetha Dental College and Hospitals, Chennai, for one year from January 1, 2022, to December 31, 2022, were retrieved from the Dental Information Archival Software (DIAS), and the mean TAT was noted. Further, the number of cases with delay in TAT was also observed, and the reason for their delay was listed. Descriptive statistics and graphical representation were performed utilizing IBM SPSS Statistics for Windows, V. 23.0 (IBM Corp., Armonk, NY, USA). One-way ANOVA was performed with a significance set at a p-value less than 0.05. RESULTS: 230 OSCC cases were retrieved and included in the TAT evaluation for this study. Among 230 cases, 161 (70%) were incisional and 69 (30%) were excisional biopsies. Only seven (4%) incisional cases and seven (10%) excisional biopsies showed a delay in TAT. The most common reason for the delay in TAT was the requirement for deeper sections and decalcification of bone specimens. Out of 161 incisional cases, only 48 (29%) have undergone excision and further treatment. Twenty-one out of 69 (30%) excisional cases were found to be referral cases from other private institutions. The overall average TAT for 12 months was 3.24 ± 0.41 days for incisional biopsies and 11.88 ± 2.07 days for excisional biopsies. One-way ANOVA revealed a statistically significant p-value of less than 0.00001. CONCLUSION: Our study sheds light on specific challenges in TAT delay and opportunities for the improvement of TAT. This can result in faster TAT of OSCC reports, further improve patient care, and enable prompt treatment. This study quantified the TAT for OSCC cases and identified critical areas for process improvement. The findings can inform strategies to streamline diagnostic workflows, reduce delays, and ultimately improve the timely delivery of care to patients with OSCC.

Biomedical Applications of Lauric Acid: A Narrative Review.

Lauric acid, a major component of coconut oil, has been studied for its various health benefits over the years. Lauric acid is a medium-chained fatty acid with several potential biomedical applications based on its antimicrobial action, capacity for drug delivery, tissue engineering scaffolds, and cleansing capabilities. Various studies are carried out in vitro and in vivo using experimental animals, such as rats, shedding light on the efficacy of lauric acid. The studies related to lauric acid were brought under one umbrella and emphasized the need for further research to explore the efficacy of lauric acid in human health. This review aims to scientifically assess the reported data and present a narrative review on lauric acid in medicine.

Bone Trabecular Pattern Analysis in Odontogenic Cysts Using Cone Beam Computed Tomography: A Clinical Retrospective Study.

Introduction The cysts of the maxillofacial region account for one of the most common pathologies of the head and neck region after the mucosal pathologies. Radiography provides an essential clue in early diagnosis and triaging, but it continues further as it is used to evaluate the post-treatment outcome. However, manual analysis is prone to errors. In this scenario, fractal analysis (FA) in radiographs uses mathematical methods to analyse the changes in grey scales in a given radiographic image. FA in odontogenic cysts is used to characterise their complexity, uncover hidden patterns, monitor treatment response, and potentially provide prognostic information. This paper aimed to assess the fractal characteristics of the radicular cyst (RC), dentigerous cyst (DC), and odontogenic keratocyst (OKC) using cone beam computed tomography (CBCT). The objective was to calculate fractal dimension (FD) values expressed in each of these cysts, which could prove to be a radiological adjunct in diagnosing the above cysts. Materials and methods As this is a retrospective study, the archives of CBCT images from June 2021 to December 2023 were obtained from patients diagnosed and confirmed with a histopathological diagnosis with RC, DC, and OKC. The FA was performed using Image J Software (Ver 1.51, National Institute of Health Bethesda, Fiji). The cortical and cancellous bones were segmented using thresholding techniques and converted to binary images. The mean FD of the three planes was then compared to establish the distinctive fractal characteristic for the specific odontogenic cysts. A one-way ANOVA was performed using the Statistical Product and Service Solutions (SPSS) (version 23.0; IBM SPSS Statistics for Windows, Armonk, NY) to determine the difference between FD values of RC, DC, and OKC with a significance level less than 0.05. Results The FD values of DC, RC, and OKC were 1.33 ± 0.17, 1.08 ± 0.16, and 1.65 ± 0.12, respectively. The results indicated that OKC had higher FD values than DC and RC, which means that OKC had lesser bone destruction compared to DC and RC. Inferential statistics showed that the one-way ANOVA was used to compare the means of the three groups of FD data. When calculated for the three groups, the F-statistic value was at 7.29, which yielded a P value of 0.03, making it statistically significant for a 95% confidence interval (p<0.05). Conclusion Our CBCT study on bone trabecular pattern analysis using FD and FA in odontogenic cysts reveals distinct alterations in bone parameters among different cyst types. The probability of higher FD values in OKC is because of lesser cortical bone destruction in OKC compared to the other cyst types. These findings have potential implications for diagnosing, treating, and prognosticating odontogenic cysts.