Role of dental pulp in age estimation: A quantitative and morphometric study.

Context: This study was designed to characterize the role of the dental pulp (DP) in age estimation.

Aim: The analysis of age-related quantifiable changes in DP components such as odontoblasts, collagen fibers, and blood vessels.

Subjects And Methods: One hundred and twenty extracted teeth from six age groups (20-30 years, 31-40 years, 41-50 years, 51-60 years, 61-70 years, and 71-80 years) were subjected to decalcification and routine histopathological processing followed by Hematoxylin and Eosin and Picrosirius Red staining.

Expression of human telomerase reverse transcriptase protein in oral epithelial dysplasia and oral squamous cell carcinoma: An immunohistochemical study.

Background: Telomerase is an RNA-dependent DNA polymerase that synthesizes TTAGGG telomeric DNA sequences and almost universally provides the molecular basis for unlimited proliferative potential. The telomeres become shorter with each cycle of replication and reach a critical limit; most cells die or enter stage of replicative senescence. Telomere length maintenance by telomerase is required for all the cells that exhibit limitless replicative potential.

Oral carriage of enterobacteriaceae among school children with chronic nail-biting habit.

Context: Onychophagia or habitual nail-biting is widespread among children and adolescents, between 10 and 18 years. Prevalence estimates range from 30% during childhood to 45% in adolescence. Nail-biting habit can result in autoinoculation of pathogens and transmission of infection between body parts.