Evaluation of immunohistochemical expression of epithelial- mesenchymal transition markers E-cadherin, Twist and Snail in oral submucous fibrosis and their possible association with malignant transformation.

Background: Oral submucous fibrosis (OSMF) is a chronic, potentially malignant condition of the oral mucosa, predominantly seen in people of Asian descent. The reported malignant transformation rate of OSMF is 7%-13%. In the context of the understanding progression of OSMF, the study of prime molecular expressions is essential.

A comparative study of oral candidal species carriage in patients with type1 and type2 diabetes mellitus.

Context: Diabetes mellitus can have profound effects upon the oral tissues especially in patients with poor glycemic control being prone to severe and/or recurrent infections particularly candidiasis. The main aim was to study the association between Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes mellitus and candidal carriage.

Materials And Methods: The study design comprised of previously diagnosed 30 patients each with type 1 diabetes mellitus (Group A) and type 2 diabetes mellitus (Group B) and 30 age-, sex- and dental status-matched healthy non-diabetic individuals as controls (Group C).

Histomorphometric analysis of vascularity in normal buccal mucosa, leukoplakia, and squamous cell carcinoma of buccal mucosa.

Context: Angiogenesis, the process that leads to the formation of new blood vessels, continues to be a topic of major scientific interest. There is an increasing hope that new discoveries will lead to newer therapies that target angiogenesis as a reliable option for disease therapy.

Aims: The objective of this study was to assess the role of vascularity, correlation of morphometric aspects of vascularity, investigate its usefulness in the histopathological classification and prognosis in normal buccal mucosa (NBM), leukoplakia and squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of buccal mucosa.

An insight into the regulatory mechanisms of cells involved in resorption of dental hard tissues.

Dental resorptions constitute a challenge to dentistry due to the complexity of cellular and molecular biology. The various cells involved in resorption, collectively orchestrate the interplay between various cytokines, hormones, enzymes, and hard tissues influencing the progression of resorption. The concern and curiosity on this subject are not new.

Study of thyroid hormones free triiodothyronine (FT3), free thyroxine (FT4) and thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) in subjects with dental fluorosis.

Objective: Apart from its well-known deleterious dental and skeletal effects, fluoride excess can have toxic effects on many other tissues. Fluoride, when in excess, is known to interfere with thyroid gland function. Fluoride-induced thyroid disturbances similar to those observed in iodine deficiency state in spite of adequate iodine intake have been documented.

Oral Candida carriage, quantification, and species characterization in oral submucous fibrosis patients and healthy individuals.

Aim:   To determine the prevalence of oral Candida carriage, candidal quantification, and various subtypes of Candida species in oral submucous fibrosis patients and healthy individuals.

Methods:   The study comprised 30 clinically-diagnosed and -staged oral submucous fibrosis patients aged 20-40 years, and 20 age- and sex-matched controls. Buccal mucosa was sampled by sterile swab technique.

Schwannoma of parapharyngeal space.

The tumours of the parapharyngeal region account for only 0.5% of all the head and neck tumours. Interestingly schwanomas are much common in this region.