Prognostic Significance of Proliferative Markers: Cyclin D1 and CENPF in Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma Patients-A Cohort Study

Introduction

Oral cancer ranks sixth place worldwide among other cancers and is known for its high morbidity and mortality rates. Among oral cancer, oral squamous cell carcinomas (OSCC) remains the most common. Expression of specific biomarkers are known to be related to the prognosis of the OSCC.

Methodology

An immunohistochemistry study was performed to evaluate the expression of Cyclin D1 and CENPF for their prognostic significance in twenty OSCC patients. The follow-up period ranged from 10 to 18 months. The expression of these proliferative markers was correlated with demographic, clinical and histopathological grade of the disease.

Results

The results revealed 28% mortality rates in relation to OSCC involving retro-molar trigone. Based on the Cyclin D1 and CENPF expression, high mortality rate (Pearson coefficient = 0.800) was seen with grade 3 and 4 expressions of the markers. Decreased survival rates (Pearson coefficient = 0.824) were observed with stage III and IV disease with grade 3 and 4 expressions of the markers.

Conclusion

Cyclin D1 and CENPF have shown promising results as proliferative markers which can be linked with prognosis of OSCC in this study. Further studies with larger sample size are needed to extrapolate our findings.

Histo-morphologic and gravimetric changes of teeth exposed to high temperatures - An in-vitro study

BACKGROUND

Fire intelligence is the multidisciplinary basis of reconnaissance, which includes determining the origin, cause, and identification of fire victims. Fire is a destructive force capable of inflicting significant damage. Destruction of soft tissue in fire disasters makes victim identification nearly impossible. Teeth are hard and resilient and withstand such conditions. Analyzing the precise morphological, stereomicroscopic, histological, and gravimetric findings can extract valuable information from dental evidence in forensic investigations.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Thirty-six mandibular premolar teeth extracted for therapeutic purposes were exposed to high-temperature gradients. Macroscopic, stereomicroscopic, histological, and dry weight analyses were performed at each temperature gradient.

RESULTS

The colour of teeth changed from yellowish orange to metallic black bronze to chalky white. Stereomicroscopy showed intact teeth at 100°C, gradual micro-cracks at 500°C, and a fully fractured crown at 900°C. Decalcified sections revealed dilatation of dentinal tubular pattern at 300°C. Dentinal tubules showed appearance of vapour bubbles at 400°C, resulting in loss of typical architecture. In the ground sections, alterations in scalloping nature of dentino-enamel junction, coalescing radicular dentinal tubules, and sand cracking appearance of teeth were noted at 100°C, 300°C, and 900°C, respectively. Significant reductions in the weight of the teeth samples were observed with higher temperatures.

CONCLUSION

From the morphological, histological, and gravimetric changes in a tooth caused by fire, it might be possible to determine the temperature and duration of fire exposure, and the cause of the fire.

Histomorphologic and Gravimetric Changes of Teeth Exposed to High Temperature - <i>In vitro</i> Study

Background: In forensic dentistry, odontologists have been particularly interested in the investigation of burnt human remains. The purpose of our research is to provide morphological, stereomicroscopic, histological, and gravimetric findings from the investigation of the effects of thermal processes on teeth.Teeth, being the hardest substance in the body, give valuable information for forensic analysis. Objective: Histomorphology and gravimetric changes in teeth exposed to different ranges of high temperatures. Methodology: Thirty-six mandibular premolar teeth extracted for therapeutic purpose were taken and exposed to the varying higher temperatures. Macroscopic, stereomicroscopic, histological analyses along with the dry weight estimation were recorded at each temperature gradient. Results: From a lower temperature to a higher temperature, the specific colour change of the tooth was yellowish-orange, metallic black bronze and chalky white. Stereo microscopically, we observed intact teeth at 100°C; the gradual formation of micro cracks, crown-enamel separations from the cervical margin, eggshell cracking at 500°C; and a completely shattered crown at 900°C. Decalcified sections show dilation in the dentinal tubular pattern at 300°C. Loss of typical architecture was noted at 400°C, with dentinal tubules exhibiting the vapor bubble appearance. In-ground section alterations on the scalloping nature of dentino enamel junction, coalescing radicular dentinal tubules and sand cracking appearance of the tooth were noted at 100°C, 300°C and 900°C, respectively. Significant reductions in the weight of the teeth samples were observed with higher temperatures. Conclusion: Incineration-induced morphologic, histologic, and gravimetric alterations may provide useful information regarding the temperature and duration of fire exposure. It might also assist in understanding the conditions of the fire.

Prevalence of oral potentially malignant disorders and oral malignant lesions: A population-based study in a municipal town of southern Kerala

Oral cancer burden poses a major challenge in India. Oral cancer in the majority of instances arises from preexisting oral potentially malignant disorders (OPMDs). Early detection of OPMD and elimination of primary risk factors such as smokeless and smoking tobacco help in reduction of oral cancer. A study was conducted to find the prevalence and associated risk factors of OPMDs and oral malignant lesions (OMLs) in Punalur township of South Kerala. A total of 2368 patients were screened, out of which 156 were identified with OPMD and 5 with OML. A male predominance was noted for both OPMD and OML. Strong association with smokeless tobacco and smoking tobacco habits was seen with patients having OPMD and OML.

Social and behavioural determinants of consistent condom use among hotel and bar workers in Northern Tanzania

Bar and hotel workers ( n=519) in Moshi, Tanzania were interviewed to obtain information about potential predictors of condom use. Samples were collected for the diagnosis of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), including HIV. Consistent condom use was defined as always using condoms with sexual partners in the past five years. Overall consistent condom use in this population was 14.1%. In multivariate analyses, consistent condom use was inversely associated with low condom self-efficacy (adjusted odds ratio [AOR], 0.20; 95% confidence interval (CI), 0.06-0.71), low condom knowledge (AOR, 0.11; CI, 0.01-0.80), and having more than three children (AOR, 0.23; 95% CI, 0.09-0.54). Other significant predictors included perceived condom acceptability and using condoms when last exchanged sex for money or gift. These results indicate that increased specific condom knowledge, improved self-efficacy, and reduced social stigma could be effective strategies in the promotion of condom use in this population.

Neonatal morbidity and mortality in a Tanzanian tertiary care referral hospital

In developing countries, neonatal mortality accounts for 50-70% of infant mortality. The purpose of this study was to describe morbidity and mortality patterns, with a focus on neonatal infections, in a Tanzanian special care baby unit (SCBU). During a 3-month period, 246 consecutive admissions to the SCBU at Kilimanjaro Christian Medical Centre were audited. Prematurity, low birthweight and suspected infection accounted for 61% of all admissions. The overall mortality rate was 19%, but varied considerably according to gestational age, birthweight and diagnosis. Thirty-one neonates (two-thirds of all deaths) died during the 1st 24 hours of life. Of 27 infants admitted on grounds of perinatal asphyxia, 11 (41%) died, and, of 19 infants with a gestational age <31 weeks, 13 (68%) died. More than two-thirds of all infants were treated with antibiotics. Septicaemia confirmed by blood culture was found in 16 cases. The susceptibility pattern of bacterial isolates did not indicate high rates of resistance to commonly used antibacterial agents. A reduction in the number of preterm deliveries and improved perinatal care to avoid and treat perinatal asphyxia would be the two most important measures in reducing neonatal mortality in this setting.

Quantitative validation of media for transportation and storage of Streptococcus pneumoniae

The need to design effective Streptococcus pneumoniae vaccines and to monitor resistance means that it is essential to have efficient methods to determine carriage rates. Two liquid media, consisting of skim milk, glycerol, glucose, and tryptone soya broth (STGG) or skim milk, glycerol, and glucose (SGG) alone, were evaluated for their ability to maintain pneumococcal viability. Optimal recovery of S. pneumoniae was achieved when swabs were transferred to STGG medium prior to plating onto blood agar-gentamicin selective plates (22%) compared to 7% when plated out directly (P < 0.0001 by Fisher's exact test). Both STGG and SGG media are appropriate for the long-term storage of pneumococci and primary swab samples at -70 degrees C, with no decrease in viable count observed following repeated freeze-thaw cycles. Samples could be stored refrigerated for up to 3 days in either STGG or SGG medium with no significant loss of viability. Viability decreased progressively in storage at 20 to 30 degrees C, with greater losses of viability occurring at the higher temperatures. There were no significant differences in viability between isolates in the two media. STGG preserved pneumococci significantly better (about twofold) than SGG medium at 21 degrees C (P < 0.0001) and 30 degrees C (P < 0.0001). Samples can be stored for 4 and 2.5 days at 6 to 8 degrees C, 28 and 17 h at 21 degrees C, and 15 and 7 h at 30 degrees C in STGG and SGG media, respectively. For field studies undertaken in resource-limited environments, SGG medium can be prepared by using locally available materials. The quantitative data reported in this study will enable researchers to plan appropriate transport and storage protocols.

Randomized controlled trial of a drug regimen that includes ciprofloxacin for the treatment of pulmonary tuberculosis

The fluoroquinolones are promising new antituberculous agents. A randomized controlled trial of 200 adult patients with sputum smear-positive pulmonary tuberculosis was conducted in Tanzania. Patients received either a trial regimen (HRC) consisting of isoniazid (300 mg), rifampin (600 mg), and ciprofloxacin (750 mg) or a control regimen (HRZE) consisting of isoniazid (300 mg), rifampin (600 mg), pyrazinamide (25 mg/kg), and ethambutol (15 mg/kg). The 168 evaluable patients all had negative smears and cultures by month 6, but the time to conversion to negativity was longer for the HRC group than for the HRZE group because of the poor response of patients infected with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) to the HRC regimen. Relapse was more frequent in the HRC group. The sterilizing activity of ciprofloxacin does not appear to be equal to that of the combination of pyrazinamide and ethambutol, but the difference in outcome was significant only among HIV-infected patients.