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Context: The bcl-2 proto-oncogene was discovered at the chromosomal breakpoint of t (14;18) found in follicular lymphoma. Histological changes in dysplasia are considered the earliest signs preceding the progression into squamous cell carcinoma. Serving as critical regulators of apoptotic pathways, bcl-2 prohibits programmed cell death and subsequently assists in uncontrolled neoplastic growth., Settings and Design: This study included 48 cases, eight each of epithelial dysplasia and squamous cell carcinoma. Immunohistochemical staining using bcl-2 antibody was performed and different histological parameters were correlated with bcl-2 positive cells in all the cases., Materials and Methods: All 3 μ m thick sections were stained with bcl-2 antibody. After identifying four representative fields at 40x, their images were obtained for assessment of bcl-2 labelled cells and their intensity along with different histological parameters in all the cases., Statistical Analysis: The differences between different histological parameters were analysed using the Anova test, post hoc test and Bonferroni test. Pearson's Chi-square test was carried out to determine the level of correlation between the bcl-2 positive cells in both epithelial dysplasia and oral squamous cell carcinoma cases., Conclusion: Sequential increase in the bcl-2 expression was observed in increasing grades of epithelial dysplasia, whereas bcl-2 expression was significantly decreased in ascending stages of squamous cell carcinoma thus, suggesting a possible role of bcl-2 in disease progression from premalignancy to malignancy., Competing Interests: There are no conflicts of interest., (Copyright: © 2022 Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology.)

Background: Oral submucous fibrosis (OSMF) is a chronic oral mucosal disease characterized by progressive deposition of collagen in subepithelial connective tissue and epithelial atrophy. The present study was conducted to evaluate the changes in epithelial thickness and cellular and nuclear morphometric characteristics of parabasal and spinous compartments of the epithelium in various stages of OSMF in comparison to normal epithelium., Materials and Methods: Sample included 30 cases of OSMF of various stages and five cases of normal buccal mucosa. Measurements for epithelial thickness and cellular morphology using morphometric analysis were performed on captured digital images using image analysis software., Statistical Analysis: The ANOVA analysis of epithelial thickness and correlation of epithelial thickness with cell contour and cell roundness was done using Karl Pearson's coefficient of correlation., Results: There was a statistically significant decrease in epithelial thickness with increase in severity/stage of OSMF. It was also observed that there is a highly statistically significant correlation ( P = 0.000) between the thickness of epithelium and cell morphology in varying stages of OSMF., Conclusion: The morphometric parameters and the use of quantitative histological methods in determining the squamous epithelial structures thus made it possible to evaluate that there is reduction in thickness of epithelium or "atrophy" with increasing stages of OSMF which may be due to actual change in cell morphology of the individual cells of specific compartment or all compartments in the epithelium., Competing Interests: There are no conflicts of interest.

Unlabelled: Helicobacter pylori is a microaerophilic organism, which colonizes in the gastric mucosa. Its role in etiology and development of acute and chronic gastritis and peptic ulcer diseases is scientifically proved. Oral cavity especially supragingival, subgingival plaque and so forth simulate the same microaerophilic environment favorable for the growth of this bacterium., Aim: Detection of H. pylori simultaneously in the oral cavity and gastric mucosa of patients suffering from gastric pathologies., Objectives: To detect H. pylori in the oral cavity and gastric mucosa using endoscopy, urease test and real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) (urease A gene). Determining its association and corelation with patient demographics, oral hygiene maintenance and periodontal disease status., Materials and Methods: Endoscopic examination, oral findings oral hygiene index-simplified (OHI-S) and community periodontal index and treatment needs (CPITN) indices were recorded. Antral biopsies and supragingival plaque samples were taken from 56 dyspeptic adult patients. The collected samples were subjected to histological examination, urease broth test and urease A gene amplification using real-time PCR., Result: H. pylori was detected in the supragingival plaque of individuals with H. pylori-induced gastric diseases using rapid urease test and real-time PCR analysis. Occurrence of same strain of H. pylori simultaneously in plaque and gastric mucosa was observed. Positive correlation was obtained between the collected indices and quantity of H. pylori colonization.

Cancer cachexia is a wasting syndrome characterized by weight loss, anorexia, asthenia and anemia. The pathogenicity of this syndrome is multifactorial, due to a complex interaction of tumor and host factors. The signs and symptoms of cachexia are considered as the prognostic parameters in cancer patients. This review gives an emphasis on the various mechanisms involved in cachexia and an insight into head and neck cancer cachexia.