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Objectives: To assess histopathological characteristics of oral leukoplakia among snuff users and non-users. Material and methods: The descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted at different hospitals in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The study consisted of 60 cases of oral leukoplakia of which 30 were snuff users and 30 were non-users and histopathological features were assessed in both groups. SPSS 20 was used for the evaluation and analysis of the data. Results: The observed mean age of the cases was 50.3 years. In snuff users, the mean age was 56.97 (SD+14.71) while in non-users the mean age was 47.43 (SD+13.44). In snuff users, dysplasia 9/30 (30%) was the most common histopathological feature. The relationship between dysplasia in snuff users and non-users was found to be statistically significant with a p-value of 0.04. Conclusion: It is concluded from the present study that oral leukoplakia showed a wide range of histopathological features and these variants exist even among snuff users however the cases of dysplasia are high in snuff users than non-users which shows a greater potential for conversion of oral leukoplakia into malignancy in snuff users. Keywords: Oral leukoplakia, Dysplasia, Hyperplasia, Hyperkeratosis

Oral potentially malignant disorders (OPMDs) have the risk of transformation into Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) therefore some new biomarkers are required to identify OPMDs at high risk of invasive transformation and to assess the aggressiveness of the tumor and disease progression to OSCC. Survivin inhibits apoptosis of protein (IAP). Survivin has a dual function both in cell cycle promotion and apoptosis inhibition. Objectives: To assess the immunohistochemical expression of survivin in OSCC, OPMDs, and normal oral mucosa. Materials and methods: This study comprised of 25 already diagnosed cases of OPMDs, 25 cases of OSCC and 25 normal oral mucosa as a control. Immunohistochemical expression of survivin was analyzed. Results: Immunoreactivity for survivin was found positive in 60% cases of OPMDs and 100% in OSCC but was absent in normal oral mucosa only one case showed mild staining intensity. Conclusion: A statistically significant expression of survivin was observed in OPMDs which may indicate the probability of their transformation to OSCC. Keywords: Oral Potentially Malignant Disorders, Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma, Survivin, Immunohistochemisrty.

Background: Oral cancer represents a significant component of the global cancer burden. It develops as a result of multiple risk factors. The main histological form of oral cancer is oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). The disintegration of the extracellular matrix (ECM) is one of the key hallmarks of cancer progression, which stimulates the invasion of tumoral cells into the neighbouring tissue. Matrix metalloproteinases-9 (MMP-9) can degrade different elements of the ECM and basement membrane. Methods: A total of 35 histologically diagnosed cases of OSCC (n=25) and healthy individuals (n=10) as control were included. Immunohistochemical staining was performed on all cases. The results were analysed using SPSS version 20. Results: Increased expression of MMP-9 was observed in OSCC cases (n=23/25; 92%) as compared to healthy individuals. Statistically, a significant relation was observed while comparing the grade of staining intensity and MMP-9 expression among OSCC cases (p=0.001). Conclusion: The present study is planned to assess the immunohistochemical expression of MMP-9 in diagnosed cases of OSCC and healthy individuals. Increased expression of MMP-9 was observed in OSCC as compared to healthy individuals. Evaluation of MMP-9 could be of clinical importance in OSCC and can be used as a diagnostic predictive marker of OSCC. Keywords: Oral squamous cell carcinoma; Matrix Metalloproteinase -9; Immunohistochemistry

Objective: To detect antibodies against p53 in serum of patients of oral squamous cell carcinoma and oral potentially malignant disorders compared to healthy individuals. Method: The descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted at the departments of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Peshawar Dental College, Peshawar, Khyber College of Dentistry, Peshawar, and the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences, Islamabad, Pakistan, from April2016 to March2017, and comprised serum of oral squamous cell carcinoma patients in group A, oral potentially malignant disorder patients in group B and healthy individuals in group C. Serum concentrations of anti-p53 antibodies were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Data was analysed using SPSS 20. Results: Of the180 subjects, there were 60(33.3%) in each of the three groups. Circulating serum p53 antibodies were detected in 59(98.3%) cases in group A, 58(96.6%) in group B and in 20(33.3%) individuals in group C (p=0.001). Conclusion: The expression of circulating p53 antibodies in serum samples of squamous cell carcinoma and oral potentially malignant disorders patients indicates the potential to be a probable candidate for being taken as a diagnostic or prognostic biomarker. Key Words: Tumour suppressor genes, TSGs, Oral squamous cell carcinoma, OSCC, Oral potentially malignant disorders, OPMDs, p53, ELISA. Continuous...

Rutting is mainly referring to pavement permanent deformation, it is a major problem for flexible pavement and it is a complicated process and highly observed along with many segments of asphalt pavement in Iraq. The occurrence of this defect is related to several variables such as elevated temperatures and high wheel loads. Studying effective methods to reduce rutting distress is of great significance for providing a safe and along-life road. The asphalt mixture used to be modified by adding different types of additives. The addition of additives typically excesses stiffness, improves temperature susceptibility, and reduces moisture sensitivity. For this work, steel fibres have been used for modifying asphalt mixture as they incorporated in the specimens by three percentages designated as 0.5, 1.0 and 1.5 % by the weight of asphalt mixture. The evaluation process based on conducting Marshall Test, Compressive strength test, and the wheel tracking test. The optimum asphalt content was determined for asphalt mixture. The results of the Marshall quotient and the index of retained strength of modified mixtures were increased by 44.0 and 17.38% respectively with adding 1.0% of steel fibres compared with the conventional mixture. The rut depth and dynamic stability were determined by using a wheel tracking test at two various testing temperatures of 45 and 55°C and two applied stresses of 70 and 80 psi. Results show that adding 1% of steel fibres to asphalt mixtures is very effective in increase the rutting resistance and reduce moisture damage.

Objective: To assess the immunohistochemical expression of p53 in tissue samples of oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC), oral epithelial precursor lesions and normal oral mucosa. Methods: A comparative cross-sectional study was jointly conducted at the Departments of Pathology and Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery of various medical and dental institutes of the country from April 2016 to March 2017. A total of 180 subjects were included in the study. Oral tissue specimens were collected for lab investigations after obtaining written consent from all subjects. TP53 was assessed by means of immunohistochemistry in tissue samples of 60 cases of OSCC, 60 cases of epithelial precursor lesions and normal oral mucosal samples of 60 healthy individuals. Data was recorded, evaluated and analysed by SPSS version 20. Results: p53 protein expression was noted in 85% OSCC and 73% oral epithelial precursor lesions. Among healthy individuals ,one subject showed p53 immunoreactivity in normal oral mucosa. Conclusion: Raised TP53 overexpression in OSCC and oral precursor lesions, compared to normal oral mucosa make it a probable candidate for potential predictive biomarker in oral premalignancy and malignancy.

Pegivirus, HPgV, which was earlier known as Gb virus and hepatitis G virus, is an enveloped, positive-stranded RNA and lymphotropic virus classified into the Flaviviridae family. The transmission routes primarily involve blood products, and infections are worldwide, leading up to 25% of persistent infections. To date, no effective therapeutic means are available to clear Pegivirus infections. Effective vaccine therapeutics is the best alternative to manage this disease and any associated potential pandemic. Thus, whole proteome-based mining of immunogenic peptides, i.e., CTL (cytotoxic T lymphocytes), HTL (helper T lymphocytes), and B cell epitopes, was mapped to design a vaccine ensemble. Our investigation revealed that 29 different epitopes impart a critical role in immune response induction, which was also validated by exploring its physiochemical properties and experimental feasibility. In silico expression and host immune simulation were examined using an agent-based modeling approach and confirmed the induction of both primary and secondary immune factors such as IL, cytokines, and antibodies. The current study warrants further lab experiments to demonstrate its efficacy and safety.

Objectives: Superficial swellings in the head and neck region pose great difficulties in deciding about their nature. Fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) is of great help in the initial assessment of these lesions. The aim of the article is to help the surgeons in diagnosis of pleomorphic adenoma in line with clinical information. Study Design: Retrospective analysis. Setting: Histopathology lab of PMC. Period: 2016 to 2018. Materials and Methods: 60 aspirates of pleomorphic adenoma recruited. All cases were reviewed independently by two pathologists for cytomorphological findings. Results: Spindle shaped myoepithelial cells were more frequently observed in 78% followed by epithelioid 20% and plasmacytoid 1.7% variants. Duct formation was seen in 81.6% and myxoid background in 88.3% aspirates. Out of total 60 cytological smears 56.6% were cellular and 13.3% were hypocellular. In 30% cases the smears showed predominant matrix. Conclusion: Our study concludes that cytomorphological features on FNAC in the light of clinical findings can greatly help the surgeons in management of the patients with salivary gland tumors.