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Introduction/Background: It is well-established that host response plays a vital role in the determination of biological behavior of tumors. Inflammatory response against tumors has been a focus of research in recent years. There has been extensive research regarding inflammatory reaction in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) in tissue specimens. However, there is no much data regarding systemic inflammatory response in OSCC. It was recently reported that an elevated neutrophil:lymphocyte ratio (NLR) may correlate with aggressive biological behavior in various malignancies including head-and-neck tumors. Thus, the study was undertaken with the aim of evaluation of NLR in peripheral blood of patients suffering from OSCC. Materials and Methods: The research was a prospective, case–control study. Hundred patients suffering from OSCC and 100 healthy individuals were included in the study, after obtaining informed consent. NLR was determined from the differential leukocyte count obtained from complete blood count in each case. Comparison of NLR was made among two groups. Results: The mean value of absolute neutrophil count was found to be significantly higher in OSCC cases than in controls (P < 0.01). The mean value of NLR in OSCC was found to be 2.84, and in controls, it was 1.95. This difference was found to be statistically significant (P < 0.001). Conclusion: NLR and other hematological parameters may serve as surrogate marker for potential aggressive behavior of OSCC and may help in prognostic prediction of these cases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Various clinical and histological factors have helped in predicting the survival of patients with oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). However, there has been a need for more specialized diagnostic and prognostic factors to avoid subjective variation among opinion. Thus, fractal dimension (FD) can be used as an index of the morphological changes that the epithelial cells undergo during their transformation into neoplastic cell. In oral cancer study, nuclear FD (NFD) can be used as a quantitative index to discriminate between normal, dysplastic and neoplastic oral mucosa. Aim: To use nuclear fractal geometry to compare the morphometric complexity in the normal, epithelial dysplasia and OSCC cases and to verify the difference among the various histological grades of dysplasia and OSCC. It was fulfilled by estimating the FDs of the nuclear surface. Materials and Methods: Histopathologically diagnosed cases of epithelial dysplasia and OSCC were taken from the archives. Photomicrographs were captured with the help of Lawrence and Mayo research microscope. The images were then subjected to image analysis using the Image J software with FracLac plugin java 1.6 to obtain FDs. FD of ten selected nuclei was calculated using the box-counting algorithm. Statistical Analysis: was done using descriptive analysis, ANOVA and Tukey's honest significant difference post hoc tests with STATAIC-13 software. Results and Conclusion: NFD can provide valuable information to discriminate between normal mucosa, dysplasia and carcinoma objectively without subjective discrimination. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ameloblastoma is a benign neoplasm arising from epithelial components of odontogenic apparatus. It is known for its aggressive biologic behavior and tendency for recurrence. Uncommonly, it may present as a massive swelling of the jaws, which has been described as 'extreme' form of ameloblastoma. We report a case of extreme ameloblastoma involving the mandible in an Indian male that measured 10.9 × 8.5 cm. The tumor was neglected by the patient for a period of 13 years. He reported to the hospital after the tumor has grownup to grotesque size. Thus, ameloblastoma may show huge dimensions with functional impairments and complications, if neglected. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is the most common cancer of oral cavity. Tumor stage, thickness, lymph node metastasis (LNM), extranodal spread, perineural invasion, tumor differentiation, mutations, human papillomavirus infection, and tumor microenvironment are independent prognostic indicators of OSCC. However, clinically, among all factors, LNM is considered an important prognostic factor in OSCC as it not only determines the stage of disease but also the strongest independent factor which predicts recurrence of disease. Further research proves that there are several biologically important factors in tumor tissue and LNs which promote or defend LNM. While it is proposed that tumor-associated tissue eosinophils (TATE) and mast cells (MCs) have “immuno-protective” effect, this remains unproven and various researchers have conflicting opinion. Aim: The aim is to determine the presence of TATE and MCs in OSCC and to evaluate if any association exists between them and LNM. Study Design: It is a comparative-retrospective study between 2 groups including 35 OSCC cases positive and 35 negative for LNM. Materials and Methodology: Quantification of cells was done by counting total number of cells in 10 high-power fields under ×40 objective lens using “zigzag” method and dividing it by total number of fields. Eosinophils stained bright red with carbol chromotrope and MCs purple-violet with toluidine blue. Statistics: Independent t-test and Pearson's correlation were done using STATA IC 0.2 software. Level of significance was at 5%. Comparison of eosinophil and MC infiltration was done based on gender, metastatic, nonmetastatic LN, and in tumor proper. Results and Conclusion: This study showed weak positive correlation between mean eosinophils count in tumor and LNs. Recognition of TATE and MCs as integral to tumor biology opens an avenue for novel approaches to cancer therapies. We conclude that an increased number of immunological cells are a favorable prognostic indicator in OSCC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents a case study of a 9-year-old girl who complained of missing teeth and was later diagnosed with vitamin D-resistant rickets which is considered as a rare disease.

A letter to the editor is presented which discusses the benefits of denture labels for identification of human for forensic odontology.

Introduction/background: It is well-established that host response plays a vital role in the determination of biological behavior of tumors. Inflammatory response against tumors has been a focus of research in recent years. There has been extensive research regarding inflammatory reaction in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) in tissue specimens. However, there is no much data regarding systemic inflammatory response in OSCC. It was recently reported that an elevated neutrophil:lymphocyte ratio (NLR) may correlate with aggressive biological behavior in various malignancies including head-and-neck tumors. Thus, the study was undertaken with the aim of evaluation of NLR in peripheral blood of patients suffering from OSCC., Materials and Methods: The research was a prospective, case-control study. Hundred patients suffering from OSCC and 100 healthy individuals were included in the study, after obtaining informed consent. NLR was determined from the differential leukocyte count obtained from complete blood count in each case. Comparison of NLR was made among two groups., Results: The mean value of absolute neutrophil count was found to be significantly higher in OSCC cases than in controls ( P < 0.01). The mean value of NLR in OSCC was found to be 2.84, and in controls, it was 1.95. This difference was found to be statistically significant ( P < 0.001)., Conclusion: NLR and other hematological parameters may serve as surrogate marker for potential aggressive behavior of OSCC and may help in prognostic prediction of these cases., Competing Interests: There are no conflicts of interest.

Introduction: The use of denture labels for the purpose of identification has been well documented. A number of labels for marking the denture are documented till date demonstrating the ease of fabrication and its potential value in identification. Therefore, it becomes essential that these denture labels fulfill the requisites of an ideal denture label and thus should be able to sustain the various assaults to which they might be subjected simulating a crime scene., Aim: The aim of this study was to determine the ability of various denture labels to withstand different types of assaults thereby evaluating the performance of routinely used denture labels., Materials and Methods: Four polymethylmethacrylate blocks were fabricated where the inclusion labels were incorporated on one side, and the surface labels were marked on the other side. Each of the blocks was then placed in different containers to be subjected to different assaults such as acid, alkali, water, and heat of increasing temperature., Results: Inclusion labels performed better as compared to surface marking labels. Among the inclusion labels, the metallic labels performed the best., Conclusion: The metallic inclusion labels were able to withstand most assaults than any other inclusion labels or surface marking labels. Due to easy availability, cost-effectiveness, ease of incorporation and inertness, metallic labels are best suited as denture labels for personal identification., Competing Interests: There are no conflicts of interest.