Unveiling the Enigma of the Phosphatase and Tensinogen Gene in Cancer and its Potential Role in Oral Cancer- A Narrative Review

Phosphatase and Tensin Homolog (PTEN) is a tumour suppressor gene that plays a vital role in the normal cell cycle. PTEN acts on the cell via the phosphatidyl-inositol-3-kinase pathway which is involved in the process of cell growth, differentiation, migration, and survival. PTEN is most frequently inactivated in human cancers, because of genetic alterations or transcriptional/post-transcriptional modifications. Literature search was done using the keywords “PTEN in cancer” and “PTEN in Oral Cancer” using Pubmed as the database. This article briefly discusses the multiple features of the PTEN gene and its significance in cancer for improving the understanding of the biology of oral carcinogenesis and the potential for future research in this field

Aloe vera as denture cleanser

Aloe vera has shown multiple uses in dentistry. Aloe vera has been long time used for its many beneficial properties. It is still in use for wide range of ailments. It promotes rapid wound healing and pain relief. It has antimicrobial, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antiaging, anticancer, immune modulating, and moisturizing effects. This article is about the different properties of Aloe vera, with special emphasis on its denture cleansing property

Magic 4 to manage COVID 19 pandemic - mindfulness, meditation, music & masti memories during COVID times

Covid 19 pandemic has drastically altered the way we live. Most of us never imagined that we would see a pandemic in our lifetime.  It has made us re-evaluate our priorities in life. With the massive ups and downs happening in general, stress is taking a toll on the mental health of every individual. Some are able to cope with it, some are finding it difficult to manage day to day activities. Various modalities are being tried to find a way to cope with the mental issues. Herein, the authors have compiled their experience during the pandemic and lockdown which helped them and their family to tide through this massive alteration with the hope that people in general may try these methods for their overall wellbeing

Efficacy of Various Stains to Study Mitotic Figures in Oral Epithelial Dysplasia - A Pilot Study

Background: Although Haematoxylin and Eosin is a widely used stain to study oral epithelial dysplasia, sometimes studying mitotic figures in sections stained with these stains might pose problems. Mitotic figures is one of the major criterias to assess dysplasia. Various methods to illustrate mitotic figures have been developed over the years including microscopy, morphometry, flow cytometry, nucleotide radiolabelling and immunohistochemistry. But these methods are not cost effective and less feasible for routine use. Selective stains such as crystal violet, giemsa, toluidine blue, feulgen have been used for staining mitotic figures in tissues. Aim: The present study aims to evaluate effectiveness of various stains for studying mitotic figures. Objectives: To study the efficacy of various specific stains to highlight mitotic figures in oral epithelial dysplasia. Material & methods: The study sample includes sections from tissues embedded in paraffin blocks diagnosed as oral epithelial dysplasia. These sections will be stained with various stains and the mitotic figures will be assessed. Results: Mitotic figures were enhanced with feulgen stain. Conclusion: The study will be further continued with greater sample size for quantification of mitotic figures with H & E and Feulgen stain

Cytomorphometric analysis of buccal mucosal cells in iron deficiency anemia: A cross-sectional study

Background: Worldwide, at any given moment, more individuals have iron deficiency anemia (IDA) than any other health problems. Very few studies have been conducted to evaluate changes in oral mucosa in IDA. The present study is undertaken for cytomorphometric analysis of buccal mucosal cells in IDA. Nuclear diameter (ND), cell diameter (CD), nuclear area (NA), cell area (CA), and nuclear-cytoplasmic ratio (N/C) are measured and compared in buccal mucosal cells of IDA patients and controls. Aims: To evaluate cytomorphometric changes in epithelial cells of oral mucosa in IDA and to compare these changes with the controls. Settings and Design: A cross-sectional study. Methods and Materials: Forty cases of IDA and forty cases of control group were selected for the study. IDA cases were diagnosed with decreased Hb level, MCV, MCH, MCHC and confirmed by decreased serum iron and increased total iron-binding capacity levels. Cytomorphometric analysis of buccal mucosa was performed to study CA, CD, NA, ND, and N/C ratio. Statistical Analysis Used: Statistical analysis was done using t- test in SPSS software version 4. Result: Results of our study showed increased cell area, cell diameter, nuclear area, nuclear diameter, and nuclear-cytoplasmic ratio in anemic group as compared to controls. Conclusion: The study suggests that individuals with IDA regardless of clinically visible oral lesions show cytological changes in oral mucosal epithelium. Knowledge of quantitative alterations in oral epithelial cells of IDA patients is important as these alterations are similar to those seen in precancerous and radiation-induced changes. Cytomorphometry is an efficient tool to understand the extent of cellular changes that occur in oral epithelial cells in IDA