Collagen in Health and Disease

Collagen is the unique, triple helical protein molecule which forms the major part of the extracellular matrix. It is the most abundant protein in the human body, representing 30% of its dry weight and is important to health because it characterizes the structure of skin, connective tissues, tendons, bones and cartilage. As collagen forms building block of body structures, any defect in collagen results in disorders, such as osteogenesis imperfecta, Ehlers-Dalnos syndrome, scurvy, systemic lupus erythematosus, systemic sclerosis, Stickler syndrome, oral submucous fibrosis, Marfan syndrome, epidermolysis bullosa, Alport syndrome. This review discusses the role of collagen in health as well as disease

Oral lichen planus and stress: An appraisal

Introduction: Oral lichen planus (OLP) is a chronic inflammatory disease characterized by bilateral white striations or plaques on the buccal mucosa, tongue or gingiva that has a multifactorial etiology, where the psychogenic factors seem to play an important role. Purpose: The aim of this study was to determine the existing relation between the OLP and psychological alterations of the patient, such as stress, anxiety, and depression. Materials and Methods: Hospital anxiety and depression scale was applied for psychometric analysis. Results: The study indicates a definitive relationship between a stressful life event and onset and progression of OLP. Conclusion: Stress management and bereavement counseling should be a part of management protocol of OLP

Pleomorphic adenoma of submandibular gland: An uncommon occurrence

Pleomorphic adenoma (PA) is the most common tumor of the benign salivary gland neoplasms, and the most common gland to be involved is the parotid gland. Its occurrence in the submandibular or the sublingual gland is uncommon. We present a case of a histologically proven PA involving the submandiblular gland

Evaluation of micronuclei in tobacco users: A study in Punjabi population

Introduction: The assessment of micronuclei in exfoliated cells is a promising tool for the study of epithelial carcinogens and can be used to detect chromosome breakage or mitotic interference, thought to be relevant to carcinogenesis. Aim: The present study aimed to detect micronuclei in exfoliated oral mucosal cells in individuals using various tobacco forms from the last 5 years. Materials and Methods: A total of 75 healthy male subjects (25 smokeless tobacco users, 25 smokers, and 25 non-tobacco users) were selected for the study. Smears were obtained with moistened wooden spatula from buccal mucosa and fixed with 95% alcohol. All the cytologic smears were stained by Papanicolaou technique. From each slide, ~1000 cells were examined under the 400× magnification and where micronucleated (MN) cells were located, they were examined under the 1000× magnification. Result: MN cells were found to be significantly higher in smokeless tobacco users than in smokers and controls. Conclusion: A positive correlation is found between increased micronucleus frequency and tobacco-using habits. So micronucleus assay can be used as a biomarker of genotoxicity

Focal cemento-osseous dysplasia masquerading as a residual cyst

Focal cemento-osseous dysplasia (FCOD) is a benign fibroosseous condition that can be seen in dentulous and edentulous patients. It is an asymptomatic lesion and needs no treatment; however, follow-up is essential due to the possibility that it can progress to a condition called florid cemento-osseous dysplasia. We report a case of FCOD of mandible in a 25-year-old female. Clinically, the lesion resembled periapical pathosis of odontogenic origin. An attempt has been made to discuss the clinical and histopathologic features along with differential diagnosis of cemento-osseous dysplasia