Thuckanaickenpalayam Ragunathan Yoithapprabhunath

Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC), the most commonly diagnosed oral cancer, has a poor prognosis, especially in the advanced stages. Chemerin, an adipokine that plays a significant role in inflammation and adipogenesis, has emerged as a prognostic biomarker in OSCC. The study evaluates immunohistochemical expression of chemerin and CD34-assessed microvessel density, and investigates their association with clinicopathological parameters and disease-free survival (DFS) in OSCC patients. The study consisted of tissue sections from 184 histopathologically diagnosed cases of OSCC stained by immunohistochemistry for chemerin. Microvessel density (MVD) was assessed using the hotspot method based on CD34 immunostaining. For survival analysis, three separate Cox regression models were constructed for chemerin expression, CD34-assessed microvessel density, and a composite score combining both to assess their effect on DFS. Composite scoring was based on chemerin expression and MVD. Group 1 includes low chemerin + low MVD; Group 2: low chemerin + high MVD; Group 3: High chemerin + low MVD; Group 4: high chemerin + high MVD. Kaplan–Meier survival curves were used for survival analysis, and the Cox regression model for risk assessment. p < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. High chemerin expression was associated with advanced histopathological grade ( p < 0.001) and TNM stage (III-IV) ( p = 0.013), the presence of perineural invasion ( p = 0.022), increased depth of invasion (> 5 mm) ( p = 0.002), and tumor size (pT) (> 4 cm) ( p = 0.016). A statistically significant positive correlation was observed between high chemerin expression and increased microvessel density (MVD), highlighting its role in tumor angiogenesis ( p < 0.001). Advanced TNM stage (III-IV) was an independent predictor of reduced DFS in all three models. Model 1 involving chemerin showed significance only in the univariate analysis ( p = 0.001). Whereas model 2, involving CD34-assessed MVD, showed statistical significance only in the univariate analysis ( p = 0.007). In the multivariate analysis involving model 3, the composite groups (2–4) showed higher hazard ratios for reduced DFS than the reference group 1. Chemerin overexpression is associated with tumor angiogenesis, and its combined evaluation helped in improving the prognostic value compared to individual marker analysis. These findings suggest that chemerin, when combined with other prognostic biomarkers, can help with risk stratification in OSCC, which further require external validation.

Background: Chronic mechanical irritation (CMI) of the oral mucosa has been suggested as a potential cofactor for oral cancer (OC) as a dependent risk factor. OC could be preceded by oral potentially malignant disorders (OPMDs), and early detection can improve prognosis. The prevalence of genetic damage among the OPMD individuals associated with and without CMI remains unexplored. Objectives: The objective is to assess genetic damage in oral exfoliative cells of CMI-associated individuals presenting with and without OPMD using micronuclei count, argyrophilic nucleolar organizing region (AgNOR) count, and comet assay. Materials and Methods: Micronucleus assay, AgNOR assay, and comet assay analysis were performed in a total sample of 75 individuals grouped as control ( n = 25), CMI without OPMD ( n = 25), and CMI with OPMD ( n = 25). Results: A significant increase in DNA damage is not only found in CMI with OPMD group, but also in CMI without OPMD, where chronic irritation can act as an independent factor in causing DNA damage. Conclusion: CMI could cause permanent DNA damage and is considered a low-risk factor in cancer development.

Objectives: To identify and summarize the types of adipokines associated with Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma (OSCC) pathogenesis and prognosis. Materials and Methods: A comprehensive literature search was done involving Scopus, PubMed, and Embase. Studies involving adipokines in OSCC conducted in humans were included. Results: Adipokines have diverse and stage-dependent effects on OSCC, including regulation of inflammation, angiogenesis, hypoxia, and tumour progression. Adipokines such as chemerin, resistin, leptin, and apelin contribute to tumour progression. Zinc alpha-2-glycoprotein and adiponectin were found to be antitumourigenic in OSCC. Methodological heterogeneity and a lack of standardized outcome measures limit comparability across studies to establish the definitive role of adipokines in OSCC. Conclusion: Adipokines shape OSCC biology through diverse, stage-specific mechanisms, making them potential biomarkers of disease progression. The adipokines reported in OSCC require validation through long-term prospective studies and addressing methodological heterogeneity to serve as prognostic markers.

Background: Protein Kinase C (PKC) is a family of serine/threonine kinases that regulate diverse signalling pathways involved in cancer development, including Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma (OSCC). This study aims to investigate the molecular interaction network of PKC in OSCC, identify potential drug targets through pan-drug analysis and evaluate therapeutic candidates using molecular docking. Materials and Methods: Gene and protein sequence data related to PKC and OSCC were obtained from publicly available databases. Overlapping targets were identified and used to construct a Protein-Protein Interaction (PPI) network using STRING and Cytoscape. Functional enrichment and network topology analyses identified key hub genes. Drug-gene interactions were analysed using PanDrugs and the top-ranked drug, CETUXIMAB, was subjected to molecular docking against PKC Alpha (PRKCA) using AutoDock Vina. Ligand-protein interactions were evaluated for binding affinity and hydrogen bonding. Results: Out of 4945 OSCC-associated and 101 PKC-related genes, 64 common targets were identified. EGFR, ERBB2 and PIK3CA were key hubs in the PPI network. CETUXIMAB showed the highest DScore (1), targeting multiple oncogenic proteins including PRKCA. Docking analysis revealed a binding energy of -5.9 kcal/mol with three hydrogen bonds at Val A:420, Val A:353 and Asp A:481, indicating strong interaction. Conclusion: This in-silico study highlights the role of PKC in OSCC and identifies CETUXIMAB as a promising therapeutic candidate for repurposing. The findings support further experimental and clinical validation to explore PKC-targeted interventions in oral cancer.

Objectives The study aimed to evaluate the significant trends of advancement in the body of literature of specialty journals on molecular biological investigations of ameloblastoma (AB). Additionally, this bibliometric study sought to identify the authors, organizations, journals, and countries from emerging regions that have exerted the most significant influence on molecular biological and bioinformatics studies on AB. Novelty of study The novelty of this study lies in its comprehensive bibliometric integration of bioinformatics and molecular perspectives, offering a structured roadmap for future ameloblastoma research. Materials and methods A complete list of AB molecular biological research citations was found in Scopus. The search was restricted to papers published between 2014 and 2024, but there were no restrictions on the language or type of research studies. The study examined total citations, citation density, journal name, impact factor, journal category, quartile, published year, authors, affiliations, and study type. Results The analysis included collecting 112 publications published between 2014 and 2024. There were 95 original research papers, 6 systematic reviews, 5 case reports, 3 brief communications, and 6 systematic reviews and meta-analyses. Our analysis identifies noteworthy authors and nations that have contributed, with Brazil emerging as a leading figure in this field of study. Conclusions The research on AB, especially its biological profile, has changed significantly across the years, as can be observed by perusing the contents of the papers included here. The data from this study would help the researchers target specific objectives for future research in more relevant avenues.

BACKGROUND: Tooth wear has multifactorial etiology & defined as non-self-reparable loss of hard tissue in the absence of dental caries or trauma. One of the valid aetiologies for pathological tooth wear is stress. During sports activity, athletes tend to clench their teeth involuntarily which results in tooth wear, especially in young sportspersons. Hence, we designed a study to evaluate and compare tooth wear among young sportspersons involved in individual and team sports. METHODS: The study population comprised 300 subjects and were divided into two groups, group 1 (150 individuals involved in individual sports activity) & group 2 (150 individuals involved in team sport activity) The Tooth wear index was assessed based on Smith & Knight scoring criteria (1984). RESULTS: 88.6% of study participants showed tooth wear in individual sports & 84% in team sports. Tooth wear was highest in the mandibular & maxillary central incisor of both individual & team sports individuals. CONCLUSION: We found that both individual and team sports players showed tooth wear, especially in the incisal surface of mandibular & maxillary incisors, which might reflect the underlying stress or anxiety. This study is the first of its kind to evaluate and compare tooth wear among young sportspersons involved in individual and team sports in India.

Ameloblastoma is a non-cancerous but aggressive oral tumor emerging from odontogenic epithelial tissue involved during odontogenesis. Since there is lack in unravelling the complete molecular pathogenesis of ameloblastoma, chemotherapy is less attempted and a lot of disagreement over the optimal treatment option. Hence, till date, wide surgical resection is considered to be the reliable treatment for ameloblastoma. The Neurotrophin Signaling pathway plays an important role in neuron signaling and it is closely related with the MAPK pathway, which on the other hand regulated cell differentiation, apoptosis, proliferation, plasticity and survival. Protein- Protein Interaction analysis was analysed with STRING tool using WNL value, identified that CTNNB1, HRAS, NGFR, NGFR, and SORT1 having high interacting with BDNF, NT4, p75NTR, NGF, and NT3. The results of ontology analysis revealed that Neurotrophin signaling pathway is associated with Cell surface receptor signaling pathway, regulation of cell differentiation, regulation of development process, EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitor resistance, MAPK signaling pathway, PI3K-Akt signaling pathway and Ras signaling pathway leading to pathogenesis involving genes. Further, clustering coefficient values of proteins BDNF, NT4, p75NTR, NGF & NT3 were identified as 0.627, 0.708, 0.367, 0.644 & 0.415. The results of molecular docking studies revealed among the selected ligands Methyl-ɣ-oresellinate, N-(4-Hydroxy-phenyl)-2-phenyl-N-phenylacetyl-acetamide, Atranorin and Oresellinate exhibited high binding affinity with selected protein. The key genes involved in Neurotrophin signaling pathway leading to ameloblastoma pathogenesis is revealed, which are closely associated with cell differentiation, cell proliferation, pro-apoptosis, and pro-survival regulations. Further it can be concluded that Neurotrophin signaling pathway could be one of the promising pathway to tailor the targeted drug therapy for Ameloblastoma treatment.

Ameloblastoma is a benign odontogenic jawbone tumor. The binding of Nerve growth factor (NGF) to receptor tyrosine kinase A (TrkA) promotes cell survival, proliferation, and differentiation via PI3K/AKT and Ras/MAPK signaling. Although the exact cause of ameloblastoma remains unknown, elevated levels of NGF and TrkA expression in ameloblastoma are associated with aggressive tumor behavior and poor patient outcomes. It is previously demonstrated that His 4, Arg 9, and Glu 11 residues of NGF made crucial interactions with the TrkA subunit. The main aim of our present study to develop potential therapeutic strategies by identifying promising peptide candidates. The objectives include starting with a detailed in silico analysis to identify a crucial peptide sequence of NGF that is bound by TrkA, creating a library of novel peptides from the identified peptide sequence through a single-point mutation on interacting residues (His 4, Arg 9, and Glu 11), and selecting the top peptides based on docking score, interactions analysis, and desirable pose analysis. The study ultimately designed a hybrid peptide candidate through the simultaneous and continuous mutation of the top residues, resulting in a peptide that exhibited a more specific interaction with TrkA, blocking the binding site and preventing the interaction between NGF and TrkA.

Background: The present study was conducted to assess the relationship between drinking water fluoride (F) levels, dental fluorosis dental caries, and associated risk factors in the elderly population. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional analytical study was conducted on 50 patients aged 25–60 years, selected by stratified random sampling from different areas with different levels of naturally occurring F in drinking water. The patients were assessed for dental fluorosis according to WHO basic survey guidelines. The overall oral health status of the patients was assessed by decayed missing filled teeth DMFT index and the bacterial count of saliva was calculated using the Caries Risk Test (CRT). Statistical analysis was done using mean, standard deviation, standard error, Z-test, Mann-Whitney U Test, and Chi-square test. Results: The results of the present study revealed that the prevalence of fluorosis was 24%. The number of patients with dental fluorosis was highest in those who consumed water with high groundwater fluoride levels irrespective of the source of drinking water. Caries prevalence in the study population was about 5.56 ± 1.95. Conclusion: There was a moderate prevalence of fluorosis in patients, and caries prevalence is high in areas below optimal F areas. Caries prevalence and mean DMFT scores were least common in patients with optimal fluoride levels in drinking water and highest in those with below optimal fluoride in drinking water.

Background: Forensic sciences deal with key areas to be included in judicial makeup that has been approved by both the court and the scientific community, which distinguishes truth from counterfeit. Lip and palmprints are one of a kind and do not change during the lifetime of a person unless any pathologies. Objectives: To evaluate the heritability, and gender dimorphism of lip and palm prints among parents and their offspring. Methods: A total of 280 participants were included in the study. Lip and palm prints were collected from participants using a digital camera. The photographic data obtained is subjected to Adobe Photoshop and analysed for inheritance. Gender dimorphism is evaluated by the predominant lip pattern and palm ridge count in four designated areas. Results: A positive resemblance of 28.4% was found between parents and offspring in lips, and for the right palm, it was 60.2% and 55.12% for the left palm (principal lines) which are statistically insignificant. In all six quadrants, the most predominant lip pattern found in males is type 5, and in females, type 1 ¹ . The mean palm ridge density was significantly higher among females than males in all designated areas. Conclusion: The digital method of analysing lip and palm print images with Adobe Photoshop 7 software is a convenient method that allows for better visualisation and easier lip and palm print recording and identification. Considerable inheritance patterns and gender dimorphism were observed that aid in personal identification.