Introduction: Salivary matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) is an established diagnostic biomarker for detection and prognosis of oral cancer. Objectives: The current study aimed to estimate salivary MMP-9 in oral leukoplakia and oral submucous fibrosis (OSMF), which are considered as oral potentially malignant disorders (OPMDs). Material and methods: A comparative observational study of 60 subjects was conducted, including 20 patients diagnosed with OSMF (group A, n = 20), 20 diagnosed with oral leukoplakia (group B, n = 20), and 20 as healthy controls (group C, n = 20) according to standard criteria. Unstimulated salivary samples were collected for evaluation of MMP-9 by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). One-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) test was applied for comparison of groups. Bonferroni-adjusted one-way ANOVA test was performed for intra-group comparison. Results: Descriptive statistics of the data revealed that mean age of study participants in group A, group B, and group C were 50.30 ± 9.96 years, 46.70 ± 12.59 years, and 33.30 ± 4.70 years, respectively. Mean salivary MMP-9 level in OSMF, oral leukoplakia, and control group were 9.42 ng/ml, 10.59 ng/ml, and 2.96 ng/ml, respectively, with a p-value < 0.001 between OSMF and oral leukoplakia when compared with controls. Conclusions: A significant difference was noted in salivary MMP-9 levels among patients with OPMD's compared to controls. A slightly higher value of MMP-9 was observed in oral leukoplakia. Estimation of salivary MMP-9 level is a non-invasive and a reliable biomarker in diagnosis of OPMD's and in accessing their malignant transformation.

Background: Nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) and habit cessation counseling are considered the mainstay treatment for high nicotine dependence smokers. However, adherence to NRT is very poor. Among the NRTs, nicotine gums and nicotine patches are the most widely available. This study mainly evaluates the efficacy of nicotine gum and nicotine patches as NRT using salivary cotinine levels as a biochemical validation measure. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted on 72 known smokers who were willing to receive nicotine replacement therapy for cessation of smoking habits. The sample was divided into two groups: Group 1 tobacco smokers were offered nicotine chewing gum, and group 2 tobacco smokers were offered nicotine patches. Both groups received treatment for 12 weeks. At baseline and at the end of the trial period, the saliva samples were analyzed for cotinine levels using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The severity of smoking was assessed using the Fagerstrom Test for Nicotine Dependence (FTND). Results: The quit rate was higher in the nicotine patch group compared with the nicotine gum group. On comparison of week one vs week twelve in the nicotine group nicotine gum group showed (CI: 18.10 to 13.83) and in the patch group (CI: 7.754 to 6.56) with P < 0.001. The pre- and post-cotinine estimation was significantly reduced for nicotine patches compared with nicotine gums, and patient compliance also yielded better results for nicotine patches. Conclusion: This study depicts that nicotine patches were better adhered to in comparison with nicotine gums, and salivary cotinine level is an effective biochemical validation measure.

Life is a balance of infinite physiochemical balanced harmonies and the basic unit cell is responsible in maintaining it. Cardiovascular diseases and Cancer are the prime causes of death worldwide. Cancerous cells break the harmonious balance and result in uncontrolled growth and spread. Emerging among the existing modalities for management of cancer, as a ray of hope is Nanotechnology based treatment. Dendrimers, Quantum dots and nanobubbles contribute significantly as part of nano based diagnosis and treatment in the management of cancer. Dendrimers are nanoparticles which employ the principle of Trojan horse strategy in that encapsulation and conjugation of anti cancer agents helps in targeting the cancerous cells specifically without affecting the adjacent healthy cells. Quantum dots are cadmium based nanoparticles which when exposed to UV light glow and help in destroying the cancerous cells in the incipient stage. Nanobubbles are generated with short pulses of laser, which helps in identifying the individual cancerous cells and explodes them. Apart from them other technologies such as liposomes, fullerenes, carbon nanotubes, nanoshells, paramagnetic nanoparticles, nanoburrs, respirocytes, microbiovores, nanopores, smart coating and nano bandaid contribute a great lot as boundless nanomaterial boon for the management of cancer, cardiovascular problems and overall systemic health.