Correlation of serum trace elements (Fe, Cu, and Zn) in the blood samples of Indian patients with leukoplakia, oral squamous cell carcinoma, and normal subjects.

Context: Trace elements (iron, copper, and zinc), leukoplakia, and oral squamous cell carcinoma. Aims: To study and correlate serum trace element (iron, copper, and zinc) levels in leukoplakia, oral squamous cell carcinoma, and normal subjects. Settings and Design: The present study comprised a total of 80 patients, which included 30 patients of leukoplakia, 30 patients of oral squamous cell carcinoma, and the normal control group comprising 20 healthy individuals who were not having any relevant medical, dental, and habit history. Subjects and Methods: Peripheral blood samples of a volume of 10 ml each will be collected by anti-cubical vein puncture from control groups and from patients suffering from leukoplakia and oral squamous cell carcinoma. The blood will be collected in a plain red top vein puncture tube without additives or anti-coagulants and allowed to stand undisturbed to clot at room temperature, and serum will be separated from the cells by centrifugation at 4°C at a speed of 3000 rev/min, the separated sera will be kept at -20°C until analysis is performed. Estimation of Serum Iron Zinc and Copper Levels: The estimation of serum zinc (Zn) and copper (Cu) levels is performed by atomic absorption spectrometry (AAS). In the present study, the estimation of copper and zinc levels was conducted by using an atomic absorption spectrophotometer (model no: AA-6300 SHIMADZU, Japan). Serum iron estimation is performed using the kit RANDOX (siedel, 1984). Statistical Analysis Used: Statistical analysis is performed by the paired and Scheffe tests. Results: From the results, it was concluded that there was a decrease in serum iron and zinc levels and copper had increased serum levels. Conclusions: It was concluded that evaluation of serum trace elements can be a cost-effective and non-invasive alternative for screening, diagnosis, and monitoring of pre-malignant lesions such as leukoplakia and malignant lesions such as oral squamous cell carcinoma. Thus, these parameters can be used as biomarkers that provide important tools in formulating an adequate diagnosis, treatment plan, and prognosis for oral squamous cell carcinoma.

Isolated Unilateral Orbital Metastasis From Ewing Sarcoma Detected on FDG PET/CT Scan.

ABSTRACT: Ewing sarcoma is the second most common primary malignant bone tumor that usually affects diaphysis of long bones during the second decade of life. Isolated unilateral orbital metastasis from this tumor presenting as proptosis is extremely rare. Here we report a case of 11-year-old boy where whole-body FDG PET/CT scan detected primary an Ewing sarcoma site in the left femur and isolated orbital metastasis in the left eye. Follow-up PET/CT scan after 6 cycles of chemotherapy showed resolution of the previously seen lesions.

Multifocal Meningioma Recurrence Detected on Ga68-DOTANOC Scan.

Meningiomas arise from meningothelial cells of the arachnoid membranes. They are classified into three grades according to the WHO criteria, Grade I (Benign), Grade II (atypical), and Grade III (anaplastic). Radiological and structural imaging computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging are done routinely for defining the location, extent, and follow-up. However, these imaging techniques have their limitations. Since meningiomas have overexpression of somatostatin receptor 2, DOTANOC positron-emission tomography (PET)/CT scan is suggested for their delineation and distinguish postradiotherapy necrosis from recurrence. Here, we present a case where DOTANOC PET/CT scan helped in confirming recurrence postsurgery and radiotherapy.

Isolated Mandibular Metastasis Detected on Staging 18FDG PET/CT Scan in a Case of Carcinoma Urinary Bladder.

Isolated mandibular metastasis is very rare from carcinoma urinary bladder with no locoregional lymph node involvement. Here, we present a case where staging fluorodeoxyglucose - positron emission tomography - computed tomography (FDG PET-CT) scan showed an FDG avid primary lesion in carcinoma urinary bladder with FDG avid erosion in the right mandibular condyle. However, since no pelvic lymph nodes were involved, the mandibular lesion was kept on follow-up and cystoprostatectomy was performed. Follow-up FDG PET-CT scan after 6 months revealed an osteolytic destructive lesion in the mandible with associated soft tissue component and the biopsy confirmed this as metastatic lesion.

Status of forensic odontology in metro and in tier 2 city in urban India.

UNLABELLED: Dentist can play a significant role in identifying the victims or perpetrators of crime as well as in disasters. Knowledge about the various aspects of forensic science as well as dental and related evidences can help a dental practitioner in assisting the civil agencies in such cases. AIM: To evaluate the awareness and knowledge of forensic odontology among dentists in a metropolitan and a tier 2 city. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Seven hundred and seventy four dentists were included in this survey. Questionnaire was designed to assess the knowledge, aptitude, and status of practice of forensic odontology. Data was analyzed by comparing overall awareness of forensic odontology among dentists in metro and tier 2 city as well as between the different groups. RESULTS: Apart from the source of knowledge, no significant differences were seen in respondents of metropolitan and tier 2 city. Significantly higher proportion of subjects in metro reported journals as source of knowledge (P < 0.001), whereas it was newspaper in tier 2 city (P = 0.001). On comparing the mean scores of knowledge (k), aptitude (a), and practice (p) among different study groups, it was found that all the three scores were highest for practitioner cum academician (PA) group (k - 2.37, a - 0.69, P - 0.17). Knowledge scores were minimum for pure practitioner (PP) group (1.98), and attitude and practice scores of pure academician (A) group were minimum (a - 0.53, P - 0.06). CONCLUSION: Respondents had low knowledge about the applications of forensic odontology in routine practice; hence, steps must be taken to educate the dental practitioners about its clinical applications.

Autonomous Functioning Thyroid Nodule in a 4-year-old Male Child Treated with Radioiodine (I-131).

Autonomous functioning thyroid nodules that cause toxic manifestations (toxic adenomas) are benign monoclonal tumors characterized by their capacity to grow and produce thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3) autonomously, i.e. in the absence of thyrotropin thyroid stimulating hormone. Toxic adenomas are a rare presentation of hyperthyroidism in the pediatric population. Radioiodine (I-131) has been widely used for therapy of patients with toxic adenomas and is now accepted as a safe and effective treatment even in the pediatric age group. The authors here present a case of a 4-year-old boy with a solitary hyperfunctioning thyroid nodule, who was successfully treated with radioiodine (I-131) and is presently on follow-up.

Is one-wave follicular growth during the estrous cycle a usual phenomenon in water buffaloes (Bubalus bubalis)?

The pattern of growth and regression of ovarian follicles was monitored once daily for one complete estrous cycle in eight individual water buffaloes by ultrasonographic scanning of the ovaries for an entire interovulatory interval of normal cycle length. One-wave follicular growth was observed in five animals and two-wave follicular growth in three buffaloes during the estrous cycle. The first follicular wave of a two-wave cycle emerged significantly earlier (P < 0.05) than the emergence of the solitary wave of a one-wave cycle. One- and two-wave cycles differed significantly (P < 0.05) with respect to the mean interovulatory interval (21.0 +/- 0.54 days versus 22.7 +/- 0.33 days) and the mean interestrus interval (20.8 +/- 0.58 days versus 22.3 +/- 0.66 days). The overall linear growth rate of the ovulatory follicle was significantly greater (P < 0.01) in a two-wave cycle compared to that of a one-wave cycle (1.17 +/- 0.33 mm/day versus 0.32 +/- 0.01 mm/day). In a one-wave pattern, the growth profile of the solitary dominant follicle was atypical, showing three distinct phases, i.e. growth phase, regression phase and regrowth phase culminating in ovulation. The level of plasma progesterone steadily increased from day 0 of estrous cycle, attained peak level on day 14 and declined thereafter. A slower growth rate of the dominant follicle was observed in the presence of higher plasma progesterone concentration. The present study shows that one-wave follicular growth is a normal phenomenon in suckled water buffaloes.