Design, architecture and application of nanorobotics in oncology.

Oncologists all over the globe, relentlessly research on methodologies for detection of cancer and precise localization of cancer therapeutics with minimal adverse effects on healthy tissues. Since the previous decade, the fast growing research in nanotechnology has shown promising possibilities for achieving this dream of every oncologist.Nanorobots (or nanobots) are typical devices ranging in size from 0.1 to 10 µm and constructed of nanoscale or molecular components. Robots will augment the surgeon's motor performance, diagnostic capability and sensations with haptics and augmented reality. The article here aims in briefly describing the architecture of the nanorobots and their role in oncotherapy. Although, research into nanorobots is still in its preliminary stages, the promise of such technology is endless.

Evidence for transforming growth factor-beta 3 gene polymorphism in non-syndromic cleft lip and palate patients from Indian sub-continent.

OBJECTIVES: Orofacial clefts are major human birth defects with complex etiology. Previous studies have proposed Transforming growth factor - beta 3 (TGF-ß3) gene as a key player in contributing to non-syndromic cleft lip and palate, however none of the studies have yet included Indian population. Hence this study was designed to detect TGF-ß3 gene polymorphism in nonsyndromic cleft lip and palate patients from Indian population which is genetically distinct from previously studied populations. STUDY DESIGN: Peripheral blood samples of forty non-syndromic cleft lip and palate patients and forty unaffected individuals were collected for a case - control study design. Ethical clearance from the institutional review board and informed consent from all subjects was obtained. DNA extracted from the cases and controls was amplified using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) with TGF-ß3 specific primers. The obtained fragments were sequenced and TGF-ß3 gene polymorphisms were assessed based on the number of CA repeats. RESULTS: Chi -square test was used to compare the case and control groups. Results showed a significant difference in the number of CA repeats between the case and the control groups (p=0.01). CONCLUSION: This study confirms the crucial role of TGF-ß3 in the fusion of palatal shelves during development and further, provides novel evidence of TGF-ß3 gene polymorphism in the etiology of nonsyndromic cleft lip and palate in Indian subpopulation.

Peripheral osteoma of the maxilla: A rare case report.

Osteoma is a benign osteogenic lesion with a very slow growth, characterized by proliferation of either cancellous or compact bone. Depending on its location, osteoma may be classified as central, peripheral or extraskeletal type. Although peripheral osteomas of the upper jaw are rare, diagnosticians can however encounter them in their clinical practice, which are probably misdiagnosed. These should be considered in the differential diagnosis of any slow-growing, non-tender, bony hard, non-compressible, non-fluctuant and non-pulsatile swelling present on the Oral and Maxillofacial region. We report a rare case of maxillary peripheral osteoma in a 50-year-old female patient. To best of our knowledge this is the eleventh case of maxillary osteoma reported in the English language literature.