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Background: High serum immunoglobulins and circulating immune complexes (IgG, IgM, IgA and CIC) values in patients with cancer have been used as tumor markers. Hence, the aim of the study was to estimate these immunological markers in pre- and post-treatment phases with a follow-up of 3-24 months and to understand the prognostic significance of the same in patients with oral cancer. Materials and Methods: The malignancy group consisted of 56 patients with different stages (AJCC TNM) of oral cancer and 20 healthy control group. Samples were selected at random and subjected for sequential analysis of serum biochemical markers (IgG, IgA, IgM and CIC-circulating immune complexes levels) in the pre- and post-treatment period. Statistical method employed was the paired t test. Results: We observed significant elevated levels of all the immunological markers ( P < 0.01) when compared with the control group. Sequential analysis of these markers revealed significant reduction in immunological markers in stage I and II patients. On the contrary, stage III and IV patients showed remarkably elevated levels of IgA and CIC one year after initial treatment. Conclusions : All these immunological markers are indicative of tumor burden and Serum levels of CIC and IgA might be employed as prognostic indicators in oral cancer.

Objectives : This study was undertaken to detect the gene polymorphism of detoxification enzymes and estimate the antioxidant enzyme status in patients with oral cancer, oral leukoplakia and oral submucous fibrosis (OSF). Materials and Methods : The GSTM1 and GSTT1 gene polymorphism was evaluated using polymerase chain reaction; the antioxidant enzyme was estimated using biochemical methods. Statistical analyses were performed using student t-test and odds-ratio to estimate relative risk (RR). Results : The RR at 95% confidence interval (CI) for GSTM1 and GSTT1 was statistically significant for all groups. The mean values of glutathione were significantly raised in all groups. The mean values of ceruloplasmin and malonaldehyde was statistically significant among cancer and OSF patients but was insignificant in smokers and cases with leukoplakia. Conclusion : Several genes perform the same function which implies the need to test for several genetic polymorphisms to identify individuals at high risk. The level of antioxidant enzymes correlate with the degree of oxidative damage. The need for further studies is emphasised.

Objective: To learn about the use of various chewing substrates, such as areca nut and gutka, among subjects with oral submucosal fibrosis (OSMF) and controls with no oral mucosal lesions. Materials and Methods: In this hospital-based case-control study, 220 patients with OSMF were selected and compared to matched controls with regard to dietary habits, including spice use, smoking history, and preference for chewing substrates. Relative risk of various chewing habits was calculated using an odds ratio and logistic regression analysis to understand the influence of chewing habits, spices, and smoking on the development of OSMF. Discriminate analysis was employed to determine which risk factors were valid and reliable discriminators between individuals with or without OSMF. Results: The relative risk of developing oral submucosal fibrosis was highest with the gutka-chewing habit (relative risk, 1,142.4), which was significant (P < .01) at 95% confidence interval. The next highest relative risk for development of oral submucosal fibrosis was observed for the combination of gutka with other chewing habits. The relative risk of developing submucosal fibrosis increased with the frequency of chewing habit up to 15 times daily with a duration of habit up to 4 years. The relative risk decreased with chewing frequency beyond 15 times daily and 4 years in duration. Logistic regression and discriminative analysis show that chewing areca nut and gutka, especially daily, greatly influence the development of submucosal fibrosis. Conclusion: This study suggests that chewing commercially available areca-nut preparations such as gutka is strongly associated with the development of oral submucosal fibrosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses progressive facial hemiatrophy, which involves slowly progressive but self-limited atrophy of facial subcutaneous fat, which is often followed by wasting of associated skin, cartilage, connective or ocular tissue, muscle, and bone. The etiology of the syndrome is unknown, with symptoms usually beginning in the first or second decades of life. The clinical presentation of the syndrome is detailed, focusing on its affects on one or more of the trigeminal dermatomes and other body parts.

Sturge-Weber syndrome (SWS) is a neurocutaneous syndrome consisting of port wine stain (facial nevus flammeus), congenital glaucoma and underlying anomalous leptomeningeal venous plexus with lack of normal cortical venous drainage. Neuromuscular, ocular, dermatologic and oral manifestations are variously present with this syndrome. The syndrome presents with various oral findings and the diagnosis of these cases is based primarily on clinical findings. Considering the complications that may be encountered during the treatment and the patient's own perception of the condition, it is imperative that the diagnostician and surgeon have thorough knowledge of the condition. Here we report a case of SWS with facial angiomas, seizures and intracranial calcifications.

Cowden's syndrome, a rare genodermatosis of autosomal-dominant inheritance with variable expressivity, is characterized by a combination of ectodermal, mesodermal, and endodermal hamartomas that may involve the skin, mucous membranes, breasts, gastrointestinal tract, and thyroid. A 26-year-old woman who presented for replacement of her teeth, all of which had been extracted because of rapidly progressive periodontitis. She was diagnosed with Cowden's syndrome based on mucocutaneous abnormalities, thyroid involvement, and abnormalities of the skeletal and genitourinary systems. The clinical significance and differential diagnosis of this disease are highlighted.