Significance of serum levels of vitamin D and some related minerals in breast cancer patients

Vitamin D and calcium are involved in a wide range of proliferation, apoptosis and cell signaling activities in the body. Suboptimal concentrations may lead to cancer development. The role of phosphate in cancer metabolism is particularly relevant in breast cancer while, magnesium deficiency favors DNA mutations leading to carcinogenesis. Objectives: To determine serum levels of vitamin D, calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, and parathormone in female breast cancer patients and to assess their association with some prognostic factors in breast cancer. Design and methods: This study is done on 98 newly diagnosed female breast cancer patients and 49 age matched apparently healthy female volunteers as controls. Serum samples from all patients and controls were subjected to 25-OH Vit D, calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, and parathormone measurements. Results: In the breast cancer group, the median serum levels of 25-OH Vit D were 15 ng/ml, while it was 21 ng/ml in the control group. Levels of 25-OH Vit D and other tested minerals were significantly lower while calcium:magnesium (Ca:Mg) ratio, and calcium:phosphorus (Ca:P) ratio were significantly higher in the breast cancer group. Significant negative correlation was detected between phosphorus and calcium, ionized calcium , calcium magnesium ratio, and calcium phosphorus ratio. Conclusion: It is not only the deficient levels of Vit D and other related minerals, but the combination of the abnormal levels of all the studied parameters that might contribute to the development of cancer. Further studies with larger number of patient are needed.     

Aspergillosis in a gyrfalcon (Falco rusticolus) in Saudi Arabia

A mixed case of chronic tracheal (syringeal) and pulmonary (lungs and air sacs) aspergillosis was diagnosed in an adult female gyrfalcon (Falco rusticolus). The bird presented with a 4-week history of severe dyspnea, exercise intolerance, depression and reduced appetite. Physical examination revealed slight emaciation. Hematological analysis showed leucocytosis, heterophilia, monocytosis, and thrombocytosis. Radiographic examination showed thickening of the air sac walls and increased radiopacity within the lung field. Caseous granulomatous lesions were observed during tracheoscopy and laparoscopy procedures. Cytological examination of specimens obtained from these lesions demonstrated Aspergillus species, which was isolated in culture and identified as Aspergillus flavus.     

Oral health status in children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia

Leukemia is a malignancy of the bone marrow. Acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) is the most common pediatric malignancy and accounts for nearly 75% of all newly diagnosed leukemias and 25% of all malignancies in childhood. The aim of the present study was to review the oral health status in children with ALL. Databases were explored using various combinations of the following keywords: "acute lymphoblastic leukemia", "children", "inflammation", "pediatric", "periodontal disease" and "periodontitis". Oral inflammatory conditions including chelitis, gingivitis, herpetic gingivostomatitis, mucositis, oral candidiasis, periodontitis and ulcerations are common manifestations in children with ALL. RESULTS: Periodontal inflammatory conditions and oral mucositis were reported to be significantly higher in children with ALL as compared to healthy controls. Tooth morphological disorders including agenesis, microdontia, short roots and developmental defects in the enamel and dentin were more often observed in children with ALL as compared to healthy controls. Children with ALL have a reduced salivary flow rate, which makes them more susceptible to dental caries as compared to healthy children. Malocclusion due to microdontia may also trigger temporomandibular joint disorders in children with ALL; however, this relationship needs further investigations. CONCLUSION: Oral inflammatory conditions including mucositis and gingivitis are common in children with ALL as compared to healthy children. Tooth morphological disorders including microdontia and enamel and dentin are common manifestations in children with ALL.