Introduction:Ultrafast Papanicolaou stain (UFP) was introduced as a hybrid of Romanowsky and Papanicolaou (PAP) stain. It enhances the quality and reduces the time. In the present study, a modified staining technique was adapted where Gill's Hematoxylin was replaced by Harris Hematoxylin.Aims:The aim of the study was to assess the use of the modified ultrafast Papanicolaou (MUFP) stain for fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) of head and neck swellings in comparison with the routine PAP stain, hematoxylin and eosin (H and E), and Giemsa.Materials and Methods:Forty FNACs of head and neck swellings were collected. FNAC procedure was performed by standard method; two smears were fixed in 95% propanol and stained with PAP and H and E. Two smears were air dried, 1 was stained with Giemsa, and 1 was rehydrated with normal saline, fixed in alcoholic formalin, and stained with MUFP. Four parameters were considered and scored background, cell morphology, nuclear staining, and overall staining pattern).Results:The quality of MUFP smears were better when compared to routine PAP, H and E, and Giemsa, and was statistically significant by Wilcoxon matched pair test.Conclusions:MUFP stain in comparison to routine PAP, H and E, and Giemsa provides an excellent and suitable alterative in cytological staining for the study of various organs.

Introduction:Oral submucous fibrosis (OSMF) is also considered as an Asian version of sideropenic dysphagia, wherein chronic iron deficiency leads to mucosal susceptibility to irritants, such as chillies and areca nut products. Hemoglobin (Hb) levels, in particular, serum iron levels, are considered as biochemical indicators for nutritional assessment. Serum iron content can thus be a predictor for the progression of the condition, and there appears to be an association between serum iron content and oral carcinogenesis. Therefore, biochemical assessment of oral precancerous conditions may help in early diagnosis and prognosis. Hence, the present study was aimed to evaluate Hb, serum iron, total iron-binding capacity (TIBC) and serum ferritin in OSMF patients.Materials and Methods:Forty cases of OSMF were staged clinically and graded histopathologically to assess the levels of Hb, serum iron, TIBC and serum ferritin and compared with normal subjects. The results were compared using t-test, ANOVA, and Tukeys multiple post hoc procedures.Results:It was observed that the levels of Hb, serum iron and serum ferritin levels gradually reduced in OSMF patients compared with controls and as the clinical stage and histological grade of OSMF progressed with a statistically significant P < 0.05. It was observed that the levels of TIBC gradually increased in OSMF patients compared with controls and as the clinical stage and histological grade of OSMF progressed with a statistically significant P < 0.05.Conclusion:The Hb, serum iron and serum ferritin levels in OSMF patients were reduced and TIBC increased as compared with controls and as the clinical stage and histological grade of OSMF advances indicating their role as a reliable biochemical indicator.

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Rickets is a metabolic bone disease that develops as a result of inadequate mineralization of growing bone due to disruption of calcium, phosphorus and/or Vitamin D metabolism. In addition, several rare genetic causes of rickets have also been described, which can be divided into two groups. The first group consists of genetic disorders of Vitamin D biosynthesis and action, such as Vitamin D-dependent rickets Type 1A, Type 1B, Type 2A (VDDR2A) and Type 2B. The second group involves genetic disorders of excessive renal phosphate loss (hereditary hypophosphatemic rickets). VDDR2A is a rare autosomal recessive disorder caused by mutation in the Vitamin D receptor gene, leading to end-organ resistance to 1,25(OH)2 Vitamin D3. It clinically represents growth retardation presenting in the 1st year of life and frequently associated with alopecia totalis, which differentiates it from VDDR Type 1. Due to target organ resistance, its response to Vitamin D is poor. We report two cases of familial VDDR2A, with alopecia and oral manifestations.

Cowden's syndrome is an autosomal dominant genodermatosis with variable orofacial and systemic manifestations. Here we present one such classical case of Cowden's syndrome in a 45-year-old female patient with features such as multiple cutaneous papillomatosis, oral fibromas, and fibromas involving multiple organs such as gastrointestinal tract (multiple polyps), thyroid disorders, and breast cancer.