Tetrodotoxin (TTX) is a naturally occurring toxin that has been responsible for human intoxications and fatalities. Its usual route of toxicity is via the ingestion of contaminated puffer fish which are a culinary delicacy, especially in Japan. TTX was believed to be confined to regions of South East Asia, but recent studies have demonstrated that the toxin has spread to regions in the Pacific and the Mediterranean. There is no known antidote to TTX which is a powerful sodium channel inhibitor. This review aims to collect pertinent information available to date on TTX and its analogues with a special emphasis on the structure, aetiology, distribution, effects and the analytical methods employed for its detection.

Oral cancer is one of the most common life threatening diseases in India. Tobacco and alcohol are considered to be the most risk factors for oral cancer. This study was conducted to investigate the association of tobacco and poly-ingredient oral dip products with oral cancer. A case-control study of 350 cases and 350 controls, over a period of 19 months, between February 2005 and September 2006 was carried out in Pune, India. The self-reported information about the consumption of tobacco, poly-ingredient oral dip products, alcohol, dietary habits and demographic status were collected by a researcher made questionnaire. Univariate and multivariate analysis were used to identify the risk of substances abuse. The frequency of smoking, smokeless and oral dip products in cases were significantly higher than controls (P < 0.0001). Among smoking types, bidi (P < 0.0001, OR = 4.1 95% CI = 2.4 - 6.9), of smokeless types, chewing tobacco (P < 0.0001, OR = 8.3, 95% CI = 5.4 - 13.0) and mishiri (P < 0.0001, OR = 3.3, 95% CI =2.1 - 5.4), and of oral dip products, consumption of gutkha (P < 0.0001, OR = 12.8, 95% CI =7.0 - 23.7) and supari (P < 0.0001, OR = 6.6, 95% CI =3.0 - 14.8) indicated strong association with oral cancer upon adjustment. This study provides strong evidence that gutkha, supari -areca nut- chewing tobacco (tobacco flakes), bidi smoking and mishiri (tobacco powder, which applied as a tooth and gum cleaner) are independent risk for oral cancer.

Problem statement:Oral cancer is one of the most common life threatening cancers all over the world, in particular Asian countries and tobacco is considered to be the most potent risk factor for oral cancer. This study was conducted to investigate the risk factors for oral cancer among the subjects from the studied area. Approach: A case-control study of 350 cases and 350 controls over a period of 19 months during April 2005 and September 2006 was carried out. The self reported information about their tobacco, alcohol along with other associated habits was collected by structured questionnaires. The consumption of tobacco was classified into three types, active smoking, passive smoking and smokeless form of tobacco. Results: There was a significant association between consumption of tobacco and the development of oral cancer (p<0.05 for all). Active smoking, in particular bidi smoking showed strong association with oral cancer compared to the passive smoking. Of the smokeless tobacco type, gutkha and tobacco flakes consumption showed the strong association. However, betel leaf and paan parag chewing had no association. While, alcohol consumption was associated with oral cancer with strongest determinant being the consumption of hard liquor. Dietary habits, in particular the non-vegetarian diet was significantly associated with oral cancer. The entire associations were statistically adjusted for possible confounders like age, gender, alcohol, the use of other tobacco types, non-vegetarian diet, education, location and monthly household income as appropriate. Conclusion: Smokeless tobacco consumption emerged as the strongest risk factor for oral cancer.

Abstract:The aim of this study was to recognize factors associated with cancer of oral cavity considering socio-demographic characteristics. The cases were 350 with squamous-cell carcinoma of oral cavity diagnosed between 2005 and 2006 in Morbai, Narandia, Budharani Cancer Institute, Pune, India. Similar number of controls match for age and sex selected from the background population. Cases and controls were interviewed for tobacco related habits and general characteristics; age, gender, education and possible socio-demographic factors. Chi-square test in uni-variate analysis and estimate for risk showed that education, occupation and monthly household income were significantly different between cases and controls (P , 0.001). Irrespective to gender, relative risk, here odds ratio, (OR) of low level of education (OR = 5.3, CI 3.7-7.6), working in field as a farmer (OR = 2.5, CI 1.7-3.7), and monthly household income less than 5000 Indian Rupees currency (OR = 1.7, CI 1.2-2.3) were significant risk factors for oral cancer. While, there was no significant relationship between religious and or marital status either in males or females.

SUMMARY Two sibs of a consanguineous mating are described. Both have a gross costovertebral segmentation defect affecting nearly all the thoracic vertebrae, and mesomelia of the limbs, with the upper limbs being obviously more affected than the lower. The facial appearances of the two are identical, with hypertelorism, depressed nasal bridge, large bony upper lip, constantly open mouth, and peg-like teeth. We believe this combination has not been described before and represents the effect of a 'new' recessive gene. We would like to name this combination Covesdem syndrome (costovertebral segmentation defect with mesomelia).