Cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma radiographically mimicking infiltration into the lacrimal gland.

Cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) is a common malignancy of the skin, with the potential for local invasion and metastasis. Here, we present a case series of two patients with SCCs, suggesting radiological infiltration of the lacrimal gland on magnetic resonance imaging. However, histopathological examination revealed lymphoplasmacytic infiltration of the lacrimal gland consistent with dacryoadenitis, with no evidence of SCC infiltration. Our cases highlight the potential for peritumoural inflammation to cause dacryoadenitis and radiologically mimic tumour infiltration into the lacrimal gland.

Unusual pattern of aflatoxins and ochratoxin in commercially grown maize varieties of Pakistan.

The contamination of food with mycotoxins could be a major health risk. Identification and quantification of mycotoxins in maize are essentially required to guarantee food safety. Seven commonly grown maize cultivars were sown at semi-arid conditions in Pakistan. After harvesting plants, total aflatoxin (AFs), aflatoxins B1 (AFB1), B2 (AFB2), G1 (AFG1), G2 (AFG2), and ochratoxin-A (OTA) contents were determined in maize flour using high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Results showed an unusual pattern of AFs in maize with a higher concentration of AFG1 in all maize varieties. The AFB1 was not found in most of the samples, however, all maize grains contained AFs above the maximum tolerable limit (20 µg/kg). The highest concentration of AFs was recorded in Ayub-1/26 maize (362.8 µg/kg). Ochratoxin-A (OTA) was detected in 71% maize samples ranged from 2.14 to 214 µg/kg. The highest OTA and microbial load were recorded in Ayub-2/27 grains that exceeded the FDA limit (50 µg/kg). These results indicated the higher prevalence of total AFs, AFG1, and OTA at the harvest stage of maize that could pose significant health hazards to humans and livestock.

Patulin Mycotoxin in Mango and Orange Fruits, Juices, Pulps, and Jams Marketed in Pakistan.

The objective of the study was to explore the incidence of patulin (PAT) mycotoxin in mango and orange fruits and derived products marketed in Pakistan. A total of 274 samples, including 70 mango fruits, 63 mango-based products (juices, pulp, and jam), 77 orange fruits, and 64 orange-based products, were collected. PAT was determined by reverse-phase high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) with UV-Vis detector (276 nm). Linear detector response was observed (R2 > 0.99), the limit of detection (LOD) was 5 µg/kg and recovery percentage was 97.4%. The incidence of PAT in mango samples was 61.7%, and the concentration ranged from