Comparative evaluation of GSH, total protein and albumin levels in patients using smokeless tobacco with oral precancerous and cancerous lesions.

Smokeless tobacco (SLT) causes the excessive production of reactive oxygen species, leading to oxidative damage and carcinogenesis. The present study aimed to evaluate the levels of biomarkers, such as glutathione (GSH) in the blood, as well as serum albumin and total protein levels in SLT users with oral precancerous and cancerous lesions. A cross-sectional, prospective study was conducted on 240 patients aged 30-60 years, divided into four groups with 60 patients in each group as follows: Group 1, control group, non-tobacco users; group 2, 60 subjects with a history of SLT use and no oral lesions; group 3, SLT users with precancerous oral lesions; and group 4, SLT users with cancerous lesions. GSH levels in the blood, serum albumin levels and total protein levels were evaluated in all groups. ANOVA and Tukey's test post hoc were used to compare the levels of the biomarkers in all groups. Receiver operating characteristic curves were used to assess the reliability of the biomarkers, and regression analysis was used to determine the associations between the variables. The use of SLT was predominantly observed in males. The mean GSH and serum albumin levels were lowest in group 4 and highest in the control group (P<0.001). The total serum protein levels were higher in group 4 than in group 3. On the whole, as demonstrated herein, GSH and serum albumin were reliable biomarkers, whereas total protein was a weak biomarker. GSH and serum albumin levels may thus be efficiently used for the early diagnosis and prognosis of oral malignancies in SLT users.

Correlation of Mucormycosis with Various Clinical Parameters Among COVID-19 Patients: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Introduction: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), during the second wave in early 2021, caused devastating chaos in India. As daily infection rates continue to rise alarmingly, the number of severe cases also increased dramatically. Mucormycosis is an infection caused by filamentous molds, and there was a rise in mucormycosis cases after COVID-19 infection. The aim of the study is to assess various parameters associated with mucormycosis patients who suffered from COVID-19. Material and Methodology: This study was a cross-sectional questionnaire study. The target population for the study were 70 mucormycosis-infected patients (51 = males, 19 = females). The questionnaire mainly focused on association of various parameters of COVID-19 with mucormycosis. Results: Result showed that out of 70 cases of mucormycosis the association was found between history of diabetes mellitus 45 (64.2%), type of hospitalization, number of days of hospitalization, oxygen administered, type and maintenance of face mask, i.e., patient who had reused mask by washing 59 (84.3%), and method of oral hygiene practices. Conclusion: Mucormycosis is extremely rare in population. The study findings emphasize the need to be aware of invasive mucormycosis developing in COVID-19 patients, especially including patients with diabetes mellitus and outside the ICU, patient who had poor oral hygiene during COVID-19, patients receiving oxygen therapy should ensure that the water in the humidifier is clean and is refilled regularly, knowledge and education about the use of the facemask.