Endocrine manifestations of celiac disease

BACKGROUND

Celiac disease can have extra gastrointestinal tract (GIT) presentations, most of which are endocrine. The aim of this study was to present patients diagnosed to have celiac disease from an endocrine department and to study the prevalence of endocrinopathies in celiac disease.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A total of 36 patients from the endocrinology department (LLRM Medical College, Meerut) between January 2011 and July 2012 and who were diagnosed to have celiac disease were included in the study.

RESULTS

Short stature was the commonest presentation (25%), other presentations included short stature and delayed puberty (20%), delayed puberty (11%), screening for celiac disease in type-1 DM patients (17%), rickets (6%), anemia not responding to oral therapy (6%), type-1 DM with recurrent hypoglycaemia (6%), and osteomalacia (3%). The endocrine manifestations include (after complete evaluation) short stature (58%), delayed puberty (31%), elevated alkaline phospahatase (67%), low calcium (22%), X-rays suggestive of osteomalacia or rickets (8%), capopedal spasm (6%), and night blindness (6%). Anti-TPO antibody positivity was found in 53%, hypothyroidism in 28%, subclinical hypothyroidism in 17%, and type-1 DM in 25% of the patients. A total of 14% patients had no GI symptoms.

CONCLUSION

Celiac disease is an endocrine disrupter as well as the great masquerader having varied presentations including short stature, delayed puberty, and rickets. Some patients who have celiac disease may not have any GI symptoms, making the diagnosis all the more difficult. Also, there is significant incidence of celiac disease with hypothyroidism and type-1 DM, making screening for it important in these diseases.

Correlation of acanthosis nigricans with insulin resistance, anthropometric, and other metabolic parameters in diabetic Indians

INTRODUCTION

Acanthosis nigricans is a non-specific reaction pattern that may accompany obesity, diabetes, excess corticosteroids, pineal tumors, malignancies, and other endocrine disorders. It is considered a cutaneous marker of tissue insulin resistance.

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES

To determine the prevalence of acanthosis nigricans in type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM) and its correlation with various anthropometric measurements and insulin resistance by HOMA-IR and other metabolic parameters.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

One hundred and fifty consecutive subjects with newly diagnosed type 2 DM, attending the endocrinology OPD of LLRM Medical College, Meerut were studied. Acanthosis was graded based on standard scale of 0-4 as described by Burke et al. Anthropometric data were obtained and insulin resistance calculated as HOMA-IR from fasting insulin and fasting blood sugar values.

RESULTS

The average age of the study population was 45.2 years, with male to female ratio of 1:5. The prevalence of acanthosis in males was 56.67% and in females was 86.92%. The acanthosis neck severity grading had a statistically significant correlation with fasting glucose levels, fasting insulin levels, and insulin resistance values: HOMA-IR, HOMA-S, and HOMA-B (P < 0.05). Other acanthosis parameters such as axillary grading, acanthosis at knuckles, and skin tags, did not have a statistically significant correlation with insulin resistance.

CONCLUSION

Acanthosis nigricans neck severity grading correlates well with insulin resistance and can be used as a clinical surrogate for assessment of severity of insulin resistance.

Atypical presentations of Wolframs syndrome

BACKGROUND

Wolfram syndrome is a rare hereditary or sporadic neurodegenerative disorder also known as DIDMOAD. The classically described presentation is of insulin-dependent diabetes, followed by optic atrophy, central diabetes insipidus, and sensory neural deafness. Also included are less well-described presentations of Wolframs syndrome. We here present three cases of atypical presentation of this syndrome. CASE 1: A 15-year-old boy with insulin-dependent diabetes was presented for evaluation of depressive symptoms associated with suicidal tendency. Neuropsychiatric manifestations are described with Wolframs syndrome, and wolframin gene, in recessive inheritance, is associated with psychiatric illnesses without other manifestations of Wolframs syndrome. CASE 2: A 17-year-old diabetic boy on insulin with good control of blood sugar presented for evaluation of delayed puberty. Central hypogonadism and other anterior pituitary hormone dysfunctions are the less publicized hormone dysfunctions in Wolframs syndrome. CASE 3: A 23-year-old female who was on insulin for diabetes for the past 14 years, got admitted for evaluation of sudden loss of vision. This patient had developed a vitreous hemorrhage and, on evaluation, was found to have optic atrophy, sensory neural hearing loss, and diabetes insipidus, and presented differently from the gradual loss of vision described in Wolframs syndrome.

CONCLUSION

Wolframs syndrome being a multisystem degenerative disorder can have myriad other manifestations than the classically described features. Neuropsychiatric manifestations, depression with suicidal risk, central hypogonadism, and secondary adrenal insufficiency are among the less well-described manifestations of this syndrome.

Treatment of actinomycetoma foot--our experience with ten patients

BACKGROUND

Mycetoma is a chronic granulomatous inflammation of the subcutaneous tissue and usually results due to traumatic implantation of soil organisms. Mycetoma can be eumycotic or acinomycotic in origin. Actinomycetoma is susceptible to a large number of chemotherapeutic agents, but the response is variable and affected by various factors such as extent of involvement, duration of disease, presence or absence of bony involvement and drugs used for treatment.

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES

To describe our experience of various treatment regimens used for actinomycetoma.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

It was a prospective, open label study of actinomycetoma. Ten patients who were diagnosed clinically as mycetoma were included in this study. All patients were completely evaluated and investigated including skin biopsy, Gram staining of grains and discharge, Ziehl-Nielson stain, KOH preparation, fungal and bacterial cultures and CT scan/Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), if required. Patients were treated with different treatment regimens, for example, Ramam regimen, modified Ramam regimen, Welsh regimen and its modification.

RESULTS

Ten patients (eight males, two females) age ranging from 9 to 55 years (mean 29.6 years) were included in this study. Six patients were successfully treated with Ramam regimen, three patients were treated with our modified Welsh regimen (one of these three patients (case 7) initially failed to respond to Ramam regimen), and one patient was treated with modified Ramam regimen.

CONCLUSION

Ramam regimen was found to be quite effective in treating patients of actinomycetoma with only minimal bony involvement, while Welsh regimen and its modification should be used in case of severe disease due to amikacin being more sensitive than gentamicin in treating resistant organisms. Intensive phase of Modified Welsh regimen can be extended to five cycles in case of extensive bony involvement.

Sequential therapy (triple drug-based induction chemotherapy followed by concurrent chemoradiotherapy) in locally advanced inoperable head and neck cancer patients - Single institute experience

Context:

India has a high incidence of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) mostly presenting in advanced stage. In the majority of inoperable patients a combination of chemotherapy and radiotherapy (CRT) is considered as the treatment of choice. Adding induction chemotherapy (ICT) before CRT has shown to decrease systemic relapse. Incorporation of taxanes to the cisplatin and 5-FU-based ICT has shown increase in response rates.

Aims:

To evaluate the efficacy and toxicity of triple drug-based ICT followed by CCRT in locally advanced, inoperable HNSCC in the Indian context.

Settings and Design:

Prospective, non-controlled, observational study, a single-institute experience.

Materials and Methods:

Consecutive, locally advanced inoperable HNSCC patients were put on sequential therapy consisting of docetaxel, 5-FU and cisplatin for three cycles followed by concurrent weekly cisplatin and radiotherapy for responding or stable disease patients.

Results:

Forty-four patients were enrolled with male,female ratio of 33/44(75%) and 11/44(25%). Hypopharynx 16/44(36.36%) was the most common site followed by oral cavity 12/44(27.27%) and oropharynx 12/44(27.27%); 38/44(86.36%) patients could complete the planned treatment. Seven patients required dose reduction in ICT. As per the RECIST criteria, 16 patients had Complete Response (CR) and 15 had partial response (PR), 10 had stable disease (SD) and three had progressive disease (PD) after ICT. Thirty-eight patients received concomitant chemo radiotherapy (CCRT); 28/44 (66.63%) patients achieved CR, 10/44 (22.72 %) had PR. The main toxicity was mucositis 18/44 (40.90%) secondary to ICT. Grade III and IV hematological toxicity was seen in 16/44(36.36%), of which 6/44 (13.63%) had febrile neutropenia.

Conclusions:

Triple drug-based sequential therapy is tolerable in our context. In this trial from a single institute the results are very encouraging.

In vitro marginal fit of three all-ceramic crown systems before and after cementation

STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM

Full-coverage all-ceramic restorations are widely used. The impact of various classifications of luting agent on marginal discrepancies is not well understood.

PURPOSE

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the cervical fit of all ceramic crowns (IPS e.maxPress, Cergogold, and In Ceram) on bovine teeth with two luting agents before and after cementation.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Ninety bovine incisors were embedded in resin. The coronal portions of the teeth were prepared to receive full-coverage crowns. Thirty crowns of 7.0 ± 0.5 mm height, 8.0 mm cervical diameter, and 4.2 mm incisal diameter were fabricated for each ceramic system. The crowns were seated on the teeth, and the marginal discrepancy was measured using a measuring microscope. Then, 15 crowns of each ceramic system were luted on the teeth with resin cement (Variolink II) or resin-modified glass ionomer cement (Rely X luting), and the marginal discrepancy was measured. The results were submitted to analysis of variance, t test and Tukey's test (p<0.05).

RESULTS

The three ceramic systems showed cervical fits after cementation statistically inferior to cervical fits before cementation for the two cements. The IPS e.maxPress showed values for cervical fit statistically superior to Cergogold before cementation. No statistically significant difference was found between IPS e.maxPress and In Ceram and In Ceram and Cergogold. After cementation, no statistically significant difference was found for the three ceramics systems when luted with resin or resin-modified glass ionomer luting agents.

CONCLUSIONS

Within the limitations of this study, it can be concluded that both cements studied increase the marginal discrepancy between the crown and the preparation for the three ceramic systems evaluated.

Closure and augmentation of bladder exstrophy using rectus abdominis musculo-peritoneal flap

Background:

The aim of this study was to investigate the efficacy of the rectus abdominis myo-peritoneal flap (RAMP) technique for the closure and augmentation of small, non-elastic, non-compliant bladder exstrophies.

Materials and Methods:

The RAMP technique was used in three boys with bladder exstrophy who presented late with small, non-elastic, non-compliant bladder. The clinical outcome, imaging, cystoscopy, biochemical and microbiological studies were assessed during a follow-up of 36 months.

Results:

Bladder closure and augmentation was achieved in all patients without any complications. There were no urinary tract infections, metabolic problems or electrolyte disturbances and the kidney function remained normal in all patients. Radiography confirmed intact function and anatomy of the urinary tract and cystoscopy showed complete coverage of the inner peritoneal layer of RAMP with uroepithelium. No stone formation or mucous production was detected.

Conclusions:

The RAMP technique is a good alternative for closing bladder exstrophies and achieves an increase in bladder capacity and compliance. The technique is indicated in the closure of large bladder defects, bladder exstrophies with small, inelastic, non-compliant bladder remnants and failed primary closures.

Clinical and epidemiological characteristics of 2009 pandemic influenza A in hospitalized pediatric patients of the Saurashtra region, India

BACKGROUND

The first case of 2009 pandemic influenza A or H1N1 virus infection in India was reported in May 2009 and in the Saurashtra region in August 2009. We describe the two waves clinicoepidemiological characteristics of children who were hospitalized with 2009 influenza A infection in the Saurashtra region.

METHODS

From September 2009 to February 2011, we treated 117 children infected with 2009 influenza A virus who were admitted in different hospitals in Rajkot city. Real-time reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) test was used to confirm infection, and the clinico-epidemiological features of the disease were closely monitored.

RESULTS

In the 117 patients, with a median age of 2 years, 59.8% were male. The median time from onset of the disease to influenza A diagnosis was 5 days, and that from onset of the disease to hospitalization was 7 days. The admitted patients took oseltamivir, but only 11.1% of them took it within 2 days after onset of the disease. More than one fourth (29.1%) of the admitted patients died. The most common symptoms of the patients were cough (98.3%), fever (94.0%), sore throat and shortness of breathing. Pneumonia was detected by chest radiography in 80.2% of the patients.

CONCLUSIONS

In children with infection-related illness, the survival rate was about 71% after oseltamivir treatment. The median time for virus detection with real-time RT-PCR is 5 days. Early diagnosis and treatment may reduce the severity of the disease.

A predictive model for the synthesis of polylactide from lactic acid by response surface methodology

The present work describes the statistical process optimization of a lowcost production process of PLA using organometallic (stannous octoate) compounds. The process optimization for both lactide and polylactide, was developed by factorial design and response surface methodology. The influence of different experimental parameters such as reaction temperature, time, concentration of catalyst and co-initiator concentration on the yield of lactide and polylactide has been evaluated. There are many studies reported on the synthesis of polylactide but no earlier study exists for the application of statistical analysis in determining the interactions among the process variables for lactide and polylactide production. Central composite experimental design with multiple linear regression has been used to estimate the coefficients of the polynomial model equation for the yield(s) of both lactide and polylactide. The statistical significance of polynomial model equation was validated by F test (ANOVA). Determination coefficient (R2) values found to be 0.913 and 0.958 for lactide and polylactide respectively, states that predicted values were in good agreement with the experimental values. Results of the statistical analysis showed that the model fits in all cases. Above synthesised polymer was characterized by FT-IR, 1H-NMR, DSC and GPC to confirm the polymer structure and properties.

Closure and augmentation of bladder exstrophy using rectus abdominis musculo-peritoneal flap

Background: The aim of this study was to investigate the efficacy of the rectus abdominis myo-peritoneal flap (RAMP) technique for the closure and augmentation of small, non-elastic, non-compliant bladder exstrophies. Materials and Methods: The RAMP technique was used in three boys with bladder exstrophy who presented late with small, non-elastic, non-compliant bladder. The clinical outcome, imaging, cystoscopy, biochemical and microbiological studies were assessed during a follow-up of 36 months. Results: Bladder closure and augmentation was achieved in all patients without any complications. There were no urinary tract infections, metabolic problems or electrolyte disturbances and the kidney function remained normal in all patients. Radiography confirmed intact function and anatomy of the urinary tract and cystoscopy showed complete coverage of the inner peritoneal layer of RAMP with uroepithelium. No stone formation or mucous production was detected. Conclusions: The RAMP technique is a good alternative for closing bladder exstrophies and achieves an increase in bladder capacity and compliance. The technique is indicated in the closure of large bladder defects, bladder exstrophies with small, inelastic, non-compliant bladder remnants and failed primary closures.

Pterygium surgery with conjunctival limbal autograft with fibrin glue under topical anaesthesia with lignocaine 2% jelly

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the efficacy of lignocaine 2 % jelly as topical anesthesia in pterygium surgery with conjunctival limbal autograft using fibrin glue.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A non-randomized interventional study was carried out including twenty-one patients who presented with primary pterygium. Under 2% lignocaine jelly, surgical dissection of the pterygium, scraping of corneal bed with crescent blade, excision of Tenons capsule, harvesting conjunctival limbal autograft superiorly, and securing it with respect to limbus and stromal orientation with fibrin glue were done. Postoperatively, the patients discomfort and pain were evaluated by Wongs pain scoring system.

RESULTS

The mean pain score was 0.70 ± 0.97. Only one patient (4.76%) out of the whole series experienced pain who rated more than three on the visual analog scale of 5. Thirteen patients (61.9%) had pain score of zero, that is, no pain. The surgeons evaluation of the technique in terms of surgical ease and complications was favorable. There were no dislodged grafts and no cases required suturing. There were no cases of infection, significant inflammation, epithelial problems and reduction in visual acuity. There was a single case of recurrence (4.76%) five months postoperatively which was managed conservatively.

CONCLUSIONS

Topical anesthesia with lignocaine 2% jelly using fibrin sealant is safe and effective in pterygium surgery allowing for short operative times. It results in low pain and good aesthetic and functional outcomes.

Clinical vignettes in Parkinson's disease: a collection of unusual medication-induced hallucinations, delusions, and compulsive behaviours

Hallucinations, delusions, and compulsive behaviors are frequent iatrogenic complications of the treatment of motor dysfunction in Parkinson's disease (PD). Although these have been studied, and the phenomenology described, there are few detailed descriptions of the various psychiatric problems our treated PD patients live with that allow physicians who do not have a great deal of experience with PD patients to appreciate the extent of their altered lives. This report is a compilation of vignettes describing these behavioral problems that the treating neurologist or psychiatrist attributed to the medications used for treating PD.

Does increasing number of core biopsies change the results of needle biospy in prostate cancer?

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Background: The superiority of extended sampling of the prostate compared to standard sextant biopsy in predicting the final Gleason score has been controversial. In the literature, sextant biopsies have a match rate between 28–68% and an upgrading rate of 25–57%. Consequently, multiple studies recommend that extended biopsies should be the standard of care. This study examines the effect of greater core biopsy number on upgrading GS and predicting surgical pathology.

Methods: Prostate biopsies of 984 patients who underwent RP between 2001 and 2008 were retrospectively reviewed. The GS of the biopsies was compared to the pathological specimens using the Chi-square test. Further adjusted comparison was performed using logistic regression. A clinical significant upgrade was defined as increase of the total GS or the primary GS.

Results: The majority of the upgrading occurred in biopsy Gleason 3+3 and 3+4 cases. Upgrading was seen in 35.1% of patients with 6 cores or less, 34.5% with 7–12 cores, and 45.5% with 13+ cores (p=0.061). Number of cores, BMI, or prostate size did not affect upgrading, while perineural invasion, cancer volume on a biopsy, and D'Amico risk criteria increased the likelihood of upgrading.

Conclusions: The extended core biopsy does not seem to correlate with higher gleason score or to better predict the final pathologic gleason score compared to standard sextant biopsies in prostate cancer. D'Amico risk factors, perineural invasion, and cancer volume can be viewed as risk factors for upgrading especially in GS 3+3.

No significant financial relationships to disclose.

Prognostic indicators of aggressive disease in patients with locally advanced or metastatic prostate cancer: A focus on neutrophil to lymphocyte and platelet to lymphocyte ratios

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Background: Prostate specific antigen (PSA) and Gleason Score (GS) are helpful in predicting aggressive disease. Recently, the neutrophil:lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and platlet:lymphocyte ratio (PLR) were identified as prognostic indicators in gastric cancer which has an inflammatory pathogenesis. We hypothesized that these indicators may be prognostic in prostate cancer which is also postulated to have an inflammatory mechanism of carcinogenesis. Our goal was to assess if NLR and PLR is predictive of aggressive prostate cancer, which will be measured by metastasis and overall survival in patients on hormonal therapy as treatment.

Methods: We performed a retrospective analysis of 246 patients that were being treated with hormone therapy for either locally advanced or metastatic disease, or who were not surgical candidates or refused surgery. A logistic regression model was used to analyze various prognostic factors including total GS, pre-biopsy PSA, perineural invasion, % of core biopsies positive, NLR, and PLR. Endpoints studied were overall survival and metastasis.

Results: The logistic regression showed only pre biopsy PSA as a predictor of metastasis (n=82). The increased risk when measured continuously was 0.6% increase in odds ratio (p<0.015). When PSA was measured categorically the % biopsy cores positive were predictive of increased risk of metastatic disease with a 2.9% increase in odds ratio (p<0.002). The % biopsy cores positive were predictive of a 3.7% increased odds ratio in cancer-specific mortality (p<0.002). These results were controlled for age, which gave a 7% increase in odds ratio of overall survival (p<0.049).

Conclusions: Despite the thought that prostate cancer has an inflammatory pathogenesis, no correlation was found between N:L and P:L ratios and overall survival or bone metastasis in patients on hormone therapy for locally advanced disease. There was a negative correlation between increased % positive biopsy cores a decreased risk of survival. Further investigation is necessary to investigate the role of NLR and PLR as prognostic indicators in organ confined prostate cancer.

No significant financial relationships to disclose.

Contact lens related corneal ulcer

A corneal ulcer caused by infection is one of the major causes of blindness worldwide. One of the recent health concerns is the increasing incidence of corneal ulcers associated with contact lens user especially if the users fail to follow specific instruction in using their contact lenses. Risk factors associated with increased risk of contact lens related corneal ulcers are: overnight wear, long duration of continuous wear, lower socio-economic classes, smoking, dry eye and poor hygiene. The presenting symptoms of contact lens related corneal ulcers include eye discomfort, foreign body sensation and lacrimation. More serious symptoms are redness (especially circum-corneal injection), severe pain, photophobia, eye discharge and blurring of vision. The diagnosis is established by a thorough slit lamp microscopic examination with fluorescein staining and corneal scraping for Gram stain and culture of the infective organism. Delay in diagnosing and treatment can cause permanent blindness, therefore an early referral to ophthalmologist and commencing of antimicrobial therapy can prevent visual loss.

Regulation of extracellular matrix genes by arecoline in primary gingival fibroblasts requires epithelial factors

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE

Oral submucous fibrosis, a disease of collagen disorder, has been attributed to arecoline present in the saliva of betel quid chewers. However, the molecular basis of the action of arecoline in the pathogenesis of oral submucous fibrosis is poorly understood. The basic aim of our study was to elucidate the mechanism underlying the action of arecoline on the expression of genes in oral fibroblasts.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Human keratinocytes (HaCaT cells) and primary human gingival fibroblasts were treated with arecoline in combination with various pathway inhibitors, and the expression of transforming growth factor-beta isoform genes and of collagen isoforms was assessed using reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction analysis.

RESULTS

We observed the induction of transforming growth factor-beta2 by arecoline in HaCaT cells and this induction was found to be caused by activation of the M-3 muscarinic acid receptor via the induction of calcium and the protein kinase C pathway. Most importantly, we showed that transforming growth factor-beta2 was significantly overexpressed in oral submucous fibrosis tissues (p = 0.008), with a median of 2.13 (n = 21) compared with 0.75 (n = 18) in normal buccal mucosal tissues. Furthermore, arecoline down-regulated the expression of collagens 1A1 and 3A1 in human primary gingival fibroblasts; however these collagens were induced by arecoline in the presence of spent medium of cultured human keratinocytes. Treatment with a transforming growth factor-beta blocker, transforming growth factor-beta1 latency-associated peptide, reversed this up-regulation of collagen, suggesting a role for profibrotic cytokines, such as transforming growth factor-beta, in the induction of collagens.

CONCLUSION

Taken together, our data highlight the importance of arecolineinduced epithelial changes in the pathogenesis of oral submucous fibrosis.