The relationship between MMP-2 rs243865, MMP-9 rs398242 and CXCL-12 rs1801157 gene polymorphisms with Japanese encephalitis disease and disease outcome in North Indian population

Background & objectives: Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV) is one of the most important causes of acute and uncontrolled inflammatory disease in Asia. Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and chemokines play a detrimental role in the host response to JE disease, aetiology, and disease outcome. Evidently, MMPs are widely circulated in the brain and regulate various process including microglial activation, inflammation, blood-brain barrier disruption as well as affects central nervous system (CNS). The present study was to assess the association of single nucleotide polymorphisms of MMP-2, MMP-9 and chemokine (CXCL-12/SDF1-3’) in the north Indian population. Methods: We performed case-control study comprising of 125 patients and 125 healthy controls in north Indian population. Genomic DNA was extracted from whole blood and gene polymorphism have been determined by PCR-RFLP method. Results: MMP-2, MMP-9 and CXCL-12 gene was not significantly associated with JE disease, but homozygous (T/T) genotype of MMP-2 was statically associated with disease outcome (p=0.05, OR=0.110). A/G and G/G genotype of CXCL-12 was significantly associated with severity of disease. (p=0.032, OR=5.500, p=0.037, OR= 9.167). The serum level of MMP-2 was observed significantly increased in JE patients with homozygous (T/T) genotype whereas increased MMP-9 level was associated with heterozygous genotype. Interpretation & conclusion: MMP-2, MMP-9 and CXCL-12 gene polymorphism were not associated with JE susceptibility, but MMP-2 may be contributed to disease protection. CXCL-12 was associated with disease severity. In our concern this is the first report from northern India.

Acute Methanol Toxicity: Clinical Correlation with Autopsy Findings, a Descriptive Study

Background: Methyl alcohol poisoning or deaths from drinking illegally brewed cheap alcohol which is often spiked with chemicals to increase its potency are frequent in India. Many outbreaks from different parts of the country have been reported from time to time. A total of 11,830 lives were lost between 2006 and 2015 due to the consumption of spurious liquor in the country. The symptoms can range from mild to severe depending upon factors like the amount of exposure and time of presentation. Aims and objectives: The present study was designed to describe the clinical presentation, management, and outcome of the patients during a recent methanol outbreak that can form a basis for diagnosis and management. This study also highlights the salient autopsy findings and their correlation with clinical features. Materials and methods: It is a retrospective, descriptive study discussing clinical features of patients with methanol intoxication, their outcome, and the clinical correlation with autopsy findings of patients who succumbed to death. The study was conducted at King George’s Medical University, Lucknow. The patients were enrolled from a methanol intoxication outbreak in Barabanki district on 28th May 2019 followed by a similar outbreak in Sitapur district two days later. Results: A total of 33 patients were included in this study based on predefined clinical characteristics. The average amount of alcohol consumed was about 223 mL (range: 100–300 mL). The majority of patients had onset of symptoms between 12 and 24 hours. All patients had gastrointestinal symptoms, 97% of patients had visual disturbances, 91% of patients had central nervous system manifestation while frank coma was observed in 15% of patients. Decreased urine output was reported in 6% of patients. About 90% of patients had metabolic acidosis. Out of 33 patients included in this study, 30 patients were discharged in stable condition while two died and one absconded. Autopsy findings revealed marked cerebral edema and hyperemia, hyperemic heart, and congested lungs in all the patients. One patient showed putaminal necrosis which is characteristic of methanol poisoning. Kidneys in two cases were hyperemic and show parenchymal degeneration which co-relates with both patients being anuric. Conclusion: Methanol intoxication is a serious problem in developing countries like ours. Timely intervention is an important factor in reducing mortality among these patients. The study highlights the very important fact that methanol intoxication can be managed at the very ground level with minimal resources (as available) if intervened and recognized in time.

Study of central aortic blood pressure in hypertensive patients & its relation with blood pressure-lowering drugs

Background & objectives: In clinical settings, peripheral blood pressure (PBP) is measured routinely. It is thought that central blood pressure (CBP) which reflects aortic BP, may be more predictive of outcomes in specific populations. Hence, this study was carried out to measure CBP in patients with hypertension and to see the effect of antihypertensive drugs on CBP. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted on 134 hypertensive patients and 134 normotensive healthy individuals as controls. Peripheral BPs and CBPs were measured of all patients and controls. The data were correlated and the effect of antihypertensive drugs on CBP was also evaluated. Results: Of the 134 hypertensive patients, 44 (32.84%) were newly diagnosed and the rest 90 (67.16%) had a history of hypertension and were on treatment. Of these 90 patients on treatment, 37 (41.11%) had uncontrolled peripheral BP and 53 (58.89%) had normal peripheral BP. Of the 134 hypertensive patients, 45 (33.58%) had controlled CBP. In 90 patients, who were on antihypertensive treatment, 45 (50%) had controlled CBP and 45 (50%) had uncontrolled CBP. Patients on calcium channel blockers (CCBs) had better control of CBP. Interpretation & conclusions: Hypertension is diagnosed mainly by measuring peripheral BP. CBP, which correlates better with the incidence of cardiovascular events, is not routinely measured. Patients with a history of hypertension and on treatment had normal office peripheral BP, but a few of them had high CBP and may require modification in treatment for control of CBP. Control of CBP was better in patients taking CCB.

Digital infarct and mononeuritis in a middle aged female: always suspect Antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies associated vasculitis

Vasculitis is a process caused by inflammation of blood vessel walls and results in a variety of disorders. Small-vessel vasculitis (vasculitis involving arteries, venules and capillaries) should be suspected in any patient who presents with a multisystem disease that is not caused by an infectious or malignant process. Testing for Antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA) is the basis of classification of small vessel vasculitis into ANCA associated and non - ANCA associated vasculitis. Apart from cutaneous manifestations like palpable purpura and vasculitic urticaria, digital gangrene in a patient with evidence of mononeuritis multiplex is highly suggestive of ANCA associated vasculitis (AAV). Clinically most of these vasculitides have overlapping clinical presentations and similar treatment. Early diagnosis and rapid initiation of treatment of AAV is recommended rather than ordering for definitive tests (e.g. histopathology or angiograms) since delay in treatment can result in serious end organ damage (pulmonary or renal).

Estimation of bone mineral density and its correlations with homocysteine, and various other biochemical bone markers in postmenopausal women

Introduction- Omocysteine (HCY) prevents collagen cross-linking and activates osteoclast function within the bones. Bone mineral density (BMD) may be affected by Hyperhomocysteinemia via Cathepsin K. Aim- To find the correlation of BMD with biochemical bone markers. Methods- BMD was investigated by the DXA scan with the help of the Hologic QDR1000 system. As per WHO guidelines, subjects were divided into three different subsets with; normal bone mass, osteopenia, and osteoporosis. Every subject underwent routine biochemical laboratory investigations, HCY, Vitamin B12, and folic acid levels. Results-Among 355 postmenopausal women, 69% (245) had osteoporosis while 11.27% (40) had normal BMD (mean age, 53 ± 8.35 years) and 19.72% (70) had osteopenia (mean age 52.86 ± 7.93 years). The mean age in the osteoporotic group was 56.49 ± 6.65 years. The mean levels of HCY in the three groups were 15.58± 7.92 μmol/L, 16.13± 7.34μmol/L and 17.05± 5.13μmol/L, respectively. Hip BMD showed a strong inverse correlation with age (r=-0.360, p=0.002), while no significant correlations were found between weight and BMI. PTH was consistently seen to be negatively correlated with BMD at Spine (r=-0.0339, p=0.004), Forearm (r=-0.267, p=0.027), and Hip (r=-0.224, p=0.064). Conclusion- Low BMD is an important problem in postmenopausal female patients. Age and duration of menopause are independent risk predictors for the development of osteoporosis. Vitamin D levels do not predict low BMD in postmenopausal females. Weight is protective for osteoporosis especially at spine and forearm BMD. Vitamin B12 and Hcy levels did not correlate with low BMD.

Parvovirus B19 Induced Fulminant Liver Failure In Pregnancy: A Rare Incidence

Parvovirus B19 (B19V) is a single-stranded DNA virus of the family Parvoviridae and genus Erythrovirus. Parvovirus B19 infection can present with myriads of clinical diseases and syndromes; liver manifestations and hepatitis are examples of them. The majority of the available literature regarding acute parvovirus B19 induced fulminant hepatic failure has described cases involving children.Acute fulminant liver failure caused by acute parvovirus B19 infection in a pregnant lady is rarely reported in the literature. Here, we report a case of fulminant liver failure in a 28-year-old pregnant lady presenting as a diagnostic dilemma, the etiology of which was eventually detected as acute Parvovirus B19 infection. Since Parvovirus B19 is a potential cause of non-A, non-E fulminant hepatic failure, an early diagnosis is of utmost importance as treatment options are limited

To study the effect of glycemic control and duration of disease on pulmonary function tests and diffusion capacity in type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Background: Type 2 diabetes mellitus is known to cause serious progressive macro and micro vascular complications leading to end organ damage like retinopathy, nephropathy and neuropathy. Pulmonary complications due to collagen and elastin changes as well as microangiopathy has also been demonstrated in type 2 diabetes mellitus but prevalence in most of population is unknown and its possible correlation with duration of disease and degree of glycemic control is not studied more in our population. Aims and objectives: To compare Pulmonary Function Tests (PFT) in type 2 diabetes mellitus with control group and to evaluate possible correlation of PFT with status of sugar control and duration of disease. Methods: Consecutively consenting 120 subjects who satisfied the inclusion criteria were recruited over one year duration. These 120 subjects are categorised into two i.e. healthy volunteers recruited as controls (n=60) and type 2 diabetic patients (n=60). Results: Both group compared and studied with each other. Diabetic patients showed a significant reduction in Forced Expiratory Volume in one second (FEV1), Forced Vital Capacity (FVC) and pulmonary diffusion capacity for carbon monoxide (DLCO) relative to their matched controls and these values were further reduced in diabetic patients with uncontrolled glycemic status. Conclusion: Our study concluded that lung functions in type2 diabetes mellitus are impaired with restrictive pattern of respiratory abnormality. Duration of diabetes did not influence on pulmonary function and diffusion capacity.

A rare presentation of dengue fever: acute motor quadriparesis due to hypokalemia.

Hypokalemia can lead to acute onset pure motor flaccid quadriparesis. Although there are many causes of hypokalemia but dengue is a one rare cause of them which can cause hypokalemia. Simply correction of potassium improve the weakness dramatically. We reported a case who presented to us with acute motor quadriparesis, finally diagnosed hypokalemia due to dengue

Lipid profiles with increase blood lead level: Risk of cardiovascular disease in battery workers of Lucknow City.

In order to investigate the effects of lead exposure on risk of cardiovascular disease during Occupational battery workers i.e. lead exposure, plasma cholesterol and its fractions as high-density lipoprotein (HDL), low-density lipoprotein (LDL) and triglyceride (T.G.) were determined in various battery workers in Lucknow city U.P., India. Increased risk of cardiovascular disease was observed in the various battery workers. Total cholesterol in the battery workers and control group was 142.14±31.92 (mg/dl) and 95.72±11.57 (mg/dl) respectively, which is higher in the battery workers than that of present in control group, While LDL cholesterol in the battery workers and control group was 158.30±22.70 (mg/dl) and 103.77± 4.62 (mg/dl) respectively. HDL cholesterol in the battery workers and control group was 38.80±10.13 (mg/dl) and 65.53±6.52 (mg/dl) respectively. The triglyceride levels were 162.06±90.85 (mg/dl) and 138.62±5.65 (mg/dl) in the battery workers and control group respectively, which is not affected [p > 0.05]. The LDL/HDL and Total cholesterol/HDL cholesterol ratio, Blood pressure, and blood lead level, was also higher in the battery workers, Results suggest that lead exposure increases cholesterol synthesis and transport to peripheral tissues whereas reverse cholesterol transport to the liver is not affected.