Assessment of serum magnesium and correlation with glycemic control and complication in type 2 diabetes mellitus – A cross-sectional study in a tertiary care hospital in eastern zone of India

Background: Diabetes mellitus (DM) is an expanding global health problem. Type 2 DM (T2DM) patients account about 90% of total DM patients. Magnesium is important for different physiological mechanism. Hypomagnesemia is common in T2DM patient. Magnitude of hypomagnesemia is related with glycemic control and is associated with complications of T2DM. Aims and Objectives: Our aim of the study was to assess the prevalence of hypomagnesemia in patients of T2DM patients and to find their correlation with glycemic control and complications of T2DM patients in rural population of eastern zone of India. Materials and Methods: The hospital-based cross-sectional study includes 99 male and female DM patients between 15 and 60 years age. Fasting blood sugar, postprandial blood sugar, HbA1c, serum total magnesium, and urine albumin creatinine ratio were measured. Data were entered into Microsoft Excel spreadsheet and then analyzed by SPSS (version 25.0; SPSS Inc.) and GraphPad Prism (version 5.0). P < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: From our study, we observed that hypomagnesemia is common in T2DM patients. The magnitude of hypomagnesemia is correlated with glycemic control (P < 0.0001). Moreover, hypomagnesemia is associated with diabetic kidney diseases (P < 0.05). Conclusion: It can be concluded that serum magnesium should be monitored in all T2DM patients and should be managed appropriately because hypomagnesemia may induce complications in T2DM patients.

A cross-sectional study to know the prevalence of thyroid dysfunction in systemic lupus erythematosus

Background: Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a persistent autoimmune disease, the pathogenesis of which remains elusive. Autoimmune factors may be a cause of SLE and thyroid dysfunction. Many studies have revealed that the prevalence of thyroid disorder is higher in SLE patients than in the general population. SLE is a multisystem and hypothyroidism is an organ specific autoimmune disorder and can occur successively or simultaneously. Aims and Objectives: The aim of the study was to study the prevalence of thyroid disorder in patients with SLE. Materials and Methods: Patients admitted with definite clinical features of SLE and Antinuclear Antibodies positive, in medicine ward and healthy blood donors are taken as control. Sample was tested by fully automated analyzer. Results: Subclinical hypothyroidism was found in 24% of study group and 8% of control group which is statistically significant. Central and secondary hyperthyroidism was found in 10% of study group and 12% of control group but it was statistically insignificant. Several studies have documented an association between SLE and other autoimmune diseases such as Sjogren’s syndrome, autoimmune hemolytic anemia, and antiphospholipid syndrome. Subclinical hypothyroidism was higher than another thyroid dysfunction such as primary, central, and subclinical hypothyroidism was found to be higher in frequency, probably depicting the slow destructive process which is pathognomic of autoimmune thyroiditis. Conclusion: Subclinical hypothyroidism was more prevalent in SLE than that of overt hypothyroidism as compared with general population.

Hematological abnormalities in patients of alcoholic chronic liver disease – A cross-sectional study in a tertiary care hospital in Eastern Zone of India

Background: Alcohol abuse is on increasing trend in world as well as in India, especially in young population. Long-term alcohol intake may leads to alcoholic chronic liver disease which may turns in to end stage liver diseases. Alcoholic chronic liver disease is associated with some hematological abnormalities which if detected at early stage may provide clear therapeutic implications in managing these patients and reducing the adverse events. Aims and Objectives: Our aim of the study was to identify various hematological abnormalities in patients of alcoholic chronic liver disease. Materials and Methods: This hospital-based cross-sectional study includes 100 randomly selected patients with alcoholic chronic liver disease attending Out-Patient Department and admitted in General Medicine ward of Burdwan Medical College satisfying the inclusion and exclusion criteria. Data were analyzed for hemoglobin (Hb), red blood cell (RBC), total leukocyte count (TLC), platelet count, mean corpuscular volume (MCV), mean corpuscular hemoglobin (MCH), MCH concentration, and prothrombin time-international normalized ratio. The mean and standard deviation, percentages, and ratio were calculated and presented in the form of tables with the help of SPSS (IBM) ver-23. P < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: Hematological abnormalities were found more with increased duration of alcohol consumption. Prolonged bleeding time was observed in 23% cases and prolonged clotting time was observed in 21% cases. Maximum patients belonged to Child–Pugh grade C. Hematological abnormalities were more in patients belonging to Child–Pugh grade C. Hb, RBC, platelet, and packed cell volume were significantly lower in patients belonging to Child–Pugh class C, whereas TLC, MCV, and MCH were significantly higher in class C. Conclusion: It can be concluded that related hematological changes, which are common in alcoholic chronic liver disease endanger the lives of these patients. They should be detected and corrected at earliest to minimize morbidity and mortality.

Effects of air exposure, time, temperature, and humidity on different serum electrolytes

Background: Pre-analytical, analytical, or post analytical variations can induce, change, or alter the tests results. Laboratory errors lead to unnecessary delays in test report and also increased costs by repeat samples which have become a pain to the patients. Aims and Objectives: The aims of this study were to determine alterations in the concentration of serum sodium (Na+), potassium (K+), and ionized calcium (Ca++) concentration with reference to air exposure, time, temperature, and humidity. Materials and Methods: Fifty samples as case and 50 samples as control were included from a normal healthy population in this study. After getting the samples, first readings were taken for case samples and were uncapped and the remaining samples were set aside capped at 24°C, 20% humidity for half an hour and followed by second reading which was taken. Results: Variation in the mean serum sodium between groups is 0.06 mEq/L (0.04%) and 0.08 mEq/L (0.07%) which is very negligible and insignificant (P > 0.05). The mean level of serum K+ in cases is 4.35 mEq/L and in controls is 4.27 mEq/L. After half an hour, the mean level of serum K+ in cases is 4.51 mEq/L and, in controls, is 4.29 mEq/L. Hence, the variation in results in cases is 0.16 mEq/L (3.68%) and in controls is 0.02 mEq/L (0.47%) which is highly significant (P < 0.05). The mean level of serum Ca++ in cases is 1.15 mmol/L and in controls is 1.17 mmol/L. After half an hour, the mean level of serum Ca++ in cases is 1.09 mmol/L and in controls is 1.16 mmol/L. Hence, the variation in results in cases is 0.06 mmol/L (5.22%) and in controls is 0.01 mmol/L (0.85%) which is highly significant (P < 0.05). Conclusion: Air exposure significantly alters the serum K+ and Ca++ level, but the alteration in serum Na+ level is not significant.

Trends in antidiabetic drug utilization in Type 2 diabetes patients in a diabetes clinic of a tertiary care teaching hospital in India

Background: The treatment of Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) requires many classes of drugs, combination of old and new drugs is usually recommended for intensification of therapies. Antidiabetic drug (ADD) utilization study promotes rational use of ADDs and reveals the recent trends in use. Aims and Objectives: The objective of the study was to analyze drug utilization pattern with particular attention to initiation and intensification of the treatment options in T2DM patients of a diabetes clinic run by endocrinology department of a tertiary care teaching hospital in Eastern India. Materials and Methods: This was a cross-sectional and observational study conducted at the diabetes clinic of a tertiary care Medical College and Hospital of West Bengal over a period of 12 months. After obtaining informed consent, diagnosed adult Type 2 diabetes patients receiving any ADD were included in the study. Demographic, clinical, and laboratory data, proportion of each class of ADDs, and WHO core drug use indicators were analyzed. Results: A total of 298 patients ([167, 56%] males and [131, 44%] females) were enrolled. The mean age of the patients was 52.33 ± 9.91. Metformin (287/298, 96%) was the most commonly prescribed drug, followed by glimepiride (168/298, 56.38%), insulins (116/298, 38.93%), DPP4 inhibitors (108/298, 36.24%), and pioglitazone (99/298, 33.22%). Metformin, glimepiride (53/109, 48.62%) and metformin, glimepiride, and pioglitazone (36/113, 31.86%) were the common dual and triple drug combinations. Conclusion: In Type 2 diabetes, metformin was the preferred agent for initiation of the treatment; glimepiride, insulin, DPP-4is, and pioglitazone were used in combination of metformin for intensification of therapy, consistent with current clinical practice guidelines.

Correlation of oxidative stress and serum gonadotropins in female infertility - A cross sectional study in a tertiary care hospital in Eastern Zone of India

Background: Infertility is a very important issue to family and society. Oxidative stress (OS) may affect ovulation, fertilization, embryo development, and implantation resulting in infertility in women. Gonadotropins are required for follicle development and estrogen production, hence low levels of these hormones may result infertility. Aim and Objectives: Our aim was to study OS and serum gonadotropins level in infertile women and to study whether the OS has any effect on gonadotropins level in infertile women. Materials and Methods: It is a hospital-based cross-sectional study. The study group included 50 infertile women in the age of 20–45 years. Age-matched 50 women without a history of infertility were selected as control. Serum samples were collected on the third day of the menstrual cycle and assayed for carbonylation of serum protein, a marker of OS by Levine’s method and Serum Follicle-stimulating hormone and luteinizing hormone by Chemiluminescence Immunoassay method in ADVIA, Centaur CP (SIEMENS) autoanalyzer. Statistical analysis of data was done by SPSS software. P < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: From our study, we observed that OS was significantly high in infertile women than control (P < 0.05). Serum gonadotropins levels were significantly low in infertile women than control (P < 0.05). Our study shows significant negative correlations between OS and serum gonadotropins level in infertile women (P < 0.001). Conclusion: It can be concluded that both OS and low serum gonadotropin levels may be etiological factors for infertility in women. Oxidative can cause infertility by direct effect on reproduction physiology as well as by lowering gonadotropin level. So OS and serum gonadotropin levels can be emphasized in case of treatment of female infertility.

Erythrophagocytosis in a patient with B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia with t(12;21) (p13.2; q22.1); ETV6-RUNX1: Case report and review of the literature

Erythrophagocytosis (EP) is extremely rare in de novo acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). We document a rare case, which in addition, showed extensive blast vacuolization. A detailed literature review has also been incorporated with the aim of unraveling the prognostic import of our morphological observations if any. A five-year-old male presented with fever and progressive pallor for 1 month. He had hepatosplenomegaly and bicytopenia. Peripheral smear examination showed 43% blasts. Nuclear and cytoplasmic vacuolations were seen in 75% blasts and EP in 4% blasts. The blasts showed block positivity on periodic acid-Schiff (PAS) stain. Marrow aspirate smears showed 58% blasts displaying a similar morphology. Flow cytometry showed features of a common acute lymphoblastic leukemia antigen (CALLA) positive B-cell ALL with aberrant, dim CD 33 expression in 53.4% of the gated blasts. Fluorescence in situ hybridization showed translocation (12; 21) (p13;q22). The patient responded well to standard induction therapy. To conclude, EP is rarely seen in de novo ALL and is associated with a favorable translocation, t(12;21).

Consequence of neo-adjuvant chemotherapy on morphology of breast carcinoma: A systematic evaluation.

BACKGROUND: Neo‑adjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) in locally advanced breast cancer is the present trend. Following NAC, a considerable alteration of morphology occurs in the tumor. AIMS: To study effects of NAC on morphology of breast carcinoma and to evaluate the pathologic response (PR). MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 39 surgically resected mastectomy specimens of patients of invasive locally advanced breast carcinoma who received NAC were evaluated for macroscopic and microscopic (by routine stains and immunohistochemistry) alteration of morphology. RESULTS: Macroscopically well‑defined tumor noted in 25 cases (64.1%) and in the rest (14 cases, 35.9%), only fibrotic areas identified. Microscopic examination identified malignant cells in 29 (74.4%), significant chronic inflammation in 24 (61.5%), hyalinized fibrosed stroma in 25 (64.1%) and necrosis in 11 (28.2%) cases. Immunohistochemistry assisted in differentiating malignant cells from histiocytes. In 15 cases (38.5%), axillary lymph nodes isolated where fibrosis seen in 12 (30.8%) and malignant cell in 8 (20.5%) cases. In 34 cases where the pre‑treatment biopsy were available, complete pathologic response (pCR) and partial pathologic response (pPR) were achieved in 7 (20.6%) and 23 (67.4%) cases respectively. DISCUSSION: Protocol of systematic evaluation of morphological changes is different in cases of a patient treated by NAC. Nature of malignancy was difficult to categorize as morphology of typical breast carcinomas were altered. Sometimes, immunohistochemistry is advantageous as routine H and E stains are not sufficient to isolate malignant cells in fibrotic and necrotic areas. Appropriate morphological evaluation of the mastectomy specimen is absolutely crucial for assessment of PR and subsequent management.

Influence of culture media and environmental factors on mycelial growth and sporulation of Lasiodiplodia theobromae (Pat.) Griffon and Maubl.

Lasiodiplodia theobromae, a common tea (Camellia sinensis) pathogen, usually does not sporulate or sporulates poorly in common media, which makes spore production difficult. In this study the effects of culture media, carbon source, nitrogen source, temperature, pH and light on mycelial growth and sporulation were evaluated. Among several carbon sources tested, glucose and sucrose were found superior for growth. Potassium nitrate supplemented media showed maximum growth amongst the tested inorganic nitrogen sources while peptone produced maximum growth among the tested organic nitrogen sources. Tea root extract supplemented potato dextrose agar medium was found to be the most suitable for mycelial growth and sporulation of L. theobromae. The fungus grow at temperatures ranging from 40 to 36 degrees C, with optimum growth at 28 degrees C and no growth was noted at 40 degrees C. There was no significant effect of different light period on growth of L. theobromae, but light enhanced sporulation. The fungus grow at pH 3.0-8.0 and optimum growth was observed at pH 6.0. Tea root extract supplemented potato dextrose agar medium with pH 6.0 was the most suitable for production of conidia of L. theobromae at 28 degrees C. Hence this media may be recommended for inoculum production for further studies.

Changing profile of Vibrio cholerae O1, O139 in Delhi & its periphery (2003-2005).

BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVE: Cholera caused by either Vibrio cholerae O1 or O139 is endemic in Delhi and its peripheral areas. The present study was carried out to understand the changing epidemiology of V. cholerae in terms of prevalence of serotypes, antibiogram pattern and phage types. METHODS: A total of 9858 stool samples from the admitted diarrhoea patients were used for the isolation of V. cholerae O1 and O139. Subsets of isolates were tested against thirteen antimicrobials and phage typed. RESULTS: Among 4251 (43.1%) confirmed cases, 41.6 per cent were V. cholerae O1 and rest (1.5 %) V. cholerae O139. Detection of V. cholerae O1 serotype Inaba was 87.7 per cent during 2005 and rest were serotype Ogawa. Majority of cases (93.1%) were from Delhi. Male:Female ratio remained 1.5:1.0. Children below 5 yr age group constituted 32.7 per cent cases. Shift in the age groups and seasonal incidence were recorded. All 226 strains of V. cholerae O1 and O139 were resistant to nalidixic acid; 96 per cent V. cholerae O1 isolates were multidrug resistant (FX NA SXT). Phage type 27 (98.7%) was the most prevalent and the new phage types were 4, 16 and 25 in this area. INTERPRETATION & CONCLUSION: Enhanced surveillance helped in bringing down cases from 47.7 per cent in 2003 to 36.8 per cent in 2005. Additionally, the changing epidemiology of V. cholerae O1 and O139 infections and drug resistance need regular monitoring.

Pathology of benzalkonium chloride toxicity and its effect on body weight gain in broiler birds.

Four groups comprising 16 broiler birds each were given benzalkonium chloride (BC) at 100, 300, 500 and 700 ppm in drinking water for 40 days and one group of 16 birds (control) was kept on plain water. Clinical signs in higher dose groups were respiratory distress, drooling of saliva, difficulty in deglutition, inappetence, apathy, lethargy and loss of body weight. Better body weight gain was recorded in 100 ppm dose rate. At 300 ppm, no significant body weight variation was recorded, whereas, at 500 and 700 ppm dose rates, significantly poor body weight gain was recorded. Major pathological changes were seen in 500 and 700 ppm groups, which exhibited formation of yellow diphtheritic plaques in the buccal cavity, swollen and pale commissures of beak and shortening of tongue. Minute necrotic and ulcerative foci were seen in oesophagus and crop. Hyperplastic and hypertrophic alterations were seen in mucosa of the upper digestive tract. Crop of 300 ppm group revealed formation of well developed epithelial nest with pseudoepitheliomatous hyperplasia at the margin of the lesion. Serum alanine transaminase, urea and uric acid in 500 and 700 ppm groups were elevated whereas no significant variations were observed in the 100 and 300 ppm groups. BC could enhance performance of broiler birds at 100 ppm dose rate. It should not be used beyond 300 ppm.

Utilisation pattern of blood in a teaching hospital of Kolkata.

An annual utilisation of blood transfusion services at several depts. of R.G. Kar Medical College and Hospital, Kolkata were assessed among a sample of 3122 patients selected by Systematic Random Sampling Technique from the register made available in the blood bank there. Record analysis revealed that overall 79.4% of supplied blood units were actually transfused, wastage of 21.6%. Wastage was maximum in the Department of Gynae & Obstetrics (33.11%) and Surgery (32.87%). Only single unit of blood was requisitioned and transfused for 5.44% & 30.90% of the patients respectively. Most common indications of blood transfusion were for surgical cases (37.92%), followed by anaemia (34.80%) and haemorrhage (26.92%). The use of blood and blood products merit attention, appraisal and instructional guiding accordingly.

Efficacy of arteether in chloroquine resistant falciparum malaria in eastern India.

BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVES: Morbidity and mortality due to falciparum malaria are increasing in many tropical areas. The situation is further complicated by drug resistant malaria. The present study was undertaken to evaluate the efficacy of arteether on acute chloroquine resistant Plasmodium falciparum malaria in eastern coalfield area of Asansol. METHODS: A total of 30 patients with chloroquine resistant falciparum malaria smear and histidine-rich protein II (HRPII) antigen positive were given arteether intramuscularly in a single daily dose of 150 mg (3 mg/kg body weight in case of children) for three consecutive days. They were followed up to 28 days of arteether therapy. Each patient was assessed in terms of fever clearance time, parasite clearance time and parasite reappearance rate. RESULTS: The cure rate was found to be 100% with fever clearance time between 1-3 days (mean +/- SD 48.2 +/- 10.6 h) and mean parasite clearance time of 1.2 +/- 0.3 days. Parasite reappearance rate was found to be 0%. No adverse effect due to arteether therapy was observed following the treatment. INTERPRETATION & CONCLUSION: The results indicated that arteether was effective in patients with acute chloroquine resistant, complicated as well as uncomplicated, falciparum malaria and might be considered as a suitable alternative to quinine.

Involvement of private practitioners in RNTCP.

Private Practitioners are often the first point of conduct for a significant proportion of TB patients. For long-term success of RNTCP involvement of them is very essential. All Private Practitioners can support and encourage effective TB control by ensuring prompt referral, providing reassurance to patients, giving RNTCP recommended drug regimens and only starting treatment with rifampicin containing regimens if the full course of treatment can be ensured to be completed under direct observation. Schemes for Private Practitioners' involvement in RNTCP are: Scheme 1 referral services, scheme 2 provision of Directly Observed Treatment, scheme 3a designated MC--microscopy only, scheme 3b designated paid MC-microscopy and treatment, scheme 4a designated MC-microscopy only, scheme 4 b designated MC-microscopy and treatment. Nationwide Public--Private Mix (PPM) services involving 1500 private practitioners are providing RNTCP services successfully.

Medical colleges' involvement in the RNTCP: current status.

To widen access and improving the quality of TB services, involvement of medical colleges and their hospitals is paramount. The role of medical college professors in TB control as opinion leaders and role models for practising physician and as teachers imparting knowledge and skills and shaping the attitude of medical students cannot be underestimated. There is a pressing need for all medical schools to advocate DOTS and through this strategy provide the best opportunity for cure of patients. Priority activities to be undertaken by medical colleges are: (1) Training and teaching of RNTCP. (2) Service delivery of the RNTCP. (3) Advocacy of the RNTCP. (4) Operational research. A National Tast Force is being constituted comprising representatives from the zonal nodal centers, Central TB Institutes, and Central TB Division. With the establishment of zonal nodal centres and task forces at the different levels, it is envisaged that the movement will gain further momentum.

Uropathogenic Escherichia coli causing urinary tract infections.

BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVES: The information on the characteristics of Escherichia coli causing urinary tract infections is limited. We have characterised the urovirulence factors of Esch. coli isolated from symptomatic patients of urinary tract infections (UTI) in order to determine their pathogenic potential and the antibiotic sensitivity profile. METHODS: Semi-quantitative urine culture was done on 370 symptomatic patients suffering from urinary tract infections. Phenotypic characterization of the urovirulence factors of Esch. coli was undertaken and the antibiotic susceptibility was determined. RESULTS: Esch. coli was responsible for 45.5 per cent of infections. Resistance to amoxycillin, cotrimoxazole, nalidixic acid, norfloxacin and ciprofloxacin among Esch. coli isolates ranged from 70-95 per cent. Serotype O101 was found to be the commonest serotype (7/26). The virulence factors associated with uropathogenic Esch. coli were haemolysin production (5/30), presence of mannose resistant P-fimbriae (5/30), presence of mannose sensitive type 1 fimbriae (6/30) and the presence of mannose resistant F-fimbriae (2/30). Siderophores production was seen in all the isolates causing UTI. INTERPRETATION & CONCLUSION: Esch. coli was found to be the commonest cause of UTI in our study population. Antibiotic resistance was high among the strains circulating which emphasises the need for judicious use of antibiotics. Certain virulence factors like haemolysin production and presence of fimbriae in the Esch. coli may be associated with the urovirulence.

Unilateral visual impairment in an urban population in southern India.

This study assessed the prevalence and causes of unilateral visual impairment in the urban population of Hyderabad city as part of the Andhra Pradesh Eye Disease Study. Stratified, random, cluster, systematic sampling was used to select 2,954 subjects from 24 clusters representative of the population of Hyderabad. Eligible subjects underwent detailed eye examination including logMAR visual acuity, refraction, slitlamp biomicroscopy, applanation tonometry, gonioscopy, dilatation, cataract grading, and stereoscopic evaluation of fundus. Automated threshold visual fields and slitlamp and fundus photography were done when indicated by standardised criteria. Unilateral visual impairment was defined as presenting distance visual acuity < 6/18 in the worse eye and > or = 6/12 in the better eye, which was further divided into unilateral blindness (visual acuity < 6/60 in the worse eye) and unilateral moderate visual impairment (visual acuity < 6/18-6/60 in the worse eye). A total of 2,522 subjects (85.4% of eligible), including 1,399 > or = 30 years old, participated in the study. In addition to the 1% blindness and 7.2% moderate visual impairment (based on bilateral visual impairment criteria) reported earlier in this sample, 139 subjects had unilateral visual impairment, an age-gender-adjusted prevalence of 3.8% (95% confidence interval 2.7-4.9%). The major causes of this visual impairment 39.9% were refractive error (42.9%), cataract (14.4%), corneal disease (11.5%), and retinal disease (11.2%). Of this unilateral visual impairment was blindness. The major causes of unilateral blindness were corneal disease (23.2%), cataract (22.5%), retinal disease (18%), and optic atrophy (12.9%). On the other hand, the predominant cause of unilateral moderate visual impairment was refractive error (67%) followed by cataract (9%). Of the total unilateral visual impairment, 34.3% was present in those < 30 years old and 36.2% in those 30-49 years old. Unilateral visual impairment afflicts approximately 1 in 25 persons in this urban population. A large proportion of this unilateral visual impairment is present in younger age groups. The causes of unilateral visual impairment, like those of bilateral visual impairment in this population, are varied, suggesting therefore, that in addition to the current focus of eye care in India predominantly on cataract, other causes of visual impairment need to be addressed as well.