Correlation of Serum Adiponectin and Leptin levels in Obesity and Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus.

INTRODUCTION: Indian phenotype includes higher waist circumference despite lower body mass index, thereby making Indians more prone to diabetes and its complications. AIM: The present study aimed to analyze the serum levels of adiponectin and leptin in the participants with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and obesity and their correlation with hypertension and dyslipidemia. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In the study, 50 diabetics and 50 controls aged between 40 and 60 years were included in the study. RESULTS: Adiponectin levels were significantly higher in diabetics than in nondiabetic participants irrespective of gender (P ≤ 0.04 in males, P ≤ 0.02 in females). Leptin levels were significantly higher in diabetics compared to nondiabetics (P ≤ 0.001) in both males and females. CONCLUSION: Adiponectin and leptin levels may be used as important clinical markers for T2DM and obesity.

A cross-sectional study of variations in the biophysical parameters of skin among healthy volunteers.

BACKGROUND: Biophysical parameters of skin such as trans-epidermal water loss (TEWL), hydration, elasticity, pH, and sebum reflects it functional integrity. Advances in technology have made it possible to measure these parameters by non-invasive methods. These parameters are useful for the prediction of disease and its prognosis. It also helps in developing new skin care products according to various skin types, and to evaluate, modify, or compare the effects of existing products. AIM: The aim of the study was to measure, evaluate, and analyze variations in biophysical parameters at pre-selected skin sites in healthy Indian volunteers, across different age groups and gender. METHODS: The study was conducted among 500 healthy Indian volunteers, between 5 and 70 years of age, in the outpatient department of dermatology at Sir T. Hospital, Bhavnagar. Biophysical parameters such as TEWL, hydration, elasticity, and sebum content was measured on four pre-selected body sites by a Dermalab instrument (Cortex Technology, Denmark). The skin pH was measured with a sensitive pH probe (BEPL 2100). RESULTS: All parameters were higher in males compared to females, except for sebum content, which was equal in both genders. Transepidermal water loss and hydration was lower in middle and older age groups. The skin pH showed no statistically significant difference with age. Sebum content was higher in middle and older age groups. The nose had the highest sebum content across all age groups. The forehead showed higher median values of TEWL and hydration compared to other sites. Though elasticity has highest value on forearm, only leg region showed statistically significant value. LIMITATIONS: The present study was confined to a single geographical area, so the effect of environment changes could not be judged accurately. Seasonal variations were not studied as it was a cross-sectional study. CONCLUSION: Skin properties vary with age, gender, and location on the body. This knowledge will help to create a database of these parameters in the Indian population. It would assist in the diagnosis of various clinical conditions and monitor therapeutic response.

Methemoglobinemia - The Cryptic Cause of Dyspnoea.

Methemoglobinemia is a life threatening condition that can be difficult to diagnose. It can be congenital or, more often an adverse drug effect. A good, detailed history taking and thorough knowledge of drugs and toxins is the secret to early diagnosis. We present two interesting cases of methemoglobinemia. First was phenol poisoning with G6PD deficiency leading to hemolysis and methemoglobinemia and second was phenol induced methemoglobinemia. Here we discuss the diagnosis and management of a patient with acquired methemoglobinemia.

Perianal Eccrine Syringofibroadenoma.

Eccrine syringofibroadenoma (ESFA) is a rare eccrine ductal adnexal tumor. It shows variable presentations as solitary or multiple nodular lesions arranged in different patterns. It is most commonly seen in middle-aged to elderly patients, and most common sites include the extremities. Classic histopathological findings show anastomosing cords and strands of uniform cuboidal cells surrounded by fibrovascular stroma. Herein, we report a case of reactive ESFA which developed on the perianal region of a 31-year-old man.

A nonrandomized study of trichoscopy patterns using nonpolarized (contact) and polarized (noncontact) dermatoscopy in hair and shaft disorders.

AIMS: The aim was to study the trichoscopy features of selected hair and scalp conditions by two dermoscopic devices with different modes that is, polarized (noncontact) and nonpolarized (contact) mode. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The present study included 11 clinical varieties of cases with total 112 patients, attending Sir Takhtasinh Hospital, Bhavnagar in the last 2 years. The clinical history was recorded for each case, and images were taken in both the Heine and DermLite II pro dermatoscope. We used polarized mode of the noncontact device (DermLite II) and the nonpolarized mode of the contact device (Heine) for our study. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS USED: Fisher's exact test to study dermoscopic observations for each mode. RESULTS: We observed different nonscarring alopecia cases such as alopecia areata, androgenetic alopecia, trichotillomania, and tinea capitis. Scarring alopecia included discoid lupus erythematosus, lichen planopilaris, pseudopelade of Brocq, systemic lupus erythematosus. Scaling disorders included the psoriasis and seborrheic dermatitis. Furthermore, infestations like pediculosis capitis were included in the study. Various features were divided into follicular, interfollicular, pigmentary, vascular and hair shaft patterns. Each of the features was correlated in both the Heine (nonpolarized) and DermLite II (polarized) dermoscope, and observational finding was put forward accordingly. CONCLUSIONS: Various variations were observed in the documentation of dermoscopic patterns of the two dermatoscopes with certain features such as vascular patterns, scaling, and reticular pigmentation being better appreciated in polarized mode, while certain features were better documented in nonpolarized mode that is, black dots and tapered hair.