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Background: Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) is a global health problem with rising incidence. Serum Creatinine (SCr) is insensitive to moderate reductions in Glomerular Filtration Rate (GFR). Low molecular weight proteins like Beta2-Microglobulin (BMG) are cleared by the plasma through glomerular filtration. Hence serum concentrations increase progressively with reduction of GFR. Aim and Objectives: To correlate serum concentrations of BMG with creatinine and estimated GFR (eGFR) in patients with early stages of CKD. Material and Methods: Seventy four adults in early stages of CKD were included based on eGFR, calculated using the 4 variable Modification of Diet in Renal Disease (MDRD) equation and albumin creatinine ratio. They were divided into four groups based on the stages of CKD. SCr was measured using Jaffes reaction with Rosche Hitachi P800 autoanalyser and serum BMG was measured using Calbiotech ELISA kit and compared using one way ANOVA, followed by post hoc Tukey’s test and Pearson’s correlation tests with SPSS version 16 software. Results: Levels of serum BMG were significantly elevated in all groups, (p60 ml/min/1.73 m2. Both BMG(r=-0.792) and SCr(r=-0.913) increased with reduction of eGFR (p

Background: Prostate cancer (CaP) has a varied occurrence across the globe. Serum Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA) level is influenced by various factors which include race and ethnicity, environmental factors, lifestyle, metabolic changes, physiologic changes and advancing age. Data is scarce regarding reference range for Indian population. Aim and Objectives: To determine age specific serum PSA level in apparently healthy south Indian men. Material and Methods: Reports of 5199 adult males tested for serum total PSA were screened. Persons with PSA >20ng/ml were excluded from the study. A total of 4583 apparently healthy adult men from tertiary care hospital in Mangaluru, India were included as subjects. The median serum PSA levels were calculated in each 10-year age group for Indian males. These were compared with age specific reference range reported in different populations across the country and also among different ethnicities across the globe. The data was analysed using SPSS 16.0, Inc, Chicago, IL. Results: The median PSA value was 0.76 ng/ml in subjects younger than 50 years; 0.97 ng/ml in 50-59 years group; 1.38 ng/ml in 60-69 years group; 1.89 ng/ml in 70-79 years group and 2.19 ng/ml in persons older than 80 years. We found a positive correlation between age and serum PSA levels. Conclusions: PSA is influenced by various factors which makes depending on a single reference for all age groups a questionable practice. This study highlights the need to establish age specific reference ranges for different populations.

Introduction: Vitamin D (Vit D) modulates a variety of processes and regulatory systems including host defense, inflammation, immunity, and repair. Vit D Deficiency (VDD) is been implicated as a cause in diabetes, immune dysfunction and Tuberculosis (TB). Impaired metabolism of Vit D and an adverse outcome is associated with Pulmonary Tuberculosis (PTB). Directly Observed Treatment Short Course (DOTS) consist of drugs like rifampicin and isoniazid, which respectively cause accelerated loss of Vit D due to increased clearance and impairment of 25- hydroxylation causing diminished Vit D action. Aim: The aim of the present study was to estimate and compare serum Vit D status in newly diagnosed PTB patients before and after DOTS to validate the supplementation of Vit D in PTB patients. Materials and Methods: Forty four newly diagnosed PTB patients of both the sexes in the age group of 18 to 60 years before starting DOTS were recruited to participate in this nonrandomized controlled trial with their voluntary consent. Vit D status in these patients and the effect of DOTS on Vit D were evaluated. Results: Mean Vit D levels of the study population aged 43±13 years was 20.74 ng/ml (normal >30 ng/ml) at the time of diagnosis. After completion of six months of therapy mean Vit D reduced to 17.49 ng/ml (p-value=0.041). On individual observations, 70% of the participants showed a decrease in Vit D levels from their baseline, whereas 30% showed an increase. Comparison between the two groups indicated the possible role of younger age in the improved status. Conclusion: VDD was seen in PTB patients, which worsened in majority of the study population after treatment; hence it would be advisable to recommend Vit D supplementation in PTB patients for a better outcome.

Thalassemia is a group of disorders characterized by deficient production of the β-globin sub unit of hemoglobin. The mandatory blood transfusions in patients with thalassemia to maintain adequate erythrocyte levels, leads to iron overload. The prevalence of diabetes in patients with thalassemia varies from 6 to 14%. We here by present a known case of thalassemia major in an 18 year old boy. He was diagnosed with thalassemia before the age of one year and is on regular blood transfusion every two weeks since then. The repeated blood transfusion is one of the common causes for haemochromatosis. Iron overload initially leads to glucose abnormalities such as insulin resistance and hyperinsulinemia, which is followed by impaired secretion of insulin. Diagnosed as a case of bronze diabetes, this patient is on insulin therapy for the last two years. Currently the patient is on iron chelation therapy at Kasturba Medical College Hospital, Mangalore, Karnataka, India.

We are presenting a case of a 13-year-old autistic boy whose urine porphyrin test came positive on three separate occasions. The child was brought to emergency department of Kasturba Medical College Hospital, Attavar, Mangalore, India, with fever and acute abdominal pain, with no previous history of any serious illness. Investigations revealed thalassemia trait,microcytic hypochromic anaemia while the other biochemical and haematological parameters were normal. False positive urine porphyrin test may be seen in porphyria induced by liver cancer, hepatitis and heavy metal poisoning such as lead, arsenic and mercury. Blood lead (PbB) level was 59.5μg/dl. Further evaluation revealed a daily consumption of native medicine in the form of syrup.

Objectives: Knowledge of the shape and dimensions of the glenoid are important in the design and fitting of glenoid components for total shoulder arthroplasty. An understanding of variations in normal anatomy of the glenoid is essential while evaluating pathological conditions like osseous Bankart lesions and osteochondral defects. Methods: This study was done on 202 dry, unpaired adult human scapulae of unknown sex belonging to the south Indian population. Three glenoid diameters were measured, the superior-inferior diameter, anterior-posterior diameter of the lower half and the anterior-posterior diameter of the upper half of the glenoid. Based on a notch present on the anterior glenoid rim, variations in the shape of the glenoid cavity were classified as inverted comma shaped, pear shaped and oval. Results: The average superior-inferior diameter on right and the left sides were 33.67±2.82mm and 33.92±2.87mm respectively. The average anterior-posterior diameter of the lower half of the right glenoid was 23.35±2.04mm and that of the left was 23.02±2.30mm. The mean diameter of the upper half of the right glenoid was 16.27±2.01mm and that of the left was 15.77±1.96mm. Conclusion: The dimensions of the glenoid observed in the present study were lesser than those recorded in the studies done on other populations. This fact may be taken into consideration while designing glenoid prostheses for the south Indian population. The current study recorded a higher percentage of glenoid cavities having the glenoid notch as compared to earlier studies. While evaluating defects/lesions of the glenoid, this fact could be useful.

Knowledge of the shape and dimensions of the glenoid are important in the design and fitting of glenoid components for total shoulder arthroplasty. An understanding of variations in normal anatomy of the glenoid is essential while evaluating pathological conditions like osseous Bankart lesions and osteochondral defects. Methods: This study was done on 202 dry, unpaired adult human scapulae of unknown sex belonging to the south Indian population. Three glenoid diameters were measured, the superior-inferior diameter, anterior-posterior diameter of the lower half and the anterior-posterior diameter of the upper half of the glenoid. Based on a notch present on the anterior glenoid rim, variations in the shape of the glenoid cavity were classified as inverted comma shaped, pear shaped and oval. Results: The average superior-inferior diameter on right and the left sides were 33.67±2.82mm and 33.92±2.87mm respectively. The average anterior-posterior diameter of the lower half of the right glenoid was 23.35±2.04mm and that of the left was 23.02±2.30mm. The mean diameter of the upper half of the right glenoid was 16.27±2.01mm and that of the left was 15.77±1.96mm. Conclusion: The dimensions of the glenoid observed in the present study were lesser than those recorded in the studies done on other populations. This fact may be taken into consideration while designing glenoid prostheses for the south Indian population. The current study recorded a higher percentage of glenoid cavities having the glenoid notch as compared to earlier studies. While evaluating defects/lesions of the glenoid, this fact could be useful.