|
|
Articles
by
S. Kharb |
Total Records (
3 ) for
S. Kharb |
|
 |
|
|
|
S. Kharb
,
S. Kumar
and
Z.S. Kundu
|
|
Osteosarcoma is the most common primary tumor of bone, occur mainly during childhood and adolescence. No reports are available in literature where serum folate and vitamin B12 have been assessed in osteosarcoma patients. Hence, the present study was planned to analyze status of folate and vitamin B12 in thirty osteosarcoma patients and compare it with thirty controls (subjects with musculoskeletal pain). Serum calcium, alkaline phosphatase levels were higher and phosphorus levels were comparable in osteosarcoma patients as compared to controls. Serum folate levels were significantly raised in osteosarcoma patients as compared to controls (p<0.001). Serum vitamin B12 levels were significantly lowered in osteosarcoma patients as compared to controls (p<0.001). Folate-mediated one-carbon metabolism (FOCM) is unequivocally linked to multiple health outcomes, including birth defects, several types of cancer and possibly cardiovascular disease and cognitive function. Tumors are known to up regulate FRα modulating the folate uptake in serum. Vitamin B12 diminishes osteoblastic activity and lowered serum vitamin B12 levels are possibly due to increased metabolic demand of the tumor. The present study suggests that these parameters can serve as useful markers for diagnosis and follow up of disease. |
|
|
|
|
|
M.G. Vashist
,
S. Deswal
,
M. Verma
and
S. Kharb
|
|
Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT) affects a significant proportion of population and
if untreated timely leads to high mortality due to pulmonary embolism. Though
color Doppler ultrasonography is the gold standard for diagnosis but non availability
of experienced radiologist especially at night has led to alternative investigation
for diagnosis of DVT. Plasma D-dimer levels which measure the degradation products
of cross linked fibrin, are a valuable diagnostic test for the exclusion of
deep venous thrombosis. D-dimer levels were analyzed in fifty patients suspected
of deep vein thrombosis clinically and compared the results with color Doppler
ultrasonography. A value of 250 ng mL-1 was chosen as cut off. For
the purposes of analysis, results were expressed as either negative (<250
ng mL-1) or positive (≥250 ng mL-1). Patients were
classified as low, moderate or high pretest probability for DVT as per Well s
scoring system. D-dimer assay had a sensitivity of 97.3% (CI 85.8-99.9%), a
specificity of 38.5% (CI 13.9-68.4%), a positive predictive value of 81.8% (CI
67.3-91.8%) and a negative predictive value of 83.3% (CI 35.9-99.6%). In patients
with a low or moderate pretest probability of DVT, the negative predictive value
of this assay was 100% and this test can safely exclude the DVT in these patients.
Thus in patients having low and moderate pretest probability automated latex
D-dimer test can safely exclude DVT. |
|
|
|
|
P.K. Misra
,
S. Dalal
,
M. Kumawat
and
S. Kharb
|
|
Recent studies have defined the role of trace elements such as iron, calcium, zinc and copper in the formation of gallstones and deficiencies of serum iron and serum calcium can lead to increased risk of gallstone disease. The present study was planned to analyse the exact role of serum iron and calcium in the pathogenesis of gallstone disease and to assess the relationship of biliary cholesterol supersaturation with levels of serum iron and calcium. Total 100 patients suffering from cholelithiasis were included in the study and were divided into following groups based on their serum iron and calcium levels; group A included patients with normal serum iron (the controls), group B included patients with iron deficiency (the cases), group A1 included patients with normal serum calcium (the controls) and group B1 included patients with calcium deficiency (the cases). The 5 mL of blood sample was drawn intravenously before cholecystectomy, serum was analysed for the parameters like serum iron, calcium, cholesterol and biliary cholesterol (lipid extract from bile). Bile cholesterol levels were raised in group B and group B1 (the cases) as compared to group A and group A1 (the controls). Low serum iron, causes defective hepatic cholesterol metabolism and more stasis of bile because of decreased motility of gallbladder and leads to increased precipitation of cholesterol and hence gallstone formation. Also, deficiency of both iron and calcium is associated with increased chances of super-saturation of bile in gallbladder followed by increase in incidence of gallstone formation. |
|
|
|
|
|
|