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Introduction: Reference intervals are important for interpretation of clinical laboratory tests. The platelet parameters are recently reported newer haematological parameters and serve as clinically valuable biomarkers. It provides further information on platelet morphology and proliferation kinetics. The lack of information from manufacturers about the geographical reference ranges for the Complete Blood Count (CBC) parameters highlights the need for laboratories to establish reference intervals. Aim: To determine the reference interval for platelet parameters using Sysmex XN-1000 haematology analyser in South Indian population. Materials and Methods: The present retrospective record-based study was carried out during July 2021 to September 2021 and the data was retrieved from a continuous 12-month period (November 2018-October 2019) in the haematology laboratory at a tertiary care dental hospital, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India. The data of CBC parameters were retrieved from the Sysmex XN-1000 analyser and a total of 1,883 reports labelled as negative/unflagged were included in the study. The reference intervals for platelet parameters which include Mean Platelet Volume (MPV), Platelet Distribution Width (PDW), Platelet Large Cell Ratio (P-LCR) and Plateletcrit (PCT) for male and female subjects were compared using the Mann-Whitney U-test. Kruskal-Wallis test was used to compare between the different age groups using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 24.0 software. Results: The data for the platelet parameters are shown as median, with statistically significant difference in the reference interval for all the parameters (p<0.001). There was no significant difference in age divided reference intervals, except for PCT (p=0.04) PDW was found to be 9-16.4 fL for males and 9.1-16.6 fL for females (p<0.001). Similarly, MPV was 9-12.3 fL for males and 9-12.6 fL for females (p<0.001); P-LCR was 16-42.1% for males and 16.6-43% for females (p<0.001); and PCT was 0.15- 0.36% for males and 0.14-0.41% for females (p<0.001). Conclusion: The study has determined the reference interval for platelet parameters with respect to age and gender in area specific population and these results can be utilised for other laboratories using the same analyser system for south Indian population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: The anterior interosseus nerve syndrome, is a compression neuropathy affecting the anterior interosseus nerve, resulting in motor weakness of the long tendons to the index finger and thumb. Of the many conditions leading to this syndrome, one of the more common yet most overlooked aetiologies is the presence of accessory head of the flexor pollicis longus muscle, also called the Gantzer's muscle. Even though numerous studies have been done in both Indian and international populations regarding the frequency of the Gantzer's muscle, there are hardly any studies involving the South Indian population. Aim: To analyse the frequency and morphology of the Gantzer's muscle in the sub-population of Malabar region, Kerala. Materials And Methods: This descriptive observational study was performed in Department of Anatomy at Malabar Medical College, Atholi, Kerala, India, from July 2021 to August 2021. Study included 60 upper limbs from the cadavers provided for undergraduate medical education. In the limbs where the muscle was identified, parameters such as proximal and distal attachments, shape and length of muscle and tendon, relation to adjacent median and anterior interosseus nerves were studied. Frequencies of each of these parameters were analysed using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) software version version 21.0. Percentages obtained were compared with existing studies. Results: The Gantzer's muscle was found in 28 of the 60 limbs dissected. It was more common on the right side (17 limbs), and the most common origin was the medial epicondyle (53.6%). All the cases identified were inserted onto the ulnar aspect of the Flexor Pollicis Longus tendon, mostly in the upper third. In all cases, the Median Nerve was superficial and the Anterior Interosseus Nerve was deep to the accessory head. In majority of the cases the Anterior Interosseus Nerve was related to the posterior aspect of the belly of the Gantzer's muscle (82.1%). Conclusion: Clinicians and surgeons should be conscious of the possibility of the Gantzer's muscle being the aetiology, in cases of isolated Anterior Interosseus nerve palsies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Variability in the levels of these trace elements may reflect altered insulin metabolism and poor glycaemic control in the background of elevated oxidative stress. Mineral metabolism is another entity that may be disrupted by diabetes mellitus. Conversely, there are studies implicating early imbalances of trace elements in upsetting glucose homeostasis and insulin metabolism. Aim: To estimate and compare serum zinc, copper and magnesium in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (DM) patients with non diabetic controls and to correlate the serum zinc, copper and magnesium with Glycated Haemoglobin levels in Type 2 DM. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted at the Sapthagiri Institute of Medical Sciences and Research Center, Bengaluru, Karnataka, India. The study included 30 Type 2 DM patients and 30 healthy, age and gender matched controls without Type 2 DM. Their serum levels of zinc, copper and magnesium were measured and compared. Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 16 software was used to perform the statistical analysis. The data obtained was subjected to descriptive statistical analysis. Results: Mean±SD of serum zinc in Type 2 DM and controls was 93.44±46.99 μg/dL and 121.74±37.15 μg/dL, respectively. Serum zinc was significantly decreased in Type 2 DM. However, there was no significant alteration with respect to serum copper and magnesium. Pearson’s correlation analysis showed that the association between HbA1c with zinc (r=0.069, p=0.718), copper (r= -0.094, p=0.622) and magnesium (r=0.116, p=0.543) was random. Conclusion: Zinc deficiency noticed in Type 2 DM patients may be due to increased excretion in urine. Zinc oral preparations are cheap and easily available. Considering these, it can be further explored if micronutrient supplementation would help to improve the glycaemic variability in Type 2 DM. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]