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Background: Acute stroke is one of the important causes of death and disability around the world. Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM) increases the risk of acute stroke. This study was undertaken to evaluate the efficacy of a novel biomarker Ischemia Modified Albumin (IMA) in diagnosing the cases of stroke in diabetic and non diabetic patients along with albumin adjusted Ischemia Modified Albumin index, a modification to IMA values as suggested by few authors. Materials and method: This study included 30 patients of diabetic stroke, 30 non-diabetic stroke patients along with 30 healthy volunteers serving as controls. IMA was estimated using Albumin cobalt binding test. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was plotted for IMA and albumin adjusted IMA index separately in 'diabetic stroke' and 'non-diabetic stroke' patients group and measures of diagnostic efficacy were calculated. Results: Area under the curve (AUC) of serum IMA was 0.968 in 'diabetic stroke' group as compared to 0.917 in 'non-diabetic stroke' group. The AUC of albumin adjusted IMA index was 0.800 in 'diabetic stroke' group as compared to 0.811 in 'non-diabetic stroke' group. All the measures of diagnostic efficacy of albumin adjusted IMA index were much lower as compared with that of serum IMA. Conclusion: Albumin adjusted IMA index is not a better marker for diagnosis of stroke in both diabetic and non-diabetic patients as compared to serum IMA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Multiple myeloma is a group of B-cell disorders resulting in the secretion of a specific and unique monoclonal immunoglobulin (M-protein). Protein electrophoresis is advised whenever multiple myeloma is suspected. The M-protein usually migrates in the gamma or beta region of the normal protein pattern; very rarely it may appear in the alpha 2 or even in alpha1 region. We report a rare case of multiple myeloma with biclonalgammopathyin 50 year old women who presented with generalised weakness, swelling over chest and lower back pain. Atypical case presentation where the patient with multiple myeloma presented with two M-spike in beta-globulin region on protein electrophoresis with hypoglobulinemia. To reveal the nature of M bands or clonality, serum Immunofixation study was performed which revealed IgA with kappa and IgM with kappa light chains. Such pattern is very rare if we consider the various immunofixation patterns observed in different gammopathies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Periodontitis and increased levels of Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha (TNF-α) are considered as key factors contributing to the bone loss observed in oestrogen deficient post-menopausal women. Aim: The present study aimed at assessing the levels of salivary TNF-α in pre- and post-menopausal women with chronic periodontitis and evaluating its potential as a biochemical marker of periodontal disease in post menopausal women. Materials and Methods: A total of 80 female subjects, within the age range of 35-55 years, were divided into 4 groups of 20 subjects each, pre- and post-menopausal women with chronic periodontitis and pre- and post-menopausal periodontally healthy controls. After assessment of clinical periodontal status, unstimulated whole saliva was collected and levels of TNF-α were examined using ELISA. One-way ANOVA, posthoc Tukey's test, Student's unpaired t-test and Karl Pearson's co-efficient of correlation were used. SPSS version 17.0 and MedCalc version 10.2 were used to perform the data analyses. Results: The mean of salivary TNF-α levels in pre- and post-menopausal women with chronic periodontitis were 4.25±1.20 pg/mL and 5.13±1.35 pg/mL, respectively, whereas that in pre- and post-menopausal healthy controls were 2.05±1.11 pg/mL and 2.40±1.08 pg/mL, respectively. The levels of salivary TNF-α were significantly higher in the periodontitis groups than the controls and correlated positively with the assessed clinical parameters (p<0.001). Also the levels were significantly higher in post-menopausal women with chronic periodontitis than the pre-menopausal women with chronic periodontitis (p<0.05). Conclusion: Salivary levels of TNF-α were increased in both menopause and chronic periodontitis. This increased secretion of TNF-α could be implicated as a contributing factor in the progression of periodontal disease in post-menopausal women, suggesting that salivary TNF-α can act as a potential biomarker and a valuable adjunct for screening of periodontal disease in post-menopausal women. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The epidemiology of periodontal disease is one of the most important challenges before the dental profession at the moment. Plaque is considered the etiology involved in the destruction of the periodontal tissues. Calculus, on the other hand is considered merely as a contributing factor by some and as an etiological agent by others. The following case report describes the presentation of a huge mass of calculus in the maxillary left molar region. This was thought to be correlated to the salivary calcium and phosphorus levels. However, the biochemical analysis revealed normal salivary calcium and phosphorus levels. Hence, the increase in mass was attributed to absolute negligence of oral hygiene. Developing countries show low awareness and poor oral hygiene habits among large sections of the population, which is resulting in increased incidence of the dental problems. Health education and promotion should thus be given utmost importance to combat the various oral health related problems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]