BACKGROUND Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a common comorbidity with type 2 diabetes. The existing therapeutic options for NAFLD are not adequate. Hypocaloric diet and exercise is the cornerstone of therapy in NAFLD. Pioglitazone is the only drug recommended in diabetes patients with biopsy proven non-alcoholic steatohepatitis. The frequent coexistence of NAFLD and type 2 diabetes with their combined adverse health consequences and inadequate therapeutic options makes it necessary to search for newer alternatives. AIM To assess the effect of sodium glucose cotransporter-2 (SGLT-2) inhibitors on liver enzymes in type 2 diabetes patients with NAFLD. METHODS We searched PubMed/MEDLINE, Cochrane library, Google scholar, and Clinicaltrials.gov for the relevant articles to be included in this systematic review. Human studies done in type 2 diabetes patients with NAFLD treated with SGLT-2 inhibitors for at least 12 wk were included. Data from eight studies (four randomised controlled trials and four observational studies) were extracted and a narrative synthesis was done. A total of 214 patients were treated with SGLT-2 inhibitors in these studies (94 in randomised controlled trials and 120 in observational studies). RESULTS The primary outcome measure was change in serum alanine aminotransferase level. Out of eight studies, seven studies showed a significant decrease in serum alanine aminotransferase level. Most of the studies revealed reduction in serum level of other liver enzymes like aspartate aminotransferase and gamma glutamyl transferase. Five studies that reported a change in hepatic fat exhibited a significant reduction in hepatic fat content in those treated with SGLT-2 inhibitors. Likewise, among the three studies that evaluated a change in indices of hepatic fibrosis, two studies revealed a significant improvement in liver fibrosis. Moreover, there was an improvement in obesity, insulin resistance, glycaemia, and lipid parameters in those subjects taking SGLT-2 inhibitors. The studies disclosed that about 17% (30/176) of the subjects taking SGLT-2 inhibitors developed adverse events and more than 40% (10/23) of them had genitourinary tract infections. CONCLUSION Based on low to moderate quality of evidence, SGLT-2 inhibitors improve the serum level of liver enzymes, decrease liver fat, and fibrosis with additional beneficial effects on various metabolic parameters in type 2 diabetes patients with NAFLD.

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An 18-year-old male with Cushing’s disease presented with generalised skin eruptions and backache. He was diagnosed with varicella infection. During the course of the illness, he developed persistent vomiting. Hormonal evaluation suggested adrenal insufficiency. MRI of brain showed features of pituitary apoplexy. Initially, he required hydrocortisone replacement. Later on his hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal axis recovered and he is currently asymptomatic without any treatment.

Diabetes mellitus is the most common cause of Charcot neuropathy affecting foot and ankle. Acute Charcot foot (CF) presents with a red and swollen foot in contrast to the painless deformed one of chronic CF. Enhanced osteoclastogenesis plays a central role in the pathogenesis of acute CF. Many studies have shown elevated levels of bone turnover markers in patients with acute CF confirming it. These findings have led clinicians to use anti-resorptive agents [bisphosphonates (BP), calcitonin, and denosumab] along with immobilization and offloading in acute CF patients. The maximum evidence among all anti-resorptive agents is available for BPs, although its quality is low. Pamidronate has been shown to reduce the markers of activity of CF like raised skin temperature, pain, edema, and bone turnover markers in the majority of studies. Intravenous BPs are known to cause acute phase reactions leading to flu-like illness following their first infusion, which can be ameliorated by oral acetaminophen. Alendronate is the only oral BP used in these patients. It needs to be taken on an empty stomach with a full glass of water to avoid esophagitis. The side-effects and contraindications to BPs should be kept in mind while treating acute CF patients with them.

Objective: The primary purpose was to compare the effect of 2 mg and 4 mg of intravenous zoledronic acid (ZA) on change in the lumbar spine (LS) bone mineral density (BMD) at the end of 1 year in postmenopausal women with osteoporosis. The secondary objectives were changes in BMD at the total hip and femoral neck, change in bone turnover markers (BTMs), and the incidence of new fractures. Methods: This was a double-blind, parallel-arm, randomized control trial with an allocation ratio of 1:1 done in 70 postmenopausal women with osteoporosis. Findings: The mean (±standard deviation) percentage increase in LS BMD at the end of 1 year was 4.86% ± 3.05% and 5.35% ± 3.73% in the 2 mg and 4 mg group, respectively. The dose of 2 mg ZA proved to be inferior to 4 mg with a noninferiority margin of 0.5%. There was no difference in BMD change at hip and BTMs between the two groups at the end of 1 year. Only one patient in 4 mg group developed two new vertebral fractures during a 12-month follow-up. Acute-phase reactions were the most common (43%) side-effects noted without any difference between the two groups ( P = 0.63). Conclusion: This study failed to show the noninferiority of 2 mg ZA compared to 4 mg ZA for change in LS BMD at the end of 1 year.

Background: Oral submucous fibrosis(OSMF) is a potentially malignant disorder (PMDs) with characteristic epithelial and connective tissue changes and regarded as possessing a high degree of malignant potential. Epithelial dysplasia is an important marker of malignant development from PMDs. Because agreement among oral pathologists is poor regarding lesional diagnosis, Ki-67 as a proliferative marker may have a place in objectively characterizing dysplasia in tissue specimens. Material & Methods: The study groups included 60 patients diagnosed with OSMF based on history and clinical examination. After obtaining the details in regard to habits and clinical manifestations, the subjects were divided into Group IA and Group IB (very early and early stages-Group I A, moderate and advanced stages-Group I B). 30 subjects without an OSMF-negative control group and 30 patients of SCC-positive control. Biopsy was taken and subjected for H&E staining and IHC analysis of Ki-67. Results: The mean count of Ki-67 was determined in OSMF cases with dysplasia and without dysplasia by using t test, mean value of Ki-67 in with dysplasia (37.41) was higher than that of without dysplasia (28.41) with no significant difference (p value = 0.0810).

Background: Traditionally, bisphosphonates are used to treat active Paget's disease of bone (PDB). Intravenous zoledronic acid (ZA) is the most effective treatment option leading to sustained remission. Objective: The primary objective of this study was to analyze the effect of intravenous ZA in patients with active PDB in a tertiary care center of India. Materials and Methods: Retrospective data of 13 patients with active PDB who received a single dose of 4 mg intravenous ZA at our institute from January 2011 to June 2017 were reviewed. Response to therapy was monitored clinically, biochemically by serum alkaline phosphatase (ALP), and scintigraphically by 99m-Technetium methylene diphosphonate bone scan. Results: All of our patients reported relief of bone pain. The mean duration of follow-up in our study was 35.2 ± 16.8 months. Serum ALP levels reduced significantly from 1190.9 ± 666.1 IU/L ( n = 13) at baseline to 200.5 ± 68.4 IU/L ( n = 13) at 6 months ( P < 0.001). ALP level at 1 year was 174 ± 33.6 IU/L ( n = 12), which remained stable till 36 months at 176.5 ± 50 IU/L ( n = 8). This indicates that remission achieved by 6 months post ZA is sustained for at least 3 years. Scintigraphic ratio reduced from 9.6 [interquartile range (IQR) 5.25–18.2] at baseline to 2.7 (IQR 1.20–4.05) at follow-up ( P < 0.001). Similarly, scintigraphic index of involvement reduced from 9.9 (IQR 5.6–28.5) at baseline to 3 (IQR 2–4) at follow-up ( P = 0.018). Conclusion: A 4 mg single dose of intravenous ZA results in clinical, biochemical, and scintigraphic response that is sustained for at least 3 years.

Background: Early childhood caries (ECC) is a specific form of rampant caries that initially affects the primary maxillary anterior teeth of infants and children.  According to American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD) 2011, early childhood caries is defined as the presence of one or more decayed (non-cavitated or cavitated lesions), missing (due to caries) or filled tooth surfaces in any primary tooth in a child under the age of six. The objective of this study was to assess the association between early childhood caries and relationship of Streptococcus mutans in saliva of mother, child and sibling pairs.Methods: Group 1 consists of fifty children with early childhood caries along with their mothers and siblings with the child age between 15 months to 5 years and sibling’s age between 4 years to 10 years, whereas group 2 consists of fifty caries free children along with their mothers and siblings. For both groups, saliva samples were taken from the child, mother and sibling pairs to estimate the Streptococcus mutans count and to determine pH of saliva in these children. DMFT scores, debris scores checked for child, mother and sibling pairs.Results: Streptococcus mutans count was significantly high in group 1 than that of the group 2. Mothers were more co related to the children in the acquisition of Streptococcus mutans than the siblings. Increased no of meals of the child, pacifier use, low socio-economic status and low maternal education showed significant high correlation with caries prevalence. Low pH score was also significantly correlated with the increase in caries rate.Conclusions: Maternal factors such as high DMFT scores, low education levels, prolonged bottle-feeding with sweetened milk, pacifier use are strong risk indicators for identifying high caries-susceptible children.