Calprotectin analysis reveals intestinal tuberculosis in patients with pulmonary tuberculosis and pinpoints those in need of rigorous follow-up.

Arteriovenous malformations usually do not present any diagnostic difficulty on the angiograms. However, small cryptic and cavernous angiomas cannot be demonstrated directly by arteriography because of either sluggish circulation or thrombosis. The present communication documents a relatively rare case of histologically proven cavernous angioma with a hypervascular pattern on the arteriogram.

Background: Hepatic injury can occur with the use of nimesulide, a non steroidal anti-inflammatory drug. This study was done to evaluate the hepatic and renal functions in patients with rheumatological complaints receiving nimesulide for 2 weeks.Methods: Fifty patients with rheumatological complaints treated at orthopaedic outpatient clinic of a tertiary care centre with nimesulide 100mg twice daily were enrolled in this study. The sociodemographic details, details of comorbidities, history of use of alcohol or tobacco, indication for treatment with nimesulide etc. were recorded in a predesigned proforma. All patients were followed up for two weeks and reviewed at the end of each week for any gastrointestinal adverse effects, changes in blood routine, liver function tests and renal function tests. Data collected was entered in Microsoft Excel 2010, analysed and results were expressed as mean and standard deviation.Results: Out of the fifty patients analysed, mean age was 39 years. 66 % were males. Among liver function tests, only serum albumin and serum aspartate aminotransferase (SGPT) were altered after treatment with nimesulide. Blood urea nitrogen, serum creatinine and blood routine remained normal. No gastrointestinal adverse effects were noted.Conclusions: Nimesulide produced changes in serum albumin and SGPT levels without prominent gastrointestinal or renal adverse effects.

Amlapitta is a disease of the major digestive disorder commonly being met by Ayurveda physicians. In this condition though signs and symptoms are vague, the patient will be affected physically, occasionally some psychological symptoms also will be associated. A series of whole digestive system malfunctions such as anorexia, nausea, acid eructation, heart burn etc. Are seen at the physical level, though the aetiological factors like indulgence of incompatible food, irregular food intake, and excessive fried foods are responsible for the origin of the disease. Alcohol, smoking and stress are also not an exception. Attempt has been made to treat the condition from its root cause by using a dietary therapy and find out a cheap and easily available Ayurveda compound and Antacids. 60 numbers of patients having of acid eructation, heart burn, Belching, abdominal fullness, constipation, nausea with negative endoscopy results were selected and randomized in to three groups A, B, C, administered Ayurveda Compound, Antacids and Dietary therapy respectively and results were analysed by comparing relief of symptoms during the trial period, percentage of reoccurrence of symptoms during and after trial period, compliance and complications in between groups.

Background: Necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) is a neonatal emergency that affects preterm newborns during the 1st weeks of life. Diagnosis is made mainly by clinical criteria since no specific diagnostic tests are available. Objective: The objective was to evaluate fecal calprotectin (fCal) as a biomarker of gut inflammation to predict NEC in preterm neonates. Methods: Design: Diagnostic test evaluation. Inclusion criteria: 102 preterm neonates <36 weeks gestation and within 7 days of birth admitted in Level III neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) were recruited from January 2010 to May 2011. Exclusion criteria: Congenital anomalies and overt infection. Paired stool samples at day 3 and 7 were analyzed by lateral quantum blue rapid calprotectin assay. Cut-off values of fCal were determined among 30 term healthy infants. A structured questionnaire which included gestational age, symptoms at admission, and modified Bell’s staging was used to record NEC episodes on day 3 and 7 of admission. Septic screen and radiological tools were done as per NICU protocol. Results: 48% were above 34 weeks gestation; 31.3% were of very low birth weight. As per modified Bell’s staging on day 3 and 7, 22 and 11 neonates had 1a or above stage, respectively. 15 had features of NEC; of these, 12 were managed appropriately and discharged and 3 died. In the receiver-operated curve with fCal >279 ?g/g as cutoff, the area under the curve was 0.652 (95% confidence interval: 0.516-0.789). Day 3 fCal levels were high in 65.7% neonates. Using NEC as outcome, sensitivity of the test was 93.3%; specificity was 39%; positive predictive value was 20.8% and negative predictive value was 97.14%. Conclusion: fCal has high sensitivity for diagnosing NEC in preterm neonates. However, further research is needed to establish its clinical usefulness.