Rheumatoid arthritis is an inflammatory, autoimmune disease where oxidative stress has been proposed to contribute to the joint tissue damage. To establish whether measurement of the redox status in blood mirrors the oxidant status at sites of inflammation in patients with rheumatoid arthritis, we concomitantly examined their oxidant status by spectrophotometry and/or flow cytometry. The basal levels of total reactive oxygen species (ROS), superoxide and hydroxyl radicals were significantly raised in neutrophils sourced from peripheral blood and synovial infiltrate, as also showed a strong positive correlation; however, there was no major increase in the reactive nitrogen species RNS generated in monocytes from both sources. Furthermore, raised levels of superoxide in neutrophils of synovial infiltrate showed a positive correlation with NADPH oxidase activity in synovial fluid. Additionally, as ROS generated in both peripheral blood and synovial infiltrate correlated positively with both DAS 28 and CRP/anti-CCP levels, its measurement can serve as an indirect measure of the degree of inflammation in patients with RA.

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a debilitating autoimmune disease whose etiology remains unknown, but studies have consistently implicated a plethora of inflammatory mechanisms culminating in chronic symmetric and erosive synovitis. Importantly, reactive oxygen species (ROS) have been attributed to directly contribute towards the destructive, proliferative synovitis evident in RA. Accordingly, this study aimed to establish whether the degree of oxidative stress and disease activity score (DAS28) correlated with the downstream effects of oxidative damage. The redox status of neutrophils sourced from synovial fluid (SF) was measured by flow cytometry in terms of total ROS and hydroxyl radicals. Among the molecular damage markers, protein carbonylation and lipid peroxidation were detected by spectrophotometry and S-nitrosothiols by fluorimetry. Neutrophils constituted the major cellular component of the SF of patients with RA and their levels of ROS and hydroxyl radicals correlated strongly with protein carbonylation and lipid peroxidation. However, all the oxidative damage markers correlated positively with DAS28. Taken together, in patients with RA, the strong correlation between levels of ROS and DAS28 with markers of oxidative damage suggests that measurement of oxidative stress could serve as a biomarker for monitoring disease severity in RA.

Background The association between subclinical thyroid dysfunction (defined by no symptoms or clinical features of hypothyroidism but biochemically TSH level in the range of above 5 miu/ml but below 10 miu/ml with normal FT4 level) and Acute Coronary Syndrome (ACS) is not known so far. This study was done to calculate the prevalence of subclinical thyroid dysfunction in patients with ACS. Methods A retrospective chart review of 1100 consecutive patients was done who presented to Emergency Department with symptoms suggestive of ACS and admitted. They were later classified in 3 categories that includes Acute ST Elevated Myocardial Infarction (STEMI), Unstable Angina (UA), and Acute Non-ST Elevated Myocardial Infarction (NSTEMI). Thyroid function test (FT4, TSH) and antithyroid peroxidase (TPO) were done and evaluated properly. Results Of 1100 consecutive patients 168 (15.27%) patients had the biochemical features of subclinical thyroid dysfunction. These 168 patients include 60 STEMI, 66 NSTEMI, and 42 Unstable Angina patients. There were no statistically significant differences in terms of left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) and catheterisation results considering thyroid dysfunction. Conclusions Subclinical thyroid dysfunction is quite prevalent in ACS patients. There are no significant associations between STEMI, Unstable Angina, or NSTEMI patients in terms of thyroid dysfunction neither in single vessel versus multivessel disease involvement. The causative role and outcomes of treatment are still uncertain and need further follow-up.

<p class="abstract"><strong><span lang="EN-US">Background: </span></strong>Hepatocellular carcinoma is the one of the commonest tumour worldwide.  A detailed clinical profile including its etiology and vast presentation is not available in Eastern India.</p><p class="abstract"><strong><span lang="EN-US">Methods: </span></strong>Retrospective chart review of 90 patients with HCCwas done. Total 90 patients (male 81, female9)  fulfillingdiagnostic criteria for HCC adopted by Barcelona-2000 EASL conferencewere analyzed for clinical, etiological, biochemical and radiological profile.</p><p class="abstract"><strong><span lang="EN-US">Results: </span></strong>Underlying cirrhosis was seen in 60% cases with Hepatitis B virus being the most common (33.3%) etiologic agent followed by Alcoholism (26.6%) in cirrhotic range. In 76.7% of HCC patients have AFP level more than 500 unit and practically diagnostic of HCC. Almost all patients presented with advanced disease (96.7%). Only 3.3% of HCC patients presented with mild disease.</p><p class="abstract"><strong><span lang="EN-US">Conclusions: </span></strong>The characteristics of HCC in eastern India are somewhat different from the rest of worlds. Alcohol and HBV infection are the two most important etiology prevailing here. </p><p class="keywords"><strong><span lang="EN-US">Keywords: </span></strong>HCC (Hepatocellular carcinoma), AFP (Alpha fetoprotein), HBV (Hepatitis B virus), HCV (Hepatitis C virus)</p>

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<p class="abstract"><strong><span lang="EN-US">Background: </span></strong>The association between thyroid dysfunction and DM has long been recognized, although the prevalence of thyroid dysfunction among diabetes population varies in different studies. This study destined to know the prevalence of thyroid dysfunction of recently diagnosed type 2 diabetes mellitus patients.  </p><p class="abstract"><strong><span lang="EN-US">Methods: </span></strong>Retrospective chart review of 60 patients with type 2 diabetes mellituswas done. Total 60 patients (male 51, female9) fulfillingdiagnostic criteria for diabetes mellitus according to ADA (American Diabetes Association) criteria were analysed by doing Thyroid Function Test (FT4,TSH).</p><p class="abstract"><strong><span lang="EN-US">Results:</span></strong><span lang="EN-US"> 75% of patients have the biochemical features of thyroid dysfunction. Subcategorically in descending order of frequency they are - Subclinical hypothyroidism (33.33%) (defined by no symptoms or clinical fetures of hypothyroidism but biochemically TSH level in the range of above 5 mIU/ml but below 10 mIU/ml with normal FT4 level), 15% of patients each for overt hypothyroidism (either clinical features or Biochemically TSH &gt;10 mIU/ml or FT4 below normal), and subclinical hyperthyroidism (only biochemical low level of TSH &lt;0.34 mIU/ml in this study) and 11.667% patients show the features of clinical hyperthyroidism (clinical or FT4 level well above normal range along with low TSH).</span></p><p class="abstract"><strong><span lang="EN-US">Conclusions:</span></strong><span lang="EN-US"> Avery high prevalence of thyroid dysfunction in this part of world in contrast to Europe &amp; US suggest routine screening for thyroid disorder in recently diagnosed type 2 diabetes mellitus.</span></p>

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