Biosensors for detection of prostate cancer: a review.

Diagnosis of prostate cancer (PC) has posed a challenge worldwide due to the sophisticated and costly diagnostics tools, which include DRE, TRUS, GSU, PET/CT scan, MRI, and biopsy. These diagnostic techniques are very helpful in the detection of PCs; however, all the techniques have their serious limitations. Biosensors are easier to fabricate and do not require any cutting-edge technology as required for other imaging techniques. In this regard, point-of-care (POC) biosensors are important due to their portability, convenience, low cost, and fast procedure. This review explains the various existing diagnostic tools for the detection of PCs and the limitation of these methods. It also focuses on the recent studies on biosensors technologies as an alternative to the conventional diagnostic techniques for the detection of PCs.

Association of Serum Uric Acid Level and Thyroid Function in Chronic Kidney Disease: A Hospital-Based Cross-Sectional Study From Northeast India.

BACKGROUND: Although the prevalence of thyroid dysfunction and hyperuricemia are independently high in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD), there are limited data showing the association of serum uric acid and thyroid function in those with CKD. AIM AND OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to observe the alteration of both the serum uric acid level and thyroid function in CKD patients and to find the association between both. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This observational cross-sectional study was conducted in a tertiary care hospital over a period of one year in Northeast India. A total of 50 CKD patients were enrolled. Their demographic profiles were studied. Serum urea, creatinine, thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), total triiodothyronine (TT3), free triiodothyronine (FT3), total tetraiodothyronine (TT4), and free tetraiodothyronine (FT4) levels were measured to establish the correlation of serum uric acid along with each of the parameters separately. A p-value of <0.05 was considered statistically significant. RESULTS: In the CKD patients studied, serum uric acid exhibited positive correlations with serum creatinine (p = 0.001, r = 0.67), serum urea (p = 0.001, r = 0.69), and serum TSH levels (p = 0.001, r = 0.5). Conversely, serum uric acid showed negative correlations with serum TT4 (p = 0.001, r = -0.74), TT3 (p = 0.001, r = -0.6), FT4 (p = 0.001, r = -0.53), and FT3 (p = 0.001, r = -0.58) levels. CONCLUSION:  There was a significant positive correlation between uric acid and TSH levels in CKD patients. Thus, early estimation of both parameters should be considered in CKD patients.

Retrospective histopathologic findings of routine cholecystectomy specimens in a teaching hospital in North East India.

Background: Cholecystectomy is one of the most common general surgical operations performed worldwide. Limited data is available about the histopathological diagnoses of various gallbladder diseases in North Eastern part of India even though a higher incidence of gallbladder cancer has been reported from this part of the Country. Hence, a retrospective review of the histopathological findings of routine cholecystectomy specimens was done to assess the incidence of gallbladder cancer and other gallbladder pathologies. Aims and Objective: To study the incidence of gallbladder cancer and other pathologic findings in routine cholecystectomy specimens. Methodology: A retrospective study of the histopathological findings of cholecystectomy specimens with presumed benign gallbladder diseases who had undergone cholecystectomy from June 2013 till October 2021. Results: A total of 1683 patients had undergone cholecystectomy during the study period. In total, 1354 patients underwent laparoscopic cholecystectomy and 339 patients underwent open cholecystectomy. Gallstones were present in 1631 patients. Chronic cholecystitis and cholesterosis were the most common histopathologic findings, followed by pyloric metaplasia. Unsuspected gallbladder cancer was detected in eight patients (0.48%). Conclusion: Chronic cholecystitis was the most common histopathologic finding followed by pyloric metaplasia. Gallstones were found in most patients. Incidental gallbladder cancer was detected in 0.48% of patients.

A Study to Assess the Validity of Estimation of Serum Ostase Level in Hyperthyroid and Hypothyroid Cases.

INTRODUCTION: One of the more specific assessments of the metabolic status of bone in normal and in disease conditions is the measurement of bone specific alkaline phosphatase or ostase. The measurement of serum ostase has several advantages over the measurements of other bone parameter. Because of its relatively long half-life, in-vivo (1 to 3days), it is relatively unaffected by diurnal variation. AIM: To find the correlation of serum ostase level in hyper and hypothyroid cases and also to study the validity of routine estimation of serum ostase in hyper and hypothyroid cases so as to monitor the base level bone health on presentation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Serum ostase level was studied in 74 patients with disorder of thyroid function. Serum ostase level, Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH), FT3, FT4 levels were estimated by chemiluminescent technique. The instrument used was Beckman- coulter Access 2. A total of 39 patients were hypothyroid, 31 were hyperthyroid and 4 patients had subclinical hyperthyroidism. RESULTS: The serum ostase level was found to be elevated above 40 µg/L in 26 of the cases and above 16 µg/L but below 40µg/L in 5 cases of hyperthyroidism along with decrease in Bone Mineral Density (BMD). Serum ostase level was found to be directly proportional to the serum FT3 level (Normal range of serum ostase is 8-16 µg/L). CONCLUSION: From this study, an inference can be drawn that a routine estimation of serum ostase level in hyperthyroid cases will help in proper monitoring of decrease bone turnover as indicated by increase serum ostase level. Besides, the estimation of serum ostase level in hyperthyroid cases it is found to be valid in this study, which can turn to be an important guiding parameter to the treating physician to formulate necessary protocols and guidelines for prophylaxis, treatment and to monitor the response to therapy in cases of reduced bone turnover related to hyperthyroid state.

Tubercular esophagocutaneous fistula.

Tubercular esophagocutaneous fistula is a rare entity with only about four cases reported so far. We report here a case in a young female who has a very long tract but responded well to antitubercular treatment.