The Manifestations of Wilson’s disease with respect to renal tubular dysfunction, bone health and body composition

AIM / OBJECTIVES: To study the prevalence of Renal Tubular Acidosis (RTA) among patients with Wilson’s Disease (WD). To also study the bone health, body composition and factors that affect bone mineral density in these individuals. MATERIAL AND METHODS: All patients aged > 12 years attending the Hepatology and Neurology outpatient and inpatient departments at CMC, Hospital over a period of 1 year who were diagnosed to have Wilson's disease and who met the inclusion/exclusion criteria were included in this cross sectional study after a prior written informed consent. After a detailed history and examination, they underwent biochemical testing to assess the renal tubular dysfunction including ammonium chloride loading test. Bone mineral density (BMD) and body composition analysis were analysed using Dual energy X-Ray absorptiometry(DXA) machine. RESULTS: A total of 25 subjects were recruited in this study. Fifty six percent of patients with Wilson’s Disease had Renal Tubular Acidosis. Distal RTA was found in 24% patients. RTA was more common in patients with Hepatic WD and who had a prolonged duration of illness. Patients with WD had significantly lower BMD as compared to control subjects. Low BMI (p=0.04), low IGF -1(p=0.002) and a shorter duration of therapy(p=0.001) were the key determinants of low bone mass. Patients with WD had significantly more body fat(p=0.01) and lower lean mass(p=0.03) when compared to controls. CONCLUSIONS: Renal tubular acidosis was common in patients with Wilson’s disease. These patients often have lower bone mineral density and probable higher risk of development of fractures. Hence all patients of WD should be screened and treated for these parameters to improve their quality of life. Further prospective studies are needed to validate these findings

Issue Involved In Marketing of GM Food Products in India

Genetically Modified food products can solve the food requirements of ever growing human population. By making the changes at the genetic level of food products, they can be made to grow very fast, the crops can be made insect resistant, size of products can be increased and changes can be made in life cycle of the crops. Although genetically modified food products are providing huge benefits to people and the government, yet there are many problems in acceptance of these products in the market. So the major issues which create problems in the marketing of genetically modified food products were studied and the factors which create problems in their acceptance were also studied. The study also aimed at finding out the ways and means as to how these issues can be addressed through proper marketing communication and by educating the consumers. Both the exploratory and descriptive researches were used. A structured questionnaire was used as a research instrument. 150 were the sample size chosen of consumers of these food products and 16 was the sample chosen of organizations who are involved in marketing of GM food products. Data analysis was done by using softwares named as MS EXCEL and IBM SPSS 19. Important conclusions are drawn out through data analysis. Various factors such as Availability, Price, Trust, Health, Political controversies, Safety and Awareness which are affecting the acceptance of genetically modified food products. People want more knowledge about these food products. Organizations can improve the marketing of GM food products by adopting various innovative marketing methods which are given in the recommendations. Organizations should build trust among people by government certification, products have to be properly positioned, Taglines should be given, and People should be provided with more consumer friendly information rather than producer friendly information. So in this last part the ways and means are described by which genetically Modified food products can be marketed more efficiently

Sapiotypes and Diabetes Care

Sapiotypes and Diabetes Car

Osteocrinology: Insights from the Great Indian Epics

Indian epics are a storehouse of knowledge and information, which offer an insight into various aspects of health and disease. In this paper, we surmise some of the legendary figures in the great Indian epics, who possibly could have disorders related to osteocrinology. Based on the detailed description provided in Vedic texts, these exemplars from Indian history provide an interesting framework for the study of osteocrinology. These may spark an interest in students and researchers to explore and understand this subject in greater depth

Overweight and Obesity: Opening an Opportunity for Health

Obesity is now recognized as a disease and is often preceded by an overweight status in its natural history of development. Though excess fat is often associated with morbidity, stigma and mortality, this editorial provides a unique perspective of identifying obesity and overweight status as a window of opportunity. The authors reflect how people living with obesity can be identified, motivated and managed, to ensure optimal comprehensive health. Overweight and obesity, two frequently used words, are defined as abnormal or excessive fat accumulation that may impair health.1 These medical conditions can be easily identified in clinical practice by measuring body mass index (BMI). This is calculated by dividing an individual’s weight (kilogram) by the square of his/her height (meters squared).2 Indian standards define overweight as a BMI >23 kg/m2, and obesity as a BMI >25 kg/m2. Outside Asia, however, the thresholds used to define overweight and obesity are 25 and 30 kg/m2, respectively. In children aged 5 to 19 years, age-specific BMI cut offs are used, while in younger children, weight-for-height ratios are calculated to assess weight health

Biosimilars and Generics: A New Class Needed for Hormonal and Herbal Preparations

Strict regulations are in place for the manufacture and approval of pharmaceutical products. Specific drugs such as biological products are governed by specific rules, which take cognizance of the extra diligence required for their production. This communication describes two classes of drugs: hormones and herbal products, which should be subject to stringent regulations. It explains the rationale behind this, and calls for added vigilance in regulatory oversight

Elegant Aging Through Endocrine Optimization

Elegant Aging Through Endocrine Optimizatio

Endocrine Fluidity

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is a multifactorial disease. Newer facets of its causation, clinical course, complications and therapy are being unraveled regularly. This editorial describes imeglimin, a first-of-class oxidative phosphorylation inhibitor, that has been approved for T2DM in Japan and India

Health Technology Use in Noncommunicable Disorders: Challenges and Opportunities in India

Health care in India is undergoing a rapid change from its historical focus on acute disease management to a focus more on chronic and continuous care-based model for noncommunicable disorders. Health technology could be a game changer as it has a potential to optimize costs and effectively manage such operations. IT solutions are likely to become an integral part of process management, patient care and the hospital management information system in future. This brief communication describes the key enablers and limitations of using health technology in chronic diseases in developing countries like India

Health Technology Use in Noncommunicable Disorders: Challenges and Opportunities in India

Health care in India is undergoing a rapid change from its historical focus on acute disease management to a focus more on chronic and continuous care-based model for non-communicable disorders. Health technology could be a game changer as it has a potential to optimize costs and effectively manage such operations. IT solutions are likely to become an integral part of process management, patient care and the hospital management information system in future. This brief communication describes the key enablers and limitations of using health technology in chronic diseases in developing countries like India