Role of Acorus calamus in preventing depression, anxiety, and oxidative stress in long-term socially isolated rats.

Background and Aim: Social isolation stress (SIS) and individual housing have been shown to cause abnormal cognitive insufficiencies, altered anxiety levels, and signs of psychiatric diseases. Acorus calamus (AC), commonly known as Sweet Flag, has been widely used in India to treat neurological, metabolic, and respiratory disorders, indicating its potential therapeutic value. This study aimed to determine the antidepressant and antioxidative effects of AC on rats subjected to long-term, social isolation-induced stress. Materials and Methods: This study involved 2-month-old male rats (24) weighing approximately 180-200 g bred in-house. The rats were divided into four groups (n = 6): Group 1 received saline, Group 2 received SIS, Group 3 received only 50 mg/kg AC, and Group 4 received 50 mg/kg AC and SIS for 6 weeks. After this, behavioral, biochemical, and neuronal assays were conducted. Results: Behavioral experiments showed significantly higher activity levels (p < 0.001) in AC-treated rats than in the SIS group. In addition, rats subjected to SIS with AC treatment exhibited enhanced total antioxidants, superoxide dismutase, and neuronal assays compared to rats subjected to SIS alone. Conclusion: Acorus calamus treatment improved the antidepressant and antioxidant potential against SIS in rat brain tissue. Moreover, we proved that AC can effectively reverse the neurotoxicity induced by SIS in animal models. As we battle against the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic and social isolation, AC could be considered a supplementary treatment to alleviate depressive-like symptoms in our present-day lifestyle.

Thickness and width of the menisci of adult knee joint: a descriptive cross-sectional observational study in cadavers.

Background: The goal was to determine the thickness and width of the knee joint meniscus at their different regions. The objective was to compare the dimensions at these regions and over the right- and left-sided specimens. Methods: The present study included 50 adult cadaveric knee joints, and 100 menisci (50 medial menisci and 50 lateral menisci) were studied. The meniscus was distributed into anterior, middle and posterior parts. Thickness and width at the mid-point of these three parts were determined by using the Vernier caliper. Results: The breadth of the medial meniscus was 8.38 ± 1.64 mm, 7.68 ± 1.92 mm and 13.93 ± 2.69 mm at the anterior, middle and posterior one-third regions. Same measurements for the lateral menisci at these regions were 9.84 ± 1.78 mm, 8.82 ± 2.01 mm and 10.18 ± 2.23 mm, respectively. The thickness of the medial meniscus was 4.49 ± 0.78 mm, 4.07 ± 0.81 mm and 4.79 ± 0.93 mm at these regions. The lateral meniscus thickness was 3.82 ± 0.69 mm, 4.43 ± 0.98 mm and 4.36 ± 0.8 mm, respectively. Conclusion: It is believed that this data is enlightening to the arthroscopic surgeon during the meniscus transplantation either by using synthetic material or allograft as the proper sizing of the meniscus is important to prevent complications due to inaccurate sizing.

Comparison of malondialdehyde levels and superoxide dismutase activity in resveratrol and resveratrol/donepezil combination treatment groups in Alzheimer's disease induced rat model.

The aim of this study was to determine the malondialdehyde (MDA) level and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity in colchicine induced Alzheimer's disease (AD), resveratrol (RS) treated and RS + donepezil (DPZ) treated rat models. The objective was to compare the MDA level and SOD activity among these rat models. The present study included 3 months old male albino Wistar rats, which were in-house bred and weighting about 220-250 g. The rats were divided into nine subgroups which included control, sham, AD induced, RS treated and DPZ treated groups in different doses and combinations. The lipid peroxidation product for MDA in the brain homogenate was measured by estimating the levels of thiobarbituric acid reactive substance. Estimation of SOD was done by the method of autoxidation of pyrogallol by Marklund and Marklund. There was a marked increase in the MDA levels in AD induced group in comparison to the control group (p < 0.05). The SOD activity was higher in the RS 10 and RS 20 treated groups in contrast to the AD group (p < 0.05). In DPZ + RS group, there was a substantial increase in the SOD activity (p < 0.05). It is also observed that the RS 20 treatment group showed higher SOD activity than the RS 10 group (p < 0.05). This study showed that, AD induced group had elevated levels of MDA, which indicates the poor oxidative stress-defence mechanism. The RS 10 and RS 20 groups showed higher SOD activity in comparison to the AD group, which indicated the improved oxidative stress-defence mechanism. The RS + DPZ group showed higher SOD activity, indicating a synergistic effect of DPZ and RS.

Dimensions of pes anserinus of the lower extremity, an anatomical study with its surgical implications.

The reconstructive surgeries utilize pes anserinus (PA) tendons, because of their lesser post-operative clinical deficits and donor site morbidity. These surgeries require anatomical knowledge about the extent of PA formation. The goal of this study was to determine the length and width of the PA formation. The objectives were to measure the distance of its upper limit, lower limit, and vertical distance from the tibial tuberosity (TT). The present descriptive cross sectional study included 53 embalmed cadaveric lower extremities. The upper and lower limits of PA were exposed with the careful dissection. Measurements of the dimensions were performed with the help of a digital vernier caliper (Mitutoyo Co., Kanagawa, Japan). The PA length, width, distance of its upper limit, lower limit, and vertical distance of it from the TT were 47.4±13.3 mm, 37.3±7.2 mm, 47.6±12.5 mm, 54.6±10.4 mm, and 39.1±14.2 mm, respectively over the right extremity. The same measurements were 46.3±14.7 mm, 39.1±9.4 mm, 39.1±5.9 mm, 49.5±8.2 mm, and 36.4±12.1 mm, respectively for the left extremity. The extent of PA was observed to be extremely variable. The preoperative knowledge about the dimensions of PA will help the plastic and orthopedic surgeon put the accurate skin incision, decreasing the donor site morbidity and biomechanical instability of the PA grafts. We suggest that, preoperative ultrasound measurement of the PA may help the operating surgeon to prevent the complications like injury to the infrapatellar branch of saphenous nerve.

Exploring the Morphology of Anterior Interosseous Nerve and Relating It to Its Clinical Conditions.

AIM: To study topography and variability in the origin of anterior interosseous nerve; to identify the branching pattern of the anterior interosseous nerve supplying the flexor digitorum profundus, flexor pollicis longus, and pronator quadratus muscles. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The present study included 70 formalin-fixed upper limbs of adult human cadavers. The origin of the anterior interosseous nerve was categorized into 3 types. The morphometric data obtained in this study were represented as mean± SD and the dimensions were given in millimeter. The measurements were compared statistically by using 'EZR software, version 1.38, 2019'. The 'paired t-test' was applied and the 'p' value less than 0.05 was considered as statistically significant. RESULTS: It was observed that the origin of the anterior interosseous nerve was extremely variable. It was ranging from the midepicondylar point of the elbow joint up to as below as 86mm from it. The distance of its origin from the midpoint of the pronator teres muscle ranged between 70 mm above the pronator teres muscle to 22 mm below it. In one of the forearms, the median nerve supplied the medial two tendons of the FDP, instead of the ulnar nerve. CONCLUSION: The present study provided additional information about the origin, topography, and distribution of the anterior interosseous nerve. The data will provide further insight into the causes of nerve compression syndromes. It will also help in planning the surgical approach into the distal humerus, elbow joint, and proximal ends of radius and ulna, without causing any nerve injury.

A case of inferior alveolar nerve encircling the arteria maxillaris.

Here we report a case of inferior alveolar nerve (IAN), which had variability in its formation. IAN was formed by dual roots, which were branching out from the posterior division of mandibular nerve. The observed roots were forming a loop around the pterygoid part of arteria maxillaris (MA). One of the roots was superficial to the MA and the other was deep to it. It is believed that this type of morphological variation in the formation of IAN can have clinial implications, which include compression by adjacent structures and nerve entrapment. The knowledge of this variation is important to anaesthesiologists and dentists, while administering local anaesthesia. This is also enlightening to the maxillofacial surgeons, neurologists and radiologists.

Neuroprotective effects of resveratrol in Alzheimer's disease.

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a neurodegenerative disorder, which is commonly seen in older individuals. This is characterized by cognitive dysfunction, which leads to dementia. Pharmacological treatments for AD are mainly targeted on its symptoms like memory loss and cognitive impairment. The pathophysiology involved in AD is intra-neuronal accumulation of hyper-phosphorylated tau protein as neurofibrillary tangle and extra cellular beta amyloid plaque deposition, which is due to oxidative stress. Here we review the neuro-protective effects of Resveratrol (RSV) and its treatment efficacy in AD. RSV is a naturally available polyphenolic compound, which has antioxidant, anti-cancerous, anti-inflammatory and anti-aging properties. RSV crosses blood brain barrier and exerts its antioxidant effect by enhancing the anti-oxidant enzymes. RSV is involved in Sirtuin (SIRT1) mediated lifespan extension activity. RSV has reduced glial activation and helped in increasing the hippocampal neurogenesis. RSV was able to decrease the expression of amyloid precursor protein, along with improvement of spatial working memory. Since RSV acts as an antioxidant, it can be safely used as oral drug.

Variants of latissimus dorsi with a perspective on tendon transfer surgery: an anatomic study.

BACKGROUND: The latissimus dorsi (LD) is often used for tendon transfers to treat massive irreparable posterosuperior rotator cuff tears. The operation requires the LD tendon to be mobilized to reduce tension on the tendon. In that respect, any connection between the LD tendon and contiguous muscles may hamper tendon mobility and affect the surgical outcome. The goal of this study was to document the occurrence of connections between the LD and adjacent muscles and nerves. METHODS: We studied the scapular region on 48 embalmed cadavers. The skin and superficial fascia were removed according to Cunningham's manual of dissection, and the muscle was exposed. RESULTS: It was found that the LD and teres major (TM) muscles are connected by muscle fibers in 10% of the cadavers studied. Another vital discovery was that in some cadavers, the LD tendon was penetrated by a nerve. CONCLUSION: Fascial connections between the LD and TM are well known, but these muscle links are comparatively unusual. From the results of this study, one should pay particular attention to muscle links between the LD and TM during dissection of the LD for transfer. It can also be suggested that during transfer surgery, the LD tendon should be cautiously examined for the possibility of a nerve penetrating it.

Anatomical variations of the arrangement of structures at the pulmonary hilum: a cadaveric study.

PURPOSE: The aim was to study the anatomical variations of the arrangement of structures at the hilum of the lung. METHODS: The present study examined the hila of 110 cadaveric lung specimens of south Indian population. The anatomical variations of the arrangement of structures at the hilum were macroscopically observed. RESULTS: It was observed that the variations were higher in the left lung than in the right lung. The variations were observed in 16.1 % of right lungs and 48.2 % of the left lungs. There were some interesting anatomical variations like the two upper pulmonary veins, two pulmonary artery, two bronchi in the hilum of the left lung, three bronchi, four pulmonary veins and four bronchi. The present study was compared with a similar study from the same geographical location. It was observed that the frequency of variations and the hilar morphology of the arrangement of structures differ among the two separate studies from south India. CONCLUSIONS: The observations of the present study suggest that the pulmonary hilar morphology is extremely variable.

Assessment of craniometric traits in South Indian dry skulls for sex determination.

The skeleton plays an important role in sex determination in forensic anthropology. The skull bone is considered as the second best after the pelvic bone in sex determination due to its better retention of morphological features. Different populations have varying skeletal characteristics, making population specific analysis for sex determination essential. Hence the objective of this investigation is to obtain the accuracy of sex determination using cranial parameters of adult skulls to the highest percentage in South Indian population and to provide a baseline data for sex determination in South India. Seventy adult preserved human skulls were taken and based on the morphological traits were classified into 43 male skulls and 27 female skulls. A total of 26 craniometric parameters were studied. The data were analyzed by using the SPSS discriminant function. The analysis of stepwise, multivariate, and univariate discriminant function gave an accuracy of 77.1%, 85.7%, and 72.9% respectively. Multivariate direct discriminant function analysis classified skull bones into male and female with highest levels of accuracy. Using stepwise discriminant function analysis, the most dimorphic variable to determine sex of the skull, was biauricular breadth followed by weight. Subjecting the best dimorphic variables to univariate discriminant analysis, high levels of accuracy of sexual dimorphism was obtained. Percentage classification of high accuracies were obtained in this study indicating high level of sexual dimorphism in the crania, setting specific discriminant equations for the gender determination in South Indian people.

The Paracondylar Skull Base: Anatomical Variants and Their Clinical Implications.

AIM: The knowledge of the vasculature around the paracondylar region is important in neurosurgical procedures such as the paracondylar and lateral supracondylar approaches. The objectives of the present study were to determine the prevalence of paracondylar emissary foramina in the adult skull bases and to study the morphology of condylar canals and hypoglossal canals. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The present study included 48 adult human skulls that were obtained from the gross anatomy laboratory of our institution. The paracondylar region was macroscopically observed for the variant foramina, canals and grooves. RESULTS: It was observed that the paracondylar emissary foramen was present in 16 skulls (33.3%). The foramen was found bilaterally in 7 skulls (14.6%) and unilaterally in 9 skulls (18.7%). The hypoglossal canal was single in 35 (72.9%) skulls, double in 11 skulls (22.9%), and triple in 2 skulls (4.2%). The paracondylar process (2.1%) and the paracondylar groove (2.1%) were seen in 1 skull each. The posterior condylar canal was found to be patent in 19 (39.6%) skulls. CONCLUSION: The present study observed that, the paracondylar emissary vein is not rare in occurrence as it is observed in 33.3% of cases. The identification of the paracondylar emissary veins and accessory vessels is important to avoid dangerous bleeding during the surgery. The morphological knowledge of the foramina around the paracondylar region is enlightening to the chiropractors, neurosurgeons and radiologists.

Morphological study of styloid process of the temporal bone and its clinical implications.

The objective of this study was to study the morphometry of the styloid process of temporal bone and prevalence of elongated styloid process. The morphology of elongated styloid process along with its embryological and clinical importance are discussed. The present study included 110 human dry skulls which were procured from the bone collections of the department of anatomy. The styloid process was observed macroscopically on both sides of all the skulls, the elongations if any were noted. All the styloids were measured for their length, thickness at different levels and interstyloid distance at various levels. Out of 110 specimens, only 5 skulls (4.5%) exhibited the elongated styloid process. Among them, 3 skulls (2.7%) had unilateral elongation and 2 skulls (1.8%) had bilateral elongation of the styloid process. The mean length of the styloid process was 17.8±9.3 mm and 18.2±5.6 mm for the right and left sides, respectively. The prevalence of elongated styloid process in the present study was 4.5%. The clinical anatomy of this congenital variant is important to the neurosurgeon and radiologist, while interpreting the computed tomogram and magnetic resonance image scans. The morphological knowledge of elongated styloid process is clinically important since the course of the vertebral artery may be distorted in such situations.

Arterial supply to the soleus muscle: an anatomical study with emphasis on its application in the pedicle flap surgery.

PURPOSE: To study the various patterns in the extra muscular part of arterial supply to the soleus muscle. METHODS: The study was carried out using 38 adult cadaveric lower limbs which were available from the Department of Anatomy of our institution. The vascular branches to the soleus were identified and traced till their point of entry into the soleus. These were considered as extramuscular branches (EMB) to the soleus. The distances of first and last branches from each artery were measured from the apex of head of fibula to their point of entry into the soleus and were expressed as proportion to the length of soleus. RESULTS: The present study observed that the soleus muscle is supplied by EMB of popliteal, posterior tibial and peroneal arteries. In 42.1% cases, there was no direct EMB from the popliteal artery to the soleus. The EMB of popliteal artery were located between 3.2 and 24.6% of the length of soleus. The EMB from the posterior tibial and peroneal arteries were located between 6.8-97.1% and 5.7-94.9% of the length of soleus, respectively. The proximal 25% of length of soleus received EMB from all the three arteries. CONCLUSIONS: The present study has provided additional information on the various patterns in the extra muscular part of arterial supply to the soleus muscle. This knowledge is important to the plastic and orthopedic surgeons while performing the pedicle flap surgeries. Our opinion is that the proximally based soleal muscle flaps are more beneficial in the surgical practice.

The anatomical variations in the neurovascular relations of the sphenoid sinus: an evaluation by coronal computed tomography.

AIM: The sphenoid sinus is deeply situated in the skull and is the least accessible paranasal sinus. The sphenoid sinus is surrounded by vital structures such as the optic nerve and internal carotid artery, and therefore additional radiological assessment of the sphenoid sinus and the related neurovascular structures is inevitable before surgery. The aim of this study was to note the anatomic variations in the relationship of these structures with the sphenoid sinus by analyzing the coronal computed tomography (CT) scans. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The consecutive coronal CT scans of 100 patients that included 43 males and 57 females were evaluated. RESULTS: Variations in the neurovascular boundaries of the sphenoid sinus were a common finding in the present study and were seen in as many as 66% of the cases. Variations involving the Vidian canal were the commonest in our study and were seen in around 42%, followed by those involving the bony canal for internal carotid artery, 33%; maxillary nerve, 21 % and optic nerve, 9%. CONCLUSION: These variations do not represent disease as such, but may increase the risk of endoscopic mishaps. CT of the paranasal sinus region is therefore an essential prerequisite prior to sinonasal and trans-sphenoidal surgeries.

Morphology and topography of the parietal emissary foramina in South Indians: an anatomical study.

The objectives of the present study were to study the prevalence of the parietal emissary vein in adult South Indian population and to study the distance of foramen from the sagittal suture. There were 58 adult human skulls in the present study which were available at the anatomy department of our institution. The study included 116 parietal bones which have been observed macroscopically for the number, prevalence and topography of the emissary foramen. The emissary foramen was present in 83 parietal bones (71.5%) of the present study. It was present at the junction between the middle 1/3 and posterior 1/3 region of the parietal bone. The foramen was observed solitary in 73 parietal bones (62.9%), double in 8 bones (6.9%), and triple in 2 parietal bones (1.7%). The foramen was not observed in 33 parietal bones (28.4%). The bilateral absence of parietal emissary foramen was seen in 7 skulls (12.1%). It was absent unilaterally in 19 skulls (32.7%). The accessory foramina were seen in only 8 skulls (13.8%). The mean distance of the foramen from the sagittal suture was 6.7±2.9 mm and 6.8±2.8 mm on the right and left sides respectively. The prevalence of parietal emissary vein in the present study was 71.5%. The present study has observed important data about the morphology and morphometry of the parietal emissary vein in South Indian population. The identification of parietal emissary veins and accessory veins is important in the operation room to prevent the blood loss.

Accessory neurovascular foramina on the lingual surface of mandible: incidence, topography, and clinical implications.

CONTEXT: It was suggested that the accessory neurovascular foramina of the mandible might be of significance in relation to the effectiveness of local anesthesia following the routine inferior alveolar nerve block. AIMS: To investigate the incidence of neurovascular foramina over the lingual surface of the mandible in South Indian population. SETTINGS AND DESIGN: The study was conducted at the department of anatomy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study included 67 human adult dry mandibles, the exact ages and sexes of which were not known. The location and number of neurovascular foramina were topographically analyzed. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS USED: Descriptive statistics. RESULTS: The foramina were observed in 64 mandibles (95.5%) and were often multiple in most of the cases. They were located between the two medial incisors in 8 mandibles (1.9%), between the medial and lateral incisor in 34 mandibles (50.7%; 25-bilateral; 7-right; 2-left), between the lateral incisor and canine in 7 mandibles (10.4%; 2-bilateral; 3-right; 2-left), between the canine and first premolar in 6 cases (8.9%; 3 on each side). Foramina were also present around the genial tubercle in 56 mandibles (83.6%). Among them, 52 mandibles showed a single foramen just above the genial tubercle, 34 mandibles had foramina below the tubercles, 13 mandibles had foramina on the right side of genial tubercle and 17 were having on the left side. CONCLUSION: Since the anatomical details of these foramina are important to various fields of dentistry and oncology, the present investigation was undertaken. The clinical significance and implications are emphasized.