Morphology of the bicipital aponeurosis: a cadaveric study.

The bicipital aponeurosis (BA) is a fascial expansion which arises from the tendon of biceps brachii and dissipates some of the force away from its enthesis. It helps in dual action of biceps brachii as supinator and flexor of forearm. The aim of the present work was to study the morphology of BA. Thirty cadavericupper limbs (16 right and 14 left side limbs) were dissected and dimensions ofthe BA were noted. The average width of aponeurosis at its commencement on the right was 15.74 mm while on the left it was 17.57 mm. The average angle between tendon and aponeurosis on the right was 21.16° and on the left it was 21.78°. The fibres from the short head of the biceps brachii contributed to the formation of proximal part of aponeurosis. Fascial sheath over the tendon oflong head of biceps brachii was seen to form the distal part of the aponeurosis. In 5 cases, large fat globules were present between the sheath and the tendon. Histologically: The aponeurosis showed presence of thick collagen bundles. Fascials heath covering the tendon of long head extended towards the aponeurosis and passed superficial to the tendon of biceps. Blood vessels and adipose tissue were found to be present between fascial sheath and the tendon. This morphological description of BA may be helpful 1) in elucidating the dynamic role that BA plays in normal functioning and 2) to the surgeons in the repair of ruptured biceps brachii tendon.

The morphology of lumbar sympathetic trunk in humans: a cadaveric study.

The vasospastic diseases and chronic pain related to lower limb have been successfully treated by surgical ablation of lumbar sympathetic trunk for last 80 years.Precise knowledge of anatomy of lumbar sympathetic trunk and its adjoining structures is mandatory for safe and uncomplicated lumbar and spinal surgeries.We aim to study the detailed anatomy of entry and exit of lumbar sympathetic trunk, the number, dimensions and location of lumbar ganglia in relation to lumbar vertebra. Thorough dissection was carried out in 30 formalin embalmed cadavers available in the Department of Anatomy, Pravara Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS), Rural Medical College (RMC), Loni, Maharashtra. A total of 238 ganglia were observed in 60 lumbar sympathetic trunks. The sympathetic trunk traversed dorsal to the crus of diaphragm in 72.6% and in 13.3% it entered dorsal to the medial arcuate ligament. The most common site of the location of lumbar ganglia was in relation to the second lumbar vertebra, sometimes extending up to the L2-L3 vertebral disc. There was a medial shift of sympathetic trunk in lumbar region and it coursed over sacral promontory to reach the pelvic region in 96% of specimens. These variations should be kept in mind in order to prevent hazardous complications like accidental avulsion of first lumbar ganglia and genitofemoral neuritis.

EEG-based source localization with enhanced virtual aperture using second order statistics.

For the past few decades source localization, based on EEG modality, has been a very active area of research. EEG signal provides temporal resolution in millisecond range that can capture rapidly changing patterns of brain activity but it has a low spatial resolution as compared to techniques like fMRI, PET, CT scan, etc. So, one of the motives of this research is to improve the spatial resolution of the EEG signal. Many successful attempts have been made to localise the active neural sources using EEG signals with the introduction of techniques like MNE, LORETA, sLORETA, FOCUSS, etc. But these techniques require a large number of electrodes for correct localization of a few sources. This paper aims at providing a new method for the localization of EEG sources with a fewer electrode. This is achieved by exploiting the second-order statistics to enhance the aperture and solve the EEG localization problem. The comparison of the proposed method with the state-of-the-art methods is done by observing the localization error with variation in SNR, number of snapshots (time samples), number of active sources, and number of electrodes. The results show that the proposed method can detect a greater number of sources with fewer electrodes and with higher accuracy as compared to methods available in the literature. Real -time EEG signal during an arithmetic task is considered and the proposed algorithm clearly shows a sparse activity in the frontal region.

The thyroid gland and its variations: a cadaveric study.

The size and shape of the thyroid gland is subject to much variation, as stated by Wood Jones. Literature is replete with a large number of variations of the gland. By utilizing various techniques like gross dissection, histology, developmental anatomy, and recently thyroid scans and scintigraphy, some common and certain rare anomalies of the thyroid with their possible developmental bases are described in the literature. An attempt has been made to study the thyroid glands in 90 male cadavers available in our department, with ages ranging from 60 to 75 years with mean height of 5'4". The parameters that were observed included the length and width of lobes, presence or absence of pyramidal lobe, levator glandulae thyroideae, and isthmus with its relation to the tracheal rings. The average length of the right lobe was 4.32 cm, and the left lobe was 4.22 cm. The thickness of the right lobe was 1.13 cm, and the left lobe was 1.18 cm. Pyramidal lobe was present in 34 (37.77%) cases, frequently arising from the left lobe, while the levator glandulae thyroideae was present in 27 (30%) instances, mostly attached superiorly to the body of the hyoid bone. The isthmus was absent in 15 (16.66%) cases; its relation with the tracheal rings greatly varied from the cricoid cartilage to the fourth tracheal ring. Knowledge of variations of the thyroid assumes significance as this has relevance in the resection of thyroid, tumours, and tracheostomy.

Synthesis of new 4-pyrrol-1-yl benzoic acid hydrazide analogs and some derived oxadiazole, triazole and pyrrole ring systems: a novel class of potential antibacterial and antitubercular agents.

In the present study, a novel series of 4-pyrrol-1-yl benzoic acid hydrazide analogs, some derived 5-substituted-2-thiol-1,3,4-oxadiazoles, 5-substituted-4-amino-1,2,4-triazolin-3-thione and 2,5-dimethyl pyrroles have been synthesized in good yields and characterized by IR, NMR, mass spectral and elemental analyses. Compounds were evaluated for their preliminary in vitro antibacterial activity against some Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria and compounds were screened for antitubercular activity against Mycobacterium tuberculosis H37Rv strain by broth dilution assay method. Some compounds showed very good antibacterial and antitubercular activities.

Electrofocusing of methanolic extracts for identification of individual flavonol biomolecules in Camellia species.

An effort has been made to isolate individual catechin compounds from green tea leaves in their pure form by electrophoresis. In the present study total polyphenol extraction was carried out initially and estimated through spectrophotometric and HPLC methods. Extracted polyphenol was separated on 0.7% agarose gel and visualized at 360 nm. Fragmented individual compounds were gel eluted with methanol and confirmed as (-)-epigallocatechin (EGC), (-)-epicatechin (EC), (-)-epicatechin gallate (ECG), and (-)-epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) by HPLC. The method developed describes a suitable method for the isolation of valuable molecules in tea.

Medication Practice of Patients with Dermatophytosis.

INTRODUCTION: Dermatophytosis is one of the commonest dermatoses observed in Dermatology OPD. It is caused by Fungus Dermatophyte. Its pattern and prevalence varies from region to region. As self medication practice is very common, we aim to find the prevalence of various clinical pattern of dermatophytosis and to find out the medication commonly used by the patients for this condition. METHODS: This was cross sectional observational study. The case collection was done from outpatient department of Dermatology and Venereology of a Teaching Hospital from 15th March, 2013 to 14 March, 2014. Demographic, Clinical and other relevant details were recorded in Proforma after history and examination. RESULTS: The total number of cases were 594. Crural area was the most commonly involved. Tinea corporis was most common dermatophytosis followed by Tinea incognito. Risk of recurrence was highest in buttocks [odds ratio-2.404 (1.510, 3.827) and crural area [odds ratio- 2.298 (1.637,3.266). Topical steroid and topical steroid with antifungal was used by 225 (30.1%) and 226 (30.2%) respectively. Patients who consulted dermatologist were more likely to use antifungal, odds ratio-12.060 (4.907, 29.643). CONCLUSIONS: Tinea corporis was the commonest dermatophytosis. Due to practice of topical steroid misuse T. incognito was second common. It is essential to educate the general public, pharmacist and paramedics regarding the proper use of topical steroid.

Morphological study of fossa ovalis and its clinical relevance.

AIMS: Patent foramen ovale (PFO) has been implicated in the etiology of a number of different pathologies, including cryptogenic stroke, decompression sickness in divers, etc. It can act as a channel for paradoxical embolism. PFO is not an uncommon condition, with a probe-patency in 15-35% population. The fossa ovalis (FOv) varies in size and shape from heart to heart; the prominence of annulus FOv also varies. The entire FOv may be redundant and aneurysmal. The anatomico-functional characterization of interatrial septum seems to be of paramount importance for both atrial septal defect (ASD) and PFO, not only for the device selection, but also for the evaluation of the outcome of this procedure. METHOD: This study was conducted in 50 apparently normal hearts available in Department of Anatomy. After opening the right atrium, the shape of FOv was observed. The size was measured with the digital vernier caliper; the prominence and extent of limbus, and the redundancy or otherwise of FOv were noted; probe patency was confirmed. RESULTS: In the majority, FOv was oval (82%); average transverse diameter was 14.53mm and vertical 12.60mm. In 90%, the rim of the annulus was raised; in 20%, a recess was found deep to the margin of the annulus; and 18% showed probe patency. CONCLUSION: As no study of this nature has been carried out in the Indian population, this provides pertinent information on the morphology of FOv, which may be useful for device selection in treating ASD and PFO.

Fetal heart rate extraction from abdominal electrocardiograms through multivariate empirical mode decomposition.

Assessment of fetal heart rate (FHR) and fetal heart rate variability (fHRV) reveals important information about fetal well-being, specifically in high risk pregnancies. Abdominal electrocardiogram (abdECG) recording is a non-invasive method to capture fetal electrocardiograms. In this paper, we propose a methodology to extract FHR (fetal RR time series) from the abdECG recordings using the recently introduced multivariate empirical mode decomposition (MEMD) technique. MEMD breaks a signal into a finite set of intrinsic mode functions (IMFs). First, elimination of the noisier abdECG channels, based on comparison of similar indexed IMFs that were obtained through the MEMD technique, is conducted. Thereafter, denoising of the remaining abdECG channels is performed by eliminating certain similar indexed IMFs. The unwanted mother QRS complexes are removed from these noise-free abdECG channels, and the candidate fetal R-peaks are detected through a wavelet based approach. The proposed methodology is validated using an open source real-life clinical database. The proposed technique resulted in a high value (0.983) of cross correlation between the detected and true FHR signals.

Nrf2-driven TERT regulates pentose phosphate pathway in glioblastoma.

Given the involvement of telomerase activation and dysregulated metabolism in glioma progression, the connection between these two critical players was investigated. Pharmacological inhibition of human Telomerase reverse transcriptase (hTERT) by Costunolide induced glioma cell apoptosis in a reactive oxygen species (ROS)-dependent manner. Costunolide induced an ROS-dependent increase in p53 abrogated telomerase activity. Costunolide decreased Nrf2 level; and ectopic Nrf2 expression decreased Costunolide-induced ROS generation. While TERT knock-down abrogated Nrf2 levels, overexpression of Nrf2 increased TERT expression. Inhibition of hTERT either by Costunolide, or by siRNA or dominant-negative hTERT (DN-hTERT) abrogated (i) expression of Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) and Transketolase (TKT) - two major nodes in the pentose phosphate (PPP) pathway; and (ii) phosphorylation of glycogen synthase (GS). hTERT knock-down decreased TKT activity and increased glycogen accumulation. Interestingly, siRNA-mediated knock-down of TKT elevated glycogen accumulation. Coherent with the in vitro findings, Costunolide reduced tumor burden in heterotypic xenograft glioma mouse model. Costunolide-treated tumors exhibited diminished TKT activity, heightened glycogen accumulation, and increased senescence. Importantly, glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) patient tumors bearing TERT promoter mutations (C228T and C250T) known to be associated with increased telomerase activity; exhibited elevated Nrf2 and TKT expression and decreased glycogen accumulation. Taken together, our findings highlight the previously unknown (i) role of telomerase in the regulation of PPP and glycogen accumulation and (ii) the involvement of Nrf2-TERT loop in maintaining oxidative defense responses in glioma cells.

An investigation into the acid content of aerosols in the ambient air at the Taj Mahal, Agra.

A chemical analysis of suspended particulate matter (SPM) collected near the world famous Taj Mahal monument at Agra has been carried out. SPM samples collected on glass fibre filters were analysed for water-soluble sulphate, nitrate, chloride and ammonium ions. The data were derived from over 200 samples (each of 24 h), collected continuously during the winter periods (October through to March) of 1984-1985 and 1985-1986. The SO(4)(2-) and NO(3)(-) components are acidic in nature causing corrosion and effects on visibility, and so were studied in more detail. Mean values for SO(4)(2-) and NO(3)(-) derived from two-year data are 7.2 microg m(-3) and 8.2 microg m(-3), respectively. The SO(4)(2-)/SO(2) and NO(3)(-)/NO(2) ratiosobserved indicate faster conversion of SO(2) to SO(4)(2-) than NO(2) to NO(3)(-), the maximum levels being in January. Thus, both SO(4)(2-) and NO(3)(-) results appear to offer more promising indices of air quality than do SPM data alone.

Urinary nitrogen in elderly Indians.

Urinary volumes, nitrogenous consituents eliminated in 24 hrs urine and diet taken by healthy elderly lactovegetarian Indian subjects in Bombay are reported. The average values where: diet = 1603 calories, 52.3 gms proteins intake per day; urinary volume 1568 cc, urea 11.27 +/- 3.59 gms/24 hrs, creatinine 1.09 +/- 0.8 gms, uric acid 0.56 +/- 0.21 gms and ammonia 0.38 +/- 0.25 gms per day. While the values of all N2 constituents-urea, creatinine, uric acid and ammonia are much lower, the total N2 as well as urea output in elderly Indians in less than half of that of the young Europeans on meat rich diet but greater than those on protein free diets.

Nitrogen and sulphur elimination in 24 hours urine by elderly Indians.

Urinary output of N2-urea, creatinine, uric acid, ammonia and organic and inorganic SO3 were repeatedly examined in healthy vegetarian subjects in Bombay--35 elderly and 2 young. Their routine diet examined for a week indicated an average intake of 56 g proteins (15 g animal) and excretion of about 8 g N2, 0.75 g of SO3 both in young and old subjects. These are much lower than figures reported for Europeans taking protein rich diets. Two elderly subjects supplemented their protein intake to 95 g/day (50 g animal) for 3 weeks. A progressive rise in the outputs of N2 and SO3 with increasing protein intakes was seen. SO3 estimation like that of N2 (urea) is indicative of the protein consumption of a person, but the estimations of urea output per day being easier are to be preferred.

Investigation into the possible mechanisms involved in altered digoxin levels in diabetic patients.

The present study was undertaken to investigate the possible factors which may contribute to the altered digoxin levels in diabetic patients. The digoxin levels were found to be significantly higher in diabetics (1.74 +/- 0.09 ng/ml) as compared to non-diabetics (0.76 +/- 0.07 ng /ml). There was a positive correlation between digoxin levels and glycosylated haemoglobin levels. All diabetic patients had serum creatinine, urea and potassium levels within normal limits. However, serum TSH levels were found to be significantly higher in diabetics as compared to controls. Serum tri-iodo-1-thyronine (T3) levels were found to be lower in diabetics as compared to non-diabetics. Our data suggests that diabetes-mellitus causes alteration of digoxin levels. One of the causes of this increase in digoxin levels may be a tendency towards mild hypothyroidism associated with diabetes mellitus.

Haemangiopericytoma of the floor of the mouth. A case report.

Haemangiopericytoma of the floor of the mouth with metastases to the lumbar spine in a 23-year-old black woman is described. She represents the 36th patient with oral cavity haemangiopericytoma and the 4th with a floor of mouth lesion. The aggressive behaviour of haemangiopericytoma and its resistance to all forms of recommended treatment was shown in this patient.

Alteration of macromolecular events and elemental levels in the skin of UVC exposed hairless mice.

Swiss mice (S/RV/Cri-ba) were exposed to a spectral range of UV light emitting predominantly lambda 253.7 nm. Following a cumulative dose of 22.5 X 10(3) KJ/m2 tumours were induced. The tumour development occurred after 52 weeks, relatively a longer time interval following exposure, compared with shorter time intervals required for production of tumours in mice by spectral range UVA and UVB as observed by other workers. A study of biochemical events viz. levels of protein, DNA, zinc, iron, sodium and potassium has been made in the skin samples of control and irradiated animals following ultraviolet irradiation with a dose of 22.5 X 10(3) KJ/m2. Study of macromolecular events in the skin of control and irradiated mice, showed fluctuations in the levels of DNA. A particularly notable event is the occurrence of increased levels of DNA and zinc and their persistence during the 9-39 weeks post UV interval prior to tumour production. No such variation was observed in the control group in any of the intervals. Increased levels were also seen in case of iron, sodium and potassium at different intervals in the post UV periods. These fluctuations in various biochemical events are deemed to be indicative of UV initiated biochemical changes.

Synthesis, Antimicrobial and cytotoxic activity of New Heterocyclic Hybrids Based on 2,5-Dimethylpyrrole and Pyrrole Scaffolds.

A series of 4-(2,5-dimethylpyrrol-1-yl)/4-pyrrol-1-yl benzoic acid hydrazide analogs, some derived triazoles, azetidinones, thiazolidinones, and pyrroles have been synthesized in good yields and structures of these compounds were established by IR, (1)H NMR, (13)C NMR, mass spectral, and elemental analysis. These compounds were evaluated for their preliminary in vitro antibacterial, antifungal, and antitubercular activity against Mycobacterium tuberculosis H37 Rv strain by the broth dilution assay method. Twenty one of these compounds displayed good antimicrobial activity, with a MIC value of 1-4 µg/ml. Several compounds 4c, 8-10, 15b-15h, and 16b-16d exhibited good in vitro antitubercular activity with MIC value 1-2 µg/ml. Further, some title compounds were also assessed for their cytotoxic activity (IC50) against mammalian Vero cell lines and A549 (lung adenocarcinoma) cell lines using the MTT assay method. The results revealed that these compounds exhibit antitubercular activity at non-cytotoxic concentrations.