Deoxyribose Nucleic Acid Damage and Its Association With Plasma Malondialdehyde Levels Among Patients With Cervical Cancer: A Case-Control Study.

Purpose The objective of this research project was to estimate DNA damage in patients diagnosed with cervical cancer using the comet assay, establish a correlation between this quantification and the oxidative stress marker malondialdehyde (MDA; plasma MDA), and compare the resulting parameters between the cases and age-matched controls. Materials and methods This study included 49 cervical cancer cases and 49 age-matched controls to measure DNA damage parameters such as comet length, head diameter, percentage of DNA in the comet head, tail length, percentage of DNA in the comet tail, and oxidative stress marker (plasma MDA) using the thiobarbituric acid reactive substance (TBARS) enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) method. Results Comet metrics suggesting DNA damage, such as comet length, tail length, and percentage of DNA in the comet tail, were considerably higher in cervical cancer cases than in age-matched controls. The proportion of DNA in the comet head, representing undamaged/mild DNA damage, was significantly higher in age-matched controls than in cervical cancer patients. Plasma MDA and comet tail length were shown to have a positive correlation. Compared to the age-matched controls, those between the ages of 30 and 39, with a parity of two to four, who had a history of early age at first pregnancy and a positive family history of cervical cancer, had the highest level of DNA damage. Conclusion The elevated levels of comet parameters and their positive correlation with plasma MDA suggest that individuals diagnosed with cervical cancer have a higher degree of DNA damage compared to the control group. In conjunction with established methods like the PAP smear, this predictive test comprising comet assay and estimation of plasma MDA may be utilized to identify and assess the risk of cervical cancer in individuals aged 30-39 years, with a parity between two and four pregnancies and a prior history of early age at first pregnancy, accompanied by a positive family history of the disease.

Ultrasonographic Estimation of the Gestational Age Using the Fetal Kidney Length in the Second and Third Trimesters of Pregnancy Among South Indian Antenatal Women: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Background and Objective Accurately estimating the age of the fetus is crucial to prevent morbidity and mortality for both the fetus and mother during the perinatal period. Additionally, it enables early intervention in cases of complicated pregnancies. Multiple parameters are used for the estimation of fetal gestational age (FGA) and the expected date of delivery (EDD), but no single parameter is found to be accurate and standard. This study aims to analyze the fetal kidney length (FKL) as a means to estimate gestational age and investigate the growth pattern of the fetal kidney during the early and late weeks of gestation. Furthermore, it seeks to establish correlations between FKL and gold standard parameters from the 18th week to the 38th week of gestation. Methodology This cross-sectional research was carried out after obtaining proper institutional ethical clearance. The pregnant women who came to the gynecology outpatient department (OPD) between 18 and 38 weeks were included in this study after obtaining informed consent. The fetal biometry was measured using the ultrasonographic transducer (3-5 MHz). Results The mean FKL exhibited a consistent increase throughout the entire pregnancy, ranging from 16.50 ± 2.10 to 39.20 ± 3.10 mm. The rate of increase in FKL was significant between the early weeks (18-24) of pregnancy, with insignificant growth in other weeks of gestation. The growth of the fetal kidney (length) exhibited a gradual increase from the early weeks to the late weeks of pregnancy, with a consistent growth rate of approximately 1mm per week from 18 to 35 weeks. However, in the final three weeks of pregnancy (36th, 37th, and 38th weeks), the FKL measurements were recorded as 37.90 ± 3.90, 38.90 ± 3.10, and 40.20 ± 3.10 mm, respectively. A positive correlation was noted between the FKL with all standard parameters such as biparietal diameter (BPD), femur length (FL), head circumference (HC), and abdominal circumference (AC). Conclusions This study concluded that incorporating FKL alongside standard fetal biometric parameters such as BPD, FL, HC, and AC enhanced the accuracy of calculating FGA and EDD during the early second trimester. Furthermore, it proved beneficial in diagnosing fetal anomalies during early pregnancies.

Morphometric Study and Branching Patterns of External Carotid Artery Using Computed Tomography Angiography Among the South Indian Population: A Retrospective Study.

INTRODUCTION: The prime source of vascularization to the head and neck region is through the carotid arteries. The terminal branches of common carotid arteries, such as external carotid artery (ECA) and internal carotid artery (ICA), and their branches are crucial due to the wide area of distribution and variations in their branching pattern. The branching pattern and morphometry are essential for surgeons in the planning and execution of head and neck surgeries. Therefore, this study was conducted to observe the branching patterns of ECA and analyze them morphometrically. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This retrospective study includes 100 CT images, inclusive of 32 females and 68 males. The branching pattern and luminal diameter of CCA and ECA were measured and analyzed statistically. RESULTS: The luminal diameter of CCA in males were as follows: 7.4 ± 1.01 (R), 7.1 ± 0.8 (L), and in females: 7.3 ± 0.9 (R), 7 ± 0.9mm (L); and the luminal diameter of ECA in males: 5.2 ± 1.0mm (R), 5.2 ± 0.9mm (L), and in females: 5.0 ± 0.9mm (R), 5.1 ± 1.0mm (L). The level of the carotid bifurcation and ECA branching pattern was observed, and variations were commonly seen in the superior thyroid artery (STA), lingual artery (LA), and facial artery (FA).  Conclusion: The findings of the present study with regard to the external carotid artery and its branching pattern correlate with previous studies. The most common variations were observed in the superior thyroid and lingual and facial arteries. Knowledge about the morphology and branching pattern of the carotid artery is essential for procedures such as intra-arterial chemotherapy, carotid artery stenting, endarterectomy, and extra-intra cranial bypass revascularization procedure where it is harvested as a donor's vessel.

Morphometric Analysis of Achilles Tendon Structure and Its Significance: A Cadaveric Study.

INTRODUCTION: Achilles tendon is crucial for gait, and chronic Achilles tendinopathy can have a substantial impact on an individual's work and active involvement in physical or sports activity, and overall quality of life. OBJECTIVES: This research was to determine the macroscopic and microscopic anatomy of Achilles tendons in cadavers. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This experimental study was conducted in the Department of Anatomy, Saveetha Medical College, Thandalam, from March to August 2022. A total of 60 formalin-perfused cadavers (38 males and 22 females) were dissected to study their morphometry (length, width, thickness) and histology. The data was tabulated in MS excel and analyzed statistically using unpaired 't-test and one-way ANOVA in SPSS Software 17.0 (IBM Corp., Armonk, NY). RESULTS: The mean length of the Achilles tendon was significantly higher in males than in females and similarly, the length on the right side was significantly higher than on the left side (p<0.005). The width and circumference were statistically higher in females than, males whereas, the histological features were similar in both males and females. CONCLUSION: The better understanding of Achilles tendon morphometry in cadavers always aids in the diagnosis and surgical repair of tendinopathy, rupture, and degenerative change. The knowledge will be helpful for the surgeons during the repair and reconstruction of the injured tendon.