Morphometric analysis of the palatine triangle in adult human skulls: a potential aid for anthropologists and intraoral bone grafts.

Morphometrics of the hard palate is an important aspect of forensic anthropology and odontology. Palatine triangle is a triangular area in the hard palate formed by the palatine processes of the maxillae, which can aid intraoral bone grafts. We present the osteological measurements of the palatine triangle (maxillary palate) based on sex, compare it with other hard palate parameters, and establish the correlation between them. Seventy-seven male skulls and 36 female skulls were examined. Various morphometric measurements of the hard palate and palatine triangle were performed meticulously. Mean and standard deviation of each parameter were computed for groups using SPSS 16.0. Relationships between all parameters were analyzed using Pearson's rank correlation test. The mean palatine length was 38.84 ± 3.75 mm in males and 37.22 ± 4.12 mm in females; the mean palatine breadth was 31.36 ± 2.61 mm in males and 29.78 ± 3.07 mm in females. The mean area of the palatine triangle was 600.88 ± 80.16 mm2 in male skulls and 547.96 ± 94.28 mm2 in the female skulls. Statistically significant difference in various measurements of the palatine triangle and hard palate between the male and female skulls was noted. Leptostaphyline (narrow palate) was the most prominent type of palate. The area of the palatine triangle showed a strong positive correlation between the total length and breadth of the palate for both male and female skulls. A strong positive correlation was also observed between the palate length and the palatine triangle length. Palatine index and palate breadth had a statistically significant moderate linear relationship. The maxillary palate length, breadth, and area of the palatine triangle were higher in males when compared to females in South Indian origin skulls. Most of the skulls had a narrow palate. The results of this metric analysis of the palatine triangle may lead to a new concept of anatomical research into studying the hard palate, which can be used for sexual dimorphism.

Prophylactic effect of Trigonella foenum-graecum L. seed extract on inflammatory markers and histopathological changes in high-fat-fed ovariectomized rats.

Background and aim: Trigonella foenum-graecum L. seeds (TFG) are used as spices in Indian cuisine. In Indian traditional medicine, TFG is used to treat diabetes, dyslipidemia, obesity, arthritis, cancer, digestive disorders, and postmenopausal conditions. Pathophysiology of postmenopausal diseases involves low-grade systemic inflammation. The purpose of this study is to investigate the prophylactic effect of petroleum ether fraction of TFG-extract (PE-TFG) on inflammatory markers, and histopathological changes in ovariectomized rats (OVX-rats) fed with a high-fat diet (HFD). Experimental procedure: OVX female Sprague Dawley rats were used for the study. Three weeks after ovariectomy, rats were randomized in different groups and administered PE-TFG, atorvastatin, diosgenin, 17ß-estradiol for 12 weeks along with HFD. The sham-operated rats (S.OVX) were fed with a standard pellet diet. At the end of 12-weeks, rats were sacrificed, and blood samples were used to estimate lipid profile, glucose, hepatic markers, TNF-α, and leptin. Liver, kidney, and common carotid artery were isolated for testing oxidative stress markers, mRNA expression of adiponectin, PPAR-γ, and histopathological changes. Results: Administration of PE-TFG significantly decreased (P < 0.05) total cholesterol, LDL, hepatic markers, leptin, TNF-α and improved mRNA expression of adiponectin and PPAR-γ in HFD-fed OVX-rats. Further, micro and macro hepatic steatosis, inflammation, glomerular hypertrophy, degenerated tubules in kidney, increased tunica intima, and media thickness of common carotid artery and the pathological changes were not significant upon PE-TFG administration compared to S.OVX-rats. Conclusion: PE-TFG protects cellular inflammation and metabolic alternations in HFD-fed OVX-rats and thus can be explored further in postmenopausal diseases as a prophylactic agent.

Is lead in Nagabhasma toxic to liver? - A histological evaluation

Ayurvedic medicines is known to use heavy metals in their preparation. Nagabhasma is one such form of a lead-based medicine. Even though lead is known to be toxic to several systems of the human body, according to Ayurveda, the metallic toxicity of the lead gets nullified and thereby imbibes medicinal property when it is prepared using many herbs and stringent traditional methods. Therefore, the present study is designed to evaluate the effect of such detoxified lead in various stages of authentically prepared Nagabhasma on the histopathology of liver in comparison with lead acetate and commercially available Nagabhasma-administered animals. Less than the human-equivalent doses of Nagabhasma at four intermittent stages of its preparation were administered orally for 30 days and 60 days (short term and long term exposure) to Wistar rats. In another set of experiment, test-material-administered animals were kept under observation for an additional period of two months to record the residual effect. Immediately after the administration and after the observation period, the animals were sacrificed to collect the liver for histopathological examination. The histopathological results of the immediate and residual effects showed varying alterations in the microarchitecture of the liver as the stages of Nagabhasma preparation advanced. The final product (stage 4 bhasma), showed very less toxic effect in comparison with other stages. In conclusion, the results state that, by following the traditional procedures while preparing Nagabhasma, the metallic lead gets converted into non-toxic organometallic compound

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Beneficial Role of Hydro-alcoholic Seed Extract of Trigonella foenum graecum on Bone Structure and Strength in Menopause Induced Osteopenia.

BACKGROUND: The current strategies to prevent and treat menopausal osteoporosis are hormone replacement therapy (HRT). However, the long-term use of hormone replacement therapy is limited due to its side-effects. Alternately, use of phytoestrogens has been implicated. Trigonella foenum graecum (TFG) seeds are rich in phytoestrogen and known traditional medicine to treat menopause induced hyperlipidemia. Therefore, in this study, we evaluated the role of dietary TFG seed extract on bone structure and mechanical properties in ovariectomized rats. METHODS: Twenty four female Wistar rats were randomly allocated into four groups; 1) control, 2) ovariectomized, 3) ovariectomized + TFG seed extract and 4) ovariectomized + 17ß-estradiol. TFG seed extract/17ß-estradiol was administered for 30 days, 14 days after ovariectomy. After the treatment, right femora were collected to measure the length and biomechanical properties, and left femora were gathered to study the micro architectural changes while tibia were collected to measure the dry weight. RESULTS: Maximum flexor load to break femur bone was significantly low in ovariectomized rats in comparison with control rats (P<0.05). Supplementation with TFG significantly improved the maximum flexor load (P<0.05) and tibia dry weight (P<0.01) compared to ovariectomized untreated rats. TFG administration also significantly preserved the trabecular (P<0.01) and cortical bone (P<0.05) thickness compared to ovariectomized rats. CONCLUSION: This study found that dietary intake of TFG seeds can improve the bone structure and biomechanical properties in ovariectomized rats indicating that TFG may be an alternative treatment strategy to prevent the menopause induced osteopenia.

Accessory pancreatic duct patterns and their clinical implications.

CONTEXT AND OBJECTIVE: Accessory pancreatic duct (APD) designed to reduce the pressure of major pancreatic duct by forming a secondary drainage channel. Few studies have mentioned the variant types of accessory ducts and their mode of formation, some of these have a clear clinical significance. Present study is aimed to evaluate the possible variations in the APD and its terminations. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Forty formalin fixed adult human pancreas with duodenum in situ specimens were studied by injecting 1% aqueous eosin, followed by piece meal dissection of the head of the pancreas from posterior surface. Formation, tributaries, relations, and the termination of the accessory pancreatic duct were noted and photographed. RESULTS: Accessory ducts revealed 50% belonged to long type, 22.5% were of short and ansa pancreatica type each, and embryonic type of duct pattern was seen in 5% specimens. 75% of long type ducts showed positive patency with eosin dye, followed by ansa type (44.4%), and least patency was found in short type (22.2%). With regard to the patency of the accessory pancreatic ducts towards their termination, we found 52.5% of the accessory ducts and 5% of the embryonic type pancreatic ducts were patent and in 42.5% of the specimen the ducts were obliterated. In 85% of specimens the minor duodenal papillae was anterosuperior to the major papilla and superior to the major papillae in 10% of the cases, and in 5% minor papillae was absent. The average distance between the two papillae was 2.35 cm. CONCLUSION: The knowledge of the complex anatomical relations of the gland with its duct, duodenum and bile ducts are essential for the surgeons and sinologists to plan and perform both the diagnostic as well as therapeutic procedures effectively.

A rare case of variant morphology of peroneus tertius muscle.

Peroneus tertius (PT) is frequently used as a free muscle flap to treat the soft tissue defects and osteomyelitis, in the lower limb as it is functionally insignificant while balancing the foot during walking. The morphology of the PT is highly variable. In the present case we report a rare case of unusual morphology of the PT in a formalin embalmed male cadaver. At the level of ankle, PT divided into three tendons; two of them were inserted to the base of the distal phalanx of the fifth toe and base of the fifth metatarsal bone respectively. The smaller third tendon was attached to the fascia covering the capsule of the ankle joint. Further, extensor digitorum longus (EDL) gave only three tendinous slips for the second, third and fourth toes.

An unusual right popliteal vein aneurysm in an adult cadaver: A case report.

The incidence of venous aneurysm is less than arterial aneurysms. Most are incidental findings with no major clinical significance. However, popliteal vein aneurysms (PVA) may be potentially life threatening, as they can be a source of pulmonary embolism and potentially even death. We report a case of right PVA in a 67-year-old male cadaver. Information from this case study may contribute to an improved understanding of these phenomena, including early detection of these or similar thromboembolic events.

Protective effect of Cissus quadrangularis Linn. on diabetes induced delayed fetal skeletal ossification.

BACKGROUND: Delayed fetal skeletal ossification is one of the known complications of maternal diabetes. OBJECTIVE: The present study was designed to evaluate the protective role of petroleum ether extract of Cissus quadrangularis (PECQ) on diabetes-induced delayed fetal skeletal ossification. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Female Wistar rats were rendered diabetic with streptozotocin (STZ, 40 mg/kg, intraperitonial) before mating. After confirmation of pregnancy, the pregnant rats were divided into three groups: normal control group, diabetic control group, and diabetic + CQ group. The diabetic + CQ group pregnant rats were treated with PECQ (500 mg/kg body weight) throughout their gestation period. Immediately after delivery, pups were collected from all three groups and processed for alizarin red S-alcian blue staining in order to examine the pattern of skeletal ossification. RESULTS: Fewer ossification centers and decreased extent of ossification of forelimb and hindlimb bones were observed in the neonatal pups of diabetic control group as compared to those in the normal control group. PECQ pretreatment significantly restored the ossification centers and improved the extent of ossification of forelimb and hindlimb bones in the neonatal pups of diabetic + CQ group as compared to those in the diabetic control group. CONCLUSIONS: The results suggested that PECQ treatment is effective against diabetes-induced delayed fetal skeletal ossification. However, further studies on the isolation and characterization of active constituents of PECQ, which can cross the placental barrier and are responsible for the bone anabolic activity are warranted.

Duplicated right crus of the diaphragm: a cadaveric case report.

The lumbar part of the diaphragm arises from the lumbar vertebrae by right and left crura. The duplication of crura of the diaphragm is rarely reported in the past. During regular dissection classes to the medical students, we came across a case of duplicated right crus of the diaphragm. The right crus of the diaphragm was duplicated completely and presented two separate crura; medial right crus & lateral right crus. The medial right crus was attached to the anterolateral surfaces of the superior three lumbar vertebral bodies and intervertebral discs and merged with the anterior longitudinal ligament. The lateral right crus attached only to the intervertebral disc between the third and fourth lumbar vertebrae. These two crura bordered a retrocrural space in the inferior posterior mediastinum. The greater and lesser splanchnic nerves entered the abdomen by passing through this space. No duplication was observed in the left crus. The muscle fibres of medial right crus contributed to the formation of the esophageal opening. Knowledge of variations in the diaphragmatic crural anatomy is useful in the diagnosis of disease processes in the retrocrural space and also might help while performing the surgical repair of gastroesophageal reflux disease.

La partie lombaire du diaphragme se divise en pilier droit et pilier gauche qui s'attachent directement aux vertèbres lombaires. La duplication des piliers du diaphragme est rarement signalée dans le passé. Pendant les cours réguliers de dissection avec les étudiants en médecine, nous avons constaté un cas de duplication du pilier droit du diaphragme. Le pilier droit du diaphragme a été dupliqué complètement et se présentait comme deux piliers distincts : pilier médial droit et pilier latéral droit. Le pilier médial droit était toujours attaché aux surfaces antérolatérales des trois corps vertébraux lombaires supérieures et aux disques intervertébraux, et se confondait avec le ligament longitudinal antérieur. Le pilier latéral droit était attaché seulement au disque intervertébral entre la troisième et la quatrième vertèbre lombaire. Ces deux piliers étaient accolés à un espace inframédiastinal dans le médiastin postérieur inférieur. Les nerfs splanchniques (grands et petits) entraient dans le ventre en passant par cet espace. Aucune duplication du pilier gauche n'a été observée. Les fibres musculaires du pilier médial droit ont contribué à la formation de l'ouverture de l'œsophage. La connaissance des variations de l'anatomie du diaphragme crural est utile pour le diagnostic des processus pathologiques dans l'espace inframédiastinal et peut aussi être utile lors d'une réparation chirurgicale du reflux gastro-œsophagien pathologique.

Hepatoprotective Role of Caesalpenia bonduc: A Histopathological and Biochemical Study.

BACKGROUND: Hepatotoxicity is one of the inevitable side effects of long term use of medicines in many different disorders, chronic use of alcohol and in certain infectious disorders. Even though there are few effective drugs to treat such hepatotoxicity, mortality due to hepatotoxicity is increasing day by day. Therefore, in search of alternative and more effective medicine we found that Caesalpenia bonduc (CB), a shrub grows in hotter places of south Asia has been effectively used to treat such hepatotoxicity in folk medicine. AIM: AIM of the study is to scientifically evaluate the hepatoprotective nature of aqueous extract of CB using Carbon tetrachloride(CCl4) induced hepatotoxic rat model. Materials and Methods and Result: Elevated levels of blood ALT, AST and ALT enzymes were found in CCl4 induced hepatotoxic rat models. Treating these animals with CB either prior or after the induction of hepatotoxicity, shows significant decrease in the levels of ALP, AST, and ALT in their blood in comparison with the untreated hepatotoxic group. Additionally, histologically, hepatotoxic rats show necrotic changes & vacuolation in their hepatocytes, altered hepatic architecture and congested hepatic sinusoids. However, such histopathological adverse changes were minimized when these animals treated with CB. CONCLUSION: Results of the present study indicate that CB acts as both preventive and curative hepatoprotector.

High origin of dorsal branch of the ulnar nerve and variations in its branching pattern and distribution: a case report.

INTRODUCTION: Ulnar nerve is a branch of the brachial plexus. In the front of the forearm, normally near the wrist joint, it gives a dorsal cutaneous branch which supplies the skin of the dorsum of the hand. CASE PRESENTATION: The present case reports a very rare finding, the dorsal branch of the ulnar nerve along with the main nerve trunk originated between the two heads of the flexor carpi ulnaris muscle, after descending along the medial border of the forearm extensor surface, on the dorsal aspect of the wrist it is divided into three branches, one medial and two lateral. The medial most division received a communicating branch from the superficial ramus of the ulnar nerve and continued as the medial proper digital nerve of the little finger. The lateral two divisions became cutaneous on the medial half of the dorsum of the hand along the medial three digits i.e. radial and ulnar side of little, ring and middle finger. CONCLUSION: The site, extent of injury, variations and the delay in the treatment, significantly influences the outcome of ulnar nerve repair. Thus, an adequate knowledge of all possible variations in the ulnar nerve may be important for clinicians and may help to explain uncommon symptoms.

Petroleum ether extract of Cissus quadrangularis (Linn. ) enhances bone marrow mesenchymal stem cell proliferation and facilitates osteoblastogenesis

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effects of the petroleum ether extract of Cissus quadrangularis on the proliferation rate of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells, the differentiation of marrow mesenchymal stem cells into osteoblasts (osteoblastogenesis) and extracellular matrix calcification. This study also aimed to determine the additive effect of osteogenic media and Cissus quadrangularis on proliferation, differentiation and calcification. METHODS: MSCs were cultured in media with or without Cissus quadrangularis for 4 weeks and were then stained for alkaline phosphatase. Extracellular matrix calcification was confirmed by Von Kossa staining. marrow mesenchymal stem cells cultures in control media and osteogenic media supplemented with Cissus quadrangularis extract (100, 200, 300 µg/mL) were also subjected to a cell proliferation assay (MTT). RESULTS: Treatment with 100, 200 or 300 µg/mL petroleum ether extract of Cissus quadrangularis enhanced the differentiation of marrow mesenchymal stem cells into ALP-positive osteoblasts and increased extracellular matrix calcification. Treatment with 300 µg/mL petroleum ether extract of Cissus quadrangularis also enhanced the proliferation rate of the marrow mesenchymal stem cells. Cells grown in osteogenic media containing Cissus quadrangularis exhibited higher proliferation, differentiation and calcification rates than did control cells. CONCLUSION: The results suggest that Cissus quadrangularis stimulates osteoblastogenesis and can be used as preventive/alternative natural medicine for bone diseases such as osteoporosis.