Ashwin R. Rai

Prevalence of Bifid Tongue and Ankyloglossia in South Indian Population with an Emphasis on its Embryogenesis

La alteracion en la organogenesis de la lengua puede dar lugar a algunas malformaciones como anquiloglosia, lengua bifida y lengua vellosa. Grados severos de estas anomalias puede provocar un trastorno del habla o defectos periodontales. El presente estudio se realizo, durante los ultimos dos anos, en pacientes de la franja costera del Sur de la India con anomalias graves en la lengua. Los resultados del estudio revelaron que, en la poblacion costera del sur, la incidencia de anquiloglosia era de 0,2% y de lengua bifida de 0,3% . Dado que la gran mayoria de estas anomalias orales tienen base genetica, el proposito del presente informe fue poner de relieve que estas anomalias pueden existir sin ningun tipo de antecedentes familiares y tambien sugerir que los factores ambientales podrian jugar un papel en el etiogenesis de estas anomalias.

Anatomical and morphometric analysis of accessory infraorbital foramen.

Abstract The aim of the present study was to analyze the anatomical and morphometric variation in shape, frequency of occurrence, direction, and position of accessory infraorbital foramen (AIOF) in relation to infraorbital foramen (IOF) in cadaveric dry skulls to minimize clinical complications and aid in surgical maneuvering in the maxillofacial region and implementing the regional block anesthesia. The IOF is an important anatomical landmark in these surgical manipulations. Because there is limited literature available on AIOF, which transmits accessory branch of the infraorbital nerve, the present study was designed. In the current study, 45 human dry skulls and 20 disarticulated maxillae have been used irrespective of sex. The other parameters included measuring the distance of AIOF from anterior nasal spine, frontomaxillary suture, infraorbital margin, IOF, and zygomaticomaxillary suture. The transverse and vertical diameter of foramen was also noted. All these measurements were taken using a digital caliper. The result of our study reveals that the presence of AIOF is more on the right side compared with the left side. Because the presence of accessory infraorbital nerve needs to be taken care of during maxillofacial surgical interventions, knowledge regarding the presence of AIOF should be taken into consideration for preoperative evaluation.

A Comparison of Resveratrol and Vitamin C Therapy on Expression of BDNF in Stressed Rat Brain Homogenate

Prolonged exposure to stress results in neuronal loss, which is associated with depletion of Brain derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) in rat brain. Resveratrol, an antioxidant is known to exert neuroprotective effect in both human and animal models. Vitamin C too has important anti-oxidant properties, and protects cells against oxidative stress. In the present study we have evaluated the effect of resveratrol and vitamin C on BDNF expression in stressed rat brain homogenate. Rats were treated with 10 or 20mg/kg body weight dose of resveratrol and 100 or 200mg/kg body weight dose of vitamin C for a period of 28 days, beginning one week prior to stress treatment (restraint stress for 6 hours daily for 21 days). Rats were sacrificed after stress treatment and the whole brain BDNF level was estimated using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) kit. Our study confirms the neuroprotective effects of resveratrol by enhanced BDNF level in stressed rats. Though vitamin C has enhanced the BDNF expression in stressed rats interestingly it had an adverse effect when treated alone.

Anomalous Location of Facial Nerve Deep to Parotid Gland

The knowledge of normal and variant anatomy of the facial nerve is essential for safe surgery of the parotid gland. The location of a parotid mass in relation to the course of the facial nerve determines whether superficial or total parotidectomies should be performed. The variant course of the facial nerve within the parotid may endanger the nerve during parotid surgeries. The present report is an attempt to help the surgeons to minimize the error that can damage the nerve without previous knowledge of such type of rare variation.

A Cephalometric Analysis on Magnitudes and Shape of Sella Turcica.

AbstractFamiliarity with the shape and dimensions of sella turcica is important to recognize and manage pathological conditions of pituitary gland as well as for orthodontic treatment planning. The present study aims to describe the morphology and dimensions of sella turcica from Indian population, using lateral cephalograms to set a reference data for comparison among different races. The study used 36 lateral skull radiographs of both sexes between age group of 13 to 18 years. Shape of sella turcica was noted by visual inspection. Length, height anterior, height median, height posterior, distance between frontonasal suture and mental spine to midpoint of posterior clinoid process, and tuberculum sella were measured using digital vernier caliper with reference to Frankfort line. The results of the study revealed that mean length, height anterior, height median, height posterior were larger in females than in males. The morphological types identified include pointed posterior clinoid process with rounded hypophyseal fossa, hooked posterior clinoid process with rounded hypophyseal fossa, hooked posterior clinoid process with flask-shaped hypophyseal fossa. These observations would be beneficial for the clinicians and orthodontists to design treatment planning in pathology of pituitary gland and in correcting dentofacial anomalies.

Formation Of Superficial Palmar Arch:A Cadaveric Study With Its Clinical Significances

The vasculature of the hand has been a topic of anatomical interest because of wide range of variations in the formation and distribution of palmar arches. In the present study we have emphasized on the varying pattern of the formation and branching pattern of the superficial palmar arch (SPA) in cadaveric human hands. The study was conducted in 42 formalin fixed human cadaveric hands and different presentations were noted. The classic formation of the SPA was noted in 76.6% of the specimens and mostly on the right hand. The other variants noted were SPA completed by the first dorsal metacarpal artery and SPA formed between median and ulnar artery. Incomplete SPA ending in the thenar muscles and an abrupt end between the index and middle finger were also noted in the present study. The existence of both common and rare anatomic variations in the formation of superficial palmar arch as well as the absence of collateral circulation between ulnar and radial arteries necessitates the proper knowledge of vasculature of the hand in order to avoid or minimize the risk of complications during vascular surgeries or reconstructive surgeries in the hand.