Muhammed Asif

Binary Logistic Regression Analysis of Foramen Magnum Dimensions for Sex Determination

Purpose. The structural integrity of foramen magnum is usually preserved in fire accidents and explosions due to its resistant nature and secluded anatomical position and this study attempts to determine its sexing potential. Methods. The sagittal and transverse diameters and area of foramen magnum of seventy-two skulls (41 male and 31 female) from south Indian population were measured. The analysis was done using Students t-test, linear correlation, histogram, Q-Q plot, and Binary Logistic Regression (BLR) to obtain a model for sex determination. The predicted probabilities of BLR were analysed using Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) curve. Result. BLR analysis and ROC curve revealed that the predictability of the dimensions in sexing the crania was 69.6% for sagittal diameter, 66.4% for transverse diameter, and 70.3% for area of foramen. Conclusion. The sexual dimorphism of foramen magnum dimensions is established. However, due to considerable overlapping of male and female values, it is unwise to singularly rely on the foramen measurements. However, considering the high sex predictability percentage of its dimensions in the present study and the studies preceding it, the foramen measurements can be used to supplement other sexing evidence available so as to precisely ascertain the sex of the skeleton.

Binary logistic regression analysis of hard palate dimensions for sexing human crania

Sex determination is the preliminary step in every forensic investigation and the hard palate assumes significance in cranial sexing in cases involving burns and explosions due to its resistant nature and secluded location. This study analyzes the sexing potential of incisive foramen to posterior nasal spine length, palatine process of maxilla length, horizontal plate of palatine bone length and transverse length between the greater palatine foramina. The study deviates from the conventional method of measuring the maxillo-alveolar length and breadth as the dimensions considered in this study are more heat resistant and useful in situations with damaged alveolar margins. The study involves 50 male and 50 female adult dry skulls of Indian ethnic group. The dimensions measured were statistically analyzed using Students t test, binary logistic regression and receiver operating characteristic curve. It was observed that the incisive foramen to posterior nasal spine length is a definite sex marker with sex predictability of 87.2%. The palatine process of maxilla length with 66.8% sex predictability and the horizontal plate of palatine bone length with 71.9% sex predictability cannot be relied upon as definite sex markers. The transverse length between the greater palatine foramina is statistically insignificant in sexing crania (P=0.318). Considering a significant overlap of values in both the sexes the palatal dimensions singularly cannot be relied upon for sexing. Nevertheless, considering the high sex predictability of incisive foramen to posterior nasal spine length this dimension can definitely be used to supplement other sexing evidence available to precisely conclude the cranial sex.

Association between Myocardial Infarction and Dermatoglyphics: A Cross-Sectional Study

Background: Myocardial infarction (MI) is a multifactorial and polygenic cardiovascular disease with high mortality rate. Early diagnosis could help in precautionary measures and change in life style. Many studies used dermatoglyphics as noninvasive technique to predict the incidence of genetic diseases. Here, we tried to assess the association of dermatoglyphic pattern between MI and controls. Methods: We investigated dermatoglyphic patterns among 800 participants (n=400 MI cases and n=400 control groups) representing South Indian population. Patients with MI were compared with control groups who did not have any history of MI. Results: Showed higher frequency whorls in MI patients and loops in control group (p<0.001). The study showed significant difference in distribution of whorl (OR = 0.298, 95%CI=0.2230.399, p=0.0001), loop (OR = 3.537, 95%CI=2.639-4.741, p=0.0001), arch (OR = 0.545, 95%CI=0.405-0.733, p=0.0001). Further, mean values of A-B ridge count (OR = 1.421, 95%CI=1.167-1.731, P=0.0001) of MI and control groups were significant (p<0.05). Conclusion: The present study showed that there is an association between dermatoglyphic patterns and MI cases. Further, findings suggest that dermatoglyphic patterns may contribute to etiology of early prediction of MI.

TG haplotype in the LRP8 is associated with myocardial infarction in south Indian population

Myocardial infarction (MI) is a complex multifactorial cardiovascular disease. India experiences a much greater burden of MI, also suggesting an experimental increase of this burden in the future. The absolute reasons for MI are context dependent and differ with different geographical settings. Several reports indicate that SNPs that are associated with certain diseases in other populations may not be associated with Indian population. It is, therefore, important to validate the association of SNPs. Low density lipoprotein receptor related protein 8 (LRP8) gene plays central role in human lipoprotein metabolism as it facilitates the clearance of bad cholesterol LDL, VLDL from plasma and is reported to be associated with MI in the western population. However, this gene has not been studied in the South Indian population. We aim to test the role of the LRP8 gene variants correlating with the lipid profile in MI patients in South Indian population. We sequenced regions of SNPs rs10788952, rs7546246, rs2297660 and rs5174 of LRP8 in 100 MI patients and 100 age-matched controls. Our result revealed a total of 4 variations. None of the SNPs were significantly associated with MI (p>0.973). Interestingly, haplotype based association analysis showed TG and CG of rs10788952 and rs7546246 significantly associated with MI (p<0.01 and p<0.00005) and in particular, haplotype TG was positively correlated with the risk of MI, as this increased the LDL and total cholesterol level in MI patients in south Indians. Our results suggest that haplotype TG is a risk factor for MI in South Indian population.

Anatomy museums of southern India and medical education: An original research

Introduction: It is now mandatory for every medical college to have an anatomy museum and the purpose of this study was to analyse the role of anatomy museums in medical education in southern India. Methods: To achieve this objective sixteen anatomy museums across southern India were selected from reputed medical colleges and all aspects of the museum were studied from specimen preparation and preservation techniques to labelling, mounting, and display of specimens using a proforma. Results: It was observed that all the anatomy museums were well maintained and had a huge collection of anatomical specimens arranged in diverse sections such as gross anatomy, evolutionary anatomy, comparative anatomy, cross sectional anatomy, embryology, teratology and plastination. Two museums also had a section for learning within the museum. Conclusion: The study shows that the anatomy museums in medical colleges across south India are well established and play a significant role in medical education. It also provides an insight into the current status of anatomy museums in the country and scope for their improvisation. The modern pedagogic practises are becoming more virtual and digitalized and several modern international museums are now digitalised and this was lacking in all the museums. The author believes that the anatomists should utilise the advances in computer and audio-visual aids to upgrade the museums to international standards.