Sneha Guruprasad Kalthur

Stature estimation from the length of the sternum in South Indian males: A preliminary study☆

Estimation of stature is one of the important initial steps during forensic analysis of human skeletal remains. The aim of the present study was to derive a linear regression formula for estimating stature of adult South Indian males from the length of the sternum. The study included 35 male sternums of South Indian origin dissected from cadavers during medico-legal autopsies. The linear regression equation [Stature=117.784 + (3.429 x Sternal length)] was derived to estimate the stature from the length of the sternum. The correlation coefficient was 0.638. The standard error of the estimate was 5.64 cm. This preliminary study concludes that the length of the sternum can be used as a tool for stature estimation in adult South Indian males.

Methyl Parathion Inhibits the Nuclear Maturation, Decreases the Cytoplasmic Quality in Oocytes and Alters the Developmental Potential of Embryos of Swiss Albino Mice

Methyl parathion (MP) is one of the most commonly used and extremely toxic organophosphorous group of pesticide. A large number of studies in the literature suggest that it has adverse effects on the male reproductive system. However, there is limited information about its toxicity to the female reproductive system. In the present study we report the toxic effects of methyl parathion on the female reproductive system using Swiss albino mice as the experimental model. The female mice were administered orally with 5, 10 and 20mg/kg of MP. One week later, the mice were superovulated with pregnant mare serum gonadotrophin (PMSG) and human chorionic gonadotrophin (hCG) to study the quality of the oocytes, spindle organization, developmental potential of early embryos and the DNA integrity in blastocysts. MP exposure resulted in a non-significant decrease in the number of primordial follicles and increased DNA damage in granulosa cells. Though MP did not have any effect on the ovulation it had a significant inhibitory effect on the nuclear maturity of oocytes which was associated with spindle deformity. In addition, the oocytes had higher cytoplasmic abnormalities with depleted glutathione level. Even though it did not have any effect on the fertilization and blastocyst rate at lower doses, at 20 mg/kg MP it resulted in a significant decrease in blastocyst hatching, decrease in cell number and high DNA damage. While low body weight gain was observed in F1 generation from 5mg/kg group, at higher dose, the body weight in F1 generation was marginally higher than control. Post-natal death in F1 generation was observed only in mice treated with 20mg/kg MP. In conclusion, we report that MP has adverse effects on the oocyte quality, developmental potential of the embryo and reproductive outcome.

Prevalence of non-albican candida infection in Maharashtrian Women with Leucorrhea

Background: Candida is the most common agent causing leucorrhea affecting the women of all strata. It is becoming difficult to completely eradicate the infection mainly due to recurrence caused by non-albican species of Candida. Most of the non-albican species of Candida are resistant to commonly used antifungal agent - azole. Therefore, studying the prevalence of Candida species in vaginal secretion is of great significance. Objective: To study the prevalence of different species of Candida and the efficiency of different Candida detection methods in women from low socio-economic setup of Miraj and Sangli, Maharashtra, India. Materials and Methods: The study was conducted on 150 patients with specific complaints of leucorrhea. In the control group, 50 asymptomatic women were included for comparison. Results: In 33% of the women the leucorrhea was due to Candida infection with highest incidence in women of sexually active age (20-40 years). Sabourauds culture was the most efficient method (100% efficiency) to detect the Candida compared to wet mount, KOH and gram stain method. Candida albicans was the most common strain identified and Candida krusei was the least common one. Conclusion: Candida infection is the commonest reason for leucorrhea and non-albican candida species significantly contribute to candidiasis in women of Miraj and Sangli.

Sperm Abnormalities Induced by pre-pubertal Exposure to Cyclophosphamide are Effectively Mitigated by Moringa Oleifera Leaf Extract

Moringa oleifera L. is a medicinal plant with potential antioxidant property. This study was aimed at investigating the chemoprotective effect of Moringa oleifera leaf extract (MOE) on cyclophosphamide (CP)‐induced testicular toxicity. Two‐week‐old male Swiss albino mice were intraperitoneally injected with phosphate‐buffered saline, 50 mg kg−1 of CP and 25 mg kg−1 of MOE. In combination treatment, mice were injected with 25 mg kg−1 of MOE 24 h prior to CP injection, 24 h prior and post‐CP injection and 24 h post‐CP injection for 5 consecutive days (10 mg kg−1). Six weeks later, mice were sacrificed to assess epididymal sperm parameters. MOE alone did not have any significant effect on sperm parameters. However, acute injection of CP resulted in significant decline in motility (P < 0.001), increase in head abnormality (P < 0.01) and DNA damage (P < 0.05). Combining MOE with CP increased the sperm density, motility and reduced head defect and DNA damage, irrespective of the schedule and dosage of MOE. Administration of MOE prior to CP significantly elevated the level of superoxide dismutase and catalase with concomitant decrease in lipid peroxidation in the testicular tissue. In conclusion, MOE may have potential benefit in reducing the loss of male gonadal function following chemotherapy.

Ethanolic extract of Moringa oleifera Lam. leaves protect the pre-pubertal spermatogonial cells from cyclophosphamide-induced damage

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE Moringa oleifera Lam. is widely cultivated in Asian and African countries for its medicinal and dietary significance. The leaves are highly nutritious and are known to possess various biological activities. MATERIALS AND METHODS Pre-pubertal Swiss albino male mice were injected with single dose of cyclophosphamide (CP, 200mg/kg body weight) or ethanolic extract of Moringa oleifera leaves (MOE, 100mg/kg body weight) intraperitoneally. In combination group, MOE was administered 24h prior to CP injection. RESULTS CP induced a significant decrease in testicular weight (p<0.01) and depletion of germ cells (p<0.001) and higher level of DNA damage (p<0.001) compared to control. The expression of P53, Bax, Cytochrome C (Cyt C) was increased while there was a decrease in the expression of Bcl2, c-Kit and Oct4. Administration of MOE 24h prior to CP treatment ameliorated the depletion (p<0.001), DNA damage (p<0.001) and apoptosis (p<0.01) of germ cells induced by CP. The mitigating effect of MOE appears to be mediated by up-regulating the expression of c-Kit and Oct4 transcripts in P53-independent manner. CONCLUSION MOE protects the spermatogonial cells from CP-induced damage by modulating the apoptotic response elicited by CP and therefore can be considered as an efficient method of male fertility preservation.

Anatomic study of the occipital condyle and its surgical implications in transcondylar approach

Background: Craniovertebral surgeries require the anatomical knowledge of craniovertebral junction. The human occipital condyle (OC) is unique bony structure connecting the cranium and the vertebral column. A lateral approach like transcondylar approach (TA) requires understanding of the relationships between the OC, jugular tubercle, and hypoglossal canal. Hence, the aim of the present study was to analyze the morphological variations in OCs of dry adult human skull. Materials and Methods: The study was carried out on 142 OC of 71 adult human dry skulls (55 males and 16 females). Morphometric parameters such as length, width, thickness, intercondylar distances, and the distances from the OC to the foramen magnum, hypoglossal canal and jugular foramen were measured. In addition, the different locations of the hypoglossal canal orifices in relation to the OC and different shapes of the OC were also noted. Results: The average length, width and height of the OC were found to be 2.2, 1.1 and 0.9 cm. The anterior and posterior intercondylar distances were 2.1 and 3.9 cm, respectively. Maximum and minimum bicondylar distances were 4.5 and 2.6 cm, respectively. The intra-cranial orifice of the hypoglossal canal was found to be present in middle 1/3rd in all skulls (100%), and extra-cranial orifice of the hypoglossal canal was found to be in anterior 1/3rd (98%) in relation to OC. The oval shaped OC (22.5%) was the most predominant type of OC observed in these skulls. Conclusion: Occipital condyle is likely to have variations with respect to shape, length, width and its orientation. Therefore, knowledge of the variations in OC along with careful radiological analysis may help in safe TAs during skull base surgery.

A morphological and morphometric study of proximal and distal ends of dry radii with its clinical implications.

Background: Knowledge of the size and shape of radial head is essential for construction of radial head prosthesis. Further, the measurements of bicipital tuberosity and its angular relationship to radial head are significant in surgical techniques, like in the reconstruction of biceps tendon. Even the morphometry of the distal radius is significant in numerous clinical orthopedic situations such as reduction of distal radius fractures and in the design of distal radius prosthesis. So, the aim of the study was to determine the morphometric parameters of proximal and distal radius in dry adult Indian radius. Methods: Fifty intact adult Indian radius (right = 23, left = 27) were chosen, and the various parameters of proximal and distal ends of radius were studied. Student′s t-test was done to correlate all these parameters on the right and left sides. Results: The mean length of radius, height of head at medial and lateral ends, head anteroposterior and transverse diameter, head thickness at ventral, dorsal, and lateral ends were 23.5, 0.90, 0.75, 1.91, 1.85, 0.42, 0.32, and 0.30 cm, respectively. The mean depth of articular facet, length of neck, proximal and distal neck diameter, width and length of bicipital tuberosity, and radial circumference at bicipital tuberosity were 0.19, 1.19, 1.36, 1.31, 1.23, 1.97, and 4.54 cm, respectively. The mean length of styloid process, oblique and transverse width of lower end, anteroposterior diameter of lower end, and angle of radial inclination were 0.98cm, 2. 81cm, 2.59cm, 1.86cm, and 25.05°, respectively. Conclusion: This study will be useful for orthopedic surgeons in making prosthesis for the proximal and distal ends of radius.

A morphological and morphometric study of jugular foramen in dry skulls with its clinical implications

Objective: Jugular foramen of human skull is one of the most interesting foramina. It is a complex bony canal, numerous vital structures, including nerves and vessels are transmitted through it. Most of the intracranial and extra cranial lesions of posterior cranial fossa might affect the structures in jugular foramen in addition to intrinsic abnormalities. As the neurosurgeons have become courageous in approaching this area, so there is a need to become familiar with this area. Hence, the present study was done to examine the anatomy of jugular foramen, including its morphological features and dimensions. Materials and Methods: The study was carried out on 50 dried skulls. 100 jugular foramina were studied on both right and left side of skulls. The length, width of jugular foramen and width and depth of jugular fossa were measured using vernier calipers. Presence of dome, complete and incomplete septation was also looked for. Results: The mean right and left anteroposterior diameter, latero-medial diameter, area, jugular fossa width, depth in our study was 11.22, 16.52, 187.34, 6.83, 11.58 mm and 9.52, 16.02, 153.2, 5.69, 11.13 mm. Dome was present in jugular foramen in 74% on the right side and 58% on the left side. Complete septation in jugular foramen is seen in 44% on the right side and 42% on the left side. Conclusion: This study will help the neurosurgeons while doing surgery in this region.

Indian propolis ameliorates the mitomycin C-induced testicular toxicity by reducing DNA damage and elevating the antioxidant activity

Development of excellent curative therapy for most of the malignancies has resulted in a growing population of cancer survivors who are at increased risk for a variety of health problems including infertility. Therefore, fertility preservation has become an important issue during cancer treatment in recent years. Combination therapy with natural agents such as vitamins, antioxidants, dietary supplements, and plant products are considered as an attractive option to mitigate normal tissue toxicity imparted by chemotherapy. The aim of the present study was to explore the beneficial effect of hydroethanolic extract of Indian propolis (HEIP) on mitigating mitomycin C (MMC)-induced testicular damage and its mechanism of action. Healthy adult male mice were injected intraperitoneally with saline, MMC, HEIP and HEIP followed by MMC after 1h. The animals were dissected at 35days after various treatments to analyze testicular function. MMC administration resulted in significant reduction in testicular function in a dose-dependent manner at 35days after treatment which significantly improved by HEIP pre-treatment. At 24h after treatment, MMC induced significant increase in oxidative stress, γ-H2AX foci and expression of RAD51 and KU80 in testicular cells. Prior treatment with HEIP decreased the oxidative stress, reduced DNA damage and restored the testicular testosterone and inhibin B level. In conclusion, co-administration of Indian propolis extract may play a promising beneficial role in fertility preservation of males undergoing chemotherapy.

Ethambutol induces testicular damage and decreases the sperm functional competence in Swiss albino mice.

The present study reports the effect of ethambutol (EMB) on testicular function. Prepubertal and adult male Swiss albino mice were treated with 40, 80, 160mg/kg body weight of EMB, intraperitoneally, every alternate day for 4 weeks. After 2 weeks gap, mice were sacrificed to collect caudal spermatozoa. EMB treatment resulted in a dose-dependent decrease in the testicular weight, sperm count and motility while the percentage of sperm with head abnormalities, immature chromatin (P<0.001) and DNA damage increased (P<0.01). In addition, EMB treatment resulted in significant depletion of glutathione (P<0.05-P<0.01) and histopathological abnormalities such as large cells, vacuolation of tubules and isolated colonies of spermatogenic cells were observed. Oct4, 17β-Hsd and c-Kit mRNA was marginally elevated in EMB treated testes at the highest dose studied. In conclusion, the result of the present study indicates that EMB has adverse effect on testicular function and impairs the sperm functional competence.