Antioxidant and antiplasmodial activities of curcuma longa and aegle marmelos on malaria infeced mice (in vitro and in vivo).

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the antioxidant activity of Thai Curcuma longa and Aegle marmelos, and their parasite suppressive effects on malaria infection in mouse model. The polyphenol content and antioxidant activities (Oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORAC) and Ferric Reducing Antioxidant Power (FRAP)) were measured in crude extracts of Curcuma longa and Aegle marmelos. Seven-week old female ICR mice were divided into 5 groups randomly. First two groups served as control and placebo, the other 3 served as experimental groups with various concentrations; 20, 40 and 60 mg/kg, respectively. On day 0, 106 Plasmodium yoelii 17X (lethal) strain were inoculated to all mice. At day 1, placebo mice were given 30% ethanol. The latter 3 groups were treated with each concentration of each herb. Parasitemia was checked daily by tail snip bleed staining with Giemsa staining. Suppressive effects on day 4 were calculated. Student t-test was performed to display the difference among groups. Significantly different was justified at p <0.05. The antioxidant activities (both ORAC and FRAP) and polyphenol content of A. marmelos were higher than those of C. longa significantly. The suppressive effect on parasite in infected mice, there showed no effect of C. longa treatment, oppositely, at the doses of 20 and 40 mg/ kg body weigh of A. marmelos showed suppressive effect on infection by the parasite. In conclusion, a Thai traditional fruit, A. marmelos exhibited high antioxidant and antiplasmodial activities, this might be one of the candidates of the traditional plants for curing malaria.

Anatomical consideration of length and angulation of the styloid process and their significances for eagle's syndrome in Thais.

Objectives: Elongated styloid process was reported concerning dento-maxillofacial and ear-nose-throat patients. Several studies described that its length as well as the anterior and medial angulations occasionally involved in the symptom of Eagle’s syndrome and the surgical shortening of the process could alleviate neck and cervicofacial pain in patients. This study aimed to investigate the length and the angulation of the styloid process, and to study the occurrence of the elongated styloid process in Thais. Methods: The investigation was done in both sides of 176 Thai dry and 150 cadaveric skulls with intact styloid processes. The length and the angulation (anterior and medial angles) of the styloid process were measured and expressed as Mean±SD. A styloid process longer than 30 mm was identified as an elongated styloid process. Results: The means of length, and anterior and medial angles of styloid process were 24.12 ± 7.28 mm, and 28.03 ± 9.85 and 23.53 ± 10.19 degrees, respectively. Out of all styloid processes, 18.40% (11.70% in males, 6.70% in females) were the elongated styloid process. There was no statistical difference of angles between groups with normal and elongated styloid processes (P>0.05). Conclusions: The elongated styloid processes were found up to 18.40% of Thais. The presence of the elongated styloid process and its angulation, though rare, does highlight the importance of routine examination of the styloid process as it may cause pain in craniocervical region.

Anatomic and morphometric consideration for external landmarks of foramen spinosum in Thai dry skulls.

Background and Objectives: The foramen spinosum (FS) is an important opening on the greater wing of the sphenoid bone and transmits the middle meningeal artery to the middle cranial fossa. Because the presence of FS is important in microsurgery of this area, the anatomic and morphometric consideration for localizing the FS using external landmarks were studied. Methods: One hundred and three dry skulls were examined for the FS in the middle cranial fossa and at the extracranial view of the skull base. The type of FS was classified according to its shape. Its diameter and the distances to the zygomatic arch (ZA) and the external acoustic meatus (EAM) were also measured. Results: The FS in both views of the skull base was mostly round in shape (43.2% intracranially and 49.5% extracranially) and was present bilaterally 30.1% extracranially. The maximum and minimum diameters of the FS and the FS-ZA distance were greater in males than females and the ZA-EAM distance was greater on the right than the left sides significantly. (P<0.05) Conclusion: Although a great variation was found in the shapes of the FS, prior estimation of the location of FS was suggested using external landmarks as the point on the ZA 16.42 mm anterior to the EAM and 34.19 mm from that point medial and perpendicular to the ZA. These findings may help neurosurgeon to approach the middle cranial fossa more precisely and gain better preservation of surrounding neurovascular structures.

The neurite outgrowth measurement of dorsal root ganglia explants cultured on estrogen and schwann cell-conditioned medium by using image analysis.

Background: The neurite growth of dorsal root ganglion (DRG) explants is widely used for evaluating the promoting effects of neurotrophic factors on cultures. Counting the neurites directly is a tedious work because of the accuracy and the difficulty due to their branching and fasciculation. This study was aimed to compare quantitative measurement of neurite outgrowth, length and number of DRG explants in media containing estrogen (E2) and Schwann cell-conditioned medium (SCM). Methods: Schwann cells and DRG explants were harvested from nerve plexuses of P2-P3 rats and incubated separately. SCM was collected for treatment by adding into DRG culture. DRG explants were further incubated for 7 days with medium containing SCM, E2, SCM and E2. DRG cultures were stained for neurofilament to detect neurite growth. The neurite outgrowth, the length and number were measured by free software ImageTool. Results: The neurite outgrowth expressed as the percentage of pixels, occupied by the neurite extending from the ganglion, in the presence of E2 and SCM was the significantly increased parameter when compared to control. It was more reliable than the overestimated neurite outgrowth which resulted from the multiplying of neurite length and number. Conclusion: The neurite outgrowth was the parameter providing a robust means of evaluating the growth promoting activity of E2 and SCM. It could be rapidly measured. E2 might somehow increase the sensitivity of DRG neurons to the neurotrophic factors released from Schwann cells.

Dimensional guide to harvesting the radius for orofacial reconstruction.

OBJECTIVE: To provide an accurate harvesting guide to maintain the maximum possible safe dimensions of the radius for orofacial reconstruction using the osteocutaneous radial forearm free flap. MATERIAL AND METHOD: Two hundred radii of 100 adult formalin-embalmed cadavers (52 males, 48 females) were measured. RESULTS: The mean minimum circumference of the radius measured between the pronator teres and brachioradialis insertions was 41.0 +/- 4.3 mm. At this point, the mean medio-lateral diameter was 13.4 +/- 1.6 mm. The mean of the maximum harvested length of the radius between the pronator teres and brachioradialis insertions was 81.3 +/- 10.4 mm. On the average, the maximum harvested length of the radius was 34.9% of its total length. The minimum medio-lateral diameter of the radius was consistently 1-5 mm less than 40% of its minimum circumference. There was no significant dimensional difference between sides but gender difference existed in all measurements (p < 0.001), except the maximum harvested length of the radius. CONCLUSION: The present study may be helpful to guide reconstructive surgeons for safer harvesting of the radius using the osteocutaneous radial forearm free flap to repair orofacial defects.

The acromial morphology of Thais in relation to gender and age: study in scapular dried bone.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of the present study was to determine the acromial shape and examine if there is a correlation between the acromial morphology and genders, ages and sides. MATERIAL AND METHOD: The present examined 154 dried Thai scapulas (107 males and 47 females) with age range from 16 to 87years (mean = 49 + 17 years). The acromial morphology of each scapula was studied by the computerized image analysis of digitized photography through the supraspinatous outlet view, with the distance (M) measured from its anterior to posterior end, the height (H) of the resultant curve and the distance (N) from the anterior end to the point perpendicular to the height. The acromial types were defined as type I (flat), II (curved) and III (hooked) with the criteria that N is more than or equal to the 2/3, 1/3 and less than 1/3 of M, respectively. RESULTS: The incidences of types I, II and III were 3.2%, 93.5% and 3.2%, respectively. It was found in both sexes, female (93.6%) and male (93.5%) and in both sides, left (96%) and right (91.1%). With respect to the age range, type II were found in 100% of subjects of less than 30 years, 4.5% in those between 30-60 years, were 4.5% (1), 93.2% (1), 2.3% (111). Those more than 60 years old were 2.3 %(1), 90.7% (11) and 7.0% (III). The spur formation on the anterior end of the acromion was found in 14.9% of scapulas, curved type mostly; and it was associated with hooked type in only one scapula. CONCLUSION: There was no significant type difference between sex, side and age range (p > 0. 05). The spurs found are not related to acromial morphology and old age.

Anatomical study of the maxillary artery at the pterygomaxillary fissure in a Thai population: its relationship to maxillary osteotomy.

BACKGROUND: The maxillary artery (MA) and its terminal branches are commonly damaged in the maxillary osteotomy, especially during separation of the pterygomaxillary junction (PMJ). OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the positional relationship between the MA at the pterygomaxillary fissure (PMF) and the PMJ in Thais, as well as to measure the diameter of the MA as it enters the pterygopalatine fossa (PPF) and the heights of PMJ, maxillary tuberosity and posterior maxilla. SUBJECTS AND METHOD: Both sides of 100 Thai adult cadavers (50 males and 50 females) were examined The mean age of the subjects was 64.5 +/- 12.8 years. With the lateral infratemporal approach, the branches from the third part of the MA, PMJ and posterolateral maxilla were dissected. Measurements taken included the following: First, the distance from the most inferior point of the PMJ to the most inferior position of the MA as it entered the PPF; second, the external diameter of the MA as it entered the PPF; third, vertical heights of the PMJ, maxillary tuberosity and posterior maxilla. Means, standard deviations and ranges were determined and statistical differences were calculated between sides and genders at p < 0. 05. RESULTS: The MA entered the PPF at a mean distance of 23.5 +/- 2.5 mm above the most inferior point of the PMJ. The mean external diameter of the MA as it entered the PPF was 2.8 +/- 0.6 mm. The mean heights of the PMJ, maxillary tuberosity and posterior maxilla were 19.5 +/- 2.3 mm, 6.1 +/- 2.7 mm, and 25.6 +/- 3.3 mm, respectively. There were no differences with respect to side and gender, except that the distance from the most inferior point of the PMJ to the most inferior position of the MA as it entered the PPF was longer in males than in females (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: The mean location of the MA was 23.5 mm apart from the most inferior point of the PMJ, therefore, dysjunction of the PMJ using an osteotome with a 15-mm cutting edge may be conducted without damaging to the MA. When properly placed, the margin of safety from the superior cutting edge of the osteotome to the MA is approximately 8 mm in adults.