Morphometric Study of Upper End of Tibia in Dakshina Kannada Population

The knee joint is a compound synovial joint which transmits the body weight and also helps in movement. We wanted to study the morphological features of tibia, that is condylar and intercondylar surface with regard to south Indian population. The data obtained from this study can be useful for assessing the knee deformity. The morphometric parameters of upper end of tibia can be used to guide treatment and monitor outcome of total knee replacement surgeries.METHODSThe present study was carried out on 75 dry tibias [32 right and 43 left] of unknown sex, in the department of anatomy K.S. Hegde Medical Academy, Deralakatte, Mangalore. Measurements were taken by using the digital vernier caliper. Statistical analysis was done using SPSS software.RESULTSThe morphometric significance of eight variables, namely, antero-posterior diameter of medial and lateral tibial condyle, transverse diameter of medial an lateral tibial condyle, antero-posterior diameter of intercondylar area, antero-posterior diameter of anterior and posterior intercondylar area was recorded. The mean AP diameter of right medial tibial condyle (39.51 ± 3.2) is more than the left medial condyle (38.95 ± 4.5). But the mean transverse measurement of left tibial condyle (27.24 ± 2.7) is slightly more than the right medial tibial condyle (26.35 ± 2.8). The mean value of transverse measurement of right lateral condyle (24.71 ± 2.4) is less than the left lateral condyle (25.39 ± 3.2). The results obtained were compared with the previous studies.CONCLUSIONSThe conventional prosthesis available in the market are designed for the Caucasians. When compared to the Caucasians, south Indian population have smaller anatomical measurements. By using the measurements and proper guidelines, knee prosthesis best suited for south Indian population can be designed. This also ensures long term utilization of prosthesis.

Willingness to participate in a clinical trial and understanding of informed consent information among medical students.

Studies have shown that the decision to participate or not participate in a clinical trial does not necessarily imply that the volunteers have completely understood the clinical trial process. A study carried out among medical and non-medical student volunteers revealed that even though the former group had a better recollection of the key facts, their understanding was still below expectation. In our study, medical students were invited to voluntarily take part in a hypothetical exercise in which they were presented with an informed consent form to indicate their willingness to participate in an anti-malarial drug trial. They were encouraged to clarify their doubts and asked to answer a questionnaire to determine their willingness/unwillingness. They were asked to state their reasons and recall key information given in the informed consent form. Responses were submitted by 155 students and 51% of the respondents consented to participate in the trial. As many as 13.5% did not know the name of the drug under study, 14.8% could not recall the main adverse effects to be expected, and 12.3% did not know that they could opt out of the study, this being significantly more in those who had consented to participate (p0.0. As is evident from our study, even presenting a detailed consent form containing an explanation might leave a considerably large number of potential volunteers with an incomplete understanding of the study. Therefore, it is necessary to make an active effort to ensure that the counselling of the volunteers is based on their ability to comprehend the information provided.

Tuberculous mastitis presenting as breast abscess

Tuberculous mastitis is a rare clinical entity and usually affects women from the Indian sub-continent and Africa. It often mimics breast carcinoma and pyogenic breast abscess clinically and radiologically, may both co-exist. Routine laboratory investigations are not helpful in its diagnosis. Fine needle aspiration cytology [FNAC] / biopsy are essential for diagnosis and tuberculosis culture when positive may be very useful to guide antimicrobial therapy. Antitubercular drugs in combination with aspiration or surgical drainage are usually associated with an excellent outcome

Acute toxicity and diuretic studies of the roots of Asparagus racemosus willd in rats / Toxicidad aguda y estudios diuréticos del espárrago racemoso willd en ratas

OBJECTIVE: Asparagusracemosus Willd has been used as diuretic in Ayurveda but has not been validated by a suitable experimental model. Hence the present study was undertaken. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study was carried out with an aqueous extract of the roots of Asparagus racemosus utilizing three doses viz 800 mg/kg, 1600 mg/kg and 3200 mg/kg for its diuretic activity in comparison with standard drug (furosemide) and control (normal saline) rats after doing acute toxicity study. RESULTS: Acute toxicity study showed no fatality even with the highest dose and the diuretic study revealed significant diuretic activity (p < 0.05) in the dose of 3200 mg/kg. CONCLUSION: Asparagus racemosus showed diuretic activity at a 3200 mg/kg dose without acute toxicity.

OBJETIVO: El espárrago racemoso Willd ha sido usado como diurético en ayurveda pero no ha sido validado mediante un modelo experimental conveniente. De ahí la razón para emprender el presente estudio. MATERIALES Y MÉTODOS: El estudio fue realizado con extracto acuoso de raíces de espárrago racemoso, utilizando tres dosis, a saber, 800 mg/kg, 1600 mg/kg y 3200 mg/kg para analizar su actividad diurética, comparándolo con el medicamento estándar (furosemida), y ratas de control (solución salina normal) después de hacer un estudio de toxicidad aguda. RESULTADOS: El estudio de toxicidad aguda no mostró fatalidad, incluso con la dosis más alta, y el estudio del diurético reveló una actividad diurética significativa (p < 0.05) con la dosis de 3200 mg/kg. CONCLUSIÓN: El espárrago racemoso mostró actividad diurética en una dosis de 3200 mg/kg sin toxicidad aguda.