Sexual Dimorphism of Clavicle in South Indian Population: A Cross Sectional Study.

Introduction: Estimation of sex is the ground for an exact identification of unknown human skeletal elements. Methods for sex assessment are based on the existence of morphological features in the skeleton that manifest differently according to sex or statistical differences in skeletal measurements. Due to the specific pattern of ontogeny and age related changes of sterna articular surface during adulthood the clavicle is widely used in the estimation of sex at death and in living people. Objectives: To evolve an easily applied formula to enable the assessment of sex in unknown clavicles and to document the comparative differences between right and left clavicles by using metrical parameters. Materials and Methods: The cross sectional study was conducted in the department of Anatomy, Yenepoya Medical college, Mangalore. The present study was conducted in 50 adult dry clavicle.Maximum clavicular length, maximum breadth of sterna end ,maximum breadth of acromial end and acromial surface area were measured by digital caliper and osteometric board. Results: The maximum length of clavicle () was statistically significant when compared with the clavicle of females. The other values like breadth of sternal end, breadth of acromial end and acromial surface area were greater in males when compared to females. Conclusion: Determination of sex the clavicle has a great medicolegal importance to the forensic people. And it also help the orthopedic implant manufactures and orthopedic surgeons to decide correct size and shape of plates and intramedullary nails for clavicular fractures in open reduction method.

Cross Sectional Study of Second and Fourth Digit Ratio with Physical Attributes in South Indian Population.

Background: Study of the index (2D) and ring (4D) digit ratios and their association with some physical characteristics of South Indian Population was done to determine the values of 2D:4D digit ratios and their association with other anthropometric variables. Materials and Methods: 160 adults (80 males and 80 females) between ages of 18 years and above were randomly selected with exclusion of those with hand deformities. The digit lengths were measured from the basal crease to the tips using vernier calipers. The 2D:4D ratios were determined for each subject while height and weight were used to calculate the body mass index and data analyzed. Results: The results showed significant difference in 2D:4D ratio between males and females. (p<0.001). Mean height of males exceeded the mean height of females and the mean weight of males exceeded the mean weight of females .Mean BMI of males also exceeded that of females. There was a positive correlation between the second digit length and Height and weight in males and females both on right and left sides. There was also a significant correlation weight and second digit length in males.The 2D:4D ratio for both left and right hand did not show any positive correlation with height, weight or BMI of an individual from people of South India. Conclusion: The results show a positive correlation between the digit lengths and height in both males and females and between weight and second digit length in case of males but the 2D:4D digit ratio had no relationship to height ,weight or BMI.The analysis also demonstrated that the males have greater 2D:4D ratio compared to females. The results of the study can be of importance in the field of forensic anthropology.

Prevalence of Retromolar Foramen in Human Mandibles and Its Clinical Significance.

Retromolar foramen is found in the triangular area behind the lower last molar tooth and it allows the passage of neurovascular bundle that contribute to the nutrition and innervations of the pulp and periodontium of the lower teeth. In the present study one hundred and twenty mandibles were examined for the presence of retromolar foramen .Retromolar foramen was found in two mandibles bilaterally and in thirteen mandibles unilaterally (in 10 on the right side and in 3 on the left side). The distance between posterior third molar to the retromolar foramen was found to be an average of 9.8mm on the right side and 8.05mm on the left side. Distance between anterior border of ramus to retromolar foramen was found to be an average of 5.68mm on the right side and 5.77 on the left side. Retromolar foramen is surgically very significant. Knowledge of this anatomical variation can prevent complications in anaesthesia and surgical procedures in this area.

Impact of cadmium toxicity on leaf area, stomatal frequency, stomatal index and pigment content in mungbean seedlings.

Effect of different concentrations of CdSO4 (10(-4) M, 5 x 10(-4) M and 10(-3) M) on leaf area, stomatal frequency, stomatal index and pigment content in 6 days old mungbean seedlings was studied under laboratory conditions. Except at 10(-4) M CdSO4, leaf area decreased with an increase in the concentration of CdSO4. Stomatal frequency on the leaf surface increased at 5 x 10(-4) M and 10(-3) M CdSO4 in comparison to untreated control. However, reverse was the case for stomatal index. Chlorophyll-a, chlorophyll-b, total chlorophyll, and chlorophyll a/b ratio were increased at 10(-4) M CdSO4, and decreased thereafter with an increase in the concentration of Cd2+. Possible reasons for the stimulatory effect at low concentrations and inhibitory effect with higher concentrations are discussed.