Role of Aluminium in Alzheimer’s disease: Ultrastructural Study in Rat Hippocampus

Background: Exposure to high levels of aluminium (Al) leads to neurotoxicity. Hippocampus is one of the preferred sites of aluminium accumulation. Nevertheless, the role of Al in Alzheimer’s disease (AD) remains controversial and there is little proof directly interlinking Al to AD. Aims: The present study was undertaken to find out the occurrence of AD pathogenesis in Hippocampus under moderate aluminium exposure in rats. Materials and Methods: Adult rats were divided into control (C) and aluminium treated (E) groups having eight animal each. The rats in group E were exposed to aluminium 4.2 mg/kg body weight for three months with due approval from Institute Animal Ethics Committee. The hippocampus was processed for histopathological and electron microscopy observation. Results: Moderate Al intake produces significant reduction in the count of Pyramidal cells in hippocampus identified by shrunken cells as well as pyknosis in cell bodies. The differences between the cell numbers in all groups were found to be statistically significant (P < 0.05). Cornu Ammonis (CA) exhibited significantly reduced nissl bodies with a marked reduction in neuronal cell loss. Neurofibrillary tangle and plaques were not seen in the given dose of Al exposure. Electron microscopy from experimental group showed that the majority of neurons were disintegrating, the nuclear membrane has ruptured, and nucleoli appeared significantly distorted. The chromatin condensed and the mitochondria had disintegrated. Many vacuoles and lipofuscin sediment in cytoplasm, as compared to the control group noted. Conclusion: Present data demonstrated that moderate chronic aluminium exposure 4.2mg/kg body weight induced neurodegeneration in hippocampus but not significant for Alzheimer’s disease pathogenesis.

A Role of Udumbara Ksheer Sutra in Ano Rectal Fistula: An Ayurvedic Review

Acharya Sushrut has involved Bhagandara among the Ashtamahagad (8 dreadful diseases). At first it is present as Pidika (boil/abscess) in Apakwa (non-suppurated) state, become Bhagandara when it becomes Pakwa (suppurated). As defined in modern science, it is associated with fistula in ano. An anal fistula is an abnormal track having an external opening in the perianal region and internal opening in the anal canal and/or rectum. Ayurveda has a special approach to fistula management. All anal fistulas counter well to different forms of Kshar and Ksheer Sutra therapy. They are nothing but the medicated seton. The Ksheer sutra mechanical and chemical action of drugs coated on the thread work jointly to cut, cure, drain and clean the fistulous tract, thereby promoting track/wound healing. Though Bhrihattrayi, (chief three texts of Ayurveda) stated the use of Kshar Sutra, there is no proper description of their method of preparation. In eleventh century, Chakrapani Datta mentioned the preparation method of Ksheer sutra in his book Chakradatta for the first time which is indicated in Arsha and Bhagandara. Apamarga Kshar Sutra is the standard Kshar Sutra, and but it has some disadvantages. A variety of other Kshar Sutra, as well as Ksheer Sutra, have been prepared to resolve these inconveniences of Apamarga Kshar Sutra. One of them is Udumbara Ksheer Sutra which was founded by Prof. P.J Deshpande and M.K Jalan in 1984. Udumbara is one among the Nyagradhadi Gana Dravya mentioned by Acharya Sushrut. He described in Bhagandara Chikitsa that the Nyagradhadi Gana Dravyas are Bhagandaranashak.

Burden of anemia and its associated factors among pregnant women of Vindhya region: prospective observational study

Background: Anemia is major public health problem. It is especially prevalent in women of reproductive age, particularly during pregnancy. It affects both developed and developing countries. According to the National Family Health Survey, anemia is prevalent in approximately 53.1% of non-pregnant and 50.1% of pregnant women. Objective of this study was to study the prevalence of anemia in pregnant women of Vindhya region and also various degree of anemia and factors associated.Methods: All pregnant women attending the outdoor and indoor of the obstetrics and gynecology department of, GMH. Rewa, taken for calculation of prevalence of anaemia and among them 510 pregnant women were selected who were satisfying inclusion and exclusion criteria for studying association factors. Study period was 1 year. Haemoglobin estimation done by sahlis haemoglobinometer.Results: Prevalence of anaemia figures 81%, Out of them, 38.05% mild, 33.26% moderate and 7.80% of women were severely anemic. Maximum number of women were housewives 71.1%. Anaemia was found more commonly among those who are either taking iron prophylaxis irregularly or not taking. High prevalence was noted among those pregnant women who had <4 antenatal visits i.e., 54.51%.Conclusions: Considering the high prevalence of anaemia in Vindhya region, extensive efforts should be made not only to correct anaemia, but to prevent anaemia. Various programmes for anaemia control should be executed more resourcefully to overcome it. Strong reinforcement of government scheme should be done at Anganwadi, CH, PHC to ensure prevention as well as early detection of anaemia.

Anthropometric Analysis Of Subjects Of Hypertension In Sub-Himalayan Region

Introduction: In India, Hypertension (HT) has emerged as a leading risk factor for mortality. The burden of hypertension in India is expected to almost double from 118 million in 2000 to 213.5 million by 2025. Objective: Anthropometric analysis of the Sub-Himalayan population suffering from HT with calculation of the cut-off point to predict HT. Methodology: Cross sectional study was carried out on 63 healthy and 51 hypertensives. Results: The waist circumference (WC), waist to height ratio (WHtR) and body mass index (BMI) cut-off point to predict hypertension was found to be 93.5cm, 0.54 and 24.58kg/m2 in men and 88.5cm, 0.59 and 25.3kg/m2 in females respectively. Conclusion: BMI is considered as the best indicator to predict HT in males with a cut-off point of 24.58kg/m2 and in females, WHtR was found to be the best indicator to predict HT with a cut-off point of 0.59.

Anatomical Variation of Palmaris Longus: Tendinous Origin and Fleshy Insertion.

A tendinous origin and fleshy insertion of palmaris longus muscle was observed in the left forearm during routine dissection which was performed on adult male cadaver in the department of Anatomy, Dr. Rajendra Prasad Government Medical College. It was having long tendinous origin from the medial epicondyle of the humerus and the surrounding deep fascia. It was fusiform at the lower middle of the forearm. The fleshy muscular insertion was noted to the flexor retinaculum and few muscular fibers interdigitate with flexor carpi ulnaris muscle and palmar aponeurosis. The length of tendon was 19 inches and fleshy muscular length was 11inches. Themedian nerve and ulnar nervewas covered by this fleshy insertion. This palmaris longus variation is helpful for the surgeon and the radiologist, orthopaedic, plastic surgeon during any diagnosis of the forearm because this fleshy part of muscle can compress the median nerve and ulnar nerve or it can be mistaken as a tumor or ganglion during radiological or clinical examination.

An in vivo comparative evaluation to determine the accuracy of working length between radiographic and electronic apex locators.

Background: An in vivo comparative evaluation to determine the accuracy of working length between radiographic and electronic apex locators. Aim: The study was aimed at evaluating the accuracy of electronic apex locator, to determine the working length of root canal, and to compare it with the radiographic method of working length determination. Materials and Methods: A total of 20 teeth selected for the study had to go for extraction because of periodontal or orthodontic reasons. Access cavity was prepared and the clinical estimated working length (CEWL) was determined with 10-25 no. K-file. A radiograph was then taken for determining the radiographic estimated working length (REWL). For electronic measurement of root canal, a 10 no. K-file was advanced toward the apex until it reached a 0.5 mm short of apex as shown by the apex locator. After fixing the file with a light cured composite, the tooth was extracted, the tooth surface was then longitudinally grounded using straight fissure diamond bur until the root canal and the tip of the file were visible. The distance of file from the minor constriction was measured with help of stereomicroscope. Statistical analysis : The chi-square test was used for statistical analysis for this study. Results: The chi-square test where χ2 = 21.034 with P = 0.000 indicated that a significant difference exists among the groups. The electronic method showed highest number of cases with the working length at the minor constrictor. Conclusion: The electronic method for determining the working length of root canal was found to be more accurate than the radiographic method.

Effect of cavity varnish and intermediate restorative material on coronal microleakage in endodontically treated tooth.

Aim: Evaluation of microleakage in endodontically treated teeth that have been coronally sealed with eugenol and noneugenol containing zinc oxide cement, with and without the use of cavity varnish. Materials and Methods: The crowns of single rooted teeth were removed at the cementoenamel junction (CEJ) and the root canals were prepared and obturated with gutta-percha points and zinc oxide eugenol (ZOE) sealer using lateral condensation technique. The samples were randomly divided into four groups-group 1, coronal seal was obtained with ZOE cement; in group 2, three coats of cavity varnish followed with coronal seal of ZOE cement; in group 3, Litark a (noneugenol cement) was placed in the prepared cavity as in group 1; and in group 4, cavity varnish and Litark were placed instead of ZOE as in group 2. The specimens were immersed in 2% methylene blue dye and examined under traveling microscope for evidence of dye penetration of the material. Statistical Analysis: In this study, Kruskal-Wallis test, Mann-Whitney U, and Wilcoxon W tests were used. Results: Kruskal-Wallis test with P=0.000 indicated that a significant difference exists between the four groups. Mann-Whitney U test and Wilcoxon W test showed a significant difference at 0.05 levels as follows: group 1 with group 3 and 4, group 2 with group 3 and 4, and group 3 with group 4. There was no significant difference at 0.05 levels between group 1 and group 2. Conclusion: Group 4 showed significant less amount of dye penetration as compared with other groups.