Hoffa’s fat pad thickness: a measurement method with sagittal MRI sequences

Background: Hoffa’s fat pad is a structure located within the fibrous joint capsule of the knee joint, but outside the synovial cavity. It plays an important biomechanical and metabolic role in knee joint, reducing the impact of forces generated by loading and producing cytokines. Changes in its size can induce modifications in the knee homeostasis. However, a great variability exists regarding its measurements. This work aims to evaluate the reliability of a measurement method of Hoffa’s fat pad dimensions through MRI. Methods: 3T sagittal IW 2D TSE fat-suppressed MRI sequences, taken from the OAI (Osteoarthritis initiative) database, of 191 male and female patients, aged between 40 and 80 years, were analysed; a manual measurement of the thickness of Hoffa’s fat pad of each subject was then performed by two different readers. The interobserver reliability and intraobserver reliability of the measurements were described by coefficient of variation (CV), Pearson correlation and Bland–Altman plots. Results: All statistical analyses have shown that not significant intra- or interobservers differences were evident (intraobserver CV % for the first observer was 2.17% for the right knee and 2.24% for the left knee, while for the second observer 2.31% for the right knee and 2.24% for the left knee; linear correlation was for the first observer r = 0.96 for the right knee and r = 0.96 for the left knee, while for the second observer r = 0.97 for the right knee and r = 0.96 for the left knee; in addition, the interobserver CV % was 1.25% for the right knee and 1.21% for the left knee and a high interobserver linear correlation was found: r = 0.97 for the right knee and r = 0.96 for the left knee). All results suggest that this manual measurement method of Hoffa’s fat pad thickness can be performed with satisfactory intra- and interobserver reliability. Conclusions: Hoffa’s fat pad thickness can be measured, using sagittal MRI images, with this manual method that represents, for his high reliability, an effective means for the study of this anatomical structure

Estimation of soil carbon pools under major cropping systems of Mayiladuthurai district of Cauvery Delta Zone, Tamil Nadu, India

Soil organic carbon (SOC) is a potential indicator of soil quality and ecosystem sustainability. The present study aimed to evaluate SOC pools under major cropping systems of Mayiladuthurai district of Tamil Nadu. The composite samples were collected from two depths (0-15 and 15-30 cm) by stratified random sampling and were analysed for pH, EC (Electrical conductivity), C fractions, inorganic carbon and permanganate oxidisable carbon by standard procedures. The SOC content under different land use was in the order of Forestry > Rice – pulses > Rice – cotton > Sugarcane > Uncultivated. The mean SOC content of the study area was 12.58 Mg ha-1, where the majority of the area falls under low to medium rating of SOC. Hence, cultivation practices should incorporate activities that increase SOC to maintain soil quality. SOC was positively correlated with fractions of carbon – CVL (r = 0.37**), CL (r = 0.65**) and CLL (r = 0.58**), indicating changes in land use would affect the carbon dynamics of the ecosystem. The root biomass, aeration status, microbial activity, nutrient reserves and inherent soil characteristics influenced SOC to decrease with depth. The PCA analysis revealed that the variation in carbon dynamics of the study area was influenced by SOC, CLC, CLL and non-labile carbon due to differences in land management practices. Therefore, such soil management practices will be a powerful tool to sequester carbon, which supplements climate change mitigation

THE ANTIMICROBIAL ACTIVITY OF MIMOSA PUDICA L.

Mimosa pudica L. (Mimosaceae) is the herb that shows sensation on touch and its grows as weed in almost all parts of the country. It majorly possesses an antibacterial, antifungal, antioxidant, antiinflammatory, antiasthmatic, analgesic and antidepressant activities. In the present study, antimicrobial activity of Mimosa pudica was tested with various extracts such as petroleum ether, ethylacetate, acetone and aqueous against various human pathogenic bacteria such as Escherichia coli, Pseudomonasaeurogiosa, Lactobacillus, Salmonellatyphi and Staphylococcus aureus also with plant pathogenic fungus such as Pestalotiafoedians, Fusariumoxysporum and Paecilomycesvariotii at different concentrations. Out of the selected various solvent extracts, in bacterial study, acetone extract showed a maximum zone of inhibition against Staphylococcus aureus. In fungal study, ethyl acetate extract showed maximum zone of inhibition against Fusariumoxysporum

Postmenopausal osteoporosis: current status of bone densitometry

Osteoporosis is the most common of all metabolic bone disorders characterized by loss of bone strength, due to modifications in bone turnover. It leads to bone fragility and increased fracture risk. Because of the increasing aging of the world population, the number of people affected by osteoporosis is continuously increasing. The WHO operational definition of osteoporosis, based on a measurement of bone mineral density (BMD) by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA), identifies patients at greatest risk of fracture. However, in the population overall a greater total number of fractures occurs in individuals with BMD values above threshold for osteoporosis diagnosis; for this reason, algorithms have been developed to improve the identification of individuals at high fracture risk, including clinical risk factors for fracture. The correct diagnosis of osteoporosis with an appropriate and accurate use of diagnostic imaging results in better management in terms of adequate treatment and follow-up. Moreover, screening strategies will improve identification of patients who are most likely to benefit from drug treatment to prevent fracture. All women after the age of 65 years previously untested and women after the age of 50 years with previous low trauma fractures should be screened by DXA. In fact, osteoporosis-related fractures cause a significant increase in morbidity and mortality, decreasing the quality of life, with an increasing social and economic burdens. For this reason, fracture risk assessment should be a high priority amongst health measures

Wunderlich syndrome: a rare case in a young woman

We report the case of a 29-year-old woman with Wunderlich syndrome, a rare spontaneous renal hemorrhage into the subcapsular and perinephric space. She presented to our emergency department with a sudden and persistent right flank pain in the abscence of abdominal injury. The onset of the symptoms can be insidious and lead to hypovolemic shock. Computed Tomography helps both in the diagnosis, detecting the renal hemorrhage, and contributes to an optimal patient management. Selective arterial embolisation is an efficient technique to stop acute and potential life-threatening hemorrhage and preserve the renal parenchyma

Adopter Categorization and Level of Adoption among Protected Cut Flower Growers

In India, Tamil Nadu occupies the first position in terms of area under flower cultivation then followed by Karnataka and West Bengal. Out of the 33 districts in Tamil Nadu, Krishnagiri district ranks first in cut flower production due to its suitability to climatic conditions. The cut flowers are by and large cultivated under protected conditions (poly greenhouse structure) to meet the quality standards as expected in the global trade arena. The present study was conducted to identify the adopter categories and their level of adoption with respect to protected cut flower cultivation technologies. An ex-post facto research design was used for the study. The first two intensive blocks (Thally & Hosur) cultivating cut flowers under protected methods were purposefully selected for the present study. From both blocks, six villages were selected, and the data were collected from 120 respondents among these twelve selected villages using a well-structured interview schedule. The collected data were analyzed using mean, standard deviation, cumulative frequency, and principal component analysis (PCA). The results of the adopter categorization showed that 40.83 percent of respondents belonged to the early majority and only 5.00 percent were innovators. The results regarding the overall adoption of protected cultivation by each adopter category reported that 54.17 percent of respondents had medium-level adoption, in that 44.61 percent and 30.77 percent were early majority and late majority, respectively. The majority of respondents have a medium-level adoption of protected cultivation, leaving potential for growth among early majority and late majority adopters. Targeted strategies and incentives should address their specific needs, and encouraging more innovators to adopt can drive widespread adoption

Problems Encountered by Coconut Growers by Adopting TNAU Coconut Tonic and their Perceived Benefits

Aim: The study aims to analyse the problems encountered by Coconut growers by adopting the TNAU Coconut tonic and their perceived benefits. Study Design: Ex post facto research design. Place and Duration of Study: The study was conducted in the Coimbatore district which represents a major coconut-growing tract of the Western zone of Tamil Nadu. Methodology: From the Coimbatore district of Tamil Nadu, 120 Coconut growers from three different blocks namely Pollachi (North), Pollachi (South) and Anaimalai block were purposively selected for conducting the study. Data were collected from coconut growers who are all adopting TNAU Coconut tonic. The well-structured pre-tested interview schedule was used to collect data from farmers. Garrett ranking and weighted average method were computed to analyse the constraints and perceived benefits of coconut growers who are all adopting the TNAU Coconut tonic as their nutrient management practices. Results: The major constraints were reported by the growers viz., availability of tonic at TNAU (8.75%), Unskilled labour (8.57%), difficulty to identify the root (8.04%), the absorption rate of tonic is low (7.92%), non-availability of labour (7.31%), high cost of labour (7.13%), High cost of crop boosters (6.81%), poor knowledge on the availability of tonic at TNAU Agri cart, Coconut Research Station, Aliyar & Courier services (6.45%) as major constraints. The obtained key benefits include increased chlorophyll content and greenness of leaves (16.93), improved photosynthetic efficiency of leaves (11.73), decreases button shedding (30.53), increased number and size of nut (22.27), increased nut yield up to 20 per cent (18.20), increased longevity and vigour of the palm (19.40) and resistance to pests, diseases and environmental stresses (24.20) shows that maximum number of coconut growers benefited by adopting TNAU Coconut tonic. Conclusion: To overcome these constraints, concerted efforts from researchers with government and institutional support set forth the easy adoption of TNAU Coconut tonic. The adoption of TNAU Coconut tonic technology brings forth a multitude of perceived benefits to the coconut growers, along with their conventional, recommended nutrient management practices and the livelihood of coconut growers will be improved

Hoffa’s fat pad thickness: a measurement method with sagittal MRI sequences

Background: Hoffa’s fat pad is a structure located within the fibrous joint capsule of the knee joint, but outside the synovial cavity. It plays an important biomechanical and metabolic role in knee joint, reducing the impact of forces generated by loading and producing cytokines. Changes in its size can induce modifications in the knee homeostasis. However, a great variability exists regarding its measurements. This work aims to evaluate the reliability of a measurement method of Hoffa’s fat pad dimensions through MRI. Methods: 3T sagittal IW 2D TSE fat-suppressed MRI sequences, taken from the OAI (Osteoarthritis initiative) database, of 191 male and female patients, aged between 40 and 80 years, were analysed; a manual measurement of the thickness of Hoffa’s fat pad of each subject was then performed by two different readers. The interobserver reliability and intraobserver reliability of the measurements were described by coefficient of variation (CV), Pearson correlation and Bland–Altman plots. Results: All statistical analyses have shown that not significant intra- or interobservers differences were evident (intraobserver CV % for the first observer was 2.17% for the right knee and 2.24% for the left knee, while for the second observer 2.31% for the right knee and 2.24% for the left knee; linear correlation was for the first observer r = 0.96 for the right knee and r = 0.96 for the left knee, while for the second observer r = 0.97 for the right knee and r = 0.96 for the left knee; in addition, the interobserver CV % was 1.25% for the right knee and 1.21% for the left knee and a high interobserver linear correlation was found: r = 0.97 for the right knee and r = 0.96 for the left knee). All results suggest that this manual measurement method of Hoffa’s fat pad thickness can be performed with satisfactory intra- and interobserver reliability. Conclusions: Hoffa’s fat pad thickness can be measured, using sagittal MRI images, with this manual method that represents, for his high reliability, an effective means for the study of this anatomical structure. © 2021, The Author(s)

Preoperative CT and survival data for patients undergoing resection of colorectal liver metastases

Abstract The liver is a common site for the development of metastases in colorectal cancer. Treatment selection for patients with colorectal liver metastases (CRLM) is difficult; although hepatic resection will cure a minority of CRLM patients, recurrence is common. Reliable preoperative prediction of recurrence could therefore be a valuable tool for physicians in selecting the best candidates for hepatic resection in the treatment of CRLM. It has been hypothesized that evidence for recurrence could be found via quantitative image analysis on preoperative CT imaging of the future liver remnant before resection. To investigate this hypothesis, we have collected preoperative hepatic CT scans, clinicopathologic data, and recurrence/survival data, from a large, single-institution series of patients (n = 197) who underwent hepatic resection of CRLM. For each patient, we also created segmentations of the liver, vessels, tumors, and future liver remnant. The largest of its kind, this dataset is a resource that may aid in the development of quantitative imaging biomarkers and machine learning models for the prediction of post-resection hepatic recurrence of CRLM