Fusion of C2 and C3: embryological and clinical perspective

Skeletal abnormalities in the upper cervical region may result in severe neck ache, altered mobility, muscular weakness and sensory deficits. Fused cervical vertebrae (FCV) have been reported in literature, however cases with fused articular facets have scarcely been documented. During routine osteology demonstration, we came across fused axis and the 3rd cervical vertebra. There was complete fusion of the vertebral arch on the left side along with complete fusion between the inferior articular facet of C2 and superior articular facet of C3. There was partial fusion between the bodies of the vertebrae and the right half of the vertebral arch. Owing to the vital role of this region in various neck movements and spinal alignment, knowledge of such asymmetric variations in the upper cervical region, is of immense importance to orthopedicians, radiologists, neurosurgeons, anaesthetists, physiotherapists.Keywords: intubation, synostosis, axis, block vertebra

Accessory belly of piriformis, as a cause of superior gluteal neurovascular entrapment

During routine dissection on 50 years old male cadaver, an accessory belly of piriformis was observed. This accessory belly was superior and parallel to the main piriformis muscle. This was associated with emergence of superior gluteal nerve and superior gluteal artery between the two bellies. Piriformis muscle    and its relation to sciatic nerve has been suggested as a cause of piriformis syndrome. But interestingly in the present case, superior gluteal nerve was interposed between two bellies that may help the clinicians to establish a rare yet important cause of piriformis syndrome and a rare cause of undiagnosed chronic pain in gluteal region. As superior gluteal artery was also interposed, so this rare variation holds interest to surgeons especially in isolated buttock claudication despite otherwise normal vascular investigations

MICROSURGICAL ANALYSIS OF VARIATIONS OF THE POSTERIOR SEGMENT OF CIRCLE OF WILLS

ABSTRACT: The microsurgical anatomy of the posterior circulation is very complex and variable .Surgical approaches to this area are considered risky due to the presence of the various important blood vessels and neural structures .Researches done so far proved that beginning ,course and result of the cerebral-vascular diseases depend immensely of the possibility to establish collateral blood circulation and first of all on so called tertian level that is actually the circle of wills .The circle of wills, thanks to communicating ,provide detour way to procure parts of the brain which ,due to insufficiency ,do not get enough quantity of blood. To document the microsurgical anatomy of the posterior circulation along with variations 30 cadaveric brain specimens studied. By analysis of series of anatomical dissections of the circle of wills we reached following results: complete posterior configuration of the circle of wills has been found in 26 (86.67%) brains. Out of variations hypoplastic p1 segment found in 2 (6.67%) brains, trifurcation of the basilar artery was found in one case (3.33%) and fenestration of the p1 segment was found in one specimen (3.33%) which is considered as one of the rare and unusual anatomical pattern. The existence of such "anomalies "can be explained by the embryological development of the regio

An inter-site study of biofouling recruitment on static immersion panels in major ports of South East Asia and India

Limited knowledge of native marine biodiversity hinders effective biodiversity management to safeguard South and Southeast Asia’s marine coastal environment against the threat of invasive species transfer through shipping. In particular, sessile marine biofouling organisms in South East Asian ports are poorly known. Through the support of the ASEAN-India Cooperation Project on the Extent of Transfer of Alien Invasive Organisms in South/South East Asia Region by Shipping, a coordinated effort to examine diversity of biofouling organisms in major port areas in Southeast Asia and India was made using polyvinylchloride (PVC) panels as recruitment surfaces in a static immersion study for a period of 12 months. Not surprisingly, the study revealed that fouling patterns differed between ports possibly as a result of dissimilar hydrographic conditions. However, there were also underlying similarities that reflected a regional uniformity in the composition of fouling communities. At the same time, the alien Caribbean bivalve Mytilopsis sallei was detected in Manila Bay (Philippines), Songkhla Port (Thailand) and Singapore. This is a first simultaneous biofouling survey involving scientists and government stakeholders from India and ASEAN nations of Brunei Darussalam, Indonesia, Lao PDR, Malaysia, Myanmar, Singapore, Thailand, Philippines and Vietnam

Stress, depression, and anxiety of female adolescents of higher senior secondary school: A cross-sectional comparative study of humanities, commerce, and science streams

A cross-sectional, representative sample from adolescent girls of higher senior secondary schools was collected for the study. We analyzed the data from 600 Punjabi Indian female adolescents (200 from humanities, 200 from commerce, and 200 from science stream) aged 15–17 years who were randomly selected from government and private schools. The symptoms of depression, anxiety, and stress were assessed by the DAS questionnaire. Overall prevalence was 50.8%, 58.7%, and 68% for depression, anxiety, and stress, respectively. A significant difference was reported for depression (.000), anxiety (.000), and stress (.002) between adolescents of three streams. The results of the study point out that there is a necessity for some interventions to educate adolescent girls about the negative effects of stress, depression, and anxiety on their body

ASSESSMENT OF THE IMPACT OF JSY ON MATERNAL HEALTH SERVICES IN RURAL AREAS OF AGRA DISTRICT

Background: Janani Suraksha Yojana (JSY) was launched in April 2005 to promote institutional deliveries among the poor population, through provision of referral, transport, and escort services. JSY integrates cash assistance with delivery and post delivery care for women to have healthy outcomes of pregnancy and childbirth. This is a mile stone scheme aimed for improving women’s health. Objectives: The study was conducted to assess antenatal, postnatal and delivery care services before and after implementation of Janani Suraksha Yojana. Methodology: This was an observational Cross Sectional study conducted in a block of Agra District selected randomly. Study subjects were married women of reproductive age group having at least two children, one born before and another born after implementation ofJanani Suraksha Yojana. Pretested, predesigned, structured, close ended schedule was used for interviewing the study group women who were asked the same set of questions regarding antenatal care, delivery and postnatal care in both pregnancies, latest as well as previous. Results: Antenatal registrations were found to be increased from 61.60% (Pre-JSY period) to 95.60% in JSY period. Early antenatal registrations (<12 weeks) have been increased from 26.62% to 72.80%. Complete ANC i.e. >3 ANC visits, 2 doses of TT/booster and received of 100 IFA tablets, was almost nonexistent in Pre-JSY period (3.25%), has increased to 25.52% during JSY period. Deliveries at govt. health facility has almost doubled from Pre-JSY period (25.60%) to JSY period (53.20%). The overall coverage of Postnatal Check-up i.e. at least one, in present study has increased in JSY period (69.20%) than Pre-JSY period (46.00%). Conclusion: JSY has shown a positive impact on maternal health services by improvement in antenatal, postnatal and delivery care. But we are still lagging behind in providing complete antenatal as well as postnatal care

A STUDY OF MATERNAL FACTORS AND BIRTH WEIGHT IN A BORDER DISTRICT OF UTTAR PRADESH

Background: Low birth weight is defined as the live births with less than 2.5 kg weight. LBW is one of the serious challenges in maternal and child health in both developed and developing countries. Objective: (1) To study the proportion of low birth weight neonates among hospital based deliveries. (2) To evaluate selected maternal factors associated with low birth weight in institutionally delivered newborn. Methods: A retrospective study was carried out in S.N. Hospital, Agra from 1st September, 2007 to 31st August, 2009 from medical record section of Obstetrics & Gynaecology department. Mode of delivery, birth weight and sex of baby, age of mother, parity, gestational period were taken as variables. Statistical analysis used: Chi-square test was applied to observe the significance of association. Results: Proportion of LBW was found to be 38% and was higher in teenage pregnancy, in Muslim females, in high parity and among newborn females. Conclusion: Relationship of birth weight with sex of new born, birth order of new born, mode of delivery, gestational period and with parity of mother was found to be significant.