Effect of Growth hormones for direct organogenesis in Bael (Aegle marmelos (L.) corr)

Aegle marmelos (L.) corr. commonly known as ‘Bael’ tree is included in the red- listed medicinal tree in South India. Riped and unripe fruits, root, bark and leaves of the tree are used in ayurvedic preparation for various ailments. This study was conducted to standardize the media for multiple shoot induction from different explants under in vitro condition. Among the various explants viz., meristematic tip, nodal bud, tender leaf, auxillary bud and cotyledon tried in different media, auxiliary bud had shown good response for shoot induction in 36 to 39 days. Among the various treatments viz., WPM supplemented with Benzyl Amino Purine (BAP) (0.5 to 3.0mg/lit), Kinetin (KN) (0.5 to 3mg/lit) and Indole acetic acid (IAA) (0.5 to 2mg/lit) for multiple shoot induction, the treatmental combination of WPM supplemented with BAP, KN and IAA, @ of each 0.5 mg/lit resulted in 7.75 shoots per cotyledon. The same combination, ½ strength of the medium with 1mg/lit BAP+2mg/lit NAA+ 1% AC resulted in root formation. Hence, as a means of in vitro conservation using cotyledon as explants microproagation is possible in bael

A study on development of ear ossicles from prenatal to postnatal life of humans

Background: Malleus, incus and stapes are the three ear ossicles present in middle ear. The auditory ossicles of the middle ear have a fundamental role in transmission of sound. The aim of this study was to determine development of ear ossicles from prenatal to postnatal life which will be of great help for an ENT surgeon who should be well conversant with the anatomical details of middle ear prior to undertake reconstruction procedures for the improvement of sound conduction in conductive deafness.Methods: The study was conducted in 25 foetuses and 25 adult ossicles after removal from temporal bones of embalmed cadavers. Vernier caliperse was used to measure different morphometric parameters to study growth and development of ossicles.Results: Malleus: The average length of Malleus varies from 4 to 7.24mm in foetuses and adults respectively. The length of the anterior process was variable and some of the processes were quite long. Incus: The incus had minimum morphological variations in the ossicles. Its length ranges from 4.97-6.94mm. Stapes: The stapes had maximum morphological variations in the ossicles. The variations of stapes were in the neck, the cruses and the foot plate. The variations seen in stapes were no neck, a short or a long neck. The cruses of the stapes had symmetry or asymmetry. Length varies from 2.45-3.8mm.Conclusions: Ossicles at 20 weeks of prenatal life were cartilagenous, and at 24 weeks they were ossified and surrounded by mesenchyme. Postnatal changes were minimal. These parameters of Ossicles will help in designing of implants and treating hearing loss

PLASMA SEROTONIN LEVELS IN BIPOLAR DISORDER

Bipolar disorder is a debilitating psychiatric disorder with prevalence of 1-3% in general population. It is a multifactorial disorder which involves environmental, genetic, nutritional and other factors. 5HT widely known as serotonin is synthesized in enterochromaffin cells of intestine, blood platelets and serotonergic neurons of brain. In blood 5HT is stored in platelets. 5HT is an intermediate product of tryptophan metabolism and is a monoamine neurotransmitter in central nervous system. Abnormality in this neurotransmitter is associated with development of bipolar disorder and other psychiatric disorders like depression, anxiety, schizophrenia, mania, aggression. Disturbances in the level of 5HT changes one’s mood. Low level of 5HT is associated with violent behaviour in humans. In the present study plasma 5HT levels were estimated in 38 bipolar disorder individuals and 38 age and sex matched controls without a family history of bipolar disorder. All the patients included in the present study belonged to North Coastal Andhra Pradesh. Student t test was used to compare the 5HT levels in cases and controls. A decrease in the level of plasma 5HT was observed in bipolar cases

A study of cephalic index and facial index in Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh, India

Background: The description of the human body has been a major concern since ancient times. The use of medical terminology enhances reliability of comparison made between studies from different areas thereby contributing higher level of scientific evidence. Cephalic index is an important parameter in forensic medicine, anthropology and genetics to know the sex and racial differences between individuals. Facial index is useful index for forensic scientists, plastic surgeons and anatomist. The parameters are useful for plastic surgeons during treatment of congenital and traumatic deformities, identification of individuals in medicolegal cases by forensic scientists and identifying craniofacial deformities of genetic syndromes by geneticist.Methods: 170 males and 110 female adults from Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh, India region are included in this study. Anthropometric points for cephalic index were measured by using spreading calipers. Facial index measurements were taken by measuring tape. All measurements were taken in subjects sitting in relaxed condition and subjects head is in anatomical position. Cranial index and facial index were calculated as per the formula.Results: Maximum number of males with mean cephalic index values of 80.21 were observed as mesocephalic and female with mean value of 79.25 observed as brachycephalic. Regarding facial index males were leptoprosopic and females were mesoprosopic.Conclusion: Cephalic index and facial index were terms used by anthropologists, anatomists, plastic surgeons and forensic scientists to identify individual’s race and sex for treatment of craniofacial deformities.

Idiopathic gynaecomastia in twins: a case report

Gynaecomastia is a common pathological condition of breast seen in men. This is defined as benign enlargement of breast tissue in males. It was first described by Palus Aegineta (AD 635-690). Herewith we are presenting cases of 14 year old twins attending the surgical O.P.D with bilateral enlarged breasts and pain. A diagnosis of pubertal gynaecomastia was made with no evidence of malignancy by histopathological examinations and mammography. One boy with 5 x 6 cm of right breast and 2 x3 cm of left breast was treated by subcutaneous mastectomy. Other boy had only enlargement of nipple and areola. He was reassured and sent home without surgical intervention. A rare case of idiopathic gynaecomastia in pubertal twins is described here

Study of onychomycosis

Background: Onychomycosis is one of the most common fungal nail infections caused by Dermatophytes, Non-Dermatophytic Molds (NDM) and Yeast. Though it is not life-threatening, can cause pain, discomfort, and disfigurement. It decreases the nail growth rate. Objectives: This study was carried out to document the clinico-mycological pattern and antifungal susceptibility pattern of onychomycosis.Methods: The study group included 130 consecutive patients with suspected fungal nail infections, attending Dermatology outpatient department of King George Hospital, Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh during November 2012 to August 2014. The nail clippings of the patients were collected and subjected to KOH mounts for direct microscopy and fungal culture and antifungal susceptibility tests.Results: Onychomycosis was common among males (66.92%) than females (33.08%) with highest incidence was in age group 31-40 years (41.37%). Finger or toenails were exclusively involved in 32.18% and 55.18% patients respectively while these were involved concurrently in the rest of the 12.65% patients. Distal and lateral subungual onychomycosis seen in 64.36% of the patients was the most common clinical type. KOH and culture positivity were recorded in 56.92% and 48.46% cases respectively. Dermatophytes (50.58%) were predominant isolate followed by NDM (27.58%) and yeast (21.84%). Clotrimazole and ketoconazole were most effective antifungals against dermatophytes. For NDM, itraconazole, nystatin and amphotericin B and for yeast fluconazole and itraconazole were effective.Conclusions: The present study gives an insight about the aetiological agents causing onychomycosis and their anti-fungal susceptibility pattern in this region. Thus, it can help in taking adequate control measures to prevent it

Scenario of ovarian mass lesions at a teaching hospital in Andhra Pradesh, India

Background: Ovary is the common site of non-neoplastic and neoplastic lesions which accounts for significant morbidity and mortality. The objective of present study was to ascertain the frequency and distribution of the various non-neoplastic and neoplastic ovarian mass lesions and to study the clinical and histopathological presentation.Methods: Observational study of cases with ovarian mass lesions subjected to surgical management from September 2009-August 2014 at our centre Government General Hospital/RMC Kakinada.Results: Incidence of ovarian masses was (n=404) 4.66% in 8,656 admissions subjected to surgical management. There were (340/404) 84.16% neoplasms and (64/404) 15.84% nonneoplastic lesions. Follicular and simple serous cysts were common non neoplastic lesions. Twisted ovarian cyst was the commonest surgical emergency. Age of the patients ranged from 9years to 82years.Mean ages of non-neoplastic, benign and malignant lesions were 34.2years, 36.8years and 44.7yrs.Most of the cases were in reproductive agegroup (p<0.001). Benign neoplasms were (248/340) 72.94%, borderline (26/340) 7.64% and malignant neoplasms were (66/340) 19.41%. Surface epithelial tumours dominated other types (78.12%) followed by germ cell tumours (12.05%) and sex cord stromal tumours (6.47%). Mucinous cystadenoma (34.11%) was the commonest benign tumour, followed by serouscystadenoma 23.53%. Commonest malignant ovarian tumour was serous cystadenocarcinoma (9.11%).Conclusion: Ovarian neoplasms were more common than non-neoplasms subjected to surgical management. Surface epithelial tumours were the commonest neoplasms with more benign neoplasms. Commonest benign neoplasm was mucinous cystadenoma and malignant was serous cystadenocarcinoma. Significant number of malignant ovarian tumors presented at an earlier age and in late stages

Anatomical study on sciatic nerve variations in Andhra Pradesh, India

Background: The sciatic nerve is the largest and widest nerve in the body and is derived from ventral rami of spinal nerves L2 to S3. Sciatic nerve appears in the Gluteal region below Piriformis from Pelvic cavity by passing through Greater Sciatic foramen. In between the Ischial tuberosity and greater trochanter of Femur, it reaches the back of the thigh. At the superior angle of Popliteal fossa, it divides into Tibial and common Peroneal (fibular) nerves. The division varies, and it may occur within the pelvis, Gluteal, upper, mid and lower part of thigh. The anatomical variations of the level at which the Sciatic nerve divides is considered important by Neurosurgeons, Anaesthetists, Orthopaedicians and Surgeons.Methods: This study was conducted on 52 lower limbs to determine the level of sciatic nerve bifurcation and its variations on 26 embalmed human cadavers. The data was analyzed manually using numbers, frequencies and percentages.Results: The findings of this study states that in 2 limbs (3.84%) the nerve divided in the gluteal region; in 4 limbs (7.69%) in the pelvic region; in 10 limbs (19.23%) at the junction between upper and middle thigh. The highest incidence of division occurs in 36 limbs (69.23%) at the superior angle of the popliteal fossa.Conclusions: The findings of this study revealed that the majority of sciatic nerve divisions occur   at the superior angle of popliteal fossa while some divided into other regions such as Pelvis, Gluteal and thigh regions

Efficient Degradation of Feather by Keratinase Producing Bacillus

Keratinase producing microorganisms are being increasingly utilized for degradation and recycling of poultry feather waste. Two native strains BF11 (Bacillus subtilis) and BF21 (Bacillus cereus) degrading keratin completely were characterized. The native strains produced more than 10 KU/mL of enzyme. Strain improvement resulted in isolation of MBF11 and MBF21 from BF11 and BF21 isolates, respectively. Optimization of nutritional and physical parameters of these MBF isolates at laboratory scale increased the overall keratinase activity by 50-fold resulting in a yield of 518–520 KU/mL. Fermentation media designed with starch as carbon source and soya bean meal as nitrogen source supported high levels of enzyme production. The optimum conditions for enzyme production were determined to be pH 8.5 and temperatures of 45–55°C for MBF11 and 37°C for MBF21, respectively. Culture filtrate showed a significant increase in the amounts of cysteine, cystine, methionine, and total free amino acids during the fermentation period. The ratio of organic sulphur concentration was also considerably higher than that of the inorganic sulphate in the culture filtrate suggesting the hydrolysis of disulphide by the isolates