A cross-sectional study on under-emphasized sex determining parameters of femur

Background: There have been researches done based on using ‘Maximum length’ of femur for sex determination. We, the authors of the present study, formulated an index including both (maximum length & girth) and named it as Femoral Girth Index (FGI). An attempt has been made by the authors, with this study, to arrive at appropriate conclusions regarding sex determination using dry femurs representing South-Eastern India (Kancheepuram district region) using three parameters namely, ‘Maximum length’, ‘Maximum girth’ and FGI.Methods: FGI was calculated using the observed values of ‘Maximum length’ and ‘Maximum girth’ of the femurs. Formula used for calculating the FGI was, “Maximum girth of shaft of femur/Maximum length of femur x 100”. Statistical analysis was done using three parameters, namely, maximal length of femur (L), maximum girth of femur (G) and FGI. Significance of the results was assessed implementing unpaired t test.Results: The results were very significant with the application of unpaired t test in relation to the three parameters, maximal length of femur, maximum girth of femur and femoral girth index.Conclusions: We believe that the study results can be reliably used for dry, fully ossified femurs of southern India. FGI, when more than 19.57, is indicative of males and when less than 19.57, is indicative of females.

Clinical and operative study of otogenic intracranial complications

Background: Chronic otitis media is chronic inflammation of the mucoperiostial lining of the middle ear cleft. The prevalence of chronic otitis media and its intracranial complications poses a major public health problem in developing countries like India. By this study; we authors have attempted to highlight the significance of various etiological factors in the occurrence of intracranial complications due to chronic otitis media.Methods: The study was done prospectively in the department of otorhinolaryngology, J.A. group of hospitals, G. R. medical college, Gwalior during the period October 2007-2008. Thirty patients presenting to ear, nose and throat unit, diagnosed as having intracranial complications due to chronic otitis media were included in this study.Results: Most intracranial complications cases were that of meningitis. One third of the cases had past surgical history like mastoid exploration and incision & drainage of post aural abscess, and one fourth of the cases had associated extracranial complications like post aural abscess, lower motor neuron palsy, labrynthitis.Conclusion: The present study and the reference studies, both reveal that the intracranial complications of chronic otitis media are still common till date, and their signs and symptoms are often subtle until late in the course of the disease. Hence, clinicians need to maintain high index of suspicion to avoid delay in diagnosis as morbidity and mortality rates are still high, even with the advent of modern antimicrobials and aggressive surgical intervention.

Electrical and Magnetic behaviour of PrFeAsO0.8F0.2 superconductor

The superconducting and ground state samples of PrFeAsO0.8F0.2 and PrFeAsO have been synthesised via easy and versatile single step solid state reaction route. X-ray & Reitveld refine parameters of the synthesised samples are in good agreement to the earlier reported value of the structure. The ground state of the pristine compound (PrFeAsO) exhibited a metallic like step in resistivity below 150K followed by another step at 12K. The former is associated with the spin density wave (SDW) like ordering of Fe spins and later to the anomalous magnetic ordering for Pr moments. Both the resistivity anomalies are absent in case of superconducting PrFeAsO0.8F0.2 sample. Detailed high field (up to 12Tesla) electrical and magnetization measurements are carried out for superconducting PrFeAsO0.8F0.2 sample. The PrFeAsO0.8F0.2 exhibited superconducting onset (Tconset) at around 47K with Tc({\rho} =0) at 38K. Though the Tconset remains nearly invariant, the Tc({\rho} =0) is decreased with applied field, and the same is around 23K under applied field of 12Tesla. The upper critical field (Hc2) is estimated from the Ginzburg Landau equation (GL) fitting, which is found to be ~ 182Tesla. Critical current density (Jc) being calculated from high field isothermal magnetization (MH) loops with the help of Beans critical state model, is found to be of the order of 103 A/cm2. Summarily, the superconductivity characterization of single step synthesised PrFeAsO0.8F0.2 superconductor is presented.Comment: 15 Pages Text + Fig

Pelvic bone indices as effective parameters of sex determination in skeletal remains: a cross-sectional study

Background: With racial differences, it’s difficult to implement a uniform method for determining sex. Therefore, the need for present study to be carried out was felt. An attempt has been made by carrying out this study to arrive at appropriate conclusions regarding sex determination using dry hip bones representing South-Eastern India (Kancheepuram district region of Tamil Nadu) in relation to the two important indices, the Coxal index (CI), and the Genoves' sciatic notch index(GSI). Methods: Material for the cross-sectional study included 25 dry hip bones of known gender (left sided were 14, right were 11, male hip bones were 15, and female were 10). Coxal index, Genoves' sciatic notch index, Mean and standard deviation (SD) for the indices were calculated. Significance of these indices in sex determination of the hip bones was assessed implementing unpaired t test.Results: When unpaired t test was applied on the mean and standard deviation of Coxal & Genove’s sciatic notch indices of the two groups, Males (n=15) & Females (n=10), the result was statistically very significant. Conclusions: Coxal index values of our present study can be reliably applied for sex determination of dry hip bones of Indian origin. But, our study values can be considered more reliable when using Genoves’ sciatic notch index in determining sex of hip bones of South-Eastern region only (keeping racial variations in mind).

Structural, Magnetic and Magneto-caloric studies of Ni50Mn30Sn20Shape Memory Alloy

We have synthesized a nominal composition of Ni50Mn30Sn20 alloy using arc melting technique. Rietveld refinement confirms the austenite L21 structure in Fm-3m space group. Electrical resistivity has been found to clearly exhibiting two different phenomena viz. a magnetic transition from paramagnetic to ferromagnetic and a structural transition from austenite to martensitic phase. Thermo-magnetization measurements M(T) confirms ferromagnetic transition temperature TC at 222 K and martensitic transition starting at 127 K(MS). Magnetization measurement M(H) at 10 K confirms the ferromagnetic state. Frequency dependence of ac susceptibility \c{hi}' at low temperature suggests spin glass behavior in the system. The isothermal magnetic entropy change values have been found to be 1.14 J/Kg.K, 2.69 J/Kg.K and 3.9 J/Kg.K, with refrigeration capacities of 19.6 J/kg, 37.8 J/kg and 54.6 J/kg for the field change of 1, 2 and 3 Tesla respectively at 227 K.Comment: 16 pages text + Figs. Ni50Mn30Sn20 alloy: reasonable refrigeration capacity tunable to Room

Pathogenesis of thyroid-associated ophthalmopathy: does autoimmunity against calsequestrin and collagen XIII play a role?

Thyroid-associated ophthalmopathy (TAO), or thyroid eye disease, is a complex inflammatory disorder of the eye that, as its name implies, is associated with thyroid disease. TAO can be divided into three subtypes: ocular myopathy, congestive myopathy and mixed congestive and myopathic ophthalmopathy. Although the precise pathophysiology of TAO remains unclear it is likely to reflect an autoimmune reaction involving sensitized T-cells and autoantibodies directed against a thyroid and orbital tissue shared antigen. One well studied candidate in this immune reaction is the thyroid-stimulating hormone receptor (TSH-r), expressed in the orbital fibroblast and pre adipocyte. In our studies of TAO, we have investigated the nature and significance of antibodies targeting other eye muscle and orbital connective tissue (OCT) antigens. Our findings suggest that autoimmunity against the eye muscle antigen calsequestrin and the OCT antigen collagen XIII plays a role in the pathogenesis of TAO. We propose that ocular myopathy and chronic eyelid retraction are due to autoimmunity against skeletal muscle calsequestrin in the extraocular and eyelid muscles, respectively. This may be initiated in the thyroid where calsequestrin expression is upregulated, possibly due to a stimulatory effect of TSH-r antibodies. We also propose that congestive ophthalmopathy results from a reaction against the TSH-r or collagen XIII in orbital fibroblast cell membranes. Further insight into the role of eye muscle and OCT antigens in the pathogenesis of TAO may allow for the development of new therapies to treat the eye disorder and reduce patient morbidity