Ambiversive nature of Indian population in disease management: what is the need of the hour?

Allopathic and ayurvedic medicines have been used since ages, and both have their advantages and disadvantages. Not a single allopathic drug manufactured until date is free from side effects. Then why is allopathic medicine still preferred? Mainly because everyone of us need quick relief and/or fast action. In the case of HIV, cancer, stroke, myocardial infarction, medical emergency and/or casualty cases ayurvedic medicines are either unavailable or can’t be used

Variations of Peroneus Tertius Muscle in Omani Population: A Surface Anatomical Study

BACKGROUND: Peroneus tertius muscle (PTM) is a muscle of the anterior compartment of the leg. It is a highly variable muscle with a prevalence rate ranging from 42%-100% in different populations worldwide. We sought to explore the frequency of PTM and its existing variants, based on surface anatomical evaluation of the foot, in Omani subjects.METHODS: In this study, a total of 222 adult Omani subjects (total 444 feet) were examined for the presence of PTM. The presence of PTM and its morphological types were identified based on surface anatomical examination using a standard palpation method. Descriptive statistics were used to present the data. The gender influence on the occurrence of PTM was determined by the Chi-square test.RESULTS: The frequency of PTM was observed in 59.9% of total feet. A statistically significant gender difference with male dominance was observed on both right (p = 0.02) and left (p <0.01) feet. Regarding PTM types, the F2 type was most common on both right (38.5%) and left feet (46.2%). The bilateral occurrence of PTM was found in 47.7% of cases.CONCLUSION: The frequency of PTM in Omani subjects is considerably high when compared to other Arab populations. The baseline information on the PTM proportion and distribution of its types is clinically important for physiotherapists and orthopedic surgeons

Effect of Cissus quadrangularis Linn on skeletal growth in the neonates of diabetic rats

Background: Infants of the diabetic mother are known to have reduced bone mineral content and hypocalcemia. Earlier, it has been shown that petroleum ether extract of Cissus quadrangularis (PECQ) can enhance the fetal skeletal ossification in normal rats. The present study was designed to evaluate the effect of PECQ on skeletal growth in the neonatal rats of streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats.Methods: After confirmation of diabetes, the diabetic and non-diabetic female Wistar rats were kept for mating with healthy male rats. After positive vaginal smear test, the pregnant rats were divided into three groups; the normal (non-diabetic) control (NC), diabetic control (DC), and diabetic+CQ (D+CQ) groups. The rats in the D+CQ group were given PECQ (500 mg/kg B.Wt), whereas animals in NC and DC groups were given 0.5% carboxy methyl cellulose, throughout the gestational period. Femur from the 1 week old neonatal rats from each group was collected randomly and subjected to histological analysis.Results: Thickness of trabecular bone and periosteum was significantly reduced in the neonates of DC rats compared with the neonates of NC group. Pretreatment with PECQ significantly improved the thickness of trabecular bone and periosteum compared with neonatal rats of DC group. No significant differences were observed in the medullary cavity width of femur between the groups.Conclusion: Data from the present study suggest that the PECQ can effectively attenuate the diabetes-induced reduction in the early skeletal growth. However, further research is warranted to evaluate the exact mechanism of action of phytochemical constituents of PECQ that can cross the placental barrier

Thalidomide induced xerosis: an unwanted reaction

A 59-year-old male exhibited anemia for evaluation. Endoscopy was diagnostic of gastric antral vascular ectasia. He was given a trial of thalidomide after informing about the adverse effects. After starting thalidomide at 100 mg/day, his hemoglobin (Hb) improved. Post 1 month of therapy his Hb normalized, but he developed xerosis. He was given symptomatic treatment, but did not improve. Thalidomide was suspected to cause xerosis, it was discontinued for a month and post-discontinuation of drug he is symptom free for past 8 months. This paper reports a rare case of thalidomide induced xerosis with dermatological and neurological involvement

Triple falx cerebelli associated with two aberrant venous sinuses in the floor of posterior cranial fossa

During regular dissection classes, authors came across tripled falx cerebelli in a male cadaver. The main (middle) falx cerebelli was large and was attached to the internal occipital crest. It contained the occipital sinus. There were two smaller folds (right and left), one on either side of the falx cerebelli. There were two aberrant venous sinuses; each one connecting the ipsilateral sigmoid and transverse sinuses with each other. The complex dural-venous variation reported here is seldom reported in the literature. Knowledge of such variation is important for neurosurgeons and neuroradiologists as these aberrant folds could cause haemorrhage during suboccipital approaches or may lead to erroneous interpretation during imaging of the posterior cranial fossa

Anatomical variations of the frontal sinus: A computed tomography-based study [version 2; peer review: 2 approved]

Background: The pneumatization of the frontal sinus is variable between individuals, including monozygotic twins. The volumetric anatomic variants of the frontal sinus are classified into aplasia, hypoplasia, medium-sized, and hyperplasia. We aimed to study the frontal sinus morphology in Omani patients using computed tomography (CT) evaluations. Methods: Retrospectively, 1220 frontal sinus CT scans from 610 patients investigated at Sultan Qaboos University Hospital, Oman, from January 2019 to December 2020 were reviewed. The frontal sinus morphology was classified according to the classification proposed by Guerram et al. The Chi-square test was used to determine the influence of sex. Results: With regard to the unilateral occurrence, the most prevalent frontal sinus category observed was medium-sized (13.3%), followed by hyperplasia (7.9%), hypoplasia (5.4%), and aplasia (2%) categories. Similarly, in bilateral occurrence, the most common frontal sinus category observed was medium-sized (53%), followed by hyperplasia (13.1%), hypoplasia (3.4%) and aplasia (2%) categories. Right and left frontal sinus aplasia were observed in 2.1% and 1.8% of cases, respectively. In terms of sex influence, the left unilateral (p<0.01) and the bilateral hypoplasia (p<0.05) were significantly higher in females. On the other hand, the left unilateral (p<0.01) and the bilateral hyperplasia (p<0.05) were higher in males. Conclusions: The baseline data of frontal sinus category frequencies reported in the present study is helpful in the diagnostic evaluation of sinusitis in the clinical setting. The preoperative recognition of frontal sinus types, particularly frontal sinus aplasia in multiplanar CT scans, is crucial to avoid unexpected complications while performing endoscopic sinus surgery

Students&rsquo; Performance in Face-to-Face, Online, and Hybrid Methods of Teaching and Assessment in Anatomy

In recent times, online teaching and assessment have provided a great opportunity to explore better methods in medical education. There are inconsistent views concerning the effectiveness of online assessment. Hence, the present study aimed to evaluate online teaching and assessment methods in relation to face-to-face methods by comparing students&rsquo; performances. The students&rsquo; assessment results in two basic anatomy courses, which are part of the Doctor of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences programs at Sultan Qaboos University, were analysed. We compared the students&rsquo; mean scores and coefficient of variance in the multiple-choice written exams and the objective structured practical exams during the spring semesters of 2019, 2020, and 2021, containing face-to-face teaching and exams, partial online teaching and online exams, and online teaching and both proctored online and face-to-face exams, respectively. The sudden transition to online teaching and assessment halfway through the semester resulted in higher means and a lower coefficient of variance among students&rsquo; scores in both theory and practical exams. However, when the fully adopted online method of teaching and assessment was employed, the mean scores decreased, and the coefficient of variance increased to figures close to those witnessed before the pandemic, when teaching and assessment were face-to-face. This trend applied to both the Doctor of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences programs&rsquo; anatomy courses. The results indicate that online assessment of theoretical and practical anatomical knowledge is comparable to that of face-to-face assessment. However, proper planning and preparedness are mandatory to achieve the desired outcomes

Arterial Glomerulus at the Hilum of the Right Kidney and the Abnormal Course of the Right Testicular Artery: a Case Report

Variations in the origin of arteries in the abdomen are very common. With the invention of new operative techniques within the abdomen cavity, the anatomy of abdominal vessels has assumed a great deal of clinical importance. We report here a rare case of formation of an "arterial glomerulus" at the hilum of the right kidney by the branches of right renal artery. There were 2 renal veins; a superficial and a deep. The deep vein had a peculiar course through the arterial glomerulus. The right testicular vein drained into the deep renal vein. We also observed a variant origin and course of right testicular artery. Prior knowledge of unusual branching pattern of renal vessels is necessary in the surgical interventions which require hilar dissection. Similarly, abnormal origin or course of testicular artery becomes apparent during surgical procedures like varicocele and undescended testes. Therefore, knowledge of such an anomaly in the testicular artery helps to avoid iatrogenic injuries during radiological or surgical procedures

Treatment of Glaucoma with Natural Products and Their Mechanism of Action: An Update

Glaucoma is one of the leading causes of irreversible blindness. It is generally caused by increased intraocular pressure, which results in damage of the optic nerve and retinal ganglion cells, ultimately leading to visual field dysfunction. However, even with the use of intraocular pressure-lowering eye drops, the disease still progresses in some patients. In addition to mechanical and vascular dysfunctions of the eye, oxidative stress, neuroinflammation and excitotoxicity have also been implicated in the pathogenesis of glaucoma. Hence, the use of natural products with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties may represent an alternative approach for glaucoma treatment. The present review highlights recent preclinical and clinical studies on various natural products shown to possess neuroprotective properties for retinal ganglion cells, which thereby may be effective in the treatment of glaucoma. Intraocular pressure can be reduced by baicalein, forskolin, marijuana, ginsenoside, resveratrol and hesperidin. Alternatively, Ginkgo biloba, Lycium barbarum, Diospyros kaki, Tripterygium wilfordii, saffron, curcumin, caffeine, anthocyanin, coenzyme Q10 and vitamins B3 and D have shown neuroprotective effects on retinal ganglion cells via various mechanisms, especially antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and anti-apoptosis mechanisms. Extensive studies are still required in the future to ensure natural products&rsquo; efficacy and safety to serve as an alternative therapy for glaucoma