bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Drying Diverse Temperatures alters the Physico-Chemical and Phytochemical Properties of Moringa Flowers
Authors: Selvakumar P.
Published: September 2024

BACKGROUND:

Moringa flowers are most excellent suited for both raw and lightly cooked application such as frying or simmer. Moringa flowers are a good quality foundation of vitamin A, a nutrient that can facilitate boost the immune system and guard overall vision health. Moringa oleifera contains vital nutrients such as minerals, vitamins and phytochemicals such as tannins and flavonoids.

AIMS AND OBJECTIVE:

The present work aims to study the optimization and quality attributes retention in moringa flower through freeze dryer (FD) because the conventional drying process takes more time and energy which also affects the product quality and safety.

MATERIALS AND METHODS:

Different solvents, such as ethanol, chloroform, hexane, acetone and ethyl acetate, were used to determine the presence of phytochemicals (alkaloids, tannins, flavonoids, steroids, terpenoids and saponins) in the moringa flower.

RESULTS:

From Qualitative and quantitative screenings of moringa flower, the phytochemicals were highly present in methanol and ethanol extracts. Dried moringa flower powder was prepared by using fresh moringa flower, steam blanched for 2-5 min and then sulfated at 0.1% for 10 min. After that, the dehydration process was performed at different temperatures (45, 55 and 65°C) in an FD drier. FD dried moringa flower powder at 55°C was found maximum physicochemical properties and higher retention of phytochemical with special reference to β – carotene (55.41 mg), total antioxidant (460.18 mg), flavonoids (19.34 mg/RE), phenol (234.13 mg/GAE), vitamin C (485.09 mg).

CONCLUSION:

According to the findings of this study, FD drying is one of the best drying techniques for preserving nutritional quality features while also being efficient and cost-effective for the entire food processing industry.
In silico screening and characterization of novel natural peptides as spike protein inhibitors of novel coronavirus (severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2)
Authors: Satpathy Raghunath , Dash Namrata
Published: September 2024

BACKGROUND:

The present work is a computational approach to discover the novel peptides that can interact and inhibit the action of spike protein of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2).

MATERIALS AND METHODS:

A total of 193 numbers probable naturally occurring antiviral peptides were retrieved from the antimicrobial database. The three-dimensional structure of all the peptides was predicted by the Chimera tool followed by energy minimization. Similarly, the spike protein of SARS-CoV-2 chain A (PDB ID 6VBY) structure was obtained from the Protein Data Bank (PDB) and used as the receptor.

RESULTS:

Protein–protein docking was performed for all the peptides followed by some screening criteria that resulted in three numbers of potential peptides such as CAP11 binds to a receptor-binding domain (RBD), mytilin B to S1/S2 cleavage regions, and mBD-1 as N-terminal-binding domain of spike protein. Further screening and evaluation of solubility and the toxic properties of the peptides it was obtained that the peptide molecules CAP11 and mytilin B are nontoxic. Further, the RBD-binding nature of CAP11 peptide was evaluated comparatively by taking the human ACE2 protein and RBD region of the wild-type SARS-CoV-2, triple mutant, South African mutant (B.1.351), by using molecular docking followed by interface analysis. It was predicted that the CAP11 peptide was able to bind perfectly with the RBD domain of both wild type and triple mutant one but not to the South African mutant.
Methods for Bioaerosol Sampling in Tuberculosis and Coronavirus Disease 2019
Authors: Vaswani Smriti Rajesh , Shaikh Ambreen Mohamadmunir
Published: September 2024

Respiratory infections such as Tuberculosis (TB) and coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) have tremendously impacted global morbidity and mortality. It is now known that their causative agents have an airborne route of transmission. Clinical diagnosis of these diseases often relies on samples that are difficult to obtain or involve invasive techniques. These limitations have given impetus to research focusing on pathogen detection in bioaerosols. Collection, detection, and quantification of infectious aerosols released by patients can serve as a diagnostic tool while assessing the infectiousness of the pathogen being transmitted. In this review, we have described the various methods of bioaerosol sampling in TB and COVID-19 along with their applications in real-life clinical settings. From aerosol sampling systems and cough chambers to the recent face mask sampling, techniques have advanced over the years moving toward the development of a point-of-care tool for disease diagnosis. Among these, the mask sampling approach has an edge over other methods in terms of convenience and usability. Such sampling techniques, combined with sensitive detection systems have the potential to rapidly detect respiratory pathogens and may ultimately play a role in preventing the spread of these diseases in the community. The review highlights the advances in the application of bioaerosol sampling with a focus on the potential of mask-based bioaerosol sampling method. It also discusses the future research and clinical prospects of bioaerosol sampling.
Nucleic Acid Vaccines
Authors: Devi W. Roseybala , Kammar Supriya S. , Logesh S. , Dsouza Gareth L. , Mohan Thotegowdanapalya C. , Rajulu Charukesi
Published: September 2024

DNA vaccines, a type of nucleic acid vaccine, have emerged as one of the recent developments in immunology and recombinant DNA technology, offering great potential in terms of ease of manufacture, maintenance, and safety compared to conventional vaccines. Since their discovery, DNA vaccines have evolved immensely, resulting in the employment of new techniques such as gene guns, in vivo electroporation, and nanoparticle-based carriers to enhance the delivery of vaccines into the cells. Starting from the failures of the first-generation DNA vaccines to the near-success second-generation vaccines, several strategies including codon optimization, antigen design, and heterologous prime-boost have greatly helped in strengthening the vaccine's immunogenicity. The purpose of developing these third-generation vaccines is primarily to solve existing medical complications like cancer, along with therapeutic uses, to address health problems, and to aid the rapid eradication of sudden global outbreaks of infectious diseases including Ebola and COVID-19. In this review, we focus on the recent developments and strategies employed to improve the efficacy of DNA vaccines and discuss their mechanism of action, potential concerns, progress achieved, and a brief update on its clinical applications.
How do we “decolonize Global Health”?
Authors: Bain Luchuo Engelbert , Nanyonjo Agnes , Blake Victoria , Tembo John , Nkongho Franklyn , Bates Matthew
Published: September 2024

A raft of recent commentaries has called for the “decolonization of Global Health.” “Global Health” commentators concerned with medical education, practice, research and governance would appear to agree that the status quo is grossly inequitable. They suggest that embedded power asymmetries rooted in the colonial past persist and that they are a major barrier to reducing inequity. A range of actions has been suggested as steps toward addressing these power imbalances such as ensuring funding panels are more representative and distributing the majority of resources and leadership roles, toward the affected geographies and communities. In this manuscript, we share our view on what both “decolonization” and “Global Health” might mean, and outline some key actions to combat racism in health research and practice.
Irisin and Atherogenic Index of Plasma Novel Markers in Diabetic Patients with and without Metabolic Syndrome
Authors: Falih Israa Qusay , Isaa Maryam Qusay , Akram Raghda Shams
Published: September 2024

BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY:

Skeletal muscle tissue and adipose tissue cells initiate for creating and releasing semi warning protein hormones that are characteristic signals for the possibility of heart attacks, which resulted in hyperglycemia and hyperlipidemia in the blood due to insulin resistance. The study aims to high lighting on the accompany health problems of type 2 diabetes patients with metabolic syndrome (MS).

MATERIALS AND METHODS:

Ninety males and females were shared in this study, their ages ranged from 40 to 55 years, and they were divided into three groups: 30 were type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) with MS, 30 were T2DM without MS, and 30 were from the group of healthy controls. Enzymatic assays were estimated, and blood samples tests included: fasting serum glucose, glycated hemoglobin, lipid profile total cholesterol, triglyceride, high density lipoprotein cholesterol, low density lipoprotein, irisin level, and the atherogenic index of plasma (AIP) were calculated.

RESULTS:

A highly statistically significant increase (P < 0.001) of irisin level (96.80 ± 27.05 ng/mL) was find in patients who had T2DM with MS whom have the highest body mass index and waist value, but irisin level had (67.66 ± 19.41 ng/mL) in T2DM without the MS group. While the normal value of irisin level (27.97 ± 9.29 ng/mL) had be recorded in the control group.

CONCLUSION:

Irisin secretion is related to MS problems, and the possibility of targeting this hormone as a marker, particularly in the detection of heart diseases. A high AIP value demonstrates an association between elevated irisin levels and the accelerated potential with cardiovascular disease.
Orchitis in a 7-Year-Old Child with Coronavirus Disease 2019 Infection
Authors: Ghaffaripour Hossein Ali , Sadati Elham , Haseli Sara , Mahdaviani Seyed Alireza , Daneshmandi Zahra , Honarpisheh Parisa
Published: September 2024

Although a little is known about the impact of coronavirus on male genitalia, the expression of virus receptors in this system makes it a potential target for this virus. Here, we reported orchitis as a late complication following coronavirus disease 2019 infection, which highlights the importance of follow-up in these patients.
Prevention is a Neglected Aspect in the Eradication Policies Against Tuberculosis
Authors: Maes Roland
Published: September 2024

Tuberculosis remains unapparent in about 80% of the infected cases. It turns symptomatic in cases of stress, undernourishment, i.e., weakening of the immune defenses, hygiene deficits, or massive exposure of fragile and/or stressed populations, including overworked health agents, to the pathogen. It is, thus, mostly a disease of the stressed, the poor, and the indigents. Prevention demands a detection of unapparent infections at risk of turning symptomatic. Diagnostic tests based on the detection of the antigen in sputum and occasionally in other organs have their use but need to be completed with the detection of asymptomatic cases. It is possible by the monitoring of immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibodies during the early process of infection, before the bacillus has reached a mass able to vigorously suppress the immune capacities of the patient. Some drugs are immune depressive and impair the recovery of successfully treated patients. At consultation, the patient is often already fully immune depressed; a monitoring of his IgG-specific antibodies shows that the level of antibodies is very low and will rise if the treatment is successful. The monitoring of the immune status of the patients and the application of immunostimulating products to those patients who show a need therefore will complete the chemotherapy. Nothing of this is currently applied and the serodiagnostic, so useful in rural areas, has been banned, to be replaced by an expensive and inaccurate antigen-test. In addition, the continuing use of an iatrogenic vaccine defeats the purpose.
Critical Review on Balchaturbhadra Churna: A Pediatric Polyherbal Ayurvedic Formulation
Authors: Sahu Seema , Gupta Prashant Kumar , Agrawal Neeraj , Chandravanshi Lowkesh , Rathiya Satyawati , Gupta Divya , Chouhan Hemant Kumar , Chauhan Nagendra Singh
Published: September 2024

In this regard, Ayurveda separately addresses the health of children and infants under the heading Kaumarabhrthya. Ayurveda is a system of medicine that deals with managing health for a person of any age group. The various health aspects of childhood and adolescence are related to this branch of the study. Ayurveda recommended a variety of strategies for preserving children’s health, including immunization, purification therapies, and the use of Ayurvedic formulations. Ayurvedic pediatrics practice often uses the poly-herbal remedy Balchaturbhadra Churna to treat respiratory disorders, vomiting, diarrhea, and fever. It is a combination of four herbs that is Musta, Pippali, Karkatshringi, and Ativisha. Since the beginning of time, this combination has been used, first described in the Chakradatt Samhita. On the use of the drug species aconitum, many questions have been raised. However, all of the experimental trials showed that Balchaturbhadra Churna is safe for therapeutic usage even at doses far greater than those tested. It was noted that this formulation is still one of the most popular and frequently used medications for the treatment of pediatric disease. In addition, this formulation appears to stand out as a possible treatment option for SARS-CoV-2 infection. This emphasizes the necessity of reviewing and reevaluating the formulations in the context of the currently prevailing health system.
Activity of Crystal Violet and Albert Stains against Escherichia coli
Authors: Al-Khikani Falah Hasan Obayes , Abdulah Hawraa Majed , Hamza Haydar Mohammed , Kareem Douaa Thameer , Hameed Duaa Ali , Husien Hawraa Hamza , Abbas Hussein Khudair , Hadi Haider Abdelali
Published: September 2024

BACKGROUND:

Escherichia
coli (E. coli) developed resistance to multiple antibiotics, making them difficult to treat with standard therapies. Hence, using alternative strategies such as dyes to treat E. coli is urgent.

MATERIALS AND METHODS:

E. coli was isolated from the urinary tract by culturing urine specimens in three media (blood agar, MacConkey agar, and eosin methylene blue agar). The well diffusion method was used to evaluate the activity of crystal violet (CV) and Albert stains as well as disc diffusion method after overnight incubation for antibiotic sensitivity test of gentamicin and ciprofloxacin as control agents; the diameter of the inhibited growth is measured in millimeter. All the statistical analysis was done using SPSS 26 software.

RESULTS:

Out of the 20 participants in the study, 70% were women, while 30% were males. Both CV and gentamicin revealed 90% activity against isolates, while Albert stain reagents 1 and 2 showed 65% and 55% activity against isolated E. coli, respectively. Ciprofloxacin was sensitive in 65% of isolates. The mean of CV 19 ± 7.5 mm was more active than gentamicin 15.56 ± 6.72 mm significantly (P = 0.04). No significant differences in activity of both ciprofloxacin and CV was detected (P = 0.64).

CONCLUSIONS:

Both CV and Albert stains have antibacterial activity against E. coli that may be developed in clinical use.
A Review on Anticancer Potential of Berberis aristata and Berberine with Focus on Quantitative Methods
Authors: Rokade Manasi , Vichare Vijaya , Neve Tejaswini , Parande Bhagyashri , Dhole Shashikant
Published: September 2024

Berberis aristata (BA) is a traditional herbal ayurvedic medicine widely used from ancient time and has various therapeutic effect. In this review, we had tried to emphasize on its pharmacognistic as well phytochemical parameters. We had aiming to focus on estimation of berberin in extract using different analytical techniques such as high-performance liquid chromatography, high-performance thin-layer chromatography from various parts of BA plant. It contains different isoquinoline alkaloids, namely berberine, palmitine, berbamine which are contributing in the pharmacological action of BA. As it has various pharmacological actions such as anti-bacterial, anti-diarrheal, anti-inflammatory, anti-pyretic, and anti-hemorrhagic. Along with that, it is also a potential anticancer agent as its methanolic extract showed potent activity against different cell lines such as breast cancer, colon cancer, cervical cancer cell lines. In this review, we had emphasized on phamacognosy, phytochemistry, and analysis for berberine content of BA along with its anticancer potential. A brief spotlight had also given on anticancer prospective of berberine.
Adverse Drug Reactions in Psychiatry Outpatient Department of a Tertiary Care Hospital in Western Uttar Pradesh
Authors: Sidhu Jaspreet Kaur , Jakhar Kiran , Chopra Deepti , Dhote Aditi , Babber Vishakha , Shadman Mohammad , Tripathi C. D.
Published: September 2024

Objective:

Psychiatric disorders are chronic in nature which require medications for a long duration. These medications have been associated with many adverse events. Failure to recognize an adverse drug reaction (ADR) exposes the patient to continuing risk of ADR, leading to a significant impact on patient's quality of life. Thus, the present study carried out to identify the pattern of ADRs reported due to psychotropic medication.

Methods:

This was a cross-sectional study conducted to analyze ADRs reported from the psychiatry department of a tertiary care teaching hospital from October 2021 to March 2022.

Findings:

A total of 137 ADRs were identified from 102 patients. Majority of the ADRs were reported from antidepressants, with paroxetine being the leading offending drug. The central nervous system was most commonly affected, and dizziness (13.13%) was the most common ADR noted. On causality assessment, 97 ADRs (70.8%) were of “possible” type. Almost half of the patients with ADRs (47.5%) recovered spontaneously. No ADR encountered turned out to be fatal.

Conclusion:

The present study revealed that the majority of ADRs reported from psychiatry OPD were mild in nature. We reinforce the identification of ADR is crucial in the hospital setting process as it gives an insight into the risk-benefit ratio for rational use of the drug.
Apoptotic and Antiproliferative Effects of Mimusops elengi Leaf Extract in Ehrlich Ascites Carcinoma Cells
Authors: Kar Biswakanth , Haldar Pallab K. , Rath Goutam , Ghosh Goutam
Published: September 2024

Context:

Mimusops elengi Linn. (Sapotaceae) is commonly known as bakul. Traditionally, the various parts of the plants have been used in the treatment of wound healing, pain, and tumor.

Objective:

To evaluate the role of Mimusops elengi extract (MEE) on proliferation, apoptosis, and bcl2 gene expression in Ehrlich ascites carcinoma (EAC) cells lines and establish the possible mechanisms linked with anticancer activity.

Settings and Design:

EAC cells were treated with methanol MEE (20–400 µg/mL) in time intervals of 24, 48, and 72 h.

Materials and Methods:

The antiproliferative effect of extract was evaluated using 3-(4, 5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide assay; deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) fragmentation study, cell cycle analysis, and Annexin V-fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC) assay were performed to assess the apoptosis, and lastly, western blotting study was performed to assess the bands intensities using the ImageJ® analysis (a Java-based image processing program system, National Institutes of Health and the Laboratory for Optical and Computational Instrumentation, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI).

Statistical Analysis Used:

The data were analyzed using one-way analysis of variance followed by the Dunnett's post hoc test.

Results:

MEE shows significant antiproliferative effect on EAC cell lines. In the DNA fragmentation assay, it shows significant fragmentation of DNA. In the cell cycle analysis and Annexin V-FITC assay, there was arrested in sub-G1 phase and initiation of cell apoptosis. In western blotting study, the extract shows low expression of bcl-2 and overexpression of Bax proteins.

Conclusions:

From the above result, it concludes that MEE has significant apoptosis-inducing properties.
Synthesis and Antihistaminic Potential of Some Novel Substituted Dinitrophenothiazine Derivatives
Authors: Bisht Dheeraj , Singh Anita , Sharma Ashok , Parcha Versha
Published: September 2024

Background:

Phenothiazine consists of a three-ring structure compound in which two benzene rings are connected with nitrogen and sulfur atoms at nonadjacent sides. Phenothiazine and its substituted derivatives are abundantly able to produce a variety of important pharmacological and valuable therapeutic effects, and till now, these are under profound investigational processes.

Objective:

To synthesize and evaluate the antihistaminic potential of some newly synthesized dinitrophenothiazine derivatives.

Materials and Methods:

Different derivatives have been synthesized by the appropriate chemical scheme using dinitrophenothiazine as a basic nucleus. The completion of the chemical reactions has been monitored by thin-layer chromatography. The chemical structures of the newly synthesized products (P1–P25) were affirmed by elemental analysis and by spectral (infra-red, 1H nuclear magnetic resonance, and mass spectroscopy) findings and further examined for antihistaminic potential in guinea pigs. The synthesized products were also evaluated for their acute toxicity study and were found nontoxic.

Results:

The majority of the synthesized products of the dinitrophenothiazine series, namely, P07, P11, P12, P13, P15, P16, P17, P18, P19, and P20, have shown antihistaminic activity and compared with mepyramine (standard drug) at 0.8 µg/mL. Among the synthesized products, P18 was found to exhibit maximum antihistaminic activity. However, all the synthesized compounds were found to elicit a significant antihistaminic effect when compared with the standard drug.

Conclusion:

Therefore, dinitrophenothiazine compounds could be a good starting point to develop efficacious and potent analogues, as an antihistaminic agent in the treatment of allergic disorders.
The Depigmentation Effect of Hydroquinone-loaded Nanostructured Lipid Carriers (NLCs) on the Rat Skin
Authors: Sharifmakhmalzadeh Behzad , Javadi Mehdi , Salimi Anayatollah
Published: September 2024

The goal of this research is the localization of hydroquinone (HQ) to the epidermis for the treatment of hyperpigmentation in rat skin. For this purpose, nanostructured lipid carrier (NLC) was selected for the dermal delivery of HQ. A 23 factorial design was used in this study, and eight NLCs were prepared with a cold homogenization technique. HQ entrapment efficiency (EE %), particle size, morphology, thermal behavior of NLCs, and permeability parameters through rat skin with NLC in comparison with HQ aqueous solution (HQ-S) with Franz diffusion cells were evaluated. Based on the optimization technique, the best NLC was selected and in the in vivo experiment, the depigmentation effect of optimized NLC in comparison with that of HQ-S was evaluated. The results showed that the main problem for HQ permeability was fast permeation and low concentration in the site of action. Partitioning from aqueous donor phase into skin rate was the limiting step for drug flux, and this can be solved using NLC. The decrease in maximum flux obtained by NLC was according to formulation 8. Regression analysis suggested a significant and direct effect of the S/L ratio and the percentage of liquid lipids on the drug loading. NLC decreased drug permeation through rat skin basically due to sustained release properties.
Vanillic Acid Prevents Interferon-alpha and Cyclosporine A-induced Depressant-like Behavior in Mice
Authors: Hajhashemi Omid , Mesripour Azadeh , Hajhashemi Valiollah
Published: September 2024

Background:

Interferon-alpha (IFN-α) is a useful therapy for some types of cancers and viral infections. Cyclosporine A (CSA) is an immunosuppressant drug used to reduce the risk of graft rejection. Chronic use of IFN-α and CSA are related to psychological symptoms such as depression. Vanillic acid (VA) is a naturally occurring flavoring substance with antidepressant potential. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of VA on depression caused by these two drugs in a mice model.

Materials and Methods:

Male Swiss mice (25–30 g) were used. Depression was induced by IFN-α 1600000 IU/kg, sc for six days, or CSA20 mg/kg, ip for 3 days as VA 25 mg/kg, and pretreatment was ip injected. After evaluating the locomotor activity, depression was assessed by forced swimming test (FST) and sucrose preference (SP) test.

Results:

The selected treatments did not cause significant changes in the locomotor activity. IFN-α significantly increased the immobility time during FST (184.5 ± 12.9 s vs. vehicle 107.1 ± 11.4s) indicating depressive-like effect, and VA pretreatment reversed it (94.8 ± 17.8 s vs. IFN-α), SP increased to 76%. CSA also increased the immobility time during FST (160.3 ± 3.4 s vs. vehicle 113.2 ± 7.6 s; P < 0.05), VA pretreatment reduced it (81.8 ± 16.9 s, vs. cyclosporine; P < 0.001), and SP increased from 38% to 75%. SP results were in agreement with FST results.

Conclusion:

VA showed useful effect against IFN-α and cyclosporine-induced depression in mice. Further clinical studies regarding VA antidepressant effect in patients receiving IFN-α or CSA are warranted.
Synthesis, Characterization, and Cytotoxicity Evaluation of Methotrexate-Polyethylene Glycol-Glutamic Acid Nanoconjugate as Targeted Drug Delivery System in Cancer Treatment
Authors: Ahmadi Majid , Derakhshandeh Katayoun , Azandaryani Abbas H. , Adibi Hadi
Published: September 2024

Introduction:

Methotrexate (MTX) is used as a folic acid antagonist in the treatment of many human cancers. Attachment of hydrophilic ligands to MTX improves its efficacy due to reducing toxicity and enzymatic degradation and it also increases its in-vivo half-life.

Materials and Methods:

In the present study, pH-responsive nanoconjugates of methoxy poly(ethylene glycol)-glutamic acid methotrexate (mPEG-Glu-MTX) have been prepared and characterized using hydrogen nuclear magnetic resonance (1H-NMR) and Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR). Glutamic acid is attached to the mPEG chain by the carboxylic group and to the MTX via an amide bond to the amine group.

Results:

The prepared nanoconjugate has the mean diameter ranging from 160 to 190 nm and, the drug release was significantly induced two times at the pH of 5.5 and 3.5 compared with pH 7.4 (P < 0.05). The prepared mPEG-Glu-MTX nanoconjugate showed toxicity similar to AGS, MDA, and MCF7 cell lines compared with the free form of MTX (P > 0.1), which indicates that the conjugation does not effect on the MTX cytotoxicity but is expected to be successful in the targeted delivery of MTX.

Conclusion:

The results show that manufactured nanoconjugates can be considered as an efficient drug delivery system in the treatment of cancer; however, further studies are needed on the targeting activity of this nanocarrier in in-vivo conditions.
Localization of L5–S1 Disc Space by Utilizing Simple on Table Surface Marking in Posterior Lumbar Spine Surgery without Any Radiological Assistance
Authors: Pattajoshi Acharya Suryakanta , Dalei Tushar Ranjan
Published: September 2024

Background:

Localization of the spinal levels is an important task during any spinal surgery. The purpose of the study is to assess the accuracy and reliability in identifying L5–S1 disc space by surface localization using Venus of dimple as a landmark in posterior spinal surgery without undertaking any radiological assistance.

Methodology:

We prospectively analyzed 39 patients, who had undergone primary posterior spine surgery, especially for Prolapsed intervertebral disc mostly affecting the lumbosacral region. Following surface marking using Venus of dimple as a landmark, patients were subjected to surgery with or without prior X-ray evaluation solely on surface localization of L5–S1 disc space. Intraoperatively, the accuracy and reliability of the surface marking were determined.

Results:

Sixty-four percent of the patients had accurate L5–S1 spine level localization utilizing the above clinical palpatory methods, while 23% of the cases identified L5 spine intraoperatively. On analyzing this surface topographical method with that of X-ray in standing position, the sensitivity and specificity came to be 93.3% and 49%, respectively, with a positive predictive value of 77.8%.

Conclusion:

The method of localization of L5–S1 space described although cannot fully replace the role of fluoroscopic assistance during spinal surgery, still it is an important, simple, and reliable alternative method of localization which demands its application by the spine surgeons, especially in the beginning of their carrier and in certain specific situations.
Morphological Study of Rouviere's Sulcus
Authors: Gowda Pushpa , Udupi Suman
Published: September 2024

Background:

Rouviere's sulcus (RS) is a cleft, on the inferior surface of the liver, extending from the caudate process to the right lobe for a variable distance. Cystic duct and artery lie anterosuperior while the common bile duct lies anterior to this sulcus, making it an important landmark in laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Being situated anterior to segment I of liver and having the right posterior portal pedicle as its frequent content, it is an important guide in right segmental liver resection. This study intends to study the anatomy of the RS.

Methodology:

The present study was done by analyzing 60 formalin-fixed adult livers, for the presence/absence of RS, its morphology and morphometry.

Results:

RS was present in 49 (81.66%) specimens, it was oblique in 26 (43.33%), transverse in 23 (38.33%) and absent in 11 (18.33%) specimens, RS was classified into three different types - type 1, type 2, and type 3 based on its degree of penetration into the substance of the liver. Type 1, defined as a deep sulcus was present in 37 (61.66%) specimens. Type 2, a slit-like shallow sulcus was observed in 7 (11.66%) and type 3, scar-like sulcus was observed in 5 (8.33%) of specimens. The average length of RS was 2.84 cm, breadth was 0.18 cm and the average depth of the RS was 0.62 cm.

Conclusion:

RS is an important extra-biliary landmark of the liver, that could easily be visualized during laparoscopic hepatobiliary surgeries and its identification could definitely reduce the risk of bile duct and vascular injuries during these surgeries. Hence, the in-depth knowledge about the anatomy of RS which is less studied and not included in anatomy literature is essential.
Hepato-Duodeno-Colic Fold and Sessile Sigmoid Colon – Rare Peritoneal Bands in Abdomen
Authors: Kumar V. Dinesh , Rajprasath R. , Murugan Magi
Published: September 2024

The presence of aberrant peritoneal folds is one of the differential diagnoses of intestinal obstruction in the pediatric population. Therefore, knowing the variations in the attachment pattern of peritoneum and its folds is essential. In this context, we report a rare peritoneal fold found during the routine human cadaveric dissection of the abdomen, which is attached superiorly to the liver including the gallbladder and inferiorly extended as a bilaminar fold with one attaching to duodenum and other to transverse colon. In addition, the sigmoid colon was completely plastered to the posterior pelvic wall. This variant peritoneal fold is named as hepato-duodeno-colic ligament and is described in detail with its clinical context. The knowledge regarding this abnormal peritoneal fold would be highly useful for surgeons while planning laparoscopic procedures in the upper quadrant of the abdomen.
Sexual Dimorphism and Clinical Importance of Posterior Condylar Canal
Authors: Das Sushant Swaroop
Published: September 2024

Background:

The posterior condylar canal (PCC) and its associated emissary vein are important anatomical landmarks for juxta-condylar approach and extreme lateral approach for exposing lesions in the region lateral to the foramen magnum. The study aimed to provide a complete gender-based assessment of the morphological characteristics of PCC in an adult central Indian population.

Methodology:

The study was conducted on 130 dry adult central Indian human skulls of known sex (81 males, 49 females). The presence of PCC on both sides, their patency, variations, and site of internal opening in relation to important anatomical landmarks, i.e., sigmoid sulcus, jugular foramen, and foramen magnum were assessed.

Results:

The PCC and probe patency were statistically more common bilaterally than unilateral. Females showed statistically significant higher incidence of bilateral PCC and bilateral probe patency than males. Three morphological variations in PCC were found, i.e., double condylar canal, septation, and spur. They showed no significant gender differences. In both sexes, bilateral intrasinus was the most common type of internal opening of PCC. Internal opening into jugular foramen, foramen magnum, and retro sinus was significantly more unilaterally than bilateral. Significant gender differences in unilateral intrasinus and unilateral retro sinus type of internal opening were noted.

Conclusion:

This study gives knowledge about the comparison of various morphological variations of PCC in both sexes of an adult central Indian population, and its clinical impact on the surgeries of this region.
Fetal gall bladder development
Authors: Jaiswal Anamika , Kaushik Ankit , Singh A. K. , Sinha D. N.
Published: September 2024

Background:

The gall bladder development in fetal life is complex and starts as early as the 4th week of gestation; the abnormal development of the gall bladder is associated with various congenital abnormalities. The objective of the present study was to study fetal gall bladder development in relation to gestational age (GA) among fetuses.

Methodology:

In a cross-sectional observational study of 29 fetuses, the gall bladder parameters and histological changes are evaluated at different gestational age. The fetus was categorized based on GA into three categories of <20 weeks, 21–30 weeks, and 31 weeks and above. After dissection of the abdomen, the shape and location of the gall bladder were observed. The relationship of gall bladder with liver was observed. The gall bladder length (GBL) and gall bladder width (GBW) were measured. The histogenesis of the gall bladder was observed among all fetuses and developmental changes were noted.

Results:

The study included 29 fetuses, 14 males and 15 females. The first, second, and third groups comprised 5, 14, and 10 fetuses. The GA ranged from 13 to 35 weeks. The mean crown-rump length (CRL) of the fetuses was 19.34 ± 6.32 cm. The mean GBL was 2.06 ± 0.83 cm and the mean GBW was 0.77 ± 0.32 cm. The GBL and GBW increased with CRL, GA, and weight. The strong positive correlation was observed between GBL, GBW with GA and CRL. On microscopy, among the first group, fetal gall bladder at 13 weeks showed solid structure with obliterated lumen and area of early canalization. The muscular layer initially was very thin and comprised only few haphazardly arranged muscle fiber in the first group, the thickness was found to be more in the second group and a well-formed adult-like muscular layer was found in the third group. The loose connective tiisue, the outer most layer was pronounced in the third group.

Conclusion:

The fetal gall bladder parameters show linear increase with GA and CRL. The location, size, and relation of the fundus with margin of gall bladder in fetus undergo changes with the development of the fetus. The fetal gall bladder undergoes marked histological changes during development.
Semitendinosus Tendon Morphometry as a Graft – A Cadaver Study
Authors: Shetty Balakrishna , Shetty Sweekritha , Umesh Prashanth Kasargod
Published: September 2024

Background:

Sports and games have become professional activities. The standard of fitness level is raised. Advancement in arthroscopic anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction using free tendon graft is one of the key developments. Autograft with minimal donor site or functional morbidity is the key. The latest is the use of semitendinosus in ACL reconstruction. Preoperative knowledge of graft in terms of size is crucial. The present cadaveric study is an attempt to understand the morphology of the semitendinosus tendon (ST) as tendon graft in the local population.

Methodology:

A total of 50 male cadaver limbs embalmed with formalin were used for harvesting 50 STs. The exact age and height of the cadavers were not known. The femoral length was used as a measure of body height. Tendon length and quadruple diameters were measured. Anderson–Darling test was used for distribution analysis of all the data.

Results:

In our study, mean length of the tendon was 27.12 cm which is shorter than the required 28 cm for quadrupling the tendon. The average diameter was 8.14 mm which is slightly more than the minimum required thickness of 8 mm. These two findings suggest that tendons in the Indian population are not long enough for an ideal quadruple graft with more than 8 mm diameter.

Conclusion:

The result of our study is in conformation with the previous studies on the Indian population and also in the Western population. The height of the individual can be inferred from length of the femur; hence, height can be taken as a good predictor for the length of ST in the Indian population.
Anatomical Variations between Sciatic Nerve and Piriformis Muscle on Computed Tomography Images from Radiotherapy Patients
Authors: Salas Juan Carlos Pari
Published: September 2024

Background:

The sciatic nerve has several topographic variations, some of them in relation to the piriformis muscle. Such variations provide meaning insight while addressing pathologies related to sciatic nerve. Hence, this study was undertaken to check the anatomical variations of sciatic nerve using computed tomography (CT) images.

Methodology:

Thirty-three CT image series from pelvic radiotherapy patients were reviewed, with a DICOM viewer to assess the relation between the sciatic nerve and piriformis muscles, according to Beaton and Aston’s classification.

Results:

Thirty-three CT image sets and 66 gluteal regions were assessed. Type A of Beaton and Aston was found in 84.85% of the samples and Type B was found in 15.15%. No other types were found. Sixty-six percentage of the Type B classifications were bilateral.

Conclusion:

There is a 15.15% of topographical variation of sciatic nerve consistent with other studies. The use of medical images for this kind of study will allow more reliable results.
Las áreas verdes privadas en la planificación urbanística: El riesgo de una regulación expropiatoria y/o desviación de poder
Authors: Delgado Martinez Álvaro
Published: September 2024

Este trabajo trata sobre el establecimiento de áreas verdes de carácter privado, vale decir, sobre predios de propiedad privada en los instrumentos de planificación urbana. Para tales efectos, se analizan las propuestas de áreas verdes privadas que contiene la imagen objetivo realizada y propuesta en el marco del proceso de modificación del plan regulador comunal que desarrolla actualmente la Municipalidad de Lo Barnechea. Dicho análisis abarca las propuestas propiamente tales, la fundamentación y motivación que dio el municipio para estas, la regulación de ese tipo de áreas en nuestro ordenamiento jurídico y la normativa que se aplicaría a las áreas verdes nuevas propuestas, en caso de que estas se establecieren finalmente en el plan regulador comunal de Lo Barnechea. En una segunda instancia, se aborda el concepto de «regulación expropiatoria» y su tratamiento en el derecho chileno. Por último, se analiza la afectación a los derechos de los propietarios, que podría resultar del establecimiento de este tipo de áreas, en tanto podrían constituir una regulación expropiatoria y/o desviación de poder.
The Effect of Ultracapacitor on the Performance of Series
Range-Extended Hybrid Commercial Vehicle
Authors: Yu Xiaocao
Published: September 2024

Toward the goal of “dual carbon economy” development, new energy hybrid
commercial vehicles have become the main vehicles to meet the future fuel
consumption and emission targets. In order to meet the high requirements of
commercial vehicles on power and to minimize the influence of ambient
temperature on the power of the vehicle, this study proposes a composite energy
storage system (CESS) incorporating ultracapacitors. To further understand the
impact of ultracapacitor on the dynamic performance of the vehicle, this study
compares the dynamics of series range-extended hybrid pickup trucks with and
without ultracapacitor at ambient and low temperatures, as well as the effect of
ultracapacitor on the service life of lithium-ion batteries, by means of
simulation. The results show that at room temperature (25°C), the addition of
ultracapacitor shortens the 0–100 km/h acceleration time of the whole vehicle by
24.4% and improves the off-road climbing performance by 11.7%; at low
temperature (−20°C), the addition of ultracapacitor shortens the 0–100 km/h
acceleration time of the whole vehicle by 88.8% and improves the off-road
climbing performance by 67.9%. Under WLTC, 3% gradient conditions, the
ultracapacitor increases the cycle life of the lithium-ion battery by about 9%
and reduces heat generation by 11.7%.
A Novel Resource-Aware Distributed Cooperative Decision-Making
Mechanism for Connected Automated Vehicles
Authors: Ghahremaninejad Reza , Bilgen Semih
Published: September 2024

This article proposes a new model for a cooperative and distributed
decision-making mechanism for an ad hoc network of automated vehicles (AVs). The
goal of the model is to ensure safety and reduce energy consumption. The use of
centralized computation resource is not suitable for scalable cooperative
applications, so the proposed solution takes advantage of the onboard computing
resources of the vehicle in an intelligent transportation system (ITS). This
leads to the introduction of a distributed decision-making mechanism for
connected AVs. The proposed mechanism utilizes a novel implementation of the
resource-aware and distributed–vector evaluated genetic algorithm (RAD-VEGA) in
the vehicular ad hoc network of connected AVs as a solver to collaborative
decision-making problems. In the first step, a collaborative decision-making
problem is formulated for connected AVs as a multi-objective optimization
problem (MOOP), with a focus on energy consumption and collision risk reduction
as example objectives. RAD-VEGA then cooperatively solves this MOOP, taking into
account the availability of AV’s onboard resources and the application layer
characteristics of today’s ITS communication tools. The performance of the
proposed mechanism is evaluated by solving the ZDT1 test problem and studying
pareto-frontier solutions to the true front over time. The scalability of the
proposed solution is estimated to be 305 CAVs, considering a communication
bandwidth of 6 MB/s. Additionally, cooperative AV planning scenario examples are
simulated, and the effectiveness of the proposed mechanism is demonstrated by
comparing final and initial solutions after solving the MOOP using RAD-VEGA.
Influences of Lubricant Viscosity and Metallic Content on Diesel Soot
Oxidation Reactivity
Authors: Meng Hao , Yang He , Zhang Weili , Xing Jianqiang , Xu Yan , Wang Yajun
Published: September 2024

This study examined the effects of lubricant viscosity and metallic content on
the oxidation reactivity of diesel particles. In the first part, the factors
affecting thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) experiments was discussed and
confirmed. The influences of initial soot mass, heating rate, and airflow rate
on soot oxidation rate and experimental reproducibility were investigated to
develop an optimized TGA method. On the basis of these experiments, an initial
soot mass of 2.0 mg, airflow rate of 4.8 L/h, and heating rate of 2.5°C/h were
used for all subsequent TGA tests. It could be found that the TGA experiments
had high repeatability, and the differences were less than 0.1%. In the second
part, a four-cylinder diesel engine was lubricated with seven kinds of lubricant
with different viscosity and metallic content by the use of viscosity index
improver (VII), antioxidant and corrosion inhibitor (ACI), and ashless
dispersant (AD). Particle samples were subjected to TGA to test their
particulate composition and oxidation reactivity, such as oxidation rate,
characteristic temperatures, and Arrhenius kinetic parameters. It was found that
the soot oxidation rate increased significantly with the increase of metallic
content in lubricant, but had little to do with lubricant viscosity. When using
lubricating oils with different properties and compositions, the activation
energy of carbon smoke oxidation ranges from 143 to 187 kJ/mol. This tendency
was more remarked as the lubricant additives’ dosage ratio increased. Soot
oxidation rate trends were explained by particle properties, including
morphology and nanostructure. A smaller size and less ordered nanostructure were
associated with a lower activation energy.
Approach for Extrinsic Calibration of a Light Detection and Ranging
Sensor and a Monocular Camera Using Bounding Boxes
Authors: Omwansa Mark , Sharma Sachin , Meyer Richard , Brown Nicholas
Published: September 2024

Sensor calibration plays an important role in determining overall navigation
accuracy of an autonomous vehicle (AV). Calibrating the AV’s perception sensors,
typically, involves placing a prominent object in a region visible to the
sensors and then taking measurements to further analyses. The analysis involves
developing a mathematical model that relates the AV’s perception sensors using
the measurements taken of the prominent object. The calibration process has
multiple steps that require high precision, which tend to be tedious and
time-consuming. Worse, calibration has to be repeated to determine new extrinsic
parameters whenever either one of the sensors move. Extrinsic calibration
approaches for LiDAR and camera depend on objects or landmarks with distinct
features, like hard edges or large planar faces that are easy to identify in
measurements. The current work proposes a method for extrinsically calibrating a
LiDAR and a forward-facing monocular camera using 3D and 2D bounding boxes. The
proposed algorithm was tested using the KITTI dataset and experimental data. The
rotation matrix is evaluated by calculating its Euler angles and comparing them
to the ideal Euler angles that describe the ideal angular orientation of the
LiDAR with respect to the camera. The comparison shows that calibration
algorithm’s rotation matrix is approximately close to both the ideal and the
KITTI dataset rotation matrices. The corresponding translation vector is shown
to be close to expected values as well. The results from the experimental data
were evaluated and verified by projecting cluster measurements of the prominent
objects on to corresponding images.