Evidence-based assessment of antiosteoporotic activity of petroleum-ether extract of Cissus quadrangularis Linn. on ovariectomy-induced osteoporosis

The increasing incidence of postmenopausal osteoporosis and its related fractures have become global health issues in the recent days. Postmenopausal osteoporosis is the most frequent metabolic bone disease; it is characterized by a rapid loss of mineralized bone tissue. Hormone replacement therapy has proven efficacious in preventing bone loss but not desirable to many women due to its side-effects. Therefore we are in need to search the natural compounds for a treatment of postmenopausal symptoms in women with no toxic effects. In the present study, we have evaluated the effect of petroleum-ether extract of Cissus quadrangularis Linn. (CQ), a plant used in folk medicine, on an osteoporotic rat model developed by ovariectomy. In this experiment, healthy female Wistar rats were divided into four groups of six animals each. Group 1 was sham operated. All the remaining groups were ovariectomized. Group 2 was fed with an equivolume of saline and served as ovariectomized control (OVX). Groups 3 and 4 were orally treated with raloxifene (5.4 mg/kg) and petroleum-ether extract of CQ (500 mg/kg), respectively, for 3 months. The findings were assessed on the basis of animal weight, morphology of femur, and histochemical localization of alkaline phosphatase (ALP) (an osteoblastic marker) and tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP) (an osteoclastic marker) in upper end of femur. The study revealed for the first time that the petroleum-ether extract of CQ reduced bone loss, as evidenced by the weight gain in femur, and also reduced the osteoclastic activity there by facilitating bone formation when compared to the OVX group. The osteoclastic activity was confirmed by TRAP staining, and the bone formation was assessed by ALP staining in the femur sections. The color intensity of TRAP and ALP enzymes from the images were evaluated by image analysis software developed locally. The effect of CQ was found to be effective on both enzymes, and it might be a potential candidate for prevention and treatment of postmenopausal osteoporosis. The biological activity of CQ on bone may be attributed to the phytogenic steroids present in it.     

Image Analysis Tools for Evaluation of Microscopic Views of Immunohistochemically Stained Specimen in Medical Research–a Review

The aim of this study is to review the methods being used for image analysis of microscopic views of immunohistochemically stained specimen in medical research. The solutions available range from general purpose software to commercial packages. Many studies have developed their own custom written programs based on some general purpose software available. Many groups have reported development of computer aided image analysis programs aiming at obtaining faster, simpler and cheaper solutions. Image analysis tools namely Aperio, Lucia, Metaview, Metamorph, ImageJ, Scion, Adobe Photoshop, Image Pro Plus are also used for evaluation of expressions using immunohistochemical staining. An overview of such methods used for image analysis is provided in this paper. This study concludes that there is good scope for development of freely available software for staining intensity quantification, which a medical researcher could easily use without requiring high level computer skills.     

Horizontal alteration of anterior alveolar ridge after immediate implant placement: A retrospective cone beam computed tomography analysis

PURPOSEThe aim of this study was to evaluate the labio-lingual alterations of the alveolar bone where the implant was placed immediately after tooth extraction.MATERIALS AND METHODSImplants were placed immediately after tooth extraction on anterior alveolar ridges in the maxilla and mandible. The pin-guide system was used to help determine the location and path of implants during the surgical process. The horizontal distance from implants to the outer border of alveolar bone was measured at the rim and middle of the implants in the cone beam computed tomography images. The alteration of alveolar bone was evaluated comparing the horizontal distances measured immediately after surgery and 3 months after surgery.RESULTSThe results show that more resorption occurred towards the labial bone than the lingual bone in the maxilla. A similar amount of labial and lingual bone resorption was observed in the mandible.CONCLUSIONConsidering the horizontal alteration of alveolar bone, labio-lingual positioning of the implant towards the lingual bone in the maxilla and at the center of the alveolar ridge in the mandible is recommended when it is placed immediately after tooth extraction.     

Management of White-Eyed Blowout Fracture in the Pediatric Population

Aims and objectivesDiplopia in children is uncommon. However a small group of patients present with diplopia and severe restriction of upward globe movement which requires early diagnosis and prompt intervention. This study aims to evaluate the timing of intervention and functional outcome in the management of white-eyed blowout fractures.MethodologyThe study was conducted in a tertiary level trauma center. There were a total of 46 orbital floor injuries over a period of 2 years out of which 4 patients with white-eyed blowout fractures were identified. Details of each case were entered on a standard data base and analysed with respect to age, mode of injury, extent of limitation of gaze, timing of intervention, pre and post-operative diplopia. Minimum follow up period for every case was 1year.ResultsAll of them had sports related injuries. Three of the four patients had complete recovery from diplopia with full range of eye movements. However one child with delayed presentation didn’t recover fully and had persistence of symptoms within the functional range.ConclusionWhite-eyed orbital blowout fracture in kids though uncommon need prompt diagnosis and management for complete recovery. The initial clinical presentation mimics that of head injury and hence can be missed, leading to a delay in diagnosis resulting in incomplete recovery.     

Andriod Device-Based Cervical Cancer Screening for Resource-Poor Settings

Visual inspection with acetic acid (VIA) is an effective, affordable and simple test for cervical cancer screening in resource-poor settings. But considerable expertise is needed to differentiate cancerous lesions from normal lesions, which is lacking in developing countries. Many studies have attempted automation of cervical cancer detection from cervix images acquired during the VIA process. These studies used images acquired through colposcopy or cervicography. However, colposcopy is expensive and hence is not feasible as a screening tool in resource-poor settings. Cervicography uses a digital camera to acquire cervix images which are subsequently sent to experts for evaluation. Hence, cervicography does not provide a real-time decision of whether the cervix is normal or not, during the VIA examination. In case the cervix is found to be abnormal, the patient may be referred to a hospital for further evaluation using Pap smear and/or biopsy. An android device with an inbuilt app to acquire images and provide instant results would be an obvious choice in resource-poor settings. In this paper, we propose an algorithm for analysis of cervix images acquired using an android device, which can be used for the development of decision support system to provide instant decision during cervical cancer screening. This algorithm offers an accuracy of 97.94%, a sensitivity of 99.05% and specificity of 97.16%.