Kasturba Medical College, Manipal

About: Kasturba Medical College, Manipal is a education organization based out in Manipal, Karnataka, India. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Population & Diabetes mellitus. The organization has 7034 authors who have published 8488 publications receiving 103415 citations.

Clinically-relevant variations of the carotid arterial system.

Abstract: Introduction Developmental anomalies in the origin and branching pattern of the external carotid artery are not common. The level of the bifurcation of the common carotid artery and also the variations in the origin/branching pattern of the external carotid artery are well known and documented. Methods The variations in the level of bifurcation of the common carotid artery and the branching pattern of the external carotid artery were studied on 95 cadavers (52 male and 43 female). The common, external and internal carotid arteries were dissected on both sides. The level of carotid bifurcation was determined by comparison with the cervical vertebrae. Branching patterns of the carotid arteries were examined. Results Apart from the textbook description of the arteries, we came across several interesting variations. The bifurcation level of the common carotid artery was determined to be 50 percent at the C3 level, 40 percent at the C4 level and ten percent at the C2 level on the right side, and 55 percent at the C3 level, 35 percent at the C4 level, one percent at the C5 level and nine percent at the C2 level on the left side. Conclusion Anatomical knowledge of the origin, course, and branching pattern of the external carotid artery, as well as the level of bifurcation of the common carotid artery, will be useful to surgeons when ligating the vessels in the head and neck regions during surgery and to avoid unnecessary complications during carotid endarterectomy.

Delayed and stage specific phosphorylation of H2AX during preimplantation development of γ-irradiated mouse embryos

Abstract: Within minutes of the induction of DNA double-strand breaks in somatic cells, histone H2AX becomes phosphorylated in the serine 139 residue at the damage site. The phosphorylated H2AX, designated as g-H2AX, is visible as nuclear foci in the irradiated cells which are thought to serve as a platform for the assembly of proteins involved in checkpoint response and DNA repair. It is known that early stage mammalian embryos are highly sensitive to radiation but the mechanism of radiosensitivity is not well understood. Thus, we investigated the damage response of the preimplantation stage development by analyzing focus formation of g-H2AX in mouse embryos g-irradiated in utero. Our analysis revealed that although H2AX is present in early preimplantation embryos, its phosphorylation after 3 Gy g-irradiation is hindered up to the two cell stage of development.When left in utero for another 24–64 h, however, these irradiated embryos showed delayed phosphorylation of H2AX. In contrast, phosphorylation of H2AX was readily induced by radiation in post-compaction stage embryos. It is possible that phosphorylation of H2AX is inefficient in early stage embryos. It is also possible that the phosphorylated H2AX exists in the dispersed chromatin structure of early stage embryonic pronuclei, so that it cannot readily be detected by conventional immunostaining method. In either case, this phenomenon is likely to correlate with the lack of cell cycle arrest, apoptosis and high radiosensitivity of these developmental stages.

Anthropometric analysis of the infraorbital foramen in a South Indian population.

Abstract: Introduction The aim of this study was to document the morphological and topographical anatomy of the infraorbital foramen (IOF) in relation to the infraorbital rim (IOR), which is necessary in clinical situations that require regional nerve blocks. Methods A total of 80 dry South Indian adult human skulls of unknown age and gender were studied. In each skull, the IOF on both sides was measured using a metal casing digital vernier caliper, with the IOR as the reference point. The IOF's location and its transverse and vertical diameters were measured. The shape, size, orientation and accessory foramens of the IOF were also documented. Results The majority of IOF among the skulls were oval-shaped on both the right (55 percent) and left (51.25 percent) sides. The majority were directed inferomedially on both the right (55 percent) and left (52.50 percent) sides. The overall combined distance between the IOR and IOF was 4.1 to 11.5 (6.57 +/- 1.28) mm. The overall combined vertical diameter was 1.2 to 4.7 (2.82 +/- 0.79) mm. The overall combined transverse diameter was 1 to 5.1 (2.87 +/- 0.78) mm. Accessory foramens of IOF were found in 13 (16.25 percent) skulls. Conclusion Knowledge of the anatomical characteristics of IOF locations, diameters, shapes, directions and its accessory foramens may have important implications on blocking the infraorbital nerve for surgical and local anaesthetic planning. Information on the shape of the foramens obtained from this study may provide additional guidance to surgeons when introducing needles in anaesthetic procedures.

Preliminary investigation of the radiosensitizing activity of guduchi (Tinospora Cordifolia) in tumor‐bearing mice

Abstract: The radiosensitizing activity of dichloromethane extract of guduchi [Tinospora cordifolia (WILLD.) MIERS ex HOOK. F. & THOMS. Family: Menispermaceae (TCE)] in the mice transplanted with Ehrlich ascites carcinoma (EAC) was investigated. The EAC mice received 0, 25, 30, 40, 50 or 100 mg/kg b.wt. TCE 1 h before exposure to 6 Gy hemi-body γ-radiation and then once daily for another eight consecutive days after irradiation. The EAC mice receiving TCE for the above regimen showed a dose-dependent elevation in tumor-free survival; the highest radiosensitizing activity was observed at 30 mg/kg b. wt. TCE. Treatment of animals with 30 mg/kg b. wt. TCE, 1 h before exposure to 6 Gy of hemi-body gamma irradiation and subsequently once daily for another six consecutive days post-irradiation increased the life span of EAC mice. This is evident by more number of long-term survivors (LTS) as well as survivors beyond 120 days when compared to the group of animals that received TCE after irradiation for six consecutive days. Treatment modality was also altered to assess the radiosensitizing effect of TCE before and after irradiation. Evaluation of glutathione (GSH), glutathione S-transferase (GST) and lipid peroxidation (LPx) in mice treated with TCE 1 h before irradiation and subsequently once daily for another six days showed a significant decline in GSH up to 14 h and GST up to 24 h accompanied by a significant elevation in LPx at 12 h post-irradiation. The radiosensitization of TCE may be due to depletion of glutathione and glutathione-S-transferase, accompanied by elevated levels of lipid peroxidation and DNA damage of tumor cells. Since Tinospora cordifolia is being used in India for treatment of various ailments, it may offer an alternative treatment strategy for cancer in combination with gamma radiation.

Atypical manifestations of dengue fever - Where do we stand today?

Abstract: Background and Objectives: Dengue fever (DF) is transmitted by Aedes aegypti mosquitoes. With growing population, rapid urbanization and lack of appropriate sanitary measures, proliferation of mosquitoes and subsequent dengue infections have increased rampantly with an estimated 30-fold increase in incidence over last five decades. With rising disease burden, atypical manifestations have increased as well, which are missed most often due to lack of awareness. Our aim was to look for the atypical manifestations of dengue fever. Materials and Methods: A prospective hospital based observational study was conducted at hospitals of Kasturba Medical College in Mangalore over a period of two years (June–2010 to May–2012). One-hundred fifty ELISA confirmed IgM-dengue sero-positive cases satisfying WHO criteria were examined clinically and laboratory data assessed till they got discharged from hospital after ruling out other causes of fever. Atypical manifestations in dengue fever were noted and analyzed. Results: Most common symptoms noticed were myalgia, headache, rash, arthralgia, pain in abdomen and nausea. More than half of the study group had one or the other atypical manifestation. Liver function test derangement was most often seen. Most common atypical manifestation was hepatitis found in 40.6% patients. Febrile diarrhea, renal failure, Acalculous cholecystitis and conduction abnormalities of heart were among other common manifestations. Three patients died of multi-organ dysfunction, disseminated intravascular coagulation and shock. Platelet count did not correlate well with severity of bleeding. Overall recovery rate was good. Conclusion: Some of the atypical manifestations of dengue fever are no more a rare entity. Clinical vigilance for these manifestations is important for timely detection and management as some of them could be fatal.