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Existing studies show that CNS oxytocin (OT) signaling is important in the control of energy balance, but it is unclear which neurons may contribute to these effects. Our goals were to examine (1) the dose-response effects of acute OT administration into the third (3V; forebrain) and fourth (4V; hindbrain) ventricles to assess sensitivity to OT in forebrain and hindbrain sites, (2) the extent to which chronic 4V administration of OT reduces weight gain associated with the progression of diet-induced obesity, and (3) whether nucleus tractus solitarius (NTS) catecholamine neurons are downstream targets of 4V OT. Initially, we examined the dose-response effects of 3V and 4V OT (0.04, 0.2, 1, or 5 μg). 3V and 4V OT (5 μg) suppressed 0.5-h food intake by 71.7 ± 6.0% and 60 ± 12.9%, respectively. 4V OT (0.04, 0.2, 1 μg) reduced food intake by 30.9 ± 12.9, 42.1 ± 9.4, and 56.4 ± 9.0%, respectively, whereas 3V administration of OT (1 μg) was only effective at reducing 0.5-h food intake by 38.3 ± 10.9%. We subsequently found that chronic 4V OT infusion, as with chronic 3V infusion, reduced body weight gain (specific to fat mass) and tended to reduce plasma leptin in high-fat diet (HFD)-fed rats, in part, through a reduction in energy intake. Lastly, we determined that 4V OT increased the number of hindbrain caudal NTS Fos (+) neurons (156 ± 25) relative to vehicle (12 ± 3). The 4V OT also induced Fos in tyrosine hydroxylase (TH; marker of catecholamine neurons) (+) neurons (25 ± 7%) relative to vehicle (0.8 ± 0.3%). Collectively, these findings support the hypothesis that OT within the hindbrain is effective at reducing food intake, weight gain, and adiposity and that NTS catecholamine neurons in addition to non-catecholaminergic neurons are downstream targets of CNS OT.

Based largely on a number of short-term administration studies, growing evidence suggests that central oxytocin is important in the regulation of energy balance. The goal of the current work is to determine whether long-term third ventricular (3V) infusion of oxytocin into the central nervous system (CNS) is effective for obesity prevention and/or treatment in rat models. We found that chronic 3V oxytocin infusion between 21 and 26 days by osmotic minipumps both reduced weight gain associated with the progression of high-fat diet (HFD)-induced obesity and elicited a sustained reduction of fat mass with no decrease of lean mass in rats with established diet-induced obesity. We further demonstrated that these chronic oxytocin effects result from 1) maintenance of energy expenditure at preintervention levels despite ongoing weight loss, 2) a reduction in respiratory quotient, consistent with increased fat oxidation, and 3) an enhanced satiety response to cholecystokinin-8 and associated decrease of meal size. These weight-reducing effects persisted for approximately 10 days after termination of 3V oxytocin administration and occurred independently of whether sucrose was added to the HFD. We conclude that long-term 3V administration of oxytocin to rats can both prevent and treat diet-induced obesity.

In the present work, a magnetized multiwalled carbon nanotube dispersed in chemically cross‐linked gaur gum was developed as a nano‐composite adsorbent material for the removal of dye from wastewater. The gaur gum, a bio‐macromolecule was chemically modified by cross‐linking with methylene bis‐acrylamide in the presence of sodium hydroxide as a novel approach to prepare the gel matrix. The magnetite nanoparticles loaded multiwalled carbon nanotubes were dispersed in methylene bis‐acrylamide cross‐linked gaur gum gel during gelation. The nano‐composite was characterized for morphological, spectral, and analytical data. The solid form of the nano‐composite was evaluated as an adsorbent material for the treatment of water containing methylene blue dye molecules as pollutants by the spectrophotometric method. Adsorption isotherm studies suggested that the Freundlich model was the befitting model for adsorption, indicating the multilayered adsorption and the kinetic study revealed the adsorption to occur by a pseudo‐second‐order kinetic process. The novel nano‐composite is found to be a promising material for the adsorptive removal of dye molecules from dye‐contaminated wastewater. The adsorption capacity was observed to be 11 mg/g of the material. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Onodi cell is the most common anatomical variant of posterior ethmoidal air cells. Pneumatization patterns of Onodi cell are important clinically due to its proximity to optic nerve and internal carotid artery canal. Multidetector computed tomography (MDCT) provides the best imaging modality for identification and pneumatization pattern of Onodi cell. Objectives: The present study is done to know the patterns of pneumatization of Onodi cell by 128 slice MDCT. Materials and Methods: This was a retrospective analysis of paranasal sinuses in 1080 cases by MDCT in adults. Axial images of paranasal sinuses were taken by 128 MDCT with further multiplanar reconstruction to identify Onodi cell and their pneumatization patterns. Statistical analysis was done using SPSS version 20, and 95% confidence interval (CI) values were calculated using a confidence Interval calculator for proportional values. Results: A total of 260 cases (24.07%, CI - 21.52%–26.62%) showed Onodi cell among the total 1080 cases included in this study. Males formed more cases than females with 62.69% and 37.31%, respectively, Type II was the most common pattern of pneumatization with 56.55% (CI - 50.12–62.18), followed by Type I with 41.53% (CI - 35.54–47.52) and Type III with 1.92% (CI - 0.25–3.59) of cases. Conclusion: Onodi cell is the most common anatomical variation of ethmoidal sinuses with higher prevalence among Asian populations. Their patterns of pneumatization are important clinically to avoid surgical damage to optic nerve and internal carotid artery canals. Onodi cell is better detected with MDCT and helpful for sinonasal surgeons for a better surgical outcome.

Introduction: Intima Media Thickness (IMT) is abnormal in most cases of acute cerebral infarct and is routinely measured in clinical practice by Brightness (B)-Mode ultrasound. IMT represents structural change that occurs in common carotid artery in acute cerebral infarct much before the clinical symptom. Aim: IMT is a valid independent indicator for risk assessment of acute cerebral infarct. Present study is aimed to know the association of IMT with acute cerebral infarct. Materials and Methods: Total of 210 cases of acute cerebral infarct were included in the present study over a period of one year. IMT was measured in common carotid artery on the side of acute cerebral infarct by B-mode ultrasound. Cramer’s V value ranging from 0.0 to 1.0 and p-value < 0.05 were considered statistically significant. Results: Abnormal IMT was seen in 145 cases (69%) with 118 males and 27 females. Maximum cases (28.8%) were in the age groups of 51 to 60 years with right side infarct in 154 (73.3%) and left sided in 56 (26.7%) cases. Cramer’s V value ranged from 0.019 to 0.032 in various age groups indicating good association and significant p-value of

Introduction: Condylar surface of mandible has varied curved shapes and its assessment is important clinically for better management of Temporomandibular (TMJ) pathologies. Multidetector Computed Tomography (MDCT) is the modality of choice for curvature analysis of mandibular condyle. Aim: To assess the curvature types of mandibular condyle by MDCT. Symmetry of condylar curvature was also analysed in the present study. Materials and Methods: This retrospective descriptive analysis of bilateral TMJ was done in 500 adult cases. Curvature analysis of bilateral mandibular condyles was done by MDCT in coronal reformatted images. Statistical Analysis: Statistical Analysis was done using SPSS version 20 for frequency of each curvature type and their symmetry. Results: Type D was most common (bilateral TMJ considered) with 335 cases (33.50%) among the total number (n=1000) of TMJ studies. On right TMJ studies (n=500) Type D was most common with 172 cases (34.40%) and on left TMJ studies (n=500) type D was again most common with 163 cases (32.60%). Of the total 257 cases that showed symmetry, Type D was most common with 90 cases (35%) and also to be the most common type seen in males with 50 cases (30.8 %) and females with 40 cases (42%). Conclusion: Curvature analysis is done to know the morphological types of mandibular condyles. Type D is most common type of curvature seen and is symmetrical. Condylar curvature is an important determinant factor for various TMJ pathologies with MDCT offering an excellent non invasive imaging modality for curvature analysis.

Introduction: Anatomical variations of ethmoidal sinuses are complex and surgically very important. Preoperative detection of these variants is important to prevent surgical complications. Multidetector Computed Tomography (MDCT) is the modality of choice for evaluation of these variants of ethmoidal sinuses. Aim: The present work was carried out to study the normal anatomical variations of ethmoidal sinuses by 128 slice MDCT. Materials and Methods: This was a retrospective analysis of paranasal sinuses in 500 cases by MDCT in adults. Axial images of Paranasal Sinuses (PNS) were taken by 128 MDCT, with patients in supine position. Axial images were further reconstructed in both coronal and sagittal planes to evaluate common variations of ethmoidal sinuses. Statistical analysis was done using SPSS version 20.0 and 95% Confidence Interval values (CI) were calculated for each variant of ethmoidal sinuses. Results: Present study shows agger nasi cells as the most common anatomical variant with 76.8% cases (95%CI:73.1-80.5), followed by frontal cells in 50.8% cases (95% CI:46.4-55.2), Haller cells in 41.2% (95% CI:36.9- 45.5), Onodi cells in 35.4% (95% CI:31.2-39.6), frontal bullar in 27.4% (95% CI:23.5-31.3), supraorbital cells in 19.2% (95% CI:15.7-22.6) and suprabullar cells in 14.4% cases (95% CI:11.3-17.5). Conclusion: Ethmoidal sinuses form a major component of paranasal sinuses that have high prevalence of anatomical variations. These cells are frequent causes for complicated sinus inflammatory pathologies and failed sinus surgeries. The surgeons must be aware of the anatomical variations to avoid untoward surgical complications and for better surgical outcome.

Introduction: Dentoalveolar arch morphology and its measurements are of importance in various disciplines of dental science. It is usually studied by impression plaster cast models with mechanical calipers or scanned and digitized dental models. Multidetector Computed Tomography (MDCT) can be used to obtain similar data for the study of dentoalveolar arch morphology. Aim: Present study was done to know the accuracy of distance measurements done by MDCT in comparison with plaster cast models. Also to determine the potential benefits and advantages of MDCT measurements over plaster cast measurements of dentoalveolar morphology. Materials and Methods: Comparative study was carried out in 48 cases, who underwent MDCT scans of head and neck for various other causes. MDCT distance measurements of dentoalveolar arch by MDCT and plaster cast model was done. Pearson’s correlation was applied for calculation the correlation. The p-value of less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: Out of the 48 cases, age group ranged from 5 to 53 years. Proportion of males and females were 28 (58.3%) and 20 (41.7%) respectively. MDCT measurements showed a strong positive correlation with that of plaster cast measurements (p0.05) Conclusion: MDCT is a useful and reliable imaging tool to evaluate normal morphology and abnormalities of the dental arch. There was no significant differences in measurements obtained by MDCT and plaster cast, making MDCT a useful method for digital acquisition, storage and communication, which also depicts the anatomy other than dental arch.

Introduction: Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) has emerged as a pandemic with substantial morbidity and mortality. While global efforts towards mitigating the infection are focused on the vaccination of population, studies are warranted to prove the efficacy of vaccine in prevention of infection or reducing the severity of infection in affected patients. The 25-point High Resolution Computed Tomography (HRCT) severity score has proved to be an effective tool in estimating the severity of lung infection and correlates with laboratory parameters and disease outcome. The HRCT scores hence provide an objective evidence to prove the efficacy of vaccines in vaccinated individuals by assessing the extent of lung involvement. Aim: To compare the chest CT severity score in vaccinated and unvaccinated COVID-19 infected patients. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted in the Department of Radiology, at Sri Jayadeva Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences and Research, Mysuru, Karnataka, India. The data of HRCT scores and vaccination status was collected during the month of April 2021 from patients who were suspected to have COVID-19 infection and underwent a chest HRCT scan. The severity of lung infection in vaccinated and unvaccinated individuals was compared based on the HRCT scores and the association between these variables were analysed. The association between the respective variables were studied using Fischer's-exact and Kruskal-Wallis tests. Results: The study involved a total of 178 subjects (males were 98), where 127 (71.3%) were unvaccinated and 51 (28.6%) were vaccinated with one or both doses {Covaxin (Bharat Biotech) vaccine or Covishield (Oxford-AstraZeneca) vaccine approved by Emergency Use Authorisation (EUA)}. The frequency of disease was least in 14 (7.9%) among fully vaccinated subjects. Severe COVID-19 associated pneumonia with severity score of 18 or more was seen in 7% of unvaccinated individuals, while none of the partial/fully vaccinated individuals had severe disease. The median CT severity score was significantly higher among unvaccinated patients compared to partially and fully vaccinated patients (p-value=0.001). Fully vaccinated patients had almost low CT severity score indicating mild form of disease. Conclusion: To the best of authors knowledge, this study is the first to describe the chest CT severity scores of vaccinated individuals in comparison with the unvaccinated COVID-19 infected patients. The disease severity was significantly higher among unvaccinated patients compared to partially and fully vaccinated patients. The present study has provided substantial evidence of vaccine efficacy in reducing the disease severity in COVID-19 infected patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simplifying assessment of dimensions of oral lesions using a syringe and "impression planimetry" with printer paper To measure a lesion, the tuberculin syringe was placed across the lesion without further mucosal stretching, with the zero mark on the posterior margin of the lesion and the barrel of the syringe lying across the dye-stained anterior margin (Fig. A change in lesion dimensions can be assessed using both methods as they are reproducible by different operators; the sole disadvantage is the inability to measure lesion depth/height. [Extracted from the article]

The patient is being monitored for long-term adverse events such as paradoxical adipose hyperplasia, and to assess the alopecia treatment response. The novel use of cryolipolysis via icepacks, a readily available and inexpensive device, is described for lipoedematous scalp with subjective and objective relief. [Extracted from the article]