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Background: Snake bite is one of the most neglected diseases in South East Asian region. Common Krait (CK) (Bungarus caeruleus) is the deadliest snake found in the dry zones of India. With the polyvalent anti-venom serum (AVS) remaining the cornerstone of treatment of neurotoxic snake envenomation, there is no universally accepted treatment for CK envenomationassociated neuroparalysis, except supportive measures. Aims and Objectives: Our study was conducted to describe the epidemiology, define clinical features, study outcome, and apparent efficacy of calcium gluconate in preventing or reversing neuromuscular paralysis with respiratory failure in CK bite patients. Materials and Methods: This study is a prospective observational study done on 52 CK bite patients. Patients were enrolled according to inclusion and exclusion criteria and were treated with AVS and calcium gluconate infusion according to National Standard Guideline, 2016. Patients developing severe respiratory muscle paralysis were offered mechanical ventilation. Results: Patients developed ptosis and dysphagia, pain abdomen, cyanosis, paralysis of jaw and tongue, perioral numbness, altered sensorium, dysphonia, ophthalmoplegia, and paradoxical breathing. 21.15% of patients developed respiratory failure and needed ventilator support with average critical care unit stay of 3 days and average stay on a ventilator of 2 days. 3 patients expired (case fatality rate 5.77%). The average hospital stay was 3.33 days. Conclusion: Our study shows that early intervention in patients of CK bite with neurotoxic envenomation, with calcium gluconate infusion, leads to less mortality and morbidity compared to other relevant studies. Further large-scale studies are required for better understanding and implementation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Mucormycosis is a serious but rare fungal infection with increasing incidence of rhino-orbito-cerebral mucormycosis (ROCM) in the setting of COVID-19. Some studies have shown presence of hypoalbuminemia in cases of mucormycosis, which can affect the prognosis, outcome, and also the drug toxicity in a significant way. A staging of ROCM was proposed and is being used widely based on clinical symptoms and signs, evaluation, and diagnosis. Aims and Objectives: Our objective was to look for any relationship between two factors, occurrence of hypoalbuminemia and severity of ROCM according to staging. Materials and Methods: The study was a hospital-based prospective cross-sectional study done on 41 ROCM patients. All patients of diagnosed ROCM were included by complete enumeration method. Serum albumin of every patient was measured using standard biochemical procedures and patients were divided into groups of normoalbuminemia (Serum albumin level >3.5 gm/dl), mild hypoalbuminemia (Serum albumin level 2.5-3.5 gm/dl), and severe hypoalbuminemia (Serum albumin level <2.5 gm/dl). All the patients were divided into Stage 1, 2, 3, and 4 according to severity of ROCM. Then, the occurrence of hypoalbuminemia was calculated among the patients and correlation between ROCM stages and severity of hypoalbuminemia was measured using standard statistical tools. Results: Among the patients of ROCM, 15% patients did not develop any hypoalbuminemia. About 51% developed mild hypoalbuminemia and 34% developed severe hypoalbuminemia. Maximum number of severe hypoalbuminemia patients were found in the Stage 3 group [total 6 (35%)], but the incidence of the same was maximum in the Stage 4 group (56%). Mild hypoalbuminemia is most common (10) and also most prevalent in the Stage 3 group (59%). Conclusion: We found out that serum albumin level is significantly affected by ROCM severity, that is, more severe the disease, more chance to develop hypoalbuminemia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Without dissection of cadavers teaching and learning of anatomy is nearly difficult; there remains a gap between the practical knowledge and the gathered theoretical knowledge. But there is a scarcity in the availability of the donated bodies for the sake of medical education. On the other hand a large number of people in our country are in waiting list for organ transplantation which could be overcome by deceased organ donation. Aim: Aim of the study was to evaluate the awareness regarding body donation after death. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among medical students, engineering students and doctors in Indian population. Total 300 participants were answered the questionnaire providing information about the knowledge and attitude towards body and organ donation. Result: 46.33% of entire study group had strongly positive attitude about cadaveric organ donation and 17% had no idea about this. 18% of total participants were unwilling for body donation after death. Conclusion: The present study has been done elaborately to find out the different barriers for body or organ donation. It is clear from the study that though there is high level of awareness, nobody has filled up the pledge form till now. It indicates that there is a gap between the knowledge and motivation for organ and body donation after death which has to be overcome by proper guidance and education. Media and other voluntary organisations could take an important role for this purpose. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Various studies have been done regarding variations of circle of Willis, but few literatures are available about the detail configurations on Indian population. Posterior communicating artery is the main collateral channel between the vertebrobasilar and carotid system. It may act as a main source of blood flow via posterior cerebral artery if fetal configuration is present. Aim of the study is to see the bilateral configurations to compare the blood supply of both cerebral hemispheres via posterior cerebral artery in human cadavers. Materials and Methods: Fifty six formalin fixed brains were used for study. The specimens were classified into 3 types and 21 subtypes according to the configuration of the vessel of both hemispheres. As hemodynamic balance is dependent on the calibre of the vessel, the diameter of the arteries were also taken into consideration. Pearson's correlation had been done. Result: In present study type I is 57.2%, type II is 37.5% and type III is 5.4%. Incidence of unilateral fetal type posterior cerebral artery is in high percentage (33.9%). Greatest diameter of posterior communicating artery is 3.8mm on right and 3.6mm on left side. Significant correlations also have been found between arterial segments of different types. Conclusion: It is expected that the study will help to enrich the knowledge about the arterial predominance of origin of posterior cerebral artery of both cerebral hemispheres in normal or variant cases and its effect on perfusion images. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: The vermiform appendix in human is considered to be a vestigial organ by most of the authors. Absence of appendix is already reported in Indian population. Whether the human appendix is performing any function is debatable but when present it can create trouble. So if there is no appendix we can escape the ill-effects of the organ. With this hope the study has been done to see whether the appendix is really going to be rudimentary or absent or not. Marerials and Methods: Length, external diameter, number of lymphoid follicles, maximum diameter of the follicle or submucous coat, thickening of the muscle coat and seromucosal thickening of freshly removed appendix from human cadavers were seen. After fixation in 10% formal saline tissues were stained with haematoxylin-eosin stain and photographs were taken. The results had been tabulated and statistically correlated. Result: The parameters like number of lymphoid follicles, length and diameter all are changed as per the age advancement which is strictly indicating some functional activities of the organ which is against the idea of vestigiality of the appendix. Conclusion: Human appendix cannot be called a vestigial organ unless the functional inactivity is proved. Lymphoid changes which occur after birth to provide the gut immunity is needed to be proved by further studies. There might be incidental absence or rudimentary appendix in human body, but that does not indicate that we would not have any appendix in future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The circle of Willis, present in the interpeduncular cistern at the base of the brain, is the major source of blood supply of the brain. Posterior communicating artery is its most important component which connects vertebro-basilar and carotid arterial system. Absence or hypoplasia of this artery will influence development of collateral channel in case of obstruction or narrowing of the major cerebral arteries, thus explaining the different neurological symptoms and the prognosis of the disease. Material & Methods: We have studied 60 brain specimens which were collected from consecutive adult donated cadavers from the Department of Anatomy, Mamata Medical College, khammam, A.P, India and Department of Anatomy, Medical College, Kolkata, W.B, India. Posterior communicating artery was cleaned and detailes were recorded. Results: 38.3% of those were found to have normal posterior communicating artery. In 38.2% cases it was found to be absent and in 23.3% cases hypoplastic. Details of the findings have been presented and compared with those of the previous workers on this topic. Clinical implication of the variation and embryological explanation has also been attempted. Conclusion: Exact knowledge of the variation of Posterior communicating artery is essential not only to explain various neurological symptoms but also for successful micro-vascular surgery in this region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: The sternocleidomastoid (SCM) muscle is a major muscle of the neck. Classically, this muscle is attached below the sternum and clavicle, although the mode of attachment might vary. As the SCM is related to numerous important neurovascular structures, its variable anatomy is clinically relevant, particularly for neck surgeries. A cadaveric study was performed to establish the variations present in the mode of attachment of the SCM muscle in an Indian population.Methods: We studied the variations in the attachment of the SCM muscle during the dissection of 18 cadavers for undergraduate teaching in two medical colleges in West Bengal, India.Results: Variations in the attachment of the SCM muscle were found in 5 (27.8%) specimens. Of these five specimens, three had unilateral variations and two had bilateral variations. In each specimen, the modes of presentation of the SCM and its fusion with the major bulk were also different.Conclusion: In this study, we found variations in the attachment of the SCM muscle in more than a quarter of the specimens dissected. Surgeons should bear in mind such variations when performing neck surgeries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]