Background:In the traditional system of medicine, the roots and rhizomes of Glycyrrhiza glabra (Gg) (family: Leguminosae) have been studied for their ability to improve a variety of health ailments.Aims:The present study was designed to investigate the beneficial effects of Gg root extract on learning and memory in 1-month-old male Wistar albino rats. Four doses (75, 150, 225, and 300 mg/kg) of aqueous extract of root of Gg was administered orally for six successive weeks.Materials and Methods:The aqueous extracts were evaluated for their effect on spatial learning and memory in rats using the elevated plus maze, Hebb–William maze, and Morris water maze tests which served as the exteroceptive behavioral model. Diazepam-induced amnesia served as the interoceptive behavioral model.Results:Results showed that all the doses of aqueous root extract of Gg significantly enhanced the memory; however, in the doses of 150 and 225 mg/kg, it showed a significant (P < 0.01) enhancement in learning and memory. Furthermore, Diazepam-induced amnesia was reversed by the aqueous root extract of Gg (150 and 225 mg/kg, p.o.).Conclusion:These findings suggest that the memory enhancement effects of Gg may be mediated by its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities. Thus, Gg appears to be a promising drug for improving memory in the management of impaired learning, dementia, Alzheimer's disease, and other neurodegenerative disorders.

Purpose. The structural integrity of foramen magnum is usually preserved in fire accidents and explosions due to its resistant nature and secluded anatomical position and this study attempts to determine its sexing potential. Methods. The sagittal and transverse diameters and area of foramen magnum of seventy-two skulls (41 male and 31 female) from south Indian population were measured. The analysis was done using Student's t-test, linear correlation, histogram, Q-Q plot, and Binary Logistic Regression (BLR) to obtain a model for sex determination. The predicted probabilities of BLR were analysed using Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) curve. Result. BLR analysis and ROC curve revealed that the predictability of the dimensions in sexing the crania was 69.6% for sagittal diameter, 66.4% for transverse diameter, and 70.3% for area of foramen. Conclusion. The sexual dimorphism of foramen magnum dimensions is established. However, due to considerable overlapping of male and female values, it is unwise to singularly rely on the foramen measurements. However, considering the high sex predictability percentage of its dimensions in the present study and the studies preceding it, the foramen measurements can be used to supplement other sexing evidence available so as to precisely ascertain the sex of the skeleton.

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Sex determination is the preliminary step in every forensic investigation and the hard palate assumes significance in cranial sexing in cases involving burns and explosions due to its resistant nature and secluded location. This study analyzes the sexing potential of incisive foramen to posterior nasal spine length, palatine process of maxilla length, horizontal plate of palatine bone length and transverse length between the greater palatine foramina. The study deviates from the conventional method of measuring the maxillo-alveolar length and breadth as the dimensions considered in this study are more heat resistant and useful in situations with damaged alveolar margins. The study involves 50 male and 50 female adult dry skulls of Indian ethnic group. The dimensions measured were statistically analyzed using Student's t test, binary logistic regression and receiver operating characteristic curve. It was observed that the incisive foramen to posterior nasal spine length is a definite sex marker with sex predictability of 87.2%. The palatine process of maxilla length with 66.8% sex predictability and the horizontal plate of palatine bone length with 71.9% sex predictability cannot be relied upon as definite sex markers. The transverse length between the greater palatine foramina is statistically insignificant in sexing crania (P=0.318). Considering a significant overlap of values in both the sexes the palatal dimensions singularly cannot be relied upon for sexing. Nevertheless, considering the high sex predictability of incisive foramen to posterior nasal spine length this dimension can definitely be used to supplement other sexing evidence available to precisely conclude the cranial sex.

Introduction: The second part of the vertebral artery along with vertebral venous plexus and sympathetic plexus traverses through vicinity of foramen transversarium of atlas. Derangement of these structures in their course may be seen due to deformities, narrowing and presence of osteophytes in foramen transversarium. Methods: Two hundred foramen transversarium of 100 atlas vertebrae were grossly studied for their variations. Results: Out of hundred atlas vertebrae examined, we found that all the vertebrae had foramina transversaria. Absence of costal element was noticed in five atlas vertebrae. 2 of the vertebrae showed incomplete unilateral foramen transversarium, 3 vertebrae showed bilateral incomplete foramen, In 1 vertebra along with normal foramen transversarium, complete retroarticular foramen was observed on the left side and incomplete retroarticular foramen observed on the right side of the posterior arch.4 vertebrae showed incomplete retroarticular foramen. Conclusion: The increasing incidence of neck injuries and related syndromes necessitates the study of bony variations of the atlas vertebra and its transverse foramina. Due to the incomplete formation of the foramen transversarium the second part of vertebral artery is prone to be damaged easily during posterior cervical injuries and Surgeries. The bony bridges embracing the vertebral artery may be responsible for vertigo and cerebrovascular accidents hence the knowledge of such variations is important for Physicians, Otirhinolaryngologists, neurologists ,Orthopaedicians and Radiologists.