Chemicals can induce nephrotoxicity, with damage to different segments of the nephron and deterioration of renal function. Nephrotoxicity due to exposure to a toxin such as carbon tetrachloride, sodium oxalate, or heavy metals is the most common cause of kidney injury. The current study aimed to evaluate the protective effects of Celastrus paniculatus seed extract against lead-acetate-induced nephrotoxicity by evaluating the histopathology, immunohistochemistry, ultrastructure, and phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K)/protein kinase B (AKT) signaling pathway. Twenty-four rats were divided into four groups (n = 6 per group): group 1 contained normal animals and served as the control; group 2 received lead acetate (30 mg/kg body weight (b.w.)/day, oral); group 3 received lead acetate and the standard drug N-acetylcysteine (NAC, 200 mg/kg b.w./day, oral); and group 4 received lead acetate and the ethanolic extract of C. paniculatus seed (EECP; 800 mg/kg b.w./day, oral). Treatment was given for 28 consecutive days. The data were analyzed using one-way analysis of variance with SIGMA PLOT 13 using SYSTAT software followed by Newman–Keul’s test for comparison between the groups. EECP ameliorated the adverse changes caused by lead acetate. PI3K and AKT messenger RNA (mRNA) levels were diminished in lead-acetate-treated rats. Treatment with EECP inhibited the occurrence of shrunken cells, the atrophy of glomeruli, and degenerative changes in renal tubules caused by lead acetate. Interestingly, the PI3K and AKT mRNA levels were significantly increased in EECP-treated animals. Our results clearly evidence for the first time that C. paniculatus seed extract inhibits lead-acetate-induced detrimental changes in kidneys by regulating PI3K/AKT signaling pathways.

Introduction: Chronic kidney disease is the progressive loss of renal function, measured by creatinine, urea and proteinuria levels. Literatures show that renal damages can be ameliorated naturally by medicinal plants, one such plant is Carica papaya . Fresh leaves of C. papaya were collected, powdered, and extracted with ethanol to form ethanolic extract of C. papaya leaves (ECP). Aim and Objectives: The aim and objective of this study are to assess the remedial implications of ethanolic ECP leaves on mercuric chloride (HgCl₂)-induced nephrotoxicity in female Wistar rats. The objectives of this study were to assess the effectiveness of two different oral doses of ECP using immunohistochemistry, histopathology, and serum biomarkers such as kidney injury molecule-1, neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin, and semaphorin 3A. Materials and Methods: The rats were divided into five groups (n = 6): Control (Physiological saline, 2 ml/kg b. w), Negative control (HgCl₂, 2.5 mg/kg b. w), Positive control (N-acetyl cysteine [NAC] 180 mg/kg b. w + HgCl₂, 2.5 mg/kg b. w), Experimental group (C. papaya leaves, 300 and 600 mg/kg b. w + HgCl₂, 2.5 mg/kg b. w) for 28 days orally through gavage. Collection of blood and renal tissue was done to determine the serum biomarkers, immunohistochemistry, and histopathology. Results: Pretreatment with 300 mg and 600 mg doses of ECP had protective effects slightly lower than NAC and equal to that of NAC on HgCl₂-induced nephrotoxicity, respectively. Statistical analysis was performed using the one-way analysis of variance using SPSS version 17.0 with a statistical significance level of P < 0.001. Such pretreatment of C. papaya leaves, modified the following; (a) levels of serum marker enzymes (b) histopathological changes, and (c) immunohistochemistry expression caused by HgCl₂. Conclusion: ECP plays a very significant role in the management of nephrotoxicity induced by HgCl₂with equivalent to NAC.

Introduction: The prime source of vascularization to the head and neck region is through the carotid arteries. The terminal branches of common carotid arteries, such as external carotid artery (ECA) and internal carotid artery (ICA), and their branches are crucial due to the wide area of distribution and variations in their branching pattern. The branching pattern and morphometry are essential for surgeons in the planning and execution of head and neck surgeries. Therefore, this study was conducted to observe the branching patterns of ECA and analyze them morphometrically. Materials and methods: This retrospective study includes 100 CT images, inclusive of 32 females and 68 males. The branching pattern and luminal diameter of CCA and ECA were measured and analyzed statistically. Results: The luminal diameter of CCA in males were as follows: 7.4 ± 1.01 (R), 7.1 ± 0.8 (L), and in females: 7.3 ± 0.9 (R), 7 ± 0.9mm (L); and the luminal diameter of ECA in males: 5.2 ± 1.0mm (R), 5.2 ± 0.9mm (L), and in females: 5.0 ± 0.9mm (R), 5.1 ± 1.0mm (L). The level of the carotid bifurcation and ECA branching pattern was observed, and variations were commonly seen in the superior thyroid artery (STA), lingual artery (LA), and facial artery (FA). Conclusion: The findings of the present study with regard to the external carotid artery and its branching pattern correlate with previous studies. The most common variations were observed in the superior thyroid and lingual and facial arteries. Knowledge about the morphology and branching pattern of the carotid artery is essential for procedures such as intra-arterial chemotherapy, carotid artery stenting, endarterectomy, and extra-intra cranial bypass revascularization procedure where it is harvested as a donor's vessel.

The vertebral artery (VA) forms the caudal part of the circle of Willis and is responsible for one-third of the blood supply of the cerebellum, pons, middle ear, and the upper part of the spinal cord and its meninges. The highest potential risk of injury to VA during cervical pedicle screw implantation is at C3 and then at C6. Knowledge about the morphometry of VA provides a better understanding of clinical conditions such as vertebra basilar insufficiency (VBI). Similarly, the knowledge of variation in the VA is needed during cervical pedicle screw implantation, which possesses the highest potential risk to VA at the C3 level. The origin of the vertebral artery from the aortic arch reached the upper cervical vertebra than the vertebral artery of subclavian origin. The length of the VA is greater on the left side than the right-side artery. Understanding and reporting of the same are essential to creating awareness that can aid in endarterectomy, angioplasty, and radiological procedures. Variations are noted in morphometry between sides. To determine the morphometry of the vertebral artery (VA) with emphasis on the fourth segment (V4) and its variations using computed tomography angiogram (CTA). This present retrospective study was conducted in the Departments of Anatomy and Radiology and Imaging Sciences, Saveetha Medical College and Hospital. Participants were patients who took a head and neck CT for various clinical reasons. About 50 CT images, 33 male and 17 females, were selected from the archives. The length, diameter, and entry level of VA were studied. The data were tabulated and statistically analyzed. The mean length of VA was 24.49 ± 3.02 (cm) on the left side and 24.28 ± 3.91 (cm) on the right side in female subjects and was found to be 22.78 ± 1.7 (cm) on the left side and 21.5 ± 2.7 (cm) on the right side in male subjects. The mean diameter of VA at the level of the foramen magnum was 0.32 ± 0.05 (cm) on the right side and 0.322 ± 0.07 (cm) on the left side in females, 0.3 ± 0.064 (cm) on the left side and 0.26 ± 0.086 (cm) on the right side in males. The length of VA was found to be statistically more on the left side than on the right side. The variations in morphometry seen can aid in various surgical and radiological procedures.

Currently, there is increasing concern about severe illnesses, particularly those caused by viruses such as SARS-CoV-2 and arboviruses