Anthropometric Evaluation of Facial Dimensions in Population of Western Maharashtra

Objective The present study was carried out to evaluate an average ratio between specific soft tissue parameters of the face among the young adult population of Karad, Maharashtra. The soft tissue parameters gauged in the present study are inner canthal distance, outer canthal distance, alar base width and distance between the corners of the mouth. Rationale The average ratio of soft tissue parameters of the face can act as a guideline for effective treatment of teeth and dento facial structures as well as soft tissue outlines. Materials and Methods 1,786 young adults aged between 18 and 20 years from Karad city were initially screened, out of which 1,000 were selected on the basis of the inclusion criteria. The fronto-facial photographs of the selected subjects were captured using a digital camera. The selected facial soft tissue parameters were digitally measured, and the data were subjected to statistical analysis. Result The values of the parameters measured were marginally more in males; however, the ratio among the parameters was similar in both the sexes. The average ratio between the inner canthal distance, alar base width and distance between corners of the mouth was found to be 1:1.3:1.7, and the average ratio between the outer canthal distance, alar base width and distance between the corners of the mouth was found to be 2.3:1:1.3. Conclusion The different parts of the human face exist in certain proportions. Establishing the ratio between these parameters is important to facilitate proper diagnosis and treatment planning for the specific population.

Autosplenectomy of sickle cell disease in Zaria, Nigeria: an ultrasonographic assessment

During infancy and early childhood, the spleen commonly enlarges in patients with sickle cell anemia [SCA], and it thereafter undergoes progressive atrophy due to repeated episodes of vaso-occlusion and infarction, leading to autosplenectomy in adult life. However, this may not always be the case as some studies have reported splenomegaly persisting into adult life. This study aims to determine and review the prevalence of autosplenectomy by abdominal ultrasonography in sickle cell anemic patients in Zaria, Nigeria. An ex-post-facto cross study of 74 subjects was carried out between May to July in 2010. Hematological parameters were determined by an analyzer while B mode Ultrasonography was used to determine the craniocaudal length of the spleen, if visualized. The mean age of the sickle cell subjects was 23.27 +/- 5.3 years, while that of the controls was 22.7 +/- 12.4 years. Of the 74 sickle cell subjects, 55.4% were females; while of the 20 controls, 50% were females. Forty one subjects [55.4%] had autosplenectomy and a significant difference existed in the mean splenic size compared with the control [p<0.0001]. Only 3 [4.05%] subjects had splenomegaly, while 23 [31%] had a shrunken spleen. Anatomical autosplenectomy is not an uncommon finding in SCA patients. This may be related to inadequate clinical care due to the lack of good health education, ignorance, poverty, and poor standard of care, as well as the lack of newer therapeutic agents

Aggregatibacter Actinomycetemcomitants And Prevotella Intermedia In Advanced Chronic Periodontis Patients

This cross-sectional study was carried out to identify A. actinomycetemcomitans and P. intermedia in the subgingival plaque of three ethnic groups (Malays, Chinese and Indians) in a selected group of adult Malaysians with advanced Chronic Periodontitis and to correlate these findings with their periodontal status. Thirty periodontally diseased adults were age, gender and ethnically matched with 30 healthy individuals. Clinical parameters were assessed for all. Subgingival plaque samples were collected for identification of A. actinomycetemcomitans and P. intermedia using polymerase chain reaction. Prevalence for P. intermedia (83.3%) was high and A. actinomycetemcomitans (6.7%) low in the total subject population. P. intermedia and A. actinomycetemcomitans were more prevalent in diseased (86.7%, 10% respectively) than in healthy (80%, 3.33% respectively) subjects. A. actinomycetemcomitans was detected in 15% Indians, 5% Malays but none of the Chinese subjects whereas P. intermedia was detected in 90% Malays, 85% Indians and 75% Chinese subjects. No significant association between presence of A. actinomycetemcomitans and P. intermedia with race and periodontal disease status was found. Only A. actinomycetemcomitans had a significant association with clinical attachment level (CAL) (p < 0.05). In conclusion, in this small subject group, none of the pathogens were associated with race and periodontal disease status and only A. actinomycetemcomitans had a significant association with CAL.