Anthropometric Analysis of Indian Faces: A Systematic Review.

Objective: Facial anthropometric data vary significantly within the Indian population due to the racial, ethnic and geographic diversity. The anthropometric data of a given ethnic community may not match the other due to diverse ethnic variations, and hence, this study is intended to review the facial anthropometric data pertaining to the diverse Indian populace through a systematic literature survey. Materials and Method: An electronic search done on Medline, Embase and Central databases was utilized to conduct a systematic review of literature. The available data were analyzed based on the various esthetic subunits of the face. The following inclusion criteria were considered: (1) studies depicting the anthropometric data of any ethnic group identified as belonging to India, (2) studies originating from Indian subcontinent, (3) studies which included data of male and female subjects separately and (4) articles in English language only. The following exclusion criteria were considered: (1) atudies conducted on participants with severe malocclusion, developmental craniofacial anomalies, post-traumatic facial deformities or with a history of previous craniofacial or cosmetic surgery, (2) studies which did not specify the anthropometric landmarks used to obtain the measurements, (3) studies in which the statistical analysis was not provided, or if data were grouped across genders and (4) editorials, commentaries, case reports, systematic reviews, meta-analyses and articles not available in English language. Results: Twenty-one articles met the inclusion criteria. Majority of the Indians, particularly men, seem to have a mesoproscopic facial phenotype. The vertical and horizontal facial dimensions of the Indian male are comparably larger than the Indian female. There is sexual dimorphism among the Indian population with regard to the upper and lower thirds of the face, with little or no gender difference as regards the middle third of the face. It was observed that the nasal dimensions of the Indian race were not compatible with that of the occidental, oriental or the western race. The overall facial structure and the upper half of the face were critical in determining facial attractiveness in Indian males while the lower half of the face and the mandibular contour were critical in determining facial attractiveness in females. Conclusion: It is observed that there is a paucity of facial anthropometric data for the Indian population considering the ethnic, racial and geographic diversity. Since the prevalence of craniofacial anomalies and dentofacial deformities in India is high and thus the scope for corrective surgery, it is important to compile baseline facial anthropometric data based on the ethnic diversity of the Indian population.

Compositional and surface changes of retrieved stainless-steel hardware and its effects on surrounding soft tissues: A prospective study.

Purpose: To evaluate the surface, compositional, and histological changes in the overlying soft tissues of retrieved stainless-steel mini-plates and screws used for rigid internal fixation in the maxillofacial skeleton. Materials and Method: A prospective study was conducted comprising 60 patients who sustained maxillofacial trauma and underwent ORIF in our unit previously and who required hardware retrieval in the post-operative phase. The retrieved hardware was evaluated for surface and compositional changes with the help of a scanning electron microscope for surface roughness and corrosion changes. Energy-dispersive X-ray study was done to know the composition and metal release from the hardware. The data obtained from these results were compared with a control unused and a sterile stainless-steel mini-plate and screw. The effects of the corrosion changes of this hardware on the adjacent soft tissues were evaluated histologically to assess the cellular changes of the soft tissue cover overlying the stainless-steel mini-plates and screws. Results: A total of 96 stainless-steel mini-plates and 380 stainless-steel screws were retrieved from 60 patients. The control plate was smooth without any surface and corrosion defects, while the retrieved mini-plates irrespective of the reason for removal have shown surface roughness. Fe and Ni ions were found to be significantly reduced in the retrieved mini-plates. The presence of CrC in the retrieved plates indicates corrosion, which was seen only in hardware retrieved from symptomatic patients. The histological study revealed chronic inflammatory cell infiltrate with hyalinized connective tissue in all the samples irrespective of the reason for the removal of the plate. Conclusion: Stainless-steel mini-plates and screws act as a potent foreign body material and initiate a localized inflammatory reaction due to its corrosive products with longer duration of stay. Hence, the authors advocate the overall shift in the use of stainless-steel hardware to titanium hardware for ORIF.

Iptacopan in Idiopathic Immune Complex-Mediated Membranoproliferative Glomerulonephritis: Protocol of the APPARENT Multicenter, Randomized Phase 3 Study.

Introduction: Immune complex-mediated membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis (IC-MPGN) is an ultra-rare, fast-progressing kidney disease that may be idiopathic (primary) or secondary to chronic infection, autoimmune disorders, or monoclonal gammopathies. Dysregulation of the alternative complement pathway is implicated in the pathophysiology of IC-MPGN; and currently, there are no approved targeted treatments. Iptacopan is an oral, highly potent proximal complement inhibitor that specifically binds to factor B and inhibits the alternative pathway (AP). Methods: This randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled phase 3 study (APPARENT; NCT05755386) will evaluate the efficacy and safety of iptacopan in patients with idiopathic (primary) IC-MPGN, enrolling up to 68 patients (minimum of 10 adolescents) aged 12 to 60 years with biopsy-confirmed IC-MPGN, proteinuria ≥1 g/g, and estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) ≥30 ml/min per 1.73 m2. All patients will receive maximally tolerated angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor/angiotensin receptor blocker and vaccination against encapsulated bacteria. Patients with any organ transplant, progressive crescentic glomerulonephritis, or kidney biopsy with >50% interstitial fibrosis/tubular atrophy, will be excluded. Patients will be randomized 1:1 to receive either iptacopan 200 mg twice daily (bid) or placebo for 6 months, followed by open-label treatment with iptacopan 200 mg bid for all patients for 6 months. The primary objective of the study is to evaluate the efficacy of iptacopan versus placebo in proteinuria reduction measured as urine protein-to-creatinine ratio (UPCR) (24-h urine) at 6 months. Key secondary end points will assess kidney function measured by eGFR, patients who achieve a proteinuria-eGFR composite end point, and patient-reported fatigue. Conclusion: This study will provide evidence toward the efficacy and safety of iptacopan in idiopathic (primary) IC-MPGN.

Novel modifications of PARP inhibitor veliparib increase PARP1 binding to DNA breaks.

Catalytic poly(ADP-ribose) production by PARP1 is allosterically activated through interaction with DNA breaks, and PARP inhibitor compounds have the potential to influence PARP1 allostery in addition to preventing catalytic activity. Using the benzimidazole-4-carboxamide pharmacophore present in the first generation PARP1 inhibitor veliparib, a series of 11 derivatives was designed, synthesized, and evaluated as allosteric PARP1 inhibitors, with the premise that bulky substituents would engage the regulatory helical domain (HD) and thereby promote PARP1 retention on DNA breaks. We found that core scaffold modifications could indeed increase PARP1 affinity for DNA; however, the bulk of the modification alone was insufficient to trigger PARP1 allosteric retention on DNA breaks. Rather, compounds eliciting PARP1 retention on DNA breaks were found to be rigidly held in a position that interferes with a specific region of the HD domain, a region that is not targeted by current clinical PARP inhibitors. Collectively, these compounds highlight a unique way to trigger PARP1 retention on DNA breaks and open a path to unveil the pharmacological benefits of such inhibitors with novel properties.

Is There a Need for Greater Emphasis on Clinical Facial Analysis than Cephalometrics & 3D Software Solutions in the Diagnosis and Treatment Planning of Patients with Dentofacial Deformities?

Purpose: This study is designed to evaluate the need for a greater emphasis on clinical facial analysis over cephalometrics in the diagnosis and treatment planning of patients with dentofacial deformities. Materials and Method: A predetermined questionnaire study was designed to get the thought process of surgeons and consultants involved in orthognathic surgery from various parts of southern India. Two hundred and twenty-eight maxillofacial consultants were involved in the survey. Demographic information, type of professional practice, preferred tool in the diagnosis & treatment planning: Cephalometrics or 3D software solutions and flaw in the available tools were evaluated. Results: The results of this study revealed that only 36.8% of the consultants felt that cephalometrics is the prime tool and 73.3% of the consultants felt that 3D software solutions were superior to cephalometrics in the diagnosis and treatment planning of patients with dentofacial deformities. However, 46% of the consultants preferred facial analysis as the prime tool with cephalometrics as an adjunct. Pertaining to the clinical outcome of their treated cases of dentofacial deformities, 61.8% of the consultants felt the need to address additional cosmetic issues following an orthognathic procedure. It was observed that 92.1% of the participants felt the need for greater emphasis on clinical facial analysis than cephalometrics. Conclusion: Human faces should always be evaluated taking into consideration the various esthetic units of the face. Performing corrective jaw surgery merely based on cephalometric values inevitably fails to address the various other innate imbalances of the face. Hence, cephalometric data should only be considered as an adjunct to clinical judgment in the diagnosis and treatment planning of dentofacial deformities.

Patient Satisfaction Following Orthognathic Surgery: A Systematic Review.

Objective: This study is intended to review data pertaining to patient satisfaction following orthognathic surgery through a systematic literature survey. Methods and Materials: An electronic search was done on Medline, EMBASE and CENTRAL databases. The inclusion criteria considered were as follows: (1) assessment of patients' satisfaction, (2) one-stage orthognathic surgery, and (3) follow-up period of 8 weeks or more in English literature. The exclusion criteria considered were as follows: (1) presence of craniofacial syndromes, cleft lip and palate or traumatic injuries, (2) previous facial surgery, and (3) psychological problems before surgery. The data were extracted and analyzed under three categories: function, esthetics and overall satisfaction. Results: Eighteen studies met the inclusion criteria. Esthetic and function were improved in majority of patients; however, it was not possible to assess the overall satisfaction levels statistically. Overall satisfaction analysis revealed that 70-87% of patients were satisfied, while nearly 15% of patients were dissatisfied with the treatment outcome. Conclusion: Most of the patients were satisfied with the surgical outcome. However, satisfaction seemed to be multifactorial and it was not possible to predict satisfaction prior to the surgery.

Performance evaluation of in-house developed Covid-19 IgG/IgM antibody rapid diagnostic kit.

In the interest of preventing the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic from spreading, it is crucial to promptly identify and confine afflicted patients. Serological antibody testing is a significant diagnostic technique that is increasingly employed in clinics, however its clinical use is still being investigated. The present study was carried out to scrutinize how well Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) antibody testing using in-house developed rapid antibody assay worked against the chemiluminescence (CLIA) assay. Either IgG positive (IgG + IgM-) or IgM positive (IgM + IgG-); both IgG and IgM positive (IgM + IgG+); and negatives (IgM- IgG-) have been evaluated. A total of 300 samples with diverse age and sexual identity data were included. The combined sensitivities for IgG + IgM+, IgM + IgG-, IgG + IgM- and IgG-IgM- were evaluated. More accurate diagnostic results may be obtained using molecular diagnostic tools. The Antibody Rapid Diagnostic kit's (in-house developed) performance was satisfactory for determining the presence of Covid-19 infection with IgG and IgM positivity. The IgG and IgM positivity helped evaluate the immune response in the individual for the COVID-19 infection. These results lend support to the additional utilisation of serological antibody tests in the COVID-19 diagnosis.

Effectiveness and safety of thioguanine as a maintenance therapy of inflammatory bowel disease: Systematic review, meta-analysis and meta-regression.

INTRODUCTION: Thiopurines are an important therapy for the maintenance of remission in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). However, the use of thioguanine has been limited by concerns regarding its toxicity. We performed a systematic review to evaluate its effectiveness and safety in IBD. METHODS: Electronic databases were searched to identify studies reporting clinical responses and/or adverse events of thioguanine therapy in IBD. We calculated the pooled clinical response and clinical remission rates of thioguanine in IBD. Subgroup analyses were done for the dosage of thioguanine and the type of studies (prospective or retrospective). Meta-Regression was used to analyze the impact of dose on clinical efficacy and occurrence of nodular regenerative hyperplasia. RESULTS: A total of 32 studies were included. The pooled clinical response rate of thioguanine therapy in IBD was 0.66 (95% C.I. 0.62 - 0.70; I2 = 16%). The pooled clinical response rate with low-dose was similar to high-dose thioguanine therapy [0.65 (95% C.I. 0.59 - 0.70; I2 = 24%) and 0.68 (95% C.I. 0.61 - 0.75; I2 = 18%) respectively]. The pooled remission maintenance rate was 0.71 (95% C.I. 0.58 - 0.81; I2 = 86%). The pooled rates of occurrence of nodular regenerative hyperplasia, liver function tests abnormalities and cytopenia were 0.04 (95% C.I. 0.02 - 0.08; I2 = 75%), 0.11 (95% C.I. 0.08 - 0.16; I2 = 72%) and 0.06 (95% C.I. 0.04 - 0.09; I2 = 62%) respectively. Meta-regression suggested that the risk of nodular regenerative hyperplasia is related to the dose of thioguanine. CONCLUSION: TG is an efficacious and well-tolerated drug in most patients with IBD. Nodular regenerative hyperplasia, cytopenias, and liver function abnormalities occur in a small subset. Future studies should look into TG as primary therapy in IBD.

Iatrogenic Mandibular Ramus Fracture Following Surgical Removal of Impacted Third Molar.

Surgical removal of an impacted tooth is considered to be one of the most frequently performed minor oral surgical procedures due to the plethora of indications associated with it. Like any other surgical intervention, the surgical removal of impacted third molars is also associated with numerous complications. Lot of emphasis has been laid to prevent the complications associated with the surgical removal of impacted third molars. However, at times in spite of delivering the utmost caution, complications occur as a consequence of surgical removal of impacted third molars. We report a rare case in which iatrogenic mandibular ramus fracture occurred in an attempt to surgically removal of an impacted third molar.

Long-Term Effects of Everolimus-Facilitated Tacrolimus Reduction in Living-Donor Liver Transplant Recipients with Hepatocellular Carcinoma.

BACKGROUND The study objective was to evaluate the effect of everolimus (EVR) in combination with reduced tacrolimus (rTAC) compared with a standard TAC (sTAC) regimen on hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) recurrence in de novo living-donor liver transplantation recipients (LDLTRs) with primary HCC at liver transplantation through 5 years after transplantation. MATERIAL AND METHODS In this multicenter, non-interventional study, LDLTRs with primary HCC, who were previously randomized to either everolimus plus reduced tacrolimus (EVR+rTAC) or standard tacrolimus (sTAC), and who completed the 2-year core H2307 study, were followed up. Data were collected retrospectively (end of core to the start of follow-up study), and prospectively (during the 3-year follow-up study). RESULTS Of 117 LDLTRs with HCC at LT in the core H2307 study (EVR+rTAC, N=56; sTAC, N=61), 86 patients (EVR+rTAC, N=41; sTAC, N=45) entered the follow-up study. Overall HCC recurrence was lower but statistically non-significant in the EVR+rTAC group (3.6% vs 11.5% in sTAC; P=0.136) at 5 years after LT. There was no graft loss or chronic rejection. Acute rejection and death were comparable between treatment groups. Higher mean estimated glomerular filtration rate in the EVR+rTAC group (76.8 vs 65.8 mL/min/1.73 m² in sTAC) was maintained up to 5 years. Reported adverse events were numerically lower in the EVR+rTAC group (41.0% vs 53.5% sTAC) but not statistically significant. CONCLUSIONS Although statistically not significant, early EVR initiation reduced HCC recurrence, with comparable efficacy and safety, and better long-term renal function, than that of sTAC treatment.

Efficacy of palonosetron in the management of postoperative nausea vomiting in oral and maxillofacial surgery.

Objective: The objective is to evaluate the efficacy of prophylactic single intravenous dose of palonosetron in the management of postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) following oral and maxillofacial surgical interventions performed through an intraoral approach under general anesthesia (GA). Materials and Methods: A prospective study was conducted on 100 subjects who underwent intraoral surgical procedures for the management of maxillofacial trauma, pathology, dentofacial anomalies, and deformities under GA. All subjects received a prophylactic single intravenous dose of 0.075 mg palonosetron along with premedication. Predisposing factors for PONV such as patient age, gender, Apfel risk score, history of motion sickness, smoking, type of procedure, and administration of postoperative opioids were taken into consideration. All the patients were monitored for PONV for the 1st 24 h postoperatively (PO). First, at an interval of 30 min for 1st 4 h and then at every 2 h interval for next 8 h followed by monitoring every 6 h interval till 24 h. Time and frequency of rescue medication were noted. Results: Seventy-nine percentage subjects did not have PONV. 15% subjects had a single episode of vomiting PO which could be attributed to multiple intra oral surgical sites performed as well as longer duration of exposure to anesthetic agents in addition to providing opioid analgesics for the management of postoperative pain. Only 6% subjects needed rescue antiemetic drug. Palonosetron did not show any significant changes in cardiac status and serum profile. Conclusion: Palonosetron is effective in the management of PONV for maxillofacial surgical procedures performed through an intraoral approach under GA.

Modulation of 3D Printed Calcium-Deficient Apatite Constructs with Varying Mn Concentrations for Osteochondral Regeneration via Endochondral Differentiation.

Osteochondral regeneration remains a vital problem in clinical situations affecting both bone and cartilage tissues due to the low regeneration ability of cartilage tissue. Additionally, the simultaneous regeneration of bone and cartilage is difficult to attain due to their dissimilar nature. Thus, fabricating a single scaffold for both bone and cartilage regeneration remains challenging. Biomaterials are frequently employed to promote tissue restoration, but they still cannot replicate the structure of native tissue. This study aims to create a single biomaterial that could be used to regenerate both bone and cartilage. This study focuses on synthesizing calcium-deficient apatite (CDA) with the gradual addition of manganese. The phase stability and the effect of heat treatment on manganese-doped CDA were studied using X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Rietveld refinement. The obtained powders were tested for their 3-dimensional (3D) printing ability by fabricating cuboidal 3D structures. The 3D printed scaffolds were examined for external topography using field-emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM) and were subjected to compression testing. In vitro biocompatibility and differentiation studies were performed to access their biocompatibility and differentiation capabilities. Reverse transcription-quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR) analysis was done to determine the gene expression of bone- and cartilage-specific markers. Mn helps in stabilizing the ß-TCP phase beyond its sintering temperature without being degraded to α-TCP. Mn addition in CDA improves the compressive strength of the fabricated scaffolds while keeping them biocompatible. The concentrations of Mn in the CDA ceramic were found to influence the differentiation behavior of MSCs in the fabricated scaffolds. Mn-doped CDA is a promising candidate to be used as a substitute material for bone, cartilage, and osteochondral defects to facilitate repair and regeneration via endochondral differentiation. 3D printing can assist in the fabrication of a multifunctional single-unit scaffold with varied Mn concentrations, which might be able to generate the two tissues in situ in an osteochondral defect.

Comparative Evaluation of Conventional Miniplates, Three-Dimensional Miniplates and Lag Screws for Internal Fixation of Parasymphysis Fracture of Mandible-A Double-Blind Randomized Clinical Study.

Purpose: The aim of this study is to clinically and radiographically evaluate the stability of parasymphysis fracture managed with lag screws, miniplates and 3D miniplates. Materials and Method: Ninety- eight patients diagnosed with parasymphysis fracture were treated using lag screws in group 1, two 4-hole miniplates in group 2 and 3D miniplates in group 3. Intraoperative stability and duration of fixation was assessed. Postoperative clinical evaluation was done at 1 week, 1 month, 3rd month, 6th month and 1 year for complications and oral function. Radiological evaluation was done at 3rd and 6th month. Only 92 patients were considered for statistical analysis since 6 patients were lost during follow-up. Results: Road traffic accident (65.3%) was the primary cause of mandibular fractures. Postoperative pain score showed a statistically significant difference after 1 week and 1 month duration (P value < 0.001). ANOVA test showed VAS was significantly higher at pre-op followed by 1st day and 1 week, but no significant difference after 3 months in all groups. Radiographic analysis did not show significant difference in approximation of fracture segment among 3 groups after 6 months (P-value = 0.117). Chewing efficiency at 6 months and occlusion by surgeon evaluation at 3 months showed a significant difference (P value < 0.001). Conclusion: Lag screw fixation was technique-sensitive, relatively inexpensive and was less time consuming method when compared to miniplates and 3D plates. Lag screws and 3D plates are superior in reducing the incidence of complications and better in oblique or sagitally displaced mandibular fractures. Supplementary Information: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s12663-021-01647-5.

Mandibular Fracture Patterns in a Rural Setup: A 7-Year Retrospective Study.

Aim: This study is designed to outline the probable patterns of mandibular fracture based on patient demographics and mechanism of injury in a rural setup. Materials and Methods: The data from the record section in our unit belonging to patients who sustained fractures in the maxillofacial skeleton and were treated in our unit between the period June 2012-May 2019 were collected and analyzed. The variables analyzed for the study were etiology, gender, age, and type of fracture. All cases were treated by open reduction and rigid internal fixation. Results: A total of 224 patients with maxillofacial fractures were diagnosed, of which 195 were male and 29 were female. The ages ranged from 7 to 70 years. Road traffic accidents are noted to be the most common cause of mandibular fractures. The maximum cases were in the age group of 21-30 years with 85 (38%) patients. In a total of 224 patients, there were 278 mandibular fractures. The maximum incidence of fractures was in the mandibular parasymphysis region with 90 fractures accounting for 32.3% of the mandibular fractures. Males were more susceptible to mandibular fractures. Majority of them sustained mandibular fracture at more than one anatomical area. Conclusion: It can be concluded that mandibular fractures are seen predominantly in the second and third decades of life due to road traffic accidents with high-speed vehicles and lack of protective safety accessories. Mandible when it fractured, it usually involved more than one anatomical location.

Gossypiboma: An Unintentional Iatrogenic Error.

Unintentional retention of a surgical gauze following a surgical intervention is uncommon but the complications can sometimes be life-threatening. Its diagnosis is challenging due to varied clinical presentations and inconclusive radiographic findings. We put forth a case which reported to us complaining of pain, swelling, pus discharge and sinus opening prejudicing our clinical and radiographic diagnosis to be a residual cyst but turned out to be unintentionally retained surgical gauze with encapsulation. The use of relatively bigger sized surgical gauze and ensuring a correct surgical gauze count intraoperatively in addition to checking the surgical site thoroughly before initiating surgical site closure is a gold standard to prevent such mishaps.