Experience of Unilateral Cleft Lip Repair using the Anatomical Subunit Technique in an Omani Population over a Five-Year Period.

Objectives: This study aimed to report the authors' experience with the anatomical subunit technique for unilateral cleft lip repair, which has gained popularity worldwide. Methods: From July 2015 to April 2020, 114 consecutive cases of cleft lip underwent primary cleft lip repair with closed rhinoplasty by a single surgeon. The demographic data, severity and type of the cleft lip, surgical outcomes, including vermillion notching, were assessed by an independent senior surgeon. The rate of revision surgery was collected from the Al-Shifa® - 3Plus healthcare information system (Ministry of Health, Oman). Parents' satisfaction regarding scar quality and lip and nose appearance was collected and all data were statistically analysed. Results: A total of 82 cases satisfied the inclusion criteria. The mean age at surgery for cleft lip was 32 weeks. Among these, 35 cases (43%) were complete cleft lips and 47 cases (57%) were incomplete. Additionally, 43 children (52%) were born of consanguineous marriage. Six patients (7%) needed revision surgery. The digital survey was completed by 40 subjects (response rate: 48.8%) which showed 85% satisfaction rate with the postoperative scar and 77.5% satisfaction with the aesthetic appearance of the nose. Conclusion: The anatomical subunit technique resulted in a predictable outcome indicating a high rate of patient satisfaction with scar quality and nasal and lip symmetry in children with varying severity of cleft lip. The high percentage of consanguinity (52%) in this study highlights the need for more targeted national campaigns involving premarital counselling in the Omani population.

In vitro antifungal activity of cassia fistula extracts against fluconazole resistant strains of Candida species from HIV patients.

BACKGROUND: Candida species is the fourth common cause of blood stream infections all over the world which is life threatening. Invasive candidiasis leads to increased mortality and morbidity especially in immunosuppressed. The antifungal resistance pattern in high-risk patients is major concern. PURPOSE: The present study was to access the anticandidal activity of leaves, bark and seeds of Cassia fistula against fluconazole resistant Candida species, C. albicans, C. glabrata, C. krusei, C. tropicalis, C. kefyr and C. parapsilosis isolated from HIV patients. The predominant phytochemical component responsible for fungicidal activity was to be accessed. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Ethanol, chloroform, petroleum ether and aqueous extracts of leaves, bark and seeds of C. fistula linn. was evaluated against Microbial type culture collection (MTCC) Candida strains and 21 fluconazole resistant clinical isolates. Antifungal activity was evaluated by agar diffusion and broth dilution techniques. The active phytochemical component present in the ethanol extract of seeds was accessed by high performance thin layer chromatography. The docking study was done with lanosterol 14-alpha demethylase, the azole drug target with the predominant phytochemical from the extract having antifungal activity. RESULTS: All the extracts of C. fistula showed excellent anticandidal activity. Ethanol extract of C. fistula seed exhibited the most inhibitory activity. C. krusei and C. parapsilosis were the most inhibited and C. kefyr was the least inhibited species. The predominant phytochemical active component of the ethanol extract of seed was gallic acid. Gallic acid showed excellent binding with lanosterol 14-alpha demethylase. CONCLUSION: The present study reports the antifungal activity of various extracts of Cassia fistula for the first time against fluconazole resistant Candida isolates. We can conclude that the polyphenolic compound gallic acid is a potent natural antifungal agent. Further research is needed to assess the pharmacokinetic property.

Warm Autoimmune Hemolytic Anemia: Clinical Profile and Management.

BACKGROUND: Autoimmune hemolytic anemia (AIHA) is a rare autoimmune disease in which autoantibodies target red blood cells leading to marked decrease in their lifespan. The classification of AIHA is based on the immunochemical properties of the RBC autoantibody. Warm antibody AIHA (wAIHA) accounts for 75-80% of all adult AIHA cases. The treatment of wAIHA is mainly corticosteroids. Our retrospective study aimed to study the clinical profile and management of wAIHA. METHODS: Data of 75 patients admitted with wAIHA or presented to outpatient department (previous medical records) with wAIHA between January 2003 and January 2016 were analyzed. RESULTS: In our study, females constituted 12 and 26 patients of primary and secondary wAIHA, while males constituted 17 and 20 patients of primary and secondary wAIHA, respectively. Mean hemoglobin level at AIHA onset was found to be 7.1 ± 1.7 g/dL in primary wAIHA group and 6.3 ± 1.2 g/dL in secondary wAIHA group, which is statistically significant. Splenectomy was used as mode of treatment in one (3.4%) patient of primary wAIHA group and 15 (32.60%) patients of secondary wAIHA group, which is statistically significant. Mean age of wAIHA onset was 69.7 ± 21.5 years in wAIHA group secondary to lymphoma and 54.3 ± 25.7 years in other wAIHA group, which is statistically significant. CONCLUSION: The most common causes of secondary wAIHA are B-cell lymphoma, systemic lupus erythematosus, rheumatoid arthritis, chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL), common variable immune deficiency, renal cell carcinoma and secondary to drug usage (alpha methyldopa and carbamazepine), respectively. Reducing the cumulative dose of corticosteroids with second line treatment whenever possible and therefore reducing the risk of sepsis, specifically in older patients with comorbidities will reduce morbidity and mortality.

Evaluation of fever in infants and young children.

Febrile illness in children younger than 36 months is common and has potentially serious consequences. With the widespread use of immunizations against Streptococcus pneumoniae and Haemophilus influenzae type b, the epidemiology of bacterial infections causing fever has changed. Although an extensive diagnostic evaluation is still recommended for neonates, lumbar puncture and chest radiography are no longer recommended for older children with fever but no other indications. With an increase in the incidence of urinary tract infections in children, urine testing is important in those with unexplained fever. Signs of a serious bacterial infection include cyanosis, poor peripheral circulation, petechial rash, and inconsolability. Parental and physician concern have also been validated as indications of serious illness. Rapid testing for influenza and other viruses may help reduce the need for more invasive studies. Hospitalization and antibiotics are encouraged for infants and young children who are thought to have a serious bacterial infection. Suggested empiric antibiotics include ampicillin and gentamicin for neonates; ceftriaxone and cefotaxime for young infants; and cefixime, amoxicillin, or azithromycin for older infants.

Prospective evaluation of intravitreal triamcinolone acetonide injection in macular edema associated with retinal vascular disorders.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the effect of intravitreal triamcinolone acetonide on visual acuity and macular thickness using optical coherence tomography (OCT) in macular edema associated with various retinal vascular disorders. METHODS: This prospective nonrandomized clinical interventional study included 81 eyes (76 patients) comprised of Group I, 57 eyes (51 patients) with diabetic macular edema; Group II, 10 eyes (10 patients) with branch retinal vein occlusion; and Group III, 13 eyes (13 patients) with central retinal vein occlusion. All eyes received an intravitreal injection of 4 mg triamcinolone acetonide (with the solvent) in the operation theater under sterile conditions. RESULTS: Mean preinjection central macular thickness was 531.84+/-132 microm in Group I, 458.4+/-149 microm in Group II, and 750.81+/-148 microm in Group III. All groups showed a statistically significant decrease in mean central macular thickness at 1 month (300.7+/-119 microm in Group I, 218.2+/-99 microm in Group II, and 210.5 +/-56 microm in Group III) and 3 months (253.19+/-109 microm in Group I, 187+/-47 microm in Group II, and 182+/-50 microm in Group III) after injection (p < 0.05). Mean follow-up was 22+/-2.4 weeks. Mean visual acuity increased in all three groups (preoperative visual acuity in Group I, 1.2+/-0.4 logMAR units; Group II, 1.24+/-0.5 logMAR units; Group III, 1.1+/-0.4 logMAR units; 1 month postinjection in Group I, 0.88+/-0.3 logMAR units; Group II, 0.67+/-0.3 logMAR units; Group III, 0.86+/-0.4 logMAR units; 3 months postinjection in Group I, 0.84+/-0.4 logMAR units; Group II, 0.59+/-0.3 logMAR units; Group III, 0.82+/-0.5 logMAR units) (p < 0.05). Forty-one eyes completed 6 months and 20 eyes completed 9 months follow-up. Twelve of 20 (41%) eyes in Group I, 2/6 (33%) eyes in Group II, 3/6 (50%) eyes in Group III, and 8/15 (53%) eyes in Group I, 1/3 (33%) eyes in Group II, and 2/2 (100%) eyes in Group III developed recurrence of macular edema with worsening of visual acuity at 6 and 9 months, respectively. Thirty-three (40.7%) eyes developed IOP elevation (at least one reading > 24 mmHg). One eye developed infective endophthalmitis. CONCLUSIONS: Intravitreal injection of triamcinolone acetonide may be considered as an effective treatment for reducing macular thickening due to diffuse diabetic macular edema, venous occlusion associated macular edema, and may result in increase in visual acuity at least in the short term. Further follow-up and analysis is required to demonstrate its long-term efficacy.

In vivo absorption studies of insulin from an oral delivery system.

Alginate microspheres prepared by an emulsion-based process were loaded with insulin by a remote loading process. We observed that the time of exposure, pH of the remote loading medium, and beta-cyclodextrin complexation of insulin influenced drug loading. In vivo absorption studies of insulin from optimized microspheres were carried out in diabetic albino rats. Serum sugar levels on administration of multiple oral doses of the microspheres and a radioimmunoassay for serum insulin indicated absorption of insulin from the gastrointestinal region. This process could be utilized for the development of an oral insulin delivery system.

Chromomycosis: Subcutaneous cystic type.

A 38-year -old male farmer presented with a solitary, asymptomatic, cystic lesion on the palm since last four years. He underwent excision of this cyst two times during this period but the lesion recurred near the same site. The histopathology and the microbiological examination led to the diagnosis of the rare subcutaneous cystic type of chromomycosis.