Optimization to development of chitosan decorated polycaprolactone nanoparticles for improved ocular delivery of dorzolamide: In vitro, ex vivo and toxicity assessments.

The present research work was designed to develop dorzolamide-loaded chitosan-coated polycaprolactone nanoparticles (DRZ-CS-PCL-NPs) for improved ocular delivery. The nanoparticles were prepared by single-step emulsification technique and optimized using the three-factor three-level Box-Behnken design. The optimized DRZ-CS-PCL-NPs prepared with the composition of polycaprolactone (60 mg), chitosan (0.6%) and polyvinyl alcohol (1.5%). The particle size, polydispersity index, zeta potential and encapsulation efficiency of optimized DRZ-CS-PCL-NPs were found to be 192.38 ± 6.42 nm, 0.18 ± 0.04, +5.21 ± 1.24 mV, and 72.48 ± 5.62%, respectively. The dependent and independent response variables showed excellent correlation and signifying the rationality of the optimized DRZ-CS-PCL-NPs. The DRZ release from CS-PCL-NPs showed biphasic behaviour with initial burst release for 2 h after that sustained-release up to 12 h of study. The corneal flux experiment showed many fold enhancement in permeation across goat cornea. DRZ-CS-PCL-NPs exhibited 3.7 fold higher mucoadhesive strength compared to the control. Furthermore, the histopathological assessment and HET-CAM study revealed that the DRZ-CS-PCL-NPs were non-irritant and safe for ocular administration. Therefore, from the present study, it can be concluded that the optimized DRZ-CS-PCL-NPs are safe and have the potential for successful ocular delivery and improved therapeutic efficacy.

Prevalence and Etiology of Pediatric Maxillofacial Injuries: A Unicenter-based Retrospective Study.

BACKGROUND: Children are uniquely susceptible to craniofacial trauma because of their greater cranial mass-to-body ratio. The craniofacial injuries comprise approximately 11.3% of an overall pediatric emergency, and its etiology affects the incidence, clinical presentation, and treatment modalities, which are influenced by sociodemographic, economic, and cultural factor of the population being studied. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective review to analyze the epidemiology of facial injuries in pediatric population (age range-0-16 years), divided into three age groups, i.e., group I (0-5 years), group II (6-11 years) and group III (12-16 years), was carried out over a 3-year span, in order to determine the facial injury pattern, mechanism and concomitant injury by age. RESULTS: A total of 1,221 patients with facial injuries, reporting to our trauma center and outpatient department were identified. Majority of these injuries were encountered among boys (64%). Motor vehicle collision (46.5%) was the most common cause of facial fracture and dentoalveolar injuries in group II and group III, while fall was the most common cause among the group I (30.2%). Mandible was the most commonly fractured bone (34.7%) followed by nasal (33.3%), maxilla (17.5%), and zygoma (14.3%). More than 50% sustained concomitant injuries. CONCLUSION: The importance of epidemiological analysis lies in the identification of trauma burden, which could help motivate and develop more efficient ways to plan resources allocation and deliver adequate care and preventive steps. Improvisation upon National Prevention Programs could lower incidences of such injuries. HOW TO CITE THIS ARTICLE: Bhutia DP, Singh G, Mohammed S, et al. Prevalence and Etiology of Pediatric Maxillofacial Injuries: A Unicenter-based Retrospective Study. Int J Clin Pediatr Dent 2019;12(6):528-531.