Synthesis, characterization, and application of honey stabilized inulin nanoparticles as colon targeting drug delivery carrier.

Inulin (INU) is a versatile natural polysaccharide primarily derived from chicory roots. INU possesses the unique quality of evading digestion or fermentation in the early stages of the human digestive tract, instead reaching the lower colon directly. Exploiting on this distinctive attribute, INU finds application in the creation of targeted carrier systems for delivering drugs tailored to colon-related diseases. This study presents a novel method for synthesizing highly stable and non-aggregatory inulin nanoparticles (INU NPs) by ionotropic gelation method, using calcium chloride as crosslinker and natural honey as a stabilizing agent. Different formulation and process parameters were optimized for the synthesis of monodispersed INU NPs. These INU NPs efficiently encapsulated a hydrophilic drug irinotecan hydrochloride trihydrate (IHT) and drug loaded formulation (IINPs) demonstrated excellent colloidal and storage stabilities. Notably, these IINPs exhibited pH-dependent drug release, suggesting potential for colon-specific drug delivery. Anticancer activity of the NPs was found significantly higher in comparison to IHT through cytotoxicity and apoptosis studies against human colorectal carcinoma cells. Overall, this study revealed that the INU NPs synthesized by ionotropic gelation will be an efficient nanocarrier system for colon-targeted drug delivery due to their exceptional biocompatibility and stability in stomach and upper intestinal conditions.

Fingertip injury epidemiology: an Indian perspective.

Fingertip injuries result in significant morbidity. It is associated with pain, loss of work and recreational hours, financial burden, and distortion of body image. Although it is a common injury, the epidemiology of fingertip injury is a subject with scanty literature. This study is aimed at providing epidemiology of fingertip injury in India. Epidemiological data were collected and analysed through a retrospective review of all fingertip injuries over a period of four years treated in our department. In the paediatric population, among the 241 injuries in 221children, most occurred at home (98%). Most incidents were in children under five years of age (74%). The most commonly involved digit is the middle finger (29%) and door crush was the commonest reason (80%). Incomplete fingertip amputation with nail bed injury was seen in 80% of cases. In adults, there were 351 injuries in 290 patients, most of which occurred by jamming of the finger at a two-wheeler chain (22.5%). The second most common cause is cut by machine and associated with heavy machinery (17.6%). Complete amputation at the nailbed level was seen in 50% of the cases. Both children and adults need to be educated regarding the causation and effects of fingertip injuries. Damage to fingers can be prevented and reduced by observing safety measures both inside the home and at the workplace.

Eponychial Flap: A Simpler Way to Achieve Better Aesthetic Outcome in a Fingertip Amputation.

Background There are numerous flaps described for the treatment of fingertip amputation. Shortened nail length resulting from amputation is an ignored area. Eponychial flap is a simple procedure that helps to lengthen the nail plate and correct this deformity. Methods This case-control study was conducted between April 2016 and June 2020 aimed at comparing the outcome of nail defects in a fingertip amputation treated with eponychial flap and those treated without an eponychial flap. Results Among 165 patients treated for fingertip injury, 78 were treated with eponychial flap (group A) and 87 without eponychial flap (group B). In group A, the nail length was 72.54% (standard deviation [SD]: 14.4) and the nail plate area was 74.35% (SD: 13.96) compared with the contralateral uninjured nail. These results were significantly better ( p = 0.000) compared with group B where the values were 36.49 (SD: 8.45) and 35.8% (SD: 8.4), respectively. The aesthetic outcome score was also significantly higher in group A patients ( p = 0.002). The patient satisfaction was superior in group A compared with group B. Conclusion The eponychial flap is a simple and reliable technique that can be used to restore the visible nail length in traumatic fingertip defects. Compared with fingers treated without nail lengthening with eponychial flap gives excellent aesthetic results.

Dynamic smile reanimation in facial nerve palsy.

OBJECTIVES: Long-term facial paralysis results in degeneration of the distal nerve segment and atrophy of the supplied muscles. Options for these patients include free muscle transfer, temporalis myoplasty, and botulinum toxin injections for smile reanimation. In this study we aimed to evaluate the subjective and objective outcomes of these procedures. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In our study, we retrospectively analyzed smile symmetry in patients with facial palsy (n=8) who underwent facial reanimation procedures. RESULTS: Subjective analysis showed high satisfaction in seven out of eight patients. Objective analysis showed statistically significant improvement postoperatively in both vertical and horizontal smile symmetry at rest and during maximum smile (P<0.001). CONCLUSION: Choosing the ideal procedure for the patients is the most critical aspect for facial reanimation. Though free muscle transfer is considered gold standard procedure, temporalis myoplasty also gives satisfactory results. Residual synkinesis which can lead to disturbing aesthetic deformity can be effectively treated with botulinum toxin.

Three Dimensional Rhinoplasty and Nasal Airway Improvement in Cleft-Nose Deformity.

Septorhinoplasty is particularly challenging among revision surgeries for cleft sequelae. The challenge of cleft septorhinoplasty is mainly due to the complex anatomy of nose, deformity of each of its components and the difficulty and lack of clarity in surgical management. From 2014 to 2017, 26 patients with cleft lip nose deformity were operated by the same cleft team. The study was conducted to assess the improvement in nasal airway and appearance following secondary rhinoplasty with extracorporeal septoplasty. Post operatively each patient was evaluated using the standard modified rhinoplasty outcome evaluation questionnaire, a validated instrument that aids in stratifying patients according to their subjective response. All patients reported great relief of nasal obstruction and improved breathing. More than 80% of our patients were satisfied with improved aesthetics and reported better self-confidence. Secondary cleft rhinoplasty with extracorporeal septoplasty surgery significantly improves the cosmesis and nasal airway opening, subsequently giving them improved self-confidence.