The application of clinical registries in ophthalmic trauma—the International Globe and Adnexal Trauma Epidemiology Study (IGATES)

Graefe's Archive for Clinical and Experimental Ophthalmology - Ophthalmic trauma is a leading cause of preventable monocular blindness worldwide. The prevalence of ophthalmic trauma varies...     

Current barrier membranes: Titanium mesh and other membranes for guided bone regeneration in dental applications

Research on guided bone regeneration (GBR) is still ongoing, with evidence mainly from preclinical studies. Various current barrier membranes should fulfill the main design criteria for GBR, such as biocompatibility, occlusivity, spaciousness, clinical manageability and the appropriate integration with the surrounding tissue. These GBR characteristics are required to provide the maximum membrane function and mechanical support to the tissue during bone formation. In this review, various commercially available, resorbable and non-resorbable membranes with different characteristics are discussed and summarized for their usefulness in preclinical studies. Membranes offer promising solutions in animal models; however, an ideal membrane has not been established yet for clinical applications. Every membrane type presents both advantages and disadvantages. Titanium mesh membranes offer superb mechanical properties for GBR treatment and its current efficacy in trials will be a focus in this review. A thorough understanding of the benefits and limitations inherent to various materials in specific clinical applications will be of great value and aid in the selection of an optimal membrane for GBR.     

Dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-4) inhibitor and mortality in coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) – A systematic review,meta-analysis,and meta-regression

Background and aimsThis study aims to synthesize evidence on dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-4) inhibitor and mortality in COVID-19 patients and factors affecting it.MethodsWe performed a systematic literature search from PubMed, Scopus, and Embase databases from inception of databases up until 7 March 2021. Studies that met all of the following criteria were included: 1) observational studies or randomized controlled trials that report COVID-19 patients, 2) reporting DPP-4 inhibitor use, 3) mortality, and 4) mortality based on DPP-4 inhibitor use. The exposure was DPP-4 inhibitor, defined as DPP-4 inhibitor use that started prior to COVID-19 hospitalization. The control group was patients with no exposure to DPP-4 inhibitor. The outcome was mortality. The pooled effect estimate was reported as risk ratio (RR).ResultsThere were 4,477 patients from 9 studies in this systematic review and meta-analysis. 31% of (15%, 46%) the patients use DPP-4 inhibitor. Mortality occurs in 23% (15%, 31%) of the patients. DPP-4 inhibitor was associated with lower mortality in patients with COVID-19 (RR 0.76 [0.60, 0.97], p = 0.030, I2: 44.5%, p = 0.072). Meta-regression analysis showed that the association between DPP-4 inhibitor and mortality was significantly affected by metformin (RR 1.02 [1.00, 1.04], p = 0.048) and angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor or angiotensin receptor blocker (ACEI/ARB) use (RR 1.04 [1.01, 1.07], p = 0.006), but not age (p = 0.759), sex (reference: male, p = 0.148), and hypertension (p = 0.218).ConclusionDPP-4 inhibitor use was associated with lower mortality in COVID-19 patients, and the association was weaker in patients who were also taking metformin and/or ACE inhibitors.     

Predictive value and applicability of ocular trauma scores and pediatric ocular trauma scores in pediatric globe injuries

AIM: To evaluate the predictive value and applicability of Ocular Trauma Score (OTS) and Pediatric Ocular Trauma Score (POTS) for closed and open globe injuries in the pediatric group. METHODS: A retrospective study of closed and open globe injuries in children age of 0-18-year-old between 2012-2019 was conducted. Medical records were collected, and injuries were classified using Birmingham Eye Trauma Terminology System (BETTS). The predictive value and applicability of both OTS and POTS to final visual acuity (VA) were analyzed. RESULTS: Of 84 patients, 59 (70.2%) presented with closed globe injuries (CGI) and 25 (29.8%) with open globe injuries (OGI). The mean of initial VA was 0.832±0.904 logMAR. OTS and POTS was calculated. Initial VA (P<0.001) and traumatic cataract (P<0.001) were significantly associated with visual outcome, followed by organic/unclean wound (P=0.001), delay of surgery (P=0.001), iris prolapse (P=0.003), and globe rupture (P=0.008). A strong correlation between OTS and POTS and final VA (r=-0.798, P<0.001; r=-0.612, P<0.001) was found. OTS was more applicable in all age group of pediatric and in contrast to POTS, it was designed for 0-15 years old. POTS requires eleven parameters and OTS six parameters. Even though initial VA was not available, we could still calculate into POTS equation. CONCLUSION: OTS and POTS are highly predictive prognostic tools for final VA in CGI and OGI’s in children.     

Micro-computed tomography analysis of early stage bone healing using micro-porous titanium mesh for guided bone regeneration: preliminary experiment in a canine model

The aim of this study was to evaluate the amount of bone formation beneath a defect area after treatment with titanium mesh membranes with different thicknesses and pore sizes alone or in combination with bone graft to induce bone formation during the early stage of healing time. The mandibular premolars were extracted bilaterally from three adult beagle dogs, and 8-mm-diameter bone defects were created on the buccal site of the premolar regions. Hydroxyapatite bone graft substitute was applied in the defect site unilaterally, and other site was left empty. Then, a novel micro-porous mesh (50 μm in pore diameter) or commercially available macro-porous titanium mesh (1700 μm in pore diameter) was placed on the defect and secured with screws. After 4 weeks, the mandibles were harvested, imaged using micro-computed tomography, and prepared for histological and morphometric evaluation. Higher new bone volumes (mm³), percentage of new bone volumes in the total defect volumes (bone ratio: %), and new bone area (mm²) through morphometric evaluation were found on the novel membranes with 50-μm-diameter pores compared to the commercial titanium mesh. Moreover, experiment sites without bone graft were observed with higher new bone volume and bone ratio compared with sites with bone graft. However, bone mineral density of novel mesh was observed to be lower compared with other experimental sites. Under the experimental condition, the result of this study suggests that titanium meshes with 50-μm-diameter pores were effective for guided bone regeneration in the early stage of healing.     

Generation and histomorphometric evaluation of a novel fluvastatin-containing poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) membrane for guided bone regeneration

Odontology - The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of a poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) membrane containing fluvastatin on bone regeneration at bone defects in rat calvaria and...