The VEGF +405 G>C 5' untranslated region polymorphism and risk of PCOS: a study in the South Indian Women

Purpose

The aim of this study was to investigate the association between two common single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) gene (−460C/T and +405G/C) and polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) risk in south Indian women.

Methods

This study involves clinically confirmed PCOS patients (n = 126) and non-PCOS controls (n = 130) of south Indian origin (Dravidian linguistic group). Genotyping of the VEGF gene −460C/T and +405G/C SNPs were performed by PCR and sequencing analysis. Haplotype frequencies for multiple loci and the standardized disequilibrium coefficient (D'') for pairwise linkage disequilibrium (LD) were assessed by Haploview Software.

Results

The frequencies of +405G/G genotype (P = 0.03) and +405G alleles (P = 0.006) were significantly higher in patients compared to controls. Whereas the genotype and allele frequencies of −460C/T SNP were not significantly different between patients and controls. In addition, LD analysis revealed no significant difference between patients and controls.

Conclusion

Our findings suggest that the VEGF +405G/C polymorphism may constitute an inheritable risk factor for PCOS in south Indian women.     

Development of aceclofenac nanovesicular system using biomaterial for transdermal delivery: physical characterization,ex vivo,in vivo,and anti-inflammatory studies

Context: Aceclofenac is an important NSAID; however, it causes GI disturbances whereas employing transdermal route would require permeation enhancer for systemic application, thereby causing skin damage. Ceramide 2 is a natural lipid having an important role in the maintenance of skin. Objective: Aceclofenac-loaded nanovesicles of ceramide-2, cholesterol, palmitic acid, and cholesteryl sulfate were formulated and analyzed for physical and biological properties. Materials and method: Film hydration method was used to prepare the vesicles and physical parameters, in vitro drug release and stability were evaluated. Then, they were formulated into gel and evaluated against a commercial formulation (CF) and gel-containing plain drug (CPG) for ex vivo, in vivo drug permeation, and anti-inflammatory activity. Results: The developed formulations showed best physical profile and ACV-1 gave 92.89% drug release in in vitro studies. Ex vivo studies showed drug permeation between 15.32–31.12?μg/cm², whereas CPG and CF released 0.47 and 2.81?μg/cm², respectively. ACVG-1 and CF showed C_max of 8.1 and 1.2?μg/ml at 8 and 4?h, respectively. ACVG-1 showed 11.6 times AUC than CF. ACVG-1 inhibited edema by 44% in first hour itself. Discussion: Ceramide 2 and palmitic acid played an important role in the formulation and promotes the drug permeation through stratum corneum and dermis. Ceramide content of the formulation also contributes towards stability and skin protection. Conclusion: The composition of the vesicle formulation performs an important role in physical properties and drug permeation, thereby producing an optimum formulation.     

Prenatal,perinatal and neonatal risk factors of Autism Spectrum Disorder: A comprehensive epidemiological assessment from India

Incidence of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is increasing across the globe and no data is available from India regarding the risk factors of ASD. In this regard a questionnaire based epidemiological assessment was carried out on prenatal, perinatal and neonatal risk factors of ASD across 8 cities in India. A retrospective cohort of 942 children was enrolled for the study. 471 children with ASD, under age of 10, were analyzed for pre-, peri-, and neonatal factors and were compared with the observations from equal number of controls. The quality control of the questionnaire and data collection was done thoroughly and the observations were computed statistically. A total of 25 factors were evaluated by unadjusted and adjusted analysis in this study. Among the prenatal factors considered, advanced maternal age, fetal distress and gestational respiratory infections were found to be associated with ASD and had an odds ratio of 1.8. Evaluation of perinatal and neonatal risk factors showed labor complications, pre-term birth, neonatal jaundice, delayed birth cry and birth asphyxia to be associated with ASD with an odds ratio greater than 1.5. This important study, first of its kind in Indian population gives a firsthand account of the relation of pre-, peri- and neonatal risk factors on ASD from an ethnically and socially diverse country like India, the impact of which was unknown earlier. This advocates additional focused investigations on physiological and genetic changes contributed by these risk factor inducing environments.     

Spontaneous mandibular regeneration: another option for mandibular reconstruction in children?

Treatment for conditions of the mandible may require resection of the affected segment, and this may need reconstruction. There are case reports of spontaneous regeneration of segments of excised mandibles that resulted in reduced or no need for reconstruction, and we present four such cases. The age at presentation ranged from 6 to 12 years. In all cases the periosteum was preserved during resection. All patients showed evidence of spontaneous regeneration, both clinically and radiographically, between 3 and 5 months after resection. The planned delayed reconstruction meant that these patients either did not need any bony reconstruction, or needed less than had originally been anticipated. Such regeneration is mostly reported in children, and is thought to be the result of an intact periosteal layer. In patients having planned mandibular resections, where the periosteum is preserved, some spontaneous regeneration should be anticipated and final reconstruction delayed until this is complete.     

Interceptive orthopedics for the correction of maxillary transverse and sagittal deficiency in the early mixed dentition period

Dentofacial Orthopedics directed to a hypoplastic maxilla in the prepubertal period redirects growth of the maxilla in the vertical, transverse and sagittal planes of space. The orthopedic correction of maxillary hypoplasia in the early mixed dentition period thus intercepts the establishment of permanent structural asymmetry in the mandible and helps in the achievement of optimal dentofacial esthetics. This paper presents the growth redirection in a hypoplastic maxilla of an 8-year-old girl with simultaneous rapid maxillary expansion and protraction headgear therapy for a period of 11 months which corrected the posterior unilateral cross-bite, the positional asymmetry of the mandible and established an orthognathic profile in the individual.     

Mechanical properties of experimental dental composites containing a combination of mesoporous and nonporous spherical silica as fillers

ObjectivesMesoporous fillers have been investigated for use in dental composites because of their potential for creating micromechanical filler/resin matrix interphase bonding. Such a micromechanical bonding could eliminate the need for the silane treatment of fillers for interfacial chemical bonding that is prone to hydrolysis in the oral environment. In the case of micromechanical bonding, dental polymer chains are threaded mechanically (like a “necklace”) through nanosized channels in the fillers.MethodsA combination of mesoporous silica, which was synthesized using the non-surfactant templating method, and nonporous spherical silica (500 nm) was used to prepare experimental dental composites. The porous silica used in this study contained interconnected pores and channels as opposed to porous fillers containing surface pores. The compressive strength, compressive modulus, flexural modulus, and flexural strength of these composites were evaluated.ResultsThe results showed that composites containing a combination of mesoporous and nonporous fillers have better mechanical properties than the composites having either of these fillers alone.SignificanceThe results showed that a combination of mesoporous and nonporous materials can be used to prepare stronger dental materials that may resist hydrolysis and wear.