Assessment of facial asymmetry before and after the surgical repair of cleft lip in unilateral cleft lip and palate cases

This study was performed to assess facial asymmetry in patients with unilateral cleft lip and palate (UCLP) before and after primary lip repair. Three-dimensional facial images of 30 UCLP cases (mean age 3.7 ± 0.8 months) captured 1–2 days before surgery and 4 months after surgery using stereophotogrammetry were analysed. A generic mesh – a mathematical facial mask consisting of thousands of points (vertices) – was conformed on the three-dimensional images. Average preoperative and postoperative conformed facial meshes were obtained and mirrored by reflecting on the lateral plane. Facial asymmetry was assessed by measuring the distances between the corresponding vertices of the superimposed facial meshes. Asymmetries were further examined in three directions: horizontal, vertical, and anteroposterior. Preoperatively, the philtrum and bridge of the nose were deviated towards the non-cleft side. The maximum vertical asymmetry was at the upper lip. The greatest anteroposterior asymmetry was at the alar base and in the paranasal area. The overall facial asymmetry improved markedly after surgery. Residual anteroposterior asymmetry was noted at the alar base, upper lip, and cheek on the cleft slide. In conclusion, dense correspondence analysis provided an insight into the anatomical reasons for the residual dysmorphology following the surgical repair of cleft lip for future surgical consideration

The effect of facial expression on facial symmetry in surgically managed unilateral cleft lip and palate patients (UCLP)

Aim: To evaluate the symmetry of facial expression in surgically managed UCLP patients. Materials and methods: The study was conducted on 13 four-year-old children. Facial images were captured at rest and at maximum smile using stereophotogrammetry. A generic mesh, which is a mathematical facial mask consisting of a fixed number of indexed vertices, was utilised for the assessment of facial asymmetry. This was quantified by measuring the disparity between the left- and right-hand sides of the face after superimposing the original 3D images on their mirror copies. Results: Residual asymmetries at rest were identified at the vermillion of the upper lip and at the nares with a deviation of the philtrum towards the scar tissue. Vertical and anteroposterior asymmetries were identified on the cleft side. At maximum smile, the asymmetry increased noticeably at the vermillion of the upper lip and at the alar base. In the mediolateral direction, the philtrum deviated towards the cleft side with a significant increase of the asymmetry scores. Discussion: Asymmetry of the upper lip has significantly increased at maximum smile as a result of the upward forces of all perioral lifting muscles, which affected the lip directly. Conclusions: The innovation of this study is the measurement of facial asymmetry for the objective outcome measure of the surgical repair of UCLP. The philtrum was the main site of residual asymmetry, which indicates the need for refining the primary repair of the cleft lip. Further corrective surgery may be required

ROLE OF KAOLIN ON HEMTOLOGICAL, BIOCHEMICAL AND SURVIVAL RATE OF CYPRINUS CARPIO CHALLENGED WITH PESUYDOMONAS AERUGINOSA

In present study, we assessed the role of kaolin [(Al2Si2O5(OH)4), an inert clay], for treatment of  common carp, Cyprinus carpio experimentally infected with  Pesudomonas aeruginosa. Fish were experimentally challenged with P. aeruginosa (LD50= 2±0.2×109 CFU/ml), in untreated water or water treated with addition of kaolin at levels of 4, 6 and 8g/l (G1, G2 and G3 respectively). Over the 5‐day course of kaolin treatment led to significantly (P ≤ 0.05) improved of survival (100%) in treated groups (G2 and G3) as compared to untreated fish (infected group; 75% survival). Considerable changes were observed in blood parameters, leucocyte count recorded significant increase (P≤0.05) in G2 and G3 relative to C- and C+ groups. Erythrocyte count, Hb content and HT(%) reported significant decrease (P≤0.05) in all treated groups (G1, G2 and G3) related to C- group. Globulin level registered significantly increased (P≤0.05) in G2 and G3 than C+ group.  The current study strongly recommends that treatment of common carp infected with kaolin at 6 and 8g/l improves survival, hematological and biochemical profile, against P. aeruginosa. Future complete molecular studies are required before application of kaolin as a treatment in aquaculture

Bicontinuous cubic liquid crystalline phase nanoparticles stabilized by softwood hemicellulose

The colloidal stability of lipid based cubosomes, aqueous dispersion of inverse bicontinuous cubic phase, can be significantly increased by a stabilizer. The most commonly used stabilizers are non-ionic tri-block copolymers, poloxamers, which adsorb at the lipid-water interface and hence sterically stabilize the dispersion. One of the challenges with these synthetic polymers is the effect on the internal structure of the cubosomes and the potential toxicity when these nanoparticles are applied as nanomedicine platforms. The natural polysaccharide, softwood hemicellulose, has been proved to be an excellent stabilizer for oil-in-water emulsions, partially due to the presence of hydrophobic lignin in the extract which to some extent is associated to hemicellulose. Herein, we reported for the first time cubosomes stabilized by two types of softwood hemicelluloses, where one is extracted through thermomechanical pulping (TMP, low lignin content) and the other obtained from sodium-based sulfite liquor (SSL, high lignin content). The effect of the two hemicellulose samples on the colloidal stability and structure of monoolein-based cubosomes have been investigated via DLS, SAXS, AFM and cryo-TEM. The data obtained suggest that both types of the hemicelluloses stabilize monoolein (GMO) based cubosomes in water without significantly affecting their size, morphology and inner structure. SSL-extracted hemicellulose yields the most stable cubosomes, likely due to the higher content of lignin in comparison to TMP-stabilized ones. In addition, the stability of these particles was tested under physiological conditions relevant to possible application as drug carriers

Application Potential of Membrane Processes in the Concept of Lignocellulose Biorefineries

The pulp and paper industry is one of the most important industrial sectors worldwide and has great potential to be a cornerstone for the future bioeconomy, especially for lignocellulosic biorefineries. The potential of membrane processes in this transformation is shown in three examples from the fields of Kraft / Sulphate, Sulphite and thermomechanical pulping. In addition, the challenges of membrane fouling and cleaning with regard to the pulp industry are discussed and an outlook on future developments of membranes in biorefineries is given