Aneet Mahendra

Gene therapy with growth factors for periodontal tissue engineering: a review

The treatment of oral and periodontal diseases and associated anomalies accounts for a significant proportion of the healthcare burden, with the manifestations of these conditions being functionally and psychologically debilitating. A challenge faced by periodontal therapy is the predictable regeneration of periodontal tissues lost as a consequence of disease. Growth factors are critical to the development, maturation, maintenance and repair of oral tissues as they establish an extra-cellular environment that is conducive to cell and tissue growth. Tissue engineering principles aim to exploit these properties in the development of biomimetic materials that can provide an appropriate microenvironment for tissue development. The aim of this paper is to review emerging periodontal therapies in the areas of materials science, growth factor biology and cell/gene therapy. Various such materials have been formulated into devices that can be used as vehicles for delivery of cells, growth factors and DNA. Different mechanisms of drug delivery are addressed in the context of novel approaches to reconstruct and engineer oral and tooth supporting structure. Key words: Periodontal disease, gene therapy, regeneration, tissue repair, growth factors, tissue engineering.

A minimally invasive, scarless technique of donor tissue harvesting for noncultured epidermal cell suspension transplantation in vitiligo.

SURGICAL CHALLENGE Noncultured epidermal cell suspension transplantation is a well-established technique in vitiligo surgery. Epidermal cells are harvested from a thin split skin graft, which results in some degree of permanent scarring, and it is not possible to take another graft from the same site in the subsequent sessions of surgery. In addition, if the graft is thick, trypsin digestion may take a long time, and separation of epidermis from dermis may not be easy.

Clinico-etiological study with response to specific treatment in childhood urticaria

Background: Urticaria is a common dermatological manifestation in adults with relatively infrequent occurrence of chronic urticaria (CU) in childhood. The etiology of urticaria in childhood remains incompletely understood because of limited data on children. Objective: We carried out this retrospective data-based study to determine different etiological factors and response to treatment in pediatric patients presenting with urticaria. Materials and Methods: Eighty children (M : F 49 : 31) between the ages of 1 and 14 years, who presented with urticaria excluding patients of physical urticaria attending the Outpatient Department of Pediatrics and Dermatology were included in the study. Patients were evaluated after taking a detailed history, doing a thorough physical examination, and basic laboratory investigations. Specific in vivo and in vitro tests were performed after the initial evaluation and consent of patients. Results: Out of eighty patients, 35 (43.75%) presented with acute urticaria and 45 (56.25%) gave a history of chronic urticaria.CU. An underlying cause was suspected in 53 cases (66.25%), although a definite association with response to a specific treatment was correlated in 30 (37.5%). Infection was the most common underlying causative factor. Underlying thyroid dysfunction was observed in 12 patients, of whom two had thyroid anti peroxidase antibodies. Autologous serum skin test was positive in 17 patients. Conclusions: In the present study infections were the most common etiological factor for urticaria in children.

Subungual exostosis of the thumb - first case report in youngest age

Subungual exostosis (SE) is a benign osteocartilaginous tumor of the ungual apparatus, particularly of the toes. It affects both sexes equally, more frequently in the second and third decades of life. The present case highlights this entity (SE) in a six and half year old female child affecting the terminal phalanx of the right thumb. She presented to us with gradually enlarging, painless, subungual hard nodule on the right thumb. Roentogram of the hand showed bony outgrowth arising from the terminal phalanx of right thumb. Lesion was excised and sent for histopathological examination. Histology showed evidence of SE. No recurrence at postoperated site was seen till eight months of follow-up.

A painless, minimally invasive technique for debulking onychomycotic nails

ent of Dermatology and Venereology, Maharishi r Institute of Medical Sciences and Research, ala and All India Institute of Medical Sciences. none. st: None declared. Correspondence to: Sanjeev Gupta, MD, DNB, #B2, MM Medical College Residential Campus, Mullana, Ambala, India. E-mail: sanjeevguptadr@gmail.com. J Am Acad Dermatol 2017;76:e17-9. 0190-9622/

Creating a guard with a needle cover to control the depth of intralesional injections.

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Eyebrow threading: a boon or a bane.

SURGICAL CHALLENGE Intralesional injections are commonly given in dermatologic conditions, such as keloids, hypertrophic scars, and viral warts. Depot preparations delay absorption and maintain therapeutic concentrations locally for prolonged periods. However, these preparations increase the risk of local adverse effects because of high concentrations of the drug at the affected site, more so when injections are not given at an appropriate depth. For example, in keloids, if the steroid injections are not given at the right depth or if high concentrations of steroids are used, there may be atrophy, depigmentation, or even ulceration.

Living with acne: Belief and perception in a sample of Indian youths

Eyebrow threading is a practice of shaping the eyebrows. Many dermatological complications have been briefly mentioned in various publications. There are scant data regarding the appearance of molluscum in the line of eyebrows after a session of threading. We report a series of eight patients both males (3) and females (5) who had lesions of molluscum in the eyebrow region after threading. The earlier reported cases are only among the females. The present study is highlighting the appearance of molluscum in the region of eyebrow after a session of threading from beauty salon. So, to the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of its kind describing same pathology in males. The rational of reporting this case series is to create awareness among the dermatologists as well as in general population about potential hazards of threading.

Assembling disposable punches using a shaving blade and hypodermic needle

Background: Acne vulgaris is a common disease among adolescent. There is paucity of information on knowledge and understanding of acne patients about their condition. Objective: This study was carried out to evaluate beliefs and perception of acne patient toward their understanding of disease, treatment option, and information source. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted on acne patients by means of a questionnaire during 2013–2014 at MMIMSR, Ambala. An adapted version of questionnaire of Brigitte et al. was used and was modified to suit Indian sentiments. Results: A total of 200 acne patients were participated in the study. Mean age of participants was 19.80 years. Male:female ratio was 2:1. Causes implicated were diet (85%), puberty (65%), and mood swings (46%). Fatty food and stress were most common agents held responsible for acne flaring. Popular sources of information were friends and parents. 102 patients had used steroids one way or the other. Acne was considered curable by 65% with an anticipated duration of treatment lasting up to 12 months. Conclusion: Misconceptions are widespread among the population. A health education program is needed which should be included in school curriculum to improve their understanding of the condition.

Recrudescent herpes labialis mimicking primary herpes labialis in pregnancy

SURGICAL CHALLENGE Performing skin biopsies using disposable punches is an essential procedure in the outpatient department of dermatology. These punches are generally manufactured in countries like India, China, and Pakistan and supplied all over the world. It is not a high-profit instrument; therefore, shortfalls in supply are not uncommon. We suggest the use of a shaving blade and hypodermic needle or its plastic cover cap as an economical alternative to biopsy punch in such situations.