Oral health status of children suffering from thyroid disorders

Background: Thyroid dysfunction is the second most common disorder of the endocrine system that can affect any system of the body. The oral cavity can be adversely affected by either an excess or deficiency of these hormones. Aim of the Study: To assess and compare the oral health status of children suffering from thyroid disorders and healthy children. Materials and Methods: A total of 200 children aged between 2 years and 16 years were allocated into two groups. The study group consisted of 100 children with thyroid dysfunction (hypothyroidism/hyperthyroidism), while the control group consisted of 100 healthy children. Gingival index, plaque index, DMFT (Decayed missing filled teeth Index for permanent teeth) & Dmft index (Decayed missing filled teeth Index for primary teeth) and modified developmental defects of enamel (DDE) index were recorded and data were analyzed statistically. Results: Plaque and gingival scores were significantly higher in the thyroid group compared to the control group. DMFT and dmft scores were higher in the thyroid group than the control group but the difference in score was not statistically significant. Statistically significant DDE score was found in the thyroid group. Apart from increased susceptibility to caries and poor periodontal health condition, children with thyroid disorders were also found to have other oral manifestations such as macroglossia, open bite, and change in eruption pattern. Conclusion: Thyroid dysfunction (both hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism) has impact on the oral health status. Children with thyroid disorders showed high prevalence of dental caries and periodontal disease compared to the control group

RNA Isolation From High-Phenolic Freeze-Dried Tea (Camellia sinensis) Leaves

With minor modifications, we applied a previously reported RNA isolation protocol that used guanidine hydrochloride to leaves of lyophilized (freeze-dried) tea (Camellia sinensis). Plant tissue must be preserved in its collected state, especially when genome-wide expression profiles are studied. Fresh leaf tissues cannot feasibly be transferred at ultra-low temperatures from natural habitats to the laboratory. We explored the use of lyophilized tissue for RNA isolation from tea leaves. High yields of RNA ($\sim 500 \mu g/g$ dry weight of leaf tissue) were obtained, and the RNA was suitable for all molecular biology methods tested, including Northern blotting, reverse transcription, and microarray analysis. We demonstrated that RNA obtained from freeze-dried leaf tissue was high quality, undegraded, and useful for all downstream applications

RNA Isolation From High-Phenolic Freeze-Dried Tea (Camellia sinensis) Leaves

With minor modifications, we applied a previously reported RNA isolation protocol that used guanidine hydrochloride to leaves of lyophilized (freeze-dried) tea (Camellia sinensis). Plant tissue must be preserved in its collected state, especially when genome-wide expression profiles are studied. Fresh leaf tissues cannot feasibly be transferred at ultra-low temperatures from natural habitats to the laboratory. We explored the use of lyophilized tissue for RNA isolation from tea leaves. High yields of RNA ($\sim 500 \mu g/g$ dry weight of leaf tissue) were obtained, and the RNA was suitable for all molecular biology methods tested, including Northern blotting, reverse transcription, and microarray analysis. We demonstrated that RNA obtained from freeze-dried leaf tissue was high quality, undegraded, and useful for all downstream applications

Imaging in neuroblastoma: An update

Neuroblastoma is the third common tumor in children. Imaging plays an important role in the diagnosis, staging, treatment planning, response evaluation and in follow-up of a case of Neuroblastoma. The International Neuroblastoma Risk Group task force has recently introduced an imaging-based staging system and laid down guidelines for uniform reporting of imaging studies. This review is an update on imaging in neuroblastoma, with emphasis on these guidelines

Gut Microbiota-Produced Tryptamine Activates an Epithelial G-Protein-Coupled Receptor to Increase Colonic Secretion

Tryptamine, a tryptophan-derived monoamine similar to 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT), is produced by gut bacteria and is abundant in human and rodent feces. However, the physiologic effect of tryptamine in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract remains unknown. Here, we show that the biological effects of tryptamine are mediated through the 5-HT4 receptor (5-HT4R), a G-protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) uniquely expressed in the colonic epithelium. Tryptamine increases both ionic flux across the colonic epithelium and fluid secretion in colonoids from germ-free (GF) and humanized (ex-GF colonized with human stool) mice, consistent with increased intestinal secretion. The secretory effect of tryptamine is dependent on 5-HT4R activation and is blocked by 5-HT4R antagonist and absent in 5-HT4R-/- mice. GF mice colonized by Bacteroides thetaiotaomicron engineered to produce tryptamine exhibit accelerated GI transit. Our study demonstrates an aspect of host physiology under control of a bacterial metabolite that can be exploited as a therapeutic modality. VIDEO ABSTRACT