Osteogenesis Imperfecta (Type IV) with Dental Findings in Siblings

Osteogenesis imperfecta (OI) is a hereditary disorder characterized by increased tendency for bone fractures due to high fragility. The clinical and radiological features of OI manifest in different age groups, although the disease is congenital in nature. Besides bone fragility, features like laxity of the ligaments, blue sclera, growth retardation, and scoliosis are also observed. In severe cases, respiratory distress and death have been reported. The most important oral finding in OI is the presence of yellowish-brown-coloured brittle teeth characteristic of dentinogenesis imperfecta. Genetic factors play a very important role in the pathogenesis of OI either as a dominant or recessive factor. When a child has OI, there is a 25% chance of the sibling to have the same disorder. We report two cases of OI in siblings born to parents with a history of consanguineous marriage. The clinical and radiological features of the two cases are described in detail

More Than Just a Removal Service:Scavenger Receptors in Leukocyte Trafficking

Scavenger receptors are a highly diverse superfamily of proteins which are grouped by their inherent ability to bind and internalize a wide array of structurally diverse ligands which can be either endogenous or exogenous in nature. Consequently, scavenger receptors are known to play important roles in host homeostasis, with common endogenous ligands including apoptotic cells, and modified low density lipoproteins (LDLs); additionally, scavenger receptors are key regulators of inflammatory diseases, such as atherosclerosis. Also, as a consequence of their affinity for a wide range of microbial products, their role in innate immunity is also being increasingly studied. However, in this review, a secondary function of a number of endothelial-expressed scavenger receptors is discussed. There is increasing evidence that some endothelial-expressed scavenger receptors are able to directly bind leukocyte-expressed ligands and subsequently act as adhesion molecules in the trafficking of leukocytes in lymphatic and vascular tissues. Here, we cover the current literature on this alternative role for endothelial-expressed scavenger receptors and also speculate on their therapeutic potential

Oral ranula : report of a case with review of literature

Ranula is a soft bluish translucent swelling that occurs in floor of mouth usually causing mild discomfort to the patient. Ranula can be categorized as simple or plunging. Simple ranula manifests as bluish colored swelling in the floor of the mouth whereas plunging ranula spread through the facial plans posterior to the mylohyoid muscle into the submandibular and neck spaces. To highlight the clinical features and surgical management simple ranula we hereby present a case of 28- year-old female.peer-reviewe

Prognostic Value and Potential Immunoregulatory Role of SCARF1 in Hepatocellular Carcinoma

Scavenger receptor class F member 1 (SCARF1) is thought to play an important role in the selective recruitment of CD4(+) T cells to liver sinusoidal endothelial cells during chronic liver disease. However, the contribution of SCARF1 to hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is currently unknown. We utilized publically-available RNA-sequencing data from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TGCA) to explore SCARF1 expression in HCC and correlated it with a number of clinicopathological features. Flow adhesion assays were used to determine the role of SCARF1 in CD4(+) T cell subset recruitment. SCARF1 expression was downregulated in HCC tumor tissues, compared to non-tumoral tissues, and loss of SCARF1 expression was associated with poorly differentiated/aggressive tumors. Additionally, higher SCARF1 expression in HCC tumor tissues was highly prognostic of better overall, disease-free and progression-free survival. SCARF1 within HCC was largely associated with tumor endothelial cells and adhesion studies suggested that it played a role in the specific recruitment of proinflammatory CD4(+) T cells (CD4(+)CD25(−)) to HCC tumor tissues. Endothelial SCARF1 expression in tumor biopsies may provide critical prognostic information. Additionally, SCARF1 may also be a novel endothelial target that could help re-programme the microenvironment of HCC by promoting effector T cell tumor infiltration

Botox in periodontics - Exploring new avenues

From a periodontal point of view, various factors contribute to facial aesthetics. In the recent past, studies have revealed that excessive gingival display is a factor that influences an individual’ smile line. Some literature exists to support that more than excessive gingival display of more than 3mm is considered unaesthetic and termed a ‘gummy smile’ (GS). The prevalence of 'gummy smile’ has been 10% and to be more common in females. Gingival hyperplasia altered passive eruption, vertical maxillary excess, and upper-lip hypermobility can all result in excessive gingival display when a patient smile.To select the correct treatment protocol, accurate diagnosis is essential. Various techniques have been used to treat gummy smile which includes surgical and non-surgical methods. Recently a non-surgical method using Botulinum toxin gained popularity considering that the method is minimally invasive

Status of Serum and Salivary Levels of Superoxide Dismutase in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus with Oral Manifestations: A Case Control Study

BACKGROUND: Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus is a very well known metabolic disorder that has reached epidemic proportions worldwide. Evidence suggests that oxidative stress increases in Diabetes Mellitus because of the excessive production of reactive oxygen species and an impaired antioxidant defence mechanism. This study estimated, compared and correlated the serum and salivary Superoxide dismutase levels in healthy subjects and subjects with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus having oral manifestations.MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this study, serum and salivary Superoxide dismutase levels were estimated in 45 healthy subjects and 45 patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus with oral manifestations.RESULTS: The mean serum and salivary Superoxide dismutase levels were significantly decreased in subjects with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus with oral manifestations compared to the healthy subjects. Positive correlation in both healthy and diabetics was observed between serum and salivary samples.CONCLUSION: This study highlights that the abnormally high levels of oxidative stress in diabetics coupled with simultaneous decline in antioxidant defence mechanism results in complications in Diabetes mellitus. Thus exploring saliva for antioxidant markers that accurately reflect the redox status of the body is worthwhile.KEYWORDS: Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus, Superoxide dismutase, antioxidan

A flow adhesion assay to study leucocyte recruitment to human hepatic sinusoidal endothelium under conditions of shear stress

Leucocyte infiltration into human liver tissue is a common process in all adult inflammatory liver diseases. Chronic infiltration can drive the development of fibrosis and progression to cirrhosis. Understanding the molecular mechanisms that mediate leucocyte recruitment to the liver could identify important therapeutic targets for liver disease. The key interaction during leucocyte recruitment is that of inflammatory cells with endothelium under conditions of shear stress. Recruitment to the liver occurs within the low shear channels of the hepatic sinusoids which are lined by hepatic sinusoidal endothelial cells (HSEC). The conditions within the hepatic sinusoids can be recapitulated by perfusing leucocytes through channels lined by human HSEC monolayers at specific flow rates. In these conditions leucocytes undergo a brief tethering step followed by activation and firm adhesion, followed by a crawling step and subsequent transmigration across the endothelial layer. Using phase contrast microscopy, each step of this 'adhesion cascade' can be visualized and recorded followed by offline analysis. Endothelial cells or leucocytes can be pretreated with inhibitors to determine the role of specific molecules during this process