Bone’s smart envelope - The periosteum: Unleashing its regenerative potential for periodontal reconstruction

Prime aim of periodontal therapy is to set up a state of periodontal health with pocket elimination and attachment level gain, preferably by periodontal regeneration. Various tools/techniques have been proposed for this purpose. But, the quest still continues. In this context, the periosteum offers an attractive option for periodontal regeneration. The rationale for the use of periosteum lies in its anatomy and its physiologic functions during normalcy. Periosteum contains the desired stem cells and progenitor cells that are capable to produce periodontal tissues. Periosteum has high vasculo-proliferative and neuro-trophic activities. In addition, it is easier for the dentist to harvest the periosteum for clinical use. It can be harvested from adjacent to the surgery site in sufficient amounts. Even though it has many advantages, there is only limited research for exploiting the regenerative potential of periosteum for periodontal regeneration so far. Conversely, in the medical field, the periosteum is extensively used and proved to be promising. Hence, the aim of this paper is to discuss the regenerative potential of periosteum and various available tools and techniques to harness it for periodontal regeneratio

Abdominal aortic aneurysm is associated with a variant in low-density lipoprotein receptor-related protein 1

Abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) is a common cause of morbidity and mortality and has a significant heritability. We carried out a genome-wide association discovery study of 1866 patients with AAA and 5435 controls and replication of promising signals (lead SNP with a p value < 1 × 10-5) in 2871 additional cases and 32,687 controls and performed further follow-up in 1491 AAA and 11,060 controls. In the discovery study, nine loci demonstrated association with AAA (p < 1 × 10-5). In the replication sample, the lead SNP at one of these loci, rs1466535, located within intron 1 of low-density-lipoprotein receptor-related protein 1 (LRP1) demonstrated significant association (p = 0.0042). We confirmed the association of rs1466535 and AAA in our follow-up study (p = 0.035). In a combined analysis (6228 AAA and 49182 controls), rs1466535 had a consistent effect size and direction in all sample sets (combined p = 4.52 × 10-10, odds ratio 1.15 [1.10-1.21]). No associations were seen for either rs1466535 or the 12q13.3 locus in independent association studies of coronary artery disease, blood pressure, diabetes, or hyperlipidaemia, suggesting that this locus is specific to AAA. Gene-expression studies demonstrated a trend toward increased LRP1 expression for the rs1466535 CC genotype in arterial tissues; there was a significant (p = 0.029) 1.19-fold (1.04-1.36) increase in LRP1 expression in CC homozygotes compared to TT homozygotes in aortic adventitia. Functional studies demonstrated that rs1466535 might alter a SREBP-1 binding site and influence enhancer activity at the locus. In conclusion, this study has identified a biologically plausible genetic variant associated specifically with AAA, and we suggest that this variant has a possible functional role in LRP1 expression

EFFECT OF NON-SURGICAL THERAPY ON SALIVARY NITRIC OXIDE AND LIPID PEROXIDATION LEVELS IN TYPE II DIABETIC AND NON DIABETIC PATIENTS WITH PERIODONTAL DISEASE

Objective: Reactive oxygen species have been identified as potential factors causing periodontal tissue destruction. Elevated levels of these in patients with chronic periodontitis and diabetes may aggravate the oxidative stress burden thereby accelerating the tissue damage associated with diabetes. The present study aimed to assess the effect of diabetes and periodontal disease on the oxidative stress markers and the effect of non-surgical therapy on these markers.Methods: A total of 50 participants were divided into four groups based on the selection criteria. In addition to clinical parameters and biochemical parameters (salivary nitric oxide [NO] and malondialdehyde [MDA] levels) were assessed using spectrophotometric method at baseline and 3 months after non-surgical periodontal therapy.Result: There was a statistically significant difference in the clinical parameters as well as NO and MDA levels in patients with type 2 diabetes and chronic periodontitis than other three groups at baseline and at 3 months after non- surgical periodontal therapy.Conclusion: Diabetes mellitus and periodontitis have a compounding effect on the oxidative stress. Periodontal therapy is essential for diabetic patients as it can lower the levels of oxidative damage

Readiness and utilization of computer-assisted learning among dental students and faculty

Introduction: An assessment of computer literacy and readiness is required for successful implementation of a structured computer-assisted learning (CAL). The present study was aimed to assess and compare computer literacy, attitude toward implementation of a structured CAL, and the current level of use of computer/laptop for academic purposes by students and faculty. In addition, the difference in attitude toward structured CAL and the current level of use of computer/laptop, based on computer literacy were evaluated. Materials and Methods: In this cross-sectional study 316 undergraduate students and 57 faculties of a dental school in India. Computer literacy, the current level of use, and attitudes toward a structured CAL were assessed using a questionnaire. Participants were divided into basic user, intermediate user, and advanced user based on computer literacy. Data were analyzed using Chi-square test. Results: Most of the students and faculty were intermediate users. Faculty used the internet for academic purposes at a significantly higher frequency and accessed a wide variety of internet sites and material as compared to students. Most of the students and faculty favored introducing a structured CAL. The favorable attitude toward structured CAL and the better utilization of laptops for academic purposes were associated with the level of computer literacy among students. Conclusions: Both faculty and students favor the use of structured CAL. Higher computer literacy results in more use and favorable attitude toward structured CAL among students. Further training of faculty and students is needed to improve the readiness and utilization of CAL

Towards a common etiopathogenesis: Periodontal disease and endometriosis

Context: Periodontal disease and endometriosis are seen to share a common pathogenesis. There is only one report suggesting the possible association between the two conditions. Aims: To study the association between endometriosis and periodontal disease. Settings and Design: This was a case–control study. Subjects and Methods: Periodontal screening was carried out in 25 women with endometriosis and 25 women without endometriosis. Severity of periodontal disease was classified based on the extent of loss of attachment. Statistical Analysis Used: Student's t-test, Mann–Whitney U test, and Karl Pearson correlation coefficient tests were used for statistical analysis. Results: The proportion of women with severe periodontitis was seen to be higher among women with endometriosis (70%). Conclusions: The results of the present study indicate the existence of a relationship between endometriosis and periodontal disease. However, further studies among larger cohorts of endometriosis may provide evidence about the association

Third molar maturity index as an efficient tool for prediction of age in a sample Indian population - A retrospective study

Introduction: The age of 18 years is an important milestone for legal matters, and developmental parameters of teeth are often used for estimation of this age. The aim of this study is to assess the efficiency of third molar maturity index (I3M) in establishing age of 18 years in Dakshina Kannada population. Methods: A total of 700 orthopantomograms were retrieved from the archives of the radiology department of Manipal College of Dental Sciences, Mangalore. The length and the width of the open apex of the mandibular left third molar was assessed using Image J software and the Third molar maturity Index (I3M) was calculated and correlated with the age of the individual. Results: Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis showed the Area under curve of 0.94 and 0.96 in females and males, respectively, for prediction of age of 18 years. The cut-off of 0.08 predicted the 18-year cut-off with 97% specificity and 90.2% negative predictive value. The percentage of the accuracy was 80.23% if the I3M was <0.08. Conclusion: The efficiency of the cut-off of 0.08 of I3M has been tested in various population including Kosovar, Peruvian, South Indian, Libyan, Montenegro, Croatian, African (Botswana), Albanian, and Serbian. Our study also shows the efficiency of the same in South Indian Dakshina Kannada population

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Not AvailableWA-CMS system based rice hybrids are widely adopted in many rice growing countries, including India. Even though it is well known that the trait is controlled by mitochondria, the genes underpinning the trait remain enigmatic. In the present study, a complete genome-wide comparative sequence analysis was performed using draft mitochondrial genomes of WA-CMS and male fertile lines in a step-wise manner, progressively covering 5–10 kb every time through BLASTN tool. The sequence polymorphisms identified in different mitochondrial regions were targeted to develop two different sets of dominant PCR-based markers, one consisting of six markers targeting WA-CMS mitochondria, the other set consisting of five markers targeting male fertile mitochondria in addition to development of a set of eight co-dominant PCR-based markers targeting both the genomes. When a set of candidate genes/ORFs reported earlier to be associated with WA-CMS trait in rice were analyzed through RT-PCR of RNA isolated from immature rice florets, it was observed that the chimeric ORF, WA352 is expressed only in WA-CMS line and hybrid (i.e. genotypes containing sterile mitochondria), indicating it’s candidacy for the WA-CMS trait. Targeting the functional nucleotide polymorphism between WA-CMS and maintainer mitochondria with respect to WA352, two dominant markers, one targeting sterile and another targeting fertile mitochondria were developed. In addition, a robust, co-dominant functional marker targeting the candidate gene was also developed and validated for its utility in identification of genetic impurities in seed lots of WA-CMS lines.Department of Biotechnology, Government of IndiaDepartment of Science and Technology (DST), Government of India for the INSPIRE fellowshi

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Not AvailableWA-CMS system based rice hybrids are widely adopted in many rice growing countries, including India. Even though it is well known that the trait is controlled by mitochondria, the genes underpinning the trait remain enigmatic. In the present study, a complete genome-wide comparative sequence analysis was performed using draft mitochondrial genomes of WA-CMS and male fertile lines in a step-wise manner, progressively covering 5–10 kb every time through BLASTN tool. The sequence polymorphisms identified in different mitochondrial regions were targeted to develop two different sets of dominant PCR-based markers, one consisting of six markers targeting WA-CMS mitochondria, the other set consisting of five markers targeting male fertile mitochondria in addition to development of a set of eight co-dominant PCR-based markers targeting both the genomes. When a set of candidate genes/ORFs reported earlier to be associated with WA-CMS trait in rice were analyzed through RT-PCR of RNA isolated from immature rice florets, it was observed that the chimeric ORF, WA352 is expressed only in WA-CMS line and hybrid (i.e. genotypes containing sterile mitochondria), indicating it’s candidacy for the WA-CMS trait. Targeting the functional nucleotide polymorphism between WA-CMS and maintainer mitochondria with respect to WA352, two dominant markers, one targeting sterile and another targeting fertile mitochondria were developed. In addition, a robust, codominant functional marker targeting the candidate gene was also developed and validated for its utility in identification of genetic impurities in seed lots of WA-CMS lines.Not Availabl