Association of genetic polymorphism of interleukin 1-alpha and interleukin 1-beta with external apical root resorption in orthodontic patients.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the allele rs 1143634 in IL-1ß and rs1800587 in IL-1α in patients for orthodontically induced external apical root resorption (EARR). MATERIAL AND METHODS: Intra-oral periapical radiograph (IOPA) of maxillary incisors of 142 Patients were evaluated for resorption at two time points; before the start of fixed mechanotherapy (T1) and after one year of treatment (T2). The individuals with root resorption<2mm were categorized as a control group (group 1; n=90), and resorption>2mm were categorized as case group (group 2; n=52). Buccal swabs of all patients were taken and DNA could be isolated in 95 out of 142 samples (group 1 {n=58}, group 2 {n=37}), which were then screened for the selected two polymorphic targets to determine the nucleotide status of these targets. Tetra-primer ARMS PCR reactions were carried out using all 4 primers for each polymorphism. RESULTS: rs11800587 was not associated with risk of EARR in any inheritance model. Chi-square test for association of alleles with EARR revealed that rs1143634 was associated with the risk of EARR in an allelic model in such a way that A allele of this SNP increased the risk of EARR 4 folds [OR=4.375; P=0.016]. However, the adjusted level of significance using the Holm-Bonferroni method for rs1143634 was P<0.010 for A and G comparison rendering the results non-significant. CONCLUSION: SNP rs1143634 and SNP rs11800587 were not associated with risk of EARR in any inheritance model.

Evaluating the Concentration of MMP-9 and TNF- α in Pulpal Blood at Various Stages of Pulpal Inflammation in Diabetics: A Cross Sectional Study.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the concentration of Matrix metalloproteinases-9 (MMP-9) and Tumor necroses fac- tor-alpha (TNF- α) in pulpal blood at various stages of pulpal inflammation in diabetics and to establish the relationship between these two biomarkers. METHODS: 77 patients, each having a tooth with pulpal exposure due to caries presenting with distinct stages of pulpitis were grouped into 2 main study groups as based on the HbA1c Levels-Group 1: Non-Diabetics (Control Group) (HbA1c < 5.6%) and Group 2: Type 2 Diabetics (Experimental Group) (HbA1c>6.5%; Random Plasma Glucose > 200) and diabetes mellitus with less than 10-year history. Depending on the radiological and clinical diagnosis, these two groups were again sub-divided into 2 subgroups: Sub-group A: Tooth with Symptomatic Irreversible Pulpitis. Sub Group B: Tooth with Reversible Pulpitis. Thus, for comparison purposes, a total of 4 sub-divisions were formed: Sub-group 1A- Non-Diabetic, Symtomatic Irreversible Pulpitis, Sub- group 1B: Non-Diabetic, Reversible Pulpitis, Sub-group 2A: Diabetic, Symptomatic Irreversible Pulpitis, Sub- group 2B: Diabetic, Reversible Pulpitis. Blood sample was collected from pulp chamber after partial pulpo- tomy was done. The total levels of MMP-9 and TNF-α were assessed by enzyme linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA). Inter-group comparison in levels of MMP-9 and TNF- α were conducted using the Kruskal Wallis test and pairwise comparison was done Mann-Whitney U test. RESULTS: The inter-group comparison in levels of MMP-9 and TNF- α were conducted using the Kruskal Wallis test and pairwise comparison was done using Mann-Whitney U test. Pearson correlations were conducted in order to investigate correlations between the paired TNF-α and MMP-9 values and also their correlation with the blood sugar levels within the pulp diagnosis groups. MMP-9 and TNF-α levels were significantly higher (p<0.005) in irreversible pulpits than reversible pulpits and also in Type-2 diabetics than non-diabetics. High- est level of MMP-9 and TNF-α was found in Group 2A (Diabetic, symptomaticirreversible pulpitis) and lowest in Group 1B (Non-Diabetic, reversible pulpitis). There exists a very high significant positive correlation between MMP-9 and TNF-α (p<0.005). CONCLUSION: These findings show that the inflammatory mediators MMP-9 and TNF-α are significantly in- creased in pulpal blood samples of diabetic patients. Also, in diabetic patients diagnosed with reversible pul- pitis, higher levels of inflammatory pulpal biomarkers were reported that could compromise the success of Vital Pulp Therapy (VPT) and may necessitate endodontic intervention. MMP-9 and TNF- α were reported to have a positive correlation. (EEJ-2023-01-04).

Comparison of demineralization around orthodontic brackets cured by conventional method and transillumination technique-an in vitro evaluation.

OBJECTIVE: To compare demineralization around orthodontic brackets cured by conventional method and transillumination method. MATERIALS AND METHOD: Sixty freshly extracted human premolar teeth were divided into four groups. Group 1: Brackets bonded with conventional method of bonding by curing labially for 40 sec. Group 2: Brackets bonded with transillumination method of bonding for 50 sec. Group 3: Brackets bonded with conventional method of bonding by curing labially for 20 sec followed by 30 sec of transillumination. Group 4: Brackets bonded with transillumination method of bonding for 30 sec followed by labial curing for 20 sec. Ground sections were prepared of each tooth and microleakage was evaluated using a binocular microscope at 40× magnification (Olympus BX53) and an image was taken using a digital camera (Olympus EPL3) connected to the microscope. The images were analyzed using Magnus Pro Image software. Scores were assigned to different degrees of microleakage at the demineralization zone around enamel-adhesive-bracket complex at the occlusal, middle, and gingival margins using linear measurement tool. Data obtained was subjected to statistical analysis using SPSS software (Version 20.0). Level of significance was kept at 5%. Intragroup comparison was done using Kruskal-Wallis test followed by Mann-Whitney U-tests for pairwise comparison. RESULTS: Group 4 showed least mean demineralization in occlusal, middle, and cervical areas as compared to other groups and the results were statistically significant (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Transillumination can be employed as a method synergistically with conventional curing to achieve minimum amount of demineralization during fixed orthodontic treatment.

Antioxidant-Oxidant Index as a Biomarker in Oral Potentially Malignant Disorders and Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma: A Biochemical Study.

INTRODUCTION: Oxidative stress has been implicated in tumourigenesis by affecting the actions of various protein kinases and transcription factors, and resulting in damage to DNA structure by the deamination of nucleotides and the generation of free radicals. Derangements in the antioxidant defence mechanism have been considered in the pathogenesis of oral cancer. AIM: To evaluate and compare the serum levels of nitric oxide and vitamin C in cases of Oral Potentially Malignant Disorders (OPMDs) and Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma (OSCC) and healthy controls. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Serum from 20 patients with OSCC, 20 patients with OPMDs and 10 healthy subjects were analyzed for levels of nitric oxide and vitamin C using UV spectrophotometry. Antioxidant-Oxidant Index (AOI) was calculated by calculating the ratio between the levels of nitric oxide and vitamin C. RESULTS: The mean nitric oxide levels were elevated in OSCC group, as compared to OPMD and control group, whereas, mean serum vitamin C levels were reduced in OSCC group as compared to OPMDs and control group (statistically significant, p<0.05). There was significant increase in AOI from control group (0.023), OPMDs (0.167) and OSCC group (0.279) (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: Assessment of levels of antioxidant oxidant markers are useful tools in monitoring the progression of OPMDs to OSCC. AOI is an objective tool to assess the oxidative stress in these patients.

Reproducibility of grading systems in oral epithelial dysplasia.

OBJECTIVE: To assess inter and intra observer variability in grading oral epithelial dysplasia (OED) using Smith and Pindborg grading system, WHO classification system and Brothwell DJ et al. classification system. STUDY DESIGN: In the study 45 histological tissues of dysplasia, 15 each of mild, moderate and severe dysplasia were coded and blindly graded by three observers in three grading systems. Further on the same observers graded 15 slides again of the previous 45 for analyzing the reproducibility in the three grading systems. The individual significance of various indicators of dysplasia among various grades of dysplasia was also assessed. RESULT: Inter observer agreement was significantly higher in Brothwell system as compared to WHO and Smith and Pindborg system. Intra observer agreement was significantly higher in Smith and Pindborg system, but the predictability and the probability index was distributed over a larger range in this system. Each indicator of dysplasia was also found to be statistically significant (P<0.05) for grading dysplasia. CONCLUSION: The present study puts forth the inherent intricacies in the grading of oral premalignant lesions.