Apolipoprotein-E Gene Polymorphism and Lipid Composition among IUGR and AGA Neonates.

Objective The objective of this study is to study the profile of apolipoprotein E ( APOE ) gene polymorphism and lipid profile among intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) and appropriate for gestational age (AGA) neonates. This is an observational study. This study was done at the neonatal unit of a teaching hospital in South India. All consecutively born IUGR neonates (cases) of more than 32 weeks' gestational age and AGA neonates (controls) were enrolled for the study. Genomic DNA extraction was done from a total of 102 peripheral venous blood samples. Genotyping of the APOE rs429358 and rs7412 defining the ε2, ε3, and ε4 alleles was done by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism method. Prefeed venous blood was collected and analyzed for lipid profile estimation. The allelic frequencies of cases versus control were ε2-9 (8.7%) versus 3 (2.9%); ε3-88 (84.6%) versus 81 (79.4%); and ε4-7 (6.7%) versus 18 (17.6%). The frequency of ε4 isoform allele, associated with adult onset of metabolic diseases was less among the IUGR group. The mean total cholesterol (TC), Low-Density Lipoprotein (LDL), High-Density Lipoprotein, and triglyceride (TG) were 107.59 ± 35.99, 51.69 ± 24.68, 21.75 ± 9.58, and 151.22 ± 61.84 mg/dL, respectively, in the IUGR group. The mean TC and LDL levels in IUGR group were marginally higher than AGA neonates (107 ± 35.99 vs. 100.37 ± 22.69 mg/dL and 51.69 ± 24.68 versus 46.9 ± 19.51 mg/dL, p > 0.05). In both groups, the mean TC and TGL levels were elevated in the ε4 isoform subgroup ( p > 0.05). In our study, the ε2 allele was the second most predominant APOE isoform and the ε4 allele of the APOE gene associated with adult-onset diseases was not increased among IUGR neonates. Neonates with ε4 allele showed an abnormal lipid profile in both study groups suggesting a possible association.

Comparison of the collum angle of incisors and canines in skeletal malocclusions - A CBCT study.

INTRODUCTION: The collum angle that defines the crown root angulation of the single rooted teeth plays an important in treatment planning. OBJECTIVE: To compare the collum angle (crown root angulation) of maxillary and mandibular anterior teeth in different skeletal malocclusions using Cone Beam Computed Tomography (CBCT). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Sixty subjects were categorized into four groups (fifteen subjects in each group) Class I, Class II division 1, Class II division 2 malocclusion and Class III based on Angle classification, Wits and ANB. The collum angle of maxillary and mandibular anterior teeth was measured using CBCT. One way ANOVA, Post hoc comparison with Tukey HSD and Paired t-test were used to analyse the measured data. RESULTS: The collum angle of corresponding right and left side teeth were averaged. Thus, the mean and standard deviation of the collum angle (n-30) were generated for maxillary and mandibular central incisors, lateral incisors, and canines. A statistically significant increase was observed in the maxillary central incisors of Class II division 2 and mandibular lateral incisors of class III malocclusion. The collum angle was increased in mandibular canines of Class III malocclusion when compared with class I and Class II division 2 malocclusion. The collum angle was negative in mandibular central incisors of Class II division 2. No statistically significant difference was observed in the mean collum angle between the right and left side anterior teeth in all the four groups. CONCLUSION: A variation in Collum angle was observed between the maxillary and mandibular anterior teeth and malocclusions. The effect of these variations in collum angle in torque expression and biomechanics should be kept in mind by the orthodontist before treatment planning especially in Class II division 2 malocclusion.

Effectiveness of various interceptive treatments on palatally displaced canine-a systematic review.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this systematic review was to assess whether interceptive treatment carried out in the mixed dentition period improves the position of Palatally Displaced Canines (PDC). MATERIALS AND METHODS: A systematic search was performed on various computerized databases. A hand search was also performed by reviewing the references within the examined studies and titles of the papers published over the last 30 years on various orthodontic journals. RESULTS: This systematic review analysed eight articles, of which five were Randomized Clinical Trials (RCT) and three were prospective control studies. Qualitative assessment was done for all the eight studies. The effect of interceptive measures such as extraction of primary canine, Rapid Maxillary Expansion (RME), cervical pull headgear and Transpalatal Arch (TPA) on successful eruption of Palatally Displaced Canines was analyzed. CONCLUSION: Interceptive treatment improves the position of PDC and reduces the chances of impaction. Significant changes in success rate depend on diagnosis at early mixed dentition stage. A combination of interceptive measures which includes extraction of primary canine, cervical pull headgear, TPA and RME aided in successful eruption. However, Randomized clinical trials with increased sample size, proper randomization comparing all the interceptive measures along with assessment of other factors such as patient satisfaction, pain experience and cost factor will yield more evidence based conclusions.