Establishment of Role of IL-2, IL-10 and IL-12 in Patients with Recurrent Aphthous Stomatitis-A Clinical Study.

BACKGROUND: Recurrent aphthous stomatitis is a vesiculobul-lous disease characterized by painful ulcers in the oral cavity. The role of interleukins such as IL-2, IL-10 and IL-12 in initiating disease demands careful assessment. The present study was conducted to determine the level of IL-2, IL-10 and IL-12 in patients with recurrent aphthous stomatitis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The present study was conducted on 40 patients diagnosed with recurrent aphthous stomatitis. An equal number of age and gender-matched subjects (40) was included as a control. They were divided into 2 age groups from 20 to 40 years and 40 to 60 years. All were made to sit comfortably on a dental chair, and 1 ml of unstimulated saliva was collected in a sterile tube to assess the level of IL-2, IL-10 and IL-12 using ELISA. The level of IL-2, IL-10 and IL-12 was measured in pg/mL. RESULTS: Each group had 10 males and 10 females. The difference was non-significant (P-1). Age group 20-40 years comprised of 14 patients in group I (eight males and six females) and 12 in group II (five males and seven females). Age group 40-60 years had six patients in group I (two males and four females) and 8 patients in group II (five males and three females). The difference was significant (p < 0.05). The most common form was minor (82%) followed by herpetiform (13%) and major (5%). In group I, the mean value of IL-2 level was 32.24 pg/mL, IL-10 was 1.24 ± 0.6 and IL-12 was 28.34 ± 4.04 and in group II, mean value of IL-2 level was 12.10 pg/mL, IL-10 was 2.56 ± 1.12 and IL-12 was 23.16 ± 4.16. The difference was significant (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Age group 20 to 40 years showed higher prevalence. The level of IL-2 and IL-12 is highly increased while IL-10 is decreased in patients. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: Role of interleukins as a precipitating factor along with stress is well established. With the thorough knowledge of the disease process, the newer treatment modality specific against interleukins may be proven useful in controlling the disease.

Mandibular ramus- An indicator for gender determination: A digital panoramic study in Bagalkot population.

Background: In medico-legal investigations identification of skeletal remains is of utmost importance. The skeletal remains most commonly investigated are pelvic and skull bones with the mandible an important element to analyze sexual dimorphism. Mandibular ramus can differentiate between the two genders as the stages of mandibular development, growth rates, and duration are different in both genders. Metric analysis on the radiographs is found to be of higher values when skeletal sex determination is considered. Aims and Objectives: 1) To compare and evaluate the various measurements of the mandibular ramus on digital OPG's. 2) To assess the usefulness of mandibular ramus as an aid in gender determination in the Bagalkot population. Materials and Methods: A retrospective study was conducted on 80 patients (40 males & 40 females) using Kodak 8000 C digital panoramic radiographs of the Bagalkot population with ages ranging from 18 to 58 years. Five parameters namely coronoid ramus height, condyle ramus height, condyle coronoid breadth, maximum ramus breadth, and minimum ramus breadth were taken into consideration, the values were measured and data were analyzed. Statistical analysis was done using SPSS software. Results: In the present study, all the measurements of the mandibular ramus on digital panoramic radiographs showed a statistically significant difference between both the genders except for minimum ramus breadth which was found to be insignificant. Conclusion: Discriminant analysis of mandibular ramus using panoramic radiography can be used as an effective tool in gender determination and can be used as an aid in forensic sciences.

A randomized, double-blind phase 1b study evaluating the safety, tolerability, pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of the NLRP3 inhibitor selnoflast in patients with moderate to severe active ulcerative colitis.

BACKGROUND: The NLRP3 inflammasome drives release of pro-inflammatory cytokines including interleukin (IL)-1ß and IL-18 and is a potential target for ulcerative colitis (UC). Selnoflast (RO7486967) is an orally active, potent, selective and reversible small molecule NLRP3 inhibitor. We conducted a randomized, placebo-controlled Phase 1b study to assess the safety, tolerability, pharmacokinetics (PK) and pharmacodynamics (PD) of selnoflast. METHODS: Nineteen adults with previous diagnosis of UC and current active moderate to severe disease were randomized 2:1 to selnoflast or placebo for 7 days. A dose of 450 mg QD (once daily) was selected to achieve 90% IL-1ß inhibition in plasma and colon tissue. Consecutive blood, sigmoid colon biopsies and stool samples were analyzed for a variety of PD markers. Safety and PK were also evaluated. RESULTS: Selnoflast was well-tolerated. Plasma concentrations increased rapidly after oral administration, reaching Tmax 1 h post-dose. Mean plasma concentrations stayed above the IL-1ß IC90 level throughout the dosing interval (mean Ctrough on Day 1 and Day 5: 2.55 µg/mL and 2.66 µg/mL, respectively). At steady state, post-dose selnoflast concentrations in sigmoid colon (5-20 µg/g) were above the IC90 . Production of IL-1ß was reduced in whole blood following ex vivo stimulation with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) (in the selnoflast arm). No changes were observed in plasma IL-18 levels. There were no meaningful differences in the expression of an IL-1-related gene signature in sigmoid colon tissue, and no differences in the expression of stool biomarkers. CONCLUSIONS: Selnoflast was safe and well-tolerated. Selnoflast 450 mg QD achieved plasma and tissue exposure predicted to maintain IL-1ß IC90 over the dosing interval. However, PD biomarker results showed no robust differences between treatment arms, suggesting no major therapeutic effects are to be expected in UC. The limitations of this study are its small sample size and indirect assessment of the effect on IL-1ß in tissue. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ISRCTN16847938.

Assessment of condyle-coronoid angle and gonial angle for gender determination: A digital panoramic study in Bagalkot population.

Background: The determination of gender is of utmost importance for forensic science and medico-legal purposes. The mandibular bone may play a vital role in gender determination as it is the most dimorphic bone of the skull that is often recovered intact. In this respect, orthopantomograms are of great value in accurate age and sex estimation. The mandibular angles, especially the gonial angle is an important parameter of the craniofacial complex giving an indication about the vertical parameters and symmetry of the facial skeleton. The purpose of the current study was to evaluate the usefulness of mandibular gonial and coronoid-condyle angle measurements on digital panoramic images as an indicator for gender determination in the Bagalkot population. Materials and Methods: A total of 200 panoramic images (100 males and 100 females) of Bagalkot district patients aged (18-58) yrs old were selected. Two mandibular parameters 1) gonial angle and 2) condyle-coronoid angle were analyzed using trophy DICOM 6.1.2.0, masterview 4.2.0. Two-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) test and Tukey's multiple post hoc procedures were used to compare the gender and two sides (left and right) with respect to gonial angle and condyle-coronoid angle. Results: The analysis of the present study confirmed a statistically significant difference between the right and left sides of the gonial angle and condyle-coronoid angle in both genders. The mean comparison also shows a variation between males and females, based on gonial angle and condyle-coronoid values; females have statistically significant higher mean values than males. Based on the analysis, the present study concludes that this difference between males and females from both sides suggests that the gonial angle and condyle-coronoid angle help in gender determination. Conclusion: The results of the study show that greater mandibular angle aids in gender dimorphism and proves to be beneficial in gender estimation. Gonial angle and condyle-coronoid angle can be used to differentiate gender with high accuracy.

To Determine the Effect of Chewing Gum Containing Xylitol and Sorbitol on Mutans Streptococci and Lactobacilli Count in Saliva, Plaque, and Gingival Health and to Compare the Efficacy of Chewing Gums.

AIMS AND OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study is to determine the effect of chewing gum containing xylitol and sorbitol on mutans streptococci and Lactobacilli count in saliva, plaque, and gingival health and to compare the efficacy of chewing gums. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study was designed as a double-blinded randomized uncontrolled clinical trial with two parallel arms. A total of 80 students consented and completed the study. The test group (X) received corresponding pellets with xylitol and the control group (S) was given pellets containing sorbitol and maltitol three times daily for 30 days. Clinical scoring and saliva samples were collected at three different intervals, at baseline, 15th, and 30th day of the study. The outcome measure was plaque index score, gingival index score, salivary mutans streptococci, and Lactobacilli counts. Data collected were analyzed using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS version 19.0). RESULTS: There was no statistically significant difference between the mean of mutans streptococci count of test and control group at baseline and 15th day, but there was statistically highly significant difference (P = 0.00) between the mean of mutans streptococci count in test and control group on the 30th day. The mean of Lactobacilli count, plaque index, and gingival index score between test and control group showed no statistically significant difference at baseline, 15th day, and 30th day. CONCLUSION: The results suggest that only xylitol gum may interfere with the mutans streptococci composition and reduce it after continuous use of 30 days effectively as compared to sorbitol gum, but both the gums are equally effective on salivary Lactobacilli, plaque, and gingiva at different intervals.

Evaluation of canine sexual dimorphism in deciduous and permanent dentition.

INTRODUCTION: Teeth are an excellent material in living and nonliving populations for anthropological, genetic, odontologic and forensic investigations. Among the various calcified structures in the human body, teeth have gained lot of popularity in estimating the sex of an individual as they are highly resistant to destruction and decomposition. The present study aims to assess the importance of canines in sexual dimorphism in both primary and permanent dentition as well as to describe the dimensional characteristics of canines among the population of Bagalkot district of Karnataka, India. MATERIALS AND METHODS: One hundred and fifty participants belonging to Bagalkot district of Karnataka population, 100 adults (50 males and 50 females) in the age group of 17-30 years and 50 children (25 boys and 25 girls) in the age group of 3-6 years were included in the study. Impressions were made using alginate and study models were prepared using dental stone. Clinical crown height (CCH), maximum mesiodistal diameter (MMD) and maximum buccolingual width (MBL) of maxillary and mandibular canines of both dentitions were measured using digital vernier caliper. RESULTS: In deciduous dentition, significant differences were noted between maxillary and mandibular deciduous canines in male and female children using three dimensions, except mandibular canine, i.e., CCH did not show a significant difference. In permanent dentition, CCH and MMD showed significant differences except mandibular canines not showing significant differences in MBL (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Thus, canines can act as a valuable tool in gender determination as there is significant sexual dimorphism in maxillary and mandibular deciduous and permanent dentition.

Amelogenin Gene - The Pioneer in Gender Determination from Forensic Dental Samples.

INTRODUCTION: In the event of any mass fatality incident, DNA analysis plays a vital role in disaster victim identification. Teeth are one of the most resistant structures in the human body that resist decomposition hence making them prime choice for extracting DNA for identification of individuals. Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) analysis that target regions of Amelogenin gene have become the method of choice for sex determination of biological samples. AIM: Determining the sex of a given DNA sample from either dental pulp or dentin of tooth and help in identification of missing persons and disaster victims. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In our study 50 teeth samples were studied and they were subjected to various environmental conditions along with freshly extracted teeth taken as control for duration of one month and three months. Pulpal tissue was retrieved from the teeth specimens by access opening of root canals and for incinerated samples, the specimens were crushed. From the DNA that was extracted from the dental pulp sample Amelogenin gene locus was used for sex determination by amplifying a segment of X-Y homologous gene locus through PCR analysis. RESULTS: ANOVA test and t-test proved to be statistically significant and 100% retrieval rate was observed in samples. CONCLUSION: Pulpal tissue along with degenerating odontoblastic processes yield sufficient amount of DNA for gender determination when subjected to various forensic conditions with maximum accuracy.

Priming of beta-2 agonist and antimuscarinic induced physiological responses induced by 1200mg/day NAC in moderate to severe COPD patients: A pilot study.

UNLABELLED: This study evaluated antioxidant modulations of lung physiological-responses to beta-2-agonist and antimuscarinic bronchodilators with 1200mg/day n-acetyl-cysteine (NAC) in a placebo-controlled, randomised, double-blind, parallel-group study, in moderate-very severe COPD patients. METHODS: 15 COPD patients received NAC treatment, while 9 COPD patients received placebo treatment, for 15 days. Pre-and-post salbutamol and ipratopium-bromide lung-physiology responses were measured using body-plethysmography, impulse-oscillometry (IOS) and spirometry before-and-after study treatments. RESULTS: Compared to pre-treatment, the NAC-treatment significantly enhanced the potential of ipratopium-bromide to reduce functional-residual-capacity (FRC) by nearly 3-folds (mean% FRC-response: pre-NAC: -5.51%±10.42% versus post-NAC: -17.89%±12.94%, p=0.02; mean-absolute FRC-response: pre-NAC: -300ml±450ml versus post-NAC: -770ml±550ml, p=0.02), which was superior to placebo-treatment. The increase in total-lung-capacity response to ipratopium-bromide, although insignificant, was superior with post-NAC treatment versus post-placebo treatment (p=0.049). The salbutamol-response remained unaltered with either treatment. CONCLUSION: The treatment with 1200mg/day NAC has potential to enhance the bronchodilator ability of antimuscarinic-agents but not beta-2-agonist. However, its clinical application has to be established in large sample-size studies for longer-duration.