Sex determination by amplification of amelogenin gene from dental pulp tissue by polymerase Chain Reaction

Forensic odontology necessarily involves the application of dentistry along with various other branches of sciences which deals with proper handling, examination, evaluation, and presentation of dental evidences, that aids to investigate a crime and deliver justice. Sex determination is a part of forensic odontology and an essential priority when traditional identification of the deceased becomes impossible. Aim: To determine Sex by analysis of the Amelogenin gene using Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) method on Deoxyribose nucleic acid (DNA) isolated from dental pulp, which was exposed to various environmental conditions created artificially to mimic a forensic scenario. Materials and Method: This in-vitro study was conducted by subjecting extracted teeth to various conditions imitating a forensic scene, viz. desiccation at room temperatures, immersion in salt water, burial in soil and even exposing to extremes of temperatures. DNA was extracted from dental pulp tissue and sex determination was achieved by amplification of the amelogenin gene through AMEL gene based primers in PCR. Result: Among all the samples used in this study, DNA could be extracted from all, except from those that were subjected to a temperature of 350 °C. DNA amplification and sex determination of the samples were found to be accurate when compared to sex of the individual which was recorded initially, during collection of teeth samples. Conclusion: This study shows teeth to be a potent source of DNA even in extreme environmental conditions, barring high temperatures and determination of sex by PCR amplification of AMEL markers to be quite reliable.

Evaluation of plasma reactive oxygen metabolites levels in obese subjects with periodontal disease.

Background: Obesity represents the systemic condition capable of influencing the onset and progression of periodontal disease. Obesity is associated with oxidative stress. Plasma level of reactive oxidative metabolites (ROMs) is measured as an indicator of oxidative stress in the body. The aim of this study is to assess and compare the plasma ROM levels in obese subjects with healthy and inflammatory periodontal status. Materials and Methods: Sixty subjects selected were grouped as 15 obese or overweight subjects with generalized chronic periodontitis, 15 obese or overweight subjects with generalized chronic gingivitis, 15 obese or overweight subjects with healthy periodontium, and 15 nonobese and healthy periodontium. The clinical periodontal parameters such as plaque index, gingival index, probing pocket depth, and clinical attachment level were measured. Blood samples were obtained to measure the plasma levels of ROM. Result and Conclusion: In this study, obese subjects with chronic periodontitis (Group I) had mean plasma ROM levels (442.3 ± 15.65 Carratelli unit [CARR U]) showing 100% subjects with high oxidative stress. Obese subjects with chronic gingivitis (Group II) had mean plasma ROM levels (358.7 ± 20.61 CARR U) indicating 86.7% subjects with oxidative stress. Obese subjects with healthy periodontium (Group III) had 46.7% subjects with slight oxidative stress, and the mean ROM level was 320.2 ± 17.57. Nonobese subjects with healthy periodontium (Group IV) had 80% of subjects with normal oxidative stress and the mean plasma ROM level was 296.9 ± 20.35 CARR U. The intra‑ and inter‑group comparison showed significant difference (P < 0.001). From our study, we report that obese subjects with periodontitis have more oxidative stress compared to obese subjects with healthy periodontium.

Bilateral conjunctival retention cysts in the aftermath of Stevens-Johnson syndrome.

In this case report, we describe the rare occurrence of bilateral conjunctival retention cysts in a child with Stevens-Johnson syndrome. The case was managed conservatively as there were no functional or cosmetic problems.

Assessment of trace elements leaching of coal combustion residues from Bokaro Thermal Power Station.

The leaching behaviour of coal combustion residues (CCRs) viz. fly ash, bottom ash and pond ash from Bokaro Thermal Power Station (BTPS), Jharkhand was investigated by open column percolation experiment. The study aims to determine the long-term leaching of trace/ heavy elements CCRs from BTPS. The results ofpotentiometric analysis ofleachates reflected that CCRs are slightly acidic to alkaline but overall on the long-term basis these are alkaline in nature. From the long-term leaching study of approximately two years, it has been revealed that of the twenty three elements those were analysed by open column percolation experiments, only Ca, Mg, Na and K were found to be leaching throughout the study period though their concentrations reduced considerably with time. Other elements such as Mn, Fe, Cu, Zn, Pb found to leach at significant concentration levels for sometime but found to be absent on long-term basis. Elements such as As, Cr, Cd, Ni, Al, Co, B etc. were not found in the leachate. Conclusion of this study is that CCRs from BTPS are environmentally benign with respect to leaching of trace elements.

Gamma radiation process for destruction of toxic polychlorinated biphenyls (Pcbs) in transformer oils.

Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are synthetic organic chemicals commercially used worldwide in many applications. PCBs were used in oils because of their excellent properties such as good thermal stability, flame resistance, dielectric constant, high break down voltage, high boiling point and low volatility. However, because of their adverse affects on environment and human health, the use of PCBs has been banned now. PCBs are today considered among the widespread pollutants in the global system. PCBs sources still exist in various industrial products and in waste streams such as capacitor oils, lubricating oils, transformer oils, hydraulic oils, paints, rubbers, cables, etc. Several such materials containing PCBs emanating from various sources need to be detoxified before their reuse or before going to landfill for final disposal. Various remedial technologies have been developed in the world to destroy toxic PCBs. The radiolysis has been investigated as an environment-friendly process for waste oil treatment contaminated with PCBs, which may be a better alternative to the globally most widely accepted incineration method. A study was undertaken to detoxify PCBs in transformer oil by gamma radiation using Cobalt 60 source. Analysis of PCBs in transformer oils before and after radiation was carried out by GC-MS instrument. The effect of radiation dose and destruction of PCBs in transformer oils are discussed in details in the present paper. The method used was found to be highly effective and destruction was as high as 79 %. Further, the transformer oil samples were also evaluated before and after radiation to check their quality. The properties of oils were not significantly altered by gamma radiation treatment as evident from the results given in the paper.

Chopstick splinter: A rare cause of bilateral frozen orbits

OBJECTIVE: To report an unusual case of frozen orbit caused by an unsuspected intraorbital foreign body. METHOD: This is a case report. RESULTS: A 31-year old Chinese man presented with a 6-month history of painless progressive right caruncular growth with mucoid discharge. He also had bilateral progressive reduction in ocular movements. His best-corrected vision was 6/9 bilaterally. A conjunctival granuloma arising from the right caruncle and extending to the cornea and associate with ophthalmoplegia was also present. Orbital computed tomography showed a dense rod-like structure traversing the nasal area, extending from the superomedial wall of the right orbit to the apex of the left orbit with surrounding inflammatory reaction but sparing the optic nerve. The intraorbital foreign body, a 6 cm chopstick splinter, was successfully removed via right lateral rhinotomy. CONCLUSION: Intraorbital foreign bodies are not uncommonly seen and, generally, the diagnosis is straightforward. Nevertheless, diagnosis, could be missed if it is not suspected.