ABSTRACT
Introduction To a large extent, a person's susceptibility to developing periodontitis is determined by their genetic makeup. Research has shown that chemokines generated during an immune response can harm the periodontal ligaments, gingiva, and alveolar bone. Various chemokine genes located on different chromosomes contribute to periodontitis, and one such gene is C-C motif chemokine ligand 2 (CCL2), associated with the rs1024611 polymorphism, which is part of a cytokine gene cluster on the q-arm of chromosome 17. Objective Our specific objective was to investigate whether CCL2 polymorphisms could influence the relative risk of developing periodontitis. Building on these findings, we aimed to compare the frequency of a specific single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) in the CCL2 gene between individuals with and without periodontitis. Materials and methods Fifty participants were enrolled in the study after obtaining informed consent and ethical clearance. Clinical assessments, including probing pocket depth, clinical attachment loss, and bleeding on probing, were utilized to classify individuals into two groups: a control group (Group A, n=25) and a periodontitis group (Group B, n=25). DNA extraction from collected samples involved drawing 2 ml of venous blood from the antecubital fossa and transferring it into a sterile tube with a pinch of ethylene diamine tetraacetic acid (EDTA) to prevent clotting. DNA extraction was performed and polymorphisms of CCL2 were assessed through polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and restriction enzyme digestion. Results The periodontitis group consisted of 25 patients, with an average age of 39.0±0.22 years, who met the American Academy of Periodontology's 2018 criteria for at least stage II periodontitis. The control group comprised 25 individuals with an average age of 41.3±0.49 years. Regarding the CCL2 gene polymorphism (rs1024611), there was no substantial variation in genotype frequencies between the patients and controls (p = 0.695). An agarose gel electrophoretogram, along with a standard DNA ladder, demonstrated partial amplification of the CCL2 gene spanning the polymorphism site (rs1024611). Genotypes observed were as follows: homozygous AA - 333 bp; heterozygous AG - 333 + 250 + 73 bp; homozygous GG - 250 + 73 bp. Conclusion In conclusion, there is no significant association between the CCL2 gene polymorphism rs1024611 and susceptibility to periodontitis.
ABSTRACT
Introduction Age estimation holds significant importance within the realm of forensic science, serving as a crucial tool for various purposes such as validating birth certificates, aiding immigration processes, and determining eligibility for retirement benefits. Additionally, age estimation carries significant implications in situations involving human trafficking, offering insights into matters such as legal culpability, adult classification, and marriage age assessment. Aim The purpose of this research was to assess the precision of the Tooth Coronal Index (TCI) in the estimation of age, a key component of forensic odontology. Materials and methods The research employed a retrospective approach, analyzing 700 digital panoramic radiographs of the mandibular first bicuspids. The study population was categorized into five age groups viz. 20-30, 31-40, 41-50, 51-60, and above 61 years respectively. Statistical methods were applied to investigate the relation between TCI and age. Additionally, one-way ANOVA was utilized to compare the groups. Results Findings revealed that males aged between 20-30 years exhibited underestimation, while males above 60 years displayed overestimation. Among females, the smallest disparity between existent and calculated age was observed in the 31-40 age group. Notably, ANOVA analysis for females indicated highly significant differences between the calculated and actual ages across all age segments (P<0.01). Regarding the mean TCI, inter-group comparisons showed statistically insignificant differences in males, while in females, the distinctions were statistically extremely noteworthy (P<0.01). Conclusion The utilization of TCI for age estimation based on mandibular first bicuspids is recommended as a convenient, non-invasive, and time-efficient approach.
