Assessment of single nucleotide polymorphism at IL-1A+4845 and IL-1B+3954 as genetic susceptibility test for chronic periodontitis in Maharashtrian ethnicity

BACKGROUND: The inflammatory response that is directed in large part by proinflammatory cytokine interleukin (IL)-1 is genetically determined, with some people having a more vigorous response than others to the same stimulus. The reason for this is speculated that the dysregulated production of IL-1 in some individuals overrides the feedback mechanisms that normally master the dose of inflammation to a level sufficient to fight microbial invasion without long-lasting damage to the tissues involved. The aims of the present study were to determine the distribution of IL-1 gene polymorphism (IL-1A+4845 and IL-1B+3954) and their association with periodontal disease severity and to determine the significance of detecting the composite genotype (IL-1A allele2+IL-1B allele2) versus detecting either of them alone. METHODS: A total of 120 subjects were included and divided into four groups of 30 subjects each, namely, healthy, mild, moderate, and severe periodontitis groups. After a complete clinical examination, DNA was isolated from 0.5 ml blood. Specific primers were used to detect the presence of IL-1 gene polymorphism with the help of polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and subsequent allele detection with restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) and separation by gel electrophoresis. RESULTS: The distribution of the allele1 homozygous genotype was 3% in the severe periodontitis group, and the distribution for the allele2 genotype was 30%. A higly significant difference (Wilcoxon signed-rank test; P<0.001) was seen between subjects positive and negative for the composite genotype. CONCLUSIONS: Results of the present study reinforced the association of the IL-1 genotype as a risk factor for severe chronic periodontitis. Positivity for the composite genotype was found to be significantly associated with severe chronic periodontitis (odds ratio [OR]=12.42).     

Evaluation of the Antioxidant Activity of Sida cordifolia.

Abstract

Sida cordifolia. Linn. (Malvaceae) is commonly known as bala. and widely used in Ayurveda. The comparative antioxidant potential of ethanol extracts of Sida cordifolia. leaf, stem, root, and whole plant was studied. Anti–lipid peroxidation, free-radical scavenging, reducing power, nitric oxide scavenging, superoxide scavenging antioxidant assay, and further estimation of total phenolic content and HPTLC studies were carried out. Various antioxidant activities were compared with standard antioxidants such as BHA, α-tocopherol, and ascorbic acid. Ethanol extracts were found to be a good scavenger of DPPH radical in the order roots > stem > leaves > whole plant with values 76.62%, 63.87%, 58% and 29% at a dose of 1 mg, respectively. All extracts of Sida cordifolia. (SC) have effective reducing power and free-radical scavenging activity. Only the root extract exhibited superoxide-scavenging activity and inhibited lipid peroxidation in rat liver homogenate. All these antioxidant properties were concentration dependent. In addition, total phenolics content of all the extracts of S. cordifolia. were determined as gallic acid equivalents. The highest antioxidant activity was observed in the root extract. The results obtained in the current study indicate that S. cordifolia. is a potential source of natural antioxidants.     

Neurofibromatosis type I with breast cancer: not only for women!

The association of neurofibromatosis type I with invasive male breast cancer is a rare clinical entity with only one case in literature reported in 1953. Women with NF1 are at risk of developing breast cancer and men also may be at risk but there is scarce data on the risk and association of NF1 with male breast cancer due to its rarity. Established clinical trials in male breast cancer patients are lacking and the results are extrapolated from female breast cancer patients. The treatment of male breast cancer is followed as per the guidelines of premenopausal female breast cancer and tamoxifen is the hormone treatment in them. Mendes et al suggests that silencing of NF1 gene confers resistance to tamoxifen. Our conclusions are that since NF1 is mutated or deleted in one third of sporadic breast cancers, its role as a molecular driver for treatment has to be further explored.     

Synthesis of 2-methyl N10-substituted acridones as selective inhibitors of multidrug resistance (MDR) associated protein in cancer cells

A series of N10-substituted-2-methyl acridone derivatives are synthesized and are examined for its ability to reverse P-glycoprotein (P-gp) mediated multidrug resistance (MDR) in breast cancer cell lines MCF-7 and MCF-7/Adr. The structural requirement of in-vitro anti-cancer and reversal of drug resistance are studied. The results showed that compound 16 with four carbon spacer exhibited promising in-vitro anti-cancer and reversal of drug resistance in comparison to the other analogues.     

The CREATE project: development of certified reference materials for allergenic products and validation of methods for their quantification

Allergen extracts have been used for diagnosis and treatment of allergy for around 100 years. During the second half of 20th century, the notion increasingly gained foothold that accurate standardization of such extracts is of great importance for improvement of their quality. As a consequence, manufacturers have implemented extensive protocols for standardization and quality control. These protocols have overall IgE-binding potencies as their focus. Unfortunately, each company is using their own in-house reference materials and their own unique units to express potencies. This does not facilitate comparison of different products. During the last decades, most major allergens of relevant allergen sources have been identified and it has been established that effective immunotherapy requires certain minimum quantities of these allergens to be present in the administered maintenance dose. Therefore, the idea developed to introduce major allergens measurements into standardization protocols. Such protocols based on mass units of major allergen, quantify the active ingredients of the treatment and will at the same time allow comparison of competitor products. In 2001, an EU funded project, the CREATE project, was started to support introduction of major allergen based standardization. The aim of the project was to evaluate the use of recombinant allergens as reference materials and of ELISA assays for major allergen measurements. This paper gives an overview of the achievements of the CREATE project.     

ABO Blood Groups and Its Association with Oral Cancer,Oral Potentially Malignant Disorders and Oral Submucous Fibrosis– A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Objective:The study aimed to evaluate the association between ABO blood groups and oral cancer, other potentially malignant disorders (OPMD), and oral submucous fibrosis (OSMF). Materials and methods:A search was conducted in Medline, Cochrane databases, Google Scholar, Scopus, Web of Science and Directory of Open Access Journals (DOAJ) for studies evaluating ABO blood groups as risk factors for oral cancer and OPMD among cases and controls. The PRISMA guidelines were followed for the meta-analysis. Participants included patients with oral cancer, and OPMD diagnosed using histopathologic investigations. Sub-group analysis was conducted to evaluate the association between blood groups and OSMF. Quality was evaluated using the Risk of Bias Assessment tool. Fixed effects model was used to assess the odds ratio for the association. Results:There were 1,352, 414, and 299 cases of oral cancer, OPMD, and OSMF and 11,699, 7,382 and 7,307 controls for analysis respectively. Blood group A was significantly associated with both oral cancer (Odds ratio: 1.27 [95% CI, 1.10, 1.47], P= 0.001) and OPMD (Odds ratio: 1.33 [95% CI, 1.01, 1.47], P= 0.04). No association was noted between blood group B and AB with oral cancer, OPMD, and OSMF. Blood group O was significantly associated with lower chances of oral cancer (Odds ratio: 0.81 [95% CI, 0.71, 0.93], P= 0.002). Conclusion:Meta-analysis suggests blood group A has a greater risk for developing oral cancer and OPMD. Blood group O was associated with lower chances of oral cancer. No association was noted between ABO blood group system with OSMF.Key Words: ABO blood group system, oral cancer, potentially malignant disorders, oral submucous fibrosis