Vertical Mandibular and Trunk Symmetry in Indonesian Orthodontic Patients

Abstract Objective: To analyze differences in vertical mandibular and trunk symmetry in orthodontic patients. Material and Methods: This was a cross-sectional study of 129 growing orthodontic patients who sought orthodontic treatment at the Dental Hospital Universitas Sumatera Utara, Indonesia. Mandibular symmetry index was observed with pre-treatment panoramic radiography based on Kjellberg's technique and trunk symmetry was evaluated based on questionnaires and visual observation. Vertical mandibular asymmetry was decided if the index of asymmetry was lower than 93.7%. The bivariate analysis used the chi-squared and Fisher's exact tests, with a significance level of 5%. Results: There was a significant association between vertical mandibular and trunk symmetry (p<0.05). The prevalence odds ratio for the association with vertical mandibular asymmetry was 3.007 (95% CI = 1.016-8.905) for trunk asymmetry. Conclusion: The necessity to consider trunk symmetry could be included in orthodontics treatment of any malocclusion with vertical mandibular asymmetry that might require a multidisciplinary approach in the future.

Immunoglobulin G Levels in the Gingival Crevicular Fluid of Menopausal Patients with Periodontitis

Abstract Objective: To measure the level of immunoglobulin G (IgG) in the gingival crevicular fluid (GCF). Material and Methods: A total of 158 patients aged >45 years were examined for periodontitis and interviewed regarding their menopausal status. The non-menopause group entailed female patients with periodontitis without menopause (n=23). The menopause group included females who stopped menstruating since >1 year, had a pocket depth of 4-5 mm, and did not have other systemic conditions (n=40). Samples were selected based on periodontal and menopausal status. In total, 63 samples of GCF were collected from the participants and tested using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kit for IgG. Results: The median level of IgG in the menopause group was 39.50 (g/mL, whereas that of the non-menopause group was 41.08 (g/mL. There was a positive correlation between the plaque index and IgG level in both groups. In contrast, there was a negative correlation between age and IgG level. However, there was no correlation between plaque index and age regarding the IgG level in both groups (p>0.05). Conclusion: The IgG levels in the menopause group were lower than those in the non-menopause group. As such, menopausal females should take great care of their overall health, including the periodontium.

Association of a Polymorphism in the Gene Encoding Methylenetetrahydrofolate Dehydrogenase 1 (MTHFD1) 1958G> A with Orofacial Cleft

ABSTRACT Objective: To evaluate the possible association of a polymorphism in the gene encoding methylenetetrahydrofolate dehydrogenase 1 (MTHFD1), 1958G>A, with the susceptibility to orofacial cleft in an Indonesian population. Material and Methods: A total of 200 stored secondary biological samples from 30 cases of orofacial cleft and 170 unaffected controls were analyzed to determine the polymorphism status at base 1958. The analysis was conducted using the PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism technique after digestion with the Msp1 restriction enzyme. The samples were then subjected to agarose gel electrophoresis to investigate the presence or absence of the following fragments: genotype GG, 196, 86 and 40 base pairs (bp); genotype AA, 282 and 28 bp and genotype AG, 282, 196, 86, 40 and 28 bp. The test groups were compared using the Chi-square test. Results: The wild-type allele containing 1958G, as well as the genotype GG, were significantly more common in the control group than in the orofacial cleft group. Conclusion: The MTHFD1 1958G>A polymorphism was significantly associated with orofacial cleft susceptibility in the tested Indonesian population.

Sex Identification Based on Tooth Crown Trait Analysis Among the Mongoloid Race

Abstract Objective: To determine whether anterior and posterior tooth crown traits exhibit sexual dimorphism and identify traits characteristic to the Mongoloid race, especially among the Indonesian population. Material and Methods: This study cross-sectional study analyzed 108 dental casts from 36 males and 72 females. The traits analyzed included winging, shoveling, double shoveling, canine mesial ridge, canine distal accessory ridge, hypocone, metaconule, Carabelli's cusp, protostylid, metaconulid, enteconulid, and hypoconulid. All tooth crown traits were scored based on the ASUDAS scoring system. Descriptive statistics were used to calculate the absolute and relative frequencies. The Chi-square tests was used to determine significant differences in anterior and posterior tooth crown traits between males and females. Level of significance was set at 5%. Results: None of the traits showed sexual dimorphism. Moreover, the most common traits among the Mongoloid race were hypocone (94.4%) and shoveling (86.1%). Conclusion: Although none of the traits exhibited sexual dimorphism, most of them had a higher incidence among females than males. Nonetheless, further research including adequate samples and a similar number of females and males, is needed, especially for population studies.

Early Detection of Bacillus anthracis From Saliva in Anticipation of a Bioterrorism Attack

Objective: To assess potential for early detection of oral infection by B. anthracis spores for preparedness of a bioterrorism attack. Material and Methods: The laboratory study used saliva with a range of initial anthrax concentrations, to compare detection by direct observation from conventional blood agar culture and by anthrax-specific PCR after a shorter culture in BHI broth. Three types of saliva were collected: stimulated saliva, unstimulated/whole saliva, and unstimulated/whole saliva with antibiotic treatment (for negative control). Using bivariate Kruskal-Wallis and Mann-Whitney tests for statistical analysis for factors that could affecting anthrax detection, significant differences between the test groups was assumed at p<0.05. Results: From unstimulated whole saliva heat shock treated at 62.50C, B. anthracis growth was detected with both methods. PCR detection from a BHI broth culture could shorten the time to diagnosis in comparison to conventional culture in blood agar. Conclusion: Saliva can provide useful samples for diagnosis of oropharyngeal anthrax. In comparison to conventional culture on blood agar, shorter-term culture in BHI broth provides potential for earlier detection and diagnosis.

Relationship of Age, Body Mass Index, Bone Density, and Menopause Duration with Alveolar Bone Resorption in Postmenopausal Women

Objective: To analyze the relationship between age, body mass index (BMI), bone mineral density (BMD), and alveolar bone resorption with menopause duration in postmenopausal women. Material and Methods: A cross-sectional study was developed involving 59 subjects, aged 45 to 80 years and categorized the duration of menopause as ≤5 years and >5 years. Body mass index measurement and menopause duration were collected. Bone loss seen on radiography was measured by drawing a vertical line from the cementoenamel in the distal part of the 36 teeth and the mesial portion of 46 teeth to the base of the bone marked by the lamina dura intact. Categorical determinations of age, BMI, BMD, and alveolar bone resorption were based on receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves. Were used Pearson correlation and Spearman correlation tests with the significance level set at 5%. Results: The majority of subjects (54.2%) with menopause duration >5 years were aged >54.5 years, most had BMI >24.2 kg/m2 (39%), had bone resorption >2.95 mm (52.5%), and had bone density ≤73.89 (49.2%). Pearson and Spearman correlation tests showed no significant correlation between age, BMI, bone density, and alveolar bone resorption (p>0.05). Conclusion: The longer the duration of menopause showed a tendency for lower bone density and higher age, BMI, and bone resorption.

Positive Correlation Between the Level of Interferon-Gamma and the Severity of Periodontitis

Abstract Objective: To examine the IFN-γ levels in patients with periodontitis and determine the difference in the levels of IFN-γ with the severity of the disease. Material and Methods: The study design was cross-sectional, and the sample consisted of 31 patients, aged between 18 and 64 years. Plaque index (PlI), calculus index (CI), and papillary bleeding index (PBI) were measured. Pocket depth (PD), recession, and clinical attachment loss (CAL) (mm) were measured at six sites per teeth. For mild/moderate periodontitis, pocket depth ≥4 mm in 1-3 sites was required, while the essential criteria for severe periodontitis were pocket depth ≥5 mm, clinical attachment loss >3 mm in more than 3 sites ≥2 quadrants. The IFN-γ levels were measured by performing enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay with the gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) samples. The measurements were made in two different sites, and the severity of periodontitis was categorized based on the pocket depth, attachment loss, and the remaining natural teeth. Kruskal-Wallis test, Mann-Whitney test, and Spearman's rank correlation coefficient were Results: The levels of IFN-γ (pg/mL) were correlated with the severity of the periodontal status, with p <0.05. Clinical parameters of periodontitis also correlated with the level of IFN-γ (pg/mL) Conclusion: Subjects with periodontitis presented greater levels of IFN-γ (pg/mL) in GCF than the periodontal healthy individuals. This result showed the role of IFN-γ in the inflammation.

Polymorphism of Serotonin Transporter SLC6A4 (5-HTTLPR) Gene in Cheilitis Angularis Patients

Abstract Objective: To determine the relationship between the Serotonin transporter SLC6A4 (5-HTTLPR) gene polymorphism in cheilitis angularis patients. Material and Methods: We conducted a descriptive analysis of 100 DNA samples extracted from the blood serum of 50 patients with cheilitis angularis and 50 patients without cheilitis angularis. Analysis of the Serotonin transporter SLC6A4 (5-HTTLPR) gene polymorphism was observed by carrying out PCR method followed by electrophoresis for the analysis, without the usage of restriction enzyme. The Chi-square test was used for statistical analysis Results: In the cheilitis angularis group there were 24 samples with SS genotype, 23 samples with LS genotype, and 3 samples with LL genotype. Whereas in the non-cheilitis angularis group, there were 5 samples with SS genotype, 18 samples with LS genotype, and 27 samples with LL genotype. In the cheilitis angularis group found 71 S alleles and 29 L alleles, and in the non-cheilitis angularis group 28 S alleles and 72 L alleles were found. A statistically significant difference was found between the groups (p<0.001) Conclusion: There were significant differences in the distribution of the Serotonin transporter SLC6A4 (5-HTTLPR) gene polymorphism between patients with and without cheilitis angularis.