Assessment of alveolar bone mass using radio morphometric indices in urban and rural postmenopausal women and their correlation with serum vitamin D3 level

Introduction: The number of women with osteoporosis i.e. with reduced bone mass and disruption of bone architecture, is increasing in India due to severe deficiency of Vitamin D. It has been reported throughout the country in urban and rural post-menopausal women. Vitamin D synthesis is affected by geographical location, atmospheric pollution, clothing, melanin pigmentation and sunlight exposure. Moreover, ageing is also associated with decreased vitamin D synthesis. Vitamin D deficiency is the most underdiagnosed medical condition in postmenopausal woman. Objective: Therefore, this study was planned to estimate and to evaluate alveolar bone mass using radio morphometric indices in postmenopausal women and its correlation with serum vitamin D3. Materials and Methods: We conducted a study comprising of a study group of 60 post-menopausal women, divided into 2 sub-groups, each group comprising of 30 individuals, depending on their occupation and domicile. Blood samples were taken to evaluate serum vitamin D3 level. Also, panoramic radiographs of all the study subjects were recorded for evaluation of 3 radio morphometric indices viz. mandibular cortical index (MCI), mental index (MI), and panoramic mandibular index (PMI). Results: Statistical analysis revealed higher significant values in rural than in urban postmenopausal woman. Conclusions: A high overall prevalence (90%) of vitamin D deficiency was also observed in the study subjects.

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.