A reviewer for the Journal of the Royal Statistical Society of England comments \"This is the first book covering in one volume all important topics in genetical statistics.\" Written to provide basic probability ideas in terms of genetic situations, since the theory of genetics is a probability theory; to give a definitive treatment of applications of these ideas to genetic theory; and to describe statistical methods appropriate to the data models that are developed.

An Introduction to Genetic Statistics

Periodontal health is influenced by a number of factors such as oral hygiene, genetic and epigenetic factors, systemic health, and nutrition. Many studies have observed that a balanced diet has an essential role in maintaining periodontal health. Additionally, the influences of nutritional supplements and dietary components have been known to affect healing after periodontal surgery. Studies have attempted to find a correlation between tooth loss, periodontal health, and nutrition. Moreover, bone formation and periodontal regeneration are also affected by numerous vitamins, minerals, and trace elements. The aim of this review is to critically appraise the currently available data on diet and maintenance of periodontal health and periodontal healing. The effects of nutritional intervention studies to improve the quality of life and well-being of patients with periodontal disease have been discussed.

The Role of Nutrition in Periodontal Health: An Update.

The incidence of inflammatory bowel disease is increasing all over the world, especially in industrialized countries. The aim of the present work was to verify the anti-inflammatory activity of metabolites. In particular, cell-free supernatants of Lactobacillus acidophilus, Lactobacillus casei, Lactococcus lactis, Lactobacillus reuteri, and Saccharomyces boulardii have been investigated. Metabolites produced by these probiotics were able to downregulate the expression of PGE-2 and IL-8 in human colon epithelial HT-29 cells. Moreover, probiotic supernatants can differently modulate IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α, and IL-10 production by human macrophages, suggesting a peculiar anti-inflammatory activity. Furthermore, supernatants showed a significant dose-dependent radical scavenging activity. This study suggests one of the mechanisms by which probiotics exert their anti-inflammatory activity affecting directly the intestinal epithelial cells and the underlying macrophages. This study provides a further evidence to support the possible use of probiotic metabolites in preventing and downregulating intestinal inflammation as adjuvant in anti-inflammatory therapy.

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Probiotic Cell-Free Supernatants Exhibited Anti-Inflammatory and Antioxidant Activity on Human Gut Epithelial Cells and Macrophages Stimulated with LPS

Periodontitis, an inflammatory disease that affects the tissues surrounding the teeth, is a common disease worldwide It is caused by a dysregulation of the host inflammatory response to bacterial infection, which leads to soft and hard tissue destruction In particular, it is the excessive inflammation in response to bacterial plaque that leads to the release of reactive oxygen species (ROS) from neutrophils, which, then play a critical role in the destruction of periodontal tissue Generally, ROS produced from immune cells exhibit an anti-bacterial effect and play a role in host defense and immune regulation Excessive ROS, however, can exert cytotoxic effects, cause oxidative damage to proteins and DNA, can interfere with cell growth and cell cycle progression, and induce apoptosis of gingival fibroblasts Collectively, these effects enable ROS to directly induce periodontal tissue damage Some ROS also act as intracellular signaling molecules during osteoclastogenesis, and can thus also play an indirect role in bone destruction Cells have several protective mechanisms to manage such oxidative stress, most of which involve production of cytoprotective enzymes that scavenge ROS These enzymes are transcriptionally regulated via NRF2, Sirtuin, and FOXO Some reports indicate an association between periodontitis and these cytoprotective enzymes’ regulatory axes, with superoxide dismutase (SOD) the most extensively investigated In this review article, we discuss the role of oxidative stress in the tissue destruction manifest in periodontitis, and the mechanisms that protect against this oxidative stress

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Pathways that Regulate ROS Scavenging Enzymes, and Their Role in Defense Against Tissue Destruction in Periodontitis.

This article provides an up-to-date review of the more robust salivary biomarkers, as well as of panels of combinatorial markers and periodontal pathogens, that reveal high sensitivity and specificity for enhancing clinical decision-making in periodontal disease progression, risk and diagnosis. Periodontal diseases are complex and require an inflammatory response to bacterial pathogens in a susceptible host to stimulate tissue destruction. When used alone, traditional clinical assessments provide a diagnosis of periodontitis only after the biologic onset of the disease process, and are unable to substantiate disease activity or future risk. New technologies are becoming available that are capable of measuring combinations of inflammatory cytokines and proteinases for rapid chair-side testing. Utilizing saliva to identify and measure specific phenotypes and host-derived mediators will allow highly individualized diagnosis, prognosis and treatments for periodontal diseases. This personalized medicine approach will strengthen the power of the clinical oral examination and medical history assessments, providing patients with evidence-based, targeted risk care.

Personalized medicine: an update of salivary biomarkers for periodontal diseases

Recent epidemiological studies reveal that more than two-third of the world's population suffers from one of the chronic forms of periodontal disease. The primary etiological agent of this inflammatory disease is a polymicrobial complex, predominantly Gram negative anaerobic or facultative bacteria within the sub-gingival biofilm. These bacterial species initiate the production of various cytokines such as interleukin-8 and TNF-α, further causing an increase in number and activity of polymorphonucleocytes (PMN) along with these cytokines, PMNs also produce reactive oxygen species (ROS) superoxide via the respiratory burst mechanism as the part of the defence response to infection. ROS just like the interleukins have deleterious effects on tissue cells when produced in excess. To counter the harmful effects of ROS, human body has its own defence mechanisms to eliminate them as soon as they are formed. The aim of this review is to focus on the role of different free radicals, ROS, and antioxidants in the pathophysiology of periodontal tissue destruction.

Reactive oxygen species in periodontitis

Ellis-van Creveld (EVC) syndrome is a genetic disorder with autosomal recessive transmission, which may clinically present as small stature, short limbs, fine sparse hair, hypoplastic fingernails, multiple musculofibrous frenula, conical teeth, hypoplasia of the enamel, hypodontia, and malocclusion. Heart defects, especially abnormalities of atrial septation, have been found in about 60% of cases. The mutation in EVC and EVC2 gene is responsible for this syndrome. The presence of multiple orodental findings makes this syndrome important for dentists. The aim of this article is to present a rare case of EVC syndrome in a 10-year-old girl along with the review of literature.

Ellis-van Creveld syndrome: A rare clinical entity.

Development of nutritionally rich hybrids is one of the main breeding objectives in vegetable crops to counter micronutrient malnutrition The present study evaluates the combining ability and heterosis for different dietary minerals in snowball cauliflower Five genetically diverse Ogura cytoplasmic male sterile (CMS) lines of cauliflower and seven male fertile testers were crossed in line × tester mating scheme to obtain 35 F1 hybrids The assessment of the F1s along with their parental lines for 8 important macro- and microelements revealed a wide range of heterosis The CMS line, Ogu 13-85 was identified as a good general combiner for sodium (Na), calcium (Ca), iron (Fe), zinc (Zn) and manganese (Mn) content, whereas Ogu 101 for Mn, Zn, sulphur (S) and magnesium (Mg) contents The lines with better general combining ability (GCA) produced majority of the heterotic hybrids However, GCA alone was not sufficient to determine and identify the potential parental lines The hybrid, Ogu 101 × Lalchowk Maghi was found to be the best heterotic combination for potassium (K), S and Zn content The cross Ogu 13-85 × Lalchowk Maghi was the best heterotic hybrid for Na and Ca content The cross-combinations Ogu 13-85 × DB-187, Ogu 13-01 × DB-187 and Ogu 13-01 × Sel-26 showed high heterosis for accumulation of Mg, Fe and Mn, respectively It was observed that both GCA and specific combining ability were important for heterosis of mineral content in snowball cauliflower

Heterosis and Combining Ability for Mineral Nutrients in Snowball Cauliflower (Brassica oleracea var. botrytis L.) Using Ogura Cytoplasmic Male Sterile Lines

Page | 136 capable of reproduction.[2] This begins with the secretion by the anterior pituitary of gonadotropin hormones (follicle-stimulating hormone and luteinizing hormone), which causes the ovaries to begin cyclical production and secretion of female sex hormones (estrogen and progesterone). It is also responsible for changes in physical appearance and behavior that are related to increased levels of the steroid sex hormones, testosterone in males, and estradiol in females. During puberty, the production of sex hormones increases to a level that remains constant for the entire normal reproductive period. After puberty follows menstrual phase where increased production and secretion of estrogen and progesterone in a cyclic pattern accompanies the onset of puberty and is referred to as the reproductive or menstrual cycle. The duration of normal reproductive cycle is 28 days and the monthly reproductive cycle has two phases: Follicular phase or proliferative phase and secretory or luteal phase. The first phase is the follicular phase, where the levels of folliclestimulating hormone and estrogen are elevated and estrogen peaks approximately 2 days before ovulation. After ovulation, the secretory phase begins at approximately 14th day of the cycle. This phase is characterized by the synthesis and release of estrogen and progesterone by the follicular cells, which have become the corpus luteum. If fertilization does not occur, the corpus luteum will degenerate, plasma levels of estrogen and progesterone will decline, and menstruation will ensue.[3] During the menstrual cycle, progesterone peaks at approximately 10 days (increases from the 2nd week) and drops before menstruation.

Periodontal status in pre- and post-menopausal women: A review

Functional components of food are potentially valuable substances found naturally in foods or added to them as useful ingredients and include carotenoids, dietary fibers, fatty acids, flavanoids, phenolic acids, etc. Carotenoids are among the most widespread and important ones due to their varied functions. They are fat‑soluble pigments mostly found in plants, fruits, algae, photosynthetic bacteria, and also occur in yeasts and molds. The most abundant naturally occurring carotenoids are β‑carotene, α‑carotene, γ‑carotene, lycopene, lutein, β‑cryptoxanthin, zeaxanthin, and astaxanthin. Lycopene, one of the most important carotenoids, structurally determines the potential biological function and plays an equally important role in oral health. Lycopene is a red plant pigment found in tomatoes, apricots, guavas, watermelons, papayas, and pink grapefruits, with tomatoes being the largest contributor to the dietary intake of humans. Lycopene exhibits higher singlet oxygen quenching ability. Due to its strong color and non‑toxicity, it is a useful food coloring agent. Moreover, it plays a multifunctional role in the body by protecting the body from the oral pre‑cancers like leukoplakia and also prevents the destruction of periodontal tissues. This review article focuses mainly on the role of lycopene in the prevention of periodontal disease and oral cancers.

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Rohit Bhardwaj

Papers

Reactive oxygen species in periodontitis

Ellis-van Creveld syndrome: A rare clinical entity.

Heterosis and Combining Ability for Mineral Nutrients in Snowball Cauliflower (Brassica oleracea var. botrytis L.) Using Ogura Cytoplasmic Male Sterile Lines

Periodontal status in pre- and post-menopausal women: A review

Lycopene in oral health