Toll-Like Receptors: A Key Marker for Periodontal Disease and Preterm Birth - A Contemporary Review

Effects of Single-Nucleotide Polymorphisms in Cytokine, Toll-Like Receptor, and Progesterone Receptor Genes on Risk of Miscarriage

Spontaneous abortion is a complex, multifactorial pathology, where various genetic, neural, endocrine, and immunological factors are involved. Cytokines, Toll-like receptors, and progesterone receptors play critical roles in embryonic implantation and development. A delicate, stage-specific equilibrium of these proteins is required for successful pregnancy outcome. However, genetic variation from one individual to another results in variation in levels of Th1/Th2 cytokines, strength of identification of infectious agents by Toll-like receptors, and quality of progesterone recognition. Thus, a complex study encompassing effects of major SNPs of cytokine, TLR, and PGR genes on the risk of miscarriage is needed. In this study, we investigated SNPs of 9 genes (TLR2 G753A, TLR4 C399T, TLR9 G2848A, TGF-β1 C509T, PGR PROGINS, IL-6 G174C, IL-8 C781T, IL-10 C592A, and TNFα G308A) in 106 women, whose pregnancy ended in miscarriage, and 74 women, who delivered in term without any pregnancy complication. All participants are from Ukrainian population. As a result, TLR9 and IL-10 SNPs have been found to play critical roles in the development of spontaneous abortion. TLR2, TLR4, IL-6, IL-8, and PGR SNPs were identified as secondary factors that can also affect the risk of miscarriage. There was no association found between TGF-β1 and TNFα polymorphisms and miscarriage.

Oral health knowledge, behavior, and care seeking among pregnant and recently-delivered women in rural Nepal: a qualitative study

BACKGROUND

Oral health behavior and attitudes of pregnant women in low-income countries are rarely examined, yet should be considered when designing preventative or therapeutic studies to reduce burden of oral diseases. We aimed to understand dental care-seeking behavior, as well as oral health knowledge and attitudes of oral health among pregnant women in rural Nepal.

METHODS

Semi-structured in-depth interviews (n = 16) and focus group discussions (3 groups, n = 23) were conducted among pregnant and recently-delivered women in Sarlahi, Nepal. Transcripts were translated from the local language to English then analyzed using a hybrid approach to thematic coding with Atlas.ti version 7.

RESULTS

Women felt confident describing the signs and symptoms of tooth decay and gum disease, but were not knowledgeable about where to receive care for tooth and/or gum pain and relied heavily on the knowledge of their community. Some women used a toothbrush and toothpaste at least once a day to clean their teeth, but many reported the traditional use of a branch of a local shrub or tree as their teeth cleaning instrument. Women suggested a willingness to consider using an oral rinse throughout pregnancy, perceiving that it might have a positive impact on infant health.

CONCLUSIONS

Future studies should focus on providing adequate and sustainable resources for pregnant women in Nepal and other low income settings to engage in good oral health behaviors (possibly supported through community-based workers), to maintain dental hygiene, and to access qualified dentists as a means of improving their oral health.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT01177111 (Nepal Oil Massage Study) and NCT02788786 (Pilot Trial).

DNA repeat sequences: diversity and versatility of functions

Although discovered decades ago, the molecular identification, the diversity and versatility of functions, and the evolutionary origin of repeat DNA sequences (REPs) containing palindromic units in prokaryotes are now bringing attention to a wide range of biological scientists. A brief account of the current state of the repeat DNA sequences is presented here.