Background: Tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), a ” major inflammatory cytokine,” not only plays an important role in periodontal destruction but also is extremely toxic to the host. Till date, there are not many studies comparing the levels of TNF-α in serum and its relationship to periodontal disease. Aim: Our study aimed to compare the serum TNF-α among the two study groups, namely, healthy controls and chronic periodontitis patients and establish a correlation between serum TNF-α and various clinical parameters. Hence, an attempt is made to estimate the level of TNF-α in serum, its relationship to periodontal disease and to explore the possibility of using the level of TNF-α in serum as a biochemical “ marker” of periodontal disease. Materials and Methods: Forty individuals participated in the study and were grouped into two subgroups. Group A – 20 systemically and periodontally healthy controls. Group B – twenty patients with generalized chronic periodontitis. The serum samples were assayed for TNF-α levels by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay method. Results: The mean serum TNF-α cytokines for Group B Generalized chronic periodontitis (GCP) was 2.977 ± 1.011, and Group A (healthy) was 0.867 ± 0.865. The range of serum TNF-α was from (0.867 to 2.977). Serum TNF-α cytokines had highly significant correlation with all clinical parameters (plaque index, probing pocket depth, clinical attachment loss, and gingival index) among all study participants ( P = 0.001). Conclusion: These observations suggest a positive association between periodontal disease and increased levels of TNF-α in serum. It can be concluded that there is a prospect of using the estimation of TNF-α in serum as a “marker” of periodontal disease in future. However, it remains a possibility that the absence or low levels of TNF-α in serum might indicate a stable lesion and elevated levels might indicate an active site but only longitudinal studies taking into account, the disease “activity” and “inactivity” could suggest the possibility of using TNF-α in serum as an “Indicator” of periodontal disease.

Introduction: The currently available options for restoring right ventricle (RV) to pulmonary artery (PA) continuity are far from satisfactory. In absence of an ideal conduit, hand sewn bovine pericardial conduit with Polytetrafluroethylene (PTFE) tri-leaflet valve (BPCTV) may serve as a satisfactory alternative particularly in low and middle income countries (LMIC). Material and Methods: The hospital records of all patients who received BPCTV in RV to PA position from January 2014 to June 2019 were retrospectively analysed. A total of 41 patients were further classified into two groups; pulmonary hypertension group (PH) and non-pulmonary hypertension group (NPH). The primary endpoints of the study were mortality, and freedom from re-operation for conduit failure. The secondary end point was to study the impact of pulmonary hypertension on the conduit function and durability. Results: The Mean age and weight of patients at time of conduit implantation was 56.8 months (range 2-196 months) and 12.3 kg (range 3-44 kg) respectively. The mean size of conduit was 18 mm (range 12-24 mm). The mean duration of follow up was 30 months (range 8-72 months). The freedom from re-intervention was 86% at 30 months (range 8-72 months). The cost of BPCTV was less than one-sixth of the commercially available bovine jugular vein conduit. Conclusion: The hand sewn BPCTV is a cost effective alternative to commercially available conduits with acceptable outcomes. However, more research with a larger sample size and a longer follow-up is required.