Toll-like receptors (TLRs) are known to play important roles in human innate immune systems. Polymorphisms in and functions of TLRs have been investigated to identify associations with specific infectious diseases including tuberculosis (TB). This study was performed for 166 samples of unrelated individual's diagnosis of pulmonary tuberculosis and 98 household healthy samples. Genomic DNA was extracted from EDTA-anticoagulated peripheral blood. The alleles of (rs352140) TLR9 gene polymorphisms were detected using polymerase chain reaction restriction fragment length polymorphism. The resulting fragments were separated in 3% agarose gel electrophoresis. The sequence results generated by the forward and reverse sequencing primers were analyzed with the software program sequencing analysis. Sequence comparisons of three genotypes AG, AA, and GG were performed using the multiple-alignment algorithm in Megalign. The direct counting was used to determine the allele and genotype frequencies of each polymorphism. Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium (HWE) tests were performed in controls by Fisher exact test. Significant deviations from the HardyWeinberg equilibrium in the distribution of the TLRs SNP genotypes in TB patients and controls were not detected for the SNP TLR9rs352140 for both patients and controls. These results do not indicate a major influence of these putative functional TLR SNP on the susceptibility to (or protection from) tuberculosis in Egyptian population.

Many applications for these technologies have been reported in multiple fields, including dentistry, within the last three decades. It can be used in periodontology, endodontics, orthodontics, oral implantology, maxillofacial and oral surgery, and prosthodontics. In the present literature review, we have discussed the different clinical applications of various 3D printing technologies in dentistry. Evidence indicates that 3D printing approaches are usually associated with favorable outcomes based on the continuous development and production of novel approaches, enabling clinicians to develop complex equipment in different clinical and surgical aspects. Developing work models to facilitate diagnostic and surgical settings is the commonest application of these modalities in dentistry. Besides, they can also be used to manufacture various implantable devices. Accordingly, they significantly help enhance the treatment process, reducing costs and less invasive procedures with favorable outcomes. Finally, 3D printing technologies can design complex devices in a facilitated and more accurate way than conventional methods. Therefore, 3D printing should be encouraged in clinical settings for its various advantages over conventional maneuvers.