Search Results (1,341)

Background/Objectives: Cigarette smoking is a well-established risk factor for periodontal tissue damage caused by oxidative stress and increased proteolytic activity. Electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes), marketed as less harmful alternatives, deliver nicotine and reactive compounds that may similarly disrupt periodontal health. However, their molecular effects on clinically healthy periodontal tissues remain unclear. This study aimed to compare oxidative stress-related and matrix-degradative biomarkers in the gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) of cigarette smokers (CS), e-cigarette (EC) users, and non-smokers (NS), and to examine the relationships among these markers. Methods: Sixty individuals, who were systemically and periodontally healthy (20 CS, 20 EC, and 20 NS), were examined. Clinical parameters, including probing depth (PD), clinical attachment level (CAL), plaque index (PI), and bleeding on probing (BOP), were recorded. GCF samples were analyzed for reactive oxygen species (ROS), matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9), and forkhead box protein O-1 (FOXO-1) using ELISA. Initial group comparisons were descriptive, followed by analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) to adjust for age; PI and PD were included as covariates in separate models. Correlations were assessed using Spearman’s analysis. Results: PD was significantly higher in both EC users and CS compared with NS (p = 0.022). MMP-9 levels were significantly higher in CS than in EC users and NS (p < 0.05), while FOXO-1 concentrations were significantly lower in CS compared with NS (p = 0.0227). ROS levels did not differ significantly among groups (p > 0.05). After adjustment for age, PI, or PD, group differences in MMP-9 and FOXO-1 remained statistically significant, whereas ROS levels remained comparable. FOXO-1 demonstrated positive correlations with ROS and MMP-9 within exposure groups; these associations were considered exploratory. Conclusions: In this cross-sectional study, CS and EC use were associated with altered matrix-regulatory biomarker profiles in clinically healthy periodontal tissues, independent of age and periodontal indices. Causal or temporal inferences cannot be drawn, and longitudinal studies are needed to clarify the long-term periodontal implications of these findings. Full article

In the last decade, avocado production has increased in Italy due to the fruit’s high nutritional quality and economic value. During 2024, stem lesions, wood discoloration and dieback, often starting at the grafting point, were observed in young plants in a nursery in Sicily (Italy). Colletotrichum-like colonies were frequently isolated from symptomatic tissues. Multi-locus phylogenetic analysis (gapdh, chs-1, act, tub2, cal, gs and ApMat) was conducted on 11 representative isolates, identifying 6 as C. perseae and 5 as C. gloeosporioides sensu stricto (s.s.). Two representative isolates were selected for pathogenicity tests performed on 2-year-old avocado plants cultivated in a greenhouse. After two months, necrotic lesions, wood discoloration and reddish-brown streaking at the inoculation point were induced in both species. Additional inoculations of avocado fruit confirmed the ability of both species to cause fruit rot. All inoculated fungi were successfully re-isolated and identified, fulfilling Koch’s postulates. This is the first report of stem lesions and dieback caused by Colletotrichum species and the first occurrence of C. perseae in avocado plants in Europe. The results highlight the importance of early monitoring in nurseries during the propagation process and contribute to a better understanding of fungal diseases in avocado crops in Italy. Full article

Background/Objectives: This systematic review aimed to evaluate the clinical and immunological outcomes of non-surgical periodontal therapy (NSPT) in HIV-positive patients with periodontitis. Methods: Systematic search on four databases (PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, Cochrane Library) and the gray literature was completed through December 2025. A comprehensive set of clinical parameters and immunological markers were assessed. Three studies met the inclusion criteria and were included in the final synthesis and qualitative analysis. Extracted outcomes included clinical periodontal parameters (PPD, CAL, BoP, PI, GBI, BI) and immunological markers (viral load, CD4+ lymphocyte count, CD4/CD8 ratio, salivary LF, salivary HST, GCF LF, GCF HST). Results: With a very low level of certainty, NSPT was generally associated with significant improvements in clinical periodontal parameters compared to before treatment measurements and HIV-negative individuals. Improvements in immunological status were also reported. Heterogeneity of study designs and reporting standards limited this study’s quantitative analysis. Conclusions: NSPT demonstrates beneficial clinical and immunological outcomes in people living with HIV. However, the very low level of certainty in the available data limits confidence in changes in periodontal status and immune system reconstitution following NSPT in this population; therefore, the findings remain inconclusive and should be interpreted with caution. Full article

Salivary cortisol is widely used to investigate stress–periodontitis interactions, but its measurement is affected by methodological limitations. Cortisone, the predominant salivary glucocorticoid, may offer analytical advantages, yet its role in periodontitis remains unexplored. This study evaluated salivary cortisone in relation to periodontal disease severity and compared its performance with cortisol. Sixty-seven periodontitis patients were classified as Stage I/II (n = 32) or Stage III/IV (n = 35). A comprehensive periodontal examination was performed, including FMPS, FMBS, PPD, CAL, BoP, and the BL/Age ratio. Unstimulated morning saliva samples were analyzed for cortisone and cortisol using liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry, and for IL-1β and IL-6 using ELISA. Both cortisone and cortisol levels were significantly higher in Stage III/IV periodontitis (p = 0.014). Cortisone correlated strongly with cortisol (ρ = 0.523, p < 0.001) and was positively associated with IL-6 (ρ = 0.322, p = 0.008) and multiple clinical indicators of periodontal disease severity. ROC analysis showed comparable discriminatory performance for cortisone and cortisol (AUC = 0.675), with cortisone demonstrating higher specificity (94%) for Stage III/IV periodontitis. Our findings suggest that salivary cortisone performs similarly to cortisol and warrants further investigation as an alternative salivary glucocorticoid marker in periodontal research. Full article

Background: Chronic periodontitis (CP) is a prevalent inflammatory disease worldwide, characterized by the destruction of periodontal tissue due to an immune response triggered by periodontopathogenic bacteria and the prolonged release of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Excess ROS leads to tissue damage through mechanisms such as lipid peroxidation and DNA damage. The aim of this study was to evaluate oxidative and genotoxic damage by quantifying 8-hydroxy-2-deoxiguanosine (8-OHdG), malondialdehyde (MDA), and nuclear abnormalities (NAs) in individuals with CP. Methods: The participants were divided into a CP group (n = 30) and a control group without CP (n = 30). Saliva was collected to quantify 8-OHdG (via ELISA) and MDA (via spectrophotometry). Buccal mucosa samples were collected to assess NAs. Periodontal parameters, probing depth (PD), clinical attachment level (CAL), plaque index (PI), and bleeding on probing (BOP), were recorded. Results: The levels of 8-OHdG and MDA were significantly higher in the CP group. NAs were also significantly increased. Positive correlations were observed between 8-OHdG, MDA levels and NAs with clinical parameters. Conclusions: The elevated levels of 8-OHdG, MDA and NAs reflect oxidative and genotoxic damage correlated with CP severity. These biomarkers could complement diagnosis, monitor progression, and assess treatment efficacy. Their elevation may also indicate increased systemic disease risk. Full article

Background/Objectives: Periodontal disease is a prevalent chronic inflammatory condition that often progresses to irreversible tissue destruction. This study aimed to evaluate the clinical efficacy of a combined minimally invasive periodontal therapeutic protocol scaling and root planing (SRP) with injectable platelet-rich fibrin (i-PRF) and microneedling (MN) compared to conventional SRP with i-PRF alone in patients with stage II–III periodontitis. Methods: A prospective split-mouth clinical study was conducted on 54 patients diagnosed according to the 2018 EFP/AAP classification. Each participant received SRP + i-PRF in the upper arch (control) and SRP + i-PRF + MN in the lower arch (test). Periodontal parameters clinical attachment level (CAL), bleeding on probing (BOP), and plaque index (PI) were measured at baseline, 1, 3, and 6 months. Data were analyzed using Friedman and Wilcoxon tests with Bonferroni correction. Results: Both treatment protocols produced significant longitudinal improvements in CAL, BOP, and PI (p < 0.001). The most pronounced BOP reduction occurred within the first month, while CAL improvement was progressive and stabilized after six months. The Combined protocol achieved slightly greater CAL gain at 6 months (mean difference ≈ 0.46 mm; p = 0.0013), indicating a modest yet statistically significant advantage in attachment recovery. Correlation analyses confirmed a coherent healing trajectory characterized by early inflammation resolution, plaque control, and later tissue stabilization. Conclusions: Both i-PRF-based regenerative approaches significantly improved periodontal parameters. The addition of MN enhanced CAL recovery and may favor early vascularization and collagen remodeling. Although the clinical difference was limited, the biological plausibility and sustained improvement suggest that MN could represent a valuable adjunct to non-surgical regenerative periodontal therapy. Longer-term studies are warranted to assess the durability of these effects. Full article

Vital pulp therapy (VPT) is increasingly recognised as a biologically driven alternative to root canal treatment in teeth with deep caries and a vital pulp diagnosis. Resin-modified calcium silicate-based materials (RM-CSMs) were introduced to combine the bioactivity of traditional cements with improved handling and immediate light-curing, but their biological performance remains debated. Objectives: This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to evaluate the clinical and radiographic outcomes of VPT performed with RM-CSMs compared with conventional non-resin-modified calcium silicate-based materials (NRM-CSMs) Methods: PRISMA Guidelines were followed to carry out this systematic review. Electronic databases (Medline, Embase, Scopus, and Web of Science) were searched up to October 2025 for randomised clinical trials evaluating indirect pulp capping, direct pulp capping, or pulpotomy. Nine trials met the inclusion criteria. Meta-analyses were performed for TheraCal LC, the only RM-CSM with sufficient clinical evidence. The risk of bias was assessed using the RoB 2 Tool. The certainty of evidence was assessed using GRADE. Results: Pooled results showed no significant differences in overall clinical–radiographic success between RM-CSMs and NRM-CSMs at 90 or 180 days. At 360 days, a trend favouring NRM-CSMs emerged, though not statistically significant. Dentine bridge formation at 360 days was significantly lower with TheraCal LC. Conclusions: Current RM-CSMs demonstrate comparable short-term success to conventional materials but still present biological limitations, particularly regarding long-term reparative outcomes. NRM-CSMs remain the preferred option when maximal bioactivity and predictable dentinogenesis are required Full article

The absolute radiometric calibration of a satellite sensor is an essential process that determines the coefficients required to convert the radiometric quantities of satellite images. This procedure is crucial for ensuring the applicability and enhancing the reliability of optical sensors onboard satellites. This study performs the absolute radiometric calibration of the Compact Advanced Satellite 500-1 (CAS500-1) Advanced Earth Imaging Sensor System-C (AEISS-C), a low Earth orbit satellite developed independently by Republic of Korea for precise ground observation. Field campaign using a tarp, an Analytical Spectral Devices FieldSpecIII spectroradiometer, and a MicrotopsII sunphotometer was conducted. Additionally, reflectance-based vicarious calibration was performed using observational data and the MODerate resolution atmospheric TRANsmission model (version 6) radiative transfer model (RTM). Cross-calibration was also performed using data from the Sentinel-2 MultiSpectral Instrument, RadCalNet observations, and MODIS Bidirectional nReflectance Distribution Function (BRDF) products (MCD43A1) to account for differences in spectral response functions, viewing/solar geometry, and atmospheric conditions between the two satellites. From these datasets, two correction factors were derived: the Spectral Band Adjustment Factor and the BRDF Correction Factor. CAS500-1/AEISS-C acquires satellite imagery using two Time Delay Integration (TDI) modes, and the absolute radiometric calibration coefficients were derived considering these TDI modes. The coefficient of determination (R²) ranged from 0.70 to 0.97 for the reflectance-based vicarious calibration and from 0.90 to 0.99 for the cross-calibration. For reflectance-based vicarious calibration, aerosol optical depth was identified as the primary source of uncertainty among atmospheric factors. For cross-calibration, the reference satellite and RTMs were the primary sources of uncertainty. The results of this study will support the monitoring of CAS500-1/AEISS-C, which produces high-resolution imagery with a spatial resolution of 2 m, and can serve as foundational material for absolute radiometric calibration procedures for other CAS500 satellites. Full article

Diaporthe amygdali Delacr. is a phytopathogenic fungus of considerable agronomic importance, responsible for branch canker in almond (Prunus dulcis [Mill.] D.A. Webb) and peach (Prunus persica L.) trees. It represents a major phytosanitary threat to almond cultivation in Europe, particularly in Mediterranean regions. Almond is currently among the most rapidly expanding perennial crops, with cultivated areas increasing as a result of the introduction of new cultivars and the adoption of improved agronomic practices. The objectives of this study were to isolate and identify fungal pathogens from infected almond samples collected in France through multilocus phylogenetic analyses (ITS, tef1-α, his3, tub2, cal genes) combined with morphological characterization; evaluate the susceptibility of 18 almond genotypes, using ‘Ferragnès’ and ‘Texas’ as reference standards for susceptibility and tolerance, respectively; and compare three field inoculation methods. All isolates were identified as D. amygdali. The varietal screening identified marked differences in resistance among the tested cultivars. In particular, ‘Ferrastar’, ‘R1877’, ‘R1413’, and ‘R1542’ exhibited high levels of resistance, whereas ‘Tuono’, ‘Guara’, and ‘R1568’ showed susceptibility comparable to that of ‘Ferragnès’, which was used as the susceptible control. Among the inoculation methods evaluated, the mycelial plug technique proved to be the most consistent and reliable, outperforming both conidial suspension inoculation and the toothpick method coated with mycelium. These findings further confirm the genetic resistance of the cultivars ‘Ferrastar’ and ‘Ardèchoise’ to branch canker across different growing conditions, supporting their suitability for use in breeding and genetic improvement programs. Full article

Accurate quantification of photosynthetically active radiation absorbed by chlorophyll (${\mathit{fAPAR}}_{\mathit{Chl}\mathit{a}}$) and the corresponding fluorescence quantum efficiency (FQE) is critical for understanding vegetation productivity. In this study, we investigate the retrieval of pigment-specific effective absorbance and Sun-Induced Chlorophyll Fluorescence (SIF) using both airborne hyperspectral imagery (HyPlant) and ground-based field spectroscopy (FloX) over a well-irrigated alfalfa field in northeastern Spain. Spectral unmixing techniques, including Constrained Least Squares (CLS), Potential Function (POT), and Bilinear (BIL) models, were applied to disentangle pigment and background contributions. The CLS approach was identified as the most robust, balancing reconstruction accuracy with physical plausibility. We derived ${\mathit{fAPAR}}_{\mathit{Chl}\mathit{a}}$ from the abundance-weighted pigment absorbance and combined it with spectrally-integrated SIF to calculate FQE. Comparisons between airborne and ground-based measurements revealed strong agreement, highlighting the potential of this combined methodology. The study demonstrates the applicability of advanced spectral unmixing frameworks for both airborne and proximal sensing data, providing a reliable baseline for photosynthetic efficiency in a healthy crop and establishing a foundation for future stress detection studies. Full article

Background: The predictability of regenerative outcomes in non-contained intrabony periodontal defects remains limited. Autogenous tooth bone grafts (ATB) may represent a biologically active and osteoconductive scaffold with minimal residual graft material. This study evaluated the clinical and radiographic outcomes of ATB combined with enamel matrix derivative (EMD) in intrabony defects. Methods: Nine systemically healthy patients (15 defects) were treated with ATB + EMD in a retrospective proof-of-concept design. Clinical parameters—probing pocket depth (PPD), clinical attachment level (CAL), and gingival recession (GR)—were recorded at baseline and 6 months. Radiographic changes in defect depth and width were also assessed. Statistical significance was set at p < 0.05. Results: Mean PPD decreased from 7.73 ± 0.96 mm to 3.87 ± 0.74 mm (p < 0.001), and CAL improved from 9.20 ± 1.47 mm to 5.53 ± 1.36 mm (p < 0.001). GR changes were not significant. Radiographically, mean defect depth and width were reduced from 3.81 ± 1.59 mm and 2.56 ± 0.75 mm to 0.72 ± 1.08 mm and 0.44 ± 0.70 mm, respectively (p < 0.001). Conclusions: The combination of ATB and EMD yielded substantial clinical and radiographic improvements in intrabony periodontal defects. These findings suggest that autogenous tooth bone grafts may serve as a reliable biologically active scaffold for regenerative periodontal surgery. This is the first study evaluating the combination of EMD and ATB. Within the study limitations, ATB + EMD demonstrated promising regenerative potential, warranting future controlled clinical trials. Full article

Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is a prevalent malignancy with a poor prognosis. Sestrin2 (Sesn2), a stress-inducible protein, has been implicated in various cancers, but its precise role and mechanism in OSCC remain unclear. This study investigated the molecular mechanisms of Sesn2 in OSCC. Sesn2 expression was analyzed using data from TCGA and immunohistochemical results from the HPA. Functional assays, including CCK-8, flow cytometry for cell cycle, wound healing, and Transwell assays, were performed following Sesn2 knockdown with siRNA in OSCC cell lines (CAL-27 and SAS). Underlying mechanisms were investigated by Western blotting and ELISA for MMP-2 and MMP-9 levels. Sesn2 was significantly upregulated in OSCC tissues compared to normal controls. Its knockdown markedly suppressed cell proliferation, induced G1 phase cell cycle arrest, and impaired migratory and invasive capabilities. This reduction in invasion was further confirmed by decreased levels of MMP-2 and MMP-9 upon Sesn2 knockdown. Furthermore, Sesn2 silencing induced apoptosis via Caspase-3 activation with divergent BAX/BCL-2 modulation; SAS cells exhibited elevated BAX and reduced BCL-2, whereas these proteins remained unchanged in CAL-27 cells. Mechanistically, we found that Sesn2 depletion downregulated the PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway and reduced the phosphorylation of AKT and p38 MAPK. Our findings demonstrate that Sesn2 functions as an oncogene in OSCC, promoting tumor progression by modulating the PI3K/AKT/mTOR and MAPK signaling pathways, suggesting its potential as a therapeutic target for OSCC. Full article

Background and Objectives: Screw cut-out is the most common mechanical complication after intertrochanteric fracture fixation with proximal femoral nails (PFNs). While the traditional tip–apex distance (TAD) is widely used, the calcar-referenced TAD (CalTAD) may better represent inferomedial cortical support. This study aimed to identify radiographic predictors of cut-out in dual-screw PFN fixations and establish a clinically relevant threshold for inferior-screw-based CalTAD. Materials and Methods: A retrospective cohort of patients treated with a dual cephalic screw PFN between 2017 and 2024 was analyzed. The implant uses two equal-diameter screws. Radiographic parameters included TAD, inferior-screw CalTAD, reduction quality, lateral wall thickness (LWT), collodiaphyseal angle (CDA), and Cleveland zone positioning. Logistic regression analyses were used to identify independent predictors of mechanical failure. Results: Both TAD and CalTAD values were significantly higher in patients who experienced screw cut-out. ROC analysis identified an inferior-screw-referenced CalTAD cutoff with strong predictive accuracy (AUC = 0.84). Optimal screw positioning, particularly avoiding superior placement on AP radiographs, was associated with reduced cut-out risk, while anterior positioning on the lateral view demonstrated only a borderline effect. Reduction quality showed borderline significance in univariate testing but remained independently predictive in multivariate modeling, while LWT and CDA were not significantly different between groups. Conclusions: Ensuring the inferior lag screw is positioned close to the calcar and achieving a low CalTAD, together with proper Cleveland zone alignment, appear to be key technical goals for minimizing mechanical cut-out in dual-screw PFN fixations. These findings support the use of inferior-screw–referenced CalTAD as a reliable and reproducible parameter for surgical optimization. Full article

Diabetic macular edema (DME) is a leading cause of vision loss, and predicting patients’ response to anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (anti-VEGF) therapy remains a clinical challenge. In this study, we developed an interpretable deep learning model for treatment prediction and biomarker analysis. We retrospectively analyzed 402 eyes from 371 patients with DME. The proposed DME-Receptance Weighted Key Value (RWKV) integrates optical coherence tomography (OCT) and ultra-widefield (UWF) imaging using Causal Attention Learning (CAL), curriculum learning, and global completion (GC) loss to enhance microlesion detection and structural consistency. The model achieved a Dice coefficient of 71.91 ± 8.50% for OCT biomarker segmentation and an AUC of 84.36% for predicting anti-VEGF response, outperforming state-of-the-art methods. By mimicking clinical reasoning with multimodal integration, DME-RWKV demonstrated strong interpretability and robustness, providing a promising AI framework for precise and explainable prediction of anti-VEGF treatment outcomes in DME. Full article

Background/Objectives: Cement augmentation of cephalomedullary head elements can improve the purchase of osteoporotic bone; however, it does not eliminate the need for accurate implant positioning or the preservation of sliding. We report the case of an 87-year-old woman who underwent intramedullary nailing with a cement-augmented helical blade for intertrochanteric fracture. Methods: This is a single-patient case report. Calibrated radiographic measurements—tip–apex distance (TAD), calcar-referenced TAD (CalTAD), neck–shaft angle (NSA), and telescoping—were obtained immediately postoperatively and at 4, 7, 12, and 15 months. CT was performed at postoperative week 1 and at failure, and MRI was performed for clinical deterioration. In addition, a targeted narrative review summarizes the evidence on the head-element position, sliding behavior, reduction alignment, and augmentation. Results: Immediate postoperative indices were within the accepted targets: TAD 22.6 mm, CalTAD 22.8 mm, NSA 134°, with the head element inferior on the anteroposterior view and central on the lateral view. Rehabilitation proceeded with full weight bearing as tolerated. Early telescoping was minimal (3.8–3.9 mm). Between 7 and 15 months, progressive varus with shortening of TAD/CalTAD and little additional telescoping was observed, radiographically consistent with relative proximal migration of the head–cement complex and a cleavage plane along the inferior cement mantle, culminating in a subcapital femoral neck fracture with the implant in situ. Emphasis should be placed on accurate implant positioning and preservation of sliding capacity, because cement augmentation alone may not prevent mechanical failure when the implant position or load transfer is suboptimal. Conclusions: Cement augmentation stiffens the interface and reduces micromotion but does not neutralize malposition-induced stresses. Accurate positioning, preservation of sliding, and timely conversion when sliding fails to progress are advisable; these findings are hypothesis-generating from a single case. We propose a position- and sliding-based decision guide to support clinical decision-making; its usefulness remains to be validated in larger studies. Full article