Search Results (168)

This study added two types of resistant dextrin (RD), i.e., Bailong (BL) and Luo Gaite (LGT)) to a Japonica (cv. RXY) and an early indica (cv. IP44) rice during cooking and analysed the functional and structural properties of the cooked rice.Compared with no RD addition, 3–10% RD addition induced a declinein cooking time and an incrementin gruel solid loss. Further, 3–10% RD addition increased the hardness, chewiness, and springiness of cooked rice but decreased the cohesiveness. With increases in the added RD amount, the smell, structural appearance, palatability, taste, cool rice texture, and total score of the cooked rice all increased; the peak time and pasting temperature increased, but the peak, final, breakdown, and setback viscosities all significantly decreased. The enthalpy, conclusion temperature of gelatinisation, and gelatinisation peak width and height all decreased with increasing RD amount, but the peak temperature of gelatinisation increased. The addition of 3–7% RD did not change amylopectin ageing, but 10% RD significantly increased amylopectin ageing. RD addition reduced the protein weakness degree and starch breakdown torque of rice doughbut appeared to increase the amorphous and crystalline regions of cooked rice. The addition of 10% BL or LGT induced the formation of α-helix and random coil secondary protein structures in cooked rice, with optimal cooking properties and total sensory score. Microstructure analysis further showed that low-viscous RD induced the formation of new gel-like structures. In conclusion, 3–10% RD addition in cooking rice decreases amylose recrystallisation, weakens the protein structure, and induces new gel-like structures, enhancing the hardness, chewiness, adhesiveness, springiness, and sensory score of cooked rice. This study is useful for developing functionalcooked rice. Full article

This study examines the in vivo tongue resting configuration in relation to lingual mobility. While biomechanical models suggest the tongue may exhibit properties consistent with a muscular hydrostat, direct large-scale clinical observation of resting posture remains limited. The objective was to characterize tongue resting configuration before and after removal of lingual mechanical restriction (ankyloglossia), and to evaluate whether observed behavior aligns with hydrostatic principles. A retrospective cohort study was conducted at a single center pediatric specialty practice from September 2017 to November 2025. Patients were categorized by procedural setting, including an awake infant cohort (n = 3182) and a general anesthesia cohort (n = 355). Resting tongue position was assessed before and after the intervention using standardized observational techniques, with paired analyses performed. Full-length palatal contact increased from 0.0% pre-procedure to 99.5% postoperatively in the awake cohort (p < 0.001). In the general anesthesia cohort, 100% of patients demonstrated full-length palatal contact intraoperatively following restoration of unrestricted mobility (p < 0.001), regardless of age or palatal morphology. These findings demonstrate that, when unrestricted, the tongue consistently assumes a palatal resting configuration in vivo. This behavior is consistent with muscular hydrostat principles and supports consideration of the living tongue as a muscular hydrostat from a functional perspective. Full article

Background/Objectives: Over the past decade, the popularity of smokeless tobacco products, particularly heated tobacco products (HTPs), has increased among adolescents and young adults. This study aimed to determine the effects of HTPs and conventional cigarettes on oral health and quality of life (QoL). Methods: This stratified cross-sectional study included 90 participants divided into three groups: conventional cigarette smokers (N = 30), HTP users (N = 30), and non-smokers (N = 30). Sociodemographic data and oral-medical status [salivary pH, halitosis, sialometric measurements, Decayed, Missing, Filled Teeth (DMFT) index, and oral lesions] were recorded for all participants. Results: There was no statistically significant difference in salivary pH, unstimulated whole saliva (UWS), or stimulated whole saliva (SWS) among the three groups (p = 0.343, p = 0.982, and p = 0.793, respectively). There was also no statistically significant difference in DMFT index values (p = 0.495) or total QoL (p = 0.856) among the groups. However, there was a statistically significant difference in halitosis among the groups (p < 0.0001), with moderate (40.0%, N = 12) and strong (33.3%, N = 10) halitosis most frequent among HTP users. There was no statistically significant difference in the incidence of pathological oral lesions among the groups (p = 0.112), with 63.3% (N = 19) among conventional cigarette smokers. Conclusions: HTP users exhibited a higher frequency of moderate and strong halitosis, while conventional cigarette smokers more frequently presented with smoker’s melanosis and lesions located on the hard palate. Full article

Background/Objectives: The loss of orthodontic microimplants is a common clinical complication that significantly disrupts the continuity of malocclusion treatment. Despite increasing clinical use of microimplant reinsertion, the factors influencing its success remain unclear. The aim of this exploratory systematic review was to examine the available literature regarding clinical outcomes related to the retention of orthodontic microimplants following their reinsertion. Methods: Studies that assessed the success of orthodontic microimplant reinserted were included in the review. Searches were conducted on 27 September 2025, in the following databases: BASE (Bielefeld Academic Search Engine), PubMed, Scopus, and EMBASE. The ROBINS-I (Risk of Bias in Non-randomized Studies—of Interventions) tool was used to assess the risk of bias. Due to heterogeneity of included studies, a narrative synthesis was performed. Results: Four of the 577 studies were included in the review. A total of 305 microimplants were reinserted in 276 patients. The overall success rate ranged from 44.16% to 66%. Analysis indicated a significantly higher success rate in the maxilla (up to 68.60%) compared to the mandible (lowest 36.84%). Furthermore, a narrative synthesis suggests better clinical outcomes for 8 mm long microimplants compared to 6 mm ones, as well as reduced reinsertion success in areas with high cancellous bone density. Regarding the modification of the insertion site, the current data are contradictory; while some studies indicate significant benefits from changing the site (e.g., to the midpalatal suture), others show no statistical difference compared to reinsertion at the same site. Overall, the evidence remains limited and heterogeneous. Conclusions: The current review of the literature on the success of reinsertion of orthodontic microimplants is subject to a high risk of misinterpretation, due to the limited amount of data and the risk of unidentified confounding factors. Further standardized clinical trials are needed to develop unified protocols for these procedures. Other: The review was prospectively registered with the Open Science Framework (OSF); osf.io/tbj2s. Full article

Background/Objectives: This study evaluated 3D palatal shape variation to distinguish population affinities, aiming to enhance forensic and anthropological assessments of unknown human remains. Methods: Maxillary dental casts (n = 100 per group) from four population groups, Australian Europeans, Malaysian Malays, Malaysian Chinese and Malaysian Indians, were digitised using a 3D scanner. Fourteen gingival and two mid-palatal landmarks and 99 surface points (semi-landmarks) were placed to capture the overall palatal shape. Shape data were aligned using Generalised Procrustes Analysis (GPA) followed by Principal Component Analysis (PCA) to explore shape variation. Canonical Variate Analysis (CVA) and Mahalanobis distances were used to assess group differences. Classification performance was evaluated using accuracy, sensitivity, specificity, precision, and F1 score. Results: The first five principal components (each explaining ≥5% of the observed variation) were retained for CVA. CV1 accounted for 88% of the between-group variance, showing clear separation of Europeans from the clustered Malay–Chinese group, with Indians appearing intermediate. European palates were longer, narrower, deeper, and more anteriorly tapered. Significant shape differences were found between all groups, except between Malays and Chinese. The overall classification accuracy was 45%, with better performance for European and Indian groups. Specificity was higher across all groups (0.70–0.90), while sensitivity, precision, and F1 scores were moderate. Conclusions: Geometric morphometric analysis revealed population-level differences in palatal shape, with moderate accuracy and high specificity. These findings support its role as a complementary tool alongside other data in forensic and anthropological applications. While palatal shape alone cannot definitively classify populations, it may be useful for excluding certain groups. Full article

Background/Objectives: Accurate quantification of alveolar cleft defects for bone grafting remains difficult due to inconsistent anatomical boundaries. This study established an expert consensus on boundary landmarks for alveolar bone graft (ABG) planning and validated the accuracy and reliability of digital volumetric measurement methods. Methods: Three cleft specialists performed repeated simulated graft procedures in seven patient-specific 3D-printed models, first according to the operator’s clinical judgment, and subsequently according to panel-derived consensus boundaries. Two radiologists independently conducted digital volumetric assessments in 3D X-ray imaging using four measurement approaches (axial tracing, interpolated axial tracing, landmark-based mirroring, and mesh-based mirroring), generating 56 independent digital segmentations to be evaluated against the consensus-based physical reference standard. Volumes of the defects were recorded, intra- and inter-rater reliabilities were calculated using the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC), and differences among methods were analyzed. Results: Operator-defined plans showed significant inter-operator differences (p < 0.001) with poor-to-excellent reliability (intra-rater ICC 0.060–0.967; inter-rater ICC 0.300–0.635). Consensus established standardized boundaries: tilted plane from base of anterior nasal spine to hard palate, cemento-enamel junctions, incisive canal, and alveolar contour. Consensus-based filling showed non-significant inter-rater differences (p = 0.139) and substantially improved reliability (intra-rater ICC 0.904–0.988; inter-rater ICC 0.622–0.861). Among the four digital methods evaluated, axial tracing demonstrated excellent reliability (intra-rater ICC 0.971–0.99; inter-rater ICC 0.965) and high accuracy (mean difference 0.001–0.026 cm³), with no significant difference (p = 0.999) from the physical reference standard. Conclusions: These proposed consensus-based boundary definitions and validated volumetric measurement methods improved the accuracy and reproducibility of personalized alveolar bone graft planning. Full article

A palatine torus (torus palatinus) is a bony mass in the midline of the hard palate. Its prevalence varies widely in different populations, ranging from around 1% to over 60%. Females seem to be affected more often. Despite its benign nature, a palatine torus might cause problems with removable prosthetics, phonation, and mastication. Here, we propose a novel classification system for the systematic description of a palatine torus. Our system includes symmetry, localization, shape, and size of a palatine torus. This might help to standardize future investigations on this topic. Full article

Diseases of the nasal cavity have a diverse etiology and cause severe disorders in animals. Conidiobolomycosis is a type of zygomycosis caused by the fungus Conidiobolus spp., occurring more frequently in sheep. The objective of this study is to describe the clinical and epidemiological characteristics, as well as microbiological and histopathological findings, of an outbreak of conidiobolomycosis in sheep. A total of 12 animals out of a herd of 70 were affected, representing a morbidity of 17.1%; mortality and lethality were 11.4% (8/70) and 66.6% (8/12), respectively, of which 4 sheep died spontaneously and 4 were euthanized for diagnostic purposes due to the severity of the clinical condition. Necropsy was performed on 4 (33.3%) of the 12 affected animals, and after opening the skull in the sagittal section, a friable mass with coloration ranging from whitish-yellow to gray-green, as well as areas of necrosis, were evident in regions such as the nasal meatus, conchae, nasopharynx, hard palate, cribriform plate, meninges, and frontal lobe of the brain. Conidiobolus lamprauges was isolated from samples collected from 6 animals from nasal discharge, fungal granuloma, and intranasal swab. Reproductive structures consistent as kind of zygospores with C. lamprauges and C. incongruus were also identified. Regarding the clinical form, animals 1, 2, 3, and 4 presented manifestations of the nasopharyngeal form, with the first three progressing to the rhinocerebral form; in animal 5, the clinical form found was rhinofacial. It is concluded that clinical signs may vary with the presentation of the disease as well as the involved agent. Early diagnostic alternatives such as fungal isolation from material collected from intranasal swabs can be useful and employed in affected herds, enabling earlier intervention. Full article

Chondrosarcoma of the maxillofacial skeleton is a rare malignant tumor characterized by cartilaginous differentiation and locally invasive growth. Diagnosis is particularly challenging in low-grade tumors because histological features often overlap with those of benign chondroma. We describe a 62-year-old woman with a recurrent cartilaginous tumor of the hard palate. After previous resections in 2013 and 2022, a third recurrence was detected. MRI showed a lobulated lesion at the anterior hard palate contiguous with the nasal septum. A two-staged treatment was performed, starting with a minimal invasive access Brown class 2a maxillectomy guided by a patient-specific cutting guide. Pending histological confirmation, an obturator prosthesis was placed to seal the oroantral communication. Histopathology confirmed a low-grade chondrosarcoma with clear margins of at least 5 mm. A second-stage reconstruction was performed a year later using a posterior pedicle lateral nasal wall flap (inferior turbinate flap) and palatal rotation flap restored nasal lining and oral mucosa. This approach achieved oncologic clearance with excellent functional outcomes. The case highlights the value of image-guided maxillectomy and staged regional flap reconstruction. Full article

Background: This study investigated the association between tongue strength, measured using the Iowa Oral Performance Instrument (IOPI), and upper airway collapse patterns observed during drug-induced sleep endoscopy (DISE) in patients with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS). Methods: Thirty patients who underwent polysomnography, DISE, and tongue pressure measurement were retrospectively analyzed. Upper airway collapse was assessed using the VOTE classification. The tongue strength task performed using the IOPI requires participants to compress an air-filled bulb placed on the hard palate with anterior tongue to generate maximum isometric tongue pressure. Group comparisons and ordinal logistic regression with Firth’s penalized likelihood were performed to evaluate associations between tongue pressure and collapse patterns. Results: The participants had a mean age of 41.5 ± 12.5 years, including 27 males and 3 females. The mean tongue strength was 50.4 ± 15.3 kPa, with no significant sex-related differences. Patients with tongue strength <40 kPa showed significantly higher odds of tongue base collapse (adjusted OR 12.79, 95% CI 1.30–126.91) and epiglottic collapse (adjusted OR 54.05, 95% CI 1.66–1760.25). No significant differences were observed for velum or oropharyngeal collapse. Conclusions: Lower tongue strength was associated with increased likelihood of tongue base collapse during DISE. Tongue strength measurement may serve as a practical, non-invasive tool for identifying patients with reduced tongue muscle function and potential tongue-related airway obstruction. Full article

Infants may place various objects in their mouths during the developmental process, which can sometimes involve life-threatening risks, such as choking. We describe the case of a 1-year 3-month-old female with a foreign body in the oral cavity. She was referred to our hospital with chief complaints of suspected supernumerary teeth and blisters, and the initial examination revealed blister-like swelling and a white swelling on the hard palate. Intraoral photographs were obtained and examined from multiple angles, revealing findings that resembled a character. Careful re-examination showed that a three-dimensional sticker was attached to the hard palate, which could be removed in one piece. It is important for dental professionals to conduct intraoral examinations of pediatric patients with the understanding that unexpected findings may be present, and think about a foreign body in palatal lesions. In addition, this report highlights a new risk for caregivers supervising infants, as seemingly harmless stickers can remain in the mouth for extended periods. Full article

Objectives: This systematic review aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of currently available methods for the diagnosis and monitoring of skeletal, dental, and soft tissue changes, as well as the adequacy of follow-up protocols, in adolescents and adults treated with miniscrew-assisted rapid palatal expansion (MARPE). Materials and Methods: This systematic review was conducted in accordance with the PRISMA guidelines. A comprehensive electronic literature search was performed across five databases (PubMed, Scopus, Embase, Cochrane, and Web of Science) to identify prospective and retrospective clinical studies evaluating dental, periodontal, and alveolar bone outcomes associated with MARPE in late adolescent and adult patients. Study selection, data extraction, and risk of bias assessment were independently performed by two reviewers. Risk of bias was assessed using the ROBINS-I tool for non-randomized studies and the RoB 2 tool for randomized studies. The certainty of the evidence was evaluated using the GRADE approach. Owing to substantial methodological heterogeneity and limited follow-up duration, a structured qualitative (narrative) synthesis of the results was performed. Results: A total of 20 studies were included in the systematic review. The reported adverse events primarily involved hard and soft tissues and were identified using cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT), clinical and periodontal examination, panoramic and cephalometric radiography, and digital dental casts. Dental effects, including dental tipping, were frequently reported across the included studies. Alveolar bone loss was reported in 11 studies, buccal alveolar bone dehiscence in 3 studies, and failure of palatal suture opening in 6 studies. In most of the included studies, follow-up was either not reported or limited. Conclusions: The MARPE technique appears to be potentially effective in achieving transverse maxillary expansion in late adolescent and adult patients. However, the included studies report possible adverse events affecting periodontal and alveolar bone tissues, such as alveolar bone thinning and gingival hypertrophy, the assessment of which requires an integrated diagnostic approach combining CBCT imaging with clinical and periodontal examination. Overall, the certainty of the available evidence was low to very low, mainly due to a high risk of bias, methodological heterogeneity, and limited or absent follow-up in most studies. Therefore, the results should be interpreted with caution. Well-designed prospective controlled studies with standardized protocols and long-term follow-up are needed to conclusively evaluate the safety and long-term clinical stability of the MARPE technique. Full article

Purpose: Reconstructive options for mucosal defects of the oral cavity resulting from the resection of tumors include primary closure, mucosal and split thickness skin grafts, pedicle flaps, and microvascular free flaps. Lately the use of an acellular dermal bilayer matrix has been introduced for the reconstruction of superficial mucosal defects of the oral cavity. Methods: Twenty-one patients treated for SCC of the oral cavity with intraoral resection and simultaneous reconstruction using a bilayer dermal matrix between 1 January 2020 and 31 December 2024 with at least 6 months of follow-up were retrospectively considered. Data were collected regarding the site of the lesion, the initial TNM staging, the size of the surgical defect, the timing of silicone sheet removal, the complications and the long-term outcomes. Results: Tumor site included the tongue in 16 cases, the hard palate in 1 case, the cheek in 2 cases, the floor of the mouth in 1 patient, and the inferior lip in 1 patient. Re-epithelialization was achieved in all cases within 21 days. No major complication was observed. Conclusions: Bilayer dermal matrix demonstrated to be an excellent option for small and superficial oral cavity reconstruction if proper indications are followed. Full article

Background/Objectives: To systematically compare the clinical and patient-reported outcomes of soft tissue grafts harvested from the palate and tuberosity, in root coverage surgeries. The primary outcomes assessed were graft dimension, tissue thickness, and postoperative discomfort. Methods: A comprehensive search was conducted in PubMed, Web of Science, OVID Medline, and Scopus databases, covering studies published till December 2023. Eligible studies included clinical studies and clinical trials involving medically fit adults who underwent intraoral soft tissue grafting for mucogingival procedures around teeth. A total of 1209 records were initially identified, with 13 studies meeting the inclusion criteria. Data was extracted and assessed for bias. Results: Graft dimension in terms of thickness was generally higher for tuberosity grafts (2.9 ± 0.5 mm) compared to palatal grafts (2.3 ± 0.6 mm). Tuberosity grafts demonstrate less volume changes in buccolingual thickness. One study reported decreased postoperative pain for tuberosity compared to palate donor sites. Risk of bias assessment using ROB 2 and ROBINS-I tools showed that most included studies exhibited low risk across key domains. Among randomized trials, two studies raised some concerns due to limitations in blinding and allocation concealment. Non-randomized studies showed a moderate risk primarily in confounding and outcome measurement, consistent with inherent observational design limitations. Conclusions: The palate remains a well-established and reliable source of soft tissue grafts. Limited evidence from a single short-term comparative clinical study suggests that tuberosity may offer potential advantages, such as greater graft thickness, reduced volume changes, and less postoperative discomfort. However, the comparative evidence between tuberosity and palatal donor sites is derived from a single short-term study and conclusions must therefore be interpreted with caution. Standardized clinical trials with long-term follow-up are needed to confirm these observations. Clinical Relevance: This review provides clinicians with a preliminary evidence-based perspective into the use of tuberosity as a donor site for soft tissue grafting, an area with limited published data, and highlights its potential to enhance patient outcomes and comfort in mucogingival surgery and emphasizing the need for further research in this area. Full article

Brown rice is a nutritious, gluten-free whole grain, the edible potential of which is limited by inferior palatability and storage stability. In this study, brown rice (20% w/w) was subjected to heat moisture treatment (HMT) at 110 °C for 2 h, followed by ultrafine grinding, to prepare gluten-free biscuits, which were compared with those made from wheat flour, white rice, and brown rice. The results showed that the content of dietary fiber (2.67–3.62%), total phenolic (0.053–0.154%), and vitamin E (0.574–1.483 mg/100 g) in brown rice biscuits after combined treatment was enhanced compared with wheat flour biscuits. The spread ratio (4.06–8.89), hardness (700.82–1085.91 g), and brittleness (1068.89–2067.18 g/sec) of the biscuits were significantly improved (p < 0.05). Scanning electron microscopy revealed that the biscuits treated with combined treatment had fewer cavities and a more compact texture. The biscuits made from HMT brown rice demonstrated a reduced peroxide value, with a slower increase in acid value (0.19–0.21 mg/g) compared to untreated samples (0.24–0.38 mg/g) during storage. The innovative combined treatment of HMT and ultrafine grinding improved qualities of brown rice biscuits. This approach expands the utilization potential of brown rice, while also offering a viable strategy for grain conservation and loss reduction. Full article