Search Results (8,457)

Oral delivery of bioactive compounds in veterinary medicine offers important opportunities to improve animal health, productivity, and welfare, but its effectiveness is often limited by species-specific gastrointestinal physiology. This review aims to provide a comprehensive overview of microencapsulation strategies for oral veterinary delivery, focusing on species-specific gastrointestinal barriers and the formulation approaches developed to overcome them. Monogastric and ruminant animals present distinct gastrointestinal environments that compromise the stability, bioavailability, and therapeutic performance of orally administered compounds. In monogastrics, gastric acidity, digestive enzymes, gastrointestinal transit, and microbiota-mediated interactions represent major barriers, whereas in ruminants, ruminal fermentation, prolonged retention, and physicochemical conditions may cause premature degradation of bioactive compounds. These barriers significantly hinder the successful use of probiotics, enzymes, essential oils, nutrients, vaccines, and veterinary drugs. However, microencapsulation has emerged as a promising solution, providing a protective barrier that improves compound stability, enhances gastrointestinal survival, and enables controlled or site-specific release. By preserving bioactivity and modulating release kinetics, microencapsulation contributes to improved delivery efficiency and functional performance. A distinctive feature of this review is the integration of species-specific gastrointestinal physiology with microencapsulation technologies to provide a rational framework for designing oral delivery systems in veterinary medicine, rather than focusing solely on individual encapsulation technologies. Current challenges related to material selection, formulation optimisation, and industrial scalability are discussed. Overall, this review highlights that integrating gastrointestinal physiology with advanced microencapsulation technologies is essential for developing effective, targeted, and sustainable oral delivery systems, ultimately supporting improved animal health, productivity, and welfare. Full article

The nanoscale surface topography and microhardness of additive and subtractive dental polymers were evaluated following exposure to environmental challenges. The study examined two 3D-printed resins (Saremco and Voco) and two milled CAD/CAM blocks (Vita Enamic and Tetric). Specimens were allocated to control or experimental groups and subjected to hydrothermal ageing (thermocycling), in vitro mechanical wear, or a combined protocol involving wear followed by thermal ageing. Surface microtopography was analysed both quantitatively and qualitatively using atomic force microscopy (AFM), while structural stability was assessed through surface microhardness testing. Statistical significance was determined using matrix comparisons (p < 0.05). Milled monolithic blocks demonstrated a dense, uniform baseline topography, whereas 3D-printed resins exhibited structural heterogeneity attributed to their layer-by-layer photocuring process. Saremco maintained polymer network stability under thermal stress (p = 0.1878), while Voco was highly susceptible to hydrothermal swelling and early matrix plasticization (p = 0.0084). The combined protocol of wear and thermal ageing resulted in advanced structural breakdown in all groups (p < 0.001). Industrial subtractive blocks exhibited greater resistance to oral environmental stresses. The ceramic framework of Vita Enamic limited polymer domain collapse, whereas Tetric experienced accelerated inter-layer delamination and embrittlement. The combined protocol of wear followed by thermal ageing resulted in significant and uniform degradation of surface microhardness and topographic roughness in all tested groups. Nevertheless, the additively manufactured resins demonstrated substantial structural integrity and exhibited low volumetric wear rates. Full article

The aim of this systematic survey was to evaluate the quality of clinical practice guidelines (CPGs) that provide recommendations for the detection, diagnosis, and treatment of oral cavity cancer (OCC). We conducted a systematic search in MEDLINE, EMBASE, Epistemonikos, CPG websites, and scientific societies to identify documents providing recommendations for the detection, diagnosis, and treatment of OCC. Two reviewers independently assessed the included CPGs using the AGREE II instrument. We calculated standardized scores for the six domains and provided a final recommendation for each CPG. We identified twenty-five CPGs published between 2019 and 2024. The mean scores (higher scores indicate better domain assessment) per domain were as follows: scope and purpose, 80.5 ± 11.6%; stakeholder involvement, 55.6 ± 16.7%; rigor of development, 48.3 ± 20.1%; clarity of presentation, 83.8 ± 8.2%; applicability, 33.6 ± 19.1%; and editorial independence, 57.3 ± 22.4%. The overall mean rate was 4.8 ± 0.8, with a maximum score of seven. Reviewers recommended five guidelines for use in practice, twelve were recommended with modifications, and eight were not recommended. The overall quality of CPGs on OCC was suboptimal. CPG developers should strengthen the use of systematic, transparent methodologies and frameworks for evidence synthesis and recommendation formulation, thereby improving the quality of recommendations and facilitating implementation across diverse clinical contexts. Full article

Microplastics and nanoplastics (MNPs) are emerging environmental pollutants due to their persistence and bodily accumulation. Recently, functional foods have received much attention for their ability to reverse or block MNP damage for therapeutic purposes and the potential risk of developing oral–gut–brain axis disorders. Among these, artichoke, spirulina algae, Opuntia ficus-indica, pterostilbene, hydroxycinnamic acids, and quinic acid are rich sources of polyphenols. These bioactive ingredients, especially when combined with probiotics and prebiotics, exhibit significant antioxidant and anti-inflammatory potential by activating nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) signaling and cellular resilience enzymes. Nrf2 activation enhances cellular resilience response, and it may preserve oral epithelial barrier (OEB), intestinal epithelial barrier (IEB), and blood–brain barrier (BBB) integrity, while modulating oral pathogens, gut microbial dysbiosis, and neuroinflammatory processes. However, most of the available evidence supporting these mechanisms derives from in vitro and animal studies, whereas clinical evidence in humans remains limited. Perturbations of Nrf2 due to circulating MNPs may exacerbate selective susceptibility to oral, gut, and nervous system disorders, including Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Although these findings are biologically plausible, the causal relationships and their clinical relevance have not yet been fully established. This review discusses the role of functional foods in maintaining oral–gut–brain health through Nrf2-mediated mechanisms that may mitigate MNP-induced inflammation and reactive oxygen species (ROS). The review also examines emerging concepts in precision nutritional medicine, including individual variability in dietary responses, microbiome-related factors, and future personalized strategies for populations exposed to MNPs. Finally, current knowledge gaps, the scarcity of human studies, and the challenges in translating preclinical findings into clinical practice are highlighted, emphasizing the need for further translational and clinical research. Full article

Bacterial biofilm formations on dental implant–bone borders risk the development of periimplantitis (PI). Treatment, ranging from conservative to invasive options, is effective but associated with significant patient burden. In vitro Photodynamic Inactivation (PDI) waveguided by zirconium dioxide ceramic (ZrO₂) dental implants shows promising bactericidal effects and is envisioned to function as an additive treatment reducing patient burden while maintaining therapy outcomes. To facilitate clinical application, this study mathematically quantified the expected waveguiding abilities of ZrO₂ implants in a computed tomography (CT)-based Monte Carlo Simulation of Radiation Transport (MCRT). The latter implemented previously photographically determined optical properties from human and porcine jawbone tissues. ZrO₂ implants displayed effective light propagation beyond the implant–bone border, with power-per-area values above a minimum baseline for effective PDI of 10 mW/cm², thus delivering enough light power to reach bactericidal levels in a standard PDI regimen. Modifying the implant design and light-source placement influenced the topographic distribution of the light power around the implant, eventually allowing to target case-specific changes in biofilm distribution. No major interspecies difference was observed, which fosters the transferability of potential mammal testing. All findings therefore support the envisioned application of waveguiding ZrO₂ dental implants in PDI to target oral health issues. Full article

Background: Periodontitis and arterial hypertension are highly prevalent chronic conditions that share common risk factors and inflammatory pathways. Increasing evidence suggests a potential association between both diseases; however, the strength and consistency of this relationship remain unclear. Methods: A systematic review and meta-analysis of observational studies was conducted following PRISMA guidelines. Electronic searches were performed in PubMed (MEDLINE), Scopus, and the Cochrane Library without date restrictions. Studies evaluating the association between periodontitis and arterial hypertension in humans were included. Risk of bias was assessed using the Newcastle–Ottawa Scale. A random-effects meta-analysis was performed using adjusted odds ratios (ORs). Results: Results: Thirty-six studies were included in the systematic review; of these, 11 studies reporting a directly comparable, adjusted odds ratio were included in the quantitative meta-analysis, comprising a total of 48,761 participants. The pooled analysis demonstrated a statistically significant association between periodontitis and hypertension (OR = 1.65; 95% CI: 1.42–1.93; p < 0.00001). Heterogeneity was substantial (I² = 65%) but was partly explained by periodontal case definition, with a stronger association among studies using the AAP/EFP classification (OR = 1.90; 95% CI: 1.57–2.30) than those using alternative periodontal indices (OR = 1.35; 95% CI: 1.21–1.50). The overall certainty of evidence, assessed using GRADE, was rated as Very Low. Conclusions: This systematic review and meta-analysis identifies a consistent positive association between periodontitis and arterial hypertension across observational studies. Given the very low certainty of the underlying evidence, this finding should be interpreted as a signal warranting further investigation rather than a robust, settled conclusion. Causality cannot be established from the available observational evidence, and the potential relevance of periodontal health to cardiovascular risk merits further research. Full article

People with diabetes often have a high rate of oral implant failure and unstable long-term treatment effects. It is urgent to find the potential mechanisms and effective cure methods to address the increasing demand for dental restoration in recent years. This paper aims to find an influential factor, and a probable treatment resulting from it, to improve poor osseointegration and achieve favorable bone regeneration. To find out the influential factor of poor diabetic osseointegration, we compared marginal bone loss among patients taking different hypoglycemic drugs. To verify our pre-clinical findings, we performed in vitro experiments as well as micro-CT, fluorescence intensity, and histopathological analysis methods after establishing a diabetic rat model controlled by different systemic hypoglycemic drugs. To enhance implant osseointegration and find out the underlying mechanism, we proposed the GelMA–alogliptin hydrogel system and tested the scratch wound healing, cell adhesion, CCK-8, live-dead cell staining, osteogenesis, qPCR, and Western blot methods based on diabetic rat-derived BMSCs, HUVECs and BMMS, as well as the in vivo experiments in diabetic rats. People with diabetes under DPP4i (alogliptin) exhibit the lowest marginal bone loss. The systemic alogliptin and locally delivered peri-implant GelMA–alogliptin hydrogel treatment promoted bone regeneration around diabetic implants, enhanced diabetic-derived BMSC activity and migration through GLP1R/GSK3β/β-catenin and induced osteogenic differentiation, and promoted vascular regeneration and inflammation control. Alogliptin has positive effects on the oral implant health of people with diabetes. A locally delivered GelMA–alogliptin hydrogel system exhibits competitive ability to improve diabetic bone microenvironment and enhance implant osseointegration. Full article

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder that develops many years before clinical symptoms appear. The biological changes involved in the earliest stages remain poorly understood, particularly during the preclinical stage. Our previous work has identified gradual gut microbial and metabolic changes during this stage, suggesting these may represent early biological shifts that precede disease progression. Recent studies suggest that the gut microbiome may contribute to early AD processes through its effects on immune regulation, metabolism, and gut–brain communication. Changes in gut microbial composition, including reduced levels of short-chain fatty acid (SCFA)-producing bacteria, such as Faecalibacterium, Roseburia, and Eubacterium, have been reported in individuals with AD and mild cognitive impairment. These microbial alterations have also been linked to disrupted metabolic activity, impaired gut barrier function, and increased neuroinflammatory responses. Diet is an important factor influencing gut microbial composition and metabolic activity. Mediterranean, DASH, and prudent dietary patterns are generally associated with beneficial microbial profiles and increased SCFA production, whereas Western dietary patterns are linked to lower microbial diversity and increased pro-inflammatory taxa. This review summarises the current evidence linking gut microbiota, SCFAs, microbial metabolism, and dietary patterns with early AD pathology, while highlighting important gaps in the existing literature. Full article

Background/Objectives: Severe mental illness is associated with poor oral health, and patients with psychiatric conditions are hospitalized for dental disease more often than the general population. Whether this extends to facial abscesses severe enough to require surgical drainage has not been examined, particularly in United States safety-net populations. We sought to determine whether patients with a history of psychiatric hospitalization are overrepresented among surgically managed facial abscess cases relative to what published general-population rates would predict. Methods: Patients were identified at a single tertiary safety-net center between 22 February 2014 and 1 April 2024 using ICD-10 codes for facial abscess together with Epic SlicerDicer psychiatric diagnosis concepts/groups, and cases were confirmed by individual chart review. Observed cases were defined as patients with documented psychiatric hospitalization and documented surgical management of a facial abscess. A denominator of unique psychiatric inpatients over the same interval was obtained through a separate query. Because that query returned an aggregate count without denominator-level follow-up dates, expected cases were estimated by applying published general-population inpatient facial-abscess rates (base case 2.5 per 100,000 person-years; range 2.0–4.0) to approximate person-time, and a crude observed-to-expected ratio with exact Poisson 95% confidence intervals (CIs) was calculated. Temporal ordering of abscess and psychiatric admission was examined where sufficient timing data were available. Results: Eighty patients met the case definition, against 3.37 expected under the base-case rate, giving a crude observed-to-expected ratio of 23.8 (95% CI 18.9–29.6). The ratio ranged from 14.9 to 29.7 across the reference-rate range. Among the 67 cases with sufficient timing data, 30 (45%) preceded the first psychiatric admission, 1 (1%) occurred during a psychiatric hospitalization, and 36 (54%) followed discharge, so the finding is presented as an association rather than an incidence. The abscess was odontogenic in 45 cases (56%), non-odontogenic in 19 (24%), and unspecified in 16 (20%). Substance use disorders (32.5%) and schizophrenia-spectrum disorders (32.5%) were most frequently represented, with a mean of 2.8 psychiatric admissions per patient. Conclusions: In this single-center safety-net dataset, patients with a documented history of psychiatric hospitalization were substantially overrepresented among surgically managed facial abscess cases relative to published population rates. Because the analysis is a crude observed-to-expected comparison without dynamic denominator-level person-time or demographic standardization, and because a substantial minority of abscesses preceded the psychiatric admission, the ratio reflects the combined burden of psychiatric hospitalization and its associated exposures rather than an independent causal effect. Patient-level linked cohort studies are needed to estimate the magnitude of risk reliably. Full article

Cocoa pod husk, a major agro-industrial by-product of cocoa processing, represents an underutilized source of phenolic compounds with potential functional applications. This study developed an integrated extraction process combining drying pretreatments with probe ultrasound-assisted extraction to enhance the recovery and bioactivity of cocoa pod husk extracts. Preliminary solvent screening identified aqueous ethanol (1:3, v/v) as the most suitable extraction solvent, and a solid-to-solvent ratio of 1:9 (w/v) was subsequently selected for further extraction experiments. Under these extraction conditions, the type of drying pretreatment (tray drying or vacuum microwave drying), ultrasonic amplitude, and extraction time influenced the total phenolic content, phenolic composition, and antioxidant activities (DPPH, ABTS, and FRAP) of cocoa pod husk extracts. The evaluated extracts exhibited antibacterial activity against Streptococcus mutans. Cellular assays were performed using two selected extracts: Cocoa-A (vacuum microwave-dried) and Cocoa-B (tray-dried), which were prepared with aqueous ethanol (1:3, v/v) at a solid-to-solvent ratio of 1:9 (w/v) under 75% ultrasonic amplitude for 15 min. These extracts contained total phenolic contents of 5.41 ± 0.14 and 5.01 ± 0.14 mg GAE/g dried cocoa pod husk for Cocoa-A and Cocoa-B, respectively. Both extracts showed low cytotoxicity together with reduced intracellular reactive oxygen species and suppression of lipopolysaccharide-induced inflammatory mediators, including nitric oxide, IL-6, and TNF-α. The tray-dried extract (Cocoa-B) exhibited greater anti-inflammatory activity than the vacuum microwave-dried extract (Cocoa-A), indicating that the drying pretreatment influenced the biological activity of the extracts. This difference may also be associated with variations in phenolic composition, although the contribution of individual phenolic compounds was not investigated in the present study. These findings improve the understanding of how drying pretreatment and probe ultrasound-assisted extraction parameters influence the recovery of bioactive compounds from cocoa pod husk and provide a scientific basis for the further development of cocoa pod husk-derived bioactive ingredients for functional food, nutraceutical, and oral health-related applications. Full article

Background: The oral microbiome plays a fundamental role in maintaining local and systemic health during childhood, a developmental period characterized by dynamic microbial, immune, and neuroendocrine maturation. Increasing evidence suggests that oral dysbiosis may influence gut microbiota composition, systemic inflammation, and neuroinflammatory pathways through the oral–gut–brain axis. Aim: This narrative review aimed to summarize and critically evaluate current evidence regarding the relationship between oral dysbiosis, gut microbial alterations, systemic inflammation, and neurodevelopmental processes in pediatric populations. Methods: A search of the literature was conducted using PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science, including studies published between January 2016 and April 2026. Eligible studies included randomized controlled trials, observational studies, and reviews investigating at least one component of the oral–gut–brain axis in children or adolescents. Results: Current evidence supports a biological interaction between oral and gut microbiota through microbial translocation and immune-mediated mechanisms. Oral dysbiosis may contribute to gut microbial imbalance, intestinal barrier dysfunction, and systemic low-grade inflammation. Altered gut microbiota has been associated with neuroinflammatory signaling, hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal (HPA) axis dysregulation, and adverse neurodevelopmental outcomes. Furthermore, pediatric randomized controlled trials suggest that probiotics and synbiotics can modulate oral and gut microbial composition, improve selected inflammatory and immune biomarkers, and reduce salivary cortisol levels. Conclusions: The oral–gut–brain axis represents a promising framework for understanding the systemic consequences of oral dysbiosis during childhood. However, direct evidence integrating oral, intestinal, immunological, and neurodevelopmental outcomes remains limited, highlighting the need for longitudinal and multidisciplinary pediatric studies. Full article

In patients undergoing endotracheal intubation and mechanical ventilation, damage to the endotracheal tube or inflation line is a potential risk with life-threatening consequences. Although various devices and bite blocks have been developed to secure the endotracheal tube and prevent its dislodgement or damage, they are not suitable for children or newborns. We describe a 1-year-and-2-month-old girl who required long-term endotracheal intubation and mechanical ventilation. The eruption of the lower deciduous incisors caused damage to the inflation line. A mouthguard was not appropriate because her teeth had erupted only slightly, and the retention was insufficient. After collaborating with a dental technician to fabricate a protective device, we were able to provide the optimal treatment while minimizing invasiveness to the patient. It is necessary to collaborate with other professionals as a team to select the optimal medical care tailored to each patient. Full article

Gastrointestinal (GI) parasitic infections are still a major concern for cattle health and productivity in tropical and subtropical regions. However, epidemiological data on GI parasitism in cattle from western Thailand remain limited, particularly in border areas with frequent animal movement. This study focuses on establishing the prevalence of gastrointestinal parasitic infections and identifies its related risk factors among the cattle in Kanchanaburi province, western Thailand. Cross-sectional study was performed from December 2022 to January 2023 involving 153 cattle from the following three study populations: local cattle from Thong Pha Phum district, Sangkhlaburi district, and cross-border cattle imported from Myanmar. Fecal samples were examined using both simple flotation and formalin-ethyl acetate sedimentation techniques, and data on animal and management factors were collected through questionnaire surveys. Overall, 35.9% (55/153) of the cattle had at least one GI parasite species positive. Six parasite taxa were identified, with Strongyle-type nematodes being the most frequently detected (26.1%), followed by other helminth parasites. The prevalence of infection and parasite diversity increased progressively in cattle populations located closer to the Thai–Myanmar border, suggesting that this region may represent a potential hotspot for GI parasite transmission. From a One Health perspective, these findings highlight the potential for some helminths to circulate across animal, human, and environmental interfaces. The presence of 1.3% for both Capillaria spp., Trichuris spp. and 0.7% of Fasciola spp. suggests possible zoonotic transmission pathways, particularly via the fecal-oral route. Although 93.5% of cattle had reportedly received anthelmintic treatment, no apparent protective effect was observed. These findings highlight that the Thai–Myanmar border acts as a hotspot for parasite transmission and the need for improved parasite control strategies in this region, alongside integrated One Health surveillance linking animal, human, and environmental health in this cross-border region. Full article

Background and Objectives: Individuals with heroin-related opioid use disorder are at high risk of poor oral health and impaired oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL). However, data on the determinants of OHRQoL in this population remain limited. This study aimed to assess oral health status and OHRQoL and to identify key predictors of OHRQoL among hospitalized patients with heroin-related opioid use disorder. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 97 hospitalized patients with heroin-related opioid use disorder. Data were collected through structured interviews and clinical oral examinations, including the Decayed, Missing, and Filled Teeth (DMFT) index and the Simplified Oral Hygiene Index (OHI-S). OHRQoL was assessed using the Oral Health Impact Profile-14 (OHIP-14). Spearman correlation and multiple linear regression analyses were performed to examine associations and identify predictors of OHRQoL. Results: Participants had poor oral health, with high DMFT (19.1 ± 6.1) and OHI-S (2.0 ± 1.2) scores. OHRQoL was markedly impaired, with a mean OHIP-14 score of 29.6 ± 7.0, particularly in the psychological and social domains. OHIP-14 scores were strongly correlated with DMFT (r = 0.754, p < 0.001) and OHI-S (r = 0.552, p < 0.001). Longer duration of heroin use was associated with higher DMFT scores, poorer oral hygiene, and greater OHRQoL impairment. Multiple linear regression analysis identified unstable housing/homelessness (β = 0.166, p = 0.012), DMFT (β = 0.624, p < 0.001), and OHI-S (β = 0.272, p = 0.007) as significant predictors of poorer OHRQoL. Conclusions: Individuals with heroin-related opioid use disorder experienced substantial oral health burden and impaired OHRQoL, strongly associated with caries experience, poor oral hygiene, and housing instability. These findings highlight the need to integrate prevention-oriented dental care into addiction treatment services and to address the broader social determinants of oral health. Full article

Background and Objectives: Periodontal health represents a condition characterized by homeostasis between the teeth and the surrounding supporting tissues and implies the absence of inflammation, confirmed by the lack of bleeding, epithelial attachment loss, mobility, or periodontal pocket formation. Fixed prosthetic restorations may compromise periodontal health already during the fabrication phase, given that decisions made during their planning and placement affect long-term clinical outcomes. The aim of this manuscript was to provide insight into the interaction between periodontal tissues and fixed prosthetic restorations. Materials and Methods: A narrative literature review was conducted using a structured search of the PubMed/MEDLINE, Scopus, and Google Scholar databases to identify studies addressing periodontal health in relation to fixed dental prostheses. The impacts of tooth preparation, gingival retraction methods, supracrestal tissue attachment, periodontal phenotype, crown emergence profile, and marginal fit of various biomaterials were analyzed. Results: According to the literature data, subgingival margin placement and violation of the supracrestal tissue attachment (biological width) induce chronic inflammation, loss of epithelial attachment, and alveolar bone resorption. Gingival retraction agents, used in chemomechanical retraction procedures, particularly ferric sulfate-based agents, may lead to a transient but significant spike in inflammatory markers and dysbiosis of the subgingival microbiome. Contemporary approaches, such as the biologically oriented preparation technique and the use of CAD/CAM (Computer-Aided Design and Computer-Aided Manufacturing) technology, may improve the precision of marginal fit. Zirconia restorations exhibit significantly better biocompatibility and reduced microbial adhesion compared to metal–ceramic restorations. Conclusions: Biological response of the periodontium to fixed prosthetic restorations depends on the complex interaction between the material, position of the marginal line, and oral hygiene control. Regardless of the material used or the fabrication technique employed, adequate plaque control and regular maintenance remain key factors in preserving periodontal health. Full article