Search Results (744)

Background/Objectives: A fermented lingonberry juice spray (FLJ spray) was developed from lingonberry (Vaccinium vitis idaea L.) juice as a natural adjunct for oral health. It has a low sugar content and contains naturally occurring phenolic compounds to decrease oral microbial burden, inflammation, and dry mouth symptoms. This human intervention single-arm pilot study examined the oral effects of fermented lingonberry spray (FLJ spray) treatment, used for a period of 30 days. Methods: Eleven adult patients were recruited from a private dental clinic in Tampere, Finland. Traditional clinical oral examinations, periodontal status, and samples were collected at baseline, two weeks, and four weeks. Bleeding on probing (BOP), visible plaque index (VPI), and probing pocket depths (PPD) were examined, and active-matrix metalloproteinase-8 (aMMP-8) mouthrinse assays (cut off 20 ng/mL) were conducted. Additionally, stimulated and resting saliva, pH, and buffering capacity were assessed. A questionnaire assessing dry mouth symptoms was also recorded. Results: The effect of FLJ spray on clinical variables during the study period was analyzed by repeated measures ANOVA. Use of the Lingora^® spray reduced the assessed periodontal indices BOP (p < 0.05), VPI (p < 0.001), PPD ≥ 6 mm (p = 0.136), and aMMP-8 (p = 0.084). No adverse or contrary effects on the parameters were observed during the study. Conclusions: The use of FLJ spray improved periodontal status and reduced plaque burden and signs of inflammation, such as BOP and collagenolytic aMMP-8 levels. This pilot study suggests that FLJ spray is safe and appeared to be beneficial for use in addition to oral home care. Full article

Background: Oral health (OH) seems to be relevant for the number of sick and injured days (NSID), missing matches (MM) and secondarily for the physical performance (PP). Aim: The objective was to clarify possible associations between OH, NSID, and PP for elite soccer players. Methods: Thirty-nine male athletes (age: 24.6 ± 4.2 years, age range: 17–34 years) from a third league professional soccer team were examined concerning several dental parameters (decayed, missing, and filled teeth, DMFT; periodontal screening index, PSI; approximal plaque index, API; papillary bleeding index, PBI) and PP parameters. The PP diagnostic contains grip strength, posturography, jump and sprint tests, and an endurance test on treadmill. Furthermore, the number of sick and injured days and missing matches was collected and assessed over four seasons. Results: We could not find any relevant (r > 0.7) correlations between sick and injured days or missing matches and variables of different dimensions (OH, PP). The soccer players showed a remarkable level of oral health (missing teeth, MT: 0.18 ± 0.56), jumping performance (44.5 ± 5.42 cm), and grip strength (53.7 ± 7.02 kg). The endurance capacity (velocity at 4 mmol/L lactate threshold, v4: 14.9 ± 1.11 km/h) was on an average level, whereas the levels of postural stability (stability indicator, ST: 20.0 ± 4.55) and sprinting performance (10 m sprint: 1.79 ± 0.09 s) were comparatively low. Only five players (13%) reported that oral health had ever had a negative impact on his physical performance. Two players (5%) reported currently tooth pain and six players (15%) bleeding gums or grinding teeth. Conclusions: Based on the high level of dental health, it was difficult to prove any relationships between OH and the NSID/MM or PP. Nevertheless, it seems that young soccer players benefit particularly from improved oral health programs. The excellent dental care appears to have a positive effect on general health and physical performance in soccer. Full article

Background: The incidence of endometrial cancer (EC) is rising globally across all age groups. Endometrial intraepithelial neoplasia (EIN) is a premalignant lesion that may progress to EC if untreated. A clinical model is needed to efficiently identify women requiring prompt evaluation while avoiding unnecessary invasive procedures. Obesity is a major risk factor, but whether Asian women require a lower body mass index (BMI) cutoff than the World Health Organization (WHO) definition remains debated. This study aimed to develop a multivariable risk prediction model to guide biopsy decisions and determine an appropriate BMI cutoff for predicting EIN/EC risk among Asian women. Methods: This study retrospectively reviewed 1192 women aged ≥18 years who underwent hysteroscopy between 2010 and 2023 at a tertiary hospital. Candidate predictors included patient age, parity, BMI, postmenopausal status, symptom of abnormal uterine bleeding (AUB), diabetes mellitus, hypertension, polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), use of oral contraceptives, intrauterine devices, or menopausal hormone therapy, tamoxifen treatment, presence of multiple polyps, and endometrial thickness (EMT) measured by transvaginal ultrasonography. Multivariable logistic regression with stepwise selection identified independent predictors, and model stability and calibration were assessed using 1000 bootstrap resamples. Results: EIN/EC was diagnosed in 55 patients (4.6%). Six independent predictors were identified: postmenopausal status (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 5.93, 95% CI 2.92–12.04), AUB (aOR 4.07, 1.51–10.97), multiple polyps (aOR 2.49, 1.33–4.66), PCOS (aOR 2.37, 1.08–5.22), BMI (aOR 1.13 per kg/m²; 1.84 per +5 kg/m²), and EMT (aOR 1.07 per mm, 1.02–1.11). When using categorical cutoffs, Obese II (BMI ≥ 30 kg/m²) and markedly increased EMT (≥20 mm) remained significant. Predicted probabilities ranged from 0.3% with no risk factors to 90.9% with all six risk factors present. The final model demonstrated good discrimination (AUC 0.79, 95% CI 0.73–0.86) and excellent calibration on bootstrap validation (mean absolute error 0.005). Conclusions: This six-factor clinical model stratifies individual EIN/EC risk using readily available variables and may guide timely, risk-based biopsy decisions by identifying high-risk patients while minimizing unnecessary procedures in low-risk cases. BMI ≥ 30 kg/m² (WHO obesity threshold) was confirmed as a meaningful cutoff, but external validation is warranted to confirm its generalizability and clinical applicability. Full article

Background/Objectives: This study aimed to externally validate the screening model for severe PD proposed by Verhulst in a Portuguese population, assessing its discriminative performance and clinical applicability. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted with 310 adults recruited from a university dental clinic in Portugal. The participants completed a validated self-reported oral health questionnaire (screening model) and underwent a full-mouth periodontal examination using the CPITN index, with severe PD defined as a score of 4. Model performance was evaluated for discrimination, calibration, sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV), and negative predictive value (NPV). Results: Of the 310 participants, 51% were diagnosed with severe PD. The Verhulst model showed an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.72 (95% CI: 0.67–0.77), with sensitivity and specificity of 0.709 (95% CI: 0.639–0.779) and 0.724 (95% CI: 0.651–0.796) and PPV and NPV of 0.727 (95% CI: 0.673–0.784) and 0.704 (95% CI: 0.651–0.764), respectively. Calibration was reasonable, with an observed-to-expected ratio of 1.10 (95% CI: 0.939–1.291). Conclusions: The model demonstrated acceptable external validity and could serve as a feasible screening tool for severe PD in Portuguese dental settings. Its integration may enhance early diagnosis and interdisciplinary care. Future studies should consider broader diagnostic criteria to refine accuracy. Full article

Background: Oral health problems, particularly tooth loss, may impair nutrition and reduce oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) in older adults. However, the pathways linking these conditions remain unclear. Methods: We analyzed data from 112 older adults (≥60 years). We measured OHRQoL using the Geriatric Oral Health Assessment Index (GOHAI) and nutritional status using the Mini Nutritional Assessment (MNA), and used tooth loss as a clinical indicator. Bivariate analyses used Spearman’s correlation, and structural equation modeling (SEM) with robust estimation was applied to assess direct and indirect pathways. Mediation was evaluated with bootstrap resampling. Results: The prevalence of impaired OHRQoL (GOHAI > 0) was 25.9% (95% CI: 18.6 to 34.9). Tooth loss correlated with worse nutrition (ρ = −0.32; 95% CI: −0.48 to −0.15), and poorer nutrition was associated with worse OHRQoL (ρ = −0.22; 95% CI: −0.40 to −0.03). SEM showed that tooth loss negatively affected nutrition (β = −0.21; 95% CI: −0.43 to 0.00) and that nutrition was directly associated with OHRQoL (β = −0.21; 95% CI: −0.34 to −0.08). Bootstrap analyses confirmed a direct effect of tooth loss on OHRQoL (β = 0.19; 95% CI: 0.02 to 0.36), while the indirect pathway through nutrition did not reach statistical significance. Conclusions: Tooth loss and poor nutrition independently reduce OHRQoL in older adults. Although mediation by nutrition was not statistically significant, the findings highlight the interdependence of oral and general health and support integrated public health strategies for aging populations. Full article

Introduction: This study investigates the severity of periodontal disease in patients with Parkinson’s disease by comparing clinical and salivary aspects. Materials and Methods: A total of 31 patients were included: 15 with periodontal disease (control group) and 16 with periodontal disease and Parkinson’s disease (study group). Demographic data, periodontal parameters (plaque index, tartar index, bleeding index, probing depth, periodontal pocket index) and salivary parameters included viscosity, pH, and buffering capacity were analyzed. Results: Patients with Parkinson’s disease exhibited slightly lower mean values for plaque accumulation, bleeding on probing, and tartar index compared with the control group, though these differences were not statistically significant. In contrast, salivary parameters, particularly buffering capacity, showed statistically significant differences (p < 0.05) between the groups. Conclusions: Parkinson’s disease impacts periodontal health. Early intervention and integrated care strategies may help mitigate oral health deterioration in Parkinson’s patients. Full article

Background/Objectives: Fully digital workflows used in implant dentistry have been evolving to improve rehabilitation times and patient satisfaction. More studies are necessary for full scientific validation. The aim of this study was to evaluate the 6-month outcome of implant-supported fixed prostheses for full edentulism rehabilitation using OnX Tough 2 resin (SprintRay) and the Pro 2 (SprintRay) 3D printer following the All-on-4 concept. Methods: This study included 16 patients (10 female, 6 male) with 20 implant-supported fixed full-arch prostheses following the All-on-4 concept (10 rehabilitations for each stackable guide and photogrammetry protocols). Primary The primary outcome measure was implant and prosthetic survival. The secondary outcome measures included manufacturing issues, prosthetic passive fit, marginal bone loss (MBL), mechanical and biological complications, modified plaque and bleeding indexes, pocket depths, patient subjective evaluation, and the Oral Health Impact Profile. Results: No patients were lost to follow-up. Two prostheses failed and 2 two implants were lost, resulting in a cumulative survival rate of 90% and 97.5% at 6 months for prostheses and implants, respectively. The mean MBL was 0.31 mm ± 0.52 mm at 4 months. The mechanical complications rate was 50% at patient level. One patient (6.3%) experienced one biological complication. The grades regarding “comfort of prostheses in the mouth” and “overall chewing feeling” were 9.35 ± 1.29 and 8.79 ± 1.67 out of 10, respectively. The mean total sum of the OHIP-14 was 1.61 out of 56. Conclusions: Implant-supported full-arch rehabilitations with fixed prostheses following the All-on-4 concept, through a fully digital workflow protocol, are a viable option in the short term. Full article

Background: Early childhood caries (ECC) remains a critical public health challenge, yet recent prevalence data and risk factors are scarce in rapidly urbanizing regions like Shenzhen City, China. Objectives: This study aimed to assess ECC prevalence and identify risk factors among 5-year-old children in Shenzhen City. Methods: This cross-sectional survey was conducted in Shenzhen City in 2024, recruiting 5-year-old children through multistage sampling from kindergartens. Self-administered parental questionnaires were distributed to collect data such as demographic characteristics, socioeconomic background and oral health-related behaviors. One trained dentist conducted the oral examination in kindergartens using ball-ended community periodontal index probes and disposable dental mirrors with an intra-oral light-emitting diode light attached. Dental caries was assessed using diagnosis criteria recommended by World Health Organization. The decayed, missing, and filled primary teeth (dmft) were recorded. Zero-inflated negative binomial regression was applied to identify associations between risk factors and ECC. Results: Among 1462 participants (86% response rate), ECC prevalence was 58% (mean dmft: 2.5 ± 3.4), with untreated decay (dt) accounting for 92% of cases. Socioeconomic factors, including low family income (p < 0.001), non-local residency (p < 0.001), and low caregiver education level (p = 0.012), were significantly associated with higher dmft scores. Behavioral factors such as frequent sugary drink consumption (p = 0.005), lack of parental brushing assistance (p = 0.027), and non-fluoride toothpaste use (p = 0.008) also contributed to the risk of ECC. Conclusions: Over half of Shenzhen City’s 5-year-olds suffered from ECC, predominantly untreated, driven by socioeconomic disparities and modifiable behavioral factors. Public health strategies must prioritize parental education, fluoride use and early preventive practices to reduce the burden of ECC. Full article

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is associated with severe systemic complications, including cachexia, anemia, and renal dysfunction, which represent a significant unmet medical need. The gut microbial metabolite indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) is known to be reduced in IBD; however, its therapeutic potential remains unclear. This study aimed to determine whether oral supplementation with IAA could ameliorate intestinal inflammation and its associated systemic complications. Using a dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced colitis mouse model, we administered oral IAA and evaluated a comprehensive panel of clinical, metabolic, renal, and hematological parameters. Systemic health status was assessed using Principal Component Analysis (PCA). IAA administration significantly ameliorated DSS-induced colitis, reducing the Disease Activity Index (DAI) (3.88 vs. 3.13; p < 0.05) and significantly attenuating colon shortening (5.0 cm vs. 5.78 cm; p < 0.05) compared to the DSS-alone group. Crucially, it markedly suppressed systemic complications: IAA ameliorated DSS-induced cachexia (ΔBody weight, −3.27 g vs. −1.83 g; p < 0.05), an effect independent of food intake (N.S.). Furthermore, IAA mitigated early-stage renal dysfunction, as evidenced by a significant reduction in plasma Creatinine (Cr) levels (0.12 mg/dL vs. 0.10 mg/dL; p = 0.05), and reversed the decline in plasma iron levels associated with anemia (45.75 μg/dL vs. 63.50 μg/dL; p < 0.05). PCA revealed that IAA induced a distinct recovery profile, significantly improving the systemic health index without fully restoring the original homeostatic state. Oral IAA exerts pleiotropic effects on both intestinal inflammation and systemic complications. Its food intake-independent anti-cachectic mechanism represents a novel therapeutic paradigm for IBD-associated wasting. These findings position IAA as a promising candidate for microbial metabolite-based therapy aimed at reprogramming, rather than merely restoring, systemic homeostasis in IBD. Full article

Background: Depression is a prevalent mental health condition among older adults and may be linked to multiple systemic and functional factors. Emerging evidence suggests a bidirectional relationship between depressive symptoms and poor oral health, but data from European populations remain scarce. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in 181 community-dwelling adults aged over 66 years in Madrid, Spain. Depressive symptoms were assessed using the Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS-15), and functional dependence using the Barthel Index. Oral examinations included the number of caries, root remnants, and gingivitis. Additional variables included the Body Mass Index (BMI), smoking and alcohol consumption, and medication use. Data were analysed using descriptive and non-parametric statistics. Results: Overall, 49.2% of participants exhibited depressive symptoms (34.8% moderate, 14.4% severe). Old age and excess weight were significantly associated with depression (p < 0.05). Depressed participants showed higher functional dependence scores on the Barthel Index (p < 0.001). Oral health indicators, including higher number of caries, root remnants, and gingivitis, were significantly worse among those with depression (p < 0.005). Oral hygiene practices such as toothbrushing were slightly more frequent in the non-depressed group, while oral irrigator use was low across all groups. Conclusions: Depressive symptoms in older Spanish adults were associated with poorer oral health, greater functional dependence, and certain clinical factors such as BMI and antidepressant use. These findings highlight the importance of integrated, multidisciplinary approaches to promote both mental and oral health in ageing populations. Longitudinal studies are warranted to clarify the causal pathways underlying these associations. Full article

Capsaicin, a natural bioactive compound, has attracted wide interest for its potential health benefits. However, its rapid metabolism and strong irritancy upon oral administration have greatly limited its further application. To address these issues, this study developed a nanoparticle delivery system using corn Zein and Brassica rapa L. polysaccharide (BP) as carriers, with capsaicin (CAP) as the core. The optimized formulation (BP:Zein = 1:2, Zein:CAP = 2.5:1, mg/mg) produced stable, uniform spherical nanoparticles with an average particle size of 203.05 nm, a polydispersity index (PDI) of 0.138, a zeta potential of −44.9 mV, an encapsulation efficiency of 54.03%, and a drug loading capacity of 184.57 μg/mg. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), fluorescence spectroscopy (FS), X-Ray diffraction, scanning electron microscope (SEM), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) analyses confirmed that CAP was successfully encapsulated, forming nanoparticles through hydrogen bonding and hydrophobic interactions between CAP and Zein. The obtained nanoparticles displayed regular spherical morphology and uniform size distribution. Compared with single-layer Zein–CAP nanoparticles, BP–Zein–Capsaicin (BZC) nanoparticles exhibited markedly improved stability under different pH, ionic strength, and storage conditions. In vitro simulated digestion showed a sustained-release profile, with 36.76% of CAP released after 4 h. The anti-inflammatory experiment showed that both the nanoparticle and free capsaicin groups significantly inhibited xylene-induced acute ear edema in mice, with the medium- and high-dose nanoparticle groups exhibiting stronger anti-inflammatory effects than the free capsaicin group. These findings suggest that the nanoparticle delivery system effectively enhances the anti-inflammatory activity of capsaicin, possibly by improving its stability, achieving sustained release, and enhancing its bioavailability in vivo. Overall, capsaicin-loaded Brassica rapa L. polysaccharide–Zein nanoparticles combine small particle size, high drug loading, and excellent stability, providing a promising strategy for functional food development and targeted bioactive delivery. Full article

Background/Objectives: Streptococcus mutans (S. mutans) is a primary cariogenic bacterium contributing to biofilm acidogenicity and enamel demineralization. Conventional caries prevention relies mainly on mechanical plaque control and dietary modification, but probiotics have emerged as potential adjuncts for oral microbiota modulation. This pilot randomized controlled trial aimed to evaluate the short-term effects of a multi-strain probiotic containing Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium on clinical and microbiological parameters associated with dental caries in children. Methods: A double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trial was conducted in 40 children aged 6–14 years from a community setting. Participants were randomly allocated (1:1) to receive either probiotic or placebo lozenges for 30 days. Clinical assessments included the Gingival Index (GI), Plaque Index (PI), International Caries Detection and Assessment System (ICDAS), salivary pH, buffering capacity, and salivary S. mutans concentration. The study was preregistered (10.17605/OSF.IO/GKVUW) and ethically approved. Results: The intervention was well tolerated, with no adverse events reported and high participant acceptability. Despite there being no statistically significant differences in any clinical or microbiological parameter (p > 0.05), we found trends toward higher salivary pH, improved buffering capacity, and reduced S. mutans counts in the probiotic group. Conclusions: Short-term probiotic supplementation was safe and well accepted among children but did not produce statistically significant improvements in oral health parameters over 30 days. These findings highlight the feasibility of probiotic use in pediatric populations and support the need for larger, longer-term trials to clarify their potential role as adjuncts in caries prevention. Full article

Background/Objectives: Stunting and weight faltering (WF) remain pressing public health challenges in low- and middle-income countries, with long-term consequences for child growth, development, and survival. While the role of gut health in early growth is increasingly recognized, evidence on how the gut microbiome and metabolome respond to nutritional interventions in WF infants is scarce. This study explored gut microbiome and metabolome changes in Indonesian infants aged 6–12 months who overcame WF following a one-month intervention. Methods: Infants were assigned to either a Nutritional Advice (NA) group or a Nutritional Advice plus Oral Nutritional Supplements (NAONS) group. Stool samples were collected before and after the intervention for microbiome (16S rRNA sequencing) and metabolome (LC-MS) analysis. Results: Significant shifts in gut microbial composition (beta diversity) and species richness (Chao1 index) were observed in both groups, suggesting enhanced microbial diversity and gut resilience. Within-group analysis revealed increases in beneficial genera such as Faecalibacterium and Peptostreptococcus, and a reduction in pro-inflammatory Fusobacterium in the NA group. The NAONS group showed a notable decrease in Proteus, a potentially pathogenic genus. Between-group comparisons indicated higher abundances of Lactococcus and Leuconostoc in the NAONS group, likely reflecting the influence of milk protein-rich supplements on microbial colonization, favoring lactic acid bacteria over SCFA-producing taxa, leading to better gut health. Metabolome analysis revealed significant changes in the NA group, increases in metabolites like Threonine, Tryptophan, and Xylose pointed to improved energy metabolism and gut health, while a decrease in Oxalic Acid suggested better metabolic efficiency. In contrast, the NAONS group, while benefiting from rapid weight gain, displayed a distinct metabolic profile influenced by high milk protein intake. No significant correlations were found between microbiome and metabolome changes, highlighting the complexity of gut-host interactions, suggesting that the interventions led to independent shifts in the aforementioned profiles. Conclusions: Overall, the findings suggest that nutritional interventions may enhance gut health and support recovery from weight faltering, providing insights into strategies that may contribute to restoring healthy growth trajectories and preventing stunting by modulating gut health. Full article

Background: Malnutrition is a significant national health problem in countries with low and intermediate incomes and was announced in the United Nations’ 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development Goals. Chemotherapy may have adverse effects on nutritional health issues and quality of life experience, particularly in patients with gastrointestinal (GIT) cancer. Our research’s objective was to determine the beneficial effects of oral nutrition supplements on nutritional status assessed by maintenance of whole-body composition and patient-generated subjective global assessment (PG-SGA) in all GIT cancer patients treated with chemotherapy medications. Methods: Among the patients, the nutrition support (NS) group (n = 75) received 500 kcal daily of a balanced oral nutrition supplement formula for 12 weeks, while the control (C) group (n = 75) did not. Anthropometric measures, whole-body composition, nutritional status biomarkers, and the PG-SGA questionnaire were assessed. Additionally, this study analyzed whole-body composition, skeletal mass, fat mass, laboratory data, the complete lipid profile, albumin, total protein, adverse effects, and therapy delays. Results: After 12 weeks, the NS group showed a significant increase in body weight, with a mean difference of 1.27 ± 3.39, while the C group showed a mean difference of only 0.15 ± 0.42. Moreover, fat mass increased in the NS group, showing a mean difference of 0.55 ± 3.69, while the C group showed a fat mass loss with a mean difference of −0.21 ± 2.93. The fat mass index (FMI) indicated statistical significance between the two groups. There was a statistically significant difference in the lean mass index between the two groups, favoring a steady increase in the NS group. The NS group showed improvements in the PG-SGA and nutritional biochemical markers, such as albumin. The initial findings from our study include data from a total of 150 patients, including 75 patients in the NS group and 75 patients in the C group. These results are consistent with earlier research. Conclusions: Early oral nutrition supplements for GIT cancer may enhance nutritional outcomes and reduce the delay of disease-related therapy. Additionally, they may help maintain body composition. Full article

Background: This ambispective study evaluated the prognostic factors for long-term survival and success of endodontically treated teeth (ETT) in patients treated at an educational hospital. Methods: Patients who received root canal treatment (RCT) at Princess Nourah bint Abdulrahman University (2018–2023) were included if the following criteria were met: follow-up time of a minimum of 12 months was available, and clear pre- and post-treatment periapical radiographs. Two calibrated examiners assessed RCT quality along with pre-treatment and follow-up periapical index (PAI) scores. Coronal restorations were evaluated for quality, type, and timing. Data on oral hygiene, smoking, systemic health, periodontal status, and occlusal factors were collected. Tooth survival was defined as a functional, asymptomatic tooth, while success required a clinically asymptomatic tooth with a PAI score ≤ 2. Multivariate regression analysis was performed to assess the influence of the collected variables on tooth survival and success. Statistical significance was set at p < 0.05. Results: A total of 461 ETT from 242 patients were analyzed. The survival rate was 89%, while 81% met the treatment success criteria. Most patients were female (65%), and only 8.9% had a healthy periodontium. Multivariate analysis identified preoperative PAI score, obturation density, and coronal restoration quality as significant predictors of survival and success (Nagelkerke R² = 0.338). Conclusions: ETT demonstrated high survival and success rates. Preoperative PAI score, obturation density, and coronal restoration quality were key predictors of long-term treatment outcomes, highlighting the importance of comprehensive pre-treatment assessment and high-quality endodontic and restorative procedures. Full article