Oral Hygiene in the Presence of Orthodontic Therapy

Orthodontic treatment offers great advantages in improving facial and smile aesthetics, self-confidence and the function of the stomatognathic apparatus. The pursuit of these advantages makes use of orthodontic appliances that could be fixed or removable. However, it’s worth stating that these appliances interfere with tooth brushing, making it more difficult to brush teeth effectively. Orthodontics appliances therefore promote the accumulation of dental plaque, which results in both quantitative and qualitative changes in the oral microbiota, hence, exposing patients to several adverse effects such as White spot lesions, dental caries, periodontal pathologies and halitosis. For this reason, oral assessment of patients before, during and after treatment is necessary as well as oral hygiene instructions and motivation. Orthodontists therefore, should educate patients on oral and periodontal hygiene in order to control dental and periodontal complications. Prescriptions of plaque control materials adapted to each patient are done in order to optimize the final result and minimize unwanted complications.

Genomic alterations in oral multiple primary cancers

Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is the predominant type of oral cancer, while some patients may develop oral multiple primary cancers (MPCs) with unclear etiology. This study aimed to investigate the clinicopathological characteristics and genomic alterations of oral MPCs. Clinicopathological data from patients with oral single primary carcinoma (SPC, n=202) and oral MPCs (n=34) were collected and compared. Copy number alteration (CNA) analysis was conducted to identify chromosomal-instability differences among oral MPCs, recurrent OSCC cases, and OSCC patients with lymph node metastasis. Whole-exome sequencing was employed to identify potential unique gene mutations in oral MPCs patients. Additionally, CNA and phylogenetic tree analyses were used to gain preliminary insights into the molecular characteristics of different primary tumors within individual patients. Our findings revealed that, in contrast to oral SPC, females predominated the oral MPCs (70.59%), while smoking and alcohol use were not frequent in MPCs.Moreover, long-term survival outcomes were poorer in oral MPCs. From a CNA perspective, no significant differences were observed between oral MPCs patients and those with recurrence and lymph node metastasis. In addition to commonly mutated genes such as CASP8, TP53 and MUC16, in oral MPCs we also detected relatively rare mutations, such as HS3ST6 and RFPL4A. Furthermore, this study also demonstrated that most MPCs patients exhibited similarities in certain genomic regions within individuals, and distinct differences of the similarity degree were observed between synchronous and metachronous oral MPCs.

Efficacy of ginseng-based Renshenguben oral solution for cancer-related fatigue among patients with advanced-stage hepatocellular carcinoma:A prospective multicenter cohort study

Background:Cancer-related fatigue(CRF)is a common and debilitating symptom experienced by patients with advanced-stage cancer,especially those undergoing antitumor therapy.This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of Renshenguben(RSGB)oral solution,a ginseng-based traditional Chinese medicine,in alleviating CRF in patients with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC)receiving antitumor treatment.Methods:In this prospective,open-label,controlled,multicenter study,patients with advanced HCC at BCLC stage C and a brief fatigue inventory(BFI)score of≥4 were enrolled.Participants were assigned to the RSGB group(RSGB,10 mL twice daily)or the control group(with supportive care).Primary and secondary endpoints were the change in multidimensional fatigue inventory(MFI)score,and BFI and functional assessment of cancer therapy-hepatobiliary(FACT-Hep)scores at weeks 4 and 8 after enrollment.Adverse events(AEs)and toxicities were assessed.Results:A total of 409 participants were enrolled,with 206 assigned to the RSGB group.At week 4,there was a trend towards improvement,but the differences were not statistically significant.At week 8,the RSGB group exhibited a significantly lower MFI score(P<0.05)compared to the control group,indicating improved fatigue levels.Additionally,the RSGB group showed significantly greater decrease in BFI and FACT-Hep scores at week 8(P<0.05).Subgroup analyses among patients receiving various antitumor treatments showed similar results.Multivariate linear regression analyses revealed that the RSGB group experienced a significantly substantial decrease in MFI,BFI,and FACT-Hep scores at week 8.No serious drug-related AEs or toxicities were observed.Conclusions:RSGB oral solution effectively reduced CRF in patients with advanced HCC undergoing antitumor therapy over an eight-week period,with no discernible toxicities.These findings support the potential of RSGB oral solution as an adjunctive treatment for managing CRF in this patient population.

Investigation on taste characteristics and sensory perception of soft-boiled chicken during oral processing based on electronic tongue and electronic nose

The sensory perception of food is a dynamic process,which is closely related to the release of flavor substances during oral processing.It’s not only affected by the food material,but also subjected to the individual oral environment.To explore the oral processing characteristics of soft-boiled chicken,the sensory properties,texture,particle size,viscosity,characteristic values of electronic nose and tongue of different chicken samples were investigated.The correlation analysis showed that the physical characteristics especially the cohesiveness,springiness,resilience of the sample determined oral processing behavior.The addition of chicken skin played a role in lubrication during oral processing.The particle size of the bolus was heightened at the early stage,and the fluidity was enhanced in the end,which reduced the chewing time to the swallowing point and raised the aromatic compounds signal of electronic nose.But the effect of chicken skin on chicken thigh with relatively high fat content,was opposite in electronic nose,which had a certain masking effect on the perception of umami and sweet taste.In conclusion,fat played a critical role in chicken oral processing and chicken thigh had obvious advantages in comprehensive evaluation of soft-boiled chicken,which was more popular among people.

Fine-tuning the activation behaviors of ternary modular cabazitaxel prodrugs for efficient and on-target oral anti-cancer therapy

The disulfide bond plays a crucial role in the design of anti-tumor prodrugs due to its exceptional tumor-specific redox responsiveness. However, premature breaking of disulfide bonds is triggered by small amounts of reducing substances (e.g., ascorbic acid, glutathione, uric acid and tea polyphenols) in the systemic circulation. This may lead to toxicity, particularly in oral prodrugs that require more frequent and high-dose treatments. Fine-tuning the activation kinetics of these prodrugs is a promising prospect for more efficient on-target cancer therapies. In this study, disulfide, steric disulfide, and ester bonds were used to bridge cabazitaxel (CTX) to an intestinal lymph vessel-directed triglyceride (TG) module. Then, synthetic prodrugs were efficiently incorporated into self-nanoemulsifying drug delivery system (corn oil and Maisine CC were used as the oil phase and Cremophor EL as the surfactant). All three prodrugs had excellent gastric stability and intestinal permeability. The oral bioavailability of the disulfide bond-based prodrugs (CTX-(C)S-(C)S-TG and CTX-S-S-TG) was 11.5- and 19.1-fold higher than that of the CTX solution, respectively, demonstrating good oral delivery efficiency. However, the excessive reduction sensitivity of the disulfide bond resulted in lower plasma stability and safety of CTX-S-S-TG than that of CTX-(C)S-(C)S-TG. Moreover, introducing steric hindrance into disulfide bonds could also modulate drug release and cytotoxicity, significantly improving the anti-tumor activity even compared to that of intravenous CTX solution at half dosage while minimizing off-target adverse effects. Our findings provide insights into the design and fine-tuning of different disulfide bond-based linkers, which may help identify oral prodrugs with more potent therapeutic efficacy and safety for cancer therapy.

Puerarin mediated miR-30b-5p targeting fibroblast activation protein against oral submucous fibrosis

Background:Puerarin(Pue)has been reported to be a natural active ingredient with multiple antifibrotic properties.This work aimed at exploring the function of Pue in oral submucousfibrosis(OSF)treatment.Methods:Human oral mucosafibroblasts(hOMF)were induced with transforming growth factor beta1(TGF-β1)and intervened with Pue.Expressions offibrosis-related markers were analyzed by Western blot and IF staining.Cell viability was characterized by the CCK-8 assay.Expressions of miR-30 family members were quantified by qRT-PCR.The correlation betweenfibroblast activation protein(FAP)and miR-30 family expression was evaluated by the Pearson correlation coefficient.Bioinformatics prediction and dual-luciferase reporter assay were employed to verify the regulation between FAP and miR-30b-5p.The specific mechanism of Pue on OSF was explored through the promotion or inhibition of miR-30b-5p.Results:After induction by TGF-β1,hOMF showed upregulated Collagen I,Collagen III,and FAP expressions,while miR-30 family expression was downregulated with miR-30b-5p being the most significant.Pue intervention inhibited the excessive proliferation of TGF-β1-induced hOMF,downregulated FAP,collagen type 3(COL3A1),collagen type 1(COL1A1),matrix metalloproteinase 1(MMP1),and matrix metalloproteinase 3(MMP3)expressions,and restored miR-30 family expression.Bioinformatics prediction and dual-luciferase reporter assay revealed that miR-30b-5p selectively inhibited FAP expression.Mechanistically,miR-30b-5p mimic suppressed the excessive proliferation of TGF-β1-induced hOMF and declinedfibrosis levels.Pue intervention significantly reversed the promotion of TGF-β1-induced OSF by miR-30b-5p inhibition.Conclusion:Pue mediated miR-30b-5p targeting FAP against OSF,which provided a theoretical basis for the pathogenesis research and Pue application in OSF.

Clinical value of oral contrast-enhanced ultrasonography in diagnosis of gastric tumors

BACKGROUND The incidence of gastric cancer remains high,and it is the sixth most common cancer and the fourth leading cause of cancer deaths worldwide.Oral contrastenhanced ultrasonography is a simple,non-invasive,and painless method for the diagnosis of gastric tumors.AIM To explore the diagnostic value of oral contrast-enhanced ultrasonography for the detection of gastric tumors.METHODS The screening results based on oral contrast-enhanced ultrasonography and electronic gastroscopy were compared with those of the postoperative pathological examination.RESULTS Among 42 patients with gastric tumors enrolled in the study,the diagnostic accordance rate was 95.2%for oral contrast-enhanced ultrasonography(n=40)and 90.5%for electronic gastroscopy(n=38)compared with postoperative pathological examination.The Kappa value of consistency test with pathological findings was 0.812 for oral contrast-enhanced ultrasonography and 0.718 for electronic gastroscopy,and there was no significant difference between them(P=0.397).For the TNM staging of gastric tumors,the accuracy rate of oral contrast enhanced ultrasonography was 81.9%for the overall T staging and 50%,77.8%,100%,and 100%for T1,T2,T3,and T4 staging,respectively.The sensitivity and specificity were both 100%for stages T3 and T4.The diagnostic accuracy rate of oral contrast-enhanced ultrasonography was 93.8%,80%,100%,and 100%for stages N0,N1-N3,M0,and M1,respectively.CONCLUSION The accordance rate of qualitative diagnosis by oral contrast-enhanced ultrasonography is comparable to that of gastroscopy,and it could be used as the preferred method for the early screening of gastric tumors.

Brain abscess from oral microbiota approached by metagenomic next-generation sequencing: A case report and review of literature

BACKGROUND Brain abscess is a serious and potentially fatal disease caused primarily by microbial infection.Although progress has been made in the diagnosis and treatment of brain abscesses,the diagnostic timeliness of pathogens needs to be improved.CASE SUMMARY We report the case of a 54-year-old male with a brain abscess caused by oral bacteria.The patient recovered well after receiving a combination of metagenomic next-generation sequencing(mNGS)-assisted guided medication and surgery.CONCLUSION Therefore,mNGS may be widely applied to identify the pathogenic microor-ganisms of brain abscesses and guide precision medicine.

Pudilan Xiaoyan oral liquid regulates tissue inflammation and apoptosis in mice with influenza virus pneumonia

Background:The influenza A virus is the primary cause of respiratory infections and poses a global health risk.Pudilan Xiaoyan oral liquid(PDL)exhibits anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory properties.PDL is commonly employed in clinical practice to manage upper respiratory tract infections.However,there is still much to uncover regarding its potential therapeutic mechanism.Methods:Institute of cancer research mice were infected with influenza A virus via nasal drip.The general state of the mice,lung index,and lung index inhibition rate were used to evaluate the efficacy of PDL.Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay,western blotting,and immunohistochemistry were used to observe the presence of proteins and cytokines in the lung tissue.Apoptosis was evaluated using the TUNEL assay.Results:PDL improved the mental state of influenza A virus-infected mice,reduced the lung index,and inhibited viral replication.The expression of interleukin-1βand tumor necrosis factor-αwere decreased,whereas the expression of interleukin-10 in the lung tissue was increased due to PDL treatment.In addition,PDL treatment modulated Toll-like receptor 4 and MyD88 expressions in the lung tissues.PDL significantly reduced apoptosis and decreased cleaved caspase-3 and PARP levels,whereas increased B-cell lymphoma-2 expression in the lung tissue.Notably,the moderate-dose group of PDL exhibited a more pronounced effect.These findings indicate that PDL exerts a protective effect against pneumonia injury in influenza A virus-infected mice.Conclusion:PDL inhibited the inflammatory response and regulated apoptosis by regulating Toll-like receptor 4 and MyD88 protein expressions,thereby protecting the lung tissue from viral infection-induced lung tissue injury.

Effects of Tongluo Jiedu prescription on immune function and oxidative stress in patients with oral cancer

BACKGROUND Oral cancer,which is caused by mucous membrane variation,represents a prevalent malignant tumor in the oral and maxillofacial region,posing a significant threat to patients’lives and safety.While surgical intervention stands as a cornerstone treatment for oral cancer patients,it carries the risk of incomplete treatment or high rates of postoperative recurrence.Hence,a multifaceted approach incorporating diverse treatment modalities is essential to enhance patient prognosis.AIM To analyze the application effect of Tongluo Jiedu prescription as adjuvant therapy and its influence on patient prognosis in patients with oral cancer.METHODS Eighty oral cancer patients in our hospital were selected and divided into the observation group and control group by a random number table.The control group was treated with continuous arterial infusion chemotherapy of cisplatin and 5-fluorouracil.The observation group was additionally given Tongluo Jiadu prescription.The inflammatory stress level,peripheral blood T-cell subsets,and immune function of the two groups were subsequently observed.SPSS 21.0 was used for data analysis.RESULTS The observation group demonstrated lower levels of interleukin-6 and C-reactive protein,and a higher level of tumor necrosis factor in comparison to the control group.After treatment,the immune function in the observation group was significantly better than in the control group.CONCLUSION Tongluo Jiedu prescription can improve the immune function and oxidative stress level of patients with oral cancer and accelerate the recovery process.

Analysis of acupoint massage combined with touch on relieving anxiety and pain in patients with oral implant surgery

BACKGROUND Oral implant surgery is an effective procedure for artificial implants in missing tooth areas under local anesthesia.Because patients under local anesthesia are conscious during this procedure,compared with general anesthesia-related operations,they are more likely to experience negative emotions,such as anxiety and tension.These emotional reactions result in shivering and chills in the limbs,leading to poor doctor-patient cooperation and even avoidance of treatment.In traditional Chinese medicine,it is believed that acupoint massage regulates blood and Qi,dredge menstruation,and relieve pain,which is beneficial for patients’emotional adjustment;however,there are few related clinical studies.AIM To observe the changes in anxiety and pain in patients with oral implant after acupoint massage combined with touch therapy.METHODS One hundred patients undergoing oral implantation in our hospital between May 2020 and May 2023 were randomly divided into control and study groups,according to a random number table,with 50 patients in each group.The control group received routine intervention,and the study group received acupoint massage combined with touch on the basis of the control group.Anxiety[assessed using the Modified Dental Anxiety Scale(MDAS)],pain severity,blood pressure,heart rate,and satisfaction were compared between the two groups.RESULTS Before intervention,the difference in MDAS score between the two groups was not significant(P>0.05),while after the intervention,the MDAS scores decreased in both groups compared with those before the intervention(P<0.05);the MDAS score of the study group was lower than that of the control group,with a statistically significant difference(P<0.05).The degree of pain in the intervention group was significantly lower than that in the control group(P<0.05).Before the intervention,there were no significant differences in systolic and diastolic blood pressures or heart rate between the two groups(P>0.05).The systolic and diastolic blood pressures and heart rate in the intervention group,during and after the intervention,were significantly lower than those in the control group(P<0.05).The total degree of satisfaction in the study group was significantly higher than that in the control group(P<0.05).CONCLUSION Acupoint massage combined with touch better relieves anxiety and pain in patients undergoing dental implant surgery,improving the perioperative comfort of these patients and ensuring safety and a smooth operation.

Poor oral health was associated with higher risk of gastric cancer: Evidence from 1431677 participants

BACKGROUND In recent years,the association between oral health and the risk of gastric cancer(GC)has gradually attracted increased interest.However,in terms of GC incidence,the association between oral health and GC incidence remains contro-versial.Periodontitis is reported to increase the risk of GC.However,some studies have shown that periodontitis has no effect on the risk of GC.Therefore,the present study aimed to assess whether there is a relationship between oral health and the risk of GC.AIM To assess whether there was a relationship between oral health and the risk of GC.METHODS Five databases were searched to find eligible studies from inception to April 10,2023.Newcastle-Ottawa Scale score was used to assess the quality of included studies.The quality of cohort studies and case-control studies were evaluated separately in this study.Incidence of GC were described by odds ratio(OR)and 95%confidence interval(CI).Funnel plot was used to represent the publication bias of included studies.We performed the data analysis by StataSE 16.RESULTS A total of 1431677 patients from twelve included studies were enrolled for data analysis in this study.According to our analysis,we found that the poor oral health was associated with higher risk of GC(OR=1.15,95%CI:1.02-1.29;I2=59.47%,P=0.00<0.01).Moreover,after subgroup analysis,the outcomes showed that whether tooth loss(OR=1.12,95%CI:0.94-1.29;I2=6.01%,P>0.01),gingivitis(OR=1.19,95%CI:0.71-1.67;I2=0.00%,P>0.01),dentures(OR=1.27,95%CI:0.63-1.19;I2=68.79%,P>0.01),or tooth brushing(OR=1.25,95%CI:0.78-1.71;I2=88.87%,P>0.01)had no influence on the risk of GC.However,patients with periodontitis(OR=1.13,95%CI:1.04-1.23;I2=0.00%,P<0.01)had a higher risk of GC.CONCLUSION Patients with poor oral health,especially periodontitis,had a higher risk of GC.Patients should be concerned about their oral health.Improving oral health might reduce the risk of GC.

Multifunctional role of oral bacteria in the progression of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease(NAFLD)encompasses a spectrum of liver disorders of varying severity,ultimately leading to fibrosis.This spectrum primarily consists of NAFL and non-alcoholic steatohepatitis.The pathogenesis of NAFLD is closely associated with disturbances in the gut micr-obiota and impairment of the intestinal barrier.Non-gut commensal flora,particularly bacteria,play a pivotal role in the progression of NAFLD.Notably,Porphyromonas gingivalis,a principal bacterium involved in periodontitis,is known to facilitate lipid accumulation,augment immune responses,and induce insulin resistance,thereby exacerbating fibrosis in cases of periodontitis-associated NAFLD.The influence of oral microbiota on NAFLD via the“oral-gut-liver”axis is gaining recognition,offering a novel perspective for NAFLD management through microbial imbalance correction.This review endeavors to encapsulate the intricate roles of oral bacteria in NAFLD and explore underlying mechanisms,emphasizing microbial control strategies as a viable therapeutic avenue for NAFLD.

The Oral Health Status of Person with Special Needs in Kumasi

Background: The most prevalent non-communicable disease worldwide is oral health-related disease, with dental caries and periodontal conditions being common. Oral health status significantly impacts overall health and quality of life. Barriers to dental care affect children with special needs. This study evaluates the oral health status and treatment requirements of people with special needs. Methodology: This descriptive cross-sectional study in Kumasi, Ghana examined oral health status among people, 121 children with special needs over two months, in June-July 2022. Dental caries, periodontal changes, malocclusion, and trauma were assessed. The data was analyzed using SPSS 20.0. Results: The oral health status among people with special needs in this study was generally moderate, with a range from very good to very poor. The prevalence of dental caries was 37%, with a mean DMFT score of 2.82. Periodontal health showed unsatisfactory indicators such as mobile teeth, poor gingival health, high plaque scores, and the presence of halitosis. Conclusion: This descriptive study aimed to provide baseline data on the oral health status of special needs students in Kumasi, addressing the lack of knowledge in this area. It highlighted the importance of dental care in maintaining good oral health and overall well-being in individuals with special needs. Coordinated efforts by dental professionals are needed to provide dental health education and preventive interventions for these children.

Potential of photodynamic therapy in the management of infectious oral diseases

Photodynamic therapy(PDT)can take place in the presence of three elements:Light with an appropriate wavelength;a photosensitizer;and the presence of oxygen.This type of treatment is very effective overall against bacterial,viral and mycotic cells.In the last 10 years many papers have been published on PDT with different types of photosensitizers(e.g.,methylene blue,toluidine blue,indocyanine green,curcumin-based photosensitizers),different wavelengths(e.g.,460 nm,630 nm,660 nm,810 nm)and various parameters(e.g.,power of the light,time of illumination,number of sessions).In the scientific literature all types of PDT seem very effective,even if it is difficult to find a standard protocol for each oral pathology.PDT could be an interesting way to treat some dangerous oral infections refractory to common pharmacological therapies,such as candidiasis from multidrug-resistant Candida spp.

TCGA-based analysis of oncogenic signaling pathways underlying oral squamous cell carcinoma

Background:Oral squamous cell carcinoma(OSCC)represents a prevalent malignancy in the oral and maxillofacial area,having a considerable negative impact on both the quality of life and overall survival of affected individuals.Our research endeavors to leverage bioinformatic approaches to elucidate oncogenic signaling pathways,with the ultimate goal of gaining deeper insights into the molecular underpinnings of OSCC pathogenesis,and thus laying the groundwork for the development of more effective therapeutic and preventive strategies.Methods:Differential expression analysis was performed on mRNA data from tumor and normal tissue groups to identify genes associated with OSCC,using The Cancer Genome Atlas database.Predictions of oncogenic signaling pathways linked to differentially expressedmRNAs were made,and these results were presented visually using R software,using Gene Ontology and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes enrichments.Results:GO and KEGG analyses of 2938 differentially expressed genes in OSCC highlighted their significant involvement in various biological processes.Notably,these processes were related to the extracellular matrix,structural organization,connective tissue development,and cell cycle regulation.Conclusions:The comprehensive exploration of gene expression patterns provides valuable insights into potential oncogenic mechanisms in OSCC.

A Clinical Study to Assess the Effectiveness of Oral Combination Kit Therapy in Syndromic Management of Abnormal Vaginal Discharge (FEMINE Study) in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo

Background: Vaginal discharge is one of most common and nagging problems that women face. About 20% - 25% of women who visit gynecology department complain of vaginal discharge and leucorrhoea. An orally administered combination kit, containing 2 g secnidazole, 1 g azithromycin and 150 mg fluconazole (Azimyn FS Kit), has been successfully evaluated in clinical trials and used in several countries for management syndromic vaginal discharge due to infections. Methods: This is a longitudinal study which aimed to verify the clinical efficacy of the combined oral kit containing secnidazole, azithromycin and fluconazole (Azimyn FS Kit®) in the syndromic treatment of abnormal vaginal discharge in patients received in outpatient consultations in Kinshasa/DR Congo from March to September 2023. Results: Majority of patients had whitish vaginal discharge (51.6%) of average abundance (56.2%), accompanied by pruritus in 72.1% of cases, and dyspareunia in 23.5% of cases and hypogastralgia in 40.2% of cases. One week after treatment with the Azimyn FS® combined kit, at the greatest majority of patients (97.3%), abnormal vaginal discharge had decreased by more than 50% (84.1%). Two weeks after treatment with the Azimyn FS® combined kit, almost all patients (97.3%) no longer had abnormal vaginal discharge which had completely disappeared. Conclusion: A single dose of secnidazole, azithromycin and fluconazole in the form of an oral combi-kit (Azimyn FS Kit) has shown excellent therapeutic effectiveness in the syndromic treatment of abnormal vaginal discharge wherein patients were treated without diagnostic confirmation.

Comparison of Oral Manifestations in Hospitalized COVID-19 Positive Patients and COVID-19 Negative Dental Outpatients. A Case Series Study and Literature Review

Background: The Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a respiratory infectious disease, also named Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), which can cause various systemic manifestations that pose a threat to human life. Oral lesions in patients with COVID-19 may appear during or after the illness and may or may not be a consequence of the viral infection. Objective: In this case series we compare the oral manifestations in hospitalized COVID-19 positive patients and COVID-19 negative dental outpatients. Methods: 60 hospitalized COVID-19 patients and 41 control patients, were examined for oral signs and symptoms. The controls were dental patients who visited the hospital for dental care without complaining of any problems related to the oral cavity itself. Results: We have observed a strong association between certain clinical findings and COVID-19, including alterations in taste (ageusia, dysgeusia, and hypogeusia), anosmia, hairy tongue, tongue imprints, red tongue, erythematous candidiasis, pseudomembranous candidiasis, and exfoliative cheilitis. A trend but not statistically significant association at the level of 5% was also noted for colored tongue, linea alba, and pale mucosa. On the contrary, fissured tongue and oral mucosa pigmentation were more frequent in the controls, statistically significant at the level of 5%. Conclusion: COVID-19 has been found to impact the oral cavity, resulting in various oral lesions that can be attributed to either the direct action of the virus or the patient’s immune response.

Research Progress on the Application of Nanomaterials in the Treatment of Oral Cancer

Oral cancer is a complex pathological process caused by a combination of exogenous factors represented by oncoviruses and endogenous factors represented by immune damage,individual DNA damage,and repair.Targeted treatment for oral cancer is based on the perspective of molecular genetics,which can not only reduce toxicity and increase efficacy,but also improve the quality of life of patients.This is the bottleneck that clinical oral cancer treatment needs to break through the most.Nanomaterials can exhibit a unique large molecular surface area,with relatively high surface reactivity and multiple surface active centers,resulting in strong adsorption capacity in molecular metabolism.There is a certain foundation in its application in the field of biology,but it has good tumor cytotoxicity and inhibition of proliferation in the treatment of oral cancer.This study reviews the application of nanomaterials in tumor prevention,treatment,and other fields,providing new ideas for the future treatment of this disease.

Unraveling the therapeutic mechanisms of myristic acid and luteolin 7-rutinoside in oral cancer: insights from network pharmacology and molecular docking analysis

Background:The compound Luteolin-7-rutinoside(L7R)is a flavone derivative of luteolin,predominantly identified in plant species belonging to the families Asteraceae.Conversely,Myristic acid is characterized by its structure as a 14-carbon,unsaturated fatty acid.In this investigation,we endeavor to elucidate the putative mechanisms underlying the therapeutic effects of Myristic Acid and Luteolin 7-rutinoside in the context of oral cancer treatment,employing network pharmacology coupled with molecular docking methodologies.Methods:The protein targets of Myristic Acid and Luteolin 7-rutinoside were identified through a search on the Swiss Target Database.Subsequently,a compound-target network was constructed using Cytoscape 3.9.1.Targets associated with OC were retrieved from the OMIM and GeneCards databases.The overlap between compound targets and OC-related targets was determined,and the resulting shared targets were subjected to protein-protein interaction(PPI)network analysis using the STRING database.Additionally,gene ontology(GO)and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes(KEGG)enrichment analyses were conducted on the identified targets.Molecular docking were performed to investigate the interactions between the core target and the active compound.Results:The component target network comprises 103 nodes and 102 edges.Among the proteins in the protein-protein interaction(PPI)network,those with higher degrees are TNF,PPARG,and TP53.Analysis through Gene Ontology(GO)and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes(KEGG)pathways indicates that the treatment of OC with Myristic Acid and Luteolin 7-rutinoside primarily involves the regulation of miRNA transcription and inflammatory response.The identified signaling pathways include Pathways in cancer,PPAR signaling pathway,EGFR signaling pathway,and TNF signaling pathway.Molecular docking studies reveal that Luteolin 7-rutinoside and Myristic acid exhibit higher affinity towards TNF,PPARG,TP53,and EGFR.Conclusion:This study reveals the potential molecular mechanism of Myristic Acid and Luteolin 7-rutinoside in the treatment of oral cancer,and provides a reference for subsequent basic research.