Effects of personalized oral hygiene management on oral health status of pregnant women

BACKGROUND The Cariostat caries activity test(CAT)was used to evaluate the effectiveness of personalized oral hygiene management combining oral health education and professional mechanical tooth cleaning on the oral health status of pregnant women.AIM To investigate whether personalized oral hygiene management enhances the oral health status of pregnant women.METHODS A total of 114 pregnant women who were examined at Dalian Women’s and Children’s Medical Center were divided into four groups:High-risk experimental group(n=29;CAT score≥2;received personalized oral hygiene management training),low-risk experimental group(n=29;CAT score≤1;received oral health education),high-risk control group(n=28;CAT score≥2),and low-risk control group(n=28;CAT score≤1).No hygiene intervention was provided to control groups.CAT scores at different times were compared using independent samples t-test and least significant difference t-test.RESULTS No significant difference in baseline CAT scores was observed between the experimental and control groups,either in the high-risk or low-risk groups.CAT scores were reduced significantly after 3(1.74±0.47 vs 2.50±0.38,P<0.0001)and 6 months(0.53±0.50 vs 2.45±0.42,P<0.0001)of personalized oral hygiene management intervention but not after oral health education alone(0.43±0.39 vs 0.46±0.33,P>0.05 and 0.45±0.36 vs 0.57±0.32,P>0.05,respectively).Within groups,the decrease in CAT scores was significant(2.43±0.44 vs 1.74±0.47 vs 0.53±0.50,P<0.0001)for only the high-risk experimental group.CONCLUSION Personalized oral hygiene management is effective in improving the oral health of pregnant women and can improve pregnancy outcomes and the oral health of the general population.

Pneumoparotid with imaging findings:A case report and review of literature

BACKGROUND Pneumoparotid is a rare disease associated with retrograde airflow into the ductal system.There is no established treatment for this disease,which has no known complications.Mouth puffing and playing wind instruments are known to be the causes of this disease.CASE SUMMARY We managed a case,in which pneumoparotid suddenly recurred 4 months after surgery for purulent parotiditis.The patient did not report any obvious etiological factors,such as mouth puffing or playing a wind instrument.We reviewed 128 articles(from 1941 to 2023)that reported on a total of 166 patients with pneumoparotid,including the patient from the present case report,with imaging findings.This is the first reported case of pneumoparotid following surgery for purulent parotitis.The etiology in our case was classified as idiopathic.CONCLUSION Imaging findings could be sufficient for accurate pneumoparotid diagnoses and the exclusion of complications;computed tomography could be useful.

WNT7A promotes tumorigenesis of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma via activating FZD7/JAK1/STAT3 signaling

Wnt signaling are critical pathway involved in organ development, tumorigenesis, and cancer progression. WNT7A, a member of the Wnt family, remains poorly understood in terms of its role and the underlying molecular mechanisms it entails in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). According to the Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA), transcriptome sequencing data of HNSCC, the expression level of WNT7A in tumors was found to be higher than in adjacent normal tissues, which was validated using Real-time RT-PCR and immunohistochemistry. Unexpectedly, overexpression of WNT7A did not activate the canonical Wnt-β-catenin pathway in HNSCC. Instead, our findings suggested that WNT7A potentially activated the FZD7/JAK1/STAT3 signaling pathway, leading to enhanced cell proliferation, self-renewal, and resistance to apoptosis. Furthermore, in a patient-derived xenograft (PDX) tumor model, high expression of WNT7A and phosphorylated STAT3 was observed, which positively correlated with tumor progression.These findings underscore the significance of WNT7A in HNSCC progression and propose the targeting of key molecules within the FZD7/JAK1/STAT3 pathway as a promising strategy for precise treatment of HNSCC.

Convenient model of hard tissue simulation for dental radiographic research and instruction

BACKGROUND The authors describe a technique for building an alternative jawbone phantom using dental gypsum and rice for research and dental radiology instruction.AIM To investigate the potential of an alternative phantom to simulate the trabecular bone aspect of the human maxilla in periapical radiographs.METHODS Half-maxillary phantoms built from gypsum-ground rice were exposed to X-rays,and the resulting images(experimental group)were compared to standardized radiographic images produced from dry human maxillary bone(control group)(n=7).The images were blindly assessed according to strict criteria by three examiners for the usual trabecular aspects of the surrounding bone,and significant differences between groups and in assessment reliability were compared using Fisher’s exact and kappa tests(α=0.05).RESULTS The differences in the trabecular aspects between groups were not statistically significant.In addition,interobserver agreement among observers was 0.43 and 0.51 for the control and experimental groups,respectively,whereas intraobserver agreement was 0.71 and 0.73,respectively.CONCLUSION The tested phantom seemed to demonstrate potential for trabecular bone image Munhoz EA et al.Model of hard tissue simulation for dental radiography WJM https://www.wjgnet.com 2 March 20,2024 Volume 14 Issue 1 simulation on maxillary periapical radiographs.

Role of viruses in periodontitis:An extensive review of herpesviruses,human immunodeficiency virus,coronavirus-19,papillomavirus and hepatitis viruses

Periodontitis is the inflammation of the supporting structures around the dentition.Several microbial agents,mostly bacteria,have been identified as causative factors for periodontal disease.On the other hand,oral cavity is a rich reservoir for viruses since it contains a wide variety of cell types that can be targeted by viruses.Traditionally,the focus of research about the oral flora has been on bacteria because the most widespread oral diseases,like periodontitis and dental caries,are outcomes of bacterial infection.However,recently and especially after the emergence of coronavirus disease 2019,there is a growing tendency toward including viruses also into the scope of oral microbiome investigations.The global high prevalence of periodontitis and viral infections may point out to a concomitant or synergistic effect between the two.Although the exact nature of the mechanism still is not clearly understood,this could be speculated through the manipulation of the immune system by viruses;hence facilitating the furthermore colonization of the oral tissues by bacteria.This review provides an extensive and detailed update on the role of the most common viruses including herpes family(herpes simplex,varicella-zoster,Epstein-Barr,cytomegalovirus),Human papillomaviruses,Human immunodeficiency virus and severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 in the initiation,progression and prognosis of periodontitis.

Dental pulp stem cells and banking of teeth as a lifesaving therapeutic vista

Exfoliated deciduous or an extracted healthy adult tooth can be used to harvest,process,and cryogenically preserve dental pulp stem cells.Future stem cell-based regenerative medicine methods could benefit significantly from these mesenchymal stem cells.Teeth serve as a substantial source of mesenchymal stem cells,otherwise disposed of as medical waste.Care should be taken to store this treasure trove of stem cells.Collective responsibility of patients,dentists,and physicians is necessary to ensure that this valuable resource is not wasted and that every possible dental pulp stem cell is available for use in the future.The dental pulp stem cells(DPSC)inside teeth represent a significant future source of stem cells for regenerative medicine procedures.This review describes the ontogeny,the laboratory processing and collection,and isolation methods of DPSC.This review also discusses currently available stem cell banking facilities and their potential use in regenerative medicine procedures in dental and general medical applications in the future.

The feasible application ofmicrofluidic tissue/organ-on-a-chip as an impersonator of oral tissues and organs:a direction for future research

Currently,cell culture models play a key role in determining cell behavior under various conditions.However,the accurate simulation of cellular behavior that imitates the body’s conditions remains a challenge.Therefore,to overcome this obstacle,three-dimensional cell culture models have been developed.Microfluidic tissues/organs-on-chips(TOOCs)are new devices that have provided the opportunity to culture cells in a medium that is almost similar to the physiological conditions of the body.TOOCs can be designed in simple or complex models,which are mostly fabricated by soft lithography.These novel structures have been developed to mimic the conditions of various tissues and organs;however,microfluidic models for oral and dental tissues have not yet been widely used.The application of TOOCs for oral tissues/organs can provide the opportunity to study cell interactions with biomaterials used in dentistry.Furthermore,TOOCs can provide the opportunity to study the cellular interactions and developmental stages of oral tissues/organs more accurately.This review of the current advances in the field of TOOC development for oral tissues provides a comprehensive understanding of this burgeoning concept,shows the progress and applications of these novel models in the imitation of oral tissues/organs thus far,and reveals the limitations that TOOCs confront.Moreover,it suggests further perspectives for future applications.

Trends of Oral Cancer Mortality in China from 1990 to 2019 and a 15-Year Predictive Analysis Based on a Bayesian Age-Period-Cohort Model

Oral cancer is the most common malignant tumor of the head and neck.It is characterized by high rates of recurrence and distant metastasis and usually has a poor prognosis.Despite advances in cancer diagnosis and treatment,the overall 5-year survival rate for oral cancer remains within40%-50%[1].

Managements of Special Health Care Needs Patients from Dental Assistant Point

The main role of this article is to describe dental assistants and the dental department’s role in the dental delivery system for Special health care needs (SCHN) by creating a structure to educate the dental assisting profession and project factors that have a significant impact on the dental assistant. The dental assisting management of SCHN patient’s profession including dental Assistance general responsibilities, regulation credentialing, and education. The SCHN patient’s management creates a challenge in all area of the dental department. Handling patient with a SCHN is underexplored throughout the dental staff especially when there is not enough theoretical foundation, education and training to deal with this category of patients. SCHN patients are defined as individuals who have abnormal behavioral impairments, mental conditions or/and chronic disease or abnormal laboratory results. Thus, the aim of this article is to guide all dental assistance staff in the best dental management choice for SCHN patients. All health care teams are part of patient care in most medical settings. A work environment supportive ensures positive outcomes for patient care. This article was considered as those categories of patients required more care and special way to deal with, moreover language, age, gender and education level of the patient are also considered significant parries. Not Many studies were found to support the care of SCHN patients in dentistry department. Taking experience from other area help to design a system to handle the SCHN even if it requires hiring a Dentist who is specialized in that filed.

Minimally Invasive Maxillofacial Surgery Using Digital Work Surgery: A Case of Alveolar Ridge Reconstruction after Maxillary Cystectomy

Introduction: Iliac particulate cancellous bone and marrow (PCBM) is commonly used as a high-quality reconstruction material;however, PCBM cannot be extracted in sufficient amounts to meet demand. To determine the appropriate amount of iliac PCBM to be collected, we used digital technology to measure the volume required for jaw reconstruction before surgery. Clinical Case: The patient, a 23-year-old man, underwent surgery for a calcifying odontogenic cyst. A maxillary cyst occupied the left anterior-premolar region (tooth 21 - 25) and the deciduous canine remained;a permanent canine was included in the cyst. We planned to preserve the teeth except for the impacted canine, completely excise the maxillary cyst, and preserve the alveolar ridge morphology. Preoperative digital imaging was used to determine the amount of alveolar ridge reconstruction required and accordingly determine the amount of iliac cancellous bone to be harvested. We used a titanium mesh tray and grafts of iliac particulate cancellous bone and marrow to reconstruct the alveolar ridge. The amount of iliac cancellous bone that needed to be collected was clarified and the supply amount could be collected in just the right amount;thus, the cortical bone of the iliac inner plate could be preserved. The alveolar bone morphology was reconstructed to allow the placement of dental implants as per the preoperative digital surgery. Three years after the operation, no sign of recurrence has been observed. Conclusion: Minimally invasive surgery was performed by clarifying the amount of iliac cancellous bone graft that needs to be harvested, which improved the accuracy of surgery.

Application of Vortex Generators to Remove Heat Trapped in Closed Channels

The utilization of vortex generators to increase heat transfer from cylinders installed inside a duct is investigated.In particular,a channel containing eight cylinders with volumetric heat sources is considered for different values of the Reynolds number.The effective possibility to use vortex generators with different sizes to increase heat transfer and,consequently,reduce the surface temperature of the cylinders is examined.Also,the amount of pressure drop inside the channel due to the presence of vortex generators is considered and compared with the cases without vortex generators.The results show that although the addition of generators increases the pressure drop,it strongly contributes to increase the heat transfer coefficient inside the duct(up to 80–90%).

Oral Health Management of Three Head and Neck Cancer Patients Performed by Dental Hygienists

Introduction: Oral health management is often difficult in patients after surgical tumor resection and/or radiotherapy due to defects, bulky flaps, limitation of tongue movement, and trismus. In addition, patients who have undergone radiotherapy have serious disabilities such as oral mucositis, mucosal weakening, soft tissue fibrosis, salivary gland disorder, and osteoradionecrosis. Dental hygienists must understand the characteristics of patients after surgical tumor resection and/or radiotherapy. In this report, the oral health management of three patients after maxillectomy, mandibulectomy, and radiotherapy was shown. Case Description: Case 1: A 53-year-old male patient visited our clinic after chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and partial maxillectomy for cancer of the right maxillary gingiva. Case 2: A 65-year-old male patient visited our clinic after radiotherapy for a right-sided tongue cancer, partial mandibulectomy of the right tongue to the oropharynx, a right-sided segmental mandibulectomy and a speech aid and a mandibular prosthesis were provided. Case 3: A 36-year-old female visited our clinic for radiotherapy for left-sided tongue cancer. Dental hygienists provided oral health management to the patients. In oral health management, it was suggested that intervention before cancer treatment, oral hygiene instructions tailored to patients’ symptoms, and frequent professional care are important. Conclusion: Oral health management by dental hygienists is extremely important for patients undergoing maxillofacial cancer treatment to maintain their quality of life in the long term.

Unraveling colorectal cancer prevention:The vitamin D-gut flora-immune system nexus

Colorectal cancer(CRC)is one of the most common cancers diagnosed in the world.Although environmental and genetic factors play a major role in the pathogenesis of CRC,extensive research has suggested that vitamin D may play a pivotal role in the development of CRC.Vitamin D,primarily obtained through sunlight exposure,dietary sources,and supplements,has long been recognized for its essential functions in maintaining health,including immune regulation.This article delves into the intricate relationship between vitamin D,the immune system,gut flora,and the prevention of CRC.It presents a synthesis of epidemiological data,experimental studies,and clinical trials,highlighting the mechanisms by which vitamin D influences immune cell function,cytokine production,and inflammation.By enhancing the immune system’s surveillance and antitumor activity,vitamin D may offer a promising avenue for CRC prevention.Furthermore,this comprehensive review delves into the prospective clinical applications of vitamin D supplementation and delineates the forthcoming avenues of research in this dynamic domain.Additionally,the paper tentatively outlines a spectrum of prophylactic impacts of vitamin D on CRC,emphasizing its significant potential in reducing CRC risk through shedding light on its mechanisms,encompassing antineoplastic mechanisms,influences on the immune system,and modulation of the gut microbiome.

An evaluation of the inflammatory response of lipopolysaccharide-treated primary dental pulp cells with regard to calcium silicate-based cements

This study compared the biological changes of lipopolysaccharide （LPS）-treated dental pulp （DP） cells directly cultured on mineral trioxide aggregate （MTA） and calcium silicate （CS） cements. DP cells were treated with LPS for 24 h. Then, the LPS-treated DP cells were cultured on MTA or CS cements. Cell viability, cell death mechanism and interleukin （IL）-1β expressions were analysed. A one-way analysis of variance was used to evaluate the significance of the differences between the means. A significantly higher IL-1β expression （2.9-fold） was found for LPS-treated cells （P〈0.05） compared with DP cells without LPS treatment at 24 h. Absorbance values of LPS-treated cells cultured on CS cement were higher than a tissue culture plate. A significant difference （P〈0.05） in cell viability was observed between cells on CS and MTA cements 24 h after seeding. At 48 h, a high concentration of Si （5 mM） was released from MTA, which induced LPS-treated DP cell apoptosis. The present study demonstrates that CS cement is biocompatible with cultured LPS-treated DP cells. MTA stimulates inflammation in LPS-treated DP cells, which leads to greater IL-1β expression and apoptosis.

Systematic review of noninvasive treatments to arrest dentin non-cavitated caries lesions

AIM: To systematically review the literature on the efficacy of noninvasive methods of arresting the progression of non-cavitated occlusal carious lesions in dentin.METHODS: The Medline/Pub Med,LILACS,Sci ELO and Scopus databases were searched to identify relevant publications through to November 2013.Only clinical trials evaluating the ability of noninvasive methods to arrest the progression of occlusal non-cavitated carious lesions in dentin were included.Screening,data extraction and quality assessment were conducted independently and in duplicate.RESULTS: Of 167 citations identified,nine full text articles were screened and five were included in the analysis.All papers reported on occlusal fissure sealing using a self-curing glass ionomer(n = 1) or resin-based(n = 4) sealant.Only the use of resin-based sealant to obliterate occlusal fissures arrested the progression of non-cavitated occlusal carious lesions in dentin.CONCLUSION: Occlusal fissure sealing with a resin-based sealant may arrest the progression of non-cavitated occlusal dentinal caries.Further clinical trials with longer follow-up times should be performed to increase scientific evidence.

Medical Emergencies in Dental Clinics: A Survey of 2013 Dentists in China

Objective To investigate the feature and frequency of medical emergencies in dental clinics in China and the Methods A survey study was conducted among 2408 dentists who attended continuing educational courses held by Society of Sedation and Analgesia of Chinese Stomatological Association in 18 cities from December 2015 to December 2018.Demographic information of the dentists and the characteristics of medical emergencies they encountered were collected and analyzed.The associated demographic features for dentist experiencing medical emergencies were analyzed by logistic regression model.Results A total of 2013 dentists provided valid responses and reported 2923 events of medical emergencies in dental clinics.Among them,85.0%reported that they had encountered medical emergencies,and 35.5%had encountered at least twice.Syncope(35.9%)and hypoglycemia(30.3%)were the most common reported medical emergencies.Medical emergencies were most likely to occur during local anesthesia(49.9%),out-patient oral surgery(25.9%),and root canal treatment(11.3%).There were 6 patients(0.2%)died in emergencies.84.0%dentists reported that they had never received training courses about medical emergency management in dentistry other than Basic Life Support.Longer practicing time(10-15 years)(OR=0.59,95%CI:0.41-0.85,P=0.004),working in private dental facilities(OR=1.69,95%CI:1.20-2.38,P=0.003)were associated with an increased risk of experiencing medical emergencies.Conclusion More efforts are needed in prevention,early identification,and timely management of medical emergencies in dental clinics in order to prevent fatal outcomes.The results of this survey are useful information for re-designing emergency training courses for Chinese dentists.

Human umbilical cord blood-derived mesenchymal stem cells promote regeneration of crush-injured rat sciatic nerves

Several studies have demonstrated that human umbilical cord blood-derived mesenchymal stem cells can promote neural regeneration following brain injury. However, the therapeutic effects of human umbilical cord blood-derived mesenchymal stem cells in guiding peripheral nerve regeneration remain poorly understood. This study was designed to investigate the effects of human umbilical cord blood-derived mesenchymal stem cells on neural regeneration using a rat sciatic nerve crush injury model. Human umbilical cord blood-derived mesenchymal stem cells （1 ~ 106） or a PBS control were injected into the crush-injured segment of the sciatic nerve. Four weeks after cell injection, brain-derived neurotrophic factor and tyrosine kinase receptor B mRNA expression at the lesion site was increased in comparison to control. Furthermore, sciatic function index, Fluoro Gold-labeled neuron counts and axon density were also significantly increased when compared with control. Our results indicate that human umbilical cord blood-derived mesenchvmal stem cells promote the functinnal r~.RcJv^rv nf P.n I^h-inillr^4 ~r^i~tit, n^r~e

Antimicrobial effect of alexidine and chlorhexidine against Enterococcus faecalis infection

A previous study demonstrated that alexidine has greater affinity for the major virulence factors of bacteria than chlorhexidine.The aim of this study was to compare the antimicrobial activity of 1%alexidine with that of 2%chlorhexidine using Enterococcus faecalis-infected dentin blocks.Sixty bovine dentin blocks were prepared and randomly divided into six groups of 10 each.E.faecalis was inoculated on 60 dentin blocks using the Luppens apparatus for 24 h and then the dentin blocks were soaked in 2%chlorhexidine or 1%alexidine solutions for 5 and 10 min,respectively.Sterile saline was used as a control.The antimicrobial efficacy was assessed by counting the number of bacteria adhering to the dentin surface and observing the degradation of bacterial shape or membrane rupture under a scanning electron microscope.Significantly fewer bacteria were observed in the 2%chlorhexidine-or 1%alexidine-soaked groups than in the control group(P<0.05).However,there was no significant difference in the number of bacteria adhering to the dentinal surface between the two experimental groups or between the two soaking time groups(P>0.05).Ruptured or antiseptic-attached bacteria were more frequently observed in the 10-min-soaked chlorhexidine and alexidine groups than in the 5-min-soaked chlorhexidine and alexidine groups.In conclusion,10-min soaking with 1%alexidine or 2%chlorhexidine can be effective against E.faecalis infection.

Analysis of a Community-based Intervention to Reduce Heat-related Illness during Heat Waves in Licheng,China:a Quasi-experimental Study

Objective To reduce health-related threats of heat waves, interventions have been implemented in many parts of the world. However, there is a lack of higher-level evidence concerning the intervention efficacy. This study aimed to determine the efficacy of an intervention to reduce the number of heat-related illnesses. Methods A quasi-experimental design was employed by two cross-sectional surveys in the year 2024 and 2015, including 2,240 participants and 2,356 participants, respectively. Each survey was designed to include one control group and one intervention group, which conducted in Licheng, China. A representative sample was selected using a multistage sampling method. Data, collected from questionnaires about heat waves in 2014 and 2015, were analyzed using a difference-in-difference analysis and cost effectiveness analysis. Outcomes included changes in the prevalence of heat-related illnesses and cost-effectiveness variables. Results Relative to the control participants, the prevalence of heat-related illness in the intervention participants decreased to a greater extent in rural areas than in urban areas （OR=0.495 vs. OR=2.282）. Moreover, the cost-effectiveness ratio in the intervention group was tess than that in the control group （usS25.06 vs. us$25.69 per participant）. Furthermore, to avoid one additional patient, the incremental cost-effectiveness ratio showed that an additional USS14.47 would be needed for the intervention compared to when no intervention was applied. Conclusion The intervention program may be considered a worthwhile investment for rural areas that are more likely to experience heat waves. Meanwhile, corresponding improving measures should be presented towards urban areas. Future research should examine whether the intervention strategies could be spread out in other domestic or international regions where heat waves are usually experienced.

Input of microenvironmental regulation on colorectal cancer: Role of the CCN family

Colorectal cancer(CRC)is a major health problem causing significant morbidity and mortality.Previous results from various studies indicate that CRC tumorigenicity encompasses tumor microenvironment,emphasizing the complex interacting network between cancer cells and nearby host cells,which triggers diverse signaling pathways to promote the growth and spread ofcancer cells.The CCN family proteins share a uniform modular structure,mediating a variety of physiological functions,including proliferation,apoptosis,migration,adhesion,differentiation,and survival.Furthermore,CCN proteins are also involved in CRC initiation and development.Many studies have shown that CCN members,such as CCN1,CCN2,CCN3,Wnt-induced secreted protein(WISP)-1,WISP-2,and WISP-3,are dysregulated in CRC,which implies potential diagnostic markers or therapeutic targets clinically.In this review,we summarize the research findings on the role of CCN family proteins in CRC initiation,development,and progression,highlighting their potential for diagnosis,prognosis,and therapeutic application.