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Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is a common type of cancer characterized by a low survival rate, mostly due to local recurrence and metastasis. In view of the importance of predicting tumor behavior in the choice of treatment strategies for OSCC, several studies have attempted to investigate the prognostic value of tissue biomarkers, including microRNA (miRNA). The purpose of this study was to perform a systematic review and meta-analysis to evaluate the relationship between miRNA expression and survival of OSCC patients. Studies were identified by searching on MEDLINE/PubMed, SCOPUS, Web of Science, and Google Scholar. Quality assessment of studies was performed with the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale. Data were collected from cohort studies comparing disease-free survival and overall survival in patients with high miRNA expression compared to those with low expression. A total of 15 studies featuring 1,200 OSCC samples, predominantly from Asia, met the inclusion criteria and were included in the meta-analysis. Poor prognosis correlated with upregulation of 9 miRNAs (miR-21, miR-455-5p, miiR-155-5p, miR-372, miR-373, miR-29b, miR-1246, miR-196a, and miR-181) and downregulation of 7 miRNAs (miR-204, miR-101, miR-32, miR-20a, miR-16, miR-17, and miR-125b). The pooled hazard ratio values (95% confidence interval) related to different miRNA expression for overall survival and disease-free survival were 2.65 (2.07-3.39) and 1.95 (1.28-2.98), respectively. The results of this meta-analysis revealed that the expression levels of specific miRNAs can robustly predict prognosis of OSCC patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose. To identify potential antigenic targets for Porphyromonas gingivalis vaccine development. Materials and methods. In the present study, we analyzed the Porphyromonas gingivalis, fimA type II primary amino acid sequence and characterized the similarity to the human proteome at the pentapeptide level. Results. We found that exact peptide-peptide profiling of the fimbrial antigen versus the human proteome shows that only 19 out of 344 fimA type II pentapeptides are uniquely owned by the bacterial protein. Conclusions. The concept that protein immunogenicity is allocated in rare peptide sequences and the search the Porphyromonas gingivalis fimA type II sequence for peptides unique to the bacterial protein and absent in the human host, might be used in new therapeutical approaches as a significant adjunct to current periodontal therapies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose. Oral Lichen Planus (OLP) is a chronic inflammatory disease of skin and mucous membranes. Approximately 20% of women with oral lichen planus develops lesions in the genital mucosa. In 1982, Pelisse described a special form of lichen planus (LP), which consists of a triad of symptoms: vulval, vaginal and gingival (VVG)-LP lesions. Aim of the present report is to report two new cases and review the international literature. Material and methods. Two cases of VVG-LP are reported and a review of recent literature is performed. Results. The onset of erosive or ulcerative mouth lesions may precede or follow by months or even years the onset of vulvovaginal lesions. Vaginal agglutination is associated with the postmenopausal state in conjunction with a dermatologic condition. Intra-lesional corticosteroids have a role in localized chronic ulceration, while systemic therapies such as corticosteroids, azathioprine, mycophenolate mofetil, hydroxychloroquine, ciclosporin, methotrexate, retinoids, thalidomide and photo chemotherapy have been used in more severe cases with varying success. Conclusions. VVG-LP is rather a rare condition and has been documented in the literature mainly in the form of case reports. Lack of a precise diagnostic criteria of VVG-LP depends on the specialists. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background. Rebuilding atrophied alveolar ridges can present a significant challenge. There is a multitude of treatment options including guided bone regeneration, onlay block grafting, and distraction osteogenesis. Positioning of dental implants can be placed in an immediate or delayed fashion. An advantage of placing implants immediately is that the patient's treatment course is shortened as well as the potential for maintaining soft tissue is present. Methods. The recent FDA approval of recombinant human bone morphogenic protein (rhBMP-2) has given clinicians an added treatment option for reconstructing localized alveolar defects. Several patients have been treated with dental implant and rhBMP-2 and the results were recorded by clinical and radiological exams. Results. The potential to reconstruct these challenging defects with a growth factor thus limiting or even avoiding a secondary harvest site is exciting. We describe our experience with the use of implants and bone morphogenic protein together. This study presents excellent results about the combination of using dental implants and growth factor for treating substantial bone defects. Conclusion. Our goal was to clinically evaluate the potential of a purpose designed titanium porous-oxide dental implant surface combined with rhBMP-2. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

OBJECTIVES: Aim of this work is to show the effectiveness of a protocol involving the use of platelet-rich plasma (PRP) as a grafting material in bone regeneration before dental implant rehabilitation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 127 patients, requiring maxillary sinus lift, were enrolled in a follow- up study plan, which established clinical and radiological examinations on the day after surgery and six months later. PRP, in combination with autogenous bone, anorganic bone material and organic bone substitutes, was used before implant-prosthetic rehabilitation. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: After implant placement, 63 patients, previously treated with PRP, reached a statistically significant improvement in implant-prosthetic rehabilitation, established by primary stability and radiographic integration criteria, in comparison with the other 64 patients receiving implant-prosthetic rehabilitation without PRP treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Soft tissue healing is of paramount importance when guided bone regeneration techniques are used, as early exposure of the membrane could affect the results., Methods: In this randomized clinical trial, enrolling 20 patients, a gel rich in hyaluronic acid and amino acids was used to promote wound healing after a ridge augmentation procedure. The Early Wound Healing Index - EHS was used to assess soft tissue healing by primary intention following surgery at 1, 3, 7 and 14 days., Results: Results showed faster tissue healing when hyaluronic acid mixed with amino acids was used, and also a lower perception of pain by patients measured with a VAS scale., Conclusions: These data suggest the creation of larger research studies that can support the use of biologics for early soft tissue healing.

This study investigates the efficacy of Kinesio taping (KT) in reducing postoperative discomfort, including edema, trismus, and pain, following mandibular third molar extraction. A prospective randomized split-mouth design was employed, involving 7 patients with impacted mandibular third molars. KT was applied immediately postsurgery, and outcomes were assessed on the third and seventh postoperative days using a Visual Analog Scale (VAS) for pain, 3D morphometric analysis for swelling, and caliper measurements for trismus. Results showed significant reductions in pain, swelling, and trismus on the KT-treated side compared with the control side. The most notable differences were observed on day 7, where KT demonstrated superior effectiveness in alleviating symptoms. The control group showed improvement over time, but the KT-treated group experienced faster and more pronounced recovery. In conclusion, KT proved to be a safe and effective method for improving postoperative recovery following mandibular third molar surgery, offering a low-cost, accessible option to enhance patient comfort and quality of life., Competing Interests: The authors report no conflicts of interest., (Copyright © 2024 by Mutaz B. Habal, MD.)

Background: Oral mucositis (OM) is considered one of the most common side effects of patients undergoing cancer therapy. OM prevention plays a crucial role in the effectiveness of cancer treatment and the patient's quality of life. Different preventive treatments have been proposed in clinical trials, however with inconclusive results., Materials and Methods: A systematic review search was conducted in PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and Cochrane Database to answer the PICO question: in cancer patients, do specific topical agents compared to standard treatments or placebo reduce the onset and severity of oral mucositis? The risk of bias was assessed, and a network meta-analysis was conducted., Results: Of 2913 results, 30 randomized clinical trials were considered suitable for inclusion. A total of 2564 patients were analyzed, of which 1284 belonged to the test group and 1280 belonged to the control group. Natural products were the most used, followed mainly by antimicrobial agents, coating agents, and basic oral care measures. Topical sucralfate resulted in the most powerful intervention for the OM prevention (OR = 0.04, 95%C.I. = 0.01-0.25, p-value = 0.001)., Conclusion: Due to its cytoprotective action, low cost, ease of administration, and safety, sucralfate could become a potential ally to prevent the onset of OM during cancer therapy., (© 2024 Wiley Periodicals LLC.)

Introduction: Folliculin, encoded by FLCN gene, plays a role in the mTORC1 autophagy cascade and its alterations are responsible for the Birt-Hogg-Dubé (BHD) syndrome, characterized by follicle hamartomas, kidney tumors and pneumothorax., Patient and Results: We report a 74-years-old woman diagnosed with dementia and carrying a FLCN alteration in absence of any sign of BHD. She also carried an alteration of MAT1A gene, which is also implicated in the regulation of mTORC1., Discussion: The MAT1A variant could have prevented the development of a FLCN -related oncological phenotype. Conversely, our patient presented with dementia that, to date, has yet to be documented in BHD. Folliculin belongs to the DENN family proteins, which includes C9orf72 whose alteration has been associated to neurodegeneration. The folliculin perturbation could affect the C9orf72 activity and our patient could represent the first human model of a relationship between FLCN and C9orf72 across the path of autophagy., Competing Interests: The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest. The author(s) declared that they were an editorial board member of Frontiers, at the time of submission. This had no impact on the peer review process and the final decision., (Copyright © 2024 Bottillo, Laino, Azzarà, Lintas, Cassano, Di Lazzaro, Ursini, Motolese, Bargiacchi, Formicola, Grammatico and Gurrieri.)

Dental injuries affect different patients every day in conditions that can range from domestic, work, or road accidents. As for traumas in the age of development, the field is restricted to domestic, sports, and school environments. The purpose of this study was to clarify the current protocols in the literature to limit and manage this type of pathology. This narrative review considers the literature of the last 20 years on this topic in different ways. The literature is in agreement with dividing the treatments into primary and secondary and also according to what is the place where the trauma occurred to evaluate the type of intervention. However, all protocols are aimed at implementing efficient preventive strategies rather than having to solve a problem subsequently, certainly, new protocols and protection systems can limit this problem which leads not only to more or less complex problems related to oral health and aesthetics but also possible subsequent psychological problems.

Background: Hepatitis is a condition characterized by inflammation of the liver, which can be caused by several viruses including hepatitis A, B, C, D and E. This condition can affect the oral health of patients and increase the risk of complications during dental management. The clinical management of hepatitis patients in the dental setting requires a comprehensive and individualized approach to ensure safety and optimal treatment outcomes. This article aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the current literature on the dental management of patients with different forms of hepatitis., Methods: The article focuses on the specific challenges associated with dental treatments in hepatitis patients, including increased risk of infection and bleeding. Additionally, the article provides recommendations for dental practitioners, including infection control measures, communication with medical providers, and the use of prophylactic antibiotics., Results: The authors show that the dental management of patients with hepatitis requires a thorough understanding of the specific challenges associated with this condition, as well as the implementation of appropriate preventive measures to ensure the safety and well-being of these patients., Conclusions: Further research is needed to better understand the impact of hepatitis on oral health and the most effective approaches to managing dental treatments in this patient population.

Background: Evidence suggests that inflammation contributes to tumor development, from onset to progression and metastasis. Platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR) is a composite parameter that provides information from two distinct cellular elements, platelets, and lymphocytes. The purpose of this systematic review and meta-analysis is to evaluate the prognostic role of the PLR, in terms of overall survival (OS), disease-free survival (DFS), cancer-specific survival (CSS) and progression-free survival (PFS), in patients with primary head and neck squamous cell carcinoma treated with surgery followed or not by adjuvant therapies., Materials and Methods: This systematic review was performed according to the guidelines reported in the Cochrane Handbook and the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) statement. Meta-analysis of OS and DFS was performed using the inverse of variance test. Random-effect models were used on the basis of high heterogeneity. Risk of bias assessment, quality of evidence within studies (GRADE) and trial sequential analysis (TSA) were also performed., Results: The analysis revealed that a higher value of pretreatment PLR correlates with a statistically significant decrease of OS (HR, 1.85; 95% CI: [1.23, 2.80]; P < .00001), confirmed by TSA. The meta-analysis reports an association between high PLR and DFS (HR,1.46; 95% CI: [1.03, 2.06]; P = .003); but TSA suggests that it his should be considered as a false positive. Further studies are needed to validate the efficacy of PLR in predicting CSS and PFS outcomes., Conclusion: Pretreatment PLR is an independent prognostic factor for OS in HNSCC., (Copyright © 2023 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Purpose: To retrospectively evaluate the influence of prosthetic features on marginal bone level changes around bone-level implants with an external hex connection., Materials and Methods: A total of 100 patients with 166 implants and cemented crowns were included. Demographic and clinical data were collected. Prosthetic features were radiographically evaluated, including emergence angle (EA), emergence profile (EP), crown-implant ratio (CIR), and abutment height. Marginal bone levels were measured on intraoral radiographs taken at baseline and after at least 1 year. The correlation between prosthetic features and marginal bone loss (MBL) was then investigated., Results: The mean follow-up time was 43.94 months. Implant length varied between 5 and 13 mm. The mean height of the abutments used was 1.55 mm. EA measured an average 30.62 degrees (± 13.20) mesially and 29.45 degrees (± 13.07) distally. The CIR was 0.99 (± 0.26). The mean MBL was 0.19 mm on the mesial side and 0.20 mm on distal side of the implants. Significant positive associations emerged between MBL and implant length (P < .005) and with EA (P < .05). A convex profile of the crown was shown to be associated with a higher distal MBL (P = .025) compared to concave and straight profiles.

Introduction: The present randomized split-mouth study aimed to investigate the clinical effectiveness of postoperative discomfort of the use of a surgical drain after lower third molar extraction., Materials and Methods: It was conducted a prospective randomized split-mouth study involving 30 patients with bilateral symmetric lower third molar. Each patient underwent two operations for the extraction of impacted teeth: test site (tube drain) and control site (conventional total closure of surgical flap), resulting in 30 cases in the test group, and 30 cases in the control group.Pain, swelling, and mouth opening were evaluated immediately before the surgeries, after 1, 3 and 7 days postoperatively in both groups. Data were analyzed with non-parametric test (Kruskal-Wallis test and the post hoc Dun test, and Wilcoxon matched-pairs signed rank test)., Results: Facial swelling ( p  < .001) was significantly less in test group compared with the control group on all examined days. Trismus is significantly reduced only on the third day ( p  < .001); Pain measurements did not differ statistically significantly between the two groups on all post-operative days ( p  > .05)., Conclusion: The use of the tube drain reduced facial swelling and trismus, but had no influence on the subjective perception of postoperative pain.

Head and neck squamous cell carcinomas (HNSCCs) are often diagnosed at advanced stages, incurring significant high mortality and morbidity. Several microRNAs (miRs) have been identified as pivotal players in the onset and advancement of HNSCCs, operating as either oncogenes or tumor suppressors. Distinctive miR patterns identified in tumor samples, as well as in serum, plasma, or saliva, from patients have significant clinical potential for use in the diagnosis and prognosis of HNSCCs and as potential therapeutic targets. The aim of this study was to identify previous systematic reviews with meta-analysis data and clinical trials that showed the most promising miRs in HNSCCs, enclosing them into a biomolecular signature to test the prognostic value on a cohort of HNSCC patients according to The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA). Three electronic databases (PubMed, Scopus, and Science Direct) and one registry (the Cochrane Library) were investigated, and a combination of keywords such as "signature microRNA OR miR" AND "HNSCC OR LSCC OR OSCC OR oral cancer" were searched. In total, 15 systematic literature reviews and 76 prognostic clinical reports were identified for the study design and inclusion process. All survival index data were extracted, and the three miRs (miR-21, miR-155, and miR-375) most investigated and presenting the largest number of patients included in the studies were selected in a molecular biosignature. The difference between high and low tissue expression levels of miR-21, miR-155, and miR-375 for OS had an HR = 1.28, with 95% CI: [0.95, 1.72]. In conclusion, the current evidence suggests that miRNAs have potential prognostic value to serve as screening tools for clinical practice in HNSCC follow-up and treatment. Further large-scale cohort studies focusing on these miRNAs are recommended to verify the clinical utility of these markers individually and/or in combination.

Soft tissue regeneration holds significant promise for addressing various clinical challenges, ranging from craniofacial and oral tissue defects to blood vessels, muscle, and fibrous tissue regeneration. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have emerged as a promising tool in regenerative medicine due to their unique characteristics and potential to differentiate into multiple cell lineages. This comprehensive review explores the role of MSCs in different aspects of soft tissue regeneration, including their application in craniofacial and oral soft tissue regeneration, nerve regeneration, blood vessel regeneration, muscle regeneration, and fibrous tissue regeneration. By examining the latest research findings and clinical advancements, this article aims to provide insights into the current state of MSC-based therapies in soft tissue regenerative medicine.

Background: The accuracy of surgical guides is a relevant factor in both surgical safety and prosthetic implications. The impact of widespread fabrication technologies (milling and 3D printing) was investigated., Methods: Surgical guides manufactured by means of two specific milling and 3D-printing systems were digitized and compared in a 3D analysis with the digital file of the designed guides. The surface mean 3D distance (at the surface where the teeth and mucosa made contact) and the axial and linear deviations of the sleeves' housings were measured by means of a metrological software program. Univariate and multivariate statistical analyses were used to investigate the effects of the fabrication technology, type of support, and arch type on the surgical guides' accuracy., Results: The median deviations of the intaglio surface in contact with the mucosa were significantly ( p < 0.001) lower for the milled surgical guides (0.05 mm) than for the 3D-printed guides (-0.07 mm), in comparison with the reference STL file. The generalized estimated equation models showed that the axial deviations of the sleeves' housings (a median of 0.82 degrees for the milling, and 1.37 degrees for the 3D printing) were significantly affected by the fabrication technology ( p = 0.011) (the milling exhibited better results), the type of support ( p < 0.001), and the combined effect of the fabrication technology and the sleeve-to-crest angle ( p = 0.003). The linear deviation (medians of 0.12 mm for the milling and 0.21 mm for the 3D printing) of their center points was significantly affected by the type of support ( p = 0.001), with the milling performing slightly better than the 3D printing., Conclusions: The magnitude of the difference might account for a limited clinical significance.

Aim: This study was performed to histologically evaluate peri-coronal tissues of partially impacted and erupted third molars that did not exhibit pathologic peri-coronal radiolucency., Materials and Methods: Healthy patients with erupted or partially erupted (with part or all of the dental crown present in the oral cavity) mandibular third molars (classified as IA and IIA according to the Pell and Gregory classification) and vertically positioned (according to the Winter classification or erupted third molars) associated with peri coronal radiolucency of equal to or less than 2.5 mm. Associated with third molar surgery, tissue sampling from the distal area was performed, which was subjected to an anatomopathological examination to determine the histological nature., Results: One hundred teeth (100 patients) were selected, and 100 specimens were analyzed. 53% of the sample were included in the non-pathological group and 47% showed pathological changes (fibrotic tissue (n 15), periodontal cyst-like (n 9), squamous epithelial metaplasia (4 cases), islands of odontogenic epithelial residues organized micro-cyst with keratocystic/ameloblastic appearance (4 cases), granulation tissue (n 8), giant cell tumour (n 4) and lobular capillary hemangioma (n 4)). Pathological changes did not have differences in incidence between the gender (p value = 0.85) and did not show any correlation with age, (p value = 0,96)., Conclusions: These findings suggest that radiographic appearance may not be a reliable indicator of the absence of disease within a dental follicle. Therefore, clinicians should pay attention to or follow up on even peri-coronal radiolucency of less than 2.5 mm., (© 2023. The Author(s).)

Purpose: To analyze, in vitro, the dimensional stability over time of 3D-printed surgical guides., Materials and Methods: Ten surgical guides, manufactured by digital light processing 3D-printing technology, were scanned immediately after post-processing and then after 5, 10, 15, and 20 days. The corresponding standard tessellation language (STL) files were used for comparison with the reference CAD project. Mean absolute deviation (MAD) of the intaglio surface, axial, and linear deviations of the sleeves' housings were measured. Generalized estimated equations models (α = 0.05) were used to investigate the effect of time., Results: MAD of the teeth intaglio surface showed less variation (minimum: 0.002, maximum: 0.014 mm) than that of the mucosa (minimum: 0.026, maximum: 0.074 mm). Axial variations of the sleeves' housings on the sagittal (minimum: -0.008°, maximum: -0.577°) and frontal plane (minimum: -0.193°, maximum: 0.525°) changed with similar patterns, but opposite trends (decreasing for the former). Linear deviations of center points of the sleeves' housings had a shifting (minimum: -0.074, maximum: 0.02 mm) pattern with a decreasing tendency. Time after processing had a significant effect, either alone or nested with guides volume, on all outcomes of interest, except for MAD of the mucosa intaglio surface (p < 0.001), which was significantly affected only by the time-volume nested effect (p = 0.012)., Conclusions: Within the limitations of the experimental design, postmanufacturing dimensional variations of surgical guides were statistically significant. Although limited, they are an additional source of variability affecting the overall accuracy of computer-guided surgery. As such, they should be addressed by further research., (© 2022 by the American College of Prosthodontists.)

Background: This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed at investigate the role of locally delivered host-modulators in combination with step 2 of periodontal therapy in reducing probing pocket depth, improving clinical attachment level and reducing bone defect depth in intra-bony defects., Highlight: RCT with at least 6 months follow-up were included in this study. Risk of bias assessment was performed with Cochrane collaboration tool and Grade GRADEpro. In addition, meta-analysis and trial sequential analysis were used to aggregate the available evidence. 22 studies met the inclusion criteria and were included in this systematic review. At 6 months locally delivered host-modulators significantly improved PD and CAL and bone defect depth., Conclusion: Considering the emerging role of host-inflammatory response in the treatment of periodontitis, several studies are exploring the role of locally delivered host modulators as an adjunct to step 2 of periodontal therapy., (© 2023. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to British Dental Association.)

Purpose: Manufacturing-related inaccuracies of surgical guides for static computer-aided implant surgery may contribute to the overall potential error in the obtained implant position. Measuring such inaccuracies before surgery may provide quality control assessment and improve the safety and outcomes of guided implant surgery. This technical report demonstrates a workflow to measure the accuracy of a surgical guide (at the intaglio surface and sleeve housing) using a freeware metrology software program., Methods: The scan of a milled surgical guide was aligned to and compared with its reference computer-aided design model using a freeware metrology software program (GOM Inspect suite; GOM GmbH). The trueness of the internal surface of the surgical guide was measured as an indicator of adaptation to the supporting tissues. Additionally, some features were constructed to extract the plane at the sleeve entrance and sleeve axis and to set a local coordinate system on them. Linear and angular deviations between the planned and obtained sleeve axes were measured using this system. Such measurements, together with additional known data (sleeve offset and the planned implant length), allowed the estimation of linear errors in implant position at both the implant platform and apex by applying common geometric formulas, based on the assumption that all other sources of error in implant position could be effectively controlled during the surgical procedure., Conclusions: The proposed digital technique is a cost-effective approach for quality control of the inaccuracies of a surgical guide and predicts the related potential error in implant position.

Background: Survival rate for oral tongue squamous cell carcinoma (OTSCC) is still poor and, despite Tumor-Node-Metastasis staging system has been recently updated, patients included under the same stage still show difference in prognosis. Perineural invasion (PNI) emerged to be an indicator of tumor aggressive behavior and unfortunate events. In this study, we investigate the clinic and prognostic value of PNI in a cohort of OTSCC patients., Methods: About 200 patients with OTSCC were retrospectively evaluated the presence of PNI. PNI was furtherly descripted as uni-/multifocal and as intra-/peritumoral. Disease-Specific and Relapse-Free Survival (DSS; RFS) were estimated; moreover, we included PNI in the current AJCC 8th Staging System, improving the prognostication model., Results: Perineural invasion was found in 40.5% of patients. Intratumoral PNI predicted patients at high risk of being diagnosed with lymph-node metastasis. Tumors with positive PNI reported a worse DSS (Hazard Ratio=1.878, p-value = 0.008). Moreover, patients exhibiting both multifocal intra- and peritumoral PNI reported poorest DSS (Hazard Ratio = 2.409, p-value = 0.010). Patients were reclassified in a new staging system in case of multifocal PNI, providing better stratification capacity., Conclusions: Perineural invasion might serve as an additional prognostic factor in OTSCC, and by integrating PNI in the staging system, further improvements in prognostication might be reached., (© 2021 Wiley Periodicals LLC.)

Objective: To explore the prevalence of temporomandibular disorders (TMD) in patients affected by multiple sclerosis (MS) and whether there is a correlation between TMD prevalence and MS severity., Methods: PubMed, Web of Science, and Lilacs were systematically searched until July 30 2022, to identify studies presenting patients affected by MS and whether there is a correlation between TMD prevalence and MS severity., Results: Out of 292 papers, 8 studies were included with 1312 study participants. Among the 8 studies, 5 had a control group; 5 used the RDC/TMD criteria, 1 used the NOT-S instrument, and 2 did not define a standardized method to define TMD symptoms. Meta-analysis revealed that the MS group had a higher rate than the control group, showing an association between MS and TMD (RR 2.10; 95% CI: 1.21-3.65)., Conclusion: These findings show an association between TMD and MS., Abbreviations: Australian Longitudinal Study of MS (AMSLS); Computed Tomography (CT); Community Periodontal Index of Treatment Needs (CPITN); Central Nervous System (CNS); Decayed, Missing, and Filled (DMF); Decayed, Missing, or Filled Teeth Index (DMFT); Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS); European Academy of Craniomandibular Disorders (EACD); Healthy Controls (HC); International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews (PROSPERO); Multiple Sclerosis (MS); Nordic Orofacial Test-Screening (NOT-S); Participants, model of Intervention, Comparison and Outcome (PICO); Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews (PRISMA); Research Diagnostic Criteria for Temporomandibular Disorders (RDC/TMD); Temporomandibular Joint (TMJ); Temporomandibular Disorders (TMD); World Health Organization (WHO).

Background: Elastodontic therapy can correct bad oral habits and malocclusions in young patients by guiding jaw growth, eliminating functional disorders, and improving tooth position. The aim of this study was to assess the effects of bio-activator therapy on the presence of atypical swallowing with tongue thrust in growing patients., Methods: A retrospective study was conducted. Data regarding the early orthodontic treatment of 40 consecutive patients with atypical swallowing and tongue thrust (23 males and 17 females) were assembled from January 2019 to January 2020. All patients (≥7 and ≤15 years of age) were monitored for 1 year in a private practice in Isernia, Italy., Results: The mean age at commencement of orthodontic treatment was 8.5 years (range=7.1-14.9 years), and the mean total duration of therapy was 1 year (range=11 months-1 year). Final lateral radiographs demonstrated a mean of improvement of 8° for upper and lower incisor proclination (I/SN) and 3.5° for incisor mandibular plane angle (IMPA) in 36 patients, and 5° of I/SN and 2° of IMPA in the remaining 4 children after 1 year of treatment., Conclusions: Bad oral habits in younger patients must not be ignored. The duration of treatment can differ depending on the severity of the open bite and the patient's cooperation. This study demonstrates the short-term efficacy of these myofunctional appliances in the treatment of atypical swallowing. In order to quickly eliminate factors which endanger healthy development of dento-skeletal structure, it is important to closely monitor patients during their development phase.

The involvement of the Histaminergic System (HS) in neuropsychiatric disease is not well-documented, and few studies have described patients affected by different neuropsychiatric conditions harbouring disruptions in genes involved in the HS. In humans, histamine is synthetised from histidine by the histidine decarboxylase enzyme encoded by the HDC gene (OMIM*142704). This is the sole enzyme in our organism able to synthetise histamine from histidine. Histamine is also contained in many different food types. We hereby describe a twenty-one-year-old female diagnosed with a borderline intellectual disability with autistic traits and other peculiar neuropsychological features carrying a 175-Kb interstitial deletion on chromosome 15q21.2. The deletion was inherited from the mother, who was affected by a severe anxiety disorder. The deleted region contains entirely the HDC and the SLC27A2 genes and partially the ATP8B4 gene. The HDC gene has been previously associated with Tourette Syndrome (TS). Based on the functional role of the HDC , we propose this gene as the best candidate to explain many traits associated with the clinical phenotype of our patient and of her mother.

Background: Antibiotic prophylaxis during implant placement may improve implant short term survival. Nevertheless, use of antibiotics carries risks of adverse effects and antibiotic resistance. The aim of the present study is to compare the use of antibiotics in dental implant procedures in terms of costs and effectiveness., Methods: A decision-tree model was developed using TreeAge Pro Healthcare software. Two strategies were compared: Antibiotics and No antibiotics in implant placement procedures. The costs were calculated considering direct costs for implant placement, antibiotic costs, and costs for implant replacement in case of failure. Effectiveness was defined in terms of General Oral Health Assessment Index. Outcomes were evaluated as Incremental Cost Effectiveness Ratio (ICER). One-way sensitivity analysis and Probabilistic Sensitivity Analysis were performed for the most influential variables to test parameter uncertainty. Patient and healthcare perspectives were considered., Results: Antibiotic prophylaxis resulted to be cost-effective compared to no use of antibiotics (ICER = 14,692,64 and ICER = 3841,18, respectively for patient's and healthcare perspective). The cost of antibiotics, cost of implant replacement in case of failure and probability of adverse effects significantly influenced the results., Conclusions: From an individual patient perspective, antibiotic strategy can be considered cost-effective, even when the cost of antibiotic therapy increases. We can conclude that the administration of antibiotics in association with implant placement is recommended in clinical practice, as it increases the success rate and makes the treatment more effective. However, attention should be placed when healthcare perspective is considered, particularly in terms of antibiotic resistance that may impact public health and associated costs., (© 2022. The Author(s).)

Abstract: Intravascular papillary endothelial hyperplasia (IPEH) is a lesion characterized by the proliferation of endothelial cells within the lumen of the vessel, it was first described by Masson in 1923.The pathogenesis of Masson's tumor is still unknown, currently the most accredited hypothesis is the reactive 1. Clinically and symptomatologically it can have different presentations, it is, therefore, of fundamental importance to make a correct differential diagnosis. Diagnosis is mainly based on histological criteria. Intravascular papillary endothelial hyperplasia usually occurs in the skin and subcutaneous tissues, less commonly in the skeleton. The present is the fifth case of intravascular papillary endothelial hyperplasia of the mandible., Competing Interests: The authors report no conflicts of interest., (Copyright © 2021 by Mutaz B. Habal, MD.)

Background: Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) is the sixth most common cancer worldwide with high recurrence, metastasis, and poor treatment outcome. Prognostic survival biomarkers can be a valid tool for assessing a patient's life expectancy and directing therapy toward specific targets. Recent studies have reported microRNA (miR) might play a critical role in regulating different types of cancer. The main miR used as a diagnostic and prognostic biomarker and reported in the scientific literature for HNSCC is miR-21. Other miRs have been investigated to a lesser extent (miR-99a, miR-99b, miR-100, miR-143, miR-155, miR-7, miR-424, miR-183), but among these, the one that has attracted major interest is the miR-31., Methods: The systematic review was conducted following the PRISMA guidelines using electronic databases, such as PubMed, Scopus, and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, with the use of combinations of keywords, such as miR-31 AND HNSCC, microRNA AND HNSCC, and miR-31. The meta-analysis was performed using the RevMan 5.41 software (Cochrane Collaboration, Copenhagen, Denmark)., Results: This search produced 721 records, which, after the elimination of duplicates and the application of the inclusion and exclusion criteria, led to 4 articles. The meta-analysis was conducted by applying fixed-effects models, given the low rate of heterogeneity ( I 2 = 40%). The results of the meta-analysis report an aggregate hazard ratio (HR) for the overall survival (OS), between the highest and lowest miR-31 expression, of 1.59, with the relative intervals of confidence (1.22 2.07). Heterogeneity was evaluated through Chi 2 = 5.04 df = 3 ( p = 0.17) and the Higgins index I 2 = 40; testing for the overall effect was Z = 3.44 ( p = 0.00006). The forest plot shows us a worsening HR value of OS, in relation to the elevated expression of miR-31., Conclusions: In conclusion, the data resulting from the current meta-analysis suggest that miR-31 is associated with the prognosis of patients with HNSCC and that elevated miR-31 expression could predict a poor prognosis in patients with this type of neoplasm.

Oral carcinoma represents one of the main carcinomas of the head and neck region, with a 5-year survival rate of less than 50%. Smoking and tobacco use are recognized risk factors. Prognostic survival biomarkers can be a valid tool for assessing a patient's life expectancy and directing therapy towards specific targets. Among the biomarkers, the alteration of miR-21 expression in tumor tissues is increasingly reported as a valid prognostic biomarker of survival for oral cancer. The purpose of this meta-analysis was, therefore, to investigate and summarize the results in the literature concerning the potential prognostic expression of tissue miR-21 in patients with OSCC., Methods: The systematic review was conducted following the PRISMA guidelines using electronic databases, such as PubMed, Scopus, and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, with the use of combinations of keywords, such as miR-21 AND oral cancer, microRNA AND oral cancer, and miR-21. The meta-analysis was performed using the RevMan 5.41 software., Results: At the end of the article-selection process, 10 studies were included in the meta-analysis, and the result for the main outcome was a pooled HR per overall survival (OS) of 1.29 (1.16-1.44) between high and low expression of miR-21., Conclusions: The data in the literature and the results emerging from the systematic review indicate that miR-21 can provide a prognostic indication in oral cancer.

Purpose: The present systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to investigate the available evidence in the literature to answer the following focused question: In partially edentulous arches with reduced bone width, do implants placed after horizontal bone augmentation exhibit differences in survival and success rate compared to narrow-diameter implants placed in native bone?, Materials and Methods: A population, intervention, comparison and outcome question was defined and an electronic search was conducted using the MEDLINE (via PubMed) and Cochrane Oral Health Group databases to identify all studies analysing the use of standard-diameter implants inserted in regenerated bone or narrow-diameter implants for the rehabilitation of partially or completely edentulous atrophic maxillae and mandibles. Inclusion criteria and quality assessments were established, and studies were selected on this basis., Results: Twenty-four studies met the inclusion criteria and were analysed cumulatively. A comparative meta-analysis was not possible due to the lack of studies directly comparing the two rehabilitation methods in question. A cumulative implant survival rate of 97.80% (1246/1274; pooled proportion 0.984, 95% confidence interval 0.977-0.991) was reported for the narrow implants placed in atrophic ridges, while similar results were obtained for the standard-diameter implants placed in regenerated bone, with a cumulative implant survival rate of 97.94% (1332/1360; pooled proportion 0.983, 95% confidence interval 0.976-0.990)., Conclusions: The present systematic review found high and comparable survival rates between narrow- and standard-diameter implants placed in regenerated bone; however, well-designed randomised controlled trials are required to support the hypothesis that both treatment strategies are successful in comparable circumstances.

Background and objective : Diabetes mellitus (DM) refers to a group of metabolic disorders characterized by hyperglycemia resulting from impaired secretion or action of insulin. The high levels of glucose in the blood can negatively affect the healing processes through alterations in vascularization, bone remodeling, and with increased susceptibility to infections. Diabetes mellitus is therefore a risk factor not only for many systemic diseases, but also for localized problems such as peri-implantitis. The objective of this systematic review was to identify a clear relationship between peri-implant inflammation indices and glycemic levels, through the investigation of prospective studies that report data on a short-term follow-up period. Our hypothesis was that peri-implant inflammatory indices may already present themselves in a statistically significant way as altered in patients with DM compared to patients without DM. Materials and methods : This review was reported according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA). Results : More than 992 records were identified in the PubMed, Scopus, and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trial electronic databases and only seven studies were included in the meta-analysis. The results of the meta-analysis report worse outcomes in patients with DM, even in the short period of six months, for peri-implatitis inflammation indices, such as Marginal bone loss (standardized (Std). mean difference (MD) 12\6 months 0.81 [0.45, 1.17]\1.82 [0.53, 3.10]), Bleeding on probing (Std. MD 12\6 months 2.84 [1.34, 4.34]\3.44 [1.41, 5.50]), Probing depth (Std. MD 12\6 months 1.14 [0.60, 1.68]\2.24 [0.66, 3.83]), and the plaque index (Std. MD 12 months 2.83 [0.09, 5.57]). Conclusion : The literature linking glycaemic control to peri-implant disease is highly heterogeneous due to lack of consistency of the definition of peri-implantitis and its clinical indicators among studies. Therefore, interpretation of finding and relevance to clinical practice should be considered on individual bases. In the era of personalized medicine, the clinician should utilize individualized information from translational researches and analyze all risk factors to provide the patient with evidence-based treatment options.

Inflammation seems to play a critical role in the development and progression of different cancers. Neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) is an easily measurable marker of systemic inflammation. The purpose of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to evaluate the prognostic role of the pre-treatment NLR, in terms of overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS), in patients with primary head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) treated by surgery alone or followed by chemo/radiotherapy. This systematic review was performed according to the guidelines reported in the Cochrane Handbook and the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) statement. Meta-analysis of OS and DFS was performed using the inverse of variance test. Fixed-effect models were used on the basis of the presence of heterogeneity. Risk of bias assessment and trial sequential analysis (TSA) were also performed; the quality of the evidence was evaluated via the Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) approach. The analysis revealed that a higher value of pre-treatment NLR correlates with a statistically significant decrease of OS (HR, 1.56; 95% CI: [1.35, 1.80]; p < 0.00001) and a lower DFS (HR, 1.64; 95% CI: [1.30, 2.07]; p < 0.0001) in HNSCC patients., (© 2021 The Authors. Journal of Oral Pathology & Medicine published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.)

The fracture of endodontic instruments inside the canal represents a problem that is not always easy to solve. The reutilization of endodontic instruments after sterilization procedures raises the question of how these processes affect their physical and mechanical properties. Alterations can involve the surface of the instruments, as well as their cutting effectiveness, shape and resistance to torsional and cyclic fatigue. The methodology adopted for this systematic review followed the PRISMA guidelines for systematic reviews. The following search terms were used in PubMed and Scopus: "endodontic sterilization", "endodontic autoclave", "cyclic fatigue", "torsional", "cutting efficiency", "sterilization", "surface characteristics" and "corrosion". After the screening phase, the application of exclusion criteria and the removal of duplicates, 51 studies were identified and divided into four outcomes: cyclic fatigue; deformation and torsional fatigue; corrosion or surface alterations; and cutting efficiency. Our study of the scientific literature highlights disagreements between studies on these effects. After autoclaving, instruments exhibit a reduction in the cutting efficiency, but NiTi alloy instruments have an improved resistance to cyclic and torsional fatigue., (© 2021 The Author(s). Published by BRI.)

Purpose: The success of an implant-prosthetic rehabilitation is influenced by good implant health and an excellent implant-prosthetic coupling. The stability of implant-prosthetic connection is influenced by the rotational tolerance between anti-rotational features on the implant and those on the prosthetic component. The aim of this study is to investigate the rotational tolerance of a conical connection implant system and its titanium abutment counterpart, in various conditions., Material and Methods: 10 preparable titanium abutments, having zero-degree angulation (MegaGen, Daegu, Korea) with an internal 5-degree conical connection, and 10 implants (MegaGen, Daegu, Korea) were used. Rotational tolerance between the connection of implant and titanium abutments was measured through the use of a tridimensional optics measuring system (Quick Scope QS250Z, Mitutoyo, Kawasaki, Japan) in the as-received condition (Time 0), after securing with a titanium screw tightening at 35 Ncm (Time 1), after tightening 4 times at 35 Ncm (Time 2), after tightening one more time at 45 Ncm (Time 3), and after tightening another 4 times at 45 Ncm (Time 4)., Results: The group "Time 0" had the lowest values of rotational freedom (0.22 ± 0.76 degrees), followed by the group Time 1 (0.46 ± 0.83 degrees), the group Time 2 (1.01 ± 0.20 degrees), the group Time 3 (1.30 ± 0.85 degrees), and the group Time 4 (1.49 ± 0.17 degrees)., Conclusion: The rotational tolerance of a conical connection is low in the "as received" condition but increases with repetitive tightening and with application of a torque greater than 35 Ncm., (© 2021 The Korean Academy of Prosthodontics.)

(1) Background: An accurate prediction of cancer survival is very important for counseling, treatment planning, follow-up, and postoperative risk assessment in patients with Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma (OSCC). There has been an increased interest in the development of clinical prognostic models and nomograms which are their graphic representation. The study aimed to revise the prognostic performance of clinical-pathological prognostic models with internal validation for OSCC. (2) Methods: This systematic review was performed according to the Cochrane Handbook for Diagnostic Test Accuracy Reviews chapter on searching, the PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis) guidelines, and the Critical Appraisal and Data Extraction for Systematic Reviews of Prediction Modelling Studies (CHARMS). (3) Results: Six studies evaluating overall survival in patients with OSCC were identified. All studies performed internal validation, while only four models were externally validated. (4) Conclusions: Based on the results of this systematic review, it is possible to state that it is necessary to carry out internal validation and shrinkage to correct overfitting and provide an adequate performance for optimism. Moreover, calibration, discrimination and nonlinearity of continuous predictors should always be examined. To reduce the risk of bias the study design used should be prospective and imputation techniques should always be applied to handle missing data. In addition, the complete equation of the prognostic model must be reported to allow updating, external validation in a new context and the subsequent evaluation of the impact on health outcomes and on the cost-effectiveness of care.

Background: Hyaluronans exist in different forms, accordingly with molecular weight and degree of crosslinking. Here, we tested the capability to induce osteogenic differentiation in hDPSCs (human dental pulp stem cells) of three hyaluronans forms: linear pharmaceutical-grade hyaluronans at high and (HHA) low molecular weight (LHA) and hybrid cooperative complexes (HCC), containing both sizes., Methods: hDPSCs were treated with HHA, LHA, HCC for 7, 14 and 21 days. The effects of hyaluronans on osteogenic differentiation were evaluated by qRT-PCR and WB of osteogenic markers and by Alizarin Red S staining. To identify the involved pathway, CD44 was analyzed by immunofluorescence, and YAP/TAZ expression was measured by qRT-PCR. Moreover, YAP/TAZ inhibitor-1 was used, and the loss of function of YAP/TAZ was evaluated by qRT-PCR, WB and immunofluorescence., Results: We showed that all hyaluronans improves osteogenesis. Among these, HCC is the main inducer of osteogenesis, along with overexpression of bone related markers and upregulating CD44. We also found that this biological process is subordinate to the activation of YAP/TAZ pathway., Conclusions: We found that HA's molecular weight can have a relevant impact on HA performance for bone regeneration, and we unveil a new molecular mechanism by which HA acts on stem cells.

Introduction: Tooth autotransplantation is the repositioning of an erupted, partially erupted, or non-erupted autologous tooth from one site to another within the same individual. Several factors influence the success rate of the autotransplant, such as the stage of root development, the morphology of the tooth, the surgical procedure selected, the extraoral time, the shape of the recipient socket, the vascularity of the recipient bed, and the vitality of the cells of the periodontal ligament. The aim of this scoping review was to provide the most up-to-date information and data on the clinical principles of the third-molar autograft and thus provide clinical considerations for its success., Materials and Methods: This review was conducted based on PRISMA-ScR (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses extension for Scoping Reviews). The research was conducted by searching for keywords in three databases-PubMed, Scopus and Google Scholar-by two independent reviewers following the PRISMA protocol, from which 599 records were identified., Conclusions: Third-molar autotransplantation is a valid solution to replace missing teeth. The key to the success of this technique is the surgical procedure, which must be as atraumatic as possible to preserve the periodontal ligament of the tooth to be transplanted. The success rate is also linked to the stage of development of the root, with a worse prognosis in the case of a complete root.