Search Results (8,183)

Microplastics (MPs) are emerging contaminants that have been detected in human blood and tissues, raising concerns regarding systemic exposure and potential health effects. Internal MP burden mitigation techniques, nevertheless, are yet largely unexplored. We evaluated whether oral administration of chitosan derived from Procambarus clarkii (PCC) could reduce circulating MPs in humans via gastrointestinal sequestration in this pilot-controlled study. 11 healthy adults received PCC supplementation (0.8 g/day) for 15 days, while 10 matched controls received a placebo. Using stereomicroscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and micro-Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (µFTIR), blood MP concentrations were quantified and characterised according to size, shape, and polymer type. At baseline, MPs were found in every subject. Following PCC supplementation, mean MP concentrations decreased from 1.84 ± 0.28 µg/mL to 1.34 ± 0.20 µg/mL (−26.3%, p < 0.01, paired analysis). The control group observed no significant differences. While polymer-resolved analysis consistently indicated reductions across major polymer classes, size-resolved analysis indicated preferential reductions in intermediate particle fractions (11–50 µm). The circulating MPs’ estimated mean residence time (MRT) was 58 ± 28 days. These findings provide preliminary evidence that chitosan-based gastrointestinal sequestration could potentially reduce the systemic MP burden in humans. Full article

Background: The contribution of oral inflammatory conditions to systemic disease burden remains underexplored within multimorbidity frameworks. Emerging evidence suggests that periodontal inflammation may play a role in the clustering of chronic diseases, yet few studies have evaluated this at a population level using robust datasets. The aims of this study were to investigate whether periodontal diseases are associated with Multiple long-term conditions (MLTCs) burden and severity in two population-based cohorts and to examine whether systemic inflammatory biomarkers mediate these associations. Materials and Methods: We analyzed two population-based cohorts: the UK Biobank (UKB; n = 500,612) and the US National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES; n = 10,714). MLTCs were defined as the coexistence of ≥2 chronic diseases. Associations between periodontal diseases and MLTCs were assessed using multivariable logistic and multinomial logistic regression. Causal mediation analyses examined the contribution of systemic inflammatory markers. Results: Approximately half of all participants had MLTCs. The prevalence of periodontal diseases was 17.8% in UKB (self-reported symptoms), and 42.3% in NHANES (clinically assessed). Periodontal diseases were independently associated with greater odds of MLTCs in both UKB (OR 1.12; 95% CI 1.10–1.14) and NHANES (OR 1.22; 95% CI 1.09–1.37). Associations were stronger among adults aged ≤ 60 years. A consistent dose-response relationship was observed between periodontal status and the number and severity of chronic conditions, as well as inflammatory-related MLTCs. Mediation analyses suggested partial effects through white blood cell count, neutrophils, and C-reactive protein. Conclusions: Periodontal inflammation is independently associated with greater multimorbidity burden, particularly in younger adults. Systemic inflammation may offer a plausible biological link, and these findings position oral health as an underrecognized and modifiable target in multimorbidity prevention and management frameworks, warranting prospective investigation. Full article

Background/Objectives: Orofacial myofunctional therapy (OMT) is a system of targeted neuromuscular exercises and behavioral retraining intended to optimize tongue, lip, jaw, and airway function during rest, breathing, swallowing, and sleep. Historically associated with tongue thrust and abnormal swallowing, OMT is now applied across an expanding range of clinical contexts, including sleep-disordered breathing (SDB), tongue-tie rehabilitation, orthodontic stability, and perioperative functional recovery. As its use has broadened, persistent questions have followed: what is myofunctional therapy, where did it originate, and how did a set of oral exercises evolve into an intervention increasingly integrated with airway health, sleep medicine, and surgical care? Methods: This article presents a narrative historical review with a perspective component, synthesizing foundational literature, interdisciplinary contributions, and selected contemporary evidence to examine the evolution of OMT from ancient functional practices to modern clinical science. It is written to trace recurring clinical observations, shifts in educational frameworks, and key inflection points that shaped how OMT has been taught and applied over time. Results: OMT did not emerge from randomized controlled trials or standardized protocols. It arose from repeated clinical encounters with patients with atypical craniofacial development, relapse of structural correction, persistent mouth breathing, and/or unresolved swallowing and speech dysfunction despite technically successful treatment. These patterns suggested that anatomy alone could not account for outcome variability. Over time, clinical attention expanded beyond isolated tongue function to include breathing patterns, posture, neuromuscular tone, and airway behavior. In the past two decades, controlled trials, cohort studies, and systematic reviews have supported selected applications of OMT, particularly in SDB and adjunctive airway care, while also revealing ongoing challenges related to training variability, terminology, scope of practice, and standardization. Conclusions: OMT has historically been described as a system of targeted neuromuscular and behavioral interventions aimed at modifying orofacial rest posture and function. Over time, the field has expanded beyond localized muscle retraining toward a broader functional framework that integrates airway physiology, craniofacial growth, sleep, and interdisciplinary rehabilitation. Full article

Background/Objectives: Reliable detection of residual root canal filling material after retreatment is essential for comparing retreatment protocols. However, available methods quantify different clinical–physical dimensions and may not yield comparable estimates. This in vitro study compared cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) and digital microscopy (DGM) for detecting residual obturation material after retreatment, using microcomputed tomography (micro-CT) as the reference standard. Methods: Fifteen extracted human mandibular premolars with single, straight canals were instrumented, obturated with gutta-percha and a calcium silicate-based sealer (AH Plus Bioceramic), and retreated with ProTaper Universal Retreatment files. Residual material was assessed in the coronal, middle, and apical thirds using CBCT (voxel size 0.10 mm), micro-CT (voxel size 60 µm), and DGM after longitudinal root splitting. Surface-based (DGM) and volumetric (CBCT and micro-CT) outcomes were analyzed separately using Wilcoxon signed-rank tests, diagnostic accuracy metrics (sensitivity, specificity, predictive values), and Cohen’s kappa for agreement. Results: DGM showed low median residual surface percentages across thirds (0.34–1.52%), whereas CBCT yielded higher median residual volume percentages (10.20–14.20%) than micro-CT (3.27–5.04%). The difference in the middle third between CBCT and micro-CT remained significant after Bonferroni correction (p = 0.002). For binary detection, CBCT showed higher sensitivity but lower specificity (overclassification of positive thirds), whereas DGM showed high specificity but limited sensitivity in the coronal and middle thirds. Conclusions: Within the limitations of this laboratory study, micro-CT was the most reliable reference method. CBCT tended to overestimate residual material, suggesting that clinical decisions based solely on CBCT may lead to unnecessary retreatment. DGM underestimated remnants because it assesses only the exposed split surface. These method-specific limitations should guide both clinical interpretation and future research design. Full article

In response to the evolving landscape of scholarly publishing and to more fully encompass the scope of the field of orofacial myology and myofunctional therapy, the International Journal of Orofacial Myology and Myofunctional Therapy (IJOM): Official Journal of the International Association of Orofacial Myology (IAOM) has refined and expanded its scope and focus areas [...] Full article

Background: A bidirectional association between diabetes and oral health is well established, yet oral self-care is overlooked in diabetes management. Health Belief Model (HBM)-guided oral care interventions have exhibited promising outcomes in the literature but have not been used to guide oral self-care interventions designed for people with diabetes (PWD). Positioned at the early conceptualization and design stage of such a program, this developmental study was to identify self-perceived needs in oral self-care practices and to obtain preliminary feedback among PWD about the blueprint of a new program—DiaOral^©. Methods: We conducted semi-structured interviews with 15 PWD recruited from a large healthcare system, with a goal to recruit patients from racially/ethnically diverse urban/suburban zip codes. Interviews explored participants’ oral self-care practices in relation to diabetes. Sample DiaOral^© content and images on a blueprint were presented and feedback was solicited. Braun and Clarke’s reflexive thematic analysis was used to code and interpret transcripts, aligning emerging themes with HBM constructs through team-based consensus. Results: Three major themes and 27 sub-themes emerged: (1) lack of knowledge on optimal oral care, (2) low perceived importance of preventive care and oral health in diabetes, and (3) low self-efficacy for performing effective oral self-care. Participants expressed satisfaction with the content and their perceived confidence and interest potentially in using the DiaOral^© program based on their preliminary review of the blueprint. Conclusions: Findings support the relevance of HBM constructs in shaping oral self-care among PWD. This developmental study suggests that the DiaOral^© blueprint is ready to move forward to website prototype development. Future work will finalize the program and evaluate its efficacy among PWD. Full article

Aristotelia chilensis (maqui berry) is a Chilean native fruit rich in anthocyanins with potential antioxidant, glycemic, cardiometabolic, and ocular benefits, but its clinical efficacy remains unclear. This systematic review synthesized and critically appraised human trials evaluating oral maqui supplementation in adults. Following PRISMA 2020 and a PROSPERO-registered protocol, five databases were searched, and risk of bias and certainty of evidence were assessed using RoB 2/ROBINS-I and GRADE. Twelve clinical trials published between 2014 and 2023 were included. Acute studies consistently showed reduced postprandial glucose and modulation of insulin response, whereas chronic interventions showed modest and inconsistent effects on HbA1c, lipid profile, and other cardiometabolic markers. Favorable changes were also reported for oxidative stress biomarkers and autonomic parameters, although these findings were mainly based on surrogate endpoints. The most consistent evidence was observed in the ocular domain, where maqui supplementation improved tear production, dry eye symptoms, and tear inflammatory markers. The overall certainty of evidence ranged from moderate to very low because of methodological heterogeneity, small sample sizes, and short intervention duration. Maqui berry supplementation shows promise, particularly for acute glycemic control and ocular surface health, but larger long-term randomized trials using standardized formulations are needed before definitive clinical recommendations can be made. Full article

The 3rd International Online Conference on Toxins (IOCT 2025) was held online from 10 to 12 September 2025, and chaired by Prof. Dr. Jay W. Fox. There were six areas of focus at IOCT 2025, providing ample opportunities for the written and oral presentation of new, exciting studies in toxinology. The main topics and sessions of the conference were as follows: Plant, Animal, Insect and Microbial Toxins: New Developments; Novel Insights on The Mechanism of Action and/or Pathophysiology of Toxins; Use of Toxins as Tools for Research, Drug Discovery, and Therapeutics; Impact of Toxins on Public Health; Impact of Toxins on Agriculture; Foodborne Toxins. Full article

Oral cancer is a significant public health concern and is among the most common malignant tumors of the head and neck. Its incidence and mortality rates remain persistently high, especially in regions where smoking and betel nut chewing are prevalent. Due to its high mortality rate, early detection is crucial for improving patient outcomes. However, early symptoms of oral cancer often resemble benign oral lesions, leading to delayed diagnosis. In this study, a vision transformer (ViT) model with Optuna (ViTOPT) is employed to perform classification tasks of identifying oral cancer images. The Optuna is used to determine hyperparameters in ViT. Histological images are obtained from a publicly available dataset. Three classification tasks with histological images namely classifying oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) and leukoplakia (LEUK), classifying the presence of dysplasia, and classifying OSCC and leukoplakia with or without dysplasia are performed in this study. Numerical results reveal that the proposed ViTOPT framework is able to provide satisfactory performance in oral cancer recognition. Thus, the proposed ViTOPT model is a feasible and effective alternative in identifying oral cancer. Full article

Background: Dental caries remain a major public health issue among Italian children, with prevalence exceeding 60% in specific subgroups and marked socioeconomic gradients. Objectives: This multicenter study aimed to describe baseline caries experience, malocclusions, and oral hygiene status in pediatric populations residing in three Italian regions and to develop and preliminarily evaluate the feasibility of an integrated care pathway for the prevention and management of caries and malocclusions. Materials and Methods: Within the CCM 2024 program (ID 10), a cross-sectional baseline assessment was conducted on 795 children aged 6–11 years, examined in school settings and via mobile dental units. Caries experience was assessed using the dmft/DMFT indices and International Caries Detection and Assessment System (ICDAS) criteria. Malocclusions were evaluated using the Index of Orthodontic Treatment Need (IOTN). Oral hygiene was assessed through standardized clinical indices. The proposed care pathway comprises three tiers: (1) universal, school-based oral health education; (2) targeted clinical preventive and interceptive interventions; and (3) telemedicine/AI-supported follow-up for high-risk children. Descriptive and multivariable statistical analyses were performed. Results: At baseline, overall caries burden was low. No statistically significant differences in dmft/DMFT were observed between males and females. A non-significant trend toward higher caries indices was found among children with a positive breastfeeding history. By contrast, oral hygiene level was strongly associated with caries indices: children with insufficient hygiene had the highest dmft/DMFT, those with moderate hygiene showed intermediate values, and those with optimal hygiene presented the lowest caries experience. In multivariable models, oral hygiene emerged as the main independent predictor of dmft/DMFT. Conclusions: In this low-caries cohort, oral hygiene was confirmed as the principal modifiable determinant of caries risk. A tiered, school- and community-based care pathway focused on hygiene promotion, early screening, and minimally invasive clinical interventions appears feasible at baseline and may be scalable, with the aim of reducing the burden of caries and malocclusions and improving equity in pediatric oral health. Full article

Toxic metals from industrialization and urbanization pose major human health risks, and mixture-based exposure requires broader toxicity assessment. This study investigated the effects of a mixture of arsenic, lead, mercury, cadmium, chromium (VI), and nickel on pancreatic function in rats (45 male/45 female; n = 5 per group), focusing on sex- and duration-specific differences after 28 and 90 days of exposure. The metals were administered as a single mixture dissolved in deionised water via oral gavage. Evaluated parameters included pancreatic metal levels, histopathology, serum glucose, amylase, malate dehydrogenase 1 (MDH-1) activity, redox status, and bioelements. Dose levels were based on human exposure data to reflect realistic scenarios. Metals accumulated in pancreatic tissue, causing dose- and time-dependent histopathological changes, including acinar cell vacuolization, vascular congestion, and Langerhans islet alterations. Males showed more pronounced vascular and islet changes, while females had greater acinar alterations. In males, higher doses decreased glucose and amylase and increased MDH-1 activity, while females showed more variable responses. Males demonstrated adaptive responses to oxidative stress over time, while females experienced more persistent stress. These findings reveal sex-, dose-, and duration-dependent effects of toxic metal(oid) mixtures on pancreatic function, indicating that individually safe doses may be harmful when combined. Full article

Dental implant therapy demonstrates high long-term survival; however, biological, behavioral, and technical complications remain prevalent. The objective of this project report was to introduce GF-Predictability for Dental Implants (GF-PreDImp), a novel, comprehensive pre-surgical multidimensional scoring proposal designed to quantify implant success predictability through a structured, evidence-based system. The model integrates six domains, Biological, Behavioral, Hard tissue, Soft tissue, Implant, and Prosthetic, assessing variables into a 100-point composite index. The domains evaluate systemic conditions (20 pts), behavioral habits (20 pts), hard-tissue anatomy (20 pts), soft-tissue characteristics (15 pts), implant parameters (15 pts), and prosthetic/surgical factors (10 pts). The final GF-PreDImp score categorizes predictability into five levels: excellent (≥85), good (70–84), moderate to guarded (55–69), guarded to high risk (40–54), and poor (<40). The tool generates dynamic visual outputs, including radar charts, enabling rapid clinical interpretation. While GF-PreDImp provides a framework for individualized risk stratification, it currently serves as a design proposal. Its implementation can improve clinical decision-making and enhance long-term implant outcomes. Further clinical assessments must be done to confirm the findings in future studies. Full article

The inner beauty functional food sector has grown rapidly in South Korea. These products are orally consumed bioactive formulations designed to improve skin health, hair vitality, and overall wellness. However, empirical evidence on consumption patterns and product format preferences across different demographic groups remains limited. This cross-sectional study examined consumption patterns, purchase channels, and product format preferences among 502 Korean adults who had experience with inner beauty functional foods. Chi-square analysis was used to examine differences in consumption reasons, duration of use, purchase channels, and product format preferences according to socio-demographic characteristics. Results showed that skin health was the dominant consumption motivation (47.6%), particularly among younger and female consumers, while weight management and hair and nail health were more prevalent among older adults. Online purchasing dominated (57.8%), with significant age- and education-based variation; consumers in their 20s purchased online at 67.5%, declining to 44.4% among those aged 40 and above. Capsule and tablet formats were most prevalent overall (41.6%), with males, married consumers, and graduate-degree holders showing significantly stronger preference for this format, whereas gummy and chewable formats were more frequently preferred by female consumers. These findings provide practical implications for inner beauty producers, food distributors, and nutrition educators seeking to align product development and communication strategies with the heterogeneous preferences of Korean inner beauty consumers. Full article

Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC), comprising ~90% of oral malignancies, remains a major global health burden with rising incidence despite declining tobacco use. While tobacco and alcohol are classic dominant risk factors, a distinct subgroup of nonsmoking, nondrinking (NSND) patients is increasingly recognized, accounting for 15–35% of OSCC cases in many cohorts, particularly in developed countries. This emerging epidemic shows striking demographic patterns: strong female predominance (often 65–77% of cases), bimodal age distribution with peaks in young adults (<45 years) and elderly individuals (>70 years), and overrepresentation among non-Hispanic White and certain Asian populations. Unlike traditional habit-related OSCC, which favors the floor of the mouth in older males, NSND tumors predominantly arise on the lateral tongue, gingiva, and buccal mucosa. Etiopathogenesis extends far beyond conventional carcinogens and involves multifactorial mechanisms, including chronic mechanical irritation from dental factors, oral microbiome dysbiosis enriched with periodontal pathogens (e.g., Fusobacterium nucleatum and Porphyromonas gingivalis), limited roles for viruses (minimal HPV contribution, possible EBV or “hit-and-run” HSV effects), genetic susceptibilities (e.g., Fanconi anemia and CDKN2A mutations), epigenetic changes, hormonal influences contributing to female bias, metabolic conditions (diabetes and hyperlipidemia), poor oral hygiene, and chronic inflammation. NSND OSCC frequently exhibits a distinct immunological profile with higher tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes and PD-L1 expression, potentially favoring immunotherapy, though prognosis remains heterogeneous—better in some cohorts due to fewer comorbidities, yet worse in young patients with higher recurrence and second primary tumor risks. Delayed diagnosis is common due to low suspicion in “low-risk” individuals. This review underscores NSND OSCC as a unique entity requiring expanded risk assessment, heightened clinical vigilance for persistent oral lesions regardless of habit history, and targeted research into novel prevention and therapeutic strategies. Full article

Background/Objectives: Oral health problems among adolescents in Indonesia remain high, particularly in Gorontalo City. Conventional education approaches are often insufficient to promote sustained behavioral change. This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of combined face-to-face and mobile-based Motivational Interviewing (MI) on oral hygiene status (OHI-S), knowledge, and toothbrushing behavior among adolescents. Methods: A quasi-experimental study with a non-randomized control group and repeated measurements was conducted among 100 adolescents aged 15–18 years in Gorontalo, Indonesia. Participants were allocated into a combined MI group (face-to-face plus mobile application) and a face-to-face MI group. Knowledge was assessed using a validated 15-item questionnaire, and toothbrushing behavior was measured using a 24-item questionnaire; both instruments used dichotomous scoring and demonstrated good reliability (Cronbach’s alpha = 0.82 and 0.85, respectively). Oral hygiene status was evaluated clinically using the Simplified Oral Hygiene Index (OHI-S) by a calibrated examiner (κ = 0.82). Outcomes were measured at baseline and at three follow-up points over three months. Data were analyzed using the Wilcoxon signed-rank test and Mann–Whitney U test, with significance set at p < 0.05. Results: Within-group analyses showed improvements across all outcomes in both groups (p < 0.05). The combined MI group demonstrated greater improvements compared to the face-to-face group, with median knowledge scores increasing from 4 to 8 versus 5 to 7 (between-group p = 0.002), toothbrushing behavior from 10 to 15 versus 12 to 13 (p = 0.001), and OHI-S scores decreasing from 3.2 to 1.4 versus 2.8 to 2.0 (p < 0.001). These findings indicate a greater magnitude of change in the combined intervention group. Conclusions: The combined face-to-face and mobile-based MI approach was associated with greater improvements in oral hygiene status, knowledge, and toothbrushing behavior among adolescents compared to face-to-face MI alone. However, due to the non-randomized design, the findings should be interpreted as associations rather than causal effects. Full article