Periodontitis and the risk of oral cancer: a meta-analysis of case-control studies.

OBJECTIVE: The current studies have yielded inconclusive findings regarding the connection between periodontitis  and oral cancer (OC). Therefore, our goal is to elucidate this relationship. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We conducted a thorough search of electronic databases (EMBASE, PubMed, Web of Science, and Cochrane Library) up to September 2023. The Newcastle-Ottawa Scale (NOS) was applied to assess study quality. To evaluate potential publication bias, both a funnel plot and Egger's test were employed. Additionally, a sensitivity analysis was conducted to explore the source of heterogeneity when the I2 statistic exceeded 50%. RESULTS: This systematic review encompassed 16 studies, involving a total of 6,032 OC patients and 7,432 healthy controls. Our meta-analysis, incorporating data from nine studies, revealed a significant correlation between periodontitis and the risk of OC (OR [odds ratio] = 2.94, 95% CI [confidence interval] (2.13, 4.07); five studies, 6,927 participants; low certainty of evidence). Findings also suggested that individuals with more than 15 missing teeth may have a heightened risk of OC (OR = 1.91, 95% CI (1.01, 3.62)). Furthermore, clinical attachment loss (CAL) and decayed, missing, and filled teeth (DMFT) in OC patients were more pronounced compared to the control group (CAL, SMD = 1.94, 95% CI (0.22, 3.66); DMFT, SMD = 0.65, 95% CI (0.12, 1.18)). CONCLUSION: Periodontitis may serve as a potential risk factor for OC. However, caution is warranted in interpreting these findings due to the substantial level of heterogeneity.

Comparison study of chewing efficiency in patients with different vertical skeletal patterns of Angle Class I and Angle Class II malocclusions.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to analyze and compare the differences in chewing efficiency among patients with different vertical skeletal types of Angle Class I and Angle Class II malocclusions, to provide reference for orthodontic clinical practice. METHOD AND MATERIALS: Sample size estimation revealed a minimum of 53 for each class. Thus, a total of 108 patients with Angle Class I and Angle Class II malocclusions were selected. Lateral skull radiographs were taken, and head measurements were analyzed via geometric tracing software. Chewing efficiency was measured using the gravimetric method to compare between the two groups. The vertical skeletal pattern was classified via Steiner analysis. RESULTS: Significant statistical differences in chewing efficiency were observed between patients presenting with Angle Class I and Angle Class II malocclusions (P < .05). Additionally, significant differences in chewing efficiency were observed among patients with different vertical skeletal patterns (P < .05). Furthermore, a statistically significant difference in chewing efficiency was found between men and women (P < .05). CONCLUSIONS: Patients with Angle Class I malocclusions exhibited significantly higher chewing efficiency compared to those with Angle Class II malocclusions. Among patients with different vertical facial types, the chewing efficiency followed the order of low angle > normal angle > high angle. Moreover, men demonstrated a higher chewing efficiency than women.

Identification of rare PTCH1 nonsense variant causing orofacial cleft in a Chinese family and an up-to-date genotype-phenotype analysis.

The Patched 1 (PTCH1) gene encodes a membrane receptor involved in the Hedgehog (Hh) signaling pathway, an abnormal state of which may result in congenital defects or human tumors. In this study, we conducted whole-exome sequencing on a three-generation Chinese family characterized with variable penetrance of orofacial clefts. A rare heterozygous variant in the PTCH1 gene (c.2833C > T p.R945X) was identified as a disease-associated mutation. Structural modeling revealed a truncation starting from the middle of the second extracellular domain of PTCH1 protein. This may damage its ligand recognition and sterol transportation abilities, thereby affecting the Hh signaling pathway. Biochemical assays indicated that the R945X protein had reduced stability compared to the wild-type in vitro. In addition, we reviewed the locations and mutation types of PTCH1 variants in individuals with clefting phenotypes, and analyzed the associations between clefts and locations or types of variants within PTCH1. Our findings provide further evidence that PTCH1 variants result in orofacial clefts, and contributed to genetic counseling and clinical surveillance in this family.

Three GLI2 mutations combined potentially underlie non-syndromic cleft lip with or without cleft palate in a Chinese pedigree.

BACKGROUND: Nonsyndromic cleft lip with or without cleft palate (NSCL/P) is the most common craniofacial birth defect. Its etiology is complex and it has a lifelong influence on affected individuals. Despite many studies, the pathogenic gene alleles are not completely clear. Here, we recruited a Chinese NSCL/P family and explored the candidate causative variants in this pedigree. METHODS: We performed whole-exome sequencing on two patients and two unaffected subjects of this family. Variants were screened based on bioinformatics analysis to identify the potential etiological alleles. Species conservation analysis, mutation function prediction, and homology protein modeling were also performed to preliminarily evaluate the influence of the mutations. RESULTS: We identified three rare mutations that are located on a single chromatid (c.2684C > T_p.Ala895Val, c.4350G > T_p.Gln1450His, and c.4622C > A_p.Ser1541Tyr) in GLI2 as candidate causative variants. All of these three mutations were predicted to be deleterious, and they affect amino acids that are conserved in many species. The mutation c.2684C > T was predicted to affect the structure of the GLI2 protein. CONCLUSION: Our results further demonstrate that GLI2 variants play a role in the pathogenesis of NSCL/P, and the three rare missense mutations combined are probably the potential disease-causing variants in this family.

A novel PTCH1 mutation underlies nonsyndromic cleft lip and/or palate in a Han Chinese family.

OBJECTIVES: Cleft lip and/or palate (CL/P) is the most common craniofacial congenital disease, and it has a complex aetiology. This study aimed to identify the causative gene mutation of a Han Chinese family with CL/P. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Whole exome sequencing was conducted on the proband and her mother, who exhibited the same phenotype. A Mendelian dominant inheritance model, allele frequency, mutation regions, functional prediction and literature review were used to screen and filter the variants. The candidate was validated by Sanger sequencing. Conservation analysis and homology modelling were conducted. RESULTS: A heterozygous missense mutation c.1175C>T in the PTCH1 gene predicting p.Ala392Val was identified. This variant has not been reported and was predicted to be deleterious. Sanger sequencing verified the variant and the dominant inheritance model in the family. The missense alteration affects an amino acid that is evolutionarily conserved in the first extracellular loop of the PTCH1 protein. The local structure of the mutant protein was significantly altered according to homology modelling. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest that c.1175C>T in PTCH1 (NM_000264) may be the causative mutation of this pedigree. Our results add to the evidence that PTCH1 variants play a role in the pathogenesis of orofacial clefts.

The effectiveness of minimal flap surgery in the treatment of sub-gingival class V cavities / 实用口腔医学杂志

Objective:To evaluate the effectiveness of minimal flap surgery in the treatment sub-gingival caries ( class V cavities) . Methods:57 teeth(4 incisors, 13 canines, 38 premolars and 2 molars) with sub-gingival caries in 42 patients were treated by com-bined gingival flap surgery. Sub-gingival caries was fully exposed and the lesion was fully removed, then the deffects were filled with flowing resin. Before operation, 6 and 12 months after treatment, PD, SBI and gingival recession were examined. Results:Success rate of the treatment was 98. 25%. No statistically significant difference of the indexes was found during 12-month-follow up. Conclu-sion:Minimal flap surgery is effective for the treatment of sub-gingival caries ( class V cavities) .

Association of the MTHFR gene polymorphism with non-syndromes cleft lip with or without cleft palate in XinJiang Uyghur and Han population / 实用口腔医学杂志

Objective:To explore the relationship of NSCL/P with MTHFR gene polymorphism in Xinjiang Uyghur and Han popula-tion and the ethnic difference.Methods:rs1801131 and rs1801133 polymorphism was detected by SNaPshot genotype method in 170 children with NSCL/P and 100 healthy controls of Uyghur and Han population.Results:Rs1801133 TT and T allele was statistically difference between 2 nationalities(P 0.05).Conclusion:Rs1801133 TT and T allele in Han nationality are more likely to suffer from NSCL/P than in Uyghur,rs1801133 CT and CT +TT genotypes are protective factors.Rs1801131AC and rs1801133CC conjoint is relevant to NSCL/P,and the risk in Uyghur is higher than in Han.MTHFR rs1801131 gene polymorphism may not be relat-ed with NSCL/P in Uyghur or Han.

Three kinds of periodontal stabilization splints in severe periodontitis of the mandibular anterior teeth：which one is preferred? / 中国组织工程研究

BACKGROUND:It is believed that the splintage can promote periodontal tissue repair and improve the prognosis of loose teeth. However, the force of the splint is associated with the rigidity of the splint and adaptation between the teeth and the splint. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the therapeutic effects of the nylon composite resin periodontal splint, the fiber-reinforced composite periodontal splint and the bracket periodontal splint on the treatment of severe periodontitis of the mandibular anterior teeth. METHODS:Seventy-two patients with severe periodontitis of the mandibular anterior teeth were randomized into 3 groups, with 24 cases in each group: nylon composite resin periodontal splint, fiber-reinforced composite periodontal splint and bracket periodontal splint groups. The clinical effects of the three kinds of periodontal splints and periodontal indexes were compared at 1, 6 and 12 months after splinting. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: The clinical effects in the group of the fiber-reinforced composite periodontal splint were significantly better than those in the other two groups at 1, 6, 12 months, which were 100%, 100% and 95.8%, respectively. The plaque index, bleeding index, and pocket depth were worse in the group of the nylon composite resin periodontal splint than the other two groups (P < 0.05). Results suggest that the fiber-reinforced composite periodontal splint is preferred to preserve the loosened teeth with severe periodontitis.

Quality evaluation of randomized controlled trials on treatment of cognitive-behavioral therapy on temporomandibular disorders / 华西口腔医学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To evaluate methodological and reporting quality of the randomized controlled trials on cognitive-behavioral therapy(CBT) on temporomandibular disorders(TMD).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The electronic databases of Medline via Ovid, EMBASE, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trial, CBM and CNKI, and five Chinese stomatological journals were included to collect randomized controlled trial(RCT) and quasi-RCT(qRCT) on CBT on TMD. Data were assessed using the quality assessment criteria recommended by the Cochrane Collaboration, and the reporting quality was assessed using the consolidated standards of reporting trials (CONSORT) checklist.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>232 articles were collected by the search strategy, of which 5 (3 RCTs and 2 qRCTs) met the inclusion criteria. The methodological quality varied among the studies with 2 scored as B and 3 as C. The highest score evaluated by the CONSORT checklist was 24.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The methodological qualities of included studies on CBT on TMD are generally low, and its reporting quality which is checked by CONSORT is also unsatisfactory yet.</p>