Oral Mucosal Diseases Research Articles

Assessment of cancer alertness level in dentists: large regional centre case study (Altai Territory)

Relevance. Numerous studies confirm the increase in malignant neoplasm number in the incidence pattern worldwide. The proportion of oral mucosa diseases, including precancerous lesions and cancer, is also quite high in dental diseases. Cancer alertness is a paramount professional competence for a dentist, and its implementation should be a priority in daily practical work. Studies conducted by a number of authors in various regions of our country prove the fact of low cancer alertness in clinicians.The study aimed to assess the level of cancer alertness in dentists of the Altai Territory.Material and methods. To achieve the goal, the study surveyed 1,150 dentists of the Altai Territory with various specializations and work experience in institutions of various forms of ownership.Results. The mistakes made by dentists proved to be often caused by non-compliance with the patient examination protocol, insufficient knowledge of cancer alertness principles and existing screening methods. In addition, the study found routing errors in patients with a diagnosed malignant neoplasm of the oral cavity and little knowledge of the main regional documents concerning the provision of care to patients with cancer.Conclusion. Thus, analyzing the survey results, we revealed the imperfection of early diagnosis of oncological diseases at a dental appointment in the Territory. Insufficient knowledge of screening tests and patient routing schemes by dentists, the principles of cancer alertness, and lack of examination represent a serious problem that prevents early diagnosis of a disease.

A Cross-Sectional Survey Exploring Australian Pharmacists' and Students' Management of Common Oral Mucosal Diseases.

Oral mucosal conditions are commonly experienced in the general population and can have a negative impact on one's quality of life. This study evaluated the ability of Australian pharmacists and final-year pharmacy students to recognise and manage these common oral mucosal diseases through the use of case vignettes. Australian pharmacists and final-year pharmacy students were invited through social media, university learning management systems, or email to complete an online questionnaire consisting of six case vignettes covering topics relating to common oral mucosal presentations. A total of 65 pharmacists and 78 students completed the questionnaire. More than 50% of the participants reported having seen all types of oral mucosal presentations, except for denture stomatitis, in their practice. The provision of best practice recommendations was reported by only 14%, 15%, 8%, and 6% of the participants for geographic tongue, hairy tongue, angular cheilitis, and denture-associated stomatitis, respectively, whereas 82% offered an appropriate anti-viral treatment for cold sore and 33% provided the best practice recommendations for oral thrush. This study emphasised the importance of further developing and integrating best practice oral healthcare training programs specifically tailored to the Australian pharmacy profession.

ASCT2-mediated glutamine uptake promotes Th1 differentiation via ROS-EGR1-PAC1 pathway in oral lichen planus

Oral lichen planus (OLP) is a T cell-mediated autoimmune disease of oral mucosa concerning with the redox imbalance. Although glutamine uptake mediated by alanine-serine-cysteine transporter 2 (ASCT2) is critical to T cell differentiation, the exact mechanism remains ambiguous. Here, we elucidate a novel regulatory mechanism of ASCT2-mediated uptake in the differentiation and proliferation of T cells through maintaining redox balance in OLP. The results of immunohistochemistry (IHC) showed that both ASCT2 and glutaminase (GLS) were obviously upregulated compared to controls in OLP. Moreover, correlation analyses indicated that ASCT2 expression was significantly related to GLS level. Interestingly, the upregulation of glutamine metabolism in epithelial layer was consistent with that in lamina propria. Functional assays in vitro revealed the positive association between glutamine metabolism and lymphocytes infiltration. Additionally, multiplex immunohistochemistry (mIHC) uncovered a stronger colocalization among ASCT2 and CD4 and IFN-γ, which was further demonstrated by human Th1 differentiation assay in vitro. Mechanistically, targeting glutamine uptake through interference with ASCT2 using L-γ-Glutamyl-p-nitroanilide (GPNA) decreased the glutamine uptake of T cells and leaded to the accumulation of intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS), which promoted dual specificity phosphatase 2 (DUSP2/PAC1) expression through activation of early growth response 1 (EGR1) to induce dephosphorylation of signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) and inhibit Th1 differentiation in turn. These results demonstrated that glutamine uptake mediated by ASCT2 induced Th1 differentiation by ROS-EGR1-PAC1 pathway, and restoring the redox dynamic balance through targeting ASCT2 may be a potential treatment for T cell-mediated autoimmune diseases.

Carboxymethyl Chitosan/Sodium Alginate/Chitosan Quaternary Ammonium Salt Composite Hydrogel Supported 3J for the Treatment of Oral Ulcer.

Oral ulcer is a common inflammatory disease of oral mucosa, causing severe burning pain and great inconvenience to daily life. In this study, compound 3J with anti-inflammatory activity was synthesized beforehand. Following that, an intelligent composite hydrogel supported 3J was designed with sodium alginate, carboxymethyl chitosan, and chitosan quaternary ammonium salt as the skeleton, and its therapeutic effect on the rat oral ulcer model was investigated. The results show that the composite hydrogel has a dense honeycomb structure, which is conducive to drug loading and wound ventilation, and has biodegradability. It has certain antibacterial effects and good anti-inflammatory activity. When loaded with 3J, it reduced levels of TNF-α and IL-6 in inflammatory cells by up to 50.0%. It has excellent swelling and water retention properties, with a swelling rate of up to 765.0% in a pH 8.5 environment. The existence of a large number of quaternary ammonium groups, carboxyl groups, and hydroxyl groups makes it show obvious differences in swelling in different pH environments, which proves that it has double pH sensitivity. It is beneficial to adapt to the highly dynamic changes of the oral environment. Compared with single hydrogel or drug treatment, the drug-loaded hydrogel has a better effect on the treatment of oral ulcers.

Assessment of Oxidative Stress-Induced Oral Epithelial Toxicity.

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) are highly reactive molecules generated in living organisms and an excessive production of ROS culminates in oxidative stress and cellular damage. Notably, oxidative stress plays a critical role in the pathogenesis of a number of oral mucosal diseases, including oral mucositis, which remains one of cancer treatments' most common side effects. We have shown previously that oral keratinocytes are remarkably sensitive to oxidative stress, and this may hinder the development and reproducibility of epithelial cell-based models of oral disease. Here, we examined the oxidative stress signatures that parallel oral toxicity by reproducing the initial events taking place during cancer treatment-induced oral mucositis. We used three oral epithelial cell lines (an immortalized normal human oral keratinocyte cell line, OKF6, and malignant oral keratinocytes, H357 and H400), as well as a mouse model of mucositis. The cells were subjected to increasing oxidative stress by incubation with hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) at concentrations of 100 μM up to 1200 μM, for up to 24 h, and ROS production and real-time kinetics of oxidative stress were investigated using fluorescent dye-based probes. Cell viability was assessed using a trypan blue exclusion assay, a fluorescence-based live-dead assay, and a fluorometric cytotoxicity assay (FCA), while morphological changes were analyzed by means of a phase-contrast inverted microscope. Static and dynamic real-time detection of the redox changes in keratinocytes showed a time-dependent increase of ROS production during oxidative stress-induced epithelial injury. The survival rates of oral epithelial cells were significantly affected after exposure to oxidative stress in a dose- and cell line-dependent manner. Values of TC50 of 800 μM, 800 μM, and 400 μM were reported for H400 cells (54.21 ± 9.04, p < 0.01), H357 cells (53.48 ± 4.01, p < 0.01), and OKF6 cells (48.64 ± 3.09, p < 0.01), respectively. Oxidative stress markers (MPO and MDA) were also significantly increased in oral tissues in our dual mouse model of chemotherapy-induced mucositis. In summary, we characterized and validated an oxidative stress model in human oral keratinocytes and identified optimal experimental conditions for the study of oxidative stress-induced oral epithelial toxicity.

Stromal cell therapy in cats with feline chronic gingivostomatitis: current perspectives and future direction.

Feline chronic gingivostomatitis (FCGS) is a painful, immune-mediated, oral mucosal inflammatory disease in cats. The etiology of FCGS remains unclear, with evidence pointing potentially toward a viral cause. Full-mouth tooth extraction is the current standard of care, and cats that are non-responsive to extraction therapy may need lifelong medical management and, in some cases, euthanasia. Adipose-derived mesenchymal stromal cells (adMSCs) have been demonstrated to have advantages in the treatment and potentially the cure of non-responsive FCGS in cats. Therefore, adMSCs have attracted a series of ongoing clinical trials in the past decade. AdMSC therapy immediately after full-mouth tooth extraction was not explored, and we postulate that it may benefit the overall success rate of FCGS therapy. Here, we aim to summarize the current knowledge and impact of adMSCs for the therapeutic management of FCGS and to suggest a novel modified approach to further increase the efficacy of FCGS treatment in cats.

Antibacterial, anti-inflammatory and wet-adhesive poly(ionic liquid)-based oral patch for the treatment of oral ulcers with bacterial infection.

Oral aphthous ulcers are a common inflammatory efflorescence of oral mucosa, presenting as inflammation and oral mucosal damage and manifesting as pain. The moist and highly dynamic environment of the oral cavity makes the local treatment of oral aphthous ulcers challenging. Herein, a poly(ionic liquid)-based diclofenac sodium (DS)-loaded (PIL-DS) buccal tissue adhesive patch fabricated with intrinsically antimicrobial, highly wet environment adhesive properties and anti-inflammatory activities to treat oral aphthous ulcers was developed. The PIL-DS patch was prepared via polymerization of a catechol-containing ionic liquid, acrylic acid, and butyl acrylate, followed by anion exchange with DS-. The PIL-DS can adhere to wet tissues, including mucosa muscles and organs, and efficiently deliver the carried DS- at wound sites, exerting remarkable synergistic antimicrobial (bacteria and fungi) properties. Accordingly, the PIL-DS elicited dual therapeutic effects on oral aphthous ulcers with Staphylococcus aureus infection through antibacterial and anti-inflammatory activities, significantly accelerating oral aphthous ulcer healing as an oral mucosa patch. The results indicated that the PIL-DS patch, with inherently antimicrobial and wet adhesion properties, is promising for treating oral aphthous ulcers in clinical practice. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE: Oral aphthous ulcers are a common oral mucosal disease, which could lead to bacterial infection and inflammation in severe cases, especially for people with large ulcers or low immunity. However, moist oral mucosa and highly dynamic oral environment make it challenging to maintain therapeutic agents and physical barriers at the wound surface. Therefore, an innovative drug carrier with wet adhesion is urgently needed. Herein, a poly(ionic liquid)-based diclofenac sodium (DS)-loaded (PIL-DS) buccal tissue adhesive patch was developed to treat oral aphthous ulcers showing intrinsically antimicrobial and highly wet environment adhesive properties due to the presence of catechol-containing ionic liquid monomer. Additionally, the PIL-DS showed significantly therapeutic effects on oral aphthous ulcers with S. aureus infection through antibacterial and anti-inflammatory activities. We expect that our work can provide inspiration for the development of treatment for microbially infected oral ulcers.

Стоматиты у пожилых лиц, пользующихся зубными протезами

The diagnosis and treatment of oral mucosal diseases represents an independent section due to clinical manifestation diversity. The disease process can be worsened with wearing orthopedic constructions. The disorder most often results from epithelial injury followed bu inflammation: pain, bleeding, chewing impairment. Drugs affecting the links of inflammation and preventing secondary infection are required for treatment. In clinical settings, it seems optimal to use drugs with combined effects. Topical application of Cholisal gel is highly effective in treatment of dental disorders.

Targeting Th17 cells: a promising strategy to treat oral mucosal inflammatory diseases.

With the improved quality of life, oral health is under increased pressure. Numerous common oral mucosal diseases, such as oral lichen planus(OLP) and gingivitis, are related to the destruction of the oral immune barrier. The cytokines secreted by T-helper 17 (Th17) cells are essential for maintaining oral immune homeostasis and play essential roles in immune surveillance. When antigens stimulate the epithelium, Th17 cells expand, differentiate, and generate inflammatory factors to recruit other lymphocytes, such as neutrophils, to clear the infection, which helps to maintain the integrity of the epithelial barrier. In contrast, excessive Th17/IL-17 axis reactions may cause autoimmune damage. Therefore, an in-depth understanding of the role of Th17 cells in oral mucosa may provide prospects for treating oral mucosal diseases. We reviewed the role of Th17 cells in various oral and skin mucosal systemic diseases with oral characteristics, and based on the findings of these reports, we emphasize that Th17 cellular response may be a critical factor in inflammatory diseases of the oral mucosa. In addition, we should pay attention to the role and relationship of "pathogenic Th17" and "non-pathogenic Th17" in oral mucosal diseases. We hope to provide a reference for Th17 cells as a potential therapeutic target for treating oral mucosal inflammatory disorders in the future.

Antimicrobial effect of Streptococcus salivarius outer membrane-coated nanocomplexes against Candida albicans and oral candidiasis

Oral mucosal infection, especially oral candidiasis, is currently the most common oral mucosal disease. Traditional drug treatment regimens have difficulty adhering to mucous membranes, coupled with the unique anatomical and physiological characteristics of the oral cavity, thus reducing drug availability and limiting the effective time of drug action. Inspired by cell membrane-coated nanoparticles, this study aimed to construct a bionic adherent oral mucosal drug delivery system and investigated its therapeutic potential for oral candidiasis. The system was obtained by encapsulating Streptococcus salivarius K12 membranes on triclosan-loaded PLGA nanoparticles using an extrusion method. The constructed nanocomplexes (K12/TCS@PLGA-NPs) inherited the properties of the source cell membrane, bionically adhering to the oral mucosa and binding to the candida albicans hypha. Our in vitro and in vivo experiments have confirmed that K12/TCS@PLGA-NPs nanocomplexes significantly inhibits the formation of C. albicans biofilms and the development of oral candidiasis by enhancing the accumulation of drugs in lesions, optimizing drug efficacy. Furthermore, the biomimetic nanocomplexes could be considered safe and effective drug delivery systems, which hold considerable therapeutic promise for oral mucosal infections including candidiasis.

An Appreciation of a Giant in Orofacial Sciences Research—John Greenspan

Professor John S. Greenspan died on March 31, 2023. He was a renowned and accomplished academic, dentist/scientist, pathologist, and administrator who made sustained and significant international impacts on numerous fields over half a century. John was arguably best known for his work with his wife, Dr. Deborah Greenspan, on the oral aspects of AIDS and the role of viruses in oral epithelial and salivary gland lesions. He had a lifelong interest in Sjögren’s syndrome, culminating in the leadership of the Sjögren’s International Collaborative Clinical Alliance. He was also widely recognized as one of the leading investigators into the understanding of oral mucosal diseases, including recurrent aphthous stomatitis. He and his colleagues’ major contributions to HIV research and care included the discovery of the oral lesion “hairy leukoplakia,” its etiological association with Epstein–Barr virus, and other oral lesions in the natural history of HIV disease. In recent years, John turned his attention to global oral health inequalities, helping to establish the International Association for Dental Research’s Global Oral Health Inequalities Research Network and serving as its first president. He led many organizations with humble authority, knowledge, wit, and wisdom and mentored colleagues from all over the world, especially from lower- and middle-income countries. John leaves a very special legacy based on example and scientific curiosity, and his work has not only made a lasting impact on his colleagues but also translated to abiding benefit for patients.

Does Pemphigus Vulgaris Affect Oral Health Related Quality of Life?

Abstract Pemphigus vulgaris (PV) is a chronic disease affecting oral mucosa. Oral health related quality of life (OHRQoL) is defined as a multidimensional construct that reflects comfort of people when eating, sleeping and engaging in social interaction, self-esteem, and satisfaction with respect to their oral health. The aim of this study was to measure OHRQoL and its correlation with disease severity of patients with PV. In this cross-sectional study, OHRQoL was measured by chronic oral mucosal disease questionnaire (COMDQ) in 72 patients (45.91 ± 11.45 years old) with PV include 45 (62.5%) women and 27 (37.5%). Finally, the obtained data were analyzed by statistical software. The mean total score of COMDQ in patients with PV was 72.41 ± 9.23. Moreover, mean daily dose of prednisolone corticosteroid was 0.619±0.395 mg/kg. COMDQ score in women was significantly higher than men (P&lt;0.001). COMDQ total scores significantly correlated with daily dose of corticosteroid (P&lt;0.001). Our study suggested that OHRQoL in patients with PV was not acceptable, and it was worse in the female gender that have more severe disease. Therefore, medical management of the underlying disease, as well as social and emotional care facilities seem necessary to improve OHRQoL in PV patients. Keywords: Pemphigus vulgaris, Oral health, Quality of life

The In vitro and In vivo Antifungal Activities of Akhizunber, and Therapeutic Effects Against Biofilm Forming Candida Isolates in Combination with Fluconazole

Recent studies indicate that the incidence of oral mucosal diseases has increased worldwide due to predisposing factors, including unbalanced dietary intake, prolonged therapy with antibiotics, bad habits, and environmental pollution. Akhizunber, a novel herbal preparation delivered for the treatment of oral mucosal ulcers, was prepared from the medicinal herbs of Achillea asiatica Serg, leaves of Juniperus sabina L, and roots of Bergenia crassifolia (L) Fritsch in a ratio of 2:1:2, immersed for 1 week in 40% ethanol. Previous studies revealed effectiveness of Akhizunber in the treatment of oral aphthous stomatitis. Simultaneously, Akhizunber showed in vitro inhibitory effect on development of Candida albicans. For those reasons, we aimed to study effect of Akhizunber in the treatment of oral candidiasis. First, we studied in vitro effects of Akhizunber on biofilm formation by C. albicans on type I collagen cell desks, precoated with mucin. In a clinical study, a total of 50 patients diagnosed with oral candidiasis were participated. In the experimental group, oral administration of azole antifungal agents combined with local application of Akhizunber was performed. In biofilms grown under exposure to higher concentrations of Akhizunber, inhibitory effects on formation of hyphae from yeast cells were observed. The local treatment of oral lesions with Akhizunber combined with oral administration of antifungal agents accelerated healing of mucosal lesions by 3-5 days in comparison with the local use of povidone iodine. Oral administration of antifungal agents in combination with the local application of Akhizunber on mucosal lesions in combined therapy of patients with oral candidiasis showed high effectiveness and can be considered as an alternative treatment option.

ТЕРАПЕВТИЧЕСКИЙ ПОТЕНЦИАЛ ТРАДИЦИОННЫХ И АЛЬТЕРНАТИВНЫХ ПОДХОДОВ В ЛЕЧЕНИИ ИНФЕКЦИОННО-ВОСПАЛИТЕЛЬНЫХ СТОМАТОЛОГИЧЕСКИХ ЗАБОЛЕВАНИЙ

Oral infectious and inflammatory diseases occupy a special place in the practice of dentists and are considered to be one the most common reasons why patients request for dental care. In this regard, it is important to identify the mechanism of inflammation development and possible treatment regimens. To date, there are a sufficient number of synthetic drugs for the treatment of inflammatory processes in human body, their effectiveness has been proven and undeniable, but the side effects associated with their use are also extensive. At present, the most urgent question is to be the search for other, natural remedies for the treatment of various diseases, including inflammatory ones. This literature review reflects information about modern views on the etiopathogenesis of oral infections and inflammatory diseases. Analysis of methodological approaches to the treatment of inflammatory processes in the oral cavity was carried out. The possibilities of traditional and non-traditional methods of treating patients with an emphasis on using non-drug herbal remedies are considered. Compositions of popular drugs that are currently used in dentistry for the treatment of oral mucosal diseases were studied. Main groups of substances that are a part of medicinal plants have been studied, as well as their anti-inflammatory activity. So, despite the availability of anti-inflammatory drugs, one should not exclude the possibilities of alternative ways, such as herbal medicine/phytotherapy, aromatherapy, hydrolatotherapy, etc. These methods are also noted to be effective, biologically safe. A greate variety of approaches and treatments for inflammation allow better and more personalized therapy.

The Practice of Oral Medicine in South Africa

Oral medicine is a clinical discipline, practiced by periodontists, which concerns itself mostly with the non surgical management of oral mucosal diseases. Many of these diseases are rare and the discipline less well known – making it essential to identify the obstacles this discipline faces. The purpose of this study was to describe the private and academic practice of Oral Medicine. A self-administered, internet-based, questionnaire was distributed to South African periodontists which questioned the clinician’s competency, diseases managed, special investigations performed, referral sources, proportional time and monetary distribution of the discipline, and perceived barriers to the practice. Twenty-six periodontists completed the questionnaire. In comparison to periodontology and implantology, periodontists generally feel less competent, spend less time on, and receive less money from Oral Medicine. Lack of awareness of the speciality (55.6% - 59.3%) was identified as the biggest constraint, with only 11.2% of referrals received from medical doctors. Immune-mediated diseases (29.3%) and benign neoplasms (26.5%) are managed the most, and surgical biopsies (80.2%) are used most regularly to diagnose oral mucosal disease. Oral Medicine is still a lesser-known clinical speciality. Despite the heavy burden of HIV-related oral disease and oral mucosal malignancies, this speciality remains underutilised.

Frequency of galvanic pair detection of metal structures in the mouth in the absence of galvanic syndrome and pathological changes in the oral mucosa

BACKGROUND: Currently, numerous metal structures are used in dentistry, such as implants, pins, dentures, etc. These structures are often made of various metals and metal alloys with different electrochemical potentials. This circumstance can lead to the appearance of a galvanic cell, consisting of metal structures. In the existing literature, no data reveal the frequency of the detection of galvanic pairs of metal structures in the mouth in the absence of galvanic syndrome and oral mucosal diseases.&#x0D; AIM: To examine the detection frequency of galvanic pairs of metal structures in the mouth in the absence of galvanic syndrome and pathological changes in the oral mucosa.&#x0D; MATERIALS AND METHODS: A survey of 133 patients aged 3387 years was conducted to detect the presence of galvanic pairs of metal structures in the mouth. All patients do not have galvanic syndrome and pathological changes in the oral mucosa. The patients were divided into four age groups: 3344 years old (n = 33), 4559 years old (n = 35), 6074 years old (n = 35), and 7587 years old (n = 30). Electrochemical potentials of metal structures in the mouth were determined according to the method developed at the Department of Therapeutic Dentistry of the E. V. Borovsky Institute of Dentistry of the First Moscow State Medical University named after I.M. Sechenov (Sechenov University). An electrode made of 999 gold was used as an active indicator electrode, which was used to touch metal structures in the mouth during the study. An EHP-1 silver chloride electrode was used as a passive reference electrode. A Fluke 115 multimeter was used as a measuring device.&#x0D; RESULTS: In the group aged 3344 years, galvanic pairs were found in 18%, and they had 5.2 2.1 metal structures. The group aged 4559 years had 7.4 3.5 metal structures in the mouth, and 23% of the participants had galvanic vapors in the oral cavity. In the group aged 6074 years, 26% had galvanic vapors in the oral cavity. In this group, the maximum number of metal structures in the mouth was 7.9 4.1. In the group aged 7587 years, 20% had galvanic pairs of metal structures in the mouth, and they had 5.9 1.8 metal structures in the oral cavity.&#x0D; CONCLUSION: Galvanic pairs of metal structures in the oral cavity were found is 1826% of the participants in different age groups. The share is associated not so much with age but to a greater extent with the number of metal structures in the oral cavity. With the increased number of metal structures, the probability of the appearance of a galvanic pair in the mouth, formed by metal structures with different electrochemical potentials, increases.

Correlation of Salivary Melatonin Levels and Many Periodontal Parameters in Cigarette Smokers with Periodontitis

Background: Adults who have periodontitis are more likely to lose teeth, which affects their quality of life and causes masticatory dysfunction. Most people agree that smoking tobacco makes them more likely to get oral mucosal and periodontal diseases and makes the oral microbiome less balanced. Melatonin is a naturally occurring hormone that is released in a variety of organs. Objectives: To examine the relationship between smoking and salivary melatonin levels in periodontitis patients vs healthy people, and to establish a relationship between melatonin levels and periodontal parameters. Materials and Methods: The study was conducted at the College of Dentistry, University of Baghdad, Baghdad, Iraq. The study period was from February to May 2022. There were a total of 74 male subjects aged 35-55 years, and they were divided into four different groups; Group 1: a control group of non-smokers (n = 12), Group 2: a control group of smokers (n = 12), Group 3: a group of individuals with periodontitis (n = 25), Group 4: a group of individuals with both periodontitis and a record of smoking (n = 25). A whole, unstimulated sample of the participant's saliva (5 ml) was taken, and this was followed by an evaluation of clinical periodontal variables (probing pocket depth and clinical attachment level). To measure melatonin concentrations, saliva samples were biochemically analyzed using the Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA).Results: Melatonin concentrations were shown to be lower in groups with periodontitis than in control groups, as well as lower in groups with smoking than in groups without smoking. It was found that there was a strong negative link between periodontal variables and the amount of melatonin in the saliva. Conclusion: According to this study, a reduced melatonin level was noticed in the salivary fluid of the smoker (healthy and periodontitis) groups in comparison with the non-smoker (healthy and periodontitis) groups. This suggests that active cigarette smoking had a retarding effect on the salivary levels of melatonin.

Oral mucosal disease screening testing in terms of cancer alertness

Relevance. Currently, there is a steady increase in the development of oral mucosal diseases, and they are affecting younger people. If, at the beginning of the XX century, inflammatory and destructive oral mucosal diseases appeared in people over 60 y.o., who formed a senior dental patient group, now this pathology affects the working-age population. It is related to many reasons, including the consequences of COVID-19. However, diagnosis in dentistry is actively developing. There are quite many basic and additional examination methods, as well as in terms of cancer alertness. Based on the example of the study, the paper presents screening testing for oral mucosal diseases, which a dentist should perform at an appointment before starting treatment of the main pathology.Material and methods. The study examined the patients who presented for dental treatment. 16 out of 113 people were diagnosed with oral mucosal diseases.Results. The patients had poor oral hygiene, and electromyography indicated masticatory muscle spasticity in 20.3%, which may cause trauma development, including pressure ulcers.Conclusion. A dental appointment for each patient should include screening testing, which will prevent the development of a number of dental pathologies.

Some features of oral mucosal disease symptoms and clinical manifestations in patients with chronic inflammatory bowel disease

Relevance. The work presents the results of a comprehensive dental examination of patients with vermilion and oral mucosa proper (OM) diseases associated with manifestations of Crohn's disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC).Aim. To determine the cause-related features of complaints and clinical manifestations of vermilion and OM diseases.Material and methods. The comprehensive dental examination included the analysis of complaints, history, and assessment of the vermilion and OM condition and the nociceptive pain severity score according to the Visual Analog Scale (VAS).Results and discussion. In CD and UC, the vermillion diseases clinically manifested in 51.43% and 42.85% of subjects (p &lt; 0.01), OM chronic trauma – in 40.0% and 31.43% (p &lt; 0.05), chronic recurrent aphthae – in 48.47% (p &lt; 0.001) and 31.43% (p &lt; 0.01), glossitis – in 62.86% (p &lt; 0.001) and 25.71% (p &lt; 0.01), glossodynia – in 31.43% (p &lt; 0.01) and 17.15% (p &lt; 0.05) of cases. The main complaints of patients with the detected OM pathology included unpleasant sensations, like rawness and soreness, on taking irritating foods in 100% and 65.71% and talking in 31.43% and 25.71% of cases, dry mouth in 51.43% and 25.71% of cases. The burning mouth syndrome was in 31.43% and 17.15% of patients.Conclusion. The vermilion and the oral mucosal diseases often prevail associated with the clinical course of Crohn'sdisease compared to patients with UC. The VAS pain severity score hinges on CD and UC course (p &lt; 0.055). The variety of clinical manifestations of the vermillion and oral mucosal diseases directly depends on CD and UC, a criterion for developing an integrated approach to their diagnosis and implementing recommendations for their prevention and treatment in practical health care.

Langerhans cells in the skin and oral mucosa: Brothers in arms?

The skin and the oral mucosa represent interfaces to the environment that are constantly exposed to pathogens and harmless foreign antigens such as commensal bacteria. Both barrier organs share the presence of Langerhans cells (LC), distinctive members of the heterogeneous family of antigen-presenting dendritic cells (DC) that have the unique ability to promote tolerogenic as well as inflammatory immune responses. While skin LC have been extensively studied in the past decades, less is known about the function of oral mucosal LC. Despite similar transcriptomic signatures, skin and oral mucosal LC differ greatly in their ontogeny and development. In this review article, we will summarize the current knowledge on LC subsets in the skin compared to the oral mucosa. We will discuss the similarities and differences in their development, homeostasis, and function in the two barrier tissues, including their interaction with the local microbiota. In addition, this review will update recent advances on the role of LC in inflammatory skin and oral mucosal diseases.