Periodontal disease (PD) is one of the most common infectious conditions in dogs, associated with plaque accumulation, gingival inflammation, halitosis, and tooth loss. Halitosis is primarily caused by volatile sulfur compounds (VSCs) generated by anaerobic bacteria, including Porphyromonas gulae (P. gulae), a pathogen closely linked to PD progression. This study examined the effects of oral interferon alpha (IFN-α) on halitosis and bacterial activity in dogs with PD. Thirty-two dogs with moderate-to-severe PD were enrolled and allocated to untreated controls (n = 10) or IFN-α treatment (n = 22). Dogs in the treatment group received 2.75 g of IFN-α formulation (InterBerryα®) applied to the gingival margin twice weekly for five weeks. Clinical outcomes included PD Severity Index, enzymatic activity to hydrolyze N-benzoyl-DL-arginine-naphthylamide (BANA), PCR detection of P. gulae, and halitosis evaluation by gas chromatography and pet owner assessment. IFN-α significantly reduced PD Severity Index, BANA activity, and VSC concentrations (hydrogen sulfide and methyl mercaptan) compared with baseline and controls. Additionally, 27% of treated dogs converted to P. gulae-negative status after therapy. Owners reported marked improvement in oral malodor. These findings suggest that oral IFN-α effectively alleviates halitosis and reduces periodontal pathogen activity, supporting its potential as a non-invasive treatment for canine PD.

Transcriptome and alternative splicing analyses uncover immune-centric pathogenesis in periodontitis versus barrier-dysfunction-driven pathogenesis in peri-implantitis.

Relationships between periodontitis and inflammatory bowel disease: Screening and functional analysis of endoplasmic reticulum stress-related biomarkers.

Correlation between oral disease and neurodegenerative disorders: Role of biological proteins for the modulation of oral-brain axis and gut-brain axis.

To Vape or Not to Vape: Oral Health in the Age of Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems and Electronic Non-Nicotine Delivery Systems.

Systematic Review: Porphyromonas gingivalis Outer Membrane Vesicles From Pathogenesis to Therapeutic Implications.

Periodontal disease results from dysbiotic oral biofilms and the host's inflammatory response. Given the limitations of conventional therapies, this study aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of Weissella cibaria CMU (OraCMU) in improving gingival inflammation in individuals with gingivitis and incipient periodontitis. In this randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial, 80 participants received either OraCMU tablets (2.0 × 108 CFU/g; n = 40) or placebo (n = 40) twice daily for 8 weeks. The primary outcome was the gingival index (GI), and secondary outcomes included bleeding on probing (BOP), probing depth, clinical attachment level, gingival recession, plaque index, inflammation-related proteins, and oral microbiota. Clinical parameters were assessed at six preselected index teeth (#16, 12, 24, 32, 36, and 44). At week 8, the probiotic group showed significantly greater reductions in GI (-0.19 ± 0.03 vs. -0.08 ± 0.04; P = .035) and BOP (-7.74 ± 1.54 vs. -2.82 ± 1.60; P = .030) compared with the placebo group. Inflammatory markers, including fibroblast growth factor-5 (P = .003), thymic stromal lymphopoietin (P = .017), and the receptor activator of nuclear factor κB ligand/osteoprotegerin ratio (P = .021), were significantly decreased. The levels of Porphyromonas gingivalis (P = .001), Treponema denticola (P = .005), and Prevotella intermedia (P = .046) were also significantly reduced, while Weissella increased (P < .001) in the probiotic group. Eight-week supplementation with OraCMU improved gingival health and modulated the oral microbiota and inflammatory response. No serious adverse events were reported during the study period. These findings support the potential clinical utility of OraCMU as a probiotic adjunct for managing gingivitis.

Neonicotinoid pesticides are highly persistent in the environment, with detection in periodontal blood reported. Although an association with gingival inflammation has been shown, the mechanism related to periodontal disease remains unclear. Previous study found that coxsackievirus and adenovirus receptor (CXADR) is involved in gingival tissue epithelial barrier function, thus the effects of neonicotinoids on CXADR were examined. High performance liquid chromatography of salivary samples from 16 volunteers detected acetamiprid, clothianidin, imidacloprid, and thiamethoxam. Administration of neonicotinoids (Σneonicotinoids) resulted in loss of cell-surface CXADR, which was restored by bafilomycin A1, a lysosomal inhibitor. Using a three-dimensional tissue model of human gingival epithelial cells, Σneonicotinoids were found to increase permeability to lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and peptidoglycan (PGN), which was dependent on CXADR. It is thus suggested that neonicotinoids cause mislocalization of CXADR into lysosomes, leading to gingival barrier function disruption, which allows for bacterial virulence factors to penetrate subepithelial tissues.

Oral hygiene represents a modifiable risk factor for systemic health and pulmonary complications yet is not routinely addressed in ALS care. This study aimed to examine the relationships between oral health, disease severity and determinants of health in people living with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (pALS), and to identify key predictors of oral hygiene outcomes. Individuals with ALS completed an oral hygiene and bulbar screening during their multidisciplinary appointment. Disease demographics, determinants of health, oral health outcomes and bulbar disease outcomes were collected. Descriptives and one sample t-tests were performed to compare oral hygiene outcomes with healthy reference values. Multiple regression analyses were conducted to assess the relationship between disease demographics and oral health. Sixty-two pALS aged 64.0 (+/- 10.8), 40% female, 31% Hispanic/Latino and 37% bulbar onset disease were enrolled. Compared to healthy reference values, plaque index (M = 1.45, SD = 0.52, p < 0.0001), gingival index (M = 1.25, SD = 0.46, p < 0.0001) and bleeding on probing (M = 35.26%, SD = 26.1, p < 0.0001) were elevated in pALS. Lack of dental insurance was a significant predictor of bleeding on probing (BOP) (p = 0.001), plaque (p = 0.006) and gingival scores (p = 0.001). ALSFRS-R (p < 0.03) was also predictive of greater plaque, and care partner status (p < 0.04), and age (p < 0.02) were predictors BOP. Ethnicity and dysphagia severity were not significant predictors. Oral health screenings conducted during routine multidisciplinary visits identified periodontal disease in pALS, representing a feasible and immediately actionable pathway to improve oral care outcomes in pALS.

Gingival recession (GR) is a common issue causing plaque accumulation, root caries, abrasion, cervical wear, and dentin hypersensitivity. Studies show a prevalence of thick and thin gingival biotypes, with no significant association between age, gender, or recession. This study aims to use polynomial regression and exponential growth models to predict recession gain based on clinical data. GR is a common issue causing plaque accumulation, root caries, abrasion, cervical wear, and dentin hypersensitivity. Studies show a prevalence of thick and thin gingival biotypes, with no significant association between age, gender, or recession. This study aims to use polynomial regression and exponential growth models to predict recession gain based on clinical data. The study analyzed recession coverage in upper and lower anterior teeth after connective tissue and free gingival grafting procedures from institute database. Data was preprocessed and analyzed using polynomial regression and exponential growth models. Polynomial regression allowed for nonlinear trends in recession gain, while exponential growth models provided insights into cumulative effects of specific factors on recession progression. The polynomial of degree 3 with the lowest MSE of 0.0612 fit best. This shows that cubic polynomials better represent the "Days"-"Gain Width" relationship than linear or higher-degree polynomials. The exponential growth model fitted to "Post Op" data predicts an initial value of 0.7735 and a growth rate of 0.0101. This model proposes that "Post Op" measurements expand exponentially, with predicted parameters reflecting this growth. Based on clinical data, this study compares polynomial regression and exponential growth models for periodontal recession gain prediction. The findings emphasize the need of proper mathematical models to better understand periodontal diseases and guide dental care prevention and treatment.

Comparative evaluation of optical property changes in direct printed aligners using two resins: An in vivo investigation.

Optimized deep learning framework for periodontal disease severity prediction and treatment recommendation

To explore the possible link between periodontal and dental health and idiopathic female infertility in South East Hungary, along with identifying relevant sociodemographic factors. The study included women with idiopathic infertility and pregnant women (controls). All participants underwent a dental and periodontal examination, alongside a gynaecological assessment. Data were analysed by group (infertile vs control) and by age, education, and residence. The study included 85 infertile and 65 pregnant women. Infertile women were older (34.5 vs 31 years, P 0.001). Plaque scores were higher in controls compared to the infertile group (0.62 vs 0.52, P = 0.028), but there were no significant differences in bleeding on probing (BOP), probing depth, or body mass index. No group differences were observed for BOP ≥ 50% or ≥ 4 mm pocket depth. Significant differences were found in the number of filled teeth (P = 0.017) and decayed, missing, filled surfaces (DMFS) (P = 0.022). Educational level and residence impacted periodontal outcomes, with lower education and rural residence associated with poorer results. This study found no significant clinical differences between infertile women and pregnant controls regarding periodontal disease. While sociodemographic variations were noted, the results highlight the importance of dental care during pregnancy. Further research is needed to confirm these findings.

Metabolic syndrome (MetS) and periodontal disease (PD) are prevalent inflammatory conditions with global health implications. Their bidirectional interaction amplifies systemic and metabolic inflammation, worsening periodontal destruction while PD exacerbates metabolic disturbances. This study evaluates the combined impact of MetS and PD on periodontal and hepatic health and examines melatonin (MEL) as a therapeutic agent. Male Wistar rats were assigned to Control, MetS, PD, MetS + PD, and MetS + PD + MEL groups. MetS was induced with 10% fructose intake for 35days and PD by ligature placement for 4days. MEL (10mg/kg) was administered to assess its anti-inflammatory effects. Body weight, glycemia, lipid profile, and liver enzymes were measured. Radiographic and histomorphometric analyses were performed on the jaw, and NLRP3 and IL-10 expression assessed by immunohistochemistry in jaw and liver. MetS + PD animals showed aggravated hyperglycemia, dyslipidemia, hepatic injury, and severe periodontal destruction, with increased NLRP3 and reduced IL-10 levels. MEL attenuated these alterations, improving metabolic outcomes, preserving periodontal bone, restoring hepatic histology and enzyme levels, and modulating inflammation by decreasing NLRP3 and increasing IL-10. These findings indicate that MetS and PD synergistically intensify inflammatory and metabolic disturbances, and that MEL counteracts this exacerbated inflammatory burden, emerging as a promising adjunct therapeutic candidate for systemic-oral inflammatory conditions. KEY MESSAGES: Metabolic syndrome and periodontitis synergistically exacerbate liver and periodontal damage. Melatonin mitigates these combined metabolic and inflammatory alterations. Melatonin protective effect is associated with reduced NLRP3 activation and restored IL-10 expression.

The global shift from dental amalgam to direct posterior resin composite restorations (RCRs), driven by aesthetic demands and the Minamata Convention, has increased the need to evaluate their clinical performance. Establishing proper proximal contact tightness (PCT) in Class II restorations is a critical, technique-sensitive parameter required to prevent food impaction, periodontal disease, and restoration failure. In Nairobi, Kenya, there is a lack of local data regarding technical failures like deficiencies in proximal contact tightness. This study aimed to evaluate the proximal contact tightness of Class II posterior RCRs placed over a five-year period and their associated factors in selected dental institutions in Nairobi. A cross-sectional study was conducted at three sites: a private facility (UoNDP), a teaching hospital (UoNDS), and a public hospital (KNHDD). A total of 159 Class II RCRs placed between 2014 and 2019 were selected for clinical examination. PCT was assessed using a tactile method with dental floss and recorded using a modified United States Public Health Survey (USPHS) tool modified to include class II PCT categorized as either tight, loose, or open. Data were analyzed using STATA v.19, employing Chi-square tests and multivariate analysis to identify associated factors. Of the 139 assessable restorations, 56.8% (n = 79) had tight contacts, while 43.2% (n = 60) exhibited unacceptable proximal tightness (22.3% loose and 20.9% open). Disparities between facilities were significant; 75% of restorations at KNHDD had unacceptable contacts, compared to 26.7% at UoNDP and 30% at UoNDS. Multivariate analysis revealed that placement at KNHDD was associated with both open (aRRR = 6.17, p = 0.038) and loose contacts (aRRR = 38.73, p = 0.005). Secondary caries showed an association with loose contacts (aRRR = 6.78, p = 0.001). The age of the restoration was found to confound the relationship between both facility and secondary caries, and PCT. The prevalence of inadequate proximal contacts in class II posterior RCRs across three Nairobi dental facilities was high (43.2%), with open and loose contacts associated with the facility and loose contacts associated with secondary caries, highlighting the need for standardized protocols, better training, improved access to materials, and future studies to investigate the impact of procedural and operator factors in resource-limited settings.

Empowered Smiles Through Education and Motivation (e-SEM): A Theory-Driven Digital Oral Health Behaviour Intervention.

Through transcriptomic analysis and expression level validation, ubiquitin-related genes with overlapping expression profiles between renal cell carcinoma and periodontitis were identified. RNA-seq datasets of renal cell carcinoma from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) and periodontitis from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) were analyzed to identify differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in each disease. A total of 322 ubiquitination-related genes were integrated with the identified DEGs to screen ubiquitination-related genes with overlapping expression patterns between renal cell carcinoma and periodontitis. Survival analysis, functional enrichment analysis, protein-protein interaction (PPI) network construction, and subsequent expression validation via quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR) and immunohistochemistry (IHC) were performed on these overlapping genes in clinical samples. In this study, differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in renal cell carcinoma and periodontitis were screened by analyzing the TCGA-KIRC dataset and periodontal disease datasets from the GEO database. Meanwhile, 332 ubiquitination genes collected from published literature were intersected separately with DEGs of renal cell carcinoma and periodontitis. Subsequent Venn diagram analysis identified 10 co-regulated ubiquitination-related genes (ALDOB, FABP5, IFI16, IKZF1, LGALS1, LSP1, MNDA, RPL13, VIM, WAS) as crosstalk genes between renal cell carcinoma and periodontitis. To systematically screen the genes with the strongest comprehensive regulatory capacity, the above 10 crosstalk genes were comprehensively evaluated in parallel from two independent and critical dimensions. In terms of the shared molecular mechanisms underlying periodontitis and renal cell carcinoma, six genes (IKZF1, LGALS1, LSP1, MNDA, VIM and WAS) were consistently upregulated in both disease tissues, indicating their potential involvement in the common pathogenesis of the two diseases. Tumor mutation analysis further indicated that the above 10 URGs were significantly correlated with the tumor immune microenvironment. Functional enrichment analysis revealed that these genes may affect disease progression via ubiquitin-mediated proteolysis and the p53 signaling pathway.With regard to the correlation between gene expression levels and survival outcomes of patients with renal cell carcinoma, subsequent Kaplan-Meier survival analysis verified that among the 10 co-regulated ubiquitination-related genes, six genes (ALDOB, FABP5, IFI16, LGALS1, RPL13, WAS) exhibited significant correlations with the prognosis of RCC.LASSO regression was subsequently performed to screen the four genes (ALDOB, IFI16, WAS, IKZF1) that showed significance in multivariate regression analysis. Finally, WAS and IKZF1 were identified as the key ubiquitination regulatory genes underlying renal cell carcinoma and periodontitis.Consistent high expression levels of WAS and IKZF1 in both periodontitis and renal cell carcinoma tissues were verified by qPCR and immunohistochemistry (IHC), compared with normal control tissues. The protein-protein interaction (PPI) network and miRNA-prognostic gene regulatory network were constructed using Cytoscape software. This study firstly reveals that WAS and IKZF1 are ubiquitin-related genes with overlapping expression patterns in renal cell carcinoma and periodontitis, suggesting that they may participate in the occurrence and progression of the two diseases by regulating ubiquitination-related pathways. This finding not only enriches our understanding of the molecular expression characteristics of renal cell carcinoma and periodontitis but also verifies the potential of WAS and IKZF1 as cross-disease targets. It provides novel insights into the screening of potential biomarkers for these two diseases, and offers preliminary references for further exploring the clinical translational value of ubiquitination-related genes in renal cell carcinoma and periodontitis. Not applicable.

Periodontal diseases are associated with dysbiotic oral microbial communities, but clinically applicable measures that reflect microbial burden across disease severity and progression remain limited. This study aimed to assess the oral microbial burden of periodontal diseases by evaluating salivary and subgingival lipopolysaccharide (LPS) activity and lipoteichoic acid (LTA) levels, to explore their relationships with microbial dysbiosis and clinical periodontal parameters in individuals with periodontal health (n=52), gingivitis (n=194), and periodontitis of varying stages, grades, and furcation involvement (n=78), and to assess their diagnostic potential. Saliva and subgingival plaque samples from 324 SECRETO cohort participants were analyzed for microbial virulence factors using a recombinant Factor C assay for LPS and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for LTA. Microbial dysbiosis was assessed using a sequencing-derived, simplified dysbiosis index, calculated from subgingival 16S rRNA gene sequencing and salivary shotgun metagenomic profiles, based on the relative abundances of health-associated and periodontitis-associated taxa. Subgingival LPS activity was significantly higher in periodontitis patients compared to healthy individuals and increased progressively across disease stages and grades. Salivary LPS activity differed only by periodontal diagnosis and correlated with full-mouth bleeding score (FMBS). LTA levels showed no statistical variations across periodontal conditions. Subgingival LPS activity and LPS/LTA ratio were strongly associated with simplified dysbiosis index. Salivary dysbiosis index was significantly higher in patients with furcation involvement. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analyses identified subgingival LPS, salivary LPS, and simplified dysbiosis index as diagnostic biomarkers with good clinical utility (area under the curve [AUC] 0.59-0.87). This study highlights the importance of periodontitis diagnoses, stages and grades of periodontitis and furcation involvement as determining factors for increased salivary and subgingival bioburden. In addition, LPS activity could be used as a reliable periodontal biomarker, while the LPS/LTA ratio is an indirect indicator of microbial dysbiosis. ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT01934725. Periodontitis is a common inflammatory disease that affects the tissues supporting the teeth and can lead to tooth loss and broader health consequences if not properly managed. This study explored whether measures of oral microbial burden, particularly bacterial components such as lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and lipoteichoic acid (LTA), could help explain differences in periodontal disease severity and progression. Saliva and subgingival plaque samples were analyzed from individuals with periodontal health, gingivitis, and different stages and grades of periodontitis. We found that microbial burden, especially subgingival LPS activity, increased consistently with more severe and rapidly progressing forms of periodontitis and was closely associated with clinical signs of inflammation. In contrast, LTA levels showed limited variation across disease categories. Importantly, LPS-related measures demonstrated good ability to distinguish periodontal health from disease. These findings suggest that assessing microbial burden, particularly LPS activity, may provide clinically useful information beyond traditional periodontal assessments and could support improved disease classification, risk assessment, and the development of more personalized periodontal care strategies.

Dialister pneumosintes(D. pneumosintes) is a slow-growing, obligate anaerobic Gram-negative bacillus commonly found in the oral cavity, nasopharynx, gastrointestinal tract, and vaginal microbiota. Although typically associated with periodontal disease, D. pneumosintes has rarely been implicated in bloodstream infections and, to date, has not been reported as a causative agent of meningitis. This case report describes D. pneumosintes bacteremia complicated by meningitis, highlighting the diagnostic challenges associated with fastidious anaerobes and the role of advanced microbiological techniques, including matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) and 16S rRNA gene analysis, in accurate pathogen identification. A 65-year-old woman presented with fever, dysarthria, and posterior neck pain. Clinical examination revealed altered consciousness, restricted neck mobility, bilateral eyelid edema, and nasal speech. Laboratory findings indicated hypokalemia and metabolic alkalosis. Imaging studies revealed marked mucosal thickening and fluid accumulation in the paranasal sinuses, suggesting sinusitis with possible extension to the middle ear. Lumbar puncture before initiation of antibiotic therapy revealed neutrophilic pleocytosis consistent with acute bacterial meningitis. Blood cultures grew Staphylococcus hominis and an unidentified anaerobic Gram-negative bacillus, which was later identified as D. pneumosintes using MALDI-TOF MS. Empirical antibiotic therapy with ceftriaxone, vancomycin, ampicillin, and corticosteroids was initiated. Persistent fever prompted endoscopic sinus surgery on hospital day 5, with intraoperative cultures yielding Staphylococcus aureus and revealing a benign nasal papilloma. Neurological symptoms improved postoperatively. The patient completed 14 days of intravenous antibiotic treatment and was ultimately discharged on day 45. This is an exceptionally rare case of D. pneumosintes bacteremia complicated by meningitis. Given its propensity to originate from odontogenic or sinonasal infections and cause hematogenous dissemination with invasive complications such as abscesses or septic thrombosis, prompt identification is essential. When detected, clinicians should initiate a comprehensive systemic evaluation and consider surgical intervention as part of the treatment strategy. As advanced diagnostic tools such as MALDI-TOF MS and 16S rRNA gene sequencing become more widely available, increased clinical recognition of D. pneumosintes as a potential pathogen in severe anaerobic infections is warranted. Not applicable.

Systemic delivery of carbon monoxide by CORM-401 mitigates inflammation and alveolar bone loss in a rat model of periodontitis.