Evaluation of cytokine expressions in patients with recurrent aphthous stomatitis: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to evaluate the expression levels of various T helper (Th) cell-secreted cytokines in recurrent aphthous stomatitis (RAS). Case-control studies comparing the serum or salivary levels of cytokines between RAS patients and healthy controls were searched in PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science, and Google Scholar prior to September 30, 2023. Cytokines produced by Th1 (interleukin [IL]-1, IL-2, IL-8, IL-12, tumor necrosis factor alpha [TNF-α], interferon gamma [IFN-γ]), Th2 (IL-4, IL-5, IL-6, IL-10, IL-13), and Th17 (IL-17A) cells were investigated. The standard mean difference (SMD) with 95% confidence interval (CI) was calculated to detect the difference. A total of 20 studies comprising 1070 RAS patients and 536 healthy controls were included. RAS patients had significantly higher salivary levels of IL-2 (SMD = 4.15, 95%CI 0.83-7.48), IL-5 (SMD = 0.53, 95%CI 0.05-1.00), IL-6 (SMD = 0.48, 95%CI 0.12-0.84), IL-12 (SMD = 0.94, 95%CI 0.18-1.71), and TNF-α (SMD = 1.31, 95%CI 0.44-2.18) compared to healthy controls. Serum levels of IL-6 (SMD = 0.48, 95%CI 0.30-0.66), TNF-α (SMD = 0.70, 95%CI 0.22-1.17), and IFN-γ (SMD = 0.72, 95%CI 0.17-1.28) were significantly increased, while serum IL-10 levels (SMD = -2.25, 95%CI -3.99 to -0.52) were reduced in RAS patients. Patients diagnosed with major RAS had markedly elevated serum IL-8 levels (SMD = 0.39, 95%CI 0.07-0.71) and a trend toward higher serum IL-6 levels (SMD = 0.51, 95%CI -0.02 to 1.04) than those with minor RAS. In conclusion, Th1/Th2-related cytokines, especially IL-2, IL-6, and TNF-α, are involved in the pathogenesis of RAS development and progression and are potential therapeutic targets for RAS.

Association between common polymorphisms in IL-1 and TNFα and risk of peri-implant disease: A meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Pro-inflammatory cytokines interleukin-1 (IL-1) and tumor necrosis factor α (TNFα) play important roles in host immune response and bone metabolism during dental implant osseointegration. Whether the functional polymorphisms in IL-1α, IL-1ß and TNFα were associated with peri-implant disease was unclear, and we performed the present meta-analysis for this purpose. METHODS: Eligible studies investigating IL-1α C-889T, IL-1ß C+3954T and C-511T, TNFα G-308A, composite genotype of IL-1α C-889T and IL-1ß C+3954T for association with peri-implant disease, including peri-implantitis (PI), marginal bone loss (MBL) and implant failure/loss (IF/IL), were searched on several literature databases prior to April 30, 2021. Odds ratio (OR) and corresponding 95% confidence interval (CI) were calculated for each polymorphism in different genetic models and for composite genotype comparing carriers to non-carriers. RESULTS: Twenty-seven studies (1324 cases with peri-implant disease and 1808 controls with healthy implants) were included. There was significant correlation between IL-1α C-889T and peri-implant disease in all genetic models. IL-1ß C+3954T was associated with peri-implant disease risk in allelic (OR = 1.66, 95%CI 1.17-2.35, p = 0.004) and dominant model (OR = 1.74, 95%CI 1.19-2.53, p = 0.004), and in subgroups of Asians, Caucasians, non-smokers, IF/IL and PI. TT genotype of IL-1ß C-511T increased the risk of peri-implant disease (OR = 1.68, 95%CI 1.15-2.43, p = 0.007) and MBL (OR = 4.33, 95%CI 1.72-10.9, p = 0.002) compared to CC+CT genotypes. We did not observed a significant association between TNFα G-308A and peri-implant diseases in overall or subgroups analysis. Carriers of positive composite genotype of IL-1α C-889T and IL-1ß C+3954T had 1.95-fold (95%CI 1.35-2.80, p<0.001) risk of peri-implant disease and 1.76-fold (95%CI 1.05-2.95, p = 0.032) risk of IF/IL than non-carriers. CONCLUSION: Functional polymorphisms of IL-1α (C-889T), IL-1ß (C+3954T, C-511T) and composite genotype of IL-1 can be used as predictive markers for peri-implant disease, whereas TNFα G-308A polymorphism was not associated with peri-implant disease.

Fabrication of three-dimensional nanofibrous gelatin scaffolds using one-step crosslink technique.

Electrospun nanofibers have been considered to be an ideal scaffold for tissue engineering, because of the extracellular-matrix-like structure and the well-controlled fabrication. Here, a new method was used to fabricate electrospun three-dimensional macroporous nanofibrous gelatin scaffolds in ethanol bath by one-step crosslink with glutaraldehyde. The mean diameter of the one-step crosslinked fibers was significantly smaller than that of the traditional two-step crosslinked fibers (p < 0.05), and scaffolds prepared by one-step crosslink were fluffy and porous. No significant difference was found in the degradation rates for both fibers within 14 days. After immersion in PBS for 14 days, numerous two-step crosslinked fibers merged together. By contrast, the morphology and macroporous structure of one-step crosslinked fibers showed no evident change and were generally maintained. Approximate crosslinking degrees of the two-step and one-step crosslinked gelatin fibers were 40% and 54%, respectively (p < 0.05). Results from fluorescence microscopy and hematoxylin-eosin staining showed that MC3T3-E1 subclone four cells were distributed more evenly and diversely in the one-step crosslinked fiber scaffolds. The one-step crosslinked fibers enhanced the proliferation and differentiation potential of MC3T3-E1 cells. Furthermore, one-step crosslinked fibers were beneficial in repairing defects in the skulls of rats. Thus, one-step crosslink by glutaraldehyde in ethanol bath is a cost-effective and simple method to fabricate three-dimensional macroporous nanofiberous scaffolds. This technique retains the morphology and structure of the gelatin fibers, and enhances the biological performance of scaffolds in vitro and in vivo.

Esthetic Restoration of Multiple Congenitally Missing Anterior Teeth with Oral Implants: A Clinical Case Report.

Having multiple congenitally missing anterior teeth heavily influences the patient's countenance and pronunciation. There are few reports on the esthetic restoration of such situations with oral implants. This clinical case history report presents a multidisciplinary approach to treat a young woman with multiple congenitally missing anterior teeth using implant-supported prostheses. The treatment steps and clinical implications are discussed.