Compositional Data and Microbiota Analysis: Imagination and Reality.

The relationships among bacterial flora, diseases, and diet have been described by many authors. An operational taxonomic units (OTUs) are the result of clustering the 16S rRNA gene sequences at a certain cutoff value, and they are considered compositional data. As Pearson's correlation coefficient is difficult to interpret, Aitchison's ratio analysis was used to develop a method to handle compositional data. Multivariate analysis was developed because univariate analysis can be subject to large biases. Simulations regarding absolute abundance based on certain assumptions and some analyses, such as nonparametric multidimensional scaling (NMDS), principal component analysis (PCA), and ratio analysis, were conducted in this study. The same content as a 100% stacked bar graph could be expressed in low dimensions using PCA. However, the relative diversity was not reproducible with NMDS. Various assumptions were made regarding absolute abundance based on the relative abundance. However, which assumptions are true could not be determined. In summary, ratio analysis and PCA are useful for analyzing compositional data and the gut microbiota.

Rikkosan's Short-Term Analgesic Effect on Burning Mouth Syndrome: A Single-Arm Cohort Study.

Burning mouth syndrome (BMS) is a chronic oral pain disorder. There is a theory that BMS is a form of nociplastic pain. A standard treatment for BMS has not yet been established. Kampo medicine is a traditional oriental medicine. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness of Rikkosan-a traditional Japanese herbal medicine (Kampo)-in the treatment of BMS. A single-center retrospective study was conducted on 20 patients who were diagnosed with BMS and treated with Rikkosan alone (total daily dose; 7.5 g) three times daily for approximately 4 weeks (29.5 ± 6.5 days). Rikkosan was dissolved in hot water and taken internally. They had an average age of 63 years, and 90% were being treated for other illnesses, but their medication status was the same during this study period, except for Rikkosan. No adverse events were observed in patients. Numerical rating scale (NRS) or visual analog scale (VAS)/10 scores decreased significantly between the time of the initiation of Rikkosan and one month after (-2.1 ± 1.2, p < 0.05). Rikkosan has a short-term effect of reducing NRS by two levels in BMS patients.

Orofacial Granulomatosis among Pediatric Patients Well Controlled by Corticosteroid Treatment: A Rare Case Series.

Orofacial granulomatosis (OFG) is a rare disease entity characterized by nonnecrotizing granulomatous inflammation in the oral and maxillofacial regions, typically characterized by recurrent or persistent edema, primarily in the lips and occasionally in the gingiva. OFG is often associated with Crohn's disease and sarcoidosis, and an accurate diagnosis requires systemic examination of patients. Pediatric patients possess unique oral conditions where dental plaque rapidly forms, especially during tooth replacement due to tooth crowding. Moreover, controlling oral hygiene can be challenging, rendering it difficult to distinguish plaque-induced gingivitis from nonplaque-induced gingivitis. We elucidate the reports of pediatric patients who developed OFG in the lips and/or gingiva alone, which was well controlled through corticosteroid treatment. The patients demonstrated recurrent lips and/or gingival swelling with redness, which failed to improve despite oral health care and treatment with antibiotics and/or corticosteroid ointment. Incision biopsy was performed, which demonstrated granulomatous inflammation. Further systemic examination ruled out Crohn's disease and sarcoidosis and confirmed OFG diagnosis. Corticosteroid treatment orally or through gargling was administered to the patients, which provided improvement of symptoms after 1 month. As OFG may be associated with intractable diseases, monitoring the patient regularly is crucial. Pediatric patients with OFG require a collaborative approach with pediatricians and pediatric dentists to manage their oral and overall health.

Expression analysis of zinc-metabolizing enzymes in the saliva as a new method of evaluating zinc content in the body: two case reports and a review of the literature.

BACKGROUND: The activity level of alkaline phosphatase, a zinc-requiring enzyme in the serum, is used to indicate zinc nutritional status; however, it does not correlate with serum zinc levels or subjective symptoms of taste disorder in many cases. Hence, this study focused on the total activity of alkaline phosphatase, a zinc-requiring enzyme. The total alkaline phosphatasa activity level in the saliva was measured before and after zinc supplementation, and the results were compared with serum zinc levels. CASE PRESENTATION: This study included patients with hypozincemia, specifically a patient with zinc-deficient taste disorder (patient 1: a 69-year-old Japanese woman) and a patient with glossodynia with zinc deficiency (patient 2: an 82-year-old Japanese woman). Saliva samples were collected, and blood tests were performed before and after zinc supplementation. Subjective symptoms and serum zinc levels were simultaneously evaluated. Zinc supplementation was performed using zinc acetate hydrate or Polaprezinc. CONCLUSIONS: Total alkaline phosphatase activity levels were found to be associated with serum zinc levels and subjective symptoms. A further study with a higher number of patients is necessary to confirm whether total alkaline phosphatase activity levels more accurately reflect the amounts of zinc in the body than serum zinc levels.

Comparison between hangeshashinto and dexamethasone for IL-1α and ß-defensin 1 production by human oral keratinocytes.

OBJECTIVE: Human ß-defensin 1 (hBD-1) is a antimicrobial peptide that is constantly secreted by oral tissues. Hangeshashinto (HST), a traditional Japanese medicine, has been reported to be effective against stomatitis. This study aimed to clarify the profile of HST by comparing the system of production of interleukin-1α (IL-1α) and hBD-1 in human oral mucosal epithelial cells with dexamethasone (DEX), a steroid used for the treatment of stomatitis. METHODS: Human oral keratinocytes (HOK) were treated with HST, DEX, or HST components (baicalein, baicalin, berberine, and glycyrrhizin) for 24 h, and subsequently cultured for 24 h with or without Pam3CSK4 or lipopolysaccharide (LPS). The cell supernatants, total RNA, and intracellular proteins were collected, and changes in IL-1α and hBD-1 protein production and gene expression were evaluated using ELISA and RT-PCR. The phosphorylation of NF-kB and the cell proliferative ability of HOK were evaluated by western blotting and XTT assay, respectively. RESULTS: DEX (0.01-10 µM) significantly suppressed IL-1α and hBD-1 production induced by either Pam3CSK4 or LPS, and also decreased cell growth. In contrast, HST inhibited Pam3CSK4- and LPS-induced IL-1α production at a concentration range of 12.5-100 µg/mL without affecting the cell proliferative capacity and hBD-1 production of HOK. Baicalein and baicalin, which are flavonoid ingredients of HST, showed anti-IL-1α production. CONCLUSION: HST may be useful as a therapeutic agent for stomatitis and other inflammatory diseases of the oral cavity.

Exploratory Study of the Relationship between an Oral Fungal Swab Test and Patient Blood Test Data.

Our understanding of the relationship between oral Candida and systemic conditions has significantly increased recently, which this study aims to extend further by investigating the risks of oral candidiasis. A total of 314 patients were involved in this study and underwent an oral swab test at the Department of Oral Medicine, Hokkaido University Hospital, between January and December 2021. Data were collected on age, sex, white and red blood cell counts, Hb, total protein, vitamin B12, as well as serum albumin, iron, copper, and zinc levels. The clinical fungus samples were swabbed to identify those with Candida species using a MALDI Biotyper, then applied analysis of covariance and multivariant logistic regression analysis. It was possible to assess the oral swab test results without considering the difference between sex (p = 0.946). The oral swab test results were associated with aging (odds ratio: 1.03) and serum albumin levels (odds ratio: 0.32). In summary, the results of our study suggest a relationship between aging and oral candidiasis and offer in-depth insights into how to prevent or treat oral candidiasis onset.

Potential relationship between the dosage of prednisolone and delayed healing at tooth extraction: A retrospective study.

Background/purpose: Delayed healing of the extraction socket is not uncommon when tooth extraction is performed on patients taking prednisolone. This study aimed to identify specific dosage of prednisolone and factors associated with delayed healing of the extraction socket in patients taking prednisolone. Materials and methods: This single-center retrospective study included 80 patients who underwent tooth extraction under local anesthesia and were taking prednisolone orally. Patients were divided into the nondelayed healing group (n = 50) and delayed healing group (n = 30), and their background and dosage of prednisolone were compared. Results: The dosage of prednisolone was significantly higher in the delayed healing group than in the nondelayed healing group. A receiver operating characteristics curve analysis resulted in moderate accuracy when the cutoff value was set at 8.0, with 67% sensitivity, 76% specificity, and 0.765 area under the curve. The multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that prednisolone dosage >8.0 mg/day (odds ratio [OR], 10.8; 95% confidence interval [CI], 2.79-41.6) and osteosclerotic changes beyond the alveolar bone around the tooth to be extracted (OR, 10.3; 95% CI, 2.81-37.8) in X-ray imaging had significant effects on delayed healing. Conclusion: The results of this study suggested that delayed healing following tooth extractions in patients taking prednisolone was related to a dosage of 8.0 mg/day or higher and osteosclerotic changes.

Ethyl loflazepate as a treatment for patients with idiopathic and psychogenic taste disorder.

BACKGROUND: Ethyl loflazepate (EL) is a benzodiazepine derivative that has been reported to activate the gustatory cortex. Our department routinely uses EL as a first-line treatment for idiopathic and psychogenic taste disorders, although little has been reported in the literature with respect to patient outcomes, so we conducted a retrospective study examining its safety and efficacy. METHODS: Between 2008 and 2020, 49 patients (14 males and 35 females; mean age, 62.1 years) were diagnosed with taste disorders and received EL as their only treatment for > 14 days. Severity of taste disorder was evaluated using the paper disc method by Sakai et al., and treatment efficacy was evaluated using the Visual Analog Scale, wherein patients gave subjective ratings for their symptoms (reductions by > 50% after administration of EL for 4 weeks were defined as improvements). RESULTS: Results showed that the improvement rates for patients with idiopathic and psychogenic taste disorders were 55 and 70%, respectively. Additionally, the majority (78%) improved within 2 weeks, and side effects were mild (seven cases with drowsiness and one case with dizziness). CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that EL is an appropriate first-line medication for patients with idiopathic and psychogenic taste disorders.

Factor associated with oral candidiasis caused by co-infection of Candida albicans and Candida glabrata: A retrospective study.

This study aimed to determine the factors associated with the co-infection of Candida albicans and Candida glabrata. This retrospective study conducted between January 2015 and 2020 comprised 131 patients who were diagnosed with oral candidiasis. The factors associated with this condition were analyzed by univariate and multivariate logistic regression. Age and denture use were identified as significant risk factors in the univariate analysis. The multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that denture use (odds ratio [OR], 8.44 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.99-28.3) and immunosuppressive therapy (OR, 9.20; 95% CI, 1.19-62.0) had significant effects on co-infection with the two Candida species. These findings suggest that immunosuppressive therapy using and dentures is significantly associated with oral candidiasis caused by co-infection of C. albicans and C. glabrata.

Metastatic basal cell carcinoma of buccal mucosa: a report of a rare case.

BACKGROUND: Basal cell carcinoma (BCC) is the most common cancer worldwide. Most of BCCs can be detected in the early stages and are generally well controlled with local resection. Despite the high incidence of BCC, metastasis is rarely observed. Metastatic BCCs generally have an aggressive phenotype and are refractory to conventional treatment. CASE PRESENTATION: We describe a rare case of BCC in which a series of local relapses culminated in metastasis into the oral cavity 10 years after the first diagnosis of cutaneous BCC. We performed surgical resection and postoperative radiotherapy in this patient; 11 months after the final course of radiotherapy, the BCC remains stable, and the patient continues to be monitored regularly. CONCLUSIONS: Because metastatic BCC is refractory to current treatment and difficult to control, his treatment history and the pathohistological features of BCC had to be considered in posttreatment planning.

Efficacy of rikkosan for primary burning mouth syndrome: a retrospective study.

BACKGROUND: Burning mouth syndrome (BMS) is a chronic condition characterized by pain in the oral cavity. Kampo medicine is a traditional Japanese medical system that has its roots partly in ancient Chinese medicine. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the efficacy of rikkosan-a traditional Japanese herbal medicine (Kampo)-in the treatment of primary BMS. MAIN BODY: A single-center retrospective study was conducted in 32 patients who were diagnosed with primary BMS and treated with rikkosan alone through gargling (2.5 g rikkosan dissolved in 50 mL hot water) three times daily. Patients were asked to evaluate their pain using a numerical rating scale (NRS) at first visit and after 1 month. One patient had stomatitis as a side effect after gargling with rikkosan, however, no side effects were observed in other patients. Overall NRS scores decreased significantly between the first visit (7.6 ± 2.7) and the 1-month visit (5.6 ± 2.8). CONCLUSIONS: Rikkosan may be an effective treatment for primary BMS.

Clinical study of treatment methods and associated factors in mandibular osteoradionecrosis.

This study aimed to determine the appropriate treatment methods and evaluate associated factors by comparing nonoperative treatment alone with a combination of both nonoperative and surgical treatment in 34 patients with mandibular osteoradionecrosis (mORN). The associated cure factors were analyzed by Cox regression. Propensity scores were calculated from factors that were not significant in the univariate analysis and used as covariates in the multivariate analysis. The cure rate among patients who received nonoperative and surgical treatment was higher than that observed with nonoperative treatment alone. Only the treatment method was associated with cure in both univariate and multivariate analyses.

ADAR2 Regulates Malignant Behaviour of Mesothelioma Cells Independent of RNA-editing Activity.

BACKGROUND/AIM: Malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM) is an intractable cancer, and causes of its malignant transformation are not well known. Adenosine deaminase acting on RNA (ADAR) is an RNA-editing enzyme that converts adenosine into inosine in double-stranded RNAs potentially involved in malignant development. MATERIALS AND METHODS: To examine the role of ADAR1 and ADAR2 in MPM, small interfering RNAs (siRNAs) against ADAR1 or ADAR2 were used. RESULTS: Transfection of siRNA against ADAR2 suppressed proliferation, motility, and invasiveness of MPM cells expressing both ADAR1 and ADAR2; however, siRNA against ADAR1 did not affect these cellular activities. Overexpression of ADAR2, that was incapable of binding to RNA, suppressed growth, motility, and invasion of MPM cells. However, overexpression of ADAR2 that had no enzyme activity did not alter the malignant properties of MPM cells. CONCLUSION: Enhancement of the malignant characteristics of cultured MPM cells via ADAR2 was independent of RNA-editing activity.

Dominant-negative p53 mutant R248Q increases the motile and invasive activities of oral squamous cell carcinoma cells.

The tumor suppressor gene TP53 (gene) codes for a transcription factor which transactivates its target genes responsible for cell cycle arrest, DNA repair, apoptosis, and senescence. TP53 is well known to be the most frequent target of genetic mutations in nearly half of human cancers including oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). Many p53 mutants including R248Q and R248W not only lose its tumor-suppressor activities, but also interfere with the functions of wild-type p53; this is so-called dominant-negative (DN) mutation. The DN p53 mutation is a predictor of poor outcome in patients with various cancers, and also a risk factor for metastatic recurrence in patients with OSCC. Recently it has been reported that DN p53 mutants acquire new oncogenic activities, which is named gain-of-function (GOF). This study aimed at determining whether R248Q and R248W were involved in OSCC cells' acquiring aggressive phenotypes, using SAS, HSC4 and Ca9-22 cell lines. First, two mutants p53, R248Q and R248W, were respectively transfected into SAS cells harboring recessive-type p53 (E336X). As a result, SAS cells expressing R248Q showed highly spreading, motile and invasive activities compared to parent or mock-transfected cells whereas those expressing R248W did not increase those activities. Secondly, in HSC4 cells harboring R248Q and Ca9-22 cells harboring R248W, expressions of the mutants p53 were inhibited by the transfection with siRNAs targeting p53. The inhibition of the mutants p53 decreased spreading, motile and invasive activities of HSC4 cells whereas it did not affect those activities of Ca9-22 cells. These findings suggest that R248Q p53 mutation, but not R248W p53 mutation, induces more motile and invasive potentials in human OSCC cells.