Temporomandibular Disorder Prevalence and Its Association with Lifestyle Habits in Biomedicine Students-A Cross-Sectional Study.

This study aimed to examine the frequency of temporomandibular disorder among biomedical students and relate its occurrence to lifestyle habits. A cross-sectional collection of data was carried out and included a total of 676 examinees through a questionnaire that had 73 questions: general information and lifestyle habits, the Fonseca Anamnestic index (FAI), the Jaw Function Limitation Scale (JFLS), and the Perceived Stress Questionnaire (PSQ). The statistical analyses between three or more groups were conducted using the one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) with post hoc Scheffé test or Kruskal-Wallis test with post hoc Dunn's test for quantitative variables. The comparison of qualitative variables was conducted using the Chi-square test, while the correlations were determined using Spearman's correlation test. The analysis showed that a higher frequency of moderate or severe TMD was observed in subjects who were smokers (p < 0.001) compared to non-smokers. Subjects who consumed more coffee had moderate to severe TMD compared to subjects who consumed a lesser amount (p < 0.001). Furthermore, a positive correlation between the amount of stress and the severity of TMD was found. Our study implies that students of biomedical studies have an increased risk for TMD and that there is a link with their lifestyle habits.

Serum Urotensin II Levels Are Elevated in Patients with Obstructive Sleep Apnea.

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) has become major public concern and is continuously investigated in new aspects of pathophysiology and management. Urotensin II (UII) is a powerful vasoconstrictor with a role in cardiovascular diseases. The main goal of this study was to evaluate serum UII levels in OSA patients and matched controls. A total of 89 OSA patients and 89 controls were consecutively enrolled. A medical history review and physical examination of the participants was conducted, with polysomnography performed in the investigated group. UII levels and other biochemical parameters were assessed according to the standard laboratory protocols. The median AHI in the OSA group was 39.0 (31.4-55.2) events/h, and they had higher levels of hsCRP when compared to control group (2.87 ± 0.71 vs. 1.52 ± 0.68 mg/L; p < 0.001). Additionally, serum UII levels were significantly higher in the OSA group (3.41 ± 1.72 vs. 2.18 ± 1.36 ng/mL; p < 0.001), while positive correlation was found between UII levels and hsCRP (r = 0.450; p < 0.001) and systolic blood pressure (SPB) (r = 0.317; p < 0.001). Finally, multiple regression analysis showed significant association of UII levels with AHI (0.017 ± 0.006, p = 0.013), SBP (0.052 ± 0.008, p < 0.001) and hsCRP (0.538 ± 0.164, p = 0.001). As UII levels were associated with blood pressure and markers of inflammation and OSA severity, it might play an important role in the complex pathophysiology of OSA and its cardiometabolic complications.

Nutritional Management of Patients with Head and Neck Cancer-A Comprehensive Review.

While surgical therapy for head and neck cancer (HNC) is showing improvement with the advancement of reconstruction techniques, the focus in these patients should also be shifting to supportive pre and aftercare. Due to the highly sensitive and anatomically complex region, these patients tend to exhibit malnutrition, which has a substantial impact on their recovery and quality of life. The complications and symptoms of both the disease and the therapy usually make these patients unable to orally intake food, hence, a strategy should be prepared for their nutritional management. Even though there are several possible nutritional modalities that can be administrated, these patients commonly have a functional gastrointestinal tract, and enteral nutrition is indicated over the parenteral option. However, after extensive research of the available literature, it seems that there is a limited number of studies that focus on this important issue. Furthermore, there are no recommendations or guidelines regarding the nutritional management of HNC patients, pre- or post-operatively. Henceforth, this narrative review summarizes the nutritional challenges and management modalities in this particular group of patients. Nonetheless, this issue should be addressed in future studies and an algorithm should be established for better nutritional care of these patients.

Oromaxillofacial Surgery: Both a Treatment and a Possible Cause of Obstructive Sleep Apnea-A Narrative Review.

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a chronic, sleep-related breathing disorder. It is characterized by a nocturnal periodic decrease or complete stop in airflow due to partial or total collapse of the oropharyngeal tract. Surgical treatment of OSA is constantly evolving and improving, especially with the implementation of new technologies, and this is needed because of the very heterogeneous reasons for OSA due to the multiple sites of potential airway obstruction. Moreover, all of these surgical methods have advantages and disadvantages; hence, patients should be approached individually, and surgical therapies should be chosen carefully. Furthermore, while it is well-established that oromaxillofacial surgery (OMFS) provides various surgical modalities for treating OSA both in adults and children, a new aspect is emerging regarding the possibility that some of the surgeries from the OMFS domain are also causing OSA. The latest studies are suggesting that surgical treatment in the head and neck region for causes other than OSA could possibly have a major impact on the emergence of newly developed OSA, and this issue is still very scarcely mentioned in the literature. Both oncology, traumatology, and orthognathic surgeries could be potential risk factors for developing OSA. This is an important subject, and this review will focus on both the possibilities of OMFS treatments for OSA and on the OMFS treatments for other causes that could possibly be triggering OSA.

Clinical Prospective Assessment of Genotoxic Effects of Dental Implants in Gingival Epithelial Cells.

Objectives: Although titanium-based implants are considered bioinert, it has been found that they are subject to corrosion and wear. This study aimed to evaluate the cytotoxic and genotoxic potential of two implant systems in gingival epithelial cells. Material and methods: Gingival swabs were taken three times from 91 subjects. The first swab was taken before dental implant placement, the second swab 90 days after dental implant placement and the third swab 21 days following the healing abutment placement. DNA damage was analyzed using the micronucleus test. Tested dental implants with corresponding healing abutments were Ankylos and Dentium SuperLine. Results: Of all scored forms of cytogenetic damage in gingival cells of individuals after implementation of tested dental implant systems, only an increase in the number of binucleated cells (P ≤ 0.001) was significant in contrast to control values for both tested implant systems, 90 days after dental implant placement and 21 days following the healing abutment placement. Conclusion: It may be concluded that there are no titanium-based implant dependent cytogenetic damage in gingival epithelial cells. A slight increase in cytogenetic damage has been observed but it is of no biological relevance and might be associated with healing abutment induced effect.

Clinical Prospective Assessment of Genotoxic and Cytotoxic Effects of Fluoride Toothpaste and Mouthwash in Buccal Mucosal Cells.

BACKGROUND: Fluorides are an essential component of oral hygiene products used to prevent dental decay. Therefore, a question arises about the potential harms of joint use of fluoridated toothpaste and mouthwashes regarding the increased amount of fluoride in the oral mucosa. METHODS: This prospective, double-blinded parallel randomized clinical trial was conducted using a buccal micronucleus cytome assay (BMCyt assay). Forty-one participants were randomly assigned to the two groups. All participants used the same kinds of toothpaste for 12 weeks, designed explicitly for this study (non-fluoride, 1050 ppm F, and 1450 ppm F each for 4 weeks). Simultaneously, during the 3 months of the research, one group used mouthwash with fluoride (450 ppm) and another without fluoride. The buccal mucosal sampling was taken before using the tested products and after 4, 8, and 12 weeks of their use. RESULTS: The frequency of micronuclei and the majority of other scored endpoints from the BMCyt assay showed no statistically significant differences within and between the studied groups. Comparing two groups, only statistically significant increases in the number of cells with nuclear buds (p = 0.048) and karyorrhexis (p = 0.020) at four weeks of usage were observed in the group that used mouthwash with fluoride. CONCLUSION: On the basis of the results, it can be concluded that simultaneous application of fluoridated toothpaste and fluoride mouthwash does not lead to cytogenetic damage in buccal mucosal cells.