Background/Objectives: Oral breathing is a common condition, particularly in children, and it is associated with significant changes in craniofacial development, dentomaxillary anomalies, and overall health. Despite extensive research, the role of oral breathing in the development of malocclusion remains controversial, with debates on whether it is a causative factor or a secondary adaptation to existing craniofacial issues. Methods: This narrative review synthesizes studies published in the last 15 years, focusing on the impact of oral breathing on dentofacial development and mandibular posture. A comprehensive search was conducted on four electronic databases (Embase, Medline, ProQUEST, Scopus) using keywords related to oral breathing, malocclusion, mandibular posture, and craniofacial development. Studies were included if they focused on the effects of oral breathing on craniofacial morphology, malocclusion, and postural changes in children and adolescents aged 6–18 years. Results: Results indicate a strong link between oral breathing and dentofacial changes such as adenoid facies, Class II malocclusion, posterior crossbite, and anterior open bite. It causes cranial posture changes, particularly increased craniocervical extension, as a compensatory mechanism to maintain airway patency. Conclusions: Oral breathing is a risk factor for malocclusion prognosis, especially in growing children. Dentofacial changes in oral breathers include adenoid facies, convex facial profile, and increased lower facial height. Oral breathing also leads to significant changes in cranial posture, often accompanied by mandibular, lingual, and palatal alterations.

To find new natural remedies in diabetes, this study investigated the biological activity of two extracts obtained from the fruits (PhyF) and herba (PhyH) of Physalis alkekengi var. franchetii L. on human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) exposed to normo- and hyperglycemic conditions. The biological effect was quantified by malondialdehyde, IL-31 and IL-33 levels in correlation with physico-chemical characterization and antioxidant activity. Additionally, from PhyP extract, the caspase-3, IL-6, IL-10, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α and nuclear transcription factor NFkB expressions were evaluated. HPLC analysis revealed a significant number of phenolic compounds, especially in PhyF extract, with a good antioxidant activity as highlighted by TEAC, CUPRAC or DPPH methods. On HUVECS cells, the extracts were not toxic even at high concentrations. Particularly PhyF extract, diminished lipid peroxidation and inhibited the IL-31 and IL-33 secretions induced by hyperglycemia. The inhibitory effect on proinflammatory cytokines was noticed after both doses of PhyF extract in parallel with the upregulation of anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10. Moreover, PhyF, especially in a low dose, reduced caspase-3 active form. These experimental findings suggest that Physalis fruits extract exerted beneficial effects in hyperglycemia by inhibition of oxidative stress, inflammation and apoptosis being a good adjuvant option in diabetes.

Background and Objectives: Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a frequent and complex multidisciplinary disorder. Data regarding the role of genes involved in vitamin D metabolism in PCOS are as-yet elusive but suggest an association of VDR (vitamin D receptor) and vitamin D levels with metabolic, endocrine and cutaneous manifestations. The aim of this study was to evaluate the association between VDR gene polymorphisms and cutaneous manifestations, to find a correlation between hormonal parameters, oxidative stress and skin manifestations in women with PCOS, and to determine the impact of VDR gene polymorphisms on these parameters. Materials and Methods: This case–control study included 39 controls and 46 women with PCOS, matched by age and BMI distribution. Acne, hirsutism, seborrhea, androgenetic alopecia, oxidative stress and androgen hormones were recorded. VDR gene polymorphisms ApaI, FokI and TaqI were examined by polymerase chain reaction restriction fragment length polymorphism, and the androgen hormone (total testosterone, DHEAS), SHBG and malondialdehyde levels were assessed. Results: The most frequent skin manifestations in PCOS cases were acne followed by seborrhea, hirsutism and androgenic alopecia. The VDR-FokI polymorphism CC genotype had a significant protective role in the odds of acne (OR = 0.11, 95% CI: [0.02, 0.70], p = 0.015, p-corrected = 0.040) and seborrhea (OR = 0.15, 95% CI: [0.03, 0.75], p = 0.019, p-corrected = 0.039). The results demonstrated a significant protective effect of the C allele on the odds of acne and seborrhea in PCOS cases. Moreover, the dominant genotype of VDR-TaqI could have a protective role against oxidative stress (lower MDA levels) compared to patients carrying the TT genotype. Conclusions: In summary, this is the first study to demonstrate that the FokI CC genotype may have a protective role against both acne and seborrhea in women with PCOS, while the VDR-TaqI dominant genotype is associated with diminished oxidative stress in PCOS patients.

The nonsuppurative osteomyelitis of the mandible is a rare condition that can occur in children due to low-grade inflammatory processes, dental cavities, periodontal lesions as well as the eruption process of the teeth. We submit a case report involving the orthodontic management of a 9-year-old female patient who presented in our service in the mixed dentition period with diagnosed Garre’s sclerosing osteomyelitis of the entire mandibular body. After a full work-up, the following symptoms and signs were noted: bilateral temporomandibular joint (TMJ) pain, loss of the leeway space, anterior open bite, distalization of the secondary maxillary right canine, nail biting and tongue thrust. Our orthodontic objectives were to relieve the TMJ pain, limit the eruption process of the teeth and to diminish the evolution of the osteomyelitis, reduce the growth of the inferior lower third of the face and to prevent further invasive treatment of the patient. In the first phase of treatment, we established a centric relationship using an orthopedic appliance (occlusal splint) and physiotherapy to deprogram the muscles and the TMJ. Throughout the second phase of treatment, we used orthopedic appliances to inhibit the overeruption of the secondary molars. After another year of treatment, the osteomyelitis lesions were under control with the permanent teeth in final position, good facial esthetic and as a functional result, no root resorption. We can conclude that by using low physiological forces to direct and control the growth pattern, good results could be obtained in stabilizing and controlling the sclerosing osteomyelitis of the mandible.

Periodontal ligament mesenchymal stem cells (PL-MSCs) are vital for both periodontal regeneration and alveolar bone maintenance, including their turnover during orthodontic therapy. Chronic periodontal inflammation, mainly caused by Gram-negative bacterial lipopolysaccharides (LPS), interferes with osteogenic differentiation and leads to bone loss. Increasing evidence indicates that long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) link inflammatory signaling to osteogenic regulation, but their specific role in LPS-driven modulation of PL-MSC osteogenesis is not well understood. The aim of this study was to assess the effects of LPS from two bacterial strains on PL-MSCs differentiation. Human PL-MSCs were cultured under standard stem cell or osteogenic conditions and treated with LPS from Escherichia coli or Porphyromonas gingivalis. Mineralization was assessed using Alizarin Red staining. Osteogenic differentiation was evaluated through immunocytochemical analysis of osteopontin, collagen type 1, osteocalcin, osteonectin, and dentin matrix protein-1 (DMP-1). Expression levels of lncRNAs growth arrest-specific transcript 5 (GAS5), Metastasis-Associated Lung Adenocarcinoma Transcript 1 (MALAT1), maternally expressed gene 3 (MEG3) and Nuclear Enriched Abundant Transcript 1 (NEAT1) were measured by real-time PCR at 6, 24 and 48 h of LPS exposure. Exposure to E. coli LPS significantly inhibited extracellular matrix mineralization and decreased the expression of key osteogenic markers, indicating impaired osteoblast maturation. In contrast, P. gingivalis LPS caused a partial, dysregulated osteogenic response, marked by increased expression of osteopontin, osteonectin, and dentin matrix protein-1 (DMP-1), but without complete differentiation. LPS types altered lncRNA expression profiles, suggesting that non-coding regulatory networks are involved in inflammation-induced osteogenic dysregulation. Multivariate analyses showed decreased expression of GAS5, MEG3, and MALAT1 in the LPS vs. CTR comparison, decreased COL1A1 in LPS-PG vs. CTR, and increased OSTEOPONTIN in LPS vs. CTR. Differentiation was significantly associated with reduced expression of XIST and NEAT1. Time exerted significant effects on GAS5, MEG3, XIST, and MALAT1, with lower expression at 48 h compared with 6 h, and on COL1A1, which was significantly reduced at both 24 h and 48 h relative to 6 h. Bacterial LPS disrupt osteogenic differentiation of PL-MSCs depending on the species, affecting matrix formation, mineralization, and lncRNA expression. These findings highlight lncRNA-mediated communication between inflammatory signals and osteogenic pathways, providing new insights into the molecular mechanisms of inflammation-related bone remodeling in periodontal disease and orthodontic movements. Targeting lncRNA-regulated pathways could be a promising strategy to enhance periodontal regeneration during inflammation and also ensure optimum outcomes in orthodontic therapy.