Purpose of Review: Dental erosion (DE) is an irreversible, non-bacterial loss of tooth structure caused by acids from external or internal sources. This systematic review aims to determine the association between sports drink consumption and DE, considering their increasing popularity and potential adverse effects on dental health. Recent Findings: A systematic review of five cross-sectional studies revealed varied findings. While three studies found no significant association between sports drinks and DE, one study demonstrated a dose–response relationship, and another showed that swimmers consuming energy sports drinks had over twice the risk of DE compared to non-swimmers. Additionally, factors such as having gastroesophageal reflux disease were associated with DE. Summary: This review highlights the challenges in establishing a definitive relationship between sports drink consumption and DE due to the diversity in study populations and methodologies. Swimmers were identified as a high-risk group for DE. Future research should employ standardised indices and longitudinal study designs to better understand the long-term impacts of sports drinks on dental health.

Introduction: Matrix metalloproteinase‐8 (MMP‐8) is considered as one of the most promising diagnostic markers for periodontal disease. Androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) has been correlated with impaired collagen synthesis and an increase in periodontal tissue susceptibility to pathogenic microorganisms.Objective: This study aims to investigate the impact of ADT on salivary MMP‐8 level and periodontal parameters, which might be useful in monitoring periodontal disease in prostate cancer patients undergoing ADT.Materials and Methods: A total of 88 subjects were selected and were divided into two groups: Group I included n = 78 PC patients who have been undergoing ADT); Group II included n = 10 healthy individuals. Periodontal parameters such as plaque index (PI), gingival index (GI), periodontal probing depth (PPD), and clinical attachment level (CAL) were examined. The salivary MMP‐8 level was estimated by using the sandwich enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay method.Results: Significant differences in mean salivary MMP‐8 level were found between PC patients undergoing ADT and healthy individuals. Salivary MMP‐8 levels of all individuals were positively correlated with GI, PI, PPD, and CAL. Salivary MMP‐8 can distinguish between periodontitis and healthy individuals with an accuracy of about 80%.Conclusion: Salivary MMP‐8 levels were found to be higher in prostate cancer patients undergoing ADT compared to healthy individuals.

Periodontitis is a widespread chronic inflammatory disease driven by host–microbial interactions and immune dysregulation, often resulting in alveolar bone loss and systemic complications. Exosomes, small extracellular vesicles enriched with microRNAs (miRNAs), have emerged as central modulators of these processes, mediated intercellular communication, and influenced inflammation, immunity, tissue homeostasis, and host–pathogen interactions in the periodontal microenvironment. Existing literature has identified their diagnostic relevance; however, a comprehensive framework connecting molecular mechanisms to clinical applications remains lacking. This narrative review proposes an integrative conceptual framework that illustrates the progression from exosomal miRNA biogenesis to their regulatory roles in periodontal disease, linking microbial triggers, immune modulation, and their emerging clinical relevance. We trace the molecular footprints of these exosomal miRNAs, particularly miR-146a, miR-155, and miR-223, and assess their dynamic roles as both biomarkers and regulatory agents in inflammation and tissue remodeling. Recent analytical advances, including systems biology, multiomics integration, and network modeling, are examined for their potential to decode complex miRNA-mediated pathways. Integration of transcriptomic, proteomic, and exosomal data is highlighted as a promising approach to enhance mechanistic insights and predictive accuracy. We also evaluate emerging diagnostic and therapeutic applications of exosomal miRNAs, particularly their potential in noninvasive biomarker development and targeted regenerative strategies. Key translational challenges are addressed, including the lack of standardized isolation protocols, interindividual biological variability, and the need for in vivo validation. Future directions should prioritize the development of engineered exosomes for targeted miRNA and anti-inflammatory delivery, alongside exosomal miRNA-based biosensors for real-time, minimally invasive disease monitoring. By bridging molecular footprints with emerging analytical approaches, this review offers a forward-looking perspective on the translational potential of exosomal miRNAs in periodontology, demonstrating their potential in advancing precision diagnostics and targeted therapeutics.

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are key gene regulators, and their dysregulation is linked to periodontitis. This systematic review and meta-analysis assessed miRNAs consistently associated with periodontitis, focussing on their diagnostic accuracy and potential as biomarkers for early detection. Following PRISMA guidelines (PROSPERO ID: CRD42024520884), electronic searches were conducted in PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and Wiley Online Library up to 31 May 2025. The meta-analysis included studies reporting common miRNAs in at least three independent investigations. Diagnostic accuracy was determined by pooled sensitivity, specificity, and area under the hierarchical summary receiver operating characteristic curve (HSROC). Heterogeneity (Cochran’s Q, I ² , τ ² ), publication bias, influence diagnostics, and leave-one-out analyses were performed. Stratified analyses by specimen type and assay platform were conducted, and predictive values (PPV, NPV) were estimated across plausible prevalence scenarios using a bivariate random-effects Reitsma model in R (version 2025.05.1). Visual outputs, including forest plots, were generated using RevMan (version 5.4). Certainty of evidence was assessed using the GRADE-DTA framework. Of 552 records identified, 32 studies were included in the review, and 14 studies were eligible for quantitative analysis, with miR-146, miR-155, and miR-223 being the most consistently reported. miR-146 and miR-155 showed high diagnostic accuracy, with area under the curve (AUC) values of 0.928 and 0.903, respectively, while miR-223 demonstrated moderate performance (AUC: 0.787). Heterogeneity was substantial for miR-146 and miR-223 and moderate for miR-155. These findings highlight the potential of these miRNAs as non-invasive biomarkers for distinguishing periodontitis from healthy individuals; however, standardised protocols and further validation are necessary for clinical translation.

Introduction: DNA aptamers are single-stranded nucleic acids capable of selectively binding target proteins and have emerged as potential alternatives to antibodies in molecular diagnostics. This study aimed to develop and characterize in silico designed DNA aptamers targeting Interferon alpha-inducible protein 6 (IFI6) and Radical S-adenosyl-L-methionine domain-containing protein 2 (RSAD2) for oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). Methods: Genomic transfer RNA sequences from Homo sapiens, Mus musculus, and Escherichia coli were computationally truncated and optimized to generate DNA aptamer candidates ranging from 35–50 mers. Secondary and tertiary structures were generated using Mfold and RNAComposer, followed by molecular docking with AutoDock Vina and molecular dynamics simulations in GROMACS to evaluate docking interactions and structural behavior comparatively. Selected DNA aptamer candidates were synthesized and evaluated by aptahistochemistry (AHC) to qualitatively explore preliminary tissue reactivity in formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded OSCC tissues under optimized conditions. Results: Molecular docking demonstrated favorable comparative docking scores ranging from −15.6 to −18.7 kcal/mol. RMSD analysis demonstrated that selected IFI6 and RSAD2 DNA aptamer–protein complexes reached a plateau with relatively small fluctuations following maximum RMSD values. In contrast, RMSF analysis identified increased flexibility predominantly within loop regions. Cross-reactivity analysis explored preliminary target selectivity, with no interactions observed within the selected target-binding regions. During AHC optimization, the 50-IFI6 and 45-RSAD2 DNA aptamer candidates exhibited cytoplasmic brown granular staining in >50% of OSCC tumor cells under the optimized experimental conditions. Conclusions: The findings support the applicability of an integrated in silico workflow for generating structurally optimized DNA aptamer candidates and provide preliminary proof-of-concept for their exploratory histopathological application in OSCC.