Increasing resistance of microbes to available antimicrobial agents has necessitated the production of new compounds with wider activity and lower toxicity. Candida is one of the pathogenic fungal strains that are highly prevalent in oral diseases. The goal of this study was to optimize the biosynthesis of selenium nanoparticles (NPs) with the suitable antifungal activity on Candida albicans oral pathogen. For this purpose, selenium NPs were synthesized by the green method using the Halomonas elongata bacterium. To optimally synthesize NPs with the maximal antifungal properties, 9 experiments were planned applying the Taguchi method. In the planned experiments, the efficacy of 3 factors, sodium selenite concentration, glucose concentration, and incubation time at 3 various levels was studied, and the most desirable conditions with the suitable performance were determined. Then, optimizing the synthesis of the studied nanoparticles, their properties were evaluated using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy (UV-Vis), X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX), electron transmission microscopy (TEM), and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) to confirm the synthesis of nanoparticles with suitable conditions. The results demonstrated that the synthesized NPs in the experiment 9 condition showed the best performance and prevented more than 70 of fungal growth. Since selenium NPs were effective as an antifungal agent, they can be used in the structure of mouthwashes as an antimicrobial agent in the prevention and treatment of many oral diseases.

Background: Considering the increasing popularity of electronic learning, particularly smartphone-based mobile learning, and its reportedly optimal efficacy for instruction of complicated topics, this study aimed to compare the efficacy of smartphone-based mobile learning versus lecture-based learning for instruction of cephalometric landmark identification. Methods: This quasi-experimental interventional study evaluated 53 dental students (4th year) in two groups of intervention (n = 27; smartphone instruction using an application) and control (n = 26, traditional lecture-based instruction). Two weeks after the instructions, dental students were asked to identify four landmarks namely the posterior nasal spine (PNS), orbitale (Or), articulare (Ar) and gonion (Go) on lateral cephalograms. The mean coordinates of each landmark identified by orthodontists served as the reference point, and the mean distance from each identified point to the reference point was reported as the mean consistency while the standard deviation of this mean was reported as the precision of measurement. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 18 via independent sample t-test. Results: No significant difference was noted between the two groups in identification of PNS, Ar or Go (P > 0.05). However, the mean error rate in identification of Or was significantly lower in smartphone group compared with the traditional learning group (P = 0.020). Conclusions: Smartphone-based mobile learning had a comparable, and even slightly superior, efficacy to lecture-based learning for instruction of cephalometric landmark identification, and may be considered, at least as an adjunct, to enhance the instruction of complicated topics. Trial registration number: This is not a human subject research. https://ethics.research.ac.ir/ProposalCertificateEn.php?id=33714&Print=true&NoPrintHeader=true&NoPrintFooter=true&NoPrintPageBorder=true&LetterPrint=true.

Vitamin D participates in the calcification of enamel and dentin and the appropriate immune responses to oral microbial infections. We aimed to assess the association between the most common vitamin D receptor (VDR) polymorphisms (ApaI,FokI, TaqI, BsmI, and BglI) and the risk of dental caries in children. Methods: PubMed/MEDLINE, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, and Scopus databases were comprehensively searched until 19 January 2021. Meta-analysis with odds ratios as the effect estimate along with 95% confidence intervals and subgroup analysis were conducted using Review Manager 5.3 software. Publication bias and sensitivity analyses were conducted by Comprehensive Meta-Analysis, version 2.0 software. Results: Seventy-eight studies were retrieved from the databases, with nine studies included in the final analysis. Based on five genetic models, there was no association between ApaI (rs7975232), TaqI (rs731236), BsmI (rs1544410), FokI (rs2228570), and BglI (rs739837) polymorphisms and susceptibility to dental caries, except for the FokI (rs10735810) polymorphism. Conclusion: Among the VDR polymorphisms considered, an association was found between the FokI (rs10735810) polymorphism and the risk of dental caries, with a protective role of the f allele and ff genotype.

Background: This study aimed to assess the interradicular distance and alveolar bone thickness of Persian adults with different sagittal skeletal patterns for miniscrew insertion using cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT).Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted on maxillary and mandibular CBCT scans of 60 patients (18–35 years) in three groups (n = 20) of class I, II and III sagittal skeletal pattern. Anatomical and skeletal parameters were measured at 2, 4 and 6 mm apical to the cementoenamel junction (CEJ) by one examiner. The intra- and inter-class correlation coefficients were calculated to assess the intra, and interobserver reliability. Data were analyzed by ANOVA and Tukey’s test (alpha = 0.05).Results: The intra- and interobserver reliability were > 0.9 for all parameters. The largest inter-radicular distance in the maxilla was between the central incisors (1–1) in classes I and III, and between premolars (4–5) in class II patients. The largest inter-radicular distance in the mandible was between molar teeth (6–7) in all three classes. The buccal cortical plate thickness was maximum at the site of mandibular first and second molars (6–7). The posterior maxilla and mandible showed the maximum thickness of cancellous bone and alveolar process. Wide variations were noted in this respect between class I, II and III patients.Conclusions: The area with maximum inter-radicular distance and optimal alveolar bone thickness for miniscrew insertion varies in different individuals, depending on their sagittal skeletal pattern.

Background: Cytokines may have a significant impact on sleep regulation. In this meta-analysis, we present the serum/plasma levels of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), interleukin (IL)-8, IL-1β, and interferon-gamma (IFN-γ) in both children and adults with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) in comparison to controls. Methods: Four electronic databases were systematically searched (PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, and Cochrane Library) through 19 October 2023, without any restrictions on language, date, age, and sex. We used Review Manager version 5.3 to perform meta-analysis and presented the data as standardized mean difference (SMD) and 95% confidence interval (CI) values to evaluate the relationships between the levels of cytokines and OSA. Results: A total of 102 articles (150 independent studies) were included in the meta-analysis. The pooled SMDs in adults were 1.42 (95%CI: 1.11, 1.73; p < 0.00001), 0.85 (95%CI: 0.40, 1.31; p = 0.0002), 0.69 (95%CI: 0.22, 1.16; p = 0.004), and 0.39 (95%CI: −0.37, 1.16; p = 0.31) for TNF-α, IL-8, IL-1β, and IFN-γ, respectively. The pooled SMDs in children were 0.84 (95%CI: 0.35, 1.33; p = 0.0008), 0.60 (95%CI: 0.46, 0.74; p < 0.00001), 0.25 (95%CI: −0.44, 0.93; p = 0.49), and 3.70 (95%CI: 0.75, 6.65; p = 0.01) for TNF-α, IL-8, IL-1β, and IFN-γ, respectively. Conclusions: The levels of proinflammatory cytokines of TNF-α, IL-8, and IL-1β in adults, and TNF-α, IL-8, and IFN-γ in children with OSA, are significantly higher than those in controls.