Mucositis involving the gastrointestinal, vaginal, and nasal mucosa is one of the primary dose-limiting toxicities of hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) and its conditioning regimen. The oropharyngeal mucosa is commonly affected, which can be detrimental to patient health and quality of life. Despite its significant prevalence and deleterious effects, we have an inadequate understanding of the risk factors and outcomes associated with oral mucositis (OM). We performed a literature search through PubMed and EBSCO (inception to 31 March 2024) following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. Data was extracted from eligible studies using a pre-specified data extraction form. Quality of the data was assessed using the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale for non-randomized, observational studies and the Cochrane Collaboration Tool for randomized controlled trials. Our initial search identified 1677 articles, 34 of which were included in our study. Of those 34, 30 were included in the qualitative assessment of clinical risk factors in the development of OM, and 4 were included in the meta-analysis assessing the relationship between OM and infectious complications following HSCT. Across both HSCT modalities and cancer cohorts, female sex and high-intensity conditioning were common risk factors in the development of OM. When stratified by allogeneic and autologous HSCT, methotrexate, younger age, and longer duration of neutropenia were associated with increased OM risk in allogeneic HSCT recipients, while renal dysfunction, HSV-1 reactivation, and longer neutrophil engraftment were associated with increased OM risk in autologous HSCT recipients. Longer neutrophil engraftment was a common risk factor across different cancer cohorts; however, renal dysfunction was a distinct risk factor for OM in multiple myeloma patients. Additionally, our meta-analysis revealed that patients with OM have an increased risk of developing infectious complications following HSCT compared to those without OM, with an odds ratio of 3.84 (95% CI: 2.51–5.86). The development of OM is related to various risk factors, and individuals with OM are at greater risk of infectious complications. Knowledge of these risk factors and outcomes will help clinicians identify high-risk individuals, prevent OM, and protect an immunocompromised population from subsequent life-threatening complications.

The popularity of implants is increasing with the aging population requiring oral–dental rehabilitation. There are several critical steps in the implant workflow, including case selection, implant design, surgical procedure, biological tissue responses, and functional restoration. Among these steps, surgical osteotomy procedures are a crucial determinant of clinical success. This brief review was aimed at outlining the current state of the field in automation-assisted implant surgical osteotomy technologies. A broad search of the literature was performed to identify current literature. The results are outlined in three broad categories: semi-automated static (image-guided) or dynamic (navigation-assisted) systems, and fully-automated robotic systems. As well as the current mechanical rotary approaches, the literature supporting the use of lasers in further refinement of these approaches is reviewed. The advantages and limitations of adopting autonomous technologies in practical clinical dental practices are discussed. In summary, advances in clinical technologies enable improved precision and efficacious clinical outcomes with implant dentistry. Hard-tissue lasers offer further advancements in precision, improved biological responses, and favorable clinical outcomes that require further investigation.

Bothrops jararacussu (BjsuV) snake bites cause severe local and systemic effects leading to muscle damage and amputation that cannot be prevented by antivenom alone. The anti-inflammatory effects of Photobiomodulation (PBM) has been noted to reduce muscle damage and promote tissue regeneration. This study investigated the mechanism of PBM in modulating macrophage functions via TGF-β1 singlaing. Macrophages were evaluated after treatments with BjsuV , TGF-β1, TGF-β inhibitor - SB431542, and PBM with 660 nm red or 810 nm near-infrared laser at 10 mW/cm ² , 400 and 500s, 4 J/cm ² and 5 J/cm ² , 7.5 p.J/cm ² , 1.7ɇ). BjsuV significantly reduced macrophage survival and migration, but increased phagocytosis. Treatment with PBM significantly counteracted these venom-induced inflammatory responses. Recombinant TGF-β1 treatments stimulated migration and reduced phagocytosis while preincubation with SB431542 only partially neutralized PBM responses. These observations indicate the anti-inflammatory effects of PBM in macrophages contribute to its therapeutic potential in mitigating venom-induced multiple signaling pathways.

Purpose: To evaluate digitally fabricated nasoalveolar molding (NAM) prostheses using open-source software against conventionally manufactured prostheses using an in vitro assessment of material mechanical properties, and fabrication efficiency. Materials and Methods: Following IRB approval, a retrospective, in vitro comparative study was conducted using previously obtained, deidentified neonatal maxillary gypsum casts from patients with unilateral cleft lip and palate. NAM prostheses were fabricated using either conventional cold-cure acrylic resin or a digital workflow using open-access software (Meshmixer, Autodesk) and stereolithography 3D printing (Formlabs). Surface deviation relative to reference casts, fabrication time, flexural strength, flexural modulus, and microscopic structural analysis of 3D printed resin versus conventional materials were evaluated. Results: Digital NAM prostheses demonstrated significantly (n = 17, p = 0.038) reduced surface cast-based deviation compared to conventional prostheses (mean deviation: 1.53 ± 0.19 mm vs. 1.69 ± 0.25 mm), reflecting nearly 10% improvement in fit relative to the reference cast with the digital method. Materials analysis revealed that 3D-printed resin blocks of standardized testing dimension demonstrated significantly higher flexural strength (n = 7, p < 0.0001) at 67.17 ± 4.8 MPa compared to conventional acrylic blocks at 28.7 ± 3.32 MPa. Flexural modulus was also significantly (n = 7, p < 0.0001) different between groups, with values of 1713 ± 131.6 MPa for 3D printed resin and 797.5 ± 99.0 MPa for conventional acrylic, indicating greater stiffness in the 3D printed resin material. Microscopic analysis revealed a uniform, void-free structure in 3D printed resin blocks in contrast to visible air entrapment in conventional cold-cure acrylic blocks. Conclusion: Within the limitations of this in-vitro study using gypsum casts as a reference standard, this work validates a digital workflow for NAM prosthesis fabrication using freely available open-source software (Meshmixer). By providing a reproducible, cost-free workflow, this study offers a practical guide for clinicians initiating digital NAM design and future sequential treatments, supporting wider accessibility and precision in presurgical NAM therapy, particularly in resource-limited settings.