Sistema Regional de Información
en línea para Revistas Científicas de América Latina,
el Caribe, España y Portugal

To identify whether an association exists between RFC1 gene polymorphism (rs1051266) and the development of non-syndromic cleft lip and palate. Twenty-five patients with non-syndromic cleft lip and palate (NSCL/P) with ages ranging from 1 year to 17 years belonging to both genders (Group 1) and twenty-five patients without cleft lip and palate malformations as controls (Group 2) were included in the study. Genomic DNA was obtained from whole blood drawn from the patients. The region around the RFC1 gene polymorphism was amplified with sequence-specific primers using polymerase chain reaction (PCR). RFLP technique was used to identify the genotype of the patients. The genotype and allele frequency distributions in both groups were determined. Statistical analysis was done with the Chi-square test. In both groups, the frequency of the GA genotype was greater compared to the GG genotype and AA genotype. There was no statistically significant deviation from Hardy Weinberg Equilibrium with a P value of <0.247 and <0.815 in the case and control groups, respectively. The frequency distribution of the dominant genotype GG had an odd ratio of 0.3506 (0.0791-1.5544) and a P value of 0.1678 and the recessive genotype AA had an odd ratio of1.5556 (0.4187-5.7795) and a P value of 0.5094. The distribution of G allele and A allele between the two group had an odd ratio of 0.6169 (0.2798-1.3597)and a P value of 0.2309. Classification of the genotypes based on genetic models such as dominant, recessive, or additive did not present any significant association between the polymorphism marker and NSCL/P. There was no significant association between RFC1 gene polymorphism (rs1051266) and NSCL/P in the South Indian population.

Oral mucormycosis has become a significant concern due to increased cases during the COVID-19 pandemic, potentially linked to corticosteroid-induced immune suppression. This study reviews case reports to identify and describe the clinical and epidemiological factors associated with post-COVID-19 mucormycosis from a dental perspective. A comprehensive search of PubMed, Google Scholar, DOAJ, and NIH Library databases yielded 32 relevant case reports from an initial 180. The average age of patients was 53 years, with 21.9% having a confirmed COVID-19 diagnosis one month prior to mucormycosis diagnosis. Corticosteroid use was reported in 65.6% of cases. Common symptoms included pain (65.6%), swelling (21.9%), and ocular pain (12.5%), with Amphotericin B being the predominant treatment (59.4%). Oral manifestations such as maxillary bone exposure (21.9%) and dental abscesses (31.3%) were noted. This study highlights a potential link between corticosteroids and mucormycosis, despite limitations in report consistency and follow-up data, offering valuable insights for clinical management of post-COVID-19 mucormycosis.

This pilot study characterized the subgingival microbiota in Costa Rican adults with and without periodontitis, using 16S rRNA gene sequencing and ecological diversity analysis. The study sample consisted of 20 participants, including 10 with periodontal health and 10 diagnosed with periodontitis, from whom subgingival samples were collected for DNA extraction and sequencing of the V3-V4 region. Amplicon sequence variants (ASVs) were analyzed to assess alpha and beta diversity, identify indicator taxa, and explore microbial co-occurrence patterns. Rarefaction curves indicated adequate sequencing depth. Although alpha diversity indices were higher in the periodontitis group, the differences were not statistically significant (p>0.05), but showed moderate effect sizes. Beta diversity revealed significant differences between groups (PERMANOVA, p<0.05), with greater dispersion observed in the periodontitis group (Betadisper, p<0.05). P. gingivalis and T. denticola were identified as indicator taxa for the periodontitis group. Microbial networks showed distinct ecological organization between groups. These findings support the ecological model of dysbiosis and provide preliminary evidence on the subgingival microbiota in the Costa Rican population, laying the groundwork for future longitudinal studies on the progression or resolution of periodontal disease.

This in vitro study aimed to evaluate the effects of beverages with different pH levels and various storage durations on the shear bond strength (SBS) of CAD-CAM zirconia bonded with dual-cure resin cement. A total of ninety specimens were prepared using CAD-CAM zirconia (Katana Zirconia, Kuraray, Japan) and a dual-cure resin cement (Panavia V5, Kuraray, Japan). The specimens were randomly divided into three groups according to the storage solution: distilled water, mineral water, and cola. Each group was further subdivided into three time intervals: 24 hours, 30 days, and 90 days (n=10 per subgroup). All specimens were stored at room temperature and exposed to the respective solution for 20 minutes daily. Shear bond strength testing was performed using a universal testing machine, and the results were analyzed by one-way ANOVA at a significance level of α=0.05. The statistical analysis revealed no significant effect of the type of beverage (p=0.114), storage time (p=0.214), or the interaction between them (p=0.433) on SBS values. Although the lowest bond strength was observed in specimens stored in cola for 90 days (11.95±3.32 MPa), this difference was not statistically significant. The highest value was recorded in the distilled water group at 24 hours (18.65±5.93 MPa). Within the limitations of this study, the type of beverage and exposure duration did not significantly affect the shear bond strength of the zirconia-resin cement interface. However, acidic beverages such as cola may demonstrate a trend toward decreased bond strength following prolonged exposure.

To determine the prevalence of temporomandibular disorders symptoms in Costa Rican adults during the year 2024. The Diagnostic Criteria for Temporomandibular Disorders (DC/TMD) and triage were applied to a convenience sample consisting of 80 people per state (n=400). Data were collected from five of the seven states of the country: San José, Alajuela, Cartago, Heredia, and Limón. Adult patients aged 18-75 years were included. Of those surveyed, 64.9% reported experiencing some type of pain in the jaw, temple, or ear, 42.7% had headaches, 64.7% reported joint noises, 21% had closed mandibular blocks, and 7.2% had open blocks in the jaws within the last 30 days. The symptoms, according to sex, were more prevalent in women and according to the state, Heredia and San José report more patients with symptoms. In the examined Costa Rican sample, there is a high prevalence of symptoms of temporomandibular disorders, with pain and headaches being the most common. Women, residents of the states of Heredia and San José, and individuals aged 26-35 and 46-60 years showed a higher prevalence of symptoms. The instrument showed moderate reliability, suggesting the need for its combined use with a temporomandibular clinical examination in future research.

This study evaluated the pH, solubility, and intratubular decontamination of bioceramic intracanal medications Bio-C® Temp (BCT), a calcium hydroxide-based paste Calen® (CAL), and their associations with 1% Cetrimide (CTR): BCT, CAL, BCT/CTR, CAL/CTR. Polyethylene tubes filled with the medications were used for pH measurement at intervals of 1, 3, 7, 14, and 21 days. Solubility was evaluated after 14 days of immersion in distilled water at 37°C. Bovine dentin tubules contaminated with Enterococcus faecalis were used to assess intratubular decontamination using confocal laser scanning microscopy and Live/Dead BacLight Bacterial dye three days after exposure to the medications and a Control Group using Polyethylene glycol 400. Statistical analysis was performed using ANOVA and Tukey tests (p<0.05). CAL/CTR exhibited the highest pH after 1 day (p<0.05). CAL had the highest pH values at 14 and 21 days (p<0.05). BCT showed the lowest pH values at 3 days, and BCT/CTR at 7 and 21 days (p<0.05). The association of CTR did not affect the solubility of the medications (p > 0.05). CAL demonstrated superior intratubular decontamination (p<0.05), while CAL/CTR, BCT, and BCT/CTR showed similar results (p>0.05). The association of 1% cetrimide did not increase the intratubular decontamination of Bio-C® Temp and decreased the antibacterial activity of Calen®. The calcium hydroxide medication in a viscous vehicle exhibited higher alkaline potential, solubility, and intratubular decontamination.

Present research aims to evaluate mandibular condyle position changes after bilateral sagittal split osteotomy and bimaxillary orthognathic surgery. Relevant keywords were searched in the international databases Cochrane, Embase, and MEDLINE (PubMed and Ovid) up to January 2025. The Newcastle-Ottawa Scale used to determine the quality of the studies. Mean change of condylar values was used as an effect size with random-effects model and REML methods of 95% confidence intervals (CI). Meta-analysis performed using Stata (as of version 17). The mean change of left condylar position pre- and postoperative values of BSSO was -0.28º (ES -0.28º 95% CI; -1.59º, 1.03º; p<0.05). Non-significant mean values of condylar position pre- and postoperative of BSSO and bimaxillary orthognathic surgery in left sagittal plane was observed (p>0.05). The mandibular condyle position after surgery is influenced to some extent by orthognathic surgery.

This cross-sectional observational study aimed to determine the presence of Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) in the subgingival biofilm (SB) of patients with periodontitis treated at the Clinic of Periodontics of the Faculty of Dentistry of the University of Costa Rica. Fifty-eight patients with periodontitis were recruited. H. pylori antigen detection in stool samples was performed using a qualitative rapid test. SB samples were collected from patients with positive stool results and cultured in Skirrow media, agar tubes, and urea broth under microaerophilic conditions. DNA was extracted and analyzed by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for H. pylori, and for Porphyromonas gingivalis (P. gingivalis). Of 40 analyzed stool samples, 22 tested positive for H. pylori. Eighteen SB samples from these patients were analyzed. All were urease-positive. H. pylori was detected in all SB studied samples by PCR, colonies could not be isolated on Skirrow media. 16 were PCR-positive from SB, and 14 were PCR-positive from cultures. P. gingivalis was detected in 7 culture samples and 6 SB samples.  Our findings suggest that H. pylori can colonize the subgingival biofilm of patients with periodontitis, as demonstrated through laboratory methods.

Apicectomy is a procedure indicated for the treatment of non-healing apical periodontitis after non-surgical Root Canal Treatment or certain clinical conditions; the procedure consists in the elimination of the last 3 mm of the RCS and creation of an apical preparation to finally seal it with a root-end filling material, like bioceramics. It has been reported that bioceramic materials (Gray-MTA, White-MTA and Biodentine) have adequate antibacterial properties. The aim of the study is to evaluate the colonization capacity and biofilm formation of E. faecalis over the surface of bioceramic materials In vitro. 180 dentin disks were employed and distributed in 3 experimental groups (G-MTA+E. faecalis, W-MTA E. faecalis and Biodentine+E. faecalis) and 3 control groups (G-MTA, W-MTA and Biodentine), the surface area covered by biofilm and microorganisms were evaluated by SEM. All samples of experimental groups showed a rough and irregular surface due to microorganism colonization and biofilm formation. G-MTA group showed better antimicrobial properties than W-MTA and Biodentine. The complete elimination and removal of damaged and contaminated periapical tissues during the surgical treatment is critical for long-term success.

TRPV1 (Transient Receptor Potential Vanilloid 1) is a critical protein in the pathogenesis of periodontal pain, activated by noxious stimuli and inflammatory mediators associated with periodontitis. This study investigates drug-gene interactions involving TRPV1 to elucidate its role in periodontal pain mechanisms. Knowledge Graph Neural Networks (KGNNs) were employed to model and analyze the complex relationships between drugs, genes, and pain receptors in periodontal tissues. By leveraging biological datasets, including TRPV1 channel activity, pain receptor interactions, and gene expression profiles, the study aims to identify potential therapeutic targets and strategies for personalized pain management in periodontal treatment. Differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were integrated with drug and gene associations to model biological systems and inform therapeutic development. The study utilized a gene expression dataset encompassing features such as gene similarity scores, adjusted p-values, and biochemical activity. A semantic similarity-based fusion approach was applied to enhance model performance by incorporating biological information layers, improving interaction modeling, and promoting efficient information propagation. Three graph-based models were employed: Graph Convolutional Network (GCN) as a baseline, Residual GCN (ResGCN) for stability, and Attention-based GCN (AttGCN) for dynamic node weighting. Among the models, ResGCN demonstrated superior performance with an accuracy of 93.75% and the lowest final loss, highlighting its robustness in predicting drug-gene associations. This outcome supports the potential utility of ResGCN in accurately modeling TRPV1-mediated pain mechanisms and guiding therapeutic decisions. The application of KGNNs has provided valuable insights into TRPV1 drug-gene interactions in the context of periodontal pain. The findings emphasize the potential for using ResGCN in therapeutic discovery and optimization. However, challenges such as data quality and biological complexity remain.