Sufficient bone tissue is required to ensure the long-term stability of implants. Based on the principles of guided bone regeneration, Dr. Istvan Urban proposed the “sausage technique”. Research indicates that the horizontal bone augmentation observed with the sausage technique averages (5.3 ± 2.3) mm and the vertical bone augmentation averages (4.2 ± 1.9) mm, which is significantly greater than the outcomes achieved with traditional guided bone regeneration techniques. The sausage technique is reliable because the biological membrane has sufficient elasticity and toughness with the application of membrane screws, which stabilizes the mixture of autologous bone and bone graft materials in the bone grafting area and prevents the grafting materials from being displaced. Using substitute materials for autologous bone graft balances the osteogenic activity and the low graft absorption rate. A ball drill is used to prepare nourishing holes in the cortical bone of the recipient area, providing a pathway for mesenchymal stem cells and bone progenitor cells to migrate to the bone regeneration area. Furthermore, this method accelerates the early angiogenesis of wound healing, fully reduces tension during suturing, and ensures that excessive pressure is not applied to the healing area during suturing. Thus, the sausage technique is consistent and reliable. Despite the good outcomes demonstrated by the sausage technique in clinical applications, its potential complications related to soft and hard tissue have attracted widespread attention. These complications negatively affect the patient’s recovery process and influence the final results of the surgery. Therefore, a complete understanding of the complications associated with the sausage technique and their underlying causes is necessary to enhance the clinical safety and effectiveness of the sausage technique. This article summarizes the application principles, clinical effects, barrier membrane applications, selection of bone transplant materials, and related complications of the sausage technique, aiming to provide a reference for clinical application.

Objective To examine the effect of intracellular vesicles (IVs) and extracellular vesicles (EVs) that originated from periodontal ligament stem cells (PDLSCs) on the osteogenic differentiation of PDLSCs within a lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-simulated inflammatory microenvironment, and to provide new insights for the application of IVs in the repair and regeneration of periodontal tissue in periodontitis. Methods Ethical approval was obtained from the institution. Human-origin PDLSCs were extracted, and the IVs and EVs from PDLSCs at the 3rd-6th passages were gathered and identified using transmission electron microscopy, nano flow cytometry (Nano FCM) analysis, and Western Blot. The 3rd-6th generations of PDLSCs were categorized into the following groups: Control group, LPS group, LPS + 100 μg/mL EVs group (LPS+EVs group), and LPS + 100 μg/mL IVs group (LPS+IVs group). The effects of the IVs and EVs on the anti-inflammatory and osteogenic differentiation of PDLSCs in an inflammatory microenvironment were assessed by using a Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8), enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR), Western Blot, alkaline phosphatase (ALP) staining, and alizarin red staining (ARS). Results Under transmission electron microscopy, the IVs and EVs derived from PDLSCs displayed a double-layer membrane structure. NanoFCM analysis revealed that the average diameters of the IVs and EVs were 79.6 nm and 82.1 nm, respectively. Western Blot analysis indicated that the surface proteins CD9, CD63, and CD81 of the IVs and EVs were positively expressed, while calnexin was negatively expressed, indicating that IVs and EVs were successfully obtained. Compared with the Control group, the proliferation of PDLSCs in the LPS group was reduced, while the levels of inflammatory cytokine interleukin-6 (IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) in the cell supernatant were increased, the mRNA expressions of osteogenic differentiation-related genes, including osteoblast-related genes runt-related transcription factor 2 (RUNX2), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), osteocalcin (OCN) of PDLSCs were reduced, the protein expressions of RUNX2 and osteopontin (OPN) were also decreased (P<0.05); compared with the LPS group, the proliferation of PDLSCs in the LPS+EVs group and LPS+IVs group were significantly increased, while the levels of IL-6, TNF-α were significantly reduced, and the mRNA expressions of RUNX2, ALP, OCN were significantly increased, the protein expressions of RUNX2 and OPN were also significantly increased (P<0.05). Further, in the inflammatory microenvironment, Compared with EVs, IVs more significantly promote the proliferation of PDLSCs, inhibit TNF-α expression, enhance the expression of RUNX2 mRNA, upregulate the expression of RUNX2 and OPN proteins, increase ALP activity, and promote the formation of mineralized nodules (P<0.05). Conclusion IVs and EVs derived from PDLSCs can boost the proliferation of PDLSCs in an inflammatory microenvironment, inhibit the expression of inflammatory factors, and advance the osteogenic differentiation of PDLSCs. The anti-inflammatory and osteogenic effects of IVs are superior to those of EVs.

Objective To investigate the expression of peroxiredoxin 4 (PRDX4) in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) and its effect on the proliferation, migration, and invasion of OSCC cells. Methods The Cancer Genome Atlas(TCGA) database was used to analyze the expression of PRDX4 in OSCC. Quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) and Western Blot (WB) were used to detect the mRNA and protein expression of PRDX4 in OSCC cell lines and normal oral mucosal epithelial cells. PRDX4 was knocked down in CAL-27 cells and divided into two groups: the si-PRDX4 group and si-NC group. SCC-9 cells overexpressing PRDX4 were divided into two groups: the PRDX4 overexpression group (transfected with pcDNA3.1-PRDX4 plasmid) and the vector group (the control group; transfected with pcDNA3.1-NC plasmid). A cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) and plate colony formation assay were used to detect cell proliferation. Transwell assay and cell scratch test were used to detect cell invasion and migration ability. WB was used to detect the effects of knockdown or overexpression of PRDX4, p38MAPK agonist or inhibitor on the expression of p38MAPK-related signaling pathway proteins, and epithelial mesenchymal transition proteins in OSCC cells. Results PRDX4 was highly expressed in OSCC tissues and cell lines. The results of qRT-PCR and WB showed that PRDX4 was highly expressed in OSCC cell lines compared with normal oral mucosal epithelial cells. The CCK-8 assay showed that the si-PRDX4 group had significantly lower OD values than the si-NC group at 24, 48, and 72 h (P<0.05). The PRDX4 overexpression group had a significantly higher OD value than the vector group at 24, 48, and 72 h (P<0.05). The plate colony formation assay showed that the si-PRDX4 group had a significantly lower number of colonies than the si-NC group (P<0.05). The number of colonies formed in the PRDX4 overexpression group was significantly higher than that in the vector group (P<0.05). The cell scratch test showed that the wound healing area of the si-PRDX4 group was less than that of the si-NC group (P<0.05). The scratch healing area of the PRDX4 overexpression group was significantly higher than that of the vector group (P<0.05). The Transwell invasion assay showed that the number of transmembrane cells in the si-PRDX4 group was lower than that in the si-NC group (P<0.05). The number of transmembrane cells in the PRDX4 overexpression group was significantly higher than that in the vector group (P<0.05). The WB results showed that knockdown and overexpression of PRDX4 could downregulate and upregulate the expression of the p38MAPK signaling pathway and epithelial-mesenchymal transition related proteins, respectively, and the addition of p38MAPK agonist and inhibitor could significantly reverse the expression of related proteins. Conclusion PRDX4 is highly expressed in OSCC. Knocking down the expression of PRDX4 in OSCC cells can downregulate the expression of p38 MAPK signal axis and EMT-related signal proteins, thereby inhibiting the proliferation, migration, invasion, and epithelial-mesenchymal transition of cells.

Objective To evaluate the feasibility of a V-shaped incision in the resection of a superficial parotid gland benign tumor by comparison with a modified Blair incision. To provide a basis for evaluating the clinical application value of the V-shaped incision. Methods This study was reviewed and approved by the ethics committee, and informed consent was obtained from the patients. Data from 61 patients with a benign tumor on the superficial parotid gland who had surgery at People’s Hospital of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region from September 2021 to September 2023 were collected and analyzed. The maximum diameter of the tumor included in the patient should not exceed 4 cm. The patients were divided into two groups based on the different surgical incisions: a V-shaped incision group (29 cases) and modified Blair incision group (32 cases). Several comparisons were made between the group: operation time; postoperative drainage volume; facial nerve function, pain, and complication in the operation area; and aesthetic effect of the surgical incision. The patients were followed up for 6 months. The 61 patients were further divided into groups based on the locations of the tumors: tumors around the earlobe and tumors in the lower pole of the parotid gland. Results There were no significant differences in operation time, postoperative House-Brackmann grading system (HBGs) facial nerve function score, and visual analogue scale (VAS) pain score between the two groups (P>0.05). The postoperative drainage volume and Vancouver scar scale (VSS) score of the V-shaped incision group were higher than the modified Blair incision group (P<0.05). The incidence of great auricular nerve numbness was lower in the V-shaped incision group than the modified Blair incision group (P<0.05). The operation time of the V-shaped incision applied to excise the tumor around the earlobe was shorter than the modified Blair incision (P<0.05). Conclusion The V-shaped incision is a concealed facial incision, surgeons should be aware that some patients who receive this incision have a large amount of postoperative drainage and the retroauricular region is prone to scar hyperplasia.

Objective To explore the bidirectional causal relationship between 731 immune cell phenotypes and recurrent aphthous ulcers (RAU) using Mendelian randomization (MR). Methods A two-sample bidirectional MR study was conducted using publicly available genome-wide association study (GWAS) summary statistics for 731 immune cell phenotypes and the RAU GWAS summary data from the FinnGen consortium. The inverse-variance weighted (IVW) method was used as the primary analysis tool, with supplementary analyses including the weighted median (WM) method, MR-Egger regression, weighted mode, and simple mode. Sensitivity analyses were conducted using Cochran’s Q test, the mendelian randomization pleiotropy residual sum and outlier (MR-PRESSO) method for detecting pleiotropy and outliers, and leave-one-out cross-validation. Furthermore, differential analysis was performed using a clinical cohort dataset from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) to further validate the MR results. Results In the forward MR analysis, 731 immune cell phenotypes were considered as exposures and RAU as the outcome. Among them, 52 immune cell phenotypes showed a significant causal effect on RAU (P<0.05). After false discovery rate (FDR) correction, two immune phenotypes remained significantly associated with RAU risk: with increased monocyte-derived myeloid suppressor cells (M-MDSC) (OR = 1.06; 95% CI: 1.03-1.09) and CD33 on granulocytic myeloid-derived suppressor cells (G-MDSC) (OR = 1.06; 95% CI: 1.03-1.09), the risk of RAU also increased. In reverse MR, RAU was found to have a significant causal effect on two immune cell phenotypes (P<0.05), but no significant effects were found after FDR correction. Sensitivity analysis showed no significant heterogeneity between SNPs (P>0.05). Differential analysis of the GEO dataset revealed that the characteristic genes of myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSC) (CTBS, IPMK, and UBA3) were significantly upregulated in RAU (P<0.05). Conclusion The MR results of 731 immune cell phenotypes suggest that M-MDSC and CD33 molecules on G-MDSC may be risk factors for RAU development. The clinical GEO dataset further validated that MDSC may play a role in RAU, while RAU did not show a significant causal association with the 731 immune cell phenotypes.

Objective To explore the clinical and pathological characteristics, diagnosis, and differential diagnosis of oral verruciform xanthoma, and to provide a reference for accurate clinical identification and treatment. Methods Two cases of verruciform xanthoma occurring on the gingiva and vestibular mucosa are reported. The clinical features and pathological characteristics of both cases are described in detail, and information from a literature review on verruciform xanthoma is provided. Results Case 1: a 37-year-old female patient presented with a pink, rough lesion on the gingiva of the right mandibular posterior teeth for one month. The lesion measured approximately 14 mm × 7 mm, and it was firm and painless. After periodontal therapy, the lesion was excised under local anesthesia. Postoperative pathological examination showed that the epithelial nail protruded and was elongated, and a large number of foam cells filled the connective tissue papilla, leading to the diagnosis of verrucous xanthoma. Case 2: a 36-year-old male patient presented with a pale pink lesion on the right lower vestibular mucosa for three months. The lesion measured approximately 18 mm × 10 mm with irregular margins, and it was firm and painless. The lesion was excised under local anesthesia, and postoperative pathological examination showed parateratosis of epithelium, hypertrophy and elongation of the nail process, and more foam cells in the lamina propria papilla area. The diagnosis was xanthoma verrucosa. The results of a literature review show that the incidence of verruciform xanthoma is 0.025%-0.094%, it primarily occurs in patients aged 50-70 years, the incidence in males is slightly higher than that in females, and it primarily occurs in areas of the oral cavity that include the hard palate and gums. It is generally non-invasive. The etiology and pathogenesis remain unclear. Clinically, verruciform xanthoma lacks specific characteristics, so these lesions are frequently misdiagnosed as other conditions, such as papilloma, common warts, condyloma acuminatum, squamous cell carcinoma, or verrucous carcinoma. The key to diagnosis lies in histopathology, with the hallmark feature being the accumulation of foam cells in the connective tissue papilla beneath the epithelium. Conclusion Verruciform xanthoma is a rare oral mucosal lesion with non-specific clinical manifestations and a high rate of misdiagnosis. It must be differentiated from conditions that include squamous papilloma, common warts, condyloma acuminatum, squamous cell carcinoma, and verrucous carcinoma. Definitive diagnosis depends on histopathological examination, and the primary treatment is surgical excision, with a low recurrence rate and minimal risk of malignant transformation.

Objective To evaluate and compare the accuracy of responses to pediatric preventive dentistry-related questions between the domestic large language model, ChatGLM-6B, and the international large language model, ChatGPT-3.5, in order to provide insights for further research and development of domestic language models in the field of oral medicine. Methods A total of 100 common pediatric preventive dentistry questions of varying difficulty levels [basic (n = 35), intermediate (n = 35), and advanced (n = 30) ] were provided by pediatric preventive dentistry experts. Two doctors independently registered these questions with ChatGPT-3.5 and ChatGLM-6B and collected the answers. A cohort of 16 dentists assessed responses generated by ChatGLM-6B and ChatGPT-3.5 using a predefined 3-point Likert scale. The average score of the ratings from 16 doctors was taken as the answer score. If the answer score was higher than 2.8, it was accepted as a accurate answer; if the score was lower than 1.4, it was accepted as an inaccurate answer; if the score was between 1.4 and 2.8, it was accepted as a partially accurate answer. Comparative analysis was conducted on the accuracy rates and evaluation outcomes between the two groups. Consistency analysis of the ratings was conducted. Results The answer accuracy rates of ChatGPT-3.5 and ChatGLM-6B for 100 pediatric preventive dentistry questions were comparable: ChatGPT-3.5 demonstrated 68% accurate, 30% partially accurate, and 2% inaccurate responses, while ChatGLM-6B showed 67% accurate, 31% partially accurate, and 2% inaccurate responses, with no statistically significant differences (P>0.05). Both models exhibited equivalent accuracy across questions of varying difficulty levels (basic, intermediate, advanced), showing no statistical differences (P>0.05). The overall average scores for ChatGPT3.5 and ChatGLM-6B in answering all questions were both 2.65, with no statistically significant difference (P>0.05). For questions of different difficulty levels, ChatGPT3.5 had an average score of 2.66 for basic questions while ChatGLM-6B had an average score of 2.70. For intermediate questions, ChatGPT3.5 had an average score of 2.63 and ChatGLM-6B had an average score of 2.64. For advanced questions, ChatGPT3.5 had an average score of 2.68, and ChatGLM-6B had an average score of 2.61. No statistically significant differences were observed across any difficulty category (P>0.05). The consistency of the experts’ grading ranged from fair to moderate. Conclusion This study demonstrates the potential of both ChatGLM-6B and ChatGPT-3.5 in answering pediatric preventive dentistry questions. ChatGLM-6B performed similarly to ChatGPT-3.5 in this field, but the accuracy rates of both models fell short of expectations and are not suitable for clinical use. Future efforts should focus on improving the accuracy and consistency of large language models in providing medical information, as well as developing specialized medical models for the field of oral medicine.

There has been an increase in research interest and application of treated dentin matrix (TDM) in vital pulp therapy (VPT) in recent years. TDM has excellent biocompatibility and contains transforming growth factor-β, bone morphogenetic protein 2, and other odontogenesis/osteogenesis-related proteins and factors that promote odontogenic differentiation of dental stem cells. TDM-based products, ranging from powders and pastes to injectable composite gels and gel scaffolds, have gained increasing consensus for their ability to induce dentin-like tissue regeneration. Animal and clinical studies found that TDM has significant advantages over traditional pulp capping materials, as it can form well-organized layers of odontoblast-like cells and uniform dentinal tubule structures. Future challenges of TDM in VPT application are primarily focused on improving mechanical properties and addressing potential immune rejection issues with heterologous material use. Additionally, further studies should be conducted on the odontogenetic pathway mechanism of TDM and the immune regulatory capabilities of xenogeneic dentin matrix materials. Utilizing TDM to construct tissue engineering scaffolds for VPT presents a promising strategy. This article reviews the structure and biological properties of TDM and related materials, thoroughly examines their progresses in the field of VPT, and discusses their current challenges as well as future research directions.

Dental caries is a major disease that seriously endangers human oral health. Dental plaque biofilm composed of many microorganisms is the primary factor of dental caries. Inhibiting biofilm formation has become the focus of research on the prevention and treatment of dental caries. Streptococcus mutans and Candida albicans, as common pathogenic bacteria in the oral cavity, are closely related to the occurrence of dental caries. The interaction between the two can lead to the rapid onset of dental caries. In recent years, many studies have found that Candida albicans promotes the occurrence of caries by interacting with Streptococcus mutans, including physical adhesion, promoting the production of exopolysaccharides (EPS), reducing the pH of the microecological environment, forming a highly cariogenic acidic environment, and secreting quorum sensing molecules to trigger quorum sensing. As a communication mechanism between microorganisms, the quorum sensing system mainly includes three main types: autoinducing peptide (AIP) system, autoinducer-2 (AI-2) system, and Acyl-homoserine lactone (AHL) system. At present, quorum sensing has been shown to promote the occurrence of diseases by activating the expression of microbial pathogenicity-related genes, promoting EPS synthesis and biofilm formation. The CSP-ComDE and ComRS quorum sensing systems of Streptococcus mutans allow the bacteria to survive and cause disease in extreme environments that are unfavorable for survival, while the quorum sensing system of Candida albicans is mainly mediated by farnesol, which has a negative regulatory effect on the yeast-hyphae transformation of Candida albicans. Studying the quorum sensing phenomenon of the two bacteria is helpful to understand the etiology of caries. In recent years, many studies have reported the use of quorum sensing inhibitors in anti-microbial applications. The study of microbial quorum sensing systems and inhibitors will help the prevention and treatment of caries. With the increasing interest in biofilm-related research, and a new method for in-depth study of the biofilm formation process and quorum sensing behavior using microfluidic and chip laboratory technology is proposed. The author summarizes the cariogenic effects, the quorum sensing system and quorum sensing inhibitors of Streptococcus mutans and Candida albicans.

Periodontal disease is a chronic infectious disease characterized by chronic inflammation and progressive destruction of the periodontal tissue. Ferroptosis, an iron-dependent form of programmed cell death, is primarily characterized by altered iron homeostasis, weak antioxidant defense, and accumulation of lipid peroxides and plays an important role in a variety of diseases. Recent research has shown the correlation between ferroptosis and the occurrence and development of periodontal disease. Through in-depth research of relevant literature on periodontal ligament fibroblasts, periodontal ligament stem cells, human immortalized oral epithelial cells, human gingival fibroblasts, dental pulp stem cells, MLOY4 cells, mouse mandibular osteoblast, and macrophages, we found that ferroptosis is widely suppressed in periodontal disease. This phenomenon is primarily related to lipid metabolism, iron metabolism, cysteine/glutamate transporter system x_c^-/glutathione/glutathione peroxidase 4, nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate/ferroptosis suppressor protein 1/coenzyme Q10, kelch-like ECH-associated protein-1/nuclear factor E2 related factor 2, and p53. Current research indicates that ferroptosis plays an important role in regulating the destruction of periodontal soft and hard tissues, inflammatory response, and periodontopathogen-induced progression of systemic diseases. Although there are several studies on the mechanism of ferroptosis in periodontal disease, there are many uncertainties in the application of ferroptosis in periodontal therapy. Therefore, further studies are required to explore and develop ferroptosis-related drugs for the treatment of periodontal disease.