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Background: Thirst is one of the most common and uncomfortable symptoms in patients after cardiac surgery. The postextubation time for early oral hydration (EOH) remains unclear, and there is a lack of studies on its safety and effectiveness. Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of oral hydration 1 hour after extubation on thirst, salivary pH, salivary flow, oral mucosa, halitosis, gastrointestinal adverse reactions, aspiration pneumonia, and satisfaction in patients undergoing cardiac surgery. Methods: Eighty-four patients who underwent cardiac surgery were randomly assigned into 2 groups, for either conventional oral hydration (COH) or EOH. The EOH group drank 30 mL of warm water 1 hour post extubation and thereafter 50 mL hourly for 4 hours. The COH group had nil per os for 4 hours after extubation. If no dysphagia was evident after 4 hours, the patients were instructed to slowly drink water. Thirst intensity was evaluated every hour before the intervention. Nausea and vomiting were recorded after drinking water. The salivary pH, unstimulated salivary flow rate, oral odor, and oral mucosal moisture were evaluated at 1 hour post extubation, immediately before the intervention, and at 4 hour post intervention. Aspiration pneumonia data were collected within 72 hours post intervention. Satisfaction was assessed before leaving the intensive care unit. Results: The scores for thirst (3.38 ± 1.04; F = 306.21, P <.001), oral mucosa (2.03 ± 0.74; P <.001), and halitosis (2.77 ± 0.63; P <.001) in the EOH group were significantly lower than those in the COH group. The EOH group had significantly higher salivary pH (6.44 ± 1.06; P <.001), unstimulated salivary flow rates (0.18 ± 0.08; P <.001), and patient satisfaction (4.28 ± 0.45; P <.001) than the COH group. Nausea and vomiting did not differ significantly between groups (P =.60). Aspiration pneumonia was not observed in either group. Conclusions: Oral hydration 1 hour after extubation significantly alleviated thirst and stabilized the oral environment without gastrointestinal adverse reactions or aspiration pneumonia, and with increased patient satisfaction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The present is to evaluate antidepressant activity of ethanolic extract of Hibiscus rosa sinensis leaves using experimental animals. Method: The current study employed male Swiss albino mice weighing between 20 and 35 g and aged between 6 and 8 weeks. Hibiscus rosa sinensis extract were administered p.o to mice daily in two different doses (200 & 400 mg/kg/p.o) for 14 days regularly. After administration of the extract, the animal will be observed continuously for the first 2 hours and at 24 hrs to detect changes in behavioral responses and also for tremors, convulsion, salivation, diarrhea, lethargy, sleep, and coma and also will be monitored up to 14 days for the toxic symptoms and mortality. On 15th days, the animal subjected to Tail Suspension test (TST) and forced swim test (FST) and plasma corticosterone level. Result: The mice of Hibiscus rosa sinensis extract (200 & 400 mg/kg/p.o) treated group showed no significantly (p<0.05) difference in locomotors activity as compared to control group. Treatment with FXT (10 mg/kg p.o.)also showed no significant change as compared to control group. The above observation suggests that Hibiscus rosa sinensis leaves has antidepressant activity. Conclusion: The Ethanolic extract of Hibiscus rosa sinensis 400 mg/kg showed the most remarkable activity. This plant can be further subjected to isolation of the therapeutic Antidepressant compound and carry out further pharmacological evaluation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The use of Moringa oleifera in the food preparations can help to meet the future demands of nutraceuticals and functional foods. The present work is aimed to evaluate the antidepressant activity of ethanolic extract of Moringa oleifera Leaves (EEMOL) in mice. The overnight fasted mice will be divided into 04 groups, each group consisting of 06 animals. The EEMOL will be given in various doses (10, 100, 500 and 1000 mg/kg) by oral route with a gavage. After administration of the extract, the animal will be observed continuously for the first 2 hours and at 24 hrs to detect changes in behavioral responses and also for tremors, convulsion, salivation, diarrhea, lethargy, sleep, and coma and also will be monitored up to 14 days for the toxic symptoms and mortality. The mice of Moringa oleifera extract (300 & 600 mg/kg/p.o) treated group showed significantly (p<0.05) increased in body weight, feed intake and body water intake as compared to the control group. Treatment with Fluoxetine (10 mg/kg p.o.) the body weight, feed intake and body water intake significantly increased as compared to normal group. The observation of this study suggests that Moringa Oleifera has antidepressant activity. In conclusion, Moringa oleifera extracts possess a broad spectrum of activity against a panel of factors responsible for the most common psychosis diseases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chewing is a sensorimotor activity that aims to prepare food for swallowing, in which saliva intervenes, moistening food particles, assisting in bolus formation, enzymatic digestion, and swallowing. This study investigated the effect of chewing carrots of different shapes on salivary secretion and protein profiles using 2-DE gel electrophoresis. Fifteen participants chewed sliced or grated carrots, or parafilm (non-food control), in a crossover design, with saliva samples collected before and after mastication. The results showed significant differences in salivation and saliva composition when chewing carrots vs. the control, with sliced carrots inducing greater changes: 37 protein spots, including amylase and immunoglobulin spots, 9 protein spots, and 1 protein spot were significantly altered after chewing sliced carrots, grated carrots, and parafilm, respectively. Mastication combined with the sensory properties of food had a greater effect on saliva secretion and salivary protein levels than mastication alone. Among carrot shapes, the results suggest that harder food textures, which require more chewing effort, lead to more pronounced changes in salivary protein profiles. These findings contribute to the understanding of how food shape and texture influence salivation and salivary proteome dynamics, with potential implications for oral digestion, food-related sensory experiences, and the personalisation of diets for individuals with a compromised chewing capacity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Late complications of radiotherapy can include a variety of issues, such as xerostomia, dysphagia, taste changes, digestive and absorption dysfunction. These late complications can seriously impact the nutritional status and quality of life of patients following radiotherapy, and may even adversely affect tumor control and patient survival. Comprehensive nutritional management strategies should be implemented to address these late complications. For radiation-induced xerostomia, salivary stimulant drugs, saliva substitutes, and hyperbaric oxygen therapy have demonstrated efficacy in alleviating dry mouth symptoms. The management of post-radiation trismus remains challenging, with functional training, including active jaw exercises, passive motor devices, and splints, being the primary interventions. In the case of radiation-induced dysphagia, a multidisciplinary team approach is recommended, incorporating malnutrition risk assessment, personalized nutritional treatment, nursing care, rehabilitation training, and patient education. Protecting normal organs, such as the tongue and oral cavity, during radiotherapy planning can help prevent and mitigate taste changes, which can be further managed with zinc supplements, oral care, and lactoferrin supplementation. For post-radiation digestive and absorption dysfunction, a comprehensive assessment of the patient's nutritional status, site of gastrointestinal injury, and potential complications (e.g., bleeding, perforation) is crucial in guiding the selection of appropriate nutritional support, ranging from enteral nutrition as the first-line approach to supplemental or even exclusive parenteral nutrition. Surgical intervention may be necessary in some cases. By implementing these multifaceted nutritional management strategies, healthcare professionals can optimize the care of cancer patients undergoing radiotherapy and mitigate the adverse impact of late radiation complications on their overall well-being and treatment outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Salivation is easily taken for granted, but without normal salivation, simple essential tasks such as chewing and swallowing become difficult, with consequences for quality of life, nutrition and oral health. Many important drug classes cause dry mouth as a side effect, contributing substantially to patient non-compliance. Available treatments are mostly palliative. Cannabis user complaints of dry mouth prompted a study that showed that basal salivation is likely regulated by cannabinoid CB1 receptors on neurons that innervate the submandibular gland. But what about stimulated salivation? The adjoining parotid gland releases saliva in response to olfactory or other cues and contributes a large portion of the net salivation in humans. We investigated cannabinoid regulation of stimulated salivation using functional and protein-expression studies in mice. In developing a model of stimulated salivary responses to food-related odorants in mice, we noted sex-dependent responses to food-related cues. Only male mice learned to salivate in response to the odor of peanut butter while only female mice responded to a chocolate hazelnut spread. Both males and females responded to sugar or marmite. Testing peanut butter, we found that the cannabinoid receptor agonist CP55940 (0.5 mg/kg, IP) lowered baseline salivation, as shown previously, but also prevented the odorant-induced increase in salivation. CB1 receptors are expressed in axons innervating the parotid gland, paralleling our findings in the submandibular gland. Notably, we also found that CB1 deletion impaired some responses (those to peanut butter and chocolate hazelnut spread) but not others (sugar or marmite). In mice, the CB1 antagonist SR141716 (4 mg/kg, IP) prevented a previously learned salivary response to peanut butter. We find that CB1 receptors are expressed in a subset of glomeruli in coronal sections of olfactory bulb that may serve as a site of action for scent-specific effects of CB1 receptors. We additionally observe CB1 expression in accessory olfactory bulb. In summary, we find a novel sex-dependence in responses to a subset of food-related odorant cues and that cannabinoid receptors regulate some of these responses. We propose that CB1 receptors act at the parotid gland to inhibit stimulated salivation but also in the olfactory system, where functional CB1 receptors are required for salivary responses to specific appetitive odors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Organophosphorus is an insecticidal poison. Acute organophosphorus poisoning in humans is common in the rural population of the developing world. Proper diagnosis and suitable management are always important to save a life in those cases. A very limited number of drugs are available to treat such type of poisoning incidents. The purpose of this study was to determine the pharmacotherapy and outcome of acute organophosphorus poisoning cases. Objectives: To determine the pharmacotherapy of acute organophosphorus poisoning and to analyze the pharmacotherapy respective to the poisoning cases and outcome Materials and methods: A retrospective observational study was conducted for a one-year duration after getting approval from the institutional ethical committee. Patients of either sex with acute organophosphorus poisoning were collected from the records of the medical emergency department of the hospital with the details of poisoning, signs and symptoms of poisoning, pharmacotherapy, duration of hospital stay, and outcome. The analysis was done with the help of Microsoft Excel software (Microsoft Corporation, Microsoft Excel 2019). Results: We got a total of 21 acute organophosphorus poisoning cases, where 10 (47.61%) patients were male and 11 (52.38%) patients were female. During the management, 18 different types of drugs were used, where atropine (90%) was the most common drug followed by ceftriaxone (57%) and Pralidoxime (57%). The most common signs and symptoms were vomiting (81%), pain in epigastrium (38%), drowsiness (28%), and salivation (23%). A total of 17 patients (81%) of the total cases survived, while 4 patients (19%) expired during the management. Conclusion: Atropine was the most common drug used in the management of acute organophosphorus poisoning. Signs and symptoms related to the central nervous system and the gastrointestinal systems were common and the average duration of hospital stay was four days. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Drooling, defined as the unintentional loss of saliva from the anterior oral cavity, remains poorly understood in terms of the underlying clinical factors in people with Parkinson's disease (PwP). This study aims to clarify these factors by analyzing predictors and secondarily the correlates with the severity of drooling in PwP. Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study involving 42 PwP with drooling and 59 without drooling. Clinical assessments were performed, and the primary outcome was the item 2.2 Saliva and drooling of the Movement Disorder Society-Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale. The Mann–Whitney test was used to compare the distribution differences in clinical variables between PwP with and without drooling. The Spearman test was used to examine correlations with drooling, and ordinal logistic regression was used to examine predictors of drooling. Results: PwP with drooling showed significantly greater impairments in axial signs, posture, facial expression, speech, swallowing, oromotor, motor and non-motor domains than PwP without drooling. Longer disease duration, higher disease severity, levodopa equivalent daily dose, axial signs, unstimulated salivary flow rate, and impairments in speech, posture, facial expression, swallowing, oromotor, motor and non-motor domains were significantly correlated with a higher score on the item 2.2. Male sex, poorer swallowing, oromotor and speech functions were strong predictors of higher scores on the item 2.2 Saliva and drooling. Conclusions: Male PwP with swallowing disorders, oromotor and speech impairments are significantly more likely to have severe drooling. Targeted interventions aimed at these swallowing, oromotor, and speech impairments may offer promising approaches to reducing drooling severity in PwP. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: Clozapine, an atypical antipsychotic used to treat people with schizophrenia, has been proposed as a possible treatment for salivary gland hypofunction. This scoping review investigated the available literature on clozapine's impact on salivary Row, in order to determine whether it could be used by dental practitioners in low doses as a treatment for dry mouth. Data sources: An electronic search was completed using Ovid MEDLINE (1996 to Nov 2021). Key MeSH search terms included "clozapine," "Clozaril," "salivation," "salivary Row rate," "sialorrhea," "hypersalivation," and "drooling." Two reviewers independently reviewed eligible articles and extracted the data based on the inclusion and exclusion criteria. Results: The initial search identiRed 129 studies, six of which were included in this review. Four of them (one cross-sectional and three interventional) described salivary flow rates in schizophrenic patients taking clozapine, while one of those and two others focused on the mechanism of clozapine-induced sialorrhea, with one study covering both. There were mixed findings, with one study observing a moderate association between clozapine dose and salivary flow, and the others reporting no differences. Findings on the putative mechanisms for clozapine-induced sialorrhea (CIS) were inconclusive. Conclusion: There is insufficient high-quality information to justify using low-dose clozapine to increase salivary flow in dental patients with salivary gland hypofunction. Well-designed interventional studies and randomized control trials are required. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction Xerostomia is a subjective sensation of dry mouth due to lack of saliva. The objective of this study was to investigate the prevalence and factors associated with the presence of hypo-salivation and xerostomia complaint in patients with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS)-related complications. Material and methods One hundred and two adult subjects were divided into two groups (51 HIV-infected patients and 51 controls). Initially, subjects underwent oral examination and anamnesis. Afterwards, stimulated salivary flow and a questionnaire to evaluate the prevalence and intensity of xerostomia symptoms were utilized. Results The mean salivary flow was significantly lower in HIV-positive individuals compared with controls. Twenty-five (49%) patients with HIV infection experienced low salivary flow. The complaint of xerostomia was reported by 30 (59%) patients and 9 (18%) controls. The sensation of discomfort in the mouth, and difficulty in talking and eating had greater records of moderate to severe intensity in the case group. Of the total sample, 76% of individuals used antiretroviral therapy and other drugs capable of inducing hypo-salivation and, consequently, xerostomia. Conclusions Based on the results, it can be concluded that the prevalence of xerostomia among hospitalized patients due to AIDS complications is high. This fact may be associated with low salivary flow and the use of various drugs, including antiretroviral drugs.

Background: The frequent occurrence of dental caries and periodontal diseases in women during pregnancy may be due to many factors, such as salivary variables. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of pregnancy on salivary pH, flow rate, the DMFT index, and CPI sores. Methods: A total of 198 volunteers (pregnant in different trimesters and non- pregnant) were included for the present observational cross-sectional study. Data about sociodemographic characteristics and dental and systemic health conditions were recorded. Unstimulated saliva samples were collected for 5 min via the spitting method. The pH of the saliva was measured by a portable pH meter. The salivary flow rate was determined by the weight measurement method. The DMFT index and CPI were determined. The statistical evaluation was performed using Robust ve Poisson Regression analyses (p < 0.05). Results: It was determined that there was a gradually significant decrease in the Ph value from the first trimester to the third trimester during pregnancy, which was lower than the control group. (p < 0.001) The flow rate of pregnants in their third trimester was lower than that of first trimester (p = 0.017). The CPI scores of pregnant women were significantly greater than that of non-pregnants (p = 0.042), while the DMFTs were similar among all groups. Conclusion: Our findings indicate that pregnancy leads to a notable reduction in unstimulated salivary pH and flow rate, which also has a detrimental impact on periodontal health. Trial registration: Clinical Trials-ID: NCT06343337; Registration Date: 04.01.2024. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Drooling, commonly observed in cerebral palsy children, negatively impacts different aspects of their lives. There are several treatment options for drooling, with no consensus on a single method as the most effective one. The current systematic review provides an overview of the evidence of the different non-medical intervention methods used by speech and language pathologists to reduce drooling in cerebral palsy children. Methods: A comprehensive and systematic search was conducted in the following electronic databases for publications from 2010-22: PubMed, Scopus, Science Direct, Web of Science, Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, and Google Scholar. The National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC)and the Physiotherapy Evidence Database (PEDro-P) scale were respectively used to determine the level of evidence and the methodological quality of articles. Results: Out of 2740 articles identified, 15 records met the inclusion criteria and were included in the study. The studies considered in this systematic review differed in the following criteria: design, participant characteristics, types of assessments and treatments, and follow-up periods. Non-medical interventions for drooling were found to be effective in alleviating the severity and decreasing the frequency of drooling. Conclusion: The results showed the effectiveness of nonmedical interventions for drooling in cerebral palsy children. The treatments provided by SLPs can be classified into three categories: oromotor and sensory interventions, behavioral interventions, and the use of Kinesio-tape. Among these, the use of oromotor interventions and oral sensory interventions, alone or combined with other approaches, was the most widely used method. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Grahani is an important part of the Mahasrotas (gastrointestinal tract). Grahani and Agni (digestive fire) have an Adhara Adheya Sambandha (mutual relationship). Jatharagni (digestive fire) governs the process of digestion, supported by the Tridoshas (three bio-humors). Due to a chronic imbalance of the Pachaka Pitta (digestive fire), Saman Vayu (the air entity that aids digestion), and Kledaka Kapha (the type of phlegm involved in digestion), a weak digestive fire (Mandagni) can lead to the release of food in its undigested form (Ama Utpatti), resulting in Grahani Roga. This condition is accompanied by symptoms (Lakshanas) such as Atisrushta Atibadha Mala (loose or constipated stools), Trushna (thirst), Arochaka (lack of taste), Aasyavairasya (altered taste), Praseka (excessive salivation), Shoona Pada Kara (oedma in the hands and feet), Asthisara Ruk (pain in the phalangeal joints and bones), Chhardi (vomiting), Jwara (fever) and Louhagandhi Amlodgara (burps with an iron-like pungent odour). In the present case of a 38-year-old female patient, the histopathology study revealed ulcero-inflammatory strictured colitis with transmural lymphoid follicles, indicative of Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD). According to the basic treatment principles of Ayurveda, Grahani (IBD) can be effectively treated using a combination of Shamana (palliative care) and Shodhana Chikitsa (purificatory procedures). The general approach in Grahani treatment involves the use of Agnivardhana (appetiser) drugs with Deepana (digestive stimulant) and Pachana (digestive aid) properties, which work to enhance the digestive fire (Agni). In the present study, the patient had stopped allopathic drugs, and the Ayurvedic treatment proved to be a safe remedy without any side-effects. The present case study demonstrates the critical contribution of Ayurveda to the effective treatment of Grahani (IBD). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: It remains unclear how the salivary flow and the fat content of food affect bolus formation during mastication. Objectives: We aimed to clarify: (1) how hyposalivation affects jaw‐closing and hyoid‐elevating muscle activities in bolus formation, and (2) if the effect of hyposalivation on muscle activity depends on the fat content of food. Methods: Eighteen healthy male volunteers were instructed to freely ingest four test foods: Plain, Fat without seasoning, Fat with seasoning, and Soft rice crackers. Masseter and suprahyoid electromyographic activities were recorded before and 30 min after the administration of atropine sulfate, a muscarinic receptor antagonist that induces hyposalivation. Results: Hyposalivation extended the masticatory duration significantly in all the test foods except Fat with seasoning. Masticatory cycle time was significantly longer with vs without hyposalivation for the Soft (p =.011). Suprahyoid activity/cycle was significantly greater with vs without hyposalivation (p =.013). Masticatory cycle time was significantly longer at the late stage with vs without hyposalivation for the Soft (p <.001). Suprahyoid activity/cycle was significantly greater at the middle (p =.045) and late stages (p =.002) with vs without hyposalivation for the Soft and greater at the late stage with vs without hyposalivation for the Plain (p =.043). Changes in masticatory cycle time and suprahyoid activity/cycle for these foods had significantly positive relationship (p <.001). Conclusion: Hyposalivation‐induced changes in masticatory behaviours resulted from the middle and late stage suprahyoid activity. Fat content and seasoning compensate for salivary flow inhibition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of the study is to describe the severity, temporal characteristics, and types of autonomic features as they relate to the characteristics of pain of the neuralgias. Also, to describe, based on literature, how these autonomic features can affect the treatment outcomes of patients with craniofacial neuralgias. We carried out a literature search using five databases, PubMed, Embase, OVID, Scopus and Web of Science. The search was executed in accordance with Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA). The protocol for this systematic review and meta-analysis was registered on PROSPERO CRD42021235319. 40% of all patients with craniofacial neuralgias had at least one autonomic feature. Out of the craniofacial neuralgias, trigeminal neuralgia was the most reported, with lacrimation being the most prevalent concomitant autonomic feature. There was also differences in the occurrence of the autonomic features dependent on which branch of a nerve such as the trigeminal nerve, was afflicted. When trigeminal neuralgia is excluded, the rest of the craniofacial neuralgias had reported autonomic features 28% of the pain events. (95% Confidence Interval: 2-90%). Contrary to the conventional belief, we found certain autonomic features to be more predominant than others, in specific craniofacial neuralgias. The prevalence of the autonomic features for all craniofacial neuralgias in the descending order is as follows, lacrimation, conjunctival injection, nasal congestion, rhinorrhea, flushing, edema/swelling, salivation, ptosis and sweating. With trigeminal neuralgia, the most common autonomic feature was lacrimation, and the least common was nasal congestion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Oral health care behaviors during pregnancy affects maternal and child health outcomes. This scoping review sought to map the existing literature on the oral healthcare behaviors of pregnant women in Nigeria. Methods: PubMed, Science Direct, Web of Science, EBSCOHOST, Sabinet, African Index Medicus, and Scopus data based were searched in August 2023. Articles with reports on the oral health behavior of pregnant women in Nigeria, published in English in peer review were included in the review. Articles whose full lengths could not be accessed, and commentaries on studies, and letters to the editor were also excluded. Data on authors and year of publication of the study, study location, study objective, study design, methodological approach for data collection, and study outcomes were extracted and descriptively synthesized. Results: The search yielded a total of 595 articles of which 573 were unique. Only 21 articles were left after titles and abstracts screening and only 18 articles met the eligibility criteria. The proportion of pregnant women had utilized dental services ranged from 4 to 62.9%, the use of toothbrush and toothpaste ranged from 59.6 to 99.3%, twice daily tooth brushing ranged from 5.2 to 66.9%, and the use of toothbrush among pregnant women in the studies varies from 70.9 to 100%. Chewing stick was used by 0.1–27.7% of study participants. Dental problems such as caries, pain, swollen gums, and excessive salivation were reasons for seeking dental care. We identified individual, structural, and behavioral factors, including myths as barriers for dental service utilization. Conclusion: This scoping review shows that dental service utilization by pregnant women in Nigeria is poor and mainly due to curative than preventive needs. Oral health behaviours also need to be improved through tailored oral health education accessible to pregnant women in Nigeria. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chorea-acanthocytosis (ChAc) is a rare, neurodegenerative disorder caused by mutations in the VPS13A gene. In this article, we report on a 32-year-old man diagnosed with ChAc, with involuntary movements of the mouth and trunk, drooling of the mouth, slurred speech, and abnormal vocalizations as the main clinical manifestations. Three weeks after implantation of globus pallidus internal (GPi)-deep brain stimulation (DBS), the patient's symptoms improved significantly. For example, articulation is clear, involuntary trunk movements and salivation have largely disappeared, and abnormal vocalizations have been significantly reduced. After 1 year of follow-up, the improvement in involuntary movement symptoms is essentially the same as before. As far as we know, we are the first to report the relief of involuntary vocalizations in a patient with GPi-DBS treatment, and that salivation and involuntary trunk movements have almost disappeared, and all other symptoms are significantly relieved, which is rare in previous cases. All of the above proves that the treatment of our case with DBS was very successful and that longer term follow-up is critical. We also hope that our case will provide new references and therapeutic ideas for the future treatment of patients with ChAc. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Oropharyngeal carcinoma (OPC) and its treatments can negatively affect patient quality of life (QoL). This study focused on assessing the impact on QoL in OPC survivors using the EORTC QLQ-C30 and EORTC QLQ-H&N35 scales before treatment and in the first and third years after treatment. Of 72 patients treated for OPC, 51 completed all questionnaires over 3 years. A variable deterioration of the QoL scores was detected prior to treatment. Most items of QoL worsened significantly after treatment and during the first year and improved in the third year. Advanced-stage cancer and definitive chemoradiotherapy treatment showed the worst scores. Patients treated with an open surgical approach exhibited significant deterioration compared to transoral surgery. This prospective long-term study in a homogeneous group of OPC survivors showed that although QoL was generally good, patients needed a long period of time to recover from both cancer and treatment effects. (1) Background: This prospective study aimed to assess the impact on quality of life (QoL) from pretreatment to 3 years after treatment in oropharyngeal carcinoma (OPC) survivors. (2) Methods: QoL was measured with the EORTC QLQ-C30 and EORTC QLQ-H&N35 scales before treatment and in the first and third years. (3) Results: Of 72 patients, 51 completed all questionnaires over 3 years. A variable deterioration of QoL scores was detected before treatment. Most items worsened significantly after treatment and during the first year and improved in the third year. Advanced-stage cancer and definitive chemoradiotherapy treatment showed the worst scores. At 3 years, patients who underwent surgery with adjuvant radiation therapy/chemotherapy had significantly better scores on global QoL and emotional functioning compared to those treated with definitive chemoradiotherapy, who also reported problems with sticky salivation and dry mouth. Patients treated with an open surgical approach showed significantly greater deterioration in physical and role functioning compared to transoral surgery. (4) Conclusions: This long-term prospective study is the first in Spain to use EORCT scales in a homogeneous group of OPC survivors. QoL was generally good, although patients needed a long period of time to recover from both cancer and side effects of treatment. Advanced-stage cancer and definitive chemoradiotherapy showed the worst scores. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Hyposalivation is treated using oral cholinergic drugs; however, systemic side effects occasionally lead to discontinuation of treatment. We aimed to investigate the effects of transdermal pilocarpine on the salivary gland skin on saliva secretion and safety in rats. Methods: Pilocarpine was administered to rats orally (0.5 mg/kg) or topically on the salivary gland skin (5 mg/body). Saliva volume, the number of sweat dots, and fecal weight were measured along with pilocarpine concentration in plasma and submandibular gland tissues. Results: Saliva volume significantly increased 0.5 h after oral administration and 0.5, 3, and 12 h after topical administration. Fecal weight and sweat dots increased significantly 1 h after oral administration; however, no changes were observed after topical application. The pilocarpine concentration in the submandibular gland tissues of the topical group was higher than that in the oral group at 0.5, 3, and 12 h of administration. Conclusions: Pilocarpine application to salivary gland skin persistently increased salivary volume in rats without inducing sweating or diarrhea. Transdermal pilocarpine applied to the skin over the salivary glands may be an effective and safe treatment option for hyposalivation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Maintaining appropriate salivary levels of an active ingredient is challenging. Intraoral trays can be used to deliver medications for localized treatment. Based on previous successful daytime studies with a slow-release sirolimus varnish, the aim was to optimize intraoral appliances/trays for overnight use to deliver slow-release medications in a manner that maintains therapeutic salivary levels of the active ingredient to treat oral conditions. Method and materials: An acrylic tray appliance containing 0.5 mg of sirolimus in a sustained-release varnish was placed on six anterior teeth for 12 hours, in ten healthy volunteers. Whole unstimulated saliva was collected at 1, 2, 10, and 12 hours after application. Blood was collected at the time of recruitment to confirm eligibility, and 12 hours after device removal to measure sirolimus levels. Drug levels in the blood and saliva were analyzed. Slow- and fast-release formulations, varnish position (buccal, palatal, or lingual), and tray placement (mandibular or maxillary) were qualitatively compared. Participants evaluated the varnish and tray. Results: Moderate concentrations of sirolimus were detected in the saliva when the fast-release formulation was used. The highest levels were from the mandibular tray with lingual varnish application. Sialometry of all participants was within normal range, and the highest drug levels were detected when low flow was measured. No traces of the medication were found in the blood. Conclusions: Salivary concentrations of medications applied to an intraoral appliance are affected by the placement in the maxilla or mandible, varnish formulation, location of varnish, and salivation rate. These results may help optimize medication release following application to various oral devices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: Confirm that stem cells from human exfoliated deciduous teeth‐derived exosomes (SHED‐exos) can limit inflammation‐triggered epithelial cell apoptosis and explore the molecular mechanism. Methods: SHED‐exos were injected into the submandibular glands (SMGs) of non‐obese diabetic (NOD) mice, an animal model of Sjögren's syndrome (SS). Cell death was evaluated by western blotting and terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase‐mediated dUTP nick‐end labelling staining. Results: SHED‐exos treatment promoted the saliva flow rates of NOD mice, accompanied by decreased cleaved caspase‐3 levels and apoptotic cell numbers in SMGs. SHED‐exos inhibited autophagy, pyroptosis, NETosis, ferroptosis, necroptosis and oxeiptosis marker expression in SS‐damaged glands. Mechanistically, Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes analysis of exosomal miRNAs suggested that the rat sarcoma virus (RAS)/mitogen‐activated protein kinase kinase (MEK)/extracellular signal‐regulated kinase (ERK) pathway might play an important role. In vivo, the expression of Kirsten RAS, Harvey RAS, MEK1/2 and p‐ERK1/2 was upregulated in SMGs, and this change was blocked by SHED‐exos treatment. In vitro, SHED‐exos suppressed p‐ERK1/2 activation and increased cleaved caspase‐3 and apoptotic cell numbers, which were induced by IFN‐γ. Conclusion: SHED‐exos suppress epithelial cell death, which is responsible for promoting salivary secretion. SHED‐exos inhibited inflammation‐triggered epithelial cell apoptosis by suppressing p‐ERK1/2 activation, which is involved in these effects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: This study purpose of determining the short-term effects of kinesio taping on drooling in children with cerebral palsy (CP). Methods: CP were randomly divided into 3 groups as the kinesio tape (n = 16), sham tape (n = 16), and control (n = 16) groups. The drooling severity and frequency were assessed with the Drooling Severity and Frequency Scale, and the amount of saliva was measured by the 5-minute drooling quotient. All outcome measurements were repeated for all children at the baseline, after 45 minutes, and after 2 days of application. Results: There was a significant decrease found in drooling severity, frequency, and amount in the kinesio taping group (p <.05). There was no significant difference in the sham taping and control groups (p >.05). Conclusion: The use of kinesio tape in drooling reduced drooling severity, frequency, and amount. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: The Southern rice black‐streaked dwarf virus (SRBSDV) transmitted by Sogatella furcifera constitutes a threat to sustainable rice production. However, most rice varieties are highly vulnerable to SRBSDV, whereas the occurrence of the viral disease varies significantly under field conditions. This study aimed to evaluate the potential of rice varietal resistance to S. furcifera in reducing SRBSDV transmission. RESULTS: Among the five rice varieties, Zhongzheyou8 and Deyou108 exhibited high resistance to S. furcifera, Baixiangnuo33 was susceptible, and TN1 and Diantun502 were highly susceptible. The S. furcifera generally showed non‐preference for and low feeding on the Zhongzheyou8 and Deyou108 plants, which may explain the resistance of these varieties to S. furcifera. Transmission of SRBSDV by S. furcifera was significantly impaired on the resistant varieties, both inoculation and acquisition rates were much lower on Zhongzheyou8 than on TN1. The short durations of S. furcifera salivation and phloem‐related activities and the low S. furcifera feeding amount may explain the reduced SRBSDV inoculation and acquisition rates associated with Zhongzheyou8. Spearman's rank correlation revealed a significant negative correlation between S. furcifera resistance and SRBSDV transmission among the tested varieties. CONCLUSION: The results indicate that rice varietal resistance to the vector S. furcifera hinders SRBSDV transmission, which is largely associated with the host plant selection and feeding behaviors of the vector. The current findings shed light on the management of the SRBSDV viral disease through incorporation of S. furcifera resistant rice varieties in the management protocol. © 2024 Society of Chemical Industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Few studies have examined health related Quality of Life (HR-QoL) during the treatment of head and neck cancer (HNC) with even fewer focusing on the impact of oral mucositis (OM) on HR-QoL. Studies performed during treatment of HNC makes it possible to follow fluctuations in HR-QoL, OM and other treatment related side effects. The aim was to prospectively analyze HR-QoL, changes in clinical variables and the impact of OM on HR-QoL during HNC treatment. Materials and methods: Patients were recruited before commencing curative cancer treatment and were given professional oral care weekly during oncologic treatment. HR-QoL was reported before, during (week 2, 4 and 6) and three months after treatment using the EORTC Quality of Life questionnaires C30 and H&N35 and the stimulated whole salivary secretion rate was determined at the same time-points. OM (erythema and ulceration) was registered using the Oral Mucositis Assessment Scale (OMAS), at baseline, weekly during treatment and post treatment. Differences in HR-QoL between different timepoints were analyzed. To analyze the impact of OM on HR-QoL the patients were categorized into two groups: no/mild OM (OMAS ulceration score 0–1) or severe OM (OMAS ulceration score ≥ 2) and HR-QoL was compared between the two OM groups at three timepoints during treatment. Results: Fifty-seven patients (43 men, 14 women), with a mean age of 58 years were included. Patients reported progressively impaired HR-QoL, with peak issues noted at weeks 4 and 6, particularly in social eating, senses, appetite loss, sticky saliva, and decreasing salivary secretion rates were determined. Patients with severe OM reported worse HR-QoL compared to those with no/mild OM. Persistent problems 3 months post treatment were appetite loss, dry mouth, senses (smell and taste) and problems with social eating. Conclusion: Patients experienced exacerbated symptoms and problems weeks 4 and 6 of oncological treatment, especially among those with severe OM, stressing the importance of clinically monitoring the patients to reduce and alleviate their symptoms. Persistent problems three months post treatment are likely associated with the reduced salivary secretion rate indicating that patients should be monitored also after completed oncological treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Importance: Post-stroke sialorrhea (PSS) refers to excessive saliva flowing out the lip border after a stroke. PSS negatively affects patient self-image and social communication and may lead to depression. Limited evidence supports the link between excessive salivation and PSS. No large-scale, strictly controlled randomized controlled trials have shown the effectiveness of acupuncture in treating PSS patients. Objective: We aim to compare the effects of intraoral and sham acupuncture in PSS patients and explore relationships among salivation and drooling severity and frequency and swallowing function in stroke patients. Design: Clinical study protocol, SPIRIT compliant. Setting: Prospective, single-center, randomized, and sham-controlled trial. Population: We will recruit 106 PSS patients to receive 4-week intraoral or sham acupuncture. Additionally, 53 stroke patients without PSS will undergo a conventional 4-week treatment program to compare salivation between PSS and non-PSS patients. Exposures: Intraoral or sham acupuncture. Main Outcomes and Measures: The main evaluation index will be the 3-minute saliva weight (3MSW), comparing changes in 3MSW from baseline to weeks 4 and 8. Secondary assessment indices will include the "Drooling Severity and Frequency Scale" and "Functional Oral Intake Scale." Results: The results from this study will be published in peer-reviewed journals. Conclusion: Comparing effects of intraoral and sham acupuncture in PSS patients, this study may contribute important evidence for future PSS treatment and provide valuable insights into whether salivation issues in stroke patients are attributed to heightened salivary secretion or dysphagia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The infectious inoculum of a sand fly, apart from its metacyclic promastigotes, is composed of factors derived from both the parasite and the vector. Vector-derived factors, including salivary proteins and the gut microbiota, are essential for the establishment and enhancement of infection. However, the type and the number of bacteria egested during salivation is unclear. In the present study, sand flies of Phlebotomus papatasi were gathered from three locations in hyperendemic focus of zoonotic cutaneous leishmaniasis (ZCL) in Isfahan Province, Iran. By using the forced salivation assay and targeting the 16S rRNA barcode gene, egested bacteria were characterized in 99 (44%) out of 224 sand flies. Culture-dependent and culture-independent methods identified the members of Enterobacter cloacae and Spiroplasma species as dominant taxa, respectively. Ten top genera of Spiroplasma, Ralstonia, Acinetobacter, Reyranella, Undibacterium, Bryobacter, Corynebacterium, Cutibacterium, Psychrobacter, and Wolbachia constituted >80% of the saliva microbiome. Phylogenetic analysis displayed the presence of only one bacterial species for the Spiroplasma, Ralstonia, Reyranella, Bryobacter and Wolbachia, two distinct species for Cutibacterium, three for Undibacterium and Psychrobacter, 16 for Acinetobacter, and 27 for Corynebacterium, in the saliva. The abundance of microbes in P. papatasi saliva was determined by incorporating the data on the read counts and the copy number of 16S rRNA gene, about 9,000 bacterial cells, per sand fly. Both microbiological and metagenomic data indicate that bacteria are constant companions of Leishmania, from the intestine of the vector to the vertebrate host. This is the first forced salivation experiment in a sand fly, addressing key questions on infectious bite and competent vectors. Author summary: Female sand flies salivate during feeding on vertebrate blood and natural sugars. During salivation, they may release microorganisms associated with the salivary glands and digestive tract, i.e. viruses, bacteria, and other pathogens, into the feeding substrates. However, the type and the number of bacteria egested during salivation is unclear. Here, by sing the forced salivation experiment and targeting the 16S rRNA barcode gene, egested bacteria were characterized in sand flies. Culture-dependent and culture-independent methods identified the members of Enterobacter cloacae and Spiroplasma species as dominant taxa, respectively. The abundance of microbes in the saliva of each P. papatasi sand fly was determined to be around 9,000 bacterial cells. The lack of a vaccine and the failure of treatment in leishmaniasis provide many motivations to better understand the factors cause the inflammatory response. The findings of this study can improve our insight into measuring the effect of vector-derived bacteria on the improvement or deterioration of leishmaniasis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Mayaro virus (MAYV) is an emerging alphavirus, primarily transmitted by the mosquito Haemagogus janthinomys in Central and South America. However, recent studies have shown that Aedesaegypti, Aedesalbopictus and various Anopheles mosquitoes can also transmit the virus under laboratory conditions. MAYV causes sporadic outbreaks across the South American region, particularly in areas near forests. Recently, cases have been reported in European and North American travelers returning from endemic areas, raising concerns about potential introductions into new regions. This study aims to assess the vector competence of three potential vectors for MAYV present in Europe. Methods: Aedesalbopictus from Italy, Anophelesatroparvus from Spain and Culexpipiens biotype molestus from Belgium were exposed to MAYV and maintained under controlled environmental conditions. Saliva was collected through a salivation assay at 7 and 14 days post-infection (dpi), followed by vector dissection. Viral titers were determined using focus forming assays, and infection rates, dissemination rates, and transmission efficiency were calculated. Results: Results indicate that Ae.albopictus and An.atroparvus from Italy and Spain, respectively, are competent vectors for MAYV, with transmission possible starting from 7 dpi under laboratory conditions. In contrast, Cx.pipiens bioform molestus was unable to support MAYV infection, indicating its inability to contribute to the transmission cycle. Conclusions: In the event of accidental MAYV introduction in European territories, autochthonous outbreaks could potentially be sustained by two European species: Ae.albopictus and An.atroparvus. Entomological surveillance should also consider certain Anopheles species when monitoring MAYV transmission. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Radiation-induced hyposalivation is a common complication of radiotherapy for head and neck cancers. The most commonly prescribed medication for hyposalivation is pilocarpine. However, due to the numerous systemic side-effects associated with pilocarpine, there has been a proposal to use it as a mouthwash. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of 1% pilocarpine mouthwash on salivary flow in patients with radiation-induced xerostomia.Method: This double-blind, randomized clinical trial involved 63 patients with radiation-induced xerostomia. The patients were randomly allocated into the pilocarpine hydrochloride 1% mouthwash group and the placebo one. Patients were instructed to use these mouthwashes four times a day, with 30 drops each time, for two minutes. Unstimulated saliva production in patients was measured using the spitting method at three stages: two weeks before the commencement of radiotherapy, two weeks after, and four weeks after the completion of radiotherapy. These measurements were then compared between the two groups. Statistical analysis included chi-square, independent t-test, and Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) with repeated measures and the Sidak post hoc test. Statistical analysis was conducted using SPSS 17, and a significance level of P < 0.05 was applied.Results: A comparison of saliva secretion between the pilocarpine mouthwash group and the control group at various time points after radiotherapy revealed that saliva secretion in the control group significantly decreased compared with the pilocarpine mouthwash group (P < 0.001).Conclusion: 1% pilocarpine mouthwash is recommended for managing radiationinduced xerostomia.

Although dry mouth is a relatively common condition, salivary flow is not routinely measured in dental clinical practice. Moreover, existing data regarding the use of the modified Schirmer test (MST) for the screening of dry mouth has not been summarized. This systematic review and meta‐analysis, conducted in accordance with the PRISMA guidelines, aimed to determine whether the modified Schirmer test can be used to identify dry mouth. The databases of PubMed, Scopus, ScienceDirect, and CENTRAL (CRD42023393843) were systematically searched to retrieve articles published until 9th November 2023. Among the 343 original articles retrieved, six met the inclusion criteria. A total of 1150 patients, comprising 710 (61.7%) women and 440 (38.3%) men (mean age, 47.1 ± 7.3 years), were included. The meta‐analysis revealed a weak correlation coefficient of r¯$\bar{r}$ = 0.42 (95% Cl: 0.29–0.55) between MST and the unstimulated salivary flow rate. Therefore, while the MST might offer a simple and accessible alternative for initial screening in the future, especially in non‐specialized settings, its variability in sensitivity and specificity, along with an actual lack of standardization, necessitates cautious interpretation. Further studies are necessary before recommending the test in clinical routine. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recurrent aphthous stomatitis (RAS) is a chronic and recurrent inflammatory disease of the mouth. It is characterised by the appearance of painful ulcers in the oral mucosa. RAS is believed to be a multifactorial disease with genetic predisposition, environmental factors and alterations in the immune system. Oxidative stress, caused by an imbalance between free radicals and the antioxidant system, also appears to be involved in the pathogenesis of RAS. Several risk factors, such as smoking, iron and vitamin deficiency and anxiety, may contribute to the development of the disease. Understanding the underlying mechanisms may help in the prevention and treatment of RAS. We searched PubMed, Scopus and Web of Science databases for articles on oxidative stress in patients with RAS from 2000 to 2023. Studies analysing oxidant and antioxidant levels in the blood and saliva of RAS patients and healthy controls were selected. Of 170 potentially eligible articles, 24 met the inclusion criteria: 11 studies on blood samples, 6 on salivary samples and 7 on both blood and salivary samples. Multiple oxidative and antioxidant markers were assessed in blood and saliva samples. Overall, statistically significant differences were found between RAS patients and healthy controls for most markers. In addition, increased oxidative DNA damage was observed in patients with RAS. Patients with RAS show elevated levels of oxidative stress compared to healthy controls, with a significant increase in oxidative markers and a significant decrease in antioxidant defences in saliva and blood samples. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: There is a lack of research to determine the efficacy of cervical perivascular sympathectomy (CPVS) in children with cerebral palsy (CP). Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of CPVS in children with CP and analyze the associated influential factors. Methods: Using the method of retrospective cohort studies, children who underwent CPVS were included in the CPVS group, whereas those who underwent selective posterior rhizotomy (SPR) were included in the SPR group. The Communication Function Classification System (CFCS) and Teacher Drooling Scale (TDS) were used to evaluate the communication function and salivation in the two groups before and 12 months after surgery and compare the surgical efficiency between the two groups, and the factors affecting the efficacy were screened by binary logistic regression. Results: The study included 406 patients, 202 in the CPVS group and 204 in the SPR group. No significant differences were observed in the baseline characteristics (p > 0.05). The surgical efficacy of the CPVS group (47.01%) was significantly higher than that in the SPR group (9.81%) (χ2 = 71.08, p < 0.001). Binary logic regression analysis showed that preterm birth and Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS) grade were influencing factors of surgical efficacy. Eighteen patients developed postoperative complications. Conclusion: CPVS is a safe and effective surgery for cerebral palsy. Preterm birth and GMFCS grade are independent factors affecting the efficacy of surgery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In agroecosystems, insects contend with chemical insecticides often encountered at sublethal concentrations. Insects' exposure to these mild stresses may induce hormetic effects, which has consequences for managing insect pests. In this study, we used an electrical penetration graph (EPG) technique to investigate the feeding behavior and an age-stage, two-sex life table approach to estimate the sublethal effects of thiamethoxam on greenbug, Schizaphis graminum. The LC5 and LC10 of thiamethoxam significantly decreased longevity and fecundity of directly exposed adult aphids (F0). However, the adult longevity, fecundity, and reproductive days (RPd)—indicating the number of days in which the females produce offspring – in the progeny generation (F1) exhibited significant increase when parental aphids (F0) were treated with LC5 of the active ingredient. Subsequently, key demographic parameters such as intrinsic rate of increase (r) and net reproductive rate (R0) significantly increased at LC5 treatment. EPG recordings showed that total durations of non-probing (Np), intercellular stylet pathway (C), and salivary secretion into the sieve element (E1) were significantly increased, while mean duration of probing (Pr) and total duration of phloem sap ingestion and concurrent salivation (E2) were decreased in F0 adults exposed to LC5 and LC10. Interestingly, in the F1 generation, total duration of Np was significantly decreased while total duration of E2 was increased in LC5 treatment. Taken together, our results showed that an LC5 of thiamethoxam induces intergenerational hormetic effects on the demographic parameters and feeding behavior of F1 individuals of S. graminum. These findings have important implications on chemical control against S. graminum and highlight the need for a deeper understanding of the ecological consequences of such exposures within pest management strategies across the agricultural landscapes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Radiation-induced hyposalivation is a common complication of radiotherapy for head and neck cancers. The most commonly prescribed medication for hyposalivation is pilocarpine. However, due to the numerous systemic side-effects associated with pilocarpine, there has been a proposal to use it as a mouthwash. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of 1% pilocarpine mouthwash on salivary flow in patients with radiation-induced xerostomia. Method: This double-blind, randomized clinical trial involved 63 patients with radiation-induced xerostomia. The patients were randomly allocated into the pilocarpine hydrochloride 1% mouthwash group and the placebo one. Patients were instructed to use these mouthwashes four times a day, with 30 drops each time, for two minutes. Unstimulated saliva production in patients was measured using the spitting method at three stages: two weeks before the commencement of radiotherapy, two weeks after, and four weeks after the completion of radiotherapy. These measurements were then compared between the two groups. Statistical analysis included chi-square, independent t-test, and Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) with repeated measures and the Sidak post hoc test. Statistical analysis was conducted using SPSS 17, and a significance level of P < 0.05 was applied. Results: A comparison of saliva secretion between the pilocarpine mouthwash group and the control group at various time points after radiotherapy revealed that saliva secretion in the control group significantly decreased compared with the pilocarpine mouthwash group (P < 0.001). Conclusion: 1% pilocarpine mouthwash is recommended for managing radiation-induced xerostomia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

When conducting toxicology studies, the interpretation of drug-related neurological clinical signs such as convulsions, myoclonus/myoclonic jerks, tremors, ataxia, and salivation requires an understanding of the spontaneous incidence of those observations in commonly used laboratory animal species. The spontaneous incidence of central nervous system clinical signs in control animals from a single facility using cage-side observations or high definition video monitoring was retrospectively analyzed. Spontaneous convulsions were observed at low incidence in Beagle dogs and Sprague–Dawley rats but were not identified in cynomolgus monkeys and Göttingen minipigs. Spontaneous myoclonic jerks and muscle twitches were observed at low incidence in Beagle dogs, cynomolgus monkeys, and Sprague–Dawley rats but were not seen in Göttingen minipigs. Spontaneous ataxia/incoordination was identified in all species and generally with a higher incidence when using video monitoring. Salivation and tremors were the two most frequent spontaneous clinical signs and both were observed in all species. Data from the current study unveil potential limitations when using control data obtained from a single study for toxicology interpretation related to low incidence neurological clinical signs while providing historical control data from Beagle dogs, cynomolgus monkeys, Sprague–Dawley rats, and Göttingen minipigs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The prevalence between erosive tooth wear (ETW) in association with reflux oesophagitis (RO) has been reported. However, the severity of both diseases and the relationship between ETW and non‐erosive reflux disease (NERD) is unclear. Objectives: The prevalence and severity of ETW were investigated in RO, NERD and healthy controls. Methods: 135 patients with RO, 65 with NERD and 40 healthy controls were recruited for this case–control study. A modified tooth wear index was used to evaluate the prevalence and severity of ETW. Salivary secretion and buffer capacity were assessed prior to endoscopy. The prevalence and severity of ETW, saliva properties among each group were analysed using Pearson's chi‐squared test. Results: A total of 135 cases (56.3%) were categorised as the patient with ETW (55 with mild RO, 49 with severe RO and 31 with NERD). There was a significant relationship between the prevalence of RO and ETW, while there was no significant correlation between the prevalence of NERD and ETW. There was a significant difference related to the severity between RO and ETW. For salivary secretion, there was a significant difference between with and without ETW in patients with mild RO, severe RO and NERD. There was a significant difference between with and without ETW for salivary buffer capacity in patients with mild and severe RO. Conclusion: There was a significant association of the prevalence and severity between RO and ETW. Clinical signs such as ETW and salivary buffer capacity depended on the severity of RO. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Human saliva as a bodily fluid—similar to blood—is utilized for diagnostic purposes. Unlike blood sampling, collecting saliva is non-invasive, inexpensive, and readily accessible. There are no previously published systematic reviews regarding different collection, transportation, preparation, and storage methods for human saliva. Design: This study has been prepared and organized according to the preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses (PRISMA) 2020 guidelines. This systematic review has been registered at PROSPERO (Registration ID: CRD42023415384). The study question according to the PICO format was as followed: Comparison of the performance (C) of different saliva sampling, handling, transportation, and storage techniques and methods (I) assessed for analyzing stimulated or unstimulated human saliva (P and O). An electronic search was executed in Scopus, Google Scholar, and PubMed. Results: Twenty-three descriptive human clinical studies published between 1995 and 2022 were included. Eight categories of salivary features and biomarkers were investigated (i.e., salivary flow rate, total saliva quantity, total protein, cortisol, testosterone, DNA quality and quantity, pH and buffering pH). Twenty-two saliva sampling methods/devices were utilized. Passive drooling, Salivette®, and spitting were the most utilized methods. Sampling times with optimum capabilities for cortisol, iodine, and oral cancer metabolites are suggested to be 7:30 AM to 9:00 AM, 10:30 AM to 11:00 AM, and 14:00 PM to 20:00 PM, respectively. There were 6 storage methods. Centrifuging samples and storing them at -70 °C to -80 °C was the most utilized storage method. For DNA quantity and quality, analyzing samples immediately after collection without centrifuging or storage, outperformed centrifuging samples and storing them at -70 °C to -80 °C. Non-coated Salivette® was the most successful method/device for analyzing salivary flow rate. Conclusion: It is highly suggested that scientists take aid from the reported categorized outcomes, and design their study questions based on the current voids for each method/device. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: The strength of the association between obesity and oral health is still indecisive. Objective: The objectives of the study were to compare some oral‐health data between two groups involving obese (OG) and normal weight (NWG) participants and determine the influencing factors of the periodontal probing depth (PPD). Methods: This was a cross‐sectional study including 67 Tunisian adults [OG (n = 33, body mass index (BMI) > 30 kg/m2), NWG (n = 34, BMI: 18.5–25.0 kg/m2)]. The plaque level was recorded using the plaque index (PI). Gingival index (GI) was used to evaluate gingival inflammation. The depths of the sulci/pockets were probed using a periodontal probe. Stimulated saliva was collected for 5 min, and salivary flow rate (SFR) was determined. Salivary baseline pH (SBpH) was measured. A multivariable regression analysis was performed between PPD and some independent variables [i.e. obesity status, age, sex, socioeconomic status, systemic diseases and PI data]. Results: The OG and NWG were age‐ and sex‐matched and included comparable percentages of participants with systemic diseases (27.3 vs. 29.4%, respectively). The OG included a higher percentage of participants having a low socioeconomic status (87.9 vs. 64.7%, respectively). Compared with the NWG, the OG: (i) had comparable values of daily toothbrushing frequency, PI, GI and tooth mobility, (ii) included comparable percentages of irregular brushers, of participants with periodontitis, PI classes [0–1]and [1–2]; and GI classes [0–1], [1–2] and [2, 3]; (iii) had a higher PPD (2.02 ± 0.41 vs. 2.35 ± 0.22 mm, respectively), (iv) had lower SBpH (7.59 ± 0.21 vs. 7.45 ± 0.22, respectively) and SFR (1.98 ± 0.28 vs. 1.60 ± 0.32 mL/mn, respectively) and (v) included a higher percentage of participants having a PI class [2, 3] (67.6 vs. 87.9%, respectively). The multivariable regression analysis revealed that only obesity status, age and PI classes influenced the PPD, altogether explained 29.62% of the PPD variance. Conclusion: Obesity poses a risk for oral health, and obese adults had altered PPD and lower BSpH and SFR. Dentists should make obese patients aware of the health risks of obesity in an attempt to reduce the potential oral complications associated with this epidemic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Brazil has a larger number of adolescent offenders, but studies evaluating their oral health are still limited. Objective: Assess the association between salivary flow and caries experience in youngsters deprived of liberty. Methodology: Sixty-eight male adolescents in conflict with the law, aged between 15 and 19 years, from a Socio-Educational Assistance Center in Brazil participated in the present study. They answered a structured questionnaire, and oral examination was performed by the Decayed, Missing, and Filled Teeth (DMFT) index. The salivary flow rate was obtained using the mechanically stimulated total saliva method. Adjusted Poisson regression was used for the association with total DMFT and its decayed component, using the salivary flow (continuous fashion) or the hyposalivation (≤1 ml/min) as independent variables. Results: Participants were divided into two groups, those who did not have any decayed teeth at the moment of the examination (n = 39) and those who had at least one decayed tooth (n = 29). Moreover, two groups were formed based on the DMFT: those who had DMFT = 0 (n = 20) and those who had DMFT≥1 (n = 48). In the multivariate analysis, hyposalivation was associated with DMFT≥1 (p = 0.048), but when the salivary flow was included, no significant association with DMFT index was identified (p = 0.178). Conversely, the presence of at least one decayed tooth was significantly associated with the salivary flow (p = 0.004), but not with hyposalivation (p = 0.091). Conclusions: Institutionalized adolescents who present hyposalivation or low salivary flow are associated with DMFT≥1 index or presence of at least one decayed tooth, respectively.

Background: Microgravity in space causes changes in the physiology of human body and as a result makes them susceptible to various pathology. As a result astronauts suffer from health disorders which includes otorhinolaryngological disorders Aim: To gather information about the various otorhinolaryngological manifestations occuring in microgravity by compiling the available scattered data existing in literature Methods: This is a narrative review article. Using keywords a search was made on the internet, various databases such as googlescholar, pubmed to find out the description of various otorhinolaryngological manifestation in microgravity environment of space. A few proposals or initiatives are given at the end of the discussion so that more research can be conducted on this aspect of otorhinolaryngology Results: Studies have revealed that the microgravity environment leads to mastoid effusion, predisposes tosinusitis, causes cytoskeletal changes and altered gene expression in thyroid cancer cells, decreases salivary secretion,causes difficulty in airway management, affects temporomandibular joint function, causes impairment of balance. Regarding sleep some studies revealed that microgravity improves sleep whileother studies revealed that microgravity causes increase in sleep disturbances. Important future initiatives include establishment of world class health and research facility, National Health Programme forastronauts, Fellowship courses by NBEMS etc. Conclusion: Microgravity has a significant impact on mastoid, sinuses, sleep, thyroid cancer cells, salivation, airway, temporomandibular joint and balance. More research needs to be conducted on this topic.

Tight junctions (TJs) are cell–cell interactions that localize at the most apical portion of epithelial/endothelial cells. One of the predominant functions of TJs is to regulate material transport through paracellular pathway, which serves as a selective barrier. In recent years, the expression and function of TJs in salivary glands has attracted great interest. The characteristics of multiple salivary gland TJ proteins have been identified. During salivation, the activation of muscarinic acetylcholine receptor and transient receptor potential vanilloid subtype 1, as well as other stimuli, promote the opening of acinar TJs by inducing internalization of TJs, thereby contributing to increased paracellular permeability. Besides, endothelial TJs are also redistributed with leakage of blood vessels in cholinergic‐stimulated submandibular glands. Furthermore, under pathological conditions, such as Sjögren's syndrome, diabetes mellitus, immunoglobulin G4‐related sialadenitis, and autotransplantation, the integrity and barrier function of TJ complex are impaired and may contribute to hyposalivation. Moreover, in submandibular glands of Sjögren's syndrome mouse model and patients, the endothelial barrier is disrupted and involved in hyposecretion and lymphocytic infiltration. These findings enrich our understanding of the secretory mechanisms that link the importance of epithelial and endothelial TJ functions to salivation under both physiological and pathophysiological conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To determine the occurrence of hyposalivation in Brazilian adults and its association with individual determinants, such as the use of medications, systemic conditions, smoking, and alcohol consumption. Material and Methods: A cross-sectional study with 402 adults was developed. Information was collected on sociodemographic and general health characteristics, and sialometry was performed with stimulated salivary flow. It indicated low salivary flow when ≤ 0.7 mL/min. Bivariate and multivariate analyses were conducted using a decision tree (p<0.05). Results: The sample was comprised predominantly of women (68.2%) aged ≤ 29 years (25.4%). Most participants did not use medication (56.7%). Among systemic diseases, the most cited was hypertension (25.1%). More than a third of the participants presented hyposalivation (40.3%), being associated with the following variables: age between 50 to 59 years (p=0.011), female sex (p<0.001), menopause (p=0.001), use of alcohol (p=0.033), systemic disease (p=0.002) and medication use (p<0.001). In multivariate analysis, in addition to sex (p<0.001) and hypertension (p=0.005), an association was also found between hyposalivation and diabetes (p=0.014). Conclusion: Factors associated with hyposalivation in adults were sex and the presence of hypertension or diabetes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Brazil has a larger number of adolescent offenders, but studies evaluating their oral health are still limited. Assess the association between salivary flow and caries experience in youngsters deprived of liberty. Sixty-eight male adolescents in conflict with the law, aged between 15 and 19 years, from a Socio-Educational Assistance Center in Brazil participated in the present study. They answered a structured questionnaire, and oral examination was performed by the Decayed, Missing, and Filled Teeth (DMFT) index. The salivary flow rate was obtained using the mechanically stimulated total saliva method. Adjusted Poisson regression was used for the association with total DMFT and its decayed component, using the salivary flow (continuous fashion) or the hyposalivation (≤1 ml/min) as independent variables. Participants were divided into two groups, those who did not have any decayed teeth at the moment of the examination (n = 39) and those who had at least one decayed tooth (n = 29). Moreover, two groups were formed based on the DMFT: those who had DMFT = 0 (n = 20) and those who had DMFT≥1 (n = 48). In the multivariate analysis, hyposalivation was associated with DMFT≥1 (p = 0.048), but when the salivary flow was included, no significant association with DMFT index was identified (p = 0.178). Conversely, the presence of at least one decayed tooth was significantly associated with the salivary flow (p = 0.004), but not with hyposalivation (p = 0.091). Institutionalized adolescents who present hyposalivation or low salivary flow are associated with DMFT≥1 index or presence of at least one decayed tooth, respectively. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Separation problems in dogs are common and can manifest in symptoms such as restlessness, destruction, or vocalization. This study examines how separation behavior differs between dogs with and without separation problems and the possible risk factors. An online questionnaire with 940 participants was performed. After two groups were formed, depending on whether the holders stated that the dogs showed typical symptoms during separation, the groups were examined for differences. Furthermore, a separation test with videotaping and cortisol sampling of six dogs used to being separated but without separation problems was carried out. It was found that separation problems were primarily characterized by physical activity and vocalization. Dogs with separation-related problems needed more time to relax after separation. Dogs that were greeted after separation were less likely to have separation problems than dogs that were less calm and more pessimistic, excited and persistent. During the test it was found that dogs without separation problems were mostly inactive. Understanding these differences may help to diagnose separation-related problems and modify or even avoid risk factors to improve animal welfare. This study examined how separation behavior differs between dogs with and without separation-related problem behavior (SRB) and the possible risk factors. The study consisted of an online survey with 940 dog holders, which, in addition to demographic facts, also includes personality, emotional disposition and the attachment by the holder. Furthermore, a separation test was carried out with six non-SRB dogs over a maximum of 6 h, in which behavior and cortisol were determined. The questionnaire revealed that SRB dogs differed significantly from non-SRB dogs regarding the following factors: symptoms with at least a medium effect size such as restlessness, excitement, whining, howling, lip licking, barking and salivation, time to relax after separation, pessimism, persistence, excitability, calmness, separation frequency, greeting of holder and type of greeting. There were several other differences, but with weak effect sizes. The test showed that non-SRB dogs were mostly inactive during separation (lying resting and lying alert). Vocalization was almost non-existent. Behavior and cortisol did not change significantly over the different time periods. The data demonstrated typical symptoms and possible risk factors, some of which may be avoided or changed to improve animal welfare. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An 11‐year‐old female mixed‐breed dog was presented with syncopal episodes occurring up to 10 times a day for 3 months. The owner reported events lasting for approximately 15 s, during which the dog would fall into lateral recumbency, have muscle tremors and show intense salivation. After the event, the animal was disorientated for a few seconds before full recovery. A surface electrocardiogram was obtained, during which an episode of syncope occurred, with a paroxysmal atrioventricular block lasting 10.5 s. The event was characterised as an intrinsic pause‐dependent paroxysmal atrioventricular block associated with cardiogenic syncope type 1E. The dog received aminophylline 10 mg/kg every 8 hours and the frequency of syncopal episodes decreased until it died of non‐cardiac causes 3 months later. There is little information on paroxysmal atrioventricular blocks in dogs, and further electrocardiographic event characterisation may the influence choice of therapy in individual cases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To determine the occurrence of hyposalivation in Brazilian adults and its association with individual determinants, such as the use of medications, systemic conditions, smoking, and alcohol consumption. Material and Methods: A cross-sectional study with 402 adults was developed. Information was collected on sociodemographic and general health characteristics, and sialometry was performed with stimulated salivary flow. It indicated low salivary flow when ≤ 0.7 mL/min. Bivariate and multivariate analyses were conducted using a decision tree (p

Sheep with a relatively low methane yield were observed to have shorter fluid and particle mean retention times (MRT). Because the application of pilocarpine, a saliva stimulant, was successful in reducing retention times in ruminants in previous studies, we applied this substance to sheep, expecting a reduction in MRT and methane yield. Three non‐pregnant sheep (74 ± 10 kg) were fed a hay‐only diet in a 3 × 3 Latin square design with oral doses of 0, 2.5 and 5 mg pilocarpine/kg body weight and day. Measurements included feed and water intake, MRT of liquid and particulate phases in the reticulorumen (RR) and total gastrointestinal tract (GIT), ruminal microbial yield (via urinary purine bases and metabolic faecal nitrogen), total tract methane emission, apparent nutrient digestibility and rumen fluid parameters. Data were investigated for linear and quadratic effects using orthogonal polynomial contrasts. The MRT of liquid and small particles in the RR and total GIT, and the short‐chain fatty acid concentration in rumen fluid, linearly declined with increasing pilocarpine dosage, while no quadratic relationship was detected. Intake of feed DM and water, apparent nutrient digestibility, methane yield and microbial yield were not affected by pilocarpine. When combining the sheep data with that of a similar experiment in cattle, we found that the MRT of the liquid phase was positively associated with estimated NDF digestibility and with methane production per digested NDF, but was not associated with microbial yield or the ratio of acetate to propionate. The ratio between MRT of the particulate and the liquid phase was smaller for sheep than that for cattle, and was not affected by treatment. Differences in this ratio might explain why species reacted differently to the saliva‐inducing agent, which might help to explain the discrepancy between species in the effect of induced saliva flow on digestive parameters. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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