Fábio Wildson Gurgel Costa

Milk kefir has shown osteoprotective potential, but whether fermentation duration influences its effects remains unclear. This study evaluated the influence of fermentation time on milk kefir microbial composition and its effects on mandibular bone in glucocorticoid‐induced osteoporotic rats. Milk kefir was fermented for 1, 4, or 7 days (MK1, MK4, MK7). Forty male Wistar rats were assigned to five groups ( n = 8): healthy control, glucocorticoid‐induced osteoporosis (GIO), and GIO treated with MK1, MK4, or MK7. Osteoporosis was induced by weekly intramuscular dexamethasone (7 mg/kg) for 5 weeks, followed by 12 weeks of daily kefir administration (0.7 mL). Microbial composition was assessed by 16S and 18S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing. Lactobacillus dominated the bacterial community, whereas Saccharomyces predominated among fungi, with no major changes across fermentation times. Prolonged fermentation (MK4 and MK7) significantly increased serum calcium, mandibular cortical thickness, interradicular bone area, collagen maturity, and fracture resistance. These findings indicate that prolonged fermentation enhances the osteoprotective effects of milk kefir, despite relative stability of the dominant microbial taxa, highlighting fermentation duration as an important factor in optimizing milk kefir for preserving mandibular bone under osteoporotic conditions.

Background: Conventional complete dentures (CDs) fabrication involves multiple clinical and laboratory steps. Simplified protocols reduce treatment burden. However, their impact on patient‐reported outcomes remains debated. Objective: This systematic review and meta‐analysis evaluated the oral health‐related quality of life (OHRQoL), patient satisfaction, and masticatory ability of CDs fabricated using simplified versus traditional protocols. Methods: Seven databases were searched up to July 2026 for randomised controlled trials (RCTs) comparing simplified and conventional CDs fabrication protocols. Two reviewers independently assessed records and risk of bias using the Cochrane RoB 2 tool. Mean differences and 95% confidence intervals were meta‐analysed using random‐effects models. Heterogeneity ( I ² ), subgroup analyses according to follow‐up periods, small‐study effects/funnel plot asymmetry using Egger's test when applicable, and evidence certainty using GRADE were assessed. Results: Twenty‐two RCTs were included. Simplified procedures were typically characterised by single‐stage impression procedures, absence of facebow records, and a single trial denture session. Most studies had some concerns or a high risk of bias. Meta‐analyses showed no statistically significant differences between protocols regarding OHRQoL ( p = 0.620; I ² = 0%), overall satisfaction ( p = 0.440; I ² = 5%), and masticatory ability ( p = 0.610). Evidence of funnel plot asymmetry/small‐study effect was detected only for patient satisfaction ( p = 0.033). The certainty of the evidence was rated as moderate to very low across outcomes. Conclusion: Greater procedural complexity in complete denture fabrication was not associated with superior OHRQoL, patient satisfaction, or masticatory ability. Within the certainty limits of the available evidence, simplified protocols may be a pragmatic alternative to conventional fabrication.

Background: Artificial intelligence (AI) applied to magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) may improve detection of cervical lymph node metastases in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) but is heterogeneous. Methods: A systematic review identified observational studies (from 2000) evaluating AI‐based MRI in adults with histopathologically confirmed OSCC. Risk of bias was assessed with QUADAS‐AI. Diagnostic performance was synthesized using a hierarchical bivariate model. Publication bias and certainty of evidence were assessed using Deeks' test and GRADE. Results: Twelve studies were included; seven datasets (548 participants) were meta‐analyzed. Pooled sensitivity was 0.72 (95% CI: 0.62–0.80) and specificity 0.79 (95% CI: 0.73–0.83), with AUC 0.82 and diagnostic odds ratio 9.42. Heterogeneity is mainly related to threshold effects. No significant publication bias was detected ( p = 0.536). Evidence certainty was low. Conclusions: AI‐assisted MRI shows moderate diagnostic performance. Multicenter validation is required before clinical implementation. Clinical Relevance: AI‐supported MRI may serve as an adjunctive tool to improve preoperative risk stratification of cervical lymph node metastasis in OSCC.

Sex estimation plays a critical role in the reconstruction of the biological profile in forensic contexts. The paranasal sinuses, owing to their structural complexity and resistance to postmortem degradation, have emerged as valuable anatomical regions for this purpose. This observational, retrospective study assessed the accuracy of sex estimation in Brazilian adults using linear and volumetric measurements of the frontal, maxillary, and sphenoidal sinuses obtained from multislice computed tomography (MSCT). A total of 220 MSCT scans (113 males, 107 females) from three imaging centers were analyzed. Semiautomatic segmentation was performed using ITK-SNAP and 3D Slicer to extract craniometric features. Statistical analyses and supervised machine learning models, including logistic regression, linear support vector machine (SVM), random forest, and k-nearest neighbors, were employed for classification. Males showed significantly larger anteroposterior, supero-anterior, and volumetric dimensions (p < 0.05). The highest classification accuracy was achieved by logistic regression and linear SVM models, both reaching 84%. These models outperformed conventional discriminant analysis. The study supports the forensic utility of CT-derived morphometric parameters of the paranasal sinuses for sex estimation and highlights the potential of machine learning as a robust complementary tool in forensic investigations. Findings also underscore the relevance of broader validation in multiethnic forensic contexts.

Purpose: This systematic review aimed to synthesize the available clinicopathological data on nasopalatine duct cyst (NPDC). Methods: Electronic searches were performed in seven databases and the grey literature, according to the PRISMA 2020 statement. Risk of bias was assessed using the Joanna Briggs Institute critical appraisal tool. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics. Results: A total of 168 studies comprising 2,734 NPDC cases were included. Most lesions were asymptomatic ( n = 358/54.16%) and occurred in males ( n = 1641/60.75%), with individuals in the fourth and fifth decade of life being the most frequently affected. Periapical radiographs ( n = 181/40.31%) and computed tomography scan ( n = 159/35.41%) were the most commonly used imaging modalities. Metaplasia ( n = 278/58.28%) was observed in most cases with a predominance of combinations involving stratified squamous epithelium and pseudostratified ciliated columnar epithelium ( n = 78/47.27%). The periapical cyst was the second most frequent clinical diagnostic hypothesis. Enucleation was the preferred treatment modality ( n = 544/95.94%), and recurrence was absent in most cases ( n = 375/93.05%). Conclusion: NPDC is a benign lesion with a heterogeneous clinical presentation and a low recurrence rate. Its anatomical location frequently results in diagnostic overlap with odontogenic lesions, particularly periapical chronic lesions. Clinicians should be aware of its clinicopathological features and integrate clinical, radiographic, and histopathological findings to ensure accurate diagnosis and appropriate management.