Artnora Ndokaj

Proteomic profiling offers thorough insights into protein structure and function, as well as it acts as an essential approach for analyzing molecular changes at the tissue level. However, because of the proteome's diversity and dynamic nature, biomarker discovery remains challenging. By combining proteomics with bioinformatics, the level of understanding in relation to molecular interactions and disease processes can be improved. Through an integrative approach, few limitations can be addressed, thereby promoting proteomic profiling for the discovery of new therapeutic targets and novel biomarkers for a variety of disorders. To identify differentially expressed protein markers and their key molecular pathways associated with Oral Potentially Malignant Disorders. Systematic Review was conducted following the PRISMA guidelines and the protocol registered in the International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews (PROSPERO) with the registration ID number CRD42024557545. A comprehensive literature review was performed using electronic databases, yielding 12,797, studies from which 15 eligible articles were selected. The Newcastle-Ottawa Scale was used to assess the risk of bias. Vote counting was performed to identify proteins reported in more than one study. A bipartite network was constructed using Cytoscape to identify shared and disease-specific protein markers. Lesion-wise protein-protein interaction networks were generated using STRING and analysed in Cytoscape to identify highly interconnected hub proteins, and pathway enrichment analysis for these hubs was performed using Reactome. A total of fifteen studies (Leukoplakia (LK) - n = 1, Proliferative Verrucous Leukoplakia (PVL) - n = 2, Oral Submucous Fibrosis (OSMF) - n = 7, and Oral Lichen Planus (OLP) - n = 5) were included. The Newcastle-Ottawa Scale was used to evaluate methodological quality and the quality of studies included in this systematic review was high for 4 articles and moderate in the remaining 11. The most commonly employed technique was mass spectrometry. A total of 318 candidate proteins (LK - 14, PVL - 82, OSMF - 172, and OLP - 50) were identified across the oral potentially malignant disorders. Key markers identified through vote counting included ERO1A, NUCB1, RHOA, and IL36A for PVL; LUM, KRT1, KRT9, ALB, and VIM for OSMF; and ALB, LYZ, HP, HBB, and AMY1A for OLP. The bipartite network showed that OSMF and OLP shared the highest number of proteins, indicating the strongest overlap among lesions. Network analysis further highlighted distinct hub proteins for each lesion: for LK- AMY1A, AMY1B and APOA1; for PVL- CFL1, RHOA and CDC42; for OSMF- HSP90AA1, ENO1 and SERPINA1; and for OLP- HP, B2M, and ORM1. Lesion-specific pathway enrichment revealed that LK was associated with epithelial differentiation, PVL with oncogenic signaling, OSMF with stress-driven fibrosis, and OLP with immune-mediated inflammation. Proteomic expression offers insights into disease pathogenesis by identifying important molecular changes across OPMDs. However, the majority of biomarkers are still in the exploratory stage due to the considerable variation in lesion types, sample sources, proteomic techniques, and reporting systems. In order to create reliable and clinically applicable biomarkers, future studies should concentrate on combining multi-omics techniques with large-scale, standardized cohorts.

Molar incisor hypomineralization (MIH) is a qualitative developmental defect of enamel and one of the most prevalent oral health conditions in childhood. Over the last two decades, increasing attention has been given to its prevalence and etiology; however, marked heterogeneity in diagnostic criteria and indices has limited the comparability of epidemiological findings. This systematic review aimed to identify and describe the diagnostic indices used for the epidemiological assessment of MIH in the general pediatric population. A systematic literature search was conducted in PubMed, Scopus, and Google Scholar to identify epidemiological studies published between January 2001 and December 2024 reporting MIH prevalence in children. Study selection, data extraction, and methodological quality assessment were performed independently by two reviewers in accordance with PRISMA guidelines. The review protocol was registered in PROSPERO (CRD42022345224). A total of 198 articles were included, corresponding to 201 independent epidemiological studies, as three articles reported results from two distinct study populations. The European Academy of Paediatric Dentistry (EAPD) criteria were used in 171 studies (75.7%), representing the most widely adopted diagnostic index. Other indices, including the modified Developmental Defects of Enamel index (mDDE), Mathu-Muju and Wright, Wetzel and Reckel, MIH Severity Scoring System (MIH-SSS), the MIH Treatment Need Index (MIH TNI) criteria, and FDI criteria, were used infrequently. Studies using EAPD criteria accounted for the largest cumulative sample size and showed a descriptively aggregated MIH prevalence of 12.9%, whereas prevalence estimates varied across alternative diagnostic indices. In conclusion, the lack of uniform diagnostic standards and nomenclature hampers global surveillance and limits the comparability of prevalence data. The adoption of MIH-specific diagnostic criteria, supported by adequate examiner calibration and transparent reporting, is essential to improve the quality, consistency, and interpretability of future epidemiological research.

Background: Residual adhesive left on enamel after orthodontic bracket removal can compromise aesthetics and enamel integrity. The Adhesive Remnant Index (ARI) is commonly used to visually assess these residues, but its correlation with true adhesive volume has not been quantitatively validated. Objective: This study aimed to validate the visual ARI using 3D optical scanning and test the hypothesis of no correlation between ARI scores and adhesive remnant volumes. Methods: Seventy-five extracted human third molars were bonded with molar tubes using BrackFix Adhesive. After 24 h, tubes were debonded, and ARI scores (0–3) were assessed visually under 6.0× magnification. Residual adhesive was scanned pre- (T0) and post-debonding (T1) using a structured-light 3D scanner (ATOS Compact). Volumes were calculated and analyzed with Kendall's tau correlation. Results: A strong correlation was found between ARI scores and adhesive remnant volumes (Kendall's τ = 0.649; p < 0.001). Median volumes increased with ARI scores: 0.048 mm ³ (score 0), 0.401 mm ³ (score 1), 1.025 mm ³ (score 2), and 2.893 mm ³ (score 3). Conclusion: Visual ARI scores significantly reflect the actual adhesive remnant volume as quantified by 3D scanning, supporting ARI's clinical validity for assessing residual adhesive after debonding.

Background/Objectives: Tooth colour perception is critical to aesthetic outcomes in restorative dentistry and patient satisfaction. Psychological and gender-related factors may modulate individual colour perception. This study evaluates the influence of gender and emotional state on tooth colour self-perception in healthy adults. Methods: A prospective observational study was conducted on 100 adults (50 women, 50 men; mean age 32.2 years) without anterior restorations or systemic disease. Tooth shade was assessed by (i) operator visual matching using the VITA Classical A1–D4 guide, (ii) patient self-selection with the same guide, and (iii) spectrophotometric measurement (Spectroshade Micro). Emotional state was measured using the abbreviated Profile of Mood States (POMS-SF); the OHIP-14 was administered to characterise oral health–related quality of life. Statistical analyses included the Chi-squared test, Kendall’s τ, and t-test, with p < 0.05 considered significant. Results: A significant association between gender and the magnitude of patient–operator discrepancy was found (p = 0.013): women showed higher rates of complete agreement or two-step differences, whereas men more frequently exhibited one-step differences. Positive mood parameters (feeling active, energetic, satisfied) correlated with greater patient–operator agreement (τ = 0.17–0.23, p < 0.05). Significant association was neither observed between patient self-selection and spectrophotometric measurement (p = 0.225), nor between facial undertone, facial colour contrast, or depressive mood levels. Conclusions: Gender and emotional state influence subjective tooth colour perception. Positive mood is associated with improved agreement between perceived and clinically assessed colour. These findings support a personalised, gender- and mood-informed approach to shade selection and patient management in aesthetic dentistry.

Objective: To evaluate the short-term clinical impact of daily use of calibrated interdental brushes (IDBs) on gingival bleeding among dental and dental hygiene students within academic curricula. Methods: A prospective cohort of 117 students from three Italian universities was followed over three months. All participants received personalized training and calibrated interdental brushes matched to their interdental spaces. The primary outcome was the percentage of interdental sites exhibiting bleeding on interdental brushing (BOIB), assessed at baseline (T0), one month (T1), and three months (T2). Adherence was self-reported. Statistical analyses included Wilcoxon tests, multivariate regression, and adjusted ANCOVA models. Results: Median bleeding scores decreased from 50.0% [IQR: 26.9–69.2] at baseline to 15.4% [IQR: 3.8–30.8] at one month and further to 11.5% [IQR: 0.0–26.9] at three months (p < 0.001). Regular interdental brush users showed a 15 to 16 percentage point greater reduction in bleeding compared to occasional users (p < 0.001). Dental hygiene students had significantly lower baseline bleeding scores than dental students, but both groups experienced comparable benefits from the intervention. Adjusted analyses confirmed a sustained beneficial effect of regular interdental brushing. Initial weak and transient correlations between behavioral factors and bleeding likely reflect multifactorial influences and variable adherence. Conclusions: Daily use of calibrated interdental brushes produces a rapid, significant, and sustained reduction in gingival bleeding among dental students. Systematic integration of this protocol within dental education programs is feasible and effective, promoting early adoption and maintenance of essential preventive oral health behaviors.

This article explores the cariogenic potential of insect flours, highlighting their nutritional benefits and sustainability, while emphasizing the need for further research on their impact on oral health.

Aim This study aimed to investigate the correlation between subjective pain threshold (SPT), daily pain recovery (PR) during the first postoperative week, and patient/surgical characteristics, while evaluating changes in SPT across multiple surgeries. Additionally, it assessed how perceived quality of life correlates with SPT and PR in adolescents undergoing lower third molar germectomy. Methods A prospective clinical study was conducted at the Paediatric Surgery Unit, Sapienza University of Rome, involving 51 patients aged 10–16 years undergoing lower third molar germectomy. SPT and daily PR were measured using the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) during the first postoperative week, and quality of life was evaluated using the SF-12 questionnaire at 1-week follow-up. Results A total of 87 germectomies were performed, with 36 patients undergoing a second surgery. The mean age was 13.86 ± 1.81 years. Mean VAS scores increased from 4.2 ± 1.5 for Intervention 1 to 4.8 ± 1.6 for Intervention 2. Longer operative times were associated with higher PR scores on postoperative day 3. Higher PR scores correlated with greater limitations in daily activities and emotional well-being, while lower PR scores were linked to better self-perceived health. Conclusion SPT and PR are influenced by surgical duration and self-health perception. Shorter procedures and positive self-health perception contribute to faster recovery and improved postoperative quality of life in young patients.