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The aim of this article is to identify whether bioactive glass (BG) is a valid substitute for autogenic bone grafting in maxillofacial reconstruction. PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and Cochrane Library databases were searched. Meta-analyses with fixed- and random-effects models were performed by using standardized mean differences (SMDs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Heterogeneity was assessed by using the I² statistic. The significance of results was evaluated at P < 0.05. The BG leads to greater total bone volume retention 6 months after surgery compared with autografts (SMD = 0.796, 95% CI = 0.445–1.147, P = 8.74 × 10⁻⁶, I² = 0%). The resorption rate of BG grafts (SMD = −0.768, 95% CI = −1.360 to −0.176, P = 0.011, I² = 3.82%) was less common, while the retention of the biomaterial (SMD = 1.165, 95% CI = 0.540–1.790, P = 0.00026, I² = 0%) was higher in the experimental group. Both BG and autogenic grafts result in the formation of new bone to a similar extent. However, BG is able to provide long-term stability by maintaining the graft volume, reducing resorption, and preserving the graft scaffold, representing an effective alternative to autogenous bone grafting for a durable maxillofacial reconstruction.

Background: Obesity is a significant public health concern linked to various health complications, including periodontitis. This study uniquely integrates multiple obesity indicators (body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC), and waist-to-hip ratio (WHR)) alongside clinical periodontal parameters and considers sociodemographic factors to provide a comprehensive analysis of the relationship between obesity and periodontitis. Objectives: To determine the association between BMI, WC, and WHR with periodontal clinical parameters, and to explore the role of sociodemographic and behavioral factors. Design: Transversal study. Methods: A total of 1000 adults (579 males and 421 females) with ⩾15 teeth were enrolled using systematic random sampling. Sociodemographic variables (age, sex, marital status, income, education level), behavioral factors (brushing frequency, smoking status), and anthropometric measurements (BMI, BP, WHR) were considered. Clinical periodontal parameters included probing pocket depth (PPD), bleeding on probing, clinical attachment loss (CAL), plaque index, and gingival index. Associations were assessed using multivariate regression models adjusted for age, sex, education, income, and oral hygiene habits. Results: The study population comprised 579 males and 421 females, predominantly aged 19–30 years. BMI classifications were 46.2% normal, 30.5% overweight, and 4.5% obese. Elevated BMI and WC were significantly associated with increased PPD and CAL (p < 0.001*). In univariate analysis, overweight (odds ratio (OR) = 2.28, p < 0.001*) and obesity (OR = 6.46, p < 0.001*) were significantly associated with periodontitis. In multivariate analysis, obesity remained significantly associated with periodontitis (adjusted OR = 3.42, p < 0.01*), as did WC (adjusted OR = 1.84, p < 0.01*). The WHR was associated with periodontitis in univariate but not in multivariate analysis. Conclusion: Obesity, as measured by BMI and central adiposity indicators, is independently positively associated with greater periodontitis severity. The findings highlight the importance of assessing obesity in estimating periodontal risk and structuring targeted interventions that consider both metabolic status and sociodemographic factors to optimize periodontal health benefits.

Background The aim of this study was to perform a retrospective analysis of the prevalence, etiologies, types of maxillofacial injuries (MFIs), sites of maxillofacial fractures (MFFs) and their management in Yerevan, Armenia. Methods A retrospective cross-sectional study was conducted. The extracted data included age, sex, date of referral, mode of injury, etiology, radiology records and treatment methods. Study outcomes were measured using percentages, means, standard deviations and tests of proportions. P  < .05 was considered significant. Results A total of 204 patients had a mean age of 36.26 ± 1.08 years (156 males and 48 females), and a total of 259 MFIs were recorded between 2017 and 2020. Interpersonal violence was found to be the most common etiology of MFFs in this study (42.1%), followed by road traffic accidents (RTAs) (27.9%) and falls (18.6%). The nasal bone was the most common injury site (47.5%), followed by the mandible (31.4%) and zygomatic complex (11.7%). The most common fracture site was the mandibular angle (37.9%), followed by the symphysis/parasymphysis (28.1%) and body (12.6%). Isolated soft tissue injuries were reported in 5.9% of the cases. The majority of MFFs were treated by open reduction and internal fixation. Conclusion Interpersonal violence, followed by RTAs and falls, was the most common cause of MFIs. Males in the 21–30 years age group had the highest MFI incidence rate. The nasal bone was the most common injury site, followed by the mandible and zygomatic complex. Social education with the objective of reducing aggression and interpersonal conflict should be improved, and appropriate RTA prevention strategies should be strengthened and implemented.

Objectives The study aimed to evaluate the significant trends of advancement in the body of literature of specialty journals on molecular biological investigations of ameloblastoma (AB). Additionally, this bibliometric study sought to identify the authors, organizations, journals, and countries from emerging regions that have exerted the most significant influence on molecular biological and bioinformatics studies on AB. Novelty of study The novelty of this study lies in its comprehensive bibliometric integration of bioinformatics and molecular perspectives, offering a structured roadmap for future ameloblastoma research. Materials and methods A complete list of AB molecular biological research citations was found in Scopus. The search was restricted to papers published between 2014 and 2024, but there were no restrictions on the language or type of research studies. The study examined total citations, citation density, journal name, impact factor, journal category, quartile, published year, authors, affiliations, and study type. Results The analysis included collecting 112 publications published between 2014 and 2024. There were 95 original research papers, 6 systematic reviews, 5 case reports, 3 brief communications, and 6 systematic reviews and meta-analyses. Our analysis identifies noteworthy authors and nations that have contributed, with Brazil emerging as a leading figure in this field of study. Conclusions The research on AB, especially its biological profile, has changed significantly across the years, as can be observed by perusing the contents of the papers included here. The data from this study would help the researchers target specific objectives for future research in more relevant avenues.

Tracheostomy is one of the more commonly performed procedures in critically ill patients under mechanical ventilation. Postoperative scarring is one of the bothersome sequelae of tracheostomies. Scars distort physical appearance, especially when found on the head and neck, which could have a negative impact on quality of life. The aim of this study was to evaluate and assess the impact of post‐tracheostomy scars on quality of life according to the tracheostomy method. A prospective, single‐center, observational, case‐control study was conducted. One hundred fifty‐six persons with a post‐tracheostomy surgical scar for more than four months were observed using the Patient and Observer Scar Assessment Scale and Dermatology Life Quality Index questionnaire. Persons were divided into two groups depending on the method of tracheostomy, and the duration of the cannulated period was considered in both groups. Statistical analyses were performed using SPSS ver. 16.0 (SPSS Inc., Chicago, IL, USA), and P values of <0.05 were considered significant. The patients who had a tracheostomic tube cannulation period of fewer than 15 days had better cosmetic results than those who had tracheostomic tubes for more than 15 days, regardless of the tracheostomy method: 6.64 ± 0.082 versus 16.15 ± 0.096 (P < 0.001) in the surgical tracheostomy group and 7.26 ± 0.211 versus 14.17 ± 0.379 (P < 0.05) in the percutaneous dilatational group. The Dermatology Life Quality Index scores had a mean value of 0.6 ± 0.01, which means that post‐tracheostomy scarring in the present study had no effect on the person's quality of life. The aesthetic outcomes of post‐tracheostomy scars after the open surgical tracheostomy technique did not significantly differ from those of the percutaneous dilatational technique in the present study. Persons with a long duration of tracheostomic tube ventilation showed worse aesthetic outcomes than those with short‐term tracheostomic cannulation, which was not dependent on the tracheostomy technique. The Dermatology Life Quality Index showed that post‐ttracheostomy scarring in the present study had no effect on the person's quality of life.

The comprehension of a long-term humoral immune response against SARS-CoV-2 can shed light on the treatment and vaccination strategies of COVID-19 disease, improving the knowledge about this virus infection and/or re-infection. We assessed the IgG antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 nucleocapsid (N) protein (anti-SARS-CoV-2 (N) IgG) in 1441 COVID-19 convalescent patients within 15 months longitudinal study from middle-developed country. The main inclusion criteria was positive RT– PCR result on nasopharyngeal swab samples at least one month before antibody testing and absence of any induced or inherited immunodeficiency. 92.7% of convalescent patients’ serum contained anti-SARS-CoV-2 (N) IgG and only 1.3% of patients had a delayed antibody response. In the majority of convalescent patients’ the durability of antibodies lasted more than one year. The kinetics of anti-SARS-CoV-2 (N) IgG took a bell-shaped character—increased first 25–30 weeks, then started to decrease, but were still detectable for more than 15 months. We found that on the one hand anti-SARS-CoV-2 humoral response level correlates with disease severity, on the other, in particular, the level of peak antibodies correlates with age—older patients develop more robust humoral response regardless of sex, disease severity and BMI.

The presence of cognitive lapses in the post-COVID-19 period, particularly among younger individuals, suggests a potential genetic predisposition. This case–control study aimed to assess the association between neurodegeneration-associated genes and cognitive declines in the post-COVID-19 Armenian population under the age of 65. In addition, we examined other contributing factors, including depressive symptoms, hypovitaminosis D, vitamin B12 and B9 deficiencies, and some viral infections, as potential confounders or effect modifiers. A total of 162 participants (ages 19–65, Med = 43), who were exposed to SARS-CoV-2 in Armenia between 2020 and 2022, participated in this study. Standardized assessments, including the Repeatable Battery for the Assessment of Neuropsychological Status (RBANS) and the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA), were used to evaluate cognitive functions and mental status, while the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) was utilized to assess depressive symptoms. Clinical interview data, comprising yes/no self-reports regarding the presence of cognitive problems and depressive symptoms, were also included. Genetic analysis identified copy number variations (CNVs) in the APP, PSEN1, PSEN2, MAPT, and GRN genes, while viral infections (HSV-1, HSV-2, CMV, EBV, HIV, SARS-CoV-2, Hepatitis A, B, and C) and vitamin D, B12, and B9 deficiencies were measured. Lower cognitive performance was associated with CNVs in PSEN1 (exons 1, 9, 12), GRN (exons 1, 6, 12), and MAPT (exons 2, 8), along with viral infections (HSV-1, HSV-2, HAV-2). The findings indicate that post-COVID-19 cognitive problems are multifactorial and are linked to genetic mutations, viral infections, age, gender, and folic acid deficiency.

Using DC-magnetron sputtering of a Zn target in an Ar: O 2 medium at 0.133 Pa pressure, with a room temperature substrate by deposition of ZnO nanoscale particles (ZnO NPs) on the surfaces of the antibiotic drug doxycycline (DOXY) in the form of a coating, DOXY, DOXY with polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) composite film (DOXY + PVA) and their zinc oxide composites (DOXY + ZnO, DOXY + PVA + ZnO) were prepared. The purpose of obtaining ZnO composites of the antibacterial drug DOXY is to enhance the antibacterial activity of the preparation. DOXY, DOXY + PVA, DOXY + ZnO and DOXY + PVA + ZnO was characterized by XRD, FTIR spectroscopy, AFM and in vitro and in vivo antibacterial studies. FTIR spectra of DOXY and its ZnO composites show the new vibration bands of OH and NH groups. The hydrogen bond between DOXY and ZnO promotes complex formation. Through AFM, FTIR and XRD studies DOXY + ZnO and DOXY + PVA + ZnO with optimal of ZnO NPs sizes were shown to have higher antibacterial activity than DOXY. In the particle size ranges of 73–112 nm on DOXY and 60–101 nm on DOXY + PVA surfaces, synergetic hydrogen bonds between ZnO NPs and DOXY contribute to the higher antibacterial activity of ZnO composites of DOXY compared with the initial DOXY. In vitro and in vivo mice studies of the DOXY, DOXY + PVA, DOXY + ZnO, and DOXY + PVA + ZnO on Staphylococcus aureus and Shigella flexneri strains  shown higher antibacterial activity of ZnO composites in the form of coating and PVA composite films lower doses of DOXY in the composition in compared with the initial drug.

PurposeCutaneous ureterostomy is a well-established surgical technique of incontinent urinary diversion treatment. However, stoma stenosis limits widespread utilization of this technique. We present our modification of constructing single-site tubeless cutaneous ureterostomy aiming to reduce stomal complications and improve catheter-free rate of those patients.Materials and methodsIn 2016–2017, 30 patients with 60 renal units underwent modified and 30 patients with 60 renal units standard technique. The main differences of our method from previously described techniques were the preservation of parietal peritoneum and fixation of ureteral orifices one to another. Catheter-free rate was calculated in all patients with a minimum follow-up period of 12 months. In total, 52 patients, 26 from the modified cutaneous ureterostomy group, and 26 from the standard cutaneous ureterostomy group were available for the final analysis.ResultsThe patients’ mean age was 63.1 years. The median follow-up period was 25.8 months (ranging from 1–37 months). The catheter-free rate was achieved 76.9% (20 patients) in the modified group compared to 42.3% (11 patients) in the standard group (P value = 0.013). No statistically significant differences were observed between two groups for late complications and readmission rates.ConclusionsOur technique of single-site-modified cutaneous ureterostomy is a safe and simple surgical technique with similar postoperative complications rate and better catheter-free rate compared to standard cutaneous ureterostomy. We believe that this technique could be a method of choice not only for candidates for cutaneous ureterostomy but also for selected patients for ileal conduit.

Nagorno-Karabakh, also known as Artsakh, was a region in the former Soviet Union with a predominately Armenian population that had restricted self-governance. Since 1991, Nagorno-Karabakh has been a de facto independent state. Even before the current crisis, this region had challenges in providing adequate health care to the population; the blockade has driven it to a crucial point. On Aug 7, 2023, the former chief prosecutor of the International Criminal Court stated “there is an ongoing genocide against 120 000 Armenians living in Nagorno-Karabakh”.