The bidirectional relationship between gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and periodontitis (PD), particularly the temporal directionality, remains unclear. A systematic review and meta-analysis were conducted to evaluate bidirectional associations between GERD and PD. Three databases (PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane Library) were systematically searched from inception to December 1, 2024. Risk estimates from individual studies were pooled using random-effects models. Five studies assessed the risk of PD in patients with GERD, while three studies evaluated the risk of GERD in patients with PD. The overall analysis suggested an increased risk of PD among patients with GERD (odds ratio [OR] = 1.27; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.02-1.57; p = 0.029; I2 = 96.5%). However, sensitivity analyses, limited to cohort studies (OR = 1.15; 95% CI: 0.93-1.42; P = 0.05; I2 = 96.9%) and subgroup analyses, did not support this finding. Similarly, PD patients did not exhibit a higher risk of GERD (OR = 1.19; 95% CI: 0.90-1.57; P = 0.223; I2 = 94.3%). The present study could not confirm any bidirectional associations between GERD and PD. Further high-quality longitudinal studies are required to validate these findings.

This retrospective study aims to evaluate the relative representation of individual types of developmental odontogenic cysts (DOCs), especially from the perspective of syndromic and non-syndromic multiple DOCs in the Czech population. In addition, we also summarize the previous studies on the occurrence of multiple DOCs and provide a literature review of case reports and case series on non-syndromic multiple DOCs, particularly dentigerous cysts (DCs) and odontogenic keratocysts (OKCs).

The study included histologically confirmed DOCs retrieved between January 1, 2012, and August 8, 2023, at the Clinic of Maxillofacial Surgery, University Hospital Brno, Czech Republic. All specimens were re-classified according to the fifth edition of the World Health Organization Classification of Head and Neck Tumors, 2022. Patients with an uncertain histological diagnosis were excluded from the study.

Of a total of 377 patients, 286 had DCs, 85 OKCs, 5 orthokeratinizing odontogenic cysts (OOCs), 1 botryoid cyst, and 1 calcifying odontogenic cyst. The proportion of patients with multiple DCs in our study (6.6%) was higher than usually reported in the literature. The study also found that 100% of patients with multiple DCs did not exhibit any syndromic associations. On the other hand, 66% of multiple OKCs were associated with the Naevoid Basal Cell Carcinoma Syndrome (NBCCS) and the proportion of OKC patients with NBCCS (7%) was relatively higher than in other studies. Recurrence of OKCs was also significantly associated with NBCCS (p < 0.05). Only one patient presented with bilateral OOCs, without any association with a syndrome.

Multiple OKCs are more likely to develop in syndromic patients, while none of the multiple DCs were associated with a syndrome. The incidence of multiple OOCs and other DOCs is extremely rare. Still, we conclude that patients with multiple DOCs should be carefully considered for examination by other specialists to rule out possible syndromic involvement.

Fecal calprotectin is a valuable biomarker for assessing intestinal inflammation in pediatric gastrointestinal diseases. However, its role, pros, and cons in various conditions must be comprehensively elucidated.

To explore the role of fecal calprotectin in pediatric gastrointestinal diseases, including its advantages and limitations.

A comprehensive search was conducted on PubMed, PubMed Central, Google Scholar, and other scientific research engines until February 24, 2024. The review included 88 research articles, 56 review articles, six meta-analyses, two systematic reviews, two consensus papers, and two letters to the editors.

Fecal calprotectin is a non-invasive marker for detecting intestinal inflammation and monitoring disease activity in pediatric conditions such as functional gastrointestinal disorders, inflammatory bowel disease, coeliac disease, coronavirus disease 2019-induced gastrointestinal disorders, gastroenteritis, and cystic fibrosis-associated intestinal pathology. However, its lack of specificity and susceptibility to various confounding factors pose challenges in interpretation. Despite these limitations, fecal calprotectin offers significant advantages in diagnosing, monitoring, and managing pediatric gastrointestinal diseases.

Fecal calprotectin holds promise as a valuable tool in pediatric gastroenterology, offering insights into disease activity, treatment response, and prognosis. Standardized protocols and guidelines are needed to optimize its clinical utility and mitigate interpretation challenges. Further research is warranted to address the identified limitations and enhance our understanding of fecal calprotectin in pediatric gastrointestinal diseases.

This systematic review aims to elucidate the intricate correlation between celiac disease (CD) and dental enamel defects (DED), exploring pathophysiological mechanisms, oral health implications, and a dentist's role in early diagnosis.

Following PRISMA guidelines, a comprehensive search from 1 January 2013 to 1 January 2024 across PubMed, Cochrane Library, Scopus, and Web of Science identified 153 publications. After exclusions, 18 studies met the inclusion criteria for qualitative analysis. Inclusion criteria involved study types (RCTs, RCCTs, case series), human participants, English language, and full-text available.

The search yielded 153 publications, with 18 studies meeting the inclusion criteria for qualitative analysis. Notable findings include a high prevalence of DED in CD patients, ranging from 50 to 94.1%. Symmetrical and chronological defects, according to Aine's classification, were predominant, and significant associations were observed between CD severity and enamel defect extent.

The early recognition of oral lesions, particularly through Aine's classification, may signal potential CD even in the absence of gastrointestinal symptoms. Correlations between CD and dental health conditions like molar incisor hypomineralization (MIH) emphasize the dentist's crucial role in early diagnosis. Collaboration between dentists and gastroenterologists is essential for effective monitoring and management. This review consolidates current knowledge, laying the groundwork for future research and promoting interdisciplinary collaboration for improved CD-related oral health outcomes. Further large-scale prospective research is recommended to deepen our understanding of these issues.

Background Gastric cancer is a significant health concern worldwide, and its incidence varies across different populations. This study aimed to assess the level of knowledge and awareness of gastric cancer among the general population in Al-Baha City, Saudi Arabia.  Methodology This is a cross-sectional study that was conducted among the residents of Al-Baha city older than 18 years. The study was conducted based on a questionnaire that has been developed by a previous study. Data were initially recorded in an Excel sheet before being exported to the SPSS program, version 25 for data analysis. Results The survey included 426 respondents from Al-Baha city, Saudi Arabia, with 56.8% being females and the majority being in the age groups (21-30 years). Alcohol consumption (mean=4.5, SD= 0.77), smoking cigarettes or Shisha (mean= 4.38, SD=0.852), family history of gastric cancer (mean= 4, SD=1.008), a past medical history of gastric cancer (mean= 3.99, SD=0.911), stomach ulcer (mean=3.76, SD=0.898), and consumption of smoked food (mean= 3.69, SD=0.956) are the most widely recognized risk factors. The most highly recognized symptoms are gastrointestinal bleeding (mean= 4.03, SD=0.875), abdominal lump (mean= 3.94, SD=0.926), weight loss (mean= 3.93, SD=0.963), recurrent nausea and vomiting (mean=3.76, SD=0.956), and abdominal pain (mean= 3.57, SD=0.995). The study also identified several subgroups of the population that may benefit from targeted educational programs, including individuals in the age group of 41-50 years and those in non-medical occupations. Conclusion The study found that participants had a moderate level of knowledge about the risk factors and symptoms of gastric cancer, with significant variability among different subgroups of the population. Further research is needed to investigate the prevalence and risk factors of gastric cancer in Saudi Arabia and other similar populations, to develop effective prevention and management strategies for this disease.