Pasta filata-style cheese products are among the world\'s most famous cheese varieties. Thermo-mechanical processing of cheese curd results in stringy, fibrous, and anisotropic structures with pleasing texture attributes. A recent area of research focuses on improving yield during the manufacturing of pasta filata-type cheese products by homogenizing the milk. This process reduces the size of fat droplets, leading to better retention of milk fat during curd plasticization. As this sometimes results in texture deficits, this study aims to investigate the impact of thermo-mechanical processing on curd from homogenized and non-homogenized milk. The hypothesis is that increased thermo-mechanical processing, leading to more anisotropic structural elements, may offset texture deficits caused by homogenization. To assess textural and structural changes due to homogenization and thermo-mechanical processing, mechanical tests including rheology and texture analysis were conducted, along with confocal-laser-scanning microscopy. Additionally, sensory evaluation involving panelists consuming the samples and recording mastication properties such as muscle activity and jaw movement was carried out. Dynamic data modeling was used to derive connections between structure and texture. Results showed that homogenization alone did not yield significant differences between the samples, but plasticization and texturization properties differed significantly. Non-homogenized samples developed a distinct fibrous structure, and muscle activities and jaw movements increased significantly (p < 0.01) with longer thermo-mechanical processing.

BACKGROUND: Tumorous diseases of the jaw demand effective treatments, often involving continuity resection of the jaw. Reconstruction via microvascular bone flaps, like deep circumflex iliac artery flaps (DCIA), is standard. Computer aided planning (CAD) enhances accuracy in reconstruction using patient-specific CT images to create three-dimensional (3D) models. Data on the accuracy of CAD-planned DCIA flaps is scarce. Moreover, the data on accuracy should be combined with data on the exact positioning of the implants for well-fitting dental prosthetics. This study focuses on CAD-planned DCIA flaps accuracy and proper positioning for prosthetic rehabilitation.
METHODS: Patients post-mandible resection with CAD-planned DCIA flap reconstruction were evaluated. Postoperative radiograph-derived 3D models were aligned with 3D models from the CAD plans for osteotomy position, angle, and flap volume comparison. To evaluate the DCIA flap\'s suitability for prosthetic dental rehabilitation, a plane was created in the support zone and crestal in the middle of the DCIA flap. The lower jaw was rotated to close the mouth and the distance between the two planes was measured.
RESULTS: 20 patients (12 males, 8 females) were included. Mean defect size was 73.28 ± 4.87 mm; 11 L defects, 9 LC defects. Planned vs. actual DCIA transplant volume difference was 3.814 ± 3.856 cm³ (p = 0.2223). The deviation from the planned angle was significantly larger at the dorsal osteotomy than at the ventral (p = 0.035). Linear differences between the planned DCIA transplant and the actual DCIA transplant were 1.294 ± 1.197 mm for the ventral osteotomy and 2.680 ± 3.449 mm for the dorsal (p = 0.1078). The difference between the dental axis and the middle of the DCIA transplant ranged from 0.2 mm to 14.8 mm. The mean lateral difference was 2.695 ± 3.667 mm in the region of the first premolar.
CONCLUSIONS: The CAD-planned DCIA flap is a solution for reconstructing the mandible. CAD planning results in an accurate reconstruction enabling dental implant placement and dental prosthetics.

Several age-related oral health problems have been associated with neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer\'s Disease (AD), yet how oromotor dysfunction in healthy aging differ from those found in pathological aging is still unknown. This is partly because changes in the cortical and biomechanical (\"neuromechanical\") control of oromotor behavior in healthy aging are poorly understood. To this end, we investigated the natural feeding behavior of young and aged rhesus macaques (Macaca mulatta) to understand the age-related differences in tongue and jaw kinematics. We tracked tongue and jaw movements in 3D using high-resolution biplanar videoradiography and X-ray Reconstruction of Moving Morphology (XROMM). Older subjects exhibited a reduced stereotypy in tongue movements during chews and a greater lag in tongue movements relative to jaw movements compared to younger subjects. Overall, our findings reveal age-related changes in tongue and jaw kinematics, which may indicate impaired tongue-jaw coordination. Our results have important implications for the discovery of potential neuromechanical biomarkers for early diagnosis of AD.

BACKGROUND: The literature is unclear about how the different attachment systems for overdentures impact the maximum bite force, the masticatory efficiency and how this impact in the oral health self-perception in patients.
OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect of two attachment systems (O-ring and Locator) for mandibular overdenture using single implant on quality of life, maximum bite force (BF) and masticatory efficiency (ME).
METHODS: Twenty-eight completely edentulous denture wearers with a mandibular symphysis implant were randomly selected and allocated into two groups in a crossover study, considering O-ring and Locator attachment types. The quality of life and self-perception of oral health were assessed using the Oral Health Impact Profile (OHIP-Edent) and Geriatric Index of Determination of Oral Health (GOHAI) questionnaires, respectively. BF was measured using a gnathodynamometer and ME by chewing silicone cubes and almonds in different numbers of cycles.
RESULTS: There was no difference between the attachment systems about self-perceived oral health and impact on quality of life (p > .05). The O-ring-type system obtained a significantly higher BF than the locator-type system (p = .04). Regardless of the food chewed, no statistically significant difference was observed with the type of attachment (p > .05). The ME was directly proportional to the masticatory cycles only for almonds (p < .01).
CONCLUSIONS: Locator and O-ring inserts had a similar impact on patients\' quality of life, self-perception of oral health and ME. Additionally, the O-ring system exhibited superior properties in the BF.

BACKGROUND: Little is known about the fetal and pregnancy effects of khat chewing during pregnancy. The aim of the current study was to determine the impact of chewing khat during pregnancy on selected pregnancy outcomes in Ethiopia, 2022: A Cohort Study with a Generalized Structural Equation Modeling Analysis Approach.
METHODS: An institution-based prospective cohort study was employed in selected hospitals in eastern Ethiopia. Pregnant women who visited the selected hospitals in the study area during the study period that fulfilled the eligibility criteria were included until a sample size (344) was fulfilled. The main outcomes studied in the present study were preterm birth and low birth weight. Data were collected through anthropometric and clinical measurements, and interviewers administered questionnaires. The survival analysis and generalized linear model analysis were performed to estimate the crude and adjusted relative risk and attributable risk. The Generalized Structural Equation Modeling (GSEM) analysis was performed using the Statistical software for data science (Stata) \'GSEM\' command to examine the mediation effect.
RESULTS: The risk of occurrence of preterm birth was significantly higher among khat chewers [adjusted relative risk (aRR) = 2.19; 95%CI 1.21-3.96]. In further analysis after adjusting for gestational hypertension and cesarean delivery, the regression coefficient of khat chewing during pregnancy on preterm birth has been decreased in size from path n, β = 0.37, p<0.001 to path n\', β = 0.15, p<0.005. The risk of occurrence of low birth weight among khat chewers was significantly higher (aRR = 4.17; 95%CI 2.11-8.25). In further analysis after adjusting for gestational hypertension, cesarean delivery, preterm birth and maternal anemia, the regression coefficient of khat chewing during pregnancy on low birth weight has been decreased in size from path q, β = 0.4, p<0.001 to path q\', β = 0.2, p<0.001.
CONCLUSIONS: Overall, the present study revealed that khat chewing is not only a worry of the current population but also a public health concern of the generation affecting unborn fetuses.

BACKGROUND: Masticatory function seems to play a role in the aetiology of obesity. However, literature on the association between oral myofunctional status and overweight and obesity in children and adolescents is scarce and contrasting.
OBJECTIVE: To compare masticatory performance, orofacial myofunctional status and tongue strength and endurance between children and adolescents with overweight and obesity and those with normal weight.
METHODS: Thirty children and adolescents with overweight and obesity and 30 subjects with normal weight matched for age and sex were recruited. All subjects were evaluated with the Test of Masticating and Swallowing Solids in Children (TOMASS-C) for masticatory performance and with the Italian Orofacial Myofunctional Evaluation with Scores (I-OMES) for the orofacial myofunctional status. Anterior and posterior maximum tongue pressures and tongue endurance were measured. Parents-reported (PRO) duration of meals was recorded. Data were compared between the groups through the paired samples t-test or the Wilcoxon signed-rank test.
RESULTS: Children and adolescents with overweight showed significantly lower number of bites (p = .033), lower I-OMES scores (p < .05), and shorter meal duration (p = .005) compared to their peers with normal weight. No significant differences were found between the two groups for the number of swallows, the number of masticatory cycles and the total time of the TOMASS-C, and none of the tongue pressure measurements.
CONCLUSIONS: Eating in children and adolescents with overweight and obesity is characterised by a larger bolus sizes and shorter PRO meal duration. Additionally, overweight and obesity seem to be associated with poorer orofacial skills and structures in the paediatric population.

BACKGROUND: Effect of aging on tissue adaptability and retention of digital obturator is still under investigation.
METHODS: A maxillary Armany (class I) epoxy reference model was scanned to fabricate digital obturator fabricated from milled Co-Cr framework and 3D printed bulb. A color map of the scanned reference and digital obturator was made using Geomagic software to evaluate the accuracy of fit before and after cyclic loading using ROBOTA chewing simulator at 37,500, 75,000 and 150,000 cycles to simulate clinically 3-, 6- and 12-months chewing condition. Insertion-removal condition simulating the placement and removal of the obturator was done using repeated 360, 720 and 1440 cycles and retention was evaluated before and after the repeated cycles. Data were collected, tabulated and statistically analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (IBM SPSS Statistics 26). Student t-test and multi variable ANOVA test were used to detect significance. P-value < 0.05 was considered significant difference.
RESULTS: For retention test: There was a significant difference between baseline and 3, 6 and12 months. For the tissue surface adaptation test: There was significant difference at all measured areas (P-value < 0.05) before and after application of load.
CONCLUSIONS: digitally designed and fabricated obturator was highly retentive and has excellent tissue surface adaptation upon fabrication, After application of load; reduction of retention and lack of tissue adaptation were resulted. THE CLINICAL IMPLICATION: of this manuscript is that digital obturator can be used successfully with the shortcomings of loosening retention and adaptation afterwhile. So, clinical trials should investigate the clinical acceptance of these shortcomings.

暂无摘要。

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the influence of different denture-bearing conditions on the masticatory function and patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) of complete denture wearers.
METHODS: Sixty edentulous patients were selected and allocated into two groups according to the American College of Prosthodontics\' (ACP) classification: non-atrophic (NAT) (Classes I and II) (n = 24) and atrophic (AT) (Classes III and IV) (n = 36). All patients received new complete dentures (CDs). The objective variables (masticatory performance and swallowing threshold) were assessed as well as the PROMs (oral health-related quality of life (OHIP-EDENT), patient satisfaction) and quality of the prosthesis, at baseline (using the old CD) and after 4 months new prostheses use. Data were analyzed by Mann-Whitney test followed by the Generalized Equations Estimation (GEE), linear regression and Chi-square test.
RESULTS: Higher masticatory performance was observed in the NAT group (p < .05) for both time points, baseline and after 4 months. However, compared to baseline, both groups showed significant masticatory improvement after 4 months (p < .05). Satisfaction and overall quality of life improved after 4 months with no difference between groups (p > .05). Regarding the quality of the CD, baseline results were significantly (p < .05) lower in the AT group, but after 4 months, no significant differences were found between groups and in intragroup analysis (p > .05).
CONCLUSIONS: The denture-bearing conditions seems to impact masticatory function, but the PROMs are barely affected.

OBJECTIVE: The potential relationship between mastication ability and cognitive function in idiopathic normal pressure hydrocephalus (iNPH) patients is unclear. This report investigated the association between mastication and cognitive function in iNPH patients using the gray level of the co-occurrence matrix on the lateral pterygoid muscle.
METHODS: We analyzed data from 96 unoperated iNPH patients who underwent magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) between December 2016 and February 2023. Radiomic features were extracted from T2 MRI scans of the lateral pterygoid muscle, and muscle texture parameters were correlated with the iNPH grading scale. Subgroup analysis compared the texture parameters of patients with normal cognitive function with those of patients with cognitive impairment.
RESULTS: The mini-mental state examination score correlated positively with the angular second moment (P < 0.05) and negatively with entropy (P < 0.05). The dementia scale (Eide\'s classification) correlated negatively with gray values (P < 0.05). Gray values were higher in the cognitive impairment group (64.7 ± 16.6) when compared with the non-cognitive impairment group (57.4 ± 13.3) (P = 0.005). Entropy was higher in the cognitive impairment group (8.2 ± 0.3) than in the non-cognitive impairment group (8.0 ± 0.3) (P < 0.001). The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve was 0.681 (P = 0.003) and 0.701 (P < 0.001) for gray value and entropy, respectively.
CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest an association between heterogeneity of mastication and impaired cognitive function in iNPH patients and highlight muscle texture analysis as a potential tool for predicting cognitive impairment in these patients.