Dental microplastics as emerging neurotoxicants: a systematic review on human data Aiah Alkhamees, Dana Salha, Dana Alfailat, Danah Malallah, Dhewy Alazemi, et al. Peerj, 2026 Background Microplastics and compounds linked to plastic have recently emerged as potential contaminants that might affect brain function; nevertheless, results from these investigations have been inconsistent across epidemiological, clinical, and mechanistic research. Whether in people or in vitro models, this systematic review sought to compile the most recent data on the link between exposures to microplastics and neurological effects. Methods A comprehensive search of PubMed, Scopus, MEDLINE, EBSCO, and ScienceDirect was performed to identify studies published from January 2015 to December 2025. Eligible studies assessed the relationships between microplastics, nanoplastics, or associated chemical markers ( e.g. , bisphenols, phthalates) and neurological outcomes, including cognitive function, neurodegenerative biomarkers, or neuronal injury mechanisms. Two evaluators independently conducted study screening, data extraction, and quality assessment utilizing the Newcastle–Ottawa Scale for human studies and the ToxRTool for in-vitro studies. Results Out of 477 records, 18 research fulfilled the inclusion criteria: nine human observational studies, one postmortem analytical study, and eight in-vitro mechanistic investigations. Human investigations indicated correlations between elevated internal exposure to microplastics or plastic-associated compounds and altered cognitive function or neurodegenerative biomarkers; yet, all were cross-sectional and failed to demonstrate causality. The postmortem study revealed microplastics buildup in brain tissue, but in vitro investigations elucidated molecular mechanisms including oxidative stress, mitochondrial malfunction, autophagy disruption, and protein aggregation that may contribute to neurotoxic consequences. Because of heterogeneity, results were synthesized within exposure and outcome specific subgroups instead of being merged. Conclusion Current evidence indicates possible neurological effects of microplastics-related exposures, corroborated by similar molecular pathways in in-vitro research and connections identified in human cross-sectional data. Nevertheless, the primarily observational and experimental characteristics of existing studies hinder definitive conclusions about clinical causation. Additional longitudinal, standardized human investigations are required to elucidate dose–response relationships and the applicability of in-vitro findings to real-world exposure.
Circular RNAs in Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma: A Systematic Review of Emerging Diagnostic and Prognostic Biomarkers Omar Abdul Jabbar Abdul Qader, Asmaa Uthman, Walid Elsayed, Natheer Al-Rawi European Journal of Dentistry, 2026 Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) remains a major global health burden, with poor survival rates due to late diagnosis and limited prognostic precision. Circular RNAs (circRNAs) are a novel class of non-coding RNAs characterized by their covalently closed loop structure, conferring stability and tissue specificity. Recent evidence suggests circRNAs hold promise as diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers in OSCC. This article aims to systematically evaluate the diagnostic accuracy, prognostic value, and expression profiles of circRNAs in OSCC. We searched PubMed, Scopus, EBSCO, and Google Scholar databases (inception–August 2025) for studies assessing circRNAs in OSCC. Eligible studies reported diagnostic metrics (sensitivity, specificity, and AUC), prognostic outcomes (hazard ratios [HRs]), or differential expression data. Risk of bias was assessed using QUADAS-2 and NOS. Data were synthesized qualitatively. A total of 29 studies were included. Tissue-based circRNAs showed moderate diagnostic performance (AUC: 0.74–0.81), while saliva- and plasma-derived circRNAs demonstrated higher accuracy (AUC up to 0.922). Prognostic studies revealed oncogenic circRNAs were associated with poor overall survival (pooled OS HR ≈ 2.38), whereas tumor-suppressor circRNAs predicted favorable outcomes (pooled OS HR ≈ 0.43). Exosomal circRNAs, particularly circ-0000199, emerged as independent predictors of recurrence and mortality. CircRNAs exhibit strong potential as diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers in OSCC, particularly in liquid biopsy applications. However, heterogeneity, small sample sizes, and lack of multicenter validation limit immediate clinical translation. Larger, standardized studies are warranted to confirm their utility.
Diagnostic accuracy of artificial intelligence in the detection of maxillary sinus pathology using computed tomography: A concise systematic review Asmaa T Uthman, Habiba Abouelenen, Shaheer Khan, Omar Bseiso, Natheer Al-Rawi Imaging Science in Dentistry, 2025 Purpose This study was performed to assess the performance and accuracy of artificial intelligence (AI) in the detection and diagnosis of maxillary sinus pathologies using computed tomography (CT)/cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) imaging. Materials and Methods A comprehensive literature search was conducted across 4 databases: Google Scholar, BioMed Central (BMC), ProQuest, and PubMed. Combinations of keywords such as “DCNN,” “deep learning,” “convolutional neural network,” “machine learning,” “predictive modeling,” and “data mining” were used to identify relevant articles. The study included articles that were published within the last 5 years, written in English, available in full text, and focused on diagnostic accuracy. Results Of an initial 530 records, 12 studies with a total of 3,349 patients (7,358 images) were included. All articles employed deep learning methods. The most commonly tested pathologies were maxillary rhinosinusitis and maxillary sinusitis, while the most frequently used AI models were convolutional neural network architectures, including ResNet and DenseNet, YOLO, and U-Net. DenseNet and ResNet architectures have demonstrated superior precision in detecting maxillary sinus pathologies due to their capacity to handle deeper networks without overfitting. The performance in detecting maxillary sinus pathology varied, with an accuracy ranging from 85% to 97%, a sensitivity of 87% to 100%, a specificity of 87.2% to 99.7%, and an area under the curve of 0.80 to 0.91. Conclusion AI with various architectures has been used to detect maxillary sinus abnormalities on CT/CBCT images, achieving near-perfect results. However, further improvements are needed to increase accuracy and consistency.
Evaluation of the Manual Dexterity of Second-Year Dental Students after One Semester of Preclinical Training Manar Qashou, Hana Mulhem, Deema Aldweik, Noor Najim, Asmaa T. Uthman, et al. European Journal of Dentistry, 2025 Utilizing the Purdue Pegboard exam and the O'Connor exam, we assessed the impact of a semester-long preclinical training on the manual dexterity of dental students. Moreover, we examined the impact of gender, additional dental education, and practical exercises on manual dexterity.The study comprised a cohort of 45 preclinical students who were in their first year of dental school. The sample process was simple and convenient. Assessments were conducted at two distinct time points: T0, before the preclinical training laboratory, and T1, 7 months after the preclinical training laboratory. The Purdue Pegboard Test and the O'Connor Tweezer Dexterity Test were administered under identical conditions in both rounds of the trial. A validated survey was utilized to collect data on the gender, hands on activities, extra dental training, artistic skills, psychomotor skills, outdoor activities, and previous exposure to dental skills of each participant.The dental students in the study demonstrated a significant improvement in their manual dexterity skills from the dental simulation preclinical laboratory training (T0) to 7 months of laboratory training (T1). This improvement was measured using the Purdue Pegboard Test and the O'Connor Tweezer Dexterity Test, with statistical significance at p < 0.05. Females have a significantly higher score in the Purdue indirect visual test of the left hand than males. Students who dedicated extra time to dental training showed significant improvements compared with those who did not allocate extra time for training.This study emphasizes the importance of manual dexterity in dental education and its correlation with preclinical training, hands-on practice, and gender. The results indicate significant improvements in manual dexterity following one semester of preclinical training, with discernible differences between genders. The findings highlight the significance of practice and further training in improving manual dexterity skills in dental students. This suggests that there may be implications for the development of curriculum and admissions procedures in dental education.
Color perception and its relation to dental anxiety in children Prabhadevi Maganur, Satish Vishwanathaiah, Mir Faeq Ali Quadri, Manal Alsabi, Wafaa Modarba, et al. Dental and Medical Problems, 2024 BACKGROUND One of the major causes of dental anxiety in children is their first impression of the dental environment. Even minor details, such as the choice of color in a dental setting and the color of dental equipment, can positively influence a child's behavior. OBJECTIVES The aim of the study was to assess the relationship between the emotions in children and color combinations in a pediatric setting. MATERIAL AND METHODS The study involved 200 children (99 boys and 101 girls) aged between 6 and 12 years who visited the dental clinics at the College of Dentistry, Jazan University, for the first time between November 2017 and January 2018. The participants were divided into 2 groups based on age. The younger children group included participants aged from 6 to 9 years, while the older children group included participants aged from 10 to 12 years. Anxiety levels were recorded using the Modified Dental Anxiety Scale. Colored pencils and images of emoticons were provided to all children, who were instructed to color the negative and positive emoticons with their preferred colors. RESULTS The analysis of anxiety levels among children in both groups revealed statistically significant differences across sexes in the younger age group, with girls being more anxious than boys (p = 0.003). Additionally, a statistically significant difference was observed in the choice of colors by children of both sexes in 2 age groups (p = 0.001). Most children were inclined towards bright colors and used them to express their emotions. CONCLUSIONS The incorporation of colors in a dental setting could invoke positive emotions in children. Hence, the use of colors in the workplace has the potential to ease anxiety.
Effect of Salivary Melatonin on Ionizing Radiation Worker and its Effect on Periodontal Disease Shams K. Waleed, Ahlam T. Mohammed, Asmaa T. Uthman Journal of the Faculty of Medicine Baghdad, 2024 الخلاصةالمقدمة:- الاشعاع الايوني يشمل العلاج الإشعاعي والتصوير الطبي ،يستخدم على نطاق واسع في الطب المعاصر. يقلل العلاج بمضادات الأكسدة من الآثار السلبية للإشعاع (اختلال التوازن التأكسدي). يمكن أن تؤدي الزيادات في أنواع الأوكسجين التفاعلية بين المصورين الشعاعيين إلى زيادة أمراض اللثة. قد يقلل الميلاتونين من الإجهاد التأكسدي وبالتالي يساعد على حماية الأنسجة.هدف الدراسة:- لتقييم تأثير الإشعاع على حالات اللثة لدى العاملين بالإشعاع وتأثير الإشعاع على مستويات الميلاتونين.الطريقة:- تكونت عينة الدراسة من 40 رجلاً يعملون في مجال الإشعاع المؤين لمدة 5 سنوات أو أكثر. ضمت المجموعة الضابطة 40 رجلاً كانوا ممرضين أو عاملين في المختبر. تم جمع عينات اللعاب غير المستحثة من جميع الأشخاص لقياس الميلاتونين اللعابي. خضعت كلتا المجموعتين لفحص مؤشر البلاك النزيف عند الفحص وفقدان الارتباط السريري. , عمق الجيب اللثوي,النتائج:-كانت معاملات اللثة في مجموعة الدراسة أعلى المجموعة الضابطة مع وجود فرق معنوي ، وكان مستوى الميلاتونين اللعابي في مجموعة الدراسة أقل من المجموعة الضابطة مع وجود فرق معنوي.الاستنتاج:-يمكن أن يكون الإشعاع عاملاً مسببا لأمراض اللثة. يؤثر كل من الإشعاع والتهاب دواعم السن على علامات الميلاتونين اللعابية ، مما يشير إلى التهاب دواعم السن.
Tunable theranostics: innovative strategies in combating oral cancer Asmaa Uthman, Noor AL-Rawi, Musab Hamed Saeed, Bassem Eid, Natheer H. Al-Rawi Peerj, 2024 Objective This study aims to assess and compare the potential of advanced nano/micro delivery systems, including quantum dots, carbon nanotubes, magnetic nanoparticles, dendrimers, and microneedles, as theranostic platforms for oral cancer. Furthermore, we seek to evaluate their respective advantages and disadvantages over the past decade. Materials and Methods A comprehensive literature search was performed using Google Scholar and PubMed, with a focus on articles published between 2013 and 2023. Search queries included the specific advanced delivery system as the primary term, followed by oral cancer as the secondary term (e.g., “quantum dots AND oral cancer,” etc.). Results The advanced delivery platforms exhibited notable diagnostic and therapeutic advantages when compared to conventional techniques or control groups. These benefits encompassed improved tumor detection and visualization, enhanced precision in targeting tumors with reduced harm to neighboring tissues, and improved drug solubility and distribution, leading to enhanced drug absorption and tumor uptake. Conclusion The findings suggest that advanced nano/micro delivery platforms hold promise for addressing numerous challenges associated with chemotherapy. By enabling precise targeting of cancerous cells, these platforms have the potential to mitigate adverse effects on surrounding healthy tissues, thus encouraging the development of innovative diagnostic and therapeutic strategies for oral cancer.
Morphometric analysis of the skull base and palatal regions for gender identification using CBCT: a retrospective study Asmaa Uthman, Hesham Marei, Walid Elsayed, Sura F. Al-Bayati, Hawraa Shams Aldeen, et al. Peerj, 2024 Objectives The objectives of this study were to evaluate the accuracy of morphometry of skull base and palate in gender discrimination using cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) scanning and to assess the accuracy of the results among a sample of the Arab population Materials & Methods Using CBCT scans, a cross-sectional analysis was conducted on 142 consented patients who underwent various dental procedures at the University Dental Hospital, Sharjah (UDHS). Of these patients, 70 were females and 72 were males, with respective means of 38.5 and 36.2 years. Eleven parameters related to skull base and palatal region were measured on the CBCT scans by two expert radiologists followed by statistical analysis. Results There was significant gender-based difference in the mean palatal width (PW) (p = 0.001), mean palatal height (PH) (p = 0.005). Among other skull base region parameters that were significant in term of gender-based difference like; the clivus length (CL) (p < 0.001), occipital condyle height (OCH) (p < 0.001), basal angle (BA) (p = 0.006) and transverse diameter of foramen magnum (p = 0.003). Only palate variables showed a significant age difference. Discriminant analysis related to gender showed that occipital condyle height was the most accurate and best discriminator among the skull base region parameters. Conclusion The use of discriminant analysis in CBCT based on skull base and palatal region variables provides an efficient method for determining gender, which is particularly valuable in forensic science and anthropological research. Significance of study Accurate gender identification is crucial in forensic investigations, and the skull base region, being a stable and sexually dimorphic anatomical feature, can serve as a reliable marker for this purpose.
Accuracy of Sphenoidal Sinus Morphometry in Forensic Identification Using Cone Beam Computed Tomography Journal of International Dental and Medical Research, 2021
Carotid artery atheromas and calcifications among postmenopausal women with diabetes and hypertension Journal of International Dental and Medical Research, 2014
