Porphyromonas gingivalis (Pg) is one of the main pathogens of periodontal disease. In recent years, Pg infection as a risk factor of cardiovascular disease has been widely reported. Pg and its toxic products can directly or indirectly invade cardiovascular tissues through bacteremia, endotoxemia and phagocyte mediated pathways, thus affecting the occurrence and development of cardiovascular diseases. This article summarized the recent studies on the correlation between Pg infection and various cardiovascular diseases, and elaborated the specific mechanism of Pg affecting the occurrence and development of cardiovascular diseases.

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a complex neurodevelopmental condition characterized by social communication deficits and repetitive behaviors, with growing evidence highlighting the role of the gut microbiome in its pathophysiology. Studies suggest that ASD individuals exhibit gut dysbiosis, marked by an increased abundance of Clostridium and Desulfovibrio species and reduced levels of beneficial bacteria such as Bifidobacterium and Lactobacillus, potentially contributing to neuroinflammation and ASD-related behaviors. Maternal and environmental factors, including immune activation, obesity, cesarean section deliveries, and early antibiotic exposure, may further predispose children to ASD by altering early microbial colonization and gut-brain communication. Gastrointestinal (GI) disturbances are prevalent in ASD, with microbial imbalances potentially exacerbating symptoms through immune and metabolic pathways. Microbiota-based therapeutic strategies, including probiotics, prebiotics, dietary interventions, and fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT), have shown potential in alleviating both GI and behavioral symptoms. Notably, Microbiota Transfer Therapy (MTT) has demonstrated long-term benefits, reinforcing the therapeutic potential of gut microbiota modulation. However, inconsistencies in study methodologies, small sample sizes, and the lack of standardized treatment protocols necessitate further large-scale clinical trials. Future research should focus on identifying specific microbial signatures associated with ASD, optimizing microbiota-targeted therapies, and exploring personalized treatment approaches to improve ASD management.

Breast cancer is considered the most prevalent cancer among females in Sri Lanka. As the treatment, most women undergo a mastectomy or a lumpectomy surgery, which causes them to experience permanent changes to their breasts and requires a special aftercare following the surgery. In aid of recovery and long-term support, patients are often recommended to use post-mastectomy products that cater to their new changes in the body. The objective of this study is to investigate the current post-mastectomy bra needs of the breast cancer survivors of Sri Lanka and identify market demand, design opportunities, and how wearing a proper mastectomy bra improves their quality of life. The study was conducted among two groups of participants, which included females who had undergone mastectomy and surgical oncologists. An interviewer-administered questionnaire was given to the groups to gain information regarding cancer diagnosis, satisfaction with bras, experiences, and medical requirements. Results revealed that the unavailability of mastectomy products in the local market has caused the women who had mastectomy to fulfill their needs using a regular bra. Post-surgical breast differences, post-surgical side effects, and the inability of a regular bra to hold an external breast prosthesis were the main causes of dissatisfaction highlighted in the study. The cost and poor awareness of the benefits of mastectomy bras were identified as underlying causes for the unavailability of these products in the local market. A bra with a prosthesis pocket made using soft, breathable materials that provides good compression, and better support was suggested as the preferred and suitable product for mastectomy patients. It was evident that the current needs of consumers were unmet by the local market, thereby creating an opportunity for designers to offer a mastectomy bra product solution to the local market and for local retailers to consider this a profitable business.

This study examines the prevalence and patterns of constitutive and inducible clindamycin resistance in Gram-positive bacteria isolated from urinary samples of hospitalized patients and healthy individuals. A total of 50 urine samples, evenly split between the two groups, were analyzed using bacterial identification techniques and antibiotic susceptibility testing. Staphylococcus aureus was the most frequently identified bacterium, followed by Staphylococcus epidermidis, Staphylococcus saprophyticus, and Streptococcus agalactiae. The study found a higher resistance rate among hospitalized patients, particularly to clindamycin and erythromycin. The D-test was crucial in differentiating inducible from constitutive resistance, revealing inducible resistance in 30.5% of hospitalized patients and 18.2% of healthy volunteers, while constitutive resistance was more prevalent in hospitalized patients (42.8%) than in healthy individuals (25.4%). The findings highlight the need for continuous surveillance of antibiotic resistance patterns and the importance of antimicrobial stewardship programs to curb the spread of resistant bacterial strains. Vancomycin and linezolid remain effective treatment options, but careful monitoring of clindamycin resistance is essential to prevent therapeutic failures.

Every day, numerous patients and healthy individuals visit the compact surroundings of a tertiary care tuberculosis hospital in Delhi. Assessing the air quality of airborne Mycobacterium tuberculosis is crucial for controlling its nosocomial transmission. In this proof-of-concept study, environmental air sampling was employed to detect and characterize M. tuberculosis at the institute. Using an Envirotech APM 414 air sampler, air samples were collected from 14 different sites within the hospital. Three methods were employed for trapping airborne organisms: filter paper, 7H9 liquid broth, and deionized water. The 7H9 broth was directly incubated for the isolation and identification of mycobacteria, while the filter paper and deionized water samples were processed via the modified Petroff method and subsequently cultured on various media, including 7H9 broth, Lowenstein–Jensen (LJ) medium, Sabouraud dextrose agar, and blood agar. Airborne organisms were detected at 12 of the 14 sampled sites. The two sites where no organisms were detected were mechanically ventilated, negative pressure multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) wards. Mycobacterium chelonae was isolated from two naturally ventilated wards. In total, four bacterial species, one mycobacterial species, and one fungal species were identified. Staphylococcus aureus was the most commonly isolated bacterial species, and Aspergillus fumigatus was the only fungal species identified. This study highlights that hospital environments are not free from airborne contamination by mycobacteria, bacteria, or fungi. Droplet nuclei can remain suspended in the air for extended periods, posing a continuous risk of infection. Negative pressure wards were found to be safer than naturally ventilated wards, underscoring the need for improved indoor air quality in hospital settings.

The widespread use of wireless communication technologies, including mobile phones, Wi-Fi, and 5G networks, has raised concerns about their biological effects, particularly on the gut microbiome. The gut microbiome plays a crucial role in metabolism, immune function, and overall health. While ionizing radiation is known to cause DNA damage, emerging evidence suggests that non-ionizing electromagnetic radiation (EMR) may also influence gut microbiota composition. Potential mechanisms include oxidative stress, microbial DNA alterations, and thermal effects, leading to dysbiosis and associated health consequences such as metabolic disorders, immune dysfunction and neurological implications. Animal studies indicate that prolonged EMR exposure can reduce beneficial bacterial populations while increasing harmful species, potentially impacting immune regulation and inflammatory responses. Strategies to mitigate these effects include dietary modifications, electromagnetic field (EMF) shielding, policy regulations, and microbiota-targeted interventions such as probiotics and antioxidants. However, more extensive human studies are necessary to confirm these findings and develop effective preventive measures.

Recently, many types of human dental tissue-derived mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have been isolated and characterized, including pulpal stem cells, deciduous milk tooth stem cells, periodontal stem cells, dental capsule progenitor cells, bone marrow MSCs, stem cells from apical papillae, dental embryonic progenitor cells, and gingival MSCs. All of these MSC-like cells exhibit self-renewal, multidirectional differentiation potential and immunomodulatory properties. Many studies have demonstrated that these MSCs play different roles in the reconstruction of teeth and periodontal tissues during orthodontic procedures. This review provides an overview of the properties of several MSCs of human dental tissue origin and how they can play a role in orthodontic tooth movement (OTM).