Effects of Nd: YAG laser on tumour necrosis factor-alpha, interleukin-1beta and interferon-gamma levels in teeth with apical periodontitis: A clinical study.

This study aimed to evaluate the levels of tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), interleukin-1beta (IL-1ß) and interferon-gamma (IFN-γ) with asymptomatic apical periodontitis (AP). A total of 60 participants were randomly divided into two groups: the conventional irrigation (control) and the Nd: YAG laser irradiation. The interstitial fluids were obtained after root canal cleaning (day 0) and 1 week later (day 7). The TNF-α, IL-1ß and IFN-γ levels were assayed using the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The Mann-Whitney U, continuity correction chi-square, Pearson chi-square and Fisher exact tests were used. An increased level of cytokines on day 7 in the control group was observed, without statistically significant differences (p > 0.05). All cytokine levels decreased over time in the laser group. Only the IL-1ß level showed a significant difference (p < 0.05). Nd: YAG irradiation has a positive effect on decreasing the proinflammatory cytokine level and may help to control infection in teeth with AP.

Which qualities should built environment possess to ensure satisfaction of higher-education students with remote education during pandemics?

The COVID-19 pandemic has suddenly switched most education processes from face-to-face to remote mode, obliging millions of students to utilize their residences as study spaces. However, the characteristics of their residential built environments differ in terms of regional, social, cultural, and technological aspects. These differences should impact the students' performance and satisfaction which needs to be measured and studied. The present study aims to identify the effect of the residential built environment on students' satisfaction and academic performance during the COVID-19 pandemic. It was conducted in two countries, Kazakhstan (KZ) and Norway (NO), using a comprehensive online survey to gather data. An empirical assessment based on the structural equation model was employed to identify links between health, safety, and comfort of students' facilities and academic performance and satisfaction. We conclude that the built environment affects both satisfaction for remote education and their learning performance. Significant differences in readiness for remote education have been observed between urban and non-urban living areas: (1) The role of health-and-safety convenience seems to increase with the urbanization level of the respondents' living spaces; (2) in contrast, for non-urban residents, the provision of comfort facilities is dominant. In the meantime, an analysis "by regions" revealed that health-and-safety-related facilities in residences are more critical for remote education in Central Asia (KZ). In contrast, the comfort features of residences being more important for the students studying remotely in Northern Europe (NO). These results provide an understanding that would assist in improving remote education and preparing pandemic-ready living areas.

Effects of the residential built environment on remote work productivity and satisfaction during COVID-19 lockdowns: An analysis of workers' perceptions.

COVID-19 pandemic has forced people to stay home and switch to the remote working mode, which - reportedly - affect job satisfaction and productivity. The present study investigates the relationship between the residential environment and worker's job satisfaction and productivity in the remote working mode during the COVID-19 pandemic. A hypothetical structural equation model (SEM) of the influencing factors is constructed based on a literature review and experts' opinions. A survey-based respondents' opinions (n = 2276) were then used to test and analyze the model. The model results reveal that a residential built environment has an indirect effect on both remote work satisfaction and productivity. However, among all the factors, comfortable space (separate space and ergonomic furniture) is found to be the most important. This study presents the importance of adopting a residential built environment to respond to a crisis like a pandemic in achieving the desired comfort level of remote work. Although this study provides a holistic approach, it also proposes a base for the future country-specific analysis by providing some possible countries' differences.

Effect of laser-assisted retrograde cavity preparation on push-out-bond-strength of mineral trioxide aggregate and calcium-enriched-mixture-cement / Efeito de preparo cavitário retrógrado assistido por laser na força de união de cimento de agregado trióxido mineral e cimento enriquecido com cálcio

Objective: This study aimed to determine the push-out-bond-strength(PBS) of mineral trioxide aggregate (BIOMTA+) and calcium-enriched-mixture-cement (CEM) in retrograde cavities prepared using Er: YAG laser and stainless-steel bur. Material and Methods: The root canals of 60 extracted single-rooted human teeth were prepared, filled and their apical portion of 3-mm were resected using a diamond bur and randomly divided into four groups according to technique of retrograde preparation and filling material as follows(n=15): Group1: bur/ BIOMTA+ ,Group2: bur/ CEM, Group3: Er:YAG laser/ BIOMTA+, Group4: Er:YAG laser/ CEM. PBS test were performed to specimens and failure modes were evaluated. The data were statistically analyzed with ANOVA, Post-Hoc Tukey and t tests (p< 0.05). Results: CEM was exhibited higher than bond strength compared to BIOMTA+ in retrograde cavity prepared using laser (p= 0.021) and BIOMTA+ in retrograde cavity prepared using bur was exhibited higher than bond strength compared to in retrograde cavities prepared using laser (p= 0.024). Failure modes were dominantly cohesive in all groups tested and one representative specimen each failure mode was examined in SEM and the general characteristics of the failure modes were confirmed. Conclusion: With in the limitations of the present study, when used CEM, Er: YAG laser-assisted retrograde cavity preparation positively affected the bond strength values compared to BIO MTA+. Considering its optimal adhesion, the calcium-enriched-mixture-cement (CEM) might be a good option as a filling material in retrograde cavities in clinical use. (AU)

Objetivo: O objetivo deste estudo foi determinar a força de união (PBS) de cimento de agregado trióxido mineral (BIO MTA+) e cimento enriquecido com cálcio (CEM) em preparos cavitários retrógrados realizados com: Laser Er-YAG e brocas de aço inoxidável. Material e Métodos: Canais radiculares de 60 dentes unirradiculares extraídos foram preparados, preenchidos e 3 mm de suas porções apicais foram ressecadas usando uma broca diamantada e divididos randomicamente em quatro grupos de acordo com a técnica de preparação retrógrada e o material de preenchimento (n=15): Grupo 1: Broca/BIO MTA+, Grupo 2: Broca/CEM, Grupo 3: Laser Er-YAG/BIO MTA+, Grupo 4: Laser Er-YAG/CEM. O teste de PBS foi realizado para as amostras e os modelos de falha foram avaliados. Os dados foram analisados estatisticamente pelos testes de ANOVA, Post-Hoc Tukey e testes t (p< 0.05). Resultados: CEM apresentou maior força de união que BIO MTA+ em cavidades retrógradas preparadas com laser (p= 0.021) e BIO MTA+ em cavidades retrógradas preparadas com brocas apresentou maior força de união quando comparado à cavidades retrógradas preparadas com laser (p= 0.024). Os modelos de falha foram predominantemente coesos em todos os grupos testados e um espécime representativo de cada modelo de falha foi examinado em MEV e as características gerais dos modelos de falha foram confirmadas. Conclusão: Com as limitações do presente estudo, quando usou-se CEM, o preparo de cavidades retrógradas através de Laser Er-YAG afetou positivamente os valores da força de união quando comparados com BIO MTA+. Considerando sua ótima adesão, o cimento enriquecido com cálcio (CEM) pode ser uma boa opção como um material de preenchimento em cavidades retrógradas no uso clínico.

Stakeholder based weights of new sustainability indicators providing pandemic resilience for residential buildings.

During COVID-19, the building and service characteristics of residential buildings turned out to be more critical due to lockdowns. The present research assesses the importance of new sustainability indicators for residential buildings in three categories (e.g., Health and Safety, Environmental Resources Consumption, and Comfort) that provide resilience for pandemic periods. The opinions of stakeholders on the identified indicators were collected and then analyzed. 'Health and Safety' category is found to be the most critical among the others. The prevention of virus propagation, mental health, and building air quality are three crucial indicators playing essential roles in the health and safety category. In more detail, innovative smart technologies, including touchless technologies, are identified as a priority in preventing virus propagation. Outdoor spaces and safe indoor places for socialization are weighted as essential in supporting the well-being and mental health of the resident. Finally, air filtration and segregation of medical waste indicators are considered critical in preventing the spread of viruses. There was a consensus among the local and international experts since they did not significantly report differing opinions for the majority of the indicators. However, there was a shift in experts' opinions towards pandemic-oriented indicators compared to conventional sustainability indicators.

Endodontic management of a patient with dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa: A case report.

Epidermolysis bullosa is a congenital genetic disease that causes blistering and erosion of the skin and mucosa. The main known forms include simple, junction, dystrophic and mixed subtypes. This case report presents the endodontic management and 1-year follow-up of a 27-year-old female patient with epidermolysis bullosa who was referred to the Faculty of Dentistry, Kirikkale University, Turkey. An extraoral examination showed that the patient had multiple scars and blisters. The intraoral examination revealed ankyloglossia, microstomia, shallow buccal and vestibular sulci, enamel hypoplasia, gingival inflammation, mouth ulcers, symptomatic and asymptomatic deep caries, a tooth with an apical lesion and a tooth with pulpitis. The dental treatment was divided into four stages: (i) oral hygiene motivation and elimination of gingival bleeding, (ii) restorative and/or endodontic procedures, (iii) extractions and prosthetic treatments and (iv) recall appointments. A 1-year follow-up radiographic examination of the periapical status of the root canal treatments was clear.

Assessment method for new sustainability indicators providing pandemic resilience for residential buildings.

The method presented in this paper aims to support the sustainability assessment methods of residential buildings under pandemic conditions. The main purpose of the study is to review existing criteria of the well-known assessment tools and then to suggest a set of assessment measures for the emerging pandemic-resilient indicators. Current sustainability assessment methodologies mostly focus on the conventional sustainability pillars (Environmental, Social, Economic), whereas the proposed emerging sustainability assessment indicators include changes in sustainability requirements brought by the current pandemic. Firstly, a set of indicators with possible measures was identified; then, we reviewed several existing green building certification systems to identify their gaps and developed a foundation for each indicator. Finally, several round table discussions involving various stakeholders (e.g., engineers, designers, health care experts, academics) were conducted to consolidate the identified measures. The findings of the present study indicate that certain pandemic-resilient indicators are not fully addressed by existing assessment tools, pointing out the importance of the development of new measures to make them more suitable to use under pandemic conditions. Thus, the present study contributes to the building assessment methods by proposing a set of emerging assessment indicators with measures, which can be used by various professionals that would contribute to more sustainable buildings in upcoming pandemics.•A 5-point scale was used to assess the indicators, and various stakeholders in a previous study identified their weights.•The methodology introduces new pandemic-related indicators into the conventional sustainability concept.•The assessment measures are rapid and economically efficient to apply for any residential building.

Comparison of dentin penetration ability of different root canal sealers used with different obturation methods.

This in vitro study aimed to investigate the tubular penetration depth of four different sealers used with two different obturation methods in the apical, middle, and coronal root canal dentin. Eighty-four single-rooted teeth were instrumented until the F4 ProTaper universal rotary file and filled with AH26, AH Plus (Dentsply, DeTrey, Konstanz, Germany), RealSeal (SybronEndo, Orange, CA), and MTA Fillapex (Angelus, Londrina, Brazil) using cold lateral condensation (CLC) and single-cone (SC) obturation techniques. Thereafter, the roots were sectioned longitudinal and prepared for scanning electron microscope evaluation. The maximum and minimum sealers penetration depth into dentinal tubules at the apical, middle, and coronal regions and the average depth of sealer penetration were calculated. The data was statistically analyzed two-way ANOVA and post hoc Tukey and Dunnett tests and independent samples t test using maximum mean values. There was no statistically difference between the obturation methods (p > .05). When the sealers are evaluated within themselves AH26 was affected by obturation methods significantly (p < .05). Also the results revealed a significant difference between root regions (p < .05). AH26 and RealSeal root canal sealers had the highest penetration values with CLC and SC obturation techniques, respectively. The obturation method did not affect the penetration amount of root canal sealers. RealSeal root canal sealer performed better penetration ability than the other sealers. Apical third of the root in all groups showed lowest penetration depth.

Effects of different curing units and luting agents on push-out bond strength of translucent posts.

INTRODUCTION: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of different curing units and 2 luting cements on the push-out bond strength of a translucent fiber post. METHODS: Thirty maxillary incisor roots were endodontically treated. Post spaces were prepared, and the smear layers were removed. Posts (FRC Postec Plus) were luted with either a self-etch cement (Panavia F 2.0) or a self-adhesive cement (Maxcem). Luting agents were then light-activated with a quartz-tungsten-halogen, a blue light-emitting diode, or a plasma-arc curing unit. Roots/cemented posts were transversally sectioned from coronal to apical. Push-out tests were performed, and data were analyzed by using three-way analysis of variance and Tukey tests. RESULTS: Push-out bond strengths were significantly affected by the type of luting agent (P < .05) and root region (P < .05). The type of light source used in curing did not affect push-out bond strengths (P > .05). CONCLUSIONS: Self-adhesive resin cement provided higher bond strength than the self-etch cement when smear layer was removed before the post cementation. The push-out bond strength in the apical portion of the root was significantly lower than in the coronal region. The use of different curing units in the photoirradiation of dual-cured resin cement did not affect the retention of the fiber post as a result of the limited light transmission capability of this post.

Effects of epidermal growth factor microemulsion formulation on the healing of stress-induced gastric ulcers in rats.

The effects of intragastric (i.g.) administration of microemulsion formulation of epidermal growth factor (EGF) on the healing of acute gastric ulcers induced by cold-restraint stress in rats was studied and compared with intraperitoneal (i.p.) administration of solutions. In the microemulsion formulation (W/O), labrafil M 1944 CS was the oil phase. Arlacel 186 and Brij 35 were used as the surfactants. Absolute alcohol and distilled water were used as the co-surfactant and the aqueous phase, respectively. Acute gastric lesions were induced by cold-restraint stress for 4 h in the refrigerator (4.0+/-0.5 degrees C). EGF was administered at a dose of 6 microg/kg per day intraperitoneally and intraperitoneally for 7 days. Basal gastric acid secretion (microequiv. H+/30 min), ulcer score (mm(2)) and tissue mucus levels (microg/g tissue) were measured. Basal gastric secretion was significantly reduced after the administration of EGF microemulsion (ME+EGF) (P<0.05). There was no significant decrease in basal gastric acid secretion following i.p (IPEGF) and i.g (IG-EGF) of EGF administrations of solutions compared to their control groups (P>0.05). The results indicate that the highest reduction in the basal acid secretion was seen after the administration of a microemulsion of EGF formulation. The mean ulcer score was reduced by i.g treatment with the microemulsion dosage form of EGF in 7 days from 15.9+/-1.4 to 1.16+/-0.45 mm(2) and was almost completely healed in four of the animals. The results demonstrate that the ulcer score was significantly reduced in i.p. (IPEGF) solution (P<0.005), i.g (IG-EGF) solution (P<0.01) and i.g. microemulsion (ME+EGF) (P<0.01) treated groups compared to untreated group. In IG-EGF, ME+EGF treated groups, mucus levels increased significantly compared to their control groups(P<0.05 and P<0.01). In contrast, there was no significant change in the mucus levels following i.p. EGF administration (P>0.05).

The role of epidermal growth factor formulation on stress ulcer healing of the gastric mucosa.

PURPOSE: We investigated the role of epidermal growth factor (EGF) microemulsion (ME) formulation on stress ulcer healing and the levels of gastric mucosal malondialdehyde (MDA) and glutathione (GSH). METHODS: Forty-eight female Wistar rats were divided into five groups according to the treatments given. Ten rats were given intragastric (i.g.) serum physiologic (SP) for 7 days; ten rats were given i.g. ME for 7 days; ten rats were given i.g. EGF in SP 6 microg/kg per day for 7 days; ten rats were given i.g. ME + EGF (Sigma E-7755) 6 microg/kg per day for 7 days; and eight rats were exposed to cold and immobilization stress or no stress (NS), and not given any treatment, as controls. The mean ulcerated area, and the MDA and GSH levels of the gastric mucosa were measured. RESULTS: The mean ulcerated area of the ME+EGF treatment group was significantly less than that of the ME- and EGF-treated groups and the control groups. The gastric MDA levels were also found to be significantly lower in the ME+EGF treated group than in the ME-treated group or the control groups. However, there were no significant changes in the gastric GSH levels among all the groups. The gastric MDA levels were positively correlated with the ulcerated area. CONCLUSION: The ME formulation of EGF at the dose given in this study was more effective than EGF alone on the healing of stress ulceration of the gastric mucosa.