Periradicular Tissue Responses to Biologically Active Molecules or MTA When Applied in Furcal Perforation of Dogs' Teeth

The aim of this study was the comparative evaluation of inflammatory reactions and tissue responses to four growth factors, or mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA), or a zinc-oxide-eugenol-based cement (IRM) as controls, when used for the repair of furcal perforations in dogs' teeth. Results showed significantly higher inflammatory cell response in the transforming growth factorβ1 (TGFβ1) and zinc-oxide-eugenol-based cement (IRM) groups and higher rates of epithelial proliferation in the TGFβ1, basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF), and insulin growth factor-I (IGF-I) groups compared to the MTA. Significantly higher rates of bone formation were found in the control groups compared to the osteogenic protein-1 (OP-1). Significantly higher rates of cementum formation were observed in the IGF-I and bFGF groups compared to the IRM. None of the biologically active molecules can be suggested for repairing furcal perforations, despite the fact that growth factors exerted a clear stimulatory effect on cementum formation and inhibited collagen capsule formation. MTA exhibited better results than the growth factors

PIGI ZOIS: Pioneering with credibility

Annual transfusion requirements in Greece exceed 600000 blood units and nearly 20% of them are used for the transfusion of 3.000 patients with Thalassemia. Thalassemia patients need to be transfused properly at the right time and with safe, fresh blood. PIGI ZOIS is a nonprofit organization that tries to improve the lives of patients through providing proper voluntary blood units to patients and enhancing the Voluntary Blood Donation policy, in Thessaloniki area, which has 350 patients. The mission of PIGI ZOIS is to organize and manage almost 7.000 volunteers to donate their blood for the thalassemic patients. This is achieved by using a phone call reminder, so that the blood volunteer will donate his/her blood to a compatible young patient. All matches are done by a specialized computer program. PIGI ZOIS has donated 90.000 blood units over a period of twenty years. PIGI ZOIS also aims to raise awareness of Thalassemia through an educational program with children in primary schools, with the ultimate goal of encouraging the children to become donors when they reach adulthood. PIGI ZOIS also runs informative campaigns to the public about disease prevention and the general promotion of voluntary blood donation

HISTOLOGICAL EXAMINATION OF BIOLOGICAL REACTION TO ROOT CANAL FILLING MATERIALS. EXPERIMENTAL STUDY ON DOGS

THE PURPOSE OF THIS STUDY WAS TO INVESTIGATE THE TISSUE REACTIONS TO ROOT CANALFILLING MATERIALS. IN OUR EXPERIMENTAL STUDY, HEALTHY TISSUES, JAWS AND TEETH OF THE SAME EXPERIMENTAL PERIODS WERE USED IN ORDER TO AVOID DISCREPANCIES DUE TO DIFFERENT EXPERIMENTAL ANIMALS. THUS, IT CAN BE EASILY ASSUMED THAT THE MULTIPLICITY OF REACTIONS OBSERVED CAN BE ATTRIBUTED MAINLY TO THE ROOT CANAL FILLING MATERIALS AND NOT TO THE METHOD OF EXPERIMENTATION. SPAD AND PCA CANAL SEALER, AND FIVE DOGS AGED FROM EIGHT-TO TWELVE MONTHS OLD WERE USED. THE EXPERIMENTAL METHOD INCLUDED: Α) FILLING OF THE ROOT CANAL SPACE WITH INTENSIONAL EXTRUSION OF THE FILLING MATERIAL TO THE PERIAPICAL AREA. B) IMPLANTATION OF POLYETHYLENE TUBES IN THE SUBCUTANEOUS TISSUE AND JAWS OF THE EXPERIMENTAL ANIMALS. THE POLYETHYLENE TUBES WHICH WERE FILLED WITH THE EXPERIMENTAL MATERIALS HAD ONE END OPENED. TISSUE REACTIONS WERE OBSERVED AT 7, 15, 30, 90 AND 180 DAYS. THE HISTOLOGICAL STUDY SHOWED THAT THE TISSUE INFLAMMATORY REACTIONS TO THE MATERIALSVARIED FROM MILD TO SEVERE WITH HEMORRAGES, ABSCESSES AND TISSUE NECROSIS AROUND THE MATERIAL IN THE IMPLANTS AND RESORPTION, NECROSIS HAD CAPSULE FORMATION WHEN THE MATERIAL WAS EXTRUTED FROM THE CANAL SPACE. THE TISSUE INFLAMMATORY REACTION TO THE PCA IN THE TEETH, SUBCUTANEOUS AND JAW INPLANTATIONS WAS MILD IN THE SHORT OBSERVATION PERIODS, WHILE IN THE OBSERVATION PERIOD EXCEEDING 90 DAYS, FIBROUS CAPSULE WITH NEWLY FORMED PERIAPICAL TISSUES WAS OBSERVED. SPAD SHOWED MILD TO MODERATE INFLAMMATORY REACT WITH A PEAK AT THE FIFTEEN DAYS. ALTHOUGH REACTIONS IN THE SUBCUTANEOUS TISSUE AND THE JAWS WAS GRADUALLY SUBSITING, ONTHE CONTRARY AROUND THE TEETH REMAINED UNTIL THE END OF THE EXPERIMENTATION. IN ADDITION BONE NECROSIS WITH NO OSTEOBLASTIC ACTIVITY AND FIBROUS CAPSULE IN THE SURROUNDING AREA WAS SEEN. OSTEOBLASTIC ACTIVITY WAS SEEN FAR FROM THE MATERIAL, WHILE THE FIBROUS CAPSULE HAS FEW FIBROBLASTS AND CAPILLARIES. FINALLY PHAGOCYTAROSIS AND RESORPTION OF PCA WAS SEEN, WHILE VERY FEW PARTICALS FROM SPAD WERE SEEN IN PHAGOCYTES.ΣΚΟΠΟΣ ΤΗΣ ΕΡΕΥΝΑΣ ΑΥΤΗΣ ΗΤΑΝ ΝΑ ΜΕΛΕΤΗΣΟΥΜΕ ΤΗ ΒΙΟΛΟΓΙΚΗ ΑΝΤΙΔΡΑΣΗ ΤΩΝ ΙΣΤΩΝ ΣΤΑ ΕΜΦΡΑΚΤΙΚΑ ΥΛΙΚΑ ΤΩΝ ΡΙΖΙΚΩΝ ΣΩΛΗΝΩΝ. ΣΤΗΝ ΠΕΙΡΑΜΑΤΙΚΗ ΜΑΣ ΕΡΕΥΝΑ ΧΡΗΣΙΜΟΠΟΙΗΣΑΜΕ ΙΣΤΟΥΣ, ΓΝΑΘΟΥΣ ΚΑΙ ΔΟΝΤΙΑ ΤΟΥ ΙΔΙΟΥ ΠΕΙΡΑΜΑΤΟΖΩΟΥ ΚΑΙ ΤΟΥΣ ΙΔΙΟΥΣ ΧΡΟΝΟΥΣ ΕΛΕΓΧΟΥ ΓΙΑ ΝΑ ΑΠΟΦΥΓΟΥΜΕ ΤΙΣ ΜΕΤΑΒΛΗΤΕΣ ΠΟΥ ΕΙΣΑΓΟΝΤΑΙ ΑΠΟ ΤΗΝ ΔΙΑΦΟΡΕΤΙΚΗ ΑΝΤΙΔΡΑΣΗ ΣΤΑ ΔΙΑΦΟΡΑ ΠΕΙΡΑΜΑΤΟΖΩΑ. ΓΙ'ΑΥΤΟ ΜΠΟΡΕΙ ΝΑ ΥΠΟΤΕΘΕΙ ΟΤΙ ΟΙ ΠΟΛΛΑΠΛΕΣ ΑΝΤΙΔΡΑΣΕΙΣ ΠΟΥ ΠΑΡΑΤΗΡΗΘΗΚΑΝ, ΟΦΕΙΛΟΝΤΑΝ ΚΥΡΙΩΣ ΣΤΑ ΕΜΦΡΑΚΤΙΚΑ ΥΛΙΚΑ ΤΩΝ ΡΙΖΙΚΩΝ ΣΩΛΗΝΩΝ ΚΑΙ ΟΧΙ ΣΤΗΝ ΤΕΧΝΙΚΗ ΕΡΓΑΣΙΑΣ. ΧΡΗΣΙΜΟΠΟΙΗΘΗΚΑΝ ΩΣ ΥΛΙΚΑ ΤΟ SPAD ΚΑΙΤΟ PCA PULP CANAL SEALER ΚΑΙ 5 (ΠΕΝΤΕ) ΣΚΥΛΟΙ ΗΛΙΚΙΑΣ ΠΑΝΩ ΑΠΟ 8 (ΟΚΤΩ) ΜΗΝΩΝΩΣ ΠΕΙΡΑΜΑΤΟΖΩΑ. Σ'ΑΥΤΟΥΣ ΕΓΙΝΑΝ: Α) ΕΜΦΡΑΞΗ ΤΩΝ ΡΙΖΙΚΩΝ ΣΩΛΗΝΩΝ ΜΕ ΣΚΟΠΙΜΗ ΠΡΟΩΘΗΣΗ ΤΟΥ ΥΛΙΚΟΥ ΣΤΟΥΣ ΠΕΡΙΑΚΡΟΡΡΙΖΙΚΟΥΣ ΙΣΤΟΥΣ, ΚΑΙ Β) ΕΜΦΥΤΕΥΣΗ ΣΩΛΗΝΙΣΚΩΝ ΠΟΛΥΑΙΘΥΛΕΝΙΟΥ ΑΝΟΙΚΤΩΝ ΑΠΟ ΕΝΑ ΑΚΡΟ ΚΑΙ ΓΕΜΑΤΩΝ ΜΕ ΤΑ ΥΠΟ ΕΞΕΤΑΣΗ ΥΛΙΚΑ ΣΤΟΝ ΥΠΟΔΟΡΙΟ ΣΥΝΔΕΤΙΚΟ ΙΣΤΟ ΚΑΙ ΣΤΗ ΓΝΑΘΟ ΤΩΝ ΠΕΙΡΑΜΑΤΟΖΩΩΝ. Η ΑΝΤΙΔΡΑΣΗ ΤΩΝ ΙΣΤΩΝ ΣΤΑ ΥΛΙΚΑ ΕΛΕΧΘΗΚΑΝ ΣΕ ΧΡΟΝΟΥΣ 7, 15, 30, 90 ΚΑΙ 180 ΗΜΕΡΩΝ. Η ΙΣΤΟΛΟΓΙΚΗ ΜΕΛΕΤΗ ΕΔΕΙΞΕ ΟΤΙ Η ΦΛΕΓΜΟΝΩΔΗΣ ΑΝΤΙΔΡΑΣΗ ΤΩΝ ΙΣΤΩΝ ΣΤΑ ΥΛΙΚΑ ΠΟΙΚΙΛΕΙ ΑΠΟ ΗΠΙΑ ΜΕΧΡΙ ΔΡΙΜΕΙΑ ΚΑΙ ΣΥΝΟΔΕΥΕΤΑΙ ΑΠΟ ΑΙΜΟΡΡΑΓΙΕΣ, ΑΠΟΣΤΗΜΑΤΑ ΚΑΙ ΝΕΚΡΩΣΗ ΤΟΥ ΙΣΤΟΥ ΓΥΡΟ ΑΠΟ ΤΟ ΥΛΙΚΟ ΣΤΑ ΕΜΦΥΤΕΥΜΑΤΑ ΚΑΙ ΣΤΑ ΔΟΝΤΙΑ ΑΠΟΡΡΟΦΗΣΗ, ΝΕΚΡΩΣΗ ΚΑΙ ΕΠΑΝΑΣΧΗΜΑΤΙΣΜΟ ΤΩΝ ΙΣΤΩΝ ΚΑΙ ΔΗΜΙΟΥΡΓΙΑ ΙΝΩΔΟΥΣ ΚΑΨΑΣ. Η ΦΛΕΓΜΟΝΩΔΗΣ ΑΝΤΙΔΡΑΣΗ ΤΩΝ ΙΣΤΩΝ ΣΤΟ ΥΛΙΚΟ PCA, ΤΟΣΟ ΣΤΑ ΔΟΝΤΙΑ, ΟΣΟ ΚΑΙ ΣΤΟΝ ΥΠΟΔΟΡΙΟ ΣΥΝΔΕΤΙΚΟ ΙΣΤΟ ΚΑΙ ΤΗ ΓΝΑΘΟ ΗΤΑΝ ΗΠΙΑ ΣΤΟΥΣ ΜΙΚΡΟΥΣ ΧΡΟΝΟΥΣ ΕΛΕΓΧΟΥ, ΕΝΩ ΠΑΡΑΤΗΡΗΘΗΚΕ ΣΕ ΧΡΟΝΟ ΠΑΝΩ ΑΠΟ 90 ΗΜΕΡΕΣ, ΙΝΩΔΗΣ ΚΑΨΑ ΜΕ ΝΕΟΠΛΑΣΤΑ ΤΡΙΧΟΕΙΔΗ ΚΑΙ ΟΣΤΕΟΒΛΑΣΤΙΚΗ ΔΡΑΣΤΗΡΙΟΤΗΤΑ ΣΤΗ ΓΝΑΘΟ ΚΑΙ ΣΤΟΥΣ ΠΕΡΙΑΚΡΟΡΡΙΖΙΚΟΥΣ ΙΣΤΟΥΣ ΓΥΡΩ ΑΠΟ ΤΟ ΥΛΙΚΟ. ΣΤΟ ΥΛΙΚΟ SPAD ΠΑΡΑΤΗΡΗΘΗΚΕ ΗΠΙΑ ΜΕΧΡΙ ΜΕΤΡΙΑ ΦΛΕΓΜΟΝΩΔΗΣ ΔΙΗΘΗΣΗ ΜΕ ΕΞΑΡΣΗ ΣΤΙΣ 15 ΗΜΕΡΕΣ. ΚΑΙΣΤΟΝ ΥΠΟΔΟΡΙΟ ΙΣΤΟ ΚΑΙ ΣΤΗ ΓΝΑΘΟ Η ΦΛΕΓΜΟΝΩΔΗΣ ΔΙΗΘΗΣΗ ΑΡΧΙΣΕ ΝΑ ΕΛΑΤΤΩΝΕΤΑΙ ΣΤΑ ΔΟΝΤΙΑ ΗΤΑΝ ΚΑΙ ΠΑΡΕΜΕΝΕ ΔΙΑΦΟΡΟΥ ΒΑΘΜΟΥ ΜΕΧΡΙ ΤΟ ΤΕΛΟΣ ΤΟΥ ΠΕΙΡΑΜΑΤΟΣ. ΑΚΟΜΗ, ΠΑΡΑΤΗΡΗΘΗΚΕ ΝΕΚΡΩΣΗ ΤΟΥ ΟΣΤΟΥ ΧΩΡΙΣ ΟΣΤΕΟΒΛΑΣΤΙΚΗ ΔΡΑΣΤΗΡΙΟΤΗΤΑ, ΠΑΡΑ ΜΟΝΟ ΣΕ ΚΑΠΟΙΑ ΑΠΟΣΤΑΣΗ ΑΠΟ ΤΟ ΥΛΙΚΟ, ΚΑΘΩΣ ΙΝΩΔΗΣ ΚΑΨΑ ΠΟΥ ΠΕΡΙΧΑΡΑΚΩΝΕ ΧΩ ΟΜΩΣ ΑΦΘΟΝΙΑ ΙΝΟΒΛΑΣΤΩΝ ΚΑΙ ΤΡΙΧΟΕΙΔΩΝ. ΤΕΛΟΣ, ΠΑΡΑΤΗΡΗΘΗΚΕ ΦΑΓΟΚΥΤΤΑΡΩΣΗ ΚΑΙ ΑΠΟΡΡΟΦΗΣΗ ΤΟΥ ΥΛΙΚΟΥ PCA, ΕΝΩ ΑΠΟ ΤΟ SPAD ΒΡΕΘΗΚΑΝ ΜΟΝΟ ΕΛΑΧΙΣΤΑ ΚΟΚΚΙΑ ΣΕ ΦΑΓΟΚΥΤΤΑΡΑ

Retreatment Efficacy of Endodontic Bioceramic Sealers: A Review of the Literature

The endodontic retreatment is a feasible solution when post-operative apical periodontitis persists or develops. The complete removal of the filling materials is important in order to ensure the unobstructed contact of the intracanal disinfectants with the microbes. As a new generation of bioceramic endodontic sealers has emerged, their removal efficacy from the root canal system during retreatment is a matter of concern among clinicians. The aim of this article is to provide a comprehensive review of the current literature on the retreatability of these novel obturating materials. A significant amount of bioceramic sealer remnants in the root canal walls was observed in all studies.  Even though canal cleanliness could not be obtained at an ideal level, the re-establishment of the working length and patency can be considered manageable and comparable to other endodontic sealers.El retratamiento endodóntico es una solución factible cuando la periodontitis apical post-operatoria persiste o se desarrolla. La eliminación completa de los materiales obturadores es importante para garantizar el contacto y acción de los desinfectantes e irrigantes endodónticos con los microorganismos persistentes. A medida que ha surgido una nueva generación de selladores endodónticos biocerámicos, su eficacia de eliminación del sistema de conductos radiculares durante el retratamiento es motivo de preocupación entre los profesionales. El objetivo de este artículo es proporcionar una revisión exhaustiva de la literatura actual sobre la influencia o posibles limitantes del uso de este tipo de cementos bioactivos durante el retratamiento endodóntico. Los estudios determinaron una cantidad significativa de restos de selladores biocerámicos en las paredes del conducto radicular. Aunque la limpieza del canal no se pudo obtener a un nivel “ideal”, el restablecimiento de la longitud de trabajo y la permeabilidad se puede considerar manejable y comparable a otros selladores endodónticos

Knowledge, perceptions and attitudes of university students regarding COVID-19, Cyprus

University students represent an active group with important implications in the novel coronavirus transmission. Elucidating their knowledge, attitudes and perceptions was important for customizing communication material and other information activities

Gaps in Knowledge About SARS-CoV-2 & COVID-19 Among University Students Are Associated With Negative Attitudes Toward People With COVID-19: A Cross-Sectional Study in Cyprus

University students represent a highly active group in terms of their social activity in the community and in the propagation of information on social media. We aimed to map the knowledge, attitudes, and perceptions of University students in Cyprus about severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) and Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) to guide targeted future measures and information campaigns. We used a cross-sectional online survey targeting all students in conventional, not distance-learning, programs in five major universities in the Republic of Cyprus. Students were invited to participate through the respective Studies and Student Welfare Office of each institution. The survey was made available in English and Greek on REDCap. Participation was voluntary and anonymous. The questionnaire was developed based on a consensus to cover the main factual information directed by official channels toward the general public in Cyprus at the time of the survey. In addition to sociodemographic information (N = 8), the self-administered questionnaire consisted of 19 questions, assessing the knowledge regarding the characteristics of SARS-CoV-2 and COVID-19, infection prevention and control measures (N = 10), perceptions related to COVID-19, for instance, whether strict travel measures are necessary (N = 4), and attitudes toward a hypothetical person infected (N = 2). Furthermore, participants were asked to provide their own assessment of their knowledge about COVID-19 and specifically with regard to the main symptoms and ways of transmission (N = 3). The number of students who completed the survey was 3,641 (41% studying Health/Life Sciences). Amongst them, 68.8% responded correctly to at least 60% of knowledge-related questions. Misconceptions were identified in 30%. Only 29.1% expressed a positive attitude toward a hypothetical person with COVID-19 without projecting judgment (9.2%) or blame (38%). Odds of expressing a positive attitude increased by 18% (95% CI 13–24%; p < 0.001) per unit increase in knowledge. Postgraduate level education was predictive of better knowledge (odds ratio (OR) 1.81; 95% CI 1.34–2.46; p < 0.001 among doctoral students] and positive attitude [OR 1.35; 95% CI 1.01–1.80; p = 0.04). In this study, we show that specific knowledge gaps and misconceptions exist among University students about SARS-CoV-2 and COVID-19 and their prevalence is associated with negative attitudes toward people with COVID-19. Our findings highlight the integrated nature of knowledge and attitude and suggest that improvements to the former could contribute to improvements in the latter