Vital Pulp Therapy with Calcium-Silicate Cements: Report of Two Cases

This article describes successful use of calcium-enriched mixture (CEM) cement and Biodentine in apexogenesis treatment in two 8-year-old patients, one with immature permanent molar diagnosed primarily with irreversible pulpitis and the other with partially vital maxillary central incisor. After access cavity preparation, partial pulpotomy in molar and full pulpotomy in central was performed, and the remaining pulps was capped with either Biodentine or CEM cement, in each tooth. The crowns were restored with composite filling material at the following visit. The post-operative radiographic and clinical examinations (approx. average of 16 months) showed that both treated teeth remained functional, with complete root development and apex formation. A calcified bridge was produced underneath the capping material. No further endodontic intervention was necessary. Considering the healing potential of immature vital pulps, the use of CEM cement and Biodentine for apexogenesis might be an applicable choice. These new endodontic biomaterials might be appropriate for vital pulp therapies in an immature tooth. However, further clinical studies with longer follow-up periods are recommended.Keywords:Apexogenesis; Calcium-Silicate Cements; Dental Pulp; Pulpotomy; Vital Pulp Therapy

Structural Model of the Relationship of Organizational Ethical Climate with Organizational Empathy and Civic Virtue: A Cognitive-Affective-Behavioral Approach to Ethics at Workplace

Abstract. Organizational ethical climate components are important factors for employees and organizations. In this regard, this study was administered to investigate the role of organizational ethical climate components for organizational empathy and civic virtue. The research design was correlation one and the sample consisted of 278 employees of railway company, Esfahan, Iran. The research instruments were organizational ethical climate questionnaire, organizational empathy scale and civic virtue questionnaire. The research hypotheses were analyzed by Pearson correlation coefficient and structural equation modeling. Furthermore of simple relationships between organizational ethical climate components with civic virtue and organizational empathy, the results of structural equation modeling indicated that during a series of relationships, caring and independence associate with civic virtue and rules and law along with service associate with organizational empathy. After all, the results of this study indicated that civic virtue and organizational empathy can be considered as variables with ethical based in the workplaces

Comparison of the Antimicrobial Efficacy of Calcium Hydroxide and Photodynamic Therapy Against Enterococcus faecalis and Candida albicans in Teeth With Periapical Lesions; An In Vivo Study

Introduction: Elimination of pathological microflora of root canal systems is a major goal in endodontic treatment. This study aimed to compare the antimicrobial efficacy of calcium hydroxide as an intracanal medication and antibacterial photodynamic therapy (aPDT) against Enterococcus faecalis and Candida albicans in teeth with periapical (PA) lesions.Methods: This in vivo study was conducted on 20 patients with single-rooted mandibular premolar with previously failed endodontic treatment. This study was performed as a clinical trial (IRCTID: IRCT2016090429686N1). After conventional chemo-mechanical root canal preparation (hand and rotary instruments and 2.5% NaOCl), microbiological samples were obtained using sterile paper points, then stored in thioglycolate solution and transferred to a microbiology laboratory. Group 1 (n = 10) specimens underwent aPDT (diode laser 808 nm + 50 mg/mL methylene blue), while creamy calcium hydroxide paste was used in group 2 for a duration of 1 week. A control sample was taken with sterile paper points and F3 Protaper rotary file. The samples were dispersed in transport medium, serially diluted, and cultured on selective mediums to determine the number of colony forming units (CFUs). Data were analyzed by Mann-Whitney U test at 5% significance level. The significance level for all analyses was set at P<0.05.Results: Number of CFU significantly decreased in both groups after the interventions (P<0.001); however, there was no significant difference in the colony count between the 2 groups.Conclusion: aPDT and calcium hydroxide therapy showed the same antimicrobial efficacy on E. faecalis and C. albicans

Comparative effects of Er:YAG laser, and EDTA, MTAD, and QMix irrigants on adhesion of stem cells from the apical papilla to dentin : a scanning electron microscopic study

Dentin conditioning can affect the adhesion of stem cells in endodontic regenerative treatments. This study aimed to assess the effects of the most commonly used endodontic irrigants, namely, ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA), MTAD, and QMix in comp

Destructive effects of citric acid, lactic acid and acetic acid on primary enamel microhardness

Objective: This study aimed to assess the destructive effects of citric acid, lactic acid and acetic acid produced from the fermentation of foods on primary teeth enamel.Methods: This in vitro, experimental study was conducted on 24 sound primary teeth. The teeth  were polished with a fine abrasive paper under running water. Tooth pieces measuring 3×4×3mm were cut out of the teeth and stored in 100% humidity until the experiment. The specimens were divided into 3 groups (n=8) and immersed in acetic acid, citric acid and lactic acid, respectively. The enamel microhardness of specimens was measured by Vickers microhardness tester at baseline and 5 and 30min after immersion in the freshly prepared acid solutions.Results: Repeated measures ANOVA showed that the effect of immersion time on microhardness was significant (p<0.001). Pairwise comparison among 0, 5 and 30 minutes time points using Bonferroni adjustment showed significant differences in microhardness at different time points (p<0.001). Evaluation of the effect of type of acid on microhardness revealed that the microhardness was not significantly different in the three groups of acids (p=0.915). Among the three understudy acids, only the reduction in microhardness from time 0 to 30 minutes was significantly different between lactic acid and acetic acid (p=0.042).Conclusion: Citric acid, lactic acid and acetic acid were all capable of demineralization and reduction of enamel microhardness. A significant difference existed in the demineralization potential of acids (the highest for lactic acid). However, this effect was more significant early after exposure

The worldwide prevalence of anxiety in acquired immune deficiency syndrome patients: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Background: Anxiety affects social, economic, and physical aspects of daily life in patients with AIDS. Therefore, it is necessary to take preventive measures and design plans to maintain their general health. The present study was the first comprehensive systematic literature review research that examined the worldwide prevalence rate of anxiety in patients with AIDS. Methods: We searched for papers published in the English language in the major databases including Embase, PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, Cochrane, and Google Scholar from 2000 to October 2018. There were 40 studies which found to be eligible. These studies were independently evaluated and the collected data were entered in a data extraction form, which was then analyzed by two authors and a third author if necessary. Der Simonian-Laird model was used to estimate the prevalence rate on a Forest plot at the interval confidence of 95%. Results: The total sample size was 24111, and the total number of people with anxiety was 5546. The results based on the random-effects model showed that the rate of anxiety prevalence in the patients was 25% (CI: 95%, 21% -30%) with heterogeneity of 97.9% and a significance level of p<0.001. The South America continent with a prevalence f 38% (95% CI, 34%-42%) had the highest anxiety prevalence rates and Africa with 19% (95% CI, 12% -29%) had the lowest anxiety prevalence rates. Conclusion: Based on findings, the prevalence of anxiety in developed countries was partially higher than in underdeveloped countries and the obtained mean in the present study. It can be a significant point for policymakers. Therefore, WHO and the world community should have special plans for these countries

The Relationship between Mental Health and General Self-Efficacy Beliefs, Coping Strategies and Locus of Control in Male Drug Abusers

Abstract Background: Various studies have been conducted to determine the causes of drug abuse from a psychological perspective. Mental health has also been among the studied factors. The present study aimed to investigate the relationship between mental health and general self-efficacy beliefs, coping strategies and locus of control in male drug abusers. Methods: This was a correlational descriptive study involving all male drug abusers (4,493 cases) at self-introducing detoxification centers in Kerman, Iran, during 2010-11. A total number of 354 patients were selected randomly with cluster sampling. Measurement tools were included Goldberg’s General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-28), Generalized Self-Efficacy Scale (GSE-10), Coping Responses Inventory (CSI), and Internal–External Locus of Control Scale (I-E). The survey data were analyzed by SPSS using Pearson correlation and stepwise regression. Findings: There were significant correlations between mental health and self-efficacy beliefs (r = -0.626), problem-oriented coping strategy (r = -0.535), emotion-oriented coping strategy (r = 0.573), external locus of control (r = -0.298), and internal locus of control (r = -0.525) (P < 0.01 for all). The results of the regression analysis showed that 58.7 percent of total variance of mental health can be estimated by general self-efficacy beliefs, coping strategies and locus of control. Conclusion: In general, the results showed that increased levels of general self-efficacy, problem-oriented coping strategy and internal locus of control will improve mental health. In contrast, decreased general self-efficacy, emotion-oriented coping strategy and external locus of control would lead to decreased mental health

Cone-beam computed tomography assessment of the root canal morphology of primary molars

Abstract Background This study aimed to assess the root canal morphology of primary molars using cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT). Methods This cross-sectional study evaluated 60 maxillary and mandibular primary first and second molars on CBCT scans of patients retrieved from the archives of Hamadan School of Dentistry between 2018–2020. The teeth were evaluated regarding the number of roots and canals, canal type according to the Vertucci’s classification, and root surface concavities. Data were analyzed descriptively and by independent t-test. Results The most frequent number of canals and roots in the maxillary right and left first molars was 3 canals (60%) and 3 roots (80%). These values were 4 canals (80%) and 5 canals (50%) with 3 roots in the maxillary right and left second molars, respectively, 4 canals (100%) and 2 roots (50%), and 3 canals (60%) and 2 roots (50%) in mandibular right and left first molars, respectively, and 4 canals (92.3%) and 3 roots (61.5%) in mandibular right and left second molars. Vertucci’s type IV was the most common canal type in mesial and distal canals, type I was the most common in mesiobuccal, mesiolingual, distobuccal, and distolingual, and types I and II were the most common in the palatal canal. The maximum and minimum concavities were noted in the buccal (26.7%) and mesial (8.3%) surfaces, respectively. Conclusions A wide variation exists in the number of roots and canals of maxillary and mandibular primary molars, which calls for further attention in treatment of such teeth

Env gene expression in women with breast cancer in Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari and Isfahan Provinces, Iran

Background: Breast cancer is one of the most common malignancies in women worldwide. Global Cancer Observatory (GLOBOCAN) data for 2019 show that about two million women are diagnosed with breast cancer each year. Human endogenous retroviruses (HERV) can be involved in the development of various types of cancer. This study aimed to investigate the expression of the Env gene in the tissues of patients with breast cancer. Methods: The present case-control study was performed on 42 women with breast cancer at the age range of 40-49 years admitted to Alzahra hospital in Isfahan City and Ayatollah Kashani hospital in Shahrekord City, Iran, who underwent surgery from October 2018 to April 2019. Tumor tissues as cases and tumor margins as controls were used for RNA extraction and cDNA synthesis. Env gene expression was assessed by relative quantitation using designed primers and real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Statistical analyses including Kruskal-Wallis and Wilcoxon tests were performed using SPSS software. Findings: No significant difference was observed between Env gene expression in cancerous and noncancerous tissues. Furthermore, the Env gene expression did not show a significant relationship with the stage and grade of the tumor. Conclusion: Unlike previous studies, in the present study, no differences were found between the Env gene in tumor state and normal tumor margin tissue. This result may be due to different geographical and racial conditions or due to inherent heterogeneity in tumors. In any case, more research is needed in this area