Knowledge, Awareness, and Influence of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Students of Biomedical Faculties: A Cross-Sectional Study.

: The COVID-19 pandemic has had a profound impact on physical, mental, and social aspects of life worldwide. This study aimed to explore and compare differences in knowledge, awareness, behavior, and the psychological impact of the pandemic among students of biomedical faculties at the University of Zagreb. : A cross-sectional study was conducted between 27 November 2020 and 19 January 2021 involving 518 students from the School of Dental Medicine, School of Medicine, Faculty of Pharmacy and Biochemistry, and Faculty of Veterinary Medicine.

A systematic review of salivary gland hypofunction and/or xerostomia induced by non-surgical cancer therapies: prevention strategies.

Purpose: This systematic review aimed to assess the updated literature for the prevention of salivary gland hypofunction and xerostomia induced by non-surgical cancer therapies.

Methods: Electronic databases of MEDLINE/PubMed, EMBASE, and Cochrane Library were searched for randomized controlled trials (RCT) that investigated interventions to prevent salivary gland hypofunction and/or xerostomia. Literature search began from the 2010 systematic review publications from the Multinational Association of Supportive Care in Cancer/International Society of Oral Oncology (MASCC/ISOO) up to February 2024.

Invasive pneumococcal disease in adults after the introduction of pneumococcal vaccination: a retrospective study in the metropolitan area of Zagreb, Croatia (2010-2022).

Introduction: Invasive pneumococcal disease (IPD) is a severe form of illness caused by with high morbidity and mortality rate in the general population, particularly in children <5 years of age, adults ≥65 years of age and the immunocompromised. As known, pneumococcal vaccination lowers the risk of IPD so the aim of this study was to investigate whether the introduction of pneumococcal vaccination has influenced the incidence and mortality of IPD in adults in Croatia.

Materials And Methods: A retrospective study was conducted among adult patients (aged ≥18 years) hospitalized due to IPD in the metropolitan area of Zagreb from 1 January 2010 to 31 December 2022.

Effect of customized bioactive glass in experimental composites on dentin bond strength after 12 months of aging.

Objectives: This study aimed to investigate the effect of a customized low-sodium bioactive glass (BG) fillers in experimental resin composites on their bond strength to dentin after 12 months of artificial aging. Specifically, it evaluated whether the bond strength was affected by different BG concentrations (0, 10, 20, 40 wt%) and artificial aging durations (1, 6, and 12 months).

Materials And Methods: Experimental composites were prepared with 10, 20, and 40 wt% of a customized low-sodium fluoride-containing BG.

Antibiotics Knowledge and Prescription Patterns Among Dental Practitioners in Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Serbia: A Comparative E-Survey with a Focus on Medically Healthy and Compromised Patients.

Background: The non-specific prescription of antibiotics, especially in dentistry, contributes to the global problem of antimicrobial resistance and highlights the need for education on the proper use and serious consequences of overprescribing these drugs. The main objective of this study is to assess and evaluate antibiotic knowledge and prescribing patterns in dental practice in Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Serbia, focusing on understanding the rationale for prescribing, adherence to evidence-based guidelines, and dentists' awareness of antibiotic resistance.

Methods: A total of 795 dentists participated in this electronic cross-sectional survey (Croatia N = 336, Bosnia and Herzegovina N = 176, and Serbia N = 283).

The Impact of Different Irrigation Protocols on the Bond Strength of Self-Adhesive Resin Cement to Radicular Dentin.

Objective: The objective of the study was to investigate the influence of different irrigation protocols on the shear bond strength (SBS) of self-adhesive resin cement (SARC) on primed radicular dentin.

Methods: Radicular dentin slabs (N=58) were embedded in acrylic. Subsequently, they were polished and randomly assigned to five experimental groups (N=8-12) and one control group, CG (N=8).

Legal Dental Age Thresholds Estimation in Croatian Children and Adolescents: Accuracy of the Olze, Haavikko, and Demirjian Methods.

Objective: This study aimed to explore the accuracy of three established approaches for legal age threshold estimation in a Croatian sample.

Materials And Methods: Olze's third molar eruption stages, Haavikko stages, and Demirjian stages were applied in 583 orthopantomograms of Croatian children and adolescents aged 10.00-20.

Clinical Decision-Making of Repair vs. Replacement of Defective Direct Dental Restorations: A Multinational Cross-Sectional Study With Meta-Analysis.

Objectives: This web-based survey, conducted across multiple countries, sought to explore the factors that impact the decision-making of clinicians when it comes to managing defective direct restorations.

Methods: A survey consisting of 14 questions was sent out to dentists in 21 countries through various online platforms. The survey consisted of two sections.

Applications of smart materials in minimally invasive dentistry - some research and clinical perspectives.

Objectives: Dental caries is one of the most prevalent bacteria-induced non-communicable diseases globally. It is known to be the top oral health burden in both developing and developed nations. There is substantial literature on the disease process and there is still debate on the extent of caries removal needed and the adequacy of the materials available to restore the lost tooth structure.

Effect of Silane-Containing Adhesives on Repair Bond Strength between Fresh and Aged Composite Materials-A Pilot Study.

This study investigated the effects of different surface treatments and a silane-containing adhesive on the repair bond strength between fresh and aged resin composites. A total of 140 composite specimens were prepared and aged for 24 h or 4 months. Each group was subdivided into seven subgroups ( = 10) depending on the surface treatment (no surface treatment (NT), sandblasting (SAND), or Sof-lex coarse disc (DISC)) in combination with the use of the silane-containing adhesive ScotchBond Universal Plus (SBU) or an adhesive without silane Prime&Bond Universal (P&B).

Renal metastasis of gastric cancer caused acute kidney injury which resulted with hemodialysis: case report and literature review.

Gastric cancer ranks fourth among the most commonly diagnosed cancers, with over a million new cases diagnosed worldwide each year. Acute and chronic kidney damage are common in patients with malignant diseases and are associated with increased risk of complications and mortality. Rarely, acute renal insufficiency may result from bilateral infiltration of renal parenchyma by tumor cells from another organ.

Analgesic effect of ultrasound-guided extraoral mandibular nerve block compared to intraoral conductive block of the inferior alveolar nerve after lower third molar alveolectomy: a clinical prospective study.

Background: The analgesia after lower third molar alveolectomy is based on the use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) that have significant risks, and are contraindicated in the third trimester of pregnancy. Aiming to reduce NSAIDs use after this surgery, we quantified analgesic effects of ultrasound (US)-guided extraoral mandibular nerve block.

Methods: Thirty-six patients were equally allocated to the experimental or control group, based on their willingness to receive experimental US-guided extraoral mandibular nerve block for postoperative analgesia.

Prevention of Oral Injuries during Endotracheal Intubation: Patients' and Anesthesiologists' Perspective.

Objective: The aim was to design accessible, simple, inexpensive protection for teeth and soft tissues during ETI, compare damage occurrence with and without protection, and investigate post-ETI orofacial pain symptoms.

Materials And Methods: The selection procedure for adequate protection was carried out after which a reduced elastomer mouthguard was selected. Fifty patients were divided into 2 groups.

New equation for estimation of dental age by tooth cementum thickness in adolescents and adults: forensic aspects.

Objective: Our research was aimed to establish the equation and to determine its precision for dental age estimation in adolescents, adults and the elderly based on the thickness of deposited dental cement.

Design: The study sample consisted of 206 donor teeth of both sexes (10 to 82 years of age). The roots were transversely cut (6 cuts) on an ISOMET 1000 cutter at apical, middle, and cervical parts (slice thickness 0.

Assessment of Tooth Shade Measurement Precision and Consistency with Digital Photography Calibration System.

Objectives: To ascertain the degree of precision and repeatability inherent in the "capture to edit" digital imaging system, namely the ColorChecker Passport Photo (X-Rite, MI, USA), and to juxtapose its performance against spectrophotometric assessments utilizing the Vita Easyshade® (Vita Zahnfabrik, H Rauter GmbH & Co. KG., Bad Sackingen, Germany) for the same set of teeth.

Periodontal Disease in Patients with Ischemic Stroke - an Exploratory Study.

Objective: The aim of this study was to assess the periodontal disease parameters in patients with ischemic stroke.

Materials And Methods: The study included 21 patients with ischemic brain stroke and a control group that was matched in number, age, and gender. All participants underwent a standard periodontal examination.

Accuracy of second and third molar maturity indices, Olze, Haavikko, and Demirjian methods for 14- and 16-year-old age thresholds assessment in Croatian children and adolescents.

This study explores the reliability of four established legal age threshold estimation approaches in a Croatian sample. We applied Haavikko stages, Demirjian stages, Olze's third molar eruption stages, and second and third molar maturity indices measurement in 593 orthopantomograms of Croatian children and adolescents aged 11.00-20.

LGALS3 cfDNA methylation in seminal fluid as a novel prostate cancer biomarker outperforming PSA.

Background: The unmet challenge in prostate cancer (PCa) management is to discriminate it from benign prostate hyperplasia (BPH) due to the lack of specific diagnostic biomarkers. Contemporary research on potential PCa biomarkers is directed toward methylated cell-free DNA (cfDNA) from liquid biopsies since epigenetic mechanisms are strongly involved in PCa development.

Methods: In the present research, cfDNA methylation of the LGALS3 gene in blood and seminal plasma of PCa and BPH patients was assessed using pyrosequencing, as well as LGALS3 DNA methylation in tissue biopsies.

One-Year Evaluation of High-Power Rapid Curing on Dentin Bond Strength.

This study investigated the effect of 3 s light-curing with a high-power LED curing unit on the shear bond strength of bulk-fill composites. Four bulk-fill composites were bonded to dentin with a universal adhesive (Scotchbond Universal Plus): two materials designed for rapid curing (Tetric PowerFill and Tetric PowerFlow) and two controls (Filtek One Bulk Fill Restorative and SDR Plus Bulk Fill Flowable). The 4 mm composite layer was light-cured with Bluephase PowerCure for 20 s at 1000 mW/cm ("20 s") or for 3 s at 3000 mW/cm ("3 s").

Dentist Involvement in the Treatment of Radiation-Induced Oral Mucositis-A Pilot Cross-Sectional Study.

Oral mucositis (OM) occurs in more than 95% of patients irradiated in the head and neck area. This paper aims to determine the occurrence and characteristics of OM in patients with head and neck cancer (HNC), as well as the involvement of dentists/oral medicine specialists in treating such patients. : This study was conducted at the Department of Otorhinolaryngology and Department of Oral Medicine, University Hospital Center Zagreb, from April to August 2022, on patients irradiated in the head and neck area.