Effectiveness and predictability of titanium-prepared platelet-rich fibrin for the management of multiple gingival recessions.

OBJECTIVE: Titanium-prepared platelet-rich fibrin (T-PRF) is activated with titanium, which results in a more mature and aggregated form than PRF. In our previous studies, we established that the fibrin carpet formed with titanium had a firmer network structure, and longer resorption time in the tissue than the fibrin carpet formed with glass. The purpose of this randomized controlled clinical trial is to compare the effects of autogenous T-PRF and connective tissue graft (CTG). MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 114 Miller Class I/II gingival recessions with abrasion defects were treated either T-PRF (63 teeth) or CTG (51 teeth) using a modified tunnel technique. Clinical periodontal indexes, keratinized tissue (KTW), gingival thickness, and recession depth were recorded before surgery and at 6- and 12-month follow-up examinations. The visual analog scale and healing index scores were assessed. RESULTS: The mean root coverages were 93.29 and 93.22% in the T-PRF and CTG groups, respectively, at 12 months post-operatively. CTG resulted in greater gingival thickness than T-PRF at 6 and 12 months post-surgery compared to baseline. Furthermore, the mean amounts of KTW increased by 1.97 and 0.75 mm in the T-PRF and CTG groups, respectively. CONCLUSION: Within the limits of this study, the results demonstrated that T-PRF is safe and effective for treatment of multiple Miller Class I/II gingival recession defects. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: T-PRF can serve as a good autogenous alternative to CTG, which is the gold standard for root coverage.

Integrating "Super Skills for Exams" Programme in the School Curriculum to Support Adolescents Preparing for Their National Examinations in Turkey.

Examination stress is the most common stressor reported by adolescents across the globe. Exam stress involves mental distress related to anticipated academic challenges or fear of failure in the examinations, test anxiety, or fear of being unable to meet certain expectations of themselves or others. The aim of this study was to determine the effectiveness of a transdiagnostic resilience program (Super Skills for Exams; SSE), when integrated in the school curriculum and delivered by the school counsellors, in reducing exam stress among adolescents who are preparing for their national examinations. SSE is based on the principles of Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT), behavioural activation, and social skills training, and includes sessions in promoting healthy lifestyles. Participants were 7129 (3661 female and 3468 male) adolescents in grades 7 and 8, from all the 245 secondary schools from Ugur College in seven regions and 31 cities across Turkey. All the participants completed a set of questionnaires to measure self-efficacy for learning and test anxiety, academic stress, emotion regulation, and lifestyles. Results revealed significant reduction in academic stress (i.e., test anxiety, work pressure, self-expectation, and despondency) and maladaptive emotion regulation strategies, and significant increase in self-efficacy and adaptive regulation strategies following the intervention. Adolescents who participated in SSE reported an increase in the consumption of healthy food. This study provides preliminary empirical support for the integration of SSE within the school curriculum for helping adolescents cope with exam stress as they prepare for their national exams.

Association among COVID-19, multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children, and oral health status.

The pathophysiology of multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C) and associated oral symptoms have not been clarified yet. The aim of the present study was to compare the oral health status of children with MIS-C-associated Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and COVID-19. A total of 54 children with SARS-CoV-2 infection, 23 with MIS-C-associated COVID-19 and 31 with asymptomatic, mild, and moderate COVID-19 were recruited for the present cross-sectional study. Sociodemographic variables, medical examinations, oral hygiene habits, and extraoral and intraoral findings (DMFT/dmft index, OHI scores, and oral mucosal changes) were recorded. The t-test for independent samples and the Mann-Whitney U test were used (p < 0.05). MIS-C was found to be associated with chapped lips (all patients) and oral mucosal changes, including erythema, white lesion, strawberry tongue, and swelling of the gingiva as compared to the COVID-19 group (frequency of more than one mucosal change: 100% vs. 35%) (p < 0.001). Children with MIS-C presented higher DMFT/dmft scores (DMFT/dmft 5.52 ± 3.16 for the MIS-C group vs. 2.26 ± 1.80 for the COVID-19 group) (p < 0.01). Elevated OHI scores were also associated with MIS-C (mean ± SD: 3.06 ± 1.02 (MIS-C) vs. 2.41 ± 0.97 (COVID-19) (p < 0.05). Oral manifestations, mainly strawberry and erythematous tongue, were characteristic features of MIS-C. Prevalence of oral/dental symptoms was elevated in children with MIS-C when compared to COVID-19. Therefore, dental professionals should be aware of the oral manifestations associated with MIS-C, which may have high mortality and morbidity rates.

Psychometric properties of the compulsive internet use scale among adolescents in India, Philippines and Turkey.

Research shows that internet addiction continues to grow globally, with wider access to the internet and changing use of smartphones. The compulsive internet use scale (CIUS) which has been found to be consistently associated with pathological internet use, is widely considered a measure for prolonged and problematic internet use. CIUS had been translated and adapted in several countries with reports of good reliability. However, to our knowledge this is the first study that examined the psychometric properties of the CIUS scale in three countries who share similar collectivistic attitudes and are a part of growing economies. This link was shared widely amongst young adults (aged 18-25 years), and a total of 837 participants completed the questionnaires. They completed the CIUS scale alongside a measure for escapism and self-esteem. These additional self-reports were added to assess the construct validity of the CIUS. The results from this study confirms the single factor structure of the CIUS as the best fit for this scale, this single factor solution was found for all the three countries. Similarly, high scores of internal reliability were observed for samples in India, Philippines and Turkey. We further found the CIUS to positively correlate with scores of escapism in the Turkish sample only. Taken together these results suggest that the CIUS is an effective measure regardless of country of residence, whilst highlighting the underlying differences in escapism that may need further attention.

Internet use during COVID-19 lockdown among young people in low- and middle-income countries: Role of psychological wellbeing.

Problematic internet use in adolescents has been shown to significantly increase over the past few years, with COVID-19 pandemic lockdowns reinforcing this phenomena globally. We sought to explore whether problematic internet use in specific countries was related to emotional well-being and importantly whether this is predicted by psychological distress. There is a growing number of studies showing that problematic internet use is increasingly prevalent in countries with emerging economies, however we have yet to find out to what extent other factors are influencing this behaviour in adolescents and young people. This study invited young people from countries such India, Mexico, Philippines and Turkey to complete a set of self-reports on their daily internet habits, social media use, alongside questions on psychological distress, self-esteem, loneliness and escapism. A total of 1182 young people aged between 16 and 25 years old completed these questionnaires online. The results showed that there were significant difference in problematic internet use scores among adolescents in the Philippines and Turkey. More specifically, social media use was significantly higher amongst young people from the Philippines whereas gaming addiction was significantly high in the Turkish sample. These findings also revealed that psychological distress, loneliness, and low self-esteem consistently predicted problematic internet use. Taken together these results emphasise that there are several factors underlying growing figures of problematic internet use in young people, these factors include emotional distress, need for escapism, loneliness, and social media use, however, going forward more nuanced cultural differences should also be considered.

Validation of an Emotion Regulation Training Program on Mental Well-Being.

This research aimed to validate an Emotion Regulation Training program cultivating resilience, strengthening interpersonal communication, and enhancing emotional intelligence. A community sample of 104 participants were assigned to either an intervention (n = 51) or nonactive control (n = 53) group matched by age and gender. In addition, data were gathered via a cognitive performance test conducted pre- and postmeasurement in a subset of the larger sample (n = 19 intervention, n = 19 control). Results revealed reappraisal significantly increased in the intervention group, which was associated with a decrease in depressive symptomology, worry, and suppression, and a concurrent increase in overall mental well-being, supporting the validation of the Emotion Regulation Training program.

Association among COVID-19, multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children, and oral health status

Abstract The pathophysiology of multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C) and associated oral symptoms have not been clarified yet. The aim of the present study was to compare the oral health status of children with MIS-C-associated Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and COVID-19. A total of 54 children with SARS-CoV-2 infection, 23 with MIS-C-associated COVID-19 and 31 with asymptomatic, mild, and moderate COVID-19 were recruited for the present cross-sectional study. Sociodemographic variables, medical examinations, oral hygiene habits, and extraoral and intraoral findings (DMFT/dmft index, OHI scores, and oral mucosal changes) were recorded. The t-test for independent samples and the Mann-Whitney U test were used (p < 0.05). MIS-C was found to be associated with chapped lips (all patients) and oral mucosal changes, including erythema, white lesion, strawberry tongue, and swelling of the gingiva as compared to the COVID-19 group (frequency of more than one mucosal change: 100% vs. 35%) (p < 0.001). Children with MIS-C presented higher DMFT/dmft scores (DMFT/dmft 5.52 ± 3.16 for the MIS-C group vs. 2.26 ± 1.80 for the COVID-19 group) (p < 0.01). Elevated OHI scores were also associated with MIS-C (mean ± SD: 3.06 ± 1.02 (MIS-C) vs. 2.41 ± 0.97 (COVID-19) (p < 0.05). Oral manifestations, mainly strawberry and erythematous tongue, were characteristic features of MIS-C. Prevalence of oral/dental symptoms was elevated in children with MIS-C when compared to COVID-19. Therefore, dental professionals should be aware of the oral manifestations associated with MIS-C, which may have high mortality and morbidity rates.

Effect of an Emotion Regulation Training Program on Mental Well-Being.

This study aimed to develop and validate a brief emotion regulation training program that improved mental well-being. The program was preventative in nature, designed to build resilience while fostering more satisfying personal and professional relationships in a community sample. It was developed and piloted with 10 graduate students during Study 1; for Study 2, a community sample of 75 adults were randomly allocated to either a treatment (n = 38) or control (n = 37) group. In the pilot program, the social validity of the program was confirmed, while study 2 demonstrated significant changes in positive coping techniques (i.e., reappraisal) at one-year follow-up in the treatment group when compared with the control. These findings may have broad implications in the health sector due to the brevity, scalability, and cost-effectiveness of this newly designed intervention.