This study aimed to generate a linguistic equivalent of the COVID Stress Scales (CSS) in the Serbian language and examine its psychometric characteristics. Data were collected from September to December 2020 among the general population of three cities in Republic of Serbia and Republic of Srpska, countries where the Serbian language is spoken. Participants completed a socio-demographic questionnaire, followed by the CSS and Perceived Stress Scale (PSS). The CSS was validated using the standard methodology (i.e., forward and backward translations, pilot testing). The reliability of the Serbian CSS was assessed using Cronbach’s alpha and McDonald’s omega coefficients and convergent validity was evaluated by correlating the CSS with PSS. Confirmatory factor analysis was performed to examine the construct validity of the Serbian CSS. This study included 961 persons (52.8% males and 47.2% females). The Cronbach’s alpha coefficient of the Serbian CSS was 0.964 and McDonald’s omega was 0.964. The Serbian CSS with 36 items and a six-factorial structure showed a measurement model with a satisfactory fit for our population (CMIN/DF = 4.391; GFI = 0.991; RMSEA = 0.025). The CSS total and all domain scores significantly positively correlated with PSS total score. The Serbian version of the CSS is a valid and reliable questionnaire that can be used in assessing COVID-19-related distress experienced by Serbian speaking people during the COVID-19 pandemic as well as future epidemics and pandemics.

Background/Aim. Bruxism is a parafunctional activity of the masticatory system, which is characterized by clenching or grinding of teeth. The purpose of this study was to determine whether the presence of bruxism has impact on maximum bite force, with particular reference to the potential impact of gender on bite force values. Methods. This study included two groups of subjects: without and with bruxism. The presence of bruxism in the subjects was registered using a specific clinical questionnaire on bruxism and physical examination. The subjects from both groups were submitted to the procedure of measuring the maximum bite pressure and occlusal contact area using a single-sheet pressure-sensitive films (Fuji Prescale MS and HS Film). Maximal bite force was obtained by multiplying maximal bite pressure and occlusal contact area values. Results. The average values of maximal bite force were significantly higher in the subjects with bruxism compared to those without bruxism (p < 0.001). Occlusal contact area was significantly higher in the subjects suffering from bruxism (p < 0.001), while the maximal bite pressure values did not show a significant difference between the studied groups (p > 0.01). Maximal bite force was significantly higher in the males compared to the females in all segments of the research. Conclusion. The presence of bruxism influences the increase in the maximum bite force as shown in this study. Gender is a significant determinant of bite force. Registration of maximum bite force can be used in diagnosing and analysing pathophysiological events during bruxism.

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PurposeThe purpose of this study were to estimate the prevalence and patterns of illicit drug use in a sample of University students from North Kosovo, to assess factors associated with illicit drug use and to assess health-related quality of life (HRQoL) among students according to illicit drug use.MethodsA cross-sectional study was conducted at the Student Public Health Center, where 514 University students were enrolled from April to June 2015 in North Kosovo. Participants completed the general socio-demographic and behavioral questionnaire, Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) and the SF-36 questionnaire for HRQoL assessment. Data on lifetime illicit drug use were self-reported.ResultsAs much as 16.0% of students reported ever illicit drug use. The most frequently used drugs were marijuana (9.3%) and bromazepam (7.6%). Factors associated with ever illicit drug use were: being smoker and alcohol user, having chronic diseases and having higher depressive symptoms score. Ever illicit drug users reported all domains of HRQoL as worse.ConclusionThese results could serve as a tool for implementation of preventive strategies and University policies to promote healthy lifestyles and behaviors. Measurement of HRQoL could also be used as indicator of the effect of interventions designed to reduce and/or prevent illicit drug use at institutions of higher education.

Background/Aim. The studies of hydroxyapatite (HAp) and growth factors as the materials used for direct pulp capping have produced conflicting results for both the issue of inflammmatory response and the issue of calcified bridge formation. Calcium hydroxyapatite/poly(lactide-co-glycolide) is a bioresorbable polymer with demonstrated good characteristics as the carrier for bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) necessary in bone tissue regeneration. The role of growth factors in dental tissue reparation (in both reactionary and reparative dentinogenesis) represents the new foundation and provides a different approach to dental pulp treatment. Growth factors-TGF-beta 1directly induce morphological and functional differentiation of neodontoblasts. The aim of this experimental study was to investigate the effect of calcium hydroxyapatite/poly(lactide-coglycolide) HAp/PLGA and growth factors (TGF-β1) in the formation of a calcified tissuedentine bridgeon the teeth of our experimental model. Methods. Rodent (rabbit) teeth were used as the animal model. After the trepanation of pulp space with sterile steel drills, the pulp was capped with calcium hydroxyapatite/poly(lactide-co-glycolide) HAp/PLGA (experimental group I; n=60); calcium hydroxyapatite/poly(lactide-co-glycolide) HAp/PLGA combined with TGF-β1 growth factor (experimental group II; n=60), and there was a control group of intact teeth (n=20). The experiment was performed in general anesthesia. The animals were kept alive for 1, 3 and 6 months. The extracted teeth were adequately prepared for scanning electron microscopy.Results. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) demonstrated that the number of teeth with calcified tissue in the form of dental bridges in the HAp/PLGA+TGF-β1 group was statistically significantly greater 6 months (66.67%) than 3 months after the treatment (26.67%), at the statistical significance level of p<0.05. Conclusion. Direct pulp capping covers the artificially exposed dental pulp and makes possible the formation of a dentine bridge (a tubular structure composed of reparative dentine) in the period of 3 months.