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Aim: To investigate the presence of resolvins E1 (RvE1) and D2 (RvD2) in teeth with primary endodontic infections and apical periodontitis, and to assess the influence of calcium hydroxide medication [Ca(OH)2], in association with 2% chlorhexidine gel (2% CHX gel), and N‐acetylcysteine (NAC) on the levels of RvE1 and RvD2 in periapical tissues. Methodology: Thirty‐six single‐rooted teeth with primary endodontic infections and apical periodontitis were selected and randomly divided into three groups according to the medication: [Ca(OH)2] + saline solution (SSL) [Ca(OH)2 + SSL group] (n = 12), Ca(OH)2 + 2% chlorhexidine gel [Ca(OH)2 + 2% CHX gel group] (n = 12) and NAC [NAC group] (n = 12). Samples were collected from the periapical interstitial fluid at two different sampling times: before (S1) and after 14 days of intracanal medications (S2). Resolvins were measured using the enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay. Data were analysed using paired t‐test, Wilcoxon test and Kruskal–Wallis test, followed by Dunn's post hoc test; all statistical tests were performed at a significance level of 5%. Results: RvE1 and RvD2 were detected in 100% of the samples (36/36) at S1 and S2. Ca(OH)2 medication did not increase the levels of RvE1 or RvD2 (both P > 0.05); however, NAC significantly increased the levels of RvE1 and RvD2 after 14 days of treatment (P < 0.05). Conclusions: RvE1 and RvD2 were detected in periapical tissues from teeth with root canal infections. Moreover, calcium hydroxide medication did not increase the levels of resolvins in apical periodontitis. In contrast, the use of NAC intracanal medication significantly increased the levels of RvE1 and RvD2 after 14 days of treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim To establish an SV40 T-Ag-transfected cell line of human pulp-derived cells in order to compare the cytotoxicity, genotoxicity and to investigate the activities of immunological biomarkers of several endodontic sealers. Methodology Primary human pulp cells and transfected cells were cultured. Cell morphology and proliferation were analysed, and the expression of cell-specific gene transcripts and proteins was detected by RT- PCR and immunohistochemistry. Transfection of human pulp-derived cells resulted in an immortalized cell line retaining phenotypic characteristics from the primarily cells tested. The SV40 T-Ag-transfected cells were cultured and stimulated by sealers (Apexit Plus, Real Seal, AH Plus, and Endo REZ) to evaluate the cytotoxicity and genotoxicity by MTT and MTN assays, respectively. Immunological inflammatory biomarkers ( IL6, IL8 and TNF-α) were determined by ELISA assay. The differences between median values were statistically analysed using Kruskal-Wallis and Dunn's tests at 5% significance level. Results The cytotoxicity assay revealed that multimethacrylate (Real Seal) was the most cytotoxic sealer ( P < 0.05) and exhibited the highest inflammatory potential against the SV40 T-Ag-transfected cells ( P < 0.05). All root canal sealers tested were able to stimulate the immortalized pulp cells to produce IL-6, IL-8 and TNF-α, with differences in relation to the control group ( P < 0.05). Higher levels of IL-6, IL-8 and TNF-α were found in cell supernatant after stimulation with multimethacrylate (Real Seal) compared to all other sealers tested ( P < 0.05). No differences were found comparing epoxy resin-based sealer ( AHPlus), single-methacrylate sealer (Endo REZ) and calcium hydroxide-based sealer (Apexit Plus), regardless of the cytokine investigated (all P > 0.05). Conclusions A SV40 T-Ag-transfected cell line of human pulp-derived cells was established. The methacrylate resin-based sealer (Real Seal) exhibited the greatest cytoxicity and inflammatory potential against immortalized pulp cells compared to an epoxy resin-based sealer ( AH Plus), a methacrylate-based sealer (EndoRez) and a calcium hydroxide-based sealer (Apexit). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The use of recycled aggregates, manufactured from several by-products, to replace virgin aggregates in the production of pavement asphalt mixtures needs to be encouraged. Nevertheless, there are some concerns and uncertainties about the actual environmental, economic and mechanical performance resulting from the incorporation of recycled aggregates in asphalt mixtures. Therefore, this paper has the goal of discussing important features to help decision makers to select recycled aggregates as raw materials for asphalt mixtures. Based on the literature review carried out and the own previous experience of the authors, the article’s main findings reveal that incorporating some of the most common recycled aggregates into asphalt mixtures is feasible, even in a life-cycle analysis perspective. Although some specific technical operations are sometimes necessary when using recycled aggregates in asphalt mixtures, some benefits in terms of environmental impacts, energy use and costs are likely to be achieved, as well as in what concerns the mechanical performance of the asphalt mixtures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]