Comparative effects of glazing versus polishing on mechanical, optical, and surface properties of zirconia ceramics with different translucencies.

OBJECTIVES: This study compared the effects of glazing versus polishing on mechanical, optical, and surface properties of zirconia ceramics with different translucencies. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this in vitro study, 120 bar-shaped specimens (25 × 4 × 1.2 mm) were fabricated from three different types of zirconia with different translucencies (n = 40, DD Bio ZW, ZX2, and Cube X2). After sintering, each zirconia group was randomly divided into five subgroups of control (glazing), glazing + bur abrasion, glazing + bur abrasion + polishing with EVE Diacera® kit, glazing + bur abrasion + reglazing, and glazing + bur abrasion + polishing with EVE Diacera® kit + reglazing. The specimens underwent surface roughness, hardness, flexural strength, and translucency tests, as well as X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) for assessment of surface topography. Data were analyzed by one-way analysis of variance, Tukey test, and Pearson test (α = .05). RESULTS: Flexural strength, surface hardness, and translucency were significantly correlated with zirconia type. ZW zirconia had significantly higher flexural strength and surface hardness and significantly lower translucency than Cube X2 and ZX2 (p < .001). Surface roughness had no significant correlation with zirconia type (p = .274). Polishing created the smoothest, and bur abrasion created the roughest surface (p < .001). Flexural strength and hardness in most experimental groups were significantly lower than in the control group (p < .001). Translucency was not significantly different in bur abrasion and polishing groups, compared with the control group; however, reglazing significantly increased the translucency (p < .001). SEM micrographs confirmed the surface roughness results. XRD showed monoclinic phase only in reglazed groups. CONCLUSION: Of different surface treatments, polishing improved the surface properties and caused the smallest change in mechanical properties of zirconia with different translucencies.

Assessing the Utility of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Posters as Educational Aids in Dental Education for Undergraduate Students: Is it Useless or Helpful?

Background: Educational posters play a crucial role in education, information dissemination, and awareness. Their visual appeal efficiently communicates condensed yet vital information on significant topics, making them valuable for teaching sequential concepts. We aimed to assess the effectiveness of educational posters in the oral and maxillofacial surgery department for student education. Methods: The study was carried out during the fall semester of 2022 at Mashhad Dental School, Mashhad, Iran utilizing a questionnaire-based approach. The questionnaire gathered demographic information and assessed students' perspectives on educational posters. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS version 23 with a significance level set at 0.05. Results: This study was conducted on 70 students (35 females and 35 males). Gender-based analysis demonstrated significant differences in beauty, adaptability, and learning, with male students scoring lower than females (P values = 0.036 and 0.031, respectively). Further analysis by academic year unveiled higher beauty and adaptability scores among third-year students compared to second-year students, showing statistical significance (P value = 0.035). A two-by-two comparison highlighted that the average beauty score of third and fifth-year students surpassed that of second-year students (P values = 0.041 and 0.038, respectively). In summary, higher academic years correlated with superior performance, emphasizing the potential impact of educational posters on academic outcomes. Conclusion: Posters in the oral and maxillofacial surgery department received commendable ratings in various areas, positively impacting the teaching and learning process.

Mental health outcomes of hospital staff during the COVID-19 pandemic in Iran.

BACKGROUND: The COVID-19 pandemic, which had recorded 769 million cases and resulted in 6.95 million deaths by August 2023, has put pressure on healthcare systems. Frontline medical professionals face stress, potentially leading to health challenges. This research aimed to examine the mental health of staff during the COVID-19 pandemic. METHODS: This cross-sectional descriptive-analytical study was conducted in several hospitals in Tehran, Kerman, and Golpayegan between 2021 and 2022. The study encompassed a population of 1,231 nurses and physicians. Data collection was done using the General Health Questionnaire-28 (GHQ-28). We applied the K-means clustering algorithm to unveil hidden patterns within the data and extract valuable insights from participants' responses to the GHQ-28. This method was chosen because our dataset lacked explicit labels, making grouping individuals with similar characteristics necessary. The primary aim was to delineate how the COVID-19 pandemic affected the mental health of hospital staff and identify which factors played a more significant role in this process. RESULTS: We have observed that Cluster two exhibits the highest scores in response to the GHQ-28 questions, indicating a more significant degree of mental distress. Within this cluster, 83.0% of individuals identify as female, 71.0% hold bachelor's degrees and 42.8% are nurses who have experienced the most substantial impact. Among these individuals, 90.4% did not have a history of smoking. Additionally, 59.7% are married, suggesting that these mental health issues may also affect their families. CONCLUSION: Given that the most critical subscale is related to anxiety/insomnia within the second cluster, it is necessary to implement management plans aimed at appropriately redistributing night shifts to improve employee health.

Is Mini-Plate Removal Necessary for Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Patients? A Five-Year Case-Control Study.

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to determine the mini-plate and screw removal rate and reasons in maxillofacial surgery patients under previous semi-rigid fixation treatment in the past five years at the main trauma center of Mashhad. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This was a census-based retrospective study. All the candidates who admitted to our department for maxillofacial plate removal due to symptomatic or infected mini-plates were included in this study. The patients' age and gender, plate removal etiologies, and the time between plate insertion and removal were analyzed. RESULTS: Mini-plates were inserted for 1026 patients. However, only 94 patients with a mean age of 29.4±11.1 years were candidates for plate removal. The plate removal rate was 9.16%. Infection and exposure were the most common causes of plate removal. The most prevalent removal site was the mandible (angle and body). The interval between mini-plate insertion and removal was an average of 12.9±5.6 months. It is noteworthy that the shortest lasting duration was when plate removal was secondary to pain (6.67 months) and infection (11.45 months). CONCLUSION: This research showed that the routine removal of plates does not appear to be generally indicated in healthy subjects unless there is an obvious and definitive clinical indication.

Effect of head covering on phototherapy-induced hypocalcaemia in icterus newborns; a randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Although phototherapy has been used for more than 60 years it has some complications. The light waves produced from phototherapy reduce melatonin concentration in newborns with subsequent hypocalcemia. We aimed to assess the effect of head covering on calcium and magnesium levels in full term newborns during phototherapy. METHODS: In this randomized controlled trial, 72 full-term icterus newborns weighing >2500 gr with indirect hyperbillirubinemia who received phototherapy at the phototherapy ward of Moslemin Hospital, Shiraz, southwest Iran, during March to September 2010 were recruited and divided randomly into two groups. The neonates in the case group received phototherapy while wearing a hat, while phototherapy was performed without hats for the control group. The newborns were in perfect health during the tests. The calcium and magnesium levels of each newborn were tested at baseline, and 24 hours after phototherapy and 48 after treatment. The variables were compared using Student's t, Chi-square and repeat measurement tests. RESULTS: 14 (38.8%) newborns in the control group and 5 (13.8%) in the case group had hypocalcemia after phototherapy. A significant difference was found between the incidence of hypocalcemia in these two groups (P=0.03). However, magnesium levels did not change significantly (P>0.05). CONCLUSION: Phototherapy caused hypocalcemia but it had no effect on magnesium levels. This can be prevented by covering the head during phototherapy with no need for prophylactic administration of calcium. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: IRCT2013102315134N1.

Antiproliferative evaluation of terpenoids and terpenoid coumarins from Ferulago macrocarpa (Fenzl) Boiss. fruits.

BACKGROUND: Ferulago macrocarpa is a plant used as flavoring agent and protectant in the food industry and as a folk medicinal plant in Iran with no available information on its chemical identity. Ferulago spp. showed to contain biologically terpenoids and coumarins. OBJECTIVE: The objective was to isolate and characterize terpenoids and coumarins from the acetone extract of F. macrocarpa fruits and to evaluate their antiproliferative effects on several cell lines. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A series of normal and reverse phase gravity and high-performance liquid chromatography analyses were used to purify constituents. Compounds 1-5 and 7 were evaluated for their cytotoxic effects on MCF-7, HT-29 and H-1299 cell lines. RESULTS: Six compounds including bornyl acetate (1), 1,10-di-epi-cubenol (2), stigmasterol (3) and three coumarins grandivittin (4), prantschimgin (5) and 4"-hydroxygrandivittin (7) along with mixtures of feruloyl derivatives (6a-6c) have been purified. Their structures were established by spectroscopic methods including nuclear magnetic resonance and MS analyses. Compound 2 showed moderate cytotoxicity effect with IC50 values of 5.0 and 6.7 mM on MCF-7 and HT-29, respectively. CONCLUSION: 1,10-di-epi-Cubenol could be considered as a potential proliferation inhibitor of MCF-7 and HT-29 cell lines.

Ultrasonic measurement of common carotid intima-media thickness in type 2 diabetic and non-diabetic patients.

BACKGROUND: Diabetes mellitus is a widespread disease. Its vascular complications can be characterized by arteriosclerosis formation in carotid arteries. Due to its delayed diagnosis resulting in more complications in Iran, it seems that screening diabetic patients is mandatory. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to compare the intima-media thickness (IMT) of carotid artery in diabetic and non-diabetic patients. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This is a cross-sectional study, which included 80 participants (40 diabetics and 40 non-diabetics). By using ultrasound, bilateral IMTs of the distal carotid were measured and the data were analyzed using ANOVA and multivariate regression tests in SPSS 14. RESULTS: The mean IMT was 0.97 in diabetic patients and 0.63 in non-diabetics (P < 0.001). Age and gender had significant positive effects on the increase of IMT (P < 0.05 and P < 0.005, respectively for age and gender). Past medical history of coronary heart disease (CHD) and cerebrovascular accident (CVA) in diabetes is associated significantly with an increase in IMT (P =0.019 and 0.027 respectively). Other confounding variables such as smoking, history of hypertension (HTN) and hyperlipoproteinemia (HLP) in diabetic patients showed no significant relationship with the increase of IMT. CONCLUSIONS: Although measuring the IMT of the carotid artery by sonography is a useful tool for screening diabetic patients, more studies are needed for determining how to use these measurements in promoting the patients outcomes.

Fertility-sparing approach in a teenager with uterine tumor diagnosed as a sarcoma on imaging.

BACKGROUND: Uterine tumors are extremely rare in teenage patients. Although magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) can help distinguish between leiomyoma and sarcoma, it may also seriously mislead the diagnosis. CASE REPORT: An 18-year-old female patient presented with marked anemia, and a rapidly growing uterine tumor that strongly suggested uterine sarcoma on MRI. In order to avoid dispensable radical surgery, explorative laparotomy with tumor biopsy was performed after balancing risk/benefit ratio. Extemporaneous pathologic examination revealed a benign leiomyoma, and the patient subsequently underwent complete conservative myomectomy. CONCLUSION: Preserving fertility is an important issue in young patients with uterine tumors, and tumor biopsy may overcome MRI false positive results, as illustrated in this case. Conservative approach deserves further evaluation in this specific setting.

Comparison of prevalence of varicocele in first-degree relatives of patients with varicocele and male kidney donors.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate hereditary behavior of varicocele through comparison of prevalence of disease in first-degree relatives of patients with known varicocele and normal healthy kidney donation volunteers. METHODS: Sixty-two patients with known varicocele who admitted for surgery in Razi Hospital between September 2005 and October 2006 were enrolled in the study. The patients were asked to refer for examination healthy available first-degree relatives (n = 88). A group of 100 men referred for voluntary kidney donation were selected as control group and assessed for varicocele. RESULTS: Of the 88 first-degree relatives of patients with a known varicocele, 40 (45.4%) had a clinically palpable varicocele on physical examination. This was significantly greater than the 11 (11%) of 100 men in the control group (P <0.001). Of the first-degree relatives, 32 (55.1%) of 58 brothers and 8 (26.6%) of 30 fathers had palpable varicocele. CONCLUSIONS: Clinical varicoceles are more prevalent among first-degree relatives (particularly brothers) of patients with known varicoceles and may be an indicator of hereditary behavior of the disease and necessity of screening for male family members.