A scoping review of the impact of COVID-19 on dentistry: financial aspects.

BACKGROUND: The technological advancements of the past few decades in various aspects that are directly or indirectly related to health, along with the emphasis on public health in societal development, have improved the quality of life. However, the occurrence of pandemics and crises underscores how various aspects of individual life can be impacted. The financial consequences resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic have particularly affected the field of dentistry and public oral health. This study aims to investigate the financial effects of the COVID-19 virus on dentistry through a scoping review. METHODS: A comprehensive literature search was conducted across four databases (Medline through PubMed, Embase, Scopus, and Cochrane Central) using keywords such as COVID-19 and its equivalents, dentistry, oral health, dental education, dental services, dental clinics, financial impact, financial opportunities and economic impact. Articles addressing the financial impact of COVID-19 on dentistry and oral health were then screened and reviewed. RESULTS: Out of 1015 articles related to COVID-19 and dentistry, 84 were focused on the financial impact of COVID-19 on dentistry. The majority of these articles originated from the United States, Brazil, and Saudi Arabia, with a prevalence of cross-sectional and review articles. The review categorized the articles into two main themes: financial problems and proposed solutions. Moreover, the following themes were extracted: the effects of practice closure on dentists and staff, increased treatment costs and impacts on oral health, personal protective equipment and unforeseen costs, psychological effects of financial issues, and financial challenges within the dental education system. CONCLUSIONS: While many high-income countries seem able to mitigate COVID-19-induced financial problems, the economic effects on dentistry might persist despite the pandemic's end. These financial challenges have spurred new opportunities and infrastructure development but can pose significant risks to community oral health. This study aimed to highlight these problems and propose solutions, contributing to efforts to improve the oral health of communities globally. Further research is needed to understand long-term impacts.

Social media as a tool for oral health promotion: A systematic review.

Social media platforms are common means of sharing information, personal experiences, and lifestyle. They can also be utilized as cost-effective methods for individuals to acquire health information and promote oral health. The purpose of the present study was to systematically review the current literature on the interventions taken through social media for promoting lay people's oral health. This systematic review (PROSPERO: CRD42023395005) followed the preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses (PRISMA) 2020 guidelines. A comprehensive search was conducted in four electronic databases (PubMed, Scopus, Embase, and Cochrane Library) for relevant articles published between 2012 and 2023. Data such as study design, sample size, follow-up duration, utilized social media platforms and main findings were extracted from the eligible studies. The quality of the studies included in the systematic review was evaluated by the quality assessment tools for intervention studies recommended by the National Collaborating Centre for Methods and Tools. Out of the 1934 records identified in the initial search, 10 studies met the inclusion criteria and were included in the qualitative synthesis. These studies comprised seven randomized control trials, one field trial and two quasi-experimental. Various social media platforms, including Telegram, Instagram, YouTube, WhatsApp and Snapchat, were used for communication with patients. Some studies solely utilized social media interventions, while others combined online and traditional interventions. The quality assessment categorized 30% of the studies as "strong", 50% as "moderate", and the remaining as "weak". The implementation of social media interventions positively influenced multiple aspects of oral health among the laypeople. Online platforms such as YouTube, WhatsApp, Instagram, and Telegram can be effectively utilized to promote oral health among patients.

Impact of COVID-19 on dental education- a scoping review.

BACKGROUND: A new corona virus called COVID-19 and its epidemic has affected health care systems in many ways. There have also been significant changes in dental education. The present study summarizes the findings about dental education resulting from a scoping review of COVID-19 and dentistry. METHODS: First, a comprehensive search of five databases (Google Scholar, Medline through PubMed, Embase, Scopus, and Cochrane Central) was conducted with the keywords: COVID-19 and its equivalent terms, dentistry, education, oral, students, curriculum, and academics. Articles related to oral health and COVID-19 were searched. Then articles on the subject of dental education were screened and reviewed. RESULTS: Of the 1389 articles investigating COVID-19 and dentistry, 135 articles were related to dental education and its relationship with COVID-19. The most articles in this field were from the United States, India, and Saudi Arabia. Most of the articles were cross-sectional and then review articles. Based on the review the articles were divided into two main categories of changes and concerns, and opportunities and solutions. Moreover, the following themes were extracted: teaching-learning quality and methods, study career and how students are prepared, infection control policies, theses, exams and assessments, financial and economic security, students and staff's mental health, school's policies and curricula, knowledge of students and staff about COVID-19. CONCLUSIONS: Dental education now faces big challenges, some of which have never been experienced before. On the other hand, the epidemic has created opportunities for dental education as well. Most of these challenges and opportunities are the same around the world, and the findings of the present study can be a good help to overcome the challenges ahead as well as a good reference to find the right questions to be answered in future studies.

A case of recurrent hematuria in primary prostatic low grade mucosa associated lymphoid tissue.

BACKGROUND: Primary mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT) lymphoma is a rare malignancy. We found only 8 cases of MALT lymphoma in literature. CASE PRESENTATION: We report here another case of primary prostatic MALT lymphoma which is presented by hematuria and diagnosed primarily as BPH. Immunohistochemistry studies demonstrate the diagnosis and MALT lymphoma. Six months after starting the treatment the patient was alive and well. CONCLUSIONS: Prostatic MALTomas are mainly presented with urinary obstruction or hematuria and have an indolent growth with a good prognosis.

Is Bax/Bcl-2 ratio considered as a prognostic marker with age and tumor location in colorectal cancer?

BACKGROUND: Bax and Bcl-2 are the major members of Bcl-2 family whose play a key role in tumor progression or inhibition of intrinsic apoptotic pathway triggered by mitochondrial dysfunction. Therefore, the balance between pro- and anti-apoptotic members of this family can determine the cellular fate. METHODS: In this study, the relative level of mRNA expression of Bax and Bcl-2 genes was determined using RNA extraction, cDNA synthesis and RT-qPCR technique from 22 tumoral tissues and adjacent non-tumoral tissues from adenocarcinoma colorectal cancer. RESULTS: The potential prognostic and predictive significance of Bax and Bcl-2 gene expression and Bax/Bcl-2 ratio were demonstrated in colorectal cancer. The significant correlation between qPCR data and different clinicopathologic parameters of colorectal carcinoma, including age, gender, tumor size, tumor stage, tumor location, and tumor differentiation was also examined. Interestingly, no significant correlation was seen between Bax and Bcl-2 expressions and clinicopathological parameters of colorectal cancer. However, Bax/Bcl-2 ratio was statistically correlated with age and tumor location. Patients with age above 50 showed decreased levels of Bax/Bcl-2 ratio. Moreover, the Bax/Bcl-2 ratio was significantly lower in tumors resected from colon compared to sigmoid colon, rectosigmoid and rectum tumors. CONCLUSION: This study indicates a significant correlation between age and tumor location with Bax/Bcl-2 expression ratio, suggesting predictive value as a potential molecular marker of colorectal cancer.

Retroperitoneal bronchogenic cyst: a case report.

Bronchogenic cysts are among developmental disorders of the primitive foregut which are typically found above the diaphragm. Bronchial cysts discovered in the abdominal cavity or retroperitoneum are extremely rare. We present a rare case of a retroperitoneal bronchogenic cyst which was incidentally detected after a wrestling injury in a 23-year-old man who had a negative medical history. Although initial imaging studies suggested an adrenal tumor, histopathological analysis provided a definite diagnosis of bronchogenic cyst. Though rare, bronchogenic cysts must be considered in the differential diagnosis of retroperitoneal cystic lesions. This is the first case of a retroperitoneal bronchogenic cyst reported in Iran.

Effects of statin therapy on serum trace element status in dyslipidemic patients: results of a randomized placebo-controlled cross-over trial.

BACKGROUND: Statins are widely used in the management of coronary risk because of their efficacy in reducing LDL and their potentially protective pleiotropic effects. Imbalances in the status of trace elements such as zinc (Zn) and copper (Cu) have been reported to be implicated in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis. The present study investigated the effects of simvastatin on serum Zn, Cu, Zn:Cu ratio, selenium (Se), ceruloplasmin (Cp), and superoxide dismutase (SOD) in dyslipidemic patients. METHODS: Seventy-seven dyslipidemic patients, who were not originally taking lipid lowering agents, were assigned to receive simvastatin (40 mg/day) and placebo in alternate orders in a double-blind cross-over trial for a period of 4 weeks with a 2-week wash-out period. Serum concentrations of Zn, Cu, Se, Cp, and SOD were measured before and after each treatment period. RESULTS: Statistical analysis did not reveal any significant effect of statin therapy on serum concentrations of Zn, Cu, Zn:Cu ratio, Se, Cp, and SOD (p > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Four-week treatment with simvastatin (40 mg/day) is not associated with any beneficial or adverse effect on serum trace element (Zn, Cu and Se) status as well as enzymatic activities of Cp and SOD. However, the impacts of statin type as well as treatment dose and duration on these parameters remain to be clarified.

Lack of beneficial effects of granulocyte colony-stimulating factor in patients with subacute myocardial infarction undergoing late revascularization: a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trial.

BACKGROUND: Early clinical studies have suggested that administration of granulocyte-colony stimulating factor (G-CSF) may improve the clinical condition of patients suffering from myocardial infarction (MI).This prospective, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled single-centre trial aims to assess the safety and clinical efficacy of G-CSF administration in patients with subacute MI and impaired LV function undergoing delayed primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). METHODS: A total of 16 patients (13 men, mean age 51 years) with subacute ST-segment elevation MI and a left ventricular (LV) ejection fraction (EF) of less than 45% at baseline who underwent late revascularization, were included in the study. Patients were randomized in a double-blind fashion to receive either G-CSF (at a dose of 10 microg/kg body weight) or placebo for five consecutive days. End points consisted of assessment of safety parameters as well as changes of global and regional myocardial function from baseline until six months following PCI. RESULTS: G-CSF administration resulted in a significant mobilization of different cell populations (four-fold increase in WBC count and a six-fold increase in CD34+ cells). G-CSF treatment was well tolerated in most patients and no major adverse cardiac events or severe G-CSF-related side effects were identified during hospitalization and at follow-up. No significant differences were observed between the G-CSF and placebo groups regarding global and regional myocardial function parameters. CONCLUSION: G-CSF administration is safe, but not effective, in improving impaired LV functional parameters in patients with subacute MI who had an impaired baseline EF of less than 45%.

Overexpression and interactions of interleukin-10, transforming growth factor beta, and vascular endothelial growth factor in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma.

BACKGROUND: Sharing the role of immune suppression, interleukin-10 (IL-10), transforming growth factor beta (TGF-beta), and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) are critical genes in several aspects of tumorigenesis. To elucidate the role of these cytokines in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC), their relative mRNA expression in tumoral tissue compared with corresponding tumor-free tissue was evaluated. METHODS: A total of 49 patients with histologically confirmed ESCC were included in the study prior to any therapeutic interventions. Quantitative analysis of the mRNA expression was performed by real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction and the clinicopathologic associations were assessed. RESULTS: The mRNA of IL-10, VEGF, and TGF-beta was frequently overexpressed in 53.2%, 44.9%, and 37.5% of ESCC patients, respectively. TGF-beta was significantly co-expressed with IL-10 and with VEGF. Although VEGF was not independently associated with increased tumor size (p = 0.065), concomitant overexpression of VEGF with TGF-beta was significantly correlated with increased size of the tumor (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Overexpression of IL-10, TGF-beta, and VEGF plays an important role in ESCC and consequently leads to the frequent event of immune evasion in ESCC. TGF-beta is concomitantly overexpressed with IL-10 and with VEGF in ESCC. A stimulatory signal from TGF-beta to VEGF is necessary for VEGF to promote tumor progression.