Comparative Evaluation of the Effects of Antimicrobial Photodynamic Therapy With an LED and a Laser on the Proliferation of Human Gingival Fibroblasts on the Root Surface: An In Vitro Study.

Introduction: This study aimed to compare the effects of root biomodification by citric acid and antimicrobial photodynamic therapy (aPDT) with LED and laser on the proliferation of human gingival fibroblasts (HGFs). Methods: This in vitro experimental study evaluated 60 single-rooted teeth extracted due to periodontal disease. The teeth underwent scaling and root planing (SRP), and then 5 × 5 mm blocks were prepared from the cervical area of the teeth 1 mm apical to the cementoenamel junction. The blocks were divided into 4 groups (n=15 blocks): SRP alone (control), SRP + citric acid, SRP + toluidine blue (TBO) + LED light, and SRP + TBO + laser. HGFs were seeded on the surface of the samples, and the methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium (MTT) assay was performed after 24, 48 and 72 hours. Group comparisons were performed using repeated measures ANOVA, while pairwise comparisons of the time points were performed by an LSD test. Results: Cell proliferation was higher in all experimental groups at 48 and 72 hours, compared with 24 hours (P < 0.05). Cell proliferation was significantly different in the citric acid group at 24 hours (P = 0.016) and 48 hours (P = 0.015), compared with other groups. However, cell proliferation was not significantly different in the aPDT group with LED Photosan and a diode laser at 24 and 48 hours (P > 0.05). Conclusion: aPDT and citric acid can enhance the proliferation of HGFs on dentin blocks. Further studies can pave the way for their future use in the clinical setting.

Factors Associated with Tobacco Use among Iranian Adolescents: An Application of Protection Motivation Theory.

BACKGROUND: Tobacco use is a significant predisposing factor to many diseases. Protection motivation theory is a well-suited theory, since fear can motivate individuals to change their unhealthy behaviors. OBJECTIVE: This study was conducted to examine the associations between the constructs of this theory with intention and tobacco use behavior. METHOD: The present cross-sectional study was conducted in Noshahr, Iran. The participants were 440 high school boys selected using a stratified random sampling in 2016. A questionnaire about tobacco use based on protection motivation theory was developed and its validity and reliability were assessed. The questionnaire included the demographic information, the constructs of theory, and tobacco use behavior. Structural equation modeling was used to test the associations between the constructs with intention and tobacco use. RESULTS: The variables of perceived vulnerability (ß = 0/137, P < 0.001), fear (ß = 0/149, P < 0.001), self-efficacy (ß = 0/249, P < 0.001), perceived intrinsic reward (ß = -0.285, P < 0.001), threat appraisal (ß = -0.25, P < 0.001), and coping appraisal (ß = 0.358, P < 0.001) had direct effect and are significant with intention. Moreover, perceived vulnerability (ß = -0.158, P < 0.001), fear (ß = -0.172, P < 0.001), self-efficacy (ß = -0.288, P < 0.001), perceived intrinsic reward (ß = 0.329, P < 0.001), threat appraisal (ß = 0.265, P < 0.001), and coping appraisal (ß = -0.379, P < 0.001) affected tobacco use indirectly through intention and were significantly associated with behavior. Also, intention had direct effect and is significant with tobacco use (ß = -1.156, P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The protection motivation theory provides a useful framework for investigating factors of tobacco use among male students. Future tobacco prevention interventions should focus on increasing the vulnerability and fear, decreasing intrinsic reward, and improving self-efficacy to reduce tobacco use.

Effect of Music Practice on Anxiety and Depression of Iranian Dental Students.

OBJECTIVES: The practice of dentistry has long been associated with high levels of occupational stress and anxiety and music has been shown as a method of reducing stress. Considering the reportedly high level of stress among dental students and its consequences and also considering the positive effect of music therapy, the aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship between music practice and level of stress in dental students. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this analytical, cross-sectional study, 88 students, including 44 with a history of music practice and 44 matched controls without music practice who met the defined inclusion criteria, participated. Upon obtaining written informed consent, all volunteers filled the Beck anxiety inventory (BAI) and Beck depression inventory (BDI) questionnaires. Data were analyzed using the Kolmogorov-Smirnov test, and multiple linear regression test with backward method was used to evaluate the effect of demographic factors on anxiety and depression scores. RESULTS: The level of anxiety was higher in students who did not have music practice and this difference was significant (P<0.001). The same was observed for depression (P=0.027). Other factors including age, gender, and being far from family had no significant effect on depression and anxiety (P>0.05). But level of anxiety and depression was higher in students of universities with tuition fee compared to free public institutes (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: It may be concluded that music practice can reduce anxiety and depression of dental students.

The Impact of Demographic Factors and Blood Sugar Control on the Incidence of Urinary Tract Infections in Khorramabad in 2013.

BACKGROUND: Diabetes is one of the most serious metabolic disorders to affect different organs in the body. Patients with diabetes are hence at risk of developing other problems. Urinary tract infections (UTI) are one of the problems that occur more commonly in diabetic patients than in others. There are several risk factors that lead to the incidence of UTI in diabetic patients. OBJECTIVES: We conducted this study to determine the effect of different factors on the incidence of UTI in diabetic patients in order to decrease the incidence of this problem. PATIENTS AND METHODS: In this cross-sectional study, data concerning 233 patients who were referred to the largest diabetes center in Khorramabad, Lorestan province, Iran, were recorded. The relationships between various factors and the incidence of UTI in these patients were evaluated using SPSS version 16. We used chi-square and logistic regression to analyze the data. A P < 0.05 was considered to be statistically significant. RESULTS: The incidence of UTI increased significantly with increasing age (P = 0.009). The incidence of UTI was higher among females than among males, and it was higher among unemployed people than among those in other occupations. The prevalence of UTI among patients who control their diabetes through diet and exercise was lower than that among those undergoing other types of treatment; however, no significant relationship was found between the different types of oral medication and the incidence of UTI. We did not find any relationship between the incidence of UTI in diabetic patients and other factors such as literacy, marital status, BMI, addiction, history of hospitalization, and level of HbA1c. CONCLUSIONS: We found that age, gender, occupation, and the type of medication used are all risk factors for the incidence of UTI in diabetic patients. Other factors such as literacy, marital status, addiction, and history of hospitalization did not have any significant association with the incidence of UTI in diabetic patients.

Role of nitric oxide in kidney and liver (as distance organ) function in bilateral renal ischemia-reperfusion: Effect of L-Arginine and NG-nitro-L-Arginine methyl ester.

BACKGROUND: Renal ischemia-reperfusion (RIR) is a major cause of renal dysfunction that acts through different mechanisms. We investigated the role of L-Arginine as an endogenous nitric oxide (NO) precursor and NG-nitro-L-Arginine methyl ester (L-NAME) as an NO inhibitor on kidney and liver function in RIR model. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Fifty-eight Wistar rats were randomly assigned to four groups. Groups 1 (sham-operated, n = 13) received a single dose of saline (4 ml/kg, i.p.) and 2 (Ischemia [Isch], n = 14) received a single dose of saline (4 ml/kg, i.p.). Groups 3 (Isch + L-NAME, n = 15) received a single dose of L-NAME (20 mg/kg, i.p.) and 4 (Isch + L-Arginine n = 16) received a single dose of L-Arginine (300 mg/kg, i.p.), After 2 h, renal failure was induced by clamping both renal pedicles for 45 min, followed by 24-h reperfusion in Groups 2-4. Finally, blood samples were obtained, and kidney tissue samples were subjected for pathology investigations. RESULTS: The body weight decreased, and the serum levels of blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and creatinine (Cr), and kidney tissue damage score (KTDS) increased significantly in the Isch and Isch + L-NAME groups compared with the sham group while L-Arginine improved weight reduction (P < 0.05), and it reduced the serum levels of BUN and Cr, and KTDS when compared with the Isch and Isch + L-NAME groups. Kidney weight increased significantly in all groups compared with the sham group. L-Arginine reduced the liver tissue level of malondialdehyde and increased alkaline phosphatase. CONCLUSION: L-Arginine as an NO precursor can improve kidney function against RIR. It also improves oxidative stress in liver tissue.

Morphology and Differentiation of MG63 Osteoblast Cells on Saliva Contaminated Implant Surfaces.

OBJECTIVES: Osteoblasts are the most important cells in the osseointegration process. Despite years of study on dental Implants, limited studies have discussed the effect of saliva on the adhesion process of osteoblasts to implant surfaces. The aim of this in vitro study was to evaluate the effect of saliva on morphology and differentiation of osteoblasts attached to implant surfaces. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twelve Axiom dental implants were divided into two groups. Implants of the case group were placed in containers, containing saliva, for 40 minutes. Then, all the implants were separately stored in a medium containing MG63 human osteoblasts for a week. Cell morphology and differentiation were assessed using a scanning electron microscope and their alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity was determined. The t-test was used to compare the two groups. RESULTS: Scanning electron microscopic observation of osteoblasts revealed round or square cells with fewer and shorter cellular processes in saliva contaminated samples, whereas elongated, fusiform and well-defined cell processes were seen in the control group. ALP level was significantly lower in case compared to control group (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: Saliva contamination alters osteoblast morphology and differentiation and may subsequently interfere with successful osseointegration. Thus, saliva contamination of bone and implant must be prevented or minimized.

A novel method to evaluate the neurocompatibility of dental implants.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the neurocompatibility of different types of dental implant surface treatments using the P19 neural cell line. MATERIALS AND METHODS: P19 cells were plated and supplemented with retinoic acid to grow as aggregates for 4 days. Twenty dental implants were selected from four different implant systems with five different surface treatments. The implants were divided into four groups (n=5), placed inside medical rings, and fixed by injection of warm gutta-percha using a thermoplastic injection technique. Implant molds were placed inside graded culture dishes, and culture medium containing P19 neural cells were plated on the dishes for 4 days. After 24 hours, the surfaces of the implant molds were covered with self-curing resin to make a replica of each mold surface. Replicas were assessed under a scanning electron microscope, and the number of cells and the total cells covering the areas were evaluated. Data were analyzed by a post hoc Tukey test. RESULTS: There were significant differences in P19 cell counts between all modified and electropolished surfaces. The highest P19 cell counts were shown on OsseoSpeed and Laser-Lok surfaces. The lowest counts were shown on the Nanotite surface at the collar. OsseoSpeed and Laser-Lok surfaces showed higher counts at the collar than on the body; the opposite was seen for SLActive and Nanotite surfaces. Cell-covered areas on Laser-Lok surfaces showed significantly higher values than the resorbable blasted media (RBM)-treated surfaces, while it was not significantly different from the OsseoSpeed surface of collar regions. SLActive collar regions showed larger cell-covered areas than the SLActive body surfaces, but this was not significant. CONCLUSIONS: All test surface treatments in this study showed better neurocompatibility than control group surfaces. The Laser-Lok, RBM, and OsseoSpeed surfaces were superior to the Nanotite and SLActive surfaces in terms of neurocompatibility.

Intelligence quotient in children with congenital hypothyroidism: The effect of diagnostic and treatment variables.

BACKGROUND: Considering the high prevalence of congenital hypothyroidism (CH) in Isfahan, the intelligence quotient (IQ) of children with CH and the effect of diagnostic and treatment variables on it were investigated during the CH screening program. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 120 children in three studied groups were studied in this comparative study the IQ score, in three subsets of verbal IQ, performance IQ and full scale IQ, of children diagnosed with transient congenital hypothyroidism (TCH) and permanent congenital hypothyroidism (PCH) was measured using revised Wechsler pre-school and primary scale of intelligence and compared with the control group. The relation between IQ score with time of treatment initiation and screening thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) level was evaluated in all studied groups. RESULTS: Mean of verbal IQ, performance IQ, and full scale IQ score was significantly higher in the control group than CH patients (both permanent and transient) In PCH patients though it was not significant, there was a negative relationship between verbal IQ, performance IQ and full scale IQ and screening TSH and age of treatment initiation. In TCH patients, there was negative and significant relationship between verbal IQ (r = -0.40) and full scale IQ (r = -0.38) and age of treatment initiation (r = -0.46). CONCLUSION: Mean IQ score in both PCH and TCH patients were lower than the control group, which correlates negatively with treatment initiation time. Though CH screening and early treatment has improved the prognosis of patients, but early and high dose of treatment in children with CH is recommended.

Effectiveness of Mouth Washes on Streptococci in Plaque around Orthodontic Appliances.

Background and Purpose. Fixed orthodontics may be associated with accumulation of Mutans Streptococci (MS), enamel demineralization, and an increased number of carious lesions, predominantly in sites adjacent to brackets. This study was undertaken to assess the effectiveness of Listerine, Oral-B, and Ortho-kin on the accumulation of MS in plaque around orthodontic brackets. Materials and Methods A double-blind randomized cross-over clinical trial on 25 orthodontic patients, classified into 6 groups was done to assess MS in plaque and saliva with the side specific modified Strip-Mutans technique and the plaque (PI) was measured before and after rinsing using 3 types of commercial mouth-rinses. A washout period (3 weeks) was awaited between using each mouth-rinse and the data was analyzed via Wilcoxon and Kruskal Wallis statistical tests. Results. This study of 25 patients, 5 men and 20 women, with an average age of 19 ± 6/3 assessed the effectiveness of mouth-rinses on MS. Our results showed that Ortho-kin had a better effect than Oral-B and Listerine (P < 0/09). Ortho-kin also had better effects than Oral-B and Listerine on plaque accumulation (P < 0/001). Conclusion. Ortho-kin showed better effects on decreasing MS and PI because it contained chlorhexidine.