The mediating role of hope in the relation between uncertainty and social support with self-management among patients with ESKD undergoing hemodialysis.

BACKGROUND: Self-management behaviours are critical for patients requiring regular hemodialysis (HD) therapy. This study aimed to test the relationship between social support, uncertainty and self-management among HD patients and to explore whether hope plays a mediating role. METHODS: In a cross-sectional study, a convenience sample of 212 HD patients from two hospitals completed the Perceived Social Support Scale (PSSS), Herth Hope Index (HHI), Short form Mishel Uncertainty in Illness Scale (SF-MUIS), and hemodialysis Self-Management Instrument (HD-SMI). Data were analysed using structural equation modelling. RESULTS: The main finding indicated that social support positively affected self-management (ß = 0.50, t = 4.97, p < 0.001), and uncertainty negatively affected self-management (ß =-0.37, t=-4.12, p = < 0.001). In mediational model analysis, the effect of social support on self-management was fully mediated [(ß = 0.12; 95% BC CI (0.047, 0.228)] by hope. Also, the effect of uncertainty on self-management was fully mediated [(ß=- 0.014; 95% BC CI (-0.114, -0.003)] by hope. CONCLUSIONS: "Considering factors influencing self-management in HD patients is crucial for improving quality of life. Receiving support and informational resources can not only foster hope but also reduce their uncertainty, thus aiding in enhancing clinical outcomes, quality of life, and reducing complications. "Health care providers, especially nurses were advised to accept the existence of uncertainty, help patients make optimal use of support resources, and give more importance to disambiguation to reassure them. Therefore, well-designed interventions that enhance social support and hope and reduce uncertainty may help improve self-management behaviour in HD patients.

Rapid determination of hippuric acid as an exposure biomarker of toluene using a colorimetric assay and comparison with high-performance liquid chromatography.

Occupational exposure to toluene is associated with health risks that require reliable monitoring methods. Hippuric acid (HA), a urinary metabolite of toluene, serves as a valuable biomarker for such exposure. Colorimetric methods for the quantitative determination of HA have gained prominence due to their simplicity, cost-effectiveness, and suitability for field application. In the present study, a simple colorimetric technique was optimized for the determination of HA in the urine sample, and compared with a usual HPLC technique. The central composite design (CCD) was applied to examine the effective parameters on the colorimetric determination of HA. The calibration curve for HA was established within the concentration range of 6 to 100 mg L-1 with R2 = 0.97. The detection limit (LOD) and quantification limit (LOQ) were determined to be 1.8 mg L-1 and 6 mg L-1 respectively. The relative standard deviation (RSD%) was less than 5%, and the recovery% (R%) was 90.5-100.1. The overall results showed good agreement between the colorimetric and HPLC results. There was a significant relationship between the results obtained from HPLC and colorimetric methods especially for higher concentration levels of HA (≥ 500 mg/g creatinine). In conclusion, our optimized colorimetric method is a simple, cost-effective, and rapid method for determination of HA in occupational exposure, which is comparable with the HPLC technique.

The potential of HEART score to detect the severity of coronary artery disease according to SYNTAX score.

Clinical scoring systems such as the HEART score can predict major adverse cardiovascular events, but they cannot be used to demonstrate the degree and severity of coronary artery disease. We investigated the potential of HEART Score in detecting the existence and severity of coronary artery disease based on SYNTAX score. This multi-centric cross-sectional study investigated patients referred to the cardiac emergency departments of three hospitals between January 2018 and January 2020. Data including age, gender, risk factors, comorbidities, 12-lead ECG, blood pressure and echocardiogram were recorded for all the participants. Serum troponin I level was measured on admission and 6 h later. Coronary angiography was done via the femoral or radial route. HEART and SYNTAX scores were calculated for all patients and their association was assessed. 300 patients (65% female) with mean age of 58.42 ± 12.42 years were included. mean HEART Score was 5.76 ± 1.56 (min = 3, max = 9), and mean SYNTAX score was 14.82 ± 11.42 (min = 0, max = 44.5). Pearson correlation coefficient was 0.493 between HEART Score and SYNTAX score which was statistically significant (P < 0.001). We found that HEART Score of more than 6 is 52% sensitive and 74.7% specific to detect extensive coronary artery involvement (SNTAX score ≥ 23). The present study showed that the HEART score has a moderate and positive correlation with the SYNTAX score and HEART score with a cut-off value of 6 is a predictor for SYNTAX score of ≥ 23.

Clinical perspective: Antibody-drug conjugates for the treatment of HER2-positive breast cancer.

Antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) are a promising class of cancer biopharmaceuticals that exploit the specificity of a monoclonal antibody (mAb) to selectively deliver highly cytotoxic small molecules to targeted cancer cells, leading to an enhanced therapeutic index through increased antitumor activity and decreased off-target toxicity. ADCs hold great promise for the treatment of patients with human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)-positive breast cancer after the approval and tremendous success of trastuzumab emtansine and trastuzumab deruxtecan, representing a turning point in both HER2-positive breast cancer treatment and ADC technology. Additionally and importantly, a total of 29 ADC candidates are now being investigated in different stages of clinical development for the treatment of HER2-positive breast cancer. The purpose of this review is to provide an insight into the ADC field in cancer treatment and present a comprehensive overview of ADCs approved or under clinical investigation for the treatment of HER2-positive breast cancer.

Water-soluble nickel (II) Schiff base complexes: Synthesis, structural characterization, DNA binding affinity, DNA cleavage, cytotoxicity, and computational studies.

Two water-soluble nickel (II) Schiff base complexes were prepared and their interaction with fish sperm DNA (FS-DNA) was investigated by various methods including UV-vis spectroscopy, fluorescence spectroscopy, cyclic voltammetry, and viscometric measurements. Complex 1: [N,N'-bis{5-[(triphenyl phosphonium chloride)-methyl] salicylidine}-3,4-diaminobenzophenone]nickel(II) perchloride dihydrate: [Ni(5-CH2PPh3-3,4-salophen)] (ClO4)2.2 H2O was synthesized as a new complex and characterized by elemental analysis, IR, 1H NMR, thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA) and UV-vis spectroscopy. Complex 2: sodium [(N,N'-bis(5-sulfosalicyliden)-3, 4-diaminobenzophenone)aqua] nickel(II) hydrate: Na2[Ni (5-SO3-3,4-salbenz)(H2O)]. H2O was already synthesized by our research team, but in this study, its function as a DNA-binding compound was tested, and compared with the results of complex 1-DNA binding. The calculation of different constants using absorption and emission data, all confirmed the stronger binding ability of complex 1 than complex 2 with DNA. Different thermodynamic parameters showed the interactions between DNA and complexes were the type of hydrophobic interaction for complex 1 and electrostatic interaction for complex 2. Also, the negative values of free energy changes proved a spontaneous DNA binding process. Based on cell toxicity assay against two different cell lines including Jurkat and MCF-7, the effect of complex 1 was comparable to cisplatin, and the toxicity mechanism was further justified by bright field microscopy, flow cytometry, and cleavage of DNA in the presence of H2O2. Besides, the docking calculations suggested intercalation after measuring the lowest-energy between the complexes and DNA. For both complexes, all analytical, spectroscopic, and molecular modeling methods supported partial intercalation as the main binding mode between the complexes and DNA.

Compliance with Antibiotics Prophylaxis Guideline in Surgical Patients in ICUs of a Teaching Referral Hospital.

Antimicrobial prophylaxis used for surgical procedures remains one of the measures for the prevention of surgical site infections (SSIs). The present study was designed to assess the compliance with clinical practice guideline for antimicrobial prophylaxis in variable surgeries conducted in the intensive care units (ICUs) of a major referral hospital. This cross-sectional investigation was carried out by prospective data collected from October 2017 to March 2018 in the intensive care unit (ICU) of Nemazi hospital in Shiraz. Demographic characteristics, surgery type as well as antibiotic treatment were gathered from medical records and entered in data collection forms. We reviewed compliance and adherence of prophylactic antibiotic administration to the Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA) guideline and evaluated the courses of antimicrobial drugs. If an antibiotic administrated for surgical prophylaxis was different from the guideline, the antibiotic was classified as non-guideline-based antibiotics. Most patients participated in this study were male (64.5%). Only 8.75% of the administrated antibiotics chosen for surgical prophylaxis were found to be appropriate antibiotic prescriptions; however, those patients receiving appropriate antibiotics prescribed an inappropriate dosage. In addition, the antibiotics were administrated with inappropriate durations in all cases. Our findings indicated that adherence to the IDSA international guideline seems to be far from ideal in Namazi hospital for antimicrobial prophylaxis, resulting in the unsuitable administration of a wide variety of antibiotics.

Metabolomics for exposure assessment and toxicity effects of occupational pollutants: current status and future perspectives.

INTRODUCTION: Work-related exposures to harmful agents or factors are associated with an increase in incidence of occupational diseases. These exposures often represent a complex mixture of different stressors, challenging the ability to delineate the mechanisms and risk factors underlying exposure-disease relationships. The use of omics measurement approaches that enable characterization of biological marker patterns provide internal indicators of molecular alterations, which could be used to identify bioeffects following exposure to a toxicant. Metabolomics is the comprehensive analysis of small molecule present in biological samples, and allows identification of potential modes of action and altered pathways by systematic measurement of metabolites. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study is to review the application of metabolomics studies for use in occupational health, with a focus on applying metabolomics for exposure monitoring and its relationship to occupational diseases. METHODS: PubMed, Web of Science, Embase and Scopus electronic databases were systematically searched for relevant studies published up to 2021. RESULTS: Most of reviewed studies included worker populations exposed to heavy metals such as As, Cd, Pb, Cr, Ni, Mn and organic compounds such as tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin, trichloroethylene, polyfluoroalkyl, acrylamide, polyvinyl chloride. Occupational exposures were associated with changes in metabolites and pathways, and provided novel insight into the relationship between exposure and disease outcomes. The reviewed studies demonstrate that metabolomics provides a powerful ability to identify metabolic phenotypes and bioeffect of occupational exposures. CONCLUSION: Continued application to worker populations has the potential to enable characterization of thousands of chemical signals in biological samples, which could lead to discovery of new biomarkers of exposure for chemicals, identify possible toxicological mechanisms, and improved understanding of biological effects increasing disease risk associated with occupational exposure.

Comparison of the fracture resistance of the teeth prepared with ProTaper Universal, ProTaper Next, and ProTaper Gold rotary files.

OBJECTIVES: Root canal preparation can lead to cracks on the roots by creating stresses on the root canal walls, which decreases the fracture resistance of the tooth. The present study compared the fracture resistance of the teeth prepared by the ProTaper Universal (PTU), ProTaper Next (PTN), and ProTaper Gold (PTG) rotary file systems. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Fifty-six single-canal premolar teeth were sectioned 14 mm from the root apex. The roots were standardized based on the buccolingual and mesiodistal diameter and randomly assigned to three experimental (n = 14) and one control group (n = 14). The teeth in three experimental groups were instrumented with PTU, PTN, and PTG rotary files. The roots in the control group were not instrumented. A vertical force was applied to each root in a universal testing machine until the root fractured. The data were statistically analyzed by one-way analysis of variance. RESULTS: There was no significant difference in the fracture resistance of the teeth between the control, PTU, PTN, and PTG groups (p = .115). CONCLUSIONS: Root canal preparation with ProTaper files manufactured with conventional NiTi (PTU) and heat-treated alloys (PTN and PTG) did not affect the fracture resistance of teeth.

Evaluation of oxidative stress and biochemical biomarkers, and psychological parameters in cement plant workers.

The cement industry is one of the main world industries with exposure to a wide range of hazardous chemical and physical occupational agents that may increase free radicals and lead to disease. The aim of this study was to evaluate oxidative stress, biochemical markers, and psychological parameters among cement plant workers. In this cross-sectional study, 40 workers exposed to cement and 40 office employees were selected as the exposed and non-exposed groups, respectively. Exposure to cement dust, silica, and noise were, respectively, assessed using the NIOSH 0600, NIOSH 7601, and noise dosimetry methods. Oxidative stress biomarkers including malondialdehyde (MDA), superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), total antioxidant capacity (TAC), and biochemical parameters were measured in the serum of all participants. Depression, anxiety, and stress were assessed by the Depression Anxiety Stress Scales (DASS-21) questionnaire. The results demonstrated that the level of MDA as a marker of oxidative stress was significantly higher in the exposed group. The level of antioxidant enzymes including SOD and CAT were also significantly higher in the exposed group. The level of TAC was lower in the exposed group, but the difference was not statistically significant. The levels of alkaline phosphatase (ALP), aspartate transaminase (AST), and the scores of depression and stress were also significantly higher in the exposed group. According to our results, noise, cement dust, and silica exposure were associated with oxidative stress, and this may be one of the mechanisms in which they adversely affect liver function and mental health.

Training through fit test and its role in knowledge, attitude and performance of workers regarding respiratory protective equipment: a case study in a petrochemical company.

Background. Providing workers with respiratory protective equipment (RPE) is not enough to protect them. RPE should be selected correctly, worn properly and fitted adequately. The aim of the present study was to assess the effect of training through fit test (TTFT) on knowledge, attitude and performance (KAP) of workers regarding a respiratory protection program. Methods. This cross-sectional study was conducted on 110 respirator users in a petrochemical wastewater treatment plant. A structured questionnaire was developed to assess the KAP of workers before any intervention. After that, all participants were trained with a 15-min video-based training intervention and then the qualitative fit test was performed. Participants who failed in the fit test were retrained and the test was repeated. To assess the effect of TTFT, the KAP questionnaire was completed after 3 months. SPSS version 22.0 was used to analyze data. Results. There was a significant difference between knowledge, attitude and some of the unsafe behavior before and after TTFT. There was no person with a poor or very poor knowledge status after TTFT. Conclusion. TTFT could improve some unsafe behaviors associated with the user seal check. Moreover, TTFT could be considered an opportunity to improve workers' KAP regarding RPE.

Solidified floating organic droplet microextraction coupled with HPLC for rapid determination of trans, trans muconic acid in benzene biomonitoring.

Benzene is one of the carcinogenic compounds in the work environments. Exposure assessment of benzene through biological monitoring is an acceptable way to accurately measure the real exposure in order to conducting the health risk assessment, but it is always complicated, laborious, time consuming and costly process. A new sensitive, simple, fast and environmental friendly method was developed for the determination of urinary metabolite of benzene, trans trans muconic acid (t,t-MA) by dispersive liquid-liquid micro extraction based on solidification of floating organic droplet coupled with high-performance liquid chromatography with ultra violet detector. Central composite design methodology was utilized to evaluate the effective factors on the extraction output of the target metabolite. The calibration curve was plotted in the concentration ranges of 0.02-5 µg mL-1. The precision and accuracy of the method were assayed via the relative standard deviation (RSD%) and relative recovery (RR%) using spiked samples with three replications. The RR% and RSD% of the optimized method were 86.9-91.3% and 4.3-6.3% respectively. The limit of detection (LOD) of the method was 0.006 µg mL-1. The level of t,t-MA in real samples was ranged from 0.54 to 1.64 mg/g creatinine. We demonstrated that t,t-MA can be extracted and determined by an inexpensive, simple and fast method.

Health risk assessment of occupational exposure to heavy metals in a steel casting unit of a steelmaking plant using Monte-Carlo simulation technique.

The present work aimed to evaluate the health risks of occupational exposure to heavy metals in a steel casting unit of a steel plant. To determine occupational exposure to heavy metals, personal air samples were taken from the workers' breathing zones using the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health method. Noncancer and cancer risks due to the measured metals were calculated according to the United States Environmental Protection Agency procedures. The results indicated that the noncancer risks owing to occupational exposure to lead (Pb) and manganese were higher than the recommended value in most of the workstations. The estimated cancer risk of Pb was also higher than the allowable value. Moreover, the results of sensitivity analysis indicated that the concentration, inhalation rate, and exposure duration were the most influencing variables contributing to the calculated risks. It was thus concluded that the present control measures were not adequate and further improvements were required for reducing the exposure levels.

Does Size Affect the Rate of Perforation? A Cross-sectional Study of Medical Gloves.

OBJECTIVES: Healthcare workers often have unnoticed minor abrasions on their hands, putting them at risk of contracting infectious diseases from patients, if the integrity of the medical gloves is compromised. This study aimed to compare the rate and location of glove perforation between well-fitted and ill-fitted gloves. METHODS: The participants of this cross-sectional study were 45 midwives in the maternity ward of a hospital in Shiraz city, Iran. A total of nine pairs of medical gloves including three pairs of fit size, three pairs of gloves with one size smaller (tight), and three pairs of gloves with one size larger (loose) were given to subjects, and asked them to use the gloves during episiotomy repair operations. After completing the task, all gloves were collected safely and gloves perforation was investigated based on water test (NF EN 455-1). RESULTS: The perforation rate of the fit, tight, and loose medical gloves was 20, 37.78, and 34.81%, respectively. The results showed a significant difference between glove perforation of different glove sizes (P < 0.05). In general, there was a significant difference between the perforation rate of the fit glove and ill-fitted gloves (P = 0.013). CONCLUSIONS: Wearing the wrong size gloves may increase the glove perforation rate. Providing a wide range of glove sizes by the hospital management, and choosing the best glove size can be very effective in reducing the glove perforation and increasing safety for healthcare workers and patients.

Probabilistic health risk assessment of occupational exposure to isoflurane and sevoflurane in the operating room.

Risk assessment is an important tool in predicting the possible risk to health. It heightens awareness by estimating the probability of adverse health effects in humans who are exposed to chemicals in the course of their work. Therefore, the present work aims to determine the occupational exposure of operating room staff to the volatile anesthetic gases, isoflurane and sevoflurane, and estimates non-cancer risk using the United States Environmental Protection Agency method. Air samples from the breathing zone of staff members were collected using the Occupational Safety and Health Administration Method 103 and analyzed using gas chromatography-mass spectroscopy. The results indicate that the measured concentrations of isoflurane and sevoflurane are below the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health standard (2 ppm) for technicians and nurses, but not for anesthesiologists and surgeons. Moreover, the estimated non-cancer risk due to isoflurane is above the acceptable value for anesthesiologists (but acceptable for other occupational categories). A sensitivity analysis indicates that exposure time has the most effect on calculated risk (53.4%). Occupational exposure to anesthetic gases may endanger the health of operating room personnel. Therefore, control measures, such as daily testing of anesthetic devices, ensuring the effectiveness of ventilation systems, advanced scavenging methods, and regular training of staff are highly recommended.

The hierarchy of preventive measures to protect workers against the COVID-19 pandemic: A review.

BACKGROUND: The high spread rate of coronaviruses, specifically severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), has raised concerns about the spread of the disease in crowded occupational environments. The risk of occupational exposure to coronavirus depends on the type of industry and the nature of work. Currently, most countries are working for reactivating their economies and need to improve working conditions for a safe situation during the COVID-19 pandemic. OBJECTIVE: The present work aimed to investigate the current engineering and administrative control measures, which are necessary to protect workers against COVID-19 in workplaces. METHODS: The current strategies, including engineering control, administrative control, personal protective equipment, and their efficiencies, were reviewed and discussed. RESULTS: Reviewing the literature indicated that a collection of control approaches should be implemented for an effective control of the virus. Control measures could be selected based on the risk of exposure to COVID-19. The results also revealed that relying solely on a specific control measure could not effectively control the outbreak. CONCLUSION: In conclusion, employers and health professionals must continually monitor international and local guidelines to identify changes in recommendations to make their workplaces safer. Establishment of an expert team in any workplace for the implementation of more effective control measures is warranted, as well.

N-doped mesoporous carbon as a new sorbent for ultrasonic-assisted dispersive micro-solid-phase extraction of 1-naphthol and 2-naphthol, the biomarkers of exposure to naphthalene, from urine samples.

This study aimed to optimize a new sample preparation method using N-doped mesoporous carbon sorbent for simultaneous measurement of 1-naphthol and 2-naphthol, the biomarkers of exposure to naphthalene. The samples were analyzed using high-performance liquid chromatography supplied with ultraviolet detector (HPLC-UV). N-doped mesoporous carbon sorbent was obtained via the hard template procedure. The synthesized nanosorbent was then characterized by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET), and elemental analysis (CHN). The effective factors in the extraction of the studied biomarkers were examined by the Box-Behnken (BBD) methodology. Regarding the optimum conditions, the sketched calibration curve for naphthols was linear in the concentration levels of 1-600 µg L-1 for human urine samples. The accuracy and reproducibility of the introduced method were determined using the relative recovery (RR %) and relative standard deviation (RSD %) tests on the fortified urine samples. RR% and RSD% were found to be 97.0-101.2% and 3.1-9.0%, respectively. The calculated method detection limit of the optimized procedure was 0.3 µg L-1 and 0.5 µg L-1 for 1-naphthol and 2-naphthol, respectively.

Effect of palliative care training on perceived self-efficacy of the nurses.

BACKGROUND: Nurses are involved in providing end-of-life care for end stage individuals and their self-efficacy is one of the key factors bearing on such care. The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of palliative care on perceived self-efficacy of the nurses. METHODS: This is a quasi-experimental study with pretest-posttest design. Sampling was randomized and included 40 individuals. The intervention consisted of palliative care training for four sessions, each lasting 45 min. Data were collected using demographic and perceived self-efficacy questionnaires completed before and after the intervention. Data were then analyzed by SPSS 16 software using descriptive and inferential statistics. RESULTS: The mean age of the participants was 38.6 and their work experience was 14.25 years. The majority of the participants were female (85%) and had a bachelor level of education (92.5%). The findings showed that "perceived self-efficacy", "psychosocial support" and "symptom management" improved significantly after intervention (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Based on the results, palliative care education has the potential to increase nurses' perceived self-efficacy. Since all members of the health care team Including nurses play an important role in providing palliative care, nursing managers can take an effective step to maximize the capacity of nurses by planning and supporting training in this regard.

Ultrasound-assisted dispersive micro-solid-phase extraction based on N-doped mesoporous carbon and high-performance liquid chromatographic determination of 1-hydroxypyrene in urine samples.

In this research, a new ultrasound-assisted dispersive micro-solid-phase extraction method based on N-doped mesoporous carbon sorbent followed by high-performance liquid chromatography equipped with diode array detector for trace measurement of 1-hydroxypyrene as a metabolite of exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons was optimized. Herein, the hard template method was used for the preparation of N-doped mesoporous carbon sorbent. The prepared sorbent was characterized using the Brunauer-Emmett-Teller method, transmission electron microscopy, and elemental analysis. Parameters affecting the extraction of the target metabolite were investigated using the Box-Behnken design method. Considering optimum parameters, the plotted calibration curve for 1-hydroxypyrene was linearly correlated with the concentration span of 0.1-50 µg/L for urine media. The accuracy of the optimized procedure was examined through the relative recovery tests on the fortified urine specimens. The relative recoveries fell between 95 and 101%. The method detection limit of the proposed procedure was also calculated to be 0.03 µg/L.

Single-walled and multiwalled carbon nanotubes induce oxidative stress in isolated rat brain mitochondria.

Single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) and multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) are broadly applicable across a variety of industrial fields. Despite their usefulness in many different applications, oxidative stress-induced toxicity of SWCNTs and MWCNTs has not been widely investigated. The present study examined the effects of SWCNTs and MWCNTs on rat brain mitochondria using the 3,4 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2, 5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay and indices of reactive oxygen species (ROS), based on measurements of malondialdehyde (MDA), glutathione (GSH), and mitochondrial membrane potential. Based on the MTT assay, exposure to SWCNTs and MWCNTs decreased mitochondrial survival and viability in a dose-dependent manner. Findings also indicated that MWCNTs and SWCNTs could damage mitochondrial membranes and induce the formation of ROS, as indicated by increased levels of MDA and decreased GSH content. The results of this study suggest that SWCNTs and MWCNTs likely damage brain tissue mitochondria by increasing oxidative stress and possibly activating the apoptosis pathway as well as other pathways of cytotoxicity.

Morphology of maxilla in patients with palatally displaced canines.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to investigate the possible relationship between the morphology of maxilla and the palatally displaced canines (PDC). MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this cross-sectional study, there were 101 patients (45 males, 56 females) aged 12 to 16years, referred to Hamadan school of dentistry in 2014. They were divided into 3 groups: the bilateral PDC (PDCb) group (male=15, female=21), the unilateral PDC (PDCu) group (male=16, female=19), and the control group (male=14, female=16). Five morphology related variables including intermolar width, maxillary arch length, palatal vault depth, palatal intermolar area, and nasal width were measured using CBCT images with Dolphin Imaging software, version 11.5. Statistical analysis was performed with ANOVA and the Dunnett test using SPSS software, version 16.0. RESULTS: Only the palatal intermolar area and the palatal vault depth values were significantly less in the PDCu and the PDCb groups than those in the control group (the palatal intermolar area: 376.17, 381.93, and 423.75mm2, the palatal vault depth: 13.19, 13.42, and 14.59mm; respectively; P<0.05). For all the variables, there was no statistically significant difference between the PDCu and PDCb groups. CONCLUSION: Decreased palatal vault depth and palatal intermolar area may be correlated with greater chance of palatal displacement of canines. Future prospective studies in mixed dentition patients are needed as a predictive factor to find the probability of PDC.