Photocatalytic activity and magnetic properties of Ba2FeMoO6 ferromagnetic double perovskite.

Ba2FeMoO6 samples were prepared using the sol-gel method without and using Cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) to study their photocatalytic properties. The structural and morphological properties of the samples were characterized systematically. The Rietveld refinement described a cubic structure with space group Fm-3m and a single phase with no detectable impurity for either. FESEM images showed that the sample's morphology changed significantly with the addition of the CTAB. The BET analysis of the sample containing CTAB (BFMOC) showed that the special surface area of the pores increased ten times compared to parent sample and its pore size decreased. The UV-Vis spectrum of the BFMOC sample showed two absorption peaks at 223 nm and 705 nm in the ultraviolet and visible regions, respectively. Diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (DRS) spectra of the samples showed direct band gaps (∼2eV) for both. Photocatalytic and absorbent properties were observed in both samples. The photocatalytic properties of the samples revealed that they effectively degraded the dye triphenylmethane MG. By adding CTAB, the Curie temperature of the BFMO sample increased from 304 K to 310 K, while saturation magnetization decreased from ∼1.43 µB/f.u to ∼0.89 µB/f.u. The low coercive field value indicates that the both samples possess soft magnetic and ferromagnetic properties.

Socioeconomic determinants as risk factors for squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck: a case-control study in Iran.

Our aim was to assess the association between different components of sociodemographic status and the risk of developing squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of the head and neck after we had adjusted for the influence of the known behavioural risk factors of smoking and drinking alcohol. We selected 146 patients with histopathologically-confirmed SCC of the head and neck, and matched them for age and sex with 266 healthy controls for this case-control study. Personal details, occupation, socioeconomic status, smoking, and alcohol consumption were recorded. The association of sociodemographic variables with oral cancer was evaluated both separately and with a composite socioeconomic index. Chi squared tests, adjusted odds ratios (OR), and 95% CI were computed using logistic regression to estimate the effect. There was a significant difference between the two groups in the composite socioeconomic index (p<0.001). The group with "low" socioeconomic status had the highest risk of oral cancer (OR=3.89, 95% CI 1.28 to 11.82). Better-educated people with higher incomes had a lower risk of SCC of the head and neck after we had controlled for behavioural risk factors. However, marital and employment status and place of residence were not significantly associated with risk. Our findings confirm that some socioeconomic determinants were associated with the development of oral cancer in this study group.

Does early-life family income influence later dental pain experience? A prospective 14-year study.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to investigate the association between early-life family income and dental pain experience from childhood to early adulthood. METHODS: Data came from a 14-year prospective study (1991/1992-2005/2006) carried out in South Australia, which included children and adolescents aged 4-17 years (N = 9875) at baseline. The outcome was dental pain experience obtained at baseline, 14 years later in adulthood and at a middle point of time. The main explanatory variable was early-life family income collected at baseline. RESULTS: The prevalence of dental pain was 22.8% at baseline, 19.3% at 'middle time' and 39.3% at follow up. The proportion of people classified as 'poor' at baseline was 27.7%. Being poor early in life was significantly associated with dental pain at 14-year follow up (odds ratio = 1.45; 95% confidence interval = 1.27-1.66). CONCLUSIONS: Early-life relative poverty is associated with more frequent dental pain across the 14-year follow up and may be a key exposure variable for later dental conditions.

Nut consumption is associated with lower incidence of type 2 diabetes: The Tehran Lipid and Glucose Study.

AIM: Nuts are rich in unsaturated fatty acids as well as other bioactive constituents. The present study investigated the association between nut consumption and the incidence of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) in a Middle Eastern population. METHODS: The study was conducted within the framework of the Tehran Lipid and Glucose Study (TLGS), in which 1984 participants (920 men and 1064 women) free of DM, aged≥20 years, were followed from phase III (2005-2008) to phase V (2011-2014). Dietary data were obtained from valid and reliable food-frequency questionnaires at baseline. Using multiple logistic regression, odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated, with adjustments for age, gender, BMI, serum cholesterol and triglycerides, smoking and energy intake. RESULTS: Study participants' means±SD of age and of BMI were 40.1±13.1 years and 27.0±4.8kg/m2, respectively. The median±SE of their total daily consumption of nuts was 1.19±0.11 servings. After 6.2±0.7 years of follow-up, 150 cases of T2DM were confirmed. On comparing those who consumed ≥4 servings/week with those who consumed <1 serving/week, the age-/energy-adjusted OR of incident T2DM for total nut consumption was 0.64 (95% CI: 0.36-1.12; P for trend = 0.03). In a fully adjusted model, nut consumption was associated with a lower risk of T2DM, and the ORs (95% CIs) of risk for those consuming 2-3.99 and ≥4 servings/week of nuts were 0.51 (0.26-0.97) and 0.47 (0.25-0.90), respectively, compared with those consuming <1 serving/week (P<0.001 for trend). CONCLUSION: Our findings suggest that consuming ≥4 servings/week of nuts reduced the risk of T2DM compared with <1 serving/week.

Socioeconomic inequalities in oral health among adults in Tehran, Iran.

OBJECTIVE: To identify the socioeconomic distribution of perceived oral health among adults in Tehran, Iran. BASIC RESEARCH DESIGN: A cross-sectional population study. PARTICIPANTS: A stratified random sample of 1,100 adults aged 18-84 years living in Tehran. METHODS: Self-report data were obtained from the 2010 dental telephone interview survey. Oral health was evaluated using self-assessed non-replaced extracted teeth (NRET), and a three-item perceived dental health instrument. Socioeconomic status was measured by combining the variables of education and assets using principal component analysis. Inequalities in oral health were examined using prevalence ratios and concentration index. RESULTS: The poorest quintile was 1.60 (95% confidence interval, CI, 1.30; 1.98) times as likely to have any NRET compared with the richest quintile, indicating a disparity. Inequality was most pronounced in the 35-59 age group with prevalence ratio 2.01 (95% CI 1.26; 3.05). The concentration index of NRET in adults in Tehran was -0.22 (95% CI -0.28; -0.16). No significant differences were found in perceived dental health between socioeconomic classes. CONCLUSIONS: Adults from lower socioeconomic classes experienced more disabilities due to missing their teeth, specifically in the middle-age group. Inequalities in perceived dental health were not apparent in the studied population.

Amelanotic Spitzoid melanoma in the burn scar of a child.

We report a 3-year-old girl with a rapidly growing, amelanotic, nodular melanoma developing within a burn scar over the dorsal aspect of the left foot. Histologically, the lesion was spindle cell and exhibited lack of maturation, cellular atypia, and scattered mitotic figures. Twenty five percent of the tumor cells were positive for proliferating cell nuclear antigen by immunohistochemical stain. A left inguinal lymph node was also positive for regional metastasis. The child died with disseminated metastases 13 months after the lesion was removed.