Comprehensive view of the posterior mandibular ridge morphology.

The anatomy of the posterior mandibular ridge and the anatomical structures present in this region are important in the planning and execution of dental treatments. The aim of this study was to examine all forms of alveolar ridge in detail to provide a comprehensive description of the posterior mandibular ridge. This study included 1865 cross-sectional sections of cone beam computed tomography scans obtained from 511 Iranian patients with a mean age of 48.14 years (280 female, 231 male). The alveolar ridge was described based on the ridge shape, including the existence and location of convexity and concavity. The morphology of the posterior mandibular ridge was categorized into 14 types: straight, pen shape, oblique, D type, B type, kidney, hourglass, sickle, golf club, toucan beak, tear, cudgel, basal, and saddle. Among the alveolar ridge types, the straight type in the premolar region and toucan beak type in the molar region were most frequent in the female, male, dentulous, and edentulous ridges. This study found significant differences in alveolar ridge morphology according to sex, dental status, and region of the ridge (all P < 0.001). In conclusion, the morphology of the alveolar ridge varies significantly between the sexes and between dentulous and edentulous locations.

In-vitro Study of Photothermal Anticancer Activity of Carboxylated Multiwalled Carbon Nanotubes.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Multi-walled Carbon Nano Tubes (MWCNTs) as an important element of nanosciences have a remarkable absorption in the region of NIR window (650-900 nm) which can overcome the limitations of deep treatment in photothermal therapy. To disperse MWCNTs in water, it is proposed to attach carboxylated functional group (-COOH) to MWCNTs in order to increase dispersivity in water. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A stable suspension of MWCNTs-COOH with different concentrations (from 2.5 to 500 µg/ml) was prepared. Then, they were compared for their ability to increase temperature in the presence of 810 nm laser irradiation and through a wide range of radiation time (from 20 to 600 s) and three laser powers (1.5, 2 and 2.5 w). The temperature rise was recorded real time every 20 seconds by a precise thermometer. RESULTS: Absorption spectrum of MWCNTs-COOH suspension was remarkably higher than water in a wavelength range of 200 to 1100 nm. For example, using the concentrations of 2.5 and 80 µg/ml of MWCNTs-COOH suspension caused a temperature elevation 2.35 and 9.23 times compared to water, respectively, upon 10 min laser irradiation and 2.5 w. Moreover, this predominance can be observed for 1.5 and 2 w radiation powers, too. Our findings show that the maximum of temperature increase was obtained at 80 µg/ml concentration of MWCNT-COOH suspension for three powers and through all periods of exposure time. Our results show that the minimum required parameters for a 5°C temperature increase (a 5°C temperature increase causes cell death) were achieved through 2.5 w, 28 µg/ml concentration and 20 second irradiation time in which both concentration and radiation times were relatively low. CONCLUSION: Our results showed that MWCNTs-COOH can be considered as a potent photothermal agent in targeted therapies. New strategies must be developed to minimize the concentration, irradiation time and radiation power used in experiments.

Comparative measurement of ghrelin, leptin, adiponectin, EGF and IGF-1 in breast milk of mothers with overweight/obese and normal-weight infants.

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Obese infants are more susceptible to develop adulthood obesity and its related comorbidities. Previous studies have shown the presence of hormones and growth factors in maternal breast milk that may influence infant adiposity. The aim of this study was to investigate differences in concentrations of three hormones and two growth factors in the breast milk of mothers with obese and non-obese infants. SUBJECTS/METHODS: In this cross-sectional study, 40 mothers with overweight or obese infants (weight for length percentile >97) and 40 age-matched mothers with normal-weight infant (-10 < weight for length percentile < 85) who were between 2 and 5 months of age were enrolled. Anthropometric indices of infants and mothers were measured by routine methods. Breast milk concentrations of ghrelin and adiponectin, leptin, epithelial growth factor (EGF) and insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay methods. RESULTS: The mean breast milk concentration of ghrelin was higher in mothers with normal-weight infants, 137.50 pg/ml, than in mothers with obese infants, 132.00 pg/ml (P=0.001). This was also true regarding the concentration of EGF in mothers with (0/04 ng/ml) and without (0/038 ng/ml) normal-weight infants (P=0.01). No significant differences were observed in concentrations of leptin, adiponectin and IGF-1 between two groups (P > 0.05). There was also a significant positive correlation between EGF and ghrelin in both groups. CONCLUSIONS: This study revealed that there was a correlation between ghrelin and EGF level in breast milk of mothers with obese and non-obese infants, suggesting a possible regulatory effect of these two hormones on weight in infants.

Fatigue and quality of life of women with multiple sclerosis: a randomized controlled clinical trial.

AIM: The aim of this study was to determine the effects of aquatic exercise on fatigue and the quality of life in women with multiple sclerosis (MS). METHODS: This randomized controlled clinical trial was carried out in a multiple sclerosis clinic in Iran, where 37 outpatient women with MS were randomized into an exercise group (N.=18) and a control group (N.=19). In the exercise group, aquatic exercise was performed for 45 minutes, 3 times per week for 8 weeks. The control group did not receive any interventions (aquatic exercise) and were asked to maintain their normal treatments. The severity and perception of fatigue and quality of life (QoL) were measured using the Fatigue Severity Scale (FSS), Modified Fatigue Impact Scale (MFIS), and Multicultural Quality of Life Index (MQLIM) questionnaires. RESULTS: The repeated measure ANOVA demonstrated significant effects of aquatic exercise on the changes in the scores of physical and psychosocial fatigue perception, QoL, and fatigue severity (P=0.001). However, its effect was not significant for cognitive fatigue perception (P>0.05). General linear models show that the percentages of variation, as explained by the aquatic exercises, were highest in the QoL and the physical and psychosocial fatigue perceptions. CONCLUSION: Aquatic exercise can improve the QoL and decrease fatigue severity and fatigue perception, specifically in the physical and psychosocial domain for MS patients. However, it was not effective in improving cognitive fatigue perception.

The causes for lack of interest to blood donation in eligible individuals, mashhad, northeastern iran.

BACKGROUND: Donor recruitment and retention are significant problems in blood collection agencies around the world. The Aim of this study was to determine the causes of lack of interest to blood donation in eligible individu-als in Mashhad, Northeast of Iran. METHODS: This was a descriptive study. Cases were 1130 non-donor individuals. Participants were selected from eligible individuals in different regions of Mashhad. In this study, surveys included information about age groups, gender, residence area, marriage, education; living situation and job as background variables. RESULT: Less than 30% of the cases had enough knowledge about blood donation. There was a significant rela-tionship between location, age, education, occupation and social status with knowledge of blood donation, but there was not a correlation between gender and marital status. CONCLUSION: There are some factors which affect the decision for blood donation. There is a need to change the negative attitude by increasing the knowledge considering the individual and the social status.

Clinical outcome, and survival between primary percutaneous coronary intervention versus fibrinolysis in patients older than 60 years with acute myocardial infarction.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the present study was to compare the short-term and 6-month clinical outcome, and survival in patients older than 60 years with ST-elevation myocardial infarction randomized to either primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PPCI) or thrombolysis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 82 patients with STEMI older than 60 years were randomized to either primary PCI or thrombolysis from September 2006 to August 2008. Angiograms were reviewed by two interventionalists not involved in the study. Patients randomized to primary PCI received Aspirin and 600 mg Clopidogrel. Heparin was administered in conjunction with PCI. Patients randomized to thrombolysis received Aspirin followed by streptokinase infusion for one hour. Rescue PCI was considered if there was ongoing pain and ST-segment resolution was <50% at 90 min. after initiation of thrombolysis or chest pain recurred with ST-segment elevation within 24 hours. All patients were followed up for 6 months. End points were reinfarction and cardiac death using competing-risks regression estimation. RESULTS: The mean time from hospital admission to start of streptokinase infusion was 31 ± 15 min and door to balloon time was 70 ± 25 min. There was no significant difference between the groups in the number of deaths and reinfarctions at 6 months. As expected, the fibrinolysis group had a higher rate of revascularization and heart failure. CONCLUSION: The higher rates of heart failure and need for revascularization in the fibrinolysis group reinforces benefits of PPCI in patients older than 60 years. PPCI in those who are 60 years and above with AMI is safe and cost effective.

Protein/creatinine ratio on random urine samples for prediction of proteinuria in preeclampsia.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate Protein/Creatinine ratio on random urine samples for prediction of proteinuria in preeclampsia. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study was performed on 150 pregnant women who were hospitalized as preeclampsia in Ghaem Hospital during 2006. At first, a 24-hours urine sample was collected for each patient to determine protein/creatinine ratio. Then, 24-hours urine collection was analyzed for the evaluation of proteinuria. Statistical analysis was performed with SPSS software. RESULTS: A total of 150 patients entered the study. There was a significant relation between the 24-hours urine protein and protein/creatinine ratio (r = 0.659, P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Since the measurement of protein/creatinine ratio is more accurate, reliable, and cost-effective, it can be replaced by the method of measurement the 24-hours urine protein.

Selenium supplementation and premature (pre-labour) rupture of membranes: a randomised double-blind placebo-controlled trial.

The aim was to determine if selenium supplementation during pregnancy reduces the occurrence of premature (pre-labour) rupture of membranes (PROM). A total of 166 primigravid pregnant women in the first trimester of pregnancy, were randomised to receive 100 microg of selenium (n = 83, drop-outs = 22) or a placebo (n = 83, drop-outs = 19) per day until delivery. The incidence of PROM, as well as serum selenium concentrations were evaluated at baseline and at the end of the study. Supplementation with selenium was associated with a significant increase in mean serum selenium concentration at term (p < 0.001). In contrast, mean serum selenium concentration remained unchanged in the control group (p > 0.05). The incidence of PROM was significantly lower in the selenium group (n = 8, 13.1%) than in the control group (n = 22, 34.4%) (p < 0.01). Our findings indicate that selenium supplementation (100 microg/day) in pregnant women effectively reduces the incidence of PROM.

Prevalence of obesity and its association with socioeconomic factors in elderly Iranians from Razavi-Khorasan province.

There are few data regarding the prevalence of obesity and its socioeconomic determinants among elderly individuals, particularly in Iran. We wished to determine the prevalence of overweight and obesity in free-living elderly people and the relationship to nutritional and socioeconomic factors in the Razavi-Khorasan province of Iran. Free-living elderly persons (917 males/1045 females), aged > or =60 years, were recruited using cluster sampling. Overweight and obesity were evaluated using body mass index (BMI) and subjects were categorized as thin (BMI <18.5 kg/m2), normal (18.5-24.9 kg/m2), overweight (25-29.9 kg/m2), and obese (> or =30 kg/m2). The association between the prevalence of overweight or obesity with socioeconomic and demographic factors, including gender, place of residence, literacy, type of living, source of income, use of supplements during the past 3 months, and employment status, was examined using regression analysis. The distribution of BMI values indicated that 13, 46.5, 28.9, and 11.7% of the total population were thin, normal, overweight, and obese, respectively. The prevalence of central obesity was higher among Iranian women than men (63.1 vs. 18.6%, respectively). Regression analysis results indicated that gender (p < 0.001), place of residence (p < 0.001), literacy (p = 0.01), and source of income (p < 0.001) were significantly associated with the incidence of overweight or obesity. This study showed that 40.6% of elderly subjects were overweight or obese. Results reinforce the need to plan strategies for primary prevention of this fast-growing public health problem.

Male fertility after spermatocele formation from tunica vaginalis in patients with bilateral vas agenesis.

To form spermatocele from vaginal layers as a sperm reservoir and intra-uterine insemination (IUI) in infertile men with bilateral vas agenesis (BVA), we studied 19 patients with azoospermia due to BVA referred to our infertility clinic from March 1992 until May 2003. The ages of the patients ranged from 20-41 (mean 29.6+/-5.8) years. After physical examination, hormone assay, testis biopsy, and confirming normal spermatogenesis, we have performed 23 alloplastic spermatoceles from the tunica vaginal layers in 11 patients. We retrieved sperms and performed IUI in 6 patients' wives 3 months post-operation when scrotal sonography revealed spermatocele with a good volume of seminal liquid. Among 6 patients' wives, 2 successful pregnancies occurred, and 2 normal babies (one boy with normal bilateral vas and one girl) were delivered successfully by cesarean section. We conclude that although the method of choice for fertility in BVA in artificial reproductive therapy era is percutaneous epididymal sperm aspiration (PESA) and intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI), but when the sophisticated facilities are not available or cost-effectiveness is matter of concern, alloplastic spermatocele from tunica vaginalis and IUI may be a viable option.

Prevalence of work-related respiratory symptoms in Iranian farmers.

BACKGROUND: Animal exposure may be an important trigger for work-related symptoms among farmers. OBJECTIVE: To estimate the prevalence of work-related respiratory symptoms (WRS) in sheep breeders and agricultural farmers and to determine work-related risk factors. METHODS: A family doctor used a questionnaire to interview a cohort of 173 farmers comprised of 127 sheep breeders and 46 agricultural farmers in the rural area of Rokh (northeast Iran). The questionnaire pertained to recurrent wheezing, cough, breathlessness or chronic phlegm while at work (these symptoms define WRS), flu-like illness and physician-diagnosed asthma. RESULTS: There were 71 subjects (41%) with WRS: 10 of 46 agricultural farmers (21.7%) and 61 of 127 sheep breeders (48.0%). The proportions of sheep breeders with wheezing (16.5%), asthma (14%), cough (29%), breathlessness (31.5%) and flu-like illness (38%) were higher than in agricultural farmers. A significant dose-response relationship among the daily hours worked with animals, the number of animals and the prevalence of symptoms was established for sheep farmers. Sheep shearing and the use of pesticide were associated with an increased risk of wheezing and phlegm. CONCLUSIONS: The results suggest that sheep farmers in general have higher rates of work-related symptoms than agricultural farmers. The severity of work-related symptoms will increase with an increase in frequency of animal contact; therefore, these results may underestimate the impact of this exposure.

Determination of Interleukin-6 and Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha concentrations in Iranian-Khorasanian patients with preeclampsia.

BACKGROUND: Our objective was to determine the role of Interleukin-6 (IL-6) and Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), markers of immune activation and endothelial dysfunction, in patients with preeclampsia. METHODS: Twenty four women with preeclampsia and eighteen antepartum normotensive pregnant women were recruited as controls. Serum levels of IL-6 and TNF-alpha were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. We used independent-samples t test to assess the differences in the concentration of cytokines in preeclamptic patients and control subjects. RESULTS: IL-6 levels [mean (S.D.)] were significantly higher in preeclamptic women [5.8 (4.85) pg/ml] compared to normal pregnant women [3.01 (2.45) pg/ml] (p = 0.02). There was no significant change in concentration of TNF-alpha in preeclamptic women [53.8 (30.0) pg/ml] compared to normal pregnant women [51.9 (33.8) pg/ml] (p > 0.1). CONCLUSION: The results of this study show that IL-6 as a pro-inflammatory cytokine is present in higher concentration in women with preeclampsia. The study was undertaken in women with established preeclampsia and it is not possible to determine whether the increased concentration of IL-6 is a cause or consequence of the disease. Furthermore, these findings suggest that serum TNF-alpha level is not associated with preeclampsia.