Comparison of fracture resistance of primary incisor teeth restored with glass fiber post and reversed-oriented metal post - An in vitro study.

Background: This in vitro study aimed to compare the fracture resistance of fiber post and reversed-oriented metal post in the restoration of severely decayed primary incisors. Materials and Methods: In this in vitro study, forty extracted human primary incisors were sectioned horizontally 1 mm above the CEJ and randomly divided into four groups - Group 1: Central incisors restored with reverse-oriented metal post, Group 2: Lateral incisors restored with reverse-oriented metal post, Group 3: Central incisors restored with fiber post, and Group 4: Lateral incisors restored with fiber post. The coronary portion of the teeth was then restored with nanohybrid universal composite. The fracture resistance was measured using universal testing machine. The type of fracture was determined by employing a stereomicroscope. Data were analyzed using two-way ANOVA test. The level of significance was considered at P < 0.05. Results: The mean fracture resistance of glass fiber posts (208.00 ± 73.19) was higher than the reverse-oriented metal posts (190.37 ± 56.36); however, there was no significant difference between any of the groups (P = 0.353). Conclusion: Within the limitations of this study, it can be concluded that both types of posts studied in the present research can be successfully used in the restoration of severely damaged primary incisors.

Highly improved supercapacitance properties of MnFe2O4 nanoparticles by MoS2 nanosheets.

Manganese ferrite (MnFe2O4) nanoparticles were synthesized via a hydrothermal method and combined with exfoliated MoS2 nanosheets, and the nanocomposite was studied as a supercapacitor. X-ray diffractometry and Raman spectroscopy confirmed the crystalline structures and structural characteristics of the nanocomposite. Transmission electron microscopy images showed the uniform size distribution of MnFe2O4 nanoparticles (~ 13 nm) on few-layer MoS2 nanosheets. UV-visible absorption photospectrometry indicated a decrease in the bandgap of MnFe2O4 by MoS2, resulting in a higher conductivity that is suitable for capacitance. Electrochemical tests showed that the incorporation of MoS2 nanosheets largely increased the specific capacitance of MnFe2O4 from 600 to 2093 F/g (with the corresponding energy density and power density of 46.51 Wh/kg and 213.64 W/kg, respectively) at 1 A/g, and led to better charge-discharge cycling stability. We also demonstrated a real-world application of the MnFe2O4/MoS2 nanocomposite in a two-cell asymmetric supercapacitor setup. A density functional theory study was also performed on the MnFe2O4/MoS2 interface to analyze how a MoS2 monolayer can enhance the electronic properties of MnFe2O4 towards a higher specific capacitance.

Hypofractionated frameless gamma knife radiosurgery for large metastatic brain tumors.

Hypofractionated stereotactic radiosurgery has become an alternative for metastatic brain tumors (METs). We aimed to analyze the efficacy and safety of frameless hypofractionated Gamma Knife radiosurgery (hfGKRS) in the management of unresected, large METs. All patients who were managed with hfGKRS for unresected, large METs (> 4 cm3) between June 2017 and June 2020 at a single center were reviewed in this retrospective study. Local control (LC), progression-free survival (PFS), overall survival (OS), and toxicities were investigated. A total of 58 patients and 76 METs with regular follow-up were analyzed. LC rate was 98.5% at six months, 96.0% at one year, and 90.6% at 2 years during a median follow-up of 12 months (range, 2-37). The log-rank test indicated no difference in the distribution of LC for any clinical or treatment variable. PFS was 86.7% at 6 months, 66.6% at 1 year, and 58.5% at 2 years. OS was 81% at 6 months, 63.6% at one year, and 50.7% at 2 years. On the log-rank test, clinical parameters such as control status of primary cancer, presence of extracranial metastases, RTOG-RPA class, GPA group, and ds-GPA group were significantly associated with PFS and OS. Patients presented with grade 1 (19.0%), grade 2 (3.5%) and grade 3 (5.2%) side effects. Radiation necrosis was not observed in any patients. Our current results suggest that frameless hfGKRS for unresected, large METs is a rational alternative in selected patients with promising results.

Incremental substitution of Ni with Mn in NiFe2O4 to largely enhance its supercapacitance properties.

By using a facile hydrothermal method, we synthesized Ni1-xMnxFe2O4 nanoparticles as supercapacitor electrode materials and studied how the incremental substitution of Ni with Mn would affect their structural, electronic, and electrochemical properties. X-ray diffractometry confirmed the single-phase spinel structure of the nanoparticles. Raman spectroscopy showed the conversion of the inverse structure of NiFe2O4 to the almost normal structure of MnFe2O4. Field-emission scanning electron microscopy showed the spherical shape of the obtained nanoparticles with a size in the range of 20-30 nm. Optical bandgaps were found to decrease as the content of Mn increased. Electrochemical characterizations of the samples indicated the excellent performance and the desirable cycling stability of the prepared nanoparticles for supercapacitors. In particular, the specific capacitance of the prepared Ni1-xMnxFe2O4 nanoparticles was found to increase as the content of Mn increased, reaching the highest specific capacitance of 1,221 F/g for MnFe2O4 nanoparticles at the current density of 0.5 A/g with the corresponding power density of 473.96 W/kg and the energy density of 88.16 Wh/kg. We also demonstrated the real-world application of the prepared MnFe2O4 nanoparticles. We performed also a DFT study to verify the changes in the geometrical and electronic properties that could affect the electrochemical performance.

Complementary and integrative medicine in epilepsy: What patients and physicians perceive.

PURPOSE: The purpose of the current study was to investigate the extent to which people with epilepsy (PWE) use complementary and integrative medicine (CIM) to treat their illness and to assess their perceptions. We also investigated the perceptions of their treating physicians. METHODS: In this cross-sectional study, all adult patients with epilepsy, who had the illness for at least one year, were recruited at the outpatient epilepsy clinic at Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, from January 2019 until March 2019. A questionnaire was designed for this survey. We also designed a similar questionnaire to investigate perceptions of the physicians in the same region. RESULTS: One hundred and one patients participated. Seventy-one patients (70%) believed that CIM would be helpful in treating seizures; the most commonly reported CIM therapies were prayers, exercise, and herbs. Sixteen patients (16%) had actually used CIM to treat their seizures, but only one patient perceived that CIM was more effective than antiepileptic drugs to bring her seizures under control. Thirty-one neurologists participated in the study. Seventeen neurologists (55%) believed that CIM would be helpful in treating epileptic seizures. The most commonly reported CIM therapies were meditation, yoga, and exercise. CONCLUSION: Complementary and integrative medicine is considered and used by many PWE to treat epileptic seizures. Cultural issues probably play an important role in having faith in CIM. Physicians involved in the care of PWE should provide appropriate information regarding the safety and efficacy of various CIM treatments for PWE.

Impacts of the international economic sanctions on Iranian patients with epilepsy.

PURPOSE: On May 8, 2018, the United States announced that it was withdrawing from the Iran nuclear deal. This has resulted in reimposition of the economic hardship on Iran. We investigated the patients' perceptions of hardship in obtaining their antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) after the reimposition of sanctions. METHODS: We surveyed patients with epilepsy visiting three centers in Iran on February 2nd to 6th (easy sampling) on their perceptions on two issues: RESULTS: Two hundred and forty-four patients participated. Ninety-two patients (37.7%) claimed that they have had significant difficulty obtaining their AEDs, and 37 patients (15.2%) said that their AED(s) was not accessible. Ninety-six people (72%) of those receiving imported AEDs and 33 patients (30%) of those receiving homemade AEDs had significant hardship obtaining their drugs (p = 0.00001). Forty-seven patients (36%) of those who reported significant hardship obtaining their AEDs and 25 (22%) of those who did not, perceived worsening of their seizures (p = 0.017). CONCLUSION: Sanctions have affected ordinary people, especially those who are vulnerable the most (i.e., patients), significantly.