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The Effect of Selenium, Zinc, and their Combined Supplementation on Cardiometabolic Biomarkers-comparing their Effects in the Energy Restriction and High-fat Diet Methods in Obese Rats
No full textIntroduction: The fat distribution in the body determines the risk of cardio-metabolic problems such as heart disease and diabetes. Some dietary supplements, such as selenium and zinc, possess lipolytic and anti-angiogenic functions, which may be a useful strategy in reducing the risk of cardiometabolic complications. This study evaluated the effect of zinc (Zn), selenium (Se), and their combined supplementation on cardiometabolic risk factors in male Wistar rats in two nutritional models, including caloric restriction (CR) and high-fat diet (HFD). Methods and Materials: The 48 male Wistar rats were divided into three diet groups (HFD and CR and normal diet (ND)). The HFD group was subdivided into four groups (N=8 rats in each group) that received (HFD+Se), (HFD+Zn), (HFD+Zn+Se), and HFD alone as the control group, respectively. After 8 weeks of intervention, biochemical tests were performed on serum levels, including measurement of lipid profile (triglyceride, Cholesterol, LDL and HDL) and glycemic indices (fasting blood sugar, insulin and insulin sensitivity markers). Results: The results showed that supplementation significantly improved the lipid profile (P <0.001). A comparison of glucose homeostasis indices in the study groups also showed a significant difference. The serum level of glucose was higher in the HFD group than in the intervention groups (P <0.001). Also, the rate of improvement of lipid profile and glycemic indexes in the group receiving the combination of two supplements showed a better trend than those receiving zinc and selenium alone. However, the values were statistically significant only for glucose homeostasis indices (P <0.001). Conclusion: Although obesity is a multifactorial condition, controlling other risk factors, zinc and selenium and their combined supplementation can lead to promising solutions for the treatment of obesity-induced glucose and lipid homeostasis disorders
Respiratory complications of propofol, sevoflurane, and dexmedetomidine anesthesia for fiberoptic bronchoscopy in children aged 1 month to 3 years: a randomized trial
No full textObjective: To evaluate the effect of propofol, sevoflurane, and dexmedetomidine on respiratory complications in children undergoing fiberoptic bronchoscopy (FOB).
Methods: This double-blind randomized clinical trial was conducted among 120 children aged 1 month to 3 years undergoing FOB. The patients were randomized into 3 groups (n=40) for anesthesia induction with sevoflurane inhalation, 1 mg/kg propofol, or 1 μg/kg dexmedetomidine before bronchoscopy, and the changes in hemodynamic parameters, sedation level, and respiratory complications during and after the procedure were assessed.
Results: The patients' heart rate during bronchoscopy was significantly lower and the mean arterial blood pressure significantly higher in dexmedetomidine group than in sevoflurane and propofol groups (P < 0.05). Cough during bronchoscopy did not occur in any of the cases in propofol group, while the highest frequency of cough was recorded in dexmedetomidine group. The incidence of laryngospasm in the propofol group (12.5%) was significantly lower than those in sevoflurane and dexmedetomidine groups (30% and 32.5%, respectively) (P < 0.05).
Conclusion: Sevoflurane and propofol are safe and suitable for anesthesia induction in children below 3 years of age undergoing diagnostic FOB and can achieve better sedative effect and lower the incidences of cough and respiratory complications as compared with dexmedetomidine.
Keywords: children; dexmedetomidine; fiberoptic bronchoscopy; propofol; sevoflurane
Antineutrophil Cytoplasmic Antibody (ANCA)-associated vasculitis following COVID-19 BBIBP-CorV vaccine: A case report
No full textCOVID-19 and its vaccination could initiate autoimmunity including ANCA-associated vasculitis that could mimic COVID-19 infection symptoms. This misdiagnosis could increase the morbidity of AAV. Herein a case of AAV post-BBIBP-CorV (Sinopharm) COVID-19 vaccine was reported. A 32-years-old woman was admitted with flu-like symptoms, flank pain, hemoptysis, hematuria, and oliguria following the second dose of BBIBP-CorV vaccination. Due to her severe clinical course, she needed ICU care while plasma exchange, renal replacement therapy, corticosteroid pulse, and tocilizumab were the primary therapies that improved her symptoms. After more evaluation, she was diagnosed with AAV, and conservative therapy was initiated. Her pulmonary condition and renal function were resolved gradually. Reports of post-COVID-19 vaccination raised the need for assessment of the immune response caused by these vaccines. Physicians also should be aware of the misdiagnosis of AAV and other infectious diseases
Consequences of exposure of operating room students to clinical learning challenges
No full textBackground & Objective: Clinical environment is a significant component in relation to students' learning. Exposure to the challenges of the clinical learning environment has some consequences for students and can affect their learning. Identifying these consequences will moderate the challenges, and therefore, improve the quality of learning in such environments. The present study aimed to explain the consequences of exposure to clinical learning challenges among operating room students. Materials & Methods: This study was conducted based on the qualitative content analysis approach at Shahrekord University of Medical Sciences, Shahrekord, Iran, in 2022. A total of 14 surgical technology students were selected by a purposeful sampling method. The required data were collected using in-depth, semi-structured face-to-face interviews. The data were analyzed using Graneheim and Lundman's approach. Results: The results of the study revealed two categories (i.e., learning distress and using harmful clinical shortcuts) and four subcategories (i.e., feeling of helplessness in learning, anxiety, incomplete care, and wrong modeling). Under the conditions and challenges in the learning environment, students felt helpless toward learning, experienced anxiety, and suffered from learning distress. It was also found that in the clinical learning atmosphere, when faced with the existing challenges, the students would be likely to facilitate the care process and attempt to do unprincipled care by imitating the wrong personnel examples. Conclusion: Faced with the learning challenges of the clinical environment, the operating room students suffered from learning stress and resorted to harmful clinical shortcuts. Examining students' anxiety and their disappointment and helplessness toward the conditions and challenges of clinical education, identifying clinical wrong patterns in the care process, as well as modifying the care process provided by the personnel as wrong role models of students can have an effective impact in reducing the existing consequence
The Effect of Various Lasers on the Bond Strength Between Orthodontic Brackets and Dental Ceramics: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
No full textBackground/objective: This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to assess how laser conditioning affected brackets bonded to dental ceramics’ shear bond strength (SBS). Materials and methods: The study was conducted by searching Pubmed/Medline, Scopus, Embase, Web of Science, the Cochrane Library, and Google Scholar up to September 14, 2022. In addition, the reference lists of the relevant articles were checked manually. Articles that compared SBS of laser-treated feldspathic, lithium disilicate, or zirconia surfaces with other standard techniques for bonding metal or ceramic orthodontic brackets were considered. Using a random-effects model, data pooling was carried out as the weighted mean difference (WMD). Results: This study initially contained 1717 reports, and following review, 32 articles were deemed suitable for our meta-analysis. The pooling results showed that the treatments with lasers such as ‘‘Er:YAG’’ [WMD = -1.12 MPa; 95% confidence interval (CI): -1.93 to -0.31], ‘‘Er:YAG + Silane’’ (WMD = -3.08 MPa; 95% CI: -4.77 to -1.40), and ‘‘Nd: YAG + Silane’’ (WMD = -2.58 MPa; 95% CI: -3.76 to -1.40) had statistically significant lower adhesion values compared with controls. Contrarily, ‘‘Ti:Sapphire femtosecond’’ demonstrated significantly higher bonding values (WMD = 0.94 MPa; 95% CI: 0.29–1.60). In contrast, other interventions obtained no statistically significant difference in SBS. Conclusions: Most of the laser groups showed results comparable with those of conventional approaches. Although more research is necessary for definitive conclusions, laser treatment may be an effective option for treating the surfaces of ceramic materials
Investigating the Effect of Fasting on the Mental Health of Nursing Students
No full textBackground and Aim: Nursing students are exposed to various educational, family, and social stresses and various factors can affect their mental health. Therefore, in order to pay attention to different dimensions of health and investigate the effects of spirituality on health, the present study was conducted to determine the effect of fasting on the mental health of nursing students of Borujen Faculty of Medical Sciences. Materials and Methods: The present semi-experimental study with a pre-test-post-test design was conducted in 2022 at Shahrekord University of Medical Sciences. Ninety nursing students of Borujen Faculty of Medical Sciences were selected by available methods and assigned to two intervention and control groups by a simple random method. The intervention in this study included at least 23 days of fasting during Ramadan. The data before and after the intervention were collected by the demographic information questionnaire and the 21-question depression, anxiety, and stress standard tool (DASS). The validity and reliability of this questionnaire were conducted for the first time in Iran by Sahebi et al. in 2005. SPSS was used for analysis. Descriptive statistical tests including frequency percentage, mean and standard deviation, and inferential statistical tests including t-test, paired t-test, analysis of variance, and chi-square were used. Results: There was no significant difference in the total mental health score between intervention (32.32±11.62) and control (29.87±14.09) groups before the intervention (P=0.08). There was a significant difference in this score between intervention (20.6±5.71) and control (29.49±8.9) groups after the intervention (P=0.04). The total mental health score in the control group before (29.87±14.09) and after (29.49±8.9) the intervention had no significant difference (P=0.15); while in the intervention group before (32.32±11.62) and after (20.6±5.71) the intervention had a significant difference (P=0.001). Mental health dimensions before and after intervention, indicated that anxiety (P=0.04) and stress (P=0.003) decreased significantly after the intervention in the intervention group. However, there was no significant difference in the depression dimension (P=0.06). Conclusion: According to the results, it should be said that regular and periodic examination of the health level, and the promotion of educational and training programs on the subject of fasting to improve mental health, should be considered
The Role of 3D Printing in Customizing Dental Prosthetics and Orthodontic Appliances
No full text3D printing technology has introduced significant advancements in dentistry, particularly in the customization of dental prosthetics and orthodontic appliances. By enabling precise, patient-specific designs, 3D printing enhances both the fit and comfort of dental devices, improving patient outcomes and satisfaction. This technology offers notable efficiencies over traditional manufacturing methods, reducing production times and costs while supporting seamless digital workflows in clinical practice. Recent advancements in biocompatible materials and digital integration have expanded the application of 3D printing to a range of dental devices, from crowns and bridges to clear aligners and retainers. However, challenges remain, including material limitations, regulatory hurdles, and technical constraints that can impact adoption, particularly in smaller clinics. Future research aims to address these challenges by exploring new materials, incorporating artificial intelligence for optimized design, and enhancing environmental sustainability through waste reduction. The ongoing evolution of 3D printing in dentistry promises to further personalize and streamline dental care, paving the way for a more patient-centered, efficient, and accessible approach in modern dental practices
Narrative Review of Biomarkers in Patients with Peri-implantitis
No full textBackground: Peri-implantitis is caused by the breakdown of homeostasis between the host's response to microbial pathogens. The aim of this study was to assess clinical studies by use of a systematic review on some mouth biomarkers except of interleukin, active metalloproteinase (MMP) and TNF-alpha in peri-implantitis patients. Materials and Methods: A regular and complete search was conducted through mesh keywords by search of the Science Direct, PubMed, Google Scholar database until August 6, 2024. Those articles that reported biomarkers other than interleukin, MMP and TNF-alpha were included in this review. The outcome was defined to be peri-implantitis. Two reviewers have searched and screened the articles completely independently of each other. For assessing the quality of the studies, risk of bias tool developed by Downes et al. were used. Results: In general, 41 articles were found for this review. Based on our findings, key markers include Neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs), proinflammatory cytokines, oxidative stress markers, salivary biomarkers, microRNAs, extracellular vesicles, proteomic and metabolomic changes, and microbial markers. Stress markers like cortisol also play a role. Risk of bias is low in most studies. Conclusion: Biomarkers found in this study suggest a complex cascade of events involved in pathophysiological pathway of peri-implantitis including the microbial colonization, immune activation, bone resorption, oxidative stress, vascular changes, stress responses, and epigenetic modifications
Sinapinic acid as a potential therapeutic agent for epilepsy through targeting NMDA receptors and nitrite level
No full textEpilepsy, a widespread neural ailment considered by prolonged neuronal depolarization and repetitive discharge, has been linked to extreme stimulus of N-methyl-D-aspartate receptors (NMDARs). Despite the availability of approved anti-seizure medications (ASMs) in many developed nations, approximately 30% of epilepsy patients continue to experience drug-resistant seizures. Thus, a growing interest in discovering natural compounds as potential sources for new medications is growing. Sinapinic acid, a natural derivative of cinnamic acid found in food sources, is known for its neuroprotective properties. This study investigated how sinapinic acid interacts with NMDA receptors and its potential role in providing anticonvulsant effects. Male mice were randomly allocated into nine groups: a control group receiving normal saline (1 ml/kg), groups treated with sinapinic acid at doses of 1, 3, and 10 mg/kg, a group treated with diazepam at 10 mg/kg, a group treated with an NMDA agonist at 75 mg/kg, a group treated with an NMDA antagonist at 0.5 mg/kg, a group receiving the ineffective dose of sinapinic acid (1 mg/kg) along with the NMDA antagonist, and a group receiving the effective dose of sinapinic acid (10 mg/kg) along with the NMDA agonist. Sinapinic acid and other treatments were administered intraperitoneally 30 min prior to inducing seizures with PTZ injection. Seizure onset time was recorded following PTZ injection. Blood and brain samples were collected after anesthesia to determine serum and brain nitrite levels. Real-time PCR assessed NMDAR gene expression in the prefrontal cortex (PFC). Data were analyzed using Prism software. The time seizures began was notably extended in groups treated with sinapinic acid at doses of 3 and 10 mg/kg compared to those treated with saline (P < 0.05). Additionally, in the receiving group of an ineffective dose of sinapinic acid alongside ketamine, the beginning of seizure time was significantly prolonged compared to the group that received the ineffective dose of sinapinic acid alone (P < 0.05). Serum and prefrontal cortex (PFC) nitrite levels were significantly lower in mice treated with sinapinic acid at doses of 1, 3, and 10 mg/kg compared to the saline-treated group (P < 0.05). The gene expression of the NMDAR NR2B subunit in the PFC was decreased in groups treated with sinapinic acid at 1 and 10 mg/kg compared to the saline-treated group. Furthermore, co-administration of sinapinic acid (10 mg/kg) with NMDA resulted in significantly lower NR2A gene expression than the group treated with 10 mg/kg of sinapinic acid alone. Conversely, co-administration of ketamine with sinapinic acid (1 mg/kg) significantly increased NR2B subunit gene expression compared to the group treated with sinapinic acid at 1 mg/kg alone. Sinapinic acid showed anticonvulsant effects through reduced serum and PFC nitrite and modulation of glutamatergic signaling
On the osteogenic differentiation of dental pulp stem cells by a fabricated porous nano-hydroxyapatite substrate loaded with sodium fluoride
No full textIn the present study, nano-hydroxyapatite (n-HA) powder was extracted from carp bone waste to fabricate porous n-HA substrates by a molding and sintering process. Subsequently, the substrates were loaded with different amounts of sodium fluoride (NaF) through immersion in NaF suspensions for 10, 7.5, and 5 min. The NaF-loaded n-HA substrates were then examined for their structural and physical properties, chemical bonds, loading and release profile, pH changes, cytotoxicity, and osteogenic effect on dental pulp stem cells (DPSCs) at the level of RNA and protein expression. The results showed that the n-HA substrates were porous (> 40% porosity) and had rough surfaces. The NaF could be successfully loaded on the substrates, which was 6.43, 4.50, and 1.47 mg, respectively for n-HA substrates with immersion times of 10, 7.5, and 5 min in the NaF suspensions. It was observed that the NaF release rate was rather fast during the first 24 h in all groups (39.06%, 36.43%, and 39.57% for 10, 7.5, and 5 min, respectively), and decreased dramatically after that, indicating a slow detachment of NaF. Furthermore, the pH of the medium related to all materials was changed during the first 4 days of immersion (from 7.38 to pH of about 7.85, 7.84, 7.63, and 7.66 for C0, C5, C7.5, and C10, respectively). The pH of media associated with the C7.5, and C10 increased up to 4 days and remained relatively constant until day 14 (pH = 7.6). The results of the cytotoxicity assay rejected any toxicity of the fabricated NaF-loaded n-HA substrates on DPSCs, and the cells could adhere to their surfaces with enlarged morphology. The results showed no effect on the osteogenic differentiation at the protein level. Nevertheless, this effect was observed at the gene level