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Hardness and Depth of Cure of Conventional and Bulk-fill Composite Resins in Class II Restorations with Transparent and Metal Matrix Strips
No full textObjectives: Hardness is relevant to the degree of conversion (DC) and depth of cure (DoC). The aim of this study was to determine the micro-hardness and DoC of conventional and bulk-fill composite resins in class II restorations using metal and clear matrix bands. Materials and Methods: Twelve specimens of each of the two composite resins, i.e., Filtek Z350 XT bulk-fill and Gradia posterior conventional composite, were prepared in the form of a class II cavity in a tooth mold, using a clear or metal matrix band. All specimens were cured and stored at 37°C for 24 hours. Vickers hardness was measured as a function of DoC at 2mm intervals. Data were analyzed by two-way ANOVA (alpha=0.05). Results: The bulk-fill composite exhibited significantly higher hardness levels than the conventional composite in all tested surfaces (P[removed
A meta-analysis of the relationship between serums metrnl-like protein/subfatin and risk of type 2 diabetes mellitus and coronary artery disease
No full textThere have been inconsistent reports that Metrnl-like protein, a new adipokine, is associated with the risk of metabolic syndrome (MetS), type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and coronary artery disease (CAD). A systematic search in PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and Google scholar databases were conducted up until 24 November 2020. Ten eligible studies were included in this meta-analysis. The overall results showed that there was no significant association between serum Metrnl levels and risk of T2DM and CAD in patients compared with healthy control (SMD= −0.717 and 95%CI −1.572_0.139, p=.1). However, in subgroup analysis, there was a significant association between a BMI≥25 and the serum level of Metrnl-like protein (SMD= −0.688 and 95%CI −1.348_−0.028 p=.041), indicating a potential inverse connection between serum Metrnl and the adiposity. Further well-designed studies are needed to explain the more subtle roles of Metrnl in metabolic disorders like T2DM and CA
The role of exosomes in the pathogenesis of chemotherapy-induced cardiotoxicity: A diagnostic and prognostic approach: exosome and cardiotoxicity
No full textExosomes are a subtype of natural extracellular vesicles that transfer a great number of biomolecules, released by almost all types of cells, and can be specifically taken up by recipient cells in order to maintain homeostasis and induce a proper response to stress or harsh environmental conditions. Since the heart is part of complex systems which involve various cell types, exosome-mediated communication plays a crucial role in the cardiovascular field. Given the extended studies on the molecular mechanisms mediated by exosome cargos, leading to cardiovascular diseases, we focus on the most important data that report the roles of proteins and microRNAs (miRNAs) transferred by exosomes and whether they possess cardiotoxicity or cardioprotection and also the potential of these biomolecules as therapeutic tools or diagnostic biomarkers
Heparin induced thrombocytopenia in pregnancy: A therapeutic challenge case report and literature review
No full textThe anticoagulants of choice for the prevention and treatment of venous thromboembolic disease during pregnancy are unfractionated heparin and low-molecular-weight heparin. Heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT) is introduced as a rare but critical side effect of heparin products raising the thromboembolic event paradoxically. Here, we present a case of HIT in pregnancy with challenging management due to coincidence of lupus anticoagulant (LA) and limited anticoagulant options in the pharmaceutical market of our country of residence. We describe a 6-week pregnant patient with deep venous thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary thromboembolism (PTE), which developed HIT during antenatal care. Therapeutic anticoagulation was initiated with argatroban, then switched to apixaban due to limited access to argatroban. Another therapeutic challenge was the concurrent incidence of LA. The interdisciplinary care team decided on adding up warfarin and scheduled termination at 12 weeks regarding the hazardous condition of the patient. We also reviewed related case literature to convey a new insight into managing pregnancy-related HIT. HIT is a pro-coagulatory and lethal complication associated with heparin therapy that can be diagnosed by clinical suspicion, the 4T score system, and confirmatory laboratory analyses. Alternative anticoagulation is the cornerstone of the treatment and an interdisciplinary plan will be worthwhile to make the best clinical decision regarding the critical situation and least the thromboembolic events mortality during pregnancy
Evaluation of physical and mental health status of elderly residents and non-residents in nursing homes of Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari province in 2018
No full textBackground and aims: The average age of the population and the number of elderly people have increased with increasing life expectancy. This study aimed to investigate the physical and mental health of the elderly in Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari province, which can provide important evidence for future interventions.
Methods: This cross-sectional (descriptive-analytical) study was performed on 345 elderlies in Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari province in 2018. Census methods were used to select the samples according to the type of residence. Statistical analysis was performed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (IBM SPSS statistic, Chicago, IL, USA, version 22). Descriptive and analytical tests were performed using Chi-square, independent t-test, and analysis of variance.
Results: The mean age of participants and the mean score of their mental health were 71.13 and 55.29±11.57, respectively. Diabetes and hypertension (HTN) (27.8%), followed by skeletal problems (11.3%), were the most frequent disorders in the participants. The findings of the study demonstrated a significant difference between depressive status, as well as anxiety and sleep disorders of the elderly in the home and those kept in the nursing home (P<0.05).
Conclusion: Overall, the elderly living in nursing homes had more unfavorable mental, emotional, and physical conditions than the elderly living in the home. Therefore, long-term planning to minimize the problems of elderlies is essential. Lifestyle modifications, health education, and screening for this age group are recommended to maintain independence, especially for the elderly in nursing homes.
Keywords: Physical health, Mental health, Elderl
The protective effects of lavender herbal tea on spasticity and ataxia in patients with multiple sclerosis
No full textBackground and aims: Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a neurological disease with (an) unknown cause(s) that affects the central nervous system, the brain, and the spinal cord and causes loss of control, vision, balance, and sensation. Ataxia and spasm are commonly observed in patients with MS and cause a significant decrease in functioning and quality of life. Pharmacotherapy, physiotherapy, and rehabilitation are usually used to deal with ataxia and spasms. Given the World Health Organization’s emphasis on using herbal medicines with fewer side effects and the anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective effects of lavender extract, the present study aims to investigate the effect of hydroalcoholic lavender extract on ataxia and spasm in MS patients.
Methods: The present study is a double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial. Eighty-four patients with MS referred to Imam Ali Clinic and Hajar Hospital of Shahrekord were enrolled in the study and randomly divided into two groups of intervention and control. Patients in the intervention group were given lavender tea, and those in the placebo group received the placebo for 60 days. Before and after the intervention, spasticity was assessed using the Ashworth Scale and the spasm repetition scale. International Cooperative Ataxia Rating Scale (ICARS) and Berg Balance Scale (BBS) were used to evaluate ataxia. Data were analyzed using SPSS 16.
Results: The results showed the mean Ashworth and spasm index before and after intervention did not differ significantly between the two groups of control and placebo (P<0.05 ), but lavender tea could increase BBS and decrease ICARS significantly in the group receiving it (P<0.05).
Conclusion: Due to phenolic and flavonoid compounds and high antioxidant properties, lavender can decrease spasticity and ataxia and improve the functioning of other chemicals and drugs used to treat MS in patients
Keywords: Spasm, Ataxia, Lavender, Multiple sclerosi
Effects of pistachio green hull crude extract and its polyphenol fraction on oxidative stability of sunflower oil during accelerated storage
No full textPistachio green hull (PGH) contains considerable amount of polyphenolic compounds, which are the most important natural antioxidants. In this research, the antioxidative activity of PGH crude extract and polyphenolic fraction, as the alternatives to synthetic antioxidants, were evaluated. Polyphenol fraction was isolated with Amberlite XAD16 resin from the crude extract. Effects of the crude extract, polyphenol fraction, and synthetic antioxidant (BHT) to inhibit the sunflower oil oxidation were studied under the heat accelerated storage (60 °C) for 16 days. Thermal stability was performed with Rancimat at 110 °C. The results showed that polyphenol fraction of PGH at 200 and 600 ppm had the same effects to retard oxidative processes in sunflower oil and even more potent than BHT and crude extract
Diminishing benefits of urban living for children and adolescents’ growth and development
No full textOptimal growth and development in childhood and adolescence is crucial for lifelong health and well-being1–6. Here we used data from 2,325 population-based studies, with measurements of height and weight from 71 million participants, to report the height and body-mass index (BMI) of children and adolescents aged 5–19 years on the basis of rural and urban place of residence in 200 countries and territories from 1990 to 2020. In 1990, children and adolescents residing in cities were taller than their rural counterparts in all but a few high-income countries. By 2020, the urban height advantage became smaller in most countries, and in many high-income western countries it reversed into a small urban-based disadvantage. The exception was for boys in most countries in sub-Saharan Africa and in some countries in Oceania, south Asia and the region of central Asia, Middle East and north Africa. In these countries, successive cohorts of boys from rural places either did not gain height or possibly became shorter, and hence fell further behind their urban peers. The difference between the age-standardized mean BMI of children in urban and rural areas was <1.1 kg m–2 in the vast majority of countries. Within this small range, BMI increased slightly more in cities than in rural areas, except in south Asia, sub-Saharan Africa and some countries in central and eastern Europe. Our results show that in much of the world, the growth and developmental advantages of living in cities have diminished in the twenty-first century, whereas in much of sub-Saharan Africa they have amplified
Biomedical applications of PLGA nanoparticles in nanomedicine: advances in drug delivery systems and cancer therapy
No full textIntroduction: During the last decades, the ever-increasing proportion of patients with cancer has been led to serious concerns worldwide. Therefore, the development and use of novel pharmaceuticals, like nanoparticles (NPs)-based drug delivery systems (DDSs), can be potentially effective in cancer therapy. Area covered: Poly lactic-co-glycolic acid (PLGA) NPs, as a kind of bioavailable, biocompatible, and biodegradable polymers, have approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for some biomedical and pharmaceutical applications. PLGA is comprised of lactic acid (LA) and glycolic acid (GA) and their ratio could be controlled during various syntheses and preparation approaches. LA/GA ratio determines the stability and degradation time of PLGA; lower content of GA results in fast degradation. There are several approaches for preparing PLGA NPs that can affect their various aspects, such as size, solubility, stability, drug loading, pharmacokinetics, and pharmacodynamics, and so on. Expert opinion: These NPs have indicated the controlled and sustained drug release in the cancer site and can use in passive and active (via surface modification) DDSs. This review aims to provide an overview of PLGA NPs, their preparation approach and physicochemical aspects, drug release mechanism and the cellular fate, DDSs for efficient cancer therapy, and status in the pharmaceutical industry and nanomedicine
The Effect of Hydro-Alcoholic Extract of Fig on Paraoxonase1 Enzyme in a Rat Hyperlipidemia Model. An In-Silico and In-Vitro Study
No full textIntroduction: Paraoxonase 1 is a key enzyme against Low Density Lipoprotein (LDL) oxidation. Increased activity of this enzyme can lead to the prevention of atherosclerosis. This study investigated the effect of hydro-alcoholic extract of fig on the activity and gene expression of paraoxonase 1. Also, the effect of the most important effective compounds of fig on the function of this enzyme was investigated by simulation studies. Methods: Four groups of ten male rats including control group and hyperlipidemia groups were treated with concentrations of 400 and 800 mg / kg of hydro-alcoholic extract of fig for 90 days. Serum lipid profile was measured, and paraoxonase1 gene expression was detected in liver tissues, as well as paraxonase1 aryl esterase activity in animal serum. Simulation and molecular dynamics studies of the most important effective compounds of fig including gallic acid and rutin were performed using AutoDock v.4.2 and Gromacs 2018 software. Results: The hydro-alcoholic extract of fig decreased the lipid profile of hyperlipidemia rats (P<0.001), increased gene expression as well as paraoxonase 1 activity (P<0.05). According to the results of molecular dynamics studies, two compounds of rutin and gallic acid with a high tendency to bind to the enzyme paraxonase 1 increase the rotational radius of the enzyme and also increase the activated probability of the enzyme. Conclusion: The hydro-alcoholic extract of fig not only reduces the lipid profile but also by activating the enzyme paraxonase1 can greatly prevent atherosclerosis and atherosclerosis