Shear bond strength of metal brackets to ceramic surfaces using a universal bonding resin

Assure Plus is a recently introduced universal adhesive with the ability to bond to various restorations. This study compared the shear bond strength of brackets bonded to two types of ceramics using conventional bonding agent and Assure Plus. Surface damage caused by debonding was also evaluated. In this in vitro study, 40 feldspathic and lithium disilicate ceramic discs were sandblasted, etched with 9.6% hydrofluoric acid and divided into two groups. In group 1, silane was applied and air-dried followed by application of Transbond XT primer, which was light-cured. In group 2, Assure Plus was applied and air-dried. In both groups, maxillary central incisor brackets were bonded. After incubation in distilled water at 37°C for 24 hours and 2000 thermal cycles, bond strength was measured using a universal testing machine, and the adhesive remnant index (ARI) and failure modes were determined. ANOVA and LSD tests were used to compare bond strength values; chi-squared test was used to compare ARI scores. Bracket bond to lithium disilicate by Assure Plus was significantly stronger than that to Feldspathic porcelain (P=0.041). Only in the Assure Plus/lithium disilicate group did some adhesive remain on the surface following debonding (40% of samples, P<0.05). Cohesive porcelain fracture had the lowest frequency in the lithium disilicate/Assure Plus group. Assure Plus provided high bond strength between ceramic and brackets and minimized damage to lithium disilicate ceramic during debonding. Assure Plus is recommended for use in orthodontic treatment of adults with ceramic restorations

Comparison of the Effectiveness of Pharmacological and Non-Pharmacological Methods in Reducing the Pain of Retinopathy of Prematurity Examination

Background: Retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) is one of the common complications in premature neonates. ROP examination is one of the most important examinations for premature babies, which is associated with pain and can be very annoying. This study aimed to compare the effectiveness of pharmacological and non-pharmacological methods in reducing the pain of ROP examination. Materials and Methods: This study was conducted as a double-blind, randomized control trial on 300 ROP examinations of patients who were hospitalized in the NICU department of Mahdieh Hospital in Tehran. The neonates were randomly selected into three groups, and ketamine 2mg/kg nasally, fentanyl two µg/kg nasally10minutes before an examination, and acetaminophen 2drop/kg orally 30 minutes before each examination were given to each neonate as two pharmacological groups. In the non-pharmacological group, infants received saddling-pacifier oral sucrose 25% 0.5cc 2 minutes before examination. Pain was assessed based on PIPP (premature infant pain index). Results: The amount of pain after using oral sucrose was significantly lower than the ketamine-acetaminophen (P-value=0.011) and fentanyl-acetaminophen (P-value=0.027) groups, but there was not a statistically significant difference between the two groups of ketamine-acetaminophen and fentanyl-acetaminophen (P-value=0.953). The hypoxia was more prevalent in the ketamine-acetaminophen group (18.8%), and the least hypoxia occurred in the oral sucrose treatment group (7%) (P-value=0.028). Conclusion: It is concluded that the effect of non-pharmacological drugs is greater than pharmacological drugs in reducing the pain of neonates during ROP examination. The effect of oral sucrose in reducing pain was more significant than ketamine-acetaminophen and fentanyl-acetaminophen. However, there was no significant difference between the two groups of ketamine-acetaminophen and fentanyl-acetaminophen

The Effect of Mesenchymal Stem Cells Derived-Conditioned Media in Combination with Oral Anti-Androgenic Drugs on Male Pattern Baldness: An Animal Study

Objective: Androgenetic alopecia (AGA) is a prevalent form of hair loss, mainly caused by follicular sensitivity toandrogens. Despite developing different anti-androgen treatment options, the success rate of these treatments hasbeen limited. Using animal models, this study evaluated the therapeutic effects of umbilical cord (UC) stem cellconditioned media (CM) combined with oral anti-androgens for hair regeneration.Materials and Methods: In this experimental study, Poloxamer 407 (P407) was used as a drug carrier forsubcutaneous testosterone injection. AGA models were treated with oral finasteride, oral flutamide, and CMinjections. Samples were thoroughly evaluated and compared using histological, stereological, and molecularanalyses.Results: Injecting CM-loaded hydrogel alone or combined with oral intake of anti-androgens improved hair regeneration.These treatments could promote hair growth by inducing hair follicles in the anagen stage and shortening the telogenand catagen phases. Furthermore, the combination treatment led to an upregulation of hair induction gene expressionwith a downregulation of inflammation genes.Conclusion: Through a reduction in inflammation, injection of CM-loaded hydrogel alone or combined with oral intakeof anti-androgens induces the hair cell cycle with regeneration in damaged follicles. Hence, this could be a promisingtherapeutic method for AGA patients

Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing to Reduce Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder and Related Symptoms among Forcibly Displaced People: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Purpose: This study is a meta-analysis on the efficacy of eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) in reducing Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and co-occurring depression, and anxiety symptoms among forcibly displaced people. Methods: A search was followed by data extraction and assessment of risk of bias. Within- and between-conditions effect sizes of posttest and follow-up outcomes using a random effects model were examined, with heterogeneity and subgroup analyses. Results: Twenty-two studies (N = 1964) were included and seventeen (N = 1652) had complete data for the meta-analysis. There were medium to large effect size reductions on PTSD, depression, and anxiety within-conditions. EMDR was more effective than other conditions at posttest for PTSD symptoms but outcomes for the posttests and follow-ups for depression and anxiety were inconclusive. Discussion: EMDR effectively reduced PTSD symptoms, depression, and anxiety among forcibly displaced people. More studies with larger samples and better designs are needed

Harmful Effects of Alcohol Use in Iran: Acting Now is Crucial

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