Comparison of Diagnostic Value of Cast Analyzer X Iranian Software versus Curve Expert Software for Arch Form Construction based on Mathematical Models

Objective: For the assessment of primary arch form, different methods have been used including qualitative classifications, inter-canine and inter-molar widths and quantitative and numerical methods using mathematical models. The purpose of this study was to compare the validity and reliability of Cast Analyzer X Iranian software with those of Curve Expert Professional version 1.1 for arch form construction based on mathematical models.Methods: This diagnostic, in vitro study was performed on 18 sets of dental casts with normal Class I occlusion. The clinical buccal points (bracket attachment sites)(CBPs) were marked on each tooth and their spatial coordinates were digitized using a three-dimensional (3D) laser scanning system. These coordinates were entered in Cast Analyzer X and Curve Expert software programs. Arch forms were constructed by the software programs using Brown’s beta function, Noroozi’s beta function and fourth order polynomial equation. The root mean square (RMS) of the distance from a reference point to their corresponding points on the curve was calculated. The RMS values in the  two software programs were compared.Results: The RMS values in Brown’s beta function, Noroozi’s beta function and fourth order polynomial equation were significantly different in the Cast Analyzer X software (p<0.001) and the fourth order polynomial equation had the lowest RMS. The difference in RMS values between the two software programs was not clinically considerable and was 0.45 and 0.68 mm for the fourth order polynomial equation and Brown’s beta function, respectively.Conclusion: Considering the RMS values, the fourth order polynomial equation is the most suitable analysis for describing normal dental arch forms best fitted with the CBPs. Although the difference between the two software programs was statistically significant, this difference was not clinically noticeable. The RMS value was lower in Cast Analyzer X and consequently the fitting of curves  with the landmarks (CBP) was better in the Iranian software

Novel Single Base Pair Deletion in ATM Cause Ataxia Telangiectasia in an Iranian Proband

Ataxia-telangiectasia is a rare disorder with neurological manifestations and caused by mutations in ATM gene. This gene produce a serine/threonine protein kinase, an activator of the DNA damage response in the face of DNA DSBs, which phosphorylates downstream substrates integrating with DNA repair procedure. Most ATM mutations are private mutations and, there is no mutational hotspots in the ATM gene. We unveiled a new mutation in this gene in an 8 years old A-T patient. This mutation led to fundamental alterations in ATM protein structure and representation of AT lastly.

Phytochemicals Analysis and Antioxidant Potential of Hydroalcoholic Extracts of Fresh Fruits of Pistacia atlantica and Pistacia khinjuk

Medicinal plants are known for containing potent antioxidants, primarily due to the presence of phytochemical components with diverse biological properties. In this study, we assessed the chemical constituents and antioxidant potential of Pistacia atlantica and P. khinjuk. The essential oils from P. atlantica and P. khinjuk oleoresin were obtained through hydrodistillation, and their chemical constituents were identified using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Additionally, we evaluated the total phenolic and flavonoid contents, total antioxidant activity, and free radical quenching potentials of hydroalcoholic extracts from P. atlantica and P. khinjuk. These assessments were performed using the Folin-Ciocalteu method, aluminum chloride method, phosphomolybdate test, and 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) inhibition assay (Half-maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50 value)), respectively. The results revealed that the major phytochemical components in P. atlantica essential oil were ?-pinene, camphene, ?-pinene, D-limonene, cyclohexene, and careen. Additionally, P. khinjuk essential oil contained ?-pinene, ?-Pinene, trans-verbnol, bicyclo(3.1.1.)heptan, verbenene, camphene, D-limonene, and ?-campholenal. Furthermore, the total phenols and flavonoids content of P. atlantica were higher than those of P. khinjuk. However, the total antioxidant capacity was significantly greater in P. khinjuk than in P. atlantica. The IC50 value (DPPH assay) was also significantly higher in P. khinjuk compared to P. atlantica. Although the essential oils of both plants exhibited antioxidant effects, P. atlantica essential oils demonstrated superior antioxidant effects compared to P. khinjuk. In conclusion, the presence of abundant phytochemical components, such as monoterpenes, was observed in both the plants. These findings suggest that P. atlantica and P. khinjuk generally possess considerable antioxidant activity

The Role of Business Cycles in the Impact of Government Expenditure Components on Income Distribution (MSAR Approach)

The government expenditure in economic affairs can act as a tool for creating and sustaining development by improving income distribution. Therefore, prioritization and optimal allocation of economic expenditures of governments will be so important. In this regard, the present study has investigated the impact of government expenditure on economic sector and related sub-sectors (agriculture, industry and mining, trade, information technology, energy, housing, transportation, environment, cooperatives affairs, and water resources) on income distribution in Iran's economy during business cycles. In this study, Markov Switching Auto Regressive model (MSAR) has been used to estimate time-series data during the time period between 1973 to 2019. The result of the study indicates that economic sector and agricultural, water resources and transportation subsectors during business cycles, “housing, trade, and cooperative affairs” subsectors during the boom periods, and the environment subsector during the recession periods have reduced income inequality significantly. Also, the government expenditure in industrial, mining, and energy subsectors during business cycles and information technology subsector during the boom periods have increased income inequality significantly. Finally, the subsectors of agricultural, water, industry and mining, commerce and cooperation, transportation have been more stable in the recession regime. Meanwhile, the economic sector and subsectors of information technology, housing and development, environment and energy have been more stable in the boom regime. Therefore, the components of government expenditure on income distribution have asymmetric behavior

Evaluation of antibacterial and antifungal activities of Pistacia atlantica and Pistacia khinjuk

Medicinal plants are renowned for their various therapeutic properties, including antibacterial and antifungal activities. This study aimed to investigate the antibacterial and antifungal activities of P. atlantica and P. khinjuk. Hydroalcoholic extracts of P. atlantica and P. khinjuk were prepared to assess their antibacterial and antifungal activities. Standard strains of Bacillus cereus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Klebsiella pneumonia, Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans, Porphyromonas gingivalis, and Aspergillus flavus were utilized for the evaluation of antibacterial and antifungal activities. The inhibitory effects of the extracts on the growth of bacterial and fungal strains were evaluated using minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimal bactericidal concentration (MBC) through a 96-well microplate analysis following CLSI guidelines. Our findings revealed that the MICs and MBCs of P. atlantica and P. khinjuk for bacterial strains ranged from 0 to 64 mg/mL. Additionally, the MIC and MFC values for fungal strains ranged from 16 to 64 mg/mL. The results indicated that Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Klebsiella pneumonia were the most sensitive bacterial strains to P. atlantica. Furthermore, Aspergillus flavus was identified as the most sensitive fungal strain to P. atlantica. In conclusion, these findings suggest that P. atlantica and P. khinjuk possess antibacterial and antifungal effects. The paper argues that these plant extracts could be used as a supplementary treatment alongside conventional antibacterial and antifungal drugs

Tumor necrosis factor- α, adiponectin and their ratio in gestational diabetes mellitus

Background: It has been suggested that inflammation might be implicated in the gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) complications, including insulin resistance. The aims of the current study were to explore maternal circulating values of TNF-α, adiponectin and the adiponectin/TNF-α ratio in women with GDM compared with normal pregnancy and their relationships with metabolic syndrome biomarkers. Methods: Forty women with GDM and 40 normal pregnant women were included in the study. Commercially available enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay methods were used to measure serum levels of TNF-α and total adiponectin. Results: Women with GDM had higher values of TNF-α (225.08±27.35 vs 115.68±12.64 pg/ml, p<0.001) and lower values of adiponectin (4.50±0.38 vs 6.37±0.59 µg/ml, p=0.003) and the adiponectin/TNF-α ratio (4.31±0.05 vs 4.80±0.07, P<0.001) than normal pregnant women. The adiponectin/TNF-α ratio showed negative correlations with insulin resistance (r=-0.68, p<0.001) and triglyceride (r=-0.39, p=0.014) and a positive correlation with insulin sensitivity (r=0.69, p<0.001). Multiple linear regression analysis showed that values of the adiponectin /TNF-α ratio were independently associated with insulin resistance. Binary logistic regression analysis showed that GDM was negatively associated with adiponectin /TNF-α ratio. Conclusions: In summary, the adiponectin/TNF-α ratio decreased significantly in GDM compared with normal pregnancy. The ratio might be an informative biomarker for assessment of pregnant women at high risk of insulin resistance and dyslipidemia and for diagnosis and therapeutic monitoring aims in GDM

Effects of Dexmedetomidine on Clinical Outcomes and Renal Function after CABG

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Three doses of a recombinant conjugated SARS-CoV-2 vaccine early after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation: predicting indicators of a high serologic response—a prospective, single-arm study

BackgroundAllogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplant (allo-HSCT) recipients must be vaccinated against SARS-CoV-2 as quickly as possible after transplantation. The difficulty in obtaining recommended SARS-CoV-2 vaccines for allo-HSCT recipients motivated us to utilize an accessible and affordable SARS-CoV-2 vaccine with a recombinant receptor-binding domain (RBD)–tetanus toxoid (TT)-conjugated platform shortly after allo-HSCT in the developing country of Iran.MethodsThis prospective, single-arm study aimed to investigate immunogenicity and its predictors following a three-dose SARS-CoV-2 RBD–TT-conjugated vaccine regimen administered at 4-week (± 1-week) intervals in patients within 3–12 months post allo-HSCT. An immune status ratio (ISR) was measured at baseline and 4 weeks (± 1 week) after each vaccine dose using a semiquantitative immunoassay. Using the median ISR as a cut-off point for immune response intensity, we performed a logistic regression analysis to determine the predictive impact of several baseline factors on the intensity of the serologic response following the third vaccination dose.ResultsThirty-six allo-HSCT recipients, with a mean age of 42.42 years and a median time of 133 days between hematopoietic stem cell transplant (allo-HSCT) and the start of vaccination, were analyzed. Our findings, using the generalized estimating equation (GEE) model, indicated that, compared with the baseline ISR of 1.55 [95% confidence interval (CI) 0.94 to 2.17], the ISR increased significantly during the three-dose SARS-CoV-2 vaccination regimen. The ISR reached 2.32 (95% CI 1.84 to 2.79; p = 0.010) after the second dose and 3.87 (95% CI 3.25 to 4.48; p = 0.001) after the third dose of vaccine, reflecting 69.44% and 91.66% seropositivity, respectively. In a multivariate logistic regression analysis, the female sex of the donor [odds ratio (OR) 8.67; p = 0.028] and a higher level donor ISR at allo-HSCT (OR 3.56; p = 0.050) were the two positive predictors of strong immune response following the third vaccine dose. No serious adverse events (i.e., grades 3 and 4) were observed following the vaccination regimen.ConclusionsWe concluded that early vaccination of allo-HSCT recipients with a three-dose RBD–TT-conjugated SARS-CoV-2 vaccine is safe and could improve the early post-allo-HSCT immune response. We further believe that the pre-allo-HSCT SARS-CoV-2 immunization of donors may enhance post-allo-HSCT seroconversion in allo-HSCT recipients who receive the entire course of the SARS-CoV-2 vaccine during the first year after allo-HSCT

Association of Interleukin 10 And Transforming Growth Factor β Gene Polymorphisms with Chronic Idiopathic Urticaria

Transforming growth factor β (TGF-β) and interleukin 10 (IL-10) are two anti-inflammatory cytokines that are implicated in the pathogenesis of urticaria. The goal of this study was to examine the possible association of polymorphisms of TGF-β and IL-10 genes with susceptibility to chronic idiopathic urticaria (CIU). This study was conducted on 90 patients with CIU. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was done to determine the genotype at 5 polymorphic sites; TGF-β (codon10C/T and codon25G/C) and IL-10 (-1082G/A, -819C/T, and -592C/A). The C allele at codon 25 of TGF-β was more prevalent in CIU patients compared to controls (OR = 9.5, 95% CI = 5.4-16.8, P<0.001). Genotypes of CT and CG at 10 and 25 codons of TGF-β gene, respectively, and AG, CT, and CA for loci of -1082, -819, and -592 of IL-10 gene were significantly higher in CIU patients (P<0.001). In haplotype analysis, frequency of TGF-β haplotypes differed between patients with CIU and controls; CC haplotype was overrepresented, while CG and TG haplotypes were underrepresented (P<0.001). These results suggest that TGF-β and IL-10 genetic variability could contribute to susceptibility to CIU. Additionally, patients with CIU seem to have genotypes leading to high production of TGF-β and IL-10.</p

Worldwide trends in diabetes since 1980: a pooled analysis of 751 population-based studies with 4.4 million participants

BACKGROUND: One of the global targets for non-communicable diseases is to halt, by 2025, the rise in the age-standardised adult prevalence of diabetes at its 2010 levels. We aimed to estimate worldwide trends in diabetes, how likely it is for countries to achieve the global target, and how changes in prevalence, together with population growth and ageing, are affecting the number of adults with diabetes. METHODS: We pooled data from population-based studies that had collected data on diabetes through measurement of its biomarkers. We used a Bayesian hierarchical model to estimate trends in diabetes prevalence—defined as fasting plasma glucose of 7·0 mmol/L or higher, or history of diagnosis with diabetes, or use of insulin or oral hypoglycaemic drugs—in 200 countries and territories in 21 regions, by sex and from 1980 to 2014. We also calculated the posterior probability of meeting the global diabetes target if post-2000 trends continue. FINDINGS: We used data from 751 studies including 4 372 000 adults from 146 of the 200 countries we make estimates for. Global age-standardised diabetes prevalence increased from 4·3% (95% credible interval 2·4–7·0) in 1980 to 9·0% (7·2–11·1) in 2014 in men, and from 5·0% (2·9–7·9) to 7·9% (6·4–9·7) in women. The number of adults with diabetes in the world increased from 108 million in 1980 to 422 million in 2014 (28·5% due to the rise in prevalence, 39·7% due to population growth and ageing, and 31·8% due to interaction of these two factors). Age-standardised adult diabetes prevalence in 2014 was lowest in northwestern Europe, and highest in Polynesia and Micronesia, at nearly 25%, followed by Melanesia and the Middle East and north Africa. Between 1980 and 2014 there was little change in age-standardised diabetes prevalence in adult women in continental western Europe, although crude prevalence rose because of ageing of the population. By contrast, age-standardised adult prevalence rose by 15 percentage points in men and women in Polynesia and Micronesia. In 2014, American Samoa had the highest national prevalence of diabetes (>30% in both sexes), with age-standardised adult prevalence also higher than 25% in some other islands in Polynesia and Micronesia. If post-2000 trends continue, the probability of meeting the global target of halting the rise in the prevalence of diabetes by 2025 at the 2010 level worldwide is lower than 1% for men and is 1% for women. Only nine countries for men and 29 countries for women, mostly in western Europe, have a 50% or higher probability of meeting the global target. INTERPRETATION: Since 1980, age-standardised diabetes prevalence in adults has increased, or at best remained unchanged, in every country. Together with population growth and ageing, this rise has led to a near quadrupling of the number of adults with diabetes worldwide. The burden of diabetes, both in terms of prevalence and number of adults affected, has increased faster in low-income and middle-income countries than in high-income countries. FUNDING: Wellcome Trust