Effect of triple antibiotic paste and calcium hydroxide as intracanal medicaments on bond strength of composite to dentin

Objective: Considering the use of triple antibiotic paste (TAP) for root canal treatment of open apex teeth, this study aimed to assess the effect of TAP and calcium hydroxide (CH) on bond strength of composite to dentin.Methods: This in-vitro study was conducted on 32 extracted human premolar teeth. After disinfection with 2% thymol solution, the enamel on the buccal surface of specimens was removed  to expose a smooth dentin surface parallel to the long axis of the teeth with approximately 19mm2 surface areas. Specimens were divided into three groups of 11, 10 and 11 specimens. In group one, TAP, in group two CH and in group three, saline solution were applied to dentin surfaces for 14 days. After removal of medicaments, composite cylinders were bonded to the dentin surfaces using a bonding agent. Shear bond strength was measured in an Instron machine at a crosshead speed of 1mm/min. Data were analyzed using one-way ANOVA.Results: The highest mean bond strength belonged to the control group (14.4760 MPa) and the lowest belonged to the TAP group (11.5808 MPa). The mean bond strength in CH group was less than that of the control and higher than that of the TAP group (11.7834 MPa). However, the difference among the three groups was not statistically significant (p=0.327).Conclusion: Use of medicaments such as CH and TAP has no effect on bond strength of composite to dentin

Effect of triple antibiotic paste and calcium hydroxide as intracanal medicaments on bond strength of composite to dentin

Objective: Considering the use of triple antibiotic paste (TAP) for root canal treatment of open apex teeth, this study aimed to assess the effect of TAP and calcium hydroxide (CH) on bond strength of composite to dentin. Methods: This in-vitro study was conducted on 32 extracted human premolar teeth. After disinfection with 2% thymol solution, the enamel on the buccal surface of specimens was removed to expose a smooth dentin surface parallel to the long axis of the teeth with approximately 19mm2 surface areas. Specimens were divided into three groups of 11, 10 and 11 specimens. In group one, TAP, in group two CH and in group three, saline solution were applied to dentin surfaces for 14 days. After removal of medicaments, composite cylinders were bonded to the dentin surfaces using a bonding agent. Shear bond strength was measured in an Instron machine at a crosshead speed of 1mm/min. Data were analyzed using one-way ANOVA. Results: The highest mean bond strength belonged to the control group (14.4760 MPa) and the lowest belonged to the TAP group (11.5808 MPa). The mean bond strength in CH group was less than that of the control and higher than that of the TAP group (11.7834 MPa). However, the difference among the three groups was not statistically significant (p=0.327). Conclusion: Use of medicaments such as CH and TAP has no effect on bond strength of composite to dentin

Downregulation of ITM2A Gene Expression in Macrophages of Patients with Ankylosing Spondylitis

Objectives: Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) is a rheumatic disorder that is mostly determined by genetic and environmental factors. Given the known importance of macrophage in AS pathogenesis, we investigated the transcriptional profile of macrophage cells in the disease. Methods and Results: Two approaches of differential expression and subsequently, weighted gene co-expression network analysis was utilized to analyze a publicly available microarray dataset of macrophages. Integral membrane protein 2A (ITM2A) was among the most significant genes with a decreased trend in the common results of both methods. In order to confirm the finding, the expression of ITM2A was evaluated in monocyte-derived (M2-like) and M1 macrophages obtained from 14 AS patients and 14 controls. Macrophages were differentiated from whole-blood separated monocytes by 7 days incubating with macrophage colony-stimulating factor and then macrophages specific markers were verified with the flow cytometer. M1 polarization was induced by IFN-gamma and lipopolysaccharide. Finally, relative gene expression analysis by real-time polymerase chain reaction revealed a significant downregulation of the ITM2A gene in both M2 like and M1 macrophages of the AS group compared to the control. Conclusion: Since ITM2A plays a critical role in osteo- and chondrogenic cellular differentiation, our finding may provide new insights into AS pathogenesis.Peer reviewe

The Effect of Rheum ribes Root (Rhubarb) on Menopausal Hot Flashes: a Randomized Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial

Background and objectives: Hot flashes are one of the most predominant complaints of menopause among women. The main treatment is hormone replacement therapy, which has side effects. Therefore, the use of plants with phytoestrogen has been suggested as an adjunctive treatment.  This study aimed to estimate the efficacy of processed rhubarb (Rheum ribes L.) on hot flashes in postmenopausal women. Methods: This double-blind placebo-controlled trial was performed on postmenopausal women who were referred to public health centers at Iran University of Medical Sciences. Ninety postmenopausal women aged over 45 years with menopausal hot flashes were randomly assigned to two groups. The treatment group received 500 mg of encapsulated processed R. ribes twice a day for eight weeks, and the control group received placebo (starch powder) in the same manner. Data were collected using Blatt–Kupperman index at the start of the study, fourth and eighth weeks after the intervention. Descriptive and analytic statistics were used to analyze the data. Results: A total of 74 patients completed the study (39 participants in the intervention group and 35 in the control group). The results showed that R. ribes significantly decreased the mean of flashing in Blatt–Kupperman index four and eight weeks post-intervention (p<0.001). Rheum ribes showed no serious adverse effects. Conclusion: The findings of this study propose that treatment with R. ribes may be considered an adjunctive treatment for hot flashes in postmenopausal women

A Comparison of the Effect of Ajwain (Trachyspermum ammi (L.) Sprague) and Mefenamic Acid for Alleviating the Symptoms of Primary Dysmenorrhea: An Open-Label Randomized Controlled Trial

Trachyspermum ammi (L.) Sprague (commonly known as ajwain) contains ingredients that attenuate menstrual problems, especially cramping. In this study, we evaluated the impact of ajwain on the pain intensity in a sample of Iranian female college students with primary dysmenorrhea (PD) in comparison to mefenamic acid (MFA). This study was an open-label, randomized, parallel-group clinical trial conducted in the university dormitories in Tehran, Iran, from September 2018 to May 2019. Seventy patients were randomly assigned to two groups of ajwain and MFA. The participants in the ajwain group were treated with a 500 mg ajwain capsule three times a day for seven days, from the 26th cycle day to the 3rd day of the menstrual cycle, for three consecutive cycle periods. The other group received MFA capsules with the first dose of 500 mg and then 250 mg every eight hours, if necessary, from the first day of the menstrual cycle. The two groups were compared in terms of the pain intensity by the visual analog scale (VAS) in pre-intervention cycle and three consecutive cycles during the study. Maximum pain intensity, mean pain, and duration of pain after the intervention were significantly reduced in both groups. The mean VAS score significantly decreased in the ajwain group compared to the MFA group post-intervention (p < 0.02). Moreover, passing blood clots was significantly reduced in the ajwain group (p < 0.03). The findings of this study suggest that ajwain may be effective in pain relief in PD without adverse effects

Downregulation of Autophagy-related Genes in Macrophages from Patients with Behcet's Disease

Objective: Overwhelming inflammatory chemokines and cytokines characterize the immunological profile and inflammatory settings of Behcet disease (BD). The connection between autophagy-related genes (ATGs) and various perspectives of innate and adaptive immunobiology such as antigen presentation, immune tolerance, lymphocyte development and differentiation, cytokine signaling, and inflammation have been implicated. The aim of this study was to evaluate the mRNA expression profile of ATGs in macrophages of patients with BD. Materials and Methods: Whole blood samples were obtained from 10 BD patients and 10 healthy controls. Monocytes were isolated from the blood samples and then differentiated to macrophages using macrophage colony-stimulating factor (M-CSF). After total RNA extraction and cDNA synthesis, quantitative analysis of ATGs including ATG5, ATG7, ATG12, LC3b, mTOR, RAPTOR, and RICTOR was conducted by SYBR Green master mix and real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Results: mRNA expression of all ATGs was downregulated in macrophages of BD patients compared with healthy controls. It is worth to note that the downregulation of ATG12 and LC3b mRNAs in macrophages of BD patients was statistically significant in comparison to that of healthy control group (P = 0.007 and 0.021, respectively). Conclusion: Considering the role of autophagy in initiation of immune responses and then clearance of dead cells as well as its participation in the development and differentiation of immune cells, downregulation of ATGs in macrophages of BD patients may be involved in uncontrolled immune response and overproduction of inflammatory cytokines

Effect of Nano-Zinc Oxide on the Physical and Mechanical properties of Paulownia Wood (Paulownia fortunei)

Present research was conducted investigate to physical (water absorption and volumetric swelling) and mechanical properties (MOE, MOR, Compression strength parallel to the grain and hardness) of Paulownia fortunei impregnated with Nano-zinc Oxide with size range from 10 to 80 nm. Specimens were impregnated with a 5000 ppm aqueous suspension of nano-zinc oxide, at 2.5 bars in a pressure vessel for 20 minutes. Results showed that modulus of rupture (MOR), modulus of elasticity (MOE) and compression strength parallel to the grain were significantly increased in impregnated specimens. The only mechanical property decreased by nanoparticle-impregnation was hardness. Highest water absorbtion and volumetric swelling took place during first 8 hours of soaking period. Results of the analysis of variance showed that the impregnation of wood with nano-zinc oxide was positive and significantly affected water absorption and volumetric swelling of Paulownia fortunei

Investigation of hTERT gene expression levels in two cell lines infected by high-risk human papilloma virus

Background: Human papilloma virus (HPV) is one of the most important factors in cervical cancer. Viral sequences are integrated into the host cell genome. In mild cases the virus causes skin damages, in severe cases it leads to cancer. Like many other cancers, telomerase gene expression was increased in cervical cancer. This enzyme is a reverse transcriptase that contains two common subunits: i) catalytic protein called human telomerase reverse transcriptase (hTERT) and, ii) RNA sequence called hTR. hTERT expression is hardly found in any somatic tissues. Detection of high telomerase activity in human cells, lead to tumor genesis. So hTERT can be used as a diagnostic tool in cancer detection. Methods: This experimental study was carried out from May 2013 to April 2014 in Nanobiotechnology Research Center, Baqiyatallah University of Medical Sciences in Tehran, Iran. Caski and Hela cancer cell lines were used which contain HPV16 and HPV18 respectively. Cell lines were cultured and total RNA was extracted. Following normalization agent glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GADPH), hTERT expression level was determining by real-time PCR method. For each sample, the expression level of hTERT and GAPDH were quantified as copy numbers (per reaction) using the standard curve. Finally, hTERT levels in Hela and Caski cell lines were compared quantitatively by t-test using GraphPad statistic software version 5 (San Diego, CA, USA). Results: According to the charts real-time PCR, hTERT gene expression in Hela and Caski cancer cell lines is significantly different (t=0.0319). Conclusion: All results confirm that hTERT expression levels in Hela and Caski cell lines are significantly different and the level of hTERT expression in the Caski cell line was slightly higher than that of Hela cell line. The significant difference between hTERT mRNA expression levels reported here could be used as a tumor marker for HPV16 and HPV18 in cervical cancer

Association of Killer Cell Immunoglobulin- Like Receptor Genes in Iranian Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis.

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic inflammatory disorder characterized by persistent synovitis, ultimately leading to cartilage and bone degeneration. Natural Killer cells and CD28 null T-cells are suspected as role players in RA pathogenesis. These cells are similar in feature and function, as they both exert their cytotoxic effect via Killer Cell Immunoglobulin- Like Receptors (KIR) on their surface. KIR genes have either an inhibitory or activating effect depending on their intracytoplasmic structure. Herein we genotyped 16 KIR genes, 3 pseudo genes and 6 HLA class І genes as their corresponding ligands in RA patients and control subjects.In this case-control study, KIR and HLA genes were genotyped in 400 RA patients and 372 matched healthy controls using sequence-specific primers (SSP-PCR). Differences in the frequency of genes and haplotypes were determined by χ² test.KIR2DL2, 2DL5a, 2DL5b and activating KIR: KIR2DS5 and 3DS1 were all protective against RA. KIR2DL5 removal from a full Inhibitory KIR haplotype converted the mild protection (OR = 0.56) to a powerful predisposition to RA (OR = 16.47). Inhibitory haplotype No. 7 comprising KIR2DL5 in the absence of KIR2DL1 and KIR2DL3 confers a 14-fold protective effect against RA.Individuals carrying the inhibitory KIR haplotype No. 6 have a high potential risk for developing RA

Effect of Sambucus ebulus extract on neural stem cell prolifration under oxidative stress condition

Background and Aim: Recently, several studies have indicated that the central nervous system has the capacity for endogenous repair. But, the proliferation capacity of endogenous neural stem cells (NSCs) isn’t sufficient for the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases. So, it sounds that stimulation of endogenous NSC proliferation is essential for neuroregeneration. The aim of this study was to examine the effects of Sambucus ebulus extract on the proliferation of neonatal rat hippocampus-derived neural stem cells (NSCs) under oxidative stress condition induced by H2O2.  Material and Methods: The NSCs were isolated from neonatal rat hippocampus. To confirm neural characteristics of neural stem cells, the expression of neural-specific marker, Nestin was investigated by immunocytochemistry technique. 5×104 cells were cultured in every well of a 96 well plate and H2O2 was added to induce oxidative stress condition. Then NSCs were exposed to 50 µg Sambucus ebulus extract for 24 hours, at various concentrations (25, 50, 100, 200, 400 and 500 μg/ml). The cell proliferation rate was assessed by MTT colorimetry assay before and after treatment with the extract. Results: Immunofluorescent studies showed that neural stem cells expressed specific neural marker; Nestin. The proliferation rate of NSCs increased in the treated groups in comparison to that in the control group. The highest rate of survival was observed when Sambucus ebulus was used at the concentration of 500 μg/ml. (P<0.05). Conclusion: The results showed that the methanolic extract of Sambucus ebulus can promote proliferation and survival of NCSs in vitro and also after exposure to oxidative stress condition, suggesting its potential beneficial effect on neuroregeneration. Key Words: Neural stem cells, Sambucus ebulus, Proliferation, Survival.   Received: Jan 13, 2018     Accepted: Apr 11, 201