In-Vitro Investigation of the Fracture Strength of Pulpotomized Primary Molars Restored with Glass Ionomer, Amalgam and Composite Resin with and without Cusp Reduction

Objective: Resistance to fracture is a critical issue when it comes to tooth restoration. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the fracture resistance of pulpotomized primary molars restored with glass ionomer (GI), amalgam and composite resin with and without cusp reduction.Methods: In this in-vitro experimental study, 60 extracted primary teeth were randomly divided into 6 groups of 10. In all groups except for the control group, conventional pulpotomy and MOD cavity preparation were performed in a way that the cavity isthmus width was equal to two-third of the inter cuspal distance. Group 1 teeth were restored with Kerr amalgam and underwent 1.5 mm cusp reduction, group 2 received Z250 composite resin onlay with 1.5 mm cuspal coverage, group 3 was restored similar to group 2 but without cusp reduction, group 4 was restored as group 3 but with Quixfil composite and group 5 was restored just like the former two groups but with GI. The  restored teeth underwent thermocycling and were subjected to Universal Testing Machine with a crosshead speed of 0.5 mm/min. The recorded fracture resistance of specimens was compared. One- way ANOVA was used for statistical analysis.Results: The mean fracture resistance was 2001.929 in the control group, 904.749 in the amalgam group, 1101.736 in Z250 composite with no cusp reduction group, 1036.185 in the Quixfil  composite with no cusp reduction, 945.096 in the Z250 composite with cusp reduction and 850.313 in the GI group. The difference between the control group and other understudy groups was statistically significant (p<0.0001) but other differences were not statistically meaningful.Conclusion: Although in none of the groups the fracture strength was equal to that of intact primary teeth, the obtained values were within the normal range of masticatory forces

Citrullus colocynthis as the Cause of Acute Rectorrhagia

Introduction. Citrullus colocynthis Schrad. is a commonly used medicinal plant especially as a hypoglycemic agent. Case Presentation. Four patients with colocynth intoxication are presented. The main clinical feature was acute rectorrhagia preceeded by mucosal diarrhea with tenesmus, which gradually progressed to bloody diarrhea and overt rectorrhagia within 3 to 4 hours. The only colonoscopic observation was mucosal erosion which was completely resolved in follow-up colonoscopy after 14 days. Conclusion. The membranolytic activity of some C. colocynthis ingredients is responsible for the intestinal damage. Patients and herbalists should be acquainted with the proper use and side effects of the herb. Clinicians should also be aware of C. colocynthis as a probable cause of lower GI bleeding in patients with no other suggestive history, especially diabetics

Chlamydia trachomatis, Neisseria gonorrhoeae, and Trichomonas vaginalis among women with genitourinary infection and pregnancy-related complications in Tehran: A cross-sectional study

The present study investigates the prevalence of Chlamydia trachomatis (CT), Neisseria gonorrhoeae (NG), and Trichomonas vaginalis (TV) among women with genitourinary infection and pregnancy-related complications in Tehran. It also evaluates the demographic information, symptoms, and sequelae. Endocervical samples were obtained over a period of eight months from 360 women including 180 symptomatic patients and 180 patients with pregnancy-related complications and infertility. CT, NG, and TV were detected in 10.8%, 6.9%, and 8.3% of all patients, respectively. The prevalence of CT, NG, and TV among women in the symptomatic group was 11.1%, 7.2%, and 13.3%, respectively, and among women with pregnancy-related complications and infertility was 10.6%, 6.7%, and 3.3%, respectively. Associations between chlamydia and ectopic pregnancy (p = 0.001), and infertility (p < 0.001) were observed. Abortion (p = 0.008), infertility (p = 0.005), and ectopic pregnancy (p < 0.001) were associated with gonorrhea. Abnormal vaginal discharge (p = 0.02) and vulvar itching (p = 0.02) were associated with trichomoniasis. Overall, the prevalence rates of CT, NG, and TV were high in these patient groups. These high prevalences suggest that screening programs are required to reduce the burden of these sexually transmitted infections and their effects on genitourinary symptoms, pregnancy-related complications, and infertility

Experimental investigation of thermophysical properties, entropy generation and convective heat transfer for a nitrogen-doped graphene nanofluid in a laminar flow regime

Nitrogen-doped graphene (NDG) nanofluids are prepared using a two-step method in an aqueous solution of 0.025. wt% Triton X-100 as a surfactant with various nanosheets at several concentrations (0.01, 0.02, 0.04, 0.06. wt%). The results are reported of experiments on the thermal conductivity, viscosity and convective heat transfer behavior of NDG nanofluids undergoing laminar flowing in a circular tube. The results indicate that, compared to the base liquid, the thermal conductivity is enhanced for NDG nanofluids by between 22.15% and 36.78%, and the heat transfer coefficient of the NDG nanofluids is increased by 7-50%. The measurements also show that the pressure drop of the nanofluids increased by between 0.08% and 14.4%. In addition, the overall performance of the tested nanofluids are assessed based on the performance index and optimum work conditions, demonstrating that the nanofluids can be advantageous in practical applications