Evaluation of Dental Residents’ Experiences on Related Sciences Course: A Qualitative Study

Background & Objective: Although residency courses in Iran have witnessed positive developments, there are still some challenges, necessitating further evaluations of these courses. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to identify the current problems and offer solutions for the obstacles to the related sciences course. Methods: The current qualitative study was carried out in the School Dentistry of Mashhad University of Medical Sciences in 2013-2014, with a focus on content analysis. The participants consisted of postgraduate students selected using purposeful sampling technique. Data were collected through observation and interviews, and then, coded and assigned to pre-determined categories. Results: Data gave rise to the emergence of several concepts that can be used to depict the learning and teaching experiences of the related sciences course by postgraduate dental students. These concepts included the nature of interdisciplinary clinical learning, interdisciplinary education and exchange of ideas, group discussions and familiarity with new therapeutic modalities, being a member of the dental team, team work spirit, stress and anxiety resulting from the program, suitable tutor-student relationship, differences in interdisciplinary backgrounds and learning sources, conversions of potential abilities to full capabilities, interesting aspects of clinical experience along with theoretical knowledge, contradictions and similarities between practical activities and learning, and dependence. Conclusion: Although the duration of each residency course appears to be sufficient, it is of great importance to establish more communication between different dental specialties from theoretical and practical aspects to make the dental specialty course graduates more efficient. Key Words: Dental residents, Education, Related science

Gene Expression Analysis of VEGF and Its Receptors and Assessment of Its Serum Level in Unexplained Recurrent Spontaneous Abortion

Objective: Unexplained recurrent spontaneous abortion (URSA) is one of the main complications of pregnancy which is usually defined as three or more consecutive pregnancy losses before the 20th week of gestation without a known cause. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is a potent angiogenic factor and shown, along with its receptors (VEGFR1, 2), to play important roles in several physiologic processes including reproduction. The aim of the present study was to analyze gene expression of VEGF and VEGF receptors in endometrium of patients with a history of URSA compared with normal fertile women. In addition, serum VEGF concentration was assessed and compared between the two groups at the same time. Materials and Methods: In this case control study, endometrial and blood samples were obtained between day 19th and 24th of menstrual cycle (window of implantation) from 10 women with a history of URSA (case group) and 6 fertile women who had at least one successful pregnancy (control group). Expression of VEGF and VEGFRs was studied by reverse transcription- polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and then quantified by real time PCR. Normalization of expression levels was done by comparison with beta-actin expression level as an internal control. Relative VEGF, VEGFR1 and VEGFR2 expression quantities were compared between the two groups. Enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used for serum VEGF assay. Results: VEGF, VEGFR1 and VEGFR2 gene expression was detected in endometrial samples of both groups. The mean relative expression of VEGF gene was lower in the case group compared with control women, however, both VEGF receptors were expressed higher in endometrium of the case group. In addition, the serum level of VEGF was significantly higher in the case group compared with the controls. Conclusion: Alteration in gene expression of VEGF and its receptors in endometrium and changes of serum VEGF might play important roles in pathogenesis of unexplained RS

Extragingival pyogenic granuloma: a case report

The pyogenic granuloma is thought to represent an exuberant tissue response to local irritation or trauma

The Cancer Stem Cell Hypothesis in Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma: A New Target for the Treatment

Within a single tumor clone, cells have significantly different abilities to proliferate and form new tumors. This has led to the hypothesis that most cells in a cancer have a limited ability to divide and only a small subset of distinct cells, the cancer stem cells (CSCs), has the capacity to self-renew and form new tumors . It has been proposed that the development of tumors is based exclusively on the activity of cancer stem cells (CSCs) leading to a new model of carcinogenesis, the CSC hypothesis, in opposition to the conventional model of clonal evolution. Current failure of cancer therapies may be due to their lesser effect on potentially CSCs which remain vital and retain their full capacity to repopulate the tumor. Treatment strategies for the elimination of cancer therefore need to consider the consequences of the presence of CSCs. However, the development of new CSC-targeted strategies is currently hindered by the lack of reliable markers for the identification. We review current knowledge on stem cells in relation to oral cancer, focusing on the CSC hypothesis of oral tumor genesis.   Keyword:cancer stem cell, carcinom

ПРИМЕНЕНИЕ ВОЗОБНОВЛЯЕМЫХ ИСТОЧНИКОВ ЭНЕРГИИ В РОССИЙСКОЙ ФЕДЕРАЦИИ

Objectives: Multifocal epithelial hyperplasia (MEH) is benign, asymptomatic oral disease with viral etiology. The frequency of this disease varies widely from one geographic region to another, and can vary, from 0.002 to 35% depending on the population studied. Study design: Here we report the clinicopathological features of twelve cases of MEH referred to Oral Medicine Department of Mashhad Dental School for the first time in Iran. Records of patients with the diagnosis of MEH in our department during 7 years were analyzed and data were extracted. Results: Most of the patients were younger than 20-year-old (66%), and females were predominantly affected (7:12). The mean age of onset was 12.72±10.14 years and the mean duration was 52.54 ± 78.51 months. Patients had multiple, well circumscribed, soft, non tender, flattened papules, with a color similar to the adjacent mucosa, in different areas of the oral cavity but the most affected site was buccal mucosa. Familial history of such lesions was negative in all patients. Only three cases showed spontaneous regression. Conclusion: In spite of rare nature of this disease in Asia, it seems that it is not the case in Khorasan Province, southeast Iran

Mandibular Swelling as the First Manifestation of Multiple Myeloma

Multiple myeloma is a monoclonal malignant proliferationof plasma cells. The disease is more frequent in men, andthe average age of patients at the time of diagnosis of thedisease is about 60 years. Solitary myeloma may be the firstmanifestation of the disseminated form of multiple myeloma,which is characterized by multiple skeletal lesions,general metabolic alterations, impairment of renal functionand eventually death.The findings in regards to the present case suggest that oralmanifestations may be the first sign of multiple myeloma. Thismight highlight the important role that a dentist can have inthe early diagnosis of the disease.Iran J Med Sci 2010; 35(4): 331-334

Evaluation the efficacy of educational booklet of oral diseases on the patients’ knowledge referred to Mashhad Dental School in 2016, Iran

Background: Due to the high prevalence of oral diseases and lack of knowledge, giving the proper education is needed to familiarize patients with oral diseases. Objective: This study aimed to determine the efficacy of using an educational booklet on patients` knowledge. Methods: This interventional study was conducted from spring to winter 2016 on fifty patients referred to Mashhad Dental School. An educational booklet of oral diseases describes various domains of oral diseases in six different groups. Also a questionnaire containing 18 questions of oral diseases that was prepared and used in two stages, prior to the intervention and after the intervention. The patients were divided into control (n=25) and intervention (n=25) groups. Initially, a pre-test questionnaire was given to both groups. The intervention group received the educational booklet. After one month, the post-test questionnaire was taken from both groups. Chi-square, Mann-Whitney, Fisher and independent t-test were used for statistical analysis. Findings: The difference between mean score changes was significant in both groups respectively 1.6±0.12 and 5.4±1.5 (P<0.001). The intervention significantly increased the knowledge score for all domains in the intervention group compared to the control group (P<0.001). The booklet had the most significant effect on the awareness of cancer and the least influence on pain. Conclusion: It seems that the educational booklet significantly could enhance the level of patients’ knowledge about oral diseases

Survey of Reactive Hyperplastic Lesions of the Oral Cavity in Mashhad, Northeast Iran

Background and aims. Reactive hyperplasias (RHs) are common oral mucosal lesions caused by irritation of the mucosa. The aim of this study was to evaluate the frequencies of various types of oral RHs in a university clinic. Materials and methods. Oral RH cases, undergone biopsy in a four-year period, were studied retrospectively. Data including age and gender as well as the location and clinical characteristics of the lesion were collected and analyzed. Results. A total of 123 cases (age range 7-79 years old; mean: 38.8 ± 18.50 years; male: female ratio, 1.9:1) were evaluated. Over a half of the lesions including pyogenic granuloma, giant cell granuloma, and peripheral ossifying fibroma were found in gingiva (52%). Fibroma involved mostly the buccal mucosa. Most lesions had smooth surface and sessile base. Conclusion. The clinical features of oral inflammatory hyperplasia in the studied sample were similar to those previously reported

Perspectives of Residents of Mashhad School of Dentistry about the Curriculum of Residency Program

Introduction: This study was carried out to analyze the viewpoint of the residents of school of dentistry about the curriculum presented in the residency program to students of Mashhad School of Dentistry. Methods: To evaluate the perspectives of residents of dental school about the curriculum and regulations of residency program, a questionnaire was designed whose validity and reliability were confirmed by the authorities of School of Dentistry and test-retest reliability, respectively. The questionnaire was distributed among 100 residents and 80 of them completed the questionnaires. The data were analyzed by SPSS software (version 11.5). Results: A total of 43% of residents were informed of the curriculum (e.g. academic leave, transfer, removal of semester, etc.). As for the ability to write research proposal, 42.7% of residents were reported to have a favorable status, i.e. they were able to write more than 80% of their proposal. From among the residents, 30.4% had specialized English language certificate. Most of them (77%) were satisfied with the professional staff, faculty members, of the faculty. Many students liked to participate in the teaching method courses of the residency program. Conclusion: Residents maintained that the curriculum in such domains as educational and research issues and special capabilities had some weak points. Thus, appropriate strategies are recommended to be applied to revise the curriculum using the residents’ views on these programs

Evaluating the Accuracy Rates of Clinical and Radiographic Diagnoses Compared with Histopathologic Diagnosis of Oral Exophytic Lesions

Introduction: The aim of this study was to identify the reasons for failure in clinical, radiographic, and histopathologic diagnoses as well as their interactions with each other. Methods: Personal information and lesion characteristics of 51 patients with central or peripheral exophytic lesions were collected in Mashhad dental school. Specialists determined clinical and radiographic diagnoses and after taking biopsy, the clinical and radiographic diagnoses were compared with histopathologic diagnosis. Results: Fifty three patients with oral exophytic lesions were evaluated among which 66.6% were peripheral and 33.4% were central exophytic lesions. Males constituted 52.9% of the patients while 47.1% were female. The first clinical and radiographic diagnoses were not confirmed with the histopathologic diagnosis in some patients. 80.4% of the first clinical diagnoses were consistent with the pathologic reports and in other cases, the clinical diagnosis were not confirmed histopathologically. In addition, radiographic diagnoses in six patients were not consistent with pathologic diagnosis. Conclusion: Great concordance was observed between clinical and radiographic diagnosis with pathologic report