Interleukin-6 in Spontaneous and Induced Vaginal Birth and Neonatal Outcomes: A Cross-Sectional Study

Introduction: The detailed mechanisms fundamentally the onset of spontaneous labor at term remain obscure. Delayed labor means slower progress of the birth process and is associated with childbirth problems and negative birth feelings, resulting in subsequent pregnancy and labor. Inflammatory mechanisms are thought to play a vital role in the physiology of parturition and labor in pre-term and spontaneous term birth. Studies indicated that the mode of birth and labor change interleukin-6 concentrations in maternal and fetal sections. The immunobiological role of inflammatory cytokines in parturition and the onset of spontaneous labor at term, especially without exogenic motivation, remain unspecified yet. The specific role of Interleukin - 6 (IL - 6) in the biosynthesis of prostaglandins, myometrium contractions, cervix ripening, and finally, its role in the process of labor is reported in studies. According to the changes in the physiology of normal birth in induced labor, this study aimed to compare the mean level of IL-6 in pregnancies terminated by selective induction or spontaneous vaginal birth and neonatal outcome. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted on two groups of 40 women with spontaneous and induced birth. All pregnancies were term without clinical or obstetric complications. The enzyme-connected immunosorbent assay measured the level of IL - 6 in the umbilical cord. The obtained data were analyzed by SPSS 22 software. Results: The mean level of IL-6 in the umbilical cord was not significantly different in spontaneous (250.20 ± 39.36 pg./ml) and induced labor (240.97 ± 39.06 pg./ml) (P = 0.847). In the spontaneous birth group, the first and fifth minute Apgar scores were higher than the induced labor group (P = 0.021). None of the infants required resuscitation or NICU hospitalization in the neonatal unit. Approximately 97.5% of infants were breastfed in the induced birth group. Only one of the newborns in the induced birth group had jaundice and underwent phototherapy for 8 hours at home. In this study, there was found no association between IL - 6 and pregnancy/infant variables. Conclusions: Our results indicate that the birth method (induced and spontaneous) had no effect on the level of IL-6 in the umbilical cord blood, but the birth method had just a significant effect on the Apgar score. Induction of labor is associated with adverse birth outcomes. This study investigated interleukin-6 in cord blood in term newborns depending on the mode of delivery and labor. Delayed labor means slower progress of the birth process and is associated with childbirth problems and negative birth feelings, which can have consequences on subsequent pregnancy and labor. We determined whether normal spontaneous birth and induced birth at term was associated with poor newborns outcomes. Current study was a different view helping future studies to investigate other aspects of post term pregnancy and supporting physiological parturitio

Predictors of Exam Cheating Among the High School Students: Role of Personality Characteristics, Sensation-Seeking, Locus of Control and Exam Anxiety

The research purpose is to evaluate the personality characteristics, sensation-seeking, a locus of control and exam anxiety as the predictors of exam cheating among the high school students in Ahvaz City. Hence, the research employed a correlation and predictive method. The sample comprised 79 students with cheating background and 78 students without cheating background in the high schools of Ahvaz City. The selection of the cheating group was done with the confirmation and agreement of at least three teachers in each class and the non-cheating students were also randomly selected from the same class. The employed tools included Zukerman scale of sensation-seeking, Nowicki-Strickland Scale of locus of control and Friedman test anxiety scale. The data were analyzed using the discriminant analysis method. The obtained results indicated that the linear combination of the research variables can predict students’ cheating in the exams in the high schools located in Ahvaz City. Moreover, findings indicated that sensation-seeking and consciousness are the predictors of high school student’s cheating

The efficacy of articaine infiltration versus lidocaine inferior alveolar nerve block for pulpotomy in mandibular primary second molars: randomized clinical trial

Background. Successful anesthesia is a major concern during pulpotomy treatment. The aim of this study was to compare the anesthetic efficacy of inferior alveolar nerve block using 2% lidocaine and buccal infiltration using 4% articaine for pulpotomy of mandibular primary second molars. Methods. This randomized cross-over clinical trial was performed on 23 children (5‒8 years of age) from July through November 2016, referred to the Department of Pediatric Dentistry, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, who needed pulpotomy treatment in both mandibular primary second molars. The patients’ feeling during injection and their behavior during pulpotomy and postoperative complications were registered. Wilcoxon signed ranks test was used for analysis of data. A significant level of differences was taken as P≤0.05. Results. Patients’ feeling during injection and postoperative complications did not significantly differ between the two groups (P>0.05). Patients’ behavior during pulpotomy was significantly better in the articaine group (P=0.004). Conclusion. Articaine buccal infiltration can be used successfully in pulpotomy of mandibular primary second molars

Presurgical Orthodontics in Class III Patients: Extraction versus Non-Extraction

Introduction: Matching dental discrepancy (DD) with skeletal discrepancy (SD) in pre-surgical orthodontic preparation is crucial for obtaining a desirable surgical outcomes. The aim of the present study was to compare DD to SD in class III patients with and without extraction of the maxillary second premolars. Materials and Methods: This retrospective cohort study assessed subjects in two groups: the 1st group included individuals who were afflicted by class III skeletal and underwent non-extraction orthodontic treatment prior to the surgery; the 2nd group, included: patients who suffered from class III skeletal malocclusion and underwent tooth-extraction orthodontic treatment prior to the surgery. The Wits analysis was applied to establish the apical base relationship between the maxillary and the mandibular arches as measured along the Jacobson occlusal plane. Two angles were applied to determine the upper and lower incisors position to the skeletal base: IMPA (the lower incisor teeth to the mandibular plane) and the upper 1 to SN. The horizontal distance between the upper and lower incisors+2 mm was considered as the dental discrepancy. Results: Forty-six individuals were studied in the 1st group and 31 patients included in the 2nd group. The mean for DD was 7.39±3.40 mm in the 1st group and 9.65±2.57 mm in the 2nd group. The mean was 11.59±4.9 mm in group 1 and 8.48±2.35 mm in group 2. Pearson’s correlation did not show any significant correlation between dental discrepancy and the skeletal discrepancy in the 1st group (P˃0.05). A positive correlation was obtained between dental discrepancy and the skeletal discrepancy in the 2nd group (P˂0.001). Conclusion: It was magnificently attained that extraction of the second premolars of the maxilla could be a better match for DD and SD in the pre-surgical preparation in class III patients with an excessive SD

“Systems thinking encourages a safe space to offer different perspectives and insights”: Student perspectives and experiences with ST activities

Researchers and educators have been exploring systems thinking (ST) in chemistry education to better equip citizens for 21st century challenges; however, little is known about students’ perspectives and experiences. In this study, we investigated students’ perspectives of ST and their experiences with ST activities. We designed and implemented a ST intervention, performed individually and collaboratively, as well as follow up interviews. Twenty-four undergraduate and graduate students participated in this study and reported a variety of experiences and perspectives. For students’ experiences, we found that: (1) while collaborating, participants recognized and appreciated different perspectives, (2) participants included chemistry concepts and connections in their system maps despite having difficulties, (3) system maps emphasized problems/solutions and causes/effects and differed in terms of organization and intended purpose, and (4) limitations to system map construction included time, knowledge, and technology skills. Students also expressed positive perspectives of a ST approach based on their experience engaging with the ST intervention and believed a ST approach (1) is beneficial to learning, (2) captures interest and engagement, (3) allows perspectives to be shared and gained, and (4) provides personal, social, and professional relevance. Based on these findings, we suggest aspects to consider when planning and implementing ST activities and identify future research required to better understand the impacts of ST in chemistry education

Study of nerve cell regeneration on nanofibers containing cerium oxide nanoparticles in a spinal cord injury model in rats

Abstract Since the CNS is unable to repair itself via neuronal regeneration in adult mammals, alternative therapies need to be found. The use of cerium oxide nanoparticles to repair nerve damage could be a promising approach for spinal cord reconstruction. In this study, we constructed a scaffold containing cerium oxide nanoparticles (Scaffold-CeO2) and investigated the rate of nerve cell regeneration in a rat model of spinal cord injury. The scaffold of gelatin and polycaprolactone was synthesized, and a gelatin solution containing cerium oxide nanoparticles was attached to the scaffold. For the animal study, 40 male Wistar rats were randomly divided into 4 groups (n = 10): (a) Control; (b) Spinal cord injury (SCI); (c) Scaffold (SCI + scaffold without CeO2 nanoparticles); (d) Scaffold-CeO2 (SCI + scaffold containing CeO2 nanoparticles). After creation of a hemisection SCI, scaffolds were placed at the site of injury in groups c and d, and after 7 weeks the rats were subjected to behavioral tests and then sacrificed for preparation of the spinal cord tissue to measure the expression of G-CSF, Tau and Mag proteins by Western blotting and Iba-1 protein by immunohistochemistry. The result of behavioral tests confirmed motor improvement and pain reduction in the Scaffold-CeO2 group compared to the SCI group. Decreased expression of Iba-1 and higher expression of Tau and Mag in the Scaffold-CeO2 group compared to the SCI group could be the result of nerve regeneration caused by the scaffold containing CeONPs as well as relief of pain symptoms. Graphical Abstrac

Cost-effectiveness of remdesivir for the treatment of hospitalized patients with COVID-19: a systematic review

Abstract Background Remdesivir is being studied and used to treat coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). This study aimed to systematically identify, critically evaluate, and summarize the findings of the studies on the cost-effectiveness of remdesivir in the treatment of hospitalized patients with COVID-19. Methods In this systematic review, PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science, SCOPUS, and the Cochrane Library were searched for studies published between 2019 and 2022. We included all full economic evaluations of remdesivir for the treatment of hospitalized patients with COVID-19. Data were summarized in a structured and narrative manner. Results Out of 616 articles obtained in this literature search, 12 studies were included in the final analysis. The mean score of the Quality of Health Economic Studies (QHES) for the studies was 87.66 (high quality). All studies were conducted in high-income countries (eight studies in the USA and one study in England), except for three studies from middle-to-high-income countries (China, South Africa, and Turkey). Six studies conducted their economic analysis in terms of a health system perspective; five studies conducted their economic analysis from a payer perspective; three studies from the perspective of a health care provider. The results of five studies showed that remdesivir was cost-effective compared to standard treatment. Furthermore, the therapeutic strategy of combining remdesivir with baricitinib was cost-effective compared to remdesivir alone. Conclusions Based on the results of the present study, remdesivir appears to be cost-effective in comparison with the standard of care in China, Turkey, and South Africa. Studies conducted in the United States show conflicting results, and combining remdesivir with baricitinib is cost-effective compared with remdesivir alone. However, the cost-effectiveness of remdesivir in low-income countries remains unknown. Thus, more studies in different countries are required to determine the cost-effectiveness of this drug