Management of Osteoarthritis with Avocado/Soybean Unsaponifiables.

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a painful and life-altering disease that severely limits the daily activity of millions of Americans, and is one of the most common causes of disability in the world. With obesity on the rise and the worlds population living longer, the prevalence of OA is expected to increase dramatically in the coming decades, generating burdensome socioeconomic costs. This review summarizes current pharmaceutical, non-pharmaceutical, and prospective new treatments for OA, with primary focus on the dietary supplement Avocado/Soybean Unsaponifiables (ASU). ASU modulates OA pathogenesis by inhibiting a number of molecules and pathways implicated in OA. Anticatabolic properties prevent cartilage degradation by inhibiting the release and activity of matrix metalloproteinases (MMP-2,3,13) and increasing tissue inhibitors of these catabolic enzymes (TIMP-1). ASU also inhibits fibrinolysis by stimulating the expression of plasminogen activator inhibitor (PAI-1). Anabolic properties promote cartilage repair by stimulating collagen and aggrecan synthesis via inhibition of inflammatory cytokines such as IL1, IL6, IL8, TNF, ERK, and PGE2. Chondroprotective effects are mediated by correcting growth factor abnormalities, increasing TGFβ while decreasing vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in synovial fluid. ASU also inhibits cholesterol absorption and endogenous cholesterol biosynthesis, which mediate reactive oxygen species pathology in chondrocytes. At the clinical level, ASU reduces pain and stiffness while improving joint function, resulting in decreased dependence on analgesics

Estimation of Gender and Age Based on Three-dimensional Computed Tomography Scan Indices of the Twelfth Thoracic Vertebrae and the First and Fifth Lumbar Vertebrae in Iranian Adults

Background: Gender identification is a crucial starting point in creating a biological profile for human skeletal remains because it reduces the number of possible matches by 50%. The vertebrae (especially the chest and back) can also be some of the best-preserved skeletal elements in some areas of forensics and archeology. In the present study, gender and age were assessed based on the measurement of three-dimensional computed tomography (CT) scan indices of the Twelfth thoracic (T12) vertebrae and the first and fifth lumbar (L1 and L5) vertebrae in Iranian adults.Methods: The present study was a descriptive study carried out on 200 participants over 18 years of age in 2020. Individuals measuring thoracic and lumbar vertebrae diameters (T12 and first and fifth lumbar vertebrae) by three-dimensional computed tomography (CT) scan (Toshiba, Japan, 16-Slice) with multiplanar reconstruction (MPR) and volume rendering were placed in two sagittal and horizontal sections.Results: The mean age of male and female participants was 34.62±9.63 years and 34.10±9.70 years, respectively, which were not significantly different (P=0.789). The present study showed that the mean indices for T12, L1 and L5 vertebrae were significantly higher in males (P>0.05). The results also showed that T12, L1, and L5 indices of nuts are not good predictors for age estimation.Conclusion: Based on the results, the indices of the T12 vertebrae and the L1, and L5 vertebrae can be used to determine gender, but these indices are not a good criterion to estimate age and do not have the necessary accuracy to predict the age variable

Height Estimation Based on 3-Dimensional CT Scan of 12th Thoracic, 1st and 5th Lumbar Vertebrae

Background: Identification of victims is one of the main challenges of forensic medicine. Height is one of the key measurements of the biological profiles of individuals. This study aimed to evaluate height based on measuring three-dimensional CT scan indices of twelfth thoracic (T12), first lumbar (L1), and fifth lumbar (L5) vertebrae in Iranian adults.Methods: The present study was a cross-sectional study performed on 100 patients who underwent a spinal CT scan. Vertebral T12, L1, and L5 indices were measured in these individuals. Finally, the evaluated indices were statistically compared and the diagnostic effect of each was evaluated to estimate the height. Independent t-test and linear regression were used using SPSS software v. 21. A P value less than 0.05 was considered significant.Results: The results showed that the mean difference between T12, L1, and L5 indices in the two groups of male and female patients was statistically significant. With one unit increase in the Transverse process distance T 12 (TDM T12), there is an increase of 0.42 units in height (P=0.02). Conclusion: According to the results of the present study, the measurements of the T12, L1, and L5 vertebral indices have a significant relationship with gender. Among the measurements of the T12, L1, and L5 vertebral indices, just TDM T12 can be a predictive factor to estimate the height of the Iranian population

Age related changes in clinicopathologic features of oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) in Iranian patients: An epidemiologic study

Introduction: Clinicopathologic characteristics of oral Squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) affected by age, although it is controversial. In this study the differences in clinicopathological features of OSCC were compared between patients younger and older than 40 years' old. Materials and methods: In this retrospective study the histopathologic records of OSCC patients who underwent surgery in Cancer Institute of Iran during 2005-2015 were retrieved. The demographic and histopathologic features of patients in two groups of younger than 40 and older than 40 years old were recorded and descriptive analysis was used for statistical interpretation between groups. Results: The most cases of OSCC in both groups was registered in males with 14.3% and 85.7% of cases in younger and older than 40, retrospectively. Tongue was the most prevalent anatomic location of OSCC in both groups (39%). Based on clinicopathologic features, most prevalent pathologic degree of OSCC in younger aged patients was moderately differentiated OSCC (14.5%). In patients older than 40, well differentiated OSCC (87.7%) was more prevalent. Conclusion: Based on histopathologic features, the moderately differentiated and well differentiated OSCC were more in younger and older patients than 40, respectively. The finding suggests that OSCC has more malignant feature in young patients

Management of Osteoarthritis with Avocado/Soybean Unsaponifiables.

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a painful and life-altering disease that severely limits the daily activity of millions of Americans, and is one of the most common causes of disability in the world. With obesity on the rise and the worlds population living longer, the prevalence of OA is expected to increase dramatically in the coming decades, generating burdensome socioeconomic costs. This review summarizes current pharmaceutical, non-pharmaceutical, and prospective new treatments for OA, with primary focus on the dietary supplement Avocado/Soybean Unsaponifiables (ASU). ASU modulates OA pathogenesis by inhibiting a number of molecules and pathways implicated in OA. Anticatabolic properties prevent cartilage degradation by inhibiting the release and activity of matrix metalloproteinases (MMP-2,3,13) and increasing tissue inhibitors of these catabolic enzymes (TIMP-1). ASU also inhibits fibrinolysis by stimulating the expression of plasminogen activator inhibitor (PAI-1). Anabolic properties promote cartilage repair by stimulating collagen and aggrecan synthesis via inhibition of inflammatory cytokines such as IL1, IL6, IL8, TNF, ERK, and PGE2. Chondroprotective effects are mediated by correcting growth factor abnormalities, increasing TGFβ while decreasing vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in synovial fluid. ASU also inhibits cholesterol absorption and endogenous cholesterol biosynthesis, which mediate reactive oxygen species pathology in chondrocytes. At the clinical level, ASU reduces pain and stiffness while improving joint function, resulting in decreased dependence on analgesics

Comparing the color match of monolithic CAD-CAM dental ceramics with the VITA Classical shade guide

Statement of problem: Matching the shade selected and the final color of a ceramic restoration is challenging, and studies on matching monolithic ceramics to the shade selected are lacking. Purpose: The purpose of this in vitro study was to compare the color match of monolithic lithium disilicate (LDS), zirconia-reinforced lithium silicate (ZLS), presintered zirconia-reinforced lithium silicate (PS-ZLS), polymer-infiltrated ceramic network (PICN), and multilayer zirconia with the 3 modes of the VITA Classical shade guide. Material and methods: This study was performed on 50 rectangular plates (14×12×1 mm) of 5 types of ceramics with A2 shade (n=10). Zirconia specimens were evaluated in 3 locations: incisal, medial, and cervical thirds. The color coordinates of the specimens of all 7 groups were measured on #3 and #8 Ivoclar Natural Die Color material by using a reflective spectrophotometer. The color coordinates of A2 VITA shade were measured in 5 modes: without backing placed in specimen holder, shade tab on the backgrounds #3 and #8, and 1-mm-thick shade tab on the backgrounds #3 and #8. The color difference of each specimen with 3 modes of A2 shade (without backing and on similar backgrounds) was calculated by using the ΔE00 formula, and comparison among groups was performed by using 2-way ANOVA and Tamhane post hoc tests. The comparison of ΔE00 between the values obtained from backgrounds #3 and #8 was performed by using the independent t test (α=.05). Results: In both backgrounds, statistically significant differences were found between the studied groups and VITA shade (P<.001). In most situations, the amount of color difference was lowest for the “shade tab on the backgrounds” mode. On background #3, the highest color difference was related to ZLS (6.48 ±0.23), and the lowest values were observed in the PICN group (1.02 ±0.31). On background #8, the highest color difference was related to ZLS compared with the “without backing” mode (8.62 ±0.27), and the lowest values were reported for ZLS compared with the “shade tab on the backgrounds” mode (1.27 ±0.44). The independent t test showed a statistically significant color difference on the 2 different backgrounds for all situations (P<.001). Conclusions: Color selection of monolithic ceramics with the VITA Classical shade guide is improved by placing the VITA tabs on a similar background. Background color has a significant effect on the final shade of the monolithic ceramics. Choosing the correct color for LDS, ZLS, and PS-ZLS requires more care than for PICN and zirconia

The Comparative Study on in vitro Antibacterial Effects of Different Aqueous Extracts of Artemisia Species (Short report)

Background: Nosocomial infections are significant parts of the treatment challenges of hospitals. Different species of the Artemisia genus are widely distributed in Iran. The present study aimed to compare the in vitro effects of different aqueous extracts of Artemisia species against nosocomial bacterial strains. Methods: 24 different aqueous extracts, including decoctions and infusions were prepared from the aerial parts of Artemisia ciniformis, A. turanica, A. kopetdaghensis, A. khorasanica, A. vulgaris, and A. sieberi. Total phenolic contents were determined by the Folin-Ciocalteu method.  The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) values of the extracts against the bacterial strains including Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus pyogenes, Acinetobacter sp., Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Enterococcus faecalis, Staphyloccocus epidermidis, Micrococcus luteus, Klebsiella  neumonia and Escherichia coli were measured using the microdilution broth method. Results: The lowest MIC value was observed for the decoction of A. turanica (0.25 mg/ml) against S. pyogenes. The largest range of bacterial sensitivity (3 strains) was related to the decoction of A. sieberi. The growth of S. epidermidis was inhibited by a larger group of extracts. The highest total phenolic content was recorded for decoction and infusion of A. turanica. Conclusion: The decoctions of the aerial parts of A. sieberi and A. turanica were superior to the other extracts in terms of the in vitro antibacterial spectrum and selective potency, respectively

fms Like Tyrosine kinase3- Internal Tandem Duplication (FLT3-ITD) in Acute Myeloid Leukemia, Mutation Frequency and its Relation with Complete Remission, 2007- 2008

&quot;nIntroduction: About half of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) adult patients have no cytogenetic abnormalities as a main determinant of complete remission after treatment, so other markers are needed such as FLT3-ITD (Fms-like Tyrosine kinase3-internal tandem duplication) mutations in patients with normal karyotype. The objective of this study was assessing the frequency of FLT3-ITD mutations and its relation with complete remission in different FAB (French- American- British) and cytogenetic subgroups of AML patients who had been hospitalized at Tehran Imam Khomeini Hospital, hematology ward. &quot;nMethods: The current study, was a cross sectional descriptive study which was performed during the years 2007-2008. Population frame were consecutive patients whose diseases were confirmed and who had been hospitalized in Tehran Imam Khomeini Hospital, hematology ward. Contemporary, flowcytometry, cytogenetic and chromosomal studies were performed for the cytogenetic subgroup assessment and to investigate the presence of FLT3-ITD mutation. Finally, complete remission achievement after induction chemotherapy were assessed. The obtained data was entered onto the information forms and analyzed by statistical tests. &quot;nResults: Out of 40 patients who participated in this study, 18 (45%) were female and 22 (55%) were male. The median age of the patients with mutation was 33 years of age, and the ones without mutation were 39.5. M1, M2 and M4 FAB subgroups, with respectively 60, 37.5 and 35.7%, had the most occurrence of mutation. There was no significant relationship between mutation and the FAB subgroups (P=0.45). Favorable, intermediate and adverse cytogenetic risk groups had respectively 10, 37 and 66.7% mutations and 69.2% of the patients were in the normal karyotype group. Seventeen (42.5%) of the 40 patients achieved complete remission. 17.6% of them had mutations. There was no relationship between mutation and complete remission (P=0.085). &quot;nConclusion: There was no relationship between the presence of FLT3-ITD mutation and complete remission achievement following chemotherapy