Relationship between posterior permanent dentition pattern and radiographic changes of the mandibular condyle

This study assessed the relationship between posterior permanent dentition and radiographic changes of the mandibular condyle. This descriptive, cross-sectional study was conducted on 300 panoramic radiographs of patients over 40 years of age (188 females and 112 males). Panoramic radiographs were evaluated for condylar changes such as flattening, subcortical sclerosis, subcortical cyst, erosion, osteophytes, and generalized sclerosis. Presence of muscle pain and temporomandibular joint (TMJ) pain and sounds, and history of TMJ trauma were also assessed. The occlusal scheme of posterior teeth was analyzed according to the Eichner’s index. The frequency of condylar changes was calculated in the right and left sides, and their association with posterior permanent dentition was analyzed by the Chi-square test (alpha = 0.05). The frequency of flattening, muscle pain, TMJ sounds, and erosion was 11.7%, 9.7%, 5.7%, and 3.7% in the right side, respectively. The frequency of flattening, muscle pain, erosion, and subcortical cyst was 12%, 9.3%, 5%, and 5% in the left side, respectively. The frequency of bilateral muscle pain, flattening, TMJ sounds, and TMJ pain was 18%, 16.7%, 11.7%, and 9.3%, respectively. Cases with TMJ trauma, generalized sclerosis, and osteophytes were few. According to the Eichner’s index, most patients with condylar changes had classes A and B, and a smaller percentage had class C. No significant difference was noted between healthy individuals and those with condylar changes regarding dentition patterns. No relationship existed between condylar changes and posterior permanent dentition pattern

Personalized peptide-based vaccination for treatment of colorectal cancer: rational and progress

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the most common cancers globally and is associated with a high rate of morbidity and mortality. A large proportion of patients with early stage CRC who undergo conventional treatments develop local recurrence or distant metastasis and in this group of advanced disease, the survival rate is low. Furthermore there is often a poor response and/or toxicity associated with chemotherapy and chemo-resistance may limit continuing conventional treatment alone. Choosing novel and targeted therapeutic approaches based on clinicopathological and molecular features of tumors in combination with conventional therapeutic approach could be used to eradicate residual micrometastasis and therefore improve patient prognosis and also be used preventively. Peptide-based vaccination therapy is one class of cancer treatment that could be used to induce tumor-specific immune responses, through the recognition of specific antigen-derived peptides in tumor cells, and this has emerged as a promising anti-cancer therapeutic strategy. The aim of this review was to summarize the main findings of recent studies in exciting field of peptide-based vaccination therapy in CRC patients as a novel therapeutic approach in treatment of CRC

International longitudinal registry of patients with atrial fibrillation and treated with rivaroxaban: RIVaroxaban Evaluation in Real life setting (RIVER)

Background Real-world data on non-vitamin K oral anticoagulants (NOACs) are essential in determining whether evidence from randomised controlled clinical trials translate into meaningful clinical benefits for patients in everyday practice. RIVER (RIVaroxaban Evaluation in Real life setting) is an ongoing international, prospective registry of patients with newly diagnosed non-valvular atrial fibrillation (NVAF) and at least one investigator-determined risk factor for stroke who received rivaroxaban as an initial treatment for the prevention of thromboembolic stroke. The aim of this paper is to describe the design of the RIVER registry and baseline characteristics of patients with newly diagnosed NVAF who received rivaroxaban as an initial treatment. Methods and results Between January 2014 and June 2017, RIVER investigators recruited 5072 patients at 309 centres in 17 countries. The aim was to enroll consecutive patients at sites where rivaroxaban was already routinely prescribed for stroke prevention. Each patient is being followed up prospectively for a minimum of 2-years. The registry will capture data on the rate and nature of all thromboembolic events (stroke / systemic embolism), bleeding complications, all-cause mortality and other major cardiovascular events as they occur. Data quality is assured through a combination of remote electronic monitoring and onsite monitoring (including source data verification in 10% of cases). Patients were mostly enrolled by cardiologists (n = 3776, 74.6%), by internal medicine specialists 14.2% (n = 718) and by primary care/general practice physicians 8.2% (n = 417). The mean (SD) age of the population was 69.5 (11.0) years, 44.3% were women. Mean (SD) CHADS2 score was 1.9 (1.2) and CHA2DS2-VASc scores was 3.2 (1.6). Almost all patients (98.5%) were prescribed with once daily dose of rivaroxaban, most commonly 20 mg (76.5%) and 15 mg (20.0%) as their initial treatment; 17.9% of patients received concomitant antiplatelet therapy. Most patients enrolled in RIVER met the recommended threshold for AC therapy (86.6% for 2012 ESC Guidelines, and 79.8% of patients according to 2016 ESC Guidelines). Conclusions The RIVER prospective registry will expand our knowledge of how rivaroxaban is prescribed in everyday practice and whether evidence from clinical trials can be translated to the broader cross-section of patients in the real world

Effect of assisted hatching on pregnancy rate in IVF patients

Background: Assisted hatching techniques are utilized to facilitate the embryo escape out of the zona pellucida and increase the pregnancy rates in IVF centers. The objective of this study was to evaluate if assisted hatching improved the rates of pregnancy for in-vitro fertilization, in Isfahan Infertility Center. Materials and methods: This case-control study was carried out on 296 infertile patients. Patients with assisted hatching were 131 (case group) and non-treated patients were 165 (control group). Patients' age, number of oocytes aspirated, number of oocytes fertilized, and numbers of embryos transferred were matched. The pregnancy was determined by positive β -HCG, 14 days after transfer and implantation was defined as presence of gestational sac in uterus on sonography. Statistical analysis was done with the student t-test and χ 2 test. A P-value of less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: No significant difference was noted in the mean age of patients, the number of oocytes aspirated, the number of oocytes fertilized, and the number of embryos transferred between the case and control groups. In addition, no significant difference was observed in the rates of pregnancy between the hatched and control groups (22.9 versus 20.6, respectively). Conclusion: Assisted hatching has no significant impact on pregnancy rates in the patients population studied. Further data are needed to determine if assisted hatching has beneficial effect on pregnancy rate

Endocrinology and metabolism research institute educational achievements on diabetes at a glance: conventional review and Scientometrics

Purpose: Endocrinology and Metabolism Research Institute (EMRI) in 25th anniversary prompt to highlight the educational activities on capacity building and research in prevention and education of diabetes field. In recent decades, this academic institute arranges for opportunities to catch new ways to encounter non-communicable diseases especially diabetes to advantage both diabetes health care providers and people with diabetes. This review aims to overview the educational activities of EMRI on diabetes. Methods: In this conventional review and Scientometrics, the studies affiliated with EMRI on diabetes education were explored in Scopus, PubMed, Google Scholar, and SID, without any restriction on time and language. All papers published up to 2020 were analyzed and visualized with the VOS viewer Software program. Results: Total number of 12 documents retrieved from various databases. Patient education, diabetes type 2, health, and self-care are the most frequent keywords in the published paper. Several perspectives of diabetes education have been addressed in two main categories include public and patient education and professional education. Conclusion: It is notable that, the national strategic planning to establish courses and produce materials and programs to empower health care providers and patients with diabetes and families. According to the strategic plan, further research and infrastructures are required for various aspects of diabetes prevention and education. © 2021, Springer Nature Switzerland AG

Association of Vitamin D Status With Liver and Kidney Disease: A Systematic Review of Clinical Trials, and Cross-Sectional and Cohort Studies

BACKGROUND: Vitamin D deficiency (VDD) is a major public health problem. There are few comprehensive systematic reviews about the relationship between Vitamin D status and liver and renal disease in Iran. METHODS: We systemically searched the following databases: Web of Science; PubMed; Cochrane Library; Scopus; Science Direct; Google Scholar and two Iranian databases (Scientific Information Database (SID) and IranMedex) up until November 2017 to identify all randomized control trials (RCTs), case control, cross-sectional and cohort studies investigating the association between vitamin D and any form of liver or kidney disease. RESULTS: Vitamin D insufficiency, or deficiency (VDD), is highly prevalent in Iran, reports varying between 44.4% in Isfahan to 98% in Gorgan. There is also a high prevalence of VDD among patients with liver or kidney disease, and the administration of vitamin D supplements may have beneficial effects on lipid profile, blood glucose, liver function and fatty liver disease, and bone health. Low serum vitamin D levels are related with abnormalities in these laboratory and clinical parameters. CONCLUSION: VDD is prevalent in patients with chronic liver or renal disease in Iran. There appear to be several beneficial effects of vitamin D supplementation in vitamin D deficient patients with liver or kidney disease