The Persian adaptation of Baddeley’s 3-min grammatical reasoning test

Abstract Baddeley’s grammatical reasoning test is a quick and efficient measure of fluid reasoning which is commonly used in research on cognitive abilities and the impact of stresses and environmental factors on cognitive performance. The test, however, is verbal and can only be used with native speakers of English. In this study, we adapted the test for application in the Persian language using a different pair of verbs and geometrical shapes instead of English letters. The adapted test had high internal consistency and retest reliability estimates. It also had an excellent fit to a one-factor confirmatory factor model and correlated acceptably with other measures of fluid intelligence and participants’ grade point average (GPA)

Pattern of Antibiotic Prescription among Dentists in Iran

INTRODUCTION: This study examines the antibiotic prescription in dentists participated in 9th Congress of Iranian Association of Endodontists in Esfahan/2006. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A questionnaire for this cross sectional study was designed for evaluating the patterns of antibiotic prescription. It included some demographic information, clinical signs, and conditions in need for antibiotic and prophylactic prescription and their choices. Data was analyzed using Pearson’s Chi-square test. RESULTS: High percentage of responders prescribe antibiotic for fever (78.2%) and diffuse swelling (85.1%). However, some situations such as acute pulpitis, chronic periapical lesions and marginal gingivitis were irrationally prescribed. CONCLUSION: This study showed a fairly good pattern of antibiotic prescription but it was far from ideal

A Comparative In Vivo Study of Tissue Reactions to Four Suturing Materials

INTRODUCTION: The purpose of this study was to compare the histopathologic reaction of four suturing materials: silk, polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF), polyglycolic acid, and catgut in the oral mucosa of albino rabbits. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The twenty-one male mature albino rabbits which were used in this study were randomly divided into three groups of seven each. Silk, PVDF, polyglycolic acid and catgut suture materials were tested in the oral mucosa of these animals. The animals were sacrificed 2, 4, and 7 days after suturing. Two pathologists evaluated the samples by determining the presence and level of inflammation, granulation tissue, and fibrosis formation. Data were statistically analyzed by Kruskal Wallis and Mann-Whitney U tests. RESULTS: Histological features of the samples showed that PVDF and plain catgut suture materials produced more fibrous tissue (favorable response) on the fourth day in comparison with silk suture (P=0.02). Also, in the 7-day samples PVDF sutures produced the mildest inflammation when compared with the silk sutures (P=0.015). CONCLUSION: According to the results of this study, it can be convey that PVDF suture materials created mild tissue reactions and can be a reasonable candidate for suturing oral tissues

A Comparative In Vivo Study of Tissue Reactions to Four Suturing Materials

INTRODUCTION: The purpose of this study was to compare the histopathologic reaction of four suturing materials: silk, polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF), polyglycolic acid, and catgut in the oral mucosa of albino rabbits. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The twenty-one male mature albino rabbits which were used in this study were randomly divided into three groups of seven each. Silk, PVDF, polyglycolic acid and catgut suture materials were tested in the oral mucosa of these animals. The animals were sacrificed 2, 4, and 7 days after suturing. Two pathologists evaluated the samples by determining the presence and level of inflammation, granulation tissue, and fibrosis formation. Data were statistically analyzed by Kruskal Wallis and Mann-Whitney U tests. RESULTS: Histological features of the samples showed that PVDF and plain catgut suture materials produced more fibrous tissue (favorable response) on the fourth day in comparison with silk suture (P=0.02). Also, in the 7-day samples PVDF sutures produced the mildest inflammation when compared with the silk sutures (P=0.015). CONCLUSION: According to the results of this study, it can be convey that PVDF suture materials created mild tissue reactions and can be a reasonable candidate for suturing oral tissues

Healthy eating index and cardiovascular risk factors among Iranian elderly individuals

BACKGROUND: Concurrent with increase in life expectancy, the prevalence of chronic diseases such as cardiovascular diseases (CVD) has also increased. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate the association between healthy eating index (HEI) score and CVD risk factors among Iranian elderly. METHODS: This cross-sectional study was performed on a sample of elderly persons from Isfahan, Iran, in 2013. Totally, 107 retired subjects were entered in statistical analysis. A semi- quantitative food frequency questionnaire was used to assess the dietary intake of participants. Anthropometric measurements and blood pressure of participants were determined. Fasting blood samples were taken for biochemical assessments. RESULTS: The results of linear regression determined a significant inverse association between HEI score and homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance [HOMA-IR, &beta; = -0.238 (-0.426, -0.048)], fasting blood glucose [&beta; = -0.194 (-0.383, -0.004)], and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein [hs-CRP, &beta; = -0.196, (-0.386, -0.005)]. In addition, a significant positive association was observed between HEI score and high density lipoprotein cholesterol [HDL-C, &beta; = 0.196 (0.006, 0.385)] levels. However, after adjusting for confounding variables, these significant associations were disappeared except for hs-CRP [&beta; = -0.074 (-0.145, -0.003)]. CONCLUSION: Healthy eating index was associated with reduced risk of cardiovascular risk factors in old people. It seems that more adherence with healthy eating index could provide cardio-protective effects in elderly persons. &nbsp;&nbsp;</p

Dairy consumption, cardiovascular risk factors and inflammation in elderly subjects

BACKGROUND: Previous epidemiological studies of dairy product consumption and health outcomes have reported mixed findings. Despite increasing in life expectancy, scarce data are available in this field in elderly individuals. We tested the hypothesis that greater dairy intake is associated with lower high sensitive C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) level and better lipid profile and glycemic control. METHODS: This cross-sectional study was undertaken on 107 elderly individuals who aged 60-78 years. Usual dietary intakes were assessed by means of a validated food frequency questionnaire (FFQ). Anthropometric measures and biochemical markers were determined using standard protocols. RESULTS: The reported mean &plusmn; standard deviation (SD) of daily intake of dairy products and age were 588.02 &plusmn; 418.88 g/d and 63.22 &plusmn; 6.92 years, respectively. After control for demographic characteristics and dietary intakes, dairy consumption was not significantly related to the increased risk of insulin resistance [Odds ratio (OR): 2.19, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.54, 8.86; P = 0.520] and elevated hs-CRP (OR: 1.54, 95% CI: 0.37, 6.35; P = 0.550). Participants in the top tertile of dairy had greater, but statistically not a significant risk of elevated triglyceride (TG), total cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C). No significant relations were seen for hs-CRP, insulin resistance and lipid profile across tertiles of dairy products. CONCLUSION: In this elderly population, total dairy consumption was not associated with inflammatory biomarkers levels and other cardiometabolic risk factors