Evaluation of Pregnancy consequences in Women with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome: A Case-Control Study in Qazvin, Iran

Background and Aim: Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a common disorder in women of childbearing age that can be associated with adverse pregnancy complications. The aim of this study was to compare the adverse pregnancy consequences between pregnant women with PCOS and control group in Qazvin. Materials and Methods: In this study, 150 pregnant women with PCOS aged 18-35 years with gestational age of more than 20 weeks were selected as our case group based on Rotterdam criteria and our control group included 150 pregnant women without PCOS. The groups were compared in terms of pregnancy complications including gestational diabetes, preeclampsia, preterm delivery, low birth weight, and neonatal admission to the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). Results: There were no significant differences between the two groups in terms of demographic data including age, weight, height and BMI. In the case group (PCOS) we found gestational diabetes in 33 cases (64.7%) (P=0.021), preeclampsia in 44 cases (67.7%) (P=0.002), and preterm delivery 70 in cases (75.3%) which indicated a significant difference between the case and control groups (P<0.0001). The case group had higher neonatal complications than control group in regard to low birth weight (40 cases, 64.5%, P=0.008) and NICU admission (30 cases, 66.7%, P=0.015). Conclusion: The results of this study showed that PCOS, due to its metabolic effects, may increase the incidence of gestational diabetes, preeclampsia, preterm delivery, low birth weight or macrosomia and long term NICU admission. Keywords: Polycystic ovary syndrome, Premature birth, Gestational diabetes, Pre-eclampsi

Global prevalence of nosocomial infection: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Objectives: Hospital-acquired infections (HAIs) are significant problems as public health issues which need attention. Such infections are significant problems for society and healthcare organizations. This study aimed to carry out a systematic review and a meta-analysis to analyze the prevalence of HAIs globally.   Methods: We conducted a comprehensive search of electronic databases including EMBASE, Scopus, PubMed and Web of Science between 2000 and June 2021. We found 7031 articles. After removing the duplicates, 5430 studies were screened based on the titles/abstracts. Then, we systematically evaluated the full texts of the 1909 remaining studies and selected 400 records with 29,159,630 participants for meta-analysis. Random-effects model was used for the analysis, and heterogeneity analysis and publication bias test were conducted.   Results: The rate of universal HAIs was 0.14 percent. The rate of HAIs is increasing by 0.06 percent annually. The highest rate of HAIs was in the AFR, while the lowest prevalence were in AMR and WPR. Besides, AFR prevalence in central Africa is higher than in other parts of the world by 0.27 (95% CI, 0.22-0.34). Besides, E. coli infected patients more than other micro-organisms such as Coagulase-negative staphylococci, Staphylococcus spp. and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. In hospital wards, Transplant, and Neonatal wards and ICU had the highest rates. The prevalence of HAIs was higher in men than in women.   Conclusion: We identified several essential details about the rate of HAIs in various parts of the world. The HAIs rate and the most common micro-organism were different in various contexts. However, several essential gaps were also identified. The study findings can help hospital managers and health policy makers identify the reason for HAIs and apply effective control programs to implement different plans to reduce the HAIs rate and the financial costs of such infections and save resources

Comparative Study of the Long-Term Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Mental Health and Nutritional Practices Among International Elite and Sub-Elite Athletes: A Sample of 1420 Participants from 14 Countries

Background Although several studies have shown that the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) lockdown has had negative impacts on mental health and eating behaviors among the general population and athletes, few studies have examined the long-term effects on elite and sub-elite athletes. The present study aimed to investigate the long-term impact of COVID-19 lockdown on mental health and eating behaviors in elite versus sub-elite athletes two years into the pandemic. A cross-sectional comparative study was conducted between March and April 2022, involving athletes from 14 countries, using a convenient non-probabilistic and snowball sampling method. A total of 1420 athletes (24.5 ± 7.9 years old, 569 elites, 35% women, and 851 sub-elites, 45% women) completed an online survey-based questionnaire. The questionnaire included a sociodemographic survey, information about the COVID-19 pandemic, the Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale—21 Items (DASS-21) for mental health assessment, and the Rapid Eating Assessment for Participants (REAP-S) for assessing eating behavior. Results The results showed that compared to sub-elite athletes, elite athletes had lower scores on the DASS-21 (p = .001) and its subscales of depression (p = .003), anxiety (p = .007), and stress (p < .001), as well as a lower REAP-S score indicating lower diet quality (p = .013). Conclusion In conclusion, two years into the pandemic, elite athletes were likelier to have better mental health profiles than sub-elite athletes but surprisingly had lower diet quality. Key Points Elite athletes had better mental health profiles compared to sub-elite athletes, with lower levels of depression, anxiety, and stress. Elite athletes reported greater psychological support and perceived themselves as more financially secure during the pandemic than sub-elite athletes do. Elite athletes were more likely to have poor eating habits compared to sub-elite athletes

Sensitometric characteristics of D-, E- and F-speed dental radiographic films in manual and automatic processing

BACKGROUND AND AIM: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the sensitometric characteristics of Ultraspeed, Ektaspeed Plus and Insight dental radiographic films using manual and automatic processing systems. METHODS: In this experimental invitro study, an aluminum step-wedge was used to construct characteristic curves for D-, E- and F-speed radiographic films (Kodak Eastman, Rochester, USA). All films were processed in Iranian processing solution (chemical industries Co., Iran, Tehran) both manually and automatically in a period of six days. Unexposed films of three types were processed manually and automatically to determine base plus fog density. Speed and film contrast were measured according to International Standard Organization definition. RESULTS: There was significant difference in density obtained with the D-, E- and F-speed films in both manually and automatically processing systems (P < 0.001). There was significant difference in density obtained with the Ultraspeed and insight films. There was no significant difference in contrast obtained with the D-, E- and F-speed films in both manually and automatically processing systems (P = 0.255 , P = 0.260). There was significant difference in speed obtained with the D-, E- and F-speed films in both manually and automatically processing systems (P = 0.034, P = 0.040). CONCLUSIONS: The choice of processing system can affect radiographic characteristics. The F-speed film processed in automatic system has greater speed in comparison with manual processing system, and it provides a further reduction in radiation exposure without detriment to image quality. KEY WORDS: Automatic Processing, Dental Radiography, Manual Processing, Radiographic Film Classification, Sensitometry, X-ray Fil

Marginal Assessment of Crowns by the Aid of Parallel Radiography

Introduction: Marginal adaptation is the most critical item in long-term prognosis of single crowns. This study aimed to assess the marginal quality as well asthe discrepancies in marginal integrity of some PFM single crowns of posterior teeth by employing parallel radiography in Shiraz Dental School, Shiraz, Iran. Methods: In this descriptive study, parallel radiographies were taken from 200 fabricated PFM single crowns of posterior teeth after cementation and before discharging the patient. To calculate the magnification of the images, a metallic sphere with the thickness of 4 mm was placed in the direction of the crown margin on the occlusal surface. Thereafter, the horizontal and vertical space between the crown margins, the margin of preparations and also the vertical space between the crown margin and the bone crest were measured by using digital radiological software. Results: Analysis of data by descriptive statistics revealed that 75.5% and 60% of the cases had more than the acceptable space (50µm) in the vertical (130±20µm) and horizontal (90±15µm) dimensions, respectively. Moreover, 85% of patients were found to have either horizontal or vertical gap. In 77% of cases, the margins of crowns invaded the biologic width in the mesial and 70% in distal surfaces. Conclusion: Parallel radiography can be expedient in the stage of framework try-in to yield some important information that cannot be obtained by routine clinical evaluations and may improve the treatment prognosi

Effect of Hydrogen Peroxide and Vinegar Compound on the Optical Behavior of Heat Cure Denture Resins

Background and Objective: Denture cleansing and disinfecting techniques include mechanical brushing and using ultrasonic units, as well as microwave radiation, in conjunction with various chemical cleansers. The present study investigated the effect of different ratios of vinegar and hydrogen peroxide on the color changes of hard heat acrylic resins. Materials and Methods: This experimental study was conducted on 40 specimens with 3×20×20 mm dimensions. Samples were divided into four groups: one control group and three experimental groups with a combination of two types of hydrogen peroxide and vinegar with ratios of 1:1, 3:1, and 3:1. Samples were immersed in disinfectant solution for 8 h every day for one month. Afterward, they were subjected to spectrophotometry to evaluate their color properties based on a, b, and L color parameters. The color changes of each sample were then calculated using the ΔE00 and ΔW ID parameters. Data were analyzed using ANOVA and Tukey HSD tests at a significance level of 0.05. Results: The mean and standard deviation of ΔE00 parameter in vinegar and hydrogen peroxide groups with 3:1, 1:1, and 1:3 ratios, and the control were equal to 0.75±0.1, 0.5±0.2, 1.57±0.2, and 0.03±0.01, respectively. The mean and standard deviation of ΔW ID parameter in vinegar and hydrogen peroxide groups with 3:1, 1:1, and 1:3 ratios, and the control group were 0.7±0.96, 0.48±0.12, 1.51±0.47, and 0.09±0.07, respectively. Conclusion: The highest color change and bleaching of base denture resin occurred in the group with the 3:1 ratio of hydrogen peroxide to the vinegar, which was significantly different from other groups (P<0.001) and also higher than the perceptibility threshold

Sensitometric characteristics of D-, E- and F-speed dental radiographic films in manual and automatic processing

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the sensitometric characteristics of Ultraspeed, Ektaspeed Plus and Insight dental radiographic films using manual and automatic processing systems. METHODS: In this experimental invitro study, an aluminum step-wedge was used to construct characteristic curves for D-, E- and F-speed radiographic films (Kodak Eastman, Rochester, USA). All films were processed in Iranian processing solution (chemical industries Co., Iran, Tehran) both manually and automatically in a period of six days. Unexposed films of three types were processed manually and automatically to determine base plus fog density. Speed and film contrast were measured according to International Standard Organization definition. RESULTS: There was significant difference in density obtained with the D-, E- and F-speed films in both manually and automatically processing systems (P < 0.001). There was significant difference in density obtained with the Ultraspeed and insight films. There was no significant difference in contrast obtained with the D-, E- and F-speed films in both manually and automatically processing systems (P = 0.255 , P = 0.26). There was significant difference in speed obtained with the D-, E- and F-speed films in both manually and automatically processing systems (P = 0.034, P = 0.04). CONCLUSIONS: The choice of processing system can affect radiographic characteristics. The F-speed film processed in automatic system has greater speed in comparison with manual processing system, and it provides a further reduction in radiation exposure without detriment to image quality

The detection and monitoring of pollution caused by gold mining using a vegetation cover index

This study explores how a vegetation cover (VC) index can be employed as a pollution warning tool in gold mining areas in the Northwest of Iran. The analysis included the following: (a) the extraction of normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) maps from Landsat images in three zones, i.e., mining operations, upstream areas without any exploration, and the downstream area of the mining activities, (b) calculation of the zones’ VC, (c) investigation of transformation trends in each pixel of VC time series using the Mann–Kendall trend test, (d) determination of the pixels with significant VC reduction and the significant starting points of the trend using the sequential Mann–Kendall test, (e) assessment of the correlation between the zones with significantly reduced VC, and (f) a correlation test between average monthly and annual climate parameters and VC. Our results indicate that although 51 ha of VC has been demolished around the mining activities areas (i.e., zone 1), an overall upward trend in vegetation with no chemical leakage is observed into the downstream area of the basin (i.e., zone 3). This upward trend can be mostly attributed to the increasing precipitation and decreasing temperature in the study period. The fact that the area downstream of the mine shows that the heap leaching method for gold mining in Andaryan mine is currently not damaging the vegetation, this likely means that there is no leakage to the surrounding environment from the mine. Our results further show that using NDVI in a pixel-based scale and statistical methods has a high potential to quantify the effects of human activities on surface biophysical characteristics