Effects of Social Media on People’s Tendency Toward Aesthetic Dental Treatments

Objectives This study aimed to investigate the impact of social media on people’s tendency toward aesthetic dental treatments in Iran. Methods This cross-sectional study was performed on 410 individuals, including dentists or dental students and laypeople, who were selected via convenience sampling. A questionnaire, consisting of sociodemographic characteristics, frequency of social media use, tendency toward aesthetic dental treatments, and factors affecting people’s decisions, was completed for data collection. This online questionnaire was created using the Porsline© website and posted on social media. The collected data were analyzed in SPSS version 21, using Chi-square test. A P-value less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results Of 410 participants, 157 (38.3%) were dentists or dental students. Only 38.2% of the participants in the dentist group were willing to receive aesthetic dental treatments, whereas laypeople were significantly more inclined to receive such treatments (69.2%) (P<0.001). Almost half of people who used social media platforms several times a day and also 71.8% of people who used social media once a day or less showed tendency toward aesthetic dental treatments (P=0.01). Conclusion Based on the results, the time spent on social media was not significantly associated with people's tendency to receive aesthetic dental treatments. Also, dentists were less interested in such treatments for themselves

Učinak magnetnih nanočestica i ionske tekućine na performanse elektrokemijskih senzora

Magnetic nanoparticles and ionic liquid (IL, 1-hexyl-3-methyl-imidazolium bromide) based on graphene oxide (GO) composite provide unique physical and chemical properties in electrochemical sensors performance. Magnetic nanoparticles can cover active sites that increase chemical reactions with easy separation. IL increases the scan rate of electron transfer between the modified electrode and solution because it includes conductive adhesion properties. Also, IL in the next steps of design carbon paste electrodes (CPE) increases the cohesion. The study aims are to study the effects of magnetic nanoparticles and IL on the electrochemical detection of dopamine (DA). DA has a vital role in the mammalian central nervous system and change its value from the standard range leads broad mental diseases. But magnetic graphene oxide (MGO) may not exist capable of enhancing electrochemical signs alone. In this regard, after the synthesis of MGO, IL was established on composite. Then gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) and molecularly imprinted polymer (MIP) were modified MGO nanocomposite. MIP polymerization was continued by methacrylic acid (MAA) in the presence of DA as a template molecule. The developed sensor with modified nanocomposite studied by cyclic voltammetry (CV) and differential pulse voltammetry (DPV) techniques. The modified sensor based on nanocomposite with a broad concentration linear range, between 1×10-7 to 1×10-4 M and a limit of detection of 1×10-8 M (S/N=3) was used for the detection of DA in biological samples. Furthermore, these results prove that MGO was improved active sites of surface nanocomposite and IL was increased conductivity in the based electrochemical sensor for DA detection.Magnetne nanočestice i ionska tekućina (IL, 1-heksil-3-metil-imidazolijev bromid) na bazi kompozita grafenova oksida (GO) pružaju jedinstvena fizička i kemijska svojstva u izvedbi elektrokemijskih senzora. Magnetne nanočestice mogu pokriti aktivna mjesta koja povećavaju kemijske reakcije uz jednostavno odvajanje. IL povećava brzinu prijenosa elektrona između modificirane elektrode i otopine jer uključuje svojstva vodljive adhezije. Također, IL u sljedećim koracima dizajna elektroda ugljične paste (CPE) povećava koheziju. Cilj je studije proučavanje učinaka magnetnih nanočestica i IL-a na elektrokemijsku detekciju dopamina (DA). DA ima vitalnu ulogu u središnjemu živčanom sustavu sisavaca i promjena njegove vrijednosti iz standardnoga raspona dovodi do širokoga raspona mentalnih bolesti. Ali magnetni grafenov oksid (MGO) ne može sam poboljšati elektrokemijske signale. S tim u vezi, nakon sinteze MGO-a, IL je uspostavljen na kompozitu. Zatim su nanočestice zlata (AuNP) i molekularno utisnuti polimer (MIP) modificirali MGO nanokompozit. MIP polimerizacija nastavljena je metakrilnom kiselinom (MAA) u prisutnosti dopamina kao modelne molekule. Razvijeni senzor s modificiranim nanokompozitom proučavan je tehnikama ciklične voltametrije (CV) i diferencijalne pulsne voltametrije (DPV). Modificirani senzor na bazi nanokompozita sa širokim linearnim rasponom koncentracije, između 1×10-7 do 1×10-4 mol L-1 i granicom detekcije od 1×10-8 mol L-1 (S/N = 3) korišten je za detekciju dopamina u biološkim uzorcima. Ovi rezultati dokazuju da je MGO poboljšao aktivna mjesta površinskoga nanokompozita, a IL je povećao vodljivost u baziranome elektrokemijskom senzoru za detekciju dopamina

NOVI ELEKTROKEMIJSKI SENZOR TEMELJEN NA METALNIM NANOČESTICAMA I MOLEKULARNO UTISNUTOM NANOKOMPOZITNOM POLIMERU S PRIMJENOM U BIOLOGIJI

Metal nanoparticles trapped in a biopolymer composite due to electrical conductivity properties improve electrochemical sensors with biomedical and environmental applications. The study aims are to design a novel molecularly imprinted polymer (MIP) composite based on magnetic graphene oxide (Fe3O4@GO) modified silica (SiO2) and gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) to electrochemical detect serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine, 5-HT). A suitable amount of 5-HT is effective on motivational functions and the environment because it is a serotonergic neurotransmitter. But the desired nanocomposite may have a relatively low recognition, therefore must be in choosing the type of functional monomer be careful. In this regard, the design of the electrochemical sensor began by synthesis of Fe3O4@GO-SiO2@AuNPs nanocomposite. Then, MIP electropolymerization was carried out by using p-aminothiophenol (PATP)-functionalized Fe3O4@GO-SiO2@AuNPs nanocomposite in the presence of 5HT as a template molecule. Electrochemical polymerization of MIP nanocomposite was developed using cyclic voltammetry (CV) and the electrochemical properties of 5-HT were studied use differential pulse voltammetry (DPV) technology in the 5HT solution. After optimization of preparation and measurement conditions on the designed sensor, the 5HT concentration range is 0.1 μM to 10 μM linearly, and the detection limit was 1 × 10-5 μM (S / N = 3). The wide concentration range and low detection limit were presented metal nanoparticles functionalized MIP with appropriate functional monomer have a great effect on the performance of the sensor. Furthermore, PATP-functionalized metal nanoparticles increase the conductivity and recognition of the prepared MIP electrochemical sensor to the quantification of 5-HT in biological samples with high selectivity and recovery.Metalne nanočestice zadržane u biopolimernome kompozitu zbog električne vodljivosti poboljšavaju svojstva elektrokemijskih senzora u biomedicini i izučavanju okoliša. Ovdje je prikazan novi molekularni utisnuti kompozitni polimer temeljen na grafenskom oksidu (Fe3O4→GO), modificiranome silicijevim dioksidom (SiO2) i nanočesticama zlata (AuNPs), a s ciljem elektrokemijskoga opažanja serotonina (5-hidroksitriptamin, 5-HT). Određeni iznos 5-HT-a utječe na motivaciju i doživljaj okoliša jer se radi o neurotransmiteru središnjega živčanog sustava. Kod odabira nanokompozita, a zbog učinkovitosti, funkcionalni monomer mora biti pažljivo odabran. Stoga je molekularno utisnuti polimer (MUP) generiran uporabom p-aminotiofenola (PATP), funkcionalnoga nanokompozita Fe3O4→GO-SiO2→AuNPs, u nazočnosti 5HT-a kao templatne molekule. Elektrokemijska polimerizacija nanokompozitnoga MIP-a načinjena je uporabom cikličke voltametrije (CV). Elektrokemijska svojstva 5-HT-a izučena su uporabom različitih tehnologija pulsne voltametrije (PV) u njegovoj otopini. Nakon optimizacije mjernih uvjeta i senzora, koncentracija 5-HT-a linearno je mijenjana u rasponu 0,1 – 10 μM, uz granicu opažanja 1 × 10-5 μM (S / N = 3). Širok raspon koncentracije i nizak prag opažanja te korištene metalne nanočestice MUP-a uz odabrani monomer imali su velik utjecaj na svojstva senzora. Nadalje, metalne čestice funkcionalizirane PATP-om povećale su vodljivost i mogućnost opažanja elektrokemijskih senzora na MIP te kvantificiranje sadržaja 5-HT-a u biološkim uzorcima s velikom točnošću

Transdermal hormone replacement therapy with nanostructured medicines

Objectives: Due to hormonal changes during the menopause, women experience a variety of perimenopause and postmenopause symptoms. This review examines the various aspects of nanostructured hormone therapy and its application in the treatments of menopausal symptoms. Material and methods: Excerpta Medica DataBase, Medical Literature Analysis and Retrieval System Online, Web of Science, and Google Scholar were searched basing on the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines. Seven eligible studies out of 51 related papers, which satisfied the initial search criteria, were extracted and carefully reviewed to clarify the role of nanomedicine in maintaining postmenopausal women’s health. Results: Review of the seven eligible studies confirmed nanostructured hormone therapy as a safe and effective method for the alleviation of menopausal symptoms. According to the existing studies, nanostructured hormone therapy decreased the mean daily frequency and severity of menopausal symptoms. Conclusion: The use of transdermal nanoformulations in hormone therapy can relieve climacteric symptoms and prevent other postmenopausal symptoms

Study and Comparison of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder in the Survivors of the Earthquake in the Sarpol-E Zahab City and the Villages of Dasht-E Zahab

The purpose of this study was to investigate and compare the prevalence of post-traumatic stress disorder in the survivors of the Sarpol-e Zahab earthquake and the villages of Dasht-e Zahab. This research was carried out with a quantitative approach and a cross-sectional survey method in 1397 in Sarpol-e Zahab city. 400 survivors of the earthquake in Sarpol-e Zahab city and Dasht-e Zahab villages were selected by a random sampling method to participate in this study. The results of the findings with the spss software showed that there is no significant difference in comparison of the post-traumatic stress disorder spread after the earthquake in the villages of Dasht-e Zahab to the quake-affected population of the city of Sarpol-e Zahab. The results of the study showed that the affected people of the villages of Dasht-e Zahab were more prone to post-traumatic stress disorder than those in the quake-stricken city of Sarpol-e Zahab. Based on the findings of this study, the importance of psychological interventions and providing psychological and social support can be emphasized by considering and comparing the prevalence of post-traumatic stress disorder in earthquake survivors in the city and villages of Sarpol-e Zahab

Determination and comparison rate of expression markers of osteoblast derived of Adipose derived stem cells markers in monolayer and pellet culture models

Abstract: Nowadays high accident rates, fractures leading to permanent bone disorders and the impossibility of bone transplant have made scientists to look for new methods of repairing injured bones. Considering the application of stem cells in bone tissue engineering, there exists the necessity to investigate various culture methods and suitable fields and scaffolds. Thus, we decided to induce adipose-derived stem cells into osteoblast cells in two systems of pellet culture and monolayer and compare osteogenic markers. Methods: Stem cells have been separated via mechanical and enzymatic methods and cultured in monolayer and pellet culture models with osteogenic medium. Then, RNA was separated from differentiated cells, complementary DNA (cDNA) was synthesized and amplified. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) product was transferred to electrophoresis gel. The intensity of the bands was measured by Image-J software and analyzed by SPSS. Results: average osteopontin, osteocalcin and Runx2 genes in differentiated cells in the two culture systems showed a significant difference. The expression of osteocalcin, osteopontin and Runx2 gense in pellet system were more than monolayer systems in 21 days. Conclusion: This study indicated that pellet and monolayer culture systems are appropriate for bone engineering but osteocalcin, osteopontin and Runx2 genes expressions were different in the two culture system

Effectiveness of Acupressure on Reducing Blood Sugar and Glycosylated Hemoglobin Levels in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes: A Rapid Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

Background: Acupressure as one of the complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) has become very popular in the management of various diseases such as diabetes. Although the increasing use of acupuncture, there are limited systematic reviews and meta-analyses in this field.Aim: The present study was performed with aim to investigate the effectiveness of acupressure on the blood sugar parameters of patients with type 2 diabetes.Method: In this rapid systematic review and meta-analysis, the studies published globally between 2010 and 2022 were searched in the PubMed, Google Scholar, and Science Direct databases with the keywords of acupressure, diabetes, complementary medicine, blood sugar and glycosylated hemoglobin as separately and in combination. To analyze data, STATA software version 11 was used to analyze data, and the random effect model method was applied for meta-analysis of the studies.Results: Among the 411 articles found in the initial search, finally 8 articles were selected for this study. The results of the meta-analysis of studies showed that acupressure had a positive effect on blood sugar (95% CI = 0.816-1.553, P < 0.001, OR = 1.18) and fasting blood sugar (95% CI = 0.260 - 0.857, P˂0.001, OR = 0.559) in diabetic patients, while it had no effect on the level of glycosylated hemoglobin (95% CI = -0.139 - 0.389, P = 0.355, OR = 0.559).Implications for Practice: This study showed the positive effect of acupressure in reducing blood sugar and fasting blood sugar in patients with diabetes, however more studies are required to confirm the effect of acupressure on glycosylated hemoglobin

The relationship between fear of hypoglycemia and quality of life in patients with type 2 diabetes

Introduction: Fear of hypoglycemia is one of the biggest obstacles to achieving proper blood glucose control in diabetic patients, adversely affecting the proper treatment of diabetes and quality of life in these patients. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between fear of hypoglycemia and quality of life in patients with type 2 diabetes. Materials and Methods: The present study was a descriptive analytic-correlational study, conducted in 2018 on 360 patients with 2 diabetes referreing to the Velayat teaching hospital in Ghazvin. Data collection tools included a personal-social checklist, the Hypoglycemia Fear Survey (HFS) and information on Diabetes Quality of Life (DQOL). Data collected were analyzed using one-way ANOVA, Pearson correlation test statistics by SPSS.24 software. Results: Mean scores of quality of life and fear of hypoglycemia were 44.3±8.6 and 22.07±8.7 respectively. The highest quality of life score for patients in the pill treatment group was 46.4±7.8, and the highest scores of hypoglycemia were in the insulin treatment group with a mean of 26.1±10.5. In this study, there was a significant, inverse relationship between fear of hypoglycemia and quality of life (r=-0.46, p<0.001). Conclusion: Results show a significant, inverse relationship between fear of hypoglycemia and quality of life in diabetic patients, such that the occurrence of this fear is higher in patients treated with insulin. Based on results, it is recommended that these patients should be educated on the action of insulin and its mode of injection, and on how to prioritize and manage their activities

Effectiveness of cognitive orientation to (daily) occupational performance (CO-OP) on children with cerebral palsy: A mixed design

Background. Cerebral palsy (CP) is the most common cause of physical disabilities during childhood. Therapeutic interventions mainly focus on impairment reduction to address motor-based difficulties. In contrast, Cognitive Orientation to daily Occupational Performance (CO-OP) is a cognitive approach, providing intervention at the level of activity and participation. Aims. This study aims to determine whether the CO-OP approach improves motor skills and achievement in motor-based occupational performance goals in children with CP. Methods and procedures. In this mixed design research (i.e., a multiple baseline single case experimental design and a one-group pretest-posttest design), five children with CP participated in 12 CO-OP intervention sessions. Repeated measures of motor skills for the multiple baseline single case experimental design were taken using the Bruininks-Oseretsky Test of Motor Proficiency (BOTMP); pre- and post-measures of parent/child perception of performance and satisfaction were identified using the Canadian Occupational Performance Measure (COPM); level of achievement was identified using Goal Attainment Scaling (GAS). Outcomes and results. According to the BOTMP results, all children were able to engage in the CO-OP intervention to improve motor performance. Significant differences after treatment were found in both performance and performance satisfaction ratings using the COPM as rated by parents and children. The GAS results showed progress in achievement levels for all children; all goals were achieved or exceeded. Conclusions and implications. CO-OP intervention can be helpful in improving motor skills and achieving self-identified, motor-based goals in children with CP

Ethnobotany, Ethnopharmacology and Drug Discovery: Ethnobotany and ethnopharmacology

This manuscript is a review of a number of ethnobotany and ethnopharmacology texts and papers in order to arrive at current understanding and scope of ethnobotany and ethnopharmacology. It includes either a brief definition of both fields and presenting some examples on them. Also it has a glimpse on the geographical coverage of research works throughout the world, important issue of property rights and state of these fields in Iran