The Effect of Orthodontic Intervention on Mental Health and Body Image

AIM: Physical health especially oral and dental health can play a leading role in individuals’ mental health status. Therefore, determining the relationship between orthodontics, mental health, and body image can provide solutions for the development of treatment services and provision of greater accessibility of communities to them.METHODS: The present study was natural experimental research conducted to determine the relationship between orthodontic treatment, mental health, and body image. To conduct this research, individuals referring to orthodontic clinics in the city of Kermanshah and meeting the inclusion criteria in the study were selected using convenience sampling method and then they were assessed before and after undergoing orthodontics via the standardised Goldberg’s General Health Questionnaire (GHQ) and Multidimensional Body-Self Relations Questionnaire (MBSRQ).RESULTS: The mean scores of mental health problems in the study participants reduced and such a difference calculated by Wilcoxon signed-rank test with a 95% confidence level was significant (P = 0.001). Moreover, all the subscales of GHQ in the study participants showed a significant decrease after orthodontics compared to the stage before that (P ˂ 0.05). The mean score of MBSRQ before orthodontics was equal to 171.78 and this value reached 172.51 after that, indicating individuals’ increased scores and their high levels of satisfaction with their body image. Nevertheless, the given difference was trivial, and it was not statistically significant (P = 0.751).CONCLUSIONS: The results of the present study showed that orthodontic treatment could significantly increase mental health status in the clients and also improve multidimensional attitudes towards body image

Polymorphisms of ATP-binding cassette, sub-family A, member 4 (rs560426 and rs481931) and non-syndromic cleft lip/palate: A meta-analysis

Background: A number of genes are associated with the incidence of non-syndromic cleft lip/palate (NSCL/P). Studies have shown a significant association between polymorphisms of ATP-binding cassette, sub-family A, member 4 (ABCA4) with the risk of NSCL/P. The present meta-analysis assessed the association between ABCA4 polymorphisms (rs560426 and rs481931) and the NSCL/P risk by reviewing case-control studies. Methods: Four databases (Scopus; Cochrane Library; Web of Science; and PubMed) were searched for articles published up to June 2020. The Review Manager 5.3 software was used to calculate the crude odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (CI). Both subgroup analyses for ethnicity and source of controls and a meta-regression related to publication year were conducted. Results: Of 94 retrieved studies, 12 were analyzed in this meta-analysis (2859 NSCL/P patients and 3792 controls for ABCA4 rs560426 polymorphism and 1333 NSCL/P patients and 1884 controls for ABCA4 rs481931 polymorphism). Overall, there was no significant association between both polymorphisms and the risk of NSCL/P. However, subgroup analysis demonstrated that there was a higher risk of NSCL/P for specific models: the allelic model (OR = 1.13; p = 0.03), the homozygote model (OR = 1.53; p = 0.04), and the recessive model (OR = 1.30; p = 0.03) in the Asian ethnicity for the rs560426 polymorphism. Conclusion: The findings confirmed that the NSCL/P risk was significantly associated with the G allele and GG genotype of rs560426 polymorphism but not for rs481931 polymorphism. There were no associations between both polymorphisms (rs560426 and rs481931) and the NSCL/P risk in those of European descent and the mixed ethnicitie

Evaluation of Serum and Plasma Interleukin-6 Levels in Obstructive Sleep Apnea Syndrome: A Meta-Analysis and Meta-Regression

Obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) is considered a low-grade chronic inflammatory disease. Interleukin-6 (IL-6) is one of the most significant inflammatory markers and an excellent proxy for the inflammatory/immune system. The present meta-analysis and meta-regression aimed at comparing plasma and serum levels of IL-6 between individuals (children and adults) with OSAS and healthy controls. Four databases, PubMed/Medline, Scopus, Cochrane Library, and Web of Science, were comprehensively searched to retrieve articles published up to December, 2019, with no further restrictions. RevMan 5.3 software was used to calculate the crude mean difference (MD) and 95% confidence interval (CI). The results of funnel plots and meta-regression were analyzed by the CMA 2.0 software. Sixty-three studies (57 with adults; six with children) were included in the present meta-analysis. For adults, 37 studies reported significantly higher serum IL-6 levels and 20 reported significantly higher plasma IL-6 levels for those with OSAS than for healthy controls [pooled MD of 2.89 pg/ml (; P; < 0.00001) and pooled MD of 2.89 pg/ml (; P; < 0.00001), respectively]. The pooled analysis of serum and plasma IL-6 levels in children with OSAS compared with controls revealed that only the MD of plasma IL-6 levels was significant (MD = 0.84 pg/ml,; P; = 0.004). Results of the meta-regression showed that greater age was associated with higher serum IL-6 levels. Egger's test revealed a publication bias across the studies for serum and plasma IL-6 levels (; P; = 0.00044 and; P; = 0.01445, respectively). In summary, the meta-analysis and meta-regression confirmed that, compared to healthy controls, individuals with OSAS (children and adults) had higher serum/plasma IL-6 levels

Serum and Plasma Tumor Necrosis Factor Alpha Levels in Individuals with Obstructive Sleep Apnea Syndrome: A Meta-Analysis and Meta-Regression

Background: Obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) is associated with a variety of inflammatory factors. Specifically, proinflammatory cytokines appear to be associated with the pathogenesis of OSAS. Methods: For the present meta-analysis and meta-regression on serum and plasma tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) levels in individuals with and without OSAS, we performed a systematic search without any restrictions of the PubMed/Medline, Scopus, Cochrane Library, and Web of Science databases to find relevant articles published up to February 1st, 2020. Results: Fifty-five (adults: 29 studies on serum and 17 studies on plasma; children: 4 studies on serum and 5 studies on plasma) were included and analyzed. Always compared to age-matched healthy controls, the pooled MDs were as follows: adults, serum: 10.22 pg/mL (95% CI = 8.86, 11.58; P < 0.00001); adults, plasma 5.90 pg/mL (95% CI = 4.00, 7.80; P < 0.00001); children, serum: 0.21 pg/mL (95% CI = 0.05, 0.37; P = 0.01); children, plasma: 5.90 pg/mL (95% CI = 4.00, 7.80; P < 0.00001). Conclusions: Compared to healthy and age-matched controls, adult individuals with OSAS had significantly higher serum/plasma TNF-α levels. For children with OSAS, significantly higher levels were observed for TNF-α in serum, but not in plasma

Associations between morning salivary cortisol and blood cortisol in individuals with Obstructive Sleep Apnea Syndrome: A meta-analysis

Background: Obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) may be associated with an increase in hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenocortical axis activity (HPA AA). We reviewed research comparing morning salivary and blood (serum and plasma) cortisol concentrations of individuals with OSAS to those of healthy controls. Methods: We made a systematic search without any restrictions of the PubMed/Medline, Scopus, Cochrane Library, and Web of Science databases for relevant articles published up to August 25, 2019. Results: Sixteen studies were analyzed in this meta-analysis; five studies compared morning salivary concentrations, five compared serum concentrations, four compared plasma cortisol concentrations, and two compared both salivary and plasma concentrations. In pediatric samples, compared to healthy controls, those with OSAS had significantly lower saliva morning cortisol concentrations (MD = -0.13 µg/dl; 95% CI: 0.21, -0.04; P = 0.003). In contrast, no significant differences were observed for serum cortisol concentrations, plasma cortisol concentrations, or salivary morning cortisol concentrations between adults with and without OSAS (p = 0.61, p = 0.17, p = 0.17). Conclusion: Cortisol concentrations did not differ between adults with OSAS and healthy controls. In contrast, morning salivary cortisol concentrations were lower in children with OSAS, compared to healthy controls. Given that a reduced HPA AA is observed among individuals with chronic stress, it is conceivable that children with OSAS are experiencing chronic psychophysiological stress

A social accountable model for Iranian dentistry sciences education system: a qualitative study

IntroductionSocial accountability is a new paradigm in dental education and a sort of cultural change. This study is an attempt to elaborate on the process of social accountability in the Iranian dentistry education system.Materials and methodsThis study was carried out as a qualitative work based on a grounded theory approach. The participants were selected through purposive sampling and took part in deep semi-structured interviews, and data saturation was achieved with 14 interviews. The main interviews were private, and face-to-face interviews were held on different occasions (morning and afternoon) in a quiet and decent environment. The interviews were held by the author and voice-recorded with the permission of the interviewees. Data analyses were performed through the Strauss–Corbin method along with the interviews.ResultsThe results indicated that the process of social accountability featured three stages: antecedents, mechanisms, and outcomes consisting of 619 codes, 16 subcategories, and 7 categories. Updating the curriculum, qualified students, appropriate educational environment, appropriate educational technology, monitoring and feedback throughout educational activities, proper interaction with society, and accountability to society's needs were the main categories in the study. The concept of proper interaction with society was the core variable.ConclusionThe results indicated that the process of social accountability has major and effective requirements in the antecedent, mechanism, and outcome stages, and it has a good performance in fulfilling the current needs of society for dentistry services. However, to meet potential needs, it needs special attention and programming

A Randomized Triple-Blind Clinical Trial of the Effect of Low-Level Laser Therapy on Infiltration Injection Pain in the Anterior Maxilla

Objective:&nbsp;To evaluate the level of pain experienced during infiltration anesthesia of the anterior maxilla following low-level laser therapy (LLLT) with 810-980 nm wavelengths.&nbsp;Material and Methods:&nbsp;In the current triple-blind clinical trial, 84 patients received a total of 168 infiltration anesthesia injections (1.8 mL of 2% lidocaine plus 1:100,000 epinephrine) in the anterior maxilla. Each patient received two injections into the buccal mucosa of the right and left central incisors with a two-week interval. One injection was performed after LLLT, while the other injection was administered conventionally without laser. The pain level was measured immediately after injection using a visual analog scale (VAS).&nbsp;Results:&nbsp;There was a significant difference in the pain level experienced with and without LLLT, such that the mean pain score following LLLT was significantly lower than that without LLLT (p&lt;0.05). No significant difference was found in the pain level between laser and no laser groups in males, but the difference in this regard was significant in females (p&lt;0.05) and female patients experienced a significantly lower level of pain following LLLT.&nbsp;Conclusion:&nbsp;The low-level laser therapy can be successfully used to decrease the level of pain experienced during infiltration anesthesia of the anterior maxilla

Microtensile Bond Strength of Composite to Enamel Using Universal Adhesive with/without Acid Etching Compared To Etch and Rinse and Self-Etch Bonding Agents

AIM: Considering the recent introduction of universal adhesives and the controversy regarding the use/no use of etchant prior to their application, this study sought to assess the microtensile bond strength of composite to enamel using universal adhesive with/without acid etching compared to three-step etch and rinse, two-step etch and rinse and two-step self-etch bonding agents. METHODS: This in vitro, an experimental study was conducted on 80 extracted sound human molars in five groups (16 each): Scotchbond Universal adhesive (3M) with/without prior etching, Adper Scthe otchbond Multi-Purpose, Single Bond and Clearfil SE Bond. Etching was performed with 37% phosphoric acid for 20 seconds followed by rinsing and drying. The bonding agent was then applied and light-cured. The e-lite composite was bonded to surfaces and light-cured. The teeth were then mounted, sectioned and subjected to microtensile bond strength test in a universal testing machine. The mode of failure was, determined under a stereomicroscope. Data were analysed using one-way ANOVA followed by Tukey’s test. RESULTS: Universal adhesive with prior etching yielded the highest bond strength (P = 0.03). Pairwise comparisons showed that the bond strength of this group was significantly higher than that of universal adhesive without prior etching (P = 0.04). No other significant differences were noted (P &gt; 0.05). The modes of failure were significantly different among the groups (P = 0.003). CONCLUSION: Enamel etching with phosphoric acid can significantly increase the bond strength to universal adhesive. Universal adhesive without prior etching provided the bond strength as high as that provided by etching and rinse and self-etch bonding agents

Applying the Taguchi Method to the Optimization of Anticancer Activity of Bacterial Alginate-CuO Bionanocomposite

AIM: In recent decades, despite various types of cancer inflicting many people worldwide, the existing therapies are not satisfactory and have many side effects. The present study was conducted to optimise the synthesis of novel alginate-CuO nanocomposite with utmost anticancer activity. METHODS: In this study, 9 nanocomposites were designed using Taguchi method and three factors including copper oxide nanoparticles, alginate biopolymer and stirring times were assessed at three different levels. The anticancer activity of the synthesised nanocomposites was evaluated on the MCF-7 cell line using the MTT method. Using the Qulitek-4 software, we determined the optimum conditions for the synthesis of alginate-CuO nanocomposite with the highest anticancer activity. RESULTS: The results indicated that all three factors (copper oxide, alginate and stirring time) were effective on the anticancer activity of the alginate-CuO nanocomposite. Also, the nanocomposite produced under the conditions of experiment 9 (8 mg/ml of copper oxide, 2 mg/ml of alginate and 60 min of stirring time) provided the highest growth inhibition rate as 75.63% against cancer cells. CONCLUSION: The synthesised alginate-copper oxide nanocomposites in this study showed a significant anticancer effect. Therefore, the synthesised nanocomposite under optimal conditions can be used in the design of new anticancer drugs