Perceived Barriers of Mothers in Use of Dental Floss for their 3-6-Year-Old Children:A Qualitative Study

Introduction:Flossing is the best and most common way to clean between teeth where plaque accumulation and gingivitis starts. However, many mothers neglect the flossing of their small children. The purpose of this study was to provide better understanding of perceived barriers of mothers in use of dental floss for their 3-6-year-old children. Method:This qualitative study examined the perceived barriers of 40 mothers of 3-6-year-old childrenutilizing qualitative content analysis approach. Participants were selected using purposeful sampling in Kamyaran, Iran, in 2014. Data were collected through conducting in-depth, semi-structured interviews. The transcriptions of all interviews were analyzed by content analysis technique to extract main themes in regards to research questions. Results:Mothers’ perceived barriers were categorized into two main groups as mother and family member-related barriers (inappropriate attitudes, behaviors and skills, mental and emotional conditions, and knowledge) and child-related barriers (skill). Conclusion:The results of this study highlight the importance of understanding mothers’ barriers to help their children in flossing and emphasized the role of mothers and family members in establishing this oral health behavior in children fromearly years. It is suggested that comprehensive and effective oral health education programs should include modifying wrong, but important, assumptions and beliefs of parents regarding primary teeth and importance of healthy oral health behaviors. Keywords: Mothers’ perceived barriers, Dental floss, 3-6-year-old children, Qualitative researc

Mothers’ perceived barriers in the control of sweets consumption in 3-6 years old children; a qualitative study

Background and Aims: Consumption of sweets (snack foods) is one of the most important risk factors associated with dental decay. Children have a great interest in using snack foods. Most children, however, are disadvantaged of taking appropriate action by their parents to control their nutritional behaviors, because of various reasons. This study aimed to explore mothers’ perceived barriers in the control of sweets consumption by their children. Materials and Methods: The present qualitative study consisting of 40 mothers having 3-6 years old children was performed on Kamyaran residents in 2014 to evaluate their attitudes towards barriers in the control of sweets consumption. Participants were selected based on purposeful sampling and semi-structured interviews were exploited in order to data gathering. Transcriptions of all interviews were analyzed employing content analysis technique to extract main themes according to research questions. Before each interview mothers were informed regarding aim of research, interview style, freedom to leave the interview and the way interview content would be kept private.Results: The data analyzed suggests that it was possible to categorize mothers’ perceived barriers into three main themes including a) mother related barriers (lack of knowledge and inappropriate attitude), b) child related barriers (emotional status and inappropriate behavior) and c) family related barriers (culture and behavior of family members). Conclusion: It is hoped that the present research will broaden our understanding of perceived barriers of mothers which could be utilized for future quantitative researches and dental health educational programs.Key words: Perceived Barriers, Sweets Consumption, Dental Carie

Evaluation of sample size effect on the identification of haplotype blocks

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Genome-wide maps of linkage disequilibrium (LD) and haplotypes have been created for different populations. Substantial sharing of the boundaries and haplotypes among populations was observed, but haplotype variations have also been reported across populations. Conflicting observations on the extent and distribution of haplotypes require careful examination. The mechanisms that shape haplotypes have not been fully explored, although the effect of sample size has been implicated. We present a close examination of the effect of sample size on haplotype blocks using an original computational simulation.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>A region spanning 19.31 Mb on chromosome 20q was genotyped for 1,147 SNPs in 725 Japanese subjects. One region of 445 kb exhibiting a single strong LD value (average |D'|; 0.94) was selected for the analysis of sample size effect on haplotype structure. Three different block definitions (recombination-based, LD-based, and diversity-based) were exploited to create simulations for block identification with <it>θ </it>value from real genotyping data. As a result, it was quite difficult to estimate a haplotype block for data with less than 200 samples. Attainment of a reliable haplotype structure with 50 samples was not possible, although the simulation was repeated 10,000 times.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>These analyses underscored the difficulties of estimating haplotype blocks. To acquire a reliable result, it would be necessary to increase sample size more than 725 and to repeat the simulation 3,000 times. Even in one genomic region showing a high LD value, the haplotype block might be fragile. We emphasize the importance of applying careful confidence measures when using the estimated haplotype structure in biomedical research.</p

Evaluation of sample size effect on the identification of haplotype blocks

Background: Genome-wide maps of linkage disequilibrium (LD) and haplotypes have been created for different populations. Substantial sharing of the boundaries and haplotypes among populations was observed, but haplotype variations have also been reported across populations. Conflicting observations on the extent and distribution of haplotypes require careful examination. The mechanisms that shape haplotypes have not been fully explored, although the effect of sample size has been implicated. We present a close examination of the effect of sample size on haplotype blocks using an original computational simulation. Results: A region spanning 19.31 Mb on chromosome 20q was genotyped for 1,147 SNPs in 725 Japanese subjects. One region of 445 kb exhibiting a single strong LD value (average |D'|; 0.94) was selected for the analysis of sample size effect on haplotype structure. Three different block definitions (recombination-based, LD-based, and diversity-based) were exploited to create simulations for block identification with θ value from real genotyping data. As a result, it was quite difficult to estimate a haplotype block for data with less than 200 samples. Attainment of a reliable haplotype structure with 50 samples was not possible, although the simulation was repeated 10,000 times. Conclusion: These analyses underscored the difficulties of estimating haplotype blocks. To acquire a reliable result, it would be necessary to increase sample size more than 725 and to repeat the simulation 3,000 times. Even in one genomic region showing a high LD value, the haplotype block might be fragile. We emphasize the importance of applying careful confidence measures when using the estimated haplotype structure in biomedical research

Potential natural products against respiratory viruses : a perspective to develop anti-COVID-19 medicines

The emergence of viral pneumonia caused by a novel coronavirus (CoV), known as the 2019 novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV), resulted in a contagious acute respiratory infectious disease in December 2019 in Wuhan, Hubei Province, China. Its alarmingly quick transmission to many countries across the world and a considerable percentage of morbidity and mortality made the World Health Organization recognize it as a pandemic on March 11, 2020. The perceived risk of infection has led many research groups to study COVID-19 from different aspects. In this literature review, the phylogenetics and taxonomy of COVID-19 coronavirus, epidemiology, and respiratory viruses similar to COVID-19 and their mode of action are documented in an approach to understand the behavior of the current virus. Moreover, we suggest targeting the receptors of SARS-CoV and SARS-CoV-2 such as ACE2 and other proteins including 3CLpro and PLpro for improving antiviral activity and immune response against COVID-19 disease. Additionally, since phytochemicals play an essential role in complementary therapies for viral infections, we summarized different bioactive natural products against the mentioned respiratory viruses with a focus on influenza A, SARS-CoV, MERS, and COVID-19.Based on current literature, 130 compounds have antiviral potential, and of these, 94 metabolites demonstrated bioactivity against coronaviruses. Interestingly, these are classified in different groups of natural products, including alkaloids, flavonoids, terpenoids, and others. Most of these compounds comprise flavonoid skeletons. Based on our survey, xanthoangelol E (88), isolated from Angelica keiskei (Miq.) Koidz showed inhibitory activity against SARS-CoV PLpro with the best IC50 value of 1.2 μM. Additionally, hispidulin (3), quercetin (6), rutin (8), saikosaponin D (36), glycyrrhizin (47), and hesperetin (55) had remarkable antiviral potential against different viral infections.Among these compounds, quercetin (6) exhibited antiviral activities against influenza A, SARS-CoV, and COVID-19 and this seems to be a highly promising compound. In addition, our report discusses the obstacles and future perspectives to highlight the importance of developing screening programs to investigate potential natural medicines against COVID-19.http://www.frontiersin.org/Physicsam2022Paraclinical Science

Lack of association of genetic variation in chromosome region 15q14-22.1 with type 2 diabetes in a Japanese population

Background: Chromosome 15q14-22.1 has been linked to type 2 diabetes (T2D) and its related traits in Japanese and other populations. The presence of T2D disease susceptibility variant(s) was assessed in the 21.8 Mb region between D15S118 and D15S117 in a Japanese population using a region-wide case-control association test. Methods: A two-stage association test was performed using Japanese subjects: The discovery panel (Stage 1) used 372 cases and 360 controls, while an independent replication panel (Stage 2) used 532 cases and 530 controls. A total of 1,317 evenly-spaced, common SNP markers with minor allele frequencies > 0.10 were typed for each stage. Captured genetic variation was examined in HapMap JPT SNPs, and a haplotype-based association test was performed. Results: SNP2140 (rs2412747) (C/T) in intron 33 of the ubiquitin protein ligase E3 component n-recognin 1 (UBR1) gene was selected as a landmark SNP based on repeated significant associations in Stage 1 and Stage 2. However, the marginal p value (p = 0.0043 in the allelic test, OR = 1.26, 95% CI = 1.07–1.48 for combined samples) was weak in a single locus or haplotype-based association test. We failed to find any significant SNPs after correcting for multiple testing. Conclusion: The two-stage association test did not reveal a strong association between T2D and any common variants on chromosome 15q14-22.1 in 1,794 Japanese subjects. A further association test with a larger sample size and denser SNP markers is required to confirm these observations

Lack of association of genetic variation in chromosome region 15q14-22.1 with type 2 diabetes in a Japanese population

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Chromosome 15q14-22.1 has been linked to type 2 diabetes (T2D) and its related traits in Japanese and other populations. The presence of T2D disease susceptibility variant(s) was assessed in the 21.8 Mb region between <it>D15S118 </it>and <it>D15S117 </it>in a Japanese population using a region-wide case-control association test.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>A two-stage association test was performed using Japanese subjects: The discovery panel (Stage 1) used 372 cases and 360 controls, while an independent replication panel (Stage 2) used 532 cases and 530 controls. A total of 1,317 evenly-spaced, common SNP markers with minor allele frequencies > 0.10 were typed for each stage. Captured genetic variation was examined in HapMap JPT SNPs, and a haplotype-based association test was performed.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>SNP2140 (rs2412747) (<it>C/T</it>) in intron 33 of the ubiquitin protein ligase E3 component n-recognin 1 (<it>UBR1</it>) gene was selected as a landmark SNP based on repeated significant associations in Stage 1 and Stage 2. However, the marginal <it>p </it>value (<it>p </it>= 0.0043 in the allelic test, OR = 1.26, 95% CI = 1.07–1.48 for combined samples) was weak in a single locus or haplotype-based association test. We failed to find any significant SNPs after correcting for multiple testing.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>The two-stage association test did not reveal a strong association between T2D and any common variants on chromosome 15q14-22.1 in 1,794 Japanese subjects. A further association test with a larger sample size and denser SNP markers is required to confirm these observations.</p

موانع درك شده مادران در كنترل مصرف مواد قندى در كودكان6-3،مطالعه كيفي

Background and Aims:&nbsp;Consumption of sweets (snack foods) is one of the most important risk factors associated with dental decay. Children have a great interest in using snack foods. Most children, however, are disadvantaged of taking appropriate action by their parents to control their nutritional behaviors, because of various reasons. This study aimed to explore mothers’ perceived barriers in the control of sweets consumption by their children.Materials and Methods:&nbsp;The present qualitative study consisting of 40 mothers having 3-6 years old children was performed on Kamyaran residents in 2014 to evaluate their attitudes towards barriers in the control of sweets consumption. Participants were selected based on purposeful sampling and semi-structured interviews were exploited in order to data gathering. Transcriptions of all interviews were analyzed employing content analysis technique to extract main themes according to research questions. Before each interview mothers were informed regarding aim of research, interview style, freedom to leave the interview and the way interview content would be kept private.Results:&nbsp;The data analyzed suggests that it was possible to categorize mothers’ perceived barriers into three main themes including a) mother related barriers (lack of knowledge and inappropriate attitude), b) child related barriers (emotional status and inappropriate behavior) and c) family related barriers (culture and behavior of family members).Conclusion: It is hoped that the present research will broaden our understanding of perceived barriers of mothers which could be utilized for future quantitative researches and dental health educational programs.زمينه و هدف: مصرف مواد قندی در میان وعده‌ها از مهم‌ترین عوامل خطر مرتبط با پوسیدگی دندان است. کودکان علاقه شدیدی به مصرف این مواد دارند و والدین به دلایل متفاوت، اقدام مناسب جهت کنترل این رفتار را انجام نمی‌دهند. مطالعه حاضر با هدف تبیین موانع درک شده مادران در زمینه کنترل رفتار تغذیه با مواد قندی در کودکان صورت پذیرفت. مواد و روش‌ها: این مطالعه کیفی پدیدارشناسی در سال 1393 بر روی 40 مادر دارای کودک 6-3 سال انجام شد که به صورت هدفمند انتخاب شده بودند. جهت گردآوری داده‌ها از مصاحبه‌های عمیق نیمه ساختارمند استفاده شد. تمام داده­‌ها ضبط و دست‌نویس شده و با تحلیل درون‌مایه‌ای مورد تجزیه و تحلیل قرار گرفت. به منظور رعایت موازین اخلاقی، قبل از شروع مصاحبه، به مشارکت‌کنندگان، هدف تحقیق، روش مصاحبه، محرمانه بودن داده‌ها و آزادی آن‌ها برای ورود یا خروج از مطالعه توضیح داده شد و رضایت شفاهی آن‌ها برای شرکت در مطالعه کسب شد. يافته‌ها: بر اساس نتایج این مطالعه، موانع درک شده مادران در 3 درونمایه اصلی متشکل از موانع درک شده مربوط به مادر (عدم آگاهی و نگرش نامناسب)، موانع درک شده مربوط به کودک ( شرایط روحی و رفتار نامناسب) و موانع درک شده مربوط به خانواده (فرهنگ و رفتار اعضای خانواده) قابل طبقه بندی بود. نتيجه گيري: این پژوهش، دیدگاهی عمیق از موانع مصرف مناسب مواد قندی درکودکان از منظر مادران ایجاد می‌کند که می‌توان از آن به عنوان پایه‌ای برای مطالعات کمی آینده و آموزش به مادران در جهت ارتقاء سلامت دهان و دندان کودکان استفاده نمود

The Applicability, Concurrent Validity and Internal Consistency Reliability of the Persian Version of the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS): Evidences for Gender Differences

Background: The National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) can objectively quantify the severity of stroke. However no information is available about psychometric properties and it’s applicability in the Iranian population. Objectives: The present study purposed by utilization of this instrument for neurological deficits measurement due to stroke, to determine the internal consistency reliability and concurrent validity of NIHSS to separate two groups of men and women patients. Materials and Methods: In a cross-sectional study, 206 ischemic stroke patients were selected and the internal consistency reliability and concurrent validity of NIHSS were assessed. For this purpose, Barthel index that measures the functional disability was used. Data also were analyzed by Independent t-test, Chi-square, Pearson correlation, Fisher's z tests and bivariate regression analysis. Results: Internal consistency for men (α=0.881), women (α=0.913) and total patients (α=0.893) was excellent. Negative correlation was found between NIHSS and Barthel index in both men (r=-0.43, p<0.0001) and women (r=-0.63, p<0.0001) and this relationship estimated to be more significant among women rather than men (p<0.05). In addition, NIHSS scores could significantly predict the Barthel score in both groups (p<0.0001) but the results revealed the more ability of NIHSS in predicting functional disability for women (R2=0.40) rather than men (R2=0.18). Conclusion: Persian version of NIHSS was reliable and valid instrument that can be applicable in both men and women with ischemic stroke; however, it was found that the degree of concurrent validity is better among women than men