Fracture resistance of teeth restored with packable and hybrid composites

Background and Aim: With recent introduction of packable composites, it is claimed that they apply less stress on tooth structure because of reduced polymerization shrinkage, and similarity of coefficient of thermal expansion to tooth structure. However, the high viscosity may in turn cause less adaptation, so it is not clearly known whether these materials strengthen tooth structure or not. The aim of this study was to evaluate fracture resistance of maxillary premolars, receiving hybrid or packable composite restorations with different methods of application and curing. Materials and Methods: In this experimental study, seventy five intact premolars were randomly assigned to five groups of 15 teeth each. One group was maintained intact as the control group. Similar MOD cavities were prepared in the other teeth. The teeth in group two were restored with Spectrum in incremental layers and light cured with 500 mw/cm2 intensity. The third group were filled with Surefil and cured with light intensity of 500 mw/cm2. The groups four and five were restored with Surefil in bulk technique with two different modes: 500 mw/cm2 intensity and a ramp mode (100-900 mw/cm2) respectively. After thermocycling, force to fracture was assessed and degree of conversion (DC) at the bottom of cavities was evaluated for different modes and methods. The curing and placement methods in groups tested for DC (A to D) were the same as fracture resistance groups (2 to 5). Data were analyzed using one way ANOVA and Tukey HSD tests with p<0.05 as the limit of significance. Results: All the restored groups showed significantly less fracture resistance than the control group, but had no significant difference among themselves. DC of Spectrum was higher than Surefil. Bulk method with 500 mw/cm2 light intensity, significantly decreased DC. DC in bulk method with high light intensity was not significantly different from incremental method with 500 mw/cm2 light intensity. Conclusion: Placement techniques, light intensity and type of composite had no influence on the fracture resistance. The use of packable composite with bulk technique and 500 mw/cm2 intensity or less is not recommended in 4 mm depth cavities due to insufficient DC

Contamination of Zayandeh Rud sediments with some heavy metals and chemical parameters

Background: The Zayandeh Rud, as a main river in the center of Iran, is the most important source of water for irrigation, industrial development and municipal use. The aim of this study was to evaluate the changes in contamination of Zayandeh Rud sediments. Materials and Methods: Samples were taken from the 6 stations along the river. Electrical conductivity, pH, organic matter and concentration of Pb, Cd and Ni were determined in the sediment samples.Results: The results showed a much sharper increase in electrical conductivity from station no.4 (Ejieh) to station no. 6 (Gavkhuni). Also, the sediment pH of Zayandeh Rud was alkaline with a minimum of 7.3 in station no. 2 (Chom) and a maximum of 7.9 in station no. 4. Concentration of Ni and content of organic matter increased from station no. 1 (Siosepol) to station no. 3 (Ziyar). The highest concentration of Pb was 72.1 mg/kg in station no. 2. Conclusion: According to the results of this study, concentration of Pb in urban areas was higher than the downstream. Concentration of Cd was 2 mg/kg in station no. 5 and in another stations was very low. Therefore, the sediments of the river are not contaminated with cadmium

Pseudotumor Cerebri after Kidney Transplantation

AbstractBackground and Objectives: Pseudotumor cerebri is defined by the increase of intracranial pressure. It has different atiologies but, many of its causes are idiopathic and typically present on young obese females. Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) analysis was normal in this case study and there was no evidence of intracranial mass, venous sinus thrombosis, or obstruction in CSF stream.In this study, we have reported a case of Pseudotumor cerebri presented 7 years after a successful kidney transplant, under treatment by Cyclosporine, Methylprednisolon and Azathioprine(AZT).Case Report: The patient was a 17-year old obese female with a body mass index of 30kg/m2 having Pseudotumor cerebri 7 years after a successful kidney transplant. Brain imaging like CT scan & MRA (Magnetic Resonance Angiography) were normal. CSF analysis was normal, but the increase in CSF pressure had been detected. Repetitive lumber punctures was performed with simultaneous Acetazolamid administration. But her headaches were treated even after the continuation of Cyclosporine and Methylprednisolon, anemia, and renal failure. For patients with kidney transplant and headaches, it is necessary to rule out Pseudotumor cerebri as a differential diagnosis. Neurotoxicity of Cyclosporine is not rare and we have to pay close attention to neurologic side effect of this drug as well. After diagnosing Pseudotumor cerebri in such patients, it is necessary to limit the progression of symptoms and avoid the decrease in patient 's visual acuity.Keywords: Pseudotumor Cerebri; Neurotoxicity; Cyclosporin

Survey of the transition between stages of heart disease and metabolic syndrome associated by using of Markov models

Introduction: Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the world. Acute Myocardial Infarction (AMI) is one of the most common cause of mortality causes in Iran. The purpose of this study is survey of the transition rates between heart disease stages and the effect of metabolic syndrome hazard on these transition rates by using a multi-state Markov model. Materials and Methods: 457 patients with heart disease which had admitted to the coronary care unit of Yazd hospitals in 2001 and 2002 were enrolled in the study and they were examined from their disease until 2006. Results: Estimated transition intensities suggest that in five years a patient in normal state with 26% probability will have symptomatic disease, with 11% probability will have advanced disease or with 24% probability be dead. Metabolic syndrome with HR=1.0598 indicates that the hazard of onset rate of heart disease for a person who is normally increases 6% and hazard of death for this person increases at the rate of 38% (HR=1.3778). Conclusion: When there are several outcomes, use of multi-state Markov model is recommended

Factors Affecting Quality of Life after Menopause in Women,

Introduction: Most women experience significant changes in quality of life(QOL) during and after menopausal and few researchers have quantified these changes. The aim of the present research was to assess quality of life(QOL) and determine factors related to its impairment among postmenopausal Iranian women. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted by cluster sampling method among 300 post-menopausal women in Yazd, Islamic Republic of Iran in 2008. Data was collected using the menopause quality of life questionnaire(MENQOL) by interview. Content validity and Cronbach's alpha were used respectively to ensure the validity and reliability of the questionnaires. Inferential and descriptive statistics via SPSS.15 software were used for data analysis. Results: The mean scores for quality of life in various dimensions were as follows: vasomotor dimension 12.34±4.71, psychological dimension 18.15±8.89, physical dimension 41.09±16.37 and in sexual dimension it was 10.97±6.52. There were significant relationships between psychological , physical and sexual dimensions and education level, economic level ,health level (p < 0.05) regardless of Spearman’s correlation, There were significant relationships between ,physical and sexual dimensions and number of pregnancies and age(p < 0.05). Conclusion: Menopause causes a decrease in quality of life that is dependent on work and other sociodemographic variables. It is therefore necessary to develop effective interventional programs to improve quality of life after menopause

Effects of Hibiscus Subdariffa on Albuminuria and Hypertension in Patients with Diabetic Nephropathy

Introduction: Diabetic nephropathy is the most common cause of renal failure. High blood pressure, specially its glomerular type is one of the dominant factors in the development of nephropathy in diabetic patients. The present study evaluates the effects of Hibiscus Subdariffa on blood pressure and urinary albumin in patients with diabetic nephropathy. Methods: Current study was a double-blind randomized clinical trial on 41 patients with diabetic nephropathy (15 males, 26 females). Patients were divided in two randomly chosen groups. The first group received herbal supplements of Hibiscus Subdariffa (tablets, 425 mg twice daily) while the other one received placebo. At baseline and at the end of an eighth weeks period, systolic, diastolic blood pressure and urinary albumin were measured. Results: At the end of the study period, Systolic blood pressure in the Hibiscus group dropped of 135 to 119.5 compared to the baseline. The level of reduction was statistically significant (p<0.05). At the end of the eighth weeks, urinary albumin concentration was reduced up to 20mg in the Hibiscus group. The level of reduction was statistically significant (p<0.05). The above mentioned changes were not observed in the placebo group. Conclusions: The study showed that Hibiscus Subdariffa supplementation causes a significant reduction in systolic blood pressure and urinary albumin. Thus, Hibiscus Subdariffa supplementation would be able to slow the progression of diabetic nephropathy