Evaluating the interaction of 308-nm xenon chloride excimer laser with human dentin and enamel hard tissues

Background: The pulsed output of the 308 nm XeCl laser and its photoablation action rather than photothermal action offers the ability to remove dental hard tissues with minimal generation of heat in the tissue. Materials and Methods: A total of 20 human molar teeth (ten teeth used as enamel samples and ten teeth used as dentin samples after removing the enamel tissue from their crowns) were irradiated by the laser. The crown of each sample was regarded as a cube which its lateral sides were exposed in 2Hz frequency without water cooling. Also, 18 holes for all enamel samples and 18 holes for all dentin samples were obtained. Three different amounts of energy were selected as a variable factor with 6 different numbers of pulses in each energy. The images of these holes were prepared by optic and computer combining, and the amounts of the ablation depth and effective ablation area were calculated using the MATLAB software. Results: The amounts of ablation depth were increased with increasing the number of pulses for both enamel and dentin tissues. The amounts of ablation depth were also increased with increasing the amounts of energy for both enamel and dentin tissues. The greater amounts of ablation depth and effective ablation area were observed in the dentin tissue rather than the enamel tissue. The borders of created holes were reported sharp and clear. Conclusion: The application of the XeCl laser for hard tissue removal and cavity preparation can be possible after some certain modifications

Grafting of a novel gold(III) complex on nanoporous MCM-41 and evaluation of its toxicity in Saccharomyces cerevisiae

The goal of this research was to investigate the potential of newly synthesized gold complex trichloro(2,4,6-trimethylpyridine)Au(III) as an anticancer agent. The gold(III) complex was synthesized and grafted on nanoporous silica, MCM-41, to produce AuCl3@PF-MCM- 41 (AuCl3 grafted on pyridine-functionalized MCM-41). The toxicity of trichloro(2,4,6- trimethylpyridine)Au(III) and AuCl3@PF-MCM-41 in Saccharomyces cerevisiae (as a model system) was studied. The gold(III) complex showed a mid cytotoxic effect on yeast viability. Using the drug delivery system, nanoporous MCM-41, the gold(III) complex became a strong inhibitor for growth of yeast cells at a very low concentration. Furthermore, the animal tests revealed a high uptake of AuCl3@PF-MCM-41 in tumor cells. The stability of the compound was confirmed in human serum

Improving the distribution of rural health houses using elicitation and GIS in Khuzestan province (The southwest of Iran)

Background: Rural health houses constitute a major provider of some primary health services in the villages of Iran. Given the challenges of providing health services in rural areas, health houses should be established based on the criteria of health network systems (HNSs). The value of these criteria and their precedence over others have not yet been thoroughly investigated. The present study was conducted to propose a model for improving the distribution of rural health houses in HNSs. Methods: The present applied study was conducted in Khuzestan province in the southwest of Iran in 2014-2016. First, the descriptive and spatial data required were collected and entered into ArcGIS after modifications, and the Geodatabase was then created. Based on the criteria of the HNS and according to experts� opinions, the main criteria and the sub-criteria for an optimal site selection were determined. To determine the criteria�s coefficient of importance (ie, their weight), the main criteria and the sub-criteria were compared in pairs according to experts� opinions. The results of the pairwise comparisons were entered into Expert Choice and the weight of the main criteria and the sub-criteria were determined using the analytic hierarchy process (AHP). The application layers were then formed in geographic information system (GIS). A model was ultimately proposed in the GIS for the optimal distribution of rural health houses by overlaying the weighting layers and the other layers related to villages and rural health houses. Results: Based on the experts� opinions, six criteria were determined as the main criteria for an optimal site selection for rural health houses, including welfare infrastructures, population, dispersion, accessibility, corresponding routes, distance to the rural health center and the absence of natural barriers to accessibility. Of the main criteria proposed, the highest weight was given to �population� (0.506). The priorities suggested in the proposed model for establishing rural health houses are presented within five zoning levels �from excellent to very poor. Conclusion: The results of the study showed that the proposed model can help provide a better picture of the distribution of rural health houses. The GIS is recommended to be used as a means of making the HNS more efficient. © 2018 The Author(s); Published by Kerman University of Medical Sciences

Study on synergistic effect of 2-phenylethanol and clotrimazole on candida species isolated from patients with chronic vulvovaginal candidiasis

Background: 2-phenylethanol is a colorless and aromatic compound with antimicrobial effects which is used extensively in perfumes and cosmetics, as well as in the food industry. Chronic vulvovaginal candidiasis is a vulvovaginal inflammation which is caused by Candida spp. Resistance to clotrimazole which is one of the most common drugs in the treatment of this disease was reported in many patients. In order to improve the treatment, the effect of 2-phenyl ethanol was investigated in combination with clotrimazole on Candida species isolated from chronic vulvovaginal candidiasis. Methods: This interventional study was performed in Iran University of Medical Sciences from February, 2016 until December, 2016 on Candida species isolated from women with chronic candidial vulvovaginitis who had been referred to Lolagar Hospital of Tehran. All specimens were examined by direct microscopy, culturing on Candida CHROMagar medium (to primary identification), sabouraud dextrose agar medium (to preservation the isolates) and determining the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) sequence (in order to final determination of Candida species). Then clotrimazole and 2-phenyl ethanol alone and in combination, was examined on isolated species, according to Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI) M27-A3 protocol (micro-broth dilution method). Finally, findings were analyzed. Results: From 40 detected strains of Candida species in this study, 95 were Candida albicans and 5 were Candida africana. The mean minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum fungicidal concentration (MFC) of clotrimazole were 24.73±28.87 μg/ml and 30.18±33.004 μg/ml, respectively and the mean MIC and MFC of 2-phenylethanol were 2580±932.38 μg/ml and 3200±1403.29 μg/ml, respectively. The MIC50 and MIC90 of clotrimazole were 16 and 64 μg/ml, respectively. The MIC50 and MIC90 of 2-phenylethanol were both 3200 μg/ml. Most of the isolates were resistant to clotrimazole (82.5). In combination test, the mean MIC of 2-phenylethanol and clotrimazole alone were 3200±0 μg/ml and 56±40.16 μg/ml, respectively. The fractional inhibitory concentration index (FICI) range was 0.14-0.37. Also, there was a significant difference between clotrimazole MIC values alone and in combination (P= 0.021). Conclusion: The synergistic effect was observed in combination of clotrimazole and 2-phenylethanol. © 2018, Tehran University of Medical Sciences. All rights reserved

Study on synergistic effect of 2-phenylethanol and clotrimazole on candida species isolated from patients with chronic vulvovaginal candidiasis

Background: 2-phenylethanol is a colorless and aromatic compound with antimicrobial effects which is used extensively in perfumes and cosmetics, as well as in the food industry. Chronic vulvovaginal candidiasis is a vulvovaginal inflammation which is caused by Candida spp. Resistance to clotrimazole which is one of the most common drugs in the treatment of this disease was reported in many patients. In order to improve the treatment, the effect of 2-phenyl ethanol was investigated in combination with clotrimazole on Candida species isolated from chronic vulvovaginal candidiasis. Methods: This interventional study was performed in Iran University of Medical Sciences from February, 2016 until December, 2016 on Candida species isolated from women with chronic candidial vulvovaginitis who had been referred to Lolagar Hospital of Tehran. All specimens were examined by direct microscopy, culturing on Candida CHROMagar medium (to primary identification), sabouraud dextrose agar medium (to preservation the isolates) and determining the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) sequence (in order to final determination of Candida species). Then clotrimazole and 2-phenyl ethanol alone and in combination, was examined on isolated species, according to Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI) M27-A3 protocol (micro-broth dilution method). Finally, findings were analyzed. Results: From 40 detected strains of Candida species in this study, 95 were Candida albicans and 5 were Candida africana. The mean minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum fungicidal concentration (MFC) of clotrimazole were 24.73±28.87 μg/ml and 30.18±33.004 μg/ml, respectively and the mean MIC and MFC of 2-phenylethanol were 2580±932.38 μg/ml and 3200±1403.29 μg/ml, respectively. The MIC50 and MIC90 of clotrimazole were 16 and 64 μg/ml, respectively. The MIC50 and MIC90 of 2-phenylethanol were both 3200 μg/ml. Most of the isolates were resistant to clotrimazole (82.5). In combination test, the mean MIC of 2-phenylethanol and clotrimazole alone were 3200±0 μg/ml and 56±40.16 μg/ml, respectively. The fractional inhibitory concentration index (FICI) range was 0.14-0.37. Also, there was a significant difference between clotrimazole MIC values alone and in combination (P= 0.021). Conclusion: The synergistic effect was observed in combination of clotrimazole and 2-phenylethanol. © 2018, Tehran University of Medical Sciences. All rights reserved

Improving the distribution of rural health houses using elicitation and GIS in Khuzestan province (The southwest of Iran)

Background: Rural health houses constitute a major provider of some primary health services in the villages of Iran. Given the challenges of providing health services in rural areas, health houses should be established based on the criteria of health network systems (HNSs). The value of these criteria and their precedence over others have not yet been thoroughly investigated. The present study was conducted to propose a model for improving the distribution of rural health houses in HNSs. Methods: The present applied study was conducted in Khuzestan province in the southwest of Iran in 2014-2016. First, the descriptive and spatial data required were collected and entered into ArcGIS after modifications, and the Geodatabase was then created. Based on the criteria of the HNS and according to experts� opinions, the main criteria and the sub-criteria for an optimal site selection were determined. To determine the criteria�s coefficient of importance (ie, their weight), the main criteria and the sub-criteria were compared in pairs according to experts� opinions. The results of the pairwise comparisons were entered into Expert Choice and the weight of the main criteria and the sub-criteria were determined using the analytic hierarchy process (AHP). The application layers were then formed in geographic information system (GIS). A model was ultimately proposed in the GIS for the optimal distribution of rural health houses by overlaying the weighting layers and the other layers related to villages and rural health houses. Results: Based on the experts� opinions, six criteria were determined as the main criteria for an optimal site selection for rural health houses, including welfare infrastructures, population, dispersion, accessibility, corresponding routes, distance to the rural health center and the absence of natural barriers to accessibility. Of the main criteria proposed, the highest weight was given to �population� (0.506). The priorities suggested in the proposed model for establishing rural health houses are presented within five zoning levels �from excellent to very poor. Conclusion: The results of the study showed that the proposed model can help provide a better picture of the distribution of rural health houses. The GIS is recommended to be used as a means of making the HNS more efficient. © 2018 The Author(s); Published by Kerman University of Medical Sciences

The effect of external wedge on the photoneutron dose equivalent at a high energy medical linac

Medical linacs used in radiotherapy produce bremsstrahlung spectra. In the energy range from 8 to 25 MV medical linacs produce, besides the clinically useful electron and photon beams, secondary neutrons. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of an external wedge filter on the photoneutron dose equivalent produced by a medical linac at patient plane. Polycarbonate (PC) films were used for the determination of photoneutron dose equivalent produced by a Varian 2100 C/D linac working at 18 MV photon mode. Neutron dose equivalent was measured at distances 0, 10, 20 and 50 cm from the center of the X-ray beam for open field and after inserting a wedge filter. It was noted that by inserting the external wedge in the path of the X-ray beam, the photoneutron dose equivalent was increased compared to open field. It can be concluded that an external wedge, made from heavy materials may act like the other components of linac head, producing undesired photoneutrons and thus increasing patient dose