Lipid-modifying effect of vitamin D fortified products: A systematic review and meta-analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials

Objectives: Various fortification strategies have been proposed to account to treat or prevent vitamin D deficiency. However, the optimum fortification approach, and the effect of these on health is not widely understood. There have been controversial reports regarding the effect of vitamin D fortification on the lipid profile. The aim of present review is the evaluation of administration of vitamin D fortified products on lipid profile.Methods: We used databases including PubMed/Medline, ISI Web of Knowledge, Science Direct, Scopus and Cochrane Library. A search was conducted until 2020 Randomized controlled trials that have assessed the relationship between consumption of vitamin D fortified products and serum lipid profile were included. The relationship between fortification dose, dairy or non-dairy fortification as well as duration of intervention and plasma lipid profiles evaluated in separate sub-groups.Results: Among serum lipids including total cholesterol(TC), triglyceride(TG), low density lipoprotein(LDL) and high density lipoprotein(HDL), fortification of vitamin D was reported to have a significant effect on reducing total cholesterol (pooled estimate: -0.089 mmol/L, 95%CI: -0.134 to -0.044, p<0.001). Its effect on other lipid profiles were not significant (LDL pooled estimate:-0.115 mmol/L, 95%CI:-0.238 to 0.008; HDL pooled estimate:0.024 mmol/L, 95%CI:-0.024 to 0.071; TG pooled estimate:-0.176mmol/L, 95%CI:-0.499 to 0.148).Conclusion: This meta-analysis demonstrated that vitamin D fortification could significantly reduce TC both in long and short term interventions and in different products. However this reduction, whilst statistically significant, may not be clinically important. The effect of fortification on other lipid profile components vary depending on dose and duration

The efficacy of treatment performed for temporomandibular joint patients at dental school of Tehran University of Medical Sciences

Background and Aims: Temporomandibular joint disorders are common problems among patients referring to dental schools and clinics. However appropriate treatment modalities are performed for the TMD patients in dental school, the results and success rate of these treatments are not studied distinctly. The aims of this study was to determine the treatment performed for temporomandibular patients at the TMJ department of Tehran University dental school in 2010-11 .   Materials and Methods: In a descriptive cross-sectional trial, 85 TMD patients treated at the TMJ department of Tehran University dental school were examined at least 3 months after the treatments. The patients demographic data ,TMD signs and symptoms and the improvements occurred in TMD disorder were determined (complete, partial and no improvement). The patients satisfaction regarding the treatment results were investigated and data were analyzed regarding the presence of different TMD signs and symptoms before and after the treatment using Mann-Whitney U test .   Results: TMJ pain (35 cases, 42.2%), click (33 cases, 39.8%) and muscle tenderness (26 cases, 31.3%) were the most prevalent obtained signs and symptoms. The mean age of the patients were 32.3 years old while females were the predominant group (72 cases vs.11 one). 44 individuals (53.0%) were treated by splint, 11 ones (13.3%) with anterior repositioning splint and 17 individuals (92.5%) were managed by physiotherapy plus splint. 65 patients (87.3%) were satisfied with the results and 16 ones (19.3%) were not. After the treatment, patients with TMJ pain (P0.05) .   Conclusion: The results showed that the treatments presented for the TMD patients at Tehran University dental school were successful and most patients received satisfactory treatment

Exosomes: New insights into cancer mechanisms

Exosomes are mobile extracellular vesicles with a diameter 40 to 150 nm. They play a critical role in several processes such as the development of cancers, intercellular signaling, drug resistance mechanisms, and cell-to-cell communication by fusion onto the cell membrane of recipient cells. These vesicles contain endogenous proteins and both noncoding and coding RNAs (microRNA and messenger RNAs) that can be delivered to various types of cells. Furthermore, exosomes exist in body fluids such as plasma, cerebrospinal fluid, and urine. Therefore, they could be used as a novel carrier to deliver therapeutic nucleic-acid drugs for cancer therapy. It was recently documented that, hypoxia promotes exosomes secretion in different tumor types leading to the activation of vascular cells and angiogenesis. Cancer cell-derived exosomes (CCEs) have been used as prognostic and diagnostic markers in many types of cancers because exosomes are stable at 4°C and −70°C. CCEs have many functional roles in tumorigenesis, metastasis, and invasion. Consequently, this review presents the data about the therapeutic application of exosomes and the role of CCEs in cancer invasion, drug resistance, and metastasis

Fracture Strength of Three-Unit Implant Supported Fixed Partial Dentures with Excessive Crown Height Fabricated from Different Materials

Objectives: Fracture strength is an important factor influencing the clinical long-term success of implant-supported prostheses especially in high stress situations like excessive crown height space (CHS). The purpose of this study was to compare the fracture strength of implant-supported fixed partial dentures (FPDs) with excessive crown height, fabricated from three different materials. Materials and Methods: Two implants with corresponding abutments were mounted in a metal model that simulated mandibular second premolar and second molar. Thirty 3-unit frameworks with supportive anatomical design were fabricated using zirconia, nickel-chromium alloy (Ni-Cr), and polyetheretherketone (PEEK) (n=10). After veneering, the CHS was equal to 15mm. Then; samples were axially loaded on the center of pontics until fracture in a universal testing machine at a crosshead speed of 0.5 mm/minute. The failure load data were analyzed by one-way ANOVA and Games-Howell tests at significance level of 0.05. Results: The mean failure loads for zirconia, Ni-Cr and PEEK restorations were 2086±362N, 5591±1200N and 1430±262N, respectively. There were significant differences in the mean failure loads of the three groups (P<0.001). The fracture modes in zirconia, metal ceramic and PEEK restorations were cohesive, mixed and adhesive type, respectively. Conclusions: According to the findings of this study, all implant supported three-unit FPDs fabricated of zirconia, metal ceramic and PEEK materials are capable to withstand bite force (even para-functions) in the molar region with excessive CHS.

Genomic analysis of Mycobacterium tuberculosis in respiratory positive-smear patients using PGRS-RFLP in northwest and west provinces of Iran

Aims and objectives: Clustering of and determining Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB) strains is of great concern in control programs of tuberculosis (TB). Identification of transmission type and tracking the infection source is also highly necessary. The aim of the present study is to track and determine the type of MTB infection, as well as its relationship with demographic factors using PGRS-RFLP. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 84 smear-positive patients from 5 frontier provinces (East Azerbaijan, West Azerbaijan, Ardebil, Kurdistan, and Kermanshah) were investigated according to PGRS-RFLP. Demographic data were collected using a questionnaire. The results were analyzed by SPSS-18 and G-Box. Result: Based on clustering, recent transmission was 66%. Most clusters were obtained from Kurdistan and Kermanshah. Vaccination record (p = 0.49) and treatment group (without previous treatment) (p = 0.004) had a significant relationship with clustering. Other demographic factors including age, gender, religion, drug abuse, smoking, history of migration, and marital status did not show a significant relationship with clustering. Conclusion: Genetic variation of MTB is high in this region. The rate of recent transmission based on clustering was unexpected (global average is 30–40%). Recent transmission was more dynamic in west Iran than northwest Iran. The strong relationship between treatment group 1 (without previous treatment) and clustering based on PGRS-RFLP can demonstrate the high correlation between molecular and classic information. In addition, the significant relationship between vaccination record and clustering highlights the necessity to conduct more extensive studies

In ovo injection of vitamin E on post-hatch immunological parameters and broiler chicken performance

Objective: To investigate the in ovo injection (IOI) of vitamin E (VE) on serum post-hatch immunological parameters and broiler chicken performance. Methods: Fertile eggs (n=400) were distributed into four groups of 100 eggs. On 14th day of incubation, two groups were injected with 0.5 mL of 15 or 30 mg VE dissolved in physiology serum. Rest two groups were used as sham control (injected with 0.5 mL physiology serum) and un-injected control. The hatched chickens from each group were randomly assigned to four replications of 12 chickens and reared under standard condition. Results: Hatchability percentage was apparently increased (P<0.05) by IOI of VE rather controls. Antibodies titer of avian influenza, infectious bronchitis, and the level of IgM were significantly increased (P≤0.043) by IOI of 30 mg/egg VE rather both controls at 21 days of age. Antibodies titer of avian influenza, infectious bronchitis, and newcastle disease were significantly increased (P≤0.033) by IOI of VE (30 mg/egg) rather both controls at 42 days of age. This treatment was significantly increased (P≤0.034) the levels of IgM and IgA relative to sham control at 42 days of age. Higher (P=0.004) level of IgG was obtained by IOI of both levels of VE rather both controls at 42 days of age. Feed intake was increased (P=0.041) by IOI of VE (30 mg/egg) at 1 to 21 days of age. Conclusions: Broiler chicken performance did not affect with IOI of VE, while hatchability and post-hatch immunity status were boost up by IOI of 30 mg/egg VE

Exosomes: New insights into cancer mechanisms

Exosomes are mobile extracellular vesicles with a diameter 40 to 150 nm. They play a critical role in several processes such as the development of cancers, intercellular signaling, drug resistance mechanisms, and cell-to-cell communication by fusion onto the cell membrane of recipient cells. These vesicles contain endogenous proteins and both noncoding and coding RNAs (microRNA and messenger RNAs) that can be delivered to various types of cells. Furthermore, exosomes exist in body fluids such as plasma, cerebrospinal fluid, and urine. Therefore, they could be used as a novel carrier to deliver therapeutic nucleic-acid drugs for cancer therapy. It was recently documented that, hypoxia promotes exosomes secretion in different tumor types leading to the activation of vascular cells and angiogenesis. Cancer cell-derived exosomes (CCEs) have been used as prognostic and diagnostic markers in many types of cancers because exosomes are stable at 4°C and −70°C. CCEs have many functional roles in tumorigenesis, metastasis, and invasion. Consequently, this review presents the data about the therapeutic application of exosomes and the role of CCEs in cancer invasion, drug resistance, and metastasis

Application of oak powder/Fe 3 O 4 magnetic composite in toxic metals removal from aqueous solutions

In this study, the capability of a magnetic composite of oak powder/Fe 3 O 4 (OP/Fe 3 O 4 ) for the adsorption of lead, cobalt, and nickel ions from aqueous solutions was examined. Characteristics and structure of oak powder (OP) and OP/Fe 3 O 4 magnetic composite were explored by FTIR, SEM, TGA-DTG, VSM, and XRD analysis. The XRD results showed that OP/Fe 3 O 4 magnetic composite and OP were in crystalline form. Kinetic behavior of adsorption process was studied using pseudo-first-order, pseudo-second-order, and Elovich models. Results indicated that the pseudo-second-order model (R 2 > 0.999) can better describe the kinetic behavior of the metal adsorption process. Equilibrium behavior of the adsorption process was also tested using Langmuir, Freundlich, Dubinin–Radushkevich (D–R), and Scatchard isotherm models. The results revealed that the adsorption equilibrium data for three metals match with the Freundlich isotherm model (R 2 > 0.99). This indicates the effectiveness of heterogeneous surfaces in comparison with homogeneous ones in the adsorption process of metal ions. Moreover, the results showed that the adsorption process of metal ions with the OP/Fe 3 O 4 magnetic composite is physical. Finally, negative values of enthalpy and entropy indicated that the process of the metal ion adsorption is spontaneous and exothermic