Microscopic Evaluation of Cleaning Efficiency of Three Different Nickel-Titanium Rotary Instruments

INTRODUCTION: This study compared the cleaning efficiency of Mtwo, Race and Medin Nickel-Titanium (NiTi) rotary instruments. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Sixty mandibular molar mesial roots were selected with angle curvatures between 25-35 degrees and divided into three groups; each containing 20 teeth. Canals were prepared with the rotary files and irrigated with 2.5% NaOCl solution after each instrument. Total of 5mL of normal saline was used as the final rinse; subsequently the canals were dried with paper points. The amount of debris and smear layer in three parts of the root canal walls was evaluated using SEM and the data were analyzed by using the Kruskal-Wallis test and the Mann-Whitney U test. RESULTS: The results for remnant debris in the coronal part of root canals were similar, whereas in the middle third, Mtwo instruments achieved significantly better results compared to Race and Medin instruments. In the apical third of the root canals more debris was created by Race instruments. CONCLUSION: Overall, Mtwo instruments had greater success in producing clean canals

Social Phobia and its Association with Academic Performance among Student of Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Iran

Background & Objective: Public speaking is a common academic activity. Social phobia is associated with fear of public speaking which affects educational achievement. However, few researches have examined the prevalence of social phobia among university students in Iran. The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of social phobia among students of Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Iran, and its impact on their academic performance. Methods: Social Phobia Inventory (SPIN), Brief Version of Negative Evaluation Scale, and a questionnaire assessing demographic characteristics and academic performance were applied to 700 randomly selected students from Kerman University of Medical Sciences. Results: The prevalence of social phobia among the university students was 40.6%. Grade Point Average (GPA) was not significantly different between the students with social phobia comparing to students without social phobia. Yet, students with social phobia believed that fear of speaking in public had negative effects on their academic performance. In this study, only 4.1% of students with social phobia have been visited by psychiatrists. Conclusion: Preventive strategies are recommended to reduce the under-recognition and the adverse impact of social phobia on academic performance of university students. Keywords Social phobia Academic performance Medical university students Kerman (Iran

Frequency of Psychiatric Disorders in Children of Opioid or Methamphetamine-Dependent ‎Patients

Background: Addiction is one of the main problems of human societies, which is more common in developing countries. In addition, it causes to personal and social problems and family problem. The aim of this study was to examine the prevalence of psychiatric disorders in children 5-15 years old of opioid or methamphetamine dependence patients. Methods: For this study, three groups including: (1) children of parents addicted to opium, (2) children of parents addicted to methamphetamine, and (3) control group were examined. Child symptom inventory-4 (CSI-4) questionnaires completed by non-hospitalized guardian and control group; then make interviews with the children by the Kiddie-schedule for affective disorders and schizophrenia (K-SADS). Data were analyzed by chi-square test and ANOVA. Findings: Survey showed that the frequency of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), major depressive disorder (MDD), generalized anxiety disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, specific phobia (SP), and separation anxiety disorder in children of addicted parents were more than a non-addicted parent. However, there was no significant difference between the two groups in the frequency of conduct disorder, social phobia, and oppositional defiant disorders (ODDs). Conclusion: Parental addiction can lead to an increase in some psychiatric disorders in the children. Therefore follow-up, early diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of these disorders in children of the drug-dependent parent are necessary to reduce health costs and improve the health system

The effects of Nigella sativa L. seed oil on BMI, WC and FBS in overweight men: A randomized controlled clinical trial

Background and aims: In recent years, the wide usage of herbal drugs has encouraged the medical scientists to evaluate its effects on health. Nigella sativa L. seed (N. sativa) as an herbal drug has prescribed in some diseases such as hyperlipidemia and metabolic syndrome. This study was conducted to investigate the effects of N. sativa on weight, BMI (Body Mass Index) and FBS (Fasting Blood Sugar) in overweight men. Methods: In this randomized controlled trial, we enrolled seventy eight subjects in two groups to receive 2.5 mL N. sativa oil (n=37) or 2.5 mL paraffin oil as placebo (n=30) two times a day orally for 2 months. FBS, weight, height, and WC (Waist Circumference) of subjects were measured before and after intervention in both groups. Results: After intervention, in N. sativa group, weight, BMI, FBS, and WC were significantly reduced (P<0.01) compared with baseline and also compared with placebo group. Conclusion: Our results showed that daily intake of 5ml N. sativa oil for two months could significantly reduce weight, WC and FBS in over weight men

Using layer-wise training for Road Semantic Segmentation in Autonomous Cars

A recently developed application of computer vision is pathfinding in self-driving cars. Semantic scene understanding and semantic segmentation, as subfields of computer vision, are widely used in autonomous driving. Semantic segmentation for pathfinding uses deep learning methods and various large sample datasets to train a proper model. Due to the importance of this task, accurate and robust models should be trained to perform properly in different lighting and weather conditions and in the presence of noisy input data. In this paper, we propose a novel learning method for semantic segmentation called layer-wise training and evaluate it on a light efficient structure called an efficient neural network (ENet). The results of the proposed learning method are compared with the classic learning approaches, including mIoU performance, network robustness to noise, and the possibility of reducing the size of the structure on two RGB image datasets on the road (CamVid) and off-road (Freiburg Forest) paths. Using this method partially eliminates the need for Transfer Learning. It also improves network performance when input is noisy

An Evaluation of Educational Iranian Papers on the Application of Evidence-Based Medicine

Background & Objective: Nearly two decades have passed since the establishment of evidence-based medicine (EBM). EBM is of great importance due to its ability to fill the information gap between medical research and clinical practice. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the existing evidence of the application of EBM in published Iranian educational papers. Methods: This is a systematic review of Iranian papers published in both Iranian and international journals. The results were reviewed by two researchers separately to assess the inclusion and exclusion criteria and evaluate the level of evidence. We used the Best Evidence Medical Education (BEME) guideline for conducting the systematic review and the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) flowchart to present the selection process. In addition, the Medical Education Research Quality Index (MERSQI) was used for the evaluation of the quality of the studies. Conclusion: Although there are a limited number of studies on the effect of education on EBM application, they present satisfactory and average quality evidence. Despite the existence of various educational courses on EBM in Iran, no high level and high quality evidence exists to show the effectiveness of education on knowledge, attitude, practice, and behavior of healthcare professionals especially in the long-term. Thus, the designing and performing of high quality research is required in this field. Key Words: Evidence-based medicine, Application, Educational papers, Ira

An Overview of Research in the Field of Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) in Iran: a Systematic Review

Introduction: Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) has many different epidemiological, social and political aspects. The aim of this study was to determine the research priorities according to the necessary aspects of HPV in Iran. Methods: The national and international databases were searched to obtain the published articles regarding HPV in Iran. All Epidemiologic studies were included in this review to assess research priorities. Results: Of 148 studies involving 14,661 participants, the most studies were conducted in Tehran (44.75%) province. Measuring prevalence of HPV (n=63, 42.5%), diagnosis of HPV by molecular techniques (n=52, 35.1%), Knowledge, Attitude and Practice studies (KAP) (n=13, 8.7%), vaccine efficacy (n=8, 5.4%), cost and cost effectiveness analysis (n=4, 2.7%), co-infection of HPV and sexually transmitted diseases (n=5, 3.3%) were the frequent aims of the included studies. Sixty percent (n=57) of the studies were conducted in clinical patients including patients with cervical cancer (n=30, 52.6%), patients with prostate cancer/Benign Prostate Hyperplasia (n=6, 10.5%), and patients with Esophageal carcinoma (n=5, 8.7%). &nbsp;Conclusion: According to our results, the high-risk groups such as female sex workers, injecting drug users and prisoners are in priority for research in the field of HPV. Despite ample epidemiologic studies on prevalence and association of HPV with specific cancers, evidence towards effectiveness and cost-benefits of HPV vaccination is required to prevent the infection and its complicated clinical consequences

Molecular Genetics and Epidemiology of Vitiligo: A Minireview

Background and aims: Vitiligo is an acquired, idiopathic, and common depigmentation disorder of the skin that affects people of all ages and both sexes equally worldwide. Although etiology of the disease is unknown, there are theories such as environment and genetic factors. Methods: In this article, we collected and summarized the appropriate manuscripts regarding the epidemiology and genetics using the terms vitiligo and genetic epidemiology in PubMed and Google Scholar. Results: Studies showed the highest prevalence of disease in African countries, but with regard to the distribution of disease in different areas, environmental factors were as important as other causes of vitiligo, and 3 genes of FOXP3, XBP1 and TSLP had the most association with the disease. Conclusion: It seems that recognition of the genetic basis of vitiligo will supply new insight into the therapies for it. Therefore, more genetic studies are needed to discover the genes and causes linked to clinical aspects of this disease

Comparing the adverse outcomes of contraception failure between IUD and withdrawal methods

Background: Objective of current study was to compare the adverse outcomes of pregnancy after failure of IUD (Intrauterine device) with the withdrawal method of contraception in order to predict and prevent such outcomes.Methods: In a retrospective cohort study, the adverse outcomes of 224 pregnancies (2 groups, 112 women each) were assessed following failure of the IUD or withdrawal methods of contraception (coitus interruptus). Data were analyzed and P values ≤0.05 were considered statistically significant.Results: Rates of spontaneous and induced abortion, ectopic pregnancy, and vaginal bleeding during second half of pregnancy were more common in the removed IUD group compared to the withdrawal method, differences however not significant. No fetal abnormality was observed in IUD group. Preterm birth (p= 0.045), preterm premature rupture of membrane (p= 0.01), and vaginal bleeding during pregnancy (p= 0.01), were more prevalent in the IUD group (retained and removed) compared to those using the withdrawal method.Conclusions: Considering the adverse outcomes, we knew women with pregnancy after failure of IUD were at an increased risk for such outcomes, compared to those using the withdrawal method; however the results of this research showed these adverse effects are not significant when pregnancy with IUD is detected earlier and IUD is removed during the early stage(s) of pregnancy