A Promising Modified Procedure for Upper Eyelid Retraction-Associated Graves’ Ophthalmopathy: Transconjunctival Lateral Levator Aponeurectomy

Upper eyelid retraction is a characteristic feature of thyroid eye disease, including Graves’ orbitopathy. In this study, a new surgical technique for correction of lid retraction secondary to Graves’ orbitopathy is described. Sixteen eyelids of patients older than 18 years old underwent surgical correction for moderate to severe lid retraction secondary to Graves’ orbitopathy. In this procedure, levator aponeurectomy was performed via a transconjunctival approach. Upper marginal reflex distance (MRD1) was measured before the surgery and at 1 week, 3 months, and 6 months after the surgery. MRD1 was reduced significantly from preoperatively (mean: 7.84 mm) to 1 week after the surgery (mean: 3.59 mm) (P < 0.001). Three and six months after surgery, mean MRD1 was 5.09 mm and 5.10 mm, respectively, showing that lid retraction was improved significantly (P < 0.001). Lateral levator aponeurectomy via the transconjunctival approach is a simple, scar-less, quick procedure that has optimal stable outcome.Â

A Scientometric Study of Oral Medicine Articles from Iran Published in PubMed-Indexed Journals

Objectives This study aimed to scientometrically assess the oral medicine articles from Iran published in PubMed-indexed journals.Methods In this descriptive cross-sectional study, the author information section of PubMed database was electronically searched for oral medicine articles published from the beginning of 2006 to the beginning of 2016 with at least one author from Iran using the keywords “oral medicine”, “oral and maxillofacial medicine”, “stomatology”, “stomatologist”, and “Iran”. The results were reported as frequency, and trend analysis was performed.Results A total of 280 oral medicine articles published from the beginning of 2006 to the beginning of 2016 were found to have at least one author from Iran, which comprised 2.9% of the entire articles in this field. The majority of published articles were original articles (77%) followed by case reports (15%), review articles (5%), short communications (2%) and letter to editors (1%). The majority of articles had been published in J Dent Res Dent Clin Dent Prospects (18%), followed by J Dent (Tehran) (6.7%), and J Contemp Dent Pract (5.5%). The trend of publication of articles was ascending during this time period except for the year 2011. The frequency of articles had a significantly ascending trend during the aforementioned time period (P=0.004).Conclusion From the beginning of 2006 to the beginning of 2016, Iran’s share of oral medicine articles published in PubMed-indexed journals was around 3% and had an ascending tren

A Promising Modified Procedure for Upper Eyelid Retraction-Associated Graves’ Ophthalmopathy: Transconjunctival Lateral Levator Aponeurectomy

Upper eyelid retraction is a characteristic feature of thyroid eye disease, including Graves’ orbitopathy. In this study, a new surgical technique for correction of lid retraction secondary to Graves’ orbitopathy is described. Sixteen eyelids of patients older than 18 years old underwent surgical correction for moderate to severe lid retraction secondary to Graves’ orbitopathy. In this procedure, levator aponeurectomy was performed via a transconjunctival approach. Upper marginal reflex distance (MRD1) was measured before the surgery and at 1 week, 3 months, and 6 months after the surgery. MRD1 was reduced significantly from preoperatively (mean: 7.84 mm) to 1 week after the surgery (mean: 3.59 mm) (P < 0.001). Three and six months after surgery, mean MRD1 was 5.09 mm and 5.10 mm, respectively, showing that lid retraction was improved significantly (P < 0.001). Lateral levator aponeurectomy via the transconjunctival approach is a simple, scar-less, quick procedure that has optimal stable outcome.

Fabrication and characterization of polycaprolactone fumarate/gelatin-based nanocomposite incorporated with silicon and magnesium co-doped fluorapatite nanoparticles using electrospinning method

The aim of this study was to fabricate and characterize biodegradable polycaprolactone fumarate(PCLF)/gelatin-based nanocomposite incorporated with the 0, 5 and 10 wt% silicon and magnesium co-doped fluorapatite nanoparticles (Si -Mg-FA) membranes using electrospinning process for guided bone regeneration (GBR) and guided tissue regeneration (GTR) applications. Results demonstrated the formation of randomly-oriented and defect-free fibers with various fiber sizes depending on the Si -Mg-FA content. Moreover, incorporation of 5 wt% Si -Mg-FA significantly improved the mechanical strength (1.5times) compared to the mechanical strength of PCLF/gelatin membrane and nanocomposite with 10 wt% nanoparticles. There was no clear difference between degradation rate of PCLF/gelatin and PCLF/gelatin with 5 wt% nanoparticles at 7, 14 and 28 days of immersion in phosphate buffer saline while 10 wt% nanoparticles significantly increased biodegradation of PCLF/gelatin, and no cytotoxic effect of membranes was seen. Finally, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) micrographs of fibroblast cells cultured on the samples demonstrated that the cells were completely attached and spread on the surface of nanocomposites. In summary, PCLF/gelatin membranes consisting of 5 wt% Si -Mg-FA nanoparticles could provide appropriate mechanical and biological properties and fairly good degradation rate, making it appropriate for GTR/GBR applications

Vitamins and Stomach Cancer : A Hospital Based Case-Control Study in Iran

Background: This study investigated the association between vitamins intakes and risk of gastric cancer (GC) among Iranian population. Methods: In this hospital-based case-control study, 178 pathologically confirmed GC patients and 276 healthy controls were interviewed to answer a valid diet history questionnaire. Unconditional logistic regression, in which potential confounders were taken into account, was applied to determine the association of vitamin intakes and odds of GC in total population and in stratums of body mass index (BMI), helicobacter pylori (H-pylori) infection, and smoking. Results: GC was directly associated with vitamin D (OR 1.59; CI 95% 1.07, 2.36) and cobalamin (OR 1.25; CI 95% 1.08, 1.44). Thiamin (OR 0.50; 95%CI 0.30, 0.83), pantothenic acid (OR 0.71; 95%CI 0.58, 0.87), folate (OR 0.99; 95%CI 0.99, 0.99) and vitamin E (OR 0.98; 95%CI 0.96, 0.99) were inversely associated with GC. In 231 H-pylori infected participants, consumption of thiamin (OR 0.3; 95% CI 0.59, 0.86), pyridoxine (OR 0.52; 95%CI 0.31, 0.85), and folate (OR 0.99; 95%CI 0.99, 0.99) reduced GC risk. In H-pylori negative participants, only vitamin E (OR 0.96; 95%CI 0.93, 0.99) reduced the risk and vitamin D (OR 1.99; 95%CI 1.18, 3.36), riboflavin (OR 1.91; 95%CI 1.37, 2.66), pantothenic acid (OR 1.34; 95%CI 1.13, 1.64), biotin (OR 1.03; 95%CI 1.01, 1.05), and cobalamin (OR 1.36; 95%CI 1.13, 1.64) increased the risk. In BMI stratums, only vitamin D (OR 1.81; 95%CI 1.07, 3.08) was associated with the risk of GC among normal weight participants. Vitamin E was associated with lower risk of GC in ever smokers (OR 0.97; 95%CI 0.95, 0.99) and thiamin (OR 0.41; 95%CI 0.19, 0.86) and niacin (OR 0.93; 95%CI 0.87, 0.99) were associated with lower risk in never smokers. Positive associations were observed by increasing vitamin D (OR 2.08; 95%CI 1.12, 3.85) and cobalamin (OR 1.33; 95%CI 1.08, 1.65) in never smokers. Conclusion: This study provided support for a possible protective effect of vitamin E, thiamin, pantothenic acid, and folate on GC risk. Vitamin D and cobalamin intake increased the risk.publishedVersionPeer reviewe

Engineering the Escherichia coli NikR Transcription Factor via Mutations in the α3 Helix

Escherichia coli NikR is a metal-responsive transcription factor that controls nickel uptake by regulating expression of a nickel-specific transporter, NikABCDE. NikR contains a high-affinity nickel-binding site, and nickel must occupy this site in order to activate DNA binding. Stoichiometric amounts of nickel bind to this site and stabilize the α3 helix and the preceding loop (residues 63 – 79). The α3 helix forms non-specific electrostatic interactions with the DNA. The current hypothesis is that nickel activates NikR-DNA binding by organizing α3 helix and activating non-specific DNA contacts, allowing NikR to scan along the DNA until it reaches the nik promoter. This presentation will examine this hypothesis by generating a nickel independent NikR through mutagenesis.MAS

Learning Styles of Dental Students at Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences Using VARK Questionnaire

Introduction: One of the main factors influencing students’ learning is learning style that tends to be flexible thus facilitating the learning process by adapting to a given teaching method. The aim of this study was to identify the learning styles of dental students at Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences. Methods: The population of this descriptive, cross-sectional study included all junior and senior dental students at International Branch of Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences during 2016-17. Subjects were selected by means of complete enumeration sampling and standard VARK questionnaire (version 7.8) was used to collect data. Data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. Results: Of the 93 students, 72% were female and 28% were male. Their average age was 25.09 years and their mean GPA of their previous semester was 15.5. The results showed that 86% of the students used a single style with auditory style as the dominant style. Kinesthetic and auditory styles were the most frequent styles among the male and female students respectively. Double style technique was the most frequent multiple learning style. Moreover, no significant relationship was found between demographic variables (p≤0.05). Conclusion: It is recommended to determine students’ learning styles in the freshman year and especially after finishing the basic sciences course. This will help teachers adapt their teaching styles to students’ learning styles which in turn will improve the effectiveness of training courses

Helicobacter pylori acquisition rates and the associated risk factors amongst newlywed couples; a prospective cohort study in Tehran, Iran

Background: The rates and routes of Helicobacter pylori transmission, in a high-prevalent country like Iran, with gastric cancer as the leading cause of male cancer mortality, are of great essence. Here, we have studied the H. pylori-associated risk factors and the likelihood of interspousal transmission. Methods: In a cohort of 686 young prewed couples, questionnaires were self-administered and serum samples were collected, for assessment of risk factors and H. pylori serostatus, at baseline and follow-up. Of the 475 H. pylori single- or double-seronegative couples, 201 returned for follow-up. The average follow-up duration was 2.2 (SD 0.6) years, with a total of 560.1 person-years. Logistic regression and Cox regression models were used to estimate the odds ratios (ORs) and hazard ratios (HRs). Results: The risk of infection was higher in men than women (OR: 1.3, 95% CI: 1.0–1.8) and among metropolitan than rural residents (OR = 1.4, 95% CI: 1.1–1.9). It was also significantly higher among those with three (OR = 1.6, 95% CI: 1.1–2.2), and four or more siblings (OR = 1.4, 95% CI: 1.0–1.9), in reference to those with one or no siblings. Adult H. pylori acquisition occurred in 10.9% (27/247) of the seronegative participants. The risk of the acquisition was significantly associated with age (P value for trend=0,000). It was also significantly lower among participants who had various degrees of education as compared to illiterate subjects (HR = 0.2, 95% CI: 0.1–0.9). Nevertheless, our analysis did not find any evidence for interspousal transmission (HR = 1.0, 95% CI: 0.4–2.2). Conclusion: Whilst H. pylori acquisition was detected in the young adult Iranian population, our findings did not support interspousal transmission, as a mode of acquisition.Peer reviewe