In Vitro Microleakage of Bulk Fill and Conventional Composites and a Hybrid Glass Ion-omer in Primary Molars

Objectives The main disadvantage of composite resins is their polymerization shrinkage, which can lead to microleakage. The purpose of this in vitro study was to evaluate the microleakage of bulk fill and conventional composites and a new hybrid glass ionomer (GI) in class II restorations of primary molar teeth. Methods In this in vitro study, 51 primary molar teeth were randomly divided into three groups. Standard class II cavities were then prepared. In group 1 the cavities were restored with Filtek bulk fill composite; in group 2, the cavities were incrementally filled with Z250 conventional composite and in group 3, EQUIA Forte hybrid GI resin was used to fill the cavities. The teeth were subjected to thermal and then mechanical thermocycling. Afterwards, the teeth were immersed in 1% methylene blue solution. The teeth were then mesiodistally sectioned, and microleakage was evaluated at the occlusal and gingival margins under a stereomicroscope and a scanning electron microscope (SEM). The Shapiro-Wilk and Kruskal-Wallis tests were used to statistically analyze the data. Results There was no statistically significant difference in the mean microleakage of bulk fill and conventional composites and hybrid GI in the occlusal (P=0.495) or gingival (P=0.293) margins. The gingival microleakage was significantly higher than occlusal microleakage in all three groups (P<0.05). Conclusion Based on the results of the present study, microleakage of Filtek bulk fill composite is the same as that of Z250 conventional composite and EQUIA Forte hybrid GI

Effect of green tea on inflammation and oxidative stress in cisplatin-induced experimental liver function

Introduction: Cisplatin is one of the most potent chemotherapeutic antitumor drugs. Also, oxidative stress has been established to be involved in cisplatin-induced toxicity. Therefore, the present study was undertaken to examine the antioxidant and anti-inflammation potential of green tea hydroalcoholic extract (GTE) against the liver function of cisplatin in male rats.Methods: Adult male Wistar rats (180–250 g) were divided into 4 groups (n = 5) treated as follows: (1) control group (saline solution, 1 ml kg−1 body weight, i.p.), cisplatin group (7 mg kg−1 body weight, i.p.). Animals of Groups III received only green tea extract (30 mg/kg/day, by gavage). Group IV was given green tea extract+ cisplatin once daily for 24 hours. Liver function was evidenced in the cisplatin group by the increased serum levels of alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST). The mechanism of cisplatin induced liver function was considered as being decreased the total antioxidant power (TAP). Systemic inflammation was assessed by tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) levels.Results: A decrease in TAP level in cisplatin group was observed compared with control group. GTE administration decreased TNF-α and increased TAP compared to cisplatin group, but showed no significant differences between groups.Conclusion: The results suggested that green tea could ameliorate cisplatin liver function in rats through reduction of oxidative toxic stress and inflammation

The Impact of Foot Reflexology on Suctioning-Induced Anxiety Among Mechanically Ventilated Patients in ICUs

Background: Suctioning has been to date documented as one of the most painful and anxiety-inducing experiences among mechanically ventilated patients admitted to intensive care units.Aim: The present study was conducted with aim to investigate the impact of foot reflexology, as a non-pharmacological method, on suctioning-induced anxiety in ICU patients receiving mechanical ventilation.Method: This randomized controlled trial study was conducted on 36 mechanically ventilated patients in the ICU of a military hospital in Tehran, Iran, in 2021. The subjects were randomized into either the intervention group (foot reflexology) or the control group (routine care). After the completion of the suctioning procedure, the foot reflexology technique was applied for 20 minutes on reflex points of the heart and lungs (the anterior third of the sole of the foot) in the intervention group patients. Levels of anxiety were assessed using the Faces Anxiety Scale (FAS) before and after the intervention.Results: No statistically significant difference was found between the two groups in demographic characteristics and anxiety levels at the pre-intervention stage. However, anxiety was significantly reduced after foot reflexology treatment in the intervention group compared to the controls (p<0.001). Additionally, anxiety levels significantly decreased in the intervention group after the intervention compared to before the intervention (p<0.001), while increased in the control group (p=0.001).Implications for Practice: The results of the present study showed that foot reflexology is effective in reducing suctioning-induced in ICU patients receiving mechanical ventilation. Therefore, it is recommended to use this non-pharmacological approach at the patient's bedside

Cytotoxic Effect of Thiabendazole on Hn5 Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma Cell Line

Statement of the Problem: Evidence shows thiabendazole has the potential to inhibit angiogenesis in melanoma and fibrosarcoma; however, its effect on oral squamous cell carcinoma has not been previously studied. Purpose: This study sought to assess the cytotoxic effects of thiabendazole on HN5 head and neck squamous carcinoma cell line. Materials and Method: HN5 cell lines were exposed to different concentrations of thiabendazole (prepared from 99% pure powder) for 24, 48 and 72 hours. Cell viability was assessed by the methyl thiazol tetrazolium assay, and IC50 of thiabendazole was calculated. Cells were also exposed to different concentrations of thiabendazole for 48 hours to determine its effect on expression and transcription of vascular endothelial growth factor gene. Expression of vascular endothelial growth factor mRNA was assessed by real-time polymerase chain reaction. The vascular endothelial growth factor release was assessed by the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay test. Results: In all concentrations of thiabendazole except for 200 and 550μM, cell viability was significantly different at different time points (p< 0.05). At 48 and 72 hours, cell viability at all concentrations of thiabendazole (100-650μM) significantly decreased compared to the control group (zero concentration). In addition, cell viability significantly decreased with an increase in thiabendazole concentration. At 48 hours, expression of vascular endothelial growth factor mRNA was significantly lower in presence of 500μM thiabendazole compared to the control group (p< 0.001) and release of vascular endothelial growth factor was inhibited in a dose-dependent manner. Conclusion: Thiabendazole inhibited the proliferation of HN5 cells in a dose-dependent and time-dependent manner. It also inhibited the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor gene

Statistical Procedures Used in Pretest-Posttest Control Group Design: A Review of Papers in Five Iranian Journals

The pretest-posttest control group design is one of the most widely used quantitative experimental design models for evaluating the efficacy of programs, treatments, and interventions. Despite the prevalence and utility of this research design, best practices for data analytical procedures are not clearly defined. Invalid results decrease the chance of generalization. Given that Iranian Journals are interested in publishing pretest-posttest control group design studies, it is important to denote the accuracy of them. The aim of the current study is to explore the correct procedure for using ANCOVA in pretest-posttest control group designs to mitigate the potential limitations of this approach. This study explores the use of ANCOVA in pretest-posttest control group design. It has been done by analyzing data from experimental studies published in five Iranian journals indexed in PubMed or Scopus between 2011 and 2018. The results indicate that among the 280 published experimental studies in these journals, 53 papers (18.9 percent) used ANCOVA as the statistical test in pretest-posttest studies. The power of the test represents the probability of detecting differences between the groups being compared when such differences exist. Our analysis concludes that ANCOVA, which runs a multiple linear regression, is a suitable method for comparing and examining pretest-posttest study designs. Implications of this study have potential utility for researchers employing the use of pretest-posttest control group designs in various fields in and outside of Iran

Global, regional and national burden of cancers attributable to high fasting plasma glucose in 204 countries and territories, 1990-2019

Background: To report the burden of cancers attributable to high fasting plasma glucose (HFPG) by sex, age, location, cancer type and Socio-demographic Index (SDI) over the period 1990 to 2019 for 204 countries and territories. Methods: Using the Comparative Risk Assessment approach of Global Burden of Disease (GBD) study 2019, the burden of cancers attributable to HFPG was reported in 1990 and 2019. Results: Globally, in 2019 there were an estimated 419.3 thousand cancer deaths (95% UI: 115.7 to 848.5) and 8.6 million cancer DALYs (2.4 to 17.6) attributable to HFPG. By sex, 4.6 (1.1 to 9.9) and 4.0 (1.1 to 8.4) million global cancer DALYs were attributable to HFPG in men and women, respectively. The global age-standardized death and DALY rates of cancers attributable to HFPG (per 100,000) have increased by 27.8% (20.5 to 38.7%) and 24.5% (16.4 to 35.6%), respectively, since 1990. High-income North America (9.5 [2.7 to 18.8]) and Eastern Sub-Saharan Africa (2.0 [0.5 to 4.2]) had the highest and lowest regional age-standardized death rates, respectively, for cancers attributable to HFPG. In 2019, the global number of attributable cancer DALYs were highest in 65-69 age group. Moreover, there was an overall positive association between SDI and the regional age-standardized DALY rate for HFPG-attributable cancers. Conclusions: HFPG was associated with more burden in 2019. Preventive programs for diabetes and screening of individuals with diabetes for cancers, especially in older males living in developed countries, are required to arrest the large increases in HFPG-attributable cancers

REPercussions: how geminiviruses recruit host factors for replication

Circular single-stranded DNA viruses of the family Geminiviridae encode replication-associated protein (Rep), which is a multifunctional protein involved in virus DNA replication, transcription of virus genes, and suppression of host defense responses. Geminivirus genomes are replicated through the interaction between virus Rep and several host proteins. The Rep also interacts with itself and the virus replication enhancer protein (REn), which is another essential component of the geminivirus replicase complex that interacts with host DNA polymerases α and δ. Recent studies revealed the structural and functional complexities of geminivirus Rep, which is believed to have evolved from plasmids containing a signature domain (HUH) for single-stranded DNA binding with nuclease activity. The Rep coding sequence encompasses the entire coding sequence for AC4, which is intricately embedded within it, and performs several overlapping functions like Rep, supporting virus infection. This review investigated the structural and functional diversity of the geminivirus Rep

Epidemiology of familial multiple sclerosis in Iran: a national registry-based study

Background Admittedly, little is known about the epidemiological signatures of familial multiple sclerosis (FMS) in different geographical regions of Iran. Objective To determine the epidemiology and the risk of FMS incidence in several provinces of Iran with a different ethnic population including, Fars, Tehran, Isfahan (Persians), and Mazandaran (Mazanis), Kermanshah (Kurds), and Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari (Lors). Methods This cross-sectional registry-based study was performed on nationwide MS registry of Iran (NMSRI) data collected from 2018 to 2021. This system, registers baseline characteristics, clinical presentations and symptoms, diagnostic and treatments at regional and national levels. Results A total of 9200 patients including, 7003 (76.1%) female and 2197 (23.9%) male, were participated. About 19% of patients reported a family history of MS; the order from highest to lowest FMS prevalence was as follows: Fars (26.5%), Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari (21.1%), Tehran (20.5%), Isfahan (20.3%), Mazandaran (18.0%), and Kermanshah (12.5%). Of all FMS cases, 74.7% (1308 cases) were female and 25.3% (442 cases) were male. FMS occurrence was much more common in females than males (P-value = 0.001). Further, the mean age at onset was 30 years among FMS cases. A substantially higher probability of relapsing-remitting MS and secondary-progressive MS was found among FMS cases than sporadic MS (SMS) (P_value = 0.001). There was no significant difference in Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) scores between FMS and SMS. The majority of FMS cases were observed among first-degree relatives, with the highest rate in siblings. There was a significant association between MS risk and positive familial history in both maternal and paternal aunt/uncle (P_value = 0.043 and P_value = 0.019, respectively). Multiple sclerosis occurrence among offspring of females was higher than males (P_value = 0.027). Conclusions In summary, our findings imply a noteworthy upward trend of FMS in Iran, even more than the global prevalence, which suggests a unique Atlas of FMS prevalence in this multi-ethnic population. Despite the highest rate of FMS within Persian and Lor ethnicities, no statistically significant difference was observed among the provinces

Global, Regional and National Burden of Cancers Attributable to High Fasting Plasma Glucose in 204 Countries and Territories, 1990-2019

BackgroundTo report the burden of cancers attributable to high fasting plasma glucose (HFPG) by sex, age, location, cancer type and Socio-demographic Index (SDI) over the period 1990 to 2019 for 204 countries and territories.MethodsUsing the Comparative Risk Assessment approach of Global Burden of Disease (GBD) study 2019, the burden of cancers attributable to HFPG was reported in 1990 and 2019.ResultsGlobally, in 2019 there were an estimated 419.3 thousand cancer deaths (95% UI: 115.7 to 848.5) and 8.6 million cancer DALYs (2.4 to 17.6) attributable to HFPG. By sex, 4.6 (1.1 to 9.9) and 4.0 (1.1 to 8.4) million global cancer DALYs were attributable to HFPG in men and women, respectively. The global age-standardized death and DALY rates of cancers attributable to HFPG (per 100,000) have increased by 27.8% (20.5 to 38.7%) and 24.5% (16.4 to 35.6%), respectively, since 1990. High-income North America (9.5 [2.7 to 18.8]) and Eastern Sub-Saharan Africa (2.0 [0.5 to 4.2]) had the highest and lowest regional age-standardized death rates, respectively, for cancers attributable to HFPG. In 2019, the global number of attributable cancer DALYs were highest in 65-69 age group. Moreover, there was an overall positive association between SDI and the regional age-standardized DALY rate for HFPG-attributable cancers.ConclusionsHFPG was associated with more burden in 2019. Preventive programs for diabetes and screening of individuals with diabetes for cancers, especially in older males living in developed countries, are required to arrest the large increases in HFPG-attributable cancers