Effect of Nickel-Chromium and Non-Precious Gold Color Alloy Cast Posts on Fracture Resistance of Endodontically Treated Teeth

Introduction: Root canal-treated teeth are weaker than vital teeth and are more susceptible to fractures. Therefore, special precautions should be adhered to, such as the use of various types of cast or prefabricated posts. Regarding the effect of post material on fracture resistance of teeth, the aim of this in vitro study was to evaluate the effect of non-precious gold color alloy (NPG) and nickel-chrome (Ni-Cr) cast posts on resistance of endodontically treated teeth. Methods and Materials: In this study, 30 freshly extracted single-rooted premolar teeth were randomly divided into two groups. After root canal treatment, post patterns were made with Duralay in group 1 and cast with Ni-Cr alloy; in group 2, the patterns were cast with NPG alloy. Zinc phosphate cement was used for cementation in this study. Shear force was applied at 1 mm/min at 45ºC to the buccal cusps until root fracture occurred. Independent sample t test was used for data analysis by using SPSS version 21. The level of significance was set at 0.05. Results: Mean fracture resistance values were 1380±454 N for Ni-Cr versus 1964±640 N for NPG, with significant differences (P=0.007). Conclusion: The fracture resistance of endodontically treated teeth with non-precious gold color alloy cast post was higher than that of endodontically treated teeth with Ni-Cr cast post.Keywords: Alloys; Casts; Fracture; Nickel-Chromium; Resistance

Protective effects of hydroalcoholic extract of Ferulago angulata against gentamicin-induced nephrotoxicity in rats

Gentamicin can lead to acute tubular injury and kidney dysfunction. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of Ferulago angulata on kidney function and other markers in rats with gentamicin-induced nephrotoxicity. Materials and Methods. Forty-eight male Wistar rats were divided into the following groups: group 1, the controls; group 2, rats receiving gentamicin (120 mg/kg body weight per day, intraperitoneal) for 7 days without treatment; groups 3, 4 and 5, rats receiving gentamicin for 7 days and oral treatment with 200 mg/kg, 400 mg/kg, and 800 mg/kg body weight per day of Ferulago angulate extract, respectively. Measurements included serum levels of creatinine, urea, uric acid, lipids, ferric-reducing antioxidant power, and protein carbonyl; kidney and serum levels of malondialdehyde; and serum and renal levels of tumor necrosis factor-α. Histopathology of kidney tissue was examined as well as renal catalase, superoxide dismutase, and vitamin C. Results. Compared to treatment with gentamicin only, treatment with Ferulago angulata resulted in a significantly higher high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, ferric-reducing antioxidant plasma, renal catalase, superoxide dismutase, and vitamin C levels. It was also associated with significantly lower serum levels of creatinine, urea, uric acid, malondialdehyde, protein carbonyl, tumor necrosis factor-α, total cholesterol, triglyceride, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and very low-density lipoprotein cholesterol. Ferulago angulate was linked with a lower renal gene expression of tumor necrosis factor-α. Conclusions. The present study suggests that Ferulago angulate extract has protective effects against nephrotoxicity due to gentamicin

Reference Interval for Fasting Blood Sugar, Triglycerides, Total Cholesterol, Low-Density Lipoprotein, and High-Density Lipoprotein-Cholesterol in Healthy Babolian Individuals

Background and Aim: Sugar and Lipid disorders are the main risk factors for vascular abnormalities. Due to the gender and age, other variables can influence serum Fasting blood sugar and lipid levels, certifying the determination of population-specific reference interval. This study was designed to investigate the age- and gender-specific reference values for serum Fasting blood sugar (FBS), triglycerides (TG), total cholesterol (TC), low-density lipoprotein (LDL), high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL) in healthy Babolian adults. Methods: FBS, TC, TG, and HDL were calculating applying the colorimetric method. The Friedewald equation (LDL=TC−HDL−TG/5) was used to calculate LDL concentrations in individuals. After using the exclusion parameters, 519 participants (199 men and 320 women) aged ≥23 years were included. The Clinical Chemistry guidelines of the International Federation applied for characterizing the reference values for samples. Results: Reference values for serum FBS, TG, TC, LDL, HDL were 77.01-107.69 mg/dL, 35.34-204.38 mg/dL, 117.97-242.81 mg/dL, 47.6-137.16 mg/dL and 33.29-67.13 mg/dL in men. In women, reference values for serum FBS, TG, TC, LDL, HDL were 75.03-107.99, 27.49-192.33 mg/dL, 125.84-244.32 mg/dL, 44.08-139.48 mg/dL and 36.66-81.1 mg/dL. FBS, TG, and LDL parameters were higher in men, and TC and HDL parameters were higher in women. Conclusion: Reference values for serum FBS, TC, TG, LDL, HDL in healthy Babolian adults were specified, and these data could supply a clear pathway for better decision making in both clinical settings and prevention. *Corresponding Author: Negar Yavari; Email: [email protected] Please cite this article as: Gholami Bahnemiri M, Amiri M, Khanicheragh M, Safizadeh F, Mohammadi Tahroodi F, Akbari Javar A, Aram H, Mir SM, Yavari N. Reference Interval for Fasting Blood Sugar, Triglycerides, Total Cholesterol, Low-density Lipoprotein, and High-density Lipoprotein-cholesterol in Healthy Babolian Individuals. Arch Med Lab Sci. 2019;5(4):14-20. https://doi.org/10.22037/amls.v5i4.2992

Survey of epidemiology and bacteriology features of cholera in Iran

AbstractObjectiveTo determine epidemiology and antimicrobial susceptibility patterns of Vibrio (V.) cholerae O1 biotype EL Tor in summer outbreak of 2008 in Iran.MethodsStool samples were collected from patients suspected to have cholera admitted to hospitals and clinics. Specimens examined by conventional bacteriological methods. All isolates were sent to cholera reference laboratory for further confirmation, stereotyping and susceptibility testing.ResultsA total of 220 patients were diagnosed as cholera. All cases confirmed by Iranian reference health laboratory. One hundred ninety nine of 220 V. cholerae serotypes were Inaba and 21 serotypes were Ogawa. All cases were reported from thirteen provinces. The majorities of cases were from Tehran, Qum and Zahedan provinces with 56, 26 and 25 cases respectively. 24(11%) of patients were under 15 years old and 196 (89%) of patients were older than 15 years.149 (68%) of patients were male and 71 (32 %) were female. 129(59%) of patients had Iranian nationality,79 (36.5%) were from Afghanistan and, 12 (5%) were from Pakistan. All isolates were resistant to co-trimoxazole, nalidixic acid, furazolidone, and intermediate to chloramphenicol and were susceptible to tetracycline, ciprofloxacin, and erythromycin.ConclusionOur study reveals that in recent outbreak caused by V. cholerae EL Tor serotype Inaba is the predominant serotype. All isolates are resistant to cotrimoxazole, nalidix acid and furazolidon

Revised version of the Cenozoic Collision along the Zagros Orogen, Insights from Cr-spinel and Sandstone Modal Analyses

Geoscientists have always considered the Neyriz region, located along the Zagros Suture Zone, an important area of interest because of the outcrops of Neotethys ophiolitic rocks. We carried out a modal analysis of the Cenozoic sandstones and geochemistry of the detrital Cr-spinels at Neyriz region in order to determine their provenance and tectonic evolution in the proximal part of Zagros Basin. Our data shows a clear change in provenance from the Late Cretaceous onwards. As from the Late Cretaceous to Eocene, lithic grains are mostly chert and serpentinite; and higher Cr# values of the detrital Cr-spinel compositions indicate that they originate from the fore-arc peridotites and deposited in an accretionary prism setting during this period. From the Late Oligocene to the Miocene periods, volcaniclastic and carbonate lithic grains show an increasing trend, and in the Miocene, metasedimentary lithic grains appear in the sediments. Ophiolite obduction caused a narrow trough sub-basin to be formed parallel to the general trend of the Zagros Orogeny between the Arabian and Iranian plates in Oligocene. From the Miocene onwards, the axial metamorphic complex belt was uplifted in the upper plate. Therefore, the collision along the Zagros Suture Zone must have occurred in the Late Oligocene

Evaluation of medical practitioners’ knowledge and attitude towards periodontal health and associated factors

Background and Aims: Considering the prevalence of periodontal disease in Iranian adults and its impact on general health and the role of medical practitioners, the purpose of the present study was to determine physician’s knowledge and attitude towards periodontal health. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in Tehran in 2019 and after getting informed consent, a valid and reliable questionnaire was provided to medical practitioners in a continuing education course. Data were analyzed using the SPSS26 software. Results: In total 170 subjects (response rate=95%) responded. The mean scores of knowledge and attitude towards periodontal health were 4.1 (maximum score of 6) and 51.9 (maximum score of 65), respectively. Work experience (P=0.022) and period of time after graduation (P=0.007) had a positive and significant relationship with participants' knowledge. Also, gender (P=0.012), work experience (P=0.002), period after graduation (P=0.005) and practitioner’s workplace (P=0.001) were significantly associated with their attitudes. The results showed that women had a better attitude towards prevention of gum disease. Conclusion: In the present study, medical practitioners’ knowledge was good towards description of healthy periodontium and the first sign of periodontal diseas. Also, their attitudes regarding the importance of oral and dental diseases and its impact on social activities were appropriate. The results of the present study showed more emphasis is needed on delivering relevant dental education in medical curriculum

Raw shellfish consumption among renal disease patients: A risk factor for severe Vibrio vulnificus infection

Background: Raw shellfish-associated Vibrio vulnificus septicemia, with a case-fatality rate of nearly 50%, occurs most commonly in immunocompromised patients or those with liver disease. Methods: Sixty patients with renal disease treated with hemodialysis at The George Washington University and awaiting renal transplantation completed an initial survey that assessed their raw shellfish eating habits and knowledge regarding the pathogen V. vulnificus. Patients were then given educational materials describing the risks of eating raw shellfish and, one month later, completed a second survey that assessed their knowledge retention and intent to eat or not eat raw shellfish in the future. Results: Sixty of 68 (88%) eligible patients completed the survey. Forty-eight percent of patients reported having eaten raw shellfish after being diagnosed with kidney disease, with the highest rates reported among subjects ≤ 49 years old and subjects with more than a high school education. Prior to receiving the educational materials, no patient had heard of the pathogen V. vulnificus. Three quarters of patients reported never having been advised by a physician to avoid eating raw shellfish. One month after reading the educational materials, 75% of patients said they would refrain from eating raw shellfish in the future. Conclusions: In view of their immunocompromised status, patients with end-stage renal disease should be counseled to abstain from eating raw shellfish

PSO-Fuzzy eliminates deficiency of neuro-fuzzy in assessment of asphaltene stability

135-140Precipitation and deposition of asphaltene during petroleum production is a challenging problem confronted by the oil industry compromising the profitability of production fields through loss efficiency of recovery process as well as create remedial cost. Hence, developing a robust model for assessment of asphaltene stability in crude oil is necessary. ΔRI (ΔRI = RI - PRI) is a novel criterion for stability determination of asphaltene in crudes. An integrated intelligent method, called neuro-fuzzy (NF) has been used in this study for estimation of ΔRI from SARA fraction data. NF develops a fuzzy inference system which is subsequently optimized by virtue of learning capability of neural network (NN). Since NN structure, embedded in NF systems is highly at risk of sticking in local minima, another improved fuzzy model is constructed and is subsequently optimized by virtue of particle swarm optimization (PSO) technique. Correlation coefficients for neuro-fuzzy and PSO-fuzzy model are found to be 0.857 and 0.9102, respectively. Comparison between constructed models show optimization of fuzzy model by virtue of PSO technique significantly improves accuracy of final prediction. Implementation of the proposed method indicate that PSO-fuzzy model is capable of accurately predicting asphaltene stability