Effects of fluoride versus amorphous calcium phosphate solutions on enamel microhardness of white spot lesions : an in-vitro study

Development of white spot lesions around orthodontic fixed orthodontic appliances is a common finding, especially in patients with poor oral hygiene. One of the conservative interventions for regression of these lesions is using chemical solutions. The current study aimed to compare the effectiveness of fluoride and amorphous calcium phosphate (ACP) on microhardness improvement of affected enamel. Forty-five intact human incisor teeth were selected and randomly divided into 3 groups of 15. Fluoride group, ACP group and artificial saliva group (control group). Inducing of white spot lesion was done by PH-cycling model. Samples of the first and second group were submerged into 0.05% fluoride and 0.05% ACP solutions respectively for one minute a day. The rest of the time, all specimens were put in artificial saliva, which was incubated in 37 °c temperature. Microhardness of specimens was assessed by Vickers microhardness test in three stages: 1: Baseline microhardness assessment that was done before induction of white spot lesion, 2: Secondary microhardness assessment that was done after induction, 3: Final microhardness assessment that was done after chemical treatment. The SPSS 11.5 software was used for statistical analysis and p< 0.05 was considered as significant. Microhardness of specimens in the fluoride and ACP groups had significantly improved after the treatment (between secondary assessment and final assessment). In the control group, no significant improvements were observed. In final assessment, there were significant differences between the ACP and control groups, but no significant differences were found neither between the fluoride and ACP, nor the Fluoride and control groups. According to the current study, both 0.05% ACP and 0.05% fluoride solutions enhanced enamel micro-hardness in treatment of white spot lesion

The Measurement of Height Via 3D Scans of the Seventh Cervical Vertebra in Iranian Adults

Background: The cervical vertebrae are more durable than other skeletal components, and maybe the only remains of a deceased, and their role in determining the height of the deceased has been underestimated. The present study investigated the role of linear differential dimensions of the seventh cervical vertebrae in determining the height of the Iranian adult population using CT scans.Methods: In this cross-sectional study, height were evaluated by 10 indices of the seventh cervical vertebra. The indices were obtained through a CT scan of 66 adult patients, ≥18 years of age, who referred to Rasoul Akram and Firoozgar hospitals for spine CT scan. The sampling method was random, and the study was performed during the first six months of 2018. Results: Four indices of the Length of the Inferior Facets) LIF, (Length of the Inferior Surface of the Vertebral Body) LIVB, (Width of the Inf surface of the Vertebral Body) WIVB, (Length of Spinous Process ) LSP. were statistically significant differences.Conclusion: The results of this study show the accuracy of linear dimensions of the seventh cervical vertebrae for determining height from skeletal remains in the Iranian adult population

The Credibility of Cephalogram Parameters in Gender Identification From Medico-Legal Relevance Among the Iranian Populatio

Background: Normal cephalogram parameters seem to be gender discriminative and thus applicable in forensic medicine. We assessed validity of cephalogram parameters in gender identification among the Iranian population.Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted on 75 Iranian men and 75 Iranian women aged 25 to 54 years. On their first admission, the physicians requested for simple lateral skull X-ray for all participants.Results: Using area under the ROC curve, gonion-gonion index (AUC=0.741) and vertex- mention index (AUC=0.697) had a moderate value to discriminate male from female gender, while other parameters lacked enough power to differentiate gender. The best cut-off point in gonion-gonion index for discriminating male from female gender was 103.75 with a sensitivity of 74.7% and a specificity of 65.3%. Also, the best cut-off value for vertex-mention index to differentiate two genders was 244.75 with a sensitivity of 74.7% and a specificity of 62.7%. By considering two parameters of gonion-gonion and vertex-mention, it is possible to differentiate males from females with a sensitivity of 82.6% and a specificity of 71.8%.Conclusion: The two gonion-gonion and vertex-mention indices on cephalogram are applicable for gender discrimination

Height Estimation Based on 3-Dimensional CT Scan of 12th Thoracic, 1st and 5th Lumbar Vertebrae

Background: Identification of victims is one of the main challenges of forensic medicine. Height is one of the key measurements of the biological profiles of individuals. This study aimed to evaluate height based on measuring three-dimensional CT scan indices of twelfth thoracic (T12), first lumbar (L1), and fifth lumbar (L5) vertebrae in Iranian adults.Methods: The present study was a cross-sectional study performed on 100 patients who underwent a spinal CT scan. Vertebral T12, L1, and L5 indices were measured in these individuals. Finally, the evaluated indices were statistically compared and the diagnostic effect of each was evaluated to estimate the height. Independent t-test and linear regression were used using SPSS software v. 21. A P value less than 0.05 was considered significant.Results: The results showed that the mean difference between T12, L1, and L5 indices in the two groups of male and female patients was statistically significant. With one unit increase in the Transverse process distance T 12 (TDM T12), there is an increase of 0.42 units in height (P=0.02). Conclusion: According to the results of the present study, the measurements of the T12, L1, and L5 vertebral indices have a significant relationship with gender. Among the measurements of the T12, L1, and L5 vertebral indices, just TDM T12 can be a predictive factor to estimate the height of the Iranian population

Estimation of Gender and Age Based on Three-dimensional Computed Tomography Scan Indices of the Twelfth Thoracic Vertebrae and the First and Fifth Lumbar Vertebrae in Iranian Adults

Background: Gender identification is a crucial starting point in creating a biological profile for human skeletal remains because it reduces the number of possible matches by 50%. The vertebrae (especially the chest and back) can also be some of the best-preserved skeletal elements in some areas of forensics and archeology. In the present study, gender and age were assessed based on the measurement of three-dimensional computed tomography (CT) scan indices of the Twelfth thoracic (T12) vertebrae and the first and fifth lumbar (L1 and L5) vertebrae in Iranian adults.Methods: The present study was a descriptive study carried out on 200 participants over 18 years of age in 2020. Individuals measuring thoracic and lumbar vertebrae diameters (T12 and first and fifth lumbar vertebrae) by three-dimensional computed tomography (CT) scan (Toshiba, Japan, 16-Slice) with multiplanar reconstruction (MPR) and volume rendering were placed in two sagittal and horizontal sections.Results: The mean age of male and female participants was 34.62±9.63 years and 34.10±9.70 years, respectively, which were not significantly different (P=0.789). The present study showed that the mean indices for T12, L1 and L5 vertebrae were significantly higher in males (P&gt;0.05). The results also showed that T12, L1, and L5 indices of nuts are not good predictors for age estimation.Conclusion: Based on the results, the indices of the T12 vertebrae and the L1, and L5 vertebrae can be used to determine gender, but these indices are not a good criterion to estimate age and do not have the necessary accuracy to predict the age variable

Fourth lumbar vertebral parameters in predicting the gender, height and age in Iranian population

Introduction: Lumbar vertebral dimensions can be considered as a criterion to diagnose unidentified individuals with severe burning or corpses. The aim of this study was to evaluate gender, age, and height using the parameters of fourth lumbar vertebral (L4). Methods: This cross-sectional study was carried out on 106 volunteers. Lumbar diameters of L4 were measured in the two sagittal and horizontal sections by three-dimensional CT scan with reconstruction and volume rendering. The measured parameters were Upper end plate depts (EPD); Upper end plate widths (EPW); Anterior height of vertebral body (VBH); Foramen diameter (depts.) (FDS); Foramen diameter (widths) (FDC); Pedicle height (PH); Pedicle widths (PW); Articular process height (APH); Maximum distance between (ADM); Transverse process distance (TDM); Spinal process height (SPH); Spinal process lengths (SPL); and Vertebral lengths (VL). These parameters were compared. The relationship of each parameter was evaluated with age, height and gender. Results: Totally, the mean parameters of L4 was higher in men compared to women, but this difference was not significant in FDS, APHI, and SPL. In the study of the correlation of diameters with age, only EPD and SPL parameters were significant, but in the linear regression model to predict age, only the FDS index showed a significant relationship. All parameters except APHS, APHI, SPL, and VL showed a significant and positive correlation with height. But in the linear regression model to predict height, only a significant relationship was reported for EPD. Conclusion: It was shown that the parameters of the fourth lumbar vertebra can be helpful to determine the age, height, and gender. © 2021 The Author

Hydatidosis of the Pelvic Cavity: A Big Masquerade

We report and discuss a case of primary hydatidosis of the pelvic cavity in a woman who presented with severe weight loss and abdominal pain. This unusual presentation was initially considered as a tumor process until surgical exploration and microscopic studies confirmed the diagnosis. The gynecologists should be aware of possibility of primary hydatid cyst of the pelvic cavity and should be considered in the differential diagnosis of cystic pelvic masses, especially in areas where the disease is endemic

Security Improvement Mechanisms in Software-Defined Internet of Things

The IoT contains millions of heterogeneous smart objects that are connected together through the Internet platform. These heterogeneous smart objects deal with different protocols, technologies and resources, therefore each of them requires diverse security services in heterogeneous environments. Therefore, providing security services in heterogeneous environments is a daunting task for network providers that cannot be guaranteed through the traditional network architecture. Wide distribution and openness of IoT smart objects makes them very vulnerable to attacks and it can be easily targeted by cyber-attacks. Software-Defined Networking (SDN) is a new paradigm that separates the control plane from data plane t a global network view by centralized controller. Integrating the software-defined network with the Internet of Things can provide better access control and security mechanisms. Software-defined networking provides better control and management possibilities to manage and secure Internet of Things in a good manner. In this paper, we discuss about IoT architecture, security challenges in IoT, SDN architecture, security challenges in each layers of the SDN and software-defined IoT. In addition, we provide solutions to security problems in IoT through software-defined networking approach

Association between lumbar Modic changes and MRI finding of degenerative disc in patients with low back pain

Background: Recent studies have indicated the relation of vertebral endplate lesions (Modic changes) to low back pain (LBP). The aim of this study was to investigate the Modic changes in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of patients with low back pain, and its correlation with age, sex, type of changes, number of involved segments and location of changes. Additionally, association of degenerative disc changes and disc herniation was assessed. Methods: In this retrospective study, MRI records of 229 patients with LBP referring to Medical Center of Hazrat-e-Rasoul Hospital, Tehran, Iran, from August to February 2014, were assessed and Modic changes and degenerative and herniated disc changes were recorded. Results: Based on our observations, a significant association between Modic type and age (P= 0.003) existed in patients with LBP. The highest prevalence in Modic location were observed in anterior part of vertebral endplate (48.8%, P= 0.001). Although, observation of the Modic changes in superior vertebral endplate was higher than inferior parts, but this differences was not statistically significant. The highest prevalence in degenerative disc disease was disc dehydration which was observed in 18.1% of patients (P= 0.04). The relationship between the degenerative changes and Modic type was significant (P= 0.04), while the most prevalent change of disc contour was disc bulging which occurred in 23.7% of patients (P= 0.01). The highest frequency of abnormal disc contour were observed in Modic type 2 which was statistically significant (P= 0.01). Modic surface involvement above 25% was significantly associated with disc herniation (P= 0.04). There was no significant association between Modic height involvement above 25% and disc herniation. Conclusion: Considering significant association between Modic changes and degenerative and herniated disc changes, reporting of Modic changes is necessary