5 research outputs found
The prevalence of glaucoma in Tehran, Iran
Purpose: To determine the prevalence of glaucoma in adults 40 years of age or older in Tehran, Iran. Methods: This stratified random-sampling cross-sectional population survey was performed on residents of Tehran, the capital of Iran, aged 40 years and older in the year 2001. Refraction, best-corrected visual acuity, slitlamp biomicroscopy, Goldmann applanation tonometry, funduscopy, and gonioscopy were performed in all subjects. Automated perimetry was performed in selected cases. Results: Out of 4418 sampled subjects, 2184 individuals (49.4) participated in the survey. Eventually data from 2160 individuals including 814 (38) male and 1346 (62) female subjects with mean age of 55.1±10.2 (range 40-92) years were analyzed. The overall prevalence of glaucoma was 1.44 (95 confidence interval, 0.94-1.94) including primary open angle glaucoma 0.46, chronic angle closure glaucoma 0.33, normal tension glaucoma 0.28, pseudoexfoliation glaucoma 0.23, and other types of glaucoma 0.14. More than 80 of affected subjects were unaware of their condition. Conclusion: The prevalence of glaucoma in adults 40 years of age or older in Tehran is 1.44, which is in the lower range reported in other populations. The large majority of cases are unaware of their condition
Tolerance of Salsify (Tragopogon graminifolius) to Simulated Herbivory
The ability of plants to reduce the negative effects of leaf removal or simulated herbivory on their growth is defined as their tolerance. Tragopogon graminifolius is a herbaceous perennial weed distributed around the world. To investigate the effect of leaf removals like 100% leaf removal, no damage (control), 50 % leaf removal at ten- leaf stage, 50 % leaf removal at twenty- leaf stage and 100 % leaf removal at twenty- leaf stage on its survival and final biomass of this plant, a greenhouse study was conducted during 2011 in completely randomized design. The results showed that the number of active leaves, number of flowers and seeds, number of branches and final height of T. graminifolius were significantly lower in “100% leaf removal at twenty-leaf stage” (P < 0.0001) less than the other treatments. These results indicate that herbivory or reduction of the photosynthesing leaves, reduce plant's ability to survive and produce reproductive organs. Furthermore, the intensity and timing of the mid-term leaf removal resulted in negative effects on seed yield and the reproductive growth of this weed more than ”100% leaf removal at twenty- leaf stage” treatment by 66.7% compared to control. Shoot and root biomass in “100 % leaf removal at twenty-leaf stage” treatment was 52.58% and 52.06% less than the control one, respectively (P < 0.0001). Also, our results show that population of this perennial weed, despite its tolerance of damage, is not able to compensate its tissue losses. This finding, because of the stability of this plant in disturbed habitats, is of ecological significance
The Correlation between Cigarette Smoking and Salivary Flow Rate
Background and aim: Side effects of cigarette smoking are among the major concerns. These complications can adversely affect the oral environment. Since reduced salivary flow rate increases the incidence of tooth decay and other dental and oral problems, the present research aimed to investigate the relationship between cigarette smoking and salivary flow rate.
Materials and Methods: In this historical cohort study, 50 cigarette smokers (case) and 50 non-smokers (control) were involved, who were matched according to age and gender. Non-stimulated whole saliva was measured by using the modified Schirmer test (MST) performed between 9 a.m. and 12 p.m. by a trained examiner. All the participants refrained from eating, drinking and smoking for 2 hours prior to the study. The subjects were asked to sit in an upright position and to raise and slowly retract their tongue, to avoid unintentional wetting of the Schirmer test's strip. The strip was kept vertically with the help of cotton pliers, while the bottom of the paper was in contact with the floor of the mouth. The length of the wet area on the strip was recorded at the intervals of 1, 2 and 3 minutes. Data were analyzed with Mann-U-Whitney and Chi-square tests.
Results: The quantitative value of salivary flow rate was equal to 24.8±2.4mm in controls, and 15.8±2.1mm in case group (P<0.001). 30% of non-smokers and 90% of smokers exhibited reduced salivary flow rate (P<0.000).
Conclusion: It seems that reduced salivary flow rate is more significant in cigarette smokers than in non-smokers
Comparing the three color pounehh tooth paste with the conventional one in preventing the formation of the microbial plaque
"nBackground and Aim: Plaque control has always been important in preventive dentistry. Various methods and materials have been introduced for this purpose. Recently a three-colored tooth paste has been introduced which claims to prevent plaque formation. The aim of this study was to compare three-colored pouneh tooth paste containing triclosan with the conventional one in preventing plaque formation. "nMaterials and Methods: This was a randomized double blind cross over clinical trial which was carried out on 40 dental students of Tehran azad university in 2005. Before beginning the trial, the index of plaque was evaluated, registered and reduced to null. The subjects were randomly divided into two groups, the case group (three color tooth paste) and the control group (conventional tooth paste). The participants were asked to apply the specified tooth paste with an oral B Advantage Artica toothbrush for two weeks. After two weeks, the amount of plaque was re-registered and again reduced to null. The type of tooth paste was changed among two groups and the plaque was registered for the third time at the end of two weeks. Then the patients and assessors were not aware of the type of tooth paste in the tubes (double blind). McNamar and ManWhitney test were used. "nResults: From the 40 subjects, 4 cases were omitted due to the different reasons. The amount of initial plaque index was 88.3 12.1 which was reduced to 78.2 16.9 in the control and 74.1 19.3 in the case group. The difference between primary plaque and secondary plaque (after applying tooth paste) was significant in both case and control groups, however there was not any significant difference between two groups. "nConclusion: Based on the results of this study, there was not any significant difference between conventional and three-colored tooth paste in reducing the plaque index
The prevalence of iron deficiency anemia (IDA) in female students of Zahedan
325 female students of Zahedan at the average age of 16.2 years old (16-22) were randomly selected to study the prevalence of iron deficiency anemia. Hb, hematocrit, MCV, MCHC, iron, TIBC and ferritin were measured. Results showed that in the population studied 3.4%, 27.7%, 4.3%, 11.7%, 25.5%, 11.4% had their Hb, MCV, serum iron, tranferrin saturation, ferritin respectively below the WHO standards. The correlation coefficient between Hb, MCV and hematocrit, serum iron was r=0.54, P&lt;0.00001, r=0.38, P&lt;0.00001 respectively. Also the correlation coefficient between transferring saturation, serum iron and ferrin was r=0.94, P&lt;0.00001, r=0.31, P&lt;0.00001 respectively. Our study shows that hematological and biochemical markers of iron status of the young Zahedan girls at puberty are lower than WHO standards and these girls might be at risk of iron deficiency anemia