Money and Inflation in Iran: Evidence from P* Model

This study with its monetary viewpoint and in the form of P* model surveyed to test the money affect on inflation in Iranian economy. To achieve this goal OLS, ARDL techniques were used during 19792008. It should be noted that only the standard P* model (domestic price gap) were tested in this study. Considering that domestic price gap consists of output gap and velocity gap, the Hedrick–Prescott filter method is used to estimate the potential production levels and the velocity. Estimation results of various models show that the standard P* model (domestic price gap) is not able to explain and forecast inflation in Iran

Influence of menstrual cycle and salivary ß-estradiol on volatile sulfur compound

BACKGROUND: ß -estradiol is a steroid sex hormone that plays important role in oral physiology. The aim of this study was to determin the association of the menstrual cycle and salivary ß-estradiol with the production of volatile sulfur compounds (VSC). METHODS: In this cross-sectional study, twenty female dental students in good oral and general health were recruited for evaluation of VSC, salivary flow, ß-estradiol concentration, oral dryness feeling and dysmenorrhea. Data were analyzed by marginal homogeneity test and xtgee model. RESULTS: The only covariates that significantly related to VSC were being at the follicular phase (B = -0.21, P = 0.02), being at the pre-menstrual phase (B = -0.25, P = 0.01), stressfulness (B = 0.02, P = 0.01) and oral dryness feeling (B = 0.34, P = 0.02). Salivary ß-estradiol was at the level of 59.7 31.2 in those having halitosis (VSC ≥ 75) while in the others (VSC < 75) it was about 40.8 18.0 (P < 0.009). This difference was not statistically significant in multivariate analysis. CONCLUSIONS: The menstrual cycle, stress and oral dryness were the most important determinants of halitosis. The salivary ß-estradiol level could not explain such relationship as its effect was eliminated considering the other factors. KEY WORDS: Halitosis, menstrual cycle, ß-estradiol, volatile sulfur compound

Oral health related quality of life in patients with diabetes mellitus type 2 in the year 2012

BACKGROUND AND AIM: The aim of this study was investigation of oral and dental side effects of diabetes mellitus (DM) on oral health-related quality of life (OHQoL) in patients with DM type 2. METHODS: In this descriptive, analytic study 121 patients were participated by consecutive method based on the type of diabetes and the age. After the subjects received adequate explanations about the necessity of carrying out such a study, a questionnaire was handed into each patient who gave their consent to take part in the study. Oral lesions consisted of ulcers, erythema, leukoplakia, erythroplakia, candidiasis, angular cheilitis, median rhomboid glossitis, and denture stomatitis based on oral examination. The OHQoL were surveyed by oral health impact profile (OHIP-14) questionnaire. Data were analyzed by Pearson’s correlation test, T-test, and χ2 by SPSS software. RESULTS: A total of 121 patients with diabetes were evaluated in this study [31 males (25.6%) and 90 females (74.4%)]. In this study, there was no significant correlation between OHQoL and decayed, missing, and filled teeth (DMFT), periodontal disease index (PDI). OHQoL was associated with higher ages and higher levels of blood sugar (P = 0.002, P = 0.016). The average of OHIP score significantly was increased by xerostomia experience (P = 0.010). CONCLUSION: In this survey, the influence of oral manifestation on OHQoL was low. Xerostomia was the most important symptom in diabetic patients that causes decreasing OHQoL. Age and blood sugar had more influence on this matter as well. KEYWORDS: Diabetes Mellitus; Oral Manifestation; Oral Health Related Quality of Lif

Variables That Affect the Ability to Find the Second Mesiobuccal Root Canals in Maxillary Molars

Introduction: The study aimed to investigate the influence of various factors on the localization of the second mesiobuccal (MB2) canal in maxillary molars, a commonly missed canal during endodontic treatment. Materials and Methods: A comprehensive assessment of maxillary molars treated over three years with a dental operative microscope was conducted. Factors such as patient gender, age, tooth type, pulp status, pre-operative cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT), and treatment modality were examined. Statistical analyses included chi-square and multiple logistic regression. Results: Among 333 treated maxillary molars, the MB2 canal was identified in 60.1%. The prevalence of MB2 canals was significantly higher in the first molars (72.3%) compared to the second molars (40.2%; P=0.001). Multiple logistic regression models showed that gender, tooth type, and treatment modality emerged as significant determinants of MB2 canal localization: males [odds ratio 3.01(CI 95%:1.71-5.32), P&lt;0.001], first molar tooth [odds ratio 4.26 (CI 95%:2.53-7.18), P&lt;0.001] and secondary endodontic treatment [odds ratio 0.06 (CI 95%: 0.004-0.890), P&lt;0.04]. Conclusions: Patient gender, tooth type, and treatment modality play pivotal roles in the identification of the MB2 canal. Additionally, the availability of pre-operative CBCT imaging was associated with a heightened ability to locate the MB2 canal

The Experiences of Medical and Dental Personnel Regarding Informing their Patients about the Diagnosis of Head and Neck Cancer

Introduction: One of the main challenges regarding the patients with cancer, is to inform them about their disease. The aim of this study was to evaluate outlooks and experiences of medical and dental staff experts in Kerman, Iran, regarding the method of informing the diagnosis of head and neck (HN) cancer to patients and their relatives. Method: In this qualitative study, the data were obtained through deep interviews, and focus group discussions. The target groups were faculty members of the departments of oral medicine, oral and maxillo-facial surgery, and oncology, nurses of the departments of oral diseases and oncology, and postgraduate students of the department of oral medicine in Kerman university of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran (25 individuals). Aim-based sampling was carried out and continued till the saturation of data. The data were analyzed using content analysis method. Results: Two major classifications were derived. “Truth-telling improving factors” of them, “giving the patients an opportunity for decision making for treatment plan” was the most important factor; and “truth-telling avoiding factors” of them, "close relatives insist to avoid telling the truth to the patients” was the most important factor. Conclusion: In spite of the fact that most of the interviewees believed in telling the truth to the patients, practitioners should consider several factors such as patient's family preference, as well as patients’ anxiety and physical and psychological conditions. It would be reasonable if health care workers train to deal with the patients having cancer. Keywords: Medicine, Dentistry, Head and neck cancer, Qualitative researc

Effects of Different Pot Mixtures on spathiphyllum (Spathiphyllum wallisii Regel) Growth and Development

The growth of Spathiphyllum wallisii Regel plants was evaluated using different pot mixtures (v:v). Plant growth was measured by 11 parameters: leaf area, leaf number, mean shoot length, shoot fresh and dry weight, mean root length, root number, root fresh and dry weight, root volume and number of suckers. Parameters such as leaf area, leaf number, shoot fresh and dry weight, root fresh and dry weight and root length were higher in the media containing only perlite. Mean shoot length was higher in the medium containing 3:1 perlite: sand mixture, 1:3 perlite: sand mixture and only perlite; and root number was higher in the medium containing 3:1 perlite: sand mixture and only perlite. Furthermore, root volume was higher in the medium containing equal perlite: sand mixture and only perlite. The highest number of suckers was obtained in equal leaf-mold: sand mixture. It is concluded that these differences represent a direct effect on the rooting process and that substrate characteristics are of the utmost importance for the quality of rooted plants

Oropharyngeal candidiasis and resistance to antifungal drugs in patients receiving radiation for head and neck cancer

BACKGROUND: Oropharyngeal candidiasis is a common infection in patient receiving radiotherapy for head and neck cancer. Accurate and rapid identification of candida species is very important in clinical laboratory, because the incidence of candidiasis continues to rise after radiotherapy. The genus Candida has about 154 species that show different level of resistance to antifungal drugs and have high degree of phenotypic similarity. The aim of this study was to investigate oral yeast colonization and infection and resistance to antifungal drugs in these patients. METHODS: Thirty patients receiving a 6-week course of radiation therapy for treatment of head and neck cancer at the Oncology Unit in Shafa Hospital, in 2008, were enrolled in the study. Specimens from patients were cultured weekly for Candida. All isolates were plated on CHROM agar and RPMI-based medium. They were subcultured and submitted for antifungal susceptibility testing (nystatin, fluconazole, clotrimazole and ketoconazole) and molecular typing. RESULTS: Infection (clinical and microbiological evidence) occurred in 50% of the patients and Candida colonization (only microbiological evidence) occurred in 70% of subjects in the first week. Candida albicans alone was isolated in 94.9% of patient visits with positive cultures. Candida tropicalis was isolated from 5.1% of patient visits with positive cultures. All isolates were susceptible to nystatin, but did not respond to the other antifungal drugs CONCLUSIONS: The irradiation-induced changes of the intraoral environment such as xerostomia lead to increased intraoral colonization by Candida species. All yeast isolates were susceptible to nystatin. Thus prophylactic therapy with nystatin should be considered for these patients. KEY WORDS: Oropharyngeal candidiasis, radiation, colonization, antifungal drugs, cance

Prevalence of Toothache and Associated Factors: A Population-Based Study in Southeast Iran

Introduction: This study was carried out to estimate toothache prevalence among adult residents in Kerman. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional, population-based study was conducted among individuals aged over 18 years (n=1800). The relevant data on the prevalence of toothache and associated factors were collected by interviewing the individuals in their homes and filling out a questionnaire designed by the examiners. Prevalence of toothache and associated factors that patients recalled previous to their interview were analyzed by chi-square test and multivariate logistic regression analysis. Results: Nine hundred ninety-one individuals (55.1%) reported toothache during the 6 months before the interview. The participants who flossed daily, had regular dental visits, and had higher education showed a significantly lower prevalence of toothache (P&lt;0.05), whereas regular tooth brushing and economic level of residency had no significant effect on the prevalence of toothache. Individuals between the ages of 26 and 45 [odds ratio (OR)=2.0], with a family size of more than 4 (OR=1.5), not using dental floss (OR=1.5), or having a mental or psychological illness (OR=1.5) were more likely to have a history of toothache. Conclusion: High prevalence of toothache (more than half) among residents of Kerman shows a serious and major public health problem. Toothache prevalence in middle aged adults, lower education, bigger family size, lower dental hygiene habit and/or those having mental or psychological illness were more common in the city of Kerman

The Frequency of Medically Compromised Patients in Endodontic Offices in Iran

Introduction: As the result of epidemiological transition and aging of Iranian population, the frequencies of systemic diseases among patients in of need endodontic treatment has increased, especially within developed cities. However, there have been no concise reports of systemic diseases in Iranian patients. Based on this need, the present investigation was conducted to assess the frequency of systemic disease among patients referred to endodontic private practice in three main cities in Iran. Materials and Methods: In a retrospective study, the frequency of systematic diseases were abstracted from the health records of patients who were referred to three private practices limited to endodontics in Kerman, Mashhad, and Tehran between 1994 to 2011. Results: Overall, 15,413 records of patients were assessed. The patterns of systematic diseases among endodontic patients in these three cities were different. The overall frequency of systemic disease in Kerman was significantly higher than two other cities (Kerman: 55.03%, Mashhad: 24.32%, Tehran: 22.16%; P&lt;0.001). The most commonly occurring diseases were cardiac disease, hypertension, allergy and neurological disorders. Conclusion: Since the number of endodontic patients with systematic diseases is considerably significant and varied, special training and educations for treatment of medically compromised patient should be considered at both post- and undergraduate training

Evaluation of Skills and Use of Computer and Internet among Professors, Postgraduate and Undergraduate Students in Kerman, Iran

Background & Objective: In the 21 century using computers and the internet are necessary. Computers and internet provide professors and students with the possibility of accessing scientific information very quickly. The aim of this study was the evaluation of skills and use of computer and internet among professors, and postgraduate and undergraduate students in Kerman University of Medical Sciences, School of Dentistry. Methods: In this cross-sectional and descriptive-analytic study a questionnaire was given to 51 professors, 42 postgraduate and 241 undergraduate dental students of Kerman University of Medical Sciences. After completing the questionnaires, data were analyzed using chi-square test. Results: Statistical analysis showed that the rate of access to computers at home and universities among professors, and post- and undergraduate students was 88.2%, 84.7%, 85.4%, respectively. 98% of professors, 95% of postgraduates, and 94% of undergraduate students use the internet. The most rate of computer use was 0.5-2 hours during the day. 87.4% of professors, 71.4% of postgraduates, and 71% of undergraduate students do not need education for using the internet. Professors and assistants use of computers for academic activities was higher than students. Conclusion: Skills and use rate of computers and internet was higher in professors in comparison with other groups and there were no statistically significant difference between men and women in three groups. Keywords Dentistry Internet Compute