A Comparison of Apical Transportation in Severely Curved Canals Induced by Reciproc and BioRaCe Systems

Introduction: Preserving the apical root structure during cleaning and shaping of the canal has always been a challenge in endodontics particularly when the root canals are curved. The purpose of this in vitro study was to compare the apical transportation induced by the Reciproc and BioRaCe rotary systems in preparing the mesiobuccal root canal of the human maxillary molars. Materials and Methods: The mesiobuccal canals of sixty extracted maxillary molars with curvature angle of 25-35˚ were selected and randomly assigned into two groups. Each canal was prepared by either Reciproc or BioRaCe rotary systems. A double-digital radiographic technique and AutoCAD software were used to compare the apical transportation at 0.5, 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 mm distances from the working length (WL). The distance between the master apical rotary file and the initial K-file in the superimposed radiographs determined the amount of apical transportation. An independent t-test was used to compare the groups. The statistical significant level was set at 0.05. Results: Apical transportation of the Reciproc group was significantly greater than the BioRaCe group in all distances (P<0.001). The maximum apical transportation occurred in the Reciproc group at 0.5 mm from the WL (0.048±0.0028 mm) and the minimum occurred for BioRaCe at 5 mm from the WL (0.010±0.0005 mm). Conclusions: The Reciproc system produced significantly more apical transportation than the BioRaCe, but this fact does not seem to negatively alter the clinical success or quality of root canal treatment

Effect of peppermint on pediatrics’ pain under endoscopic examination of the large bowel

Introduction: Colonoscopy is a painful and invasive technique for patients especially for pediatrics. Peppermint has analgesic effect. Therefore, we wish to look at the effect of peppermint essence on the patients&rsquo; satisfaction and pain after colonoscopy. Methods: This clinical trial study was performed on 100 patient&rsquo;s candidate for colonoscopy. Patients were randomly divided into two groups. Control group received no drug. Case group was administrated supermint essence thirty minutes before colonoscopy. A valid questionnaire was filled during the colonoscopy for patient&rsquo;s satisfaction and pain evaluation. Results: The mean value of abdominal pain was 0.527&plusmn;2.500 in control group and 1.625&plusmn;0.491 in case group after treatment (p&lt;0.05). Degree of satisfaction was 8 and 17.6 percent in control and case groups, respectively. Mean value of satisfaction in control group was 1.833&plusmn;0.389 that was significantly different from case group (2.607&plusmn;0.566) (p&lt;0.05). Duration of colonoscopy in control group was significantly higher than the one in case group (p&lt;0.05). Conclusion: Our findings showed that peppermint essence causes an increasing in satisfaction as well as a reduction in pain in patients under the colonoscopy.</p

Effects of transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) on labor pain

Based on the gate theory of pain, an apparatus was manufactured for transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) that relieves some pains. Since this method inflicts no harm to the patients and due to cultural and environmental effects on the intensity and tolerance of pain, this study was performed to determine the effectiveness of the method on alleviating of labor pain in the province of Chaharmahal & Bakhtiary. TENS was used in 50 nulliparous patients and reduction of pain intensity, duration of delivery as well as patients’ inclination for future use of TENS, were compared to those of a control group that used placebo. Our results showed that there was a marked reduction in the duration of active phase of labor and a higher tolerance of labor pain and a higher inclination for reuse of the method in the case group compared to those of the control group. 52% of the case group inclined to reuse TENS for future labor. Also there was no significant reduction of labor pain in the case group. It can be concluded that due to the effectiveness of this method, its usage is advisable

Endophytic Aspergillus hiratsukae mediated biosynthesis of silver nanoparticles and their antimicrobial and photocatalytic activities

In the current study, endophytic Aspergillus hiratsukae was used for the biosynthesis of silver nanoparticles (Ag-NPs) for the first time. The characterizations were performed using X ray diffraction (XRD), Transmission electron microscopy (TEM), Scanning electron microscopy with energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (SEM–EDX), Dynamic light scattering (DLS), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), and UV–Vis spectroscopy. The obtained results demonstrated the successful formation of crystalline, spherical Ag-NPs with particle diameters ranging from 16 to 31 nm. The FT-IR studied and displayed the various functional groups involved, which played a role in capping and reducing agents for Ag-NPs production. The SEM–EDX revealed that the main constituent of the AS-formed sample was primarily Ag, with a weight percentage of 64.2%. The mycosynthesized Ag-NPs were assessed for antimicrobial as well as photocatalytic activities. The antimicrobial results indicated that the synthesized Ag-NPs possess notable antibacterial efficacy against Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus subtilis, and Escherichia coli, with minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) of Ag-NPs ranging from 62.5 to 250 μg/mL. Moreover, the biosynthesized Ag-NPs demonstrated weak antifungal activity against Aspergillus brasiliensis and Candida albicans, with MICs of 500 and 1,000 μg/mL, respectively. In addition, the mycosynthesized Ag-NPs exhibited photocatalytic activity toward acid black 2 (nigrosine) dye under both light and dark stimulation. Notably, After 300 min exposure to light, the nigrosine dye was degraded by 93%. In contrast, 51% degradation was observed after 300 min in darkness. In conclusion, Ag-NPs were successfully biosynthesized using endophytic A. hiratsukae and also exhibited antimicrobial and photocatalytic activities that can be used in environmental applications

Comparison of Cover Test and Maddox Rod Phorometric Techniques at Far and Near Distances

Objective: In this study we Compared Cover test and Maddox rod phorometric tests. These tests can be used for the evaluation of heterophoria and different binocular vision syndromes. Materials & Methods: “Tests evaluation” is considered in this Comparative study. Cover test is standard test for evaluation of ocular motility. Normal volunteer students of rehabilitation faculty took part in this study. They evaluated according to their any ocular or systemic problems that may be affecting their heterophoria. They were 123 females and 79 males’ subjects, at 18 to 23 years age range. Two tests were done at far (6m) and near (40 cm) randomly crossed over method. The subjects did not suffer any diseases which may affect their ocular motility. Statistical analysis of data was done by Statgraphics TM package. Results: The results revealed, there is tendency of exophoria in Cover test (-0.3) and an esophoria for Maddox rod (+0.3) at far distance. There is a significant difference in Cover test and Maddox rod for far distance (P<0.001). At near distance, two tests show similar results (-3 exophoria). Conclusion: Two eyes dissociation and accommodation activation are basically different in the tests. The significant difference that has been reported at far distance, originated from different dissociation. At near different dissociation and accommodation activation, neutralizing each other. Maddox rod test for far distance more esophoria and less exophoria than Cover test. Different interaction of dissociations and accommodation activation in these tests may result as an unpredictable outcome. For the accommodative and vergence anomalies, the Maddox rod may not be useful at near distance

The Effect of Addition of Calcium Hypochlorite Disinfectant on Setting Expansion and Surface Hardness of Dental Stone

Background and Aim: Addition of disinfectants to dental stones is one method to pre-vent cross-contamination between patients and laboratory personnel. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of addition of calcium hypochlorite disinfectant on setting expansion and surface hardness of dental stone. Materials and Methods: In this experimental study, calcium hypochlorite aqueous solu-tion with 0.5% concentration was added to type V dental stone. Setting expansion was measured by extensometer in millimeter and surface hardness was measured by Rockwell hardness test machine. Data were statistically analyzed using t-test with 0.05 level of significance. Results: The mean setting expansion values were 2.49±0.0017 mm and 0.27±0.0094 mm in the test and control groups, respectively and had a statistically significant difference. The mean Rockwell hardness number was 74±1.93 and 85±3.09 in the test and control groups, respectively with no statistically significant difference. Conclusion: Setting expansion and surface hardness of type V dental stone increased and decreased, respectively by the addition of 0.5% calcium hypochlorite. Thus, this disinfection method needs modification for routine use in the laboratory setting

Status of Hepatitis B Immunization in Medical Stuffs at Children Medical Center Hospital-Tehran

Introduction: Hepatitis B is a disease caused by the hepatitis B virus (HBV), which is transmitted through percutaneous (i.e., puncture through the skin) or mucosal (i.e., direct contact with mucous membranes) exposure to infectious blood or body fluids. HBV can cause chronic infection, resulting in cirrhosis of the liver, liver cancer, liver failure, and death. Persons with chronic infection also serve as the main reservoir for continued HBV transmission.   Material and Methods: This is a prospective cross sectional study was performed in ChildrenMedicalCenterHospital on 396 medical personals (including 172 students,92 interns,56 residents and 56 fellowships) during Sep 2012 to  Oct 2013. Results: All of medical staff had done HB vaccination. In 93% of them the vaccination was complete. The others,16% had only one, and 84% had two dose injections. 73% didn’t check HBsAb after vaccination.  Results showed in 21.4% of fellowships, 42.8% of residents, non of interns and 35% of students, had checked HBsAb.   Conclusion: Hepatitis B is a vaccine-preventable disease. HB is a serious world wide infection and medical staff are one of the most high risk groups. So Vaccinate their and HBS Antibody titer determination after complete vaccination is mandatory.

Investigating Asymmetric Effects of Monetary Shocks on the Production and Employment in Automotive Industry: Non-Linear ARDL Approach

The automotive industry as a major industry accounts for about 13% of total production and 15% of total employment in the Iranian industrial sector. The purpose of this paper is considering asymmetric, scale and direction the effects of positive and negative monetary shocks on the volume of production and employment in this industry, which evaluated by Non-linear Auto Regressive Distribution Lag (NARDL) model, seasonally since 1376 to 1397. The effects of shocks from monetary variables are classified in to two groups: positive and negative shocks by using Hodrick-Prescott filter. The outputs indicate that the asymmetric effect of exchange rate and interest rate on the amount of production and employment of this industry is confirmed. It also concludes that monetary shocks in the long run have more impact on automotive industry than employment

Effect of peppermint on pediatrics’ pain under endoscopic examination of the large bowel

Introduction: Colonoscopy is a painful and invasive technique for patients especially for pediatrics. Peppermint has analgesic effect. Therefore, we wish to look at the effect of peppermint essence on the patients’ satisfaction and pain after colonoscopy. Methods: This clinical trial study was performed on 100 patient’s candidate for colonoscopy. Patients were randomly divided into two groups. Control group received no drug. Case group was administrated supermint essence thirty minutes before colonoscopy. A valid questionnaire was filled during the colonoscopy for patient’s satisfaction and pain evaluation. Results: The mean value of abdominal pain was 0.527±2.500 in control group and 1.625±0.491 in case group after treatment (p<0.05). Degree of satisfaction was 8 and 17.6 percent in control and case groups, respectively. Mean value of satisfaction in control group was 1.833±0.389 that was significantly different from case group (2.607±0.566) (p<0.05). Duration of colonoscopy in control group was significantly higher than the one in case group (p<0.05). Conclusion: Our findings showed that peppermint essence causes an increasing in satisfaction as well as a reduction in pain in patients under the colonoscopy

In Vitro Differentiation of Neural-Like Cells from Human Embryonic Stem Cells by A Combination of Dorsomorphin, XAV939, and A8301

Objective: Motor neuron differentiation from human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) is a goal of regenerative medicine to provide cell therapy as treatments for diseases that damage motor neurons. Most protocols lack adequate efficiency in generating functional motor neurons. However, small molecules present a new approach to overcome this challenge. The aim of this research is to replace morphogen factors with a cocktail of efficient, affordable small molecules for effective, low cost motor neuron differentiation. Materials and Methods: In this experimental study, hESCs were differentiated into motor neuron by the application of a small molecule cocktail that consisted of dorsomorphin, A8301, and XAV939. During the differentiation protocol, we selected five stages and assessed expressions of neural markers by real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR), immunofluorescence staining, and flow cytometry. Motor neuron ion currents were determined by whole cell patch clamp recording. Results: Immunofluorescence staining and flow cytometry analysis of hESC-derived neural ectoderm (NE) indicated that they were positive for NESTIN (92.68%), PAX6 (64.40%), and SOX1 (82.11%) in a chemically defined adherent culture. The replated (hESC)-derived NE differentiated cells were positive for TUJ1, MAP2, HB9 and ISL1. We evaluated the gene expression levels with real-time reverse transcriptase-PCR at different stages of the differentiation protocol. Voltage gated channel currents of differentiated cells were examined by the whole-cell patch clamp technique. The hESC-derived motor neurons showed voltage gated delay rectifier K+, Na+ and Ca2+ inward currents. Conclusion: Our results indicated that hESC-derived neurons expressed the specific motor neuron markers specially HB9 and ISL1 but voltage clamp recording showed small ionic currents therefore it seems that voltage gated channel population were inadequate for firing action potentials