Comparative effectiveness of Low Level Laser therapy and Transcutaneous Electric Nerve Stimulation on Temporomandibular Joint Disorders

Background: Temporomandibular joint disorders are the most common source of pain on the face. There are multiple etiologies, and several types of treatment have been reported. The use of non-invasive and reversible therapies in the treatment of such problems is recommended. The present study evaluated the effect of low level laser (LLL) therapy and transcutaneous electric nerve stimulation (TENS) on temporomandibular joint disorders. Methods: In this single-blind study, 40 patients with temporomandibular disorders were randomly divided into four groups: TENS (TENSTem dental), LLL (diode 810 nm CW), sham-TENS, and sham-LLL. All subjects were examined and data on pain and tenderness in the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) and masticatory muscles (using the visual analogue scale) and mouth-opening (distance between incisal edges before feeling pain; mm) were collected before baseline (T1), after each session (T2-T5) and one month after the end of the sessions (T6)), and analyzed using repeated measure ANOVA and Boneferronie statistical tests. A p-value < 0.05 was considered significant. Results: The decrease in pain (p = 0.000), tenderness (p = 0.000) and increase in mouth-opening ability (p = 0.002) was greater in the TENS and LLL groups than in the placebo groups. At the one-month follow-up, significant decrease in pain and tenderness was recorded in the TENS and LLL groups (p = 0.000). There was no significant differences between TENS and LLL and the placebo groups for maximum mouth-opening at the end of the study (p = 0.692). Conclusion: Using TENS or LLL therapy can improve TMD symptoms at least for the short term. Although the effects of the placebo played a role in improving symptoms, their effects were less importan

Effectiveness of mindfulness-based stress reduction program on quality of life in cardiovascular disease patients.

INTRODUCTION: Cardiovascular disease is one of the most fatal physical illnesses that impose many financial losses on societies every year. AIM: This study was to investigate the effectiveness of a mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) program on self-efficacy and quality of life in patients with cardiovascular disease. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The samples of this clinical trial were 60 patients who were selected by convenience sampling from patients were diagnosed, clinically interviewed by a cardiologist and randomized to two groups; experimental and control, and then completed Sherer et al. General Self-Efficacy Scale and 36-item Short Form Survey three times; pre-test, post-test, and after 3 months of follow-up. MBSR Program includes the methods that patients learn to calm their minds and body to help them cope with disease that was based on self-efficacy and quality of life. Data analysis was performed by the SPSS v22 using t-test and ANOVA. RESULTS: The results show that the mean pre-test scores of self-efficacy and quality of life of patients were not significantly different between the experimental and control groups (P > 0.05). However, the mean scores of the two variables were found to be significantly different between the experimental group and the control group on the post-test and follow-up as the research hypotheses were examined (P < 0.01). So that the means of self-efficacy were 60.80 ± 5.91 and 60.40 ± 7.03 and quality of life were 103.80 ± 9.35 and 101.10 ± 9.13 at post-test and 3 months later respectively in experimental group. CONCLUSION: Self-efficacy and quality of life of cardiovascular patients could be improved by providing an MBSR program. KEYWORDS: CVD, Cardiovascular disease; Coping; Heart diseases; MBSR; MBSR, mindfulness-based stress reduction; Psychological interventio

Remineralizing Effect of Child Formula Dentifrices on Artificial Enamel Caries Using a pH Cycling Model.

Although fluoridated toothpastes are among the most accessible fluoride sources for caries prevention, their remineralization potential remains questionable. This study sought to compare the effects of 5 different child formula dentifrices on remineralization of artificial primary enamel caries using a pH cycling model.Twenty sound primary canine teeth were immersed in demineralizing solution for 96 hours to produce 100μm-deep artificial caries. The teeth were then longitudinally sectioned into 100-150 μm-thick slices and randomly divided into 5 groups and treated as follows: group A. Calcium phosphate toothpaste, group B. Pooneh children's toothpaste, group C. Biotin toothpaste, group D. Crest children's toothpaste and group E. Darougar children's toothpaste. The specimens underwent a pH cycling model for 10 days. The degree of demineralization before and after treatment and its changes were evaluated under a polarized light microscope and a stereomicroscope and data were statistically analyzed using repeated measures ANOVA and post-hoc test.Stereomicroscopic analysis showed that only group C had a significant difference with other groups (P0.05). Polarized light microscopic analysis revealed that in addition to group C, a significant difference was detected between groups A and B (P=0.02) and calcium phosphate toothpaste showed higher efficacy.All the understudy toothpastes had remineralizing effect but calcium phosphate children's toothpaste had the highest and biotin toothpaste had the lowest efficacy

Determination of Rate and Causes of Wastage of Blood and Blood Products in Iranian Hospitals

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to determine the rate and causes of wastage of blood and blood products (packed red cells, plasma, platelets, and cryoprecipitate) in Qazvin hospitals. METHODS: The study was conducted in all hospitals in Qazvin, including 5 teaching hospitals, 2 social welfare hospitals, 3 private hospitals, 1 charity hospital, and 1 military hospital. This descriptive study was based on available data from hospital blood banks in the province of Qazvin. The research instrument was a 2-part questionnaire. The first part was related to demographic characteristics of hospitals and the second part elicited information about blood and blood component wastage. The collected data were then analyzed using descriptive statistic methods and SPSS 11.5. RESULTS: Blood wastage may occur for a number of reasons, including time expiry, wasted imports, blood medically or surgically ordered but not used, stock time expired, hemolysis, or miscellaneous reasons. Data indicated that approximately 77.9% of wasted pack cell units were wasted for the reason of time expiry. Pack cell wastage in hospitals is reported to range from 1.93% to 30.7%. Wastage at all hospitals averaged 9.8% among 30.913 issued blood products. Overall blood and blood product (packed red cells, plasma, platelets, and cryoprecipitate) wastage was 3048 units and average total wastage per participant hospital for all blood groups was 254 units per year. CONCLUSION: Blood transfusion is an essential part of patient care. The blood transfusion system has made significant advancements in areas such as donor management, storage of blood, cross-matching, rational use of blood, and distribution. In order to improve the standards of blood banks and the blood transfusion services in Iran, comprehensive standards have been formulated to ensure better quality control in collection, storage, testing, and distribution of blood and its components for the identified major factors affecting blood product wastage

The Effect of An Angiogenic Cytokine on Orthodontically Induced Inflammatory Root Resorption

Objective Orthodontically induced inflammatory root resorption (OIIRR) is an undesirable sequel of tooth movement after sterile necrosis that takes place in periodontal ligament due to blockage of blood vessels following exertion of orthodontic force. This study sought to assess the effect of an angiogenic cytokine on OIIRR in rat model. Materials and Methods In this experimental animal study, 50 rats were randomly divided into 5 groups of 10 each: E10, E100 and E1000 receiving an injection of 10, 100 and 1000 ng of basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF), respectively, positive control group (CP) receiving an orthodontic appliance and injection of phosphate buffered saline (PBS) and the negative control group (CN) receiving only the anesthetic agent. A nickel titanium coil spring was placed between the first molar and the incisor on the right side of maxilla. Twenty-one days later, the rats were sacrificed. Histopathological sections were made to assess the number and area of resorption lacunae, number of blood vessels, osteoclasts and Howship’s lacunae. Data were statistically analyzed using ANOVA and Tukey’s honest significant difference (HSD) test. Results Number of resorption lacunae and area of resorption lacunae in E1000 (0.97 ± 0.80 and 1. 27 ± 0.01×10-3, respectively) were significantly lower than in CP (4.17 ± 0.90 and 2.77 ± 0.01×10-3, respectively, P=0.000). Number of blood vessels, osteoclasts and Howship’s lacunae were significantly higher in E1000 compared to CP (P<0.05). Conclusion Tooth movement as the outcome of bone remodeling is concomitant with the formation of sterile necrosis in the periodontal ligament following blocked blood supply. Thus, bFGF can significantly decrease the risk of root resorption by providing more oxygen and angiogenesis

Effect of Ingested Liquids on Color Change of Composite Resins

Objectives: Color change of composite restorations is well known to dentists. However, the effect of commonly consumed drinks on discoloration of composite resins has yet to be determined. This study sought to assess the color change of a nanofilled (Premise) and a flowable composite resin (Premise flowable) following simulated consumption of tea, cola, iron drops and multivitamin syrup. Materials and Methods: Forty disk-shaped specimens (7 mm in diameter and 2 mm thick) were fabricated from each composite resin. The baseline color values were measured according to the CIE L*a*b* system using digital imaging. The specimens of each restorative material were randomly divided into five groups (eight each) according to the storage media namely tea, cola, iron drops, multivitamin syrup or distilled water (control). The specimens were immersed in staining solutions for three hours daily over a 40-day test period. Following this, the color change values (ΔE*) were calculated. For statistical analyses, the color differences were analyzed using two-way ANOVA and Tukey’s test (P< 0.05). Results: There was no significant difference in ΔE* values between the two types of composite resins (P>0.05). In both composite materials, the difference among the solutions was not significant (P>0.05).  Conclusion: Under the tested experimental conditions, both restorative materials were susceptible to discoloration by all four staining solutions. The color change values were not related to the solution or the type of material used