Microhardness of Calcium-enriched Mixture Cement and Covering Glass Ionomers after Different Time Periods of Application

Introduction: Various studies have recommended using calcium-enriched mixture (CEM) cement in different endodontic treatments, including vital pulp therapy. However, possible reciprocal effects of the covering glass ionomer cement (GIC) on their mechanical properties have not been yet investigated in detail. The current research aimed to experimentally evaluate the surface microhardness of CEM cement and the covering GICs after different application/testing times. Materials and Methods: Using stainless steel moulds (8×4×4 mm), CEM cement samples were prepared (n=120) and randomly divided into 12 experimental groups (n=10). CEM cement with thickness of 4 mm was inserted into the moulds, and the remaining spaces were filled with self-cured or light-cured resin-modified GICs at three-time intervals; immediate, in 15 min and after 24 h. Then, the samples were incubated for one and seven days. Using a Vickers microhardness tester, the microhardness of CEM and GICs was measured. The data were analyzed using two-way ANOVA and Tukey’s test, and the significance level was set at 5% (P<0.05). Results: The reciprocal effects of the type/time of application of GICs on the surface microhardness of CEM cement or GICs were statistically significant (P<0.001). The surface microhardness of CEM cement and both covering GICs significantly increased over time and in seven-day samples was significantly higher than in one-day samples (P<0.05). Conclusions: Low surface microhardness of CEM/GICs in short-term (24 h) seems transient; and appears to be compensated over a longer period (i.e. 7-day). Therefore, using GICs adjacent to CEM cement in single-visit restorative treatments may be advocate

Evaluation of Risk Factors in Patients with Head and Neck Cancer: A Case Control Study

Background: Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) is one of the most common types of cancer worldwide. Since there are many factors that influence the development of cancer, identifying risk factors plays an important role in cancer prevention. The aim of this study was therefore to identify the risk factors for HNSCC in Mashhad, Iran. Methods: In this case-control study, 76 patients with HNSCC were included as the case and 91 healthy people as the control group. A checklist of risk factors was completed for each participant and the two groups were compared for the presence of risk factors. Chi-square, t test, and Mann-Whitney tests were used to compare the data. Odds ratios (ORs) for several factors have also been determined. Findings: The educational level and body mass index (BMI) of the patients in the case group were significantly lower than in the control group (P<0.001). Moreover, there were significant differences between the two groups in terms of risk factors such as tobacco smoking, the number of cigarettes smoked per day, and its duration (P=0.001, P<0.001, P=0.05), as well as the duration of hookah smoking, opium consumed per day and use of alcohol (P=0.023, P<0.001, P=0.015). Conclusion: There was a direct relationship between HNSCC and risk factors such as cigarette smoking, number of cigarettes smoked per day, duration of cigarette consumption and hookah, opium consumed per day, and alcohol use. However, extensive studies with larger sample sizes are needed to better assess the impact of these factors and generalize the results

Association between carbohydrate quality index and general and central obesity in adults:A population-based study in Iran

Introduction: To determine whether dietary carbohydrates quality index (CQI), glycemic index, and glycemic load is associated with general and abdominal obesity. Methods: 850 participants, 20 to 59 years old, were enrolled in a cross-sectional study from five Tehran districts through health houses. The 168 items in the semi--quantitative food frequency questionnaire were used to assess dietary intake. The CQI was calculated by using the following four components: glycemic index, total fiber, solid carbohydrate to total carbohydrate ratio, and whole grains: total grains ratio. Results: After adjusting for confounding factors, the chance of obesity in men (OR=0.38, 95% CI 0.15to 0.95; P =0.04) measured by waist circumference (WC) was significantly lower in the fourth quintile of CQI in comparison with the first quintile. In addition, OR for obesity in men (OR=2.53, 95% CI0.52 to 1.37; P =0.04) was significantly 2.5 times higher among those in the fourth quintile of glycemic index compared with those in the lowest quintile. There was no significant association between dietary carbohydrates with general obesity in men and women. Conclusion: In summary, dietary CQI is significantly inversely related to central obesity in men,according to this study. Additionally, adherence to a diet with a higher glycemic index in men is positively associated with central obesity

Investigating The Relationship between the Consumption of Maternal Nutrition Supplements during Pregnancy and Anthropometric Indices in the Birth of a Newborn in Southern Iran (Case study: Bandar Abbas)

Background & Objectives: inappropriate diet and the lack of necessary nutrition receiving during pregnancy, effects on maternal and neonatal health. This study carried out to investigate the effect of maternal supplements during pregnancy on growth indices at birth. Material & Methods: This cohort study was carried out on part of Bandar Abbas Cohort study data. The main exposure in this study was the consumption of dietary supplements during pregnancy and the dependent variable was the growth indices of newborns. The adjusted relative risk index using a Modified Poisson Regression model was applied. All analysis were performed using the STATA software. Results: 196 of participants remained in the study. The age range of mothers was from 16 to 42 years old and the mean of that was 27.28 (± 5.62). 81, 84 and 149 of mothers had taken an iron supplement, multivitamins, and vitamin D irregularly respectively. 12.76%, 8.68%,18.88% of the newborns, had abnormal weight, height, and head circumference at birth respectively. The relative risk of low birth weight and consumption of multivitamin 2.65 was achieved. Also, the relative risks between low birth height and iron and multivitamin supplements were 3.54 and 4.56 respectively. Conclusion: There was a relationship between irregular consumption of iron and multivitamins during pregnancy with weight and height at birth, but there was no relationship between the consumption of nutritional supplements during pregnancy and the head circumference. Mothers' nutritional supplementation during pregnancy requires more attention

Effect of background music on auditory-verbal memory performance

Background and Aim: Music exists in all cultures; many scientists are seeking to understand how music effects cognitive development such as comprehension, memory, and reading skills. More recently, a considerable number of neuroscience studies on music have been developed. This study aimed to investigate the effects of null and positive background music in comparison with silence on auditory-verbal memory performance.Methods: Forty young adults (male and female) with normal hearing, aged between 18 and 26, participated in this comparative-analysis study. An auditory and speech evaluation was conducted in order to investigate the effects of background music on working memory. Subsequently, the Rey auditory-verbal learning test was performed for three conditions: silence, positive, and null music.Results: The mean score of the Rey auditory-verbal learning test in silence condition was higher than the positive music condition (p=0.003) and the null music condition (p=0.01). The tests results did not reveal any gender differences.Conclusion: It seems that the presence of competitive music (positive and null music) and the orientation of auditory attention have negative effects on the performance of verbal working memory. It is possibly owing to the intervention of music with verbal information processing in the brain

Temporal acuity and speech recognition score in noise in patients with multiple sclerosis

Background and Aim: Multiple sclerosis (MS) is one of the central nervous system diseases can be associated with a variety of symptoms such as hearing disorders. The main consequence of hearing loss is poor speech perception, and temporal acuity has important role in speech perception. We evaluated the speech perception in silent and in the presence of noise and temporal acuity in patients with multiple sclerosis.Methods: Eighteen adults with multiple sclerosis with the mean age of 37.28 years and 18 age- and sex- matched controls with the mean age of 38.00 years participated in this study. Temporal acuity and speech perception were evaluated by random gap detection test (GDT) and word recognition score (WRS) in three different signal to noise ratios.Results: Statistical analysis of test results revealed significant differences between the two groups (p<0.05). Analysis of gap detection test (in 4 sensation levels) and word recognition score in both groups showed significant differences (p<0.001).Conclusion: According to this survey, the ability of patients with multiple sclerosis to process temporal features of stimulus was impaired. It seems that, this impairment is important factor to decrease word recognition score and speech perception

Time-related meal patterns and breakfast quality in a sample of Iranian adults

Abstract Background Some evidence shows that meal timing is associated with diet quality. We aimed to investigate the relationship between meal timing and breakfast quality in a sample of Iranian adults. Methods This cross-sectional study was conducted on 850 men and women living in Tehran, Iran. Dietary data was recorded by three non-consecutive 24-h dietary recalls. The Breakfast Quality Index (BQI) was calculated. Time-related meal patterns included the interval between the first and last meal (eating and fasting window), frequency of meals, length of sleep, and time of first and last eating occasion. The multiple linear regression analysis was used to identify the relationships between time-related meal patterns and BQI. Results The mean (95% CI) of BQI was 4.52 (4.45–4.65) and the maximum was 8. Bread, cheese, vegetables, fruits, energy, and carbohydrate intake showed positive associations with BQI scores. Longer fasting time showed a positive association with fruits (β (CI 95%)) (0.11 (0.0003–0.005), and vegetable consumption (0.12 (0.009–0.07)) and BQI score (0.39 (0.001–0.06)). Time of first eating occasions indicated a negative association with protein and fat intake and BQI score. Time of last eating occasions showed a positive association with vegetables consumption and BQI score. The longer length of sleep was associated with a higher BQI score. The frequency of meals was significantly and positively related to energy and macronutrients intake and BQI. Conclusion Earlier first and last meal, longer sleep length, longer fasting window, and a greater meal frequency were associated with a better breakfast quality