Association study of interleukin-1 family and interleukin-6 gene single nucleotide polymorphisms in recurrent aphthous stomatitis

Recurrent aphthous stomatitis (RAS) is a common painful, ulcerative oral inflammatory disorder with unknown aetiology. Immune system and aberrant cytokine cascade deemed to be critical in outbreaks of RAS ulcers. Interleukin-1 (IL-1) and IL-6 are the most potent pro-inflammatory cytokines. Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of IL-1 and IL-6 genes can affect the secretion of these cytokines. The aim of this study was to investigate the association between RAS and IL-6 and IL-1 in Iranian subjects with minor RAS. Genomic DNA was obtained from 64 Iranian patients with RAS. IL-1α C -889 T, IL-1β C -511 T, IL-1β C +3962 T, IL-1R C pst-I 1970 T, IL-1Ra C Mspa-I11100 T, IL-6 C -174 G and IL-6 A nt +565 G polymorphisms were determined using polymerase chain reaction with sequence-specific primers (PCR-SSP). The frequency of C -174 C genotype in the patients group was significantly different from the healthy control. No other significant differences were found in genotype and alleles frequencies between the two groups. These results indicate that certain SNPs of IL-6 gene at position -174 which located in promoter have association with predisposition of individuals to RAS.

Experimental and numerical study on the mechanical behavior of rat brain tissue

Brain tissue is a very soft tissue in which the mechanical properties depend on the loading direction. While few studies have characterized these biomechanical properties, it is worth knowing that accurate characterization of the mechanical properties of brain tissue at different loading directions is a key asset for neuronavigation and surgery simulation through haptic devices. In this study, the hyperelastic mechanical properties of rat brain tissue were measured experimentally and computationally. Prepared cylindrical samples were excised from the parietal lobes of rats' brains and experimentally tested by a tensile testing machine. The effects of loading direction on the mechanical properties of brain tissue were measured by applying load on both longitudinal and circumferential directions. The general prediction ability of the proposed hyperelastic model was verified using finite element (FE) simulations of brain tissue tension experiments. The uniaxial experimental results compared well with those predicted by the FE models. The results revealed the influence of loading direction on the mechanical properties of brain tissue. The Ogden hyperelastic material model was suitably represented by the non-linear behavior of the brain tissue, which can be used in future biomechanical simulations. The hyperelastic properties of brain tissue provided here have interest to the medical research community as there are several applications where accurate characterization of these properties are crucial for an accurate outcome, such as neurosurgery, robotic surgery, haptic device design or car manufacturing to evaluate possible trauma due to an impact.

Antileishmanial activity of prenylated coumarins isolated from Ferulago angulata and Prangos asperula

Leishmaniasis has a wide spectrum of signs and symptoms due to infection to numbers of Leishmania species and makes enormous mortality and morbidity. There are clues of antileishmanial effects of prenylated coumarins. Apiaceae family is one of the most important sources of coumarins. Air-dried aerial parts of Ferulago angulata and fruits of Prangos asperula were extracted with n-hexane, using a soxhlet apparatus. The solvents were evaporated under reduced pressure. Column chromatography and crystallization process resulted to isolation of three prenylated coumarins. ¹H-nuclear magnetic resonance, electron ionization Mass and Infrared spectra were used for elucidation of isolated compounds. Leishmanicidal activity of isolated coumarins was assessed on Leishmania major strain (MRHO/IR/75/ER) for the first time. Suberosin epoxide and suberosin were isolated from aerial parts of F. angulata and osthol was extracted from grounded fruits of P. asperula. Osthol showed a significant antileishmanial effect on promastigotes in early hours of exposure with IC₅₀ of 14.40 µg/mL but suberosin epoxide showed only a weak antileishmanial activity. IC₅₀ of osthol and suberosin epoxide after 48 h were 10.79 and 54.0 µg/mL, respectively. Suberosin showed no remarkable effect in these concentrations. This is the first report on the pharmacological activity of suberosin epoxide. Substantial difference between efficacies of two isomers, osthol and suberosin remarks the importance of prenyl substituent location on C-8.

EFFECTS OF EXERCISE ON MIR-29 AND IGF-1 EXPRESSION AND LIPID PROFILE IN THE HEART OF OVARIECTOMIZED RAT

Introduction

Menopause increases the risk of cardiovascular disease in women. The aims of the present study were to evaluate the effects of swimming training on cardiac histology and expression of miR-29 and IGF-1 in the ovariectomized rats.

Materials and methods

Thirty female Wistar rats were divided into sham and ovariectomized groups: sedentary control (OVX) and trained with 8 weeks exercise (OVX.E). On 57^th day, blood was collected and used for lipid profile measurement. In addition, heart tissue was analyzed by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction for IGF-1 mRNA and miR-29, and studied for histopathological changes.

Results

Ovariectomy significantly decreased miR-29 and IGF-1 expression in the heart compared to sham animals group (p<0.05). Exercise training increased miR-29 and IGF-1 expression in the trained rats and improved histology and lipid profile compared with OVX group (p<0.05).

Conclusion

Estrogen deficiency could lead to cardiac fibrosis through deregulation miR-29 and IGF-1 expression. The findings of the current study suggests a protective effect of exercise on heart against fibrotic changes in ovariectomized rats and support a potential preventive value of exercise in improving cardiac function after menopause.

Responding to physical and psychological health impacts of disasters: case study of the Iranian disaster rehabilitation plan

This paper describes the process of developing a national pre-disaster plan for physical health and psychological rehabilitation of disaster-stricken communities. Data gathered from a literature review and expert panel discussions informed the process of drawing up unified definitions of physical and psychological health rehabilitation, carrying out stakeholder and STEEP-V analyses, and assigning the responsible organization and the collaborative organizations for each task. The Ministry of Health and the Welfare Organization were selected as the two responsible organizations. Integrated management at all levels, and sharing information, education and funding, were identified as ways to improve stakeholders' participation and collaboration. A system is needed for evaluating the implementation of the disaster rehabilitation plan, using valid and reliable indicators.

The Correlation between Intestinal Parasitic Infections and Bruxism among 3-6 Year-Old Children in Isfahan

BACKGROUND

Given the fact that bruxism is a prevalent oral habit among children and a potential destructor of oral tissues, the present study aimed to investigate the relationship between intestinal parasitic infections and bruxism among kindergarten children.

METHODS

Questionnaires were administered among parents of kindergarten children in Isfahan to select 50 children identified by their parents to have the habit of bruxism and 50 without the habit as control group. Informed consent was obtained prior to the investigation. Parents were delivered sampling instruments with proper instructions to collect stool samples from both groups for parasitological tests. The diagnostic parasitological tests involved the direct stool smear, formol-ether concentration, and Scotch tape tests. Comparison for the frequency distribution of intestinal parasitic infections between the two groups was performed using the chi-square test (α = 0.05).

RESULTS

Parasitic infections were observed in 19 (11/50 cases and 8/50 controls) children. A statistically significant relationship was observed between infection with pathogenic parasites and bruxism (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

Our findings suggest that pathogenic parasites may serve as the cause of initiation of bruxism habits among children.

The facilitators and impediment factors of structural empowerment in pregnancy and delivery care: achievement of power

Background: The organizations essentially affect empowerment of personnel through the preparation of the needed grounds for them. Also, the students may acquire the required potentials and capabilities in the educational organizations when the possibility is provided to them to access power and opportunity in educational environments. Objective: The present study aimed to explain the facilitators and impediment factors of structural empowerment in pregnancy and delivery care. Methods: According to Kanter's theory, this qualitative study was conducted with the participation of 15 superior midwifery students, ten academic teachers of midwifery, and two midwives employed in the educational hospitals. Data were collected by semi-structured interviews individually and in the group and analyzed by using a directed content analysis method. Results: To explain the facilitators and impediment factors of empowerment in pregnancy and delivery care in the power structure, the access was provided to a support formed by three broad categories of support from the instructors, support from personnel, and support from a classmate. The access to resources was created with three broad categories of access to the appropriate clinical environment, to the laboratory of clinical skills and to information sources, and to information, forming with two broad categories of awareness of the educational objectives as well as legal and legitimate issues. Conclusion: One could prepare the ground for the midwifery students to access this empowerment in pregnancy and delivery cares more than ever by providing equipped clinical environments and the presence of all-inclusive supportive climate in such environments. Along with the efficient training of students in the laboratory.

A wide diversity of zoonotic intestinal parasites in domestic and stray dogs in rural areas of Kermanshah province, Iran

Dogs can act as reservoirs, carriers, and transmitters of several zoonotic intestinal parasites that can cause serious health problems for humans. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of intestinal parasites in dogs in Kermanshah Province, west of Iran. Faecal samples were collected from domestic and stray dogs from 30 rural areas of Kermanshah province from August 2014 to April 2015 and were analyzed by formalin-ether sedimentation, sucrose otation technique and the modied Ziehl-Neelsen method. Out of 301 dogs examined, 230 (76.4%) were infected with at least one parasite. The incidence on the different types of intestinal parasitic species recovered from domestic and stray dogs are as follows: Toxocara leonina (20.8% and 27.6%), T. canis (7.5% and 9.4%), Taenia spp. (9.2% and 9.4%), hookworm spp. (18.3% and 33.7%), Capillaria spp. (0.8 and 1.7%), Dicrocoelium dendriticum (0.8% and 3.3%), Fasciola spp. (0.8% and 2.2%), Acanthocephal spp. (3.3% and 5.5%), Trichuris vulpis (0.8% and 1.7%), Dipylidium caninum (4.2% and 3.3%), Physaloptera spp. (6.7% and 6.6%), Cryptosporidium spp.(21.7% and 25.4%), Eimeria spp. (35.0% and 34.3%), Giardia spp. (6.7% and 12.7%), Cystoisospora spp. (7.5% and 5.5%), Blastocystis spp. (18.3% and 20.4%) and Sarcocystis spp. (6.7% and 7.2%), respectively. Signicant difference in infection rates was observed between domestic and stray dogs (P>0.05). Hookworm and Eimeria spp. were the most common intestinal helminth and protozoa detected with 83 (27.6%) out of 301 and 104 (34.6%), out of 301, respectively. There was no significant difference in prevalence and distribution of intestinal parasites between male and female dogs (P>0.05). The wide range of zoonotic parasites indicated that people residing in rural areas in Kermanshah province are at risk of exposure to these pathogens. In this respect, appropriate implementation of control programs by public health authorities and veterinarians should be taken into account.

Microleakage of Posterior Composite Restorations with Fiber Inserts Using two Adhesives after ging

STATEMENT OF PROBLEM

Microleakage is one of the most frequent problems associated with resin composites, especially at the gingival margin of posterior restorations. Insertion of fibers in composite restorations can reduce the total amount of composite and help to decrease the shrinkage.

PURPOSE

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of polyethylene fiber inserts on gingival microleakage of class II composite restorations using two different adhesive systems.

MATERIALS AND METHOD

In this experimental study, class II cavities were prepared on 60 premolars. The gingival floor was located 1.0 mm below the CEJ. Dimension of each cavity were 3 mm buccolingually and 1.5 mm in axial depth. The specimens were divided into 4 groups according to the adhesive type and fiber insert (n=4). Single bond and Clearfill SE bond and Filtek p60 were used to restore the cavities. In groups without fiber inserts composite was adapted onto cavities using layering technique. For cavities with fiber inserts, 3 mm piece of fiber insert was placed onto the composite increment and cured. The specimens were stored in distilled water at 37(o)C for 6 months. All specimens were subjected to 3000 thermo-cycling. The tooth surfaces except for 1 mm around the restoration margins covered with two layers of nail varnish .The teeth were immersed in 2% Basic Fuchsin for 24 hours, then rinsed and sectioned mesiodistally. The microleakage was determined under a stereomicroscope (40X). Data were statistically analyzed by Kruskal-wallis and Mann-Whitney U tests (p< 0.05).

RESULTS

The Kruskal-Wallis test revealed no significant differences in mean microleakage scores among all groups (p= 0.281).

CONCLUSION

Use of polyethylene fiber inserts and etch-and-rinse and self-etch adhesives had no effect on microleakage in class II resin composite restorations with gingival margins below the CEJ after 6- month water storage.