Effect of beta-blockers on number of osteoblasts and osteoclasts in alveolar socket following tooth extraction in wistar rats

Statement of the Problem: Various researchers have suggested the use of beta 2-adrenergic receptor antagonists in prevention or treatment of bone resorption

Purpose: This study aimed to evaluate the effect of beta 2-adrenergic receptor antagonists on number of osteoclasts and osteoblasts involved in the healing of extraction socket of maxillary first molar in rats

Materials and Method: Maxillary first molars of 40 rats were extracted and divided into two groups. The test group received 0.1 mg/kg propranolol intraperitoneally daily. The controls received normal saline. At days 7, 14, 21 and 28 post-extraction, 5 rats were euthanized from each group. Maxillary bone was resected and the mean number of osteoblasts and osteoclasts in tooth socket was measured

Results: After 1 week, the number of osteoclasts in the controls was significantly higher than the test group. A significant increase in the number of osteoclasts in both groups at week 1 was observed compared to the following weeks [p< 0.05]. The number of osteoblasts in the controls at second week reached its maximum rate but stayed constant in the 3[rd] and 4[th] weeks. Osteoblasts in the test group increased similar to the controls but reached its maximum at 3[rd] week and showed a significant increase compared to the controls [p< 0.05]

Conclusion: Beta 2 adrenergic receptor antagonists decrease the number of osteoclasts and increase the number of osteoblasts during extraction socket healing

Anthropometric characteristics of craniums in residents of Qazvin, Iran and Dera Ghazi Khan, Pakistan: a comparative study

The purpose of present study is to compare anthropometric characteristics of the adult cranium between Iranian and Pakistani residents in two specific areas where people have special characteristics in the features of their heads and faces. This cross-sectional investigation was performed on 300 adult inhabitants of Qazvin, Iran and 356 residents of Dera Ghazi Khan, Pakistan. Participants were selected randomly and did not have any physical deformities or any previous history of trauma. Measurements were performed in an anatomical position on the cephalic length, cephalic breadth, and auricular height. Cephalic length, cephalic breadth and auricular height in females from Qazvin were significantly higher than those of DG Khan [p<0.05]. According to the findings, 82% of males and 58% of females from Qazvin were megacephalic while 25% of males and only 1% of females of DG Khan were megacephalic. The prominent cranium from in males from DG Khan was mesocephaly [41%], whereas it was microcephaly [85%] in females from DG Khan. The mean cephalic index was as follows: Qazvin males [88.19 +/- 5.78] and females [86.54 +/- 3.23]; DG Khan males [84.11 +/- 3.7] and females [85.27 +/- 6.09]. For DG Khan residents, the cranial capacity was 1348.4 +/- 122 cm[3] for males and 1189.3 +/- 180.5 cm[3] for females. At the same time, the brain weight was 1395.5 +/- 126.2 g in males and 1230.9 +/- 186.8 g in females. This study shows the existence of differences in cranium dimensions between residents of Qazvin, Iran and DG Khan, Pakistan as well as in different regions of each country

Correlation between the age of smoking initiation and maintaining continuous abstinence for 5 years after quitting

Many factors affect tobacco quit rate. In this study we investigated the abstinence rate after 5 years based on the age of smoking initiation. This pre-post field trial study was conducted on 398 smokers who participated voluntarily in a smoking cessation clinic in 2005. They were followed for 5 years and their success or failure in continuous abstinence was evaluated and recorded in 2010. Three hundred and five participants [76.6%] succeeded at the end of the course. Follow up at the end of 2010 revealed that 111 [27.8%] cases were still maintaining their continuous abstinence after 5 years including 64 men and 47 women. The mean age of smoking initiation in successful and failed subjects was 21.9 and 20.7 years respectively. The age of smoking initiation could be a predictor of maintaining abstinence in the future. Starting smoking at an earlier age could have a negative effect on long-term abstinence

Pulmonary pseudomonas colonization in cystic fibrosis

Respiratory tract mucus plugging and Pseudomonas aeruginosa [PA] colonization in cystic fibrosis patients can influence the health indices, morbidity and mortality. Our aim was to evaluate the relation between pulmonary infection with PA and its effects on respiratory function test and some health-related parameters. This study was a cross-sectional study. Thirty CF patients, who were admitted to GI department of Children Medical Center because of gastrointestinal and/or pulmonary disturbances, were enrolled in this study. Management began by taking a medical history, physical examination, sputum or pharyngeal swab for culture and antibiogram, spirometric assessment for cooperative children [over 6 years old] and filling out a questionnaire for the abovementioned items and some health related parameters [weight, mean hospital stay days, mean absent days from school, and mean ICU admission time during the last year]. The mean [ +/- SD] age was 6.39 [ +/- 5.88] years [11 females, 19 males]. Pseudomonas aeruginosa grew in sputum or pharyngeal swab of 13 cases [43.3%], did not grow in 12 cases [40%] and other organisms grew in 5 cases [16.7%]. Mean of hospitalization period was higher in cases with positive culture [31.83 Vs 13.08 days, Paired sample t-test, P= 0. 005]. Mean [ +/- SD] predicted FEV1% was 34.6 [ +/- 28.0], but this difference was not significant in age, age of diagnosis, days of ICU hospitalization, absent days from school, days of using respiratory assistance equipments, days of antibiotics administration during the last year, body weight, predicted FEV1%, predicted FEV1/FVC% and predicted FEF 25-75%. Prevention and early treatment of PA colonization can reduce hospital stay and its cost. Further large controlled trials are required in this regard

CT-guided percutaneous fine-needle aspiration biopsy of pulmonary lesions

Transthoracic CT-guided percutaneous fine-needle aspiration biopsy [FNAB] has become a well- established diagnostic technique and been useful in differentiating malignant and benign pulmonary lesions. 505 patients [311 men and 194 women] aged 7-90 years old [mean age 56.2 years] with pulmonary lesions underwent CT-guided transthoracic fine-needle aspiration biopsy. Cytopathologic evaluation of FNAB samples was performed in all patients. In addition, each case was reviewed for complications, including pneumothorax and hemoptysis. Data were analysed using SPSS software for windows ver. 11.5. FNAB samples were adequate for diagnosis in 410 [81.2%] of 505 patients. Two hundred and forty-nine lesions [60.7%0] were malignant, and 161 [39.3%] were benign or atypical. Thirty-four [6.7%] patients had pneumothorax out of which none of them required thoracostomy tube placement. Additionally, hemoptysis was noted in 9 [1.8%] patients and follow-up was carried out. No further complications were reported. CT-guided FNAB of pulmonary lesions can yield well-established diagnoses and it can be useful in the management of patients with suspected lung cancer

Infantile histiocytosis X: Case reoprt

Langerhans cell histiocytosis [LCH] is a disease of unknown etiology that presents in three forms: Letterer- Siwe disease, Hand-Schuller-Christian disease, and Eosinophilic Granuloma. It is a multifocal disease that usually affects several organs and unifocal forms are rare. Pulmonary involvement occurs in approximately 40% of cases and almost always in young adults. Lungs are rarely affected in infant patients. This report presents a 15-month-old male infant that was admitted for cyanosis and respiratory distress. Diagnostic work up revealed a primary pulmonary histiocytosis and the treatment made a significant improvement of signs and symptoms by the time of discharge