effect of 12 weeks regular physical activity and vitamin E in the treatment of non-alcoholic steatohepatitis: a pilot study

Despite the prevalence of Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease [NAFLD] and Non-Alcoholic Steatohepatitis [NASH], there was no treatment has been proven to be effective in these common diseases. Although many studies have shown that lifestyle modifications such as increasing physical activities and exercise could be effective in the treatment of these common diseases, the optimal strategy was still not determined. According to the beneficial effects of antioxidant agents in the treatment of NASH, vitamin E has been used for this purpose by some clinicians. We designed this study for assessing beneficial effects of regular physical activity on the biochemical and imaging responses in patients with NASH and comparing this with vitamin E as an accepted treatment for NASH. This study was Randomized and single-blind clinical trials were carried out in Gonbad-e Kavus through which a total of 30 consecutive patients with the ultra sonographic diagnosis of non-alcoholic steatohepatitis [NASH]were enrolled and randomized to one of the three groups: Vitamin E 800 mg/day, regular physical activity, or both. In all treatment groups improvement in liver transaminases level, serum lipids and ultrasonographic grading of fatty liver occurred after three months of treatment. When these decrement was compared between the treatment groups, there was no statistically significant difference in the value of improvement between the three groups [ANOVA: p>0.5]. I.e. all three interventions improved the biochemical and ultrasonographic finding of fatty liver in the same way. Both groups with regular exercise had significant mean weight loss in comparison with the vitamin E group [a mean decrease of 3.0 kg in exercise group, 5.8 kg in subjects on regular exercise plus vitamin E and 0.2 kg in vitamin E group, ANOVA: p=0.04]. There were no significant differences between exercise and vitamin E alone or in combination regarding the reduction in the level of liver enzymes and sonographic evidences of fatty liver although both resulted in significant improvements in biochemical endpoints. This implies that physical activity could be considered as effective as vitamin E in the improvement of biochemical and ultrasonographic presentations of NASH and the addition of Vitamin E does not offer any benefits. According to the findings of this pilot study a full-powered study with a control group should be designed

A 12-month clinical evaluation of pit-and-fissure sealants placed with and without etch-and-rinse and self-etch adhesive systems in newly-erupted teeth

OBJECTIVES: The objective of this one-year clinical study was to investigate the effect of two adhesive systems (Adper Single Bond, a two-step etch-and-rinse and Clearfil SE Bond, a two-step self-etch system) on pit-and-fissure sealant retention in newly-erupted teeth. This study compared the success of the sealants in mesial and distopalatal grooves with and without these two adhesive systems. MATERIAL AND METHODS: In a clinical trial, 35 children aged 6-8 years undergoing sealant placement were recruited. This one-year clinical study scored 70 mesial and 70 distopalatal sealants of newly-erupted permanent maxillary first molar, with a split-mouth design. All children received sealant alone in one permanent maxillary molar tooth. Children were randomized into two groups. One group received Self-etch (Se) bond plus sealant and the other group received Single Bond plus sealant in another permanent maxillary molar tooth. Clinical evaluation at 3, 6 and 12 months was performed and the retention was studied in terms of the success and failure. RESULTS: The success rate of sealant in the distopalatal groove, using SeB at 3, 6 and 12 months was 93.3% (95% CI: 68.0, 99.8), 73.3% (95% CI: 44.9, 92.2) and 66.7% (95% CI: 38.4, 88.2), respectively. It was greater than that of the distopalatal groove in SB group with a success rate of 62.5% (95% CI: 35.4, 84.8), 31.3% (95% CI: 11.8, 58.7) and 31.3% (95% CI: 11.8, 58.7), at the three evaluation periods. The success rate of sealant in the mesial groove using SeB was 86.6% (95% CI: 59.5, 98.3), 53.3% (95% CI: 26.6, 78.7) and 53.3% (95% CI: 26.6, 78.7), while this was 100% (95% CI: 79.4, 100.0), 81.3% (95% CI: 54.4, 96.0) and 81.3% (95% CI: 54.4, 96.0) using SB, at 3, 6 and 12-month evaluation periods. CONCLUSIONS: These results support the use of these two bonding agents in pit-and-fissure sealants under both isolated and contaminated conditions. Further, Se bond seemed to be less sensitive to moisture contamination.

[Microleakage assessment of an adhesive system used as a fissure sealant]

Some studies demonstrated that adhesive systems can act as a substitute for the resin sealants to seal fissure. Therefore, it may be possible to simplify the technique by using the adhesive agent as a fissure sealant. The aim of this study was to determine the microleakage of dentine adhesive [Optibond solo plus] used as a fissure sealant. In this study, 60 intact pre-molars were chosen and divided into 3 groups. 1. Etching + opti bond soloplus, 2. Etching + Fissure sealant [synergy] 3. Etching + optibond soloplus + fissure sealant. Then the teeth were thermocycled for 500 times for 20 seconds and finally placed in distilled water. All teeth were sealed apically and coated within 1.5 mm of the sealant margin with two layers of nail varnish. The teeth were immersed in 0.5% fushin for 48 hours, and then the teeth were washed and cut off parallel to the long axis. The samples were studied in order to assess the amount of microleakage under the stereomicroscope with a magnification of 40, and were given a grading of 0 to 3. Finally, the data were analyzed using the Kruskal Wallis and Mann-Whitney tests. Significant differences [P<0.05] were observed between groups 1 and 2, groups 1 and 3 and groups 2 and 3. Group 2 [fissure sealant] showed the highest microleakage scores and group 1 [Optibond solo plus] showed the lowest microleakage. It seems that Optibond solo plus could be used as a fissure sealant. In addition, according to study results, application of Optibond solo plus before application of fissure sealant would also reduce microleakage

Evaluation of oral health status in mild to moderate mental disabled children in comparison with normal children in Isfahan [Iran]

Mental retardation is a general word used for people whose intellectual development is significantly lower than normal individuals. One consequence is their limited ability to comply with their environment. Providing dental services for mentally retarded people requires matching with social growth, intellectual and spiritual factors of the person Therefore dentists should plan methods for communication and reducing anxiety of these patients. The general purpose of this research is to compare the oral health status of normal and mentally retarded children and also to examine the effect of educational intervention on the amount of plaque in both groups. A group of 130 children [70 girls and 60 boys] with mild to moderate mental disability at the elementary level and a group of 130 children [67 girls and 63 boys] aged 7-11 years old from Jay region of Esfahan were randomly selected. The questionnaire was completed with background information from their parents and coaches. Oral health status was evaluated using DMFt, Dental caries treatment, and Sillness-Loe plaque indices. Decay rates in the healthy group and the mentally disabled group were 93.5% and 93%, respectively. The means of the DMFT index in the mentally disabled group and in healthy group were 0.26 and 0.1 respectively. The means of the DMFT in the disabled group and in the healthy group were 0.26 and 0.51, respectively. Dental caries treatment indices for deciduous teeth in the disabled group and in the healthy group were 0.18 and 0.97, respectively and dental caries treatment indices of permanent teeth in the disabled group and in healthy group were 0.14 and 0.13, respectively. The Sillness-Loe plaque indices for the deciduous and permanent teeth before brushing in the disabled group and in healthy group were 1.51 and 1.64, respectively, and the Sillness-Loe plaque indices for the deciduous and permanent teeth after brushing in the disabled group and in the healthy group were 0.56 and 0.41, respectively. Oral and dental health status of elementary level students with mild to moderate mental retardation is undesirable. Oral health policy makers should try to promote and improve health policies in this group

Validity, reliability and factor structure of hepatitis B quality of life questionnaire version 1.0: findings in a large sample of 320 patients

Background: Quality of life is of significant importance in chronic hepatitis B [CHBV]. We aimed to assess the psychometric properties of the Hepatitis B Quality of Life Questionnaire v1.0 [HBQOL] in a large sample of 320 Iranian patients with CHBV

Methods: After adapting the Iranian version through forward-backward translation and expert panel discussion, we administered HBQOL together with Short-Form 36 [SF-36], Medical Outcome Study Social Support Questionnaire [MOS-SS], Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale [HADS], and the Iowa Fatigue Scale [IFS] to 320 non-cirrhotic Iranian patients. We used principal component analysis with Varimax rotation to determine the factor structure. To evaluate the psychometric properties of HBQOL, test-retest and internal consistency reliabilities, divergent and convergent validity with other instruments, and discriminatory power were calculated

Results: Thirty-one questions loaded on to six factors [Anticipation anxiety, Stigma, Psychological well-being, Vitality, Transmissibility and Vulnerability] which explained 63.6% of total variance. Test-retest reliability was 0.66. Cronbach's alpha was 0.94 for the overall scale and between 0.7 and 0.9 for subscales, with the exception of the Vulnerability subscale. HBQOL and its subscales showed acceptable convergent and divergent validity with other instruments. Furthermore, Vulnerability subscale of HBQOL discriminated between patients with chronic active and chronic inactive hepatitis

Conclusion: The Iranian version of HBQOL is reliable, valid, and sensitive to the clinical conditions of the patients. This instrument has acceptable factor structure to measure several aspects of quality of life in patients with chronic HBV

[Comparing the effectiveness of two fluoride mouthrinses on streptococcus mutans]

Streptococcus mutans is the most important cariogenic microorganism and plays a major role in the initiation of dental caries. Fluoride mouthrinses can have a significant effect in reduction of this microorganism because of antimicrobial properties of fluoride ion. Two common mouthrinses in markets are Oral-B solution and Irsha solution. The aim of this study was comparison of the efficacy of Oral-B and Irsha fluoride mouthrinses on Streptococcus mutans. In this interventional experimental study, 60 girls of a boarding high school were randomly divided into two equal groups of Oral-B and Irsha. They were asked to use mouthrinse for 4 weeks, twice a day. Saliva of each person was collected before and after using mouthrinse and was sent to the laboratory for microbial culture. The data were analyzed by t-test [a=0.05]. Both of the mouthrinses significantly decreased the level of Streptococcus mutans in saliva [P<0.001 for lrsha mouthrinse, P<0.001 for Oral-B mouthrinse]. Furthermore, it was significantly revealed that Oral-B mouthrinsc was approximately twice more effective than Irsha mouthrinse [P=0.00021]. Both of Oral-B and Irsha fluoride mouthrinses are effective in decreasing the level of Streptococcus mutans in saliva. Also it was determined that Oral-B mouthrinse was approximately twice more effective than Irsha mouthrinse. Snice Irsha mouthrinse has a mild flavour and creates less burning sense, by trying to improve the quality of Irsha mouthnnse. we can practically administer it instead of Oral-B mouthrinse

[Comparison of the concentration and longevity of the salivary fluoride after fluoride therapy with the varnish and the gel]

Since compared to the fluoride gel, the fluoride varnish has received an increasing dentists' attention, due to some additional advantages including simple application especially in young children and less chair time, this study was done to compare the fluoride varnish and gel in terms of salivary concentration and longevity. This clinical trial, approved by Islamic Azad University Khorasgan University of Medical Sciences, was conducted with the participation of 10 randomly selected ten 12-14 year old volunteer boys. The salivary fluoride concentration was measured four times, before, after 30 minutes, seven and ten hours after fluoride therapy with gel and after a two-week interval with fluoride varnish, using fluoride ion selective electrode method. The data were statistically analyzed using Repeated Measure ANOVA, t and Paired-t tests. Thirty minutes and seven hours after fluoride therapy with varnish, salivary fluoride concentrations were significantly higher than that of the base. However, after 10 hours, it reached to the base level. On the other hand, in the gel group, the salivary fluoride concentration was significantly higher than that of the base only after 30 minutes of treatment and after seven and ten hours it reached to the base level again. Comparing the two groups, the fluoride concentration of saliva was significantly higher in varnish group than in gel group after 30 minutes and 7 hours of treatment. Salivary fluoride concentration after fluoride therapy with the varnish is significantly higher than fluoride therapy with the gel not only in terms of the quantity but also in terms of the longevity

[Association between body mass index and dental development in 7-15 year old children in the city of Isfahan- Iran in the year 2008]

Due to increasing body mass index [BMI] in children, it is necessary to study the effect of the obesity on dental development. If dental development accelerates in obese children, it can affect some orthodontic and pedodontic treatment plans. The purpose of this study was to determine the relationship between dental development and BMI, gender and sex in 7-15 year old children. In this descriptive cross-sectional study, 146 subjects including 89 females and 57 males [29 obese, 35 overweight and 82 normal weight] were studied. Dental age of subjects was determined using the Demirjian method. Weight and height of the subjects was measured and BMI status was determined for each subjects. Chronological age was calculated by subtracting the birth date from the date on which the radiographs were done for every individual. The BMI was used to distinguish the individuals who were overweight and obese. The difference between chronological and dental age was analyzed regarding BMI, age and gender. T-test and 3-way ANOVA were used to data analysis. To determine intraexaminer reliability, 10 panoramic radiographs were reassessed after 2 weeks and dental age was compared using crombach's alpha [0.99]. The mean difference between chronologic age and dental age was 0.78 years. Mean difference was 1.3 years for obese, 0.6 years for overweight and 0.67 years for normal weight subjects. Dental development was significantly accelerated in obese subjects [P=0.014]. When evaluating the age groups, obese 7-10 year old children showed a statistically significant difference in dental development [P=0.018]. There was no statistically significant difference between females and males. Children who were obese had accelerated dental development. In fact when incorporating orthodontic therapies such as growth modification and serial extractions, the timing of intervention may require recalculation to consider body mass index