Chemical stability of Bioglass in simulated oral environment

Statement of Problem: bioglasses are a series of biocompatible dental materials, which are considered as light conducting inserts in resin composite restorations. Consequently, their chemical stability is more essential when they are used in conjunction with resin composite

Objectives: the aim of this study was to evaluate and compare the chemical stability of Bioglass with dental porcelain and resin composite by determining the amount of released K[+], Na[+], Ca[2+] ions and silicone elements from these materials as a result of exposure to tested solutions with different pH levels including: Sodium Bicarbonate [SB, [pH=9.2]], Sodium Buffer Lactate [SBL, [pH=2.4]], Acetic Acid [AA, [pH=2.4]], and Distilled Water [DW, [pH=6.2]]

Materials and Methods: in this experimental study, forty 2.0 × 4.0 cylindrical rods for each tested material group [Dental porcelain, Resin composite and Bioglass] were prepared. They were divided into four subgroups of 10 rods each, which immersed in one of the four testing solutions in a designated container. The containers were stored at 50 [degree]C and 100% humidity for one week. The released ions were measured by using a spectrophotometer [[micro]g/cm[2]/ml]. The data were statistically analyzed by nonparametric Kruskal-Wallis H test

Results: it was observed that the tested materials released ions at different levels of concentration. The significant amounts of Sodium, Calcium, and Silicon ions release were measured in Bioglass subgroups in all the tested solutions [p < 0.001]. Potassium ion release from dental porcelain was the largest in all solutions except for AA in which Bioglass had the greatest potassium ion release [p < 0.001]

Conclusions: a greater structural instability was observed for Biogalss group than dental porcelain and resin composite in testing solutions with different pH levels

Epidemiological aspects and disease association of childhood vitiligo

To determine, for the first time in Iran, different epidemiological aspects and association of vitiligo with diseases between children and adults. This was a cross-sectional study with 324 participants, divided into 3 groups, each consisting of 108 of cases. The first group consisted of sex matched adults with vitiligo, second group were children between 2 and 18 years old with vitiligo [case group] and the third group were children with other skin disorders being matched for age and sex. Laboratory tests such as FBS, thyroid function test, CBC/Differentials and anti TPO antibody obtained from the participants and the type of the vitiligo was recorded. Our findings showed that thyroid abnormalities were seen in 4.5% of children of the case group. FBS was higher in only one child with vitiligo. Family history of vitiligo was significantly different between children with vitiligo and those with other skin disorders [p=0.001]. In our research, most of the children with vitiligo had positive anti-TPO antibody, confirming the importance of anti - TPO screening test in vitiligo patients

[ effect of magnetic iron oxide nanoparticles on mice liver and kidney]

In spite of frequent produce and use of magnetic nanoparticles in biological fields, there are few studies on their side effects, especially under in-vivo conditions. Method: In this research, the effect of the single-dose intraperitoneal injection of DMSA [dimercaptosuccinic acid] coated magnetic iron oxide nanoparticles [Fe3O4] in different doses [50, 100, 200 and 300 mg/kg] on liver and kidney function was studied. Clusters of iron oxide nanoparticles were observed in treatment mice liver and kidney tissues as dark blue accumulations with Prussian blue staining up to 4 days after administration; so, the nanoparticles were absorbed into and were accumulated in these organs. No histological disorders were observed in the tissue sections in comparison with controls. Considering biochemical analysis, the mean amounts of SGOT, SGPT, and LDH enzymes, also albumin, uric acid, urea and creatinine were not different significantly than control group; but in contrast to the control group, the mean numbers of the blood cells were decreased significantly in treatment groups with doses higher than 50 mg/kg. During the study, no death was found in animals. The data suggest that the future applications of DMSA-coated magnetic iron oxide in medicine and biology has not probably toxic effects on health human

[Correlation between cultural intelligence and social interaction of nurses]

Introduction: Communication and interaction has long-standing relationship with nursing and has accompanied and mixed with nursing care. The aim of this study was to determine the correlation between cultural intelligence and social interaction of nurses in Mashhad

Materials and methods: This study was a descriptive-correlation study that 115 nurses who were working in hospital with at least 2 years' experience were entered to study. Cultural intelligence was measured with questionnaire designed by Van Dyne and Ang and social interaction was determined by Fundamental Interpersonal Relations Orientation-Behavior questionnaire [FIRO-B]. Validity of questionnaires was obtained by content validity and reliability of them was measured by alpha-Cronbach. Data was collected from nurses and analyzed by SPSS 11.5. For analytic of data, Pearson co relational test, chi-square, independent t-test, one way ANOVA and regression were used

Findings: Result showed that cultural intelligence of nursing is in medium level and social interaction is in low level. Also educational level, economic status and work experience had a significant correlation with social interaction. On the other hand, there were no significant correlation between cultural intelligence and social interaction, and their components

Conclusion: Due to the results of this study, it is necessary to implement programs to strengthen factors that affect social interaction in nurses

[Estimation of aerobic capacity [VO[2]-max] and study of its associated factors among male workers of industrial factories in Sepidan/Fars province, 2009]

Measurement of Maximum aerobic capacity [VO[2]-max] is important in physiologically fitting the job to the worker. This study was conducted to estimate VO[2]max of industrial workers and to determine its demographic associated factors. In this cross-sectional study, 184 randomly selected male workers of industrial sector of Sepidan/Fars province participated. A questionnaire consisted of two parts was used as data collecting tool. The first part was related to workers' demographic characteristics which was completed by interview. In the second part of the questionnaire, the value of the measured variables including height, weight, BMI and pulse rate were entered. VO[2]-max was measured by Tuxworth and Shahnavaz method. To investigate association between demographic variables and VO[2]-max, linear regression analysis was applied. T-test was used to compare mean value of VO[2]-max in different groups [based on the variables studied]. Workers' aerobic capacity was estimated to be 2.66 +/- 0.35 Lit/M. The results showed that there was no association between VO[2]-max and age while associations were found between VO[2]-max and weight as well as height and BMI. Statistical analysis revealed association between VO[2]-max and smoking. The results also demonstrated that VO[2]-max was higher among those workers who exercised as compared with other workers with no exercise [p=0.019]. Shift working, job satisfaction, and fatigue had no association with aerobic capacity. Aerobic capacity had association with weight, height, BMI, exercise and smoking

[Diagnostic power of quantitative HCG in cervico-vaginal washings in women with premature rupture of membranes]

Premature rupture of membranes [PROM], occurs in 2-25% of pregnant women. Traditionally, clinical and laboratory tests utilized for the diagnosis of PROM are fraught with both false positive and false negative results caused by various factors that result in an equivocal or delayed diagnosis. The absence of a non-invasive 'gold standard' for the diagnosis of PROM has led to the search for alternative biochemical markers. This research has been conducted to compare HCG of cervicovaginal the diagnostic power of qualitative and quantitative washings for the diagnosis of PROM.s This Diagnostic-Experimental study was undertaken with cervico-vaginal samples collected from singleton pregnancies between 14-41 weeks of gestation. Totally 86 pregnant women referred to Vali-Asr Hospital, Zanjan, in 2006, were enrolled in this study. Subjects were divided in two groups: 43 subjects with confirmed PROM [amniotic fluid pooling [+], nitrazine paper test [+], and fern test [+]], and 43 women in the control group [amniotic fluid pooling [-], nitrazine paper test [-], and fern test [-]]. Washings were then collected from the posterior vaginal fornix with the use of 5 ml of sterile saline irrigation and aspiration techniques. We measured HCG levels with the ELISA test. The median HCG levels were 250.60 [mIU/mL] and 6.2 [mIU/mL] in PROM and control group respectively. With, 22 [mIU/mL] set as a cutoff value on the receiving operating characteristic curve, [ROC], sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value, and accuracy were 95.3, 97.7, 97.6, 95.5 and 96%, respectively. Quantitative HCG measurement of cervico-vaginal washings was an accurate test for the diagnosis of PROM in our study