Influence of incorporating fluoroapatite nanobioceramic on the compressive strength and bioactivity of glass ionomer cement

Statement of Problem: in order to increase the performance of glass ionomer cement, it is reinforced with metal powders, short fibers, bioceramics and other materials. Fluoroapatite [Ca[10][PO[4]][6]F[2]] is found in dental enamel and is usually used in dental materials due to its good chemical and physical properties

Objectives: in this study, the effects of the addition of synthesized fluoroapatite nanoceramic on the compressive strength and bioactivity of glass ionomer cement were investigated

Materials and Methods: the synthesized fluoroapatite nanoceramic particles [ 70 nm] were incorporated into as-prepared glass ionomer powder and were characterized using X-ray diffraction [XRD], Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy [FTIR] and scanning electron microscopy [SEM]. Moreover, the compressive strength values of the modified glass ionomer cements with 0, 1, 3 and 5 wt% of fluoroapatite were evaluated

Results: results showed that glass ionomer cement containing 3 wt% fluoroapatite nanoparticles exhibited the highest compressive strength [102.6 +/- 4] compared to the other groups, including control group. Furthermore, FTIR and SEM investigations indicated that after soaking the glass ionomer cement- 3 wt% fluoroapatite composite in the simulated body fluid solution, the intensity of O-H, P-O and C-O absorption bands increased as a result of the formation of apatite layer on the surface of the sample, and the rather flat and homogeneous surface of the cement became more porous and inhomogeneous

Conclusions: addition of synthesized nano-fluoroapatite to as-prepared glass ionomer cement enhanced the compressive strength as well as nucleation of the calcium phosphate layer on the surface of the composite. This makes it a good candidate for dentistry and orthopedic applications

[Proposing a prediction model for diagnosing causes of infertility by data mining algorithms]

Introduction: About 10-15 percent of Iranian couples are infertile which is due to different causes determining particular diagnostic and treatment methods. In this study, the model presented is based on basic features and simple tests, helping physicians predict the causes of infertility

Methods: The data were taken from Sarem hospital infertility data bank by using data mining methods. First, K-means clustering was run; then, support vector machine and artificial neural network classification methods were used to predict the type of infertility, and finally, the results of two classification algorithms were compared. In addition, SPSS Clementine 12.0 was used to analyze the data and implement the algorithm in modeling part

Results: In k-means clustering, the data were divided into five clusters. In each cluster, one or more causes of infertility were observed. Then, by applying SVM and artificial neural network classification algorithms, the SVM algorithm with a polynomial kernel appeared to have the maximum accuracy

Conclusion: The findings of this study, could contribute to the understanding of the factors responsible for infertility and pave the way for future investigations. These findings can be used in future studies to develop a system for applying this model since by diagnosing the causes of infertility prior to secondary stages and before performing heavy tests, a considerable amount of time and cost will be saved, and physical burden on patient will be decreased

[Evaluation of Harm reduction Programs in prisons from the attitude and viewpoint of Iranian prison staff]

probably after pestilence, HIV/AIDS is most important and severe health threat for public health. Prisons could facilitate the spread of HIV/AIDS and Hepatitis and transmit it to societies. The main strategy to control HIV/AIDS and hepatitis among Injecting Drug Users is Harm Reduction Programs. These programs are conducted in Iran Prisons. The goal of this study is to evaluate Harm reduction Programs including Methadone Maintenance Therapy [MMT] and Needle exchange from the viewpoint of prison staff in Iran including principals, managers, physicians and counselors. It was a cross sectional study in which 370 prison staff working in prisons all around the country were evaluated to assess their viewpoint and insight about Harm reduction Programs including Methadone Maintenance therapy and Needle exchange. A percentage of 95.23 of prison managers and experts had a positive view toward Methadone Maintenance therapy. 70.25 percent had a positive insight toward needle exchange program. The employment type and work experience was significantly [p<0.05] related to the viewpoint of managers and experts towards Methadone Maintenance therapy program. Age was the only factor that had a significant relationship [p<0.05] with Needle exchange program. MMT has lots of supporters in prisons. The positive insights of managers and experts towards methadone maintenance therapy program demonstrate the high level of staff's approval for conducting this program; it could be interpreted as a sign of success of program in the country. However there is not a comprehensive approval and collaboration with needle exchange program in prisons. Nevertheless, it is alarming that 42.5% of staff believe that conducting methadone maintenance therapy may increase and intensify addiction in prisons

[Utilizing data mining techniques for investigating factors influencing the failure of intrauterine insemination infertility treatment]

Introduction: Infertility is one of the problems that has caused a lot of psychological and worldly costs on infertile couples. Intrauterine Insemination [IUI] is one of the medically-Assisted Reproduction Techniques [ART] to help infertile couples to have a successful pregnancy. Because of unpredictable results of this technique, identifying the factors influencing the effectiveness of IUI is important. The aim of this study was to identify factors influencing the failure of IUI using data mining techniques

Methods: By utilizing K means algorithm, a descriptive technique of data mining, and Davis-Buldin index, the patients were divided into seven clusters and the features of each cluster were analyzed

Results: Increasing age, overweight, obesity, length and type of infertility in women appeared to be effective factors which were revealed by cluster analysis and investigation of the features of each cluster. Male factors including duration of infertility and spermogram type were other causes of failure in this method of infertility treatment

Discussion: By analyzing the results of clustering technique, the effective factors in the failure of IUI treatment in infertile couples were identified. The obtained results of clustering technique with the consultant of experts can be used for predicting the result of IUI treatment and helping researchers, physicians and infertile couples to choose the best treatment

[Comparison of anthropometric measurements as substitutes for McNamara's cephalometric maxillomandibular unit measurements]

Cephalometric measurements cannot be performed for screening purposes, therefore orthodontists usually have to use either photographic or anthropometric measurements in such occasions. Finding a valid and reliable alternative could be of great value. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the correlation between McNamara's cephalometric unit difference and a proposed soft tissue equivalent. An anthropometric ruler was redesigned and used in this study. Soft tissue measurements were performed on 36 randomly selected specimens by two investigators. The soft tissue measurements included external auditory meatus to subnasale [Ext-Sn], external auditory meatus to soft tissue pogonion [Ext-Pog], and the difference between them [UDMA_]. These measurements were considered as equivalents to cephalometric indices in McNamara's anteroposterior measurements, including maxillary [Co-A] and mandibular [Co-Gn] unit length and their difference [UDMA], respectively. All soft tissue variables had an intra-class correlation coefficient [ICC] above 0.90. There was a high and significant correlation between cephalometric and anthropometric measurements [P<0.01]. The ICC between [Ext-Sn] and [Co-A] was 0.890, 0.869 between [Ext-Pog] and [Co-Gn], and 0.819 between UDMA and UDMA. The proposed anthropometric method showed a good correlation with cephalometric equivalents and the results show that this method could be used for screening purposes, especially when a low-cost, non-invasive method is required. However it cannot be considered as a substitute for cephalometry in diagnostic and treatment purposes

Effect of sodium chloride on the kinetics of growth and antimicrobial potential of Lactobacilli isolated from Iranian traditional sourdough

Sourdough starter contains lactic acid bacteria which can improve quality and taste of bread. The lactic acid bacteria in sourdough have antifungal and antibacterial activities. As some lactobacilus-fermented traditional foods contain salt as a preservative, this study was initiated to investigate the effect of different concentrations of sodium chloride on the kinetics of growth and antimicrobial potential of autochthonous isolates of lactobacilli isolated from Iranian traditional sourdough. MRS broth media containing sodium chloride concentrations up to 7% were inoculated with two sourdough isolates of lactobacilli, namely, Lactobacillus casei and Lactobacillus fermentum. The kinetics of growth of individual lactic acid bacteria at different concentrations of sodium chloride was investigated using the conventional plate-count method. Also the antibacterial effects of supernatants of the lacto bacterial strains grown in media with different salt concentrations on several pathogenic bacteria were assessed. The pathogenic strains included methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, Kelebciella pneumonia, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The highest growth of both lactobacilli isolates was 10[9] cfu/ml, which occurred at a salt concentration of 2-4%; at a concentrtation of 5% salt the total bacterial counts dropped to 7.5x10[8]. There were further decreases in the lactic acid bacterial counts at a 7% salt concentration to 3.7x10[6] and 2.5x10[5] for L. casei and L. fermentum, respectively. Both lactobacilli isolates tolerated salt concentrations up to 5%, but L. casei was found to be more salt-tolerant than L. fermentum. Salt concentrations did not affect the antimicrobial effects of supernatants of individual lactobacilli isolates. However, low bacterial biomass achieved at high salt concentrations negatively affected antipathogenic effect of these isolates, presumably due to less metabolite production

[Evaluating the solid waste management of hospitals affiliated with Shaheed Beheshti Medical University]

Due to threatening of public health, Collection, separation and sanitary disposal of hospital solid waste are important. This research was performed to evaluate the management of hospitals' solid waste affiliated with Shaheed Beheshti Medical University during 1384. In this descriptive study the status of solid waste management of 13 hospital affiliated with Shaheed Beheshti Medical University was evaluated using a questionnaire in association with technical observation and interview. During the summer and winter, weighting the solid waste were performed in "Ayatollah Taleghani" and "Massih Daneshvari" Hospitals for three continual days and data were analyzed using SPSS program. 64.2% of hospitals were using bucket and plastic bags for keeping their solid waste. 30.8% of hospitals were collecting their solid waste manually. In 46.2% of hospitals, utilities using for collecting the solid waste were not being disinfected. 15.4% of hospital did not have any temporary place for keeping solid waste .27.3% of temporary places had only water tab and sewer pipe without having refrigerating room. 7.7% of hospital had just an open temporary-solid waste storage. In 25% of hospital which were producing radioactive solid wastes, collect their radioactive solid waste with normal solid ones. Radioactive solid waste containers in 50% of hospitals were not made form lead. None of hospitals had necessary and safety facilities. In 38.5% of hospital, loading of solid wastes were performed manually. In 15.4% of hospitals solid wastes were recycled. 42.3% of them were not separating their infected solid wastes from ordinary ones. 15.4% of hospitals did not have any special bags for separating infected solid wastes. In 92.3% of hospitals both infected and ordinary solid waste were carried out together. None of the hospital had hazardous less process for solid wastes. 79.6% of hospitals had workers without special education. Daily average of production volume of solid waste in these hospitals was measured 6426.9 liters. In "Ayatollah Taleghani" and "Massih Daneshvari" Hospitals 407.41 Kg of solid wastes were produced, whilst 49.7% of these solid wastes were infected. Results show that the management condition of solid waste in the studied hospitals is not satisfactory. Methods for disinfecting hospital waste should be studied. Separation of hazardous solid waste from ordinary solid waste should be performed, precisely. Education of hospital workers should be seriously followed