[Comparison of the analgesic efficacy of odontopaste[R] and a compound with similar formulation as intracanal medicaments]

Different medicaments are used for pain reduction following an emergency endodontic treatment. The aim of this randomized controlled clinical trial was to evaluate the analgesic efficacy of Odontopaste[R] and a corticosteroid-containing compound used as intracanal medicaments in between root canal therapy [RCT] appointments. In this randomized controlled clinical trial, 120 lower first and second mandibular molars with spontaneous pain and sensitivity to percussion were selected and divided into three groups of 40. After root canal preparation, patients were randomly assigned to one of the three groups. Root canals were dressed with Odontopaste in group 1, with an intracanal medicament in group 2 and with placebo in group 3. Patients determined their degree of pain intensity and percussion sensitivity on a Heft-Parker VAS diagram before the first appointment and 24 hours and 7 days post-treatment. Data were analyzed using ANOVA, Tukey's test and Welch test. The mean spontaneous pain and percussion sensitivity scores at 24 hours after the first appointment in groups 1 and 2 were significantly lower than in group 3 [P<0.001]. No statistically significant difference was found between the groups after 7 days neither in spontaneous pain nor in percussion sensitivity. Odontopaste[R] and the intracanal medicament caused a statistically significant reduction in postoperative pain and percussion sensitivity at 24 hours but there was no statistically significant difference at 7 days with the placebo

Opium use in a rural area of the Islamic Republic of Iran

Because of its geographic proximity to the major drug production centres, there is easy access to narcotic drugs in the Islamic Republic of Iran despite efforts by governmental and nongovernmental organizations. Using a structured questionnaire as a basis for conversation, local health workers interviewed 310 residents of a rural area in Babol province about opium use. The self-reported rate of opium use, adjusted due to a bias in the sex ratio of the sample, was 8.9%. All the 42 opium users reported opium use at least 2-3 times per week in the previous 3 months. Opium was smoked by 95.2% and taken orally by 4.8%; there was no injecting use. There was no reported use of other substances, including alcohol. There was a statistically significant relationship between opium use and male sex, unemployment and cigarette smoking

Electrodiagnostic changes in patient with subclinical hypothyroidism

Electrodiagnostic changes typical of peripheral polyneuropathy have been reported in patients with over hypothyroidism. There are controversial reports regarding the effects of subclinical hypothyroidism on peripheral nervous system function. The aim of the present study is to investigate the possible effects of subclinical hypothyroidism of peripheral nervous system function by electrodiagnostic studies. A total of 28 patients [56 extremities] with subclinical hypothyroidism [defined as high serum TSH in the presence of normal free thyroxin by appropriate methods] including 25 adult females and 3 males [mean age of 46.07 +/- 6.87y] and 30 normal subjects as control group [60 extremities]. 27 females and 3 males [mean age 45 +/- 8.7y] had normal thyroid function tests enrolled in the study. Exclusion criteria were presence of diabetes mellitus, neuromuscular disorder, pregnancy, other disorders or drugs affecting neuromuscular function in all patients and control group. Electrodiagnostic studies including motor nerve conduction velocity [motor NCV], motor distal latency, CMAP Amplitude performed from tibial, median, peroneal and ulnar nerves bilaterally. Sensory function tests including sensory nerve conduction velocity, SNAP amplitude and sensory distal latency from median, ulnar and sural nerves bilaterally were studied by standard methods. Minimal f-response was studied from tibial, median and ulnar nerves bilaterally. Mean of sensory NCV, SNAP amplitude and sensory distal latency from median, ulnar and sural nerves and motor NCV, motor distal latency and CMAP amplitude from median, ulnar, personeal and tibial nerves and mean of minimal F-response of tibial, median and ulnar nerves were not significantly different in patients and control group. The results of this study shows that there is no functional impairment in peripheral nerves in subclinical hypothyroidism at the time of diagnosis

[Pattern of firearm related injuries: results of a multi-center study]

Firearm-related injuries pose a serious public health problem in many countries, such as the United States and South Africa. The aim of this study was to report the pattern of firearm injuries using data collected by the national trauma project. The national trauma project has been conducted by Trauma and Surgery Research Center of Sina Hospital in 8 cities of Iran [Tehran, Shiraz, Tabriz, Ahvaz, Kermanshah, Mashhad, Babol and Qom] and it includes information of 16753 trauma patients. Overall, 104 patients [0.6%] were identified as having sustained a firearm injury. They were 94 [90.4%] males and 10 [9.6%] females, with a mean age of 28.2 +/- 10.3 [range, 15 to 60 years]. The age group of 21-30 years comprised 49.5% of our patients. Extremity injury was the most common type of injury [47.9%]. Eight patients [7.6%] died resulting from the severity of injuries, with head injury as the main cause of death in 4 of them [50%]. Most patients [73.3%] sustained injuries in an assault. More restricted rights toward keeping and using firearms seem to be necessary. Awareness of physicians of firearm related injuries and their treatment is essential for the appropriate management of patients and reduction of hospital mortality in victims. On the other hand, attempts should be made to build an especial system for monitoring firearm-related injuries in Iran