Computer-based oral hygiene instruction versus verbal method in fixed orthodontic patients

Fixed orthodontic appliances in the oral cavity make tooth cleaning procedures more complicated

Objectives: This study aimed to compare the efficacy of computerized oral hygiene instruction with verbal technique among fixed orthodontic patients referred to the evening clinic of Orthodontics of Shiraz Dental School

Materials and Methods: A single-blind study was performed in Orthodontic Department of Shiraz, Islamic Republic of Iran, from January to May 2015 following the demonstrated exclusion and inclusion criteria. The sample size was considered 60 patients with 30 subjects in each group. Bleeding on probing and plaque indices and dental knowledge were assessed in the subjects to determine pre-intervention status. A questionnaire was designed for dental knowledge evaluation. The patients were randomly assigned into the computerized and verbal groups. Three weeks after the oral hygiene instruction, indices of bleeding on probing and plaque index and the dental knowledge were evaluated to investigate post-intervention outcome. The two groups were compared by chi-square and student t tests. The pre- and post-intervention scores in each group were compared using paired t-test

Results: In the computerized group, the mean score for plaque index and bleeding on probing index was significantly decreased while dental health knowledge was significantly increased after oral hygiene instruction, in contrast to the verbal group

Conclusions: Within the limitations of the current study, computerized oral hygiene instruction is proposed to be more effective in providing optimal oral health status compared to the conventional method in fixed orthodontic patients

[Scorpion species in trackless areas of aligudarz and sepiddasht counties in luristan province in 2013]

Introduction: Studies of biology and ecology of scorpions in Iran faces with lots of limitations. These studies have to be started with identifying habitats and species of scorpions in a certain region of the country and should be completed with investigation of their biologic and ecologic characteristics. This study aims at identification and characterization of scorpions species in trackless areas of Luristan

Methods: During this descriptive study in 21 trackless nomads areas of Aligudarz and Sepiddasht the spots were sampled. Temperature, humidity and altitude of the sampling places were recorded. In each place, two hours before sunset and within the first hours of night the scorpions were captured with aid of UV flashlight and infra red glasses

Results: A total of 659 scorpions were captured in two areas located in Aligudars and Sepiddasht all of which belonged to Hemiscorpidae and Butidae families . From Hemiscorpidae family: Hemiscorpius leptorus and from family Butidae: Buthotus saulcyi, Mesobuthus eupus, Androctonus crassicauda, Orthochirus iranus, Buthacus macrocentrus species were diagnosed

Conclusion: Butidae family with 5 species had significant diversity and distribution in the study area. B. saulcyi was the most frequent in the areas. H. leptorus in Sepiddasht made up over 32 percent of the scorpions and it is a hazardous scorpion species. Necessary warning should be given to the residents of the area

[Study of mental health of the patients who need coronary angiography and its relationship with drug abuse]

Coronary heart disease as a reason for mortality is occurring with psychiatric disorders. This descriptive- analytic study aims at assess mental health of patients who need to perform coronary angiography and its relationship with drug abuse. Sampling was done by census and data was collected using General Health Questionnaire and clinical interview. At first, all the patients who needed coronary angiography completed questionnaire and after calculating the patients' score, psychiatrist visited the patients with score more than 28. Data showed that from 200 patients surveyed in this search, 49.5 percent had mental disorders; specially physical signs, distress and sleep disorders, but they were healthy from view point of social functioning and depression. Also, drug abuse is known as an effective factor of mental disorder and rises the chance of mental disorders, so the drug abusers are susceptible to mental disorders 7 times more than the patients with no drug abuse. This study proved that being married plays a positive role on mental health, so the risk of mental disorders in divorcees and widows are 20 times greater than in married patients. Consequently we prefer that patient with coronary heart disease who needs angiography get psychiatric cares and consultation

Effect of supine, prone and kangaroo care [KC] Positions on diminishing the pain response in term neonates during venopuncture

Neonates expose to painful procedures even when come to birth healthy. Pain reduction is a definite right for each living creature during medical intervention. It has been proved by many studies that painful experiences during babyhood, besides the early complications such as tachycardia, tachypnea and increase of body metabolic needs, can intensify individual's physiologic and behavioral responses to pain in next stages of life. The purpose of this study is to examine the efficacy of supine, prone and kangaroo care [KC] positions on diminishing the pain response of term neonates during acute pain of venopuncture. In this clinical trial study, 50 healthy neonates between 39 to 40 weeks of gestational age with physiologic icter requiring bilirubin estimation were assigned to receive a venous puncture and assessed for their responses to the pain of venopuncture performed in a standard manner. Blood sampling was performed by an expert nurse in charge of each neonate in three positions including supine, kangaroo care [KC] at a 24-hour interval during 3 days. The place and condition of sampling were equal for all neonates. Pain responses were assessed using DAN scale, then the gathered data were analyzed using SPSS software and statistical tests. According to the obtained results there was no significant differences between pain score in supine and prone positions. Limb movements score in supine position was significantly higher than two other positions. In supine position, pain profile score was significantly lower in subjects with higher weight and there was same result in KC position. Based on the results, KC position seems to effectively decrease pain during venopuncture and other painful procedures, but it is suggested to do similar studies to complete the outcome of the present study

[Comparative study of adverse effects of Olanzapine and Risperidone on blood sugar, lipid and other side effects in psychotic disorders]

Chronic mental disorders are among the problems in psychiatrics. Atypical anti psychotic drugs are new effective medications to treat these disorders. Unfortunately these drugs lead to side effects such as increase in blood glocuse, weight gain and edema. This study aims to investigate adverse effects of Olanzapine and Rispridone on lipid level and blood glocuse and other complications in patients with psychotic disorders. This clinical trial-double blinded study, patients with psychotic disorders were randomly categorized into two groups. Group one treated with Olanzapine and other with Rispridone. All the subjects were initially assessed for blood sugar and lipids, and in the case of normal, they were randomly assigned to two groups in a double- blinded method to be treated with Olanzapine or Risperidone. Blood sugar and lipids tests were performed for all subjects at the 1st week and 3 months after initiation of therapy. Other complications were assessed too, then the data were analyzed using SPSS software. The results of the study indicated that the levels of cholesterol, triglycerides and blood sugar rose significantly at the 1st week and third month after beginning the treatment. Increase of cholesterol and triglyceride in the Olanzapine and Risperidone groups was significant, while blood sugar level showed no significant difference in these two groups. Other side effects including restlessness, impotence, weight again, edema and drowsiness were significantly different between the two groups. Based on the findings of this study and the emphasis of other related studies on the metabolic changes of the body resulting from atypical antipsychotic drugs, it is suggested that these drugs should be prescribed for high risk patients with great care and cautions