Magnetic resonance imaging study of incidental findings in the paranasal sinuses and ostiomeatal complex

Purpose@#This study aimed to assess incidental abnormal findings in the paranasal sinuses and anatomical variations of the ostiomeatal complex (OMC) on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans. @*Materials and Methods@#MRI scans of 616 patients (mean age, 44.0±19.4 years) were evaluated. Prior to obtaining the MRI scans, a checklist of patients’ clinical symptoms was filled out after obtaining their consent. The Lund-Mackay classification was used to assess the paranasal sinuses and OMC. The prevalence of abnormal findings and their associations with patients’ age, sex, and subjective symptoms were analyzed by the chi-square test, independent-sample t-test, and analysis of variance. The level of significance was set at 0.05. @*Results@#Abnormal findings in the paranasal sinuses were detected in 32.0% of patients, with a significantly higher prevalence in males (P0.05). Epithelial thickening and retention cyst were the most common abnormal findings in the paranasal sinuses. According to the Lund-Mackay classification, 93% of the study population had normal sinuses (score0.05). @*Conclusion@#Considering the relatively high prevalence of abnormal findings in the paranasal sinuses, it appears that clinical symptoms alone are not sufficient to diagnose sinusitis. A more accurate strategy would be to assess radiographic images of the paranasal sinuses and use a classification system. Sinusitis should be suspected in patients receiving a high score in this classification.

Comparison of data mining algorithms for sex determination based on mastoid process measurements using cone-beam computed tomography

Purpose@#The mastoid region is ideal for studying sexual dimorphism due to its anatomical position at the base of the skull. This study aimed to determine sex in the Iranian population based on measurements of the mastoid process using different data mining algorithms. @*Materials and Methods@#This retrospective study was conducted on 190 3-dimensional cone-beam computed tomographic (CBCT) images of 105 women and 85 men between the ages of 18 and 70 years. On each CBCT scan, the following 9 landmarks were measured: the distance between the porion and the mastoidale; the mastoid length, height, and width; the distance between the mastoidale and the mastoid incision; the intermastoid distance (IMD); the distance between the lowest point of the mastoid triangle and the most prominent convex surface of the mastoid (MF); the distance between the most prominent convex mastoid point (IMSLD); and the intersecting angle drawn from the most prominent right and left mastoid point (MMCA). Several predictive models were constructed and their accuracy was compared using cross-validation. @*Results@#The results of the t-test revealed a statistically significant difference between the sexes in all variables except MF and MMCA. The random forest model, with an accuracy of 97.0%, had the best performance in predicting sex. The IMSLD and IMD made the largest contributions to predicting sex, while the MMCA variable had the least significant role. @*Conclusion@#These results show the possibility of developing an accurate tool using data mining algorithms for sex determination in the forensic framework.

Survival rate and the determinants of progression from HIV to AIDS and from AIDS to the death in Iran: 1987 to 2016

Objective: To examine the prognostic factors of progression from HIV to AIDS and AIDS to the death in people living with HIV/AIDS in Iran. Methods: In this registry-based retrospective cohort study, we recruited 28 873 HIV-infected people from 158 Behavioral Diseases Counseling Centers of Iran. Two outcomes of interest included survival rates from HIV diagnosis to AIDS and from AIDS to the death. We used Kaplan-Meier and Cox regression model to investigate survival rate and factors affecting on survival controlling effect of confounding factors. Results: The one, three, five, and ten-year survival rate from HIV to AIDS were 85%, 73%, 61% and 32%, and for AIDS to death were 90%, 81%, 74% and 55%, respectively. Multivariate Cox regression analysis indicated that the risk of progression from AIDS phase toward death in individuals with CD4 less than 200/mm

Dental age estimation using the pulp-to-tooth ratio in canines by neural networks

PURPOSE: It has been proposed that using new prediction methods, such as neural networks based on dental data, could improve age estimation. This study aimed to assess the possibility of exploiting neural networks for estimating age by means of the pulp-to-tooth ratio in canines as a non-destructive, non-expensive, and accurate method. In addition, the predictive performance of neural networks was compared with that of a linear regression model. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Three hundred subjects whose age ranged from 14 to 60 years and were well distributed among various age groups were included in the study. Two statistical software programs, SPSS 21 (IBM Corp., Armonk, NY, USA) and R, were used for statistical analyses. RESULTS: The results indicated that the neural network model generally performed better than the regression model for estimation of age with pulp-to-tooth ratio data. The prediction errors of the developed neural network model were acceptable, with a root mean square error (RMSE) of 4.40 years and a mean absolute error (MAE) of 4.12 years for the unseen dataset. The prediction errors of the regression model were higher than those of the neural network, with an RMSE of 10.26 years and a MAE of 8.17 years for the test dataset. CONCLUSION: The neural network method showed relatively acceptable performance, with an MAE of 4.12 years. The application of neural networks creates new opportunities to obtain more accurate estimations of age in forensic research.

The Association between Social Support and Happiness among Elderly in Iran / 가정의학회지

BACKGROUND: Elderly people's life is affected by multiple factors including social support, which is of the utmost importance. This study aimed to explore the association between social support and happiness as well as the impact of types of social support on happiness among elders. METHODS: This descriptive and analytical study was carried out on 411 elderly men and women referred to the retirement, cultural, and rehabilitation centers in Hamadan, west of Iran. Participants were selected by a multi-stage random sampling method. The research instrument included a questionnaire consisting of three parts: demographic information, the Oxford Argyle Happiness Inventory, and a Questionnaire derived from Social Support Theory. The questionnaire was completed through a self-report study. The collected data were analyzed using Pearson correlation coefficients, multiple linear regression, independent t-tests, and one-way analysis of variance in IBM SPSS Software ver. 22.0 (IBM Corp., Armonk, NY, USA). RESULTS: The mean for happiness was reported as 41.17±15.2. The values given for social support were 29.40±11.95 and for its dimensions were 7.53±3.89 and 13.70±4.90 for informational support and emotional support, respectively. Moreover, the mean value for appraisal support was 3.48±2.37 and was 4.70±2.56 for instrumental support. Multiple linear regression analysis revealed that social support and demographic variables could account for approximately 25% (R2=0.25) of changes in the variable of happiness. CONCLUSION: High social support could increase happiness among elders. The quality and quantity of social support can be taken into account as proper determinants and predictors of happiness among elders.

Comparison between the impact of video instructions and traditional training on FBS control in type 2 diabetics, Hamadan: a model based intervention

Background: Diabetes is a chronic progressive disorder that imposes negative effects on various aspects of an individual's life. This study was conducted to compare the effect of video instructions in comparison with traditional training on glucose control in type 2 diabetic patients of Hamadan

Methods: In this experimental study, 120 patients with type 2 diabetes who referred to diabetes center of Hamadan were divided into two groups: intervention and control. Data collection tool was a questionnaire based on health belief model completed by interviewing before, immediately after, and three months after the intervention. In addition, the serum levels of HbA1c were measured before and three months after the study. Intervention was conducted on three groups of 20 participants using video playback as well as question and answer sessions. Data were analyzed by SPSS21 using Friedman, Wilcoxon and Mann-Whitney tests

Results: This study revealed a significant difference in the median of knowledge, perceived threat, perceived benefits, and barriers in the intervention group immediately and three months after the intervention. HbA1c levels decreased after the intervention but this change was not significant. Three months after the intervention, in the intervention group both physicians and video were the most effective cues to action

Conclusion: Instructional videos for diabetes education can have a positive impact on healthy lifestyle in Patients with type 2 diabetes. It was concluded that decrease in HbA1c level needs longer intervention period; more than three months

The Effect of Various Hot Environments on Physiological Responses and Information Processing Performance Following Firefighting Activities in a Smoke-Diving Room

BACKGROUND: Fire service workers often implement multiple duties in the emergency conditions, with such duties being mostly conducted in various ambient temperatures. METHODS: The aim of the current study was to assess the firefighters' physiological responses, information processing, and working memory prior to and following simulated firefighting activities in three different hot environments. Seventeen healthy male firefighters performed simulated firefighting tasks in three separate conditions, namely (1) low heat (LH; 29–31°C, 55–60% relative humidity), (2) moderate heat (MH; 32–34°C, 55–60% relative humidity), and (3) severe heat (SH; 35–37°C, 55–60% relative humidity). It took about 45–50 minutes for each firefighter to finish all defined firefighting activities and the paced auditory serial addition test (PASAT). RESULTS: At the end of all the three experimental conditions, heart rate (HR) and tympanic temperature (TT) increased, while PASAT scores as a measure of information processing performance decreased relative to baseline. HR and TT were significantly higher at the end of the experiment in the SH (159.41 ± 4.25 beats/min; 38.22 ± 0.10°C) compared with the MH (156.59 ± 3.77 beats/min; 38.20 ± 0.10°C) and LH (154.24 ± 4.67 beats/min; 38.17 ± 0.10°C) conditions (p 0.05). Nonetheless, there was a measurable difference in PASAT scores between LH and SH (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: These consequences demonstrate that ambient temperature is effective in raising the physiological responses following firefighting activities. It is therefore argued that further increase of ambient temperature can impact firefighters' information processing and working memory during firefighting activity.

Individual Fit Testing of Hearing Protection Devices Based on Microphone in Real Ear

BACKGROUND: Labeled noise reduction (NR) data presented by manufacturers are considered one of the main challenging issues for occupational experts in employing hearing protection devices (HPDs). This study aimed to determine the actual NR data of typical HPDs using the objective fit testing method with a microphone in real ear (MIRE) method. METHODS: Five available commercially earmuff protectors were investigated in 30 workers exposed to reference noise source according to the standard method, ISO 11904-1. Personal attenuation rating (PAR) of the earmuffs was measured based on the MIRE method using a noise dosimeter (SVANTEK, model SV 102). RESULTS: The results showed that means of PAR of the earmuffs are from 49% to 86% of the nominal NR rating. The PAR values of earmuffs when a typical eyewear was worn differed statistically (p 0.05). CONCLUSION: This study could provide local individual fit data. Ergonomic aspects of the earmuffs and different levels of users experience and awareness can be considered the main factors affecting individual fitting compared with the laboratory condition for acquiring the labeled NR data. Based on the obtained fit testing results, the field application of MIRE can be employed for complementary studies in real workstations while workers perform their regular work duties.

effect of 1alpha,25[OH]2D3 on osteogenic differentiation of stem cells from dental pulp of exfoliated deciduous teeth

Statement of the Problem: Stem cells from human exfoliated deciduous teeth [SHEDs] are a population of highly proliferative cells, being capable of differentiating into osteogenic, odontogenic, adipocytes, and neural cells. Vitamin D3 metabolites such as 1 alpha, 25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 are key factors in the regulation of bone metabolism

Purpose: The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of 1 alpha, 25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 on osteogenic differentiation [alkaline phosphatase activity and alizarin red staining] of stem cells of exfoliated deciduous teeth

Materials and Method: Dental pulp was removed from freshly extracted primary teeth and immersed in a digestive solution. Then, the dental pulp cells were immersed in alpha-MEM [minimum essential medium] to which 10% fetal bovine serum was added. After the third passage, the cells were isolated from the culture plate and were used for osteogenic differentiation. As a control group, the cells were cultured in osteogenic cell culture medium. As the case group, the cells were cultured in osteogenic culture medium supplemented with 100 nM 1 alpha, 25 [OH]2D3. The alkaline phosphatase [ALP] activity and alizarin red staining were analyzed to evaluate the osteogenic differentiation at day 21. The results were analyzed by using t-test

Results: Compared with the control group, significant increase was observed in ALP activity of SHEDs after being treated with 1 alpha, 25[OH]2D3 [p= 0.002]. Alizarin red staining demonstrated that the cells exposed to 1 alpha, 25[OH]2D3 induced higher mineralized nodules [p< 0.001]

Conclusion: Osteoblast differentiation in SHEDs was stimulated by 1 alpha,25[OH] 2D3. It can be concluded that 1 alpha,25[OH]2D3 can improve osteoblastic differentiation

Dental health status and hygiene in children and adolescents with type 1 diabetes mellitus

Background: There is disagreement on the effect of diabetes on oral hygiene. The purpose of this study was to assess the oral health and hygiene status of type 1 diabetic patients

Methods: In this case control study, periodontal health and hygiene of 80 children and adolescents [5-18 yr of age] with type 1 diabetes mellitus referred to Pediatric Endocrine Clinic of Besat Hospital Hamadan Iran 2013 - 2014 and 80 non diabetic control subjects were clinically assessed. The required data such as sex, age, duration of the diabetes, type and number of insulin injections per day were obtained from self-administered questionnaire and the patient's medical records. Participants in both groups were examined for Decay-missing- filled teeth [DMFT]; dmft [or primary teeth], oral hygiene using O'Leary plaque index [PI] and gingivitis index [Gl]. P<0.05 was considered significant

Results: The mean age of the study and the control group was 12.5+/-4.05 and 12.08+/-3.47 yr, respectively. There were no significant difference between two groups in terms of DMFT [P=0.158] and PI indices [P=0.373]. The Gl index difference was statistically significant in diabetic group [P=0.001]. Interestingly, a higher dmft index was observed in the control group [F=0.008]. In diabetic groups, Gl and DMFT index increased significantly with duration of diabetes

Conclusions: Apart from higher scores of Gl index, frequency of oral and periodontal disease was not different in diabetic patients compared with healthy subjects. Findings of present study are insufficient to support a significant effect of diabetes on increasing the risk of oral and periodontal diseases. However, diabetic children and adolescents should receive oral hygiene instructions

gene selection method for survival prediction in diffuse large B-cell lymphomas patients using 1D discrete wavelet transform

An important aspect of microarray studies includes the prediction of patient survival based on their gene expression profile. To deal with the high dimensionality of this data, use of a dimension reduction procedure along with the survival prediction model is necessary. This study aimed to present a new method based on wavelet transform for survival relevant gene selection. The data included 2042 gene expression measurements from 40 patients with Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphomas [DLBCL]. The pre-processing gene expression data is decomposed using third level of the 1D discrete wavelet transform. The detail coefficients at levels 1 and 2 are filtered out and expression data reconstructed using the approximation and detailed coefficients at the third level. All the genes are then scored based on the t score. Then genes with the highest scores are selected. By using forward selection method in Cox regression model, significant genes were identified. The results showed wavelet-based gene selection method presents acceptable survival prediction. Using this method, six significant genes were selected. It was indicated the expression of GENE3359X andGENE3968X decreased the survival time, whereas the expression of GENE967X, GENE3980X, GENE3405X andGENE1813X increased the survival time. Wavelet-based gene selection method is a potentially useful tool for the gene selection from microarray data in the context of survival analysis

Mapping the obesity in Iran by bayesian spatial model

One of the methods used in the analysis of data related to diseases, and their underlying reasons is drawing geographical map. Mapping diseases is a valuable tool to determine the regions of high rate of infliction requiring therapeutic interventions. The objective of this study was to investigate obesity pattern in Iran by drawing geographical maps based on Bayesian spatial model to recognize the pattern of the understudy symptom more carefully. The data of this study consisted of the number of obese people in provinces of Iran in terms of sex based on the reports of non-contagious disease's risks in 30 provinces by the Iran MSRT disease center in 2007. The analysis of data was carried out by software R and Open BUGS. In addition, the data required for the adjacency matrix were produced by Geo bugs software. The greatest percentage of obese people in all age ranges [15-64] is 17.8 for men in Mazandaran and the lowest is 4.9 in Sistan and Baluchestan. For women the highest and lowest are 29.9 and 11.9 in Mazandaran and Hormozgan, respectively. Mazandaran was considered the province of the greatest odds ratio of obesity for men and women. Recognizing the geographical distribution and the regions of high risk of obesity is the prerequisite of decision making in management and planning for health system of the country. The results can be applied in allocating correct resources between different regions of Iran