Dentoalveolar effects of skeletally anchored extrusion arch in anterior open bite patients: A prospective clinical trial

ABSTRACT Objective: The purpose of this prospective clinical trial was to explore the dental and soft tissue changes accompanying the use of skeletally anchored nickel-titanium (NiTi) extrusion arch in the correction of anterior open bite (AOB). Material and Methods: Twenty female patients with a mean age of 16.5 ± 1.5 years and a mean dentoalveolar AOB of 2.38±0.7 mm participated in this study. All patients were treated with an maxillary 0.017×0.025-in NiTi extrusion arch, with the aid of miniscrews inserted between the maxillary second premolars and first molars bilaterally, to act as indirect anchorage. Three-dimensional digital models and lateral cephalometric radiographs were taken just before the insertion of the extrusion arch (T0) and after 10 months (T1). Paired-sample t-tests were used in analyzing the data, to evaluate the changes after treatment (T1-T0). A significance level of p < 0.05 was used. Results: AOB was successfully closed in all patients, with a 4.35 ± 0.61 mm increase in the overbite. Maxillary incisors significantly extruded (2.52 ± 1.02 mm) and significantly reclined (5.78 ± 0.77°), with a resultant decrease in the overjet of 1.58 ± 0.5mm. A significant intrusion of maxillary first molars with no change in their inclination was observed. The upper lip showed a significant retraction tendency to the E-plane, and a significant increase in the nasolabial angle was observed. Conclusion: The skeletally anchored NiTi extrusion arch was an effective technique in treating AOB, with no adverse effects on the molars.

RESUMO Objetivo: O objetivo deste ensaio clínico prospectivo foi avaliar as alterações dentárias e em tecidos moles que acompanham o uso de arco de extrusão de níquel-titânio (NiTi) com ancoragem esquelético na correção da mordida aberta anterior (MAA). Material e Métodos: Participaram deste estudo 20 pacientes do sexo feminino com idade média de 16,5 ± 1,5 anos e MAA dentoalveolar (média de 2,38 ± 0,7 mm). Todos os pacientes foram tratados com arco de extrusão de NiTi 0,017×0,025" superior, com auxílio de mini-implantes inseridos entre os segundos pré-molares e primeiros molares superiores bilateralmente, para atuar como ancoragem indireta. Modelos digitais tridimensionais e radiografias cefalométricas laterais foram realizados imediatamente antes da inserção do arco de extrusão (T0) e após 10 meses (T1). Testes t para amostras pareadas foram utilizados na análise dos dados, para avaliar as alterações após o tratamento (T1-T0). Um nível de significância de p< 0,05 foi usado. Resultados: A MAA foi fechada com sucesso em todos os pacientes, com aumento de 4,35 ± 0,61 mm na sobremordida. Os incisivos superiores foram significativamente extruídos (2,52 ± 1,02 mm) e significativamente reclinados (5,78 ± 0,77°), com uma consequente diminuição na sobressaliência de 1,58 ± 0,5 mm. Foi observada intrusão significativa dos primeiros molares superiores, sem alteração na sua inclinação. O lábio superior apresentou tendência significativa de retração em relação ao plano E, e foi observado aumento significativo do ângulo nasolabial. Conclusão: O arco de extrusão de NiTi esquelético foi uma técnica eficaz no tratamento da MAA, sem efeitos adversos nos molares.

Auraptene has neuroprotective and memory enhancing effects in a rat model of Alzheimer’s disease

@#Background: Auraptene is a simple coumarin that exhibits multiple protective activities in the brain. Alzheimer’s disease is a complex, multifactorial, and progressive neurodegenerative disease. Microinjection of the β-amyloid peptide (Aβ) into the hippocampus of rat has been recognized as a reliable and stable animal model of Alzheimer’s disease, which mimics the memory deficits. In the present study, the memory enhancing effects of auraptene were studied in rats that Aβ was injected into their hippocampus to create a model of Alzheimer’s disease. Methods: Different doses of auraptene (5, 10 and 25 mg/kg) were administered intraperitoneally to male Wistar rats. The spatial memory performance was tested by Morris water maze after Alzheimer`s induction. The hippocampal expression of pro-apoptotic Bax and anti-apoptotic Bcl-2 proteins were calculated for evaluating the neuroprotective and anti-apoptotic effects of Auraptene in the brain tissue. Results: In comparison with the control group, auraptene significantly decreased the escape latency time in the treated rats. In addition, auraptene increased the percentage of time spent and traveled pathway in the target quadrant. Molecular data showed that auraptene attenuated the Bax/Bcl-2 ratio in the hippocampus of rats. Conclusion: This study demonstrated the memory enhancing effect of Aur after Aβ injection, which could be through inhibiting the apoptotic pathways in the hippocampus of rats.

Prospective study of changes in anti-hcv immunoglobulin g antibody titers after treatment with direct acting antiviral agents

Introduction: worldwide, approximately 180 million people are living with CHC, which corresponds to a global prevalence of 1.1% and millions more are newly infected each year. Annually, 700.000 people die from HCV-related complications, including cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma [HCC]

Aim of the work: the present study investigated the dynamics of change in various HCV antibodies in patients with CHC who achieved SVR after DAAs

Methodology: this was a prospective case-control study that was conducted on 150 patients. They were categorized into three main groups: Group I: included 100 patients with chronic HCV infection as diagnosed by SRT-PCR. They were submitted to treatment with DAAs for 12 weeks. Group II [positive control group]: Included 25 patients who presented with CHC infection as diagnosed by positive anti-HCV IgG antibodies and positive HCV SRT-PCR, but either refuse or postpone HCV therapy or the treatment of HCV itself was contraindicated. Group III [negative control group]: included 25 patients, apparently healthy individuals who test positive for anti-HCV IgG antibodies, but negative HCV SRT-PCR. HCV IgG Ab titers was assessed by commercially available third-generation enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay [ELISA] at base line, end of treatment and then at the 24th week [i.e. 12 weeks after the end of treatment]

Results: as regard HCVAb, it showed a significant statistical difference [p-value < 0.001] between titer results at baselin12th week and 24th week in patients group I; as HCV Ab titers were 3.3 +/- 0.2 mg/dl at baseline and declined to 2.7 +/- 0.2 at 12th week and 2.4 +/- 0.3 at 24th week. But, there was no statistical significant difference [p-value > 0.05] between HCV Ab titer results at baseline, 12th week and 24th week in the studied positive control patients group II as HCV Ab titers were 3.1 +/- 0.2 at baseline, 3.2 +/- 0.2 at 12th week and [3.2+/- 0.1] at 24th week week. Also, there was no statistical significant difference [p-value > 0.05] between HCV Ab titer results at baseline, 12th week and24th week in studied negative control patients group III as HCV Ab titers were 1.22 +/- 08 at baseline, [1.23+/-0.08] at 12th week and 1.24+/- 0.07 at 24th week

Conclusion: HCV antibody titer appeared to continue to decrease after eradication of HCV by DAAs therapy

Effect of conjugated linoleic acid supplementation on quality of life in rectal cancer patients undergoingpreoperative Chemoradiotherapy

Objectives: This study set out with the aim of evaluating the effect of conjugated linoleic acid [CLA] supplementation on quality of life in rectal cancer patients undergoing to preoperative chemoradiotherapy

Methods: In this study, 33 volunteer patients with rectal cancer treated with preoperative chemoradiotherapy were allocated in the CLA [n=16] and the placebo groups [n=17]. The CLA group and placebo groups received 3 gr CLA/d and 4 placebo capsules for 6 weeks respectively. Before and after intervention, quality of life of patients was assessed by EORTC QLQ-C30

Results: At the end of study, the mean scores of physical function, role function, and cognitive function enhanced significantly in the CLA group while reduced remarkably in the placebo group. Symptom scales improved in the CLA group at the end of study. Comparison of changes in fatigue, pain and diarrhea scores were statistically significant between two study groups [P<0.05]. When we compared the global health status scores between two groups, significant changes were observed [P<0.001]

Conclusion: It appears that CLA may be helpful in rectal cancer patients by improving global quality of life. Although, other clinical trials with large sample size are needed to achieve more precise results

Molecular characterization of mycobacterium tuberculosis isolates from Tehran, Iran by restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis and spoligotyping

Abstract: INTRODUCTION Characterization of Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB) isolates by DNA fingerprinting has contributed to tuberculosis (TB) control. The aim of this study was to determine the genetic diversity of MTB isolates from Tehran province in Iran. METHODS MTB isolates from 60 Iranian and 10 Afghan TB patients were fingerprinted by standard IS6110-restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) analysis and spoligotyping. RESULTS The copy number of IS6110 ranged from 10-24 per isolate. The isolates were classified into 22 clusters showing ≥ 80% similarity by RFLP analysis. Fourteen multidrug-resistant (MDR) isolates were grouped into 4 IS6110-RFLP clusters, with 10 isolates [71% (95% CI: 45-89%)] in 1 cluster, suggesting a possible epidemiological linkage. Eighteen Iranian isolates showed ≥ 80% similarity with Afghan isolates. There were no strains with identical fingerprints. Spoligotyping of 70 isolates produced 23 distinct patterns. Sixty (85.7%) isolates were grouped into 13 clusters, while the remaining 10 isolates (14.2%) were not clustered. Ural (formerly Haarlem4) (n = 22, 31.4%) was the most common family followed by Central Asian strain (CAS) (n = 18, 25.7%) and T (n = 9, 12.8%) families. Only 1strain was characterized as having the Beijing genotype. Among 60 Iranian and 10 Afghan MTB isolates, 25% (95% CI: 16-37) and 70% (95% CI: 39-89) were categorized as Ural lineage, respectively. CONCLUSIONS A higher prevalence of Ural family MTB isolates among Afghan patients than among Iranian patients suggests the possible transmission of this lineage following the immigration of Afghans to Iran.

Franco- Arabic on Facebook study at a sample of secondary studies

Introduction: This paper is not an invitation to write Arabic in a non-Arabic alphabet letters; such as those invitations repeated, failed and died. But It's monitoring of a factual phenomenon of writing Arabic with Romanian letters [Franco-Arabic], It has spread widely among the young people in mobile messages SMS and social network sites; and try to unify the way of writing "Franco-Arabic"

Problem: The researcher observed a wide variation of the ways of writing Arabic words in English, especially in names, and writing full Arabic texts in "Franco-Arabic" on social media, particularly among young people. The researcher chose to study "Franco-Arabic" writing on Facebook from some high school students

Aims: The main aim of this study is to recognize the way of "Franco-Arabic" writing, through analyzing of a sample of student writing from some high schools and provide schedules proposed to unite the way of "Franco-Arabic" writing

Type and Method: This study belongs to the descriptive studies, relying on information survey method for a sample of secondary school students using "Facebook"

Sample: The study addresses 7 Arabic letters different from Romanian in sound, in addition to the 2 vowel letters "Alef' and "Waw", besides two of linguistic movements: "Kasrah" and "Shaddah". The sample field, represented in 100 high school students using "Franco-Arabic" in writing on Facebook

Tools: The study depends on content analysis for the sample writing of "Franco-Arabic".The study relied also on a questionnaire applied to a sample consisting of field study 100 of high school students. It is prepared by the researcher

Results: Most important results of study are: that students sample writing of "Franco-Arabic" showed the prevalence of using certain Latin symbols versus Arabic letters that have no like in English in sound, neglecting writing a lot of letters corresponding to the linguistic movements 66.2%, and writing of "Alef and "Waw" 80.4%

[ effect of minocycline on gene expression of GABAA receptor in hippocampus and piriform brain areas on amygdale kindling acquisition in rat]

Introduction: Minocycline has anticonvulsant effects. Since some antiepileptic drugs increase the neurotransmitter GABA in the brain, the aim of this study is the effect of minocycline on gene expression of GABAA receptor in hippocampus and piriform brain areas on amygdale kindling acquisition in rat.

Methods: In this experimental study, three group [24 Wistar rats], after stereotaxic surgery and 1 week recovery period, received kindling stimulations[twice daily at 6 hours interval]. Group 1[n=8] did not receive daily kindling stimulations. Group 2 [n=8] received intraperitoneal saline [1ml/kg] and Group 3 [n=8] received intraperitoeneal minocycline [25 mg/kg] 60 min before kindling stimulation and respectively. Two hours after the last stimulation, animals' brains were removed and the changes of gene expression by ?2 subunit of GABAAreceptor in the hippocampus and piriform cortex were measured and compared with the control group. Data was analyzed using one-way ANOVA and Tukey post hoc tests [P<0/05].

Results: In Group 3 intraperitoneal administration of minocycline for 10 days reduced cumulative ADD significantly reduced in comparison with the control group [Group 2] [P<0.001]; also, it increased significantly the delay time of stage 4 [p<0.01] and stage 5 [p<0.001] of the seizures. In addition, the injection of minocycline before kindling stimulations removed the electrical stimulation induced an increase in mRNA of ?2 subunit of GABAA receptor in hippocampus and piriform cortex of amygdale kindling.

Conclusion: The results of this study showed that minocycline administration before electrical stimulation acts as an anticonvulsant, and this effect occurs via reducing GABAA receptors.

Prevalence of aspirin use and its concurrent use with ibuprofen among two middle eastern countries: Jordan and the UAE - a cross sectional study

The objective of this study was to assess the prevalence of aspirin use as a prophylactic agent in two countries: Jordan and the United Arab Emirates in addition to the frequency of concurrent use of aspirin and ibuprofen which might be associated with lower cardio protection. The data was collected using a structured questionnaire from December 2009 to February 2010. The results showed significantly higher proportion of Jordanian patients with cardiovascular problems [85.97%] who were using aspirin as compared to patients from the United Arab Emirates [71.26%] [p= 0.0205, chi square test]. The percentage of Jordanian patients with different cardiovascular problems taking aspirin concurrently with ibuprofen was relatively high. Patients' adherence to aspirin administration in both populations was suboptimal. Patients' age and previous myocardial infarction episodes were found to have a significant [p<0.001] association with the use of aspirin in both populations. These results call for reasonable strategies for aspirin administration in both countries

In vivo acute toxicity study of thyme- primulae syrup

The current study is an acute toxicity study of Thyme - Primulae syrup in Albino male and female rats. The syrup was administered in three escalating doses: 3, 6 and 12 ml/kg body weight. The weight-based doses were given to the rats by intra gastric to minimize loss and variability among them. The treated groups were compared to the untreated control in regards to their body weight gain, hepatic and kidney appearances and their weight. Even at the highest dose, the syrup was found to be non-toxic under the conditions of this study

Acute oral toxicity study of ivy-thyme syrup in albino rats

This study was designed to assess the acute oral toxicity of Ivy-Thyme syrup in rats. The tested product was administered at a dose level of 3, 6 and 12 mL/kg. All animals were examined for clinical signs of ill-health or mortality at 1,2,4 and 8 hours after oral administration, and twice daily thereafter for 14 days. At the end of the study, all rats were alive with normal appearance and showed body weight gain during the study. The kidneys and livers of the sacrificed animals appeared normal. Ivy-Thyme syrup having 0.75% Ivy leaf dry extract and 5% thyme fluid extract was found to be non-toxic by the oral route at a dose level of 3,6 and 12 ml/kg in female rats under the conditions of this study

comparative enzymatic inhibition assay as a surrogate indicator of pharmaceutical and potency equivalence of two orlistat formulations

The most practical measure of therapeutic equivalence between two commercially available and generic formulation of a certain drug is to determine their in vivo bioavailability. However, for the oral dosage form that is not intended to be absorbed [e.g. orlistat], in vivo bioavailability studies are irrelevant to the achievement of the product's intended purposes. However, specific requirements for these drug products may be set in a way that they should meet acceptable in vitro standards. For this purpose, a comparative enzymatic inhibition assay of the target enzyme, pancreatic lipase, was developed to demonstrate orlistat products' pharmaceutical and potency equivalence. In this study we compared the pancreatic lipase inhibition that is achieved by two orlistat formulations; a generic product manufactured by local company [Jordan Sweden Medical Company, JOSWE] and the reference one Xenical manufactured by Roche. The inhibition was expressed by the concentration of product which inhibits 50% of the activity of the pancreatic lipase enzyme [IC[50]]. The results of these studies showed that both formulations have equivalent potency that was demonstrated by in vitro studies

Anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide antibodies in juvenile rheumatoid arthritis: prevalence and association with clinical, laboratory and radiographic findings

Objective: To study the prevalence of anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide [anti-CCP] antibodies in patients with juvenile rheumatoid arthritis [JRA] and to evaluate the association of these antibodies with clinical manifestations, laboratory investigations and radiographic outcomes

Patients and Methods: The study comprised 65 JRA patients [26 with polyarticular onset, 28 with pauciarticular onset and 11 with systemic onset]. All patients were subjected to complete history taking, thorough clinical examination, and laboratory investigations including determination of anti-CCP antibodies, rheumatoid factor [RF] and antinuclear antibodies [ANA]. Radio graphs of hands and feet of all patients were also evaluated

Results: Anti-CCP antibodies were found in 11/65 [16.9 %] of the patients. The prevalence rates of these antibodies were 34.6 %, 7.1 % and 0.0 % in JRA patients with polyarticular onset, pauciarticular onset, and systemic onset respectively. In JRA patients with polyarticular onset and RF-positive, the prevalence of anti-CCP antibodies was 70%. Presence of anti-CCP antibodies was found to be significantly associated with late disease onset, polyarticular onset, polyarticular course, RF positivity and radiographic joint damage

Conclusion: The overall prevalence of anti-CCP antibodies in JRA is not high; however, these antibodies can be detected in a substantial proportion of JRA patients with polyarticular onset and RF-positive. Anti-CCP antibodies in JRA are associated with late disease onset, polyarticular onset, polyarticular course and RF positivity. In addition, presence of these antibodies in JRA patients is indicative for poorer radiological outcome, so cautious radiographic follow up is recommended for JRA patients having anti-CCP antibodies