The efficacy of a Persian herbal formulation on functional bloating: A double-blind randomized controlled trial / 中西医结合学报

BACKGROUND@#Bloating is a common gastrointestinal complaint which is difficult to treat.@*OBJECTIVE@#This study investigated the efficacy and compliance of a formulation called KAASER comprised of Trachyspermum ammi (L.) Sprague seed, Zingiber officinale Roscoe. rhizome and Piper nigrum L. berry in the treatment of functional bloating.@*DESIGN, SETTING, PARTICIPANTS AND INTERVENTION@#A total of 106 patients with functional bloating, between 20 and 50 years of age, participated in this double-blind randomized controlled trial. Patients were divided into 3 parallel groups that received 500 mg of placebo, dimethicone or KAASER, three times a day for 2 weeks.@*MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES@#The frequency and severity of bloating were primary outcomes, while the frequencies of eructation, defecation, borborygmus and early satiation were secondary outcomes. All parameters were evaluated at the beginning (week 0), and also weeks 2, 4 and 10 of the study, through self-report checklists with a scoring system.@*RESULTS@#Among the 84 patients who completed the study, the frequency and severity of bloating (P < 0.001), the frequencies of eructation, defecation and borborygmus (P = 0.03) were significantly improved in the group receiving KAASER (36 patients) compared with the dimethicone (35 patients) and placebo (35 patients) groups, during the 3 phases of follow-up. These significant differences persisted through the 2 and 8 weeks of follow-ups after cessation of medication (week 4 and 10). In early satiation, no significant differences were observed among the 3 groups.@*CONCLUSION@#The results showed that KAASER can be effectively used to treat patients suffering from bloating. Bloating, eructation, defecation and borborygmus in the KAASER group remained significantly improved after 2 and 8 weeks of cessation of medication, making this mechanism an interesting area for further investigation.@*TRIAL REGISTRATION@#Registration trial IRCT2015100324327N on Iranian Registry of Clinical Trials.

Light transmittance of CAD/CAM ceramics with different shades and thicknesses and microhardness of the underlying light-cured resin cement

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this in vitro study was to evaluate the effects of the thickness and shade of 3 types of computer-aided design/computer-aided manufacturing (CAD/CAM) materials. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 120 specimens of 2 shades (A1 and A3) and 2 thicknesses (1 and 2 mm) were fabricated using VITA Mark II (VM; VITA Zahnfabrik), IPS e.max CAD (IE; IvoclarVivadent), and VITA Suprinity (VS; VITA Zahnfabrik) (n = 10 per subgroup). The amount of light transmission through the ceramic specimens was measured by a radiometer (Optilux, Kerr). Light-cured resin cement samples (Choice 2, Bisco) were fabricated in a Teflon mold and activated through the various ceramics with different shades and thicknesses using an LED unit (Bluephase, IvoclarVivadent). In the control group, the resin cement sample was directly light-cured without any ceramic. Vickers microhardness indentations were made on the resin surfaces (KoopaPazhoohesh) after 24 hours of dark storage in a 37°C incubator. Data were analyzed using analysis of variance followed by the Tukey post hoc test (α = 0.05). RESULTS: Ceramic thickness and shade had significant effects on light transmission and the microhardness of all specimens (p < 0.05). The mean values of light transmittance and microhardness of the resin cement in the VM group were significantly higher than those observed in the IE and VS groups. The lowest microhardness was observed in the VS group, due to the lowest level of light transmission (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Greater thickness and darker shades of the 3 types of CAD/CAM ceramics significantly decreased the microhardness of the underlying resin cement.

Rural-urban differences in stroke types, risk factors, severity and prognosis in Babol, Northern Iran

Introduction: Stroke recognized as the third most common cause of death. Stroke survivors often suffer a large amount of physical and mental disability. Due to assess difference between stroke types, progression and distribution of risk factors according residential status, to get correct information for prevention planning and management, this study was conducted

Methods: This descriptive cross-sectional study on stroke patient from 2016 to 2017 that admitted to Ayatollah Rohani Hospital of Babol was conducted. Type of stroke, their severity, risk factors, and urban or rural area of residence of patients were recorded in the checklist. The chi-square test was used to compare frequencies of gender, and stroke risk assessment between the urban and rural residents. Binary logistic regression modeling was used to estimate the association of risk factors with living in urban and rural areas. The results were expressed as multivariable-adjusted odds ratios [ORs] and 95 % confidence intervals [95 % CIs]. A two-sided p < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. All data analyses were performed, using SPSS statistical analysis software

Results: Of 241 stroke patients, 133 patients [55 %] were female and 213 patients [88.4 %] were ischemic. Also, 140 cases were [58 %] rural. Embolic strokes more in urban population and thrombotic strokes were more in rural populations. Hyperlipidemia was more in urban than rural p = 0.01. Severity of stroke in admission time [p = 0.03] and at discharge [p = 0.005] was more in rural than urban. The mortality was higher in rural 12 [8.6] vs. 2 [2] urban resident,[ p = 0.03]

Conclusion: Rural patients had more severity, thrombotic type and mortality than urban. Suitable policy regard to residential parameter is suggested

Association between endometriosis and hyperprolactinemia in infertile women

The association of endometriosis with hyperprolactinemia is controversial. The present study aimed to determine the frequency of endometriosis and association of prolactin with endometriosis in infertile women. 256 infertile women who underwent diagnostic laparoscopy for the evaluation of infertility, referred to Fatemezahra Infertility and Reproductive Health Research Center were included in a cross-sectional study. The presence of endometriosis was evaluated. To investigate the association of endometriosis with hyperprolactinemia, the patients whose infertility was not caused by endometriosis were included as control group. Serum prolactin [PRL] level was measured in both groups. The comparison of basal serum PRL levels between the two groups was performed, using independent t-test. One way ANOVA was used to determine PRL association with endometriosis stages. The frequency of endometriosis was found to be 29%. PRL levels were significantly higher in endometriosis group compared to control group [23.02 +/- 1.25 vs. 17.22 +/- 1.22 respectively, p=0.004]. Statistically significant associations were found between staging of endometriosis and prolactin levels [p=0.01]. Hyperprolactinemia may be associated with endometriosis and its progression

Evaluation of graduate students' satisfaction from thesis supervision in Babol Faculty of dentistry

Students' satisfaction of their supervisor is very important in the process of writing a thesis; while satisfaction is present, favorable outcomes could be expected. This study compared graduate students' satisfaction of their supervisors from various departments. In this descriptive cross-sectional study conducted in 2013, 90 graduate students who had entered Babol Faculty of Dentistry in 2004, 2005 and 2006 were studied. A valid and reliable questionnaire was used for data collection. Data was analyzed by SPSS using descriptive and inferential statistics. Mean age of the participants was 28.4 [SD=6.76] and 42.2% were male. Mean satisfaction score was 28.3 +/- 6.3 [out of 36]. There was no significant difference among levels of participants' satisfaction based on their entrance years. The married participants revealed higher satisfaction compared to the singles [p=0.05]. The relationship between students' satisfaction and their course duration was inversely significant [p=0.04]. The participants' satisfaction was not associated with their age, sex, total grade point average [GPA], thesis score, and their supervisors' education and research history. No significant difference observed among the students' satisfaction with supervisors from different departments [p=0.58]. Reinforcing supervision skills by performing suitable workshops providing a clear role description for faculty members and their students can improve the students' perspectives and theses presentation quality

Evaluation of cytological alterations of oral mucosa in smokers and waterpipe users

Oral mucosal epithelia of smokers and waterpipe users are more susceptible to malignant alterations. The aim of this study was morphometric evaluation of the effects of using waterpipe on normal oral mucosa. In a cross sectional study, cytologic smear samples from the following three different areas: buccal mucosa, lateral surface of the tongue, and floor of the mouth [right] were taken from 40 smokers, 40 waterpipe users, and 40 normal individuals. They were then stained using Papanicolaou staining technique. Quantitative cytologic alterations such as nuclear and cytoplasmic size, nuclear-cytoplasmic [N/C] ratio, Feret ratio [FR], percent of karriorhexis, vacuolization of cytoplasm, two or multilobed nuclei, inflammation, and candida were evaluated. Quantitative evaluation was performed using Motic Plus 2 software, and 50 cells in each slide were studied. Practitioners were matched with age and sex in three groups An increase in nuclear size, the N/C ratio, and F. R, while a decrease in cytoplasm size were observed in lateral surface of the tongue, buccal mucosa and floor of the mouth of smokers, waterpipe users and normal individuals, respectively [p

A comparison between conventional and digital radiography in root canal working length determination.

Aim and Objectives: Obtaining a correct working length is necessary for successful root canal treatment. The aim of this study was to compare conventional and digital radiography in measuring root canal working length. Materials and Methods: In this in vitro study 20 mesio buccal canal from maxillary first molars with moderate and severe curvature and 20 canal form anterior teeth with mild curvature were chosen and their working length were measured with number 15 k file (Maillefer, DENTSPLY, Germany). Then for each canal five radiographies were taken, three conventional radiographies using three methods of processing: Manual, automatic, and monobath solution; in addition to two other digital radiographies using CCD and PSP receptors. Two independent observers measured working length in each technique. Finally, the mean of working length in each group was compared with real working length using a paired T-test. Also a one-way ANOVA test was used for comparing the two groups. The level of statistical significance was P < 0.05. Results: The results have shown that there was a high interobserver agreement on the measurements of the working length in conventional and digital radiography (P≤0.001). Also there was no significant difference between conventional and digital radiography in measuring working length (P > 0.05). Conclusion: Therefore it was concluded that the accuracy of digital radiography is comparable with conventional radiography in measuring working length, so considering the advantages of the digital radiography, it can be used for working length determination.