[Efficacy of using facial shape in determining maxillary central incisors form]

Aesthetic is a major factor in accepting the removable prosthesis by the patient, and labial aspect of anterior teeth plays an important role in this regard. Therefore evaluating possible determinants of shape of anterior teeth is important. This study evaluated the predictive value of the facial shape determined with three different landmarks settings, in determining central incisor shape. This diagnostic clinical trial was performed on 120 participants. Photographs of the participants were taken in Normal head position; images of central incisor of each participant also were taken. Facial outline was determined as oval, triangular, and square, based on three landmarks settings with different upper points: glabella, eye brow, and forehead outline. Teeth labial outline was as well determined as oval, triangular, and square. Diagnostic value of facial shape in determining tooth shape was evaluated. The role of associated factors was evaluated using chi-square test. The positive prediction values of face shapes square, oval, and triangular were 34%, 34.7% and 33. 3%, respectively. It seems that the face shape is not an appropriate factor in determining the shape of prosthesis central incisors, and other indicators are necessary to be investigated

[Lipoprotein [a] and its relationship with other lipids and lipoproteins in Iranian college students]

Lipoprotein [a] or Lp[a] is a cholesterol-rich particle with atherothrombogenic properties. Plasma level of Lp[a] varies in different populations, however, little data on normal range of Lp[a] lipoprotein among Iranian population is available The aim of this study was to estimate the normal range of Lp[a] and also its relationship with other lipoproteins in a group of Iranian students. This was a cross-sectional descriptive analytical study carried out on 150 college students [88 females and 62 males] aged 19-30 [21.8 +/- 2.3] who were clinically healthy and coming from various regions of Iran. The fasting serum levels of Lp[a], lipids, lipoproteins, apolipoproteins, total cholesterol [TC], triglycerides [TG], high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol [HDL-C], were determined by standard kits. Lp[a] and apo-B100 measurement was performed using electro-immunoassay, and apo-A1 by an immunoturbidimetric method. The data were further analyzed using SPSS, U- and t-tests to compare the variables and also the Pearson correlation test in determination of correlation between Lp[a] and other variables. A p-value of ? 0.05 was considered to be significant. Lp[a] with a mean of 19.46 +/- 19.44 mg/dl, did not showed any significant differences between males [16.33 +/- 18.79 mg/dl] and females [21.41 +/- 19.80 mg/dl]. In addition, no statistically significant correlation was demonstrated between the serum Lp[a] levels and oher variables such as age, lipids, and lipoproteins. A serum Lp[a] level higher than 30 mg/dl was shown in 14% of males, 36.5% of females and 21.5% of the total subjects. The mean serum concentration of Lp[a] in the present study was relatively higher than the values found by most researchers. This might be an acceptable explanation to high incidence of cardiovascular disease in some Iranian populations

Influence of Beta-cyclodextrin complexation on lovastatin release from osmotic pump tablets[OPT]

An extended-release osmotic dosage form was designed and the effect of beta-cyclodextrin [BCD] inclusion complexation on the solubility of lovastatin in aqueous media was investigated. The lovastatin BCD solid systems were prepared by kneading method. The elementary osmotic pumps [EOPs] were prepared with lovastatin BCD complex with cellulose acetate [CA] and polyethylene glycol as plasticizer. The effect of the BCD molar ratio on enhancement of lovastatin dissolution rate and the influences of various parameters [e.g. drug -BCD ratio, molecular weight and amount of PVP, coating weight gain] on drug release profiles were investigated. The solubility and dissolution rates of lovastatin were significantly increased by using inclusion complexation. It was found that PVP K90 was a suitable hydrophilic polymer with thickening effect and had profoundly positive effect on drug release. The present results confirmed that dissolution rate of lovastatin BCD were greatly enhanced and this system has suitable solubility behavior in EOP tablet formulations