Effects of beta-carotene-fortified carrot juice on the lipid profile in type-2 diabetes patients

Hyperlipedemia is a health problem in type-2 diabetes patients. This study was designed to investigate the effects of carrot juice fortified with beta-carotene on the blood lipids in these patients. This controlled randomized double-blind clinical trial was performed on 44 patients with type 2 diabetes. They were randomly divided into two groups receiving, daily for 8 weeks, either 200 ml carrot juice fortified with 10 mg beta-carotene [group A] or 200 ml ordinary carrot juice [group B]. All the subjects would drink the juice [exchanged for one serving of bread] at lunch. Twenty-four hour dietary recalls were done on 3 consecutive days and 6 alternate days by a nutritionist at the beginning and the end of the period. Initial and final fasting blood glucose, beta-carotene, and lipids were also measured. The dietary data were analyzed using Nutritionist IV and statistical analysis was done using SPSS[11.5]. The serum level of beta-carotene increased and that of total cholesterol and triglyceride, as well as the LDL-C/HDL-C and TC/HDL-C ratios, decreased significantly in group A as compared to group B. The treatments did not affect HDL-C or glucose concentrations in either group. Daily consumption of both 200 ml carrot juice fortified with 10 mg beta-carotene and ordinary carrot juice for 8 weeks brings about desirable changes in some of the blood lipids in type-2 diabetic subjects without any change in the serum glucose level, although fortified carrot juice is more effective. Such an intervention may prevent hyperlipedemia in these patients

[Effect of Er,Cr:YSGG laser on fissure sealant retention: Comparative in-vitro study]

Use of pit and fissure sealants are safe and effective preventive procedures for occlusal caries. Long term retention of pit and fissure sealants is essential for their success and depends partly on the method of fissure preparation. Recently, new technologies such as laser and air abrasion have been used to increase bond of sealants. This in vitro study compared the effect of laser with other methods [air abrasion and conventional] on retention of sealants by measuring micro shear bond strength. This experimental in-vitro study used sound premolar teeth. They were sectioned mesiodistally in order to use the buccal and lingual surfaces. Samples were randomly divided into 3 groups. Group I samples were prepared with 37% acid phosphoric. Group II samples were exposed to air abrasion and then acid etching. Group III specimens were exposed to Er,Cr:YSGG [2W power] and then acid etching. Bonding was applied on all samples and sealants in microbore tygon tube [0.7 mm in diameter and 1mm height] were cured. Data on micro shear bond strength was measured and analyzed statistically by One-Way ANOVA and Tukey tests. Mean micro shear bond strength for group I, II, III, were 23.51[ +/- 6.9], 39.09[ +/- 15.11], 21.44[ +/- 6.18] MPa respectively. A significant statistical difference [P<0.01] was detected in group II [air abrasion with etching] compared with other groups. Considering the smooth surface enamel used in this study, it can be concluded that irradiation of the laser before etching can not increase fissure sealant retention. However, air abrasion technique before etching showed greater sealant retentions

[Epidemiology of dental erosion in 14-17 years' old girls in Ghazvin, 2004]

The loss of tooth substance has been the concern of specialists for many years, but the role and impact of erosion in the form of loss of tooth substance is related to consumption of acidic food - staff, by youngsters, which in currently the point of concern amongst other problems. This research was aimed at evaluating the epidemiology of dental erosion amongst high school girls, aged between 14-17, who were living in the city of Ghazvin, Iran. The present study has been carried out on the basis of descriptive criteria, using cross sectional method. For this purpose, a sample of 368 female students from 6 high - schools, located in three different residential zones of Ghazvin have been randomly selected. The conducting of the survey was mainly followed the method based on observations and interviews. The questions asked on the questionnaire were aimed at nutritional diet, drugs, swimming, para-functional habits and socio-economic status of these students. A full examination of upper and lower anterior teeth after drying them under proper light was carried out. Used index was Eccles and Jenkins. Data were analyzed with SPSS analysis program and Pearson correlation test. The prevalence of erosion amongst the population under study was 14.4 percent. The most common affected teeth were maxillary central incisors [labial surfaces]. No significant relationship was found between risk factors and prevalence of erosion. With regards to the high prevalence of erosion and their treatment problems, exact follow up concern is recommended

[Psychological effects of blood donation on repeat and first time donors in Tehran Blood Transfusion Center]

Provision of adequate and safe blood is the main purpare of Iranian Blood Transfusion Organization. One of the most important and vital strategies to deal with the issue is to replace once donors by repeat donors. Psychological effects of blood donation on frequent and infrequent clients having referred to different blood collection centers in Tehran were considered to be the aim of this study. In the course of this analytic cross-sectional study the standard questionnaire of GHQ was utilized to measure mental health of the participants. All of the donors who had referred to blood collection centers in Tehran during 2004-2005 formed the participants of this research. Data were analyzed with Chi-square, t-test and Man Withney test. Nine hundred thirty five frequent and 749 infrequent donors filled the questionnaire. The level of anxiety and depression in repeated donors was also lower than the other group. The individuals who attempt on blood donation for the first time report their health and physical conditions at a completely acceptable level in order to be accepted as an eligible candidate; however, it is not the same for constant donors, as they do not benefit from this. The return rate of blood donors is very low in case of individuals suffering from high stress. Religious beliefs and the feeling of being beneficial to the society are considered to be important factors both in motivating people to repeat blood donation and protecting against depression. The results of the present study upon publication will also encourage donors to repeat their behavior

Survey of the time and order of eruption of permanent teeth of 4 to 14 years Torkman children in Gonbad Kavous City, 2003

Exfoliation of deciduous teeth and eruption of permanent teeth are an important stage for child's parent and dentist. The purposes of this study are: 1] to determine the mean and range of the times and sequence of eruption of permanent teeth in Turkman children, 2] to determine the relationship between eruption of permanent teeth with age and gender. In this analytical and cross-sectional study 1365 [681 boys and 684 girls] 4-14 years old Turkman children from schools of Gonbad Kavoos City were selected randomly and examined. If a tooth was observed in oral cavity, it meant eruption. The time and sequence of eruption was recorded in a questionnaire. The data were analyzed by SPSS software and t test analysis. The first erupted-teeth were lower central incisors and first molars in girls and last erupted-teeth were upper second molars in boys. The sequence of eruption in girls was in boys. Most of the lower permanent teeth erupted earlier than upper teeth; only for the first premolars in boys, earlier eruption in upper jaw [than lower jaw] was statistically significant. Only for upper canines in girls, difference between mean eruption times in two sides of jaws was statistically significant. Most of the permanent teeth erupted earlier in girls than boys; only for upper central incisors, earlier eruption in boys [than girls] was statistically significant. Permanent teeth in Turkman children erupt later than Lysell's and Hurme's standard tables. In Turkman children the median of eruption time in some teeth is more and in some teeth is less than Tehranian children and in some teeth is equal