Evaluation of vitamin D deficiency and low bone mass in children with asthma in fars province: A case-control study.

Background and Aims: Asthma is a chronic inflammatory pulmonary disease which affects 10%-20% of children and adolescents. Inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) is one of its most effective therapies. The effect of systemic corticosteroids on decreasing bone mineral density (BMD) was investigated and proved in children; however, the influence of ICSs on bone density has still remained unclear. This study evaluates the bone mineral density of children and adolescents with asthma in southern Iran and the associated factors, for example, amount of used inhaled steroid. Method: This case-control study enrolled 41 children and adolescents (aged 8-18 years) with asthma and their age and gender-matched controls in 2019-2020. Serum Calcium, phosphate, vitamin D, and bone mineral density were measured. Their physical activity, sun exposure, and fracture history were evaluated subjectively. Results: Lumbar BMD and BMD Z-score in patients showed no significant difference with controls (p = 0.23, p = 0.73). Also, it showed that there was no significant difference in biochemical studies, growth, and bone densitometry parameters between patients who used ICSs for less than 3 months/year corticosteroid therapy compared to those with equal or more than 3 months/year usage. Prevalence of vitamin D deficiency was 28% and 8% in the controls and patients, respectively (p = 0.005). Conclusion: The present study showed that 9.46% of children and adolescents with asthma had low bone mass for chronological age, and it is not significantly higher than normal population. Dosage of inhaled steroid did not associate with osteoporosis in these patients. Prevalence of vitamin D deficiency in patients was lower than normal population, probably due to receiving vitamin D in their routine follow-ups.

Evaluation of the effects of postprocessing settings in digital bitewing radiographs on proximal caries detection.

OBJECTIVE: Radiographs are an integral part of detecting proximal caries. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of contrast, brightness, noise, sharpness, and γ adjustment of digital intraoral radiographs on the diagnosis of proximal caries. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this in vitro study, 40 extracted teeth including 20 premolars and 20 molars with enamel lesions (white spot or dentin discoloration seen through the enamel) were mounted together in groups of eight inside the skull. Bitewing radiographic images of each dental group were obtained by a photostimulable phosphor plate sensor with exposure conditions of 8 mA, 70 kV, and 0.2 s. The images were reconstructed by the built-in software and examined by two oral and maxillofacial radiologists in various settings of contrast, brightness, sharpness, noise, and γ. The teeth were then cut mesiodistally and the presence or absence of caries was confirmed by an oral and maxillofacial pathologist using a stereomicroscope. The data were then analyzed using the κ agreement coefficient, sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy (α = .05). RESULTS: Adjustment of brightness and contrast led to higher diagnostic performance with an accuracy of 82.5% and 83.8 (for observers 1 and 2, respectively) and 82.5% (for both observers), respectively. Noise adjustment was the least helpful approach for diagnosis of proximal dental caries among other adjustments, with an accuracy of 78.8% and 77.5% for observers 1 and 2, respectively. CONCLUSION: Brightness and contrast setting was more efficient in improving the diagnostic potential of bitewing radiographs compared to other adjustments.

Risk assessment of the work-related musculoskeletal disorders based on individual characteristics using path analysis models.

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to assess the risk of work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs) using the path analysis models. METHODS: This study was carried out on 350 office employees with good general health. All variables were collected using a questionnaire. Personality traits and mental workload of employees were evaluated using the NEO Personality Inventory and the NASA-task load index software, respectively. The individual and personality traits were used as predictor variables, and mental workload (MWL) and body posture scores as mediating variables of the musculoskeletal discomforts. The role of predictor and mediating variables on discomforts was explained based on the path analysis models. RESULTS: The impact coefficient of MWL and posture on WMSDs was significant. The coefficient of the direct effect of body mass index (BMI) and gender on musculoskeletal disorders was significant and positive and the women have reported a higher rate of discomforts. The strongest positive impact of personality traits on MWL and posture was conscientiousness, followed by neuroticism and agreeableness. In return, the strongest negative impact was extroversion, followed by openness. The strongest positive impact of individual factors on MWL and posture was BMI, followed by work experience. CONCLUSION: Gender, BMI, neuroticism, extraversion, and conscientiousness can be strong predictors for musculoskeletal discomforts which can mediate the impact of body posture and mental workload (mediating factors) on musculoskeletal discomfort. Therefore, personality and individual traits can be strong alarming and indicators for risk identification and preventing musculoskeletal disorders when choosing people for a job or task.