An in vitro study into three different PRF preparations for osteogenesis potential.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of Advanced Platelet-Rich Fibrin (A-PRF+), Leukocyte Platelet-Rich Fibrin (L-PRF), and injectable Platelet-Rich Fibrin (i-PRF) on osteogenesis of a human osteoblast-like cell line in vitro. BACKGROUND: Different PRF protocols are used in clinical dentistry in the last years. Recent literature documented the positive impact of PRF derivatives in vivo and in vitro, on different types of cells. However, hardly any literature comparing the new protocols for PRF (the A-PRF+ and i-PRF) with the original protocol of PRF (L-PRF) is present for osteoblast-like cells. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A-PRF+, L-PRF, and i-PRF were prepared from six male donors and pre-cultured with 10 mL culture medium for 6 days. 5 x 103  cells/ml osteoblasts from the osteoblast cell line (U2OS) were seeded and cultured either with conditioned medium derived from the different PRF conditions or with regular culture medium. At five different time points (0, 7, 14, 21, 28 days), the osteogenic capacity of the cells was assessed with Alizarin Red S to visualize mineralization. Also in these cells, the calcium concentration and alkaline phosphatase activity were investigated. Using qPCR, the expression of alkaline phosphatase, osteocalcin, osteonectin, ICAM-1, RUNX-2, and collagen 1a was assessed. RESULTS: In osteoblast-like cells cultured with conditioned medium, the A-PRF+ conditioned medium induced more mineralization and calcium production after 28 days of culturing compared with the control (p < .05). No significant differences were found in the extent of cell proliferation between the different conditions. RUNX-2 and osteonectin mRNA expression in the cells were lower in all PRF-stimulated cultures compared with control at different time points. The i-PRF-conditioned medium induced more ALP activity (p < .05) compared with control and osteoblasts-like cells differentiated more compared with osteoblasts cultured with L-PRF. CONCLUSIONS: The three PRF preparations seem to have the capacity to increase the osteogenic potential of osteoblast-like cells. A-PRF+ seems to have the highest potential for mineralization, while i-PRF seems to have the potential to enhance early cell differentiation.

Prevalence of myths concerning growth and health of children among females of local population of Pakistan.

OBJECTIVE: To analyse the prevalence of myths among women regarding growth and health-related issues of children, and to study the impact of basic demographic factors in this regard. METHODS: The educational, cross-sectional, descriptive study was carried out at the Combined Military Hospital, Peshawar, Pakistan, from January 2016 to January 2017. It comprised women reporting to paediatric outpatient clinics, and the subjects were selected using convenience sampling. A self-designed questionnaire was used which contained demographic details and 15 closed-ended questions encompassing common myths concerning child health-related issues. Total answers given by a client as YES (beliefs in myths) were grouped as >50% YES or <50% YES; and was cross-tabulated with independent variables. SPSS21was used for statistical analysis. RESULTS: Of the 422 subjects, 301(71.3%) believed in the existence of 'Garam' foods. Overall, 278(65.9%) subjects had <50% YES, and 144(34.1%) had >50% YES answers. Three most commonly believed myths were: a neonate must be tied for better growth 281(66.6%), 'Garam' food should not be given to children in summers 225(53.3%), and diseases like 'Kala Yarqaan' are transmitted through lactation 223(52.8%). There was a significant impact of education (p<0.001) and regional background (p=0.006) on predilection for harbouring myths. There was no significant impact of age (p=0.415), marital status (p=0.790) or socio-economic class (p=0.196) on the matter. CONCLUSIONS: Significant prevalence of myths pertinent to children's health-related issues among ladies was observed. The lacunae identified must be aptly addressed at clinical level as well as via lectures and seminars.

Reproductive health issues in Pakistan; do myths take precedence over medical evidence?

OBJECTIVE: To analyse the prevalence of myths pertinent to healthcare issues of females of reproductive age. METHODS: This cross-sectional, simple descriptive, knowledge, attitude and practices-education research was conducted at the Combined Military Hospital, Peshawar, Pakistan, from February to August 2016. A 30-item self-designed questionnaire was applied, collecting demographic details and answers to 21 close-ended questions encompassing the prevalence of myths pertinent to reproductive health issues of women in Pakistan.Every question had three options, Yes(myth), No(correct answer) and Don't Know(unsure). SPSS 21 was used for data analysis. RESULTS: There were 594 participants in the study. The overall mean age was 35.11±12.711 years and the mean duration of education was 9.41±6.353 years. Besides, >50% answers positive for myths and <50% answers positive for myths were given by 326(54.9%) and 268(45.1%) respondents, respectively. The prevalence of myths was directly proportional to age (p=0.004), and inversely proportional to education (p<0.001) and socio-economic class(p<0.001); impact of education was stronger than socio-economic class(Pearson's chi-square being 74.189 and 48.672, respectively). Khyber Pakhtunkhwa-based respondents harboured more myths (p=0.024). There was no significant impact of marital status (p=0.099). CONCLUSIONS: The participants held significant amount of myths regarding health issues in reproductive age.