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Background: Tele‐dentistry can be useful for dental caries screening of children, especially in lower‐middle‐income countries (LMICs). Aim: To evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of mobile phone photographs taken by a community health worker (CHW) for caries detection in Iran. Design: Children aged 6–12 years were visually examined by a paediatric dentist. Following dental examinations, intraoral photographs were taken by a trained CHW. Two remote dentists assessed intraoral photographs for dental caries. Diagnostic accuracy of tele‐dentistry for caries detection was evaluated. In addition, the questionnaire about oral health and parents' views towards tele‐dentistry was prepared. Results: One hundred thirty‐one children aged 8.74 ± 1.62 years participated. The caries prevalence was 30% for the whole dentition. Tele‐dentistry demonstrated high accuracy, with a sensitivity exceeding 80% and specificity exceeding 90%. The inter‐rater reliability for remote dentists' assessments to the gold standard dental examination ranged from substantial to almost perfect (kappa: 75%–93%). Additionally, 80% of parents whose children participated in this study had positive views towards tele‐dentistry. Conclusion: Tele‐dentistry was shown to be an alternative approach to clinical examinations for caries detection among school children. Employing non‐dental care professionals in tele‐dentistry has been emerged as a reliable and cost‐effective approach, especially in LMICs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A methodology to study statistical properties of anomalous transport in fusion plasma is investigated. Three time traces generated by the full-f gyrokinetic code GKNET are analyzed for this purpose. The time traces consist of heat flux as a function of the radial position, which is studied in a novel manner using statistical methods. The simulation data exhibit transport processes with both medium and long correlation length along the radius. A typical example of a phenomenon with long correlation length is avalanches. In order to investigate the evolution of the turbulent state, two basic configurations are studied, one flux-driven and one gradient-driven with decaying turbulence. The information length concept in tandem with Boltzmann–Gibbs and Tsallis entropy is used in the investigation. It is found that the dynamical states in both flux-driven and gradient-driven cases are surprisingly similar, but the Tsallis entropy reveals differences between them. This indicates that the types of probability distribution function are nevertheless quite different since the higher moments are significantly different. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study compares two diets, Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) and a Low-Calorie Diet on Trimethylamine N-oxide (TMAO) levels and gut microbiota. 120 obese adults were randomly allocated to these three groups: a low-calorie DASH diet, a Low-Calorie diet, or a control group for 12 weeks. Outcomes included plasma TMAO, lipopolysaccharides (LPS), and gut microbiota profiles. After the intervention, the low-calorie DASH diet group demonstrated a greater decrease in TMAO levels (-20 ± 8.1 vs. −10.63 ± 4.6 μM) and a significant decrease in LPS concentration (-19.76 ± 4.2 vs. −5.68 ± 2.3) compared to the low-calorie diet group. Furthermore, the low-calorie DASH diet showed a higher decrease in the Firmicutes and Bactericides (F/B) ratio, which influenced TMAO levels, compared to the Low-Calorie diet (p = 0.028). The current study found the low-calorie DASH diet improves TMAO and LPS in comparison to a Low-Calorie diet. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nanofiber technology has attracted great attention in many research and applications area because of its unique physicochemical properties and characteristics such as high surface area compared to bulk material. This property provides better cell adhesion and drug and protein loading. In addition, their fabrication from a wide range of polymers with different properties makes them excellent candidates for smart delivery systems. In this chapter, first different external stimuli-responsive nanofibers such as thermo-, magnet-, pH-, electrically-, biomolecule-, and multiresponsive are explained. Then their biomedical applications such as wound dressings, drug delivery systems, cell scaffolds, and diagnosis are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Gankyrin has a household function in essentially all cells by acting as a chaperone in the assembly of the 26S proteasome, but also functions as a tumor-promoting protein by antagonizing the tumor suppressors retinoblastoma protein, p16, and p53. While gankyrin is overexpressed in many neoplasms outside the skin, its expression in normal skin and cutaneous neoplasms has not been reported previously. We studied the expression of gankyrin in archival human formalin-fixed tissues of cutaneous neoplasms by immunohistochemistry with a monoclonal antibody, and found gankyrin to be overexpressed in 3 of 20 squamous cell carcinomas, none of 10 basal cell carcinomas, 13 of 18 melanocytic nevi, and 7 of 10 melanomas, in many cases with a predominantly nuclear location. Normal epidermal melanocytes expressed gankyrin to a lesser extent than neoplastic melanocytes. The overexpression in the in situ stage of squamous cell carcinoma and in melanocytic nevi suggests that gankyrin acts as a tumor-promoting protein in the early stages of the transition from normal to neoplastic cells. The frequent overexpression of gankyrin in melanocytic neoplasms is significant because it antagonizes the tumor suppressor, p16, which is strongly expressed in melanocytic nevi and some melanomas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chronic nasal crusting is a commonly encountered entity in an otolaryngology office. Progressive, extensive nasal crusting with erosion is relatively unusual, however. We present the case a 58-year-old renal transplant patient with a history of vasculitis and immunosuppression who presents with subjective headache and facial pain, nasal crusting, and isolated left ethmoid sinusitis. She developed extensive intranasal necrosis and underwent multiple endoscopic sinus surgeries with intraoperative biopsies, which played a critical role in her workup and eventual diagnosis of Acanthamoeba rhinosinusitis. Although she endured a difficult course, proper diagnosis and treatment allowed for her recovery over time. The differential diagnosis for intranasal necrosis is often broad. This case highlights the wide range of etiologies to be considered in a patient with extensive nasal crusting and erosion/necrosis, and the importance of thorough diagnostic evaluation in these patients, especially those in an immunocompromised state. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Wound healing is a complicated process requiring appropriate environment to accelerate healing process. In the recent years, many wound dressings have been developed for treating various kinds of wounds. In this study, we aimed to develop a novel dressing with high ability of burn wound healing and minimum side effects. Carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) based hydrogels containing Hypericum perforatum were developed by grafting methacrylic acid and acrylamide onto CMC to produce a good mechanical strength dressing. Covalent crosslinking, which is responsible for stable mechanical structure, led to a 3D structure with appropriate water vapor transmission rate (2950 g/m2/day), controlled drug release (33% in 78 h), and great burn healing ability (almost complete healing in 10 day). The hydrogel has proper antimicrobial activity against the tested microorganisms. Zone of inhibition against E.coli was the higher in comparison with S. aureus and Candida. Minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) for C. albicans, S. aureus, and E. coli were as 6, 4, and 5 mg/ml of H. perforatum. In vivo experiments on rats revealed that wound healing process by loaded hydrogels was faster in comparison with control group. All the results indicated that prepared hydrogel has the capability to accelerate burn wound healing process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although health is mostly determined by socio-political factors, the need for providing reliable health recommendations to the public should not be neglected. There has been a considerable void in delivering evidence-informed oral health recommendations in Iran; whilst there is a significant gap in oral health knowledge among socioeconomic classes, recommendations are neither fully compatible with each other nor up-to-date. To fill in this void, we started Dahaan (meaning "mouth" in Persian) with the aim of providing the latest easily accessed evidence-informed dentistry recommendations and advocating dental public health in the Iranian community. In this paper, we as the authors present the performance and achievements of this group, which is a member of the NCD Alliance and the Informed Health Choices project with a reasonable number of readers across the country, and illustrate the way ahead towards our goals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: While evidence has been a highlight that obesity may be associated with the increased incidence of Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), these data have depended on defective measures of obesity such as body mass index (BMI), and usually have not the well-known relationship between body composition with NAFLD. METHODS: In a case-control study of people aged 20– 65 years, we directly measured body composition (using bioelectrical impedance analysis), height, weight, and waist and hip circumferences who referred to radiology clinics in Kermanshah, Iran. Dietary intake was assessed by the food frequency questionnaire (FFQ). RESULTS: Among 221 people examined, 103 cases with NAFLD and 119 as control were established. The risk of NAFLD was positively associated with higher BMI and the components of the body composition. These associations were strengthened after adjusting for potential confounders including gender, age, marital status, education, smoking, alcohol consumption, and physical activity CONCLUSION: An increasing prevalence of obesity may be associated with the increasing incidence of NAFLD as observed in many populations. We observed an increased risk of NAFLD associated with increased BMI, central adiposity, and the fat component of weight, but found no association with nonfat mass. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A case of a well-demarcated plaque measuring 11 cm without satellites of several years' duration is presented. It showed typical histologic findings of dermatofibroma, prompting a diagnosis of plaque-like dermatofibroma. The relationship to multiple clustered dermatofibromas and plaque-like myofibroblastic tumor is discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The healing of wounds is still a challenging clinical problem for which an efficient and fast treatment is needed. Therefore, recent studies have created a new generation of wound dressings that can accelerate the wound healing process with minimal side effects. Chitosan, a natural biopolymer, is an attractive candidate for preparing biocompatible dressings. The biodegradability, non-toxicity, and antibacterial activities of chitosan have made it a promising biopolymer for treating wounds. Graphene oxide has also been considered by researchers as a non-toxic, inexpensive, and biocompatible material for wound healing applications. This review paper discusses the potential use of chitosan/graphene oxide composite films and their application in wound dressing and drug delivery systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chitosan‐based hydrogels involving γ‐cyclodextrin inclusion compounds of thyme oil were prepared by freeze–thaw cycling method. Clinoptilolite as a natural zeolite was added to investigate its effects on the structural, mechanical, and drug release behaviors of the hydrogels. Zeolite compressed the structure and improved mechanical properties, which decreased swelling values. Release of thyme oil in prepared hydrogels were investigated by UV spectroscopy and drug release mechanism was evaluated by applying various mathematical methods. Rates of water vapor transmission of the samples were calculated as 2247–2998 g m−2 day−1 which are all in the range of an ideal wound dressing. Hydrogels with clinoptilolite had slower drug release (from 56% to 24% for hydrogels containing zeolite 1%) in comparison with that of without zeolite. Based on MTT assay, samples were low‐toxic. Obtained results suggest that drug loaded hydrogels can be applied in biomedical field including drug delivery systems and wound dressings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Digital mucous cyst (DMC) is histopathologically characterized by accumulation of mucin in the dermis. Some cases of DMC also show epidermal mucin, the histopathologic appearance and staining properties of which have not been described in detail. Methods: A total of 24 cases of DMC were investigated by routine hematoxylin‐eosin (H&E) and Alcian blue stains in addition to AE1/AE3 immunohistochemistry. Results: Nine out of the 24 cases of DMC showed epidermal mucin. As the epidermal mucin migrates upward within the epidermis, it transforms from a flocculent granular substance into one or several solid horizontal plugs with a more homogeneous appearance and incorporates cytoplasmic fragments of keratinocytes/corneocytes. The homogeneous mucin plugs stain eosinophilic or amphophilic with an H&E formulation using hematoxylin 7212 and basophilic with Gill 3 or Harris's hematoxylin. The eosinophilic staining is enhanced when the eosin solution contains phloxine. Conclusions: The variably eosinophilic, amphophilic, or basophilic staining of epidermal mucin can be explained by its composition of basophilic mucin and eosinophilic debris from cytoplasmic fragments. The eosinophilic staining of mucin has not been reported before and can be diagnostically important because it may be mistaken for serum exudate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hydrogels derived from natural polysaccharides are ideal scaffolds for use in biomedical applications. pH‐sensitive polyvinyl alcohol and chitosan hydrogels containing inclusion compounds of thyme oil (TM) with host methyl‐β‐cyclodextrin (MβCD) and hydroxypropyl‐β‐cyclodextrin (HβCD) and TM nanoemulsion (TM‐nano) were prepared via controlled, biocompatible and low cost freeze–thaw method. The structure of the hydrogels was characterized by Fourier transform IR spectroscopy and optical and scanning electron microscopy. The physicochemical properties of the hydrogels such as gel fraction, swelling ratio and tensile properties were measured. The water vapor transmission rate of the hydrogels indicated that they can maintain a moist environment over the wound bed. Encapsulation and release of antibacterial TM from the hydrogels were determined by UV spectroscopy. In all cases, hydrogels with lower amounts of TM evidenced slower and more controlled release. Different kinetic models were applied for evaluating the drug release mechanism. The antibacterial activity of the samples was studied by counting the number of both Gram‐negative and Gram‐positive bacteria surviving in a broth medium and the results proved the antibacterial activity of all prepared hydrogels. The results of an MTT (3‐(4,5‐dimethylthiazol‐2yl)‐2,5‐diphenyltetrazolium bromide) assay indicated more cell viability of TM‐nano hydrogels in comparison with those of TM‐βCD inclusion compounds. Cell attachment observations also showed great biocompatibility of TM‐nano hydrogels. The prepared hydrogels, especially those containing TM‐nano, might be used as potential wound dressings to improve the wound healing process. © 2019 Society of Chemical Industry [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Biomedical industries are attempting to utilize natural materials, as they are bio-compatible, non-toxic, and show bioactive properties, like antimicrobial activity. In this study, natural polyelectrolyte complexed chitosan/alginate films (PECs) were prepared via a casting/solvent evaporation technique, and their characteristics and drug release properties were investigated. PEC films made with two different overall polymer contents, 0.4 and 1 w/v%, were loaded with thyme oil nanoemulsion as drug carrier. The structure of the films was studied by FTIR and optical and scanning electron microscopy. Prepared PEC films had good mechanical and water vapor permeability properties. Release of the thyme oil from the pH-sensitive PEC films (TM-PEC) was detected and followed by UV spectroscopy. The results indicated that the drug release rate of TM-PEC films was the fastest when the chitosan content was 1 %w/v, and various mathematical models were analyzed for investigating the drug release mechanism. Antibacterial tests were performed by counting the number of surviving gram-negative and gram-positive bacteria. The in vitro test indicated the limitation Escherichia coli (E. coli) and Staphylococcus aureus (S.aureus) growth in the presence of TM-PEC films. The MTT test showed more cell viability of the TM-PEC film in comparison with that of the PEC film without TM. Based on the measured physical and antibacterial properties, the chitosan–alginate PEC films loaded with antibacterial essential oils can be considered for biomedical applications, such as wound dressings or controlled release systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

PES-based nanofiltration membranes were prepared by phase inversion method. Fe3O4 nanoparticles with a constant concentration and sodium citrate in different concentration were incorporated into the PES. The membranes were characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), Field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), EDX dot mapping and Atomic force microscope (AFM) analysis. Physico-chemical, antifouling properties, and separation performance of the fabricated membranes were investigated by the contact angle, pure water flux (PWF), Na2SO4 rejection and flux recovery ratio (FRR%). The membrane porosity and mean pore size enhanced for the modified membranes compared the bare membrane. The PWF sharply improved from 16 L/m2h in the bare membrane to 47 L/m2h at 0.5 wt% Fe3O4 and 0.3 wt% sodium citrate (M5). The highest salt rejection obtained was 68%, while it was 61% for the bare membrane. Better dispersion of Fe3O4 nanoparticles into the casting solution with outstanding antifouling properties was observed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Hydro-distillation (HD) method is a traditional technique which is used in most industrial companies. Microwave-assisted Hydro-distillation (MAHD) is an advanced HD technique utilizing a microwave oven in the extraction process. Methods: In this research, MAHD of essential oils from the aerial parts (leaves) of rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis L.) was studied and the results were compared with those of the conventional HD in terms of extraction time, extraction efficiency, chemical composition, quality of the essential oils and cost of the operation. Results: Microwave hydro-distillation was superior in terms of saving energy and extraction time (30 min, compared to 90 min in HD). Chromatography was used for quantity analysis of the essential oils composition. Quality of essential oil improved in MAHD method due to an increase of 17% in oxygenated compounds. Conclusion: Consequently, microwave hydro-distillation can be used as a substitute of traditional hydro-distillation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The role of the phase dynamics in turbulence is investigated. As a demonstration of the importance of the phase dynamics, a simplified system is used, namely the one-dimensional Burgers equation, which is evolved numerically. The system is forced via a known external force, with two components that are added into the evolution equations of the amplitudes and the phase of the Fourier modes, separately. In this way, we are able to control the impact of the force on the dynamics of the phases. In the absence of the direct forcing in the phase equation, it is observed that the phases are not stochastic as assumed in the Random Phase Approximation (RPA) models, and in contrast, the non-linear couplings result in intermittent locking of the phases to ± π/2. The impact of the force, applied purely on the phases, is to increase the occurrence of the phase locking events in which the phases of the modes in a wide k range are now locked to ± π/2, leading to a change in the dynamics of both phases and amplitudes, with a significant localization of the real space flow structures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]