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This paper deploys movement-related cortical potential (MRCP), an electroencephalogram (EEG)-derived time-domain pattern, to assess the effect of robot-assisted motor training in seven post-stroke patients with hand impairment. Patients are divided into two groups of four subjects with supratentorial lesions and a group of three subjects with infratentorial lesions. Both groups participate in multiple-session motor training for their affected hand with an AMADEO rehabilitation robot. During pre- and post-training periods, three assessment procedures which include EEG signals derived from eight specific electrodes, hand-kinematic parameters, and clinical tests are performed. After four weeks of training, the negative peak of the MRCP signals shows a decrease across all electrodes and reaches significance in seven out of the eight electrodes for the first group according to paired t-test ( $p < 0.05$ ). Whereas for the second group, the MRCP signal shows a decrease in its negative peak across all electrodes and reaches significance in two of the eight electrodes (paired t-test, $p < 0.05$ ) after eight weeks. Moreover, these MRCP changes show a positive association with improvements in kinematic parameters and clinical test results for both groups. Hence, this study shows that improvement of clinical outcomes in robot-assisted training is associated with a reduction in the amplitude of the MRCP signal. Furthermore, infratentorial stroke patients show a slower clinical improvement and require longer rehabilitation to produce significant changes in MRCP compared to subjects with supratentorial stroke.

Objectives: Cleft lip and palate (CLP) is a congenital anomaly that affects not only the patients but also their family members and companions. Identifying the problems encountered by patients with CLP and their families can greatly help clinicians in efficient treatment planning to obviate the treatment needs and promote the quality of life of patients. This study aimed to determine the experiences of the parents of children with CLP undergoing orthodontic treatment. Methods: This study was conducted based on descriptive phenomenology using the Colaizzi’s 7-step analysis method of phenomenological data. The private orthodontic clinics of Kermanshah city were evaluated in this study. The participants included the parents of children with CLP younger than 15 years who had presented to the clinics seeking orthodontic treatment. In-depth semistructured interviews with open-ended questions were used to collect information regarding the experiences of parents in this process. The collected data were analyzed using the Colaizzi’s 7-step analysis. Results: Qualitative analysis of the interviews yielded 271 codes, 18 subthemes, 7 themes, and 3 main themes including fatigue (exhaustion, helplessness, and incompetence), self-reliance (mutual support and empathy), and the need for social support (counseling services and citizenship rights). Conclusion: In general, the results revealed that parents of children with CLP under orthodontic treatment are vulnerable due to their previous adverse experiences in the course of treatment of their children and need support in several physical, psychological, social and spiritual domains.

Purpose The diagnosis of chronic rhinosinusitis requires a comprehensive knowledge of the signs and symptoms of the disease and an accurate radiographic assessment. Computed tomography (CT) is the superior imaging modality for diagnosis of chronic rhinosinusitis. However, considering the lower dose and higher resolution of cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) compared to CT, this study aimed to assess the agreement between the findings of CBCT and functional endoscopic sinus surgery (FESS). Materials and methods This descriptive prospective study evaluated 49 patients with treatment-resistant chronic rhinosinusitis who were candidates for FESS. Preoperative CBCT scans were obtained before patients underwent FESS. The agreement between the CBCT findings and those of FESS was determined using the kappa correlation coefficient. The frequency of anatomical variations of the paranasal sinuses was also evaluated on CBCT scans. Results Significant agreement existed between pathological findings on CBCT scans and those of FESS, such that the kappa correlation coefficient was 1 for mucosal thickening, 0.644 for nasal deviation, 0.750 for concha bullosa, 0.918 for nasal polyp, 0.935 for ostiomeatal complex (OMC) obstruction, and 0.552 for infundibulum thickening. Furthermore, 95.9% of patients had 1 or more and 79.6% had 2 or more anatomical variations, of which nasal deviation was the most common (67.3%). Conclusion Considering the significant agreement between the findings of CBCT and FESS for the detection of pathological changes in the paranasal sinuses, CBCT can be used prior to FESS to detect chronic rhinosinusitis and to assess anatomical variations of the OMC.

Objectives. This study aimed to assess the buccolingual inclination of canine and first and second molar teeth and the curve of Wilson in different sagittal skeletal patterns in untreated adults using cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT). Materials and Methods. Sixty-six CBCT scans of adults (mean age: 28.74 ± 5.25 years) were evaluated in this cross-sectional study. The images were standardized using the Frankfurt horizontal plane and the interorbital line. The sagittal skeletal pattern was determined using the ANB angle and Wits appraisal. Inclination angles were measured by NNT Viewer and Mimics software. The curve of Wilson was measured by connecting the tips of mesiobuccal and mesiolingual cusps of maxillary first and second molars along the buccal groove and measuring the formed angle. Data were analyzed using ANOVA. Results. The intraobserver agreement was 0.969. The mean inclination of maxillary first and second molars in class I and III patients was significantly higher than that in class II patients P < 0.05 . The mean inclination of mandibular first and second molars in class II patients was significantly higher than that in class I and III patients P < 0.05 . The difference in inclination of maxillary and mandibular canine teeth was not significant P > 0.05 . The mean curve of Wilson in second molars of class II patients was significantly higher than that in class I patients P < 0.05 . Conclusion. In different sagittal skeletal patterns, a compensatory relationship exists between the opposing teeth, which, along with the standards of crowns, can be used to determine the appropriate position of teeth in dental arch.

Increased multidrug resistant (MDR) bacteria are considered one of the most challenging problems of the present century. The present study aimed to identify the optimum conditions for synthesis of Polyhydroxybutyrate-Co3O4 bionanocomposite with the highest antibacterial activity via in situ synthesis. Nine experiments with different amounts of polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB) biopolymer and Co3O4 nanoparticles and different stirring times were designed using Taguchi method. The antibacterial activity of synthesized nanocomposites against Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli was evaluated using colony forming units (CFU) and disc diffusion methods. The characterizations of products were studied by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy (UV–vis), X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and differential thermal analysis (DTA). The synthesized bionanocomposites completely prevented the growth of bacteria under the conditions of experiments 5 (Co3O4 4 mg/ml, PHB 1 mg/ml and stirring time: 90 min) and 9 (Co3O4 8 mg/ml, PHB 2 mg/ml and stirring time: 60 min). The results showed that nanocomposite formation improved structural properties, thermal stability and antibacterial activity. PHB-Co3O4 bionanocomposite can be used in various fields of pharmacy, medicine and dentistry due to its desirable antibacterial properties.

Background Considering the increasing popularity of electronic learning, particularly smartphone-based mobile learning, and its reportedly optimal efficacy for instruction of complicated topics, this study aimed to compare the efficacy of smartphone-based mobile learning versus lecture-based learning for instruction of cephalometric landmark identification. Methods This quasi-experimental interventional study evaluated 53 dental students (4th year) in two groups of intervention (n = 27; smartphone instruction using an application) and control (n = 26, traditional lecture-based instruction). Two weeks after the instructions, dental students were asked to identify four landmarks namely the posterior nasal spine (PNS), orbitale (Or), articulare (Ar) and gonion (Go) on lateral cephalograms. The mean coordinates of each landmark identified by orthodontists served as the reference point, and the mean distance from each identified point to the reference point was reported as the mean consistency while the standard deviation of this mean was reported as the precision of measurement. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 18 via independent sample t-test. Results No significant difference was noted between the two groups in identification of PNS, Ar or Go (P > 0.05). However, the mean error rate in identification of Or was significantly lower in smartphone group compared with the traditional learning group (P = 0.020). Conclusions Smartphone-based mobile learning had a comparable, and even slightly superior, efficacy to lecture-based learning for instruction of cephalometric landmark identification, and may be considered, at least as an adjunct, to enhance the instruction of complicated topics. Trial registration number This is not a human subject research. https://ethics.research.ac.ir/ProposalCertificateEn.php?id=33714&Print=true&NoPrintHeader=true&NoPrintFooter=true&NoPrintPageBorder=true&LetterPrint=true.

AIMS: This study aimed to translate the psychosocial impact of dental esthetics questionnaire (PIDAQ) to Farsi and assess its cultural adaptation, validity, and reproducibility. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The PIDAQ was translated to Farsi by experts fluent in Farsi and English. It was then back-translated to English by another expert blinded to the original version. The translated version was administered among 40 patients to assess its face validity and content validity. Final version of the questionnaire along with the index of orthodontic treatment need (IOTN) and the perception of occlusion scale (POS) was administered among 400 patients (224 females, 176 males) to assess their need for orthodontic treatment. To assess its validity, the mean score of PIDAQ was evaluated in different ranges of IOTN-esthetic component (IOTN-AC), IOTN-dental health component (DHC), and POS. To assess its convergent validity, the PIDAQ, IOTN-AC, IOTN-DHC, and POS scores were evaluated. Its construct validity was evaluated by confirmatory and exploratory factor analysis. Its internal consistency was evaluated using Cronbach’s alpha and the split-half method. Its test-retest reliability was evaluated by calculating the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC). RESULTS: The Cronbach’s alpha was found to be 0.900–0.945 for the questionnaire domains, which showed good reliability. The ICC for the four questionnaire domains was 0.926, which was excellent. IOTN-DHC, IOTN-AC, and POS had significant correlations with the questionnaire domains. CONCLUSIONS: The Farsi version of PIDAQ has optimal validity and reliability and can be used for assessment of the dental esthetics-related quality of life of Iranian young adults.

Introduction Achieving a balanced, attractive smile is an important goal in contemporary orthodontics. This study aimed to assess the smile attractiveness of Persian women after orthodontic treatment. Methods In this descriptive-analytical study, frontal-view photographs were taken of posed smiles of 100 Persian women 3 months after completion of their orthodontic treatment. A total of 153 laypeople aged over 15 years were requested to score each smile in terms of attractiveness using a visual analogue scale (1-10). Next, 25 photographs that acquired the lowest score (group A) and 25 photographs that acquired the highest score (group B) were chosen and evaluated by 3 orthodontists regarding parameters related to an attractive smile. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 18. Results The mean buccal corridor space in group A was significantly greater than that in group B (P = 0.004). The correlation of lip line and study group was significant such that 60% of patients in group B had a moderate lip line (P = 0.005). The difference in other parameters was not significant between the 2 groups (P >0.05). Conclusions The buccal corridor space and lip line are important factors affecting smile attractiveness of Persian women. According to the opinion of the laypeople, smaller buccal corridor space and moderate lip line yield a more attractive smile. Thus, these parameters should be taken into account in the orthodontic treatment of Persian women.

This study aimed to evaluate the effect of bleaching with carbamide peroxide (CP) according to different doses and intervals between bleaching and bonding on shear bond strength (SBS) of orthodontic brackets.Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, PubMed, and Scopus were searched for articles published up to June 2018. After removing the duplicates, two of the authors screened the titles and abstracts independently. Assessing the eligibility of the selected full texts was also conducted by two of the authors independently. Disagreements were resolved by discussion. Modified version of Cochrane's risk of bias tool was used to assess the quality of studies. Fifteen studies were selected.Overall, bleaching with CP decreased the SBS by around 2MPa (P0.0001). Using 10% CP decreased the SBS of the immediately bonded brackets by 5.13MPa (P0.005). This value was 1.67MPa when the bonding procedure was postponed by one day (P0.0001). Postponing the bonding procedure for longer periods did not cause a statistically significant change in SBS. Using 11-16% CP, the reduction in SBS of the immediately bonded brackets was 8.51MPa (P0.01). The SBS decreased by 4.12MPa when the bonding procedure was postponed for 20days (P0.05). According to one study, use of CP with16% concentration seemed not to affect the SBS.Bleaching with CP decreases the SBS, especially if the bracket bonding is performed shortly after bleaching. However, given the small number of articles interpretation should be made with caution.

The bag-of-visual words (BOVWs) have been recognised as an effective mean of representing images for image classification. However, its reliance on a visual codebook developed using handcrafted image feature extraction algorithms and vector quantisation via k -means clustering often results in significant computational overhead, and poor classification accuracies. Therefore, this study presents an adaptive BOVW modelling, in which image feature extraction is achieved using deep feature learning and the amount of computation required for the development of visual codebook is minimised using a batch implementation of particle swarm optimisation. The proposed method is tested using Caltech-101 image dataset, and the results confirm the suitability of the proposed method in improving the categorisation performance while reducing the computational load.

Objectives. Retromolar canal (RC) is an anatomic structure, and due to increasing demand for surgical procedure in the retromolar area of the mandible, the identification of the retromolar canal has become an issue of clinical concern. It can innervate the third molar and some of the muscles around the posterior segment of the mandible, complicating surgical procedures in the retromolar area and root canal treatment of third molars. The aim of this study was to evaluate the incidence and anatomical properties of RC in a western Iranian population using cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) images. Materials and Methods. Two hundred bilateral CBCT images were collected and screened in the three spatial planes for the presence of an RC. Anatomical properties and location of the RCs were assessed according to their course and distance from the surrounding structures. The relationship between the presence of RC and age, sex, side, and presence of second and third molars was also evaluated. Independent samples t-test, ANOVA, Tukey’s post hoc test, paired t-test, and chi-square were used to compare groups. Results. At least one RC was observed in 22% of the mandibles. Its bilateral incidence was 5.5%. Two major types of canals were detected, namely, type I, following a straight or curved course from the mandibular canal (MC) to the retromolar area (47.3%), and type II, coursing from the retromolar area to the radicular part of the third molar (52.7%). Regarding linear measurements, the mean RC diameter and the mean distance to the MC, second, and third molars were 0.68 ± 0.31, 13.7 ± 2.8, 15.3 ± 3.0, and 7.3 ± 2.3 mm, respectively. Conclusion. Based on the results of this study, RC was found in 22% of the cases; thus, it should be considered as a normal anatomical variation in the Iranian population rather than a rare finding.

Background: Academic counseling is a relationship between academic advisors and students and an effective approach to preventing students’ academic failure and improve the educational system at the university level. Students' satisfaction with academic advisors could affect the quality of academic counseling. Objectives: The present study aimed to investigate the influential factors in dental students’ satisfaction with academic advisors. Methods: This qualitative study was conducted using conventional content analysis on 17 students of the School of Dentistry of Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, Iran who were selected by purposive sampling in 2019. Data were collected via semi-structured interviews, which were recorded, transcribed verbatim, and analyzed by qualitative content analysis. Results: Two main themes were extracted, which were the academic advisor’s image and students’ expectations. Four main categories and 12 subcategories were also obtained. The main categories were the academic advisor’s characteristics, academic advisor’s position, student-advisor communication, and students’ needs. Conclusions: According to the results, several factors may affect the satisfaction of dental students with academic advisors, such as the advisor’s characteristics, communication between advisors and students, and general attitudes toward academic advisors in the educational system. These findings should be addressed in strategy planning in order to increase students’ satisfaction with academic advisors.

Introduction. This study aimed to assess the effect of serum level of vitamin D on external apical root resorption (EARR) in maxillary anterior teeth in patients under fixed orthodontic treatment. Materials and Methods. This retrospective cohort was conducted on patients under fixed orthodontic treatment who were between 12 to 30 years of age. All patients underwent the same treatment technique by the same orthodontist using a 0.022 MBT system. EARR in maxillary anterior teeth was evaluated on pre- and postoperative panoramic radiographs. Blood samples were also collected from patients, and their serum level of vitamin D was measured after the completion of treatment. Data were analyzed by independent t-test and Chi-square test (alpha = 0.05). Results. A reduction in root length was noted in all patients, which was significant ( P < 0.0001 ); 75% of patients showed EARR in at least one maxillary incisor. EARR had no significant correlation with the serum level of vitamin D ( P = 0.423 ). Conclusions. Serum level of vitamin D had no significant correlation with the occurrence of EARR. However, the high prevalence of EARR calls for measures to minimize it.

Background and objective: Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) can be related to high ghrelin hormone levels that may encourage additional energy intake. Herein, a new systematic review and meta-analysis were performed to check the changes in serum/plasma levels of ghrelin in adults with OSA compared to controls, as well as before compared after continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy in adults with OSA. Materials and methods: Four main databases were systematically and comprehensively searched until 17 October 2022, without any restrictions. For assessing the quality, we used the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) critical appraisal checklist adapted for case–control studies and the National Institutes of Health (NIH) quality assessment tool for before–after studies. The effect sizes were extracted by the Review Manager 5.3 software for the blood of ghrelin in adults with OSA compared with controls, as well as before and after CPAP therapy. Results: Fifteen articles involving thirteen studies for case–control studies and nine articles for before–after studies were included. The pooled standardized mean differences were 0.30 (95% confidence interval (CI): −0.02, 0.61; p = 0.07; I2 = 80%) and 0.10 (95% CI: −0.08, 0.27; p = 0.27; I2 = 42%) for case–control and before–after studies, respectively. For thirteen case–control studies, nine had moderate and four high qualities, whereas for nine before–after studies, five had good and four fair qualities. Based on the trial sequential analysis, more studies are needed to confirm the pooled results of the analyses of blood ghrelin levels in case–control and before–after studies. In addition, the radial plot showed outliers for the analysis of case–control studies that they were significant factors for high heterogeneity. Conclusions: The findings of the present meta-analysis recommended that the blood levels of ghrelin had no significant difference in the adults with OSA compared with the controls, nor did they have significant difference in adults with OSA before compared with after CPAP therapy. The present findings need to be confirmed in additional studies with more cases and higher qualities.

Background Orthognathic surgery includes improvement of morphology and function of occlusion as well as psychological perception and oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) of patients. The aim of this study was to determine the OHRQoL of patients with class III skeletal malocclusion before and after orthognathic surgery. Materials and methods A total of 112 skeletal class III patients including 39 (34.8%) males and 73 (65.2%) females participated in this descriptive quasi-experimental study in three groups: “prior to orthodontic treatment” (n = 25); “under orthodontic treatment and prior to surgery” (n = 65), and “after surgery” (n = 25). All patients filled out a demographic information questionnaire, the oral health impact profile-14 (OHIP-14), and the orthognathic quality of life questionnaire (OQLQ) under the supervision of the examiner. Data were analyzed using ANOVA, independent samples t-test, Mann Whitney test, and Kruskal-Wallis test. Results OHRQoL summary score changed from 14.5 prior to orthodontic treatment to 23.4 prior to surgery and during orthodontic treatment to 5.4 after surgery. These OHRQoL changes were statistically significant (P Conclusions Orthognathic surgery matters to patients with class III skeletal malocclusion and significantly improves their OHRQoL.

Background & Objective: The provision of dental services to society members depends on the motivations of future dentists or studying students to enter this discipline and career. The present study aimed to evaluate Kermanshah dental students’ attitude toward and satisfaction with their discipline and future career. Materials and Methods: This descriptive, cross-sectional study was performed on 223 matriculated and international students in the Dentistry School of Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences during 2016-2017. The subjects were selected by convenience sampling, and the standard questionnaire (encompassing nine items on satisfaction with discipline and six items on future career) was distributed among the students. Moreover, data analysis was performed using descriptive and inferential statistics. Results: In total, 223 questionnaires (76.9%) were completed by the students, 79.5% of them were satisfied with their chosen discipline. Furthermore, the high income level of the dental career was the main reason for selecting this discipline by 72.2% of the participants. On the other hand, 84.8% of the students believed that increased admission of students in this field would endanger their future career. However, the results were indicative of no significant difference between age, gender, and year and type of admission with the mean score of students’ attitude toward their discipline and future career (P>0.05). Conclusion: According to the results of the study, most dental students were satisfied with their discipline. In addition, a high level of income, interest in the discipline and gaining a high social position were among the most important reasons for selecting this discipline.

Introduction. Knowledge about the effects of medications, vitamins, and various supplements on orthodontic tooth movement (OTM) is imperative for orthodontists. This study aimed to assess the effect of methotrexate (MTX) injection on OTM in rats. Materials and Methods. Twenty-eight male Wistar rats were randomized into four groups (n = 7). The first molar and central incisor were connected using a nickel-titanium (NiTi) coil spring with a 50 g load in each rat. The two experimental groups received 0.75 mg/kg and 1.5 mg/kg MTX, respectively, intraperitoneally for 21 days. The negative control group did not receive any injection and did not undergo orthodontic treatment. The positive control group underwent orthodontic treatment and received 0.9% saline (NaCl) injections for 21 days. All rats were sacrificed with chloroform inhalation after 21 days; their maxilla was resected, and the mean number of Howship’s lacunae, blood vessels, osteoclasts, and resorption lacunae was counted. The reduction in bone volume (bone volume to total volume ratio (BV/TV)) at the site of the maxillary molar was quantified by microcomputed tomography (micro-CT). Results. OTM, the number of osteoclasts, and the number of blood vessels significantly increased in rats treated with MTX ( P < 0.05 ). However, the increase in the number of Howship’s lacunae and resorption lacunae was not significant ( P > 0.05 ). Lower BV/TV in the MTX groups was in agreement with the increased number of osteoclasts. Conclusion. Injection of MTX can significantly increase OTM and decrease root resorption in rats.

Background: The motivational reasons for choosing dental specialties are highly variable among dental students. A deep understanding of these motives can greatly help in strategic planning in this respect. Objectives: Thus, this study aimed to explore the motivational reasons for choosing dental specialties among dental students. Methods: This qualitative study evaluated the viewpoints of 17 dental students at the School of Dentistry, Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, Kermanshah, Iran who were selected via purposive sampling. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews in the second semester of the academic year 2018 - 2019 and analyzed using the content analysis method. Results: The motivational reasons for choosing dental specialties were categorized into five main categories, including conditions and nature of a specialty (such as acceptance conditions, education, and work), financial return (such as level of income and job market), personal characteristics (such as personal capabilities and characteristics affecting the specialty choice), the external environment (such as the effect of environmental factors on the specialty choice), and academic experiences (such as personality characteristics of mentors affecting the specialty choice). Conclusions: According to the results, the motivational reasons for choosing a dental specialty are highly variable among dental students and influenced by various individual and environmental factors. These motives should be addressed in strategy planning for dental specialty programs.

Summary Aim Acceleration of orthodontic tooth movement (OTM) can decrease the rate of complications. This study aimed to assess the efficacy of micro-osteoperforation (MOP) of the alveolar bone for acceleration of OTM by using mini-screws. Materials and methods This split-mouth randomized clinical trial evaluated 25 patients (11 females, 14 males, 16–25 years) with class II division I malocclusion who required canine retraction following the extraction of maxillary first premolar. The patients received similar orthodontic treatment at both sides with MOP on one side (MOP group) and no MOP on the other side (control side). Allocation of MOP to the side of jaw was random using Random Allocation Software in 1:1 distribution and equal numbers. Blinding was not applicable. The rate of canine movement was measured monthly for 5 months and considered as the main outcome. The degree of canine tipping was measured at the end of the intervention as the secondary outcome. All measurements were repeated for 12 patients by the two observers and the intra- and inter-examiner correlation coefficients were found to be 0.946 and 0.925, respectively. Data were analysed by paired t-test and repeated measures ANOVA. Results Twenty-five patients (11 females, 14 males, 16–25 years) were evaluated. No significant difference was found between the two groups at different time points in the rate of canine movement (P > 0.05). The degree of canine tipping in the MOP group was significantly lower than that in the control group (5.34 ± 3.11° versus 7.08 ± 3.70°; P = 0.040). Gender had no significant effect on OTM in any group (P > 0.05). Conclusions MOP could not accelerate canine retraction but decreased the degree of canine tipping.

Cytokines have an important role in keratinocyte immune damage and can act in the pathogenesis of different cutaneous diseases. Accordingly, in the literature, interleukin 4 (IL-4) concentration has been previously investigated in patients affected by oral lichen planus (OLP).The present meta-analysis evaluated the serum and salivary levels of IL-4 in connection with several OLP variants. The search was performed from 1995 in Cochrane Library and 1983 in Scopus, PubMed, and Web of Science to September 2018. The quality of the studies included in the meta-analysis was assessed using the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale assessment. The analyses were done by Review Manager 5.3 using mean difference (MD) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs).Out of 108 studies retrieved in the databases, only 10 were included and analyzed in quantitative synthesis. The pooled MD of the serum and salivary IL-4 levels in OLP patients compared with the controls was 6.36 picograms/milliliter (pg/mL) (95% CI: 1.47, 11.24; P = .01) and 2.67 pg/mL (95% CI: 2.66, 2.68; P.00001), respectively. In addition, the pooled MD of serum and salivary IL-4 level was 1.30 pg/mL (95% CI: -0.35, 2.95; P = .12) and 1.83 pg/mL (95% CI: 0.26, 3.40; P = .02), respectively, in patients with erosive, erythematous, bullous, and ulcerative variants of OLP compared with patients with reticular OLP.This meta-analysis found that OLP patients present elevated serum and salivary IL-4 levels, thus indicating that IL-4 may represent a potential salivary biomarker for the disease. By contrast, clinicians must be aware that even other factors (e.g., secondary infection) may influence its concentration.

AIM: With the increased bacterial resistance and the resulting problems in recent years, it seems necessary to find new biocompatible compounds to confront this problem. This research was conducted to optimise the synthesis of cobalt oxide nanoparticles with the highest antibacterial activity. METHODS: In the present study, 9 experiments were designed using the Taguchi method. The effect of three factors of cobalt nitrate, KOH and the stirring time in the synthesis of cobalt oxide nanoparticles with the highest antibacterial activity was investigated. The bactericidal effect of synthesised nanoparticles was evaluated using the colony-forming unit (CFU) and disk diffusion methods. The characteristics of nanoparticles were studied using the Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and the scanning electron microscopy (SEM). RESULTS: The results indicated that all three evaluated factors were effective on the antibacterial properties of the synthesised nanoparticles. The best antibacterial activity of cobalt oxide nanoparticles was observed in experiment 9 (cobalt nitrate 0.6 M, KOH 2M and stirring time 60 min). The study of nanoparticles synthesised by FTIR, XRD, and SEM confirmed the formation of cobalt oxide nanoparticles with size (24 nm) and a proper structure (spinel structure). CONCLUSION: Due to the optimal antibacterial properties of the synthesised cobalt oxide nanoparticles, they can be used in the fabrication of dental and medical equipment with antibacterial properties.

BACKGROUND Calcium hydroxide, due to its favorable properties, such as an antimicrobial effect as well as its ability to dissolve necrotic tissues, inhibit tooth resorption and stimulate the formation of a hard tissue barrier, is widely used in root canal treatment. OBJECTIVES The objective of this study was to compare the efficacy of 3 methods of delivery of calcium hydroxide into the canals. MATERIAL AND METHODS This in vitro experimental study was performed on acrylic resin blocks with simulated curved canals (curvature of 24° and 44°). Calcium hydroxide was delivered into the canals with 3 different instruments : a hand file, a Lentulo and a rotary file. The data was analyzed using the three-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) and Tukey's test. RESULTS The density of calcium hydroxide was significantly different among the 3 groups (p < 0.001). The manual delivery technique resulted in the lowest and using a rotary file in the highest density of calcium hydroxide (p < 0.001). The mean density of calcium hydroxide was significantly higher in the canals with curvature of 24°, irrespective of the delivery method (p < 0.001). The lowest mean density of calcium hydroxide was noted at 1 mm and 3 mm from the apex, whereas the highest mean density was noted at 11 mm from the apex, irrespective of delivery method (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS A rotary file seems to be the most efficient instrument for delivering calcium hydroxide into the canals, especially into the apical region of canals with greater curvature.

Nanotechnology has been widely exploited in recent years in various applications. Different sectors of medicine and treatment have also focused on the use of nanoproducts. One of the areas of interest in the treatment measures is the interaction between nanomaterials and immune system components. Engineered nanomaterials can stimulate the inhibition or enhancement of immune responses and prevent the detection ability of the immune system. Changes in immune function, in addition to the benefits, may also lead to some damage. Therefore, adequate assessment of the novel nanomaterials seems to be necessary before practical use in treatment. However, there is little information on the toxicological and biological effects of nanomaterials, especially on the potential ways of contacting and handling nanomaterials in the body and the body response to these materials. Extensive variation and different properties of nanomaterials have made it much more difficult to access their toxicological effects to the present. The present study aims to raise knowledge about the potential benefits and risks of using the nanomaterials on the immune system to design and safely employ these compounds in therapeutic purposes.

The massive amount of digital content generated daily in the modern world has created the need for an image retrieval system built on image analysis via image processing and machine learning, therefore this study explains the role of machine learning in bridging the semantic gap in content-based image retrieval, proposes an automatic image annotation framework, in which training images are obtained from social media, and semantic indexing is achieved using a combination of supervised and unsupervised machine learning. Furthermore, the study also highlights the need for continuous vocabulary improvement for optimum system performance and recommends hardware implementation of machine learning algorithms to ensure high overall speed of image retrieval systems.

Objective Cytokines have regulatory and leading roles in the immunopathogenesis of oral lichen planus (OLP). Here, we present the findings of a meta-analysis that evaluated serum and salivary interferon-γ (IFN-γ) levels in patients with OLP compared with those in controls and the correlation of this cytokine with the progression of OLP. Study Design Four databases—PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, and Cochrane Library—were searched, from their start dates to November 2017, for reports in all languages on the effect of OLP on salivary and serum IFN-γ. Results Eleven studies were included and analyzed in this meta-analysis. The pooled mean difference (MD) values were estimated to be 3.60 pg/mL (P = .23) and –0.02 pg/mL (P = 1.00) for serum and salivary levels of IFN-γ, respectively, in the patients with OLP compared with controls. The pooled MD values were –2.52 pg/mL (P = .03) and –2.01 pg/mL (P = .20) for serum and salivary IFN-γ levels in the erosive type, respectively, compared with the nonerosive type. Conclusions According to the results of meta-analysis, there was no statistically significant differences in IFN-γ levels between the OLP group and the control group both in serum and salivary levels and also between erosive and nonerosive types of OLP at the salivary level; so this cytokine is not considered to have an important role in the pathogenesis or severity of OLP.

Chemotherapy-induced fatigue undermines the physical performance and alter gait behaviour of patients. In clinics, there is not a well-established method to objectively assess the effects of chemotherapy-induced fatigue on gait characteristics. Clinical trials commonly use 6 Minute Walking Tests (6MWT) to assess patients’ gait. However, these studies only measure the distance that patients can walk. The distance does not provide comprehensive information about variations in ambulatory motion characteristics and body postural behaviour which can more appropriately describe the fatigue effects on general physical performance. Gait characteristics provide a manifestation of relationships between muscular and cardiovascular fitness status and physical motions. Hence, an assessment of gait characteristics provides more appropriate information about the effects of chemotherapy-induced fatigue on gait behaviour. A novel approach is proposed to objectively assess the impacts of chemotherapy-induced fatigue on cancer gait by analysing the gait characteristics during 6MWT. The joint angles of the lower body segments are measured by inertial sensors and modelled through a Hidden Markov Model (HMM) with Gaussian emissions. A Gaussian clustering method classifies the joint angles of first gait cycle to determine the six gait phases of a normal gait as initial training values. A comparison of gait characteristics before and after chemotherapy-induced fatigue determines the gait abnormalities. The method is applied to four cancer patients and outcomes are benchmarked against the gait of a healthy subject before and after running program-induced fatigue. The results indicate a more accurate quantitative-based tool to measure the effects of chemotherapy-induce fatigue on gait and physical performance.

Vitamin D participates in the calcification of enamel and dentin and the appropriate immune responses to oral microbial infections. We aimed to assess the association between the most common vitamin D receptor (VDR) polymorphisms (ApaI,FokI, TaqI, BsmI, and BglI) and the risk of dental caries in children. Methods: PubMed/MEDLINE, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, and Scopus databases were comprehensively searched until 19 January 2021. Meta-analysis with odds ratios as the effect estimate along with 95% confidence intervals and subgroup analysis were conducted using Review Manager 5.3 software. Publication bias and sensitivity analyses were conducted by Comprehensive Meta-Analysis, version 2.0 software. Results: Seventy-eight studies were retrieved from the databases, with nine studies included in the final analysis. Based on five genetic models, there was no association between ApaI (rs7975232), TaqI (rs731236), BsmI (rs1544410), FokI (rs2228570), and BglI (rs739837) polymorphisms and susceptibility to dental caries, except for the FokI (rs10735810) polymorphism. Conclusion: Among the VDR polymorphisms considered, an association was found between the FokI (rs10735810) polymorphism and the risk of dental caries, with a protective role of the f allele and ff genotype.