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Background. HESA-A has herbal and marine bases, containing minerals and rare elements such as Zr, Cr, Ga, Mn, Mg, Ca, Sr, Cu, Ti, etc. Its mechanism of action includes antioxidant, antiinflammatory and adjustment of the immune system. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of HESA-A systemic drug on expression of cyclin D1, EGFR and Ecadherin in induced tongue dysplasia in rats. Methods. In this experimental study, the effects of the systemic drug HESA-A on the expression of cyclin D1, EGFR, and E-cadherin molecular markers were examined in induced tongue dysplasia in rats. Results. The incidence rate of cyclin D1 in groups receiving HESA-A was lower than the group that did not receive the drug (77.78% in the 0.5% range versus 77.78% in the 5.50% range). In the case of expression of E -cadherin in group D, which did not receive HESA-A, a decrease was observed in the expression of this cell adhesion marker as compared to the other two groups. The incidence of E-cadherin was dependent on HESA-A dose, while with 500 mg/kg it was higher than other groups (>75% in 55.55% versus >75% in 11.11%). Concerning the incidence of EGFR in all the three groups most cases were grade 0. Conclusion. The results of the present research indicated that considering changes in the expression of cyclin D1 and Ecadherin markers in groups treated with HESA-A, HESA-AR has preventive effects on development of cancer in dysplastic lesions through regulation of expression of these molecules. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Plant-derivate therapeutic agents can perform cancer chemotherapeutic activity through triggering apoptotic cell death. Our aim was to investigate the cytotoxic effects, induction of apoptosis, and the mechanism of cell death of Iranian orthodox black tea extracts (BTEs) and hydro methanolic purified fractions (40, 60, 80 and 100%) in KB cells (oral squamous cell carcinoma). Methods: In order to analyze the cytotoxic activity of the BTEs, MTT (3-(4, 5- dimetylthiazol-2-yl)-2, 5 diphenyltetrazolium bromide) and Trypan-blue assays were performed in oral squamous cell carcinoma (KB). Furthermore, the apoptosis inducing action of the extracts was determined by TUNEL, DNA fragmentation and cell death detection analysis. Results: Dichloromethane BTE and hydro methanol fractions (40 and 60%) extract showed no cytotoxic effects; however, hydro methanol crude and hydro methanol fractions of BTE (80 and 100%) significantly inhibited cell growth and viability in a dose and time dependent manner. In addition, Cell death assay, TUNEL, and DNA fragmentation indicated induction of apoptosis by hydro methanol 80 and 100% fractions of BTE in KB cells. Statistical significance was determined by analysis of variance (ANOVA), followed by Duncan test and p value =0.05 was considered significant. Conclusion: The results from the present study suggests that the hydro methanol crude and hydro methanol fractions of BTE (80 and 100%) are significant source of compounds with the anti proliferative and cytotoxic activities, and this may be useful for developing potential chemo preventive substances. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: The rapid development in computer technology and the wide availability of personal computers together with the Internet, email, and various medical literature retrieval applications have changed both the study and the practice environments in dentistry, as they have in other fields. Electronic learning allows students to work at their own time and pace. In the field of pathology, this is even more important because by traditional methods, the review of lessons is only possible in labs and with presence of microscopes. This study aimed at evaluating the efficacy of a new educational technique in the field of practical pathology in dentistry. Methods: In this quasi experimental, combined with retrospective and prospective study, 82 dentistry students were recruited from Tabriz Faculty of Dentistry. The final scores of the 41 students whose course was based on a traditional method (Traditional Group) in the field of practical pathology were recorded. In the other group, however, a software containing multimedia information with the slides related to pathologic samples was provided along with the traditional educational method and the scores were recorded (New Group). Results: The mean score of practical pathology was 16.23±3.36 (range 8-20) in the new group and it was 15.22±3.52 (range 5-20) in the traditional group. Accordingly, the mean scores of the students in the new group were higher than the traditional group; however, this difference was not statistically significant (P=0.19). Conclusions: The scores of the practical pathology in dentistry may be enhanced if the traditional method is conducted along with supplementary multimedia software. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: The aim of this study was to assess the knowledge and skill of clinical residents in Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, northwestern Iran, (as the future specialists), as well as their attitudes on the necessity of patient education, and the practice and responsibility of the residents in this field. Methods: Knowledge, attitudes, and practices of a random selection of 380 clinical residents at Tabriz University of Medical Sciences were assessed in 2011 through a comprehensive questionnaire about education. The data were analyzed using SPSS software. Results: There was no significant relationship between the two variables of sex and study period and the knowledge variable during the residency. However, there was a significant positive correlation between knowledge and age variables (P<0.05). The level of knowledge rose with aging because the amount of the model significance was less than 0.05. Besides, the coefficient of sex was positive by regression analysis. There was no significant relationship between the previous variables and attitude variable. No significant relationship was seen between the previous variables and practice variable. Conclusion: The influence of age, sex, and year of study was apparent in the knowledge of the residents, but no considerable influence was shown in their practices and attitudes. Some educational strategies are needed to improve the practices and attitudes of the training group. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Aims: Recurrent aphthous stomatitis is a condition comprised of oral painful ulcers appearing at inter-vals in different intraoral sites, triggered by a variety of causative agents in certain subgroups of patients. Since there are no studies on the subject in Northwest Iran, the aims of the present study were to evaluate the prevalence of aphthous ulcer and to assess the association of some influencing factors on minor aphtha., Materials and Methods: Of all patients examined during a two-year period, 33 patients were diagnosed with aphthous lesions. A questionnaire was used to collect the data including age, gender, familial history, smoking habit, and food allergy of the patients. Chi-square test was used to assess the association of variables., Results: The prevalence of aphthous lesions was found to be 0.3%, and was significantly higher in females compared with males (23 females and 10 males, respectively; P = 0.024). Familial involvement of aphthous ulcer was reported in 42.4% of the patients (P = 0.411). The aphthous ulcer was seen less frequently in smokers compared with non-smokers (P = 0.024)., Conclusion: A relatively low prevalence of minor aphtha was found in the studied population. Higher prevalence in females and non-smokers were observed.