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Although all banks in Iran use the contractual methods of financing which have been declared in the Interest Free Banking Law (IFBL) to supply funds to both the private and public sectors, the portfolio that each selects is different from that of others. The performance of the Agricultural Bank (AB) of Iran is unique; in the sense that initially few partnership arrangements such as civil partnership or mudarabah are used. Instalment sale, the best known contract by the public, has the dominant role in financing agricultural activities at this stage (Table 1). In three years' time the share of joaleh contracts in providing long-term credit becomes noticeable. Its share rises up to 8 per cent in 1989. However, its growth soon declines and civil partnership or musharakah arrangements take over its role (Table 1). As of 1989, due to changes made by the AB authorities in the supply procedure of funds to small farmers and also elimination of barriers for farmers' eligibility to acquire financial assistance, the share of musharakah financing starts rising. In 1992 it exceeds that of instalment sale and in 1996 about 48 per cent of the total sum of the AB funds are supplied through musharakah partnership. In this same year, the share of mudarabah, too, rises significantly. Many Muslim scholars have long argued that partnership contracts are the legitimate type of financing in Islamic banking and not the mark-up or other low risk contractual agreements. The experience of the AB of Iran seems to satisfy their expectation, although this bank continues to use forward purchase and instalment sale for short-term financing. It seems that a more balanced portfolio of Islamic methods of finance is selected by the AB with an increasing share of profit-loss sharing agreements. Mirakhor has argued that a balanced portfolio, rather than a heavy concentrated low risk type, minimises the probability of bankruptcy for an Islamic bank. The purpose of this article is to discover the factors that contributed to such an outstanding record and to show the process of changes in the AB's portfolio, from low risk contracts to relatively high risk partnership agreements. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of an increase in fixture thread face angle on the amount and distribution of stresses in the surrounding bone of implants with four different thread shapes by three-dimensional finite element analysis. Methods. Eight different fixture designs, with v-shaped, buttress, reverse buttress, and trapezoid threads, and two face angles of 20 and 35 degrees, were modeled using a software program. Each model was affected by two static forces with different values and angles (200-N axial 0° force and 100-N 45° oblique force) to compare the distribution of stress in different fixture designs. Results. The maximum von Mises stress was detected in v-shaped threads. An increase in the angle of the threads to 35° significantly decreased maximum von Mises stress in cortical bone in v-shaped and reverse buttress threads; however, the von Mises stress in the trapezoid and buttress threads increased with an increase in the thread angle. Conclusion. Under the limitations of this study, although the shape of the thread and thread surface angle does not have a definite role in stress distribution in the bone surrounding the implant, they are effective in the amount and type of stress induced in the bone supporting the implant., (©2022 The Author(s).)

Traditional approaches to total knee arthroplasty (TKA) aim to reestablish a neutral mechanical axis of the lower extremity. However, many studies have shown great variation in normal knee anatomy, suggesting that the ideal alignment may not be identical for every patient. Linked Anatomic Kinematic Arthroplasty (LAKA) offers a novel kinematic approach to TKA. Using computer navigation, LAKA technique can optimize the kinematic alignment while ensuring that coronal alignment is kept within standard mechanical ranges. This article will outline the surgical approach to LAKA and briefly review the outcomes of this approach., (© 2020 Professor P K Surendran Memorial Education Foundation. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Statement of the Problem: Various researchers have suggested the use of β2-adrenergic receptor antagonists in prevention or treatment of bone resorption., Purpose: This study aimed to evaluate the effect of β2-adrenergic receptor antagonists on number of osteoclasts and osteoblasts involved in the healing of extraction socket of maxillary first molar in rats., Materials and Method: Maxillary first molars of 40 rats were extracted and divided into two groups. The test group received 0.1 mg/kg propranolol intraperitoneally daily. The controls received normal saline. At days 7, 14, 21 and 28 post-extraction, 5 rats were euthanized from each group. Maxillary bone was resected and the mean number of osteoblasts and osteoclasts in tooth socket was measured., Results: After 1 week, the number of osteoclasts in the controls was significantly higher than the test group. A significant increase in the number of osteoclasts in both groups at week 1 was observed compared to the following weeks ( p < 0.05). The number of osteoblasts in the controls at second week reached its maximum rate but stayed constant in the 3rd and 4th weeks. Osteoblasts in the test group increased similar to the controls but reached its maximum at 3rd week and showed a significant increase compared to the controls ( p < 0.05)., Conclusion: β2 adrenergic receptor antagonists decrease the number of osteoclasts and increase the number of osteoblasts during extraction socket healing.

After several decades of research on the subject, we now know when the first livestock reached southern Africa but the question of how they got there remains a contentious topic. Debate centres on whether they were brought with a large migration of Khoe-speakers who originated from East Africa; or whether the livestock were traded down-the-line among hunter-gatherer communities; or indeed whether there was a long history of diverse small scale population movements in this part of the world, one or more of which 'infiltrated' livestock into southern Africa. A new analysis of the distribution of stone toolkits from a sizeable sample of sub-equatorial African Later Stone Age sites, coupled with existing knowledge of the distribution of the earliest livestock remains and ceramics vessels, has allowed us to isolate two separate infiltration events that brought the first livestock into southern Africa just over 2000 years ago; one infiltration was along the Atlantic seaboard and another entered the middle reaches of the Limpopo River Basin. These findings agree well with the latest results of genetic research which together indicate that multiple, small-scale infiltrations probably were responsible for bringing the first livestock into southern Africa.

Background: Osteochondral allografting, a restorative treatment option for articular cartilage lesions in the knee, involves transplantation of fresh osteochondral tissue with no tissue matching. Although retrieval studies have not consistently shown evidence of immunologic response, development of anti-human leukocyte antigen class I cytotoxic antibodies has been observed in allograft recipients., Hypothesis: Postallograft antibody formation is related to graft size and may affect clinical outcome., Study Design: Case-control study; Level of evidence, 3., Methods: This study retrospectively compared 42 antibody-positive postallograft patients with 42 antibody-negative patients. Groups were matched for age, sex, and body mass index but not intra-articular disease severity. Seventeen patients (20%) were lost to follow-up. Of the remaining 67 patients (33 antibody-positive and 34 antibody-negative), average follow-up time was 50.3 months (range, 24-165 months). Mean age was 38.1 years (range, 15-68 years) with 58% being male. Graft area was categorized as small (<5 cm2), medium (5-10 cm2), or large (>10 cm2). Graft survival and Knee Society function scores were used to measure clinical outcome., Results: Of the 84 patients, 80 had graft area data. Of 27 patients with large graft area, 19 (70%) had positive postoperative antibody screens, compared with 1 of 16 (6%) with small graft area (P < .001). Graft survival rates in the antibody-positive and antibody-negative groups were 64% and 79%, respectively (P = .152). Mean postoperative Knee Society function scores in surviving antibody-positive and antibody-negative groups were 88.3 and 84.6 points, respectively (P = .482)., Conclusion: Antibody development after fresh, non-tissue-matched osteochondral allograft transplants in the knee appears related to graft size. No difference was observed in clinical outcome between groups. Graft survival is multifactorial, and the effect that the immunologic response has on clinical outcome merits further investigation.

This article presents the clinical features of crystal arthropathy after knee replacement. The current literature on pseudogout and gout after both total and partial knee replacement is summarized. A case of bilateral pseudogout 8 years after initial total knee arthroplasty (TKA) is used to highlight the clinical characteristics and treatment options for this underrecognized condition. Presentation mimicked a late septic joint arthroplasty with sudden onset of pain and effusion. The patient was treated successfully with an arthrotomy, debridement, synovectomy, polyethylene insert exchange, oral steroids, and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatories. There are no other reported cases of bilateral pseudogout after bilateral TKA., (Copyright © 2012 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Background and Aims: There are many edentulous people with severely resorbed residual ridges and non-resilient lin-ing mucosa that are unable to tolerate occlusal forces during functional and parafunctional movements. Lining the tissue surface of dentures with a flexible material can theoretically distribute and absorb forces with cushioning effect. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of a soft liner on stress levels in mandibular complete denture and its supporting struc-tures by finite element analysis., Materials and Methods: A simplified 3-dimensional finite element model of relatively resorbed mandible, mucosa, denture and a soft liner was prepared. Then the model, with and without soft liner, underwent normal vertical and lateral occlusal forces. The stresses were analyzed using the ANSYS 12 software., Results: Using the soft liner increased stress levels up to 18.5% and 30% in the cortical bone and mucosa, respectively, after vertical load was applied in the incisor region. Application of bilateral vertical load on the molar area increased stress in cortical bone u to 44% and in the mucosa up to 29%. Unilateral loading in the canine area increased stress level in the mucosa up to 63.5%. The highest stress was seen at denture base followed by the cortical bone., Conclusion: Use of soft liners increased stress in denture supporting structures. Higher level of stress concentration was observed primarily in the denture base followed by the cortical bone.

Background and Aims: The first few days following the insertion of complete dentures are critical for the patients since they are struggling to adapt to their new dentures. This study aimed to evaluate the most common locations of traumatic ulcerations, their frequency and also the duration and number of adjustment visits required to achieve patient comfort fol-lowing placement of complete dentures., Materials and Methods: Sixty patients were selected from edentulous patients referring to a removable prosthodontics department. Complete dentures were fabricated for the patients. After placement of dentures, all the patients were evaluated from the day after placement until patient comfort was achieved. Descriptive analysis was performed and chi-squared test was used to evaluate the associations between lesions, post-insertion visits and gender., Results: A total of 85.8% of patients required denture adjustment because of mucosal injuries during their first visit fol-lowing denture placement. Maxillary and mandibular dentures did not require further adjustments after fourth and sixth visits, respectively. No significant differences were detected between males and females in the number of mucosal injuries in the anatomical areas evaluated in the maxilla and mandible using Fisher's exact test (P > 0.05). Furthermore, the number of mandibular dentures requiring adjustments was significantly higher than maxillary dentures in all the post-insertion ap-pointments (P < 0.001)., Conclusion: Since most mucosal injuries are located in the vestibule, adequate extension of denture flanges, especially during border molding, and use of pressure indicators that reveal over-extended borders, play an important role in decreas-ing mucosal injuries and improving patient comfort following complete denture placement.

Background and Aims: Lichen planus is a chronic inflammatory disorder with unspecified etiology, appearing as a result of stress, genetic predisposition and immunologic factors. Erosive type of the disease is more important because of its clinical symptoms of pain, irritation and malignancy risk. Despite various medications used, a definite cure for lichen planus is un-known. Regarding the effect of zinc on healing of ulcers, the aim of this study was to compare the effect of a mouthwash with and without zinc and fluocinolone on healing of erosive oral lichen planus., Materials and Methods: Twenty randomly-selected patients with erosive oral lichen planus were divided into two groups of 10. One group received zinc mouthwash with fluocinolone ointment and the other group received placebo with ointment. The largest dimension of the ulcers was measured by digital calipers and the intensity of pain was determined by visual ana-logue scale. Data was analyzed with Mann-Whitney U test., Results: Pain, irritation and lesion surface area decreased in both groups. Decrease in pain severity was identical in both groups (P = 0.11). However, decrease in surface area with zinc mouthwash plus fluocinolone was more than that with only fluocinolone (P = 0.037)., Conclusion: 0.2% zinc mouthwash plus fluocinolone and only fluocinolone were both effective in decreasing pain, irrita-tion, and surface area of OLP. However, decrease in surface area with zinc mouthwash plus fluocinolone was more than that with fluocinolone alone.

Background and Aims: Orientation of the occlusal plane is one of the most important clinical procedures in prostho-dontic rehabilitation of edentulous patients. The aim of this study was to define the best posterior reference point of ala-tragus line for orientation of occlusal plane for complete denture fabrication., Materials and Methods: Fifty-three dental students (27 females and 26 males) with complete natural dentition and Angel's Class I occlusal relationship were selected. The subjects were photographed in natural head position while clenching on a Fox plane. After tracing the photographs, the angles between the following lines were measured: the occlusal plane (Fox plane) and the superior border of ala-tragus, the occlusal plane (Fox plane) and the middle of ala-tragus as well as the occlusal plane (Fox plane) and the inferior border of ala-tragus. Descriptive statistics, one sample t-test and independent t-test were used. P value less than 0.05 was considered significant., Results: There was no parallelism between the occlusal plane and ala-tragus line with three different posterior ends and one sample t-test showed that the angles between them were significantly different from zero (p<0.05). However, the supe-rior border of ala-tragus line had the lowest mean angle, 1.80° (3.12) and was almost parallel to the occlusal plane., Conclusion: The superior border of the tragus is suggested as the posterior reference for ala-tragus line.

Background and Aims: This study observed occlusal contacts and their area on the teeth during lateral mandibular movements. The percentage of each occlusal pattern was determined., Materials and Methods: FIFTY SUBJECTS (MALE: 27, female: 23), aged 20-29 years, were included in the study. The criteria for selection were as follow: all subjects (i) were in their twenties; (ii) had normal occlusal alignment, no temporomandibular signs and symptoms with Angle's Class I relationship; (iii) had full dentition except for third molars; (iv) had no history of orthodontic therapy; and (v) had no restorations involving a cusp. The occlusal contacts were recorded with occlusion foil in three lateral excursions: 1, 2 and 3 mm from the maximum intercuspation. Data were analyzed with chi-square test., Results: Most of working-side contact patterns were classified as group function (60%). Canine protection was rare (17%). Contact patterns other than canine protection and group function were found in 23% of the contact patterns on the right side. On the left side, group function was seen in 51%, canine protection in 21% and others patterns in 28% of the studied subjects., Conclusion: On laterotrusion, most subjects had group function on the working side but canine protection was rare.