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Background. Studies have suggested a correlation between periodontitis and reduced male fertility. Inflammation has been described as the link between these ailments. Oral inflammatory load (OIL) can be measured through oral polymorphonuclear neutrophil (oPMN) count, which is associated with periodontal diseases. This cross-sectional study assessed the possible correlation between OIL and the functional parameters of sperm cells. Methods. In 229 volunteers, oral rinse and semen samples were assessed for oPMN, semen polymorphonuclears (sPMNs), sperm concentration, total sperm count, motility, morphology, and sperm DNA fragmentation index (SDFi). A multiple linear regression model was conducted to evaluate the relationships between oPMN and semen parameters. Results. The effect of elevated oPMN counts on total motility rate, progressive rate, and percentage of sperm cells with normal morphology was significant (P

Objective: Diabetes in pregnancy is a prevalent disease that can affect the central nervous system of the fetus byhyperglycemia. This study aimed to investigate the impact of maternal diabetes on neuronal apoptosis in the superiorcolliculus (SC) and the lateral geniculate nucleus (LGN) in male neonates born to diabetic mothers.Materials and Methods: In this experimental study, female adult rats were separated into three groups: control,diabetic (induced using an intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin), and insulin-treated diabetic [diabetes controlledby subcutaneous neutral protamine hagedorn (NPH)-insulin injection]. Male neonates from each group were euthanizedon 0, 7, and 14 postnatal days (P0, P7, and P14, respectively), and apoptotic cells were identified using TUNEL staining.Results: The numerical density per unit area (NA) of apoptotic cells was significantly higher in SC and the dorsalLGN (dLGN) in neonates born to the diabetic rats compared to the control group at P0, P7, and P14. However, insulintreatment normalized the number of apoptotic cells.Conclusion: This study demonstrated that maternal diabetes increased apoptosis in dLGN and SC of male neonatesat P0, P7, and P14.

Objective(s): Diabetes during gestation is one of the most common pregnancy complications and has adverse effects on offspring, including a negative impact on the offspring’s central nervous system (CNS). Diabetes is a metabolic disease associated with visual impairment. Due to the importance of the lateral geniculate body (LGB) in the visual pathway, the present study examined the effect of maternal diabetes on the expression of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABAAα1 and GABAB1) and metabotropic Glutamate (mGlu2) receptors in the LGB of male neonates of diabetic rats.Materials and Methods: Diabetes was induced in female adult rats by a single intraperitoneal dose of streptozotocin (STZ) 65 (mg/kg). In the Insulin-treated diabetic rats, diabetes was controlled by subcutaneous NPH-insulin injection daily. After mating and delivery, male offspring were killed by carbon dioxide gas inhalation at P0, P7, and P14 (postnatal days 0, 7, and 14). The expression of GABAAα1, GABAB1, and mGluR2 in the LGB of male neonates was determined using the immunohistochemistry (IHC) method.Results: The expression of GABAAα1 and GABAB1 was significantly reduced, whereas the expression of mGluR2 was markedly increased in the diabetic group compared with the control and insulin-treated groups at P0, P7, and P14.Conclusion: The results of the present study showed that induction of diabetes altered the expression of GABAAα1, GABAB1, and mGluR2 in the LGB of male neonates born to diabetic rats at P0, P7, and P14. Moreover, insulin treatment could reverse these effects of diabetes.

Objective(s): Memory and cognition impairments are the most important secondary effects of spinal cord injury (SCI) in the hippocampus. Therefore, the present study aimed to examine the effect of implantation of polycaprolactone/ functionalized multiwall carbon nanotube (PCL/f-MWCNT) scaffold along with ellagic acid loaded liposome (EA@lip) in neurological function recovery and hippocampus deficit after SCI.Materials and Methods: Twenty-four female Wistar rats were randomly assigned into 4 groups (n=6): Ctrl- group (laminectomy without SCI), Ctrl+ group (SCI), PCL/CNT group (implantation of PCL/f-MWCNT scaffold) and PCL/CNT/EA group (implantation of PCL/f-MWCNT/EA@lip scaffold). The injury model was the dorsal hemisection at the T9 level. Characterization of EA@lip made by remote loading method was done by transmission electron microscopy and dynamic light scattering. Also, the morphology of PCL/f-MWCNT fibers was investigated by field-emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM). Behavioral tests were used to evaluate the neurobehavioral performance of the animals. After 4-weeks, excitatory postsynaptic potential was recorded from the CA1 area of the hippocampus. Hippocampal mRNA levels of amyloid beta precursor protein (APP), cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterase (CNP), glutamate ionotropic receptor kainate type subunit 2 (GRIK2) and syntaxin-binding protein 1 (Munc 18-1) were assayed using reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR).Results: We demonstrated that, after implanting the PCL/CNT scaffold with or without EA@lip, the hippocampal action potential improved by increasing the slope and amplitude of fEPSP compared to the Ctrl+ group. RT-qPCR data showed that the expression of CNP and Munc 18-1 increased, and the expression of APP and GRIK2 decreased, in the groups that received PCL/CNT with or without EA@lip compared to the injury group. We also proved that the treatment with PCL/CNT/EA@lip improved behavioral performance compared to the Ctrl+ and PCL/CNT groups.Conclusion: This study demonstrated that PCL/f-MWCNT/EA@lip scaffold implantation improves functional potential and alters the expression of memory-related genes in the hippocampus post-injury.

Background. This clinical trial evaluated the effect of coenzyme Q10 supplementation along with scaling and root planing (SRP) on periodontal and gingival indices in controlled diabetic patients. Methods. Forty-two diabetic patients (controlled type), referred to the Department of Periodontics with chronic periodontitis and eligible for the study, were included in the study. Patients suffering from chronic periodontitis with a probing pocket depth of ≥5 mm in different quadrants of the oral cavity with radiographic evidence of bone loss were included in the present randomized, double-masked, placebo-controlled clinical trial. The subjects were instructed to take one capsule of coenzyme Q10 or a placebo every day for 30 days following SRP. Clinical parameters, i.e., plaque index (PI), gingival index (GI), bleeding on probing (BOP), clinical attachment level (CAL), and probing pocket depth (PPD), were recorded at baseline and four weeks after treatment by two masked and calibrated examiners. The study results were reported as (mean ± standard deviations) and frequencies (percentages). Results. One month after the intervention, PPD, CAL, BOP, and PI indices in the intervention group were significantly lower than those in the control group. One month after the intervention, the GI was similar in both groups. A significant decrease was observed in the GI in both groups after the intervention. Conclusion. The results of the present study showed that Q10 orally with scaling and root planing in patients with controlled diabetes with chronic periodontitis might accelerate the treatment process and significantly reduce the pocket depth.

Background. Inferior alveolar nerve damage can lead to mild to severe paresthesia and even facial pain. One of the treatments considered today for the reconstruction and treatment of damaged peripheral nerves is the use of vitamin supplements. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of vitamin B complex supplementation on pain and sensory problems following mandibular implant placement surgery. Methods. In this single-blind clinical trial, 46 patients applying for implant placement, who were eligible for the study, were evaluated. All the patients were examined for sensory facial injury and inferior alveolar nerve injury within 24 hours after implant placement. The nerve damage was recorded by AI (asymmetry index) in the initial examination. Patients who reported clinical and radiographic signs of nerve damage due to implant or drill impingement of the nerve canal were excluded from the study and promptly treated with anti-inflammatory protocols. Then the patients were randomly divided into control (n=23) and intervention (n=23) groups. Patients in the control group received routine treatment after implantation, and patients in the intervention group received vitamin B complex pills in addition to routine treatment. A placebo was used to eliminate the inductive effect of the drug in the control group. Follow-up of patients was performed at intervals of 14 days and 1, 2, and 3 months after treatment. Data analysis was performed using SPSS 24 and Kruskal-Wallis, Wilcoxon, and chi-squared tests. Results. In both groups, a decreasing trend in pain intensity was observed for up to three months. There were no significant differences between the mean pain intensity in the intervention and control groups at all the follow-up intervals. In both groups, a decrease in the rate of paresthesia was observed during the 3-month follow-up. The mean of paresthesia in the two groups was not significantly different at any follow-up interval. Conclusion. Vitamin B complex might not affect pain intensity and paresthesia after implant surgery.

Objectives: Vitamin D deficiency appears to have a major effect on periodontal tissue health. The present study aimed to assess the association of the serum level of 25-hydroxyvitamin D and chronic periodontitis in postmenopausal women. Materials and Methods: This research was done on 30 postmenopausal women with chronic periodontitis who all had at least 20 natural teeth. Intravenous blood samples were taken from the study population at baseline and after completion of non-surgical periodontal treatment. This was followed by assessment of serum levels of 25-hydroxyvitamin D. Next, clinical parameters of all teeth except for third molars were measured, which included pocket depth (PD), gingival index (GI), and plaque index (PI). Data were analyzed by paired t-test and its non-parametric equivalent, the Wilcoxon test. P0.05). Conclusion: According to the results obtained in the present study, there is no association between serum vitamin D concentrations and chronic periodontitis in postmenopausal women.

Purpose: To demonstrate the performance of gradient array coils in minimizing switched‐gradient‐induced electric fields (E‐fields) and improving peripheral nerve stimulation (PNS) thresholds while generating gradient fields with adjustable linearity across customizable regions of linearity (ROLs). Methods: A body gradient array coil is used to reduce the induced E‐fields on the surface of a body model by modulating applied currents. This is achieved by performing an optimization problem with the peak E‐field as the objective function and current amplitudes as unknown variables. Coil dimensions and winding patterns are fixed throughout the optimization, whereas other engineering metrics remain adjustable. Various scenarios are explored by manipulating adjustable parameters. Results: The array design consistently yields lower E‐fields and higher PNS thresholds across all scenarios compared with a conventional coil. When the gradient array coil generates target gradient fields within a 44‐cm‐diameter spherical ROL, the maximum E‐field is reduced by 10%, 18%, and 61% for the X, Y, and Z gradients, respectively. Transitioning to a smaller ROL (24 cm) and relaxing the gradient linearity error results in further E‐field reductions. In oblique gradients, the array coil demonstrates the most substantial reduction of 40% in the Z–Y direction. Among the investigated scenarios, the most significant increase of 4.3‐fold is observed in the PNS thresholds. Conclusion: Our study demonstrated that gradient array coils offer a promising pathway toward achieving high‐performance gradient coils regarding gradient strength, slew rate, and PNS thresholds, especially in scenarios in which linear magnetic fields are required within specific target regions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To investigate the effects of everolimus, a mechanistic/mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) inhibitor, on tumor growth and immune response in a mouse model of breast cancer. Human hormone receptor-positive (HR+)/human epidermal growth receptor 2-negative (HER2-) MC4-L2 cell line was used to establish a mouse model of breast cancer. The inhibitory effects of high (10 mg/kg) and low (5 mg/kg) doses of everolimus were investigated on tumor growth. Additionally, the frequency of CD4+Foxp3+ regulatory T cells (Tregs), CD8+Foxp3+ Tregs, and CD4+ and CD8+ T cells expressing cytotoxic T-lymphocyte-associated antigen-4 (CTLA-4) was explored by flow cytometry in bone marrow, lymph nodes, and spleen. Our results showed that both 10 mg/kg and 5 mg/kg doses of everolimus efficiently inhibited tumor growth, resulting in reduced breast tumor volume. In addition, it was revealed that everolimus-treated mice induced a higher frequency of CD4+Foxp3+ Tregs, CD8+Foxp3+ Tregs, and CD4+Foxp3+CTLA-4+ Tregs as well as CD4+ and CD8+ T cells expressing CTLA-4 in their bone marrow, lymph nodes, and spleen compared with standard control (vehicle-treated) in a dose-dependent manner. Furthermore, we found that everolimus treatment with 10 mg/kg and 5 mg/kg increased the frequency of Helios+Foxp3+ Tregs in the bone marrow of treated mice compared with the control group. Our results indicate that treatment with everolimus not only inhibits tumor growth but also exerts an immunomodulatory effect by inducing Tregs in the lymphoid organs of breast cancer-bearing mice. The combination of therapy with other anti-cancer agents may negate immune suppression and improve the efficacy of mTOR-targeted breast cancer therapy.

Abstract Objectives Immunological tolerance is mediated by CD4+CD25+ regulatory T (Treg) cells. Studies have shown that thymic and peripheral generations of Treg cells depend on the CD28 signaling pathway. T helper 17 (Th17) cells are involved in the pathophysiology of various inflammatory diseases. Cytokines, such as interleukin (IL)-6 and TGF-β, regulate the reciprocal development of Th17 and Treg cells. In CD4+ T cells, signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) play a critical role in the induction of Th17 cell differentiation and inhibition of Treg cell development. Results In this study, we investigated the STAT3 methylation and gene expression status in patients with MS. Our study demonstrated that the level of STAT3 methylation decreased in relapsing–remitting MS patient compared to control groups, which the decreases were statistically significant. STAT3 gene expression increased in patient group relative to healthy one, and the increases were found to be statistically significant. According to our findings, it can be suggested that DNA hypermethylation of STAT3 affects the gene expression. In addition, there is a strong and significant negative correlation between the methylation status and mRNA level of STAT3.

Background. Periodontal disease is a chronic polymicrobial infectious condition. Non-surgical treatments, including scaling and root planing (SRP) with or without adjunctive treatments, are among the recommended treatment options for this condition. This study investigated the effect of probiotic supplementation in the form of mouthwash with SRP on periodontal indices in patients with stage III grade A generalized periodontitis. Methods. Thirty-six patients were randomly assigned to two groups (n=18) and received SRP treatment along with a placebo in one group and probiotic supplementation in the other. After SRP, the test group used daily probiotics for 20 days. The control group subjects were treated only with SRP and placebo mouthwash. Periodontal indices were determined at three time intervals: at baseline and after one and three months. The data were analyzed using SPSS 17. P

Objectives: One of the limitations of tissue conditioners (TC) is the gradual hardening of the material in a short time after insertion in the mouth. This study aimed to determine the softness of two different tissue conditioners with and without the coating made up of 1,1,1trichloroethan and self-curing acrylic resin.Materials and Methods: In this experimental study, Acrosoft (Marlic, Tehran, Iran) and GC (GC corporation, Tokyo, Japan) tissue conditioners were examined. 28 discs of 20 x 3 mm dimensions were prepared for each tissue conditioner (n=14). Half of the samples in each group were coated with varnish coating made up of 1,1,1trichloroethan and self-curing acrylic resin. The hardness of all samples was measured at five intervals of 1,3,7,14, and28 days by a Shore-A Durometer with a conical indenter. The data were analyzed by descriptive statistics and Friedman analyses. P

Abstract Introduction Vitamin D has important roles as a natural immune modulator via regulating the expression of genes which have been implicated in the pathophysiology of autoimmune diseases. Vitamin D function and its deficiency have been linked to a wide range of metabolic disorders including disorders of calcium metabolism, malignant, cardiovascular, infectious, neuromuscular, and inflammatory diseases. Environmental factors, genetic factors, and epigenetic changes contribute to Behcet's disease (BD) development. The aim of our study was to analyze the expression level and methylation status of the vitamin D receptor (VDR) gene promoter in the peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) of patients with BD. Methods In a case‐control study, 48 Iranian Azeri patients with BD and 60 age‐, sex‐ and ethnically‐matched healthy controls were included. Venous blood samples were collected and PBMCs were isolated by Ficoll protocol. The DNA and RNA were subsequently extracted. Promoter methylation levels were evaluated by MeDIP‐quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR). The expression of VDR was evaluated by real‐time PCR. Results The results of quantitative real‐time PCR analysis showed that the level of VDR expression in patients with BD was significantly lower than the control group (P = .013). There was no significant difference in the level of DNA methylation in the BD and control groups (P > .05). As the results show, the expression level of VDR gene was significantly different between female and male in the patient group (P = .001). VDR gene expression was significantly higher in subjects with phlebitis. No correlation was observed between VDR gene expression rate and BD activity. Conclusion VDR gene expression decreased in patients with BD. However, there is no suggestion evidence that the expression level of VDR is regulated by a unique DNA methylation mechanism. No correlation exists between VDR gene expression and BD activity.

This in vitro study aimed to compare the color stability of temporary crowns fabricated by 3-dimensional (3D) printing with that of crowns fabricated with 2 manual methods. An impression was made of a prepared central incisor, from which 90 dies were fabricated. The dies were randomly assigned to 3 groups (n = 30) based on crown fabrication method: 3D printing, automix bis-acryl resin, or powder-and-liquid polymethyl methacrylate. All specimens were immersed in a coffee, soft drink, or distilled water solution for 1 week (n = 10 per subgroup). Color change was measured using a spectrophotometer and the International Commission on Illumination's CIE L*a*b* method, and the values were converted to the National Bureau of Standards (NBS) index for assessment and comparison. When color change was assessed according to fabrication method, the highest (mean [SD]) ΔE* value was reported for the automix specimens (3.39 [2.86]), and the lowest was recorded for the powder-and-liquid specimens (2.05 [2.33]) (P < 0.05; Kruskal-Wallis test). The difference between ΔE* values of the 3D printing group (2.46 [1.75]) and the powder-and-liquid group was not statistically significant. When color change was assessed according to the immersion solution, the coffee solution showed a significantly higher (mean [SD]) ΔE* value (5.04 [2.67]) than the soft drink (1.43 [0.92]) and distilled water (3.41 [7.93]) solutions (P < 0.05; Kruskal-Wallis test). The color changes associated with the 3 methods were statistically equal in terms of the NBS index ranges, most frequently falling in the range of very minor to acceptable change. The powder-and-liquid method seems to be most suitable for fabricating temporary prostheses for long-term use. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Objectives There is still insufficient clinical evidence of platelet-rich fibrin beneficial effects on bone regeneration. Gold nanoparticles have been shown to enhance osteogenic differentiation and bone mineralization. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of advanced-platelet-rich fibrin modified by gold nanoparticles on the osteoblastic differentiation of human mesenchymal stem cells. Results MTT assay revealed 0.0125 mM gold nanoparticles had no cytotoxic effects on stem cells after 7 days. The addition of 0.0125 mM gold nanoparticle to advanced-platelet-rich fibrin clot increased cell viability compared to the non-treated control group (p

Background: In addition to cellular and molecular mechanisms involved in the pathogenesis of asthma, mounting evidences demonstrate that single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in asthma relevant genes have a role in conferring susceptibility to the disease. CHI3L1 is secreted from macrophages, neutrophils, and airway epithelial cells through an IL-13 related mechanism and contributes to tissue remodeling during asthma. Aim of study was to investigate the possible association of rs4950928 SNP in Chiti3L1 gene with predisposition to allergic asthma in Iranian Northwestern Azeri population. Materials and methods: Frequency of genotypes and alleles of rs4950928 SNP in Chiti3L1 gene was determined using TaqMan genotyping method in 190 patients with asthma and 190 healthy controls. Results: Genotype analyzing showed that CC genotype is more frequent (68.4%) among case group vs 57.9% in control group while GG genotype is more abundant (7.9%) among control group vs 3.2% in case group. Furthermore, according to odds ratio (case/ control = 0.611), C allele could be the risk allele whereas G allele can be considered as the protective allele. Conclusion: There is a significant relationship between CHI3L1 rs4950928 (-131 C/G) polymorphism and asthma in studied population (P=0.038,

Background. An inappropriate inflammatory response is the cause of many common diseases, especially periodontitis. Considering that no studies have been carried out to investigate the effect of IL-36γ on chronic periodontitis, this study aimed to investigate the inflammatory mechanism of IL-36γ by stimulating macrophage cells using NF-KB pathway. Methods. This experimental study was performed on 50 healthy individuals and 50 subjects with chronic periodontitis. In this study, macrophage cells were extracted first, and then RNA was isolated from all the samples using TRIzol method. Subsequently, the rate of IL-36γ gene expression was analyzed and compared using real-time PCR technique. Additionally, immunofluorescence (IF) technique was used to investigate the rate of inflammation. The rate of NF-Kb expression was also measured via western blot technique. Finally, statistical analysis of the samples was carried out using appropriate statistical methods with SPSS 17. Results. The results showed that the rate of IL-36γ expression in subjects with periodontitis was higher compared to healthy subjects (P

Purpose: Although it has been frequently confirmed that HLA-G plays an important role in thereproduction and pregnancy, the pattern of HLA-G gene and its protein expression are rarelyaddressed in studies. Therefore we conducted this study in regard to evaluate the HLA-G geneand its protein expression in the women’s placenta with recurrent miscarriage.Methods: Placental samples were obtained from the women who were admitted for deliveryor abortion in Al Zahra and Taleghani hospitals, Tabriz, Iran. HLA-G gene expression wasdetermined by real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and HLA-G protein expression wasassessed by western blotting and immunofluorescence staining in the tissue samples.Results: The results showed a significant decrease in the expression of gene and proteins ofHLA-G in the women with recurrent miscarriage compared to the control placental tissues.Conclusion: According to the obtained results, it was concluded that the decrement of HLA-Ggene and protein expressions are associated with recurrent miscarriage. Since there areconflicting results from other studies, it is suggested to conduct a more comprehensive similarstudy with greater sample size.

Introduction: As therapeutic interventions had completely failed to cope with the problems facing patients with cancer, consulting with a spiritual approach in patients with cancer has been considered by researchers. The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of spiritual consultation on life satisfaction of patients with cancer. Method: This was a clinical trial as pre-test and post-test design. The data collection tool was a two-part questionnaire. In the first part, demographic characteristics and in the second part, life satisfaction was evaluated by The Diener Life Satisfaction Scale. Totally, 76 patients with cancer admitted to Urmia city hospital were chosen by purposive sampling and then randomly divided into two intervention and control groups. Patients in the control group received routine care hospitals, but those in the intervention group received 10 sessions of spiritual counseling. SPSS software was used for data analysis. To compare the life satisfaction scores before and after the treatment, paired t-test and independent t- test were used. Results: The mean and standard deviation scores of life satisfaction of patients in the intervention group before and after the intervention were 18.92±3.33 and 23.66±2.77, respectively. Also in the control group, score of patients before and after the intervention were 19.53±2.88 and 19.55±2.78, respectively. Paired t-test showed that life satisfaction scores before and after the treatment only in the intervention group were significantly different (P

Background and aims. Expansion of maxillary sinus towards the alveolar crest due to tooth loss or horizontal‒vertical resorption of the alveolar bone decreases the available bone for the placement of dental implants in the posterior maxilla. The method suggested for placing implants with a standard length is the use of sinus lift surgery with autogenous bone graft or bone substitute materials. The aim of the present research, with split-mouth design, was radiographic comparison of the density and height of the posterior of maxillary bone after open sinus lift procedure with and without PRF. Materials and methods. In this split-mouth clinical trial, 14 patients were evaluated, with complete or partial bilateral edentulism of the upper jaw. In each case, for the sinus lift surgery of the test side, PRF was used, while in the sinus lift surgery of the other side of the same patient no graft materials were used. After six months and before the second surgery, CBCT was used to evaluate bone density and height. Results. All the 41 implants were osseointegrated and were clinically stable. The bone height was 1.42 mm higher in the PRF group than the group without PRF, which was statistically significant. The mean density of the bone formed around the dental implants in the PRF group was 52.85 units higher than that of the group without PRF, which was statistically significant. Conclusion. Using PRF in sinus lift surgery might enhance the quantity and quality of bone formation.

Background: The present study aimed to determine the effect of mouthwashes on the shear bond strength (SBS) and surface roughness (SR) of soft liners. Materials and Methods: In this in vitro study, a total of 72 samples were prepared to evaluate the SBS (n = 36 for each liner). An autopolymerized (Mollosil Plus) and a heat-polymerized liner (Molloplast B) were injected in between two blocks of heat-processed acrylic resin (Triplex). The samples in each liner group were subdivided into three subgroups. Control group samples were totally stored in distilled water. In test groups, samples were immersed in chlorhexidine (CHX) or mouthwash containing ginger extract for 30 min daily. After 20 days, the SBSs were evaluated using a universal testing machine. To evaluate the SR, 30 disk-shaped samples (15mm*10mm) were prepared for each type of liners and stored in the similar solutions; distilled water, CHX and ginger mouthwash (n=10). SR was measured at 1 day and after 90 days with a profilometer. One-way ANOVA, independent t-test, and paired t-test were used to analyze data. P < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: The SBS in Molloplast B liner was significantly higher than Mollosil regardless of type of solution (P < 0.001). In both liners, the mean SBS was not statistically different between the three groups of solutions. Changes in SR were not statistically significant after 90 days, except for the Mollosil group, immersed in ginger extract solution which was increased (P = 0.04). Conclusion: SBS of either group of liners did not change in both mouthwashes; However, SBS of heat-polymerized liner was higher than autopolymerized in all groups. Ginger extract-containing mouthwash increased SR of autopolymerized liner used in this study; whereas, there were no significant changes in the heat-cured liner. According to this study, CHX can be used for the disinfection of prosthesis lined with either type of liners.

Background. Periodontitis is an infectious and inflammatory disease of the supporting tissues of the tooth caused by specific microorganisms or a group of microorganisms and, if not treated, leads to progressive degradation of the supporting tissues and subsequent loss of the teeth affected. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of IL-36γ on periodontitis by enhancing the TLR4 and MAPK signaling pathways. Methods. In this pilot study, 50 patients with generalized moderate-to-severe chronic periodontitis and 50 individuals with healthy periodontium, who were candidates for crown lengthening (CL), were selected based on inclusion criteria. The tissue samples were taken during pocket depth surgery (for the test group) and CL surgery (for the control group). The macrophage cells of the inflammatory tissues were extracted and stimulated by TLR4 proteins in a time-dependent manner; then IL-36γ levels in macrophages were investigated. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics (means ± standard deviations and frequency percentages). Repeat measurement test was used to compare IL36γ expression in MAPK and TLR4 pathways at different time intervals. ANCOVA was used to compare IL36γ expression at different time intervals between the two pathways. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS 17 at a significance level of P

Forkhead box P3 (Foxp3) gene is an important means in the Treg cells function, in both maintenances of immune tolerance and regulation of response. Epigenetic modifications of the foxp3 gene at its regulatory regions control the chromatin accessibility for the transcription factors and other transcriptional regulators in order to control Foxp3 expression. In addition, the methylation status of CpG islands within the Foxp3 promoter and regulatory elements regulate the expression of Foxp3. This study was performed to assess the role of the foxp3 gene in patients with Behçet’s syndrome (BS). Venous blood samples were collected from all participants and peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) were extracted through Ficoll-Hypaque method. Genomic DNA was randomly sheared by sonication and immunoprecipitated with a monoclonal antibody. The status methylation of the foxp3 gene was estimated in 108 blood samples of active BS patients and healthy individuals (controls); using methylation DNA immunoprecipitation (MeDIP) technique. Expression analysis was carried out; using Real-time PCR. The expression of foxp3 gene in the patients' group (mean±SD: 1.79±1.12) was significantly lower than the healthy group (mean±SD: 2.73±1.33) (p0.05). Also, these results indicated that increasing the amount of methylation of the foxp3 gene by reducing its expression leads to an increase and intensifying of the disease. The decrease in Foxp3 expression is possibly associated with hypermethylation of the gene, and it can be considered as a risk factor for BS. Future studies may be needed to identify the capability of specific DNA methylation alterations in this syndrome.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Oral habits are risk factors for the incidence of malocclusion in deciduous teeth. Investigating the factors associated with malocclusion is essential for the policies of public health. The present study was conducted to determine the prevalence of malocclusion and oral habits in children aged 3 – 5 years old in kindergartens of Ramsar, Iran. METHODS: In this cross-sectional study, 180 children with complete primary dentition and without previous orthodontic treatment were randomly examined in kindergartens of Ramsar. After filling out questionnaires about the oral health of the child by the parents, the intraoral examination was performed using mirror, catheter and periodontal probe in terms of occlusion. FINDINGS: Malocclusion was observed in 138 children (76.7%), while 80 children (44.4%) had oral habits. There was no significant relationship between total habits and malocclusion. Children with bruxism had a higher incidence of edge to edge overjet, and overbite. There was a significant relationship between bruxism and the condition of overjet and overbite (p < 0.0001). Of 54 children with bruxism, abnormal overjet in 31.5% of them was edge to edge, in 20.4% of them was increased and in 1.9% of them was reverse, and abnormal overbite in 35.2% of them was edge to edge and in 27.8% of them was deep. There was a significant relationship between finger-sucking habit and open bite dental occlusion (p < 0.004) and of 16 children with finger-sucking habit, 37.5% were open bite. CONCLUSION: The results of this study showed that there is no relationship between total oral habits and malocclusion in children.

Background. Albumin is a protein whose serum levels decrease in inflammatory conditions such as periodontal diseases. This study was undertaken to evaluate changes in serum albumin levels in patients with and without periodontal diseases prior and subsequent to non-surgical periodontal treatment and its relationship with clinical parameters of periodontal disease.Methods. Twenty patients diagnosed as having chronic periodontitis and 20 periodontally healthy subjects, referring to Tabriz Faculty of Dentistry, were selected. Serum albumin levels and clinical variables of periodontal disease (probing pocket depth, gingival index, bleeding index, clinical attachment level and plaque index) were determined before treatment and three months subsequent to non-surgical periodontal treatment. Data were subjected to descriptive statistical analyses (mean ± SD). Serum levels of albumin and clinical parameters were compared between the two groups with independent-samples t-test. Paired-samples t-test was applied to compare the variables before and after treatment in the case group. Statistical significance was defined at P

Background.: This research aimed to evaluate the clinical characteristics of pain and wound healing and serological inflammatory markers after full-mouth implantation in one session compared to several sessions. Methods.: A single-masked clinical trial was conducted on 20 patients (n=10) receiving full-mouth implants. Patients were randomly divided into two groups. The first group was operated under general anesthesia in one session and the second group in multi-sessions. Inflammation level was evaluated through white blood cell (WBC) and serum C-reactive protein (CRP) before and after surgery by a blood test. Pain and early wound healing (EHS) assessment was conducted after surgery with VAS and EHS indicators, respectively. Serological and clinical parameters were compared by repeated-measures ANOVA and Sidak and Man-Whitney U tests, respectively, using SPSS 20. Results.: The CRP level 48 hours postoperatively was not different in the two groups; however, seven days after treatment, it was higher in the multi-session group than in the single-session approach. The WBC was not different between the two groups at evaluated intervals. Serum levels of WBC and CRP increased 48 hours postoperatively and decreased seven days later. EHS showed no difference between the two groups at the three investigated intervals. The amount of VAS 24 and 48 hours and 7 days postoperatively was higher in multi-session surgery than in the one-session approach. In both groups, VAS was not different at 24 and 48 hours postoperatively and decreased over seven days. Conclusion.: Full-mouth implant surgery under general anesthesia in one session caused less inflammation and pain postoperatively while presenting the same wound-healing process as the multi-session surgery [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background. This study was undertaken to assess the pathological and spatial associations between periapical and periodontal diseases of the maxillary first molars and thickening of maxillary sinus mucosa with cone-beam computed tomography. Methods. A total of 132 CBCT images of subjects 20‒60 years of age were evaluated retrospectively. The patients' sex and age and demographic and pathologic findings of the maxillary sinus in the first molar area were recorded, graded and analyzed. Results. Approximately 59% of patients were male and 41% were female, with no significant difference in the thickness of schneiderian membrane between males and females. Based on the periapical index scoring, the highest frequency was detected in group 1. Based on the results of ANOVA, there were no significant differences in the frequencies of endodontic‒periodontal lesions and an increase in schneiderian membrane thickness. There were significant relationships between periapical and periodontal infections (P