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Objectives: The neuraminidase (NA) mutations causing resistance to NA inhibitors (NAIs) mostly compromise the fitness of influenza viruses. Considering the importance of these mutations, constant monitoring of the effectiveness of available drugs is critical. This study aimed to identify NA mutations in the influenza A/H1N1 and A/H3N2 subtypes in the samples of Mazandaran, Iran from 2016 to 2020. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 20 influenza A/H1N1 and 20 influenza A/H3N2 samples were included in the study. After design of appropriate primers for NA gene, all samples subjected to RT-PCR and electrophoresis. Then the PCR product was sequenced to determine the mutations. Results: In the present study, no oseltamivir resistance-related mutations were detected. Still, NA gene showed variations compared to the vaccine strains. In A/H1N1, a total of 43 mutations were detected. Similarly, in A/H3N2, a total of 66 mutations were observed. In all isolates of H1N1, N200S, N248D and I321V mutations were detected in the antigenic site of NA protein, which can affect vaccine incompatibility and virus escape from the host's immune system. Also, H150R mutation was observed in the NA active site of H3N2, which is the cause of agglutination by NA protein. Also, S245N mutation was identified as a new N-Glycosylation site of H3N2 subtype. Conclusions: The study of NA gene sequences revealed no oseltamivir resistance mutations. In H1N1 isolates, ca. 97% identities and in the H3N2 subtype, 96% identities were observed compared to reference isolate of 2009, which indicates the importance of constant monitoring of the emergence of the drug resistance mutations.

In this study, mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) were primed with Tetrandrine (TET) having anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory effects to examine the effects of this molecule on the antioxidative potential of MSCs as well as their modulatory effects on activated peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs). The viability of primed MSCs was detected using MTT assay and Trypan blue staining. Moreover, flow cytometry technique was applied to evaluate cell cycle distribution and immunophenotype of MSCs. The production of superoxide dismutase 3 (SOD3), malondialdehyde (MDA), kynurenine, TGF-β, and IFN-γ were also measured by spectrophotometry to assess the alteration of antioxidative and immunomodulatory potential of MSCs. Then, TET-primed MSCs were cocultured with PBMCs. The MTT assay was used to measure the proliferation of PBMCs. Cell cycle progression of PBMCs and frequency of regulatory T cells were evaluated using Flow cytometry. ELISA assay was also applied to determine the concentrations of TGF-β and IFN-γ after coculturing. According to our data, TET enhanced the secretion of SOD3 and kynurenine from MSCs, while the production of IFN-γ was reduced. No changes were observed in the viability, proliferation, and immunophenotype of MSCs after priming with TET. Moreover, the proliferation and frequency of PBMCs in the S and G2/M phases of cell cycle reduced after co-culturing with TET-primed MSCs. The concentration of TGF-β was increased in the supernatant of PBMCs, but the level of IFN-γ was reduced.Our data suggested this priming method as a novel strategy for increasing the antioxidative and immunomodulatory activity of MSCs.

Background: This study aims to observe how auriculotherapy acts as a nonpharmacological treatment for pregnant women's gestational hypertension. Materials and Methods: This study was a randomized controlled trial. Eighty patients were with gestational hypertension recruited and divided into control (n = 40) and intervention (n = 40) groups. The control group just received the usual perinatal care. The intervention group received one month of auriculotherapy in addition to the usual care. Blood pressure was measured before and 15 minutes after rest in both groups twice a week. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and inferential tests. Results: The mean systolic blood pressure, based on the Mann-Whitney test, was not statistically significant between the two groups before the intervention and in the first two weeks after the intervention (p >0.05); however, after the third week of intervention, the mean systolic blood pressure in the intervention group was significantly lower than that in the control group (p

Abstract Cholesteric liquid crystals exhibit a periodic helical structure that partially reflects light with wavelengths comparable to the period of the structure, thus performing as a one-dimensional photonic crystal. Here, we demonstrate a combined experimental and numerical study of light transmittance spectra of finite-length helical structure of cholesteric liquid crystals, as affected by the main system and material parameters, as well as the corresponding eigenmodes and frequency eigenspectra with their Q-factors. Specifically, we have measured and simulated transmittance spectra of samples with different thicknesses, birefringences and for various incident light polarisation configurations as well as quantified the role of refractive index dispersion and the divergence of the incident light beam on transmittance spectra. We identify the relation between transmittance spectra and the eigenfrequencies of the photonic eigenmodes. Furthermore, we present and visualize the geometry of these eigenmodes and corresponding Q-factors. More generally, this work systematically studies the properties of light propagation in a one-dimensional helical cholesteric liquid crystal birefringent profile, which is known to be of interest for the design of micro-lasers and other soft matter photonic devices.

AbstractObjectives Recently, topical drug delivery system has gained increasing interest in the treatment of oral lesions. Lichen planus is a chronic inflammatory disease affecting mucous membranes and skin. The current study aimed to fabricate a drug delivery system containing mycophenolate mofetil for the treatment of oral lichen planus lesions.Methods Firstly, a nanofibrous mat containing mycophenolate mofetil, zinc oxide nanoparticles, and aloe vera was designed and fabricated. The antimicrobial, cytocompatibility, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidative characteristics of fabricated scaffolds were evaluated. Then, this nanofibrous mat was applied to 12 patients suffering from bilateral erythematous/erosive Oral Lichen planus (OLP) lesions for 2 weeks. The treatment outcomes, including oral symptoms and lesion size, were compared with the routine topical treatment of these lesions; Triamcinolone ointment.Results The characterization of nanofibrous mat approved the successful fabrication of scaffolds. The fabricated nanofibers showed notable antimicrobial activity. The amounts of TNF 𝛼, IL6, and reactive oxygen species (ROS) of stimulated human gingival fibroblasts were decreased after exposure to NFs/Myco/Alv/ZnO scaffolds. The clinical trial results demonstrated the same therapeutic effects compared to the commercial ointment, while the symptoms of patients were significantly improved in the mats group.Significance. Considering the successful results of this study, the application of nanofibrous mat can be a promising product for improving treatment outcomes of OLP.

In recent years, an effective recycling process from smoked cigarette butts is the main challenge for decreasing the worldwide environmental pollution. Therefore, low-cost activated carbon fibers (ACFs) are synthesized by a carbonization/ activation process derived from smoked cigarette filters, in which potassium hydroxide (KOH) acts as the chemical activation agent. The KOH-treated filters were added to a tube oven and heated at various rates and held at 800 °C for 1 h under a nitrogen atmosphere. The effects of various synthesis procedures on surface morphology, microstructure, and porosity of the synthesized ACFs were investigated. The surface morphology and microstructural analysis of ACFs displayed that the porous spots and oxygen-containing groups (COOH, –OH, and C=O) are formed on the surfaces of fibers. The obtained results displayed that the synthesized ACFs have developed porous structures with fibrous shapes. The ACFs with maximum carbon yield, surface area, and total pore volume of 29.41 %, 855 m2/g, and 0.7431 cm3/g were synthesized at a KOH concentration of 10 g/l, a heating rate of 2 °C/min, and carbonization temperature of 800 °C. This study presented an engineering process for the production of ACFs through recycling smoked cigarette butts with chemical activation protocol.

The goal of tissue engineering is to repair and regenerate diseased and damaged tissues and organs with functionaland biocompatible materials that mimic native and original tissues which leads to maintaining and improvement oftissue function. Lignin and cellulose are the most abundant polymers in nature and have many applications in industry.Moreover, recently the physicochemical behaviors of lignin and cellulose, including biocompatibility, biodegradability,and mechanical properties, have been used in diverse biological applications ranging from drug delivery to tissueengineering. To assess these aims, this review gives an overview and comprehensive knowledge and highlights theorigin and applications of lignin and cellulose-derived scaffolds in different tissue engineering and other biologicalapplications. Finally, the challenges for future development using lignin and cellulose are also included. Plant-basedtissue engineering is a promising technology for progressing areas in biomedicine, regenerative medicine, andnanomedicine, with much research focused on the development of newer material scaffolds with individual specificfeatures to make functional and biocompatible tissues and organs for medical applications.

Boron nitride nanosheets (BNNSs) have attracted the attention of researchers for their extraordinary mechanical properties, large surface areas, and strong interactions with the host matrix, making them ideal candidates as supplementary materials for the construction industry. However, the major challenge associated with the incorporation of BNNSs in cement-based materials is their unfavorable dispersion in a cementitious alkaline environment. In this work, experimental and computational methods were employed to trace the influential factors that hindered the proper dispersion of BNNSs within cementitious composites. The results showed that the BNNS dispersion remained stable in mild alkaline environments with pH values ranging from 7.5 to 12.2, but high alkalinity (pH = 13.1) reduced the BNNS dispersion. Among the various cations, Ca2+ is the most reactive cation for BNNS agglomeration in a cementitious alkaline environment. To protect BNNS against these influential factors, polycarboxylate ether-based superplasticizer (PCE) was selected as a suitable treatment to improve the dispersion stability of BNNS within cementitious composites. The formation of covalent bonds between calcium silicate hydrate and BNNS resulted in enhanced charge transfer and consequently improved the load transfer from the matrix to the BNNS. Finally, based on the mechanical tests, with the addition of only 0.01 wt % PCE-treated BNNSs, the compressive and flexural strengths of the cement samples improved by 43 and 13%, respectively, which clearly showed the significance of stable BNNS dispersion using PCE on the performance of the final cement composite. The results of this study could improve the fundamental understanding of BNNS-containing cementitious nanocomposites. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Problem-based learning (PBL) has been one of the most attractive and effective teaching-learning programs during the last 40 years and is one of the newest methods of medical education. In this method, students usually work on a problem in small groups and learn the objectives of education, which include basic and clinical knowledge. The purpose of this study was to seek the opinions of dermatology department students about a viral skin diseases course delivered in a PBL style.Objectives: The purpose of this study was to seek the opinions of dermatology department students about a viral skin diseases course delivered in a PBL style.Methods: This survey-type cross-sectional collected the opinions of 175 medical students (99 externs and 76 interns) at the dermatology department of Sinai Educational, Research and Treatment Center from April to July 2022. In this study, a researcher-made questionnaire with 25 questions that evaluated learning of viral skin diseases through the PBL method was utilized for data collection. The validity of the questionnaire was confirmed by experts.Results: The collected opinions of the students showed that this teaching method improved their learning attitude and performance, developed critical thinking skills, improved their ability to learn interactive communication and self-evaluation, and enhanced their time management capacities and motivation to learn clinical subjects.Conclusion: According to the results, the PBL method is effective in teaching theoretical courses on skin diseases, and this method can be recommended for delivering other similar courses.

We study the effects of nanoparticles (NPs) on thermotropic nematic liquid crystals (LCs) in relatively dilute NP–LC mixtures. We are interested in the fundamental generic mechanisms that quantitatively and qualitatively affect the phase behavior of LCs. A simple molecular field analysis shows that a phase transition will likely occur upon entry into the ordered phase. Moreover, the interaction between nematogenic NPs and LCs could force a sergeant–soldier-like behavior, in which only the phase behavior of one component is affected despite the symmetric appearance of the coupling term. When NPs are anisotropic, their influence on LC phase behavior can be qualitatively different depending on the anchoring, even in the absence of the disorder. We illustrate numerically that a random-field-type disorder might impose either short-range, quasi-long-range, or even long-range order, which might survive.

Abstract Dexamethasone, a common medication used in the treatment regimen of glioblastoma, has broad inhibitory effects on the immune responses. Here, in an in vitro study, we examined the effects of piroxicam, a potent substitute for dexamethasone, on peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) co-cultured with two glioblastoma cell lines, U-87 MG and A-172 cells. MTT assay was used to determine the proliferation of PBMCs treated with piroxicam, or dexamethasone. In addition, to evaluate the effects of drugs on the cell cycle distribution, DNA content per cell was analyzed in PBMCs and A-172 cell lines using flow cytometry. Oxidative parameters, including superoxide dismutase-3 (SOD3) activity and total anti-antioxidant capacity, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) activity, as well as IFN-γ and TGF-β levels were measured in PBMCs alone or in the presence of cell lines using ELISA. Unlike dexamethasone, piroxicam showed a protective effect on PBMCs against both glioblastoma cell lines. Furthermore, while dexamethasone reduced the proliferation of PBMCs, piroxicam had no adverse effect on the proliferation. Cell cycle analysis showed a reduction in the G2/M phase in piroxicam-treated A-172 cells. Additionally, dexamethasone limited the cell cycle progression by increasing the fraction of PBMCs in G0/G1. Interestingly, after co-culturing piroxicam-treated PBMCs with cell lines, a remarkable rise in the LDH activity was observed. Although not significant, piroxicam partially decreased TGF-β levels in both cell lines. Our findings suggested a protective effect of piroxicam, but not dexamethasone, on PBMCs against inhibitory mechanisms of two glioblastoma cell lines, U-87 and A-172 cells.

Abstract The presence of optical anisotropy in liquid crystals (LCs) has caused these materials to have dual refractive indices: ordinary (no) and extra-ordinary (ne). Many fundamental information about LCs can be found by looking at these refractive indices. In this work, the refractive indices of four mixtures nematic liquid crystal (NLC) have been studied as a function of temperature, and the relevant functions were then calculated. Subsequently, the order parameter of mentioned LCs was determined using three methods: Vuks, Haller, and the effective geometry parameter method. It was concluded that the obtained values are not significantly different and exhibit the same temperature dependence. The obtained results were evaluated in relation to the approach utilized.

Purpose: Stem cells can exhibit restorative effects with the commitment to functional cells.Cell-imprinted topographies provide adaptable templates and certain dimensions for thedifferentiation and bioactivity of stem cells. Cell sheet technology using the thermo-responsivepolymers detaches the "cell sheets" easier with less destructive effects on the extracellularmatrix (ECM). Here, we aim to dictate keratinocyte-like differentiation of mesenchymal stemcells (MSCs) by using combined cell imprinting and sheet technology.Methods: We developed the poly dimethyl siloxane (PDMS) substrate having keratinocytecell-imprinted topography grafted with the PNIPAAm polymer. Adipose tissue-derived MSCs(AT-MSCs) were cultured on PDMS substrate for 14 days and keratinocyte-like differentiationmonitored via the expression of involucrin, P63, and cytokeratin 14.Results: Data showed the efficiency of the current protocol in the fabrication of PDMSmolds. The culture of AT-MSCs induced typical keratinocyte morphology and up-regulatedthe expression of cytokeratin-14, Involucrin, and P63 compared to AT-MSCs cultured on theplastic surface (P

Introduction: Back and pelvic pain is one of the most common problems during pregnancy. Acupressure is one of the treatment strategies. Therefore, this study was performed with aim to determine the effect of electro-acupressure of LI4 and LI11 on the severity and disability of in pregnant women with low back and pelvic pain. Methods: This randomized clinical trial study was performed on 101 pregnant women with low back and pelvic pain referred to Booeinzahra health centers from April to November 2020. The subjects were divided into intervention and control groups using block random allocation. The intervention group participated in 12 sessions of electro-acupressure on Heogu and Quchi from 26 to 32 weeks of pregnancy. The control group received standard prenatal care. The Roland Morris Disability Questionnaire and Visual Analogue of Pain were completed in both groups before, 2 and 4 weeks after the intervention. Data were analyzed using R software and mixed effects model tests and post hoc test. P< 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: The results of the study showed that 4 weeks intervention significantly reduced pain intensity (6.42 ± 0.83, 3.00 ±1.04) and disability (14.62 ± 1.29, 7.9±2.22) in the intervention group compared to the control group (P

Introduction: Low back pain is one of the most common and costly problems during pregnancy. Exercise is one of the therapeutic strategies. Therefore, this study was performed with aim to determine the effect of water exercise on improving pain and disability in pregnant women with low back pain. Methods: This randomized clinical trial study was conducted on 54 pregnant women with low back pain referred to the healthcare centers in Qazvin in 2019. The subjects were randomly divided into two groups of intervention and control using block allocation. The intervention group participated in 24 sessions of water exercise from 20 to 34 weeks of pregnancy. The control group received the standard prenatal care. The Roland-Morris Questionnaire (RMQ) and the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) were completed before, 4 and 8 weeks after the intervention in both groups. Data were analyzed by SPSS software (version 24) and U Mann-Whitney and Friedman tests. P< 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: Water exercise had significant effect on the mean score of pain intensity (1.44±1.42, 8.14±1.76) and the disability of low back pain (3.44±2.45, 17.29±2.98) in the intervention group compared to the control group after 8 weeks of intervention (p

Background: Melasma is an acquired Hypermelanosis often difficult to treat. In this study, we assessed efficacy and safety of 5% hydroquinone cream plus non-ablative fractional 1540 erbium YAG laser and 5% hydroquinone cream alone in the treatment of melasma Methods: We selected 40 patients of melasma aged between 18 and 60 years for the study. Group 1 were treated with a cream of 5% hydroquinone and group 2 treated with a solution of hydroquinone 5% plus three sessions of non-ablative fractional 1540 erbium YAG laser at monthly interval. Improvement was assessed by the melasma-area-and-severity-index (MASI) score. Results: The two groups did not differ significantly in (MASI( score in the first month of treatment (p = 0/135), while during the second to fifth months, there were significant differences between the two groups (p

Background and Objectives: The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has raised concerns about high-risk groups in community. Due to physiologic changes in pregnancy, these women are prone to this infection; therefore, this study was conducted to evaluate Covid-19 infection and pregnancy outcomes in Qazvin Province. Methods: This longitudinal study was done in Qazvin Province from March to October 2020. The participants included 133 pregnant women who with a definitive diagnosis of COVID-19 using CT scan and PCR test. A four-section questionnaire was used to collect demographic data, COVID-19 symptoms, and pregnancy outcomes. The mothers were followed up until six months after delivery. Data were analyzed using the SPSS software version 24 and descriptive statistics. Results: The mean age of the mothers was 27.09 ± 5.67 years. Fever, cough, and body pain were the most common symptoms of Covid-19 in the mothers. The majority (87.96%) of the mothers were in second and third trimester of pregnancy. Maternal outcomes included preterm labor (9%), Cesarean section (51.1%) and maternal death (11.28% or 5 cases). Perinatal outcomes were abortion (6%) and fetal death (3%). Conclusion: Based on the results of the present study, Covid-19 increased the rate of maternal mortality and preterm delivery in pregnant women. Attention should be paid to support the expecting mothers, and more emphasis should be placed on health protocols in this group of patients.

Background: Although many warts are treated with usual methods, resistant cases are common problems. Bleomycin is one of the drugs used for resistant cases. The aim of this study was to compare the effect of cryotherapy and intralesional bleomycin injection combination with cryotherapy in the treatment of resistant warts. Methods: Sixty patients with resistant warts were selected and randomly divided into two groups of 30 A and B patients. In each group, cryotherapy was performed three sessions during 0, third and, sixth weeks in case of visible lesions. In group B, in addition to cryotherapy in week 0, and in the presence of visible lesions during week 3, injections of intra-lesions of bleomycin 1 mg/ml were administered. Treatment outcomes and possible complications were evaluated during the third and sixth weeks. Results: The response to the treatment was defined as poor, moderate, and well by the physician, which was 16.7%, 53.3% and, 10% in group A after 3 weeks of treatment, respectively and was 16.7%, 50% and, 33.3% in group B, respectively. The response to the treatment after 6 weeks of treatment was 33.3%, 40%, and 26.7% in group A and was 6.7%, 40%, and 53.3% in group B, respectively. Conclusion: Combined treatment of cryotherapy and intralesional bleomycin injection is more effective than cryotherapy in the treatment of resistant warts.

Nowadays, most mining and quarrying industries utilize a diamond wire saw machine for bench cutting operations. This method uses a metal wire or cable assembled by diamond beads to cut the hard stone into large blocks. Many parameters classified into controllable and uncontrollable parameters affect the performance of the diamond wire saw cutting method. The uncontrollable parameters are related to rock engineering properties, and controllable parameters are related to operational aspects and machine performance. The diamond wire sawing process’s production rate is one of the most critical parameters influencing the design optimization and quarrying cost estimation. The cutting rate and wear rate of diamond beads are the most important factors to evaluate quarries’ production performance. This study aims to determine the effects of different controllable and uncontrollable parameters on different quarries’ production rates. Rock engineering properties like strength, hardness, and abrasivity, and operational aspects, such as cutting angle and drive wheel diameters, are considered as the main factors affecting the production performance of the diamond wire saw method. To discover the influence of these parameters, a detailed investigation in ten quarry operations was carried out. The relation between cutting rate and diamond bead wear with different parameters is estimated. It was observed that different controllable and uncontrollable parameters could increase or decrease the cutting rate and diamond bead wearing. Furthermore, using simple and multiple regression analysis, performance prediction of the cutting rate and wearing of diamond beads was developed, and the best equations were proposed.

Nowadays, the dimension stone industry performs a crucial role in the world economy. Accordingly, dimension stone quarries’ importance grows due to their different applications in various construction, building, and decorative industries. Some issues threaten this industry and provide a financial risk that should be taken into account to make the smallest possible risk for investment. The presence of discontinuities in the rock mass has a key function as far as it concerns the overall quality of in situ rock blocks. It impacts the feasibility of dimension stone quarries and overall mine exploitation efficiency. Therefore, it is recommended to survey discontinuities and rock blocks and estimate the average geometry of a rock block, including the shape and size, before mining the benches to maximize mining exploitation efficiency and minimize waste ore production. This investigation aims to survey the discontinuities of the limestone quarry mine located in Josheghan, Iran, to determine and calculate rock blocks’ suitable geometry and an extraction’s direction for active mine benches. For this purpose, the scanline method was applied to survey discontinuities in seven active benches. 3DEC software was used to indicate discontinuities and model the rock blocks for all active benches. It was concluded that the benches’ cutting line make a 13.14 degree with the discontinuities main’s direction. The result of this study proved that by changing the direction of mining and extraction for active mine benches, the unnecessary waste production would decrease. The production rate with the recommended extraction direction will increase by about 1.13% compared to the current extraction direction, which makes 13.14 degrees with the discontinuities main’s direction. Currently, bench seven recorded the minimum production rate, which is 97.60; by applying the new extraction’s direction, it is predicted that this bench will achieve a 99.83 production rate. Consequently, it is concluded by improving the production rate, exploitation efficiency would increase considerably.

Background: Vitiligo is an acquired depigmenting disorder characterized by the loss of functional melanocytes from the epidermis. Although the etiology of vitiligo is unknown, over the last few years, substantial data from clinical research have greatly supported the "Autoimmune theory." Vitiligo has two major forms: progressive and stable. As cytokines are important mediators of immunity, the most important of them are IL-2, IL-6, and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α). Objectives: We aimed to study the serum level of IL-2, IL-6, and TNF-α in stable and progressive vitiligo and compared them to find a useful lab test to determine the form of vitiligo for diagnose and treatment. Materials and Methods: Serum IL-2, IL-6, and TNF-α were done by the indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) in 40 cases of stable and progressive vitiligo. Results: Twenty patients had progressive vitiligo and 20 patients were stable vitiligo. In every group, there were seven male patients. Twenty-one patients had a positive family history of vitiligo and four patients had other autoimmune diseases. The average age and familial history between two groups and two genders were not meaningful. The mean serum TNF-α level was significantly higher in progressive than stable vitiligo. No significant difference was observed in the serum levels of IL-2, IL-6 between stable and progressive vitiligo. The mean serum IL-6 and TNF-α had higher levels in male patients. Conclusion: Analysis of TNF-α levels in every age or gender can show us the type of vitiligo, stable or progressive and we can choose the best form of treatment for patients.

Objective To assess the marginal and internal fit of crowns manufactured by additive and subtractive manufacturing technique. Materials and Methods Twenty extracted teeth prepared for complete coverage crowns were scanned with an intra-oral scanner (Omnicam, DentsplySirona). For the subtractive manufacturing (SM) group, ten crowns were manufactured in a hybrid resin block (Vita Enamic, Vita Zahnfabrik). For the additive manufacturing (AM) group, the crowns were manufactured in a hybrid resin material (NextDent C&B, 3D systems). The design parameters were identical for the two groups. The marginal and internal fit (determined at the axial wall, the cusp tip and occlusally) was assessed before cementation with the replica technique and after cementation under stereomicroscope after sectioning of the crowned teeth. Results For the SM group, the marginal fit was 91 µm (±28 µm) before cementation and 85 µm (±18 µm) after cementation. In the AM group, the marginal fit was 75 µm (±29 µm) before cementation and 71 µm (±18 µm) after cementation. The differences were not statistically significant. As regards the internal fit, the fit at the axial wall was statistically significantly better in the SM group than in the AM group (p=.009 before cementation and .03 after cementation). Occlusally the fit in the AM group was significantly better than in the SM group after cementation (p