From the Rio 2016 Olympics to the Paris 2024 Olympics: Is there a risk of Dengue disease?

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The association between MMP-13 rs478927 gene polymorphism and dental caries susceptibility in children with mixed dentition from Birjand, Iran: A case-control study

Background and Aims

Gene polymorphisms are responsible for at least part of the variation in caries susceptibility despite similar environmental factors. Genes involved in enamel formation like matrix metalloproteinase-13 (MMP-13) may participate in caries process. The aim was to investigate the association between MMP-13 rs478927 polymorphism and caries susceptibility in 6-years-old children from Birjand, Iran.

Methods

Six-years old children from Birjand, Iran, participated in this study. The total decayed, missing, and filled teeth were calculated and defined as caries index (CI). Based on this CI, two groups of high-caries (case) and low-caries (control) were taken into account. Saliva samples were collected and DNA was extracted. The allele and genotypes of MMP-13 rs478927 polymorphism were determined by tetra-primer amplification refractory mutation system-polymerase chain reaction (T-ARMS-PCR) method. p Value was significant if p < 0.05.

Results

Three hundred sixty-seven children consisted of 186 low-caries children and 181 high-caries children were included in this study. The mean CI was 6.02 ± 0.81. There was no significant association between high and low-caries groups based on socioeconomic status, eating sweet snacks, parents' susceptibility to dental caries, duration of breastfeeding, and the brushing habit (p > 0.05). There wasn't any significant association between genotype distribution of MMP-13 rs478927 polymorphism and CI groups (p = 0.924). This polymorphism was associated with increased caries susceptibility under all genetic models but this effect was not significant (p > 0.05).

Conclusion

The MMP-13 rs478927 gene polymorphism was not significantly associated with dental caries susceptibility in Birjandi children with mixed dentition. It is recommended to conduct studies on children of different dentitions to better understand the role of this polymorphism on caries susceptibility in primary and permanent teeth of children.

The Effect of Auriculotherapy on Nausea, Vomiting, and Anxiety in Patients Undergoing Elective Cesarean Section with Spinal Anesthesia: A Clinical Trial Study

Background

Nausea, vomiting, and anxiety are common complications during and after spinal anesthesia. Auriculotherapy as a complementary medicine can be useful for reducing nausea, vomiting, or anxiety. This study was performed to evaluate the effects of auriculotherapy on nausea, vomiting, and anxiety in patients undergoing elective Cesarean Section (CS) with spinal anesthesia.

Materials and Methods

The present study was a clinical trial study that was performed on 56 pregnant women selected as CS candidates in Ommolbanin Hospital in Mashhad during the years 2016-2017. In the intervention group, 1 h before spinal anesthesia, auricular acupoint stimulation was performed at four points bilaterally, for 20-30 seconds at each point. Evaluations were done by the following questionnaires: State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI), Visual Analog Scale (VAS), and Vomiting Assessment Form.

Results

The mean anxiety (SD) before the intervention in the intervention group and the control group was 47.88 (8.67) and 47.84 (10.49), respectively, and 4 h after the intervention, it was 40.23 (10.19) and 42.88 (12.18) in the intervention and control groups, respectively. These results were significant in the intervention group (p = 0.008). 30-40 min before and 4 h after the surgery, the severity of nausea and vomiting was low in both groups and no significant difference was observed between the two groups during the surgery and in the recovery room (p > 0.05).

Conclusions

According to the results, auriculotherapy could reduce anxiety in CS patients with spinal analgesia. The results also showed that auriculotherapy reduced the severity of nausea and vomiting, but these changes were not significant.

Novel 3D carbon fibers derived from Luffa wastes for oil/water separation

In this study, the 3D structure of carbon fibers (CFs) was prepared from Luffa sponge wastes by H₃PO₄ impregnation with various ratios and a low-temperature carbonization process at 500 °C in a nitrogen atmosphere. The H₃PO₄-treated Luffa sponge had higher thermal stability and carbonic yield (∼60-70%) than neat-Luffa (∼21%). Characterization analyses exposed that the synthesized CFs derived from H₃PO₄-treated Luffa exhibited oleophilic and hydrophobic carbonic nature with 3D sponge skeletal, reflecting an ideal structure for oil sorption. The engine oil sorption properties on the CFs were studied by varying the contact time. The engine oil sorption equilibrium data for 3D CFs samples was explained by the pseudo-second-order and intraparticle diffusion models. The equilibrium oil sorption capacities of 3D CFs were as large as 23.1 ± 0.4 g/g for engine oil, 23.7 ± 1.0 g/g for gasoline, 28.1 ± 1.0 g/g for almond oil, and 29.2 ± 0.8 g/g for pomegranate seed oil in 20 min. Moreover, the optimized 3D CFs can be selectively for oil/water separation applications, such as high capacities for various oils, fast kinetic sorption, and reusability (>6 cycles). This research presented a facile and cost-effective process for the 3D CFs through recycling Luffa sponge wastes for rapid oil sorption.

Full-genome characterization and genetic analysis of a H9N2 virus in commercial broilers in Iran, 2017

Since 1998, Iran's poultry industry has faced several outbreaks of low pathogenic avian influenza H9N2. Tissue samples were collected from a broiler flock with respiratory symptoms in autumn 2017. After that, virus isolation and confirmation of H9N2 using RT-PCR, sequencing, and bioinformatic analysis for all eight genes were performed. The phylogenic analysis revealed HA gene of recent Iranian isolate (A/chicken/Mashhad/UT-Barin/2017) which was clustered in G1 sublineage. In addition, all eight genes of the virus were placed with Pakistani isolates of 2015 in separate group. Based on amino acid motif KSSR in HA cleavage site, the UT-Barin is considered as low pathogenic avian influenza with eight HA and seven NA potential N-glycosylated sites. No evidence was detected regarding adamantane and neuraminidase inhibitors' drug's resistance. Multiple point mutations were observed in all genes that were responsible for increasing virulence of the virus for avian host and also increasing affinity to mammalian host cells.

Emergence of a virulent genotype VIIi of Newcastle disease virus in Iran

Newcastle disease (ND) is a contagious viral disease affecting numerous avian species, particularly domestic poultry, and causes devastating outbreaks. In spite of its endemicity and importance in Iran, data on the genetic characterization of ND virus (NDV) are scarce. An alarming issue that has just been raised is the occurrence of ND outbreaks with unexpected high mortality and severe clinical signs. The present study was conducted to characterize the emerging NDV genetically. An NDV strain, isolated in 2017 from commercial broilers showing severe nervous and enteric signs, was completely sequenced and found to be 15,192 nucleotides in length. The phylogenetic analysis demonstrated that the virus belonged to subgenotype VIIi, a subgenotype with potential panzootic features which has recently emerged in the Middle East and Asia. The supporting genetic pattern obtained from the complete genome, fusion and haemagglutinin gene analysis showed close relationship of the isolate with Pakistani VIIi NDVs. The analysis of the F protein showed a polybasic amino acid motif and a phenylalanine at position 117 at the cleavage site, which is a characteristic of virulent strains. The isolate showed significant differences from the previously characterized NDV strains from commercial and rural chickens in Iran. This may describe the importance of the illegal trade of pet birds from neighbouring countries leading to the emergence of new genotypes. This study introduces a newly emerging NDV VIIi subgenotype in Iran. This investigation emphasizes the necessity of effective control strategies.

Complete genome analysis of Iranian IS-1494 like avian infectious bronchitis virus

The nephropathogenic infectious bronchitis virus (IBV) strain IS-1494 like (variant-2; GI-23) was first isolated in the Middle East (1998). Despite intensive vaccinations, IS-1494 like IBVs are still circulating in Iran (the dominant genotype) and spread to other countries. Here, the full-length genome of this Iranian IS-1494 like IBV was (Mahed) determined to understand its evolutionary relationships. The genome consists of 27,652 nucleotides, with mutations in most of the structural genes. Thirteen open reading frames (ORFs) were predicted in the Mahed isolate (5' UTR-1a-1b-S-3a-3b-E-M-4b-4c-5a-5b-N-6b-3' UTR). ORFs 4b, 4c, and 6b, which has rarely been reported, were present in the Mahed genome. According to phylogenetic analysis of the full-length genome, 1a, S2, M, E, N protein, Mahed isolate clustered with the QX type strain. Based on the partial 1b, S1, Mahed clustered with the Q1 strain. The full-length genome of Mahed isolate shared the highest sequence homology with Gray and JMK (90.06-90.07%) and was least related to the Vic-s (86.21%). These data show that evolutionary variation because of recombination in IBV plays a major role in the adaptation and origin of IBV leading to new genetic and types of the virus strain.

Propofol or Thiopental sodium in patients undergoing reproductive assisted technologies: Differences in hemodynamic recovery and outcome of oocyte retrieval: A randomized clinical trial

BACKGROUND

Thiopental sodium and Propofol are two widely-used drugs in the induction of anesthesia in assisted reproductive technology (ART). However, the side effects and outcome of recovery from anesthesia of these drugs on ART have not been identified yet.

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed at investigating the side effects and hemodynamic effects of using thiopental sodium and propofal as well as effects of these drugs on pregnancy outcome in ART cycles.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

In this double blinded) randomized controlled trial, 90 woman candidate for ART were randomly divided into two groups. 47 patients received Propofol (2.5 mg/kg) and 43 patients received thiopental (5mg/kg) for anesthesia induction. The entry hemodynamic parameters of the patients were documented. During the anesthesia process, hemodynamic parameters were checked at five-minute intervals.

RESULTS

The results of the study showed a statistically significant difference between two groups in terms of their response to verbal stimulation (p<0.001), the normalization time of the rate and quality of breathing (p<0.001), nausea (p<0.001), and vomiting (p<0.001). Also, in comparison with the other group, all these parameters were better in Propofol group. There was found no significant difference between two groups in terms of other variables.

CONCLUSION

Based on the findings of the study, Propofol has fewer known side effects. Vomiting and nausea as two known side effect of anesthesia are significantly lower in patients receiving Propofol than patients who received thiopental.

REGISTRATION ID IN IRCT

IRCT201303135393N2 This article extracted from M.D. thesis. (Reza Jouya).