Evaluation of Dentists' Practice in Obtaining and Recording Medical and Pharmacological History of Patients in Yazd City in 2020

Introduction: Dental profession has an ethical and legal responsibility in patient care. A properly maintained patient record is a very important aspect of this patient care. The aim of this study was to evaluate dentists' practice in obtaining and recording the medical and pharmacological history of patients in Yazd City in 2020. Methods: In this descriptive cross-sectional study, 197 dentists working in Yazd City were selected during the study and their practice in obtaining and recording medical history was evaluated using a valid questionnaire. Data were analyzed by SPSS23 statistical software t-test and Pearson correlation coefficient. Results: Out of 197 dentists participating in this study, 93 (52.8%) were male and 104 (47.2%) were female. Their mean age was 39.37± 8.36 years and their mean clinical experience was 6.5± 9.25 years. The mean score of dentists' practice in obtaining and recording the medical and pharmacological history was 61.30±4.95 (range 45-72) out of 72 points. There was no statistically significant difference between the mean score of dentists' practice by gender, clinical experience, university of study and degree (P-value>0.05), but there was a statistically significant relationship between dentists' age and their practice score (P-value=0.040). Conclusion: Based on the results of the present study, the mean practice source of dentists in obtaining and recording the medical and pharmacological history of patients was good. The effect of gender, university of study and degree on dentists' practice was not significant. However, with increasing age and experience in dentistry, the practice score of dentists was lower.

Cadmium Level Status in Iranian Breast Milk: A Systematic Review

Introduction: Due to the lack of a systematic review on cadmium status in breast milk of Iranian mothers, this study was designed to evaluate the published articles on factors affecting the exposure and the levels of cadmium in breast milk. Methods: In this study, English and Farsi electronic databases, including PubMed, Scopus, Google Scholar, Web of Science, Magiran, Iran Medex and SID were comprehensively searched for papers published from July 2009 until May 2021. The PRISMA guidelines for reporting systematic reviews were followed for screening and reviewing the processes involved in this study. Results: From 102 articles found in the initial search, 9 studies were included in systematic review. The highest mean cadmium concentration was related to milk samples collected from Kerman City. Among study factors, the exposure to cigarette smoke, living near industrial centers and maternal nutrition had a significant effect on increasing the concentration of cadmium in breast milk. Conclusion: Further studies are demanded to obtain more comprehensive and reliable results on the status of cadmium in breast milk of Iranian mothers.

Evaluation of Knowledge and Practice of Yazd General Practitioners about Shade Selection of Fixed Dental Prosthesis in 2019

Introduction: The color matching of dental restorations is effective in the beauty of the smile and a dentist should be familiar with the subject of color and light to make a beautiful and natural prosthesis. The aim of this study was to investigate the knowledge and practice of general dentists in Yazd City about the choice of fixed prosthesis color in 2019. Methods: This was a descriptive-analytical cross-sectional study in which all the general dentists in Yazd City were included in the study by census. Data were collected in the field through a valid and reliable questionnaire containing 11 knowledge questions and 17 performance questions. Data were analyzed by SPSS software version 24 using t-test and ANOVA (α <0.05). Results: 150 dentists with a mean age of 39.14 ± 7.96 were studied in this study. The mean score of knowledge was 26.5 ± 3.32 out of 33 points. Mean knowledge score was not statistically significant with age, sex and dental work experience (P >0.05), but was associated with participation in retraining courses (P = 0.046). 79% of participants used brossage and prophylaxis before choosing a color, 31% used sunlight to choose a color, and 37% used the color of adjacent teeth as a color choice. Conclusion: The knowledge of general dentists in Yazd City in choosing the color of fixed prostheses was at a good level and the performance was relatively good. Participation in retraining courses had led to an increase in dentists' awareness in this field.

Cytotoxic and pro-apoptotic Effects of Spirulina Platensis Extract on PC-3 Prostate Adenocarcinoma Cell Line

Introduction: Prostate cancer is one of the most common cancers among men, with an increasing incidence and mortality rate. In the present study, cytotoxic and pro-apoptotic effects of spirulina platensis extract on PC-3 prostate adenocarcinoma cell line were investigated. Methods: In the present experimental study, the PC-3 prostatic cancer cells were treated in four experimental with 400, 200, 100 and 50 μg / ml extract of spirulina and incubated at 24 and 48 hours. Cytotoxicity was analyzed by MTS kit (3-(4, 5-Dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-5-(3-Carboxymethoxyphenyl)-2-(4-Sulfophenyl)-2H-Tetrazolium, Inner Salt) and apoptosis was analyzed by flow- cytometry using an Annexin V-FITC/PI kit according to the manufacturer protocol in both times. Statistical analysis was accomplished by ANOVA and Duncan tests using FlowJo and SPSS 16 software. Results: In the experimental groups treated with extract of spirulina, the viability of the cells showed a decrease compared to control group, while this decrease was more noticeable in the experimental group of 100 μg / ml at both incubation times (<0.0071).Increased incidence of apoptosis was significantly higher in the experimental groups than the control group. However, this increase was significantly higher than the control group at concentrations of 200 μg / ml in 24h incubation time (Ƥ < 0.0331) and 100 μg / ml of 48h incubation time (Ƥ < 0.0502). Conclusion: Extract of Spirulina at specific concentrations reduced cell growth and induced apoptosis in PC-3 prostatic cancer cells. Evidence suggests that spirulina can be used as an anticancer drug for the treatment of prostate cancer.

Expression Changes of the FOXE1 and Lncrna PTCSC2 Expression in Tumor Tissues Compared with Normal Tissues in Patients with Colorectal Cancer

Introduction: In recent studies, methylation of FOXE1 in colorectal cancer has been reported as a diagnostic biomarker. In this study for the first time, the expression of FOXE1 and PTCSC2 in colorectal cancer was investigated and their expression patterns in two healthy and tumor tissues of patients were compared. Methods: In this study, 40 tumor tissues with colorectal cancer and 40 adjacent normal samples were collected. Total RNA was extracted and cDNA synthesis followed. Then, the specific genes for lncRNA PTCSC2 and FOXE1 were amplified. The results were statistically analyzed by Graph Pad Prism software and a T-test was used to compare the expression levels of lncRNA PTCSC2 and FOXE1 in the patients and healthy group; p-value less than 0.05 was considered significant difference criteria. Results: In this study, the FOXE1 expression level was significantly decreased in tumor tissue (p-value = 0.005), whereas the lncRNA PTCSC2 expression level in tumor tissue was not significantly changed (p-value = 0.65). In addition, the expression levels of FOXE1 and lncRNA PTCSC2 did not show a significant relation with disease progression and age of the patients. ROC curve for changes in FOXE1 and lncRNA PTCSC2 expression showed that theFOXE1 gene could be a relatively appropriate independent variable (p-value = 0.03) to differentiate between the two study groups. Conclusion: According to the results of this study, changes in FOXE1 gene expression were significantly reduced in tumor samples and can be used as a biomarker in tumor diagnosis in colorectal cancer.

A Review of Primary Immunodeficiency Diseases with Skin Manifestations

Introduction: Primary immunodeficiencies (PID) are rare heterogeneous disorders with defects in which one or more components of the immune system are malfunctioning. Clinical presentations of the patients according to type of immunodeficiency are variable. The majority of these patients are susceptible to infections depending on the type of disorder. In these patients, one of the most important and common symptoms is a skin manifestation that in many cases helps to diagnose the disease. Skin symptoms can include infectious-inflammatory-autoimmune-allergic manifestations and malignancies. In some cases, skin involvement can be the initial manifestation of immunodeficiency diseases, so understanding the relationship between the type of primary immunodeficiency and the type of skin involvement is very important in diagnosing the disease. The majorities of skin diseases are not pathogenomonic in primary immunodeficiencies and may be seen in other diseases with normal levels of immunity. However, there are numerous skin findings that are so characteristic of immunodeficiency diseases that it is necessary to evaluate the immune system. Conclusion: Skin is an organ that may be involved in many diseases, including primary immunodeficiency. Sometimes skin is the first organ involved in immune deficiencies. Therefore, recognizing skin manifestations in these patients is one of the most important factors in early diagnosis of these people.

Evaluating Mirna-222 Expression Level and Its Association with AMH for Early Diagnosis of Pcos-Like Symptoms in Epileptic Patients Plasma Treated with Sodium Valproate: A Case – Control Study

Introduction: Epileptic neurological disorder, which is controlled with medications such as sodium valproate (one of the treatment priorities for the patients with epilepsy). Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is one of complication of sodium valproate. Ovulation in PCOs Patients is disrupted, resulting in serious complications, including endometrial hyperplasia with typical and atypical forms, increased the risk of endometrial endometrial cancer, diabetes mellitus, and decreased fertility rates. This study, in accordance with bioinformatics studies and other studies based on the association of miRNA-222 with genes involved in PCOs and hyperandrogenism, was designed to evaluate the association of PCOs in the patients treated with sodium valproate by simultaneously comparing the AMH factor and miRNA-222 marker at specific time periods. Methods: In this case-control study, 33 women with epilepsy before and after use the drug were selected based on inclusion and exclusion criteria. After blood sampling, their plasma was isolated. According to the instructions of the Total RNA extracted kit , cDNA synthesized and miRNA-222 expression was evaluated by RT-qPCR technique and statistical analysis was performed by SPSS 23 software, T-test and ANOVA tests. Results: The results of statistical tests such as T-test and ANOVA test (done with SPSS software) which showed a significant difference (p<0/01) between the mean expression of mir-222 and AMH in the patients before treatment compared to 3 month after treatment. The results of Pearson correlation test showed that the increase in AMH is directly related to the decrease in miRNA-222 expression (p<0/01). Conclusion: According to the results of the present study, in order to better control the possible side effects of the drug and possibly timely drug change and early diagnosis of PCOs (PCOs‌-like symptoms), evaluation of miRNA-222 expression changes can be used at the same time with AMH assay.

Fear of Medical Staff: The Importance of Stigmatization during the COVID-19 Pandemic: Letter to the Editor

Introduction: During the COVID-19 pandemic, although hospital staff cared for patients, they were recognized in the community as an asymptomatic carrier and people were afraid and anxious about them. To the extent thateven the families of hospital staff experienced this social stigma, and many people cut off contact with them. In addition to the stigma that medical staff received from people during the COVID-19 pandemic, many people were stigmatized and feared that as an asymptomatic carrier they would endanger the health of their families and those around them. For this reason, they tried to limit social communication and be more present at home and at work. Hospital staff were among the first to deal with the deadly virus and relinquish their physical health. Many nurses and physicians stay awake for long hours to save the lives of patients with COVID-19. Unfortunately, we have seen people fear and avoid the hospital staff, which has led to increased burnout and depression in the medical staff. For this purpose, it is necessary to take measures to socially motivate the medical staff of hospitals by the Ministry of Education and Health.

Evaluation of the ELAC2 Ser217Leu and Ala541Thr Polymorphisms in the Patients with Prostate Cancer

Introduction: Prostate cancer is the fifth most common cancer in the world and the second leading cause of cancer death among men. The ELAC2 gene (HPC2 locus) on chromosome 17p11 has been identified as hereditary tumor suppressor genes in prostate cancer. Some evidence showed that ELAC2 Ser217Leu and Ala541Thr polymorphisms were associated with prostate cancer risk. The aim of this study was to investigate the ELAC2 Ser217Leu and Ala541Thr polymorphisms in the patients with prostate cancer. Methods: In this study, blood samples were collected from 64 persons of a family, which suspected to of having prostate cancer. The genomic DNA was extracted using Commercialthe commercial DNA extraction kit. ELAC2 Ser217Leu and Ala541Thr target regions were PCR amplified with specific primers. PCR products were then sequenced to determine mutations. The final analysis was performed using Rest 2009 software. AlsoFurthermore, SPSS software version 16 and Kolmogorov-Smirnov statistical test were used to evaluate the normality of the data and T test was used to evaluate the expression of ELAC2 gene and its relationship with T and N factors. Results: The results of gene sequencing for Ser217Leu mutation showed that 18.75% were mutant homozygote (Leu/Leu), 40.62% were heterozygote (Leu/Ser) and 40.62% were normal homozygote (Ser/Ser). In addition, for Ala541Thr, the Ala/Thr heterozygosity and Ala/Ala normal homozygosity were determined in 18.75% and 81.25%, respectively. There was not observed any mutant homozygosity (Thr/Thr) in these samples. Conclusion: The results of this study showed that Ser217Leu and Ala541Thr polymorphisms were associated with prostate cancer and might be used as susceptibility markers of prostate cancer. In addition, PCR and gene sequencing are very useful for screening the mutations of prostate cancer in clinical trials and diagnosis.

Evaluation of the Awareness of the Yazd Medical Students about Common Oral Diseases and its Relationship with General Health of the Body

Introduction: Considering the importance of oral health as a part of general health and the role of physicians in community health, the present study was conducted to investigate the relationship between common oral diseases and general body health from the perspective of medical students in Yazd City in 2018. Methods: In this descriptive cross-sectional study, 210 internship and pre-internship students of Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences in Yazd Cityin 2018 were selected randomly and their knowledge about common oral and dental diseases and its relationship with general body health was assessed through a valid and reliabile questionnaire consisted of 10 questions. Data were entered into SPSS version 16 statistical software and analyzed using descriptive statistics and T-test. Results: In the present study, 191 internship and pre-internship students completed the research questionnaire, of which 101 were female (52.8 %) and 90 were male (47.1%). The mean age of the students was 24.07 ±1.92. Their mean grade point average at the time of the study was 15/95±1/28. The mean score of their knowledge of oral diseases was 9.79 ± 3.27 with a range of 1 to 19. There was no statistically significant relationship between the mean score of knowledge in terms of age, sex, semester and grade point average (p˃0/05). Conclusion: The results showed that the mean score of knowledge of the internship and pre-internship students about common oral diseases and its relationship with general health is low. Therefore, it seems necessary to improve the level of knowledge of medical students in this regard by adding the mentioned topics to the educational curriculum of medical students.