Association between Acne and Serum Pro-inflammatory Cytokines (IL-1α, IL-1β, IL-1Ra, IL-6, IL-8, IL-12 and RANTES) in Mustard Gas-Exposed Patients: Sardasht-Iran Cohort Study.

Background: Acne vulgaris is a very common chronic inflammatory disorder, yet its pathogenesis is not clearly understood. As part of the SICS, this study was conducted to evaluate the association between the incidence of acne vulgaris in SM-exposed subjects (20 years after the exposure) and serum levels of proinflammatory cytokines (IL-1α, IL-1β, IL-1Ra, IL-6, IL-8, IL-12 and RANTES) in an attempt to better understand the pathogenesis of long-term skin disorders of these individuals.

Methods: Serum concentrations of cytokines (IL-1α, IL-1β, IL-1Ra, IL-6, IL-8, IL-12 and RANTES) were measured using sandwich ELISA technique.

Effect of a Desensitizing Varnish on Microleakage of Two Self-Etch Adhesives.

Objectives: The aim of this in-vitro experimental study was to assess the effect of application of a desensitizing varnish on the enamel and dentin marginal seal.

Materials And Methods: Seventy-two freshly extracted, intact human premolar teeth were divided into four groups (n=18). Class V cavities (3mm in length, 2mm in width and 2mm in depth) were prepared on the buccal surface of each tooth.

A study on the association of serum fibroblast growth factor-23 with various indices of chronic kidney disease patients not yet on dialysis.

Introduction: Fibroblast growth factor-23 (FGF23) is found as a bone derived hormone which can influence the serum levels of parathormone, phosphorous and 1, 25-dihydroxyvitamin D. FGF23 may be a cardiovascular biomarker in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). While, FGF23 is inversely correlated with serum adiponectin level, thus it is possible that FGF23 is correlated to fat mass and related to dyslipidemia in CKD.

Application of Ultrasonography and Radiography in Detection of Hemothorax; a Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Introduction: Hemothorax is one of the most prevalent injuries caused by thoracic traumas. Early detection and treatment of this injury is of utmost importance in prognosis of the patient, but there are still controversial debates on the diagnostic value of imaging techniques in detection of hemothorax. Therefore, the present study aimed to evaluate the diagnostic value of chest ultrasonography and radiography in detection of hemothorax through a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Comparison of Ultrasonography and Radiography in Detection of Thoracic Bone Fractures; a Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Introduction: The potential benefit of ultrasonography for detection of thoracic bone fractures has been proven in various surveys but no comprehensive conclusion has been drawn yet; therefore, the present study aimed to conduct a thorough meta-analytic systematic review on this subject.

Methods: Two reviewers independently carried out a comprehensive systematic search in Medline, EMBASE, ISI Web of Knowledge, Scopus, Cochrane Library, and ProQuest databases. Data were summarized as true positive, false positive, true negative and false negative and were analyzed via STATA 11.

Factor structure of the General Health Questionnaire-28 (GHQ-28) from infertile women attending the Yazd Research and Clinical Center for Infertility.

Background: Nowadays, infertility problems have become a social concern, and are associated with multiple psychological and social problems. Also, it affects the interpersonal communication between the individual, familial, and social characteristics. Since women are exposed to stressors of physical, mental, social factors, and treatment of infertility, providing a psychometric screening tool is necessary for disorders of this group.

Screening Performance Characteristic of Ultrasonography and Radiography in Detection of Pleural Effusion; a Meta-Analysis.

Introduction: The role of ultrasonography in detection of pleural effusion has long been a subject of interest but controversial results have been reported. Accordingly, this study aims to conduct a systematic review of the available literature on diagnostic value of ultrasonography and radiography in detection of pleural effusion through a meta-analytic approach.

Methods: An extended search was done in databases of Medline, EMBASE, ISI Web of Knowledge, Scopus, Cochrane Library, and ProQuest.

Diagnostic Accuracy of Ultrasonography and Radiography in Detection of Pulmonary Contusion; a Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Introduction: Ultrasonography is currently being used as one of the diagnostic modalities in various medical emergencies for screening of trauma patients. The diagnostic value of this modality in detection of traumatic chest injuries has been evaluated by several studies but its diagnostic accuracy in diagnosis of pulmonary contusion is a matter of discussion. Therefore, the present study aimed to determine the diagnostic accuracy of ultrasonography and radiography in detection of pulmonary contusion through a systematic review and meta-analysis.

A Review: The Current In Vivo Models for the Discovery and Utility of New Anti-leishmanial Drugs Targeting Cutaneous Leishmaniasis.

The current in vivo models for the utility and discovery of new potential anti-leishmanial drugs targeting Cutaneous Leishmaniasis (CL) differ vastly in their immunological responses to the disease and clinical presentation of symptoms. Animal models that show similarities to the human form of CL after infection with Leishmania should be more representative as to the effect of the parasite within a human. Thus, these models are used to evaluate the efficacy of new anti-leishmanial compounds before human clinical trials.

Preparation of hydrogel embedded polymer-growth factor conjugated nanoparticles as a diabetic wound dressing.

Context: Growth factors act in an integrated manner to promote the wound-healing process. However, probably due to early inactivation of these molecules in the wound site, their topical administration scarcely leads to a significant improvement in chronic wound repair.

Objectives: With the aim of identifying improved therapeutics, a sodium carboxymethyl chitosan-recombinant human epidermal growth factor conjugate (NaCMCh-rhEGF) was developed.

Preparation of hydrogel embedded polymer-growth factor conjugated nanoparticles as a diabetic wound dressing.

Context: Growth factors act in an integrated manner to promote the wound-healing process. However, probably due to early inactivation of these molecules in the wound site, their topical administration scarcely leads to a significant improvement in chronic wound repair.

Objectives: With the aim of identifying improved therapeutics, a sodium carboxymethyl chitosan-recombinant human epidermal growth factor conjugate (NaCMCh-rhEGF) was developed.

Cervical and ocular vestibular evoked myogenic potentials in multiple sclerosis participants.

Background: Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic neurological disease that affects brain and spinal cord. The infratentorial region contains the cerebellum and brainstem. Vestibular evoked myogenic potentials (VEMPs) are short-latency myogenic responses.

Mineral trioxide aggregate and portland cement for direct pulp capping in dog: a histopathological evaluation.

Background and aims. Mineral trioxide aggregate and calcium hydroxide are considered the gold standard pulp-capping materials. Recently, Portland cement has been introduced with properties similar to those of mineral trioxide aggregate.

An assessment of readiness for pre-implementation of electronic health record in Iran: a practical approach to implementation in general and teaching hospitals.

Readiness assessment provides a proper image of the existing conditions and an explanation of facilitated operational plans and functional approaches to successful implementation of electronic health record. Readiness assessment requires indices adjusted to particular conditions in each country. Therefore, the present study attempts to provide an acceptable model in Iran and to provide an assessment of public and teaching hospitals in medical education university.

Fabrication and structure analysis of poly(lactide-co-glycolic acid)/silk fibroin hybrid scaffold for wound dressing applications.

Silk fibroin (SF) and poly(lactide-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) have been proved to be invaluable polymers in the field wound healing. This study aims at optimizing the electrospinning process of those polymers to make a hybrid membrane as a chronic wounds dressing. After characterizing the scaffolds, PLGA/SF (2:1), and PLGA scaffolds were selected for further study according to their superior tensile mechanical properties.

A roadmap to pre-implementation of electronic health record: the key step to success.

Introduction: Initial attempts are made to implement electronic health record (EHR) in Iran, the present study aim is developing a proper roadmap to EHR in pre-implementation phase by expert views on the matter.

Method: An initial framework was developed for preimplementation based on reviewing literature on EHR implementation and descriptive-comparative with qualitative approaches in five countries. A questionnaire was designed in several sections using 47 main topics associated with pre-implementation.

Value of ABCD2 in predicting early ischemic stroke in patients diagnosed with transient ischemic attack.

As a significant number of patients diagnosed with transient ischemic attack (TIA) at emergency department are at risk to develop TIA or cerebral vascular accident (CVA), several attempts have been made to figure out a predictive method to detect those at higher risk of such attacks. We aimed to evaluate the role of ABCD2 scoring which includes age, blood pressure, clinical symptoms, diabetes mellitus, and duration of symptoms in predicting short term outcome of the patients presenting with TIA. One hundred consecutive patients visited between 2009 and 2010 in Hazrat Rasoul Akram Hospital and diagnosed with TIA were enrolled and their ABCD2 scores were registered.

Assesment, treatment and prevention of atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome.

Hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS) is a heterogeneous group of hemolytic disorders. Different terminologies have been described in HUS, which are as follows: (1) D+ HUS: Presentation with a preceding diarrhea; (2) typical HUS: D+ HUS with a single and self-limited episode; (3) atypical HUS (aHUS): Indicated those with complement dysregulation; (4) recurrent HUS: Recurrent episodes of thrombocytopenia and/or microangiopathic hemolytic anemia (MAHA) after improvement of hematologic abnormalities; and (5) familial HUS: Necessary to distinct synchronous outbreaks of D+ HUS in family members and asynchronous disease with an inherited risk factor. aHUS is one of the potential causes of end-stage renal disease (ESRD) in children.

Inequality in maternal mortality in iran: an ecologic study.

Background: Maternal mortality (MM) is an avoidable death and there is national, international and political commitment to reduce it. The objective of this study is to examine the relation of MM to socioeconomic factors and its inequality in Iran's provinces at an ecologic level.

Methods: The overall MM from each province was considered for 3 years from 2004 to 2006.