mahnaz nemati

Cyclophosphamide (CP) is an anticancer drug that acts as an alkylation agent after metabolism in the liver. CP has toxic effects on the body's cells, especially the reproductive system's function, and causes infertility. Moreover, medicinal plants have few side effects and are psychologically acceptable to patients.

This study aimed to investigate the impact of Ephedra pachyclada hydroalcoholic extract (EPHE) on ovarian tissue and hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis in rats treated with CP.

In this experimental study, 48 adult female Wistar rats (180-200 gr, 9-10 wk) were randomly assigned to 6 experimental groups (n = 8/each): (a) control; (b) sham; (c) CP; (d) CP+250 mg/kg EPHE; (e) CP+500 mg/kg EPHE; (f) CP+1000 mg/kg EPHE. On the 29th day of the experiment, serum was collected; serum concentration of the luteinizing hormone, follicle-stimulating hormone, estrogen, progesterone, and antioxidant activity were measured. The number of ovarian follicles were also counted.

In the CP groups, serum concentrations of follicle stimulating hormone and luteinizing hormone significantly increased, and estrogen and progesterone significantly decreased (p ≤ 0.05). EPHE significantly compensated for the complications caused by CP and 1000 mg/kg had the greatest effect. Antioxidant reduction by CP was significantly enhanced by EPHE, especially at higher doses (p ≤ 0.05). The number of primordial, primary, secondary, and Graafian follicles showed a significant decrease in CP groups and EPHE groups showed a significant increase compared to the CP. EPHE showed that the concentration of 1000 mg/kg was more effective than other doses (p ≤ 0.05).

In addition to proving the effect of EPHE on the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis, our investigation showed antioxidant properties, which can be an effective factor in CP-treated rats.

Population growth and pollution caused by the discharge of all kinds of urban, industrial, and agricultural sewage, leachate from landfills, and surface water runoff cause an increase in pollution of water sources. The entry of heavy metals into the environment, especially aquatic ecosystems, due to entering the food chain and jeopardizing human health is one of the concerns of society. This study was conducted to determine the level of heavy metals in muscles of Cynoglossus arel and Pomadasys kaakan fishes in Boushehr coastal waters, north of the Persian Gulf.

This descriptive study was conducted on twenty pieces of Cynoglossus arel and twenty pieces of Pomadasys kaakan fishes take place from three coastal stations of Boushehr, north of the Persian Gulf, Iran during spring of 2022. The samples were randomly selected from the fish market. After preparation, bioassay, and digestion of fish muscle by concentrated nitric acid, the concentration of heavy metals including nickel, zinc, copper, lead, and cadmium (µg/g) in the muscle tissue was measured by ICP-OES device. The concentration of heavy metals in the fish muscle tissue for human consumption was compared with international standards (FAO, WHO, FDA, NHMRC, and UKMAFF). According to the method of the US Environmental Protection Agency for fish consumption, daily absorption estimates and heavy metal risk indicators were calculated.

The risk potential index for both species was less than one. The daily and weekly absorption of Cynoglossus arel (zinc > copper > nickel > lead > cadmium) and Pomadasys kaakan (copper > zinc > nickel > lead > cadmium) were determined. The mean concentration of heavy metals nickel, zinc, copper, lead, and cadmium in the muscle tissue of the studied species was determined to be 1.88±0.07, 27.16±8.11, 11.55±4.12, 1.14±0.06, and 0.19±0.03 µg/g, respectively. The highest amounts of studied metals in aquatic animals were zinc > copper > nickel > lead > cadmium. The concentration of metals in the analyzed samples was lower than the international standards.

Regarding toxicity, the concentration of metals in Cynoglossus arel and Pomadasys kaakan was evaluated as acceptable for human consumption. In addition, the amount of risk potential and risk index for non-cancerous diseases in adults and children in fish muscle tissue was less than 1, and the consumption of this fish does not cause any problems for human health.

Dentists always prioritize the preservation of the dental pulp. Nowadays, minimally invasive endodontic techniques such as Vital Pulp Therapy (VPT) are considered due to their affordability and remarkable success compared to conventional treatments such as Root Canal Treatment (RCT). VPT aims at preserving healthy portions of the exposed pulp while removing the inflamed parts with biocompatible materials to seal the pulp.The present case report aimed to describe a successful VPT of a right mandibular permanent first molar with reversible pulpitis using Calcium Enriched Mixture (CEM) cement in an 18-year-old female patient. As pulp exposure happened regarding extensive caries removal, 2 mm of the inflamed pulp was removed and replaced with CEM cement. CEM was covered with Resin-modified glass ionomers (RMGI) and the tooth was restored with amalgam. Regular follow-ups were performed at 3 and 6 months and 1, 2, and 4 years after treatment.

The tooth was clinically and radiographically functional without signs and symptoms of infection or inflammation. The result of this case suggests that pinpoint pulp exposure during deep caries excavation can be successfully treated with VPT using CEM cement.

Dental anxiety/fear in children is a main reason for the problems in their behavior management and avoiding dental care. This study aimed to evaluate the prevalence and level of dental anxiety/fear in Iranian children and adolescents as well as its related factors.
330 children aged 7-14 participated in this study and answered the questionnaire of Children’s Fear Schedule-Dental Subscale (CFSS-DS). Data were analyzed using Chi-square and Split-half tests.
Dental anxiety prevalence was 20.6% in 7-11 year-olds and 11% in 12-14 year-olds (P=0.001). This value was 17.6% in girls and 14% in boys (P=0.01). Mean of the anxiety score was 29.3 - 7.6 in boys and 31.4 - 7.6 in girls (P=0.015). Prevalence of dental anxiety was 19.7% in the participants without previous dental experience and 8.6% in those with this experience (P=0.001). The mean anxiety score was 31.3 - 7.6 in children without previous dental experience and 28.6 - 7.3 in those with previous experience (P=0.002). The concomitant factors significantly related to high dental anxiety were injection and choking sensation.
Dental anxiety is more in girls and children without previous dental experience, and it decreases with increasing age. Injection and choking sensation are related to high dental anxiety