Incidence of obesity,overweight and hypertension in children and adolescents in Ahvaz southwest of IRAN: Five-years study

ObjectiveThe purpose of this study was to investigate the incidence of obesity, overweight and hypertension in children and adolescents aged 10–15 in Ahvaz.MethodsThis is a epidemiologic study performed on 176 people aged 10–15 in Ahvaz. In 2009, 300 people underwent weight, height and blood pressure measurements. Five years later, the same people were reassessed for obesity, overweight and hypertension, of whom a total of 176 people agreed to repeat the procedure.ResultsThe study included 100 (57%) males and 76 (43%) females. Mean BMI was 22.1 ± 4.3 kg / m2 in year 2014, without any significant difference between the two sexes (P = 0.518). In the same year, the prevalence of obesity and overweight was 26 (14.8%) and 13 (7.4%), respectively. After 5years, BMI increased significantly (P < 0.001). Of the 150 norma participants with normal BMI in 2009, 15 (10%) and 6 (4%) became overweight and obese in 2014 respectively. The mean systolic and diastolic blood pressures increased significantly over 5 years P = 0.042 and P < 0.001.ConclusionsThis study shows an increase in mean BMI and mean systolic and diastolic blood pressures after 5 years among people aged 10–15 in Ahvaz.     

Importance of the levator labii alaeque nasi muscle in dorsal septal deviations

Deviated cartilages structures of the nose can be affected by nasal muscles, and deviation becomes conspicuous when the patient smiles. This condition depends on activity of nasal muscles, particularly the levator labii alaeque nasi muscle. A total of 124 septorhinoplasty operations were performed to correct dorsal concave septal deviation between 2005 and 2009 years. The 70 women and 54 men included in the study had an average age of 28 years. The average follow-up period was 12 months. Open septorhinoplasty was preferred in all cases. The medial part of the levator labii alaeque nasi muscle was extensively dissected from the lateral crus and surrounding tissues. The lateral crura of the alar cartilages were separated from the upper lateral cartilages in the scroll area. The dorsal septal deviation was corrected by combination of bilateral spreader grafts, which reinforced cartilage with horizontal control sutures. Early postoperative period was uneventful. Nasal obstruction was reduced after surgery, and significant subjective postoperative improvements were observed in all patients. Comparison of preoperative and postoperative photographs demonstrated improved dorsal nasal contour. Revision operation was performed in 3 cases. The corrected septal cartilage was in a good position in all revised cases; therefore, septal surgery was not performed in the revision operations. In conclusion, surgical disruption of the anatomic relationship between the muscle with the dorsal septal cartilage and reinforcement of the dorsal septal cartilage with spreader grafts and horizontal control sutures can decrease risk of recurrence.     

Cone-beam Computed Tomographic Scans in Comparison with Periapical Radiographs for Root Canal Length Measurement: An In Situ Study

Introduction

The primary aim of this study was to compare the precision of root canal length determination on cone-beam computed tomographic (CBCT) scans and periapical radiographs (PAs) with the actual root canal length. The secondary aim was to examine the influence of tooth type on root canal length measurements as assessed on CBCT scans and PAs.

Methods

In total, 40 root canals of 33 teeth (molars, premolars, canines, and incisors) out of 5 dentate maxillas of human cadavers were included. Root canal length measurement was performed by a consensus panel (2 examiners) on CBCT scans (3D Accuitomo 170; J Morita, Kyoto, Japan) and digital PAs. After straight-line access opening, a #15 file was fixated in every root canal at the length measured on CBCT scans. All teeth were extracted, and the root canal containing the file was uncovered. Measurements made on images taken with a digital camera (AxioCam; Carl Zeiss, Sliedrecht, The Netherlands) linked to a stereozoom microscope (Stemi SV6, Carl Zeiss) were used as the actual root canal length.

Results

When all roots were examined together, it was not clear which method is better for all types of teeth. For root canals of anterior teeth, there was no significant difference between the 2 methods. For root canals of posterior teeth, CBCT images gave results significantly closer to the actual root canal length in comparison with PAs (t value = −1.96; critical value is 1.74 with a significance level of 0.05).

Conclusions

Root canal length measurements of posterior maxillary teeth were more accurate when assessed by CBCT images than PAs.     

Effects of alendronate sodium therapy on carotid intima media thickness in postmenopausal women with osteoporosis

Osteoporosis and cardiovascular disease are major health problems that lead to morbidity and mortality. Bisphosphonates are among the drugs used most frequently worldwide to treat osteoporosis, especially in older women. B-mode ultrasonography has recently become a valuable tool for early diagnosis of atherosclerotic disease because of its ability to measure carotid artery intima media thickness (CIMT). The purpose of the present study was to investigate whether alendronate sodium therapy has an effect on CIMT in postmenopausal women with osteoporosis. A total of 71 postmenopausal women with osteoporosis were evaluated before and after they began taking alendronate sodium; follow-up was provided for an average of 13±2 mo. Osteoporosis was diagnosed with the use of dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry, and therapy with alendronate sodium was begun at a dose of 70 mg/wk. For CIMT, B-mode ultrasonography was performed on the right and left middle and distal main carotid arteries. Before alendronate sodium therapy was initiated, the average CIMT value was 0.734±0.121 mm; after therapy, the average CIMT was 0.712±0.111 mm. This difference was not confirmed to be statistically significant. Treatment of osteoporosis does not seem to have an effect on CIMT, which is an early marker of atherosclerosis.     

Lens thickness assessment: anterior segment optical coherence tomography versus A-scan ultrasonography

AIM: To assess lens thickness measurements with anterior segment-optical coherence tomography (AS-OCT) in comparison with A-scan ultrasonography (A-scan US). METHODS: There were 218 adult subjects (218 eyes) aged 59.2±9.2y enrolled in this prospective cross-sectional study. Forty-three eyes had open angles and 175 eyes had narrow angles. Routine ophthalmic exam was performed and nuclear opacity was graded using the Lens Opacities Classification System III (LOCS III). Lens thickness was measured by AS-OCT (Visante OCT, Carl Zeiss Meditec, Dublin, CA, USA). The highest quality image was selected for each eye and lens thickness was calculated using ImageJ software. Lens thickness was also measured by A-scan US. RESULTS: Interclass correlations showed a value of 99.7% for intra-visit measurements and 95.3% for inter-visit measurements. The mean lens thickness measured by AS-OCT was not significantly different from that of A-scan US (4.861±0.404 vs 4.866±0.351 mm, P=0.74). Lens thickness values obtained from the two instruments were highly correlated overall (Pearson correlation coefficient=0.81, P<0.001), and in all LOCS III specific subgroups except in grade 5 of nuclear opacity. Bland-Altman analysis revealed a 95% limit of agreement from -0.45 to 0.46 mm. Lens thickness difference between the two instruments became smaller as the lens thickness increased and AS-OCT yielded smaller values than A-scan US in thicker lens (β=-0.29, P<0.001) CONCLUSION: AS-OCT-derived lens thickness measurement is valid and comparable to the results obtained by A-scan US. It can be used as a reliable noncontact method for measuring lens thickness in adults with or without significant cataract.