control groups

The demand for orthodontic treatment to correct malocclusion has increased worldwide. A main cause of applying for orthodontics treatment may arise from mental disorders, such as Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD). This study aimed to investigate the relationship between BDD, the real need for orthodontic treatment based on the ICON index, and inquiry about orthodontics treatment in women. 

In a case-control study, 414 women from the public outpatient dental clinic of Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, completed a demographic questionnaire, Beck Depression Inventory (BDI II), Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI), and Yale-Brown Obsessive-Compulsive Scale Modified for BDD (BDD-YBOCS). A specialist also determined the ICON index for each participant. 

Among 414 subjects, 52 patients (31 in the orthodontics and 21 in the control group) (p=0.182) had a BDD-YBOCS score of 20 or above. The frequency of BDD, based on a definite diagnosis by an interview with a psychiatric specialist, was 6.28% among the orthodontic patients, which was significantly more than that of other dental patients (p<0.05). The mean ICON index score was found to have a significant difference between the orthodontic patients and the controls (p<0.001). No correlation was found between the severity of ICON and BDD-YBOCS scores in all the participants (p=0.804), in the cases (p=0.655), or the controls (p=0.403). 

The current study found no correlation between ICON and BDD score. However, a significantly higher rate of BDD subjects receiving orthodontic procedures suggests using the BDD-YBOCS survey in dental clinics to screen patients suspected of having BDD for further psychological management.

Tomatoes are fruits that are highly prone to spoilage, making them vulnerable to microbial decay. This research aimed to explore the effectiveness of an edible coating, specifically beeswax, in prolonging the shelf-life of tomato fruits.

A total of twenty-four tomatoes were procured from the market in September 2021, washed, and subsequently treated with beeswax at varying concentrations of 3, 6, 9, 12, and 15%) (w/v). The tomatoes were then stored in well-ventilated baskets for 30 days, during which organoleptic, biochemical, and microbial assessments were conducted. The Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry analysis of the beeswax samples was performed following standard procedures. The relative percentage of each component was determined by comparing its average peak area to the total area. The mean and standard deviation of the duplicated data were calculated, and significance was assessed using ANOVA at a 95% confidence interval (p-value<0.05) with the aid of the Statgraphics Plus (version 5.0) statistical package.

The beeswax emulsion achieved an optimal preservation rate of 70%, significantly higher than the control group, which had a rate of 20%. Additionally, a mean preservation rate of 68% was noted with the 12% beeswax emulsion, compared to 20% for control after 30 days. Fungal isolates identified from the fruits included Aspergillus niger, Candida krusei, Fusarium oxysporum, Candida sp., A. fumigatus, Penicillium notatum, and A. terreus. The Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry analysis of the beeswax indicated the presence of certain compounds that may contribute to its antimicrobial properties.

The findings of this study demonstrate that beeswax emulsion effectively extends the shelf-life of tomato fruits, offering a potential solution to reduce waste and economic losses for farmers and the broader economy.

Despite significant advances in patient treatment, infection remains a complication after surgery. The present study compared the incidence and severity of wound infection with two methods of washing the primary prep area with 70% alcohol and normal saline in patients who are candidates for orthopedic surgery in Kowsar Hospital of Sanandaj, Iran.

This single-blinded randomized clinical trial was conducted on 190 candidates for upper limb orthopedic surgery aged 18 to 65. Patients were randomly assigned to two alcohol and normal saline groups based on the table of random numbers. The primary outcome of this clinical trial was the incidence and severity of wound infection after surgery, which was measured by the standard scale of the Asepsis index. The results were analyzed using SPSS version 23, and statistical values less than 0.05 were considered significant.

Patients’ hospitalization duration in the intervention group was (3.02±1.04 days) and in the control group (2.86±1.03 days) showed no significant statistical difference (p=0.297). The frequency of wound infection in the alcohol group was lower than in the normal saline group. this difference was statistically significant (p=0.023). Also, the severity of wound infection in the 70% alcohol group (Mean=5.12, SD=3.19) was lower than in the normal saline group (Mean=7.69, SD=4.12). This difference was statistically significant (p<0.001).

The present clinical trial showed that the incidence and severity of wound infection after surgery were lower in the group washing the skin of the surgical area with alcohol compared to the group washing with normal saline.