BackgroundThe World Health Organization identifies oral health as a necessity for public health through the entirety of life. This issue has been considerably addressed due to susceptibility to tooth decay during pregnancy and maternal and fetal health.ObjectivesInvestigate the effect of educational intervention on perceived susceptibility, self-efficacy, and DMFT of pregnant women.Patients and MethodsA quasi-experimental survey (pretest, posttest, and control group) was implemented in 88 primiparous women in the first trimester of pregnancy who attended private clinics in Delfan city, Iran. It was conducted using random sampling and then assigned to intervention and control groups. Data were collected using a questionnaire that included demographic characteristics, a DMFT checklist, and some health belief model (HBM) constructs. After collecting baseline information, an educational intervention consisting of 4 training sessions for the intervention group was scheduled. In the sessions, lecture, focus-group discussion, video, and role-playing were used as the main educational strategies. Four months after the intervention, a post-test questionnaire and DMFT checklist were conducted. Data were analyzed using SPSS (ver20) software and Chi-square, independent t-test, and repeated measure ANOVA at the significant level of α < 0.05.ResultsAccording to the independent t-test, the mean score of knowledge, perceived susceptibility, self-efficacy, and DMFT was not different between the two groups before the education (P > 0.05), during the intervention, or after intervention. Repeated measure ANOVA explained that the aforementioned score was different in the three cases (pretest, 2 months after intervention, and 4 months after intervention) after intervention (P < 0.05). Paired t-test also showed that the DMFT mean increased 4 months after intervention in the control group (P < 0.001). It was not, however, augmented in the intervention group (P = 0.92).ConclusionsResults showed that education on some of the HBM constructs resulted in increased knowledge of oral health, perceived susceptibility, and self-efficacy of pregnant women. It is also possible to prevent increased DMFT during pregnancy.

Objectives : The relationship between immunity and trace elements levels is well known. We aimed to estimate the association of serum trace elements with severity and outcomes in the Coronavirus Disease-2019 (COVID-19) patients. Methods: In this single-centered, prospective, observational study, we enrolled 114 patients admitted to severe intensive care units (ICUs) and corresponding 112 sex and aged-matched non-ICU ward patients. Demographic data, clinical characteristics, and outcomes were all collected. We analyzed serum levels of zinc (Zn), copper (Cu), selenium (Se), and manganese (Mn) in both severity groups. Results : The serum levels of Cu, Se, and Mn in both groups were within the normal range while Zn serum levels were lower than the normal values. Based on these findings, Zn, Cu, Se, and Mn serum levels were not associated with disease severity ( P > 0.05). While we found Zn serum levels were strongly associated with patient outcomes ( P = 0.005). Our results indicated lower Mn serum levels were associated with age more than 55 years ( P = 0.006). Our results were not in favor of a causal relationship between serum trace elements levels and disease severity. Conclusion : We found Zn level as a strong indicator for patients’ outcomes that can be considered for monitoring of patients’ prognosis. Nutritional measures or supplementation can help reduce poor outcomes caused by low Zn levels in Iranian COVID-19 patients.

Background: Platelet-rich (PRP) and Platelet-poor plasma (PPP) are widely used in research and clinical platforms mainly due to their capacities to enhance cell growth. Although short half-life (5 days) and the high price of platelet products pose challenges regarding their usage, they maintain the growth regulatory functions for weeks. Thus, we aimed to assess the supplementary values of these products in human CCRF-CEM cancer cells. Mechanistically, we also checked if the PRP/PPP treatment enhances YKL-40 expression as a known protein regulating cell growth. Methods: The PRP/PPP was prepared from healthy donors using manual stepwise centrifugation and phase separation. The viability of the cells treated with gradient PRP/PPP concentrations (2, 5, 10, and 15%) was measured by the MTT assay. The YKL-40 mRNA and protein levels were assessed using qRT-PCR and western blotting. The data were compared to FBS-treated cells. Result: Our findings revealed that the cells treated by PRP/PPP not only were morphologically comparable to those treated by FBS but also, they showed greater viability at the concentrations of 10 and 15%. Moreover, it was shown that PRP/PPP induce cell culture support, at least in part, via inducing YKL-40 expression at both mRNA and protein levels in a time- and dose-dependent manner. Conclusion: Collectively, by showing cell culture support comparable to FBS, the PRP/PPP might be used as good candidates to supplement the cancer cell culture and overcome concerns regarding the use of FBS as a non-human source in human cancer research.