A cumulative review with a systematic approach aimed to provide a comparison of studies’ investigating the possible impact of the active form of vitamin D3, calcitriol (CTL), on the tooth movement caused by orthodontic forces (OTM) by evaluating the quality of evidence, based on collating current data from animal model studies, in vivo cell culture studies, and human clinical trials. Methods: A strict systematic review protocol was applied following the application of the International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews (PROSPERO). A structured search strategy, including main keywords, was defined during detailed search with the application of electronic database systems: Medline/Pubmed, EMBASE, Scopus, Web of Science, and PsycINFO. In addition, a search was carried out with the use of ClinicalTrials.gov search in order to include ongoing or recently completed trials. The Oxford Level of Evidence and the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE) approach was utilized to critically evaluate the risk of bias and relative quality of studies included. Meta-analysis with the use of RevMan5 software, random effect, and inverted variable method allowed the quantification of cumulative results. Results: Twenty-seven studies were identified which fulfilled inclusion criteria, including two clinical studies. The assessed level of evidence was variable and inconsistent, predominantly being moderate or low due to a significant difference in study design, sample size, and study protocols. Data synthesis rendered from meta-analysis involving various CTL doses demonstrated slight discrepancies in tooth movement between control and experimental groups (mean difference = 0.27; 95% CI: 0.01–0.53, std mean difference = 0.49; 95% CI: 0.09–0.89), as well as relatively moderate heterogenicity. Conclusions: Although it has been suggested that CTL could accelerate OTM in animal studies and clinical context, these scarce data were supported by a low level of evidence and the studies were carried out using inadequate sample size. Well-powered RCT studies would help to overcome the lack of robustness of the research.
This study was designed to evaluate the effect of anesthesia on thyroid hormones (T3, T4, rT3), thyrotropin(TSH), and cortisol levels in patients undergoing major urological surgery. The study included fifty patients scheduled for elective major urological surgery where 70% of the patients underwent general anesthesia, while30% underwent regional anesthesia. All patients were in stable control general conditions. The study showed that the thyroid hormones, thyrotropin and cortisol levels were affected with general anesthesia more than regional. The levels of these hormones responded to anesthetics and surgical stresses. This response was thought to be mainly mediated by afferent neurogenic impulses from the area of injury. Therefore, ab
... Show MoreOsteoblast and osteoclast activity is disrupted in post-menopausal osteoporosis. Thus, to fully address this imbalance, therapies should reduce bone resorption and promote bone formation. Dietary factors such as phyto-oestrogens and Zn have beneficial effects on osteoblast and osteoclast activity. However, the effect of combinations of these factors has not been widely studied. We therefore examined the effect of coumestrol, daidzein and genistein in the presence or absence of zinc sulphate (Zn) on osteoclast and osteoblast activity. Osteoclast differentiation and bone resorption were significantly reduced by coumestrol (10- 7 m), daidzein (10- 5 m) and genistein (10- 7 m); and this direct anti-osteoclastic action was unaffected by Zn (10-
... Show MoreBased on the theoretical review of researches and studies concerned with virtual teams in organizations, it was found that the role of virtual teams varies from case to another, and it may be positive or opposite. The purpose of the current research is to examine the role of virtual teams in the impact of cultural intelligence on the strategic excellence of Zain worldwide Group. An electronic questionnaire was designed through the (Google) and (Microsoft) forms, and distributed then on a sample of (146) participants with a high organizational level of the HRM departments within the group. The results showed that there was a positive moderator role of virtual teams in the relationship of cultural intelligence and strategic excellence
... Show MoreFor over a decade, educational technology has been used sparingly in our schools and universities. Online training courses have been used since 2003 to fill the gaps in our learning system and to add extra program besides classroom learning. This paper aims to investigate the Iraqi EFL instructors’ participating in online training courses and its influence on the process of teaching and learning.
The sample of present study consists of 30 instructors from University of Baghdad. The questionnaire of sixteen items was constructed. After ensuring validity and reliability of questionnaire, it was applied on March 2013 and the result shows that most of instructors improve their teaching methods b
... Show MoreThis work reports the study of heat treatment effect on the structural, morphological, optical and electrical properties of poly [3-hexylthiophene] and its blend with [6,6]-phenyl C61 butyric acid methyl ester ( P3HT:PC61BM). X-ray diffraction (XRD) measurements show that the crystallinity of the films increased with annealing. The evaluation of surface roughness and morphology was investigated using atomic force microscope (AFM), and field emission scanning microscope(FESEM). The optical properties were emphasized a strong optical absorption of P3HT compared with the blend. Hall effect measurement was used to study the electrical properties which revealed there is an increase in the electrical conductivity and Hall mobility of th
... Show MoreBackground: Breast cancer is the most common cancer in Iraq and the United Kingdom. While the disease is frequently diagnosed among middleaged Iraqi women at advanced stages accounting for the second cause of cancer-related deaths, breast cancer often affects elderly British women yielding the highest survival of all registered malignancies in the UK. Objective: To compare the clinical and pathological profiles of breast cancer among Iraqi and British women; correlating age at diagnosis with the tumor characteristics, receptor-defined biomarkers and phenotype patterns. Methods: This comparative retrospective study included the clinical and pathological characteristics of (1,940) consecutive female patients who were diagnosed with invasive b
... Show MoreIn the age of information and communication revolution, education as one of life aspects has influenced with that revolution by integrating technology in education, which have become as an important learning tools of the whole educational process . Technology, when used appropriately, can help make science classroom a site of active learning and critical thinking, furthering student inquiry and connections with different materials. It is necessary to develop human rights education programs and materials for discretionary and extracurricular activities as it provide them with the skills and tools so that they are empowered to take action to realize their rights. Human rights education is a critical means of instilling the knowledge، skil
... Show More