Coincidence of Compound Odontoma and Cemento Ossifying Fibroma; A Rare Case Report

Objective: Cemento-ossifying fibroma defines as a relative rare osteogenic neoplasm of the jaw. This tumor includes fibrous and osseous components. Odontoma is the most common odontogenic tumor containing enamel ,dentin ,cementum and pulp tissue. in this paper we report a  rare case of ossifying fibroma associated with compound odontoma in the mandible. Case: A 37-years-old woman was referred to Oral Medicine department , Shahid Beheshti Dental School with complaint of swelling in the anterior part of the mandible, over 6 years period. Clinical examination revealed mandibular enlargement in right –anterior region with labial and lingual expansion and canine missing . panoramic view showed a large mixed radiolucent -  radiopaque lesion associated with impacted canine.The differential diagnosis include calcifying odontogenic cyst (COC) and cemento-ossifying fibroma(COF). Histopathologic examination established diagnosis of COF with multiple compound odontoma .Conclusion: The relationship between the occurrence of these two lesions is not clear and more studies are needed to establish the relationship between them

Diode Laser in Minor Oral Surgery: A Case Series of Laser Removal of Different Benign Exophytic Lesions

Introduction: The role of laser in conservative management of oral disease is well established. Laser procedures are common in the fields of oral surgery, implant dentistry, endodontic, and periodontic therapy.Case: This case series describes the use of diode laser for the excision of oral exophytic lesions. All the patients attended the oral medicine department of Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran. Criteria in patient selection were accessibility to lesions, patient fear from blade surgery, aesthetics, and probability of bleeding. An informed consent was filled by every patient. All of the lesions were completely excised under local anaesthesia by diode laser with 300 μm-fibre tip, 808 nm continuous wavelength and 3-3.5 W power for 3×60 seconds (Dr Smile, Italia). During surgery, the fibre tip was in contact with lesions. No analgesics were prescribed to the patients. The patients were followed for the first, second, and forth week after treatment.Conclusion: The lesions could be excised using the diode laser. This procedure was a quick clinical technique without bleeding

Evaluation of the hypercholesterolemia care cascade and compliance with NCEP-ATP III guidelines in Iran based on the WHO STEPS survey

Abstract Introduction Noncommunicable diseases (NCDs), particularly cardiovascular disease (CVD), are the leading cause of death worldwide, with hypercholesterolemia being a major risk factor for CVD. This study evaluated the hypercholesterolemia care cascade in Iran—including prevalence, diagnosis, treatment coverage, and effectiveness—using the National Cholesterol Education Program Adult Treatment Panel III (NCEP-ATP III) guidelines. Methods This cross-sectional study drew on data from the 2021 Iran STEPS survey, which employed a systematic cluster sampling of adults aged ≥ 18 years across all provinces in Iran. Hypercholesterolemia was defined per NCEP-ATP III thresholds (LDL ≥ 160 mg/dL, total cholesterol ≥ 240 mg/dL, HDL ≤ 40 mg/dL, or ongoing lipid-lowering therapy). Weighted descriptive statistics were calculated, and Poisson regression with robust variance estimated crude and adjusted prevalence ratios for optimal lipid control among those treated. The 10-year CVD risk was determined using the Framingham Risk Score, stratifying participants into low ( 20%) risk categories. Results Out of 18,074 participants, 10,582 (55.32%, 95% CI: 54.29–56.35) met NCEP-ATP III criteria for hypercholesterolemia. Among these, only 20.61% (19.55–21.72) were receiving pharmacological treatment. Treatment coverage was notably lower in males (13.15%, 11.98–14.40) than females (29.12%, 27.35–30.96). Statins were the most commonly used medication (11.43% of males, 25.87% of females). Of those receiving treatment, 52.85% (females) and 53.93% (males) achieved optimal LDL, while 76.98% (females) and 81.06% (males) attained total cholesterol  60 mg/dL goal. The 10-year CVD risk was  20% in 8.94%. Conclusion Despite a high prevalence of hypercholesterolemia in Iran, treatment coverage remains suboptimal, particularly among males and working-age adults. Although most treated individuals achieve favorable LDL and total cholesterol levels, gaps persist in achieving optimal HDL targets. These findings underscore the need for strengthened screening, treatment, and adherence strategies—alongside broader preventive measures—to reduce the burden of hypercholesterolemia and CVD in Iran.Abstract Introduction Noncommunicable diseases (NCDs), particularly cardiovascular disease (CVD), are the leading cause of death worldwide, with hypercholesterolemia being a major risk factor for CVD. This study evaluated the hypercholesterolemia care cascade in Iran—including prevalence, diagnosis, treatment coverage, and effectiveness—using the National Cholesterol Education Program Adult Treatment Panel III (NCEP-ATP III) guidelines. Methods This cross-sectional study drew on data from the 2021 Iran STEPS survey, which employed a systematic cluster sampling of adults aged ≥ 18 years across all provinces in Iran. Hypercholesterolemia was defined per NCEP-ATP III thresholds (LDL ≥ 160 mg/dL, total cholesterol ≥ 240 mg/dL, HDL ≤ 40 mg/dL, or ongoing lipid-lowering therapy). Weighted descriptive statistics were calculated, and Poisson regression with robust variance estimated crude and adjusted prevalence ratios for optimal lipid control among those treated. The 10-year CVD risk was determined using the Framingham Risk Score, stratifying participants into low ( 20%) risk categories. Results Out of 18,074 participants, 10,582 (55.32%, 95% CI: 54.29–56.35) met NCEP-ATP III criteria for hypercholesterolemia. Among these, only 20.61% (19.55–21.72) were receiving pharmacological treatment. Treatment coverage was notably lower in males (13.15%, 11.98–14.40) than females (29.12%, 27.35–30.96). Statins were the most commonly used medication (11.43% of males, 25.87% of females). Of those receiving treatment, 52.85% (females) and 53.93% (males) achieved optimal LDL, while 76.98% (females) and 81.06% (males) attained total cholesterol  60 mg/dL goal. The 10-year CVD risk was  20% in 8.94%. Conclusion Despite a high prevalence of hypercholesterolemia in Iran, treatment coverage remains suboptimal, particularly among males and working-age adults. Although most treated individuals achieve favorable LDL and total cholesterol levels, gaps persist in achieving optimal HDL targets. These findings underscore the need for strengthened screening, treatment, and adherence strategies—alongside broader preventive measures—to reduce the burden of hypercholesterolemia and CVD in Iran

“Current incidence of injuries in Iran; findings of STEPS survey 2021”

Abstract Background: The updated epidemiology of injuries at the national and sub-national levels are required for policymakers to effectively handle the burden of injuries. This paper aimed to assess the incidence and risk factors of different injuries in Iran based on a recent national survey. Methods: We used data from Iran Stepwise approach to surveillance (STEPS) Survey 2021, a population-based study in urban and rural areas of Iran's 31 provinces. A multistage clustered probability design and weighting adjustments were used to select eligible individuals and generate estimations. We estimated the incidence of injuries, assessed sociodemographic variables, and identified potential behavioral risk factors associated with injuries, and results were reported for sociodemographic and geographic stratifications. Result: Data from 27,874 participants of the STEPS survey were assessed, of which 1538 (5.5 %, 95 % CI: [5.2–5.8]) reported having an injury in the past 12 months. Falls (44.4 %) were the most common cause of injury, followed by road traffic injury (21.7 %) and exposure to mechanical forces (16.5 %). Except for falls and burns, males had a higher proportion of all types of injuries. Logistic regression analysis showed that being male (OR: 1.7, [1.5, 2.0]) and being an occasional or heavy alcohol drinker (OR: 2.0, [1.3, 3.0] and OR: 2.7, [1.7, 4.1] respectively) were significant risk factors associated with road traffic injuries. Seatbelt use was 90.0 % among both drivers and front-seat passengers, while the use of safety car seats for children was as low as 9.4 %. Injury incidence varied significantly among provinces, with the highest incidence among males observed in Razavi Khorasan (11.2 %) and among females observed in Tehran (12.0 %). Conclusion: This study investigated the updated epidemiology of injuries in Iran and revealed socioeconomic and geographic disparities across country. This epidemiological information can be used to modify injury prevention programs.Abstract Background: The updated epidemiology of injuries at the national and sub-national levels are required for policymakers to effectively handle the burden of injuries. This paper aimed to assess the incidence and risk factors of different injuries in Iran based on a recent national survey. Methods: We used data from Iran Stepwise approach to surveillance (STEPS) Survey 2021, a population-based study in urban and rural areas of Iran's 31 provinces. A multistage clustered probability design and weighting adjustments were used to select eligible individuals and generate estimations. We estimated the incidence of injuries, assessed sociodemographic variables, and identified potential behavioral risk factors associated with injuries, and results were reported for sociodemographic and geographic stratifications. Result: Data from 27,874 participants of the STEPS survey were assessed, of which 1538 (5.5 %, 95 % CI: [5.2–5.8]) reported having an injury in the past 12 months. Falls (44.4 %) were the most common cause of injury, followed by road traffic injury (21.7 %) and exposure to mechanical forces (16.5 %). Except for falls and burns, males had a higher proportion of all types of injuries. Logistic regression analysis showed that being male (OR: 1.7, [1.5, 2.0]) and being an occasional or heavy alcohol drinker (OR: 2.0, [1.3, 3.0] and OR: 2.7, [1.7, 4.1] respectively) were significant risk factors associated with road traffic injuries. Seatbelt use was 90.0 % among both drivers and front-seat passengers, while the use of safety car seats for children was as low as 9.4 %. Injury incidence varied significantly among provinces, with the highest incidence among males observed in Razavi Khorasan (11.2 %) and among females observed in Tehran (12.0 %). Conclusion: This study investigated the updated epidemiology of injuries in Iran and revealed socioeconomic and geographic disparities across country. This epidemiological information can be used to modify injury prevention programs

Age of tobacco smoking initiation among Iranian adults based on National and Subnational data from the 2021 STEPS survey : Short title: Tobacco Smoking Onset Age in Iran

Abstract Tobacco smoking is a significant global public health challenge, responsible for 8 million deaths annually. This study aimed to analyze the age of smoking initiation and its sociodemographic determinants among Iranian adults, based on data from the 2021 STEPwise approach to surveillance (STEPS) survey, to inform targeted public health interventions. The analysis of 27,874 adults revealed that the average initiation ages for cigarette and hookah smoking were 22.2 years and 24.9 years, respectively. Men typically began smoking earlier than women, with average ages of 21.9 years for males and 27.7 years for females. No significant differences were observed in smoking initiation ages between rural and urban areas. Education level and marital status were also influential, with the youngest initiators having 7–12 years of education and being single. This study highlights the significant roles of gender, education, and urban-rural differences in smoking initiation in Iran. The findings underscore the need for targeted public health strategies conforming to the WHO’s MPOWER initiatives and the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC). Increased investment in public health, focusing on education and preventive measures, is crucial to reduce early smoking initiation and its associated health risks, ultimately supporting broader health policy goals.Abstract Tobacco smoking is a significant global public health challenge, responsible for 8 million deaths annually. This study aimed to analyze the age of smoking initiation and its sociodemographic determinants among Iranian adults, based on data from the 2021 STEPwise approach to surveillance (STEPS) survey, to inform targeted public health interventions. The analysis of 27,874 adults revealed that the average initiation ages for cigarette and hookah smoking were 22.2 years and 24.9 years, respectively. Men typically began smoking earlier than women, with average ages of 21.9 years for males and 27.7 years for females. No significant differences were observed in smoking initiation ages between rural and urban areas. Education level and marital status were also influential, with the youngest initiators having 7–12 years of education and being single. This study highlights the significant roles of gender, education, and urban-rural differences in smoking initiation in Iran. The findings underscore the need for targeted public health strategies conforming to the WHO’s MPOWER initiatives and the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC). Increased investment in public health, focusing on education and preventive measures, is crucial to reduce early smoking initiation and its associated health risks, ultimately supporting broader health policy goals

Investigating the Concept of Integration in Construction Projects: Cases of Integrated Project Delivery and Design for Manufacturing and Assembly

RÉSUMÉ: Cette thèse par articles vise à faire progresser les connaissances sur le concept d'intégration dans l'industrie de la construction, au moyen de concepts novateurs tels que la réalisation de projets intégrée (IPD) et la conception pour la fabrication et l'assemblage (DfMA). L'industrie de la construction connaît actuellement de profonds changements, passant des méthodes contractuelles transactionnelles traditionnelles à d’autres plus intégrées, durables et collaboratives telles que le préconisent ces deux approches. Les récentes crises mondiales, telles que les pandémies, le réchauffement climatique et les conflits politiques, contribuent à la transformation rapide du contexte industriel et social, également appelé la nouvelle normalité. Celle-ci tend à accélérer le rythme de changements dans le secteur de la construction, le poussant à adopter des approches qui éliminent les pertes et ajoutent plus de valeur aux projets de construction. De nombreux chercheurs ont souligné l'impact substantiel des approches intégratives et collaboratives sur l'amélioration des performances des projets de construction ; cependant, leur mise en oeuvre reste rare et peu documentée. Encore peu de praticiens et d’organisations semblent engagés à adopter ces stratégies d'intégration avancées. À cet égard, la recherche universitaire peut certainement jouer un rôle positif et faciliter leur compréhension et leur adoption par le milieu. Pour notre part, nous avons d'abord choisi de décortiquer la réalisation de projets intégrée (IPD) comme mode de réalisation collaboratif. Nous avons tenté de comprendre (a) ce qu'est l'intégration dans le contexte de l’IPD et quels en sont les mécanismes d'intégration, (b) quelles sont les caractéristiques contractuelles, organisationnelles et opérationnelles de la IPD qui en permettent la mise en oeuvre dans les projets de construction, et (c) comment la IPD peut relever les défis de la nouvelle normalité de l'industrie de la construction grâce à ses caractéristiques, et finalement, nous avons mené des études sur (d) l'interaction entre la IPD et les stratégies de conception intégrée telles que la conception pour la fabrication et l'assemblage (DfMA). Organisée sur la base de quatre articles de revues scientifiques (2 publiés, 1 sous presse et 1 en évaluation), cette thèse vise à répondre à ces questions et à contribuer à l'ensemble des connaissances, en menant diverses études conceptuelles et empiriques sur les deux concepts-clés que sont l'IPD et le DfMA. Le premier article décortique le concept d’intégration à partir de la littérature sur l'IPD et identifie les stratégies de mise en oeuvre pouvant contribuer positivement aux projets de construction. Toutes les techniques d'intégration de l'IPD citées dans la littérature ont été extraites, et leurs dimensions (force, portée, durée et profondeur) et directions (verticale, horizontale et longitudinale) ont été discutées dans trois contextes : (i) les projets de construction sur site, réalisés de manière traditionnelle, (ii) les projets de construction sur site, réalisés par le biais de la IPD, et (iii) les projets de construction hors site, réalisés par le biais de l’IPD. Les résultats ont montré que l'application de la IPD dans les projets de construction hors site crée une intégration verticale, horizontale et longitudinale complète de la chaîne d'approvisionnement pendant le cycle de vie des projets, ce qui peut réduire la durée du projet. Dans le deuxième article, une revue de la littérature est menée pour identifier les thèmes de recherche les plus récents sur l'IPD et les tendances futures. Les résultats montrent que les thèmes de recherche émergents les plus importants de la littérature sont identifiés comme suit : technologique et procédural sous le cluster opérationnel-cognitif ; juridique et commercial sous le cluster contractuel-réglementaire ; et culturel/comportemental et structurel sous le cluster organisationnel-structurel. Dans le troisième article, les divers défis rencontrés par les projets de construction dans l'ère postpandémie sont extraits de la littérature et classés en trois étapes : pré-construction, construction et post-construction. Ensuite, deux études de cas canadiennes sont menées pour recueillir des données et valider les résultats de l'examen. Plusieurs discussions de groupe et entretiens ont également été menés avec les parties prenantes des projets, au cours desquels les principes de la IPD ont été discutés, et les participants à l'étude ont été interrogés pour dresser la liste des principes susceptibles de relever les défis de la nouvelle réalité dans laquelle nous vivons. Dans les cas étudiés, les résultats ont montré que le nombre de principes liés à l’IPD utilisés a augmenté depuis le début de la pandémie. Les principes de IPD les plus appliqués sont liés aux aspects technologiques (intégration des technologies, plateformes numériques, technologies basées sur le cloud et le web) et relationnels de la IPD (alliance multipartite, gestion par grappes et partage des risques/récompenses). Dans le quatrième article, une stratégie intégrée de conception et de construction, appelée conception pour la fabrication et l'assemblage (DfMA), est étudiée afin de comprendre comment l'interaction entre avec l’IPD peut améliorer l'intégration dans les projets de construction. Tout d'abord, une revue systématique de la littérature et plusieurs discussions de groupe sont menées afin d'identifier les défis de l'application de la méthode DfMA dans les projets de construction et de les classer en 8 catégories : contractuel, technologique, procédural, culturel, commercial, géographique, financier et technique/cognitif. Les résultats montrent que la majorité des défis identifiés sont liés aux aspects contractuels et opérationnels des projets de construction et aux parties prenantes associées. Ensuite, un cadre de DfMA orienté construction (C-DfMA) est développé pour répondre aux défis identifiés, basé sur une interaction entre la DfMA, les modèles d'affaires intégrés, les modes de réalisation intégrée et les outils et technologies opérationnels basés sur le Lean. Les résultats montrent que l'impact synergique entre les stratégies intégrées et collaboratives telles que l'IPD, la DfMA et les techniques opérationnelles Lean peut créer un environnement approprié pour relever les défis actuels de l'industrie de la construction qui sont principalement dus à la fragmentation. Les articles proposés dans cette thèse visent à fournir un éclairage théorique et empirique sur des concepts de grand intérêt pour l’industrie de la construction, et ce faisant, sensibiliser les acteurs du milieu à s’engager plus concrètement dans leur adoption. Mots-clés : Réalisation de projets intégrée, IPD, Intégration, Construction, Gestion de projet, Conception pour la fabrication et l’assemblage, DfMA, Lean. ABSTRACT: This dissertation by articles aims to advance knowledge on the concept of integration in the construction industry, through recently emerged concepts, such as integrated project delivery (IPD) and design for manufacturing and assembly (DfMA). The construction industry is experiencing a paradigm shift from traditional transactional contractual methods toward more integrated, sustainable, and collaborative approaches such as IPD and DfMA. Recent global crises, such as the pandemic, global warming, and political conflicts, have led us to live in a new context, also known as the new normal. This has accelerated the shift in the construction industry, pushing it to adopt approaches that eliminate waste and add more value to construction projects. Many researchers have highlighted the substantial impact of integrative and collaborative approaches on improving construction projects performance; however, their implementation remains rare and poorly documented. Still few practitioners and organizations seem committed to adopting these advanced integration strategies. Accordingly, academic research can certainly play a positive role and facilitate their understanding and implementation by the industry practitioners. In this context, first, we selected integrated project delivery (IPD) as the most recent collaborative delivery method and tried to understand (a) what integration in the context of IPD is and what the IPD integration mechanisms are, (b) what the contractual, organizational, and operational characteristics of IPD are which allow integration mechanisms to be implemented in construction projects, and (c) how IPD can address the new-normal challenges in the construction industry through its characteristics. Then, we selected design for manufacturing and assembly (DfMA) as a collaborative strategy that supports the implementation of IPD and conducted studies on (d) how the interplay between IPD and integrated design strategies such as design for manufacturing and assembly (DfMA) can improve the current status of construction projects. Based on four journal papers, that are either submitted, in revision, or published, this thesis aims to answer these questions and contribute the body of knowledge, by conducting various conceptual and empirical studies about IPD. Accordingly, in the first article, the concept of “integration” in IPD literature is studied and implementation strategies that can positively contribute to construction projects are identified. All IPD integrating techniques cited in the literature were extracted, and their integration dimensions (strength, scope, duration, and depth) and directions (vertical, horizontal, and longitudinal) were discussed in three contexts: (i) on-site construction projects, delivered traditionally, (ii) on-site construction projects, delivered through IPD, and (iii) off-site construction projects, delivered through IPD. The results showed that applying IPD in off-site construction projects creates complete vertical, horizontal, and longitudinal supply-chain integrations during the projects’ life cycle, which can reduce the project duration. In the second article, a systematic literature review is conducted to identify the most recent IPD research themes and future trends. Results showed that the most prominent emerging research themes from the literature are identified as: technological and procedural under the operational-cognitive cluster; legal and commercial under the contractualregulative cluster; and cultural/behavioral and structural under the organizational-structural cluster. In the third article, various challenges encountered by construction projects after the pandemic era are extracted from the literature and classified into three stages: pre-construction, construction, and post-construction. Then, two Canadian case studies are conducted to collect data and validate the results of the review. Several focus group discussions and interviews were also conducted with projects stakeholders, in which IPD principles were discussed, and study participants were interviewed to list principles that could address the new-normal challenges. The results showed that the number of IPD principles that have been applied in case study projects has increased since the beginning of the pandemic. The IPD principles that are the most applied in the new-normal era relate to the technological (integrating technologies, digital platforms, cloud-based and web-based technologies) and relational aspects of IPD (multiparty alliance, cluster-based management, and shared risks/rewards. In the fourth article, an integrated design and construction strategy, which is called design for manufacturing and assembly (DfMA), is investigated to understand how the interplay between integrated delivery and business models such as IPD and DfMA can enhance integration in construction projects. First, a systematic literature review and several focus group discussions are conducted, to identify challenges of applying DfMA method in construction projects, and categorize them into 8 categories: contractual, technological, procedural, cultural, commercial, geographical, financial, and technical/cognitive. The results show that the majority of identified challenges were related to the contractual and operational aspects of construction projects and the associated stakeholders. Next, a construction-oriented DfMA (C-DfMA) framework to address the identified challenges is developed, based on an interplay between DfMA, integrated business models, relational and integrated delivery methods, and lean-based operational tools and technologies. The results show that the synergistic impact between integrated and collaborative strategies, such as IPD, DfMA, and lean-based operational techniques can create a suitable environment for addressing current construction industry challenges that are mostly due to fragmentation. The articles proposed in this thesis aim to provide theoretical and empirical insight into the concepts of great interest to the construction industry, and in doing so, sensitize the practitioners in the field to engage more efficiently in their implementation. Keywords: Integrated Project Delivery, IPD, Integration, Construction, Project management, Design for Manufacturing and Assembly, DfMA, Lean

Review and analysis of augmented reality literature for construction industry

AbstractResearch has identified various beneficial capabilities for augmented reality technologies in the AEC industry such as virtual site visits, comparing as-built and as-planned status of projects, pre-empting schedule disputes, enhancing collaboration opportunities, and planning/training for similar projects. This paper provides an expanded foundation for future research by presenting a statistical review of augmented reality technology in the AEC industry. The review is based on articles found within eight well-known journals in architecture, engineering, construction, and facility management (AEC/FM) until the end of the year 2012. The review further narrows the literature within these journals by considering only those 133 articles found through a key word search for “augmented reality.” The selected journal articles are classified within the following dimensions: improvement focus, industry sector, target audience, project phase, stage of technology maturity, application area, comparison role, and technology. The number of articles within these dimensions are used to identify maturing and emerging trends in the literature as well as to synthesize the current state-of-the-art of augmented reality research in the AEC industry. In summary, the AR literature has increasingly focused on the demonstration of visualization and simulation applications for comparison of as-planned versus as-built statuses of the project during the construction phase to monitor project progress and address issues faced by field workers. In addition, the future trend is toward using web-based mobile augmented systems for field construction monitoring.</jats:p