Phytoestrogens with a biological activity like estradiol are naturally found in many plants. This study was designed to investigate the effect of red clover, a phytoestrogen-rich member of the legume family (Trifolium pratense) on the development of atherosclerosis in male hyperlipidemic rabbits. Twenty rabbits were semi-randomly distributed into four groups of five each. Two groups received either normal diet or normal diet supplemented with red clover. Two other groups received similar diets to both of which 1% cholesterol was added. Dietary use of red clover (RC) in hyperlipidemic rabbits significantly decreased C-reactive protein (CRP), triglyceride (TG), total cholesterol and LDL-cholesterol (LDL-C) whereas, HDL-cholesterol (HDL-C) was significantly increased in those animals (p < 0.05). Fatty streak formation was also significantly lower in aorta and left and right coronary arteries in the same animals due to use of dietary RC supplementation. These findings suggest that dietary RC may reduce cardiovascular risk factors.

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In maxillofacial imaging, cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) is currently the modality of choice for assessment of bony structures of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ). Factors affecting the quality of CBCT images can change its diagnostic accuracy. This study aimed to assess the effect of field of view (FOV) and defect size on the accuracy of CBCT scans for detection of bone defects of the TMJs. This study was conducted on 12 sound TMJs of 6 human dry skulls. Erosions and osteophytes were artificially induced in 0.5, 1, and 1.5-mm sizes on the anterior-superior part of the condyle; CBCT scans were obtained with 6, 9, and 12-inch FOVs by NewTom 3G CBCT system. Two maxillofacial radiologists evaluated the presence/absence and type of defects on CBCT scans. The Cohen kappa was calculated to assess intra- and interobserver reliability. The Mann-Whitney U test was applied to compare the diagnostic accuracy of different FOVs.In comparison of 6- and 12-inch, 9- and 12-inch FOVs in detection of different sizes of erosive lesions, difference was significant (P <0.05), whereas difference between 6- and 9 inch just in 0.5-mm erosive lesion was significant (P = 0.04). In comparison of 6- and 12-inch FOVs in detection of different sizes of osteophyte lesion, difference was significant (P < 0.05), whereas between 6- and 9-inch FOVs statistically significant difference was not observed (P > 0.05). The highest and the lowest diagnostic accuracy of CBCT scans for condyle defects were obtained with 6-inch and 12-inch FOVs, respectively. Diagnostic accuracy of CBCT scans increased with an increase in size of bone defects.