mohammadreza afzalzadeh

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is one of the most significant medical problems of the century. Mucormycosis infection is one of the devasting problems associated with this disease. Brain abscess associated with these conditions may have very poor prognosis, and prompt diagnosis as well as treatment of it is of paramount importance. In this study, we introduce a diabetic middle-aged man  who was treated with corticosteroids due to COVID-19, and affected by rhinocerebral mucormycosis. Due to eye chemosis, brain MRI was performed  which showed a silent abscess in temporal lobe with no neurological symptoms. After ten weeks of treatment, serial endoscopic sinus surgery and antifungal therapy, the invasive fungal sinusitis and brain abscess healed without debilitating sequala. We introduced this case as an educational example of brain involvement in mucormycosis. Although very rare,  due to possible fatal sequalae, brain abscess should be considered as a probable complication of mucormycosis even if the patient has no neurological symptom.

Multifocal Langerhans' cell histocytosis is a rare condition that can affect multiple organs and manifest in various scenarios. While the condition is more commonly found in children, it can also occur in adults.
Case Report:A 43-year-old female presented with refractory otorrhea and had a rubbery neck mass in the left mid-cervical area, as well as an itchy eczematoid lesion in the left parietal area. The otic lesion was eventually resected, and histopathologic examination confirmed the diagnosis of Langerhans histiocytosis.
Although rare in adults, Langerhans histiocytosis should be considered as one of the differential diagnoses for ear canal polyps. If diagnosed, medical treatment should be pursued.

Skin tumors are prevalent in the head and neck especially auricle but pilomatricoma is extremely rare in ear lobule.

Case Report:

A 7-year-old girl without a history of previous illness presented with a 1.5-month history of a lesion in the right ear lobule that tended to grow in size. It was a 2*2*2cm round, slightly painful lesion with soft tissue and light red in color that yielded bloody or serous fluid on aspiration. The lesion was enucleated. The diagnosis was pilomatricoma.

Although very rare, pilomatricoma should be considered as a differential diagnosis of ear lobule neoplasms.

 Despite the high prevalence of head and neck cancers in Iran, no studies have been conducted to investigate the relationship between vitamin D levels and these cancers. Many Iranians suffer from vitamin D deficiency, which underscores the importance of conducting these studies in Iran.

 This study aims at investigating the relationship between vitamin D levels and laryngeal cancer.

 This 1: 1 matched case-control study included 216 patients in Mashhad, Iran, who had not consumed vitamin D supplements for 3-months before study onset. Participants were grouped in 2 categories; the case group, which consisted of patients with laryngeal cancer whose squamous cell carcinoma was confirmed pathologically for the first time (new cases), and the control group, which consisted of individuals who did not have any cancer at the time of the study, confirmed by indirect laryngoscopy, and were identical to the patient group in terms of other risk factors for laryngeal cancer (smoking and alcohol abuse). First, the relevant checklist (including age, occupation, consumption of tobacco, alcohol use, etc., history of contact with mustard gas, wood, stone, metal, and cement industry, as well as history of reflux in the individual and cancer in relatives) was completed for all case and control group members. After taking blood samples, they were evaluated for serum levels of vitamin D3. Data were analyzed using chi-square, Mann-Whitney U or independent sample t-tests. Logistic regression was also used to determine the relation between vitamin D level and laryngeal cancer.

 Mean age, sex and risk factors of laryngeal cancer were not significantly different between the two groups. Vitamin D level was significantly lower in patients with laryngeal cancer compared to control group (16.02 ± 3.62 ng/mL vs 25.19 ± 3.40 (P < 0.001)). Logistic regression analysis showed that vitamin D level is independently related to laryngeal cancer and has a protective effect on this neoplasm (OR = 0.54, 95%CI: 0.46 - 0.63, P < 0.001).

 A lower vitamin D level may be related to laryngeal cancer. However, the role of vitamin D deficiency as a risk factor for head and neck cancers and whether the treatment of this condition could prevent the incidence of such cancers is a matter of future investigations.

The tonsils are part of the immune system and tonsillar infection is one of the most common causes of diseases, especially in children. Tonsillitis sometimes does not respond to empirical treatment and the presentation of recurrent tonsillitis eventually leads to tonsillectomy. The aim of this study was to determine and compare palatal tonsil culture by superficial and deep methods in frequent tonsillitis patients referred for tonsillectomy.

This cross-sectional study was performed on all patients aged > 3 years with chronic recurrent tonsillitis referred for tonsillectomy during 2019-2020. After obtaining the informed consent of the patient's legal guardian, the patient underwent sampling of the right palatine tonsil with a swab through the mouth before tonsillectomy. After tonsillectomy, a sampling of the surface and deep tissue of the tonsil was performed. Microbiological examination, antibiogram determination, and blood culture before and after tonsillectomy were performed.

A total of 80 patients were recruited in this study of which 50% were male. In 87.1% of patients, the report of staphylococcus (as the most common organism found) had poor consistency in both surface and deep culture methods. This rate reached 81.3% in comparison between deep tissue culture results and secretions (swab) and 72.7% in comparison between surface samples and secretions (swab) (P<0.001). There was the lowest amount of negative cultures in the comparison of 3 surface cultures, deep cultures and secretions (swap) in deep samples. The highest antibiotic susceptibilities against tonsillar organisms were observed in clindamycin, erythromycin, cefoxitin, gentamicin, and doxycycline.

Blood cultures before and after tonsillectomy were negative in all samples. Based on the results, it seems that no persistent infection enters the blood during tonsillectomy in otherwise healthy patients. It also seems that the use of deep culture is more beneficial compared to surface culture because it has a lower false negative rate.

Chronic otitis media is a significant health problem, but middle ear and mastoid neoplasms, either benign or malignant, are extremely rare.

Here is a report from a 51-year-old female who presented persistent otorrhea with an aural polyp. The patient was operated on with the probable diagnosis of cholesteatoma. During surgery, a fragile mass was discovered, and histopathologic examination reported the diagnosis of a primary oncocytic Schneiderian papilloma. Microscopically it has pseudostratified epithelium of columnar cell epithelium with eosinophilic granular cytoplasm and hyperchromatic nuclei. The treatment of choice for Schneiderian papillomas is complete surgical removal.

Although very rare, oncocytic Schneiderian papilloma should be considered a differential diagnosis of ear neoplasms such as auditory canal polyps.

Retinoic acid and Rosa damascena are compounds that have considerable effects in the cellular proliferation and synthesis of extracellular matrix. The present study was designed to assess the combined effects of retinoic acid and Rosa damascena mill on wound in diabetic rats. Seventy-two rats were used in this study. Diabetes was induced by a single intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin (60 mg. Kg-1). Then, a full thickness wound was created on dorsal surface of all animals. After that, rats were divided, into three groups; control (normal saline), positive control (phenytoin ), and case (combined of 0.1% Tretinoein lotion and which concentration of Rosa damascena mill ).Afterward, wounds were evaluated macroscopically and microscopically on days 5, 10 and 15. Macroscopic and microscopic evaluations showed a significant improvement (p

The Effects of Aqueous Extract of Celery (Apium Graveolens) on Hematological Parameters and on the Level of Serum Testosterone in Male Rat Ameneh Hardani1*, Esrafil Mansouri2, Ashraf Zargar3, Hamid Reza Afzal Zadeh4 Abstract In Iran, traditionally, celery is used to treat of various diseases such as peptic ulcer. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of the aqueous extract of celery (Apium graveolens) on hematological parameters and testosterone in male rats. Subjects and Twenty four adult rats were divided into 3 groups: Control and two experimental groups, which received the aqueous extract of celery at doses 100 and 200mg/Kg for 30 consecutive days. At the end of this period, all the animals were killed and blood samples were collected and the hematologic factors (hemoglobin, RBC, MCH and WBC) and serum testosterone levels were measured. The results were analysed by one-way ANOVA test. Aqueous extract of celery, without affecting body weight, increased hemoglobin, MCH, WBC and as well as a significant increase of serum testosterone. The aqueous extract of celery can increase testosterone level and some blood parameters in rat.

Medicinal plants have a long history in treating blood disorders, which is one of the most common problems in today''s advanced world. Fennel (Foeniculum vulgare) is a medicinal plant with a high content of polyphenols and has antioxidant and immunomodulatory properties.. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of hydro-alcoholic extract of fennel on some hematological indices in male rats.. In this experimental study, thirty male Wistar rats were divided into six groups (five rats in each group). The first group (control) did not receive any dose; the second group (sham) received 1 mL normal saline (extraction solvent); and the experimental groups 1, 2, 3 and 4 respectively received 1 mL hydro alcoholic extract of fennel in four doses of 250, 500, 750 and 1000 mg/kg of body weight every 48 hours for 30 days by gavage. One day after the last gavage following induction of anesthesia and taking blood from the heart of rats, measurement of red and white blood cells, hemoglobin, hematocrit and tests of bleeding and coagulation time (CT) were performed. The data was analyzed by one-way ANOVA test using SPSS15 software.. Fennel increased mean RBC (7.54 ± 0.53 × 106) and WBC (5.89 ± 0.78 × 103) values, especially at a dose of 250 mg/mL and CT (2.45 ± 0.20) at a dose of 500mg/mL compared to the control group (P < 0.05).. Fennel increased red and white blood cells probably due to the presence of polyphenols and antioxidant activity of fennel and reduced negative effects of free radicals on blood cells..

Nowadays, a lot of attention has been paid to the therapeutic properties of herbs, including evaluation of the effects of these plants on fertility in laboratory animals. Apium graveolens L. (celery) has been widely used in traditional medicine for treatment of various disorders including impotency. Therefore, this study was designed to investigate the effects of aqueous extract of A. graveolens on testicular tissue and spermatogenesis in healthy male rats. In this research, 24 apparently healthy male rats were divided into three groups, including eight rats in each. The first group as control received only distilled water 1 ml/animal/day. The second and third groups orally received 100 and 200 mg/kg b.w. of the extract, respectively, for 30 days. The day after the last administration of the extract, the rats were sacrificed, the testes were removed entirely, and the morphometric studies were carried out. Epididymal sperm count and histological studies of testicular tissue were conducted. The comparison between the treated and control groups revealed a remarkable increase in the seminiferous tubules diameter, testes volume (p≤0.001), and the number of spermatogonia, primary spermatocytes and spermatozoa. Furthermore, the increase in the number of spermatids and epididymal weight were only significant at high doses of the extract (p≤ 0.05). The results from this study indicated that administration of celery leaf extract may improve spermatogenesis process and also be useful for some sperm fertility parameters.

For many centuries, the human has made a lot of efforts to determine sex ratios in different species and has proposed various theories. In this regard, the effect of several plants on sex ratio (female to male) has been examined, but an empirical research about the effect of aqueous extracts from the leaves of celery on the sex ratio has not been carried out yet.. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the effects of celery extract on the delivery rate, sex ratio, and the number of newborns in female rats..Patients and A total of 45 adult Wistar rats (15 Males and 30 Females) were prepared. The rats were divided into 3 groups; a control group and the 2 other experimental groups received celery extracts at doses of 100 and 200 mg/kg of their body weight. The extract was given orally to the female rats by gavage for 15 consecutive days. For mating, each male rat was placed with two female rats in separate cages for five days. After delivery, the percentage of rats that gave birth, as well as the number and sex ratio of the newborns were determined. The results were analyzed using SPSS version, 1-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) test, Tukey test, and post hoc LSD.. The results showed that aqueous extracts of celery have significantly increased the mean percentage of delivery rate (extract, and control were 100 ± 60 vs. 60 ± 0.16, respectively), the average number of newborns (extract, and control were 7.8 ± 1.2 vs. 3.5 ± 1.2, respectively) and the mean sex ratio (male to female ratio) of newborns (extract and control were 1.26 ± 0.37 vs. 0.81 ± 0.13, respectively) (P ≤ 0. 05).. The extract contains substances that are effective on the delivery rate, sex ratio, and the number of newborns in the female rats. It may affect through the ionic changes in the rats, by modifying the activity of follicle-stimulating and testosterone hormones, and/or changing the rate of fertilizing ability of sperms containing Y chromosome. This phenomenon may also be due to lowering serum fats, acidity levels, and accordingly reducing the acidity of the uterus secretions.

In Iranian traditional medicine, Punica granatum, cabbage, and plantago have been used to prompt wound healing. The effects of cabbage, Punica granatum, and Plantago in wound healing have been investigated to some extent, but no experimental study has been performed to assess the impact of an ointment containing all these three substances on wound healing.. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effect of an ointment prepared from a mixture of cabbage, Punica granatum, and plantago on local wound healing in Wistar rats.. This experimental study was performed on 21 male Wistar rats. Firstly, a full thickness wound was created on rats flank, near the spine by a bistoury blade and forceps. Then they were randomly divided into three groups of seven rats as the control group, a positive control group (the treatment group with phenytoin), and the third one received a treatment with studied ointment. The wounds were evaluated on days three, six, nine, and 12. Results were compared by SPSS software using ANOVA test.. The average percentage of wound healing in different groups on days 3, 6, 9 and 12 were as follows; 21.3%, 37.87%, 67.39% and 77.17% in control group; 24.98%, 34.21%, 70.74% and 88.55% in positive control group; and 32.35%, 61.27%, 94.53%, and 99.91%, in case group. A significant difference was observed between the control and case groups (P < 0.05)..

Based on genetic studies, single nucleotid polymorphisms have a pivotal role in the superfecundity and ovulation. Bone Morphogenetic Protein 15 (BMP15) gene, which is essential for fertility, has been maped to the X chromosome. BMP15 has several point mutations. The aim of this study was to determine FecXB and FecXG mutations in Kamouri Goats of Khouzestan Province. For this study, 40 blood samples were collected by vacutainer tubes containing EDTA (Ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid). DNA was extracted by the modified method. The site of the mutations was amplified using specific primers and 153 and 142 bp PCR products were determined for FecXB and FecXG, respectively. Then, the PCR products were digested with DdeI and HinfI enzymes. All PCR products were cleaved by the enzymes. Therefore, no mutations were observed in FecXB and FecXG in the Kamouri goats of Khouzestan Province. In conclusion, the mutations of FecXB and FecXG do not cause prolificacy in Kamouri goats.

Cobalt is an essential co-factor in red blood cell production and function and its deficiency may produce clinical signs in sheep. Thus، present study was designed to evaluate the effect of cobalt nano-particles on serum biochemical factors and histopathological changes in liver and kidnies of lambs. Study was carried out in 3 groups of lambs (4 lambs per group). One group of lambs was kept as control group. Second and third group respectively received cobalt nano-particles and conventional cobalt chloride suspension daily for a period 25 day. Blood sample and then serum was collected before and at the end of study. Activity of ALT، AST، ALP and level of BUN، creatinine and vitamin B12 were measured in serum of lambs. Tissue sections of liver and kidney were stained with hematoxylin and eosin and examined by light microscopy. Activity of ALT، BUN and vitamin B12 was significantly increased by cobalt nano-particles and conventional cobalt chloride. Fatty change of hepatocytes occured by conventional cobalt and granulomatous hepatitis، focal necrosis of hepatocytes and degeneration of hepatocytes by the nano cobalt was identified in liver. There were not any significant lesions and alteration in the kidnies of treated groups. Thus، cobalt nano particles have similar effect to conventional cobalt for using in sheep with cobalt deficiency.