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Electrospinning is a versatile and straightforward process for synthesizing one-dimensional (1D) nanostructures of diverse materials. Conventional fiber synthesis techniques of wet, dry, melt, and gel spinning are capable of producing polymer fibers with diameters down to the micrometer range, whereas electrospinning, also known as electrostatic spinning, is capable of producing polymer fibers with nanoscale diameters. The authors report a simple chemical method for the preparation of ZnO semiconducting nanofibers from zinc acetate/PVA by using electrospinning method. So the fibers thus obtained were calcined at 700°C K for 2 h and ceramic ZnO fibers were obtained. The morphological features, crystallinity, and optical properties of the ZnO nanofibers were studied by SEM images, XRD pattern, UV-vis, and PL and FT-IR spectroscopy, and we used the Scherrer equation for the approximation crystallite size. SEM images showed that the diameters of ceramic ZnO fibers calcined at 700°C are found 50–80 nm. XRD results showed that the obtained ZnO nanofibers were composed of hexagonal wurtzite phase with very good crystallinity. The crystallite size obtained as 32 nm using the Scherrer formula. The PL and UV absorption spectra showed a broad green band emission and a relatively narrow absorption band at 550 and 274 nm, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

In this paper, nanoparticles of iron oxide in the presence of specific electric and magnetic field orientation are placed on zinc oxide nanofibers. In this methodology, initially with chemical sol-gel method, the magnetic iron oxide nanoparticles are synthesized. In the next step the synthesized particles are added to precursor polymer of polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) and zinc salt. By using electrospinning method, nanofibers in the distance between the nozzle and the collector fibers foil pass through a strong electric and magnetic field. After the identification tests and scanned electron microscopy (SEM) imaging it is observed that the iron oxide nanoparticles have placed well on the fibers. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Competing Interests: The author declared no potential conflicts of interest with respect to the research, authorship, and publication of this article.

Background: Early or delayed mobilization of limb after flexor tendon rupture repairing has an effect on postoperative outcomes, however it is not yet clear whether early or late organ mobilization leads to more likelihood of recovery. We aimed to assess the effects of early and late active limb mobilization through rehabilitation after surgery on the range of motion and hand recovery., Methods: This randomized clinical study was performed in Sina Hospital, Tehran, Iran in 2022 on 80 patients with flexor tendon damage in the zone II, who underwent reconstructive surgery of superficial and deep tendons. Patients were randomly (using random number table) divided into two groups that for one group, rehabilitation was done early (starting after three days, n = 53) and for the other group, rehabilitation was done late (starting after three weeks, n = 27). The patients were examined postoperatively and following occupational therapy and the range of motion of their involved joints was calculated., Results: The means PIP extension Lag, PIP active flexion, DIP extension Lag, DIP active flexion and total active motion were all significantly higher in those patients planned for early mobilization as compared to those who considered for late mobilization( P =0.031). Such a significant difference was also revealed adjusting baseline parameters., Conclusion: Compared to the delayed start of hand flexor tendon mobility, the early start of these activities is associated with a much greater improvement in the movement function of this tendon., Competing Interests: None declared.

Background: The newly emerged pandemic of coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) is the world's main health challenge because infected patients become vulnerable to a variety of opportunistic diseases., Objective: This study aimed to assess clinical outcomes, diagnosis, utilized drug therapies, and ongoing COVID-19 practices in Iranian cases co-infected with COVID-19 and mucormycosis., Participants and Methods: A case-series analysis was conducted in the presence of 10 patients with COVID-19 and mucormycosis co-infection (two men and eight women; mean age of 48.8 years) from March to October 2020. Demographic variables, signs/symptoms, and comorbidities of all patients were recorded. COVID-19 was confirmed with reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) nasopharyngeal swab tests and high-resolution computed tomography (HR-CT)_ scans., Results: All patients had a positive RT-PCR for SARS-CoV-2. Eight patients had a history of diabetes, while three of them exhibited a hypertension history. Remarkable laboratory findings were elevated fasting blood sugar in 6 cases and anaemia in four patients. A rhino-orbital-cerebral of mucormycosis in all patients was detected based on HR-CT scans and otorhinolaryngological or ophthalmological examinations. Neurological disorders including facial, trigeminal, optic, and oculomotor nerve involvement resulted in paraesthesia, pain, ptosis, no light perception, blurred vision, and papilledema in five cases. Maxillary and ethmoid sinuses were the most common sites of involvement., Conclusion: Vulnerable COVID-19 patients with comorbidities, any facial involvements, or treated by excessive doses of glucocorticoids and antibiotics should undergo precise examinations during the appearance of early signs and hospitalization to diagnose and treat mucormycosis using the standard care and antifungal treatments.

Background: Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) or median nerve neuropathy is among the causes of numbness, paresthesia, and sensory and motor dysfunction in the affected hand. The objective of this study was to compare open and endoscopic carpal tunnel release (ECTR) methods., Methods: A multicenter, historical cohort study was performed on 47 hands in 46 patients with a clinical diagnosis of CTS and a failed trial of conservative treatment. Samples were divided into two groups consisting of 23 patients receiving open carpal tunnel release (OCTR) and ECTR. Outcome measurements had been carried out six weeks after the operation and included handgrip strength, post-op pain, and missing job days., Results: Patients in both groups were comparable regarding baseline characteristics such as age, gender, and handgrip strength. Both methods significantly improved handgrip strength. No significant difference was detected between the two groups concerning handgrip strength improvement ( P=0.700 ) and sick leave days ( P=0.564 ). Open carpal tunnel release resulted in more significant post-op pain (mean 5.91±1.24 compared to 2.43±0.73 after endoscopic release), which was significant ( P=0.000 ). No complications were reported with any technique., Conclusion: This study revealed that apart from post-op pain, other investigated endpoints were similar in both groups. Although the small sample size has limited our ability to draw a conclusive statement, these data suggest that there is no need to utilize the endoscopic technique for the optimum result, especially when this method requires more advanced equipment and could increase surgery costs. Therefore, both approaches can result in good clinical outcomes.

Background: Repairing of a wide cleft palate faces with several problems, e.g. medialization of palatal flaps, lack of tissue for repair, and fistula formation. We aimed at quantitative and qualitative evaluation of medial osteotomy of the greater palatine foramen for patients with wide cleft palate and its postoperative outcomes., Methods: Eight patients 4 males, 4 females with wide cleft palate and the median age of 1.5 year were operated using medial osteotomy of the greater palatine foramen from 2018-2020. In this technique, the osteotomy was carried in the outlet of vascular pedicle medially and posteriorly. This led to more degrees of freedom for the vascular pedicle and a palatoplasty without tension through mucoperiosteal flap movement toward the medial direction., Results: After osteotomy and repairing for 8 patients (16 flaps), the mean (SD) length of mucoperiosteal flap pedicle was significantly increased from 2.78 mm to 6.09 mm (P<0.001). All patients were successfully repaired with no major complications, and none of them required any secondary repair. Three weeks postoperatively, all patients showed normal feeding, normal nasal resonance of speech with normal palatal mobility., Conclusion: Osteotomy of the greater palatine foramen for the closure of wide palatal clefts showed a good efficiency, quantitatively and qualitatively. The mean length of mucoperiosteal pedicle increased by 3.22 mm (6.44 mm for bilateral) after repairing, which helps to more freely medial movement of the palatal flap and lesser tension across its closure. All patients were successfully improved without any major complications., Competing Interests: None declared

Background: Bleeding during rhinoplasty surgery has a negative effect on the quality of surgery; so, it is important to reduce bleeding during rhinoplasty. We aimed to evaluate the effect of injectable tranexamic acid (TXA) and nasal spray of desmopressin (DDAVP) on reduction in intraoperative bleeding and ecchymosis after open rhinoplasty., Methods: In a Randomized Clinical Trial ( RCT) prepared since 2020 to 2021 in Razi Hospital and Imam Khomeini Hospital, Tehran, Iran on 42 patients who underwent open rhinoplasty were divided into three groups. In the first group, TXA was injected one hour before surgery at a dose of 10 mg / kg with a placebo inhalation spray. In the second group, DDAVP was administered as a nasal spray at a dose of 40 mcg with a placebo injection. The third group received a placebo spray and placebo injection. All required data were gathered and analyzed., Results: In TXA group and DDAVP groups, the volume of bleeding during surgery significantly ( P =0.022) decreased compared to placebo group, also, the quality of the surgical field and the surgeon's satisfaction significantly ( P =0.007) improved compared to the placebo group but not with each other. Unlike placebo group, there were no reports of postoperative bleeding in the TXA and DDAVP groups. Duration of surgery, ecchymosis on the day after surgery and coagulation tests before and after surgery were not significantly different in three groups., Conclusion: Use of DDAVP and TXA can both reduce the amount of bleeding during surgery and postoperative bleeding in rhinoplasty and improve the quality of the surgical field and the surgeon 's satisfaction during surgery., Competing Interests: The authors declare that they have no conflict of interests.

Background: There is a high risk of COVID-19 in kidney transplant recipients (KTRs) because of chronic immunosuppression and severe cytomegalovirus (CMV) pneumonitis., Case Presentation: A case series of 10 KTRs with COVID-19 in Iran was developed. Participants consisted of two female and eight male patients, aged 46-68 years old. The data related to clinical laboratory tests, outcomes, diagnosis, and drug treatments were collected. The RT-PCR confirmed the COVID-19 infection in KTRs. The assessment of serum biochemical and blood hematological factors showed that there was a strong correlation between COVID-19 intensity and high serum Cr, BUN, and ALT levels, high CRP concentration, and lower lymphocyte and platelet counts in male KTRs. Ground-glass opacity (GGO) was the main radiologic pattern visible on both chest radiographs of computed tomography scans. The COVID-19 and CMV coinfection in KTRs resulted in large-size kidneys with severe parenchymal echogenicity and hydronephrosis. The combined use of effective antibiotic and antiviral drugs was suitable to prevent COVID-19 progression in KTRs., Conclusions: The coincidence of COVID-19 and CMV in KTRs may potentially increase the mortality risk of patients. The levels of Cr, BUN, ALT, and CRP as well as lymphocytes count in these patients should be continuously controlled., (© 2020 Wiley Periodicals LLC.)

Background: Rhinoplasty is associated with intraoperative bleeding which affects the quality of the operation and may increase the time of surgery. The aim of this study was to assess the role of nasal spray of desmopressin on reduction in intraoperative bleeding during elective open rhinoplasty., Methods: Conducting an interventional study in our hospital, all patient data including demographic information, medical history and laboratory tests before surgery were collected. Patients who were randomly divided into two study groups, received nasal desmopressin spray or placebo spray, 60 min before starting open septorhinoplasty. The measured variables included: bleeding volume, the operative field quality in regard to bleeding (Boezaart score), the surgeons' satisfaction in regard to bleeding during surgery (Likert scale), postoperative bruising, postoperative bleeding and menstruation., Results: Thirty cases were studied; 13 (46.3%) people received placebo and 17 (56.7%) received desmopressin. The Boezaart score, satisfaction scores, bleeding volume, upper eyelid ecchymosis in the group receiving desmopressin were significantly better than the control group. Postoperative bleeding was also less in the desmopressin group, but not significant as other variables. In women of each group, menstruation had no effect on the amount of bleeding, surgical field quality and surgeon satisfaction compared with non-menstruation women., Conclusion: Nasal desmopressin use is an effective method for reducing intraoperative and postoperative bleeding and diminished postoperative ecchymosis which improves surgeons' satisfaction. So using the nasal form of desmopressin could be considered as method of controlling bleeding and ecchymosis in open rhinoplasty., Level of Evidence Iv: This journal requires that authors assign a level of evidence to each article. For a full description of these Evidence-Based Medicine ratings, please refer to the Table of Contents or the online Instructions to Authors www.springer.com/00266.

Background: Basal cell carcinoma (BCC) and squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) are the most common malignancies, which occur on the scalp. There are various therapeutic methods for managing these malignancies in which the standard treatment method of both is surgical excision with a good margin. Sometimes, the patients need full-thickness excision due to the deep invasion, so exposing the underlying calvarium may be a challenge for surgeons., Objectives: We evaluated the outcomes of using the combined therapy of acellular dermal matrix and split-thickness skin graft (STSG) in comparison with using only STSG in the treatment of defects caused by the excision of scalp malignant tumors among the patients who attended Imam Khomeini Hospital Complex and Razi Hospital of Tehran, Iran. We also evaluated the satisfaction of both surgeons and patients among these two methods of treatment., Materials and Methods: All the candidates were divided into the two groups, that is, of case and control, randomly. The case group underwent the treatment using acellular dermal matrix and STSG, whereas the control group underwent the treatment by only STSG on the wound. In both groups, BCC and SCC were excised with a margin of 6 and 10 mm, respectively, on the skull bone. Then, a layer of bone was removed by osteotomy in order to reach the bleeding points. All patients were followed up for 7, 30, and 90 days after the surgery, and the results were recorded., Results: A significant difference in Manchester Scar Scale, wound contour formation, the mobility of the repair site, and patients and surgeon satisfaction was observed among both groups based on visual analog scale. We found better outcomes in the case group, especially in wound contour formation during 90 days of follow-up. However, the satisfaction of both surgeons and patients was achieved in the case group. Satisfaction of surgeons was achieved in the case group with a relative superiority to the control group according to the Manchester Scar Scale., Competing Interests: There are no conflicts of interest., (Copyright: © 2019 Journal of Cutaneous and Aesthetic Surgery.)

Background: Ischemia of skin flaps is an important complication in reconstructive surgery. This study evaluated the efficacy of topical vitamins A and E on improving flap survival., Methods: Twenty-four white-albino male rats were randomly divided into two groups of treatment and control. Standard rectangular, distally based dorsal random pattern skin flap was elevated. Intra-peritoneal cephazoline was administered to prevent any unexpected infection. No pharmaceutical agent was administered for the control group, but pure vaseline ointment. In treatment group, vaseline plus vitamins A and E were administrated daily after surgery for 10 days. The rats were evaluated on the 10 th day after surgery for viable and necrotic portions of the flaps., Results: The mean values of necrosis in the flaps were 625±189.56 and 920.00±247.31 in the treatment and control groups, respectively. Vaseline plus vitamins increased flap survival significantly., Conclusion: Topical vitamins A and E may be effective pharmaceutical agents to increase viability of random skin flaps in rats. They can be added to vasoactive topical agents to reach better results., Competing Interests: The authors declare no conflict of interest.

A new water-soluble polysaccharide (CZGS-1) with molecular weight of 4860kDa and a specific optical rotation of +31.5° (c 1.0, H 2 O), was extracted from the gum exudate of Amygdalus scoparia Spach by hot water, following by purification with DEAE-cellulose A52 and Sephacryl S-400 HR columns. Monosaccharide composition analysis indicates that CZGS-1 was an arabino galactan including Rha, Ara, Xyl, and Gal with a relative molar ratio of 1.1:20:5.2:17.9. The uronic acid content of CZGS-1 was about 6%. Structural features of CZGS-1 was investigated by a combination of partial acid hydrolysis, methylation and GC-MS analysis, periodic acid oxidation and Smith degradation, FT-IR and NMR spectroscopy. The results indicated that CZGS-1 possesses a backbone of →3,6)-β-d-Galp-(1→, →3)-β-d-Galp-(1→, and →3)-α-l-Araf-(1→ residues with side chains attached to O-3 and O-6 positions of 1,3,6-linked β-d-Galp. The side chains are consisted of β-d-Xylp-(1→3)-α-l-Araf-(1→3)-α-l-Araf-(1→), α-l-Rhap-(1→6)-β-d-Galp-(1→), and β-d-GlcAp-(1→6)-β-d-Galp-(1→)., (Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Purpose: To examine the relationship between mothers' knowledge, attitude and dental caries status and their young children's dental caries status., Materials and Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 153 2- to 6-year old children old and their mothers were dentally examined. Mothers' decayed, missing or filled teeth (DMFT) and children's decayed, missing or filled teeth (dmft) were recorded. A validated questionnaire was used to examine maternal knowledge and attitudes regarding the importance for the oral health of their children., Results: The average age of children and mothers were 5.1 and 31 years, respectively. The mothers' and children's mean DMFT and dmft were 12 and 6, respectively. The mean level of mothers' knowledge was 31.5 out of 40, while the mean attitude was 24.5 out of 30 points. There was a statistically significant inverse correlation between mothers' knowledge and their DMFT (r = -0.7), and between mothers' knowledge and children's dmft (r = -0.6). Also, there was an inverse correlation between mothers' attitude and DMFT (r = -0.8), and between mothers' attitude and dmft (r = -0.7). A direct correlation between mothers' DMFT and children's dmft (r = +0.6) was observed., Conclusion: Attempts at improving the knowledge and attitude in parents have a substantial impact on improving the oral health of next generation.

Chronic infection with hepatitis B (CHB) virus is one of the most important risk factors for Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Hepatitis B virus (HBV) causes liver cancer in various ways. One of these ways is increasing the expression of the signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) in Hepatocytes by HBV. The purpose of this research is to evaluate the single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) rs1053004 in the STAT3 gene in CHB patients and individuals who suffer from HCC. In this research, 33 patients CHB-related HCC, 50 patients infected with chronic hepatitis B infection (CHB) without HCC and 50 healthy individuals were investigated for the presence of rs1053004 in the STAT3 gene according to the PCR-based differentiation of alleles test. Data analysis presented a different and significant distribution of alleles and genotypes (p&lt;0.05). When the HCC and CHB groups were compared from the point of the frequency of alleles, the frequency of the C allele and CC genotype in the HCC group were higher CHB and control groups. Analysis of our data in the genotype model (CC vs. TT + TC) showed, this meaningful relationship remained between the HCC group and the three groups of CHB, healthy and all controls. These results illustrate that perhaps rs1053004 polymorphisms in the STAT3 gene participated in the progression of hepatitis B to HCC in Iranian people.

Background: This study investigated the effects of amniotic membrane combined with adipose-derived stem cells or fetal fibroblasts on regenerating extensive burns in rats., Methods: Third degree burns of 1100-1800 mm 2 were induced on 32 Sprague-Dawley rats. Burned sites were excised and randomly covered with Vaseline gauze (control), human amniotic membrane (HAM), human fetal fibroblasts seeded on HAM (HAM-FF), or human adipose-derived stem cells seeded on HAM (HAM-ASC), and followed by wound closure and histological assessments., Results: Wound closure rates of HAM-FF, HAM-ASC, HAM and control groups at seven and 14 days after the treatment were 42.2% and 81.9%, 41.9% and 81.7%, 33.5% and 74.2%, and 16.5% and 69.7%, respectively. Wounds of HAM-FF, HAM-ASC, HAM and control groups were closed on 40, 40, 50 and 60 days after the treatment, respectively (P < 0.05). Histological assessments revealed lower inflammatory cell infiltration in HAM-ASC and HAM-FF groups., Conclusions: Cell-based engineered skin substitutes seem to accelerate wound regeneration, especially within the first 14 days., (Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Background: Keloids as unusual scars are injury remnants characterized by bizarre cosmetics and painful itching. This study assessed outcomes of surgical excision and brachytherapy in intractable keloids., Methods: Six patients with 10 keloid lesions were followed up. Surgical excision was done with 1-2 mm margin, and then radiotherapy was undertaken in 3 divided fractions on days 0, 1 and 2 after surgery. Scar improvement was evaluated by patients and observer with scar assessment scale (POSAS)., Results: Median age of patients was 38.3±6.4, while 40% were male and 60% were female. The mean primary size of the lesion before brachytherapy was 325.18±426.16 mm 2 and the median size was 153.48 mm 2 . The mean primary size of the lesions with recurrence before brachytherapy was 150.50±124.78 mm 2 . The clinical improvement of the scars with POSAS scoring by the observer was 17.1±3.2 and by the patients was 20.8±11.5. In 5 patients who were evaluated, two keloid lesions showed recurrence (20%), and 8 lesions had no recurrence (80%). No patients reported side effects, but only one patient, a 43 years old woman with 5 keloid lesions, suffered wound infection and local dehiscence of the wound, followed by the second session of brachytherapy. The average time of relapse was 26.3±0.9 months., Conclusion: The use of surgical resection in combination with brachytherapy was demonstrated as a modality for treatment of refractory keloid scars that can be recommended to surgeons who deal with these patients., Competing Interests: The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Background: Osteotomy is one of the major steps in rhinoplasty. The aim of study was to compare edema and ecchymosis after external and internal lateral osteotomy in patients who underwent rhinoplasty., Methods: Based on a prospective randomized clinical trial, 168 osteotomies were performed through an external route in a perforating fashion and internal route in a continuous fashion at right or left side respectively in any patient. Subjective scoring system was applied to evaluate edema and ecchymosis on 1 st , 3 rd , 7 th , and 30 th days after surgery., Results: Edema and ecchymosis were the same in both types of osteotomies., Conclusion: Regarding edema and ecchymosis, there was not any significant difference between external and internal osteotomies in rhinoplasty., Competing Interests: The authors declare no conflict of interest.