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A 33 yr old man, previously diagnosed with hypothyroidism, presented with decreased level of consciousness and generalized tonic-clonic (GTC) seizure to Namazi hospital, Shiraz, Iran, during April 2015. The patient later referred with another episode of seizure like attack for which he received phenytoin, carbamazepine and levothyroxine and was discharged. During his last admission, the patient was admitted with chief complaints of decreased consciousness and four GTC attacks. On admission, the patients had aphasia, ataxia, loss of verbal communication, eye contact and complete loss of obedience. Thyroid function tests showed low levels of T3 and T4 with high levels of thyroid stimulating hormone. Other blood tests were all either normal or slightly abnormal. Lumbar puncture and CSF analysis had a high titer of Anti-TPO antibodies. With high suspicion of Hashimoto encephalopathy, pulsed methyl prednisolone (10 mg) was administered, however the patient showed little improvement. Therefore, plasmaphresis was started, to which the patient showed dramatic response. Keywords: Hashimoto encephalopathy, Epilepsy, Iran

Mucormycosis is a devastating infection caused by Mucoralean fungi (Mucormycotina, Mucorales). Data concerning the global epidemiology of mucormycosis are scarce and little is known about the characteristics of mucormycosis in Iran. In this study, we aimed to understand the distribution of this infection in Iran retrospectively and to ascertain whether the patterns of infection are associated with specific host factors or not. A total of 208 cases were included in this study occurring during 2008–2014 and were validated according to (EORTC/MSG) criteria. A rising trend as significant increase from 9.7% in 2008 to 23.7% in 2014 was observed. The majority of patients were female (51.4%) with median age of 50 and the infections were seen mostly in autumn season (39.4%). Diabetes mellitus (75.4%) was the most common underlying condition and sinus involvement (86%) was the mostly affected site of infection. Amphotericin B (AmB) was the drug of choice for the majority of cases. Sixty four isolates did not show any growth in the lab and only 21 cases were evaluated by ITS sequencing, among them; Rhizopus arrhizus var. arrhizus was the dominant species. Considering the high mortality rate of mucormycosis, early and accurate diagnosis, with the aid of molecular methods may provide accurate treatments and improve the survival rate. Therefore, increased monitoring and awareness of this life-threatening disease is critical. © 2018 Elsevier Masson SAS

Introduction: Formalin injection induces nociceptive bahaviour in phase I and II, with a quiescent phase between them. While active inhibitory mechanisms are proposed to be responsible for initiation of interphase, the exact mechanisms which lead to termination of nociceptive response in phase II are not clear yet. Phase II is a consequence of peripheral and central sensitization processes, which can lead to termination of the noxious stimuli responses 45-60 minutes after formalin injection via possible recruitment of active inhibitory mechanisms which we have investigated in this study. Methods: To test our hypothesis, in the first set of experiments, we evaluated nociceptive response after two consecutive injection of formalin (50&muL, 2%), with intervals of 5 or 60 minutes. In the next set, formalin tests were carried out in companion with injection of Naloxone Hydrochloride, a non-selective antagonist of opioid receptors, pre-formalin injection and 30 and 45 minutes post formalin injection. Results: While normal nociceptive behaviour was observed in the group receiving one injection of formalin, a diminished response was observed in phases I and II of those receiving consequent injection of formalin, 60 minute after first injection. While second injection of formalin, 5 minute after first injection, had no effect. Administration of naloxone (1mg/kg) decreased nociception in phase 2A but had no effect on delayed termination of formalin test. Discussion: The results of this study suggest the existence of an active inhibitory mechanism, other than the endogenous opioids, that is responsible for termination of nociceptive behaviour at the end of formalin test.

Introduction: The formalin test is the most accepted chemical test for evaluation of nociception. It requires the injection of an adequate amount of formalin into the surface of the hindpaw. Formalin test consists of phase 1 (0–7 min) and phase 2 (15–60) in which the animal shows painful behaviors. These phases are separated with a quiet phase named interphase, in which the nociceptive responses are decreased or completely disappeared. Methods: The goal of the current study was to evaluate the effects of swim stress at different heights of water on different phases of the formalin test in male rats. Results: Swim stress decreased nociceptive behaviors in first phase and prolonged interphase or delayed the start of second phase in a water height dependent manner. Swim stress in 25 and 50cm completely abolished the nociceptive behaviors in phase 1. Discussion: The present results showed different pain modulation during different phases of the formalin test and elucidated the impact of swim stress on duration of interphase. Interphase considered as an inactive period, but a recent research has shown that active inhibitory mechanisms are involved in the modulation of pain during this period. Therefore, swim stress may be considered as a useful tool for study of the basic inhibitory mechanisms underlying attenuation of nociceptive behaviors between phase 1 and 2 of the formalin test.

Background: Malassezia Species are often commensal of the human skin and scalp that opportunistically in exist of particular predisposing factors, their proliferation increases; as, in dandruff and seborrheic dermatitis which both togather affect more than 50% of humans, the excess proliferation of yeast in scalp, leads to scalp-flaking and causes physical and mental disorder in peaple, spacially in youth that their health and hiar hygiene and beauty is more important for them. Thus, this survey has been done for rapid, easy and inexpensive method to diagnosis of abnormal proliferation and invasive condition of Malassezia yeast and can be more benefical for proper treatment.Methods: Sampling with scalpel scraping from scalp of volunteer persons that had not bathed at least two day ago were done and preparation of direct microscopic slides and staining with methylene blue were accomplished. Then, survey of morpholgic characte-ristics, yeast quantification and mycelium detection were done by direct microscopic examination.Results: From 140 scalp samples of adult persons of both gender (male and female) with different age groups, observation of malassezia yeast in 93.5% (131) were positive and 6.5% (9) were negative in direct microscopic examination. Results of yeast quanti-fication in positive cases were: mild or normal flora 25.2%, intermediate 24.5%, severe 50.3%. Detection of mycelium in positive cases were 22.9% (30) (P=0.007 df=2).Conclusion: Application of an accessible, easy and inexpensive method and a determi-nated pattern (yeast quantification with direct microscopic examination) to distinguish normal flora from abnormal condition (excess proliferation and mycelium production) in cases of Malassezia yeasts can be more useful to rapid diagnosis of abnormal pro-liferation and invasive condition in order to initiate a proper antifungal treatment.

Background: Vulvovaginal candidiasis (VVC) is a common vaginal infection, affecting up to 75% of women in child-bearing age. Approximately 5% of patients may experience recurrent VVC. Candida albicans is the most common causative agent with a prevalence of approximately 70–90%. Non-albicans Candida species, predominantly Candida glabrata, are responsible for the remainder. Precise diagnosis of causative agents of VVC is necessary for epidemiological purposes and for effective treatment. Methods: One hundred and thirty three yeast isolates were collected from a gynecology clinic affiliated to Kashan University, Iran, during 2007-2009. Genomic DNA of each isolate was extracted from fresh cultures using FTA-card. The ITS1-ITS2 region was amplified by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay and was digested by the restriction enzyme HpaII. The products of restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) were electrophoresed on agarose gel and the yeast species were determined according to differences in their electrophoretic band patterns. Findings: Prominent species isolated from clinical specimens were Candida albicans responsible for 116 cases (87.2%), followed by 16 cases of C. glabrata (12%) and 1 case of C. kefyr (0.7%). The age bracket of 31-40 years had the highest and the age bracket of 11-20 years had the lowest frequency of occurrence. Conclusion: Like the majority of similar studies performed in this field, the present study found Candida albicans as predominant species isolated from vulvovaginal candidiasis. As molecular diagnostic methods are rapid and reliable and as there are no any other studies that used PCR-RFLP for diagnosis of etiologic agents of VVC in Iran, we recommend this approach for other similar epidemiological studies.

Mucormycosis is an invasive fungal infection caused by filamentous fungi of the Mucoraceae family. The genera most commonly responsible are Mucor or Rhizopus. The disease occurs mostly in association with diabetic ketoacidosis. Mucormycosis has an extremely high death rate even when aggressive surgery is done. Death rates range from 25-85% depending on the body area involved. A case of rhinocerebral mucormycosis in a 65-year-old diabetic male patient typically presenting as headache, especially in parietal and frontal lobes, with nose and left eye discharge. After clinical and laboratory examination, mucormycosis was diagnosed, and Rhizopus oryzae was isolated. Systemic therapy with amphotericin B administered intravenously then replaced by posaconazole by a combination of aggressive surgery. The patient was treated and followed up for one year. We emphasize the importance of early detection and aggressive treatment in the management of this fatal disease.

In this paper, design and developing of an optical spectra measuring instrument based on a diffraction grating and a CMOS webcam sensor – without using slit – has been described. The instrument is a slit free spectrometer. This cost effective spectrometer achieves real accuracy of 0.06 nm, suitable for resolving many spectral lines. This system has been tested for resolving the sodium doublet lines at 589 nm. The input of the instrument is a single mode optical fiber and the output of the instrument is a USB port. The software of the system is based on the LabVIEW program.

In this paper design and development of 780 nm stable tunable semiconductor laser is reported. Littman configuration has been used in this work. The aim of this research is to find a suitable optical set-up for tuning semiconductor lasers without moving the output laser beam. To do so, a diffractive grating, a mirror, a cooling system, a power supply and opto-mechanical components have been used. The wavelength of the laser beam and the power of that have been measured using a spectrometer and a power meter respectively. Using the typical setup the laser was tuned 52 angstrom.

Objective(s): Neurotoxicity of anticancer drugs complicates treatment of cancer patients. Vinblastine (VBL) is reported to induce motor and cognitive impairments in patients receiving chronic low-dose regimen. Materials and Methods: The effects of VBL treatment on motor, learning and memory functions of male and female Wistar rats were studied by behavioral related tests. Animals were given chronic intraperitoneal injections of VBL (0.2 mg/kg/week for 5 weeks) from postnatal day 23 to 52. Motor function was evaluated using grasping test and balancing was evaluated by the rotarod. Spatial learning and memory and anxiety-like behavior were determined using Morris water maze (MWM) task and open field test, respectively. Results: Administration of VBL caused severe damage to motor and balance function of male rats in comparison to female rats treated with VBL and rats treated with saline. Memory and locomotion were affected in both male and female rats compared with saline treated rats, while a sex difference was also observed in these parameters; male rats showed more impairment compared with female ones. Both male and female rats showed cognitive impairments in MWM task and no sex differences were observed in these functions. Conclusion: Results revealed that VBL is a potent neurotoxic agent and despite the profound effect of VBL on motor and cognitive functions, it seems that male rats are more susceptible to motor deficits induced by VBL.

Due to the epidemiological alteration in distribution of Candida species as well as significant increasing trend of either intrinsic or acquired in resistance of some of these fungi, the precise identification of Candida species is necessary for effective antifungal therapy and also for prevention of nosocomial infections. PCR-RFLP method is indicated to be a reliable, rapid and simple technique which is able to differentiate the Candida species. In the present study, we applied this method to evaluate the distribution of Candida species in patients affected with cutaneous candidiasis in the Guilan province. 896 clinical cutaneous samples were collected from different parts of skin and nail of suspected patients referred to clinical centers all over the Guilan province during 24 months. Samples were examined directly with 15% KOH and cultured on fungal specific media. Genomic DNA was extracted and the restriction enzyme Msp1 was applied for polymorphism analysis. Totally, 47 yeast strains were successfully isolated from different clinical samples and identified by conventional as well as PCR-RFLP methods. The results indicated that Candida albicans (36.17%) was the most frequent species followed by C. parapsilosis (25.53%), C. tropicalis (19.14%), C. guilliermondii (14.89%), C. famata (2.12%) and C. krusei (2.12%). Female finger nails were the most common location to be affected by Candida species. In conclusion, PCR-RFLP method was successfully used for recognition of clinical Candida species within the Guilan province and obtained results revealed C. albicans as the predominant causative agent of cutaneous candidiasis. However, distribution of other Candida species did not completely consist with the reported distribution of Candida species in other parts of Iran with different climate to the Guilan province.

Background: The aim of this study was identification of the epidemiology of Prototheca zopfii species from the milk samples of dairy cattle in Isfahan, central Iran. Methods: Milk samples were obtained from 230 dairy cattle, 130 with and 100 without mastitis, in Isfahan. The samples were cultured in Prototheca Isolation Medium (PIM) and Sabouraud's dextrose agar. All P. zopfii isolates were identified by morphological and biochemical methods. Then, as a confirmatory test they were examined by genotype-specific PCR. Results: Four P. zopfii strains (3.07%) were isolated from the 130 samples of dairy cattle with clinical mastitis and there was no isolation from totally 100 samples of healthy bovines without mastitis. Specific PCR product (about 946 bp) was detected in four isolates. Conclusion: It seems that P. zopfii genotype II plays a key role in affecting bovine mastitis that confirmed other previous studies. Our study was the first, which identified the Prototheca species by traditional and molecular methods in Iran and Middle East as well.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE:Female physicians, especially gynecologists and pediatricians, have a comprehensive knowledge of the complications caused by Cesarean section. These specialists play a pivotal role in raising maternal awareness, providing prenatal care, performing screening tests and delivery of healthy infants. Given the significant correlation between the type of delivery and the mental development of neonates, this study aimed to compare the rate of Cesarean section among female gynecologists and pediatricians with other specialists. METHODS:This cross-sectional study was conducted on 179 female physicians with at least one living, healthy child in 2012. Data were collected using questionnaires including the degree of specialty, mode of delivery and the reason (medical or non-medical), maternal age at birth time and the employment status of the subjects. FINDINGS:In total, more than 60% of the studied specialists chose Cesarean delivery for non-medical reasons, and the rate of C-section among gynecologists and pediatricians was 2.36 times higher compared to other specialists. In addition, the possibility of C-section declined to 42% with the increasing number of childbirths, and the risk of C-section increased between 25-30% with the age. Gynecologists and pediatricians preferred C-section 4.2 times than other specialists, and no significant differences were observed between the employment status of the subjects (faculty members vs. Others) and the choice of delivery mode. CONCLUSION:According to the results of this study, the preference of C-section for non-medical reasons was noticeably higher among gynecologists and pediatricians compared to other specialists. Therefore, these two groups could not be considered as a proper model to reduce the rate of C-section

Background: The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence and viral load of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) and Human herpesvirus-6 (HHV-6) in different histopathologic grades of oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). Methods: Forty-five formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded tissue section of OSCC patients were analyzed by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction for detection of EBV and HHV-6. Results: The mean age of the patients was 58.6 years, 69% of whom were female, and 31% were male. Overall, the positive rate for EBV and HHV-6 were 16.7% and 27.1%, respectively; and the mean viral load EBV was 27.9 × 10 3 and 38.5 × 10 3 for HHV-6. No correlation was demonstrated between the viral load of EBV DNA (P = 0.35) and HHV-6 (P = 0.38) at the different OSCC histopathologic grades. Conclusions: These findings neither lend support to the hypothesis that EBV and HHV-6 are directly involved in OSCC nor rule out the possibility that these viruses play an indirect role in carcinogenesis in this area.