Reaching the minimum ideal in a finite semigroup

We introduce the depth parameters of a finite semigroup, which measure how hard it is to produce an element in the minimum ideal when we consider generating sets satisfying some minimality conditions. We estimate such parameters for some families of finite semigroups, and we obtain an upper bound for wreath products and direct products of two finite (transformation) monoids. Keywords: semigroup, generating set, minimum ideal, A-depth of a semigroupComment: 29 page

Landau Kleffner Syndrome and Misdiagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Mini-Review

Autism spectrum disorders (ASD) is the name for a group of developmental disorders including a wide range of signs, symptoms and disability. Landau kleffner syndrome (LKS) or acquired epileptic aphasia is a pediatric disorder characterized by the association of epileptiform electroencephalographic (EEG) abnormalities and acquired aphasia. The early stages of the LKS may be manifested by the symptoms of the autism leading to misdiagnosis. Since LKS is a progressive disease, its misdiagnosis leads to a greater neurocognitive deterioration which may result in seizure in the final stages. The purpose of this review was to provide an overview of available researchs on ASD population and patients with LKS and relationship between these two diseases

Sinonasal Findings on Paranasal Computed Tomography in Patients Presenting with Facial Pain

Background: Facial pain is one of the common complaints in otolaryngology. Patients often self-diagnose facial pain as "sinusitis". The sinonasal source of facial pain and headache could be one of the possible etiologies, which needs to be confirmed by nasal endoscopy or CT scan. Aim: This study aimed to detect the frequency of variations and pathological findings in the sinonasal region of patients presenting with facial pain and sinonasal symptoms by PNS CT imaging. Methods: This descriptive study was conducted in a tertiary referral hospital where consecutive patients presenting to the otorhinolaryngology clinic with facial pain and at least one of the sinonasal symptoms, including nasal obstruction, nasal congestion, rhinorrhea, reduction or loss of smell, and postnasal discharge, were included. For evaluation of facial pain, a paranasal sinus CT scan in coronal view was performed and analyzed by an otolaryngologist. Results: A total of 64 patients including 27 males (42%) and 37 females (57.8%) were included. The average age was 35.5±10.5. Most patients experienced bilateral facial pain (78.1%.). The most common location of pain was the forehead (76.6%). Fifteen patients (23.4%) had acute pain (<12 weeks) while 49 (76.6%) experienced chronic pain (>12 weeks). Cold weather was the most common triggering factor in 29 patients (45.3%). The most common sinonasal symptom was posterior nasal discharge (in 42 patients, 65.6%). A minority of patients, 8 (12.5%), had evidence of rhinosinusitis (acute or chronic). Ethmoid sinus was the most frequently involved sinus (9.3%), and sphenoid and frontal sinuses were the least commonly involved. 2 patients (3.1%) had unilateral complete opacification of the maxillary sinus. Conclusion: Sinusitis was not the most common cause of facial pain in the present study, even in the presence of sinonasal symptoms. The definitive diagnosis of facial pain warrants confirmation by complementary imaging before starting therapy

Optimization of cell density and LPS concentration for the evaluation of nitric oxide production on BV-2 cells in a Griess assay

Production of nitric oxide (NO) is one of the main responses elicited by a variety of immune cells such as macrophages (e.g. microglia, resident macrophages of brain), during inflammation. Evaluation of NO levels in the inflammatory milieu is considered important to the understanding of the intensity of an immune response; and has been performed using different methods including the Griess assay. To assay NO in culture, an appropriate number of cells are stimulated into an inflammatory phenotype. Common stimuli include lipopolysaccharide (LPS), IFN-γ and TNF-α. However, overt stimulation could cause cell cytotoxicity therefore an ideal concentration of LPS should be used. Objective: To set-up a model of BV-2 cell activation that allows the assay of detectable levels of NO. Optimization of BV-2 microglia cell density and LPS concentrations after stimulation by bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS) for the Griess assay is demonstrated in this study. Methods:BV-2 microglia were cultured at different cell densities, and treated with LPS at three concentrations (1, 5, 10 μg/ml). NO production in culture supernatants were then measured at 18, 24, 48 and 72 hours. Moreover, methyl tetrazolium assay (MTT) was also performed to ensure that NO measurement is performed at no-cytotoxic concentrations of LPS. Results and Conclusions: NO production follows a temporal pattern. The density of 25000 cells/well was the ideal seeding density for NO evaluation in BV-2 cells. BV-2 stimulation by LPS is dose dependent, and NO levels are increased proportional to the LPS concentration up to 1.0μg/ml, whereas the higher LPS concentrations are associated with decreased cell viability may be caused by the high toxic levels of LPS or NO. Although Griess assay has been commonly used by the scientists, however, optimization of its parameters on BV-2 cells will be useful for the experiments which will be performed on this particular cell line. The optimized pattern of Griess assay on BV-2 cells was achieved in this study, hence easier and more practical for the future scientists to perform Griess assay on BV-2 cells

Chronic or Recurrent Invasive Fungal Sinusitis after COVID-19 Infection

Background: During the COVID-19 epidemic, we have witnessed numerous manifestations and complications after contracting this disease. One of these complications in patients with COVID-19 is the increased risk of invasive fungal infections due to the suppression of the immune system caused by the disease or due to the use of suppressive drugs such as corticosteroids. Case presentation: Here we report three cases of invasive fungal sinusitis after contracting COVID-19 with recurrence after primary treatment and the measures taken for these patients. Discussion: Invasive fungal sinusitis with involvement of orbit or brain is a known complication in COVID-19 patients especially in diabetics. Recurrence of manifestations of fungal infection after primary treatment and hospital discharge may be related to uncontrolled underlying disease and residual fungal infection especially in necrotic soft tissue or bone. Conclusion: Early diagnosis and management with antifungal drugs and surgical debridement and also close follow up after discharge from hospital is essential for treatment and achieving higher survival in patients with invasive fungal sinusitis

Olfactory and gustatory manifestations in hospitalized patients with COVID-19

Background: Pulmonary involvement is the main clinical and imaging feature of the novel corona virus disease (COVID-19). However, some patients present with upper airway symptoms. Aim: In this study, we report upper respiratory manifestations, specifically focusing on smell and taste disorders in COVID-19. Methods: We performed this cross-sectional prospective study in patients admitted to Masih Daneshvari Hospital, a tertiary referral center in Tehran, Iran, with severe COVID-19 as documented by the polymerase chain reaction assay. Results: We included 268 hospitalized patients, 183 (68.3%) men and 85 (31.7%) women. The average age was 52.8±16.4. The sinonasal symptoms included nasal obstruction (44 [16.4%]), rhinorrhea (31 [11.5%]), sneeze (33 [12.3%]), headache (77 [28.6%]), facial pain (12 [4.5%]), associated with hypogeusia (65 [24.2%]) and olfactory dysfunction (90 [33.5%]). In 35 (38.9%) patients with olfactory symptoms, change in the smell was the sole initial manifestation of COVID-19. On logistic regression, the relationship between the olfactory symptoms and headache (p=0.002), nasal obstruction (p=0.0001) and sneeze (p=0.018) were statistically significant. Conclusion: We report a considerable prevalence of olfactory and gustatory symptoms in hospitalized patients with COVID-19. Not infrequently, these symptoms were the sole initial presenting symptoms in the course COVID-19. During the current pandemic, we suggest that presence of these symptoms should mandate expedited screening for COVID-19, isolation and close monitoring of the patients for evolution of the clinical course

Nasal Chondromesenchymal Hamartoma, a Rare Tumor in Young Children: A Case Report

Background: Nasal chondromesenchymal hamartoma (NCMH) is a very rare benign tumor of sinonasal tract with mixed components of predominantly mesenchymal and cartilaginous tissues which is mostly seen in infants and young children. Case presentation: We present the case of an infant with a nasal chondromesenchymal hamartoma which was confused with a malignancy. This clinicopathologic entity is notable because of its rarity and also it may present a diagnostic dilemma with major implications in management. Discussion: Nasal chondromesenchymal hamartomas (NCMHs) are rare, mostly benign lesions found in the nasal cavity and paranasal sinuses. They can be locally destructive and may be mistaken for malignant tumors due to their aggressive appearance. NCMHs consist of various lobulated mesenchymal components, with areas of fibro-osseous proliferation. They can cause nasal mass, obstruction, respiratory distress, maxillary bulge, or proptosis, and may extend to the adjacent paranasal sinuses. Radiological imaging is essential for differential diagnosis and evaluating surrounding tissues. Complete surgical excision is sufficient therapy for NCMHs. Conclusion: We present a rare case of NCMH, which can be difficult to distinguish from malignant tumors. Although NCMH are benign lesions, there is a chance of recurrence following incomplete resection. Recurrence may mimic malignancy, and their differentiation is important for choosing appropriate treatment

Morphometric Analysis of Sphenopalatine Foramen on Computed Tomography Imaging for localization of Sphenopalatine Artery

Background: Epistaxis affects about 10% of those seeking medical treatment, with posterior epistaxis from the sphenopalatine artery (SPA) posing management challenges. The sphenopalatine foramen (SPF) is crucial for interventions, and CT imaging aids preoperative planning by detailing the SPF and adjacent structures. Aim: Performing a morphometric analysis of the sphenopalatine foramen using CT imaging to identify and quantify anatomical landmarks that help surgeons locate the sphenopalatine artery. Methods: A retrospective observational study analyzed Sinus CT scans from 200 adult patients to measure the sphenopalatine foramen's anteroposterior and craniocaudal dimensions. Distances from the SPF to key anatomical landmarks, such as the maxillary line and anterior head of the middle turbinate, were also measured. Statistical analysis was performed to assess variations based on sex and side of the nasal cavity, with a significance level set at p < 0.05. Results: The average size of the SPF was 5.01 mm ± 1.37 in the anteroposterior dimension and 5.58 mm ± 1.71 in the craniocaudal dimension. The mean distances to anatomical landmarks were as follows: maxillary line 35.73 mm ± 2.47, anterior head of the middle turbinate 33.76 mm ± 4.52, basal lamella 9.71 mm ± 1.84, choanal arch 8.78 mm ± 1.62, posterior fontanelle of the maxillary sinus ostium 14.49 mm ± 1.32, and the bony attachment of the inferior turbinate 13.89 mm ± 2.01. The height above the nasal floor was 25.69 mm ± 2.43. Males exhibited longer distances to key landmarks compared to females, with no significant differences noted between the right and left nasal cavity sides. Conclusion: Preoperative CT imaging effectively identifies key bony landmarks for accurately locating the sphenopalatine foramen, enhancing the safety and efficiency of endoscopic approaches to the sphenopalatine artery, especially in managing posterior epistaxis