Acute mastoiditis in a child with a history of cochlear implantation : a case report

Background: Acute mastoiditis is one of the complications of acute otitis media in children. Patients with acute mastoiditis commonly have manifestations of acute otitis media and inflammation of the mastoid bone. Computed tomography is the most frequent diagnostic method for diagnosing acute mastoiditis. In this report, we presented a 6-year-old boy with a history of cochlear implantation three years ago, who was referred for acute swelling and pain in the mastoid bone one day ago.  Case presentation: A 6-year-old boy with fever, pain, redness, and swelling of the posterior side of his right ear from one day ago was referred to the clinic. Physical examination showed tenderness, redness, warmness, and swelling on the right auricle and mastoid bone. Implantation in the right ear about three years ago was mentioned. Last week, involvement with coryza, nasal congestion, and low-grade fever without ear pain was mentioned. Acute mastoiditis was confirmed with CT scanning, and he was cured with antibiotic therapy. Discussion: Acute mastoiditis is not common. It may occur after a few times of cochlear implantation, but it occurs rarely after a long time. The main cause is bacterial infection. After confirmation of the diagnosis with CT scanning, treatment with antibiotics should be started intravenously, and then it can be changed to oral antibiotics.     Conclusion: Acute mastoiditis should be considered as a differential diagnosis in pediatrics with acute swelling, pain, and any manifestation of inflammation on mastoid bone, even though there is no history of acute otitis media

Stimulated quantum phase slips from weak electromagnetic radiations in superconducting nanowires

We study the rate of quantum phase slips in an ultranarrow superconducting nanowire exposed to weak electromagnetic radiations. The superconductor is in the dirty limit close to the superconducting-insulating transition, where fluxoids move in strong dissipation. We use a semiclassical approach and show that external radiation stimulates a significant enhancement in the probability of quantum phase slips. This can help to outline a new type of detector for microwave to submillimetre radiations based on stimulated quantum phase slip phenomenon.Comment: 10 pages, 9 figure

Comparison of Loratadine and Cetirizine in Perennial Allergic Rhinitis

Background: Allergic rhinitis (AR) represents a global health problem, affecting 5-50% of the population worldwide and numerous classes of pharmacological agents are available for its treatment. Two more popular of these drugs are Loratadine and Cetirizine. There are few direct comparator studies between these two drugs with inconsistent results.Materials and Methods: A randomized, double-blind study for comparison the therapeutic effects of Loratadine and Cetirizine was conducted in an otolaryngologic clinic of a general hospital. Eighty patients with perennial allergic rhinitis were divided into two equal groups. One group received Loratadine 10 mg daily for two weeks and the other group Cetirizine 10 mg daily also for two weeks. Alterations of the allergic rhinitis symptoms including rhinorrhea, sneezing, nasal itching and nasal obstruction were compared between the two groups.Results: Severity of all four studied symptoms was reduced by both drugs. Although Cetirizine had a little more efficacy, their difference was not statistically significant (P>0.05). These two medications were most effective in reducing the sneezing and least effective on the nasal obstruction.Conclusion: Loratadine and Cetirizine can reduce symptoms of the perennialallergic rhinitis but their difference is not statistically significant

Morphological and genetic diversity of Senecio vulgaris L. (Asteraceae) in Iran

Senecio vulgaris L., an annual herb belonging to the Asteraceae, is widely distributed in different regions of the world. There is no information on the intraspecific variations of the morphological and molecular features of this species. In the present investigation, we studied the morphological and genetic diversity of 81 accessions of S. vulgaris collected from 10 geographical populations. Eleven inter simple sequence repeat (ISSR) primers were used for the examination of genetic variations among the populations. Analysis of molecular variance (AMOVA) and GST analyses revealed significant differences among the investigated populations. A significant correlation between genetic distance and geographical distance was revealed by the Mantel test. However, reticulation analysis indicated the occurrence of gene flow among most of the populations studied. Principal component analysis (PCA) plot showed that the number of capitula, length of the cauline leaf and plant height were the most variable morphological characters. Principal coordinates analysis (PCoA) plot revealed two groups of populations, according to molecular and morphological data. The results suggested the existence of possible intraspecific taxonomic ranks within this species

Plasmonic Superconducting Single Photon Detector

A theoretical model with experimental verification is presented to enhance the quantum efficiency of a superconducting single-photon detector without increasing the length or thickness of the active element. The basic enhancement framework is based on: (1) Utilizing the plasmonic nature of a superconducting layer to increase the surface absorption of the input optical signal. (2) Enhancing the critical current of the nanowires by reducing the current crowding at the bend areas through optimally rounded-bend implementation. The experimental system quantum efficiency and fluctuation rates per second are assessed and compared to the proposed theoretical model. The model originated from an accurate description of the different liberation mechanisms of the nano-patterned superconducting films (vortex hopping and vortex-antivortex pairing). It is built complimentary to the existing, well-established models by considering the effects of quantum confinement on the singularities' energy states. The proposed model explains the dynamics of singularities for a wide range of temperatures and widths and describe an accurate count rate behavior for the structure. Furthermore, it explains the abnormal behaviors of the measured fluctuation rates occurring in wide nano-patterned superconducting structures below the critical temperature. In accordance to this model, it has been shown that for a typical strip width, not only is the vortex-antivortex liberation higher than the predicted rate, but also quantum tunneling is significant in certain conditions, and cannot be neglected as it has been in previous models. Also it is concluded that to satisfy both optical guiding and photon detection considerations of the design, the width and the thickness of the superconducting wires should be carefully determined in order to maintain the device sensitivity while crossing over from the current crowding to vortex-based detection mechanisms.1 yea

Large Laryngeal Lipoma with Extra Laryngeal Component Mimics Mixed Form Laryngocele: A Case Report

Introduction: Lipomas are the most common benign neoplasms, occurring in any part of the body where fat is present. Their occurrence in the head and neck is not common. Here, we report a large laryngeal lipoma with extra laryngeal component, mimicking mixed form of laryngocele. Case presentation: A 47-year-old man presented with a 3-year history of hoarseness, intermittent dyspnea and mass sensation in the neck. The patient was submitted to indirect laryngoscopy; a large submucosal mass obliterating the left side of the supraglottic larynx and partially obstructing the airway was found. Enhanced computed tomography (CT) scan demonstrated non-enhancing homogeneous hypodense fat density mass lesion measured 55*45*32 mm, extending through the thyroid membrane to parapharyngeal space and showing extra laryngeal component with an intact laryngeal mucosa lesion. Open surgery of the submucosal mass was performed. Pathology examination confirmed the diagnosis of lipoma. Conclusion: Neck lipomas are also typically asymptomatic, but can compress nearby structures, causing symptoms such as hoarseness, dyspnea and dysphagia. When symptomatic, they should be removed via surgery

Large Laryngeal Lipoma with Extra Laryngeal Component Mimics Mixed Form Laryngocele: A Case Report

Introduction: Lipomas are the most common benign neoplasms, occurring in any part of the body where fat is present. Their occurrence in the head and neck is not common. Here, we report a large laryngeal lipoma with extra laryngeal component, mimicking mixed form of laryngocele. Case presentation: A 47-year-old man presented with a 3-year history of hoarseness, intermittent dyspnea and mass sensation in the neck. The patient was submitted to indirect laryngoscopy; a large submucosal mass obliterating the left side of the supraglottic larynx and partially obstructing the airway was found. Enhanced computed tomography (CT) scan demonstrated non-enhancing homogeneous hypodense fat density mass lesion measured 55*45*32 mm, extending through the thyroid membrane to parapharyngeal space and showing extra laryngeal component with an intact laryngeal mucosa lesion. Open surgery of the submucosal mass was performed. Pathology examination confirmed the diagnosis of lipoma. Conclusion: Neck lipomas are also typically asymptomatic, but can compress nearby structures, causing symptoms such as hoarseness, dyspnea and dysphagia. When symptomatic, they should be removed via surgery

Taxonomic study of some species of the subfamily Dipsacoideae Eaton (Caprifoliaceae) by phenolic acid profiles

Dipsacoideae has always been problematic for taxonomic delimitation of the taxa because of their morphological similarities and diversity amongst the taxa. Phenolic compounds are found in various organs of plants and are important in terms of chemotaxonomy and pharmacognosy. In this study, the phenolic acid compounds of 12 species of Dipsacoideae were analyzed using high-performance liquid chromatography photodiode array detection (HPLC-PDA) and also evaluated their significances as chemotaxonomic markers. The main phenolic acids were found to be caffeic acid, p-coumaric acid, ferulic acid and salicylic acid. The principal components analysis (PCA) bi-plot indicated that ferulic acid, caffeic acid, cinnamic acid, p-coumaric acid and rosmaric acid were principal components in the studied species dispersion. The species were separated from each other in a principal coordinate analysis (PCoA) plot in terms of their phenolic acid profile. Regarding the results, the high amount of caffeic acid and cinnamic acid could be considered a chemotaxonomic marker for genus Pterocephalus Vaill. and Cephalaria Schrad. respectively. The results indicated that Scabiosa koelzii Rech. and S. amoena Jacq. were placed as a distinct group regarding their phenolic acid profile and established the opinion supported by Greuter and Raus. Consequently, phenolic contents could be applied as a significant marker in the chemotaxonomy of Dipsacoideae. Considering it, we suggest the study of interaction among ecological and genetically factors as well as the studied chemical compounds