Tongue squamous cell carcinoma in a patient with systemic sclerosis: A case report

Objective: Systemic sclerosis (SS) is a chronic autoimmune disease of connective tissue, which involves skin and internal organs, and results in collagen deposition and fibroblasts activation. Studies have reported a higher risk of malignancy in patients with progressive systemic sclerosis (PSS).The aim of this study is to report a case of tongue squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) in a patient with PSS.Case: A 46-year-old woman with SS presented to the Department of Oral Medicine of Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences Dental School with chief complaint of an ulcer on her tongue. During intraoral examination, an asymptomatic ulcer measuring 2.0×1.5 cm was discovered on the right lateral border of the tongue. Incisional biopsy under local anesthesia was performed and histopathological report confirmed presence of squamous cell carcinoma. After further evaluation, surgery was performed, followed by three sessions of brachytherapy and six sessions of chemotherapy. After 26 months of follow-up, there was no evidence of recurrence.Conclusion: Periodic screening examinations are necessary to discover possible malignancies in primary stages in patients with SS

Automatic Speech Recognition for Speech Assessment of Persian Preschool Children

Preschool evaluation is crucial because it gives teachers and parents influential knowledge about children's growth and development. The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the necessity of online assessment for preschool children. One of the areas that should be tested is their ability to speak. Employing an Automatic Speech Recognition(ASR) system is useless since they are pre-trained on voices that are different from children's voices in terms of frequency and amplitude. We constructed an ASR for our cognitive test system to solve this issue using the Wav2Vec 2.0 model with a new pre-training objective called Random Frequency Pitch(RFP). In addition, we used our new dataset to fine-tune our model for Meaningless Words(MW) and Rapid Automatic Naming(RAN) tests. Our new approach reaches a Word Error Rate(WER) of 6.45 on the Persian section of the CommonVoice dataset. Furthermore, our novel methodology produces positive outcomes in zero- and few-shot scenarios.Comment: 8 pages, 5 figures, 4 tables, 1 algorith

Diagnosis of simulated condylar bone defects using panoramic radiography, spiral tomography and cone-beam computed tomography: a comparison study

Objectives: Radiographic examination is one of the most important parts of the clinical assessment routine for temporomandibular disorders. The aim of this study was to compare the diagnostic accuracy of cone-beam computed tomography(CBCT) with panoramic radiography and spiral computed tomography for the detection of the simulated mandibular condyle bone lesions. Study Design: The sample consisted of 10 TMJs from 5 dried human skulls. Simulated erosive and osteophytic lesions were created in 3 different sizes using round diamond bur and bone chips, respectively. Panoramic radiography, spiral tomography and cone-beam computed tomography were used in defect detection. Data were statistically analyzed with the Mann-Whitney test. The reliability and degrees of agreement between two observers were also determined by the mean of Cohen's Kappa analysis. Results: CBCT had a statistically significant superiority than other studied techniques in detection of both erosive and osteophytic lesions with different sizes. There were significant differences between tomography and panoramic in correct detection of both erosive and osteophytic lesions with 1mm and 1.5 mm in size. However, there were no significant differences between Tomography and Panoramic in correct detection of both erosive and osteophytic lesions with 0.5 mm in size. Conclusions: CBCT images provide a greater diagnostic accuracy than spiral tomography and panoramic radiography in the detection of condylar bone erosions and osteophytes

Effect of aqueous and ethanolic extract of Eucalyptus camaldulensis L.

Herbs have been used for its medicinal properties from several thousand years ago. Herbs, essences and extracts, possess a variety level of biological activities and antimicrobial activities of a large number of them have been proved. Eucalyptus is one of these plants which the anti-virus effects of its extract has long been used to treat influenza and colds in most parts of the world. The aim of this study is evaluating antimicrobial effects of aqueous and alcoholic Eucalyptus camaldulensis leaves against some of the important food pathogens. Antimicrobial effects of extracts were evaluated on Staphylococcus aureus PTCC 2592, Escherichia coli PTCC1330 and Penicillium digitatum by “using the method of Collins” and “disk agar diffusion method”. The results showed that aqueous and ethanolic extract were quite effective in 2000 μg/ml concentration on Staphylococcus aureus and Penicillium digitatum, while both extracts have no certain antimicrobial effect on Escherichia coli. In “disk agar diffusion method” 20, 40, 60 and 80 mg/ml aqueous and ethanolic extract concentrations, was inhibition effect on Staphylococcus aureus and Penicillium digitatum, and 60 and 80 mg/ml aqueous and ethanolic extract concentrations, has deterrent effect on Escherichia coli, but at 20 and 40 mg/ml concentrations, no inhibitory effect on Escherichia coli was observed. Minimum Inhibitory Cconcentration (MIC) of ethanolic extract of Eucalyptus camaldulensis leaves and Minimal Bactericidal Concentration (MBC) for bacteria and Minimum Fungicidal Concentration (MFC) for fungi were performed. The results indicate that ethanolic and aqueous extracts of Eucalyptus camaldulensis leaves have the greatest effect on gram-positive bacteria Staphylococcus aureus. Escherichia coli were resistant to most of the aqueous and ethanolic Eucalyptus camaldulensis extracts. In conclusion, using Eucalyptus as a natural antimicrobial compounds in vitro have considerable antimicrobial ability over the studied strains.

Antimicrobial effect of Carboxy Methyl Cellulose (CMC) containing aqueous and ethanolic Eucalyptus camaldulensis L. leaves extract against Streptococcus pyogenes, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus epidermidis

Oil from the eucalyptus tree (Eucalyptus camaldulensis L.) is used today in many over the counter cough and cold products, to relieve congestion. Eucalyptus oil is also used in creams and ointments to relieve muscle and joint pain, and in some mouthwashes. In this study Eucalyptus camaldulensis leaves extracted with water and ethanol 96°and the antimicrobial effects of extracts were evaluated by “using the method of Collins” and “disk agar diffusion method”. Antimicrobial properties of Carboxy Methyl Cellulose (CMC) films containing 20, 40, 60, and 80 mg/ml concentration of the extract studied against on Streptococcus pyogenes PTCC 1447, Pseudomonas aeruginosa PTCC 1310 and Staphylococcus epidermidis PTCC 1435. The results showed that aqueous and alcoholic extract were quite effective in 2000 μg/ml concentration on Streptococcus pyogenes and Staphylococcus epidermidis and have inhibition effect, while both extracts have no certain antimicrobial effect on Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) of ethanolic extract of Eucalyptus camaldulensis leaves were performed for each microorganism. Minimal Bactericidal Concentration (MBC) for bacteria was performed using the dilution method. The edible films containing mangrove extract presented more effective impact on the growth of Streptococcus pyogenes than Pseudomonas aeruginosa (p<0.05). The result indicates extracts of Eucalyptus camaldulensis leaves have the greatest effect on gram-positive bacterium Streptococcus pyogenes. As a result, aqueous and ethanloic extracts of Eucalyptus camaldulensis leaves, have been strong antimicrobial activity against many food pathogen bacteri

Distribution of genes encoding resistance to macrolides, lincosamides, and streptogramins among methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus strains isolated from burn patients

The increasing resistance to macrolide, lincosamide, and streptogramin B agents among methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is a worldwide problem for the health community. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of ermA, ermB, ermC, and msrA in MRSA strains isolated from burn patients in Ahvaz, southwest of Iran. A total of 76 isolates of S. aureus were collected from January to May 2017 from Taleghani Burn Hospital in Ahvaz. Among 76 S. aureus strains collected, 60 (78.9%) isolates were MRSA. The antimicrobial susceptibility testing for MRSA showed extreme high resistance rate to clarithromycin (100%) and azithromycin (100%), followed by erythromycin (98.3%). The PCR assay revealed that the frequency rates of msrA, ermA, and ermC genes were 23 (38.3%), 28 (46.7%), and 22 (36.7%), respectively. In addition, none of the MRSA isolates had the ermB gene. Because of the high prevalence of macrolide and lincosamide resistance found in MRSA isolates from infections of burn patients in Ahvaz, southwest of Iran, it is recommended that local periodic survey be performed for controlling the dissemination of antimicrobial resistance

Imidazopyridine hydrazone derivatives exert antiproliferative effect on lung and pancreatic cancer cells and potentially inhibit receptor tyrosine kinases including c-Met

Aberrant activation of c-Met signalling plays a prominent role in cancer development and progression. A series of 12 imidazo [1,2-α] pyridine derivatives bearing 1,2,3-triazole moiety were designed, synthesized and evaluated for c-Met inhibitory potential and anticancer effect. The inhibitory activity of all synthesized compounds against c-Met kinase was evaluated by a homogeneous time-resolved fluorescence (HTRF) assay at the concentration range of 5-25 µM. Derivatives 6d, 6e and 6f bearing methyl, tertiary butyl and dichloro-phenyl moieties on the triazole ring, respectively, were the compounds with the highest potential. They significantly inhibited c-Met by 55.3, 53.0 and 51.3%, respectively, at the concentration of 25 µM. Synthetic compounds showed antiproliferative effects against lung (EBC-1) and pancreatic cancer cells (AsPc-1, Suit-2 and Mia-PaCa-2) expressing different levels of c-Met, with IC50 values as low as 3.0 µM measured by sulforhodamine B assay. Active derivatives significantly blocked c-Met phosphorylation, inhibited cell growth in three-dimensional spheroid cultures and also induced apoptosis as revealed by Annexin V/propidium iodide flow cytometric assay in AsPc-1 cells. They also inhibited PDGFRA and FLT3 at 25 µM among a panel of 16 kinases. Molecular docking and dynamics simulation studies corroborated the experimental findings and revealed possible binding modes of the select derivatives with target receptor tyrosine kinases. The results of this study show that some imidazopyridine derivatives bearing 1,2,3-triazole moiety could be promising molecularly targeted anticancer agents against lung and pancreatic cancers

Sensitivity to Antibiotics of Bacteria Exposed to Gamma Radiation Emitted from Hot Soils of the High Background Radiation Areas of Ramsar, Northern Iran

Background: Over the past several years our laboratories have investigated different aspects of the challenging issue of the alterations in bacterial susceptibility to antibiotics induced by physical stresses. Objective: To explore the bacterial susceptibility to antibiotics in samples of Salmonella enterica subsp. enterica serovar Typhimurium (S. typhimurium), Staphylococcus aureus, and Klebsiella pneumoniae after exposure to gamma radiation emitted from the soil samples taken from the high background radiation areas of Ramsar, northern Iran. Methods: Standard Kirby-Bauer test, which evaluates the size of the zone of inhibition as an indicator of the susceptibility of different bacteria to antibiotics, was used in this study. Results: The maximum alteration of the diameter of inhibition zone was found for K. pneumoniae when tested for ciprofloxacin. In this case, the mean diameter of no growth zone in non-irradiated control samples of K. pneumoniae was 20.3 (SD 0.6) mm; it was 14.7 (SD 0.6) mm in irradiated samples. On the other hand, the minimum changes in the diameter of inhibition zone were found for S. typhimurium and S. aureus when these bacteria were tested for nitrofurantoin and cephalexin, respectively. Conclusion: Gamma rays were capable of making significant alterations in bacterial susceptibility to antibiotics. It can be hypothesized that high levels of natural background radiation can induce adaptive phenomena that help microorganisms better cope with lethal effects of antibiotics

A Study of Opportunities and Threats of Descriptive Assessment from Managers, Teachers and Experts Points of View in Chaharmahal and Bakhteyari Primary Schools

The aim of current study is to determine the strength and weakness of executing descriptive evaluation from the viewpoint of deans, teachers and experts of Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari province. A survey descriptive approach was performed. Statistical population includes 208 deans, 303 teachers, and 100 executive experts of descriptive evaluation scheme in Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari province in educational year 1387-88. Sample’s volume after some statistical estimation calculated to be 175, and members of the sample were selected by random sampling of a category proportional to the selected volume, that contains 100 teachers, 50 deans and 25 experts. To identify the justifiability of the inventory, opinions of twelve persons including advisor professor, consulting professor, designer of the descriptive evaluation scheme, four of educational planning department professors and five of experts holding masters and Ph.D. degrees that are executives of the scheme in Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari, were used. Measurement tools included: 1) documents including reports, regulations and documents related to the running of this plan; 2) interviews conducted to use the opinions of experts in doing descriptive evaluation; 3) a self-administrated questionnaire including 4 items and 74 close–ended questions, and open – ended ones. For analyzing the data produced by inventory, we used SPSS-13 to analyze the data in two levels of descriptive and inferential. We also have used single variable t-test, independent t-test, one-way analysis of variance, and least significant difference (LSD) tests. Results showed that the executives of descriptive evaluation scheme in Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari province evaluate the so called scheme above average regarding to four scales (strength and weakness).Key words: Chaharmahal; Bakhteyari; Opportunities; Threats; Primary schoo

Vitamins and Stomach Cancer : A Hospital Based Case-Control Study in Iran

Background: This study investigated the association between vitamins intakes and risk of gastric cancer (GC) among Iranian population. Methods: In this hospital-based case-control study, 178 pathologically confirmed GC patients and 276 healthy controls were interviewed to answer a valid diet history questionnaire. Unconditional logistic regression, in which potential confounders were taken into account, was applied to determine the association of vitamin intakes and odds of GC in total population and in stratums of body mass index (BMI), helicobacter pylori (H-pylori) infection, and smoking. Results: GC was directly associated with vitamin D (OR 1.59; CI 95% 1.07, 2.36) and cobalamin (OR 1.25; CI 95% 1.08, 1.44). Thiamin (OR 0.50; 95%CI 0.30, 0.83), pantothenic acid (OR 0.71; 95%CI 0.58, 0.87), folate (OR 0.99; 95%CI 0.99, 0.99) and vitamin E (OR 0.98; 95%CI 0.96, 0.99) were inversely associated with GC. In 231 H-pylori infected participants, consumption of thiamin (OR 0.3; 95% CI 0.59, 0.86), pyridoxine (OR 0.52; 95%CI 0.31, 0.85), and folate (OR 0.99; 95%CI 0.99, 0.99) reduced GC risk. In H-pylori negative participants, only vitamin E (OR 0.96; 95%CI 0.93, 0.99) reduced the risk and vitamin D (OR 1.99; 95%CI 1.18, 3.36), riboflavin (OR 1.91; 95%CI 1.37, 2.66), pantothenic acid (OR 1.34; 95%CI 1.13, 1.64), biotin (OR 1.03; 95%CI 1.01, 1.05), and cobalamin (OR 1.36; 95%CI 1.13, 1.64) increased the risk. In BMI stratums, only vitamin D (OR 1.81; 95%CI 1.07, 3.08) was associated with the risk of GC among normal weight participants. Vitamin E was associated with lower risk of GC in ever smokers (OR 0.97; 95%CI 0.95, 0.99) and thiamin (OR 0.41; 95%CI 0.19, 0.86) and niacin (OR 0.93; 95%CI 0.87, 0.99) were associated with lower risk in never smokers. Positive associations were observed by increasing vitamin D (OR 2.08; 95%CI 1.12, 3.85) and cobalamin (OR 1.33; 95%CI 1.08, 1.65) in never smokers. Conclusion: This study provided support for a possible protective effect of vitamin E, thiamin, pantothenic acid, and folate on GC risk. Vitamin D and cobalamin intake increased the risk.publishedVersionPeer reviewe