Otomycosis: The foremost aetiological agent causing otitis externa and the antifungal susceptibility pattern in North-Western Iran.

BACKGROUND: Otomycosis is considered a recurring fungal ear infection. The external auditory canal provides an appropriate and optimal situation for fungal growth. OBJECTIVES: The study aimed to identify the causative agents of otomycosis and determine corresponding antifungal drug susceptibility patterns in north-western Iran. METHODS: From October 2020 until November 2021, 200 patients attended an otolaryngology referral centre with otitis externa, and their ear discharge and debris were examined and cultured. The identification of the fungal agents was implemented by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism and sequencing. In vitro antifungal susceptibility testing of the isolates was conducted in accordance with the CLSI broth microdilution protocols. RESULTS: The prevalence of otomycosis was measured 50.5% (n = 101/200). The majority of patients were in their forties (n = 35, 34.6%) and female (n = 57, 56.4%), and the most prevalent symptom was otalgia (56.4%). The most underlying factor was remarked manipulation employing a cotton swab (65.3%). Regarding fungus, Aspergillus section Nigri (58.57%) was the foremost isolate, followed by Aspergillus section Flavi (19.23%) and Candida parapsilosis (14.96%). The predominance of Aspergillus isolates had minimal in vitro sensitivity to tioconazole and nystatin. Candida species represented higher geometric mean minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC) against nystatin. The MIC of three Aspergillus species isolates shown above the epidemiologic cut-off values (ECV) against itraconazole. CONCLUSIONS: Otomycosis incidence surpassed in comparison with the previous study as the most common cause of otitis externa. The MIC distribution of Aspergillus species isolates against triazole antifungals is close to the defined ECVs and likely outrun it over time.

COVID-19 vaccines: Current evidence and considerations.

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic is a global crisis, with devastating health, business and social impacts. Vaccination is a safe, simple, and effective way of protecting a person against COVID-19. By the end of August 2021, only 24.6% of the world population has received two doses of a COVID-19 vaccine. Since the emergence of COVID-19, several COVID-19 vaccines have been developed and approved for emergency use. Current vaccines have shown efficacy with low risk of adverse effects. However, COVID-19 vaccines have been related to a relatively small number of cases of heart inflammation, anaphylaxis (allergic reactions), and blood clots formation. On the other hand, COVID-19 vaccination is not recommended for children less than 12 years of age. Furthermore, It has been proposed that some new variants (e.g., Lambda and Delta) are proficient in escaping from the antiviral immunity elicited by vaccination. Herein we present current considerations regarding the COVID-19 vaccines including: efficacy against new variants, challenges in distribution, disparities in availability, dosage gender and race difference, COVID-19 vaccine transport and storage, limitations in children and pregnant women. Long-time monitoring is essential in order to find vaccine efficacy and to rule out related side effects.

Protective effects of cerium oxide nanoparticles in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and carbon tetrachloride-induced liver damage in rats: Study on intestine and liver.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Nanoparticles could represent a therapeutic approach for the treatment of various diseases. It has been reported that cerium oxide nanoparticles (CeO2 NPs) have potential useful effects. Therefore, we aimed to examine the protective effects of the CeO2 NPs in two models of liver injury, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and carbon tetrachloride (CCl4)-induced liver fibrosis, in rats. METHODS: In this experimental study, male rats were randomly divided into different experimental groups including: Experiment 1; group1: healthy rats received normal saline, 2: CCl4 group, 3: CCl4 + nanoparticle. Experiment 2; group1: healthy rats received chow diet, 2: NAFLD group, 3: NAFLD + nanoparticle. The oxidative stress markers were determined in the liver and intestine. Tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) levels were measured by ELISA. Histopathological changes of liver and intestine were evaluated by light microspore. RESULTS: Total antioxidant capacity (TAC) and glutathione (GSH) levels significantly decreased, while malondialdehyde (MDA) and total oxidant status (TOS) were significantly increased in the liver, and intestine of the NAFLD and CCl4 group compared with control rats. However, the use of nanoparticles significantly normalized these markers. The levels of the TNF-α were significantly reduced in the nanoparticle group as compared with NAFLD model and CCl4-treated rats. CeO2 NPs also normalized the liver and intestinal histological changes. CONCLUSIONS: Our finding revealed that CeO2 NPs has potential protective effects by increasing antioxidant activity, and reducing inflammation.

Magnetogel Nanospheres Composed of Cisplatin-Loaded Alginate/B-Cyclodextrin as Controlled Release Drug Delivery.

Purpose: The main aim of the present study was to design, fabrication and physicochemical characteristics of the magnetogel nanospheres as carriers for Cisplatin in the in vitro environment. Methods: Magnetic nanospheres were synthesized by using a chemical co-precipitation method and coated by sodium alginate through double emulsion method. Then cisplatin was encapsulated into ß-cyclodextrin -sodium alginate grafted magnetic nanospheres. The physicochemical properties of the sodium alginate grafted magnetic nanospheres were characterized by using FTIR, particle size analyzing, vibrating sample magnetometry, thermogravimetric and SEM analysis. Also the drug entrapment efficiency, content and in vitro release profile were investigated. Results: Size distribution results revealed that the particles size was distributed in the range of 50± nm. Also morphological properties showed that particles are separated and spherical with the grafted layers of the polymer. The release profile data were in the acceptable range compared to the blank (cisplatin solution). Conclusion: It could be concluded that the sodium alginate grafted magnetic nanospheres could act as a slow and controlled release system to deliver cisplatin.