Background and Purpose: Dermatophytes as the causative agents of dermatophytosis(ringworm) are widely spread around the world. Accurate identification ofdermatophytes in one area can be particularly important for epidemiological studies.Regarding this, the aim of the present study was to describe the species spectrum ofdermatophytes, isolated from patients in Mashhad city, Iran, using the molecular-basedmethod.Materials and Methods: This study was conducted on 79 dermatophyte isolatesobtained from the human skin, hair, and nail specimens. Species identification wasperformed by the polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphismanalysis of ribosomal DNA internal transcribed spacer regions using MvaI restrictionenzyme.Results: The identified species included Trichophyton mentagrophytes/T. interdigitalespecies complex (n=37, 46.8%), Epidermophyton floccosum (n=12, 15.2%), T. rubrum(n=8, 10.1%), Microsporum canis (n=8, 10.1%), T. violaceum (n=5, 6.3%), T. tonsurans(n=4, 5.1%), Nannizzia gypsea (n=3, 3.8%), T. benhamiae (n=1, 1.3%), and T.verrucosum (n=1, 1.3%). The clinical forms of infection were tinea corporis (n=26,32.8%), tinea cruris (n=22, 27.8%), tinea capitis (n=10, 12.6%), tinea unguium (n=7,9%), tinea manuum (n=6, 8%), tinea pedis (n=5, 6.3%), and tinea faciei (n=3, 3.5%).Conclusion: As the findings indicated, T. mentagrophytes/T. interdigitale speciescomplex had the highest prevalence, and T. benhamiae appeared to be a new emergingagent of dermatophytosis in Mashhad, northeastern Iran.

This study evaluated the efficacy of red clover to relieve hot flashes and menopausal symptoms in peri/postmenopausal women. Electronic databases (MEDLINE, Scopus and the Cochrane Library) were searched. The mean frequency of hot flashes in red clover groups was lower compared with that in the control groups (close to statistical significance). Difference in means (MD) of hot flashes frequency was - 1.99 (- 4.12-0.139; p = 0.067; heterogeneity P > 0.01; I(2) = 94.93%; Random effect model). Subjective (vaginal dryness) and objective (maturation value) symptoms of vaginal atrophy showed a significant improvement with 80-mg dose of red clover. Red clover showed less therapeutic effect on psychology status, sexual problems and sleeping disorders. Red clover consumption may decrease frequency of hot flashes, especially in women with severe hot flashes (≥ 5 per day). Red clover may reduce other menopausal symptoms. Further trials are needed to confirm the current systematic review findings.

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The outbreak of the emerging SARS-CoV-2 virus has highlighted the challenges of detecting viral infections, especially in resource-limited settings. The SARS-CoV-2 virus transmission chain is interrupted when screening and diagnosis can be performed on a large scale by identifying asymptomatic or moderately symptomatic patients. Diagnosis of COVID-19 with reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) has been limited due to inadequate access to complex, expensive equipment and reagents, which has impeded efforts to reduce the spread of virus transmission. Recently, the development of several diagnostic platforms based on the CRISPR-Cas system has reduced the dependence on RT-PCR. The first CRISPR-based diagnostic test for SARS-CoV-2 was recently approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. The biosensing systems have several important features that make them suitable for point-of-care tests, including the speed of design and synthesis of each platform in less than a few days, an assay time of 1-2 h, and the cost of materials and reagents less than one dollar per test. The HUDSON-SHERLOCK and STOPCovid biosensing systems, as field-deployable and rapid diagnostic tests, can detect low-copy viruses in body fluids without nucleic acid extraction and with minimal equipment. In addition, Cas13-based treatment strategies could potentially be an effective antiviral strategy for the prevention and treatment of emerging pandemic viruses such as SARS-CoV-2. In this review, we describe recent advances in CRISPR-based diagnostic platforms with an emphasis on their use in the rapid diagnosis and potential treatment of COVID-19.

ObjectivesThe present mini review aimed to summarize the existing knowledge regarding the beneficial and adverse effects of raloxifene in menopausal women.MethodsThis study is a review of relevant publications about the effects of raloxifene on sleep disorder, depression, venous thromboembolism, the plasma concentration of lipoprotein, breast cancer, and cognitive function among menopausal women.ResultsRaloxifene showed no significant effect on depression and sleep disorder. Verbal memory improved with administration of 60 mg/day of raloxifene while a mild cognitive impairment risk reduction by 33% was observed with administration of 120 mg/day of raloxifene. Raloxifene was associated with a 50% decrease in the need for prolapse surgery. The result of a meta-analysis showed a significant decline in the plasma concentration of lipoprotein in the raloxifene group compared to placebo (standardized mean difference, −0.43; 10 trials). A network meta-analysis showed that raloxifene significantly decreased the risk of breast cancer (relative risk, 0.572; 95% confidence interval, 0.327–0.881; P = 0.01). In terms of adverse effects of raloxifene, the odds ratio (OR) was observed to be 1.54 (P = 0.006), indicating 54% increase in the risk of deep vein thrombosis (DVT) while the OR for pulmonary embolism (PE) was 1.05, suggesting a 91% increase in the risk of PE alone (P = 0.03).ConclusionsRaloxifene had no significant effect on depression and sleep disorder but decreased the concentration of lipoprotein. Raloxifene administration was associated with an increased risk of DVT and PE and a decreased risk of breast cancer and pelvic organ prolapse in postmenopausal women.