Species Composition and Some Biological Features of Scorpions in Kazerun District, Southern Iran.

BACKGROUND: Scorpions have medical importance in the studied area with 2377 cases of envenoming during past six years. This study was the first to explore the scorpion species and dispersion in the Kazerun District during 2014-2015. METHODS: The studied sites were selected based on different topographic conditions such as plain, foothill and mountainous which formed four geographical zones with three villages in each zone. The sampling was carried out twice each month throughout the year. Daytime collections were carried out using hand digging tools for moving stones and excavate the borrows, as well as night sampling, is done with the black light device. The coordinate of locations was recorded with a GPS. The collected specimens were maintained in 70% ethanol and identified using authorized keys. RESULTS: Overall, 800 scorpions were sampled from different parts of Kazerun District, bringing the species richness to 9 belonged to 3 families of Buthidae, Scorpionidae, and Hemiscorpionidae. The Mesobuthus eupeus (84.6%) was prominent vice versa M. caucasicus (0.1%) had lowest abundance. Other species comprised Compsobuthus matthiesseni (5.3%), Androctonus crassicauda (5.0%), Razianus zarudnyi (2.0%), Hemiscorpius lepturus (1.5%), Orthochirus sp (0.9%), Hottentotta zagrosensis (0.4%), and Scorpio maurus (0.3%). The seasonal activity of the scorpions showed a lower peak in Mar, with the main peaks in Aug for the dominant species. Mesobuthus caucasicus is recorded for the first time in the Fars Province, southern Iran. CONCLUSION: All the known dangerous scorpions, including H. lepturus, M. eupeus and A. crassicauda were revealed in the studied area.

Effect of calcium on premenstrual syndrome: A double-blind randomized clinical trial.

OBJECTIVE: Premenstrual syndrome (PMS) affects millions of women and is known as the most important disorder among them. The very aim of the present study was to evaluate the effects of low dose calcium on severity of PMS. METHODS: This study can be considered as a double-blind randomized clinical trial. Female students of Hamadan University of Medical Sciences diagnosed with PMS in 2014 participated in the present study. Sixty-six female students diagnosed with PMS were involved in the experimental and control groups. The participants were randomly assigned into two groups to receive 500 mg of calcium daily or placebo for two months. Severity of PMS was detected by Daily Record of Severity of Problems, which was used to measure symptoms during one menstrual cycle before and two menstrual cycles after the intervention. RESULTS: No signifcant differences were observed in the mean scores of PMS symptoms between calcium and placebo groups before the treatment (P=0.74). However, signifcant differences were noticed between the two intervention groups in the first (P=0.01) and second menstrual cycles (P=0.001) after the intervention. The differences were significant in subgroups of anxiety, depression, emotional changes, water retention, and somatic changes in calcium group compared with placebo group in the menstrual cycle before the intervention and two menstrual cycles after the intervention and among menstrual cycles (0, cycle 1, cycle 2) in calcium group (P=0.01). CONCLUSION: Overall, the results of the present study suggest that treatment with calcium supplements is an effective method for reducing mood disorders during PMS.

Bacterial Contamination of Adult House Flies (Musca domestica) and Sensitivity of these Bacteria to Various Antibiotics, Captured from Hamadan City, Iran.

INTRODUCTION: House flies (Musca domestica) have been known as a mechanical vector in spreading infectious diseases such as cholera, shigellosis, salmonellosis and skin infections. AIM: To investigate the bacterial contaminations of house flies and determine the resistance of these bacteria against various antibiotics. MATERIALS AND METHODS: An analytical descriptive cross- sectional study was conducted. The study was performed from July to September 2015 in Hamadan University of Medical Sciences, Hamadan, Iran. A total number of 300 house flies were collected from four places, 75 flies from each place, including two educational hospitals belonging to Hamadan University of Medical Sciences, a fruit and vegetables center, and a livestock slaughter. The body surface of house flies was washed using the physiological sterile serum and the obtained solution was centrifuged at 2000 rpm for five minutes. The identification of bacteria was carried out using the phenotypic methods. The resistance of bacteria against various antibiotics was determined using the disk diffusion approach. Data were analysed by the employment of SPSS software package version 20.0. RESULTS: A total number of 394 bacterial strains were isolated from 275 house flies. The most prevalent type of bacteria was Bacillus spp which was detected in 31.1% of house flies. Moreover, Staphylococcusspp. (22.9%), Escherichiacoli (11.6%) were other prevalent species, whereas, Enterococcusspp. was the least prevalent type of bacteria in the collected house flies. In terms of resistance to antibiotics, it was identified that bacteria extracted from house flies which were collected from hospital environments were more resistant to antibiotics compared with the resistance of bacteria extracted from house flies which were collected from non hospital environments. The maximum bacterial isolation was found in houseflies from hospital No.1 environment from around the accumulation of garbage. CONCLUSION: It is a well-known fact that house flies are a source of bacterial contamination and can act as a mechanical carrier and cause bacterial diseases. It can be postulated that house flies play a major role in spreading antibiotic resistant bacteria. However, the flies from hospital environments were more contaminated, mainly because the people referring to health center are normally ill and carrier of many pathogens. Further, hospital environments should be controlled using administrative procedures.

Situation analysis of cutaneous leishmaniasis in an endemic area, south of Iran.

OBJECTIVE: To update current situation of the cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) in Kazerun County, southwest of Iran and to analyse the epidemiological aspects of the disease during 2005-2015. METHODS: Data on CL were obtained from the Health Center of Kazerun County, and then were analysed and mapped using SPSS and Arc GIS 10.3. RESULTS: A total of 700 cases of CL were recorded during the study period with an overall decreasing trend from 2005 to 2015. More than 60% of the patients were inhabitants of rural areas and males were infected more than females. Although there was not a significant difference between gender, job categories, residence and CL infection (P > 0.05), age groups were significantly different (P < 0.05). But there was no significant correlation between monthly cases of the disease with average temperature (P > 0.05). Most of the acute lesions were found to be present on the hand, leg and face, respectively. The average CL incidence in the study area was calculated as 24.9/100000 population. A hot spot for the disease was found in southern part of the area (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: This study revealed that CL is present in Kazerun country. Thus, effective monitoring and sustained surveillance system is crucial in counteracting the disease, and if possible, to eliminate it.

Seasonal distribution and faunistic of ticks in the Alashtar county (Lorestan Province), Iran.

INTRODUCTION: Ticks are non-permanent obligate parasites that have considerable medical-veterinary and zoonosis importance. In this regard a study designed to investigate the distribution and fauna of ticks in the Alashtar county in Iran from April and March 2014. METHODS: Ticks were collected from livestock farms and facilities from selected rural and geographically location in the Alashtar county. Based morphological characteristics and reference identification keys, ticks were identified. RESULTS: A total of 549 ticks including 411 hard and 138 soft ticks were found. Ten tick species including Haemaphysalis concinna (0.36%), Haemaphysalis sulcata (0.36%), Hyalomma anatolicum (0.18%), Hyalomma dromedarii (0.18%), Hyalomma marginatum (1.45 %), Hyalomma schulzei (0.36%), Rhipicephalus annulatus (0.18%), Rhipicephalus bursa (28.1%), Rhipicephalus sanguineus (43.63%) and Argas persicus (25.2%) were identified. Tick seasonal distribution were 47.26%, 22.63%, 14.96% and 15.15% in the spring, summer, autumn and winter, respectively. The tick distribution was more from plain areas (64.96%) than the mountainous areas (35.04%). The rates of the tick contamination were 97.3% and 2.7% in the traditional and industrial livestock's, respectively. The livestock contamination ranks to the hard ticks were cattle (39.51%), sheep (34.15%) and goats (26.34 %), respectively. Chi-square analysis showed a significant difference among the seasonal distribution of the ticks in the spring, summer and autumn or winter; between the tick distribution in the plain and mountainous areas; and between the traditional and industrial livestock's tick contamination (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Present study proves to change the traditional livestock's to the industrial livestock's. These findings highlight the importance of ticks and shows need to their control and tick pest management.

A prospective study of genital infections in Hamedan, Iran.

A prospective study of genital infections was conducted in a university-affiliated teaching hospital in Hamedan City, Iran. A total of 540 women were recruited and divided into two equal groups: (1) the case group with vaginitis (N=270) and, (2) the asymptomatic control group (N=270). Participants were interviewed about the occurrence of any vaginal or urethral discharge. Two vaginal swabs were obtained for pH testing, KOH and wet mount examination, Gram staining and culture at the time of speculum examination. In the case group, the prevalence of candidiasis, trichomoniasis, and bacterial vaginosis was 17.2, 18.1, and 28.5%, respectively. Measurement of vaginal pH in the clinic was the single most useful clinical finding for directing empirical therapy. No single specimen was found ideal for all pathogens; a cervical swab is better for Trichomonas vaginalis but a vaginal swab is needed for candida and bacterial vaginosis. To achieve STD control in this and similar populations, public health programs must target asymptomatic infections.

Pediculus capitis infestation according to sex and social factors in Hamedan, Iran.

Pediculus capitis or head-louse infestation has been a worldwide public-health problem, especially among school-aged children. To determine the intensity of infestation (abundance) among schoolchildren, children's sex and social factors were analyzed as modifiers of the general prevalence of parasitism. The study included 847 schoolchildren (407 girls, 440 boys) aged 6-12 years, from 12 public rural primary schools of Hamedan, Hamedan Province, Iran. Classic prevalence was obtained as the percentage of children with nits and/or lice. The general prevalence was 6.85% (girls: 13.5%; boys: 0.7%, p<0.001), head lice were much more common in girls than boys. The results showed significant variations in head lice infestation, and factors such as parents' literacy, type of hair, previous infestation, sharing of bed and comb, and care centers, while there was no significant variation between school grade, parents' job, members of family, and pediculosis in the studied areas (p>0.05). Sex and social factors are important modifiers of P. capitis general prevalence and degree of infestation. The classification of children by intensity of infestation allowed a more precise delimitation of this condition, which is especially important for disease surveillance and application of control measures.

Epidemiological Study of Endemic Relapsing Fever in Hamadan Province, West of Iran.

BACKGROUND: Endemic relapsing fever remains under diagnosed in our area according to a low index of suspicion among clinicians, as well as its difficult diagnosis. The goal of this study was to present the epidemiological aspects of the disease in western Iran. METHODS: In this analytical-descriptive cross-sectional study, the epidemiological and clinical aspects of relapsing fever were investigated in Hamadan Province, western Iran from 1999 to 2013. A confirmed patient was defined as a person who had both febrile illness and detected spirochetes by Wright-Giemsa or dark-field microscopy in a peripheral blood smear. For the statistical analysis, the statistical software SPSS was used. RESULTS: During the study period, 276 cases of relapsing fever were recorded that 146 were male. Due to the age group distributions, most of the patients aged less than 20 yr. Patients noticed from April through March, most cases were reported in September (53 cases, 19.2%). Considering time trend of the mentioned disease between 1999 and 2013 showed an increasing trend of disease from 1999 to 2003 (from 2.5% to 21.0%), while the prevalence of disease had a decreasing trend after than from 21.0% in 2003. CONCLUSION: The rate of endemic relapsing fever is similar in both male and female genders, but its prevalence reduced by increase of age. The trend of the changes in prevalence of the mentioned disease has shown to be downward in recent years probably due to improving health policies especially among children and adolescents and particularly in rural areas.

Study on Distribution of Scorpions to Provide Prevention and Interventions in Combating Scorpionism in Poldokhtar County, Lorestan Province, Iran.

INTRODUCTION: Scorpions are arthropods of medical importance classified in the class Arachnida, inhabiting hot and dry environments. All scorpions have a venomous sting and several thousand people die each year from scorpion stings, but this mortality is due to the venom of about 25 species located in northern Africa, the Middle East, India, Mexico and parts of South America. Poldokhtar County belongs to one of the southern cities of Lorestan Province, providing suitable habitats for many different species of scorpions due to its specific climatic conditions. AIM: To examine the fauna of scorpion and its distribution in the Poldokhtar County and to provide appropriate preventive and medical interventions in combating scorpionism. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This present study was a descriptive and analytical cross-sectional study. This study was conducted from April 2014 to November 2014 in regions of Poldokhtar County, Lorestan Province, and west of Iran. Cluster sampling methodology was employed in the sampling and scorpion collection procedure. Sampling was undertaken for an eight-month period, in villages and districts, namely, Myankuhe sharqi, Jayedar, Jelogir and Malavi within the county. The Chi-square test and the Fisher-exact test for homogeneity of proportions were used to compare quantitative variables. RESULTS: Totally, 393 specimens were captured entailing 193 (49.1%) males and 200 (50.9%) females. There were at least seven species of scorpions belonging to three families; BU= Buthidae, HE = Hemiscorpiidae, SCN = Scorpionidae in Poldokhtar. Out of 393 collected scorpions, seven species, Androctonus crassicauda, Hottentotta (Buthotus) saulcyi, Compsobuthus matthiesseni, Compsobuthus rugosulus, Orthochirus scrobiculosus, Scorpio maurus and Hemiscorpius lepturus were identified. The overall sex ratio of females to males was 1:1.03. CONCLUSION: It is crucial to improve the knowledge of residents in this region regarding preventive methods towards scorpion stinging. All the known dangerous Iranian scorpions having medical importance, including Hemiscorpius lepturus and Androctonus crassicauda were found in the study area. Additionally, other complementary research detailing the fauna of scorpions and their morphological, ecological and molecular variety in this region is highly recommended to estimate the correlation between particular scorpions' species and ensuring clinical signs and symptoms.

Toxicity of Cypermethrin and Chlorpyrifos Against German Cockroach [ Blattella germanica (Blattaria: Blattellidae)] Strains from Hamadan, Iran.

BACKGROUND: German cockroach has relatively short life cycle and reproduce rapidly. It is the most common medically and public health pest. As a result, it is essential to combat this pest. Cypermethrin and chlorpyrifos are used by private companies in Hamadan to control Blattella germanica. It seems necessary to determine its susceptibility levels to these insecticides. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to determine the susceptibility levels of B. germanica strains to cypermethrin and chlorpyrifos in Hamadan. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this study, the German cockroach strains were collected from two hospitals (Fatemiyeh and Atiyeh) in Hamadan and transfered to the insectarium. The cockroach strains were reared under the same laboratory condition. Then their sensitivity levels were considered to 1, 2, 4, 8 and 16 mg m -2 for cypermethrin and 0.82, 1.65, 3.31, 6.63, 9.945 and 13.26 mg m -2 for chlorpyrifos using surface contact method. RESULTS: Results based on insecticide treated doses, B. germanica strains showed different percent mortality to the insecticides ranged from 13.3-100. The LD 50 and LD 90 and regression lines of the treated insecticides against German cockroach strains indicate that Fatemiyeh Hospital strain is more susceptible to the treated insecticides than Atiyeh Hospital strain. The LD 50 and LD 90 of chlorpyrifos are also lower than cypermethrin, indicated that chlorpyrifos is more effective than cypermethrin against German cockroach. As the slopes of the regression lines are observed mild in this study indicate that the population of the cockroach strains is very heterogeneous. It can be a symbol of insecticides resistance to cypermethrin and chlorpyrifos. CONCLUSION: As chlorpyrifos and cypermethrin insecticides are also used for residual spraying by private companies and the doses which provide more than 90% mortality are below the WHO recommended insecticide doses. Therefore, chlorpyrifos and cypermethrin insecticides can be used for B. germanica control in Hamadan within regular monitoring and preventive measures of resistance.

Clinical effectiveness of vitamin E and vitamin B6 for improving pain severity in cyclic mastalgia.

BACKGROUND: Recent attempts have been focused on employing chemical and natural supplemental agents for treatment of cyclic mastalgia. Among various agents, the potential effects of vitamins remain questionable. In the present study, we examined the efficacy of two types of these vitamin supplements (vitamin E and vitamin B6) in improving pain severity in cyclic mastalgia. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In a randomized double-blinded clinical trial, 80 patients suffering from cyclic mastalgia were randomly assigned to receive 200 IU of vitamin E daily or 40 mg/day of vitamin B6 for 2 months. Written informed consent was obtained from all participants. Severity of breast pain was detected by the Cardiff breast pain score during one menstrual cycle before and two menstrual cycles after the intervention. Data were analyzed using t-test, Chi-squared test, analysis of variance (ANOVA), and regression with SPSS version 19 and P < 0.05 was considered significant. RESULTS: There was no significant difference in the mean of severity of cyclic mastalgia during one menstrual cycle before the intervention between the vitamin E and B6 groups (9.1 ± 2.1 and 8.4 ± 3.1, respectively), but the difference was significant during the first cycle (5.1 ± 1.6 and 5.2 ± 2.5, respectively) and the second menstrual cycle (2.3 ± 1.0 and 2.6 ± 2.0, respectively) in the two groups after the intervention. The trend of changes in pain severity score showed significant downward trend of pain severity score within the study period in both the treatment groups (P < 0.001), while these trends were similar in both groups when examined by the repeated-measure ANOVA test. By multivariable linear regression analysis adjusted for baseline variables, we found that both the treatment regimens resulted in similar reduction in breast pain severity (P = 0.067). CONCLUSIONS: Both regimens containing vitamin E and vitamin B6 are similar in reducing breast pain severity in cyclic mastalgia.

Age at Menopause and Its Main Predictors among Iranian Women.

BACKGROUND: Since time of menopause is influenced by a variety of racial, environmental, and physiological factors, determining age at natural menopause and its main indicators seems to be necessary. The present study attempted to determine average age at menopause and its main predictors among Iranian women. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This descriptive-analytic study was carried out on 400 postmenopausal women aged 43 to 65 years attending the health centers in Hamadan, Hamadan Province, Iran, during 2013. Due to potential effects of oral contraceptive pills (OCP) on age of menopause, we considered two groups of women with and without OCP use using cluster sampling method. Data were collected through individual interviews at the health centers. RESULTS: The findings showed significant univariate relationships between age at menopause with some baseline variables including mother's age at menopause (p<0.001), mother and spouse with high educational level (p<0.001), passive cigarette smoking (p<0.001), weekly physical activity (p<0.001), and high family income (p<001). Adversely, smoking was associated with early menopause. CONCLUSION: The postmenopausal women doing intense weekly physical activity, having mothers with late menopause, having higher monthly income, and experiencing later-age pregnancy are likely to reach menopause later than their contemporaries, while smokers have an early menopause.

Trend of ectopic pregnancy and its main determinants in Hamadan province, Iran (2000-2010).

BACKGROUND: Ectopic pregnancy remains a major gynaecologyical problem in contemporary gynaecological practice. The purpose of this study was to determine the incidence and some risk factors of ectopic pregnancy in Hamadan province during 2000-2010. METHODS: This was a retrospective descriptive study carried out at hospitals in Hamadan provience, Iran. A total of 872 women with the diagnosis of ectopic pregnancy between 2000 to 2010 were recruited. At initial assessment, 872 medical records were targeted for the assessment, while because of incompleteness of some recorded information, 521 files were finally assessed. RESULTS: The overall incidence of ectopic pregnancy was estimated to be 2.6 per 1000 recorded pregnancies. While, considerably increased from 1.5 per 1000 pregnancy in 2000 to 4.8 per 1000 pregnancies in 2010. More than half of the women aged 25 to 34 years. 48.2% of selected women were using contraception methods. 5.2%, 14.0% and 5.6% of women had pervious ectopic pregnancy, first or second infertility and pelvic inflammatory diseases, respectively. CONCLUSION: Increasing trend of the incidence of ectopic pregnancy is expected due to development and availability of minute diagnostic approaches and also some baseline amendable (contraceptive methods and surgical interventions) and unchangeable (age of pregnancy and residency) parameters.

Comparative evaluation of the efficacy of herbal drugs (fennelin and vitagnus) and mefenamic acid in the treatment of primary dysmenorrhea.

BACKGROUND: Different therapeutic methods have been applied for the treatment of dysmenorrhea and the method with the lesser side effects is preferred. The aim of this study was to compare the effects of herbal products (fennelin and vitagnus) and mefenamic acid in the treatment of primary dysmenorrhea. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This ouble-blind clinical trial was carried out in 105 students with mild and moderate dysmenorrhea. The students were randomly divided into four groups which received the extracts of fennelin and vitagnus, mefenamic acid, and placebo, respectively. Severity of pain was detected by the Visual Analog Scale (VAS) during one cycle before and two cycles after the intervention. Data were analyzed by SPSS version 16 and (P < 0.05 was considered significant. RESULTS: Demographic characteristics of the students were similar in the four groups. There was no significant difference in the mean of severity of dysmenorrhea during one cycle before the intervention between the four groups, but the difference was significant during two cycles after the intervention. Fennelin had similar effects as vitagnus on dysmenorrhea. Mefenamic acid had less effect than both the drugs (P <0.05). CONCLUSION: Fennelin and vitagnus had higher effect than mefenamic acid. Use of these products is suggested for dysmenorrhea.

Assessment of cervical erosion in Hamedan city, Iran.

The purpose of this study was to determine the role of socio-economic factors and cytology in cervical erosion. A cross-sectional study involving 410 females in the reproductive age group was conducted in urban health centers in Hamedan city, Iran. Data were collected through interviews with women, gynecological examination in the clinics in the health centers and laboratory tests. Cervical erosion was detected in 68 (16.6%) females. Out of these mild dysplasia was seen in (8.8%) females. High percentages of inflammatory smears (58.8%) were obtained in women with cervical erosion. Cervical erosion was more common in illiterate and women with low literacy status as compared to women with higher education. Majority of cases of cervical erosion were detected in women with high parity. A statistically significant relationship was found between lower socio-economic status and cervical erosion (p < 0.05). Regular cytological screening by Pap smear will help in early detection of carcinoma cervix.

Pediculus capitis infestation according to sex and social factors in Hamedan-Iran.

To determine the intensity of Pediculus capitis infestation (abundance) among school children, children's sex and social factors were analyzed as modifiers of the general prevalence of parasitism. The study included 847 school children (407 girls, 440 boys) between 6 and 12 years, from 12 in public rural primary schools of Hamedan, Province of Hamedan, Iran. Classic prevalence was obtained as the percentage of children with nits and/or lice. The general prevalence was 6.85% (girls: 13.5%; boys: 0.7%, p < 0.001), head lice were much more commonly detected in girls than in boys. The obtained results showed that there was significant variations between head lice infestation and the factors such as parents' literacy, type of hair, previous infestation, sharing of bed and comb and care centers, while there was no significant variation between school grade, parents' job, members of family and pediculosis in the studied areas (p > 0.05). Sex and social factor are important modifiers of P. capitis general prevalence and degree of infestation. The classification of children by intensity of infestation allowed a more precise delimitation of this condition, which is especially important for disease surveillance and application of control measures.