Faunal data and envenomation emergency first aid of cone snails (Conus spp.) in Qeshm Island, the Persian Gulf

Objective To investigate the fauna of a highly venomous marine species group, the cone snails (Family Conidae), in the shores of Qeshm Island, of evaluating the possibility of envenomation in the area and summarize recommendations for emergency first aid. Methods Shores surrounding Qeshm Island were surveyed to collect cone snails during cold (February and March) and warm (May and June) seasons of 2017. Collected snails were identified to the species level. Abundance and species richness were estimated in shores of different structures, including muddy and sandy-rocky shores. Also, the most updated medical literature was reviewed to summarize related emergency first aid. Results Three cone snail species were recorded from southern sandy-rocky shores of the Island, in decreasing order of abundance, included crowned cone (Conus coronatus) (65%), feathered cone (Conus pennaceus) (28%), and frigid cone (Conus frigidus) (7%). Abundance of these species were significantly higher in cold season compared to the warm season (P < 0.05). No cone snails were recorded along the northern muddy shores of the Island. Conclusions Envenomation can cause various symptoms ranging from minor local pain to systemic paralysis and death due to respiratory failure. We recommend an awareness programme for the seashore visiting public.

Faunal data and envenomation emergency first aid of cone snails (Conus spp.) in Qeshm Island, the Persian Gulf

OBJECTIVE@#To investigate the fauna of a highly venomous marine species group, the cone snails (Family Conidae), in the shores of Qeshm Island, of evaluating the possibility of envenomation in the area and summarize recommendations for emergency first aid.@*METHODS@#Shores surrounding Qeshm Island were surveyed to collect cone snails during cold (February and March) and warm (May and June) seasons of 2017. Collected snails were identified to the species level. Abundance and species richness were estimated in shores of different structures, including muddy and sandy-rocky shores. Also, the most updated medical literature was reviewed to summarize related emergency first aid.@*RESULTS@#Three cone snail species were recorded from southern sandy-rocky shores of the Island, in decreasing order of abundance, included crowned cone (Conus coronatus) (65%), feathered cone (Conus pennaceus) (28%), and frigid cone (Conus frigidus) (7%). Abundance of these species were significantly higher in cold season compared to the warm season (P < 0.05). No cone snails were recorded along the northern muddy shores of the Island.@*CONCLUSIONS@#Envenomation can cause various symptoms ranging from minor local pain to systemic paralysis and death due to respiratory failure. We recommend an awareness programme for the seashore visiting public.

Selective attention hypothesis in Iranian Patients with depressive disorder

Objective: The present study aimed to investigate the selective attention hypothesis in a group of Iranian outpatients with depressive disorder

Methods: Causal-comparative and correlation methods were used to analyze the data. A total of 60 subjects participated in this study. Of them, 31 patients diagnosed with depression were assigned in the depressive group and 29 nondepressed individuals were observed as control [normal] group. Participation in this study was completely voluntary. Participants were screened by the structured clinical interview for the DSM-IV [SCID], answered to Beck depression inventory-II [BDI-II], and took part in the Visual Dot-Probe [VDP] task. The data were analyzed by correlation analysis and t test

Results: The results showed that the depressed group got higher score in BDI compared to the control group and this difference was statistically significant. But the differences between two groups regarding attention biases were not large enough to be significant

Conclusion: The following results could be because of the different reasons such as culture. Furthermore, there were several limitations to the current study which are discussed

Does the health of individuals have a mathematical code?

The definition of health of individuals is well described by the World Health Organization [WHO] and other International Health Organizations. Many studies have also been carried out in order to survey the health conditions in different countries based on this definition, therefore, the health condition of every country analyzed by the WHO. In this hypothesis, I would like to explain "whether the health of individuals has a mathematical code or not? If so, the discovery is on the way to examine each individual based on a health profile as well as every nation in the world to find out, what must be carried out on an individual, national, and international level to increase the health rank? The aim of this hypothesis is to bring to your attention and all of the WHO directors and specialist to ask" whether the health of individuals has a mathematical code or not?" If so, the new view must be considered in regard with the health of the world population, which will be discussed in this hypothesis

Comparative evaluation of vital signs stability, sedation and analgesia scores with two methods of sedation: propofol+fentanyl and ketamine+fentanyl during perm cath insertion

The aim of this study was comparison of sedation and analgesia between two drug combinations i.e. propofol+ fentanyl and ketamine+fentanyl, in patients with End stage renal disease, [ESRD] who were candidates for insertion of 'Perm Cath' catheter for the purpose of hemodialysis. Fifty one candidates for 'perm cath' catheter insertion were enrolled in this study. They were divided into three groups: Propofol+fentanyl; ketamine+fentanyl, and placebo. Systolic and diastolic blood pressure, heart rate and respiratory rate were measured before the procedure and then every 5 minute until the end of the procedure. Xylocaine was infiltrated at the site of insertion in all groups. Propofol lmg/kg with fentanyl 1micgr/kg were injected in propofol group, and ketamine 0.5mg/kg with fentanyl 1micgr/kg in the ketamine group. Pain was measured with Ambesh score in the beginning of catheter insertion and sedation was measured with Ramsay score at the beginning of procedure and at insertion of catheter in the heart. Patient satisfaction was measured qualitatively in the PACU. Comparative evaluation of mean heart rate, mean systolic and diastolic blood pressure and mean respiratory rate were different among the three groups, [P<0.05].Frequency distribution of pain was different among groups in the beginning of the procedures [P<0.001]; also sedation score was different in the beginning of the procedures and when the catheter entered the heart among the three groups [P<0.001]. Patients satisfaction score was higher in propofol group, [P=0.001]. Local infiltration of Xylocaine at Perm Cath insertion is insufficient to produce sedation and analgesia, and it is necessary to use sedative drugs in combination. Both methods of sedation: propofol+fentanyl and ketamine+fentanyl provide sedation and analgesia effectively. Propofol appears to be superior in providing stability of vital signs, sedation and patient satisfaction

Extracranial cerebral arterial atherosclerosis in Iranian patients suffering ischemic strokes

To determine the distribution and severity of extracranial carotid arterial atherosclerosis in Iranian patients with ischemic stroke. 328 patients with ischemic stroke were included in this study. Doppler ultrasound was used for evaluation of atherosclerosis in extracranial carotid arteries. The NASCET criteria were used to measure carotid stenosis. Ninety of 328 patients [27.4%] were found to have atherosclerotic plaques; 40 of these patients were women and 50 were men. Sixty-eight patients [20.7%] had artery stenosis <50%, 13 patients [3.95%] had 50-70% artery stenosis and 6 [1.8%] had >70% artery stenosis. Extracranial atherosclerosis is not rare in Iranian patients with ischemic stroke, but most carotid artery lesions were plaques with <50% stenosis