Fatal Infectious Epidemics in Iran in the Last Two Centuries; What Lessons Can We Learn from Preceding Outbreaks? A Brief Historical Review.

In the past two centuries, several fatal infectious outbreaks have arisen in Iran. Presented here is a brief historical account of four fatal epidemics including cholera, plague, Spanish influenza of 1918 and smallpox between1796 and 1979. The lessons from these outbreaks could be helpful for better combatting other deadly epidemics including the present-day disastrous COVID-19 pandemic.

Effects of medetomidine on intra-renal arteries resistive and pulsatility indices in clinically normal adult domestic shorthair cats.

The aim of this study was to determine the effects of intramuscular injection of medetomidine on intra-renal arteries resistive and pulsatility indices by duplex Doppler ultrasonography in clinically normal adult domestic shorthair cats. For this purpose, twenty-six neutered adult healthy domestic shorthair cats (13 females and 13 males) were evaluated. B-mode, color Doppler and pulsed wave Doppler ultrasonography of right and left kidneys were performed to record the resistive index (RI) and pulsatility index (PI) of intra-renal arteries. To minimize statistical errors, the mean RI and PI were determined for each kidney by averaging three waveforms from the intra-renal arteries. Twenty-four hr later, the cats were sedated by 0.04 mg kg-1 intramuscular administration of medetomidine. All the Doppler measurements were repeated 15 min after drug administration. Mean ± standard deviation )SD( of PI and RI of the intra-renal arteries before administration of intramuscular medetomidine were 1.03 ± 0.08 and 0.61 ± 0.02, respectively. Fifteen min after medetomidine administration, the mean ± SD of PI and RI values were 1.04 ± 0.08 and 0.61 ± 0.02, respectively. Significant differences were not detected in mean PI and RI values before and 15 min after drug administration. Our findings showed that intramuscular administration of medetomidine does not cause significant hemodynamic changes in the intra-renal arteries after 15 min.

An Overview of Epidemic Typhus in the World and Iran during the 19th and 20th Centuries.

The present article provides a concise historical review on classical epidemic typhus (exanthemata typhus) in the world as well its outbreaks in Iran mainly during the 19th and 20th centuries. Typhus is still a potential public health threat under certain conditions, despite the fact that nowadays, efficient antibiotics are accessible and sanitary conditions which lead to typhus outbreaks have improved significantly.

Intraocular Pressure, Tear Production, and Ocular Echobiometry in Guinea Pigs (Cavia porcellus).

The purpose of this study was to evaluate intraocular pressure (IOP) by means of rebound tonometry, to assess tear production by using the endodontic absorbent paper point tear test (EAPTT) and phenol red thread test (PRTT), and to determine the effects of time of day on IOP and tear production in guinea pigs. The study population comprised 24 healthy adult guinea pigs (12 male, 12 female; 48 eyes) of different breeds and ranging in age from 12 to 15 mo. IOP and tear production were measured at 3 time points (0700, 1500, and 2300) during a 24-h period. Overall values (mean ± 1 SD) were: IOP, 6.81 ± 1.41 mm Hg (range, 4.83 to 8.50); PRTT, 14.33 ± 1.35 mm (range, 12.50 to 16.83); and EAPTT, 8.54 ± 1.08 mm (range, 7.17 to 10.0 mm). In addition, ultrasound biometry was performed by using a B-mode system with linear 8-MHz transducer. This study reports reference values for IOP and tear production in guinea pigs.

A History of Leishmaniasis in Iran from 19th Century Onward.

The history of leishmaniasis dates back to the distant past; however, its etiologic agent was unidentified until the mid-19th century. Here is an overview of some historical aspects of leishmaniasis in Iran mainly focused on the cutaneous form, from the mid-19th century onwards. In addition, short biographies of several contemporary researchers and experts of leishmaniasis and their achievements in the past decades are presented.

MEASUREMENT OF INTRAOCULAR PRESSURE USING TONOVET® IN EUROPEAN POND TURTLE (EMYS ORBICULARIS).

Twenty-two captive adult European pond turtles (12 males and 10 females) were unrestrained without sedation while intraocular pressure (IOP) was measured by means of a Tonovet®. Mean±SD IOP values between 8 and 10 am for all turtles were 5.42±0.96 mm Hg (range, 3-9 mm Hg). IOP between the right and left eye and between males and females was not significantly different. There was no correlation between IOP and body weight or body length of animals.

History of cancer in Iran.

The history of human and animal cancers date back to antiquity. The earliest written document on cancer appeared on Egyptian papyrus. For centuries, the theory of "four humors" was the primary hypothesis that explained the cause for cancer.  Finally, in the 19th century a new era began with the detection of the cellular origin of cancer; in due course, the nature of this lethal disease was better recognized and led to further achievements in cancer treatment. During the 20th century researchers investigated several risk factors for cancer such as tobacco smoking and environmental chemicals, in addition to the carcinogenic role of certain viruses, occupational association of cancer, its relationship with certain hormones and dietary habits, and the genetic basis of cancer. These investigations resulted in more efficient cancer management. After the advent of radiotherapy and chemotherapy as two complementary therapeutic modalities to surgery, the campaign against cancer has improved. However, cancer remains a major health challenge that accounts for substantial morbidity and mortality worldwide. The present paper briefly reviews the history of cancer in Iran, particularly during the last decades of the 20th century.

A history of the human plague in Iran.

In the history of medicine, the human plague has been considered as one of the most terrifying fatal diseases that over centuries, killed millions of people. Three major pandemics took place between the 6th and 19th centuries, which profoundly impacted the world's socioeconomic status; however, the etiologic agent of the plague remained unknown up to the end of the 19th century. During the past 400 years, Iran experienced several human plague outbreaks. In the 20th century, the outbreaks still continued mostly in the endemic area including western Iran. This paper presents a brief historical account of the human plague pandemics as well as its outbreaks in Iran, particularly during the 19th and 20th centuries.

A history of the 1918 Spanish influenza pandemic and its impact on Iran.

Approximately ninety two years ago, the worst influenza pandemic or "Spanish flu" occurred in 1918, at the end of the First World War (WWI, 1914-1918) which resulted in the deaths of millions of people worldwide. The death toll exceeded the total number of victims of WWI. The 1918 Spanish flu was a deadly, major global event that affected many countries, including Iran. In Iran, it was accompanied by a high mortality rate estimated to be more than one million. However, detailed information on the impact of this outbreak in Iran is scarce. The present paper describes a brief history of the influenza pandemics in the world as well as the spread of the 1918 Spanish flu to Iran.

A brief history of the discovery of the circulation of blood in the human body.

The present article describes briefly the development of the theories regarding the circulation of blood in humans, from the time of Galen (second century C.E.) to the work of William Harvey (17th century C.E.).We shall summarize the views of Galen together with those of two prominent Iranian physicians of the Middle Ages (Razi and Ahwazi known in the West as Rhazes and Haly Abbas respectively) as well as that of Ibn-Nafis from Damascus (the discoverer of the pulmonary circulation) and the Spanish physician and cleric Michael Servetus and finally the definitive work of William Harvey, the English physician who described the mechanism of both the systemic and pulmonary circulation of blood in the human body.