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A 5-month old puppy with muco-cutaneous lesions in the chin, around lips and eyes was examined physically and microscopically for leishmaniasis. Muco-cutaneous lesions containing a large number of amastigotes of Leishmania spp. were observed. Amastigotes were also detected in liver and spleen of the puppy. The animal was positive with Dipstick rK39 kit and high level of anti-Leishmania antibodies was detected by direct agglutination test (DAT). DNA, Using PCRRFLP technique extracted from cultured Leishmania promastigotes and L. tropica was identified. This is the first report of concurrent mucosal and visceral involvement of L. tropica in a puppy from Iran. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In a sample of 260 married men in Shiraz, the relationship is studied of fertility to demographic, socioeconomic and psychosocial variables, the last measuring the perceived economic value of children. The number of children ever born is closely associated with duration of marriage, but socioeconomic variables also exert a significant influence, especially the wife's educational level. Recent fertility is more closely associated with age of wife, but also with ownership of modern goods which is also the major factor in current contraceptive use. The perceived value of children appears unimportant, negligible in recent fertility and contraceptive use, and only showing a slight positive relationship between expected reliance on children for support in old age and the number of children ever born. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Nasser H. Zaker, P. Ghaffari and S. Jamshidi, 2007. Physical Study of the Southern Coastal Waters of the Caspian Sea, off Babolsar, Mazandaran in Iran. Journal of Coastal Research, SI 50 (Proceedings of the 9th International Coastal Symposium), 564 – 569. Gold Coast, Australia, ISSN 0749.0208 Temperature, salinity and density field observations over the period of summer to autumn of 2003 in the eastern part of the southern coast of the Caspian Sea are presented. Field investigations were carried out by CTD profiling and RCM9 time series recording across the southern continental shelf of the Caspian Sea off Babolsar, Mazandaran in Iran. These seasonal scale measurements were conducted for the first time in the southern Caspian Sea adjacent to Iran. The results showed a strong thermocline located between 20m and 50m depths in summer with 15 oC temperature decrease across it. In the beginning of autumn, the thickness of the thermocline reduced to 15 m and thermocline was located between 30m and 45m depths. The daily temperature in the surface mixed layer ranged between 25 to 30 oC in summer and smoothly decreased to 20 oC in late autumn. Below thermocline the temperature ranged between 10.5 oC to 7.5 oC at 110m depth with small seasonal variation. In summer, outside of the continental shelf, an average salinity of 12.2 and 12.3 was observed above and below the thermocline, respectively. The salinity variation from the sea surface to 110 m depth was less than 0.25. Over the continental shelf salinity ranged between 12.05-12.10 and it was slightly less than that in the similar depth outside of the continental shelf. Vertical density variation, considering small vertical salinity variations, was highly correlated with vertical temperature variations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Doctor Joseph Désiré Tholozan was a French physician who became the special physician of Nassereddin Shah, King of Persia (Iran) in the 19 th century. He studied lots of topics in the field of epidemiology of infectious diseases. His efforts led to the discovery of the main vector of Iranian tick-born relapsing fever, Ornithodoros tholozani . He was also one of the pioneers of the Iranian Sanitary Council, whose efforts led to the foundation of the Ministry of Health of Iran a few decades later. This paper is a brief review of his biography and his roles in promoting health in Iran in the 19 th century., (© 2024 The Author(s). This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.)

Background: The ultra-rare autosomal recessive genetic disorder, You-Hoover-Fong Syndrome (YHFS), is caused by defects in the TELO2 gene and is characterized by intellectual disability, developmental delay, and ocular impairments. This study aims to contribute to a better understanding of YHFS by reviewing previous cases and introducing a novel variant in a new case., Methods: Whole exome sequencing (WES) was conducted on the proband to identify genetic variants, and Sanger sequencing was used to confirm variants within the family. This article presents a comprehensive collection of reported cases of YHFS, incorporating both molecular and clinical data, through an extensive literature search and analysis of English-language studies published until June 2023., Results: Using WES, a novel homozygous missense variant, c.1799A > G (p. Tyr600Cys), was identified in the TELO2 gene in a 4-year-old Iranian male patient. Novel clinical features, including choanal atresia and clubfoot, were also identified. A comprehensive literature review identified 27 patients with YHFS, with 20 variants in the TELO2 gene. Missense pathogenic variants were the most common type of pathogenic variant, and the most common features were microcephaly and intellectual impairment., Conclusion: This study presents the first case of pathogenic variants in TELO2 gene in Iran, expands the genotypic and phenotypic spectrum of YHFS and contributes to the growing body of literature pertaining to YHFS. Furthermore, our findings highlight the importance of genetic testing for non-consanguineous carrier screening, as compound heterozygosity may be a significant factor in the development of YHFS. Further research is needed to clarify the molecular mechanisms underlying YHFS pathogenesis., (© 2024. Fondazione Società Italiana di Neurologia.)

This study aimed to assess Problematic Social Media Use (PSMU) among Iranian adolescents and explore potential risk and protective factors. In the present cross-sectional study, 3375 Iranian adolescents were recruited online and completed questionnaires. Latent profile analysis (LPA) was performed to identify groups with various levels of PSMU. Indicator variables included standardized factor scores for PSMU, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, sensation-seeking, internet addiction, loneliness, social anxiety, internalizing symptoms, social support and self-esteem. Five groups were identified relating to severities of PSMU and other factors: low-risk: n = 823 (24.4 %); low-to-moderate-risk: n = 835 (24.7 %); moderate-risk: n = 630 (18.7 %); moderate-to-high-risk: n = 584 (17.3 %); high-risk: n = 503 (14.9 %). Multiple factors, including sensation-seeking, internalizing symptoms, social anxiety, loneliness, internet addiction, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, low self-esteem and low perceived social support, statistically predicted PSMU. The current findings may help identify Iranian adolescents who are particularly vulnerable to PSMU and assist in intervention development., Competing Interests: Declaration of Competing Interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2023 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Background: Sarcopenia refers to an age-related loss of skeletal muscle content, strength, and function, leading to a decrease in mobility. Obesity may exacerbate age-related complications such as sarcopenia through inflammatory pathways. In addition, intestinal dysbiosis has been proposed as an emerging contributor to sarcopenia due to the stimulation of the immune system and elevated barrier permeability of the intestine. Targeting microbiome with synbiotic and vitamin D supplementation may modulate the microbiome followed by the enhancement of sarcopenia indices. Thus, the present study aims to evaluate the effect of synbiotic supplementation with or without vitamin D on the intestinal microbiome and its relationship with strength, muscle function, and body composition in middle-aged overweight and obese women., Methods: This multi-factorial, double-blind, randomized controlled trial will be conducted on 88 participants in eight weeks. The participants will be allocated into four groups receiving vitamin D placebo (weekly) and synbiotic placebo (daily), vitamin D and synbiotic placebo, vitamin D placebo and symbiotic, and vitamin D and synbiotic. Intestinal microbiome assessment will be done by DNA isolation and real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR). In addition, anthropometric indices, body composition, muscle strength, and physical performance will be evaluated by standard methods. All measurements will be made at the beginning and end of the study., Discussion: The previous studies showed that probiotics were involved in reducing inflammation, insulin sensitivity, modulation of atrophy markers such as atherogen-1, and decreasing reactive oxygen indices. In addition, vitamin D was found to improve the intestinal microbiome and facilitate muscle anabolism. The present protocol is novel as it aims to investigate the impact of the co-supplementation of synbiotic and vitamin D on the gut microbiome and sarcopenia indices., Trial Registration: This trial has been registered in the Iranian Registry of Clinical Trials (IRCT20090822002365N25, date of registration: March 2021)., (© 2022. The Author(s).)

Background: Dirofilaria immitis and Dirofilaria repens are vector-borne zoonotic parasites which affect mainly dogs and humans worldwide. In Iran, information about the distribution of those nematodes is scant in several regions. Therefore, we investigated the prevalence of these filarial parasites in stray dogs from five Iranian provinces where no information about these parasites is available., Methods: Blood samples were collected from 344 stray dogs in five provinces of Iran (i.e. Mazandaran, Gilan, Esfahan, Qazvin and Loresan). The presence of microfilariae was assessed using direct smear, modified Knott's test, molecular detection of filarial DNA (cox1 gene) and Wolbachia endosymbiont of parasitic nematodes (ftsZ gene) by conventional PCR (cPCR). All of the PCR products were sequenced and phylogenetic analysis was performed., Results: In total, 75 dogs (21.8%) were found to be positive for D. immitis by cPCR. Infection was detected in all provinces, with the highest prevalence in Gilan province (22/28; 78.6%). Acanthocheilonema reconditum was diagnosed in five dogs (1.4%) from three provinces (i.e. Esfahan, Mazandaran, Gilan). Two dogs were infected with both parasites and three were only infected with A. reconditum. Dirofilaria repens infection was not found in the examined population. Representative sequences of the D. immitis cox1 gene from dogs from the northern provinces (Mazandaran, Gilan, Qazvin) were grouped together and distinctly separate from the ones from western and central provinces (Lorestan and Esfahan), suggesting that different nematode populations are present in the country., Conclusion: The data reported herein fill existing gaps in knowledge about canine filarial infection in two Iranian provinces and record the highest prevalence of D. immitis ever reported in the country (i.e. 78.6%). A geographical review of the literature about Dirofilaria spp. and A. reconditum infections in dogs and humans has also been summarized, indicating that D. immitis and D. repens are distributed in 22 of 31 provinces in Iran, whereas A. reconditum is present in fewer regions. Effective control strategies are advocated for owned dogs, and a national program for the management of stray dogs is needed to minimize the risk of infection in animals and humans., (© 2022. The Author(s).)

The presence of hepatitis C virus (HCV) genome in liver biopsy or peripheral blood mononuclear cell (PBMC) specimens in the absence of detectable HCV-RNA in plasma of the people with or without anti-HCV antibodies has defined as occult HCV infection (OCI), whereas occult hepatitis B virus infection (OBI) is detection of hepatitis B virus (HBV) genome in the absence of traceable hepatitis B surface antigen in the plasma samples of patients. The purpose of this study is to determine the presence of OBI and OCI in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected individuals. In this cross-sectional research, 190 Iranian HIV-infected individuals were enrolled from September 2015 to February 2019. All participants were tested regarding various serological markers for HCV and HBV infections. Viral RNA and DNA were extracted from plasma and PBMC specimens, and the presence of HCV-RNA in plasma and PBMC samples was tested using reverse transcriptase-nested polymerase chain reaction (PCR), HBV viral load was determined in plasma samples using COBAS TaqMan 48 Kit, and also the presence of the HBV-DNA in PBMC samples was tested by real-time PCR. In this study, the prevalence of OBI and OCI in HIV-infected individuals was 3.1% and 11.4%, respectively. The genotypes of HCV in the patients with OCI were as follows: 57.1% were infected with subtype 3a, 35.7% were infected with subtype 1a, and 7.1% was infected with subtype 1b. It is noteworthy that in this study, two patients (1.1%) had OCI/OBI coinfections. The present study revealed that 1.1% of Iranian HIV-infected individuals had OBI and OCI at the same time. Therefore, it seems that designing prospective surveys to determine the presence of this coinfection in HIV-infected individuals is informative., (© 2020 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.)

One of the important genetic factors related to resistance to HIV-1 infection is the presence of the C-C chemokine receptor type 5 delta 32 (CCR5-Δ32) homozygous genotype (Δ32/Δ32). The aim of this study was to evaluate the CCR5-Δ32 mutation among individuals with high-risk behaviors, neonates born to HIV-1-infected mothers in the prevention of mother-to-child transmission (PMTCT) project, HIV-1-infected individuals, and healthy people. The frequency of the CCR5-Δ32 genotype was assessed in a cross-sectional survey carried out from March 2014 to March 2019 among four different groups of the Iranian population. Genomic DNA was extracted from peripheral blood mononuclear cells of 140 Iranian healthy people, 84 neonates born to HIV-1-infected mothers in the PMTCT project, 71 people with high-risk behaviors, and 76 HIV-1-infected individuals. The polymerase chain reaction method was used for the amplification of the CCR5 gene. The CCR5-Δ32 heterozygous deletion was detected in five (6.6%) HIV-1-infected individuals, four (4.7%) neonates born to HIV-1 positive mothers, two (1.4%) healthy people, and also three (4.2%) people with high-risk behaviors whereas the CCR5-Δ32 homozygous deletion was absent in all the groups (Fisher's exact test, P = .0242). The allele of CCR5-Δ32 homozygous was not detected in the four study groups, and no significant difference was seen in the frequency of the CCR5Δ32 heterozygous allele between HIV seropositive and seronegative individuals. Therefore, it seems that this allele alone cannot explain the natural resistance to HIV-1 infection and probably several mechanisms are responsible for these processes and it should be further investigated., (© 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.)

Microsporidia is a group of spore-forming microorganisms with zoonotic potential. This study aimed to compare intestinal microsporidia infections in cat owners and non-pet owners. In total, 210 fecal samples were collected from indoor cats, cat owners, and non-pet owners. DNA extraction was performed and the small subunit ribosomal RNA (SSU rRNA) gene was amplified. To characterize the genotypes, the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) fragment was amplified and sequenced. The phylogenetic trees were drawn to evaluate the relationship among Enterocytozoon bieneusi isolates. Two (2.9%) and one (1.4%) fecal samples from cat owners and one (1.4%) and two (2.9%) fecal samples from non-pet owners were positive for E. bieneusi and Encephalitozoon intestinalis, respectively. E. bieneusi was detected in two cat samples (2.9%). Same infection was not seen between infected cats and their owners. There was no significant difference between the prevalence rate of microsporidia among the cat owners and non-pet owners. Indeed, the genotypes L and type IV were seen in cats, while the genotype D was only detected in human. In this study, E. bieneusi and E. intestinalis were more prevalent among the cat owners and non-pet owners, respectively. Indeed, the higher prevalence of E. bieneusi in cats and their owners might be resulted from the worldwide distribution of this species.

Work-related hand injuries are the primary cause of disability and prolonged time away from work. This prospective cohort study was conducted to determine the predictors of return to work (RTW) after traumatic work-related hand injuries. Our study included 280 patients who were referred to the Plastic and Reconstructive Center for treatment of their occupational hand injuries from July 2017 to February 2018. Several functional questionnaires were completed, and they were followed up at 1, 3 and 8 weeks. Telephone interviews were done 3 months later. Approximately half the subjects had returned to work during the first 3 months after a median time away of 57 days. No relationship was found between age, gender, marital status, hand dominance and RTW time. Nevertheless, there was correlation between RTW time with cigarette smoking, injury severity and disability. Our study findings suggest that injury severity and higher work disability scores are prognostic factors for RTW. Also, smoking was associated with later RTW, which could be the result of poor circulation and delayed healing. Employers should implement injury prevention programs with appropriate rehabilitation that takes into consideration the severity of the hand injury, and health strategies to improve unhealthy lifestyle factors such as smoking., (Copyright © 2020 SFCM. Published by Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.)

Objectives: Fluoroquinolones (FQs) are recommended as the drugs of choice for the empirical treatment of urinary tract infections (UTIs). This study investigated the molecular determinants of FQ resistance in Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae isolates in Iran., Methods: A total of 364 clinical isolates of E. coli (n=144) and K. pneumoniae (n=220) were collected from patients with UTI. Susceptibility of the isolates to ciprofloxacin, levofloxacin, gatifloxacin and nalidixic acid was evaluated by disk diffusion. The presence of qnrA, qnrB and qnrS genes was assessed by PCR. Nucleotide sequences of the gyrA and parC genes were determined., Results: Eighty-seven (60.4%) and 15 (6.8%) E. coli and K. pneumoniae isolates, respectively, were resistant to at least one of the tested FQs. Plasmid-mediated quinolone resistance (PMQR) genes were detected in 12.6% and 60.0% of FQ-resistant E. coli and K. pneumoniae, respectively. Whilst qnrB predominated in K. pneumoniae, qnrS was the most prevalent PMQR gene in E. coli. S83L (98.9%) and D87N (59.8%) were the most frequent mutations identified in GyrA of E. coli, and 55.2% (n=48) of FQ-resistant E. coli isolates had mutation in ParC harbouring S80I and E84V substitutions. The GyrAS83L substitution was found in only one FQ-resistant K. pneumoniae isolate., Conclusions: FQ resistance was much more common in E. coli isolates than in K. pneumoniae. Whilst mutations in the drug target-encoding genes gyrA and parC were the major mechanisms involved in FQ resistance in E. coli, PMQR determinants commonly mediated FQ resistance in K. pneumoniae., (Copyright © 2018. Published by Elsevier Ltd.)

Introduction: Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is an important health problem in Iran, with an increasing prevalence rate. Knowledge about the prevalence and risk factors of this disease in different health jurisdictions can help in planning to control this condition., Materials and Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 1285 individuals aged between 20 and 60 years old were recruited. Participants were selected from the general population residing in Gonabad, Iran, via simple random sampling in 2012. Demographic data were collected. Urine and blood test were performed, and the glomerular filtration rate was estimated based on the simplified Modification of Diet in Renal Disease equation., Results: Sixty-five participants (5.1%) had CKD (5.1% men and 5% women; P = .90). The mean age was significantly higher in the CKD group (P = .001). Hypertension and diabetes mellitus were significantly more prevalent among the participants with CKD than those without CKD (P < .001 for both). Proteinuria was significantly associated with CKD, whereas a history of urinary tract infection, a history of nephrolithiasis, smoking, serum uric acid level, lipid profile, and blood glucose level were not., Conclusions: Chronic kidney disease has a high prevalence rate in this part of Iran. We suggest further studies in other parts of our country for the better estimation of the prevalence of CKD in Iran and for better planning to prevent and treat this condition.

This survey was conducted to identify and estimate the frequencies of ectoparasites of dogs in Tehran, Iran. A total of 143 dogs attended at the Small Animal Hospital of the Veterinary School, the University of Tehran, were examined for the presence of ectoparasites and dermatological lesions. Ectoparasite specimens and blood samples were sent to parasitology and hematology laboratories, respectively. Ticks were the most frequent ectoparasite (36.4%, 52/143), followed by fleas (29.4%, 42/143), mites (25.9%, 37/143), and lice (8.4%, 12/143). Mixed infestations with two or more ectoparasites were detected in eight dogs. Rhipicephalus bursa was the most frequent ectoparasite in spring and summer. Ectoparasitic infestations were recorded mainly in large breeds and juvenile animals. Eosinophilia was more observed in dogs infested with Sarcoptes scabiei. The most common clinical sign, skin pruritus, was associated with mite and lice infestations. These results indicate that the tick R. bursa was the most prominent species of ectoparasite found in the evaluated group, followed by Ctenocephalides canis and S. scabiei var canis.

The yeasts of the Malassezia genus are opportunistic microorganisms in the skin and auricular canal of human and animals, mainly cats, and can cause otitis externa and dermatitis disorders. The aim of this study was to evaluate the occurrence of different species of Malassezia in the external ear canal of cats with and without otitis externa. Thirty-one normal cats and 82 animals with otitis externa were clinically examined. Sterile cotton swabs were used to collect specimens from the external ear canal and streaked onto the surface of Sabouraud dextrose agar (SDA) and modified Dixon agar. Malassezia yeasts were isolated from 95.1% and 48.4% of the cats with and without otitis externa, respectively. The rate of isolation in affected animals versus normals was highly significant (P<0.05). Out of the 137 isolates obtained from cats with otitis, 57.7% were identified as M. pachydermatis (with significant frequency; P<0.05), 15.4% as M. obtusa, 11.4% as M. globosa, 7.3% as M. slooffiae, 4.1% as M. sympodialis, 2.4% as M. furfur and 1.6% as M. restricta. Malassezia species were frequently isolated from subjects with age range from 1 to 4 years old (42.7%). Our finding of Malassezia isolates indicated that feline otitis externa can be associated with lipid-dependent Malassezia species in addition to the non lipid- dependent species M. pachydermatis.

The prevalence of anti-Toxoplasma gondii specific IgG in stray and household cats in Tehran was determined by Indirect Fluorescent Antibody Test (IFAT) on serum samples from 100 cats (50 stray and 50 households). Overall infection rate was 63%. The infection rate in stray cats (90%) was significantly higher (p<0.001) than that of household cats (36%). Last serum positive dilutions varied from 1: 32 to 1: 512 titres in which the highest percentage (27%) was for 1:256 and the least (4.8%) was at 1:32. The rate of infection between male and female cats of both groups was not significantly different; 90.3% versus 89.5% for male and female in stray cats, respectively. Different sexes of household cats were seropositive at the same rate (36%). A high positive correlation (r(2)=0.97) between age and the rate of infection was observed. The prevalence of Toxoplasma gondii infection in cats in Tehran was high, especially in stray cats which are probably the main source of Toxoplasma infection in this area.

Leishmania infantum is known to be associated with visceral leishmaniasis in Iran and canids are natural reservoirs. Control of disease in dogs appears to be one of the most effective approaches for interrupting the domestic cycle of the disease. In search for successful vaccine strategies, we evaluated the cysteine proteinases (CPs) type I and II using a heterologous prime-boost regime for vaccination against experimental visceral leishmaniasis in dogs. Following vaccination and challenge, dogs were followed for 12 months. Ten dogs vaccinated by prime/boost with DNA/recombinant CPs (in combination with CpG ODN and Montanide 720) remained free of infection in their bone morrow. In contrast, three out of four dogs in the control groups had infection in their bone marrow. The peripheral lymphocytes from protected animals had generally higher proliferation responses to F/T antigen, recombinant CPA (rCPA) and recombinant CPB (rCPB) than controls. During post-challenge period, the difference in stimulation index is significant (p<0.05) on months 11 and 12 to F/T antigens, all months for rCPA and 5, 7, 9, 11 and 12 months for rCPB. Analysis of cytokine mRNA level suggested that vaccinated dogs had elevated IFN-gamma mRNA in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC), whereas there was a consistent increase in the level of IL-10 in the control groups and some vaccinated dogs. The level of total IgG and IgG2, but not IgG1, to rCPA and rCPB was significantly higher in the vaccinated group (p<0.05) than the control groups. We also showed that with the exception of one dog, all dogs in the vaccinated group in comparison to control dogs had strong DTH responses. We propose that the combination of DNA and recombinant protein vaccination using CPs could be instrumental to control (VL) in dogs.