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Using waterpipe is the most common method of tobacco consumption among Iranian females and the rate has significantly increased over the past few decades.The purpose of this study was to determine the factors that contribute to the initiation of waterpipe tobacco smoking among females in Gorgan, Islamic Republic of Iran.This cross-sectional study was conducted between March and June 2016 in Gorgan. Two hundred and six females who smoked waterpipe tobacco were recruited as participants using convenience and snowball sampling methods. Data were collected using a questionnaire examining the factors that facilitate initiation of waterpipe smoking among females.Positive attitudes towards waterpipe smoking and its availability were the most frequently reported factors contributing to its initiation among females (87.9%). Curiosity (80.1%) and waterpipe smoking among family members (70.9%) were also significant. The least frequently reported factor was "attracting other's attention and cooperation".A positive opinion, availability, curiosity and presence of waterpipe smoking among family members and relatives were the most signifcant factors that facilitated initiation of waterpipe smoking among females. To reduce its prevalence, it is recommended that intervention strategies be implemented to change attitudes and reduce access to waterpipe tobacco at family and social gatherings.العوامل التي تُسهم في بدء تدخين النرجيلة بين النساء الإيرانيات.شيرين صيقلده، عبد الرحمن جركزي، مهناز أماني، طيبة أستوان، إلميرا منكلي زاده.يُعتبر تدخين النرجيلة أكثر طرق تعاطي التبغ انتشاراً بين النساء الإيرانيات، وقد ارتفع معدل تدخينها ارتفاعاً كبيراً على مدار العقود القليلة الماضية.تمثل الغرض من هذه الدراسة في تحديد العوامل التي تُسهم في بدء تدخين النرجيلة بين النساء في جرجان.أُجريت هذه الدراسة الشاملة لعدة قطاعات في الفترة بين مارس/آذار ويونيو/حزيران 2016 في جرجان. وقد استعنّا بعدد 206 نساء من مدخنات النرجيلة للمشاركة في هذه الدراسة. واُخْتِير هؤلاء النساء بأسلوب أخذ العينات الملائمة وأسلوب كرة الثلج لأخذ العينات. وقد جُعت البيانات عن طريق استبيان لتحديد العوامل التي تُيسر بدء تدخين النرجيلة بين النساء.كانت النظرة الإيجابية تجاه النرجيلة وتوافرها أكثر ما ذُكر من العوامل التي تُسهم في بدء تدخينها بين النساء (87.9٪). ومن ضمن العوامل المهمة أيضاً كان الفضول (80.1٪)، وتدخين النرجيلة بين أفراد الأسرة (70.9٪). أما "جذب انتباه الآخرين والتعاون" فكان من أقل العوامل المذكورة.جاءت النظرة الإيجابية تجاه تدخين النرجيلة، وتوافرها، والفضول إزائها، وتدخينها بين أفراد الأسرة والأقارب ضمن أهم العوامل المذكورة التي تُيسر بدء تدخين النرجيلة بين النساء. ولتقليل معدل انتشار تدخين النرجيلة بين النساء، نوصي ببعض استراتيجيات التدخل التي تُغير النظرة إلى النرجيلة وتقلل إمكانية الوصول إليها في تجمعات الأسرة والأصدقاء.Facteurs contribuant à la mise en place d’un tabagisme par pipe à eau chez les femmes iraniennes.La pipe à eau est la méthode de consommation de tabac la plus répandue parmi les femmes iraniennes et le taux de consommation a considérablement augmenté au cours des dernières décennies.L’objectif de la présente étude était de déterminer les facteurs qui contribuent à la mise en place d’un tabagisme par pipe à eau parmi les habitantes de Gorgan (République islamique d’Iran).La présente étude transversale a été menée entre les mois de mars et de juin 2016 à Gorgan. Nous avons recruté 206 fumeuses de pipe à eau comme participantes. Ces dernières ont été sélectionnées à l’aide des méthodes d’échantillonnage de commodité et boule de neige. Les données ont été collectées au moyen d’un questionnaire portant sur les facteurs qui facilitent l’initiation d’un tabagisme de ce type chez les femmes.Les attitudes positives vis-à-vis de la pipe à eau et de sa disponibilité constituaient les facteurs les plus fréquemment rapportés qui contribuaient à la mise en place d’un tabagisme par pipe à eau chez les femmes (87,9 %). La curiosité (80,1 %) et l’utilisation de la pipe à eau au sein de la famille (70,9 %) étaient également des facteurs importants. Le facteur le moins fréquemment rapporté correspondait à l’énoncé : « attirer l’attention et susciter l’aide de l’autre ».L’attitude positive, la disponibilité, la curiosité et l’existence d’un tabagisme par pipe à eau au sein des membres de la famille et des proches constituaient les facteurs les plus importants qui facilitent la mise en place de ce type de tabagisme chez les femmes. Afin de réduire la prévalence de ce tabagisme chez les femmes, nous recommandons la mise en œuvre de stratégies d’intervention visant à modifier les attitudes et à réduire l’accès au tabac pour pipe à eau lors des réunions en famille et des rencontres sociales.

Background Methanol is widely used in industry; however, methanol poisoning is not common. In this regard, a number of outbreaks have been recently reported due to inappropriate processing of alcoholic beverages. Shiraz, a city located in the southern part of Iran, faced one of such outbreaks in 2020 during COVID-19 pandemic. There is no sufficient literature on the electrocardiographic findings in methanol toxicity. This study aimed to address this gap in the literature. Method A total of 356 cases with methanol toxicity referred to Shiraz University of Medical Science Tertiary Hospitals (Faghihi and Namazi) in March and April, 2020. The clinical findings of blindness and impaired level of consciousness, lab data such as arterial blood gas, electrolytes, and creatinine, and the most common findings from ECGs were collected. Results The most common ECG findings were J point elevation (68.8%), presence of U wave (59.2%), QTc prolongation (53.2% in males and 28.6% in females), and fragmented QRS (33.7%). An outstanding finding in this study was the presence of myocardial infarction in 5.3% of the cases. This finding, to the best of our knowledge, has only been reported in a few case reports. Brugada pattern (8.1%) and Osborn wave (3.7%) were the other interesting findings. In multivariate analysis, when confounding factors were adjusted, myocardial infarction, atrioventricular conduction disturbances, sinus tachycardia, and the prolonged QTC > 500 msecond were four independent factors correlated with methanol toxicity severity measured with arterial blood PH on arterial blood gas measurements, with odds ratios of 12.82, 4.46, 2.32 and 3.15 (P Conclusion Electrocardiographic variations during methanol intoxication are remarkable and well-correlated with poisoning severity. Myocardial infarction was an egregious and yet a common concerning finding in this sample, which need to be ruled out in methanol toxicity.

According to our analysis of literature sources on the family Hydraenidae (Coleoptera: Staphylinoidea) of Iran, it is represented by 67 species and three genera: Hydraena Kugelann, 1794 (21 species), Limnebius Leach, 1815 (six species) and Ochthebius Leach, 1815 (40 species). Twenty-two species are supposed to be endemic to Iran. Here, for the first time, we summarize species distribution data in Iranian provinces and present them in a checklist of Iranian Hydraenidae. We also present two additional species lists: one with incorrect records (one species and one subspecies) and the other with unidentified species. © 2018 Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group.

The current paper presents new data on the distribution of 51 species of crabronid wasp (Hymenoptera: Spheciformes: Crabronidae) from the subfamilies Crabroninae (42 species of 15 genera and 5 tribes) and Pemphredoninae (9 species of 6 genera and two tribes) collected at 21 sampling sites in the Fars Province of Iran. Three species, Tachysphex nitidus (Spinola, 1806), Liris memnonius (F. Smith, 1856), and Spilomena mocsaryi Kohl, 1898 are newly added to the Iranian insect fauna. General distribution and Iranian localities are given for each species. The biogeographic affinities of the collected species are also discussed.

Darılmaz, Mustafa Cemal ( Aksaray, Yazar ), The fauna of Iranian Dytiscidae (Coleoptera) is reviewed listing all hitherto known distribution records. Comments on taxonomy, identification and nomenclature are provided. The type locality is also given for each species originally described from Iran. One species, Rhantus (Rhantus) frontalis (Marsham, 1802) is new for the fauna of Iran. According to the literature and the new record, 140 dytiscid taxa representing 32 genera are at present known from Iran. Four species, Deronectes sahlbergi Zimmermann, 1932, Hydroporus nigrita (Fabricius, 1792), Hygrotus (Hygrotus) versicolor (Schaller, 1783), and Nebrioporus insignis (Klug, 1834) are doubtful. Five taxa, Agabus (Acatodes) elongatus (Gyllenhal, 1826), Coptotomus interrogatus (Fabricius, 1801), Hydaticus (Guignotites) fabricii (MacLeay, 1825), Hydroporus bodemeyeri bodemeyeri Ganglbauer, 1900, and Pachydrus sp. are excluded from the fauna of Iran.

Introduction Currently, smoking hookah is the most common method of tobacco smoking among Iranian women and its rate has significantly increased over the past few decades. Many factors influence the start of hookah smoking among women. Therefore, this study aimed to determine the factors associated with the start of hookah smoking among women in the city of Gorgan, Iran. Methods This cross sectional study was conducted from March to June 2016 in the city of Gorgan. The participants consisted of 206 hookah smoking women who were selected by convenience and snowball sampling methods. The tool used in this study was the Bahiraei et al (2014) questionnaire to determine the factors that facilitate the start of hookah consumption among women. Results Positive attitudes towards hookah and its availability accounted for the most frequency (9/87%). Curiosity to experience hookah (80.1%), and hookah smoking among family members and relatives (78.5%) were among important cause of hookah smoking among women. Among different factors, the highest amount was related to "the availability of hookah" and the lowest amount was related to "attracting other’s attention and cooperation". Conclusions Positive attitude, availability, curiosity and hookah smoking among family members and relatives were the most important factors that facilitated the start of hookah smoking among women. Initiating intervention to change the attitude of women towards hookah and reducing the access to hookah in family and friend gatherings are recommended to prevent the initiation of hookah smoking among women. Funding Golestan University of Medical Sciences, Gorgan, Iran.

The checklist comprises all species of six families of Iranian aquatic Polyphaga (Coleoptera). In total, 43 species/subspecies within the families, Georissidae (one species), Helophoridae (25 species and two subspecies), Hydrochidae (three species), Spercheidae (one species), Curculionidae (nine species) and Erirhinidae (two species) are listed for the fauna of Iran. Helophorus (Rhopalohelophorus) nanus Sturm, 1836 (Helophoridae) is recorded for the first time from Iran. We also present two additional species lists: one with incorrect records (one species) and the other with unidentified species. © 2018, © 2018 Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group., Islamic Azad University, This research was supported by the Islamic Azad University (Yadegar-e-Imam Khomeini (RAH) Shahre Rey, and Shiraz Branches).

BACKGROUND: There is an increasing tendency to use evidence-based medicine and guidelines among physicians. This is also true for concordance of coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery and guidelines; therefore, we aimed to address the adherence to 2011 American College of Cardiology Foundation (ACCF) and the American Heart Association (AHA) guideline for CABG. METHODS: In this cross-sectional study, we assessed 246 patients who underwent CABG in Shiraz, Iran, during 2011-2012, using a data collecting form provided through studying ACCF/AHA guideline 2011. The patients were categorized into clinical subgroups and then grouped into appropriate, in-appropriate and uncertain classes. Chi-square was used to compare categorical variables and t-test was used for continuous variables. RESULTS: Of the 246 patients, 70.3% were grouped into “Class I,” 12.6% into “Class IIa,” 6.9% into “Class IIb” and 10.2% into “Class III.” Therefore, 82.9% of the patients were grouped into “appropriate,” 6.9% into “uncertain,” and 10.2% into group “inappropriate.” CONCLUSION: We suggest that more attention is needed to be paid to these guidelines. Using these guidelines may help surgeons to have a uniform approach for patients.

Background: Polymorphisms of the upstream transcription factor 1 (USF1) have been associated with familial combined hyperlipidemia (FCHL), type 2 diabetes and coronary heart diseases (CHD). In the current investigation, the association of USF1s2 variant of human USF1 gene with premature coronary artery disease (PCAD) was evaluated in a population from southern Iran. USF1s2 has the best potential as a functional variant .in the USF1 gene. Methods: In a case-control study USF1s2 variant of human USF1 gene was determined by polymerase chain reaction- restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) technique using BsiHKA I restriction enzyme for 186 women under 55 years of age and 135 men less than 50 years of age who underwent diagnostic coronary angiography in Saadi, Nemazee and Kowsar Hospitals of Shiraz, between July 2009 and March 2012. Data on the history of familial myocardial infarction or other heart diseases, hypertension, and smoking habit were collected by a simple questionnaire. Blood sugar level and serum lipid profile of all participants were also obtained by measuring the levels of fasting blood sugar (FBS), total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG), low density lipoprotein (LDL) and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL). Results: Frequencies of the major (G) and minor (A) alleles of usf1s2 gene variant were 0.74 and 0.26 in the whole population, respectively. Meanwhile, the prevalence of the minor allele was significantly higher in PCAD patients compared with control subjects. This difference remained significant even after adjustment for confounding parameters. Indeed, subjects with mutant homozygous genotype (AA) were about 5 times more likely to suffer from early-onset CAD than those with wild-type homozygous genotype (GG). Moreover, the baseline characteristics of the control subjects and patients were statistically similar for almost all parameters except for the number of male individuals; there was no significant difference among various genotypes in the patient group for any of these investigated variables. Conclusion: It appears that the usf1s2 variant in upstream transcription factor 1 gene is an independent predictor of premature coronary artery disease in our population and applies its effects without affecting blood sugar and lipid levels.

Background: Cardiovascular diseases are the main cause of 40% of deaths in Iran annually. Many patients undergoing coronary artery bypass graft surgery have previous cardiovascular risk factors which could be prevented. Objectives: The present study aimed to assess the prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors in the patients undergoing coronary artery bypass graft surgery. Materials and Methods: In this cross-sectional (descriptive – analytical) study, a data collecting form was used. A total of 246 patients were selected from six hospitals of Shiraz using random stratification. Descriptive statistics were presented through figures and tables and t-test was used to analyze the continuous variables. All the statistical analyses were performed using the SPSS statistical software (version 15.0). Besides, P < 0.05 was considered as statistically significant. Results: Among the study patients, only 11.67% had no risk factors and 88.33% had one or more risk factors. The most common risk factors observed in the patients were hypertension, obesity and overweight, hyperlipidemia, and diabetes mellitus. The results showed a significant difference between males and females regarding the prevalence of hypertension (P = 0.001), diabetes (P = 0.028), hypercholesterolemia (P = 0.020), and cigarette smoking (P = 0.001). In addition, the patients' mean levels of cholesterol, LDL, triglyceride, and fasting blood sugar were higher than the acceptable level, while that of HDL was lower than the accepted level. Conclusions:: These patients are recommended to be trained regarding lifestyle changes. Also, prevention strategies can play an important role in reducing patient morbidity and mortality.

The Iranian fauna of the Cimicidae and Largidae (Hemiptera: Heteroptera) is summarized in this paper. In total, 2 species from 2 genera of Cimicidae and single species of Largidae are listed.

Background This study was designed to investigate the prevalence, clinical and laboratory findings, and short-term prognostic significance of mobile right cardiac thrombus (MRCT) among patients with pulmonary thromboembolism (PTE). Methods From January 2004 to November 2006, 12 of 100 patients admitted with a diagnosis of PTE had an MRCT. Diagnosis of in-transit right-sided thrombi was made when a wormlike elongated mass was detected. The primary end point was comparison of the mortality rate of MRCT (+) patients with that of MRCT (−) patients for an average of 8 months of follow-up. The secondary end points were comparison of clinical and laboratory data between these 2 groups. Results All MRCT (+) patients but 1 had dyspnea, but just 2 patients had syncope during exertion. The most frequent electrocardiographic finding was T inversion in leads V1–V3 (75%). All 6 of the MRCT (+) patients who had a cardiac arrest in the hospital died in the hospital. In comparison, of the 88 MRCT (−) patients, 12 had a cardiorespiratory arrest, 4 of whom survived (hospital mortality rate of 50% versus 9%, respectively). Conclusions It seems that the presence of MRCT has prognostic significance, predicting a higher-than-average mortality rate. Copyright © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Carotid endarterectomy is the standard treatment for carotid stenosis, but carotid artery stenting has emerged as a potential alternative. Elective carotid artery stenting was performed in 42 patients aged 42 to 79 years (mean, 67.05 ± 8.67 years) after ultrasonography, computed tomography, magnetic resonance angiography and a neurological evaluation. There was bilateral carotid stenosis in 23 patients (55%), with > 90% stenosis in 18 vessels. All patients had significant associated coronary lesions. An emboli protection device and self-expanding stents were used. One year later, the patients were evaluated by Doppler sonography and selective angiography. Technical success was achieved in all procedures. During follow-up, 1 (2.4%) patient died from myocardial infarction, 1 underwent coronary artery bypass and 14 (40%) had minor complaints including occasional dizziness. No other neurological events were noted. Restenosis was found in one case, but selective angiography ruled out a significant lesion. One patient suffered embolization, but recovered completely within 24 hours. In 7 (17%) patients with type C arch interruption and a tortuous carotid course, stenting was successful and they had no embolization or restenosis. Carotid artery stenting is recommended in high-risk patients.

In this study, we establish the presence of 24 aquatic beetle (Coleoptera: Polyphaga) species belonging to 13 genera and five families in Markazi Province of Central Iran. Specimens were collected between 2001 and 2005. Eleven species and four genera are recorded from Iran for the first time. The ecological significance of the new records is briefly discussed. .

A catalog of aquatic and semiaquatic Heteroptera from Iran is provided based on literature reports and field collections. Representatives of 107 species and morphospecies of the infraorders Dipsocoromorpha, Enicocephalomorpha, Gerromorpha, Leptopodomorpha, and Nepomorpha are listed, and are distributed in 18 families including Aphelocheiridae (1 genus, 1 species), Belostomatidae (1 genus, 1 species), Corixidae (8 genera, 29 species), Dipsocoridae (1 genus, 2 species), Enicocephalidae (2 genera, 2 species), Gerridae (6 genera, 18 species), Hebridae (1 genus, 5 species), Helotrephidae (1 genus, 1 species), Hydrometridae (1 genus, 2 species), Leptopodidae (4 genera, 7 species), Mesoveliidae (1 genus, 2 species), Naucoridae (1 genus, 1 species), Nepidae (3 genera, 5 species), Notonectidae (2 genera, 8 species), Ochteridae (1 genus, 1 species), Pleidae (1 genus, 1 species), Saldidae (5 genera, 14 species), and Veliidae (2 genera, 7 species). Synonyms and geographical distribution of all the species are given, together with an identification key of families. According to the actual catalogs and studies eight species are doubtful for Iranian fauna.

An annotated checklist of Myxophaga (Hydroscaphidae and Sphaeriusidae) and Adephaga (including Gyrinidae, Haliplidae, Noteridae, Rhysodidae) from Iran is compiled. The total number of taxa include 39 species of 15 genera. The family Haliplidae is represented by 15 species, Gyrinidae by 12 species, Noteridae by seven species, Rhysodidae by three species, and Hydroscaphidae and Sphaeriusidae by one species each. Two species, Gyrinus (Gyrinus) dejeani Brullé 1832 (Gyrinidae) and Haliplus (Haliplidius) confinis Stephens 1828 (Haliplidae) are new records for the fauna of Iran.

Hypoaspis elegans sp. nov. was collected on adult female Oryctes elegans Prell. (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae) in Bam, Kerman province, Iran. The new species is described and illustrated from adult females. Hypoaspis surii Khanjani et. al., 2013 is a junior synonym of Hypoaspis maryamae JoharchiHalliday, 2011. A key to the Western Palaearctic species of Hypoaspis is presented.

Larvae of two closely related species Cassida palaestina Reiche, 1858 and Cassida rubiginosa Müller, 1776 are described in detail including SEM microstructures. First instars are extremely similar with no clear diagnostic characters, larvae of Cassida palaestina are slightly more contrastingly coloured than larvae of C. rubiginosa, the latter having darker scoli, basal part of supra-anal processes and legs. Last instars differ in very subtle but constant characters: lateral scoli of C. palaestina are slightly shorter than those of C. rubiginosa, in C. palaestina tops of the lateral branches are armed apically with an elongate cauliflower-shaped sensillum while in C. rubiginosa tops of the lateral branches are more often armed with a pointed seta than with an elongate cauliflower-shaped sensillum, and cauliflower-shaped sensilla on tergites are less elongate in C. palaestina than in C. rubiginosa. These differences accompanied by distinguishing characters of adults and their distribution range indicate that both taxa are probably vicariant species with partial parapatric occurrence. Centaurea behen is a new host plant for C. palaestina.

Coronary angiography is the most accurate and standard method for investigating the anatomic status and blood supply to the heart tissue; however, this method has been overused during the past decade. The present study aimed to investigate the appropriateness of coronary angiography in the patients referred to the selected hospital clinics in Shiraz, Iran.This study included 280 outpatients who were referred to seven selected hospitals of Shiraz for coronary angiography. In order to collect the data regarding the patients and the angiography use, a questionnaire and a checklist were utilized. All the analyses were performed in SPSS, version 15.Among 280 angiography cases, 206 (73.6%), 34 (12.2%), and 40 (14.3%) cases were considered as appropriate, uncertain, and inappropriate, respectively. Due to the 40 cases of inappropriate use of angiography, 19000 US dollars have been imposed on the insurance organizations as well as the patients.Senior managers of healthcare centers are recommended to pay special attention to the performance of diagnostic as well as therapeutic procedures according to the reliable and standard guidelines. Besides, insurance organizations and other institutes which reimburse the expenses should consider the appropriateness of application of angiography as a basis for the imbursement.

The distribution of Dryopidae and Heteroceridae (Coleoptera: Byrrhoidea) of Iran is summarized. A total of ten species of Dryopidae in three genera (Dryops Olivier, Parahelichus Lobl & Smetana, and Praehelichus Lobl & Smetana), and 18 species of Heteroceridae in two genera (Augyles Schiodte and Heterocerus Fabricius) are listed. Augyles hispidulus (Kiesenwetter, 1843) (Heteroceridae) is recorded from Iran for the first time.

The Heteroptera fauna (Insecta) of Iranian cotton fields and surrounding areas is studied. A total of 103 species from 14 families were found. Among the collected material, 7 species are new records for Iranian fauna: Cryptostemma (Pachycoleus) gracile Josifov 1967, Cryptostemma (Pachycoleus) utnapishtim Linnavuori 1984, Systelloderes utukhengal Linnavuori 1984, Phytocoris (Eckerleinius) paghmanus Linnavuori 1974, Himacerus (Himacerus) apterus (Fabricius 1798), Nabis (Dolichonabis) limbatus Dahlbom 1851 and Reduvius osiris Kirkaldy 1909. La faune des Hétéroptères (Insecta) de champs de coton iraniens est étudiée. Un total de 103 espèces appartenant à 14 familles fut collecté. Parmi le matériel récolté, 7 espèces sont nouvelles pour la faune d'Iran: Cryptostemma (Pachycoleus) gracile Josifov 1967, Cryptostemma (Pachycoleus) utnapishtim Linnavuori 1984, Systelloderes utukhengal Linnavuori 1984, Phytocoris (Eckerleinius) paghmanus Linnavuori 1974, Himacerus (Himacerus) apterus (Fabricius 1798), Nabis (Dolichonabis) limbatus Dahlbom 1851 et Reduvius osiris Kirkaldy 1909. Fil: Ghahari, Hassan. Islamic Azad University; Irán Fil: Chérot, Frédéric. Free University of Brussels; Bélgica Fil: Moulet, Pierre. Museum Requien; Francia Fil: Carpintero, Diego Leonardo. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Parque Centenario. Museo Argentino de Ciencias Naturales “Bernardino Rivadavia”; Argentina Fil: Linnavuori, Rauno E.. Saukkokuja; Finlandia Fil: Sakenin, Hamid. Islamic Azad University; Irán Fil: Ostovan, Hadi. Islamic Azad University; Irán

The fauna of Iranian broad-headed bugs (Coreoidea: Alydidae) is studied in this paper. A total of twenty-one species of eleven genera (Alydus Fabricius, 1803, Camptopus Amyot & Serville, 1843, Euthetus Dallas, 1852, Heegeria Reuter, 1881, Megalotomus Fieber, 1860, Mirperus Stål, 1860, Nariscus Stål, 1865, Nemausus Stål, 1866, Riptortus Stål, 1859, Tenosius Stål, 1860, Leptocorisa Latreille, 1829) belonging to two subfamilies (Alydinae, Leptocorisinae) are listed for Iranian fauna. Out of them, three species, Megalotomus junceus (Scopoli, 1763), M. ornaticeps (Stål, 1858) and Leptocorisa oratoria (Fabricius, 1794), are new records for Iran. Fil: Ghahari, Hassan. Islamic Azad University. Department of Entomology; Irán Fil: Carpintero, Diego Leonardo. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Parque Centenario. Museo Argentino de Ciencias Naturales “Bernardino Rivadavia”; Argentina Fil: Moulet, Pierre. Museum Requien; Francia Fil: Linnvuori, Rauno E.. No especifíca; Fil: Ostovan, Hadi. Islamic Azad University. Department of Entomology; Irán

The risk of premature and progressive occlusive vascular disease is high in chronic uremic patients, and it accounts for more than 40% of the mortality in dialysis patients. End stage renal failure (ESRF) patients exhibit elevated plasma homocystein levels, about four fold as much as those in the controls, and it is now considered as a causative factor for increased risk of cardiovascular death among these patients. The aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship of total plasma homocysteine level and echocardiographic abnormalities as a surrogate of cardiac disease outcome in hemodialysis patients. 123 adult patients on maintenance hemodialysis and having echocardiography done during January till November 2006 were enrolled in this cross-sectional study. Plasma homocysteine level was directly related to the presence of aortic regurgitation r= 0.27 P= 0.009. There were negative correlations between ejection fraction (EF), left ventricular systolic dimension (LV.S) (r= - 0.71, P= 0.0001), left ventricular diastolic dimension (LV.D) (r= -0.23 p= 0.01) and age (r= - 0.021 P= 0.02). In conclusion we did not find the paradoxical reverse epidemiology in our patients and plasma total homocysteine level was in direct correlation with cardiac risk factors such as left ventricular mass index and aortic regurgitation.

A list of Heteroptera collected from Arasbaran Biosphere Reserve (East Azarbayjan Province, northwestern Iran) and neighboring areas is provided. A total of 114 species from 87 genera and 19 families were collected from Arasbaran and vicinity. Two species are new records for Iran: Gerris (Gerris) maculatus Tamanini and Sigara (Vermicorixa) lateralis (Leach). Fil: Ghahari, Hassan. Islamic Azad University; Irán Fil: Cai, Wan-zhi. China Agricultural University; China Fil: Chérot, Frédéric. Free University of Brussels; Bélgica Fil: Carpintero, Diego Leonardo. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Parque Centenario. Museo Argentino de Ciencias Naturales “Bernardino Rivadavia”; Argentina Fil: Moulet, Pierre. Museum Requien; Francia Fil: Ostovan, Hadi. Islamic Azad University; Irán Fil: Montemayor Borsinger, Sara Itzel. Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Naturales y Museo. División Entomología; Argentina Fil: Havaskary, Mohammad. Islamic Azad University; Irán Fil: Linnavuori, Rauno E.. Saukkokuja; Finlandia

In the present research, the prey of asilid species (Diptera, Asilidae) from Fars province, Iran was identified during the years 2006-2008. The prey consisted mainly of Hymenoptera (Sphecidae, Vespidae, Apidae, Chrysididae, Megachilidae and Scoliidae), followed by Diptera (Tabanidae, Syrphidae, Therevidae, Tachinidae and Dolichopodidae), Orthoptera (Acrididae and Gryllidae), Coleoptera (Buprestidae, Alleculidae and Cerambycidae), Hemiptera (Cicadellidae and Coreidae), Neuroptera (Myrmeleontidae) and Odonata (Aeshnidae).

A catalogue of burrower bugs (Heteroptera: Pentatomoidea: Cydnidae) of Iran is provided. A total of 58 species from 5 subfamilies, 6 tribes and 22 genera is listed in this paper. Of these, 14 species are newly recorded from Iran: Byrsinus fossor (Mulsant & Rey, 1866), Byrsinus nigroscutellatus (Montandon, 1900), Byrsinus penicillatus Wagner, 1964, Canthophorus wagneri Asanova, 1964, Crocistethus waltlianus (Fieber, 1837), Geotomus antennatus Signoret, 1883, Sehirus cypriacus Dohrn, 1860, Sehirus dissimilis Horváth, 1919, Sehirus luctuosus Mulsant & Rey, 1866, Sehirus ovatus (Herrich-Schaeffer, 1840), Sehirus parens Mulsant & Rey, 1866, Sehirus planiceps Horváth, 1895, Stibaropus henkei (Jakovlev, 1874) and Tritomegas delagrangei (Puton, 1888). Additional Iranian records are provided for Byrsinus laeviceps (Kerzhner, 1972), Exosehirus marginatus (Signoret, 1881b), Fromundus pygmaeus (Dallas, 1851), Geotomus elongatus (Herrich-Schaeffer, 1840), Geotomus punctulatus (Costa, 1847), Ochetostethus sahlbergi Wagner, 1952 and Tritomegas bicolor (Linnaeus, 1758).

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R. 2009b:A study on the Heteroptera fauna of Shend Abad region and environ (Iran). Munis Entomology & Zoology 4: 527-530.","HEISS E. 2002: Beitrag zur Kenntnis der Wanzenfauna (Heteroptera) Irans, I. Pp.87-97.In:GUTLEB B. & WIESER Ch.(eds): Ergebnisse einer Zoologischen Exkursion in den Nordiran, 2001.Arthropoda (Lepidoptera,Trichoptera, Neuroptera, Heteroptera, Coleoptera, Opiliones, Araneae, Decapoda) und Vertebrata (Amphibia, Reptilia, Aves, Mammalia). Carinthia II 192/112 (2001): 33-140.","HENRY T. J. 1988: Family Anthocoridae. Pp. 12-28. In: HENRY T. J. & FROESCHNER R. C. (eds.): Catalog of the Heteroptera, or True Bugs, of Canada and the Continental United States. E. J. Brill, Leiden - New York - Kobenhaven - Koln, xix + 958 pp.","HENRY T. J. 2008: First North American records for the Palaearctic Orius majusculus (Reuter) (Hemiptera: Heteroptera: Anthocoridae). Proceedings of the Entomological Society of Washington 110: 953-959.","HENRY T. J., WHEELER A. G. Jr. & STEINER W. E. Jr. 2008: First North American records of Amphiareus obscuriceps (Poppius) (Hemiptera: Heteroptera: Anthocoridae), with a discussion of dead-leaf microhabitats. Proceedings of the Entomological Society of Washington 110: 402-416.","HERRING J. L. 1966: The genus Orius of the Western Hemisphere (Hemiptera: Anthocoridae). Annals of the Entomological Society of America 59: 1093-1109.","HERRING J. L. 1967: Heteroptera: Anthocoridae. Insects of Micronesia 7: 392-414.","HERRING J. L. 1976: Keys to genera of Anthocoridae of America North of Mexico, with description of a new genus (Hemiptera: Heteroptera). Florida Entomologist 59: 143-150.","JAKOVLEV V. E. 1877: Poluzhestkokrylya (Hemiptera Heteroptera) severnoy Persii. [True bugs (Hemiptera Heteroptera) of northern Iran]. Trudy Russkago Entomologicheskago Obshchestva 10: 67-98 (in Russian).","KELTON L. A. 1963: Synopsis of the genus Orius Wolff in America north of Mexico (Heteroptera:Anthocoridae). 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Iran’ın güneyinde yer alan Fars İli’nde Asilidae faunasını belirlemek amacıyla 2006-2007 yıllarında arazi çalışması yapıldı. Apocleinae (5 tür), Asilinae (7 tür), Dasypogoninae (2 tür), Laphriinae (2 tür), Laphystiinae (1 tür), Leptogastrinae (1 tür) ve Stenopogoninae (8 tür) alt familyalarından toplam 19 cinse bağlı 26 tür belirlendi. Bu türlerden 5’i İran faunası için yeni kayıt olurken, iki alt familya, 10 cins ve 22 tür de Fars İli’nden ilk defa kaydedildi. Ayrıca, her türün yayılış bilgileri eklendi., Fars province in the south of Iran was surveyed for Asilidae (Insecta: Diptera) during 2006–2007. Twenty six species, belonging to 19 genera and 7 subfamilies: Apocleinae (5 species), Asilinae (7 species), Dasypogoninae (2 species), Laphriinae (2 species), Laphystiinae (1 species), Leptogastrinae (1 species) and Stenopogoninae (8 species), were recorded. Of these, 5 species are new to the fauna of Iran. Additionally 2 subfamilies, 10 genera, and 22 species were recorded for the first time from Fars province. Distributional data for each species are included.

To determine the trends of caesarean section in teaching hospitals of Tehran University of Medical Sciences, a retrospective analysis was performed on the obstetric data from 3 hospitals in a 5-year period. The caesarean section rate increased from 35.4% of deliveries in 1999 to 42.3% in 2003. The data showed that there was a steady increase in elective operations that might explain the rise in overall caesarean section rate.