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We used MoS2 nanosheets (MoS2 NSs) for surface modification of screen-printed electrode (MoS2NSs-SPE) aimed at detecting isoniazid (INZ) in the presence of acetaminophen (AC). According to analysis, an impressive catalytic performance was found for INZ and AC electro-oxidation, resulting in an appreciable peak resolution (~320 mV) for both analytes. Chronoamperometry, differential pulse voltammetry (DPV), linear sweep voltammogram (LSV), and cyclic voltammetry (CV) were employed to characterize the electrochemical behaviors of the modified electrode for the INZ detection. Under the optimal circumstances, there was a linear relationship between the peak current of oxidation and the various levels of INZ (0.035–390.0 µM), with a narrow limit of detection (10.0 nM). The applicability of the as-developed sensor was confirmed by determining the INZ and AC in tablets and urine specimens, with acceptable recoveries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To determine the diversity of sand flies in different biotopes of mountainous and plain areas of Bam County as the most infected focus of anthroponotic cutaneous leishmaniasis in southeast Iran, and synanthropic index of Phlebotomus sergenti Parrot, and Phlebotomus papatasi Scopoli as the main vectors of cutaneous leishmaniasis in Iran. Methods: Sand flies were captured once a month using sticky traps in domestic, peri-domestic, agricultural, and sylvatic biotopes in the plain and mountainous areas. Alpha diversity indices, including richness, evenness, Shannon-Wiener; beta diversity indices (Jaccard's and Sorensen's similarity indices) and synanthropic index were calculated. Results: A total of 2 664 specimens of 9 sand fly species were collected from mountainous (47%) and plain (53%) areas. Species richness, species evenness, and Shannon-Wiener indices were obtained as 9, 0.637, and 1.399, respectively in the mountainous area. Phlebotomus sergenti and Phlebotomus papatasi were constant species with the synanthropic index of -18.463 and -29.412, respectively. In addition, species richness, species evenness, and Shannon-Wiener indices were 4, 0.690, and 0.956, respectively in the plain area. Phlebotomus sergenti and Phlebotomus papatasi were dominant species with the synanthropic index of +9.695 and +36.207, respectively. Similarity indices were low among different biotopes of plain and mountainous areas. Conclusions: A basic knowledge about the diversity of sand flies in various biotopes is essential to design sound control programs. Biodiversity and synanthropic indices of sand flies are different in plain and mountainous areas due to the difference in biotic and abiotic factors between the two areas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Culex quinquefasciatus (Diptera: Culicidae) is an important vector for many human diseases. The aim of this study was to evaluate the susceptibility level of larval and adult stages of Cu. quinquefasciatus to different groups of WHO recommended insecticides for vector control. Methods: Larval stages of the Culex mosquitoes were collected from their natural habitats in Rafsanjan County at Kerman Province, southeast of Iran in 2016. Insecticide susceptibility status of adult female Cx. quinquefasciatus against DDT (4%), deltamethrin (0.05%), malathion 5%, and bendiocarb (0.1%) were determined using WHO standard insecticide susceptibility test. Additional test was carried out to determine the susceptibility status of larvae of Cx. quinquefasciatus to temephos. Bioassay data were analyzed by Probit program. Results: Cx. quinquefasciatus adults showed resistance to all four groups of the tested insecticides according to the WHO criteria for resistance evaluation. The lethal concentrations for 50% mortality (LC50) and 90% mortality (LC90) of temephos against Cx. quinquefasciatus larvae were 0.18mg/l and 0.78mg/l, respectively. This finding also confirms resistance to temephos based on the WHO recommended instructions for resistance evaluation. Conclusion: Resistance to all groups of the tested insecticides should be considered for future vector control investigations in the study area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Anopheles maculipennis complex species is considered as one of the most important species complexes with 12 species and significant role in the transmission of important diseases such as malaria, lymphatic filariasis and multiple Arboviral infections. The aim of the present study was to analyze Internal Transcribd Spacer (ITS) 2 fragment among Anopheles maculipennis species complex in West Azerbaijan Province, Iran and also to identify different species of An. maculipennis using ITS2 fragment. Adult and larval specimens of different mosquitoes' species were collected from the northern, southern and central parts of West Azerbaijan Province. Adult mosquitoes were collected using standard methods of indoor and outdoor hand catch, human and animal bait and light traps. Also larvae were caught using dipping method during May- Sep 2016. After DNA extraction, ITS2 fragment was amplified and analyzed using Bioinformatics tools. Totally, 271 specimens belonged to Genus Anopheles [158 samples of An. maculipennis (adult: 50, Larvae: 57), 101 An. claviger (adult: 21, larvae: 80) and 12 specimen of An. superpictus (adult: 3, larvae: 9)] were collected from different parts of the province. Also, the presence of at least two species of Anopheles maculipennis species complex (An .maculipennis and An. Persiensis) was concluded. Based on the reported differences between these species, accurate identification of these species in terms of their ecology, vectorial capacity and their insecticide resistance profile is recommended. Also, other molecular markers such as COI, should be examined for better resolution of species composition in An. maculipennis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Kerman Province is one of the endemic foci of scorpionism in southeastern Iran. Totally 17 species are reported for Kerman Province fauna. The current study seeks to determine the fauna of medically important scorpions in northern parts of this province., Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted from January 2019 to March 2021. The specimens were captured from different areas, by rock-rolling during day and using Ultraviolet light at night. The specimens were preserved in ethanol (80%) and then identified using reliable identification keys for scorpions., Results: Totally, 499 specimens were captured from eight cities in northern Kerman. In total, 11 species belonging to three families were identified. Buthacus sp. is reported for the first time from Kerman Province. Buthacus sp., Hottentotta cf. juliae , and Hottentotta cf. schach , were the lowest in frequency of occurrence, against Mesobuthus navidpouri as the highest frequency., Conclusion: The results of this study are useful for the preparation of regional or monovalent antivenom for the Razi Vaccine and Serum Research Institute. Additionally, the obtained data are useful for the effective planning of scorpion control programs in the northern parts of Kerman Province, Iran., (Copyright © 2023 The Authors. Published by Tehran University of Medical Sciences.)

The electrocatalytic performance of carbon paste electrode (CPE) modified with ferrocene-derivative (ethyl2-(4-ferrocenyl[1,2,3]triazol-1-yl)acetate), ionic liquid ( n -hexyl-3-methylimidazolium hexafluorophosphate), and CoS 2 -carbon nanotube nanocomposite (EFTA/IL/CoS 2 -CNT/CPE) was investigated for the electrocatalytic detection of hydrazine. CoS 2 -CNT nanocomposite was characterized by field emission scanning electron microscopy, X-ray powder diffraction, and transmission electron microscopy. According to the results of cyclic voltammetry, the EFTA/IL/CoS 2 -CNT-integrated CPE has been accompanied by greater catalytic activities for hydrazine oxidation compared to the other electrodes in phosphate buffer solution at a pH 7.0 as a result of the synergistic impact of fused ferrocene-derivative, IL, and nanocomposite. The sensor responded linearly with increasing concentration of hydrazine from 0.03 to 500.0 μM with a higher sensitivity (0.073 μA μM -1 ) and lower limit of detection (LOD, 0.015 μM). Furthermore, reasonable reproducibility, lengthy stability, and excellent selectivity were also attained for the proposed sensor. Finally, EFTA/IL/CoS 2 -CNT/CPE was applied for the detection of hydrazine in water samples, and good recoveries varied from 96.7 to 103.0%., Competing Interests: The authors declare no competing financial interest., (© 2021 The Authors. Published by American Chemical Society.)

Cutaneous Leishmaniasis (CL) is one of the main neglected vector-borne diseases in the Middle East, including Iran. This study aimed to map the spatial distribution and species composition of sand flies in Hormozgan Province and to predict the best ecological niches for main CL vectors in this area. A database that included all earlier studies on sand flies in Hormozgan Province was established. Sand flies were also collected from some localities across the province. Prediction maps for main vectors were developed using MaxEnt model. A total of 27 sand fly species were reported from the study area. Phlebotomus papatasi Scopoli, Phlebotomus sergenti s.l. Parrot, Phlebotomus alexandri Sinton, Sergentomyia sintoni Pringle, Sergentomyia clydei Sinton, Sergentomyia tiberiadis Adler, and Sergentomyia baghdadis Adler (Diptera: Psychodidae) had the widest distribution range. The probability of their presence as the main vectors of CL was calculated to be 0.0003-0.9410 and 0.0031-0.8880 for P. papatasi and P. sergenti s.l., respectively. The best ecological niches for P. papatasi were found in the central south, southeast, and a narrow area in southwest, whereas central south to northern area had better niches for P. sergenti s.l. The endemic areas are in Bandar-e Jask, where transmission occurs, whereas in Bastak, the cases were imported from endemic foci of Fars province. In conclusion, proven and suspected vectors of CL and VL were recorded in this study. Due to the existence of endemic foci of CL, and favorite ecological niches for its vectors, there is potential risk of emerging CL in new areas.