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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. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

OBJECTIVE: This study aims to design and implement a mobile application, "Viral Gastroenteritis", and assess mobile users' satisfaction with this application. METHODOLOGY: This study was conducted in February 2021 in two stages: designing and constructing a viral gastroenteritis disease application based on the Android system and investigating mobile users' satisfaction with this application. RESULTS: Six hundred individuals responded to the questionnaire in this study; 36.5 % were males, 63.5 % were females, 35% were between 20-30 years old, and 43.83% had a bachelor's degree. The study results showed that more than 95% and 90% of the participants had no trouble installing the app. The images adequately conveyed the meaning of viral gastroenteritis, respectively. CONCLUSION: According to the inquiry outcomes, this didactic software can increase users' awareness when facing viral gastroenteritis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Scorpions stings are a common medical problem in the many country in all of the world. Also this problem is there in south and south western provinces of Iran including Khuzestan. Adequate assessment of scorpion venom LD 50 is an important step for accurate evaluation of antivenom sera potencies and the optimization of Serotherapy. The aim of the present study was to determinate the LD50s of four species of Khuzestan scorpion. Samples of four scorpion species were collected from 3 city of Khuzestan using UV light technique overnight. Venom was obtained from scorpions by electrical stimulation of telson. Toxicity was determined after injecting intravenously (IV) the venom to albino mice (18-20 grams) and calculating LD50 by Spearman-Karber method. The Lethal dose (LD50) of four species of Khuzestan scorpion venin were determined. LD50 were 107, 6.5, 25 and 135 μg in albino mice 18-20 grams for Hemiscorpius lepturus, Androctonus crassicauda, Mesobuthus eupeus and Scorpio maurus, respectively. In the current study, best voltages to extract the venom of each scorpion species by electrical stimulation were also determined. Finally, it is concluded that determined LD50 is effected by the race, weight and sex of experimental animals and different route of injection, locality and season of trapped scorpions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The common bed bug (Cimex lectularius), a nocturnal blood-feeding ectoparasite, is considered an urban pest with public health importance in human environments. We aimed to determine the repellency effect of oregano essential oil, Origanum vulgare, against this pest under laboratory conditions. Methods: The essential oil was prepared from dried leaves using hydro-distillation method. A gas chromatography-mass spectrometer (GC-MS) was used for analysis and identification of oregano essential oil compounds. Treated surface method in Petri dish was carried out to evaluate repellency potential of the oil using 4th and 5th instar nymphs and adults. The concentration-repellency response of oregano essential oil was calculated and compared with a commercial insect repellent stick containing 33% N, N-diethyl-meta-toluamide (DEET). Results: The oregano essential oil consisted of 158 compounds with terpineol (22.85%) and α–terpinene (20.60%) being the major components by volume. The EC50 and EC99 of oregano oil (effective concentrations causing 50% and 90% repellency of bed bugs) were 1.61 and 6.57mg/cm2 at 9h after application, respectively. The 40% oregano essential oil exhibited 100% repellency against bed bug at 3, 5, 9 and 24h after application while the repellency index of DEET 33% was 100% at 3 and 5h and it decreased to 80% and 27% at 9 and 24 hours. Conclusion: Oregano oil 40% exhibited more repellency compared to commercial insect repellent stick containing 33% DEET. Further studies are warranted to confirm the effectiveness of oregano essential oil in personal protecting against bed bug biting. [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.)