Bacterial Contamination of Collected Cockroaches and Determination Their Antibiotic Susceptibility in Khorramabad City, Iran.

Background: Cockroaches are one of the most important carriers of pathogenic microorganisms. Therefore, the presence of cockroaches in public places, especially in hospitals, homes, and restaurants, is dangerous, and threatens the health of society, people, and the environment. The aim of this study was evaluation of bacterial contamination of cockroaches and the sensitivity of these bacteria to various antibiotics, captured from Khorramabad City, Iran.

Pectin/chitosan/tripolyphosphate encapsulation protects the rat lung from fibrosis and apoptosis induced by paraquat inhalation.

Background: Paraquat poisoning leads to lung injury and pulmonary fibrosis. The effect of paraquat encapsulation by previously described Pectin/Chitosan/Tripolyphosphate nanoparticles on its pulmonary toxicity was investigated in present study in a rat model of poison inhalation.

Material And Method: The rats inhaled nebulized different formulation of paraquat (n = 5) for 30 min in various experimental groups.

Pectin/Chitosan/Tripolyphosphate Nanoparticles: Efficient Carriers for Reducing Soil Sorption, Cytotoxicity, and Mutagenicity of Paraquat and Enhancing Its Herbicide Activity.

As a potent herbicide capable of contaminating water and soil environments, paraquat, which is still widely used worldwide, is toxic to mammals, algae, aquatic animals, etc. Paraquat was loaded on novel nanoparticles composed of pectin, chitosan, and sodium tripolyphosphate (PEC/CS/TPP). The size, polydispersity index, and ζ potential of nanoparticles were characterized.

Copper Bioaccumulation and Depuration in Common Carp (Cyprinus carpio) Following Co-exposure to TiO and CuO Nanoparticles.

Metal oxide nanoparticles (NPs), such as TiO and CuO, are widely applied in an increasing number of products and applications, and therefore their release to the aquatic ecosystems is unavoidable. However, little is known about joint toxicity of different NPs on tissues of aquatic organisms, such as fish. This study was conducted to assess the uptake and depuration of Cu following exposure to CuO NPs in the presence of TiO NPs in the liver, intestine, muscle, and gill of common carp, Cyprinus carpio.

An epidemiological study of cutaneous leishmaniasis using active case finding among elementary school students in Pakdasht, southeast of Tehran, Iran 2013-2014.

Background: Cutaneous leishmaniasis is one of the prevalent health problems in tropical and subtropical areas including Iran. Therefore, it is essential to identify the prevalence and new foci of this disease in different regions of Iran. This study aimed to determine the epidemiology of cutaneous leishmaniasis by active surveillance in elementary schools in Pakdasht City, Southeast of Tehran, Iran 2013-2014.

The Fauna and Ecology of Mosquitoes (Diptera: Culicidae) in Western Iran.

Background: The aim of this study was to obtain new data which would be valuable to develop programs for future planning of mosquito controls in in western Iran.

Methods: Larvae and adult collections were carried out from different habitats using standard dipping and animal baited trap methods during May, June and July 2012 in two provinces (Kurdistan and Kermanshah) in the west of Iran. Characteristics of breeding places were studied based on the habitat type (River edge, Ground pool), water conditions (clear or turbid, stagnant or running), vegetation (With or without vegetation), water temperature, sunlight exposure (full or partial sunlight) and so on.

Effects of frequent announced parasitology quizzes on the academic achievement.

Background: The effect of frequent examinations on the students' learning has had inconsistent results. This study aimed to assess the effectiveness of frequent announced quizzes on the learning of a representative sample of Iranian medical students.

Methods: This experimental study was conducted among 37 fifth semester medical students who had taken the course in Protozoology and Helminthology, in which the same basic information were provided about different types of protozoa and worms.

Toxicity of Pyrethroid and Organophosphorous Insecticides against Two Field Collected Strains of the German Cockroach Blattella germanica (Blattaria: Blattellidae).

Background: The German cockroach, Blattella germanica is a major hygienic pest and mechanical vector for pathogenic agents in hospitals and residential areas. The development of insecticide resistance is a serious problem in controlling of this pest. Toxicity of four commonly used insecticides (permethrin, cypermethrin, malathion and chlorpyrifos) against two hospital- collected strains of the German cockroach was investigated.

Fauna and abundance of medically important flies of Muscidae and Fanniidae (Diptera) in Tehran, Iran.

Objective: To determine the faunal diversity of Muscidae and Fanniidae flies in Tehran, Iran.

Methods: A net-capturing by direct observing method and fly trap were used to capture adult flies. To determine the fauna of flies in different habitats, 4 biotopes including corpse (human, birds, livestock), garbage and decaying organic matters, animal carcasses and human indoor habitat were selected.