Survey of museum beetle (Dermestes sp.) damage to the scorpion collection in the Health Faculty of Kashan University of Medical Sciences

ABSTRACT The result showed that all the drawers containing the scorpion preservation boxes were found damaged by Dermestes sp. Totally, 210 Dermestes larvae were collected. On a average 15 larvae were collected from each drawer. The length of the mature larva was 10-12 mm. The larvae were oval shaped with bodies covered hearly by strands of hair. The incurred damages to the collections were huge because of lack of supervision. Key words : Collection, Dermestes, museum beetle, pest, scorpion

Contamination status of hospitals and health care centers by rodents (Rodentia: Muridae) in Iran

Introduction: Rats are considered as an important potential reservoir for some zoonotic diseases and have an important role in the transmission and spreading them. This research was performed with the purpose of studying the contamination status of hospitals and health care centers in Kashan. Materials and Methods: In this descriptive study, six hospitals and 17 health care centers in Kashan were studied. Traps were placed in different parts of the hospitals and health care centers. Rats were recognized based on their morphological parameters and the related information was recorded in the questionnaires. After extracting the necessary data, tables and graphs were drawn and the results were analyzed. Results: This study showed that out of six studying hospitals, four were contaminated by rats and out of these four hospitals, one unit was contaminated by Rattuss rattusus and three units by Mus musculus. Also out of 17 health care centers, four were contaminated by house mice. Discussion and Conclusion: Contamination and damage by rats in hospitals and health care centers is significant. It is recommended that authorities take necessary measures to prevent the contamination of hospitals and health care centers by rats. They should also try to control or eradicate them. Copyright © 2018 Journal of Communicable Diseases

Introducing of a new sting agent of velvet ant dentilla sp. (hymenoptera: Mutillidae) in Kashan, centerl of Iran (2014-2015)

Background: Velvet ants (Mutillid wasps) are among the venomous and stinging insects, which their existence has been reported from different areas of Iran. Objectives: Since no study has been done so far in Iran in regards to their sting, their clinical complications and their sting are studied for the first time in Kashan. Methods: In this descriptive cross-sectional study that was performed during 2014-2015, 49 individuals stung by velvet ants in the residential areas in Kashan were assessed. Identification of the sting agent was according to the morphologic specifications of the collected samples of the insect in the houses of the injured. Sting complications in the individuals were studied according to the clinical manifestation and the time of the sting, which was from June to September. Results: In this study, the sting agent was identified as velvet ants, Dentilla genus. Most sting cases were in the age group of 11-20 years with 30.5 and the lowest belonged to the age groups of 31-40 and 41-50 years. The first sign of the sting was a severe and sharp pain. The highest percentage of redness in the individuals was 47 in the first day, and the lowest belonged to four or five days after the sting with 2. Intense itching was one of the main symptoms of velvet ant stings. In the final stages of pain and itching, hemolysis and bruise signs were observed as brown spots. Conclusions: Velvet ant stings have not been reported so far from Kashan. Due to the high cases of stinging in the women carpet weaving workshops, their sitting rooms, and bed rooms, it can be concluded that this arthropod is a domestic pest. Therefore, control and prevention of its potential damages must be programmed accordingly. © 2018, Archives of Clinical Infectious Diseases

Evaluation of 5 Air Criteria Pollutants; Tehran, Iran

Aims Tehran’s uncontrolled expansion, which promoted housing, public utilities, industries and increase of vehicles caused the problem of air pollution. Necessary information about air quality in different places and different times is the first step of combating the air pollution. The purpose of this study was to investigate the annual, monthly and hourly average of 5 criteria air pollutants (PM10, O3, NO2, SO2, CO) of Tehran City, Iran. Instrument & Methods The hourly concentrations of PM10, O3, NO2, SO2, CO were obtained from 21 air quality-measuring stations of Tehran City, Iran, during April 2012 to March 2013. Data were presented by descriptive statistics in the form of mean and standard deviation. Findings CO concentration was not changed during the period of study. Nitrogen dioxide increased in spring and winter. Sulfur dioxide was not changed in the first six months of the year but its concentration increased in winter. Trend of changes of floating particles showed increasing the concentration of this pollutant in May 2012 and January 2013. Ozone concentration increased in the warm seasons and decreased in the cold seasons. Conclusion PM10, O3, NO2, SO2 and CO has high concentrations and cold periods of the year are more polluted than the warm periods in Tehran City, Iran

Determination of the concentration of heavy metals and their assessment of related potential health risk for dry black teas in kashan, iran

Tea is one of the most popular beverages being widely used by all families, especially among Iranians. Thus, the presence of any contaminants in tea can be dangerous for the health of consumers. The present study aimed to evaluate the concentration of heavy metals and their potential health risk in the dry black teas available in Kashan shops. This cross-sectional study was carried out on 31 brands of dry black tea purchased randomly from shops in Kashan, Iran in 2019. After the preparation of samples, the concentration of some heavy metals was determined by ICP-OES (Inductively Coupled Plasma/Optical Emission Spectrophotometer)based on the procedure described in the Standard Method. The evaluation carcinogenic risk was performed using related formula. Based on results of this study, the mean concentration of Fe, Zn, Cu, Ni, Cr, Pb, As and Cd was 83.42, 21.47, 19.46, 4.04, 0.72, 0.66, 0.4 and 0.04 Mgkg-1 of dry black tea, respectively. According to their associated potential health risk assessment, THQ of some heavy metals including As, Cu, Cr, Ni, Pb, Fe, Zn and Cd was 0.064, 0.023, 0.011, 9.76�10-3, 9.11�10-3, 5.76�10-3, 3.46�10-3 and 1.88�10-3 Mgkg-1day-1 and HI was less than one (0.129). Regarding the findings, it can be concluded that, the concentration of Cu, Ni and Cr in all samples of dry black tea was compatible with the Iranian and WHO standard level, while for Cd, Pb, As, Zn and Fe in some samples were more than the Iranian and WHO standard level. In addition, risk assessment analysis indicated that the consumption of the studied black tea had no carcinogenic potential risk for consumers. © 2020, Islamic Azad University. All rights reserved

Uncommon human urinary tract myiasis due to Psychoda sp. Larvae, Kashan, Iran: A case report

Contamination of human and animal body tissues with flies� larvae and diptera cause myiasis. A 26 yr old female patient refers to Kashan Shahid Beheshti Hospital, central Iran because of urogenital infection, pain in the right part of stomach, smelly and red-dish vaginal discharge and frequent urination. In the first checking, urine sample was taken. In the sample, active and alive larvae were seen. The live samples were taken to the Environmental Health Department Lab of Kashan University of Medical Sciences in clean glass jars. In the morphological survey, Psychoda sp larvae were identified. In Iran, this study is the first report of this species of larva that causes urinary myiasis. This fly larva is not carnivore or bloodsucker and feeds on bacterial agents. Obser-vance of personal hygiene especially during defecation and urination is essential to prevent contamination of this type of myiasis. © 2016, Tehran University of Medical Sciences (TUMS). All rights reserved

Study on Water Quality in the Ghohrood River of Kashan using National Sanitation Foundation Water Quality Index (NSFWQI) and its Zoning using Geographic Information System (GIS)

Background: Zoning of the water quality based on NSFWQI index is used more than other indices. The purpose of this study to evaluate the water quality of Kashan�s Ghohrood River, using National Sanitation Water Quality Index (NSFWQI) and its zoning with Geographic information system (GIS). Materials and Methods: In this study, water quality parameters of Ghohrood River are studied monthly in five different stations from October 2014 to September 2015 during 12 months in Kahsan central of Iran. Also, these data were analyzed with NSFWQI index, and finally route of river was zoned using GIS software. Results: Among the studied stations, station A had the highest and best rate of water quality by 86.87 in March. Water quality index was 60.93 in station E in August. Average studied index in stations A, B, and C in all of the months was 72-80 and in stations D and E average index was 67-69. Average index of NSFWQI had a downward slope in the warm months; so that, in the summer, the index was lower than other seasons in each station. Conclusion: Results showed that water pollution increases by increasing the distance between source of the river and station. Since the area is considered as a recreational resort especially in the spring season and the fact that around the river is used as pastures, water quality deterioration especially in D and E stations is a very important issue. Copyright (c) 2018 Journal of Communicable Disease