A new species of the genus Paracoccus (Hem.: Coccomorpha: Pseudococcidae) from Iran

The new mealybug species, Paracoccus ficus Moghaddam sp. n., collected on Ficus carica (Moraceae) in Iran, is described and illustrated based on the adult female. An identification key is presented to distinguish this new species from other mealybug species, reported on Ficus spp., in Iran

Phylogeography of Sesamia nonagrioides (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) in Iran inferred from mitochondrial DNA

Although the stem borer Sesamia nonagrioides (Lefèbvre, 1827) is one of the most destructive agricultural pests in South and Southwest Iran, the structure of these populations is not yet well understood. In this study, we sequenced two mitochondrial genes (CO1 and Cyt-b) of populations collected in cultivated sugarcane and rice in South and Southwest Iran. These genetic data of Iranian populations were compared with those of already published data from West Palaearctic (Africa and Europe). To testing the intra- and inter-population variations, different population analyses (e.g. haplotype network, haplotype and nucleotide diversity) were executed. Our results indicate a considerable genetic variation in Iranian populations of S. nonagrioides, which supports the long-term establishment of S. nonagrioides populations in Iran versus a recent invasion. Close genetic relationship of Iranian population of S. nonagrioides with a population of Central Ethiopia supports the scenario of the origin of this species from Africa to western Asia through the Trans-Arabian bridge. Our results help to explain the variation in pest status of S. nonagrioides observed across its distribution range in Iran

Factors Associated with Lamina Cribrosa Displacement After Trabeculectomy Measured by Optical Coherence Tomography in Advanced Primary Open Angle Glaucoma

Purpose: To investigate the relationship of lamina cribrosa displacement to corneal biomechanical properties and visual function after mitomycin C-augmented trabeculectomy. Method: Eighty-one primary open angle eyes were imaged before and after trabeculectomy using an enhanced depth spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (SDOCT). Corneal biomechanical properties were measured with the Ocular Response Analyser before the surgery. The anterior lamina cribrosa (LC) was marked at several points in each of six radial scans to evaluate LC displacement in response to Intraocular pressure (IOP) reduction. A Humphrey visual field test (HVF) was performed before the surgery as well as three and six months postoperatively. Results: Factors associated with a deeper baseline anterior lamina cribrosa depth (ALD) were cup-disc ratio (P=0.04), baseline IOP (P= 0.01), corneal hysteresis (P= 0.001), and corneal resistance factor (P= 0.001). After the surgery, the position of LC became more anterior (negative), posterior (positive) or remained unchanged. The mean LC displacement was -42 μm (P= 0.001) and was positively correlated with the magnitude of IOP reduction (regression coefficient: 0.251, P=0.02), and negatively correlated with age (regression coefficient: - 0.224, P= 0.04) as well as baseline cup-disk ratio (Regression coefficient: -0.212,P= 0.05) Eyes with a larger negative LC displacement were more likely to experience an HVF improvement of more than 3 dB gain in mean deviation (P= 0.002). Conclusion: A lower SDOCT cup-disc ratio, younger age, and a larger IOP reduction were correlated with a larger negative LC displacement and improving HVF. Corneal biomechanics did not predict LC displacement

Choroidal Thickness in Acute Non-arteritic Anterior Ischemic Optic Neuropathy

Purpose: To compare the choroidal thickness in eyes with acute non-arteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (NAION) with healthy contralateral eye and normal controls. Methods: Thirty-eight eyes with NAION, thirty-eight unaffected fellow eyes, and seventy four eyes from 37 healthy, age- and sex-matched subjects were included in this prospective comparative case-control study. Choroidal thickness was measured by enhanced depth imaging (EDI) of spectral domain optical coherence tomography (SDOCT). Peripapillary choroidal thickness (PCT) was measured at 1000 and 1500 μm from Bruch's membrane opening (BMO). Subfoveal choroidal thickness (SFCT) was measured in central subfoveal area, and 500 microns apart in temporal and nasal sides. Choroidal thickness among NAION eyes, uninvolved fellow eyes, and control eyes were compared. Results: The mean of PCT at 1000 μm was significantly thicker in NAION and fellow eyes compared to control eyes (169.7 ± 47, 154.4 ± 42.1, and 127.7 ± 49.9 μm, respectively, P < 0.001 and P = 0.42). The mean PCT at 1500 μm was also significantly thicker in NAION and fellow eyes compared to control eyes (178.6 ± 52.8, 162.6 ± 46.1, and 135.1 ± 59 μm, respectively, P = 0.007 and P = 0.048). The mean PCT at 1000 and 1500 μm was significantly greater in NAION compared to fellow eyes (P = 0.027 and P = 0.035, respectively). The mean of SFCT was significantly thicker in NAION compared to control eyes (P = 0.032); however, there was no significant difference between uninvolved fellow and control eyes (P = 0.248). Conclusion: Thicker choroidal thickness in acute NAION and uninvolved fellow eyes compared to normal eyes suggests a primary choroidal role in NAION pathophysiology

The Effect of Oil Shocks on Foreign Trade under Inflation and Exchange Rate Targeting Policies (In the Form of a Dynamic Stochastic General Equilibrium Model for Iran)

In this study we examined the effect of oil shocks on Iran's foreign trade in the presence of the exchange rate and inflation targeting policies. Therefore, we estimated an open economy new adjusted Keynesian DSGE model for Iran using Bayesian method under the assumption that these policies will have an important role in absorbing negative effects of oil shocks on the foreign trade. The results of model simulations show that the severity and duration of the negative effects of shock oil revenues have decreased on export and import in the case of inflation and exchange rate targeting, compared to the failure to adopt this policies. Also, the effects of the shock on the exports and imports of intermediate goods in the targeted exchange rate faster than the inflation targeting has gone out of the system, while the effects of the oil shock on imports of consumer goods in the case of inflation targeting is more quickly out of the system. In addition, in the event of a shock, changes in three variables is lower while targeted inflation. Keywords: Inflation targeting, Exchange rate targeting, Foreign trade, Oil shock, DSGE model JEL Classifications: C53, E52, E58,، F17، F1

Trabectome Surgery Combined with Baerveldt Glaucoma Implantation Negates Tube Fenestration

Purpose: To evaluate the efficacy and survival rates of the same session ab interno trabeculectomy with trabectome and Baerveldt glaucoma implant (BT) compared to Baerveldt implant alone (B). Method: A total of 175 eyes undergoing primary glaucoma surgery were enrolled in this retrospective comparative case series, including 60 eyes which underwent BT and 115 eyes which received B alone. Participants were identified using the procedural terminology codes, and their medical records were reviewed. The primary outcome measure was surgical success defined as 5 mmHg > IOP ≤ 21 mmHg and IOP reduction ≥ 20% from baseline, no reoperation for glaucoma, and no loss of light perception vision. Secondary outcome measures were intraocular pressure, the number of glaucoma medications, and best corrected visual acuity (BCVA). Results: The cumulative probability of success at 1 year was 61% in BT, and 50% in B. IOP decreased significantly from 23.6±8.9 mmHg at baseline to 13.7±3.9 mmHg at the final follow up in BT (P= 0.001). The corresponding numbers for B were 23.3±7.5 and 14.2±4.5, respectively (P= 0.001). There was no significant difference in IOP at the final follow-up (P=0.56). The number of medications at baseline was comparable in both groups (2.1±1.1 in BT versus 2.4±1 in B, p=0.07). However, BT needed statistically significant fewer drops in all postoperative time intervals and used 0.9±0.9 (BT) and 1.6±1.2 eyedrops (B) at the final follow-up visit (P= 0.004). No dangerous hypertony or hypertension occurred in BT. Conclusion: Similar rates of success and IOP reduction were observed in BT and B. Eyes who underwent trabectome surgery needed significantly fewer glaucoma medications during 1-year follow-up period while tubes did not require fenestration resulting in fewer postoperative hypotony or hypertension

Combining Baerveldt Implant with Trabectome Negates Tube Fenestration: A Coarsened-matched Comparison

Purpose: To assess the efficacy and survival rate of the Trabectome-mediated ab interno trabeculectomy combined with non-fenestrated Baerveldt glaucoma implant compared with the Baerveldt glaucoma implant alone. Method: In this retrospective comparative case series, 175 eyes undergoing primary glaucoma surgery (Baerveldt–Trabectome [BT] group: 60 eyes and Baerveldt [B] group: 115 eyes) were included. Participants were identified using the procedural terminology codes. Groups were then matched by Coarsened Exact Matching that resulted in the inclusion of 51 eyes in each group. The primary outcome measure was surgical success defined as 5 mmHg < intraocular pressure (IOP) ≤ 21 mmHg, and IOP reduction ≥ 20% from baseline, and no need to reoperation for glaucoma. Secondary outcome measures were IOP, number of glaucoma medications, and best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA). Results: The cumulative probability of success at one year was 61% in the BT group and 50% in the B group. IOP decreased from 23.5 ± 2.4 mmHg at baseline to 14.1 ± 2.7 mmHg at the final follow-up in the BT group (P = 0.001). The corresponding values for the B group were 23.2 ± 2.0 mmHg and 13.9 ± 1.6 mmHg, respectively (P = 0.001). There was no significant difference between the groups in terms of IOP at the final follow-up (P = 0.56). The number of medications at baseline was 2.3 ± 0.3 in both groups. However, the BT group needed fewer drops at all postoperative time intervals and used 1.1 ± 0.3 versus 2.0 ± 0.4 eye drops (group B) at the final follow-up visit (P = 0.004). Eyes in B with phacoemulsification had a significantly higher IOP on day 1 compared to B (23.2 ± 14.3 versus 17.9 ± 11.4, P = 0.041). During the one-year follow-up, 7 (13.7%) patients in BT group and 18 (35.2%) in B group experienced hypotony (P = 0.04). No dangerous hypotony or hypertension occurred in BT group. The mean BCVA at baseline was 0.64 ± 0.85 logMAR and changed to 0.55 ± 0.75 logMAR in BT and B groups, respectively (P = 0.663). The corresponding numbers for the final follow-up visit was 0.72 ± 1.07 and 0.63 ± 0.97 logMAR, respectively (P = 0.668). Conclusion: We observed similar rates of success and IOP reduction using BT and B techniques. BT group needed fewer glaucoma medications. Tube fenestration was unnecessary in BT group resulting in less postoperative ocular hypotony and hypertension. The results of our study indicate that additional trabectome procedure makes Baerveldt glaucoma implant safer, easier to handle, and more predictable in the most vulnerable patients with advanced glaucoma

Low Iris and Anterior Chamber Volume Associated with Deepening after Laser Peripheral Iridotomy in Primary Angle Closure Suspects

Purpose: To evaluate the association between baseline ocular variables and the opening of the anterior chamber angle by laser peripheral iridotomy (LPI) in primary angle closure suspects (PACS) using a new Fourier-domain swept-source anterior segment optical coherence tomography (FD-ASOCT). Method: Sixty-six PACS eyes of 41 individuals were included in this prospective interventional case series. An FD-ASOCT (Casia SS-1000 OCT; Tomey, Nagoya, Japan) was used to measure biometric baseline variables and at one month after the LPI. Paired t-test was used to compare the difference between pre-and post-LPI measurements. Multivariate regression analysis was used to test for an association between baseline iris thickness and volume, anterior chamber depth and volume, and lens vault with a widening of the angle after an LPI. Results: The mean age of participants was 58.6 ± 8.7 years, 682% of whom were female. The angle opening distance, recess area and trabecular iris surface area at 500 microns increased by 48 to 73% (all p<0.001). Lens vault and iris volume did not change. A low anterior chamber volume and low iris volume were associated with angle greater deepening by LPI. Conclusion: Eyes with a shallow anterior chamber and thinner irises are more likely to experience angle opening from an LPI

A survey of Erebidae, Nolidae and Euteliidae (Lepidoptera) in Southern and Northeastern of Iran.

Noctuoidea are the largest superfamily of Lepidoptera which have not yet fully investigated in Iran. In order to inventories such important group, faunistic studies on the families Erebidae, Nolidae and Euteliidae were made by light traps mainly in the three Iranian provinces of Fars, Khuzestan and Khorasan-e-Razavi during 2009-2011. Totally, 42 taxa belonging to 26 genera and 7 subfamilies were collected. Among these, one species – Drasteria kusnezovi (John, 1910) – is newly reported for the Iranian fauna, together with 23 new provincial records. For all species, illustrations of adults and their genitalia are given with remarks

Clinical Outcomes of Femtosecond Laser-assisted Implantation of 325-Degree Versus 340-Degree Arc Length Intracorneal Ring Segments in Naive Keratoconic Eyes

Purpose: To evaluate and compare clinical outcomes after femtosecond laser-assisted implantation of 325-degree versus 340-degree arc length intracorneal ring segments (ICRS) in eyes with keratoconus (KCN). Methods: In this prospective non-randomized interventional case series, 23 eyes of 21 patients diagnosed with KCN, underwent femtosecond laser-assisted implantation of two types of ICRS, which included a 325-degree ICRS (Group 325) and a 340-degree ICRS (Group 340). The primary outcome measures were uncorrected distance visual acuity (UDVA), and the secondary outcome measures included corrected distance visual acuity (CDVA), sphere, cylinder, mean refractive spherical equivalent (MRSE), keratometry, vectorial change in corneal astigmatism, and the location of maximum keratometry relative to the corneal apex. The study groups were compared using the primary and secondary outcome measures obtained at postoperative months six and 12. Results: Groups 325 and 340 consisted of 10 and 13 eyes, respectively. The two groups were comparable in terms of parameters measured preoperatively. On comparison to the baseline values, both study groups exhibited a significant increase in UDVA and CDVA measured at postoperative month six (Ps &lt; 0.05) and a significant decrease in the sphere, cylinder, spherical equivalent refraction, and keratometry readings measured at postoperative months six and 12 (Ps &lt; 0.05). No significant differences were observed between the two groups in terms of visual, refractive, and keratometric outcomes at any time point. No intraoperative or postoperative complications were observed in any of the study groups. Conclusion: Both the 325-degree ICRS and the 340-degree ICRS effectively and equally improved visual, refractive, and keratometric outcomes in keratoconic eyes