DRINO IMBERBIS (WIEDEMANN) (DIPTERA: TACHINIDAE), A PARASITOID OF MALACOSOMA DISSTRIA HUBNER (LEPIDOPTERA: LASIOCAMPIDAE) CATERPILLARS IN IRAN

Malacosoma disstria Hubner (Lepidoptera: Lasiocampidae) is a widespread generalist defoliator of a wide variety of plants in Iran. This study was conducted to identify the indigenous parasitoids of the forest tent caterpillar in the Borazjan region of the Bushehr province, Iran. Samplings were conducted in different sites within a single cabbage field heavily infested with M. disstria. The forest tent caterpillars were reared in the laboratory until the emergence of parasitoids. A parasitoid species from the family Tachinidae was found, reared, and identified as Drino imberbis (Wiedemann). Malacosoma disstria is a new host record for D. imberbis in Iran

Toxicity of neem and chinaberry extracts and additive effect of the essential oil Salvia mirzayanii on the date palm spider mite, Oligonychus afrasiaticus (Acari: Tetranychidae)

The date palm spider mite, Oligonychus afrasiaticus (MCG.), is one of the important pests of date palm in the south of Iran where the application of a wide range of chemical acaricides by growers adversely affects the quality of harvest. Acaricidal activity of water extracts from Azadirachta indica A. Juss and Melia azedarach L., on adult O. afrasiaticus, was evaluated and compared with a commerical formulation of A. indica (Neemgold) under laboratory condition. Additive effect of the essential oil of Salvia mirzayanii Rech. f. & Esfand on these plant extracts was studied through dipping the date fruits in the extracts. Both plants showed acaricidal activity against O. afrasiaticus and the LC50 were 0.06% (commercial Neemgold), 2.23% (A. indica) and 3.25% (M. azedarach). The additive effect of S. mirzayanii in combined application with palnt extracts against O. afrasiaticus was observed as well

Audit nursing reports in intubated neonates admitted in neonatal intensive care unit of Ayatollah Rouhani Hospital, Babol, Iran

Background: Accurate and complete documentation of nursing records is one of the preconditions of the evidence-based cares and is considered as one of the most important professional tasks in nursing. The aim of the present study was to audit the nursing reports in intubated neonates admitted in neonatal intensive care unit of Ayatollah Rouhani hospital, Babol. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 100 nursing reports were randomly selected from the neonatal intensive care unit. Data were collected by a researcher using a checklist which was developed in accordance with the standard and indicators of nursing documentation in national and international reliable sources and then compared after determining the content validity and reliability (observers' agreement coefficient). Data were analyzed using SPSS20, and statistical methods of Man-Whitney and Kruskal-Wallis were used at a significant level of p<0.05. Results: The quality of 93%, 1% and 6% of nursing records was good, moderate and poor, respectively. Overall, the quality of nursing records was desirable in terms of content and structure and there was no significant difference in nursing documentation record in dimensions of structure and content according to overtime (P=0.92 and P=0.11), work experience (P=0.61 and P=0.16) and age group (P=0.09 and P=0.76). Conclusions: The quality of nursing records in neonatal intensive care unit of Ayatollah Rouhani Hospital of Babol has been improved according to the Accreditation of Health Care Centers. In addition, the increase of nurses' knowledge about legal and professional issues has also been effective on improving the quality of the documentation

Laboratory features of severe vs. non-severe COVID-19 patients in Asian populations: a systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND: More severe cases of COVID- 19 are more likely to be hospitalized and around one-fifth, needing ICU admission. Understanding the common laboratory features of COVID-19 in more severe cases versus non-severe patients could be quite useful for clinicians and might help to predict the model of disease progression. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to compare the laboratory test findings in severe vs. non-severe confirmed infected cases of COVID-19. METHODS: Electronic databases were systematically searched in PubMed, EMBASE, Scopus, Web of Science, and Google Scholar from the beginning of 2019 to 3rd of March 2020. Heterogeneity across included studies was determined using Cochrane's Q test and the I2 statistic. We used the fixed or random-effect models to pool the weighted mean differences (WMDs) or standardized mean differences and 95% confidence intervals (CIs). FINDINGS: Out of a total of 3009 citations, 17 articles (22 studies, 21 from China and one study from Singapore) with 3396 ranging from 12 to1099 patients were included. Our meta-analyses showed a significant decrease in lymphocyte, monocyte, and eosinophil, hemoglobin, platelet, albumin, serum sodium, lymphocyte to C-reactive protein ratio (LCR), leukocyte to C-reactive protein ratio (LeCR), leukocyte to IL-6 ratio (LeIR), and an increase in the neutrophil, alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), total bilirubin, blood urea nitrogen (BUN), creatinine (Cr), erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate (ESR), C-reactive protein (CRP), Procalcitonin (PCT), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), fibrinogen, prothr

Global age-sex-specific mortality, life expectancy, and population estimates in 204 countries and territories and 811 subnational locations, 1950–2021, and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic: a comprehensive demographic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2021

Background: Estimates of demographic metrics are crucial to assess levels and trends of population health outcomes. The profound impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on populations worldwide has underscored the need for timely estimates to understand this unprecedented event within the context of long-term population health trends. The Global Burden of Diseases, Injuries, and Risk Factors Study (GBD) 2021 provides new demographic estimates for 204 countries and territories and 811 additional subnational locations from 1950 to 2021, with a particular emphasis on changes in mortality and life expectancy that occurred during the 2020–21 COVID-19 pandemic period. Methods: 22 223 data sources from vital registration, sample registration, surveys, censuses, and other sources were used to estimate mortality, with a subset of these sources used exclusively to estimate excess mortality due to the COVID-19 pandemic. 2026 data sources were used for population estimation. Additional sources were used to estimate migration; the effects of the HIV epidemic; and demographic discontinuities due to conflicts, famines, natural disasters, and pandemics, which are used as inputs for estimating mortality and population. Spatiotemporal Gaussian process regression (ST-GPR) was used to generate under-5 mortality rates, which synthesised 30 763 location-years of vital registration and sample registration data, 1365 surveys and censuses, and 80 other sources. ST-GPR was also used to estimate adult mortality (between ages 15 and 59 years) based on information from 31 642 location-years of vital registration and sample registration data, 355 surveys and censuses, and 24 other sources. Estimates of child and adult mortality rates were then used to generate life tables with a relational model life table system. For countries with large HIV epidemics, life tables were adjusted using independent estimates of HIV-specific mortality generated via an epidemiological analysis of HIV prevalence surveys, antenatal clinic serosurveillance, and other data sources. Excess mortality due to the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 and 2021 was determined by subtracting observed all-cause mortality (adjusted for late registration and mortality anomalies) from the mortality expected in the absence of the pandemic. Expected mortality was calculated based on historical trends using an ensemble of models. In location-years where all-cause mortality data were unavailable, we estimated excess mortality rates using a regression model with covariates pertaining to the pandemic. Population size was computed using a Bayesian hierarchical cohort component model. Life expectancy was calculated using age-specific mortality rates and standard demographic methods. Uncertainty intervals (UIs) were calculated for every metric using the 25th and 975th ordered values from a 1000-draw posterior distribution. Findings: Global all-cause mortality followed two distinct patterns over the study period: age-standardised mortality rates declined between 1950 and 2019 (a 62·8% [95% UI 60·5–65·1] decline), and increased during the COVID-19 pandemic period (2020–21; 5·1% [0·9–9·6] increase). In contrast with the overall reverse in mortality trends during the pandemic period, child mortality continued to decline, with 4·66 million (3·98–5·50) global deaths in children younger than 5 years in 2021 compared with 5·21 million (4·50–6·01) in 2019. An estimated 131 million (126–137) people died globally from all causes in 2020 and 2021 combined, of which 15·9 million (14·7–17·2) were due to the COVID-19 pandemic (measured by excess mortality, which includes deaths directly due to SARS-CoV-2 infection and those indirectly due to other social, economic, or behavioural changes associated with the pandemic). Excess mortality rates exceeded 150 deaths per 100 000 population during at least one year of the pandemic in 80 countries and territories, whereas 20 nations had a negative excess mortality rate in 2020 or 2021, indicating that all-cause mortality in these countries was lower during the pandemic than expected based on historical trends. Between 1950 and 2021, global life expectancy at birth increased by 22·7 years (20·8–24·8), from 49·0 years (46·7–51·3) to 71·7 years (70·9–72·5). Global life expectancy at birth declined by 1·6 years (1·0–2·2) between 2019 and 2021, reversing historical trends. An increase in life expectancy was only observed in 32 (15·7%) of 204 countries and territories between 2019 and 2021. The global population reached 7·89 billion (7·67–8·13) people in 2021, by which time 56 of 204 countries and territories had peaked and subsequently populations have declined. The largest proportion of population growth between 2020 and 2021 was in sub-Saharan Africa (39·5% [28·4–52·7]) and south Asia (26·3% [9·0–44·7]). From 2000 to 2021, the ratio of the population aged 65 years and older to the population aged younger than 15 years increased in 188 (92·2%) of 204 nations. Interpretation: Global adult mortality rates markedly increased during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 and 2021, reversing past decreasing trends, while child mortality rates continued to decline, albeit more slowly than in earlier years. Although COVID-19 had a substantial impact on many demographic indicators during the first 2 years of the pandemic, overall global health progress over the 72 years evaluated has been profound, with considerable improvements in mortality and life expectancy. Additionally, we observed a deceleration of global population growth since 2017, despite steady or increasing growth in lower-income countries, combined with a continued global shift of population age structures towards older ages. These demographic changes will likely present future challenges to health systems, economies, and societies. The comprehensive demographic estimates reported here will enable researchers, policy makers, health practitioners, and other key stakeholders to better understand and address the profound changes that have occurred in the global health landscape following the first 2 years of the COVID-19 pandemic, and longer-term trends beyond the pandemic

Using Evidence-Based Interventions to Improve the Completion Rates of Advance Care Directives

Background: Advance care directives reduce unnecessary suffering, improve life quality, and further engage patients and families in the decision-making process to ensure that end-of-life care preferences are considered and applied. Despite the proven benefits of advance care directives, advance directives completion rates are approximately 33% in the United States. Purpose: The purpose of this quality improvement project was to increase advance directive completion rates among patients at one clinic through an educational intervention. Methods: The intervention was used to educate patients about the benefits of advance care directives, and present opportunities for patients to complete the directive. The intervention included educational pamphlets and posters available in the clinic waiting room. The participants included patients and their families who attend the clinic. Results and Conclusion: The educational campaign resulted in a 20.3% increase in the completion rates of advance directives among the randomly selected health records. Age, gender, and race were found to be influential factors in patients’ attitudes toward completing advance directives. This quality improvement project supports the application of an educational intervention to increase the completion rates of advance directives in clinics caring for patients who are immigrants, refugees, and low-income earners

Using Evidence-Based Interventions to Improve the Completion Rates of Advance Care Directives

Background: Advance care directives reduce unnecessary suffering, improve life quality, and further engage patients and families in the decision-making process to ensure that end-of-life care preferences are considered and applied. Despite the proven benefits of advance care directives, advance directives completion rates are approximately 33% in the United States. Purpose: The purpose of this quality improvement project was to increase advance directive completion rates among patients at one clinic through an educational intervention. Methods: The intervention was used to educate patients about the benefits of advance care directives, and present opportunities for patients to complete the directive. The intervention included educational pamphlets and posters available in the clinic waiting room. The participants included patients and their families who attend the clinic. Results and Conclusion: The educational campaign resulted in a 20.3% increase in the completion rates of advance directives among the randomly selected health records. Age, gender, and race were found to be influential factors in patients’ attitudes toward completing advance directives. This quality improvement project supports the application of an educational intervention to increase the completion rates of advance directives in clinics caring for patients who are immigrants, refugees, and low-income earners

Nesidiocoris tenuis (Reuter) (Heteroptera: Miridae), a predatory species of the tomato leafminer, Tuta absoluta (Meyrick) (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae) in Iran

The tomato leafminer, Tuta absoluta (Meyrick), is a major worldwide pest of tomato crops, both in the greenhouse and in open field cultivations. Since this pest’s new introduction in Iran, it has caused extensive damage. Chemicals have mainly been used to control this pest. The purpose of our research was to identify the indigenous predators of the tomato leafminer, associated with tomato in the Borazjan region of the Bushehr province, Iran. From March to May 2014, infested tomato leaves were collected from protected tomato crops. A predator species from the family Miridae was found, reared, and identified as Nesidiocoris tenuis (Reuter 1895). This species is reported for the first time on tomato leafminer in Iran. Identification of important natural enemies provides a scientific basis for including these predators in the biological programs against this pest

Effectiveness of Positive Group Psychotherapy on Resiliency, Happiness and General Health on Women with a Substance Dependence Spouses

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of positive group psychotherapy on resiliency, happiness and general health in Women with substance dependent spouse. The research design was quasi - experimental with pre-test, post-test and one-month follow - up with the control group. The sample was comprised of women whom their spouse were referred to addiction clinic. Twenty - four women were selected and randomly assigned to experimental and control groups. Both groups were assessed by Davidson Resilience Scale, Peterson happiness directions questionnaires and General Health Questionnaire (GHQ). Positive group psychotherapy was conducted on the experimental group for 14 sessions, each session lasting 90- minutes. The data was analyzed with ANCOVA. The findings indicated that the mean scores of post-test in the experimental groups on resilience, happiness, and public health, was significantly higher than the mean scores of post-test in control group. Benferroni test was indicating the stable effect of therapy. According to the findings, it can be said that group positive psychotherapy was effective in promoting resiliency, happiness, and general health of women with the dependent drug spouses

Study of relationship between a strain of E.coli and colorectal cancer

Background and Aim: The most important factors of colorectal cancer (CRC), as a multifactorial disease is bacterial infections. The studies showed that a certain type of infection with E.coli with PKS positive strain. This strain of bacteria can be promoted colorectal cancer in patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and ulcerative colitis (UC). In fact, the E.coli with PKS gene disrupt the cell cycle by producing the colibactin as secondary metabolites of bacteria, so leads to initiation and progression of colorectal cancer. The aim of this paper is describing the latest achievements regarding molecular study of this matter in the Iranian patients with CRC. Materials and Methods: 126 colon biopsies were obtained from colorectal cancer patients (60sample) and the healthy individuals (66samples) during Aug_Dec 2013. After Isolating the E.coli and extraction of their DNA, duplex-PCR performed for PKs Island region. Results: The frequency of E.coli with Pks positive strains was 12.2% and 4% in colorectal cancer patient and healthy individuals, respectively. Conclusions: The results of this study rather than similar studies in European countries showed the lower frequencies for E. coli with PKs positive strain in patients with CRC