Phylogenetic and Morphological Analyses of Androctonus crassicuda from Khuzestan Province, Iran (Scorpiones: Buthidae)

The Androctonus crassicuda is the most diverse scorpion species in the family of Buthidae, which is endemic to Khuzestan province, Iran. Investigation of the relationship of species by means of a molecular study of specimens is one of the new approaches due to the limitations of the morphological approaches. In the current study, the analysis was based on 32 morphological characteristics of A. crassicuda native to southwest Iran. Moreover, the DNA sequencing of two mitochondrial markers, namely cytochrome oxidase subunit I and 12sRNA loci was performed, and the phylogenetic tree was constructed using maximum likelihood method with 1000 replications using MEGA software (version 7). Based on the results of the phylogenetic tree, A. crassicuda was classified into a monophyletic group. However, the genetic diversity of this species populations was not significant (0.001). The highest and lowest genetic distance of A. crassicuda was compared with the reports obtained in Urmia and west Azerbaijan, Iran. There was a clear divergence between the A. crassicuda isolated from northern and southern areas of Iran. This study showed the importance of geographical and climate features of the region and genetic distance among the populations. The phylogenetic analysis of Androctonus species from other regions showed the highest and lowest genetic distance with A. gonneti (Morocco) and A. amoreuxi (Portugal), respectively. The comparison of the morphological characteristics and morphometric results revealed that metasoma characteristics are important in the identification of A. crassicuda. The results of the analysis of the morphometric values of A. crassicuda were mainly compatible with the phylogenetic trees and supported the traditional morphological classification, thereby presenting a clearly definition of the genera of Androctonus species.

Effect of Pulse Therapy with Glucocorticoids and Cyclophosphamide in Patients with Paraquat Poisoning

Introduction

Paraquat (PQ) is a widely used herbicide with a high mortality rate when ingested. The aim of the present study was to assess the effectiveness of repeated cyclosphosphamide (CP) and methylprednisolone (MP) combination in the treatment of PQ poisoning.

Design

Randomised, double-blinded, placebo-controlled trial.

Methods

Eligible participants were 47 patients with moderate to severe PQ poisoning within 24 hours of hospitalisation. Patients were allocated in a random fashion, 24 as the intervention and 23 as the control group. All patients received two cycles of eight hours of haemoperfusion with charcoal, and underwent emergency haemodialysis. After the dialysis, the intervention group received 15 mg/kg CP for two days and 1g MP for three days. The control group received routine supportive care. Outcome parameters, including mortality, incidence of hypoxia, hepatitis and renal failure were compared between the two groups.

Results

There were no significant differences between the two groups with regard to age, sex, baseline liver function test, creatinine, time from poisoning to dialysis, and time from poisoning to the hospitalisation. Although the incidence of hepatitis and acute renal failure did not differ significantly between the two groups, the incidence of hypoxia and mortality rate was lower in the intervention group. The number need-to-treat to reduce one mortality was 2.8.

Conclusion

The results suggest that CP and MP repeated treatment can reduce the mortality rate in moderate to severe PQ intoxication.

Adapting research to local contexts based on the model of Campinha-Bacote for cultural competence: a case scenario of 3 ethnic groups in the Islamic Republic of Iran

This article examines the issue of cultural competence in qualitative cross-cultural mental health research. Conducting qualitative research on mental health and illness requires the researchers to acquire sensitivity to different cultures and develop the skills of cultural competence. We outline the main aims and steps of implementation when incorporating concepts of cultural competence into a qualitative research study. We present a case scenario from studies on women's depression in 3 ethnic groups (Fars, Kurd and Turk) in the Islamic Republic of Iran. The article presents a brief overview of the Campinha-Bacote model and addresses the 5 major constructs of cultural competence as they were applied in the 3 phases of the research process.

An Explanatory Model of Depression among Female Patients in Fars, Kurds, Turks Ethnic Groups of Iran

BACKGROUND

Depressive disorder is globally estimated to be as many as one in five visits to primary health care. Approximately more than 50% of depressed women in primary care are not diagnosed. As a part of a major investigation into perceptions of women's depression, this study explored how female patients and their relatives conceptualize patients' conditions in three ethnic groups in Iran (Fars, Kurds and Turks).

METHODS

Qualitative methods were used for data collection. Depressed women and their relatives were purposively selected from the public psychiatric clinics affiliated to university of medical sciences in the three study cities. Twenty-five depressed women and 14 relatives were interviewed in three ethnic groups.

RESULTS

One theme "illness meaning", including three categories: perceived symptoms, label of the illness, and effects of the illness was found through the content analysis. The participants perceived symptoms of illness as somatic and psychological depending on the participant's assumed reason for the onset of the illness. There were most similarities in term used for of the illness in the three ethnic groups. Most of the study participants described the illness in terms of nerve problems/illness, and depression "afsordehgi". The most important effects that depressed women had experienced because of their illness were marital conflict or a guilt feeling originating from their inability to support family.

CONCLUSION

These findings suggest the need to recognize and choose appropriate diagnostic approach for depressed women in the context of Iran.

[Diagnosis and differential diagnosis of pericardial effusion]

The clinical, hemodynamic and radiologic signs of pericardial effusion are reviewed. From the symptomatic point of view low pressure (lax) pericardial effusion and compressive effusion (tamponade) are to be distinguished. Echocardiography is today the preferred method for study of patients with suspected pericardial effusion. This technique also provides insight into ventricular performance and is therefore helpful in the differential diagnosis of cardiomegaly due to pericardial effusion, heart failure or both. In our material uremic pericarditis, malignant tumors and leukemia were the predominant causes of pericardial effusion.

[Proceedings: Results of early surgery in infectious endocarditis]

23 patients with infective endocarditis have been treated surgically during the period 1965 to 1975. 20 patients underwent operation for intractable heart failure, complicated in 4 instances by systemic embolization and in 4 others by intractable infection. Two patients were operated upon only for intractable infection and one patient for severe hemolysis. There were 5 early deaths within 12 days and 2 late deaths 2 and 21 months after operation. Four months to 9 1/2 years after operation 16 patients were alive, only one of whom had mild heart failure. The best prognosis (1 death) was apparent in the 12 patients who underwent operation for intractable heart failure only.