New species and records of Neanurinae (Collembola: Neanuridae) from Mazandaran Province (Northeastern Iran), with a key to Iranian species of the subfamily

Four new species of the subfamily Neanurinae, namely Cryptonura dohezarensis sp. nov., Cryptonura abmalensis sp. nov., Cryptonura sariensis sp. nov. and Neanura persica sp. nov. from different forests in the Northern Iranian province of Mazandaran are described and illustrated. C. dohezarensis sp. nov. is characterized by body without pigment, dorsal tubercles rounded, mandible with 3 teeth, tubercles Cl and Af on head separate, tubercles Di on Th II–III with 3 chaetae and tubercle L on Abd III with 3 chaetae; C. abmalensis sp. nov.—by body with bluish pigment, dorsal tubercles triangular, mandible with 4 teeth, tubercles Cl and Af on head fused, chaetae A on head absent, tubercles L on Abd II and III with 4 chaetae and tubercle De+Dl+L on Abd V with 5 ordinary chaetae; C. sariensis sp. nov.—by body with bluish pigment, dorsal tubercles rounded, mandible with 5 teeth, tubercles Cl and Af on head separate and a reduced dorsal chaetotaxy; N. persica sp. nov. belongs to the group of Neanura with ventral chaetae L’ on Abd V, without chaetae Ocp on the head and tubercles Di on Th I absent, and is characterized by one character unknown in other members of the genus, e.g., the fusion of cephalic tubercles Cl and Af. In addition four other taxa have been found in the same forests: Cryptonura persica Smolis et al., 2012 and three species that may represent new species but there is insufficient material available to prepare full descriptions (one species in the genus Cryptonura, one in Vitronura and one in Endonura). An identification key of the genus and species of Neanurinae recorded so far from Iran is given.

First report of Eimeria sp. from Eurasian wild boar (Sus scrofa) in Iran

In Iran, wild boar is distributed throughout the country, except the Central Desert. One of the important habitats of this animal is the northern mountainous area. They may pass infected faeces in these areas, which can lead to zoonotic disease, though information about parasitic infections in wild boar is rare in Iran and further study is necessary. In February 2019, a wild boar carcass was submitted to the Veterinary Parasitology Department of the Science and Research University of Tehran by the Department of Environment of Mazandaran province in order to study its parasitic infections. Faeces and the gastrointestinal tract were separated and their contents were tested using two flotation methods (Willis and Clayton-Lane), and the samples were referred to the Parasitology Laboratory of Urmia University for further study. The sample was infected with Eimeria protozoa; Eimeria porci and Eimeria neodebliecki were diagnosed based on the size and morphology factors of the isolated oocysts. This is the first report of wild boar infection by Eimeria sp. protozoa in Iran.

The Effect of Intravenous Metoclopramide on Pain, Nausea, Discomfort, and Ease of Insertion of Nasogastric Tube in Emergency Department: A Double-blind Randomized Clinical Trial

Background: Placement of nasogastric tube (NGT) is a routine procedure in the emergency departments, which can be uncomfortable, painful, and cause nausea. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of intravenous metoclopramide on the ease of NGT insertion, as well as reduction of patients’ pain, nausea, and discomfort during NGT insertion in the emergency department. Methods: In this randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial, 80 patients referred to Imam Khomeini Hospital, Mazandaran Province, Iran were enrolled. Data were collected from December 2015 to March 2016. Participants were selected via convenience sampling and randomly divided into two equal groups (placebo and intervention groups). In metoclopramide and placebo groups, 10 mg of metoclopramide and 10 mg of normal saline solution were administered, respectively. All of the NGT was inserted 15–20 mins after the intravenous infusion. Patient-reported pain, discomfort, and nausea were evaluated using visual analogue scale (VAS), at four time points including before (T0), immediately (T1), 30 min after (T2), and 1 hr after the NGT placement (T3). The ease of NGT insertion was evaluated as easy, moderate, and difficult to pass. Results: None of the patients had pain, nausea, and discomfort in T0. Additionally, for those who received intravenous metoclopramide, pain intensity significantly decreased compared with the placebo group in T1 (37.7 vs 55.0), T2 (26.2 vs 41.7), and T3 (20.5 vs 33.7), respectively (P < 0.001). Nausea intensity decreased significantly over time among patients in the intervention group compared with the placebo group in T1 (32.7 vs 43.2), T2 (19.5 vs 31.2), and T3 (9.0 vs 21.7), respectively (P < 0.001). The intensity of patients’ discomfort decreased significantly among patients in the intervention group compared with the placebo group in T1 (39.5 vs 54.0), T2 (28.7 vs 40.2), and T3 (26.2 vs 39.6), respectively (P < 0.001). Patients in the intervention group had easier placement of NGT compared with the placebo group (Easy: 40.0% vs 0.0%, Moderate: 45.0% vs 62.5%, and Difficult: 15.0% vs 37.5%; P < 0.001). Conclusion: Based on the results of the present study, it seems that intravenous metoclopramide can be used as a promising modality for improving the ease of NGT placement and reducing patients’ pain, nausea, and discomfort during NGT insertion in the emergency department.

Relative Sensitivity of Common Target Genes For The Detection of SARS-Cov-2 In Real Time-PCR

SARS-CoV-2(COVID-19) currently is the main cause of the severe acute respiratory disease and fatal outcomes in human beings worldwide. Several genes are used as targets for the detection of SARS-CoV-2, including the RDRP, N, and E genes. The present study aimed to determine the RDRP, N, and E genes expressions of SARS-CoV- 2 in clinical samples. For this purpose, 100 SARS-CoV-2 positive samples were collected from diagnostic laboratories of Mazandaran province, Iran. After RNA extraction, the real time RT-PCR assay was performed for differential gene expressions’ analysis of N, E, and RDRP. The CT values for N, RDRP, and E targets of 100 clinical samples for identifying SARS-CoV-2 were then evaluated using qRT-PCR. This result suggests N gene as a potential target for the detection of the SARS‐CoV‐2, since it was observed to be highly expressed in the nasopharyngeal or oropharynges of COVID-19 patients (P < 0.0001). Herein, we showed that SARS-CoV- 2 genes were differentially expressed in the host cells. Therefore, to reduce obtaining false negative results and to increase the sensitivity of the available diagnostic tests, the target genes should be carefully selected based on the most expressed genes in the cells.

A spatial decision support system for municipal solid waste landfill sites (case study: The Mazandaran Province, Iran)

Landfilling is an inevitable step for the municipal solid waste (MSW) management system in developing countries. This article presents a Spatial Decision Support System (SDSS) that was developed for the monitoring of municipal landfills and siting the new places for waste disposal at Mazandaran province, south of Caspian Sea, Iran. The effective criteria and evaluation constraints were chosen according to the Iran waste management law. The ArcGIS 10.4.1 software was used for creating a geospatial database and the analytic hierarchy process (AHP) was used for ranking the criteria. By integrating the criteria, a suitability map was generated into four categories: high suitability, moderate suitability, low suitability and illegal areas. Using ArcGIS online, the maps were shared on a website that was specifically designed for this purpose. The decision-makers can check online the laws, the effective criteria and the results of spatial analysis for optimal siting. Also, the results of environmental evaluations for active landfills have been provided. Given the characteristics of active landfills and the optimal sites for the possible development, the SDSS can provide a mutually beneficial relationship between the experts, decision-makers and stakeholders to decide about the priority of actions required for the relocation of landfills, site closure or emergency care.

The Effect of Play on Children's Social Skills (Case Study: Kindergarten Children in Mazandaran Province)

This study aimed to investigate the effect of play type, playtime and type of toy on children's mental development, social skills and intelligence. The kindergarten of Mazandaran province in 2012 took place. The study's statistical population included 630 kindergarten children in Mazandaran province in 2012-13. Using the Jesse and Morgan table and the simple random sampling method, 240 was considered the sample size. The data collection method was based on a questionnaire and checklist. Reliability of questionnaires using Cronbach's alpha method for Gresham and Elliott standard questionnaire (1990, 0/83), and for standard questionnaire Intelligence Mazandaran - Stanford - Binet (2009) was obtained 0/91. Also, content and structure validity was used to test the validity of the questionnaire. In content validity, the questionnaires were approved by relevant experts. Analysis of information obtained from implementing questionnaires via SPSS software in two descriptive sections mean, variance, standard deviation, frequency distribution tables and graphs and inferential test.

Investigating the relationship between quality of life and hope in family caregivers of hemodialysis patients and related factors

Background Family caregivers of hemodialysis patients are the first and most crucial source of care at home. They experience many problems in the care of hemodialysis patients, which can affect their quality of life and hope, affecting the quality of care provided to patients. This study aimed to determine the relationship between quality of life and hope in family caregivers of hemodialysis patients. Methods A cross-sectional (descriptive-analytical) study performed on 300 family caregivers in the east of Mazandaran province in Iran. Data were collected using the Family Caregiver Quality of Life (FQOL), SF8 and adult hope scale. Data analysis was performed in SPSS version 16, and a P-value of below 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results The results showed that, there was a direct and significant relationship between hope and quality of life. However, the quality of life was significantly lower in suburban residents, the unemployed, spouses, people with lower education and income levels, caregivers who cannot leave their patients alone, those living with their patients in the same house, and those taking care of male patients, compared to other participants (P < 0.05). Suburban residents, the unemployed, people with an insufficient level of income, and those living with their patients in the same house had significantly lower hope, compared to other subjects. Conclusion Since an increase of hope and quality of life of caregivers can cause improved quality of patient care, it is recommended that hope-based educational programs and interventions be implemented for caregivers.

Effect of Various Nutritional Resources on Phytochemical Traits of Some Rice Varieties Under Drought Stress Conditions

A split-plot factorial experiment with randomized complete block design with three replications was performed at Dasht-e-Naz company located in Sari city, the Mazandaran province, Iran, in 2016 and 2017. It aimed to study the phytochemical properties of rice cultivars using different nutrients (chemical, organic) under drought stress. Three levels of stress, including drought stress at the beginning of tillering stage (15 days after transplanting), active grain filling period (end of flowering and the beginning of seed filling) and lack of stress (control) were the main causes of drought stress. Irrigation was stopped for two days, and re-irrigation was performed periodically after the appearance of hairy cleavage. The type of nutrition system was considered as the sub-factors in the factorial pattern in terms of four levels of vermicomposting and Azolla compost, in the quantities of 6 and 8 tons per hectare, respectively, humic acid (4.5 litres per thousand litres of water), the conventional chemical fertilizers (NPK), and two cultivars (Shirodi and the local Tarom). The maximum paddy seed yield was obtained in the non-stress condition using humic acid in the cultivars of shirodi and local Tarom. The maximum proline content was obtained in the drought stress condition in the retransition growth stage using the conventional fertilizer in the local Tarom cultivar. Maximum free radical scavenging and phenol content was obtained in drought stress conditions applied in the mobilization phase using humic acid in local Tarom rice. The overall results of the research suggested that humic acid increases the resistance of rice cultivars against drought due to the reduction of oxidative damage compared to the other fertilizers resources and enhances the paddy seed yield by affecting the phytochemical process.