Resistance status of main malaria vector, Anopheles stephensi Liston (Diptera: Culicidae) to insecticides in a malaria Endemic Area, Southern Iran

Objective: To evaluate the susceptibility of Anopheles stephensi (An. stephensi) Liston, the main malaria vector in southern Iran, to WHO recommended insecticides. Methods: Larvae of An. stephensi were collected from three different larval habitats in both urban and rural area of Bandar Abbas city and one rural area in Rudan county southern Iran. WHO standard method was used for evaluation of adult and larval mosquito susceptibility. Bendiocarb, permethrin, lambda-cyhalothrin, deltamethrin as insecticide and temephos and chlorpyriphos as larvicide were used at the diagnostic dosages recommended by WHO. Results: Findings of this study showed all larval populations of An. stephensi were completely susceptible to temephos and candidate for resistance to chlorpyriphos. Adult mosquitoes in rural areas of Bandar Abbas city were resistant to pyrethroid and carbamate insecticides. Conclusion: Comparison of the results of this survey with previous studies indicates that the resistance to pyrethroids and carbamates in this malaria endemic region is increasing. Wide use of pesticides in agriculture is certainly effective in increasing resistance. The inter-sectoral coordination and collaboration in health and agriculture seem to be necessary to manage insecticide resistance in malaria vectors.

Bio-ecology of malaria vectors in an endemic area, Southeast of Iran

OBJECTIVE@#To determine some bio-ecological aspects of malaria vectors in Jask County, where is targeted for malaria elimination in the national program.@*METHODS@#Mosquitoes were collected monthly during 2013-2014 using different collection methods. Subsequently, ELISA test was used to detect the human blood index of mosquitoes. The susceptibility status of Anopheles stephensi was evaluated against the diagnostic dosages of seven WHO recommended insecticides.@*RESULTS@#A total of 3650 female and 4736 Anopheles larvae were collected including Anopheles stephensi, Anopheles culicifacies s.l., Anopheles dthali, Anopheles fluviatilis s.l., Anopheles moghulensis and Anopheles turkhodi species. Anopheles stephensi was the dominant collected species on human baits and indoors with high rate of unfed and gravid specimens in internal and external window traps. Human blood index was calculated as 14.3% for this species. It was also found to be resistant to DDT and Dieldrin.@*CONCLUSIONS@#The collected species had a wide range of habitats, and resting behaviors. With regarding to the presence of most important malaria vectors in Jask, control of the disease may be so complicated; as based on the weather condition it can be transmitted during the whole year, expect for cold months. With this strong potential of transmission, existing population movements in the area may lead to imported cases of malaria and local outbreak(s). So, more specific studies on malaria vectors in high risk areas of Jask County are recommended.

Bio-ecology of malaria vectors in an endemic area, Southeast of Iran

Objective: To determine some bio-ecological aspects of malaria vectors in Jask County, where is targeted for malaria elimination in the national program. Methods: Mosquitoes were collected monthly during 2013-2014 using different collection methods. Subsequently, ELISA test was used to detect the human blood index of mosquitoes. The susceptibility status of Anopheles stephensi was evaluated against the diagnostic dosages of seven WHO recommended insecticides. Results: A total of 3. 650 female and 4. 736 Anopheles larvae were collected including Anopheles stephensi, Anopheles culicifacies s.l., Anopheles dthali, Anopheles fluviatilis s.l., Anopheles moghulensis and Anopheles turkhodi species. Anopheles stephensi was the dominant collected species on human baits and indoors with high rate of unfed and gravid specimens in internal and external window traps. Human blood index was calculated as 14.3% for this species. It was also found to be resistant to DDT and Dieldrin. Conclusions: The collected species had a wide range of habitats, and resting behaviors. With regarding to the presence of most important malaria vectors in Jask, control of the disease may be so complicated; as based on the weather condition it can be transmitted during the whole year, expect for cold months. With this strong potential of transmission, existing population movements in the area may lead to imported cases of malaria and local outbreak(s). So, more specific studies on malaria vectors in high risk areas of Jask County are recommended.

Determination of malaria epidemiological status in Iran's malarious areas as baseline information for implementation of malaria elimination program in Iran

According to willingness of the Ministry of Health, Iran and presence of appropriate conditions for disease elimination, national malaria control program decided to conduct a research to clarify malaria status in 2007 and to provide required information to perform the elimination program. This review is comprised of the basis of national malaria elimination program in vision of 2025, which was started in 2010. In this descriptive study, data were analyzed by applications of different variables at district level. All districts in the three south eastern provinces, in which malaria has local transmission, were considered. Malaria cases has been determined and studied based on the national malaria surveillance system. Since vivax malaria is predominant in Sistan and Baluchestan Province, number of vivax cases is equal to malaria positive cases approximately. The important point is that Nikshahr contains the maximum number of local vivax cases in this province and the maximum number of falciparum cases is reported from Sarbaz district. Among all districts of Hormozgan Province, no case of autochthonous falciparum was detected except in Bandar Jask and one case in Minab. There was no case of autochthonous falciparum in Kerman Province, except in Kahnoj and Ghale Ganj that each of them had one case in 2007. It appears that the report of locally transmitted cases in Iran is increasing over the past few years, before starting malaria elimination plan. Since the Afghan refugees started to return to their own country so the main source of reporting of imported malaria cases reduced and local cases would be demonstrated more clearly

Environmental characteristics of anopheline mosquito larval habitats in a malaria endemic area in Iran

OBJECTIVE@#To determine the effects of environmental parameters of larval habitats on distribution and abundance of anopheline mosquitoes in Rudan county of Iran.@*METHODS@#This cross-sectional study was conducted during the mosquito breeding season from February 2010 to October 2011. The anopheline larvae were collected using the standard dipping method. The specimens were identified using a morphological-based key. Simultaneously with larval collection, environmental parameters of the larval habitats including water current and turbidity, sunlight situation, and substrate type of habitats were recorded. Water samples were taken from breeding sites during larval collection. Before collection of samples, the water temperature was measured. The water samples were analysed for turbidity, conductivity, total alkalinity, total dissolved solid, pH and ions including chloride, sulphate, calcium, and magnesium. Statistical correlation analysis and ANOVA test were used to analyze the association between environmental parameters and larval mosquito abundance.@*RESULTS@#In total 2 973 larvae of the genus Anopheles were collected from 25 larval habitats and identified using morphological characters. They comprised of six species: An. dthali (53.21%), An. stephensi (24.22%), An. culicifacies (14.06%), An. superpictus (4.07%), An. turkhudi (3.30%), and An. apoci (1.14%). The most abundant species was An. dthali which were collected from all of the study areas. Larvae of two malaria vectors, An. dthali and An. stephensi, co-existed and collected in a wide range of habitats with different physico-chemical parameters. The most common larval habitats were man-made sites such as sand mining pools with clean and still water. The anopheline mosquitoes also preferred permanent habitats in sunlight with sandy substrates. The results indicated that there was a significant relationship between mean physico-chemical parameters such as water temperature, conductivity, total alkalinity, sulphate, chloride, and mosquito distribution and abundance.@*CONCLUSIONS@#The results of this study showed a correlation between certain environmental parameters and mosquito larvae abundance, and these parameters should be considered in planning and implementing larval control programs.

effects of reflexology on chronic low back pain intensity in nurses employed in hospitals affiliated with Isfahan University of Medical Sciences

Humans have been involved with the phenomena of pain and pain relief from the ancient times. Back pain is the most common pain. In fact, eight out of ten people experience it in their lifetime. However, individuals with specific jobs, including nurses, are faced with this problem more. Nursing is in the top ten careers suffering from the most severe musculoskeletal injuries. There are non-pharmacologic and pharmacologic treatments to relieve back pain. One of the non-medical treatments of pain is called reflexology which is a branch of complementary and alternative therapies. This research has been conducted to investigate the effect of reflexology on chronic low back pain intensity. This study was a double-blind clinical trial. The study population consisted of 50 female and male nurses suffering from chronic low back pain working in hospitals affiliated with Isfahan University of Medical Sciences. The participants were divided into two groups of reflexology and non-specific massage. A questionnaire was completed through interviews and a 40 minute sessions of interventions were performed three times a week for two weeks. Pain intensity was measured by Numerical Analogue Scale for pain before and after the intervention. Descriptive and inferential statistics, including independent t-test and chi-square test, were used to analyze the data. The results showed a significantly higher reduction in pain intensity scores in the reflexology group after the intervention as compared with the non-specific massage group. However, the non-specific massage was also significantly effective in reducing pain. Reflexology can be effective in reducing the severity of chronic back pain, i.e. it is able to reduce pain from moderate to mild. Thus, this technique is recommended to be performed by nurses as a complementary therapy in patient care.

Effects of educational intervention on long-lasting insecticidal nets use in a Malarious area, Southeast Iran

Long-lasting insecticidal nets [LLINs] have been advocated as an effective tool against malaria transmission. However, success of this community based intervention largely depends on the knowledge and practice regarding malaria and its prevention. According to the national strategy plan on evaluation of LLINs [Olyset nets], this study was conducted to determine the perceptions and practices about malaria and to improve use of LLINs in Bashagard district, one of the important foci of malaria in Southeast Iran. The study area comprised 14 villages that were randomized in two clusters and designated as LLINs and untreated nets. Each of households in both clusters received two bed nets by the free distribution and delivery. After one month quantitative data collection method was used to collect information regarding the objectives of the study. On the basis of this information, an educational program was carried out in both areas to increase motivation for use of bed nets. Community knowledge and practice regarding malaria and LLIN use assessed pre- and post-educational program. The data were analyzed using SPSS ver.16 software. At baseline, 77.5% of respondents in intervention and 69.4% in control area mentioned mosquito bite as the cause of malaria, this awareness increased significantly in intervention [90.3%] and control areas [87.9%], following the educational program. A significant increase also was seen in the proportion of households who used LLINs the previous night [92.5%] compared with untreated nets [87.1%]. Educational status was an important predictor of LLINs use. Regular use of LLIN was considerably higher than the targeted coverage [80%] which recommended by World Heaths Organization. About 81.1% and 85.3% of respondents from LLIN and control areas reported that mosquito nuisance and subsequent malaria transmission were the main determinants of bed net use. These findings highlight a need for educational intervention in implementation of long-lasting insecticidal nets; this should be considered in planning and decision-making in the national malaria control program during the next campaigns of LLINs in Iran

Cytotoxic effect of [glycated albumin-transition metal ion] on rat hepatocyte suspension

Combination of glycation and oxidation is associated with diabetes mellitus. The aim of this study was to clarify the effect of glycated proteins in presence of transition metal ions on production of reactive oxygen species [ROS] in rat hepatocyte suspension. Glycated albumin was prepared by incubation of bovine serum albumin with 100 mM glucose in 0.3 M phosphate buffer at 37°C for 2, 4, and 6 weeks. The prepared rat liver cell suspension was treated with glycated albumin in presence of either Fe[+++] or Cu[++] ions. Produced malone-dialdehyde was measured as an indicator of ROS and of cell injury. The results showed Fe[+++] and Cu[++] ions increase the ROS production in presence of glycated albumin [p<0.01]. All prepared glycated albumin showed cytotoxicity in rat hepatocytes suspension in the presence of cupric and ferric ions, and this injury was dependent to metal ion concentration. Higher degree of glycation showed higher effect on ROS production [P<0.01] Comparing the effect of Fe[+++] and Cu[++], cupric ion had higher cytotoxic effect [p<0.01]. Conclusion: These results indicated that hepatocytes may be damaged by ROS which are produced by the interaction of the glycated albumin and transition metal ion

Effects of ubiquinol-10 and beta-carotene on the in vitro susceptibility of low-density lipoprotein to copper-induced oxidation

Dietary antioxidant intake has been reported to be inversely associated with coronary artery disease. To clarify the possible role of lipophilic antioxidants in the prevention of atherosclerosis, we investigated the effects of ubiquinol-10 and beta-carotene on the susceptibility of low-density lipoprotem [LDL] to oxidative modification. In this study, first "ubiquinol-10 and beta-carotene" were added to plasma and incubated for 3hr at 37°C. Then, the LDL fraction was separated by ultracentrifugation. The oxidizability of LDL was estimated by measuring conjugated diene[CD], lipid peroxides and thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances [TEARS] after cupric sulfate solution was added. We showed that ubiquinone-10 and P-carotene significantly [p<0.01 by ANOVA] and dose-dependently prolonged the lag time before initiation of oxidation reaction. Also, these two compounds suppressed the formation of lipid peroxides and TEARS more markedly than others. The ability of them to prolong lag time and suppression of lipid peroxides and TEARS formation resulted to be in the following order: ubiquinol-10> p-carotene.LDL exposed to the lipophilic antioxidants in vitro reduced oxidizability. These findings suggest that ubiquinol-10 and p-carotene have a role in ameliorating atherosclerosis

Effects of vitamin E volatile oils on the susceptility of low - denssity lipoprotien to oxidative modification

Antioxidant consumption has been reported to be inversely associated with the incidence of coronary artery disease. To clarify the possible role of vitamin E and volatile oils in the prevention of atherosclerosis, the effects of these compounds on the susceptibility of low-density lipoprotein [LDL] to oxidative modification were investigated. In this study, vitamin E and seven volatile oils "anethol, eugenol, geraniol, limonene, linalool, pulegone and thymol" were added to plasma and incubated at 37°C for 3 h. The LDL fraction was separated by ultracentrifugation and the oxidizability of LDL was estimated by measuring conjugated diene [CD], lipid peroxides and thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances [TBARS] after cupric sulfate solution was added. The data show that vitamin E, thymol and eugenol significantly and dose-dependently prolonged the lag time before initiation of oxidation reaction [P<0.01 by ANOVA]. Also, vitamin E and thymol suppressed the formation of lipid peroxides and TBARS more markedly than other volatile oils. The ability to prolong lag time, suppression of lipid peroxides and TBARS formation was in the following order: vitamin E > thymol > eugenol > geraniol > linalool > limonene > anethol > pulegone. These data clearly show that LDL exposed to vitamin E and volatile oils in vitro reduces oxidizability; therefore have favorable effects in ameliorating atherosclerosis

effects of lipophilic antioxidants on the affinity of LDL to its receptor: a model for prevention of atherogenesis

The affinity of low density lipoprotein [LDL] to its receptor is very important, because most of LDL-uptake pathway is done by the LDL receptor and the change in size of LDL particle and the modification in its components may affects the LDL affinity for its receptor. In this study, the effects of lipophilic agents such as vitamin E and seven volatile oils: anethol, eugenol, geraniol, limonene, linalool, pulegone and thymol have been investigated on the affinity of LDL to its receptor. LDL receptor was purified of bovine adrenal tissue. LDL was isolated by sequential density ultracentrifugation from normolipidemic human plasma. Then, LDL was labeled with fluoresein isothiocyanate [FITC] at 4°C for 24 h. Native LDL was incubated with various concentrations of each of the volatile oils and vitamin E for 2 h. Finally, the native LDL treated with volatile oils and vitamin E was incubatd with the LDL receptor in the presence of labeled-LDL at 37°C for 30 min. After incubation, the medium was centrifuged at 4000 'g for 20 min and the fluorescence intensity [FI] of supernatant from each sample was determined at excitation 495 nm and emission 515 nm. The elevation of FI in each fraction demonstrates increasing the affinity of non-labeled-LDL to its receptor. We showed that vitamin E and volatile oils increased the affinity of LDL to its receptor, and among these compounds, vitamin E and thymol are the best agents that increase the affinity of native LDL to its receptor. The effects of these compounds are as follows: vitamin E > thymol > eugenol > anethol > geraniol > linalool > limonene > pulegone. These findings raise the possibility that vitamin E and some of the volatile oils may decrease the effect of LDL in formation of atherosclerotic lesions