sand fly fauna of an endemic focus of visceral leishmaniasis in central Iran

Visceral leishmaniasis due to Leishmania infantum is endemic in many rural areas of Iran. An investigation was carried out during April to November 2001 in Ghahan rural district of Qom Province, in order to identify the phlebotomine sand fly fauna. 971 sand flies were totally collected from outdoor and indoor resting places by sticky traps. Ten species of phlebotomine sand flies including 8 species of the genus Phlebotomus [Phlebotomus sergenti, P. major, P. alexandri, P. kandelakii, P. tobbi, P. brevis, P. halepensis, P. [Adlerius] sp] and 2 species of the genus Sergentomyia [Sergentomyia pawlowsky and S. theodori] were collected from outdoor and indoor resting-places by sticky traps. High indoor density of P. sergenti [46.9%] and P. major [40.4%] was found with the peak of activity in early July. Based on the results of the present study and also the related studies in other VL foci of Iran, P. major can be considered as the probable vector of the disease in the area

Medical students style

One hundred fifty six medical students [90 female, 66 male] of the Gulf Medical College, Ajman 77 of them from 4th year and 79 from 5th year; participated totally in a series of learning style investigation consisting of the Gregorc style delineator. The R. Felder index of learning style and the Long/Dziuban learning style inventory were used; the sample consisted of 18 different nationalities, and the mean age of the students was 22.3 years. There was no significant difference in learning style type of the medical students in the Gregorc style delineator and R. Felder index of learning style, demonstrating a great diversity in their learning style and showing the necessity of individualization of the students training. Female medical students demonstrated meaningful aggressive dependent general behaviour [P<0.03] in Long/Dziuban learning style inventory. Also 21, 22 and 23 years old students showed a significant aggressive dependent behaviour in the same inventory [P<0.005]. The medical students did not show any significant auxiliary trait in the Long/Dziuban learning style inventory. The female medical students' reason for choosing medicine was significantly due to knowledge acquisition, obtaining degrees and career development [P<0.005]. U.A.E., Indian and Pakistani students selected Gulf Medical College because of quality of courses. Subgrouping the students to 4th and 5th years did not change the statistical results of the study