Biology, ecology, and biogeography of eremic praying mantis Blepharopsis mendica (Insecta: Mantodea).

Background: Blepharopsis mendica (Fabricius, 1775) is a large mantid species found from the Canary Islands across North Africa, the Middle East, and Pakistan. Research on this species has been limited, especially in Iran, despite the country's potential significance for studying its biology and distribution. Adults of this species are easily recognizable by their marble-white pattern and rhomboidal leaf-like pronotum. They are sit-and-wait predators that inhabit various open environments. Methods: Field observations were conducted across various regions of the Egyptian Flower mantis (Blepharopsis mendica) global distribution, with a focus on Morocco, Tunisia, and Iran. Distribution data for B. mendicawere gathered from fieldwork, museum collections, online biodiversity databases, and publications, totaling 593 occurrence points. Ecological niche modeling was performed using environmental data, and various models were evaluated for suitability. Phylogeographic analyses involved DNA sequencing and construction of a haplotype network to examine genetic relationships between populations. Divergence time estimation and biogeographical range expansion models were applied to explore historical distribution shifts of the species across different regions. The study provided comprehensive insights into the biology, distribution, and genetic history of B. mendica. Results: We provide information on the life cycle, ootheca, defense behavior, habitat, and biogeography of the Egyptian Flower mantis Blepharopsis mendica. This mantid is an overwintering univoltine species with nymphs emerging in summer and becoming adults in spring. In the wild, females start oviposition in April and can lay their first ootheca within a week after mating. The species is distributed from the Canary Islands to Pakistan in the dry belt. Thus, its distribution is associated with xeric areas or desert and semi-desert habitats. Phylogeographic analyses revealed three major genetic lineages, (i) in the Maghreb, (ii) from Egypt via Arabia to Iran (with internal substructures), and (iii) likely in Pakistan; the estimated onset of differentiation into these lineages is of Pleistocene age. Defense behavior involves flying away or extending wings broadly and lifting forelegs. Performing laboratory breeding, we documented life cycle and color changes from first instar to adulthood. Due to overwintering, the last larval instar needs considerably longer than the others. At 25 °C (±2), average adult life span was 118 days (±6 SD) for females (range: 100-124) and 46 days (±5 SD) for males (range: 39-55), with a significant difference among sexes. On average, oothecae contained 32.3 eggs (±10.1 SD) and the mean incubation period was 36.8 days (±2.9 SD). We did not find evidence of parthenogenesis. In general, the biology of B. mendica shows a variety of adaptations to its often extreme and little predictable type of habitat.

Life history and biogeography of the enigmatic mantid Nilomantisfloweri (Mantodea, Nanomantidae).

The biology and distribution patterns of the Sahelian mantid species Nilomantisfloweri are still insufficiently known. For the first time, records are confirmed of this species from Iran and the distribution map of its native range is updated. Records are compiled from the Sahel zone of North Africa, the Arabian Peninsula, and Iran. Detailed information on its biology, oothecal characteristics, male genitalia variation, and intraspecific molecular diversity in the mitochondrial gene cytochrome c oxidase are provided, and ecological niche modelling was used to gain insight into the overall species distribution and understand its climatic niche limits. Genetic analysis revealed only one haplotype shared between Iran and Oman. The Iranian populations likely represent two distinct clusters, both more related to the diverse Oman haplotypes than to each other. Based on new data, N.floweri appears to be mostly associated with coastal areas in southwestern Asia, with the vast majority of records found along the Red Sea, Persian Gulf, and Oman Gulf coasts. This distribution contrasts markedly with N.floweri records in the Sahel, where most collections have been reported in the transitional zone between the southern Sahara and arid thorn savannah, far off the coast. This study contributes to a comprehensive understanding of this still enigmatic mantid species.

Reactions and perspectives of medical students on workplace violence during clinical training in Ardabil, Iran, 2020.

BACKGROUND: Workplace violence continues among medical students in training. This study aimed to determine the reactions and perspectives of medical students against workplace violence during clinical training in Ardabil University of Medical Sciences in Iran, 2020. MATERIALS: This descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted on 300 medical students from April to March 2020, in the Ardabil university hospitals. Students with at least one year training in the university hospitals were eligible to participate. Data was collected via questionnaires administered in the health ward. Data was analyzed through SPSS 23 software. RESULTS: Most respondents had experienced workplace violence in the form of verbal (63%), physical (25.7%), racial (23%) and sexual (3%) violence during clinical training. Men were the aggressors during violence of a physical (80.5%), verbal (69.8%), racial (76.8%) and sexual (100%) nature (p < 0.001). When encountered with violence, 36% of the respondents did not take any action and 82.7% of respondents failed to report the incident. For 67.8% of respondents that did not report of violence incident, this procedure was deemed pointless, while 27% of respondents considered the violent incident insignificant. The main reason for workplace violence was perceived to be a lack of awareness of people about staff duties (67.3% of respondents). According to 92.7% of respondents personnel training was the most important factor in preventing workplace violence. CONCLUSIONS: The findings suggest that the majority of medical students during clinical training in Ardabil Iran (2020) have been exposed to workplace violence. However, most students did not take any action or report the incident. Targeted personnel training, increase awareness of workplace violence, and encouragement of reporting these incidents should be promoted to reduce violence to medical students.

Parametric thermodynamic analysis and economic assessment of a novel solar heliostat-molten carbonate fuel cell system for electricity and fresh water production.

With the ever-rising paces of fuel consumption and CO2 emission, the urge for renewable energy resources is becoming a challenge in today's world; especially for Iran that has started to reduce its fuel subsidies. The need for electricity and fresh water in the southern coastal regions of the country is increasing with the increase in the population. The high solar radiation level in the region is a promising alternative to mitigate the fuel consumption of the conventional power or desalination plants by the solar thermal source through the concentrated solar technology. In addition, the CO2 emission of the aforementioned plants significantly diminishes by using the molten carbonate fuel cell that is suitable for the CO2 capture. Furthermore, the combination of different power and water technologies, which are operating at different temperatures and pressures, leads to enhance the overall efficiency of the integrated systems. To this end, a novel integrated power/water plant comprising a solar tower, a molten carbonate fuel cell, a gas turbine, a solar Rankine cycle, an organic Rankine cycle, a multi-effect distillation, and reverse osmosis desalination was techno-economically investigated. The multi-objective genetic algorithm was used to find the optimum configuration of the system with the low amount of CO2 emissions, and low unit costs of the electricity and fresh water. The results showed that the most effective parameter on system performance is the operating pressure of the molten carbonate fuel cell. For the optimum configurations of the system, the electricity unit of the cost was found as a value between 0.022 and 0.025 $/kWh. Part of the electricity unit of the cost that is associated with the output power that is generated based on solar thermal energy was obtained as a value between 0.08 and 0.092 $/kWh. In addition, the average unit cost of fresh water was obtained as 1.21 $/m3. The payback period of the system was obtained as 10.44 years if the electricity and fresh water are sold as 0.023 $/kWh and 1.21 $/m3. This can be reduced to 2.88 years for the electricity and fresh water selling prices of 0.069 $/kWh and 1.40 $/m3, respectively. Based on the results, the system with the solar thermal resource will be economically justifiable if the fuel price is increased.

A new species of Liophloeothrips (Thysanoptera, Phlaeothripidae) from leaf litter from Iran.

Of the 16 species listed in the genus Liophloeothrips (ThripsWiki 2018), 13 are known only from India, and all of these are phytophagous with some inducing galls in various plant families (Tyagi Kumar 2011). However, the biology of the type species, L. glaber, as well as that of the other two species, L. hungaricus and L. pulchrisetis, remains in doubt. Each of these three species is from Europe, with L. pulchrisetis known from a single female, L. glaber from two specimens, and hungaricus recorded from Hungary, Finland and Iran on a very few individuals (Minaei Mound 2014). The record of L. hungaricus from Iran was published without any information concerning the locality, date of collection, or number of specimens (Mortazawiha 1995). However, Minaei and Mound (2014) pointed out that the slide label data of L. hungaricus specimens from Europe suggested that this species is associated with the bark of certain Salicaceae. Moreover, they indicated the possibility that the three names might actually represent a single species, although the male of L. glabrus has a sternal pore plate whereas this is apparently absent in hungaricus. Given the few known specimens, it is not possible to know if these thrips live under bark and feed on fungal hyphae, or if the few specimens collected were actually leaf-feeders that were sheltering under bark. In this paper, a new species of the genus is described from southern Iran, based on both sexes. These specimens were extracted from leaf litter using a Berlese funnel, thus again it is not possible to be certain if the species is part of the community of fungus-feeding litter thrips, or if the specimens were merely sheltering.

Fungus-feeding thrips in Iran with a new species of Stictothrips (Thysanoptera: Phlaeothripidae).

An illustrated key is provided to distinguish 13 genera of fungus-feeding thrips recorded from Iran in both subfamilies of Phlaeothripidae (Idolothripinae, Phlaeothripinae). Information is provided concerning 16 species recorded from this country. A curious new species of Stictothrips is described from both sexes collected from dead leaves in Fars province, southern Iran.

The first detection of Amblyomma hebraeum (Acarina: Ixodidae) in Iran.

Amblyomma hebraeum (Koch, 1844), has been already reported from along the coast of South Africa, eastern Swaziland, southern Mozambique, eastern Botswana, and in southern and eastern regions of Zimbabwe. The aim of this study was to determine the ecto-parasites and the harmful arthropods of wildlife animals, collected from cages of Shiraz zoo in Fars province, southern Iran, in 2016. Accordingly, the Ticks collected from the white camels were identified as Amblyomma hebraeum. This species which was collected from white camel of Fars province, is reported for the first time from Iran. The presence of A. hebraeum poses a serious threat to the livestock industry in Iran and there is need to investigate the presence of this species in Iranian livestock.

A survey of basal insects (Microcoryphia and Zygentoma) from subterranean environments of Iran, with description of three new species.

A survey of wingless insects belonging to the orders Microcoryphia (=Archaeognatha) and Zygentoma (=Thysanura s. str.) has been performed in subterranean habitats of central Iran. As a result, several new species have been discovered. In this work, three new species are described: a new species of bristletail of the family Machilidae, Haslundiellairanica sp. n., a new silverfish of the family Lepismatidae, Ctenolepismasubterraneum sp. n., and a new Nicoletiidae, Lepidospora (Brinckina) momtazianasp. n. These new taxa are compared with related species in their respective genera and keys for their identification are provided: one for all known species of Haslundiella and one for all basal insects of subterranean environments of Iran which includes those previously reported. Moreover, the previously published keys of Iranian Ctenolepisma and the subgenus Brinckina are modified to include the new species. Three additional species of Lepismatidae are reported in this work: Neoasterolepìsma palmonii and Ctenolepismatargionii are newly recorded from Iran and both species, together with Acrotelsacollaris, are cited for the first time in the subterranean habitats. This survey progresses the knowledge on the biodiversity of these insects in Iran.

Discovery of representatives of the family Nicoletiidae (Insecta: Zygentoma) from caves of Iran, with descriptions of two new supraspecific taxa.

The first records of the family Nicoletiidae in Iran are given, based on material from subterranean habitats in Fars Province. Two new species are described, one belonging to a new genus of Atelurinae, Persiatelurina farsiana gen. n. sp. n., the other to the genus Lepidospora but representing a new subgenus, Brinckiletinia subgen. n., this new subgenus is close to the subgenus Brinckina, but lacks scales on the thorax. Both new taxa are compared with related species. Nipponatelurina caucasica Kaplin, 2016 is transferred to Persiatelurina caucasica n. comb. The new atelurine was collected in Momtaz and Khan Caves and Lepidospora (Brinckiletinia) malousjanica sp. n. was found in Malousjan Cave. An additional specimen of Lepidospora was collected in Momtaz Cave, and although its specific identity is not clear, it represents a third taxon belonging to the subgenus Brinckina. Data about the habitats of these subterranean Nicoletiidae are presented.

Study of Laemostenus species across Zagros and Central zone of Iran, with the description of seven new cavernicolous species and notes on subgenus Iranosphodrus (Coleoptera: Carabidae: Sphodrini).

The species belonging to the Sphodrine genus Laemostenus Bonelli, 1810 from central and southern Zagros Mts. and central zones of Iran were studied. Two new species-groups of the subgenus Antisphodrus Schaufuss, 1865 are proposed, and seven new species belonging to subgenera Antisphodrus Schaufuss, 1865 and Iranosphodrus Lohaj & Casale, 2011 are described. Morphological characters of the habitus and shape of male genitalia were used to delimit the species. New species of subgenus Antisphodrus are: L. (A.) zagrosensis sp. nov. and L. (A.) speleophilus sp. nov. from Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari province, and L. (A.) farsicus sp. nov. from Fars province (zagrosensis species-group); Laemostenus (A) zakariyiensis sp. nov. from Fars province (aequalis species-group), and L. (A.) shirazensis sp. nov. from Fars province (glasunowi species-group).  Based on the newly collected material, the subgenus Iranosphodrus is redefined and two new species from Yazd province are described: L.(I.) yazdensis sp. nov. and L.(I.) troglophilus sp. nov. An identification key for the Laemostenus species of the studied area is provided, and a check list for Iranian representatives of subgenera Antisphodrus and Iranosphodrus are given.

Foranotum perforatum gen. et sp. nov.-a new troglobitic darkling beetle (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae: Kuhitangiinae: Foranotini trib. nov.) from a cave in Southern Zagros, Iran.

The troglobitic darkling beetle Foranotum perforatum gen. et sp. nov. from a cave in Southern Zagros Mountains (Iran) is described. This new taxon belongs to the family Tenebrionidae based on the following combination of characters: tarsal formula 5-5-4, antennal insertions concealed from above, antennae 11-segmented, mesocoxal cavities laterally closed by meso- and metaventrite. It is close to Kuhitangia kryzhanovskii Medvedev, 1962 by sharing a similar structure of procoxa (open cavities), labrum (reduced tormal arms) and prothorax (perforating holes on lateral sides of disc). Based on a comprehensive character analysis the subfamily Kuhitangiinae (type genus Kuhitangia Medvedev, 1962) is reestablished. Kuhitangiinae belongs to the pimelioid branch of the family Tenebrionidae based on open mouthparts (mentum small, exposing most of maxillae), mesocoxae externally closed by meso- and metaventrite, metacoxae externally narrowly closed by metaventrite and first abdominal ventrite, tentyrioid structure of abdominal ventrites (absence of membranes between abdominal ventrites 3-5) and absence of defensive glands. The subfamily Kuhitangiinae is divided into following two tribes: Kuhitangiini with a single species Kuhitangia kryzhanovskii Medvedev, 1962 and Foranotini trib. n. with Foranotum perforatum sp. nov. The new tribe differs from Kuhitangiini by the presence of trochanters and epipleura, structure of pronotum, abdominal ventrites and sculpture of meso- and metaventrites.

Mediterranean Recluse Spider, Loxosceles rufescens (Araneae: Sicariidae) from Charkhab Cave, Southern Iran.

BACKGROUND: The best-known dangerous spiders belong to the six genera. The genus Loxosceles or violin spiders are well known for their ability to cause skin necrosis or loxoscelism. All Loxosceles species have medical importance due to their necrotizing venom. The present article reports the occurrence of L. rufescens in Charkhab Cave, south of Iran (Larestan). METHODS: The specimens were collected from the Charkhab Cave using handling forceps, paintbrush and aspirator and preserved in 96% ethanol. RESULTS: Loxosceles rufescens, a medically important spider, is recorded from Charkhab Cave in Fars Province (southwest of Iran). Identification of L. rufescens was performed based on external morphology and the features of male genitalia. CONCLUSION: Presence of L. rufescens in south of Iran especially in a cave confirmed that this species is a widely distributed species in Iran. Therefore, cavers or cave visitors should be aware of this poisonous spider in caves.

The Effects of Smoking on Expression of IL-12 and IL-1ß in Gingival Tissues of Patients with Chronic Periodontitis.

AIM: The purpose of this study was to compare IL-1ß and IL-12 gene expression in the gingival tissue of smokers and non-smokers either with healthy periodontium or with chronic periodontitis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 41 individuals consisting of 21 healthy controls (11 non-smokers and 10 smokers) and 20 chronic periodontitis patients (10 non-smokers and 10 smokers) participated in this study. Samples were collected from papillary regions of targeted areas and cytokines were analyzed using Real Time PCR. Shapiro-Wilk, Mann-Witney and Independent T tests were employed for statistical analysis. RESULTS: IL-1ß gene expression in gingival tissue of non-smoker group with chronic periodontitis was significantly higher than non-smoker-healthy group (p=0.011). Smoker-chronic periodontitis group showed lower IL-1ß gene expression than non-smoker-chronic periodontitis group (p=0.003). IL-12 gene expression was not significantly different between analyzed groups. CONCLUSION: IL-1ß gene expression increases in gingival tissue of non-smoker-chronic periodontitis patients due to inflammatory processes but smoking reduces the expression of this cytokine in diseased periodontal tissues. On the other hand periodontal condition and smoking habits do not seem to affect IL-12 gene expressions in gingival tissues. Authors concluded that reduced levels of IL1 and in some extent IL12 in smoking patients are responsible for higher tissue and bone degenerations and less treatment responses in smokers.

Assessment of genetic diversity of an endangered tooth-carp, Aphanius farsicus (Teleostei: Cyprinodontiformes: Cyprinodontidae) using microsatellite markers.

Genetic structure of an endemic tooth-carp fish, Aphanius farsicus from four different water bodies in the Maharlu Lake basin was investigated by applying five microsatellite markers. All of the five examined microsatellite loci showed polymor-phism pattern. A total of four alleles were detected at five microsatellite loci, with an average of 2.8 to 3.5 alleles per locus. Average values of observed and expected heterozygosity were 0.95±0.09 and 0.64±0.02 respectively. None of the tests of linkage disequilibrium were significant between each pair of loci and no deviation from Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium were detected to test for heterozygote deficiency within populations. The Nei's genetic distance values ranged between 0.03 - 0.13. Analysis of pairwise genetic differentiation between each pair of the populations revealed that fixation index (FST) values ranged from 0.013 to 0.039 and RST ranged from 0.005 to 0.065. High genetic diversity observed within the populations (99%) and low diversity (1%) among them indicating probably high level of gene flow among the studied populations of Fars tooth-carp at the present time or in the past. Regarding low genetic differentiation among the studied populations and results of population assignment test, two hypotheses are suggested and supporting evidence for each hypothesis are provided.

Redescription of Gammarus pseudosyriacus (Karaman & Pinkster, 1977) and description of a new subspecies from southern Iran (Crustacea, Amphipoda, Gammaridae).

The present study focused on redescription of Gammarus pseudosyriacus (Karaman & Pinkster, 1977) based on new materials from Zagros Mountains and describes a new subspecies of freshwater amphipod, Gammarus pseudosyriacus issatisi subsp. n., from the southern Zagros Mountains. The work is based on morphological and morphometric comparisons. This new subspecies has features similar to Gammarus pseudosyriacus. The distinct features that distinguish Gammarus pseudosyriacus issatisi subsp. n. from Gammarus pseudosyriacus are the smaller eyes, shorter body length, and shorter flagellum of antenna 1 and 2.

Description of the first cave dwelling species of the spider genus Trilacuna Tong & Li from Iran (Araneae: Oonopidae).

A new species of the hard-bodied oonopid genus Trilacuna Tong & Li is described from a cave in Kohgiluyeh and Boyer-Ahmad Province, southwestern Iran. Trilacuna qarzi sp. nov. is the first troglobiont species known of the genus, and is also the fifth oonopid species to be reported from Iran. Relationships of this new species are briefly discussed in the context of the limits of the genera belonging to the Dysderoides complex.

Evaluation of knowledge, attitude and practice of general dentists regarding oral cancer in sari, iran.

BACKGROUND: Oral cancer has emerged as a significant cause of global public health concern. If a cancerous lesion is diagnosed in primary stages, the survival rate would be higher. Thus, the aim of this study was to evaluate knowledge, attitude and practice of general dentist regarding oral cancer in Sari, Iran. METHODS: This cross sectional analytical study was performed on general dentists of Sari, Iran. The dentists were given a questionnaire including demographic characteristics of the dentists and questions about knowledge, attitude and practice regarding oral cancer. Data were subjected to SPSS 18.0. Quantitative data were reported as mean (±SD) and qualitative data were shown as percent. Kolmogorov- Smirnoff sample test, t-test (p<0.07 was considered statistically significant)' equivalent nonparametric test and Spearman's rho test was used for statistical analysis. RESULTS: Total mean score of knowledge, mean score of females and mean score of males was 20.88±8.53, 20.96±7.62 and 20.71±10.43, respectively. Age and sex had no correlation with score of knowledge. CONCLUSION: Dentists of Sari do not have enough knowledge about oral cancer.

First recorded cave-dwelling terrestrial isopods (Isopoda: Oniscidea) in Iran with a description of a new species .

Cave-dwelling terrestrial isopods from the province of Kohgiluyeh and Boyerahmad, southwestern Iran, are reported here. These include three accidental and one troglobitic species namely Protracheoniscus gakalicus n. sp., which is also the first recorded troglobitic species from the genus Protracheoniscus. The new species is readily distinguished by the lack of eyes and pigmentation.