Iran Meteorological Organization

Background and Aim: Accurate diagnosis of Middle Ear Effusion (MEE) is a challenging task due to the lack of reliable diagnostic tools available to physicians and audiologists. This study aimed to develop a hyperspectral imaging tympanoscope for diagnosing MEE and evaluate its diagnostic ability. Methods: The tympanoscope system was constructed using an ear endoscope, lens, camera, and near-infrared wavelengths. Its diagnostic ability was evaluated with a middle ear- mimicking phantom. Additionally, a pilot study was conducted on middle ear images from 10 children (five healthy and five with MEE). Results: Phantom experiments revealed a Weber contrast difference of 0.16 and 0.49 between phantoms with and without fluid in visible otoscopy and hyperspectral tympanoscopy, respectively. As a result, in hyperspectral tympanoscopy, the contrast difference between fluid presence and absence was nearly tripled. Furthermore, in the pilot study, a significant difference was found in Weber contrast between healthy children and those with MEE (p<0.001), with higher contrast in the MEE group. Conclusion: The hyperspectral imaging tympanoscope can quantitatively distinguish between the presence or absence of fluid in the middle ear. It has potential as a diagnostic and monitoring tool for MEE.

The present study investigated the status of prehospital emergency medical services in Iran in 1402. To examine the current structure and components of Iran’s prehospital emergency medical services system, we conducted a qualitative study using content analysis through semi-structured interviews with 38 experts, managers, and service providers across the country. The interview guide was developed based on a review of related literature and consultations with specialists in the field. Data were analyzed using a conventional content analysis approach, and the analysis was carried out with the help of MAXQDA10 software. The findings of the present study are presented in the form of 8 themes (Rules and Policies and policies, human resource management, infrastructure, challenges of public education and information, service delivery process, responsible organization, and service delivery model). The current service delivery model does not meet the needs of society and needs to be changed in the existing model. Therefore, it is suggested that by strengthening the Independence House at the level of the ministry and universities, providing services with a hybrid model, piloting prehospital emergency medical services by other institutions from families, municipalities, special departments in regions of the country and strengths and weaknesses and comparing it with the current situation and reflecting its results at the level of national services, prehospital services.

Abstract Responsible behavior among fish farmers is essential for effective farm management and preventing the spread of diseases within this industry. Implementing biosecurity measures helps minimize disease outbreak risks by reducing the likelihood of pathogenic agents entering the farm and spreading to the surrounding environment. This quantitative study aimed to assess the impact of constructs from two theories—the Social Exchange Theory and the Theory of Planned Behavior—on the biosecurity practices of fish farmers in western Iran, Kermanshah province. The study's statistical population included fish farm managers, from which 162 individuals were selected using stratified sampling techniques. The results indicated that attitudes, perceived behavioral control, subjective norms, and knowledge were the most significant influences on biosecurity behavior. Notably, the farmers' knowledge of biosecurity was an additional variable affecting biosecurity behavior through their attitudes. Furthermore, the perceived benefits of biosecurity measures positively influenced these attitudes, leading farmers to view biosecurity actions as beneficial rather than costly. Based on these findings, it can be concluded that combining the Theory of Planned Behavior and Social Exchange Theory offers a more robust theoretical framework for understanding the biosecurity behavior of fish farmers.

Moyamoya Disease (MMD) is a rare cerebrovascular disorder characterized by stenosis of the internal carotid arteries. To date, no studies have specifically described the characteristics of Moyamoya among Iranian populations. This study aims to examine the clinical characteristics of a case series of Iranian patients with MMD. This study prospectively identified all patients diagnosed with MMD at an institutional tertiary hospital in Tehran from 2010 to 2020. Data on demographic characteristics, disease presentations, past medical history, type of vascular lesion, treatment approaches, and outcomes during follow-up were collected. A total of 15 patients with MMD were included. Of these, 9 (60%) were female. Age distribution at diagnosis showed 6 patients were younger than 40 years. No familial patterns of MMD were observed. All patients experienced Cerebrovascular Accidents (CVA) at disease onset. A notable prevalence of comorbid conditions was observed, including hypertension (33.3%), diabetes mellitus (20%), and seizure disorders (20%). Vascular lesions were unilateral in 46.6% of patients and bilateral in 53.4%. Direct bypass surgery was performed in 40% of cases. The mean follow-up period was 16.3±1.2 months. During this time, 2 patients died and 1 experienced a new CVA. Residual symptoms were present in 13.3% of patients. This study shows distinct characteristics of MMD in an Iranian cohort, including a female predominance, frequent ischemic symptoms, and a high rate of bilateral occlusions. Further prospective studies are warranted to assess the efficacy of medical and surgical interventions in preventing recurrent symptoms in this population.

Abstract Background Due to various reasons, outbreaks of foodborne diseases are spreading worldwide causing significant mortality and morbidity. The purpose of this study was the prevalence of antibiotic resistance genes in different Salmonella enterica serovars isolated from national food outbreaks. Materials and Methods From 360 stool swab samples, 39 Salmonella were isolated based on phenotypic tests. Then the frequency of qnrA, G test, A, qnr B, qnr S, gyr A, sul1, sul2, sul3, tet A, tet B, and tet G resistance genes was assessed using PCR amplification followed by DNA electrophoresis. Also, the pattern of antibiotic susceptibility of the isolates was determined by disk diffusion method. Results Among 39 Salmonella isolates, 80% of them were resistant to at least two or more antibiotics. Out of resistant isolates, 7 isolates indicated resistance to cotrimoxazole, 5 of them had sul2 gene and 2 carried sul3 gene. All tetracycline-resistant isolates carried the tetA gene. Only one isolate was found as resistant to nalidixic acid, due to gyrA gene detection. Conclusion In this study an increase in antibiotic resistance was observed. Therefore, surveying the antibiotic resistance pattern in Salmonella and similar bacterial enteric pathogens should to be a priority for public health authorities.