Objective we aimed to determine the clinical and electroencephalographic (EEG) characteristics of the patients with West syndrome (WS) in south Iran.Materials&Methods In this retrospective study, all patients with a clinical diagnosis of WS were recruited in the outpatient epilepsy clinic at Shiraz University of Medical Sciences between September 2008 and May 2012. Age, gender, age at seizure onset, seizure type (s), epilepsy risk factors, EEG and imaging studies of all patients were registered routinely.Results During the study period, 2500 patients with epilepsy were registered at our epilepsy clinic. Thirty-two patients (1.3%) were diagnosed to have WS. Age of onset (mean±standard deviation) was 4.99±3.06 months. Sixteen patients were male and 16 were female. Nine (28.1%) were reported to have two or more seizure types and 23 (71.8%) had one seizure type (epileptic spasms). At referral, no developmental delay was detected in two patients and in the rest, a mild to severe delay was noted. Electroencephalography showed typical hypsarrhythmia in 59.4% of our patients and modified hypsarrhythmia or atypical presentations were seen in 40.6%. Two patients had pyridoxine (B6)-dependent seizures, confirmed by oral B6 trial.Conclusion Variants of the classical triad of WS including other seizure types, atypical EEG findings, and normal psychomotor function at the beginning could be observed in some patients. Rarely, treatable genetic disorders (e.g., pyridoxine-dependent seizures) should be considered in those in whom no other diagnosis is evident.

Many freshwater gastropodes are involved in the life cycle of parasitic flukes. Some of these are important in public heath and veterinary medicine. A comprehensive snail search was undertaken throughout provinces in Iran. In the first step, freshwater bodies of Khuzestan, were searched for potential intermediate host snails. Fifteen taxa, namely 8 prosobranch snails and 7 pulmonate snails were collected during the 1990s. Neritina mesopotamica Martens 1879 was found to be new species for Khuzestan.

In this study in order to regionalize the areas in south and south west of Iran for agricultural studies, 44 synoptic stations located in Khuzestan, Charmahal Bakhtiari, Ilam, Kogeluyeh and Booyer Ahmad, Hormozgan, Fars and Bushehr, were selected. Obtained data of 15 climate parameters effecting on agricultural crops were collected for a 20 year period. In order to determine the most effective climate-agricultural parameters, the method of Principal Component Analysis (PCA) was utilized. The first three components causing 85% of variances of variables were selected and among these three components, 11 variables were identified as the most effective climate-agricultural parameters. These parameters include: Average of minimum temperature, Average of mean daily temperature, Number of days with maximum temperature equal 30 and above, Number of days with precipitation, Number of days with thunder storm, Number of cloudy days, Average of relative humidity, Monthly total of precipitation, Number of days with snow or sleet, Number of clear days, Number of partially cloudy days. Data obtained from selected climate variables, were analyzed by cluster analysis (Average linkage). After obtaining the dendrogram, it was cut in the place that 9 climate regions were produced for 44 selected synoptic stations. Moreover, in order to evaluate of obtained results of cluster analysis, discriminant analysis was utilized. The results indicated that 97.7% of synoptic stations were placed in their right groups correctly. Relative similarity in vegetation and crop types in each climate class indicated that the derived climate classification could be used for agricultural studies as a general guidance.

Background and Objective: Drowning is recognized as a major global public health problem with significant opportunities for prevention. The aim of this study was to examine the incidence and characteristics of the drowned in Khuzestan province.  Subjects and Methods: We analyzed 2002–2006 data from the Legal Medicine Organization (LMO) of Khuzestan province, through a retrospective study.Results: During 2002 to 2006, a total of 834 persons suffered fatal drowning in Khuzestan province. The mean age was 21.6±12.8 and M/F ratio was 4.8:1. The most common age groups of drowned victims were 15-19 (25.3%) and 20-24 (22.1%) years (7.3 and 6.5 per 100 000 population/year, respectively). Victims under the age of 15 years (including age groups of 0-4, 5-9 and 10-14 years) comprised 24.3% of all drowning deaths. Rivers and canals were the locations with the highest number of drowned victims (74.7% and 11.3% respectively). Most of drowned victims (94.5%) were native. The manner of death was found as following: 88.7% accidental, 2.3% suicidal, 0.7% homicidal and 8.3% undetermined.Conclusion: Khuzestan province has a mean drowning rate of 3.9 per 100 000 population-year which has second ranking in the drowning related mortality after Mazandaran province (7.6 per 100 000 population-year). Effective prevention of drowning requires programming and policies that address known risk factors.

Background: Despite the enhancement in health outcomes worldwide, health inequity and inequality is one of the most relevant topics both for health policy and public health. This research was designed to decompose the health inequality of people living in Shiraz, south-west Iran.Methods: Data were obtained from a multistage-sample survey conducted in Shiraz from April to May 2012, to find determinants of health related quality of life (HRQoL). General health (GH) and mental health (MH) were used as health status. As a measure of socioeconomic inequality, a concentration index of GH and MH was used and decomposed into its determinants.Results: The overall concentration indices of MH and GH in Shiraz were 0.023 (95% CI: 0.015, 0.031) and 0.016 (95% CI: 0.009, 0.022), respectively. Decomposition of the concentration indices indicated that income made the largest contribution (39.92% for GH and 39.82% for MH) to income-related health inequality. Education (about 25% for GH and 34% for MH), insurance (about 14% for GH and 11% for MH), and occupation (about 12% for GH and 11% for MH) also proved important contributors to the health inequality in Shiraz.Conclusions: There exist MH and GH inequalities in Shiraz. Apart from insurance, most of the health inequalities in Shiraz can be explained through factors beyond the health sector. Hence, implementing redistributive policies and education expansion programs as well as providing an insurance scheme and secure career conditions could decrease these unethical health inequalities.

One of the main issues in export planning especially for increasing export to developing countries is the degree of awareness about mutual capacities in producing and exporting goods.Main purpose of this article is to study and determine non-oil export potential of Iran in trading with south western Asia countries. Calculations and analysis are based on total non-oil trade of these countries and also 21 sections of the 201za harmonized system. This study has utilized ex- post data (import and export) of Iran and 23 countries of south western mutual exporting potential index.The results show that Iran has many opportunities in exporting non-petroleum products to countries of the region especially in substantial metals and their products, chemical products, plastic material and their products, textile material and their products and also food and beverage.So reinforcing regional cooperation including developing intra regional trade with countries such as UAE, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Egypt, Iraq, Pakistan Kazakhstan, Kuwait, Oman, Jordan, can form good opportunities for Iran.

Gaillonia dezfulensisis described as a new species from Salan mountain in N. Dezful, Khuzestan province. The new species is distinguished by having opposite apparently three lobed leaves. It is compared with its closest relative Gaillonia bruguieriA. Rich.ex DC., and G. kandharensis Ehrend.& Qarar ex Ehrend. & Schonb.

Fish including; Barbus spp, Cyprinus carpio, Liza abu and Aspius vorax have very important role in the economic condition of the rural areas of Khuzestan province. These fish have been consumed as fried or roasted. Inadequately cooked fish, could be served as a source of infection in these communities. For this reasons, 701 fish were trapped from 4 lagoons (Atash, Sobhanieh, Al-hai, Houfel) and transported alive to Ahwaz Health Research Center. Their skin, gills, eyes, muscles, intestine and body cavity were examined carefully. In 54 (7.7%) of fish,. 6 cases of Contracaecum sp. (0.85%) and 48 Anisakis sp. (6.8%) were identified belong to helminth family of anisakidae. These results suggested that human anisakiasis could be health hazard in these areas.

Background: Mortality refers to the death that occurs within a population. It is linked to many factors such as age, sex, race, occupation and social class. The incidence and prevalence of mortality could affect the population’s standard of living and health care. The aim of this study was to explore the pattern of mortality trends in Iran, south-south west Asia and the world in 1970-2010.Methods: A descriptive study was conducted on the registered data in the Statistical Center of Iran and National Organization of Civil Registration. The data were analyzed using statistical methods and graphs. Finally, the analyzed data were compared with the world and south-south west Asia data.Results: In Iran, 61.1% of all the registered deaths were in male and 60.4% were in urban areas. Crude death rate, infant mortality rate and under five mortality rate decreased from 13, 164 and 281 per 1000 in 1970-75 to the estimated values of 5, 25 and 35 per 1000 in 2005-2010, respectively.Conclusion: The results showed that similar to other countries, the trends of all mortality indicators in Iran have been changed and decreased, which is related to many factors such as improvement health situation and medical interventions.