tehran

The ‘Russian flu,’ also referred to as the ‘Asiatic flu,’ spread globally between 1889 and 1894. According to estimates from international organizations, this epidemic resulted in the deaths of approximately one million individuals. However, there is no information available on the exact number of deaths in Iran. The earliest outbreak of the epidemic was reported in May 1889 in Bukhara, Central Asia, which was part of the Russian Empire. The Russian Railway facilitated the spread of the epidemic from Siberia to the easternmost regions of Russia, westward to Moscow, and subsequently to countries such as China, Sweden, Finland, and Western Europe, eventually reaching the United States and Argentina. It subsequently spread from southern Russia to the South Caucasus and Baku, then moved into Iran from the north, northeast, and northwest, suddenly appearing in cities such as Bandar Anzali, Sari, Rasht, Mashhad, Tabriz, Tehran, Isfahan, Shiraz, and Kerman. The epidemic caused unexpected casualties in the country and startled both modern and traditional physicians. Notably, this epidemic, which appeared in Iran in two waves during 1890 and 1892, was somewhat mitigated due to the country’s insufficient transportation infrastructure. As Tehran and Tabriz were either overpopulated or closer to Russia, doctors in these cities witnessed more cases of the Russian flu, prompting them to write several medical dissertations on this epidemic. This study examines the Russian flu in Iran as documented in historical, journalistic, and medical records.

Coagulase-positive Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) is one of the main causes of contamination of raw milk and dairy products, which can lead to food poisoning in humans. The rapid and accurate identification of this bacterium is of great importance. The aim of this study was to investigate the contamination of raw milk from Tehran cattle farms with S. aureus using culture and real-time PCR methods. For this study, 60 raw milk samples were collected from different cattle farms in Tehran. The samples were first analyzed using the culture method on Baired-Parker agar medium. The colonies with black centers and light areas were used for the coagulase test with rabbit plasma. The real-time PCR technique and the transcriptional regulator gene (Sa0836) specifically developed for S. aureus were then used to confirm the results. Of the 60 raw milk samples, 40 samples (66.66%) were identified as Staphylococcus in the culture medium. Of these, 32 samples (53.33%) were positive in the coagulase test. The results of the molecular tests also showed that S. aureus infection was confirmed in 27 samples (45%). The results of this study show that the contamination of raw milk in Tehran is significant and that the use of culture methods as a gold standard together with molecular techniques such as real-time PCR can help to increase the speed and accuracy of detection of S. aureus in raw milk. This approach can help to improve the quality and safety of dairy products and maintain public health.

Air quality is one of the most vital elements for sustaining life on this planet. Without it, the existence of living beings would be impossible, making the preservation of air quality essential. However, the rapid growth of technology and urbanization has led to a significant increase in air pollutants. Given their harmful effects on human health and the environment, governments are compelled to adopt extraordinary measures to prevent air pollution and environmental degradation. Furthermore, a healthy and pollution-free environment is a fundamental citizenship right, as emphasized in numerous international and domestic laws. The persistent air pollution in Tehran, coupled with inadequate control and supervision, constitutes a violation of citizens’ rights. This review study explores the right of citizens to a healthy environment, with a focus on Tehran’s air pollution. It begins by examining Tehran’s air pollution from an environmental perspective. The second section discusses the legal framework in Iran, analyzing the rules, regulations, and approvals that address the right to a healthy living environment. Finally, the third section investigates civil rights to a healthy environment within international law, highlighting its recognition in both mandatory and non-mandatory documents.

Today, sport is recognized as one of the main tools to achieve sustainable development goals. Sustainability guarantees a quality of life. The present study aimed to write a scenario for sports activities in Tehran, Iran, with a focus on a sustainable development approach.

This mixed methods research was conducted based on Voros’s Generic Foresight Process Framework. After theoretical saturation of variables and obtaining a 98% approval rate from experts, a questionnaire was administered. The collected data were subsequently analyzed using MicMac software. The key driving forces identified were then integrated into Scenario Wizard 4 software to design sports scenarios aligned with the realization of sustainable development goals.

The results revealed that the number of no-impact relationships was the highest among the analyzed relationships, with 116 out of 208 cases categorized as such. This was followed by high-impact relationships (n = 61) and low-impact relationships (n = 55). Four variables "Investment in Sports", "Community Income Level", "Government Financial Support" and "Education and Promotion of Sports Culture" had the most susceptibility and effectiveness in the studied system. The selected drivers were classified based on two dimensions: optimistic and pessimistic.

According to the dimensions of the selected drivers, the scenario writing for sports activities was characterized by internal inconsistency, finally resulting in the identification of only two scenarios considered compatible.

Addressing the evolving dynamics of family structures, the parent-employment conflict (PEC) emerges as a significant conundrum of the current century. This article seeks to delve into the intricate factors influencing PEC among employed parents in Tehran, Iran.

This study employed a stratified random sampling method across various regions within Tehran province, in 2017. A structured questionnaire, encompassing demographic details, the history of fertility, and attitudes towards childbearing, alongside the delineation of conflicts between professional responsibilities and parental duties used to collect 449 employed parents. Since PEC was an ordinal variable with three categories of low (6-12), middle (12-18), and high (18-30), an ordinal regression method was applied to some selected covariates.

The findings suggest that women comparing to men, those with “secondary and high school” and “diploma” comparing to “master degree and PhD” educational levels, governmental employees comparing to free-lance employees, and those employees working 45 hours and more comparing to employees working less than 40 hours in a week had higher PEC.

In general, unless socialization norms and policymakers’ views adopt social realities, PEC will not reduce. Policymakers should pay more attention to institutionalize of social supports and implement family supportive policies.

Medication-related osteonecrosis of the jaw (MRONJ) is an important uncommon complication. Due to its complexity, its prevention requires a multidisciplinary approach, involving physicians and dental clinicians. 

This study aimed to assess the knowledge level of physicians prescribing bisphosphonates in Tehran, Iran, about dental considerations in such patients and the prevention and treatment of MRONJ in 2019. This descriptive, cross-sectional study evaluated 100 physicians (rheumatologists, endocrinologists, oncologists, and orthopedists) practicing in Tehran. A questionnaire comprising a demographic section and knowledge questions regarding dental considerations in patients taking bisphosphonates was administered among the physicians. The frequency of qualitative variables such as gender, type of specialty, and physicians’ responses to each question was calculated, and the knowledge scores were analyzed separately based on the physicians’ specialty types using one-way ANOVA followed by Tukey’s test for pairwise comparisons. The effect of different variables on knowledge scores was analyzed by simple regression.

The mean knowledge score of physicians was 5.19±1.78 (range 2-8). The mean knowledge score of oncologists was significantly higher than that of endocrinologists (5.88 versus 4.52, P=0.03). No other significant differences were noted. Work experience (P=0.04), age (P=0.02), orthopedics specialty (P=0.05), and oncology specialty (P=0.006) had significant effects on the knowledge score.

Considering acquiring about 50% of the total score, physicians seem to have limited knowledge about dental considerations in patients taking bisphosphonates.

 Breast cancer has the highest incidence among all cancers, and its incidence is increasing rapidly in many countries worldwide, including Iran. In this study, epidemiological and pathological factors were investigated in patients with breast cancer.

 This cross-sectional study included 476 patients with a confirmed diagnosis of breast cancer in Tehran, Dr. Moini Breast Clinic, from 2019 to 2021.

 The mean age of the patients was 50.2±11.40 years, of which 80.9% were over 40 years. Ductal carcinoma was the most common in terms of histology (81.7%), and most patients had grade II diseases (63.6%). According to hormonal receptors, 73.8% of women were estrogen receptor-positive, 68.9% were progesterone receptor-positive, and 18.9% were triple-negative. There was a significant relationship between grade and lymph node involvement (P-value = 0.00) and also a significant relationship between metastasis and grade (P-value = 0.00) and between metastasis and lymph node involvement (P-value = 0.00).

The results of this study show that breast cancer has a high prevalence in Iranian women in Tehran, mainly in the 4th and 5th decades of life. HER-2 (epidermal growth factor 2 receptor overexpression) and triple negatives were the least prevalent subgroups. Considering that diagnosis occurs late and approximately 63.6% of patients are in grade 2, it is necessary to implement programs in the field of screening and prevention in the female population of this province.

Earthquake is a natural disaster that threaten large parts of Iran. In addition to the preparedness of relief organizations, people should know how to protect themselves from possible damages. Tehran, the capital of Iran, is prone to earthquakes and citizens’ preparedness for possible earthquakes should be improved. This study aims to measure the safe emergency evacuation knowledge of citizens in Tehran, in case of an earthquake. 

This is a cross-sectional study that was conducted on 602 residents of Tehran (all 22 districts) aged ≥15 years in 2022. Data were collected using a researcher-made questionnaire with acceptable validity and reliability to measure the knowledge of safe placement and safe evacuation.

The mean knowledge score of citizens was 8.8 out of 20. The knowledge score was significantly higher in women than in men, in people under the age of 64, in those with higher level of education, in students/housekeepers and employed people, in people who had received relevant information from the educational programs prepared by the municipality and educational textbooks, and in those living in privileged urban areas. Nearly 25% of people had not received any education related to earthquake. Radio/TV programs and educational textbooks were the most common sources of information. 

There is a need to improve the knowledge of safe emergency evacuation during an earthquake among the residents of Tehran. In addition to formal education in schools/universities, citizens need appropriate training courses in other centers with the help of social media. Planning in this area should be attractive to motivate citizens to acquire more disaster knowledge.

Urban spaces that are designed in line with the principles of sustainability play a big role in creating green behavior patterns among citizens. This research aims to investigate the position of environmental design and compliance with the principles of sustainability in cities on the environmental model of citizens.

The research uses a quantitative and qualitative and practical approach. The sample size consisted of 884 people, and data was collected through a questionnaire and analyzed with SPSS software. Also, the UCL Depthmap software and the space layout method were used to evaluate the structure of the spatial configuration, which has a significant correlation with the design of urban residential areas as indicated by previous studies.

The results showed that the highest average depth is related to the main entrance streets to Valiasr Street, Tajrish, and Chamran Highway in Tehran with a numerical value of 3.86, while the lowest numerical value recorded was 0.05. The high level of depth value shows that access to other spaces is done by passing through many intermediate spaces, and these spaces lack a clear and direct connection with each other. As a result, these spaces are characterized by limited movement patterns. Among the factors considered by citizens, the most influential factor was "no urban air pollution", with a coefficient of 0.91, followed by the index of "cleanliness of urban roads" with a weight of 0.86. The lowest weight belongs to the "Urban open spaces" index, which scored 0.59.

In conclusion, the establishment of sustainable urban development indicators can prompt behavioral changes in citizens, leading them to align their behavioral patterns with environmental considerations. Certain indicators, such as emphasizing air quality, implementing effective waste management practices for green spaces and urban parks, and promoting the presence of tourist attractions in the city, are more important compared to other factors.

Recent climate changes and droughts have exacerbated the impact of dust sources globally, necessitating a thorough understanding of their influence on air quality. In Tehran, the interaction between internal dust sources from Iran and external sources from neighboring countries significantly affects air quality.

This study spans a 20-year period (2003-2022), utilizing satellite data and advanced algorithms to analyze dust event trends and patterns. The material and methods section outlines the use of Aqua satellite MODIS sensor data alongside two algorithms to identify dust sources, focusing on Aerosol Optical Depth (AOD) data during peak dust event seasons. Statistical analysis of dust events in 2022 supplements the investigation.

The analysis reveals distinct patterns in dust particle origin and transport, highlighting the predominant contribution of internal dust sources from Iran's southern Semnan province and significant input from external sources in Iraq and northern Saudi Arabia. Examining meteorological conditions during severe dust events highlights the role of synoptic conditions, particularly the presence of a tropospheric trough, in facilitating dust transport. Increased convective motions and downburst occurrences in specific regions further exacerbate the spread of dust particles, particularly those originating from external countries and provinces.

The conclusion emphasizes the complex interplay between internal and external dust sources and the necessity of understanding dust emission dynamics for effective mitigation strategies. It calls for proactive measures involving local and regional cooperation to mitigate dust pollution's adverse effects on air quality in Tehran and similar urban centers.

According to the association between increased micronuclei (MNi) level in reproductive age women and increased risk of congenital abnormalities, we aimed in this study to find the contribution of WTS to women's health in apparently healthy young cases by comparing the variability of MN values in water pipe smokers and non-smokers. Finding the associations between MNi levels and demographic, socioeconomic, reproductive, and lifestyle factors was the secondary scope of this study. This cross-sectional case-control study was performed on 30 premenopausal women (15 cases and 15 controls) who lived in Tehran, according to our inclusion criteria. The mean MN frequency among waterpipe smokers was 28.53± 7.462, whereas the same parameter in the control group was 6.53 + 3.24 (p= 0.001). Non-parametric tests revealed a significant association between MNi and frequency of waterpipe smoking (p = 0.001), age of starting waterpipe smoking (p = 0.003), concurrent use of alcoholic drinks (p= 0.004), and secondhand smoking (p =0.001). In the context of heavy environmental pollution in Tehran, significantly higher MNi frequencies and decreased genomic health in waterpipe smoker women in reproductive age may predispose them to an increased risk of harmful reproductive outcomes. These findings emerge from governmental and non-governmental biomonitoring programs in high-risk women to concern more on unhealthy lifestyles and environmental pollution.

It is important to note that Oral Health Literacy (OHL) not only pertains to dental health but also has a broader impact on overall quality of life. Therefore, this cross-sectional study aimed to assess the level of OHL in the adult population of Tehran, Iran.  A sample of 700 Iranian adults (Tehran), aged 18-64 years, participated in this study (October 2021 and March 2022). A researcher-developed questionnaire was used to collect data on demographic variables and OHL. The questionnaire consisted of four domains: cognitive, behavioral, media, and communication skills. The data was analyzed by software SPSS 19. Data analysis included descriptive statistics, independent-samples t-tests, one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA), chi-square tests, and multiple regression analysis. Statistical significance was set at P < 0.05. The average age of the subjects was 35.50±8.87 years, ranging from 18 to 61 years. The mean OHL score was 67.62±15.53, indicating a moderate level of OHL. Among the dimensions of the questionnaire, cognitive skills received the highest scores and Communicative skill lowest. The results revealed significant associations between OHL and demographic variables. Multiple regression analysis showed that income, education level (academic and below diploma), and marital status (married) significantly predicted OHL. This study highlights the need for improved OHL in the Iranian adult population. The findings suggest that educational interventions targeting low-educated individuals and specific demographic groups could help enhance OHL. Efforts should be directed towards improving communication skills in oral health settings.