Littoral- cell angioma (LCA) is a rare vascular tumor of the spleen. It was thought to be a benign, incidental lesion. However, many recent reports have described it to be a malignant lesion with congenital and immunologic associations. We report a case of LCA of the spleen, which has been infrequently communicated in the literature. A 41-year-old female patient was admitted to our hospital with a three-week history of weakness, weight loss, anorexia, and intermittent upper abdominal pain which improved slightly with antacid medication. Imaging studies, including computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), showed multiple lesions in the spleen. Laparoscopic splenectomy was performed.

In this paper, the longshore sediment transport in littoral zones is investigated. For investigation of sediment transport in the nearshore zone, the effects of waves, currents and topographical conditions of the coast, are considered. Linear wave theory is used for investigation of wave behavior. Governing equations of littoral current are continuity and momentum, and for calculating the concentration profile of suspended sediments at depth, convection-diffusion equation must be solved. A computer program called “PLSTP” (Prediction of Littoral Sediment Transport Program) is developed for investigation of sediment transport process in littoral zones. The finite difference method is used for solving the governing equations. The results show a good agreement between this model and existing measurements.

Littoral cell angioma is a splenic vascular tumor of splenic sinus lining cells that is considered benign in general. This report describes a case of littoral cell angioma with no malignant histological features. The lesion is composed of anastomosing vascular channels resembling splenic sinus; they are lined by endothelial cells which show mitotic activity very rare. Immunohistochemically, the tumor cells were positive for both endothelial (Factor VIII-AG, CD34) and histiocytic markers (KP1 or CD68). The morphologic and immunohistochemical findings in this tumor confirm the presence of dual (endothelial / histiocytic) characteristics of the reticuloendothelial cells lining the splenic sinus, justifying the term littoral cell angioma.

Background: Leptospirosis is a widespread zoonosis in the world with more prevalence in tropical and subtropical regions. The disease is very common in flat area of Gilan, northern Iran, where the climate is humid and temperate and rice farming is main agricultural activity in rural areas.Patients and methods: We performed this study in 2004 by taking blood samples from 465 hospitalized patients who were suspected of leptospirosis based on their clinical presentation, to find positive cases and analysis their signs, symptoms, and epidemiological data, and also to determine the most common clinical features of the disease in the area. All sera were examined by microscopic agglutination test.Results: Renal failure was most common symptoms (4.5%). Icterhaemorrhagia had highest titers in 57.0% of patients.Conclusion: In Gilan province, some of the farmers get leptospirosis each year near the end of spring and summer at the time of rice harvesting. Better recognition of the disease and diagnosing it at proper time can improve the quality of life and health state of the farmers.

Over the past two decades, international tourism has developed rapidly and has a significant economic importance. This study investigates factors affecting tourism demand in the Caspian Sea littoral states. Panel data method during the period of 2000-2013 has been employed. The results indicate that the per capita income, real exchange rate and trade liberalization has a positive effect on tourism. Also, other obtained results of this research show the economic instability has a significant negative effect on tourism demand. Regarding the significant potential for tourism development in this area, it is recommended while having the policy to promote tourism, paying particular attention to factors affecting tourism demands in the shoreline countries of Caspian Sea.

Background: About 50,000 new cancer cases occur annually in Iran, of which gastrointestinal (GI) cancers are the most common. Colorectal cancers (CRC) account for the third and fourth most prevalent cancers amongst Iranian men and women, respectively. Since CRC has some well-known hereditary forms with differences in their prevalence according to regional heterogeneity, we designed a study to assess familial aspects of this cancer in subjects who reside in Mazandaran Province, Iran.Methods: We interviewed all CRC patients who attended a private GI clinic during 1999 – 2007, with histologically confirmed diagnoses of colorectal adenocarcinoma, about their family histories of CRC and age at diagnosis.Pedigrees were drawn up to second-degree relatives.Results: A total of 293 CRC cases enrolled in the study, of which 152 were maleand 141 were female. The mean age of patients was 52.6±15.2 years.Of these, 98 patients (33.5%) were under the age of 45. A total of 66 cases (22.5%) had familial histories of CRC, being significantly more prevalent in younger subjects (11.2% vs.44.9%, P<0.0001). Thirty-two patients (10.9%) fulfilled the criteria for hereditary non-polyposis colon cancer. In addition, right-sided colon cancers were more prevalent in those with positive familial histories (P<0.05).Conclusion: Due to the frequency of early-onset CRC and familial syndromes, a more intense screening protocol for early detection of CRC should be developed for this population.

Introduction: Rodents are known as the reservoir of various zoonotic diseases and play a critical role in the transmission of pathogenic agents to humans. During an investigation on rodent reservoirs of leptospirosis in Caspian Sea littoral, northern Iran, we took advantage of the opportunity to examine the animals for intestinal helminth infections. Methods: We received gastrointestinal tracts (GITs) of 132 rodents belonged to the genus Rattus, from Mazandaran, Gilan and Golestan Provinces. The GIT of the animals had been preserved in 10% formalin and transferred to Helminthology Laboratory of School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences. We examined the GITs contents for helminths under a binocular followed by a microscope with different magnifications and identified the specimens according to reliable morphological keys. Results: Out of the 132 rats, 83 (62. 87%) harbored helminth parasites. We identified 11 helminth species among which the zoonotic cestodes, Hymenolepis diminuta (29. 5%) and Hymenolepis nana (18. 18%) exhibited the highest prevalence. The species Euparyphium murinum and Skerjabinotaenia abnormalis are reported here for the first time from Iran. Conclusion: The Caspian Sea littoral of Iran is a suitable area for the breeding of the commensal rodents. In this study, the rats from this area exhibited a high burden of helminth infections, with some species of public health importance.

Caspian Sea is the world’s largest lake; located between Asia and Europe and has no natural connection to oceans and free seas. Before the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991, Caspian Sea was divided between Iran and the Soviet Union and was known as a joint sea according to bilateral treaties signed by Tehran and Moscow in 1921 and 1940. Following the collapse of the Soviet Union and emergence of three new states; Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan, and Azerbaijan, Caspian Sea was practically surrounded by five states. This was the beginning of differences over legal regime of the Caspian Sea and how to the exploit the seabed and underground resources of the sea. According to negotiations which were carried out after collapse of the Soviet Union, various methods were proposed to divide the Caspian Sea none of which has been accepted by all littoral countries yet. Geographical characteristics of the Caspian Sea, existence of huge oil and gas resources, in addition to presence of regional and transregional powers have given rise to various viewpoints on the territorial waters in Caspian Sea and determination of sea borders. This paper discusses the legal regime of the Caspian Sea after collapse of the Soviet Union through a descriptive – analytical approach and in view of the aforesaid facts, explains factors which have been effective in preventing determination of sea borders among littoral countries of the Caspian Sea.