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Abstract Background Chronic abdominal pain is a potential symptom of lead poisoning, which is often challenging to diagnose. This case–control study aimed to evaluate blood lead levels in pediatric patients with chronic abdominal pain. Methods The case–control study was conducted on 190 pediatrics who presented to the Children's Medical Center Hospital clinics, Tehran between April 2021- 2023. The children were divided into two groups: the case group, consisting of 81 patients with chronic abdominal pain, and the matched control group; 109 children without any gastrointestinal symptoms. The statistical analysis of the data was performed using STATA 16. A multiple logistic regression model was used to assess the association of different independent variables with chronic abdominal pain. Results There was no significant difference between mean (± standard deviation [SD]) of age (8.80(2.7) years vs. control group: 9.23(3.9) years), sex, and BMI (16.55(4.6) vs. 17.32(4.7)) of the patients with chronic abdominal pain (case group) and the control group, whereas the mean weight was remarkably low in patients with chronic abdominal pain: 27.25(± 12.1) kg vs. 31.70(± 14.7) kg (P value = 0.028). Fifty-nine percent of children with chronic abdominal pain had serum lead levels ≥ 10 µg/dL. The mean (SD) of blood lead levels was statistically high in the case group: 11.09 (± 5.35) µg/dL vs. control group: 8.26 (± 5.01) µg/dL) (P value ≤ 0.05). The appetite level was significantly low in the case group: 3.8 (± 2.5) vs. control group 5.4 (± 1.3). Conclusions Lead poisoning could be a possible cause of children's chronic abdominal pain. Regarding the high rate of lead poisoning in children exerting appropriate measures to reduce their exposure to lead is necessary.

Let G = (V,E) be a graph. A set S ⊆ V is a dominating set if Uv∈S N[v] = V , where N[v] is the closed neighborhood of v. Let L ⊆ V be a dominating set, and let v be a designated vertex in V (an intruder vertex). Each vertex in L ∩ N[v] can report that v is the location of the intruder, but (at most) one x ∈ L ∩ N[v] can report any w ∈ N[x] as the intruder location or x can indicate that there is no intruder in N[x]. A dominating set L is called a liar’s dominating set if every v ∈ V (G) can be correctly identified as an intruder location under these restrictions. The minimum cardinality of a liar’s dominating set is called the liar’s domination number, and is denoted by γLR(G). In this paper, we present sharp bounds for the liar’s domination number in terms of the diameter, the girth and clique covering number of a graph. We present two Nordhaus-Gaddum type relations for γLR(G), and study liar’s dominating set sensitivity versus edge-connectivity. We also present various bounds for the liar’s domination component number, that is, the maximum number of components over all minimum liar’s dominating sets.

Abstract Background There are conflicting findings regarding the effect of low-carbohydrate diets on obesity-related factors. This study aimed to investigate the effect of a carbohydrate-restricted (CR) diet on changes in anthropometric indicators of adiposity and fat distribution in pediatrics populations. Methods A systematic search was conducted in PubMed/MEDLINE, Web of Science, Scopus, and Embase electronic databases using predefined keywords to identify all randomized controlled trials examining the effects of CR on obesity-related factors. The pooled weighted mean difference (WMD) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were calculated using a random-effects model. Results Findings from 11 studies demonstrated significant reductions in weight (WMD: -2.31 kg; 95% CI: -4.44, -0.18), BMI (WMD:-1.08 kg/m2; 95% CI: -1.91, -0.26), and fat mass (WMD: -1.43%; 95% CI: -2.43 to -0.43) as well as a significant increase in adiponectin levels (WMD: 0.74 ng/ml; 95% CI: 0.02, 1.47) in the CR diet group compared to the control group. However, no significant effect was observed on BMI z-score (WMD:-0.10; 95% CI: -0.21, 0.01), waist circumference (WMD:-3.03 cm; 95% CI: -6.57, 0.51) or leptin levels (WMD: -0.82 ng/ml; 95% CI: -2.26, 0.61). Stratified analysis rrevealed a greater effect of CR on weight and BMI reduction in interventions ≤ 12 weeks and in very low-carbohydrate diets. Conclusions In conclusion, it appears that CR diet, along with other lifestyle factors, can lead to significant improvements in weight loss on pediatrics with obesity/overweight.

"n Normal 0 false false false EN-US X-NONE AR-SA MicrosoftInternetExplorer4 /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-priority:99; mso-style-qformat:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:11.0pt; font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast; mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family:Arial; mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;} Osteoporosis is a condition characterized with reduced bone density and destruction of the bone structure. The ideal treatment aims to reduce the risk of fracture while improving the density and structure of the bone. Parathormone (PTH) and its main analogue triparatide (rhPTH [1-34]) is a new class of anabolic medications which accelerates the healing process in the fractured bone through improving bone formation and therefore is used for treating severe osteoporosis. The present review article was designed to report the history, different types, anabolic and catabolic effects, complications, indications and contraindications of the hormone.

Background: While excellent organ quality and ideal transplant conditions eliminate many of the known factors that compromise initial graft function (IGF), slow graft function (SGF), still occurs after living donor kidney transplantation (LDKT). The aim of our current study is determination SGF frequency and its risk factors in LDKT Methods: In this prospective study, between April 2004 and March 2006, data were collected on 340 LDKT, in Baghiyattallah Hospital, Tehran. Recipients were analyzed in two groups based on initial graft function (IGF): Creatinine

The original article [1] contained significant errors in Fig 1A which necessitated correction; the figure has since been updated to the corrected version.

BackgroundCryopreserved peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) are frequently collected and provide disease- and treatment-relevant data in clinical studies. Here, we developed combined protein (40 antibodies) and transcript single-cell (sc)RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) in PBMCs.ResultsAmong 31 participants in the Women's Interagency HIV Study (WIHS), we sequenced 41,611 cells. Using Boolean gating followed by Seurat UMAPs (tool for visualizing high-dimensional data) and Louvain clustering, we identified 50 subsets among CD4+ T, CD8+ T, B, NK cells, and monocytes. This resolution was superior to flow cytometry, mass cytometry, or scRNA-seq without antibodies. Combined protein and transcript scRNA-seq allowed for the assessment of disease-related changes in transcriptomes and cell type proportions. As a proof-of-concept, we showed such differences between healthy and matched individuals living with HIV with and without cardiovascular disease.ConclusionsIn conclusion, combined protein and transcript scRNA sequencing is a suitable and powerful method for clinical investigations using PBMCs.

Despite the decades-old knowledge that males and people with diabetes mellitus (DM) are at increased risk for coronary artery disease (CAD), the reasons for this association are only partially understood. Among the immune cells involved, recent evidence supports a critical role of T cells as drivers and modifiers of CAD. CD4+ T cells are commonly found in atherosclerotic plaques. We aimed to understand the relationship of CAD with sex and DM by single-cell RNA (scRNA-Seq) and antibody sequencing (CITE-Seq) of CD4+ T cells. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) of 61 men and women who underwent cardiac catheterization were interrogated by scRNA-Seq combined with 49 surface markers (CITE-Seq). CAD severity was quantified using Gensini scores, with scores above 30 considered CAD+ and below 6 considered CAD-. Four pairs of groups were matched for clinical and demographic parameters. To test how sex and DM changed cell proportions and gene expression, we compared matched groups of men and women, as well as diabetic and non-diabetic subjects. We analyzed 41,782 single CD4+ T cell transcriptomes for sex differences in 16 women and 45 men with and without coronary artery disease and with and without DM. We identified 16 clusters in CD4+ T cells. The proportion of cells in CD4+ effector memory cluster 8 (CD4T8, CCR2+ Em) was significantly decreased in CAD+, especially among DM+ participants. This same cluster, CD4T8, was significantly decreased in female participants, along with two other CD4+ T cell clusters. In CD4+ T cells, 31 genes showed significant and coordinated upregulation in both CAD and DM. The DM gene signature was partially additive to the CAD gene signature. We conclude that (1) CAD and DM are clearly reflected in PBMC transcriptomes, and (2) significant differences exist between women and men and (3) between subjects with DM and non-DM.

Background. On December 2019, a novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) spread worldwide and became a pandemic. Multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C) due to cytokine release syndrome following COVID-19 presents with various manifestations. We hypothesize that one of the rare manifestations is acute abdomen. Case Presentation. In this case series, eight cases (five girls and three boys) of gastrointestinal (GI) involvement and acute abdomen were reported to be associated with the cytokine storm due to COVID-19 infection. All patients were of Iranian nationality (Caucasian ethnicity), with a mean age of 8.9 years (range 3.5–14). They all presented with fever and acute abdominal pain. Additionally, maculopapular rash and edema of the extremities were common presentations. Free fluid on abdominal ultrasound or computerized tomography (CT) scan was observed in all patients. All cases tested positive for COVID-19. In six cases, laparotomy or abdominal surgery was performed for a diagnosis of acute abdomen, but appendicitis was confirmed in only one case. None of the cases presented with phlegmon. Elevated serum lipase and amylase levels were noted in two cases. Seven patients received corticosteroid pulse therapy. Clinical symptoms improved after one or two doses, and all patients were discharged after 4 weeks of follow-up with no mortality or morbidity. Conclusion. Patients experiencing unexplained acute abdominal pain along with fever, skin rash, and peripheral edema, who had a history of COVID-19 infection prior to or during the episode of acute abdomen symptoms, should be considered to have MIS-C. Furthermore, methylprednisolone pulse therapy could be a safe treatment option, reducing hospitalization duration in this patient population.

Monocytes are associated with human cardiovascular disease progression. Monocytes are segregated into three major subsets: classical (cMo), intermediate (iMo), and nonclassical (nMo). Recent studies have identified heterogeneity within each of these main monocyte classes, yet the extent to which these subsets contribute to heart disease progression is not known. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) were obtained from 61 human subjects within the Coronary Assessment of Virginia (CAVA) Cohort. Coronary atherosclerosis severity was quantified using the Gensini Score (GS). We employed high-dimensional single-cell transcriptome and protein methods to define how human monocytes differ in subjects with low to severe coronary artery disease. We analyzed 487 immune-related genes and 49 surface proteins at the single-cell level using Antibody-Seq (Ab-Seq). We identified six subsets of myeloid cells (cMo, iMo, nMo, plasmacytoid DC, classical DC, and DC3) at the single-cell level based on surface proteins, and we associated these subsets with coronary artery disease (CAD) incidence based on Gensini score (GS) in each subject. Only frequencies of iMo were associated with high CAD (GS > 32), adj.p = 0.024. Spearman correlation analysis with GS from each subject revealed a positive correlation with iMo frequencies (r = 0.314, p = 0.014) and further showed a robust sex-dependent positive correlation in female subjects (r = 0.663, p = 0.004). cMo frequencies did not correlate with CAD severity. Key gene pathways differed in iMo among low and high CAD subjects and between males and females. Further single-cell analysis of iMo revealed three iMo subsets in human PBMC, distinguished by the expression of HLA-DR, CXCR3, and CD206. We found that the frequency of immunoregulatory iMo_HLA-DR+CXCR3+CD206+ was associated with CAD severity (adj.p = 0.006). The immunoregulatory iMo subset positively correlated with GS in both females (r = 0.660, p = 0.004) and males (r = 0.315, p = 0.037). Cell interaction analyses identified strong interactions of iMo with CD4+ effector/memory T cells and Tregs from the same subjects. This study shows the importance of iMo in CAD progression and suggests that iMo may have important functional roles in modulating CAD risk, particularly among females.

Aims Olfactory receptor 2 (Olfr2) has been identified in a minimum of 30% of vascular macrophages, and its depletion was shown to reduce atherosclerosis progression. Mononuclear phagocytes, including monocytes and macrophages within the vessel wall, are major players in atherosclerosis. Single-cell RNA sequencing studies revealed that atherosclerotic artery walls encompass several monocytes and vascular macrophages, defining at least nine distinct subsets potentially serving diverse functions in disease progression. This study investigates the functional phenotype and ontogeny of Olfr2-expressing vascular macrophages in atherosclerosis. Methods and results Olfr2+ macrophages rapidly increase in Apoe−/− mice's aorta when fed a Western diet (WD). Mass cytometry showed that Olfr2+ cells are clustered within the CD64 high population and enriched for CD11c and Ccr2 markers. Olfr2+ macrophages express many pro-inflammatory cytokines, including Il1b , Il6 , Il12 , and Il23 , and chemokines, including Ccl5 , Cx3cl1 , Cxcl9 , and Ccl22. By extracting differentially expressed genes from bulk RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) of Olfr2+ vs. Olfr2− macrophages, we defined a signature that significantly mapped to single-cell data of plaque myeloid cells, including monocytes, subendothelial MacAir, and Trem2 Gpnmb foamy macrophages. By adoptive transfer experiments, we identified that Olfr2 competent monocytes from CD45.1 Apoe−/−Olfr2+/+ mice transferred into CD45.2 Apoe−/−Olfr2−/− recipient mice fed WD for 12 weeks, accumulate in the atherosclerotic aorta wall already at 72 h, and differentiate in macrophages. Olfr2+ macrophages showed significantly increased BrdU incorporation compared to Olfr2− macrophages. Flow cytometry confirmed that at least 50% of aortic Olfr2+ macrophages are positive for BODIPY staining and have increased expression of both tumour necrosis factor and interleukin 6 compared to Olfr2− macrophages. Gene set enrichment analysis of the Olfr2+ macrophage signature revealed a similar enrichment pattern in human atherosclerotic plaques, particularly within foamy/TREM2hi-Mφ and monocytes. Conclusions In summary, we conclude that Olfr2+ macrophages in the aorta originate from monocytes and can accumulate at the early stages of disease progression. These cells can undergo differentiation into MacAir and Trem2 Gpnmb foamy macrophages, exhibiting proliferative and pro-inflammatory potentials. This dynamic behaviour positions them as key influencers in shaping the myeloid landscape within the atherosclerotic plaque. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Iranshahri Thought, particularly its political aspect, represents the system of thought that dominates the history of ancient Iran, which, despite all the changes, has continued in the Islamic period. In the surviving works of Persian literature, such as Kelileh va Demneh of Nasrollah Monshi, which is a fictional work, and Mersād al-ʻEbād of Najmoddin Rāzi, which has explained mystical views and Sufi etiquette, the reflections of the Iranshahri Thought can be clearly observed. Saadi is also a man from Iranshahr who, despite studying Islamic sciences in the Nezamiyye and being influenced by the Sufi thoughts, in his works, Golestan and Bustan, he manifested the ideas of Iranshahri Thought. The present study shows that all the components of Iranshahri Thought, including having a hierarchal view of the universe (especially of the human community), considering the king as the leader in the hierarchy of society, knowing the kingdom as divine and believing in Farr-e Izadi (divine royal glory) of the king, considering his opinion and speech as the law, the need to fulfill the duties (khishkāri), the distinct concept of justice, repeated advice to adhere the virtue of moderation, satisfaction and contentment with what the cosmic order has given man, and finally, considering religion and kingdom as a united concept are evident in Saadi’s works

The pollen morphology of 33 species belonging to the genera Lactuca, Launaea, Cicerbita, Sonchus, Condrilla (tribe Cichorieae: Asteraceae) from Iran were studied with light and electron microscopies. The pollen grains of the investigated taxa are almost oblate‐spherical to prolate‐spherical, the shapes are circular in equatorial view, hexagonal in polar view, only Sonchus species are triangular or quadrangular in polar view, isopolar, symmetrical and trizonocolporate, except Sonchus and Chondrilla species, which have tri‐ to tetrazonocolporate pollen grains, and echinolophate. The size and number of spines in the polar area and the number of spines in the paraporal ridges and equatorial ridges proved to be the most taxonomically authentic characteristics in this study. Three pollen types were distinguished, as in alignment with previous studies. Cluster analysis by Ward method based on 10 quantitative morphological characteristics of pollen grains revealed that the species could be grouped based on the pollen characteristics. Moreover, three species of Cicerbita including Cicerbita scoparia (Rech. f. & Köie) Kitam, C. rechingeriana (Tuisl) Coșkunç., M. Güzel & N. Kilian and C. microcephala (DC.) M. Güzel, Coșkunç. & N. Kilian were recorded for the first time in Iran. Although the characteristics of the pollen grains were useful for distinguishing the species in sub‐tribes, in some cases, this did not confirm recent phylogenetic results. The pollen characteristics described in this study provide data that may be useful for future systematic studies aiming to complete the knowledge on Cichorieae species. Research Highlights: In the present study, the pollen morphology of 33 species belonging to five genera of the Cichorieae are investigated with scanning electron microscopy and 12 species are analyzed for the first time.The cluster analysis based on the quantitative morphological characteristics of pollen grains revealed that the species could be grouped based on the pollen characteristics.In addition, three species of Cicerbita are reported for the first time in Iran. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background. On December 2019, a novel coronavirus disease (COVID‐19) spread worldwide and became a pandemic. Multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS‐C) due to cytokine release syndrome following COVID‐19 presents with various manifestations. We hypothesize that one of the rare manifestations is acute abdomen. Case Presentation. In this case series, eight cases (five girls and three boys) of gastrointestinal (GI) involvement and acute abdomen were reported to be associated with the cytokine storm due to COVID‐19 infection. All patients were of Iranian nationality (Caucasian ethnicity), with a mean age of 8.9 years (range 3.5–14). They all presented with fever and acute abdominal pain. Additionally, maculopapular rash and edema of the extremities were common presentations. Free fluid on abdominal ultrasound or computerized tomography (CT) scan was observed in all patients. All cases tested positive for COVID‐19. In six cases, laparotomy or abdominal surgery was performed for a diagnosis of acute abdomen, but appendicitis was confirmed in only one case. None of the cases presented with phlegmon. Elevated serum lipase and amylase levels were noted in two cases. Seven patients received corticosteroid pulse therapy. Clinical symptoms improved after one or two doses, and all patients were discharged after 4 weeks of follow‐up with no mortality or morbidity. Conclusion. Patients experiencing unexplained acute abdominal pain along with fever, skin rash, and peripheral edema, who had a history of COVID‐19 infection prior to or during the episode of acute abdomen symptoms, should be considered to have MIS‐C. Furthermore, methylprednisolone pulse therapy could be a safe treatment option, reducing hospitalization duration in this patient population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]