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This study uses automatic linear regression (LINEAR) and artificial neural network (ANN) models to statistically analyze the area of landslides triggered by the 2021 SW Chelgard earthquake (ML = 6) based on controlling parameters. We recorded and mapped the number of 632 landslides into four groups (based on the Hungr et al. 2014): rock avalanche-rock fall, debris avalanche-debris flow, rock slump, and slide earth flow-soil slump using remote sensing method, satellite images (before and after the earthquake), and field observation. The spatial distribution of landslides showed that the highest values of the landslide area percentage (LAP %) and of the landslide number density (LND, N/km2) occurred in the northern part of the fault on the hanging wall. The ANN models with R2 = 0.51–0.80 provided more accurate predictions of landslide area (LA, m2) than the LINEAR models, with R2 = 0.40–0.61 using multiple parameters. The LINEAR models revealed that the most influential controlling parameters for landslides were the topographic factors and ANN models showed that seismic parameters are effective on the coseismic landslides (e.g., the distance from the epicenter on the rock slumps; the PGA on debris avalanches- debris flow; the distance from the rupture surface of the fault and Ia on the rock avalanches-rockfall and slide earth flow-soil slump). Therefore, the classification of coseismic landslides can be helpful for predicting the LA more accurately and better understanding the failure mechanism. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Free-living amoebae (FLA) such as Acanthamoeba spp., are considered as opportunistic and pathogenic protozoans. Acanthamoeba granulomatous encephalitis (AGE) is a serious threat for immunodeficient patients and Acanthamoeba keratitis (AK) for contact lens users. We aimed to identify the presence of free living amoebae in nasal swabs of patients and contact lens users in Qazvin, Iran., Methods: During 2019, 251 nasal and oral swabs (including the pharynx and mouth) were collected from patients with diabetes, AIDS and those under periodic dialysis in Qazvin, Iran. In addition, 27 soft contact lenses were collected from the participants. Following DNA extraction, PCR and sequencing were conducted to identify the genotypes of the amoeba. Phylogenetic analysis of the identified sequences was performed using MEGA 7 software., Results: A strain of Acanthamoeba belonging to the T3 genotype was isolated from hemodialysis patients. Two specimens of Acanthamoeba with T3 genotype were isolated from keratitis patients., Conclusion: The clinicians should pay attention to the possible complication of this organism because this amoeba is potentially pathogenic for immunocompromised patients. Since the amoeba is present in environmental resources, the use of contact lenses should be accompanied by considering proper hygiene., Competing Interests: Conflict of interest The authors declare that there is no conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2022 Jalilehvand et al. Published by Tehran University of Medical Sciences.)

Aim: This study investigated the humoral response against SARS-CoV-2 in patients needing intensive care unit (ICU) care compared with those on general medicine wards., Materials & Methods: The authors retrospectively reviewed 113 hospitalized patients with COVID-19. They assessed antibody response against five SARS-CoV-2 epitopes at 6-14 days post symptom onset in these patients., Results: Patients with ICU admissions had decreased anti-nucleocapsid immunoglobulin (Ig)M and increased anti-spike IgG compared with patients not requiring the ICU. IgG levels were positively correlated with length of stay., Conclusion: Higher levels of IgG against the spike protein correlate with COVID-19 disease severity and length of stay in hospitalized patients. This adds to the knowledge of biochemical response to clinical disease and may help predict ICU needs., Competing Interests: Financial & competing interests disclosure The authors are providing this manuscript to the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to make it publicly available in PubMed Central after its official date of publication in the journal. This work was supported by the National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences, National Institutes of Health, through UL1TR002550 as well as linked award KL2TR002552 to J Cham, LJ Nicholson and AC Pandey. The content is solely the responsibility of the authors and does not necessarily represent the official views of the NIH. The authors have no other relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript apart from those disclosed. No writing assistance was utilized in the production of this manuscript., (© 2022 The Authors.)