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Seyed Ahmad Raeissadat,1 Azadeh Gharooee Ahangar,2 Seyed Mansoor Rayegani,1 Mohammadreza Minator Sajjadi,3 Adel Ebrahimpour,3 Pegah Yavari1 1Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Research Center, Clinical Research Development Center of Shahid Modarres Hospital, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran; 2Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Zanjan University of Medical Sciences, Zanjan, Iran; 3Taleghani Hospital, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, IranCorrespondence: Pegah YavariPhysical Medicine and Rehabilitation Research Center, Clinical Research Development Center of Shahid Modarres Hospital, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, IranTel + 98 912 299 7782Email p3gi69@yahoo.comObjective: In this study, we aimed at performing a comparison between intra-articular injections of PRP-derived growth factor (PGRF) and hyaluronic acid regarding their effect on pain and patient’s function in knee osteoarthritis, as well as their safety profiles.Methods: During our single-masked randomized clinical trial, the candidates with symptomatic knee osteoarthritis received two intra-articular injections of PRGF with 3 weeks apart or received three weekly injections of HA. The mean improvements from before treatment until the second, sixth, and twelfth months post-intervention in scores obtained by visual analog scale (VAS), Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC), and Lequesne index were our primary outcomes.Results: A total of 102 candidates were finally included in the study. Patients’ mean age was 57.08± 7.3 years old in the PRGF group compared to the mean age of 58.63± 7.09 years old in HA patients. In the PRGF group, total WOMAC index decreased from 41.96± 11.71 to 27.10± 12.3 (P = 0.02), and from 39.71± 10.4 to 32.41± 11.8 in the HA group after 12 months (P > 0.05). Regarding the Lequesne index, pain, ADL, and global scores significantly decreased after 12 months in the PRGF group compared to the HA group (P< 0.001). There was also a meaningful higher rate of satisfaction in the PRGF group compared to the HA group after 12 months of treatment (P< 0.001).Conclusion: Besides significantly higher satisfaction belonging to the PRGF group, there was a statistically significant improvement in VAS score and global, pain, and ADL score of Lequesne by passing 12 months from injection in PRGF compared to HA.Keywords: knee, osteoarthritis, PRP, PRP-derived growth factor, hyaluronic acid, intra-articular injections

Abstract Objectives This study aimed to assess the accuracy of a two-stage deep learning (DL) model for (1) detecting mandibular third molars (MTMs) and the mandibular canal (MC), and (2) classifying the anatomical relationship between these structures (contact/no contact) on panoramic radiographs. Method MTMs and MCs were labeled on panoramic radiographs by a calibrated examiner using bounding boxes. Each bounding box contained MTM and MC on one side. The relationship of MTMs with the MC was assessed on CBCT scans by two independent examiners without the knowledge of the condition of MTM and MC on the corresponding panoramic image, and dichotomized as contact/no contact. Data were split into training, validation, and testing sets with a ratio of 80:10:10. Faster R-CNN was used for detecting MTMs and MCs and ResNeXt for classifying their relationship. AP50 and AP75 were used as outcomes for detecting MTMs and MCs, and accuracy, precision, recall, F1-score, and the area-under-the-receiver-operating-characteristics curve (AUROC) were used to assess classification performance. The training and validation of the models were conducted using the Python programming language with the PyTorch framework. Results Three hundred eighty-seven panoramic radiographs were evaluated. MTMs were present bilaterally on 232 and unilaterally on 155 radiographs. In total, 619 images were collected which included MTMs and MCs. AP50 and AP75 indicating accuracy for detecting MTMs and MCs were 0.99 and 0.90 respectively. Classification accuracy, recall, specificity, F1-score, precision, and AUROC values were 0.85, 0.85, 0.93, 0.84, 0.86, and 0.91, respectively. Conclusion DL can detect MTMs and MCs and accurately assess their anatomical relationship on panoramic radiographs.

Objective: The design of a low-noise low-power 4-channel neural amplifier with variable bandwidth and gain for multi-channel electrode arrays is presented with application in recording of neural signals. Methods: To amplify neural signals with low amplitudes and frequencies, pseudo-resistors are used in the neural amplifier, creating a small low cut-off frequency. The neural amplifier is designed to amplify wide range of neural signals, including Local Field Potential (LFP) and Active Potential (AP) signals, with sufficient gain. In the design process of the proposed amplifier, important parameters such as noise, power consumption, and linearity have been considered and improved to make the proposed structure efficient. The suggested amplifier utilizes an OTA sharing structure where the common parts of amplifiers in distinct channels are shared. The advantage of this structure is that it minimizes the die area and power dissipation of the neural recording system to a significant extent. In addition, the attenuator circuit used in the feedback path can increase the mid-band gain for amplifying low-amplitude neural signals such as LFPs. This avoids the need to increase the value of the input capacitor in order to enhance the mid-band gain, preventing the increase in die area and the decrease in the input impedance of the amplifier. The 4-channel neural amplifier is designed and simulated in 180 nm TSMC CMOS technology. Results: The neural amplifier has a mid-band gain of 47 dB with 3 Hz to 10.8 kHz bandwidth without using an attenuator circuit, and by using the attenuator, the mid-band gain is increased to 55 dB and the bandwidth is decreased to 4 kHz. The power dissipation of each channel is 2.4 µW from 1-V supply voltage. The input-referred noise is 1.9 µVrms over the 3 Hz-10.8 kHz frequency range, and it is 1.45 µVrms over the 11 Hz-4 kHz frequency range when the attenuator circuit is active in the feedback path.

Abstract Background Repository corticotropin injection (RCI) has been suggested to exert immunomodulatory and anti-inflammatory effects in ocular inflammation. The index retrospective study aimed to evaluate the efficacy and tolerability of subcutaneous RCI in patients with active scleritis or uveitis. Main body Medical records of patients who were diagnosed with different types of active scleritis or uveitis and received RCI for more than six months at a tertiary eye center were reviewed. Patient characteristics including age, sex, comorbidities, clinical findings, treatment details, and adverse events were recorded. A total of 17 eyes of 17 patients were included. Median age was 43 years old and 53% of patients were male. Mean treatment duration was 25.4 ± 15.5 months. Indications for RCI therapy were scleritis (7 anterior and 1 posterior) (47.8%), panuveitis (17.4%), retinal vasculitis (17.4%), chronic/recurrent anterior uveitis (13%), and posterior uveitis (4.35%). RCI was initiated at a dose of 40 to 80 units 3 times weekly. Given the adequate control of inflammation, RCI was successfully discontinued in four patients (23.5%). Prior to RCI therapy, 14 (82.3%) patients were on oral prednisone at an average of 10 mg daily (range 2.5–40 mg), and two (11.7%) patients discontinued prednisone immediately before initiating RCI due to side effects. After six months of therapy, the prednisone dose was reduced in four (23.5%) patients to an average of 3 mg daily (range 1–5 mg) and was stopped in eight (53%) patients. Concomitant immunomodulatory therapies (IMTs) included mycophenolate mofetil (23.5%) and methotrexate (23.5%), and adalimumab (23.5%). Ten patients were on IMTs prior to using RCI, and during the course of treatment, IMT was stopped in two patients and reduced in one. Side effects included insomnia (23%), hypertension (11.7%), lower extremity edema (11.7%), hyperglycemia (11.7%), weight gain (11.7%), and infection (5.8%). Conclusion RCI may be considered as a potential therapy with acceptable tolerability for patients with non-infectious scleritis or uveitis.

Extended Abstract Background: Because human and non-human factors are present in most part of the Iranian northern Zagros Forests, an extensive portion of the forests in these areas have been lost or are at risk of destruction, making forestry initiatives increasingly important for the environment. Even enriching the existing forests is a particular approach to dealing with the quantitative and qualitative degradation processes. Furthermore, afforestation is a strategy for recovering degraded areas and is recognized as a method of protecting soil and water, combating desertification, providing wood, and increasing carbon and nitrogen stores. The selection of suitable tree/shrub species based on expert opinion and decision-making model criteria is one of the most effective factors in the success of afforestation and reforestation projects. The current study aimed to enhance the Iranian northern Zagros Forests in the Perdanan area of Piranshahr and to restore its destroyed regions (empty spots) by finding the most appropriate forest tree/shrub species. Methods: In this research, all destroyed spots, clearings, and empty spots of tree and shrub species were first identified and extracted as destroyed spots using the satellite images of 2022 from ESRI and the Google Company. To prepare the homogeneous units of the investigated area in the Pardanan forest lands of Piranshahr (northwest of Iran, the starting point of the Zagros forests), the topographical layers of the area, including slope, direction, height above sea level, geological maps, land ecology, and the map of micro-ecosystems, were combined to prepare the map of the ecological unit (homogeneous units) of the studied area. Because of the existence of destroyed spots, gaps, and empty spots of tree plant species, three one-kg soil samples from a depth of 0-30 cm were prepared from each of the environmental units. The soil samples passed through a two-mm sieve and thensubjected to measurements of soil physicochemical properties, including pH, electrical conductivity, texture, moisture, lime, nitrogen, organic carbon, phosphorus, potassium, calcium, magnesium, bulk density, and particle density factors. The findings of the soil samples were then analyzed with SPSS software to categorize the region based on soil properties by generating a dendrogram of the retrieved parameters using the K-Means Cluster technique. The acquired parameters were split into three good, medium, and poor stands after being separated into distinct groups and identifying the limiting characteristics of the studied region. The best species were selected through an extensive literature review of studies conducted in the area of Zagros forests. A list of 29 species of the most important and best species as final options was prepared and delivered to the questioners, which included university members and forestry experts in Iran. The most suitable species were selected based on the examined criteria and the soil properties of the region. Finally, the introduced species (options) were prioritized independently for each habitat by the TOPSIS method utilizing the opinions of the respondents (university members and forestry specialists in the forest areas of Iran), the AHP approach, and the decision-making criteria (viz. power of adaptation, the cost of keeping seedlings and seeds in afforested regions, water and soil protection, drought and natural element resistance (e.g., wind, pests, fire, etc.), growth rate, and seedling or seed purchase price). Results: The findings of extracting damaged spots, clearings, and vacant spots of tree and shrub species using remote sensing data revealed the presence of 141 places covering a total area of 685 ha. Decomposing the decision-making problem into smaller elements created a hierarchy on three levels. The first level contained the purpose of decision-making, and the second level comprised six criteria (maintenance cost, purchase price, growth rate, resistance, compatibility, and soil and water protection). In the third level, options with 29 native species were examined through a questionnaire among five experts, and finally, the most suitable species (option) was selected for each habitat (good, medium, and poor habitats) determined by examining the results of the sample dendrogram. The soil patches were separated and selected using the TOPSIS method. The results of the TOPSIS ranking technique showed that Arjan and Ars species were the most preferred species, with closeness indexes of 0.63, 0.65, and 0.64, respectively, in good/medium and poor habitats, respectively. Walnut, sand, and hackberry species (with closeness indices of 0.489, 0.487, and 0.484, respectively) were selected as the most unfavorable species for afforestation and forest restoration in these areas. Conclusion: The adaptability of the selected species for afforestation and forest enrichment projects to the region's current environmental conditions, as well as its low demands in comparison to other tree species, are the primary success factors for these programs. Plants, on the other hand, prefer certain conditions over others based on their biology and ecological demands, such as the quantity of light in different life stages, humidity, bedrock, and soil depth. Knowing these requirements will undoubtedly improve the accuracy of species selection and planting site selection and increase the chances of achieving a satisfactory result. According to the findings of this study, the studied region may be divided into good, medium, and poor stands based on its soil properties, and each of these areas has the necessary potential for afforestation. Nevertheless, given that each species has unique ecological demands, the relatedness of the species' ecological needs to the current ecological circumstances in the region is a prerequisite for the success of afforestation and reforestation projects. According to our findings, native species are the best alternative for recovering destroyed forest areas, and nursing species are more important than climax species in restoring degraded forest areas. The findings of this study can help forest managers plan effective forestry operations, particularly in Zagros ravaged areas (particularly in Iranian Northern Zagros forests).

Abstract Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is a highly aggressive malignancy, accounting for over 90% of pancreatic cancers, and is characterized by limited treatment options and poor survival rates. Systems biology provides in-depth insights into the molecular mechanisms of PDAC. In this context, novel algorithms and comprehensive strategies are essential for advancing the identification of critical network nodes and therapeutic targets within disease-related protein-protein interaction networks. This study employed a comprehensive computational strategy using the metaheuristic algorithm Trader to enhance the identification of potential therapeutic targets. Analysis of the expression data from the PDAC dataset (GSE132956) involved co-expression analysis and clustering of differentially expressed genes to identify key disease-associated modules. The STRING database was used to construct a network of differentially expressed genes, and the Trader algorithm pinpointed the top 30 DEGs whose removal caused the most significant network disconnections. Enriched gene ontology terms included “Signaling by Rho GTPases,” “Signaling by receptor tyrosine kinases,” and “immune system.” Additionally, nine hub genes—FYN, MAPK3, CDK2, SNRPG, GNAQ, PAK1, LPCAT4, MAP1LC3B, and FBN1—were identified as central to PDAC pathogenesis. This integrated approach, combining co-expression analysis with protein-protein interaction network analysis using a metaheuristic algorithm, provides valuable insights into PDAC mechanisms and highlights several hub genes as potential therapeutic targets.

Abstract Background Focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS), a histologic pattern of injury in the glomerulus, is one of the leading glomerular causes of end-stage renal disease (ESRD) worldwide. Despite extensive research, the underlying biological alterations causing FSGS remain poorly understood. Studying variations in gene expression profiles offers a promising approach to gaining a comprehensive understanding of FSGS molecular pathogenicity and identifying key elements as potential therapeutic targets. This work is a meta-analysis of gene expression profiles from glomerular samples of FSGS patients. The main aims of this study are to establish a consensus list of differentially expressed genes in FSGS, validate these findings, understand the disease’s pathogenicity, and identify novel therapeutic targets. Methods After a thorough search in the GEO database and subsequent quality control assessments, seven gene expression datasets were selected for the meta-analysis: GSE47183 (GPL14663), GSE47183 (GPL11670), GSE99340, GSE108109, GSE121233, GSE129973, and GSE104948. The random effect size method was applied to identify differentially expressed genes (meta-DEGs), which were then used to construct a regulatory network (STRING, MiRTarBase, and TRRUST) and perform various pathway enrichment analyses. The expression levels of several meta-DEGs, specifically ADAMTS1, PF4, EGR1, and EGF, known as angiogenesis regulators, were analyzed using quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR). Results The identified 2,898 meta-DEGs, including 665 downregulated and 669 upregulated genes, were subjected to various analyses. A co-regulatory network comprising 2,859 DEGs, 2,688 microRNAs (miRNAs), and 374 transcription factors (TFs) was constructed, and the top molecules in the network were identified based on degree centrality. Part of the pathway enrichment analysis revealed significant disruption in the angiogenesis regulatory pathways in the FSGS kidney. The RT-qPCR results confirmed an imbalance in angiogenesis pathways by demonstrating the differential expression levels of ADAMTS1 and EGR1, two key angiogenesis regulators, in the FSGS condition. Conclusion In addition to presenting a consensus list of differentially expressed genes in FSGS, this meta-analysis identified significant distortions in angiogenesis-related pathways and factors in the FSGS kidney. Targeting these factors may offer a viable strategy to impede the progression of FSGS.

Abstract The development of decarbonized synthesis approaches is a critical step in the fabrication of ammonia, an indispensable chemical and a potential carbon–neutral energy carrier. In this regard, the photocatalytic production technology has gained ample attention as a sustainable alternative to energy-intensive and environmentally detrimental Haber–Bosch process. Here, we present cobalt ferrite nanoparticles supported on microporous ZSM-5 type ferrisilicate zeolite as a desirable novel photocatalyst for the ammonia generation. The zeolite introduced as a microporous support increasing the catalytically active sites. A straightforward one-pot sol–gel method was used to synthesize cobalt ferrite (CoFe2O4) and CoFe2O4/ferrisilicate (CF/FS) nanocomposites with various weight percentages (10, 25 and 50%) of CoFe2O4. The photocatalytic performances of the samples in the production of ammonia were investigated under visible light irradiation. The highest rate of NH4 + production (484.74 µmol L−1 h−1) was achieved using the CF50%/FS photocatalyst. The distribution of

Objective (s): In a situation where the vaccine was not completely accurate and up-to-date against different strains of the virus in all people of the world, compliance with health guidelines was the main key to prevent transmission. But what is clear is that compliance with health protocols is not the same among all communities and depends on factors. This article examines the effects and attitudes of health protocols. Methods: This research was a descriptive-quantitative cross-sectional study, which was conducted among 385 students of Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Iran in the last week of May 2022. Factors affecting the adherence to water hygiene behaviors due to covid-19 were investigated using a questionnaire and the results were analyzed and reported in ordinal regression with SPSS 25 software. Results: The ratio of the average score of compliance (19.08) from the total of eight health behaviors to the maximum score (25) was reported as 76%. It was reported that the score of awareness was very high, 94%, and the average score of attitude was about 75%. In the ordinal regression, it was found that having knowledge was not effective in following all health protocols and only two behaviors of avoiding attending gatherings and avoiding losing when meeting acquaintances showed a statistically significant relationship. In other words, with the increase of each score of awareness, the chance of having higher compliance scores in these two behaviors increased by about 1.5 times. On the other hand, the attitude score had a statistically significant relationship with most of the behaviors, except the compliance of coughing and sneezing into a handkerchief or the corner of the arm, and it had a positive simultaneous effect on the compliance of the behaviors. Conclusion: The high level of awareness among the studied community can partially indicate the effectiveness of interventions in increasing awareness, but the gap between awareness, attitude and behavior indicates the need to pay attention to other factors affecting attitude and behavior.

The aim of this study was to determine the effectiveness of compassion-focuced therapy on self-blame, distress tolerance, self-conscious emotion and conflict resolution styles in patients with cancer in Isfahan. The method of this research was quasi-experimental with a pretest-posttest design with a control group. The statistical population included all patients with cancer in Isfahan province in 2019 that 30 patients with cancer were selected by convenience sampling and randomly asingment into experimental and control groups (n = 15). Cognitive Emotion Regulation Strategies Questionnaire (Garnefski & Kraaij, 2007), Distress Tolerance Questionnaire (Simons & Gaher, 2005), Self-Conscious Emotion Questionnaire (Tangney, Dearing, Wagner, & Gramzow, 1989), Conflict Resolution Questionnaire (Weeks, 1994), used as a pre-test, then experimental group underwent Compassion- Focuced Therapy in 8 sessions of 90 minutes for two months and the control group did not receive any intervention. At the end, post-test was performed on both groups and the data were analyzed using Spss-23 statistical software and analysis of covariance. Findings showed that therapeutic intervention decreased the score of self-blame and self-conscious emotion and increased the score of distress tolerance and conflict resolution styles in the experimental group compared to the control group (P

Abstract Introduction The therapeutic method for many malignant and non-malignant diseases is hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT), but it is not always fully successful in all patients. Indeed, HSCT can be influenced by a variety of factors. Here we reviewed the effect of microRNAs (miRs) on HSCT-related outcomes, like survival, infections, relapse, engraftment, and so on, systematically. Method WOS, Scopus, PubMed, Google Scholar, and ProQuest databases were searched. The PRISMA guideline was performed, and 24 studies were included through quality assessment. Classified data extraction was done based on the type of disease. Results The systematic review identified 47 miRs effective on HSCT. The role of miRs as tumor suppressors or oncogenes is reported in acute myeloblastic and lymphoblastic leukemia patients undergoing HSCT due to their effects on overall or event-free survival. Additionally, relapse after HSCT in multiple myeloma is correlated with miRs expression. Also, recovery from post-autologous HSCT cytopenia or platelet and neutrophil engraftment can be influenced by miRs. We highlighted here reports on specific miRs. Conclusion We reported prognostic miRs for in-depth clinical management of the HSCT process and its outcomes. Also, miRs are introduced for the prevention of HSCT-related complications, and future studies are suggested to evaluate personalized medicine’s utilization of miRs in therapeutic methods like HSCT in neoplasia.

In the operation of water distribution networks in cities, leakage from pipes always causes problems for human health and for the environment. Leakage openings in pipes may exist in different shapes. Circular holes are common in corroded and punched pipes. In the leakage studies, the area of these openings is usually assumed to be fixed and the leakage exponent is about 0.5. In this study, an analytical equation has been presented with two purposes. First, Examining the changes in the leak area and leakage exponent of circular holes. Second, providing an equation that contains more parameters than the general leakage equations. By using such an equation, the accuracy of leakage estimation is increased due to the direct involvement of the effective parameters. Also, for the possibility of modeling different leakage equations, including the present equation, a new hydraulic analysis model has been developed. This model tries to improve leakage modeling by including more capabilities than the existing hydraulic analysis models. Results showed that the leak area in circular holes is not fixed and changes due to different parameters. Comparison of the present equation and the orifice equation showed a significant difference which confirms that the orifice equation cannot be always used for circular leaks. In the study of leakage exponent, it was found that for polyethylene pipes, the leakage exponent is higher than value of 0.5 mentioned in the other studies and it can take different values depending on the leakage position in the network. Increasing the hole diameter did not affect the leakage exponent, but increased the leakage coefficient. On the other hand, for steel pipes, the leakage coefficient was fixed and the exponent remained around 0.5. Finally, the results showed the usefulness of the developed hydraulic analysis model for implementing the scenarios defined in this study.