Dust and climate interactions in the Middle East: Spatio-temporal analysis of aerosol optical depth and climatic variables.

The Middle East (ME) is grappling with an alarming increase in dust levels, measured as aerosol optical depth (AOD), which poses significant threats to air quality, human health, and ecological stability. This study aimed to investigate correlations between climate and non-climate driving factors and AOD in the ME over the last four-decade (1980-2020), based on analysis of three variables: actual evapotranspiration (AET), potential evapotranspiration (PET), and precipitation (P). A comprehensive analysis is conducted to discern patterns and trends, with a particular focus on regions such as Rub al-Khali, Ad-Dahna, An-Nafud Desert, and southern Iraq, where consistently high dust levels were observed. 77 % of the study area is classified as arid or semi-arid based on the aridity index. Our results indicate an upward trend in dust levels in Iraq, Iran, Yemen, and Saudi Arabia. We noted an increasing AET trend in regions such as the Euphrates and Tigris basin, northern-Iran, and the Nile region, along with rising PET levels in arid and semi-arid zones such as Iran, Iraq, and Syria. Conversely, P showed a notable decrease in northern-Iraq, Syria, southwestern Iran, and southern-Turkey. Comparison of long-term changes (10-year moving averages) of AOD and P showed a consistent increase in AOD with P levels decreasing in all climate regions. The Budyko space analysis indicates shifts in evaporation ratio across different climate classes from 1980 to 2020, with predominant movement patterns towards higher aridity indices in arid and semi-arid regions, while factors beyond long-term aridity changes influence shifts in evaporation ratio across various climatic zones. The Middle East experiences complex and intricate interactions between dust events and their drivers. To address this issue, a comprehensive and multi-system approach is necessary, which considers both climate and non-climate drivers. Moreover, an efficient dust control strategy should include soil and water conservation, advanced monitoring, and public awareness campaigns that involve regional and international collaboration.

Practical Three-Component Regioselective Synthesis of Drug-Like 3-Aryl(or heteroaryl)-5,6-dihydrobenzo[h]cinnolines as Potential Non-Covalent Multi-Targeting Inhibitors To Combat Neurodegenerative Diseases.

Neurodegenerative diseases (NDs) are one of the prominent health challenges facing contemporary society, and many efforts have been made to overcome and (or) control it. In this research paper, we described a practical one-pot two-step three-component reaction between 3,4-dihydronaphthalen-1(2H)-one (1), aryl(or heteroaryl)glyoxal monohydrates (2a-h), and hydrazine monohydrate (NH2NH2•H2O) for the regioselective preparation of some 3-aryl(or heteroaryl)-5,6-dihydrobenzo[h]cinnoline derivatives (3a-h). After synthesis and characterization of the mentioned cinnolines (3a-h), the in silico multi-targeting inhibitory properties of these heterocyclic scaffolds have been investigated upon various Homo sapiens-type enzymes, including hMAO-A, hMAO-B, hAChE, hBChE, hBACE-1, hBACE-2, hNQO-1, hNQO-2, hnNOS, hiNOS, hPARP-1, hPARP-2, hLRRK-2(G2019S), hGSK-3ß, hp38α MAPK, hJNK-3, hOGA, hNMDA receptor, hnSMase-2, hIDO-1, hCOMT, hLIMK-1, hLIMK-2, hRIPK-1, hUCH-L1, hPARK-7, and hDHODH, which have confirmed their functions and roles in the neurodegenerative diseases (NDs), based on molecular docking studies, and the obtained results were compared with a wide range of approved drugs and well-known (with IC50, EC50, etc.) compounds. In addition, in silico ADMET prediction analysis was performed to examine the prospective drug properties of the synthesized heterocyclic compounds (3a-h). The obtained results from the molecular docking studies and ADMET-related data demonstrated that these series of 3-aryl(or heteroaryl)-5,6-dihydrobenzo[h]cinnolines (3a-h), especially hit ones, can really be turned into the potent core of new drugs for the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases (NDs), and/or due to the having some reactionable locations, they are able to have further organic reactions (such as cross-coupling reactions), and expansion of these compounds (for example, with using other types of aryl(or heteroaryl)glyoxal monohydrates) makes a new avenue for designing novel and efficient drugs for this purpose.

Facilitators and barriers to using AI-enabled robots with older adults in long-term care from staff perspective: a scoping review protocol.

INTRODUCTION: Assistive and service robots have been increasingly designed and deployed in long-term care (LTC) but little evidence guides their use. This scoping review synthesises existing studies on facilitators and barriers to using artificial intelligence (AI)-enabled robots with older adults in LTC settings. METHODS AND ANALYSIS: We will follow the Joanna Briggs Institute's scoping review methodology for the study, to be conducted from November 2023 to April 2024. We will focus on literature exploring the use of AI-enabled robots with older adults in an LTC setting from healthcare providers' perspectives. Three steps will be taken: (a) keywords and index terms will be identified from MEDLINE and CINAHL databases; (b) comprehensive searches will be conducted in MEDLINE, CINAHL, Embase, Web of Science, Scopus, AgeLine, PsycINFO, ProQuest and Google, using keywords and index terms identified in step (a); and (c) examining reference lists of the included studies and selecting items in the reference lists which meet the inclusion criteria. Searches for grey literature will also be conducted via Google. The results will be presented in a charting table and a narrative summary will be presented in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses extension for Scoping Reviews checklist. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: Ethics approval and participation consent are not required because the data are publicly available. The results will be presented via a journal article and conference presentations.

Green and efficient one-pot three-component synthesis of novel drug-like furo[2,3-d]pyrimidines as potential active site inhibitors and putative allosteric hotspots modulators of both SARS-CoV-2 MPro and PLPro.

In this paper, an environmentally benign, convenient, and efficient one-pot three-component reaction has been developed for the regioselective synthesis of novel 5-aroyl(or heteroaroyl)-6-(alkylamino)-1,3-dimethylfuro[2,3-d]pyrimidine-2,4(1H,3H)-diones (4a‒n) through the sequential condensation of aryl(or heteroaryl)glyoxal monohydrates (1a‒g), 1,3-dimethylbarbituric acid (2), and alkyl(viz. cyclohexyl or tert-butyl)isocyanides (3a or 3b) catalyzed by ultra-low loading ZrOCl2•8H2O (just 2 mol%) in water at 50 ˚C. After synthesis and characterization of the mentioned furo[2,3-d]pyrimidines (4a‒n), their multi-targeting inhibitory properties were investigated against the active site and putative allosteric hotspots of both SARS-CoV-2 main protease (MPro) and papain-like protease (PLPro) based on molecular docking studies and compare the attained results with various medicinal compounds which approximately in three past years were used, introduced, and or repurposed to fight against COVID-19. Furthermore, drug-likeness properties of the mentioned small heterocyclic frameworks (4a‒n) have been explored using in silico ADMET analyses. Interestingly, the molecular docking studies and ADMET-related data revealed that the novel series of furo[2,3-d]pyrimidines (4a‒n), especially 5-(3,4-methylendioxybenzoyl)-6-(cyclohexylamino)-1,3-dimethylfuro[2,3-d]pyrimidine-2,4(1H,3H)-dione (4g) as hit one is potential COVID-19 drug candidate, can subject to further in vitro and in vivo studies. It is worthwhile to note that the protein-ligand-type molecular docking studies on the human body temperature-dependent MPro protein that surprisingly contains zincII (ZnII) ion between His41/Cys145 catalytic dyad in the active site, which undoubtedly can make new plans for designing novel SARS-CoV-2 MPro inhibitors, is performed for the first time in this paper, to the best of our knowledge.

Blood Levels of Angiotensinogen and Hypertension in the Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis (MESA).

BACKGROUND: Angiotensinogen is the proximal precursor of the angiotensin peptide hormones of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS). Clinical trials are ongoing targeting angiotensinogen for the treatment of hypertension and heart failure. The epidemiology of angiotensinogen is not well defined, particularly its relationship to ethnicity, sex, and blood pressure (BP)/hypertension. OBJECTIVES: The authors sought to determine the relationship of circulating angiotensinogen levels to ethnicity, sex, BP, incident hypertension, and prevalent hypertension in a modern sex-balanced ethnically diverse cohort. METHODS: Plasma angiotensinogen levels were measured in 5,786 participants from the MESA (Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis). Linear, logistic, and Cox proportional hazards models were utilized to examine the associations of angiotensinogen with BP, prevalent hypertension, and incident hypertension, respectively. RESULTS: Angiotensinogen levels were significantly higher in females than males and differed across self-reported ethnicities with the ordering (from highest to lowest): White, Black, Hispanic, and Chinese adults. Higher levels were associated with higher BP and odds of prevalent hypertension, after adjusting for other risk factors. Equivalent relative differences in angiotensinogen were associated with greater differences in BP in males vs females. In males not taking RAAS-blocking medications, a standard deviation increment in log-angiotensinogen was associated with 2.61 mm Hg higher systolic BP (95% CI: 1.49-3.80), while in females the same increment in angiotensinogen was associated with 0.97 mm Hg higher systolic BP (95% CI: 0.30-1.65). CONCLUSIONS: Significant differences in angiotensinogen levels are present between sexes and ethnicities. A positive association is present between levels and prevalent hypertension and BP, which differs between sexes.

NiII NPs entrapped within a matrix of l-glutamic acid cross-linked chitosan supported on magnetic carboxylic acid-functionalized multi-walled carbon nanotube: a new and efficient multi-task catalytic system for the green one-pot synthesis of diverse heterocyclic frameworks.

In the present study, a new l-glutamic acid cross-linked chitosan supported on magnetic carboxylic acid-functionalized multi-walled carbon nanotube (Fe3O4/f-MWCNT-CS-Glu) nanocomposite was prepared through a convenient one-pot multi-component sequential strategy. Then, nickelII nanoparticles (NiII NPs) were entrapped within a matrix of the mentioned nanocomposite. Afterward, the structure of the as-prepared Fe3O4/f-MWCNT-CS-Glu/NiII nanosystem was elucidated by various techniques, including FT-IR, PXRD, SEM, TEM, SEM-based EDX and elemental mapping, ICP-OES, TGA/DTA, and VSM. In the next part of this research, the catalytic applications of the mentioned nickelII-containing magnetic nanocomposite were assessed upon green one-pot synthesis of diverse heterocyclic frameworks, including bis-coumarins (3a-n), 2-aryl(or heteroaryl)-2,3-dihydroquinazolin-4(1H)-ones (5a-r), 9-aryl-3,3,6,6-tetramethyl-3,4,5,6,7,9-hexahydro-1H-xanthene-1,8(2H)-diones (7a-n), and 2-amino-4-aryl-7,7-dimethyl-5-oxo-5,6,7,8-tetrahydro-4H-chromene-3-carbonitriles (9a-n). The good-to-excellent yields of the desired products, satisfactory reaction rates, use of water solvent or solvent-free reaction medium, acceptable turnover numbers (TONs) and turnover frequencies (TOFs), along with comfortable recoverability and satisfying reusability of the as-prepared nanocatalyst for at least eight successive runs, and also easy work-up and purification procedures are some of the advantages of the current synthetic protocols.

Unifying theory of carotid plaque disruption based on structural phenotypes and forces expressed at the lumen/wall interface.

OBJECTIVES: To integrate morphological, haemodynamic and mechanical analysis of carotid atheroma driving plaque disruption. MATERIALS AND METHODS: First, we analysed the phenotypes of carotid endarterectomy specimens in a photographic dataset A, and matched them with the likelihood of preoperative stroke. Second, laser angioscopy was used to further define the phenotypes in intact specimens (dataset B) and benchmark with histology. Third, representative vascular geometries for each structural phenotype were analysed with Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD), and the mechanical strength of the complicated atheroma to resist penetrating forces was quantified (n=14). RESULTS: In dataset A (n=345), ulceration (fibrous cap disruption) was observed in 82% of all plaques, intraplaque haemorrhage in 68% (93% subjacent to an ulcer) and false luminal formation in 48%. At least one of these 'rupture' phenotypes was found in 97% of symptomatic patients (n=69) compared with 61% in asymptomatic patients. In dataset B (n=30), laser angioscopy redemonstrated the structural phenotypes with near-perfect agreement with histology. In CFD, haemodynamic stress showed a large pulse magnitude, highest upstream to the point of maximal stenosis and on ulceration the inflow stream excavates the necrotic core cranially and then recirculates into the true lumen. Based on mechanical testing (n=14), the necrotic core is mechanically weak and penetrated by the blood on fibrous cap disruption. CONCLUSIONS: Fibrous cap ulceration, plaque haemorrhage and excavation are sequential phenotypes of plaque disruption resulting from the chiselling effect of haemodynamic forces over unmatched mechanical tissue strength. This chain of events may result in thromboembolic events independently of the degree of stenosis.

Diverse and efficient catalytic applications of new cockscomb flower-like Fe3O4@SiO2@KCC-1@MPTMS@CuII mesoporous nanocomposite in the environmentally benign reduction and reductive acetylation of nitroarenes and one-pot synthesis of some coumarin compounds.

In this research, Fe3O4@SiO2@KCC-1@MPTMS@CuII as a new cockscomb flower-like mesoporous nanocomposite was prepared and characterized by various techniques including Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy, powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), SEM-based energy-dispersive X-ray (EDX) spectroscopy, inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES), thermogravimetric analysis/differential thermal analysis (TGA/DTA), vibrating sample magnetometry (VSM), UV-Vis spectroscopy, and Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) and Barrett-Joyner-Halenda (BJH) analyses. The as-prepared Fe3O4@SiO2@KCC-1@MPTMS@CuII mesoporous nanocomposite exhibited satisfactory catalytic activity in the reduction and reductive acetylation of nitroarenes in a water medium and solvent-free one-pot synthesis of some coumarin compounds including 3,3'-(arylmethylene)bis(4-hydroxy-2H-chromen-2-ones) (namely, bis-coumarins) (3a-n) and 2-amino-4-aryl-7,7-dimethyl-5-oxo-5,6,7,8-tetrahydro-4H-chromene-3-carbonitriles (6a-n) along with acceptable turnover numbers (TONs) and turnover frequencies (TOFs). Furthermore, the mentioned CuII-containing mesoporous nanocatalyst was conveniently recovered by a magnet from reaction environments and reused for at least seven cycles without any significant loss in activity, which confirms its good stability.

Prevalence of generalized anxiety disorder among nursing students in Iran during the COVID-19 pandemic: A web-based cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: The Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a public health emergency that poses anxiety symptoms to nursing students (P. Li et al., 2020). Therefore, this study aimed to examine the prevalence of anxiety and its associated factors in nursing students in Iran during the COVID-19 pandemic. METHODS: We performed this web-based cross-sectional study on 174 nursing students in Iran, between 4 and 24 April 2020. Data were collected through an online questionnaire using social media like Telegram and WhatsApp. Anxiety was measured via the Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 (GAD-7). Simple and multiple logistic regression analyses were undertaken to examine independent predictors of anxiety. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS for Windows, version 16.0. RESULTS: The mean GAD-7 total score was 6.05 ± 4.77, and the prevalence of GAD using a cut-off value of 10 for the GAD-7 was 20.7%. According to the adjusted analysis, GAD was significantly associated with having chronic diseases (OR = 5.74, 95% CI: 1.39-23.72), long time thinking about COVID-19 (OR = 14.09, 95% CI: 4.36-45.54), and death of family members, relatives or friends due to COVID-19 (OR = 4.53, 95% CI: 1.08-18.93). CONCLUSION: The prevalence of GAD is considerably high in nursing students during the COVID-19 pandemic in Iran. Thus, a holistic approach, including management policies, psychosocial interventions, and training, is critical to reducing anxiety symptoms during the COVID-19 pandemic as well as during any outbreaks of other infectious diseases in the future.

A comprehensive survey upon diverse and prolific applications of chitosan-based catalytic systems in one-pot multi-component synthesis of heterocyclic rings.

Heterocyclic compounds are among the most prestigious and valuable chemical molecules with diverse and magnificent applications in various sciences. Due to the remarkable and numerous properties of the heterocyclic frameworks, the development of efficient and convenient synthetic methods for the preparation of such outstanding compounds is of great importance. Undoubtedly, catalysis has a conspicuous role in modern chemical synthesis and green chemistry. Therefore, when designing a chemical reaction, choosing and or preparing powerful and environmentally benign simple catalysts or complicated catalytic systems for an acceleration of the chemical reaction is a pivotal part of work for synthetic chemists. Chitosan, as a biocompatible and biodegradable pseudo-natural polysaccharide is one of the excellent choices for the preparation of suitable catalytic systems due to its unique properties. In this review paper, every effort has been made to cover all research articles in the field of one-pot synthesis of heterocyclic frameworks in the presence of chitosan-based catalytic systems, which were published roughly by the first quarter of 2020. It is hoped that this review paper can be a little help to synthetic scientists, methodologists, and catalyst designers, both on the laboratory and industrial scales.

COVID-19 Associated Reversible Cerebral Vasoconstriction Syndrome Successfully Treated with Nimodipine and Aspirin.

There have been limited cases linking SARS-CoV-2 infection with the development of reversible cerebral vasoconstriction syndrome (RCVS). We hereby report a rare case of RCVS in the setting of mild SARS-CoV-2 respiratory infection successfully treated with nimodipine and aspirin. SARS-CoV-2 attacks the ACE2-receptors, which are expressed in various body organs including the lungs, kidneys, and blood vessels. Vasoconstriction can result from down-regulation of the ACE2-receptors that can lead to sympathetic hypertonia of the cerebral blood vessel walls and/or over-activation of the renin-angiotensin axis.

Bi-functionalized aminoguanidine-PEGylated periodic mesoporous organosilica nanoparticles: a promising nanocarrier for delivery of Cas9-sgRNA ribonucleoproteine.

BACKGROUND: There is a great interest in the efficient intracellular delivery of Cas9-sgRNA ribonucleoprotein complex (RNP) and its possible applications for in vivo CRISPR-based gene editing. In this study, a nanoporous mediated gene-editing approach has been successfully performed using a bi-functionalized aminoguanidine-PEGylated periodic mesoporous organosilica (PMO) nanoparticles (RNP@AGu@PEG1500-PMO) as a potent and biocompatible nanocarrier for RNP delivery. RESULTS: The bi-functionalized MSN-based nanomaterials have been fully characterized using electron microscopy (TEM and SEM), nitrogen adsorption measurements, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), Attenuated Total Reflectance-Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (ATR-FTIR), and dynamic light scattering (DLS). The results confirm that AGu@PEG1500-PMO can be applied for gene-editing with an efficiency of about 40% as measured by GFP gene knockdown of HT1080-GFP cells with no notable change in the morphology of the cells. CONCLUSIONS: Due to the high stability and biocompatibility, simple synthesis, and cost-effectiveness, the developed bi-functionalized PMO-based nano-network introduces a tailored nanocarrier that has remarkable potential as a promising trajectory for biomedical and RNP delivery applications.

Association of HCV genotype with viral load among Iranian blood donors: a penalized logistic regression.

Background: Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is a blood born virus and the leading cause of advanced hepatitis disease. HCV genotype 3a is predominant among Iranian blood donors. The aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship between HCV genotype and HCV viral load. Methods: In this analytical cross-sectional study 106 anti-HCV positive and HCV RNA positive blood donors referred to Iranian blood centers across the county were entered. HCV viral loads were determined by an in-house one step Taq Man Real-Time RT-PCR assay. Penalized logistic regression was performed for data analysis. STATA software version 13 was used for statistical analysis. Results: The mean age was 37.94 ± 9.04 years ranged from 19 to 58 years. Male gender included 104 (98.1%) of subjects. 31, 10 and 65 subjects were infected with genotypes1a, 1b, and 3a, respectively. The mean viral load was 1.44 × 106 ± 4.5× 105 IU/ml. HCV viral load was not significantly different among subjects infected with HCV genotypes 1, 1.49 × 10 6 ± 4.57 × 10 6 IU/ml compare to genotype 3, 1.40 × 10 6 ± 5.58 4.58 × 106 IU/ml (p=0.93). Conclusion: Although not significant, the frequency of subjects with high viral load (> 800,000 IU/ml) was higher in subjects infected with genotype 3 than those of genotype 1. No associations were found between demographic characteristics and HCV genotype. Although the study was unable to find any association between HCV genotype and HCV viral load/ HCV viral load group, it highlighted the role of high viral load in the high circulation of HCV genotype 3a among Iranian blood donors.

The Taxonomic Position and Phylogenetic Relationship between Digramma interrupta and Ligula intestinalis Based on Morphological and Molecular Diagnosis.

BACKGROUND: The position of Digramma interrupta remains disputable as it was raised by Cholodkovsky from Ligula alternans. This study aimed to survey the evolutionary relationships and the taxonomic position of D. interrupta and L. intestinalis. It also intended to support or reject the validity of D. interrupt as an independent genus and its correlation with L. intestinalis on the basis of their morphological characteristics and a study on molecular data. METHODS: Overall, 1301 fish varieties, including 883 Alburnoides bipunctatus and 418 Abramis brama, were collected from north and north-western parts of Iran. A. bipunctatus samples were obtained from fresh water sources of the Maragheh dam (northwest) and the Ramesar Lake (north). Moreover, samples of A. brama were captured from the Aras Dam (northwest) and the Bandar-e-Anzali lagoon (north). PCR was used to generate a fragment spanning two independent ITS-inclusive parts: ITS1-5.8S and ITS2 with two pairs of primers. RESULTS: Nucleotide variation between L. intestinalis and D. interrupta samples amounts to about 3% to 7%. Between samples of L. intestinalis and GenBank data, and also between D. interrupta specimens and GenBank data, the diversity was seen for about 1% to 3%. Moreover, about 1% to 4% nucleotide variation was seen only in L. intestinalis samples caught from the same host, which could be supplementary to the presence of a species and/or strains in this genus. CONCLUSION: Maybe D. interrupta was just a rare diplogonadic form of the Ligula species, not a different genus and not synonymous with the Ligula genus, but only another species of the Ligula genus.

A multielectrode array microchannel platform reveals both transient and slow changes in axonal conduction velocity.

Due to their small dimensions, electrophysiology on thin and intricate axonal branches in support of understanding their role in normal and diseased brain function poses experimental challenges. To reduce experimental complexity, we coupled microelectrode arrays (MEAs) to bi-level microchannel devices for the long-term in vitro tracking of axonal morphology and activity with high spatiotemporal resolution. Our model allowed the long-term multisite recording from pure axonal branches in a microscopy-compatible environment. Compartmentalizing the network structure into interconnected subpopulations simplified access to the locations of interest. Electrophysiological data over 95 days in vitro (DIV) showed an age-dependent increase of axonal conduction velocity, which was positively correlated with, but independent of evolving burst activity over time. Conduction velocity remained constant at chemically increased network activity levels. In contrast, low frequency (1 Hz, 180 repetitions) electrical stimulation of axons or network subpopulations evoked amplitude-dependent direct (5-35 ms peri-stimulus) and polysynaptic (35-1,000 ms peri-stimulus) activity with temporarily (<35 ms) elevated propagation velocities along the perisomatic branches. Furthermore, effective stimulation amplitudes were found to be significantly lower (>250 mV) in microchannels when compared with those reported for unconfined cultures (>800 mV). The experimental paradigm may lead to new insights into stimulation-induced axonal plasticity.

Crowd behavior representation: an attribute-based approach.

In crowd behavior studies, a model of crowd behavior needs to be trained using the information extracted from video sequences. Most of the previous methods are based on low-level visual features because there are only crowd behavior labels available as ground-truth information in crowd datasets. However, there is a huge semantic gap between low-level motion/appearance features and high-level concept of crowd behaviors. In this paper, we tackle the problem by introducing an attribute-based scheme. While similar strategies have been employed for action and object recognition, to the best of our knowledge, for the first time it is shown that the crowd emotions can be used as attributes for crowd behavior understanding. We explore the idea of training a set of emotion-based classifiers, which can subsequently be used to indicate the crowd motion. In this scheme, we collect a large dataset of video clips and provide them with both annotations of "crowd behaviors" and "crowd emotions". We test the proposed emotion based crowd representation methods on our dataset. The obtained promising results demonstrate that the crowd emotions enable the construction of more descriptive models for crowd behaviors. We aim at publishing the dataset with the article, to be used as a benchmark for the communities.

Erratum to: Crowd behavior representation: an attribute-based approach.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1186/s40064-016-2786-0.].

Genome-Wide Analysis of Oceanimonas sp. GK1 Isolated from Gavkhouni Wetland (Iran) Demonstrates Presence of Genes for Virulence and Pathogenicity.

OBJECTIVE: The bacterium Oceanimonas sp. (O. sp.) GK1 is a member of the Aeromonadaceae family and its genome represents several virulence genes involved in fish and human pathogenicity. In this original research study we aimed to identify and characterize the putative virulence factors and pathogenicity of this halotolerant marine bacterium using genome wide analysis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The genome data of O. sp. GK1 was obtained from NCBI. Comparative genomic study was done using MetaCyc database. RESULTS: Whole genome data analysis of the O. sp. GK1 revealed that the bacterium possesses some important virulence genes (e.g. ZOT, RTX toxin, thermostable hemolysin, lateral flagella and type IV pili) which have been implicated in adhesion and biofilm formation and infection in some other pathogenic bacteria. CONCLUSION: This is the first report of the putative pathogenicity of O. sp.GK1. The genome wide analysis of the bacterium demonstrates the presence of virulence genes causing infectious diseases in many warmand cold-blooded animals.

Early and midterm major adverse cardiac events in patient with saphenous vein graft using direct stenting or embolic protection device stenting.

BACKGROUND: The treatment of an occluded saphenous vein graft (SVG) with percutaneous coronary intervention may encounter major adverse cardiac events (MACE). MACE rates have been reduced significantly by using the embolic protection device (EPD). OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to clarify the risks and the benefits of embolic protection devices. PATIENTS AND METHODS: In a prospective, non-randomized observational study, patients aged 33 to 85 years old who underwent elective percutaneous coronary intervention due to SVG stenosis at our tertiary care center were enrolled between 2009 and 2011. The incidence rates of adverse events, including MACE, were obtained during the patients' hospitalization and at 30-day and 6-month follow-up. MACE included death, Q-wave and non-Q-wave myocardial infarction, in-stent thrombosis, target lesion revascularization, and target vessel revascularization. RESULTS: From 150 patients enrolled to the study, 128 (85.3%) patients underwent direct stenting and the rest underwent the EPD procedure. In-hospital MACE occurred in 17.2% of the patients in the direct stenting group versus only 9.1% in the EPD group (P = 0.530). MACE incidence was gradually increased at one and 6-month follow-up periods in the direct stenting group (19.5% and 21.9%, respectively), and remained unchanged in the EPD group (9.1% at six-month follow-up). Multivariate logistic regression model showed that the stenting procedure type could not predict early and midterm MACE with the presence of baseline characteristics as cofounders. CONCLUSIONS: Despite the considerable lower early and midterm MACE rates, numerically following the EPD procedure compared to direct stenting, the difference in the MACE rates between the two groups was not significant.