COVID-19 in Pediatrics: Demographic, Clinical, Laboratory, and Radiological Characteristics of Infected Patients With SARS-CoV-2

The COVID-19 disease usually leads to mild infectious disease in children, but some develop serious complications. Here, we describe the characteristics of children with COVID-19 in northern Iran, the Golestan province. Ninety-one confirmed cases were enrolled in the study, aged 0–18 years. Demographic, clinical, comorbidity, laboratory, and radiological data were compared based on the disease severity (admitted to intensive care unit (ICU) or not) and disease outcome (recovered or deceased). Sixteen (17.5%) cases were hospitalized in ICU, and 8/91 (8.8%) deceased. Fever and cough were the most common clinical symptoms. Among all symptoms notified there were no significant differences between severe and milder cases, or between those who deceased and recovered. Failure to thrive (FTT), malignant disease and neurological disease were significantly more prevalent in severe cases as was frequently reported comorbidities. Laterality, ground-glass opacity, and lung consolidation were the most common findings in chest computed tomography. The data confirms that the COVID-19 disease has various presentations in children, and clinical, laboratory, and radiological findings may help predict the development of severe forms of COVID-19 among children.

Evaluation of Collapse Sensitivity of Loess Soils and Its Effect on the Distribution Pattern of Pseudokarst Sinkholes at the Regional Scale (Case Study: Golestan Province, Northeastern Iran)

The spread of loess soils in Golestan Province in northeastern Iran has caused considerable environmental issues. To evaluate the effect of loess collapse on the spatial distribution of pseudokarst sinkholes in this province, we have prepared undisturbed samples from 31 locations and characterized their physical and mechanical properties. Moreover, the collapse sensitivity in different parts of the study area has been determined by odometer tests under different pressures and calculation of three parameters, namely, the collapse coefficient (Ic), the time required for 90% settlement due to soil collapse (T90%), and initial collapse stress. Additionally, by conducting field surveying, using aerial photographs, satellite images, and drone flight, the coordinates of sinkholes were identified, and a map of their geographical distribution was prepared. The overlap of the sinkholes distribution map and the coefficient of collapse changes map showed that although the amount of Ic of sandy loess soils (Zone III) is higher than that of silty loess soils (Zone II), the extent of destructive phenomena such as sinkholes is much greater in Zone II than in Zone III. The overlap of the map of sinkholes distribution with the map of changes in collapse sensitivity (Is) of loess soils showed that the density of sinkholes in Zone II (which has higher collapse sensitivity) is higher than Zone III. In Zone II, due to severe collapse sensitivity, the highest concentration of sinkholes is observed in a unit area, more than 0.18 per square kilometer. With a relatively severe to severe collapse sensitivity in Zone III, this concentration is 0.021 per square kilometer. In Zone I (clayey loess), with slight-moderate collapse sensitivity, this destructive phenomenon is observed in the form of side instability since the study area is located in highlands. Furthermore, in this area, the sinkholes (0.004 per square kilometer) have the least concentration.

An Investigation on the One-year Rate of Arteriovenous Fistula Failure and Its Related Factors in Patients with End-stage Renal Disease; an Experience in Golestan Province of Iran

Background: Aortic arch calcification (AAC) is very common in hemodialysis patients and is associated with cardiovascular events and the incidence of arteriovenous fistula (AVF) failure. In order to predict the prognosis of patients, a study was conducted to determine the annual failure rate of AVF and its related factors. Methods: This cross-sectional study was performed on 145 patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) who were AVF candidates, visiting a referral center in Golestan province of Iran. After the insertion of intravenous arterial fistulas, posterior-anterior chest x-rays were captured, and the grafts were classified by a radiologist. Patients were followed for one year, and the rates of fistula failure (FF) and cardiovascular mortality were recorded. Finally, the data were entered into SPSS 19 software and analyzed by the Chi-square test. Results: Of 112 patients followed up for one year, 56.2% were men. During the one-year follow-up period, 5.3% of the patients developed arteriovenous FF, and this event was more common in men, but the difference was not statistically significant. The majority of the AVF candidates had a history of diabetes and hypertension, but no association was found between the one-year FF rate and these two diseases. Nearly 7.7% of the patients had grade III calcification, but no significant relationship was observed between the AAC grade and AVF failure rate. Conclusions: The rate of one-year FF was higher among ESRD patients with a history of chronic kidney diseases. Our results also demonstrated that the mortality rate is higher in patients with a high degree of AAC and patients with medical history (cardiovascular disease and diabetes).

Exploring the Relationship of Emotional Intelligence and Obesity among University Students

Objective: Obesity is related to emotional pressures and psychological disorders. Psychiatric disorders, acute psychological stress, psychological problems, and emotional factors induce obesity. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between scale and subscale of emotional intelligence (EI) and obesity among university students in Golestan province, Iran. Materials and Methods: This is a descriptive study. The sample size contained 358 university students. The research instrument was Bar-On and Parker Emotional Intelligence (EI) Questionnaire. The collected data were analyzed by SPSS 22. Moreover, descriptive statistics, Pearson’s correlation, and multiple regression analyses were also done. Results: There is a direct and inverse relationship between students’ total EI (-0.415) and its subscales including intrapersonal skills (-0.393), interpersonal skills (-0.313), adaptability (-0.359), stress management (-0.383), and general mood (-0.372) with overweight. Conclusion: The results of this research may not only open a new window to assist in achieving successful nutritional diet programs, providing people but it also can pave the way for further research conducted by experts in nutrition, medicine, and psychology. The findings of this study will enhance social public awareness on the side- effects of obesity equipping the public with some counseling to lose weight through using EI for people, especially students suffering from obesity.

Ecological niche modeling of genetic lineages of the great gerbil, Rhombomys opimus (Rodentia: Gerbillinae)

Great gerbil (Rhombomys opimus Lichtenstein, 1823) is distributed in Central Asia and some parts of the Middle East. It is widely found in central and northeast parts of Iran with two distinct genetic lineages: R. o. sodalis in the northern slopes of the Elburz Mountains and R. o. sargadensis in the southern slopes. This large rodent acts as the main host of natural focal diseases. No study has surveyed the ecological niche of the lineages and how their distribution might be influenced by different climatic variables. To examine the distribution patterns of this murid rodent, we aimed to determine the habitat preferences and effects of environmental variables on the ecological niche. Using a species distribution approach for modeling of regional niche specialization, suitable habitats predicted for R. o. sodalis were mainly located in Golestan province in northern Iran, along the northern slope of Elburz, while R. o. sargadensis, showed great potential distribution along the southern slope of Elburz and around the Kavir Desert and the Lut Desert. Despite the widest potential distribution of R. o. sargadensis from northeast to northwest and through Central Iran, the geographic range of R. o. sodalis was smaller and mostly confined to Golestan province. The results support the presence of the two genetic lineages of Rhombomys in Iran and confirm that there is no significant niche overlap between the two subspecies. Furthermore, it provided several perspectives for future taxonomic studies and prevention hygiene programs for public health.