bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
WITHDRAWN: First Study of Molecular detection of Ovine Herpesvirus 2 DNA using heminested PCR in Pakistan
Authors: Riaz Aayesha , Dry Inga , Dalziel Robert G. , Rehman Saif Ur , Shah Muhammad Ali Abdullah , Akhtar Naeem , Yousaf Arfan , Baig Ruqia Mehmood 
Published: June 2020

Abstract
Background
Malignant catarrhal fever (MCF) is a highly fatal lymphoproliferative disease of cattle, deer, bison, water buffalo and pigs caused by the gamma herpesviruses; alcelaphine herpesvirus 1 (AlHV-1) and ovine herpesvirus 2 (OvHV-2). AlHV-1 is known to cause wildebeest-associated MCF whereas OvHV-2 is known to cause sheep-associated MCF. AlHV-1 and OvHV-2 cause inapparent infection in their reservoir hosts (wildebeest for AlHV-1 and sheep for OvHV-2) but fatal lymphoproliferative disease in susceptible species.
Methods
This study was aimed to find prevalence of OvHV-2 in sheep, goat, cattle and buffalo in Rawalpindi and Islamabad cities of Pakistan, using molecular and phylogenetic methods. Blood samples were collected consisting of sheep (n = 54), goat (n = 50), cattle (n = 46) and buffaloes (n = 50) from slaughter houses and farms. The samples were subjected to hemi-nested PCR, sequencing, and phylogenetic analysis of OvHV-2 POL gene and OvHV-2 tegument protein gene.
Results
The highest percentage of positive samples was found to be in sheep (13%) whereas positive samples from goat, cattle and buffaloes had percentage of 11%, 9% and 6.5% respectively. Four positive PCR products from sheep samples were also sequenced. The sequences obtained were submitted to NCBI GenBank database under the accession numbers of MK852173 for POL gene, and MK840962, MK852171 and MK852172 for ORF75 tegument protein gene. Phylogenetic analysis revealed close identities with some sequences of this virus from worldwide including neighbouring countries including China, India and Iran.
Conclusion
This study is the first study in Pakistan on the prevalence of OvHV-2 in carrier and susceptible species. This report provides important data about the presence of OvHV-2 in apparently healthy cattle and buffaloes, which might transmitted to them from OvHV-2 positive sheep or goats. It is concluded that a countrywide, large scale OvHV-2 prevalence study should be conducted to avoid economic losses due to any outbreak of MCF.
The correlation between dietary fat quality indices and lipid profile with Atherogenic Index of Plasma in obese and non-obese Volunteers
Authors: javardi Maryam sadat Mousavi , Madani Zahra , Karandish Majid , Movahedi Ariyo , Abbasi Behnood 
Published: June 2020

Abstract
Background and aim:
Abnormalities in lipid metabolism are very commonly observed in patients who were obese. Alongside dyslipidemia, one of the markers in predicting the risk of cardiovascular disease is the Atherogenic Index of Plasma (AIP), which is related to dietary intake. Healthy fat quality indices, including Atherogenicity (AI) and Thrombogenicity (TI) hypo/hypercholesterolemic ratio (h/H), the Cholesterol-Saturated Fat Index (CSI) and ω-3/ω-6 ratio might have effect on AIP. The purpose of this study is to find the possible relationship between dietary fat quality, and AIP and comparison of these indices among obese and non-obese volunteers.
Methods
This study was a cross-sectional descriptive-analytic case-control study with 157 normal and overweight and obese volunteers (n = 71 normal vs n = 86 overweight and obese) in the age range of 18–65 years. Food intake, anthropometric indices, body composition, and lipid profile were measured.
Results
Based on the present results, higher but not significant biochemical parameters including TC (P = 0.580), TG (P = 0.362) and LDL (P = 0.687) and HDL (P = 0.151) among overweight/obese volunteers as compared to normal ones. Results of dietary fat quality showed significantly higher AI (P = 0.012) in the overweight/obese group as compared to normal group. Whereas, h/H (P = 0.034) and ω-6/ω-3 ratio (p = 0.004) were higher significantly in normal weight volunteers. There was a positive correlation between AI, TI, CSI, SFA, MUFA, PUFA and ω-6/ω-3 ratio with AIP and negative correlation between h/H with AIP in both groups. These correlations were significant just for the AI (cc = 0.859, p = 0.014), h/H (cc=-0.596, p = 0.033) and SFA (cc = 0.602, p = 0.043) in overweight/obese group and were significant just for the AI (cc = 0.701, p = 0.031) and h/H (cc=-0.710, p = 0.023) in normal group.
Conclusions
In summary, the present study suggest a direct relationship between dietary fat quality, increased BMI, and lipid abnormalities with AIP. However, further large-scale studies are needed to have a clear conclusion in this regard.
Climate change causes changes in biochemical markers of renal disease
Authors: Ephraim Richard Kobina Dadzie , Asamoah Christopher Amey , ABAKA-YAWSON ALBERT , Kwadzokpui Precious Kwablah , Adusei Samuel 
Published: June 2020

Abstract
Background: Climate change is a significant threat to the health of the Ghanaian people. Evidence abounds in Ghana that temperatures in all the ecological zones are rising, whereas rainfall levels have been generally reducing and patterns are increasingly becoming erratic. The study estimated the impact of climate change on biochemical markers of renal disease.Methods: This study recruited 50 conveniently sampled apparently health peasant farmers and hawkers at the market place at Wa in the Upper West Region of Ghana. A pre-study screening for hepatitis A and C, diabetes, hypertension, was done. Serum creatinine and urea levels were analyzed to rule out kidney defects. Baseline data was collected by means of analysing blood samples for renal function (i.e. urea, creatinine, sodium, potassium, eGFR) as well as for hemoglobin (Hb) and hematocrit (Hct) concentrations. Anthropometric data such as height, weight and blood pressure were measured. The study participants were closely followed and alerted deep in the dry season for the second data collection as the baseline.Results: This study recruited more males (58.82%) than females (41.15%) , majority (52.92%) of which were aged 25-29 years with the youngest being 22 years and the elders being 35 years. The study found body mass index (p<0.001), systolic blood pressure (p=0.019), creatinine (p<0.001), urea (p=0.013) and eGFR (p<0.001) to be significantly influenced by climate change. Stage 1 hypertension was predominant among the study participants during the dry season, 8 (15.69%) than was observed during the rainy season, 4 (7.84%) nonetheless the number of participants with normal BMI rose from 49.02% in the rainy season to 62.75% during the dry reason. Additionally, the study observed that the impact of climate change on systolic blood pressure and urea varied based on age and sex. Conclusion: This study revealed that climatic changes cause variations in various biochemical parameters which could lead to renal disease. Public health education on climatic changes and its implication including precautionary measures should be done among inhabitants of Wa and its environs to reduce its effect. Additionally, appropriate dietary patterns should also be advised to avoid the development of non-communicable diseases such as hypertension and obesity that are known principal causes of CKD.
An Improved Triangle Centroid Localization Algorithm Based on PIT Criterion
Authors: Li Mao , Jiang Feng , Pei Cong 
Published: June 2020

Abstract
Considering that the traditional triangle centroid localization algorithm based on RSSI is susceptible to surrounding environment, this paper improves the algorithm from two aspects of positioning accuracy and response speed also proposes an improved triangle centroid localization algorithm based on PIT criterion. Combined with actual positioning situation, the algorithm treats the calculated coordinates of the intersection points as the new beacon nodes. Thus, the area of triangle in the intersection region is reduced. Repeat positioning process until the predicted position of node is outside the triangle according to the PIT criterion. Compared with traditional triangle centroid localization algorithm, it showed from the simulation results that the improved triangle centroid localization algorithm can increase the localization accuracy up to 5 times based on the guaranteed response time when communication distance is 15 ~ 30 m, and this algorithm has higher localization accuracy and faster response speed than centroid iterative estimation algorithm in larger communication range. In additions, the experimental platform is built to verify that the proposed algorithm can effectively reduce the positioning error.
Feasibility study of using simultaneous multi-slice RESOLVE diffusion weighted imaging to assess parotid gland tumors: comparison with conventional RESOLVE diffusion weighted imaging
Authors: Jiang Jia-Suo , Zhu Liu-Ning , Wu Qian , Sun Yi , Liu Wei , Xu Xiao-Quan , Wu Fei-Yun 
Published: June 2020

Abstract
Background To evaluate the feasibility of using simultaneous multi-slice (SMS) readout segmentation of long variable echo-trains (RESOLVE) diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) to assess parotid gland tumors, compared with conventional RESOLVE DWI Methods From September 2018 to December 2018, 20 consecutive patients with parotid tumors who underwent MRI scan for pre-surgery evaluation were enrolled. SMS-RESOLVE DWI and conventional RESOLVE DWI were scanned with matched imaging parameters, respectively. The scan time of two DWI sequences was recorded. Qualitative (anatomical structure differentiation, lesion display, artifact, and overall image quality) and quantitative (apparent diffusion coefficient, ADC; ratio of signal-to-noise ratio, SNR ratio; ratio of contrast-to-noise ratio, CNR ratio) assessments of image quality were performed, and compared between SMS-RESOLVE DWI and conventional RESOLVE DWI. Paired t-test was used for statistical analyses. Results The scan time was 3 minutes and 41 seconds for SMS-RESOLVE DWI, and 5 minutes and 46 seconds for conventional RESOLVE DWI. SMS-RESOLVE DWI produced similar qualitative image quality with RESOLVE DWI (anatomical structure differentiation, P = 0.164; lesion display, P = 0.193; artifact, P = 0.330; overall image quality, P = 0.083). Meanwhile, there were no significant difference on ADCLesion (P = 0.298), ADCMasseter (P = 0.122), SNR ratio (P = 0.584) and CNR ratio (P = 0.217) between two DWI sequences. Conclusion Compared with conventional RESOLVE DWI, SMS-RESOLVE DWI could provide comparable image quality using markedly reduced scan time. SMS could increase the clinical usability of RESOLVE technique for DWI of parotid gland.
The Relationship Between Nurses' Perceptions of Caring Behaviors based on Watson's Theory and of Professional Ethics: A Cross-Sectional Study
Authors: Heydari Naval , Torkaman Mahya , Torabizadeh Camellia 
Published: June 2020

Abstract
Background and purpose: Caring is a central concept in nursing. It is essential that nurses adhere to ethics toward improving the quality of their performance as nurses. This study aims to explore the relationship between nurses' perceptions of caring behaviors and of nursing professional ethics.Methods: 210 nurses from hospitals in Shiraz, Iran, participated in this cross-sectional study. The participants were selected via stratified random sampling. The data collection tool consisted of demographics, Watson's caring dimensions inventory, and Petty's work ethics scale. The collected data were analyzed in SPSS v. 25 using descriptive and analytical statistics.Results: There was not a statistically significant relationship between the nurses' demographics on the one hand and their perceptions of caring behaviors or of nursing professional ethics on the other. The mean of the participants' perception of caring behaviors scores was 142.49±10.71 and the mean of their professional ethics scores was 102.21±5.32. A significant positive correlation was found to exist between the two variables under study (P<0.001, r=0.46).Conclusion: There is a positive correlation between nurses' perceptions of caring behaviors and of professional ethics. This finding can be used by nursing administrators and policy-makers to design interventions to improve the quality of nursing care.
An increased pretreatment C-reactive protein-to-albumin ratio predicts severe novel coronavirus-infected pneumonia
Authors: Wang Xiaoyue , Xu Yan , Huang Huang , Jiang Desheng , Zhou Chunlei , Liao Hui , Chen Xiaofeng 
Published: June 2020

Abstract
Objective

The aim of this study was to identify early warning signs for severe novel coronavirus-infected pneumonia (COVID-19).
Methods

We retrospectively analyzed the clinical data of 90 patients with COVID-19 from Guanggu District of Hubei Women and Children Medical and Healthcare Center comprising 60 mild cases and 30 severe cases. The demographic data, underlying diseases, clinical manifestations and laboratory blood test results were compared between the two groups. The cutoff values was determined by receiver operating characteristic curve analysis. Logistic regression analysis was performed to identify the independent risk factor that predicted the severe COVID-19.
Results

The patients with mild and severe COVID-19 showed significant differences in terms of cancer incidence, age, pretreatment neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), and pretreatment C-reactive protein-to-albumin ratio (CAR) (P < 0.05). The severity of COVID-19 was correlated positively with the comorbidity of cancer, age, NLR, and CAR (P < 0.05). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that age, NLR and CAR were independent risk factors for severe COVID-19 (OR = 1.086, P = 0.008; OR = 1.512, P = 0.007; OR = 17.652, P = 0.001, respectively).
Conclusion

An increased CAR can serve as an early warning sign of severe COVID-19 in conjunction with the NLR and age.
Antibiogram of Pseudomonas Aeruginosa Isolates from Patients with Diabetic Septic Wounds Attending Two Public Hospitals in Khartoum, Sudan.
Authors: Omer Thweaba Hassan Salih , Mustafa Samia Ali Mohammed , Mohamed Sagad Omer Obeid 
Published: June 2020

Abstract
Objectives: Treating infections caused by Pseudomonas aeruginosa is challenging. In addition to its intrinsic ability to develop resistance to multiple classes of antibiotics, it also produces Extended Spectrum β lactamases (ESBL). This study aimed to determine the antimicrobial susceptibility pattern and to determine the ESBL status among the P. aeruginosa isolates from patients at two public military hospitals in Khartoum, Sudan.Results: A total of 34 isolates of P. aeruginosa obtained from patients with diabetic septic foot wounds were tested for their antibiotic sensitivity patterns. Resistance occurred most commonly to Ceftazidime (35%), followed by Ciprofloxacin (20.6%) and Piperacillin (14.7%). We found that 17.6% of the P. aeruginosa isolates were ESBL producers and all of these isolates were sensitive to Meropenem. The chi-squared test showed a significant association between the ESBL status and antimicrobial resistance to Amikacin, Ceftazidime, and Piperacillin. The independent T-test showed a significant association between the ESBL status and resistance to Cefepime. The presence of drug-resistant P. aeruginosa poses a serious health problem. This study suggests sparing the Carbapenems for the ESBL producing P. aeruginosa in our setting. Our findings highlight the need for effective surveillance and antibiogram-guided antibiotic prescription.
Sleep and Tau Pathology in Vietnam War Veterans with Preclinical and Prodromal Alzheimer’s Disease
Authors: Andrews Murray John , Ross Ryan , Malhotra Atul , Ancoli-Israel Sonia , Brewer James , Banks Sarah 
Published: June 2020

Abstract
Background
The increasing prevalence of Alzheimer’s Disease (AD) and lack of effective medications has led to a need to identify modifiable risk factors as targets for interventions. In this cross-sectional study, we sought to determine whether worse sleep quality is associated with increased pathological tau, and whether this relationship is affected by amyloid pathology.
Methods
66 male participants underwent Florbetapir (AV45) Positron Emission Tomography (PET), Flortaucipir (FTP) PET and completed the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index questionnaire (PSQI) as part of the Department of Defense Alzheimer’s Disease Neuroimaging Initiative, a multicenter study collecting data from Vietnam War veterans, some of whom have a history of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), or non-penetrating Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI). AV45 PET was used to determine the presence of significant amyloid pathology, and t-tests were used to assess differences in tau deposition in Braak regions associated with AD progression between amyloid positive and amyloid negative individuals. We used regression models to determine the effects of amyloid pathology and PSQI on tau deposition in Braak regions.
Results
Among the 66 participants, the average (SD) age was 71.04 (0.99) years. 14 individuals were amyloid positive (21%), and 52 were amyloid negative (79%). The amyloid positive and amyloid negative groups did not differ in tau in the regions investigated. There were no significant main effects of amyloid status or PSQI on FTP Standardized Uptake Value ratio (SUVr) in any of the regions investigated. However, in Braak stages III-IV, there was a significant interaction of amyloid status on PSQI (β = 0.039, p = 0.035) with higher PSQI correlating with higher FTP SUVr in amyloid-positive individuals only (β = 0.031, p = 0.017).
Conclusions
Our study found that an AD profile of tau deposition was associated with an interaction between self-reported sleep quality and amyloid pathology such that worse self-reported sleep was related to higher tau in regions associated with AD progression, but only in individuals with high cerebral amyloid deposition. Our study suggests that sleep quality may be a modifiable risk factor in preclinical and prodromal populations of AD.
Factors Affecting the Occurrence of Gastrointestinal Parasites and Lungworms in Dogs and Assessment of Antiparasitic Drugs use Patterns
Authors: Vernerova Eva , Dvorakova Nela , Svobodova Vlasta , Bures Jiri 
Published: June 2020

Abstract
Background Endoparasites of the canine gastrointestinal and respiratory tract represent a wide range of protozoans and helminths. They are causative agents of different serious diseases of animals and many of them also pose zoonotic risks to human health. The education of dog owners and their families with the principles of human and animal health protection may especially prevent the spread of zoonoses such giardiosis, toxocarosis, echinococcosis and Taenia crassiceps infection. Pulmonary nematods are not zoonotic but they can cause serious and potentially fatal disease in dogs.MethodsThree hundred ninety-one samples of canine faeces and 398 completed questionnaires were collected. The questionnaires comprised of description of individual dogs and detailed data about the way the dogs were kept and their deworming. Samples were examined by flotation, larvoscopy by Baermann and PCR method.ResultsWe confirmed infection of Giardia spp., Isospora ohioensis, Neospora caninum/Hammondia heydorni, Ancylostoma spp., Angiostrongylus vasorum, Capillaria spp., Crenosoma vulpis, Toxocara canis, Toxascaris leonina, Trichuris spp. and Taenia spp. Sequences were obtained for 3 of them confirming T. crassiceps. No deworming treatment was recorded for insignificant number of dogs. Dog owners most often used multicomponent endoparasitics.ConclusionsMost of the dogs were dewormed irregularly and antiparasitics were administered namely twice a year, so monthly intervals were not performed in the group of dogs at risk for e.g. possibility of predation. Consumption of antiparasitic drugs cannot ensure the protection of dogs, their owners and other people, unless not applied purposefully, with appropriate knowledge and on the basis of the veterinarian's advice.
Genomic and Proteomic Comparative Analysis of SARS-CoV-2 versus SARS-CoV-GD01
Authors: Hassanin Abdallah A. , Mahgoub EL-Sayed I. , Sitohy Basel , Sitohy Mahmoud 
Published: June 2020

Abstract
Background

Since the emergence of the pandemic novel pneumonia (COVID-19) disease in Wuhan city in China in November 2019, it is becoming holistically urgent to discover and definitely determine the potential origin of causative virus of this disease, SARS-CoV2 to understand its pathogenic action an better design proper remedies.
Methods

Using bioinformatics analysis, the whole genome of SARS-CoV2 emerging in 2020 and its deduced proteome were compared with the corresponding information on SARS-CoV-GD01 having emerged in 2003 in China. The genomes squences of the two viruses were obtained from NCBI. Alignment of protein sequences for all genes of both genomes were performed and displayed using Clustal Omega data base.
Results

Bioinformatics analysis revealed 10 genes encoding 10 proteins in the SARS-CoV2 genome instead of 11 genes encoding 12 proteins in the case of SARS-CoV-GD01, where the first gene is uniquely encoding two glycoproteins. Additionally, bio-informatics analysis disclosed variations in SARS-CoV2 genome size as a result of nucleotides insertion and deletion in all genes of the virus especially orf1ab gene, spike gene, and ORF10 gene. The most conspicuous alteration is apparently noticed in the spike gene, encoding for a novel protein enabling the virus to attach to the cell membrane via the interaction with host cell receptor, initiating probably a new pathway of infection and a specific pathogenic action. This alteration is
Conclusions

The big alterations in the genome of SARS-CoV-2 from that of SARS-CoV-GD01 may be potentially responsible for the worldwide witnessed high virulence and accelerated spread. The qualified and quantified information presented in the current study on the SARS-CoV-2, detailing the specificity and the magnitude of genomic and proteomic alterations from SARS-CoV-GD01, developed probably during 16 years will not only enable designing right drugs and strategies of confronting the current viral version, but it may rather allow to extrapolate and foresee potential outbreaks of newer versions during the coming decades. At the time of epidemics, nonspecific ways and drugs should be resorted to for confronting emergent viral infections. Chemically modified positively charged proteins and peptides can offer a wealth of potential antiviral agents but need more clinical research.