bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Sero-prevalence and risk factors of human brucellosis among febrile patients visited health institutes at Awra and Gulina district, Afar Region, Ethiopia
Authors: Zerfu Biruk , Mehari Sintayehu , Desta Kassu 
Published: October 2020

Abstract
Background: Brucellosis is an important neglected bacterial zoonotic disease that affects animals and humans for decades. The aim of this study was to determine the sero-prevalence and risk factors of human brucellosis among febrile patients visited health institutes at Awra and Gulina district of Afar region Ethiopia.Methods: A purposive cross-sectional study was conducted among 444 febrile patients visiting two health institutes in Awra and Gulina district of Afar region from February to May 2019. A 3-5ml blood samples were collected, thick and thin blood films were examined microscopically for malaria; serum was separated and tested antibody of Brucella using Rose Bengal Plate Test (RBPT) and positives ones were further subjected to ELISA. Data were entered using EpiData3.1 and analyses were performed using StataSE 14.Results: A total of 444 febrile individuals (59.5% female) of age ranging from 2-83 years (mean= 26.1, SD = ±11.8) participated in this study. The overall sero-prevalence of brucellosis was 31.5 % and 15.8% by RBPT and ELISA, respectively and 4.3% of the patients were positive for P. falciparum. Being male (AOR=2.41, 95%CI: 1.36 – 4.26, p < 0.002), drinking raw milk (AOR=15.42, 95%CI: 5.17 - 45.95, p < 0.001) and touching aborted fetus/discharges without protectives (AOR= 3.70, 95%CI: 1.61 - 8.50, p = 0.02) were independently associated with brucellosis among febrile patients.Conclusion: Human brucellosis is highly prevalent in pastoralist patients presenting with fever in this study area. Consumption of raw milk and contamination with aborted or discharge of animals are major risk factors. Hence, brucellosis should be considered as an important public health problem in this study area.
Impact of sugar beet pulp and wheat bran on serum biochemical profile, inflammatory responses and gut microbiota in sows during late gestation and lactation
Authors: Shang Qinghui , Liu Sujie , Liu Hansuo , Mahfuz Shad , Piao Xiangshu 
Published: October 2020

Abstract
Background: Sows are frequently subjected to various stresses during late gestation and lactation, which trigger inflammatory response and metabolic disorders. Dietary fiber can influence animal health by modulating gut microbiota and their by-products, with the effects depending upon the source of the dietary fiber. This study aimed to evaluate the impacts of different fiber sources on body condition, serum biochemical parameters, inflammatory responses and fecal microbiota in sows from late gestation to lactation.Methods: Forty-five multiparous sows (Yorkshire × Landrace; 3-6 parity) were assigned to 1 of 3 dietary treatments from d 85 of gestation to the end of lactation (d 21 post-farrowing): a control diet (CON, a corn-soybean meal diet), a sugar beet pulp diet (SBP, 20% SBP during gestation and 10% SBP during lactation), and a wheat bran diet (WB, 30% WB during gestation and 15% WB during lactation).Results: Compared with CON, supplementation of SBP decreased (P < 0.05) lactation BW loss, reduced (P < 0.05) serum concentration of total cholesterol, non-esterified fatty acids, interleukin-6 and tumor necrosis factor-α, and increased (P < 0.05) fecal water content on d 110 of gestation and d 21 of lactation, while supplementation of WB reduced (P < 0.05) serum concentration of total cholesterol on d 110 of gestation, increased (P < 0.05) fecal water content and decreased (P < 0.05) serum interleukin-6 concentration on d 110 of gestation and d 21 of lactation. In addition, sows fed SBP had lower (P < 0.01) abundance of Clostridium_sensu_stricto_1 and Terrisporobacter than those fed CON, but had greater (P < 0.05) abundance of Christensenellaceae_R-7_group and Ruminococcaceae_UCG-002 than those fed the other two diets on d 110 of gestation. On d 21 of lactation, supplementation of SBP decreased (P < 0.05) the abundance of Firmicutes and Lactobacillus, but enriched (P < 0.05) the abundance of Christensenellaceae_R-7_group, Prevotellaceae_NK3B31_group, Ruminococcaceae_UCG-002, Prevotellaceae_UCG_001 and unclassified_f__Lachnospiraceae compared with WB. Compared with CON, sows fed SBP had greater (P < 0.05) fecal concentrations of acetate, butyrate and total SCFAs during gestation and lactation, while sows fed WB only had greater (P < 0.05) fecal concentration of butyrate during lactation.Conclusions: Supplementation of dietary fiber during late gestation and lactation could improve sow metabolism and gut health, and SBP was more effective than WB.
Mediators of Sexual Distress in Women with Dyspareunia: A Population-based Cross-sectional Study
Authors: Alizadeh Ameneh , Farnam Farnaz 
Published: October 2020

Abstract
Background: Dyspareunia (recently been named as GPPPD), is considered as one of the negative factors affecting couple’s sexual health. The present paper explores the characteristics of pain in dyspareunia cases and also determine protective factors cause fewer sexual distress among sufferers. Methods: A population-based cross-sectional study conducted in 2017, on 590 married women aging 18 -70 years, in 30 health center via cluster-quota sampling method. Demographic data, sexual distress and Binik’s GPPPD Questionnaire were utilized as study tools. Results: Although 33% of the women report dyspareunia, based on standard criteria the prevalence of severe and moderate dyspareunia were dropped to 10.5% and 25.8%, respectively that among them the most common location, time and type of pain were in vaginal entrance, at the beginning of intercourse and with burning nature, respectively. Dyspareunia had a significant negative impact not only on women’s ability to have intercourse (P=.004) but also on their sexual desire (P=.038). Interestingly, 5.4% of the women did not report any distress despite having severe dyspareunia. In comparison with those patients with distress, the latter group had higher sexual satisfaction, more positive body image and self-confidence, as well as more intimacy in relationship (P=.000). Notably, 19% of the participants experienced significant sexual distress, although in 8.5% of them dyspareunia was not confirmed. Conclusion: Promote personal characteristics such as positive self-confidence and body image and interpersonal factors like sexual satisfaction and intimacy, can be effective in the management of dyspareunia via decrease sexual distress.
Co-transfer of plasmid-mediated blaAmpC and fluoroquinolone resistance genes in Klebsiella pneumoniae isolates causing nosocomial urinary tract infection
Authors: Xiong Yilin , Zhang Cong , Gao Wenting , Ma Yong , Zhang Qingqing , Han Yuqiao , Jiang Shiyu , Zhao Zinan , Wang Jia , Chen Yang 
Published: October 2020

Abstract
Background: Klebsiella pneumoniae is a pathogen that frequently causes nosocomial urinary tract infection (UTI), and the prevalence of plasmid-mediated resistance determinants among clinical isolates of K. pneumoniae leads to the appearance of resistance to antibiotics. The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence of plasmid-mediated quinolone resistance (PMQR) genes in acquired AmpC (ac-AmpC) β‑lactamase‑producing K. pneumoniae isolates from patients with nosocomial UTI and to characterize the transmissibility of plasmids co-harbouring blaAmpC and PMQR genes.Methods: From January 2017 to June 2018, we collected 46 AmpC-producing K. pneumoniae isolates causing nosocomial UTI from a tertiary care hospital in China. β-lactamase, PMQR and virulence genes were detected by PCR and sequencing. Clonal relatedness was assessed using ERIC-PCR and multilocus sequence typing (MLST). Plasmids carrying multiple blaAmpC and PMQR genes were characterized by PCR-based replicon typing (PBRT) and S1-PFGE. Conjugation and electroporation experiments were carried out to assess resistance transfer mediated by plasmids. Overlapping PCR was used to map the genetic context of the blaAmpC genes. Results: In the studied isolates, non-susceptibility of third-generation cephalosporin and fluoroquinolone was very high (>80%). blaCMY-2, blaDHA-1, and quinolone resistance gene (qnr) were detected in 11, 41 and 33 isolates, respectively. Among the isolates, 6 strains co-harboured multiple AmpC and qnrB genes. The blaAmpC and qnrB genes from these six isolates were co-transferrable to recipients via conjugation or electroporation, with IncFIA, IncFIB and IncA/C being the dominant replicons (sizes from ~78 to 217 kb). Forty-six isolates were categorized into 25 ERIC types, and the 6 isolates harbouring multiple blaAmpC and qnrB genes belonged to ST1/STnew1. The conserved genetic structures in blaCMY-2 and blaDHA-1 were identical to those described in the pNF4656 and pSAL-1 plasmids, respectively.Conclusion: This work reports that qnrB is highly prevalent in AmpC-producing K. pneumoniae isolates and illustrates the emergence of plasmids co-harbouring multiple acquired blaAmpC and qnrB genes in K. pneumoniae causing UTI in China. We determined that the IncFIA, IncFIB and IncA/C plasmids carrying blaAmpC with qnrB resistance genes and several mobile genetic elements mediate the local prevalence in K. pneumoniae UTI. The genetic context of blaAmpC was highly conserved.
Investigation of the occupational exposure to blood-borne pathogens of staff at a third-class specialist hospital in 2015-2018: A retrospective study
Authors: Ji Yuanyi , Huang Junbo , Jiang Guoguo , Liu Qiaolan , Xiao Dalei , Deng Jianjun 
Published: October 2020

Abstract
Background To understand the current situation of occupational exposure to blood-borne pathogens in a women's and children's hospital and analyze the causes to provide a scientific basis for improving occupational exposure prevention and control measures.Methods We analyzed occupational exposure to blood-borne pathogens in a third-class women's and children's hospital from 2015 to 2018, considering the workers’ occupational categories and length of service; the sites, types, and causes of exposure; and the pathogens of the source patients.Results From 2015 to 2018, there were 146 cases of occupational exposure to blood-borne pathogens, mainly from sharp-instrument injuries (82.2%). Trainees represented the highest proportion of occupational exposure (30.1%), followed by nurses (29.5%). Occupational exposure among staff with less than one year of service accounted for 43.2% of cases. Fisher's exact test showed that different occupational groups had different types of occupational exposure, and nurses had the highest proportion of blood and body fluid exposure (P = 0.008). Different occupational groups faced exposure to different types of pathogens: medical staff were more likely than workmen to be exposed to hepatitis B, while workmen were more likely than medical staff to be exposed to unknown pathogens; these differences were statistically significant (P<0.001). Health records were established for all cases of occupational exposure to blood-borne pathogens, and no staff members contracted a blood-borne disease due to occupational exposure.Conclusions In order to reduce occupational exposure, regular training in occupational protection for junior medical staff and workers should be strengthened, the monitoring and protection system of occupational exposure to blood-borne pathogens improved, standard prevention measures strengthened, operations standardized, safe injection equipment provided, and comprehensive measures taken.
Traditional use of medicinal plants in the Chyangthapu-Phalaicha biological sub-corridor, Panchthar District, Kangchenjunga Landscape, Nepal
Authors: Bhandari Prabin , Gurung Min Bahadur , Subedi Chandra Kanta , Chaudhary Ram Prasad , Basnet Khadga Bahadur , Gurung Janita , Uprety Yadav , Neupane Ajay , Shrestha Krishna Kumar 
Published: October 2020

Abstract
Background: Chyangthapu-Phalaicha located in the northeastern Panchthar District, is a biodiversity hotspot in the Eastern Himalaya. The area is dominated by the Kirat indigenous community. The present study was conducted to document the knowledge of the ethnomedicinal uses and practices that exist in the area before the associated socio-cultural knowledge on biological diversity is lost. Methods: Ethnomedicinal data were collected through three focus group discussions and 47 key informant interviews using semi-structured questionnaires. The importance of medicinal plant species was assessed using quantitative indices such as informant consensus factor, relative frequency of citation, relative importance, fidelity level and Rahman’s similarity index. Results: Altogether, 140 medicinal plant species from 68 families and 127 genera were reported, which were used to treat 12 diseases categories. The dominant families were Asteraceae and Fabaceae which contributed eight species each. Fifty-five percent of the total medicinal plant species comprised of herbs. The most frequently used plant parts were underground parts (33%) and leaf (15%). The most common remedies preparation method was extract. Oral administration was the most common therapeutic mode (60%). Maximum informant consensus factor (0.96) was calculated for gastrointestinal diseases. The highest relative frequency of citation and fidelity level was observed for Swertia chirayita (0.83 and 100% respectively). Artemisia dubia depicted the highest relative importance (91.67). A thorough review of previous literature and analysis of field data revealed 90 new therapeutic use reports for 42 ailments belonging to 64 plant species.Conclusions: The ethnomedicinal study of the Chyangthapu-Phalaicha biological sub-corridor in the Kangchenjunga Landscape indicates that the area supports significant medicinal plants and associated traditional knowledge. The varied use of reported medicinal plants in the area indicates the need for their cultivation, processing and phytochemical investigation, especially for those with high ethnobotanical indices.
Antioxidant, Antifungal and Insecticidal Activity of Triterpenoids Spinasterol, 22,23-Dihydrospinasterol Isolated from Colocynthis (Citrullus colocynthis L.) Leaves.
Authors: Ahmed Maqsood , Mingshan Ji , Qin Peiwen 
Published: October 2020

Abstract
Terpenoids from natural plants resources are valuable for diverse biological activities which exhibited important part in medical and agrochemicals industry. This study aimed to assess the antioxidant, antifungal and insecticidal activity of a mixture of Spinasterol, 22,23-dihydrospinasterol isolated from Citrullus colocynthis leaves. 1, 1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) was used to assess the antioxidant activity whereas, antifungal activity was tested by mycelium growth inhibition assay on three pathogenic fungi Magnaporthe grisea, Rhizoctonia solani and Phytophthora infestans. Insecticidal activity against Brevicoryne brassicae was also determined by using In-vitro and In-vivo assays. The outcome of the study exposed that Spinasterol, 22, 23-dihydrospinasterol afforded prominent antioxidant activity even at lower concentrations i.e. 19.98, 31.52, 36.61 and 49.76% at 0.78, 3.0, 12.5 and 50µgmL-1 respectively. However, moderate fungicidal activity of Spinasterol, 22; 23-dihydrospinasterol was recorded as being EC50 values 129.5 and 206.1µgmL-1 against R. solani and M. grisea respectively. On the other hand, Boscalid and Carbendazim being a positive control proved highly effective against all fungi except for M. grisea and P. infestans with EC50 values 868 and 272109µgmL-1 respectively. The pronounced insecticidal activity of Spinasterol, 22,23-dihydrospinasterol was afforded via residual as well as greenhouse assay being LC50 values as 42.46, 54.86, 180.9 µgmL-1 and 32.71, 42.46 and 173.8µgmL-1 at 72, 48 and 24 h respectively. The study concluded that isolated compound Spinasterol, 22,23-dihydrospinasterol possess promising antioxidant and aphicidal activity with moderate fungicidal activity which could be a suitable candidate as an alternative to synthetic pesticidal agents.
BCG vaccination provides protection against COVID 19: A Systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Khera Daisy , Chugh Ankita , Khasbage Sameer , Singh Surjit 
Published: October 2020

Abstract
Context: Lower morbidity and mortality in few geographic locations on the globe suffering with SARS-CoV-2 has been associated with the existing or previously followed long standing BCG vaccination policy amongst infants. But does that hold true that today after years of BCG vaccination few adults have better prognosis or is it just confounding due to differential disease burden, population density, testing facilities or improper reporting. The purpose was to evaluate and correlate this effect systematically.Evidence acquisition: Detailed electronic search for randomised controlled trials and observational studies in PubMed, Cochrane database and clinicaltrials.gov for eligible studies was performed. We performed a meta-analysis to provide pooled esimate of correlation of mortality with BCG vaccination policy from 4 studies.Results: 114 number of studies were yielded on search strategy and 28 observational studies were finally included for analysis. From our results we can say that BCG vaccination causes a decrease in COVID-19 incidence and mortality. But these results must be interpreted cautiously as lot of confounding factors were present in included studies, which can affect the outcome.Conclusion: The evidence of BCG vaccination for protection against COVID-19 can’t be ruled out as evidence from many studies support the hypothesis but the evidence of well conducted RCTs and observational studies can strengthen the evidence.
Knowledge Management Support to Public Health in Humanitarian Emergency
Authors: Boshara Mohamed Abdalla Elamein , Woods Peter Charles , Elshaiekh Nour Eldin Mohamed 
Published: October 2020

Abstract
Background: In public health, decisions are mainly taken based on data and a move is needed towards evidence-based decision. Healthcare can profit from the several benefits that Knowledge management (KM) can provide. Several challenges still need to be overcome, some of which concern KM and others of which are specific to healthcare. Knowledge management is a discipline that has become an established part of many applications and techniques, but its adoption in healthcare has been challenging. This is because the healthcare sector tends to rely on knowledge and evidence-based medicine in the performance of its daily healthcare activities. Methods: Bottom-up KM strategy is used for the study as the research is conducted into the activities of staff involved in key business processes. Interviews are conducted with participants selected by mixed purposeful sampling consisting of expert sampling (experience of health emergencies and indicators) and convenience sampling (ease of accessibility). Direct workplace observation is also used to obtain findings. A qualitative methodology is used in order to understand the findings. Results: The study investigated the importance of KM support to public health and to the work performance during health emergencies. The research framework explores various aspects of KM to provide a clear understanding of KM and how it may affect the work performance during health emergencies in Sudan.Conclusions: The key outcomes of the research findings associated to Knowledge management support to public health in humanitarian emergency are offered such as improve disaster risk management knowledge base system, strengthen central emergency expert team and KM support to the application of health indicators of emergency.
Expression and Gene Regulatory Network of SNHG1 in Hepatocellular Carcinoma
Authors: Zheng Chaoran , Yu Shicheng 
Published: October 2020

Abstract
Background: Small nucleolar RNA host gene 1 (SNHG1), a long noncoding RNA (lncRNA), is a transcript that negatively regulates tumour-suppressor genes, such as the p53 gene. Abnormal SNHG1 expression is associated with cell proliferation and tumours. We used sequencing data downloaded from the Genomic Data Commons (GDC) to analyse the expression and interaction networks of SNHG1 in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Methods: Expression was analysed using the limma package of R and verified by GEPIA. We also obtained miRNA expression data from StarBase to determine the lncRNA-miRNA-mRNA–related RNA regulatory network in HCC. Kaplan Meier (KM) analysis was performed using the survival package of R. Gene Ontology (GO) annotation of the genes was carried out using the Metascape. RESULTS: We found that SNHG1 was overexpressed and often amplified in HCC patients. In addition, SNHG1 upregulation was associated with the promotion of several primary biological functions, including cell proliferation, transcription and protein binding. Moreover, we found a competitive relationship among SNHG1, E2F8, FANCE and LMNB2. Additionally, in the SNHG1-associated network, higher expression levels of SNHG1 (log-rank P value = 0.0643), E2F8 (log-rank P value=0.000048), FANCE (log-rank P value=0.00125) and LMNB2 (log-rank P value=0.0392) were significantly associated with poor survival. We found that E2F8 may play an important role in tumorigenesis or cancer development by Single cell analysis. CONCLUSIONS: Our results highlight the utility of multiple data for understanding the functional potential regulatory networks of SNHG1 and the role of SNHG1 in tumours.
Electromagnetic Navigation Reduces Radiation Exposure and Provides Excellent Accuracy for Retrograde Drilling in Osteochondrosis Dissecans of the Talus
Authors: Berger-Groch Josephine , Jungesblut Oliver D , Hoffmann Michael , Schroeder Malte , Krajewski Kara L , Stuecker Ralf , Rupprecht Martin 
Published: October 2020

Abstract
Background: Retrograde drilling in osteochondrosis dissecans (OCD) is a widely used surgical intervention. A radiation-free electromagnetic navigation system (ENS)-based method was compared with the standard freehand fluoroscopic (SFF) method regarding clinical applicability.Methods: We performed a clinical cohort study at a department of Orthopaedics in a Level 1 children’s hospital with 40 patients (20 SFF and 20 ENS). Retrograde drilling of the talar dome was used in patients with unstable medial OCD (MRI stage 2 according to Hepple’s revised classification; stage 2 according to the International Cartilage Repair Society). The outcome measurements were: a) Intraoperative fluoroscopy exposure and length of surgery and b) Postoperative serial follow-up MRIs every 6 months.Results: 22 female and 18 male patients aged 13.8 ± 1.6 years (range: 11-17 years) were included. Using the ENS technique, length of surgery was significantly reduced to 20.2 ± 6.4 min compared to 36.1 ± 11.8 min (p<0.01) for the SFF technique. The average x-ray radiation time for the SFF technique was 23.5 ± 13.5 sec and 1.9 ± 1.7 sec for the ENS technique (p<0.01). Radiation exposure was significantly reduced from 44.6 ± 19.7 mSv (SFF technique) to 5.6± 2.8 mSv (ENS technique) (p<0.01). Intraoperative perforation of cartilage occurred once in the SFF group. Correct placement of the drilling channel was verified in all patients on follow-up MRI after six months and a timely healing was seen after two years. No differences were detected on follow-up MRI between the two methods.Conclusions: The ENS method provides for a significant reduction in length of surgery and radiation exposure. ENS was without intraoperative cartilage perforation. The clinical and radiological follow-up parameters are comparable for SFF- and ENS-guided retrograde drilling.Trial registration: WF – 085/20, 05/2020 “retrospectively registered”