bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Knowledgeof anthrax infection prevention and its associated factors among livestock owners in Sekotazuria district, Wag-himra zone, northeast, Amhara region Ethiopia: Cross Sectional Study
Authors: seid Kibeb , Derso Terefe , shiferaw atsede mazengia 
Published: August 2019

Abstract
Introduction

Anthrax is an infectious bacterial disease transmitted from infected animal to human by direct or indirectcontact with their products like hides or wool. The most efficient ways of anthrax infection preventions are vaccination of livestock, surveillance, and proper disposal of livestock carcasses in domestic herd.Recently, anthrax infection in humans has been reported from several districts spreadcountrywide and becomes a major public health problem of animals-humans in Amhara region (the study area).Objective

This study aimed at determining knowledge of anthrax infection prevention and its associated factors among livestock owners in Sekotazuria district.Method

Community based cross-sectional quantitative study was conducted from April to May, 2018, at Sekotazuria district, Northeast Ethiopia. A total of 844 live-stoke owners were selected from Sekotazuria district using simple random sampling technique. Data were collected using a structured self-administered questionnaire and data were cleaned, coded, and entered into Epi-info version 3.5.3, and transferred into SPSS version 20 for further statistical analysis. A p-value of less than 0.05 at multiple logistic regression analysis was considered statistically significant.Results

The study revealed that good knowledge of anthrax prevention among livestock owners was 55.8% (95%CI: 54.2, 57.4%). According to multivariable logistic regression analysis, secondary and above educational level[AOR=2.97, 95% CI: 1.07, 8.20], age range of 42 – 80 [AOR=1.47, 95% CI: 1.04, 2.07], and health education about anthrax [AOR=4.25, 95% CI: 2.51, 7.17]were found significantly associated with good knowledge of anthrax infection prevention.Conclusion

More than half of livestock owners at SekotaZuria District had good knowledge towards anthrax infection prevention, education level in secondary and above,respondents age category 42-80 years, and health education about anthrax were factors associated with knowledge of anthrax infection prevention. Therefore, health education about anthrax shall be strengthening.
Corneal biomechanical metrics in thin cornea of normal, keratoconus suspect and keratoconus in Egyptian population
Authors: Zaky Adel Galal , Elaziz Mohamed Samy Abd , Marey Hatem Mohamed , Elsawy Moatz Faiz , Badawi Nermeen Mahmoud , Hassan Mahmoud Ahmed Elsayed 
Published: August 2019

Abstract
Background

To assess and compare corneal hysteresis (CH) and corneal resistance factor (CRF) in normal thin (NT) healthy corneas with central corneal thickness (CCT) 470-500 µm with matched thickness in keratoconus (KC) and keratoconus suspect (KCS) eyes.

Methods

A total of 66 eyes in three groups were included prospectively: NT, KCS and KC groups based on clinical examination and topography. Corneal hysteresis (CH) and corneal resistance factor (CRF) were measured by the ocular response analyzer. CH and CRF were compared between the three groups and statistically analyzed by variances test.

Results

The three groups consisted of 32 NT, 19 KCS, and 15 KC. The mean CH measured was 8.55± 1.77, 9.03± 1.119 and 8.06 ± 0.85 mm Hg in NT, KCS and KC eyes, respectively. The mean CRF was 8.39 ± 1.47, 8.27 ± 1.09 and 7.24 ± 1.27 mm Hg in NT, KCS and KC eyes, respectively. Within range of central corneal thickness (470 – 500 µm), only mean CRF was statistically significantly different between the NT and KC (P < 0.05); there was no statistically significant difference between NT and KCS, nor the mean CH between each groups (P > 0.05).

Conclusions

CRF only can be helpful in differentiating KC from NT eyes; however, it’s not valuable for detecting KCS which is the main concern for refractive surgery. No benefit from CH in differentiating between the study groups. Further investigations & work focusing on more accurate tests for identifying KCS are still needed.
The Effect of Posttransplantation Diabetes Mellitus on the Prognosis of Transplantation: a Prospective Cohort Study
Authors: Zhou Hang , Yang Xiaoqian , Ying Liang , Yuan Xiaodong , Wei Yuehan , Zhu Minyan , Ni Zhaohui , Hu Yaomin , Zhang Ming , Mou Shan 
Published: August 2019

Abstract
Background: Posttransplantation diabetes mellitus (PTDM) constitutes one of the most important complications associated with kidney transplantation and is associated with significant morbidity and mortality.
Methods: This study was a single-centred prospective observational study that included 310 consecutive renal transplant recipients. The primary end point was graft failure, including death-censored graft failure and mortality. The secondary endpoints include estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) at 12 months and adverse events after transplantation. The prevalence rate of PTDM and relevant risk factors for PTDM were also explored.
Results: The incidence of PTDM was 16.4% within one year. Death-censored graft loss rate differed significantly between recipients without PTDM and those with PTDM(0.77% versus 12%, p<0.001). Compared with non-PTDM group, the mean eGFR was significantly lower in the PTDM group(70.55±20.54 ml/min·1.73 m² versus 63.04±21.92 ml/min·1.73 m², P=0.03). Additionally, compared with the other group, the PTDM group was more easily infected by bacteria(16.2% versus 40%, P<0.001). Multi-factor analysis indicated that higher preoperative fasting plasma glucose (FPG), increased age and use of tacrolimus after transplantation were independent risk factors for PTDM.
Conclusion: The incidence rate of PTDM is 16.4% 1 year after surgery. Our study suggests that patients with PTDM are at higher risk of death-censored graft loss and bacterial infection, and worse kidney function. Independent risk factors of PTDM include preoperative FPG level, increased age, and tacrolimus. The PTDM group is more vulnerable to worse graft function, postoperative graft loss and bacterial infection.
Automatic cell segmentation from brightfield microscopy images of pseudohyphal cell-aggregates
Authors: Belini Valdinei Luís , Junior Orides Morandin , Ceccato-Antonini Sandra Regina , Wiedemann Philipp , Suhr Hajo 
Published: August 2019

Abstract
Background: The automatic segmentation of pseudohyphal cell-aggregates from brightfield microscopy images for counting forming cells is a challenging task due to the heterogeneous optical appearances of the cells as they may lie on different focal planes. The current cell counting method is based on a time-consuming manual counting of stained cells on a hemocytometer and in most cases, it represents estimates of low statistical significance due to the effort needed to prepare and analyze many samples. In this work, we evaluated the effectiveness of a marker-controlled watershed algorithm for automatic segmentation of pseudohyphae from brightfield microscopic images. The cell heterogeneity problem was addressed by processing intracellular contents of focused and defocused cells to extract initial foreground markers for the watershed method. By properly segmenting cells of different classes within a pseudohypha allows increasing the number of cells analyzed contributing thus to more reliable estimates. To facilitate the evaluation of the proposal by acquiring images containing a diversity of cells´ appearances, we utilized in situ microscopy, an imaging system used to capture images directly from suspensions.Results: The performance of the method was evaluated on 120 portraits of a yeast exhibiting a diversity of pseudohyphal morphologies. Automatic results were compared with manual references obtained by visual inspection of the images. Despite the simultaneous occurrence of a representative mixture of focused, over-, and under-focused cells, the method produced robust results with an average segmentation sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of 76%, 89%, and 76%, respectively. On average, each microscopic image was processed within 3 s.Conclusions: Our approach was capable to segment pseudohyphae formed by cells exhibiting a large diversity of appearances. The application of a marker-controlled watershed algorithm as a simple, yet effective technique for segmenting pseudohyphae demonstrated satisfactory overall performance to support automated analysis of pseudohyphal cell-aggregates from brightfield images.
Safety climate in public hospitals with the Safety Attitudes Questionnaire assessment
Authors: Carvalho Paloma Aparecida , Casulari Luiz Augusto , Gottems Leila Bernarda Donato 
Published: August 2019

Abstract
Background
To evaluate the safety climate in Brazilian public hospitals using the Safety Attitudes Questionnaire from the perspective of professionals working in Brazilian public hospitals.
Methods
An analytical cross-sectional study of the safety climate carried out in eleven public hospitals. The evaluation was performed using the Safety Attitudes Questionnaire in an electronic format. Sampling was stratified, and collection was by convenience. Results equal or greater than 75 were considered positive. Descriptive and inferential analyses were performed, and Kruskal-Wallis and Mann-Whitney non-parametric statistical tests were used.
Results
None of the eleven hospitals had a mean over 75. The domains that performed positively above 75 were work satisfaction at all hospitals and perception of stress in nine hospitals. The worst results were for working conditions and management perception, and none of the hospitals had a mean above 75 for these two parameters. Differences in the means of the domains of the questionnaire were found in all hospitals, except for the management perception domain. No professional category had a mean over 75 in all hospitals.
Conclusions
Because the safety climate in the eleven public hospitals has proven to be negative, actions are suggested to improve this performance since maintaining a safety culture is an important aspect of patient safety. Our research provides a baseline measurement of the safety attitude in the evaluated hospitals, making it possible to guide decision making to implement improvements of the quality of patient care and safety.
Attribution of growing season vegetation activity to climate change and human activities in the Three-River Headwaters Region, China
Authors: Chen Chen , Li Tiejian , Sivakumar Bellie , Li Jiaye , Wang Guangqian 
Published: August 2019

AbstractOver the past century, vegetation change has been reported at global, national, and regional scales, accompanied by significant climate change and intensified human activities. Among the regions is the rangeland of the Three-River Headwaters Region (TRHR) in China. However, which factor dominates in causing vegetation change in this region is still under considerable debate, and how would the grasslands adapt to the changing environment is largely unknown. To address these issues, we attribute growing season vegetation activity to climate change and human activities, investigate the interactions among different driving variables, and explore the dynamic relationship between vegetation activity and the driving variables. We perform Mann–Kendall trend analysis, Pearson correlation analysis, and partial correlation analysis. The results indicate that the dominant factor for vegetation growth, during the period 1995–2014, was temperature for the southeastern and southern parts of the TRHR, precipitation for the western part, and solar radiation for the northeastern part. The regulation effects of temperature on precipitation and cloud cover contributed to vegetation growth, while grazing activity and population activity offset the positive contribution of climate change. The dynamic relationship between vegetation activity and the driving variables reflected the acclimatization and adaption processes of vegetation, which needs further investigation.
Interaction with Modified Cyclodextrin as a Way to Increase the Antimalarial Activity of Primaquine
Authors: Torres Liliane Henrique , de Carvalho Lucas Bragança , de Fátima Abreu Venceslau Adneia , Jaime Carlos , de Matos Alves Pinto Luciana 
Published: August 2019

Background:
Malaria is still a dangerous disease that impacts specifically Africa, Asia, and
Latin America. The development of therapies to overcome the parasite infection is an important challenge
nowadays. The medicine primaquine (PQ) is used in the treatment, although several side effects and low
oral bioavailability are reported.

Objective:
This work focused on the preparation and characterization of a complex between PQ and 2-
hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin (HPCD), besides performing release tests of this formulation.

Methods:
PQ:HPCD complexes were prepared at 1:1 and 1:2 molar ratios, by the lyophilization method.
The association between PQ and HPCD was tested using UV-vis, infrared (FTIR), differential scanning
calorimetry (DSC), scanning electron microscopy and NMR techniques (chemical shift, Job Plot, DOSY,
and ROESY). Tests were also conducted to evaluate drug release before and after complexation with
HPCD.

Results:
Results showed that there was a weak interaction of PQ with HPCD, forming non-inclusion
complexes. These results were supported by FTIR results and spatial correlations between hydrogens from
PQ with the external HPCD hydrogens. A 1:2 PQ:HPCD preferred molar ratio was determined by DSC
and Job Plot experiments and the time to release 96% of the drug was 21.2 h slower after complexation.

Conclusion:
Conclusion indicate that PQ interacts poorly with HPCD, probably due to its hydrophilic
character, as well as to its interaction with the external rim of HPCD. Our results demonstrate that there
was a significant improvement in the release time after the complexation process, which could lead to an
increase in the activity of the drug.
Antibody Development to HCV Alternate Reading Frame Protein in Liver Transplant Candidate and its Computational Analysis
Authors: Musavi Zahra , Hashempour Tayebeh , Moayedi Javad , Dehghani Behzad , Ghassabi Farzaneh , Hallaji Mehrdad , Hosseini Seyed Younes , Yaghoubi Ramin , Gholami Siavash , Dehyadegari Mohamad Ali , Merat Shahin 
Published: August 2019

Background::
HCV Alternate Reading Frame Protein (ARFP) is a frameshift product of
HCV-core encoding. Here, we characterized specific anti-ARFP antibodies in Liver Transplant Candidate
(LTC) and chronic HCV-infected patients.

Methods::
The ARFP gene was cloned and the recombinant protein was purified using Nickel chromatography
and confirmed by western blotting. ELISA was developed using recombinant core-1a, core-
1b, ARFP-1a protein, and 99-residue synthetic ARFP 1b peptide. By several Bioinformatics tools,
general properties, immunogenic epitopes, and structures of these proteins were obtained.

Results::
The seroprevalence of anti-core and anti-ARFP antibodies was 100% in LTC patients, but only
75.2% and 94.3% of chronic patients had evidence of anti-ARFP and anti-core antibodies, respectively.
In-silico results demonstrated physicochemical features, antigen properties and potential interactors
that could describe progression toward advanced liver disease.

Conclusion::
As the first report, the prevalence of anti-ARFP antibodies in LTC patients is of the order
of 100% and titer of anti-ARFP antibody was significantly higher in LTC patients compared to chronic
individuals, suggesting the possible role of ARFP in the progression toward advanced liver disease. In
addition, docking analysis determined several interactor proteins such as prefoldin 2, cathepsin B, vitronectin,
and angiotensinogen that have an important role in progression to chronic infection and liver
disease development.
Upregulated Retinol Binding Protein and Transthyretin as Predictive Biomarkers of Gestational Diabetes Mellitus
Authors: Ilyas Sadaf , Roohi Nabila , Ashraf Samina , Alyas Sobia 
Published: August 2019

Background:
Gestational Diabetes Mellitus (GDM) is one of the most common medical
complications of pregnancy. The untreated GDM affects both the baby and mother during gestation as
well as presents the risk of subsequent type 2 diabetes in mothers and babies.

Objective:
To determine the effect of GDM on plasma proteomics as variable plasma proteins can be
secreted by the cells at the pathological sites and can serve as a biomarker of the disease.

Method:
Blood samples were taken from 400 pregnant women at early second trimester and they
were followed till early third trimester or until the development of GDM. All the pregnant females
were sampled again in 3rd trimester. Overall 42 pregnant females developed GDM. These females were
grouped as GDM I and GDM II, before and after the development of gestational diabetes, respectively.
An equivalent number of pregnant women who did not develop GDM served as control I and control II
in early second and third trimester, respectively. Blood samples from all the groups were subjected to
2D gel electrophoresis.

Result :
Nineteen protein spots were differently expressed between GDM and control groups, two
spots were further confirmed by LC-MS/MS as Retinol binding protein A4 and Transthyretin. These
two proteins were found to be up regulated in GDM group in early second trimester as well as early 3rd
trimester.

Conclusion :
Transthyretin and Retinol binding protein 4 can be used as predictive plasma biomarkers
of GDM that might help in the identification of at-risk pregnancies, hence, providing the best opportunity
for early treatment in order to prevent the onset or progression of the disease.
Pure Emotion-loaded Materials in the International Affective Digitized Sounds (IADS): A Study on Intensity Ratings in Chinese University Students
Authors: Wang Jiawei , Jia Yanli , Shao Xu , Wang Chu , Wang Wei 
Published: August 2019

Background:
Materials loaded with pure emotion are essential for basic and clinical research
on sounds. The International Affective Digitized Sounds (IADS) is one of the widely-used
emotional tools, but its materials are not clearly labeled with specific emotions. We have hypothesized
that the IADS contains pure vectors of at least disgust, erotica (or erotism), fear, happiness,
sadness and neutral emotions.

Methods:
We therefore selected 48 IADS sounds with saturate emotions, and invited 271 male and
353 female university students to rate the intensity of the emotions conveyed in each sound. The
ratings were then analyzed with the exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses.

Results:
Five factors were observed, namely: erotica, fear-sadness, happiness, neutrality, and disgust.
Later, as two facets, sounds of fear-sadness were separated. Thirty sounds under six facets
were finally retained with good model-fit indices and satisfactory factor internal reliabilities.
Moreover, males scored significantly higher on erotica than females did.

Conclusion:
Our study purified a series of emotion-loaded IADS sounds, which might help clarify
the pure effects of sound emotion in future research and clinical management of affective disorders.
Biochemical Implications of Biotransformation of Some Toxic Floras Using Natural Local Enzyme Sources
Authors: Agomuo Emmanuel N. , Amadi Peter U. 
Published: August 2019

Background:Recently, it has been established that simultaneous saccharification and fermentation is a potent technique for the detoxification of harmful plant materials.Objective:Following encouraging simultaneous medicinal applications of snail slime and yeast, we exploited their hydrolytic and fermentation potentials to prevent toxicities of the selected floras; Erythrodontium barteri (EB), bracken fern (BF), and crustose lichens (CL). The applicability of the saccharification process has been described in a patent (WO2005010193A2).Method:The plants were bioprocessed using snail digestive juice and yeast slurry and their health effects were evaluated. Seventy rats were divided equally into groups, treated with single doses of aqueous extracts of the plants and their bioprocessed forms, and compared with control rats.Result:The plants showed very high antinutrients levels, which significantly reduced after SSF with enhanced flavonoids, alkaloids and phenols. Potential alterations of WBC differentials, RBC, liver and renal function markers indices were mitigated by bioprocessed extracts. MDA, SOD, GRase, XO and XDH levels in rats administered the bEB and CL were equivalent to the levels found for the control rats. Some bioprocessed plants produced unaltered insulin, ghrelin, and leptin levels. The bioprocessed extracts, when compared to the effects of unprocessed extracts, produced lower TNF-α, Caspase-3, and adiponectin levels and mitigated the potential suppression of Na+/K+-ATPase levels. Potential depletion of inhibin-B, testosterone, estrogen, and prolactin was mitigated after bioprocessing.Conclusion:This study, thus, validates the application of bioprocessing using snail digestive juice and yeast as an effective approach to reduce the potential toxicities of harmful plants.
Vitamin D and HTLV Infection: A Systematic Review
Authors: Netto E , Gomes-Neto M , Brites C 
Published: August 2019

Background:
Vitamin D has been associated with the pathogenesis of infectious diseases.

Objective:
To perform a systematic review on the association of vitamin D and outcomes of HTLV (Human T-cell lymphotropic virus) infection.

Methods:
We searched PubMed, LILACs, Scielo, Embase and Cochrane Library for studies addressing vitamin D and HTLV infection. We included studies published in English since 1980. Studies associated with HIV, bone metabolism and not related to HTLV- associated myelopathy/ tropical spastic paraparesis (HAM/TSP) or adult T cell leukemia/lymphoma (ATL) were excluded.

Results:
Twenty-three studies were selected and sixteen studies were included in the review (eight experimental studies, three case reports, three cases series, one cross-sectional study and one review). Fourteen studies were focused on ATL, and two on HAM/TSP. The available data show that in vitro exposure to 1,25(OH)2D inhibits proliferation of HTLV-infected lymphocytes in patients with ATL or HAM/TSP. It has been observed that hypercalcemia, the main cause of death in patients with ATL, is not associated with serum levels of 1,25(OH)2D or parathyroid hormone-related protein, but leukemia inhibitory factor/D factor seems to be an important factor for hypercalcemia pathogenesis. It was also demonstrated an association between the VDR ApaI gene polymorphism and a decreased risk of HAM/TSP in HTLV positive individuals.

Conclusion:
Despite the small number and heterogeneity of the studies, this systematic review suggests that vitamin D play a role in the pathogenesis of HTLV-associated diseases.