High Occurrence Among Calves and Close Phylogenetic Relationships With Human Viruses Warrants Close Surveillance of Rotaviruses in Kuwaiti Dairy Farms.

Rotavirus, one of the main pathogens causing morbidity and mortality in neonatal dairy calves worldwide, is responsible for 30-44% of cattle deaths. It is considered to be the most common etiologic agent of diarrhea in neonatal dairy calves and children, the dominant type being group A. Two hundred seventy animals from 27 farms from 2 regions of Kuwait were tested for the presence of Rotavirus serogroup A (RVA) using latex agglutination test (LAT) and reverse transcription-polymerase chain (RT-PCR) testing. RVA non-structural proteins NSP1-2, NSP4-5 and capsid protein genes VP1-7 were characterized by next generation sequencing. LAT was positive in 15.56% of the animals, and RT-PCR in 28.89%. Using RT-PCR as a reference method, LAT was 100% specific but only 83.33% sensitive. ANOVA analysis showed correlation only with the location of the farms but no significant correlation with the age and sex of the animals. Although there was a tendency of clustering of RVA positive animals, it did not reach statistical significance (p = 0.035 for LAT). The phylogenetic analysis showed that Kuwaiti isolates of group A rotavirus clustered with human rotaviruses. Taken together, it seems that rotavirus was present in most of the dairy farms in Kuwait. The high occurrence of the virus in calves in Kuwaiti dairy farms and the close phylogenetic affinity with human isolates warrants urgent action to minimize and control its spread between calves in farms.

SARS-CoV-2, other respiratory viruses and bacteria in aerosols: Report from Kuwait's hospitals.

The role of airborne particles in the spread of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus type 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is well explored. The novel coronavirus can survive in aerosol for extended periods, and its interaction with other viral communities can cause additional virulence and infectivity. This baseline study reports concentrations of SARS-CoV-2, other respiratory viruses, and pathogenic bacteria in the indoor air from three major hospitals (Sheikh Jaber, Mubarak Al-Kabeer, and Al-Amiri) in Kuwait dealing with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients. The indoor aerosol samples showed 12-99 copies of SARS-CoV-2 per m3 of air. Two non-SARS-coronavirus (strain HKU1 and NL63), respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), and human bocavirus, human rhinoviruses, Influenza B (FluB), and human enteroviruses were also detected in COVID-positive areas of Mubarak Al Kabeer hospital (MKH). Pathogenic bacteria such as Mycoplasma pneumonia, Streptococcus pneumonia and, Haemophilus influenza were also found in the hospital aerosols. Our results suggest that the existing interventions such as social distancing, use of masks, hand hygiene, surface sanitization, and avoidance of crowded indoor spaces are adequate to prevent the spread of SARS-CoV-2 in enclosed areas. However, increased ventilation can significantly reduce the concentration of SARS-CoV-2 in indoor aerosols. The synergistic or inhibitory effects of other respiratory pathogens in the spread, severity, and complexity of SARS-CoV-2 need further investigation.

Helicobacter pylori and gastric hyperacidity, and their association with recurrent aphthous stomatitis.

Helicobacter pylori is an established cause of gastric ulcers. Its role in causing recurrent aphthous stomatitis (RAS) remains controversial. Fifty-two RAS patients and 52 sex-matched controls were recruited in this case-control study. All subjects were screened for hematinic deficiencies and H. pylori. The latter was assessed quantitatively using the 14C-urea breath test. The χ2 test and Wilcoxon signed ranks test were used to compare H. pylori and hematinic indices between cases and controls, while conditional logistic regression was used to assess the associations between the occurrence of RAS and independent factors. H. pylori was positive in 56.7% of the overall sample, with no difference between RAS patients (50.8%) and controls (49.2%) (P = 0.843). The median H. pylori and haematological indices values did not show any association with ulcer diameter, number, or frequency. Interestingly, gastric hyperacidity was significantly associated with RAS, and this association was independent from tobacco smoking, alcohol drinking, and H. pylori (odds ratio 14.99, 95% confidence interval 2.47-90.95; P = 0.003). This study found no association between H. pylori and RAS. The association between RAS and gastric hyperacidity suggests that gastric refluxate, not H. pylori, has an effect on the oral mucosa that favours an ulcerative change.

Attitudes of dental patients towards participation in research.

The attitudes of dental patients towards participation in research and the independent socioeconomic factors associated with these attitudes are not known. A self-administered questionnaire was distributed to 120 patients attending dental clinics in Amman, Jordan. For patients who had previously participated in research (n = 28), motivating factors for most (> 75%) included a desire to help others and to advance science. Most respondents (81.7%) showed interest in participating in questionnaire-based research, but fewer would participate in invasive research, e.g. biopsies (22.0%) and drilling teeth (21.2%). Reasons given for not participating in research included fear of infectious diseases (71.3%) and pain (62.1%). Factors considered important in enhancing research participation included being asked to give informed consent (98.2%), fairness in selection of participants (97.3%) and the prospect of humanitarian benefit (96.5%). Sex and education level were significantly associated with patients' perceptions for several of items. To enhance recruitment, researchers should be aware of people's perspectives regarding participation in research.

Attitudes of dental patients towards participation in research

The attitudes of dental patients towards participation in research and the independent socioeconomic factors associated with these attitudes are not known.A self-administered questionnaire was distributed to 120 patients attending dental clinics in Amman, Jordan.For patients who had previously participated in research [N = 28], motivating factors for most [>75%]included a desire to help others and to advance science.Most respondents [81.7%]showed interest in participating in questionnaire-based research, but fewer would participate in invasive research, e.g.biopsies [22.0%]and drilling teeth [21.2%]. Reasons given for not participating in research included fear of infectious diseases [71.3%]and pain [62.1%]. Factors considered important in enhancing research participation included being asked to give informed consent [98.2%], fairness in selection of participants [97.3%]and the prospect of humanitarian benefit [96.5%]. Sex and education level were significantly associated with patients' perceptions for several of items.To enhance recruitment, researchers should be aware of people's perspectives regarding participation in research

من غير المعروف ما هي مواقف مرضى طب الأسنان تجاه المساهمة في البحوث، وما هي العوامل الاقتصادية والاجتماعية المستقلة التي ترافق هذه المواقف. وقد وزع الباحثون استبيانا يدار ذاتيا على 120 مريضا يزورون عيادات طب الأسنان في عمن، الأردن، واتضح أن العوامل المحفزة الأكثر شيوعا [أكثر من 75 %]لدى المرضى الذين ساهموا من قبل في البحوث هي رغبتهم في مساعدة الآخرين والتطور العلمي، وقد أبدى معظم المستجيبين [81.7 %]الرغبة في المشاركة في البحوث المرتكزة على الاستبيانات، إلا أن عددا أقل من ذلك كان يرحب بالمشاركة في البحوث الباضعة، مثل الخزعات 22 % وحفر الأسنان 21.2 %. وكانت أسباب عدم المشاركة في البحوث تتضمن الخوف من الأمراض المعدية [71.3 %]، والألم [62.1%]ومن العوامل التي تعتبر هامة في تعزيز المساهمة في البحوث أن يطلب من المشاركين موافقة مستنيرة [98.2 %]، والإنصاف في اختيار المشاركين [97.3%]، والتطلع إلى فائدة الإنسانية [96.5 %]. وقد كان هناك ارتباط يعتد به إحصائيا بين الجنس والمستوى التعليمي وبين إدراك المرضى لعدد من بنود الاستبيان، وخلص الباحثون إلى أن عليهم أن يدركوا تطلعات الناس حول المساهمة في البحوث، من أجل تعزيز إسهامهم فيها

Les attitudes des patients dentaires vis-à-vis de la participation à la recherche et les facteurs socioéconomiques indépendants associés à ces attitudes ne sont pas connues.Un auto-questionnaire a été distribué à 120 patients consultant dans des centres de soins dentaires à Amman [Jordanie]. Parmi les facteurs de motivation pour la majorité [>75 %]des patients ayant déjà participé à une étude de recherche [n = 28], on peut citer le désir d'aider autrui et de faire avancer la science.La plupart des répondants [81, 7 %]exprimaient un intérêt pour la participation à une recherche menée à partir d'un questionnaire, mais ils étaient moins nombreux à être volontaires pour participer à une recherche invasive, telles que des biopsies [22, 0 %]et le forage de dents [21, 2 %]. La peur des maladies infectieuses [71, 3 %]et la douleur [62, 1 %]étaient les raisons citées pour ne pas participer à une recherche.Les facteurs considérés comme importants pour améliorer la participation à la recherche comprenaient l'obtention d'un consentement éclairé [98, 2 %], l'équité dans la sélection des participants [97, 3 %]et la perspective d'un avantage humanitaire [96, 5 %]. Le sexe et le niveau d'études étaient fortement associés à la perception des patients pour plusieurs items.Afin d'intensifier le recrutement, les chercheurs devraient être informés des points de vue des patients au sujet de la participation à la recherché

Evaluation of two dental identification computer systems: DAVID and WinID3.

Human identification, by comparing dental characteristics, is considered to be one of the most reliable, accurate and rapid methods of resolving the identity of visually un-identifiable deceased persons. In recent decades computer programs have evolved to aid odontologists by suggesting records that have similar dental features. The aim of the present study was to compare two of those programs; Disaster And Victim IDentification (DAVID) and WinID3 in terms of effectiveness, accuracy and speed of data entry and to further compare them with the efficiency of the classical method of manually matching postmortem and antemortem dental records. An open disaster was simulated whereby 52 fragmented remains made of acrylic replicas and 77 provisional victims were represented on Interpol F2 postmortem and antemortem forms. The results assessed were the first seven possible matches made by each program. Manual matching of dental characteristics performed better than both programs (P<0.001) yielding 29 identifications. Eleven and six positive matches were the result of the DAVID and the WinID3 programs respectively (P=0.185). Data entry was quicker for WinID3. It was concluded that both programs are still not as accurate as the time-consuming manual matching method. The difference in performance between the DAVID and the WinID3 programs was attributed to the inclusion of more comparable dental characteristics, the inclusion of the type of dentition (deciduous or permanent) and the weighting of those characteristics by the DAVID program.

Craniofacial identification by computer-mediated superimposition.

Mass disasters are associated with a large number of fatalities, with victims being visually unidentifiable in most cases. Dental identification, although being an important and valuable identification method, is subject to the availability and quality of antemortem and postmortem dental records. This paper presents a simple-to-use method of human identification using an antemortem photograph showing anterior teeth with superimposition onto a postmortem image using specific features of Adobe Photoshop. We present cases and discuss the benefits and difficulties of this method.

New software for computer-assisted dental-data matching in Disaster Victim Identification and long-term missing persons investigations: "DAVID Web".

In 1997 an internally supported but unfunded pilot project at the Victorian Institute of Forensic Medicine (VIFM) Australia led to the development of a computer system which closely mimicked Interpol paperwork for the storage, later retrieval and tentative matching of the many AM and PM dental records that are often needed for rapid Disaster Victim Identification. The program was called "DAVID" (Disaster And Victim IDentification). It combined the skills of the VIFM Information Technology systems manager (VW), an experienced odontologist (JGC) and an expert database designer (JC); all current authors on this paper. Students did much of the writing of software to prescription from Monash University. The student group involved won an Australian Information Industry Award in recognition of the contribution the new software could have made to the DVI process. Unfortunately, the potential of the software was never realized because paradoxically the federal nature of Australia frequently thwarts uniformity of systems across the entire country. As a consequence, the final development of DAVID never took place. Given the recent problems encountered post-tsunami by the odontologists who were obliged to use the Plass Data system (Plass Data Software, Holbaek, Denmark) and with the impending risks imposed upon Victoria by the decision to host the Commonwealth Games in Melbourne during March 2006, funding was sought and obtained from the state government to update counter disaster preparedness at the VIFM. Some of these funds have been made available to upgrade and complete the DAVID project. In the wake of discussions between leading expert odontologists from around the world held in Geneva during July 2003 at the invitation of the International Committee of the Red Cross significant alterations to the initial design parameters of DAVID were proposed. This was part of broader discussions directed towards developing instruments which could be used by the ICRC's "The Missing" project that seeks to identify the victims of civil unrest and other atrocities. The most significant of these recommendations was that the next version of DAVID should be web-based allowing it to be used anywhere in the world and on any computer platform. The original intention that the software should be made available as freeware was strongly reiterated and endorsed. During 2005 these recommendations have been realized. This paper will describe the design parameters of the new software "DAVID web" and compare its features and performance with alternative packages.