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French SK, Kotwa JD, Singh B, Greer T, Pearl DL, Elsemore DA, Hanna R, Jardine CM, Weese JS, Mercer N, Peregrine AS. Factors associated with Giardia infection in dogs in southern Ontario, Canada. Vet Parasitol Reg Stud Reports 2023; 41:100870. [PMID: 37208074 DOI: 10.1016/j.vprsr.2023.100870] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2023] [Revised: 03/10/2023] [Accepted: 04/04/2023] [Indexed: 05/21/2023]
Abstract
Information concerning risk factors associated with Giardia infection in dogs in southern Ontario, Canada, is currently lacking. This study therefore aimed to identify risk factors for Giardia infection in dogs that visit off-leash dog parks in southern Ontario. From May-November 2018, fecal samples were collected from 466 dogs in 12 off-leash dog parks in the Niagara and Hamilton regions of Ontario. A survey that asked questions pertaining to travel history (i.e., area of residence, locations and regions visited in the previous 6 months), basic medical history (i.e., spay/neuter status, veterinary visits, use of deworming medication), consumption of a raw diet, and the physical (i.e., age, sex, breed) and behavioral characteristics (i.e., off-leash activities, hunting activities) of each dog sampled was administered to the respective owner. All fecal samples were examined with the Giardia plate ELISA (IDEXX Laboratories) for parasite antigen. Multivariable logistic regression analyses were conducted on the survey data to investigate putative risk factors for Giardia infection. Overall, 11.8% (95% CI: 9.2-15.1%) of samples tested positive for Giardia antigen. Results from the multivariable logistic regression analyses identified an interaction between dog age and spay/neuter status that was significantly associated with Giardia infection. The odds of infection were greater in intact as compared to neutered adult dogs (OR: 3.6, 95% CI: 1.7-7.9, p = 0.001), and in neutered juvenile dogs as compared to neutered adults (OR: 5.2, 95% CI: 2.2-12.2, p < 0.001). The results provide veterinarians with evidence-based information for identifying dogs at greatest risk of Giardia infection in southern Ontario.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shannon K French
- Department of Pathobiology, Ontario Veterinary College, University of Guelph, 50 Stone Rd E, Guelph, Ontario N1G 2W1, Canada
| | - Jonathon D Kotwa
- Department of Pathobiology, Ontario Veterinary College, University of Guelph, 50 Stone Rd E, Guelph, Ontario N1G 2W1, Canada
| | - Bilawal Singh
- Department of Pathobiology, Ontario Veterinary College, University of Guelph, 50 Stone Rd E, Guelph, Ontario N1G 2W1, Canada
| | - Tyler Greer
- Department of Pathobiology, Ontario Veterinary College, University of Guelph, 50 Stone Rd E, Guelph, Ontario N1G 2W1, Canada
| | - David L Pearl
- Department of Population Medicine, Ontario Veterinary College, University of Guelph, 50 Stone Rd E, Guelph, Ontario N1G 2W1, Canada
| | - David A Elsemore
- IDEXX Laboratories Inc., One IDEXX Drive, Westbrook, ME 04092, United States
| | - Rita Hanna
- IDEXX Laboratories Inc., One IDEXX Drive, Westbrook, ME 04092, United States
| | - Claire M Jardine
- Department of Pathobiology, Ontario Veterinary College, University of Guelph, 50 Stone Rd E, Guelph, Ontario N1G 2W1, Canada; Canadian Wildlife Health Cooperative, Ontario Veterinary College, University of Guelph, 50 Stone Rd E, Guelph, Ontario N1G 2W1, Canada
| | - J Scott Weese
- Department of Pathobiology, Ontario Veterinary College, University of Guelph, 50 Stone Rd E, Guelph, Ontario N1G 2W1, Canada
| | - Nicola Mercer
- Wellington-Dufferin-Guelph Public Health, Guelph, Ontario N1G 0E1, Canada
| | - Andrew S Peregrine
- Department of Pathobiology, Ontario Veterinary College, University of Guelph, 50 Stone Rd E, Guelph, Ontario N1G 2W1, Canada.
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Scorza AV, Buch J, Franco P, McDonald C, Chandrashekar R, Lappin MR. Evaluation for associations amongst Giardia duodenalis assemblages and diarrhea in dogs. Vet Parasitol 2021; 300:109581. [PMID: 34735843 DOI: 10.1016/j.vetpar.2021.109581] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2021] [Revised: 09/11/2021] [Accepted: 09/18/2021] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Abstract
Giardia duodenalis is a species complex comprising at least eight assemblages. Most dogs harbor the host-adapted assemblages C and D and approximately 30 % harbor the zoonotic assemblages. Humans and dogs with giardiosis can exhibit a variety of clinical manifestations ranging from the absence of clinical signs to acute or chronic diarrhea. Human studies report conflicting results concerning associations between clinical signs and assemblage type. The objective of this study was to use results of molecular and phylogenetic analyses to evaluate associations between G. duodenalis assemblages and diarrhea in client-owned dogs from the United States. Fecal samples that were positive for Giardia cysts were classified as normal or diarrheal. Samples were analyzed by PCR assays of the beta-giardin (bg), glutamate dehydrogenase (gdh), and triose phosphate isomerase (tpi) genes. Sequences of the three genes were analyzed by BLAST analysis and phylogenetic analysis was performed by Neighbor-Joining analysis. Two hundred and eighty-eight Giardia-positive fecal samples were evaluated by the three PCRs. One or more genes were amplified from 95 normal samples and 93 diarrheal samples, 27 samples were positive for one or more genes but could not be sequenced due to low quality DNA, and 73 samples tested negative. Ninety seven percent of the samples (182/188) in both the diarrheal and normal groups typed as dog-specific assemblages (D or C) by at least one gene. Phylogenetic analysis of the three genes placed the isolates from assemblages A, B, C and D separated from each other with strong bootstrap support. Diarrhea was not associated with the Giardia assemblage or other parasitic co-infection in this sample set. Other factors, such as the role of gut microbiota in giardiosis should be considered in future studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea V Scorza
- Center for Companion Animal Studies, Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, 80523, USA.
| | - Jesse Buch
- IDEXX Laboratories Inc., Westbrook, ME, 04092, USA
| | - Patricia Franco
- Center for Companion Animal Studies, Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, 80523, USA
| | - Cassandra McDonald
- Center for Companion Animal Studies, Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, 80523, USA
| | | | - Michael R Lappin
- Center for Companion Animal Studies, Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, 80523, USA
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Survey on the Presence of Bacterial, Fungal and Helminthic Agents in Off-Leash Dog Parks Located in Urban Areas in Central-Italy. Animals (Basel) 2021; 11:ani11061685. [PMID: 34198875 PMCID: PMC8229923 DOI: 10.3390/ani11061685] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2021] [Revised: 05/25/2021] [Accepted: 06/03/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Off-leash dog parks are designated, generally fenced, public spaces where dogs can move freely under the supervision of their owners. These areas, allowing animals to socialize and run free, play a fundamental role in dogs’ welfare. However, such environments may be a source of different pathogens, even zoonotic, excreted by the attending animals. The present study evaluated the occurrence of bacterial, fungal, and parasitic pathogens in off-leash dog parks located in Florence (central Italy). Yersinia spp., Listeria innocua, Toxocara canis eggs and Ancylostoma caninum/Uncinaria stenocephala eggs were found in canine feces. Keratinophilic geophilic fungi (mostly Microsporum gypseum/A. incurvatum, Microsporum canis in a single case) were recovered from soil. Trichosporon sp. and Geotrichum candidum were isolated from two water samples. The obtained results suggest that, despite the not negligible canine fecal contamination of selected areas (feces were found in 88.5% of the parks), attending dogs did not act as important carriers for the investigated pathogens, although examined off-leash dog parks may represent a risk for the spreading of some dermatophytoses to both pets and their owners. Thus, in a One-Health perspective, periodical examinations to detect the main bacteriological, parasitological and mycological pathogens in different samples collected in off-leash dog parks are recommended. Abstract Off-leash dog parks are designated public spaces where dogs can move freely, under their owners’ supervision. These areas, allowing animals to socialize and move freely, are fundamental for dogs’ welfare. However, different pathogens, even zoonotic, may be excreted by the attending animals and contaminate the environment. The aim of the present study was to verify the occurrence of bacterial, fungal and parasitic pathogens in off-leash dog parks located in Florence (central Italy). Between March and May 2019, 83 fecal samples, 43 soil samples and 23 water samples (from fountains and puddles) collected from 26 off-leash fenced areas were examined. Fecal samples scored positive for Yersinia spp. (n = 7), Listeria innocua (n = 4), Toxocara canis eggs (n = 2) and Ancylostoma caninum/Uncinaria stenocephala eggs (n = 1). Keratinophilic geophilic fungi (mostly Microsporum gypseum /A. incurvatum) were recovered from 43 soil samples belonging to 23 out of 26 parks, along with Microsporum canis in a single case. Prototheca spp. was never isolated from water samples, while Trichosporon sp. was cultured in two cases, alone and in association with Geotrichum candidum. These results show that dogs did not act as important carriers for the investigated bacterial and parasitic pathogens, although examined areas may represent a risk for the spreading of some dermatophytoses to both pets and their owners. Periodical examinations to assess the main bacteriological, parasitological and mycological pathogens in different samples collected in off-leash dog parks should be carried out in a One-Health perspective.
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González-Fernández A, Symonds EM, Gallard-Gongora JF, Mull B, Lukasik JO, Rivera Navarro P, Badilla Aguilar A, Peraud J, Brown ML, Mora Alvarado D, Breitbart M, Cairns MR, Harwood VJ. Relationships among microbial indicators of fecal pollution, microbial source tracking markers, and pathogens in Costa Rican coastal waters. WATER RESEARCH 2021; 188:116507. [PMID: 33126000 DOI: 10.1016/j.watres.2020.116507] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2020] [Revised: 10/06/2020] [Accepted: 10/08/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Tropical coastal waters are understudied, despite their ecological and economic importance. They also reflect projected climate change scenarios for other climate zones, e.g., increased rainfall and water temperatures. We conducted an exploratory microbial water quality study at a tropical beach influenced by sewage-contaminated rivers, and tested the hypothesis that fecal microorganisms (fecal coliforms, enterococci, Clostridium perfringens, somatic and male-specific coliphages, pepper mild mottle virus (PMMoV), Bacteroides HF183, norovirus genogroup I (NoVGI), Salmonella, Cryptosporidium and Giardia) would vary by season and tidal stage. Most microorganisms' concentrations were greater in the rainy season; however, NoVGI was only detected in the dry season and Cryptosporidium was the only pathogen most frequently detected in rainy season. Fecal indicator bacteria (FIB) levels exceeded recreational water quality criteria standards in >85% of river samples and in <50% of ocean samples, regardless of the FIB or regulatory criterion. Chronic sewage contamination was demonstrated by detection of HF183 and PMMoV in 100% of river samples, and in >89% of ocean samples. Giardia, Cryptosporidium, Salmonella, and NoVGI were frequently detected in rivers (39%, 39%, 26%, and 39% of samples, respectively), but infrequently in ocean water, particularly during the dry season. Multivariate analysis showed that C. perfringens, somatic coliphage, male-specific coliphage, and PMMoV were the subset of indicators that maximized the correlation with pathogens in the rivers. In the ocean, the best subset of indicators was enterococci, male-specific coliphage, and PMMoV. We also executed redudancy analyses on environmental parameters and microorganim concentrations, and found that rainfall best predicted microbial concentrations. The seasonal interplay of rainfall and pathogen prevalence undoubtedly influences beach users' health risks. Relationships are likely to be complex, with some risk factors increasing and others decreasing each season. Future use of multivariate approaches to better understand linkages among environmental conditions, microbial predictors (fecal indicators and MST markers), and pathogens will improve prediction of high-risk scenarios at recreational beaches.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Erin M Symonds
- College of Marine Science, University of South Florida, Saint Petersburg, FL 33701, USA
| | | | - Bonnie Mull
- Biological Consulting Services of North Central Floida, Inc., Gainesville, FL 32609, USA
| | - Jerzy O Lukasik
- Biological Consulting Services of North Central Floida, Inc., Gainesville, FL 32609, USA
| | - Pablo Rivera Navarro
- Laboratorio Nacional de Aguas, Instituto Costarricense de Acueductos y Alcantarillados, Tres Ríos, Cartago, Costa Rica
| | - Andrei Badilla Aguilar
- Laboratorio Nacional de Aguas, Instituto Costarricense de Acueductos y Alcantarillados, Tres Ríos, Cartago, Costa Rica
| | - Jayme Peraud
- Department of Integrative Biology, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL 33620, USA
| | - Megan L Brown
- Department of Anthropology, Southern Methodist University, Dallas, TX 75205, USA
| | - Darner Mora Alvarado
- Laboratorio Nacional de Aguas, Instituto Costarricense de Acueductos y Alcantarillados, Tres Ríos, Cartago, Costa Rica
| | - Mya Breitbart
- College of Marine Science, University of South Florida, Saint Petersburg, FL 33701, USA
| | - Maryann R Cairns
- Department of Anthropology, Southern Methodist University, Dallas, TX 75205, USA
| | - Valerie J Harwood
- Department of Integrative Biology, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL 33620, USA.
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Bishop GT, DeBess E. Detection of parasites in canine feces at three off-leash dog parks in Portland, Oregon 2014. VETERINARY PARASITOLOGY- REGIONAL STUDIES AND REPORTS 2020; 22:100494. [PMID: 33308738 DOI: 10.1016/j.vprsr.2020.100494] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2020] [Revised: 10/26/2020] [Accepted: 11/06/2020] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Gastrointestinal parasitism is common in dogs attending parks, with variable prevalences of parasites based on geographical region and demographic factors. In this study, canine fecal samples were opportunistically collected from three off-leash dog parks in Portland, Oregon and analyzed for parasites. While some similarities with previous research was seen, much higher rates of Giardia (25.6%) and Toxocara canis (8.67%) were identified in this study. Additional findings of unexpected parasites and those with zoonotic potential make these results significant.
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Affiliation(s)
- Greg T Bishop
- Bishop Veterinary Services, LLC, 4303 NE 34th Avenue, Portland, OR 97211, USA.
| | - Emilio DeBess
- Oregon Health Authority, 800 NE Oregon St, Portland, OR 97232, USA
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Duncan KT, Koons NR, Litherland MA, Little SE, Nagamori Y. Prevalence of intestinal parasites in fecal samples and estimation of parasite contamination from dog parks in central Oklahoma. VETERINARY PARASITOLOGY- REGIONAL STUDIES AND REPORTS 2019; 19:100362. [PMID: 32057390 DOI: 10.1016/j.vprsr.2019.100362] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2019] [Revised: 10/31/2019] [Accepted: 12/06/2019] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Domestic dogs commonly harbor intestinal parasites in Oklahoma and throughout the world. We tested fecal samples from dog parks to determine the prevalence of intestinal parasites and reported use of parasite control in park-attending dogs and assess potential health risks posed by fecal contamination of public dog parks in this region. Fecal samples (n = 359) were collected from five public access dog parks in central Oklahoma from February to July 2019. Fecal samples were collected immediately after defecation with a corresponding canine lifestyle questionnaire completed by the owner (n = 134) or collected from the ground from unknown animals to assess potential parasitic contamination of the parks (n = 225). Sugar centrifugal flotation and saline sedimentation were performed on all samples for parasite diagnosis. Group comparisons were conducted using the Χ2 test and 95% binominal confidence intervals were calculated for each proportion. One or more parasites were identified in 24.0% (86/359) of samples, including 38/134 (28.4%) fresh samples and 48/225 (21.3%) environmental samples; 6.1% were co-infected. Parasites detected included Ancylostoma spp. (14.5%), Trichuris vulpis (6.7%), Cystoisospora spp. (3.6%), Sarcocystis spp. (1.7%), and Giardia duodenalis (1.4%). A small number of samples had Cryptosporidium spp., Toxocara canis, Alaria sp., Taeniidae eggs, or Heterobilharzia americana. Owners reported 73.1% (98/134) of dogs were maintained on heartworm preventive. Intestinal nematodes, but not all parasites, were significantly less commonly detected in dogs reportedly on heartworm preventive (11.2%) compared to dogs not on heartworm preventive (27.8%; P = .0194). These data suggest dogs and people visiting dog parks are at risk of parasite exposure and that an owner-reported history of heartworm preventive use is associated with decreased prevalence of intestinal nematodes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kathryn T Duncan
- Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, Center for Veterinary Health Sciences, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK, USA
| | - Nicole R Koons
- Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, Center for Veterinary Health Sciences, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK, USA
| | - Marisa A Litherland
- Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, Center for Veterinary Health Sciences, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK, USA
| | - Susan E Little
- Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, Center for Veterinary Health Sciences, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK, USA.
| | - Yoko Nagamori
- Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, Center for Veterinary Health Sciences, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK, USA; Oklahoma Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory, Center for Veterinary Health Sciences, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK, USA
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Sugita K, Yanuma N, Ohno H, Takahashi K, Kawano K, Morita H, Ohmori K. Oral faecal microbiota transplantation for the treatment of Clostridium difficile-associated diarrhoea in a dog: a case report. BMC Vet Res 2019; 15:11. [PMID: 30616615 PMCID: PMC6322325 DOI: 10.1186/s12917-018-1754-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2018] [Accepted: 12/19/2018] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Successful clinical outcomes of faecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) for recurrent Clostridium difficile infection have been reported in humans and a marmoset. However, it has been unclear whether oral FMT was effective for the treatment of C. difficile-associated diarrhoea in dogs. Case presentation An 8-month-old, intact male French bulldog was presented with a 4-month history of intermittent large bowel diarrhoea. Physical and clinical examinations did not identify any specific causes for diarrhoea. Real-time PCR analysis and immunochromatography detected C. difficile antigen and toxin A&B genes and proteins in a faecal sample. Based on these findings, diarrhoea in the dog was considered to be induced by C. difficile-associated colitis. The dog was treated with oral FMT, in which a faecal solution obtained from a healthy beagle was orally administered to the subject. Stool consistency and frequency and faecal blood and mucus became normal 2–3 days after oral FMT, and real-time PCR analysis and immunochromatography was negative for C. difficile antigen and toxin A&B genes and proteins. No adverse events were observed. Conclusion The present case report demonstrated that oral FMT was an effective treatment for C. difficile-associated diarrhoea in a dog. The findings in this report provide a rationale to evaluate clinical efficacy of oral FMT for other gastrointestinal diseases in dogs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Koji Sugita
- Cooperative Department of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Agriculture, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, 3-5-8 Saiwaicho, Fuchu, Tokyo, 183-8509, Japan.,Sugita Animal Hospital, 3-55-10 Shinshiraoka, Shiraoka, Saitama, 349-0212, Japan
| | - Nanako Yanuma
- Cooperative Department of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Agriculture, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, 3-5-8 Saiwaicho, Fuchu, Tokyo, 183-8509, Japan
| | - Hikaru Ohno
- Cooperative Department of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Agriculture, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, 3-5-8 Saiwaicho, Fuchu, Tokyo, 183-8509, Japan
| | - Kaho Takahashi
- Cooperative Department of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Agriculture, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, 3-5-8 Saiwaicho, Fuchu, Tokyo, 183-8509, Japan
| | - Koji Kawano
- Primo Animal Hospital Tokyo Animal Allergy Medical Center, 1-28-7 Shakujiimachi, Nerima, Tokyo, 177-0041, Japan
| | - Hidetoshi Morita
- Graduate School of Environmental and Life Science, Okayama University, 1-1-1 Tsushimanaka, Kita, Okayama, Okayama, 700-8530, Japan
| | - Keitaro Ohmori
- Cooperative Department of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Agriculture, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, 3-5-8 Saiwaicho, Fuchu, Tokyo, 183-8509, Japan.
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Affiliation(s)
- E Acke
- Vet Med Labor GmbH, IDEXX Laboratories, Mörikestraβe 28/3, Ludwigsburg 71636, Germany
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Examination of anonymous canine faecal samples provides data on endoparasite prevalence rates in dogs for comparative studies. Vet Parasitol 2017; 245:106-115. [DOI: 10.1016/j.vetpar.2017.08.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2017] [Revised: 08/20/2017] [Accepted: 08/21/2017] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
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