The effect of keeping pet dogs and cats on Toxocariasis

Background : Toxocariasis is a zoonotic disease caused by the migration or presence of Toxocara canis or Toxocara cati larva in human tissues or organs. Human become infected by ingestion of soil or contaminated raw or half-cooked meat (Paratenic hosts) containing Toxocara larva. The present study was conducted to determine Toxocara infection in the dog and cat owners and compare the results with infection in individuals who do not have the history of keeping these pets. Materials and Methods: In this descriptive-analytical study, by random sampling, 558 (405 individuals who do not have dog and cat and 153 dog and cat owners) of 2-20 years old persons were selected in Tabriz during 2009-2010. Serum samples were investigated using ELISA method for the presence of anti-toxocara antibodies and data were analyzed using Chi-square test. Results: Totally, 162 samples (94 from people in contact and 68 from people without any contact with dog and cat) had anti-toxocara IgG. Total of 558 individual samples (235 men and 323 female) 396(70.96%) were negative and 162(29.03%) were positive. There were no significant association between Toxocara infection and gender (P=0.275). Conclusion: According to the results of this study, much of the dogs and cats owners were exposed to parasite. Training of dogs and cats owners, promotion of their awareness about various ways of transmission and examination of the infections in dogs and cats and prevention of these infections are recommended

Factors influencing knowledge sharing between scientific specialists in knowledge networks and communities of practice: A systematic literature review

Knowledge sharing is a competitive advantage and necessity for the success of any organization. Meanwhile, knowledge networks have been introduced as a way to enhance knowledge sharing between individuals and as an effective tool to facilitate knowledge exchange in clinical, educational, and commercial fields. The purpose of this paper is to identify the factors that can affect the level of knowledge sharing and exchange between academic and scientific specialists in knowledge networks and Communities of Practice (COP). A systematic literature review was conducted using the PRISMA guidelines. Four databases were searched, including Scopus, Web of Science, PubMed, and ProQuest. Google Scholar search was conducted to complete the search and ensure the tracking of the gray literature. Also, relevant sources, references, and reference lists of the related articles were reviewed. The studies were searched from April until August 2022 and finally the content analysis of the findings was done. Two reviewers independently assessed the quality of included studies. Data were extracted using the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) checklist tool. Of the 1439 records, 13 studies met the inclusion criteria. This study identified three main categories of factors affecting knowledge sharing in knowledge networks and COPs as individual factors, organizational, and structural. The results showed that knowledge networks provide opportunities to overcome professional barriers and complex systemic challenges and lead to knowledge sharing and exchange among scientific specialists. This article has important implications for managers, health policymakers, and academics who wish to expand knowledge sharing of scientific specialists through knowledge networks and CoPs in knowledge-based organizations