bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Healing the healers: A systematic review on the burden of secondary traumatic stress among healthcare providers
Authors: Zacharias Betsy Sara , Upendra Sheela
Published: December 2024

Healthcare professionals (HCPs) are exposed to the traumatic and painful experiences of others as a part of their caring profession, which leaves them vulnerable to developing secondary traumatic stress (STS). It is an occupational hazard for those who provide direct patient care. Systematic review of quantitative studies on secondary traumatic stress among healthcare professionals was published in English between 2013 and 2023, using electronic databases: CINAHL, PubMed, MEDLINE, Global Health, PsychoInfo, and Google Scholar. The search produced 18 studies that explored secondary traumatic stress (STS) among healthcare professionals (HCPs) in the past 10 years (2013–2023). Most studies identified a high level of STS among HCPs. The Secondary Traumatic Stress Scale is the tool widely used to measure STS. Emotional exhaustion, exposure to patients’ deaths, multiple exposures to trauma, and a lack of job satisfaction predicted STS, whereas self-care, sports, social support, and debriefing remained protective factors. There has been evidence of secondary traumatic stress in healthcare professionals. The synthesis of data that are currently available highlights the emotional and psychological costs that care providers may incur from ongoing exposure to traumatic situations, underscoring the necessity of taking preventative action to address and lessen the effects of secondary traumatic stress.
Student perspectives of equity, diversity, and inclusion in the curriculum of a UK medical school—A mixed-methods study
Authors: Heidari Amirmohammad , Joshi Shravani , Ahmed Mohamed H. , Mahmoud Ibrahim , O’Dowd Jacqueline , Selway Joanne , Phillips Oladipo , Taha Mohamed H.
Published: December 2024

BACKGROUND:

Equity, inclusion, and diversity in medical education are increasingly recognized as crucial for enhancing student engagement and improving health outcomes. This paper aims to analyze trends and assess student attitudes toward ethnic equity, inclusion, and diversity within campus-based modules at the University of Buckingham Medical School, UK.

MATERIALS AND METHODS:

A mixed-methods approach was employed, involving 97 medical students aged 18–24 years (86.6%) between 2021 and 2023. Quantitative data were gathered through a pretested questionnaire using a five-point Likert scale and analyzed using SPSS software (version 26). Qualitative insights were obtained from five focus group sessions with randomly selected medical students and analyzed thematically.

RESULTS:

The findings of this study indicated a significant proportion of Asian descent students (56.7%). First-year and White ethnicity students perceived the curriculum as more representative compared to second-year counterparts and peers from other ethnic backgrounds. Notably, first-year students showed a heightened understanding of social science terms, especially “ethnicity,” and 67% of female students demonstrated a deeper comprehension of sociocultural factors influencing health behaviors. Across demographics, there was consistent recognition of these factors impacting patient care. Qualitative findings underscored the importance of representation in medical education, biases in recruitment, and advocated for greater faculty diversity. Additionally, there is a need for a curriculum reflecting diverse dietary habits and including role models from various ethnic backgrounds.

CONCLUSION:

This study emphasizes the critical need for curricular reform in medical education to prepare students for a multicultural society. Addressing disparities in curriculum representation and promoting diversity within faculties are essential for equipping future healthcare professionals with the skills to provide culturally competent care and navigate diverse patient populations effectively.
Obstetric danger signs in context: A mixed methods study exploring knowledge and sociocultural factors among pregnant women
Authors: Bhavana B M , Yogesh M , Padhiyar Navneet , Damor Naresh
Published: December 2024

BACKGROUND:

Maternal morbidity and mortality persist due to delays in seeking care for obstetric complications. Deficits in comprehending danger signs contribute to preventing early identification. There is limited research on awareness levels among rural Indian women. The present study aimed to assess knowledge of obstetric danger signs among pregnant women in rural Gujarat and explore associated sociodemographic and obstetric history factors. Qualitative methods further elucidated experiences, attitudes, and perceptions underlying maternal health literacy.

MATERIALS AND METHODS:

A mixed-methods study was conducted among 390 antenatal women selected through multistage sampling from six community health centers in Jamnagar district. A structured questionnaire and in-depth interviews were used for data collection. Quantitative data were analyzed with regression modeling, and qualitative data were thematically analyzed.

RESULTS:

Out of 490, the majority correctly identified pregnancy bleeding (73.3%, n = 361), leakage of fluid (71%, n = 347), and swelling (74.3%, n = 364) as danger signs. About 56.5%, n = 277, had good knowledge of danger signs. Knowledge was significantly higher among women aged >25 years (aOR 3.11, 95% CI 2.02–4.7), literate women (aOR 2.14, 95% CI 1.12–4.08), and those counseled during ANC (aOR 2.2, 95% CI 1.2–8.1) and PNC (aOR 4.4, 95% CI 1.8–10.7). Qualitative findings revealed gaps in recall, poor comprehension of symptoms, and sociocultural barriers to care-seeking.

CONCLUSION:

Despite interfacing with health services, awareness of obstetric danger signs was incomplete among rural antenatal women. Tailored education through enhanced counseling and family-centered care can improve maternal health literacy.
An observational study to find out the relationship between the types of headaches and balance dysfunction by using Fukuda test among young individuals
Authors: Riyas Basheer K B , Archana T H , Premkumar M , Madhuripu P , Arunkrishnan V R , Kolar Reshma
Published: December 2024

Headache disorders are reported by more than 50% of adults during the previous year in India. In addition to their great prevalence, the World Health Organization lists them as amongthe top ten conditions that are the most disabling. The high disability levels among headaches can also occur with several conditions such as vestibular symptoms, and balance alterations. Among these, balance dysfunction is often verified in patients with migraine, followed by tension-type and cervicogenic headaches. With this background in mind, the present study aims to use the Fukuda stepping test (FST) to look at the occurrence of balance disturbances in headache patients. A total of 40 headache subjects aged between 18 and 25 years volunteered to participate as subjects in this study according to the inclusion and exclusion criteria. Headache questionnaire and Headaches Impact Test scale were used to analyze the severity of headache in each subject. The FST is used for analyze balance dysfunction in headaches subject and it helps to identify vestibular system weakness by observing any deviation of the body while an individual performs the test. The Four-Stage Balance Test is used to assess an individual’s ability to maintain balance and control in various positions and movements, helping to identify any deficits in their balance. Using Pearson’s correlation coefficient, a weak positive correlation (r = 0.273 and P ≤ 0.005) was observed between Headache Impact Test (HIT) scores in F50 and F100. The relationship between FSBT in F50 and F100 also shows a moderate negative correlation (r = −0.516 and P ≤ 0.005) and is statistically significant. The study shows that individuals experiencing headaches exhibited balance disturbances when they performed the FST, indicating a potential association between headaches and balance.
Determine the psychosocial well-being of elderly residents living in old-age homes
Authors: Jabade Mangesh , Joshi Sonopant
Published: December 2024

BACKGROUND:

Old-age homes provide crucial care for elderly individuals facing physical, mental, or social challenges. Ensuring their psychosocial well-being is vital for fulfilling life. This study addresses the gap in the literature by comprehensively assessing factors like anxiety, feeling of security, and desire for longevity aiming to inform interventions for better support systems in old-age homes.

MATERIAL AND METHODS:

Methodologically, a cross-sectional design was employed involving 100 elder populations in Pune City, Maharashtra. The time taken to conduct the study was 1 month. Data was collected using the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) and Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 (GAD-7) tools. Interviews were conducted personally, with assistance from caretakers, maintained confidentiality, and addressed social gerontological considerations.

RESULT:

The study findings revealed that the majority of male participants (78%) expressed a desire for a longer and healthier life, while a smaller percentage (22%) showed no interest in longevity. Among females, (85%) expressed a wish for an extended life with improved mental and physical health, while (15%) expressed no such desire. However, the correlation between anxiety and feelings of security did not reach statistical significance.

CONCLUSION:

In conclusion, these findings emphasize the significance of seeing individual preferences in conniving interventions aimed at promoting psychosocial well-being in such settings. Furthermore, the lack of statistically significant correlation between anxiety and feelings of security suggests the complexity of factors influencing the mental and emotional states of elderly individuals in institutional care.
A Case Report of a Rare Dyke-Davidoff-Masson Syndrome Case
Authors: Shah Akash , Patel Meetkumar , Darda Shubham , Sanandia Sweta
Published: December 2024

The neurological disorder known as Dyke-Davidoff-Masson syndrome (DDMS) was initially identified in 1933 as hemispheric atrophy. Clinical signs and symptoms include mental impairment, seizures, facial asymmetry, and contralateral hemiparesis. Asymmetric thickening of the calvarium and expansion of the frontal and ethmoid sinuses are among the neuroimaging findings. We present here a case of 19-year-old male who is known case of epilepsy with complaints of multiple episodes of seizures frequently and on magnetic resonance imaging was diagnosed to have DDMS.
Association of Physical Activity and Premenstrual Syndrome Symptoms in Young Women of Ahmedabad
Authors: Sevak Aashvi Hemanbhai , Sheth Megha Sandeep
Published: December 2024

Introduction:

Premenstrual syndrome (PMS) is a set of physical, emotional, cognitive, and behavioral symptoms that occur in the luteal phase of the menstrual cycle, usually declining shortly after the onset of menstruation.

Aims:

The aim of the study was to determine the prevalence of PMS and analyze its association with physical activity levels among women aged 18-35 in Ahmedabad city.

Material and Methods:

An observational study was conducted involving 235 participants selected through convenience sampling. Inclusion criteria included women aged 18-35 years who were proficient in English, while exclusion criteria included smoking, alcohol abuse, athletic involvement, pregnancy or breastfeeding, and recent abortion or miscarriage. Data collection was conducted using the Premenstrual Syndrome Scale (PMSS) to assess premenstrual symptoms and the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ-SF) to measure physical activity levels. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS version 20, with a significance level set at 5%.

Results:

The average age of participants was 21.73 ± 3.57 years. The study found that 68.5% of participants met the criteria for having PMS based on the PMSS. The most reported symptoms included mood swings, abdominal cramps, food cravings, irritability, skin changes, crying spells, and aggression. Regarding physical activity, 43% of participants had low levels. Spearman correlation analysis revealed a weak but statistically significant positive association (r = 0.180, P = 0.006) between the severity of PMS symptoms and physical activity levels.

Conclusions:

The prevalence of PMS among participants was 68.5%. A weak association was found between PMS symptoms and physical activity levels among women in Ahmedabad.
Correlation of Smartphone Addiction with Sleep Quality and Attention in College Students of Ahmedabad
Authors: Deshmukh Aditi Kiran , Sheth Megha
Published: December 2024

Introduction:

Mobile phone usage has become essential, especially among students to the extent of addiction and poor sleep quality. Inadequate sleep can affect cognitive performance and increase cardiovascular risk.

Aims:

The aim of the study was to find relation of smartphone use with sleep quality and attention in college students.

Material and Methods:

Observational study was conducted among college-going students aged 18–27 years from Ahmedabad by convenience and snowball sampling. Data were collected using a self-administered questionnaire using Google Docs/paper copies. Smartphone Addiction Scale-Short Version (SAS-SV) for smartphone addiction, Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) for quality of sleep, and Attentional Control Scale (ACS) for attention were used. The level of significance was kept at 5%.

Results:

A total of 321 participants completed the study - 91 males and 230 females with mean age 21.27 ± 2.46 years. Mean scores for SAS-SV (28.9 ± 10.7), PSQI (5.50 ± 4.5), and ACS (51.7 ± 11.5) were seen. Correlation was found using Spearman’s correlation for SAS-SV with PSQI r = 0.28, P = 0.001 and SAS-SV with ACS r = −0.22, P = 0.001.

Conclusions:

College students were found to be at risk of addiction to their smartphones with affected sleep quality and attention. There is a weak, statistically significant correlation between smartphone addiction and sleep and attention.
Restrained Eating Behavior in Free Living Adults: A Study in Delhi, India
Authors: Yusuf Ifra , Mathur Pulkit , Bakshi Neha
Published: December 2024

Introduction:

Understanding the diverse factors for restricting foods is crucial, as it impacts the food choices and ultimately nutritional well-being.

Objective:

This study assessed the determinants of restrained eating behaviour among adults, exploring if fear/aversion was the reason for restraint.

Materials and Methods:

A total of 161 respondents aged 20–50 years who were active on social media platforms were recruited using snowball sampling. Body mass index (BMI) was calculated using self-reported height and weight. Standardized tools were used to analyze the cognitive restraint and food phobia using an online survey form.

Results:

Data showed higher restrained eating scores among 45% of the respondents. About 19% of the respondents were overweight and 36% were obese. There was a significant positive correlation of restrained eating with BMI. Females had significantly higher fear/aversion toward refined wheat flour products, fats, fried foods, bakery foods, sugar, and its products than males. Males had significantly higher fear/aversion for meat than females due to increased risk of infection. The number of restrained food items and level of fear significantly increased with age among males and females (P < 0.05). The major reasons identified for restraint eating were weight management, traditions/beliefs/customs, health concerns, and indigestion.

Conclusion:

Restraint eating and food aversions were significantly influenced by factors such as age, gender, BMI, with key motivation being weight management, cultural beliefs, and health concerns.
Musculoskeletal Involvement and Persistent Spleen - Regional Variation and Underexplored Risk Factors in Sickle Cell Disease: 2 Case Reports
Authors: Basu Srijeeta , Kathrotiya Vishalkumar , Darda Shubham , Patel Divyesh Vinubhai , Desai Vedangi , Solanki Shivangi , Lakhani Jitendra
Published: December 2024

Painful bony crises and avascular necrosis (AVN) of the femur is commonly described as musculoskeletal involvement in sickle cell disease (SCD). We are presenting two cases of SCD, having diffused, disseminated, and varied musculoskeletal involvement. These are representative cases which highlight underexplored risk factors and regional variation which includes adulthood morbidities, sickle cell beta thalassemia disorder, undiagnosed musculoskeletal problems, and persistent fetal hemoglobin (HbF) as well as spleen. The first case is having homozygous SCD (SS), having frequent admissions for bony crises, poor medication adherence having AVN of both hips, right olecranon bursitis, and having hepatosplenomegaly. The second case is of sickle cell beta thalassemia disorder with bilateral AVN of the hip with ischemic infarcts involving lumbar 4 and 5 vertebrae having severe anemia with splenomegaly and thrombocytopenia. There are unique challenges faced by Indian SCD patients and their persistent spleen and HbF levels including frequent rheumatological issues and possible multiorgan involvement.
Machine Learning Prediction of Peripheral Mononuclear Cells Based on Interactomic Hub Genes in Periodontitis and Rheumatoid Arthritis
Authors: Thilagar Sri Shivasankari , Rathinavelu Pradeep Kumar , Yadalam Pradeep Kumar
Published: December 2024

Introduction: An inflammatory condition of the periodontium is called periodontitis (PD). A prevalent chronic autoimmune condition known as rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is characterized by synovial membrane inflammation. Gene interactome analysis offers crucial insights into gene functional relationships, enabling researchers to comprehend biological processes and molecular mechanisms within a genomic dataset. Here, we used bioinformatics analysis to predict the interactomic hub genes involved in RA and PD and their relationships to peripheral mononuclear cells. This study aimed to predict peripheral mononuclear cells based on interactomic hub genes in PD and RA by machine learning algorithms. Method: Gene Expression Omnibus datasets were used to identify the genes linked to RA (GSE224842) and PD (GSE156993). We used the R software packages for Cytoscape Genemania, Gene Ontology (GO) enrichment, and Kyoto Encyclopaedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway enrichment for annotation of biological processes and pathways to validate biological functions of the hub differential gene expression observed, and machine learning was used to identify hub genes from interactomic differential gene dataset. Result: Decision tree, AdaBoost, and Random Forest had an area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) in the receiver operating characteristic curve of 0.967, 1.000, and 0.973, respectively. The AdaBoost model had the best accuracy (1.000). These findings imply that the AdaBoost model had a good diagnostic value and may aid in the early detection of PD in association with RS. As a result, the genes with p value <0.05 and AUC >0.90 showed excellent diagnostic value for PD and RS and thus were considered for the prediction of hub genes. Conclusion: In summary, this study’s identified differential expression analysis and hub genes provide valuable insights into the molecular mechanisms of R.A. and periodontal disease progression. These genes have the potential to serve as biomarkers and offer innovative treatments for these chronic inflammatory diseases.
Atypical jaw swelling in children: An unusual clinical spectrum of Langerhans cell histiocytosis
Authors: Sithara K , Balan Usha , Mohammed PK Rajeesh , Stanly Akhila S.
Published: December 2024

Langerhans cell histiocytosis (LCH), also called histiocytosis X or eosinophilic granuloma, is a local or systemic unusual clonal proliferative disorder of Langerhans cells. It has a wide spectrum of clinical presentations and can occur in any age group with predominance in children and young adults. This article presents a rare case of LCH in a 2-year-old girl child which was provisionally diagnosed as an infection of the jaw bone of unknown etiology. Correlating the clinical, radiologic, and histologic features with immunohistochemical analysis aided in arriving at a definitive diagnosis of LCH. Oral manifestations being the earliest presentation seen in around 5%–75% of LCH cases emphasize the role of a dentist in the early detection of this lesion. A myriad of clinical spectra due to pathologic infiltration of Langerhans cells into various systems necessitates oral diagnosis to be followed by a full body scan to detect any systemic involvement. Advanced targeted therapies can improve the survival rate and quality of life in patients with LCH.
A Morphometric Study of the Proximal End of the Tibia in North Karnataka Population – A Cross-sectional Study
Authors: Shiraganve Mahadev S , Virupaxi Rajendrakumar D , Pattanshetti Sheetal V , Yadav Sanjay Kumar , Arer Arjun R
Published: December 2024

Background:

The upper end of the tibia is beneficial for surgeons and biotechnologists. It is additionally used by interventional rheumatologists in implanting for osteonecrosis of medial or lateral tibial plateaus, which may facilitate the orthopedicians in choosing knee prostheses. This is used for total knee arthroplasty and unicompartmental knee arthroplasty. It also gives better results after surgery in early mobility of patients as well as lessens postoperative complications.

Materials and Methods:

This study was conducted on 100 fully ossified dry adult tibia (50 right and 50 left). All the parameters of various parts of the upper end of the dry tibia were recorded using a digital vernier caliper and measuring tape. The mean values of all the parameters were recorded and compared between the right and left sides.

Results:

The average maximum width of transverse diameter of tibial condyles on both sides was 62.78 mm. The average maximum length of the anteroposterior diameter of the intercondylar region on both sides was 42.12 mm. The average maximum length between the upper end of the tibia to the lower end of the tibial tuberosity on both sides was 25.74 mm. The average maximum length of the circumference of the upper end of the tibia on both sides was 18.77 cm. The average maximum length of the anteroposterior diameter of the medial condyle on both sides was 26.65 mm and the average maximum anteroposterior diameter of the lateral condyle on both sides was 27.40 mm.

Conclusion:

The present study will be helpful for anatomists, forensic experts, orthopedic surgeons, and prosthetists for research and designing prostheses and for medicolegal investigations. This is also helpful to construct suitable prostheses and operating patients with fractures at the upper end of the tibia.
Prevalence of Cerebral Visual Impairment in Children of Health-care Workers in a Tertiary Care Hospital: A Questionnaire-based, Cross-sectional Survey
Authors: Smitha K. S. , Bhutani Mehak , Prasad Vatsala , Samvedya V. , Khanagavi Bhagyajyothi B. , Warad Chethana
Published: December 2024

Purpose:

To estimate the prevalence of cerebral visual impairment (CVI) among children of the health-care workers in our hospital.

Methodology:

The questionnaire having 25 questions was used to screen all the participants. Participants who answered yes to <5 characteristics were categorized as no risk for CVI, those answering yes to 5–10 characteristics as low risk for CVI, and children answering yes to more than 10 as high risk for CVI. We also evaluated the high-risk red flag characteristics in the form of 5 questions adapted from Dutton’s five-point questionnaire which indicates early features of CVI.

Results:

Twenty-four percent of the children were diagnosed to have characteristics suggestive of CVI. Eighty-one percent of these children were diagnosed to have low-risk CVI and 19% had high-risk CVI. A total of 6 (5.56%) children demonstrated at least three of the five red flag characteristics of Dutton and were confirmed to have CVI.

Conclusion:

There is a need for planning of future strategies about increasing awareness regarding CVI among health-care workers in India for early diagnosis and treatment.
Management of Various Cases for Implant Placement by Using Osseodensification Protocol
Authors: Almagbol Mohammad
Published: December 2024

In recent years, implant treatment has become a popular option and is frequently preferred by patients and doctors. Initial implant stabilization is a vital element for implant-osseointegration and long-term implant success. Salah Huwais conceptualized the osseodensification technique for dental implant placement. Compared to conventional implant osteotomy practices, osseodensification allows a nonsubtractive osteotomy preparation. Specially designed burs are used in a noncutting counterclockwise direction to preserve and condense bone. The present case series aims to explain the implementation of osseodensification for dental implant insertion in the thin bony alveolar process, internal closed sinus elevation with implant placement, and immediate implant insertion in the extraction socket. Three different case reports have been discussed in detail where the osseodensification technique was used with specially designed Densah™ Bur to prepare the osteotomy and simultaneous implant placement. The study also focuses on the technique’s advantages, disadvantages, and indications, as existing in the relevant literature, along with evidence. Osseodensification is a unique procedure that prepares implant sites while conserving the alveolar bone. In the present report of three cases, satisfactory primary stability of implants with conservation of alveolus integrity was accomplished, which resulted in a shorter restoration interval for prosthetic rehabilitation.
Chemical Nail Avulsion as a Treatment for Nail Diseases: A Retrospective Case Series
Authors: Tay Vanessa Hwee Ting , Leung An Jian , Pan Jiun Yit
Published: December 2024

Background:

Chemical nail avulsion is a non-invasive therapeutic option for nail diseases. It is an alternative to long-term antifungals or painful surgical procedures. This study evaluates its efficacy and safety in treating various nail diseases.

Materials and Methods:

A retrospective analysis was conducted on chemical nail avulsions performed on 157 patients at the National Skin Centre, Singapore, from January 2013 to December 2015. Nail avulsion was performed by paring the nail and applying 40% urea ointment followed by an occlusive dressing.

Results:

There were 157 patients in this retrospective study. Gender was equally distributed. Patient ages ranged from 40 to 78 years (mean age: 49.8 years). Most patients had avulsions performed on toenails (n = 118, 75.2%). The most common indication for nail avulsion was onychomycosis (n = 80, 51.0%). At 1 week post-occlusion, 33.8% (n = 53) of nails were fully avulsed (defined as clearance of 100% of the nail) and 57.3% (n = 90) were partially avulsed (defined as clearance of more than 50% of the nail). At 6 months post-treatment, 26.0% (n = 26 of 100) of nails were clinically cured (defined as the normal appearance of 100% of the regrown nail) and 42.0% (n = 42 of 100) had clinical improvement (defined as normal appearance of more than 50% of the regrown nail). At 12 months post-treatment, 24.3% (n = 17 of 70) of nails remained clinically cured and 34.3% (n = 24 of 70) remained clinically improved. Most patients (n = 130, 82.8%) did not experience any side effects. A minority had pain, irritant contact dermatitis, bleeding or cellulitis.

Conclusion:

Chemical nail avulsion with 40% urea ointment under occlusion is a moderately effective and safe treatment method for various nail diseases. More than 50% nail avulsion was achieved in most patients (n = 143, 91.1%) after 1 week, 58.6% (n = 41 out of 70) had more than 50% of normal regrown nail at 12 months and the majority (n = 130, 82.8%) did not experience any side effects.
Comparison of Low Dermatitis Potential of a Powder-free “Accelerator-free” Synthetic Neoprene with Natural Rubber Latex Glove Using Modified Draize Test
Authors: Zainuri Noramini , Ismail Sharifah , Sulaiman Saadiah , Jeffrey Iman , Jeffrey Asiah Farihah , Al Ghora Said , Jeffrey Mardhiah
Published: December 2024

Introduction:

Glove-related dermatitis and latex sensitivity are becoming more prevalent as the health care industry’s need for protective rubber gloves increases. Neoprene gloves have emerged as a safer alternative to traditional natural rubber latex (NRL) gloves for surgical and examination purposes, in reducing the risk of Type I allergy and Type IV allergy.

Aims:

The study objective is to compare the dermatitis potential of powder-free neoprene gloves with that of NRL gloves by determining whether there is presence or absence of residual chemical additives at the level that may induce Type IV allergy in unsensitised general users.

Materials and Methods:

Two sets of accelerator free sterile powder-free synthetic neoprene (SN) surgical gloves, (GAMMEX®)*, green and natural colour were tested using the Modified Draize-95 test. Filter paper and Powder-Free NRL glove were used as control.

Results:

A total of 211 subjects completed the study; 160 of them were Caucasian (76%), 30 were Afro-Caribbean (14%) and 21 were Asian (10%). Both sets of neoprene gloves, green and natural colour, and their control, powder-free NRL examination glove and the filter paper had final patch testing score of not more than 1.5 during the challenge phases.

Conclusions:

The skin sensitisation test of sterile powder-free SN surgical gloves, green and natural colour and the powder-Free NRL examination gloves were negative indicating no clinical evidence of the presence of residual chemical additives at the level that may induce Type IV allergy in the unsensitised general user population. Both types of gloves qualify as ‘Low Dermatitis Potential’.
Use of Biological Drugs in Patients with Chronic Dermatoses at Hospital Umum Sarawak: A 13-year Real-world Data
Authors: Teo Hock Gin , Lai Siaw Ling , Ting Ingrid Pao Lin , Teo Yan , Albela Henrietta , Tang Min Moon
Published: December 2024

Introduction:

There has been a paradigm shift in the treatment of various chronic dermatoses using biological drugs. We aim to describe the characteristics of patients with chronic dermatoses who receive biological drugs.

Materials and Methods:

This was a retrospective study on the patients who received any form of biological drugs at the dermatology clinic between 2010 and July 2023. Medical records were retrieved and analyzed.

Results:

A total of 78 patients received biological drugs for 13 years. The median age of the patients who first received the biological drugs was 39.6 years (range: 3–82). The biological drugs funding resources were from the hospital medication fund (45.2%), public servant fund (36.6%), and others. Psoriasis was the most common indication with a total of 62 (79.5%) patients, followed by atopic dermatitis (n = 8, 10.3%), and chronic spontaneous urticaria (n = 4, 5.1%). In our subanalysis of the use of biological drugs for 62 patients with psoriasis, the most frequently used agents were the interleukin 17 (IL-17) inhibitor secukinumab (39.0%) and anti-IL12/23 ustekinumab (26.0%). There were 33 (42.3%) patients who achieved meaningful with sustainable clinical response and were continued with the biological drugs longer than 12 months (range: 14–114 months). Thirteen patients switched to another biological drug mainly due to loss of efficacy. Twelve patients stopped completely mainly due to primary failure and adverse events. The most severe adverse events reported were tuberculosis and hepatitis B reactivation.

Conclusion:

About 42.3% of patients had sustainable responses with the first biological drugs prescribed for more than a year.
Spinal Anaplastic Meningioma: A Rare Case Report
Authors: Sutikno Joshua , Junus Eufrata Silvestris , Satyarsa Agung Bagus Sista , Niryana I Wayan , Golden Nyoman , Mahadewa Tjokorda Gde Bagus , Maliawan Sri
Published: December 2024

Spinal meningioma is a benign tumor that arises from meninges. The incidence of the tumor is higher in women than men. Majority of meningiomas are considered to be histopathologically benign, with 80% of them graded as World Health Organization (WHO) grade 1 tumors. Only a small percentage are atypical (WHO grade 2) (5%–25%) or anaplastic (WHO grade 3) meningiomas (1%–5%). However, anaplastic meningiomas are relatively rare in the spinal region compared to intracranial locations. Anaplastic meningiomas are the most aggressive form of meningioma, especially in the spinal cord. Because of the rarity, there is very little information about the management of the tumor.
Psychiatric Comorbidities in Adults with Epilepsy: A Systematic Review
Authors: Murugan Arun , S Geethanjali , Jeevapriya M. R. , Pavithra G. , OL Athira , Sathishkumar K.
Published: December 2024

Epilepsy is a chronic neurological condition that is highly predisposed to a variety of mental health problems. This systematic literature review identified original research articles that reported the prevalence of psychiatric comorbidities based on clinical assessments amongst patients with epilepsy (PWE). The included articles were published from 2000 to 2022 and focused on adults aged ≥18 years who had psychiatric diagnoses. The primary outcome was the prevalence of psychiatric comorbidities amongst PWE. A modified Newcastle–Ottawa Scale was used to assess the quality of the studies. Thirty-three articles were reviewed in full-text screening. Out of these, 15 articles that were consistent with the inclusion criteria were included in our systematic review. This protocol was registered in PROSPERO with registration ID CRD42023461739. General Anxiety Disorder and Major Depressive Disorder were the most common psychiatric comorbidities, with prevalence rates of 20.14% and 23.94%, respectively. Other reported comorbidities included post-traumatic stress disorder (8.3%), obsessive–compulsive disorder (2.9%), bipolar disorder (7.1%), psychosis (8.2%) and phobia (18.25%). These findings suggest that screening tools for depression and anxiety should be included as part of the training for epilepsy care.
Efficacy of Online Learning in Children during COVID-19 Pandemic: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis
Authors: Panda Prateek Kumar , Sharawat Indar Kumar , Panda Pragnya
Published: December 2024

Background Objective:

During the current ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, schools have been closed in most of countries to prevent the spread of infection. Most schools have adapted online learning in a desperate attempt to continue the teaching–learning process. There was no systematic review on the published literature on the effectiveness of this online learning process.

Materials and Methods:

Major electronic databases were searched to retrieve the original articles (cross-sectional or prospective studies), and studies with a minimum sample size of 40 were included in the analysis. The pooled estimate of the percentage of parents/teachers having various perceptions was calculated using fixed and random effect designs, depending on the degree of heterogeneity.

Results:

Ten studies described 21,144 students/teachers/parents fulfilling the eligibility criteria from a total of 178 records. Overall, 82% of children included in the study were found to have attended online learning classes. Of these, only 38% of parents, 41% of students, and 51% of teachers felt that online learning was effective in achieving its goal properly. As high as 91% of parents and 83% of students reported that they would like to go back to traditional classroom teaching after the pandemic was over. While around 90% of teachers felt that they were able to interact regularly with the students, 57% of parents felt that there was not enough interaction during online classes, and only 42% of children seemed to be interested in the online class.

Conclusion:

While online learning classes seem to be the only feasible alternative during the COVID-19 pandemic, their effectiveness in fulfilling the goal of education in children is far from perfect, as perceived by parents, students, and teachers.
Home Handling, Storage, and Disposal of Oral Methotrexate in Rheumatoid Arthritis Patients at King Abdulaziz University Hospital: A Cross-Sectional Study
Authors: Bakhsh Hussain T.
Published: December 2024

Introduction:

Many patients on oral methotrexate (MTX) may not practice safe home handling, storage, and disposal methods, possibly due to a lack of information from healthcare providers.

Objectives:

We aimed to evaluate the safe home handling, storage, and disposal practices of oral MTX among patients treated for rheumatoid arthritis.

Materials and Methods:

A cross-sectional, telephone interview and questionnaire-based survey was conducted on rheumatoid arthritis patients at the Rheumatology Department of King Abdulaziz University Hospital. The patients were eligible for inclusion if they were at least 18 years old and received oral MTX treatment between January and November 2021. The data were summarized using descriptive statistics. Chi-squared and correlation analyses were employed to test for differences in proportions and associations.

Results:

A total of 114 patients, with a mean age of 46.5 ± 13.2 years and 96 females (84.2%; P < 0.001), participated in the study. Not splitting or crushing the MTX medication was the major safe home handling method reported by 68 (59.6%; P < 0.001) of the patients. Safe disposal was the most practiced by patients, with a median (range) total score of 3.0 (1.0–4.0). There was no significant correlation between the patients’ level of education and their total safe handling (r = −0.154, P = 0.101), storage (r = −0.023, P = 0.809), and disposal practice (r = −0.004, P = 0.966) scores.

Conclusion:

There was poor safe home handling of oral MTX by the patients. Poor home handling of oral MTX by patients is a health risk, requiring healthcare providers, particularly pharmacists, to educate patients and caregivers about safe disposal and storage practices.
Progression, behavior, and intervention of dentigerous cyst: A case report and literature review
Authors: Ali MK Saad , Alfaleh Haya Mohammed , Alnasser Imtenan Nasser
Published: December 2024

A dentigerous cyst is a developmental odontogenic cyst frequently associated with lower third molars, upper canines, and lower second premolars. In most cases, dentigerous cysts are present asymptomatically. The growth is gradual and when it reaches a significant size, it may affect anatomical structures and adjacent teeth. The majority of these cysts are detected during regular radiographic examination. They are induced by the degeneration of the enamel organ’s stellate reticulum, which results in fluid accumulation between the crown and the reduced enamel epithelium. In the presented case, we report the progression of a dentigerous cyst associated with an impacted left mandibular third molar. The cyst behavior, differential diagnosis, and management are discussed.
A decision support system based on classification algorithms for the diagnosis of periodontal disease
Authors: Alshehri Abdulrahman , Dahman Mohammed , Assiri Mousa , Alshehri Abdulkarim , Alqahtani Sharifah , Shaiban Mohammed , Alqahtani Bashyer , Althbyani Sabah , Alhefdi Hatem , Hakami Khalid , Ali Abdulbari , Saeed Abdullah
Published: December 2024

Introduction:

Inflammatory conditions, including gingivitis and periodontitis, affect the supporting structures of teeth. The early detection of these diseases is critical for the prevention of systemic complications. Recent advances in artificial intelligence have introduced novel diagnostic methods that offer the potential for more accurate and personalized diagnostics.

Aims:

The purpose of this study was to develop and evaluate a decision support system (DSS) based on selected classification algorithms, namely random forest (RF), support vector machine (SVM), artificial neural network (ANN), and logistic regression for the periodontal disease diagnosis.

Materials and Methods:

A cross-sectional study design was adopted, A 300 patients were taken, split into a training set with 80% and a test set with 20%. The algorithms were used to analyze 19 demographic, clinical, and radiographic parameters. Chi-square and ANOVA tests were conducted and for these, a significance level of 0.05 was used. We calculated accuracy, precision, recall and F1-score, which we used to assess model performance.

Results:

The RF and ANN models exhibited very good performance, reaching almost perfect accuracy, precision, recall and F1 scores, showing strong potential as a diagnostic. Nevertheless, the SVM and decision tree models equally yielded robust results with a balanced generalizability across metrics. Results showed little effectiveness for the Naïve Bayes on grading periodontal disease.

Discussion and Conclusion:

DSS models show promise in enhancing periodontal disease diagnostics, particularly RF and ANN models. However, the risk of overfitting and limited performance of simpler models, such as naive Bayes, underscores the need for further research, including external validation, to ensure the reliability and generalizability of these models in clinical practice.
Effect of Calcium Addition on the High-Temperature Recovery of Nd and Dy from Nd-Fe-B Scrap Using Mg-Based Extractants
Authors: Kim Hyoseop
Published: December 2024

This study investigated whether calcium (Ca) addition improved the recovery of neodymium (Nd) and dysprosium (Dy) from Nd-Fe-B magnet scrap using magnesium (Mg)-based liquid metal extraction (LME). Traditional LME processes are limited to temperatures up to 850 °C due to oxidation issues, reducing the efficiency of rare earth element (REE) recovery, especially for Dy. By adding 10 wt.% Ca to Mg and increasing the processing temperature to 1,000 °C, we achieved nearly 100% Nd and approximately 38% Dy recovery, compared to 91% and 28%, respectively, with pure Mg at 850 °C. However, excessive Ca addition (20 wt.%) decreased the recovery efficiency due to the formation of stable intermetallic compounds. These results highlight the critical role of Ca in optimizing REE recycling from Nd-Fe-B magnet scrap.
Theoretical Aspects of Preservation and Reduction of Traditional Wedding Rituals of the Volga German Ethnic Minority in the Russian Federation
Authors: Shishkina Elena M.
Published: December 2024

For the first time in world ethnomusicology, the work examines the theoretical aspects of the cultural transformations of the wedding ceremony of the Volga Germans, a subethnic group that arose in Russia in the eighteenth century. Identification of the structure of the ritual and its musical content is based on archival research and the author’s field expeditions of the late twentieth and early twenty first centuries.
Theorising on the Genesis of Chorus Baila
Authors: De Silva Jayasuriya Shihan
Published: December 2024

Chorus Baila is associated with the Portuguese colonisers of Sri Lanka. The originator of the genre, Mervin Ollington Bastiansz, was a member of a minority community, a Burgher with Dutch, Portuguese, and Sinhalese ancestry. I consider the life and musical experiences of Bastiansz in theorising on the genesis of chorus baila.
Sistem Penyelenggaraan Makanan pada Keluarga Nelayan yang Memiliki Anak Balita di Kepulauan Masaloka Raya Kabupaten Bombana
Authors: Asni Nurul , Demmalewa Jenny Qlifianti , Dhesa Desiderius Bella
Published: December 2024

Nutritional problems in the coastal area of ​​the Masaloka Raya Health Center are very high, the prevalence of stunting is 27.7% wasting 19%. 0.4% overweight and 34.9% underweight. The food management system for fishermen's families also plays a role in determining the nutritional problems of coastal communities, especially in the aspects of purchasing, cooking and distributing food. The purpose of this study was to determine the food management system by mothers in fishing families in the Masaloka Raya Islands, Bombana Regency. This type of research is descriptive, cross-sectional study approach. This research was conducted in Masaloka Raya Village in August 2024. The population was all toddlers in the Masaloka Health Center area, which was 84 people and the sample was some toddlers as many as 34 people who were taken using the simple random sampling technique. Data were collected using a valid and reliable questionnaire and analyzed descriptively. The results of the study found that the food purchasing system in fishing families was mostly in the sufficient category (91.2%), the rest was lacking (8.8%). The cooking system was mostly lacking (52.9%) and the rest (47.1%). The food distribution system was 100% sufficient. The conclusion of this study is that the food purchasing and distribution system is in the good category while the cooking system is mostly lacking. Suggestions for fishing families are to buy local vegetables and fruits so that nutritional needs are met in a balanced way and not to use food flavor enhancers such as royko or Masako. For Masaloka Raya Village to provide education related to balanced nutrition and for further researchers, to statistically analyze the causes of the lack of food cooking systems for fishing families in the coastal areas of the Masaloka Islands.
Report from the Conference on the Legal and Ethical Aspects of Disciplinary Liability of Judges
Authors: Mikulová Ema , Ruňanin Marián
Published: December 2024

On the 15th of November, 2024, a conference entitled "Legal and Ethical Aspects of Disciplinary Liability of Judges" was held at the Faculty of Law of Comenius University Bratislava under the patronage of the Department of Theory of Law and Philosophy of Law of the Faculty of Law of Comenius University Bratislava within the VEGA project No. 1/0579/23 - Legal and Ethical Aspects of Disciplinary Liability in the Rule of Law.
Relatos de viaje de España a Argentina a comienzos del siglo XX. José Ortega Munilla como referente
Authors: Peñate Rivero Julio
Published: December 2024

Tras los acontecimientos de 1898, numerosos escritores españoles viajan a la Argentina con una perspectiva semejante y muy particular: abandonan temporalmente un país en franca decadencia para impregnarse de una nación joven y en plena expansión. La Argentina va a ser percibida de una forma poco menos que inédita y su relación estrecha con España será considerada beneficiosa sobre todo para la antigua metrópoli, muy necesitada de ese estímulo exterior. La situación se transformará a partir de 1939: el tipo de viajero no será el mismo, su visión de la Argentina deberá cambiar radicalmente y sus relatos habrán de responder a la función que les asignará la política cultural de los vencedores de la guerra civil española. Nos centraremos sobre todo en la primera parte y dedicaremos un espacio particular a José Ortega Munilla, un autor especialmente representativo de aquellos años, pero también consideraremos varios relatos de la posguerra española para destacar el contraste entre ambos momentos de la historia en general y la del relato de viaje hispano en particular.