bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Oral cancer knowledge among dental patients in Isfahan
Authors: Razavi Seyed Mohammad , Tahani Bahareh , Maleki Laleh , Esfahani Danial Bagherian Nezhad
Published: January 2024

Background:

Diagnosis of oral cancer in the early stages is the most effective tool to improve survival and reduce complications caused by the disease. The aim of this study was investigating the dental patients’ knowledge of oral cancer in Isfahan.

Materials and Methods:

This descriptive cross-sectional study was performed on 334 patients referred to dental centers in Isfahan, Shahinshahr, Najafabad, Khomeini Shahr, Harand, and Zarrinshahr cities. Data were collected by a researcher-made 25-item questionnaire. Data analysis was carried out by SPSS (version 26) software using the independent t-test, one-way analysis of variance, and Pearson correlation coefficient (P < 0.05).

Results:

The patients’ mean score of knowledge was 49.3 ± 21.4 in Isfahan city and 53.1 ± 18.4 in the other cities of Isfahan province. There was no significant difference between knowledge of oral cancer and gender, marital status, and residence, but there was a significant difference between employment status and knowledge (P = 0.03). The mean score of knowledge was significantly higher in patients who had a history of oral cancer in relatives than in other patients (P = 0.03). Virtual networks (Telegram, WhatsApp, and Instagram), journals, and books were the most common sources for patients about oral cancers.

Conclusion:

Dental patients’ knowledge of oral cancer in Isfahan province and its cities was moderate, so it is necessary to increase their level of knowledge through more education.
Clear aligner therapy versus conventional brackets: Oral impacts over time
Authors: Hashemi Sara , Hashemi Seyed Saman , Tafti Kioumars Tavakoli , Khademi Seyed Sobhan , Ariana Niyosha , Ghasemi Shohreh , Dashti Mahmood , Ghanati Hamed , Mansourian Marjan
Published: January 2024

Background:

The objective is to compare the impact of clear aligner treatment (CAT) versus conventional fixed appliance treatment (FAT) on oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) among adults at five-time points: pretreatment (T0), 1 week (T1), 1 month after (T2), and 6 months after (T3) treatment initiation, and in the long-term follow-up (T4).

Materials and Methods:

Search terms were based on Medical Subject Headings (MeSH) and non-MeSH. Potentially eligible studies compared OHRQoL in clear aligner (CA) and fixed appliance (FA) patients. In February 2023, Scopus, Web of Science, Cochrane, and PubMed were searched for published studies. Nine out of 94 shortlisted papers were eligible for a systematic review. Of these nine papers, five studies were considered for a meta-analysis.

Results:

At T0, CA and FA patients had similar oral health impact profile (OHIP)-14 questionnaire scores with a standard mean difference (SMD) of 0.105 (confidence interval [CI]:−1.029–1.48).The SMD of the OHRQoL related to T1, T2, and T3 was −3.119 (CI:−0.145, 0.355), −1.527 (CI:−5.597, −0.64), and− 2.331 (CI:−1.906, −1.148).T4 showed no difference between groups (SMD = 0.007, CI: CI:−4.286, −0.376). Regarding the OHIP-14 domains, functional limitations remained consistent in both groups across all time intervals. Psychological discomfort exhibited a notable difference only at T2. Throughout the treatment, CAT showed significantly lower levels of physical, psychological, and social disability, as well as handicap, though these differences did not persist beyond T4. Notably, physical pain was the sole domain that remained elevated in the FAT group up to T4.

Conclusion:

During the 1st day of the orthodontic treatment, both the CA and FA groups had comparable OHRQoL statuses. However, as time passed, the CA group notably improved their OHRQoL compared to the FA group. Interestingly, after a year or the completion of treatment, both groups eventually reached similar OHRQoL levels. Nevertheless, it is worth noting that FA patients continued to experience more physical pain even a year later.
Evaluation of surface energy and surface stability and adherence of Candida albicans to octa fluoro pentyl (meth) acrylate-coated PEEK using plasma spray
Authors: Jahangir Majid , Hadi Alireza , Yadegari Zahra , Shahbazi Razieh , Amdjadi Parisa
Published: January 2024

Background:

Polyetheretherketone (PEEK) has favorable properties that make it able to be used as a denture base material, but it is also susceptible to the adhesion of microorganisms. In this study, we applied Octafluoropentyl (meth) acrylate (OFPA) coating on the PEEK polymer surface by using plasma spray and investigated the functional groups present on the surface, changes in the surface energy and Candida albicans adhesion.

Materials and Methods:

In this experimental study, the samples were placed in a control group without surface preparation and three experimental groups that were subjected to plasma spray for 10, 30, and 60 s and then impregnated with degassed Octa fluoropentyl (meth) acrylate (Sigma-Aldrich, USA) monomer. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) was used to identify the functional groups and new chemical bonds between PEEK and OFPA, and Sessile Drop Method was used to evaluate the surface’s wettability. The surface morphology was checked using a LEXT OLS4000 (Olympus®-Japan) microscope, and the inhibition of C. albicans adhesion was also checked by counting the colonies in terms of colony forming unit/mL (CFU/mL). Kurskal–Wallis analysis was conducted to assess Candida adhesion, while wettability was evaluated using analysis of variance and post hoc analyses. The level of statistical significance was set at P < 0.05.

Results:

FTIR analysis confirmed that a chemical between OFPA and PEEK was established. The samples showed a significant increase in the contact angle after 30 s of plasma application (CA = 88.2 ± 7.3). The contact angle decreased again by increasing the surface modification to 60 s (CA = 64.33 ± 5.5). Examining the surface morphology of the samples shows an increase in surface roughness with increasing plasma time up to 60 s. The number of adherent colonies was the lowest in 30 s group, but it was not statistically significant (P = 0.658).

Conclusion:

No statistically significant difference in C. albicans CFU/mL count was found between groups. The contact angle of the 30 s group was significantly higher than the control group.
Comparison of the accuracy of apex locator, digital radiography, and cone-beam computed tomography in root canal working length determination in teeth with external root resorption: An in vitro study
Authors: Hasheminia Seyed Mohsen , Jahadi Sanaz , Moghaddam Farida Ghazanfari , Bagherieh Shervin
Published: January 2024

Background:

The aim of this study was to compare the accuracy of apex locator, digital periapical radiography, and cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) for determining the root canal working length (WL) in teeth with external root resorption (ERR).

Materials and Methods:

In this in vitro study, the sample consisted of 54 extracted permanent single-rooted human teeth. ERRs were performed at the 3 mm apical root using 65% of nitric acid for 24 h. After determining the actual WL by K-file #10 (gold standard) with the visualization method, the teeth were mounted in alginate and the WL of each tooth was determined using the electronic apex locator (EAL) equipped with a K-file #15. The teeth were mounted with wax in the teeth sockets of a dry human mandible, and the images were obtained by digital phosphor plate receptors and CBCT scans. The mean registered WL of each method was statistically compared with the gold standard WL using one-way ANOVA with P < 0.001.

Results:

The mean ± standard deviation (SD) of actual WL was 16.00 ± 2.24. The mean ± SD of WLs determined by CBCT, EAL, and digital radiography were 15.38 ± 2.19, 15.52 ± 2.32, and 16.83 ± 2.20, respectively. This study showed that the mean measured WL with ERR in all methods was significantly different from the actual WL (P < 0.001).

Conclusion:

This study showed that there was a significant difference between the actual mean WL and the EAL, digital periapical radiography, and CBCT mean WL. Thus, the combination of EAL and CBCT could be a reliable method for determining WL in the presence of ERR.
Nurses’ perception toward workplace bullying and its relation to work burnout
Authors: Gabr Neama M. , El-Molla Magda A. , Mohamed Nadia T.
Published: January 2024

Background

Workplace bullying is a social and organizational problem within the health care organizations systems, it has several adverse effects and is closely associated with nurses’ work burnout. Bullying and burnout have the potential to negatively influence staff nurses both at their work and in their everyday lives.

Aim

The current study aimed to explore staff nurses’ perception toward workplace bullying and its relation to their work burnout at Beni Suef University Hospital.

Research design

A descriptive correlational design was used in the study.

Setting

The study was conducted at Beni Suef University Hospital.

Sample

A Convenience sample (n=250) of staff nurses who accepted to participate in the study.

Tools

Two tools were utilized to collect data: 1) the workplace bullying scale; 2) the work burnout scale.

Results

The results of the present study showed that the majority (80.99%) of the staff nurses were highly perceived of workplace bullying, and the majority (86.75%) of them were victims of work-related bullying, with more than two −third (69.6%) of them perceived that they sometimes had exposed to an unmanageable workload and more than half (52.4%) of them sometimes had exposed to excessive monitoring of their work. Also, the results indicated that the majority (72.56%) of staff nurses had highly perceived work burnout, with the 20.61±4.18 majority (76.41%) of them were victims of work-related- burnout, with more than two −third (62.8%) of them perceived that they always feel used up at the end of the workday and there was a highly statistically significant positive correlation between all domains of workplace bullying and work burnout.

Conclusion

The study findings concluded that staff nurses highly perceived of work place bullying and work burnout and there was a statistically highly significant positive correlation between staff nurses perception of work place bullying and their work burnout.

Recommendations

The administrators and supervisors should enhance healthy work environment which involved with justice, fairness, developing positive work culture that requires effective communication and respect between staff and others, develop internal formal procedure for reporting and investigating bullying and develop training programs for workplace bullying concept and management and encourage nurses to report incidents of bullying.
Technical nurses’ perception of work environment factors that affect their performance
Authors: Abdou Fatma F. , El Mola Magda A. , Elewa Amal H.
Published: January 2024

Background

Performance is important for organizations as employee performance leads to task success also it is important for individual success and satisfaction. The performance of the nurses is especially important in accomplishing health care in continuous and effective way, also there is strong relationship between technical nurses’ performance and their work environment factors.

Aim

The study aimed to assess technical nurses’ perception of work environment factors that affect their performance.

Design

A descriptive exploratory research design was utilized.

Setting

Study was conducted at National Cancer Institute which is affiliated with Cairo University hospitals.

Sample

Convenience sample (n=96) of technical nurses was used.

Tool

One tool was used (work environment factors questionnaire) it composed of eight domains (68 items).

Result

The highest percentage of technical nurses highly perceived that environmental factors domains had extensive effect on their performance (83.3%). Added that (90.3% & 87.7%), respectively had the highest perception regarding availability of job aids and adequate resources and collegial nurse and other health team members’ relations domains. There was no statistical significant relation between work environment factors that affect technical nurses’ performance and their personal characteristics.

Conclusion

The study concluded that the highest percentage of staff nurses highly perceived that environmental factors domains had extensive effect on their performance added that most of them had the highest perception regarding availability of job aids and adequate resources and collegial nurse and other health team members relations domains. There was no statistical significant relation between work environment domains and nurses’ personal characteristics, workplace, years of experience and continuous education in oncology nursing.

Recommendation

Administrators must support nurses with a well-structured work environment, Nurse unit managers should ensure the availability and dissemination of guidelines, standards, policy, and procedures to achieve organizational objectives and nurse unit managers should support nurses with the establishment of a suitable, collaborative, and safe work environment.
Pregnancy and neonatal outcomes of women with coronavirus disease 2019: hospitals registry based study
Authors: Ahmed Zeinab Nageh , El Sayed Yousria A. , Hassan Shadia Abd Elkader
Published: January 2024

Background

Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is an infectious disease caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome. Several reports highlighted the risk of infection with COVID-19 in pregnant women and neonate.

Aim

The aim of this study was of two folds: to identify the maternal, perinatal and neonatal outcomes for pregnant women with COVID-19 in study sample and explore the experience of women who were infected by COVID-19 during pregnancy about the illness process as well as maternal fears and concerns about their condition and the wellbeing of their unborn/newborn babies.

Design

Methodological triangulation approach was carried out to achieve the purpose of this study.

Sample

A total of 100 pregnant women were recruited from medical health records throughout one year.

Setting

The current study was conducted in isolation hospitals and home visits at Beni Suef governorate.

Tools

Two tools were utilized; (A) case record tool; (b) unstructured interview of open ended questions.

Results

The study findings reported that, preterm labor occurred in 41% of pregnant women, ICU admission and poor placental perfusion occurred in 26%, premature rupture of membrane occurred in 19% of pregnant women, respiratory failure and maternal death occurred in 16.1% of pregnant women. For neonatal outcomes; gestational age less than 37 weeks was showed in 52% of neonates, low birth weight was showed in 39% of neonates, 30% of neonates admitted to NICU, only one newborn experienced with COVID-19 infection, neonatal death occurred in 13% of neonates. As a result of the content analysis of the interviews with recovered women, the major themes that were emerged; Response to diagnosis with COVID-19 such as denial of the diagnosis, uncertainty, and some participant accepted the diagnosis. The experience of isolation such sadness, extreme longlines and fear, Challenges of the disease in health care delivery system such as scant medical supplies and overcrowding in the hospitals.

Conclusion

COVID-19 is associated with a high prevalence of adverse maternal and neonatal outcomes also COVID-19 infection has a negative emotional effect on pregnant women.

Recommendation

Developing COVID-19 treatment guidelines to provide clinicians with guidance on caring for pregnant women with COVID-19.
Outcomes of nursing monitoring for pregnant women under tocolytic therapies: a comparative study
Authors: El Megeed Salwa A. , Esawi Abeer S. , Azzam Hanan F.
Published: January 2024

Background

Preterm birth (PTB) is the most common cause of neonatal morbidity and mortality worldwide. Tocolytic drugs had not been shown to improve fetal outcome, but were used to postpone delivery for 48 h to allow for maximal effect of parenteral steroids administered to the mother. The aim of the current study was to evaluate the outcomes of nursing monitoring for the pregnant mother under tocolytic therapy.

Design

An observational, comparative design was used to achieve the aim of the study.

Setting

The study was conducted at El Manial University Hosbital and El Galaa Maternity Teaching Hospital.

Sample

A convenience sample collected throughout one year of 30 preterm pregnant mothers under tocolytic therapy in each hospital.

Tools

Four tools were used: tool (1) Structured interviewing questionnaire, (2) Tocolytic monitoring, (3) Partograph, and (4) Apgar score.

Result

The study findings showed that 53.4% of mothers in group A as compared with 63.3% in group B received Epilate as a tocolytic agent. It shows that there were no statistically significant differences among both groups related to mean frequency of uterine contractions and mean duration of U.C, P=(0.329 and 0.189, respectively). It also shows that the side effects of tocolytic drugs in the first 24 h were dizziness, headache, tachycardia, and hypotension in group A (3.3%, 10%, 3.3%, and 6.7, respectively) as compared with (0%, 6.7%, 0%, and 10%, respectively). While only one 3.3% mother in group A had a fetus with bradycardia as a side effect of tocolytic drugs. In all, 93% and 96.7% of mothers in both groups had inhibition of uterine contractions and prolonged their pregnancy for 24 h.

Conclusion

Based on the results of this study, it could be concluded that tocolytic agents that were administered for 48 h reduced the uterine contractions and increased the period of pregnancy for preterm pregnant mother and improved neonatal outcomes by giving corticosteroids, but they had minimal side effects that occurred for mother and fetus in both groups.

Recommendation

(1) Close monitoring for all preterm pregnant women who are under tocolytic agents, (2) the newborn for women under tocolytic agents should be under close monitoring, and (3) provide education in the same strain to all nurses working in the maternity hospital with regard to care of women under tocolytic agents.
Relationship between workplace structural empowerment and spirit of nurses at work in selected hospitals in Cairo
Authors: Sayed Faten M.F. , Fekry Nehad E.-E.
Published: January 2024

Background

Structural empowerment is the presence of social structures in the workplace that enable employees to accomplish their work in meaningful ways.

Aim

The study aimed to determine the relationship between workplace structural empowerment and spirit of nurses at work in selected hospitals in Cairo.

Design

A descriptive correlational design was used.

Setting

The study was conducted at five hospitals representing different health care sectors.

Sample

A convenient sample of 470 consenting staff nurses was included in the study.

Tools

Two data collection tools were used: the Conditions of Work Effectiveness Questionnaire II tool and the Spirit at Work Measurement Scale.

Results

The findings revealed that nurses in the selected hospitals in Cairo had moderate access to workplace empowerment structures and a high level of spirit at work.

Conclusion

The result indicated a strong, positive, and statistically significant relationship between workplace empowerment and nurse’s spirit at work.

Recommendations

Spirit at work in health care settings is still in its embryonic stage and requires much empirical and theoretical research.
Impact of organizational empowerment on staff nurses’ perception of job crafting behaviors
Authors: Mohamed Aya Mohamed Farouk , Wahab Eglal Ahmed Abdel , Mostafa Mohamed Gamal
Published: January 2024

Background

Nowadays, empowerment is essential for the age of technological advances and competition. Being empowered is crucial for nurses since it is believed that providing high-quality care is strongly correlated with having empowered staff nurses who can affect their jobs in ways that facilitate job crafting behaviors. The study aimed to explore the Impact of organizational empowerment on staff nurses’ perception of job crafting behaviors.

Study design

A descriptive correlational design was utilized.

Sample

A convenience sample of 267 staff nurses was included.

Setting

This study was conducted at New Kaser El-Aini Teaching Hospital.

Tools

Three tools were used to collect the study data as follows: (a) staff nurses personal and work-related data tool, (b) organizational empowerment tool, and (c) job crafting behaviors tool.

Results

The main findings showed that the staff nurses had perceived high level of organizational empowerment (75.70%) and high level of job crafting behaviors (75.35%). Additionally, the findings revealed a highly statistically significant effect of organizational empowerment on job crafting behaviors (P=0.000).

Conclusion

There was a highly positive statistically significant correlation between staff nurses’ perception of organizational empowerment and job crafting behaviors and a highly positive effect of organizational empowerment on staff nurses’ perception of job crafting behaviors.

Recommendations

A management strategy that addresses appropriate use of job crafting behaviors should be implemented. Additionally, a create a favorable and motivating environment for staff nurses to encourage job crafting behaviors.
Drug Induced Liver Injury: A Descriptive Analyses of Histopathological Patterns and Clinical Outcomes
Authors: Venkataswamy Chaitra , Thomas Eliz , Kartikayan R. K.
Published: January 2024

Background:

Given the increased use of complementary and alternative medicine along with over-the-counter drugs, drug-induced liver injury (DILI) has become relatively common and a differential diagnosis for every other patient who presents with a deranged liver function test. As no specific markers or diagnostic tests exist to confirm DILI, it is a diagnosis of exclusion. Liver biopsy is a valuable tool for evaluating patients with clinical suspicion of DILI. However, there are limited published data describing histopathological diagnoses in DILI and their clinical outcomes in the Asian subcontinent.

Materials and Methods:

In this 2-year retrospective study conducted between January 2020 and December 2022, records of 34 DILI patients were evaluated. The histological patterns of injury and liver functions (total bilirubin and liver enzymes) were described and the corresponding clinical outcomes were assessed.

Results:

All the included cases had elevated liver enzymes. The most common histopathological pattern in DILI was cholestatic hepatitis (n = 14, 41.0%). Eosinophilic prominence and inflammation around the portal tract were seen in majority of the cases (n = 25, 73.5%). A few cases had fibrosis as well (n = 12, 35.0%). The most common drug associated with liver injury was herbal/traditional medicines (n = 17, 50.0%).

Conclusion:

Certain histopathological “clues” can help the pathologist suspect a DILI diagnosis. The main findings associated with DILI are cholestatic hepatitis, lobular disarray, inflammation, and necrosis. Correlation with clinical history and biochemical parameters will help in clinching the diagnosis.
The Efficacy of Fingolimod and Interferons in Controlling Disability and Relapse Rate in Patients with Multiple Sclerosis: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Shaygannejad Vahid , Mirmosayyeb Omid , Bagherieh Sara , Shaygan Parisa , Ghajarzadeh Mahsa
Published: January 2024

Background:

Fingolimod and interferons are used in the relapse form of multiple sclerosis (MS). The goal of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to evaluate the efficacy of fingolimod versus interferon in patients with MS. The systematic search was done in PubMed, Scopus, Embase, Web of Science, and Google Scholar.

Methods:

The references of included studies as well as conference abstracts were searched up to July 2021. The literature search revealed 8211 articles, and after deleting duplicates 5594 remained. For the meta-analysis, four studies were included. The standardized mean difference (SMD) of the Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) after treatment (interferon vs fingolimod) was −0.06 (95% CI: −0.28, 0.17) (I2 = 80.2%, P = 0.002).

Results:

The SMD of the annual relapse rate (ARR) after treatment (interferon – fingolimod) was −0.08 (95% CI: −0.53, 0.36) (I2 = 95.5%, P < 0.001). The SMD of the ARR after treatment and before treatment in the interferon group was − 1.45, (95% CI: −1.55, −1.36) (I2 = 0, P = 0.3). The SMD of ARR after treatment and before treatment in the fingolimod group was − 1.3, (95% CI: −1.94, −0.65) (I2 = 97.4%, P < 0.001). Conclusions: The results of this systematic review show that efficacy of interferon and fingolimod in controlling relapse rate and disability is similar.
Overuse of Antibiotics: Who is to Blame? A Qualitative Study
Authors: Nokhodian Zary , Boroumandfar Zahra , Rostami Soodabeh , Ataei Behrooz
Published: January 2024

Background:

The irrational use of antibiotics seriously threatens global health. Clinicians undoubtedly play an essential role in consuming antibiotics in hospitals and communities, and their attitudes may help the health system’s optimal treatment of antibiotics. In this study, we reported clinicians’ experiences with antibiotics used in Isfahan, Iran.

Methods:

In a qualitative study conducted from October 2020 to March 2021, the experiences of 13 clinicians with different clinical specialties were collected through one-to-one interviews. Participants were selected through purposive sampling until data saturation; data collection was conducted through semi-structured interviews. Conventional content analysis was used to analyze the transcribed interviews. The main category was recognized and subcategorized and coded by three researchers.

Results:

Eight women and five men with a mean work experience of 12.54 ± 10.047 years participated in the study. All of them worried about the overuse of antibiotics and antibiotic resistance. Clinicians believe that the antimicrobial stewardship committee is not active in our country. Laboratory challenges, healthcare providers, the poor performance of the health system, and marketing and business were the main categories of the study. Subcategrories of main categories included inefficiency in the function of laboratories, harmful profit, challenges in medical education, ups and downs of disease treatment, the unacceptable performance of hospitals, failure to upgrade the health system, threats and opportunities, and jobbery.

Conclusions:

The participants of this study believed that excessive use of antibiotics is a serious challenge in our country. Physicians were concerned about antibiotic resistance and believed that the pattern of antibiotic resistance was not routinely reported. Therefore, in our region, we should make more efforts to collect data in this field and provide this information to physicians. Also, this study confirmed many obstacles to implementing the antimicrobial stewardship program, and the infrastructure needs strengthening. There is also a need for cultural changes and the views of physicians.
Short-term Pulmonary Rehabilitation after Recovering from Severe COVID-19
Authors: Hashemi Marzieh , Atashi Vajihe , Haghighat Shila , Sadegh Raheleh , Sami Ramin
Published: January 2024

Background:

Patients with severe COVID-19 suffer from various problems such as impaired lung function, decreased exercise capacity, mental disorders, and reduced quality of life. This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of short-term pulmonary rehabilitation in patients recovering from severe COVID-19.

Methods:

The present study was a retrospective cohort study. This study was conducted in 2021 on 92 patients with severe COVID-19 who met the inclusion criteria. Inter-professional pulmonary rehabilitation sessions were performed for 3 weeks, twice a week (six sessions in total), for this group of patients, which included physical exercises, educational activities, and other health-related services (counseling and psychotherapy). Outcomes assessed included a 6-min walk test, the score of the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, and the SF-12 Quality of Life Questionnaire, which were completed before and after pulmonary rehabilitation. Data analysis was performed using analytical and descriptive statistics.

Results:

The statistical analyses showed that 60.86% of patients participating in the study were male and 39.14% were female, and the mean age of patients was 54.9 ± 12.3 years. The findings also showed that the average distance traveled in the 6-min walk test before pulmonary rehabilitation was 289.2174 ± 130.5 m; however, after the intervention, this rate reached 343.0870 ± 103.5 m, which demonstrated a statistically significant difference (P = 0.00). Also, significant changes were observed in anxiety and depression, the ability to perform daily activities, and the physical health of patients before and after the intervention (P < 0.05).

Conclusions:

Short-term pulmonary rehabilitation is a safe and useful treatment without side effects that can be effective in reducing anxiety and depression, increasing the ability to perform daily activities and exercise capacity, and consequently, improving the quality of life of patients recovering from severe COVID-19.
Emergency Air Medical Transport of Patients with Coronavirus Disease 2019: Experience with an Inflatable Negative Pressure Isolation Chamber on the UH-60M Helicopter
Authors: Chen Tzu-An , Lai Chung-Yu , Hsu Ko-Chiang
Published: January 2024

In 2019, the coronavirus pandemic was caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2. In Taiwan, an inflatable negative pressure isolation chamber (INPIC) was applied into the emergency air medical transport (EAMT) in 2020. The standard operating procedure of the INPIC as infection control was developed and practiced in the UH-60M helicopter. There were five cases moved by the EAMT from the Lanyu Township and Ludao Township to Taiwan’s mainland. After they were screened positive for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) with a rapid test, the medical staff completed the INPIC preparation and loaded the patients into it before the EAMT. This study reported that none of the crewmembers were infected with COVID-19 during the transfers. However, some restrictions of the INPIC could be improved in the future, e.g. limited space, thermal stress, equipment immobilization, and communication barrier. The medical team should assess the efficiency and safety using the INPIC based on each patient’s condition before the flight.
Advances in Therapy for Irritable Bowel Syndrome with Diarrhea: Role of Rifaximin in Combination with Metronidazole
Authors: Faruqui Arif A.
Published: January 2024

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) with diarrhea predominance is a subtype of IBS characterized by recurrent abdominal pain or discomfort along with frequent loose or watery stools. A significant number of individuals are impacted and are physically, socially, and emotionally impacted. Managing diarrhea-predominant IBS (IBS-D) involves a multidimensional approach due to unpredictable nature of the condition involving lifestyle modifications, dietary changes, stress management techniques, and medications. Altered gut microbiota and small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO) often precede IBS leading to dysbiosis. Systemic antibiotics and other treatment options have been reported with varied outcomes, yielding inconsistent results. Rifaximin, with its broad anti-bacterial action, along with eubiotic activity, limited systemic exposure, gut-specific action, and limited potential for drug interactions along with metronidazole is proposed as a novel treatment option for IBS-D. Rifaximin and metronidazole fixed-dose combination will not only address infectious diarrhea associated with IBS but also SIBO and postinfectious IBS with excellent efficacy and tolerability. For patients with IBS-D, rifaximin along with metronidazole can be a new treatment avenue as increasing evidence supports the hypothesis that bacterial overgrowth may be involved in the pathogenesis of IBS and parasitic infections can be a triggering factor for the exacerbation of IBS. PubMed and Google Scholar were searched through May 2023. Randomized controlled trials and reviews published in English were selected that evaluated rifaximin and/or metronidazole in patients with IBS.
Pathological Distribution of Lateral Neck Tumors – A Radiological Evaluation
Authors: Majumder Debadatta , Chowdhury Bonapart
Published: January 2024

Background:

The head and neck constitute a broad anatomic region, which encompasses many aero digestive, salivary gland, lymphatic, endocrine, nervous, and vascular structures. A substantial number of the pathologic conditions affecting these organ systems are accessible to ultrasound imaging. In combination with fine-needle aspiration cytology (FNAC), ultrasonography (USG) remains an indispensable tool for the clinician who works in this clinical arena.

Aim:

In view of the above, this study was undertaken to analyze the pathological distribution of lateral neck tumors by ultrasonographic evaluation taking FNAC examination as the gold standard.

Methods:

A prospective, cross-sectional prevalence study was conducted in a medical college and hospital in a rural setup in West Bengal, India, among patients attending the radiology outpatient department with lateral neck tumors. After estimating the sample size, 110 patients were included in this study. All the selected patients underwent USG evaluation, followed by FNAC. Both the USG and FNAC data were collected, tabulated, compared, and analyzed.

Results:

The overall frequency of lateral neck masses was more in males (60%) compared to females (40%). In the present study, a majority of the cases were neck nodes in the jugulodigastric chain. Out of these lymph nodes, the predominant pathology was tubercular lymph nodes (TBLN) with 52.81% relative frequency.

Conclusion:

This study has concluded that TBLN are the most common lateral neck tumors followed by metastatic neck nodes.
Feeding Flow Velocity on Doppler Ultrasound Predicting the Outcome of Type II Endoleak following Endovascular Aneurysm Repair of Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm
Authors: Seevaleephan Parames , Treesit Tharintorn , Bua-ngam Chinnarat , Feinggumloon Sasikorn , Sriprachyakul Apichaya , Pichitpichatkul Kaewpitcha , Panpikoon Tanapong
Published: January 2024

Background:

The objective is to study the relation between the velocity of the arterial feeder and the progression of the postendovascular aneurysm repair aneurysm to find out the cut point velocity, which causes a significant increase in size of the aneurysm sac.

Methods:

Retrospective study of patients with Type II endoleak followed up with the duplex ultrasound between January 2010 and June 2022. The sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of the velocity, number of feeding artery, and flow pattern were studied. Receiver operating characteristic analysis was performed to evaluate a test performance and the most appropriate cutoff velocity of the arterial feeder.

Results:

The peak systolic velocity (PSV) of >75 cm/s, multiple feeding arteries, and the to-and-fro pattern show a significant distinguish the stable size from the significant increase in the size of the aneurysm with a sensitivity of 100.0%, a specificity of 100.0%, and an accuracy of 100.0% (P = 0.002).

Conclusion:

The patient with a PSV >75 cm/s, multiple feeding arteries, and the to-and-fro pattern are correlated with significant aneurysm expansion and need closer follow-up than the patient with low PSV, single feeding artery, and monophasic pattern.
Spectacle Frame: An Unusual Aural Foreign Body in an Adult Patient
Authors: Sahoo Soumick Ranjan
Published: January 2024

Foreign body in the ear in adults mostly consists of animate objects. However, sometimes isolated cases of weird objects are reported in literature. A case is being reported where the patient had used a piece of spectacle frame for scratching the ear to relieve itching and it got lodged in the medial end of the external auditory canal.
Breathe In, Breathe Out: Yoga’s Healing Touch on Sinusitis-induced Psychological Comorbidities
Authors: Balakrishnan Arthi , Muthupandi Pandiaraja , Arumugam Velan , Annamalai Gayathri , Ponnurangam Ramesh , Narasimman Prabu , Palanimurugan Premalatha , Kuppusamy Maheshkumar
Published: January 2024

Sinusitis, characterized by inflammation of the nose and paranasal sinuses, commonly presents with symptoms such as nasal congestion, discharge, facial pain, and headache. The aim of this report is to highlight the potential benefits of Bhastrika (bellows breath) and Jala Neti (nasal cleansing with saline solution) as interventions to alleviate sinusitis-induced psychological comorbidities. This case report focuses on a 26-year-old female patient diagnosed with sinusitis who presented with severe headache, blurred vision, ear pain, and facial discomfort. A comprehensive evaluation confirmed the diagnosis of sinusitis, and the patient expressed a desire for nonpharmacological interventions due to personal preferences and concerns about medication side effects. The patient was prescribed a 6-month intervention comprising Bhastrika and Jala Neti, which involved the practice of bellows breath and nasal cleansing with saline solution. Regular practice of these techniques was observed, and the patient reported significant improvement in self-rated psychological symptoms, including reduced headache frequency, improved vision clarity, decreased ear pain, and alleviation of facial discomfort. These interventions may contribute to the overall improvement in psychological well-being experienced by the patient in this case. Further research is warranted to explore the effectiveness of these interventions in a larger population and to elucidate the underlying mechanisms through which they exert their therapeutic effects.
A Cross-sectional Instagram Survey to Evaluate Quality and Reliability of Information about Cholecystitis and Cholecystectomy
Authors: Sudarsan Arya , Mahashabde Ruchi , Singh Priyansha , Philip Joanne Niti , Nerella Resheek , Aranguri Alejandra A. Huaco
Published: January 2024

Background:

With the popularisation and infiltration of social media in the healthcare system, it can be used as a source of information by the general population. The aim of our study was to assess Instagram’s effectiveness as a tool for disseminating information about cholecystectomy and cholecystitis.

Methods and Material:

Instagram posts with top hashtags such as #Cholecystitis, #Cholecystectomy, #GallBladderStones, #Gallbladderremoval, #Gallbladderproblems, and #Gallbladdersurgery were analyzed by each investigator for 10 days in November 2022. Two groups were created – group A (posts uploaded by doctors and healthcare industry) and group B (posts uploaded by individuals other than group A). Using predetermined criteria along with a global quality score and reliability score (DISCERN), the posts were validated and scored.

Results:

Out of the total 600 posts, 474 posts (828151 likes, 62183 comments) were found relevant to the aim of the study. Survivors/persons suffering from the disease made the highest contribution to the posts (32.91%). About 31.22% of the content was based on the symptomatology of the disease. There was a highly significant difference (p< 0.0001) between the quality and reliability of posts shared by group A, compared to the group B; the formal ranking higher in each category.

Conclusions:

We found that the health information on Instagram about cholecystectomy and related topics is edged towards low quality and unreliability. It should be tailored towards evidence-based data from scientists and medical professionals.
Exploring the Integration of AYUSH Systems with Modern Medicine: Benefits, Challenges, Areas, and Recommendations for Future Research and Action
Authors: Javed Danish , Dixit Ashish Kumar , Anwar Sana , Giri Nibha
Published: January 2024

An emerging area of interest in health care is the integration of Indian traditional medical systems, known as Ayurveda, Yoga, Unani, Siddha, and Homeopathy (AYUSH), with contemporary medicine (Modern medicine). It could offer the best of both worlds in terms of a comprehensive and holistic approach to treatment. Despite the potential advantages, integration faces numerous difficulties. It might be challenging for health-care professionals to adopt traditional medicine treatments into their practices due to the lack of scientific data on their efficacy as well as training and teaching constraints. Furthermore, particularly in rural areas, access to traditional medical practitioners may be restricted, and integration may be hampered by cultural stereotypes. It can, however, be used for a variety of medical difficulties, including perioperative care, pain management, cancer care, postchemotherapy care, and the treatment of mental illnesses. Eventually, it might offer a thorough and all-encompassing method of health care. Therefore, the government and health-care organizations must take a proactive role in removing the obstacles and impediments to integration. To completely comprehend the advantages and restrictions as well as to create successful promotional tactics for integrative practices, more research is required. In this paper, we have analyzed various hitches and explored more potential areas to integrate both systems. We concluded with the recommendations to improve the existing system with a lot of positive attitude with patient-centric approaches.
Awareness and Willingness of Mothers and Daughters for Human Papillomavirus Vaccination Uptake – A Cross-sectional Study from Rural Community of Faridabad, Haryana
Authors: Singh Mitasha , Goyal Pooja , Yadav Kriti , Barman Paramita , Dagar Rakesh , Nassa Khushboo , Batra Deepanjli , Reddy Kallem Dheeraj
Published: January 2024

Background:

Cervical cancer was ranked as the fourth most common cancer among women worldwide. At present, four vaccines have been prequalified by the WHO, all protecting against human papillomavirus (HPV) types 16 and 18. Efforts are being made to scale up HPV vaccination for adolescent girls in India. However, awareness and acceptance among the community are lesser known.

Objective:

The objective of this study was to determine willingness to take HPV vaccine, factors affecting willingness, and potential barriers to vaccination among adolescent girls and mothers.

Methods:

A cross-sectional study was conducted in the rural field practice area of a tertiary care hospital of district Faridabad, Haryana, in North India on 186 females using an interview schedule. The sample was divided between 9- and 14-year-old adolescent girls (a), 15–29-year-old women (b), and ≥30-year-old women with a girl child (c). Females who had attained menopause were excluded from the study. All the study participants’ willingness to accept vaccine was noted after imparting education about preventive measures of cervical cancer and the vaccine available for its prevention.

Results:

Prior knowledge about cervical cancer was present in < one-fourth (22.7%) of the population and its knowledge about being preventable (15.2%) and availability of vaccine (16.1%) was even lower. After awareness session, the willingness to take vaccine for self was present in more than two-third of the population (68.3%) but was lower for vaccination of daughters among mothers (42.1%). Willingness to get vaccinated was observed to be higher among those with higher education, who are employed, belong to above poverty line and those with higher awareness. Unawareness about vaccine’s effect, parental permission, and fear of injections were the reasons for nonwillingness.

Conclusion:

Unawareness is present among adolescents. Parental permission in the community is important for any vaccination among dependent children and adolescents. Hence, awareness of mothers is also a key issue.
Unusual magnetic resonance imaging findings of cystic bone lesions in congenital generalized lipodystrophy
Authors: de Oliveira TFT , Natal MRC , Teixeira AA , Machado BB
Published: January 2024

Cystic bone lesions are the hallmark of skeletal abnormalities in patients with congenital generalized lipodystrophy (CGL). However, their pathophysiology is still unclear and theories about their origin remain largely speculative. This article reports on a patient with CGL and cystic bone lesions, some of them with unusual magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings that include elevated signal intensity on T1-weighted images and fluid–fluid levels, the latter evolving to a more “classic” cystic appearance on follow-up. Even though similar findings were first described almost 30 years ago, little attention was given to them back then; furthermore, other than the present report, no other study has performed sequential exams to follow their evolution in serial MRI. The authors conduct a review of the literature, hypothesizing that these remarkable findings may reflect an intermediate stage in the process of cystification of the abnormal bone marrow, incapable to perform adipose conversion, lending factual support to the modern theories about this issue.
Caesarean scar ectopic pregnancy masquerading as gestational trophoblastic disease
Authors: Jashnani KD , Sangoi NN , Pophalkar MP , Patil LY
Published: January 2024

Cesarean scar ectopic pregnancy (CSEP) is a very rare form of ectopic pregnancy in which implantation occurs at the site of the previous cesarean scar with low or absent beta-human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) levels. It has various differential diagnoses on gross and microscopic examination. A delay in the identification and management of this condition may lead to life-threatening complications. Here, we discuss the incidence and clinicopathological features of chronic CSEP, its types, and differential diagnoses.
Clinical Profile, Causes, and Outcome of Optic Neuritis
Authors: Mishra Ashish , Magdum Renu , Padmakumar Vishakh , Singh Chirag , Tendulkar Karishma , Vaidya Tanmoy
Published: January 2024

ABSTRACT

Purpose:

To study clinical profile, causes, and outcome of optic neuritis.

Material and Method:

A total of 66 eyes of 33 patients were included in this prospective observational study, which was conducted at Ophthalmology Clinic of Tertiary Care Center of Western Maharashtra, during study period of August 2019 to September 2021. Study population included all patients clinically diagnosed of optic neuritis, except patients with ischemic optic neuropathy, para-infectious cause of optic neuritis, and postvaccinated optic neuritis.

Result:

Maximum patients belonged to age-group of 30–40 years. Fifty-two percent were male, while 48% were female patients. Fifty-five percent of study population reported with papillitis, 39% had retrobulbar neuritis, and 6% had neuroretinitis. 94.1% had improved visual acuity, post 3 months of the steroid therapy. However, 35% revealed improved color vision status, while 58.8% continued to have impaired color vision.

Conclusion:

Higher frequency of papillitis has been observed in various Asian studies. The present study accounts for 55% cases of papillitis and 39% of retrobulbar neuritis, in contrast to Western studies like ONTT which revealed predominantly higher cases of retrobulbar neuritis. Optic disk edema or swelling has been identified with lower risk to multiple sclerosis, thus explaining the increased frequency of papillitis among the Asian population with optic neuritis which seems compatible with lower rates of developing MS.