bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Prevalence and correlates of psychological distress among nurses in a teaching institute in South India
Authors: Kayaroganam Rajarajan , Sarkar Sonali , Satheesh Santhosh , Tamilmani Santhi , Sivanantham Parthibane , Kar Sitanshu S.
Published: December 2022

ABSTRACT

Introduction:

Nurses are constantly exposed to physical and mental stress due to the nature of their job. Estimating the prevalence and the factors associated with psychological distress among nurses is crucial to devise health promotion strategies. We conducted this study to determine the prevalence of psychological distress and its associated factors among nurses working in a teaching institute in Puducherry.

Methods:

We conducted a cross-sectional study among 1217 nursing employees aged between 21 and 60 years from May 2019 to April 2020. We assessed psychological distress by using a self-administered general health questionnaire-12 (GHQ-12). Participants having a GHQ-12 score of ≥ 3 were considered to have psychological distress. Chi-squared test and adjusted prevalence ratio (aPR) were used to determine the factors associated with psychological distress.

Results:

The response rate was 99% (1217/1229), and the majority 943 (77.5%) were women. The mean (SD) GHQ-12 score among nurses was 1.88 (2.6). More than one-fourth of nurses, that is, 27.2% (95% CI: 24.8–29.7) had psychological distress. Psychological distress was significantly higher among women (aPR = 1.08, 95% CI: 1.02–1.14), those having less than ten years of work experience (aPR = 1.08, 95% CI: 1.00–1.18), those with poor sleep quality (aPR = 1.29, 95% CI: 1.22–1.35), and those having severe to dangerous level of workplace stress (aPR = 1.27, 95% CI: 1.17–1.39).

Conclusion:

We report a high prevalence of psychological distress among nurses, especially among women, those having poor sleep quality, and those having severe to dangerous level of workplace stress. We highlight that reducing workplace stress and improving sleep hygiene can be vital in improving mental health status.
Mental stress faced by the mental health counsellors working in a Malaysian Medical University: An Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis
Authors: Marzo Roy Rillera , Bhattacharya Sudip
Published: December 2022

ABSTRACT

Introduction:

Globally, mental health today poses a significant hazard to all of us. It is more vital for students, whose survival in a highly competitive atmosphere places them under enormous pressure.

Aim and Objective:

This qualitative study sought to determine how mental health counsellors now address the mental health concerns of their pupils. To achieve this objective, two research questions were developed to direct this study: (1) What are the experiences of counsellors who provide support to students with mental health issues? (2) How might guidance and counselling services and programmes enhance the academic success of students with mental health issues?

Methodology:

Participants were selected from a university in a northern Malaysian neighbourhood. Several semi-structured, in-depth interviews were conducted with two counsellors to collect data.

Results:

Overall, the counsellors regarded multitasking to be a hindrance to their job performance. Participants felt that their caseloads prevented them from being proactive with each student, resulting in irritation. According to the participants, the job’s requirements have changed, but the number of tasks and caseload have not. This has led to feelings of exhaustion and frustration. The study revealed two important research’s findings: first, there has been an increase in the number of mental health concerns, particularly anxiety and depression, among students; second, counsellors would be able to effectively support children intellectually and personally if they had appropriate staffing and professional development.

Conclusion:

It was concluded that the counselors regarded multitasking was a hindrance to their job performance. Participants reported an increase in the frequency of anxiety and depression exhibited by their students and they felt that additional programming with friends, family, and professors could increase students’ social well-being.
Effect of proximal exercises of lower extremity on static balance parameters during quiet standing
Authors: Rakhshani Mahla , Ashtiani Ahmad Reza Askary , Payandeh Abolfazl , Akbari Asghar , Ghiasi Fateme , Hosseinifar Mohammad , Namvar Hasan , Najafi Atefe , Reyshahri Romina Zayer Mohammadi
Published: December 2022

ABSTRACT

Purpose:

People who suffer from knee osteoarthritis (KOA) face reduced balance, which causes increased falling and many serious complications and injuries. The purpose of the extant study was to determine the effect of proximal exercises of lower extremity on static balance parameters during quiet standing.

Materials and Methods:

In the present randomized controlled trial, 36 patients were divided into intervention and control groups (n = 18 in each group). Both groups received routine physiotherapy in three sessions per week for 6 weeks, while the intervention group did proximal exercises in addition to physiotherapy routine. In the extant study, the pain intensity was measured through a visual analog scale (VAS), and individuals’ static balance parameters were measured using Biodex Balance System. All measurements were done before and after the intervention, and then statistical data analysis was performed with Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) 24 software.

Results:

Intergroup comparison indicated significant progress of pain intensity, anterior–posterior (AP), and Overall balance stability in both studied groups (P < 0.05). There was a significant increase in medial–lateral (ML) balance stability only in the intervention group (P < 0.05). Intergroup comparison showed that there was not any significant difference between variables before the intervention (P > 0.05). The results showed more progress in the intervention group than the control group after they received the intervention, which was significant in terms of ML balance stability (P < 0.05).

Conclusion:

Adding proximal exercises to physiotherapy had more effect on ML balance stability in KOA patients; however, 6 weeks of these exercises in addition to physiotherapy had also the same effect on pain intensity, Overall, and AP balance stability.
Evaluation of alkaline phosphatase in gingival crevicular fluid and saliva of patients with periodontitis and healthy individuals
Authors: Rasaei Neda , Ghadiri Ataollah , Peighan Maryam , Rekabi Atefe , Atashkar Nastaran
Published: December 2022

ABSTRACT

Introduction:

In recent decades, biomarkers have been used to predict the progression of chronic periodontitis. One of these biomarkers is alkaline phosphatase (ALP). Due to limitations of the performed studies, this study was performed to determine the amount of salivary ALP and gingival crevicular fluid in patients with chronic periodontitis and healthy individuals.

Materials and Methods:

Twenty-three patients with severe chronic periodontitis and 23 healthy individuals referred to the Periodontology Department of Ahvaz Jundishapur School of Dentistry were evaluated in this analytical epidemiological study. Salivary ALP and gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) were measured using ALP measuring kit and Hitachi device. Results: Mean (standard deviation) of ALP enzyme was 19.43 (12.5) in GCF of patients with chronic periodontitis and 12 (1.48) in the healthy group, and it was 80.17 (23.9) in the saliva of patients with periodontitis and 24.78 (4.37) units per litre in the healthy group. There was a significant difference in the mean of this enzyme in GCF and saliva of patients with chronic periodontitis and healthy individuals (P < 0.001).

Conclusion:

The results showed that mean of ALP enzyme is significantly higher in GCV and saliva of patients with chronic periodontitis than in healthy individuals. Therefore, it seems that this parameter can be used as a useful biochemical parameter for the diagnosis of periodontal disease.
A survey on diabetes risk prediction using machine learning approaches
Authors: Firdous Shimoo , Wagai Gowher A. , Sharma Kalpana
Published: December 2022

ABSTRACT

Background:

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a chronic condition that can lead to a variety of consequences. Diabetes is a condition that is caused by factors such as age, lack of exercise, sedentary lifestyle, family history of diabetes, high blood pressure, depression and stress, poor food, and so on. Diabetics are at a higher risk of developing diseases such as heart disease, nerve damage (diabetic neuropathy), eye problems (diabetic retinopathy), kidney disease (diabetic nephropathy), stroke, and so on. According to the International Diabetes Federation, 382 million people worldwide suffer from diabetes. By 2035, this number will have risen to 592 million. Every day, a large number of people become victims, and many are ignorant whether they have it or not. It primarily affects individuals between the ages of 25 and 74 years. If diabetes is left untreated and undiagnosed, it can lead to a slew of complications. The emergence of machine learning approaches, on the other hand, solves this crucial issue.

Aims and Objectives:

The aim was to study the DM and analyze how machine learning algorithms are used to identify the diabetes mellitus at an early stage, which is one of the most serious metabolic disorders in the world today.

Methods and Materials:

Data was obtained from databases such as Pubmed, IEEE xplore, and INSPEC,and from other secondary sources and primary sources in which methods based on machine learning approaches used in healthcare to predict diabetes at an early stage are reported.

Results:

After surveying various research papers, it was found that machine learning classification algorithms like Support Vector Machine (SVM), K-Nearest Neighbor (KNN), and Random Forest (RF) etc shows the best accuracy for predicting diabetes at an early stage.

Conclusion:

Early detection of diabetes is critical for effective therapy. Many people have no idea whether or not they have it. The full assessment of Machine learning approaches for early diabetes prediction and how to apply a variety of supervised and unsupervised machine learning algorithms to the dataset to achieve the best accuracy are addressed in this paper.. Furthermore, the work will be expanded and refined to create a more precise and general predictive model for diabetes risk prediction at an early stage. Different metrics can be used to assess performance and for accurate diabetic diagnosis.
Inequities in maternal child health, education, and empowerment among tribal population in India
Authors: Manna Souvik , Gupta Varsha , Sanchaya Saras , Garg Aseem
Published: December 2022

ABSTRACT

Background:

The well-known phenomenon of tribal disadvantage in India requires constant monitoring to ensure diligent attention to equitable protection of tribal people’s right to life.

Methodology:

This study, based on an analysis of secondary data from the National Data Analytics Platform database in different tribal communities in Indian states, charts the differential progress of tribals by establishing a gap.

Results:

Huge differences were observed in the total fertility rate among the tribal population across the states, with the lowest in Sikkim (1.02) and Delhi NCT (1.24) and the highest in Bihar (2.98) and Meghalaya (3.07). Similarly, family planning is a matter of great concern as contraceptive usage showed wide disparities with the tribal women of Meghalaya (28.0%) and Mizoram (30.9%) on one end of the spectrum and that of Uttarakhand (77.9%) and Delhi (75.7%) on the other end. An association was demonstrated between the literacy gap in any state and the percentage of ST population below the poverty line. The patriarchal social structure in mainland India and matriarchal structure in North-Eastern India were also evident in tribal population. Financial independence ranged from 29.5% in Andhra Pradesh to nearly 67% in Karnataka. Similarly, mobile phone penetrance among tribal women ranged from 25.8% in Madhya Pradesh to nearly 90% in Sikkim.

Conclusion:

While many households in these tribes still lack basic amenities, notable differences regarding maternal child health, education, health insurance, and overall empowerment were identified, supporting arguments for devising more sophisticated differential forms of intervention.
Clinical spectrum of myasthenia gravis: An institute experience over 8 years from North East India
Authors: Synmon Baiakmenlang , Rawat Sanjib , Kynta Reuben , Hussain Masaraf , Sharma Shri R. , Lyngdoh Bifica S. , Wankhar Baphira , Hynniewta Yasmeen
Published: December 2022

ABSTRACT

Background:

Myasthenia gravis (MG) is a neuromuscular junction disorder usually associated with a thymic lesion.

Aims and Objective:

To study the clinical, serological, and thymic pathology in patient of MG from this corner of the country.

Material and Method:

A retrospective study involving all myasthenia patients presenting to neurology and cardio-thoracic department from the year 2013 to 2020. The clinical findings, Osserman grade of severity, antibodies profile, computed scanning thorax findings and histopathology of the thymic lesion were noted and collected as data.

Results:

Thirty patients of MG were included with mean age of onset being 39.10 ± 15.77 years which included 22 females and eight males. Four patients had only ocular findings while 26 patients had generalized myasthenia with three patients of respiratory failure. Ach receptor antibodies were positive in 27 patients and negative in two patients. Anti-MUSK was positive in one out of five patients. Abnormal findings in CT thorax seen in 20 patients which included enlarged thymic gland in 11 patients, thymic hyperplasia in two patients, thymoma in four patients, and anterior mediastinal mass in three patients. Thymectomy was done in eighteen patients with thymoma as the most common histopathological findings seen in eight patients, follicular hyperplasia in five patients; other was thymic hyperplasia, thymic cyst, normal thymus gland, and features of sarcoidosis in one patient.

Conclusion:

MG is a treatable autoimmune disorder with a variety of clinical, radiological, and histopathological findings.
Public sector primary care services in Sri Lanka and the specialist family physician: A qualitative study
Authors: Ramanayake R. P. Janaka C. , Perera Dinusha P. , Jayasinghe J. A. Piyumi H. , Munasinghe M. M. Erandi M. , de Soyza E. C. Eric S. , Jayawardana M. A. Vindya S.
Published: December 2022

ABSTRACT

Introduction:

In the background of a rising burden of non-communicable disease (NCD) Sri Lanka has prioritised reorganising primary care based on a family medicine approach.

Aims:

This study explored the integration of a relatively new specialist family physician (SFP) role into the state public health sector of Sri Lanka. Methods: In-depth qualitative interviews were conducted with 11 SFPs attached to the Ministry of Health. Data were analysed using inductive thematic analysis.

Results:

SFPs had faced initial challenges related to recognition and collaboration within the state health sector. They provided comprehensive primary care in a variety of roles; most importantly in care of NCD and elderly care, and focused on professional development of medical officers and support staff in the settings where they worked. Challenges were insufficient laboratory facilities, medication availability, primary care trained manpower and linkages with secondary care. These barriers hindered the ability of the SFPs to provide a full range of family practice-oriented health services.

Conclusion:

SFPs have integrated well into the public health sector of Sri Lanka providing comprehensive primary care services. The findings identify areas that need strengthening to further improve primary care services in the country and operationalise proposed new primary care service models.
Profile and outcome of COVID-19 patients treated at a secondary hospital in Central India during the second wave of the pandemic
Authors: Deepti Mogili Krishna , Paul Arun John , Timothy Fiona Robin , Kuttikat Sija Joseph , Karuppusami Reka , Abhilash Kundavaram Paul Prabhakar
Published: December 2022

ABSTRACT

Background:

The second wave of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic resulted in a significant rise in the number of infections and deaths as compared to the first wave. The published literature till now is limited to tertiary hospitals. We did this study to describe the demographic characteristics and outcomes of patients admitted to a secondary care hospital in central India during the second wave of the pandemic.

Methods:

This was a single-center, retrospective observational study conducted in a secondary hospital in central India. The data of patients with COVID-19 infection admitted between March 25 to May 25, 2021, were retrieved and analyzed.

Results:

A total of 184 patients were included in the study. The mean age was 54.8 ± 14.5 years. Comorbidities included hypertension (40.2%), diabetes mellitus (29.9%), hypothyroidism (4.3%), and asthma (2.7%). The most common presenting complaints were cough (78.8%), breathlessness (61.4%), and fever (60.9%). The mean duration of symptoms was 5.4 ± 2.6 days. According to High-Resolution Computerised Tomography (HRCT) chest severity score, 29/181 (16%) patients had mild disease, 135/181 (74.5%) patients had moderate disease, and 17/181 (9.5%) patients had severe disease. The majority of the patients received remdesivir (90.2%) and 123 patients (66.8%) received corticosteroids. Half the patients (52.2%; n = 96) required intensive care unit admission, 79.3% (145 patients) required oxygen support, and 8.1% (15 patients) required non-invasive ventilator support.

Conclusion:

Our study from a secondary hospital setup showed that the second wave was very severe with a high requirement of oxygen support and intensive care monitoring.
Desaturation during the pandemic: Covid or cognitive bias?
Authors: Nangia Ritika , Sethi Chetna Arvind , Dhiman Niharika
Published: December 2022

ABSTRACT

The coronavirus pandemic has put an unprecedented strain on our health care system. An urgent need for timely and accurate diagnosis coupled with an inordinate caseload and myriad overlapping signs and symptoms with other differentials is leaving physicians fatigued. This often leads to the use of mental shortcuts – ”heuristics” by the strained mind and the inadvertent use of intuitive thought processes rather than the more controlled analytical thinking to cope and speed up the decision-making process.

Availability bias – making a recent or vivid patient diagnosis more readily accessible to the mind – and anchoring bias – relying too heavily on a single symptom for deducing diagnosis – are among the most prevalent cognitive biases. Therefore, it is not unexpected that any new cases of acute onset respiratory illness may be mis-diagnosed as coronavirus disease 2019 during the pandemic, significantly impacting the morbidity and mortality of true diagnosis. To reduce the risk of patient harm, it is therefore imperative that medical practitioners be aware of the existence and influence of cognitive bias in clinical decision making and maintain sight of a variety of differential diagnoses to ensure that no adverse condition is overlooked.
Addressing determinants of malnutrition: A protocol of project Tushti
Authors: Saha Somen , Saxena Deepak , Puwar Tapasvi , Pandya Apurvakumar
Published: December 2022

ABSTRACT

Background:

Improved nutrition situation analysis can increase the understanding of the likely magnitude and main causes of the nutrient gap among children less than 2 years of age. The present study was aimed at assessing nutritional status and factors related to it in children less than 2 years of age in the Devbhumi Dwarka District of Gujarat, India.

Methods:

A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted. The sample size for a population-based survey was calculated using Open Epi and considering 20% non-response rate. Sample size for the study was 1,200 but sample size achieved was 1,301. Chi-square analyses were performed to identify significant determinants of under-nutrition separately for stunting, wasting, and underweight.

Results:

The prevalence of wasting, underweight, and stunting was 14, 17, and 32%, respectively. Prevalence of low birth weight was recorded as 14% in the district. The overall prevalence of overweight was 20% and 6% as per weight for height and weight for age criteria, respectively. The proportion of children with exclusive breastfeeding observed to be decreasing with increasing age from birth to 6 months; 70% of children were exclusively breastfeed at the age of 6 months compared to 84% at their births. Chi-square analyses revealed that parity and spacing as significant determinants of under-nutrition in children less than 2 years in the district.

Conclusion:

In Devbhumi Dwarka, burden of malnutrition was recorded. Maternal literacy, parity, and spacing emerged as significant determinants of under-nutrition in children less than 2 years in the district. Multipronged and convergence approach is needed to combat menace of child malnutrition.
Women and Diabetes
Authors: Suri Monika , Mahajan Payal
Published: December 2022

Background:

Prevalence of undiagnosed diabetes is 53.1% in India as reported by the International Diabetes Federation in 10th Diabetes Atlas 2021. Diabetes is affecting people of all ages and gender. Very high prevalence of abdominal obesity and large percentage of women in Haryana with elevated body mass index (BMI) make it crucial to screen them for type 2 diabetes. Indian Diabetes Risk Score (IDRS) is a proven tool to identify the people at risk of becoming diabetic in future. Early detection and primary prevention are the most effective ways to prevent the rising numbers among women.

Objective:

This study was conceived to estimate the risk of type 2 diabetes in young working women (25–40 years) using the IDRS tool.

Materials and Methods:

A descriptive, cross-sectional observational study was followed through with 504 working females in the age bracket 25–40 years. Data were taken down using a structured questionnaire administered through personal interview procedure. Demographics and parameters listed in IDRS such as age, waist circumference, family history of diabetes, and physical activity were itemized in the questionnaire. A purposive random sampling procedure was utilized for getting the numbers. Known cases of diabetes and subjects who refused to sign informed consent were excluded from the survey.

Results:

About 504 working women completed the survey questionnaire. IDRS scores revealed 18%, 53%, and 29% of the subjects in high-, moderate-, and low-risk brackets, respectively. Waist circumference, sedentary lifestyle, family history, and age were found to be significantly associated with the risk level.

Conclusion:

The research study brings forward the need for early detection though screening of young women at risk of becoming diabetic in future and necessary steps for primary prevention for the same. It remains imperative to device a comprehensive communication strategy for responsive transitional progression from high risk to absolute healthiness among the young working women.
Glycemic Treatment Effect of Oral Semaglutide Plus Other Antidiabetic Medications
Authors: Chawla Manoj , Sanyal Debmalya , Bhattacharyya Supratik C.
Published: December 2022

A long-acting oral glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist, semaglutide is a new armamentarium to glycemic treatments. The Peptide Innovation for Early Diabetes Treatment (PIONEER) 3, 4, 5, 6, and 10 provided the necessary evidence on the efficacy of semaglutide in type 2 diabetes. The American Diabetes Association considers GLP-1 receptor agonists and insulin a high glycemic efficacy therapy. Further, a GLP-1 receptor agonist is recommended when there is a need for minimizing weight gain or promoting weight loss. There are no reports or clinical trials on oral semaglutide in Indian subjects with type 2 diabetes. We present seven case reports where semaglutide was initiated with other antidiabetic medications to bring the glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) under target and promote weight loss. Between 45 days and 60 days of treatment with antidiabetic drugs, including semaglutide, resulted in a 1.5% reduction in HbA1c. A reduction in body weight ranged from 1.7 kg to 10 kg. Large-scale randomized trial in Indian patients is warranted to confirm our findings.
Association of Circulatory Adiponectin with the Parameters of Madras Diabetes Research Foundation-Indian Diabetes Risk Score
Authors: Khan Mohd D. , Ahmad Mohammad K. , Alam Roshan , Khan Saba , Jaiswal Geeta , Khan Mohammad M.
Published: December 2022

Introduction:

Adiponectin (APN) is an adipose-derived protein. It has shown a variety of functions such as anti-inflammatory, anti-atherogenic, antidiabetic, and insulin-sensitizing and lipid-oxidation-enhancing activities. The APN levels have shown a significant relationship with the risk factors for type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). As per the Madras Diabetes Research Foundation-Indian Diabetes Risk Score (MDRF-IDRS), Asian Indians have high risk factors for T2DM and its complications. APN levels influence the risk factors for T2DM and its complications. Its circulatory level also varied with the age, family history of T2DM, waist circumference, and level of physical activity.

Aim:

The purpose of this narrative review is to find the association of circulatory APN with the parameters of MDRS-IDRS.

Materials and Methods:

Articles were searched by various databases such as PubMed, MEDLINE, Scopus, Web of Science, and Google Scholar. Abstract, free full-text, and full-text articles were searched from the year 2003 to 2022. For this review, observational study, original articles, narrative review, systematic review, and meta-analysis articles published in the English language were included. It is needed to establish the association between the APN levels and the parameters of MDRF-IDRS. The modifiable risk factors of MDRF-IDRS may play a significant role to regulate the level of APN. The non-modifiable risk factors of MDRF-IDRS may help in the better management of APN levels and reduce the prevalence of T2DM. It is needed to clear that the APN levels influence the disease severities or not. It is also needed to improve the physical activity to regulate the APN level and to reduce the systemic inflammation and insulin resistance in Asian Indian population.

Conclusion:

Improvement in modifiable risk factors of MDRF-IDRS and level of APN may play a significant role in the therapeutic approach to prevent and/or delay the development of T2DM and its complications.
A Study of Musculoskeletal Manifestations of Diabetes Mellitus and Their Association with HbA1C Among Diabetic Patients
Authors: Bellary Vaibhav S. , Shetty Satyanarayana N. , Bellary Srinivas O. , Rao Nishkala U.
Published: December 2022

Background:

The prevalence of diabetes mellitus (DM) is increasing significantly throughout the world. While the vascular complications of diabetes are well recognized and account for the principle mortality and morbidity from the condition, the musculoskeletal manifestations of diabetes are common and not life-threatening, which are an important cause for morbidity, pain, and disability. The most common reported forms of various musculoskeletal manifestations of DM include adhesive capsulitis, hand syndromes such as limited joint mobility syndrome (LJMS), Dupuytren’s contracture (DC), and carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS), flexor tenosynovitis, reflex sympathetic dystrophy, diffuse idiopathic skeletal hyperostosis (DISH), Charcot’s joints, diabetic amyotrophy (DA), and osteoarthritis.

Materials and Methods:

The study was conducted on a total of 150 patients with type 2 DM for a duration of at least 5 years in Bangalore during the study period from January 2020 to June 2021. The patients fulfilling the inclusion criteria were enrolled for the study after obtaining informed consent. Detailed history was taken and general physical examination was done to determine the musculoskeletal manifestations of DM. The Disability of Arm Shoulder and Hand (DASH) questionnaire was also completed as per the patient’s responses. Laboratory reports were collected, data compiled, and the data were analyzed.

Results:

Of the 150 cases enrolled, the maximum number of cases belonged to the age group of 36–50 years. About 64% of the diabetic cases were suffering from musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) (LMJS, CTS, shoulder capsulitis, DC, trigger finger, DISH, DA). Among the MSDs, the highest prevalence was by LJMS (28%). There was a positive correlation among the duration of diabetes, HbA1C, and the DASH score among patients with MSDs in this study and this is statistically significant (P < 0.05). We also see that MSDs are present in 72.7% of the females and 57.1% of the males in the study and this was statistically significant (P = 0.048).

Conclusion:

MSDs have a high prevalence in diabetic patients. With advancing age and uncontrolled HbA1C levels, the number of MSDs was more as well as the severity as indicated by the DASH score. Early and better glycemic control in diabetic patients can reduce the morbidity associated with MSDs as evidenced by the reduced intensity of DASH score in well-controlled patients.
Incidence and Characteristics of Human Papillomavirus-Positive Oropharyngeal Cancers by p16 Expression
Authors: Nagarajan Murugaiyan , Banu Ramesh , Radha Ananthakrishnan , Saranya Sasikala
Published: December 2022

Background:

Head-and-neck cancers are one of the most common cancers in the Indian subcontinent. The rising incidence of human papillomavirus (HPV), especially in oropharyngeal cancers is likely to increase the burden by many folds. Hence, we decided to study the incidence of HPV in oropharyngeal carcinoma and its characteristics.

Materials and Methods:

Patients with primary squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of the oropharynx registered in our hospital between September 2018 and July 2020 were included in the study after obtaining informed consent. A total of 60 patients were included in the study. The evaluation of HPV status was done by immunohistochemistry for p16 expression.

Results:

The median age of presentation was 60 years (range: 38–85 years). Fifty-four patients were male and six patients were female. The incidence of HPV in oropharyngeal carcinoma was 21.7% (n = 13). There was no difference seen when we compare HPV-positive patients with HPV-negative patients as well as with the entire study population for the demographic characteristics such as age (P = 0.569), gender (P = 0.754), smoker (P = 0.368), history of alcohol consumption (P = 0.558), and history of tobacco chewing (P = 0.781). We did not find any association between HPV-positive and HPV-negative patients with anatomical subsites (P = 0.369), tumor stage (P = 0.397), and nodal stage (P = 0.592). HPV-positive oropharyngeal SCC (OPSCC) patients presented more at early stage as compared to HPV-negative patients (P = 0.005). HPV-positive patients had higher incidence of histological poor differentiation than HPV-negative patients (P = 0.024).

Conclusion:

The study highlighted the incidence of HPV (21.7%) among OPSCC patients using p16 expression. HPV-positive patients have propensity for early stage of presentation and histological poor differentiation. The demographic characteristics and anatomical subsites of OPSCC had no impact on HPV status.
Persistent Chronic Pain in Cancer Survivors
Authors: Choudhary Suman , Saxena Ashok Kumar , Bajaj Megha , Thakur Ashima , Sonkar Mayank
Published: December 2022

Persistent chronic pain is the most common residual complaint in cancer survivors; its etiology being neoplastic process, postcancer treatment, or any other concurrent disorders. Growing concern about pain management in cancer survivors throws a mammoth challenge because more than 40% of cancer survivors now live longer than 10 years. Due to limited studies on persistent chronic pain in cancer survivors other than breast cancer, this enormous challenge remains in pain management in these cancer survivors. There are innumerable predictive factors for the development of persistent pain after cancer surgeries. It would be more prudent to concentrate on chronic pain mechanisms despite holding on to categorial risk factors and implanting them into patient outcomes. An effort should be made to a more holistic management of nociceptive and neuropathic pain in cancer survivor patients of Head and Neck, Prostate, and Lung carcinoma patients. In this article, we have tried to review the literature on managing chronic persistent pain in all cancer survivors, excluding carcinoma of the breast. In conclusion, we would like to emphasize that for an improved or excellent outcome of chronic persistent pain in cancer survivors, a holistic, multimodal approach encompassing pain relief techniques and pain relief strategies, relaxation exercises, cognitive behavioral therapy, and neuro-rehabilitative strategies would prove to be of immense help. A joint understanding between the pain management expert and the cancer survivors can result in beneficial outcomes.
Community-Based Mental Health Services in Bangladesh
Authors: Faruk Md Omar
Published: December 2022

Estimates inform that mental health problems are on the rise across the globe including in Bangladesh. To reduce the global disease burden caused by mental health disorders, community-based mental health care has gained significant consideration worldwide alongside conventional approaches to treat mental health disorders. In the face of growing mental health problems, limited resources, and centralized mental health facilities, Bangladesh – a low- and middle-income country – has prospects in ensuring mental health care through the implementation of community-based mental health services across the country. This article discusses the opportunities and challenges in implementing community-based mental health services in Bangladesh.
A Chatbot Intent Classifier for Supporting High School Students
Authors: Assayed Suha Khalil , Shaalan Khaled , Alkhatib Manar
Published: December 2022

INTRODUCTION: An intent classification is a challenged task in Natural Language Processing (NLP) as we are asking the machine to understand our language by categorizing the users’ requests. As a result, the intent classification plays an essential role in having a chatbot conversation that understand students’ requests.
OBJECTIVES: In this study, we developed a novel chatbot called “HSchatbot” for predicting the intent classifications from high school students’ enquiries. Evidently, students in high schools are the most concerned among all students about their future; thus, in this stage they need an instant support in order to prepare them to take the right decision for their career choice.
METHODS: The authors in this study used the Multinomial Naive-Bayes and Random Forest classifiers for predicting the students’ enquiries, which in turn improved the performance of the classifiers by using the feature’s extractions.
RESULTS: The results show that the random forest classifier performed better than Multinomial Naive-Bayes since the performance of this model is checked by using different metrics like accuracy, precision, recall and F1 score. Moreover, all showed high accuracy scores exceeding 90% in all metrics. However, the accuracy of Multinomial Naive-Bayes classifier performed much better when using CountVectorizers compared to using the TF-IDF.
CONCLUSION: In the future work, the results will be analysed and investigated in order to figure out the main factors that affect the performance of Multinomial Naive-Bayes classifier, as well as evaluating the model with using a large corpus of students’ questions and enquiries.
The proteomic landscape shows oncologic relevance in cystitis glandularis
Authors: Kim Jun Yong , Han Dohyun , Kim Hyeyoon , Jung Minsun , Ryu Han Suk
Published: December 2022

Background: The relationship between cystitis glandularis (CG) and bladder malignancy remains unclear. Methods: We identified the oncologic significance of CG at the molecular level using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry-based proteomic analysis of 10 CG, 12 urothelial carcinoma (UC), and nine normal urothelium (NU) specimens. Differentially expressed proteins (DEPs) were identified based on an analysis of variance false discovery rate < 0.05, and their functional enrichment was analyzed using a network model, Gene Set Enrichment Analysis, and Gene Ontology annotation. Results: We identified 9,890 proteins across all samples and 1,139 DEPs among the three entities. A substantial number of DEPs overlapped in CG/NU, distinct from UC. Interestingly, we found that a subset of DEP clusters (n = 53, 5%) was differentially expressed in NU but similarly between CG and UC. This “UC-like signature” was enriched for reactive oxygen species (ROS) and energy metabolism, growth and DNA repair, transport, motility, epithelial-mesenchymal transition, and cell survival. Using the top 10 shortlisted DEPs, including SOD2, PRKCD, CYCS, and HCLS1, we identified functional elements related to ROS metabolism, development, and transport using network analysis. The abundance of these four molecules in UC/CG than in NU was consistent with the oncologic functions in CG. Conclusions: Using a proteomic approach, we identified a predominantly non-neoplastic landscape of CG, which was closer to NU than to UC. We also confirmed a small subset of common DEPs in UC and CG, suggesting that altered ROS metabolism might imply potential cancerous risks in CG.
Preparation, spectroscopic, cyclic voltammetry and DFT/TD-DFT studies on fluorescein charge transfer complex for photonic applications
Authors: A. Alkathiri Ali , A. Atta A. , S. Refat Moamen , A. Altalhi Tariq , Shakya Sonam , Alsawat Mohammed , Majid A. Adam Abdel , A.M. Mersal Gaber , M. Hassanien A.
Published: December 2022

ABSTRACT. The solid charge transfer (CT) complexes of fluorescein (Flu) with definite acceptors (tetrafluoro para benzoquinone (Fla); 7,7,8,8-tetracyanoquinodimethane (TCNQ); 2,3-dichloro-5,6-dicyano-p-benzoquinone (DDQ) and iodine) were prepared. Several characteristic analytic procedures such as transmission (FT-IR), diffuse reflectance, UV-Vis absorption, and cyclic voltammetry were used to determine the structural and optical properties of the prepared fluorescein charge transfer complex. Kubelka Munk model (K-M) and the absorption spectral fitting (ASF) methods were used to obtain the optical transitions of the solid fluorescein charge transfer complex and fluorescein CT complexes in methanol solution. The cyclic voltammetry method has been presented as capable of obtaining valuable information on quasi-reversible redox systems in the fluorescein CT-complexes. The electrochemical gap of the fluorescein CT complex was successfully determined from the cyclic voltammetry technique. Theoretical calculations (density functional theory) were made to corroborate experimental results for the synthesized CT complexes.

 

KEY WORDS: Fluorescein charge transfer complex, Optical spectroscopy, Cyclic voltammetry

Bull. Chem. Soc. Ethiop. 2023, 37(2), 515-532.                                                              

DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.4314/bcse.v37i2.19
Green synthesis of silicon dioxide nanoparticles and L arginine@silicon dioxide nano- composites using cellulose of Zizyphus Spina-Christi along with biological evaluation
Authors: Mojaddami Ayyub , Chamkouri Hossein , Chamkouri Narges , Koolivand Zahra , Panahimehr Mohammad
Published: December 2022

ABSTRACT. The recent research focused on the green synthesis of silicon dioxide nanoparticles, SiO2@Cellulose of Zizyphus Spina-Christi nanocomposites, and L-Arginine@SiO2@Cellulose of Zizyphus Spina-Christi nanocomposites using cellulose of Zizyphus Spina-Christi as a new green polymeric surfactant. The structures of nanoparticles and nanocomposites were characterized by different spectroscopy and microscopy techniques. Nanoparticles and nanocomposites were utilized to determine the concentration of chromium, cadmium, and lead in COVID-19 patients using double-vortex-ultrasonic assisted surfactant enhanced dispersive liquid-liquid microextraction. Mean recoveries of chromium, cadmium, and lead were obtained in the range of 86-98% with relative standard deviations below 4%. The advantages of the proposed method are green and novel polymer surfactant with low detection limit. Finally, antibacterial activities were investigated. The maximum inhibition zone of L-Arginine@SiO2@Cellulose of Zizyphus Spina-Christi nanocomposites was obtained for Staphylococcus Aureus (21.9±0.4 mm). L-Arginine@SiO2@Cellulose of Zizyphus Spina-Christi nanocomposites have low cytotoxicity against MCF-7 cancer cells. These results indicated the potential ability of L-Arginine@SiO2@Cellulose of Zizyphus Spina-Christi nanocomposites in the determination of metal concentrations in biological samples along with good antibacterial properties and cytotoxic properties.

 

KEY WORDS: Green synthesis, Cellulose of Zizyphus Spina-Christi, Silicon dioxide nanoparticles, COVID-19, Biological activity

 

Bull. Chem. Soc. Ethiop. 2023, 37(2), 265-276.                                                              

DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.4314/bcse.v37i2.2
Ascorbic acid content and the antioxidant activity of common fruits commercially available in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Authors: Belete Andargie , Yisak Hagos , Singh Chandravanshi Bhagwan , Ele Yaya Estifanos
Published: December 2022

ABSTRACT. The present work was aimed to determine the contents of ascorbic acid and the antioxidant activity of eight types of common fruits commercially available in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia using iodometric titration and UV-Vis spectrophotometric methods, respectively. The contents of ascorbic acid were found in the range 15.41 mg/100 g in grapes to 78.01 mg/100 g in papaya. The antioxidant activity was found highest in papaya (89.41) and lowest in water melon (31.28) in mg of ascorbic acid equivalent per 100 g of the edible part of fruit juice. The calibration curve of ascorbic acid was in the range 50 - 3.125 mg/L with R2 = 0.9994. The results also revealed the strong correlation (r = 0.863) between ascorbic acid contents in fruits and their antioxidant activity. Using the optimized conditions, UV-Vis spectrophotometric method with the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazil assay allows determination of antioxidant activity of fruits with limit of detection 0.32 mg/L and limit of quantification 0.96 mg/L. The precision was in the acceptable range (relative standard deviation, RSD < 20%) for determination of ascorbic acid and < 10% for antioxidant activity determination. The recovery of ascorbic acid was between 85% and 113% for selected fruits showing good accuracy of the results.

 

KEY WORDS: Fruits, Ascorbic acid contents, Antioxidant activity, Free radical scavengers, Iodometric titration, UV-Vis spectrophotometry

 

Bull. Chem. Soc. Ethiop. 2023, 37(2), 277-288.                                                           

DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.4314/bcse.v37i2.3
Occupational Therapy Role in Improving Health and Slowing down age-related declines: A systematic review
Authors: Nshimiyimana Joseph , Kanyoni Maurice , Muhigirwa Jean Claude
Published: December 2022

Background

From a global perspective, aging people from 60 years and over were 962 million in 2017 and it is expected to reach 2.1 billion by 2050. When elderly people are not engaged in daily life, they become physically, socially and mentally impaired. The occupation-based interventions in elderly people improve their health and self-satisfaction in daily activities.

Objective

The aim was to analyse the role of Occupational Therapy in improving health and slowing down age-related declines.

Methods

The study was a systematic review of literature. Information on Occupational Therapy interventions was systematically searched from Cochrane library, MEDLINE and EMBASE database publications. The selection process of the studies was documented using PRISMA guidelines for intervention protocols.

Results

Literature search yielded 68 titles of relevant records. Of these five studies met inclusion criteria. One study explored the difference between group intervention and individual intervention; the results favoured group intervention. Comparison of Inter-professional approach with Occupational Therapy, the results favoured inter-professional practice in this population.

Conclusions

Occupational Therapy interventions seem to be effective in slowing down age related declines. However due to the heterogeneity in the intervention procedures, and duration of intervention, we suggest rigorous RCTS be undertaken to confirm that OT interventions delay age related declines.

Rwanda J Med Health Sci 2022;5(3):350-360
Primary production by phytoplankton in the territorial seas of the Republic of Korea
Authors: Lim An Suk , Jeong Hae Jin
Published: December 2022

The primary production (PP) by phytoplankton in marine ecosystems is essential for carbon cycling and fueling food webs. Hence, estimating the PP in the territorial sea of each country is a necessary step to achieving carbon neutrality. To estimate the PP in the territorial sea of the Republic of Korea from 2005 to 2021, we analyzed various physiochemical parameters, such as sea surface temperature (SST), Secchi depth, and concentrations of chlorophyll-a and nutrients in the seas of five regions, including the East Sea, West Sea, western South Sea, eastern South Sea, and the waters off Jeju Island. During the 17-year study period, the SST tended to increase, while the nutrient concentrations declined, except in the Jeju area. Overall, the PP did not show a specific temporal trend, but daily PP in the western South Sea was the highest among the five regions. Moreover, the maximum PP in the Korean territorial waters (76,450 km2 ) was estimated at 11,227 Gg C y-1, which accounts for 0.03% of the global PP. The results may give insights into a better understanding of the PP, further resource utilization, and environmental sustainability in the studied region.
Quantification of the ichthyotoxic raphidophyte Chattonella marina complex by applying a droplet digital PCR
Authors: Min Juhee , Kim Kwang Young
Published: December 2022

Quantifying the abundance of Chattonella species is necessary to effectively manage the threats from ichthyotoxic raphidophytes, which can cause large-scale mortality of aquacultured fish in temperate waters. The identification and cell counting of Chattonella species have been conducted primarily on living cells without fixation by light microscopy because routine fixatives do not retain their morphological features. Species belonging to the Chattonella marina complex, including C. marina and C. marina var. ovata, had high genetic similarities and the lack of clear morphological delimitations between the species. To estimate the abundance of C. marina complex in marine plankton samples, we developed a protocol based on the droplet digital polymerase chain reaction (ddPCR) assay, with C. marina complex-specific primers targeting the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region of the rDNA. Cell abundance of the C. marina complex can be determined using the ITS copy number per cell, ranging from 25 ± 1 for C. marina to 112 ± 7 for C. marina var. ovata. There were no significant differences in ITS copies estimated by the ddPCR assay between environmental DNA samples from various localities spiked with the same number of cells of culture strains. This approach can be employed to improve the monitoring efficiency of various marine protists and to support the implementation of management for harmful algal blooms, which are difficult to analyze using microscopy alone.