bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
A descriptive survey on knowledge gap related to retinopathy of prematurity and its prevention and management among nurses in a tertiary care hospital
Authors: Thuileiphy Tallanao , Joshi Poonam , Dolma Yangchen , Paul Jessy , Joshi Meena , Gudiya  , Murry Lumchino Levis 
Published: August 2021

Purpose:
Retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) is a leading cause of severe visual impairment of childhood affecting preterm babies. The disease is sensitive to the quality of neonatal nursing care provided to preterm neonates in any neonatal intensive care unit. (NICU). The aim of this study was to assess the knowledge gap among nurses related to ROP and its prevention and management working in NICU in a tertiary care hospital.

Methods:
In a cross-sectional descriptive survey, 53 nurses working in a selected NICU of a tertiary care hospital were enrolled. A pretested and validated self-administered questionnaire was used to assess the knowledge of nurses related to ROP. The questionnaire consisted of two main parts namely the demographic information and the knowledge questionnaire related to ROP related to risk factors of ROP, screening procedure, and nursing care to babies with ROP before, during, and after the procedure.

Results:
The majority of nurses were female with a mean age of 33.48 ± 5.85 years, having a median of 5 years of experience in NICU. Most of the nurses (38, 68%) had overall poor knowledge, followed by fair knowledge (21%) with the mean knowledge scores of 14.07 ± 2.06. No significant association between the overall knowledge scores and age, total professional experience in NICU, designation, and educational qualification of the nurses could be observed (P ≥ 0.05).

Conclusion:
Most of the nurses working in the NICU had poor knowledge regarding ROP, necessitating the need for updating the knowledge of nurses related to ROP, its prevention, and management by disseminating information about the disease through seminars, and workshops and arranging in-house educational sessions on ROP.
Deciphering the association of intronic single nucleotide polymorphisms of crystallin gene family with congenital cataract
Authors: Nair Vidya , Sankaranarayanan Rajkumar , Vasavada Abhay Raghukant 
Published: August 2021

Purpose:
Introns play an important role in gene regulation and expression. Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in introns have the potential to cause disease and alter the genotype–phenotype association. Hence, this study aimed to decipher the association of SNPs in the introns of the crystallin gene in congenital cataracts.

Methods:
SNPs in the introns of crystallin gene family – CRYAA (rs3788059), CRYAB (rs2070894), CRYBA4 (rs2071861), and CRYBB2 (rs5752083, rs5996863) – were genotyped in 248 participants consisting of 141 congenital cataracts and 107 healthy controls by allele-specific oligonucleotide polymerase chain reaction method. Around 10% of samples for each SNPs were sequenced to confirm the genotypes. The allele, genotype, and haplotype frequency were evaluated by the SHEsis online tool.

Results:
Using dominant model, the “A” allele of rs3788059 was found to have an increased risk toward congenital cataract development whereas the “G” allele was found to be protective (AA + AG vs. GG; odds ratio [OR] 95% confidence interval [CI] = 3.73 [1.71, 8.15], P = 0.0009). The “A” allele of both rs2070894 (AA + AG vs. GG; OR [95% CI] = 0.49 [0.29, 0.84], P = 0.012) and rs5752083 (AA + AC vs. CC; OR [95% CI] = 0.25 [0.08, 0.76], P = 0.016) were suggested to have a protective role by the dominant model. The A-C-T haplotype (rs2071861, rs5752083, and rs5996863) was found to be a significant risk factor for the development of congenital cataract.

Conclusion:
Intronic SNPs in crystallin genes may play a role in the predisposition toward congenital cataract. However, the present findings need to be replicated in a large cohort with more number of samples.
Assessment of quality of life, mental health and ocular morbidity in children from schools for the blind in North-East India
Authors: Magdalene Damaris , Bhattacharjee Harsha , Deshmukh Saurabh , Mohapatra Shyamsundar Das , Ali Amzad , Paidi Rammohan Rao , Multani Prabhjot Kaur 
Published: August 2021

Purpose:
The aim of this study was to describe causes of severe visual impairment and blindness (SVI/BL), and assess the mental health and quality of life of children in schools for the blind in North-East India in two phases.

Methods:
A total of 515 children were examined in 17 schools for the blind in the first phase of study across eight states in North-East India, 6 in Assam, 2 each in Meghalaya, Manipur, Mizoram, and Tripura, 1 each in Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, and Sikkim. WHO/PBL eye examination record was used to document findings. In the second phase of study, mental health and quality of life were objectively measured using depression anxiety stress scales (DASS) and low-vision quality of life (LVQOL) questionnaires in 442 children.

Results:
Approximately 3.1% of children had SVI and 71.84% of children were blind. Anatomical sites of SVI/BL were the whole globe in 44.85%, cornea in 17.66%, and retina in 11.65% of children. The underlying cause of visual loss was undetermined in 55% of children. Hereditary pattern was observed in 1.35% of cases. Approximately 74.94% of children were either blind or severely visually impaired since birth. DASS score revealed that 56.56% of children manifested some levels of anxiety and stress while 85.52% had some reduction in quality of life.

Conclusion:
A large significant number of these children suffered from potentially preventable and/or treatable cause of SVI/BL. Though nonvisual factors such as physical and mental health were strong predictors of quality of life, this study proves that visual impairment also plays a considerable role in one’s quality of life in a population with low vision.
Evaluating target intraocular pressures in primary congenital glaucoma
Authors: Sihota Ramanjit , Sidhu Talvir , Agarwal Rinky , Sharma Ajay , Gupta Amisha , Sethi Anin , Dada Tanuj , Pandey Veena 
Published: August 2021

Purpose:
The aim of this study was to evaluate long-term intraocular pressures that provide stabilization/reversal of glaucomatous neuropathy after surgery in primary congenital glaucoma (PCG).

Methods:
Prospective evaluation of consecutive PCG patients who underwent trabeculectomy-trabeculotomy and followed up for ≥2 years. Records of regularly performed examination under anesthesia were maintained to ascertain intraocular pressure, (IOP), fundus, refraction and corneal diameter. Outcomes – Primary: cup: disc ratio and intraocular pressure, Secondary: corneal changes and refractive error

Results:
A total of 174 eyes of 108 children with PCG had a preoperative IOP of 22.44 ± 9.5 mm Hg. Postoperative review IOP was 11.8 ± 4.5 mm Hg, cup-disc-ratio was 0.52 ± 0.23 and corneal diameter was 12.75 ± 0.9 mm. Primary outcomes: Linear regression analysis showed a significant positive correlation of review IOP with cup disc ratio, P = 0.004. 67.9%, of eyes at a review IOP range of 6-12 mm Hg showed reversal, 14.1%, were stable, at 6-15 mm Hg, while 3.84% showed an increase in cup: disc ratio 16-22 mm Hg. Patients operated before 6 months of age had a significantly smaller final cup-disc ratio, P = 0.0013. Patients with a final cup: disc ratio of >0.9 were significantly older at surgery, P < 0.001. Secondary outcomes: There was a positive correlation of final myopia with review IOP on linear regression analysis, P = 0.012. The final spherical error in eyes having cup disc ratio of ≤ 0.5 was –0.96 ± 4.5 diopters, as against -3.45 ± 7.7 diopters in eyes having cup-disc ratio of 0.6-0.8 and -3.8 ± 6.9 diopters in eyes with cup disc ratio of ≥0.9, P = 0.015. There was no significant change in corneal diameter.

Conclusion:
Patients operated after 6 months of age had a larger final cup: disc ratio, while postoperative review intraocular pressures over 2 years of at least ≤15 mm Hg in primary congenital glaucoma eyes, commonly lead to reversal/stability of the neuropathy, and a lower incidence and degree of myopia.
Comparison of posterior corneal elevation in children with and without vernal keratoconjunctivitis using a new tomographer
Authors: V Kavitha , Heralgi Mallikarjun M , Aafreen Saba 
Published: August 2021

Purpose:
To assess the posterior corneal elevation (PCE) in children with vernal keratoconjunctivitis (VKC) and compare the same with that of age and gender-matched normal children.

Methods:
This was a case control study. We included 110 children attending the Pediatric ophthalmology outpatient department of a tertiary eye care center in South India between September 2019 and June 2020. Fifty-five children with VKC and 55 normal age and gender-matched children were examined by Sirius tomographer/topographer (CSO, Italy) to determine the PCE, thinnest corneal thickness (TCT), simulated K (Sim K), keratoconus front (KVf) and keratoconus vertex back (KVb). The parameters were compared between the two groups.

Results:
A total of 220 eyes of 110 children were examined. The mean age in both groups was 10.44 ± 3.28 years, each group included 44 males and 11 females. There was no statistically significant difference in TCT and Sim K between the two groups. The mean PCE was 18.8 ± 8.4 μm in VKC group and 11.7 ± 3.9 μm in control group (P < 0.001). Both KVf and KVb were significantly higher in VKC group when compared to the control group.

Conclusion:
Children with VKC have significantly higher PCE as measured by Sirius tomographer, and hence, all VKC children should be screened for development of KC and the Sirius tomographer may be an appropriate tool for the same.
Clinical profile and error of inclusion and exclusion in schools for the blind in Bangalore and a review of literature
Authors: Kemmanu Vasudha , Tayde Priti , Venkatesh Ramesh , K Sindhu , BB Keshavardhini , M Bhanumathi , Shetty Naren 
Published: August 2021

Purpose:
To determine the causes of severe visual impairment and blindness in children in schools for the blind in the city of Bangalore, Karnataka and to determine the error of inclusion and exclusion from these schools.

Methods:
This was a cross-sectional study. Children in four schools for the blind were subjected to a detailed ophthalmic evaluation. The World Health Organization Program for Prevention of Blindness low-vision form was used to collect data. To know the educational background of children with visual disability of 40% or more (best-corrected visual acuity of ≤6/24 in the better eye), not in schools for the blind, we collected data by telephonic conversation after procuring their phone numbers from our low-vision clinic.

Results:
One-hundred-seventy-eight children were examined. The major site of anomaly causing blindness in 31% of children was optic nerve, followed by retina (24%), cornea (23%), and whole globe (22%). Avoidable blindness was 35.42%. Thirteen percent of the children with no visual disability were incorrectly enrolled in blind schools. We were able to contact 92 children with a visual disability of ≥40%. Seventy-eight children (84.78%) attended regular schools; these schools were bereft of a specially trained teacher to look after the needs of the blind.

Conclusion:
Avoidable blindness is still a cause for concern. Children should undergo eye-examination before being enrolled in schools for the blind to avoid errors of inclusion. Though integrated education for children with vision disability is a good approach, it requires teachers trained in teaching skills particular to blindness. Education for the visually impaired in India needs a major revision.
Urgent and emergent glaucoma care during the COVID-19 pandemic: An analysis at a tertiary care hospital in South India
Authors: Rajendrababu Sharmila , Durai Indira , Mani Iswarya , Ramasamy Krishnadas Subbaiah , Shukla Aakriti Garg , Robin Alan Lee 
Published: August 2021

Purpose:
To describe the demographic profiles, clinical characteristics, and clinical outcomes of patients presenting with glaucoma emergencies during the COVID-19 lockdown in India.

Methods:
This retrospective, cross-sectional, observational case series involved review of medical records of all patients presenting to the glaucoma service during the COVID-19 lockdown period and comparison with the previous year (March 23 to June 23, 2020 Vs 2019) in a tertiary center in India.

Results:
We found a 78.9% reduction in overall outpatient visits (54,345 vs. 257,339; P < 0.001) and 80.9% reduction in the number of glaucoma outpatient visits (4,788 vs. 25,083; P < 0.001). Additionally, the proportion of true glaucoma emergency visits significantly increased by 62.4% in 2020 Vs 2019 (1,408/4,788 (29.4%) vs. 4,542/25,083 (18.1%); P < 0.001). Lens-induced glaucomas were the most common glaucoma surgical emergency (13.4%) in 2020. Moreover, comparison of procedures demonstrated a proportionate decrease in incisional glaucoma surgeries (70/115 (60.86%) vs. 806/939 (85.83%); P < 0.001) and an increase in the proportion of emergency cataract surgeries (129/475 (27.15%) vs. 170/2715 (6.26%); P < 0.001) and transscleral cyclophotocoagulation (45/115 (39.13%) vs. 133/939 (14.16%); P = 0.0001) during 2020 vs. 2019.

Conclusion:
Our study demonstrated a 62% increase in the proportion of visits that were true glaucoma emergencies. Additionally, the proportions of emergency cataract surgeries increased by 4.3 times and the proportion of transscleral cyclophotocoagulation increased by 2.8 times during the pandemic. More nonincisional procedures and less diagnostic testing were performed to minimize postoperative visits and virus transmission. Further understanding of the profile of emergencies may help in developing novel strategies to anticipate future challenges in managing glaucoma care during subsequent waves of the pandemic.
A Study on Association of Age, Gender, and Body Mass Index with Hematological Parameters
Authors: Singh Priyanka , Singh Sanjay Kumar , Reddy Vamshi Krishna , Sharma Supriya , Chandra Shaleen , Vijay Pradakhshana 
Published: August 2021

Introduction:
Hematologists have always had a keen interest in researching the pathophysiology and clinical relevance of hematological parameters in various populations. Factors that may affect hematological and serum biochemical parameters might include gender, age, body mass index (BMI), season, and nutrition.

Aim:
The aim of this study was to determine the association of hemoglobin, red blood cell (RBC) count, white blood cell (WBC) count, and platelets with the age, gender, and BMI of patients who came to the hematology section of the department in the regular outpatient department (OPD) services.

Materials and Methods:
We had selected 300 patients randomly who came to the hematology section of the department in the regular OPD services. We had calculated height and weight of the patient after their consent and calculated their BMI. The selected patients were categorized into five age groups from Group A to Group E (20–30 years, 31–40 years, 41–50 years, 51–60 years, and 61–70 years), into males and females (Group A and Group B), also according to BMI into four groups (Group A – BMI <18.5 kg/m2, Group B – BMI <18.5–25 kg/m2, Group C – BMI >25 kg/m2, and Group D – BMI >30 kg/m2). Blood sample was collected from each patient in an ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid anticoagulant and was analyzed using a hematological autoanalyzer.

Results and Discussion:
A decline in hemoglobin (HB) levels and RBC count was observed above 30 years, and it decreased more in females. The mean age of obese subgroup was found to be significantly more among males. Whereas, underweight and overweight were found to be significantly more among females. HB, RBC, and platelet count did not show any significant difference among the subgroups of BMI category, but WBC count was found to be adequate in majority of the subjects with normal weight.

Conclusion:
In our study, we found an age-dependent decline in HB levels in the age group above 30 years. RBC and platelet count did not show any significant difference among the subgroups of BMI category, but WBC count was found to be adequate in subjects with normal weight.
Comparison of Changes in Salivary pH after Chewing Guava Leaves (Psidium Guajava) and Xylitol Gum
Authors: Senthilkumar S. , Jagadeson Mahesh , Krupa N. C. , Smith J. J. , Ahimsa M. K. , Dhiveya A. 
Published: August 2021

Background:
The medicinal benefits of guava have been discussed in many ethnopharmacological studies. Extract from the guava leaves is known for its spasmolytic, antioxidant, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and antibacterial properties. Its effects on saliva have been least explored. The study aimed at evaluating the effect of chewing guava leaves and xylitol gum on salivary pH.

Materials and Methods:
The study design was a randomized, single-blind, crossover type. Forty-five volunteers were chosen based on selection criteria for the study. The participants were asked to chew guava leaf and sugar free xylitol chewing gum for about 90 s and the salivary pH was assessed.

Results:
There was no statistically significant difference in pH on comparing the two groups. pH comparisons between different time intervals showed significant differences in both groups (P = 0.001). Post hoc comparisons of pH after chewing guava leaves showed significant differences between different time intervals (P = 0.001) except between 30 and 60 min (P = 0.377). Post hoc comparisons in the xylitol group showed significant differences between different time intervals (P = 0.001) except between baseline and 30 min (P = 0.071) and between 30 and 60 min (P = 0.83).

Conclusion:
Chewing guava leaves showed a similar effect and had a better short-term effect when compared to xylitol chewing gum at different time intervals.
Knowledge and Attitude of Global Pandemic Coronavirus Among Dental Health Professionals in North India
Authors: Singh Iqbal , Kour Robindera , Bali Ashish , Bali Aditya , Singh Amarpreet 
Published: August 2021

Background:
Coronavirus has posed a greater risk of occupational transmission to dental professionals as it can spread through the aerosols.

Aim:
This syudy aimed to assess knowledge and awareness of private dental health-care professionals regarding coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) disease in India.

Materials and Methods:
A cross-sectional study was conducted among 320 private dentists practicing in north India. A self–administered, anonymous, multiple-choice type questionnaire was administered to gather information. The questionnaire contained 12 questions on knowledge and awareness regarding coronavirus keeping in view the time constraints. Statistical analyses were done using analysis of variance and Student t-test.

Results:
Awareness regarding the mode of transmission of COVID-19 was reported positively by 93.3% of subjects. Only 3.3% of subjects reported about having encountered a corona patient at their clinic. Preventive measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19 were known to 77.7% of subjects. A statistically significant association of mean knowledge scores was noted with education level (P = 0.013) and working profile (P = 0.016) of the subjects.

Conclusion:
The results of the present study showed that some knowledge gaps existed among dentists regarding some important aspects of COVID-19. Therefore, there is an urgent need for training and continuous education programs regarding infectious diseases.
Cost-Effectiveness and Cost–Utility Analysis of the Use of Clopidogrel and Pantoprazole in Comparison with Clopidogrel and Omeprazole for the Secondary Prevention of Myocardial Infarction in Iran
Authors: Amirsadri Mohammadreza , Hajhashemi Valiollah , Asemi Amir Shahriar 
Published: August 2021

Objective:
Gastrointestinal bleeding, a side effect of clopidogrel, is usually prevented by proton-pump inhibitors (PPIs). Due to omeprazole's inhibitory effects on the liver enzyme CYP2C19, its concomitant use with clopidogrel is argued to increase the risk of myocardial infarction (MI) recurrence, as CYP2C19 activates clopidogrel. Pantoprazole as an alternative PPI has shown no inhibitory effect on CYP2C19. This study investigates the cost-effectiveness of concomitant use of clopidogrel and pantoprazole in MI patients compared to the simultaneous use of clopidogrel and omeprazole.

Methods:
We used the Markov-modeling technique with a hypothetical cohort of 1000 acute MI patients aged 55 years using Microsoft Excel 2013 software. The study was done from the payer perspective, and a lifetime horizon with 1-year cycles was considered in the model. Life-years gained (LYG) and quality-adjusted life-years (QALYs) were used to quantify the health effects of these interventions. Two separate scenarios of public tariffs and private tariffs with various discount rates (0%, 3%, and 7.2% discounts (only for costs)) were evaluated, and an incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER) was used to report the results. One-way and probabilistic sensitivity analyses were used to deal with uncertainty. Data were sourced from published literature and tariff book of the Iranian ministry of health.

Findings:
The estimated ICERs were 342 USD/QALY and 236 USD/LYG per patient for the base-case scenario.

Conclusion:
Abiding by the WHO threshold for cost-effectiveness, the concomitant use of pantoprazole and clopidogrel can be considered cost-effective compared to the use of omeprazole and clopidogrel.
Split dose bowel preparation before colonoscopy of PEG (Nulytely) in comparison to routine single dose bowel preparation
Authors: Al Alawi Said , Al Dhahab Hisham , Al Salmi Issa 
Published: August 2021

Background:
The aim of this study was to compare the efficacy and tolerability of polyethylene glycol (PEG) in single- or split-dose regimens for colonoscopy bowel preparation.

Methods:
This is a prospective, randomized, endoscopist blinded, single-center study, that included adult patients who underwent colonoscopy during the period from December 2017 to October 2018. Two groups were enrolled in the same period: One group used 4 L of PEG (Nulytely) in a single-dose preparation, administered a day before the procedure, and the other group received a split-dose regimen of 2 L PEG (Nulytely), given a day before the procedure and 2 L on the day of the procedure in the early morning. The Boston Bowel Preparation Scale (BBPS) was used for bowel preparation adequacy; scales 0 and 1 were considered inadequate, and scales 2 and 3 were considered adequate preparation.

Results:
Two hundred and forty patients were enrolled, 120 (50%) using the split-dose regimen and 120 (50%) using the single-dose regimen, for bowel preparation. Males constituted 51.6% of the study cohort. In the single-dose group, 62.5% achieved adequate bowel preparation compared to 89.2% in the split-dose group (p< 0.001). In addition, polyp detection in the split-dose group was 23.3% in comparison to 10.8% in the single-dose group (P = 0.016). We also found hypertension and diabetes as significant predictors of bowel preparation inadequacy, while sex and age were not related to bowel preparation adequacy.

Conclusions:
Split-dose bowel preparation for colonoscopy with PEG (Nulytely) is better than routine single-dose, in terms of adequate bowel preparation and polyp detection.