bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Evaluating prefrontal changes in depression using functional near-infrared spectroscopy utilizing Stroop test: A comparison with healthy controls
Authors: Verma Rohit , Ganesh Ragul , Narnoli Shubham , Sharma Panna , Shrivastava Neha P. , Dhyani Ishita , Singhal Sonali , Karna Stuti 
Published: November 2024

Background:
Functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) is being increasingly utilized to visualize the brain areas involved in cognitive activity to understand the human brain better. Its portability and easy setup give it an advantage over other functional brain imaging tools. The current study utilizes fNIRS while performing a Stroop test, which is commonly used to assess the impairment of information selection in depression.

Aim:
To compare cortical activation during the Stroop test in depressed individuals to healthy controls.

Methods:
This cross-sectional study compared oxyhemoglobin (OxyHb) concentration changes in 39 individuals with depression to 40 healthy individuals. The Stroop test was construed in an event-related design with an intertrial interval of 2 seconds with jitter. A continuous wave fNIRS system was used for recording the cortical activity at 17 locations. Analysis of fNIRS data was done using statistical parametric mapping (SPM) for estimating general linear model (GLM) coefficients. Further analysis of the mean change of OxyHb concentrations during the 2 seconds after the presentation of congruent and incongruent stimuli was done between the groups using Mann–Whitney U test corrected for multiple comparisons with Bonferroni correction.

Results:
While the number of errors and correct responses were similar between the groups, the reaction time for correct responses was more in the depression group in comparison to healthy individuals (t = -2.39, P = 0.01). For both healthy and depressive individuals in incongruent versus congruent task contrast, deactivation was seen in the region between the left middle frontal sulcus and frontopolar area of the brain (t = 0.41 and t = 0.21, respectively, P < 0.05). The depressed group had a higher mean change in OxyHb concentration following incongruent stimuli in comparison to the HCs (mean rank: HC = 32.63, depression = 47.56).

Conclusion:
Our findings indicate that individuals with depression exhibited prolonged reaction times and distinct activation patterns of the frontal cortex compared to healthy individuals. The observed pattern of brain activation for congruent and incongruent tasks among both healthy and depressed individuals aligns with the findings of the prior studies, emphasizing the utility of fNIRS as a valuable instrument for assessing brain activity.
Amend the Mental Health Care Act 2017: A Survey of Indian psychiatrists (Part 2)
Authors: Malhotra Savita , Srivastava Shruti , Jayaprakashan K.P , Gowda Mahesh R. , Sharma Nidhi , Gopalan Mohan R. , Watve Vidyadhar G. , Paul Imon 
Published: November 2024

Background:
Information about the experience of practicing psychiatrists with the use of the Mental Health Care Act (MHCA), 2017, India, after 5 years of its promulgation has not been available.

Aim:
The present study was carried out to understand the experience of the practicing psychiatrists in using and complying with the MHCA 2017 and to bring out the problems and suggested reforms, if any, in various provisions of the MHCA 2017.

Methods:
An online survey by practicing psychiatrists of Indian Psychiatric Society on the various sections and provisions of the MHCA 17 was carried out through structured and open-ended responses. This paper presents the qualitative analysis of the open-ended responses.

Results:
There were 600 respondents, who gave a total of 1239 (range 116–154) responses to eight open-ended questions about various provisions of the MHCA. Qualitative analysis revealed that most respondents opined for keeping the General Hospital Psychiatry units exempted from inclusion as the mental health establishment, thus treating physical illness at par with the mental illness; a separate stand-alone law for mental illness perpetuates stigma, asked for a larger representation of psychiatrists in the State Mental Health Authority and Mental Health Review Boards. Most respondents opined that the provisions of capacity assessment, nominated representative, and advance directive are a hinderance in treatment and should be amended; treating psychiatrists and family/caregiver’s consent should suffice for supported admission, just like in other disciplines of medicine; and MHCA 2017 needs major amendments/repeal to make it convenient for patient care. Any unauthorized places/centers where persons with mental illness are kept should come under regulatory control of the state mental health authorities.

Conclusion
The survey has highlighted several deficiencies and operational difficulties in the current Act that hinder the delivery of mental health care to patients with mental illness in the country and need amendments.
Knowledge, attitude, and experience of dentists toward child abuse and neglect. A cross-sectional study
Authors: Mahajan Ankit , Manas Abhigyan , Jamwal Narita , Nazeer Jazib , Alessa Noura , Agrawal Akriti , Rajguru Jagadish P. , Chougule Vaibhav T. , Rao Delphine 
Published: November 2024

ABSTRACT

Context:
Child abuse and neglect can be described as all kinds of physical, emotional, and sexual abuse, neglect, commercial and/or any other type of exploitation resulting in any potential of causing hurt or an actual form of harm to a child’s general health, growth, survival, and dignity. The dentist is in a position to identify physical signs of physical abuse in a child hence, it is important to gauge the knowledge level and perception regarding child abuse and neglect.

Aim:
The aim of the present study was to ascertain the knowledge, attitude, and experience regarding child abuse and neglect among dentists in India.

Materials and Methods:
This cross-sectional, descriptive, survey-based study was conducted on 100 dental practitioners all over India using a pre-validated questionnaire. The study was approved by the institutional ethics committee. Responses received were recorded in an Excel Worksheet and analyzed using descriptive statistics and Chi-square statistical tool using SPSS software (version 21.0).

Results:
We found that 85% of respondents reported child abuse cases of a physical and sexual nature and 87% had knowledge that law enforcement agencies are responsible for reporting such cases. Also, 56% believed that such cases could be reported using electronic mail while other sources were telephone, letters, or personal intervention. Only 12% were fearful of litigation and 24% were concerned about such exposure to a child.

Conclusion:
A total of 11% of dentists experienced barriers in reporting such cases while 17% reported with no barriers. Child abuse and neglect are often underreported due to various reasons. This survey has attempted to assess the knowledge, attitude, and experience about child abuse and neglect and has found a few prominent reasons for not reporting such incidents.
Knowledge and awareness of child sexual abuse related to POCSO (Protection of Children from Sexual Offences) Act among medical and dental professionals in India: A cross-sectional study
Authors: Tyagi Upasana , Chougule Vaibhav T. , Devanna Raghu , Anand Rahul Kumar , Alessa Noura Abdulaziz , Jain Amol , Mahabob Nazargi , Lath Harshita , Wadhwan Vijay 
Published: November 2024

ABSTRACT

Background:
The POCSO (Protection Of Children from Sexual Offences) Act was introduced in 2012 as a measure to safeguard and prevent interests of children affected by sexual crimes. Both medical and dental professionals are capable of identifying such cases.

Aim:
The aim of this study was to evaluate the knowledge and awareness of child sexual abuse related to POCSO Act among both medical and dental professionals in India.

Materials and Methods:
This cross-sectional questionnaire-based study was conducted on 100 medical and dental healthcare professionals employed in a single hospital for evaluation of knowledge and awareness on POCSO Act. The questionnaire containing multiple choice questions was randomly distributed among all the study participants as hard copy or via electronic generated forms. The questionnaire comprised questions related to demographics and those dealing with knowledge and attitude.

Statistical Analysis:
Categorical variables were represented in the form of percentages, and data analysis was done using SPSS software.

Results:
67% study participants demonstrated full knowledge of POCSO, 23% had some knowledge, and 10% study subjects had absolutely no knowledge regarding this act. 7% professionals opined that the support for such affected children must come from Government Organizations, while 15% believed that Non-Governmental Organizations must support these children. 28% professionals believed that the child support and welfare committee should play a role in supporting these children. However, 50% study participants were of the opinion that the primary support must be community-based. On analyzing statistically, level of knowledge and awareness were found to be statistically significant (P = 0.05).

Conclusion:
There appears to be a good amount of knowledge and attitude among both medical and dental professionals regarding POCSO Act.
Perceived stigma among undergraduate medical students towards people with psychiatric illness: A cross sectional study
Authors: Patel Amar Deep , Sharma Maha Prakash , Pal Alok , Verma Upendra Kumar , Tiwari Paritosh , Alam Zaryab 
Published: November 2024

ABSTRACT

Background:
Over 450 million individuals worldwide suffer from mental illnesses, according to epidemiological data, making this one of the biggest problems facing modern medicine. People often react in a fairly discriminatory way to those with mental illness, and stigmatizing views toward those with mental illness are ubiquitous. In India, people who suffer from mental illness live with their families, and the stigma associated with mental illness has a significant impact on how effectively these people are treated over time by their families and communities.

Objective:
This study aims to specifically investigate how undergraduate medical students who participated in a two-week psychiatric posting and teaching program and those who did not learn about mental illness from the course curriculum or clinical experience differed in their perceived stigma toward people with mental illness.

Materials and Methods:
This cross-sectional study used a self-reported Perceived devaluation-discrimination scale (PDDS) questionnaire distributed via Google form to undergraduate medical students who were exposed (n = 72) to a two-week psychiatry posting and attended lectures and those who were not exposed (n = 176) to psychiatry training.

Results:
The results show that medical students’ perceptions of the stigma associated with mental illness remain unchanged following their exposure to psychiatry training. Nonetheless, it was discovered that students’ perceptions of the stigma associated with mental health patients were influenced by their urban domicile.

Conclusions:
Our research indicates that there was perceived stigma among medical students about patients with mental illnesses, and that this tendency was more pronounced among students belonging from rural areas.
Injuries to the lower limbs and associated injuries in children and adolescents resulting from road traffic incidents
Authors: Popa Ştefan , Sârbu Ioan , Bulgaru-Iliescu Diana , Surd Adrian Onisim , Candussi Iuliana-Laura , Popa Irene Paula , Ciongradi Carmen Iulia 
Published: November 2024

ABSTRACT

Background:
Fractures occurring in the lower extremities as a result of road traffic accidents (RTAs) can lead to considerable morbidity and constitute a large proportion of nonfatal injuries that necessitate hospitalization. The present study aimed to examine the epidemiology of lower extremity fractures linked with RTAs in pediatric patients.

Methods:
This is a descriptive retrospective research study carried out between 2015 and 2022 at St. Mary’s Children’s Hospital, Iasi, Romania, targeting the population below the age of 18 years who experienced trauma from RTAs and received treatment from the trauma department. Data pertaining to various aspects, including age distribution, the frequency of accidents, the types of injuries incurred, and surgical treatment, were gathered.

Results:
The findings revealed a total of 358 cases of RTAs, out of which 112 fit the required criteria, and a total of 22 patients, accounting for 19.64%, had open fractures.

Conclusion:
This research provides information on lower extremity fractures and associated injuries in the pediatric population living in urban and rural areas throughout the Moldova region in Romania, subsequent to RTAs. The objective is to deliver the most relevant information at the patient’s bedside and provide proper healthcare services.
“Cinemeducation” as a teaching–learning tool in Community Medicine for Phase II MBBS students
Authors: Sinha Latika N. , Solanki Aruna , Choudhary Yachna , Dube Salil , Choudhary Sanjay , Gurjar Anoop , Kumawat Priyanka , Awasthi Ankit , Goyal Parmod , Mullai Soundara P. , Saran Rajendra 
Published: November 2024

ABSTRACT

Background:
Many public health topics in the subject of Community Medicine have a psycho sociocultural aspect to them, and these are taught by traditional methods like didactic lectures with little or no interaction of faculty and students. This limits the comprehensive understanding of the students regarding sensitive issues. There is a felt need to improve the knowledge and understanding of many of these competencies among students through available cinema movies addressing these concepts.

Objectives:
1. To assess effectiveness of “Cinemeducation” as a tool to teach identified competencies in Community Medicine subject. 2. To assess perception of students for “Cinemeducation” to enhance learning and communication skills.

Methodology: Study Design:
Nonrandomized intervention study.

Setting:
Department of Community Medicine, Government Medical College, Pali, Rajasthan.

Participants:
Year 2 from 2020 Batch.

Sample Size:
159 students.

Sampling:
Complete enumeration.

Intervention:
All 159 students were divided into two groups and alternately shown movies, Toilet–Ek Prem Katha, Padman, Outbreak, and Steel Magnolias, or exposed to didactic lecture and were assessed using pre- and post-tests and student satisfaction and self-confidence in learning scale.

Results:
The post-test scores of cinemeducation showed an improvement by a mean of 1.88 ± 0.7 points. The self-confidence and learning scale showed that 86% of students agreed that cinemeducation was better than didactic lectures. The mean satisfaction index of cinemeducation as a teaching–learning method was 97.6. Three out of the four movies addressed the competency well, and the difference between the pre- and post-test scores was statistically significant following cinemeducation as compared to lectures.

Conclusions:
As the student correlates real-life situations in movies like Toilet–Ek Prem Katha, Outbreak, and Padman, they definitely understood the topic better with cognitive scores showing an increase.
Knowledge and awareness of ocular allergy among undergraduate students at a public university in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
Authors: Bin Abdulrahman Khalid , Abutheeb Abdullah Fahad , Al-Fahd Abdullah Zaki , Bahmid Majed Khalid , Al-Tayar Nasser Rashed , Almukhalafi Omar Ahmed 
Published: November 2024

ABSTRACT

Background:
Ocular allergy (OA) is one of the most common disorders worldwide, affecting millions of individuals of all ages. Public education about the disease is critical for lowering the prevalence of OAs. The present study aims to evaluate the knowledge and awareness level of OA among undergraduate students at Imam Mohammed Ibn Saud Islamic University in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

Methods:
A cross-sectional study was conducted through a self-administered online questionnaire. A total of six multiple choice questions were used to assess awareness of OA with a maximum possible score of 6. In addition, nine checkboxes and multiple-choice questions were used to evaluate knowledge of ocular allergy with a maximum possible score of 21.

Results:
The study included 591 participants. The average awareness score was 3.1 ± 1.47 points. The average knowledge score was 9.41 ± 4.04 points. The average knowledge and awareness score was lower in males than in females. A higher age (>27 years) was associated with better knowledge of OA (B = 3.62, P = 0.008). The Internet was the most common source of information mentioned by the respondents (26.3%).

Conclusion:
Our study showed that Imam Mohammed Ibn Saud Islamic University undergraduate students had moderate knowledge and awareness of OA. Thus, additional effort is required to enhance the knowledge and awareness of OA.
Intravenous iron sucrose when administered to moderately anemic pregnant women raises the hemoglobin concentration and replenishes body iron at 6 months
Authors: Halder Pritam , Kant Shashi , Singh Archana , Kaur Ravneet 
Published: November 2024

ABSTRACT

Introduction:
Intravenous iron sucrose (IVIS) is a rapidly acting, safe, and effective treatment for moderate anemia among pregnant women. The effectiveness of IVIS at 6 months post IVIS infusion was unknown. We, therefore, assessed the mean increase in hemoglobin concentration and body iron replenishment status at 6 months after the last dose of IVIS infusion.

Methods:
The study was conducted in 28 villages served by two primary health centers in district Faridabad, Haryana. The participants (n = 129), when originally recruited in 2020, were all moderately anemic (hemoglobin level 7.0 to 9.9 g/dL) pregnant women in either the second or third trimester of pregnancy. Their iron deficiency was calculated by Ganzoni’s formula with additional allowance of 500 mg of depot iron. The calculated deficit was rounded off to the nearest 100 mg. The dose of IVIS was 300 mg of iron diluted in 300 ml of normal saline administered intravenously every third day till the full calculated dose was administered. In this study, we collected the follow-up blood specimen 6 months after the last dose of IVIS and measured the hemoglobin concentration, C-Reactive protein (CRP), and serum ferritin level. Hemoglobin concentration was measured using an automated hematology analyzer (Sysmex XS-1000i). Serum ferritin and CRP were measured by enhanced chemiluminescence immunoassay and the enzymatic heterogeneous, sandwich immunoassay method, respectively (VITROS ECiQ, Ortho Clinical Diagnostics, New Jersey, USA).

Results:
The mean [standard deviation (SD)] duration of time elapsed since the administration of the last dose of IVIS infusion was 6.4 (0.9) months. The mean (SD) hemoglobin level at the time of original recruitment (baseline) was 8.7 ± 0.8 g/dL. The mean (SD) increase in the hemoglobin concentration at 6 months follow-up was 3.2 [95% confidence interval (CI): 3.0–3.4)] g/dL. The median [interquartile range (IQR)] serum ferritin level (ng/mL) at follow-up was 28.1 (12.7, 61.5). A total of 10.2% of the participants had a raised (>10 mg/L) CRP level. Adjusting for CRP level and based on serum ferritin level, the proportion of participants who were iron-deficient was 35.3%. The proportion of participants who had any degree of anemia was 70.5%.

Conclusion:
Administration of IVIS infusion was effective in raising the mean hemoglobin concentration and in replenishing the body iron reserve at 6 months post infusion.
A sequential study of Chikungunya fever cases notified in the urban setup of India
Authors: Gohil Jigna , Modi Anjali , Patel Hiteshree 
Published: November 2024

ABSTRACT

Context:
Chikungunya’s resurgence highlights reporting and awareness challenges.

Aims:
To analyze trends in 170 laboratory-confirmed Chikungunya cases in Urban Surat’s Central Sentinel Surveillance (2016-2020), supplemented by a subset (n = 30) examining perceptions, attitudes, and risk reduction practices based on notification level.

Results:
Notification rates peaked in 2017 (1.14 cases/100,000). A high House Index (>1) was observed in 59% (2018) and 58% (2019) of cases. Seasonal peaks occurred in November (31%) and December (24.7%), with no private sector notifications. Highest case rates were in South (9.2) and Southeast (8.1) zones. Over half of the cases in Central (69.2%), Southeast (67.2%), and South (52.8%) zones had a House Index >1 (P = 0.001), indicating significant indoor mosquito breeding. Median age was 37 years (30-43), with females comprising 65.3% of cases. Awareness of mosquitoes as vectors (40%) and their day-biting behavior (26.7%) was low, despite familiarity with Abate larvicide (60%). Prevention methods included mosquito coils (76%) and fumigation (73%), with less emphasis on water change (40%) and container maintenance (23%). Only 13% perceived Chikungunya as preventable, with low readiness for community engagement (13%). Misconceptions included considering chemical fogging sufficient (63%) and neglecting water-logging as a health concern (40%). Few implemented risk reduction measures (23% removing stagnant water, 20% weekly water change).

Conclusion:
Fluctuating notifications and unnoticed surges in 2019-2020 underscore the need for continuous, standardized surveillance. Higher case rates in southern and central regions were linked to high indoor breeding. The lack of private sector reporting and underreporting indicate a need for integrated surveillance. Awareness and adoption of Aedes-specific risk reduction practices remain low, with persistent misconceptions and poor attitudes.