bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Morphological Variability of Permanent Mandibular First Premolar Teeth in Manipuri Population
Authors: Premlata Takhellambam Devi , Priyadarshini Shamurailatpam , Kaur Amandeep , Deepak B.S. , Kshetrimayum Nandita , Sanjeeta Ng. 
Published: September 2024

Aim:
To investigate anatomical and morphological variability of permanent mandibular first premolar teeth in the population of Manipur state of Indian subcontinent.

Materials and Methods:
Four hundred and eighty teeth from a pool of Manipuri population were studied for anatomical and morphological variability using staining and clearing technique. All samples were evaluated for the number of roots, root canals, root canal configuration, presence of lateral canals, intercanal communications, and apical deltas.

Results:
Single root with one canal was present in 81.25% (390/480) and single root with two canals in 18.75% (90/480) of samples. Root canal configuration according to Vertucci's classification was as follows: Type I (43.7%) followed by Type V (25%), Type VI (12.5%), and Type II, III, and VII (6.25%). Intercanal communications in the apical third were 12.5% (60/480) and 6.25% (30/480) in the middle third of the root. Occurrence of lateral canals in the apical third was 18.75% (90/480). Apical delta was found in 37.75% (180/480) of samples.

Conclusion:
The results of this study highlight the variability patterns of mandibular first premolar tooth existent in the population of the state of Manipur. Single-rooted teeth are most common with predominantly Vertucci's Type I root canal configuration and significant presence of lateral canals and apical ramifications.

Clinical Significance:
Sound knowledge of anatomy of the root canal and possible variations can contribute to a successful treatment outcome.
Student-led Seminars as an Enforcement-learning Method for Human Anatomy – Dentistry Students’ Perspectives
Authors: Patnaik Poonam , Singh Dalvinder 
Published: September 2024

Background:
The “student led seminar (SLS)” is one in which students prepare and present selected topics through multi-source research with the assistance and guidance of the faculty. Teamwork is increasingly emphasized in health care, and team training is now considered to be essential in medical education. Small group learning promotes active learning and develops communication and teamwork skills. It also improves problem-solving skills, attitudes, and the development of interpersonal skills.

Aim of the Study:
The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of SLSs as a teaching-learning method for Bachelor of Dental Surgery undergraduates through students’ perception.

Methodology:
This was a prospective, observational study conducted for 5 months among 1st year dentistry students. The students were divided in small groups and the topics for the seminar were allocated for presentation according to the roster. Each group was given 20 min for presentation, 10 min for question time and discussion. A hard copy of the slides presented was also collected. Feedback was taken on pretested questionnaire containing 11 Likert-based items on a five-point scale. Descriptive statistics were applied for each item question. Cronbach’s alpha test was applied to check the internal validity of the questionnaire. Satisfaction rate and index were calculated. Fischer’s exact test was applied to find the odds ratio of satisfaction rate between male verses female students and hosteller verses day scholar students for each item question separately. Student’s t-test was applied to determine the difference in the performance of students in the first and second internal assessments at P = 0.05 significance level.

Results:
Among the participants, 32 were female (mean age 19 ± 1.46) and 18 were male (mean age 20 ± 1.82) students. Ninety-five percent of students agreed that the seminars improved their self-confidence and enhanced their presentation skills, helped them acquire a deeper understanding of the topic, an opportunity to use resources (time, electronic gadgets, and media) responsibly, even outside the bounds of the lecture theatre. Overall, mean score on Likert scale was 3.9 ± 0.307. The satisfaction rate and index were the highest for question 3. The second term examination result showed statistically significant improvement over that of the 1st term.

Conclusions:
The student seminar is a potentially important resource of the teaching-learning method that has yet to be fully implemented and therefore needs to be incorporated into the medical curriculum on a regular basis.
Oral Hygiene Awareness among Pregnant Women in Chennai
Authors: Somasheker Gayathri , Lakshmi S Pudhumai , Vishwanath Nandhini , Rao Sumathi H. , Thirugnanasambandam Geetha 
Published: September 2024

Background:
The association between preganancy and poor oral health and its effects on preterm low birth infants are well documented in scientific literature. A pilot study was conducted with 160 pregnant women in the year 2016 showed that oral hygiene awareness among pregnant women was least among those who did not complete basic school education. This was the motive to conduct the present survey.

Aims and Objectives:
The Aim of this survey is to determine the knowledge and awareness on oral hygiene practices and to evaluate the role of education status on awareness of poor oral health and pregnancy outcomes among 500 pregnant women in Chennai city, Tamil Nadu, using self-tested questionnaire.

Materials and Methods:
A Descriptive cross sectional study was conducted among 500 pregnant women attending maternity clinics in Chennai using Self administered questionnaire.

Results:
Among 500 participants majority of them 72% of school educated never visited dentist. Only 6.2% of Undergraduate women was referred by gynecologist for dental check up during pregnancy. 31.3% of school educated felt that first trimester was safe to undergo dental treatment with p=0.000.

Conclusion:
This survey showed that level of education played a significant role in awareness about oral hygiene among pregnant women.
Evaluation of phototherapy effects on platelet numbers and volumes in neonates with unconjugated hyperbilirubinemia in Sulaimani city/Kurdistan region/Iraq
Authors: Mohammad Hayder Fakhir , Abdulqadir Shano Yassin , Abdulla Dea Ali , Ibrahim Hawnaz Muhamad 
Published: September 2024

Abstract:

BACKGROUND:
Unconjugated hyperbilirubinemia is a rather common disease that affects 60% of term and 80% of preterm infants within their 1st week of life. Phototherapy is considered the safest method for the treatment of unconjugated hyperbilirubinemia in neonates, which is the most common problem in the neonatal period.

OBJECTIVES:
To identify the effect of phototherapy on platelet numbers and volumes, and if the duration of treatment, gestational age, birth weight and other factors have some influences on this effect.

PATIENTS, MATERIALS AND METHODS:
A prospective cohort study was conducted from November 1, 2023, to April 1, 2024. Seventy-four neonates were enrolled in this study including males and females (1.39:1), with different gestational ages and birth weights. Neonates were selected according to the specific inclusion and exclusion criteria. Thorough history and physical examination performed with several laboratory investigations sent. Total serum bilirubin measured before starting phototherapy, after 24 hours, 48 h, 72 hours, and 4 days later. SPSS program was used to code, enter, and process the gathered data.

RESULTS:
Platelet number in general decreased with increasing duration of phototherapy regardless of other parameters (P = 0.045). In correlation to the duration of phototherapy and time of jaundice appearance, it was statistically significant for only neonates who required phototherapy for more than 4 days and time of jaundice appearance between 1 and 3 days (P = 0.042). Platelets number decreased with increasing duration of phototherapy especially in low birth weight and very low birth weight neonates, P value 0.028 and 0.047 respectively. There were statistically significant values (P = 0.002 and P = 0.001) in the correlation of decreasing platelet numbers to gestational age and duration of phototherapy, especially more evident with gestational age below 37 weeks (preterm) and in periods after 24 h and 72 h. There were no statistically significant values in platelet volumes in correlation to any of the previous parameters.

CONCLUSIONS:
Platelets number decreased with phototherapy management, and it is more evident with longer phototherapy duration, low birth weight and early onset, while platelet volume not affected. Hence, it is recommended to avoid unnecessary prolongation of phototherapy.
Immunological Depiction of Synthetic B-cell Epitopes of Mycobacterium tuberculosis
Authors: Sharma Niharika , Khandelwal Vishal , Kumar S , Joshi B , Mohanty Keshar Kunja 
Published: September 2024

Abstract

Background:
To combat the tuberculosis (TB) epidemic, the development of a better and faster diagnosis or more effective vaccine is essential. Pulmonary TB (PTB) is one of the major causes of morbidity and mortality. Early diagnosis of TB is difficult. Serological assays have been performed with several antigens of laboratory strains such as Mycobacterium tuberculosis H37Rv which have not been found to be highly sensitive. In the present study, various peptides were synthesized which were predicted on the basis of immunoreactivity and differential expression in clinical isolates of M. tuberculosis compared to their expression in a laboratory strain of M. tuberculosis. Therefore, the aim of this study was to compare the antibody levels in PTB and healthy controls against these peptides.

Methods:
An effort was made to evaluate antibody response to peptides derived from proteins Rv2588c, Rv0512, Rv0148, Rv0896, and Rv0635 of M. tuberculosis in PTB patients and healthy individuals through enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Five milliliters of venous blood samples was collected from each participant, and serum was separated and stored until use.

Results:
Antibody levels against these peptides, Rv2588c, Rv0512, Rv0148, Rv0896. and Rv0635 in 139 PTB patients and 52 healthy controls were evaluated. Higher immune response was observed in PTB patients when compared with healthy individuals. Strong immunoglobulin G responses with high percentage, considerable difference among patients and healthy controls was observed with P < 0.0001.

Conclusion:
In our study, we found significant statistical differences in antibody levels in PTB patients and healthy individuals against these peptides. These peptides are suggestive of being a potential new candidate (s) for early diagnosis of TB.
The Impact of IgG Administration on the Cellular Immunity Status in the Patients with Multidrug-Resistant tuberculosis/HIV with CD4 + Lymphocyte Cells below 50 Cells/ μl
Authors: Matsegora Nina , Kaprosh Antonina , Antonenko Petro 
Published: September 2024

Background:
Treatment of the patients with multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB)/HIV coinfection in a state of severely suppressed immune system remains unsatisfactory.

Methods:
The study involved 52 HIV-positive patients with MDR-TB and CD4+ lymphocyte cells below 50 cells/μCL. Patients in control group (Group 1) and in basic group (Group 2) received standard treatment with second-line antituberculosis agents and antiretroviral agents. In addition, the patients in basic group were treated by immunoglobulin G (IgG) intravenously. Immunological diagnostics with the determination of the level of lymphocytes subgroups (CD3+, CD4+, CD8+, CD4+/CD8+) was carried out using an AQUIOS™ CL flow cytometry device at the beginning and after 3–20 months of treatment. Statistical analysis was performed using the Statistica 10.0 software (Stat. Soft Inc., USA). Results: In the patients of Group 2, the absolute number of CD3+ and CD4+ cells at the end of the 20th month of the treatment normalized in 26.9% (absolute amount) and 42.3% (relative amount) of subjects, while in Group 1, this indicator remained below the normal level (P < 0.05). The addition of IgG into standard therapy caused normalization of CD8+ count in 76.9% of patients, while in the control group-only in 46.2% of patients (P < 0.05). Conclusions: The administration of IgG in combination with standard anti-tuberculosis and antiretroviral therapy (ART) contributes to the normalization of the cellular immunity status in patients with MDR-TB/HIV coinfection and severe immunosuppression and allows you to start ART earlier than in patients with single standard therapy
Early Safety and Efficacy of Linezolid-Based Combination Therapy among Patients with Drug-Resistant Tuberculosis in North-Western Nigeria
Authors: Dayyab Farouq Muhammad , Iliyasu Garba , Ahmad Bashir Garba , Habib Abdulrazaq Garba 
Published: September 2024

Background:The emergence of drug-resistant tuberculosis (DRTB) has continued to pose a threat to public health in sub-Saharan Africa and globally. Despite the high burden of tuberculosis (TB) in Nigeria, there are paucity of data on the safety and efficacy of newer agents and repurposed drugs used in the treatment of DRTB.Methods:This prospective cohort study was conducted at a regional DRTB treatment center in Kano, Northwestern Nigeria. Descriptive statistics, Mann–Whitney U-test, and Chi-square or Fisher's exact test were used to analyze the data as appropriate.Results:The median age of the patients was 32 years (interquartile range 26–42 years). Of the 39 patients, 34 (87.18%) were males. The majority of the patients came from the rural areas 25 (64.10%). By 10 months of initiation of combination therapy, 25 (64.10%) of the patients were alive, culture negative and on treatment while 14 (35.90%) of the patients have died. Out of the 39 patients in the cohort, 26 (66.67%) patients had at least one serious adverse event. The most common serious adverse events were hematological disorders (13 [35.14%] of 37 events) and neurological disorders (11 [29.73%] of 37 events). Peripheral neuropathy (P< 0.0001), anemia (P= 0.029), and skin reaction (P= 0.021) occurred more frequently among linezolid interrupters.Conclusions:In conclusion linezolid-based combination therapy, with linezolid at a dose of 600mg daily is associated with satisfactory culture conversion rate by 10 months of therapy. However, linezolid may be associated with peripheral neuropathy that may warrant interruption of the drug.
Cost Analysis for Patients with Presumed Pulmonary Tuberculosis Attended in the Public Health System of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Authors: Vater Maria Claudia , Maximo Mário Motta , Silva Rezende Moreira Adriana da , Alves da Silva Suely Conceição , de Almeida Isabela Neves , Kritski Afrânio Lineu 
Published: September 2024

Background:
In last years, few attention has given to the patient's prediagnostic costs when evaluating the introduction of new technologies for tuberculosis (TB) and in this context, this study evaluated patient's costs and cost-effectiveness incurred with TB diagnosis comparing BactecTMMGITTM960 system (MGIT) to the Löwestein–Jensen (LJ) culture in a health center and in a university hospital, in Rio de Janeiro City, Brazil.

Methods:
Patient's mean costs were evaluated during the diagnosis process and cost-effectiveness based on mean time in days for the adoption of appropriate clinical anti-TB treatment in two health units comparing culture by means LJ and MGIT.

Results:
The mean cost of LJ and MGIT in the health center was U. S. dollars (US$) 26.6 and US$ 45.13, respectively, and in university hospital was US$ 206.87 and US$ 285.48, respectively. Comparing the two approaches for TB diagnosis incurred by the patients, the incremental cost-effectiveness of MGIT compared to LJ was US$ 0.88 and US$ 4.03 per patient, respectively, to reduce the average time to adopt appropriate treatment.

Conclusions:
The culture method directly impacts patient costs while waiting for the correct diagnosis and contributing to aggravating costs with patients with TB.
A Cross-Sectional Study of Etiological and Sensitivity Profiling of Meningitis in Under-Five Children
Authors: Gahlot Tanushree , Kasana Dimple 
Published: September 2024

Objectives:
The study aimed to understand the organism spectrum and antibiotic sensitivity profile of acute bacterial meningitis in pediatric population.

Methods:
A cross-sectional study was conducted at the department of microbiology of a tertiary care center for a period of 18 months. Suspected cases of meningitis between 1 and 60 months of age were considered for the study. All cases underwent cerebrospinal fluid tap for direct microscopy (DM), Gram staining, and culture sensitivity.

Results:
The mean age of the study patients was 10.42 months, with 61.7% of males and 38.3% of females. DM and culture were positive in 22.90% and 28.00% of the patients, respectively. On Gram stain, there were 29 (59.18%) cases of Gram positivity and 20 (40.82%) cases of Gram negativity. The culture growth showed that Acinetobacter spp. was isolated in 15 (30.6%) of the cases. Enterococcus spp. was isolated in 9 (18.4%) of the cases. Klebsiella pneumoniae was isolated in 8 (16.3%) of the cases. Staphylococcus aureus was isolated in 8 (16.3%) of the cases. Enterobacter spp. was isolated in 3 (6.12%) of the cases. Pseudomonas aeruginosa was isolated in 3 (6.12%) of the cases. Streptococcus pneumoniae was isolated in 3 (6.1%) of the cases. The antibiogram of different agents showed wide variation, with colistin being 100% sensitive for Acinetobacter, Enterobacter, K. pneumoniae, and P. aeruginosa.

Conclusion:
The present study revealed that Acinetobacter, Enterococcus, K. pneumoniae, and S. aureus were the most common bacterial etiologic agents of ABM. The 100% antibiotic sensitivity of the organisms to some antibiotics may suggest the use of such antibiotics while awaiting for culture sensitivity reports.
A Laboratory-Based Analysis of Rapidly Growing Mycobacteria in Northwest Paulista, Sao Paulo, Brazil
Authors: da Silveira Paro Pedro Heloisa , Tonelli Nardi Susilene Maria , Ule Belotti Naiara Cristina , Tegon de Freitas Ana Carolina , de Souza Nilza Gomes , Chimara Erica 
Published: September 2024

Background:
Rapidly growing mycobacteria (RGM) are a group of nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) implicated in difficult-to-treat pulmonary and extrapulmonary diseases, possibly associated with invasive procedures and failures in sterilization of materials and equipment.

Methods:
We report our experience with the laboratory identification of RGM in a routine work and give an overview of the RGM isolated in our setting. Laboratorial data from all RGM mycobacterial isolates received at Adolfo Lutz Institute of São José do Rio Preto were analyzed from January 2000 to December 2015.

Results:
Five hundred and seventy-nine isolates were identified with NTM, of which 193 were RGM, which affected 113 patients. Among the 113 patients, the female gender was more frequent (55%) and the average age was 50 years. Pulmonary samples were the most frequent (79%), and 54.9% of the cases were isolated from sputum. Twelve different species were found and the most identified were group Mycobacterium abscessus and Mycobacterium fortuitum, making up 77.9% of all identified RGM. The most frequent comorbidities were smoking (n = 21), alcoholism (n = 12), and human immunodeficiency virus (n = 16). Drug susceptibility test was performed for nine patients and all showed susceptibility to amikacin and seven resistances to doxycycline.

Conclusions:
This study showed the experience of mycobacterial diagnosis in a routine laboratory, revealing that failure to meet the bacteriological criteria generates losses in the establishment of cases of RGM and consequently its correct treatment.
Impact and Cost-Effectiveness Evaluation of Nutritional Supplementation and Complementary Interventions for Tuberculosis Treatment Outcomes under Mukti Pay-for-Performance Model in Madhya Pradesh, India: A Study Protocol
Authors: Prinja Shankar , Sharma Atul , Nadipally Sudheer , Rana Saroj Kumar , Bahuguna Pankaj , Rao Neeta , Chakraborty Gautam , Shankar Manjunath , Rai Varsha 
Published: September 2024

Background:
A ”pay-for-performance” (P4P) intervention model for improved tuberculosis (TB) outcomes, called “Mukti,” has been implemented in an underdeveloped tribal area of central India. The target of this project is to improve nutritional status, quality of life (QoL), and treatment outcomes of 1000 TB patients through four interventions: food baskets, personal counseling, peer-to-peer learning and facilitation for linkage to government schemes. The current study aims to assess the success of this model by evaluating its impact and cost-effectiveness using a quasi-experimental approach.

Methods:
Data for impact assessment have been collected from 1000 intervention and control patients. Study outcomes such as treatment completion, sputum negativity, weight gain, and health-related QoL will be compared between matched samples. Micro costing approach will be used for assessing the cost of routine TB services provision under the national program and the incremental cost of implementing our interventions. A decision and Markov hybrid model will estimate long-term costs and health outcomes associated with the use of study interventions. Measures of health outcomes will be mortality, morbidity, and disability. Cost-effectiveness will be assessed in terms of incremental cost per quality-adjusted life-years gained and cost per unit increase in patient weight in intervention versus control groups.

Results:
The evidence generated from the present study in terms of impact and cost-effectiveness estimates will thus help to identify not only the effectiveness of these interventions but also the optimal mode of financing such measures. Our estimates on scale-up costs for these interventions will also help the state and the national government to consider scale-up of such interventions in the entire state or country.

Discussion:
The study will generate important evidence on the impact of nutritional supplementation and other complementary interventions for TB treatment outcomes delivered through P4P financing models and on the cost of scaling up these to the state and national level in India.
Primary tumor lymphangiogenesis in oral squamous cell carcinoma with N0 neck is the key determinant of its therapeutics
Authors: Tandon Ankita , Sandhya Kumari , Singh Narendra N. , Kumar Amit 
Published: September 2024

ABSTRACT

Background:
Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor-C (VEGF-C) plays a critical role in tumor growth and invasion through lymphangiogenesis and helps to identify the variability of lymphatic potential of oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) cases with or without lymph node metastasis.

Materials and Methods:
A total of 65 cases of OSCC were included. The clinical details were obtained from patient records. The cases were grouped as N0 versus any N categories. All the cases were immunohistochemically evaluated for VEGF-C within the primary tumor using a standard protocol. An average of 5 lymph nodes were dissected from all neck dissection specimens and were evaluated histopathologically. The data obtained were statistically evaluated at 95% confidence interval and P ≤ 0.05.

Results:
100% cases in our study showed VEGF-C immunopositivity. The immunoreactivity increased linearly with advancing grades. A total of 31 out of 40 N0 OSCC revealed score 2 (26%–50%) of VEGF-C immunoreactivity. Eighteen cases were false negative clinically.

Conclusion:
Recognition of locoregional spread may empower clinicians for correct therapeutic decisions in N0 versus any N case.