bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Vitiligo-associated ocular abnormalities in Egyptian patients
Authors: Khaled Hesham N. , Ahmed Taghreed N. , Salama Ahmed A. 
Published: September 2024

Background
Vitiligo is a skin disorder in which the melanocytes are destroyed. Melanocytes can be destroyed anywhere in the body, compromis ing the function of the organs where they are found. Melanocytes in the epidermis and the uveal tract share a common embryological origin in addition to physiological and morphological similarities.

Objective
To evaluate the vitiligo-associated ocular abnormalities in Egyptian patients.

Patients and methods
The study included 30 vitiligo patients and 30 age and sex-matched healthy volunteers as a control. Complete history taking, general, dermatological, and ophthalmic examination including visual acuity test and dilated fundoscopy were performed on all patients as well as controls.

Results
Regarding ocular changes, it was significantly higher in cases than controls. Also, there was a significant relation between the presence of ocular changes and certain types of vitiligo (the facial then the acrofacial). Moreover, there was a significant relation between VASI score and family history.

Conclusions
There is a reasonable percentage of Egyptian vitiligo patients who are found to have ocular changes. Also, there is an important relationship between ocular changes and the history of vitiligo in the family. It is possible to predict ocular changes in some patients because we know that they are associated with a certain type of vitiligo which is the facial then the acrofacial.
Vesicoureteral Reflux – Insights into Diagnosis and Management
Authors: Belli Afroditi , Nikolakea Melina , Mourmouris Panagiotis I. 
Published: September 2024

Abstract
Vesicoureteral reflux (VUR) is the most common congenital condition of the urinary tract. A plethora of imaging methods and treatment plans are described in literature and are used in clinical practice. The aim of this article is to analyze the available diagnostic tests and the pharmaceutical, endoscopic, and surgical options of our therapeutic armamentarium. A literature search on the PubMed database was conducted by two writers. Randomized controlled trials and meta-analyses were included, all published in PubMed and in the English language from 2011 to this day. After reviewing the full texts, we excluded duplicates, papers regarding secondary disease and those without a pediatric reference population. Regarding the mostly used imaging tests, voiding cystourethrography is considered the reference method for the diagnosis and grading of the disease, but it entails exposure of patients to ionizing radiation. Voiding urosonography has a similar sensitivity but is highly dependent on the operator’s experience. Renal scintigraphy with dimercaptosuccinic acid remains a useful test for detecting renal scars. As far as management is concerned, continuous antibiotic prophylaxis, though previously doubted, remains a valid therapeutic option, especially for lower grades of VUR. Open surgical techniques and their modern–laparoscopic and robotic–variations are useful for dealing with high-grade disease, while endoscopic methods have sufficient efficacy and are utilized more and more. The diagnosis and treatment of VUR are constantly evolving areas. New diagnostic methods are replacing the older ones, while the treatment algorithm is individualized.
Inflammatory Pseudotumour Post - Hernia Repair: An Unusual Cause of a Right Groin Mass
Authors: Xanicia Long Jiahuan 
Published: September 2024

Abstract
Inflammatory pseudotumors (IPTs) are rare benign lesions resulting from unregulated growth of inflammatory cells and can be found in different anatomical locations. They are most commonly reported in the lungs or head-and-neck region, and less commonly in the genitourinary system. We report a case of an 85-year-old male with a history of hernia mesh repair presenting with a right groin mass. Radiological investigations revealed a solid inguinal mass without intrascrotal extension. The mass was excised en bloc, and postoperative histopathological examination revealed an IPT.
The Role of l-Methionine in the Reduction of Recurrences of Chronic Bacterial Prostatitis: A Pilot Study
Authors: Stamatiou Konstantinos , Perletti Gianpaolo , Naber Kurt 
Published: September 2024

Abstract

Introduction:
L-methionine has been used for many years as an aid in the treatment of urolithiasis and as a prevention of further occurrence of struvite crystal formation by the acidification of the urine. Acidification of urine has been also used as a technique to treat and prevent symptomatic urinary tract infections. The current pharmacological research in the field of bacterial prostatitis focuses on the combinations of available antibiotics with prostatic microenvironmental modifiers for the prevention and treatment of chronic bacterial prostatitis (CBP) clinical recurrences. We aimed to study whether, in addition to antibiotic therapy, acidification of urine and prostatic microenvironment decreases CBP recurrences.

Materials and Methods:
This study was conducted between February 01, 2019, and December 20, 2020. The patient population included subjects with a confirmed diagnosis of CBP (National Institutes of Health [NIH] category II), history of CBP recurrences, and prostate calcifications confirmed on the transrectal ultrasound (TRUS) examination of the prostate. Symptom severity was self-estimated with the NIH-Chronic prostatitis Symptom Index (CPSI) and the International Prostatic Symptom Score (IPSS) questionnaires. Participants were randomly assigned to two groups. All underwent TRUS and the Meares–Stamey “four-glass” test. Patients of both groups received antimicrobial treatment (according to the results of susceptibility tests) for 30 days, while patients of Group 2 received additionally l-methionine 500 mg b. i. d for 2 months. After 4 weeks of therapy, the NIH-CPSI and IPSS tests were repeated. Follow-up included also interview, physical examination, TRUS, and “four-glass” test. Patients were followed for 6 months.

Results:
A total of 10 patients (5+5) were investigated in both groups. No significant differences were found between groups regarding median age, prostate volume, and bacterial susceptibility. Microbiological eradication occurred in similar proportions between the two groups. Similarly, the resolution of clinical symptoms occurred in equivalent numbers of patients belonging to Groups 1 and 2. Analysis showed in both groups highly significant improvements of symptoms, assessed with both the NIH-CPSI and IPSS tests. No difference in the number and location of calcifications after treatment between groups was also found. One patient of Group 1 experienced a clinical recurrence within 6 months after conclusion of treatment.

Conclusion:
No clear recommendations can be made from this pilot study. Thus, the preventive effect of l-methionine remains unknown and evidence for its use in this setting is lacking, but randomized trials with large numbers of participants would help to determine the role of urinary acidification in the treatment or prevention of recurrent CBP.
Effects of fentanyl and dexmedetomidine as adjuvants to bupivacaine in paravertebral block for postoperative analgesia in patients undergoing modified radical mastectomy: A prospective randomised double-blind study
Authors: Pani Nibedita , Sahu Padmalaya , Swain Deepti , Biswal Chetna , Pradhan Amit , Routray Sidharth Sraban 
Published: September 2024

Background and Aims
Paravertebral block (PVB) is an established method, indicated for postoperative analgesia after modified radical mastectomy (MRM). Although many additives to bupivacaine in PVB have been tried to prolong the analgesia in postoperative period, no additive has been found without any adverse effects. We have compared the duration of analgesia in PVB using adjuvants like dexmedetomidine and fentanyl with bupivacaine after MRM.

Methods
A total of 60 female patients enroled for MRM were divided into two groups of 30 patients each. Group BF received PVB with 20 ml bupivacaine 0.25% with fentanyl 1 mg/kg and group BD received 20 ml bupivacaine 0.25% with dexmedetomidine 1 mg/kg for PVB. After confirming successful PVB, surgery was done under general anaesthesia. Time for first rescue analgesic request was the primary outcome of the study. The secondary outcome was comparison of visual analogue scale scores for pain and total analgesic consumption. Side effects like sedation, nausea, vomiting, bradycardia and hypotension in the postoperative period till 24 h were also assessed.

Results
The time for first rescue analgesic request was 6.32 ± 1.75 h in the BD group contrary to 3.94 ± 2.12 h in group BF (P < 0.05). Total paracetamol consumed as rescue analgesia in the first 24 h of postoperative period was remarkably reduced in group BD (1.7 ± 0.94 gm) in contrary to group BF (2.6 ± 0.98 gm) (P < 0.05). There was no significant difference in the incidence of complications between the groups.

Conclusion
Dexmedetomidine provides prolonged postoperative analgesia compared with fentanyl when used as an adjuvant to bupivacaine in PVB after MRM.
Comparison of the analgesic efficacy of ultrasound-guided transmuscular quadratus lumborum block versus thoracic erector spinae block for postoperative analgesia in caesarean section parturients under spinal anaesthesia—A randomised study
Authors: Bakshi Apoorva , Srivastawa Surabhi , Jadon Ashok , Mohsin Khalid , Sinha Neelam , Chakraborty Swastika 
Published: September 2024

Background and Aims
Truncal blocks play an important role in multimodal analgesia regimens to manage the postoperative pain after lower segment caesarean section (LSCS). This study was aimed to compare the analgesic efficacy of ultrasound (US)-guided transmuscular quadratus lumborum block (TQLB) and thoracic erector spinae plane block (TESPB) in parturients of LSCS done under subarachnoid block (SAB).

Methods
In a randomised and double blind study, 60 parturients scheduled for

LSCS under spinal anaesthesia were randomly divided into two equal groups
group E (n = 30) and group Q (n = 30). After surgery, each parturient received either US guided bilateral TQLB (group Q) or TESPB (group E) with 20 ml 0.375% ropivacaine and 4 mg dexamethasone on each side. Assessments were done at 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12 and 24 h. The primary objective was to compare the duration of analgesia (first request to rescue analgesia) and the secondary objectives were to compare pain scores [numerical rating score (NRS)], total amount of tramadol consumption, incidence of nausea-vomiting, parturient satisfaction and other adverse effects in 24 hours postoperatively.

Results
The duration of analgesia (mean ± standard deviation) was comparable in group E (11.90 ± 2.49 h) and group Q (12.56 ± 3.38 h), P = 0.19. Pain scores (NRS) at rest and on movement were comparable at all time points of 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, and 24 h (P > 0.05). The amount of tramadol used was comparable in group E and group Q (P = 0.48).

Conclusion
TESPB and TQLB are equally efficacious to provide postoperative analgesia after LSCS done under SAB when used as a part of multimodal analgesia.
Investigating molecular features that influence blood − brain barrier permeability of compounds
Authors: Saxena Deeksha , Sharma Anju , Siddiqui Mohammed Haris , Kumar Rajnish 
Published: September 2024

Abstract

Introduction:
The blood–brain barrier (BBB) is a semipermeable border that is responsible for maintaining central nervous system (CNS) homeostasis in the brain. Screening compounds based on their BBB permeability is an important consideration for CNS-acting drug development. Several studies have attempted to link physicochemical properties to specific BBB permeability; however, there is no widely accepted rule that can determine how and to what extent molecular properties affect the BBB permeability of compounds. To understand the complex phenomenon of BBB permeability, we explored the vast molecular space of the compounds to determine whether some features could differentiate the compounds based on their BBB permeability.

Materials and Methods:
A dataset of 1951 compounds containing 1246 BBB-permeable and 705 BBB-nonpermeable molecules was used in the study. Each compound encoded 499 molecular features. Feature selection was performed using feature selection algorithms, feature-to-feature, and feature-to-permeability correlation analysis. The findings of the feature selection algorithms were merged to select the best set of 53 features.

Results:
The descriptive analysis of the molecular features suggests that nCXr (number of X on ring C[sp3]) feature values for BBB nonpermeable compounds are zero for all considered compounds except for compounds with PubChem ID 71260, Flurithromycin. In addition, the majority of compounds were found to have nCrq (number of ring quaternary C[sp3]) feature values of zero for BBB nonpermeable compounds. For BBB-permeable compounds, MACCS fingerprints 8 feature values for all 1951 compounds were found to be zero except for the compound with PubChem ID 146291, Dezinamide.

Conclusion:
The descriptive and nonparametric tests confirm that molecular feature distributions are significantly different for BBB permeable and BBB nonpermeable compounds.

The following core competencies are addressed in this article:
Medical knowledge.
Knowledge, Attitude, and Practice on Mercury Disposal by Preclinical and Clinical Students of a Dental College in Puducherry – A Questionnaire Survey
Authors: Ragavi R. Rai , John Bindu Meera , Jayakumar Srilekha , Sridhar Dinesh D. , Arumugam Karthikeyan , Srinivas Vineetha Chakravarthy 
Published: September 2024

Background:
Mercury-containing waste cannot be disposed of with other biomedical waste and has to be handled carefully. It is essential that students understand the proper guidelines regarding the same.

Objective:
The objective of this study was to evaluate the knowledge, attitude, and practices of handling mercury and mercury-containing waste among dental students.

Methodology:
A cross-sectional questionnaire survey was conducted among 237 preclinical and clinical students of a private dental college in Puducherry UT, India. A closed-ended, self-administered questionnaire consisting of 30 items was designed to elicit responses from study participants. The questionnaire had separate items to assess their knowledge, attitude, and practice.

Results:
Study participants provided wrong answers (<50% right responses) for a majority of items related to mercury/dental amalgam. A higher proportion of clinical students provided right answers for items relating to allergic response of mercury (P = 0.05), labeling containers with biohazard symbol (P = 0.05), handling characteristics (avoiding skin contact with freshly mixed amalgam) (P = 0.03), the storage of contact and noncontact amalgam (P = 0.03), and in following the protocol (P = 0.04).

Conclusions:
Overall, clinical students provided more right answers than nonclinical students. However, a statistically significant difference between the two groups of students was limited to only five items. Appropriate handling, manipulation, and disposal of mercury can be practiced only when there is adequate knowledge, awareness, and practice that was found to be lacking for 12 items and no significant differences for the remaining 13 items.
Effect on Quality of Life and Psychosocial Issues of Patients with Maxillofacial Fractures in Rural Setting
Authors: Sureshkumar Laxmi , Patil Pankaj , Iyer Yamuna 
Published: September 2024

Background:
Maxillofacial injuries are a serious public health problem and are often associated with severe morbidity, disfigurement, and psychological problems. The life of the patient often takes a turn for the worst and he/she has to face many difficulties moving forward. Analysing and determining the quality of life of such cases will give us a better understanding and insight and will further improve the care and treatment of the patients.

Aims:
Analyse and evaluate the psychosocial impact of maxillofacial fractures on individuals who were healthy pre-trauma.

Material and Methods:
The participants are the 30 patients with facial trauma reported to the Department of Oral and maxillofacial surgery of the School of Dental Sciences and Krishna hospital, Karad, who will be required to undergo surgical treatment (i.e., Open reduction and internal fixation for facial fractures) and are willing to participate in this study. All 30 patients were given a questionnaire form modified from the pre-existing Acute Stress Disorder Scale, Oral Health Impact Profile questionnaire and Posttraumatic Diagnostic Scale, which includes questions regarding speech, sense of taste, pain, uncomfortable eating, orientation, tension, unsatisfactory diet, interrupted meals, difficulty to relax, embarrassment, irritability, occupational dysfunction, etc. during their 15 days follow up appointment post-surgery. This obtained data was then analysed and was subjected to appropriate statistical analysis.

Result:
In a study sample of 30 patients, 8% were found with intense psychosocial issues due to trauma, 14% had a moderate, and 18% had mild issues that affected the quality of their life post-trauma.

Conclusion:
The study shows a great need for psychological screening and evaluation of patients with maxillofacial injury/fractures due to trauma to improve the patient's physical and psychological recovery.
Evaluation of Two Colorimetric Microplate Microtiter Tests for Susceptibility Testing of Clinical Isolates of Mycobacterium tuberculosis to First-line Antituberculosis Drugs
Authors: Tarhan Gülnur , Akgün Sadik , Bilgin Mehmet , Akbulak Sami 
Published: September 2024

Abstract

Background:
Drug-resistance tuberculosis (TB) is one of the most important global public health problems. Accurate and rapid drug-susceptibility testing is critical for the effective treatment of TB patients. Various colorimetric methods are used for anti-TB drug-susceptibility testing (DST) and minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) determination. This study was conducted to evaluate the resazurin microtiter assay (REMA) and malachite green decolorization assay (MGDA).

Methods:
A total of 65 Mycobacterium tuberculosis strains isolated from patients with suspected TB using REMA and malachite green microtiter assay methods were tested against streptomycin (SM), isoniazid (INH), rifampicin (RIF), and ethambutol (ETB). The Mycobacterial Growth Indicator Tube 960 DST method was accepted as the gold standard in the evaluation of test results.

Results:
The sensitivity of REMA and MGDA tests was found to be 87.5% and 62.5% for INH, respectively. RIF and SM sensitivity for both tests was 100%. While ETB sensitivity was 81.8 for the REMA test, this rate was 60% for the MGDA test. Specificity of both tests varied between 92.5% and 98.2% according to the drug types.

Conclusion:
REMA and MGDA are a simple, rapid, and low cost. They can be used as an alternative test for drug-susceptibility testing and MIC determination. Extensive studies and standardization are needed for the routine use of both tests.
Role of Prophylactic Surgery in Spinal Tuberculosis: A Retrospective Study from Eastern India
Authors: Acharya Abhijit , Panigrahi Souvagya , Senapati Satya Bhusan , Deo Rama Chandra , Mahapatra Ashok Kumar , Puppala Sumirini , Panigrahi Subhankar 
Published: September 2024

Abstract

Background:
Tuberculosis (TB) is broadly classified into pulmonary and extrapulmonary TB. Skeletal TB is considered to be a form of extrapulmonary TB whose incidence is around 1% of all forms of TB. The incidence of spinal TB is more than 50% of the entire skeletal TB.

Methods:
A total of 92 consecutive patients, treated over a period of 2 years (January 2021–January 2023), are retrospectively analyzed.

Results:
In our study, out of 92 patients, the pain had subsided in 90% of cases, and 12 patients showed improvement in motor power postoperatively. In our study, the patients have benefited due to the surgical intervention in decrease of pain and improvement in motor deficits in patients. The 29 patients who were operated on prophylaxis with pain as the only symptom benefitted from the resolution of the symptom of pain and did not develop any morbidity in their long-term follow-up. The sensory and bladder/bowel symptoms did not improve after surgery.

Conclusions:
In the author’s view, prophylactic surgery for spinal TB is safe and effective with confirmation of the disease. However, a well-designed randomized controlled trial, to definitely and objectively prove the usefulness of prophylactic surgery, is needed.
Disseminated Tuberculosis: Clinical Presentation, Diagnosis, and Outcomes in a Tertiary-Care Hospital in Saudi Arabia
Authors: Abuabat Faisal , Badri Motasim , Abuabat Salman , Alsultan Sultan , Baharoon Salim , Alharbi Abdullah , Khan Ayaz , Al-Jahdali Hamdan 
Published: September 2024

Abstract

Background:
Tuberculosis (TB) is the primary infectious cause of mortality worldwide. Although TB incidence and prevalence are declining, the use of immunosuppressive drugs and the growing prevalence of immunocompromising conditions such as comorbidities, malignancies, and the use of immunosuppressive agents are risk factors for disseminated TB (DTB). This study aims to identify the relevant clinical, laboratory, radiological, and histopathological features of DTB, as well as to assess the typical anatomical distributions and treatment outcomes of patients diagnosed with the disease at King Abdulaziz Medical City (KAMC).

Methods:
A retrospective chart review was conducted, including all patients diagnosed with miliary or DTB at KAMC with retrievable medical files.

Results:
The study included 55 patients, of whom 35 (63.6%) were male and the median age was 64 years old. 35 (63.6%) of the infected patients were timely diagnosed and eventually cured from the illness. The most common comorbid conditions were diabetes, chronic kidney disease, and immunocompromising conditions, which were present in 37 (67.2%), 12 (21.8%), and 11 (20%) of the patients, respectively. The most common presenting symptoms were fever and cough, present in 31 (56.3%) and 26 (47.2%) of the patients, respectively, followed by weight loss in 25 (45.4%), night sweats in 15 (27.2%), and shortness of breath in 14 (25.4%). Approximately two-thirds of the patients had pulmonary miliary TB (MTB) (38; 69.1%), followed by TB lymphadenitis (21; 38.2%), central nervous system involvement (13; 23.6%), skeletal involvement (11; 20%), gastrointestinal involvement (5; 9.1%), pleural involvement (3; 5.5%), and urogenital TB (2; 3.6%). The mortality rate was 14 (25.5%) patients.

Conclusion:
MTB is challenging to diagnose due to nonspecific clinical, laboratory, and imaging findings. Clinicians dealing with patients who are at risk of developing DTB should be aware of the typical presentations and abnormal clinical findings. They should also have a low threshold to initiate specific investigations for the disease, as early diagnosis and effective treatment is critical in reducing morbidity and mortality rates.