bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Effect of a centric stabilization splint on masticatory muscles in patients with temporomandibular disorders: An electromyographic study
Authors: Gupta Abhishek Kumar , Gupta Rekha , Tiwari Bhawana , Verma Kirti 
Published: August 2024

Aim:
Occlusal splint treatment is commonly used to treat a variety of temporomandibular disorders (TMDs), with efficacy ranging between 70% and 90%. Centric splints are effective in relieving muscular soreness in individuals with TMD. Electromyography (EMG) quantifies muscle activity and can be used as an accessory diagnostic tool to evaluate the efficiency of the splint on the masticatory complex. Electromyography is used for assessing patients with TMD and observing muscle electromyography. TMD patients have altered electromyographic (EMG) masticatory muscle activity because of its change in electrical activity index or because of the compensatory mechanism for the disorder. Therefore, this study serves to evaluate the efficacy of the centric stabilization splint on TMD using EMG.

Settings and Design:
This cross-sectional study enrolled Ten TMD Patients with TMD, who underwent treatment with centric stabilization splint.

Materials and Methods:
The study involved ten young adults with TMD aged 18–45 years who were recruited without regard to sex, religion, caste, or socioeconomic background. The participants were randomized to receive a flat-contact upper stabilization splint and pregelled EMG electrodes to assess the immediate impact of centric splints on TMDs. After 3 months of follow-up, muscle activity and muscle symmetrical activity were measured to assess improvement in the symptoms of TMD.

Statistical Analysis Used:
The Shapiro–Wilk test was used to assess the normality of the variables' distribution using SPSS 26.0. Symmetrical activity and treatment response were investigated using the Wilcoxon signed-rank test.

Results:
It showed an improvement in the temporalis, masseter, and sternocleidomastoid muscles' resting EMG activity. A statistically significant improvement was seen in the EMG activity of the bilateral temporalis, right masseter, right sternocleidomastoid, and left digastric muscles while clenching. The masseter, sternocleidomastoid, and digastric muscles all displayed significantly enhanced symmetrical activity (P < 0.05).

Conclusions:
This research concludes that a centric stabilizing splint assists in relieving TMD symptoms. There was enhanced masticatory muscle activity both at rest and during function. Furthermore, there was an improvement in symmetrical activity of the masticatory muscles, which improved balance and enhanced the effective functioning of the masticatory complex.
Molecular identification and genetic diversity of biting midges (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae) in the tropical environment on Hainan Island, China
Authors: Lu Yaj , Su Jie , Cheng Shi , Hu Yax , Xia Qianf 
Published: August 2024

Background & objectives:
Biting midges are hematophagous arthropods responsible for zoonotic infectious diseases and have a wide distribution in temperate and tropical latitudes of the world.

Methods:
The genomic DNA of midge samples was extracted using the Chelex method and the ITS1gene was amplified by PCR to identify the midge species via BLAST. The sequence characteristics and the genetic diversity were analyzed using ClustalOmega, DnaSP, Arlequin, PopART, and TCS software tool. The validity of the ITS1 gene as a DNA barcode marker was evaluated using DAMBE. The phylogenetic relationship was established in the MEGA software. The ABGD web determined the species boundary and the SDT software visualized the pairwise sequence comparisons.

Results:
A total of 39 midge samples possessed the range from 364 to 429 bp of the ITS1 sequences. The midge samples were identified as Culicoides imicola, Culicoides oxystoma, Culicoides peregrinus, Culicoides jacobsoni, Forcipomyia peregrinator, and Culicoides fulvus, respectively. The ITS1 sequences had 288 conserved sites (60.25%), 167 variable sites (34.94%), 141 parsimony-informative sites (29.50%), and 26 singleton sites (5.44%), with a considerable sequence variation with a high haplotype diversity. Populations in Lingao, Haikou, Tunchang were relatively independent, with a low level of gene flow. A separate population of Forcipomyia genus in Danzhou was observed.

Interpretation & conclusion:
The biting midges in Hainan, a tropical island, had abundant genetic diversity. Timely surveillance is a crucial control measure for the spread of midge-borne diseases.
Molecular characterization of Armigeres Subalbatus from Hyderabad region of Telangana state, India
Authors: Madpathi Siddaiah , Daravath Samba Shiva , Bannoth Reddya Naik 
Published: August 2024

Background & objectives:
The mosquito Armigeres subalbatus (Coquillett, 1898) is a significant vector for Japanese encephalitis infection, and breeds in high organic polluted water. Understanding mosquito diversity and there abundance in relation to mosquito-borne diseases is an important component for public health managers. Though the conventional methods for systematic position of mosquito species by using morphological characteristics is a classical method, but it requires perfect expertise and well preserved specimen. Conversely, the molecular analysis of mitochondrial cytochrome C oxidase subunit I (COI) serves as a gene-centric DNA barcoding approach and offers a promising alternative method for mosquito species identification.

Methods:
The study at hand delves into the morphological characteristics of Armigeres subalbatus were compared with COI- gene to ensure a more dependable verification for identification of mosquito species found in Hyderabad region of Telangana.

Results:
The 489 base pair amplicons were acquired and deposited into the NCBI Gene Bank nucleotide database under the accession number MG686500. The maximum likelihood tree infers that, the Hyderabad species was diverged from USA and Japan species but had ancestral relationship with Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Maharastra, Kerala and Goa species.

Interpretation & conclusion:
Mitochondrial gene (COI) based DNA barcoding is the most reliable and potential alternative technique to identify the mosquito species.
Predominance of DENV-3 among patients in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso
Authors: Ouattara Abdoul Karim , Toyin Bello Shoukrat Ohuwa , Ouédraogo Alphonsine , Traoré Lassina , Djigma Florencia Wendkuuni , Simporé Jacques 
Published: August 2024

Background & objectives:
Dengue is an emerging vector-borne viral disease in tropical and subtropical areas such as Burkina Faso that experienced dengue outbreak in, 2013, 2016, 2017 and more recently in 2023. This study aimed to determine the seroprevalence and dengue serotype in suspected patients in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso.

Methods:
The study was conducted during October and November 2023 and included suspected febrile patients seen at HOSCO and CERBA. Plasma or serum samples were used for the detection of non-structural proteins (NS1) and IgM and IgG antibodies against the dengue virus using SD Bioline Dengue Duo rapid detection kit. Viral RNA was extracted using the QIAamp Viral RNA Mini Kit and dengue serotypes were determined by real-time RT-PCR using the Dengue Real-TM Genotype kit.

Results:
The study population consisted of 896 patients, including 397 (44.3%) men and 499 (55.7%) women. Dengue seroprevalence was 16.5% (148/896) with 14.1% (126/896) of patients positive for the NS1 antigen, 1.3% (12/896) positive for IgM, and 2.7% (24/896) positive for IgG. Serotyping among 40 out of 45 positive patients revealed 77.5% (31/40) DENV-3, 17.5% (7/40) DENV-1, and 5.0% (2/40) DENV-2.

Interpretation & conclusion:
The present study report a high seroprevalence of dengue virus infection among patients during the months considered as the peak of infection in Burkina Faso. The results revealed a predominance of DENV-3. Continuous surveillance of dengue virus serotypes circulating in Burkina Faso is crucial.
Demographic trend in dengue infection
Authors: Rajeswari Raja , Raman Radhika , Nivek N P , Rasheed R Syed , Raajasri R D Niranjhana 
Published: August 2024

Background & objectives:
Dengue fever is one of the most common causes of undifferentiated tropical fevers in hospitalized children across India with the highest recorded morbidity and mortality in children less than 15 years. Although common, there is still a knowledge gap regarding epidemiological factors. The aim was to study the clinical profile and demographic trend over the past 5 years in children with confirmed dengue infection.

Methods:
Observational study of children admitted as inpatients over the past 5 years and diagnosed with dengue infection by serology. Categorical data were presented as percentages. Data regarding rainfall was collected from rainfall statistics from the Indian Meteorological website and correlated based on the T-test. The incidence of dengue infection in COVID-19 predominant years was analyzed using the correlation plot and trend of severe dengue infection over the years was noted by Line plot.

Results:
The study showed a positive correlation between rainfall and an increase in the incidence of cases. There were relatively reduced number of cases during COVID-19 which was interpreted from the correlation plot. The Line plot determined the trend of severity of presentation and more severe cases presented in the years 2019, 2021 and 2022.

Interpretation & conclusion:
Other than the pathophysiology, studies to understand the change in the severity of clinical presentation each year could help in augmenting the vector control measures accordingly.
Profile of gastroduodenal perforation patients admitted in a rural tertiary care hospital: An observational cross-sectional study
Authors: Bose Gourab , Ray Amit , Ali Shah Nawaz , Ishore Kaushik 
Published: August 2024

Abstract

Background:
Gastro-duodenal perforation is a common surgical emergency that remains a formidable health burden worldwide with significant morbidity and mortality. Ulcer disease remains the most common cause of gastro-duodenal perforation. Diagnosing the presence of H. pylori can help eradicate the infection from the community at large and thereby reduce the chances of gastro-duodenal perforation.

Aims:
To assess the clinical presentation of gastro-duodenal perforation patients and to evaluate the detection of Helicobacter pylori infection by available investigations.

Materials and Methods:
A descriptive observational study was conducted among 80 patients presenting with clinical features suggestive of gastro-duodenal perforation and confirmed by clinical, radiological basis and operative findings admitted at a rural tertiary care hospital during 2019-2020. Detailed history was taken from the patient/party, clinically examined, and blood/tissue samples were investigated. The patients were managed with standard treatment modality in the studied institute. Data were collected, compiled, and entered MS Excel and analyzed using appropriate software. Descriptive analysis was done in the form of proportion for categorical variables, mean or median for continuous variables.

Result:
Cases of gastro-duodenal perforations were more among middle to later age of life, mostly affecting married male patients hailed from rural area and unskilled workers. History of intake of spicy food, prolonged starvation, history of NSAID use were common among them. Majority of the patients had history of pain abdomen in the past suggesting of PUD and history of taking variety group of acid reducing agents. Most of them presented with epigastric pain, vomiting, abdominal distension along with other signs of peritonitis. Obliteration of liver dullness and free gas under right dome of diaphragm was also noted in large proportion among them. Majority of cases were found positive for H. pylori on Histology (85%), followed by rapid urease test (RUT) (80%) and a positivity of 72.5% and 68.8% on serum IgG and IgA antibody respectively. Rapid Urease Test was more sensitive as well as specific in diagnosing of H. pylori than antibody detection test.

Conclusion:
Early detection of H. pylori infection and treatment with potent anti H. pylori therapy postoperatively has been found to be adequate.
Attitude and concerns on antenatal pelvic floor exercises among pregnant women in Ibadan, Nigeria
Authors: Yusuf Oluwatimilehin Azeezat , Lawal Olatunji Okikiola , Obajimi Gbolahan Oladele , Ughagwu Kelechukwu Peter , Owoeye Iseoluwa Philip , Alebiosu Boluwaduro Ogooluwa , Moradeyo Victoria Oyindamola , Babalola David Oluwasayo , Bianca Offorbuike Chiamaka , Bello Yusuf Olatunji , Lawal Temitayo Victor , Fagbamigbe Adeniyi Francis , Morhason-Bello Imran Oludare 
Published: August 2024

Abstract

Aim:
Several studies had investigated the importance and benefit of pelvic floor exercises (PFEs) to the pregnant women and their unborn babies, however, the concerns of antenatal women on the exercise have been sparsely investigated. This study examined the attitude and concerns of pregnant women towards engaging in PFEs in Ibadan, Nigeria.

Materials and Methods:
This was cross-sectional study of pregnant women aged ≥15 years. Participants were recruited at primary, secondary and tertiary health facilities. A face-to-face interview was conducted using a structured questionnaire with open and close-ended questions for data collection. Bivariate analysis was performed using chi-square and Fisher’s exact test to investigate the association between categorical variables. Multivariate analysis was performed with log-binomial and multinomial regressions to select significant variables that affect the attitude of pregnant women.

Results:
Of the 373 pregnant women recruited, 118 had ever practiced PFEs. A little below average (43%) performed PFE for less than 3 days a week. Ability to have easy childbirth was the most common motivator for practicing PFE. Participants were most concerned about abdominal pain. No association between any of the factors and participants’ attitudes.

Conclusion:
Though there was a positive attitude of pregnant women towards the PFE but the practice was low. This might be due to inadequate availability of information. We recommend health promotional messages to encourage pregnant women to engage in PFE as part of antenatal messages for healthy living.
Evaluation of the proximal femur using the digital photographs: Does change in proximal femur position due to anteversion affect the measurement of the size of the femoral head diameter?
Authors: Akinmokun Olasode Israel , Edem Utibeabasi Ime , Adeoye Olanrewaju Matthew 
Published: August 2024

Abstract

Background:
A plain pelvic radiograph is usually conducted with the lower limbs in internal rotation. This is to correct the anteversion of the femur. However, in the fracture neck of the femur, internal rotation of the fractured limb is avoided, because it would be painful. We examined the effect of correction of anteversion or otherwise on the diameter of the head of the femur using imaging.

Objectives:
This study aimed to determine if there was a significant difference between the femoral head diameter at two different positions, at the normal anatomical position (without correcting the anteversion) and at the corrected anteversion position. It also aimed to document the correlation and the statistical significance between the differences in the size of the diameter at these two different positions with the anteversion angles of the femoral bone.

Materials and Methods:
Two sets of digital photographs of the proximal part of 55 non-sexed, non-paired femoral bones were taken. Images obtained were at two positions: normal anatomical (with anteversion uncorrected) and anteversion corrected positions. The diameters of the head of the femur were documented at these two different positions. The anteversion angles and actual femoral head (AFH) diameters were also measured and documented.

Results:
The femoral head diameters at anatomical positions were persistently larger than those measured after the anteversion was corrected, except in three femoral bones (5%) where no differences were observed. The difference in the two measurements was statistically significant to the anteversion angle of the femoral bone. (P = 0.0005). The means of the two sets of measurements were statistically different from each other. Pairwise correlation showed that both were strongly associated with the AFH diameter but the measurements from images with corrected anteversion had a higher value (0.8166) than the measurements from normal anatomical position (0.7526).

Conclusion:
The correction of femoral anteversion produced femoral head size measurements that were closer to AFH diameters compared to those without the correction of the femoral anteversion. Femoral anteversion should always be corrected as per protocol.
Emergency department visits following transurethral resection of prostate in the elderly: Does duration of postoperative catheterization count?
Authors: Oyelowo Nasir , Sudi Abdullahi , Awaisu Mudi , Tolani Musliu Adetola , Lawal Ahmad Tijani , Ahmed Muhammed , Bello Ahmad , Maitama Hussaini Yusuf 
Published: August 2024

AbstractsBackground:Elderly patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia are increasingly having minimally invasive surgeries due to their safety. There is also a drive to minimize the duration of postoperative catheterization following transurethral resection of the prostate to reduce hospital stay and encourage early ambulation. These are desirable in the elderly to improve outcomes. Can early catheter removal be done safely in the geriatrics without an increase in presentation to the emergency department with complications? We compare the emergency presentation of elderly patients who had early and delayed catheter removal following transurethral resection of the prostate.Materials and Methods:This was a retrospective review of transurethral resection of the prostate in the elderly (≥70 years) within 2 years in a single hospital. All the patients had monopolar transurethral resection of the prostate and were categorized based on the duration of postoperative catheterization as either early (third postoperative day) or delayed (> third postoperative day). The duration of catheterization was based on surgeon preference. Patients with intraoperative complications were excluded. Data on clinical presentation, comorbidities, and presentation at the emergency department were retrieved and analysed.Results:Forty-one patients were studied with the mean age of patients being 76 ± 4 years. Twenty patients had early catheter removal and 21 had delayed catheter removal. A total of nine patients presented to the emergency department within the 30-day postoperative period with either bleeding urinary retention or incontinence requiring re-catheterization, six had early catheter removal, and three had delayed catheter removal. The catheter duration, preoperative ASA status prostate volume, and preoperative indwelling catheter were not statistically significant determinants of presentation to the emergency department in these elderly men. The presence of comorbidities assessed using the Charlson Comorbidity Index was a statistically significant variable to presentation at the emergency department after surgeryP= 0.006.Conclusion:Early catheter removal is safe in elderly patients following transurethral resection of the prostate, however, there is a risk of presentation to the emergency department with complications, especially in patients with comorbidities.
Reconstruction of gap non-union tibia with composite use of extramedullary fixation and bone transport by monorail fixator: a prospective case series
Authors: Kunwar Bom Bahadur , Maheshwari Vikas , Dhingra Mohit , Bhagat Saroj , Sah Saroj , Yadav Robin 
Published: August 2024

Abstract

Introduction:
Non-union is a complex, multifactorial orthopaedic problem that requires multiple treatment modalities for its management. It can result from infection, segmental bone loss, soft-tissue loss, and associated host factors. External fixators as management of gap non-union are bulky and give rise to a number of complications In our study, we have described a technique where we have used extramedullary fixation in the form of a tibial locking plate and transportation of part of the tibial bone after corticotomy by a monorail fixator.

Materials and Methods:
The procedure was done in two stages where internal and external fixation was done after creating a gap at the non-union site. The bone was transported after corticotomy and fixed to the internal fixation device in the second stage. The external fixator was removed in the second stage and the patient was then followed up till the bony union. The evaluation was done by functional and radiological assessment along with the complications noted with the described procedure.

Results:
Ten patients were enrolled in the study with a mean age of 33 years. The mean age of the patients was 33.7 ± 11.32 years with a mean size of the defect was 4.8 ± 1.7 cm. At 30 weeks out of nine patients, three patients had excellent and six had good functional results on the Association of Surgeons for Application and Methodology of Ilizarov (ASAMI) scale. The composite Musculoskeletal Tumor Society (MSTS) score was 76.66 % at the end of 30 weeks of follow-up. The mean time of consolidation was 134.4 days, whereas the mean union time was 145 days from index surgery. Ankle stiffness was the most common complication affecting 50% of the patients. Following closely was pin tract infection, which was present in 40% of the patients. According to Paley’s classification, there were 11 obstacles, two problems and none were true complications.

Conclusion:
The integrated fixation is both safe and effective and has the advantage of early removal of the external fixator and a low complication rate as compared to use of a bulky conventional fixator alone. Moreover, it gives protection to the regenerated bone for a long period. So, this technique can be recommended for the management of segmental tibial defects.
Sociodemographic patterns of spinal tuberculosis patients from a tertiary care teaching hospital: A 5-year cross-sectional study
Authors: Ifthekar Syed , Ahuja Kaustubh , Yadav Gagandeep , Mittal Samarth , Trivedi Vaibhav , Kandwal Pankaj 
Published: August 2024

Abstract

Background:
The distribution of spinal tuberculosis (STB) differs due to variations in lifestyles, socio-economic conditions, geographical locations, available medical services, and other factors. In the literature, very few studies have been done on demographic profile and morphological distribution of tuberculosis (TB) spine. We conducted this study to identify the disease distribution and various parameters affecting the disease in our area which caters to populations from both plains and hills.

Materials and Methods:
This was a cross-sectional study using 5-year retrospective data retrieved from medical records, Department of Orthopaedics of a tertiary care teaching hospital, from April 2015 to October 2020. The patient distribution was studied according to the different variables.

Results:
A total of 286 patients were enrolled in the study. Females amounted to 54.96% (n = 159) of the total and 46.1% (n = 127) were males. The mean age of the demographic group was 36.9 years (2.5–80 years) (±SD = 17.63). The majority (46.5%) of the patients were young adults in the age group (21–40 years). The majority of deficits were seen in the dorsal spine (n = 27) followed by multifocal contiguous lesions (n = 22). Among the patients having single-segment disease, 33.9% (n = 61) involved the lumbar spine and 28.7% (n = 52) involved the dorsolumbar spine. Multifocal Potts disease amounted to 36.25% (n = 105) of the total patients.

Conclusions:
Female preponderance was observed in our study. Involvement of the lumbar spine was the most common form involving single-segment disease followed by dorsolumbar, dorsal, and cervical spine. The multifocal contiguous type of affection of STB was found to be the most common type of STB.