bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Evaluation of Synbiotics in the Prevention of Ventilator-Associated Pneumonia: A Randomized, Triple-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Clinical Trial
Authors: Kasiri Faranak , Soltani Rasool , Khorvash Farzin , Ataei Behrooz , Nasirian Maryam , Hakamifard Atousa 
Published: August 2024

Abstract

Background:
Ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) is one of the most common nosocomial infections. The role of probiotics in preventing VAP is still questionable. This study aimed at evaluating the effect of synbiotic FamiLact 2plus on the prevention of VAP in patients admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU).

Methods:
A total of 80 mechanically ventilated patients were included and divided into two groups of 40. Group 1 received FamiLact 2plus, and group 2 received placebo. The outcome variables were compared, including the incidence of VAP, the time interval between the onset of ventilation and VAP, the duration of mechanical ventilation, and the length of stay in the ICU.

Results:
VAP is documented in four patients (10%) in group 1 and 11 patients (27.5%) in group 2 (P = 0.045). The length of stay in the ICU in group 1 was significantly shorter than in group 2, and the time interval between the start of intubation and the onset of VAP in group 1 was longer than in the placebo group. During the intervention, 15 patients in group 1 (37.5%) and 26 patients in group 2 (65%) developed diarrhea, which was a significant difference (P = 0.02).

Conclusions:
Synbiotic is associated with a reduction in the incidence of VAP as well as a reduction in ICU stay and delayed VAP.
Intra-operative Predictors of Neurological Outcomes After Cardiac Surgery
Authors: Barnawi Amjad I. , Albouri Danah Y. , Alsaeed Aljowhara H. , Fallatah Bassam A. , Mahmoud Ahmed E. , El-Goneimy Yasser A. 
Published: August 2024

Abstract

Background:
Despite the advancement in surgical techniques, neurological complications encountered post-cardiac surgery remain significant. Stroke, seizure, and deep coma are major postoperative neurological complications reported in numerous patients. This study aims to identify perioperative predictors for neurological complications and focus on the relationship between these predictors and major neurological complications, particularly stroke, seizure, and deep coma.

Materials and Methods:
This retrospective cohort study was conducted among patients who underwent cardiac surgery between January 2014 and December 2020 at King Fahd Hospital of University, Khobar, Saudi Arabia. Out of 432 patients who had surgery, only 331 patients met the inclusion criteria. A comparison was made between patients who developed postoperative neurological complications and those who did not. The collected data was analyzed using the Statistical Package of Social Sciences program version 29 (Armonk, NY: IBM Corp. USA).

Results:
There were 50 patients with postoperative neurological complications compared to 281 patients with no complications. The rate of perioperative haemodynamic instability was higher in the complication group (14/48, 29.2%) compared to the non-complication group (47/238, 19.7%). Stroke was the highest neurological complication encountered (14/50, 28%).

Conclusions:
Perioperative haemodynamic instability is more common in patients with postoperative neurological complications compared to patients with no complications. Additionally, stroke is the most common major neurological complication. Aortic surgeries, combined surgeries, and haemodynamic instability are the most common perioperative predictors of stroke.
Dermoscopic features in relation to the type of clinical lesions in cutaneous leishmaniasis
Authors: Al Chalabi Qasim S. , Al Salman Hala N. , Al harbawi Anfal L. 
Published: August 2024

Background
Cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) is an endemic disease in our region. Early management of the disease is crucial to control the spread of the disease and prevent complications.

Objective
To determine the dermoscopic characteristics of CL lesions and their relation with the clinical types.

Patients and methods
Ninety-three patients (248 lesions) were enrolled in this cross-sectional study. Each lesion was examined using a dermatoscope after confirming the diagnosis of CL by a slit smear and direct identification of the parasite by Giemsa-stained slides using a light microscope. The data were recorded, analyzed, and tabulated.

Results
A total of 124 noduloulcerative, 83 plaques, 20 papules, 13 nodules, and eight ulcerative lesions were included in this study, the limbs were the most frequently affected site (210 lesions). Diffuse background erythema was found in all lesions, in 97 lesions the erythema was dusky red, light red in 145 lesions, and yellowish red in six. Most lesions (76.2%) had hyperkeratosis with central erosion and ulceration. Yellow tears (103 lesions) were the most common dermatoscopic finding, they were observed more commonly in nodular and noduloulcerative lesions (P value <0.05). The next common dermatoscopic signs were a white star-burst-like pattern (41 lesions) and salmon-colored ovoid seen in 37 lesions, both of them seen more frequently in nodular and noduloulcerative lesions (P value <0.05). Vascular structures (232 lesions) were more prevalent in nodular and noduloulcerative lesions (P value <0.05). The most frequent vascular signs were linear irregular vessels in 69 lesions, followed by comma-shaped vessels in 51, and dotted in 48 lesions.

Conclusion
Yellow tears, white starburst-like pattern, and salmon-colored ovoid structures were the most frequent dermatoscopic signs observed and were significantly associated with nodular and noduloulcerative type, limbs were the most common affected site. Linear irregular, comma-shaped, and dotted vessels were the most frequent vascular pattern in nodular and noduloulcerative lesions. Therefore, these signs with the clinical examination might help dermatologists to diagnose CL in endemic regions.
Immunohistochemical assessment of SOX10 and its relation to the immune cellular infiltrate in alopecia areata follicles
Authors: Awad Sherif S. , AbdelRahman Amal , Gabril Manal , Nageh Keroles , Rezk Ahmed F. 
Published: August 2024

Background
Alopecia areata (AA) is a nonscarring patchy hair loss that can extend to affect all body hair. Many hypotheses for autoimmunity onset in AA have been reported and the immune privilege collapse theory is the most accepted.

Objective
To evaluate the immunohistochemical expression of SOX10 within the AA hair follicles as one of the melanocytic markers as well as its relation to the inflammatory infiltrate.

Patients and methods
The current observational descriptive hospital-based cross-sectional pilot study included 16 patients with AA. Skin biopsies were taken from the border of the alopecic patch, and cross-sectioned hair follicles were examined by H and E and SOX10 immunostaining after assessing activity using a hair pull test. Follicles in cut sections were numbered and evaluated for the presence as well as the density of perifollicular lymphocytic infiltrate. Moreover, counting of SOX10+ cells was performed for the immunostained sections.

Results
The study included 16 patients with AA, six (37.5%) males and 10 (62.5%) females, ranging in age from 5 to 40 years (median = 18.5, IQR = 9.5–27). Based on the hair pull test, nine (556.3%) patients had active disease, while seven (43.8%) patients were apparently stable. Within the 81 examined AA follicles, 53 showed SOX10+ expression that showed a significant positive relation with the inflammatory infiltrate (P=0.001).

Conclusion
SOX10 is clearly expressed in the hair follicles of AA and is significantly related to the mononuclear infiltrates that accompany the pathogenesis of the disease. Therefore, melanocytes may carry the antigenic epitope required to initiate the organ-specific autoimmunity in AA, and this may explain the regrowth of only white hair follicles in some cases of AA.
Prevalence profile of cutaneous T- and B-cell lymphoma in Gharbia Governorate, Egypt
Authors: Elwan Nagwa M. , Badawy Dina A. , Atlam Salwa A. , Hassan Ghada F. R. 
Published: August 2024

Background
Lymphomas represent a heterogeneous group of lymphoid malignancies with varied patterns of clinical behavior and responses to treatment. The WHO classification distinguishes lymphoid neoplasms derived from precursor lymphoid cells from those derived from mature lymphoid cells and separates each group into neoplasms of B-cell or T-cell origin. T-cell lymphomas represent 82.9%, while B-cell lymphomas account for 21.3% of cutaneous lymphomas.

Objective
To study the prevalence of cutaneous T- and B-cell lymphomas in Gharbia Governorate, Egypt from 1999 to 2019.

Patients and methods
This descriptive, retrospective study was based on the records of patients clinically and pathologically diagnosed with T- and B-cell lymphoma from 1999 to 2019 and registered in registry unit of Tanta Cancer Center and the outpatient clinic of Department of Dermatology and Venereology, Tanta University.

Results
The prevalence rate of cutaneous T-cell lymphoma was 3.04 P/m population, with a male-to-female ratio of 1 : 1.15, while the prevalence of B-cell lymphoma was 0.63 P/m population, with a male–to-female ratio of 1.4 : 1 in Gharbia Governorate, Egypt at the end of the study. The highest prevalence rate of T- and B-cell lymphoma (2430 P/m population) was recorded in the age group of over 80 years and the least prevalence rate (21.25 P/m population) was recorded in the age group of 10–20 years.

Conclusion
T-cell lymphoma was more common than B-cell lymphoma, both are diseases of the older age group, and there was no sex predilection for T-cell lymphoma distribution and a slight elevation of male ratio in B-cell lymphoma distribution.
Assessment of Oral Care after Oral Health Education in Diabetes Mellitus Patients: A Cross-sectional Study
Authors: Jahnavi Thondamanati , Suneelkumar Chinni , Swapna Sannapureddy , Pranaviteja Paleti , Anumula Lavanya , Vallapareddy Sriya Saatwika 
Published: August 2024

Introduction:
Diabetes mellitus (DM) is the most common chronic endocrine disorder of the 21st century with serious health consequences. DM is a significant systemic risk factor for oral diseases. Oral complications of DM can be irreversible and devastating. The awareness among diabetic patients regarding oral diseases and their complications is low.

Aim:
The aim of this cross-sectional study was to assess the cognizance of diabetic patients regarding associated oral health conditions using a prequestionnaire, educate them, and assess their education after 1 month using a postquestionnaire.

Methodology:
A customized questionnaire was developed and given to 160 known DM patients who signed the consent form and were willing to participate in the research, through which data were collected before and after educating DM patients.

Results:
The data collected from the questionnaires were compiled, statistical analysis was done in SPSS Statistical software, and qualitative data were summarized in frequencies and percentages. The Fisher’s exact test was performed to analyze the oral hygiene practices for pre- and post-survey data.

Conclusion:
After health education, 100% of the participants knew that DM causes oral health problems, and 100% were aware of periodic follow-ups. This implies that the oral health behavior of the patients can be further improved by continuous motivation by the dental health-care providers over oral health education.
Comparative Evaluation of the Effect of 25% Aluminum Chloride Solution, Chitosan Hemostatic Dressing, and 980 nm Diode Laser on the Pushout Bond Strength of Angelus Bio C-Repair Material: An In vitro Study
Authors: Krishnegowda Sahadev Chickmagravalli , Jaganath Bharath Makonahalli , Rudranaik Sandeep , Harnad Amritha Bhat 
Published: August 2024

Background:
To evaluate and compare the effect of 25% aluminum chloride solution, chitosan hemostatic dressing, and 980 nm diode laser on the pushout bond strength of Angelus Bio C-Repair when used as a furcal perforation repair material.

Materials and Methods:
Forty extracted human maxillary molars were collected, with 10 teeth in each group. Furcal perforations were simulated and were contaminated with human blood, except for one group. The contaminated groups were treated with 25% aluminum chloride, chitosan hemostatic dressing, and 980 nm diode laser, or none at all. All the perforations were repaired using Angelus Bio C-Repair and later tested for pushout bond strength using a universal testing machine.

Results:
The pushout bond strength of Angelus Bio-C Repair material was found to be highest with the aluminum chloride group followed by diode laser and chitosan hemostatic dressing and the test groups gave better results compared to the control group.

Conclusion:
Aluminum chloride still stands out as a gold standard to attain hemostasis. However, diode lasers and chitosan can give promising results.

Clinical Significance:
Aluminum chloride, diode lasers, and chitosan can be invariably used to attain hemostasis at the perforation site and Angelus Bio-C-Repair material can be used clinically to seal the perforation site with its added benefits of premixed syringe form.
Association of Anxiety in Patients Visiting Dental Institution
Authors: Deepa Anumala , Susmitha Koppuravuri Venkata Tirumala , Katuri Kishore Kumar , Boyapati Ramanarayana , Adurty Chaitanya , Dhulipalla Ravindranath 
Published: August 2024

Aim:
(1) To compare the association of anxiety in patients with different age groups, different education qualifications, and income. (2) To assess the frequency of anxiety in dental patients visiting dental institution for the first time.

Materials and Methods:
A cross-sectional study was conducted among 366 patients who were seeking dental treatment for the first time in a dental institution. The Modified Dental Anxiety Scale was used to assess dental anxiety levels in patients visiting dental institution. Descriptive analysis and one-way ANOVA analysis were carried out using IBM SPSS Statistics, version 21.0.

Results:
The total prevalence of dental anxiety in patients visiting dental institution for the first time was 28.7%. Results showed that anxiety levels were more in 25–35 years of age (3.32) than in 46–50 years of age (2.08). Patients with low education (3.31) showed higher anxiety levels than patients with higher education (2.06), and low-income patients (3.41) showed more anxiety than patients with higher income (1.98). It was observed that the local anesthetic injection was the most anxiety-provoking item in the overall sample with a mean score of 3.69.

Conclusion:
The findings of the current study concluded that there is a prevalence of anxiety in dental patients visiting for the first time. Efforts should be made by dentists using customized psychological and pharmacological interventions to reduce anxiety and enhance patient compliance toward treatment.
Stress and Its Downside among Medical and Dental Students: A Questionnaire-based Study
Authors: Yaramapu Kavya , Anumula Lavanya , Chinni Suneel Kumar , Prasanth Punamalli Symon , Govula Kiranmayi , Reddy Swapna Sannapu 
Published: August 2024

Aims:
This study assesses the prevalence and characteristics of stress experienced by medical and dental students in their final year of education.

Materials and Methods:
This research was a single-point, cross-sectional observational study. A semi-structured, semi-validated questionnaire was used to collect demographic information. The questionnaire was designed to gather data from a sample size of 500 students from different medical and dental colleges in the state. It was administered using Google Forms and included established tools such as the General Health Questionnaire, the Warwick-Edinburgh Mental Wellbeing Scale, and the Higher Education Stress Inventory. In addition, institution-specific questions were incorporated. The attitudes of the participants were evaluated using a Likert scale.

Data Analysis:
Five hundred and fifteen responses were collected, with 266 MBBS students (51.7%) and 249 BDS students (48.3%) participating. The respondent pool consisted of 77.5% female students and 22.5% male students. The findings revealed that stress was occasionally reported by 52.2% of BDS students and 55.2% of MBBS students. Furthermore, 20.48% and 22.2% of BDS and MBBS students, respectively, reported experiencing stress often. The present study employed the Chi-square test for data analysis and utilized bar and pie charts to present the results.

Conclusions:
The study reveals a substantial portion of students experience stress, impacting their well-being and academic performance. College administrations need to prioritize addressing this issue by implementing support mechanisms that can help students manage academic pressure and cope with stress during their educational tenure.
Serum Magnesium Levels and Their Association with Severe Pneumonia in Children
Authors: Saxena Shivi , Rajeshwari K. , Kumar Deepak , Goswami Binita 
Published: August 2024

Background:
Magnesium, an essential intracellular cation, is implicated in various physiological functions, including metabolic reactions, cardiac functions, and immunological responses. Magnesium deficiency has been associated with clinical conditions, particularly in critically ill children with severe pneumonia. However, data on magnesium levels and their impact on outcomes in the pediatric population are scarce.

Methods:
A cross-sectional study was conducted in a pediatrics department over a year, including 40 children aged 2–59 months with severe pneumonia. Serum magnesium levels were measured, and associations with demographic factors, nutritional status, and clinical outcomes were explored. Statistical analysis employed SPSS Statistics, and a P < 0.05 was considered significant.

Results:
Out of 40 children with severe pneumonia, 9 (22.5%) had hypomagnesemia, with a significant association with malnutrition (P = 0.04). Out of 9 hypomagnesemic children, 4 were either moderately or severely malnourished, while the remaining 5 were well nourished. Hypomagnesemia demonstrated a significant correlation with hypocalcemia, with 8 out of 9 children with hypomagnesemia exhibiting concurrent hypocalcemia (P = 0.022). In addition, children with hypomagnesemia experienced a statistically significant longer hospital stay compared to normomagnesemia and hypermagnesemia counterparts (P = 0.028).

Conclusion:
This study highlights the prevalence of hypomagnesemia in children with severe pneumonia and its association with malnutrition, hypocalcemia, and prolonged hospitalization. However, magnesium levels did not significantly affect ventilation modes and overall survival. Larger studies are warranted to further elucidate the complex associations.
Acute rheumatic fever and Takayasu arteritis – A synchronous co-occurrence
Authors: Vaideeswar P , Sabnis G 
Published: August 2024

ABSTRACT
Acute rheumatic fever and Takayasu arteritis are examples of autoimmune diseases that commonly affect the cardiovascular system. We report an infrequent co-occurrence of both these diseases in an adolescent male. It may appear that in some individuals, the rheumatic fever may act as a trigger for the development of large vessel vasculitis. This possibility should be considered in patients on follow-up if they develop fresh features of cardiovascular compromise despite appropriate medical, interventional, or surgical therapy for rheumatic heart disease.
In vitro anthelmintic activity of fresh fruit juice of Solanum verbascifolium Linn. against digenetic trematodes
Authors: Faslana Abdul Razzak Fathima , Paheerathan Vijitha , Senevirathne Menike Anusha Indukumari 
Published: August 2024

Abstract

Background:
The substantial costs of conventional anthelmintics, the presence of drug residues in animal products, and the increasing prevalence of anthelmintic-resistant strains have spurred research on medicinal plants as alternative anthelmintic sources. This study evaluates the anthelmintic activity of Solanum verbascifolium Linn. fruit juice against digenetic trematodes.

Materials and Methods:
This study involves testing the efficacy of S. verbascifolium fruit juice at varying concentrations (10, 50, and 100 mg/mL) on five groups of rumen fluke worms. Albendazole (10 mg/mL) was used as the positive control, while distilled water was used as the negative control. Rumen flukes, digenetic trematodes found in the cow’s gut, were selected to simulate worms commonly found in the human gut.

Results:
The results indicated a statistically significant association between the different concentrations of the fruit juice and their anthelmintic activity. All concentrations of S. verbascifolium fruit juice demonstrated anthelmintic properties. Notably, the 50 and 100 mg/mL concentrations exhibited a significant effect on the worms compared to the standard drug albendazole.

Conclusion:
This study concludes that the fruit juice of S. verbascifolium possesses promising anthelmintic properties in vitro. These findings indicate the potential use of the botanical as an anthelmintic drug, warranting further investigation and development.
The Quality of Life of Medically Versus Surgically Treated Primary Open-Angle Glaucoma Patients at a Nigerian Hospital
Authors: Oduneye Femi C. , Musa Kareem O. , Agboola Sefinat A. , Idowu Oluwatobi O. , Onakoya Adeola O. 
Published: August 2024

PURPOSE:
The purpose of this study is to compare the quality of life (QoL) of medically treated versus surgically treated primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) patients attending Lagos University Teaching Hospital, Lagos, Nigeria.

METHODS:
The study was a hospital-based, comparative cross-sectional study. Consecutive consenting POAG participants who met the inclusion criteria were recruited until the sample size was achieved. QoL of all participants was assessed using the glaucoma QoL-15 and National Eye Institute Visual Function Questionnaire-25 (NEI-VFQ-25) questionnaires. Analysis was done using the IBM statistical package for the social sciences version 25.0.

RESULTS:
The study involved 81 participants who were only on medical treatment for POAG and 81 age- and sex-matched POAG participants who had trabeculectomy surgery. Surgically treated participants had a lower mean intraocular pressure 11.68 mmHg when compared to the medically treated participants 14.82 mmHg. Medically treated participants however had a better overall mean glaucoma QoL using the glaucoma QoL-15 (medical 34.36 ± 10.4, surgical 39.11 ± 13.9 P = 0.015) and NEI-VFQ-25 questionnaires (medical 68.32 ± 15.0, surgical 62.44 ± 18.8 P = 0.029). Controlling for the severity of glaucoma using the glaucoma QoL-15 questionnaire, medically treated participants had a better QoL only among participants with severe POAG (medical 49.13 ± 5.9, surgical 54.06 ± 4.6 P = 0.003). While using the NEI-VFQ-25 questionnaire, medically treated participants had a significantly better QoL only among participants with moderate (medical 74.70 ± 6.6, surgical 67.07 ± 15.6 P = 0.012) and severe POAG (medical 54.52 ± 6.3, surgical 45.51 ± 10.0 P = 0.004).

CONCLUSION:
The study demonstrated that although participants that had trabeculectomy had a lower mean intraocular pressure, their overall mean QoL was reduced compared to the medically treated participants.