bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Exogenous Melatonin Supplement Contributes as Antioxidant to Attenuate the Oxidative Stress Induced by Cadmium Toxicity in Male Wistar Rats
Authors: Al-Zharani Mohammed Mousa , Almuqri Eman Abdullah , Ahmed Mohammed Mubarak , Aljarba Nada Hamad , Rudayni Hassan Ahmed , Yaseen Khadijah Nasser , Alkahtani Saad Hussin , Ali Nasr Fahd , Al-Doaiss Amin Abdullah , Al-Eissa Mohammed Saad 
Published: June 2024

Abstract

Background:
Melatonin is a peptide neurohormone naturally synthesized in the brain by the pineal gland. The basic function of melatonin is related to the causation and regulation of the sleep–wake cycle (circadian cycle). Cadmium (Cd) is a hazardous heavy metal and its toxic effects induce extensive tissue damage. The present study was undertaken to elucidate the efficiency of exogenous melatonin in attenuating Cd-induced oxidative stress.

Methods:
The experimental rats were allotted into four groups (n = 20), designated as untreated control, melatonin accessed, Cd exposed, and Cd exposed with access.

Results:
The hematological and biochemical parameters (serum and tissues) of Cd-exposed rats were significantly altered. Cd-exposed rats that received melatonin demonstrated increased erythrocytic indices; showed significantly increased levels of total proteins, catalase, total thiols, and glutathione; and exhibited decreased levels of blood Cd, urea, creatinine, bilirubin, malondialdehyde, and hydrogen peroxide.

Conclusions:
It was concluded that melatonin has an efficient antioxidant activity in attenuating oxidative stress induced by Cd.
An Ensemble of the Convolutional Neural Network Model with Fuzzy Fusion Rank Algorithm for the Identification of Parkinson’s Disease Using Magnetic Resonance Imaging Images
Authors: Mahendran M. , Visalakshi R. 
Published: June 2024

Abstract

Background:
Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a degenerative condition of the central nervous system primarily affecting the substantia nigra in the brain, resulting in the loss of dopamine-producing neurons and subsequent motor function deterioration. Early symptoms typically include hand tremors followed by bradykinesia, rigidity, postural instability, and decreased balance. Early diagnosis and proactive management are crucial for improving patients’ quality of life.

Methods:
In this study, an ensemble of deep learning (DL) models was developed to predict PD using DaTscan images. Initially, DL models (VGG16, ResNet50, Inception-V3 were utilized to classify PD in its early stage. Subsequently, to enhance the overall performance of the classification model, an ensemble strategy based on the fuzzy fusion rank algorithm was employed. The Parkinson’s Progression Markers Initiative database served as the evaluation dataset for the proposed model. This may offer some insight into why certain involuntary symptoms of PD occur, such as fatigue, irregular blood pressure, diminished peristalsis, and unexpected decreases in blood pressure. The ensemble model demonstrated superior recognition accuracy, precision, sensitivity, specificity, and F1-score, achieving 98.45%, 98.84%, 98.84%, 97.67%, and 98.84%, respectively.

Results:
Compared to individual models, the ensemble model demonstrated superior recognition accuracy, precision, sensitivity, specificity, and F1-score, achieving 98.92%, 98.84%, 98.84%, 97.67%, and 98.84%, respectively. In addition, a publicly available graphical user interface (GUI)-based software program was developed, leveraging magnetic resonance imaging for efficient and accurate classification of PD and its subclasses. The method outperformed contemporary techniques in PD detection, offering significant potential for real-time disease identification.

Conclusion:
The establishment of a GUI-based software application can substantially aid in the timely detection of PD, facilitating proactive management and improving patient outcomes. The study underscores the importance of leveraging advanced DL techniques and ensemble methods for accurate and efficient disease prediction. Moreover, the development of user-friendly software tools holds promise for widespread adoption and enhanced patient care in the field of PD diagnosis and management.
Correlation between Cardiac Output and Disease Severity in Intubated COVID-19 Patients: Insights from Ultrasonic Cardiac Output Monitoring in Intensive Care Unit Settings
Authors: Hashemian Seyed Mohammadreza , Khoundabi Batoul , Jamaati Hamidreza , Sadr Makan , Safdari Hassan , Rashidi Farzad , Varahram Mohammad , Noraee Navid , Bahrami Ashkan , Eshraghi Reza 
Published: June 2024

Abstract

Background:
The COVID-19 pandemic has affected millions globally, and still continues to do so. Regarding the cardiovascular influences of COVID-19, this study aimed to investigate the relationship between cardiac indices, particularly cardiac output (CO), and severity of disease.

Methods:
This retrospective cohort study was conducted on intubated COVID-19 patients admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU). The study involved analyzing data from mechanically ventilated patients, excluding those with preexisting cardiovascular or pulmonary comorbidities. Hemodynamic parameters were evaluated by ultrasonic cardiac output monitoring (USCOM), and the severity of disease was evaluated by acute physiology and chronic health evaluation (APACHE II) and sequential organ failure assessment (SOFA) scoring systems.

Results:
The study included 41 patients, predominantly male with an average age of 63.1 years. Hemodynamic parameters and scores were reported for 6 days. This showed significant changes in CO, SOFA, and APACHE II over time (with P = 0.02, 0.04, 0.03, respectively). A negative correlation was found between CO and both SOFA and APACHE II scores (P < 0.05), indicating that as CO increased, the severity scores decreased.

Conclusion:
This study emphasizes the importance of continuous hemodynamic monitoring in ICU settings for COVID-19 patients. The correlation between CO and severity scores suggests that USCOM, along with APACHE II and SOFA, can be crucial in assessing the dynamic clinical state of patients, contributing to better management and potentially improving outcomes.
First Molecular Identification of Phlebotomine Sandflies (Diptera: Psychodidae) in Nineveh Governorate, Northern of Iraq
Authors: Al-Joary Younis Ibrahim Mohammed Ali , Al-Hamdani Muneef Abid Mustafa 
Published: June 2024

Abstract

Background:
The dipteran phlebotominae sandflies are considered a major threat to public health because they are proven vectors of leishmaniasis, phleboviruses, and some species of pathogenic bacteria. Therefore, scientists paid great attention to studying it at the phenotypic and molecular levels. In Iraq, leishmaniasis is considered an endemic disease and exists in its visceral and cutaneous forms (Baghdad boil). Its spread is greater in the southern regions than in the northern regions due to high temperatures, which in turn leads to an increase in the widespread of the sandflies. Given the lack of studies in the northern region of Iraq, this study was conducted and included a survey of all provinces of the Nineveh Governorate (the second governorate in Iraq in terms of population density).

Methods:
The sandflies collection process was performed during the period from May 2023 to February 2024, and DT150-TUN light traps were used for this purpose. For the initial phenotypic identification, several taxonomic keys of the subfamily phlebotomine were used as male genitalia, pharynx, and female spermatheca. Conventional polymerase chain reaction based on the amplification of the COI gene was performed for the molecular process of 60 captured sandflies from about 34 regions and 89 sites. Before performing a phylogenetic tree, high-quality sequences are matching with the closest global isolates in the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI).

Results:
A total of 4861 (2034 males and 2827 females) sandflies were captured in the current study and five species were identified belong to two genera (Phlebotomus and Sergentomyia). Sandflies were found to be more widespread in Mosul province and Phlebotomus papatasi was the most widespread of the rest of the species. Molecular results confirmed the other results of the study, and isolates of the identified species were recorded in NCBI.

Conclusion:
The current study demonstrated the importance of sandflie identification using molecular methods and was able for the first time from molecular identification of three species in Iraq. It is also the first molecular study of sandflies at the level of the Nineveh Governorate
Significance of Various Diagnostic Modalities in Detection of Tuberculosis in Cervical Lymphadenopathy: A Study of 200 Cases
Authors: Dharwadkar Arpana , Ingale Yaminy , Deokar Nayonikha , Vyawahare Chanda , Vishwanathan Vidya , Chandanwale Shirish S. 
Published: June 2024

Background:Extrapulmonary tuberculosis (EPTB) makes for 25% of all instances of tuberculosis (TB) patients. The enigmatic clinical presentation of EPTB makes identification difficult since it simulates other chronic conditions such as neoplastic and inflammatory disorders and could culminate in treatment that is either insufficient or not required. For an affirmative and confirmed diagnosis, a substantial level of suspicion is imperative. The paucibacillary feature of EPTB makes diagnosis extremely difficult and necessitates the use of many diagnostic methods to arrive at a precise diagnosis. In December 2010, the World Health Organization recommended using GeneXpert/cartridge-based nucleic acid amplification test (CBNAAT) for the initial assessment of suspected cases of EPTB. Furthermore, fine-needle aspiration cytology (FNAC), Ziehl–Neelsen (ZN) stain, and the CBNAAT have to be utilized to exclude other possible origins of granulomatous inflammation. The goal of the current investigation is to comprehend how FNAC and ZN stains relate to CBNAAT and their diagnostic value.Methods:The evaluation included all suspected instances of tubercular lymphadenopathy, and adequate aspirates were obtained from the site of the enlarged cervical lymph nodes. Smears were made following FNAC and stained with ZN stain as well as hematoxylin and eosin stain. Simultaneously, CBNAAT and culture evaluations were conducted on the same aspirates. This cross-sectional study took place at a tertiary care center and encompassed 200 individuals with clinical manifestations of EPTB.Results:There were 200 cases of suspected tubercular lymphadenitis (TBLN). According to the FNAC results, TBLN was detected in 71 (47.6%) of these 200 cases, followed by necrotizing lymphadenitis in 56 (37.5%), chronic caseating granulomatous lymphadenitis in 47 (31.5%), and reactive lymphadenitis in 26 (17.4%). They were correlated with CBNAAT results, which showed that all instances of tuberculous lymphadenitis, 85.71% of cases of necrotizing lymphadenitis, 55.32% of cases of chronic caseating granulomatous lymphadenitis, and 2 (7.69%) cases of reactive lymphadenitis were CBNAAT positive.Conclusion:CBNAAT should be utilized with FNAC and ZN staining to diagnose EPTB. The CBNAAT assay demonstrated a significant advantage in the identification of previously unidentified FNAC patients. Despite being a simple diagnostic tool, FNAC has a lower specificity and significantly lower precision than CBNAAT in correctly identifying cases of EPTB because it exhibits similar cytomorphological characteristics with lesions that are not associated with TB.
Exploring help-seeking pathways and disparities in substance use disorder care in India: A multicenter cross-sectional study
Authors: Ghosh Abhishek , Mahintamani Tathagata , Somani Aditya , Mukherjee Diptadhi , Padhy Susanta , Khanra Sourav , Arya Sidharth , Suthar Navratan , Prasad Sambhu , Haokip Hoeineiting Rebecca , Guin Aparajita , Rina Kumari , Basu Aniruddha , Mishra Shree , Das Basudeb , Gupta Rajiv , Singh Lokesh Kumar , Nebhinani Naresh , Kumar Pankaj , Kaur Ramandeep , Basu Debasish 
Published: June 2024

Background:Substance use disorders (SUDs) are among the leading causes of morbidity in the population. In low- and medium-income countries like India, there is a wide treatment gap for SUD. A multicentric study on the care pathways for SUD in India can help to understand service provision, service utilization, and challenges to improve existing SUD care in India.Aim:We aimed to map pathways to care in SUD. We compared the clinical and demographic characteristics of patients who first consulted specialized services versus other medical services.Methods:This was a cross-sectional study of consecutive, consenting adults (18–65 years) with SUD registered to each of the nine participating addiction treatment services distributed across five Indian regions. We adapted the World Health Organization’s pathway encounter form.Results:Of the 998 participants, 98% were males, 49.4% were rural, and 20% were indigenous population. Addiction services dominated initial (50%) and subsequent (60%) healthcare contacts. One in five contacted private for-profit healthcare. Primary care contact was rare (5/998). Diverse approaches included traditional healers (4–6%) and self-medication (2–8%). There was a 3-year delay in first contact; younger, educated individuals with opioid dependence preferred specialized services.Conclusion:There is a need to strengthen public healthcare infrastructure and delivery systems and integrate SUD treatment into public healthcare.
Alcohol use disorder research in India: An update
Authors: Narasimha Venkata Lakshmi , Mukherjee Diptadhi , Arya Sidharth , Parmar Arpit 
Published: June 2024

Background:Despite alcohol use being a risk factor for numerous health-related conditions and alcohol use disorder (AUD) recognized as a disease, there was limited research in India until 2010. This narrative review aims to evaluate AUD-related research in India from 2010 to July 2023.Methods:A PubMed search used key terms for AUD in India after 2010. Indian and international journals with regional significance that publish alcohol-related research were searched by each author individually. These were then collated, and duplicates were removed. In addition, we also conducted a gray literature search on focused areas related to AUD.Results:The alcohol-related research in India after 2010 focused on diverse areas associated with alcohol use. Some areas of research have received more attention than others. Two major epidemiological surveys conducted in the past decade reveal that around 5% have a problematic alcohol use pattern. Factors associated with alcohol use, like genetic, neurobiological, psychological, and sociocultural, were studied. The studies focused on the clinical profile of AUD, including their correlates, such as craving, withdrawal, alcohol-related harm, and comorbid psychiatric and medical illnesses. During this period, minimal research was conducted to understand AUD’s laboratory biomarkers, course, and prognosis. While there was a focus on generating evidence for different psychological interventions for alcohol dependence in management-related research, pharmacological studies centered on anticraving agents like baclofen. Research on noninvasive brain stimulation, such as rTMS, has shown preliminary usefulness in treating alcohol dependence. Very little research has been conducted regarding alcohol policy.Conclusion:In the past decade, Indian research on alcohol has focused on diverse areas. Epidemiological and psychological management-related research received maximum attention. Considering the magnitude of the alcohol-related burden, it is essential to prioritize research to other less studied areas like pharmacological management of alcohol dependence and alcohol policy.
Antimicrobial Efficacy of Different Disinfectants on Contaminated Toothbrushes in Healthy and Chronic Periodontitis Patients – A Comparative Study
Authors: Nirola Ashutosh , Batra Priyanka , Rathore Shivani , Ahuja Kritika , Goyal Pankaj 
Published: June 2024

ABSTRACT

Background:
Toothbrushes that are used regularly can accumulate a high amount of microorganisms, which have the potential to cause infections or reinfections. There is a need for toothbrush disinfection methods which are effective and can be easily implemented. The present study assessed the antimicrobial efficacy of different disinfectants on contaminated toothbrushes in healthy and chronic periodontitis patients.

Materials and Methods:
Sixty patients were taken who were divided into two Groups A and B: Group A consisted of 30 healthy patients who were further subgrouped as Group A1 (control group), Group A2 (1% sodium hypochlorite), Group A3 (1% vinegar), and Group A4 (ultraviolet [UV] sanitizer) and Group B consisted of 30 patients with mild-to-moderate generalized chronic periodontitis who were further subgrouped as B1, B2, B3, and B4 based on the different disinfection processes. Microbial counts were assessed and compared. A paired sample t-test was used for statistical analysis, and the level of significance was set at P < 0.001.

Results:
All disinfectants showed a statistically significant reduction in microbial load on contaminated toothbrushes in both the groups (P < 0.001). There was no statistical difference between the efficacies of vinegar and sodium hypochlorite when compared with UV sanitizer in both the groups (P = 0.115 and P = 0.205).

Conclusion:
The study concluded that UV sanitizer can be used as a preferable toothbrush disinfection method.
Pathogenic Missense Mutations in Nicotine-metabolizing Cytochrome P450 2A6 Gene – An In silico Study
Authors: Venkadesan Kalaivani , Leelavathi L. , Priyadharsini J. Vijayashree , Arumugham I. Meignana , Kumar S. Rajesh 
Published: June 2024

ABSTRACT

Introduction:
Nicotine is an environmental agent that can have a significant impact on the emergence of nicotine dependence when it interacts with particular candidate nicotine genes. Pharmacogenetics may have a role in the interindividual difference in adolescent smoking cessation. Identification of missense mutations (which are deleterious) in advance will help to formulate medication targeting it, to prevent the consequences in the future. The current study aimed to identify more potential and functional mutations of the cytochrome P450 2A6 (CYP2A6) gene by employing computational tools.

Materials and Methods:
The Ensembl database was used to collect the data on missense mutations of the human CYP2A6 gene. Computational tools such as Sorting Intolerant From Tolerant, Polymorphism Phenotyping, and PROtein Variation Effect ANalyzer are used to identify and screen missense mutation. One hundred and thirty missense mutations were identified and screened. The stability of protein variants and their pathogenicity were identified using I-Mutant and MutPred, respectively.

Results:
One hundred and eighteen single-nucleotide polymorphisms were determined to be harmful among the 130 missense variants that were examined, as predicted by all three of the computational tools mentioned in the methodology section. I-Mutant Suite identified about 104 variants with decreased stability and the other 14 variants showed increased stability. MutPred tool identified that out of the 118 missense variants, 69 were found to be highly pathogenic, 33 were found to be pathogenic, and two of them were not pathogenic.

Conclusions:
Nearly a hundred alleles in the CYP2A6 gene were identified as potentially pathogenic variants using data mining.
Comparative Evaluation of Modified Kvaal’s Formula and Coronal Pulp Cavity Index in the Pune Population – A Cone-beam Computed Tomography-based Retrospective Study
Authors: Thopte Shameeka , Nisa Shams Ul , Khaire Samir Dashrath , Sane Rashmi , Gavali Neelam , Koranne Vaishali 
Published: June 2024

ABSTRACT

Introduction:
The uniqueness of the human dentition serves its wide acceptance in the identification of individual in forensic science.

Aim and Objectives:
To estimate the accuracy of age by using modified Kvaal’s formula and coronal pulp cavity index (CPCI) and compare the standard error and establish the technique among the Pune population.

Materials and Methods:
Four hundred cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) scans were randomly selected with satisfying the established criteria. The second premolar was included in the study and the maximum length of tooth, root, and pulp was measured using modified Kvaal’s method and CPCI by using Planmeca CBCT machine with Romexis-three-dimensional imaging software.

Results:
The results were analyzed using the Chi-square test and ANOVA. Modified Kvaal’s formula was found to be the better followed by CPCI in the estimation of age among Indians with lesser error in prior.

Conclusion:
Modified Kvaal’s formula is precise, noninvasive, and most reliable biomarker for age estimation than tooth-coronal index.
The Association Between Consanguinity and Offspring with Congenital Hearing Loss in The Eastern Region, Saudi Arabia
Authors: AlKhudair Abdullah M. , AlGanem Shooq N. , AlKhamis Abdullah Abdulmajeed , AlMubarak Abdullah Abduljalil , Balghunaim Abdulmohsen A. , AlYahya Khalid A. , AlArfaj Abdullah Ahmed 
Published: June 2024

Abstract

Background:
Consanguineous marriage is a common practice in the Middle East and in Saudi Arabia especially. Not many studies were done on the relationship between consanguinity and congenital hearing loss (HL) in Saudi Arabia and none in the Eastern Region specifically. Therefore, this study focuses on the determination of the association between consanguinity and congenital HL (CHL).

Materials and Methods:
This is a comparative cross-sectional study that included any eastern region resident with severe-to-profound CHL. The data were collected and recorded on a structured questionnaire that was distributed among six schools in hard copy. In addition, data were also collected directly from two rehabilitation centers and from the Saudi Association for Hearing Impairment in Dammam.

Results:
Among 275 participants, the degree of HL was observed to be severe in 92 (33.5%) and profound in 183 (66.5%) participants. Consanguinity was reported to be as high as 75.6%. Most consanguineous marriages were of the first degree, which was found to have an association with higher numbers of severe and profound HL. It was observed that a total of 142 (51.7%) of the participants had at least one or more family members with HL, and 130 (47.3%) had at least one or more relatives with HL. Furthermore, it was found that those who reported blood-related parents had higher percentages of family members/relatives with the same condition.

Conclusion:
The outcome of this study is suggestive that there is an association between consanguineous marriage and having children with CHL. Looking at these findings and how consanguineous marriage is still commonly practiced, it is crucial to spread awareness regarding the dangers and possible associated disorders affecting children when marrying relatives.
Back to the Future: Scientific Method and Science Reliability
Authors: Corazza Ivan , Rossi Pier Luca 
Published: June 2024

Abstract
We have worked in physics applied to medicine in the past 20 years. Many changes have happened during this period, and we are witnessing an epochal change in the approach to scientific research. What was clear 20 years ago has become opaque. An increasing gap exists between the phenomenon (the pathology and the physiologic mechanism) and the methods researchers use to analyze it. The paper contains our viewpoints about what is happening, starting from our daily experiences in these last years. Sometimes, our opinions will be deliberately provocative, but we hope they can help to seed the debate about the meaning of the scientific method and research reliability. In particular, we have focused on “measurement errors” since their correct evaluation represents the basis for applying the scientific method.