bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Revised Socioeconomic Status Scales for the Year 2021
Authors: Sahu Monalisha , Das Arpita , Chattopadhyay Biswadip , Paul Bobby , Bhattacharyya Madhumita 
Published: May 2024

Context:
Most of the public health and medical research include economic and social status as one of the pertinent predictors for health-related variables at the individual or family level. Modified B. G. Prasad scale (1961) and Modified Kuppuswamy scale (1976) are two of the most widely used socioeconomic status scales in India for health and social research. The income ranges in these scales need a frequent update with a rapidly growing economy and changing consumption patterns with time.

Aim:
This study revised the Modified Kuppuswamy and B. G. Prasad scales by updating income ranges as per the latest consumer price index (CPI) numbers of industrial workers (IW) and latest base year (2016) extracted from the Labour Bureau, Government of India.

Methodology of the Study:
Multiplication and conversion factors were calculated using CPI-IW (base year 2016 = 100) and linking factor. Updated income ranges for the Modified Kuppuswamy scale were estimated after calculating the multiplication factor (MF) between the year 1976 and the present year, whereas linking factor 2.88 and MF 1.20 have been used to calculate the income limits for the Modified B. G. Prasad scale.

Results:
The updated income range of the Modified B. G. Prasad and Kuppuswamy scale was estimated to be 78.89 and 26.46 times the income range values of the original scales (1961 and 1976), respectively.

Conclusion:
This update is relevant and highly needed after the introduction of the latest series of the base year in 2020, without which the income ranges would have been overestimated if calculated with the previous series (Base year 2001 = 100).
The Effect of Social Media on Awareness and Mental Health of People During COVID-19 Pandemic
Authors: Anand Puneet U. , Patil Sanjivani Vishwanath , Deshmukh Rupeshkumar Balasaheb 
Published: May 2024

Background:
The lockdown and the pandemic has caused a lot of mental health problems and social media exposure plays a major role in it. At present, many myths about coronavirus transmission and prevention are being circulated through social media.

Objectives:
1. The objective of this study was to assess the awareness of COVID-19 among social media users2. To assess the prevalence of mental health problems using Stanford Acute Stress Reaction Scale and WHO-5 Well-Being Index and its association with social media exposure.

Materials and Methods:
An observational, cross-sectional study was conducted online. Participants were invited to take part in online survey using various social media platforms. Validated semi-structured questionnaire tool was used to collect data. Mental health status was assessed using the Stanford Acute Stress Reaction Scale and WHO-5 Well-Being Index. Multivariate logistic regression analyses were applied for adjusted odds ratio (OR) of outcome variables with different risk factors.

Results:
A total of 27 (9.93%) study participants suffered from acute stress disorder. A total of 118 (43.38%) study participants suffered from depression. Multivariate analyses found that adjusted odds of acute stress disorders were greater among those aged more than 60 years (Adj OR = 1.08), more in females (Adj OR = 1.31) as compared to males, and those with higher secondary education (Adj OR = 1.73). Depression was significantly more among individuals who either spent all or more than half of their time reading about COVID-19.

Conclusions:
Study findings indicate a need to pay more attention to mental health among the general population while combating with COVID-19.
A study of mini-CEX (mini-clinical evaluation exercise) as an assessment tool of postgraduate students in ophthalmology
Authors: Shinde Chhaya A , Shirwadkar Shruti P , Hegde Rajarathna V , D'Cunha Lynn L , Rao Priyanka R , Kokate Anupama A , Raghuwanshi Akash O 
Published: May 2024

Abstract

Background/Aim:
Postgraduate students of ophthalmology are not assessed in a structured and standardized way. By using the mini-clinical evaluation exercise (mini-CEX) method of assessment, the skills will improve in the students as they will get immediate feedback from the assessors to improve further. To assess the postgraduate students of ophthalmology in a structured manner and to ascertain whether their clinical skills improve due to mini-CEX as an assessment tool.

Materials and Methods:
Prospective.

Materials and Methods:
The study was performed over 5 months, including five postgraduate students. Each student was given 15 cases with set A assessor and 15 cases with set B assessor. Assessors and postgraduate students were trained by the first author about mini-CEX. Students were trained by the assessors about seven core clinical skills. Fifty clinical encounters were done in the first, third, and fifth month each. Students were assessed for the same seven core clinical skills by the assessors, and feedback was provided to students.

Results and Conclusion:
Differences in the successive assessments (improvements) were found statistically significant (P value < 0.05). Scores of postgraduate students improved in three assessments over 5 months.
Glans augmentation by pedicled inner preputial flap in distal penile hypospadias: A prospective interventional study
Authors: Tanger Ramesh Chand , Prajapati Sahaj , Saini Girish , Raipuria Gurudatt 
Published: May 2024

Abstract

Aims and Objective:
The aim of the study was to describe a modification in the tubularized incised plate (TIP) procedure that incorporates glans augmentation with the inner preputial flap in cases of distal penile hypospadias with small glans and shallow groove.

Materials and Methods:
This was a prospective interventional study conducted over a period of 1 year from July 1, 2021, to June 31, 2022, at the Department of Pediatric Surgery, SMS Medical College and attached SPINCH, Jaipur. All distal penile hypospadias patients with small glans and shallow groove were included in the study. Patients with failed repairs and having associated congenital conditions were excluded. All the included patients underwent hypospadias repair by the standard TIP technique, and a modification was added to augment the glans by inner preputial flap. The incidence of glans dehiscence and fistula formation along with cosmetic appearance was recorded.

Results:
A total of 25 patients were included, which comprised subcoronal (n = 14; 56%), distal penile (n = 7; 28%), and coronal (n = 4; 16%) hypospadias. There were no immediate or late postoperative complications. Follow-up periods were ranging from 4 months to 12 months. There was no meatal stenosis or urethra cutaneous fistula formation after 6 months of follow-up period. The cosmetic appearance and color of the glans were satisfactory after 6–12 months of follow-up.

Conclusions:
With this modification of the TIP procedure in patients with distal penile hypospadias having small glans and shallow groove, a good glans width with normally placed meatus without stenosis and fistula can be achieved.
Formaldehyde 5% in Flexible Collodion Compared to Cryotherapy for Treatment of Female Genital Warts
Authors: Jahromi Bahia Namavar , Razeghi Mahsa , Dastgheib Ladan , Fazelzadeh Arezou , Miri Amir , Vakili Sina , Foruhari Sedigheh , Sabetian Soudabeh 
Published: May 2024

Objectives:
Genital wart is a sexually transmitted disease caused by human papillomavirus (HPV) and is responsible for discomfort, and decreased quality of life and productivity in victims with a high recurrence rate after treatments. This study aimed to compare the efficacy and safety of formaldehyde 5% with cryotherapy for the treatment of female genital warts.

Methods:
Eighty women with at least two similar genital warts who visited the outpatient dermatology clinic of Shahid Faghihi hospital, Shiraz, Iran, were enrolled in this study. One lesion of each patient was self-treated with formaldehyde 5% in flexible collodion gel once daily for 28 days and the other matched lesion was treated by weekly repeated cryotherapy courses. The number of eradicated lesions and the mean days needed to treat, pain scores, complications and patient satisfaction were compared between the treatment methods.

Results:
Complete clearance of lesions was observed in 58.7% of formaldehyde-treated lesions compared to 88.7% for cryotherapy (P value = 0.000). With formaldehyde-treated lesions, 51% complained of pain, 36.3% had pruritus, 86.3% had skin dryness, 88.8% complained of burning sensation and 93.7% showed erythema. In the cryotherapy group, 92.5% complained of pain, 15% had burning sensation, 75% showed erythema, 5% had atrophy, 80% developed post-inflammatory hyper or hypopigmentation (PIH) and 92.5% suffered from ulceration. Seventy-five (93%) found it easy to apply and (47) 58% were satisfied with their treatment results.

Conclusions:
Self-administration of formaldehyde 5% resulted in a lower clearance rate but had better cosmetic outcomes with lower pain scores compared to cryotherapy.
The Sexual Behavior and Protective Conduct among University Students in Germany - Chances and Approaches to Tackle Spread of Sexually Transmitted Diseases
Authors: Fuchs Corbinian , Teichert Niklas , Neu Katharina , Clanner-Engelshofen Benjamin , Zippel Stefan , French Lars E. , Reinholz Markus 
Published: May 2024

Background:
Current case numbers of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) in Germany are continuously increasing. Young adults aged 19–29 appear to be especially at risk and are therefore the demographic of ever-growing importance for future prevention work.

Objective:
The aim of the survey was to analyze awareness and protective behavior regarding sexually transmitted infections with a major focus on condom-usage by university students in Germany.

Method:
The collection of data was based on the conduction of a cross-sectional survey for students of Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich, the Technical University Munich, and the University of Bavarian Economy. The survey was distributed via the professional online survey tool “Soscy” and was thus performed completely anonymized.

Results:
Within this study, a total of 1,020 questionnaires were collected and consecutively analyzed. In terms of knowledge about human immunodeficiency viruses (HIV), over 96.0% of participants were aware that vaginal intercourse can be a source of transmission for both sex partners and that condom use can be preventive. In contrast, 33.0% were unaware that smear infections constitute a crucial transmission route of human papillomaviruses (HPV). Concerning protective behavior, 25.2% either rarely or did not use a condom in their sexual history, even though 94.6% agreed that condoms protect against STIs.

Conclusion:
This study outlines the importance of education and prevention work that focuses on STIs. Results might reflect effectiveness of previous education efforts made by several prevention campaigns targeting HIV. On the downside, knowledge of other pathogens that establish STIs appears worthy of improvement, especially considering the partially risky sexual behavior observed. Therefore, we see a strong need to reform education, guidance, and prevention strategies in a way that emphasizes not only all pathogens and connected STIs equally, but also a differentiated presentation of sexuality providing appropriate protection strategies for everyone.
Assessment of CXCL10 Before and After Narrow Band UVB Phototherapy in Non-Segmental Vitiligo Patients
Authors: Hussein Sherief M. , Sorour Mohammed Abd El Hakim , Samir Mahitab , Abd El Azim Shaimaa Ahmed , Hossain Ahmed 
Published: May 2024

Background:
Vitiligo is a common depigmenting skin disorder characterized by white macules and patches accompanied by local melanocyte loss, caused by autoimmune destruction. Vitiligo is classified into two major forms: segmental vitiligo (SV) and non-segmental vitiligo (NSV). It was also found that the IFN-8/CXCL10 axis is functionally required for both progression and maintenance of the disease. Chemokine 10 (CXCL10) is a pro-inflammatory chemokine which was found to be elevated in the serum of vitiligo patients. UVB has been found to be a useful therapy that results in rapid repigmentation in NSV patients.

Objectives:
To evaluate CXCL10 in vitiligo patients before and after narrow band UVB (NB-UVB) phototherapy, which if targeted could provide new insights for therapeutic intervention for vitiligo.

Patients and Methods:
The study included 25 active NSV patients who were able to comply with the study protocol in the Center of Excellence, Dermatology Outpatient Clinic, National Research Center, Egypt (February 2020–2021). All recruited patients were subjected to documentation of complete history. Dermatological assessment of vitiligo lesions, including vitiligo area score index (VASI) score, CXCL10 and extent of the disease were performed. A 3 mm punch biopsy from active vitiligo lesion (site of biopsy) was taken before and after treatment by NB-UVB, and then immunohistochemical staining was performed to evaluate expression of CXCL10.

Results:
After treatment by NB-UVB there was a significant decrease in VASI score, extent of the disease and CXCL10 expression.

Conclusion:
The decrease in CXCL10 levels could be attributed to the effect of NB-UVB which leads to decrease in IFN-γ level, necessary to release CXCL10 through its pathway resulting in repigmentation and decrease in the extent of the disease and VASI scores.
Experience of Rituximab Therapy in Pemphigus
Authors: Verma Ghanshyam , Sharma Aditi , Rattan Renu , Negi Ajeet , Gupta Mudita , Sharma Rajni 
Published: May 2024

Background:
Pemphigus is a group of auto-immune blistering disorders, characterised clinically by mucocutaneous blisters and erosions and histopathologically by intra-epidermal acantholysis. It was traditionally associated with high morbidity and mortality. The use of rituximab has brought upon a new dawn in the treatment of pemphigus.

Aim:
A retrospective analysis to ascertain the efficacy, tolerance, adverse effect profile, remission, and relapse with the use of rituximab.

Material and Methods:
A retrospective analysis of all diagnosed pemphigus patients who received rituximab therapy over a period of 3 years was performed. The patient's baseline characteristics, disease duration, clinical presentations, mucosal involvement, disease-severity assessment, and adverse events with rituximab were noted. The outcomes were evaluated based on the definitions of the disease-outcome parameters as early and late endpoints.

Results:
Of the 17 pemphigus patients, there were 14 females (82.4%) and three males (17.6%) with a mean age of 35.9 ± 16.5 years (range: 9–65 years). Pemphigus vulgaris (PV) was the predominant type in 11 (64.7%) patients. After rituximab infusion, the 17 patients attained the end of consolidation phase (ECP) within 15 days to 3 months, and the mean duration was 1.24 months. The complete remission (CR on/off) ranged from 0.5 to 35 months, and the mean duration of remission was 21.7 months. Within a median time of 4.2 months, almost 80% patients achieved CR on therapy. Nine (53%) patients were in CR without any therapy till the end of the study period, and eight (47%) were in remission while on minimal therapy.

Conclusion:
Rituximab is an efficacious therapeutic agent for pemphigus and is better tolerated and safer to all the previous medications used in the treatment.
A Clinical Study of Efficacy of Autologous Platelet-Rich Fibrin (PRF) in Chronic Non-Healing Ulcers
Authors: Madhu M , Hulmani Manjunath , Naveen Kumar A C , Kumar V Jagannath 
Published: May 2024

Background:
Chronic ulcers are defined as the breakdown of the epidermal and dermal tissue lasting for more than 6 weeks. There will be a lack of necessary growth factors in chronic non-healing ulcers. This study is aimed at accessing the efficacy of autologous platelet-rich fibrin in chronic non-healing ulcers.

Aims and Objectives:
To determine the efficacy of autologous platelet-rich fibrin in chronic non-healing ulcers and to compare the rate of healing in different ulcers based on aetiology.

Methods:
A hospital-based prospective study was conducted at the Department of Dermatology, Venereology, and Leprosy, at a tertiary care centre in Central Karnataka with 50 cases of chronic non-healing ulcers over 2 years. In each case baseline data including age and gender was collected and thorough general physical, local, and systemic examinations were done with the help of a predesigned proforma. PRF dressing was done weekly for 4 weeks with ulcer volume measured each time and improvement accessed.

Results:
In this study, the mean age of the study population was 43.56 ± 14.06 years, with 84% males. Good improvement in the volume of the ulcer was seen in 6 patients out of 50, moderate improvement was seen in 20 out of 50 patients and mild in the rest of the 24 patients. Improvement was more in the educated sector, more so in females and patients with trauma as the cause of ulcers without any comorbidities. Leprosy followed by diabetes was the main cause of chronic non-healing ulcers.

Conclusions:
This study shows that autologous platelet-rich fibrin therapy provides faster wound healing in chronic non-healing ulcers with no adverse events.
Body Mass Index, Disease Duration and Tumor Necrosis Factor Inhibitor History Predict Reduced Ustekinumab Response in Chinese Psoriasis Patients
Authors: Xu Xue , Qin Guifang , Meng Zudong , Pei Dan 
Published: May 2024

Background:
Ustekinumab, as a monoclonal antibody against interleukin (IL)-12 and IL-23, gets approved in China since 2019, therefore fewstudies report the application of ustekinumab in treating Chinese psoriasis patients in the real clinical settings until now.

Aims:
Thus, this study aimed to evaluate treatment efficacy, treatment response–related factors, and safety of ustekinumab in treating Chinese psoriasis patients.

Materials and Methods:
Totally, 72 moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis patients who underwent ustekinumab treatment were analyzed. Their clinical data were recorded. Furthermore, improvement of psoriasis area severity index (PASI) score more than 75% (PASI75) and improvement of PASI score more than 90% (PASI90) at week 12 and week 24 were retrieved. Besides, the adverse events were reviewed.

Results:
There were 72.2% and 37.5% psoriasis patients who achieved PASI75 response and PASI90 response at week 12. Meanwhile, 86.7% and 46.7% psoriasis patients realized PASI75 response and PASI90 response at week 24. Besides, multivariant logistic regression analyses revealed that body mass index (BMI), disease duration, and history of tumor necrosis factor (TNF) inhibitors could independently predict reduced ustekinumab response in psoriasis patients. Additionally, the most common adverse events of ustekinumab treatment in psoriasis patients were infection (12.5%) and nasopharyngitis (9.7%), followed by headache (4.2%), cough (4.2%), abnormal hepatic function (4.2%), injection site reactions (2.8%), and eosinophilia (1.4%), which were all mild and manageable.

Conclusions:
Ustekinumab is an effective and safe immunotherapy drug for treating Chinese psoriasis patients. Furthermore, BMI, disease duration, and history of TNF inhibitors are predictors of poor ustekinumab response.
Comparison of Malassezia Colonization of ‘Maskne’ Patients with Seborrheic Dermatitis Cases and Healthy Individuals
Authors: Atsü Ayse N. , Caf Nazlı , Türkoğlu Zafer , Özkoca Defne , Yıldırım Ozan , Ergin Çağrı 
Published: May 2024

Background:
With the Covid-19 pandemic, the use of masks has increased the frequency of 'maskne' cases. Local physiological changes due to the use of mask have caused changes in the presence of yeasts in the environment, such as acne and seborrheic dermatitis.

Objectives:
The aim is to compare the differences of Malassezia species in the maskne region.

Materials and Method:
A total of 408 subjects wearing masks at least 4 h a day for 6 weeks or longer, compromised of 212 acne patients, 72 seborrheic dermatitis sufferers, and 124 healthy volunteers were included in this study. Swab samples were taken for Malassezia cultures from nasolabial area and their control retro auricular region. The Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 22 was used for the statistical analysis.

Results:

Malassezia species was most frequently found in the nasolabial region of the seborrheic dermatitis group. Malassezia species were more commonly isolated from the nasolabial region of acne and seborrheic dermatitis patients, compared to the retroauricular region of each patient, than the healthy subjects. The rate of M. globosa isolated from the nasolabial region was high in all groups, the isolation rate of M. restricta was low (P < 0.05).

Conclusion:
As Malassezia species are more commonly isolated from the nasolabial region of acne and seborrheic dermatitis patients, the increasing numbers of Malassezia species will trigger inflammation with an antibody reaction against these yeasts. Treatment of resistant acne and seborrheic dermatitis will be facilitated with the knowledge of this inflammation.
Efficacy and Safety of Carboxytherapy versus Combined Microneedling with Topical Glutathione in the Treatment of Patients with Periorbital Hyperpigmentation
Authors: Assaf Hanan A. , Ahmed Dina , Abdelhamed Amr 
Published: May 2024

Background:
Periorbital hyperpigmentation (POH) is a common skin condition that presents as infraorbital darkening. POH has a multifactorial etiology. Studies evaluating POH treatment are several with varying satisfaction results.

Objectives:
To compare carboxytherapy and microneedling (MN) combined with topical glutathione for POH treatment.

Materials and Methods:
A split-face pilot clinical trial was conducted on 31 female patients with POH. Carboxytherapy injection was done at the right periorbital area, and MN with topical glutathione (Left periorbital area), for 6 biweekly sessions. Visual analogue scale (VAS), dermoscopic evaluation, patient satisfaction, and patient dermatology life quality index questionnaire (DLQI), safety evaluation were done with 3 months follow up. The trial registry number is NCT04389788.

Results:
Carboxytherapy showed a higher significant improvement as regards VAS evaluation compared to MN with glutathione during the active treatment phase (P = 0.001) and during the follow-up phase (P = 0.006). Also, the dermoscopic evaluation showed a statistically significant improvement in the Carboxytherapy group. DLQI showed a statistically significant improvement (P <.001). As regards patient satisfaction, carboxytherapy showed in comparison to MN with glutathione (80.6% vs 25.8% in moderate satisfaction) and (3.2% vs 0% in marked satisfaction respectively) (P = .05). As regards the patients' safety, there was no significant difference between both eyes (P = .23).

Conclusions:
Carboxytherapy showed higher efficacy than MN with glutathione in POH patients. Carboxytherapy improved clinical, dermoscopic, patient satisfaction, and patient DLQI; with a good safety profile.