bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Immunogenicity of Covishield vaccine in patients with autoimmune rheumatic diseases
Authors: Gupta Vikas , Gupta Vikram Kumar , Bajwa Navjot Kaur , Sachdeva Ashi , Garg Rupali , Ghosh Abhra 
Published: May 2024

ABSTRACT

Introduction:
The Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has been the biggest threat to humankind during the last 3 years. It has caused the loss of more than 6.9 million precious lives across the world. The only method by which the massacre could be stopped was by mass vaccination or mass immunization. The patients suffering from autoimmune rheumatic disorders (AIRDs) and treated with immunosuppressants were the high-priority candidates for vaccination. However, the data regarding the efficacy of COVID-19 vaccines in this group of patients are very less. Hence, this study was planned to study the immunogenicity of Covishield in patients with AIRDs attending the rheumatology OPD at DMCH, Ludhiana.

Materials and Methods:
It was a prospective cohort study and was planned by the Department of Biochemistry and Department of Clinical Immunology and Rheumatology at Dayanand Medical College and Hospital, Ludhiana. Fifty patients with AIRDs attending the DMCH rheumatology OPD and 52 age and sex-matched healthy controls who had received two doses of Covishield vaccine were included in this study. Patients having any other immunosuppressive conditions like uncontrolled diabetes, hepatitis, malignancy or HIV were excluded. Patients who had suffered from previous laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 infection (by RT-PCR) were also excluded. Blood samples were collected following all aseptic precautions from patients and controls on the 28th day after administration of a second dose of Covishield vaccine and total antibodies to the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 spike (S) protein receptor binding domain was measured using Elecsys Anti-SARS-CoV-2 S kit from Roche.

Results:
It was observed that no significant difference was there in antibody titre between cases and controls (6213 ± 4418 vs. 8331 ± 7979, P = 0.1022). It was also observed that no statistically significant difference in antibody titre in cases without prednisolone and those taking treatment with prednisolone was found (P = 0.7058). A similar observation was found in terms of methotrexate also (P = 0.457). No significant difference in antibody titres was there when compared with controls (for prednisolone, P = 0.169, for methotrexate, P = 0.078). We found that only the patients receiving mycophenolate mofetil showed a statistically significant decrease in antibody titre in comparison to healthy controls (P = 0.03). Our study showed no statistically significant difference in antibody titres between patients suffering from different AIRDs.

Conclusion:
Our study supplements the fact that patients with AIRDs in India can receive Covishield as the primary vaccine against COVID-19 without concerns regarding decreased immunogenicity or increased adverse effects.
Impact of COVID-19 pandemic on online medical education – An online survey of students’ perspective
Authors: Kabi Ananya , Nayak Bikash C. , Ray Satyajit S. , Gupta Sandhya , Epari Venkatarao , Sahoo Jyotiranjan 
Published: May 2024

ABSTRACT

Introduction:
The year 2020 brings in a paradigm shift in medical education with the emergence of the COVID-19 pandemic. Since the government of India initiated the first countrywide lockdown, educational institutions, including medical colleges, have adopted online mode for undergraduate teaching. Medical education is virtually incomplete without appropriate practical exposure. This study was conducted to understand the opinion of the medical students towards online classes as an impact of this pandemic on medical education.

Materials and Methods:
A descriptive online survey was conducted using a google form among medical undergraduate students from across India. Snowball sampling was used to recruit study participants. The responses were analyzed using numbers and percentages. Continuous variables were expressed as the mean and standard deviation of the mean.

Results:
The mean age of the 1426 respondents was 20.46 years. The majority of the responses were from Karnataka (412), followed by Odisha (167). While fairly a good number of respondents agreed that online classes provided a conducive environment and independence in learning, a large proportion disagreed or remained neutral in terms of its usefulness. This could be attributed to several reasons, which may be categorized into three important groups: the technical competence of the students, the provision of an enabling environment and the ability of the teachers.

Conclusion:
Students had varying opinions on online classes, but most emphasized the need for redoing the lessons taught online.
The effect of aquatherapy on pain intensity and performance in patients with osteoarthritis
Authors: Karimi Saba , Derakhshan Mehrdad , Tondro Amirhossein 
Published: May 2024

ABSTRACT

Introduction and Aim:
Osteoarthritis (OA) is a noninflammatory joint disease. If OA of the knee causes pain, decreased muscle strength and joint stiffness, exercise therapy is one of the most effective treatments for the disease. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effect of aquatherapy on pain intensity and performance in women with OA with the assumption that it causes weightlessness.

Methods:
This is a quasiexperimental study. The sample size included 60 people who were randomly divided into experimental and control groups. The visual analogue scale was used to assess pain and timed up and go test (TUG), 30 Second Sit to Stand Test (30-S-CS), and 40-meter fast-paced walk test (40 MW) were used to assess performance. Data analysis was carried out using SPSS ver. 22.

Results:
The results of the present study showed a decrease in pain intensity from moderate to mild intensity. Also, physical performance dimensions in patients with OA were improved, so that the average TUG increased from 14.06 to 8.8 s. The average S-CS frequency increased from 4.86 to 8.4 s and 90 MW decreased from the average 93.43 to 72.66 s.

Discussion and Conclusion:
Lower limb muscle strength, and physical performance can be improved and pain intensity can be reduced in patients with OA by performing aquatherapy three times a week for 8 weeks.
Salivary and serum estrogen level assessment in oral lichen planus patients and its correlative analysis with OLP and stress
Authors: Agrawal Heena , Patil Ranjit Kumar , Singh Vandana , Tripathi Anurag , Khanna Vikram , Chaurasia Akhilanand , Arya Amit , Ali Wahid 
Published: May 2024

ABSTRACT

Background:
Lichen planus is a chronic inflammatory disease of the skin and mucous membrane with higher predilection seen in the female population. Oral lichen planus (OLP) has been associated with various etiological factors, such as stress, hormonal imbalance, and immunological variation. The purpose of this study was to assess serum and salivary estrogen (E2) levels in OLP patients and correlate them with stress levels.

Objectives:
This study aimed to evaluate serum and salivary estrogen levels in female patients with OLP, along with the assessment of stress and its correlation with estrogen levels.

Methods:
A total of 78 females, 39 clinically diagnosed with OLP and 39 healthy females, were included in the study as the case and control groups, respectively. 2 ml each of salivary and serum samples was obtained from each participant to measure the estrogen levels. Stress levels in the study group patients were assessed using the Depression Anxiety Stress Scale (DASS-21) and the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS). The nonparametric Mann–Whitney test was used for intergroup comparisons.

Results:
Significantly higher serum estrogen levels with higher DASS-21 and PSS scores were noted in patients with OLP. Overall, significant positive correlations were observed between salivary E2 and serum E2 (r = 0.361, P = 0.001). There was a positive correlation between salivary and serum E2 and DASS score (r = 0.410, P < 0.001, and r = 0.768, P < 0.001, respectively), serum/salivary E2 and PSS score (r = 0.745, P < 0.001, and r = 0.410, P < 0.001, respectively), and DASS score and PSS score (r = 0.878, P < 0.001).

Conclusion:
Estrogen can be used as a useful biomarker for OLP in the future. Salivary samples can prove to be an accurate and feasible alternative to serum estrogen level determination. We also suggest that OLP patients must be given supportive psychological treatment for improved life quality and disease management.
Effectiveness of health education program on knowledge regarding health promotion strategies in the geriatric population of selected old age homes at Raipur, Chhattisgarh
Authors: Chander Prem 
Published: May 2024

ABSTRACT

Background:
The elderly is defined as the person who is beyond middle age and approaching old age (60 or above), also called senior citizens. The number of older adults globally is expected to increase from 420 million in 2000 to 974 million in 2030. In 2017. The objectives of the study were to assess the existing level of knowledge regarding health promotion strategies and to determine the effectiveness of health education program on knowledge regarding health promotion among the elderly in old age home.

Materials and Methods:
The study employed one-group pretest and posttest preexperimental design without a control group. The sample size of 50 was selected using a non-probability convenient sampling technique. Baseline data were collected by a structured questionnaire, and a structured teaching program was given for 2 weeks, and after 15 days, a posttest was conducted with the same tool.

Statistical Analysis:
Data collected were analyzed by using both descriptive and inferential statistics.

Results:
The knowledge score increased significantly from baseline. The mean score of the pretest was 18.38, the mean score of the posttest was 21.78, the mean improvement was 3.40, and the paired value obtained for knowledge was 17.36, which was found significant at 0.05 level (P < 0.05). There was a significant improvement in the knowledge regarding health promotion strategies in the geriatric population.

Conclusions:
The result of the study concluded that health education program was effective in improving the knowledge regarding health promotion strategies in the geriatric population.
Morbidity pattern and impact of hydroxyurea therapy among sickle cell patients in Raipur district of Chhattisgarh
Authors: Vaibhav Divyansh , Panda Prem S. , Debata Ipsita , Sinha Ashish K. 
Published: May 2024

ABSTRACT

Background:
Sickle cell disease (SCD) is a disorder marked by a single-point mutation in the beta-globin gene. Hydroxyurea is a globally accepted disease-modifying agent that sounds to be effective in managing clinically and probably preventing complications of SCD. The current study aims to document the morbidity pattern and impact of Hydroxyurea therapy in the Outpatient Department of Sickle Cell Institute, Raipur.

Materials and Methods:
This cross-sectional study was conducted among randomly selected sixty-five patients (adults and children above six years). After obtaining informed consent, relevant data were collected in a predesigned pretested questionnaire. The appropriate statistical exercise was applied for the interpretation of results and inferences.

Results:
Acute febrile illness 54 (83%) and 53 (81.5%) reported pain crisis observed to have the most common morbidity among the study subjects, followed by 55.4% (36), 33 (50.8%) jaundice and difficulty breathing, respectively. Joint pain was the most commonly observed complaint, particularly at the knee joint (76.9%). Other complaints such as hand-foot syndrome (24.6%), epistaxis (27.7%), and acute chest syndrome (21.5%). Vaso-occlusive crisis (72.4%), difficulty in walking (60.0%) and eyesight (35.4%), leg ulcers (9.2%), and dactylitis (3.1%) were also documented as clinical manifestations among study participants. Less than half (44.46%) had an awareness about SCD. Hydroxyurea therapy was highly significant in improving the patient’s clinical picture (P < 0.01), especially following the frequency of hospitalization and the requirement for blood transfusion.

Conclusion:
Pain crisis is the most common morbidity among study participants with a low level of knowledge about SCD with febrile illness. Hydroxyurea therapy was found to be quite effective as a disease-modifying therapy, especially for reducing the frequency of blood transfusion and lowering hospitalization rates among SCD patients.
Utilization of adolescent-friendly health services and its determinants in a rural area of Maharashtra
Authors: Sundaram Hemamalini , Jogdand Mohini S. , Sambutwad Rajesh C. , Sirsulwar Ganesh K. 
Published: May 2024

ABSTRACTContext:Adolescent phase is a very crucial period in one’s life, much emotional and psychological support is needed for an adolescent to bloom into a responsible adult. But unfortunately adolescents do not get the support or they fail to seek support due to lack of awareness. Government of India, to address this issue has established dedicated adolescent friendly health services (AFHS). This study estimates the utilisation of adolescent friendly health clinics in a rural area of Maharashtra.Aims:Aim is to the study the utilisation of adolescent friendly health services and its various determinants in a rural area of Maharashtra.Objectives:Objectives of this study were to assess the sociodemographic profile of study participants, to study the utilisation of adolescent friendly health services among them and to determine the factors associated with utilisation of adolescent friendly health services.Settings and Design:A community based cross-sectional study was conducted among 290 late adolescents from a rural area of Maharashtra from October 2022 to December 2022.Methods and Material:With the help of data from Gram panchayat about residing adolescents in the rural field practice area of tertiary care hospital, all late adolescents were included in this study after obtaining informed consent. Data was collected with and Statistical analysis was done using ‘Open Epi Info’ software.Results:Out of 290 adolescents, 35% (102) were aware of adolescent friendly health clinics (AFHS), 20% (58) utilised AFHS, the significant sociodemographic components for utilisation were found to be females (AOR: 2.161,95% CI: 1.088-4.295), Bauddha religion (AOR: 2.465,95% CI: 0.585-10.383), socioeconomic class I and II- B.G Prasad classification (AOR: 1.544,95% CI: 0.786-3.030), higher secondary education (AOR: 8.025,95% CI: 1.434-44.916) and Government schooling (AOR:0.389,95% CI: 0.080-1.889).Conclusions:Though initiatives are taken from the Government to lend a helping hand to the adolescents, awareness and utilisation seems to be minimal.
Copeptin as a potential biomarker of chronic kidney disease to predict the disease progression in children with chronic kidney disease
Authors: Dawman Lesa , Rawat Amit , Meena Jitendra , Tiewsoh Karalanglin 
Published: May 2024

ABSTRACT

Background:
Biomarkers to predict the onset and progression of chronic kidney disease (CKD) in children are lacking, and no such definite biomarkers have been implicated in the diagnosis of CKD. We conducted this study to evaluate copeptin as a CKD marker and predict the disease progression by estimating the copeptin levels at baseline and 12 months follow-up in children with CKD stage 2 and above.

Materials and Methods:
This prospective single-centre cohort study was conducted in children under 14 years with CKD stages 2-4. Blood and urine samples were collected at enrolment and 1-year follow-up for routine investigations and serum copeptin, cystatin C and urinary neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalcin (uNGAL) estimation.

Results:
A total of 110 children (60 cases and 50 controls) were enrolled in the study. The mean estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) of cases was 58.3 ± 18.7 ml/min/1.73 m2. Among the cases, there was a significant rise in the serum copeptin levels from baseline 483.08 ± 319.2 pg/ml to follow-up at 1 year, that is, 1046.82 ± 823.53 pg/ml (P < 0.0001). A significant difference was noted in the baseline values of serum cystatin C, that is, 1512.98 ± 643.77 ng/ml and 719.68 ± 106.96 ng/ml (P < 0.0001), and uNGAL, that is, 13.53 ± 11.72 and 1.76 ± 2.37 ng/ml (P < 0.0001) between the cases and controls. There was no significant correlation (correlation coefficient = 0.10) between change in eGFR and copeptin levels during 12 months of follow-up.

Conclusion:
No significant correlation was found between the change in eGFR and copeptin levels during 12 months of follow-up. This can be due to the slow deterioration of renal functions, as most of the cases had underlying congenital anomalies of the kidney and urinary tract (CAKUT), which is known to have a slow progression of CKD and a small sample size.
Evaluation of an online “Train the Trainers” course for family physicians in Pakistan: Expectations vs reality
Authors: Ata Madiha , Amin Faridah , Saghir Shaista , Sultana Shafaq , Imran Muhammad , Mehdi Salima 
Published: May 2024

ABSTRACT

Aim:
Pakistan is in dire need of trained family physicians to enhance the quality of primary health care. To build capacity, there is a need to train the trainers on a large scale through a feasible and accessible program. Therefore, for the first time, a three-month online course was designed and piloted, in collaboration with national and international family medicine faculty. The aim of this study was to determine the gap between the pre-course expectations and the post-program perceptions of the participants for* a unique family medicine “Train the Trainers” course.

Methods:
A longitudinal-observational study was conducted at a private college of Karachi after approval from the Institutional Review Board. The expectations and perceptions of all (31) participants were recorded through a pre- and post-course questionnaire. Data were analyzed through descriptive and analytical statistics on SPSS-26. The responses to the open-ended questions were analyzed by content analytical approach.

Results:
Out of 20 quantitative items on the questionnaire, four were associated with a positive gap between the expectations and perceptions. One item showed a negative gap, while the rest did not show any significant difference. The majority of the participants expressed that they expected to see an improvement in their teaching skills because of the online course.

Conclusion:
The online course was successful in meeting the participants’ expectations. The course delivery can be revisited to further improve its quality according to the participant’s feedback, including an opportunity to ask questions and incorporating some face-to-face sessions.
A Case Series of Mycobacterium kansasii Pulmonary Infection in a Tertiary Care Private Hospital
Authors: Vashisht Rohit , Panchatcharam Senthur Nambi , Sethuraman Nandini 
Published: May 2024

Background:
Mycobacterium kansasii is being increasingly recognized as an important pathogen mimicking clinically Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB). We describe here a series of cases due to M. kansasii lung disease from a tertiary care private hospital from South India.

Methods:
A retrospective chart review of patients diagnosed with M. kansasii pulmonary infection at a tertiary care referral center between January 2017 and April 2019 was conducted. Positive bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) cultures were included in the study.

Results:
Seven patients with majority having underlying predisposing conditions presented with respiratory symptoms and radiological features resembling pulmonary tuberculosis. Smear acid fast bacillus (AFB) positivity was seen in 3 out of 7 cases. M. kansasii was isolated from bronchial culture in all of them with negative GeneXpert MTB reports. Five patients showed clinical improvement after starting treatment, while two were lost to follow up.

Conclusion:
M. kansasii should be suspected in AFB smear positive but GeneXpert MTB negative patients. Getting AFB cultures done is crucial in such patients to make an appropriate etiological diagnosis.
Compliance to enhanced recovery program in liver resection surgery: A retrospective cohort study
Authors: Pradhan Abiya , Sarkar Anshuman , Haldar Srimanta , Chakraborty Arunangshu , Pal Angshuman Rudra 
Published: May 2024

Abstract

Background and Aims:
Liver resection is a complex surgery, and optimizing recovery is critical to ensure that patients can promptly regain their health and quality of life. The authors present a retrospective cohort study on Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) in liver resection aimed at correlating compliance with ERAS elements to length of stay (LOS) and the incidence of complications in a tertiary-level cancer hospital in Eastern India.

Material and Methods:
In total, 44 hepatectomy patients were assessed retrospectively from June 2022 to May 2023. Data were collected from electronic medical records and patient charts.

Results:
The overall compliance was 77.7%. Individual component compliance varied. Lower compliance rates were seen with some aspects such as fasting and carbohydrate loading, minimally invasive surgical techniques used, and avoidance or early removal of the drain. The cohort was divided into two groups. Group 1 had compliance to ≥75% of 21 elements of ERAS, and group 2 had compliance to <75%. Statistical analysis showed higher ERAS compliance and reduced complications, although LOS differences were not statistically significant (group 1 and group 2 with an LOS difference of 1 day). Severe complications such as re-exploration and death were noted in the group of patients with compliance to less than 75% of the components.

Conclusion:
With increased ERAS compliance, the patients benefited clinically and financially.
To Study the Diagnostic Accuracy of Diabetes in Pregnancy Study Group of India (DIPSI) as Compared with International Association of Diabetes in Pregnancy Study Group (IADPSG) Criteria in Pregnancy
Authors: Chaudhary Vaidehi Pradip , Dixit Prachi 
Published: May 2024

Background:
Hyperglycemia in pregnancy is associated with adverse maternal and perinatal outcomes. Hence, it is essential to diagnose early and treat to prevent adverse complications. The study aims to ascertain the diagnostic accuracy of the Diabetes in Pregnancy Study Group of India (DIPSI) versus the International Association of the Diabetes and Pregnancy Study Groups (IADPSG) criteria.

Methods:
Women (n = 200) attending the outpatient or inpatient department of obstetrics and gynecology with gestational age 24–28 weeks were included. As per the DIPSI and IADPSG criteria, all women underwent nonfasting oral glucose tolerance test irrespective of the last meal and after an overnight fast of at least 8 h. A venous blood sample was drawn after glucose administration and was measured by hexokinase technique using an autoanalyzer.

Results:
Out of 200 women, 47 (23.5%) were diagnosed with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) by the IADPSG, whereas 15 (7.5%) were diagnosed with GDM by DIPSI test. Sociodemographic and obstetric characteristics were comparable between the two groups. Women with a history of polycystic ovarian syndrome (odds ratio [OR]: 13.51), family history of DM (OR: 7.02), GDM (OR: 5.8), and perinatal mortality (OR: 4.27) had higher odds of developing GDM. The sensitivity and specificity of DIPSI were 27.66% and 98.69%, respectively, and diagnostic accuracy was 82%. IADPSG test can be recommended as a primary modality of screening GDM in all pregnant women. DIPSI test can be recommended for screening of the patient in non-fasting condition. Hence, by routine IADPSG test and selective DIPSI test, the whole of the antenatal population can be screened without jeopardizing the sensitivity for detection of true cases.