bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Impact of Duration of Residual Inhibition on Tinnitus Masking in Patients with and without Hearing Impairment
Authors: Chatterjee Indranil , Gore Geeta 
Published: May 2024

Introduction:
Residual inhibition (RI) is described as a temporary reduction in the loudness of tinnitus as a result of stimulation from a noise.

Aim:
This study is aimed to determine the efficacy of durational aspects of tinnitus masking on self-reported tinnitus handicapped measures in patients with and without hearing impairment.

Sample Size:
Sixty participants were included and divided into two groups – Group A (mean age 44.7, standard deviation [SD] 12.02) included tinnitus participants with normal hearing and Group B (mean age 43.81, SD 12.79) included participants with hearing impairment.

Methodology:
Audiological evaluation was done after a detailed case history visual analog scale (VAS) and tinnitus handicapped inventory (THI) were used pre- and post-therapy to assess the severity of tinnitus. Tinnitus masking was done at the level MML + 20 dB at matched frequency of the tinnitus. Each group had three subgroups of ten participants for masking duration– 15, 20, and 30 min of RI. The therapy was terminated when the tinnitus disappeared or after 1 month (5 days a week). Statistical analysis was performed using Paired t-test, Independent t-test, and ANOVA.

Results:
There was a significant difference in the effect of tinnitus masking for pre- and post-data among different masking durations measured in VAS and THI irrespective of hearing status. 30-min masking duration can be used as a standardized norm for tinnitus masking.

Conclusion:
Thus, the study provides a structured temporal course for providing tinnitus masking.
Q10 and Tip Frequencies in Individuals with Normal-Hearing Sensitivity and Sensorineural Hearing Loss
Authors: Devi N. , Sreeraj K. , Anuroopa S. , Ankitha S. , Namitha V. 
Published: May 2024

Context:
Cochlear plays a major role in providing fine-tuned frequency resolution of the sounds that were perceived. However, in the impaired auditory systems, this frequency resolution is affected, which indirectly leads to distortion in the perception of the sounds. However, the sharpness of tuning of a filter can be obtained from Q10 values and the shift in the tip frequencies of the psychophysical tuning curve can provide an estimate for the frequency resolution of the cochlea.

Aim:
This study aimed to estimate and compare the Q10 values and tip frequency between individuals with normal hearing and hearing loss.

Subjects and Methods:
A total of 92 ears were included for the study which was divided into two groups based on the hearing sensitivity. The psychophysical turning curves were obtained for 500 Hz, 1 kHz, 2 kHz, 4 kHz, and 6 kHz. The data on Q10 and the tip frequencies were statistically analyzed.

Results:
The results reveal that individuals with hearing loss have lesser Q10 values compared to individuals with normal hearing and this increased with increase in the test frequencies. Comparing the shift in the tip frequency between the two groups of individuals, the shift was toward the lower frequency which indicates it is an involvement of the outer hair cells. However, this study was limited only to those with mild flat sensory neural hearing loss.

Conclusion:
It could be concluded that Q10 and tip frequency measurement would be a valid measure for frequency resolution of the cochlea.
The Credibility of a Smartphone-Based Application for use as a Hearing Screening Tool in Underserved Areas
Authors: Chokalingam Satish Kumar , Mathiyalagen Prakash , Colbert Kumaran Ramesh , Vazhumuni Bhanu , Murugesan Sathiyaseelan , Nagarajan Niveda 
Published: May 2024

Context:
Hearing loss has been rightly regarded as “invisible disability.” Globally, it is the third largest cause for years lived with disability. It is imperative to detect it early to initiate remedial measures. We intended to find a cheaper, quick, and reliable alternative to the traditional audiological services.

Aims:
The aim of this study was to assess the hearing levels using a self-administered smartphone hearing application and compare these results with pure-tone audiograms performed by an audiologist.

Settings and Design:
This diagnostic study was conducted at a tertiary care hospital in the State of Puducherry, between 2019 and 2021.

Subjects and Methods:
One hundred and nineteen participants were recruited; hearing screening was done using the smartphone application “Hearing Test” followed by pure-tone audiometry.

Statistical Analysis Used:
The results were analyzed for validity and reliability using SPSS software.

Results:
The mean age was 34.23 ± 9.39 years, and 57.1% had ear complaints at presentation. At the level of statistical significance of P = 0.05, no difference was found between the tests. An absolute difference of <6.712 for each frequency was observed with the average difference being 5.18 dB (95% confidence interval 5.65–4.73) with standard deviation of 3.56. The smartphone application demonstrated a sensitivity of 76.26% and a specificity of 98.99%.

Conclusions:
We did not find any significant difference between the application and pure-tone thresholds in any frequency. Thus, the Hearing Test application is a valid screening tool to assess hearing loss early.
Evaluation of anterior tooth–ridge angulation, root position and labial bone perforation using dental cone-beam computed tomography: An observational study
Authors: Kumar Ankit , Medikeri Raghavendra S. , Sutar Ashwini A. , Waingade Manjushri , Lahane Pritee V. 
Published: May 2024

Abstract

Purpose:
The objective of this study was to use cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) scans to measure and correlate the maxillary and mandibular tooth–ridge angulation (TRA) and labial bone perforation (LBP) in anterior teeth.

Materials and Methods:
A standardized technique was used to orientate Planmeca CBCT images in 140 patients. On the sagittal section, TRA was defined as the angle between the long axis of the tooth and the alveolar housing of the corresponding tooth. The maxillary and mandibular anterior teeth’s sagittal root locations were evaluated. Virtual implant software was used to analyze bone perforations using a predetermined taper implant system.

Results:
A total of 1680 teeth were scanned for this investigation, and 1338 teeth were selected for further analysis. In comparison to the mandible, the maxilla had a greater TRA. LBP was found to be 4.26% (57 teeth) more common in the mandibular arch (n = 39; 68.42 and) than in the maxillary arch (n = 18; 31.58%). When comparing both the sides, there was no significant difference in LBP. There was a significant relationship between TRA and LBP (P < 0.05). There was a significant association between all parameters. There was no statistically significant difference in TRA, sagittal root position (SRP), and LBP between the right and left teeth.

Conclusions:
The SRP type 1 is most typically present in the anterior teeth. The maxillary anterior teeth were placed at a 5°–10° angle, while the mandibular incisors were parallel to the alveolar ridge. The LBP was more characteristically present in the mandibular incisors. SRP and TRA were directly correlated with LBP. Clinically, bone perforations may be reduced using taper implants and abutments with a 5°–10° angle in maxillary anterior teeth, while straight implants are preferred in mandibular anterior teeth, which may be recommended.
Clinical evaluation of periosteal pedicle flap in the treatment of gingival recessions for esthetic root coverage: A randomized controlled clinical trial
Authors: Bhavana Parimisetti , Gottumukkala Sruthima Naga Venkata Satya , Penmetsa Gautami Subadra , Ramesh Konathala Santosh Venkata , Kumar Pasupuleti Mohan , Meghana Mani 
Published: May 2024

Abstract

Background:
Root coverage using subepithelial connective tissue graft (SCTG) is gold standard with few drawbacks such as requirement of second surgical site, reduced donor tissue availability, and increased surgical complications and pain. Periosteal pedicle graft (PPG) due to its rich source of pluripotent stem cells and nonrequirement of second surgical site could be a successful alternative for invasive SCTG. Therefore, current research aims to compare the amount of root coverage obtained with PPG to SCTG.

Materials and Methods:
Fifty-two single gingival recessions were included in the sample, with 26 patients allocated to the SCTG (control) and PPG (test) groups at random. At baseline, 3, and 6 months after surgery, clinical measurements of probing depth, clinical attachment level (CAL), recession depth (RD), recession width (RW), and width of keratinized tissue were taken.

Results:
Both procedures, i.e., SCTG and PPG, resulted in root coverage to a variable extent and a significant decrease in RD (1.69, 1.38 mm in SCTG and PPG groups, respectively) and RW, CAL gain is found in both the groups without any intergroup statistical variance. Complete root coverage (CRC) was obtained in 14 out of 26, i.e., 53.8% defects in both SCTG and PPG groups. A better comfort level is found in the group treated with PPG.

Conclusion:
Gingival recessions can be successfully treated with PPG, which has predictability comparable to SCTG and does not require a second surgical site.
Study on the Correlation between 7-joint Ultrasound Score and Disease Activity in Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis
Authors: Yu Xiaolong , Wang Qiang , Zhuang Lin , Cai Gaojun , Li Zun , Ren Min , Jin Zihan , Xi Jing 
Published: May 2024

Background:
The objective of this study was to investigate the correlation between the 7-joint ultrasound score (US7) and disease activity in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

Methods:
Forty-four patients with active RA were assessed, and the correlation between US7 and disease activity indicators such as the disease activity score (DAS28), rheumatoid factor (RF), the erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), and C-reactive protein (CRP) was analyzed. In addition, the proportions of US7 points accounted for by different joint regions and joint surfaces were analyzed.

Results:
RF, CRP, and ESR were significantly increased in the RA group compared with the control group (P < 0.05). In the RA group, DAS28 (r = 0.0.561, P < 0.01), RF (r = 0.635, P < 0.01), ESR (r = 0.585, P < 0.01), and CRP (r = 0.492, P < 0.01) were positively correlated with US7. In terms of contributions to US7, the most susceptible joint surface is the dorsal surface, and the most susceptible joint area is the dorsal wrist.

Conclusion:
US7 is positively correlated with disease activity indicators of RA, which can objectively reflect disease activity in RA patients and provide a reference for clinical diagnosis and efficacy evaluation.
Impact of Chronic Kidney Disease on Functionality Level among Patients
Authors: Kalyani C. Vasantha , Malhotra Priyanka , Rohilla Kusum Kumar 
Published: May 2024

Background:
In recent years, there has been a greater focus on the rise of noncommunicable diseases, i.e., chronic kidney diseases (CKD) and their impact in low- and middle-income nations. Due to raised number of noncommunicable cases, functionality level of patients are affected so much. The present study aimed as exploring chronic kidney disease impact on level of functionality of patients.

Materials and Methods:
The current study used a purposive sampling strategy to survey 399 CKD patients who were visiting the dialysis unit of the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), Rishikesh, India.

Results:
The mean age of study patients was 50.4 years. Majority of patients were female (58%), married (80%), and belongs to urban community (84%). Majority of patients belonged to lower middle class (49%) socioeconomic status and were overweight (64%). Patient's functionality on Chronic Illness Scale showed that 55% patient's had a low impact of chronic illness on their life. Overall chronic kidney patients showed a medium (59%) functionality level on the Chronic Illness Scale.

Conclusion:
Chronic diseases have a negative impact on a patient's quality of life. As the patient advanced through the stages of CKD, his quality of life decreased. During the course of the disease, physical domains are severely impacted, which has an impact on mental quality of life as well.
An Emerging Coinfection of Dengue and Scrub Typhus: A Hospital-based Study
Authors: Rakhecha Darshan , Patil Bharat Umakant , Joshi Mudita Nitin , Yelwatkar Samir 
Published: May 2024

Abstract

Background:
Dengue fever and scrub typhus are endemic diseases in India. The aim was to study and compare clinical, biochemical, and hematological parameters between the dengue and dengue-scrub study groups.

Materials and Methods:
A retrospective hospital-based, cross-sectional study conducted at a tertiary care rural center. Various clinical, biochemical, and hematological parameters of dengue patients with random selection as the control group were compared with the dengue-scrub coinfection group (46 cases) as cases. The statistical significance was determined using an independent t-test. P < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. The t-test and the Mann–Whitney U-test were used.

Results:
Among the 86 cases (2.05%), scrub and dengue contributed 46 cases, followed by 27 cases of COVID-19 and dengue, four cases of malaria and scrub, three cases of malaria and dengue, and a single case of dengue with typhoid and leptospirosis with dengue. Serum albumin (P = 0.003, moderate effect size), serum globulin (P = 0.001, large effect size), alkaline phosphatase (P = 0.001, moderate effect size), and serum urea (P = 0.012, moderate effect size) levels were significantly different between only dengue and dengue-scrub group. In addition, the difference in hemoglobin levels, red blood cell count, white blood cell count, platelet count, cell variables, and ratios of those with dengue and scrub versus those with only dengue was significant (P < 0.05) with moderate-to-large effect size.

Conclusion:
Certain biochemical and hematological parameters such as albumin, globulin, alkaline phosphatase, platelet count, neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio, and platelet lymphocyte ratio can be used to support the diagnosis of coinfection (dengue-scrub).
Branching Pattern of Superior Mesenteric Artery and its Variations
Authors: Anaimalai Kandavadivelu Manicka Vasuki , Govindarajan Amudha , Saminathan Suganya , Hepzibah Deborah Joy 
Published: May 2024

Background:
Superior mesenteric artery (SMA) originates at L1 level as a ventral branch of abdominal aorta. It supplies the derivatives of midgut which extends below the opening of major duodenal papillae in the 2nd part of the duodenum till the junction between the right 2/3rd left 1/3rd of the transverse colon. After its origin, it descends obliquely inside the mesentery up to the root of right iliac fossa. It is accompanied by superior mesenteric vein to its right side and is surrounded by a plexus of autonomic nerves. The SMA gives branches to jejunum, ileum and right colic, inferior pancreaticoduodenal (IPD), ileocolic, and middle colic artery. Variations in the course and branching pattern of SMA are of significant importance in gastrointestinal surgeries.

Methodology:
A prospective study was conducted with the convenient sample size of thirty cadavers. After opening the anterior abdominal wall, peritoneum and viscera were carefully separated and cleaned. The abdominal aorta with its branches was identified. SMA was identified at its origin. The course of the artery and its branches were traced and noted. The findings were tabulated and analyzed. The relation of superior mesenteric vein with the artery was identified and noted.

Results:
Variations in the branches of SMA were observed in 14 cadavers. We observed the absence of middle colic artery in four cadavers. Higher origin of ileocolic artery was found in two cadavers. One common trunk divides into middle colic artery and accessory right colic artery and another common trunk divides into right colic artery and ileocolic artery in a cadaver. The right colic artery and middle colic artery were found to take origin from a common trunk in a cadaver. The common trunk for IPD (artery and middle colic artery was found in one cadaver. The common trunk for right colic artery and ileocolic artery was observed in four cadavers. Accessory right colic artery was observed in four cadavers. The common trunk for accessory right colic artery and middle colic artery was found in two cadavers. Accessory right colic artery, right colic artery, ileocolic artery, and ileal branches had their origins from a common trunk in a cadaver. Variations in relation between SMA and superior mesenteric vein were found in two cadavers.

Conclusion:
Awareness and knowledge regarding the variations in SMA and its relation with vein are important for surgeons and radiologists to avoid both intraoperative and postoperative complications during surgical and diagnostic procedures involving intestines.
An Anomalous Relationship of the Maxillary Artery with the Mandibular Nerve Branches: A Rare Case Report of Two Anatomical Variations
Authors: Occhialini Annette P. , Muppirala Manasa S. , Nayak Sidharth , Nguyen Christopher T. , Nguyen Hoang H. , Nation Haley L. 
Published: May 2024

Abstract
The maxillary artery (MA) and mandibular nerve are important structures in the infratemporal fossa (ITF) supplying large portions of the face. During a medical dissection course, two rare anatomical variations pertaining to the MA’s relationship to the mandibular nerve branches were found in three ITF. In these cases, the MA was seen to travel medial to the mandibular nerve branches. Case 1 had bilateral, asymmetric variations. On the left, the MA traveled medial to a trunk formed by the inferior alveolar and lingual nerves and lateral to the chorda tympani nerve (CTN). On the right, the MA passed lateral to the lingual and CTNs and medial to the inferior alveolar nerve. Case 2 had a unilateral variation on the left such as the variation seen on the right in Case 1. A clear understanding of MA variations has several clinical implications. This study provides a resource that may prevent complications such as bleeding, hematoma, and injury to the mandibular nerve or its branches during clinical procedures.
Morphological Variations of the Cystic Duct and its Clinical Significance
Authors: Shanmugam Sumathi , Subbiah Kalaiyarasi , Thiagarajan Sivakami 
Published: May 2024

Background:
Anatomical variations of the cystic duct (CD) are common with an incidence of 18%–23% and are commonly encountered during cholecystectomy. The prevalence of such variations in our region is recorded so as to create awareness to avoid significant ductal injury in biliary surgery.

Methodology:
This observational cross-sectional study was undertaken on one hundred specimens of liver with extrahepatic biliary apparatus available in the department of anatomy. The morphology of CD was studied with respect to its length, course, mode, and level of union. Descriptive statistical analysis was done.

Results:
The range of length of the CD varied between 0.6 and 5.5 cm. The mean length of the CD was 2.06 ± 1.142 cm. 15% were short CDs and 3% had long CDs. The CD opened into the right hepatic duct in 2% and there was a triple confluence in 1%. There was a high union of CD with common hepatic duct (CHD) in 7.2% and a low union in 3.1%. The CD joined the CHD at an acute angle in 82.47% laterally and medially in 1.03%, paralleled in 11.3% of which 9.3% had a short parallel course, and 2% had a long parallel course and spiralled either anteriorly or posteriorly in 5.2%.

Conclusion:
These variations of CD have surgical significance in order to avoid damage to the ducts during surgical procedures, especially with increasing laparoscopic cholecystectomies. Hence, an awareness to look for these variations in preoperative radiological imaging is essential for the surgeons to avoid catastrophes.
Perceived Effectiveness of Cadaveric and Three-dimensional Virtual Dissection in Learning Anatomy among First-Year MBBS Students: A Cross-sectional Study from Northeastern India
Authors: Ralte Sarah , Bhattacharyya Asima , Momin Ambath D. , Sundaram Shanthosh Priyan 
Published: May 2024

Abstract

Introduction:
The advent of three-dimensional (3D) virtual digital technology in the 21st century has tremendously impacted medical education worldwide. The aim of the present study is to evaluate the attitude and response of first-year MBBS students toward traditional cadaveric dissection and 3D virtual dissection in learning human anatomy through descriptive validated questionnaires.

Methodology:
The present study is a cross-sectional and observational study. Fifty students of first-year MBBS batch of a tertiary medical college in north-east region of India were taught gross anatomy of the human body by cadaveric, 3D virtual, and combined dissection methodologies in the Department of Anatomy, North Eastern Indira Gandhi Regional Institute of Health and Medical Sciences, Mawdiangdiang, Shillong, Meghalaya, India, over a period of 1 year. The students assessed the perceived effectiveness of different dissection methodologies through semi-structured questionnaires at the first-phase, mid-phase, and at the end-phase of the study.

Results
More than half of the respondents (60%) preferred learning the gross anatomy of the upper limb and lower limb regions by “combined 3D virtual followed by cadaveric dissection methodology.” At the completion of thorax and abdomen regions, 28 students (56%) voted for “combined cadaveric followed by 3D virtual dissection methodology.” At the completion of the study, all students preferred the combined dissection methodology with 30 (60%) students preferring the “combined cadaveric followed by 3D virtual dissection methodology” while 26 (52%) students voted for the “combined 3D virtual followed by cadaveric dissection methodology.” The feedback from the validated questionnaires at the completion of the study was statistically analyzed using Cronbach’s alpha test.

Conclusions:
The findings suggest that both the combined dissection methodologies complemented each other very well in understanding, recalling, and learning human anatomy, with the highest rating coming from both the combined dissection methodologies.