bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Clinical utility of red blood cell distribution width in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus
Authors: Elbadry Haridy Alaa A M , Abd-Elwahab Nadia M , Abdou Madleen Adel A , Abd Elsamea Mona H 
Published: May 2024

Abstract

Aim
To investigate the value of red blood cell distribution width (RDW) as a biomarker of activity in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and its relationship with disease activity and severity.

Patients and methods
A total of 50 patients with SLE and 46 healthy controls were included. Complete blood count (CBC), antinuclear antibodies, antidouble-stranded DNA antibodies, complement 3, systemic lupus erythematosus disease activity index, and Systemic Lupus International Collaborating Clinics/American college of rheumatology damage index were assessed in patients with SLE.

Results
The mean age of SLE was 31.12 ± 8.68 years, and the majority of studied participants were females. RDW was significantly higher in patients with SLE compared with healthy controls (15.42 ± 2 vs. 13.57 ± 0.78; P=0.000). In patients with active SLE, the RDW was significantly higher than in those with inactive disease (15.86 ± 2.25 vs. 14.38 ± 1.78; P=0.032). At a cutoff value of greater than 14.6, RDW can indicate active SLE disease with sensitivity and specificity of 65.7 and 60.0%, respectively. The area under the curve was 0.692, with P=0.033.

Conclusion
The RDW was significantly high in patients with SLE compared with healthy controls, and these high levels were associated with disease activity.
Predictive utility of plasma fibrinogen level in B-cell lymphoma: a single-center cohort study
Authors: Tarek Nada , Younes Soha , Suliman Marwa A , Ibrahim Gehan A 
Published: May 2024

Abstract

Background
Recent reports have demonstrated an association between high fibrinogen levels and the prognosis of patients with B-cell lymphoma; still, the current evidence is inconclusive. Thus, we assessed the association between plasma fibrinogen level and the treatment response of B-cell lymphoma patients.

Patients and methods
In this descriptive cohort study, newly diagnosed B-cell lymphoma patients who attended a tertiary hospital were included and followed up after treatment. Plasma fibrinogen level was assessed at baseline and at6 months after treatment.

Results
Twenty-six patients were included. The pretreatment fibrinogen level (496.9 ± 177.2) was significantly higher than the posttreatment (357.9 ± 165.7) (P<0.05). Cases with response to treatment had significantly lower fibrinogen levels (pretreatment and posttreatment) than cases without response to treatment (P<0.05). The plasma pretreatment fibrinogen had significant predictive value for response to treatment at a cutoff level less than or equal to 597 mg/dl, with a sensitivity of 100% and specificity of 57.1%. Likewise, the posttreatment fibrinogen had significant predictive value for response to treatment at a cutoff level less than or equal to 342 mg/dl, with a sensitivity of 91.7% and specificity of 71.4%.

Conclusion
Fibrinogen is a simple, affordable, and highly sensitive biomarker for patients with B-cell lymphoma. Elevate plasma fibrinogen is associated with worse clinical outcomes in patients with B-cell lymphoma. Further multicentric studies with larger sample sizes and longer duration of follow-ups are required to validate these findings.
Predictors of survival in the Egyptian patients with primary myelofibrosis: a single-center prospective cohort study
Authors: Abdallah Ghada E M , Aziz Maha A , Nafady Howaida , Thabet Marwa , Hussein Safinaz 
Published: May 2024

AbstractBackgroundPrimary myelofibrosis (PMF) is a clonal hematological myeloproliferative neoplasm distinguished by poor prognosis and reduced life expectancy. This study aimed to detect the overall survival (OS) in patients with PMF and assess the factors affecting clinical outcomes.AimTo assess factors affecting OS in patients with PMF.Design and MethodsA prospective cohort study included 73 patients with PMF. The dynamic international prognostic scoring system (DIPSS) score was calculated for risk stratification. Age, DIPSS score, excess circulating blast,JAK2 V617Fmutation, bleeding, and thrombosis complications were correlated with OS.ResultsThe median age of our participants at diagnosis was 55 years. TheJAK2 V617Fmutation was positive in 26 (35%) patients. Our patients were classified according to the DIPSS score into intermediate-1, with 21 (28.77%); intermediate-2, with 43 (58.9%) patients; and high, with nine (12.33%) patients. The Kaplan–Meier curve was used to calculate time-to-death curves, which were compared by the log-rank tests. The Cox regression test was done to recognize risk factors for the OS. Age and excess peripheral blast cells were negative predictors of survival outcome (P=0.012 and 0.005, respectively).ConclusionAdvanced age and excess peripheral blast cells are predictors of inferior survival outcomes in patients with PMF.
Polymorphisms of the DNA repair genes (APE1, XPD, and RAD51) and the risk of developing cytogenetic abnormalities in a cohort of Egyptian patients with newly diagnosed AML
Authors: El-Noshokaty Essam H , Ebid Gamal T , Ayoub Mahmoud A , Gawdat Rania M 
Published: May 2024

Abstract

Background
Genetic alterations of the DNA repair genes might decrease the efficiency of DNA repair mechanisms and increase susceptibility to cancers such as acute myeloid leukemia (AML).

Objectives
The purpose of the present study was to detect the association of APE1Asp148Glu; rs1130409, XPD Lys751Gln;rs13181 & RAD51 G135C;rs1801320 polymorphisms with the risk of developing abnormal cytogenetics in a sample of newly diagnosed AML Egyptian patients.

Methods:
The target genetic polymorphisms were determined by polymerase chain reaction and restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR –RFLP) in 101 AML blood samples comprising 70 cases with normal cytogenetics and 31 cases with abnormal cytogenetics.

Results:
The genotypic variants of APE1Asp148Glu; rs1130409 polymorphism (T/G,G/G,T/G+G/G) were significantly associated with cytogenetic abnormalities than normal cytogenetics in the studied de novo AML cases {P-0.022,OR:3.463,95%CI:1.199-10.002;P-0.042,OR:3.85,95%CI:1.049-14.124;P-0.01,OR:3.568,95%CI:1.299-9.797}, respectively. The combined APE1 mutants (T/G+G/G) were more likely to be associated with t(15;17){P-value0.02,OR:10.08,95%CI:1.23-82.41}. The association of XPD Lys751Gln combined mutants (A/C+C/C) and RAD1 G135C(G/C+C/C) in AML cases with abnormal cytogenetics were not significantly different from those with normal cytogenetics.

Conclusions:
APE1Asp148Glu; rs1130409 polymorphism in AML may be associated with the development of favourable cytogenetic abnormalities, especially t(15; 17) .This association might affect AML prognosis but further large sample studies including AML cases with adverse cytogenetics should be performed.
Prognostic value of serum vimentin in adult Egyptian patients with acute lymphoblastic leukemia
Authors: Naguib Meleak Mary G , El-Metwally Reham A , Azzazi Mohamed O , Moussa Mohamed M , El-Ghammaz Amro M S , Mohamed Haydi S 
Published: May 2024

Abstract

Background
Vimentin is a type III intermediate filament protein that is normally expressed in mesenchymal cells. Vimentin is recognized as a marker of epithelial–mesenchymal transition. It is overexpressed in cancer cells such as breast cancer, prostate cancer, melanoma, and gastrointestinal cancers. It plays an important role in tumor growth, invasion, and metastatic progression. Its role in hematological malignancy is still under investigation.

Aim
To measure serum vimentin level in the peripheral blood of adult patients with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) and correlating it with clinical outcome and prognosis of the disease.

Patients and methods
Serum vimentin was measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay in 40 patients with ALL recruited from the hematology unit and compared with 20 healthy controls, with follow-up of 12 months.

Results
Vimentin levels were significantly higher in patients with ALL than in controls (P<0.001). Vimentin levels were also positively correlated with high white blood cell count (P=0.030).
Patients were divided into two groups using the median value of their vimentin (18 ng) into high vimentin group and low vimentin group. We found that patients with high vimentin level have shorter median overall survival than patients with low vimentin level (5.18 vs. 6.73 months) but with no statistical significance detected (P=0.598). Regarding disease-free survival, the patients with high vimentin level has shorter disease-free survival than patients with low vimentin level (1.67 vs. 7 months), with no statistical significance (P=0.588).

Conclusion
Vimentin is overexpressed in patients with ALL and associated with poor clinical outcome.
Successful Surgical Embolectomy for a Rapidly Deteriorating Patient with Pulmonary Embolism and Hemorrhagic Stroke
Authors: Nasri Mohamad Salim Mohamad Kousay , Abdelghani Mohamed Salah , Carr Cornelia S. , Wani Mohd Lateef , Al-Hijji Mohammed 
Published: May 2024

Pulmonary embolism (PE) is a life-threatening condition. High-risk PE is defined as pulmonary embolism with either hemodynamic collapse, persistent hypotension, and/or organ hypoperfusion. The overall mortality rate associated with high-risk PE remains at approximately 30%.
Intermediate–high risk PE is a new term introduced to identify hemodynamically stable PE patients with evidence of right ventricular dysfunction.
Thrombolytics therapy is the first choice for treatment of high-risk PE with hemodynamic instability; however, in a patient who failed thrombolytics or have contraindication to thrombolytics, thrombus removal either with open surgical or catheter embolectomy is a good alternative.
We report a case of a patient who presented with hemorrhagic stroke complicated by intermediate–high-risk PE that rapidly deteriorated before undergoing successful surgical embolectomy.
A Study on Nature of Violence Against Doctors in Tertiary Care Centers in Karnataka, India: A Cross-Sectional Study
Authors: Nayanar Bharath Sekhar , Fareed Nusrath , Battur Hemanth , Praveena Jaseela 
Published: May 2024

Background:
Over the previous decades, violence against physicians has risen. To comprehend the issue connected with it, we need to know the nature of violence and doctor’s views on the current state of safety at their disposal. The purpose of the study was to assess the incidence and nature of violence against doctors in tertiary health care centers in Karnataka, India.

Objectives:
The objectives were to collect data from three tertiary care centers, evaluate the incidence of violence against doctors in tertiary care centers, and evaluate the nature of violence against doctors in tertiary care centers.

Methods:
From the list of all tertiary care centers in Dakshina Kannada, three tertiary care hospitals were randomly chosen. Approval of the Ethical Committee from the Institutional Ethics Committee (IEC) of KVG Dental College and permission from chosen hospitals were obtained. A pre-validated questionnaire was handed over to the available physicians and surgeons in these hospitals to be filled. The total number of participants in the study was 330.

Results:
Nearly half (48.02% of physicians) reported experiencing violence during working hours. The Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology recorded 43.2% of instances, while surgery, medicine, and other departments reported 23.6%, 22.8%, and 10.4%, respectively.

Conclusions:
Violence against physicians continues to be a huge issue that must be addressed through decisive measures by the police and hospitals. This impacts the healthcare system in the nation and often cripples it owing to the loss of human resources and working hours.
Traumatic Dental Injuries and their Association with Demographics and Other Predisposing Risk Factors in School Children Aged between 8-13 Years: A Descriptive, Cross-Sectional Study
Authors: Bellamkonda Pavani , Varghese Eby , Alasabi Asim Nasser , Alshehri Nasser Mohammed , Bhandary Srikala , Krishnan Ramesh , Babu Suresh J , Swarnalatha C , Nayyar Abhishek S. 
Published: May 2024

Background:
Traumatic dental injuries are most commonly seen in school age children. This not only affects physical, but, also, the psychological and social well-being of a child. The aim of the present study was to assess the prevalence of traumatic dental injuries in school children aged between 8 and 13 years and their association with the demographics and other predisposing risk factors.

Materials and Methods:
The present study was conducted as a cross-sectional study design on 1500 school children aged between 8 and 13 years. Apart from clinical examination, all the participants were asked to complete a questionnaire related to the injuries sustained. Statistical analysis was conducted using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 21.0 (IBM, Chicago). Pearson’s Chi-square (Χ²) test was used for categorical data analysis and distribution to determine the association between categorical variables, while P < 0.05 was considered statistically significant.

Results:
The prevalence of traumatic dental injuries in the present study was calculated at 9.7%. Also, the occurrence of such injuries was found to be higher in the age group of 8–11 years with 10 years being the peak age of incidence for sustaining such injuries. Again, crown fracture involving enamel was found to be the most common type of injury sustained, while proclination observed in relation to upper anterior teeth, and incompetent lips were found to be the independent, significant risk predictors associated with the frequency and severity of such injuries.

Conclusions:
The results obtained in the present study suggested a high prevalence of traumatic dental injuries in school children aged between 8 and 13 years highlighting the need for conducting educational programs, for increasing knowledge and awareness of parents, school children and school faculty in this regard to save the affected child patients from the more dreaded sequelae including complete loss of tooth structure, and social and emotional trauma.
Comparison of Knowledge, Attitude, and Practices of Nursing Staff Regarding Cervical Cancer Screening at Various Levels of Health Care Facilities in Western India
Authors: Kaushal Rashmi , Patel Mamta , Bhardwaj Pankaj , Gupta Manoj , Mathur Deepti , Dash Girish Chandra , Shekhar Shashank 
Published: May 2024

Background:
Cervical cancer is a public health problem, and nursing personnel are crucial for successful implementation of low-cost cervical cancer screening approaches in low-resource settings. The following study assessed and compared the knowledge, attitude, and practices regarding cervical cancer and its screening among female nursing staff at different levels of health care facilities in western Rajasthan, India.

Methodology:
An anonymous pre-validated, structured questionnaire was used as the study tool among 233 female nursing personnel of primary, secondary, and tertiary care health facilities. Multiple logistic regression was performed to determine the association between level of knowledge with level of health care and other demographic variables.

Results:
The nursing staff of the tertiary care health facility demonstrated significantly higher knowledge compared to those working at primary and secondary levels [adjusted odds ratio (95% confidence interval) 11.01 (3.80–32.40)]. At tertiary care, the practices of the nursing professionals were not found significantly associated with any socio-demographic variable including age, marital status, or level of health care facility.

Conclusion:
The overall knowledge of cervical cancer was poor, especially among staff nurses at primary and secondary levels of health care. In order to implement a successful population-based screening program in India, it is important to update the nursing curriculum and start in-service trainings at primary and secondary levels of health care facilities.
Effect of Structured Exercise-Based Intervention on Upper Quadrant Dysfunction among Fish Processing Workers with Work-Related Musculoskeletal Disorders
Authors: V Rajesh N. Gundmi , Gangahanumaiah Somu , Maiya Arun G. , Guddattu Vasudeva 
Published: May 2024

Background:
Musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) are one of the major causes of morbidity, which affect particularly the upper quadrant in industrial settings and so upset the quality of life (QoL). The influence of the protocol of exercise-based programs at the workplace on the well-being of the worker is contradictory. The objective of the study was to find the effect of the structured exercise-based intervention on upper quadrant dysfunction among fish processing workers with work-related MSDs.

Methods:
The intervention group (n = 91) participated in an individually tailored structured exercise-based intervention (SEBI) program for three months, which consisted of stretching, strengthening, and active exercises. The control group (n = 93) was instructed to continue routine daily activities. The outcome measures of the cluster-randomized controlled trial were Neck Disability Index (NDI), Disabilities of Arm, Shoulder, and Hand (DASH), Visual Analog Scale (VAS), and Short Form-36, used to evaluate at baseline, eighth, and twelfth week. The data were analyzed by repeated analysis of variance and Student’s t-tests.

Results:
The results for the overall perception of upper quadrant dysfunction showed statistically significant differences (P < 0.0001) for NDI, DASH, and VAS. Further, we obtained a significant difference in QoL between the intervention and control groups for physical and psychological health sub-domains.

Conclusion:
SEBI effectively enhanced the general health of fish processing workers by showing improvements in the measures of NDI, DASH, VAS, and QoL. Hence, SEBI can be recommended in the fish processing industries to achieve potential impact on upper quadrant dysfunction and improve the QoL.
Maternal Experiences during Pregnancy, Delivery, and Breastfeeding Practices: A Community-based Analytical Cross-sectional Study
Authors: Shanmugam Jeevithan , Kumar Mohan , Jayaraj Naveen P. , Rajan Palanivel 
Published: May 2024

Background:
Evidence on variation in the information provided to mothers during antenatal and postnatal periods, its influence on breastfeeding awareness, and practice in urban and rural settings of India is scarce. The aim of the study was to assess the variation in mothers experience during pregnancy, delivery, and maternity period across settings and its influence on breastfeeding practices in the first six months of infants’ life.

Methods:
A community-based analytical cross-sectional study was carried out in urban and rural settings of Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, among 800 mothers who had delivered between one year and six months before the date of the survey using simple random sampling.

Results:
The proportion of mothers with less than four antenatal visits were significantly higher in urban areas (urban vs rural, 11.4% vs 6.2%). The mean scores for positive experiences during pregnancy (MD −0.99, 95% CI −1.31 to −0.69), experiences during birth and maternity period (MD −0.59, 95% CI −0.83 to −0.35) were significantly lower in the urban areas compared to rural areas. The prevalence of exclusive breastfeeding was 75.8% and 85.0% in urban and rural areas, respectively. Mothers not satisfied with experiences during delivery and maternity period (OR 1.69, 95% CI 1.18 to 2.42) and from urban areas (OR 1.81, 95% CI 1.27 to 2.59) were at significantly increased risk of nonexclusive breastfeeding.

Conclusion:
The present study showed that mothers from urban areas were not provided with appropriate, adequate, and timely information by the healthcare providers. It is the need of the hour to train and motivate healthcare providers regarding maternal awareness of antenatal, intranatal, and postnatal care practices including breastfeeding and infant care.
Symptomatic improvement following resection of cystic pineal lesions
Authors: Porto Guilherme B.F. , Alshareef Mohammed A. , Lowe Stephen R. , Chatterjee Arindam R. , Welsh Cynthia T. , Carroll Steven , Patel Sunil J. 
Published: May 2024

Introduction:
Pineal cysts have proven to be a challenging pathology for neurosurgeons. Due to occasional nonspecific symptoms, as well as a wide range of possible morphology and diagnoses, literature is scarce, and little evidence-based management guidelines exist.

Methods:
We present a retrospective review of 38 patients who underwent a surgical resection of a pineal lesion in a single center by a single surgeon between 2012 and 2018. Symptoms, imaging characteristics of the lesion, pathology report, and postoperative radiographic and clinical outcomes were collected.

Results:
Thirty-eight patients were selected. The most common preoperative symptoms included headaches (97%), visual disturbances (89%), cognitive disturbances (58%), and nausea/vomiting (53%). Preoperative radiographic measures showed no relationship to the pathological diagnosis of pineal cyst or pineocytoma (P > 0.05) except for mass effect on the tectal plate that was associated with pineocytoma (P < 0.05). Lesion pathology breakdown: 23 (60%) – World Health Organization Grade I pineocytoma, 14 (37%) – simple pineal cysts, and 1 (3%) – pineal parenchymal tumor of intermediate differentiation. The mean follow-up was 24 months. Headaches and visual disturbances were relieved in 78% and 58% of patients, respectively. Cognitive disturbances were found to be correlated with pineal cyst (P < 0.01). Patients with hyperintense fluid-attenuated inversion recovery signal and enhancement on preoperative magnetic resonance imaging were found to be at higher risk of not experiencing full symptom resolution (P < 0.05). Finally, if no symptom resolution occurred, then higher chance of patients not returning to work was seen (P < 0.05).

Conclusion:
Albeit challenging to treat, careful examination of presurgical imaging findings and surgical resection of appropriately selected pineal lesions can lead to significant relief of preoperative symptoms and overall meaningful improvement.
Correlation of clinical and radiological scores for evaluation of activity in patients having thyroid-associated orbitopathy: A prospective observational study
Authors: Singh Manpreet , Rana Neeti , Ahuja Chirag , Gupta Pankaj , Zadeng Zoramthara 
Published: May 2024

Purpose:
To find a correlation between the clinical (vision–inflammation–strabismus–appearance [VISA] score) and radiological (apparent diffusion coefficient [ADC] values) scores for evaluating disease activity in patients with thyroid-associated orbitopathy.

Design:
A prospective comparative study.

Methods:
Our study was performed for consecutively diagnosed thyroid-associated orbitopathy (TAO) patients. Clinical evaluation included the VISA classification system with the basic thyroid workup. An inflammatory score of <4/8 was considered inactive and ≥4/8 as an active disease. Every included patient underwent a diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (DW-MRI) scan of the orbits. The orbital parameters evaluated on imaging included the proptosis, thickness, as well as the ADC values of extraocular muscles.

Results:
We studied 33 consecutive patients (23 females, 69.7%) with a mean age of 41.8 years. The majority (n = 27, 81.8%) were hyperthyroid, four were hypothyroid, and two were euthyroid. In the VISA classification, nine patients had active TAO (≥4/8 inflammation score), while 24 had inactive disease. There was a positive correlation between the inflammation score and ADC values of medial rectus (MR), inferior rectus (IR) and lateral rectus (LR). We had nine patients with inflammation scores ≥4. With receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis, we found that the ADC value of IR can predict disease activity with 68% sensitivity and MR-ADC can predict active TAO with 87% sensitivity.

Conclusion:
The ADC parameters of DW-MRI are objective and less operator dependent than the clinical TAO activity scores like VISA classification. A randomized control trial may provide robust data on this correlation.