bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Rare Masqueraders of Pure Neuritic Leprosy: A Report of Four Cases
Authors: Sadhukhan Subhajit , Bhardwaj Abhishek , Kumar Shubham , Yadav Taruna , Patra Suman , Tiwari Sarbesh 
Published: February 2025

Abstract

Introduction:
Hansen’s disease is a chronic, infective granulomatous skin disease with a wide array of manifestations that resemble many dermatological and neurological conditions. Pure neuritic Hansen’s disease is a familiar form among leprosy physicians, and it poses significant diagnostic difficulty. Various disorders can mimic leprosy neuropathy clinically and these patients may receive multidrug therapy in endemic areas due to the commonality of leprosy. Hence, it is necessary to be aware of mimickers of leprosy in its various forms.

Patients and Methods:
We conducted a single-center retrospective analysis from January 2022 to June 2023. We reviewed clinical, radiological, and histopathological findings of the patients referred from neurology outpatient department which mimicked leprosy neuropathy.

Results:
We are presenting four such patients with symptoms related to neuropathy and disability. The slit skin smear was negative in all these patients, and ultrasonography, magnetic resonance imaging, and histopathology were done for diagnostic confirmation. Ultimately, all these patients were concluded to be non-leprosy cases, and an alternative diagnosis was made.

Conclusion:
Leprosy can appear in various patterns and can be mistaken for other dermatoses. Since leprosy still carries a social stigma attached to it, a wide range of dermatological and neurological illnesses must be ruled out in the differential diagnosis. These four rare entities can also mimic pure neuritic leprosy, and a thorough neurocutaneous examination complemented with appropriate radiological investigations is key to diagnosing these conditions.
Efficacy and Safety of Cysteamine in Melasma in Patients of Skin of Colour: A Brief Report
Authors: Sarkar Rashmi , Sahu Anjali , Mendiratta Vibhu 
Published: February 2025

Abstract

Background:
Melasma is a common disorder of pigmentation. Traditional treatments often come with limitations, prompting the need for alternative newer therapies. Cysteamine cream, a new topical depigmenting drug, has shown potential in treating melasma while maintaining a good safety profile.

Aim:
This case series aims to evaluate the efficacy and safety of cysteamine cream in treating melasma in patients of skin of colour (Fitzpatrick’s skin types III, IV, and V).

Patients and Methods:
Ten Indian women with Fitzpatrick skin types III–V with epidermal melasma diagnosed clinically and by Wood’s lamp examination, with history of no other medications other than sunscreen use in the last 4 weeks, applied cysteamine cream (5% cysteamine hydrochloride) once daily for 15 minutes, followed by rinsing with water, over 6 weeks. Broad-spectrum sunscreen with SPF 30+ was used during the day. The primary outcomes were the modified Melasma Area and Severity Index (mMASI) score and patients’ satisfaction score.

Results:
All patients showed a significant reduction in mMASI scores, with an average improvement of 29.72%. High patient satisfaction (44.6%) was reported, and adverse effects reported in minority (20%) were minimal, including transient mild stinging and lightening of surrounding skin.

Limitations:
Small sample size, lack of a control group, and no long-term follow-up.

Conclusion:
Cysteamine cream is an effective and safe treatment for melasma in women of colour. This case series supports its use as a first-line therapy for melasma, offering a promising option for patients who may experience adverse effects from traditional treatments.
Construction and Validation of a Novel “Pruritus Impact Scale” (PIS) for Assessment of Chronic Pruritus
Authors: Saugat Dileep , Mittal Asit , Vyas Kapil , Kaushik Pratap Bhan , Gupta Lalit , Maheshwari Kriti 
Published: February 2025

Abstract

Background:
Currently available pruritus assessment tools may not always fulfill the needs of the Indian population and populations who share similar sociocultural backgrounds. To overcome this limitation, a new assessment tool “Pruritus Impact Scale (PIS)” was constructed and validated.

Aims and Objectives:
The primary objective is to construct and validate the novel PIS. The secondary objective is to evaluate the responsiveness of PIS to changes in symptoms.

Patients and Methods:
This study design was cross-sectional for the primary objective and longitudinal for the secondary objective. The study recruited 435 patients of chronic pruritus of different etiologies for the construction of the PIS scale. Patients were asked to fill out four different pruritus measuring tools i.e., Numerical Rating Scale (NRS), Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI), 12-item Pruritus Severity Score (PSS), and newly constructed PIS. The PIS was derived from existing standard assessment tools with certain modifications to keep a balance of psychometric properties of the scale and the sociocultural needs of the population. The validity and reliability of the scale was assessed. For detecting the response of PIS to change in pruritus intensity, 276 patients were followed and were instructed to refill all four scales at 6 weeks from the baseline. The responsiveness was judged by comparing the mean score of all scales at baseline with the mean score at 6 weeks. In addition, the changes in the scores among all 4 scales were correlated and compared.

Results:
PIS showed strong internal consistency (Cronbach α = 0.882) and positively correlated with other validated pruritic tools such as NRS (ρ = 0.938, P < 0.0001), DLQI (ρ = 0.914, P < 0.01) and 12- PSS (ρ = 0.913, P < 0.001) at baseline. PIS showed satisfactory reproducibility at 3-hour intervals (Cronbach α = 0.994). Responsiveness to change in pruritus as measured by PIS at 6 weeks reassessment was correlated well with the changes in NRS (ρ = 0.689, P value < 0.0001), DLQI (ρ = 0.586, P value < 0.0001) and 12-PSS (ρ = 0.928, P value <0.0001).

Limitations:
A noteworthy limitation of the present study is the lack of comparison of different items (within a construct) comprised in different tools used for comparison.

Conclusions:
The newly constructed PIS is a valid tool in the studied population.
A Nomogram Prediction Model for Clinical Outcome of Trauma-induced Coagulopathy Patients with Severe Multiple Trauma
Authors: Shen Jun , Xu Feng 
Published: February 2025

Abstract

Introduction:
The objective of this study was to investigate the predictive value of thromboelastography (TEG) combined with conventional coagulation test parameters for the clinical outcome of patients with trauma-induced coagulopathy (TIC) and establish and evaluate a clinical nomogram for predicting the prognosis of TIC patients.

Methods:
Clinical data of severe multiple trauma patients who underwent emergency treatment in the hospital from November 2018 to August 2021 were enrolled retrospectively. The prognosis was evaluated according to the length of hospital stay and the 30-day survival rate. Multivariable logistic regression model was used to evaluate the correlation between TEG parameters and clinical outcomes. A nomogram model was constructed and the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was used to evaluate the predictive value.

Results:
Univariate analysis indicated that there were significant differences in age, hypertension, temperature fluctuation (>3°C), transfusion, kinetics time (K), angle (α) value, maximal amplitude (MA), and international normalized ratio between the good and poor outcome group (P < 0.05). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that age, Glasgow Coma Scale scores, temperature fluctuation (>3°C), and MA parameters were independent risk factors for poor outcome, and we established the nomogram prediction model. According to ROC curve analysis, the area under the curve for MA parameter was 0.689 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.610–0.760), and the corresponding sensitivity and specificity were 44.12% and 91.87%, respectively. The area under the curve for temperature fluctuation (>3°C) was 0.697 (95% CI: 0.618–0.768), and the corresponding sensitivity and specificity were 60.00% and 79.67%, respectively.

Conclusion:
TEG parameters combined with relevant clinical indicators can be used to evaluate the prognosis of TIC patients with severe multiple trauma. The establishment of correlation nomogram model was guiding significance for clinical evaluation of long-term prognosis of trauma patients.
Comparison of the donor site healing following free gingival graft procedure with and without topically applied ozonated oil as wound dressing
Authors: Dharani Kalaiselvan , Priyangha P.T. 
Published: February 2025

Abstract:

Aim:
The present study aimed to compare and assess the wound healing efficacy of topically applied ozonated oil in palatal wounds following a free gingival graft (FGG) procedure.

Materials and Methods:
A total of 10 patients were selected and randomly assigned to control or test groups. FGG surgery was carried out on all the patients. In the test group, the patients received ozonated oil of 14 μg/mL concentration at the donor site. In the control group, the patients were not treated with ozonated oil and received only stent at the donor site. The primary outcomes calculated were postoperative pain (Visual Analog Scale) and wound healing index (Landry et al.), and the secondary outcome calculated was wound size for up to 28 days.

Results:
A total of 10 individuals completed the study. A statistically significant reduction was observed in both primary and secondary outcomes. Statistically significant differences were noted in intergroup comparison at 5th, 7th, 14th, 21st, and 28th day with a mean difference of −3.200 (P = 0.001), −2.200 (P = 0.018), −1.600 (P = 0.027), −1.800 (P = 0.037), and 2.600 (P = 0.001), respectively. In intragroup comparison, there were no statistically significant differences in the index scores in the groups on the 5th and 7th day, and a significant improvement in healing was observed in both the groups by time from the 14th to 28th day. In intergroup comparison, statistically significant differences were noted on the 5th, 7th, 21st, and 28th days with a mean difference of 1.400 (P = 0.005), 1.400 (P = 0.005), 1.000 (P = 0.020), and 1.400 (P = 0.002), respectively. Statistically significant reduction in coronal-apical dimension of wound size was noted at the 5th, 7th, 14th, 21st, and 28th day from baseline with a mean difference of −1.400 (P = 0.002), −1.200 (P = 0.040), −1.600 (P = 0.001), −2.200 (P ≤ 0.001), and −1.800 (P = 0.007), respectively. There was no statistically significant reduction in the mesiodistal dimension of wound size on the 5th and 7th day with a mean difference of − 0.600 (P = 0.174) and − 0.600 (P = 0.208). Significant differences were noted on the 14th, 21st, and 28th days from day 0 with a mean of − 1.600 (P = 0.019), −2.600 (P = 0.001), and −2.200 (P = 0.003).

Conclusion:
These results suggest that topical ozonated oil application on palatal wounds following FGG harvesting enhances tissue healing in terms of epithelialization and wound size reduction and also reduces postoperative discomfort.
Estimation of salivary sodium, potassium, and calcium levels in periodontal health and disease
Authors: Pampani Priyanka , Shenoy Santhosh , Anegundi Raghavendra Vamsi , Shekar Magesh Kumar , Dharani Kalaiselvan , Fathima Lubna 
Published: February 2025

Abstract:

Objectives:
This study aimed to estimate and compare salivary sodium, potassium, and calcium levels in periodontal health and disease.

Materials and Methods:
A total of 150 patients were selected based on selection criteria. The selected patients underwent complete periodontal examination and were categorized into three groups – Group A, Group B, and Group C. Group A (control group) consisted of 50 patients with healthy subjects. Group B (gingivitis group) consists of 50 patients with gingivitis. Group C (periodontitis group) consists of 50 patients with Stage II/III periodontitis. Gingival index, probing pocket depth, and clinical attachment loss were measured and recorded. The unstimulated whole saliva was collected and sent for biochemical analysis using colorimetric and modified Arsenazo III method.

Results:
A statistical comparison of salivary sodium, potassium, and calcium levels was analyzed among the three groups by a one-way Analysis of Variance test. Tukey Post hoc test was used for pair-wise statistical comparison among the groups. Salivary sodium, potassium, and calcium levels between the groups showed a statistically significant difference with P < 0.001. P value was statistically higher when Group A (healthy group) compared with Group C (periodontitis) than Group A (healthy group) compared with Group B (gingivitis).

Conclusion:
Within the limitation of the current study, there was an increase in Group C (periodontitis group) concentration levels of salivary sodium, potassium, and calcium ions, which showed a statistically significant difference. However, additional studies are necessary to investigate these findings, and future periodontal research should include larger sample sizes with prospective and experimental study designs.

Clinical Relevance:
The assessment of these inorganic ions can be effectively utilized as a significant diagnostic marker of active disease in periodontal tissues. It would help the clinician identify the risk of developing periodontitis.
Stage IV, grade B periodontitis in a patient with coinfection with the human immunodeficiency virus, hepatitis C, and oral candidiasis
Authors: Bitu Thaissa Cavalcante Vieira , Silva Raphaela Canuto , Bandeira Lucas Muniz Pinto , Cunha Diana Araújo , Silva Paulo Goberlanio Barros , Nobre Átila Vinícius Vitor 
Published: February 2025

Abstract:
Opportunistic infections are common in patients infected with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) in acquired immunodeficiency syndrome. This case report demonstrates a clinical case of an individual with periodontitis, HIV/hepatitis C coinfection, and candidiasis, using different drugs and under irregular antiretroviral therapy. The combination of several local and systemic conditions highlights the importance of the case and the need for health professionals to know the management of these combined pathologies in the context of HIV infection. We can conclude that it is extremely important for dentists to be aware of periodontal diseases in HIV-infected patients, due to the pathogenic mechanisms associated with these pathologies.
Galectin-3 as a biomarker for periodontal disease severity in postcoronavirus disease 2019 patients: A clinical and biochemical investigation
Authors: Mithradas Nimisha , Sudhakar Uma , Rajaram Vijayalakshmi , Ram Shankar , Ravindran Navina 
Published: February 2025

Abstract:

Background:
The relationship between coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and periodontitis has been interesting. Understanding this connection is crucial for comprehensive patient care and highlights the importance of monitoring and addressing oral health issues in an individual’s post-COVID-19 recovery. This study compared and evaluated the serum Galectin-3 (Gal-3) levels and clinical parameters in healthy individuals with chronic periodontitis with no history of COVID-19 and post-COVID-19 patients with periodontitis.

Materials and Methods:
Group I consists of 25 post-COVID-19 patients with Stage II Grade B periodontitis, 25 patients with Stage II Grade B periodontitis without any history of COVID-19 (Group II), and 25 healthy controls (Group III) were recruited for the study. Gal-3 levels in serum were assessed using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) kit. Clinical periodontal variables were measured and recorded, including clinical attachment level (CAL), plaque index (PI), and probing pocket depth (PPD). Data analyses were done using the one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) test and Tukey’s honest significant difference post hoc tests.

Results:
Group I patients had a higher serum Gal-3 concentrations of 14.757 ng/ml compared to 11.127 ng/ml and 8.673 ng/ml in Group II and Group III, respectively, and the mean difference in Gal-3 levels was statistically significant with P = 0.000. The mean PPD, CAL, and PI were significantly high in Groups I and II compared to Groups II and III with P = 0.000.

Conclusion:
The current study’s findings demonstrated that periodontitis patients and individuals with post-COVID-19 and periodontitis had increased Gal-3 levels in the serum compared to healthy participants. This study highlights the relevance of treating periodontitis during the post-COVID-19/long-COVID era and the need to maintain oral hygiene by identifying possible biomarkers and understanding specific underlying processes.
Antimicrobial efficacy of extracts obtained from aerial part, leaves, and flowers of Sphaeranthus indicus on different periodontal pathogens: An in vitro study
Authors: Gawade Mahendra Rawaji , Agrawal Amit Arvind , Sreeram Meenakshi , Mohan Mahalaxmi 
Published: February 2025

Abstract:

Introduction:

Sphaeranthus indicus is a medicinal plant widely used in the Indian traditional system of medicine for curing various ailments. However, there has been no report of any study testing its antimicrobial action against dental or periodontal pathogens. Hence, the aim of this study was to evaluate the in vitro antimicrobial activity of extract of whole plant, leaves, and flowers of S. indicus against four periodontal pathogens, namely, Porphyromonas gingivalis, Tannerella forsythia, Fusobacterium nucleatum, and Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans.

Materials and Methods:
Extracts of the aerial part (whole plant), leaves, and flowers of Sphaeranthus indicus were prepared using cold maceration and ethanol extraction. The extracts were tested for their antimicrobial activity against periodontal pathogens by using in vitro serial dilution method at concentration of 12.5, 25, 50, and 100 μg/ml. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) of all three groups were determined against all four periodontal pathogenic using thioglycollate broth and chlorhexidine as a positive control.

Results:

P. gingivalis and Fusobacterium nucleatum were most susceptible to leaves extract (12.5 μg/ml and 25 μg/ml) followed by whole aerial plant extract (25 μg/ml and 50 μg/ml), but were least susceptible to flower extract (100 μg/ml). Another pathogen, T. forsythia was most susceptible to whole plant and flower extracts (25 μg/ml), followed by leaves extract (100 μg/ml). Finally, A. actinomycetemcomitans was most susceptible to flower extract (25 μg/ml), followed by equal susceptibility at 50 μg/ml concentration of either whole plant or leaves extracts.

Conclusion:
The S. indicus ethanol extracts of aerial parts, leaves, and flowers showed good antimicrobial activity against periodontal pathogens.
Comparative evaluation of the relative efficacy of autogenous tooth graft and demineralized freeze-dried bone allograft in the treatment of periodontal infrabony defects – A 6-month clinico-radiographic and biochemical study
Authors: Singh Anamika , Blaggana Vikram , Upadhyay Preeti , Tripathi Pragya , Blaggana Anshu 
Published: February 2025

Abstract:

Context:
Demineralized freeze-dried bone allograft (DFDBA) is a commonly used biomaterial in periodontal regeneration, while autogenous tooth graft (ATG) is a newer, nearly ideal biomaterial. In the literature, in vivo studies on ATG for managing periodontal infrabony defects are rare.

Aims:
The aim of this study was to comparatively evaluate the efficacy of DFDBA and ATG in the management of periodontal infrabony defects clinically, radiologically, and biochemically.

Settings and Design:
In this randomized controlled clinical trial, 30 sites were selected based on the study criteria and randomly assigned to Group A (DFDBA) and Group B (ATG) by toss of a coin.

Materials and Methods:
Selected patients were evaluated 3–4 weeks after phase I therapy. Both the groups underwent open flap debridement: Group A sites were grafted with DFDBA and Group B with ATG. Clinico-radiological evaluation was performed at baseline, 3 months, and 6 months for pocket probing depth (PPD), clinical attachment level (CAL), and linear defect depth (LDD). Biochemical assessment was done using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for gingival crevicular fluid-alkaline phosphatase (GCF-ALP) at baseline and at 6 months.

Statistical Analysis:
Data obtained were subjected to parametric tests of significance (paired and unpaired t-test).

Results:
In intragroup comparison, highly significant differences (P < 0.01) were observed in PPD reduction, CAL gain, LDD reduction, and GCF-ALP levels statistically from baseline to 6 months in both the groups. However, Group B showed greater PPD reduction, CAL gain, and LDD reduction as compared to Group A (3.667 > 2.933, 2.600 > 2.000, and 2.400 > 1.533 mm, respectively). Biochemically, Group B demonstrated higher GCF-ALP levels than Group A.

Conclusions:
Within the limitations of the present study, highly significant changes were noticed in all the parameters statistically in both the groups, with ATG showing higher bone fill and ongoing bone healing at 6 months postoperatively in the management of periodontal infrabony defects.
Microscopic evaluation of the effect of low-level laser therapy on platelet-rich fibrin: An in vitro study
Authors: Suresh Sruthi Kallayil , Arishinagodi Girija Venkatesh , Patil Mallanagouda B. 
Published: February 2025

Abstract:

Background:
Platelet-rich fibrin (PRF) serves as a natural fibrin-based biomaterial scaffold, facilitating cellular attachment. Low-level laser therapy (LLLT) may influence PRF properties through its stimulatory effects.

Aim:
The study aimed to evaluate the effect of LLLT on PRF architectural changes and platelet concentrate values.

Materials and Methods:
Thirty-four samples from seventeen subjects were included in the study, with 20 mL of blood collected from each participant. Blood was distributed into two 10 mL vacutainer tubes: one served as a control for baseline platelet and leukocyte counts, whereas the other was used for PRF preparation. The PRF samples were vertically cut into two equal parts and divided into two groups: Group I (without laser treatment) and Group II (treated with LLLT). Histological preparations were performed for all samples. The mean and standard deviation of platelet and leukocyte counts in Groups I and II were analyzed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 17.1. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) and post hoc tests were employed for comparisons.

Results:
Platelet and leukocyte values showed statistically significant differences, with greater cellular entrapment in Group II compared to Group I. The residual serum cell count in both groups was lower than the whole blood cell count. Microscopically, Group I displayed dense, thick fibrils with increased spacing distally, whereas Group II exhibited thinner fibrils with gradual density changes toward the distal end.

Conclusion:
PRF obtained in both groups was similar in size. Laser irradiation altered the fibrin architecture and enhanced platelet and leukocyte entrapment in PRF.