bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The elderly, COVID-19, and violence: A qualitative content analysis
Authors: Nozarpour Jasem , Fallahi-Khoshknab Masoud , Arsalani Narges , Norouzi Kian , Ahmadi Fazlollah 
Published: May 2024

ABSTRACT

Introduction:
Violence against the elderly is one of the types of domestic violence that is one of the major social health problems in modern societies and whose incidence has increased sharply in the last two decades, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. The present study aims at explaining the concept of violence against the elderly during lockdown and the epidemic of COVID-19.

Methods:
This qualitative study was conducted with a conventional content analysis approach in Izeh (a city in Khuzestan Province) in 2021. The data were collected through conducting unstructured interviews as well as taking field notes with as many as 13 elderly family members. After obtaining informed consent, the collected data were written word for word, and the content analysis method was applied to name the data, create analytical codes, and determine subgroups and categories. The data were analyzed using MAXQDA-10.

Results:
The results of this study indicated that the elderly who have been subjected to violence have many ambiguities in the process of identifying and dealing with the violence inflicted on them; the fear of being rejected by family members and their escalated violence make the violence remain hidden.

Conclusion:
Given their failure to seek help and the lack of support provided by the related organizations, the elderly did not report violence inflicted on them, which in turn led to the spread of violence against them. Thus, it is recommended that nurses and health policymakers provide the required planning to address the problems of violence against the elderly during the COVID-19 pandemic and post-pandemic era.
Comparison of flow-mediated dilation (FMD) of the brachial artery in normotensive versus preeclamptic pregnant females
Authors: Verma Manju L. , Mueed Namra , Singh Uma , Sachan Rekha , Sankhwar Pushp L. 
Published: May 2024

ABSTRACT

Introduction:
Flow-mediated dilation (FMD) of the brachial artery is an ultrasonography test that assesses the endothelial response to reactive hyperemia. The aim of this study was to assess the changes in FMD in preeclamptic pregnant patients and compare them with normotensive pregnant females.

Methods:
An analytical cross-sectional comparative study was conducted in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology at King George’s Medical University (KGMU) after obtaining ethical approval. A total of 110 normotensive and 100 preeclamptic patients were recruited for the study. Using a Toshiba Ultrasound Machine with a 7–12 MHz probe, the baseline diameter of the brachial artery D1 was measured. Afterward, the cuff of the sphygmomanometer was placed distally on the forearm and it was inflated up to ≥250 mm of Hg pressure and later slowly deflated. At 90th seconds after cuff deflation, the mean of three measurements of vessel caliber (D2) was obtained. The FMD% was obtained by the following equation: FMD (%) = [(D2 − D1)/D1] ×100, where D1 = basal diameter and D2 = post-occlusion diameter. All patients were followed till delivery for maternofetal outcome.

Results:
FMD% was significantly lower in the preeclampsia group, and it went on decreasing with increasing severity of preeclampsia. At the cutoff of 9.4 for FMD%, its sensitivity for the prediction of preeclampsia was 65.3%, specificity was 89.3%, positive predictive value (PPV) was 94%, and negative predictive value (NPV) was 50%.

Discussion:
FMD is a noninvasive test, and it gets decreased before clinical signs of preeclampsia, so it can be used as a predictor of preeclampsia.
Management of nonhealing venous leg ulcer: A case report
Authors: Mandal Sisir Kumar , Yadav Vijay Singh , Sharma Meenakshi , Agarwal Vivek , Yadav Ragini , Sahu Girwar 
Published: May 2024

Abstract
Venous ulcer is the recurrent form of ulceration that occurs due to chronic venous insufficiency. Its annual prevalence rate is 1.69%. If not properly treated, it may lead to gangrene, cellulitis, and even amputation of the affected part. The condition can be correlated to Sirah granthi janya dushta vrana in classics. In the conventional system, conservative and surgical treatment is practiced, which has only a supportive role. Ayurveda treatment modalities have vast potential in various challenging skin conditions and ulcers. The present case report is the description of a venous ulcer of a 42-year-old male, which was diagnosed through a Doppler study of the venous system of lower limbs. Here, a holistic Ayurvedic approach, including Shamana chikitsa (pacifying therapy) and Jaloka (leech therapy), was employed for 3 months. Complete healing of the wound without any adverse effects was found.
The role of Ayurveda in management of nicotine addiction-Critical review
Authors: Das Kishore , Kumawat Dinesh Kumar , Sharma Anita , Pandey Narayan 
Published: May 2024

Abstract

Background:
Nicotine is one of the most widely abused drugs throughout the world. It is the main cause of most of the major noncommunicable diseases. As per the Global Adult Tobacco Survey of India, about 29% of the population is addicted to tobacco and various nicotine-containing products. As per estimates by WHO, the use of tobacco in various forms is responsible for 13.3% of all deaths in India.

Aims and Objectives:
The aim of the study is to highlight the different Ayurvedic principles that can be used to prevent and manage nicotine addiction and withdrawal.

Materials and Methods:
The required information regarding this article has been taken from various clinical studies published by different authors in a variety of indexed and nonindexed journals, along with it personal clinical experience has been taken into consideration. Ayurvedic Samhitas, along with modern medical books, has also been taken into consideration. Ayurveda, which is a hub of many herbal preparation and procedures, have also suggested various ways to prevent and manage the symptoms arising due to addictive substances. The procedures include the use of medicated herbs, Padanshik Karma (gradual adopting and leaving) and Panchkarma procedures. Yoga and meditations, along with awareness and counseling, have also shown significant results in the prevention and treatment of nicotine addiction.

Result and Conclusion:
Thus, Ayurvedic principles of treatment like Sadvritta (good regimen or moral code of conduct), Achara Rasayana (lifestyle and behavioral modification), Satvyajaya Chikitsa (Ayurvedic psychotherapy), Padanshik Karma, Yoga and Meditation, awareness and counseling can be successfully used for management of nicotine addiction.
Impact of Nursing Interventions on Patient Satisfaction in a Covid Intensive Care Unit During Peak of Pandemic in Resource-Limited Setting
Authors: Simalti Ashish Kumar , Vijayan Vedika A. , Pramanik Suman , Mathew C. Jancy , Gupta Neha , Malvika K 
Published: May 2024

Background:
Caregivers not being allowed into the COVID wards prevented them from being involved in caring for their relatives in respect of day-to-day activities such as eating, drinking, and walking to the washroom. The aim of this study was to observe the challenges faced by patients admitted to intensive care unit (ICU) with COVID-19 pneumonia. We also observed the impact of two simple nursing interventions related to feeding and defecation and noted their impact in terms of patient's satisfaction.

Materials and Methods:
A semi-structured feedback questionnaire was prepared to cover common challenges faced by patients after interview with 10 patients admitted at a COVID ICU. Two simple nursing interventions were performed related to feeding and defecation.

Results:
Breathlessness was the most common issue as all the patients admitted were hypoxic. Inability to perform routine day-to-day functions such as feeding, drinking, sitting, and walking were other common issues. Emotional issues like anxiety, fear homesickness, and loneliness were also very high. Most (69.44%) patients were satisfied with a blended diet which was easy to take for patients with breathlessness. Most (77.28%) of patients were satisfied with intervention of helping them sit on a commode chair while on oxygen.

Conclusion:
During this pandemic, where all our efforts seemed insufficient in face of this unprecedented crisis yet these small seemingly insignificant steps helped both the patients as well as nurses in making the atmosphere more positive.
Changes in the Psychophysiological and Cognitive Parameters of the Sailors Wearing Cooling Vest While Working in High Ambient Temperature Condition of the Engine Room Onboard a Naval Ship
Authors: Jaipurkar Raksha , Mohapatra SS , Banerjee Chitra , Bobde Saurabh , Karade Santosh 
Published: May 2024

Background:
Cooling vests are supportive garments used to overcome heat stress among individuals working in hot and humid environment. These vests were used extensively by fire-fighters and coal mine workers in past. In this study we have evaluated the effectiveness of cooling vest on psychophysiological and cognitive parameters of the sailors working in the engine room of a Naval ship.

Aims and Objectives:
Aim of out is to evaluate effectiveness of cooling vests in alleviating heat strain and maintain physiological parameters and behavioural alertness of sailors working in the hot and humid climate of engine room.

Materials and Methods:
The Physiological Strain Index (PSI), the level of Anxiety and the Psychomotor Vigilance testing was determined from 50 healthy male sailors while on 4 hrs of watch in the engine room in two different occasions i.e. once wearing the cooling vest and once more without wearing it. Subjective perception of acceptability of cooling vest was assessed by a self-made questionnaire.

Results:
The mean body temperature (Aural), pulse rate, respiration rate along with the Physiological Strain Index (PSI) was significantly lower both during mid watch as well as at the end watch among the engine room sailors while performing the watch wearing the cooling vest (Watch-2) in comparison to the watch without wearing it (Watch-1). The mean change in reaction time in the Psychomotor Vigilance Testing (PVT) was lesser while performing the watch with cooling vest (Watch-2) than the watch without it (Watch-1). Similarly, a higher proportion of participants had shown to have no increase in their anxiety level (Hamilton Anxiety Score) at the end of the watch when performing it with cooling vest. Also, the positive acceptance for the cooling vest was also observed among larger portion of participants.

Conclusion:
The study indicated lesser heat strain, lesser deterioration of Psychomotor vigilance function, lesser proportion of participants showing anxiety among the sailors wearing cooling vest while working in the hot and humid condition of engine room of a naval ship. A positive acceptance for cooling vest was also observed among higher number of these participants.
Role of D-dimer Levels at Admission in Predicting Outcome in Coronavirus Disease-2019 Patients
Authors: Singh Jasdeep , Bhatia Jasvinder Kuar , Ghosh VSM Sitaram , Singh Brajesh 
Published: May 2024

Introduction:
Worldwide pandemic spread of the novel coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) has led to people being afflicted by COVID-19 with an ever-rising mortality leading to 1,079,029 deaths as on October 13, 2020 (covid19.who.int). Due to the rising incidence and mortality associated with COVID 19 in India with 7,175,880 confirmed cases and 109,856 deaths reported till October 13, 2020, it was imperative to have an early and effective predictor of clinical outcome to augment the present management of COVID 19 patients.

Objective:
The aim of the present retrospective study was to evaluate whether elevated D-dimer levels at admission in a reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) confirmed COVID-19 patients could predict the severity of disease and outcome.

Methods:
D-dimer levels of patients with RT-PCR confirmed COVID-19 were retrospectively evaluated for patients admitted at this tertiary care hospital in India from March 28, 2020 to June 2, 2020. D-dimer levels on admission along with the clinicopathological profile of the patients were retrieved from the records held and intensive care unit (ICU) as well as death events were collected to calculate the optimum cutoff using the receiver operating characteristic curve. The subjects were divided into two groups and D-dimer levels between uncomplicated cases and those requiring ICU admission or died during the course of disease compared to assess the predictive value of D-dimer.

Results:
A total of 70 patients were included in this study admitted in this tertiary care hospital whose complete D-dimer records were available and retrieved retrospectively. Ten deaths occurred during hospitalization in the study period. Patients with mean D-dimer levels ≥4026.56 μg/ml (fibrinogen equivalent units [FEU]) had a higher incidence of morbidity and mortality as compared to those who with lower mean D-dimer levels of 1268.66 μg/dl (FEU) with P < 0.001. The optimum cutoff value of D-dimer to predict in-hospital ICU admission or mortality at our hospital was 857.9 μg/L (FEU) with a sensitivity of 93.3% and a specificity of 69.09% and a negative predictive value of 97.44%.

Conclusion:
A D-dimer level > 857.9 μg/L (FEU) at admission portends a worse outcome for COVID-19 patients.
Seroprevalence of SARS-COV2 Antibodies among the Serving Personnel of South Western Command
Authors: Grewal Vikram Singh , Bandyopadhyay Kuntal , Jain Ashish , Dhawan Rakhi , Singh Arunjeet , Raikar Kedar Jayant , Dahiya Navdeep , Kharche Chetan , Srivastava Sanjeev Satish , Dutt Manohar , Kotwal Atul 
Published: May 2024

Background:
Serological diagnosis has become an important tool to understand the extent of COVID-19 in the community. Thus, this study was conducted to estimate the prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies and to analyze various characteristics (risk factors) associated with SARS-CoV-2 infection among serving personnel in a large geographical area straddling four North Indian states.

Materials and Methods:
This multicentric, cross-sectional analytical study was conducted among serving personnel in eight stations spread over Punjab, UP, Haryana, and Rajasthan in October-November 2020. A total of 3680 (410 × 8 = 3280 general participants and 50 × 8 = 400 purposive samples) individuals were enrolled and tested using IgG ELISA kit (in four stations) and RAPID CARD-based tests (in the rest four stations).

Results:
While the overall seroprevalence was found to be 16.57% (610/3680 participants being positive), the seropositivity was found to be 12.01% (10.92%–13.70%) and 54% (52.35%–56.45%) among the study participant's and purposive sampling groups, respectively. While statistically significant association was found between seronegativity and attending any lecture on COVID-19 before the survey (P < 0.001) or following recommended protocols for the prevention of COVID-19 (P < 0.001), a similar association was found between seropositivity and occupation with high exposure to serving personnel or civilians (P < 0.001), having close contact (less than one meter) with COVID-19 confirmed cases in the past (P < 0.001) and being tested positive for COVID-19 in the past (P < 0.05).

Conclusion:
Our study found a moderate overall seroprevalence with low seroprevalence in few stations and high in the rest.
Prevaccination Seroprevalence of COVID-19 Immunoglobulin G Antibodies in Health-care Personnel and General Population after First Pandemic Wave in a Himalayan Region in North India
Authors: Khan Inam Danish , Jindal Ashok Kumar , Sahai Kavita , Samanta Indranil 
Published: May 2024

Introduction:
COVID-19 has been declared as Public Health Emergency of International Concern with extreme risk of sustained global spread. The pandemic is likely to evolve in successive waves until herd immunity threshold (HIT) is achieved. Asymptomatic carriers and contacts are likely to elude case reporting through conventional algorithm of case finding, testing, contact tracing, and outbreak surveillance, thereby leading to underestimation of disease burden. Widespread community-level transmission of COVID-19 renders higher risk to health-care personnel due to higher propensity and duration of multiple exposures compared to general population.

Methods:
This is a cross-sectional clinicoepidemiological outcome surveillance study on prevaccination seroprevalence of COVID-19 immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibodies against S1 receptor binding domain in health-care personnel and general population.

Results:
Seroprevalence of COVID-19 IgG in 570 health-care personnel was 224/570 (39.3%), without any skew based on age or gender. 75% were exposed in the hospital while 21.2% were exposed during travel and 3.1% through high-risk contact outside the hospital. Out of 33 COVID-19 positives, 88% underwent hospital isolation including one ICU admission and 12 home isolation. Seroprevalence of COVID-19 IgG in 400 individuals from general population samples was 138/400 (34.5%).

Conclusion:
Prevaccination seroprevalence of COVID-19 IgG antibodies after the first pandemic wave revealed no significant difference among health-care personnel and general population reflecting upon a possibility of consecutive pandemic waves until community attainment of HIT. Seroepidemiology can be a robust tool essential to ascertain exposure, immune response, immunity status, and predict susceptibility in population cohorts.
Reference range of testosterone and dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate levels in women during reproductive age in the Iranian population
Authors: Meamar Rokhsareh , Feizi Awat , Aminorroaya Ashraf , Amini Masoud , Iraj Bijan , Heidarpour Maryam 
Published: May 2024

Backgrounds:
To determine the average cutoff values of serum-free and total testosterone (FT, TT) and dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEAS) among healthy premenopausal women.

Materials and Methods:
Participants were women aged 18–55 years without signs and symptoms of hyperandrogenism (n = 489). Participants if Ferriman–Gallwey (FG) scores between 6 and 8 were considered a group located in the upper spectrum related to the normal hirsutism score (n = 30). DHEAS, TT, and FT levels were compared between different populations. Upper limits of 97.5 and 95 and lower limits of 5 and 2.5 percentiles were calculated to provide the reference intervals for DHEA, TT, and FT in the total sample and in the population with FG 6–8.

Results:
In the total population, the mean ± standard deviation (SD) serum FT, TT, and DHEAS levels were 1.40 ± 0.63 pg/mL, 0.42 ± 0.17 ng/mL, and 1.5 ± 0.97 µg/ml, respectively. The cutoff values of FT at 1.35 and TT at 0.49 were obtained for differentiating the patients with FG 6–8 scores from the normal population, with the corresponding specificity of 0.60, the sensitivity of 0.67, and area under the ROC curve (AUC) (confidence interval 95%) of 0.63 (0.52–0.73), P = 0.01 and 0.68 (0.58–0.78) P = 0.001, respectively.

Conclusions:
In our study, the mean ± SD serum FT level was 1.40 ± 0.63 pg/mL, the TT level was 0.42 ± 0.17 ng/mL, and the DHEAS level was 1.5 ± 0.97 µg/ml, in premenopausal women between 18 and 49 years of age. Furthermore, in a population with FG 6–8 score, a cutoff value of FT at 1.35 and TT at 0.49 was obtained. Although the irregular menstrual cycle did not change the reference range when compared with the normal group.
Effect of Ganoderma lucidum on serum lipid profiles: A systematic review and meta-analysis on animal studies
Authors: Aref Maryam , Khoshhali Mehri , Ghasemi Pouria , Adeli Shaghayegh , Heidari-Beni Motahar , Kelishadi Roya 
Published: May 2024

Background:

Ganoderma lucidum (G. lucidum) is one of the most popular edible mushrooms in the world which has various pharmacological components. Recently, some animal studies have investigated the lipid-lowering effects of G. lucidum and have shown contradictory results. This study aims to systematically review the effects of G. lucidum on lipid parameters in animal studies.

Materials and Methods:
A systematic search was conducted in the Medline database (PubMed), Scopus, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, and Google Scholar up to the end of January 2022. Only animal studies and all eligible randomized controlled trials (RCTs), including cluster RCTs and randomized crossover trials were included. The English language studies that assessed the effects of G. lucidum on lipid profiles including total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), and very low-density lipoproteins (VLDL) were selected.

Results:
Among 358 studies, 49 articles were included in the systematic review and meta-analysis. G. lucidum consumption was associated with decreased levels of TG (standardized mean difference [SMD] = −1.52, 95% CI: −1.79, −1.24), TC (SMD = −1.51, 95% CI: −1.75, −1.27), LDL-C (SMD = −2.03, 95% CI: −2.37, −1.69) and VLDL (SMD =-1.06, 95% CI: −1.638, −0.482). Furthermore, G. lucidum consumption was associated with increased levels of HDL-C (SMD = 1.03, 95% CI: 0.73, 1.33).

Conclusion:

G. lucidum has favorable effects on TG, TC, LDL-C, HDL-C, and VLDL. Different doses of G. lucidum have various degrees of effectiveness on lipid profiles.
Evaluating the effect of cow’s milk fortified with albumin powder on malnutrition and anthropometric indices in primary-school children with mild-to-moderate underweight: A randomized double-blinded clinical trial
Authors: Davarpanah Hajar , Ziaee Roxaneh Sadat , Esmaeilinezhad Zahra , Etemadfar Peyman , Hematyar Javad , Babajafari Siavash , Barati-Boldaji Reza 
Published: May 2024

Background:
A proper diet plan is one of the necessary conditions for maintaining the children’s health. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of consumption of pasteurized cow’s milk fortified with albumin protein in primary-school children, in Yasuj, Iran.

Materials and Methods:
In this double-blind randomized clinical trial with 12 weeks of duration, 60 children aged 7–13 years, mild to moderate underweight (−1≥ weight-for-age z-score ≥−3), were randomly assigned to control and albumin groups. The albumin group and the control group received 200 cc of milk with 10 g of albumin powder and 200 cc of milk with 10 g of cornstarch powder, respectively. At the beginning and end of the study, food intake and anthropometric indices were measured.

Results:
After 12 weeks of intervention, none of the anthropometric indices (weight, weight-for-age z-score, body mass index (BMI), BMI-for-age z-score, and waist circumference) showed significant changes as compared to baseline in the control group, but weight-for-age z-score and BMI-for-age z-score showed significant increase as compared to baseline in the albumin group (before: −2.25 ± 0.40, after: −1.98 ± 0.35, P = 0.001 and before: −3.48 ± 0.86, after: −3.06 ± 0.71, P = 0.009, respectively). The comparison of the mean changes between the two groups showed significant difference regarding weight-for-age z-score (control group: −1.70 ± 0.31 in comparison with albumin group: −1.98 ± 0.35, P = 0.002), BMI (control group: 12.08 ± 1.96 in comparison with albumin group: 12.13 ± 1.49, P = 0.03), and BMI-for-age z-score (control group: −3.11 ± 0.91 in comparison with albumin group: −3.06 ± 0.71, P = 0.02).

Conclusion:
The consumption of albumin powder with milk can improve weight-for-age z-score and BMI-for-age z-score indices in children with mild-to-moderate underweight. Larger controlled interventional studies with longer duration are recommended.