bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Analysis of change in knowledge, attitude, and practices about COVID-19 following and awareness session in rural population of Western India
Authors: Shah Saurabh N. , Shah Drashti , Desai Nimisha , Shah Sandip H. , Bhowmick Shreyasee 
Published: April 2023

Background:
Beginning of the pandemic showed our limitations in our understanding of the spread of the dreaded coronavirus-19 that had sprung from China and spread through thick and thin across the world. The measures to contain the spread of virus in the absence of specific treatment protocol had everyone grope for the solutions in a very short time frame. One such is the knowledge, attitude, and practice in the rural setup.

Aim:
The aim of the study is to measure the change in knowledge, attitude, and practices (KAP) regarding COVID-19 following an awareness session in rural population.

Materials and Methods:
A cross-section interventional study was carried out in January 2021. An interactive awareness session was conducted with the help of audiovisual aids following MOHFW guidelines for COVID-19, and the change in KAP about COVID-19 was measured by pre- and posttest standardized questionnaire.

Results:
Of all the participants, statistically significant change in knowledge was seen from 43% to 52%. The villagers were educated about preventive steps and a positive change was measured in the practice of changing masks regularly (84%–100%), maintaining social distancing (44%–64%), frequent handwashing (52%–64%). No change was seen in wearing of masks (92%) and negative change was seen in avoiding handshakes (32%–28%). The preventive practices regarding COVID-19 pandemic changed significantly from 50% to 58%. Our study measured positive attitude change toward getting vaccinated from 64% to 72%.

Conclusion:
A single, short awareness session led to significant change in KAP about COVID-19 in rural population.
Efficacy of psychological intervention in patients with post-COVID-19 anxiety
Authors: Priyamvada Richa , Ranjan Rupesh , Chaudhury Suprakash 
Published: April 2023

Background:
Individuals who suffered from COVID-19 remain stressed and worried about anxiety issues for significant changes in daily living activities, causing strong emotional distress.

Aim:
The aim of this study was to assess the efficacy of psychological intervention in patients with post-COVID-19 anxiety.

Materials and Methods:
Thirty patients recovered from COVID-19 were selected for the study of age group 20–45 years of both the sexes. Initially, sociodemographic data sheet was filled, and after that, Mental Health Inventory (MHI) was administered. The patients who scored less on MHI were taken for the study, and psychoeducation, relaxation exercises, and activity scheduling were given to them. The goal of intervention was to prepare the patients to learn, interpret, and react to physical and psychological symptoms related after recovering from COVID-19 infection. The intervention was done for 30 min twice a week for 1 month, after that again postassessment was done to see the efficacy of psychological intervention.

Results:
Result reveals a significant improvement in mental health-related issues after psychological intervention as assessed by the MHI.

Conclusion:
Psychological intervention resulted in significant improvement of post-COVID-19 anxiety and related mental health issues.
Sociodemographic and clinical profile of cannabis-induced psychosis
Authors: Padhi Debasish , Shukla Priyanka , Chaudhury Suprakash 
Published: April 2023

Background:
Cannabis is the most widely used drug in the world. An association between cannabis use and mental illness, in particular psychotic illness, was recognized since long. Various cultures have traditionally used cannabis for different purposes, and continuous increasing use of cannabis is promoting psychosis also.

Aim:
The present study has tried to identify the differences in profile between the two groups and thus proposing possible variables underlying cannabis and psychosis.

Materials and Methods:
This cross-sectional descriptive hospital-based study included 50 consecutive cannabis-using patients with psychosis and equal number of age-matched patients with schizophrenia but no cannabis intake. Permission was taken from the institutional ethics committee. All subjects gave written informed consent. Detailed history regarding psychotic symptoms and different parameters of cannabis use were collected from the key informant as well as the patients in the ward. Both the groups' psychotic symptoms were assessed using scale for assessment of the positive symptoms.

Results:
There is no significant difference between both the groups with respect to age. Cannabis-using patients with psychosis showed high symptomatology in the areas of pressure of speech, distractible speech, and clanging. On the other hand, patients with schizophrenia but no cannabis intake showed high symptomatology in the areas of derailment, incoherence, illogicality, and global rating of positive formal thought disorder.

Conclusion:
Continuous heavy use of cannabis can induce a psychotic disorder distinct from acute schizophrenia. Cannabis-induced psychosis has distinct demographic, premorbid, and clinical features.
Correlates of depression, anxiety, self-esteem, and suicidal ideas in COVID-associated mucormycosis patients and the effects of treatment
Authors: Ahuja Amod , Samudra Madhura , Prasad Shashi Prabha , Chaudhury Suprakash , Bora Shivangi , Singh Varsha , Dhore Nilay 
Published: April 2023

Aim:
The aim was to study the correlates of depression, anxiety, self-esteem, and suicidal ideas in patients of COVID-associated mucormycosis (CAM) and effects of treatment.

Materials and Methods:
A cross-sectional, analytical study was performed in a tertiary care center in Western Maharashtra. By purposive sampling, 34 patients of CAM were included in the study with their informed consent and after obtaining ethical clearance. A self-made questionnaire to include demographic and clinical details was filled. Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale (RSES), and Suicidal Ideation Attributes Scale (SIDAS) were applied after initial diagnosis. The HADS, RSES, and SIDAS were reapplied after their operative treatment.

Results:
A significant reduction in anxiety and depression scores postoperatively was seen. No significant difference was found in self-esteem or suicidal ideas postoperatively in the study population. However, patients who underwent orbital exenteration showed a significant reduction in level of self-esteem with anxiety and depression postoperatively. No specific correlation was found between the computed tomography score, family history, intensive care unit admission, or orbital exenteration with anxiety, depression, self-esteem, and suicidal ideas.

Conclusion:
Levels of anxiety and depression in patients of CAM reduced significantly after treatment, but self-esteem worsened in males more than females owing to disfigurement. There is a need of psychological counseling in patients of mucormycosis undergoing a debilitating surgery both pre- and postoperatively for a better outcome and recovery.
First report on larvicidal potential of zinc sulfide aqua nanoparticles against Aedes aegypti (Linnaeus)
Authors: Sandhu Komalpreet Kaur , Vashishat Nisha , Sidhu Anjali 
Published: April 2023

Background & objectives:
Mosquitoes are considered to be the deadliest arthropod-vectors, which cause millions of human deaths globally. Presently, nanotechnology in the field of insect pest management is being explored. The current study deals with the synthesis of zinc sulfide nanoparticles (ZnS NPs) in aqueous medium and their larvicidal efficacy against Ae. aegypti.

Methods:
Aqueous zinc sulfide nanoparticles were synthesized by mixing equal quantities of zinc acetate and zinc sulfide solutions by using sonochemical irradiation method. The synthesized NPs were characterized by Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM). Larvicidal activity was performed according to WHO protocol and toxicity values were calculated by log-probit technique using POLO software. The morphological alterations between treated and control larvae were observed and compared.

Results:
TEM studies revealed the average particle size of synthesized nanoparticles to be 19.65 ± 1.08 nm with distorted spherical shape. The mosquito-larvicidal efficacy of ZnS NPs against Ae. aegypti showed maximum lethal effects with the LC50 and LC90 values of 4.49 and 15.58 ppm respectively. The morphological analysis of the mosquito larvae treated with ZnS NPs revealed shrunken and darkened body.

Interpretation & conclusion:
This study suggests that synthesized zinc sulfide aqua nanoparticles have good potential larvicidal properties making them best candidate for Aedes aegypti control.
Aqueous deficiency dry eye in post conjunctivitis cicatrization - Effect of deep thermal punctal cautery
Authors: Agarwal Manokamna , Srinivasan Bhaskar , Agarwal Shweta , Pandey Sunita , Kumar Shobha P S , Sadhu Soumen , Saranya S , Iyer Geetha 
Published: April 2023

Purpose:
To evaluate the effect of deep thermal punctal cautery in eyes with post-conjunctivitis cicatrization.

Methods:
This retrospective study consisted of patients who underwent deep thermal punctal cautery for post-conjunctivitis dry eye (PCDE). The diagnosis was based on a history suggestive of viral conjunctivitis in past followed by the onset of present clinical features of aqueous deficiency dry eye (ATD). All patients underwent a rheumatological evaluation to rule out underlying systemic collagen vascular disease as a cause for dry eye. The extent of cicatricial changes was noted. Best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), Schirmer’s test, and fluorescein staining score (FSS; total score of 9) were analyzed pre- and post-cautery.

Results:
Out of 65 patients (117 eyes), 42 were males. The mean age at presentation was 25.769 ± 12.03 years. Thirteen patients presented with unilateral dry eye. Pre-cautery BCVA (logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution [logMAR]) and Schirmer’s test (mm) improved from 0.5251 ± 0.662 to 0.372 ± 0.595 (P value = 0.000, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.09–0.22), and 1.952 ± 2.763 to 4.929 ± 4.338 (P value = 0.000, 95% CI: -3.79–-2.17); post-cautery, respectively. The pre-cautery FSS of 5.9 ± 2.82 reduced to 1.58 ± 2.38 (P value = 0.000, 95% CI: 3.46–5.17) post-cautery. The mean follow-up was 11.22 ± 13.32 months. No progression in cicatricial changes was noted in any eye during the follow-up. Re-canalization rate was 10.64%, and repeat cautery was performed with successful closure of puncta.

Conclusion:
Symptoms and clinical signs of ATD in PCDE patients improve with punctal cautery.
Efficacy and safety of topical 2% rebamipide ophthalmic suspension in dry eye disease at tertiary care centre
Authors: Jain Kalpna , Jaju Meenu , Yadav Dinesh 
Published: April 2023

Purpose:
To evaluate the effect and side effects of topical 2% rebamipide ophthalmic suspension in dry eye disease.

Method:
This prospective randomized case control study included total 80 patients (40 cases and 40 controls) of dry eye. Symptoms were graded according to OSDI scoring system and specific tests for dry eye included Tear film breakup time (TBUT), Schirmer’s test, Fluorescein corneal staining (FCS), Rose Bengal staining) were performed. Case group received 2% rebamipide ophthalmic suspension four times daily and control group given carboxymethylcellulose 0.5% four times daily. The follow ups had done at two, six and twelve weeks.

Results:
The maximum numbers of patients were between 45-60 years. Patient with mild moderate and severe OSDI Score shows marked improvement. Mild TBUT score showed improvement but statistically not significant (P value-0.34). In moderate and severe TBUT Score statistically significant improvement (P value- 0.0001, 0.0001). In all grade FCS shows statistically significant improvement with p value-0.0001, 0.0001, and 0.028 respectively. Schirmer’s test score in all cases had shown improvement but statistically not significant and P value were 0.09, 0.07, and 0.07 respectively. In mild, moderate and severe Rose Bengal staining statistically significant improvement (P value -0.027, 0.0001, and 0.04) .The only side effect was dysgeusia (10% patients).

Conclusion:
Rebamipide 2% ophthalmic suspension showed significant improvement in symptoms and signs of dry eye. It able to modify epithelial cell function, improve tear stability, and suppress inflammation suggests that it may be a first drug of choice for severe dry eye disease.
Impact of salivary stimulation on tear film function in dry eye subjects
Authors: Sah Anup Kumar , Aparna S , Ashwini D L 
Published: April 2023

Purpose:
Dry eye is a common condition affecting people worldwide. It causes ocular discomfort by reducing the quality of vision and impacts daily activities. To overcome such ocular discomfort, artificial tears are used but it is difficult to use artificial tears every time to protect eyes from dryness. There is a need to explore other treatment options, which can be used during work hours. The aim was to study the effect of salivary stimulation on tear film functions among dry eye subjects.

Methods:
Thirty-three subjects were enrolled in this prospective experimental study. Tear film function tests such as tear break up time (TBUT), tear meniscus height (TMH), and Schirmer’s I and II tests were conducted. For dry eye subjects, salivation was induced by giving a tamarind candy (a soft slightly sour tamarind pulp mixed with sugar) for 5 min. Tear film function tests were carried out within a few seconds (2 to 3 s) after finishing the candy and then after 30 and 60 min of the induction of salivation. The pre- and post-tear film function measurements were recorded and analyzed.

Results:
TBUT, TMH, and Schirmer’s II tests showed statistically significant (P < 0.05) increase immediately and after 30 min of stimulation of salivation for all tests in both eyes. However, the difference was insignificant after 60 min of stimulation of salivation. Schirmer’s I showed statistically significant changes in the left eye, but not in the right eye immediately after stimulation of salivation (P = 0.025).

Conclusion:
The quantity as well as the quality of tear film improved after the stimulation of salivation among dry eye subjects.
A case–control study of the ocular surface and tear film parameters in gestational diabetes mellitus
Authors: Singh Chaithanya B , Savur Sheetal A 
Published: April 2023

Purpose:
Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is fairly common in India. There is an interplay of various factors like androgens, sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG), estrogen, and progesterone on the tear film in pregnancy. Diabetes mellitus in itself affects the lacrimal function unit (LFU) and ocular surface. This study was therefore performed to assess the effect of the various factors on the tear film function and ocular surface in GDM using different diagnostic tests.

Methods:
Case–control study includes 49 subjects after calculating the sample size. Cases of newly diagnosed GDM in their second or third trimester of pregnancy without any ocular or systemic comorbidities. The following standard tests were performed, namely, ocular surface disease index (OSDI) scoring, Schirmer’s test, tear film breakup time (TBUT), and ocular surface staining (SICCA).

Results:
The two study groups did not differ significantly in terms of age, gestational age, and presenting symptoms. None of the patients had diabetic retinopathy, and the ocular surface was unaffected in both groups. There was a significant difference in the Schirmer’s II test (P = 0.01) between the groups, while Schirmer’s I (P = 0.06) and TBUT (P = 0.07) were not significant.

Conclusion:
Our study suggests that GDM patients can potentially suffer from DES despite the lack of symptoms and may be the basis for conducting larger studies to justify routine screening of GDM for DES in order to improve the quality of life of pregnant women.
Lid wiper epitheliopathy in symptomatic and asymptomatic dry eye subjects
Authors: Kamath Vandana , Arvind Anitha , Bhuvana K 
Published: April 2023

Purpose:
Lid wiper epithliopathy (LWE) was stuided in symptomatic and asymptomatic dry eye subjects. This is the first such study to be conducted in the Indian population. LWE is a clinical condition associated with vital staining in the lower and upper eyelids on increased friction of the lid margin over to the cornea. Our aim was to study LWE in symptomatic and asymptomatic (control) dry eye subjects.

Methods:
Out of 96 subjects screened, 60 subjects were enrolled in the study and were divided into two groups, symptomatic and asymptomatic dry eye subjects, based on the Standard Patient Evaluation of Eye Dryness (SPEED) questionnaire and the Ocular Surface Disease Index (OSDI) scores. The subjects were examined to rule out clinical dry eye findings and assessed for LWE with two different dyes (fluorescein and lissamine green). Descriptive analysis was done and Chi-square test was used for statistical analysis.

Results:
A total of 60 subjects were enrolled in a study with a mean age of 21.33 ± 1.88 years, out of which the majority of LWE patients (99.8%) was seen in the symptomatic group than the asymptomatic group (73.3%); the difference was statistically significant (p = 0.00) and also clinically significant. LWE was found to be significantly higher in symptomatic dry eye subjects (99.8%) compared to asymptomatic dry eye subjects (73.3%). LWE severity was also found to be more (56.6% of grade 3) among symptomatic dry eye subjects compared to asymptomatic subjects (40% of grade 2).

Conclusion:
It is important to assess the lid wiper region (LWR) and treat LWE in routine clinical practice.
Optimization and evaluation of tear protein elution from Schirmer’s strips in dry eye disease
Authors: Koduri Madhuri Amulya , Prasad Deeksha , Pingali Tejaswini , Singh Vijay Kumar , Shanbhag Swapna S , Basu Sayan , Singh Vivek 
Published: April 2023

Purpose:
Extraction of tear protein from Schirmer’s strip is a prerequisite for the proper identification and screening of biomarkers in dry eye disease. The study compares different methods of extraction of tear proteins from the Schirmer’s strip.

Methods:
Reflex tear was collected from healthy controls (HC; n = 12), Stevens–Johnson syndrome (SJS; n = 3) and dry eye disease (DED; n = 3) patients using capillary tube. This tear was used to measure the volume absorbed by Schirmer’s strip per microliter. Different buffers (6) were used to compare the protein yield from the Schirmer’s strip in four different conditions. The tear proteins extracted using the highest protein yield buffer were analyzed by mass spectrometry.

Results:
A linear relationship between the tear volume and wetting length was observed (r = 0.0.997, n = 6). The highest yield was observed after incubation of the Schirmer’s strip in 100 mM ammonium bicarbonate (ABC) with 0.25% Nonidet P-40(NP-40) at 4°C for an hour (P < 0.00005). The in-solution digestion of tear eluted in the above condition 100 Mm ABC + 0.25% NP-40 with one-hour incubation yielded a total of 2119 proteins in HC, SJS, and DED. The unique protein observed in SJS and DED was 0.6% and 17.9%, respectively. The significantly expressed proteins are associated with innate immune response, proteolysis, wound healing, and defense response.

Conclusion:
A method for extraction of protein from Schirmer’s strip was optimized for increase in protein yield from the tear sample. SJS and DED tear samples have unique protein signature. The study will aid in better design of tear protein-based experimental study.
Evaluation of the ocular surface in asymptomatic glaucoma patients on topical medications and following trabeculectomy - A cross-sectional study
Authors: Pathak Ray Vanita , Paidimarri Suharsha , Konda Nagaraju , Malhotra Varun 
Published: April 2023

Purpose:
This present prospective, cross-sectional study aims to comprehensively evaluate the ocular surface in asymptomatic patients with diffuse blebs after trabeculectomy versus chronic anti-glaucoma medication use and compare it with the age-matched normal population.

Methods:
Objective clinical evaluation was done by tear film break-up time (TBUT) and Schirmer’s test (ST) in the three groups–trabeculectomy >6 months with a diffuse bleb (Wurzburg bleb classification score ≧10), chronic anti-glaucoma medication (AGM >6 months) group, and normal population. In all groups, tear film osmolarity was checked with the TearLab® device (TearLab Corp., CA, USA), and subjective evaluation was performed by administering Ocular Surface Disease Index (OSDI) questionnaire. Patients already on chronic lubricants or any other drug for the treatment of dry eyes (viz. steroids, cyclosporin) or having symptoms suggestive of an abnormal ocular surface, who had undergone refractive or intraocular surgery, and contact lens users were excluded.

Results:
In total, 104 subjects/eyes were recruited over 6 weeks. Thirty-six eyes recruited in the trab group were compared with 33 eyes studied in the AGM group, and both these groups were compared to 35 normal eyes. When compared to normals, TBUT and ST were significantly lower (P = 0.003 and 0.014) and osmolarity and OSDI were statistically significantly higher (P = 0.007 and 0.003) in the AGM group, whereas only TBUT was statistically significantly different (P = 0.009) when the trab group was compared to normals. Also, when the trab group was compared to the AGM group, ST was found to be higher (P = 0.003) and osmolarity was lower (P = 0.034).

Conclusion:
To conclude, ocular surface is affected even in asymptomatic patients on AGM but near normalcy is possible following trabeculectomy when blebs are diffuse.
Tear film microbiome in Sjogren’s and non-Sjogren’s aqueous deficiency dry eye
Authors: Pal Spandita , Vani Gorati , Donthineni Pragnya Rao , Basu Sayan , Arunasri Kotakonda 
Published: April 2023

Purpose:
To understand the bacterial microbiome changes associated with Sjogren’s syndrome (SS) and non-Sjogren’s syndrome (NSS) aqueous-deficient dry eyes compared to healthy eyes.

Methods:
Bacterial microbiome was generated from the deoxyribonucleic acid of tear film samples in healthy (n = 33), SS (n = 17), and NSS (n = 28) individuals. Sequencing of the V3-V4 region of the 16S rRNA gene was performed on the Illumina HiSeq2500 platform. Quantitative Insights Into Microbial Ecology (QIIME) pipeline was used to assign taxa to sequences. Statistical analysis was performed in R to assess the alpha diversity and beta diversity indices. Significant changes between the healthy, SS, and NSS cohorts were depicted by principal coordinate analysis (PCoA), differential abundance, and network analysis.

Results:
Tear microbiome was generated in healthy, SS, and NSS samples. Phyla Actinobacteria, Firmicutes, and Bacteroidetes showed significant changes in SS and NSS compared to healthy. Genera Lactobacillus and Bacillus were predominantly present in all samples. PCoA and heat map analysis showed distinct clusters for SS and NSS from the healthy cohort. Genera Prevotella, Coriobacteriaceae UCG-003, Enterococcus, Streptomyces, Rhodobacter, Ezakiella, and Microbacterium significantly increased in abundance in SS and NSS compared to a healthy cohort. Bacteria–bacteria interaction in SS, NSS, and healthy cohorts was predicted by CoNet network analysis. This analysis predicted a major hub of interaction for the pro-inflammatory bacterium Prevotella in the SS and NSS cohorts.

Conclusion:
The results of the study indicate significant changes in the phyla and genera in SS and NSS compared to healthy. Both discriminative analysis and network analysis indicated a possible association of predominant pro-inflammatory bacteria with SS and NSS.