bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Social challenges experienced by Hepatitis B patients: A mixed method study
Authors: Tomar Meenakshi , Sharma Tarika , Prasad Manya 
Published: April 2023

ABSTRACT

Background:
Hepatitis B has a wide range of effects on patients’ lives due to its chronic nature. Living with Hepatitis B has been associated with various social challenges such as stigma, disclosure, and discrimination.

Aim:
To assess the social challenges experienced by Hepatitis B–positive patients seeking treatment at a super specialty liver hospital of the country.

Methods and Results:
A mixed-method research design was used to explore various social challenges experienced by Hepatitis B–positive patients. Descriptive research design was used in the first phase and thematic analysis was done in the second phase of the study. Data were collected using a modified Hepatitis B stigma assessment tool and semi-structured interview guide. Total 180 Hepatitis B–positive patients were recruited for the first phase. Face to face interviews were recorded for the 9 patients facing high stigma in the second phase of the study. Mean age of the patients was 45 ± 13.1 years and 80% of the patients were male. Mean overall stigma score was found to be 74.34 ± 10.13. Of all, 5.1% patients experienced high stigma, 2.1% moderate stigma, and 92% patients experienced low stigma. Thematic analysis method uncovered various attributing factors to social challenges broadly classified into reaction on getting diagnosed with Hepatitis B, psychological issues, stigmatization in families, stigmatization at workplace, and stigmatization in healthcare settings.

Conclusion:
Patients with Hepatitis B experience social challenges in aspect of lack of awareness, psychological issues, and stigmatization by healthcare providers, family members, and by the colleagues at their workplace. A better understanding and awareness regarding Hepatitis B is needed to eliminate stigma and discrimination among these patients. Hence, a holistic approach is must to treat patients with Hepatitis B.
Effectiveness of brief counseling (5As): Antenatal tobacco cessation support program among pregnant women availing antenatal care
Authors: Sehgal Akansha , Tayade Motilal , Kunkulol Rahul 
Published: April 2023

ABSTRACT

Introduction:
It is likely that a pregnant woman is more motivated and receptive to accepting healthy habits and practices if talked about the benefits to the fetus. When explained about the harmful effects of tobacco on the health of the baby, the mother can be encouraged to modify her tobacco consumption habits and work toward quitting tobacco.

Aim:
Our aim was to study the effectiveness of brief counseling (5As)—Antenatal Tobacco Cessation Support Program among pregnant women availing antenatal care (ANC).

Methodology:
A quasi-randomized study design was used to conduct the study. The participants were identified by screening during ANC visits, and women consuming tobacco were subjected to detailed history taking and very brief counseling with the help of 5A’s framework.

Results:
We found that Mishri was the commonest form of tobacco consumed by these women. Around 93.33% of the women consume Mishri, followed by 6.66% of women consuming chewing tobacco. The method of brief counseling made an impact in the cessation of tobacco consumption in 13.37% of the study subjects.

Conclusion:
We conclude that the use of brief counseling and motivational interviewing is feasible in most settings without inhibiting the other important aspects of ANC or disrupting the patient flow.
Immediate outcome assessment of the rapid response team of home health care services at King Abdulaziz Medical City in Riyadh
Authors: Bawazeer Manal , Alsowailmi Banan , Masud Nazish , BenSalih Ayah , Alfaraidi Lama , Said Feryal 
Published: April 2023

ABSTRACT

Background:
Paediatrics rapid response team (RRT) is a newly developed service under paediatrics home health care (HHC) programme which is a standby visiting team that responds to non-critical emergency calls. The current study aimed to compare the total emergency visits and hospital admissions before and after implementation of RRT project.

Method:
A retrospective chart review was conducted from December 2018 to December 2020. Paediatric patients registered under the home health care (HHC) programme were the target population. The admission and hospitalization rates were assessed before and after the implantation of an RRT. The variables related to patient profile were assessed to explore the association between hospitalization and admission.

Result:
Data for 117 patients and a total of 114 calls attended under HHC covered by RRT were analysed. In the first year after the implementation of RRT, the mean number of ER visits per patient per year was reduced from 4.78 ± 6.10 to 3.93 ± 4.12 with (P value, 0.06). Also, a slight decrease in the mean number of admissions from 3.74 ± 4.43 to a mean of 3.46 ± 4.1 with (P value, 0.29). Follow-up after receiving an RRT call for an initial complaint was statistically significant in reducing both ER visits and hospital admissions within 7 days with a P value of 0.03 and 0.04, respectively.

Conclusion:
The RRT was effective in decreasing the ER visits and hospital admissions for a very special group of patients. Additionally, the emplacement of proper triaging code at the time of attending to patients helped in reducing unnecessary ER visit and hospital admission.
A clinico-epidemiological profile, coinfections and outcome of patients with Influenza Like Illnesses (ILI) presenting to the emergency department during the COVID-19 pandemic
Authors: Hazra Darpanarayan , Chandy Gina Maryann , Thanjavurkar Abirahmi , Gunasekaran Karthik , Nekkanti Ankita Chowdary , Pal Rathijit , Moorthy Mahesh , Abhilash Kundavaram Paul Prabhakar 
Published: April 2023

ABSTRACT

Background:
During the COVID-19 pandemic, many patients presented to the emergency department (ED) with features of Influenza-like illnesses (ILI) and with other atypical presentations. This study was done to determine the etiology, co-infections, and clinical profile of patients with ILI.

Methods:
This prospective observational study included all patients presenting to the ED with fever and/or cough, breathing difficulty, sore throat, myalgia, gastrointestinal complaints (abdominal pain/vomiting/diarrhea), loss of taste and altered sensorium or asymptomatic patients who resided in or travelled from containment zones, or those who had contact with COVID-19 positive patients during the first wave of the pandemic between April and August 2020. Respiratory virus screening was done on a subset of COVID-19 patients to determine co-infection.

Results:
During the study period, we recruited 1462 patients with ILI and 857 patients with the non-ILI presentation of confirmed COVID-19 infection. The mean age group of our patient population was 51.4 (SD: 14.9) years with a male predominance (n-1593; 68.7%). The average duration of symptoms was 4.1 (SD: 2.9) days. A sub-analysis to determine an alternate viral etiology was done in 293 (16.4%) ILI patients, where 54 (19.4%) patients had COVID 19 and co-infection with other viruses, of which Adenovirus (n-39; 14.0%) was the most common. The most common symptoms in the ILI-COVID-19 positive group (other than fever and/or cough and/or breathing difficulty) were loss of taste (n-385; 26.3%) and diarrhea (n- 123; 8.4%). Respiratory rate (27.5 (SD: 8.1)/minute: p-value < 0.001) and oxygen saturation (92.1% (SD: 11.2) on room air; p-value < 0.001) in the ILI group were statistically significant. Age more than 60 years (adjusted odds ratio (OR): 4.826 (3.348-6.956); p-value: <0.001), sequential organ function assessment score more than or equal to four (adjusted OR: 5.619 (3.526-8.957); p-value: <0.001), and WHO critical severity score (Adjusted OR: 13.812 (9.656-19.756); p-value: <0.001) were independent predictors of mortality.

Conclusion:
COVID-19 patients were more likely to present with ILI than atypical features. Co-infection with Adenovirus was most common. Age more than 60 years, SOFA score more than or equal to four and WHO critical severity score were independent predictors of mortality.
Perceptions and practices related to menstruation and reproductive health in adolescent girls in an urban population - A cross sectional study
Authors: Vinod Anuna , Kaimal Resmi S. 
Published: April 2023

ABSTRACT

Introduction:
Menarche is an important biological milestone in a woman’s life as it marks the onset of the reproductive phase of her life. It is, often considered an impure phenomenon in Indian society owing to cultural taboos and insufficient and incorrect information and causes unnecessary restrictions in the day-to-day normal activities of menstruating girls.

Aim:
To assess the perception and practices related to menstruation and reproductive health among school-going adolescent girls in the urban population in Kochi, Kerala.

Objectives:
To elicit the practices regarding menstruation and reproductive health among the school-going, adolescent girls. i. To elicit the beliefs, perceptions, and sources of information regarding menstruation and reproductive health among the school going, adolescent girls. ii. To find out the relation between perceptions/practices and other factors.

Methodology:
A cross-sectional study was conducted among 100 adolescent girls of a secondary school situated in Ernakulam, Kerala, with the help of a pre-designed and pre-tested questionnaire. Data were analyzed statistically by simple proportions.

Result:
89% of the girls were aware of menstruation before menarche. A major source of information was found to be mothers. More than 70% used sanitary pads and 99% of girls knew menses as a natural phenomenon. 80% of girls with good perception had no menses-related anxiety. 54% haven’t even heard of Pre-Menstrual Syndrome. 40% have inhibition talking about menses to their father or brother. Among girls with good practice, 87% had a good perception.

Conclusions:
Before bringing any change in menstrual practices, Family physicians can play a role in educating the girls about the significance of menstruation and the development of secondary sexual characteristics, the selection of a sanitary menstrual absorbent, and its proper disposal. Trained personnel, school teachers, and knowledgeable parents can play a very important role in imparting menstrual health-related information to adolescent girls.
Attitudes and practices of physicians toward law enforcement on dispensing antibiotics without prescription antibiotics: Findings from a cross-sectional survey
Authors: Darraj Ali , Almutairi Mansour , Alhassan Omar , Aljammaz Abdulrhman , Almansour Ibrahim , Alotaibi Shaya , Abohelaibah Faisal , Alseleem Abdulaziz , Alsumayt Abdullah , Alarifi Osman , Alabdullatif Ghaith , Almutairi Fouad , Tabish Mohammad 
Published: April 2023

ABSTRACT

Background:
The government of Saudi Arabia implemented a law to enforce the law and regulations prohibiting the dispensing of antibiotics without a prescription, and studies have been conducted to assess the impact of such a law in Saudi Arabia. However, the extent to which law enforcement has changed the perceptions and attitudes of health care professionals, mainly physicians, toward antibiotic resistance is unknown in Saudi Arabia.

Material and Methods:
A cross-sectional study was conducted in Riyad, Saudi Arabia, on 378 physicians. These physicians were mainly working in primary care centers. An online questionnaire was sent to the physicians, and it consisted of 35 items and was divided into four sections: 6 items were on sociodemographic characteristics of participants; 13 items were on the knowledge of physicians about antibiotic resistance; 8 items were on the attitude the physicians toward enforcement law, and the final 8 items were on the attitude the patients toward enforcement law in an outpatient setting.

Results:
Around 90% of the physicians acknowledged that physicians should stop prescribing antibiotics without indication. About 29.1 % of the physicians agreed, and 56.3% showed strong agreement that law enforcement is for the patient’s benefit. Similarly, 33.6% agreed, and 50.8% strongly agreed that law enforcement limits the resistance of bacteria. Around 24.3% of the patients disagreed, and 23% strongly disagreed that law enforcement does not affect anything. Around one-third of the physicians (34.4%) agreed, and 23.5% strongly agreed that the new regulation of law enforcement of antibiotic prescription increases public awareness regarding the misuse of antibiotics.

Conclusion:
It seems that law enforcement has impacted the knowledge and attitude of physicians as they agree with law enforcement and its associated benefits for patients. They also acknowledged that law enforcement could limit the resistance to bacteria. However, not all physicians agree that law enforcement has an effect on anything, and new regulation of antibiotic prescription law increases public awareness regarding the misuse of antibiotics.
Anti-fibrotic activity of licorice extract in comparison with colchicine on areca nut-induced fibroblasts
Authors: James Amritha , Gunasekaran Nandhini , Krishnan Rajkumar , Arunachalam Preethi , Mahalingam Ramya 
Published: April 2023

Objective:
Oral submucous fibrosis (OSMF) is a debilitating chronic disease of the oral cavity with a high potential for malignant transformation. The main etiological agent attributed to the development of OSMF is the use of smokeless tobacco products like areca nut. There is no known cure for the disease. Current modalities of treatment do not provide a complete cure and often prove invasive for the patient. Herbal preparations using natural compounds and medicinal plant extracts have long since been used in India, as an acceptable, noninvasive and cost-effective method in the treatment of various diseases. Hence, the present study aims to assess the anti-fibrotic effect of licorice in comparison with colchicine on areca nut-induced fibroblasts.

Materials and Methods:
Extracts of areca nut, licorice and colchicine were prepared in accordance with established protocols. Human fibroblast cell lines were procured from ATCC®(PSC-201-018). Fibroblast cultures were established, and upon reaching confluence the cells were subjected to the 25 μg/ml areca nut extract for 24 h to induce fibrosis, with CCl4 used as control fibrosing agent. The areca nut and CCl4 induced cells were then subjected to varying concentration of the test antifibrotic agent, licorice extract for the periods of 24 and 48 h, with colchicine used as positive control. Total collagen quantification was done using spectrophotometry.

Results:
Collagen accumulation decreased with increase in the concentration of licorice extract with maximum reduction seen at 200 μg/ml. Kruskal–Wallis test was done to analyze the difference in collagen accumulation. Analysis revealed that the P < 0.05 for both periods in both the areca and CCl4 induced cell lines following the addition of licorice extract. The data were found to be statistically significant.

Conclusion:
The current study proves the antifibrotic efficacy of licorice in areca nut induced cell lines and hence, this agent can be used for the therapeutic management of OSMF.
Senescent Fibroblast in Oral Submucous Fibrosis Aids in Disease Progression and Malignant Transformation
Authors: Karnam Shyamala , Girish H C , Nayak Vaidhehi N. 
Published: April 2023

Aim:
To study the role of senescent fibroblasts (SFs) and its secretory phenotypes promoting fibrosis and malignancy in oral submucous fibrosis (OSMF).

Material Methods:
A total of 20 cases of OSMF and 20 normal oral mucosal tissues were taken for the study. The tissue sections were stained for IHC-immunohistochemistry with senescent cell marker p16INK4a. The supernatant solution of the transport medium was studied for leached out senescent associated secretory proteins (SASP): matrix metalloproteinases 9 (MMP9), interleukins 6 (IL6), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). Tissues were studied for malignant transformation with p53 and Ki67. Fibrosis in the OSMF was tested with lysyloxidase (LOX). The Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SSPS) statistical software was used to analyze the data.

Results:
IHC staining for p16INK4ashowed positivity in the connective tissue of OSMF cases which was statistically significant. Antibody assay using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) showed elevated levels of secretoproteins IL6, MMP9, VEGF in OSMF cases. LOX enzyme levels were also significantly increased in OSMF cases. Proliferative markers Ki67 and p53 were positive in IHC staining in the epithelium of OSMF.

Conclusion:
This study confirms the presence of SF and its secreto phenotypes in OSMF and showed increased LOX expression which is implicated in fibrosis. These findings suggest that SF may contribute to fibrosis in OSMF. The study also confirms the malignant transformation of the overlying epithelium as shown by p53 and Ki67 positivity.
Evaluation of the effect of moringa oleifera gel and autologo platelet-rich fibrin in the treatment of rabbit intra bony defects. (Radio graphic and Histological study)
Authors: El Soudany Kareman S. , F. El Said Heba A. , A. EL Gendi Huda A. 
Published: April 2023

Purpose:
Periodontitis is the most common condition, which causes bony defects; the ultimate goal of periodontal therapy is the regeneration of the destroyed tissues. There is always a need to search for better biomaterials that can be used for the treatment of intrabony defects. This study evaluated the effect of Moringa oleifera (MO) gel and platelet-rich fibrin (PRF) in the treatment of bone defects.

Hypothesis:
We hypothesized that MO gel may increase the bone mineral contents and density of bone.

Methods:
The study was conducted on 16 defects in 8 adult male rabbits divided into 2 groups; group (1) buccal bone defect treated with moringa hydrogel and PRF (right site), group (2) buccal bone defect treated with PRF (left site). Computed tomography (CT) radiography and histological examination were assessed at baseline, 14 and 28 days. The defects were induced in the form of one osseous wall defect between the 1st and the 2nd molars. Comparisons between groups were done using an unpaired t-test. For comparison within each group, analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used.

Results:
CT radiograph results showed there was a significant increase in bone density at 28 days in group 1 than in group 2 (843.13 ± 97.82 to 713.0 ± 51.09). The histological result revealed the defect area on the (PRF + Moringa) was almost filled completely by newly formed bone with few spots of retarded calcification. While (PRF) showed complete filling of the defect area by more fibrous tissue. The healing score showed a significant elevation of bone defect healing score in (PRF + Moringa group) when compared to (PRF group) at both times of evaluation.

Conclusion:
Radiographical examination, and histological and healing scores confirmed the superiority of Moringa + PRF results in an increase in bone fill and density in induced periodontal intrabony defects regeneration. Clinical trials should be considered to detect the effectiveness of MO in intrabony defects.
Comparison of culture and polymerase chain reaction–restriction fragment length polymorphism for identification of various Capnocytophaga species from subgingival plaque samples of healthy and periodontally diseased individuals
Authors: Idate Ulka , Bhat Kishore , Kulkarni R D , Kotrashetti Vijayalakshmi , Kugaji Manohar , Kumbar Vijay 
Published: April 2023

Introduction:

Capnocytophaga are facultative anaerobic Gram-negative bacilli and recognized as opportunistic pathogens of various extraoral infections. Only a few studies attempted to identify all the seven species of Capnocytophaga phenotypically and genotypically in healthy individuals and patients with chronic periodontitis. Studies to determine the prevalence of Capnocytophaga in subgingival plaque samples from healthy individuals, chronic gingivitis and periodontitis among Indian population are lacking.

Aim:
The aim of this study was to identify and compare the presence of Capnocytophaga species phenotypically through microbial culture and biochemical tests and genotypically through polymerase chain reaction–restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) in subgingival plaque of healthy individuals and patients with chronic gingivitis and chronic periodontitis.

Materials and Methods:
A total of 300 subjects, 100 each with gingivitis, periodontitis and periodontally healthy gingiva subjected, were included. Subgingival plaque was collected and was cultured for phenotypic identification (microbial culture and biochemical test), and for genotypic identification, DNA extraction was done and PCR-RFLP analysis was performed to identify the genus Capnocytophaga and also to identify different species of Capnocytophaga.

Results:
Of 300 individuals, Capnocytophaga species were identified from 237 (79%) individuals by PCR and 82 (27.33%) by culture. The prevalence of Capnocytophaga ochracea was found to be higher with both the methods followed by Capnocytophaga gingivalis and Capnocytophaga granulosa. Capnocytophaga genospecies, Capnocytophaga leadbetteri and Capnocytophaga Sputigena were isolated only by culture with very low prevalence that is 1.33%, 1.33% and 0.66%, respectively. We could not get any isolate of Capnocytophaga haemolytica by any of the two methods.

Conclusion:

Capnocytophaga species could be found in gingival sulci as well as periodontal pockets and can be detected by culture and PCR-RFLP. However, higher prevalence of these species in healthy compared to disease requires further analysis to determine their role in healthy and diseased periodontium.
Association of periodontal disease with oral lichen planus
Authors: Sanadi Rizwan M. , Khandekar Priyanka D. , Chaudhari Shraddha R. , Javali Mukhatar A. , Gurav Nikhil U. 
Published: April 2023

Background:
Gingival lesions in oral lichen planus can indirectly increase the risk of plaque-induced periodontal disease when symptoms associated with such lesions hamper the proper oral hygiene maintenance by the patients and can increase the risk of periodontal tissue destruction. This systematic review analyses the existing evidence on the association between oral lichen planus and periodontal disease.

Aim:
This systematic review of case-control studies aimed to analyse the association between periodontal disease and oral lichen planus.

Material and Methods:
An electronic database search for randomised controlled trials, experimental studies, case-control studies, and cohort studies published in peer-reviewed Journals in the English language was conducted from the following databases: PubMed, EBSCOHost, Science Open, EMBASE, and Google Scholar.

Results:
A total of 12,507 were identified on an electronic database search. Only eight studies fulfilled the eligibility criteria and were included for quantitative analysis. A data extraction sheet was prepared, and studies were analysed.

Conclusion:
Bleeding on Probing and Probing depth were seen to be significantly associated with Oral Lichen Planus. The symptoms in Oral Lichen Planus impede efficient oral hygiene maintenance by a patient and predispose them to the occurrence of long-term Periodontal Disease.