bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Onychoscopic Features of Nail in Chronic Plaque Psoriasis: A Cross-Sectional Study of 100 Patients
Authors: Patokar Abhishek S , Poulkar Chandrakant B , Chaudhari Nitin , Khatu Swapna S , Kukreja Mahak , Bhasin Gurman Singh 
Published: May 2023

Background:
Nail involvement is a feature of 30%–50% of psoriasis patients. Only 5%–10% of patients have isolated nail psoriasis. Examination of the nail unit using a dermoscope is known as onychoscopy. The usefulness of onychoscopy in the early detection of nail psoriasis needs to be evaluated.

Objective:
The objective of this study was to describe the onychoscopic features in chronic plaque psoriasis patients.

Materials and Methods:
In this cross-sectional study, 100 patients with chronic plaque psoriasis were recruited. Onychoscopy was performed, and results were compared with the same age- and sex-matched controls. The various onychoscopic features were assessed using the Chi-square test (P < 0.05 was considered significant). The statistical analysis was done using the application named Epi Info™.

Results:
Out of 100 psoriasis patients, 39 patients showed clinically evident nail involvement on the naked eye, whereas 64 patients showed nail involvement on onychoscopic examination. The mean age of patients observed in our study was 37.5 years. Out of 64 patients, 43 were male and 21 were female. Pitting was the most common finding seen in 55 (85.93% and P = 0.0001) patients, followed by transverse groove in 18 (28.12% and P = 0.025), subungual hyperkeratosis in 16 (25% and P = 0.035), nail plate crumbling in 16 (25% and P = 0.0009), and oil drop sign in 8 (12.5% and P = 0.010) patients. Only these five parameters were statistically significant. Furthermore, other findings observed were onycholysis in 7 (10.93% and P = 0.166), leukonychia in 12 (18.75% and P = 0.614), splinter hemorrhages in 8 (12.5% and P = 0.099), pseudo-fiber sign in 4 (6.25% and P = 0.127), lunular red spots in 3 (4.68% and P = 0.242), and dilated globose vessels were seen in 4 (6.25% and P = 0.127) patients.

Conclusion:
Onychoscopy is a useful noninvasive method to detect subclinical nail involvement, which may not be visible to the naked eye.
Observational Study of Leprosy Presenting with Solitary Skin Lesion from a Tertiary Care Hospital in South India
Authors: Rao Angoori Gnaneshwar , Karnam Aparna 
Published: May 2023

Background:
Leprosy presents with varied clinical morphology, and most often the morphological pattern and distribution of lesions denote a particular spectrum of leprosy; however, it may not be correct in all the cases which can lead to under treatment and dissemination of infection, particularly, in multibacillary leprosy presenting with single skin lesion.

Objective:
The objective of the study was to describe cases of leprosy presenting with solitary skin lesion and to establish the spectrum by slit-skin smear (SSS) and histopathological examination of skin biopsy.

Materials and Methods:
A prospective study involving thirty cases of leprosy presenting with single skin lesion to the department of dermatology of a tertiary care hospital spread over 2 years. Examination of skin lesion and nerves was carried out, and details were recorded. Routine hematological and biochemical investigations were done. SSS from the lesion, both ear lobes, right elbow, left middle finger, and right middle toe and lesional biopsy was done. Bacteriological index and morphological index were calculated in all cases, and the diagnosis was correlated by histopathology.

Results:
Of the thirty cases studied, twenty were males (66.7%) and ten (33.3%) were females with male-to-female ratio of 2:1. The most common age group afflicted was 21–40 years (70%). Hypopigmented patch was the most common presentation 19 (63.3%) in our study. The most common site of patch was forearm in 9 (30%). Of the thirty cases, 20 (66.7%) were diagnosed as borderline tuberculoid, 9 (30%) as tuberculoid tuberculosis, and 1 (3.3%) as indeterminate leprosy. Ulnar nerve was the most common nerve involved (80%). Ten patients (33.3%) were positive and twenty (66.7%) were negative for acid-fast bacilli on SSS examination. Out of the thirty clinically diagnosed leprosy cases, 19 (63.3%) showed positive histopathological correlation.

Conclusions:
The presentation of borderline lepromatous leprosy and lepromatous leprosy as single skin lesion reinforces the fact that certain aspects of the host cell-mediated response and pathophysiology of this disease are still not fully understood. It illustrates the importance of SSS and biopsy in these cases as such cases are undertreated.
Perspective Toward Complementary & Alternative Medicines in the Prevention of COVID-19 Infection
Authors: Agrawal Apurva , Sharma Ashish , Mathur Medha , Sharma Anita , Modi Gaurav , Patel Tarang 
Published: May 2023

Background:
Across the globe, people are seeking integrative and holistic measures to prevent coronavirus (COVID-19) infection in the form of complementary and alternative medicines (CAM) with or without conventional medicines. This study was done to know the extent of CAM use for COVID-19 prophylaxis and to know beliefs and attitudes of people related to CAM use in India.

Methodology:
A pretested and prevalidated questionnaire was circulated on social media. Participants, who completed the online form and gave voluntary consent, were included. The questionnaire included demographic details and questions related to CAM use, preferences with reasons, preparations used, perceived role of CAM in prevention, immunity boosting and side effects, sources of information, etc.

Results:
Out of 514 responses, 495 were analyzed. 47.07% of respondents were males and 52.93% were females. 66.9% were using CAM for COVID-19 prophylaxis. The association between age, gender, and profession with CAM use was statistically significant (P < 0.05). 41.1% reported CAM use in the past. 36.6% of CAM users were taking “Kadha” and 33% were using ayurvedic medicines. Other frequently used CAM preparations were chyavanprash, giloy, tulsi, ginger, pepper, cloves, honey, sudarshanghanvati, arsenic-30, lemon juice, cinnamon, steam inhalation, ashwagandha, swasarivati, coronil, and warm saline water gargles. 46.9% of the CAM users were on self-medication and 52.3% preferred CAM over allopathy.

Conclusion:
Complementary and alternative medicine utilization for COVID-19 prophylaxis is widespread and self-medication is prevalent. As no specific cure is available in conventional systems, people believe in traditional medicines more than conventional, yet confusion exists. There is a need of increasing awareness regarding side effects, drug–drug interactions, and self-medication.
Access to Maternal and Child Health Services during the COVID-19 Pandemic: An Explorative Qualitative Study in Odisha, India
Authors: Mishra Bijaya K. , Kanungo Srikanta , Panda Subhashree , Patel Kripalini , Swain Swagatika , Dwivedy Subhralaxmi , Karna Sonam , Bhuyan Dinesh , Som Meena , Marta Brajesh , Bhattacharya Debdutta , Kshatri Jaya S. , Pati Sanghamitra , Palo Subrata K. 
Published: May 2023

Background:Maternal and child health (MCH) care is one of the essential routine healthcare services, which got affected during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Modeled projections had anticipated an 8.3%–38.6% rise in maternal mortality from different countries globally. In view of limited studies pertaining to issues related to accessing MCH services in the event of a pandemic, this study was carried out on pregnant and postnatal mothers in Odisha, India.Methods:An explorative qualitative study through 36 in-depth interviews (IDIs) was conducted among 16 (44.4%) antenatal and 20 (55.5%) postnatal mothers in six of thirty districts of Odisha, India, from February to April 2021. The districts and blocks were randomly selected for better representativeness. The IDIs were conducted using a predesigned and pretested guide among mothers who had undergone delivery or availed of antenatal, postnatal, or child health services from October 2020 to April 2021. The IDIs were conducted till data saturation. The data were analyzed using MAXQDA software.Results:The average age of mothers was 27.6 (+/- 2.2) years. Among the participants, 16 (44.4%) were antenatal and 20 (55.6%) were postnatal mothers; 19 (52.8%) were primipara and 17 (47.2%) were multipara. The majority explained that they received enormous support including door-to-door services from the community health workers (CHWs) even during the difficult times of the pandemic. Reduced transportation facility and fear of contracting the infection were reasons behind the unwillingness to visit health facilities and preference for home delivery. Furthermore, the pandemic had physical, mental, social, and financial impacts among pregnant and postnatal women.Conclusion:The unprecedented COVID-19 pandemic has affected access to MCH services by antenatal and postnatal mothers. Health system preparedness and appropriate strategies including better community engagement and participation could avert such challenges in the future.
Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA) and Psychometric Validation of Healthy Lifestyle and Personal Control Questionnaire (HLPCQ) in India
Authors: Goyal Himani , Aleem Sheema 
Published: May 2023

Background:
The silent epidemic of chronic illness has become a significant public health challenge worldwide. The prevention and management of these deadliest health conditions primarily require empowering the individual to make healthy choices every day, e.g., healthy eating, physical exercise, etc., The first step in designing an intervention for this comprises measuring the health empowerment-related factor. However, severe scarcity of practical tools is noted.

Objective:
The present study aimed at the evaluation of psychometric properties of a healthy lifestyle and personal control questionnaire (HLPCQ)’s English Version in the Indian population.

Method:
For this, a cross-sectional study was conducted on 618 people enlisted from the Northern state of India with the help of convenience sampling strategy. Data is collected by sharing the google form of HLPCQ through various online platforms.

Results:
The value of Cronbach alpha and MacDonald’s Omega, was >.70, suggesting HLPCQ has good reliability in the Indian population. While confirmatory factor analysis result shows that the final model with 24 items has a good fit to the data (RMSEA = 0.04, CFI = 0.97, TLI = 0.96, SRMR = 0.03) which implies that HLPCQ has acceptable structural and cultural validity. While the value of average variance extracted (AVE) and composite reliability (CR) for each factor were found to be more than .50 and .70 respectively, indicating the presence of convergent and discriminant validity for HLPCQ.

Conclusion:
These findings indicate that the HLPCQ has sound psychometric properties and can be used in the Indian population.
Adverse Events among Beneficiaries who Received a Dose of Sputnik V Vaccine at a Tertiary Care Hospital in Coastal Karnataka, India
Authors: Ameer Basma R. , Akshaya Kibballi Madhukeshwar , Bhargava Madhavi , Jamal Jeshela 
Published: May 2023

Introduction:Vaccination has played a vital role in containing the COVID-19 pandemic. Sputnik V was the third vaccine approved for emergency use in India. The objectives of the present study were to document the adverse events following Sputnik V vaccination and the factors associated with adverse events.Methodology:This cross-sectional study was conducted during September and October 2021 in a teaching hospital of Karnataka. Ethics approval and CTRI registration were obtained before collecting the data. All persons receiving at least one dose of vaccine were invited to participate and baseline information was collected after written informed consent. They were contacted telephonically to enquire about the adverse events. Data were entered in Microsoft Excel and analyzed using SPSS Version 23 to describe percentages and proportions.Results:The median age of 2532 participants was 31 (IQR 25-39) years and 60.4% were males. Minor adverse events were seen among 29.4% participants. Most common symptoms with first dose were fever, vaccination site tenderness, myalgia and headache, and with second dose were fever, myalgia, headache, and vaccination site tenderness. No severe adverse events were reported in our study. The adverse events were seen more among females (P< 0.05) and with the first dose (P< 0.05).Conclusion:Most common adverse events were similar to symptoms suggested by the vaccine manufacturers with fever being the most common one. A follow-up after a longer lag time may be recommended to enquire whether the vaccinees developed serious adverse events.
Awareness and Hesitancy of COVID-19 and other Vaccines among People Living with HIV/AIDS Attending Antiretroviral Therapy (ART) Center in North India
Authors: Singh Aman Dev , Upal Naina , Oberoi Simmi , Singh Namrata , Garg Archit , Kaur Avneet , Kaur Ashujot 
Published: May 2023

Introduction:
Approximately 40 years have passed since we first learned about the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), but several people living with HIV (PLHIV) in developing countries such as India cannot avail treatments. This makes preventive measures, such as vaccinations, critical in these persons to avoid vaccine preventable diseases (VPDs). However, little is known about the willingness and perceptions of PLHIV regarding these vaccines. Therefore, we explored vaccine awareness and hesitancy, especially during the recent COVID-19 pandemic.

Objectives:
The primary objective was to determine the uptake of the Covid-19 vaccine and other VPD’s among PLHIV and factors affecting the same in Antiretroviral therapy (ART) centers in a tertiary care hospital in North India.

Research Design and Methods:
This was a cross-sectional study of HIV patients who attended our Antiretroviral Therapy center (ART). Clinical data were collected using a questionnaire on general profile, disease information, knowledge, attitude, and practice (KAP) regarding vaccinations, and vaccination status for different VPDs.

Results/Findings:
We enrolled 300 subjects and found that 82% of the patients attending our ART center were aware of vaccinations, most of whom were aware of the polio vaccine (n=91, 30.33%), followed by tuberculosis (n=61, 20.33%), and the majority of them were not aware of vaccines indicated in PLHIV. We also found that the majority (n= 240, 80.23%) of patients had vaccine hesitancy, especially regarding the new COVID-19 vaccine.

Conclusion:
There is a need to create awareness among people about the benefits and uses of vaccination to achieve the greater goal of reduced morbidity and mortality among PLHIV. There is a need for free vaccination programs for VPDs in PLHIV patients.
A Number of Modern Industries and Toxicants Release: A Review
Authors: Fasih-Ramandi Fatemeh , Shahtaheri Seyed Jamaleddin 
Published: May 2023

Aim:
The present study seeks to help the experts and specialists by investigating documents relevant to the harmful chemical compounds and toxic substances used in the production processes of a few novel industries so that, the information gap is identified by recognizing such toxicants and taking steps to fill such gap.

Methods:
By making the use of keywords related to the objective of the study (keywords such as toxicity, modern toxicity, modern industries (MIs), new toxins, modern/new chemical compounds), the indexed articles were searched from 2000 to 2022 in ProQuest, Science Direct, Pub Med, Scopus, Web of Science, and Google Scholar databases aiming at access to the toxic compounds in several MIs. In this study, out of 116 articles searched as full text and following the inclusion and exclusion criteria, 46 articles were wholly selected.

Results:
According to the results, the issues include the nanotechnology industry (silver-nanoparticles, gold-nanoparticles, titanium dioxide, zinc-oxide, cerium-dioxide, and iron-oxide nanoparticles), nuclear technology (cobalt [60 Co and 58 Co], uranium [235U], and plutonium [Pu4+]), semiconductor industries (arsenic compounds, phosphorus, dopants, acids, photoactive compounds, etc.), liquid crystal display industries (indium compounds and indium tin oxide), pharmaceutical and medical (cytotoxic and platinum-based drugs), modern dentistry (resins, silica-nanofillers, barium-glass, and beryllium compounds), as well as the MIs involved in silica, nickel, and dioxin nanoparticles, were documented and discussed.

Conclusion:
Developing MIs and equipping the traditional industries with new technologies have confronted humankind with different chemicals and toxins resulting from producing and using products that require attention, study, and research. It is hoped that the present review study will pave the way for extensive studies on occupational health and toxicology in MIs.
General Health Status and its Related Factors of Medical Staff during the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Cross-Sectional Study in the Hospital
Authors: Esmaeili Sayed Vahid , Habibi Ehsanollah , Dehghan Habibollah , Paridokht Fatemeh 
Published: May 2023

Aim:
This study aimed to verify the general health status and its related factors of medical staff during the COVID-19 pandemic in Daran Shahid Rajaee Hospital.

Materials and Methods:
This cross-sectional study was performed by census method on 168 medical staff in Shahid Rajaee Hospital in Daran city during the COVID-19 pandemic. Data were gathered by applying a questionnaire, containing demographic information and a 28-item standard General Health Questionnaire. Eventually, data analysis was performed by Spearman correlation tests and the Mann-Whitney U and Kruskal–Wallis H tests, using the SPSS software V.26.

Results:
The results of the study revealed that the general health score, among the individuals, was at a healthy level with a mean of 20.77 ± 11.8. Spearman correlation test represented a significant interdependency between age and general health and its connected factors, Somatic Symptoms Scale, and depression symptoms scale (P < 0.05) (R = −0.226, R = −0.174, R = −0.168). In addition, a significant correlation was found between the depression symptoms scale and work experience (P = 0.005) (R = −0.214). Based on the results of the Kruskal–Wallis H tests, a statistically significant difference was found between the employment status and the general health (P = 0.04) as well as the depression symptoms scale (P = 0.019).

Conclusion:
In this study, the most vital factors affecting both job efficiency and general health were the variables of age, work experience, and type of employment. Furthermore, the subscales of somatic symptoms and depression symptoms were identified as the most effective subscales on general health.
Effect of Filter Media (Zeolite, Ferrolite, and Manganese Greensand) and Combination of Media on the Levels of Iron and Manganese in Borehole Water
Authors: Zulfikar Zulfikar , Aditama Wiwit , Khairunnisa Khairunnisa , Arianto Budi 
Published: May 2023

Aim:
The presence of Fe and Mn content in water, apart from being able to interfere with health, also creates a metallic taste and odor of drinking water and causes a yellow color on the walls and clothes. Thus, it is necessary to use appropriate and effective technologies to lower the amounts of iron and manganese in water. The technology involves the use of Filtration Media for Iron (Fe) and Manganese (Mn) Content in Drilling Wells, including Zeolite, Ferolite, and Manganese Greensand.

Materials and Methods:
The first treatment was for control, and the second, third, fourth, and fifth treatments, each containing zeolite ferrolite, and Mn media and the combination of media, were for the filtration process and repeated four times.

Results:
The results showed that the use of zeolite, ferrolite, and Mn filter media and the combination of media was able to increase Fe level by 11.05%, 5.99%, 21.78%, and 40.98%, respectively. Meanwhile, the use of zeolite, ferrolite, and Mn and the combination of media was able to reduce Mn level by 35.58%, 44.97%, 48.30%, and 75.28%, respectively.

Conclusion:
It is not recommended to use zeolite, ferrolite, and Mn filter media for processing Fe in borehole water. Zeolite, ferrolite, and Mn filter media can be used to reduce Mn levels in the borehole water.
The Possible Ameliorative Effect of Echinacea, Ginger, and Their Combination on Experimentally Induced Diabetic Nephropathy in a Rat Model: Histological and Immunohistochemical Study
Authors: Elsayed Hoda M. , Abdel-Aziz Hekmat Osman , Ahmed Ghada Mohammed , Adly Mohamed Arafa , Mohammed Sherine Ahmed 
Published: May 2023

Abstract

Background:
Diabetes represents a chronic disease characterized by hyperglycemia. Several changes in the renal functions had been detected in diabetic patients.

Aim of the Work:
This study was conducted to compare the possible ameliorative role of both ginger and Echinacea either alone or in combination upon experimentally induced diabetic nephropathy.

Materials and Methods:
Sixty adult male albino rats were used in this study. Rats were divided into three groups. Control (group I) included 20 rats. Diabetic group (group II) included 10 rats. Group III included 30 rats subdivided into three subgroups 10 animals each: Subgroup IIIa diabetic treated with 100 mg/kg Echinacea for 30 days. Subgroup IIIb diabetic treated with 400 mg/kg ginger for 30 days orally. Subgroup IIIc diabetic treated with both 100 mg/kg Echinacea and 400 mg/kg ginger for 30 days orally. Hemotoxylin and eosin staining, Periodic acid Schiff and Masson trichrome were done. Ultrastructural examination was done. Immunohistochemical markers used were caspase-3 for apoptosis and CD68 for macrophages. Morphometric and statistical analyses were done.

Results:
Diabetes caused a significant increase in collagen fibers in the renal cortex, the caspase-3 expression as well as the number of macrophages. Ultrastructurally, there was an irregularly thickened glomerular basement membrane and effacement of podocytes. Ginger treatment alone or in combination with Echinacea exhibited more pronounced improvement of diabetes-induced degenerative changes and a significant decrease in collagen fibers, the caspase-3 expression as well as the number of macrophages compared to Echinacea alone.

Conclusion:
Ginger treatment alone or in combination with Echinacea exhibited more pronounced improvement in diabetes nephropathy.