bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Optic nerve sheath fenestration: A second lease at sight
Authors: Sharma Mukesh , Chhabra Aishwarya , Raina Nupur 
Published: July 2023

Purpose:
To study the safety and efficacy of optic nerve sheath fenestration surgery in patients with optic disc edema due to different etiologies.

Methods:
Records of 18 eyes of 15 patients who underwent optic nerve sheath fenestration for vision threatening optic disc edema were reviewed retrospectively, and results were analyzed. Improvement of visual acuity was the main measure of outcome. Improved visual fields, resolution of optic disc edema, diplopia, and headache were other benefits that were observed.

Results:
Fifteen patients between 13 and 54 years of age were included in the study. Three patients underwent successive bilateral surgery. Idiopathic intracranial hypertension was the most common cause for optic disc edema and was found in 80% of the patients. Mean preoperative logMAR acuity was -1.9789 ± 1.46270, which improved to -0.9022 ± 1.23181 (p < 0.005) in the operated eye, and mean logMAR acuity of contralateral eye improved from -1.3378 ± 1.50107 to -1.0667 ± 1.33813 (p < 0.05).

Conclusion:
Early optic nerve sheath fenestration is an effective modality for treating optic disc edema due to a wide myriad of causes and helps resolve the associated symptoms.
Accuracy of trained technicians in screening orbital and adnexal diseases at rural vision centers in South India
Authors: Velu Maneksha , Aparna K S , Shetty Kavya 
Published: July 2023

Purpose:
To assess the agreement between the diagnosis made by trained technicians at vision centers (VC) and oculoplasty specialists at the base hospital, in patients referred from VC to the orbit and oculoplasty clinic of a tertiary eye care hospital in south India.

Methods:
This was a retrospective study that compared the findings of VC technicians and the specialists of the orbit and oculoplasty services in a base hospital. A total of 384 patients referred from 17 VCs between May 2021 and May 2022 were included. The diseases were categorized according to the site of involvement as diseases of the eyelids (43%), diseases of the lacrimal system (37.3%), orbital diseases (15.6), and others (4.1%). The mean age of the patients was 35.9 years and 50.6% were females. Medical records of all referred patients who attended the orbit clinic were analyzed.

Results:
Of the 384 patients, 378 (98.67%) were confirmed to have orbital and adnexal diseases. There was an overall 80% agreement between the diagnosis made by trained VC technicians and oculoplasty specialists; the kappa coefficient was 0.78 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.76 to 0.80), with a P value < 0.001. The agreement was the highest for diseases of the lacrimal system (90.9%, kappa coefficient 0.87), followed by eyelid pathologies (80%, kappa coefficient: 0.77). Of these, 54.8% of patients were managed with surgical procedures.

Conclusion:
There is good agreement between the findings of VC technicians and oculoplasty specialists. Trained technicians can help in the early detection and referral to higher centers. They also help to make sure adherence to treatment and periodic evaluation, especially in resource-constraint settings.
Epidemic retinitis during the COVID-19 pandemic
Authors: Kawali Ankush , Srinivasan Sanjay , Mishra Sai Bhakti , Mahendradas Padmamalini , Shetty Bhujang 
Published: July 2023

Purpose:
To study the impact of the novel coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) pandemic on incidence, seasonal variation, clinical presentation, and disease outcome of epidemic retinitis (ER) and to compare clinical outcomes with positive and negative COVID-19 serology.

Methods:
This is a retrospective, observational study conducted at a tertiary eye care hospital from August 2020 to June 2022. A graph of ER cases against the month of presentation was compared with the graph of the COVID-19 pandemic in the same region. Cases presented before COVID-19 vaccination, with positive COVID-19 serology (Group 1) were compared with cases with negative serology (Group 2).

Results:
One hundred and thirty-two cases of ER were seen. The least number of cases were seen during and immediately after the peak of the pandemic (May 2021–August 2021). COVID-19 serology was positive in 13 (22 eyes)/60 (21.6%) unvaccinated cases. Along with COVID-19, positive serology for other ER etiologies was seen in 5/13 cases (38.4%). All patients received oral doxycycline with/without steroids. Groups 1 and 2 included 22 and 21 eyes of 13 cases each. Macular edema resolved in 43.6 and 32 days in groups 1 and 2, respectively. Retinitis resolved at 1 month in both groups. Corrected distant visual acuity was 20/50 and 20/70 at the presentation, which improved to 20/20 and 20/25 in groups 1 and 2, respectively. Mean and median follow-up was 6 months and 4.5 months, respectively, in both groups. No complications or recurrences were seen.

Conclusion:
No significant impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on ER was observed.
Role of ripasudil as an adjunct treatment in the management of pseudoexfoliative glaucoma
Authors: Mohapatra Sumita , Thakur Subhodeep , Panda Bijnya B , Das Priti 
Published: July 2023

Purpose:
Ripasudil is a class of drug which alters the trabecular meshwork to increase the aqueous outflow and has been shown to be effective in pseudoexfoliative glaucoma (PXF G). This study aimed at assessing the efficacy and safety profile of ripasudil as an adjunct treatment in patients with PXF G at maximal tolerated antiglaucoma medications.

Methods:
In this prospective, interventional study, 40 patients with PXF G were enrolled between May 2021 and Jan 2022. Ripasudil 0.4% was started as an adjunctive drug to the ongoing antiglaucoma medications. On follow-up visits at 1, 3, and 6 months, the visual acuity, intraocular pressure (IOP), anterior segment, and fundus findings were evaluated. The premedication and postmedication IOP values were compared by paired t-test, and a P-value <0.05 was considered statistically significant.

Results:
Average age at recruitment was 60.02 ± 8.74 years. Baseline premedication IOP was 25.375 ± 3.276 mmHg. IOP reduction at 6 months was found to be statistically significant in all patients, with the maximal response being 24.13%. Also, 87.5% (35/40) of patients reached target IOP or even lower IOP at the end of study. There was no statistically significant association between the PXF grade and IOP. However, the grade of inferior iridocorneal angle pigmentation was found to be higher in eyes with elevated IOP (P < 0.05). Only three patients developed conjunctival hyperemia as an adverse reaction, which was mild and transient.

Conclusion:
Ripasudil showed additional IOP-lowering effect with other antiglaucoma medications and exhibited no significant side effects.
Fetal hemoglobin, blood transfusion, and retinopathy of prematurity in preterm infants: An observational, prospective study
Authors: Prasad Nishi , Kumar Kavita , Dubey Aditi 
Published: July 2023

Purpose:
The objective of this study was to identify the association between fetal hemoglobin (HbF) concentration, blood transfusion, and retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) in preterm infants.

Methods:
This was an observational, prospective study. A total of 410 preterm infants born with <36 weeks gestational age and <2.0 kg birth weight in a tertiary care center of central India for a period of 1 year were included in this study. Clinical data were obtained from case notes. HbF of infants was measured in the blood sample using high-performance liquid chromatography at the first visit and after 1 month follow-up and was analyzed statistically. Dilated fundus examination was done as per ROP screening guidelines, and ROP was classified as per the International Classification of Retinopathy of Prematurity (ICROP), 2021. The study subjects were divided into two groups based on the status of ROP. The relationship among HbF, blood transfusion, and ROP was evaluated in both the groups. The relationship between other clinical characteristics and various neonatal risk factors was also studied between the groups.

Results:
A total of 410 preterm infants were included in this study, of which 110 infants had ROP (26.8%). Blood transfusion was found to be significantly associated with the development of ROP. Higher fraction of HbF (%) was associated with a lower prevalence of ROP. HbF was also inversely related with the severity of ROP.

Conclusion:
Replacing HbF by adult hemoglobin during blood transfusion may promote the development of ROP. Conversely, maintaining a higher percentage of HbF may be a protective factor against ROP.
A cross-sectional study of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on an ophthalmology consult service in four Michigan community hospitals
Authors: Beckman Jamie J , Webster Court R , Richardson Cole , Fullmer Matthew , Kendall Emerson , Hazariwala Vikisha , Bondira Inna , Nguyen Brian , Gao Mary , Speicher Mark , Aggarwal Himanshu 
Published: July 2023

Purpose:
During the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, private practice, inpatient consult services, and academic residency programs in ophthalmology saw a decrease in patient encounters. This study elucidates how community hospital ophthalmology consult (OC) services were affected during the pandemic. We aim to determine whether there was a change in resident OC volume in a community-based ophthalmology program consult service during the COVID-19 pandemic. Secondary objectives included analyzing the change in the types of diagnoses and the number of patients seen for diabetic retinopathy over the same time.

Methods:
A retrospective cross-sectional study was conducted reviewing the electronic health record (EHR) charts from OCs for the period 2017–2021. Records were categorized by referral source and the nature of OCs (trauma, acute, or chronic); OCs were further grouped by year and weak of referral. An intermonth analysis of weekly OC counts in each category was performed for the average number of consults in February–April 2017–2019 and for February–April 2020. A one-tailed t-test was performed. All t-tests assumed equal variances.

Results:
Weekly OCs in 2020 revealed no statistically significant differences in overall cases or in acute or chronic cases when the volume before the COVID-19 pandemic was compared to the volume after the onset of the pandemic. However, a statistically significant increase in the average weekly trauma cases was noted when 2020 (an average of 2.7 cases per week) was compared to the weekly average for the same weeks of years 2017– 2019 (0.4; P = 0.016). This statistically significant increase in trauma in 2020 disappeared when comparing weeks 11–17 in 2020 (2.2 cases per week) and the average of 2017–2019 (1.1).

Conclusion:
This report outlines no significant change in OCs before and after the onset of the pandemic compared to three previous years. There was, however, an increase in trauma consults during the pandemic and an increase in the number (though not the proportion) of diabetic retinopathy (DR+) patients seen by residents. This report uniquely describes no significant changes in the resident volume of patients seen during the COVID-19 global pandemic.
Biomechanical Risk Factors of the Upper Limbs’ Musculoskeletal Disorders among Carpet Weavers in Tunisia: Semi-Quantitative Ergonomic Assessment
Authors: Bouzgarrou Lamia , Kheder Asma , Ben Afia Latifa , Ormrane Amira , Hermassi Faten 
Published: July 2023

Background:
Musculoskeletal disorders are one of the most common occupational health problems and one of the leading causes of temporary disability. This study aimed to assess the biomechanical constraints of upper limb musculoskeletal disorders associated with Tunisian weavers’ tasks.

Methodology:
An ergonomic approach was adopted with a representative sample of Tunisian weavers. First, the activity was observed mainly for identifying tasks and sub-tasks. Then, the biomechanical constraints were assessed based on the Borg scale and the software analyses and encoding of the 2,000 images extracted from the activity video recordings. These analyses were done with the ERGOROM software.

Results:
Four main tasks were identified (warping of the loom, weaving itself, beating up, and finishing). As for the subtasks, the six most important were thread coiling, shedding and picking, beating up the weft, knotting, cutting, and shearing. Semi-quantitative analysis revealed that weavers spent most of their working time in the constrained neck and upper limb postures. Shoulders were in flexion/abduction during 68.6% of the activity and pinch grip was spread over 83.3% of the working time. Furthermore, elbows and wrists were highly concerned by elevated gestural variability scores. The estimated deployed strength was “medium” to “strong” in 50% to nearly 80% of cases.

Conclusion:
According to the results, in carpet weavers, exposure to biomechanical constraints at risk of musculoskeletal disorders was high for the various joints and parts of the upper limbs. It is, therefore, necessary to carry out interventional studies for the development of ergonomic hand tools and workstations adapted to the traditional weaver activity.
The Effects of Yoga Practice on Lung Function and sIL-2R Biomarkers in Individuals Working and Living in the Lonavala Industrial Area: A Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: Rajbhoj Pratibha H. , Pathak Satish D. , Patil Sucheta N. 
Published: July 2023

Context:
Pollution-related health hazards are very common among people living and/or working in industrial areas, particularly near industries and metro cities. These air pollutants contribute to allergens, increase inflammation, and affect lung function.

Aim:
The present study aimed to examine the effect of yoga training on lung functions and inflammation in terms of soluble interleukin-2 receptor (sIL-2R) in people working and living in a polluted area.

Settings and Design:
This is a randomized controlled interventional pilot study.

Methods and Materials:
Forty-eight male volunteers from the industrial area, aged 20–50 years, were randomly assigned to the experimental group and the control group. Each group comprises 24 study participants. Lung function and sIL-2R were studied at the baseline and post-yoga intervention period of 16 weeks.

Statistical Analysis Used:
Study data were analyzed using descriptive methods, a one-tailed t-test, a paired t-test, and an independent t-test.

Result:
Study results showed directional and significant improvements in forced vital capacity, forced expiratory volume in the first second, and peak expiratory flow rate compared to the control group participants. The results pertaining to sIL-2R showed a directional and significant decrease in the experimental group compared to the control group.

Conclusion:
The present study showed that yoga helps to promote better health, improve lung function and reduce inflammation among people residing in polluted environments.
Determinants of Workplace Productivity Decline in the Tunisian Onshore Oil and Gas Industry
Authors: Imen Ayadi , Nehla Rmadi , Imen Sellami , Nada Kotti , Mounira Hajjaji , Ahmed Rebai 
Published: July 2023

Background:
This study explored the impact of occupational stress, personal factors, and physical conditions on work productivity decline (WPD) among workers in the Tunisian onshore oil and gas industry.

Methods:
We conducted a cross-sectional survey among 246 onshore oil installation workers of a Tunisian private oil company. 94 employees (48%) participated in this study. We used the Job Content Questionnaire to evaluate occupational stress and the Work Productivity and Activity Impairment Questionnaire to assess the WPD.

Results:
Data were analysed using R software. This study exclusively included male workers, with an average age of 41.1 ± 9.5 years. Binary logistic regression analysis identified low social support and job-strain situation as the most associated risk factors (OR >3). The random forest model suggested that professional category, job-strain situation, low social support, and iso-strain situation were the most important variables in predicting WPD.

Conclusion:
These data provided evidence that petroleum workers faced a monotonous lifestyle in the workplace, leading to high levels of occupational stress that affected their work productivity. This study is the first in Tunisia in the oil sector.
Evaluation the Effect of Serum Lead Levels on Thyroid Function in Battery Industry Workers
Authors: Rahimpour Farzaneh , Abdollahi Orang , Rafeemanesh Ehsan , Niroumand Shabnam 
Published: July 2023

Objective:
To assess the relationships between blood lead levels and thyroid functional tests in battery industry workers.

Methods and Materials:
This cross-sectional study was performed on 100 personnel of a battery factory in 2019. The checklist including demographic information of employees (age, sex, work experience, smoking, etc.) of the work shift, work environment, and duration of work was completed. Venous blood samples were also taken from the participants to check blood levels of lead and thyroid hormones.

Results:
The mean age of participants was 36.1 ± 5.6 years and their mean TSH and lead levels were 3.69 ± 2.45 mIU/L and 297.9 ± 174.2 μg/L, respectively. Participants were divided into two groups based on job duties: administrative and working in the production line. Participants were divided into two groups based on blood lead levels: normal (less than 300 μg/L) and high lead level (more than 300 μg/L). Only the work experience between these two groups was significantly different and was higher in the high lead group compared to the normal lead group and no significant difference was observed between different groups based on lead level in terms of TSH level and thyroid hormones.

Conclusion:
Our study showed that although the amount of whole blood lead concentration is not related to thyroid hormone levels and thyroid function, but with increasing work experience, the amount of whole blood lead also increases significantly and since lead poisoning can have many health hazards, employers must plan to minimize the lead exposure of workers and provide protective equipment for workers.
Prevalence and Antibiotic Resistance of ESKAPE Pathogens Isolated from Patients with Bacteremia in Tehran, Iran
Authors: Emamie Amir , Zolfaghari Pouria , Zarei Atefe , Ghorbani Mahdi 
Published: July 2023

Introduction:
The ESKAPE acronym refers to a group of deadly hospital-acquired pathogens, including Enterococcus faecium, Staphylococcus aureus, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Acinetobacter baumannii, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Enterobacter spp. These organisms can evade antibacterial drugs and pose a significant threat to public health. This study investigated the prevalence and antimicrobial resistance of ESKAPE pathogens in patients with bacteremia.

Methods:
We collected 412 blood samples from patients diagnosed with bacteremia. The ESKAPE isolates were subjected to multidrug-resistant (MDR), extensively drug-resistant (XDR), extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL), metallo-β-lactamase (MBL), methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA), and vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus (VRE) by the disk diffusion and E-test methods. In the case of VRE, molecular detection was done for vanA and vanB genes.

Results:
A total of 270 ESKAPE isolates were identified. The frequency of S. aureus was 30%, A. baumannii 22%, P. aeruginosa 17%, K. pneumoniae 13%, E. aerogenes 10.3%, and E. faecium 7.7%. MRSA was 71% and VRE was 19%. ESBL- and MBL-producing strains of A. baumannii were found to account for 39%, P. aeruginosa for 35.7% and 28.2%, and K. pneumoniae for 25.7% and 17.1%. In total, MDR and XDR were present in 52.2% and 15.5% of isolates and were most prevalent in E. aerogenes, A. baumannii, and P. aeruginosa. The vanA gene was detected in all 19% of E. faecium isolates that were VRE.

Conclusions:
Antibiotic resistance is widespread among ESKAPE pathogens, particularly in patients with bacteremia. Health-care professionals must consider the increasing rates of antibiotic resistance among ESKAPE pathogens and implement new measures to control infections.
Lower Gastrointestinal Bleeding in Children
Authors: Kumar Narender , Narang Manish , Aggarwal Anju , Sharma Naveen 
Published: July 2023

Background:
Bleeding per rectum is a fairly common clinical problem in children. Gastrointestinal infections, anal fissures, and polyps are the most common causes. However, many cases remain undiagnosed due to the nonavailability of diagnostic modalities. This prospective hospital-based study was designed to study clinical profiles and outcomes in children with lower gastrointestinal bleeding.

Materials and Methods:
Fifty-six children (1–12 years) presenting with bleeding per rectum were enrolled in the study. History and detailed examination were recorded. Investigations were done on basis of the clinical scenario. Children with bleeding per rectum were analyzed for demographic profile, clinical presentation, etiology, diagnostic investigations, and outcome in bleeding per rectum.

Results and Observations:
Anal fissure (67.3%) was the most common cause followed by colorectal polyp (16.4%), nonspecific colitis (7.3%), invasive amoebiasis (1.8%), intussusception (1.8%), and rectal mucosal prolapse (1.8%). Colonoscopy was diagnostic in 73% of children.

Conclusion:
Anal fissures and colorectal polyps are the most common noninfective cause of bleeding per rectum. Undiagnosed chronic cases of bleeding per rectum can result in complications such as anemia and malnutrition. The availability of diagnostic modalities can help in early diagnosis and treatment for better outcomes.
Systemic Inflammation Response Index and Systemic Immune Inflammation Index for Predicting Acute Cholecystitis
Authors: Yildiz Günay , Selvi Fatih , Bedel Cihan , Zortuk Ökkes , Korkut Mustafa , Mutlucan Umut Ogün 
Published: July 2023

Objective:
Acute cholecystitis (AC) is a condition caused by acute inflammation of gallbladder. Many inflammatory markers are frequently used in the diagnostic process. In this study, we wanted to show the diagnostic efficacy of the systemic inflammatory response index (SIRI) and systemic immune inflammation index (SII) in patients with AC.

Methods:
This retrospective study was conducted in subjects diagnosed with AC between January 1, 2020, and June 1, 2022. The control group was randomly selected from subjects who attended to the emergency department with abdominal pain and did not need hospitalization, among subjects of similar age and gender to our study group. Demographic data and laboratory parameters of the patients were collected.

Results:
One hundred and thirty-three AC patients who met the inclusion criteria were included. Eighty-five patients with similar demographic data were included as a control group. The mean median SIRI levels of the patients were significantly higher than the control group (2.88 vs. 1.35; P < 0.001). In addition, the median SII levels of the patients were found to be significantly higher than the control group (1019.42 vs. 573.80; P < 0.001).

Conclusions:
We found that SIRI and SII are markers that can be used diagnostically in patients with AC and can be used as an option to C-reactive protein.