bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Optical coherence tomography in Egyptian schizophrenics and its correlation to disease parameters
Authors: Khalil Dalia H. , Aziz Kyrollos , Khalil Mohamed , Khowyled Aref 
Published: August 2022

Background
Schizophrenia is associated with visual perception and early processing deficits. Retinal optical coherence tomography (OCT) parameters can be biomarkers of neural pathology and disease progression by detecting neurodegenerative changes.

Purpose
The aim of this study was to detect neurodegenerative changes in schizophrenic patients by OCT and to correlate them to the severity and duration of schizophrenia.

Patients and methods
This is a comparative case–control study that included 60 participants: 30 male schizophrenics compared with 30 age-matched and sex-matched healthy persons. Both groups were subjected to ophthalmic examination, including visual assessment, anterior-segment examination using slit lamp, and posterior-segment examination by indirect ophthalmoscopy. Schizophrenic patients were subjected to psychometric evaluation using Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale. Then, OCT imaging was done for all participants.

Results
The schizophrenic group showed thinning of the retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) compared with the controls. The difference was statistically significant regarding the average, superior, and nasal quadrants (P=0.002, P<0.001, and P<0.001, respectively), but it was insignificant in the inferior and temporal quadrants (P=0.187 and 0.074, respectively). The average ganglion cell complex thickness showed insignificant difference between the two groups regarding the average, superior, and inferior sectors (P=0.650, 0.624, and 0.694, respectively). There was a significant negative correlation between schizophrenia duration and RNFL average, superior, and inferior thickness (r=−0.566, P=0.001, r=−0.555, P=0.001, and r=−0.479, P=0.007, respectively).

Conclusion
Schizophrenics were found to have a significantly reduced peripapillary RNFL thickness, especially in the superior and nasal quadrants. This reduction became more obvious with disease chronicity.
Double small incision lenticule extraction lenticular graft in impending corneal perforation
Authors: Kotb Ahmed N. , Elsayed Sahar H. 
Published: August 2022

Purpose
The aim of this study was to evaluate the safety and efficacy of double stromal lenticules, extracted by femtolaser small incision lenticule extraction (SMILE) surgery, as a surgical adjuvant for sealing of impending corneal perforation.

Patients and methods
The study included 20 eyes of 20 patients with impending corneal perforation. Double corneal stromal lenticules obtained through SMILE surgery, with a central thickness of 65 μm for each lenticule, were fixed over the corneal impending perforation site by 10-0 nylon interrupted stitches. The patients were monitored for a minimum of 6 months and were assessed using slit-lamp biomicroscopy, fluorescein stain, tonometry, and best spectacle-corrected visual acuity measurements. Postoperative complications were recorded throughout the follow-up period.

Results
The mean age of the patients was 51.25±1.49 years. The mean thickness of the used double SMILE lenticules was 108.85±10.77 μm (range, 90–120 μm). The preoperative best spectacle-corrected visual acuity was counting fingers at 30 cm in four patients, whereas the other 16 patients had a visual acuity of hand movement. Postoperatively, the corneal perforations were successfully sealed in 16 (80%) patients, and 15 (75%) patients exhibited a statistically significant improvement in visual acuity (P=0.02). During the follow-up period of 6 months, there was evidence of one case of infection and two cases of sliding graft. There was no significant association between the patients’ data and the reported complications except the association between complications and hand movement visual acuity.

Conclusion
The use of double corneal lenticules was a safe and effective surgical adjuvant for corneal perforation closure. It is a simple and inexpensive temporary measure to improve the corneal condition for further definitive interventions.
Macular and choroidal perfusion using optical coherence tomography angiography in type-2 diabetic patients without diabetic retinopathy
Authors: ElShazly Malak I. , Sabbah Yasmina A. , Hamza Hany S. , Salah Shaymaa H. 
Published: August 2022

Purpose
The aim of this study was to evaluate the changes in retinal vascular plexuses and choriocapillaris in type-2 diabetes mellitus (DM) patients without clinical diabetic retinopathy (DR) and to compare them with healthy controls and to identify early preclinical biomarkers for DR using optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA).

Patients and methods
This is a prospective cross-sectional study that included 68 eyes (34 eyes of type-2 diabetic patients without DR and 34 eyes of healthy controls). Using OCTA, the vessel density (VD) in the superficial and deep capillary plexuses, macular thickness, foveal avascular zone (FAZ) area, and choriocapillaris flow area were measured. The OCTA morphological findings in diabetic patients were noted. In addition, the correlations between OCTA and glycosylated hemoglobin and diabetes duration were evaluated.

Results
There was a statistically significant decrease in the parafoveal macular thickness in the diabetic group compared with the control group (the superior–hemi parafoveal thickness was 310.94±10.84 vs. 321.71±11.2 μm, respectively, P=0.001, while the inferior–hemi parafoveal thickness was 304.71±11.04 vs. 320.82±11.25 μm, respectively, P=0.001). There was no statistically significant difference in the parafoveal and perifoveal superficial capillary plexus and DCP VD in the diabetic patients compared with the controls. In addition, there was no change in the FAZ area between the two groups, but there was a significant difference regarding the FAZ irregularity (P=0.00). Microaneurysms (100%), capillary nonperfusion (94%), capillary loop (17.6%), enlarged perifoveal intercapillary spaces (17.6%), punched-out FAZ (12%), lost spider web (6%), and capillary blind end (6%) were detected in the diabetic patients. A negative significant correlation was found between the parafoveal thickness and glycosylated hemoglobin in the DM group in the inferior–hemi thickness (r=−0.61, P=0.01), and between DM duration and VD in the DCP in the parafoveal and perifoveal areas (r=−0.55, P=0.06 and r=0.62, P=0.018, respectively).

Conclusion
OCTA can be used to diagnose preclinical maculopathy/retinopathy in diabetic patients using the parafoveal retinal thickness, DCP VD, FAZ irregularities, quantification of microaneurysms, and choriocapillaris flow area as biomarkers.
Association of serum uric acid and non-motor symptoms in Parkinson's disease
Authors: Odeniyi Olanike A. , Ojo Oluwadamilola O. , Odeniyi Ifedayo Adeola , Okubadejo Njideka Ulunma 
Published: August 2022

Background and Objective:
The role of serum uric acid (SUA) as a biomarker in Parkinson's disease (PD) remains exploratory and has not been described in our population. The objective of this study was to explore the profile of SUA and its relationship to nonmotor symptoms (NMS) burden in PD.

Methods:
This cross-sectional study recruited 70 persons with PD and 140 matched healthy controls in Lagos, Nigeria. PD was diagnosed using the United Kingdom PD Society Brain Bank criteria. NMS were assessed with the NMS Questionnaire (NMS-Quest). SUA was measured using standard methods.

Results:
The mean ages of PD and controls were 63 ± 9.4 years and 62.9 ± 8.8 years, respectively (P = 0.65), with no difference when compared by sex. The median PD duration (interquartile range [IQR]) was 4 (4.25) years. Median Hoehn and Yahr stage (IQR) was 2.5 (1.0). The mean total unified Parkinson's disease rating scale score was 70.7 ± 23.7. The mean NMS-Quest score was 8.5 ± 3.8. Mean SUA level was significantly lower in PD compared to controls (2.42 ± 0.75 mg/dL vs. 3.73 ± 1.09 mg/dL [P = 0.000]). There was a nonsignificant inverse linear trend of association (r = −0.184; P = 0.126) between the total NMS-Quest score and SUA level in PD. Logistic regression analysis revealed hyposmia and memory impairment were significantly related to lower SUA levels (P = 0.02 and P = 0.04, respectively).

Conclusion:
Our study corroborates the potential of SUA as a serum biomarker in PD and a possible role in defining non-motor symptom burden. Further exploration to clarify the association and interrogate the impact of interventions is warranted.
Feeding practices and nutrition in children of working and stay-At-Home mothers
Authors: Kumar Sananda , Chandrasegaran Barathy , Kittu Devi , Jayavani RL , Ananthakrishnan Shanthi 
Published: August 2022

Introduction:
Exclusive breastfeeding (EBF) for the first 6 months of life and timely introduction of complementary feeds (CFs) with continuation of breastfeeding up to 2 years or beyond are optimum infant and toddler nutrition practices. Mother's employment status influences the feeding practice which in turn can have a negative impact on the growth and development of the infant. The objectives of the study were to determine and compare breastfeeding and CF practices in working and stay-at-home mothers attending our health facility and its effect on the growth of their children.

Methods:
This observational comparative study was done on 200 mothers, 100 working mothers and 100 stay-at-home mothers of children aged 1–24 months after obtaining written consent. Data were recorded in a pretested semi-structured questionnaire using interview method. Details were elicited regarding feeding practices and illnesses in the child. Each infant's growth and development were assessed using the World Health Organization growth chart and Trivandrum development chart. Statistical tests used were descriptive statistics for frequencies, means and standard deviation, Chi-square for proportions, and Student's t-test for means. A P < 0.05 was considered statistically significant.

Results:
EBF for 6 months was given by 37% (37/100) of stay-at-home and 45% (45/100) of working mothers (P = 0.251). Breastfeeding beyond 6 months was given by 94.7% (n = 71/75) of stay-at-home and 93.8% of working mothers (n = 90/96, P = 0.800), and beyond 12 months by 61.1% n = 33/54) and 54.8%, respectively, (n = 40/73, P = 0.477). CF was initiated by 180 days by 44% of stay-at-home (44/100) and 55% of working mothers (55/100, P = 0.120). Underweight, wasting, and stunting were seen in 12%, 10%, and 13% (12/100, 10/100, 13/100), respectively, of stay-at-home and 14%, 15%, and 13% (14/100, 15/100, 13/100), respectively, of working mothers and there was no statistical difference between the two groups. A higher frequency of diarrheal episodes was observed in babies of working mothers (6/100, 6% vs. 18/100, 18%, P = 0.009).

Conclusion:
There was no statistical difference between stay-at-home and working mothers in time of initiation of first feed, giving colostrum, EBF rate, continued breastfeeding beyond 12 months, and age of initiation of CF. Thus, the nutrition and health status of children in both groups were comparable except acute diarrheal illness which was more in babies of working mothers.
Vitreoretinal manifestations of human immunodeficiency virus infection and acquired immunodeficiency syndrome in patients attending an antiretroviral therapy clinic in Nigeria
Authors: Babalola Yewande O. , Oluleye Tunji S. , Ashaye Adeyinka O. 
Published: August 2022

Background:
The human immunodeficiency virus infection and acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (HIV/AIDS) is a multi-systemic disease with known manifestations involving all ocular structures from the orbit and ocular adnexa, anterior segment to the retina and vitreous. Some of these manifestations including cytomegalovirus (CMV) retinitis and HIV retinopathy are HIV/AIDS-defining illnesses. The aim of this study is to determine the vitreoretinal manifestations in patients with HIV/AIDS attending an antiretroviral therapy clinic in Nigeria.

Methods:
This was a prospective, cross-sectional study of consenting, confirmed HIV/AIDS patients attending an antiretroviral therapy clinic in Nigeria. All willing, consecutive patients who gave an informed consent were recruited. Sociodemographic data and clinical information were collected with the use of a structured interviewer–administered questionnaire. Best-corrected visual acuity was recorded. Anterior segment and ocular adnexa examination was performed with a pen torch. Detailed anterior and posterior segment examination was performed with slit lamp biomicroscopy with Volks +78 diopter lens and binocular indirect ophthalmoscopy. The data were analyzed with SPSS (statistical package for social sciences) version 16. Ethical approval was obtained from the institutional ethics committee.

Results:
Three hundred and eighteen patients were studied of which 85 (26.7%) had disorders affecting the retina and vitreous. The female-to-male ratio was 2:1. More than a third of patients (38.7%) were in the 40–49 years of age group and the mean age was 47.2 years. The most common vitreoretinal lesion was presumed ocular toxoplasmosis present in 9.7% of all respondents. This was closely followed by HIV retinopathy in 3.5%, ocular tuberculosis in 1.8%, and CMV retinitis in 1.6% respondents. Two hundred and seventy-seven (87.1%) respondents were on highly active antiretroviral therapy and 41 (12.9%) were not on treatment.

Conclusion:
A high prevalence of ocular conditions especially those affecting the retina and vitreous exists in patients with HIV/AIDS attending the antiretroviral therapy clinic in a tertiary hospital in Nigeria. Regular eye examinations are recommended for these patients to prevent potentially visual debilitating disorders.
The effect of a coping program on mothers’ grief following perinatal deaths
Authors: Nournorouzi Leila , Nourizadeh Roghaiyeh , Hakimi Sevil , Esmaeilpour Khalil , Najmi Leila 
Published: August 2022

BACKGROUND:
Mother–child attachment is formed from early stages of pregnancy and peaks in the second trimester and continues until after childbirth. The fetal or neonatal death as a tragic event could lead to the grief experience among parents, especially mothers. The present study aimed to determine the effect of a coping program on mothers’ grief following perinatal deaths.

MATERIALS AND METHODS:
This trial study was performed on 56 women with the experience of perinatal death during the last 1–3 months with a score of Perinatal Grief Scale (PGS) ≥91, who were referred to the health centers of Tabriz, Iran, from September 2020 to June 2021. Participants were randomly assigned into the intervention and control groups through stratified blocking on the basis of the stillbirth and neonatal death using Random Allocation Software with a block size of 4 and 6 with a ratio of 1:1. The intervention group received a coping program individually during three sessions, once a week for 45–60 min. Data collection tools included the demographic and obstetric characteristic questionnaire and PGS. The data were analyzed using SPSS24. The groups were compared through t-test, and ANCOVA after adjusting the effect of baseline score.

RESULTS:
Prior to coping program, the mean standard deviation of the grief total score was 108.32 (14.31) in the intervention group and 107.92 (6.65) in the control group (P = 0.89). After coping program, the mean of the grief total score was 82.28 (16.72) in the intervention group and 101.05 (12.78) in the control group. After adjusting the effect of baseline score and stratified factors, the mean of the grief total score in the intervention group was significantly lower than that in the control group [Adjusted mean difference (AMD): −18.77, 95% confidence interval: −26.79 to − 10.75, P ≤ 0.001].

CONCLUSION:
Conducting a coping program during 1–3 months after experiencing perinatal deaths is effective in reducing the mothers’ grief reactions. It is recommended to evaluate the effectiveness of the same intervention after perinatal deaths for both parents with a longer follow-up period in further studies.
Online versus face-to-face metacognitive educational counseling program on anxiety and meta-worry in women with a history of miscarriage
Authors: Shahamabadi Mina Ghiasi , Farajkhoda Tahmineh , Mahmoodabadi Hassan Zareei 
Published: August 2022

BACKGROUND:
In the COVID-19 outbreak, women with a history of miscarriage need more mental health. Anxiety and meta-worry as consequences of miscarriage, besides concerns due to pregnancy during coronavirus, show the necessity of appropriate online and face-to-face educational counseling. This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of online metacognitive educational counseling versus face-to-face method on anxiety and meta-worry in these women.

MATERIALS AND METHODS:
In this randomized clinical trial, 80 women with a history of miscarriage, anxiety, and meta-worry referred to Imam Jafar Sadegh hospital (labor, women ward and women clinic), Meybod, Iran, were selected conveniently and randomly assigned into two groups (n = 20/each). The participants received 8-session metacognitive educational counseling package online or face-to-face. Data were collected by Beck Anxiety Inventory, Wellz meta-worry questionnaire at baseline, week eight, and follow up as primary outcomes and analyzed via SPSS software (Anova and Repeated measure statistic tests).

RESULTS:
Anxiety in the 12th week (online group 13.75 ± 3.59 vs. face to face 18.25 ± 5.91, P = 0.04) was statistical significantly less than baseline (respectively 22.15 ± 5.67 vs. 22.35 ± 4.93, P = 0.56); with fewer anxiety scores in the online group. Meta-worry in the 12th week (online group 11.90 ± 2.59 vs. face to face 15.70 ± 4.06, P = 0.03) was statistically significant compared to baseline (respectively 17.15 ± 2.70 vs. 18.50 ± 3.47, P = 0.36); with fewer meta-worry scores in the online group. Belief about worry in 12th week (online group 66.50 ± 14.60 vs. face to face 78.45 ± 9.27, P = 0.01) was statistical significantly less than baseline (respectively 85.50 ± 8.87 vs. 86.05 ± 8.85, P = 0.96); with less score of belief about worry in the online group.

CONCLUSION:
Online and face-to-face metacognitive educational counseling methods decreased anxiety, meta-worry, and belief about worry in women with miscarriage. But online educational counseling was more effective. Distance online counseling in COVID-19 can help the mental health of women with miscarriage.
Perceived behavioral control regarding regular physical activity and healthy diet
Authors: Jha Sweety Suman , Dobe Madhumita , Taklikar Chandrashekhar , Lahiri Arista 
Published: August 2022

BACKGROUND:
Healthy children are the foundation for a healthy and developing nation. Perceived behavioral control (PBC), comprising control belief and perceived power, is a person's perception of the ease or difficulty of performing the behavior of interest. For facilitating regular physical activity and regular healthy dietary practices among the adolescents, PBC is an important construct to develop and implement appropriate interventions. The aim is to assess PBC to perform regular physical activity and regular healthy dietary practices and measure their statistical relationship among the school-going adolescents in an urban area in West Bengal.

MATERIALS AND METHODS:
A school-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 251 adolescents aged 12–16 years after taking consent and assent for participation in the study. Data were collected with self-administered questionnaire on sociodemographic variables and the two domains of PBC, i.e., control beliefs and perceived power, related to regular physical activity and regular healthy dietary practices. Each PBC total score was calculated by multiplying control belief score and perceived power score for each respondent. Partial correlation coefficient was calculated between regular healthy dietary practices and regular physical activity.

RESULTS:
Among the total 251 responses analyzed, 34.7% and 27.5% students belonged to age group 14 and 15, respectively. It was observed that the mean (± standard deviation) score of PBC regarding regular healthy dietary practices was 100.7 (±27.7) and for regular physical activity was 106.0 (±21.4). The correlation between PBC of regular healthy dietary practices and regular physical activity was 0.421 and was statistically significant.

CONCLUSION:
In case PBC score over any behavior is higher, behavioral intention and ultimately chances of performing that particular behavior increases. Designing appropriate school-based health promotion strategies can lead to healthier children fostering regular healthy dietary practices and regular physical activity in their homes and communities.
Effectiveness of educational intervention on reducing oxidative stress caused by occupational stress in nurses
Authors: Panahi Davoud , Pirposhteh Elham Akhlaghi , Moradi Bayan , Poursadeqiyan Mohsen , Sahlabadi Ali Salehi , Kavousi Amir 
Published: August 2022

BACKGROUND:
Nursing is one of the most stressful occupations. Educational intervention regarding stress management can play an important role in reducing occupational stress among nurses The present study aimed to determine the effectiveness of educational intervention on reducing oxidative stress caused by occupational stress in nurses: A health promotion approach in a hospital in western Iran.

MATERIALS AND METHODS:
The present interventional study was performed in 2019 among 92 nurses working at the Kosar Hospital located in the city of Sanandaj in the country of Iran. Occupational stress was evaluated using the Osipow Occupational Stress Questionnaire. Oxidative stress was measured by taking blood samples and measuring the enzymatic activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD), malondialdehyde, and catalase (CAT) using SOD, malondialdehyde (MDA), and CAT kits. Educational intervention was carried out in the second stage. Three months after the intervention, data were taken again.

RESULTS:
The results of the present study indicated that there was a significant difference in occupational stress between before and after the educational intervention (P < 0.05). A significant reduction in MDA (P = 0.038) and SOD (P = 0.048) was observed after educational intervention, but this was not the case for CAT (P = 0.592). There was no significant correlation between occupational stress with oxidative stress parameters before and after the educational intervention (P < 0.05). No significant difference in occupational stress was observed between men and women. Among the oxidative stress parameters under evaluation, MDA was higher among men compared to women and this was statistically significant.

CONCLUSIONS:
Educational intervention regarding occupational stress is effective in reducing oxidative stress among nurses. The group meetings teach stress management to the participants and enable them to better manage their stress by utilizing their own capabilities. Thus, attention to this issue is vital in maintaining the mental and physical health of nurses and, in turn, improves the quality of care rendered.