Medical research and editorial support examples — page 2

This six-year study at Kidwai Memorial Institute of Oncology evaluated the prognostic value of the 2023 WHO grading system for epithelioid mesothelioma. Among 27 cases of mesothelioma, 21 were epithelioid and graded using nuclear atypia, mitotic count, and necrosis criteria. Most tumors (90.5%) were low grade, while two were high grade. High-grade tumors showed significantly poorer survival, supporting the new grading framework’s prognostic accuracy. The pleura was the most frequent site, and the mean patient age was 52 years. Histopathological grading correlated well with patient outcomes, reinforcing the clinical relevance of this refined classification. The study emphasizes the importance of standardized grading for better risk stratification and personalized treatment. Implementation of WHO 2023 guidelines in pathology practice can enhance prognostication and inform therapeutic decisions for this aggressive malignancy.

This clinical study evaluated the performance of three artificial teeth materials—acrylic resin, modified composite resin, and porcelain—in 60 edentulous patients over six months. Patients were randomly assigned into three equal groups and received standardized complete dentures. Follow-up assessments at 1, 3, and 6 months examined occlusal wear, retention, and patient satisfaction. Results showed acrylic resin teeth had the highest wear but were rated best for comfort and phonetics. Porcelain teeth exhibited the least wear and highest esthetic scores but required more occlusal adjustments due to brittleness. Modified composite resin teeth performed intermediately in wear resistance and offered balanced comfort and esthetics. While all materials were clinically acceptable, statistically significant differences (p<0.05) were observed in wear rates and select satisfaction parameters. The study concludes that material selection should be personalized, balancing functional durability, esthetics, and patient preference to optimize denture outcomes.

This randomized controlled trial assessed the long-term efficacy of Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) therapy in managing chronic knee joint pain. A total of 1,000 patients aged 40–80 with osteoarthritis were enrolled and randomized into PRP and placebo (saline) groups. Treatments were administered at baseline, one, and two months, with follow-up extending to five years. PRP-treated patients demonstrated significant and sustained improvements in pain and function, as measured by VAS and WOMAC scores, compared to placebo. Although minor adverse effects such as injection site pain and swelling were more common in the PRP group, they were manageable and transient. This large-scale study affirms PRP’s long-term benefits and supports its incorporation into clinical protocols for non-surgical knee pain management. PRP therapy emerges as a safe, effective, and durable option that can enhance joint function and quality of life in patients with degenerative knee conditions.

This cross-sectional study assessed gender-related awareness, hygiene practices, and emotional well-being among 1,024 adolescent girls in five semi-urban schools in Western Maharashtra. Using questionnaires and anthropometric data, the study found that 43.7% were underweight, 74% used sanitary pads, but 37% lacked menstrual knowledge before menarche. While 69% knew the legal marriage age (18 years), 80% believed independence—financial or personal—was essential before marriage. Emotional stability was rated “medium” in 63.4% of participants. Mothers were the main source of menstruation-related information (80%). Despite decent awareness of menstrual hygiene and legal norms, gaps persist in nutrition, pre-menarche education, and emotional health. The study recommends reinforcing school-based health education, improving sanitary pad access, and embedding mental health and gender-sensitization initiatives into curricula to advance gender equity.

This in vitro study evaluated the effectiveness of digital impression techniques compared to conventional methods in minimizing marginal discrepancies in dental restorations. Fifty extracted premolars were prepared and divided into four groups: one using traditional polyvinyl siloxane (PVS) impressions and three using different intraoral digital scanners. Zirconia crowns were fabricated for all samples, and marginal gaps were measured using stereomicroscopy. Results showed significantly lower mean marginal discrepancies in all digital groups compared to the conventional group, with Scanner 1 achieving the smallest average gap. Although minor numerical differences existed among the digital scanners, they were not statistically significant. Additionally, digital techniques demonstrated reduced cement thickness and potential for better clinical fit. The findings suggest that digital impressions offer superior marginal accuracy and may reduce complications.

This 10-year retrospective study evaluated outcomes of 200 shoulder arthroplasty patients treated at a tertiary center, comparing anatomic total shoulder arthroplasty (TSA) and reverse total shoulder arthroplasty (RTSA). Patients had indications including osteoarthritis (47%), rotator cuff arthropathy (35%), and complex fractures (18%), with a mean age of 68 years and 60% being female. Functional outcomes improved significantly: Constant-Murley scores rose from 35 to 74, and ASES scores from 35 to 76 (p < 0.001). Anatomic TSA demonstrated slightly better postoperative function, particularly in external rotation, whereas RTSA was more effective in patients with compromised rotator cuffs. The overall complication rate was 8%, with prosthetic loosening (3%) and periprosthetic fractures (2%) being most common, primarily in older or comorbid patients. Radiographic assessments confirmed good implant positioning with occasional scapular notching in RTSA cases. These findings affirm both TSA and RTSA as effective procedures.

This double-blinded randomized controlled trial compared the efficacy of carbetocin and oxytocin in preventing postpartum hemorrhage (PPH) among 106 low-risk primigravida delivering vaginally. Participants were randomized to receive either 10 IU oxytocin or 100 mcg carbetocin intramuscularly after the delivery of the posterior shoulder. Primary outcomes included blood loss and hemoglobin change; secondary outcomes assessed the need for additional uterotonics, transfusions, and adverse effects. Results showed no statistically significant difference between the two groups in estimated blood loss, hemoglobin drop, or rates of PPH. Although fewer participants in the carbetocin group required extra interventions, the difference was not significant. Both drugs were well tolerated, with no major side effects reported. Given its comparable efficacy, heat stability, and single-dose regimen, carbetocin presents a practical alternative to oxytocin—particularly in low-resource settings lacking cold-chain infrastructure.

This prospective study evaluated 39 patients with intracranial space-occupying lesions (ICSOL) using MRI and Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy (MRS) at a tertiary care center to enhance diagnostic accuracy. While MRI provided anatomical localization, MRS delivered metabolic profiles that helped differentiate between neoplastic and infectious lesions. Among 30 patients with valid spectroscopic data, gliomas were most common (56%), followed by metastases and infections. High-grade gliomas displayed elevated choline-to-creatine (Cho/Cr) and choline-to-N-acetyl aspartate (Cho/NAA) ratios with lactate–lipid peaks, while meningiomas featured alanine peaks, and abscesses showed amino-acid signals. Combined MRI+MRS yielded a diagnostic accuracy of 83.3%, outperforming MRI alone (71%). MRS helped delineate tumor grades, distinguish infections from necrotic tumors, and informed biopsy planning. Although nine patients could not undergo MRS due to technical limitations

This randomized, single-blinded controlled trial compared the effectiveness of preoperative lignocaine lozenges and ginger lollipops in reducing postoperative sore throat (POST) in 100 adult patients undergoing short elective surgeries under general anesthesia. Participants received either lignocaine lozenges or ginger lollipops one hour before intubation, and the incidence and severity of POST were assessed at 0, 2, 4, and 6 hours postoperatively using a numerical rating scale. At 4 hours—the primary endpoint—the lignocaine group showed significantly lower rates of moderate to severe POST compared to the ginger group (p<0.05). Similar trends were seen at 2 and 6 hours, though the difference was not statistically significant at 0 hours. Patients in the lignocaine group also reported higher satisfaction. Both interventions were well tolerated with no adverse effects. These findings support incorporating lignocaine lozenges into preoperative