Evaluation of electronic cigarettes for smoking cessation in patients with periodontitis

PhD ThesisBackground Smoking cessation interventions play an important role in dental care, especially for patients with periodontitis. Novel nicotine products, such as electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes), have recently become popular with smokers and can be used to quit or reduce tobacco smoking. Aims/objectives This research aimed to explore the behavioural and biological changes that occur when smokers with periodontitis are provided with an e-cigarette. Methods This research had three components. Firstly, a systematic review investigated the in vitro effects of nicotine on periodontal cells. Secondly, a 6-month pilot randomised controlled trial (RCT) was conducted of an e-cigarette smoking cessation intervention in smokers with periodontitis. Outcome measures were collected on both smoking status and oral health. The main focus was on feasibility, including recruitment and retention rates. Thirdly, theory-based qualitative interviews investigated patient perceptions about smoking, dental smoking cessation interventions and e-cigarettes. Results The systematic review concluded that nicotine, at physiological concentrations, was not cytotoxic to periodontal cells in vitro. Nicotine may have effects on other cell functions although evidence was contradictory. In the pilot RCT, 80 smokers with periodontitis were recruited in 15 months. Participant retention was 73% at 6 months. The e-cigarette intervention was well received with 90% using an e-cigarette at the quit date. 20% of participants in the control group used an e-cigarette, against instructions. Outcome measures were successfully completed. A weekly smoking questionnaire had poor completion rates. Several factors were perceived to influence smoking behaviour in individuals with periodontitis. These patients perceived dentist-delivered smoking cessation advice positively. General perceptions of e-cigarettes were mixed and influenced by personal experience, other users, addiction concerns, health concerns and social acceptability. Conclusions Providing and studying an e-cigarette intervention within the dental setting was feasible and well accepted by patients. Insights were gained into perceived influences on smoking behaviour and how to best conduct future research.National Institute for Health Research (NIHR

Over The Radiophone : Please Let Me Talk To My Mammy

https://digitalcommons.library.umaine.edu/mmb-vp/3348/thumbnail.jp

Kaposi’s Sarcoma in Film

[ES] El sarcoma de Kaposi, una enfermedad maligna cutánea, históricamente infrecuente, de curso indolente que afectaba a hombres de edad avanzada, emergió en los años 80 como una manifestación cutánea frecuente y fácilmente reconocible del Síndrome de Inmunodeficiencia Adquirida. Dado que estos tumores son con frecuencia visibles, el sarcoma de Kaposi rápidamente se convirtió en un marcador de estigmatización de las personas infectadas y predijo el alto riesgo de mortalidad por las infecciones oportunistas que acompañan al SIDA. Se han analizado las películas en inglés estrenadas entre 1985-2008 que mostraban imágenes de sarcoma de Kaposi y el papel que este ha jugado en ellas. Con la introducción de la terapia antirretroviral de gran actividad el sarcoma de Kaposi se ha convertido de nuevo en una patología relativamente rara. [EN] Kaposi’s sarcoma, a historically rare, indolent cutaneous malignancy of elderly men emerged as a frequent and easily recognizable cutaneous manifestation of Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome in the 1980s. Since these tumors were often visible to the public, Kaposi’s sarcoma quickly became a stigmatizing marker for those infected, and predicted the high mortality risk from comorbid opportunistic infections. English language films released from 1985-2008 are analyzed for their depictions of Kaposi’s sarcoma, and the role(s) it played in these films. With the advent of highly active antiretroviral therapy for those with HIV infection, Kaposi’s sarcoma has once again become relatively rare

Cold Sore, Cold Soul? An Examination of Orolabial Herpes in Film

[EN] The sociocultural phenomenon of herpes is attributed to two strains of the herpes simplex virus: herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) causes orolabial cold sores while herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2) is typically identified in genital lesions, though both viruses may cause clinically similar signs and symptoms anywhere in or on the body. While these infections are extremely prevalent and typically benign, media sources such as film have perpetuated a negative public perception of the disease. Thus, a large portion of society continues to associate these conditions with sexual misconduct and moral failing. Despite decades of available antiviral therapy to shorten and suppress outbreaks, movies continue to exploit herpes for degradation and for humor. Portrayal of genital herpes in films is avoided in order to avert unnecessary and grotesque nude scenes, so depictions of cold sores are preferred. This article analyzes the use of orolabial herpes lesions in selected English language films released from 1984-2012. [ES] El fenómeno sociocultural del herpes se debe a los dos tipos del virus de herpes simple: el virus del herpes simple tipo 1 (HSV-1) que causa el herpes labial, y el tipo 2 (HSV-2) que se identifica normalmente en lesiones genitales, aunque ambos virus pueden causar signos y síntomas similares en cualquier lugar del cuerpo. A pesar de que estas infecciones son de elevadísima prevalencia y típicamente benignas, los medios de comunicación y el cine han dado una percepción negativa de las mismas. Así, una gran parte de la sociedad continua asociando estos problemas a conductas sexuales irresponsables y valores morales deteriorados. Aunque desde hace décadas existe terapia antiviral para acortar y suprimir los brotes, el cine continúa explotando esta enfermedad para crear situaciones humillantes o cómicas. La representación del herpes genital en las películas suele evitarse a fin de huir de escenas de desnudos innecesarias y grotescas, apareciendo las aftas bucales de forma mucho más común. El artículo analiza el uso de las lesiones orales herpéticas en películas de habla inglesa desde el año 1984 hasta 2012

Can the Arts Change the World? The Transformative Power of the Arts in Fostering and Sustaining Social Change

A group of nonprofit leaders working in the arts, advocacy, political organizing, social services, and education explored the connection between community organizing and creative expression by engaging in collective activities, including visiting various examples of community arts, and experimentation with their own practice. Through this process, the group concluded that arts could be socially transformative; that community arts can create a safe space that allows people to trust and be open to changing; that art can help people reflect together and not talk past one another; and that the process of creating together can be healing and sustaining

Behaviour Change Intervention for Smokeless Tobacco (ST) Cessation Delivered through Dentists in Dental Settings: A pragmatic pilot trial

Introduction: Evidence on smokeless tobacco (ST) cessation interventions is scarce. The South Asian (SA) region which shares more than 90% of the burden of ST use, is grossly underrepresented in research on ST cessation. This study aimed to assess the feasibility of delivering and investigating a behavioural support intervention for ST cessation in dental settings in Pakistan.Methods: A multi-centre, pilot, 2-armed parallel group, individually randomised control trial, with a 1:1 allocation ratio, was conducted at two dental hospitals. Eligibility criteria included: being a ST user; seeking dental treatment and; not currently accessing cessation support. All participants were provided written self-help, ST cessation material. The intervention group also received a dentist-delivered, bespoke behavioural support intervention for ST cessation developed for users of SA origin. Participants were followed up telephonically at three and six months. Self-reported six month abstinence was verified by salivary cotinine. Analysis was descriptive, with 95% confidence intervals presented where appropriate.Results: 100 participants were successfully recruited from the selected hospitals. Of these 78% continued to engage throughout the study duration and provided primary outcome data, whereas, 63% completed all hospital visits. The outcome measures were successfully collected. Biochemically verified six-month abstinence in the intervention and control group was 10% and 4%.Conclusions: It was feasible to deliver and evaluate a dentist-delivered behavioural support intervention for ST cessation in Pakistan. The data suggested that the intervention may improve ST quit rates. The findings of this study will be useful in informing the design of future definitive studies

Behaviour change intervention for smokeless tobacco (ST) cessation delivered through dentists within a dental setting:a feasibility study protocol

OBJECTIVES/AIM: To adapt a structured behavioural support intervention for smokeless tobacco (ST) cessation and to assess the feasibility and acceptability of delivering the intervention via dentists within dental settings in Pakistan. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study will have 3 phases: (1) Adapt a previously developed intervention to make it suitable for delivery in a clinical/dental setting through qualitative interviews with dental patients and dentists; (2) A multi-centre, pilot randomised control trial in two teaching dental hospitals in Pakistan. Participants (dental patients) will be randomly assigned to intervention or control group in a 1:1 allocation ratio to receive either a structured behavioural support intervention involving face to face counselling or self-help material plus usual care. Each participant will be in the study for approximately 6 months and the overall study is expected to run for 12 months; (3) An embedded qualitative process evaluation. All trial participants will be followed up at 3 and 6 months to assess self-reported ST use. Outcome measures will include: rates of eligibility, recruitment and retention, randomisation group cross-over rates, the provision of data on ST use behaviour, fidelity to the intervention and qualitative assessment of acceptability and feasibility. DISCUSSION: Despite the high use of ST in Pakistan, users are offered negligible cessation support. The findings of this multi-centre, mixed-method feasibility study will inform the scope for a larger trial on ST cessation delivered through the existing dental health system

Exploring the use of mouth guards in Muay Thai:a questionnaire survey

10.1038/s41405-020-00048-zBDJ Open612