A systematic review of online interventions for mental health in low and middle income countries : a neglected field

Background. Low and middle income countries (LMICs) are facing an increase of the impact of mental health problems while confronted with limited resources and limited access to mental health care, known as the ‘mental health gap’. One strategy to reduce the mental health gap would be to utilize the internet to provide more widely-distributed and low cost mental health care. We undertook this systematic review to investigate the effectiveness and efficacy of online interventions in LMICs. Methods. We systematically searched the data-bases PubMed, PsycINFO, JMIR, and additional sources. MeSH terms, Thesaurus, and free text keywords were used. We included all randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of online interventions in LMICs. Results. We found only three articles reported results of RCTs on online interventions for mental health conditions in LMICs, but none of these interventions was compared with an active control condition. Also, the mental health conditions were diverse across the three studies. Conclusions. There is a dearth of studies examining the effect of online interventions in LMICs, so we cannot draw a firm conclusion on its effectiveness. However, given the effectiveness of online interventions in high income countries and sharp increase of internet access in LMICs, online interventions may offer a potential to help reduce the ‘mental health gap’. More studies are urgently needed in LMICs

A class of optically controlled millimeter wave devices

Three specific devices were investigated: the sheet resistance device, the Schottky-barrier diode and the PIN diode. Several sheet resistance devices were fabricated and tested. Based on the encouraging results from these devices, a mask was designed and sent to a vendor and is expected to be received very soon. A set of masks for fabricating transparent cathode Schottky-barrier diodes was designed. These masks were given to NASA Goddard Space Flight Center for fabrication of the diodes. A mask set was designed to fabricate PIN diodes with transparent electrodes. With slight modifications, the same mask set also can be used to fabricate other devices, such as MESFET and the IMPATT diode

Rehabilitation of recurrent unicystic ameloblastoma using distraction osteogenesis and dental implants

Ameloblastoma is a true neoplasm of odontogenic epithelial origin. Surgical resection of the ameloblastoma is well documented and an accepted treatment modality. Vertical distraction of the alveolar process is an efficient method for augmentation. This method of providing additional bone and soft tissue for implant placement is becoming more common. This clinical report describes the use of distraction osteogenesis and fixed implant supported prosthesis to treat a postsurgical alveolar defect as a result of the resection of a unicystic ameloblastoma in the anterior mandibular region. As a result of alveolar distraction a segment of mature bone was transported vertically in order to lengthen the crest, for better implant anchorage. Further clinical and experimental studies of the technique with long-term follow-up are needed, to confirm bone and implant stability, as it relates to alveolar height

Spiritual Tourism and its Contribution to Psychological Wellness in the Post-Pandemic Era

The ramifications of the Covid-19 pandemic have manifested adversities not just to the physical health of the people but have severe consequences on their psychological well-being. The earlier research bespeaks the ministration of spirituality and religion in the life of a psychologically troubling human as an efficient way of adding to their coping mechanism. In the same vein, the restorative powers of tourism have been widely recognised. The research aims to examine the psychological and emotional consequences of the pandemic and its associated measures, such as confinement, social distance, and mobility restrictions, on the people. Further explores the effect of the pandemic on travel intentions and motivations, with particular attention to tourism for spiritual purposes. The ontology of critical realism was effectively adopted for this qualitative study. Thirty-six travellers were interviewed through purposive sampling to understand the nature of the destination the tourists will opt for after the pandemic and their motivation behind the travel. The authors created a phenomenological connection between a person\u27s well-being and spiritual tours. A gap is filled in the literature on the inclination of tourists towards spirituality and will further lay premises for the discussion on the rise of spiritual travel after calamities

Marginal Strength of Collarless Metal Ceramic Crown

Metal ceramic restorations have been implicated for the discoloration in area of labiogingivalmargin. Attempts to rectify this, by altering the design of metal frameworkswill lead to decrease in fracture strength atmargin. This in vitro study compared the fracture strength at margins of metal ceramic crowns cemented to metal tooth analogs. Crowns evaluated with different marginal configurations, shoulder and shoulder bevel with 0 mm, 0.5 mm, 1 mm, and 1.5 mm, were selected. Methods. Maxillary right canine typhodont tooth was prepared to receive a metal ceramic crown with shoulder margin. This was duplicated to get 20 metal teeth analogs. Then the same tooth was reprepared to get shoulder bevel configuration. These crowns were then cemented onmetal teeth analogs and tested for fracture strength atmargin on an Instron testing machine. A progressive compressive load was applied using 6.3 mm diameter rod with crosshead speed of 2.5 mm per minute. Statisticaly analysis was performed with ANOVA, Student's “t” test and “f” test. Results. The fracture strength of collarless metal ceramic crowns under study exceeded the normal biting force. Therefore it can be suggested that collarless metal ceramic crowns with shoulder or shoulder bevel margins up to 1.5 mm framework reduction may be indicated for anteriormetal ceramic restorations. Significance. k Collarless metal ceramic crowns have proved to be successful for anterior fixed restorations. Hence, it may be subjected to more clinical trials

Autoimmune Hepatitis: A Review of Current Diagnosis and Treatment

Autoimmune hepatitis (AIH) is a chronic inflammatory disorder characterized by periportal inflammation, elevated immunoglobulins, autoantibodies, and a dramatic response to immunosuppression. An environmental agent is hypothesized to trigger an immune-mediated attack directed against liver antigens in genetically predisposed individuals. A plethora of clinical presentations can be seen ranging from chronic indolent disease to fulminant hepatic failure, and diagnosis requires exclusion of other causes of liver disease. Corticosteroid therapy must be instituted early and modified in an individualized fashion. Treatment decisions are often complicated by the diverse clinical manifestations, uncertainty about natural history, evolving ideas about treatment end points, and a multitude of alternative immunosuppressive agents. Achieving normal liver tests and tissue is the ideal treatment end point, but needs to be weighed against the risk of side effects. Decompensated patients may benefit from early liver transplantation. Long-term prognosis is excellent with early and aggressive initiation of therapy. Our paper discusses AIH, giving a detailed overview of its clinical presentation, risk factors, immunopathogenesis, up-to-date diagnostic criteria, current updates in therapy with a brief discussion of AIH in pregnancy, and long-term implications for cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma in AIH patients

Distribution of Contact Pressure and Stresses under Skirted Footings

Skirted footings posses many novel characteristics which render them eminently suitable for construction of structures in situations involving heavy loads and poor soil conditions with promise of economy. The results of the present investigations will help considerably to understand a detailed picture of the complex phenomenon of contact pressure distribution and vertical stress distribution in soil under skirted footings