Pervasiveness of Tobacco associated Oral Lesions among Women residing in Urban Slum of Bhopal

Background: The urban-slum population has emerged as a new section which is known to fare very poorly on issues related to oral health. The proportion of the urban-slum population is also increasing at a rapid rate. The deleterious habits are highly prevalent so is the tobacco, in this population. Hence, the study was steered to evaluate the association of tobacco consumption and oral mucosal lesion (OML) in this population. Aim of the study: To assess the prevalence and patterns of tobacco use and related oral lesions among women residing in urban-slum of Bhopal city (Central India). Materials and methods: The descriptive cross-sectional questionnaire based study was deliberated by a convenience sample technique. A predesigned structured questionnaire was the tool used for data collection. All the female participants available on the day of survey were included. Entailing in the study was 130 participants residing in various slums of Bhopal city. Results: Oral health is an important parameter to extent holistic health. The quantum of tobacco is widely prevalent among under-privileged populations. Ramifications are depleted oral health and gross impact on overall health too. Tobacco affects from mild to major lesions in oral cavity. Most devastating is oral cancer directly related to tobacco consumption. Conclusion: The concludory points derived out of this study are sufficient enough to conclude that women were aware of the trivial general ill effects of tobacco consumption but major harmful effects on oral health is still below the iceberg due tounawareness and low socioeconomic status (SES).&nbsp

Image Detection and Responsivity Analysis of Embroidered Fabric Markers Using Augmented Reality Technology

In this paper, we investigate the use of augmented reality technology within an E-textile environment. We place particular emphasis on the analysis of key performance and responsiveness metrics when utilizing augmented reality (AR) applications for embroidery-based logo/design image detection and recognition. To support this analysis and validation, we designed and created four test embroidered images, a fabric quilt with embroidered marker images, and a supporting augmented reality application. From an E-textile point of view, we explore the effects of high/low contrast thread colors, diverse light levels (lux measurements), and the range of angles at which the mobile device/camera, with the associated AR application, can be pointed towards the fabric-embroidered marker. This allows us to assess the level of functionality and responsiveness of the AR application and the overall performance in the testing environment, enabling more fluid usability of the AR-enabled E-textile application

Ozone therapy-new innovation in dentistry: A review article

Ozone has been used as a therapy since the 19th century. Christian Friedrich Schonbein demonstrated the changes in the properties of oxygen with the formation of the particular gas called ozone. Ozone (O3) is naturally produced by the photo-dissociation of molecular oxygen (O2) into activated oxygen atoms, which then react with further oxygen molecules. This transient radical anion rapidly becomes protonated, generating hydrogen trioxide (HO3), which, in turn, decomposes to an even more powerful oxidant, the hydroxyl radical (OH). Ozone is an unstable gas and it quickly gives up nascent oxygen molecule to form oxygen gas. Due to the property of releasing nascent oxygen, ozone has found to be effective against gram-positive and gram‑negative bacteria, fungi, and viruses. Controlled ozone application has been found to be extremely safe, free from side effects and far free from most medications, including antibiotics. Ozone is a promising treatment modality for various dental problems in future. But, it has to be kept in mind that presently ozone is an adjunct to other conventional treatment modalities and should be used in combination until more research shows benefits in independent usage

Management protocols of chronic Orofacial Pain: A Systematic Review

Objective: Chronic orofacial pain (CP) is a persistent and debilitating condition that affects the face, mouth, and jaw and can have a significant impact on an individual’s quality of life by posing problems to eat, speak, and perform everyday activities. By the means of this narrative review, we aim to assess different types of management modalities that exist to combat chronic orofacial pain. Design: Various databases were explored with MeSH keywords of chronic orofacial pain, orofacial pain, and interventions and treatment protocols for eligible articles. After an extensive literature search, it was ascertained that this review identified four major categories of treatment modalities for the management of chronic orofacial pain, namely pharmacological management, psychological management, lifestyle interventions-based management, and current stimulation-based management. Results: Of the four categories discussed, although pharmacological intervention offered the most immediate relief—especially from orofacial pain that was of a sudden, stab-like in nature—psychological management demonstrated a remarkable ability to reduce/alleviate the more serious aspect of chronic orofacial pain and was deemed better in comparison to the rest. Lifestyle-based techniques and current stimulation-based management were of limited use since they tended to focus more on the causal and not the symptomatic aspect of orofacial pain. Conclusions: Many patients with persistent orofacial discomfort can experience notable improvements in their symptoms and general well-being by all the treatment modalities evaluated

Table_1_Many hops, many stops: care-seeking “loops” for diabetes and hypertension in three urban informal settlements in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region.DOCX

BackgroundThe burden of Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) in urban informal settlements across Lower and Middle Income Countries is increasing. In recognition, there has been interest in fine-tuning policies on NCDs to meet the unique needs of people living in these settlements. To inform such policy efforts, we studied the care-seeking journeys of people living in urban informal settlements for two NCDs—diabetes and hypertension. The study was done in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region, India.MethodsThis qualitative study was based on interviews with patients having diabetes and hypertension, supplemented by interactions with the general community, private doctors, and public sector staff. We conducted a total of 47 interviews and 6 Focus Group Discussions. We synthesized data thematically and used the qualitative software NVivo Version 10.3 to aid the process. In this paper, we report on themes that we, as a team, interpreted as striking and policy-relevant features of peoples’ journeys.ResultsPeople recounted having long and convoluted care-seeking journeys for the two NCDs we studied. There were several delays in diagnosis and treatment initiation. Most people’s first point of contact for medical care were local physicians with a non-allopathic degree, who were not always able to diagnose the two NCDs. People reported seeking care from a multitude of healthcare providers (public and private), and repeatedly switched providers. Their stories often comprised multiple points of diagnosis, re-diagnosis, treatment initiation, and treatment adjustments. Advice from neighbors, friends, and family played an essential role in shaping the care-seeking process. Trade-offs between saving costs and obtaining relief from symptoms were made constantly.ConclusionOur paper attempts to bring the voices of people to the forefront of policies on NCDs. People’s convoluted journeys with numerous switches between providers indicate the need for trusted “first-contact” points for NCD care. Integrating care across providers—public and private—in urban informal settlements—can go a long way in streamlining the NCD care-seeking process and making care more affordable for people. Educating the community on NCD prevention, screening, and treatment adherence; and establishing local support mechanisms (such as patient groups) may also help optimize people’s care-seeking pathways.</p

Table_2_Many hops, many stops: care-seeking “loops” for diabetes and hypertension in three urban informal settlements in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region.DOCX

BackgroundThe burden of Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) in urban informal settlements across Lower and Middle Income Countries is increasing. In recognition, there has been interest in fine-tuning policies on NCDs to meet the unique needs of people living in these settlements. To inform such policy efforts, we studied the care-seeking journeys of people living in urban informal settlements for two NCDs—diabetes and hypertension. The study was done in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region, India.MethodsThis qualitative study was based on interviews with patients having diabetes and hypertension, supplemented by interactions with the general community, private doctors, and public sector staff. We conducted a total of 47 interviews and 6 Focus Group Discussions. We synthesized data thematically and used the qualitative software NVivo Version 10.3 to aid the process. In this paper, we report on themes that we, as a team, interpreted as striking and policy-relevant features of peoples’ journeys.ResultsPeople recounted having long and convoluted care-seeking journeys for the two NCDs we studied. There were several delays in diagnosis and treatment initiation. Most people’s first point of contact for medical care were local physicians with a non-allopathic degree, who were not always able to diagnose the two NCDs. People reported seeking care from a multitude of healthcare providers (public and private), and repeatedly switched providers. Their stories often comprised multiple points of diagnosis, re-diagnosis, treatment initiation, and treatment adjustments. Advice from neighbors, friends, and family played an essential role in shaping the care-seeking process. Trade-offs between saving costs and obtaining relief from symptoms were made constantly.ConclusionOur paper attempts to bring the voices of people to the forefront of policies on NCDs. People’s convoluted journeys with numerous switches between providers indicate the need for trusted “first-contact” points for NCD care. Integrating care across providers—public and private—in urban informal settlements—can go a long way in streamlining the NCD care-seeking process and making care more affordable for people. Educating the community on NCD prevention, screening, and treatment adherence; and establishing local support mechanisms (such as patient groups) may also help optimize people’s care-seeking pathways.</p