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Broad access to efficacious immunizations is important for mitigating the COVID-19 pandemie. Healthcare personnel, particularly paramedical workers, may be more susceptible to infection during the covid pandemic due to a variety of causes. The purpose of this research is to assess paramedical staff members' opinions on the COVID-19 vaccine.

To compare the alveolar ridge augmentation using either a 1:1 combination of autograft and bovine graft or bovine graft alone and a slow resorbing collagen membrane with simultaneous placement of implants.

Li Chen,1,* Pooja Khamar,2,* Ying Wang,3 Hong Fu,1 Rohit Shetty2 1Johnson & Johnson Surgical Vision, Inc., Milpitas, CA, USA; 2Narayana Nethralaya Eye Hospital, Bangalore, India; 3Johnson & Johnson Surgical Vision, Inc., Irvine, CA, USA*These authors contributed equally to this workCorrespondence: Li Chen, Johnson & Johnson Surgical Vision, Inc., 510 Cottonwood Drive, Milpitas, CA, 95035, USA, Tel +1 408 273 4062, Email lchen185@its.jnj.comPurpose: To evaluate the changes of higher-order wavefront aberrations following the Smooth Incision Lenticular Keratomileusis (SILKTM) procedure for correction of myopic refractive errors with and without astigmatism, using the ELITATM Femtosecond Platform.Methods: This prospective study included 24 eyes that underwent SILK procedure using one ELITA femtosecond laser system for the correction of myopic refractive errors with and without astigmatism. Preoperative and postoperative 1-day, 1-week, 1-month, 3-month, and 9-month eye exams were measured with a commercial wavefront aberrometer (iDESIGN® Refractive Studio, Johnson & Johnson Surgical Vision, Inc). Wavefront aberrations up to the 6th order Zernike coefficients, including coma Z(3, − 1) and Z(3, 1), spherical aberration Z(4, 1), and the wavefront error of all higher-order aberrations (HOAs RMS), were evaluated across a 6 mm pupil.Results: The mean manifest refractive spherical equivalent changed from the preoperative refractions − 3.82 ± 1.26 D (range − 6.00 to − 2.25 D) to the postoperative refractions − 0.20 ± 0.15 D (range − 0.50 to 0.00 D) at the 9-month follow-up. Compared to baseline preoperative HOAs, the mean postoperative HOAs were significantly increased at the 1-day follow-up. On average, at the 9-month postoperative assessment the vertical coma Z(3, − 1) was − 0.054 ± 0.186 μm, horizontal coma Z(3, 1) was 0.016 ± 0.124 μm, spherical aberration Z(4, 0) was 0.046 ± 0.163 μm, and HOAs RMS was 0.363 ± 0.115 μm across a 6 mm pupil. There is no significant difference in the mean HOAs starting at 1-week follow-up for the horizontal coma (P = 0.346) and spherical aberration (P = 0.095).Conclusions: The visual outcomes demonstrated that the SILK procedure for refractive lenticule extraction using ELITA femtosecond laser system is effective and predictable for the correction of myopic refractive errors with and without astigmatism. The ELITA femtosecond laser system induced minimal HOAs in surgical eyes following the SILK procedures. These results demonstrate fast corneal recovery starting at 1-week follow-up, and spherical aberration was not induced.Keywords: wavefront aberrations, corneal refractive surgery, laser-assisted lenticule extraction, smooth incision lenticular keratomileusis

Background and ObjectiveDental education is unique, with clinical/practical learning much different from other professionals. In dentistry, students are exposed much earlier in their curriculum to patients, performing procedures under direct/indirect supervision. Hence, the present review attempted to assess the standing position of dentistry in blended learning worldwide. Materials and MethodsE-learning modality was at its primitive stage as food for thought among educational task force committees, with only a handful of developed and developing countries equipped with it. During this pandemic, “WhatsApp” became a savior, as it was a widely used educational device among dental teachers and students. Furthermore, it was easily applicable in places where there was difficulty in obtaining regular internet bandwidth, especially in remote/rural areas. It is noteworthy that blended learning/e-learning, when complemented with the conventional teaching method, upskill critical thinking and problem-solving capabilities. Blended learning or virtual reality education should be made feasible without disparity, worldwide. Mind training, both students and staff in hybrid e-learning, is the need of the hour not only to keep pace with digitalized dentistry but to prepare the students to face real-world situations. ConclusionThe sustainability of dental education should be rethought by dental schools with “Complimented Digital learning” wherever feasible, not only to cope with current trends but also to face unforeseen future challenges.

Artificial intelligence (AI) is a discipline within the field of computer science that encompasses the development and utilization of machines capable of emulating human behavior, particularly regarding the astute examination and interpretation of data. AI operates through the utilization of specialized algorithms, and it includes techniques such as deep (DL), and machine learning (ML), and natural language processing (NLP). As a result, AI has found its application in the study of pharmaceutical chemistry and healthcare. The AI models employed encompass a spectrum of methodologies, including unsupervised clustering techniques applied to drugs or patients to discern potential drug compounds or appropriate patient cohorts. Additionally, supervised ML methodologies are utilized to enhance the efficacy of therapeutic drug monitoring. Further, AI-aided prediction of the clinical outcomes of clinical trials can improve efficiency by prioritizing therapeutic intervention that are likely to succeed, hence benefiting the patient. AI may also help create personalized treatments by locating potential intervention targets and assessing their efficacy. Hence, this review provides insights into recent advances in the application of AI and different tools used in the field of pharmaceutical medicine.

Omental infarction (OI) is an uncommon cause of acute abdominal pain. A high index of clinical suspicion is required for diagnosis of OI as the incidence is less than 1 %, presenting with abdominal pain. We report primary OI’s clinical and radiological profile from a single tertiary care hospital in India.

Lichen planus (LP) is a chronic, immune-mediated mucocutaneous disorder increasingly becoming common in the general population with female predominance. Clinically, there are different forms of lichen planus with the presence of the main characteristic feature of Wickham striae. Literature, to date, is abundant with various scoring systems of oral lichen planus, and among them, the most commonly followed scoring system was the one proposed by the Thongprasom system because of its simplicity and ease of application.AimThe aim of the present study is to critically review all the disease scoring systems on oral lichen planus (OLP) that have been reported in the literature during the past decades. A systematic literature search was performed using PUBMED, MEDLINE, EMBASE, and COCHRANE Library with language restriction to English. The search was carried out incorporating the published literature from 1980 to 2020 using the MeSH (medical subject heading) terms. A literature search was done using keywords: Staging, Grading, Oral lichen planus, Diagnostic, and Therapeutic. Out of 25 publications, related to search strategy, 22 full articles, which were related to the disease scoring system for oral lichen planus, were acquired for further inspection. Out of the 22 articles, 15 articles met the inclusion criteria. The data was collected and a brief summary of the studies regarding the different disease scoring systems for oral lichen planus was explained. Taking into consideration, the parameters were not included in the previous disease scoring system. A new proposal encompassing a scoring system for oral lichen planus considering the missing parameters along with an amalgamation of histopathological criteria of dysplasia is presented. It also proposes to grade and stage the lesions and recommend appropriate therapy for each of such lesions.

Matrix metalloproteinase-1 (MMP-1) plays a pivotal role in the pathogenesis of periodontal diseases, particularly periodontitis, by virtue of its collagenolytic activity targeting collagen type I, the primary component of periodontal tissues. This review abstract elucidates the intricate involvement of MMP-1 in periodontal tissue homeostasis and its dysregulation in disease states. Elevated MMP-1 levels, observed in gingival tissues and crevicular fluid of individuals with periodontitis, correlate with the degradation of collagen fibers within the periodontium. This degradation contributes to the detachment of teeth from surrounding tissues and exacerbates alveolar bone resorption, hallmark features of periodontal breakdown. Therapeutically, targeting MMP-1 activity emerges as a promising strategy, prompting ongoing research into MMP inhibitors and host modulation therapies. Understanding MMP-1’s nuanced role in periodontal diseases paves the way for personalized treatment approaches and holds promise in reshaping periodontal disease management for improved patient outcomes and periodontal health.

IntroductionSmokeless tobacco (SLT) has been linked with various oral signs and symptoms, such as oral mucosal lesions and gingival and periodontal effects. However, there is limited research on the prevalence of SLT use and its impact on gingival and periodontal health in the adult population of the Emirates of Sharjah. AimTo assess the prevalence of SLT consumption and its effects on gingival and periodontal health in the adult population of the Emirates of Sharjah. MethodsThe study evaluated 171 dentate patients aged 18–77 years who use SLT or are nonsmokers. Data were collected through a questionnaire on SLT use and periodontal health assessed using plaque index, gingival index (GI), attachment score, and gingival recession (GR). Statistical analysis was done using SPSS 27.0 version. ResultsAmong 390 screened participants, 28 subjects (21 males and 7 females) were SLT users with prevalence of 7.18%. No significant differences were found in plaque index, GI, or periodontal pocket depth. However, SLT users had significantly higher clinical attachment loss scores (mean 4.01 mm, SD 0.35) compared to non-users (mean 1.49 mm, SD 1.12). Significant differences were also observed in GR. ConclusionsThis study provides insights into the prevalence and impact of SLT use on periodontal and gingival health in UAE adults. SLT usage is associated with a higher risk of periodontitis and gingivitis, indicating the need for awareness and intervention. Further research is required to validate results and consider confounding factors.

Oral submucous fibrosis (OSF) is a chronic disorder prevalent in South and Southeast Asia and is mainly related to the habit of chewing betel quid. Although there are numerous South-Asian studies about OSF, there is no study that evaluates the awareness of OSF among expatriate populations of South-Asian origin. Evaluated the awareness of OSF among South-Asian expatriate patients reporting to a dental hospital in Sharjah. Prevalidated questionnaires were given to 150 expatriate patients of South-Asian origin with quid-chewing habit reporting to the teaching clinics of a dental hospital in the United Arab Emirates. Among the 150 patients, 103 responded to the questionnaire. Among the 103 respondents, 11.65% were aware of OSF. Respondents living in shared residency and labor camps had significantly (P = 0.43) lower awareness of OSF compared to respondents living with their families. The results of our study show that the awareness of OSF is lower among the respondents living in labor camps and shared residencies. The younger respondents had more awareness of OSMF and were more likely to quit the quid-chewing habit.

IntroductionIn the current climate of heightened terrorist activity, the deliberate release or threat of biological agents like viruses, bacteria, fungi, or their toxins to induce sickness or death among civilians has become a genuine possibility. The most crucial action during a bioterrorist strike is early warning. The possibility of such an occurrence in dental setting is underestimated. Methods and MaterialsSeventy five graduate students participated in the research. In a survey on zoonotic diseases, participants were asked whether they were familiar with the transmission from person to person, if the diseases caused significant morbidity and mortality, whether they were simple to produce and disseminate, and whether they posed a high risk of infection. ResultsGraph Prism was used to examine the data. A single proportion test was used to determine the “Aware Not Aware” group. The first 10 questions assessed dentists objective knowledge of bioterrorism. The importance of the last six questions was determined by their analysis of dentists’ preparedness and desire to respond to a bioterrorism associated occurrence via perceived knowledge. ConclusionGiven the real danger they may face, dentists needed to be vigilant regarding the prevention, detection, and treatment of zoonotic illnesses transmitted in their offices or as a vector while being commended for their courage in the face of adversity.

Mahipal S Sachdev,1 Rohit Shetty,2 Pooja Khamar,2 Raghav Malik,1 Brian L Schwam,3 Ying Wang,3 Hong Fu,3 Andrew P Voorhees,3 Michal Laron3 1Centre for Sight, New Delhi, India; 2Narayana Nethralaya Eye Hospital, Bangalore, India; 3Johnson and Johnson Surgical Vision, Inc, Milpitas, CA, USACorrespondence: Michal Laron, Johnson and Johnson Surgical Vision, Inc, 510 Cottonwood Drive, Milpitas, CA, 95035, USA, Tel +1 408 273 5802, Email mlaron@its.jnj.comPurpose: To evaluate visual outcomes following the Smooth Incision Lenticular Keratomileusis (SILKTM) procedure for correction of myopic refractive errors with and without astigmatism, using the ELITATM Femtosecond Laser System.Patients and Methods: A prospective, multicenter, single-arm, open-label clinical study was conducted. Eighty-five myopic subjects (n = 170 eyes), aged 18 years or older, with manifest refractive spherical equivalent (MRSE) up to − 12.00 D and astigmatism up to − 6.00 D, were treated binocularly using the ELITA femtosecond laser and followed up for 6 months. Intended correction was emmetropia for all eyes. The primary outcome measures included post-operative uncorrected and corrected distance visual acuity (UDVA and CDVA). Secondary outcome measures included surgeon’s rating for ease of lenticule extraction, predictability, safety, and stability.Results: A total of 170 eyes of 85 patients underwent SILK. Preoperative mean MRSE was − 4.14 D ± 1.32 D (range − 1.38 D to − 8.88 D) and the mean cylinder was − 0.77 D ± 0.62 D. Intraoperative surgeon ease of lenticule dissection was rated as grade 0 or 1 in 85.3% of eyes (no/only mild dissection needed). UDVA at 1 day, 1 week, 1 month, and 6 months was 20/20 or better in 65.9%, 85.4%, 91.5%, and 96% of eyes, respectively. No eyes lost any lines of CDVA at 6 months compared to the preoperative. The postoperative MRSE was stable over time, ranging from − 0.34 D ± 0.24 D at 1 month to − 0.33 D ± 0.23 D at 6 months. MRSE predictability (± 0.50 D) was 93.5% (129/138) at 3 months and 91.1% (113/124) at 6 months. No serious adverse events were noted.Conclusion: The SILK procedure with the ELITA Femtosecond Laser System is safe and effective for the treatment of myopic refractive errors with and without astigmatism. Fast visual recovery was demonstrated, with stability achieved by 3 months.Keywords: smooth incision lenticular keratomileusis, SILK, laser-assisted lenticule extraction, corneal refractive surgery, myopia, keratorefractive lenticule extraction

Mahipal S Sachdev,1 Rohit Shetty,2 Pooja Khamar,2 Raghav Malik,1 Brian L Schwam,3 Ying Wang,3 Hong Fu,3 Andrew P Voorhees,3 Michal Laron3 1Centre for Sight, New Delhi, India; 2Narayana Nethralaya Eye Hospital, Bangalore, India; 3Johnson & Johnson Surgical Vision, Inc., Milpitas, CA, USACorrespondence: Michal Laron, Johnson and Johnson Surgical Vision, Inc, 510 Cottonwood Drive, Milpitas, CA, 95035, USA, Tel +1 408 273 5802, Email mlaron@its.jnj.com

Root exposure generates major concerns regarding aesthetics and other problems like hypersensitivity and root caries. Gingival recession has traditionally been treated by periodontal plastic surgery, often using soft tissue grafts to fill the defect with excellent clinical results. Advancements in root coverage procedures in the aesthetic zone have led to increasing the ability of clinicians to harness a treatment modality that delivers better outcomes with less surgical morbidity. Collagen membrane is most commonly used for guided tissue regeneration (GTR). On the other hand, platelet-rich fibrin (PRF) has gained popularity due to its simple method of acquisition, low cost and the presence of growth factors. Therefore, this case report describes the treatment of a 38-year-old patient with bilateral multiple Miller’s class I recession defects extending from central incisors to canines by using the vestibular incision subperiosteal tunnel access (VISTA) with PRF and collagen membrane. Clinical parameters such as recession height (RH) and width of keratinised gingiva (WKG) were measured at 6-month and 1-year follow up intervals. The 6-month follow-up revealed optimum root coverage with excellent outcomes for both sites, with an increase in the width of keratinised gingiva and a decrease in the recession height, and less discomfort in the site treated with a PRF membrane. These clinical parameters were maintained at the 1-year follow up. The increase in the width of keratinised gingiva and the decrease in the recession height in both groups and the patient compliance due to this minimally invasive procedure suggests its potential use when aesthetics and patient comfort are of paramount concern.

Priya Porwal,1 Nimisha Shah,1 Ajay Singh Rao,1 Ihit Jain,2 Alexander Maniangat Luke,3,4 Krishna Prasad Shetty,3,4 Rodolfo Reda,5 Luca Testarelli,5 Ajinkya M Pawar6 1Department of Conservative Dentistry and Endodontics, K M Shah Dental College and Hospital, Sumandeep Vidyapeeth, Vadodara, Gujarat, India; 2Department of Dental Sciences, GBH American Hospital, Udaipur, Rajasthan, India; 3Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Dentistry, Ajman University, Ajman, United Arab Emirates; 4Centre of Medical and Bio-Allied Health Sciences Research (CMBAHSR), Ajman University, Ajman, United Arab Emirates; 5Section of Endodontics, Department of Oral and Maxillo-Facial Sciences, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy; 6Department of Conservative Dentistry and Endodontics, Nair Hospital Dental College, Mumbai, Maharashtra, IndiaCorrespondence: Luca Testarelli, Section of Endodontics, Department of Oral and Maxillo-Facial Sciences, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy, Email luca.testarelli@uniroma1.it Alexander Maniangat Luke, Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Dentistry, Ajman University, Ajman, United Arab Emirates, Email a.luke@ajman.ac.aePurpose: Evaluate the efficacy of transdermal patches containing ketoprofen and diclofenac sodium compared to oral diclofenac tablets in reducing post-endodontic pain after single-visit root canal therapy for teeth with symptomatic irreversible pulpitis.Methods: A total of 78 eligible participants with symptomatic irreversible pulpitis and preoperative VAS scores of 4 or above were enrolled after obtaining ethical approval (SVIEC/ON/DENT/SRP/22064) and CTRI registration (CTRI/2022/07/044231). Exclusion criteria included pregnancy, lactation, fractured/cracked teeth, developmental anomalies, tooth pathology, or ongoing analgesic/NSAID use. After root canal treatment, participants were randomized into three groups using computer randomization. Groups A and B received transdermal patches with Ketoprofen and diclofenac sodium, respectively, applied to the right forearm for 24 hours, with an additional patch on the left forearm for the next day. Group C received four diclofenac sodium oral tablets, twice daily for two days. VAS scales were used to assess pain at 4, 8, 24, and 48 hours post-treatment. The VAS scores collected were tabulated and statistically analyzed using SPSS version 21 with (P < 0.05). Shapiro Wilk test and the Related Samples Friedman’s Two-Way Analysis of Variance by Ranks were used for statistical evaluation.Results: Statistically significant reductions in mean postoperative pain scores were observed across all groups at all time points compared to preoperative scores. Notably, the Ketoprofen patch group exhibited superior performance compared to the diclofenac transdermal patch and oral diclofenac tablet groups at 48 hours, with statistical significance (p=0.047).Conclusion: The present evidence substantiates the efficacy of transdermal patches containing diclofenac and ketoprofen in managing postoperative pain arising from symptomatic irreversible pulpitis in single-rooted teeth. By avoiding the use of oral NSAIDs, these patches provide effective pain relief while minimizing the risk of adverse effects, presenting a favorable option for patients.Keywords: diclofenac transdermal patch, ketoprofen transdermal patch, oral analgesics, topical NSAIDs

Sachdev MS, Shetty R, Khamar P, et al. Clin Ophthalmol. 2023;17:3761-3773. The authors have advised that there are errors in Figure 3A and B on page 3767. The X and Y axes and all other numbers should be shown as negative (–) rather than positive (+). The correct Figure 3 is as follows. Figure 3 Attempted versus achieved spherical equivalent refraction at (A) 3 and (B) 6 months. The blue line indicates a perfect result, and the green and pink lines depict over- and under-correction of 0.50 D and 1.00 D, respectively. The authors apologize for these errors.

Introduction: Rabies a zoonotic viral infection continues to be major public health problem majorly in parts of Africa and India. Rabies in majority of cases is fatal and the incubation period is between 20 and 90 days. The patient even if he survives had poor functional outcomes. The strategies adopted by the government and health administrators even though in place may not be enough to prevent the disease as we keep getting cases of rabies. Case Report: The case is of a 31-year-old male with a history of dog bite injury 1 year back. However, the patient was asymptomatic for the following year. The patient had no history of treatment and vaccination. Symptoms started a year later with the patient complaining of lower limb stiffness and developing hydrophobia. The patient succumbed after 10 days of treatment at hospital. Discussion: Rabies is virtually 100 percent fatal and without critical care they die within 2 to 3 days of admission. There are rare cases of survival from rabies which are miniscule. People who are vaccinated may develop high concentration of neutralizing antibodies to suppress the disease. Currently there are no antiviral for treatment of rabies and vaccination is the only known preventive method. In the normal circumstances incubation period is within 3 months. But the possibility of late presentations should be kept in mind as evidenced in this case where the patient developed the disease after 1 year. This is a rare occurrence and would not have been suspected if not for the history of dog-bite and confirmatory findings on autopsy.

Background: Diabetes is a chronic lifestyle disease which can be kept under control by some simple lifestyle modifications like blood sugar monitoring, dietary modification and exercise pattern. Diabetes mellitus (DM) appears to be a global epidemic and an increasingly major non-communicable disease threatening both affluent and non-affluent sections of the society. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in tertiary care hospitals in Mangalore involving 109 participants. The study utilized the Summary Diabetes Self-Care Activities questionnaire to collect data. Practices were categorized as good or poor based on an average score, with scores above 75% indicating good and lower scores indicating poorer practices. Data analysis was performed using SPSS version 16.0. Results: The dietary modifications were good in 7.3% of the subjects, exercise behavior in 14.67%, foot care practices in 12.6% and sugar monitoring in only 1% of the subjects. Being male and married was associated with better self-care behaviors. People belonging to low socio-economic status had better dietary modification habits. Conclusion: Self-care activities with respect to diet and sugar monitoring are poor in the population studied. The self-care activities relating to exercise behavior and foot care are good. Improving self-care behavior among patients with diabetes in India should start with adequate targeted health education.

Introduction: Mental disorder is a behavioral pattern which causes either suffering or poor ability to function in ordinary life. According to WHO health report 2022, 970 million people suffer from mental illness globally. 80% people with mental illness live in low and middle-income countries, which is a matter of concern for India being the most populated country in the world. This study aims to assess the attitude and perception of people towards mental illness and to identify the presence of stigma towards mental illness in the community. Methodology: This cross-sectional study was conducted among 320 individuals aged above 18 years from Jeppinamogaru, Boloor, Shiv Nagar and Neermarga of Mangalore. Data was collected using a pretested semi-structured questionnaire of the CAMI scale rates a total of 40 items on a 5-point Likert scale (1 = strongly agree to 5 = strongly disagree) and analyzed using SPSS version 25. Results were expressed as proportions using appropriate tables and graphs. P< 0.05 was considered as statistically significant. Results: Out of 320 individuals assessed, 73.1% were females, with 50% aged over 45 years. The lower middle class constituted 35.3%, while only 0.6% belonged to the lower class. Awareness of mental illnesses was low, with only 42 individuals (13%) are knowledgeable. Most relied on behavior to identify mental illness, and 54.1% favored hospital treatment. 31.6% believed mental illness was genetically inherited as it is running through families. Medium stigma was prevalent across all domains of the CAMI scale, with the least stigma observed among the upper class. Conclusions: The study revealed low to medium level of stigma toward mental illness among lower and upper middle-class SEC individuals, alongside insufficient knowledge about mental health issues. Addressing these gaps, necessitates community awareness campaigns, enhanced education in schools, and increased accessibility to community-based mental health services and health camps.

Background: The Hospital-based Cancer Registry (HBCR) part of the National Cancer Registry Programme provides the number of cancer cases attending the hospital in various disciplines and the exact type of cases classified, diagnosed and treated. This study was done to assess the socio-demographic, clinical profile, and trend of malignancy cases in the tertiary care centres of Mangalore. Methodology: This Record-based retrospective study was conducted in tertiary care hospitals affiliated with Kasturba Medical College, Mangalore and all the cases of malignancies admitted during the study period were included. The data were collected using a proforma and analyzed using SPSS version 25.0. The results were expressed as proportions using appropriate tables and graphs. Results: A total of 600 cancer cases were identified, with females comprising nearly half 48.8%(n=293) and among them the highest number of cases, 28% (n=82) were found in the age group 60 and above. Overall, cancer cases appear to be more prevalent in older age groups for both genders. Among males, the most common cancers were Oral cavity cancers 34.2%(n=105), followed by Gastrointestinal (GI) tract cancers,16.3%(n=50). In females the most common cancers were found to be of the breast followed by uterine cancer then by oral cavity Conclusion: The prevalence of cancer in both genders were found to be almost the same. The highest number of cases were reported from Karnataka followed by Kerala. The highest prevalence was found in higher extremes of age above 60 years.

Background: Diabetes requires intense multidisciplinary management techniques based on which the disease management strategies are adjusted to control the blood glucose values. There are numerous digital diabetic management applications available online, but Indian subscribers to such applications are minimal when compared with the diabetes population in India. The COVID-19 pandemic has seen a tremendous increase in the use of glucometers and other digital applications, which is a promising factor in propagating the idea of effective usage of mHealth applications. Objective: To analyze awareness and attitudes among the major digital health application stakeholders toward using mHealth applications in managing Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM). Methodology: An in-depth interview (IDI) was conducted among T2DM patients, their caregivers, Doctors, and Diabetes counselors (that includes, nursing counselors, and diet counselors) in the endocrinology department of a tertiary care hospital in South India. Result: The findings revealed that the T2DM patients, despite knowing mHealth applications for T2DM management, are not very fond of using any of them for various reasons such as language and technology barriers, complexity of handling the application, and following application instructions. Conclusion: It was evident that there is a growing need to create awareness about the advantages of using digital applications for disease management and develop user-oriented, user-friendly applications for better acceptance of digital devices.

Aim: The present study aims to evaluate the efficacy of naturally-derived bovine hydroxyapatite (Cerabone) versus demineralized freeze-dried bone allograft both combined with platelet-rich fibrin for treatment of grade II mandibular furcation defects.

Background: Medicines form a major part of out-of-pocket expenditure (OOPE) for patients. The government has introduced schemes to distribute generic medicines at low cost to reduce the financial burden on patients. This study was undertaken to assess the community’s perception of the same. The study aimed to assess the awareness and perception of generic medicines among people visiting tertiary care hospitals in Mangalore. Methodology: This study was a hospital-based cross-sectional study, conducted in two hospitals, one private hospital, and another a government tertiary healthcare centre. A semi-structured questionnaire including socio- demographic variables and questions to assess the knowledge, attitude, and perception about generic medicines and programs about the same was given to the participants. The information obtained was analyzed using SPSS version 17.0 for descriptive statistics. Results: The study included 300 participants. Around 50% of the study participants were aware of the program, of which 59.3% were from a private health setup. The main source of information was found to be friends and family (21.3%). More than half of the people who were aware of the program had never visited a generic medicine store (56%). Conclusion: Knowledge regarding generic medicines was found to be minimal among the participants, especially from the people visiting the public health setup. Hence there is less than optimum utilization of these schemes.

Introduction: Mercury is a heavy metal and overexposure to mercury may have a toxic effect on the nervous system, renal system, reproductive system, immune system and on motor activity. In dentistry, mercury is used along with metals in amalgam restorations. Studies have shown that mercury consistently releases from amalgam restorations. There is a controversy regarding this released mercury having any toxic effect on human beings. The aim: The aim of this work was to highlight the adverse effect of silver amalgam restoration and create awareness among all. Conclusion: Amalgam is still widely used as restorative material due to its excellent physical properties. Because of its environmental impact, mercury must be kept away from all users, including dentistry.

Aim: The aim was to evaluate the antimicrobial efficacy of herbal extracts of Origanum vulgare (Oregano) and Vaccinium (Cranberry) for disinfection of gutta-percha (GP) and their effects on surface of GP. Methods: A total of 84 GP points were divided into three groups. Group A (36 cones) was artificially contaminated by Staphylococcus aureus (SA), Group B (36 cones) by Enterococcus faecalis (EF), and Group C (12 cones) by both the organisms each. After the contamination of all the groups, all the points in Groups A and B were divided into three groups of 12 each and were disinfected by four different concentrations of Origanum vulgare and Vaccinium extracts, contaminated but not disinfected and was used as control. The Group C GP points were all disinfected by 3% sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl). All the disinfected and the control group samples were then incubated to detect bacterial growth. Minimum inhibitory concentration and minimum bactericidal concentration were determined for all the groups of O. vulgare and Vaccinium at all the concentrations. P < 0.05. Results: The present study showed a significantly higher bacteriostatic and bactericidal activity with O. vulgare extract followed by NaOCl as compared to Vaccinium extract against SA and EF. Furthermore, higher surface alterations were seen on GP disinfected with NaOCl and the least with O. vulgare. Conclusion: Considering the amount of surface changes caused by NaOCl on GP when used as a disinfecting solution, O. vulgare extract is a suitable herbal substitute for the same which shows comparatively much lesser topographic changes.

Objective: To evaluate the potential use of digital and reconstructed three-dimensional printed models as an alternative to conventional plaster models by assessing the accuracy of their linear measurements.

Background: Intracerebral haemorrhage (ICH) is the rupture of an intra- parenchymal vessel resulting in haemorrhage within the brain, often associated with stroke. The study was done to determine the association of intracerebral haemorrhage with duration of hypertension and other lifestyle factors among the adult patients. The study also includes association of the volume of ICH and its determinants related to hypertension. Methodology: A Record based Case Control study with cases involving the patient with ICH admitted to study hospital between January 1st 2014 and 31st December 2015 and control involving age and sex matched patients admitted during the study period. Results: Of the 118 patients, 41 cases (69.5%) and 12 controls (20.3%) had hypertension, with odds ratio 8.93. 40% of cases were suffering from hypertension for 5 years. 18.6% of ICH patients gave history of tobacco consumption and 30.5% gave history of alcohol consumption. 57.2% and 60% of ICH patients consumed tobacco and alcohol for more than 10 years respectively. Mean volume of intracerebral bleed in patients with hypertension is 12.4ml and without hypertension is 3.45ml. 23 patients had systolic BP more than 140mm of Hg and an average bleed of 10.33ml. Conclusion: ICH is the second commonest type of stroke, ischemic being the first one. Hypertension is the risk factor for ICH. Volume of bleed was higher among the patient who were hypertensive for longer duration and who had increased systolic BP.

Background: Normal kidney dimensions are suggestive of normal kidney function. Degree of kidney function has a positive correlation with ultrasonic renal measurements. Co-morbid conditions affect the renal size. Therefore it becomes necessary to establish normal values of kidney dimensions for the diagnosis, prognosis and also as an early indication of renal diseases in order to prevent them. Objectives: To study the renal dimensions and association with socio- demographic conditions among the outpatient attendees in the study hospital. Methodology: This was a descriptive cross-sectional study done among the attendees of KMC Hospitals, Mangalore. Data extraction sheet included the socio-demographic details, Anthropometric measurements, personal history, history of comorbidities and sonographic dimensions of Kidney and laboratory findings of Renal Function Test. Data was entered and analyzed by using statistical software Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) Version 29.0. Results: Out of 194 participants, 118(60.8%) were males. The difference between corresponding kidney lengths of males and females is found to be statistically significant. The length and anteroposterior dimension of left kidney is greater than right kidney and the difference is statistically significant. When the kidney lengths and the heights of the individual were correlated a positive correlation was obtained, (0.278) in case of right kidney and (0.245) in case of left kidney. Conclusion: Kidney length had positive correlation with height and BMI. Female kidney length was significantly smaller than the male kidney length. There was significant variation between right and left kidney lengths.

Background: Overall, 57.5% of head and neck cancers (HNC) globally are from Asia. In India, HNC accounted for 30% of all cancers in males and 11 to 16% in females, of all sites of cancer. HNC in the low- and middle-income countries differ from those in the Western part of the globe in terms of age, site of disease, etiology, and molecular biology. Poverty, illiteracy, advanced stage at presentation, lack of access to affordable treatment facilities pose a major challenge in management of these cancers. Objective: To identify the socio-demographic and epidemiological factors influencing the cause of Head and neck cancer Methodology: A cross sectional study was conducted between February 2023 till November 2023, in Manipal Comprehensive Cancer Care Centre, Kasturba Hospital, Manipal. All the newly diagnosed Head and Neck cancer (HNC) patients aged above 18 years, from December 2022 were included in the study. The participants were interviewed with the structured questionnaire. Details of the socio-demographic characteristics, various risk factors of HNC, presenting symptoms, co-morbid conditions, anthropometric details, dietary habits, level of physical activity when they were healthy, tobacco, alcohol and betel quid use were taken. Institutional Ethics Committee Approval and informed consent from the participants were taken before the initiation of the study Results: The study found that 84% of the head and neck cancer patients were males. 78% of the cases had education only up to or less than 10th std. The middle class and lower class (according to BG prasad scale) constituted 62% of the cases. 70% reported the site of cancer as oral cavity. Conclusion: The study found that consumption of tobacco, alcohol andNon-vegetarian diet are more commonly seen in HNC cases. Also, males, age group of 51-70 years, belonging to middle-class SES, are more affected.

Background: Reading is a vital aspect of the learning process for students and should be encouraged. Any effort or innovation that improves the motivation of students to read is worth sustaining. The materials often used are textbooks and reference materials. This study aimed to assess the readership and preference for e-books and print books across contexts. In addition, this study aims to identify factors that contribute to e-book usage. Methodology: This cross-sectional study was conducted among MBBS students of KMC Mangalore. A Semi-structured questionnaire which contained demographics, knowledge, practices and awareness of the use of e-books was used for data collection. The collected data was analysed using SPSS version 25.0. Results were expressed as proportions and for comparison across groups, the Chi-square test was used. A ‘p’ value

Background: Sleep plays a crucial role in maintaining cognitive functions, including memory, which is essential for academic performance. However, there is limited research exploring the relationship between sleep quality and short-term memory among medical students. Methodology: Fourth-semester MBBS students from Kasturba Medical College, Mangalore, were selected using non- random convenience sampling. A total of 195 students participated, completing a standardized sleep quality assessment (Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index) and a semi-structured self-administered questionnaire-based short-term memory test. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 16, with correlation tested using Karl Pearson’s Coefficient of Correlation Test. Results: The majority (56.4%) of participants exhibited good sleep quality, with 69.1% of these achieving high scores in short-term memory assessment tasks. A negative correlation (r = -0.450, p < 0.001) was found between sleep quality and short-term memory scores. Students with good sleep quality were more likely to have higher short-term memory scores compared to those with poor sleep quality. Conclusion: The study suggests that good sleep quality is associated with better short-term memory performance among medical students. These findings underscore the importance of promoting good sleep habits to enhance cognitive function and academic performance in medical education.

Background: Udupi district hosts two major Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTG) namely Malaikudiya and Koraga. Koraga tribes are declining in number and deprived of availability of healthcare services and accessibility to healthcare facilities. There are a lot of barriers such as lack of awareness and social stigma amalgamate the existing conditions of Koraga tribes in Udupi district. Research studies pertaining to this problem has been seldom done. Objective: We aim to explore the barriers and facilitating factors in accessing healthcare services by a Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Group (PVTG) in Udupi district. Methodology: We conducted qualitative research through 8 in-depth interviews with AMOs from PHC and CHC, ITDP staff and NGO workers, and 3 focus group discussions with community health nurses, ASHA workers, and Koraga community leaders from Udupi district. We explored the major facilitators and barriers that influence the utilization of health care services by the PVTG. Results: On the beneficiaries’ point of view, lack of awareness, distance to health facilities, poor public transportation, perceived negative behavior of hospital staff, lack of infrastructure, unwelcoming neighbourhood approaches, and economic instability were the main barriers to utilizing healthcare facilities. On the stakeholders (providers) point of view, availability of healthcare facilities, government policies and schemes and NGO activities are the facilitating factors. Conclusion: Our study highlights the barriers to utilizing health facilities; these are not always driven by factors linked to the PVTG members’ socio- economic status but also depend significantly on the quality of the health services and other contextual factors. Although the government has made efforts to improve the rural healthcare system through national-level programs, our qualitative study shows that there are a number of barriers which lessens the effectiveness of the programs to enhance the utilization of healthcare facilities by the PVTG in the study area.

Background: Prevalence of metabolic syndrome among adults in India, is reported to be around 20%-25%, with significantly higher proportion among women than men. Yoga interventions has been promoted as an important non- pharmacological tool to address the growing burden of non-communicable diseases. Objectives: To assess the effectiveness of a pranayama and intervention (yoga) intervention on various components of metabolic syndrome among 30 to 60-year-old women with hypertension. Methodology: A community based repeated measures design was undertaken 156 among hypertensive women (79 intervention, 77 controls) residing in coastal part of southern India. Anthropometric measurements, blood pressure, fasting blood glucose (FBS) and lipids were measured. Six-month pranayama and dhyana intervention were administered to the intervention arm, whereas routine treatment was continued for the control arm. Follow-up was done to ensure practice of interventions while investigations were done at baseline and 6th month. Results: Majority of the women in the intervention and control arm were aged 45-60 years. In the intervention arm, using the National Cholesterol Education Program (NCEP) Adult Treatment Panel III (ATP III) criteria, most [57(72.2%)] of the women had elevated blood pressure. Nearly half of them [38(48.1%)] had abdominal obesity, elevated FBS was seen among 39(49.4%) and 50.6% had low HDL. Hypertriglyceridemia was seen in less than a third [23(29.1%)] women. In the control arm, most [52(70.3%)] of the women had elevated blood pressure, 27(36.5%)] had abdominal obesity, half of them had elevated FBS [39(52.7%)] and low HDL [36(48.6%)]. Hypertriglyceridemia was seen in 21(28.4%) women. No significant change was noted at the end of 6th month follow-up in body mass index (BMI) (p=0.533), systolic(p=0.051) and diastolic blood pressure (p=0.485). Conclusion: There was no significant difference in the 6th month prevalence of components of metabolic syndrome compared to baseline, in both arms of the study.