Prevalence and risk indicators of oral mucosal lesions in adult population visiting primary health centers and community health centers in Kodagu district.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Utilization of primary health center (PHC) and community health center (CHC) could be one of the few practical approaches in early detection of oral cancers and potentially malignant disorder (PMD). This study was designed to estimate the prevalence and distribution of oral mucosal lesion (OML) and its associated risk factors among the adult population of Kodagu district. METHODOLOGY: 1048 patients, 18 years of age and above, attending the outpatient department of PHC and CHC in Kodagu district comprised the study population. The World Health Organization Oral Health Assessment Form, cinical examination, and demographic factors were recorded using a proforma. Chi-square test and contingency coefficient and logistic regression were applied to check statistical differences. RESULTS: The overall prevalence of OML was found to be 18.89%. Prevalence of PMD was 5.63%. Prevalence of PMD was highest among the elementary occupation (15.63%). Two cases of oral cancer were identified. There was a significant association of PMD with the age group of 41-60 years. Leukoplakia was strongly associated with male gender [odds ratio (OR) 2.83, P < 0.001]. Smoking and chewing were significant risk factors associated with leukoplakia (OR 11.05, P < 0.001) and oral submucous fibrosis (OR 4.63, P < 0.001), respectively. CONCLUSION: The overall prevalence of OML in the study population was 18.89%. A high prevalence of PMD in the population could be attributed to the associated risk factors such as smoking, chewing habits, and alcohol use. Utilization of PHC and CHC could be a useful strategy to detect previously undiagnosed OML including PMD and cancerous lesions among the population.

Effects of Isha Hatha Yoga on Core Stability and Standing Balance.

Context • Isha Hatha yoga is a form of yoga practice that practitioners claim can improve health. Gaining a scientific understanding of its effects on health is a crucial step in claiming health benefits. Objective • The study intended to investigate the effects of Isha Hatha yoga on core stability and standing balance in healthy volunteers. Design • The research team designed a quasiexperimental study. Setting • The setting was at Isha Yoga Center at Isha Foundation in Coimbatore, India. Participants • Participants were individuals registered for a residential program providing training in Isha Hatha yoga at the Isha Yoga Center. Intervention • The training consisted of 21 d of training in Isha Hatha yoga, including Upa yoga, Surya Kriya, Angamardhana, Bhuta Suddhi, and asanas. Outcome Measures • The single-leg stork test and the plank test were conducted before and after the training. Results • Significant increases occurred in the standing-stork test scores on the right (P = .014) and left (P = .033) sides and in the plank test scores (P < .001). Conclusions • The current study concluded that healthy volunteers who underwent 21 d of training in Isha Hatha yoga showed significant improvements in core strength and balance.

Bodyweight-supported treadmill training for retraining gait among chronic stroke survivors: A randomized controlled study.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the role of bodyweight-supported treadmill training (BWSTT) for chronic stroke survivors. DESIGN: Prospective, randomized controlled study. METHODS: Patients with a first episode of supratentorial arterial stroke of more than 3months' duration were randomly allocated to 3 groups: overground gait training, treadmill training without bodyweight support, and BWSTT (20 sessions, 30min/day, 5days/week for 4weeks). The primary outcome was overground walking speed and endurance and secondary outcome was improvement by the Scandinavian Stroke Scale (SSS) and locomotion by the Functional Ambulation Category (FAC). We analyzed data within groups (pre-training vs post-training and pre-training vs 3-month follow-up) and between groups (at post-training and 3-month follow-up). RESULTS: We included 45 patients (36 males, mean post-stroke duration 16.51±15.14months); 40 (89.9%) completed training and 34 (75.5%) were followed up at 3months. All primary and secondary outcome measures showed significant improvement (P<0.05) in the 3 groups at the end of training, which was sustained at 3-month follow-up (other than walking endurance in group I). Outcomes were better with BWSTT but not significantly (P>0.05). CONCLUSION: BWSTT offers improvement in gait but has no significant advantage over conventional gait-training strategies for chronic stroke survivors.

A new structural biomarker that quantifies and predicts changes in clot strength and quality in a model of progressive haemodilution.

INTRODUCTION: We investigated the effect of progressive haemodilution on the dynamics of fibrin clot formation and clot microstructure using a novel rheological method. The technique measures clotting time (TGP), clot strength (G`GP), and quantifies clot microstructure (df) at the incipient stages of fibrin formation. We use computational modelling to examine the relationship between structure and mass, as well as helium ion microscopy (HIM) to compare morphological changes in the fully formed clot to that of the incipient clot. METHODS: This is an in vitro study; 90 healthy volunteers were recruited with informed consent and a 20ml sample of whole blood obtained from each volunteer. Five clinically relevant dilutions were investigated using 0.9w.v isotonic saline (0, 10, 20, 40 and 60%, n=18 for each dilution). The rheological method of assessing structural clot changes was compared against conventional coagulation screen and fibrinogen estimation. RESULTS: Fractal dimension (df) and final clot microstructure both decreased with progressive dilution (significant at a dilution of 20%) with similar relationships observed for final clot characteristics in HIM images. Significant correlations were observed between df and G`GP (clot strength) (0.345, p=0.02), as well as clotting time (PT: -0.690, p>0.001; APTT: -0.672, p>0.001; TGP: -0.385, p=0.006). CONCLUSIONS: This study provides new insight into the effects of haemodilution by isotonic saline on clotting time (TGP), clot strength (G'GP) and clot microstructure (df). Previous studies have attempted to link clot microstructure to clot quality/strength, however this study provides a significant step in quantifying these relationships.

A field study to estimate the vertical gas diffusivity and permeability of compacted MSW using a barometric pumping analytical model.

The measurement of vertical gas diffusivity and permeability of compacted municipal solid waste (MSW) using an analytical gas flow and transport model was evaluated. A series of pressure transducers were buried in a MSW landfill and in situ pressures were modelled using an algorithm that predicts soil-gas pressures based on field-measured barometric pressure data and vertical diffusivity. The vertical gas diffusivity that represented the best-fit of the measured pressures was estimated at 20 locations and ranged from 0.002 to 0.052 m2 s(-1). The vertical gas permeability ranged from 3.3 × 10(-14) to 4.5 × 10(-12) m2 for the upper-most 3 to 6 m of compacted MSW. The shortfalls of applying this method to landfill conditions are also discussed.

Efficacy of pulsed electromagnetic field therapy in healing of pressure ulcers: A randomized control trial.

BACKGROUND: Pressure ulcers are one of the most common complications in health care settings. Still there are no optimal protocols to manage the pressure ulcers. AIM: To assess the effectiveness of pulsed electromagnetic field therapy (PEMF) in healing of pressure ulcers in patients with neurological disorders. DESIGN: Randomized double blind control trial. SETTING: Neurological rehabilitation department in a university research hospital. PARTICIPANTS: Twelve patients (M:F, 9:3) having neurological disorders, with age between 12-50 years (mean 30.166 +/- 11.32 yrs) and 24 pressure ulcers. INTERVENTION: Six patients with 13 ulcers received PEMF therapy and the remaining 6 patients with 11 ulcers received sham treatment, for 30 sessions (45 minutes each) using the equipment 'Pulsatron'. The frequency of PEMF was set at 1 Hz with sine waves and current intensity of 30 mili ampere. Whole body exposure was given in both the groups. OUTCOME MEASURES: Bates-Jensen wound assessment tool (BJWAT) score was used as main outcome measure and scores at the end of session were compared with initial scores and analyzed. Similarly National Pressure Ulcer Advisory Panel (NPUAP) scores were compared and analyzed as secondary outcome measure. RESULTS: Thirteen ulcers were in stage IV and 11 were in stage III at the start of the study. Significant healing of ulcers was noted, BJWAT scores, in both the treatment and sham groups (P < 0.001 and 0.003 respectively) at the completion of the study. However, when comparing between the groups, healing was not significant (P = 0.361). Similarly trend was noted with NPUAP scores with no significant difference between the treatment and sham groups (P = 0.649) at the completion of study. CONCLUSIONS: No significant difference in pressure ulcer healing was observed between PEMF treatment and sham group in this study.