Identifying Gingival Pigmentation Patterns and Skin Color and Its Co-relation With Serum Ferritin Levels in Thalassemic Patients.

BACKGROUND: Patients with ß-thalassemia major (ß-TM), a genetic issue due to hemoglobin (Hb) synthesis disorder, require life-long erythrocyte transfusion. The purpose of this study is to evaluate and compare gingival pigmentation and skin color with serum ferritin levels of patients with ß-TM, using the Dummett's oral pigmentation index (DOPI) and Fitzpatrick skin scale, respectively. METHODS: A total of 100 patients were monitored at a thalassemia care center. Each patient's gingival pigmentation and skin color were matched with DOPI and the skin scale under natural light. Serum ferritin levels, the interval of blood transfusions, and iron chelation medications were studied. A gingival pigmentation score and skin color type were compared with the serum ferritin. RESULTS: A significant correlation was found between age, serum ferritin, pigmentation score, and skin color, which means as serum ferritin level increases, gingival pigmentation score increases, and skin color darkens. CONCLUSION: This study evaluated the correlation between gingival pigmentation and skin color with serum ferritin levels and established gingival pigmentation as a sign of iron deposition in ß-TM patients. This is the simplest and least invasive method for evaluating serum ferritin level parameters in ß-TM patients.

Medical Students' Perception Regarding Health Policy Teaching and Their Participation in Health Policy Roles: A Survey at a Public University in Malaysia.

BACKGROUND: Health policy is a set of comprehensive principles and legislations that guide how healthcare should be effectively delivered in the community. Medical schools should prepare students to undertake managerial responsibilities by incorporating health policy into the curriculum to deal with the intricacies of healthcare systems and their clinical roles in their future professional careers. OBJECTIVE: To examine medical students' perception at a Public University in Malaysia regarding teaching health policy and their participation in health policy roles. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A cross-sectional study using universal sampling was carried out among the medical students using a paper-based questionnaire to collect the data. RESULTS: Most respondents opined their willingness to learn health policy (80.9%) and that teaching health policy (83.6%) should be compulsory for medical students. The respondents thought health policy should be introduced earlier in Year 1 or 2. The student scores on their knowledge regarding health policy and year of study were significantly associated with their involvement in the health policy roles in both the simple and multiple logistic regression. Both statistical tests reported higher participation in health policy roles with the higher year of study, though only Year 4 and 5 were significant in the simple logistic regression and only Year 5 in the multiple logistic regression compared to Year 1. On the other hand, age and type of admission show significant results only in the simple logistic regression, while the race was only significant at the multivariate level. CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrated that most respondents showed their willingness to learn health policy, participate in the health policy programs, and recommend that health policy be considered an essential topic in the medical curriculum, which should be taught right from the first year of medical school. We recommend encouraging students' participation in health policy activities.

Targeting Specific Checkpoints in the Management of SARS-CoV-2 Induced Cytokine Storm.

COVID-19-infected patients require an intact immune system to suppress viral replication and prevent complications. However, the complications of SARS-CoV-2 infection that led to death were linked to the overproduction of proinflammatory cytokines known as cytokine storm syndrome. This article reported the various checkpoints targeted to manage the SARS-CoV-2-induced cytokine storm. The literature search was carried out using PubMed, Embase, MEDLINE, and China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI) databases. Journal articles that discussed SARS-CoV-2 infection and cytokine storm were retrieved and appraised. Specific checkpoints identified in managing SARS-CoV-2 induced cytokine storm include a decrease in the level of Nod-Like Receptor 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome where drugs such as quercetin and anakinra were effective. Janus kinase-2 and signal transducer and activator of transcription-1 (JAK2/STAT1) signaling pathways were blocked by medicines such as tocilizumab, baricitinib, and quercetin. In addition, inhibition of interleukin (IL)-6 with dexamethasone, tocilizumab, and sarilumab effectively treats cytokine storm and significantly reduces mortality caused by COVID-19. Blockade of IL-1 with drugs such as canakinumab and anakinra, and inhibition of Bruton tyrosine kinase (BTK) with zanubrutinib and ibrutinib was also beneficial. These agents' overall mechanisms of action involve a decrease in circulating proinflammatory chemokines and cytokines and or blockade of their receptors. Consequently, the actions of these drugs significantly improve respiration and raise lymphocyte count and PaO2/FiO2 ratio. Targeting cytokine storms' pathogenesis genetic and molecular apparatus will substantially enhance lung function and reduce mortality due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Effect of Socio-Demographic Factors in Health-Seeking Behaviors among Bangladeshi Residents during the First Wave of COVID-19.

Background: Socio-demographic variability among nations and cultures highly influences health-seeking behavior (HSB) in managing endemic or pandemic diseases. The present study aimed to investigate the influence of socio-demographic factors on HSB among Bangladeshi residents during the first wave of COVID-19. Methods: A cross-sectional online survey was performed with Bangladeshi residents (60% male and 40% female; age range: 10−60 years or above) from May to July 2020. Information was collected from the participants who resided in slum areas or did not have internet access through face-to-face surveys, maintaining spatial distancing and proper preventive measures. A self-reported and structured questionnaire, including socio-demographic and HSB, was undertaken, and the data was analyzed using a convenience sampling method. Finally, among the 947 participants, 20 were selected using a stratified random sampling technique for in-depth-interview (IDI). The linear regression analysis was performed to determine the influence of socio-demographic factors on HSB. Results: Only about 4.2% of respondents did not wear masks, but nearly half of the participants (46.6%) did not use hand gloves. The mean score of HSB was 9.98 (SD = 2.01) out of 16, with a correct overall rate of 62.4%. As per regression analysis, higher HSBs were found among participants who reported older age (>50 years) (9.96 ± 2.45), educated unemployed students (10.1 ± 1.95), higher education (10.5 ± 1.76), and higher-income (10.4 ± 1.59); in contrast, participants living in slum areas (8.18 ± 2.34) and whose source of income was business (8.46 ± 2.04) exhibited lower HSBs. Females, compared to men, showed better HSB in every aspect, apart from online food ordering. Qualitative data showed that the younger generation is more aware because of their access to information and persuaded the older generations to follow health-seeking protocols. The results also showed that some lower-income slum-dwellers have access to information and healthcare through their employers. IDIs also found cultural, religious, and mental-health affect people's adherence to health-seeking guidelines and regulations. Conclusions: The findings suggest that socio-demographic factors significantly influenced HSBs during COVID-19 in the Bangladeshi population. Authorities can use these observations to systematically manage future endemics or pandemics.

Diabetes Mellitus: A Path to Amnesia, Personality, and Behavior Change.

Type 2 diabetes mellitus is increasingly being associated with cognition dysfunction. Dementia, including vascular dementia and Alzheimer's Disease, is being recognized as comorbidities of this metabolic disorder. The progressive hallmarks of this cognitive dysfunction include mild impairment of cognition and cognitive decline. Dementia and mild impairment of cognition appear primarily in older patients. Studies on risk factors, neuropathology, and brain imaging have provided important suggestions for mechanisms that lie behind the development of dementia. It is a significant challenge to understand the disease processes related to diabetes that affect the brain and lead to dementia development. The connection between diabetes mellitus and dysfunction of cognition has been observed in many human and animal studies that have noted that mechanisms related to diabetes mellitus are possibly responsible for aggravating cognitive dysfunction. This article attempts to narrate the possible association between Type 2 diabetes and dementia, reviewing studies that have noted this association in vascular dementia and Alzheimer's Disease and helping to explain the potential mechanisms behind the disease process. A Google search for "Diabetes Mellitus and Dementia" was carried out. Search was also done for "Diabetes Mellitus", "Vascular Dementia", and "Alzheimer's Disease". The literature search was done using Google Scholar, Pubmed, Embase, ScienceDirect, and MEDLINE. Keeping in mind the increasing rate of Diabetes Mellitus, it is important to establish the Type 2 diabetes' effect on the brain and diseases of neurodegeneration. This narrative review aims to build awareness regarding the different types of dementia and their relationship with diabetes.

The Current Situation Regarding Long-Acting Insulin Analogues Including Biosimilars Among African, Asian, European, and South American Countries; Findings and Implications for the Future.

Background: Diabetes mellitus rates continue to rise, which coupled with increasing costs of associated complications has appreciably increased global expenditure in recent years. The risk of complications are enhanced by poor glycaemic control including hypoglycaemia. Long-acting insulin analogues were developed to reduce hypoglycaemia and improve adherence. Their considerably higher costs though have impacted their funding and use. Biosimilars can help reduce medicine costs. However, their introduction has been affected by a number of factors. These include the originator company dropping its price as well as promoting patented higher strength 300 IU/ml insulin glargine. There can also be concerns with different devices between the manufacturers. Objective: To assess current utilisation rates for insulins, especially long-acting insulin analogues, and the rationale for patterns seen, across multiple countries to inform strategies to enhance future utilisation of long-acting insulin analogue biosimilars to benefit all key stakeholders. Our approach: Multiple approaches including assessing the utilisation, expenditure and prices of insulins, including biosimilar insulin glargine, across multiple continents and countries. Results: There was considerable variation in the use of long-acting insulin analogues as a percentage of all insulins prescribed and dispensed across countries and continents. This ranged from limited use of long-acting insulin analogues among African countries compared to routine funding and use across Europe in view of their perceived benefits. Increasing use was also seen among Asian countries including Bangladesh and India for similar reasons. However, concerns with costs and value limited their use across Africa, Brazil and Pakistan. There was though limited use of biosimilar insulin glargine 100 IU/ml compared with other recent biosimilars especially among European countries and Korea. This was principally driven by small price differences in reality between the originator and biosimilars coupled with increasing use of the patented 300 IU/ml formulation. A number of activities were identified to enhance future biosimilar use. These included only reimbursing biosimilar long-acting insulin analogues, introducing prescribing targets and increasing competition among manufacturers including stimulating local production. Conclusions: There are concerns with the availability and use of insulin glargine biosimilars despite lower costs. This can be addressed by multiple activities.

A randomized comparative study of platelet-rich fibrin along with hydroxyapatite graft for the treatment of 3-walled defects in chronic periodontitis.

Background: Platelet Rich Fibrin (PRF) is a concentrate of leucocyte and platelets that contains various polypeptide growth factors. It has immense potential for use as a periodontal regenerative material in periodontal defects. Porous hydroxyapatite (HA) has long been used as bone grafting material. Recently it has been reported that when PRF is used in combination with HA, itgives a synergistic effect and results in a better periodontal regeneration. The present study aims to explore the clinical and radiographic effectiveness of autologous PRF versus PRF+HA in the regenerative treatment of intrabony defects (IBD) in patients with chronic periodontitis. Methods: Sixty patients with IBDs were divided into test and control groups. The test group patients were treated with autologous PRF, whereas the control group patients were treated with PRF+HA. Clinical parameters were recorded at baseline, three months, six months and nine months' time interval. Radiographic measurements were recorded at baseline and nine months. Results: A reduction in PI, MGI, PPD, RAL, and IBD was observed in both the groups at nine months. Mean IBD reduction in the control group was 3.70 ± 1.16 mm, whereas, the mean reduction in the test group was 4.80 ± 1.03 mm, showing a significant reduction in IBDs. Similarly, the percentage of bone fill in the test group was 65% ± 3.67%, whereas bone fill in controls was 56.7% ± 3.56%, showing a significant bone fill in the study group. Conclusion: Treatment of IBDs with PRF+HA showed a significant improvement in all the clinical and radiographic parameters. When HA was added to PRF, it increased the regenerative effect in the treatment of 3 wall IBDs.

Odontologia Legal e Forense na formação de estudantes de Odontologia: relato de experiência de projeto de ensino multidisciplinar / Legal and Forensic Dentistry in the formation of dental students: an experience report of a multidisciplinary learning project

Este artigo objetivourelataraexperiência de um projeto de ensino multidisciplinar deOdontologia Legal e Ciências Forenses,voltado aosestudantes universitários e à comunidade acadêmica em geral. O projeto,por meio de encontros quinzenais comminicursos, grupo de estudos de livros didáticoseartigos científicos, além de outras atividades, estimuloua discussão e o aprendizado dessasáreas temáticas que estão cada vez mais em foco.Com fins didáticos,foi montada uma sequência deassuntos de Odontologia Legal e Ciências Forenses, possibilitando aos estudantes a experiência da perícia criminal, a partir docontato com ensaios simples,cujos conceitos jurídicos e forenses envolvidos estão presentes no currículo vivenciado emdiferentes cursos universitários.As palestras realizadas quinzenalmentepossibilitaram ao público (graduandos e professores)a troca de conhecimento sobre asdiferentesáreas que abrangiam o projeto. Os assuntos abordados nas palestras foram especialmente importantes nas áreas que englobam as Ciências Forenses, principalmente a Química Forense e a Odontologia. O projeto de ensino intitulado: "Odontologia Legal e Forense"pode exercerum papel fundamental na formação acadêmica,tanto de futuros cirurgiões-dentistas quanto defuturos peritos, possibilitando vasto conhecimento em diferentes áreas das Ciências Forenses (AU).

It is the purpose of this paper to report the experience of a multidisciplinary teaching project of Legal Dentistry and Forensic Sciences, aimed at university students and the academic community in general. The project, through biweekly meetings with short courses, a group of textbook studies and scientific articles as well as other activities, stimulated the discussion and learning of these thematic areas that are increasingly in focus. For didactic purposes, a sequence of subjects of Legal Dentistry and Forensic Sciences was set up, allowing students to experience criminal expertise, through contact with simple essays, whose legal and forensic concepts involved are present in the curriculum experienced in different university courses. The biweekly lectures enabled the public (undergraduates and teachers) to exchange knowledge about the different areas that comprise the project. The subjects covered in the lectures are especially important in the areas that encompass Forensic Sciences, especially Forensic Chemistry and Dentistry. The teaching project entitled "Legal and Forensic Dentistry" can play a fundamental role in the academic formation, both for future dental surgeons and future experts, enabling vast knowledge in different areas of Forensic Sciences (AU).