Burden of Oral Cancer on the 10 Most Populous Countries from 1990 to 2019: Estimates from the Global Burden of Disease Study 2019

Background: Oral cancer (OC) is a common tumour that poses a threat to human health and imposes a heavy burden on countries. This study assessed the burden imposed by OC on the 10 most populous countries from 1990 to 2019 on the basis of gender, age and socio-demographic index. Methods: Data on incidence, mortality, disability-adjusted life years (DALY) and corresponding age-standardised rates (ASR) for OC in the 10 most populous countries from 1990 to 2019 were derived from the Global Burden of Disease Study 2019. Estimated annual percentage changes were calculated to assess the trends of morbidity, mortality and DALY. The indicator that served as a proxy for survival rate was the supplement of mortality-to-incidence ratio (SMIR) (1 − (M/I)). Results: The number of new cases, deaths and DALY have increased in all 10 countries in the past 30 years. Trends in age-standardised incidence rates (ASIR), age-standardised mortality rate (ASMR) and age-standardised DALY for OC in the 10 most populous countries varied. The SMIR increased in all countries, with most countries having an SMIR between 30% and 50%. In 2019, the United States had the highest SMIR at 76%, whereas Russia had the lowest at 21.7%. Incidence and mortality were close between male and female subjects in Japan, Indonesia, Mexico, India, Bangladesh and Pakistan. The incidence and mortality in male subjects in the United States, Russia, China and Brazil were two or more times those of female subjects. Gender difference was highest among patients aged 40–69 years. Conclusion: Trends and gender differences in ASIR, ASMR and age-standardised DALY for OC vary in the 10 most populous countries. Government cancer programs are often expensive to run, especially in countries with large populations. Policy makers need to take these differences into account when formulating policies.

Depressive Symptoms among Self-Harming Adolescents

Self-harm is a common form of high-risk behaviour in adolescents. It is often linked to depression; however, the correlation between these two variables has scarcely been studied. The presented study on a sample of 1,117 adolescents aged from 11 to 19 (mean age 15.56) compares the occurrence of depressive symptoms (measured by the CDI questionnaire) in individuals who self-harm versus those who do not self-harm, it investigates whether there is a correlation between the intensity of self-harm (measured by a modified SHI questionnaire) and depressive symptoms on a sample of self-harming adolescents, as well as explores the specificities of the correlation in terms of the age and sex of the subjects. The results showed that the occurrence of depressive symptoms: 1/ is statistically significantly higher (p = 0.000) among self-harming individuals compared to non-self-harmers, particularly in female subjects, 2/ significantly correlates with the intensity of self-harming behaviour in the group of self-harmers (p = 0.000), and 3/ it decreases with age among self-harming female subjects. The conclusions point to a need for the clarification of the relationship between depressive symptoms and self-harming behaviour (presence and direction of causality) and to the consequences in clinical practice.

Impact of Nutrition Education on Knowledge, Attitude and Practice (KAP) Levels of Selected Osteoporotic Subjects

The study was undertaken to evaluate the impact of nutrition education on knowledge, attitude and practice levels of thirty volunteer osteoporotic subjects visiting orthopedic clinics of Davangere district of Karnataka state. Socioeconomic and nutritional status was assessed by standard procedures and nutrition education imparted on relevant aspects. A well-structured questionnaire of 15 statements with multiple answers was developed and used before and after one day counselling to determine knowledge, attitude and practice of the subjects. Hypertension was the common family medical history followed by diabetes mellitus and fractures. Absence of physical activities or exercises was evident. Rice was consumed on daily basis whereas ragi on weekly basis by maximum number of respondents. Grade I obesity was more prevalent among males (20%) than female (5%) whereas Grade II obesity was only observed in females (30%). Assessment of knowledge gain after nutrition education revealed that Per centage gain in knowledge was more among male subjects (54.8%) than female subjects (36.9%) and that of attitude for both the subjects was at a range of 35.6 to 36.5%. The per cent gain in practice was slightly higher among male subjects (19.3%) compared to female subjects (15.0%) The overall per centage gain of knowledge, attitude and practice for all subjects was 42.9 per cent, 37.4 per cent and 15.4 per cent respectively which was statistically significant (p<0.05) indicating the positive impact of nutrition education on KAP levels of the subjects.

Vectorial analysis of the electrocardiogram from conventional limb leads in healthy adult Nepalese females

Introduction: ECG interpretation plays a vital role in the initial evaluation of patients presenting with cardiac complaints. Assessment of degree of cardiac vector is one of the important parameters to be studied in ECG. Methods: A prospective cross-sectional study was carried out among 84 female subjects, aged 18- 40 years of age, including students and staff of Gandaki Medical College Teaching hospital and Research Center, Pokhara, Nepal over a period of one month from 1st Oct to 1st Nov 2021. A Standard ECG machine was used and the ECG was recorded using the conventional limb leads. The individual mean electrical axis of the heart was plotted using the net voltage of QRS complex of Lead-I and Lead-III. The possible correlation between cardiac vector and physical measurements like height weight BSA and BMI were analyzed. The data were analyzed in SPSS version 27. Results: The normal mean electrical axis of the healthy female subjects was observed as 61.7±23.51°. There was a significant positive correlation of cardiac vector with height (p< 0.05), whereas a negative correlation was observed with weight and BMI (p< 0.01). However, there was no significant correlation with BSA. In our study, we observed the maximum left axis cardiac vector as -2° and right axis as 98° among 84 female subjects. Conclusion: Documentation of cardiac vector was made using standard bipolar limb leads in normal healthy female subjects. BMI is involved in the deviation of cardiac vector with a negative correlation. This observation could make it quite attractive for use in clinical practice.

Association of Triglyceride–Glucose Index and the Presence of Sarcopenia in Type 2 Diabetes Patients

Objective: Triglyceride–glucose index (TyG index) has been used in healthy individuals as a marker of insulin resistance. Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) showed an increased risk of developing sarcopenia compared to control subjects. This study is performed to determine the association of TyG index with the presence of sarcopenia in T2DM patients. Method: This study included 1098 T2DM patients who were recruited from the inpatients in Qilu Hospital (Qingdao). Skeletal muscle index (SMI) was measured using dual energy X-ray absorptiometry. Serum triglyceride (TG) and fasting plasma glucose (FPG) were measured and used to calculate TyG index.Result: 119 male subjects (20.2%) had sarcopenia, while 72 female subjects (14.1%) had sarcopenia in T2DM patients. TyG index was correlated with a decreased risk of sarcopenia in both male and female T2DM groups. TyG index was found to be positively correlated with SMI after multivariate adjustment in male subjects. When TyG index was ≤9.5, TyG index was positively correlated with SMI. However, when TyG index was >9.5, there was not a significant association between TyG index and SMI. Moreover, TyG index was not correlated with SMI after multivariate analysis in female subjects. However, TyG index was positively correlated with SMI when TyG index was ≤9. When TyG index was >9, TyG index was negatively correlated with SMI, however, the correlation was not statistically significant. Conclusion: TyG index is inversely correlated with the presence of sarcopenia in type 2 diabetes patients.

A CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY TO ASSESS THE IMPACT OF DIET & LIFESTYLE IN PREVALENCE OF HYPOTHYROIDISM IN FEMALES - AN AYURVEDIC PERSPECTIVE

Background: In India, 42 million people are suffering from thyroid disorders, out of which hypothyroidism is most common with a prevalence of 5.4%. It is more prevalent among females with the male-female ratio being 1:6. Hypothyroidism is a clinical syndrome resulting from a deficiency of thyroid hormones, which in turn results in a generalized slowing down of metabolic processes. Impaired metabolism can be compared with vitiation of Agni causing Agnimandhya according to Ayurveda. Agnimandhya further hampers the formations of Ahara Rasa and consecutive Dhatus Nirmana, diminishing the metabolism, thereby causing features similar to hypothyroidism. The objective of the Study: To assess the impact of diet & lifestyle on the prevalence of Hypothyroidism in Females. Materials and Methods: It is a cross-sectional survey study. A total of 150 female subjects were selected for the study. With the help of a validated pre-designed and pre-tested questionnaire, the interview was conducted on female subjects diagnosed with Hypothyroidism to assess the impact of diet and lifestyle on the prevalence of Hypothy- roidism in and around Mysuru city. Result: In the survey study, the majority of the hypothyroidism diagnosed subjects followed unhealthy daily regimes and the majority percentage of them practised unwholesome diet, food habits and lifestyle. Diet and lifestyle have a direct influence on the occurrence of hypothyroidism. Conclusion: Hypothyroidism is a metabolic disorder is mainly caused by Agni Mandhya and Rasa Pradoshaja as a result of faulty diet and lifestyle. One should follow Dincharya, Rutucharya and other Ayurveda principles to protect the Agni and thereby prevent Hypothyroidism. The practice of Ahita Ahara Vidhi and Ahita Vihara in the manifestation of Agnimandhya, followed by the development of features of hypothyroidism was substantiated by the result of the survey. Keywords: Hypothyroidism; Diet; Lifestyle; Agnimandhya; Rasa Pradoshaja Vikara.

An Evaluation of Hot Water Intake and Relief from Menstrual Cramps among Healthy Females - A Cross Sectional Study

Background: Primary dysmenorrhea is menstrual pain that very women undergo during her menstrual phase. It may vary in its frequency and duration in each and every woman. Many home remedies have been followed by females to combat these menstrual cramps. One such treatment is intake of hot water for three days during the menstrual phase Objective: To aim of the study is to observe the changes experienced by female who consume hot water regularly during menstruation Methods: The study was conducted in 100 female subjects with regular cycles of menstruation. The participants were administered with a self developed questionnaire consisting of 16 questions relating to the menstrual cramps and the remedies they chose and their regularity of hot water intake and the relief they obtained. The responses were collected using google forms. Descriptive statistics, frequency analysis and chi square test was used to analyze the data. Results: The study observed that female subjects experienced better results after regular hot water intake during menstruation. It relieves menstrual cramps and improves mental health. Conclusion: The present study concluded that the majority of the population had a regular habit of taking hot water and experienced improvement and relief from menstrual cramps.

Motivation Assessment for Professional and Amateur Female Soccer Players

This paper aims to determine the level of motivation in the case of both professional and amateur female soccer players in Romania. We have designed and administered a motivation questionnare (“Assessing motivation for soccer practice”) to a sample of 75 female subjects, comprising 25 professional and 50 amateur soccer players in the Romanian league. The results obtained for the general score of the questionnaire show no relevant differences between the experimental group and the control group (p > 0,05). However, the analysis of the scores for each motivational dimension shows that the experimental group obtained higher values for the dimensions „Self esteem” and „Necessity of movement” (p < 0,01). No relevant differences between the two groups were visible for the dimensions “Affiliation need” and “Combativeness; aggressivity”. The control group scored better than the experimental group for the dimension “Competition interest”. The analysis of the results indicates that, no matter which group they belong to, the players present a high level of motivation for soccer practice.

Pain Perception Associated with Mini-Implants and Interventions for Pain Management: A Cross-Sectional Questionnaire-Based Survey

Background. Orthodontists use mini-implants temporarily as an effective mode of skeletal anchorage devices. The placement of mini-implants can cause pain and discomfort to the patients. Patients often develop swelling, and the pain could interfere with their daily activities. Practitioners tend to prescribe antibiotics and pain medication for management. Objectives. The main objectives of this study are to evaluate the pain perception and discomfort due to mini-implant placement experienced by the patient and evaluate the interventions for pain management commonly practiced among orthodontists. Materials and Methods. The study was designed as a questionnaire-based cross-sectional study. A total of 271 patients were assessed, for whom 625 mini-implants (ranging from 1.2 to 2 mm diameter and length 8-14 mm) were placed. Pain scores were assessed using the VAS and the “Faces” pain rating scale to collect data about discomfort in daily activity and function. Data was collected from 244 patients. A total of 155 orthodontists were questioned regarding the prescription of medications and the interventions for managing pain and adverse effects. Results. Average pain score among female subjects was 16.71 and among men was 13.5. The highest pain scores were recorded for palatal mini-implants with an average score of 36.29 and the least for interradicular mini-implants with an average score of 9.02. Among the subjects, 47.9% of them took analgesics, and the most commonly prescribed analgesics were paracetamol (39%). Swelling at the site is where the mini-implants were placed, and ulceration due to implants were commonly dealt with the excision of the surrounding soft tissue, composite placement, and palliative care with oral analgesic gels. Conclusion. Female subjects had more mini-implants placed, and female subjects had also given more pain scores than their male counterparts. Palatal mini-implants caused the highest pain, followed by mini-implants placed at the infrazygomatic crest and the buccal shelf region. Palatal mini-implants caused maximum discomfort during speech and eating, followed by the mini-implant in the buccal shelf and the infrazygomatic crest region that also caused difficulty in yawning and laughing. Infiltration anesthesia was commonly given for the placement of interradicular implants and extra-alveolar mini-implants. Paracetamol was the most prescribed by the orthodontists, and more than half the doctors did not regularly prescribe antibiotics.