Oral Healthcare Utilization Factors Shaping the Perceived Oral Health Outcome Among Gond Tribes of Chhattisgarh: A Cross-Sectional Study Based on Andersen's Behavioral Model

INTRODUCTION

The Gonds are a highly ancient and expansive tribal community, ranking among the largest in the world. A review of the literature has suggested that they are more vulnerable to oral diseases and are less inclined to utilize oral health services due to the comprehensive approach that considers the socioeconomic, cultural, and structural factors affecting the Gond community's access to oral health services. Tribal health requires action in the health sector. Utilization is an essential marker of the health status of any population and is necessary to bridge the gap between tribes and the wider portion of the community. Hence, this study was conducted among the Gond tribes of Chhattisgarh to evaluate the oral healthcare utilization factors shaping the perceived oral health outcome using Andersen's behavior model.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This cross-sectional study was carried out among 400 Gond tribes residing in villages of Chhattisgarh. Data was collected through a standardized questionnaire, adapted from Andersen's behavioral model of healthcare utilization during house-to-house survey. The questionnaire included predisposing, enabling, perceived, and evaluated need factors. Oral health status for evaluated need was assessed using the World Health Organization (WHO) Oral Health Assessment form (1997), and the perceived oral health outcome was measured using Oral Health Impact Profile-14 (OHIP-14). Results were computed using descriptive statistics, chi-square test, and one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA). Multivariate analysis was done using binomial logistic regression.

RESULTS

The dental visit in the past one year was only 14%. The findings of logistic regression revealed that the perceived oral health outcome was significantly associated with age, occupation, and positive belief in the efficacy of dentist, perceived need, and presence of dental caries.

CONCLUSION

The findings of the present study support Andersen's behavioral model and suggest that there is an interrelationship of predisposing characters, predisposing health beliefs, and enabling need factors that determine the likelihood of use of services, which in turn determines the good or bad oral health outcome.

Effect of carbonated beverages on flexural strength of composite restorative material

Carbonated beverages have side effects on oral health and general health. Flexural strength is a prime mechanical property of restorative material. The aim of this study is to know the effect of carbonated beverages on the flexural strength of composite restorative material. Two types of composites (Ivoclar and Restofill) were used as samples for comparative evaluation of flexural strength. The sample size is 10 where 5 of each type of composites are included. The obtained samples were immersed in carbonated beverages. One sample of each type was used as a control. After 24 h, the flexural strength of all the 10 samples was evaluated using the formula (3FL/2bd²), and the values were tabulated. Average values and graphs were done using SPSS software. The results showed the changes in flexural strength of both Ivoclar and Restofill materials when immersed in carbonated beverages. The mean value of all the samples was taken, and the standard deviation was calculated. After immersion in carbonated liquids, the mean value of Ivoclar and Restofill samples is 58.9 and 35.01, respectively. P = 0.718 (>0.05), which was not statistically significant. After immersion in Coke, the Restofill group exhibits more flexural strength than the Ivoclar group composite; however, the strength reduces when immersed in Sprite as compared to the Ivoclar group composite.

Boerhavia diffusa Mediated Selenium Nanoparticles and their Antioxidant and Anti-Inflammatory Activity

Introduction: Boerhavia diffusa belongs to species of flowering plant which is commonly called as *punarnava*. Its leaves are used as green leafy vegetables, with its high anti-inflammatory and expectorant properties selenium particles are synthesised. Selenium particles are used as nutritional supplements and an anti-microbial coating. Selenium (Se) was found to have anti-inflammatory properties, but its bioavailability and toxicity are limiting factors considerably. Aim: To find the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities of Boerhavia diffusa mediated selenium nanoparticles Materials and Methods: 1 gm of Boerhaavia diffusawas added to 100 ml of distilled water and allowed to boil for 10-15 minutes at 70 degree celsius and filtered. 60 ml of 20 milli molar sodium selenite is prepared in 250 ml of conical flask, 40 ml of filtered plant extract was mixed to it. The synthesized nanoparticle was preliminarily analysed using UV visible spectroscopy. Prior to the final step the nanoparticle solution was centrifuged at 8000 rpm to prepare nanoparticle pellet powder, it was dried in a hot air oven at 80 degree celsius. The dried powder was sent for characterisation. The leftover nanoparticle solution extract was sent to evaluate antioxidant activity through DPPH assay and anti-inflammatory activity through albumin denaturation assay. Results: Selenium nanoparticles were achieved from boerhavia diffusa plant extract, which was evident with its significant colour change in the cultivation medium. The final centrifuge was found to have potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities. Conclusion: The selenium nanoparticles synthesized from leaf extract of Boerhaavia diffusa were evaluated for antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities. This study concludes that extract bound selenium nanoparticles had potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities. Therefore selenium nanoparticles may provide a great implication in the later studies for its potential activity.

Knowledge and Awareness about the Relation between Obesity and Academic Performance

Obesity is a medical condition in which excess body fat has accumulated to the extent that it may have an adverse effect on health. It may even affect mental health also. Obesity also plays a role in academics; it may be disadvantageous to some of the students. Previous studies have found that obesity could influence academic performance. So this study concerned preparing questions and circulating among the students (school and college). The aim of this study is to determine the awareness level of association between obesity and academic performance. The purpose of the study was clearly explained to the students. A total of 100 responses were received. All the responses were taken into consideration and the statistical analysis paired t test was made using SPSS software for the representation of pie charts and bar graphs (association graphs). According to the results, 67% students answered that the rough weight of the topper of their class would be 45-65 kgs, 25% of them said that it would be 65-80 kgs and the rest 8% said that it would be 80-90 kgs. 37% of students responded that obesity is disadvantageous towards academics, another 63% disagree with it. Most of the students of this survey responded that obesity does not cause any adverse effects on academics. But the care should be taken by the obese students towards their health and academics.

Characterization of sorption sites and differential stress response of microalgae isolates against tannery effluents from ranipet industrial area-An application towards phycoremediation

Phycoremediation ability of microalgae namely Oscillatoria acuminate and Phormidium irrigum were validated against the heavy metals from tannery effluent of Ranipet industrial area. The microalgae species were cultured in media containing tannery effluent in two different volumes and the parameters like specific growth rate, protein content and antioxidant enzyme activities were estimated. FTIR spectroscopy was carried out to know the sorption sites interaction. The antioxidant enzymes namely superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and glutathione (GSH) contents were increased in microalgae species indicating the free radical scavenging mechanism under heavy metal stress. SOD activity was 0.502 and 0.378 units/gram fresh weight, CAT activity was 1.36 and 0.256 units/gram fresh weight, GSH activity was 1.286 and 1.232 units/gram fresh weight respectively in the effluent treated microalgae species. Bio sorption efficiency for Oscillatoria acuminate and Phormidium irrigum was 90% and 80% respectively. FTIR analysis revealed the interaction of microalgae species with chemical groups present in the tannery effluent. From the results, the microalgae Oscillatoria acuminate possess high antioxidant activity and bio sorption efficiency when compared to Phormidium irrigum and hence considered useful in treating heavy metals contaminated effluents.

Prions in dentistry: A need to be concerned and known

Prion diseases were first discovered by Stanley B. Prusiner who defined prions as infectious, transmissible proteinaceous particles that lack nucleic acid and are composed exclusively of a modified isoform of the noninfectious cellular prion protein (PrPC). These are incurable neurodegenerative conditions affecting both animals and humans. They may be sporadic, infectious or inherited in origin. Human prion diseases include Creutzfeldt–Jakob desease (CJD), Gerstmann– Straussler–Scheinker disease, Kuru and Fatal familial insomnia. Prions resist the conventional sterilization procedures and hence the dentists must be aware of such diseases so as to opt standard methods of infection control and decontamination for such infectious agents. This review article divulge the dentists with a brief overview of the characteristics of prions, the risk of transmission and the implications for infection control in dentist.

Cheiloscopy and dermatoglyphics as genetic markers in the transmission of cleft lip and palate: A case-control study

BACKGROUND

Determining the relative risk of cleft lip and palate (CL[P]) on the basis of lip prints and dermatoglyphics as genetic background may be useful for genetic counseling, and the development of future preventive measures.

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES

(1) To analyze the various pattern types of lip prints and dermatoglyphics in parents of CL(P) children and to detect if any specific type can be contemplated as a genetic marker in the transmission of CL(P). (2) To compare these patterns with that of parents of unaffected children.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

31 parents of children with CL(P) as a study group, and 31 parents of unaffected children as control group were included. Lip prints and finger prints were collected from all subjects and analysis of both patterns was carried out followed by a comparison of the patterns of unaffected parents with the controls statistically.

RESULTS

Among the mothers of the study group, type O followed by type IIa lip patterns were found to be significantly higher in upper and lower lips, and in fathers type IIa followed by type O were significantly higher. In the control group, type IIb followed by type III were higher in both fathers and mothers. Dermatoglyphic analysis of palm and finger prints revealed no significant difference in the pattern types and total ridge counts, but the Atd angle asymmetry was found to be significant between study and control group.

CONCLUSION

Types IIa and O lip patterns, asymmetry of Atd angles can be considered as genetic markers for the transmission of CL(P) deformity to offsprings.