Geochemical Assessment of Fluoride Pollution in Groundwater of Tribal Region in India

This study assessed the fluoride (F^?) pollution in groundwater samples (n?=?170) of tribal regions around Bailadila Iron Ore Mines [BIOM] Complex of Dantewada District, India. Weathering of carbonate and silicate clays were important geogenic sources of dissolved ions. A Piper diagram showed a Ca–HCO₃ water type, with positive chloro-alkaline indices illustrating the occurrence of direct base-exchange reactions. The F^? concentrations varied from 0.08 to 1.95 mg L^?1 with a mean value of 0.9?±?0.3 mg L^?1. Only two groundwater samples showed F^? concentrations?>?1.5 mg L^?1, the drinking water guideline established by the World Health Organization (WHO) and Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS). Factor analysis showed high loadings of HCO₃^? and F^?, indicating alkaline conditions, favoring the dissolution of F^? in the groundwater. The K _fluor value is less than 10^?10.6, indicating that the dissociation of fluorite is very slow. As a result, groundwater locations were under-saturated with respect to fluorite.     

Empowering physicians with health information technology: An empirical investigation in Chinese hospitals

ObjectiveFew studies examine physicians’ use of different features of health information technology (HIT) in relation to their psychological empowerment and stress, especially in China, where many hospitals are being pushed to share digitized medical information. Further, there are mixed findings about the impact of HIT on stress, with some studies suggesting that HIT increases stress and others suggesting no effect. Hence, there is a need for a nuanced view of HITs to incorporate different features, regions, and outcomes. This work seeks to extend the existing body of knowledge on HIT by assessing the effects of basic (data-related) and advanced (clinical) HIT features on physician empowerment, stress, and ultimately, job satisfaction in Chinese hospitals.Materials and MethodsWe surveyed 367 physicians at 5 class 3 hospitals (ie, regional hospitals that provide specialist medical and healthcare services and carry out high levels of teaching and scientific research tasks) in 5 provinces in China. We specified and estimated a structural equation model using partial least squares.ResultsPhysicians who used advanced features experienced improvement in all dimensions of physician empowerment and significant reduction in stress. Physicians who used basic technology, however, experienced improvement in fewer dimensions of physician empowerment and no significant change in stress. Except for efficacy, all dimensions of physician empowerment and stress predicted job satisfaction.ConclusionsHealthcare professionals should assess the purpose of HIT features and expect different effects on intermediate and ultimate outcomes. The nuanced view of HIT features and processes leading to outcomes sheds light on their differential effects and resolves inconsistencies in prior findings on HIT effects.     

Regulation of bone mass by Wnt signaling

Wnt proteins are a family of secreted proteins that regulate many aspects of cell growth, differentiation, function, and death. Considerable progress has been made in our understanding of the molecular links between Wnt signaling and bone development and remodeling since initial reports that mutations in the Wnt coreceptor low-density lipoprotein receptor-related protein 5 (LRP5) are causally linked to alterations in human bone mass. Of the pathways activated by Wnts, it is signaling through the canonical (i.e., Wnt/beta-catenin) pathway that increases bone mass through a number of mechanisms including renewal of stem cells, stimulation of preosteoblast replication, induction of osteoblastogenesis, and inhibition of osteoblast and osteocyte apoptosis. This pathway is an enticing target for developing drugs to battle skeletal diseases as Wnt/beta-catenin signaling is composed of a series of molecular interactions that offer potential places for pharmacological intervention. In considering opportunities for anabolic drug discovery in this area, one must consider multiple factors, including (a) the roles of Wnt signaling for development, remodeling, and pathology of bone; (b) how pharmacological interventions that target this pathway may specifically treat osteoporosis and other aspects of skeletal health; and (c) whether the targets within this pathway are amenable to drug intervention. In this Review we discuss the current understanding of this pathway in terms of bone biology and assess whether targeting this pathway might yield novel therapeutics to treat typical bone disorders.     

Making the decision to donate eyes: Perspectives from the families of the deceased in Madurai,India

Purpose:To identify factors affecting family members'' decision whether to donate eye organs.Methods:A community-based case-control study based on in-home interviews with families of deceased individuals who had or had not donated eye organs, in Madurai district, Tamil Nadu, India. Data collected were knowledge and awareness of eye donations, whether the deceased individual had expressed or pledged willingness to donate, and family members'' attitudes and willingness to donate their own eye organs.Results:Seventy-six families of donors and 256 families of non-donors completed the survey. Multivariable analysis showed that the following variables were significantly associated with a donation: age, whether the deceased had registered for eye donation, pre-expressed willingness of deceased to donate, whether family members personally know beneficiaries of eye donations, and higher score on a scale evaluating knowledge and awareness about eye donation. The majority of donors'' families (71%) had been encouraged by someone to donate. Among non-donor families, a substantially larger fraction (52.8%) indicated they would have donated had someone reminded or encouraged them to do so, in comparison with those who indicated lack of awareness or knowledge (14.5%).Conclusion:Community programs are likely to be effective if they encourage individuals to pledge their eyes or express their willingness to donate their eyes to family members in advance of death; they increase public awareness of the value of eye donation. A friend, family member, neighbor or counselor approaching bereaved families and having a dialogue about eye donation would substantially increase the probability of a decision to donate.     

Evaluation of Vertical Bone Gain Following Alveolar Distraction Osteogenesis in the Anterior Edentulous Mandible: A Clinical Study

Aim and Objectives

To calculate the gain in bony height and volume of the distracted upper segment using an extraosseous unidirectional device to improve the retention of the future prosthesis.

Materials and Methods

Ten cases with completely or partially edentulous but severely or considerably resorbed anterior mandibles were managed by vertical alveolar distraction osteogenesis. All the patients were evaluated preoperatively, intraoperatively and post-operatively for various parameters clinically and radiographically i.e. on OPG, lateral cephalogram and on CT scan, at different time intervals. In all cases there was increase in vertical bone height.

Results

The study showed mean vertical bone gain (VBG) on OPG as 8.2 mm. The mean VBG on lateral cephalogram was 8.1 mm. The mean VBG on CT scan at right canine was 8.35 mm, at left canine was 8.2 mm and at midline was 8.27 mm.

Conclusion

Alveolar distraction osteogenesis is a predictable method for restoring alveolar ridges prior to implant placement or prosthesis. Distraction osteogenesis is ideally suited for recreating missing tissue in the anterior esthetic zone by increasing vertical bone height as well as good width and soft tissue growth.     

Acute fluid shifts influence the assessment of serum vitamin D status in critically ill patients

Introduction  

Recent reports have highlighted the prevalence of vitamin D deficiency and suggested an association with excess mortality in critically ill patients. Serum vitamin D concentrations in these studies were measured following resuscitation. It is unclear whether aggressive fluid resuscitation independently influences serum vitamin D.     

Desmoplastic Small Round Cell Tumor (DSRCT): an Unusual Intra-abdominal Tumor

Desmoplastic small round cell tumor (DSRCT) is a rare intra-abdominal tumor commonly seen in adolescents and young adult males. It is an important differential diagnosis in these patients presenting with abdominal masses and/or GI obstruction. The management and prognosis improve if preoperative diagnosis can be established.