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Qualitative research in oral health in India: A bibliometric analysis.
Get PDFBACKGROUND: A qualitative research approach is necessary to understand the complexities of social, behavioral, and systemic factors influencing oral health. Despite having a large dental education infrastructure and workforce, a limited number of studies have been published by Indian dental researchers utilizing a qualitative methodology. OBJECTIVE: Map the existing literature to understand the current landscape of qualitative research in oral health in India. METHOD: A comprehensive search of prominent databases, along with handsearching, was conducted to shortlist studies based on a predefined criterion. Eligible studies underwent thematic categorization and bibliometric assessment. Keyword co-occurrence and network analysis were performed using VOSviewer software to identify conceptual linkages and emerging research themes. RESULTS: Sixty-four studies met the inclusion criteria. Of these, 56 % were pure qualitative and 43 % were mixed-methods studies, with most published in the last five years. Key focus areas include tobacco cessation, pediatric oral health, and barriers to accessing dental services. Methodologically, the studies relied heavily on interviews and focus group discussions, with limited theoretical integration. Thematic clusters showed dominance of behavior-focused research and regional disparities in study distribution. CONCLUSION: This is the first review to comprehensively chart the evolution of qualitative research in oral health in India. While momentum is growing, significant gaps remain in methodological depth and thematic diversity. Strengthening training, institutional support, and theoretical engagement is essential for advancing qualitative dental research in India
Zero‐free regions for the independence polynomial on restricted graph classes
No full textAbstract Generalising the Heilmann–Lieb theorem from statistical physics, Chudnovsky and Seymour [ J. Combin. Theory Ser. B , 97 (2007), no. 3, 350–357] showed that the univariate independence polynomial of any claw‐free graph has all of its zeros on the negative real line. In this paper, we show that for any fixed subdivided claw and any , there is an open set containing such that the independence polynomial of any ‐free graph of maximum degree has all of its zeros outside of . We also show that no such result can hold when is any graph other than a subdivided claw or if we drop the maximum degree condition. We also establish zero‐free regions for the multivariate independence polynomial of ‐free graphs of bounded degree when is a subdivided claw. The statements of these results are more subtle, but are again best possible in various senses. </jats:p
Global multi-ancestry genome-wide analyses identify genes and biological pathways associated with thyroid cancer and benign thyroid diseases.
No full textThyroid diseases are common and highly heritable. We performed a meta-analysis of genome-wide association studies from 19 biobanks for five thyroid diseases: thyroid cancer (ThC), benign nodular goiter, Graves' disease, lymphocytic thyroiditis and primary hypothyroidism. We analyzed genetic association data from ~2.9 million genomes and identified 313 known and 570 new independent loci linked to thyroid diseases. We discovered genetic correlations between ThC, benign nodular goiter and autoimmune thyroid diseases (rg = 0.16-0.97). Telomere maintenance genes contributed to benign and malignant thyroid nodular disease risk, whereas cell cycle, DNA repair and damage response genes were associated with ThC. We propose a paradigm that explains genetic predisposition to benign and malignant thyroid nodules. We found polygenic risk score associations with ThC risk of structural disease recurrence, tumor size, multifocality, lymph node metastases and extranodal extension. Polygenic risk scores identified individuals with aggressive ThC in a biobank, creating an opportunity for genetically informed population screening
The Mental Health Technology Assessment of Quality (MTAQ): Development of a novel quality assurance framework for digital mental health tools
Get PDF Background The rapid growth of digital mental health tools offers accessible support to a growing global population with mental health needs. However, concerns remain regarding their safety, efficacy, and overall quality, particularly for tools used outside formal healthcare settings. Limited regulation and non-specific quality frameworks exacerbate these issues, often overlooking key elements such as user experience and evidence-based practice. Objective This study aimed to develop a comprehensive and pragmatic quality assurance framework for digital mental health tools, tailored to the needs of UK stakeholders. Methods A sequential mixed-methods design informed the development of the framework. Participants included mental health service users, academic and clinical professionals, and digital health experts. Survey data ( N = 309) were analysed descriptively to identify stakeholder priorities across three core domains: user experience, data, and evidence. These findings were enriched by qualitative data from focus groups ( N = 101), analysed thematically using a deductive approach to refine and extend the framework. Results Intuitive, accessible, user-centred design, strong data privacy and security measures, and robust evidence were identified as essential to quality assessment. These findings informed the development of MTAQ, which includes key domains and a structured process for evaluating tool quality. Conclusions The MTAQ framework is among the first quality assurance frameworks specifically designed for digital mental health tools. By integrating research evidence with lived experience, clinical, academic, technical, and commercial input, this offers a user-informed, practical standard to guide the development, assessment, and improvement of digital mental health technologies. </jats:sec
The use of toothpastes containing different active agents in managing root caries: A Systematic review with Network Meta-analysis.
Get PDFOBJECTIVE: This systematic review aimed to evaluate current evidence according to toothpastes containing different active ingredients for the management of root caries in laboratory-based, in situ and clinical studies. DATA AND SOURCES: This systematic review was conducted in accordance with Cochrane guidelines. Literature searches were performed across nine databases (up to 31.01.2024). In vitro and in situ studies were evaluated using a quality assessment tool. The Cochrane risk of bias tool (RoB2.0) was employed to assess the included clinical studies. Two reviewers independently conducted study selection, data extraction, risk of bias assessment, and certainty of evidence evaluation using the Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE). STUDY SELECTION/RESULTS: Thirteen in vitro, three in situ and 12 clinical studies were reported to meet the eligibility criteria. Mean differences (MD) were calculated for the lesion depth, mineral loss and root caries increments. Risk ratios (RR) were calculated for changes in lesion hardness and new root carious lesions in a random effects model. Meta-analysis revealed that significant differences in root carious lesions depth (MD: -55.75; 95% CI, -90.70 to -20.80; p=0.002) and mineral loss (MD: -1.18; 95% CI, -1.85 to -0.51; p=0.0006) between toothpaste and placebo treatment. In clinical studies, the use of toothpastes containing high concentration of sodium fluoride (5,000 ppm) or 1.5% arginine plus 1,450 ppm Na2PO3F, when compared with standard toothpastes containing 1,450 ppm sodium fluoride appeared to be effective for hardening and reversing root carious lesions (RR: 1.60; 95% CI: 0.92 to 2.79). The pooled estimates reported that root carious lesions became hard following the use of bioactive toothpaste (1,100 ppm NaF + 1% CaSO4 + 1.1% NH4H2PO4) in comparison to the standard toothpastes (RR: 1.81, 95% CI: 1.39-2.36). CONCLUSION: Within the studies identified in the systematic review, toothpaste with sodium fluoride as an active ingredient in high concentration was the most effective at reducing lesion depth, improving lesion hardness, and preventing new caries. The incorporation of bioactive components that deliver calcium and phosphate (bioactive toothpaste) and the adjunctive use of fluoride with arginine may potentially manage these lesions in comparison to the standard toothpaste containing 1,450 ppm sodium fluoride which might be insufficient to arrest active root caries in high-risk patients. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: The use of toothpaste containing high concentration of sodium fluoride as active ingredient by prescription only can be considered as the first-line non-invasive therapy for arresting active root caries. Alternatively, over-the-counter toothpastes either containing fluoride with arginine or bioactive ingredients could potentially be an optimum option for patients who cannot tolerate or decline to use high-fluoride prescriptions
Schatten-von Neumann properties for Hörmander classes on compact Lie groups
No full textLet G be a compact Lie group of dimension n. In this work we characterise the membership of classical pseudo-differential operators on G in the trace class ideal S1 (L2 (G)), as well as in the setting of the Schatten idealsSr (L2 (G)), for all r > 0. In particular, we deduce Schatten characterizations of elliptic pseudo-differential operators of (ρ, δ)-type for the large range 0 ≤ δ n, we demonstrate the sharpness of our results showing the existence of atypical operators in the exotic class Ψ0,0-x (Tn), x > 0, belonging to all the Schatten ideals. Additional order criteria are given in the setting of classical pseudo-differential operators.We present also some open problems in this setting
