Tobacco-free generation: reflecting on progress globally and its potential feasibility in India.

Tobacco-free generation (TFG) policies, also conceptualised as smoke-free or nicotine-free generation in some geographies, envision the elimination of tobacco use initiation by preventing tobacco sales to generations born after a specified birth date. This cohort-based policy approach eventually aims to phase out tobacco use. This paper defines TFG, reviews its international developments and explores the feasibility of the TFG policy approach in India, considering the country's federal governance structure with health as a state responsibility, within a national policy framework.

Dengue dynamics in Nepal: A Caputo fractional model with optimal control strategies.

An infectious disease called dengue is a significant health concern nowadays. The dengue outbreak occurred with a single serotype all over Nepal in 2023. In the tropical and subtropical regions, dengue fever is a leading cause of sickness and death.

Effectiveness of ongoing single dose rifampicin post-exposure prophylaxis (SDR-PEP) implementation under routine programme conditions-An observational study in Nepal.

Background/introduction: Leprosy control remains a challenge in Nepal. Single-dose rifampicin post-exposure prophylaxis (SDR-PEP) shows promise in reducing leprosy incidence among contacts of index cases, contributing to reducing the transmission of Mycobacterium (M.) leprae.

A case study of the development of a valid and pragmatic implementation science measure: the Barriers and Facilitators in Implementation of Task-Sharing Mental Health interventions (BeFITS-MH) measure.

Background: Few implementation science (IS) measures have been evaluated for validity, reliability and utility - the latter referring to whether a measure captures meaningful aspects of implementation contexts. We present a real-world case study of rigorous measure development in IS that assesses Barriers and Facilitators in Implementation of Task-Sharing in Mental Health services (BeFITS-MH), with the objective of offering lessons-learned and a framework to enhance measurement utility.

Methods: We summarize conceptual and empirical work that informed the development of the BeFITS-MH measure, including a description of the Delphi process, detailed translation and local adaptation procedures, and concurrent pilot testing.

Assessment of Oral Health and Nutritional Status of School Teachers in Dharamshala City, Himachal Pradesh.

Background Nutrition is associated with oral health and any changes in dietary habits have impacted nutritional profiles which in turn influences oral health status. Objective To assess the oral health and nutritional status among school teachers in Dharamshala city, Himachal Pradesh. Method A descriptive cross-sectional study was undertaken with interviews and documented using a structured and adapted WHO proforma.

Establishing partnerships with people with lived experience of mental illness for stigma reduction in low- and middle-income settings.

Social contact refers to the facilitation of connection and interactions between people with and without mental health conditions. It can be achieved, for example, through people sharing their lived experience of mental health conditions, which is an effective strategy for stigma reduction. Meaningful involvement of people with lived experience (PWLE) in leading and co-leading anti-stigma interventions can/may promote autonomy and resilience.

The effect of posture on the age dependence of neurovascular coupling.

Previous studies report contradicting age-related neurovascular coupling (NVC). Few studies assess postural effects, but less investigate relationships between age and NVC within different postures. Therefore, this study investigated the effect of age on NVC in different postures with varying cognitive stimuli.

Cost-utility analysis of primary HPV testing through home-based self-sampling in comparison to visual inspection using acetic acid for cervical cancer screening in East district, Sikkim, India, 2023.

Introduction: Primary Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) testing offers higher sensitivity and specificity over Visual Inspection using Acetic acid (VIA) in cervical cancer screening. Self-sampling is a promising strategy to boost participation and reduce disparities. However, concerns about the initial costs hinder HPV testing adoption in low and middle-income countries.

The effect of CO on the age dependence of neurovascular coupling.

Prior studies have identified variable effects of aging on neurovascular coupling (NVC). Carbon dioxide (CO) affects both cerebral blood velocity (CBv) and NVC, but the effects of age on NVC under different CO conditions are unknown. Therefore, we investigated the effects of aging on NVC in different CO states during cognitive paradigms.

Anti-stigma interventions in low-income and middle-income countries: a systematic review.

Background: Stigma exacerbates power imbalances and societal disparities, significantly impacting diverse identities and health conditions, particularly for low and middle-income countries (LMICs). Though crucial for dismantling harmful stereotypes, and enhancing healthcare utilisation, existing research on anti-stigma interventions is limited with its condition-focused approach. We aimed to thoroughly evaluate peer-reviewed and non-peer-reviewed literature for a comprehensive review of anti-stigma interventions for diverse identities and all health conditions in LMICs.

Social contact as a strategy to reduce stigma in low- and middle-income countries: A systematic review and expert perspectives.

Social contact (SC) has been identified as a promising strategy for stigma reduction. Different types of SC exist. Various scholars defined positive factors to strengthen SC.

A Case Study of the Development of a Valid and Pragmatic Implementation Science Measure: The Barriers and Facilitators in Implementation of Task-Sharing Mental Health Interventions (BeFITS-MH) Measure.

Background: Few implementation science (IS) measures have been evaluated for validity, reliability and - the latter referring to whether a measure captures meaningful aspects of implementation contexts. In this case study, we describe the process of developing an IS measure that aims to assess arrirs and acilitators in mplementation of ask-haring in ental ealth services (BeFITS-MH), and the procedures we implemented to enhance its utility.

Methods: We summarize conceptual and empirical work that informed the development of the BeFITS-MH measure, including a description of the Delphi process, detailed translation and local adaptation procedures, and concurrent pilot testing.

Mean Distance of Mental Foramen from Inferior Border of Mandible among Patients Visiting the Outpatient Dental Department in a Tertiary Care Centre.

Introduction: Among many anatomical landmarks in the human skull, the mental foramen is a stable landmark on the mandible. The diverse morphology of the mandible indicates the specific characteristics of such anatomical structures in each individual. The aim of this study was to find out the mean distance of mental foramen from the inferior border of the mandible visiting the Outpatient Dental Department in a tertiary care centre.

The PhotoVoice method for collaborating with people with lived experience of mental health conditions to strengthen mental health services.

There is a growing recognition of the benefits of collaborating with people with lived experience (PWLE) of mental health conditions in mental health research and implementation of services. Such collaboration has been effective in reducing mental health stigma and improving the quality of mental health care. Here, we describe using PhotoVoice as a collaborative method in which PWLE use visual narratives to tell their recovery stories for promoting social contact, debunking myths and reducing stigma.

Mental health-related structural stigma and discrimination in health and social policies in Nepal: A scoping review and synthesis.

Aims: National policies can be used to reveal structural stigma and discrimination in relation to mental health. This review assesses how structural stigma and discrimination are manifested in the policies and legislations of Government of Nepal.

Methods: Scoping review methodology was followed to review policy documents (acts of parliament, legislation, policies, strategies, guidelines and official directives) drafted or amended after 2010.

Reducing stigma and improving access to care for people with mental health conditions in the community: protocol for a multi-site feasibility intervention study (Indigo-Local).

Background: Stigma and discrimination towards people with mental health conditions by their communities are common worldwide. This can result in a range of negative outcomes for affected persons, including poor access to health care. However, evidence is still patchy from low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) on affordable, community-based interventions to reduce mental health-related stigma and to improve access to mental health care.

Proline Isomerization: From the Chemistry and Biology to Therapeutic Opportunities.

Proline isomerization, the process of interconversion between the - and -forms of proline, is an important and unique post-translational modification that can affect protein folding and conformations, and ultimately regulate protein functions and biological pathways. Although impactful, the importance and prevalence of proline isomerization as a regulation mechanism in biological systems have not been fully understood or recognized. Aiming to fill gaps and bring new awareness, we attempt to provide a wholistic review on proline isomerization that firstly covers what proline isomerization is and the basic chemistry behind it.

Dynamic cerebral autoregulation in Alzheimer's disease and mild cognitive impairment: A systematic review.

Dynamic cerebral autoregulation (dCA) is a key mechanism that regulates cerebral blood flow (CBF) in response to transient changes in blood pressure (BP). Impairment of dCA could increase vulnerability to hypertensive vascular damage, but also to BP lowering effects of antihypertensive treatment. The literature remains conflicted on whether dCA is altered in Alzheimer's disease (AD) and mild cognitive impairment (MCI).

Modeling Dissolution of Soluble Compounds from Multicomponent NAPL Using a Desorption Approximation.

Groundwater professionals require methods to estimate the potential time required to achieve remedial goals, including locations within and downgradient of zones containing nonaqueous phase liquids (NAPLs). NAPLs have long been recognized as persistent contaminant sources to groundwater. Dissolution of multicomponent NAPLs is particularly complex, and numerical models that explicitly simulate it are not widely available.

Toward a multi-level strategy to reduce stigma in global mental health: overview protocol of the Indigo Partnership to develop and test interventions in low- and middle-income countries.

There is increasing attention to the impacts of stigma and discrimination related to mental health on quality of life and access to and quality of healthcare. Effective strategies for stigma reduction exist, but most evidence comes from high-income settings. Recent reviews of stigma research have identified gaps in the field, including limited cultural and contextual adaptation of interventions, a lack of contextual psychometric information on evaluation tools, and, most notably, a lack of multi-level strategies for stigma reduction.

Training for mental health professionals in responding to experienced and anticipated mental health-related discrimination (READ-MH): protocol for an international multisite feasibility study.

Background: Mental health and other health professionals working in mental health care may contribute to the experiences of stigma and discrimination among mental health service users but can also help reduce the impact of stigma on service users. However, few studies of interventions to equip such professionals to be anti-stigma agents took place in high-income countries. This study assesses the feasibility, potential effectiveness and costs of Responding to Experienced and Anticipated Discrimination training for health professionals working in mental health care (READ-MH) across low- and middle-income countries (LMICs).

Mechanisms of action for stigma reduction among primary care providers following social contact with service users and aspirational figures in Nepal: an explanatory qualitative design.

Background: There are increasing initiatives to reduce mental illness stigma among primary care providers (PCPs) being trained in mental health services. However, there is a gap in understanding how stigma reduction initiatives for PCPs produce changes in attitudes and clinical practices. We conducted a pilot randomized controlled trial of a stigma reduction intervention in Nepal: REducing Stigma among HealthcAre Providers (RESHAPE).