ABSTRACT
Dermoscopy is a noninvasive diagnostic investigation based on magnification, illumination and obliteration of light scatter on the skin surface allowing better visualization of structures beneath the stratum corneum. We aimed to assess image quality of lesions evaluated at a skin cancer clinic using three different handheld dermatoscopes;the Heine Delta 20T (contact) with an iPad;the MoleScope II (noncontact) with a Samsung 7 smartphone;and the Dino-Lite Edge with direct download to a MacBook laptop (noncontact). The Heine Delta 20T and iPad is the current standard used. The MoleScope is a mobile smartphone-attachable dermatoscope. The Dino-Lite is a handheld digital microscope that connects directly to the computer via a USB port. The cost of the Heine Delta 20T is roughly 1100, the MoleScope II 260 and the Dino-Lite 600. Twenty-three lesions were imaged with each device;15 were pigmented. A total of 69 images were downloaded and transferred to Microsoft PowerPoint for review in random order. The images were scored by four consultant dermatologists, one general practitioner with a special interest and one associate specialist, blinded to the diagnoses. A score of 1-5 (poor- excellent) was attributed to each category: (i) detail/dermoscopic features;(ii) colour discrimination;(iii) magnification. Each assessor recorded whether - based on the image alone - they could make a diagnosis. The lesions were basal cell carcinoma (n = 6), seborrhoeic keratosis (n = 4), lichenoid keratosis (n = 1), benign naevi (n = 4), dysplastic naevi (n = 2), melanoma (n = 1), blue naevus (n = 1), sebaceous gland hyperplasia (n = 1), ruptured cyst (n = 1), pyogenic granuloma (n = 1) and dermatofibroma (n = 1). The mean score for each device and category was calculated as follows. (i) Heine: detail = 3.2, colour = 3 3, magnification = 3 2 (overall score = 3 2);46 2% felt able to make a diagnosis. (ii) MoleScope: detail = 2 5, colour = 2 7, magnification 2 5 (overall score = 2 6);43 5% felt able to make a diagnosis. (iii) Dino-Lite: detail = 3 2, colour = 3 2, magnification = 3 6 (overall score = 3 3);57 2% felt able to make a diagnosis. Analysis on a PC screen allowed greater magnification than is generally employed in clinic, which may have affected assessors. The Heine is not primarily designed for digital dermoscopy. It requires two operators for image capture, whereas the other systems require only one. The MoleScope remains the most 'mobile', whereas the Dino-Lite is attached to a laptop/PC. Both the MoleScope and Dino-Lite can be used as noncontact dermatoscopes, avoiding contact medium use. Considering the current COVID-19 pandemic, these devices are less time consuming, more convenient and easier to clean. Overall, the Dino-Lite produced the best images. Despite the MoleScope scoring lower, it was comparable for diagnostic ability. It is proposed that the MoleScope and Dino-Lite systems may be optimal for use in teledermatology to facilitate virtual clinics.
ABSTRACT
Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has created unprecedented disruption for the healthcare industry, forcing hospitals, organizations fighting infectious diseases, which has led healthcare workersto return up with other ways of delivering medical services while adapting to the new environment. Inadequate quarantine facilities and hospital beds are the major issues facing by the citizens due to sudden increase in cases. Methods: This is statistical and descriptive study that was conducted at Healthcare at Home India Pvt. Ltd, which included patients enrolled for the home isolation programme from the June 2020 to January 2021. Conclusion: This study is showing HIP is operative in the home setting for COVID-19 patients is an effective way of utilising less resources.
ABSTRACT
In this study, the researchers attempted to develop a face mask from commonly available fabric and treat it with turmeric decoction to test the efficiency to bacterial filtration and differential pressure. The face mask designed and developed is a three-ply mask consisting of a polypropylene filter material sandwiched between two layers of muslin fabric. The face mask developed for the study is treated with turmeric extract at different concentrations (5%, 10%, 15%) and tested for bacterial filtration efficiency and differential pressure. The results show that the masks treated at 15% concentration have a bacterial filtration efficiency of 94.1% and differential pressure of 37.90 Pa/cm2 making them comfortable to be worn for protection from droplet-transmitted infections as COVID-19. The results pave the way for considering the turmeric-treated mask for use by healthy individuals in community spaces as a precaution against the spread of respiratory diseases. © 2021, Synthetic and Art Silk Mills Research Association. All rights reserved.
ABSTRACT
This paper presents the design and development of an efficient and intelligent chatbot. The proposed idea is to create a health companion which can be used for a daily well-being. An agile approach was used for its development and deployed on a platform such that all types of users can communicate with it. This virtual assistant makes our life easier and saves time via automated user query replies. Responding to user queries regarding home remedies as well as the recent pandemic COVID-19, the bot is well-equipped and reliable. © 2022, The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Singapore Pte Ltd.
ABSTRACT
Background Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) contribute to a significant socioeconomic impact, primarily affecting the lower-income sections of the society. The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in a marked reduction in in-patient attendance. We are highlighting the impact of lockdown in neurotrauma cases in our institution compared to the prelockdown period. Methods We have done the retrospective review of the patients admitted due to TBI in prelockdown (January 14-March 21, 2020) and lockdown period (March 25-May 31, 2020) for the same duration of the 68 days at our tertiary institution. We have included demographic characteristics (age, sex), mode of injury, the severity of TBI, radiological diagnosis (computed tomography scan), and treatment obtained in our study. We compared the data for percentage (%) reduction of TBI cases and factors responsible for it during the lockdown period. Result A total of 166 patients were included in both groups. TBI's most common mechanism was road traffic accident, but we observed an increase in self-fall (16.9% vs. 38.1%) and assault (11.2% vs. 19%) during the lockdown period. We have noted that moderate TBI increased during the lockdown period by 17%. Overall, there is a reduction of 67% in TBI cases during the lockdown period. Conclusion The COVID pandemic has limited road traffic activity, and strict implementation of lockdown has restricted the infection and has reduced the neurotrauma emergencies. Simultaneously, moderate TBI cases have increased because of the lack of transportation facility and delay in the management of mild TBI cases.