Abstract: There are vast inequalities across maternal and infant mortality with the developing world accounting for the majority of the burden. Within countries there are also disparities between urban and rural populations with rural populations expecting worse maternal outcomes. These inequalities are linked to health care service delivery, with this review focusing on obstetric ultrasound and its potential to improve maternal and newborn health in low resource settings. Access to obstetric ultrasound in the developed world is almost universal, identifying potential obstetric risks to contribute to improvements in maternal and newborn health outcomes. In contrast to this access to obstetric ultrasound in the developed world is poor, particularly in rural areas. Considerations for service provision in these areas are vastly different to the developed world and include infrastructure, economic resources, training and cultural acceptability. Innovations in teleradiology and portable ultrasound offer opportunity for improved ultrasound access in low resource settings potentially improving maternal care and outcomes. The versatility of ultrasound also offers a wide range of non-obstetric clinical applications. This review demonstrates promising benefits of obstetric ultrasound in poorly resourced settings. The literature also shows a need for large scale trials in limited resource settings, particularly in rural and remote areas.

Abstract: Vietnam, like many other developing countries experiences over whelming challenges related to Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) infections, including significant stigma and discrimination of people who are affected by HIV infections. HIV pandemic has resulted in increased numbers of Orphans and Vulnerable Children (OVC). Different strategies are required in addressing these challenges. The aim of this paper is to review the literature and describe interventions aimed to decrease HIV stigma and discrimination in OVC. The focus is to identify aspects of these interventions that are effective in Vietnam. The findings demonstrate that the Vietnam government and international agencies such as the UNAIDS and UNICEF are employing joint strategies to address the growing problems of OVC in the country. This has included increased care and treatment programs, provision of Information-Education-Communication programs, encouraging parents and peers in reducing HIV stigma and discrimination, utilizing Non- Governmental Organisations’ support, and improving policy intervention on HIV stigma and discrimination reduction.

Abstract: Immigrant communities are often not well served when it comes to mental health services. A fundamental reason for this may lie in differing cultural concepts of what it means to be healthy. The aim of this paper is to capture how Sri Lankan Tamils with a diagnosis of depression, newly arrived to Toronto, Canada, conceptualize health, and to determine whether this conceptualization is shared by care providers who provide service to this community. The data are derived from a qualitative study based on interviews with 16 Sri Lankan Tamil immigrants who self-report being diagnosed with depression and 8 service providers who work with the community. Findings show that the Sri Lankan Tamil community emphasizes social functioning as the hallmark of health. Study participants see depression as linked to a breakdown in social functioning. The community also holds an integrated notion of health, one that encompasses physical, mental and social components. Responses show little evidence for a belief in the role of the supernatural in causing mental illness. Medication is seen as part and parcel of ill health; it is sought during overt illness but its preventive action is not well understood. Service providers do not fully understand the community’s notions of health and illness. It can be surmised that the social dimensions of health and illness are fundamental to this community. Being well means being able to fulfil one’s social role. This suggests that the provision of social support services, vocational services for instance, needs to be a key component of mental health services. Acculturation into concepts of preventive health including the role of medication in maintaining health and preventing relapse is also important.

Abstract: Background: Periodontitis has been identified as potential risk factors for systemic pathologies. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between periodontitis and systemic inflammatory markers, as well as, if there is a relation to severity of periodontitis. Methodology: Periodontal examinations and serum markers of inflammation levels mesaurements were performed in 50 patients. The patients with moderate periodontitis had low CAL and PD < 5mm. The patients with severe periodontitis were with high CAL and PD > 5mm. The clinical parameters of periodontitis were determined among all subjects. The LEU, CRP, and FIB for the present investigation were obtained from peripheral venous blood patients from all groups. Findings: In both moderate and severe periodontitis, the results indicated that the total leukocytes count and neutrophils had a significantly higher count (p < 0.001) among the groups with periodontitis but that there was no significance in the lymphocytes counts. The results also show a significant relation between indicators of poor periodontal status and increased levels CRP and fibrinogen. Conclusion: Periodontitis is associated with an enhanced inflammatory response expressed by higher levels of inflammatory markers. The extent of increase in these marker levels in periodontitis patients depends of severity of the disease. Significance: The association of periodontitis with WBC, CRP and fibrinogen levels appears to be contributing factors for CVD and might be a possible intermediate pathway in this association.

Abstract: In the Sochi sanatoriums, 609 patients with coronary heart disease, hypertensive disease, diabetes, metabolic syndrome and various combinations of these diseases were examined. The traditional and optimized medical complexes were used. The optimization implied the joining balneotherapy and climate therapy, therapeutic physical training and diet therapy, bioresonance therapy, “Magnerot” medicinal product, hypoxytherapy, hypercapnotherapy, “Arfazetin” herbal tea and “Chvizhepse” mineral water. The studies have shown that the use of optimized treatment program is more efficient, than the traditional one for patients of all groups.