International journal of health sciences
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Exploring the nutraceutical elixirs of commercial fruit and vegetables and wild edible plants with ethnomedicinal importance: Review article
Full text linkThe increasing emphasis on preventive healthcare has sparked interest in nutraceuticals, which bridge the gap between nutrition and pharmaceuticals. Nutraceuticals, including functional foods, supplements, and herbal products, are gaining popularity for their targeted health benefits, reflecting a societal shift towards proactive health management. Defined by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India, nutraceuticals provide health benefits beyond basic nutrition and are increasingly valued for their preventive and therapeutic properties. This review explores the nutraceutical potential of fruits, vegetables, and wild edible plants, highlighting their diverse bioactive compounds. Fruits and vegetables are rich in phytochemicals like minerals, vitamins, dietary fiber, and bioactive compounds such as flavonoids, contributing to their nutraceutical potential. Focusing on fruits like mango, pineapple, citrus, and berries like strawberry and blueberry, the discussion underscores their role in enhancing overall well-being. Studies on specific vegetables such as tomato, garlic, moringa, etc., highlight their diverse health benefits, including antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Research on wild edible fruits and vegetables among tribal populations in India reveals their nutritional and therapeutic significance, providing insights into their ethnomedicinal uses
Review of the prescribing patterns of opioids for chronic pain management: A clinical audit
Full text linkThe clinical audit aimed to audit the patterns of prescribing opioids at Lady Reading Hospital, Peshawar, with the emphasis on chronic pain management. The audit is important in the context of reviewing and ensuring optimization of safe opioid prescribing practices, as the risks associated with opioid use include the risks of possible dependency, misuse, and other health complications. It is aimed at optimizing overall patient outcomes and compliance in line with the safer-prescribing standards. The overall essence of the audit is reflected by the history of a 52-year-old male with chronic lower back pain that is presented in this work. The patient has been on different opioids for several years. The identified fields in which opioids must be prescribed properly include the need for strict control and individualized care for patients taking these medications. The major recommendations are the establishment of an opioid stewardship program, regular training for service providers, and the use of electronic monitoring tools for really safer prescribing to reduce the risks related to long-term versus acute opioid use and assure the important component of pain management concerning the medications that provide effectiveness and safety
Clinical audit on evaluating situations where patients are prescribed long-term steroids without appropriate monitoring for adverse effects such as osteoporosis, diabetes, or adrenal suppression
Full text linkChronic inflammatory diseases are better managed with long-term steroid therapy. Nevertheless, it predisposes the patient to numerous complications if not monitored properly. The current clinical audit was carried out at the Emergency Lady Reading Hospital to check on the adequacy of monitoring practices of prolonged steroid use. In particular, the study focused on preventing adverse effects such as osteoporosis, diabetes, and adrenal suppression, which remain significantly high but are largely unaddressed in many clinical settings. The audit focused on a 54-year-old male patient under treatment for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and rheumatoid arthritis, who was managed under long-term prednisone therapy for 8 years. The patient presented symptoms as severe fatigue, muscle weakness, and bone pain, which could be interpreted as indicative of adrenal insufficiency and osteoporosis. These were once again confirmed by the diagnostic tests, which again revealed a very critical gap in monitoring and managing his steroid therapy. In this way, key recommendations include the need for periodic screening of bone density and adrenal function, and patient education on the risks of steroid use, it would be of great importance in ensuring the safety of patients and increasing the approaches to treatment to prevent these cases in the future
Histomorphological spectrum of uterine leiomyoma and its secondary changes: A retrospective study
Full text linkAim and Background: Leiomyoma is one of the most common causes for abnormal uterine bleeding in females. Furthermore, sometimes leiomyoma is clinically, radiologically, and histologically believed to be malignancy. Thus, there is a need for more studies to know the different variants and secondary changes occurring in leiomyoma. Methods: This study was carried out at the Department of Pathology, Dr. Vasantrao Pawar Medical College, Hospital, and Research Centre. Over a period from January 2019 to June 2023, 355 cases were received and included in this study. The specimen was examined grossly, processed, stained, and studied microscopically. Results: In the current study, cellular leiomyoma was the most common variant and the hyaline degeneration was the most common secondary change identified. Conclusion: The current study gives insights into the clinicopathologic spectrum of uterine leiomyoma along with their clinical presentation, variants and associated secondary changes, in comparison with the findings from similar studies of different areas
The relationship between perceived bureaucratic orientation and job satisfaction among nurses in the healthcare system Iligan City, Philippines
Full text linkBackground: Prior studies reveal that job satisfaction among nurses has become a growing global concern, revealing varied levels of satisfaction across different countries. Little is known about the role of bureaucratic orientation influencing job satisfaction in the Philippine context. Aim: This study investigated the relationship between bureaucratic orientation and job satisfaction among nurses in a hospital in the Philippines. Design: Using a quantitative, descriptive-correlational design, data were collected from 102 registered nurses through structured questionnaires. Results: Nurses perceived bureaucratic orientation as leaning towards administrative control, with management having primary control over practice, personnel, and resources. The study found a positive significant correlation between administrative control over practice and appropriate support from superiors and with a pleasant working environment. However, administrative control over resources and personnel negatively correlated with nurses' emotions towards work. Greater management participation in committee structures was also negatively associated with nurses' emotional fulfilment and perceived workplace significance. Conclusion: These results highlight the need for participatory management practices enhancing job satisfaction among nurses. The findings of this study can inform hospital administrators and nurses’ additional insight especially in a Philippine healthcare setting on how they can collaboratively support each other to improve nursing practice
Evaluation of the strength of the upper extremity and the balance in pediatric population with hemiplegia after stroke
Full text linkIntroduction: The brain is a system with multidimensional organization and architecture and requires a continuous blood supply to function normally. If blood flow is interrupted for more than a few seconds, the brain is deprived of blood and oxygen, causing death in nerve cells in the affected area. The stroke in children after birth appears even more rarely than in adults. Methods: For the study, 20 children with hemiplegic cerebral palsy (14 boys and 6 girls) participated (mean age 10,9 years), from the “General Hospital Hippocratio” of Thessaloniki, according to the inclusion criteria. The strength of the upper extremity was measured using the Jamar dynamometer. To assess the balance, the Pediatric Balance Scale (PBS) Affected and contralateral hands results were analyzed and compared with norms for age and sex and related to the affected balance. Results: It was found that the strength of the non-affected upper extremities was also reduced according to the data of the normal children and the balance was also affected because of the stroke. Discussion: Physiotherapy programs may include exercises that emphasize the non-affected upper extremities, more similar research must be done on a bigger population
Epileptic medications and improving patient outcomes
Full text linkEpilepsy is a chronic neurological disorder characterized by recurrent seizures, which are sudden and uncontrolled electrical disturbances in the brain. It is one of the most common neurological conditions, affecting approximately 50 million people worldwide (World Health Organization, 2019). Effective management of epilepsy is crucial, as uncontrolled seizures can lead to significant physical, psychological, and social consequences. The treatment of epilepsy primarily involves the use of antiepileptic drugs (AEDs), also known as anticonvulsants. These medications work by modulating the electrical activity in the brain, thereby reducing the occurrence and severity of seizures. Over the past several decades, research has focused on understanding the mechanisms of action, efficacy, and safety of various AEDs, as well as the factors that influence their clinical use. This study aims to provide a comprehensive review of the research literature on epileptic medications, covering key aspects such as: 1) The pharmacological mechanisms of action of AEDs; 2) The efficacy and safety profiles of established and newer AEDs; 3) Factors influencing the selection and use of AEDs, including patient characteristics, comorbidities, and drug interactions; 4) Emerging trends and future directions in the development and utilization of epileptic medications. 
To estimate the prevalence of anaemia in patients of Abnormal Uterine Bleeding (AUB) admitted in Tertiary Care Centre
Full text linkIntroduction: Abnormal uterine bleeding (AUB) encompasses menstrual patterns that deviate from the normal and is a common issue, affecting 17.9% of women in India. Identifying underlying causes is essential for restoring regular menstruation. Methods: This study included 240 cases of AUB from the gynecology ward between January 1, 2023, and December 31, 2023, based on specific selection criteria. Objective: The study aimed to estimate the prevalence of anemia among AUB patients across different age groups and determine the incidence of blood transfusion required for various AUB types. Results: AUB was predominantly observed in multiparous women aged 41 to 45, often during the perimenopausal period. The most common complaint was heavy menstrual bleeding. AUB significantly increased the risk of anemia, leading to the need for blood transfusions, iron sucrose or ferric carboxymaltose, oral contraceptives, and both injectable and oral tranexamic acid, along with hematinics. While some patients responded to medical treatment, others needed surgical intervention. Conclusion: Among the 240 participants, 44 (18.33%) had severe anemia (Hb < 7 g/dL), 33.33% had moderate anemia, and 30.83% had mild anemia. The study highlighted a significant prevalence of moderate to severe anemia in AUB patients, necessitating various treatment strategies for effective management
Reducing heavy metal (Zn, Cu) toxicity in a semi-arid area by halophytes
Full text linkThis work is the subject of a study of the effect of Atriplexhalimus on the variability of the percentage of certain heavy metals in the region of Boukhadra-Ouanza north of Tébessa, which is characterized by the proximity of an ancient mining area and with different levels of salinity. Where we made field trips, the first to know the area and determine the sampling locations, and the second to take samples. The latter (soil surrounding the roots of the cut plant and soil without vegetation at a distance of one meter), then after we measured the salinity standards (electrical conductivity and the percentages of certain heavy metals. The samples were analyzed at the Geology Laboratory, Faculty of Nature and Life Sciences, University of Tébéssa, where soil CE calculated and compared to the percentage of heavy metals (zinc and copper) in the soil. The results showed the presence of a significant proportion of heavy metals such as zinc and copper, especially in the third study area, which is considered high by World Health Organization standards and to acceptable standards, because the latter is located near an abandoned mining area, unlike the high salinity factor in the first and second areas. 
Health culture and the spread of epidemiological diseases in the desert environment: Field study about Brucellosis, Lishmaniasisin the Sahara of Laghouat
Full text linkThe environment is the medium in which man lives and exercises his activity and obtains the essential elements of his life including food, health, shelter and other various needs. On this basis, the environment is not merely isolated physical or natural elements. Rather, it is a set of material, social, and cultural resources through which man seeks to satisfy his biological needs as well as aiding him in creating a pattern of relations throughout his interaction with others. Moreover, he can simply develop and secure his future and that of his successor. In this vein, Parsons explains, "the natural environment is at a lower level of organic patterns, and it is the source of all the energy required by human life." Health and disease are a cornerstone of human interaction with their environment, where their activity is closely related to these factors. Essentially, health and disease are measures of the degree to which human groups can adapt to their environments in the presence of available biological, physical or cultural elements. The desert environment was one of the environments known for its harsh climate and nature.