Australasian Medical Journal
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Nutritional Defenses: The Role of Functional Foods in Combating Viral Diseases
Get PDFPreventive medicine over the last decade has gone to great extents; this is particularly so in developed countries. Various research studies have confirmed that nutrition has a great relationship with the prevention and control of long-term diseases mainly attributed to diet. Food is considered the best provider to ensure our healthiness. Food also prevents and cures several diseases and improves particular physiological functions. The components of diet are qualified as functional foods, providing the body not only with nutrients and energy but also helping its system regulate special functions by either improving physiological processes or reducing the potential of the disease. Since the FFC recommends research and usage of functional foods in the treatment of chronic diseases, this review will illustrate the use of functional meals in the treatment of various viral diseases. From this study, we shall expect to suggest an improvement to the present definition of functional foods to comprise this added use. It covers many influences of functional foods and minerals on immunological function, such as probiotics, dietary antioxidants that include vitamins C, A, and E, and selenium. However, the desirable intake level and quantities of consumption of functional foods are yet developed. Therefore, more research studies are needed that would eliminate controversy over functional food. And our works must be absolutely placed toward gaining the highest objective of a ";;;functional diet";;;
Management of Retained Fetal Head Due to Severe Hydrocephalus in a Breech Delivery: A Case Report
Get PDFBackground Retained fetal head during breech delivery is a rare but serious complication, often exacerbated by undiagnosed fetal hydrocephalus. This condition poses significant risks for both mother and fetus, particularly in settings with limited access to antenatal care. Case Presentation A 40-year-old multiparous woman (G7P6A1) at 38 weeks of gestation presented in active labor with no prior prenatal care or ultrasound. She had complete cervical dilation and a breech presentation. Vaginal delivery was attempted but complicated by head retention due to severe fetal hydrocephalus. After failed maneuvers, an emergency cesarean section was performed, extracting a 5 kg stillborn fetus with major hydrocephalus. The procedure was complicated by maternal anemia (Hb 6 g/dL), requiring a blood transfusion. Discussion This case emphasizes the importance of antenatal care, including routine ultrasounds, to detect anomalies such as hydrocephalus. The absence of prenatal diagnosis resulted in a delayed cesarean delivery and complications. Prompt surgical intervention and adequate maternal care were essential in managing this emergency. Conclusion Undiagnosed fetal hydrocephalus significantly increases the risk of labor complications, particularly in breech deliveries. Routine antenatal imaging and emergency obstetric preparedness are vital to reducing maternal and fetal morbidity, especially in resource-limited settings
Editor’s Note
Get PDFWe are excited to present the tenth issue of AMJ for 2024. This issue features a collection of original research papers, case studies, and review articles, along with a spotlight on the notable contributions made throughout the yea
Impact of Smoking Exposure on Pregnancy and Perinatal Outcome Among Saudi Women: A Cross-Sectional Study
Get PDFObjective: To assess the impact of smoking exposure on pregnancy and perinatal outcomes among Saudi women. Methods: This research will employ a cross-sectional study design to assess the impact of smoking exposure on pregnancy and perinatal outcomes among Saudi women. Cross-sectional studies are particularly suitable for examining associations and prevalence within a defined population at a specific point in time. In this case, the study aims to collect data on smoking behavior, pregnancy history, and perinatal outcomes among a representative sample of Saudi women in healthcare facilities across different regions of the country. The cross-sectional design allows for the efficient collection of data from a diverse population, providing insights into the relationship between smoking and perinatal outcomes without the need for long-term follow-up. Results: The study included 450 participants. The most frequent age among them was 35 and more years (n= 309, 68.7%) followed by 30-34 (n= 94, 20.9%). The most frequent educational level among study participants was the university (n= 408, 90.7%) followed by the school (n= 39, 8.7%). The most frequent job among study participants was a Governmental job (n= 159, 35.3%) followed by a housewife (n= 135, 30%). Number of previous births among study participants with most of them having a previous birth (n= 396, 88%) followed by this is the first birth (n= 54, 12%). Number of previous pregnancies among study participants with most of them having a previous pregnancy (n= 408, 90.7%) followed by this is the first pregnancy (n= 42, 9.3%). Number of abortions among study participants with most of them nothing (n= 234, 52%) followed by there is (n= 216, 48%). Participants were asked about smoking. The most frequent were don’t smoke (n= 315, 70%) followed by smoking (n= 135, 30%). The most frequent exposure to smoking among them was yes (n= 333, 74%) followed by no (n= 117, 26%). Conclusion: Study results showed that most of the study participants are the university according to their educational level. Most frequencies of participants had a previous birth. Most of them don’t smoke in another hand most of them were exposed to smoking. In addition, most of the study participants had good social connection
Multi-organ segmentation for 3D visualisation of abdominal structure to enhance learning experience in medical education and pre-surgical planning of abdominal abnormalities
Get PDFBackground Medical image segmentation plays an important role in assisting clinical diagnosis, as well as medical education to enhance learning anatomy and pathology. A 3D anatomical model which can be either visualised as 3D reconstruction or virtual reality views or 3D printed models adds valuable information to standard 2D visualisations for assessing the depth of the abdominal region structures and abnormalities and enhancing the learning experience. Aim. This study aims to explore the methodology and efficiency for 3D segmentation of abdominal organs comparing the abdominal region of the normal human anatomy intestinal using an open source software 3D Slicer. Methods Two CT scans of anonymised images with normal and intestinal enteritis were selected to be segmented, analysed, and converted into 3D virtual anatomical models. The models were used in comparison to assess limited areas that could not be assessed via 2D visualisation and depict differences from the soft tissue organs. Results The majority of the organs were able to be image processed and converted into 3D visualisation. Evidently, the gastrointestinal system poses varying challenges due to irregular pathway and difficulties to distinguished density value towards adjacent organs. Despite the challenge, 3D segmentation of the small and large intestines were visualised and differentiated. Conclusion This study demonstrates the feasibility of utilising 3D slicer for multi-organ segmentations, although it still poses many challenges and limits to soft tissue components. Further development of automatic segmentation is necessary to make the image processing and segmentation approach more practical for routine applications
Role of Autologous Platelet Rich Plasma in Scar Management
Get PDFAutologous platelet rich plasma (APRP) has gained its importance in medical field since its first use in sports medicine and open-heart surgeries. It is widely used in plastic surgery and in cosmetic medicine because of its wound healing properties. Scar management is the most important part of cosmesis and is an important factor in improving the post traumatic quality of life of the patient. Here we present the case of a 17-year-old male with a post traumatic wound on the right knee treated with APRP for scar managemen
Ryan Score as a Mortality Predictor in Burns Patients In a Tertiary Care Centre
Get PDFBurns is a global health problem with an estimated mortality of 1,80,000 annually with a majority from the low- and middle-income countries. A dearth of resources in establishing dedicated burn centers and providing recent advancements in managing burns patients results in higher mortality rates in developing countries. Predicting mortality of burns patients is of utmost importance in channeling the limited resources for better outcomes. Several scoring systems have been tested over time in developed countries. Hence an attempt is made in this study to test Ryan Score in our population
Evaluation of APACHE II, RAPS, and REMS models at the emergency department to predict hospital death in triage levels 1 and 2
Get PDFBackground
One of the essential components for many therapeutic decisions is the initial evaluation of the patients.
Aims
The initial evaluation is usually done by the physician, which is mainly performed subjectively and is estimated more accurately if the physician is experienced. Many systems have been developed to evaluate and make these evaluations objective. The present study has used three different scoring systems.
Methods
The present study was prospective cohort on the patients admitted with triage 1 and Two levels. The study was conducted over one year. APACHE II, RAPS, REMS models were calculated for each patient. Then these models were evaluated from three main aspects of overall performance, resolution and calibration.
Results
The present study evaluated 1029 patients admitted to Edalatian Emergency Unit in Mashhad. From among them, 198 patients were at triage level 1 consistent with ESI algorithm and the rest were assigned to level two. Overall, about 29% of these patients died and 753 survived. The largest area below the curve was dedicated to APACHE II model, which shows the high discrimination of the model. AUC=0.76 (CI:0.72, 0.78). in the next ranks were REMS model with the area of 0.67 and the RAPS model with the area of 0.63. Hosmer-Lemeshow test for all models wa
How do the poor cope with health shocks? Experiences from a cross-sectional study in Uganda
Get PDFThis study sought to identify determinants in choosing from different coping strategies in cases of illness, injury and death shocks and how these strategies vary across socio-economic groups in Uganda. Data from a cross sectional survey covering a total of 1496 households collected by researchers from Makerere University in 2012 was used. Four coping strategies1, besides social and non-social protection strategies were explored. Descriptive statistics and multinomial logistic regression techniques were used in the analysis of health shocks and determinants of choices of coping strategies. Marginal effects were computed for the multinomial regression coefficients. Illness (83.9%) was the most common health shock reported followed by death of a household member (25.8%) and injury (15.8%). Borrowing and external assistance were the most commonly used strategies to cope with illness shocks and reliance on own savings or assets was minimally used. Non-social protection initiatives2 were used most to respond to illness shocks compared to formal social protection initiatives3. Regression results shows that the poorest households were 0.28 times more likely to seek external assistance to deal with shocks than the wealthier households. This suggests lack of capacity to cope and dependence on unreliable strategies exacerbate impoverishment. Governments needs to promote comprehensive coping strategies such as universal health insurance, targeted social protection initiatives and develop inclusive and innovative poverty reduction strategies that enhance the capability of households to cope with effects of health shocks
