European Journal of Medical and Health Research
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Influence of Socio-economic Determinants on Malaria Prevalence, and Healthcare Accessibility in Pankshin's Rural Communities: Towards Inclusive Interventions
Get PDFThis research comprehensively investigated the intricate interplay between socioeconomic factors, malaria prevalence, and healthcare accessibility within the rural communities of Pankshin Local Government Area. Factors such as income levels, education, housing conditions, and healthcare accessibility were meticulously examined to provide a comprehensive understanding of how they intersect to amplify the malaria challenge. The research employs a mixed-methods approach, combining quantitative data collection through household surveys, malaria prevalence testing, and healthcare facility assessments with qualitative methods such as in-depth interviews and focus group discussions. Geospatial data collection and analysis will contribute to visualizing the distribution of malaria cases, healthcare facilities, and socioeconomic indicators in Pankshin. Findings showed that households in higher income brackets exhibited 100% malaria diagnosis rate, while the lowest income group showed a comparatively lower prevalence of 68.4%; signifying that higher-income households may have greater healthcare-seeking behavior and diagnostic access, leading into increased detection rates rather than actual higher disease burden. The study indicated malaria prevalence being concentrated in the better-offs than poorer households and it emphasized that economic indicators alone cannot accurately forecast disease prevalence in resource limited environments where environmental exposure is widespread
The Syndemic of COVID-19 and Cardiovascular Diseases in Sub-Saharan Africa: A Time-Series Analysis of Pre- and Post-Pandemic Age-Stratified Mortality
Get PDFThe COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated Sub-Saharan Africa's (SSA) cardiovascular disease (CVD) burden through complex biological, systemic, and behavioral interactions, creating a syndemic with disproportionate impacts across age groups. This study examines pre- and post-pandemic CVD mortality patterns using data from six SSA countries (2014-2024). Our findings reveal that biological vulnerabilities manifested in a 10.9% hypertension prevalence increase
Maternal Serum Ferritin Concentration in Patient with Preterm Labor and Intact Membranes
Get PDFBackground: Preterm labor poses significant obstetric challenges due to its multifactorial etiology and associated neonatal risks. Accurate prediction is essential for timely medical interventions, which can improve maternal and neonatal outcomes. Elevated serum ferritin levels, a marker of systemic inflammation, may play a role in the pathophysiology of preterm labor. Aim: This study aimed to compare maternal serum ferritin concentrations between preterm labor with intact membranes and term labor with intact membranes. Methods: A case-control study was conducted at Al-Imamain Al-Kadhemain Medical City Hospital from April 1, 2023, to April 1, 2024, including 100 pregnant women: 50 with preterm labor and intact membranes and 50 at term labor with intact membranes as controls. Results: There were no significant demographic differences between the preterm and term groups. The preterm group had higher serum ferritin levels, averaging 32.5 ng/mL, compared to 26.84 ng/mL in the term group. Correlation analysis revealed a moderate negative correlation between serum ferritin levels and gestational age (R = -0.425). ROC curve analysis determined a ferritin cutoff of ≥30 ng/mL, with a sensitivity of 72% and specificity of 62%. Conclusion: Elevated serum ferritin levels are associated with preterm labor. A ferritin level of ≥30 ng/mL demonstrates 72% sensitivity and 62% specificity as a diagnostic marker for predicting preterm delivery, highlighting its clinical utility
Diabetes Risk Assessment of Undergraduate Clinical Students of a Medical School in the Southeast Region of Nigeria. The Preliminary Results
Get PDFBackground and Objective: Diabetes mellitus (DM), a major risk factor for cardiovascular disease, is increasing in prevalence in the sub-Saharan Africa region. Many individuals still remain undiagnosed in our setting despite the risk factors being well documented. Published literature on the risk of diabetes mellitus in a cohort of young clinical students in the southeast region of Nigeria is scanty. This study, therefore, set out to bridge this gap in knowledge.Subjects and Methods: This was a prospective descriptive study in which data about risk of developing diabetes mellitus over the next 10 years was assessed in fifth year medical students of Abia State University Teaching Hospital (ABSUTH), Aba using the well validated FINDRISC questionnaire tool from August 1, 2024 to September 30, 2024. Relevant data which included the parameters of the FINDRISC score tool obtained were analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 23.0 software.Results: A total of 220 clinical students participated in the study, made up of 116 (52.7%) male students and 104 (47.3%) female students. About 104 (47.3%) of the students were overweight/obese. Differences in the body mass indices (BMI) of the male and female students was not statistically significant. The highest diabetes risk score of the students was within 11-16 which was not up to 17-20 at which the participants had the least risk of having DM over the next 10 years.Conclusion: The 10-year risk of suffering DM by the clinical students was not significant but a considerable number of them were overweight/obese. It is recommended that these students exercise regularly to prevent the resultant overweight/obesity and thus prevent type 2 DM in the future
Biological Evaluation of Different Mother Tinctures Available in the Market
Get PDFIn recent research, commercial homoeopathic mother tinctures were tested for biological activity. Masood homoeo pharmaceuticals supplied all mother tinctures. Homoeopathic mother tinctures were hydroalcohol. Today, strong antimicrobial medicines are needed to fight fatal and life-threatening infections caused by antibiotic-resistant bacteria. Scientists are developing more effective chemicals by chemically modifying antibacterial drugs to battle resistant microorganisms. This study comprises 11 homoeopathic mother tinctures for Proteus, Shagilla, kebsiela, Cornybacterium baccilus, Escherichia coli, Salmonella typhi, Bacillus subtilis, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Staphylococcus aureus. All homoeopathic mother tinctures were bactericidal in 96-well microplates. Against Salmonella typhi, all mother tinctures showed significant age inhibition, except millefolium (29.03±2.84%). Two DPPH radical scavenging assays assessed antioxidant activity. Strong antioxidant action in homoeopathic mother tinctures Cinchona officinalis contains 84.61±3.98, Berberis 69.09±3.35, Hmamelis 68.10±3.66, Rhustox 68.10±3.66, Millefolium 77.81±3.98, Calendula 83±0.72, Chamomilla 71.17±2.80, Thuja 82.34±2.08, and ascorbic acid Calendula Maximum antioxidant activity. Antifungal activity against Fumigatus niger was measured by agar well diffusion. All homoeopathic mother tinctures had minor antifungal activity compared to Fluconazol
One Unified Model of Materials, Energies and Information on Traditional Chinese Medicine
Get PDFBackground: Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has unique theoretical systems and correspondingly characteristic therapies. However, the unique theoretical systems encounter many difficulties in the propagation of TCM in other countries. To dissolve these difficulties, many researchers have found some ways from different viewpoints.Method: Based on the research to dissolve these difficulties, one unified model of materials, energies and information (UMMEI) on TCM is presented.Discussions: In the model of UMMEI on TCM, one healthy person is a complex giant system in which the materials are fundamental, the energies are powerful, and the information is connecting. The system is unified with moving materials, translating energies, and controlling information. Jing, Blood, Jin, Ye, Zang organs, Fu organs, Xingti, and Guanqiao in TCM are substantive materials. Qi in TCM is insubstantial materials, has energy and can be carriers of information. The whole body are composed of five Zang organs, six Fu organs, Xingti, and Guanqiao. The mind in TCM is the life information of one person. The body and mind of one person is a whole in TCM unified with materials, energies, and information, just like one normal working mobile phone unified with the hardware, the power supply, and the software. The mechanisms of representatives of TCM therapies and mechanisms of curing a large kind of diseases based on the unified model are presented. Some other discussions on the model are also given
The Role of Vitamin D Supplementation in Improving Endometrial Receptivity and Live Birth Rates in Women Undergoing Frozen Embryo Transfer in Baghdad, Iraq
No full textBackground: In Middle Eastern populations, the prevalence of vitamin D deficiency is high; this deficiency has the potential to influence reproductive outcomes. This study aimed to determine the efficacy of vitamin D supplementation on endometrial receptivity and live birth rates among women undergoing frozen embryo transfer (FET) in Baghdad, Iraq . Methods: A randomized controlled trial was conducted at a private Center in Baghdad and run from January 2022 to December 2023. Two hundred forty women who were vitamin D deficient (vitamin D levels: <30 ng/mL) and scheduled for frozen embryo transfer (FET). Women were randomized (1:1) to receive either vitamin D3 supplementation (4000 IU per day) or placebo for 12 weeks prior to the FET. The primary outcomes were endometrial thickness, implantation rates, clinical pregnancy rates, and live birth rates . Results: The group who received vitamin D supplementation had a significantly higher mean endometrial thickness (10.2±1.4 mm (vitamin D) vs 8.7±1.2 mm (placebo), p<0.001), implantation rates (42.5% (vitamin D) vs 28.3% (placebo), p<0.01), clinical pregnancy rates (58.3% (vitamin D) vs 38.3% (placebo), p<0.001), and live birth rates (51.7% (vitamin D) vs 30.0% (placebo), p<0.001). Additionally, vitamin D levels improved significantly for the vitamin D group (18.4±5.2 at the beginning of the trial to 45.6±8.3 after supplementation, p<0.001) .
Conclusion: Vitamin D supplementation significantly improved endometrial receptivity markers and reproductive outcomes among vitamin D deficient women undergoing frozen embryo transfer in Baghdad, indicating possible therapeutic implications among this population
Evaluating Understandability and Actionability of Artificial Intelligence in Creating a High-Quality Educational Content for Type 2 Diabetes Using Predesigned Prompts
No full textBackground: AI has the potential to revolutionize healthcare, with chatbots
like ChatGPTemerging as practical tools for creating educational content. Type 2 diabetes has become a significant global health challenge, necessitating effective prevention and management strategies. Patient education is crucial for informed decision-making, but traditional materials often lack accessibility and engagement. Aim: This study aim to evaluates ChatGPT's understandability and actionability in generating high-quality educational content for type 2 diabetes using predesigned prompts. Methods: A qualitative exploratory design was employed to assess the content generated by ChatGPT. The Patient Educational Materials Assessment Tool (PEMAT) focused on five significant health education domains relevant to diabetes. The PEMAT assessment included 17 items for understandability and 7 for actionability, with a score of≥70% required to pass. Results: Prompts with a simple, clear instructional guideline yielded significantly higher scores than those with multiple instructions or single prompt with no addition. This indicates that focused prompt design enhances the quality of AI-generated educational content. Conclusion: This study demonstrates that artificial intelligence, particularly ChatGPT, has the potential to generate high-quality, understandable, and actionable educational content for patients with type 2 diabetes, when guided by simple well-structured, predesigned prompts and supported by scientific source material
Computational Toxicokinetics of Endocrine-Disrupting Chemicals in Humans Using Physiologically Based Pharmacokinetic (PBPK) Models
No full textEndocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) are widespread environmental pollutants that disrupt hormonal control and lead to reproductive, developmental, and metabolic issues. They have complicated dynamics that require heavy computational capabilities not available from conventional pharmacokinetic and animal studies. This paper critically presents the role of Physiologically-Based Pharmacokinetic (PBPK) models in EDC toxicokinetics by summarising the most recent literature (2020-2025) on toxic compounds, including bisphenol A, phthalates, polychlorinated biphenyls, dioxin, and per- and polyfluoroalkyl compounds. The results indicate that the PBPK models are relatively useful in modelling absorption, distribution, metabolism, and elimination processes, indicating small half-lives with compounds that are rapidly metabolised (for instance, Bisphenol A (BPA)), long-term retention in lipophilic they polluted (such as Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs), but not Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS)), and high variability between life-decodes and populations. The models have almost doubled the interpretation of biomonitoring data, aiding in the damage of risk to specific life stages, and understanding of this and more applications by regulatory authorities like the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) and the United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) are on the rise. PBPK modelling, therefore, possesses mechanistic, predictive strengths in comparison with traditional models. Future research must increase biomonitoring and In Vitro–In Vivo Extrapolation (IVIVE) data, enhance mixture modelling, include at-risk populations, and cultivate harmonised global platforms to adopt a regulating framework in an attempt to maximise effects
Ileo-Sigmoid Knot: An Uncommon Surgical Emergency
No full textThe ileo-sigmoid knot (ISK) is a rare but life-threatening surgical emergency characterized by the simultaneous volvulus of the ileum and sigmoid colon, leading to acute intestinal obstruction. It is more common in certain regions of Africa, Asia, and the Middle East, with approximately 1,000 cases reported worldwide. We report the case of a 50-year-old female with no significant past medical history who presented with symptoms of intestinal obstruction. Physical examination revealed abdominal distension and tenderness, and abdominal CT scan demonstrated the classic ‘whirl sign’ indicative of ISK with suspected ileal necrosis. Emergency laparotomy confirmed a double volvulus with necrosis of 2 meters of the ileum and a viable sigmoid colon. Surgical management involved resection of the necrotic ileal segment followed by primary anastomosis and sigmoidopexy. Prompt diagnosis and surgical intervention are critical in managing ISK to prevent bowel necrosis and associated morbidity. Abdominal CT is essential for early detection, and treatment strategies depend on bowel viability. This case underscores the importance of considering ISK in patients presenting with acute intestinal obstruction, especially in regions with a higher prevalence