European Journal of Medical and Health Research
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Plantago major as a Beneficial Medicinal Plant
Get PDFMedicinal plants have always obtained a high interest in the management of diseases and conditions. In this regard, Plantago major is a perennial plant, and is native to most of Europe, Northern, and Central Asia. Plantago is a genus widely distributed all over the world; P. major is spread in temperate regions of Asia, South Australia, North America, and North Africa and the leaves of P. major have been used for centuries to treat diseases relating to skin, digestive organs and blood circulation like wounds, inflammation, and hypertension. Greek physicians described the traditional use of P. major in wound healing already in the first century A.D. P. major contains biologically active compounds, such as polysaccharides, lipids, caffeic acid derivatives, flavonoids, iridoid glycosides, alkaloids, and terpenoids, and also the presence of different vitamins, such as ascorbic acid and carotenoids. In this paper, pharmacological properties, adverse events, toxicity, and applications of Plantago major are evaluated, and beneficial approaches might be provided for future clinical trials, and new pharmaceutical compounds of plantain are made
Socio-Economic Impact of Covid-19 on People with Spinal Cord Injury in Bangladesh: A Telephonic Survey
Get PDFBackground: The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly impacted global health systems and economies with people with disabilities, particularly those with spinal cord injuries (SCI). In Bangladesh, where healthcare resources are limited, persons with SCI face challenges in accessing necessary services and maintaining socio-economic stability during the pandemic. Methods: A quantitative cross-sectional study was conducted using a telephonic survey of 470 individuals with SCI who had completed rehabilitation at the Centre for the Rehabilitation of the Paralysed (CRP). Data were collected from both urban and rural areas across eight divisions of Bangladesh. The survey, consisting of semi-structured questionnaires, gathered information on demographic profiles, Covid-19 protection measures, and socio-economic impacts. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS version 20. Results: The study shows the significant socio-economic disruptions among persons with SCI due to the Covid-19 pandemic. The majority of participants (87%) were male, with age distribution primarily between 21-40 years. Only 30% of participants took Covid-19 protection measures, and 18% received local emergency aid. Economic activities were adversely affected, with 52% reporting their business status as "bad" and 12% as "not good enough." Additionally, 78% required Covid-19 related support, highlighting the severe financial distress and need for assistance in this group of populations. Conclusions: The findings highlight the socio-economic impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on persons with SCI in Bangladesh. The findings highlight the urgent need for targeted interventions and support mechanisms to address the unique challenges faced by this vulnerable group. Policymakers and healthcare providers must prioritize inclusive and equitable responses to public health emergencies to ensure that no one is left behind
Hematological Conditions Associated with COVID-19: Pathophysiology, Clinical Manifestations, and Therapeutic Approaches
Get PDFThis review highlights the significant impact of SARS-CoV-2 on the hematological system, revealing complications such as thrombocytopenia, coagulopathy, venous thromboembolism (VTE), and hemolytic anemia, which contribute notably to morbidity and mortality, especially in critically ill patients. The underlying mechanisms involve direct viral effects, inflammation, cytokine storms, and hypercoagulability. The exacerbation of pre-existing hematological malignancies and the common occurrence of lymphopenia further illustrate the complex interaction between COVID-19 and the immune system. The review emphasizes the importance of early recognition and management of hematological complications for clinical practice. It discusses the necessity of monitoring biomarkers like D-dimer and platelet counts, utilizing imaging techniques for detecting thromboembolic events, and employing timely interventions with anticoagulants and immunomodulators. Tailoring treatment to individual patient needs and involving a multidisciplinary team are essential for improving outcomes, particularly in critically ill patients. The review also focuses on the need for ongoing research to understand the precise mechanisms of these complications, explore genetic and environmental factors, and assess the long-term outcomes of affected patients. It examines the impact of emerging SARS-CoV-2 variants and the importance of developing innovative therapeutic approaches, including personalized medicine and advanced therapies, to address the ongoing challenges in medical practice
Monitoring of the Cancer Treatment Process by Temperature Measurements
Get PDFThe usage of temperature measurements in the Magic Light anti-cancer therapy has been investigated in clinical trials for the treatment of Triple Negative Breast Cancer (Invasive Ductal Carcinoma Stage III). Irradiation by RF waves, from the Magic Light device, can increase or decrease the patient’s body temperature during one treatment session. It allows for the visualization of the cancer treatment process as well as to monitor its progress.Treatment of Invasive Ductal Carcinoma (IDC) Stage III, using the Magic Light anti-cancer therapy, was completed and described. The best treatment effect was observed at a frequency of 430 MHz and, applied in turn, at modulation frequencies of 4 kHz, 7 kHz, 10 kHz and 21 kHz and with RF power densities less than 12 mW/cm2 at a distance of 1 m from the patient.The process of cancer treatment using the Magic Light anti-cancer therapy was monitored by measuring the patient’s body temperature both before and after each treatment session. A new medical effect was disclosed, which allows the observance of efficiency and progress in the cancer treatment, as well as detecting the presence of cancer cells at the early stages of disease.In this trial, it was discovered that if cancer is present in the human body, the body temperature after the Magic Light treatment session will always be higher than before this treatment session began. However, if during 5-6 treatment sessions in turn, the body temperature after the treatment session, is lower than it was initially, it means that the cancer has been cured completely.Temperature measurements using the Magic Light device, may also be used as an oncology test
Recent Progressions on Peripheral Hypotheses of Hypothalamic Aging
Get PDFBackground: It is well known that the changes of hypothalamus in control of hormones determine the chronological manifestations of aging in mammals.Aim: It is aimed to review the progressions on recently hypothesized peripheral mechanisms responsible for the senescent changes of the hypothalamic nuclei and secretion.Methods: It was searched the papers from Pubmed and Baidu, and then analyzed and summarized.Results and Discussions: (a) It was proposed by Cai that the decrease in slow-wave sleep (SWS) resulting from continual skin aging cause both decrease in secretion of growth hormone (GH) and degeneration of suprachiasmatic nucleus(SCN) for hypothalamus. (b) It was soon hypothesized by the Europeans that the increase in body fat be responsible for the degeneration of male hypothalamic preoptic sexually dimorphic nucleus (SDN-POA), which was supported by the increment of aromatase converting testosterone to estradiol as proposed by Cohen, with testosterone required to maintain SDN-POA. In parallel, it was speculated the aging of female ovary toward menopause as acceleration and precocity similarly in association with the corresponding senescent changes in lipid, aromatase and estradiol. (c) It was the hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus (PVN) that retained neuron number unchanged during aging for psychological stress..Conclusion: It is summarized that the hypothalamic senescence resulting from these peripheral mechanisms shifts the functional balance among these three hypothalamic systems toward aging
Vitamins: Antioxidant Micronutrients and the Immune Response
Get PDFThe body is shielded from infections by the immune system, which acts as a firewall. A multitude of cells, glands, and other components make up the immune system, and they all function flawlessly together. Repeated exposure to bacteria, viruses, and other pathogens weakens the immune system over time. It has to be reinforced and put back in a healthy condition.For those who are severely malnourished, vitamins can help boost immunity and combat illnesses and health issues. Although vitamins and nutritional supplements can help make up for vitamin shortages, it is preferable to get these vitamins from meals since the body absorbs and uses them effectively.By altering one's food, taking supplements to increase immunity, and changing one's lifestyle, one can enhance their immune system. The greatest and most significant vitamins that strengthen the immune system are reviewed in this article
Assessing the National Health Insurance (NHI) in South Africa: Policy Formulation, Stakeholder engagement and Implementation Challenges
Get PDFThis study aims to assess the National Health Insurance (NHI) in South Africa by examining its policy formulation, stakeholder engagement and implementation challenges. The research utilises a document analysis approach, reviewing key policy documents such as the NHI Bill, government reports, stakeholder position papers, academic literature and media coverage to provide a broad understanding of South Africa’s NHI policy and public discourse. Comparative case studies of universal health systems in similar settings, namely; Brazil, Thailand and Ghana offer insights into potential solutions for South Africa’s unique challenges. Using thematic analysis supported by NVivo, the study identifies major themes, including financial sustainability, capacity constraints and stakeholder resistance. Findings show that the NHI has potential for achieving universal health coverage and addressing healthcare inequities in South Africa and similar socio-economic settings, significant issues, such as underfunding, inadequate infrastructure and limited private sector engagement are barriers to successful implementation. Comparative insights highlight the importance of sufficient budget, effective governance and continuous stakeholder consultation. The study concludes that, while South Africa demonstrates strong political commitment to universal health coverage, substantial reforms and strategic coordination are essential for achieving the NHI’s goals, minimising unintended consequences, ensuring a balanced integration of public and private healthcare sectors
Preliminary Study on the Questionnaire for the Evaluation of Psychotherapy (Q-EPT)
Get PDFResearch in psychotherapy refers, almost exclusively, to outcomes, defining the changes achieved through treatment and studying what happens at the end of the process compared to the starting point (baseline). This treatment, however, is so complex that its evolution is unpredictable: slight variations in the initial conditions produce effects, even very significant ones, that are not deterministically linked to the conditions themselves. Therefore, to have a faithful representation of the change process, it is necessary to have an instrument that can detect the useful indicators significant for improving the therapist-patient relational modality for the duration of the therapy. An instrument that seems to satisfy these characteristics, even though it is still statistically insignificant, is the Questionnaire for the Evaluation of Psychotherapy (Q-EPT) designed and constructed by one of the authors (G.M.G.) that allows one to investigate the effectiveness of therapy during therapy itself, through the compilation of the areas: 1) Therapeutic relationship, 2) Therapy Motivation, 3) Therapy Adherence and 4) Outcomes. Preliminary results were appreciable in terms of both reliability (Inter-Class Confidence Interval = 0.78) and internal consistency (Cronbach’s alpha = 0.92)
Clinical Characteristics and Outcomes of Patients with Acute Decompensated Heart Failure in Al-Hussein Teaching Hospital in Al-Samawa, Iraq (2021-2022)
No full textBackground: Acute Decompensated Heart Failure (ADHF) leads to millions of hospitalizations every year and has an enormous burden of morbidity and mortality around the globe. The clinical profile/compliance of a patient with ADHF will vary greatly based upon a number of different factors such as geography, genetics, and the availability of health care resources. Unfortunately, data from secondary and tertiary care in the southern region of Iraq, specifically within the Al-Muthanna Governorate, are limited, but critical to help enhance local management strategies and allocate resources more efficiently. Purpose: The primary aim of this study was to characterize the clinical characteristics, management in the hospital, and outcomes of patients residing in Al-Samawa, Iraq, with a primary diagnosis of ADHF during the one-year period between April 1, 2021 and March 31, 2022. Methods: A prospective, observational cohort study involving adult patients (≥18 years of age) who were diagnosed with primary ADHF (per Framingham diagnostic criteria) was conducted in the cardiology ward and coronary care unit (CCU) of Al-Hussein Teaching Hospital, Al-Samawa, Iraq, over the one- year period. The details collected encompassed demographic variables, clinical presentation, precipitating event(s), ejection fraction (EF) status, laboratory data, and hospital management (i.e., therapies that were used to treat the patient in the hospital). In this study, the primary outcome was in- hospital mortality, and the secondary outcomes included length of stay and readmission rate within 30 days. Results: The mean age of patients who were studied was 64.2 ± 11.8 years, with 53.5% being male. The two most common comorbidities of patients admitted with ADHF were hypertension (65.1%) and coronary artery disease (51.2%). The most frequent precipitating factor for ADHF in this population was non-compliance with medications (44.2%). The cause of heart failure associated with 58.6% of the patients was heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF). The overall mortality of the sample was found to be 7.9% (17/215). The mean length of hospital stay was 6.8 ± 3.9 days (median: 6 days). Among the patients who were discharged alive, 16.7% were readmitted within 30 days of discharge. The three main predictors of in- hospital mortality for this study population were hyponatremia, elevated admission serum creatinine level, and need for inotropic support. Conclusions: Patients admitted to Al-Samawa because of ADHF typically exhibit a significant percentage of hypertension and CAD, with non-adherence to medications being one of the major contributing preventable factors. The in-hospital mortality and 30-day readmission rates were relatively high, reflective of a substantial burden of disease. This emphasizes the need for additional resources aimed at patient education, medication adherence, and optimization of guideline-directed medical therapies to potentially improve outcomes for these patients in Southern Iraq
Determining Some Biochemical Parameters and Screening for Hepatitis B and C in Patients with Chronic Kidney Disease in Tikrit City
Get PDFChronic renal failure is a life-threatening disease. This study aimed to examine some biochemical and hematological variables and liver C virus B and C in renal failure patients undergoing hemodialysis and compare these results with healthy individuals after ensuring their safety. The results of the study were statistically analyzed using SAS. The results of this study showed significant differences and an increase in each of urea, creatinine and blood sugar compared to the healthy control group. As for the parathyroid hormone, there was a clear increase and a decrease in each of calcium and vitamin D3 and an increase in phosphorus. The blood indicators of chronic renal failure patients showed a decrease in each of hemoglobin, packed cell volume, platelets and iron levels in both males and females compared to the control group. As for liver functions in renal failure patients, the results showed an increase in each of GOT, GPT and ALP and a significant decrease in each of total serum protein and albumin. When investigating hepatitis C and B viruses, this study showed the presence of hepatitis B virus in 20% in chronic renal failure patients. The incidence of hepatitis viruses in patients with chronic renal failure was 13%, and no hepatitis viruses were found in the healthy control group