International Journal of Health Sciences-IJHS最新文献

Objective: Hyperglycemia, hyperlipidemia, and systemic resistance to insulin are typical manifestations of type 2 diabetes mellitus. One of the main pathophysiological alterations in insulin-sensitive organs is mitochondrial malfunction associated with oxidative stress and diminished fuel utilization. β-Caryophyllene (BCP) has qualities that are anti-inflammatory, anti-tumor, antioxidant, hypolipidemic, and hypoglycemic. In this work, rats suffering from type 2 diabetes were given a diet high in fat and sugar with the aim of examining the ameliorative effects of BCP on oxidative stress-mediated hepatic mitochondrial dysfunction.

Methods: The diabetic condition was experimentally induced by feeding rats a high-calorie diet. The rats were then administered the recommended doses of BCP and metformin (MET) once every day for 30 days at 200 mg and 50 mg concentrations per kg of body weight, respectively, to prove the hypothesis of the study that BCP ameliorates mitochondrial dysfunction induced by oxidative stress in diabetic rats. Mitochondrial dysfunction can be identified by indicators such as oxidative stress, cardiolipin dienes, membrane phospholipid concentration, and mitochondrial enzymes.

Results: The mitochondria in the liver of rats with diabetes exhibit elevated redox imbalance-related parameters and malfunctioning mitochondria with peroxided cardiolipin, while their amounts of glutathione and phospholipids are lowered. Oxidative stress indices, ameliorated mitochondrial activities, and peroxided cardiolipin were drastically decreased in rats with diabetes treated with BCP or MET.

Conclusions: The present research demonstrated that BCP improved the vital role of mitochondria by reducing free radical dominance in type 2 diabetic experimental rats fed high-fat and high-sugar diets.

Objectives: Negative attitudes toward polio vaccination in Pakistan are threatening the global polio eradication efforts by encouraging vaccine refusals and attacks on polio workers. The present research explored the underlying dimensions of these attitudes and their correlates: Uncertainty and belief in conspiracy theories.

Methods: This research began with the development of an item pool generated with the help of an open-ended survey of university students (n = 44). Face and content validity assessment by subject experts (n = 9) led to an initial version of the attitude toward polio vaccination scale (ATPVS). This scale was administered to a sample of Pakistani adults (n = 620) through two means: Paper-and-pencil survey and an online survey.

Results: Exploratory factor analysis on one-half of the sample (n = 310) suggested a factor structure consisting of two internally consistent factors: Scepticism and Advocacy. On second half of the sample (n = 310), confirmatory factor analysis confirmed the two-factor structure of this scale. Hypothesis testing for convergent validity on the total sample (n = 620) revealed that self-uncertainty was positively related to scepticism and negatively related to advocacy. Whereas conspiracy mentality was positively associated with both of these components which indicates an understudied aspect of this construct related to concern for social welfare.

Conclusion: Scepticism and advocacy of the polio vaccination campaign represent attitudes toward polio vaccination in Pakistan with self-uncertainty and conspiracy mentality being their significant correlates. Capitalizing on these variables in designing a vaccination promotion campaign may yield benefits.

Objective: The objective of the study was to find pooled prevalence and risk factors of co-infection of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) in diagnosed tuberculosis (TB) cases.

Methods: Search engines including PubMed and Google Scholar were used to find literature using search terms such as "co-infection," "HIV," "Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome," TB and "Prevalence" among others. All original studies conducted on the prevalence of HIV co-infection among diagnosed TB patients that were freely available in full length had a clear methodology and relevant results were included in the study.

Result: From 1021 initial studies, a total of 18 studies were selected for analysis. A total of 18 studies were included with a total sample size of 44943. The minimum prevalence of HIV-TB was reported in a study from Pakistan as 0.29% and the maximum prevalence of HIV-TB was found in Nigeria, that is, 44.20%. The pooled prevalence of HIV/TB co-infection was 16.291% (95%; 9.57-24.38) using the random effect method. As per Begg's test, there was no publication bias. As I² is 99.74% so, there is high heterogeneity among studies; hence, random effect model is preferred.

Conclusion: The study concludes that the pooled prevalence of HIV/TB co-infection was found to be 16.291% (95%; 9.57-24.38). The risk of mortality will be substantially raised by the co-existence of HIV-TB co-infection, so early screening and emphasizing the urgent need for integrated health-care interventions can cope with the situation.

Nephrotic syndrome (NS)-epidermolysis bullosa (EB) sensorineural deafness syndrome is an autosomal recessive rare genetic disease caused by a CD151 gene homozygous mutation on chromosome 11p15.5. In this report, we discuss a rare case related to a Saudi patient with genetic syndrome who presented with NS and EB. Whole genome sequencing results indicated a homozygous pathogenic variant identified in the CD151 gene (c.493C>T p.(Arg165*), which was consistent with a genetic diagnosis of autosomal recessive nephropathy with pretibial EB and deafness syndrome. The findings emphasize that even a single genotype can result in variable phenotypic expression, necessitating the assessment of the pleiotropic effects of the disease on the patient, which can range from severe to mild. This case report adds to the literature by highlighting the considerable phenotypic variation that can be present in patients with the CD151 mutation.

Objective: The number of extremely drug-resistant (XDR) Salmonella typhi isolates is growing in the northwest of Pakistan, where health-care facilities are already under strain due to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) issue. In Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan, we currently describe the first widespread appearance of an XDR Salmonella typhi epidemic during the COVID-19 pandemic. This strain of Salmonella typhi is resistant to all first- and second-line drugs and even the third-generation cephalosporin.

Methods: Salmonella species isolated from pediatric blood samples shown a high level of resistance to the various antibiotic classes evaluated between November and December 2020. Gender, age, address, and clinical symptoms were among the demographic information that was recorded. A total of 562 blood cultures from symptomatic patients have been collected by the Pathology Laboratory at a tertiary care institution of Rehman Medical Institute, Peshawar. All samples have been processed in accordance with regulatory requirements and incubated in BacT/ALERT 3D.

Results: Of the 562 blood samples, 71 included Salmonella typhi, of which 66 (92.9%) and 5 (7%) were multidrug resistant (MDR) and XDR, respectively. Ciprofloxacin (100%), chloramphenicol (100%), ceftriaxone (100%), ampicillin (100%), and cotrimoxazole (93%) were completely resistant to all isolates. Azithromycin and carbapenems were effective against every Salmonella typhi isolate that was MDR or XDR. Males (76%) were more commonly affected than females (24%), and the frequency was substantially higher in children under 15 years of age (88%) than in adults (P = 0.0016).

Conclusion: The emergence of XDR Salmonella typhi with a high level of resistance is in fact alarming. Due to the lack of viable treatment alternatives, the current situation necessitates the immediate implementation of efficient preventive measures, such as campaigns for typhoid vaccination and food and water safety.

Objective: The objective of this study was to assess the periodontal health status of individuals with lung cancer in the North Indian population. In addition, the study aimed to determine the levels of human beta-defensin2 (Hbd-2) in the gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) and serum samples collected from the participants.

Methods: The study consisted of a total of 90 participants, who were categorized into three groups: Group 1 included 30 healthy individuals, Group 2 comprised 30 patients with chronic periodontitis, and Group 3 involved 30 patients diagnosed with both lung cancer and chronic periodontitis. Various periodontal parameters, including plaque index, gingival index, probing pocket depth, and clinical attachment level (CAL), were assessed in addition to the analysis of human beta defensin2 levels in both the GCF and serum samples of all participants.

Results: The study results revealed that all clinical parameters assessed were higher in Group 3 compared to both Group 2 and Group 1. Specifically, the levels of hBD-2 in the GCF were measured as 52.29 ± 46.41 pg/mL in Group 1, 27.15 ± 28.76 pg/mL in Group 2, and 86.01 ± 68.82 pg/mL in Group 3. When comparing the hBD-2 levels in serum, the values were found to be 813.72 ± 269.43 pg/mL in Group 1, 591.50 ± 263.91 pg/mL in Group 2, and 1093.04 ± 674.55 pg/mL in Group 3. These intergroup comparisons indicate variations in hBD-2 levels among the different groups.

Conclusions: The study findings demonstrated significantly higher clinical and biochemical markers in patients with both lung cancer and chronic periodontitis, in comparison to individuals with chronic periodontitis alone and healthy participants. These results suggest that Hbd-2 could potentially serve as a valuable diagnostic biomarker for identifying and distinguishing individuals with both lung cancer and chronic periodontitis.

Objective: Commiphora gileadensis is a small tree under the genus Commiphora. Previous studies showed medical applications, such as antibacterial and antihypertensive, for C. gileadensis.

Methods: Sixty naïve mice were classified into six groups: control, C. gileadensis sap-treated group, C. gileadensis methanol extract-treated group, C. gileadensis acetone extract-treated group, heparin-treated group, and aspirin-treated group. Blood samples from each mouse in the six groups were collected in EDTA, sodium citrate, and heparin tubes. The body weight of each mouse was measured at the beginning and end of the experiment. Furthermore, complete blood count, kidney and renal function tests, coagulation profiles, prothrombin time (PT), activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT), international normalized ratio (INR), D-dimer, and fibrinogen concentrations were estimated for each mouse.

Results: The sodium, potassium, chloride, blood urea nitrogen, creatinine, alanine transaminase, and aspartate transaminase levels did not show statistical differences between all groups. Moreover, PT, aPTT, and INR were prolonged in the C. gileadensis sap, methanol, and acetone extracts-treated mice compared with those in the heparin and aspirin-treated groups (P < 0.01). D-dimer and fibrinogen concentrations did not show significant statistical differences between all groups.

Conclusion: The current study concludes that the C. gileadensis sap, methanol, and acetone extracts prolonged PT, aPTT, and bleeding time in naïve mice more than heparin and aspirin. This means that the C. gileadensis extracts may have antithrombotic activity and may be used in the future to resolve intravascular thrombosis in patients having prosthetic valves.

Objectives: Amidst inconsistent prescribing patterns and potentially harmful medication errors in the field of medical practice, this study endeavored to explore the prescription practices of physicians in Rawalpindi metropolitan city in Pakistan.

Methods: A mixed method study was conducted based on the analysis of 1232 prescriptions gathered from 16 pharmacies, along with in-depth interviews with 13 practicing physicians. The prescriptions were assessed for legibility, polypharmacy, patient details, history, diagnosis, and other relevant information. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, and the prevalence of various aspects of prescription accuracy was calculated. Thematic analysis was conducted on the qualitative data.

Results: Almost half of the prescriptions were from the private general practitioners, and the rest were from hospital-based doctors and consultants. Only a small percentage of prescriptions were fully legible, and many had incomplete or missing patient information, medical history, and diagnosis. Polypharmacy was also found to be prevalent, with significant differences in prescription accuracy across different medical specialties. The absence of continuing medical education, influence of pharmaceutical industry, and overcrowded practice settings drive the doctors to prescription practices. On the user side, perception of polypharmacy, patient-physician communication, and availability and cost of medicines emerged as major themes.

Conclusion: There is an obvious need to improve prescription accuracy regarding patient safety on the whole. Increased investment in health-care infrastructure, greater access to continuing medical education, and a commitment to promote evidence-based medicine could make a difference. Prescription practices must be safe, effective, and aligned with the latest advances in medical science.

Objectives: This study examines the metabolic consequences of saponin and flavonoid extracts of Gongronema latifolium leaves in rat offspring whose mothers consumed sucrose during breastfeeding.

Methods: Thirty-two female albino Wistar rats were randomly assigned to control group, given water only: sucrose group, given sucrose solution only; flavonoid groups, given sucrose solution and 100 mg/kg b.w. and 200 mg/kg b.w. of flavonoid and saponin groups, given sucrose solution and 100 mg/kg b.w. and 200 mg/kg b.w. of saponin extracts, for 3 weeks during lactation. Then the body, hepatic and pancreatic weights, food intake, glucose tolerance, lipid profile, insulin, and leptin levels of their offspring were measured.

Results: There was a significant decrease in the body weight (BW), food intake, and glucose level among the flavonoid and saponin groups compared to the control group. However, when compared to the sucrose group, there was a significant decrease in food intake, blood glucose level, triglyceride, and very low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels and a significant increase in the BW. There was no significant difference in insulin and leptin levels, hepatic, and pancreatic weights among groups.

Conclusion: This study shows that G. lactifolium consumption among lactating rats maintains metabolic homeostatic as it protects against elevated blood glucose level and dyslipidemia in offspring post-weaning. It also suggests that the hypoglycemic and hypolipidemic properties of G. latifolium maybe as a result of saponin and flavonoids inherent in the plant.