Recently Published Articles
Factors Impacting Nutritional Status in Infants with Single Ventricle Physiology
Abstract:
Infants with single ventricle (SV) physiology are at increased risk of undernutrition, which can contribute to adverse outcomes. This is a retrospective case series examining factors associated with undernutrition in patients with SV physiology at one year of age. It includes 56 infants from a single institution who underwent SV palliation between 2003 and 2023. Undernutrition was defined as a weight-for-length z-score (WLZ) below -1, based on World Health Organization (WHO) normative data. Independent variables included surgical interventions, cardiorespiratory factors, and nutritional interventions. Associations between these variables and nutritional status were assessed using Fisher’s exact test. At one year, a total of nine infants (16%) were undernourished. Undernutrition rates significantly declined after 2013 (p=0.02), demonstrating improvements in nutritional ...
Factors Contributing to Domestic Violence Among HIV-Discordant Couples in Kicukiro District, Rwanda
Abstract:
Domestic violence among HIV discordant couples poses significant public health challenges, affecting treatment adherence and HIV transmission risks. This study examined factors contributing to domestic violence among HIV discordant couples in Kicukiro District, Rwanda. A cross-sectional study was conducted among 384 HIV discordant couples from eleven health centers using stratified systematic sampling. Data were collected through structured face-to-face interviews and analyzed using descriptive statistics and bivariate analysis. Domestic violence prevalence was 41.1% physical violence, 34.2% sexual coercion, and 52.3% emotional abuse. Key socio-demographic risk factors included female gender (56...
Exploring the Mechanism of Complex Lemon-Angelica Sinensis-Boswellia Essential Oil on Anxiety Disorders with Melasma Through Network Pharmacology and Experimental Validation
Abstract:
The incidence rate of melasma is notably high among patients with anxiety disorders. Aromatherapy primarily influences the physiological and psychological states of individuals through the inhalation or application of essential oils, thereby facilitating the treatment or alleviation of various conditions. This study aims to explore the action mechanism of complex lemon-angelica sinensis -boswellia essential oil (CEO) in treating anxiety disorders with melasma. We investigated the active ingredients, targets, and pathways of CEO in relation to anxiety and melasma using network pharmacology. We employed cell assays and conducted nebulized essential oil inhalation tests on CUMS mice to validate the intervention effects of CEO on anxiety. A total of 28 active components, including neryl acetate, 3-butenylphthali...
Integrating Analgesic Doses and Pain Trend Analysis: A Novel Clinical Support System
Abstract:
Prescribing appropriate analgesics with optimal dosages based on patients' pain severity is challenging, especially when multiple painkillers are involved. Tracking and analyzing the effectiveness of analgesics and their dosages over time is crucial for pain management. Existing systems lack the ability to integrate analgesic equivalent doses with temporal trends in pain scores, hindering effective decision-making. We developed a Clinical Support System that calculates the daily oral morphine equivalent dose and analyzes trends in consumed equivalent doses of analgesics. The system provides a graphical user interface that displays medication prescriptions, actual medication usage, and pain scores. It offers features such as correlating analgesic drug usage with pai...
Recruitment Strategies and Challenges in a Pilot HIV Prevention Study among Cisgender Black Women in Houston, Texas
Abstract:
Recruitment for research studies focused on communicable diseases such as HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus) has historically been challenging, particularly among populations who have been underrepresented in media messaging, yet maintain a significant vulnerability to new HIV cases, like Black women. This study examines the recruitment strategies utilized in Aim 2 of pilot study at the University of Texas Health Science Center (UTHealth) in Houston, Texas that was funded by the Ujima Mentoring Program to develop, implement, and evaluate a video log (vlog)-based intervention. The overarching goal of the pilot study was to promote the uptake of pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) among cisgender Black women in Harris County, Texas. Aim 2 involved the creation of a culturally relevant vlog for use in Aim 3, which sought to educate and motivate participants to consider PrEP as an HIV prevention strategy. With the growing role of digital platfo...
Toward Better Care for Sickle Cell Disease in Nigeria: A Review of Challenges and Interventions
Abstract:
With more than 150,000 affected infants annually, Nigeria bears the largest burden worldwide of sickle cell disease (SCD), making it a significant public health concern. The management of SCD in Nigeria is challenging, despite advancements in medical research and increased knowledge. This review examines the numerous issues surrounding SCD in the nation, including the financial burden on affected families, the lack of specialized care facilities, the absence of newborn screening programs, the sociocultural stigmatization of SCD, and restricted access to high-quality healthcare. Additionally, inadequate public health education and a lack of coordinated national policies result in delayed diagnosis and suboptimal treatment outcomes. We also highlighted recent efforts and recommendations aimed at improving early detection, comprehensive care, and community support. Addressing these challenges through expanded health ...
Menopausal Symptoms Affecting Productivity and Occupational Needs of Peri-Menopausal Women in a Private University, Philippines
Abstract:
This study aimed to explore the respondents’ reproductive health profiles, examining the physiological and psychosocial perimenopausal symptoms affecting productivity, and identifying occupational needs. It also determined the relationship between menopausal symptoms and the productivity and occupational needs of peri-menopausal women. A descriptive cross-sectional design was used, surveying 50 women over 40 years old with a validated four-point Likert scale instrument. The instrument undergone content validation, reliability test, and ethical approval. Survey was administered personally and online using purposive sampling. Statistical treatments included weighted mean, F-test, T-test, Pearson r correlation, and ranking. We performed a retrospective review of the clinical and imaging nuclear medicine records of cases of WDTC evaluated and treated in the Nuclear Medicine CLINICc. Evaluation included the clinical PROFILE, histology, radioiodine (RAI) therapies and treatment response, long-term outcome and survival. The data was ASSESED using the 2015 ATA Risk level guidelines and recommendations. Three hundred eleven cases were reviewed, 81% females, 19% males, median age of 41 years. Eleven percent (34 patients) of the patients were in the pediatric group and 49% were between 16-45 years. The tumor histology was 60.5% Papillary, 28.2%...
Potential use of Ginger (Zinger officinale Rose) Extracts as Biopesticide against Myzuspersicae Sulzer (Hemiptera, Aphididae) on Pepper Crops
Abstract:
Chemical insecticides have been the primary method used by farmers to control pests. However, their negative environmental impacts, harmful effects on beneficial insects and human health, and prohibition in organic farming systems have driven the search for natural alternatives with insecticidal properties. These alternatives provide a safer and more sustainable way to control insect pests. Medicinal plants and their constituents play an important role in pest management. For example, ginger (
Efficacy of Neemraj and Beauvitech on Abundance and Distribution of Arthropod Pests in Soil and Hydroponically Grown Strawberry
Abstract:
Strawberry is a commercially important crop which has gained global significance in terms of production and consumption. The strawberry farmers have been faced with economic losses due to attack from arthropod and phytophagus pests. To overcome this challenge, management of pests is important with reduced impact on beneficial organisms and the environment. Use of non-chemical approaches as an alternative to insecticide driven management is highly gaining popularity. Identification of the non-chemical production for management of strawberry pest such as entomopathogenic fungi and botanicals is critical. The need for compatibility of entomopathogenic fungi in crop production techniques with other insecticides to enhance efficacy is required. The interaction between these control agents could be synergistic, additive or even antagonistic. Synergistic interactions usually lead to enhanced effectiveness of the microbial control agents while reducing the adverse effects...