Research Article
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Supplementary File This study presents clinical and biomedical evaluations of the Ravne Tunnel Complex, an artificially made underground network near the Bosnian Pyramid of the Sun, as a source of natural therapeutic effects. The research integrates findings from multiple pilot studies, medical observations, and Monte Carlo simulations to assess the efficacy of negative air ions (NAIs), elevated oxygen levels, and low electromagnetic pollution in the tunnel environment. Documented outcomes include rapid improvements in blood pressure, arterial elasticity, glucose levels, and live blood cell morphology, achieved with minimal exposure times of 45–90 mins. These changes were compared to those typically observed from pharmaceutical interventions over significantly longer periods. Statistical simulations confirmed the improbability of such consistent improvements occurring by chance. The results suggest the Ravne tunnels represent a unique natural environment with measurable health benefits, warranting further exploration within clinical and environmental health frameworks.
Original Research
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Full TextPDF The use of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) in healthcare has seen significant growth in recent years. In this study, we explored the potential of deep learning techniques for dental teeth detection and the identification of teeth as “normal”, “implant”, “root”, “erupting”, and “missing” using X-ray images. Traditionally, dentists rely on visual-tactile methods to diagnose oral conditions. However, these methods have limitations, such as inefficiency in time spent on diagnosis, the high cost of diagnosis, and subjectivity in the diagnosis.
To address these limitations, we developed an automated algorithm that recognizes teeth structures using computer vision technology and ML methods. Our algorithm was trained on a dataset of 340 adult teeth X-ray radiographs and optimized through a series of experiments to determine the best training hyper-parameters.
The development of an AI-based clinical decision support system for dental diagnosis can increase efficiency and accuracy in clinical decision-making. Our study contributes to the field of dentistry by exploring the potential of AI and ML techniques for teeth recognition and detection. Additionally, we provided mathematical explanations of our observations to aid in the interpretation of our results.
Our optimized algorithm achieved a good precision of 78.2%. Overall, our study successfully demonstrated the potential of AI and ML in dental healthcare, specifically in teeth detection and implant identification using X-ray images.
Research Article
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Full TextPDF The respiratory system is not the only organ system affected by chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD); muscle mass is also impacted. As skeletal and respiratory muscles deteriorate, ventilation, the severity of the illness, and clinical symptoms are all negatively impacted. According to recent studies, ultrasonography is a dependable and user-friendly method for determining the quadriceps contractile index (Qci) in patients with COPD.
Objective: Evaluate the Qci by ultrasound in patients with COPD and correlate with different clinical, 6-minute walk test (TM6), and ventilatory variables.
Methods: We conducted a prospective, observational study from 2021 to 2024. A total of sixty-one consecutive patients with spirometry-confirmed stable COPD were included after obtaining informed written consent. Demographic and clinical data, spirometric values, the modified Medical Research Council (mMRC) dyspnea score, TM6, COPD assessment test (CAT), Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (GOLD) classification 2023, and measurement of Qci were collected for analysis. This is a prospective study conducted at Constantine Regional Military University Hospital.
Results: The mean total quadriceps muscle thickness (Qthick) in our patients with COPD is 1.95 ± 0.85 cm. The mean Qci in our patients with COPD is 68 ± 9%. A negative correlation has been reported between Qci and the dyspnea mMRC, P = 0,010. Patients in group E according to GOLD 2023 constitute more than half of our cohort, representing 54.1% of cases. A negative correlation has been reported between Qci and the stage of GOLD 2023 classification, P = 0,010. In our study, a correlation between the Qci and spirometric data (FVC, FEV1) was objectified with P < 0,001 and FEV1/FVC P = 0,008. The average distance travelled in the TM6 test was 470 129.37 m. Our study has shown that the more EXdi increases, the distance patients travel increases (P = 0,001).
Conclusion: In patients with COPD, the Qci appears to be associated with airway obstruction, TM6, CAT score, as well as perception of dyspnea.
Case Report
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Full TextPDF Bacterial keratitis is a serious and potentially sight-threatening complication most commonly associated with overnight contact lens wear. This case report presents the management of a 22-year-old male patient who developed bacterial keratitis following non-compliance with recommended contact lens care practices, specifically sleeping in contact lenses. The report discusses the diagnosis, differential diagnosis, and treatment, along with the risk factors associated with contact-lens-related microbial keratitis (CLMK). Early intervention with fortified antibiotics and patient education led to a quick resolution of the condition. This case emphasizes the importance of proper contact lens hygiene and the timely treatment of bacterial keratitis to prevent visual impairment.
Research Article
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Full TextPDF Family planning plays a crucial role in maternal and child health, population control, and women's empowerment. However, despite efforts to promote family planning services, the uptake of modern contraceptive methods in Taraba State remains low. This study examined the various health system factors that influence women's family planning decisions in Taraba State. To achieve these objectives, the study employed a multi-stage and random sampling technique to gather information from 889 respondents within the childbearing age (15–49 years). The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics like percentages, graphs, and charts while Pearson Correlation was used to ascertain the strength of the relationship between the variables of the study. The findings reveal robust positive correlations between healthcare provider advice, quality of care, accessibility, and information/education received with women's family planning decisions. Conversely, a moderate positive correlation was observed between government policies/regulations and these decisions. Notably, healthcare provider advice and quality of care emerged as significant influencers, stressing the crucial role of healthcare professionals and the importance of maintaining high-quality care standards. Moreover, the study highlights the imperative of accessible and well-equipped family planning facilities, health education, and accurate information dissemination for informed decision-making. The study recommended that addressing the availability, quality of care, accessibility, information, and policies is essential to empower women and improve their reproductive health outcomes.
Review Article
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Research Article
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Full TextPDF Introduction: Infant and young child feeding (IYCF) practices have substantial outcomes for the growth, development, and survival of infants and children during the first two years of age and throughout their lifetime. The study aimed to assess the dietary intake and nutritional status of children (0–23 months) registered for care in Hasiya Bayero Pediatric Hospital Kano.
Methodology: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 125 randomly selected caregiver-child pairs accessing care in the hospital. A validated semi-structured questionnaire was used to collect information on socio-demographic and dietary intake information from the respondents. Anthropometric indices of weight for age, length for age, and weight for length measurements were used to assess the nutritional status of children.
Result: Female caregivers were the most participants in this study 122 (98.2%). For marital status, almost all 124 (99.4%) of the mothers were married and only 1 each of the mothers reported to be single and being widowed. About 76 (60.8%) of the study population attended secondary education. The major occupation of the caregivers is trading in 92.4%. Dietary intake consists mainly of legumes in 30.0% and cereals in 56.5%. Only 39.0% portion of the population met the minimum World Health Organization (WHO) recommendation of dietary diversity and over 79.8% of the caregivers were still breastfeeding during the period of the study, 18% of them initiated breastfeeding within 1 h of birth and only 16.2% exclusively breastfed their children; majority 70.6% of the caregivers breastfed on demand while with a small proportion of 26.1% and 3.3% responded to breastfeeding when convenient and breastfeeding at a scheduled time respectively.
Conclusion: The study revealed that the nutritional status of the children was poor. Up to 60 (51.2%), 98 (88.3%), and 74 (65.1%) of the infants were wasted, underweight, and stunted, respectively. The study also revealed that the nutritional status of the children (WLZ, WAZ, and LAZ) was significantly related to the dietary diversity at p = 0.002, p = 0.001, and p = 0.019, respectively. This study revealed poor IYCF practices in Hasiya Bayero Pediatric Hospital Kano. Therefore, more attention needs to be paid to the specific behaviors surrounding feeding practices and other constraints to children accessing care in Hasiya Bayero Pediatric Hospital Kano.
Research Article
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Full TextPDF Background: Platelet antigens called human platelet antigens (HPA) present on the surface of platelets are involved in immunological conflicts, sometimes leading to severe thrombocytopenia related to anti-HPA1a antibodies. The aim of this study was to detect platelet antibodies in newborns and the associated risk factors.
Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional analytical study from 05 January to 30 June 2017 at the Laquintinie Hospital of Douala and the Gyneco-Obstetric and Pediatric Hospital of Douala among newborns with thrombocytopenia and mothers in compliance with ethical considerations. Socio-demographic and clinical data were collected. Blood was collected on EDTA tubes for newborns and on tubes without anticoagulants for mothers in order to determine the presence of anti-HPA1a antibodies. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS version 22 software.
Results: A total of 35 newborns and 35 mothers were recruited in this study. The mean age of the newborns was 8.5 ± 7.2 days, with a sex ratio of 1.7% in favor of boys. The prevalence of neonatal thrombocytopenia was 4.1%, and the prevalence of HPA1a antibody was 17.1%. Most of the newborns were born to primiparous mothers (57.1%), and 80.0% had prematurity and neonatal jaundice as reasons for hospitalization. Male newborns and those whose mothers had been transfused at least once during or before pregnancy had respectively 4 (OR = 3.53; P-value < 0.0001) and 14 (OR = 14; P-value = 0.0483) times more risk of having the anti-HPA1a antibody.
Conclusion: Our study has shown that the anti-HPA1a antibody is a risk factor for neonatal thrombocytopenia and is associated with maternal transfusion.
Research Article
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Full TextPDF Objective: College students of color represent a large portion of unmet mental health needs. Limited studies have been performed in the Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) setting on the utilization of mental health resources in African American (AA) college students. The primary purpose of this report is to document the utilization of both on- and off-campus mental health resources by AA students at an HBCU.
Methods: A survey was administered to students enrolled at Xavier University of Louisiana (XULA) who self-identified as AA in the Fall 2018 semester. Results: 30.2% and 35.2% of participants reported utilization of on- or off-resources, respectively.
Conclusion: This study illustrates the lack of utilization of resources by AA students attending an HBCU. Future efforts should be focused on promoting mental health utilization at HBCUs across the nation.
