Research Article
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Full TextPDF The world of dating is fraught with danger, catfishing, gaslighting, and breadcrumbing, among the hazards to be negotiated by those looking for romance. Of particular interest in this paper is ghosting, where a partner, without warning or explanation, ceases all contact and essentially disappears from the scene. Ghosting is often perpetrated by those without a conscience with the goal of avoiding all contact. The effect on the victim can be devastating and severely detrimental to their mental health and overall well-being. This paper explores the reasons for ghosting and its effects, and outlines several high-profile case studies. It also offers suggestions on how a victim or offender of ghosting should cope with this situation.
Research Article
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Full TextPDF Background and objective: An interesting issue that needs to be investigated is the effect of physical and mental fatigue on medication adherence in patients with diabetes mellitus. The study aimed to investigate physical and mental fatigue in patients with diabetes mellitus and its relation to medication intake.
Methods: Participants were approached in person at the clinics of the municipality of Drama and in the association of individuals with disabilities of Drama. The data collection tool used in the study was the questionnaire, which included questions regarding the general characteristics of the participants, the fatigue assessment questionnaire - Fatigue Assessment Scale (FAS), and the Self-Efficacy for Appropriate Medication Use Scale (SEAMS). The data collected using the questionnaire were processed and statistically analyzed with the statistical package IBM SPSS Statistics, version 21.
Results: In the sample of patients with diabetes mellitus in the present study, physical fatigue levels were moderate, mental fatigue levels were low (below average), and overall fatigue levels were moderate, while the prevalence of fatigue was very high (75.5%). In addition, higher levels of physical fatigue were also associated with significantly lower levels of self-efficacy for proper medication intake in patients with diabetes mellitus, and vice versa; patients without fatigue were associated with the highest mean levels of self-efficacy for proper medication intake.
Conclusion: There is a moderate association between physical and mental fatigue in patients with diabetes mellitus and its effect on medication intake.
Case Report
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Full TextPDF Concern over student disengagement in higher education is growing, especially in situations where family expectations have a significant impact on academic decisions. This case study examines the academic, psychological, and behavioral traits of a male undergraduate student who exhibits open opposition to his course of study, poor self-care, and a continuous lack of interest in exams. The student states clearly that he enrolled mostly to fulfill his parents' expectations rather than to pursue his own goals. This study investigates the relationships between academic performance, identity conflict, and extrinsic motivation through qualitative observations and informal interviews. The results emphasize the detrimental effects of externally imposed academic pathways, such as emotional distress, lower academic achievement, and a higher chance of dropout. The study offers evidence-based intervention techniques, such as academic counselling, parental engagement, and institutional policy reforms, and also explores culturally relevant elements that affect student motivation. The necessity of a student-centered strategy in higher education systems is highlighted by this case, especially in developing nations where familial influence is still significant.
Research Article
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Full TextPDF Ametropia, commonly referred to as refractive error, is one of the leading causes of preventable visual impairment worldwide and remains a significant public health concern among school-aged children. This study investigated the effect of ametropia on the academic performance of secondary school students in Owerri Municipal Local Government Area (LGA), Imo State, Nigeria. A descriptive cross-sectional study design was adopted, involving 350 students aged 10–18 years who were randomly selected using a stratified sampling technique from two secondary schools within the municipality. Visual acuity assessment was conducted using the Snellen chart, pinhole test, and occlusion method, while academic performance data were obtained from official school records. Findings revealed that 75.71% of the students had normal visual acuity, whereas 24.29% presented with reduced visual acuity attributable to ametropia. Statistical analysis demonstrated a significant association between visual acuity status and academic performance (p < 0.05). Students with normal visual acuity performed significantly better academically compared to their counterparts with reduced visual acuity. These findings underscore the negative impact of uncorrected ametropia on educational achievement among secondary school children. The study highlights the importance of early detection, routine school vision screening programs, and prompt optical correction to prevent avoidable academic setbacks. Strengthening school-based eye health services within Owerri Municipal LGA and similar settings may contribute significantly to improved educational outcomes and overall child development.
Review ArticleAhmed F*, Nazmeen A, Vekaria M, Magny S, Garimella V, Potla S, Bobba SH, Akbar UA, Fashina T, Thompson A, Enebong Nya G, Mohan K and Shahini E
Relationship between Neurodegenerative Diseases and Proton Pump Inhibitors Using Bioinformatics Read More »
Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) are a class of drugs used for the treatment of acid-related diseases by inhibiting gastric acid secretion. Although PPIs are considered safe and clinically beneficial in the short term, mounting evidence raises safety concerns about the long-term use of PPIs. Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is the most common form and cause of dementia and one of the biggest public health challenges among neurodegenerative diseases in the elderly, with no effective treatment to date. In recent years, there have been conflicting studies in patients receiving long-term PPIs regarding the risk of dementia, and in particular, AD. Some studies showed a strong positive relationship between PPIs and their impact on dementia and AD. We performed an in-depth review and analysis of existing studies and performed some docking to investigate the interaction between PPIs and dementia, AD-associated proteins, enzymes, and receptors. This study aims to provide possible new insights about the long-term safety of PPI employment and eventual cognitive impairment leading to dementia and later AD.
Review Article
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Full TextPDF Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) are commonly prescribed in conjunction with other drugs as a preventative measure. Their primary function is acid suppression; as such, they subsequently hold back intestinal calcium absorption. By this mechanism, chronic use of PPIs is suggested to induce osteoporosis, a condition that gradually increases bone fragility and is associated with high suffering and morbidity rates. Additionally, PPI administration amongst elderly patients for more than one year has been shown to have an increased risk for hip fractures. This current review consists of literature searches from PubMed and the National Library of Medicine (USA). It analyzes factors such as age, race, gender, menopausal status, lifestyle, medical conditions, and polypharmacy, which may induce osteoporosis, and explores the mechanism of how PPIs may trigger osteoporosis development and/or progression. Clinicians should be cautious of severe osteoporosis as a potential consequence of PPI use, and be aware that it can be mitigated by the appropriate selection of pharmacological therapies and modalities.
Research Article
Abstract
Full TextPDF Background: Various irrigating solutions have been used during pulpectomy and root canal procedures. However, each one of them has its own demerits. As a result, there is a quest for novel bioactive materials that are safer and biodegradable.
Aim: To evaluate and compare the antimicrobial efficacy of pomegranate, tulsi, garlic, and liquorice as a root canal irrigant against Enterococcus faecalis.
Methodology: 0.2% chlorhexidine, pomegranate, tulsi, garlic, and liquorice extracts with different concentrations of 5%, 25%, 50%, 100% and fresh stains of Enterococcus faecalis (ATCC 29212) were used. The agar well diffusion method was performed to evaluate and compare the antibacterial efficiency of all the groups.
Results: The results were tabulated and statistically analyzed using analysis of variance (ANOVA). The mean zone of inhibition was highest for Group A (0.2% chlorhexidine), i.e., 18.36 mm, followed by Group E (liquorice extract), i.e., 17.40 mm, Group C (tulsi extract), i.e., 16.43 mm, and Group B (pomegranate extract), i.e., 14.55 mm.
Conclusion: All four herbal products (pomegranate, tulsi, liquorice, and garlic) possess antimicrobial activity against Enterococcus faecalis, with liquorice and tulsi extract having maximum effect, followed by pomegranate and garlic extract having minimum antimicrobial activity.
Research Article
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Full TextPDF Background: Hemoglobinopathies are chronic diseases that significantly burden patients both in their daily lives and in the long term. The purpose of the research is to contribute to the understanding of patients’ experiences, needs and perceptions regarding the medical services provided. The research aims to highlight the positive and negative dimensions of healthcare, as well as to enhance self-efficacy in medication use and empower patients to use medications appropriately.
Methods: The research is based on a sample of 130 patients with diagnosed hemoglobinopathy, coming from three different hospitals in Greece. Data were collected through a structured questionnaire, which includes four main sections: satisfaction with healthcare (PSQ-18), self-efficacy in medication use (SEAMS), quality of life (QOL10), and demographic/clinical data of the participants.
Results: The research findings indicate that quality of Life (overall) presents a negative correlation (r = -0.358, p < 0.001), indicating that higher levels of self-efficacy in medication use may be associated with lower perceived quality of life. Also, general Quality of Life is negatively correlated (r = -0.372, p < 0.001), possibly indicating that self-efficacy in medication use affects the overall sense of well-being and health. Overall, self-efficacy does not appear to be significantly related to any of the Satisfaction subscales. Self-Efficacy in Medication Use and Overall Satisfaction with Overall Satisfaction, Self-Efficacy in Medication Use shows a non-significant correlation (r = -0.019, p = 0.827).
Conclusion: The findings show a strong association of quality of life with self-efficacy in the use of medication.
Review Article
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Full TextPDF Heart failure (HF) and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) frequently coexist, substantially increasing cardiovascular (CV) risk and mortality. Sodium-glucose co-transporter 2 inhibitors (SGLT2is) have revolutionized the management of T2DM and HF by demonstrating CV and renal protective effects beyond glucose lowering. Among these, sotagliflozin, a dual SGLT1/SGLT2 inhibitor, offers additional metabolic benefits via gastrointestinal glucose modulation. This review comprehensively integrates findings from 27 studies analyzing sotagliflozin and SGLT2is in HF and diabetes.
The SOLOIST-WHF trial demonstrated sotagliflozin’s efficacy in reducing CV death, HF hospitalizations, and urgent HF visits in T2DM patients following HF exacerbation. Meta-analyses confirmed reductions in major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE), all-cause mortality, and HF hospitalization. Sotagliflozin’s dual mechanism further improves postprandial glycemic control, elevates GLP-1/GIP secretion, and may enhance myocardial efficiency, particularly in heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF). Sotagliflozin also demonstrated safety and efficacy in type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM), reducing insulin needs and glucose variability.
Safety profiles align with SGLT2is, generally, but with additional gastrointestinal side effects from SGLT1 inhibition. Cost-effectiveness models project an incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER) of ~$45,596/QALY. Real-world eligibility studies suggest broad applicability of sotagliflozin in HF patients. Early initiation post-HF hospitalization offers rapid clinical benefit, while renoprotection remains robust even in advanced chronic kidney disease (CKD).
This review highlights sotagliflozin’s unique dual mechanism, early benefits, and broad applicability, positioning it as a promising option for HF patients with diabetes.
Case Report
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Full TextPDF Pilonidal sinus is a common disease of the sacrococcygeal region. The pilonidal sinus of the umbilicus is not frequently reported in the literature. The disease having an atypical presentation is often misdiagnosed. The presenting symptoms include pain and discharge. There is no consensus regarding the treatment hence, both conservative treatment and surgery have been suggested for the management of the disease. We present a case of umbilical pilonidal sinus (UPS), which was managed surgically after the conservative trial of management had failed. We have also discussed the current review of literature regarding the management of this rare clinical disorder.
