Objectives Anaemia remains a major public health problem among postpartum women and is associated with fatigue, reduced physical functioning, and poor quality of life. Despite ongoing maternal health initiatives, postpartum anaemia continues to affect a substantial proportion of women and often remains underdiagnosed. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of anaemia and its association with fatigue among late postpartum women in Belagavi City, Karnataka. Material and Methods A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 200 late postpartum women aged 18–45 years who were between 6 and 12 months postpartum. Haemoglobin levels were assessed using a portable hemoglobinometer, and fatigue was evaluated using the Fatigue Severity Scale (FSS). Demographic and clinical characteristics were recorded. Data were analysed using SPSS Version 25.0, with statistical significance set at p <0.05. Results The prevalence of anaemia among late postpartum women was 45%. Mild anaemia was observed in 30% of participants, moderate anaemia in 10%, and severe anaemia in 5%. Women with anaemia demonstrated significantly higher fatigue scores than women without anaemia (mean FSS score: 5.8 vs. 3.2; p <0.05). Low dietary iron intake, low socioeconomic status, and multiparity were significantly associated with anaemia. Conclusion Anaemia remains highly prevalent among late postpartum women and is significantly associated with fatigue. Routine screening, nutritional counselling, iron supplementation, and targeted maternal health interventions are essential to improve maternal health outcomes.
Objectives Acute autoimmune neuropathy known as Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) can result in significant muscle weakness and paralysis. Although intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) is a common treatment, more research is needed to determine how it affects functional recovery at various intervals. This study aims to assess the effectiveness of IVIG therapy in improving muscle power and Hughes disability scores in GBS patients over time. Material and Methods Over the course of 12 months, 50 patients with GBS diagnoses at a Tamil Nadu multispecialty hospital were included in this retrospective observational study. Nerve conduction testing and clinical examination were used to confirm the diagnosis. Sociodemographic information, comorbidities, Hughes disability scores before and after therapy, and Medical Research Council (MRC) muscular strength evaluations were gathered. The pre- and post-IVIG scores were compared using paired t-tests. Results Significant improvements were observed in both Hughes disability scores and MRC muscle power following IVIG therapy. The mean Hughes disability score decreased from 3.06–2.38 ( p <0.001). MRC muscle power scores showed significant increases across all limbs, with right upper limb power improving from 3.32–4.12 ( p <0.001) and right lower limb power increasing from 2.80–3.88 ( p <0.001). The greatest improvements occurred within the first two weeks post-treatment. Conclusion IVIG therapy significantly improved muscle strength and functional outcomes in GBS patients, with early intervention yielding the most benefit. These findings emphasise the importance of timely IVIG administration for better recovery. Further research is needed to assess long-term outcomes and optimise treatment protocols.
Breast cancer remains the leading cause of cancer-related mortality among women, and therapeutic resistance continues to limit treatment success. This narrative review comprehensively explores the evolution and current landscape of combination therapies as a transformative strategy in breast cancer management. It integrates evidence from conventional multimodal regimens, such as surgery, radiotherapy, and chemotherapy, with emerging targeted, endocrine, and immunotherapeutic combinations that exploit synergistic molecular pathways. Special emphasis is placed on Bacteria-Mediated Cancer Therapy (BMCT), which utilises tumour-targeting bacterial vectors that preferentially colonise hypoxic areas of solid tumours, and nanotechnology-based drug delivery systems that enhance pharmacokinetics and enable tumour-selective targeting with reduced systemic toxicity. The review also examines the biological rationale, mechanisms of action, and clinical outcomes across breast cancer subtypes, while addressing challenges such as tumour heterogeneity, drug resistance, and treatment-related toxicity. Key findings indicate that rationally engineered combination therapies that integrate targeted or immunotherapeutic agents with nanocarrier or bacterial delivery platforms improve the therapeutic index, overcome monotherapy resistance and enable more tailored, subtype-specific treatment responses. Finally, it highlights future directions involving biomarker-driven, adaptive, and precision-based combination strategies, with the implication that these approaches are vital for personalizing therapy, reducing off-target toxicity and improving overall patient survival. Collectively, this review emphasizes combination therapy not merely as a marginal advance but as a paradigm shift toward more effective and individualized breast cancer treatment.
Objectives The objective of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness of the water bell system in improving the hydration status of children. Material and Methods A quasi-experimental pretest-posttest control group design was used for the study. The research was conducted at Vidya Rathna High School, Madaka, as the intervention group, and Syed Madani High School, Ullal, as the control group. The total sample size was 90. A non-probability purposive sampling technique was used, with 45 children in the intervention group and 45 children in the control group. The pretest for both the intervention and control groups was conducted on the first day using a demographic proforma, assessment of water drinking habits, pattern of urination, hydration status rating scale, and urine analysis. For the intervention group, a 15-day water bell system was implemented by ringing a bell at three intervals of 10 am, 2 pm, and 3 pm. Children in the control group continued with their regular water drinking habits. The posttest assessment for both groups was conducted on the 16th day. Results In the intervention group, the majority (48.9%) of the children were aged 15 years. The highest (51.1%) number of children in the intervention group were females. An equal proportion of children in both groups were studying in the 8th, 9th, and 10th standards (33.3% each). In the intervention group, a paired t-test showed that pre and post-test patterns of urination and hydration status within the group were significant, while comparison of post-test patterns of urination and hydration status between the groups, an unpaired t-test showed a highly significant difference at p <0.05. Conclusion The water bell system is effective in maintaining children’s normal hydration status and their pattern of urination. This study concluded water bell system is effective in maintaining the normal hydration status of children, and it can be implemented in all schools to keep children hydrated throughout the day.
Objectives Adolescence is a period of rapid growth, and many adolescents suffer from anaemia due to increased nutritional needs. Anaemia can reduce haemoglobin levels and affect health and learning ability. Ragi is a nutritious food that helps improve haemoglobin, and sprouting may further increase its iron absorption compared to plain ragi . The study aimed to compare the effectiveness of sprouted ragi and plain ragi in improving haemoglobin levels among adolescents. Material and Methods Sixty adolescent girls meeting predefined inclusion and exclusion criteria were recruited and allocated to intervention and control groups [intervention group I (plain ragi laddu -20), intervention group II (sprouted ragi laddu -20) and control group (20)]. The intervention groups were supplemented with ragi laddu , 50 gm daily over a period of 30 days, while the control group continued their usual dietary intake. Post-test haemoglobin was done on the 45th day for intervention groups I and II and the control group. The data collection instruments were structured into two sections. Part A comprised a socio-demographic profile, and Part B included selected biological parameters, and these parameters were measured using calibrated instruments, namely an automated electric haemoglobinometer, a non-stretchable measuring tape and a digital weighing scale. Statistical analysis used: The data were analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics. Results The mean age of the participants was homogeneous across the three groups. Turkey test was computed to determine the multiple comparison of haemoglobin level between experimental groups and the control group, and the findings showed that the mean difference between the intervention group II and the control group (1.445) was higher than the mean difference between the intervention group I and the control group (0.91), indicating that consumption of sprouted ragi was more effective than plain ragi among the participants. Conclusion The findings of the present study showed that consumption of ragi was effective in increasing the haemoglobin level; however, sprouted ragi was more effective while comparing with plain ragi .
