Thrombosis refers to the formation of blood clots within the blood vessels. It represents a major health and economic burden in most regions worldwide, being associated with heart attack, stroke, and pulmonary embolism. Since traditional treatments for thrombosis are not always effective and are accompanied by various side effects, other treatments are urgently needed. Some plants, such as garlic (Allium sativum), ginger (Zingiber officinale), ginkgo (Ginkgo biloba), turmeric (Curcuma longa), and grape seed (Vitis vinifera), offer potential remedies as they contain bioactive molecules with thrombolytic effects. These plants have various pharmacological effects, such as antiplatelet activity, increasing the fibrinolysis rate, and anticoagulant and anti- inflammatory activities. Therefore, herbal remedies could reduce the risk of thrombosis and its consequences and thus be employed as natural, easily accessible alternatives to traditional pharmacological therapies. This review highlights the thrombolytic properties of some medicinal plants, emphasizing their mode of action and therapeutic implications.
Orthognathic surgery is increasingly recognized for its dual role in correcting jaw and facial deformities and significantly enhancing patients' quality of life (QoL). Historically, the evaluation of orthognathic surgery has focused on clinical outcomes such as occlusion and aesthetics. However, recent research emphasizes the broader impact on psychosocial and functional aspects of well-being. This literature review explores the QoL outcomes following orthognathic surgery, highlighting both short- and long-term improvements in domains such as self-esteem, social confidence, and oral function. The Orthognathic Quality of Life Questionnaire (OQLQ) and other validated patient- reported outcome measures (PROMs) are discussed as essential tools for assessing oral health-related QoL (OHRQoL). Pre-surgical distress, including issues with facial aesthetics, chewing, and speech, often leads to lower QoL, but substantial improvements are seen postoperatively. Studies show that these benefits are sustained over time, particularly in psychosocial domains. More importantly, the review identifies factors moderating QoL outcomes, such as pre-surgical psychosocial factors, expectations, counselling, and social support. Further research is needed to address gaps in understanding the long-term impact and variations in outcomes across diverse populations. This review underscores the necessity of incorporating patient-centred QoL assessments into routine pre-orthognathic surgical care to optimize patient satisfaction and outcomes.
Background: Anemia can adversely affect cognitive development in infants and children, potentially leading to challenges in cognition, motor control, social interaction, and neurophysiological functioning. Full-term infants do not develop iron deficiency anemia within the first four months of life, as they are born with sufficient iron stores accumulated during their intrauterine life. These stores are usually adequate for four to six months of postnatal life. However, exclusive breastfeeding beyond six months without iron supplementation can increase the risk of iron deficiency anemia, as breast milk does not provide enough iron to meet the growing infant’s demand. The American Academy of Pediatrics, UNICEF, and the World Health Organization (WHO) all recommend that exclusive breastfeeding is the optimal method to feed a newborn during the first six months of life. The Aim of the Study: This study correlates the association between extended exclusive breastfeeding and anemia in infants under two years of age in Zakho, Iraq, and compares the findings with global studies. Methodology: A cross-sectional study was conducted from October 2023 to February 2024, involving 637 children aged 6 months to 2 years old in Zakho City. Data were obtained through interviews with parents using a validated questionnaire. Anemia was diagnosed based on hemoglobin levels. The study received ethical approval from the University of Zakho's ethical board. Data were analyzed using SPSS and chi-square tests. Results: The distribution of breastfeeding duration among male and female infants showed no statistically significant difference (P = 0.426). However, a significant association was observed between the mother’s age at delivery and breastfeeding duration (P = 0.007). Similarly, the mother's occupation demonstrated a significant correlation with breastfeeding duration (P = 0.006), with non-employed mothers being more likely to breastfeed for a longer duration. Among the children who were breastfed, 59.8% (128 out of 214) were anemic, while 40.2% (86 out of 214) were not anemic. Conclusion: Breastfeeding duration is influenced by maternal age, education, and occupation, with higher-educated mothers tending to breastfeed for longer periods. The percentage of anemia decreases with higher maternal education; however, most anemic children in this study are breastfed. The study’s findings are subject to several limitations, including the small sample size, reliance on maternal self-reports of breastfeeding duration, and infant health history. Future research should incorporate larger sample sizes and a detailed assessment of dietary habits and environmental influences to better understand the relationship between breastfeeding duration and anemia in infants.
Background: 99mTc-MIBI is a lipophilic cation that can accumulate within the mitochondria of metabolically active tumor cells and is routinely used for parathyroid and myocardial perfusion imaging. Cases of incidental findings during parathyroid scintigraphy and myocardial perfusion scans using 99mTc-MIBI have been reported previously. However, retrospective studies with more extensive sample data are lacking. Objectives: This observational study retrospectively analyzed 99mTc- MIBI parathyroid and myocardial perfusion images to describe incidental extra-parathyroid and cardiac uptake. Methods: A retrospective review of 308 parathyroid and myocardial perfusion 99mTc-MIBI scans was performed between January 2019 and December 2022. 99mTc-pertechnetate with 99mTc-MIBI was used in parathyroid cases to delineate thyroid-related abnormalities. The raw projection data, acquired images, and patients’ medical and laboratory records were assessed. Results: Out of 308 scans, eight were identified with incidental extracardiac and parathyroid findings during data interpretation. Three incidental findings were noted in the parathyroid scans, specifically in the right parotid gland, right submandibular gland, and the fifth right rib. The use of 99mTc-pertechnetate alongside 99mTc-MIBI facilitated the visualization and comparison of incidental finding biodistribution in the parathyroid cases. Additionally, five incidental findings were detected in the cardiac stress raw projection data, located in the breast area, axillary lymph nodes, and lungs. All extracardiac incidental findings were observed in the stress data, attributed to the higher dose administered post-stress compared to the rest of the study. Conclusion: Thorough screening of images and raw projection data is vital to prevent the progression of unknown abnormalities and ensure significant findings are not overlooked.
Background: The increasing prevalence of multidrug-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa presents a significant challenge in clinical microbiology. This study investigates the antimicrobial efficacy of thymoquinone (TQ) against both resistant and sensitive strains of P. aeruginosa, comparing their minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) to assess the potential of TQ as a therapeutic agent. Methods: A total of 40 P. aeruginosa isolates, consisting of 20 resistant and 20 sensitive strains, were obtained from the Microbiology Culture in Clinical and Molecular Microbiology Laboratories at King Abdulaziz University Hospital, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. The MIC of TQ was determined using the broth microdilution method. Data were analyzed using GraphPad Prism software version 8, and statistical significance was determined via the t-test. Results: Among the 20 resistant strains, 14 exhibited a high MIC of 512 µg/mL, while three strains showed an MIC of 256 µg/mL and three strains a MIC of 128 µg/mL. In contrast, the 20 sensitive strains displayed much lower MIC values, with 10 strains showing MICs of 64 µg/mL, eight strains at 32 µg/mL, and two strains at 16 µg/mL. These results demonstrate a clear distinction in resistance profiles, highlighting thymoquinone’s stronger efficacy against sensitive strains of P. aeruginosa. The results indicated a statistically significant difference in MIC values between resistant and sensitive strains, with a P < 0.05. Conclusion: This study provides the first comprehensive evaluation of TQ against both resistant and sensitive P. aeruginosa strains, revealing significant variations in antimicrobial activity. The findings underscore the potential of TQ as a promising therapeutic candidate for the treatment of infections caused by P. aeruginosa, particularly in cases involving sensitive strains. However, further research is needed to explore its broader antimicrobial spectrum, biofilm disruption potential, and safety through toxicity testing. Additionally, studies on its effectiveness against other resistant pathogens, including methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), and its role in preventing resistance development, are essential for advancing its clinical application.
