Health Sciences Papers & Publications

The presented review was an attempt to share the contribution of Greco Arabic Muslim scientists in the field of medicine. In this regard, al-Andalusi, al-Antaki, al-Baghdadi, al-Jawhari, al-Kindi, al-Nafis, alRazi, al-Tabari, al-Zahrawi, Ibn Abdallah Ibn Idris al Qurtubi, Ibn al-Jazzar, Ibn al-Baitar, Ibn alHaitham, Ibn El-Quff, Ibn Haiyan, Ibn Sina, Ibn Wahshiyyah and Ibn Zuhr with their contribution has discussed.

Dr. Salman Ahmed

The purpose of the presenting review was to share the medicinal and surgical contribution of Greco-Arabic Muslim scientists in diagnosis, surgery and natural medicines for managing and treating urolithiasis. The contribution of Al-Antaki, Al-Baghdadi, Al-Baitar, Al-Bokhari, Al-Razi, Al-Zahrawi, Ibn Sina, and Ibn Zuhr was highlighted. The data compilation was preliminary, and much more efforts are still needed to restore the missing continuity in the history of medicine.

Dr. Salman Ahmed

: About 12% of the world population is affected by different forms of urolithiasis, the recurrence rate of which is 47-60% in females and 70-80% in males. According to WHO, 75% of people rely on traditional medicines to prevent and cure different ailments. Similarly, the majority of the world population uses several plants to treat problems related to the urinary tract system, of which urolithiasis is the primary cause. The review aims to collect data on the plants used in different parts of the world and cultures against urolithiasis, including their parts, mode of preparation, dosage, and administration. A literature review was conducted for traditionally used antiurolithiatic plants. The articles mentioning plant, parts, mode of preparation, dose and route of administration were selected. This information was extracted to compose Mono and Polyherbal antiurolithiatic formulations used in Appalachia (a region in the Eastern United States), Canada, India, Iran, Israel, Italy, Jordan, Latin America, Pakistan, Turkey and Yemen. The review provides essential data about plants used as antiurolithiatic in different parts of the world. The information is not only useful for ordinary people but also for the scientific community to carry out further phytochemical, pharmacological and toxicological studies for discovering new, effective, safer molecules against urolithiasis.

Dr. Salman Ahmed

The present review shares an updated data on the botany, distribution, traditional medicinal uses, phytochemistry and pharmacology of Phaseolus lunatus L. All provided information was obtained through Google Scholar, Pubmed, Sci Finder, Scirus, Web of Science and library search.

Dr. Salman Ahmed

Oxalate is widely distributed in plant foods as potassium, sodium and ammonium oxalates (water-soluble form) and as insoluble calcium oxalates. Oxalate forms strong chelates with dietary calcium, thus rendering the complex unavailable for absorption and assimilation. It precipitates as insoluble salts accumulating in the renal glomeruli and contributes to the development of renal disorders. The seed flours of Macrotyloma uniflorum (Lam.) Verdc., Phaseolus lunatus Linn., and Phaseolus vulgaris Linn. were investigated for their total, soluble and insoluble oxalate contents by HPLC. The total oxalate content of M. uniflorum, P. lunatus and P. vulgaris was 1.24, 1.77 and 1.71 mg/ g, respectively. The %age of soluble oxalate were M. uniflorum (19.50), P. lunatus (15.08) and P. vulgaris (15.88). Only soluble oxalate is responsible for oxalate absorption (bioavailability) and its excretion. Overall, the total oxalate content is high in legume flour of M. uniflorum, P. lunatus, and P. vulgaris, but the soluble oxalates are very low. Therefore, all these three legumes don't have the adverse effects of oxalate on minerals bioavailability and risk of urolithiasis.

Dr. Salman Ahmed

Background: As Bangladesh has gained the reputation of improving the health sectors, much health related sites still require improvements. Community clinic services (CCS) may contribute to this sector with its foremost importance. So this study was conducted to investigate the utilization and health services provision by community clinics (CCs) in rural area. Methods: A descriptive longitudinal study was conducted among three community clinics of Jashore and a structured questionnaire was developed on which most of the questions were developed to find out the contributions of these community clinics. Here for data analysis we used SPSS version 25.0 software. Results: Here we analyzed health service related data from three randomly selected community clinics (CCs). We found an average of 15 patients got antenatal care every month by the Komlapur CC throughout the year. About 140 patients received health services per month from Dogachiya CC. About 634 children were benefited by Saziyali CC throughout the year. By this study we came to know that average 67-75 patients were provided iron supplementations each month by Saziyali CC. All of the CCs had active referral system and online reporting system. Conclusion: From our study we came to know that majority % of rural people are now dependent on community health care services. But most of the community clinics have many limitations regarding infrastructure, training, medicines, financial etc. So the government should take necessary steps regarding this.

Arafat Hassan Razon

Background: Old age is one of the vulnerable and prone stages in terms of health status. So this study aimed to assess the nutritional status and common health complications of older people. Methods: Simplified Nutritional Appetite Questionnaire (SNAQ), Anthropometric measurements, Diet History Method, and Mini Nutritional Assessment (MNA) tools were used to measure the nutritional status. Data were analyzed by using Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) version 16. Results: Out of the total 320 elderly participants the mean SD value for the age of male and female was 67.25 6.5 and 67.32 7.7 years respectively. According to BMI classification, it was noticed that with advancing age the percentage of underweight was also increased such as for 60–75 years old age group the underweight percentage was 30.0% where for 76 to 85 and >85 years old age group the underweight percentage was 45.0% and 60.0% respectively. According to the MNA score, 97 elderly respondents were malnourished and a total of 172 respondents had SNAQ scores below 14. This study found a statistically significant (P < 0.05) correlations among various health complications with nutritional status according to MNA score. In addition 56.6% (OR ¼ 1.24, 95% CI ¼ .799–1.939), 63.8% (OR ¼ 1.18, 95% CI ¼ .745–1.857) and 64.7% (OR ¼ 1.14, 95% CI ¼ .720–1.804) respondents had diabetes mellitus, hypertension and cardiovascular disease respectively. The risk of musculoskeletal pain (OR ¼ 1.073, 95% CI ¼ .684–1.681), bedsore (OR ¼ 1.884, 95% CI ¼ .903–3.934) and decreased sense of thirst (OR ¼ 1.278, 95% CI ¼ .821–1.991) were higher among females than males. A little number of the elderly used to take milk, meat, and fish daily. Conclusion: During this cross-sectional study, significant correlations among nutritional changes with health complications were determined. To prevent malnutrition among the elderly a proper health policy as well as periodical nutritional screening should be conducted

Arafat Hassan Razon

Dietary supplements are extensively consumed, but irrational use is a health hazard. Pharmacy students, being future healthcare providers, can facilitate rational use. The present study evaluated the knowledge, attitudes, and practices of pharmacy students at Srinivas College of Pharmacy, Mangalore, about dietary supplements and their role as an advocate, in addition to mental health correlations. 250 students selected through stratified random sampling took part in a cross-sectional mixed-methods study. A 30-question instrument (Cronbach's alpha=0.85) measured demographics, dietary supplement usage, knowledge, attitude, practices, and mental health was evaluated with the depression, anxiety, and stress Scale-21 (DASS-21). The data were collected during January-March 2025 and were analyzed with the chi-square test, logistic regression, and Pearson correlation tests. 35.0% (n=88) used dietary supplements regularly, with a preference for multivitamins (50%) and protein supplements (30%). Knowledge was moderate (60% risk aware), attitudes favorable (70% in favor of counseling), but practice restricted (25% informed peers). Everyday use of dietary supplements escalated stress probability (OR=2.5, 95% CI: 1.8-3.4, p<0.001), with correlation (r=0.38, p<0.01). In conclusion, students have promise as dietary supplement champions but require additional training to close knowledge-practice gaps and mitigate mental health risks. Curriculum and policy interventions are needed to enhance students' abilities in encouraging rational dietary supplement use and identifying potential mental health effects.

Mediterranean Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences

Background: Allied health science students often experience elevated academic stress due to the demanding nature of their curricula, which blend theoretical instruction with clinical practice. Examination periods, in particular, exacerbate psychological pressure, potentially compromising academic performance and overall well-being. Physical activity (PA) has been widely recognized for its protective role against stress, yet limited research has been conducted specifically among allied health science students. This study examined the correlation between physical activity and perceived stress levels among undergraduate allied health students during examination periods at Desh Bhagat University. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional correlational study was conducted over eight weeks, from October to November 2024. 250 undergraduate students were proportionately and randomly selected from the Nursing, Physiotherapy, Radiography, and Medical Laboratory Science departments. Data collection instruments included the International Physical Activity Questionnaire–Short Form (IPAQ-SF) and the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS-10). Descriptive statistics, Pearson’s correlation, and one-way ANOVA were performed using SPSS version 25 to analyze the data. Results: Out of 250 questionnaires distributed, 237 were deemed valid for analysis. Among the respondents, 40.9% reported low physical activity, 38.4% moderate, and 20.7% high. In terms of stress levels, 65.4% experienced moderate stress, and 19.4% reported high stress. A statistically significant negative correlation was observed between physical activity and perceived stress (r = -0.42, p < 0.001). Furthermore, one-way ANOVA revealed that students with higher physical activity levels had significantly lower stress scores (F = 18.93, p < 0.001). Conclusion: Physical activity is an effective non-pharmacological strategy for mitigating academic stress among allied health science students. The results highlight the importance of promoting regular physical activity, particularly during high-stress academic periods, as a means of enhancing mental well-being and academic success.

Karishma

Adolescents’ scholastic and social life has become increasingly reliant on the internet and mobile technology in recent years. Problematic Internet Use (PIU) is a growing problem in Indian adolescents. However, in many cases, this use has become obsessive, causing them to neglect other elements of their lives. Adolescents account for over 35% of internet users in India. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the psychosomatic problems related to internet overuse among school going adolescent students. This cross-sectional survey was conducted among 348 students in selected schools of Aspur block in Dungarpur-district, Rajasthan, India in the month of February 2016. Problematic internet use (PIU) was assessed by Young’s twenty question internet addiction test. The Depression, Anxiety, Stress Scale (DASS-42) and self structured questionnaire check list was used to measure psychosomatic problems among adolescents. Approximately 5.17% adolescents showed Problematic internet use (PIU). Adolescents with PIU were associated with age between 14-16 year, males,10th class of study, using internet since more than 3 years, being at home, mobile as a source of internet use, purpose of internet use with online gaming. Compared with normal internet users, there were significant correlation between Problematic Internet Use and Somatic Complaints r=0.3660, p<0.05, Depression r=0.3982, p<0.05. Anxiety r=0.2512, p<0.05 and Stress r=0.2886, p<0.05. Problematic internet use (PIU) is an increasing problem among teenagers and it has been linked to psychosomatic issues. Timely Effective measures are needed to prevent the spread of this problem

Dr K C Yadav

The past few decades have witnessed several attempts to establish renowned medical journals in the Republic of Yemen. Some of these initiatives were successful but fell short of the researchers’ expectations, because they failed to meet international standards of scholarly writing in the medical field. Recently, the civil war has dashed any hopes of launching such a journal from within the country. We believe that this is the right time to establish a new peer-reviewed medical journal of high standards which meet the expectations of all Yemeni researchers across the board, from both within and outside the country. As a result of enormous efforts, discussions, and extensive collaboration, we have now been able to finalize the structure and content of the Yemen Journal of Medicine (YJM). Files

Karishma

Overpopulation is a global problem which affects almost everyone in the globe by reducing the available natural resources in the existence. An epidemiological survey was conducted with the aim to assess the people’s response towards overpopulation and its harms to them. The study was conducted based upon descriptive survey design using interview method. The study comprises 80 people residing in selected rural area. The data was collected based on purposive sampling using checklist. The study reveals that most of the people are residing by doing unskilled work due to unemployment with poor living standard.

NEERAJ KUMAR BANSAL

Parkinson’s disease is the second most prevalent neurodegenerative disorder after Alzheimer’s disease. It is characterized by psychological disturbances and other symptoms that vary with the severity of the condition. Common mental health issues include anxiety, mood fluctuations, hallucinations, psychosis, depression, and cognitive decline. These psychiatric conditions should be taken into account when diagnosing Parkinson’s disease. Therefore, an accurate diagnosis before initiating treatment is essential, as overlooking these psychological aspects can lead to suboptimal care.

Karishma

Dunbar syndrome (DS) is a rare condition, predominantly in females. It arises due to the compression of the celiac trunk and celiac plexus by the fibrous attachments of the median arcuate ligament of the diaphragm. DS mimics many common gastrointestinal disorders due to the postprandial nature of symptoms and is technically a diagnosis of exclusion, confirmed by various imaging modalities. The goal of treatment is decompression of the celiac trunk, and surgery is either the mainstay of therapy, along with adjuvant interventional procedures like percutaneous transluminal angioplasty and stenting. In this review article, we revisit DS to enhance awareness among healthcare providers and discuss this disorder in terms of its historical background, epidemiology, etiopathogenesis, clinical presentation, diagnosis, and management.

Karishma

Patent foramen ovale (PFO) is a prevalent congenital cardiac anomaly. It is increasingly acknowledged as a significant factor in cryptogenic ischemic stroke, especially among young adults experiencing otherwise unexplained cerebrovascular incidents. This review summarizes recent advances in the epidemiology, pathophysiology, diagnostic strategies, and management of PFO-related stroke. The article examines the intricate mechanisms of PFO-associated strokes, including paradoxical embolism, in situ thrombus formation, and atrial cardiopathy, while emphasizing the significance of anatomical risk factors like large shunt size and atrial septal aneurysm. The clinical implications of PFO in various disorders, such as migraine with aura, decompression sickness, and high-altitude pulmonary edema, are also analyzed. Diagnostic modalities such as echocardiography and transcranial Doppler are compared, focusing on their sensitivities and procedural details. The review focuses on evidence-based methods for medical, interventional, and device-based closure of PFO, highlighting patient selection and ongoing controversies. The ongoing uncertainties surrounding causal relationships, risk stratification, and optimal therapy highlight the necessity for continued research. This review offers a current synthesis for clinicians and researchers addressing the challenges associated with the evaluation and management of PFO in stroke prevention. To achieve the aims of the article and make it concise, PubMed, Google, EMBASE, Google Scholar, and Scopus were searched for original and review articles published in the last 10 years. Several keywords, phrases, and texts were utilized.

Karishma

Mucosal systems such as orally disintegrating films (ODFs) and mucoadhesive buccal films (MBFs) have gained attention and become a potential alternative to the conventional oral drug delivery systems, especially for patients who are geriatric or pediatric or those having difficulty in swallowing or drugs with extensive first-pass metabolism. Such films provide benefits, including a quick onset of action, increased bioavailability, and patient compliance. Successful development entails meticulous optimization of ingredients such as film-forming polymers, plasticizers, surfactants, taste maskers, and material selection for the corresponding manufacturing process, including solvent casting, hot-melt extrusion, 3D printing, and electrospinning. Limitations remain, with challenges including low drug loading capacity, no unified evaluation standard, stability problems, and regulatory vagueness of the liposome carrier. Emerging trends signal the promise of nanocarrier-based films, solid dispersions, and stimuli-responsive systems to circumvent these barriers. Personalization technologies, specifically 3D printing and natural and biodegradable polymers, are expected to broaden the clinical use of oromucosal films. This article provides an overview of the current state of development, along with formulation and manufacturing considerations of ODFs and MBFs, the role of which is significant in addressing translational and regulatory hurdles.

Karishma

Recently, the definition of cardiorenal syndrome (CRS), a condition with a complicated pathogenesis, has been revised. Logically, CRS syndrome should be classified according to the initial organ that is injured, resulting in damage to another organ. Hence, there are only three main categories of CRS. Category one includes acute and chronic CRS. Category two involves renal-cardiac syndrome (RCS), which can be classified as acute or chronic. The third category represents secondary CRS, referred to as cardio-reno-cardiac syndrome (CRCS), which can be subdivided into acute and chronic CRCS. In this part of our series, we will discuss the epidemiology, pathophysiology, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of acute CRS. We retrieved articles published on acute CRS using different keywords and phrases between January 2019 and June 2025 to achieve these goals.

Karishma

Background: Pioglitazone, a peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARγ) agonist, has demonstrated potential in managing Alzheimer’s disease (AD); however, its oral administration is limited by systemic side effects such as cardiovascular risks and hepatotoxicity. This study aimed to formulate and evaluate a thermo-adhesive intranasal gel containing pioglitazone, utilizing Poloxamer 407 and Carbomer, as a targeted drug delivery system for AD. Methods: A series of gel formulations was prepared and assessed for gelling capacity, homogeneity, pH, and stability. The solubility of pioglitazone in various solvents was tested, and the optimal thermo-adhesive gel was selected based on gelation at physiological temperature (37°C–39°C). Results: The formulation containing 3 g Poloxamer 407 and 0.8 mg Carbomer successfully transitioned into a gel at body temperature and maintained physical stability over 2 months under accelerated conditions. The pH remained within the acceptable intranasal range (5.7–6.0), and no visual or olfactory changes were observed. Conclusions: The developed thermo-adhesive intranasal gel offers a promising alternative to oral pioglitazone delivery for AD, with the potential for enhanced Central Nervous System (CNS) targeting and reduced systemic side effects. Further toxicity and in vivo efficacy studies are warranted to confirm safety and therapeutic value.

Karishma

Background: Effective disinfection protocols are crucial in healthcare and pharmaceutical settings to mitigate infection and cross-contamination risks, especially with a growing immunocompromised population. Disinfectant efficacy varies, and understanding microbial resistance profiles is essential. This study aimed to evaluate the differential efficacy of ethanol (ET), isopropyl alcohol (IPA), and a peracetic acid-hydrogen peroxide (PA+HP) blend against diverse microbial forms (bacterial spores, fungal spores, and vegetative yeast cells) and to analyze differences in susceptibility. Methods: The efficacy of ET, IPA, and PA+HP was evaluated against Bacillus subtilis (bacterial spores), Aspergillus niger (fungal spores), Candida albicans, and Kocuria rosea (vegetative yeast cells). Logarithmic reduction (LR) values from 10 replicates per group were analyzed using nonparametric (Friedman test with Dunn’s post-hoc) and two-way omnibus tests. Results: The Friedman test revealed significant differences across microbial groups (p < 0.0001). B. subtilis showed maximal susceptibility (LR = 6.70 ± 0.00), while A. niger exhibited minimal susceptibility (LR = 3.77 ± 0.21). ET outperformed IPA against C. albicans (LR = 5.43 vs. 4.91, p = 0.0232). The microbial group accounted for 92.36% of the variance (p < 0.0001). Conclusions: Microorganism-specific disinfection strategies were emphasized by the findings. A routine disinfectant evaluation program is crucial to mitigate microbial infection and crosscontamination risk in healthcare settings. The study highlights the importance of selecting appropriate disinfectants based on microbial resistance profiles.

Karishma

Background: Epilepsy and cerebral palsy (CP) are reported as the two most common indications for electroencephalogram (EEG) requests in children in Nigeria. Although several studies have examined epilepsy and EEG findings in the country, most have not documented the conditions under which EEG recordings were performed—whether during wakefulness, natural sleep, sleep deprivation, or drug-induced sleep. This study aimed to compare the effectiveness of sleep deprivation and the use of melatonin in achieving sleep EEG recordings in children with epilepsy and CP versus those with epilepsy without CP, at the Pediatric Neurology Clinic of Usmanu Danfodiyo University Teaching Hospital, Sokoto, Nigeria. Methods: This was a cross-sectional comparative study involving children aged 6 months to 15 years, conducted between March 2022 and February 2023. A total of 121 subjects with epilepsy associated with CP (Group 1) and 124 subjects with epilepsy not associated with CP (Group 2) were consecutively recruited. Conventional inter-ictal sleep EEG recordings were performed using an EEG machine (Model: Satellite P200-132, Toshiba Europe GmbH, DC 19V, 3.4A). Data were analyzed using SPSS version 25.0, and a p-value of <0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: Of the subjects with epilepsy and CP (Group 1), 67 (55.4%) achieved sleep EEG recordings following sleep deprivation, while 54 (44.6%) required sleep induction with melatonin. Among subjects with epilepsy without CP, 107 (86.3%) attained sleep EEG recordings after sleep deprivation, whereas 17 (13.7%) required melatonin-induced sleep. The difference between the two groups regarding the need for melatonin to induce sleep was statistically significant (p < 0.001). Conclusions: Sleep deprivation was more effective in achieving sleep EEG recordings in children with epilepsy who did not have CP.

Karishma