Articles

Background: Type 2 diabetes requires sustained self-care, yet the relationship between specific self-care behaviors and quality of life may vary across populations and care contexts. Evidence focused on Filipino men remains limited. Objective: To describe dietary, exercise, medication, and glucose-monitoring adherence and examine their relationships with quality of life among Filipino men with type 2 diabetes in Manila, Philippines. Methods: This quantitative cross-sectional study analyzed questionnaire data from 31 adult Filipino men with type 2 diabetes. Seven adapted diabetes self-care items assessed diet, exercise, medication use, and home glucose monitoring. Quality of life was assessed with the World Health Organization Quality of Life-BREF. Descriptive statistics and two-tailed Pearson correlations were used. Results: Overall self-care adherence was moderate (M = 3.00). Dietary adherence (M = 3.11) and exercise adherence (M = 3.02) were moderate, whereas the combined medication and glucose-monitoring domain was low (M = 2.57). Mean quality of life was moderate (M = 3.11). Diet (r = -.002, p = .99), exercise (r = .31, p = .09), and medication/glucose-monitoring adherence (r = -.006, p = .97) were not significantly correlated with quality of life. Conclusion: The findings identify actionable gaps in structured exercise, medication-taking, and glucose monitoring but do not support a statistically significant relationship between measured self-care adherence and quality of life. Larger, analytically robust studies should examine clinical, psychological, social, and economic determinants alongside self-care.

Background: Early initiation of tobacco use among adolescents is a significant public health concern. While there is extensive research on overall tobacco use, much of it focuses on initiation in late adolescence, uses cross-sectional designs, and lacks specific exploration of electronic versus conventional cigarette use. This study aims to investigate social determinants influencing the early initiation of electronic and conventional cigarette use among U.S. adolescents. Methods: We utilized data from the Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development (ABCD) study, which follows a cohort of tobacco-naïve children from age nine through age 16. The social determinants examined included household income, parental education, financial difficulties, racial/ethnic minority status, family structure, neighborhood income, and gender minority status. Structural equation models were employed to assess associations between these determinants and early initiation of electronic and conventional cigarette use. Results: Male gender was associated with a higher likelihood of conventional cigarette use, while the risk of early initiation of electronic cigarette use was similar across genders. White adolescents were at a higher risk of conventional cigarette use; however, the risk for electronic cigarette use was comparable across White and non-White groups. Financial difficulties were linked to an increased likelihood of early initiation of conventional cigarette use but not electronic cigarette use. Higher household income was associated with a reduced risk of initiating conventional cigarettes but did not significantly impact electronic cigarette use. Adolescents from married families were less likely to initiate electronic cigarette use. No significant effects were found for parental education or neighborhood income on the initiation of either type of cigarette use. Age did not significantly affect the initiation of either cigarette type, and gender minority status was marginally associated with early initiation of conventional cigarette use. Conclusions: The social patterning of electronic cigarette use differs from that of conventional cigarette use, suggesting that distinct tobacco products do not pose a uniform risk across all adolescents. This study underscores the importance of tailored prevention efforts that address the unique challenges associated with early initiation of electronic and conventional cigarette use among adolescents. The differential risk factors identified suggest targeted prevention strategies for conventional cigarette use, focusing on financial difficulties, household income, and gender-specific interventions. In contrast, prevention efforts for electronic cigarette use may require broader, more inclusive approaches that address all adolescents, regardless of their background. Comprehensive universal screening for electronic cigarette use and targeted screening for conventional cigarette use among adolescents are recommended.

The liver is critical organ for metabolic homeostasis and toxic substance clearance and plays an important role in the systemic response to critical illness. Acute panreatitis (AP) progresses with a local production of inflammatory mediators, eventually leading to systemic inflammatory response syndrome. Knowing that almost all pancreatic mediators released from the pancreas to the blood stream may pass through the liver before their dilution in the systemic circulation, it would be reasonable to assume a determinant role of this organ in development of the inflammatory response associated with acute pancreatitis. Objectives: The study aimed to investigate the time courses of the effects of the exogenous glucocorticoids agonist dexamethasone on microscopical changes occurring in the liver of rats used as a model of AP induced by L-Arginine. Materials and Methods: 60 adult male albino rats weighing 150-200 gm were used. They were divided into 3 groups: Control group: Which is also divided into 2 subgroups (a & b) each of animals of the first were IM injected with 0.5ml/100gm B.W saline and those of second were injected by 0.5mg/100gm B.W dexamethasone. L-Arginine group: which received L-Arginine to induce AP. The animals of this group were divided into 3 subgroups a, b and c the animals of which were sacrificed 3 days, 2 weeks and 1 month after L-Arginine injection respectively. Dexamethasone and L-Arginine group: in which the animals were injected with both L-Arginine and dexamethasone. They were also divided into 3 subgroups a, b and c, the animals of which were sacrificed 3 days. 2 weeks, one month after the injection of the drugs. The liver of the scarified animals were dissected out and prepared for microscopical examination. Results: The histopathological changes that occurred in the livers of acute pancreatitis (AP) model animals started in the periphery of the classic hepatic lobules and progressively extended in a centripetal manner to involve all the cells of the lobules in the late period of the experiment. These changes were in the form of ballooning of the hepatocytes, progressive vacuolation of their cytoplasm most propably with fat globules and depletion of the PAS+ve glycogen granules. Injection of dexamethasone in AP model animals did not improve the case, but on the contrary it made the changes more intense, severe, and rapid. One month after injection of L-Arginine and dexamethasone, the hepatocytes all over the hepatic lobules were severely affected. They were markedly ballooned with severely vacuolated cytoplasm which was completely depleted from its PAS +ve glycogen granules, indicating severe fatty degeneration of the liver. Conclusion: From the previous data, it can be concluded that treatment of AP with dexamethasone is caused a late bad effect on the liver, where it causes its late fatty liver changes.

The therapeutic effect of Cyclophosphamide (CPA) is thus attributed to phosphoramide mustard and acrolein leads to the formation of high levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS), which results in decreased antioxidant activity. Excessive production of ROS could also culminate in oxidative stress. Objectives: This study aims to evaluate the effect of sub-lethal dose of the cyclophosphamide, 5-FU, combination of 5-FU, and CPA on testicular antioxidant status, and oxidative stress in male albino rats. Materials and Methods: Twenty-eight male adult rats were grouped randomly into four groups (n=5 each group). Group I (control): Rats were injected with saline intraperitoneally and at a dose of 1.0 ml/kg b.w. for 14 days. Group II cyclophosphamide (CPA): Cyclophosphamide at a dose of 10 mg/kg day by day through i.p. to rats for 14 days. Group III Fluorouracil (5-FU): 5-Fluorouracil at a dose of 10 mg/kg day by day in saline was given through i.p. to rats for 14 days. Group IV (CPA+5-FU): Rats were given CPA followed by 5-FU at a dose of 10 mg/kg per day (day by day) through i.p. to rats for 14 days. At the end of the experimental period, rats were anesthetized using light ether. Blood and testes tissue samples were taken and prepared for biochemical measurements. Biochemical parameters in rat serum and tissues were evaluated. Results: Individual injection of CPA and 5-FU to rats were reduced testes TAC, GSH concentration, GR, and CAT activities compared to control. However, the combination treatment of rats with 5-FU and CPA increased the levels of these non-enzymatic and enzymatic antioxidant compared with those treated with CPA alone. Also, results showed significantly increased TBARS and NO concentration in the testes of CPA treated rats when compared to normal ones, while 5-FU increased NO only compared with the control. Conclusion: It can be concluded that treatment of rats with CPA is associated with the production of free radicals that leads to hazardous alterations in certain non-enzymatic, and enzymatic functions. The increase in lipid peroxidation probably leads to the intracellular accumulation of ROS with the subsequent development of testes tissue injury. However, 5-FU and CPA combination could produce a significant amelioration in most cases for these changes, and it may be considered as a potentially useful candidate in the combination chemotherapy with CPA to combat oxidative stress mediated non target organs injury even if it was not a complete protection. Future work should consider combined chemotherapy regimens, as two or more mechanisms of action of chemotherapeutic drugs could be more powerful than one mechanism.

Alpha emitters in internal contamination are the main cause of homosexuality. There is a pattern that can be identified and described precisely as a hormone cloning process, after initial loss from alpha emitters of testosterone, and development of a painkilling effect through steroid accumulation with sodomy feeding development of steroidogenic cells. This altogether explains how homosexuality becomes a self-refeeding bubble. A treatment method is proposed at the end to break the cycle and help the subject return into heterosexuality.

Background: Cyclophosphamide (CPA) induces acute inflammation of the urinary bladder, renal damage, and liver damage, thereby limiting its therapeutic use. Objectives: The present study aimed to evaluate the hepatorenal toxicity induced by cyclophosphamide and amelioration by 5-fluorouracil in male albino rats. Materials and Methods: Twenty-eight male adult rats were grouped randomly into four groups (n=5 for each group). Group I (control): Rats were injected with saline intraperitoneally and at a dose of 1.0 ml/kg b.w. for 14 days. Group II cyclophosphamide (CPA): Cyclophosphamide at a dose of 10 mg/kg day by day through i.p. to rats for 14 days. Group III Fluorouracil (5-FU): 5-Fluorouracil at a dose of 10 mg/kg day by day in saline was given through i.p. to rats for 14 days. Group IV (CPA+5-FU): Rats were given CPA followed by 5-FU at a dose of 10 mg/kg per day (day by day) through i.p. to rats for 14 days. At the end of the experimental period, rats were anesthetized using light ether. Blood samples were taken and prepared for biochemical measurements. Results: Serum total protein, albumin, and globulin concentration significantly reduced in animal groups that received cyclophosphamide. 5-FU and CPA combination reduced the changes in total protein, albumin, and globulin compared to CPA treated group. A significant increase in LDH serum concentration was found in CPA, 5-FU, and their combination-treated animals. The mean values of the combination of chemotherapy were above that in CPA followed by 5-FU treatment. Administration of CPA, 5-FU resulted in a significant increase in serum AST, ALT, ALP, and bilirubin compared to the control. Co-treatment 5-FU with CPA significantly attenuated the increase in serum AST, ALT, ALP, and bilirubin when compared to CPA – treated rats. Compared to controls, urea and creatinine levels were increased in CPA-treated rats, while uric acid was reduced in CPA, 5-FU, and their combination. The changes in urea and creatinine produced by the chemotherapy were restored when rats received CPA in combination with 5-FU. Conclusion: It could be concluded that the treatment of mammals with chemotherapy is associated with the production of free radicals that lead to hazardous alterations in biochemical parameters. However, 5-FU and CPA combination could produce a significant amelioration in most cases for these changes, and it may be considered as a potentially useful candidate in the combination chemotherapy with CPA to combat oxidative stress-mediated non-target organ injury even if it was not complete protection. Future work should consider combined chemotherapy regimens, as two or more mechanisms of action of chemotherapeutic drugs could be more powerful than one mechanism. Toxicological studies must be performed before using drugs as a combination before application. Further research is required on the toxicological impacts of drugs and pollutants mixtures.

Background: Cyclophosphamide (CPA) is a drug with a wide spectrum of clinical uses. Its effectiveness in the treatment of cancer (acute and chronic leukemias, lymphoma, and multiple myeloma) and non-malignant diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis and vasculitis has been well established. Objectives: The present investigation aimed to study the effect of a sub-lethal dose of the cyclophosphamide, 5-FU combination of 5-FU, and CPA on haematological parameters in the albino rats. Materials and Methods: Twenty-eight male adults were grouped randomly into four groups (n=5 in each group). Group I (control): Rats were injected with saline intraperitoneally at a dose of 1.0 ml/kg b.w. for 14 days. Group II cyclophosphamide (CPA): Cyclophosphamide at a dose of 10 mg/kg day by day through i.p. to rats for 14 days. Group III Fluorouracil (5-FU): 5-Fluorouracil at a dose of 10 mg/kg day by day in saline was given through i.p. to rats for 14 days. Group IV (CPA+5-FU): Rats were given CPA followed by 5-FU at a dose of 10 mg/kg per day (day by day) through i.p. to rats for 14 days. At the end of the experimental period, rats were anesthetized using light ether. Blood samples were taken for hematological evaluation. Results: White blood cells, hemoglobin content and red blood cell counts were significantly decline in rats treated with individual treatment with CPA and 5-FU in comparison to the control group, while the Combination antagonize the changes produced by CPA in hemoglobin and red blood cell counts. Intraperitoneal individual treatment with CPA and 5-FU in rats caused a significant reduction in the hematocrit and platelet. The reductions in these measured hematological parameters were also significantly and slightly ameliorated when the animals were given a combination of CPA and 5-FU. Cyclophosphamide and 5-FU individually reduced lymphocytes, neutrophils, eosinophils, and monocytes; while the combination of CPA and 5-FU antagonized these changes compared to CPA treated group. Conclusion: It could be concluded that the treatment of mammals with chemotherapy is associated with the production of free radicals that lead to hazardous alterations in hematological parameters. However, 5-FU and CPA combination could produce a significant amelioration in most cases for these changes. Future work should consider combined chemotherapy regimens, as two or more mechanisms of action of chemotherapeutic drugs could be more powerful than one mechanism. Using cyclophosphamide and 5-fluorouracil in combination may reduce cyclophosphamide’s side effects when given individually.

Introduction: The city of Wuhan in China reported the first case of coronavirus, termed as SARS-CoV-2, in December 2019. To date, 187,827,660 cases have been reported to the WHO (3). With current research focusing on potential therapeutic agents for the coronavirus disease and vaccines, there remain major gaps in our understanding of the pathophysiology and clinical course of this viral pneumonia. Secondary infections are one of them. In this systematic review, we analyze the outcomes of two fungal infections in patients of COVID-19, viz. Mucormycosis and candida. Methodology: A systematic review has been done on secondary infections with mucor and candida fungi in patients of COVID-19. Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) guidelines were used. Twenty-three studies were included in the final analysis. Our review included studies from various countries across the globe. The risk of bias was analyzed using the NIH Quality Assessment Tool for Case Series Studies. This study did not require ethical approval as data was obtained from already available databases, and patients were not directly involved. Results: A total of 23 articles were included in the final review and the total number of patients included was 79 Male: female ratio was calculated to be 1.6 and the average age of patients was 52 years (ranging from 24-86 years). Various types of comorbidities were seen in the included patients, the most common being diabetes mellitus. Among the 18 patients in the cohort of mucormycosis, 7 patients died and four studies did not report patient outcomes. Among the 61 patients, 13 patients died and one patient was still ventilated at the time of publication. Conclusion: Secondary infections after COVID-19 are a cause of major concerns. Further studies and case reports are needed to better understand the various other types of secondary infections and also to formulate strategies to prevent these.