Disease and Health: Research Developments Vol. 5

Buckwheat (Fagopyrum esculentum), a pseudocereal from the Polygonaceae family, has emerged as a nutritionally and functionally significant crop. It is a good source of various vitamins and minerals, offering a well-balanced nutritional profile. Various bioactive compounds, such as phenolics, flavonoids (including orientin, quercetin, rutin, vitexin, isovitexin, and isoorientin), tannins, and steroids, contribute to therapeutic benefits. It offers numerous health benefits, including anti-inflammatory, anti-hemorrhagic, hypotensive, hypoglycemic, hypocholesterolemic, anticancer, anti-obesity, neuroprotective, cardiovascular, antioxidant, and blood vessel-protective effects. Thus, it is considered an alternative food component in the dietary treatment of chronic and metabolic diseases, such as diabetes, hypertension, and celiac disease. Additionally, its rich nutrient content supports a daily diet and promotes a healthier eating profile. Consequently, buckwheat is accepted as a functional food, recommended for improving human health, and used in the treatment of various diseases. Therefore, the nutritional profile and health benefits of buckwheat are documented.

Background: Patients with chronic diseases are prone to negative emotions such as anxiety and depression, which reduce treatment compliance and hinder physical recovery. Motivational interviewing is a new psychotherapy that is becoming increasingly mature in the treatment of chronic diseases.

Objective: The objective of the study is to understand the current research and application status of motivational interviewing in the treatment of chronic diseases. On this basis, the shortcomings are pointed out and the research prospects are proposed.

Methods: The literature retrieval method was used to review empirical papers published in English or Chinese in the past 20 years in PubMed, Google Scholar, CNKI, and the Wanfang database.

Results: Thirty-three articles were included. Previous studies have shown that MI has a positive effect on the condition, medication compliance, self-efficacy, and quality of life of patients with chronic diseases.

Conclusion: Improving the standardization of MI implementation procedures, strengthening the training and supervision of therapists, and improving the evaluation methods of intervention effects can help expand the application of MI in the treatment of chronic diseases.

Obesity is a worldwide health complication. In 2014, 600 million adults and 42 million kids, less than five years of age, were obese. It is a hyperassembly of energy in the form of adipose tissues which has worse effects on health. The major factors of the obesity epidemic are: heavy meal which is rich in lipids, carbohydrates resulting in overweight and eventually obesity, and a decrease in physical activity that leads to defects in calorie conception. In health care facilities ferritin assay is used as a screening test to detect iron deficiency; however, its reliability in obesity has been questioned. The present study aimed to assess and compare the incidence of obesity, hyperferritinemia, hyperlipidemia, and hypouricemia among middle-aged hypertensive patients in the local setting and examined ferritin concentrations and other classical indices in obese males and females. Serum levels of ferritin was assessed using ELISA kit, while Hb was analyzed using Coulter LH 750 Hematology Analyzer and other parameters were assessed by colorimetric kits. This limited population study was conducted at the Obesity Medical Center at Al-Kindy Teaching Hospital, Baghdad, Iraq from January to March 2016. One hindered and eight patients were enrolled in this study plus to participate of 61 subjects as healthy control. Based on body mass index (BMI), 169 participants were divided into two groups: BMI \(\ge\) 18.5-25 kg/m2 non obese (control), BMI \(\ge\) 30 kg/m2 obese subjects. Patients with endocrine disease, pregnancy, and renal disease leading to hypertension were excluded from the study. The statistical package for the social sciences computer program version 20 (IBM SPSS Statistic software, IBM Corporation, New York, United States) was used for the analysis. The main demographic features data of the study population shows that systolic blood pressure and diastolic blood pressure were raised significantly in obese patients (P<0.05) compared with control. Serum hemoglobin levels were decreased significantly in obese males when compared with the non-obese group and no difference in the female group was observed. In addition, the levels of lipid profile and other studied parameters according to gender showed the following results:- significant elevation in TG, LDL, VLDL, glucose, and ferritin in the obese (for both genders) compared with the non-obese group. A significant decrease was noticed in HDL-c, uric acid, and urea levels in the obsessed group compared with the non-obese group in both genders. The comparison results between obese males and females concluded that a significant elevation in BMI with a significant decrease in VLDL and ferritin levels in obese females compared with obese males. The present study examines all types of correlations between parameters. In obese patients (n=108), stepwise linear regression analysis showed that serum ferritin levels were independently correlated with LDL, VLDL levels, and age, (P< 0.001). Increased BMI and ferritin levels are more frequent in females as compared to male obese patients which are an important risk factor for obesity complications.

Background: Co-infection between pathogens is common in tropical areas. Therefore, the Interaction between pathogens that may affect the clinical outcome in this infected patient was hypothesized.

Objective: This study aimed to assess the prevalence and coinfection patterns of HTLV-1 and filarial infections in Gabon.   

Methods:  A survey was conducted throughout Gabon to search simultaneously for Human T-Lymphotropic Virus type 1 (HTLV-1) using quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) and the serological method as well as filarial infection on the same sample by direct examination of 10 µL of blood and the concentration technique.

Results: In this study, 3728 samples were analyzed, showing that 8.3% (320/3728) were positive for HTLV-1, 22.3% (831/3728) exhibited Loa loa and 9.8% (366/3728) were positive for Mansonella perstans. A total of 95 (2.5%) individuals had HTLV-1–L. Loa coinfection and 33 (0.9%) HTLV1–M. perstans coinfection. Interestingly, there were more carriers of L. loa microfilaria positive for HTLV-1 than L. loa-negative individuals (10.1% vs. 6.7%, respectively; p=0.0004). Regarding Mansonella perstans distribution (another filarial species prevalent in Gabon), there was no significant difference between HTLV-1 / M. perstans carriers and non-carriers (7.4% vs. 7.9%, respectively; p=0.77). Furthermore, a density of Loa loa microfilariae over 30,000 microfilariae per milliliter influences HTLV-1 carriage (p=0.02). The prevalence of L. loa, M. perstans microfilaremia and HTLV-1 mono-infections and coinfections were higher in forest ecosystems than in savannah and Lakeland (p<0.001). Correlations were also found with age and sex.

Conclusion: These results suggest that L. loa and not M. perstans microfilariae carriage may affect the carriage of HTLV-1. A relationship between sex, age, and the forest ecosystem is suggested. We hypothesize on the clinical implications of the study.

Background: Loiasis is caused by the human filarial Loa loa which is endemic in the west and Central African forest block. Loiasis infection is marked by long-term stability in infection status. The bases of such stability are not well known. As a preliminary step toward verification of possible genetic involvement in this stability.

Methods: A survey in a homogeneous population (n = 106) of a village from an endemic zone of Gabon was undertaken. Microfilaremia under the microscope was examined, and anti–specific human IgG4 against adult worm Loa loa was measured.

Results: The distribution of Loa loa microfilaremia according to age revealed a significant relationship between age and the presence of microfilariae in the blood (p = 0.0059). The proportion of microfilaremic individuals increased with age until 45 years old and did not exceed 34% as its maximum. The other marker (specific IgG4) increased also significantly with age (p = 0.0038), but in contrast to microfilaremia, the prevalence of specific IgG4, a marker of chronic infection, in the group from 45 years onward reached 100%.

Conclusion: These findings highlight the role of age in defining amicrofilaremic or microfilaremic status in an endemic area and address the issue of the existence of genetic factors controlling the outcome of the parasitological status in L. loa infection.

Background: Mental illness, especially depression or the depressive state, inflicts great psychological distress on individuals and even entire neighborhoods and is a major problem influencing social life.

Aim: This study aims to examine the relationship between depressive symptoms and lifestyle-related factors.

Methods: The information presented in this report was collected as part of the Northern-Japan Occupational Health Promotion Centers Collaboration Study for Mental Health (NOCS-MH) for the occupational health promotion centers of the six administrative divisions located in the prefectures of northern Japan (Hokkaido, Aomori, Iwate, Miyagi, Akita, and Yamagata prefectures). A total of 2,220 employees (1,069 for males and 1,151 for females) in Japan completed the screening test of the Center for Epidemiologic Studies   Depression Scale (CES-D). The cutoff point for the CES-D scores was 16 or above (high scorers). Statistical analyses were performed to analyse the collected data. 

Results: The identified factors that showed significant effect from the binomial multivariate logistic regression for high scorers were as follows: “habits of having breakfast” in all participants (OR = 0.78, 95% CI: 0.64–0.95); “have good eating habits” in females (OR = 0.64, 95% CI: 0.48–0.86) and all participants (OR = 0.75, 95% CI: 0.62–0.91); “satisfaction with sleep” in males (OR = 0.49, 95% CI: 0.37–0.64), females (OR = 0.47, 95% CI: 0.36–0.61), and all participants (OR = 0.46, 95% CI: 0.39–0.56); “smoking habits” in females (OR = 1.45, 95% CI: 1.06–1.99); “daily alcohol consumption” in males (OR = 0.63, 95% CI: 0.48–0.82) and all participants (OR = 0.64, 95% CI: 0.52–0.78); “hypertension” in females (OR = 0.61, 95% CI: 0.38–0.99); “periodontal disease” in all participants (OR = 1.53, 95% CI: 1.00–2.34); “history of medication” in females (OR = 1.39, 95% CI: 1.07–1.79) and all participants (OR = 1.28, 95% CI: 1.07–1.55).

Conclusion: A healthy lifestyle was found to be a factor related to the depressive symptoms of the Japanese employees. The limitation of this study lies in its cross-sectional design, which makes it difficult to determine whether the correlation associated with psychological distress is an antecedent or a consequence of depressive symptoms. In order to make inferences with regard to causality, a longitudinal follow-up study will be needed in future. Future studies should focus on evaluating the importance of lifestyle in preventing depressive disorders.

This chapter examines the development, implementation, and assessment of a school-based oral and dental health program in Sudan, highlighting its impact on public health. The initiative aimed to improve oral health outcomes among primary school children through structured interventions, including preventive education, clinical screenings, and fluoride-based treatments. The chapter details the strategic planning process, including school selection, resource allocation, and ethical considerations, ensuring a community-centered approach.

Clinical assessments involved standardized screening methodologies to evaluate oral health status among 1599 school children from six primary schools, followed by targeted interventions such as fluoride varnish application and referral systems for necessary treatments. The finding of the survey showed DMFT average score of 1.69 and CPI average score of 1.49.

The evaluation framework incorporated pre- and post-intervention surveys, stakeholder feedback, and longitudinal data analysis to measure effectiveness and dental students performance assessment throughout the program. The findings emphasize significant improvements in oral health awareness and preventive behaviors among schoolchildren with 89.4% service coverage and 1033 referred cases for further on site dental tratement, reinforcing the necessity of policy integration and sustainable community involvement. The chapter concludes with recommendations for expanding similar programs within Sudan and beyond, advocating for strengthened public health strategies and collaborative partnerships in school-based dental health initiatives.

The chances of developing type 2 diabetes depend on a combination of risk factors. People are more likely to develop type 2 diabetes mellitus if they are overweight or obese, over the age of 35, have poor eating and exercise habits, daily stress, and/or have a family history of diabetes. Yoga offers holistic solutions to the management of type 2 diabetes mellitus and its complications involving lifestyle changes such as various asanas, changes in diet, and management of stress and meditation. Various studies suggest that yoga can improve the risk of these complications in adults with type 2 diabetes. Studies also revealed that the human body needs a certain amount of fat in the diet to stay healthy. Eating the wrong kind of fat can trigger health hazards. A well-balanced vegetarian diet has proven to be extraordinarily healthy and cures many diseases including diabetes. The effect of yoga incorporating asanas, pranayam, meditation, kriyas, sattvic diet and mental discipline is beneficial to patients of type 2 DM. Stress and sedentary lifestyle are the leading causes of type 2 diabetes. Yoga has been shown to be quite effective in managing blood sugar levels. It helps activate the internal organs like the pancreas and build strength. Moreover, pranayama exercises are very helpful and beneficial for lowering blood glucose. In the current communication, an attempt has been made to explain the importance of yoga in overcoming problems related to type 2 diabetes.

Some children’s “muscular-skeletal system” disorders can be seen early in newborns and babies. They are symptoms of Minimal Brain Dysfunction (MBD). These abnormalities are caused by an asphyxia of the fetus during pregnancy or delivery. This study discusses Minimal Brain Dysfunction (MBD) and Its Impact on Musculoskeletal Deformities. This study also discusses the causes, symptoms, and physiotherapy interventions of MBD. Among various disorders of the locomotor system in children and also in youth patients, there are changes connected with the functioning of the Central Nervous System. Children with MBD have also psychological changes in their behavior. In the diagnosis, it is important to inquire about the gravidity and the delivery. Early therapy is the best prophylaxis of pain syndromes and arthrosis of the feet, knees, hips, and spine in adults.

Intrauterine infection, inflammation or both (Triple I) is known to cause detrimental pregnancy outcomes. On one hand delay in the diagnosis of chorioamnionitis can potentially cause adverse pregnancy outcomes, on the other hand, over-diagnosis leads to inapt antibiotic use, prolonged neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) stay, disruption of mother-infant bonding, delays in breastfeeding, economic burden and emotional stress from the prolonged hospital and NICU stay. In the literature, many studies and reviews have discussed Triple I in detail. However, many issues with diagnosis and management remain unclear. This narrative review gives an insight into these issues and will aid not only in the diagnosis but also in the management of Triple-I.