Current Research in Medical Sciences

Acute Chest Syndrome in Patients with Sickle Cell Disease in Nigeria: Clinical Features and Management

2026-08-14T06:35:50+00:00

Acute chest syndrome (ACS) is one of the most serious pulmonary complications of sickle cell disease and remains an important cause of hospitalization and death among affected patients. This issue is particularly relevant in Nigeria, where sickle cell disease is common and access to early diagnosis, blood transfusion, respiratory support, and specialist care may differ between medical settings. ACS does not usually result from a single cause. Pulmonary vaso-occlusion, infection, fat embolism, hypoventilation, and tissue hypoxia may occur together and lead to rapid deterioration. Patients may initially present with fever, cough, chest pain, tachypnea, or mild hypoxemia, while severe cases can progress to multilobar pulmonary involvement, marked oxygen desaturation, respiratory failure, and other systemic complications. The clinical picture may also differ between children and adults, which makes early recognition especially important. Diagnosis is mainly based on respiratory symptoms combined with a new pulmonary infiltrate on chest imaging, supported by laboratory findings and assessment of oxygenation. Clinical management requires more than treatment of the pulmonary lesion alone. Oxygen therapy, antibiotics, appropriate pain control, cautious fluid therapy, simple blood transfusion, exchange transfusion, and respiratory support may all be needed depending on disease severity. In Nigeria, delayed presentation, limited access to blood products, uneven availability of exchange transfusion, and restricted diagnostic resources may further complicate care. Better recognition of high-risk patients, earlier treatment, standardized hospital management, and improved long-term sickle cell disease care are therefore important for reducing severe ACS-related outcomes.

Analysis of Nutritional Components of Common Tonifying Traditional Chinese Medicines and Research on Their Compatibility in Daily Diet

2026-08-14T06:39:51+00:00

Tonifying traditional Chinese medicines (TCMs) are widely applied in clinical TCM practice, primarily used to ameliorate physical debilitation and treat various deficiency disorders based on the TCM theory of “strengthening healthy qi and consolidating the root”. In recent years, the concept of “medicine and food sharing the same origin” has gained increasing attention, and the application of tonifying TCMs in daily diets has expanded gradually. This paper takes several common tonifying TCMs including Ginseng, Astragalus, Chinese Angelica, Lycium barbarum, Polygonatum, Codonopsis and Hedysarum polybotrys as research objects. It sorts out major nutritional and active components such as polysaccharides, amino acids, trace elements, saponins and flavonoids contained in these herbs. Combined with recent relevant studies, this paper analyzes the correlation between these components and the tonifying effects of the herbs. Furthermore, integrating classical medicinal food compatibility experience and modern pharmacological research (covering immune regulation, cardiovascular protection, anti-hypoxia, intestinal microflora regulation and other fields), it discusses the scientific rationality of matching tonifying TCMs with daily food ingredients.

The study concludes that the nutritional and active components in these herbs not only scientifically explain their tonifying efficacy, but also form the material basis for daily dietary compatibility. Integrating the TCM principle of dietary therapy based on syndrome differentiation with modern nutrition science is an effective path to promote the rational development and utilization of tonifying TCMs. This paper can provide learning references for students majoring in TCM Resources and Development, and offer theoretical support for the research and development of health products.

The Role of NLRP3 Inflammasome in the Pathogenesis and Progression of Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Steatotic Liver Disease

2026-09-17T05:34:24+00:00

Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) is a common chronic liver disease characterized by excessive hepatic lipid accumulation and closely associated with metabolic disorders. Its progression involves not only abnormal lipid metabolism but also inflammatory responses, oxidative stress, mitochondrial dysfunction, and fibrosis formation. The NLRP3 inflammasome, as an important component of innate immunity, plays a key role in regulating inflammation under metabolic stress conditions. When activated by factors such as lipid overload, reactive oxygen species production, mitochondrial damage, and gut-derived inflammatory signals, the NLRP3 inflammasome promotes the activation of Caspase-1 and the release of inflammatory cytokines, including interleukin-1β and interleukin-18. These inflammatory responses affect hepatocytes, Kupffer cells, and hepatic stellate cells, contributing to liver inflammation and fibrosis during MASLD progression. This paper discusses the biological characteristics and activation mechanisms of the NLRP3 inflammasome and analyzes its involvement in hepatic lipid accumulation, chronic inflammation, metabolic disorders, and fibrosis development. The interaction between NLRP3 signaling and oxidative stress, insulin resistance, and the gut-liver axis is also examined. Targeting the NLRP3 inflammasome may provide a potential approach for MASLD management, although further studies are needed to clarify its clinical application and safety.

Primary Biliary Cholangitis (PBC): Prognosis and Treatment Procedures

2026-09-17T05:36:31+00:00

Primary biliary cholangitis (PBC) is a chronic non-supportive destructive intrahepatic autoimmune cholangitis liver disease. The proper reason of development of this disease is unknown. However, in most cases it develops when an individual’s immune system attacks and destroys the small and medium-sized bile ducts inside the liver. The PBC causes liver inflammation, fibrosis, portal hypertension, progressive cirrhosis, and liver failure over time if the disease is left untreated. Usually, it affects women between the ages of 40 and 60, but it has been diagnosed outside of this age range, as well as in men with a male-to-female ratio of 1:10. The increased incidence of the disease is visible in the developed countries; however, the prevalence of it in developing countries is increasing presumably due to the growth in recognition and knowledge of the disease. Although most patients are asymptomatic at first presentation, typical patients show symptoms of fatigue, itching, and jaundice. There is no cure for PBC, but treatment can help slow the progression of disease and associated symptoms. Ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) and obeticholic acid (OCA) are currently the only recommended therapies of it and a patient survives as long as age- and sex-matched healthy subjects. The ultimate goal of treatment of PBC is improvement of health-related quality of life for all patients with a proper care of related symptoms, such as fatigue and itching. In this study an attempt has been taken to discuss the prognosis and treatment procedures of the disease PBC for the welfare of the patients.

Exercise Interventions for Sarcopenia in Older Adults: Effects on Muscle Strength and Physical Function

2026-09-17T05:38:47+00:00

Sarcopenia is an age-related syndrome characterized by progressive decline in skeletal muscle mass, muscle strength, and physical function, which can significantly affect the independent living ability and quality of life of older adults. With population aging, sarcopenia has become an important health issue in geriatric medicine. Exercise intervention is considered one of the most effective non-pharmacological strategies for preventing and managing sarcopenia because it can stimulate muscle adaptation, improve neuromuscular function, and enhance daily activity capacity. Different exercise modalities, including resistance exercise, aerobic exercise, balance training, traditional Chinese exercises, and combined exercise programs, have shown positive effects on muscle strength and physical performance in older adults with sarcopenia. Resistance exercise can promote muscle protein synthesis and improve indicators such as handgrip strength and gait speed, while multimodal exercise programs may provide additional benefits by simultaneously improving muscle function, balance, and mobility. However, differences in exercise intensity, intervention duration, individual health status, and adherence may influence clinical outcomes. This article discusses the characteristics of sarcopenia in older adults, the mechanisms of exercise intervention, the effects of different exercise modalities on muscle strength and physical function, and the challenges in clinical application, aiming to provide theoretical support for the development of individualized exercise strategies for sarcopenia management.