Journal of Innovations in Medical Research

Oxidative Stress and Renal Dysfunction in Lincomycin-Induced Nephrotoxicity: Evaluating the Therapeutic Potential of Activated Charcoal

Sarah Ebutte — 2025-08-08

Background: The kidneys play a vital role in homeostasis and metabolic waste elimination, but they are highly susceptible to toxic insults due to their role in drug metabolism. Lincomycin, a lincosamide antibiotic, has been implicated in nephrotoxicity through oxidative stress-mediated mechanisms, leading to renal dysfunction. Activated charcoal, a widely used adsorbent, has shown potential in mitigating renal damage by adsorbing toxins and modulating oxidative stress. However, its efficacy in lincomycin-induced nephrotoxicity remains poorly understood. Aim: This study investigates the protective potential of activated charcoal against lincomycin-induced nephrotoxicity by assessing oxidative stress markers, renal function indices, and histopathological changes. Methodology: Twenty-five (25) Wistar rats were divided into five groups (n=5). Group I (Control) received normal saline, while Group II received lincomycin (200 mg/kg). Groups III, IV, and V were co-administered lincomycin with varying percentages of activated charcoal (25%, 50%, and 75%). Kidney function markers (creatinine, urea), oxidative stress indices (Superoxide Dismutase [SOD], Malondialdehyde [MDA]), and histopathological changes were evaluated. Results: Lincomycin administration significantly reduced creatinine (0.59±0.07 mg/dl) and urea (19.85±2.11 mg/dl) compared to controls (0.85±0.04 mg/dl, 25.78±1.19 mg/dl; P<0.05). Oxidative stress was evident in the lincomycin group, with a decrease in SOD (14.25±1.81 U/mg protein) and an increase in MDA. Activated charcoal co-administration mitigated these effects, improving kidney function and oxidative stress parameters. Conclusion: Activated charcoal offers protective effects against lincomycin-induced nephrotoxicity by reducing oxidative stress and preserving renal function. Its potential as an adjunct therapy in mitigating antibiotic-induced kidney damage warrants further investigation.

Transmission, Diagnosis, and Treatment of Acute and Chronic Hepatitis E

Haradhan Kumar Mohajan — 2025-08-08

Hepatitis is the liver inflammatory disease that is caused by chemicals, drugs, or by the infection with different kinds of viruses. Hepatitis E infection is a disease that affects the liver and is caused by hepatitis E virus (HEV), a virus that can infect both animals and humans. The HEV infection can cause acute liver failure, chronic hepatitis, and liver cirrhosis that remain a clinical challenge and still account for high mortality. It is the main cause of enterically transmitted hepatitis in humans worldwide. Among weakened immune patients it can lead to chronic hepatitis that may result a life-threatening illness, such as fulminant liver failure. There are eight genotypes: HEV 1-8; and genotypes 1 and 2 infect humans exclusively. The virus is transmitted mainly through the fecal-oral route of contaminated food and water. Active screening, reducing misdiagnosis, improving patient management, proper medications, supportive treatments, and timely antiviral therapy for severe and chronic cases are important measures to reduce the morbidity and mortality due to hepatitis E. This study focuses on the transmission, management, and treatment of HEV infection.

A Study on the Development and Promotion Strategies of Comprehensive Informatization Solutions in Smart Healthcare

Jin Zhang — 2025-08-08

This paper presents the development and promotion process of comprehensive informatization solutions for smart healthcare. With the rapid advancement of smart healthcare, medical informatization has become a crucial means to enhance the quality and efficiency of medical services. This study optimizes the Multi-Channel Integrated Promotion System (MCIPS) and conducts pilot applications in medical institutions of various scales and types. By collecting and analyzing extensive data to assess the effectiveness of the solutions, the results demonstrate that the comprehensive solutions significantly improve the informatization level and service efficiency of medical institutions, optimize medical processes, and enhance the work efficiency of medical staff and patient satisfaction. Moreover, through systematic data analysis and feedback mechanisms, a mature promotion model has been established, providing strong support for nationwide implementation.

Protective and Curative Effects of Virgin Coconut Oil on Acetaminophen-Induced Hepatotoxicity in Adult Wistar Rat

Paul Beega — 2025-08-15

Acetaminophen-induced hepatotoxicity is a well-documented consequence of acetaminophen overdose, necessitating the exploration of therapeutic interventions to develop safer alternatives to synthetic drugs. In this study, we investigated the potential effects of Virgin Coconut Oil (VCO) on acetaminophen (PCM)-induced hepatotoxicity. Thirty-six Wistar rats were divided into twelve groups as follows: Groups 1 and 2 received Normal Saline for 20 and 40 days, respectively; Groups 3 and 4 were administered 750mg/kg of PCM for 20 and 40 days, respectively. Group 5 received 2.5ml/kg of VCO for the initial 10 days followed by 750mg/kg of PCM for the subsequent 10 days. Group 6 received VCO at 2.5ml/kg for the first 20 days followed by 750mg/kg of PCM for the remaining 20 days. Groups 7 and 8 received VCO at 5ml/kg for the initial 10 and 20 days, respectively, followed by PCM administration for the subsequent 10 and 20 days. Groups 9 and 10 were administered 750mg/kg of PCM for the initial 10 and 20 days, respectively, followed by VCO at 2.5ml/kg for the remaining 10 and 20 days. Lastly, Groups 11 and 12 received 750mg/kg of PCM for the initial 10 and 20 days, respectively, followed by VCO at 5ml/kg for the remaining 10 and 20 days. Acetaminophen administration resulted in a significant (p≤0.05) decrease in the final body weight of PCM-treated groups, while a significant (p≤0.05) increase in body weight was observed in the negative control, pre-treated, and post-treated groups with VCO. Notably, PCM-treated groups exhibited a significant (p≤0.05) increase in liver weight compared to negative control and VCO-treated groups. Liver enzyme levels including ALP, ALT, AST, and GGT remained within normal reference ranges in negative control and VCO-treated groups, whereas a significant (p≤0.05) increase was observed in the positive control groups. Additionally, levels of GPx, SOD, and CAT were significantly (p≤0.05) decreased in the positive control group compared to the negative control and VCO-treated groups. Overall, the findings of this study demonstrate the potential ameliorating effect of VCO against PCM-induced liver toxicity, highlighting its potential therapeutic utility in mitigating hepatotoxicity.

Microscopic Effect of Tobacco on Human Health: How Tobacco Impacts Gene Expression Levels

Jingquan Shi — 2025-09-05

Tobacco exposure is commonly linked to airway epithelium and lung diseases, yet its impact on the enzymes that catalyze adenosine-to-inosine (A-to-I) RNA editing remains unclear. The goal of this research is to compare the three gene expression levels, ADAR, ADARB1, ADARB2, between smokers and non-smoker, which play an important role in RNA editing and cellular regulation. RNA-sequence count data for smokers (362 samples) and non-smokers (635) were obtained from the GEO publication “Cigarette Smoking-Associated Isoform Switching and 3’ UTR Lengthening Via Alternative Polyadenylation” (GSE171730). Data obtained was first applied with log₂-transformation to dampen outliers, then compared with T-test. The result of the study shows that smoking had no significant effect on ADAR1, but produced robust up-regulation of ADARB1 and ADARB2. These results indicate that tobacco selectively enhances expression of two ADAR paralogs while sparing the ubiquitously expressed ADAR1, pointing to a targeted modulation of the RNA-editing machinery in smokers. Such selective induction may shift global A-to-I editing profiles and contribute to smoking-associated disease risk.

Multimodal Facial Rejuvenation: Personalized Protocols and Safety Assessment

Jun Liu — 2025-09-05

This study explores personalized multimodal protocols for facial rejuvenation and their safety assessment, aiming to guide clinical practice. A prospective study involving 200 patients was conducted, integrating techniques such as thread lifting, fat grafting, minimally invasive facelifts, and radiofrequency lipolysis. A personalized anti-aging protocol matching model was developed for individuals of different ages and skin conditions. Results indicate that the combination of thread lifting and radiofrequency lipolysis is suitable for patients aged 30-40, while fat grafting combined with mini-incision facelifts is effective for patients over 50, both demonstrating good safety and efficacy. The study also proposes practical guidelines for multimodal applications and future research directions, including the application of new technologies and long-term effect evaluation.

Lupus and Nursing Care: Current Knowledge and Future Directions

Zrelli Malek — 2025-09-05

Background: Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a complex autoimmune disorder with diverse clinical manifestations and significant impacts on patients’ physical and psychosocial well-being. Given their pivotal role in patient care, nurses must possess adequate knowledge and skills to manage SLE effectively. Objective: To assess the knowledge and practical approaches of nurses regarding SLE in order to identify educational needs and improve patient care. Methods: A descriptive, cross-sectional quantitative study was conducted between December 2024 and February 2025 in two university hospitals in Sousse, Tunisia. An anonymous, pre-tested 29-item questionnaire assessed nurses’ demographics, knowledge of SLE, and related practices. Nurses from internal medicine, dermatology, rheumatology, and nephrology departments with at least six months of experience were included. Results: Seventy nurses participated, predominantly female (77.1%) with a mean age of 35.77 years. Dermatology was the most represented department (30%), followed by nephrology (24.3%). While 92.9% identified SLE as an autoimmune disease, only a minority recognized its chronic nature. Knowledge of affected demographics and treatments was moderate, though misconceptions about immunosuppressive therapy were common. Preventive strategies such as sun protection and nutritional guidance were poorly known. Nearly half the participants emphasized the nurse’s role in patient communication and psychosocial support, and fewer cited stress management or therapeutic education as strategies for managing flares. Conclusion: Despite general awareness of SLE, significant knowledge gaps persist among nurses, particularly regarding treatment mechanisms and preventive care. These findings underscore the need for targeted training programs to enhance nursing competencies and improve the multidisciplinary management of SLE.

Nurses’ Knowledge and Practices Regarding Corticosteroid Therapy: A Cross-Sectional Study in a Tunisian Hospital

Werchfani Aziz — 2025-09-05

Background: Corticosteroids are widely prescribed for their anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressive properties, yet they carry significant risks when misused or poorly monitored. Nurses play a pivotal role in patient education, complication prevention, and treatment monitoring. However, existing literature highlights notable gaps in nurses’ knowledge and practices related to corticosteroid therapy. Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate nurses’ knowledge and practical attitudes regarding corticosteroid use in a tertiary hospital setting in Tunisia, with the goal of identifying areas for improvement in clinical practice and continuing education. Methods: A descriptive, cross-sectional study was conducted among 100 nurses from various departments at Farhat Hached University Hospital, Sousse, Tunisia. Data were collected in February via a 35-item self-administered questionnaire exploring demographic characteristics, theoretical knowledge, clinical practices, and perceived challenges. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS version 22.0. Results: Among the 100 respondents, 64% were female and 52% aged between 35–40 years. Most had 1–5 years of experience (50%) and held senior nursing positions (67%). Only 59% had previously managed corticosteroid-treated patients. While hydrocortisone was the most recognized molecule (64.3%), nearly half of the participants were uncertain about withdrawal symptoms, and 42% lacked knowledge on vaccination eligibility during corticosteroid therapy. Furthermore, 58% felt unprepared to manage these patients, and 73% emphasized the need to enhance patient awareness. Difficult patient communication (42.7%) and limited interdisciplinary collaboration were the main challenges. Multidisciplinary consultation (81%) was cited as the most effective solution. Conclusion: Despite their frontline role, nurses in this study demonstrated knowledge gaps and uncertainties regarding corticosteroid therapy. Improved access to specialized training, institutional protocols, and interdisciplinary collaboration is crucial to ensure patient safety and optimize therapeutic outcomes.