Utilizing Quality Indicators to Detect and Reduce Pre-Analytical Errors in Laboratory Testing

Pre-analytical errors are the most frequent type of errors encountered in clinical laboratory testing, accounting for approximately 46-68% of all laboratory-related mistakes. These errors occur during the stages of patient preparation, sample collection, handling, transport, and processing, often resulting in compromised test accuracy and negatively impacting patient outcomes. The clinical implications of pre-analytical errors can be serious, leading to misdiagnosis, inappropriate treatments, delays in patient care, and increased healthcare costs. The introduction of quality indicators (QIs) offers laboratories a systematic approach to identifying, monitoring, and reducing pre-analytical errors. QIs measure critical aspects of the pre-analytical phase, such as specimen rejection rates, hemolysis index, patient identification accuracy, sample transport conditions, and phlebotomy success rates. By tracking these indicators, laboratories can detect weaknesses in their processes, implement targeted interventions, and ensure consistent improvements in quality. Studies have demonstrated that the implementation of QIs significantly reduces error rates, leading to enhanced diagnostic accuracy and improved patient safety. This review discusses the common pre-analytical errors, the role of QIs in mitigating these errors, and the impact of quality management on overall laboratory performance, with evidence drawn from recent research and clinical practice. &nbsp

Prediction Model for Assessing the Risk of Colorectal Cancer Based On Clinical Features and Serum Biomarkers

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the most prevalent malignant tumor connected with higher mortality rate in the world. Aberrant metabolic process invigorates the uncontrolled proliferation of cancer cells leading to higher risk for cancer. Serum carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) levels are considered as positive tumor marker for predicting the risk and pathological stages of CRC. In addition, many experimental studies strongly indicate elevated fatty acid synthase (FASN) levels in CRC patients. However, prediction parameters for diagnosing the patients affected with CRC has many limitations. In order to overcome these restraints, we have modeled an appropriate algorithm to identify patients at high risk of CRC by specifically monitoring the FASN levels. The aim of this paper primarily focuses on envisaging a suitable mathematical model for CRC based on prediction factors such as ranking prediction, top most selection, mathematical values as well novel algorithmic approach for elucidation of FASN and CEA levels by targeting the disease conditions that would enhance the model in order to avoid real time complexity as well as to identify the most leading risky factors of colorectal cancer. This novel algorithm based on consistent method will provide a paradigm to enable the prediction of CRC tumor stages along with high risky features associated with the patients. &nbsp

Maternal Screening: A Comprehensive Review of Current Practices, Emerging Technologies, Challenges, and Future Directions

Maternal screening has evolved into a cornerstone of prenatal care, providing critical insights into the health of both mother and fetus. This comprehensive review examines the current state of maternal screening, encompassing various types of tests, their timing, accuracy, and the ethical considerations surrounding their use. Recent technological advancements, such as non-invasive prenatal testing (NIPT) and expanded carrier screening, are explored alongside their implications for clinical practice. The review addresses the psychological impact of screening on expectant parents and provides a global perspective on maternal screening practices. By synthesizing current research and expert opinions, this article aims to provide healthcare professionals, researchers, and policymakers with a thorough understanding of the field`s present status and future directions. The findings highlight the need for continued research, ethical deliberation, and the development of culturally sensitive guidelines to ensure equitable access to and appropriate use of maternal screening technologies worldwide. &nbsp

An Updates on Medical Mycology Big Data Analytics and Antifungal Therapies

The global burden of fungal diseases is increasing and pathogens are rapidly mutating, posing new threats to human health, particularly in immunocompromised cancer patients, COVID-19 patients, and HIV/AIDS patients. With the millions of clinical data points and increasing use of high-throughput screening of pathogen genomes, research based on medical big data analytics, data mining, and visualization analysis has gradually become challenge for new infectious disease prediction, diagnosis, and the development of antifungal therapy. To date, research has been reported on data analytics in the diagnosis and treatment of fungal allergic contact dermatitis most important. Our study indicates climate as a significant driver of various aspects of fungal infection, including the diversity of fungal communities and the global distribution of common pathogenic fungi, the findings indicated that medical bioinformatics tools and medical mycology big data analytics are useful for the rapid and reliable diagnosis of new fungal diseases. Also many advanced technology have been developed for the detection of new fungal species using rDNA, cutting-edge molecular diagnostic techniques like RT-PCR, DNA barcoding, biosensor technology, Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) technology, CRISPR technology, biosensing, and nanobiotechnology. Modern treatments, including antifungal pharmacotherapy, antifungal chemotherapy, systematic pharmacotherapy, herbal treatment therapy, and antihistamine therapy and the treatment of fungal allergic contact dermatitis have been developed and are very successful in treating human fungal disease. &nbsp

Socio-demographic Factors that Influence the Implementation of Tuberculosis Donor-Funded Health Services in Zanzibar Tanzania

Tuberculosis (TB) is one of the killer diseases that is affecting humanities despite the available treatment services. The paper is based on the study that was done in Zanzibar using the case of Mnazi Mmmoja Hospital in examining the influence of socio-demographic factors in facilitating the implementation of donor-funded TB services in the study area. The study employed a 100 sample size that comprised health workers and users of TB services who were selected by purposive and simple random sampling procedures. The study was a mixed approach because of the need to capture the experiences and extent of socio-demographic factors in influencing the use and practice of TB services provision in the study area. It was found that demographic factors including sex, age and education level have a significant level of influence in the use of TB services at (P=0.03, P=0.00, and P=0.00 respectively). The study found that the social factors that influence the use of TB services include users’ belief and support of TB services with 2.5 levels of influence indicating a moderate influence. Patients’ attendance on TB services with a 3.2 level of influence indicating a moderate level of influence. The use of traditional medicine by TB patients had 4.1 levels indicating a high level of influence. The stereotype on the use of TB services had 1.3 influences signifying a very low level of influence. The use of traditional TB services had a 1.3 level that indicated a very low level of influence on the use of traditional TB services relative to modern services in the study area. The paper concludes that socio-demographic factors variably influence the provision and use of TB services in the study area. It was recommended that more investment should be done to promote TB services based on age, sex, education and socio-factors inclusion in interventions to enhance best practices in TB services. &nbsp

Assessment of Common Risk Factors of Non-Communicable Diseases Using Semi Markov Model

Background: In several ways, Semi-Markov Process (SMP) is similar towards Markov renewal process, but as in the SMP, a state is determined at all times, just not at the transition periods. As a result, the SMP is a stochastic process that develops over a period. Objective: The proposed Semi-Markov model with Exponentiated Power Lindley Distribution looked at Patients with diabetics and hypertension, Patients with stroke, and Patients with an abnormal heart rate, these changes are through one state to another. Methodology: Inside the Indian subcontinent, there have been no regular data collection methods for cardiac mortality and morbidity, and the numbers of deaths happens in the home, also with cause of death unclear. Exponentiated Power Lindley Distribution was used to characterize patients with Non-Communicable Disease. Results: For each subsequent state, the estimated parameters of the Semi-Markov model with this distribution predicted by maximum likelihood estimation revealed considerable irregularity. The conditional likelihood that the patients will not survive after the time is used to determine the threshold for each transition intensity. Conclusion: The risk for patients with a heart rate is the first to search for among the three non-communicable diseases, as the possibility of survival is limited. The data indicates that the established model is a good fit for many of the attributes seen in the data. &nbsp

The Role of Epigenetics in the Development of Human Obesity and Type 2 Diabetes: A Review

Epigenetic mechanisms control gene exertion and the development of an organism. It is the epigenetic imprints that instruct cells to respond reversibly to environmental factors and keep the specific gene stable in an organism’s lifetime. It has been established that the human epigenome includes DNA methylation, histone modifications, and RNA-mediated processes, and disturbance of this balance may beget several pathologies and contribute to the development of human obesity and type 2 diabetes (T2D). This Review is aimed at recapitulating the functional roles played by epigenetic via DNA methylation, histone modifications, and RNA-mediated processes in relation to obesity and type 2 diabetes. Since this research field is still young, these comprehensive data have only supported part of epigenetics in disease or complaint development, and also epigenetic differences as a response to disease. The reversible nature of epigenetic variations holds promise for future therapeutic and remedial strategies in obesity and type 2 diabetes, hence, further studies on the subject matter is highly recommended. &nbsp

Role of Health Governance Committees in Promoting Free Public Services in Zanzibar: A Case Study of Rahaleo Health Centre

The paper examined the role of Health Centre Governance Committees in Promoting Free Public Services in Zanzibar using the case study of Rahaleo Health Centre in Zanzibar. The paper employed 30 participants including committee members, health administrators and providers. It used a case study research design with a qualitative approach to explore the breadth and experiences on the topic. Purposive and convenient sampling procedures were adopted to realise the results whereby interview was the primary method for gathering data. The findings revealed that there are four legal frequencies for health committee meetings. The health centre committee`s primary function is to advise the government about health matters, and health committee members are very aware of the roles of promoting free public service. The Committee has achieved many outcomes, including overcoming health challenges, policy preparation, and availability of free health services. It was concluded that the health committee of Rahaleo Health Center has four schedules of meetings to make various successful health matters’ decisions. The study recommended that the government should prepare enough budgets for the health sector to support free health services to the citizens. &nbsp

Testicular Zinc, Sperm Parameters and Redox Balance in Ethanol-Induced Reproductive Dysfunction Treated With D-Ribose-L-Cysteine

This study explores the impact of alcohol, a widely abused substance, on the reproductive system, particularly testicular function. The investigation introduces the question of whether concurrent administration of D-Ribose-L-Cysteine supplement (Cellgevity) can mitigate the detrimental effects of alcohol on the testes. The primary objectives involve assessing the influence of D-Ribose-L-Cysteine on testicular zinc levels, spermatogenesis, and redox balance. The experiment employed 20 Sprague Dawley rats, distributed into 4 groups, each consisting of 5 rats: a control group without ethanol or cellgevity, an Alcohol group subjected to ethanol induction only, a Cellgevity group receiving cellgevity only, and an Alcohol plus Cellgevity group exposed to ethanol while concurrently treated with cellgevity. The study duration was 14 days for each group. Results revealed noteworthy alterations in oxidative stress markers. The Alcohol group exhibited a statistical decrease in Superoxide Dismutase (SOD), Catalase (CAT), Glutathione (GSH), and an increase in Malondialdehyde (MDA) and serum zinc concentration. Conversely, the Alcohol plus Cellgevity group demonstrated a statistical increase in SOD, CAT, GSH, and a decrease in MDA and serum zinc concentration. The study also explored sperm parameters, indicating a statistical decrease in sperm motility and morphology in the Alcohol group compared to the Alcohol plus Cellgevity group. However, sperm concentration remained unaffected. In conclusion, ethanol administration adversely affects various aspects of male reproductive functions, including sperm motility, morphology, and testosterone levels, alongside disturbances in trace elements within the testes and increased oxidative stress. Notably, D-Ribose-L-Cysteine administration, as represented by Cellgevity, exhibited a beneficial effect on male reproductive functions. It mitigated oxidative stress, prevented a significant reduction in testicular zinc levels even after ethanol induction, and presented a potential avenue for safeguarding male reproductive health in the face of alcohol-induced stressors. &nbsp

Effect of Shikoni on Phosphomonoesterase Activity of Mycobaterium Tuberculosis Protein Tyrosine Phosphotases (PTPs)

Several factors such as patient noncompliance and drug resistance affect the success rate of conventional treatments against tuberculosis and other pathogenic diseases; therefore there is need to improve the available therapeutic ways used in targeting tuberculosis treatment as well as design of new drugs that could act more rapidly on them. This research aimed to determine the effect of shikoni on phosphomonoesterase activity of mycobacterium tuberculosis using protein tyrosine phosphatases as enzyme inhibitor. Purified homogenous PTPs were obtained and shikoni phosphomonoesterase activity was determined by measuring the p-nitrophenol releases from the pNPP substrate. PTP acts as potential drug target which enables strategies to develop modern treatment regimen and regulate the levels of protein tyrosine phosphorylation under normal and pathological conditions. &nbsp