Challenges Facing during Pregnancy and Measures to Overcome

Pregnancy is a time of transformation for both the mother and the baby, with significant physical and emotional changes. There are many discomforts that occur during pregnancy. Morning sickness, headache and backache, bladder and bowel changes, changes in hair and skin colour, indigestion and heartburn, leg cramps and swelling, vaginal thrush and discharge are the few common complications facing during pregnancy. As a result, the aim of this study was to describe the difficulties in obtaining health information and the measures to overcome the discomfort during pregnancy. Research articles for this review were searched by using the keywords “pregnancy”, health issues”, “measures to overcome”, “challenges”. There were studies that looked at the health problems that women face during pregnancy were included in this review article. Pregnancy issues such as gestational diabetes mellitus, hypertension, preeclampsia, caesarean birth, and postpartum weight retention are all more likely in overweight and obese women. More research into the link between nutritional advancements and the rising prevalence of GDM in the developing world is needed. Iron supplementation has been linked to glucose dysregulation and hypertension in mid-pregnancy; its effectiveness and potential risks should be carefully considered. As a result, legislators and health planners should remove barriers, promote self-care, and improve the quality of life for pregnant women, ultimately improving their health.

Self-reported sexually transmitted infections and healthcare in Slovenia: Findings from the second national survey of sexual lifestyles, attitudes and health, 2016-2017

Introduction Objectives were to estimate the lifetime prevalence of self-reported sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and describe STIs healthcare. Methods Data was collected in the period 2016-2017 from a probability sample of the general population, 18-49 years old, at respondents’ homes by a combination of face-to-face interviews and self-administration of more sensitive questions. Statistical methods for complex survey data were used to account for stratification, clustered sampling, and weighting. Results Approximately every tenth sexually experienced individual reported to have had genitourinary symptoms suggestive of STIs, but only a minority of them reported to have had those respective STIs diagnosed. The proportion of sexually experienced individuals that reported to have ever been diagnosed with an STI (excluding trichomoniasis, pubic lice for men and women, and pelvic inflammatory disease, vaginal thrush, bacterial vaginosis for women) was 2.4% for men and 6.7% for women (p<0.001). Independent risk factors associated with self-reported STIs in women included at least 10 lifetime sexual partners and having been forced into sex. The majority of the last STI episodes in women were treated by gynaecologists accessible at the primary healthcare level and in men by a dermatovenerologist, after referral by a general practitioner. Approximately half of STI patients were counselled for safer sex and majority reported to have notified their sexual contacts. Conclusions Our estimates for lifetime prevalence of self-reported STIs in a probability sample of Slovenian sexually experienced men and women, 18-49 years old, indicate a substantial national burden of STIs. The results will inform national STI prevention and control policies and strategies.

Screening and Risk Factor Associated with Vulvovaginal Candidiasis among Pregnant Women

Background: Vulvovaginal candidiasis is also known as vaginal yeast infection and candida vulvovaginitis there is excessive growth of yeast in vagina which leads to vaginal thrush. The sign and symptoms of vulvovaginal candidiasis includes severe vaginal discharge and itching. The symptoms get more before menstruation. The other symptoms show pain during sex, burning urination and redness over vagina. This infection mostly occurs due to excessive amount of growth of candida. According to research in all around 75% of total women suffer from vaginal candidiasis once in their lifetime and around 5% of the women suffer from twice or thrice. The preventive measures include wearing cotton undergarment rather than wearing synthetic and wearing loose cotton cloths. Objective: This study is planned to assess screening and risk factors associated with vulvovaginal candidiasis among pregnant women. Methodology: The Descriptive Evaluatory Research Design used for data collection procedure will be required 1 week per plan. 7-8 High vaginal swab are taken from gynae Opd in a day accordingly data will be collected. The number of pregnant women will be taken from Gynae Opd who come for check-up on the regular basis. Soon after their check-up written consent form will be given and sample will be collected. Then interview will be taken with the following questionnaires prepared according to the risk factors assessment scale. The pregnant women will be selected non-Probability convenient sampling technique. Conclusion: Reproductive age group women have more risk of developing vulvovaginal candidiasis, because of High oestrogen levels cause an increased glycogen load in epithelium, which is a nutritional source for growth of candida & germination. Vulvovaginal candidiasis the most common gynaecologic diagnosis in the primary care setting. So, the available statistics say that there is a need for the study regarding the assessment and screening of vulvovaginal candidiasis among pregnant women.

Ethnopharmacology, Therapeutic Properties and Nutritional Potentials of Carpobrotus edulis: A Comprehensive Review

Carpobrotus edulis, formerly known as Mesembryanthemum edule L, belongs to the Aizoaceae family of plants. It is a facultative halophytic invasive medicinal and edible succulent plant that is native to South Africa and is distributed worldwide. Hitherto, this plant appears to be mainly known for its ornamental use in decorations, soil stabilization, and erosion control, and not for its many potential medicinal and nutritional benefits, thus suggesting its underutilization. This review presents cogent and comprehensive information on the distribution, ethnomedicinal use, phytochemistry, pharmacology, toxicology, and nutritional value of Carpobrotus edulis and provides the rationale for further pharmacognostic research that will validate its many folkloric medicinal and nutraceutical claims, and promote its standardization into a commercially available product. The reported traditional use of this plant for the treatment of sinusitis, diarrhoea, tuberculosis, infantile eczema, fungal and bacterial infections, oral and vaginal thrush, high blood pressure, diabetes, wound infections, spider and tick bites, sore throat as well as mouth infections are well documented. Its therapeutic activities such as anti-proliferative, antioxidant, antifungal, antibacterial, antidiabetic, anti-inflammatory, cytotoxicity, and nutritional value have also been reported to be attributable to the array of phytoconstituents present in the plant. These have promoted renewed research interests into this valuable medicinal plant with a view to repositioning and expanding its uses from the current predominantly ornamental and environmental management role to include phytotherapeutical applications through scientific validation studies that will improve its value for the drug discovery process as well as its contribution to food security.

Synergistic effect of tea tree oil on fungi causing vaginal thrush in pregnant women

Background: Vulvovaginal candidiasis(VVC), or Vaginal thrush, is a vaginitis caused by the overgrowth of some opportunistic yeasts of the genus Candida spp. Australian Tea Tree Oil (TTO) is one of the most important essential oils that contain many compounds that are effective against many bacteria and fungi, which may match the effect of common antibiotics. Objective: The aim of this study was to isolate and diagnose fungi that causing vaginal thrush, in pregnant women and to study the effect of (pregnancy and pregnancy sequence and age) on the rate of infection compared to non-pregnant, as well as to study the drug sensitivity of isolates towards a number of antifungal and compared that with the inhibitory effectiveness of tea tree oil. Material and Methods: 75 vaginal swabs from pregnant women and 50 from non-pregnant women were collected at ages ranging from 17-65 years. The isolates were diagnosed using several methods, including the Vitek2 Compact system. 17 isolates were selected to study the inhibitory effect of ten antifungal agents, six of them were automatically tested by the Vitek 2 compact system, which contains a sensitivity test kit (AST-YS07 Card). The essential oil (TTO) was analyzed by GC-MS to detect its content of active compounds. The inhibitory effect of TTO was studied according to "Broth dilution" method to determine minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) for it, the inhibitory effect of four concentrations of TTO (100%, 50%, 25%, 12.5 %) was also tested according to "well diffusion" method. This investigation also included a study of the mechanism of action (TTO). RESULTS: The rate of infection among pregnant women was (41%) with the highest rate of infection during the third trimester of pregnancy, while the percentage of non-pregnant women was only 8%. Vaginal infection was also prevalent in the age group ranged between (17-29 years).The isolates showed resistance to (Ketoconazol, Terbinafine) while they were sensitive to (Nystatin, clotrimazol), as well as sensitive to all antifungal of (AST-YS07 Card). The analysis of the TTO using chromatogram showed that it contains 32 chemical compounds, most of them are monoterpene like (Terpinen-4-ol, 1, 8-Cineol). The MIC of TTO ranged between (4 - < 2 µl/ ml). The function of TTO is to destroy the structural structure of the cell membrane and change its permeability, thereby leakage of cellular components and cell death. Conclusion: Pregnancy increases the rate of vaginal candidiasis in women, especially during the third trimester. TTO is highly effective in inhibiting the growth of opportunistic candida yeasts.

Coassociation between Group BStreptococcusandCandida albicansPromotes Interactions with Vaginal Epithelium

ABSTRACTGroup BStreptococcus(GBS) is a leading cause of neonatal sepsis, pneumonia, and meningitis worldwide. In the majority of cases, GBS is transmitted vertically from mother to neonate, making maternal vaginal colonization a key risk factor for neonatal disease. The fungusCandida albicansis an opportunistic pathogen of the female genitourinary tract and the causative agent of vaginal thrush. Carriage ofC. albicanshas been shown to be an independent risk factor for vaginal colonization by GBS. However, the nature of interactions between these two microbes is poorly understood. This study provides evidence of a reciprocal, synergistic interplay between GBS andC. albicansthat may serve to promote their cocolonization of the vaginal mucosa. GBS strains NEM316 (serotype III) and 515 (serotype Ia) are shown to physically interact withC. albicans, with the bacteria exhibiting tropism for candidal hyphal filaments. This interaction enhances association levels of both microbes with the vaginal epithelial cell line VK2/E6E7. The ability of GBS to coassociate withC. albicansis dependent upon expression of the hypha-specific adhesin Als3. In turn, expression of GBS antigen I/II family adhesins (Bsp polypeptides) facilitates this coassociation and confers upon surrogateLactococcus lactisthe capacity to exhibit enhanced interactions withC. albicanson vaginal epithelium. As genitourinary tract colonization is an essential first step in the pathogenesis of GBS andC. albicans, the coassociation mechanism reported here may have important implications for the risk of disease involving both of these pathogens.

Functional characterization of Candida albicans Hos2 histone deacetylase

Candida albicans is a mucosal commensal organism capable of causing superficial (oral and vaginal thrush) infections in immune normal hosts, but is a major pathogen causing systemic and mucosal infections in immunocompromised individuals. Azoles have been very effective anti-fungal agents and the mainstay in treating opportunistic mold and yeast infections. Azole resistant strains have emerged compromising the utility of this class of drugs. It has been shown that azole resistance can be reversed by the co-administration of a histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitor, suggesting that resistance is mediated by epigenetic mechanisms possibly involving Hos2, a fungal deacetylase. We report here the cloning and functional characterization of HOS2 (HighOsmolarity Sensitive), a gene coding for fungal histone deacetylase from C. albicans. Inhibition studies showed that Hos2 is susceptible to pan inhibitors such as trichostatin A (TSA) and suberoylanilide hydroxamic acid (SAHA), but is not inhibited by class I inhibitors such as MS-275. This in vitro enzymatic assay, which is amenable to high throughput could be used for screening potent fungal Hos2 inhibitors that could be a potential anti-fungal adjuvant. Purified Hos2 protein consistently deacetylated tubulins, rather than histones from TSA-treated cells. Hos2 has been reported to be a putative NAD+ dependent histone deacetylase, a feature of sirtuins. We assayed for sirtuin activation with resveratrol and purified Hos2 protein and did not find any sirtuin activity.

Study the Effect of Quercus infectoria Galls Extracts on Growth of Candida albicans and Candida glabrata In Vitro Which Isolated from Vaginal Swabs

The results of isolation in this research showed prevalence of Candida albicans at 35.7% which isolated from 70 samples of infected women who suffered from vaginal thrush compared with other infected agent. In vitro antifungal activities of ethanolic and aqueous( hot and cold distilled water) extracts of Quercus infectoria galls were tested against growth of C. albicans and C.glabrata in different concentration , showed that ethanolic extracts of Quercus infectoria was more effective against C. albicans at concentration 700mg/ml while the aqueous( hot and cold distilled water) extracts were more effective against C.glabrata compared with growth of C. albicans at same extracts .