Publication Search

Cancer is a disease caused by the abnormal growth of body tissue cells. Breast cancer is one of the leading causes of death for women worldwide. The 5-year survival rate approaches 97% when tumor cells are confined to breast tissue and drops dramatically to 23% when tumor cells have metastasized to other organs at the time of diagnosis. Myelosuppression is a side effect of chemotherapy in cancer patients. Myelosuppression is a decrease in the number of hemoglobin, platelets, neutrophils, and leukocytes below normal, leading to anemia, thrombocytopenia, neutropenia, and leukocytopenia. This study aims to determine the effect of chemotherapy on leukocyte and platelet counts in breast cancer patients. This study is a qualitative descriptive study that describes the research topic data using a similar approach to the topic of the literature review. The results of this study indicate that most breast cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy experience a decrease in platelet and leukocyte counts

Immune Thrombocytopenic Purpura (ITP) is a bleeding disorder characterized by a low platelet count (<100,000/µL) caused by decreased platelet production or opsonization by antibodies, leading to platelet destruction by the reticuloendothelial system. ITP is one of the most common etiologies of bleeding disorders, especially in children. The prevalence of ITP in children is estimated to be around 1.9 to 6.4 cases per 100,000 children annually, while in adults, the prevalence is lower, at about 3.3 cases per 100,000 people per year. In the United States, the incidence of ITP is reported to be around 1.6 per 10,000 people annually. Clinical manifestations of ITP include petechiae, purpura, and/or ecchymosis, which are usually found on the upper and lower extremities. Mucocutaneous bleeding symptoms such as epistaxis and gum bleeding are also common in patients. These symptoms can vary depending on the severity of thrombocytopenia and individual responses to the condition. Diagnosis of ITP is made through a thorough medical history, physical examination, and rapid supportive tests to confirm the diagnosis and differentiate ITP from other conditions with similar symptoms. Proper and timely management is crucial to prevent further complications, including more severe bleeding or organ damage. With effective management, the quality of life of patients can be improved, and the risks associated with ITP can be minimized. Therefore, early detection and optimal management are key in addressing ITP, particularly in children who are more vulnerable to this bleeding disorder.

Technicians in radiology departments are continuously exposed to ionizing radiation, which can affect biological systems. This study aimed to investigate the effects of low-level ionizing radiation (IR) on antioxidant enzymes and blood components in radiology personnel. The study involved forty participants aged 30 to 45 years, divided into three groups: G1 as the control group (n=10), G2 consisting of 15 radiologists, and G3 comprising 15 radiology technology workers. Participants in G2 and G3 had work experience ranging from 5 to 15 years and were employed in X-ray and CT scan departments at General K1 Hospital, Kirkuk. The measured parameters included white blood cells (WBCs), platelets, and lymphocytes, as well as malondialdehyde (MDA), superoxide dismutase (SOD), total antioxidant capacity (TAC), and albumin as indicators of redox status. The results showed a significant increase in MDA levels among radiology workers compared to the control group, while SOD, TAC, and albumin levels decreased (P<0.05). Additionally, radiation-exposed workers had a higher mean count of WBCs and lymphocytes than the control group (P<0.05), whereas platelet levels were significantly lower (P<0.05). This study indicates that occupational radiation exposure can cause short-term changes in blood cells and increase the circulating redox state in healthcare workers operating in CT and IR environments compared to those not exposed to radiation. These findings highlight the importance of regular health monitoring for radiology personnel to mitigate potential long-term effects of radiation exposure.

Traditional medicine is currently developing rapidly, especially those based on plants. Active plant compounds are the main basis for the development of new drugs, which after further research, can be commercialized and used in pharmaceutical treatment. This review was conducted to identify the pharmacological effects of active drug compounds isolated from medicinal plants by conducting a literature study. The results of the literature review contained 37 articles that met the inclusion criteria. Until now, there are several active drug compounds from plants that are sold commercially in the form of modern drugs. Some of the pharmacological effects found are cardiac glycosides, anticholinergics, antiplatelets, analgesics, anticancer, sympathomimetics and antimalarials. This search shows that natural materials are still used as a potential source of active drug compounds, thus encouraging research to find new active compounds from medicinal plants to overcome diseases in the future.