Cancer encompasses a group of disorders characterized by abnormal and uncontrolled cellular growth, capable of invading nearby tissues and metastasizing to distant organs. It remains a leading cause of morbidity and mortality globally, with a rising burden in developing countries. This review explores the epidemiology, clinical manifestations, and impact of cancer on patients’ quality of life (QoL). Cancer affects physical health through pain, fatigue, and treatment-related complications, while also influencing psychological well-being, social functioning, and financial stability. Early detection, evidence-based treatment, and supportive care are essential to improve outcomes. A multidisciplinary approach, particularly involving nursing professionals, plays a crucial role in enhancing patient care and overall QoL.
This work begins on the premise that Nigeria in the last decade has been characterized by crisis of ethnic and religious dimensions. The nature of the Nigerian state seems to be not only responsible for the regrettably deepening ethno-religious crisis that have become endemic and unfortunate, but it is becoming increasingly difficult to evolve credible and competent strategies that could address this ugly trend. It is on this note that the paper discussed the message of non- retaliation and tolerance in Matthew 5: 38-42 as a panacea for peace and development in Nigeria. The paper adopts descriptive and analytical method. It argued that a new type of thinking away from conflicts is essential if mankind is to survive. Jesus in the passage studied did not mention the abolition of war or conflicts, but he is prohibiting the members of the kingdom of God the attitude of revenge. The lex talions or the law of retaliation is an attempt to enact fair justice among the people. To revenge as shown in the work can consume one’s emotion, cause all kinds of emotional problems. A person can be so much engrossed in revenge that he becomes self- centered, destructive and paranoid. It was noted that even though conflicts are inevitable, the violence and pains inflicted is usually greater than the ultimate gain. The paper recommended that individual and Nigeria as a whole should develop a commitment to non violence from the teaching of Jesus. Among other recommendations, Nigerians should not be consumed with fighting over property and disputing rights. Tolerance and acceptability should be the watchword of everybody; it is then that our society can be a better place. Peace must be preached and equally embodied. We must create a new reconciled society in which no walls or barriers are tolerated, and in which the divisive influences of race, nationality, rank and sex have been destroyed.
ORIGINAL RESEARCH ARTICLE | March 28, 2026
Obstetric Characteristics and Post-Partum Cardiac Events among Women with Pre-Existing Heart Disease
Hlakhing Sen Shoma, Mossammat Shahnaz Akter, Fahmida Sultana Mili, Fatema Najnin, Jati Prue, Nilufar Sultana
Page no 76-82 |
https://doi.org/10.36348/sijog.2026.v09i03.005
Background: Maternal heart disease is a leading cause of maternal morbidity and mortality, and while pregnancy-related cardiac complications have been studied extensively, data on postpartum cardiac events and the influence of obstetric characteristics remain limited, particularly in low- and middle-income countries such as Bangladesh. The purpose of the study was to evaluate obstetric characteristics and the incidence of postpartum cardiac events in women with pre-existing heart disease. Methods: This hospital-based cohort study was conducted at the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Fetomaternal Medicine Unit, Dhaka Medical College Hospital, the Department of Fetomaternal Medicine, BSMMU, and the Department of Cardiology, NICVD, Dhaka, Bangladesh, from February 2020 to March 2021. Seventy-three postpartum women with pre-existing heart disease were enrolled. Data on demographics, obstetric history, cardiac status, and maternal outcomes were collected and analyzed using SPSS 26; p <0.05 was significant. Results: Among 73 women with pre-existing heart disease, most were 18–30 years old (67.1%) and multiparous (78.1%), with term deliveries (83.6%) and LUCS (75.3%) common. Rheumatic valvular disease predominated (56.2%), followed by congenital heart disease (27.4%) and cardiomyopathy (16.4%), with 93.2% in NYHA I–II. Postpartum cardiac events occurred in 45.2%, higher in incidentally diagnosed women (61.8% vs 30.8%), particularly in multiparous, term, and vaginal deliveries. Conclusion: Women with pre-existing heart disease are at significant risk of postpartum cardiac complications, especially if undiagnosed, multiparous, or delivered vaginally, highlighting the need for early recognition and careful peripartum management.
Background: Community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) remains a leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. While Helicobacter pylori is primarily a gastric pathogen, emerging evidence suggests potential extra-gastric manifestations, including possible links to respiratory diseases. However, the association between H. pylori infection and CAP remains poorly characterized. Objective: This systematic review aimed to critically evaluate and synthesize the available evidence regarding the association between Helicobacter pylori infection and community-acquired pneumonia. Methods: A comprehensive literature search was conducted across PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science for publications from January 2021 to January 2026. Studies investigating direct or indirect associations between H. pylori infection and CAP were included. Eight studies met eligibility criteria, encompassing diverse designs including cohort, case-control, cross-sectional, and randomized controlled trials. Quality assessment was performed using appropriate tools (Newcastle-Ottawa Scale, JBI Checklist, Cochrane RoB 2). Results: Direct evidence for an H. pylori-CAP association was limited, with only three studies providing direct seroepidemiological or immunological data. These demonstrated that H. pylori infection may modulate systemic inflammatory responses (elevated CXCL10 and IL-10; reduced IL-1β and IL-6) and showed non-significant associations with respiratory pathogen co-exposure. Indirect evidence highlighted that proton pump inhibitor use—commonly prescribed for H. pylori-related conditions—was associated with significantly increased pneumonia risk (adjusted hazard ratio: 1.882 for long-term use). Studies in peptic ulcer patients reported postoperative pneumonia rates of 5–12%. Overall evidence quality was moderate, with significant heterogeneity precluding meta-analysis. Conclusion: Direct evidence linking H. pylori infection to community-acquired pneumonia is remarkably limited and inconclusive. The available data suggest that any association may operate through immunomodulatory mechanisms or indirect pathways, particularly proton pump inhibitor use. Well-designed prospective cohort studies with validated H. pylori diagnostics and adequate confounder adjustment are urgently needed to clarify this relationship.
ORIGINAL RESEARCH ARTICLE | March 28, 2026
Prevalence and Pattern of Subclinical Thyroid Dysfunction among Hypertensive and Normotensive Pregnant Women
Fahmida Sultana Mili, Hlakhing Sen Shoma, Iftekhar Ahmed, Sumona Yesmin, Nujhat-E-Noor, Tasrina Akter
Page no 83-89 |
https://doi.org/10.36348/sijog.2026.v09i03.006
Background: Thyroid dysfunction during pregnancy is a common endocrine disorder with significant implications for maternal and fetal health, particularly in relation to hypertensive complications. The purpose of the study was to determine the prevalence and pattern of subclinical thyroid dysfunction in hypertensive compared to normotensive pregnant women. Methods: This cross-sectional, comparative study was conducted at the Department of Obstetrics & Gynaecology, Dhaka Medical College Hospital, Dhaka, Bangladesh, from February 2020 to March 2021, including 220 pregnant women (110 hypertensive, 110 normotensive). Socio-demographic and obstetric data were collected, blood pressure measured, and 5 mL venous blood samples analyzed for serum TSH and FT4 using chemiluminescent immunoassay. Subclinical thyroid disorders were defined by trimester-specific reference ranges, data were analyzed with SPSS v25 (p < 0.05). Results: In 220 pregnant women, hypertensive and normotensive groups were comparable in age, gestation, and parity. Subclinical hypothyroidism was higher in hypertensive women (46.4% vs 14.5%), euthyroidism predominated in normotensive women (83.6% vs 39.1%), and higher blood pressure was associated with increased thyroid dysfunction. Hypertensive women also had higher TSH (4.46 vs 2.28 µIU/mL) and lower FT4 (13.49 vs 15.78 pmol/L), both significant (p = 0.001). Conclusion: Hypertensive pregnant women have a higher prevalence of subclinical hypothyroidism and altered thyroid hormone levels compared to normotensive women, highlighting the need for early thyroid screening in this population.
Background: Preseptal and orbital cellulitis represent a diagnostic continuum in pediatric ophthalmology with significantly different management implications. Rapid, accurate differentiation is essential to prevent vision-threatening complications while avoiding unnecessary imaging and hospitalization. Case Presentation: A previously healthy 12-year-old girl presented with acute onset right eyelid erythema and swelling for two days. Clinical examination revealed marked periorbital edema with tenderness and erythema confined to the eyelid tissues. Critically, visual acuity remained 20/20, extraocular movements were full and painless, no relative afferent pupillary defect was present, and fundoscopic examination was normal. The patient was afebrile with only mild superior visual field restriction secondary to mechanical ptosis from lid swelling. Decision-Making: Based on preserved ocular function and absence of orbital signs, a clinical diagnosis of preseptal cellulitis was established. The decision was made to initiate outpatient oral antibiotic therapy with methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) coverage, deferring computed tomography imaging pending clinical response assessment. Outcome: The patient demonstrated excellent response to oral antibiotics with complete resolution of symptoms within 5 days, confirming the appropriateness of conservative outpatient management. Teaching Points: This case illustrates the critical clinical features distinguishing preseptal from orbital cellulitis, demonstrates evidence-based outpatient management in appropriately selected pediatric patients, and provides a practical algorithmic approach to periorbital infections in children.
ORIGINAL RESEARCH ARTICLE | March 27, 2026
Comparison of Strength of Concrete Produced from Different Sources of Fine Aggregate in Ihiala Town
Emmanuel Ifeanyi Ogunjiofor, Walter Chibuike Anene, Simeon Arinzechukwu Ebekue, Emmanuel Uzuh
Page no 42-49 |
https://doi.org/10.36348/sjce.2026.v10i03.002
The need to ascertain the engineering properties of locally sourced fine aggregate in Ihiala town necessitated this study. The laboratory investigation carried out on the fine aggregate samples from Ogboro-Isiala, Okohia, and Umuezeawala provided insight into their engineering behavior in terms of natural moisture content, particle size distribution, slump test and compressive strength development. The sieve analysis results revealed that Ogboro-Isiala sample contained a higher proportion of fines and clay fraction, Okohia sample showed a sandy profile with fewer fines, while Umuezeawala sample with a balanced sand–silt composition. The natural moisture content values showed that Ogboro-Isiala had the highest water retention (14.8%), followed by Umuezeawala (13.2%) and Okohia (11.5%). This indicates that Ogboro-Isiala sample is relatively wetter and more clayey, while Okohia sample is drier and sandier in composition. The compressive strength results indicated significant variation across the samples. Ogboro-Isiala sample showed an appreciable strength with curing age, Okohia exhibited moderate strength performance, Umuezeawala performed best overall, recording the highest compressive strength at 28 days (24.29MPa), and the Response Surface modeling of Umuezeawala fine aggregate demonstrating that well-graded fine aggregate respond more favorably in concrete strength development. The findings established a clear link between fine aggregate, gradation, moisture content, and concrete strength development. Ogboro-Isiala sample, due to its high plasticity and fines, is least suitable for concrete; Okohia shows moderate suitability; while Umuezeawala emerges as the most stable and reliable fine aggregate for engineering applications within the study area.