ORIGINAL RESEARCH ARTICLE | Feb. 8, 2025
Investigating the Beliefs towards Traditional Medicine Use and the Effectiveness of Herbal Products for Managing Male Infertility in the Greater Accra Region of Ghana
Benoit B. N’guessan, Eugene F. Boachie, Akosua O. Atua-Ntow, Victor C. Wutor
Page no 20-27 |
DOI: https://doi.org10.36348/sijtcm.2025.v08i02.001
Background: Male infertility is a significant reproductive health concern affecting millions of couples worldwide. While conventional medical interventions offer viable solutions, an increasing number of individuals are turning towards traditional medicine, specifically herbal products, as an alternative approach to managing male infertility. Methods: The study employed a mixed-methods approach, combining quantitative and qualitative data collection methods. A survey questionnaire was administered to 100 consented adult men with fertility issues to explore their beliefs about traditional medicine and the effectiveness of the herbal products they used. Results: Out of the 100 participants recruited, about 74% preferred herbal products over orthodox medicines to manage infertility. The majority (75%) thought that herbal products were effective in managing male infertility, 41% of them noticed a change in their sperm parameters after using the herbal product of interest, and (33%) thought that the herbal product was responsible for them impregnating their partners. Most respondents (93%) did not experience any side effects after using the herbal products, with only a few of them (7%) reporting side effects. Conclusions: People's beliefs about traditional medicine vary based on their personal experiences and those of others. Based on research findings, herbal products' effectiveness in managing male infertility has shown promising results and should be investigated further.
ORIGINAL RESEARCH ARTICLE | Feb. 8, 2025
Qualitative Analysis of Operation or Governance Models for Autonomous Communities of Rural Commerce
José Carlos Hernández-González, Missael Alberto Román-del-Valle, Pedro Leopoldo Martínez-Quintal, Raúl Larios-Guerrero, Alberto Alfonso Gallegos-Reyes
Page no 26-32 |
DOI: https://doi.org/10.36348/sjet.2025.v10i02.001
In rural communities, an efficient operation or governance model is crucial for fostering sustainable development and improving the quality of life of its inhabitants. According to World Bank data, nearly 45% of the rural population in Latin America lives below the poverty line, facing challenges such as limited access to basic services, education, and technology. The implementation of participatory governance models that involve local actors in decision-making has proven to be a catalyst for optimizing resource management and generating inclusive economic opportunities. This approach not only strengthens the social fabric but also promotes equity and resilience in the face of challenges such as climate change and fluctuations in agricultural markets. This study aims to explore the use of frameworks employed as successful cases for building digital communities or implementing improvement or governance models that enable better management or address a common area of interest. This is achieved through a qualitative analysis supported by a systematic literature review of 54 research articles published between 2018 and 2022, following clear discrimination criteria.
The current economic context requires finding a reliable global solution that meets the wishes and interests of investors, decision makers and all categories of users involved in order to create the necessary premises for the design of an integrated reporting system that provides relevant and qualitative information while facilitating the creation of newly added value. This first step is aimed at bringing a plus to the business and at the same time ensuring high levels of productivity, efficiency and effectiveness to maintain a state of balance favourable to the good development of economic activity. In this sense, emphasis is placed to establish and organize an International Sustainability Standards Board ("ISSB") following all the steps to make this possible being of particular importance to fructify the independence and success of IFRS governance (more specifically the Board of Monitoring and Administrators of the IFRS Foundation) to draft global standards aligned with the conditions of the microeconomic and macroeconomic environment. These intensified efforts want to clarify and help users of financial statements to act in conditions of efficiency and effectiveness to significantly contribute to the formation of the image and reputation of the economic entities involved through active participation with business ideas, working and fixed capital and human resources. In order to support initiatives to improve corporate reporting, it is based on the reasoning that the integration of financial and non-financial information is desired to encourage a sustainable development of the constantly changing business environment. The pressures exerted both from the internal and external environment of financial markets have influenced the assumption of a degree of responsibility towards the environment and people, compliance with new requirements from stakeholders, especially financiers and investors. Thus it became necessary to report ESG indicators (environmental, social, governance) has captured attention in recent years and is an important element found in business strategies to ensure an acceptable level of profitability within reasonable limits based on a European legislative landscape that is subject to changes. In order to quantify the contribution of economic entities to solving certain social and environmental problems with the general objective of registering high global performances of the asset and liability structures taking into account the human resource, the environment and the involvement of the community in the formation of a sustainable, prosperous future for the future generations that come after us and exercise their informational values in the context of the informational age in which we find ourselves dictated by the digitization and integration of specialized software incorporating some support programs that it allows us to avoid a titanic work to withstand financial difficulties that may endanger the existence and continuity of the business. A good knowledge of ESG rating is an important guide used by the management and leadership of an entity to have the alternative to adapt its business and orient in the right direction to improve the transparency of the dialogue carried out with the shareholders. An in-depth market research and analyzed from all the angles used by the parties leads to a correct assessment of the impact of the topics addressed in the context of ESG and how they can influence the overall performance of the entity.
ORIGINAL RESEARCH ARTICLE | Feb. 7, 2025
Detection of Epstein–Barr Virus in Astrocytoma Grade 2 from a Group of Iraqi Patients
Saad Hasan Mohammed Ali, Khalil Ismail A. Mohammed, Shakir H. Mohammed Al-Alwany, Amin Abdul Hasan M. Al-Alwany, Wifaq M. Ali, Suha A. AL-Fakhar, Jinan M. Mousa
Page no 19-25 |
DOI: https://doi.org/10.36348/sjls.2025.v10i02.001
Background: Astrocytomas are among the most frequent brain tumors affecting both children and young adults. Objective: To analyze brain tissues with astrocytomas grades II obtained from a group of Iraqi patients for the rate of DNA detection by PCR of oncogenic Epstein- Barr virus. Materials and Methods: (75) brain tissue specimens have been enrolled from patients, which were related to patients; among them 50 patients, aged 20 to 77 years, ( 58 % males and 42% were females) had operations in neurosurgical theatres of Ghazi Al- Hariri Teaching Hospital at The Medical City Complex for astrocytoma (grade 2) and also a number of (25) patients has enrolled, aged 21 to 70 years, (56 % males and 44% were females ), whom brain tissues have histopathological examination shown neither in line of benign brain tumors nor brain cancers, and were including as the control group of the present research work. The current method was performed by using the technique of polymerase chain reaction that was done to amplify and localize of the examined DNA sequence of EBV. Results: 28% (14 out of 50) of the examined brain tissues from astrocytomas grade 2 cases were positive for EBV genome detection. The most infected brain tumor tissues with EBV- DNA are related to the age stratum (20-40 years), which accounted for 14 %, while the age strata of (41-60 years) and (61- 80 years) accounted for 12% and 2 %, respectively. The male patients accounted for 71.4 % while females accounted for 28.6 %, while positive EBV-PCR detection result in brain tissues from control patients without tumors was found in 8% of the examined tissues. Conclusion: high rate of EBV detection in this percentage of the studied astrocytoma grade 2 tissue samples can possibly considered playing in the induction of these brain tumors.
ORIGINAL RESEARCH ARTICLE | Feb. 6, 2025
Serum Catestatin and Severity of Preeclampsia at a Tertiary Hospital in Southern Nigeria
Ayodeji O. Owolabi, Terhemen Kasso, Hilary Emoekpere, Inusa Amike
Page no 46-51 |
DOI: https://doi.org/10.36348/sijog.2025.v08i02.001
Background: Preeclampsia is one of the most common causes of maternal morbidity and mortality. Extensive research into biomarkers that can help us understand the disease is vital to alleviating its burden. Catestatin, an endogenously produced regulator of cardiac function and blood pressure, may be associated with the severity of the disease. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study involving 56 pregnant women with varying forms of preeclampsia. Blood samples were obtained at diagnosis, centrifuged and the sera were stored at -200C until analysis. The catestatin levels of the sera were then measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays. Results: The mean serum catestatin among patients with mild preeclampsia and severe preeclampsia were 3.3 ±1.2ng/ml and 4.5±2.5ng/ml, respectively (p=0.011). Conclusion: The serum catestatin level significantly relates to the increasing severity of preeclampsia. There might be a potential value for using serum catestatin to assess the severity of the disease.
ORIGINAL RESEARCH ARTICLE | Feb. 5, 2025
Causes and Effects of Environmental Degradation in the Niger Delta and the Mitigation Measures that can be Implemented
Nwachukwu Martin Chijioke, Ozobialu Benedicta C, Ebitimi Peretomode, Nwosu Joseph Chibuzo, Emmanuella Chinenye Nwokoro
Page no 45-55 |
DOI: https://doi.org/10.36348/sjhss.2025.v10i02.001
The Niger Delta, a region rich in biodiversity and natural resources, has been significantly impacted by environmental degradation, primarily due to oil exploration and extraction activities. The main causes of environmental degradation in this region include oil spills, gas flaring, deforestation, and industrial pollution. Oil spills, often resulting from pipeline leaks and operational failures, have led to the contamination of waterways and soil, adversely affecting aquatic life and local communities that depend on these resources for their livelihoods. Gas flaring contributes to air pollution and climate change, while deforestation driven by oil-related activities results in habitat loss and decreased biodiversity. The effects of environmental degradation in the Niger Delta are profound and multifaceted. They include health problems among local populations, loss of agricultural productivity, displacement of communities, and social conflicts over resource access. The degradation of the environment has not only undermined the ecological balance but has also exacerbated poverty and social unrest in the region. To mitigates the adverse effects of environmental degradation, several measures can be implemented. These include enforcing stricter regulations on oil companies, promoting sustainable agricultural practices, and investing in environmental restoration projects. Community engagement and empowerment are crucial, ensuring that local populations have a voice in decision-making processes related to resource management. Furthermore, leveraging technology for environmental monitoring and promoting alternative livelihoods can help reduce dependency on oil and foster resilience among communities. In conclusion, addressing the causes and effects of environmental degradation in the Niger Delta requires a multifaceted approach that combines regulatory enforcement, community involvement, and sustainable practices. These efforts are essential for restoring the health of the environment and improving the quality of life for the region's inhabitants.
This research aims to determine the limits of hudud in Islamic law so that law enforcement can run fairly. Allah's decree regarding hudud issues has been outlined in the Al-Qur'an in order to preserve social life based on Islamic rules. Hudud is a sanction given to violators of behavior that is contrary to Islamic teachings. In various cases, rebellion, robbery, wine, stealing, verbal abuse and adultery, all have provisions for punishment in the Koran. However, the role of Ulama in interpreting verses is very open to outlining the limits of sanctions for law violators. The existence of Islamic law certainly refers to the main teachings, namely the Al-Qur'an and hadith, then developed through Ijma' Ulama which can be implemented in society as a limitation of sanctions.