POSTNATAL CARE AMONG POSTPARTUM WOMEN DURING HOSPITAL DISCHARGE

The postpartum period is the most important part of the woman's health care, as serious and life-threatening complications can occur during this period. The purpose of this study was to gather information on women's perception regarding postnatal care. The study enrolled 100 postpartum women who attended all the postnatal services at the Obstetrics and Gynecology Clinic in Pristina, Kosovo. Data were collected by a modified questionnaire, which included sociodemographic and clinical characteristics, and women's perception of postnatal care. Frequencies and Chi square were determined using the SPSS software. Most of the respondents (57.0%) belonged to the age group of 31-40 years. The majority of respondents (52.0%) were from rural areas, with secondary school (42.0%), unemployed (62.0%) and middle socio-economic status (91.0%). Of all the postpartum women, 43.0% declared that the gynecological and ultrasonography checkup was done on the second day. A small percentage of women had symptoms of postpartum depression (16.0%), and no difference was found in the level of depression in relation to the mode of delivery. Furthermore, 78.0% of postpartum women were advised to make the next visit on the seventh day after hospital discharge. Uptake of postnatal care services was high. However, implementation of a standardized guideline is required to further advance postnatal care.

Trans-differentiation of mouse mesenchymal stem cells into pancreatic β-like cells by a traditional anti-diabetic medicinal herb Medicago sativa L

Background and aim

Medicago sativa L. is a medicinal herb first cultivated in ancient Iran. Traditionally, it has been utilized for the treatment of several disorders. The plant has been in the human diet for at least 1500 years. Although the hypoglycaemic and anti-diabetic effects of the plant have been approved in traditional medicine, further investigations are needed to support the rational use of M. sativa by humans. This project aimed to evaluate the trans-differentiation potential of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) to pancreatic β-like cells (insulin-producing cells; IPCs) under the influence of M. sativa extract.

Experimental procedure

Bone marrow MSCs isolated, characterized, and then treated by flower or leaf extract of M. sativa. Beta-cell characteristics of the differentiated cells were evaluated by several techniques, including specific staining, QPCR, immunofluorescence, and ELISA.

Results

The results showed that the differentiated cells were able to express some specific pancreatic genes (PDX-1, insulin1, and insulin2) and proteins (insulin receptor beta, insulin, proinsulin, and C peptide). Furthermore, ELISA analysis indicated the ability of these cells in the production and secretion of insulin, after exposure to glucose.

Conclusion

Overall, both the flower and leaf extract of M. sativa had the potential of differentiation induction of MSCs into IPCs with the characteristics of pancreatic β–like cells. Therefore, M. sativa, as an herbal drug, may be beneficial for the treatment of diseases including diabetes.

In vitro differentiation induction of embryonal carcinoma stem cells into insulin-producing cells by Cichorium intybus L. leaf extract

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Medicinal herb Cichorium intybus L. (chicory) has been used traditionally for the treatment of various diseases, including diabetes. One of the promising therapeutic options to treat diabetes is replacing the degenerative pancreatic β cells by stem cell-derived IPCs (insulin-producing cells).

AIM OF THE STUDY

By the combination of cell therapy as a modern approach and traditional medicine, the current study was designed to evaluate the effects of chicory leaf extract (LE) on the differentiation potential of P19 EC cells (an embryonal carcinoma stem cell line) into IPCs.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The plant (voucher no. 4567) were collected and deposited in the herbarium of Shahrekord University. In vitro experiments were designed to compare the effects of various concentrations of LE on the differentiation potential of P19 EC cells.

RESULTS

The differentiated cells showed morphological characteristics of pancreatic β cells. They could also synthesized and secreted insulin when exposed to glucose. Moreover, the cells expressed specific proteins and genes of mature pancreatic β cells.

CONCLUSIONS

In conclusion, LE as a natural herbal extract was efficiently able to induce the differentiation of P19 EC cells into the clusters similar to pancreatic islets with the molecular, cellular and functional characteristics of mature β cells.