Forensic Insights and Health Sciences Bulletin

Evaluating the knowledge practice gap in sun protection measures among the pakistani population: A systematic review of socio-economic and behavioral barriers

2026-04-01T06:08:26+00:00

Background: Photoprotection compliance remains a significant concern to the general population in Pakistan even though the country is blessed with high solar intensity. This systematic review investigates the Knowledge-Practice-Gap (KPG) of sun protection among Pakistani population and also determines the barriers to sun protection compliance in the society, the economy, and physiology. Methods: In search of original research published in the period of 2020-2026, a comprehensive search in PubMed, Google Scholar, and PakMediNet was conducted. Information on three baseline physiological journals and fifteen local studies was synthesized using PRISMA 2020 standards. Findings: In educated urban populations, awareness on the level of theory is high (79.4%), whereas the level of regular practice is low (17.8%). The visual hindrance of the Fitzpatrick Skin Type III-V, the Vitamin D Paradox in which two thirds of the respondents don’t use sunscreen because they believe it might cause bone health loss, and the escalating economical cost of the product (54% inflation) are critical challenges. Also, an essential cycle of neglect in outdoor labor and pediatric care spheres was identified. Conclusion: To address the KPG in Pakistan, individual education has to be substituted with institutional transformation. The classification of Sunscreens into the category of necessary drugs must be reconsidered, the policy of Sun Safety in schools introduced, and the local drug innovation stimulated to create photoprotection that will be affordable and culturally appropriate.

Role of physiotherapy in the management of non-communicable diseases (NCDs)

2026-04-05T05:31:47+00:00

Objective: The prevalence of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) leads to the highest rates of death affecting the world in a massive way as a burden to the health system. The present review appraises the importance of physiotherapy in prevention, treatment and rehabilitation of NCDs with a focus on the recent evidence. Methods: A systematic literature review was carried out based on Google Scholar, PubMed, and Scopus databases and studies published. Articles such as systematic reviews, randomized controlled trials, and meta-analyses were included in the peer-reviewed articles. Results: Exercise therapy, pulmonary rehabilitation, and lifestyle modification are physiotherapy interventions that have been shown to have a great impact on clinical outcomes among the NCD patients. There is evidence on the reduction in morbidity, functional capacity and quality of life. Such innovations as digital physiotherapy and individualized rehabilitation programs are recent. Conclusion: Physiotherapy forms part of the foundation in the management of NCDs, which provide cost-effective, evidence-based intervention and long-term outcomes. It is necessary to incorporate physiotherapy in primary care arrangements.

Impact of ultra processed food on eating behaviour and food cravings

2026-05-14T14:31:14+00:00

The development of the NOVA classification, which groups foods according to the degree of industrial processing rather than conventional nutrient density, was prompted by the rise in metabolic health problems worldwide, such as obesity and type 2 diabetes. Modern diets, especially in developed countries, are dominated by ultra-processed foods, which are industrially created formulas characterized by high quantities of additives and low whole food content. The purpose of this review is to examine how UPF consumption affects human eating habits, cardiometabolic health, and social eating patterns, with a particular emphasis on the role that "food literacy" plays in reducing these consequences. Results show that UPFs are designed to be extremely tasty by using high concentrations of fats, sugars, salts, and chemical enhancers that can override the body's natural satiety signals. Beyond their low nutritional profiles, which frequently lack protein and fiber, UPFs have deteriorated food matrices that promote overconsumption and enhance caloric bioaccessibility. High UPF intake is continuously associated with a considerable increase in the risk of cardiovascular disease, metabolic syndrome, many types of cancer, and all-cause death, according to epidemiological research. When ready-to-eat items are consumed in isolation, UPFs lead to "mindless eating."

Nutritional and lifestyle management of polycystic ovary syndrome PCOSs: A comprehensive review

2026-06-06T08:03:36+00:00

A prevalent endocrine condition that affects women of reproductive age is called polycystic ovarian syndrome, or PCOS. Hormonal imbalance, irregular menstruation, hyperandrogenism, insulin resistance, and polycystic ovaries are its hallmarks. Type 2 diabetes, obesity, infertility, and other metabolic, psychological, and reproductive issues are linked to PCOS. Its development is influenced by a number of factors, including dietary habits, environmental factors, lifestyle choices, and heredity. The primary line of treatment for PCOS is thought to be lifestyle change, which includes eating a balanced diet, exercising frequently, controlling weight, getting enough sleep, and reducing stress. The causes, signs, and function of insulin resistance are covered in this review, along with the significance of dietary and lifestyle changes for enhancing the health of PCO-affected women.

Navigating brain tumors: A comprehensive insight into epidemiology, mechanisms, diagnosis, and emerging therapeutic frontiers

2026-06-17T22:28:45+00:00

Brain tumors are a heterogeneous group of neoplasms with diverse histopathological, molecular, and clinical features. Despite advances in diagnosis and treatment, malignant brain tumors continue to cause significant morbidity, mortality, recurrence, and therapeutic resistance. Genetic and epigenetic alterations, metabolic reprogramming, tumor microenvironment, and immune evasion play important roles in tumor progression and treatment response. This review summarizes current advances in brain tumor epidemiology, classification, molecular biology, diagnosis, treatment, and precision medicine. Molecular markers including IDH1/2, 1p/19q, MGMT, EGFR, TERT, ATRX, TP53, H3, and BRAF contribute to tumor classification, prognosis, and therapeutic decision-making. Conventional management includes surgery, radiotherapy, and chemotherapy, while emerging approaches include targeted and immune-based therapies, cancer vaccines, CAR-T/CAR-NK cells, oncolytic viruses, nanotechnology, gene/RNA therapies, ferroptosis-based strategies, and artificial intelligence-assisted precision oncology. Advanced neuroimaging, liquid biopsy, radiomics, and molecular profiling are also improving diagnostic and prognostic assessment. However, intratumoral heterogeneity, blood–brain barrier limitations, recurrence, treatment resistance, and toxicity remain major challenges. Integrating molecular classification, advanced diagnostics, and individualized therapies may improve brain tumor management and support the development of more effective and durable treatment strategies.

Microstamping and forensic ballistics: Background, legal principles, data base and technology comparisons

2026-06-20T17:27:54+00:00

This paper considers the wide-reaching consequences of microstamping technology on forensic science, with a particular emphasis on its technical principles and their relationship to the future of forensic ballistics work as well as issues associated with it. It also examines the far-reaching legal and policy enforcements, constitutionality questions, construction of expensive firearm databases. Further, questions related to ethics and public safety, individual rights of the suspect and the responsibilities of law enforcement are thoroughly examined, adding a comprehensive dimension to this rapidly developing forensic practice. The paper concludes with a discussion of deployment issues and current technological development, as well as near-term trends in firearm and ammunition regulation. In short, the analysis presented here is intended to contribute to ongoing public and policy discussions about appropriate use of microstamping in criminal justice and concerns over its legal implications among lawyers, forensic scientists, policymakers, the media, and the general public. It highlights the importance of combining technological innovation with social aspects in order to guarantee a fair and useful use of it in forensic inquiries. Additionally, an overview of existing forensic ballistics approaches as based on conventional techniques is also more carefully considered in order to place microstamping technologies within the broader context for advancing a match precision and efficiency technique. This is particularly pressing in light of the fact that ballistic evidence has been applied in criminal cases for a long time, and that firearms are continuously being modified to include parts made using 3D printers.

Microbial profiling of soil: A novel tool in forensic investigations

2026-06-20T17:44:30+00:00

Soil is one of the most common forms of trace evidence in forensic investigations. Traditional forensic analyses rely on physical and chemical soil characteristics, which often lack sufficient discriminatory power in complex environments. Advances in molecular biology and high-throughput sequencing now enable microbial profiling of soil, revealing unique microbial community structures that vary spatially and temporally. This review examines methodological approaches for forensic soil microbial profiling, including sampling, preservation, DNA extraction, marker selection, and sequencing strategies (metagenomics and next-generation sequencing). Applications in forensic science are explored, including crime scene association, geographic provenance determination, activity reconstruction, and integration with other trace evidence. Limitations, such as environmental variability, sample heterogeneity, and lack of standardized databases, are discussed alongside future directions, including multi-omics integration, AI and machine learning applications, and portable field-based sequencing technologies. Overall, microbial profiling of soil represents a novel and powerful tool to complement traditional forensic methods, providing biological signatures that enhance the evidentiary value of soil in criminal investigations.

The post-mortem microbiome: A critical review of microbial succession for estimating post-mortem interval and elucidating cause of death

2026-06-21T23:32:28+00:00

Advances in sequencing technologies have seen an increase of interest in the field of forensic microbiology as applied to PMI estimation, and the nature of microorganisms that may contribute to cause and manner of death. In the present review, we discuss recent progress and gaps in our knowledge of the microbial succession on and in bodies following death (the thanatomicrobiome and epinecrotic microbiome) including their dynamic interactions with environmental microbial communities. The conserved trends over successional development of these communities provide a robust, albeit complex, approach to forensic science that shows potential in furthering Post-Mortem Interval estimates and also perhaps identifying elemental indicators of value for Forensics. Although progress has been made, complex confounding factors (e.g., environmental variables and host-specific characteristics) hamper such applications from forensic microbiome analysis with regard to forensic credibility and courtroom feasibility. In this critical review, we summarize current findings and map out the methodological workflows, major applications, main limitations as well as future prospects of merging microbial ecology with forensics. This inter-disciplinary field integrates microbiology, ecology and forensic science toward a goal of revolutionizing estimation of time since death (and other forensic parameters) through identification of new methods that will replace existing ones. This represents a new avenue; the complex microbial ecosystems are used as "microbial witnesses" to more accurately and with a higher resolution sequence events of the post-mortem interval.

Functional foods & nutraceuticals: Mechanisms and applications in immune system enhancement

2026-06-22T08:24:34+00:00

The global health landscape has witnessed a paradigm shift toward preventive medicine and nutritional interventions, with functional foods and nutraceuticals emerging as pivotal components in maintaining optimal immune function. This comprehensive review examines the biochemical mechanisms through which bioactive compounds present in functional foods enhance innate and adaptive immune responses. Drawing from contemporary immunological research, we analyze the efficacy of major functional food categories including probiotics, polyphenol-rich foods, beta-glucans, and micronutrient-fortified products in modulating immune parameters. Our investigation encompasses in vitro and in vivo studies demonstrating the immunostimulatory effects of selected nutraceuticals, alongside clinical evidence supporting their therapeutic applications. Additionally, we address regulatory considerations, quality assurance challenges, and standardization requirements in the functional food industry. This review concludes that while compelling evidence supports the immune-enhancing potential of certain functional foods, further rigorous clinical trials are necessary to establish optimal dosage regimens and identify population-specific benefits. The integration of functional foods into dietary guidelines represents a promising strategy for immunological resilience in both healthy populations and those with compromised immunity.

Effectiveness of Mulligan’s mobilization with movement in patient with frozen shoulder, a randomized control trail

2026-08-19T11:50:09+00:00

Background: The condition known as frozen shoulder causes the shoulder range of motion to be limited there is progressive onset of stiffness, intense discomfort, particularly at night and restriction of active and passive range of motion are its key features. If the reason of adhesive capsulitis is unknown it is known as primary adhesive capsulitis (idiopathic) or secondary (due to some other cause). Although there is a chance of complete resolution, it typically has a lifespan of one to three years and is self-limiting. Objective: To find out the effectiveness of Mulligans mobilization and to find out the effectiveness of Kaltenborn mobilization in the patients with adhesive capsulitis or to compare both techniques in order to rule out which one is better to improve the quality of life in the patients with adhesive capsulitis. Methods: A randomized controlled trial was conducted using a standardized questionnaire. The study included both the genders with diagnosed adhesive capsulitis. Data from 44 patients was taken before and after treatment. Data was analyzed through SPSS. Results: The P value is 0.005 that shows Mulligans mobilization MWM technique is more effective than Kaltenborn mobilization technique. Conclusion: Mulligans MWM technique outperforms the Kaltenborn mobilization method in terms of improving pain but both techniques were proved to be effective in order to improve range of motion in the patients with adhesive capsulitis.

Estimation of post-mortem interval of dismembered bodies: A scoping-narrative review

2026-08-21T13:12:14+00:00

Background: Estimation of the post-mortem interval (PMI) in dismembered bodies presents forensic challenges because dismemberment disrupts decomposition, exposes internal tissues, and causes body segments to experience varying environmental conditions. This review assessed approaches to PMI estimation in dismembered remains and identified gaps. Methods: A literature search was conducted in May 2024 using Google Scholar, PubMed, Medline, and the Cochrane Library. Searches used combinations of post-mortem interval, dismemberment, decapitation, total body score, accumulated degree days, and bodies. Eligible studies addressing PMI estimation in dismembered or decapitated remains were screened by authors. Data were extracted and synthesized narratively because of heterogeneity among the included studies. Results: Twenty-three articles were identified; seven duplicates were removed, and six studies met the eligibility criteria. The included studies, published between 1995 and 2024, employed biochemical markers, protein degradation analysis, entomological evidence, radiological imaging, accumulated degree days (ADD), and decomposition scoring systems. Findings showed that wrapping and encasement altered decomposition and delayed insect activity, while protein degradation and biochemical markers demonstrated potential for estimating PMI. ADD and decomposition scoring provided approaches for assessing decomposition. However, most studies relied on animal proxies, small sample sizes, or controlled environmental conditions, limiting generalizability to human forensic cases. Conclusions: PMI estimation in dismembered remains is supported by multidisciplinary approaches combining biochemical, entomological, radiological, and decomposition-based methods. Nevertheless, variable exposure, containment, environmental conditions, interspecies differences, and limited validation remain challenges. Larger studies under diverse environmental conditions and validation using human remains are needed to improve accuracy and forensic applicability of PMI estimation.

The role of atomic absorption spectroscopy in heavy metal contamination and human health risk assessment: A comprehensive review

2026-09-17T05:30:10+00:00

Heavy metal contamination of the environment having a substantial and growing threat to human health worldwide. Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy (AAS) has seemed as one of the most powerful, reliable, and broadly applied analytical techniques for the quantitative determination of heavy metals in complex environmental, biological, food, and clinical matrices. This review provides a comprehensive overview of AAS principles, instrumentation variants including Flame AAS (FAAS), Cold Vapour AAS (CV-AAS), Graphite Furnace AAS (GFAAS) and Hydride Generation AAS (HG-AAS), their application to heavy metal analysis across multiple samples. The review critically studies the role of AAS in human health risk assessment, covering exposure pathways, toxic mechanisms of import heavy metals including arsenic (As), cadmium (Cd), mercury (Hg), chromium (Cr), nickel (Ni), and lead (Pb), and the application of internationally recognized risk assessment frameworks. Recent methodological advances including high-resolution range source AAS (HR-CS AAS), hyphenated techniques, and automation are discussed. Current limitations and future directions for AAS in environmental health research are also identified.

The hidden role of malnutrition in the pathogenesis of diabetic gangrene

2026-10-06T11:21:43+00:00

Diabetic foot ulcers (DFU) that progress to gangrene are associated with more than 50 percent mortality over a five-year period when obscured by Peripheral Arterial Disease. Current standard procedures prioritize glycemic control and mechanical offloading. However, these clinical guidelines do not address systemic nutritional deficiencies as the underlying mechanism that drives tissue necrosis and immunity failure. This review seeks to discover the critical role of Medical Nutrition Therapy and micronutrient supplementation, such as Vitamin B12, Vitamin D, Zinc, and Vitamin C, to prevent superficial ulcers from progressing into limb threatening gangrene in Type 2 Diabetes patients. A synthesis of literature was performed from scholarly databases, including ScienceDirect, PubMed, and Oxford Academic, focusing on clinical cohorts, systematic reviews and Mendelian randomization studies that correlate diabetic wound progression with systemic nutritional biomarkers, physical frailty and genetic susceptibility. Many clinical data show a profound correlation between systemic malnutrition and gangrene progression. Vitamin D deficiencies affect over half of DFU patients. Moreover, depleted levels of Vitamin B12, which are worsened by long term metformin use, seriously impair peripheral nerve integrity. Baseline protein malnutrition reduces wound healing rates from 50 percent down to 24 percent. Intensive Nutritional Support successfully prevents lean body mass loss without disrupting glycemic control. The progression of gangrene is heavily driven by systemic metabolic breakdown rather than localized infection alone. Integrating standardized nutritional screening, addressing physical frailty, and using targeted micronutrient therapy within multidisciplinary primary care are essential biological prerequisites for limb salvage.

Medicinal plants and ferroptosis in cancer: Emerging evidence and therapeutic opportunities

2026-10-06T11:20:56+00:00

Ferroptosis is an iron-dependent type of regulated cell death characterized by excessive lipid peroxidation, loss of cellular antioxidant defenses, and buildup of redox-active iron. In contrast to apoptosis, ferroptosis is closely linked to iron metabolism, depletion of glutathione (GSH), inactivation of glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPX4), and oxidative damage to membrane lipids containing polyunsaturated fatty acids. Since malignant cells often show heightened iron requirements, altered lipid metabolism, and increased oxidative stress, ferroptosis has become a promising therapeutic vulnerability in cancer. Medicinal plants serve as a significant reservoir of structurally diverse compounds that can regulate these pathways. A growing body of experimental evidence shows that artemisinin and its derivatives, curcumin, quercetin, sulforaphane, and other phytochemicals can trigger ferroptotic cancer-cell death by altering iron homeostasis, ferritin degradation, system Xc− activity, GPX4, GSH metabolism, reactive oxygen species generation, and lipid peroxidation. Artemisinin derivatives can raise intracellular labile iron via ferritin degradation, thereby sensitizing tumor cells to ferroptosis. Curcumin has been demonstrated to induce ferroptosis in breast cancer models through iron accumulation, lipid peroxidation, and modulation of ferroptosis-associated signaling. Quercetin drives lysosomal ferritin degradation and iron-dependent lipid peroxidation, while sulforaphane can promote SLC7A11 degradation and ferroptosis in osteosarcoma. Despite these encouraging findings, the evidence remains largely preclinical. Poor bioavailability, chemical instability, absence of standardized botanical preparations, tumor selectivity, and inadequate clinical validation continue to be major obstacles. This review critically assesses the molecular link between medicinal plants and ferroptosis in cancer and explores opportunities for combination therapy, nanotechnology, and precision oncology.