Prevalence and Risk Factors of Schistosomiasis in Sudan: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Schistosomiasis is considered the most widespread parasitic infection. Both and are present, and as waterborne infections, their epidemiology is closely associated with proximity and exposure to freshwater sources. The objective of the current study is to estimate the pooled prevalence of schistosomiasis among the Sudanese population and examine any associated sociocultural risk factors.

Effect of DOPA decarboxylase inhibitor supplements on the incidence of urinary tract infections in Parkinson's disease patients: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

Objectives: Parkinson's disease is the most common neurodegenerative disease. Combining levodopa with other drugs, including decarboxylase inhibitors (DCI) is its most effective treatment. Urinary tract infection (UTI) is the most common cause of hospitalization in Parkinson's patients, making it crucial to find an appropriate treatment to reduce the incidence of this complication.

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder as a Risk Factor for Adverse Outcomes in Total Knee Arthroplasty.

Background: There is a scarcity of literature concerning individuals who have existing post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and their outcomes after primary total knee arthroplasty (TKA). This study compared outcomes in patients undergoing primary TKA who have a previous history of PTSD.

Methods: An electronic health care database was used to identify patients diagnosed with PTSD undergoing TKA.

Review on Engineering of Bone Scaffolds Using Conventional and Additive Manufacturing Technologies.

Bone is a complex connective tissue that serves as mechanical and structural support for the human body. Bones' fractures are common, and the healing process is physiologically complex and involves both mechanical and biological aspects. Tissue engineering of bone scaffolds holds great promise for the future treatment of bone injuries.

Effectiveness of Ledipasvir-Sofosbuvir 12 Weeks After Hepatitis C Virus Genotype 1 Infection and the Factors Associated With Sustained Virologic Response: A Retrospective Study.

Background: The combination of ledipasvir and sofosbuvir (LDV/SOF) has been licensed to treat genotype 1 hepatitis C virus infection (HCV) with a 12-week regimen. However, there is scant data from Yemen regarding this combination regimen. Here, we investigate sustained virologic responses (SVR) 12 weeks after HCV treatment with LDV/SOF regimens and the factors that contribute to SVR failure.

The global seroprevalence of infection in workers occupationally exposed to animals (1972-2023): a systematic review and meta-analysis.

, a ubiquitous zoonotic parasite infecting warm-blooded animals, poses a significant health threat to workers with occupational animal exposure (WOEA) due to their frequent contact with potential reservoirs. Existing data on seroprevalence in the WOEA exhibits substantial global variation. This systematic review and meta-analysis, adhering to PRISMA guidelines, aimed to quantify the global seroprevalence of infection among WOEA over the past five decades (1972-2023).

Relationship Between Glycated Hemoglobin (HbA1c) and Vitamin D Levels in Type 2 Diabetes Patients: A Retrospective Cross-Sectional Study.

Background: Significant links between low serum levels of vitamin D3 and insufficient glycemic control in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) have been reported previously in the literature. However, there is no exciting evidence on the association between glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) and vitamin D levels in T2DM individuals in our nation (Yemen). This study aimed to investigate the relationship between HbA1c and vitamin D levels in T2DM patients in a resource-limited setting.

Intracranial aneurysms in Ghanaian adults.

Objective: To document the location, size, and multiplicity of intracranial aneurysms in Ghanaians who have undergone digital subtraction angiography (DSA) at a single centre in Accra, Ghana.

Design: We conducted a retrospective observational review of the medical records of all patients diagnosed with intracranial aneurysms on DSA.

Setting: Patients' medical records at Euracare Advanced Diagnostic and Heart Centre were reviewed between March 2018 and March 2020.

A new label free spiral sensor using impedance spectroscopy to characterize hepatocellular carcinoma in tissue and serum samples.

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) stands as the most prevalent form of primary liver cancer, predominantly affecting patients with chronic liver diseases such as hepatitis B or C-induced cirrhosis. Diagnosis typically involves blood tests (assessing liver functions and HCC biomarkers), imaging procedures such as Computed Tomography (CT) and Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), and liver biopsies requiring the removal of liver tissue for laboratory analysis. However, these diagnostic methods either entail lengthy lab processes, require expensive imaging equipment, or involve invasive techniques like liver biopsies.

Molecular and structural basis of oligopeptide recognition by the Ami transporter system in pneumococci.

ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transport systems are crucial for bacteria to ensure sufficient uptake of nutrients that are not produced de novo or improve the energy balance. The cell surface of the pathobiont Streptococcus pneumoniae (pneumococcus) is decorated with a substantial array of ABC transporters, critically influencing nasopharyngeal colonization and invasive infections. Given the auxotrophic nature of pneumococci for certain amino acids, the Ami ABC transporter system, orchestrating oligopeptide uptake, becomes indispensable in host compartments lacking amino acids.

The influence of internally architected voids in the creation of high-strength, low-weight 3D-printed cobalt-chromium prototypes.

Background: The additive manufacturing technology made the topology optimization technique feasible. This technique can indefinitely reduce the weight of the printed items with a promising increase in the mechanical properties of that item.

Materials And Methods: In the current experimental study, 50 samples were fabricated for a 3-point bending test.

The role of internal architecture in producing high-strength 3D printed cobalt-chromium objects.

Purpose: The objectives of the current study were to estimate the influence of self-reinforced hollow structures with a graded density on the dimensional accuracy, weight, and mechanical properties of Co-Cr objects printed with the direct metal laser sintering (DMLS) technique.

Materials And Methods: Sixty-five dog-bone samples were manufactured to evaluate the dimensional accuracy of printing, weight, and tensile properties of DMLS printed Co-Cr. They were divided into Group 1 (control) (n = 5), Group 2, 3, and 4 with incorporated hollow structures based on (spherical, elliptical, and diamond) shapes; they were subdivided into subgroups (n = 5) according to the volumetric reduction (10%, 15%, 20% and 25%).

Evaluation of Patient Education Materials From Large-Language Artificial Intelligence Models on Carpal Tunnel Release.

Background: ChatGPT, an artificial intelligence technology, has the potential to be a useful patient aid, though the accuracy and appropriateness of its responses and recommendations on common hand surgical pathologies and procedures must be understood. Comparing the sources referenced and characteristics of responses from ChatGPT and an established search engine (Google) on carpal tunnel surgery will allow for an understanding of the utility of ChatGPT for patient education.

Methods: A Google search of "carpal tunnel release surgery" was performed and "frequently asked questions (FAQs)" were recorded with their answer and source.

Sarcophagidae (Insecta: Diptera) of Saudi Arabia: new records, an updated checklist and a new species.

As part of a study on the biodiversity of Diptera of south-western Saudi Arabia, a survey of the Diptera fauna of Jazan, Asir and Najran at 10 sites was performed between 20122015 mainly using Malaise traps, sweep nets and baited traps. A total of 21 species of Sarcophagidae are recorded and documented with photographs, seven of which represent new country records for Saudi Arabia. Including species with a reliable previous record from Saudi Arabia, the total number of species of Sarcophagidae known from Saudi Arabia now stands at 51.

Performance investigation of poly(vinylidene fluoride-cohexafluoropropylene) membranes containing SiO nanoparticles in a newly designed single vacuum membrane distillation system.

The current study focuses on the development of a superhydrophobic poly(vinylidene fluoride-cohexafluoropropylene) nanocomposite membrane suitable for vacuum membrane distillation by incorporating SiO nanoparticles. At loading hydrophobic nano-SiO particle concentration (0.50-1.

An overview of the mosquitoes of Saudi Arabia (Diptera: Culicidae), with updated keys to the adult females.

Despite the fact that mosquito-borne infections have considerable consequences for public health in Saudi Arabia, there is neither a thorough review of the species that occur in the country nor updated keys for the identification of the adult females. In this study, species accounts are given for 49 Saudi Arabian mosquito species, as well as Aedes albopictus (Skuse), which is not recorded in Saudi Arabia, but is medically important and is found in some countries of the Middle East and North Africa. Taxonomic notes provide additional information for certain taxa and/or aid their identification.

Egyptian Society of Liver Cancer Recommendation Guidelines for the Management of Hepatocellular Carcinoma.

Globally, hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the fourth most common cause of death from cancer. The prevalence of this pathology, which has been on the rise in the last 30 years, has been predicted to continue increasing. HCC is the most common cause of cancer-related morbidity and mortality in Egypt and is also the most common cancer in males.

Sodium carbonate modulated ultrashort mode-locked stretched pulses in an erbium-doped fiber laser.

In this paper, we propose a new, to the best of our knowledge, saturable absorber (SA) based on sodium carbonate ( ) for producing an ultrafast mode-locked stretched pulse in a passively erbium-doped fiber laser at near-zero dispersion. The solid film of a -SA was fabricated by the drop-casting method using polyvinyl alcohol as a host polymer. The modulation depth of the proposed SA, which was measured by a balanced twin detector technique, was 2.

Seroprevalence and risk factors of brucellosis in dromedary camels () in Sudan from 1980 to 2020: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Camel brucellosis is a major public health concern in Sudan; however, there is no overall estimation of the prevalence of camel brucellosis in Sudan. Following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines, this study aimed to perform a meta-analysis of 30 eligible studies published before December 31, 2022, with a total of 70059 dromedary camels, to estimate the pooled prevalence of camel brucellosis and its risk factors in Sudan. The random effect model was used for the final analysis due to the significantly high heterogeneity among the included studies, and the results showed that the overall pooled prevalence of camel brucellosis was 17%, with a confidence interval (CI) of 12%-21%.

A Modified Protocol for the Isolation, Culture, and Characterization of Human Smooth Muscle Cells from the Umbilical Cord.

Background: Vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) and vascular endothelial cells are key participants in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis. Human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) and VSMCs are useful models to design therapeutic strategies for many cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). However, procuring a VSMC cell line by researchers, to model atherosclerosis, for example, is impeded by time and cost limitations, as well as by many other logistic problems in many countries.