Large-scale genetic characterization of Parkinson's disease in the African and African admixed populations.

Elucidating the genetic contributions to Parkinson's disease (PD) etiology across diverse ancestries is a critical priority for the development of targeted therapies in a global context. We conducted the largest sequencing characterization of potentially disease-causing, protein-altering and splicing mutations in 710 cases and 11,827 controls from genetically predicted African or African admixed ancestries. We explored copy number variants (CNVs) and runs of homozygosity (ROHs) in prioritized early onset and familial cases.

Accelerating ASEAN's energy transition in the power sector through cross-border transmission and a net-zero 2050 view.

Faced with energy transition objectives, the ten countries of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) have technology options to decarbonize power sector. This study investigates the hypothetical decarbonization pathways for ASEAN's power sector. Here, we present an integrated power system capacity expansion model for ASEAN over 2018-2050.

The role of inflammatory gene polymorphisms in severe COVID-19: a review.

The COVID-19 pandemic, caused by the novel coronavirus SARS-CoV-2, has profoundly impacted global healthcare systems and spurred extensive research efforts over the past three years. One critical aspect of the disease is the intricate interplay between the virus and the host immune response, particularly the role of inflammatory gene expression in severe COVID-19. While numerous previous studies have explored the role of genetic polymorphisms in COVID-19, research specifically focusing on inflammatory genes and their associations with disease severity remains limited.

Analysis of the Impact of Agriculture and Logging on Forest Habitat Structure in the Ankasa and Bia Conservation Area of Ghana.

Ghana's Ankasa (ACA) and Bia Conservation Area (BCA) are experiencing forest loss due to agricultural conversions. However, there is limited comprehensive analysis of these conversions and their impact on the forest habitat structure in these areas. This study aims to analyse anthropogenic-induced forest habitat loss and fragmentation in the ACA and BCA.

The Antiviral Effects of Heat-Killed Strain Plasma Against Dengue, Chikungunya, and Zika Viruses in Humans by Upregulating the IFN-α Signaling Pathway.

The growing risk of contracting viral infections due to high-density populations and ecological disruptions, such as climate change and increased population mobility, has highlighted the necessity for effective antiviral treatment and preventive measures against Dengue virus (DENV), Chikungunya virus (CHIKV), and Zika virus (ZIKV). Recently, there has been increasing attention on the use of probiotics as a potential antiviral option to reduce virus infections. The present study aimed to assess the immunomodulatory effects of heat-killed strain plasma (LC-Plasma) on peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) and its subsequent antiviral response against DENV, CHIKV, and ZIKV.

First blood-meal record of Simulium asakoae (Diptera: Simuliidae) in Malaysia, with notes on its distribution in Asia and status as a potential vector.

Simulium asakoae Takaoka and Davies has been confirmed to bite humans and has been incriminated as a vector of blood protozoan parasites of the genera Leucocytozoon and Trypanosoma, as well as an unknown filarial parasite in Thailand. However, its attraction to humans has remained uninvestigated in Malaysia. Recently, 27 black flies were collected in Pahang, Malaysia, of which 25 were captured in CO-baited Malaise traps and two were collected from humans during trapping activity.

PATHWAYS TO CARE AMONG PATIENTS WITH MENTAL ILLNESS AT USMANU DANFODIYO UNIVERSITY TEACHING HOSPITAL, SOKOTO, NIGERIA.

Background: The first line of care is a paramount stage in the management of the mentally ill persons. In Nigeria, traditional and faith-based healers compete with medical professionals in providing care.

Aim: Pathway to care among patients with Mental Illness at Usmanu Danfodiyo University Teaching Hospital, Sokoto, Nigeria.

DEPRESSION AS A PREDICTOR OF OPIOID USE DISORDER IN SICKLE CELL DISEASE PATIENTS.

Background: Sickle cell disease (SCD) is highly prevalent in Africa, especially in Nigeria, the most populous country, and is associated with a high mortality rate. Depression, common among individuals with SCD, correlates with increased pain intensity and opioid misuse, leading to poorer outcomes and diminished quality of life in these patients.

Aim: To determine whether major depressive disorder is a predictor of opioid use disorder among patients with sickle cell disease.

Time-to-brightness converter (TBC): measuring photon arrival time with conventional cameras.

We introduce a new, to our knowledge, method to measure the arrival time of photons with a sub-nanosecond precision using two conventional cameras. The method exploits the finite rise/fall time of the electro-optical global shutter implemented in modern complementary metal-oxide semiconductor (CMOS) cameras. By mapping the arrival time to the normalized brightness, the time of flight (ToF) can be determined with a precision better than 0.

High Physiological F-FDG Uptake in Normal Pituitary Gland on Digital PET Scanner.

 Recently developed digital positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) scanners (digital PET [dPET]) have given new dimensions to molecular imaging. dPET scanner has very high sensitivity, spatial resolution, and image contrast that leads to increased uptake of signal in small-volume structures like pituitary gland (PG) making them visible on PET/CT scan even in absence of any pathology. Adequate knowledge of physiological fluoro-2 deoxy D glucose uptake in PG is required in interpretation of dPET for correct diagnosis and reducing unnecessary additional imaging.

Seroprevalences and their associated predictors of chikungunya, dengue, Japanese encephalitis and zika among forest fringe dwellers of Peninsular Malaysia.

Serological evidence has shown the presence of several mosquito-borne arbovirus infections among the inhabitants of the forest fringe areas of the tropics. Among these infections, Japanese encephalitis, dengue fever, chikungunya fever and Zika fever could be targeted for vaccination to overcome severe infection and limit the disease transmission. Seroprevalence data among this high-risk population are needed to provide an estimate of the potential cost-effectiveness of any vaccine programme targeting these infections.

Evaluation of viral suppression and medication-related burden among HIV-infected adults in a secondary care facility.

Background: People living with HIV/AIDS (PLHIV) are prone to other health issues that may result from the disease or antiretroviral medicines. These persons experience other psychosocial aspects of the illness, which may negatively affect their quality of life and overall treatment outcomes. This study assessed the medication-related burden and virological response of adult PLHIV.

A Randomized Controlled Trial to Optimize Antivenom Therapy for Carpet Viper (Echis romani)-Envenomed Children in Nigeria.

In an open randomized controlled trial, we compared one vial (10 mL) to two vials (20 mL) of EchiTAb-plus-ICP (EPI) antivenom among children with systemic carpet viper (Echis romani) envenoming of moderate severity in northeastern Nigeria. Systemic envenoming, presenting with incoagulable blood, was diagnosed using the 20-minute whole blood clotting test (20WBCT). Eligible patients with positive 20WBCT whose guardians assented were recruited and randomly allocated to receive either one vial or two vials of EPI administered either as a bolus or as a slow continuous infusion.

A multi-mass and multi-hit two-camera 3D ion momentum imaging system.

We demonstrate an improved two-camera system for multi-mass and multi-hit three-dimensional (3D) momentum imaging of ions. The imaging system employs two conventional complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor cameras. We have shown previously that the system can time slice ion Newton spheres with a time resolution of 8.

May Measurement Month 2021: an analysis of blood pressure screening results from Nigeria.

There is a need to constantly assess the awareness, treatment, and control of hypertension in Nigeria. This study determined the frequency of undiagnosed hypertension across the six geopolitical zones of Nigeria. We conducted an opportunistic screening of adults aged at least 18 years in the month of May 2021.

Impact of elevated IgE in protective immunity and immunopathology of dengue.

Dengue is a mosquito-transmitted infection endemic in tropical and subtropical locations of the world where nearly half of the world's population resides. The disease may present as mild febrile illness to severe and can even be fatal if untreated. There are four genetically related but antigenically distinct dengue virus (DENV) serotypes.

Sunlight exposure might account for the relatively low COVID-19 morbidity and mortality in tropical countries.

The present study aimed at exploring whether sunlight exposure might account for the relative difference in COVID-19-related morbidity and mortality between tropical and non-tropical countries. A retrospective observational study was designed and data from the World Health Organization weekly COVID-19 epidemiological update was compiled. We examined the total number of confirmed COVID-19 cases per 100 000 population, as well as the total number of COVID-19-related mortalities per 100 000 population.

Investigating the potential of mono-chalcone compounds in targeting breast cancer receptors through network pharmacology, molecular docking, molecular dynamics simulation, antiproliferative effects, and gene expressions.

Unlabelled: The study aims to investigate various aspects of synthesized mono-chalcone compounds and concerning breast cancer, including network pharmacology, molecular docking, molecular dynamics (MD) simulations, antiproliferative effects, and gene expressions. Initially, the compounds underwent a network pharmacology analysis targeting breast cancer-related targets, with MalaCards, SwissTargetPrediction, and PharmMapper identifying 70 breast cancer target receptors. Subsequently, protein-protein interaction (PPI) network analysis revealed two distinct target gene clusters.

Advances in Radioligand Theranostics in Oncology.

Theranostics with radioligands (radiotheranostics) has played a pivotal role in oncology. Radiotheranostics explores the molecular targets expressed on tumor cells to target them for imaging and therapy. In this way, radiotheranostics entails non-invasive demonstration of the in vivo expression of a molecular target of interest through imaging followed by the administration of therapeutic radioligand targeting the tumor-expressed molecular target.

Multi-Locus Sequence Analysis Indicates Potential Cryptic Speciation in the Chigger Mite (Hatori, 1920) Parasitising Birds in Asia.

is widely distributed in Asia, preferentially parasitising birds, and heavy infestations have clinical impacts on domestic fowl. In common with other trombiculid mites, the genetic diversity and potential variation in host preferences or pathology induced by are poorly understood. This study aimed to unravel the geographical variation and population structure of collected from galliform birds in Peninsular Malaysia and Thailand by inference from concatenated mitochondrial-encoded cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI), and nuclear-encoded internal transcribed spacer 2 (ITS2) and 18S ribosomal DNA gene sequences, including a comparison with previously published data from southeastern China.

Has Zika been forgotten? A qualitative exploration of knowledge gaps, perceived risk and preventive practices in pregnant women in Malaysia.

Background: Although Zika virus infection is rarely reported now, continuous prevention is needed to achieve sustained eradication. This study aimed to explore the knowledge gaps, risk perception and preventive measures against Zika virus infection (ZIKV) in pregnant women in Malaysia.

Methods: We conducted in-depth virtual interviews with pregnant women between February and April 2022.