A Novel Non-Invasive Murine Model of Neonatal Hypoxic-Ischemic Encephalopathy Demonstrates Developmental Delay and Motor Deficits with Activation of Inflammatory Pathways in Monocytes.

Neonatal hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE) occurs in 1.5 per 1000 live births, leaving affected children with long-term motor and cognitive deficits. Few animal models of HIE incorporate maternal immune activation (MIA) despite the significant risk MIA poses to HIE incidence and diagnosis.

Towards improving stroke services in Africa: Results from the Africa-UK Stroke Partnership [AUKSP] surveys.

Background: The African Stroke Organization (ASO) in partnership with the University of Central Lancashire's Stroke Research Team launched the Africa-UK Stroke Partnership (AUKSP). AUKSP undertook two (stroke expert and hospital Stroke Unit (SU)) on-line surveys mapping existing capacity and capability to deliver African stroke care.

Methods: An on-line expert survey tool was sent to 139 stroke experts in 54 African countries October 2021-March 2022 and the hospital SU survey to 120 hospital SUs (identified from the expert survey) June-October 2022.

Understanding the impact of HIV on mpox transmission in the MSM population: A mathematical modeling study.

The recent mpox outbreak (in 2022-2023) has different clinical and epidemiological features compared with previous outbreaks of the disease. During this outbreak, sexual contact was believed to be the primary transmission route of the disease. In addition, the community of men having sex with men (MSM) was disproportionately affected by the outbreak.

Development and Validation of a Questionnaire to Assess the Effect of Vestibular Rehabilitation Therapy.

Vestibular rehabilitation therapy (VRT) is an effective treatment for individuals experiencing imbalance and dizziness, helps to improve the quality of life. Lack of culturally valid questionnaires to assess the outcome from VRT necessitates the development of reliable and culturally valid questionnaire to measure the outcomes of VRT. Hence, the current study aimed to develop a culturally valid and reliable questionnaire for measuring the outcome of VRT in Indian population and to translate it into Malayalam and Kannada.

ACHIEVE conference proceedings: implementing action plans to reduce and control hypertension burden in Africa.

The prevalence of hypertension, the commonest risk factor for preventable disability and premature deaths, is rapidly increasing in Africa. The African Control of Hypertension through Innovative Epidemiology, and a Vibrant Ecosystem [ACHIEVE] conference was convened to discuss and initiate the co-implementation of the strategic solutions to tame this burden toward achieving a target of 80% for awareness, treatment, and control by the year 2030. Experts, including the academia, policymakers, patients, the WHO, and representatives of various hypertension and cardiology societies generated a 12-item communique for implementation by the stakeholders of the ACHIEVE ecosystem at the continental, national, sub-national, and local (primary) healthcare levels.

Corrigendum: Stylopine: a potential natural metabolite to block vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2 (VEGFR2) in osteosarcoma therapy.

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Cortical auditory potentials and cognitive potentials in individuals with and without vestibular dysfunction.

Among individuals with vestibular dysfunction, the loss of vestibular sensory information is found to alter cognitive abilities that coordinate spatial and non-spatial information. P300 is an event-related potential commonly used to assess cognitive processing. The aim of the present study was to compare the latency and amplitude of cortical auditory evoked potential and P300 between individuals with vestibular dysfunction and individuals with no vestibular dysfunction.

Evaluation of outcome of acoustic reflex tests in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus: a cross-sectional study.

Purpose: Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) may induce micro-vascular and macro-vascular changes that can lead to neuropathic changes which may affect the auditory pathway resulting in hearing loss. The study aims to evaluate the outcome of ipsilateral and contralateral acoustic reflex (AR) parameters and reflex decay tests (RDT) in patients with T2DM, and the relationship between average AR parameters, and duration and control of T2DM.

Methods: An analytical cross-sectional study was conducted in a tertiary care setup in 126 subjects which included 42 subjects with T2DM between 30 and 60 years of age, age-matched with 84 non-diabetic subjects.

Interventional Study of Flunarizine Therapy on Symptom Relief and Vestibular Evoked Myogenic Potential Changes in Individuals with Vestibular Migraine.

Introduction: Migraine is the third most common disease in the world with an estimated prevalence of 14.7%. The purpose of this study was to identify the characteristic changes in cervical and ocular vestibular evoked myogenic potential (VEMP) and analyse changes in symptoms and VEMP after flunarizine therapy in patients diagnosed with vestibular migraine (VM).

Stylopine: A potential natural metabolite to block vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2 (VEGFR2) in osteosarcoma therapy.

Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) signals cell survival, cell migration, osteogenesis, cell proliferation, angiogenesis, and vascular permeability by binding to VEGF receptor 2 (VEGFR-2). Osteosarcoma is the most common primary bone cancer, majorly affects young adults. Activation of VEGFR-2 signaling is a therapeutic target for osteosarcoma.

Auditory Brainstem Response in Children with Thalassemia Major under Chelating Therapy.

The present study compared the Auditory Brainstem Response (ABR) of children with thalassemia major and typically developing children. A total of 16 children participated in this study. Group I included 8 children with thalassemia major regularly undergoing blood transfusions and chelating therapy.

Prevalence of Trachoma following Implementation of the SAFE Strategy in Three Local Government Areas of Taraba State, North Eastern Nigeria.

Introduction: In 2019-2020, one round of antibiotic mass drug administration (MDA) was implemented for trachoma elimination purposes in Donga, Gashaka, and Ussa local government areas (LGAs) of Taraba State, Nigeria, following baseline surveys in 2009 (Donga and Gashaka) and 2013-2014 (Ussa). Here, trachoma prevalence post-MDA in these three LGAs is reported.

Methods: In 2019 (Gashaka and Ussa) and 2020 (Donga), population-based, cross-sectional surveys were conducted following World Health Organization (WHO) guidance.

Practice Patterns of Audiologists Involved in Assessment and Management of Vestibular Disorders: An Indian Cross-Sectional Survey.

Background: As the incidence of vestibular disorders continues to rise, the role of the audiologists in assessing and providing effective intervention has become increasingly important. To date, there have been no studies investigating the practice patterns of Indian audiologists towards the assessment and management of vestibular disorders.

Method: An electronic survey consisting of 29 questions across demographics, vestibular assessment, and management emailed to 704 members of the Indian Speech and Hearing Association (ISHA).

ATP Synthase and Mitochondrial Bioenergetics Dysfunction in Alzheimer's Disease.

Alzheimer's Disease (AD) is the most common neurodegenerative disorder in our society, as the population ages, its incidence is expected to increase in the coming decades. The etiopathology of this disease still remains largely unclear, probably because of the highly complex and multifactorial nature of AD. However, the presence of mitochondrial dysfunction has been broadly described in AD neurons and other cellular populations within the brain, in a wide variety of models and organisms, including post-mortem humans.

Vestibular evoked myogenic potentials in chronic renal disease.

Background: There is limited evidence to provide an insight on the VEMP characteristics to explain the association between chronic renal disease (CRD) and its effect on otolith structures.

Objective: To compare the otolithic function of individuals with CRD and individuals with no known CRD. To investigate the relationship between disease duration and VEMP and creatine level and VEMP among individuals with CRD.

Conceptual framework for establishing the African Stroke Organization.

Africa is the world's most genetically diverse, second largest, and second most populous continent, with over one billion people distributed across 54 countries. With a 23% lifetime risk of stroke, Africa has some of the highest rates of stroke worldwide and many occur in the prime of life with huge economic losses and grave implications for the individual, family, and the society in terms of mental capital, productivity, and socioeconomic progress. Tackling the escalating burden of stroke in Africa requires prioritized, multipronged, and inter-sectoral strategies tailored to the unique African epidemiological, cultural, socioeconomic, and lifestyle landscape.

Comparison of Vestibular Evoked Myogenic Potential and Dizziness Handicap Inventory in Patient with Peripheral Vestibular Lesions between Pre and Post Vestibular Rehabilitation.

Aim And Objective: VEMP is brief latency electromyography and is elicited by a high-intensity auditory stimulus. The aim of the current study was to compare VEMP and DHI in patients with peripheral vestibular lesions between pre and post vestibular rehabilitation.

Method: A total of 30 participants with peripheral vestibular lesions were considered, among which 15 were given vestibular rehabilitation, and 15 were not given vestibular rehabilitation.

Silencing of H4R inhibits the production of IL-1β through SAPK/JNK signaling in human mast cells.

Context: Mast cell (MC) activation through H4R releases various inflammatory mediators which are associated with allergic asthma.

Objectives: To investigate the siRNA-mediated gene silencing effect of H4R on human mast cells (HMCs) functions and the activation of stress-activated protein kinases (SAPK)/jun amino-terminal kinases (JNK) signaling pathways for the release of ineterleukin-1β (IL-1β) in HMCs.

Materials And Methods: H4R expression was analyzed by RT-PCR and western blotting in human mast cell line-1 (HMC-1) cells and H4RsiRNA transfected cells.

H4R activation utilizes distinct signaling pathways for the production of RANTES and IL-13 in human mast cells.

Context: The histamine H4 receptor functionally expressed on human mast cells and their signaling pathways for the production of IL-13 and RANTES have never been analyzed side by side in a directly comparable manner.

Objective: Therefore, the aim of the study was to investigate signaling transduction pathways of H4R via ERK1/2, Akt and NFκB leading to the induction of inflammatory cytokine expression.

Materials And Methods: In the present study, HMC-1 cells and CBMCs were pretreated individually with H4R antagonist JNJ7777120, H1R antagonist mepyramine and signaling molecule inhibitors PD 98059, LY294002, Bay 117082 followed by stimulation was done with or without histamine or 4-MH.

Relationship of annual entomological inoculation rates to malaria transmission indices, Bayelsa State, Nigeria.

Background & Objectives: Generally, indepth understanding of the epidemiology of malaria is considered a prerequisite for planning effective control measures in the endemic regions like sub-Saharan Africa. This study focuses on the relationship of entomological inoculation rates (EIRs) to malaria incidence and prevalence rates across eco-vegetational zones in Bayelsa State, Nigeria.

Methods: Mosquito sampling was undertaken in seven towns/villages in seven local government areas (LGAs) in three eco-vegetational zones.

Influence of deflocculation on microwave disintegration and anaerobic biodegradability of waste activated sludge.

In the present study, the potential benefits of deflocculation on microwave pretreatment of waste activated sludge were investigated. Deflocculation in the absence of cell lysis was achieved through the removal of extra polymeric substances (EPS) by sodium citrate (0.1g sodium citrate/g suspended solids), and DNA was used as a marker for monitoring cell lysis.

Effect of deflocculation on the efficiency of disperser induced dairy waste activated sludge disintegration and treatment cost.

Excess sludge disintegration by energy intensive processes like mechanical pretreatment is considered to be high in cost. In this study, an attempt has been made to disintegrate excess sludge by disperser in a cost effective manner by deflocculating the sludge using sodium dodecyl sulphate (SDS) at a concentration of 0.04 g/g SS.

Spatial distribution of the sibling species of Anopheles gambiae sensu lato (Diptera: Culicidae) and malaria prevalence in Bayelsa State, Nigeria.

Background: Much of the confusing ecophenotypic plasticity of Anopheles gambiae sensu lato is attributable to the differential biological traits of the sibling species, with their heterogeneous geographical distribution, behavioral dissimilarities and divergent population dynamics. These differences are critical to their roles in malaria transmission. Studies were, therefore, undertaken on the spatial distribution of these species and malaria prevalence rates in Bayelsa State, September, 2008-August 2010.

Species composition of the Anopheles gambiae complex across eco-vegetational zones in Bayelsa State, Niger Delta region, Nigeria.

Background & Objectives: Correct vector identification is an important task in the planning and implementation of malaria vector control programmes. This study was designed to provide baseline information on the species composition and distribution of members of the Anopheles gambiae complex in three eco-vegetational zones in Bayelsa state, Nigeria.

Methods: Adult mosquitoes were collected by pyrethrum spray catch (PSC) in randomly selected houses during September 2009-August 2010.