Extensive Inactive Neurocysticercosis: A Case Report in Mbeya, Southern Highlands of Tanzania.

Background: Neurocysticercosis (NCC) and Acquired Human Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS) are both highly prevalent in Africa. Clinical presentation of NCC ranges from asymptomatic to manifestations, including epileptic seizures, severe progressive headache, and focal neurological deficits. It is influenced by the number, size, location, and stage of the cysts, as well as the parasite's potential to cause inflammation and the immunological response of the host.

Vitamin K Antagonist Use and Level of Anticoagulation Control Among Patients at a Tertiary Hospital in Northern Tanzania.

Background: Vitamin K antagonists (VKA) continue to be the principal anticoagulants for both the treatment and prevention of venous thromboembolism. The use of VKA often requires regular monitoring to avoid over-anticoagulation and prevent thromboembolic complications. The aim was to determine the indication for VKA use and factors associated with suboptimal anticoagulation control among patients in northern Tanzania.

A novel IoT-based approach using fractional fuzzy Hamacher aggregation operators application in revolutionizing healthcare selection.

In the current era, IoT-based healthcare solutions play a pivotal role in transforming the healthcare landscape by addressing key challenges and significantly enhancing the quality, accessibility, and efficiency of medical services, particularly for individuals in remote areas. This paper introduces innovative operations on fractional fuzzy sets (FFS), specifically the Hamacher sum and product, and establishes corresponding operational laws. Building upon these foundations, we propose novel aggregation operators (AoPs) leveraging Hamacher norms and rigorously analyze their properties within the FFS framework.

Phthalate exposure induces microRNA-5010/Nrf2-EGR1/GDF15 signaling expression in prostate cancer.

Phthalate exposure is linked to prostate enlargement through sex hormonal changes and oxidative stress. However, its role and action mechanism in prostate cancer remain unclear. This study examined two patient cohorts: 204 patients undergoing prostate biopsy (24 benign and 180 malignancies) and 85 with confirmed prostate cancer receiving robotic-assisted radical prostatectomy.

Auranofin-loaded PLGA Nanoparticles for Neuroprotection against Aluminium-induced Alzheimer's Disease.

Aim: The aim of the current study was to explore nano-formulation for effective neuroprotection by auranofin.

Background: Currently, the treatment options for various CNS disorders, particularly neurodegenerative disorders, are greatly constrained. A significant obstacle in this pursuit is the blood-brain barrier, a shielding covering that hinders the route of numerous biochemical treatments into the brain.

A systematic review of current national hospital-based stroke registries monitoring access to evidence-based care and patient outcomes.

Background: National stroke clinical quality registries/audits support improvements in stroke care. In a 2016 systematic review, 28 registries were identified. Since 2016 there have been important advances in stroke care, including the development of thrombectomy services.

Erythropoietin treatment and osteoporotic fracture risk in hemodialysis patients: A nationwide population-based study.

Objectives: Concerns about erythropoietin (EPO) therapy for anemia in patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) contributing to potential bone loss and increased fracture risks are growing. This study investigated the impact of EPO administration on the risk of common osteoporotic fractures in ESRD patients.

Methods: This population-based retrospective cohort study compared EPO users and non-EPO users among ESRD patients undergoing hemodialysis, diagnosed with ESRD between 2000 and 2014 identified from the National Health Insurance Research Database of Taiwan.

A Large Thoracolumbosacral Meningomyelocele From Northern Tanzania: A Case Report.

Meningomyelocele and meningocele are types of neural tube defects, which are congenital abnormalities of the spine and spinal cord. These conditions are frequently encountered by pediatric neurosurgeons worldwide and represent a significant public health concern due to their association with a range of collateral conditions, other malformations, and increased morbidity. While many cases can be identified during prenatal ultrasound screenings, this is often challenging in resource-limited settings with poor health-seeking behaviors.

The diagnostic accuracy of point-of-care nucleic acid-based isothermal amplification assays for scrub typhus: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Introduction: The diagnosis and detection of pathogens such as and is a cause of major concern among the public health community. Unavailability of rapid, cost-effective diagnostic assays contributes to delayed diagnosis and timely treatment. Using the methodology of systematic reviewing and meta-analysis, the study aimed to synthesize and compare the diagnostic performances of all the available isothermal assays for the detection of classical rickettsial diseases.

Genomic detection of Panton-Valentine Leucocidins encoding genes, virulence factors and distribution of antiseptic resistance determinants among Methicillin-resistant S. aureus isolates from patients attending regional referral hospitals in Tanzania.

Background: Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is a formidable public scourge causing worldwide mild to severe life-threatening infections. The ability of this strain to swiftly spread, evolve, and acquire resistance genes and virulence factors such as pvl genes has further rendered this strain difficult to treat. Of concern, is a recently recognized ability to resist antiseptic/disinfectant agents used as an essential part of treatment and infection control practices.

Improving diagnostics and surveillance of malaria among displaced people in Africa.

African communities that have been forced to leave their homes experience a considerably greater susceptibility to malaria as a result of densely populated living conditions, restricted availability of healthcare, and environmental influences. Internally displaced individuals frequently live in large settlements with restricted availability to drinking water, essential sanitation, and medical services, intensifying the spread of malaria. As a result, the occurrence of malaria is significantly more common among refugees and internally displaced individuals compared to those who are not displaced.

Real-world efficacy and safety of universal 8-week glecaprevir/pibrentasvir in patients with chronic hepatitis C with early chronic kidney disease or pre-end-stage renal disease: Insights from a nationwide hepatisis C virus registry in Taiwan.

An 8-week regimen of glecaprevir/pibrentasvir is recommended for treatment-naïve patients with chronic hepatitis C (CHC). In alignment with the Taiwanese government's objective to eliminate hepatitis C by 2025, this study aimed to provide real-world evidence on the use of this regimen in treatment-naïve patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) by using data from the Taiwan Association for the Study of the Liver HCV Registry (TACR). CKD was defined by an estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) of <60 mL/min/1.

A real-world study to evaluate effectiveness of mepolizumab in treating severe asthma in Taiwan (REMIT).

Background: REMIT is the first real-world study of mepolizumab effectiveness in patients with severe asthma (SA) in Taiwan.

Objectives: The primary objective evaluated changes in clinically significant exacerbations (CSEs; defined as use of oral corticosteroids (OCS) or emergency department (ED) visits and/or hospitalizations) in the 12 months pre- and post-mepolizumab treatment. Secondary objectives assessed changes in the number of CSEs requiring ED visits/hospitalizations and daily maintenance OCS (mOCS) dosage 12 months pre- and post-mepolizumab treatment.

Sleep Stewardship.

Sleep stewardship is a systematic effort to ensure relaxed and restorative sleep, by optimizing pre-sleep, intra-sleep and post-sleep environment and ambience, in a rational manner. It includes not only sleep hygiene and prevention of sleeping pill abuse, but also macro- and meso-level interventions to improve sleep quality. The person living with sleep disorder, their family, members of society, health care professionals, and policy makers: all have a role to play in sleep stewardship.

Neuropathology practice in India: a survey of the current status of diagnostics and training in tertiary care centres.

Neuropathology has been in existence as a speciality in India since the 1950s. Its practice has kept pace with the developments in the field, paralleling advancements in neurosurgery and neurosciences, especially in tertiary care centres. This nationwide survey, conducted across 52 centres, provides a comprehensive analysis of diagnostic infrastructure, training opportunities, and challenges in the practice of neuropathology.

Vitamin D deficiency may accelerate cognitive decline in female apolipoprotein E ε4 non-carriers.

Background & Aims: The impact of vitamin D deficiency (VDD) on cognition remains controversial. Evidences suggest that variability based on apolipoprotein E (APOE) ε4 status and gender, given APOE ε4's influence on vitamin D metabolism and women's heightened vitamin D sensitivity. We investigated the interplay between APOE ε4, gender, and VDD in cognitive decline among older adults.

The effectiveness of a conservative approach in the management of groove pancreatitis.

Background: Groove pancreatitis (GP) is a form of pancreatitis that affects the pancreaticoduodenal groove area, which lies between the head of the pancreas, the second part of the duodenum and the distal bile duct, presenting as abdominal pain and gastric outlet obstruction. In this study, we present the clinical and radiological characteristics of individuals diagnosed with groove pancreatitis at our center and discuss the use of a conservative treatment approach in managing GP.

Methods: The data of patients with groove pancreatitis treated at our center between January 2012 and December 2021 was analyzed.

Acid sphingomyelinase activity suggests a new antipsychotic pharmaco-treatment strategy for schizophrenia.

Schizophrenia is a chronic and severe mental disorder. It is currently treated with antipsychotic drugs (APD). However, APD's work only in a limited number of patients and may have cognition impairing side effects.

Heat-inactivated Lactobacillus casei strain GKC1 Mitigates osteoporosis development in vivo via enhanced osteogenesis.

Osteoporosis, a significant bone disease predominantly affecting elderly and postmenopausal women, leads to increased bone fragility and fracture risk, presenting a major public health concern with substantial socioeconomic implications. This study investigated the therapeutic potential of Lactobacillus strains, known for their immunomodulatory properties, in an ovariectomy-induced osteoporosis mouse model. Among three tested strains Lactobacillus casei GKC1, Lactobacillus rhamnosus GKLC1, and Lactobacillus johnsonii GKJ2, GKC1 demonstrated superior efficacy in promoting osteogenesis-related gene expression, including alkaline phosphatase (ALP), bone morphogenetic protein 2 (BMP2) and runt-related transcription factor 2 (RUNX2).

The severity of coronary heart disease and the incidence of later diabetic retinopathy in diabetic population: A retrospective cohort study.

Objectives: The coronary heart disease (CHD) can influence the development of several diseases. The presence of CHD is correlated to a higher incidence of concurrent diabetic retinopathy (DR) in previous study. Herein, we aim to analyze the relationship between the CHD severity and following DR with different severity.

Brain-wide neuronal circuit connectome of human glioblastoma.

Glioblastoma (GBM) infiltrates the brain and can be synaptically innervated by neurons, which drives tumor progression. Synaptic inputs onto GBM cells identified so far are largely short-range and glutamatergic. The extent of GBM integration into the brain-wide neuronal circuitry remains unclear.