Developing aneurysm clipping capacity in Ghana through global neurosurgical collaboration: a case series from two global brainsurgery initiative mission trips.

Introduction: The management of cerebral aneurysms in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) faces significant barriers, including limited access to specialized neurosurgical care and equipment and dissipating human resources. Ghana's inaugural experience with cerebral aneurysm clipping, facilitated by the Global Brainsurgery Initiative (GBI), represent an attempt to address these challenges through international collaboration.

Methods: This case series details the outcomes of six patients who underwent cerebral aneurysm clipping procedures at two neurosurgical centers.

Design, synthesis, and biological evaluation of coumarin derivatives against tuberculosis: a pharmacophore-based approach.

Rising cases of drug resistance tuberculosis including multidrug-resistant and extensively drug-resistant emphasize the need for development of drugs with novel mechanism of action. The study aimed to explore novel inhibitors targeting Mycobacterium thymidine monophosphate kinase (Mtb TMPK), a promising but unexplored drug target for tuberculosis treatment. A library of 200 coumarin derivatives was rationally designed and screened against Mtb TMPK, an essential enzyme in nucleotide biosynthesis of mycobacterium tuberculosis.

The correlation between antibiotic usage and antibiotic resistance: a 3-year retrospective study.

Introduction: Multidrug-resistant (MDR) microorganisms have increased all over the world, which is considered a public health threat. The emergence of MDR bacterial pathogens correlates with the increased antibiotic usage. This study aimed to determine the correlation between antibiotic usage and antibiotic resistance within 3 years.

Prevalence and Determinants of Mammography Use among Women Aged 40-49 Years in the US.

Background: There is limited data on mammography use patterns and determinants among women aged <50 years in the US. We, therefore, estimated mammography use and key determinants among US women aged 40-49, as well as geospatial variations in mammography use patterns.

Methods: We analyzed data from the 2022 BRFSS to estimate the mammography use within the prior 2 years.

Extended Relief at All Spinal Regions and Lower Lumbar VAS: Endoscopic Rhizotomy vs. Radiofrequency Ablation: A Retrospective Cohort Study.

Background: Facet joint syndrome accounts for many patients' chronic neck and low back pain. Current interventional treatment options for these conditions include radiofrequency ablation (RFA) and endoscopic rhizotomy (ER), which target the medial branch of the dorsal ramus innervating the facet joint capsule. RFA is a percutaneous procedure in which radiofrequency waves ablate the medial branch.

Screening programmes and breast cancer mortality: an observational study of 194 countries.

Objective: To investigate the associations between national breast cancer screening programmes and breast cancer mortality globally.

Methods: We collected data on breast cancer screening programmes and breast cancer mortality from the World Health Organization's Global Health Observatory, the Global Burden of Diseases 2021 study and the Eurostat database. We assessed differences in breast cancer mortality between countries with regular and irregular screening programmes, adjusting for sociodemographic index.

Nigericin-induced apoptosis in acute myeloid leukemia via mitochondrial dysfunction and oxidative stress.

Background: Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML) is a highly aggressive clonal hematological malignancy with limited treatment options. This study aimed to evaluate the therapeutic potential of nigericin, a polyether ionophore derived from DASNCL-29, as a mitochondrial-targeted agent for AML treatment.

Methods: Nigericin was isolated from DASNCL-29 and characterized via chromatography and NMR.

Effect of N-Acetylcysteine on mortality in COVID-19 patients: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

Introduction: The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has prompted global interest in potential adjunctive therapies. N-acetylcysteine (NAC), a mucolytic agent that enhances intracellular glutathione synthesis, has antioxidant properties and may indirectly modulate inflammation through redox regulation. While preclinical and observational data suggest potential mortality benefits, findings from randomized controlled trials (RCTs) have been inconsistent.

A review on experimental and epidemiological research exploring the pathophysiology and progression of pesticide-induced diabetes mellitus.

Global epidemic of diabetes mellitus (DM) is a multifactorial metabolic disorder that includes insulin resistance, β-cell dysfunction, and chronic hyperglycemia. DM is known traditionally as lifestyle and genetic predisposition, but the role of environmental pollutants, especially pesticides, has increasingly been at the forefront of attention. Pesticides such as organophosphates, organochlorines, carbamates, and pyrethroids are strong endocrine disruptors, disturbing glucose homeostasis by inhibiting insulin signaling pathways, producing oxidative stress, and activating chronic inflammation.

Focused ultrasound in pediatric neurosurgery: a scoping review of opportunities and challenges.

Background: Transcranial focused ultrasound (FUS) non-invasively transmits acoustic energy across the skull, resulting in biological effects. Although early studies focused on adult movement disorders, transcranial FUS is now being explored for pediatric patients as well. Here, we review the emerging applications of transcranial FUS in pediatric neurosurgery and explore the unique considerations for this patient population.

Self-care and self-management in diabetes: concepts, theories and practices.

Diabetes mellitus is a progressive disorder that requires the active participation of individuals with diabetes to improve management and delay the onset of acute and chronic complications. Effective diabetes care necessitates a multifaceted approach involving insulin therapy, non-insulin anti-diabetic drugs and lifestyle adjustments. Self-management and self-care are integral, yet distinct, components of diabetes care.

Protein-Based Silver Nanoparticles: Synthesis, Characterization, Administration, and Nanomedicine Applications.

Nanotechnology has emerged as a transformative field in recent years, greatly impacting medicine and healthcare with innovative solutions for complex diseases. Among these advancements, protein-based metal nanoparticles have shown exceptional promise in treating chronic illnesses, owing to their high biocompatibility, biodegradability, customizable surface properties, and precise drug delivery capabilities. Recent studies have highlighted advancements in targeting efficiency and controlled release, alongside the ability of protein-based metal nanoparticles to bypass the first-pass metabolism, enhancing bioavailability through novel administration routes.

Sphingosine-1-Phosphate Modulation in Neurological Disorders: Insights from MS and Stroke.

Multiple sclerosis is a chronic autoimmune disease in which the immune system attacks the protective sheath or myelin that covers nerve fibers, impacting the brain's ability to communicate with other areas of the body. This abnormal immune response recruits inflammatory substances, which appear as lesions on the brain and spinal cord. A stroke is characterized by a sudden impairment of neurological function resulting from the loss or restriction of blood flow due to acute damage to a localized area of the central nervous system, including the brain, retina, or spinal cord.

Molecular Targets of Oxidative Stress: Focus on Nuclear Factor Erythroid 2-Related Factor 2 Function in Leukemia and Other Cancers.

Nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) is a transcription factor that plays a central role in regulating cellular responses to oxidative stress. It governs the expression of a broad range of genes involved in antioxidant defense, detoxification, metabolism, and other cytoprotective pathways. In normal cells, the transient activation of Nrf2 serves as a protective mechanism to maintain redox homeostasis.

Structure-Guided Development of Mycobacterial Thymidine Monophosphate Kinase (MtbTMPK) Inhibitors: Unlocking New Frontiers in Tuberculosis Research.

Researchers are actively engaged in developing new antitubercular drugs targeting the enzyme Mycobacterial Thymidine Monophosphate Kinase (MtTMPK). This newer target has specificity and selectivity over other thymidylate kinases and especially differs from human thymidylate kinase (hTMPK). Over the last two decades, various potent MtTMPK inhibitors comprised of both nucleoside and non-nucleoside structures have been developed.

Economic and developmental impacts of FDA designations: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Introduction: U.S. FDA designations: Breakthrough Therapy (BTD), Fast Track (FTD), Orphan Drug (ODD), and Regenerative Medicine Advanced Therapy (RMAT) aim to expedite drug development, yet their combined economic and developmental effects have not been extensively studied.

Green synthesized Polyscias fulva silver nanoparticles ameliorate uterine fibroids in female Wistar Albino rats.

Uterine fibroids affect a substantial proportion of women in their reproductive age. Despite their effectiveness, surgical options such as hysterectomy are invasive, costly, and associated with recurrences. Pharmacological treatments are non-curative, only alleviate symptoms, and associated with adverse effects.

Exploring the Profiles of ROS1 Tyrosine Kinase: A Structural Analysis of G2032R and D2033N Mutations.

Background: ROS1, a proto-oncogene, drives cancer through chromosomal fusions. The G2032R and D2033N mutations, common in ROS1-rearranged non-small cell lung cancer, hinder crizotinib treatment. We investigate these mutations' impact on ROS1 structure through molecular dynamics (MD) simulations, revealing destabilization.

Highly sensitive electrochemical sensing of ascorbic acid (vitamin C) using Pd-doped MnO supported on carbon quantum dots (Pd-MnO@CQD) in water and fruit juices.

The Pd-MnO nanoparticles attached to carbon quantum dots nanocomposite were synthesized using the green synthesis and hydrothermal process. Characterization of the as-prepared nanocomposite was intensively performed by FT-IR, powder XRD, XPS, and HR-TEM analysis. The synthesized nanomaterial was further examined for its selective and sensitive ascorbic acid (ASA) sensing using a Pd-MnO@CQD modified glassy carbon electrode (GCE).