Impact of Blood Pressure Control on Stroke and Myocardial Infarction Risk in Hypertensive Patients With and Without Diabetes: A Narrative Review.

Hypertension (HTN) is a well-acknowledged and modifiable risk factor that significantly increases the risk of cardiovascular disease. Left uncontrolled, HTN may result in severe complications, including myocardial infarction and stroke. Also, when HTN coexists with diabetes, the adverse effects on cardiovascular health are amplified as a result of the combined vascular and metabolic effects.

Prevalence of African Horse Sickness Virus Antibodies in Horses and Selected Wildlife in Four Geographical Regions of Nigeria.

African horse sickness (AHS) is a severe, infectious arthropod-borne disease of equids caused by the AHS virus (AHSV). It is endemic in Sub-Saharan Africa, and several sporadic outbreaks of the disease have been reported in Nigeria in the past 5 decades. Following a recent outbreak of the disease in Lagos State, this study was conducted to investigate the prevalence of (AHSV) antibodies in apparently healthy horses and some selected wildlife sampled in four geographical regions of Nigeria.

Factors influencing United States residency interview rates among African international medical graduates.

Introduction: Securing a residency position in the United States remains a significant challenge for International Medical Graduates (IMGs), particularly those from African countries. Although African IMGs contribute to approximately 25% of the U.S.

Phytochemical analysis and antimicrobial activity of Ganoderma lucidum against selected bacteria and fungi of medical importance.

Ganoderma lucidum is a rapidly growing mushroom, wood-colonizing fungus belonging to the phylum Basidiomycota. G. lucidum exhibits a wide range of pharmacological properties such as antimicrobial and anticancer activities.

Explainable machine learning models for early Alzheimer's disease detection using multimodal clinical data.

Background: Alzheimer's disease (AD) represents a significant global health challenge requiring early and accurate prediction for effective intervention. While machine learning models demonstrate promising capabilities in AD prediction, their black-box nature limits clinical adoption due to a lack of interpretability and transparency.

Objective: This study aims to develop and evaluate explainable artificial intelligence (XAI) frameworks for AD prediction using comprehensive multimodal patient data, with a focus on enhancing model interpretability through SHAP and LIME techniques.

Enhancing endoscopic precision: the role of artificial intelligence in modern gastroenterology.

Background: Endoscopy remains the gold standard for gastrointestinal (GI) diagnostics, enabling direct visualization and intervention within the GI tract. However, diagnostic accuracy and procedural outcomes vary significantly depending on the endoscopist's skill and experience, leading to potential missed lesions and inconsistent patient care. The integration of artificial intelligence (AI) into endoscopic practice offers a promising solution to address these limitations and enhance diagnostic precision.

Caregiving for children with autism in africa: A scoping review of socioeconomic impact with a call for intersectoral collaboration.

Autism is a neurodevelopmental condition recognized as a significant global public health concern. However, there is limited understanding of the socioeconomic impact on caregivers in Africa. This scoping review synthesizes evidence from studies across African nations to examine the socioeconomic burdens faced by caregivers of children with autism.

The emerging role of Imatinib in malaria management: a review of evidence and future directions.

Background: Malaria still remains one of the leading causes of death, especially in Africa, with one of the major struggles associated with eradication being resistance to antimalarial medications. Imatinib, a selective tyrosine kinase inhibitor used to treat chronic myeloid leukemia, has emerged as a potential pharmacological approach for malaria management.

Methods: This review synthesizes studies from the inception of the databases of PubMed, Scopus, Google Scholar, Cochrane, Web of Science, and Embase to February 2025, identifying key clinical trials and invitro studies conducted to assess the efficacy and safety of Imatinib in malaria.

Knowledge and attitude of populations on blackflies and onchocerciasis and participation in mass drug administration in first-line communities near Erin-Ijesha and Arinta waterfalls, Southwest Nigeria.

Background: Preliminary assessments have identified blackfly biting activity at Erin-Ijesha and Arinta waterfalls in Southwest Nigeria, predisposing first-line communities to a high risk of onchocerciasis. There is a need to assess knowledge of blackflies, onchocerciasis, and participation in treatment programs among residents of first-line communities near the waterfalls to evaluate onchocerciasis transmission risk.

Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 236 residents at Erin-Ijesha and Ipole-Iloro, two first-line communities using structured questionnaires.

Harnessing Seed Endophytic Microbiomes: A Hidden Treasure for Enhancing Sustainable Agriculture.

Microbes perform diverse and vital functions in animals, plants, and humans, and among them, plant-associated microbiomes, especially endophytes, have attracted growing scientific interest in recent years. Numerous plant species thriving in diverse environments have been shown to host endophytic microbes. While endophytic bacteria commonly colonize plant tissues such as stems, roots, and leaves, seed-associated endophytes generally exhibit lower diversity compared to those in other plant compartments.

AI-driven diagnosis of Lassa fever: Evidence from Nigerian clinical records.

Background: Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs), particularly Lassa fever, remain a significant public health challenge in Nigeria, often presenting with symptoms similar to malaria. These similarities contribute to misdiagnoses, delayed treatments, and increased mortality. The need for rapid and accurate disease differentiation has created an opportunity for machine learning applications in medical diagnostics.

Exploring Cognitive Enhancers: from neurotherapeutics to ethical and regulatory challenges: a mini review.

This manuscript provides an outlook on using cognitive enhancers and their ethical implications. Cognitive enhancers, including prescription medications like modafinil and methylphenidate, over-the-counter supplements such as ginseng and caffeine, and novel nootropic agents like gene therapy and stem cell interventions, improve cognitive functions such as memory, focus, and learning. While they have shown efficacy in treating neurodegenerative disorders like Alzheimer's disease and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), their growing use by healthy individuals raises ethical concerns.

Genetic and epigenetic landscape of erectile dysfunction: a comprehensive review.

Erectile Dysfunction (ED) is a multifactorial condition with significant physical, psychological, and societal impacts, affecting approximately 24.2 % of men in the United States, with prevalence increasing with age. While lifestyle factors and comorbidities such as diabetes and cardiovascular diseases are well-established contributors, emerging evidence highlights the role of genetic predisposition in ED pathogenesis.

A Novel Filarial-Multiplexed Probe-Quantitative PCR for the Advance in the Diagnosis of Multiple Infections With Human Filariasis.

The routine diagnostic method used for clinical samples suspected of filarial infection in our laboratory is the Filaria-real time-PCR (F-RT-PCR). The drawback of this method is the need for melting temperature analysis and PCR products' electrophoresis to identify the filarial species. Therefore, the aim of this study was to design a quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR) assay using filarial-specific hydrolysis probes, targeting 18S rRNA and ITS1 genes, allowing the simultaneous diagnosis of loiasis, mansonellosis and other human filariasis without the need of electrophoresis or melting temperature analysis.

Protective effects of coenzyme Q10 against trihexyphenidyl-induced testicular oxidative damage: modulation of antioxidant enzymes, inflammatory markers, hormonal and steroidogenic pathways in rats.

Background: Trihexyphenidyl is clinically effective for Parkinson's disease and antipsychotic-induced extrapyramidal symptoms. However, its abuse potential and adverse effects on male reproductive health are significant concerns. Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10), a potent antioxidant, is known to protect reproductive tissues from injury.

Artificial intelligence in Nigerian oncology practice: A qualitative exploration of oncologists' perspectives.

Background: Artificial intelligence (AI) offers potential solutions to address critical challenges in oncology practice, particularly in resource-constrained settings like Nigeria. However, successful implementation requires understanding healthcare providers' perspectives, which remain largely unexplored in the Nigerian context.

Aim: To explore Nigerian oncologists' perspectives on AI applications in oncology practice, identifying knowledge levels, perceived benefits, implementation barriers, and priority areas for AI integration.

Intestinal ischemia-reperfusion and blood-brain barrier compromise: pathways to cognitive dysfunction.

Intestinal ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) injury, a disorder occurring from interruption of blood flow to the intestines followed by its restoration, causes a cascade of events leading to systemic consequences, including cognitive impairment. This study analyses the complicated link between intestinal I/R damage and blood-brain barrier (BBB) compromise, highlighting essential processes such as systemic inflammation, gut microbiota dysbiosis, oxidative stress, vagus nerve activation, and altered gut microbial metabolite production. During I/R injury, the weakened gut barrier permits the translocation of microbial products and inflammatory mediators into the circulation, beginning systemic inflammation that disrupts the BBB and exacerbates neuronal damage.

Charts, Calendars, Questionnaires & Intake Forms: Navigating the Options when Caring for Patients with Migraine.

Purpose Of Review: To describe the different options available to collect clinical data for headache care via intake forms, questionnaires, diary, and electronic health record (EHR) and practical ways to optimize clinic flow and data integration in this era of information overload.

Recent Findings: Digital technologies can be leveraged to help with data integration and processing of information. New technologies and progress with data integration have the potential to help streamline flow and improve healthcare outcomes.

Cardioprotective effect of metformin/donepezil combination in HFD/STZ-induced diabetic male Wistar rats involves acetylcholinesterase inhibition and modulation of Bax/Bcl-2/caspase 3 pathway.

Background: Diabetes is a growing health challenge with a global socio-economic burden. It is associated with several complications, such as cardiac injury. Diabetes-associated cardiac damage is linked with cardiac acetylcholinesterase (AchE) increase and apoptotic injury.

Micronized purified flavonoid fraction (daflon) improves sexual function by modulating NF-kB /NO/cGMP and steroidogenic signaling in cisplatin-treated male Wistar rats.

Cisplatin is known to induce sexual dysfunction by suppressing testosterone levels. It also upregulates nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-kB), which mediates nitric oxide (NO)-dependent endothelial dysfunction. This study evaluated the effects of daflon, a micronized purified flavonoid fraction that contains diosmin and hesperidin, on the NF-kB/NO/cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP) and steroidogenic signaling pathways in cisplatin-induced male sexual dysfunction.