Articles

Over recent years, the concept of renal rehabilitation has steadily gained acceptance and recognition within numerous medical and allied health specialties. Practitioners such as nephrologists, dialysis and transplantation experts, rehabilitation professionals, nutritionists, nursing staff, physiotherapists, clinical guideline developers, and patient representatives have collectively contributed to expanding awareness and understanding of this vital intervention.

Almost all programs for the control of soil-transmitted helminth infections implemented across Asia, Africa, and Latin America have focused on at-risk population through mass deworming, health education, and, when possible, environmental sanitation, underestimating the importance of the physician's role in these populations. The physician who provides services in the communities is an opinion leader, and if equipped with the necessary cognitive tools, could be crucial in any attempt to control many entities, including soil-transmitted helminth infections.

Brucellosis is a preventable bacterial illness that is common all over the world and a consistent problem in Saudi Arabia. Understanding the true prevalence of the disease in Saudi Arabia could provide information on how to tackle this health concern.

Fasciolosis (fascioliasis) is an important parasitic disease of both animals and humans, caused by Fasciola hepatica and F. gigantica. These liver flukes have a complex life cycle involving freshwater snails as intermediate hosts, with infection occurring through ingestion of metacercariae on contaminated vegetation or water.

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is a long-term digestive condition marked by the backflow of stomach contents into the esophagus. The worldwide combined prevalence of GERD was found to be 13.98%. GERD remains a significant public health problem due to its high global prevalence and potential for severe complications, including esophagitis, strictures, and progression to Barrett’s esophagus and esophageal adenocarcinoma. 

Breast cancer remains the most diagnosed malignancy among women worldwide and continues to be the leading cause of cancer-related deaths. In Kuwait, the disease accounts for 40.1% of all new female cancer cases according to the World Health Organization’s Global Cancer Observatory (2022) [1], reflecting a pressing national health challenge. 

Tetraspanins associate with many proteins and are involved in numerous activities like the crosstalk between cells and matrix, tumor progression, angiogenesis, and hematopoiesis. 

Registered nurses including advanced practice registered nurse practitioners (APRN) are the backbone of the healthcare system. Their responsibilities extend beyond basic patient care to include health promotion, disease prevention, management of acute and chronic illnesses and providing services in anesthesia care and obstetrics. Although nurses represent the largest segment of healthcare professionals and are widely recognized as indispensable collaborators with physicians, they paradoxically occupy undervalued position within the healthcare hierarchy. 

The escalating prevalence of multidrug-resistant (MDR) Acinetobacter baumannii presents a formidable challenge to global healthcare, necessitating innovative therapeutic strategies. This review explores the critical role of clinical microbiology in the detection, surveillance, and management of MDR A. baumannii infections, underscoring the importance of accurate diagnostics and infection control.

DNA polymerase epsilon subunit 2 (POLE2) is a vital component of the DNA polymerase epsilon complex, essential for leading-strand DNA synthesis and maintaining genomic stability. Recent cancer studies have highlighted POLE2's oncogenic importance, as it is overexpressed in breast, lung, liver, and kidney cancers. Elevated POLE2 levels often correlate with poor overall and relapse-free survival, though some cancer types show contradictory associations, suggesting context-dependent roles.

Background: Falls are the second leading cause of unintentional injury deaths among older adults, often resulting in fractures, disability, loss of independence, and increased mortality. Aim: This review explores the global burden of falls, highlights risk factors and regional disparities, and examines prevention and policy strategies with a focus on LMICs.

Cytotoxic CD8+ T lymphocytes (CTLs) are classically viewed as effectors of cellular immunity, eliminating infected or malignant cells. Yet an underappreciated facet of their biology is their capacity to impose negative regulation on antigen-presenting cells (APCs), including dendritic cells (DCs), macrophages, and B cells. In this review, we explore the hypothesis that overly robust CTL responses may inadvertently impair humoral immunity by prematurely trimming APC lifespan, constraining T follicular helper (Tfh) induction, and reducing antibody production and immune durability.

The regenerative medicine landscape is undergoing its fastest change due to the breakthroughs in stem cell therapy. The versatility of stem cells places them at the frontline of medical research with a promise of the possibilities of treating numerous diseases, both degenerative and traumatic. 

Obesity, which is increasing world-wide results from an interaction of genetic and environmental factors. Monogenic obesity which is rare is currently identified by gene sequencing. Drug therapy is available for these specific subsets of genetic obesity. 

Antiretroviral therapy (ART) has transformed HIV-1 from a fatal infection into a manageable chronic condition. Yet ART cannot eradicate latent viral reservoirs, necessitating lifelong adherence and leaving more than 38 million people worldwide without a definitive cure [1].

Brain tumors, especially malignant gliomas and metastases, continue to pose serious clinical challenges due to their complex biology and limited treatment options. The traditional research paradigm mainly focuses on the tumor cells themselves and their interaction with the immune microenvironment, while the critical role of the nervous system (including neurons, glial cells, neurotransmitters/modulators, and nerve fibers) in the pathological process of tumors has been underestimated for a long time. 

The recently published study “Religious practices and quality of life in palliative care: insights from Tanzania” has brought to the forefront the indispensable role of spiritual practices in supporting patients with advanced cancer. The overwhelming demand for prayer and faith-based engagement demonstrates how religion provides meaning, resilience, and comfort in the face of terminal illness.

Psychosomatic disorders are highly prevalent in modern healthcare systems, reflecting the intricate interplay between psychological distress, sociocultural stressors, and physical symptomatology. Migration represents one of the major psychosocial stressors of the 21^st century, yet its effects on mental health are highly heterogeneous and influenced by intersecting factors such as gender, socioeconomic position, and discrimination experiences.

Yao syndrome (YAOS) is a NOD2-associated autoinflammatory disease marked by periodic fevers, dermatitis, polyarthritis, distal extremity swelling, and nearly universal gastrointestinal symptoms. A recent study was the first to comprehensively assess the gastrointestinal symptoms and manifestations of YAOS, finding that most testing is normal, without gastrointestinal mucosal inflammation, and many patients have constipation and rectal evacuation disorders.

Diabetic Myonecrosis is a rare, under-diagnosed complication of long-standing diabetes mellitus. The condition often mimics several other conditions which results in delay in diagnosis and treatment. It usually affects muscles of the lower limbs especially thighs, presenting with acute onset pain and swelling.