Journals
2025 EN
Khamis Abdulqader · Pagès Jordi F. · Arthur Rohan
+8 more
ABSTRACT Spatially explicit aggregations of wide‐ranging marine mammals are important conservation targets. Determining why particular sites sustain such aggregations is crucial to ensure effective science‐based management. In Bahrain, large dugong aggregations (defined as > 50 dugongs) persist predictably around Hawar Island, occupying these waters year‐round at two core aggregation sites. In this study, key environmental, ecological and anthropogenic factors associated with the distribution of these aggregations were evaluated. For this, spatially explicit data from historical records, structured interviews, satellite imagery, habitat cartographies and field ecological surveys were combined and modelled. The two aggregation sites corresponded to winter and summer dugong feeding grounds. There was no indication of localized warm water discharges; surface temperatures at these sites were similar to surrounding waters. The sites were > 80% covered by shallow (3–9 m) stretches of seagrass, encompassed by extensive sheltered meadows (> 400 km 2 ) that were composed of three pioneer seagrass species. A binomial generalized linear model indicated that the presence of seagrass meadows was the primary factor associated with the distributional patterns of large dugong aggregations around Bahrain. These meadows overlapped with historically important fishing grounds and received constant boat traffic, subjecting dugongs and their key habitats to intensifying threats associated with fishing gear and boats. The persistence of large dugong aggregations depends on the maintenance of extensive, unfragmented, healthy seagrass meadows. This requires collaborative regional spatial planning, and the establishment of an effectively managed transboundary protected area that regulates coastal development, net fishing and motorized vessels.
Journals
2025 EN
Li Jiahao · Ahmed Hanan Hassan · Hussein Ali M.
+11 more
Abstract Polysaccharides, the most abundant biopolymers in nature, have attracted the attention of researchers and clinicians due to its practicality in biomedical and pharmaceutical sciences. These biomaterials have high bioavailability and play structural and functional roles in living organisms. Polysaccharides are classified into several groups based on their origin, including plant polysaccharides and marine polysaccharides (like chitosan, hyaluronic acid, dextran, alginates, etc.) with specific applications. These biopolymers possess unique physicochemical (such as surface functional groups, solubility, and stability), mechanical (like mechanical strength and tensile), and biomedical (such as antioxidant activity, biocompatibility, biodegradability, renewability, and non‐immunogenicity) characteristics which have made them excellent platforms for a wide variety of biomedical and pharmaceutical applications. Ease of extraction and different preparation approaches are mentioned as other potential properties of polysaccharides that further improved their practicality in biomedical sciences. They have high drug/bioactive encapsulation capacity and sustained/controlled release manner in in vivo microenvironments. The anti‐inflammatory and immunomodulation, stimuli‐responsive drug/bioactive release, and passive and active drug/bioactive delivery are considered the potential features of these biopolymers in pharmaceutical sciences. Polysaccharides have indicated practical applications in biomedical sciences, including biosensors, tissue engineering, implantation, wound healing, vascular grafting, and vaccines. This review highlights the advances of polysaccharide‐based materials in biomedical and pharmaceutical sciences.
Journals
2025 EN
Obaid Abdulsalam Y. · Alaridhee Zaman Abdalhussein Ibadi · Hjazi Ahmed
+8 more
ABSTRACT A label‐free electrochemical immunosensor based on the zeolitic imidazolate framework‐8 (ZIF8)/bismuth ferrite (BFO) nanocomposite was fabricated for the specific and sensitive quantification of prostate‐specific antigen (PSA). The ZIF8‐BFO material not only increases the surface area effectively but also enhances the catalytic capability of the electrode through a dual amplification strategy, leading to the improved sensitivity of the probe for PSA recognition. A thin layer of l ‐cysteine was used for two reasons: providing a scaffold for the next functionalization and reducing the fouling of plasma ingredients on the surface of the probe. The mechanical and spectroscopic properties of the produced nanomaterials were characterized using different techniques such as field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), x‐ray diffraction (XRD), atomic force microscopy (AFM), the Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), and dynamic light scattering (DLS)/Zeta analyzer. The electroanalytical properties of the probe were studied using square‐wave voltammetry (SWV) and cyclic voltammetry (CV). The signal of the probe decreased proportionally with increasing PSA concentration in the 100.0 pg/mL–15.0 ng/mL range, with a limit of detection (LOD) of 85 pg/mL. The proposed platform has been successfully employed to measure PSA levels in human serum samples with acceptable accuracy. The capability of the probe was evaluated in detecting PSA in patient's serum samples, with results compared to those obtained from the gold standard enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The results suggested that the ZIF8‐BFO material‐based probe could be used as a promising method for detecting PSA and tracing therapy progression in clinics.
Journals
2025 EN
Waseem Muhammad Hassan · Abideen Zain ul · Rehman Nohela
+6 more
ABSTRACT Background Spontaneous supratentorial intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) is a critical condition with high morbidity and mortality rates warranting urgent surgical evacuation. This systematic review and meta‐analysis compare the safety and efficacy of neuro‐endoscopy (NE) versus traditional craniotomy (CR) for managing ICH. Methods From inception until July 2024, a comprehensive literature search was undertaken on PubMed, Cochrane Central, ScienceDirect, and Clinicaltrials.gov. Risk ratios (RR) and weighted mean differences (WMD) were pooled for categorical and continuous outcomes under the random effects model in Review Manager software. 5.4.1. Leave‐one‐out sensitivity analysis, Egger's regression, GRADE assessment, and meta‐regression were performed to evaluate the heterogeneity, publication bias, certainty of evidence, and effect size variability, respectively. Results Our meta‐analysis included eight clinical trials and 20 cohort studies with 9,437 patients. NE outperformed CR in terms of favorable neurological outcomes (RR = 1.59, 95% CI: [1.30,1.94]; p < 0.00001; I 2 = 90%), mortality (RR = 0.62, 95% CI:[0.48,0.81]; p < 0.0004; I 2 = 51%), hematoma evacuation rate (WMD = 7.17, 95% CI: [4.68,9.65]%; p < 0.00001; I 2 = 94%) operating time (WMD = ‐102.08 min, 95 CI: [‐120.29,‐83.87]; p < 0.00001; I 2 = 98%), blood loss (WMD = ‐255.51 mL, 95% CI: [‐383.61,‐127.41]; p < 0.0001; I 2 = 100%), length of hospital stay (WMD = ‐3.34 days, 95% CI: [‐5.05,‐1.64] days; p < 0.0001; I 2 = 62%), ICU stay (WMD = ‐2.85, 95% CI: [‐5.13,‐0.57] days; p < 0.01; I 2 = 96%), meningitis (RR = 0.58, 95% CI: [0.36,0.95]; p < 0.03; I 2 = 10 %), infections (RR = 0.49, 95% CI: [0.35,0.67]; p < 0.0001; I 2 = 51%), residual hematoma volume (MD = ‐2.22; 95% CI: [‐3.37,‐1.07]; p < 0.0002; I 2 = 90%) and overall complications (RR = 0.52, 95% CI: [0.40‐0.67]; p < 0.00001; I 2 = 70%). In addition, re‐bleeding was found to be comparable between the CR and NE groups (p = 0.08). Conclusion NE treatment for spontaneous intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) is associated with favorable neurological outcomes, decreased mortality, shorter operating time, reduced blood loss and residual volume, shorter length of hospital and intensive care unit (ICU) stay, and fewer infections, meningitis, and overall complications; however, the re‐bleeding rate was found to be comparable.
Journals
2025 EN
Waseem Muhammad Hassan · Abideen Zain ul · Khan Muhammad Haris
+7 more
ABSTRACT Background: Tenecteplase (TNK) is a novel thrombolytic agent gaining attention as an alternative to alteplase for treating acute ischemic stroke (AIS). This meta‐analysis evaluates the safety and efficacy of various TNK doses compared to alteplase, integrating recent randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and employing a frequentist network meta‐analysis to identify the optimal dose while addressing existing evidence gaps. Methods: Up until December 2024, PubMed, Cochrane Central, and ScienceDirect were searched. Using Review Manager 5.4.1 for pairwise meta‐analysis, the Risk Ratios (RR) with 95% Confidence Intervals (CI) were pooled under the random effects model. Additionally, R version 4.3.2 and the “netmeta” package were used to conduct a network meta‐analysis for various dosages of the two thrombolytic drugs. Results: Thirteen RCTs, pooling 9,044 patients, were included in the quantitative synthesis. TNK was associated with a statistically significant improvement in the excellent functional outcome (mRS 0–1) (RR = 1.04; 95% CI: [1.00, 1.08]; p = 0.03) compared to alteplase. No significant differences were observed between TNK and alteplase in terms of good functional outcome (mRS 0–2), poor functional outcome (mRS 5–6), major neurological improvement within 72 h, symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage (sICH), or mortality at 90 days. On network analysis, TNK 0.25 mg/kg showed significant improvement in excellent functional outcome (RR = 1.05, 95% CI: [1.01, 1.10]) and TNK 0.32 mg/kg in good functional outcome (1.30, 95% CI: [1.15, 1.48]) compared to alteplase. According to the P‐score ranking, TNK 0.25 mg/kg was ranked as the best for achieving an excellent outcome (P‐score = 0.86), and TNK 0.1 mg/kg as the worst (P‐score = 0.16). For symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage (sICH), alteplase 0.9 mg/kg was ranked as the best (P‐score = 0.71), and TNK 0.4 mg/kg as the worst (P‐score = 0.17). Conclusion: TNK (0.25‐0.32 mg/kg) demonstrates superior efficacy compared to alteplase in achieving functional outcomes for AIS, while alteplase remains safer regarding sICH. Optimal dosing favors TNK 0.25 mg/kg for efficacy, but safety considerations highlight the need for individualized thrombolytic selection.
Journals
2025 EN
Shubietah Abdalhakim · Awashra Ameer · Milhem Fathi
+11 more
ABSTRACT Background How acute coronary syndrome (ACS) mortality has evolved among people with cirrhosis at the national level is unclear, and the clinical implications for cardio‐hepatic care are underdefined. Methods Using CDC WONDER mortality files (1999–2020), we identified deaths with ACS as the underlying cause and cirrhosis listed among multiple causes, computed age‐adjusted mortality rates (AAMRs; per 100,000), and modeled trends with Joinpoint regression. Subgroups included sex, race/ethnicity, urbanization, and place of death. Results We identified 10,319 cirrhosis‐associated ACS deaths; the overall AAMR was 0.22. Rates were higher in men than women (0.33 vs. 0.12) and higher in Hispanic than non‐Hispanic individuals (0.31 vs. 0.20). American Indian/Alaska Native had the highest AAMR (0.34). Rural noncore counties had the highest AAMR (0.28). Joinpoint detected a national inflection in 2014: AAMR declined from 1999 to 2014 (APC − 3.49%) and increased thereafter (APC + 5.38%), with an overall AAPC of −1.03%. Conclusions After years of decline, cirrhosis‐associated ACS mortality has risen since 2014, with persistent disparities by sex, race/ethnicity, and rurality. These data support integrated cardio‐hepatic pathways, targeted outreach to rural and historically underserved groups, and system‐level quality improvement focused on time‐sensitive ACS care in cirrhosis.
Journals
2025 EN
Noor Azka · Kunwar Digbijay · Tasneem Zahra
+1 more
ABSTRACT This case report highlights the clinical complexity of Bardet‐Biedl syndrome, a rare autosomal recessive disorder, emphasizing reproductive anomalies to aid in diagnosis and management. It underscores the importance of thorough assessment and advocates for genetic testing to optimize care, despite current financial, and laboratory constraints.
Journals
2025 EN
Awashra Ameer · Shubietah Abdalhakim · Rezkalla Abraam
+2 more
ABSTRACT The inferior vena cava is a crucial venous structure that originates during the first trimester of gestation. Anomalies in its development can lead to rare conditions, including duplication of the inferior vena cava (DIVC). This case report describes a 26‐year‐old male with no significant medical history who presented with acute dysphagia after consuming a large piece of chicken. An esophagogastroduodenoscopy revealed food impaction, which was successfully managed. However, an incidental finding during a computed tomography scan revealed a DIVC, a rare anatomical variation. This case highlights the importance of recognizing such vascular anomalies, as they can have significant clinical implications, particularly in surgical and interventional procedures. While the patient remained asymptomatic concerning the DIVC, the condition requires careful monitoring to prevent potential complications, such as deep vein thrombosis, pulmonary embolism, and misdiagnosis during imaging studies. This report contributes to the growing body of literature on DIVC, emphasizing the need for awareness of this condition among clinicians to ensure accurate diagnosis and appropriate management.
Journals
2025 EN
Fatih Mohammed Taib · Mahmood Mohammed Abdalla · Mahmood Mohammed Khalid
+5 more
ABSTRACT Fibrous dysplasia (FD) is a rare, benign fibro‐osseous lesion characterized by replacement of normal bone with extensive fibrous stroma due to abnormalities in osteoblast differentiation. After puberty and during adulthood, FD lesions usually become quiescent. However, some cases show signs of regrowth and reactivation. Here, we report a previously stable maxillary FD case in a 32‐year‐old man reactivated after a mild COVID‐19 infection. We hypothesize that SARS‐CoV‐2 may utilize diverse mechanisms to induce tumor/cancer in multiple organs, including initiating inflammatory cascades and modifying tumor‐suppressing pathways. The capacity of SARS‐CoV‐2 to enhance the expression of proinflammatory and tumorigenic molecules necessitates further research to ascertain any correlation between this viral infection and FD or other similar diseases.
Journals
2025 EN
Zaeem Muhammad · Hassan Ameer Hamza Mehmood Ul · Javaid Muhammad Hassaan
+4 more
ABSTRACT Harlequin Ichthyosis (HI) is an extremely rare, autosomal recessive, and highly fatal condition in neonates. It is especially difficult to control in the low‐ and middle‐income countries (LMICs) due to the low rate of prenatal screening, cultural reluctance, and lack of access to neonatal intensive care. We present a 37‐week neonate born to a diabetic mother from a consanguineous marriage with a background of HI‐related neonatal mortality. The child had classical manifestations of HI in the form of hyperkeratotic armor‐like plates, eclabium, ectropion, and limb contractures. Oral acitretin was started at 1.1 mg/kg/day along with intensive supportive care but the neonate had become septic and succumbed on day nine despite multi‐antibiotic therapy, intravenous fluid resuscitation, and oral retinoid therapy. There was mild dermatological improvement with retinoid therapy but systemic improvement was not observed. Antenatal diagnosis was not made because of poor prenatal care and religious reluctance. On record, the present case is the first reported one for our region showing a likely association between maternal diabetes and high HI severity because epigenetic studies suggest that hyperglycemia may alter fetal gene expression, particularly in pathways related to cell adhesion and barrier function. The case highlights the intersection of maternal comorbidities, consanguinity, and healthcare system gaps in aggravating HI outcomes in LMICs. It necessitates emergent interventions such as subsidized prenatal screening, genetic counseling outreach, particularly concerning maternal diabetes, additional research, consanguineous marriage counseling, and neonatal infection control to enhance prognosis and prevent recurrence.