Articles

Metabolic diseases such as hypertension, obesity, diabetes, and vascular disorders have reached epidemic proportions worldwide [1–6]. Despite major advances in medicine, cardiovascular disease has remained the leading cause of death for more than a century. Among these disorders, diabetes mellitus stands out as a major contributor to morbidity and mortality, placing a heavy burden on patients, healthcare systems, and economies. 

This commentary addresses two distinct aspects of autism spectrum condition. First, it critiques the proposed link between fetal testosterone levels and the emergence of autistic traits, arguing that such theories are reductive and risk overshadowing the profound heterogeneity and individuality of autistic people. The author suggests a more limited, theoretical connection between testosterone-driven neural development and a higher incidence of STEM savant skills in some autistic individuals.

Contrast-induced acute kidney injury (CI-AKI) is a potential complication following percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), particularly in patients with pre-existing kidney conditions. Previous research has identified hyperuricemia as a predictor for CI-AKI. Allopurinol, a medication commonly used to manage hyperuricemia, also possesses anti-inflammatory properties. This study aims to assess the impact of adding allopurinol to hydration therapy on CI-AKI incidence in patients undergoing PCI.

Immunotherapy, particularly immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs), has revolutionized cancer treatment by harnessing the host immune system to target malignancies. Melanoma, head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC), and triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) were among the first solid tumors to gain regulatory approval for ICIs due to their immunogenicity and unmet clinical needs. Melanoma exemplifies the success of ICI therapy, with durable responses driven by its high mutation burden and neoantigen landscape, yet both primary and acquired resistance remain major challenges. 

Vitamin B12 (cobalamin) is an essential micronutrient involved in DNA synthesis, erythropoiesis, and neurological function. Deficiency can result in hematological, neurological, and psychiatric manifestations, potentially leading to severe and irreversible complications if untreated. This editorial reviews current therapeutic strategies for vitamin B12 deficiency, including conventional supplementation forms, recommended dosages, and treatment durations. 

Breast cancer remains the most frequently diagnosed malignancy in women worldwide. TNBC—defined by the absence of estrogen receptor (ER), progesterone receptor (PR), and human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)—comprises ~15–20% of cases and is disproportionately represented among younger women, women of African ancestry, and carriers of germline BRCA1 mutations.

Influenza and other seasonal respiratory viruses affect millions annually. While age is generally known to be correlated with risk and outcome, the mechanisms underlying thesedifferences, especially in the infected, have been poorly defined. Previous studies have focused primarily on cell-subset shifts in older adults, leaving a gap in understanding of how cytokine responses vary across the full age spectrum.

Chronic Spontaneous Urticaria (CSU) is a multifactorial disease with an incompletely understood etiology. COVID-19 vaccines can influence the immune system. This study evaluates the risk factors and comorbidities associated with CSU in patients who developed CSU following COVID-19 vaccination or infection.

Male involvement in sexual and reproductive health (SRH) is increasingly recognized as a crucial factor for improving maternal, neonatal, and family well-being. This paper shares personal, peer, and community experiences from Nepal, highlighting both the benefits and barriers to men’s engagement in SRH. 

Esophageal cancer, a highly aggressive malignancy, frequently presents with advanced-stage dysphagia, significantly impacting patient quality of life. While surgical resection offers the best chance for cure in early stages, many patients are diagnosed with unresectable or metastatic disease, necessitating palliative interventions to alleviate symptoms.

Aim: This study evaluates the sociodemographic, clinical, and anthropometric data of infants diagnosed with Food Protein-Induced Allergic Proctocolitis (FPIAP), categorized as exclusively breastfeeding or formula feeding at the onset of symptoms. This division allows us to compare the effects of different feeding on the development of FPIAP. Methods: This retrospective, observational, single-center study included infants ≤36 months diagnosed with FPIAP. Exclusion criteria were chronic morbidities to ensure a focused study population. 

Undifferentiated embryonal sarcoma of the liver (UESL) is an uncommon malignant neoplasm in the pediatric population, accounting for a small fraction of primary hepatic tumors but associated with an aggressive clinical course and poor prognosis. Surgical resection remains the mainstay of treatment; however, extended hepatectomy can leave patients with limited functional reserve and predispose them to hepatic failure, making liver transplantation (LT) a therapeutic alternative in selected cases.

Congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) is a developmental defect of the diaphragm, occurring in approximately 1 in 3,000 live births with a high mortality rate of between 30 and 50%. This narrative review provides an update on antenatal and postnatal management strategies and current outcomes emphasizing where further research is required. Fetal endotracheal obstruction (FETO) has been demonstrated in a large RCT to improve survival in the most severe CDH and is now adopted into clinical practice.

Both asthma and periodontitis are multifactorial and highly prevalent with global burden chronic diseases sharing similar genetic, environmental, infectious, and inflammatory factors. The first attempts to study the relationship between asthma and periodontal diseases started in the 1970s and continued till now a days. 

Antibiotics play an important role in both the prophylaxis and treatment of infectious diseases and are a cornerstone of modern healthcare. Antibiotics are lifesaving medicines and have enabled many advances in modern medicine. However, the more they are used, the less effective they become. Thus, the issues of their availability, selection, and appropriate use are of critical importance to the global community.

Heart failure (HF) stands out as a major reason for hospital admissions. Vitamin D deficiency is also associated with a higher risk of cardiovascular diseases. Due to recent conflicting findings, this study aimed to investigate clinical outcomes based on serum vitamin D levels in hospitalized patients with HF.

Zebrafish xenograft models have become indispensable in cancer biology for their capacity to recapitulate key aspects of human tumor progression in a live vertebrate system. However, widespread adoption has been constrained by the technical demands of microinjection, which require extensive training, result in operator variability, and limit scalability. 

The intersection of computational neuroscience and environmental modeling has birthed novel algorithms that emulate brain-inspired emotional learning. One such contribution is the BELBFM (Brain Emotional Learning Based on Basic and Functional Memories) model, recently proposed for dual-height wind speed forecasting. While designed for meteorological applications, the structure and function of BELBFM echo principles long studied in neurobiology.

Extraforaminal spinal nerve stimulation (SNS) is an emerging neuromodulation technique for treating neuropathic pain. Targeting the spinal nerve distal to the intervertebral foramen enables anatomically precise stimulation, distinguishing it from conventional spinal cord or dorsal root ganglion stimulation. This article provides the first comprehensive description of the extraforaminal SNS approach, including technical refinements, anatomical insights, and clinical experience.

Hypoplastic internal carotid artery (HICA) is a rare congenital vascular anomaly, typically asymptomatic due to collateral circulation. However, in certain cases, it may present with ischemic stroke. We report a 17-year-old male with a history of smoking and illicit drug use who presented with acute left-sided weakness. Imaging revealed an infarct in the right middle cerebral artery territory and a hypoplastic right internal carotid artery.