Current Update Research Articles

Pharmacological advances in anti-retroviral therapy for human immunodeficiency virus-1 infection: A comprehensive review.

The discovery of anti-retroviral (ARV) drugs over the past 36years has introduced various classes, including nucleoside/nucleotide reverse transcriptase inhibitors, non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors, protease inhibitor, fusion, and integrase strand transfer inhibitors inhibitors. The introduction of combined highly active anti-retroviral therapies in 1996 was later proven to combat further ARV drug resistance along with enhancing human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) suppression. As though the development of ARV therapies was continuously expanding, the variation of action caused by ARV drugs, along with its current updates, was not comprehensively discussed, particularly for HIV-1 infection. Thus, a range of HIV-1 ARV medications is covered in this review, including new developments in ARV therapy based on the drug's mechanism of action, the challenges related to HIV-1, and the need for combination therapy. Optimistically, this article will consolidate the overall updates of HIV-1 ARV treatments and conclude the significance of HIV-1-related pharmacotherapy research to combat the global threat of HIV infection.

Serum liquid biopsy for brain tumours: a scoping analysis of practicable approaches in low- and middle-income countries.

Approaches to brain tumour diagnosis and detecting recurrence after treatment are costly and significantly invasive. Developing peripheral-sample liquid biopsy tools is the key to enhancing our ability to prognosticate brain tumour subtypes and molecular heterogeneity. The present scoping review was designed to discuss current updates in liquid biopsy tools for diagnosis and guiding clinical management of brain tumours; we evaluated the literature within the context of low-and-middle-income country challenges. Circulating tumour cells (CTCs), circulating tumour DNA (ctDNA), cell-free DNA (cfDNA), extracellular vesicle-associated biomarkers, protein biomarkers, microRNAs, and serum metabolites are discussed with the collation of current data supporting their utility in liquid biopsy. Further challenges to implanting liquid biopsy tools at a systematic level are highlighted.

27. Training Paradigms: A Current Update To Plastic Surgery Training In Sub-saharan Africa

27. Training Paradigms: A Current Update To Plastic Surgery Training In Sub-saharan Africa

Updated Review of Radiologic Imaging and Intervention for Acute Pancreatitis and Its Complications.

This is a current update on radiologic imaging and intervention of acute pancreatitis and its complications. In this review, we define the various complications of acute pancreatitis, discuss the imaging findings, as well as the timing of when these complications occur. The various classification and scoring systems of acute pancreatitis are summarized. Advantages and disadvantages of the 3 primary radiologic imaging modalities are compared. We then discuss radiologic interventions for acute pancreatitis. These include diagnostic aspiration as well as percutaneous catheter drainage of fluid collections, abscesses, pseudocysts, and necrosis. Recommendations for when these interventions should be considered, as well as situations in which they are contraindicated are discussed. Fortunately, acute pancreatitis usually is mild; however, serious complications occur in 20%, and admission of patients to the intensive care unit (ICU) occurs in over 10%. In this paper, we will focus on the imaging and interventional radiologic aspects for the serious complications and patients admitted to the ICU.

Current Update Waste to Energy in Developing Country; A Review and Bibliometric Analysis

The concept of processing waste into energy has developed in the last few decades, especially in developing countries. This paper reviews a bibliometric overview of the waste-to-energy literature and related analyzes in developing countries in the last 10 years. The research method used is quantitative with bibliometric analysis on the Scopus database. Based on this method, the number of articles analyzed was 1,880 articles in the form of journals, conference papers, and scientific reviews. There are four stages of analysis, namely determining the source title, keywords, country, and selection literature. Data analysis using a bibliometric approach found 116 articles related to Waste-to-Energy Incineration in developing countries. This study uses VOSviewer software version 1.6.19 for data complexity. The results of this study indicate that the Waste to Energy was divided into five clusters with 56 keywords. The most powerful topics related to this Waste-to-Energy are Municipal Solid Waste and Technology. Research on related waste into energy has increased in developing countries since 2004. This study found keywords such as biofuel and electricity, indicating the current trends in Waste to Energy research in the visualization of research trend mapping.

Adult traumatic brachial plexus injuries: advances and current updates.

Nerve grafting, tendon transfer and joint fusion are routinely used to improve the upper limb function in patients with brachial plexus palsies. Newer techniques have been developed that provide additional options for reconstruction. Nerve transfer is a tool for restoring upper limb function in total root avulsions where nerve grafting is not possible. In partial brachial plexus injuries, nerve transfers can greatly improve shoulder, elbow, wrist and hand function. Intraoperative electrical stimulation can be used to diagnose precisely which nerve is injured and to choose which nerve fascicles should be transferred. Finally, measuring the postoperative outcome can improve the evaluation of our techniques. The aim of this article was to present the current techniques used to treat patients with brachial plexus injury.

Revisiting the CCIs-tourism nexus: insights from Smart Specialisation Strategies

In recent years, increasing attention has been paid to the importance of interrelationships between cultural and creative industries (CCIs) and tourism for cross-industry innovation and sustainable local development. The purpose of this study is to deepen the understanding of the role and relevance of the CCIs-tourism nexus for innovation-driven socio-economic transformation of territories through regional policy design and implementation in Smart Specialisation Strategies (RIS3). To this end, a thematic analysis has been conducted to explore the links between CCIs and tourism in RIS3 prioritization choices and whether and how it has been revisited from the previous programming period (2014–2020) to the current updates of strategies (2021–2027). The findings provide insights into the focus and evolution of this nexus to address the role of CCIs in enabling innovation-led regional development for the triple transition.

Current Updates on Involvement of Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning in Semen Analysis.

Background and Objectives: Infertility rates and the number of couples undergoing reproductive care have both increased substantially during the last few decades. Semen analysis is a crucial step in both the diagnosis and the treatment of male infertility. The accuracy of semen analysis results remains quite poor despite years of practice and advancements. Artificial intelligence (AI) algorithms, which can analyze and synthesize large amounts of data, can address the unique challenges involved in semen analysis due to the high objectivity of current methodologies. This review addresses recent AI advancements in semen analysis. Materials and Methods: A systematic literature search was performed in the PubMed database. Non-English articles and studies not related to humans were excluded. We extracted data related to AI algorithms or models used to evaluate semen parameters from the original studies, excluding abstracts, case reports, and meeting reports. Results: Of the 306 articles identified, 225 articles were rejected in the preliminary screening. The evaluation of the full texts of the remaining 81 publications resulted in the exclusion of another 48 articles, with a final inclusion of 33 original articles in this review. Conclusions: AI and machine learning are becoming increasingly popular in biomedical applications. The examination and selection of sperm by andrologists and embryologists may benefit greatly from using these algorithms. Furthermore, when bigger and more reliable datasets become accessible for training, these algorithms may improve over time.

Dental Implant Imaging and Its Current Update: A Review

Dental Implant Imaging and Its Current Update: A Review

Recombinant VLP Vaccines Synthesized in Plant Expression Systems: Current Updates and Prospects

The development and creation of a new generation vaccines based on recombinant proteins that assemble into virus-like particles (VLPs), as well as recombinant proteins in the form of nanoparticles, are promising directions in modern biotechnology. Due to their large size (20-200 nm) and multiplicity of viral antigenic determinants on the surface, VLPs can stimulate strong humoral and cellular immune responses. The main types of VLPs, as well as the features and disadvantages of the main expression systems used for their biosynthesis, are considered in this review. The main focus was on plant expression systems that ensure the biosynthesis of a target recombinant protein from a DNA matrix integrated into the nuclear or chloroplast genomes of a plant (stable expression) or from a matrix for temporary production of the target product (transient expression). Various approaches for increasing the yield of VLP-forming recombinant proteins, including fusion with a transit peptide that directed the protein into the chloroplast, were discussed. The possibility of accumulation of recombinant proteins expressed in plants and intended for creation of VLP-vaccines in another type of nanoparticle, protein bodies, using specific signal sequences was also considered.

High precision map crowdsource update technology and SLAM technology - Application in autonomous driving

In response to the challenges faced by real-time dynamic updates of high-precision maps for autonomous driving in terms of high precision, high reliability, and high safety, this paper summarizes the difficulties and challenges currently faced by high-precision map updates. Accelerate the large-scale commercialization of autonomous driving high-precision maps. Thus, improving the safety and stability of intelligent vehicles and providing critical support for high-level autonomous driving. Firstly, the definition and connotation of autonomous driving maps were described, and the data characteristics and functional applications of autonomous driving maps were pointed out. Secondly, the development status and trends of high-precision map updates were reviewed, and the advantages and disadvantages of centralized map updates and crowdsourced map updates were summarized. Pointing out that crowdsource updates have become a new trend in the development of map updates. Once again, the basic architecture and key core modules of current crowdsource updates were summarized, and an analysis was conducted on key core technologies, summarizing the current status and trends of key technologies involved in crowdsource updates. The results indicate that the current technology still faces 7 main challenges, including map modeling, high-precision positioning, 3D reconstruction, fusion updates, data security, rapid review, and standard laws and regulations to address these challenges.

A Comprehensive Review on Exosome: Recent Progress and Outlook.

Exosomes are intrinsic membrane-based vesicles that play a key role in both normal and pathological processes. Since their discovery, exosomes have been investigated as viable drug delivery systems and clinical indicators because of their magnitude and effectiveness in delivering biological components to targeted cells. Exosome characteristics are biocompatible, prefer tumor recruitment, have tunable targeting efficiency, and are stable, making them outstanding and eye-catching medication delivery systems for cancer and other disorders. There is great interest in using cell-released tiny vesicles that activate the immune system in the age of the fast development of cancer immunotherapy. Exosomes, which are cell-derived nanovesicles, have a lot of potential for application in cancer immunotherapy due to their immunogenicity and molecular transfer function. More significantly, exosomes can transfer their cargo to specified cells and so affect the phenotypic and immune-regulation capabilities of those cells. In this article, we summarize exosomes' biogenesis, isolation techniques, drug delivery, applications, and recent clinical updates. The use of exosomes as drug-delivery systems for small compounds, macromolecules, and nucleotides has recently advanced. We have tried to give holistic and exhaustive pieces of information showcasing current progress and clinical updates of exosomes.

Novel insights on genetics and epigenetics as clinical targets for paediatric astrocytoma.

Paediatric and adult astrocytomas are notably different, where clinical treatments used for adults are not as effective on children with the same form of cancer and these treatments lead to adverse long-term health concerns. Integrative omics-based studies have shown the pathology and fundamental molecular characteristics differ significantly and cannot be extrapolated from the more widely studied adult disease. Recent clinical advances in our understanding of paediatric astrocytomas, with the aid of next-generation sequencing and epigenome-wide profiling, have led to the identification of key canonical mutations that vary based on the tumour location and age of onset. These driver mutations, in particular the identification of the recurrent histone H3 mutations in high-grade tumours, have confirmed the important role epigenetic dysregulations play in cancer progression. This review summarises the current updates of the classification, epidemiology, pathogenesis and clinical management of paediatric astrocytoma based on their grades and the ongoing clinical trials. It also provides novel insights on genetic and epigenetic alterations as diagnostic biomarkers, highlighting the potential of targeting these pathways as therapeutics for this devastating childhood cancer.

Role of Imaging Genetics in Alzheimer's Disease: A Systematic Review and Current Update.

Alzheimer's disease is a neurodegenerative disorder characterized by severe cognitive, behavioral, and psychological symptoms, such as dementia, cognitive decline, apathy, and depression. There are no accurate methods to diagnose the disease or proper therapeutic interventions to treat AD. Therefore, there is a need for novel diagnostic methods and markers to identify AD efficiently before its onset. Recently, there has been a rise in the use of imaging techniques like Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) and functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI) as diagnostic approaches in detecting the structural and functional changes in the brain, which help in the early and accurate diagnosis of AD. In addition, these changes in the brain have been reported to be affected by variations in genes involved in different pathways involved in the pathophysiology of AD. A literature review was carried out to identify studies that reported the association of genetic variants with structural and functional changes in the brain in AD patients. Databases like PubMed, Google Scholar, and Web of Science were accessed to retrieve relevant studies. Keywords like 'fMRI', 'Alzheimer's', 'SNP', and 'imaging' were used, and the studies were screened using different inclusion and exclusion criteria. 15 studies that found an association of genetic variations with structural and functional changes in the brain were retrieved from the literature. Based on this, 33 genes were identified to play a role in the development of disease. These genes were mainly involved in neurogenesis, cell proliferation, neural differentiation, inflammation and apoptosis. Few genes like FAS, TOM40, APOE, TRIB3 and SIRT1 were found to have a high association with AD. In addition, other genes that could be potential candidates were also identified. Imaging genetics is a powerful tool in diagnosing and predicting AD and has the potential to identify genetic biomarkers and endophenotypes associated with the development of the disorder.

Current update on dermatomyositis

Dermatomyositis (DM) is arare autoimmune disease with involvement of skin and muscle that is classified as an idiopathic inflammatory myopathy. In addition to cutaneous lesions as well as weakness and atrophy of muscles, the heart and lungs are the major affected organs. DM occurs in association with malignant tumors in 20% of affected adults. The pathogenesis of the disease is not completely understood. DM is amultifactorial disease influenced by genetic, environmental and immunological factors. The immune response is characterized by activation of innate and adaptive immune mechanisms and astrong activation of the typeI interferon pathway. Myositis-specific antibodies are characteristic of DM and allow differential diagnosis. Therapies include corticosteroids, antimalarials, immunoglobulins, biologics such as rituximab or JAK inhibitors. Early diagnosis and treatment are essential for the prognosis.

Current Concept Update on Robotic Technology in Arthroplasty- A Narrative review

Ensuring precise prosthesis positioning is one of the key elements for improving long-term survival rates in knee arthroplasty. The evolution of Total knee arthroplasty surgeries from Computer assisted navigation to robotic assisted techniques has improved the precision of bone preparation, component positioning and has reduced alignment outliers and surgeon-related errors. The present article gives an overview of the existing robotic arthroplasty systems available. The present review describes the types of robots, their classification system, comparisons between various robotic assisted devices available in the market. This review highlights the key steps involved in using various systems, current concepts and the future scope of development in this field. This review also proposes the concept of intelligent alignment philosophy which is more patient specific combining different philosophies. Keywords– Robotic Assisted techniques, current updates, intelligent alignment, total knee arthroplasty

Current Update in Achilles Tendon Rupture Management: Operative or Nonoperative?

The Achilles tendon is the most commonly ruptured tendon in the foot and ankle region. The peak incidence of Achilles tendon rupture occurs in the age range of 30-49 years, with a higher prevalence among males. Various risk factors, including aging, obesity, episodic athletic activity, engagement in high-impact sports, antibiotic use, and systemic factors, contribute to the occurrence of Achilles tendon rupture. Beyond the injury mechanism, it is crucial to assess any history of minor or repetitive trauma to the Achilles tendon and identify associated risk factors. Thorough examination and comparison of both the affected and unaffected sides are essential. While the diagnosis of Achilles Tendon Rupture is primarily clinical, radiological imaging can aid in visualizing the tendon gap. Treatment options for Achilles tendon rupture include conservative and surgical approaches. Despite a lower re-rupture rate associated with surgical treatment, recent evidence suggests that conservative treatment provides comparable results. However, return to activity was found to be better in surgical treatment with early rehabilitation

Pulsed Electromagnetic Therapy: Literature Review and Current Update.

This manuscript provides a comprehensive review of Pulsed Electromagnetic Fields (PEMFs), highlighting their therapeutic potential and historical evolution. PEMFs, recognized for their non-invasive and safe therapeutic benefits, interact with biological systems to influence processes such as DNA synthesis, gene expression, and cell migration. Clinically, PEMFs are applied in diverse treatments, including pain relief, inflammation management, and enhancing bone and wound healing. The manuscript delves into the historical development of PEMF technology, tracing its origins to the 19th century and exploring significant advancements, such as the discovery of the piezoelectric effect in bones. It presents detailed in-vitro and in-vivo studies demonstrating PEMFs' impact on cellular activities and their modulation of key biological pathways. Additionally, the review emphasizes PEMFs' applications in general medicine and dentistry, showcasing their role in promoting tissue healing, osseointegration in dental implants, and antimicrobial effects. The introduction of the Miniaturized Electromagnetic Device (MED) in dental implantology marks a significant advancement, enhancing implant stability and reducing inflammatory responses. Overall, the manuscript underscores PEMFs' promising applications in advancing patient care and treatment methodologies across medical and dental fields.

Current update on the neurological manifestations of long COVID: more questions than answers.

Since the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, there has been a global surge in patients presenting with prolonged or late-onset debilitating sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 infection, colloquially termed long COVID. This narrative review provides an updated synthesis of the latest evidence on the neurological manifestations of long COVID, discussing its clinical phenotypes, underlying pathophysiology, while also presenting the current state of diagnostic and therapeutic approaches. Approximately one-third of COVID-19 survivors experience prolonged neurological sequelae that persist for at least 12-months post-infection, adversely affecting patients' quality of life. Core neurological manifestations comprise fatigue, post-exertional malaise, cognitive impairment, headache, lightheadedness ('brain fog'), sleep disturbances, taste or smell disorders, dysautonomia, anxiety, and depression. Some of these features overlap substantially with those reported in post-intensive-care syndrome, myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome, fibromyalgia, and postural-orthostatic-tachycardia syndrome. Advances in data-driven research utilizing electronic-health-records combined with machine learning and artificial intelligence have propelled the identification of long COVID sub-phenotypes. Furthermore, the evolving definitions reflect the dynamic conceptualization of long COVID in both research and clinical contexts. Although the underlying pathophysiology remains incompletely elucidated, neuroinflammatory responses, endotheliopathy, and metabolic imbalances, rather than direct viral neuroinvasion, are implicated in neurological sequelae. Genetic susceptibility has also emerged as a potential risk factor. While major limitations remain with existing definitions, collaborative strategies to standardize diagnostic approaches are needed. Current therapeutic paradigms advocate for multimodal approaches, integrating pharmacological and non-pharmacological interventions along with comprehensive rehabilitation programs. Although preliminary evidence of therapeutic efficacy has been provided by a number of clinical trials, methodological constraints limit the generalizability of this evidence. Preventive measures, notably vaccination, have proven integral for reducing the global burden of long COVID. Considering the healthcare and socioeconomic repercussions incurred by long COVID worldwide, international collaborative initiatives are warranted to address the remaining challenges in diagnosing and managing patients presenting with neurological sequelae. See also the graphical abstract(Fig. 1).

Recent update of the IIW-recommendations for fatigue assessment of welded joints and components

The IIW-Recommendations for Fatigue Design of Welded Components and Structures is an international guideline that contains all relevant information to design welded structures under cyclic loading. Within the recommendations, all relevant assessment approaches, i.e., nominal, structural and notch stresses as well as fracture mechanics, are included. In addition, the relevant infu-ences are covered, such as the effect of post-weld treatment, mean resp. residual stresses and wall thickness. In the current update, the structure is enhanced and straightened and with it the applicability is improved. As completely new content, the assessment of welded thin joints with the notch stress approach and the impact of post-weld treatment procedures on the endurable stresses and the slope of the S-N curve is added. It is expected that the new update will have the same impact on design and other codes as the old one.