Acute appendicitis remains one of the most common surgical emergencies worldwide, traditionally managed by appendectomy or, more recently, conservative antibiotic therapy. In recent years, endoscopic retrograde appendicitis therapy (ERAT) has emerged as a novel, minimally invasive, appendix-preserving technique. ERAT utilizes colonoscopy access to the appendiceal orifice, allowing for decompression, irrigation, removal of obstructive material such as fecaliths, and stent placement where necessary. Evidence suggests that ERAT achieves high technical and clinical success rates, with reduced post-procedural pain, shorter recovery times, and preservation of appendiceal function. However, challenges including recurrence risk, operator dependency, limited global availability, and lack of standardized protocols persist. ERAT has the potential to redefine the treatment paradigm for appendicitis, particularly in patients seeking non-surgical management or those with high surgical risk. This review explores the role of ERAT in the management of acute appendicitis, including its procedural techniques, indications, clinical outcomes, advantages, limitations, and future perspectives.

Background: Routine immunization is one of the most effective public health interventions for preventing vaccine-preventable diseases and reducing childhood morbidity and mortality. However, inadequate maternal knowledge remains a major barrier to optimal immunization uptake and completion in Nigeria. Behaviour Change Communication (BCC) has been identified as a potentially effective strategy for improving maternal knowledge and promoting positive immunization behaviours. This study evaluated the effect of BCC on knowledge of routine immunization among women of childbearing age in Ebonyi State, Nigeria. Methodology: A quasi-experimental study involving intervention and control groups was conducted among 910 women of childbearing age attending antenatal, postnatal, and immunization clinics in selected health facilities in Ebonyi State. Participants in the intervention group received a structured three-month BCC package comprising health education sessions, posters, charts, audio-visual materials, and educational flyers, while the control group received routine health education. Data were collected at baseline and post-intervention using a structured questionnaire. Descriptive statistics, Chi-square tests, and Odds Ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were used for data analysis at a significance level of p < 0.05. Results: Baseline knowledge was poor and comparable between the intervention and control groups (5.4% vs. 6.9%; χ² = 3.02, p = 0.083). Following the intervention, adequate knowledge increased significantly from 5.4% to 74.4% among women in the intervention group (OR = 50.40; 95% CI: 31.67–80.21; p = 0.001), whereas only a marginal increase was observed in the control group (6.9% to 7.9%; p = 0.590). Post-intervention knowledge was significantly higher among participants exposed to BCC than controls (74.4% vs. 7.9%; p < 0.001). Conclusion: Behaviour Change Communication significantly improved maternal knowledge of routine immunization. Integrating structured BCC strategies into routine maternal and child health services may enhance maternal immunization literacy and improve vaccination outcomes.

Background: In the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), decentralized access to disease-modifying therapies for sickle cell anemia remains fragmented. This study characterizes the baseline anthropometric, clinical, and laboratory profiles of young homozygous SS adults followed in Mbuji-Mayi, a remote under-resourced area, to identify simple and accessible surrogate markers for clinical monitoring. Methods: A descriptive and analytical cross-sectional study was conducted from February to April 2026 in Mbuji-Mayi, DRC. We included 58 stable sickle cell patients (HbSS, aged 15–40 years) and 58 healthy age- and sex-matched controls. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was restricted to 56 homozygous SS patients with complete data to identify independent predictors associated with phenotypic severity, defined according to international standards as a clinical burden exceeding 3 vaso-occlusive crises (VOC) per year. Results: The overall mean age was 20.6 ± 4.5 years. HbSS patients exhibited severe chronic wasting compared to controls (median BMI: 17.8 vs. 19.6 kg/m²; p < 0.001), structural relative auscultatory hypotension, and baseline resting hypoxemia (mean SpO₂: 95.5% vs. 97.9%; p = 0.002). Somatic symptoms such as palpitations (60.34%) and dyspnea (41.40%) predominated significantly in sickle cell patients. The average annual clinical burden included 4.3 ± 3.5 VOC episodes and 1.1 ± 1.4 blood transfusions. The fully adjusted multivariate model demonstrated that resting peripheral capillary oxygen saturation (SpO₂) was the primary independent protective factor against severe clinical phenotypes (aOR = 0.75; 95% CI: 0.57–1.00; p = 0.047). Body Mass Index (BMI) displayed a major protective trend approaching statistical significance (aOR = 0.72; 95% CI: 0.51–1.00; p = 0.053). Age did not exert a significant independent influence (aOR = 1.17; p = 0.063), while hemoglobin levels and reticulocyte counts lost statistical significance (p > 0.05). Conclusion: Tissue hypoxemia at rest and nutritional depletion dictate the clinical expression of phenotypic severity among homozygous SS adults in remote low-resource areas. Non-invasive monitoring of resting SpO₂ and BMI provides simple, accessible, and high-utility surrogate markers to guide risk stratification and optimize supportive care in decentralized settings.

Regenerative medicine is the repair or replacement of damaged tissues and organs through the use of cells, biomaterials and molecular therapies. Major breakthroughs include stem cell therapies (i.e. induced pluripotent stem cells, ESCs, MSCs), precise gene editing (CRISPR/Cas9) and engineered tissues by means of 3D bio-printing. Artificial intelligence and big data are driving discovery in this field. There are promising clinical trials underway, patient derived cells have improved retinal burns and heart function for example. Major applications are under development in cardiology (repair of heart), neurology (neuronal regeneration), and orthopedics (repair of bone and cartilage). But there are difficulties. Immune rejection. Cancer risk. Ethical questions (use of embryos, human cloning). Future directions include combining approaches: gene-edited universal donor tissues, vascularized organoids and advanced bioreactors. As techniques mature, the future of regenerative medicine for chronic diseases and trauma looks promising. This review summarizes current breakthroughs, real world applications, ethical concerns and future prospects.

Introduction: Sickle cell disease is a common genetic disorder in Sub-Saharan Africa, frequently associated with impaired growth and malnutrition in children. Objective: To compare the nutritional status and growth profile of children with homozygous sickle cell disease (HbSS) and healthy controls in Mbujimayi. Methods: A prospective, comparative, analytical study was conducted from November 2025 to March 2026. Seventy-one HbSS children and 69 age- and sex-matched controls (12 months–10 years) were included. Nutritional status was assessed using WHO anthropometric standards. Statistical analysis included Chi-square test, Student’s t-test, odds ratios, and relative risks (p < 0.05). Results: Malnutrition and stunting were significantly higher in HbSS children compared with controls (59% vs 1%, p < 0.001). Sickle cell disease was associated with an increased risk of malnutrition (RR = 3.28; 95% CI: 2.40–4.44). Conclusion: Children with sickle cell disease present significantly impaired nutritional status, emphasizing the need for early nutritional assessment and targeted interventions.

Objective: To assess clinicians’ perspectives on the role of faropenem in the management of recurrent and multidrug-resistant (MDR) bacterial infections in adults, with particular emphasis on its effectiveness, safety, and tolerability. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted among clinicians across India using a structured 23-item questionnaire to assess the perceived effectiveness, tolerability, and therapeutic outcomes of faropenem in recurrent and MDR bacterial infections. Responses were analyzed descriptively using frequencies and percentages, and the results were presented using Microsoft Excel. Results: Among the 91 participants, nearly 76% of clinicians identified Streptococcus pneumoniae as the most common causative organism of respiratory infections. About 47% of respondents reported occasionally encountering MDR organisms in routine practice. Broad-spectrum antimicrobial coverage was considered the most important factor influencing antibiotic selection by approximately 46% of clinicians. Around 46% of respondents also reported frequently performing culture and sensitivity testing prior to antibiotic initiation. More than half (56.04%) of the participants preferred faropenem for 5–7 days in adult infections. Nearly 48% preferred faropenem in 11–25% of patients with urinary tract infections (UTIs), while about 46% recommended it in 11–25% of patients with skin and soft tissue infections (SSTIs). Additionally, around 41% of clinicians reported regularly monitoring patients for adverse effects or complications during faropenem therapy. Conclusion: The survey findings indicate that faropenem is widely used in the management of adult bacterial infections, particularly UTIs and SSTIs. Broad-spectrum antimicrobial coverage and culture-based decision-making strongly influence antibiotic selection, while Streptococcus pneumoniae remains the predominant respiratory pathogen.

Acute uncomplicated appendicitis has traditionally been managed by early appendicectomy; however, growing evidence has challenged this paradigm, highlighting the potential role of non-operative treatment (NOT), primarily with antibiotics, as a viable alternative. NOT is associated with reduced immediate postoperative complications, shorter recovery times, and a lower risk of surgical complications. Despite these advantages, concerns remain regarding recurrence, treatment failure, and the potential for missed complicated appendicitis. Recurrence rates following successful initial antibiotic therapy are reported to be between 20% and 40% within five years, necessitating careful patient selection and shared decision-making. This review also explores the role of NOT in the management of acute uncomplicated appendicitis in adults, children, and the elderly, looking especially at its efficacy, recurrence rate, and complications in these groups. While appendicectomy remains the definitive treatment with near-zero recurrence rates, NOT offers a safe and effective alternative for selected patients, particularly those wishing to avoid surgery or those with increased operative risk.