Malaria remains a public health issue. Its associated inflammatory responses can easily shift from benefit to detriment, making early detection of malarial inflammation crucial. The full blood count promises to be a less expensive assay serving as a surrogate marker for inflammation. This study, therefore, aimed to determine the diagnostic value of FBC-derived systemic inflammatory biomarkers in malaria infection. We employ a single point case-control design that included 45 malaria patients and 50 healthy individuals. We collected their anthropometric, sociodemographic, and clinical information. FBC estimation and malaria parasite enumeration were determined for each participant. Malaria patients had higher values of all the systemic inflammatory biomarkers (monocyte-to-lymphocyte ratio (MLR), neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR), and aggregate index of systemic inflammation (AISI)) compared with healthy individuals. There was significant moderate correlation between parasite count and NLR, and MLR (ρ = 0.5 and ρ = 0.4) and a weak negative correlation with PLR and AISI (ρ = - 0.2 each). A receiver operator characteristic (ROC) curve analysis showed that NLR (AUC = 0.937) had an excellent diagnostic and predictive value, with sensitivity of 86.7 % and specificity of 92.0 %. We have shown that the FBC-derived inflammatory biomarker- NLR- increases as parasite count increases. At a level of 2.12 and above, NLR is 86.7 % sensitive and 92.0 % specific in identifying the inflammatory state in malaria patients. Our findings show that the FBC-derived systemic inflammatory biomarkers provide a solution to the need for cost-effective surrogate inflammatory markers, especially in resource-deprived areas.

Background: Despite diverse national interventions, anaemia persists as a major public health burden in Ghana, with disproportionately high prevalence in the Northern Region. This persistence is driven by systemic inequities including limited healthcare access, socioeconomic deprivation, and cultural barriers that impede effective prevention and management. This comparative study assessed disparities in knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) between patients and healthcare providers regarding anaemia prevention and management, highlighting critical gaps in current understanding. Aim: The study aimed to: (1) assess and compare KAP levels between patients and healthcare providers, (2) detect fundamental misconceptions affecting the management of anaemia, and (3) highlight any associations between anaemia prevalence and KAP variables among participants. Methods: This cross‐sectional comparative study was conducted across three healthcare facilities in Northern Ghana, involving 299 participants (141 healthcare providers and 158 patients). Structured questionnaires assessed KAP domains, and haemoglobin measurements determined anaemia status. χ ² tests evaluated bivariate associations, while multivariable logistic regression identified independent predictors of anaemia, adjusting for sociodemographic and behavioral confounders. The comparative approach enabled identification of provider‐patient knowledge gaps to inform targeted interventions. Results: Healthcare providers demonstrated significantly higher knowledge levels, with 94.3% understanding anaemia's pathophysiological basis compared to 60.8% of patients ( p = 0.004). Anaemia prevalence was significantly higher among patients (54.4%) compared to healthcare providers (33.3%; χ ² = 13.45, p < 0.001). Key misconceptions persisted among patients, including beliefs that anaemia is contagious (8.9%) or spiritual (29.7%). Non‐health workers had lower adjusted odds of anaemia compared with health workers (aOR = 0.344, 95% CI: 0.184–0.641, p < 0.001). Participants with good attitudes and practices also had lower odds of anaemia (aOR = 0.549, 95% CI: 0.326–0.924, p = 0.024). Other variables including age, sex, marital status, education, region of residence, and history‐related factors were not significantly associated with anaemia in the adjusted model. Conclusions: Significant KAP disparities exist between healthcare providers and patients, with patient knowledge gaps and misconceptions substantially hindering anaemia prevention and management in Northern Ghana. Evidence‐based interventions should strengthen patient‐centered education programs, provide economic support for nutritional access, and implement continuous professional development for healthcare workers. Integration of these strategies into Ghana's Community‐Based Health Planning and Services (CHPS) program could significantly reduce the anaemia burden in resource‐limited settings.

The phosphotransferase activity of the protein kinase known as the mechanistic Target of Rapamycin (mTOR) is arguably one of the most studied biochemical events in biomedical sciences because of its importance to human health and evolution. Despite progress being made in understanding the structure, biochemical characteristics, and function of the enzyme, tremendous knowledge gaps remain unfilled. Altered mTOR activity occurs in numerous neurological disorders, including those that present with seizures and neoplasms. Advances in cancer biology have identified that neuron activity is a critical driver of neoplastic growth. Here, we discuss mTOR, examples of neoplasms with altered neuron activity, and the potential utility of using mTOR inhibitors to modulate tumor-associated neurons.

Background: Ischemic stroke is a major cause of death and disability worldwide. Current treatments, such as thrombolysis and mechanical thrombectomy, restore perfusion but do not promote tissue repair, highlighting the need for regenerative therapies. Neural stem/progenitor cells (NSPCs) have been extensively explored in preclinical models; however, the mechanisms underlying their therapeutic effects remain incompletely defined. Methods: This study followed the PRISMA guidelines to address the cellular and molecular mechanisms that underlie the neurorestorative effects of transplanted NSPCs in animal models of ischemic stroke. Preclinical studies published between 2013 and 2023 were identified through PubMed, Scopus, and Google Scholar. Eligible studies compared NSPC monotherapy with vehicle‐treated controls, and data on transplantation protocols and functional, histological, and biochemical outcomes were extracted for narrative synthesis. Of the 8697 records identified, 25 met the inclusion criteria, with moderate methodological quality (median CAMARADES score: 6/10; range: 3–8). Results: NSPC transplantation significantly improved motor, sensory, and cognitive function while reducing infarct volume, neuronal apoptosis, neuroinflammation, and blood–brain barrier disruption, alongside increased neurotrophic and angiogenic factors (BDNF, GDNF, VEGF, and Ang‐1) and modulation of inflammatory mediators. Functional recovery was more consistently associated with paracrine and immunomodulatory mechanisms than with direct neuronal replacement, which occurred less frequently and was often accompanied by astrocytic or oligodendroglial differentiation; astrocytic responses were conflicting, suggesting context‐dependent effects. These preclinical mechanisms have not been consistently replicated in early‐phase human trials, pointing to immunogenicity and delivery route as key translational barriers. Conclusion: The reparative benefits of NSPC therapy in ischemic stroke are largely attributable to paracrine and immunomodulatory mechanisms, with neuronal replacement playing a minor role. Future studies should focus on strategies to potentiate paracrine activity, improve graft survival, and adopt translationally relevant, comorbidity‐inclusive models to advance clinical translation.

Anaemia remains a global health burden, affecting about 1.8 billion diverse groups of people worldwide. However, anaemia disproportionately impacts women and children, with nearly twice as many women as men affected. Addressing gender inequality is essential for improving knowledge and awareness of anaemia and its prevention and management. The aim of this study was to determine the association between gender and anaemia prevention/management knowledge and to assess how socioeconomic and cultural factors, including cultural permission and subordination, shape gender inequality in anaemia-related health knowledge within a Peri-urban Ghanaian community. The study adopted a cross-sectional design, involving the administration of pre-tested questionnaires to about 385 recruited participants residing in a Peri-urban community in the central region of Ghana. Participants’ socio-demographics, gender inequality assessment among socioeconomic and cultural factors, and knowledge of anaemia were assessed. Bivariate analysis using a Chi-square or Fisher’s exact test and adjusted odds ratios (AOR) with multivariate logistic regression were performed, and p-values < 0.05 were considered statistically significant. The majority of participants identified as Christian (62.3%) and belonged to the Akan ethnic group (69.6%). Most participants were also married (62.9%), and household sizes of more than five members were common (64.2%). Gender inequality was significantly associated with cultural permission (p = 0.019), defined as the ability of participants to determine daily meal preparation, and subordination (p = 0.007) which in this study was defined as requiring permission before visiting a health facility. Unemployed participants (aOR = 2.463; p = 0.028) and students (aOR = 3.253; p = 0.018) were about two and three times more likely, respectively, to require cultural permission. Similarly, unemployed individuals were about twice as likely to experience subordination compared to employed individuals (aOR = 2.410; p = 0.014). Knowledge of anaemia prevention and management was significantly associated with sex, with females demonstrating higher awareness than males regarding iron-rich foods (57% vs. 43%, p = 0.018), vitamin B12 supplementation in strictly vegan diets (60.1% vs. 39.9%, p = 0.015), and avoiding the habit of eating pica (59.2% vs. 40.8%, p = 0.048). Significant gender differences were observed in anaemia knowledge, with females demonstrating slightly better awareness of preventive measures than males. The study emphasizes the necessity for specific interventions, such as education, that tackle the intersecting factors sustaining gender inequalities in anaemia awareness. Additional research is needed to identify geographically specific factors contributing to gender inequality in anaemia knowledge within the sub-region.