Nadine Mugisha

Introduction Plastic surgery is an essential yet underdeveloped field in many African nations, especially in rural areas. The demand for plastic surgery is increasing, but differences in access to respective services between rural and urban domiciles remain ever existent, despite the exponentiation of trauma, burns, and congenital disorders. According to this review, urban areas have access to better facilities and specialized surgeons, while rural areas frequently lack infrastructure, educated healthcare personnel, and medical resources. This review compares the quality and accessibility of plastic surgery services in African rural and urban settings in order to determine the variables influencing said differences in access. Methods This literature review was performed using electronic search databases comprising PubMed/MEDLINE, Google Scholar, and Africa Journals online (AJOL). Regional medical journals were also reviewed using keywords and associated Boolean operators pertaining to “plastic surgery”, “plastic surgery in rural” and plastic surgery in urban” by selecting studies based on their relevance and content quality. Studies focusing on plastic surgery in Africa were included. A total of 37 articles were analyzed to provide insights into the disparities between rural and urban access to plastic surgery services in Africa. Studies not focusing on plastic surgery were excluded. Results The review highlighted significant disparities in access to plastic surgery services between Africa’s rural and urban areas. Rural areas usually lack medical resources, specialized surgeons, infrastructure, while urban areas have access to better facilities and specialized surgeons. Urban regions not only hail more training opportunities for surgeons but also foster further specialized facilities, greater training options, access to modern surgical equipment, sterile facilities and advanced instruments, contributing to clinical and surgical excellence alongside patient satisfaction and outcomes. However, there is a scarcity of qualified plastic surgeons in rural regions, including antiquated technology and a dearth of resources and expertise. Besides, socioeconomic variables that hinder said indifference between rural and urban areas, such as poverty, education, money, and cultural attitudes, precipitated limited access to critical surgical intervention in rural populations. Conclusion Further research should be done on how plastic surgery services differ in urban and rural areas. Availability of financial expertise and specialists who can provide specialized care in rural settings is recommended. To enhance patient outcomes, the implementation of technological innovation, improved healthcare infrastructure, and effective training initiatives should be implemented in rural Africa. Also, in the field of plastic surgery, emphasizing the use of telemedicine and mobile surgical units may aid universal healthcare for residents in rural domiciles. Significant progress towards ensuring equitable access to high-quality plastic surgery in rural Africa may be achieved through these initiatives.

Introduction Since the advent of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART), morbidity and mortality rates associated with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) have significantly decreased leading to prolonged life span of Individuals living with HIV due to the effectiveness of antiretroviral therapy. However, this prolonged lifespan alone does not fully account for the increased incidence of cardiometabolic complications. These complications result from a complex interplay of factors such as chronic inflammation, immune activation, ART-related metabolic effects, and lifestyle changes. which contribute to elevated morbidity and mortality rates, therefore requiring a deeper understanding and setting effective management strategies. This review aims at providing insights and a nuanced understanding of the relationship between HIV and cardiometabolic disorders, explore their clinical implications and adapt optimal management strategies to address the multifaceted challenges at the intersection of HIV and cardiometabolic health, ultimately enhancing patient outcomes and quality of life. Methods Data retrieval was conducted using a predetermined search strategy from medical journals that were published in bibliographical databases like PubMed, Science Direct and Embase. This review systematically considered and synthesized current literature on the association between cardiometabolic challenges and HIV. Results This review provides a detailed exploration of the interrelationship between HIV and cardiometabolic challenges, with an emphasis on insights, impact, and best practices for optimal management. It underscores the high risk of cardiovascular disease, insulin resistance, dyslipidemia, and lipodystrophy in people living with HIV. Recommendations include evidence-based approaches such as routine cardiometabolic risk. Prevention, screening, management, lifestyle interventions (diet and exercise), and optimizing ART regimens to reduce the negative health outcomes experienced by people living with HIV and to direct clinical practice. To reduce health issues, enhance clinical results, and improve the long-term quality of life for people living with HIV, it is important to early identify cardiovascular risk factors and to follow customized prevention and management methods. Conclusion This review shows that early detection through regular screening is pivotal through collaboration between healthcare providers, researchers, and policymakers which will allow for timely interventions and drive innovation and address evolving challenges to enhancing the quality of life for individuals living with HIV. Continuing to do research and advocacy efforts, will not only advance knowledge but also optimize the long-term health outcomes for people living with HIV.

The brain is a vital organ responsible for motor and sensory functions as well as complex processes like perception, learning, and emotions. Maintaining brain health is crucial, and it can be achieved through the increasing physical activity, preventing metabolic syndrome, preserving mental health, and improving sleep quality. Physical activity encompasses a wide range of exercises, from walking to intense sports, which contribute to cerebral blood flow, a healthy sympathetic system, and cellular brain regeneration. Neglecting physical activity can lead to various neurological diseases, affecting around one billion people worldwide. The abandonment of prevention at different levels worsens the situation, including negligence of key factors, lack of preventive programs, and inadequate health care systems.1 This correspondence focuses on the role of physical activity interventions in preventing neurological diseases.

Introduction: The blood-brain barrier (BBB) is a critical neurovascular unit regulating substances' passage from the bloodstream to the brain. Its selective permeability poses significant challenges in drug delivery for neurological disorders. Conventional methods often fail due to the BBB's complex structure. Aim: The study aims to shed light on their pivotal role in revolutionizing neurotherapeutics and explores the transformative potential of BBB-on-a-Chip technologies in drug delivery research to comprehensively review BBB-on-a-chip technologies, focusing on their design, and substantiate advantages over traditional models. Methods: A detailed analysis of existing literature and experimental data pertaining to BBB-on-a-Chip technologies was conducted. Various models, their physiological relevance, and innovative design considerations were examined through databases like Scopus, EbscoHost, PubMed Central, and Medline. Case studies demonstrating enhanced drug transport through BBB-on-a-Chip models were also reviewed, highlighting their potential impact on neurological disorders. Results: BBB-on-a-Chip models offer a revolutionary approach, accurately replicating BBB properties. These microphysiological systems enable high-throughput screening, real-time monitoring of drug transport, and precise localization of drugs. Case studies demonstrate their efficacy in enhancing drug penetration, offering potential therapies for diseases like Parkinson's and Alzheimer's. Conclusion: BBB-on-a-Chip models represent a transformative milestone in drug delivery research. Their ability to replicate BBB complexities, offer real-time monitoring, and enhance drug transport holds immense promise for neurological disorders. Continuous research and development are imperative to unlock BBB-on-a-Chip models' full potential, ushering in a new era of targeted, efficient, and safer drug therapies for challenging neurological conditions.

Introduction Accessing surgical care is of profound significance that face remote African communities due to insufficient healthcare means and infrastructure. Deploying mobile surgical units (MSUs) have present a potential solution to underserved populations in rural Africa to address said issues. The aim of this narrative review is to examine the role of MSU utilization in remote African communities to meet surgical needs and evaluate how this has affected healthcare provision. Methods To identify studies focusing on the dissemination of MSUs in remote African communities covered countries such as Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania, Nigeria, and Ethiopia, and we employed a plethora of electronic search databases including PubMed/Medline, Google Scholar, Scopus and other relevant literature sources. Inclusion criteria were studies on MSUs in remote African communities, while exclusion criteria involved non- African or urban-focused studies. Results This review highlights that the current literature depicts that application of MSUs bring a positive impact in providing timely and quality surgical care to remote African communities. Frequent interventions, such as minor surgeries, obstetric procedures, and major trauma control, have been performed on MSUs. In settings with shortages of human resources and clinical equipments, these units have improved patient outcomes, reduced healthcare disparities, and increased access to emergency surgical care. While challenges such as financial constraints and surgical sustainability have been noted, the need for interdisciplinary collaboration and the advantages of MSU deployment often help mitigate these obstacles. Conclusion A lack of surgical care for individuals living in remote African domiciles may be addressed via MSU application. Through delivering fundamental surgical services directly to underserved populations, MSUs may potentially prevent disabilities, save countless lives, and enhance overall health outcomes in African remote communities. To guarantee the long-term feasibility and sustainability of MSU programs in Africa, however, more funding must be allocated to infrastructure, supplies, and relevant education.