ABSTRACT
The research focuses on the anti-ulcerogenic potential of Amaranthus viridis L. evaluated through ethanol induced ulcer in Wistar albino rats of both sexes using omeprazole 0.6mg/kg as standard drug. Animals were divided into five groups i.e., normal, control, standard, and experimental groups (I & II). The experimental groups were treated with plant extract of doses 10µg/kg and 50µg/kg, respectively. Different physical and biochemical parameters were evaluated. The extract showed a graded dose response as gastro-protective shield. Macroscopic assessment of gastric lining showed that extract reduced the severity score and the number of lesions. Results revealed that gastric juice volume and total acidity were also reduced as dose of extract increases. However, gastric pH increased with an increase in dose showing the neutralizing of acidic environment. Biochemical parameters including total protein content and mucus adherence to gastric wall showed the gastro-protective effect of the plant. The assessed parameters proved that methanol extract of Amaranthus viridis L. leaves may have anti-ulcer activity due to its antioxidant, anti-radical and anti-secretory mechanisms due to the presence of several secondary metabolites including tannins, alkaloids, flavonoids, glycosides, steroids, and triterpenoids.

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Gastrointestinal protozoan infections are a leading cause of diarrheal diseases worldwide, particularly in regions with inadequate sanitation and limited access to clean water. This study aimed to molecularly detect and phylogenetically analyze four major protozoan parasites Giardia intestinalis, Cryptosporidium parvum, Entamoeba histolytica, and Blastocystis hominis in stool samples collected from diarrhea patients attending Al-Diwaniyah Hospital in Iraq. A total of 100 stool samples were processed, with DNA extraction performed using the Presto™ Stool DNA Extraction Kit (Geneaid, Taiwan). PCR and nested PCR assays targeting the 18S ribosomal RNA (rRNA) gene were employed for amplification, followed by sequencing and phylogenetic analysis using MEGA X and ClustalW tools. The results revealed a genes of different intestinal parasite species was shown in figure (4-4). The present result showed the 18Sribosomal RNA gene for detection B. hominis were reported in 72 (72.0%) of patients, 12 (12.0%) of patients have G. lamblia infection, 62 (62.0%) have E. histolytica infection and the 18S ribosomal RNA gene for detection C. parvum showed in 34 (34.0%). Phylogenetic analysis demonstrated remarkable genetic conservation among local isolates and global reference strains. For G. intestinalis, the local isolates (IQD.No1–No3) exhibited 99.25–99.65% sequence identity with an Australian reference strain (AF199446.1), with only 0.35–0.75% mutations. Similarly, C. parvum isolates showed 98.85–99.65% identity with an Egyptian reference (AB513881.1), while E. histolytica isolates displayed 99.16–99.45% identity with another Egyptian strain (MK332025.1). B. hominis isolates clustered closely with a Chinese reference (AB197936.1), sharing 99.15–99.71% sequence identity. The UPGMA phylogenetic trees constructed for each species confirmed minimal genetic divergence (0.01%) between local and reference strains. The study underscores the utility of the 18S rRNA gene as a robust molecular

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Introduction: Extrapulmonary tuberculosis (EPTB) represents a major diagnostic challenge in Morocco, accounting for 49% of tuberculosis cases. Conventional methods have limitations in sensitivity and turnaround time. This study evaluates the performance of the Xpert MTB/RIF system in diagnosing EPTB and detecting rifampicin resistance. Methods: A retrospective study was conducted on 413 samples (cerebrospinal fluid, urine, pus, biopsies) from 402 patients suspected of EPTB between January and December 2021. Compared techniques included microscopy (Ziehl-Neelsen staining), Löwenstein-Jensen culture, and the GeneXpert MTB/RIF test. The diagnostic performance of the latter was calculated against culture (gold standard). Results: Positivity rates were 9.5% for microscopy, 16.2% for GeneXpert MTB/RIF, and 11.3% for culture. GeneXpert showed a sensitivity of 82.6% and specificity of 92%. Among GeneXpert-positive cases, 41.7% were microscopy-negative, confirming its utility for paucibacillary forms. The highest detection rates were for pus (93%) and osteoarticular samples (100%), while cerebrospinal fluid had the lowest (60%). Rifampicin resistance detected by GeneXpert MTB/RIF was 2.98%. Conclusion: GeneXpert MTB/RIF significantly improves the diagnosis of EPTB, particularly for microscopy-negative samples. While a negative result does not rule out the diagnosis, its use as a first-line test enables more timely clinical management. Additional studies are needed to evaluate its performance in low-endemic settings.

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Artificial intelligence (AI) is revolutionizing ophthalmology, particularly in microsurgeries demanding precision. Current AI applications span the entire surgical process: candidate screening, surgery selection, postoperative prediction, and real-time intraoperative guidance. This integration is evident in refractive surgery, keratoplasty, cataract surgery, vitreoretinal surgery, and oculoplastic surgery. Beyond surgery, AI improves diagnostic accuracy for conditions like diabetic retinopathy, age-related macular degeneration, and glaucoma, while also enabling personalized treatment and enhancing service delivery via teleophthalmology and workflow optimization. The expanding scope of AI in ophthalmology signifies its maturation from analytical to interventional tools, aligning with a broader healthcare trend towards AI-augmented procedures. The success of AI in one area, such as precise intraocular lens (IOL) calculation, holistically influences subsequent surgical steps, maximizing AI's value across the patient journey. However, widespread adoption faces challenges including data privacy, algorithmic bias, lack of standardized metrics, limited public datasets, and integration complexities. Addressing these fundamental barriers is crucial for trust, equity, and practical implementation. Future directions emphasize enhanced multimodal AI models, integrated robotics, and expanded global health initiatives through teleophthalmology to address disparities and improve patient outcomes worldwide.

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Introduction: Internalized HIV stigma remains a significant barrier to successful care retention for people living with HIV (PLHIV). Stigma has been felt as shame, guilt, and self-blame, dampening adherence to antiretroviral therapy (ART) and clinic attendance. Aim: The aim of this study was to explore the impact of internalized HIV stigma on care retention among individuals living with HIV at Chifundo Clinic in Lusaka District, Zambia. Methods: Cross-sectional analytical study with 384 participants aged 18 years and above having been in care for more than six months. Data were collected via an online Kobo Toolbox to measure internalized stigma, demographic variables, and care retention. Logistic regression analysis was used in testing the association between internalized stigma and clinic visitation. Results: Over 75% of the participants had once missed clinic a visit, of whom 5% had previously been declared as no longer in care (NLIC). Internalized stigma measures showed that 26% of the participants very often self-shamed due to HIV status and 31% very often felt guilty. Participants who self-blamed were 70% more likely to miss a clinic visit. Those who feared disclosing their status were 8 times likely to miss a clinic visit. Conclusion: Internalized HIV stigma is a key driver of retention in care among PLHIV at Chifundo Clinic. Stigma reduction is essential using combined, culture-tailored interventions and psychosocial support. Stigma reduction should be policymakers' and healthcare providers' number one priority to increase ART adherence, retention, and yield better health outcomes for PLHIV in Zambia.

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Cup-like acute myeloid leukemia is a rare type of AML with specific and distinct cytological, phenotypic, cytogenetic, and molecular characteristics compared to other AMLs. We will report through this observation the aspects of this pathological entity.

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Hypereosinophilia syndrome is a group of rare diseases characterized by persistent blood eosinophilia (eosinophil count > 1.5 G/L for more than 6 months) associated with organ damage due to infiltration or degranulation of eosinophils. The diagnostic criteria include blood eosinophilia, involvement of multiple organs, and exclusion of other causes. There are three main subtypes: myeloproliferative, lymphocytic, and idiopathic. The first-line treatment is based on corticosteroids, and the prognosis of the disease is variable. Regular monitoring is essential. In this work, we report two distinct observations of HES.