In an era where male infertility poses significant challenges for many couples, intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) is becoming increasingly common. Microscopic evaluation of sperm head morphology can contribute to the development of healthier embryos. A comprehensive literature search was conducted using the PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and Cochrane databases. A meta-analysis was performed following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic review and Meta-Analysis Protocols (PRISMA-P) for randomized controlled trials. Eligible studies were selected based on the PICOS (Population, Intervention, Comparison/Comparator, Outcomes, Study type) model. The pregnancy outcomes considered after artificial reproductive technology (ART) procedures included the fertilization rate (FR), high-quality embryo rate (HQER), implantation rate (IR), and clinical pregnancy rate (CPR). This study was registered on PROSPERO (CRD42023423108). Of 105 records evaluated, three studies met the inclusion criteria. Our analysis indicated that birefringence sperm selection significantly improved HQER and IR after ART, although no significant differences were observed for FR and CPR. The use of birefringence for sperm selection in ICSI cycles may represent a straightforward strategy to improve ART outcomes, particularly for couples with abnormal sperm parameters.

Objective: Cyclophosphamide (CP), a chemotherapeutic agent, has been shown to inhibit spermatogenesis. Accordingly, the primary objective of this study was to evaluate the potential therapeutic benefits of quercetin‑loaded nanoselenium (quercetin‑loaded selenium nanoparticles [SeNPs]) in mice treated with CP. Methods: Thirty‑five adult male mice were randomly assigned to five groups (n=7 per group): control, quercetin‑loaded SeNPs (20 mg/kg, daily for 5 weeks), CP (200 mg/kg, single dose), treatment A (CP+quercetin‑loaded SeNPs), and treatment B (CP+quercetin, 20 mg/kg daily for 5 weeks). Sperm parameters, DNA fragmentation index, catalase activity, levels of glutathione (GSH), glutathione disulfide (GSSG), malondialdehyde (MDA), and reactive oxygen species (ROS) were evaluated in all groups, along with histological assessments of testicular tissue. Results: In CP‑treated mice, administration of quercetin‑loaded SeNPs (treatment A) significantly improved sperm parameters, including total count, motility, morphology, and DNA integrity. Treatment also markedly increased the numbers of spermatogonia, primary spermatocytes, spermatids, Sertoli cells, and Leydig cells in testicular tissue. Furthermore, treatment with quercetin‑loaded SeNPs resulted in a significant increase in catalase activity and GSH levels while significantly reducing GSSG, MDA, and ROS levels in CP‑induced testicular damage. Conclusion These findings suggest that quercetin‑loaded SeNPs enhance spermatogenesis in a CP‑induced mouse model by improving the antioxidant profile and testicular stereological parameters.

Purpose: The integration of video-based learning into surgical education highlights the need for high-quality instructional content, especially for complex procedures such as percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL). This study aimed to systematically evaluate and compare the educational quality of YouTube videos demonstrating supine and prone PCNL techniques. Materials and Methods: A comprehensive YouTube search was conducted between January 6 and 19, 2025, using the keywords “supine PCNL,” “prone PCNL,” “supine percutaneous nephrolithotomy,” and “prone percutaneous nephrolithotomy.” Eligible videos were assessed using three validated scoring systems: Global Quality Score (GQS), the DISCERN instrument (a validated tool for assessing the quality of health information), and the JAMA (Journal of the American Medical Association) criteria, along with a novel tool, the PCNL-Edu Score (educational score). A total of 120 videos (60 supine, 60 prone) were included. Results: Supine PCNL videos demonstrated significantly higher DISCERN reliability scores (p=0.037), GQS scores (p=0.001), and PCNL-Edu Scores (p=0.018) compared to prone PCNL videos. Subgroup analyses showed no significant differences in educational quality based on video source (academic/individual) or video type (educational/surgical demonstration). In correlation analyses, video length positively correlated with PCNL-Edu Scores in both groups (prone: p=0.004, supine: p=0.001), whereas popularity metrics such as views (prone: p=0.069, supine: p=0.061) and likes (prone: p=0.183, supine: p=0.225) were not significantly associated with educational quality. Conclusions Supine PCNL videos currently offer superior instructional quality on YouTube. The PCNL-Edu Score provides a focused framework for evaluating surgical videos and underscores the need for standardized guidelines to improve video-based surgical education.

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), primarily affects the respiratory system but can also involve multiple organs, including the often-overlooked ocular system. An increasing number of population-based and retrospective case series studies have reported that ocular and neuro-ophthalmic complications are temporally associated with COVID-19 infection and vaccination. Furthermore, some data suggest a modest increase in ocular adverse events (OAEs) following infection or vaccination, particularly among individuals with autoimmune or pre-existing ocular conditions. The proposed immune-mediated mechanisms include immune responses following vaccination that may contribute to demyelination through molecular mimicry, a phenomenon in which antigens share structural or functional similarities with host self-antigens. In this review, we summarize studies published between 2019 and June 2025, retrieved from PubMed and Google Scholar databases. Studies were selected based on their clinical relevance and contribution to the understanding of OAEs in the context of SARS-CoV-2 infection and COVID-19 vaccination. Thematic tables highlight the clinical spectrum of reported ocular manifestations, ranging from common conditions such as uveitis, optic neuritis, retinal vascular occlusions, and cranial nerve palsies to rarer entities, including acute macular neuroretinopathy, thyroid eye disease, and papillophlebitis. This review presents recent evidence on the proposed pathophysiological mechanisms and risk profiles of COVID-19-related OAEs, with the aim of improving awareness, promoting timely ophthalmic evaluation, and supporting surveillance and future research to clarify causality and inform preventive strategies.

Introduction: Primary aldosteronism (PA), most commonly caused by aldosterone-producing adenomas (APAs), represents the leading form of surgically curable secondary hypertension. While genomic studies have elucidated the mutational landscape of APAs, the spatial organisation and functional role of immune populations across APAs, aldosterone-producing micronodules (APMs), and adjacent adrenal cortex remain poorly defined at single-cell resolution. Methodology: Single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) was integrated with spatial transcriptomics in APAs and paired adjacent adrenal cortex, complemented by immunohistochemical (IHC) validation. Immune populations were spatially mapped using canonical markers (CD14, CD68, CD163, HLA-DR, CD8A, and CD4) across defined adrenocortical regions. Results: The adrenal microenvironment in PA demonstrates structured immune organisation rather than passive infiltration. CD14+ monocyte-lineage cells localize intraparenchymally within APAs (n = 10), intercalating between CYP11B2+ aldosterone-producing cells and forming a pattern distinct from perivascular immune niches. scRNA-seq further identified a transcriptionally distinct CD14+ population within the zona reticularis (zR) that co-expresses steroidogenic markers (CYB5A, SULT2A1, TSPAN12) while lacking canonical monocyte transcripts. IHC supported this observation, demonstrating CD14 expression within adrenocortical zR parenchymal cells (n = 5). In parallel, CD4 and HLA-DRA exhibited diffuse cytoplasmic staining within zR parenchymal cells in the absence of classical macrophage marker coexpression (CD68), suggesting non-canonical or context-dependent expression within steroidogenic compartments. CD68+ and CD163+ macrophages were sparsely distributed across APA, APM and adjacent cortex, consistent with lowdensity tissue-resident populations, while CD8A+ cytotoxic lymphocytes were enriched in APAs and APMs with diffuse parenchymal cytoplasmic staining of CD8A additionally observed within the zR. Conclusion These findings reveal a previously unrecognized spatially organised immune-steroidogenic interface within the adrenal cortex. The presence of immune-associated transcriptional and protein signatures within zR cells suggests potential functional plasticity of steroidogenic cells, possibly extending to antigen presentation-related pathways, warranting further mechanistic investigation
Hyperaldosteronism ; Humans

Introduction: The identification of a significant adrenal mass in a patient without a biopsy-confirmed malignancy poses a diagnostic challenge: Is it a metastatic lesion or an underlying adrenal condition? Adrenal metastases are the second most common site of spread for lung adenocarcinoma; approximately 3–7% of adrenal masses represent benign adenomas. Diagnosis is even harder if there are signs of primary aldosteronism (PA). Case: We present a case of a 62-year-old Chinese female with a 10-year history of hypertension, managed on dual antihypertensive therapy, who presented for evaluation of suspected PA following the discovery of hypokalemia. Biochemical screening revealed an elevated aldosteronerenin ratio (ARR, 65). The overnight dexamethasone suppression test (20 nmol/L) and testosterone (0.79 nmol/L) were both within normal limits. Saline Suppression Test (SST) showed an indeterminate post-infusion aldosterone level (202.8 pmol/L). Cross-sectional imaging via computed tomography (CT) Adrenals identified a large, 6.4 × 5.4 × 6.2 cm heterogeneous left suprarenal mass with a low mean attenuation (8.6 Hounsfield Unit [HU]). Concurrently, an incidental left upper lobe pulmonary lesion was identified, and PET-CT was performed; the SUVmax of the lung was identical to that of the adrenal lesion. An ultrasoundguided biopsy of the pulmonary lesion confirmed estimated glomerular filtration rate-mutation-positive lung adenocarcinoma. The patient started on targeted therapy with dacomitinib. Follow-up CT imaging at 9 months demonstrated disease progression within the thorax, marked by the appearance of a new pulmonary nodule. Notably, however, the adrenal mass remained stable in size and morphology. Conclusion The absence of mixed androgen/glucocorticoid hypersecretion, combined with the radiographically static nature of the mass, suggests a lower probability of adrenocortical carcinoma. This case highlights that while size is a major risk factor for adrenocortical carcinoma, it must be interpreted in conjunction with hormonal activity, HU, and growth patterns. Identifying these “mimics” helps avoid over-staging lung cancer and ensures patients receive targeted therapy instead of unnecessary adrenalectomies.

Introduction: Insulin deintensification is an emerging strategy to reduce hypoglycemia and treatment burden in patients on multiple daily injection (MDI ≥3), with potential to improve adherence and glycemic control. However, evidence in poorly controlled type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) remains limited. This study evaluated its effectiveness and identified factors associated with achieving adequate glycemic control following deintensification among patients with poorly controlled T2DM attending Malaysian primary care. Methodology: A retrospective cohort study was conducted among 107 T2DM patients with hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) >9%, attending Enhanced Diabetic Clinic at Cheras Health Clinic between 2021 and 2025. All patients on basal-bolus insulin (BBI) underwent deintensification. Multivariate logistic regression was performed to identify factors associated with achieving adequate glycemic control (HbA1c <7.5%). Changes in HbA1c following deintensification were assessed using paired t-tests. Results: Overall, 50.5% of patients achieved adequate glycemic control. Hypoglycemia events (AOR 9.5, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.6–58.3; p = 0.015), MDI (AOR 9.6, 95% CI 1.4–67.1; p = 0.023) and Diabetes Medication Therapy Adherence Clinic (DMTAC) visits (AOR 1.1, 95% CI 1.0– 1.2; p = 0.039) were significantly associated with achieving HbA1c <7.5%. Conversely, patients transitioned from BBI to premixed regimens were less likely to achieve HbA1c <7.5% (AOR 0.22, 95% CI 0.05–0.93, p = 0.039). All insulin deintensification strategies were associated with significant HbA1c improvements with transitioned from BBI to premixed human insulin (mean difference -2.54%, 95% CI 1.77–3.31, p <0.001, Cohen’s d = 1.09), BBI to premixed analogue insulin (mean difference -3.38%, 95% CI 2.26– 4.49, p <0.001, Cohen’s d = 1.62), BBI to basal insulin (mean difference -3.67%, 95% CI 1.79–5.54, p = 0.004, Cohen’s d = 2.05). Conclusion Insulin deintensification is an effective strategy for improving glycemic control in poorly controlled T2DM. These findings highlight the importance of deintensification with careful consideration of hypoglycemia, MDI-related treatment burden, and patient engagement through regular DMTAC visits, which are integral to achieving optimal outcomes and support a personalized approach to diabetes management in primary care.
Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 ; Glycemic Control ; Retrospective Studies ; Primary Health Care ; Insulins

Introduction: Cushing’s disease (CD) in adolescents may present with subtle clinical features, resulting in a significant diagnostic challenge. We report a case of a young lady whose CD initially masqueraded as Type 2 diabetes (T2D), highlighting the difficulties in differentiating early hypercortisolism from T2D. Case: A 12-year-old female was incidentally diagnosed with diabetes during routine medical screening. Examination revealed an overweight female without the classical features of Cushing’s syndrome. Due to the presence of acanthosis nigricans, a diagnosis of T2D was initially made. Her diabetes remained well-controlled with a single oral glucose-lowering drug. The diagnostic challenge became apparent over time. She experienced delayed menarche at the age of 17, and a diagnosis of Cushing’s syndrome was suspected when she subsequently developed hypertension and reduced bone mineral density. Biochemical evaluation was consistent with adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH)- dependent hypercortisolism, evidenced by the failure of serum cortisol suppression on low dose and overnight dexamethasone suppression tests. Her 24-hour urinary cortisol was elevated twofold, and plasma ACTH was elevated (17.8 pmol/L). MRI demonstrated a right-sided pituitary microadenoma (0.3 × 0.5 × 0.3 cm), and inferior petrosal sinus sampling confirmed the diagnosis of CD. She underwent endoscopic transsphenoidal surgery 7 years later, which was complicated by panhypopituitarism and cranial diabetes insipidus. Postoperatively, CD was cured, with the resolution of her metabolic comorbidities. Conclusion Despite the increasing prevalence of T2D in adolescents, clinicians must recognize the diagnostic challenge of CD in this age group. Atypical manifestations in a presumed T2D patient should prompt consideration of Cushing’s syndrome.
Adolescent ; Humans ; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2

Ascaridia galli infection compromises the health and productivity of chickens. this study aimed to determine the prevalence, pathology, and control of A. galli in backyard chickens. Four hundred and fifty-six faecal samples were tested using direct smear and concentration techniques. sixty chickens were grouped based on egg per gram into untreated control, mebendazole-treated, and derivative-treated. Key epidemiologic host based and environmental variables were recorded and analysed statistically (p < 0.05 significance level). Histopathological changes in the intestine were also assessed. Overall prevalence of A. galli was 72% (330/456). Infection was high in females (74%, 200/267) than in males (68%, 130/189). Adult chickens had a higher infection rate than young (64% vs 55%; p < 0.05). Weak chickens showed a markedly higher prevalence (96%, 150/156) than healthy chickens (60%, 180/300) (p < 0.05). Geographically, prevalence was highest in Swat (85.53%), followed by Lower Dir (72.3%) and Malakand (59.21%), with statistically significant differences (p < 0.05). Management system influenced infection: free range chickens had (63%) compared to semi-free range (37%), scavenging chickens were more infected (75%) compared to receiving supplemental feed (53%) (p < 0.05). The non-dewormed chickens had a significantly higher prevalence (92%) than the dewormed group (20%) (p < 0.05). Seasonal infection peaked during the rainy season (86%) compared to the dry season (44%) (p < 0.05). Intestinal histology revealed inflammation, epithelial necrosis, villous atrophy, and crypt hyperplasia. Treatment of the chickens nematodes using mebendazole resulted in 70% (14/20) of the treated eggs being egg-negative, and the comparison of treatment of the egg-negative derivative compound resulted in 80% (16/20) of the treated eggs being egg-negative. The A. galli infection are very common, and cause intestine damage. The mebendazole and its derivative decrease egg shedding significantly, Husbandry, management and treatment should be enhanced for effective control strategies.