Habeebullah Jayeola Oladipo

In the pursuit of an ideal society, core values such as good governance, inclusivity, racial harmony, and sustainable development must converge in a shared civic culture, creating social capital. The Malaysia MADANI framework – derived from the Arabic word madani (civilized), and articulated through the Malay acronym SCRIPT (Sustainability, Care and Compassion, Respect, Innovation, Prosperity, Trust) – offers a distinctive values-based approach to sustainable development. Inspired by the pluralistic and inclusive Medina Charter articulated by Prophet Muhammed (peace be upon him), the MADANI framework provides a moral dimension for sustainable living, social cohesion, ecological stewardship, and collective responsibility. Using a qualitative, transdisciplinary approach that integrates conceptual analysis, literature review, and case study, this paper explores how the MADANI framework serves as a values-based model for planetary health, defined as the sustainable vitality of ecological and human systems upon which civilization depends. In today’s multicultural and digitally interconnected world, contemporary societies require an effective approach to convey the urgency of the planetary health message. Integrating ArtScience, which merges creativity and scientific inquiry, offers an operable medium to the MADANI spirit, aligning with existing indicators of the Sustainable Development Goals and Inner Development Goals on the individual level. Distinct from Western-centric models, the MADANI framework fosters peaceful coexistence capable of informing global sustainability efforts and a shared commitment to the common good.

Background: In the era of insecticides and anti-malarial drug resistance, gene drive technology holds considerable promise for malaria control. Gene drive technology deploys genetic modifications into mosquito populations to impede their ability to transmit the malaria parasite. This can be either through the disruption of an essential mosquito gene or the association of gene drive with a desirable effector gene. CRISPR (Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats) is a gene editing tool that precisely modifies mosquito vector DNA sequences and curtails the rate of pathogen transmission.Methods: A comprehensive search was conducted in the SCOPUS and MEDLINE databases (via PubMed) until October 2023. The keywords used were related to the principles and mechanisms of gene drive technology, its advantages, and disadvantages, and its ethical and regulatory considerations in sustainable malaria eradication.Results: The development of gene drive enables the preferential inheritance of specific genes in targeted mosquitoes, potentially obstructing the transmission of the Plasmodium parasite. This technology was also studied for the control of other vector-borne diseases such as dengue and chikungunya viruses. Despite its experimental superiority over other traditional methods such as insecticide-treated nets and insecticide sprays, the long-term dynamic interplay of mutation and resistance poses challenges for gene drive efficiency in sustainable malaria control.Conclusions: This commentary elucidates the underlying mechanisms and principles of gene drive technology, underscoring its promise and challenges as a novel strategy to curtail malaria prevalence. Although the release of such genetically modified mosquitoes into the natural environment would result in the eradication of the locally targeted species of mosquitoes, the complete eradication of the entire species remains questionable. Thus, the practical application raises significant ethical and regulatory concerns for further research and risk assessment, including the risk of gene drive spreading to nontarget species in the wider theatre of biodiverse species.

The Anthropocene epoch marks a critical phase in the history of humanity, where anthropogenic activities have profoundly impacted our planet. Alongside remarkable ecological crises, the Anthropocene worldview has raised existential questions, with a cultural and ethical discourse that recognizes the intrinsic value and calls for more responsible sustainable living. Addressing these collective challenges necessitates a broader perspective guided by a unified sense of purpose toward personal and planetary health. In this context, the role of religious leaders in shaping the social and environmental worldviews of their followers cannot be underestimated. Religious teachings provide a moral framework for promoting climate action, global ethics, the rights of Indigenous peoples, peace, and justice, and other aspects of planetary health. By examining the global ecological crises through the lens of Islam, the Religion of Nature, or Din al-Fitrah, and its environmental and spiritual teachings, we can gain valuable insights into humanity’s connection to the fabric of creation and its interaction with the world. These principles, rich in moral values, are intertwined with accountability and social cohesiveness. Therefore, the role of Muslim religious leaders considering the planetary-scale threats warrants further elucidation, recognizing that many other faiths and faith leaders can similarly contribute together for the common good.

Introduction: Parkinson's disease (PD) is a neurodegenerative disorder that affects more than 10 million individuals worldwide. It is characterized by motor and sensory deficits. Research studies have increasingly demonstrated a correlation between Parkinson's disease and alternations in the composition of the gut microbiota in affected patients. Also, the significant role of prebiotics and probiotics in gastrointestinal and neurological conditions is imperative to understand their relation to Parkinson's disease.Method: To explore the scientific interaction of the gut‐microbiota‐brain axis and its association with Parkinson's disease, a comprehensive narrative review of the relevant literature was conducted. Articles were retrieved systematically from reputable sources, including PubMed, Science Direct, World Health Organization (WHO), and Advanced Google Scholar. Key search terms included are “Parkinson's Disease”, “Gut Microbiome”, “Braak's Theory”, “Neurological Disorders”, and “Gut‐brain axis”. Articles included in our review are published in English and they provide detailed information on the relationship between Parkinson's disease and gut microbiotaResults: This review highlights the impact of gut microbiota composition and associated factors on the progression of Parkinson's disease. Evidence‐based studies highlighting the existing evidence of the relationship between Parkinson's disease and alteration in gut microbiota are discussed. Consequently, the potential mechanisms by which the gut microbiota may affect the composition of the gut microbiota were revealed, with a particular emphasis on the role of the gut‐brain axis in this interplay.Conclusion: Understanding the complex interplay between gut microbiota and Parkinson's disease is a potential implication for the development of novel therapeutics against Parkinson's disease. Following the existing relationship demonstrated by different evidence‐based studies on Parkinson's disease and gut microbiota, our review concludes by providing recommendations and suggestions for future research studies with a particular emphasis on the impact of the microbiota‐brain axis on Parkinson's disease.

Background: The rising circulation of the monkeypox virus while the COVID-19 is still ongoing in non-endemic countries is a significant global health threat. In this article, we have discussed the epidemiology, aetiology, and pathogenesis of the monkeypox virus to provide our current knowledge of the disease. Also, we discussed the ongoing efforts of the international health organizations to curtail the present epidemic and we finally provide recommendations for early detection and response. Methods: We did a rapid literature search on PubMed, EMBASE, World Health Organization (WHO), the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and other trusted databases for recent articles (1958-2022) published in English—focusing on the outbreaks of monkeypox disease, epidemiology, pathogenesis, aetiology, prevention, and control in endemic and non-endemic countries. Keywords such as "Monkeypox", "Monkeypox virus", "Poxviridae", "Orthopoxvirus", "Smallpox", and "Smallpox Vaccine" were considered in our search based on MESH medical subject headings. Results: Our review highlights four important findings. First, a cumulative of 1285 monkeypox cases have been documented and reported by the WHO in non-endemic countries as of June 8, 2022. Second, international travel contributes to the increase in cases in non-endemic countries. Third, the origin of the outbreak, the pattern of transmission, and the risk of infections is not fully understood. Fourth, there is an ongoing effort by the WHO, CDC, and other international health organization to control the spread of the monkeypox disease. Conclusion: Our findings underline the need to reassess research priorities on the origin, transmission pattern, and risk factors for infection of monkeypox. Also, we provide recommendations under the One Health spectrum to prevent further spread of the disease.

The Anthropocene epoch marks a critical phase in the history of humanity, where anthropogenic activities have significantly impacted our planet. Along the unpreceedendent ecological crises, the Anthropocene worldview has raised existential questions with a cultural and ethical discourse that recognises intrinsic value and calls for more responsible sustainable living. To address these challenges collectively, a broader perspective is required, guided by a unified sense of purpose towards personal and planetary health. In this context, the role of religious leaders in shaping the social and environmental worldviews of their followers cannot be underestimated. Religious teachings provide a moral framework for promoting climate action, global ethics, indigenous people, peace, and justice, and many other aspects of planetary health. By assessing the global ecological crises through the lens of Islam; Religion of Nature, or Din al-Fitra, and its environmental teachings across all realms, we can gain insights into humanity’s connection to the fabric of creation and its interaction with this world. These value-leden principles are integrated with accountability; thus, the role of Muslim religious leaders considering the planetary-scale threats warrant further elucidation; recognizing that many other faiths and faith leaders can similarly contribute together for common good.

The rise of globalization and industrialization has driven the demand for rare earth metals (REMs). These metals are widely used in various sectors of the global economy with various applications in medicine, renewable energy, electronics, agriculture, and the military. REMs are likely to remain an important part of our global future, and, as production increases, areas contaminated by REMs are expected to expand over the coming decades. Thus, triggering significant adverse environmental, animal, and human health impacts. Despite increased attention on REMs outside China in recent years, there are limited studies exploring REM production, deposits, and associated health impacts in the African context. Proper mine management, adequate safety protocols, sustainable processing methods, and waste handling systems have been identified and proposed globally; however, the nature and scale of implementing these management protocols on the African continent have been less clear. Therefore, planetary health-centered solutions are urgently needed to be undertaken by researchers, policy makers, and non-governmental actors in Africa and across the globe. This is with the overarching aim of ensuring eco-friendly alternatives and public health consciousness on REM exploitations and hazards for future generations to come.

Lassa fever is a disease endemic in West Africa caused by the Lassa virus (LASV). The emergence of the COVID-19 pandemic has put an extra burden on Nigeria in the fight against infectious disease outbreaks. Lassa fever cases peak seasonally in the first three months of the year. Despite the reduction in the epidemiological trends in 2021, the current trends of the Lassa fever cases in Nigeria in 2022 indicate that the virus is still being actively transmitted in the country with some large states regarded as high burden areas. There are requirements to increase in vaccine uptake for COVID-19, to strengthen the testing capacities for LASV, and develop licensed LASV vaccine, in order to eradicate these viral diseases of concern. This study aims to identify the current trends of Lassa fever in Nigeria, measures and challenges and suggest strategies for curtailing the spread.

Background: In recent times, telemedicine has received wide acceptance in global healthcare as a result of its tremendous potential in solving major healthcare concerns. However, despite the proven benefits of telemedicine and the growing applications in developed countries, Nigeria has failed to fully use this tool in the provision of healthcare in the country. Objectives: To examine the potentials of telemedicine as an alternative option for delivering quality healthcare services in Nigeria, the challenges hindering the utilization, and ways to overcome these challenges. Methods: Review of evidences was carried out on papers sourced from Google Scholar and PubMed databases. The key terms used for the search include "telemedicine", "information technology", "treatment", "Nigeria", "COVID-19", "virtual", and "health care". Papers were critically assessed for intellectual content, and those that did not meet the inclusion criteria or were extraneous to the study's focus were eliminated. A review of related evidence was conducted after data was extracted from selected papers. Results: Telemedicine has the potential to improve healthcare delivery, access, and efficiency. However, the underutilization of telemedicine in Nigeria has been identified to be as a result of some considerable factors which include the absence of a policy on virtual care, insufficient funding, high cost of maintaining virtual health care services, and technological and infrastructural constraints. Conclusions: As a result of the aforementioned, the imbalanced implementation of telemedicine systems in the provision of healthcare in Nigeria necessitates immediate stakeholder attention to establish supporting legislation and assure the availability of suitable infrastructure and services. Other research-based proposals include including virtual care training in school curricula and funding telemedicine research and development in the country.

Arbovirus control depends on accurate projections of likely changes in the arthropod vector species, essential to inform local and global public health authorities. According to the WHO Assembly and the Global Vector Control Response (GVCR), by 2030, the burden of vector-borne diseases, particularly arbovirus infections, is expected to be greatly decreased. However, anthropogenic drivers, including climate change, insecticide resistance, and a lack of operational local databases for risk management of emerging and re-emerging arboviruses, hinders effective implementation plans. This article presents a statistical, mechanistic, integrated surveillance, thermal biology, and holistic framework (termed SMITH) to discuss how temperature variations affect the biological transmission, replication, extrinsic incubation period, nutritional behavior, distribution, and survival (TRENDS) of arboviruses. Future transdisciplinary research that involves knowledge translation between local and global communities is required for early detection and risk management of the growing threat posed by arboviruses for human, animal, and planetary health.