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Parkinson's disease (PD) is the second most common neurodegenerative disorder, globally affecting men and women at an exponentially growing rate, with currently no cure. Disease progression starts when dopaminergic neurons begin to die. In PD, the loss of neurotransmitter, dopamine is responsible for the overall communication of neural cells throughout the body. Clinical symptoms of PD are slowness of movement, involuntary muscular contractions, speech & writing changes, lessened automatic movement, and chronic tremors in the body. PD occurs in both familial and sporadic forms and modifiable and non-modifiable risk factors and socioeconomic conditions cause PD. Early detectable diagnostics and treatments have been developed in the last several decades. However, we still do not have precise early detectable biomarkers and therapeutic agents/drugs that prevent and/or delay the disease process. Recently, artificial intelligence (AI) science and machine learning tools have been promising in identifying early detectable markers with a greater rate of accuracy compared to past forms of treatment and diagnostic processes. Artificial intelligence refers to the intelligence exhibited by machines or software, distinct from the intelligence observed in humans that is based on neural networks in a form and can be used to diagnose the longevity and disease severity of disease. The term Machine Learning or Neural Networks is a blanket term used to identify an emerging technology that is created to work in the way of a "human brain" using many intertwined neurons to achieve the same level of raw intelligence as that of a brain. These processes have been used for neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson's disease and Alzheimer's disease, to assess the severity of the patient's condition. In the current article, we discuss the prevalence and incidence of PD, and currently available diagnostic biomarkers and therapeutic strategies. We also highlighted currently available artificial intelligence science and machine learning tools and their applications to detect disease and develop therapeutic interventions.

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Peripheral artery disease (PAD) affects millions of people worldwide, presenting with varying symptom severity, including chronic total occlusion of arteries, and occasionally, limb amputation. There are various interventions, such as atherectomy and the use of drug-coated balloons and stents, which have been developed to revascularize affected ischemic regions. However, each interventional approach must be individualized due to a patient's unique underlying conditions. Comorbid conditions, especially diabetes, play a significant role in PAD, as poorly controlled diabetes can accelerate PAD progression. For this reason, an early and accurate diagnosis of PAD is crucial, especially when symptoms may present dissimilar to classic PAD symptoms, often leading to misdiagnosis. The presented cases highlight the tailored interventions to revascularize arteries in patients with diabetic foot wounds utilizing catheters, stents, guidewires, and balloons, made possible after early angiogram. These interventions have been promising in treating PAD patients, and highlight the need for early diagnosis and timely and customized interventions to prevent limb amputation and mitigate potential complications.

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Currently, eight million people in the United States suffer from cancer, and is a major global health concern. Early detection and interventions are urgently needed for all cancers, including colorectal cancer (CRC). CRC is the third most common type of cancer worldwide; From diagnostic efforts to general awareness and lifestyle choices, it is understandable why CRC is so prevalent today. There is a notable lack of awareness concerning the impact of this cancer and its connection to lifestyle elements, as well as people sometimes mistaking symptoms for a different gastrointestinal condition. Artificial Intelligence (AI) may assist in the early detection of all cancers, including CRC. The usage of AI has exponentially grown within healthcare through extensive research and since clinical implementation, has succeeded in improving patient lifestyles, modernizing diagnostic processes, and innovating current treatment strategies. Numerous challenges arise for CRC patients and Oncologists alike during treatment. For initial screening phases, conventional methods oftentimes result in misdiagnosis. Moreover, after detection, determining the course of which CRC can sometimes contribute to treatment delays. This article touches on recent advancements in AI and its clinical application while shedding light on why this disease is so common today.

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 A caregiver is a constantly evolving role that an individual most likely undertakes at some point in their lifetime. With discoveries and research in increasing life expectancy, the prevalence of neurological-related diseases, such as Alzheimer's disease (AD) and dementia, is certainly likely to require more caregivers. The demand for AD caregivers is escalating as the prevalence of the disease continues to rise. The projected rise in AD within the Hispanic population in the United States over the next few decades is expected to be the most significant among all ethnic groups. The Hispanic population faces unique dementia risks due to cultural factors like language barriers, lower education, and limited healthcare access. Higher rates of conditions such as diabetes and cardiovascular disease further elevate dementia risk. Family dynamics and caregiving responsibilities also differ, affecting dementia management within Hispanic households. Addressing these distinct challenges requires culturally sensitive approaches to diagnosis, treatment, and support for Hispanic individuals and their family's facing dementia. With AD and other dementia becoming more prevalent, this article will attempt to expand upon the status of caregivers concerning their economic, health, and cultural statuses. We will attempt to focus on the Hispanic caregivers that live in Texas and more specifically, West Texas due to the lack of current literature that applies to this area of Texas. Lastly, we discuss the ramifications of a multitude of factors that affect caregivers in Texas and attempt to provide tools that can be readily available for Hispanics and others alike.

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Hepatitis C virus is an important global cause of hepatitis and subsequently cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. These infections may also cause extrahepatic manifestations, including insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes mellitus. These two complications can potentially reduce sustained virologic responses (SVR) in some drug regimens for this infection. Metformin has important biochemical effects that can limit viral replication in cellular cultures and can improve the response to antiviral drug therapy based on ribavirin and interferon. Clinical studies comparing treatment regimens with interferon, ribavirin, metformin with these regimens without metformin have demonstrated that metformin increases viral clearance, establishes higher rates of SVRs, and increases insulin sensitivity. Metformin also reduces the frequency of hepatocellular carcinoma in patients who have had SVRs. Larger treatment trials are needed to determine metformin's short-term and long-term treatment effects in patients with diabetes using newer antiviral drugs. In particular, if metformin reduces the frequency of cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma, this would significantly reduce the morbidity and mortality associated with this infection.

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Alzheimer's disease (AD) and Alzheimer's disease-related disorders (ADRD) are progressive neurodegenerative diseases without cure. Alzheimer's disease occurs in 2 forms, early-onset familial AD and late-onset sporadic AD. Early-onset AD is a rare (~1%), autosomal dominant, caused by mutations in presenilin-1, presenilin-2, and amyloid precursor protein genes and the other is a late-onset, prevalent and is evolved due to age-associated complex interactions between environmental and genetic factors, in addition to apolipoprotein E4 polymorphism. Cellular senescence, promoting the impairment of physical and mental functions is constituted to be the main cause of aging, the primary risk factor for AD, which results in progressive loss of cognitive function, memory, and visual-spatial skills for an individual to live or act independently. Despite significant progress in the understanding of the biology and pathophysiology of AD, we continue to lack definitive early detectable biomarkers and/or drug targets that can be used to delay the development of AD and ADRD in elderly populations. However, recent developments in the studies of DNA double-strand breaks result in the release of fragmented DNA into the bloodstream and contribute to higher levels of cell-free DNA (cf-DNA). This fragmented cf-DNA can be released into the bloodstream from various cell types, including normal cells and cells undergoing apoptosis or necrosis and elevated levels of cf-DNA in the blood have the potential to serve as blood blood-based biomarker for early detection of AD and ADRD. The overall goal of our study is to discuss the latest developments in circulating cell-free DNA into the blood in the progression of AD and ADRD. Our article summarized the status of research on double-strand breaks and circulating cell-free DNA in both healthy and disease states and how these recent developments can be used to develop early detectable biomarkers for AD and ADRD. Our article also discussed the impact of lifestyle and epigenetic factors that are involved in DNA double-strand breaks and circulating cell-free DNA in AD and ADRD.

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The administration of promising medications for the treatment of neurodegenerative disorders (NDDs), such as Alzheimer's disease (AD), Parkinson's disease (PD), Huntington's disease (HD), and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is significantly hampered by the blood-brain barrier (BBB). Nanotechnology has recently come to light as a viable strategy for overcoming this obstacle and improving drug delivery to the brain. With a focus on current developments and prospects, this review article examines the use of nanoparticles to overcome the BBB constraints to improve drug therapy for AD The potential for several nanoparticle-based approaches, such as those utilizing lipid-based, polymeric, and inorganic nanoparticles, to enhance drug transport across the BBB are highlighted. To shed insight on their involvement in aiding effective drug transport to the brain, methods of nanoparticle-mediated drug delivery, such as surface modifications, functionalization, and particular targeting ligands, are also investigated. The article also discusses the most recent findings on innovative medication formulations encapsulated within nanoparticles and the therapeutic effects they have shown in both preclinical and clinical testing. This sector has difficulties and restrictions, such as the need for increased safety, scalability, and translation to clinical applications. However, the major emphasis of this review aims to provide insight and contribute to the knowledge of how nanotechnology can potentially revolutionize the worldwide treatment of NDDs, particularly AD, to enhance clinical outcomes.

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Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disease, characterized by memory loss and multiple cognitive impairments. Genetic mutations cause a small proportion (1-2%) of early-onset AD, with mutations in amyloid precursor protein (APP), presenilin 1 (PS1) and presenilin 2 (PS2). Major contributing factors of late-onset AD are ApoE4 genotype, traumatic brain injury, diabetes, obesity, hypertension, cardiovascular conditions, in addition to lifestyle factors, such as unhealthy diet and lack of physical exercise. Disease progression can be delayed and/or prevented to a greater extent by adopting healthy lifestyle with balanced and antioxidant enriched diet and daily exercise. The interaction and interplay of diet, exercise, age, and pharmacological interventions holds a crucial role in the progression, pathogenesis and management of AD and its comorbidities, including diabetes, obesity, hypertension and cardiovascular conditions. Antioxidant enriched diet contributes to brain health, glucose control, weight management, and cardiovascular well-being. Regular exercise removes toxins including free radicals and enhances insulin sensitivity, and supports cardiovascular function. In the current article, we discussed, the role of diet, and exercise in aging, AD and other conditions including diabetes, obesity, hypertension, cardiovascular conditions. This article also highlights the impact of medication, socioeconomic and lifestyle factors, and pharmacological interventions. These aspects were discussed in different races and ethnic groups in Texas, and the US.

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