Introduction Noma is a disfiguring gangrenous disease of the orofacial tissue and predominantly affects malnourished children. The tissue gangrene or necrosis starts in the mouth and eventually spreads intra-orally with the destruction of soft and hard tissues. If not controlled, the natural course of the condition leads to a perforation through the skin of the face, creating a severe cosmetic and functional defect, which often affects the mid-facial structures. Furthermore, the course of the disease is fulminating, and without timely intervention, it is fatal. Materials and methods A retrospective clinical cross-sectional study was conducted to assess the sequela and severity of Noma in Ethiopia. Medical records of patients diagnosed with Noma were reviewed. The medical files were obtained from Yekatik 12 Hospital, Facing Africa, and the Harar project,—the three major Noma treatment centers in Ethiopia. The severity of facial tissue damage and the extent of mouth trismus (ankylosis) were examined based on the NOIPTUS score. Results A total of 163 medical records were reviewed. Of those, 52% (n = 85) and 48% (n = 78) have reported left-sided and right-sided facial defects, respectively. The facial defects ranged from minor to severe tissue damage. In other words, 42.3% (n = 69), 30.7% (n = 50), 19% (n = 31), and 8% (n = 13) have reported Grade-2 (25–50%), Grade-3 (50–75%), Grade-1 (0–25%), and Grade-4 (75–100%) tissue damages respectively. Cheek, upper lip, lower lip, nose, hard palate, maxilla, oral commissure, zygoma, infra-orbital region, mandible, and chin are oftentimes the major facial anatomic regions affected by the disease in the individuals identified in our review. Complete loss of upper lip, lower lip, and nose were also identified as a sequela of Noma. Discussion The mortality rate of Noma is reported to vary between 85% and 90%. The few survivors suffer from disfigurement and functional impairment affecting speech, breathing, mastication, and/or even leading to changes in vision. Often, the aesthetic damage becomes a source of stigma, leading to isolation from society, as well as one’s family. Similarly, our review found a high level of facial tissue damage and psychiatric morbidity.

Prison inmates are a high-risk group for tuberculosis (TB) infection and disease due to the increasing number of vulnerable fringe groups, risk factors (e.g., alcohol and drug addictions), contagious diseases (HIV, hepatitis), and their high-risk behavior. Compared to the general population, TB incidence and prevalence rates are significantly higher among prison inmates. Early identification of potentially infectious pulmonary TB (PTB) and targeted care of sick inmates are essential to effectively control TB within the prison system. The WHO recommends combining active and passive case-finding in prisons. No study has been published comparing the broad spectrum of screening tools using a diagnostic accuracy network meta-analysis (NMA). We aim to identify the most accurate TB case-finding algorithm at prison entry that is feasible in resource-limited prisons of high-burden TB countries and ensures continuous comprehensive TB detection services in such settings. Evidence generated by this NMA can provide important decision support in selecting the most (cost-) effective algorithms for screening methods for resource-limited settings in the short, medium, and long terms.

In the daily practice of medicine, health care providers oftentimes confront the dilemma of offering ‘maximum care’ based on available technologies and advances versus ethical concerns about futility. Regardless of cultural backgrounds and differences, most human beings aspire to an illness-free life, or better yet, a life lived with utmost quality and longevity. On account on ongoing advances in science and technology, the possibility of achieving “immortality” (a term used as a metaphor for an extremely long and disease-free life) is increasingly perceived as a realistic goal, which is aggressively pursued by some of the world’s wealthiest individuals and corporations. However, this quest is not taking place in a philosophical or religious vacuum, which is why we attempt to evaluate the current state of knowledge on religious beliefs revolving around immortality and their alignments with today’s medical advancements. The literature searches were performed using relevant databases including JSTOR and PubMed, as well as primary religious sources. Most religions present longevity as a blessing and believe in some sort of immortality, afterlife or reincarnation for the immortal soul. The quest for immortality beyond life in a “body of death” remains consistent with access to medical care and the legitimate possibility of achieving longevity—as long as certain ethical and religious parameters are preserved.

The metaverse has become of paramount importance within the last several years, being a virtual universe where individuals and companies can interact. While the metaverses are still in their nascent stage, there has been increasing interest and capital inflow into these universes. For Shariah-compliant focused financial investors and participants, this represents a considerable challenge given the existing lack of Islamic financing frameworks for the metaverses. This chapter outlines options for providing Shariah-compliant financing in the metaverse, outlining the challenges and aspects that have to be taken into account for creating Shariah-compliant financing forms in the metaverse. The framework adapts conventional Islamic financing options, such as Murabaha and Sukuk, to the metaverse, ensuring that both the contracting and crypto-payments are Shariah-compliant and supportive in the metaverse. The framework provides an important step towards the development of Shariah-compliant financing forms within the metaverse.

Introduction Noma is a polymicrobial gangrenous facial disease affecting people living in the most impoverished areas of low- and middle-income countries. If left untreated, the disease is fatal or else severely disfigure people with the condition. The compromised immune system, poor oral hygiene, measle infection, diarrheal disease, inaccessibility to health education and proper medical care, and lack of a balanced diet and good sanitary facilities are found to be some of the predisposing factors for the development and progression of the disease. Furthermore, debilitating diseases like malaria and measles were considered as significant precursors to Noma. Materials and Method A mix of cross-sectional and case-control study approaches was conducted to assess the risk factors of Noma in Ethiopia. The raw data of the cases were obtained from Yekatik 12 Hospital, Facing Africa, and the Harar project Ethiopia. Three controls were selected per single case. The Odd ratio (ORs) and Chi-square test were calculated to rule out the statistical significance of the association observed between the factors and the disease. Results A total of 64 cases were selected for the case-control study. Considering the 1:3 case to control ratio, 192 matching controls were identified. Malaria, helminths, measle, diarrheal diseases, and living with domestic animals were found to be risk factors for Noma with a respective p-value < 0.01. Contrarily, the analysis has identified vaccination (p < 0.01) as a protective factor. Discussion Noma/face of poverty is mostly preventable by providing proper nutrition, sanitary and water facilities, awareness about the disease, oral health education, and vaccinations. Poverty-related diseases such as malaria, helminths infection, measle, diarrheal diseases, and unfavorable living conditions were identified to be the risk factor for Noma. As such the disease is truly preventable. Prevention of the disease can be achieved through promoting overall awareness of the disease, poverty reduction, improved nutrition, and promotion of exclusive breastfeeding in the first 3-6 months of life. Furthermore, optimum prenatal care, timely immunizations against common childhood diseases, initiating vaccination, and improving the social living conditions are the other preventive mechanisms. Moreover, long-lasting economic development should be considered to effectively and sustainably prevent the disease.