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As the global population ages, the prevalence of cognitive impairment among older individuals has been steadily rising. Like many countries, Egypt is grappling with the challenges an aging demographic poses. The global network of longitudinal aging studies, modeled after the US Health and Retirement Study (HRS), includes over 40 countries but lacks representation from the Arab/North African region. The proposed ‘A Longitudinal Study of Egyptian Healthy Aging’ (AL-SEHA) will address this gap by providing data on aging in Egypt, the largest Arab/North African country, shedding light on the intricate relationship between cognitive impairment and non-communicable diseases (NCDs) in Egypt’s aging population between 2021 and 2022. This study took place in five governments in Egypt and recruited 299 participants from a population of 50+. The results of the study are from the pilot stage of the original longitudinal study (AL-SEHA).

This study addresses the urgent need for culturally sensitive cognitive assessments in Egypt by validating an adapted version of Harmonized Cognitive Assessment Protocol (HCAP) to the Egyptian context. This version is to be used as a part of the Egyptian Aging Survey (AL-SEHA). We enrolled 300 participants aged 55 + from diverse backgrounds and meticulously adapted the HCAP for Egypt's linguistic and cultural context. Demonstrating strong reliability and validity (sensitivity 87.6%, specificity 89.2%, accuracy 89.7%), the Egyptian HCAP effectively identified cognitive impairment. Integrated into the AL-SEHA, this validated HCAP offers valuable insights on cognitive function decline in Egypt's aging population. Our findings not only contribute to global understanding of cognitive health but also set a precedent for future cross-cultural HCAP validations, informing policies and early diagnosis for dementia care.

Dementia is rising sharply in the Middle East and North Africa region (MENA), with cases projected to increase by 367% by 2050. Despite this, research remains fragmented, with limited large-scale studies and methodological inconsistencies. This review synthesizes current knowledge on dementia prevalence, risk factors, and healthcare challenges in MENA, highlighting key issues such as modifiable risk factors, healthcare fragmentation, workforce shortages, and the economic burden of informal caregiving. It also examines the impact of conflict, political instability, and climate change on dementia care. Addressing these gaps requires large-scale epidemiological studies, policy reforms, investment in healthcare infrastructure, and culturally adapted interventions. Strengthening research and healthcare systems is crucial to mitigating the region’s growing dementia crisis.

Background Settings characterized by significant systemic challenges face profound difficulties in building a resilient health workforce, a critical component for achieving Universal Health Coverage (UHC). In Libya, a period of prolonged instability has fragmented the primary health care (PHC) system, resulting in uncoordinated training and a workforce ill-equipped to deliver essential services. This study evaluates a multi-year initiative designed to establish a standardized, nationally-owned in-service training (IST) system to strengthen PHC capacity. Methods A phased, multi-method intervention was implemented from 2021 to 2025. The programme comprised: (1) a national landscaping analysis using desk review and stakeholder interviews to diagnose systemic gaps; (2) collaborative development of a national IST Framework via a multi-stakeholder Technical Working Group; (3) co-creation of evidence-based training materials reviewed by a national scientific committee; and (4) implementation of a Train-the-Trainer (ToT) cascade model with supportive supervision. A programmatic evaluation was conducted using pre-post knowledge assessments and thematic analysis of qualitative feedback to measure outcomes. Results The programme achieved national endorsement of a standardized 5-pillar In-Service Training (IST) Framework. A cohort of 35 Master Trainers was established (66% female), with approximately 94% of the first cohort reporting increased facilitation confidence. This network trained 613 Primary Healthcare (PHC) workers (88% female) across 12 districts. Quantitative assessment ( n  = 599) revealed significant knowledge gains among trainees ( p  < 0.001), with mean scores increasing by 29.4% in the first cascade and 33.0% in the second. Thematic analysis of qualitative feedback identified themes of improved professional collaboration, empowerment, and accountability. Conclusion This initiative successfully established the foundation for a coherent, nationally-led In-Service Training (IST) system in a challenging setting, demonstrating a replicable model for health workforce strengthening. The significant knowledge gains and development of sustainable training infrastructure underscore that systematic planning, deep local ownership, and adaptive management are critical for building health system resilience. Future efforts should focus on longitudinal evaluation including clinical audit to assess the impact on clinical practice and patient outcomes.

INTRODUCTION Dementia is a growing public health challenge in low‐ and middle‐income countries (LMICs) like Egypt, where data are scarce. The Egyptian Dementia Network (EDN) registry addresses this gap by capturing epidemiological, clinical, and environmental data across Egypt. METHODS In this multicenter study, 662 participants from six governorates were enrolled using standardized tools. RESULTS The cohort had advanced age (mean 68.3 years), low education (65.9% illiterate), and high comorbidities including hypertension (55%) and diabetes (23%). Alzheimer's disease (62%) and vascular dementia (23%) predominated. Only 24.4% received pharmacological treatment and 2.1% psychosocial support, highlighting care gaps. Household insecticide exposure (20.4%) was notable. DISCUSSION EDN demonstrates the feasibility of implementing a national dementia registry in LMICs, generating baseline insights into demographic, clinical, and environmental risks. In addition, registry‐linked biosamples have enabled pilot multi‑omics and exposome analyses, underscoring its potential as a scalable scientific platform for future dementia research. Highlights Established Egypt's first national, multicenter dementia registry. Aimed to characterize dementia profiles and care gaps across diverse regions. Identified late‐stage diagnosis and limited access to dementia interventions. Uncovered unique environmental risk factors relevant to the Egyptian context. Provides a foundation for policy, research, and improved dementia care in Egypt. Overview of the Egyptian Dementia Network (EDN) registry highlighting multiple centers’ inclusion, cohort demographics, dementia diagnosis, and interventions.

Population aging is a global challenge that poses particular difficulties for low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). So far, there is a dearth of data that describe how aging affects Arab LMICs, which have distinct family structures, caregiving traditions, medical challenges and exposure to climate change. The planned Longitudinal Study of Egyptian Healthy Aging (AL-SEHA) — a member of the cross-nationally comparative family of aging studies around the world — is designed to address these knowledge gaps.

The Davos Alzheimer’s Collaborative (DAC) Egypt Cohort (DAC-Egypt) is a newly established longitudinal study of cognitive aging in a community-based convenience sample of older Egyptian adults. The cohort’s purpose is to characterize trajectories of cognitive decline and dementia risk factors in an understudied population, filling a critical gap in aging research in the Middle East. Participants (n = 1,530) aged 55 and above were recruited via regionally diverse convenience sampling, with detailed baseline data collected on demographics, health status, lifestyle, and cognitive function. Cognitive assessments included both traditional neuropsychological testing and innovative digital tools (digital voice/speech & olfactory-sensory assessments) to enable comprehensive monitoring. Key preliminary findings indicated a high prevalence of chronic diseases and notable socioeconomic disparities in cognitive performance among older Egyptians. Blood samples were collected from 98% of participants, and dried blood spot (DBS) cards were obtained for 88% of participants to facilitate future biomarker and genetic research. This study seeks to enrich the scientific field of dementia and Alzheimer’s disease and related disorders (ADRD) for early detection and intervention strategies for cognitive health in aging populations.

Organoids have extensive therapeutic potential and are increasingly opening up new avenues within regenerative medicine. However, their clinical application is greatly limited by the lack of effective GMP-compliant systems for organoid expansion in culture. Here, we envisage that the use of extracellular matrix (ECM) hydrogels derived from decellularized tissues (DT) can provide an environment capable of directing cell growth. These gels possess the biochemical signature of tissue-specific ECM and have the potential for clinical translation. Gels from decellularized porcine small intestine (SI) mucosa/submucosa enable formation and growth of endoderm-derived human organoids, such as gastric, hepatic, pancreatic, and SI. ECM gels can be used as a tool for direct human organoid derivation, for cell growth with a stable transcriptomic signature, and for in vivo organoid delivery. The development of these ECM-derived hydrogels opens up the potential for human organoids to be used clinically. Organoid cultures have been developed from multiple tissues, opening new possibilities for regenerative medicine. Here the authors demonstrate the derivation of GMP-compliant hydrogels from decellularized porcine small intestine which support formation and growth of human gastric, liver, pancreatic and small intestinal organoids.

Essential oils (EOs) represent a pivotal source for developing potent antimicrobial drugs. However, EOs have seldom found their way to the pharmaceutical market due to their instability and low bioavailability. Nanoencapsulation is an auspicious strategy that may circumvent these limitations. In the current study, lemongrass essential oil (LGO) was encapsulated in zein-sodium caseinate nanoparticles (Z-NaCAS NPs). The fabricated nanocomposite was characterized using dynamic light scattering, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, differential scanning calorimetry, and transmission electron microscopy. The antimicrobial activity of LGO loaded NPs was assessed in comparison to free LGO against Staphylococcus epidermidis, Enterococcus faecalis, Escherichia coli, and Klebsiella pneumoniae . Furthermore, their antibacterial mechanism was examined by alkaline phosphatase, lactate dehydrogenase, bacterial DNA and protein assays, and scanning electron microscopy. Results confirmed the successful encapsulation of LGO with particle size of 243 nm, zeta potential of – 32 mV, and encapsulation efficiency of 84.7%. Additionally, the encapsulated LGO showed an enhanced thermal stability and a sustained release pattern. Furthermore, LGO loaded NPs exhibited substantial antibacterial activity, with a significant 2 to 4 fold increase in cell wall permeability and intracellular enzymes leakage versus free LGO. Accordingly, nanoencapsulation in Z-NaCAS NPs improved LGO physicochemical and antimicrobial properties, expanding their scope of pharmaceutical applications.