Articles

HIV programs worldwide have achieved remarkable gains toward viral suppression, transforming HIV from a fatal illness into a chronic condition for many. Despite these successes, a substantial proportion of people living with HIV (PLWH) continue to face poor health outcomes that extend well beyond viral control. Persistent social determinants of health and structural barriers, including poverty, stigma, discrimination, and disrupted health systems, limit access to prevention, treatment, and retention in care.

Electroencephalography (EEG) is undergoing a profound transformation, from a passive diagnostic tool to an active interface for communication, intervention, and neuroadaptive control. This commentary explores the current state and future trajectories of EEG-based technologies, focusing on emerging paradigms that redefine the role of the brain within technological and therapeutic environments. We begin by examining the digital present: while EEG systems are now more portable, connected, and computationally empowered than ever before, technical limitations and interpretive bottlenecks persist.

Appendiceal endometriosis (AE) represents a clinically significant yet frequently overlooked manifestation of endometriosis that may contribute to persistent symptoms and suboptimal treatment outcomes. Multiple comprehensive reviews demonstrate that appendiceal involvement occurs in a notable percentage of women with endometriosis and can present with distinctive symptom patterns.

Early dropout from psychiatric care remains a persistent barrier to effective treatment. To investigate the role of therapeutic alliance and financial burden in contemporary treatment settings, we conducted a retrospective analysis using data from a large national telepsychiatry platform. The study included 796 adults (≥18 years) who completed at least two visits and had working alliance inventory-short revised (WAI-SR) scores within 45 days of their initial appointment. 

Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS) is a rare but serious autoimmune disorder that typically follows an infection and presents with ascending weakness and areflexia. Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE), a multisystem autoimmune disease, may uncommonly manifest initially with GBS, posing diagnostic and therapeutic challenges.

Celiac disease (CD) is an immune-mediated enteropathy triggered by gluten ingestion in genetically predisposed individuals, resulting in villous atrophy, crypt hyperplasia, and mucosal inflammation. While immunologic mechanisms are well characterized, the role of mechanical and biochemical factors in disease onset remains underexplored.

At the invitation from the editor of the Journal of Mental Health Disorders, the following commentary reflects on the possible ways in which a radical and progressive model of secondary education—the Seychelles National Youth Service—held out the prospect of changing the conditions for mental health and wellbeing of Seychellois people, both young and old. This invitation was prompted by the editor’s reading of an essay I wrote entitled ‘The Seychelles National Youth Service (NYS): Fragments, Thoughts and Reflections on an Experiment in Democratic Education’ for an edited collection entitled Designing Democratic Schools and Learning Environments a Global Perspective.

Keeping positive mental health is essential, as it promotes overall wellness, strengthens endurance, nurtures significant relationships, and provides a framework for personal as well as professional fulfilment. The present research investigates the complex associations between prosocial behaviour, aggression, and positive mental health in a range of social conditions with the aim of discovering subtle variations influenced by age groups, gender, and the type of residence. In this study, 405 participants were recruited using multi-stage random sampling. Descriptive and correlation statistical analyses are evaluated to discover gender, age, and residence-based distinct groups that varied in prosocial behaviour, aggression and positive mental health.

The trafficking in persons for organ harvesting is a severe form of human trafficking occurring worldwide. In some countries, commercial organ harvesting is unrecognized as a criminal offense, and in a few countries, the means element of force, fraud, or coercion as established under international law is absent in domestic anti-human trafficking legislation. These shortcomings present significant obstacles for holding commercial organ brokers and corrupt medical facilities accountable for human rights violations against vulnerable people who give up their organs for little (and sometimes no) financial gain and a lifetime of physical and emotional health issues.

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is a major risk factor for ischemic stroke, with the left atrial appendage (LAA) being the predominant source of thrombi. Surgical LAA occlusion (LAAO) with devices like the AtriClip offers a mechanical alternative to long-term oral anticoagulation (OAC), particularly for patients at high bleeding risk or with OAC contraindications.

The U.S. population is rapidly aging, which is expected to increase the incidence of mistreatment of elder and disabled adults. There exist a variety of types of abuse, neglect and exploitation, including self-neglect and abuse. The relationship between the victim and perpetrator could include intimate partners or other family, especially for women. Policies and programs have been geared mostly toward tertiary prevention, responding after a tragedy has already caused trauma. State laws define elder and disabled adults as vulnerable adults and maltreatment should be reported. However, there is vast underreporting of these crimes. Adult Protective Services is not as developed or well-funded as Child Protective Services.

The oral cavity is part of the mucosal immune system of the body, embracing all mucosae including lungs, gut and nose. The oral mucosa is the gateway for a plethora of gastrointestinal and respiratory antigens and is capable of mounting a very strong mucosal immune response. Mucosal immunity is structurally and functionally similar in all mucosae and, soluble mediators including cytokines, chemokines, immunoglobulins and other proteins have been well studied in many diseases.

Aquatic prokaryotic cyanobacteria (algal blooms) produce cyanotoxins (CTs), significant pollutants in aquatic ecosystems. Direct exposure to high-concentration CTs through inhalation, skin contact, or ingestion of contaminated water can lead to hepatotoxicity and neurotoxicity. However, the effect of exposure to CTs at low concentrations remains unclear.  Given that CTs can cross the blood–brain barrier via organic anion transporting polypeptides (OATPs), we investigated the effect of acute exposure to low concentrations (10 nM and 50 nM) of CTs, namely microcystin-LR (MC-LR), nodularin (NOD), cylindrospermopsin (CYN), and known neurotoxin β-N-methylamino-l-alanine (BMAA) in neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y cells.

Psychotherapy has historically played a limited role in Parkinson’s disease (PD) care, despite the high prevalence of neuropsychiatric and psychological conditions in this population. With sporadic evidence for the benefits of psychotherapy in PD, a clear pathway for psychotherapeutic intervention is still in development.

The Journal of Experimental Neurology frequently highlights studies that bridge the gap between neurological disorders and systemic conditions, particularly those with an immunological component. The recent article, "Suppressive Effect of Topical Moxifloxacin on Imiquimod-Induced Model of Psoriasis in Mice," by Abbas et al., presents intriguing data suggesting a potential role for the fluoroquinolone antibiotic moxifloxacin in the treatment of psoriasis, a chronic inflammatory skin disorder.

Pleomorphic adenoma is a benign tumor typically found in the salivary glands. Its occurrence in the trachea is rare and often overlooked due to low clinical suspicion, despite respiratory symptoms. We report the case of a 47-year-old Caucasian woman, active smoker with a 34 pack-year history, and a diagnosis of non-allergic asthma for 15 years, with progressive worsening control despite medical therapy. 

Background: Ectopic pregnancy (EP) is a leading cause of acute abdominal pain in gynecology. Most women with tubal EP present hemodynamically stable, making non-surgical therapy a viable option. This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of methotrexate (MTX) regimens in this population. Methods: We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs). A comprehensive search of PubMed, Cochrane Library, Embase, LILACS, SciELO, and CINAHL was conducted from database inception to April 2025.

Sesame (Sesamum indicum L) has garnered attention for its potential in diabetes management due to its rich bioactive compounds, including sesamin, sesamolin, and unsaturated fatty acids. This commentary explores recent advances in sesame research, emphasizing its role in improving glycemic control, lipid profiles, inflammation, and oxidative stress, as evidenced by a systematic review and meta-analysis. Mechanistic insights reveal sesame’s effects on PPARα activation, Nrf2 signaling, and NF-κB suppression, which underpin its metabolic benefits.

Background: Due mostly to the growth of multidrug resistant infections, antimicrobial resistance (AMR) has limited the arsenal of medical professionals against infectious diseases on a global scale. Thus, the purpose of this systematic review and meta-analysis is to present the pooled prevalence, bacterial profile, and current trend of antibiotic resistance in pregnant women who have significant bacteriuria in East Africa.