Vesicular Stomatitis Virus: Insights into Pathogenesis, Immune Evasion, and Technological Innovations in Oncolytic and Vaccine Development.

Vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV) represents a significant advancement in therapeutic medicine, offering unique molecular and cellular characteristics that make it exceptionally suitable for medical applications. The bullet-shaped morphology, RNA genome organization, and cytoplasmic replication strategy provide fundamental advantages for both vaccine development and oncolytic applications. VSV's interaction with host cells through the low-density lipoprotein receptor (LDL-R) and its sophisticated transcriptional regulation mechanisms enables precise control over therapeutic applications.

Addressing the emerging threat of Oropouche virus: implications and public health responses for healthcare systems.

Oropouche fever is an increasingly significant health concern in tropical and subtropical areas of South and Central America, and is primarily spread by midge vectors. The Oropouche virus (OROV) was first identified in 1955 and has been responsible for numerous outbreaks, particularly in urban environments. Despite its prevalence, the disease is often under-reported, making it difficult to fully understand its impact.

Use of large language models as artificial intelligence tools in academic research and publishing among global clinical researchers.

With breakthroughs in Natural Language Processing and Artificial Intelligence (AI), the usage of Large Language Models (LLMs) in academic research has increased tremendously. Models such as Generative Pre-trained Transformer (GPT) are used by researchers in literature review, abstract screening, and manuscript drafting. However, these models also present the attendant challenge of providing ethically questionable scientific information.

In vivo hyperphosphorylation of tau is associated with synaptic loss and behavioral abnormalities in the absence of tau seeds.

Tau pathology is a hallmark of several neurodegenerative diseases, including frontotemporal dementia and Alzheimer's disease. However, the sequence of events and the form of tau that confers toxicity are still unclear, due in large part to the lack of physiological models of tauopathy initiation and progression in which to test hypotheses. We have developed a series of targeted mice expressing frontotemporal-dementia-causing mutations in the humanized MAPT gene to investigate the earliest stages of tauopathy.

Mental health and justice beyond borders: Global crises, sociopolitical determinants, and contemporary practices in forensic psychiatry.

In an era marked by escalating international crises, environmental shifts, and sociopolitical volatilities, global mental health is facing profound challenges. With its distinctive position at the intersection between clinical and judicial domains, forensic psychiatry can be predisposed to the consequences of adverse external determinants and events. At present, geopolitical conflicts, rising insecurities, climate change, forced and voluntary migration, and regressive sociopolitical ideologies are all compounding role responsibilities, care models, and ethical expectations across forensic-psychiatric practice; in short, complex distal factors are increasingly informing domestic considerations.

Co-Designing Case Scenarios and Survey Strategies to Examine the Classification and Reporting of Restrictive Care Practices in Adult Mental Health Inpatient Settings: Perspectives From International Stakeholders.

There is a global initiative to reduce the use of restrictive care practices in mental health settings. Variations in the reported rates across regions complicate the understanding of their use and tracking trends over time. However, it remains unclear whether these discrepancies reflect real differences in the implementation of these practices or are sourced from inconsistencies in incident classification and reporting methods.

A multisite observational real-world study on the effectiveness of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation therapy for patients with treatment-resistant depression in Japan.

The objective of this study was to reveal the effectiveness of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) for Japanese patients with treatment-resistant depression (TRD) in clinical practice, based on real-world data from a nationwide multicenter observational study in Japan. Clinical data of patients with TRD treated with rTMS (NeuroStar TMS treatment system) under public insurance coverage were retrospectively collected from 21 institutes nationwide between June 2019 and December 2023. Depression severity was assessed by the 17-item Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAMD-17).

PATHWAYS TO CARE AMONG PATIENTS WITH MENTAL ILLNESS AT USMANU DANFODIYO UNIVERSITY TEACHING HOSPITAL, SOKOTO, NIGERIA.

Background: The first line of care is a paramount stage in the management of the mentally ill persons. In Nigeria, traditional and faith-based healers compete with medical professionals in providing care.

Aim: Pathway to care among patients with Mental Illness at Usmanu Danfodiyo University Teaching Hospital, Sokoto, Nigeria.

DEPRESSION AS A PREDICTOR OF OPIOID USE DISORDER IN SICKLE CELL DISEASE PATIENTS.

Background: Sickle cell disease (SCD) is highly prevalent in Africa, especially in Nigeria, the most populous country, and is associated with a high mortality rate. Depression, common among individuals with SCD, correlates with increased pain intensity and opioid misuse, leading to poorer outcomes and diminished quality of life in these patients.

Aim: To determine whether major depressive disorder is a predictor of opioid use disorder among patients with sickle cell disease.

A STUDY OF COGNITIVE FUNCTION IN NIGERIAN PATIENTS WITH SCHIZOPHRENIA, THEIR FIRST-DEGREE RELATIVES AND HEALTHY CONTROLS.

Background: Schizophrenia is a severe psychiatric condition with cognitive symptoms infrequently assessed clinically, yet, they impact the functioning of patients. Cognitive impairments have been found more in unaffected relatives of patients with schizophrenia, compared to healthy controls, suggesting them as endophenotypes of schizophrenia. There are few studies in Nigeria and Africa on these.

EVALUATING A HEALTH INSURANCE SCHEME IN A HOSPITAL SETTING: PROPOSING AN ALTERNATIVE TO OUT-OF-POCKET PAYMENTS IN NIGERIA.

Background: Mental health care in Nigeria relies heavily on out-of-pocket payments, creating financial barriers that hinder access. A pilot scheme linked to the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) Group, the Individual and Family Social Health Insurance Program (GIFSHIP) was initiated to alleviate these challenges.

Objective: The study sought to assess the NHIA scheme's effectiveness in reducing costs, enhancing clinical outcomes, and improving patient satisfaction relative to traditional payment methods in mental health care, while also evaluating the feasibility of a pilot individual GIFSHIP.

MEDICATION ASSISTED TREATMENT (MAT) FOR OPIOID USE DISORDERS (OUDS): OPINION AND EXPERIENCES OF SUBSTANCE USE PROFESSIONALS (SUPS) IN NIGERIA.

Background: Rates of drug use in Nigeria are one of the highest globally, with the use of opioids associated with increased morbidity and mortality more so with injecting drug users (IDU). MAT) can reduce the harmful effects of opioid use but usage in the country is low despite a country-specific guideline in place. A notable barrier to MAT uptake is professionals' knowledge and attitudes.

IMPACT OF BRIEF PSYCHO-EDUCATION ON CAREGIVER BURDEN AMONG CAREGIVERS OF CHILDREN AND ADOLESCENTS WITH INTELLECTUAL DISABILITY IN A NIGERIAN PSYCHIATRIC HOSPITAL: A RANDOMIZED CONTROL TRIAL.

Introduction: The effectiveness of Brief Psycho-education (BPE) is well-established among caregivers of adults with mental disorders, this is however not the case among caregivers of children and adolescents with Intellectual disability (ID) due to the dearth of data occasioned by relatively few studies in the area.

Objective: This study assessed the impact of BPE on Caregiver burden (CB) among caregivers of children and adolescents with ID.

Methodology: A single-blind RCT was conducted in the Child and Adolescent Clinic in the Psychiatric Hospital, Benin City.

Mentorship in medical education: reflections on the importance of both unofficial and official mentorship programs.

Mentorship, consisting of its official and unofficial forms, transforms medical trainees into competent and well-rounded physicians. In this commentary, we reflected on existing mentorship programs at the McMaster School of Medicine, highlighted lessons from a new peer-based mentorship program, and revisited the benefits of integrating diverse mentorship styles to enhance medical education.

Approaches to enable equitable psychiatric genetic research in Africa.

African populations are currently underrepresented in global psychiatric genetics research. Here, we highlight the importance of conducting psychiatric genetics research in Africa, key issues which have hindered such research, and ongoing initiatives and strategies to overcome these issues.

In-person vs mobile app facilitated life skills education to improve the mental health of internally displaced persons in Nigeria: protocol for the RESETTLE-IDPs cluster randomized hybrid type 2 effectiveness-implementation trial.

Background: Internally displaced persons (IDPs) in Nigeria face a high burden of mental health disorders, with limited access to evidence-based, culturally relevant interventions. Life skills education (LSE) is a promising approach to promote mental health and psychosocial well-being in humanitarian settings. This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness and implementation of a culturally adapted LSE program delivered through in-person and mobile platforms among IDPs in Northern Nigeria.