Background/Objectives: College and undergraduate students around the world struggle with stress, anxiety, and depression, which have a significant negative influence on their academic performance, social interactions, and general well-being. Creating successful preventative and intervention plans requires an understanding of the many, multi-level factors that contribute to psychological discomfort. The objective of this scoping review was to use the Socio-Ecological Model (SEM) to map the determinants of psychological distress among college students in a comprehensive manner. Methods: A total of 15 review publications published between 2015 and 2024, including narrative reviews, systematic reviews, meta-analyses, and umbrella reviews, were analyzed under the guidance of PRISMA ScR. These studies synthesized evidence across various countries, including China, Iran, India, Canada, Egypt, Nigeria, Saudi Arabia, and the United States. Results: Academic pressure, financial stress, poor sleep, unhealthy coping mechanisms, and pre-existing mental health issues were all individual-level concerns, with female and minority students being more vulnerable. Strong familial ties and friendships served as protective interpersonal support. Heavy academic workloads, strict grading guidelines, a lack of mental health resources, and unwelcoming campus environments were among the institutional factors. Stigma and socioeconomic disparities are examples of community-level variables that make mental health issues worse. Conclusions: Student mental health is shaped by interrelated factors across all SEM levels. Integrated, multi-level strategies are essential to fostering supportive campuses, strengthening community networks, and implementing inclusive policies that promote mental health equity.

Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) secretes extracellular vesicles (EVs) containing a variety of proteins, lipoproteins, and lipoglycans. While emerging evidence suggests that EVs contribute to tuberculosis pathogenesis, the factors and molecular mechanisms involved in mycobacterial EV production have not been identified. In this study, we use a genetic approach to identify Mtb proteins that mediate vesicle release in response to iron limitation and antibiotic exposure. We uncover a critical role for the isoniazid-induced, dynamin-like proteins, IniA and IniC, in mycobacterial EV biogenesis. Further characterization of a Mtb iniA mutant shows that the production of EVs enables intracellular Mtb to export bacterial components into the extracellular environment to communicate with host cells and potentially modulate the immune response. The findings advance our understanding of the biogenesis and functions of mycobacterial EVs and provide an avenue for targeting vesicle production in vivo.

Introduction Material and Methods Results Conclusions

Opioid misuse and suicide among youth remain pressing public health challenges. This scoping review examined studies published between 2020 and 2024 on associations between opioid misuse and suicidal ideation, suicide attempts, or non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI) among adolescents and young adults aged 12–30, emphasizing sex and racial or ethnic differences. Guided by Arksey and O’Malley’s framework and PRISMA-ScR, we searched MEDLINE (PubMed), PsycINFO, Scopus, Embase, and CINAHL for peer-reviewed cross-sectional studies in English. Eligible studies assessed nonmedical prescription or illicit opioid use and excluded clinical or incarcerated samples and those with older participants. Seventeen studies met the inclusion criteria. Fifteen analyzed U.S. national or state data, one examined youth in the Northern Mariana Islands, and one used Canadian data. Sixteen studies identified a positive association between opioid misuse and suicide-related outcomes, while one showed a recency gradient, with current misuse carrying the highest risk. Other findings showed that frequent misuse increased risk, multiple substance use heightened danger, and females and youth from racial and ethnic minority groups were more vulnerable. Opioid misuse is strongly associated with suicide risk. Integrated, sex- and culturally responsive prevention strategies are needed, alongside further research clarifying mechanisms and protective factors.

Background/Objectives: University students commonly experience psychological distress driven by academic demands, social transitions, and financial pressures. Mindfulness-based interventions have emerged as scalable approaches to improve mental health. However, evidence comparing their effectiveness across delivery formats remains limited. This systematic review aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of mindfulness-based interventions in reducing stress, anxiety, and depression and to compare outcomes across in-person, digital, and hybrid modalities. Methods: This review followed PRISMA 2020 guidelines and included randomized controlled trials (RCTs) published between January 2020 and December 2025 on mindfulness-based interventions among university students aged 18 years and older. Intervention duration ranged from 3 days to 12 weeks, with most lasting 4 to 8 weeks, and outcomes included validated measures of stress, anxiety, or depression. Literature research was conducted in PubMed, PsycINFO, CINAHL, Scopus, and Web of Science, and two reviewers independently screened studies, extracted data, and assessed methodological quality using the Joanna Briggs Institute checklist. Results: A total of 24 RCTs were included, with the highest representation from the United States and China (n = 4 each), followed by the United Kingdom and Canada. Mindfulness-based interventions demonstrated consistent reductions in depression and generally positive effects on anxiety, while effects on stress were more variable. Digital interventions demonstrated effectiveness comparable to in-person programs, though outcomes varied by intervention structure and level of guidance. Conclusions: Mindfulness-based interventions are effective in improving mental health among university students, particularly for depression and anxiety. Multi-week programs and guided digital delivery appear to enhance effectiveness and scalability.