Osteoarthritis (OA), a leading global cause of disability, has been increasingly associated with environmental microplastic (MP) exposure. MPs bioaccumulate in human tissues via the food chain and may disrupt joint homeostasis through inflammatory and oxidative pathways. However, their role in OA pathogenesis remains underexplored in translational contexts. We conducted a synthesis of environmental microplastic contamination data from global aquatic ecosystems, integrated with molecular pathway analyses and epidemiological evidence. Microplastic sampling and polymer identification were performed using GPS mapping, stereomicroscopy, and Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. Public health implications were assessed through cost-effectiveness analyses of MP mitigation strategies. High MP exposure regions demonstrated elevated OA prevalence, with MPs identified in cartilage and skeletal tissues. Mechanistically, MPs activated NLRP3 inflammasomes, induced reactive oxygen species (ROS), and disrupted osteoblast/osteoclast balance. Epidemiological data revealed that populations in coastal and industrial regions exhibited up to 1.85-fold increased OA risk. Cost-benefit modeling indicated that MP reduction strategies, such as seafood safety regulations and advanced water filtration, could yield annual healthcare savings exceeding $50 billion globally. Microplastics constitute an emerging and modifiable environmental risk factor for OA. Translational strategies targeting MP reduction may mitigate OA burden and offer substantial public health and economic benefits. This underscores the need for integrated environmental-health policies and further clinical investigation.

This study examines the extensive incidence of microplastics (MPs) within freshwater and Marine ecosystems, characterizing their distribution, composition, and potential health implications for immunosuppressed populations. Utilizing an extensive dataset curated through collaboration with global stakeholders, we systematically analyzed microplastic concentrations and types in various aquatic environments, correlating findings with prevailing environmental parameters such as temperature and turbidity. Our results indicate a pronounced presence of MPs in both Fresh water and Marine Water, with distinct variations. Freshwater ecosystems predominantly exhibited microplastics originating from urban wastewater and recreational activities, demonstrating higher concentrations of fragments and fibers indicative of local anthropogenic influences. In contrast, Marine environments showcased a more diverse spectrum of microplastic morphologies, including debris from larger plastic aggregates and microbeads, facilitated by extensive oceanic dispersal mechanisms. The analysis revealed significant bioaccumulation potential of these contaminants within aquatic organisms, raising concerns regarding food chain transfer and subsequent exposure risks to humans, particularly immunocompromised individuals. Pathological assessments suggest that MPs may exacerbate pre-existing health vulnerabilities by serving as vectors for harmful substances, including endocrine-disrupting chemicals, thus posing increased risks of impaired immune responsiveness and chronic inflammatory conditions. Given these findings, our research underscores the urgency for more rigorous monitoring protocols and public health strategies aimed at mitigating microplastic pollution and protecting at-risk populations. Thus, this investigation not only contributes to the growing body of knowledge regarding microplastic dynamics in aquatic ecosystems but also emphasizes the critical necessity for a multidisciplinary approach to address the intricate relationship between environmental contaminants and human health outcomes.

This study examines the extensive incidence of microplastics (MPs) within freshwater and Marine ecosystems, characterizing their distribution, composition, and potential health implications for immunosuppressed populations. Utilizing an extensive dataset curated through collaboration with global stakeholders, we systematically analyzed microplastic concentrations and types in various aquatic environments, correlating findings with prevailing environmental parameters such as temperature and turbidity. Our results indicate a pronounced presence of MPs in both Fresh water and Marine Water, with distinct variations. Freshwater ecosystems predominantly exhibited microplastics originating from urban wastewater and recreational activities, demonstrating higher concentrations of fragments and fibers indicative of local anthropogenic influences. In contrast, Marine environments showcased a more diverse spectrum of microplastic morphologies, including debris from larger plastic aggregates and microbeads, facilitated by extensive oceanic dispersal mechanisms. The analysis revealed significant bioaccumulation potential of these contaminants within aquatic organisms, raising concerns regarding food chain transfer and subsequent exposure risks to humans, particularly immunocompromised individuals. Pathological assessments suggest that MPs may exacerbate pre-existing health vulnerabilities by serving as vectors for harmful substances, including endocrine-disrupting chemicals, thus posing increased risks of impaired immune responsiveness and chronic inflammatory conditions. Given these findings, our research underscores the urgency for more rigorous monitoring protocols and public health strategies aimed at mitigating microplastic pollution and protecting at-risk populations. Thus, this investigation not only contributes to the growing body of knowledge regarding microplastic dynamics in aquatic ecosystems but also emphasizes the critical necessity for a multidisciplinary approach to address the intricate relationship between environmental contaminants and human health outcomes.

Kidney transplantation constitutes a pivotal intervention for patients experiencing end-stage renal disease (ESRD), offering significant enhancements in quality of life and longevity relative to dialysis. However, the residual prevalence of erectile dysfunction (ED) in male recipients, affecting approximately 20-50%, signals a pressing concern in post-transplant health management. This review investigates the intricate interplay between hormonal fluctuations, specifically testosterone and thyroid hormones, and the psychosocial dynamics encompassing anxiety, depression, and overall quality of life in this demographic. It explores the multifaceted etiologies of ED, encompassing neurovascular, hormonal, and psychological dimensions that converge post-transplant. Further, the review critically examines current therapeutic strategies, emphasizing an integrated, multidisciplinary approach that simultaneously addresses hormonal disruptions, psychosocial factors, and metabolic disturbances. The primary objective is to bridge the existing knowledge gap regarding the pre- and post-transplant experiences of ED among male patients, thereby informing clinical practices aimed at optimizing sexual health outcomes and enhancing the overall well-being of kidney transplant recipients. Through rigorous evaluation of contemporary studies, this work underscores the necessity for comprehensive interventions that prioritize both physiological and psychological health in addressing ED within this vulnerable population.

Background: Men’s emotional suffering is frequently under-recognized because many social systems frame men as strong, self-reliant, productive, sexually competent, financially responsible, and emotionally controlled. Popular expressions such as “male PMS” are biologically imprecise, because premenstrual syndrome is defined in relation to the menstrual cycle. Yet the phrase may point toward a neglected clinical and social phenomenon: recurrent or episodic affective, somatic, cognitive, and behavioral distress in men.Objective: This narrative review synthesizes evidence and theory on male affective symptoms, testosterone and stress physiology, sleep and metabolic factors, externalizing presentations of depression, help-seeking barriers, and the social construction of masculine resilience.Methods: A narrative literature synthesis was conducted across premenstrual disorders, irritable male syndrome, testosterone physiology, sleep and stress biology, male depression, suicide epidemiology, masculinity norms, and mental-health help-seeking. This review does not propose “male PMS” as a formal diagnosis; rather, it evaluates the phrase as a cultural entry point into male episodic distress.Findings: Men do not experience PMS in the strict gynecological sense. Nevertheless, men may experience recurrent irritability, low mood, fatigue, anxiety, emotional withdrawal, sleep disturbance, reduced libido, anger, substance use, and loss of motivation through interactions among endocrine fluctuation, cortisol and sleep disruption, metabolic and physical health, psychiatric vulnerability, occupational stress, relationship strain, and masculine role expectations.Conclusions: The term “male PMS” should not be adopted as a medical diagnosis, but the distress it attempts to name deserves serious scholarly attention. We propose male episodic affective-somatic distress as a non-diagnostic framework for recurrent patterns of male suffering shaped by biological, psychological, and sociocultural mechanisms.

Background: Affective and somatic symptoms in girls and women arise within interacting biological, psychological, relational, and structural contexts. Premenstrual syndrome (PMS) and premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD) are clinically recognized menstrual-cycle-related conditions, yet premenstrual language is also used socially to trivialize legitimate distress. Broader determinants—including menstrual stigma, reproductive transitions, unpaid care, violence, economic dependence, and health-care bias—remain insufficiently integrated in many clinical formulations. Objective: To clarify the clinical boundaries of PMS, PMDD, and premenstrual exacerbation; synthesize evidence on social determinants of affective-somatic distress across the life course; and propose a practical, non-diagnostic framework for menstrual-informed and gender-responsive assessment. Methods: A structured narrative search of PubMed/MEDLINE and the websites of major professional and public-health organizations was conducted for English-language literature available through July 2026. Search concepts included PMS, PMDD, premenstrual exacerbation, menstrual health, adolescent mental health, perinatal and menopausal mental health, gender norms, unpaid and cognitive care work, violence, child marriage, pain bias, and gender-responsive care. Priority was given to clinical guidelines, consensus statements, systematic reviews, and major epidemiological reports. No meta-analysis or formal certainty-of-evidence grading was undertaken. Synthesis: PMS and PMDD should be evaluated through symptom timing, postmenstrual remission, functional impairment, prospective daily ratings, and differential diagnosis. Hormonal sensitivity may influence vulnerability, but biological mechanisms do not invalidate the meaning of emotions or social stressors. Across the life course, symptom expression and access to care are shaped by menstrual stigma, body surveillance, unequal care responsibilities, reproductive-role expectations, violence, financial dependence, and differential credibility within health systems. These influences may coexist with, exacerbate, or be mistaken for menstrual and reproductive-stage disorders. Conclusions: Clinical assessment should distinguish established menstrual-cycle disorders from non-cyclical psychiatric, medical, and sociostructural sources of distress. The proposed concept of embodied female affective-somatic distress is a heuristic, not a diagnosis, intended to organize assessment of timing, reproductive stage, medical differential diagnoses, safety, care burden, and social context. Such an approach supports diagnostic precision while reducing both hormonal dismissal and social reductionism.