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This literature review explores how gut-derived serotonin regulates communication within the enteric nervous system (ENS). Drawing on recent studies, it examines the molecular pathways involved in serotonin synthesis, receptor signaling, and microbiota-driven modulation of ENS development. Together, these findings reveal serotonin as a key mediator linking gut function to neural signaling, with implications for gastrointestinal and neurological disorders such as IBS, anxiety, and depression.

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The United States healthcare system is built on principles of individual autonomy, yet many immigrant patients from collectivist cultures navigate medical decisions as part of collective family units. This literature review examines how extended-family obligations in collectivist immigrant cultures affect transplant decision-making and recovery outcomes, analyzing three peer-reviewed studies on racial disparities in psychosocial evaluations, undocumented immigrant transplant experiences, and cultural decision-making frameworks. The review reveals that current psychosocial assessment tools systematically disadvantage patients from collectivist cultures by misinterpreting culturally appropriate collective decision-making as problematic family interference. The findings suggest that culturally adapted care approaches are essential for achieving equity in transplant access and outcomes.

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Tuberculosis still remains a major global health burden, causing an estimated 1.6 million deaths annually, it presents long-term consequences that persist far beyond microbiological cure including increased all-cause mortality, cardiovascular disease, chronic lung impairment, cancer, and reduced quality of life. Evidence that has been presented from meta-analysis, cohort studies, and narrative review demonstrate that post-TB sequelae, rather than reinfection, drive excess mortality, with risk influenced by age, sex, socioeconomic status, and treatment history. However, current clinical microbiological endpoints somewhat overlook some of these long-term patient-centered outcomes. There are significant gaps in TB research that include underdiagnosis, loss to follow-up, lack of validated biomarkers for TB-associated morbidity, as well as the integration of social determinants of health that affect post-treatment care. Future TB strategies must focus on prioritizing early, accessible diagnostics, improvement of immunodiagnostic tools, holistic patient-centered care, management of comorbidities, and long-term monitoring to reduce morbidity and mortality extending beyond antimicrobial therapies.

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Glioblastoma (GBM) is a highly aggressive brain tumor, characterized by its complex tumor microenvironment (TME) and resistance to traditional therapies. Patients with this disease often have a poor prognosis. This review examines metformin’s potential as a repurposed therapy, focusing on its dual effects on tumor metabolism and immunity. Preclinical studies demonstrate that metformin inhibits GBM cell proliferation, reduces invasion, and targets glioma stem-like cells. Metformin also modulates the immune TME by shifting tumor-associated macrophages toward a pro-inflammatory M1-like phenotype while suppressing the pro-tumor M2 state. Clinical evidence is emerging but nuanced. A retrospective analysis suggests patients who took metformin and had grade III gliomas survived longer. However, the same effect was not observed in GBMs, suggesting metformin’s action could be dependent on tumor genetics. Clinical trials have confirmed the feasibility and safety of using metformin as an adjuvant therapy, though challenges remain in optimizing dosing and patient selection. Metformin offers a promising strategy to reduce tumor growth, invasion, and recurrence. However, future studies are needed to translate preclinical insights into effective clinical interventions.