Supplementation with Omega-3 fatty acids in the supportive treatment of depression – systematic review

Omega-3 is a polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) with a double bond present at the ω-3 carbon atom. Recently, many neurobiologists and psychiatrists have been studying the involvement of inflammatory factors and mechanisms in the pathogenesis of depression, including factors like an improper diet with an excess of omega-6, gut dysbiosis, obesity, and autoimmune diseases. The present study focuses on the impact of unsaturated fatty acids on mood improvement and cognitive processes in elderly patients with major depressive disorder (MDD) resistant to standard treatment. This form of depression is often associated with autoimmune diseases, including rheumatoid arthritis (RA), systemic lupus erythematosus, and inflammatory bowel diseases. The influence of omega-3 supplementation on depression prevention and its effects on childhood depression were also examined. It should be noted that some publications do not confirm the antidepressant effects of omega-3. However, this article provides evidence of the supportive role of omega-3 in depression treatment, based on neuroendocrine, metabolic, and immunological reactions. Objective: Literature review on the impact of omega-3 on depression treatment, considering its forms, inflammatory mechanisms, neuroendocrine factors, diet, lifestyle, and age. Materials and Methods: Literature review based on available sources from PubMed and Google Scholar. Conclusions: Omega-3 is a polyunsaturated fatty acid that positively affects the functioning of the body. Many research studies confirm its antidepressant and anti-inflammatory effects, making it a potential adjunctive treatment for depression, especially in elderly patients with major treatment-resistant depression (MDD) coexisting with other chronic diseases. The results of studies on the relationship between omega-3 and antidepressant action also depend on various environmental factors and lifestyle choices

Collagen supplementation - does it bring real benefits?

Collagen is a protein and one of the main building blocks of our skin. It is found in bones, tendons, ligaments, internal organs, blood vessels, and the lining of the intestines. In our body, collagen enables the cohesion of tissues and organs, affects hydration, resistance and elasticity of the skin, reduces the risk of developing degenerative joint diseases. Its production decreases with age. As a result, more and more people are taking collagen supplements. It has been proven that doing so can bring many benefits to the body. Taking collagen orally can be an effective way to improve the quality of the skin, increase hydration and delay the aging process. Collagen peptides are potential therapeutic agents for treating osteoarthritis and maintaining joint health. Collagen supplementation may be an element of preventive medicine in the field of cardiovascular diseases. as it significantly reduces fat mass and increases lean mass, it also leads to lower LDL concentrations. A beneficial effect was also noted on hair and nails, as well as on brain function

When a close person suddenly changes their behavior – dementia in young people. A case report

The aim of our study is to present a case report of a young patient with rapidly progressive behavioral changes. A 39-year-old well functioning man in a short period of time began to show symptoms like agressive towards his family members, binge eating, apathy, difficulties with social interactions, reduced verbal fluency and poverty of speech, disorders in executive functions and restlessness and anxiety. This behavioral changes appeared in a short period of time (6 months). The concerned family, alarmed by this unusual behavior not previously observed, sought medical help. The patient was disoriented, not receptive to arguments about his atypical behavior, and unaware of the existing problem. A comprehensive diagnostic evaluation (including laboratory, imaging, and neuropsychological assessments) was conducted during the hospital stay. MRI scan showed substantial cortical atrophy in frontal and temporal lobes. Based on the clinical status, typical MRI and neuropsychological examination, the patient was diagnosed with frontotemporal dementia (FTD). The patient received a diagnosis in a very short period of time, which is not typical in establishing a diagnosis for this particular medical condition. The symptoms are often nonspecific, which delays the diagnosis or leads to an incorrect preliminary diagnosis of another medical condition. Difficulties in diagnosing also arise from the non-specific symptoms, which are often overlooked by the patient themselves. It is important to emphasize the crucial role of family members and close associates in recognizing the initial symptoms and making attempts to diagnose the disease. It is also important to provide support and care for the patient's family, for whom the diagnosis of FTD becomes challenging and burdening

The use of retinoids in the treatment of skin lesions and prevention of signs of skin aging - a systematic review

Retinoids are a group of substances that include vitamin A and its natural and synthetic derivatives. They are used in the treatment of various skin diseases, such as: rosacea, acne vulgaris, psoriasis. In addition, recently there is a lot of information about the action of preventing photoaging. Oral retinoids have been proven to be the most effective treatment  for acne of various severity available today. Through their comprehensive action, affecting the four main factors associated with the pathogenesis of acne, they significantly reduce skin changes. Externally applied retinoids regulate the renewal of epidermal cells, stimulate the production of collagen fibers, increase the production of elastin, and lead to an increase in the number and activity of fibroblasts. Therefore, more and more people are using preparations containing retinoids to prevent skin aging. It has been proven that this procedure leads to shallower wrinkles and slows down the appearance of new ones, and evens out the skin tone. Retinoids are effective substances, but their use is associated with the risk of various side effects, the most common of which are: skin irritation, photosensitisation, headaches, muscle and joint pain, and teratogenicity

Gastric lymphoma - epidemiology, clinical manifestations and current therapy management

Gastric lymphoma is a rare malignant disease, which in recent years has been showing an increasing incidence in the population. The development of MALT is most often the result of chronic Helicobacter pylori infection. Further chronic inflammation may result in malignant transformation of MALT to high-grade diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL). However, DLBCL lymphomas most often arise de novo. The risk of primary gastric lymphoma increases with age. The symptoms of gastric lymphoma are very diverse and non-specific, which is why the knowledge about this disease and the differential diagnosis of diseases with similar symptoms play a very important role. The gold standard for diagnosing gastric lymphomas is upper GI endoscopy with biopsy, and sometimes additional imaging tests are necessary to make a proper diagnosis. It is very important to start treatment quickly - the first-line treatment is the eradication of Helicobacter pylori bacteria. Currently, we also have other therapeutic pathways that can change the course of the disease. The therapeutic plan should be individually selected for the needs of the individual patient. Changes detected in the early stages and treated quickly give patients a good chance of being cured. This publication is an attempt to summarize the current state of knowledge about the epidemiology, etiopathogenesis, clinical picture and therapeutic strategies in the case of gastric lymphoma

The non-modifiable risk factors for breast cancer development in women

Introduction   Breasts are organs found in both male and female representatives. The main building blocks of the breast are fatty tissue and glandular tissue. As far as women are concerned, breast cancer is most commonly found in the upper outer quadrant. It is one of the most common cancers among women worldwide and is therefore an important public health issue. The latest data indicate that the problem of breast cancer currently affects more than 10% of women from all over the world. Importantly, it is the second most common cause of cancer-related death among women, after lung cancer. There are many factors that influence the prevalence rate of breast cancer. In general, they might be divided into modifiable and non-modifiable factors. In the following review, the emphasis will be put on the impact of non-modifiable factors on breast cancer risk and the strength of their impact. Factors that will be discussed include age, gender, ethnic and racial background, family history and genetic factors, pregnancy and breastfeeding.  Material and Methods  This review was based on available data collected in the PubMed and Google Scholar database, using following keywords: “Breast Cancer”, “Risk factors of Breast Cancer” and “Epidemiology of Breast Cancer”.  Conclusion  Breast cancer is one of the most common cancers in women worldwide. In recent years, we have observed an increase in the incidence of this cancer among female representatives. The development of this cancer is influenced by many factors, which can be divided into two main groups: modifiable factors and non-modifiable factors. Importantly, it is advisable to undertake new research and initiatives to better understand the etiology of this disease and the factors affecting its development.&nbsp

Tracheotomy as a life-saving procedure - overview of the current knowledge

Tracheotomy as a life-saving procedure has been known for many thousands of years. Tracheotomy remains one of the most frequently performed surgical procedures in the course of acute respiratory failure. Tracheostomy is traditionally performed as an open surgical procedure, performed both in the operating room and at the patient's bedside. Before performing the procedure, the thyroid cartilage and soft tissues are palpated. Before the operation, the patient lies on his back with a roller placed under the shoulder blades and his head tilted back. Direct and indirect laryngotracheoscopy is performed, and in doubtful situations we use computed tomography.General indications for tracheostomy are acute respiratory failure with anticipated need for prolonged mechanical ventilation and inability to wean off from mechanical ventilation, upper airway obstruction, and profuse secretions. Tracheostomy may have a beneficial effect on refractory obstructive sleep apnea. The percentage of late complications after the procedure reaches even 65%. The aim of the article is to present information on tracheostomy: its techniques, indications, contraindications, possible complications and decannulation of the patient

Intraoperative imagining in breast cancer surgery

Breast cancer is the most common cancer in the female population. It is the second leading cause of cancer death in this population. The current technique of nuclear medicine combined with oncological surgery requires the improvement of known imaging methods. In addition to generally available methods, such as MRI, CT, PET or mammography, scientists try to modify the diagnostic process and treatment of the patient in such a way that it is as effective and the least harmful as possible. Breast cancer surgery is experiencing an infamous boom due to the increase in diagnoses, but looking at the positive side, it is also experiencing an amazing development: clinical and technological. Increasingly, surgeons are accompanied by nuclear medicine, which precisely defines the methods of excision of breast tumors with a margin, while giving  a satisfactory cosmetic effect, which is especially important for women. Thanks to the development of these two fields, it is becoming easier to identify specific sentinel lymph nodes (SLNs) that require resection during surgical treatment and to suggest postoperative treatment. The progress of science and medicine has undoubtedly contributed to the development of methods of intraoperative imaging in breast cancer. Today, practically simultaneously in the conditions of the operating room, a multidisciplinary team can determine the area of resection faster and more accurately. Based on the research, it was decided to compare several methods used in today's advanced breast cancer surgery, supported by nuclear medicine

Non-surgical treatments for androgenetic alopecia: a literature review

Androgenetic alopecia is the most common type of hair loss and affects at least 80% of men and half of women before the age of 70, with the incidence increasing with age. Androgenetic alopecia is an ailment conditioned by genetic and hormonal factors, associated with excessive stimulation of the androgen receptor in the cells of the hair follicle. With the development of medicine, more and more therapeutic methods for androgenetic alopecia appear on the market, including minoxidil, 5-α-reductase inhibitors, microneedling, platelet-rich plasma, low-energy laser therapy, rosemary oil, or siRNA. Thanks to the constantly growing amount of scientific research, progressively more is known about the mechanisms of androgenetic alopecia development and potential strategies to stop it. The article analyzes the literature using electronic databases and textbooks to compile methods that can be an effective alternative for people who do not want to undergo surgery. Some of the methods presented in the article have the potential to not only slow down, but also reverse the progression of the disease. However, each of them still has its limitations

Retzius-Sparing Robot-Assisted Radical Prostatectomy in treatment of prostate cancer – presentation of the method and results

Background: Prostate cancer is a malignant cancer and the second most frequent malignancy in men. Millions of people are suffering from this problem across the globe. The gold standard for the treatment of this disease is considered radical prostatectomy. This method can lead to a complete cure but is not free of complications. Retzius-sparing modification of robot-assisted radical prostatectomy is a new method that can contribute to better results in faster recovery. Aim of this study: To present the difference between the Retzius-Sparing Robot-Assisted Radical Prostatectomy (RS-RARP) and the Standard Robot-assisted Radical Prostatectomy (S-RARP) in method and results. Materials and methods: A review was conducted in PubMed and Google Scholar including publications from the last 9 years. Literature was searched using the following terms: “Retzius-sparing”, “robot-assisted radical prostatectomy” and “prostate cancer”. Results and conclusion: Retzius-Sparing Robot-Assisted Radical Prostatectomy is a relatively new method that can improve results in prostate cancer treatment. In analyzed original articles RS-RARP compared to s-RARP showed better recovery of continence and lower risk of hernia. Although there were no significant differences in postoperative sexual function, positive surgical margins, and 1-year-biochemical recurrence rate