Iron wire phlebitis – a disease of underestimated significance. COVID-19 as a factor increasing the risk of Mondor's disease

Mondor's Disease, also known as iron wire phlebitis, is a rare and self-limiting superficialvein thrombophlebitis that presents with a palpable cord-like induration beneath the skin. Otherssymptoms include: pain, swelling and redness of the affected area. It typically affects the vessels ofthe chest wall, less frequently the vessels of the penis or the upper limbs. The etiology of the diseaseis not fully understood, but it is known that it may be caused by local injuries or surgeries, and itmay accompany cancer or infections. The diagnosis is based in most cases on an anamnesis andphysical examination, confirmed by ultrasound. There are approximately 500 cases of this diseasedescribed in the literature. Iron wire phlebitis is a disease of underappreciated importance, raisingawareness of this condition can facilitate the MD’ diagnosis and reduce unnecessary diagnosticprocedures.A 36-year-old female patient detects a lump during breast self-examination. The lesion waslocated in the upper outer quadrant of the right breast. The ultrasound revealed dilated venousvessel with thrombosis, which led to diagnose Mondor's Disease. In this case the cause of increasedcoagulation may be ablation or COVID-19 infection. It is necessary to find the etiological factorspredisposing to the disease, and extending the diagnosis to exclude other rheumatological,hematological and neoplastic diseases. The patient received low-molecular-weight heparin, heparinointment, painkillers and anti-inflammatory drugs. After one week treatment, the change wasn’tpalpable. Then, instead of LMWH, oral sulodexide was used for treatment.Thanks to awareness of this disease, it was possible to made an appropriate, quicklydiagnosis and implement treatment, as well as reduce unnecessary medical procedures. The earlydiagnosis of MD can help to identify serious causes (for example breast cancer) at an early stagewhich will allow to treatment previously undetected changes

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

Soluble vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 in patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation

Background: Disturbances in atrial microcirculation is recognized as a risk factor for atrial fibrillation (AF).Aim: The aim of this study was to determine the associations between circulating soluble vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (sVCAM-1) and the risk of AF and a one-year prognosis among consecutive inpatients.Methods: Eighty consecutive inpatients hospitalized due to non-valvular AF and 80 consecutive inpatients admitted for exacerbation of chronic coronary syndrome (control group) were enrolled in the study. A cardiologic workup was performed and blood sVCAM-1 concentration was determined using the ELISA method.Results: Patients with AF had similar blood sVCAM-1 concentration compared to the control group. AF patients treated with new oral anticoagulants (NOACs) were significantly less likely to have a sVCAM-1 concentration elevated above the median value than patients treated with warfarin (34.2% vs 65.8%; p = 0.01). Patients with an increased percentage of fat mass (FM) had lower sVCAM-1 concentration. The risk of all-cause mortality and MACE during follow-up rose in individuals with elevated sVCAM-1 (≥ 1242 and ≥ 587 ng/ml, respectively) with (OR; 95%CI): 5.39; 1.57-18.45; p = 0.007, and 6.00; 1.18-30.37; p = 0.03, respectively. Risk of death rose with increase in the ratio of sVCAM-1 and FM (1.02; 1.00-1.04; p = 0.019).Conclusions: Elevated sVCAM-1 was associated with all-cause mortality and MACE during one-year follow- up, but do not links the risk of AF. Use of NOACs may favorable affect endothelial function, A lower level of sVCAM-1 in obese patients may mediate the phenomenon of the “obesity paradox” in patients with AF