The role of the gut microbiota and the use of new therapies in Irritable Bowel Syndrome

Introduction: Irritable bowel syndrome is a functional disorder of the gastrointestinal tract with a multifactorial nature of the disease. IBS affects 11% of the population, with the gut microbiota playing an important role in the pathophysiology. Purpose: The aim of this article is to present the course of irritable bowel syndrome, the role of the gut microbiota in pathophysiology, and new therapeutic approaches, including probiotics, based on the current state of knowledge. Conclusions: IBS is a syndrome whose exact pathophysiology is not fully understood. The state of the gut microbiota has a huge impact on the course of the disease, but also on the functioning of the whole body. New therapies currently in use, i.e. probiotics, are showing promising results, but more research is needed to find the golden mean to treat the disease. Methods: Data for the article were retrieved using PubMed setting the time descriptors to 2013-2023. Irritable bowel syndrome is one of the more common functional disorders of the gastrointestinal tract. It manifests as recurrent abdominal pain, discomfort and bloating accompanied by bowel movements without a direct underlying cause. From multicentre clinical studies, it is known that disorders of various mechanisms within the brain-gut axis, altered gastrointestinal motility and visceral hypersensitivity are the underlying causes. In addition, many scholars are of the opinion that disturbances in the gut microbiota play a key role in the pathogenesis of IBS

Diagnostic problems of unusal somatic disorder - Munchausen syndrome by proxy

Introduction and purpose Munchausen syndrome by proxy is a factitious disorder characterized by the search for and induction of somatic symptoms, the falsification of laboratory results, and even the mutilation of  a loved one, usually a child, by a parent or caregiver. Paediatricians often only have information about the child's condition from an interview with the child’s guardian, so it is very important to differentiate feigned disorders from real, sometimes difficult to diagnose, cases of illness. We may suspect them if the parent reports unusual symptoms in the child, insinuates further treatments and hospital stays, has above-average knowledge of medical terminology, and is aggressive towards the staff. Prominent among the causes of  Munchausen syndrome by proxy are first and foremost the desire to focus the parent/carer’s attention on themselves and the expectation of recognition for their care and concern for the child. Methods and materials The following review was based on articles from the PubMed and Google Scholar databases. Key search terms included munchausen syndrome, munchausen syndrome by proxy, treatment, diagnosis, paediatric condition falsification, factitious disorder. Conclusions Due to the nature of this disorder, physicians of different specialities may come across it during their practice. Increasing their knowledge on this topic and the effects of Munchausen syndrome by proxy will allow the correct diagnosis to be established and appropriate psychiatric therapy with psychological care to be introduced, as well as protecting children who are victims of the actions of their caregivers

Natriuretic peptide pathways in heart failure in the context of the analysis of the mechanism of action and potential usages of sacubitril/valsartan

Introduction and purpose Heart failure has become a civilization disease, affecting 1-2% of the world's population. It is a condition with various etiologies and phenotypes. The annual mortality rate due to heart failure is approximately 10%, with organ dysfunction caused by hypoperfusion and sudden cardiac death being the leading causes of death. The aim of this study is to present current knowledge of heart failure, focusing on its pathophysiology, and the mechanism of action and applications of sacubitril/valsartan.   Material and methods The following review was based on articles from the PubMed and Google Scholar databases. Key search terms included pathophysiology of heart failure; natriuretic peptide pathways; treatment of heart failure; sacubitril/valsartan.   Conclusions Heart failure is a syndrome marked by the activation of various neurohormonal systems such as the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS), the sympathetic nervous system (SNS) and natriuretic peptides (NP). Historically, the therapeutic approach has focused on reducing RAAS activity and SNS activity. In recent years, increasing attention has been given to potential benefits associated with the NP system. Following disappointing outcomes from studies involving neprilysin (NEP) inhibitors, administered alone or in conjunction with an ACE inhibitor and vasopeptidase inhibitors, there have been findings with the pharmacological class termed ARNI (angiotensin receptor and NEP inhibitors). Sacubitril/valsartan has proven to be an effective and safe treatment that reduces the need for hospitalization, enhances the quality of life and longevity of patients with chronic HFrEF

Hashimoto's disease - the role of factors and diet in the course of the disease

Introduction: Hashimoto's disease is an autoimmune disorder that develops as a result of a pathological reaction of the patient's immune system, which consequently destroys the body's own healthy cells and tissues. Genetic, environmental and immunological factors influence its development. The disease may initially be asymptomatic. The exact aetiology of the disease is unknown. The worldwide incidence is approximately 10-12%. Purpose: This paper aims to present the influence of genetic factors, environmental factors, trace elements, and diet on the development and course of Hashimoto's disease based on the current state of knowledge. Conclusions: Hashimoto's disease is a multifactorial disease, but the relevance of all factors presented in the development and progression has not yet been confirmed. To date, a special diet for patients has not been created. Further research is needed to better understand the pathogenesis of the disease in order to help patients control HT. Methods: Data for the article were retrieved using PubMed setting the time descriptors to 2013-2023

The role of the gut microbiota and the use of new therapies in Irritable Bowel Syndrome

Introduction: Irritable bowel syndrome is a functional disorder of the gastrointestinal tract with a multifactorial nature of the disease. IBS affects 11% of the population, with the gut microbiota playing an important role in the pathophysiology. Purpose: The aim of this article is to present the course of irritable bowel syndrome, the role of the gut microbiota in pathophysiology, and new therapeutic approaches, including probiotics, based on the current state of knowledge. Conclusions: IBS is a syndrome whose exact pathophysiology is not fully understood. The state of the gut microbiota has a huge impact on the course of the disease, but also on the functioning of the whole body. New therapies currently in use, i.e. probiotics, are showing promising results, but more research is needed to find the golden mean to treat the disease. Methods: Data for the article were retrieved using PubMed setting the time descriptors to 2013-2023. Irritable bowel syndrome is one of the more common functional disorders of the gastrointestinal tract. It manifests as recurrent abdominal pain, discomfort and bloating accompanied by bowel movements without a direct underlying cause. From multicentre clinical studies, it is known that disorders of various mechanisms within the brain-gut axis, altered gastrointestinal motility and visceral hypersensitivity are the underlying causes. In addition, many scholars are of the opinion that disturbances in the gut microbiota play a key role in the pathogenesis of IBS

Hashimoto's disease - the role of factors and diet in the course of the disease

Introduction: Hashimoto's disease is an autoimmune disorder that develops as a result of a pathological reaction of the patient's immune system, which consequently destroys the body's own healthy cells and tissues. Genetic, environmental and immunological factors influence its development. The disease may initially be asymptomatic. The exact aetiology of the disease is unknown. The worldwide incidence is approximately 10-12%. Purpose: This paper aims to present the influence of genetic factors, environmental factors, trace elements, and diet on the development and course of Hashimoto's disease based on the current state of knowledge. Conclusions: Hashimoto's disease is a multifactorial disease, but the relevance of all factors presented in the development and progression has not yet been confirmed. To date, a special diet for patients has not been created. Further research is needed to better understand the pathogenesis of the disease in order to help patients control HT. Methods: Data for the article were retrieved using PubMed setting the time descriptors to 2013-2023

Argumentacja w edukacji: postulaty badań edukacyjnych w polskiej szkole argumentacji

Uwzględniając dotychczasową działalność Polskiej Szkoły Argumentacji, w szczególności jej działalność edukacyjną wyeksponowaną podczas XV konferencji ArgDiaP, sformułowaliśmy postulaty dotyczące dalszej działalności edukacyjnej Szkoły. Ich realizacja w ciągu najbliższych lat mogłaby stanowić grunt dla długoterminowych celów edukacyjnych, takich jak (1) opracowanie spójnego programu nauczania sztuki argumentowania i krytycznego myślenia w szkołach podstawowych i średnich oraz (2) zaprojektowanie ogólnopolskich standardów i ram nauczania przedmiotów powiązanych z argumentacją i krytycznym myśleniem na poziomie studiów uniwersyteckich

Gene Expression-Based Functional Differences between the Bladder Body and Trigonal Urothelium in Adolescent Female Patients with Micturition Dysfunction

The aim of this study is to determine the molecular differences between the urothelial transcriptomes of the bladder body and trigone. The transcriptomes of the bladder body and trigonal epithelia were analyzed by massive sequencing of total epithelial RNA. The profiles of urothelial and urinal microbiomes were assessed by amplicon sequencing of bacterial 16S rRNA genes in 17 adolescent females with pain and micturition dysfunction and control female subjects. The RNA sequencing identified 10,261 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in the urothelia of the bladder body and trigone, with the top 1000 DEGs at these locations annotated to 36 and 77 of the Reactome-related pathways in the bladder body and trigone, respectively. These pathways represented 11 categories enriched in the bladder body urothelium, including extracellular matrix organization, the neuronal system, and 15 categories enriched in the trigonal epithelium, including RHO GTPase effectors, cornified envelope formation, and neutrophil degranulation. Five bacterial taxa in urine differed significantly in patients and healthy adolescent controls. The evaluation of their transcriptomes indicated that the bladder body and trigonal urothelia were functionally different tissues. The molecular differences between the body and trigonal urothelia responsible for clinical symptoms in adolescents with bladder pain syndrome/interstitial cystitis remain unclear