Targeted therapies represent major advancements in the treatment of chronic skin conditions such as psoriasis. While previous studies have shown an increased risk of melanoma and non-melanoma skin cancer (NMSC) in patients receiving TNF-α inhibitors, the risks associated with newer biologics (IL-12/23 inhibitors, IL-23 inhibitors, IL-17 inhibitors) and Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitors remain less known. Using a systematic and meta-analytical approach, we aimed to summarize the currently available literature concerning skin cancer risk in patients treated with targeted therapies. The MEDLINE/PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science, and Cochrane Library databases were searched to find studies reporting the incidence rates (IR) of melanoma and NMSC in patients with psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis treated with biologics or JAK inhibitors. Nineteen studies were included in the analysis with a total of 13,739 patients. The overall IR of melanoma was 0.08 (95% CI, 0.05–0.15) events per 100 PYs and the overall IR of NMSC was 0.45 (95% CI, 0.33–0.61) events per 100 PYs. The IRs of melanoma were comparable across patients treated with IL-17 inhibitors, IL-23 inhibitors, and JAK inhibitors, while the IRs of NMSC were higher in patients treated with JAK inhibitors than in those treated with biologics. Prospective, long-term cohort studies are required to reliably assess the risks associated with novel targeted therapies.

The purpose of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to compare the risk of non-melanoma skin cancer (NMSC) and melanoma development in renal transplant recipients who receive calcineurin inhibitors to that of patients treated with other immunosuppressive agents, and investigate the possible association between the type of maintenance immunosuppression and the incidence of NSMC and melanoma in this group of patients. The authors searched databases such as PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science for articles that would help establish the influence of calcineurin inhibitors on skin cancer development. The inclusion criteria for the study consisted of randomized clinical trials, cohort studies, and case-control studies that compared patients who received kidney transplants and were treated with a calcineurin inhibitor (CNI), such as cyclosporine A (CsA) or tacrolimus (Tac), to those who received alternative immunosuppressants and did not receive a CNI. Seven articles were analyzed overall. The results revealed a correlation between CNI treatment in renal transplant recipients and increased total skin cancer risk (OR 1.28; 95% CI: 0.10–16.28; p < 0.01), melanoma risk (OR 1.09; 95% CI: 0.25–4.74; p < 0.01), and NMSC risk (OR 1.16; 95% CI: 0.41–3.26; p < 0.01). In conclusion, the calcineurin inhibitors used after kidney transplantation are associated with a higher risk of skin cancer—both non-melanoma and melanoma—when compared with other immunosuppressive therapies. This finding suggests that careful monitoring for skin lesions in post-transplant patients must be conducted. However, the decision on the kind of immunotherapy used should always be considered on an individual basis for each renal transplant recipient.

The study aimed to assess procedural complications, patient flow and clinical outcomes after balloon aortic valvuloplasty (BAV) as rescue or bridge therapy, based on data from our registry. A total of 382 BAVs in 374 patients was performed. The main primary indication for BAV was a bridge for TAVI (n = 185, 49.4%). Other indications included a bridge for AVR (n = 26, 6.9%) and rescue procedure in hemodynamically unstable patients (n = 139, 37.2%). The mortality rate at 30 days, 6 and 12 months was 10.4%, 21.6%, 28.3%, respectively. In rescue patients, the death rate raised to 66.9% at 12 months. A significant improvement in symptoms was confirmed after BAV, after 30 days, 6 months, and in survivors after 1 year (p < 0.05 for all). Independent predictors of 12-month mortality were baseline STS score [HR (95% CI) 1.42 (1.34 to 2.88), p < 0.0001], baseline LVEF <20% [HR (95% CI) 1.89 (1.55–2.83), p < 0.0001] and LVEF <30% at 1 month [HR (95% CI) 1.97 (1.62–3.67), p < 0.0001] adjusted for age/gender. In everyday clinical practice in the TAVI era, there are still clinical indications to BAV a standalone procedure as a bridge to surgery, TAVI or for urgent high risk non-cardiac surgical procedures. Patients may improve clinically after BAV with LV function recovery, allowing to perform final therapy, within limited time window, for severe AS which ameliorates long-term outcomes. On the other hand, in patients for whom an isolated BAV becomes a destination therapy, prognosis is extremely poor.

Background: Due to the significant staff shortages, emigration of health professionals is one of the key challenges for many healthcare systems. Objective: The aim of this article is to explore the estimated trends and directions of emigration among Polish health professionals. Methods: The emigration phenomenon of Polish health professionals is still under-researched and the number of studies in this field is limited. Thus, the authors have triangulated data using two methods: a data analysis of five national registers maintained by chambers of professionals (doctors, nurses, midwives, physiotherapists, pharmacists, and laboratory diagnosticians), and data analysis from the Regulated Profession Database in The EU Single Market. Results: According to the data from national registers, between 7–9% of practicing doctors and nurses have applied for certificates, which confirm their right to practice their profession in other European countries (most often the United Kingdom, Germany, Sweden, Spain, and Ireland). The relatively high number of such certificates applied for by physiotherapists is also worrying. Emigration among pharmacists and laboratory diagnosticians is rather marginal. Conclusions: Urgent implementation of an effective mechanism for monitoring emigration trends is necessary. Furthermore, it is not possible to retain qualified professionals without systemic improvement of working conditions within the Polish healthcare system.

INTRODUCTION Social media platforms are commonly used worldwide, affecting every-day living of billions of people. It may impacts both self-esteem and self-evaluation of its users. Formed by social influence, the ideal beauty standards lead to an unhealthy comparison, need of external validation and pursuit of ideal appearance. Induced body image dissatisfaction could be the cause of many different eating disorders or rigorous exercises. Promoted by media, ideal body-image creates unhealthy focus on BMI, weight and shape of one’s own body. PURPOSE The aim of this study is to present the current state of knowledge on the impact of social media on evolving dissatisfaction with body image, followed by eating disorders. METHODS For the purposes of writing this article, the available literature was reviewed. The database of medical publications – PubMed database and publicly available books was searched, using keywords such as social media and body image disorders, eating disorders. RESULTS According to reviewed studies, spending more time on following social media intensifies body image disorders among both young women and men, as a result of negative upward comparison of their external appearance. A problematic social media use, passive and focused on image-related platforms, heightens a risk of developing a self-dissatisfaction and body concerns. Disordered eating behaviors are significantly connected to a frequent use of an image-related social media platforms. CONCLUSIONS Maintaining a healthy relationships with peers and parents protects self-esteem of adolescents and lowers the risk of body-image and eating disorders. A greater focus should be put on educating young people about their value, self-assessment and healthy relations.

Immunosuppressive therapy in organ transplant ensures proper graft function for many years, but it is burdened with a negative impact on the development of skin cancer in them. To characterize the impact of immunosuppressive therapy in transplant recipients on the development of non-melanoma skin cancers (NMSC). A total of 17,207 Polish patients who underwent liver, heart or kidney transplants between 2010 and 2022 and were on immunosuppression were included in the study. Immunosuppression was most commonly achieved using a regimen of tacrolimus (TAC) or cyclosporine A (CsA) combined with mycophenolic acid (MPA) and glucocorticosteroids (GS). Data on NMSC incidence from the National Health Fund in this population were analyzed and compared against incidence of NMSC in general Polish population in the same period. Renal transplant recipients demonstrated a significantly elevated risk of NMSC compared to the general population, with a 1-year cumulative incidence of 0.09% vs 0.04% (p < 0.001), a 5-year incidence of 1.21% vs 0.18% (p < 0.001) and a 10-year incidence of 4.18% vs 0.36% (p < 0.001). Liver transplant recipients exhibited an elevated risk for the development of NMSC, which persisted and increased over time (incidence of 0.09% vs 0.04% at 1 year (p < 0.001), 0.83% vs 0.18% at 5 years (p < 0.001) and 2.65% vs 0.36% at 10 years (p < 0.001)). Heart transplant recipients also showed a significantly higher cumulative incidence of NMSC at 1 year (0.09% vs 0.04%, p < 0.001), 5 years (0.89% vs 0.18%, p < 0.001) and 10 years (4.06% vs. 0.36%, p < 0.001) post-transplantation. Organ transplant recipients have an 2 times at 1 year, 4,5 times after 5 years and 9 times after 10 years increased risk of NMSC on average as opposed to general Polish population in the same period.