Experiencing a traumatic situation such as breast cancer can, beside negative consequences, have a positive impact, described as post-traumatic growth (PTG). A factor that facilitates psychological recovery when coping with stressful events is psychological resilience. The aim of the present study was to assess whether PTG occurs in a group of women with breast cancer and whether resilience is a personal trait contributing to its occurrence. The study group comprised 100 women with breast cancer, aged 31–80 years, almost half of whom were aged 61–70 years (n = 46, 46%). The Post-Traumatic Growth Inventory, the Impact of Event Scale, and the Resilience Assessment Questionnaire (KOP) were used for the study. All women manifested PTG, with a mean intensity of 76.61 ± 13.45 points. The greatest changes were observed in the subjects’ appreciation of life, and the smallest in their relations with others, self-perception, and spiritual changes. The KOP scale measured a mean resilience of 103.80 ± 16.57. The results obtained confirm the co-occurrence of psychological resilience and PTG, especially personal resilience and social competences. Additionally, women subjected to additional traumatic events other than cancer manifested a higher level of PTG.

Fatal familial insomia (FFI) is a dominant autosomal genetic prion disease characterised by progressive sleep impairment, autonomic nervous system disorders and motor symptoms associated with significant loss of nerve cells in the medial thalamic nuclei. Making a diagnosis of FFI requires the presence of a certain or probable recognised first-degree relative of the patient, together with neuropsychiatric disorders present. In turn, the detection of the PrP mutation allows the diagnosis to be definitively established. In addition, three other tests - polysomnography, brain imaging and cerebrospinal fluid examination - can be helpful. Fatal familial insomnia is not a fully understood disease. Diagnosis is based on the presence of symptoms of the disease. An important step in diagnosis will be the development of non-invasive diagnostic tests that are reliable in the early and presymptomatic stages of the disease. Polysomnography, imaging studies (PET, SPECT) and cerebrospinal fluid examination should be improved and widely accepted.

Introduction. Pleomorphic xanthoastrocytoma (PXA) is a rare astrocytic cancer of the central nervous system that is classified as grade II according to the WHO score. It accounts for 1% of primary brain tumors. It is mainly located in the temporal lobe and belongs to a group of tumors called long-term epilepsy associated tumors. Surgical tumor resection is the treatment of choice. Brief description of the state of knowledge. The non-invasive method of PXA diagnostics is neuroimaging, which is based on computer tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). In the image, PXA presents as a solid tumor undergoing contrast enhancement, located supratentorial, with frequent peripheral cystic components. The characteristic histologic picture for PXA is the presence of highly pleomorphic, fusiform or round, large astrocytes with single or multiple cell nuclei. Lymphoplasmic infiltrates are visible within the tumor. The most common mutations associated with the occurrence of this cancer are mutations in the BRAF V600E gene. Conclusions. PXA is a very rare tumor of the central nervous system (CNS) that can recur and spread throughout the CNS. Imaging tests, i.e. CT and MRI, allow for precise imaging of the lesion, however, it is necessary to perform a histopathological examination to make a final diagnosis. The rarity of this cancer assimilates diagnostic problems. Therefore, further molecular research is needed to develop more efficient diagnostics.

Introduction and objective: Therapy with the use of "medical marijuana" is becoming more and more popular with patients, who often perceive it as a more natural and safe form of treatment. It is also more and more boldly considered by physicians in the pediatric population, especially when standard methods of pharmacotherapy prove insufficient. The following review focuses on the possibilities of using cannabis preparations in children with drug-resistant epilepsy, autism spectrum disorders and spasticity. It also draws attention to the possible side effects and risks of unjustified use of medical marijuana. State of knowledge: In the pediatric population, high efficacy and a favorable safety profile have been proven so far in the treatment of epileptic seizures associated with Lennox-Gastaut syndrome and Dravet syndrome, and for the treatment of epileptic seizures in tuberous sclerosis complex, (TSC) . Although the therapy has been approved only for the above-mentioned indications, high hopes are also placed on the use of cannabinoids to treat the symptoms of other diseases and disorders, including spasticity and autism spectrum disorders. Conclusions: The research carried out so far gives hope for the possibility of using medical marijuana in other indications as well, as its use correlates with the reduction of i.a. symptoms of spasticity or autism spectrum disorders. At the same time, further studies are needed to assess the balance of benefits and potential risks of the therapy. Since recreational cannabis use in youth is known to be associated with serious adverse events, and medical cannabis use has a relatively strong placebo effect, decisions about its use should always be made carefully and based on scientific evidence.

Chronic pancreatitis (CP) is a progressive inflammatory disease of the pancreas that leads to irreversible structural damage, abdominal pain, and exocrine and endocrine insufficiency. Its etiology is multifactorial, with alcohol consumption and cigarette smoking representing the most significant modifiable risk factors, while genetic, autoimmune, and metabolic mechanisms are increasingly recognized. The aim of this review was to summarize current knowledge on the pathogenesis, diagnosis, and management of CP, with particular emphasis on the importance of an interdisciplinary approach. A comprehensive literature focused on original studies, clinical guidelines, and meta-analyses published in the last 15 years. Effective management of CP requires a stepwise strategy, beginning with lifestyle modification, pain control, pancreatic enzyme replacement therapy, and management of diabetes. Endoscopic and surgical procedures are reserved for patients with refractory symptoms, with duodenum-preserving techniques demonstrating favorable outcomes in pain relief, pancreatic function preservation, and quality of life. In advanced disease, surgical management provides superior long-term results compared with endoscopy. In addition, psychological care has emerged as an integral part of management, addressing the burden of chronic pain, comorbid depression, and addictive behaviors. Nutritional support, including adequate enzyme supplementation and correction of fat-soluble vitamin deficiencies, remains essential to prevent malnutrition and osteoporosis. In conclusion, CP is a complex disorder requiring multidisciplinary care. Early recognition of risk factors, combined with individualized therapeutic strategies and integration of medical, surgical, and psychosocial interventions, is fundamental to improving patient prognosis and quality of life.

Introduction and purpose N-acetylcysteine (NAC) is one of the more popular drugs, widely available in pharmacies, used to treat wet cough. NAC's diverse mechanism of action has drawn the attention of researchers for its great potential in the treatment of many conditions. Indeed, it has been noted that administration of NAC allows indirect modulation of the central nervous system, which may be important in the treatment of psychiatric diseases. The following review focuses on recent reports of NAC's potentially beneficial effects on psychiatric conditions such as depression, schizophrenia, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and addiction. Description of the state of knowledge Based on studies conducted on animals (rats), a positive effect of NAC has been proven, observing a reduction in the severity of depressive symptoms. Based on the above data, more and more human studies are being conducted, where the effect of NAC on the symptoms of various mental conditions is being investigated. In recent years, the antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and neurotransmitter function modulating effects of NAC on the brain have been proven, with significant potential in the treatment of mental illness. Conclusions The potential impact of NAC on the treatment of mental illness is a rapidly developing topic in recent years. On the basis of available scientific data, partial reduction of symptoms of mental illnesses through the use of NAC has been confirmed. It is a very promising drug, which in this indication requires additional studies to unequivocally confirm its beneficial effects on the functioning of the central nervous system.