Iron is an indispensable nutrient for life. A lack of it leads to iron deficiency anaemia (IDA), which currently affects about 1.2 billion people worldwide. The primary means of IDA treatment is oral or parenteral iron supplementation. This can be burdened with numerous side effects such as oxidative stress, systemic and local-intestinal inflammation, dysbiosis, carcinogenic processes and gastrointestinal adverse events. Therefore, this review aimed to provide insight into the physiological mechanisms of iron management and investigate the state of knowledge of the relationship between iron supplementation, inflammatory status and changes in gut microbiota milieu in diseases typically complicated with IDA and considered as having an inflammatory background such as in inflammatory bowel disease, colorectal cancer or obesity. Understanding the precise mechanisms critical to iron metabolism and the awareness of serious adverse effects associated with iron supplementation may lead to the provision of better IDA treatment. Well-planned research, specific to each patient category and disease, is needed to find measures and methods to optimise iron treatment and reduce adverse effects.

Sleep is a fundamental biological process in athletes, indispensable for tissue regeneration, exercise adaptation, and injury prevention. Disruptions in sleep architecture and duration have been consistently associated with diminished physical performance and adverse health outcomes, impairing muscular strength, power output, and endurance capacity, and concurrently compromising cognitive function. On a physiological level, insufficient sleep disrupts endocrine homeostasis, elevating cortisol levels and reducing anabolic hormones such as testosterone and growth hormone. At the molecular level, sleep loss promotes the upregulation of pro-apoptotic gene expression and exacerbates pro-inflammatory signalling pathways. Optimal sleep duration and quality represent a critical “regenerative window”, essential for enhancing athletic performance and safeguarding physiological resilience. Ensuring adequate sleep among athletes can be effectively achieved through educational, behavioural, and nutritional interventions outlined in this review.

Background and objectives: It is now increasingly acknowledged that psychological resilience and effective stress management are important factors in determining performance in professional sport. The present review examines various psychological interventions used in sport psychology, with particular emphasis on methods for improving performance under competitive pressure. It also assesses the psychometric scales and paradigm-based tools available for measuring stress, stress reactivity, and pre-competition anxiety in athletes. Methods: A narrative review was carried out using the OVID, EBSCO, PubMed, SCOPUS, Web of Science, and Google Scholar databases, with a preference for randomised controlled trials, observational studies, systematic reviews, meta-analyses, and consensus guidelines. Results: The results form the foundation for creating more thorough athlete support programmes. Psychological interventions are necessary to improve or maintain sporting performance, manage stress and anxiety, promote healthy sleep habits, and reduce the risk of injury. Conclusions: Athletic performance is influenced by technical, tactical, physical, and psychological factors. Psychological interventions, including self-talk, imagery, goal setting, mindfulness, and relaxation techniques, help manage stress while maintaining focus and motivation. It is recommended that athlete sleep education and psychosocially informed injury prevention be incorporated into these strategies.

Influenza infection during gestation presents considerable hazards to both the mother and the fetus, including heightened hospitalization rates, severe respiratory problems, and negative newborn outcomes. Influenza vaccination is strongly advised as an efficacious prophylactic strategy to mitigate these hazards. This article evaluates the existing evidence regarding the safety, immunogenicity, and efficacy of influenza vaccines given during pregnancy. We examine the dual protective effect for both the mother and the newborn, highlighting the transplacental transfer of maternal antibodies and the resulting passive immunity during early infancy. Furthermore, we examine clinical guidelines from prominent health organizations, highlighting the significance of vaccination scheduling and methods to enhance vaccine acceptance among pregnant women. Our findings endorse influenza vaccination as an essential public health measure to safeguard the health of women and babies, and advocate for heightened awareness and implementation in prenatal care environments. Focus was directed on areas necessitating additional research and enhancements in clinical practice. Aim of the study: The proportion of vaccinated pregnant women remains inadequate. Raising awareness of the possible health advantages of influenza vaccination for pregnant women and their developing fetuses is crucial. The significance of healthcare personnel is emphasized, and ways to improve pregnant women's awareness of the safety and benefits of vaccines during pregnancy are discussed. Materials and methods: A review of the literature available in the PubMed and Google Scholar database was performed, using the key words: „influenza”, „vaccine”, „pregnancy”, „pregnant woman”, „maternal vaccination”, „infant”.

Introduction: Autism spectrum disorders (ASD) are complex neurodevelopmental disorders with an etiology that includes genetic, environmental, immunological, and neurobiological factors. Increasing evidence suggests that the gut-brain axis (GBA), a bidirectional communication system linking the gastrointestinal tract with the central nervous system, may play a key role in their pathogenesis. Research objectives: This review aimed to provide an overview of current insights into the relationship between gut microbiota and brain function in the context of ASD, with a specific focus on neuroimmunological, neuroendocrine, and metabolic pathways. Methods: The methodology involved an analysis of scientific literature focusing on studies published in the last 15 years, sourced from PubMed, Google Scholar, and Web of Science databases. The review included experimental, clinical, and review studies related to gut microbiota, dysbiosis, immune response, hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis activation, stress, and microbiota-targeted interventions. Key findings: Children with ASD exhibit characteristic alterations in microbiota composition, increased intestinal permeability, and chronic inflammation. Dysbiosis disrupts the metabolism of neurotransmitters (GABA, serotonin, dopamine), affecting brain function. A relationship has been identified between the microbiota and activation of the HPA axis as well as the stress response. Factors such as cesarean section delivery, antibiotic therapy, and feeding methods modify the microbiota in early life. Probiotic, prebiotic, and microbiota transplantation therapies may improve ASD symptoms. Conclusions: Modulation of the gut microbiota through probiotics, prebiotics, and Fecal Microbiota Transplantation (FMT) may support ASD treatment. However, further clinical research and ethical guidelines are necessary to ensure their safe application in children.

Viral infections play a key role in the initiation of autoimmune processes and the development of virus-associated cancers. This review presents current knowledge on the mechanisms leading to autoimmunity following viral infections, such as molecular mimicry, epitope spreading, activation of the bystander phenomenon, and deregulation of regulatory T cells. Examples of infection-related autoimmune diseases (SLE, multiple sclerosis, Guillain-Barré syndrome, autoimmune thyroiditis) and the impact of COVID-19 as a trigger for new disease entities are also discussed. Particular attention is paid to the role of oncogenic viruses (HPV, HBV, HCV, EBV, HTLV-1) and chronic immunosuppression in the initiation of malignant transformation, as well as the mechanisms of tumor microenvironment formation. The intersection of autoimmunity and immuno-oncology is presented, including the relationship between the occurrence of adverse effects of immunotherapy and treatment efficacy. The importance of biomarkers (ANA, ENA antibodies, cytokine profile) in diagnosis and the challenges in differentiating autoimmunity from early-stage cancers are also discussed. The final section presents therapeutic and preventive strategies, including the role of vaccination, patient monitoring, and immunomodulation. The need for multicenter prospective studies and the development of personalized treatment methods is emphasized. This topic has significant clinical and health implications, particularly in the post-pandemic era, where the incidence of autoimmune disorders and cancers associated with viral infections is increasing.