Prolactin-inducible protein (PIP), also referred to as gross cystic disease fluid protein 15 (GCDFP-15), has been a trending topic in recent years due to its potential role as a specific marker in breast cancer. PIP binds to aquaporin-5 (AQP5), CD4, actin, fibrinogen, β-tubulin, serum albumin, hydroxyapatite, zinc α2-glycoprotein, and the Fc fragment of IgGs, and the expression of PIP has been demonstrated to be modulated by various cytokines, including IL4/13, IL1, and IL6. PIP gene expression has been extensively studied due to its captivating nature. It is influenced by various factors, with androgens, progesterone, glucocorticosteroids, prolactin, and growth hormone enhancing its expression while estrogens suppress it. The regulatory mechanisms involve important proteins such as STAT5A, STAT5B, Runx2, and androgen receptor, which collaborate to enhance PIP gene transcription and protein production. The expression level of PIP in breast cancer is dependent on the tumor stage and subtype. Higher expression is observed in early-stage tumors of the luminal A subtype, while lower expression is associated with luminal B, basal-like, and triple-negative subtypes, which have a poorer prognosis. PIP expression is also correlated with apocrine differentiation, hormone receptor positivity, and longer metastasis-free survival. PIP plays a role in supporting the immune system’s antitumor response during the early stages of breast cancer development. However, as cancer progresses, the protective role of PIP may become less effective or diminished. In this work, we summarized the clinical significance of the PIP molecule in breast cancer and its potential role as a new candidate for cell-based therapies.

Cochlear implants (CIs) have greatly improved over the last 2 decades and now are the world’s most successful sensory prostheses, that restored hearing to more than 800,000 deaf people. CIs are small electronic devices that consists of an external portion that is located behind the ear and a second portion that is surgically fixed under the skin, they replace the function of the inner hair cells in the cochlea by direct electrical stimulation of the auditory nerve. Although cochlear implantation has been used for almost 50 years, the indications for this procedure are subject to constant modifications but the main indication is the inability to achieve sufficient speech understanding. Properly implanted, fitted, and rehabilitated hearing prostheses allow to achieve open speech understanding in 70-80% of post-lingual deafness patients and very good speech development results in children. These days cochlear implantation has become the treatment of choice for people with significant hearing loss and are constantly being developed intensively.

Diabetes mellitus is one of the most alarming conditions of the 21^st century. The prevalence of both type 1 and 2 diabetes is constantly increasing, which also entails a growing number of patients suffering from its various complications. One of the most common chronic complications is diabetic neuropathy (DN), which is developed by at least 50% of patients with diabetes. Diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN) is the most frequent type of DN. Clinically, a non-painful and a painful-DPN can be distinguished. The painful type causes a massive decrease in the quality of life and affects around 30% of individuals with DM. In recent years many instruments have been used to diagnose and treat DPN but none of them seems to be sufficient in early diagnosis and satisfactory symptoms management. To date, there is any gold standard to recognize DNP and usually it is noticed when a patient presents symptoms of neuropathy, which is too late to introduce an effective therapy. The main approaches for patients with DNP focus on improving glycaemic control, lifestyle modifications and pain therapy. Multiple medicaments are used for this purpose, among which SNRIs, TCAs and anticonvulsants are most effective. Non-pharmacologic treatment, such as acupuncture, physical therapy, nerve stimulation, also has been used, however their effectiveness remains uncertain.

Postpartum sexual disorders can significantly impact individuals and their partner relationships, affecting a considerable percentage of women, with reduced libido being the most common symptom. Factors such as breastfeeding, postpartum depression, and communication issues with partners increase the risk of experiencing these disorders. This review aimed to explore scientific reports on the frequency, contributing factors, and treatment options for postpartum sexual disorders. The analysis was conducted by reviewing literature available in PubMed. The mode of delivery (natural or cesarean) does not significantly differ in its impact on postpartum sexual disorders. Non-pharmacological treatments encompass psychotherapy, from which mindfulness-based cognitive is the most effective and physical exercises. Engaging in regular physical exercises contributes to enhanced sexual experiences, notably in terms of sexual arousal and offers other health benefits. Moreover, Kegel exercises have been demonstrated as a method to increase sexual satisfaction. Medications used to treat libido dysfunction include flibanserin, bremelanotide, and bupropion. For women experiencing depression and sexual dysfunction, antidepressants with a lesser impact on sexual function may be considered. Vaginal dryness can be effectively addressed with moisturizing gels, globules, and lubricants. When considering pharmacotherapy, it is essential to evaluate the severity of symptoms, potential side effects for both the woman and her child being breastfed, and psychological discomfort. Physicians play a vital role, as women with sexual disorders may find it challenging to express their concerns. Partner support is crucial in improving a woman's sexual life.

Dyke–Davidoff–Mason syndrome is an extremely rare medical condition that results from brain damage occurring during foetal life or early childhood. The aetiology of the syndrome can be congenital or acquired. The clinical presentation of the syndrome is variable, and depends on the extent of damage to the central nervous system. It most commonly manifests as epileptic seizures, intellectual disability, and hemiparesis/hemiplegia, which is usually preceded by the first seizure. It is suspected that intellectual impairment is a consequence of epilepsy. The spectrum of symptoms also includes psychiatric conditions, particularly psychotic disorders and mood disorders. Radiological manifestations of the syndrome include midline cerebral shift, widening of the Sylvian fissure, hemispheric aplasia/hypoplasia of the brain, ipsilateral cranial bone thickening, lateral ventricle enlargement, as well as hyperpneumatisation of the frontal and sphenoid bones, and the mastoid process. Diagnosis is mainly based on imaging tests such as computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging, as well as neurological examination and electroencephalography. During the patient’s history-taking, particular attention should be paid to pregnancy history and the childhood period in order to identify potential etiological factors. No characteristic changes in laboratory tests indicating Dyke–Davidoff–Mason syndrome have been found. Treatment is primarily symptomatic. The greatest challenge for physicians is the control of epileptic seizures. Conservative treatment is initially employed. If proven to be ineffective, surgical treatment should be considered.

COVID-19 to choroba wywołana przez koronawirusa Sars-CoV-2. Najczęstszymi objawami są gorączka, kaszel i wysoka temperatura, które mogą prowadzić do wystąpienia powikłań, począwszy od szeroko udokumentowanego zapalenia płuc, aż po mniej oczywiste takie jak zaburzenia funkcji jelit. W ostatnich latach przeprowadzono wiele badań dotyczących wpływu mikrobioty jelitowej na przebieg wielu chorób, w tym COVID-19. Mikrobiota odgrywa istotną rolę w utrzymaniu zdrowia ogólnego oraz w funkcjonowaniu układu odpornościowego. Połączenie między układem pokarmowym a układem oddechowym może być zarówno bezpośrednie, gdzie mikrobiom jamy ustnej kolonizuje drogi oddechowe, jak i pośrednie, związane z przechodzeniem mikrobioty z jelit do krwioobiegu. Podatność na infekcję wirusem SARS-CoV-2 jest różna i zależy od standardów sanitarnych, odporności organizmu, a także występowania innych schorzeń. Pojawiają się również doniesienia wskazujące na pozytywną rolę mikrobioty zmniejszającą podatność organizmu na infekcje wirusowe. Mikrobiota jelitowa wspiera regulację odpowiedzi immunologicznej, wpływa na ekspresję receptorów, ograniczenie wnikania wirusów do komórek gospodarza, wywiera hamujący wpływ na rozwój stanu zapalnego, który jest czynnikiem ryzyka powikłań Covid-19. Powikłania po przebytej infekcji mogą się manifestować jako tzw. post covid z objawami ze strony układu oddechowego, krążenia i nerwowego. Skład mikrobioty i jego zmiany spowodowane chorobami i stosowanymi terapiami korelują z podatnością na infekcje wirusowe. Badania pokazują, że zaburzenia szczelności bariery jelitowej mają wpływ na przebieg wielu schorzeń, w tym układu oddechowego. Zaburzenia mikrobioty jelitowej, prowadzące do dysbiozy wpływają negatywnie na rokowanie u pacjentów z ostrą niewydolności oddechową w przebiegu zakażeń wirusowych. Celem pracy jest przegląd baz danych PubMed, Scopus i Google Scholar z zakresu badań nad wpływem probiotyków w terapii i wspomaganiu leczenia COVID-19. W przedstawianym przeglądzie omówiono możliwości zastosowania probiotyków jako środków stosowanych w prewencji i wspomaganiu terapii infekcji wirusowej. Uwzględniono również zasady zapewnienia jakości i bezpieczeństwa produktu probiotycznego.