Introduction and Purpose of Research Nicotine pouches, popular especially among young people, are smokeless alternatives to traditional tobacco. Placed in the mouth, they release nicotine absorbed through the mucosa, reducing withdrawal symptoms and avoiding harmful tobacco smoke. Often used for smoking cessation, they are considered lower-risk than smoking and may help reduce smoking rates. The aim of this review is to summarize the current knowledge on the impact of nicotine pouches on overall human health. Review Methods The review is based on 39 articles found in PubMed databases published between 2006–2024. Conclusion While nicotine pouches and snus are marketed as lower-risk alternatives to smoking, their health implications are still significant. These products, popular among young adults and athletes, may help with smoking cessation but carry risks, particularly with long-term use. Research suggests nicotine pouches and snus may have no performance-enhancing effects in sports and could impair physical performance, including endurance and strength. Moreover, their use is linked to various health concerns such as cardiovascular issues, type 2 diabetes, oral mucosal changes, and decreased sperm count. Snus has been associated with a modest increase in cardiovascular disease risk, although the risks are lower than smoking. Additionally, smokeless tobacco use is linked to an increased risk of oral squamous cell carcinoma, especially in women. The use of snus during pregnancy has also been linked to higher risks of post-neonatal mortality and other adverse outcomes. Despite these findings, there is a need for more extensive, well-controlled studies to fully understand the long-term health effects of smokeless tobacco products and their role in public health.

Background: Alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) and carbohydrate antigen 19-9 (CA 19-9) are two tumor markers that are widely used in the differential diagnosis in patients with primary liver tumors. Very high levels of AFP are sporadically observed in patients with intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICC) and may cause an incorrect initial diagnosis of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Methods: Two cases of tumors in cirrhotic livers were described, in which the initial diagnosis, based on very high AFP levels (Patient I: 10,464 ng/mL, Patient II: 2212 ng/mL, reference range: ≤8.04 ng/mL) was HCC. In addition, the PubMed database was searched for cases of ICC with elevated AFP. Discussion: In both individuals, liver cirrhosis was diagnosed, but there was no typical rapid “washout” in the contrast-enhanced computed tomography. Based on the histological assessment of samples obtained in the core biopsies, the initially assumed diagnosis of HCC was changed to ICC in both cases. Only nine cases of patients with ICC and high AFP levels were found in the PubMed database. The AFP levels ranged from slightly elevated to over 16,000 ng/mL. Conclusions: A very high AFP level does not necessarily correlate with the presence of HCC. Therefore, the diagnosis has to be verified histologically, when the radiological imaging is uncertain in patients with liver cirrhosis.

Background: CA 19-9 is a commonly assessed tumor marker, considered characteristic of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) and biliary tract cancers; however, the positive predictive value of CA 19.9 is too low, and the usage of CA 19.9 as a screening tool in the healthy population remains controversial. Methods: The presented case illustrates a reversed diagnosis of highly elevated serum CA 19-9 levels in a 54-year-old female complaining of pain in the epigastric region, shortly after COVID-19 vaccination. Laboratory tests showed a significantly elevated level of the CA 19-9 marker (>12,000 U/mL, reference value: <37 U/mL) with normal pancreatic enzyme activity. The patient underwent imaging examination, which showed no abnormalities, except for increased pancreatic dimension and areas of fluid signal in the pancreas in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), which may correspond to autoimmune pancreatitis (AIP). The patient remains asymptomatic with a recommendation for a follow-up MRI in 12 months. Results: A literature review conducted revealed multi-causal CA 19-9 increases above 1000 U/mL, including non-cancerous diseases of the lung, pancreas, liver, ovary, kidney, and others. The median concentration of CA 19-9 regardless of the cause of disease was 2810 U/mL (IQR ± 6895). The median CA 19-9 values in men and women were 3500 (IQR ± 10,050) and 2455 (IQR ± 3927), respectively, and differ significantly between the compared groups (p < 0.05). There was no difference between CA 19-9 values and the categorized cause of the increase. Conclusions: Conducting differential diagnosis, it should not be forgotten that most international guidelines recommend the use of CA 19-9 only in conjunction with pathology of pancreas in radiological imaging; however, even such a combination can point the diagnostic pathway in the wrong direction. A highly elevated CA 19-9 level, typically associated with PDAC, may be the result of benign disease including AIP related to COVID-19 vaccination.

Introduction Lipedema is a chronic condition that affects the majority of women. It involves swelling in fatty parts of the body such as the buttocks, hips, thighs and calves. It usually develops during a period of hormonal changes (puberty, pregnancy or menopause) and is often confused with lymphoedema or obesity, leading to a delay in correct diagnosis and the introduction of effective treatment. Fat oedema is estimated to affect 1 in 72,000 people. However, these figures, according to many sources, are much underestimated compared to the actual occurrence of the condition due to misdiagnosis. [1] Purpose of Research The aim of this work is to commonize the knowledge around the problem of lipedema, presenting the current diagnosis and treatment. State of knowledge Lipaemia is a chronic disease characterised by the development of fatty oedema in the lower extremities (in some cases also in the upper extremities), which is resistant to exercise. The pathogenesis of the disease is unclear and diagnosis and treatment still require much research. Review Methods The literature review was based on the most recent studies. PubMed and Google Scholar open databases were used in the research. The focus was put on literature published between 2013 and 2024. Summary Lipedema hinders women's physical, psychological and social functioning. Current diagnosis and treatment is not sufficient to be certain of an accurate diagnosis and to apply appropriate treatment. However, knowledge about this disease is becoming more publicised, through media, among other means, and research is being conducted at a larger scale.

Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) is a condition that may precede the onset of Alzheimer's disease. Of interest are factors that influence the induction of MCI. In this study, we assessed 92 patients with MCI (aged 60–74 years) and 118 controls for comorbidities and medication. In the MCI group, multimorbidity was observed significantly more often. MCI correlated with age, overweight, multimorbidity, the presence of allergic disease, depression, use of sleep medications and tramadol derivatives. The results indicate a higher possibility of MCI in the 60-year-old group, especially in those with multimorbidity and using certain types of drugs.

Introduction and Purpose of Research: Vegetarianism, characterized by the exclusion of meat, poultry, fish, seafood, and their derivatives, has gained popularity as studies continue to highlight its positive impact on health. This study aims to comprehensively evaluate the health and lifestyle impacts of vegetarian diets by examining both the benefits and potential risks. Review Methods: The review is grounded in findings from 40 recent studies sourced through a systematic search of open-access databases, including PubMed and Google Scholar, focusing on literature published between 2000 and 2024. Abbreviated description of the state of knowledge: Vegetarian diets are associated with significant health benefits, including reduced risks of chronic diseases such as heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and obesity, largely due to their high content of fiber, antioxidants, and healthy fats. Additionally, vegetarians tend to have lower BMI and improved cholesterol and blood pressure levels. However, unbalanced vegetarian diets may lead to deficiencies in essential nutrients such as protein, vitamin B12, iron, zinc, and omega-3 fatty acids, which can impact overall health. Conclusion: Properly planned vegetarian diets are healthy, nutritionally correct and can be beneficial in the prevention and treatment of certain diseases. Careful selection of meal ingredients and adequate supplementation are key to maximising the benefits and counteracting the potential risks associated with such diets.