Introduction: Anaemia and bone metabolism alterations are common in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), which is a heterogeneous group of diseases that include Crohn’s disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC) with a rich intestinal and extraintestinal symptomatology. All these make the diagnostic procedures complicated and difficult. Purpose and scope: The aim of this study was to assess the effect of parenteral iron administration on biomarkers of mineral and bone homeostasis over time. Materials and methods: The study was a single-centre non-randomised prospective study. It was carried out between 2016 and 2020 in a group of patients in the Department of Internal Medicine and Gastroenterology Subunit of Inflammatory Bowel Diseases at the National Institute of Medicine of the Ministry of the Interior and Administration in Warsaw. At the first examination, the baseline disease severity, initial evaluation of anaemia (morphology, iron (Fe), total iron binding capacity (TIBC), ferritin, vitamin B₁₂, folic acid) and bone mineral metabolism including C-reactive protein (CRP), albumins, alkaline phosphatase (ALP), Calcium, osteocalcin, phosphate in serum and in urine, parathyroid hormone (PTH), vitamin D3, fibroblast growth factor (iFGF23) and procollagen type 1N propeptide (P1NP) C-terminal telopeptide (CTX), was initially assessed. On the basis of peripheral blood counts, an appropriate dose of iron (iron derisomaltose or caboxymaltose) was administered. During the subsequent appointments on week 1, 4, and 12 morphology, iron (Fe), total iron binding capacity (TIBC), ferritin, vitamin B12, folic acid, C-reactive protein (CRP), albumins, alkaline phosphatase (ALP), Calcium, osteocalcin, phosphate in serum and in urine, parathyroid hormone (PTH), vitamin D3, fibroblast growth factor (iFGF23) and procollagen type 1N propeptide (P1NP) C-terminal telopeptide (CTX), were evaluated. Results: A total of 56 patients were enrolled into the study: 24 women and 32 men. In the group, 32 patients had Crohn’s disease (CD) and 24 had ulcerative colitis (UC). We found a statistically significant increase in the concentration of albumin (p = 0.031), haemoglobin (p < 0.001), haematocrit (p < 0.001), MCV (p < 0.001), MCHC (p = 0.001), iron (p < 0.001) and ferritin (p < 0.001) after the administration of parenteral iron. The influence of individual iron formulations on the analysed parameters (phosphate concentration in serum and in the urine, iFGF23, P1NP, PTH, vitamin D, haemoglobin and ferritin) was similar. Interestingly, an inverse correlation was found between the concentration of phosphorus in the blood and iFGF23 at certain time-points; however, in the study group they did not significantly affect the disturbances of calcium and phosphate metabolism. Conclusions: In the study group, transient and non-significant disorders of phosphate metabolism were found, which does not constitute a contraindication to treatment with parenteral iron in inflammatory bowel disease patients, which was safe and efficient.

Background: Insulin resistance (IR) is a condition that precedes the onset of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), which is regarded as an established risk factor for atherosclerosis (AS). Considering that the same metabolic changes as those caused by IR are evidenced to promote the development of AS, we investigated whether IR estimated by the homeostasis model assessment of IR (HOMA-IR) could predict the occurrence of preclinical AS. Methods: The study participants were divided into two groups based on the presence of IR diagnosed during the baseline hospitalization and defined as a HOMA-IR value equal to or higher than 2.5. After a follow-up period of at least four years, a total of 79 (n = 79) were prospectively assessed in terms of the presence of preclinical AS, determined by either an abnormally low ankle–brachial index (ABI) (ABI < 0.9) or an increased carotid intima media thickness (CIMT) (CIMT > 1 mm). Results: Using the multivariate logistic regression analysis, it was demonstrated that the HOMA-IR was associated with an abnormally low ABI (odds ratio: 1.609, 95% confidence interval (CI): [1.041–2.487], p = 0.032). The Cox regression model revealed that the HOMA-IR was a predictor of both an abnormal ABI (hazard ratio: 1.435, CI: [1.076–1.913], p = 0.014) and increased CIMT (hazard ratio: 1.419, CI: [1.033–1.948], p = 0.031), independently of age, sex, dyslipidemia, smoking, triglycerides (TG), low-density lipoproteins (LDL), high-density lipoproteins (HDL), and total cholesterol levels. Conclusions: IR, as estimated by the HOMA-IR, may be considered as a predictor of preclinical AS, independently of cardiovascular risk factors.

Polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) is widely used in modern dentistry, particularly in prosthodontics, orthodontics, and maxillofacial surgery. To improve the properties of PMMA, silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) are incorporated to enhance the antibacterial, antiviral, and antifungal effects of this material. This study aims to evaluate the antimicrobial properties of AgNPs as an additive to PMMA. Medical databases covered by the ACM, BASE, PubMed, and Scopus engines were searched. Of the 670 identified records, 23 studies were included that assessed the antibacterial and antifungal properties gained by incorporating AgNPs into PMMA. All of the studies included also contained a control group—PMMA without additives. Studies that evaluated nanoparticles other than AgNPs or materials other than PMMA were excluded. The data collected from the articles included the size and concentration of the nanoparticles, the method of sample preparation, sample size, information on the effect of nanoparticles on antimicrobial properties, and the contact time between the sample and the test tube containing fungi or bacteria. The data were presented in tables and graphs. The analysis indicated that increasing the weight percent concentration of AgNPs or extending the incubation time increases the antifungal efficacy. The result of Tau Kendall correlation showed that the pairs of data, concentration/incubation time and outcomes, are inversely proportional for fungi (p < 0.01). The results of the study are not entirely conclusive. Some limitations suggest the need for more standardized studies, which ideally should be conducted on human research groups and followed by a study of these properties and their effects on the human body. This systematic review followed PRISMA 2020 guidelines. The protocol was submitted to the Open Science Framework Registries (1 December 2024).

Background/Objectives: The introduction of robotic surgery has revolutionized surgical procedures bringing significant improvements in procedures such as radical prostatectomy. In Poland, robotic technology was first used in public healthcare in 2010 for colorectal surgery in Wrocław. Public funding for robotic urologic surgery began in 2022. The aim of this study is to evaluate the impact of integrating a stable source of funding on the development and utilization of robotic surgery. Methods: Using data from the National Health Fund, a retrospective analysis of these procedures was conducted, focusing on radical prostatectomies from the beginning of the funding period to November 2023. Results: The study showed that in the first year of public funding (2022), 2,149 radical prostatectomies were performed using robotic systems, and this number almost doubled to 4,331 by October 2023. Patients aged 60 years and older accounted for more than 80% of those undergoing robotic surgery. The rise in the popularity of robotic surgery is attributed to its advantages, including high precision, reduced invasiveness in the surgical field, minimized bleeding and pain, and reduced postoperative wound size. The use of robotic surgery also brings environmental benefits. Conclusions: The growing number of robot-assisted surgeries in Poland reflects the increasing role of robotics in medicine. These advances meet the growing demand for healthcare services and demonstrate the precision and effectiveness of robotic technology, potentially improving healthcare access and outcomes. Further implementation and refinement of robotic solutions are necessary to meet the changing needs of medical specialties.