Background/Objectives: Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) has been associated with negative effects on bone health, potentially leading to reduced bone mass, altered geometry, and impaired mechanical strength. However, the extent of these changes and possible pharmacological interventions remains unclear. This study aimed to assess the impact of PTSD on bone properties and evaluate the therapeutic potential of CE-123 in mitigating PTSD-induced skeletal deterioration. Additionally, we examined the effects of CE-123 on healthy bone to determine its broader influence on skeletal integrity and growth. Methods: We conducted an experiment using female Wistar rats divided into four groups: Control, PTSD, Control+CE-123, and PTSD+CE-123. PTSD was induced using a validated stress paradigm, and CE-123 was administered to evaluate its effects on bone properties. Morphometric, densitometric, and mechanical parameters of the tibia and femur were analyzed, along with growth plate measurements to assess potential effects on skeletal development. Results: PTSD led to significant reductions in bone mineral density, bone mass, and mechanical properties, particularly in cortical thickness and relative bone weight, suggesting increased bone fragility. CE-123 treatment in PTSD-exposed rats prevented some of these adverse effects but did not fully restore bone integrity. In healthy rats, CE-123 increased bone length and growth plate size, particularly in the proliferative and resting zones, indicating a stimulatory effect on bone growth. Conclusions: PTSD negatively affects bone structure and mechanical strength, while CE-123 shows a potential to mitigate these effects. However, its influence on healthy bones raises questions about its long-term impact on skeletal development. Further studies are needed to evaluate CE-123’s clinical applicability and safety, particularly in younger populations.

Introduction: Every year, more and more people are using manicure and pedicure services performed with UV lamps. As public awareness of the harmfulness of prolonged exposure to UV light increases, there are doubts about the safety of frequent treatments using it. Aim of the study: The aim of the study was to find out whether regular use of UV nail lamps is safe and to educate patients about the prevention of potential cancer. Methods and materials: A literature review was performed in the PubMed database using the keywords: UV; nail lamp; skin cancer; risk. Resulsts: Certain clinical cases indicate that long-term, regular exposure to UVA radiation from nail lamps can increase the risk of squamous cell carcinoma of the skin and actinic keratosis, but other risk factors may overlap. According to a statement by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the use of these devices is safe. Thus, the results of the studies appear to be inconclusive. Both the researchers who prove the safety of lamp use and those who question it unanimously recommend the use of prophylaxis and educating patients about it. Conclusions: The use of UV nail lamps is not associated with significant risks. Single clinical cases describing the development of squamous cell carcinoma of the skin and actinic keratosis appear to be anecdotal. As the low probability of cancer formation is still taken into account, it is worth taking the recommended precautions: using creams with a broad-spectrum UV filter 20 minutes before exposure or manicure gloves. Using LED nail lamps instead of classic UV lamps will also be beneficial. The topic is a developing one and will require more research attention.

Background/Objectives: Alkaptonuria (AKU) is a rare genetic disorder characterized by elevated levels of circulating homogentisic acid (HGA), which accumulates in connective tissues. The musculoskeletal system is particularly susceptible to HGA deposition, often resulting in severe ochronotic osteoarthropathy, especially in the hips, shoulders, knees, and spine. However, little is known about the effects of AKU on skeletal muscle tissue. The study aimed to evaluate changes in lower limb muscles associated with AKU. Methods: This case report describes the treatment of ochronotic osteoarthropathy in the knee of a 73-year-old male patient. Muscle properties were assessed using the MyotonPRO device. The rectus femoris, vastus medialis, and patellar tendon were examined both preoperatively and three months postoperatively. Results: Following total knee arthroplasty (TKA) of the right knee, the patient demonstrated significant improvement in functional outcomes. The MyotonPRO assessment revealed measurable differences in muscle properties between the operated and non-operated limbs. Postoperative measurements indicated improvements in muscle tone, elasticity, and viscoelastic parameters in the treated limb. Conclusions: This case report supports the effectiveness of TKA as a treatment for ochronotic osteoarthropathy. Furthermore, it is the first study to use the MyotonPRO to assess muscle and tendon properties in a patient with AKU. These findings highlight the need for further research into the muscular effects of this rare metabolic disorder.

Background/Objectives: Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is associated with systemic alterations that may involve the gastrointestinal tract, yet intestinal responses to fear-related learning remain poorly characterized. We investigated intestinal mucosal morphology, MUC2 immunoreactivity, and local immune responses following fear conditioning and extinction, and assessed their modulation by the selective dopamine transporter inhibitor CE-123. Methods: Twenty-four adolescent female Wistar rats were assigned to Control or fear-conditioned (FC) groups receiving Vehicle or CE-123 (10 mg/kg, i.p.) during the extinction phase. Morphometry and immunohistochemical detection of CD68, CD206, iNOS, IL-6, IL-10, and MUC2 were evaluated in the duodenum, jejunum, ileum, and colon. Results: Fear conditioning was associated with marked region-dependent alterations. Among Vehicle-treated animals, villus height was increased in the duodenum and jejunum, accompanied by enhanced immunoreactivity of several inflammation-associated markers. In contrast, the ileum and colon showed distinct profiles characterized mainly by increased IL-6, reduced selected immunoregulatory markers, and decreased MUC2. CE-123 in fear conditioning (FC) showed its clearest attenuation of inflammation-associated responses in the jejunum, where CD68, iNOS, and IL-6 immunoreactivity were reduced. In comparison, this pattern was not consistently observed in other intestinal regions: in the duodenum, only CD68 immunoreactivity was reduced, whereas in the ileum, a reduction was observed only for IL-6. In the colon, both IL-6 and CD68 showed changes in the opposite direction to those observed in the jejunum. Collectively, these region-specific and divergent responses suggest that CE-123 exerts a modulatory rather than uniformly anti-inflammatory effect on intestinal immune responses. CE-123 also produced independent effects in Control animals, including segment-specific changes in mucosal morphometry, MUC2, and selected immune markers, indicating that its actions were not limited to attenuation of conditioning-associated alterations. Conclusions: These findings demonstrate segment-specific intestinal remodeling following fear conditioning and extinction and indicate a context-dependent immunomodulatory effect of CE-123.