VEXAS syndrome and Alzheimer’s disease (AD), though distinct in clinical manifestations, share overlapping pathophysiological mechanisms, including systemic inflammation, protein misfolding, and vascular dysfunction. VEXAS syndrome, a rare autoinflammatory disorder characterized by somatic UBA1 mutations, systemic inflammation, and hematologic abnormalities, presents primarily in older males. Meanwhile, AD, the leading cause of dementia, involves progressive neurodegeneration driven by amyloid-beta plaques, tau tangles, and chronic neuroinflammation. This article explores potential connections between the two conditions, focusing on inflammation, neurovascular changes and cellular stress. Systemic inflammation observed in VEXAS syndrome may potentiate neuroinflammatory processes in Alzheimer’s disease (AD), as circulating proinflammatory cytokines have the capacity to cross the blood–brain barrier (BBB), thereby inducing glial activation and promoting neuroinflammation. Additionally, coexisting vascular dysfunctions characteristic of both conditions may synergistically contribute to accelerated cognitive decline. Both conditions involve disruption of the ubiquitin–proteasome system, with UBA1 mutations being specific to VEXAS. Given the established role of UBA1 in maintaining neuronal homeostasis, investigating the overlapping and distinct molecular mechanisms may provide valuable insights into their pathophysiology. The review underscores the need for further research to elucidate these links and improve therapeutic strategies, especially for individuals affected by both disorders.

Introduction and Purpose: Myopia is currently the most prevalent refractive error worldwide, with a rapidly increasing incidence, particularly among children and adolescents in urbanized regions. This review outlines the most effective evidence-based strategies for preventing and slowing the progression of myopia, with a focus on both pharmacological and non-pharmacological approaches. The State of Knowledge: Recent studies have highlighted that increased time spent outdoors significantly reduces the onset of myopia in non-myopic children, though its effect on progression in already myopic individuals appears limited. Light exposure, especially to moderate-intensity natural light, has shown potential in mitigating axial elongation and promoting choroidal thickening. Sleep quality and duration may also influence myopia development, though further research is needed to confirm this relationship. Pharmacological intervention with low-dose atropine (particularly 0.01–0.05%) is currently the most effective and widely accepted treatment, offering substantial benefits with minimal side effects. Optical interventions such as orthokeratology, multifocal spectacle lenses, and dual-focus contact lenses have demonstrated efficacy in controlling axial elongation by modifying peripheral retinal defocus. Summary: Combining lifestyle modifications (outdoor activity and light exposure) with pharmacological (low-dose atropine) and optical (e.g., orthokeratology and bifocal lenses) interventions provides a comprehensive, multimodal strategy to manage and slow myopia progression. Early implementation of such interventions is essential in addressing the growing public health burden of myopia.

Background: Circadian rhythm is a central regulator of human physiology, governing metabolic, endocrine, and neurobehavioral processes. Disruption of circadian alignment has been associated with obesity, insulin resistance, dyslipidemia, depression, and anxiety. Maintaining circadian health is therefore essential for both metabolic and mental well-being. In parallel, the rapid expansion of wearable technologies and digital health applications has enabled continuous, non-invasive monitoring of sleep–wake cycles and physiological parameters. When combined with artificial intelligence (AI), these tools offer new opportunities to assess and optimize circadian health in real-world settings. Objective: This review aims to summarize recent evidence on the use of wearable devices and AI-driven applications in monitoring circadian rhythm, with particular focus on their implications for metabolic and mental health. Methods: A literature review was conducted, focusing on publications between 2020 and 2025. Databases including PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science were searched using keywords such as “circadian rhythm,” “wearables,” “digital health,” “artificial intelligence,” “metabolic disorders,” and “mental health.” Studies evaluating digital biomarkers, predictive algorithms, and clinical or public health applications of wearable-based monitoring were included. Results: Current evidence indicates that wearables reliably measure sleep duration, activity levels, heart rate variability, and proxies of circadian alignment. AI-driven analytics enhance the precision of these measurements, enabling early detection of circadian misalignment and prediction of health outcomes such as metabolic syndrome or depressive episodes. Applications include continuous monitoring in high-risk populations, integration with telemedicine platforms, and development of personalized lifestyle interventions. However, challenges persist, including limited validation against gold-standard clinical tools, data privacy concerns, lack of standardized protocols, and unequal access to digital health technologies. Conclusion: Wearable devices combined with AI-based analytics represent a promising approach to promoting circadian health and preventing related disorders. Future research should prioritize rigorous clinical validation, ethical frameworks for data management, and integration into healthcare systems to maximize their potential impact on both individual and population health.

Introduction. The article explores the psychological consequences of climate change on individuals and communities, emphasizing the development and exacerbation of mental health conditions such as depression, anxiety disorders, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and climate-related anxiety (eco-anxiety). It highlights the need for innovative approaches to understanding and addressing these challenges. Methods. A review of the available scientific literature was conducted in PubMed and Google Scholar databases. The keywords applied included: “climate change”, “climate crisis”, “ecopsychiatry”, “mental health”, “solastalgia”, and “eco-anxiety”. Results. The analysis demonstrates the significant impact of environmental instability, natural disasters, and habitat loss on emotional and psychological well-being. It also identifies ecopsychiatry as a promising, holistic framework that links mental health care with environmental factors. Practical examples of ecopsychiatric interventions are outlined, showing their potential in enhancing resilience and mitigating climate-related distress. Conclusions. Climate change poses a growing risk to public mental health, demanding interdisciplinary collaboration and the integration of ecological perspectives into psychiatric practice. Ecopsychiatry offers an innovative diagnostic and therapeutic direction that can strengthen mental resilience in the era of climatic crises.

Introduction: Visceral obesity contributes to dysfunction of the integrated cardio-renal-pulmonary (CORP) axis, promoting insulin resistance, chronic low-grade inflammation, hypertension, and glomerular hyperfiltration. Physical activity (PA) is recognized as an effective therapeutic and preventive strategy; however, its specific impact on all components of the CORP axis requires a comprehensive analysis. Objective: To evaluate the effects of various forms of physical activity on: cardiovascular fitness and aerobic capacity (VO₂ max, cardiorespiratory fitness - CRF), renal function (glomerular filtration rate - GFR, albuminuria), pulmonary structure and function (lung volumes, tissue compliance), in adults with visceral obesity. Methods: A systematic review of the literature and selected meta-analyses of randomized controlled trials and cohort studies was conducted using PubMed, PMC, and Embase databases up to June 2025. Interventions included aerobic training, high-intensity interval training (HIIT), resistance training, and combined exercise programs. Changes in CRF, visceral adipose tissue (VAT), GFR, blood pressure, and lung function indicators were analyzed. Conclusions: Physical activity- particularly aerobic, interval, and combined training- has a beneficial effect on the function of the cardio-renal-pulmonary axis in individuals with visceral obesity. Key mechanisms include enhanced aerobic fitness, VAT reduction, improved metabolic profile, attenuation of inflammation, and nephroprotection. Regular exercise should be an essential component of therapeutic and preventive strategies in this population. Further research is warranted to clarify the dose-response relationship between exercise type/intensity and improvements in each CORP axis system.

Introduction and Objective: Bipolar disorder affects approximately 2-4% of the global population, with acute mania representing a significant clinical challenge. While pharmacological interventions remain first-line treatments, 20-30% of patients experience inadequate response or intolerable side effects. This review evaluates the efficacy, safety, and clinical implementation of electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) as a second-line intervention for treatment-resistant bipolar mania. Material and Methods: A comprehensive analysis of contemporary literature was conducted, examining controlled trials, meta-analyses, systematic reviews, and clinical guidelines published between 1988 and 2024. The review focused on clinical response rates, comparative efficacy studies, adverse effect profiles, technical parameters, and integration with pharmacotherapy. Results: Evidence consistently demonstrates high efficacy rates (80-90%) for ECT in treatment-resistant mania, with rapid symptom resolution often occurring within the first week of treatment. Modern ECT techniques have substantially mitigated historical concerns regarding cognitive side effects. Bilateral electrode placement traditionally yields faster response in acute mania, though high-dose right unilateral placement may offer comparable efficacy with reduced cognitive impact. Integration with appropriate pharmacotherapy enhances long-term outcomes. Special populations, including pregnant women, elderly patients, and those with medical comorbidities, may particularly benefit from ECT when properly administered with population-specific modifications. Conclusions: ECT represents an effective, relatively safe, and rapid-acting intervention for treatment-resistant bipolar mania that should be considered earlier in treatment algorithms rather than as a last resort. Individualized approaches to electrode placement, stimulus dosing, and maintenance strategies optimize outcomes while minimizing adverse effects. Future research directions include parameter optimization, identification of predictive biomarkers, and development of cognitive remediation strategies.