Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a chronic inflammatory bowel disease affecting the colon and rectum. UC’s pathogenesis involves colonic epithelial cell abnormalities and mucosal barrier dysfunction, leading to recurrent mucosal inflammation. The purpose of the article is to show the complex interplay between ulcerative colitis and the microbiome. The literature search was conducted using the PubMed database. After a screening process of studies published before October 2023, a total of 136 articles were selected. It has been discovered that there is a fundamental correlation of a robust intestinal microbiota and the preservation of gastrointestinal health. Dysbiosis poses a grave risk to the host organism. It renders the host susceptible to infections and has been linked to the pathogenesis of chronic diseases, with particular relevance to conditions such as ulcerative colitis. Current therapeutic strategies for UC involve medications such as aminosalicylic acids, glucocorticoids, and immunosuppressive agents, although recent breakthroughs in monoclonal antibody therapies have significantly improved UC treatment. Furthermore, modulating the gut microbiome with specific compounds and probiotics holds potential for inflammation reduction, while fecal microbiota transplantation shows promise for alleviating UC symptoms. This review provides an overview of the gut microbiome’s role in UC pathogenesis and treatment, emphasizing areas for further research.

The role of the microbiome in the pathogenesis and treatment of asthma is significant. The purpose of this article is to show the interplay between asthma and the microbiome, and main areas that require further research are also highlighted. The literature search was conducted using the PubMed database. After a screening process of studies published before May 2023, a total of 128 articles were selected in our paper. The pre-treatment bronchial microbiome in asthmatic patients plays a role in their responsiveness to treatment. Gut microbiota and its dysbiosis can contribute to immune system modulation and the development of asthma. The association between the microbiome and asthma is complex. Further research is necessary to clarify which factors might moderate that relationship. An appropriate gut microbiome and its intestinal metabolites are a protective factor for asthma development. Prebiotics and certain dietary strategies may have a prophylactic or therapeutic effect, but more research is needed to establish final conclusions. Although the evidence regarding probiotics is ambiguous, and most meta-analyses do not support the use of probiotic intake to reduce asthma, several of the most recent studies have provided promising effects. Further studies should focus on the investigation of specific strains and the examination of their mechanistic and genetic aspects.

Treatment-resistant depression (TRD) remains a vital challenge in psychiatry, affecting a significant number of patients with major depressive disorder. Current pharmacological approaches often do not provide sufficient therapeutic results, prompting the need for innovative treatments. This review summarizes recent advances in TRD management, including non-pharmacological therapies such as transcranial magnetic stimulation, deep brain stimulation, electroconvulsive therapy, and vagus nerve stimulation, and describes their mechanisms of action. Novel pharmacotherapies, particularly glutamatergic modulators like ketamine and esketamine, have shown promising results with esketamine being available to eligible patients in Poland since 2023 within a drug program. Electroconvulsive therapy remains an effective treatment for TRD, usually with small side effects mainly including transient memory impairment, headache, or cardiovascular changes. Transcranial magnetic stimulation is a non-invasive procedure with proven efficacy; therefore several psychiatric organizations recommend it as a treatment option for major depressive disorder in their clinical guidelines. Deep brain stimulation is a relatively new treatment modality for TRD, with its primary risk being associated with the required neurosurgical procedure. Vagus nerve stimulation seems to be a promising adjunctive treatment for TRD, showing significant improvements in depressive symptoms, especially at higher electrical doses but with no side effects. While these treatments appear to have potential, personalized approaches are crucial for optimizing outcomes. Future research should focus on refining the techniques, improving safety profiles, and validating the long-term efficacy.

Purpose of Review: This narrative review aims to evaluate the role of lymph node dissection (LND) in upper tract urothelial carcinoma (UTUC) and its implications for staging and management outcomes, as well as future perspectives. Recent Findings: Multiple studies have demonstrated the limitations of conventional imaging techniques in accurately localizing lymph node metastasis (LNM) in UTUC. While 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography with computed tomography (18FDG-PET/CT) shows promise for preoperative LNM detection, its specificity is low. Alternative methods such as choline PET/CT and sentinel lymph node detection are under consideration but require further investigation. Additionally, various preoperative factors associated with LNM hold potential for predicting nodal involvement, thereby improving nodal staging and oncologic outcomes of LND. Several surgical approaches, including segmental ureterectomy and robot-assisted nephroureterectomy, provide a possibility for LND, while minimizing morbidity. Summary: LND remains the primary nodal staging tool for UTUC, but its therapeutic benefit is still uncertain. Advances in imaging techniques and preoperative risk assessment show promise in improving LNM detection. Further research and multi-center studies are needed to comprehensively assess the advantages and limitations of LND in UTUC, as well as the long-term outcomes of alternative staging and treatment strategies.

Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) is an autoimmune polyradiculoneuropathy with diverse clinical subtypes, characterized by rapidly evolving motor weakness, sensory disturbances and areflexia. The global prevalence of GBS has been steadily increasing, with regional disparities. Mortality rates vary but remain elevated in patients requiring mechanical ventilation. This systematic review aimed to evaluate the predictive risk factors for the severity of the disease and poor shortand long-term outcomes of GBS. The literature search was conducted using the PubMed database by 2 independently working researchers. After a screening process of studies published before November 2023, a total of 109 articles were selected. Original articles, systematic and narrative reviews, meta-analyses, and editorials were selected based on their clinical relevance. The exclusion criteria included patients under 18 years of age, pregnant women and articles in languages other than English and Polish. Long-lasting GBS complications included pain, fatigue and persistent neurological deficits, affecting patients for years after recovery. Identifying the appropriate therapeutic methods, risk factors and prognoses of GBS at an early stage is crucial. Various risk factors for death and poor functional outcomes were found, regarding patient characteristics, the clinical course of GBS, laboratory and neurographic results, as well as treatment methods.

Psychotic-like experiences (PLEs) refer to sub-threshold hallucinations and delusions observed in both clinical samples and the general population. Psychotic-like experiences have far-reaching implications for an individual's coping strategies and daily functioning. They are associated with both psychotic and non-psychotic disorders. This article presents a comprehensive review of the current literature on PLEs, incorporating a detailed exploration of the definition, prevalence, risk factors, functional impairments, and comorbid psychiatric disorders. Medline/PubMed and Embase were searched to establish and identify the literature. A total of 108 studies met our inclusion criteria. The genetic and biochemical backgrounds of PLEs are discussed, focusing on gene polymorphisms, changes in brain gyrification and hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis dysfunction. Psychological factors, such as trauma exposure, emotion regulation difficulties, cognitive biases, and attachment issues, were thoroughly examined, especially in terms of their impact on the emergence of PLEs. Here, we show how important the clinical aspects of developmental PLEs are, underlining the significance of an increased risk of self-harm and suicidal behaviors in those individuals and the comorbidity of psychiatric disorders in enabling clinicians to discern specific areas to observe. Although there is limited evidence on effective protocols for PLE management, various treatment approaches are explained. Despite increased research on PLEs in recent years, further investigation is needed to fully understand the nature of PLEs and to optimize therapeutic strategies. This article consolidates the current knowledge by synthesizing information on PLEs, including risk factors, comorbidities, treatments, and their impact on individual's lives.