Hashimoto’s thyroiditis (HT) and alopecia areata (AA) are organ-specific autoimmune diseases that frequently co-occur, suggesting shared immunological and microbial pathways. The gut microbiome has emerged as a key modulator of immune function, yet disease-specific microbial signatures remain poorly defined. Fecal samples from 51 participants (HT: n = 16, AA: n = 17, healthy controls: n = 18) aged 18–65 years were analyzed using shotgun metagenomic sequencing followed by multivariate statistical analyses. While alpha and beta diversity did not differ significantly across groups, taxonomic profiling revealed disease-specific microbial patterns. Bacteroides fragilis was significantly enriched in HT, suggesting a potential role in immune modulation; although mechanisms such as polysaccharide A production and molecular mimicry have been proposed in previous studies, their involvement in HT remains to be confirmed. Microbacterium sp. T32 was elevated in both HT and AA, indicating its potential as a shared autoimmune marker. Functional analysis showed increased fermentation and amino acid biosynthesis in AA, contrasting with reduced metabolic activity and elevated carbohydrate biosynthesis in HT. HT and AA exhibit distinct gut microbial and metabolic signatures. Bacteroides fragilis and Microbacterium sp. T32 may serve as potential microbial correlates for autoimmune activity, offering new insights into disease pathogenesis and targets for microbiome-based interventions.

Background: Surgical release of post-burn contractures aims to restore mobility and improve scar quality; however, the relationship between scar improvement and functional recovery remains incompletely understood, particularly in the hand. Methods: We performed a retrospective cohort study of 208 patients undergoing surgical correction of post-burn contractures (2021–2025) at a national referral center. Scar outcomes were assessed using the Vancouver Scar Scale (VSS). Functional outcomes were evaluated with joint-specific range-of-motion (ROM) measurements at 3, 6, and 12 months. For digital contractures, extension deficit was defined as ≥10° loss of active extension. Owing to non-normal distributions, data are presented as medians (IQR), and non-parametric tests were used. Results: VSS improved significantly across all domains (all p < 0.001). Median VSS remained stable between 3 and 6 months, followed by a marked decrease by 12 months. Functional recovery varied by region: major joints showed near-complete restoration of functional ROM, whereas extension deficit remained persistently prevalent, affecting 27.0% of patients at 3 months and 29.2% at 12 months. Full flexion was maintained in 88.8% of patients throughout follow-up. At the cohort level, flexion and extension demonstrated largely independent recovery trajectories. Conclusions: Surgical treatment improves scar characteristics; however, functional recovery—particularly extension in digital contractures—may remain incomplete. Combined assessment of scar characteristics and functional outcomes may provide a more comprehensive evaluation of postoperative recovery following contracture release.

Periprosthetic femoral fractures (PFFs) are an increasingly common complication following total hip arthroplasty, especially in aging populations. This retrospective study analyzes a five-year experience at the National Scientific Center of Traumatology and Orthopedics in Astana, Kazakhstan, using a domestically developed anatomically contoured locking plate for surgical fixation. Thirty-eight patients were included, with the majority being elderly females. The most common fracture locations were the femoral shaft and distal femur. All patients underwent open reduction and internal fixation with the national plate system. No in-hospital complications, reoperations, or mortality were recorded. Clinical improvement at discharge was observed in all cases. ICU admission decreased over time, and the average hospital stay was significantly longer in patients aged ≥70 years. The plate’s design enabled bicortical fixation around existing femoral stems, and the system demonstrated excellent short-term outcomes. This study supports the use of localized implant strategies in low- and middle-income countries and highlights the role of centralized surgical expertise. Further multicenter studies with long-term follow-up are recommended. Periprosthetic femoral fractures (PFFs) represent a serious complication following total hip arthroplasty (THA), particularly in elderly and osteoporotic patients. Their incidence is increasing in parallel with the global growth of primary arthroplasty procedures. In resource-limited settings, access to modular revision systems is often constrained, necessitating cost-effective and anatomically appropriate alternatives. This study aimed to evaluate the clinical characteristics, management strategies, and early outcomes of patients with PFFs treated using a domestically produced anatomically contoured locking plate at a national trauma center in Kazakhstan.