Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) is the hepatic manifestation of systemic metabolic dysregulation, strongly linked to type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, liver-related complications, and different types of malignancies. Although MASLD is associated with obesity and insulin resistance, it is increasingly recognized that the liver engages in complex crosstalk with several endocrine pathways, including thyroid function, sex and steroid hormone regulation, and growth hormone signaling. The pathophysiology of MASLD is multifactorial and complex, as reflected by its clinical range—from simple steatosis to cirrhosis. MASLD now affects about one-quarter of the global population, with its prevalence rising due to sedentary lifestyles, chronic caloric excess, and endocrine disturbances contributing to disease progression. Given the escalating prevalence of MASLD and its frequent concurrence with various endocrinopathies, understanding this relationship is critical for refining diagnostic accuracy and optimizing therapeutic strategies. This review aims to synthesize contemporary insights into the complex interactions between MASLD and selected endocrine disorders, elucidate underlying pathophysiological mechanisms, and underscore novel treatment paradigms. As MASLD remains a significant clinical challenge worldwide, its intersection with endocrine dysfunctions represents a vital and promising domain for future research and clinical management.

Quantitative magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) volumetry has become a pivotal component in modern neurology, bridging the gap between detailed neuroimaging and clinical decision-making. By employing advanced imaging techniques like 3D T1-weighted, T2-weighted, and fluid-attenuated inversion recovery (FLAIR) sequences, MRI volu­metry enables clinicians to objectively quantify brain volume changes associated with neurological conditions such as Alzheimer’s disease, multiple sclerosis, epilepsy, and myotonic dystrophy. Automated segmentation tools, including FreeSurfer, NeuroQuant, volBrain, and AccuBrain, facilitate precise and reproducible analysis of structural brain changes, contributing significantly to early diagnosis, patient monitoring, and therapeutic planning. In Alzheimer’s disease, volumetric MRI enables the detection of early hippocampal and temporal lobe atrophy, providing a crucial biomarker for diagnosis and monitoring disease progression. Similarly, in multiple sclerosis, volumetric analyses quantify grey and white matter degeneration, reflecting motor and cognitive impairment severity. Moreover, quantitative MRI techniques precisely delineate structural abnormalities like hippocampal sclerosis and focal cortical dysplasia in epilepsy, crucial for accurate surgical intervention. Ongoing advances in artificial intelligence and machine learning are set to further enhance these volumetric approaches, addressing current limitations such as inter-observer variability and expanding their clinical applicability. This review outlines the existing landscape and future trajectory of quantitative MRI volumetry, underscoring its expanding role in clinical neurology and personalised medicine.

This narrative review examines current and emerging treatment strategies for diabetic macular edema (DME), a complication of diabetic retinopathy characterised by fluid accumulation in the macula, which can lead to vision impairment. The incidence of DME is particularly high in patients with long-standing diabetes and advanced retinopathy. The current treatment options for DME include anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (anti-VEGF) agents, corticosteroids, and laser therapies. Anti-VEGF agents, including bevacizumab, ranibizumab, aflibercept, and the more recently developed brolucizumab and faricimab, have been demonstrated to reduce macular thickness and improve visual acuity. Brolucizumab offers the advantage of fewer injections due to its longer duration of action, although it carries a higher risk of ocular inflammation compared to other anti-VEGF agents. The dual inhibition of the VEGF and angiopoietin-2 (Ang-2) pathways by faricimab may enhance vascular stability and reduce inflammation, potentially improving patient outcomes. Steroid therapies, including dexamethasone, fluocinolone acetonide, and triamcinolone acetonide, represent an alternative for patients who do not respond adequately to anti-VEGF treatment. Laser therapies, including focal, navigated, and subthreshold laser treatments, remain a crucial component in the management of DME, with the ability to seal leaking vessels and reduce fluid accumulation. In order to achieve the best outcomes for patients, it is essential to continue to advance these treatment modalities and adopt a personalised, multifaceted approach.

Introduction and purposeAndrogenetic alopecia (AGA) is one of the most common causes of baldness worldwide. It affects up to 80% of men by the age of 70 and up to 40% of postmenopausal women. In AGA etiology and pathogenesis, the three essential components play a key role - genetic inheritance, patient age and hormonal effects of androgens. In the following review, we have described the available FDA-approved and off-label treatments for AGA, along with their efficacy and potential side effects that should always be considered to prevent treatment discontinuation by the patients.The state of knowledgeThe pathogenesis of AGA is based on inherited dihydrotestosterone (DHT) sensitivity in the scalp skin, which leads to progressive hair loss. The literature documents the effectiveness of several treatments with different mechanisms of action in AGA therapy, but only topical minoxidil and oral finasteride gained FDA approval so far. Minoxidil acts by the blood vessels dilatation that increases the flow of oxygenated and growth factor-enriched blood to the hair follicles in the skin. 5-alpha reductase inhibitors, such as finasteride and dutasteride are another threapeutic option. Thy act by the inhibition of 5-alpha reductase, the enzyme which converts testosterone to DHT - the main causative agent of androgenetic alopecia. Recently, topical applications of minoxidil and finasterid, along with completely new emerging treatments for androgenetic alopecia are gaining popularity among doctors and patients. SummaryThis review describes current treatments for AGA, considering their efficacy, optimal doses, and the most common side effects. An important fact to emphasise is that androgenetic alopecia is based on a genetic predisposition, and treatment requires long-term use. For this reason, when choosing a medication, it is essential to cooperate with the patient and combine different therapeutic methods to achieve the desirable outcome while avoiding adverse reactions.

Introduction and purpose Air pollution, stemming from natural occurrences and human activities, significantly threatens global health, particularly impacting respiratory conditions like asthma. Air pollution substantially influences asthma exacerbation in athletes, a group particularly vulnerable due to their high physical activity levels and increased respiratory demands. Key pollutants, including particulate matter (PM), ground-level ozone (O3), sulfur dioxide (SO2), and nitrogen dioxide (NO2), play critical roles in asthma development and exacerbation. The State of Knowledge Asthma, a chronic inflammatory disease influenced by genetic predisposition and environmental factors like air pollution, is characterized by airway hyperresponsiveness, obstruction, and chronic inflammation, leading to symptoms such as shortness of breath, coughing, wheezing, and chest tightness. Research highlights the link between air pollution exposure and asthma development, with PM2.5 exposure associated with increased asthma risk and pollutants exacerbating symptoms, especially in children. Athletes inhaling air pollutants during exercise face increased airway inflammation, mucus production, and bronchospasm, worsening asthma symptoms like wheezing and shortness of breath. Chronic exposure decreases lung function, increasing reliance on medication and limiting outdoor training on polluted days. Summary Effective asthma management amidst air pollution requires personal, community, and governmental measures. Patients should minimize exposure by wearing N95 masks and choosing low-traffic routes. Governments must monitor pollution, inform the public, and control emissions through alternative fuels and technologies. Adhering to WHO air quality guidelines could prevent many new asthma cases, emphasizing comprehensive air quality management's importance, especially among vulnerable populations like children.

This narrative review critically examines the utilization of Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs) in managing coexisting depression and heart failure (HF), integrating findings from various studies, clinical trials, and observational data. SSRIs, pivotal in treating mood and anxiety disorders by elevating synaptic serotonin levels, have been observed to potentially impact cardiovascular health. Specifically, SSRIs like sertraline show promise in enhancing endothelial function and exerting anti-inflammatory effects, which are beneficial in conditions like HF with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF). Furthermore, SSRIs demonstrate favorable outcomes in reducing platelet aggregation and modulating the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS), suggesting a multifaceted role in HF management. However, their safety profile, particularly concerning bleeding risks, QTc prolongation, and drug interactions, necessitates careful consideration. Despite theoretical and molecular evidence supporting SSRIs' beneficial effects in HF, clinical data remain inconclusive, highlighting the need for further research. This review aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of SSRIs' effectiveness, safety, and potential benefits in treating depression and HF, offering insights for evidence-based decision-making and future research directions.