Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) represents a significant health concern, necessitating advanced therapeutic interventions. This detailed review explores the critical roles of astrocytes, key cellular constituents of the central nervous system (CNS), in both the pathophysiology and possible rehabilitation of TBI. Following injury, astrocytes exhibit reactive transformations, differentiating into pro-inflammatory (A1) and neuroprotective (A2) phenotypes. This paper elucidates the interactions of astrocytes with neurons, their role in neuroinflammation, and the potential for their therapeutic exploitation. Emphasized strategies encompass the utilization of endocannabinoid and calcium signaling pathways, hormone-based treatments like 17β-estradiol, biological therapies employing anti-HBGB1 monoclonal antibodies, gene therapy targeting Connexin 43, and the innovative technique of astrocyte transplantation as a means to repair damaged neural tissues.

Background: Chimeric antigen receptor T (CAR-T) therapy for glioblastoma involves critically evaluating progress, effectiveness, and challenges. By examining current research, clinical trials, and emerging trends, the analysis highlights clinical outcomes and biological insights that demonstrate the therapeutic potential of CAR-T cells, along with technological innovations aimed at enhancing their efficacy and safety. However, significant obstacles such as overcoming the blood-brain barrier and managing severe side effects like cytokine release syndrome remain. Methods: A systematic search using PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and Google Scholar from 2010 to 2024 has been conducted. Search terms included “CAR-T,” “glioblastoma,” “immunotherapy,” and “clinical trials.” Inclusion criteria were English-language studies focusing on CAR-T applications in glioblastoma. Exclusion criteria included non-peer-reviewed articles and preclinical-only studies. Findings: The findings suggest promising prospects for integrating CAR-T cell therapy into existing glioblastoma treatment paradigms, emphasizing the need for continued research and innovation in genetic engineering and combination therapies to fully realize the potential of CAR-T cells in transforming glioblastoma treatment. Conclusions: CAR-T cell therapy offers groundbreaking potential in transforming glioblastoma treatment by harnessing the immune system to target and destroy cancer cells.

Introduction: Obesity is a chronic, multifactorial disease that leads to many complications. Many methods of treating obesity are available, but they are often not effective enough. Due to the strong connection between psychological factors and the development of obesity, it can be useful to include mindfulness training in treatment. The aim of this study: Summarize current knowledge on the effectiveness of mindfulness training in the treatment of obesity and evaluate the effect of mindfulness on weight loss. Material and method: The review includes publications published in 2012-2022. The search of publications in the Pubmed database was carried out using the following keywords: mindful eating, mindfulness, weight loss, obesity. Description of the stage of the knowledge: The use of mindfulness techniques in the treatment of eating disorders is becoming more popular. A growing number of studies evaluating the effects of mindfulness on weight loss are emerging, but the results are inconclusive. Mindfulness training is effective in improving eating habits and promoting lifestyle changes. Mindfulness training combined with behavioral treatments for obesity has positive effects on weight loss. Summary: Research shows that mindfulness training may be a promising intervention in obesity treatment because it increases self-awareness and promotes lifestyle changes. However, more research is needed to assess the long-term effectiveness of mindfulness for weight control.

Introduction Cancer is one of the leading causes of death worldwide. The molecular characterization of solid tumors has provided significant advances in oncology, and genome profiling using circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) has helped improve the quality of medical care for patients with cancer. Liquid biopsy is a diagnostic molecular test to demonstrate the presence of circulating tumor DNA or circulating tumor cells released from primary or metastatic solid tumors. In addition, the minimally invasive nature of the liquid biopsy enables quick verification of the grade of malignancy. Observation of ctDNA in blood tests is of great importance at the treatment stage, it allows to determine resistance to the applied treatment, response to therapy and to predict relapse before it occurs. Aim of the study The aim of this review is to present information on the use of circulating tumor DNA together with circulating tumor cells in oncological diagnostics. Materials and methods The work was created based on the PubMed database. Articles were searched in English using the following keywords: ctDNA, CTC, cfDNA. Results Currently, ctDNA analysis is an alternative to traditional molecular diagnostics of cancer tissue, assessment of the effectiveness of therapy, monitoring of tumor dynamics, monitoring of progression and predicting recurrence. Summary There are not many diagnostic methods for detecting ctDNA. Due to the short length of the fragments and the low content in the samples, ctDNA analysis requires more sensitive techniques to ensure its reliability compared to methods used in solid tissue biopsies. Existing techniques of ctDNA analysis focus mainly on the identification of mutations in advanced stages of cancer, less often on early diagnosis.

Contemporary literature lacks examples of intradural, extramedullary spinal glomangiomas. Moreover, glomus tumors in general are exceedingly rare among benign spinal tumors and are mostly located within epidural space or within intervertebral foramen, and only a few cases have been documented to date. This report provides a detailed analysis of the clinical presentation, imaging characteristics, surgical intervention, and pathological findings of a 45-year-old patient experiencing progressive locomotor deterioration. The tumor was surgically excised, and subsequent histological examination identified it as a representative of glomus tumors—a glomangioma. Notably, this represents a unique case as it was the first example of such a tumor being discovered intradurally. Radical surgical excision remains the modality of choice in most benign spinal tumors of this localization. Although the malignant transformation of glomus tumors within the spine has not been documented thus far, cases have arisen in other areas. Consequently, we will investigate potential oncological treatments for cases with malignant potential and highlight advancements in surgical techniques for benign intradural spinal tumors.

Introduction and purpose: The sternum is one of the bones that build up the anterior chest wall. It consists of three parts: manubrium, body and xiphoid process. It has been observed that this bone exhibits sexual dimorphism, which can be used in many fields of science. The aim of the study was to find morphological parameters showing sexual dimorphism that allow unambiguous sex identification. Material and method: 240 patients (140 women and 100 men) underwent chest CT and the following measurements were taken: angle of the sternum, length of the manubrium, body and xiphoid process, sum of the length of the manubrium and body, total length of the sternum. The thickness of all three parts of it and the width of the manubrium and body were also measured. Statistical analyses were performed using the Mann-Whitney "U" test. Values of p < 0. 05 were considered statistically significant. Results: The results of all statistical analyses did not show statistical significance as a basis for the definitive determination of gender. However, some trends between the sexes have been observed, but these cannot be regarded as universal principles of gender identification. Conclusions: There is a need for further researches on finding metric parameters of the sternum allowing gender identification, carried out on large population groups. To achieve this goal, the results of imaging tests, which are often used in diagnostics, including post-mortem examinations - Vitropsy, may be useful.