Purpose This study aimed to evaluate the impact of metastatic lymph nodes (LNs) outside the extended pelvic lymph node dissection (ePLND) template on oncological outcomes, staging, grading, and concomitant parameters in prostate cancer (PCa) patients undergoing radical prostatectomy (RP). Methods Data from 860 patients with histologically confirmed, non-metastatic PCa who underwent RP between 2012 and 2022 were retrospectively analyzed. All specimens underwent detailed histopathological examination. Preoperative and postoperative clinicopathological data were collected and analyzed. Subgroup associations were evaluated using the Mann–Whitney U test and the Kruskal–Wallis test. Kendall’s tau-b coefficient was employed to evaluate the association between two variables. All tests were performed using a two-tailed approach, with a p value of less than 0.05 considered statistically significant for differences between groups. Kaplan–Meier and Cox regression analyses assessed biochemical recurrence (BCR)-free survival based on lymph node invasion (LNI) (pN0 vs. pN1) and the presence of metastatic LNs outside the ePLND template. Results Of the 860 patients, 613 underwent modified-ePLND. Among them, 122 (19.9%) were pN1, with 22 patients (18%) having metastatic LNs located outside the classical ePLND template. Patients with LNs beyond the ePLND template exhibited higher clinical T stages (p = 0.016) and a greater percentage of positive biopsy cores (p = 0.008). However, no correlation was observed with Gleason Grading Group (p = 0.491). Kaplan–Meier analysis showed that pN1 patients had higher BCR rates compared to pN0 patients, but this difference did not reach statistical significance (p = 0.174). Similarly, patients with metastatic LNs outside the ePLND template demonstrated a trend toward increased BCR risk, though this was not statistically significant (p = 0.140). Conclusion Metastatic LNs beyond the ePLND template correlate with more advanced tumor staging in PCa. However, they show no association with tumor grading. Their influence on BCR remains inconclusive, likely due to the small number of patients included in the BCR-associated analyses. Extended lymphadenectomy may enhance staging accuracy but must be weighed against the potential for increased surgical morbidity.

Introduction: Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder and the most prevalent cause of dementia. It is caused by the degeneration of brain cells due to the accumulation of intracellular hyperphosphorylated tau - containing neurofibrillary tangles and extracellular plaques of amyloid-beta peptide. While pharmacotherapy remains the main form of treatment (including cholinesterase inhibitors and antagonists to NMDA), various non-pharmacological therapy modalities have gained increasing attention as complementary treatment options, such as music therapy. Purpose of the study: This review examines the role of music therapy as an important complement to baseline therapy for AD patients, focusing on indications, methods, and the prospect of music therapy. Materials and methods: A comprehensive literature review was conducted, analyzing 48 studies from the PubMed database (English-language, up to November 2024) that assess the efficacy, methods, and prospect of music therapy as an adjunctive therapy in Alzheimer’s disease. Conclusions: Music therapy is an established and effective supportive treatment for AD patients. It has demonstrated clinical success over many years as a tool for engaging multiple motor and sensory areas, shaping emotions, and evoking memories. This may be due to activating limbic and paralimbic structures, enhancing neuroplasticity, and modulating neurotransmitter systems. Despite the observable benefits of music therapy, the methodological limitations of existing studies highlight the need for further long-term research to standardize treatment approaches.

Introductions: Vitamin D has gained recognition in recent decades not only as a key regulator of calcium and phosphorus metabolism and bone health but also as an important factor modulating the immune system. Research indicates that vitamin D influences both innate and adaptive immune responses, which is significant in the treatment of allergic and inflammatory diseases. Vitamin D has a beneficial effect on asthma exacerbations and may help reduce respiratory inflammation, as well as alleviate symptoms of allergic rhinitis. Vitamin D deficiency may increase the risk of food allergies, worsen symptoms of atopic dermatitis, and contribute to the transition from acute to chronic urticaria. Conversely, supplementation may help prevent allergies, reduce the severity of atopic dermatitis by supporting skin barrier function and antimicrobial peptide production, and relieve symptoms in patients with chronic urticaria. Purpose of the study: The review article aims to present the current state of knowledge on the role of vitamin D in the treatment of asthma, allergic rhinitis, food allergies, atopic dermatitis, chronic urticaria, and eczema. Material and methods: To summarize the current knowledge on the topic, a literature review of English language papers with a focus on the most current literature was performed. The review was conducted with the PubMed database with 64 works used, accessed before October 2024. Conclusions: Although the impact of blood vitamin D levels on the development and progression of allergic diseases has not yet been fully clarified, scientific studies suggest its significant role in modulating immune responses. Due to its immunoregulatory properties, vitamin D offers new hope for more effective treatment and prevention of allergic diseases.

Introduction: Cardiovascular diseases remain the leading cause of morbidity and premature mortality. Even though the prevalence of cigarette smoking has decreased over the last few decades, it is still one of the most important preventable risk factors for cardiovascular diseases. Moreover, recently, an increasing number of people have been transitioning to e-cigarettes, which also influence blood pressure and the cardiovascular system. Purpose of the study: The following review analyzes the association between cigarette smoking and both prevalence and development of cardiovascular diseases. It also suggests the management of tobacco addiction. Materials and methods: A literature review of English language papers was conducted to summarize the latest knowledge on the topic, focusing on the most recent papers. The review was conducted using the PubMed database, with 53 works used and accessed before December 2024. Conclusions: Tobacco significantly affects the cardiovascular system, with numerous studies highlighting the negative impacts of both active and passive smoking. Although extensive knowledge exists about tobacco smoke's impact on the cardiovascular system, further research is still needed. A better understanding of the link between smoking and the development of cardiovascular diseases, as well as methods for the management of the addiction, is crucial to developing successful treatment and prevention strategies.

Introduction: Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) has become an increasingly popular therapeutic tool across various medical specialties since its introduction in 1958. Defined as a concentrated solution of platelets and growth factors derived from autologous blood, PRP supports tissue repair and regeneration processes. PRP’s composition includes high concentrations of platelets and growth factors that facilitate angiogenesis, connective tissue remodeling, and cellular repair, making PRP a promising treatment option for complex urological conditions and beyond. Purpose of the study: This review aims to summarize the applications and efficacy of PRP in treating specific urological conditions such as erectile dysfunction, Peyronie's disease, urethral stricture, hypospadias, interstitial cystitis and urinary incontinence. Materials and Methods: To provide a comprehensive summary of current knowledge on this topic, a literature review of English-language articles, with an emphasis on recent publications, was conducted. The review utilized the PubMed database and included 51 studies accessed prior to October 2024. Conclusions: PRP therapy appears to be a promising, safe, and minimally invasive treatment option for several urological conditions. Studies suggest that PRP may benefit erectile function, reduce symptoms in Peyronie's disease, and improve outcomes in conditions related to the urethra and bladder, with minimal reported adverse effects. However, the lack of standardized PRP preparation protocols and large placebo-controlled trials poses a challenge to fully establishing its efficacy. Further research is necessary to confirm PRP’s effectiveness, optimize preparation and administration methods, and develop guidelines for its clinical application in urology.

Introduction: Dysfunctions of the immune system in allergic diseases and hematological malignancies are the subject of many studies due to the mechanisms that link them. Chronic inflammation created in the immune response in an allergic reaction has been associated with developing neoplastic diseases. Aim of the study: This review examines the potential correlation between Allergies and Hematologic Tumors: acute lymphoblastic leukemia, childhood leukemias, non-Hodgkin and Hodgkin lymphomas. Material and methods: An English-language literature review was conducted, analyzing studies from the PubMed database up to October 2024 regarding the correlation between Allergies and Hematologic Tumors. The review was performed using the PubMed database, with 50 works used. Conclusions: The relationship between allergies and hematological tumors is unclear. According to some studies, this relationship does not exist; some state, however, that allergic diseases show correlations with hematological malignancies. The results of these studies do not provide a clear answer to whether this is a positive or negative relationship. Some studies suggest that allergies reduce the risk of hematological malignancies, while others contradict this, suggesting that allergies may increase the risk of hematological tumors. The results of studies showing an increased risk of hematological malignancies in people suffering from allergies can be due to the hypothesis of antigenic stimulation, which may explain the mechanism of correlation between those diseases. This hypothesis suggests that chronic immune stimulation predisposes to hematologic malignancies such as multiple myeloma, non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL), and leukemia by promoting the development of randomly occurring pro-oncogenic mutations in actively dividing immune cells. Different results on this potential correlation showed that further studies are necessary.