Medical University of Warsaw

Primary biliary cholangitis (PBC) is a chronic autoimmune liver disease characterized by progressive biliary destruction and cholestasis. Current therapies, including ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA), exhibit limited efficacy in advanced disease. In this study, we investigate the therapeutic potential of microbial intervention using Lactobacillus rhamnosus (Lbr) in the Mcpip1fl/flAlbCre knockout mouse model of PBC, which we described previously. Knockout mice develop human PBC-like features such as bile acid dysregulation, autoantibodies, cholangiocyte hyperplasia and fibrosis. Six-week-old Mcpip1fl/fl (wild-type) and Mcpip1fl/flAlbCre (knockout) mice were treated with Lactobacillus rhamnosus supplementation, UDCA (15mg/kg/day), UDCA + Lbr, and UDCA + OCA (obeticholic acid, 10mg/kg/day) for six weeks. Treatment response was characterized by liver and gut pathology, serum biomarkers, transcriptomic profiles, and microbiome composition. Treatment of Mcpip1fl/flAlbCre animals with Lbr decreased serum bile acids and reduced pathological cholangiocyte dysplasia in the liver, decreased leukocyte infiltration and fibrosis. RNAseq of liver tissue revealed enrichment of humoral immune responses and T cell activation pathways in knockouts, all of which were significantly attenuated by Lbr monotherapy. Gut pathology marked by increased intraepithelial lymphocyte infiltration and mucosal hypertrophy, was also normalized upon Lbr administration. Finally, probiotic treatment modulated the microbiome by increasing the Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes ratio and enriching butyrate-producing Lachnospiraceae. Administration of UDCA and UDCA+OCA had less pronounced effects: only decreased serum bile acids was detected in both groups. Probiotic intervention with Lbr represents a feasible strategy to attenuate fibrotic progression in a mouse model of autoimmune cholestatic disease by modulation of the gut-microbiome-immune crosstalk.

Background. The gut microbiota plays a key role in metabolic regulation and is increasingly recognized as a mediator of lifestyle-related health outcomes. Physical activity has emerged as a potential modulator of microbial composition and function. Aim. This narrative review aims to summarize current evidence on the relationship between physical activity and the gut microbiota and to evaluate its implications for metabolic health. Materials and Methods. A PubMed search of English-language studies published over the last 10 years was conducted to assess the effects of physical activity on the gut microbiota and metabolic health. Additional studies were identified through reference screening. Results. Regular moderate physical activity is associated with increased microbial diversity and a higher abundance of beneficial bacteria, including short-chain fatty acid producers. These changes are linked to improved glucose metabolism, reduced inflammation, and enhanced intestinal barrier function. However, excessive or prolonged high-intensity exercise may induce adverse effects, such as increased gut permeability and dysbiosis. The observed effects are strongly influenced by diet and individual factors. Conclusions. The gut microbiota represents an important mediator of exercise-induced metabolic adaptations. Combined lifestyle interventions, particularly physical activity and a fiber-rich diet, may provide synergistic benefits. Further research is needed to develop personalized strategies targeting the gut microbiota in metabolic disease prevention.

Pigmented Bowen disease (pBD) may closely mimic lentigo maligna (LM) both clinically and dermoscopically. Accurate differentiation between these entities is clinically crucial, as misclassification may lead to overtreatment or undertreatment. Noninvasive imaging techniques, including dermoscopy and reflectance confocal microscopy (RCM), have improved diagnostic accuracy, but direct comparative data between pBD and LM remain limited. This observational cohort study included 10 consecutive cases of pBD and 10 consecutive cases of LM diagnosed between January and July 2024 at a tertiary referral dermatologic oncology center. All lesions were located on the head and neck and underwent dermoscopic and/or RCM evaluation prior to definitive diagnosis. Epidemiological, clinical, dermoscopic, and confocal features were retrospectively analyzed and compared between groups. The median age at diagnosis did not differ significantly between pBD and LM (64 vs. 56 years; p = 0.29). Surface scale was significantly more frequent in pBD (70.0% vs. 10.0%; p = 0.020). Dermoscopy showed substantial overlap between groups, although follicular-centric gray patterns were more commonly observed in LM. RCM demonstrated the highest discriminatory value: disarrayed keratinocytes were present in all pBD lesions compared with 30.0% of LM lesions (p = 0.003), while pagetoid cells were significantly more frequent in LM (70.0% vs. 10.0%; p = 0.020). In conclusion, a multimodal imaging approach integrating dermoscopy and RCM improves diagnostic discrimination between pBD and LM. RCM provides decisive cellular-level information and represents a valuable second-level tool in the evaluation of equivocal pigmented lesions.

Introduction: Assessing practical social media skills of nursing students has real-world significance. It can shape educational policies, curriculum development, and even the formulation of ethical guidelines for future healthcare professionals. This study aims to contribute to the existing literature by providing empirical data on the practical social media skills of Polish nursing students and their ability to integrate social media into their everyday, educational and professional lives. Materials and methods: All undergraduate (3-year bachelor’s program) Polish nursing students were eligible for the study. Out of 679 study participants, first-year students (n = 397, 58.73%) and women (n = 589, 87.13%) were the largest groups. The mean age of the study participants was 21.02 years (SD = 4.04). The Social Media Use Integration Scale was used, a p-value of <0.05 was considered. Results: The research reveals a moderate level of social media integration in the student population. Interestingly, the study identifies greater variability in the emotional and social aspects of media use compared to its integration into daily routines. Conclusions: In the broader context of the increasing importance of social media in educational settings, the study emphasizes the significance of assessment tools such as SMUIS. Thus, the research augments academic knowledge and provides practical insights for educational strategists and policymakers in the field of nursing education.

Idiopathic anterior uveitis accounts for a significant portion of uveitis and is responsible for localized intraocular inflammation. The case presents a long-term follow-up of a 38-year-old patient with a unilateral, recurrent and childhood-onset IAU. The patient encounters flare-ups approximately every six months, which are treated with topical corticosteroids and mydriatics, leading to quick resolution without lasting complications or visual acuity decline. Comprehensive diagnostic work-up ruled out infectious and autoimmune causes, highlighting the disease's purely ocular involvement. Examination of local immune reactions in the anterior chamber of eyes affected by IAU is crucial, as together with immune memory may persist even after clinical recovery. These mechanisms account for the persistent nature of inflammation and the drawbacks of existing topical treatments, which manage acute flare-ups but fail to address the fundamental immune dysregulation. New targeted strategies, such as locally delivered biologics or cytokine-modulating agents, could reduce recurrence while limiting systemic exposure. This case highlights the significance of localized ocular immune activation and underscores the necessity for treatments aimed at the root immunopathogenesis of IAU.