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Sleep is a key component of everyone's health. It plays an important role in the body's recovery, improvement of cognitive function, and overall well-being. This thesis explores various aspects of sleep, focusing on its physiology, functions, and role in daily life. The paper includes detailed analyses of the effects of sleep on memory, the effects of deprivation, and techniques to improve sleep quality, such as sleep duration and regularity, minimising alcohol and caffeine intake, and meditation practices. The link between sleep and physical activity is also proving to be extremely important. Regular activity affects sleep quality and mental health. Finally, sleep is the foundation of health and well-being. Despite the wealth of information we already have, the importance and role of sleep presented in the following article demonstrate that this area should invariably be the subject of further research to help us gain an even better understanding of, and therefore influence, the quality of our sleep.

Introduction Obesity is a complex, chronic disease that continues to be a significant global health challenge due to its prevalence and association with numerous comorbidities. Etiology of this disease includes different factors from genetic, environmental, and lifestyle fields, while effective management of obesity is still being studied. Aim of the study The aim of this comprehensive review is to examine arising innovations in the treatment of adult obesity. Deeper insight into the available database would help to provide better understanding of obesity and of its treatment. Materials and Methods To reach satisfying results the research was conducted on the articles referring to obesity treatment from the Pubmed databases. Articles from recent years were preferably utilized to keep the review up to date. Results Nowadays, pharmacotherapy can offer GLP-1 receptor agonists like liraglutide or semaglutide, and new drugs like tirzepatide that show great effectiveness. Additionally, bariatric surgery continues to offer great solution for severe obesity, combining restrictive and malabsorptive mechanisms for significant weight loss and metabolic benefits. The main procedures include gastric bypass with sleeve gastrectomy or duodenal switch. Personalized treatment, referring to different obesity phenotypes, has shown improvement in the therapeutic outcomes. Some new therapies are studied including triple agonists (retatrutide), non-peptide GLP-1 receptor agonists, and drugs reaching other receptors. All of them are promising for the effective obesity treatment in the future. Summary This review underlines the need for multidisciplinary and personal approach in the treatment of obesity and the need to share the knowledge about it to address the growing obesity epidemic effectively. Recognizing obesity as a chronic and complex disease is essential to improve patient’s understanding of their condition as well as to reach effective treatment outcomes.

Introduction and objective: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a leading cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide. Early detection is crucial for better outcomes. Traditional diagnostic methods, such as imaging and biopsies, often fail to detect HCC in early stages. Liquid biopsy, based on circulating free DNA (cfDNA) analysis, offers a promising, non-invasive approach, allowing frequent testing, addressing tumor heterogeneity, and reducing costs. Review methods: This article's databases were accessed through the WHO website, PubMed, and Google Scholar. A brief description of the state of knowledge: Early detection of HCC significantly improves survival. Biomarkers from cfDNA, including DNA fragment patterns, methylation markers (e.g., USP44), 5-hydroxymethylcytosine (5hmC), and digital PCR analysis, have shown potential in early-stage detection. Advanced cfDNA fragmentomics identifies tumor-specific DNA fragmentation patterns. Techniques like DELFI demonstrate high sensitivity (94%) and specificity (98%). Machine learning enhances cfDNA analysis by integrating multiple markers, improving accuracy in distinguishing cancerous from precancerous states. Combining methylation analysis with machine learning further addresses challenges of tumor heterogeneity. Summary: Studies highlight the high sensitivity and specificity of cfDNA biomarkers for HCC diagnosis, especially in high-risk groups like individuals with cirrhosis. Integrating technologies like 5hmC analysis and machine learning enables early diagnosis and treatment monitoring. These advancements represent a transformative step in cancer diagnostics, offering effective tools to improve patient outcomes.

Introduction and purpose Prostate cancer is the most common malignant tumor in men in Poland. In 2021, the standardized incidence rate was 48.2 cases per 100,000 people. It is diagnosed mainly in men over 60 years of age. The choice of treatment method depends on the stage of the disease, general condition and age of the patient. Treatment mainly includes surgery, radiotherapy and hormone therapy. In the case of surgical procedures, it is possible to perform prostate cancer surgery using the Da Vinci single-port surgical robot. The aim of this literature review is to describe the procedure of radical prostatectomy using the da Vinci single-port robot and to assess the effectiveness of radical prostatectomy using the da Vinci single-port robot compared to open and laparoscopic prostatectomy. Material and methods This review of studies was based on articles obtained from the scientific database PubMed. Key search terms included prostate cancer; robot-assisted radical prostatectomy; robotic surgery; da Vinci Surgical System; da Vinci single-port; laparoscopic prostatectomy; open prostatectomy. Conclusions Currently, the da Vinci single-port surgical system is playing an increasingly important role in radical prostatectomy centers. It is increasingly replacing open radical prostatectomies due to its higher treatment efficacy and fewer complications. However, no significant differences have been demonstrated compared to classical laparoscopic surgery. Further studies are also necessary to assess functional and oncological results.

Consumers appreciate fermented meat products due to their nutritional value and unique taste. Fermented fruit vinegar used traditionally to preserve food is characterized by a high content of nutrients and bioactive ingredients. Acid whey has antioxidant and antibacterial properties and can provide probiotic lactic acid bacteria (LAB). Three variants of the fermented beef hams were produced: AW—1.5% salt and 5% acid whey, A—1.5% salt and 5% apple vinegar, and C—1.5% salt. The effect of natural marination, based on apple vinegar and acid whey on volatiles, physicochemical and microbiological parameters, and sensory quality of the raw fermented beef hams was assessed. The highest pH and the lowest oxidation–reduction potential value (ORP) was found for A hams after production and after storage (p < 0.05). AW hams had the highest Thiobarbituric Acid-Reactive Substances (TBARS) value after production (6.07 mg MDA/kg) and after 8 months of storage (6.12 mg MDA/kg) (p < 0.05). The AW and A hams showed moderate overall sensory quality after production and after storage (above 5 c.u.). Both treatments modify the formation and stability of volatile compounds, not affecting the overall quality. The number of LAB in raw fermented beef hams with acid whey and apple vinegar was high (approximately 7 log CFU/g) after 3 months, and this decreased after 8 months of storage to 6.24 and 5.83 log CFU/g, respectively, for AW and A treatment. Among sixty volatile compounds, an abundance of aldehydes, carboxylic acids, esters, and alcohols dominated, which contributed to the formation of aroma attributes of beef hams. This study demonstrates that apple vinegar and acid whey can be used for the production of microbiologically safe fermented beef hams with good sensory quality.

Several transcription inhibitors have been developed as cancer therapies. However, they show modest clinical activity, highlighting that our understanding of the cellular response to transcriptional inhibition remains incomplete. Here we report that potent inhibitors of transcription not only impact mRNA output but also markedly impair mRNA transcript localization and nuclear export. We demonstrate that retention of newly transcribed mRNA in nuclear speckles is an adaptive response to chemically distinct transcriptional inhibitors. Retained transcripts are fully processed and accumulate in proportion to the expression level of the genes from which they emanate. The TREX mRNA export complex plays an integral role in directing nascent transcripts to nuclear speckles where they are bound to NXF1, protected from degradation, and poised for rapid export following re-initiation of transcription. Our findings provide new insights into the crosstalk between transcription and mRNA export with important implications for drugs aiming to inhibit transcription for therapeutic gain. [Display omitted] • Global inhibition of transcription impairs mRNA localization and nuclear export • TREX directs mRNAs to the nuclear speckle where they are bound by NXF1 • Mature, export-competent mRNAs are retained and protected in nuclear speckles • Reinitiation of transcription leads to rapid mRNA export preserving cell identity Transcription inhibitors also disrupt nuclear export. Here, Williams et al. reveal that mRNA export factors sense transcription inhibition and adapt by storing mature export-competent mRNA in nuclear speckles. This enables rapid release when transcription resumes and ensures retention of cellular identity and viability during a transient global transcription insult. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]