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Background Complex interactions between the brain, gut and adipose tissue allow to recognize obesity as a neurometabolic disorder. The recent data have shown that gut microbiota can play a potential role in obesity development. Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) is a safe and non-invasive technique to modulate the activity of cerebral cortex and other connected brain areas also in context of appetite control. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of repetitive anodal tDCS (AtDCS) of prefrontal cortex on feeding behavior, metabolic status and selected phyla of gut microbiota in rats with obesity induced by high-calorie diet (HCD). Methods 32 female Wistar rats were equally divided into 4 subgroups depending on diet effect (lean versus obese) and type of stimulation (active versus sham tDCS versus no stimulation). Feed intake, body weight, blood lipoproteins and leptin levels as well as Firmicutes and Bacteroidetes in intestines and stool were examined. Results HCD changed feeding behavior and metabolic parameters typically for obesity-related ranges and resulted in an abundance of Firmicutes at the expanse of Bacteroidetes in the large intestine and stool. AtDCS decreased appetite, body weight, and cholesterol levels. In addition, AtDCS reduced ratio of the average number of Firmicutes to average number of Bacteroidetes in all examined tissues. Conclusions Repetitive AtDCS is not only effective for appetite restriction but can also modulate gut microbiome composition which demonstrates the existence of the brain–gut–microbiome axis and points at this technique as a promising complementary treatment for obesity. However, the effects should be further replicated in human studies.

Genital tract ureaplasma infections are associated with numerous complications, ranging from inflammation, through infertility, to problematic pregnancy. In the course of ureaplasma infection, the risk of human papillomavirus infection increases. Diagnostic tests for urea-plasma infections are not always carried out, especially in women with the normal Nugent test results. The study attempts to check whether it is possible to find a prognostic indicator that could suggest a high abundance of ureaplasmas (≥ 104 CFU/ml) at the stage of the initial examination of vaginal discharge. Such a prognostic factor could qualify women for further tests to detect infections with these atypical bacteria. Six hundred twenty-seven white women with a score of 0–3 on the Nugent scale were tested, including 322 patients with a high abundance of ureaplasmas (≥ 104 CFU/ml) and 305 who tested negative for these bacteria. Ureaplasma infections were detected statistically significant in women who had few or no epithelial cells in the genital swab specimens compared to the results obtained for women with numerous or very numerous epithelial cells (p < 0.001). The risk of the high density of ureaplasmas was 38.7% higher with fewer or no epithelial cells than with high numbers. In patients aged 18–40 years with few or no epithelial cells, a high density of ureaplasmas (≥ 104 CFU/ml) was observed significantly more frequently (p = 0.003). Determining the number of epithelial cells in Gram-stained slides may be the prognostic indicator of ureaplasma infection. Testing for genital ureaplasma infection should be considered, especially in women of childbearing age (18–40 years), even if the Nugent test value is normal and pH ≤ 4.6.

Scabies is the skin infestation caused by Sarcoptes scabiei var hominis. It is one of the commonest dermatological infection which can affect people around the world. However, nails are relatively rarely involved, and the fingernails are mostly infected. The report a case of a 77-year-old woman, long-term pensioner of a nursing home, who had isolated toe subungual Sarcoptes infestation. In addition, the results of systematic review of toenails scabies was presented. Analysis of 21 subungual Sarcoptes infestation cases, revealed that patients in any age (median age 45+/-31.7-year-old) and sex can be affected. Most of the patients had concomitant diseases. Seventy-five percent of cases of nail involvement were treated with combined or sequential therapy. The most used drugs were ivermectin (IVR) and permethrin (PER) (each used in 47.6% cases), following γ-BHC (38.1%) and crotamiton (CRO) (23.8%). It seems that the crucial for adequate diagnosis in scabies affected nails is a precise anamnesis, early and accurate diagnosis that consists of examining not only skin lesions, but including assessing toenails, and differentiation of Sarcoptes infestation from other nail diseases as onychomycosis or psoriasis. Important to achieving a cure is at least frequent nail trimming, softening the nail plate with urea or in the difficult cases the mechanical removal of subungual plaque with using of a scabicide in the location allowing to penatrate it under the nail plate.

INTRODUCTION. Although homelessness is a worldwide problem also present in Poland and the Małopolska region, the data about it are not sufficient. AIM OF THE STUDY. Assessment of the general situation in Cracow and help options for homeless people. MATERIALS AND METHODS. A survey study conducted in 11 places offering refuge to homeless people in Cracow. RESULTS. In Cracow, there were 691 places to sleep in 11 institutions. Nine out of 11 were open all year long and most of them were available only for men. Five institutions offered meals, all of them had bathrooms, 7 places provided medical help. DISCUSSION. The expected number of homeless people in Poland and in Cracow seems to be underestimated. Basic needs of homeless people remain unsatisfied which decreases the possibility of transitioning out of homelessness. CONCLUSIONS. Help available for homeless people in Cracow needs improvements in all of the areas examined

Introduction Among medical staff, nurses are particularly vulnerable to occupational exposure since they provide direct patient care and perform medical activities which often involve using sharps. Aim The objective of the study was to examine the frequency of injuries and their causes in nursing. Methods A diagnostic survey was employed using an original questionnaire. The study was carried out from 3rd March to 2nd April 2017. The study group comprised part-time nursing students. 107 respondents participating in the study worked in out-patient (28%) and in-patient (72%) healthcare. Most of the respondents were aged 41–50 (34.6%). Results 61.7% of the respondents were injured at work. The injury reporting rate was: 19.7% always, 22.7% often, 30.3% rarely, and 27.3% never. The most commonly mentioned types of injuries included: prick (51.5%), cut (28.8%), scratch (10.6%), prick and cut (9.1%). The incidence of injuries varied. 48.5% of the studied people declared fewer than 5 incidents, 31.8% quoted 5–10 injuries, 6.1% recalled 11–20, 13.6% did not remember such a situation. For nurses with longer seniority, there is a significant increase in injuries (p=0.029). Sources of injuries were most often: injection needle (35.9%), ampoule with medicine (23.3%), pen (7.8%). Conclusions Not all occupational exposure cases are reported by nurses. Seniority determines injury incidence among nurses. The longer the seniority, the more common the injuries. The needle causes injuries most frequently.