Volume 30, Issue 173, July 2026 (Forthcoming Issue)

About the Cover

Hormonal contraception is commonly used around the globe. Although there is no doubt about its effectiveness and additional therapeutic benefits, concerns about potential side effects keep influencing contraceptive choice and continuation. The goal of this narrative review is to summarise current evidence regarding both rare but severe risks: cardiovascular events and breast cancer, as well as more common but less significant side effects: headaches, mood changes, weight gain, and metabolic alterations. In this review, we focused on the following contraceptive methods: combined oral contraceptives, progestin-only pills, and hormonal intrauterine devices. Major medical databases were searched, with a focus on studies that were published within the last 10 years. The studies included were cohort studies, randomized clinical trials, cross-sectional studies, meta-analyses, and reviews. The results show a significant distinction in the profiles of side effects between estrogen-containing and progestin-only methods. Combined hormonal contraceptives have been shown to cause an increase in the frequency of cardiovascular events and migraine episodes. The best researched relation between combined hormonal contraceptives and migraine is hormonal-withdrawal migraine. Combined hormonal contraceptives have also shown unfavorable metabolic changes and an increased risk of breast cancer.

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REVIEW

Common side effects of hormonal contraception: a narrative review of recent studies

Iga B. Borejszo, Agata Leszek, Natalia Moskwa, Małgorzata Lubowiecka, Joanna H. Marczak, Ksenia Kobielak, Katarzyna Marut, Bianka Błaszkiewicz, Zuzanna Lecyk

Hormonal contraception is commonly used around the globe. Although there is no doubt about its effectiveness and additional therapeutic benefits, concerns about potential side effects keep influencing contraceptive choice and continuation

Medical Science, 2026, 30, e117ms3875

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Prevalence and associated risk factors of neck pain among musicians: a systematic review

Ewelina Maria Lachowska, Patrycja Anna Bartkiewicz, Wojciech Przemysław Baran, Cyprian Mariusz Janiszewski, Tomasz Wiktor Jędrasek, Adrian Korman, Wafa Al-Batool

Background: Playing-Related Musculoskeletal Disorders (PRMDs) are very common among musicians due to the repetitive nature of their movements and positions

Medical Science, 2026, 30, e118ms3882

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Partial Heart Transplantation: A Narrative Review of a Novel Valve Replacement Strategy

Julia Witkowska, Katarzyna Bielak, Adam Brożyna, Ksenia Jakubiak, Monika Krasoń, Mikołaj Kurczyński, Natalia Kursa, Agnieszka Mackiewicz, Aleksandra Pietrucień, Krystian Woźniak

Partial heart transplantation (PHT) is a new surgical option in pediatric cardiac reconstruction that could address major drawbacks of traditional valve replacement

Medical Science, 2026, 30, e119ms3890

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Current evidence on non-invasive methods for colorectal cancer detection

Jakub Majcherek, Tomasz Karwowski, Maciej Świerczyna, Agata Olecka, Filip Gałązka, Fryderyka Orawczak, Julia Gałązka, Mateusz Mazurek, Mikołaj Kotusiewicz, Zuzanna Czuba

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third cause of cancer deaths worldwide. The annual number of diagnosed cases is estimated at 2 million and is expected to increase

Medical Science, 2026, 30, e120ms3919

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The impact of alternative sources of nicotine on oral cavity health

Adrianna Chachuła, Patrycja Jędrzejewska, Julia Hofmann, Natalia Kruk, Julia Rojek, Izabela Ślusarczyk, Wojciech Szlajss, Szymon Uszak, Daria Wieczorek, Tomasz Szczawiński

From year to year, the popularity of alternative methods of using nicotine like smokeless tobacco, tobacco-free nicotine pouches, or e-cigarettes is increasing

Medical Science, 2026, 30, e121ms3876

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CASE REPORT

Surgical Ventricular Reconstruction and Aortic-Coronary Bypass Grafting in a Patient with Left Ventricular Aneurysm: Case Report and Literature Review

Dominika Wiśniewska, Michał Klimas, Martyna Winiarska, Dominik Jucha, Arkadiusz Jamro, Sabina Krupa-Nurcek

Heart failure (HF) is a chronic disorder in which the heart muscle is unable to pump blood effectively, resulting in an inadequate supply of oxygen and nutrients to tissues (including the heart muscle itself)

Medical Science, 2026, 30, e122ms3862

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REVIEW

Selenium supplementation in thyroid disorders: a comprehensive review

Martyna Sarzyńska, Mateusz Szabat, Sylwia Lepak, Zuzanna Irzyk, Dominika Ruszel, Emilia Goc, Julia Rogała, Katarzyna Markuszka, Kinga Polityńska, Klaudia Samuła

Selenium is an essential trace element that plays a key role in thyroid hormone metabolism and antioxidant protection. Among all organs, the thyroid gland has one of the highest selenium concentrations

Medical Science, 2026, 30, e123ms3866

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The Gut–Brain Axis in Depression: A Review of Current Evidence

Milena Kędzierska, Michał Wójcicki, Agnieszka Kowalska, Michał Biernacki

Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) is no longer seen just as a problem with brain chemicals. Instead, it is a whole-body issue. A key part of this is the gut-brain axis, in which the brain and the digestive system communicate via nerves, hormones, and the immune system

Medical Science, 2026, 30, e124ms3888

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The Future of DMD Therapy: A Systematic Review of CRISPR-Cas9 Innovations and Therapeutic Challenges

Monika Krasoń, Julia Witkowska, Ksenia Jakubiak, Krystian Woźniak, Adam Brożyna, Agnieszka Mackiewicz, Aleksandra Pietrucień, Natalia Kursa, Katarzyna Bielak, Mikołaj Kurczyński

Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is a rare progressive neuromuscular disorder caused by an absence of dystrophin that results in generalized muscle weakness and muscle wasting

Medical Science, 2026, 30, e125ms3899

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Resistance Training in Patients with Depression- Review of Literature

Kacper Paczosa, Katarzyna Jucha, Karol Piotrowski, Małgorzata Jerczak, Tomasz Pluszyński, Iga Piórkowska, Mikołaj Polewka, Aleksandra Polańska, Filip Przybył, Natalia Padula

Background: Depression is one of the most common mental diseases. It is estimated that this disease affects 4.4% of the world's population. Resistance training, which develops muscular strength and endurance, may serve as a supportive component in its treatment.

Medical Science, 2026, 30, e126ms3925

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Effectiveness and indications for Botulinum Toxin Type A Treatment in children and adolescents with Cerebral Palsy - A systematic review

Aleksandra Wyciślok, Weronika Kubiak, Amelia Sobanek, Filip Szewczyk, Erwin Górski, Justyna Koziarska, Jakub Deptuch, Zuzanna Szczerba

Introduction: Botulinum Toxin Type A (BoNT-A) has been the standard treatment for spasticity in children with Cerebral Palsy (CP) for over 30 years. Aim: This review provides an overview of the effectiveness and medical indications for BoNT

Medical Science, 2026, 30, e127ms3886

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Opportunities and mechanisms for achieving type 2 diabetes remission through nutritional interventions

Katarzyna Bielak, Natalia Kursa, Adam Brożyna, Agnieszka Mackiewicz, Aleksandra Pietrucień, Krystian Woźniak, Julia Witkowska, Ksenia Jakubiak, Mikołaj Kurczyński, Monika Krasoń

Background: The number of people with type 2 diabetes continues to grow, as this complex metabolic disease has many layers to its development. While there are numerous pharmacological and nutritional interventions

Medical Science, 2026, 30, e128ms3897

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Vitamin D as an immunomodulator in selected infectious diseases

Adam Kubisa, Mikhail Kazachok, Szymon Paruszewski, Aleksandra Dybcio, Katarzyna Kupczyk, Mikołaj Jońca, Natasza Kurys, Dorota Szydłowska, Mateusz Miluski, Julia Kupczak

Vitamin D deficiency has become a widespread global health concern, particularly in industrialized societies, where limited sun exposure reduces endogenous synthesis.

Medical Science, 2026, 30, e129ms3881

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Patient-Related Predictors of Response to Lower Limb Exoskeleton-Assisted Gait Rehabilitation: A Review

Rafał Gołacki, Bartosz Burda, Radosław Januszczak, Aleksandra Kaczmarek, Julianna Cholewa, Sylwia Szelc, Wiktoria Śliwa, Karolina Szymonek, Katarzyna Gołacka, Paweł Szymonek

Introduction: Gait impairments are a main cause of disability. Conventional rehabilitation often requires an intense effort from the physiotherapist with repetitive, specific movements

Medical Science, 2026, 30, e130ms3883

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The Anti-inflammatory Potential of Curcuma longa in Rheumatoid Arthritis: A Comprehensive Review of Clinical Evidence and Mechanisms

Adam Brożyna, Agnieszka Mackiewicz, Natalia Kursa, Aleksandra Pietrucień, Katarzyna Bielak, Krystian Woźniak, Julia Witkowska, Monika Krasoń

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic, inflammatory disease of autoimmune origin leading to the destruction of articular cartilage and bone, impairment of the musculoskeletal system, and premature disability

Medical Science, 2026, 30, e131ms3931

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Enzyme replacement therapy with asfotase alfa in children with hypophosphatasia – safety and effectiveness: narrative review

Ksenia Jakubiak, Julia Witkowska, Adam Brożyna, Agnieszka Mackiewicz, Katarzyna Bielak, Krystian Woźniak, Mikołaj Kurczyński, Monika Krasoń, Natalia Kursa, Aleksandra Pietrucień

Hypophosphatasia is a metabolic illness caused by mutations in the ALPL gene, which lead to impaired bone mineralization and multiple whole-body complications, including premature tooth loss.

Medical Science, 2026, 30, e132ms3929

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Childhood obesity – when to suspect an endocrine cause?

Julia Kupczak, Mikhail Kazachok, Szymon Paruszewski, Aleksandra Dybcio, Katarzyna Kupczyk, Mikołaj Jońca, Natasza Kurys, Dorota Szydłowska, Adam Kubisa, Mateusz Mikulski

Obesity in children represents a growing health problem of a global nature. It is associated with numerous metabolic and hormonal complications. The vast majority of childhood obesity cases are primary in nature

Medical Science, 2026, 30, e133ms3864

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