In order to verify the potential association between the aetiopathogenesis of adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) and the process of sexual maturation, we determined the concentrations of oestrogens in pre- and postmenarcheal girls affected by this condition. AIS, occurring mostly in pubescent girls, is one of the most frequent forms of faulty posture. Therefore, it was assumed that the multifactorial pathomechanism of AIS involves significant deficiency of oestrogens. The diagnosis of AIS was established on the basis of physical examination and analyses of radiograms. Concentrations of FSH, LH, oestrogens, progesterone, osteocalcin and RANKL were determined by ELISA. The activity of alkaline phosphatase (AP) was measured by kinetic method. The study included pre- and postmenarcheal girls with AIS and corresponding groups of scoliosis-free controls. In premenarcheal scoliotic girls, the levels of FSH, LH and oestradiol were lower; the levels of progesterone, oestrone and oestriol were higher; and the concentrations of oestrone and oestriol were similar compared to premenarcheal controls. Higher levels of RANKL, osteocalcin and AP were observed in premenarcheal adolescents with AIS compared to controls. The concentrations of FSH, LH, oestradiol, and progesterone in postmenarcheal girls with scoliosis were lower, oestrone were slightly lower and oestriol did not differ compared with the control group. Significantly higher levels of RANKL, osteocalcin and AP were observed in postmenarcheal scoliotic adolescents compared with controls. There is an interdependence between the concentration of oestradiol and development of scoliosis. Determination of estradiol may have diagnostic value in the screening of spinal pathologies associated with AIS.

A cross-sectional study of 2 groups of patients with scoliosis, and an age-matched control group was conducted. Each of the groups such as patients with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) as well as control group were divided additionally into 2 groups: premenarcheal and postmenarcheal girls. The aim of the study was to determine the levels of 25-OH-vitamin D3, calcium and phosphate, parathyroid hormone (PTH), and calcitonin in serum of pre- and postmenarcheal girls with AIS and corresponding groups of scoliosis-free controls. The primary etiology and pathogenesis of AIS remains unknown. It is assumed that vitamin D deficiency and genetic predisposition, for example, polymorphisms of vitamin D receptor, have a great significance. Vitamin D plays a key role in skeletal development and prevents bone atrophy, affects the absorption of calcium, maintains calcium-phosphate homeostasis, and the bone matrix mineralization. Its deficiency can result in a wide variety of skeletal deformities, low bone mass, and then leads to the disappearance of bone. Defects in trabecular bone structure and/or bone mineralization are the main features of scoliosis. Some studies have reported that Vitamin D deficiency is common among patients with AIS. The mechanism of Vitamin D action on scoliosis development is still unclear. Determination of serum 25-OH-D3 levels was performed using high-performance liquid chromatography chromatography; concentrations of calcium and phosphate were measured using colorimetric methods, and concentration of PTH and calcitonin was measured using ELISA system. Reduction in the serum levels of 25-OH-D3 and calcitonin in girls with AIS compared with healthy girls was demonstrated. The phosphate-calcium balance and PTH level seem to be normal in patients with AIS. The calcitonin level in girls with AIS is 2-fold lower than in healthy subjects. It is possible that the deficiency of vitamin D can be involved in AIS. 4.

BACKGROUND: Cryotherapy is a physiotherapy method used to treat back pain in older persons. OBJECTIVE: This study aims to evaluate the changes in the rheological parameters of blood in older women with spondyloarthrosis, who underwent whole-body cryo

Introduction and objective: The Rehabilitation Definition for Research Purposes (RDRP), published in 2022 by Cochrane Rehabilitation, addresses discrepancies resulting from the multiplicity and heterogeneity of rehabilitation definitions hitherto used in the contexts of science, health, and...

Background: The aim of this study was to determine the type of medial longitudinal arch (MLA) in students of Krakow universities, investigate the relationship between physical activity and the shaping of the feet, and examine the relationship between hallux valgus angle and the type of footwear chosen most often. Methods: The study group consisted of 120 students, of which 56 respondents were students of the University School of Physical Education in Krakow, whereas the remaining 64 respondents were students of the Pedagogical University of Krakow. To evaluate the MLA, a podoscope was used, which allowed us to determine the length and width of the foot, and calculation of the Clarke angle, heel angle γ, and the angle of hallux valgus. All students were also subjected to a measurement of body weight and height. Results: There was a statistically significant relationship between physical activity and the Clarke angle in the group of women studying at the University School of Physical Education. There was no correlation between the hallux valgus angle and the type of footwear chosen most often in the research groups. Conclusions: The most frequently diagnosed type of longitudinal and transverse arch foot in the research group was normal MLA. There was no relationship between physical activity and transverse arch foot in any of the research groups.

Background. The aim of this study was to analyze the effects of a single bout of submaximal exercise on rheological properties of the blood children with type 1 diabetes mellitus and healthy controls. Material and methods. The study included 18 children in the age before puberty, with type 1 diabetes, both newly diagnosed (Group 1, n = 11) and with the diagnosis established at least five years earlier (Group 2, n = 7). Group 3 (n = 11) was comprised of age- and sex-matched healthy controls. Children from all the groups were subjected to progressive submaximal exercise test on a cycle ergometer. Prior to the exercise and after the test, rheological parameters of peripheral blood erythrocytes: elongation index (EI), amplitude of aggregation (AMP), half time of total aggregation (T_1/2) and aggregation index (AI) were determined. Results. No significant differences were found between the pre- and post-exercise values of erythrocyte aggregability measures (AI, T_1/2 and AMP) and EI values at 0.30–59.07 Pa for any of the study groups. Conclusions. These results suggest that a single bout of physical exercise exerts no unfavorable effect on erythrocyte rheology in children with type 1 diabetes mellitus. Also time elapsed since the diagnosis of type 1 diabetes mellitus does not influence rheological properties of the blood. Background. The aim of this study was to analyze the effects of a single bout of submaximal exercise on rheological properties of the blood children with type 1 diabetes mellitus and healthy controls. Material and methods. The study included 18 children in the age before puberty, with type 1 diabetes, both newly diagnosed (Group 1, n = 11) and with the diagnosis established at least five years earlier (Group 2, n = 7). Group 3 (n = 11) was comprised of age- and sex-matched healthy controls. Children from all the groups were subjected to progressive submaximal exercise test on a cycle ergometer. Prior to the exercise and after the test, rheological parameters of peripheral blood erythrocytes: elongation index (EI), amplitude of aggregation (AMP), half time of total aggregation (T_1/2) and aggregation index (AI) were determined. Results. No significant differences were found between the pre- and post-exercise values of erythrocyte aggregability measures (AI, T_1/2 and AMP) and EI values at 0.30–59.07 Pa for any of the study groups. Conclusions. These results suggest that a single bout of physical exercise exerts no unfavorable effect on erythrocyte rheology in children with type 1 diabetes mellitus. Also time elapsed since the diagnosis of type 1 diabetes mellitus does not influence rheological properties of the blood.